Home Blog Page 1642

Buhari, Uzodinma Salute Archbishop Onuoha On Election As President Christian Council of Nigeria

April 30, 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari and the Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma have poured encomia on the Anglican Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province cum Bishop of Okigwe South Diocese, Most Rev. David Ikechukwu Chikezie Onuoha, on his emergence as the 21st indigenous President of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN).

Buhari and Uzodimma did on Sunday at the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord (CATOL), Owerri during the formal presentation and dedication of other national officers of CCN.

In a letter of commendation and congratulation to Archbishop Onuoha by Buhari which was read by Governor Uzodimma, the President also said he has no doubt the top clergy will live up to expectations and demands of his office, going by his track records.

President Buhari prayed that Archbishop Onuoha’s vision regarding the growth and development of the Church, as well as his tenure, will be successful.

The President had written that he believes that “the long years of service and experience in the Christendom, coupled with your spiritual flavour and sound theological training, passion for ecumenical unity and inter faith dialogue have rightly prepared you for the task ahead.”

Buhari thanked the Archbishop for his unfailing devotion to the unity and prosperity of a united Nigeria and for constantly interceding for those in authority.

In his sermon at the Church Service, the Archbishop had preached and emphasised on the unity and peace of Nigeria.

He maintained that there is unity in strength, hence the faithful must work together to ensure Nigeria’s unity, noting that “no religion can do it alone.”

Archbishop Onuoha who drew his lessons from the Book of John, Chapter 17 also admonished the faithful to pray for God’s strength, and for God to let His peace reign in their lives and Nation.

Earlier when the Archbishop and his team paid a courtesy call on the Governor to intimate him of the CCN Conference taking place in Owerri, Governor Uzodimma reminded them that partnership with the Church is inevitable if the people must be served better.

He welcomed them to Imo State for the Conference and congratulated Archbishop Onuoha and the entire Christian Council for the choice of Owerri for the meeting and also, for coming together to organise the Conference.

Governor Uzodimma who described Archbishop Onuoha as “one of our best brightest,” reiterated that “there is no difference between the Government and the Church,” noting that “the functions of the Church and that of Government go paripassu.”

“As a matter of fact, there is need for partnership between the Church and government because both government schools and mission schools go together.”

The Governor told the CCN leadership that his administration had already constituted a committee on education charged with the responsibility of harmonising both the mission and government schools.

The Governor reminded his guests that he is an Ecumenist, “because God does not discriminate. God is Omnipresence, who gave man life free of charge.God does not make mistakes.”

He assured them that he will continue to work with the clergy and support the Church. “Every Church that is indeed a Church, because it is not about your denomination but about being sensitive to your environment.’’

Archbishop Onuoha told the Governor that their visit was in keeping with the tradition of respecting the leaders and to inform him that they are in his State.

He informed the Governor that they have been meeting on the theme: The Presence of God – “because where there is the presence of God what seems impossible becomes possible.”

He described the Governor as “a lover of God, exemplified in the way he relates with the people of God and all denominations.”

Archbishop Onuoha who said he did not have any iota of doubt about the relationship Governor Uzodimma shares with all faiths in the country proudly told his colleagues that, “My Governor is an Ecumenist.’’

He reminded them: “For 12 years no Pilgrim from Imo State had visited the Holy land. But just on April 28, 2023, the first batch of 300 pilgrims out of the 1000 pilgrims sponsored by the Governor were airlifted to the Holy land of Israel.

“The Governor, by doing that has opened the God’s window to Imo people and Imo State, as the prayers of the pilgrims will bring progress, peace and blessings to the State.”

However, he made a request that: ‘’it is time to fight insecurity through education.”

According to him, “Government at the end of the war took over schools they could not manage,” and pleaded with the Governor “to work out a plan of partnership with the Church in rebuilding our schools and restoring morals.”

The top clergy emphasised that “the major cause of insecurity is as a result of lack of morals among our youths,” and appealed to the Governor to, at their comity of States meeting, help to speak for the protection of Christianity. ‘’Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria, so that Christianity does not go into extinction.’’

Present at the courtesy call were the Chief of Staff, Bar Nnamdi Anyaehie, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. COC Akaolisa, Hon.Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba among others.

The Church Service where Archbishop Onuoha was presented as CCN 21st indigenous President and the others dedicated to God, was attended by the top echelon of the faiths that make up the CCN, including the Primate of the All Nigeria (Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion), His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Henry Ndukuba.

The Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Emeka Nduka, the Secretary to the Imo State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, the Chairman of the Board of Benjamin Uwajimogu College of Education, HRH, Eze Oliver Ohanwe, among other top government officials attended the ceremony.

Ekiti Puts Local Councils On Alert As Committee Begins Inspection Of Projects

Ayodele Oni

April 30, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Programmes and activities 16 local government councils and 22 council development areas in Ekiti state have come under scrutiny as the Project Assessment Committee commences visit to project sites.

The committee was constituted by the state government in line with its accountability policy.

This is sequel to the release of funds to the councils for implementation of projects that have direct impact on the lives of the people.

The Project Assessment Committee, headed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget, Economic Planning and Performance Management, Mr Niyi Adebayo, commenced the verification exercise last week with visits to some local government areas.

The local government areas that have been visited include Efon, Ekiti South- West, Ijero, Moba, Oye and ikole among others.

Adebayo explained in Ado Ekiti that the team was set up by the Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, with the mandate to go round the local government areas and verify all the projects for which the councils have received funding.

According to him, the assessment is also to ensure that the councils’ programmes and projects align with the State Development Plan.

The Assessment Team, according to him, would verify the number and location of all the projects, level of completion as well as quality of work done and present a comprehensive report to the Governor for further action.

He said the Biodun Oyebanji administration is committed to ensuring that every kobo of the tax payers’ money released for projects is well utilized and properly accounted for.

My Convoy Not Under Attack – Uzodinma

The Source

April 29, 2023

By Charles Igbo

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has said that his Convoy was not under attack, anywhere, either in the State or outside it on Saturday, 29 April or any other day.

A report had surfaced Online which claimed that the Governor’s Convoy came under heavy attack by gunmen around the Ngor Okpala Owerri- Aba axis. It claimed that while the Governor escaped, his Security Aides suffered heavy fatalities and serious injuries.

But a statement signed by his Media Adviser/ Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, dismissed the report as satanic and a lie from the pit of hell, fabricated by Uzodinma haters.

The statement reads:

“Our attention has been drawn to a satanic fabrication by sworn enemies of Imo State and its performing Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, claiming that the Governor’s convoy was attached Saturday by gunmen along Ngor Okpala-Aba road.

“Those behind the satanic-driven falsehood and fake news also claimed that seven persons believed to be security aides on the said convoy died in the process, and that five Government Aides to the Governor sustained different injuries.

“The author of the wicked fabrication further claimed to have spoken to one of the security operatives on condition of anonymity.

“For the avoidance of doubt, no such thing happened.

“Rather, what is at play is nothing but orchestrated falsehood arising from extreme hallucination due to alliance and communication with the devil by the author.

“Governor Uzodimma’s convoy did not move an inch on Saturday because there was no need since His Excellency was busy in office, from morning till late in the evening, attending to numerous State matters that are dear to his heart and in the interest of the people.

“We are aware that sore losers in Imo State politics can never and have never wished the Governor and his government well, hence they have continually resorted to raking up matters they know are pure lies to destabilise him.

“They have continued to do so because they cannot come to terms with the superlative performance of the Governor and his government despite all they have done to frustrate his administration, including orchestrating insecurity.

“The good news is that Governor Uzodimma has remained undaunted in his determination to turn the fortunes of Imo State around and will continue to remain focused for as long as he will be in office as the Governor.

“In the warped imagination of the author of the satanic fabrication, he may be thinking that he is hurting the Governor and his government. Unfortunately, he may not know how much burning cold he is heaping on his head and by extension, the heads of those behind his wicked trade.

“Imo people are happy with Governor Uzodimma and his government. They are enjoying the benefits of the governor’s focused Shared Prosperity 3R Government, the reason they have urged him to seek re-election in November.

“Unfortunately for the masterminds of death for their dear governor and those working with him, the grace of God that has sustained him in office since January 15, 2020, will be there for him till January 15, 2028 when he will serve out his second term.

“Therefore, the public in general and the good people of Imo State, are advised to ignore the dastard and evil personified falsehood as coming from perversed minds or better still, agents of darkness.”

How This Year’s May Day Rally Will Be Held – NLC; As TUC Protests Denial Of Eagle Square

Ayodele Oni

April 29, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

This Year’s May Day Rally which holds on Monday will be unique as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) announced that the celebration will be held on the streets of the Federal Capital Territory to enable Congress deepen its reconnection with the people.

The decision is coming after the union was denied usage of the Eagle Square which hosts the May Day rally every year.

The Trade Union Congress, (TUC) has flayed government action for denying Unions the use of the traditional venue for the event.

Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the Congress, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja that the action of government on the usage of the traditional venue was questionable.

In the statement was titled,” National May Day celebration in Abuja: Change of Venue” NLC declared that “As you must have been aware of the last-minute questionable action of the Government at the centre to deny us the use of the Eagle Square for this year’s May-Day celebrations three days to the event despite having granted us the permit months ago.

”Do remember that this is a venue we have been using in the past decades for our May Day celebrations.

“The sudden decision to withdraw the permit may be laden with mischief and actually a sign of what is to come in the near future. It is a call to all of us to be prepared.

”As a result of this unfortunate development, we want to inform you that we have decided to shift the venue for the celebration to the Streets of Abuja.

“This is so that we can deepen our reconnection with the people who are our true partners in the struggle for a free society,” he said.

The scribe said that the take-off point shall be at the National Headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) by 8:00 a:m

He added that all affiliates are to assemble on the grounds of the Paschal Bafyau Labour House on Monday the 1st of May from where we shall proceed on a rally around Abuja.

He, however, assured workers of the NLC continued commitment to traditions and values.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC), in its reaction, protested the last minute order denying organized labour the use of Eagle Square as venue for the May 1, Workers Day rally.

Mr Festus Osifoh, TUC President, made the union’s position known while addressing newsmen at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC), meeting which held on Friday night in Abuja.

According to the TUC, the union rejects the last minute change of venue for the Workers’ Day rally.

“One of the agencies under the FCTA communicated to us that the Eagles Square will not be available for our May Day parade on Monday.

“But suffice to note that this is not the first time that we will be holding May Day parade at the Eagle Square, and swearing in would follow on May 29.

“This has been taking place since 1999, and we have always had a way of carrying out our parade before they go ahead with their preparations for hand-over.

“May 1, is four weeks away from the handing over date, but our government is telling us that political considerations are much more important than the issues of workers,” he said.

Osifoh expressed disappointment with the Federal Government, for putting political considerations above workers’ interests and welfare, insisting that the congress believed that workers’ issues should be prioritised.

According to him, the organized Labour rejects offers of other alternatives, saying; “they have asked us to go to the Old Parade Ground, and we are not going.”

Binani: On-the-run REC Ari, Writes IGP, Accuses INEC Federal Commissioners Of Corruption, Insists Binani Won, Defends Action

Adesina Soyooye

April 29, 2023

By Adesina Soyooye

In a twist in the scandalous story of the Adamawa Governorship Supplementary Election, the much maligned Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, has accused two Federal Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of receiving bribe from the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, to declare him winner of the election, and so, re-elected as Governor.

Yunusa-Ari has been in hiding since 16th April 2023, when he declared Aishatu Dahiru Binani, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, winner, and so Governor-elect of the State.

He had usurped the responsibility of the Returning Officer, Professor Mohammed Mele, and declared Binani the winner when the collation of results had not been completed.

INEC quickly disowned him, cancelled the result he declared, and dismissed it as null and void. It was to, later, declare Governor Fintiri re-elected for a second term.

Yunusa-Ari was barred from INEC office Yola, by the INEC Authorities, and invited to its Abuja Headquarters. But he never showed up. INEC invited the Police to do its job and investigate the REC.

A couple of days later, President Muhammadu Buhari weighed-in, suspended the REC, and ordered the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate the incident. He also directed the Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corp to investigate their officers who were present to ascertain the role they played in the incident which triggered protests and embarrassed the Nation.

But in a letter dated 20 April, 2023 which Yunusa-Ari wrote to the IGP from his hiding place, he defended himself and insisted he did no wrong. He said he declared Binani winner in adherence to due process, and alleged that it was two INEC Federal Commissioners who usurped his job, took bribe from Fintiri, in order to declare him winner.

Following, is the full text of his letter to the IGP, also, copied to the Director General of the DSS and the National Security Adviser, NSA. He titled it:

Report of the conduct of supplementary elections held on the 15th April, 2023 in Adamawa state

“You may wish to know that there is no better time than now to update the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and all concerned Nigerians on the conduct of the 15th April, 2023 supplementary elections in Adamawa State.

“It is against this background that you sent two National Commissioners, Dr. Baba Bila and Prof. Abdullahi Zuru to assist me in the conduct of the re-run elections in Adamawa State. | hope this was a confirmation that you wanted the Commission to conduct the elections to reflect the collective aspirations of the people of the State.

“At the end of the day, the actions of the two National Commissioners left much to be desired. The Commissioners held a meeting with my management staff in my absence and I did not know the outcome of the meeting and there was a sudden move to tamper with the list of Collation Officers (Cos) earlier released for the rerun election.

“On the day of election, before the sensitive and non-sensitive materials were to be distributed across the affected Local Governments and polling units, I received a security report from the Commissioner of Police that Boko Haram insurgents from neighbouring states were recruited by some politicians to cart away sensitive materials and disrupt the elections.

“According to the report, the sensitive materials were not expected to leave the INEC office on the 14th April, 2023 until the day of election, which was on the 15th April, 2023 as shown in the attached photocopy of the letter from the Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State as Annex Al and A2.

“After the first letter from the Police Commissioner, another letter came from Police updating me that the security threat is still high as some Local Government Collation centers will be attacked and as such the Police advise that all collations from Registration Areas (RAs) and Local Government centers should be done at the State level, which was the INEC headquarters Annex, Adamawa State. Attached is the photocopy of the second letter from the Commissioner of Police as Annex B.

“In line with the security advice, I directed the Electoral Officers (Eos) and Local Government Collation officers to ensure that Results Collations should be done at a centralized INEC ANNEX OFFICE IN DOUGIREI, Yola

“However, at this point, the National Commissioners quickly and secretly gave out conflicting counter directives to the Eos that collation should be done in the Local Government Areas with an instruction that NEW LGA COLLATION OFFICERS which | am not aware of will be sent to them.

“This is without my knowledge or authorization as the Resident Electoral Commissioner as recognized by laws establishing INEC and the Electoral act.

“In the evening, when I was preparing for state collation, all seats for ICCES (Interagency Consultative Committee on election Security) members were set, I got to the place and discovered that my name was replaced with that of the Administrative Secretary to take charge of collation.

“I then asked the National Commissioners to explain why they would exclude me from the process of collating results. But there was no explanation. After some time, the National Commissioners declared that | was nowhere to be found.

“Immediately after the announcement, someone called me and informed me about the development. So around 1:00 am on Sunday 16th April, 2023, I came back to the collation center and saw some people sleeping including the two National Commissioners.

“I addressed them that I was still the Resident Electoral Commissioner and that all stakeholders for the re-run election should return to the collation center by 11:00 am on Sunday, 16th April, 2023.

“It is important to note that while the National Commissioners defiled the security concerns released by the Commissioner of Police, they purportedly did result collation at various locations by their self-appointed, unapproved and illegal collation officers.

“Meanwhile, I received reports that the collations at the various centers left much to be desired.

“So due to the pressure and the numerous calls I received from party agents and candidates of political parties threatening to cause mayhem for not having confidence in the collation of results at the various collation centers as directed by the National Commissioners, I looked inward and decided to call for all the results from the sixty-nine (69) polling units.

“To avert the impending danger of the delay in announcing the results of the supplementary elections, I received the authentic results submitted by the Presiding Officers (POs) from all the sixty-nine polling units and compared them with results that were uploaded on the IREV (INEC portal) and I realized that the results on the portal were different because the results on the INEC portal were not signed by me”.

Speaking further, he said

“On 15/04/2023 at about 10:00pm, armed Policemen from the Government House came to my house and placed me under House Arrest to prevent me from conducting my legitimate duties.

“It took the intervention of the Commissioner of Police who sent Mobile Policemen to my house to save the day and when they heard that a call was made to the CP, the Policemen trom Government House fled in a White Toyota Hilux van.

“In view of the time constraint and obvious risk to my life and to conclude the supplementary elections and forestall the breakdown of law and order, I organized a meeting comprising my co-chair, who is the Commissioner of Police, Director of Security Services, Commandant of Civil Defense Corps and others on the way forward.

“As the action of the National Commissioners and threats by political parties over the process of collating results created an atmosphere of violence that almost marred the election, most of the stakeholders were scared and refused to continue with the election process including the Returning Officer (RO).

“I also organized a meeting with the chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council, in the person of Mr. Bello Babajo who assured me that he would reach out to all the political parties to calm down the tension and to allow the process to be concluded swiftly.

“It was based on this, that I compiled all the polling unit results and declared the winner of the election based on the highest number of valid votes scored by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani.

“The breakdown was the valid votes scored by the two leading candidates in the supplementary election using the results from the polling units as collated into all relevant Forms EC8B, C,D and E respectively by properly and legally appointed and recognized Collation Officers and my humble self as Adamawa state Chief Collation Officer and Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).

“Prior to the declaration, there was an intelligence report made available to me that the two National Commissioners were at the Government House, Yola, at 8:31pm on 15/04/2023 and held a meeting with the State Governor, Mr. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.

“So, immediately after the declaration, some PDP supporters attacked one of the National Commissioners, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru as well as the Returning Officer, Prof. Muhammed Mele for failing to deliver Mr. Anmadu Umaru Fintiri winner in the election after collecting money from him.

“It was also alleged that the people beaten in the purported video wanted to subvert the re-run election in Adamawa State and undermine the will of the Adamawa people as expressed through the ballot.

“A staff of Department of State Services (DSS) on intelligence gathering on the money allegedly given to the National Commissioners was also disarmed, abducted, taken to Government House Yola and assaulted by Police from Government House, Yola and thugs loyal to the PDP.

“In view of the preceding paragraphs, whatever may be collated by the two National Commissioners is shrouded in doubt which is unacceptable and therefore illegal. On my own side, I want to categorically say that my action is within the responsibility vested on me and within the ambit of the law particularly the Electoral Act 2022 as amended.”

Investigations are still on. The whereabouts of the suspended REC Yunusa-Ari is not yet known. It is believed that his letter, in his absence, will help in the investigations.

G5: Wike Visits Tinubu Without Ortom, Ikpeazu, Ugwuanyi; Goes With Makinde Only

The Source

April 29, 2023

Any Atiku Supporter Is An Enemy – Governor Ortom

By Gideon Njoku

The activities of the G5, a group of five dissident Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, seem to have come to an end. The five seem not to be together, again, as they were before the February 25, Presidential Election.

Months to the Election, they travelled everywhere together, within and outside Nigeria. To Europe, for example, they visited many times, as if they were going to the village stream to fetch water. 99 per cent of the time, they wore uniform, popular as asoebi, and travelled in private jets.

But it has not been the same since the Presidential and National Assembly Elections when three of their members lost elections.

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, was not only roundly defeated in his bid to the Senate, he also lost his State to the All Progressives Congress, APC both in the Presidential election, and more painfully, in the Governorship election. He was not able to produce his successor.

The same fate which befell Ortom also befell Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State. He lost his bid to the Senate, and his State fell to the Labour Party both at the Presidential and Governorship Elections.

In Enugu, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi suffered same fate, almost. He lost his bid to the Senate, lost to the Labour Party at the Presidential Election, but was able to install his candidate as his successor, in a very hotly disputed election which is being challenged at the Governorship Election Tribunal.

The only G5 member, aside from Wike, who survived, is Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State who won his second term as Governor. In Wike’s case, he was not on the ballot, but was able to install his successor in office, and in one of the most condemned elections, delivered his PDP State to the APC in the Presidential election.

It is not known if Ortom, Ikpeazu and Ugwuanyi, have, on their own, because of their disgraceful losses, opted out of G5 activities, or, if they have been busy packing their things out of Government Houses, but not a few people were surprised that they were not in the company of Wike and Makinde when both visited President-elect, Bola Tinubu, at the Defence House, Abuja on Friday, April 28.

During the visit, Wike asked Nigerians to rally round President-elect, Bola Tinubu.

According to Wike, there is the need to support Tinubu in ensuring good governance.

Said Wike: “Elections have come and gone, and the winners have emerged. Therefore, it’s necessary for all Nigerians to rally round and give Tinubu the necessary support.

“Everybody is waiting for May 29 when Tinubu will be sworn-in and I’m confident he has what it takes to turn Nigeria around.”

Makinde pledged to support Tinubu’s Government, same way he pledged to support him win the Presidential election. Tinubu won in Oyo State.

Makinde: “I came here to basically pay homage to the President-elect and to let him know that elections are over and this is governance.

“We will do our best to give him support for good governance.”

It is strongly being speculated that Wike would bag a ministerial position in Tinubu’s Government. Perhaps, he will also muscle out positions for the three G5 members who lost their elections, allegedly, over their membership of G5.

G5s hard stand against the PDP, their Party, it has been said, is one of the main reasons PDP lost the Presidential election.

IMSU: Outrage As Lecturer Slaps Female Student Twice In Class, Asks Her To Kneel Down

The Source

April 29, 2023

By Charles Igbo

Outrage has greeted a trending Video, on WhatsApp, where a Lecturer at the Imo State University, IMSU, was seen slapping a female student.

The Lecturer, identified as Dr Desmond Izunwanne, of the Department of MedLab, School of Health, slapped the yet to be named student in the lecture hall for wearing mufti to class.

The day the ugly incident happened was not disclosed.

For a reason yet to be explained, students in that department are meant to wear uniform to class.

But the assaulted student went to class in mufti. Confronted by the Lecturer, she explained that she was unwell and rushed to the class straight from the hospital. She did not have the time to go back to her room to change.

The aggressive Lecturer was neither satisfied, nor moved by the student’s ill-health.

In response, he slapped her two times, to the shock of the students, and ordered her to kneel down.

Since the video surfaced, reactions have been coming like claps of thunder. Most of those who commented are calling on IMSU’s Authority to kick off an investigation into the disgraceful incident. But before the investigation, they want Dr. Izunwanne placed on suspension until the outcome of the investigation.

The surprise, however, is that there was no reaction from the students. One commentator on Facebook, obviously, a student noted: ‘E be like say una class calm, that lecture don end if na my school.’

Another identified the Lecturer as his Human Psychology teacher at Gregory University, Uturu, and described him as; “Very mean and wicked Lecturer.”

Another person who reacted in a Whatsaap post said Dr. Izunwanne needs a psychological evaluation.

He wrote:

“Today, we were treated to the worrisome sight of a fistful, slappy lecturer of the Imo State University, IMSU who seemed unconcerned dishing some dose of mental trauma to a seated student in the examination hall (today).

“The education system of the country should provide for periodic psychological evaluation of those to whom the younger minds in the formation stage are entrusted. There is no reason for which a student should be exposed to physical abuse at the hands of those to form them in character and learning.

This validates the question of the character of the formators and their employers.

“Our students who left their families in pursuit of formal education should not bear the consequences of the family feuds of their tutors and whatever frustrations besiege their psyche.

Violent and abusive men have no place in our institutions of learning. We are dealing with a lot of moral baggage already and we say no to physical assault of our students who do not find the academic conducive from the heavy money taxations to bulky curriculum amidst hardship and hunger, the Nigerian student deserves an accolade for persistence. But this is us!

“We call on the school authorities of IMSU to investigate Mr. Desmond Izunwanne of Medlab department of the School of Health for exhibiting this undesirable feat of an abusive husband and father who would see the children of others as preys. Upon being guilty, he should be made to bear the full weight of the law.

“Students’ lives matter!!!”

The University is owned by the Imo State Government. At the time of filing this report, there has been no reaction from either the Commissioner for Education, Imo State, or the University Authority.

Kano: Outgoing, Incoming Administrations Bicker Over Transition Committee

Ayodele Oni

April 29, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Following allegations that the outgoing Kano state administration is frustrating a smooth handover of power to the incoming administration, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has reiterated commitment to ensuring a peaceful and seamless transition to the incoming government.

The State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Muhammad Garba, in a statement on Saturday, said the main Transition Committee and the various sub-committees were working towards smooth handing over of power in the state.

The New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP) Governorship Transition Committee had accused the outgoing Ganduje led administration of frustrating seamless transition to the incoming administration.

The statement by Muhammad Garba dismissed insinuations by the NNDP that the outgoing administration is undermining the transition programme.

In the statement, Garba explained that the main transition committee and the various sub-committees at the levels of Ministries Departments and Agencies are working tirelessly and have made substantial progress toward preparing a handing over notes to the incoming administration.

“While the transition committee by the outgoing government prepares the final handing-over report, the committee by the incoming administration will eventually receive the report at the appropriate time.

“The inclusion of representation from the incoming government was based on the need to ensure transparency and openness in the process.’’

It added that since the outgoing government is having all the relevant data and information at its disposal, which the transition committee is gathering, the incoming government needs the least representation in the committee, just as it obtains in other states where the transition is between different political parties.

According to the statement, the aim of the transition committee was to prepare a handing over from one government to another and not present or promote any form of ideology.

The commissioner indicated that the outgoing government expected that the issue of ideology and new programmes to be initiated by the NNPP should wait for the unveiling when the new government is inaugurated.

Garba also called on the elements of the incoming government to tread carefully and work for a smooth transition process and avoid anything that could sabotage the process.

Medical Doctors Hint Of Possible Strike, Write Federal Government

Ayodele Oni

April 29, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Nigerians may be heading to another hardship as Medical Doctors give the Federal Government a date to commence another round of strike.

The Doctors under the National Association of Resident Doctors, (NARD) have given the Federal Government two weeks within which to implement agreements concerning their demands or face industrial disharmony.

The Resident Doctors made this known in a communique issued on Saturday at the end of their Extraordinary National Executive Council, (NEC) meeting held in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The meeting, which held from Thursday, April 27 to Saturday, was predicated upon burning issues affecting the welfare of the doctors and the alarming rate of flight of doctors and other healthcare workers on account of poor remuneration, grossly inadequate funding of the health sector, and the attendant negative effect on the citizens and the health workers.

Among their demands is an immediate increment in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, (MSS) to the tune of 200 per cent of the current gross salary of doctors in addition to the new allowances included in the letter written by the association to the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire on July 7, 2022, on the review of CONMESS.

Imo Flags Off Air Lift Of Christian Pilgrims; Fully Sponsors 1000; “It’s Fulfillment Of Vow To God” – Uzodinma

The Source

April 29, 2023

The official flag off of the air lifting of the 2023 Christian pilgrims to the holy lands held Friday, April 28, in Owerri. It heralded the departure of the first batch of intending pilgrims from the State to the holy lands of Israel and Jordan, a trip, Governor Hope Uzodinma has described is for the benefit of the State.

The first batch, which consists of 200 pilgrims completed their screening , documentation and orientation at the Government House Chapel Thursday.

According to a statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba, a record 1,000 pilgrims sponsored by the State Government will eventually depart the shores of Nigeria for the 2023 pilgrimage.

He said the number of pilgrims approved for this exercise by Governor Hope Uzodimma is the highest since the creation of the State.

Emelumba added that another remarkable thing about this year’s pilgrims is that they are going under the full sponsorship of the Imo State government.

The Commissioner disclosed that the Pilgrims Welfare Board headed by Rev Fr. Dr Gilbert Alaribe had since concluded all arrangements for the smooth movement of the pilgrims.

The Governor urged the 1000 successful pilgrims from the State heading for Jordan and Israel for Pilgrimage to be good ambassadors of the State and to have it at the back of their minds that Imo State should be the ultimate beneficiary of the trip.

The Governor said that even though the trip affords the pilgrims the opportunity to pray for themselves and their families, they should make it a point of duty to pray fervently for Imo State.

Fulfillment Of My Vow To God

Uzodinma said he made a vow to God on assumption of office to support Evangelism and Christian activities, because “without God, nothing works,” and thanked God for the privilege to send the number of Pilgrims to the Holy land of Israel from Imo State.

“It is a big privilege and an opportunity to visit the Holy land. I wish I could send the whole state to the Holy land,” he said and reminded the contingents that they are going there “on representative capacity.”

Thus, he charged them to be of good conduct and see themselves as Imo ambassadors to Israel.

He pleaded with all of them to come back as a team the way they departed “in order not to spoil the chances of other would be pilgrims or tarnish the image of Imo State and Nigeria in general.”

The Governor said: “Please, be of good behaviour, please encourage the government by being of good behaviour by coming back with your shoulders high.”

He had earlier thanked and congratulated the pilgrims for making the list of 1,000 contingents going on the pilgrimage.

Governor Uzodimma said that while in Israel they should dedicate themselves to thank God for what he did in Imo State in the areas of security in the last two years when it seems everything had gone bad.

His words: “We have relative peace in Imo today,” and enjoined them to use the opportunity to ask God to complete what he has started.

Governor Uzodimma even went spiritual, reminding the pilgrims that “the beginning of every good thing is always rough. However, the bad times are over.”

He enjoined the Pilgrims to pray for Imo State, to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari whom he said assisted the State in her trying times by responding to security appeals as well as providing the resources for infrastructure.

He also asked the pilgrims to pray for the President-Elect, Senator Ahmed Tinubu, saying that “the future has a lot for Nigeria.”

Also, the Governor asked the pilgrims to pray and ask God to forgive any of our people who must have offended Him out of ignorance by way of embarking on wanton killings and destructions in Imo State.

Finally, he assured the pilgrims that their welfare in form of transport, feeding, accommodation, and other sundry demands had been taken care of and asked them not to be afraid.

He then prayed: “As you are going to Holy Land so shall you come back as Holy People.”

The Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam thanked the Governor for his magnanimity and said that in his two years and nine months in office “this is the first time a State is sponsoring 1,000 people to the holy land at a time hence Imo is now number one and has overtaken all other States of the Federation,” noting that they will soon invite and appreciate the Governor and the State for this feat.

The Executive Secretary said it is because of the history being made by the Governor that all functionaries from NCPC collapsed in Owerri for the flag off of the 2023 pilgrimage for the 36 States and FCT.

Pam said he is happy the Governor has made history and that “the Governor has come out like a lion with a lion heart.” He said the governor gave Imo State a surprise package.

He also appreciated President Buhari for granting the Christians in Nigeria the privilege of going on pilgrimage.

The Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu in his remarks on behalf of Imo State Government thanked the Governor for making the State proud. He recalled that this is the first of its kind since the creation of Imo State in 1976 despite the scare resources and challenges faced by the State in the past three years.

He thanked the Governor for the opportunity and asked the pilgrims to reciprocate it by ensuring no body absconds. He further prayed that the pilgrims depart in peace and come back in peace and enjoined the pilgrims to “pray for those giving the State sleepless night.”

The Commissioner for Public Orientation and Religious Affairs, Hon. Anthony Okonkwo also thanked the Governor for the approval to embark on the journey and informed that the Governor’s bedrock is God and prayer. He said the pilgrims should note that “the unction for the function is to go out and pray for the Governor, Imo State and Nigeria as a whole.”

The Chairman, Imo Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rev. Fr. Dr. Gilbert Alaribe in the same vein called for prayers for the Governor Uzodimma, the Imo State Government and Nigeria in general and informef that “since 2014 till date the sponsorship of 1,000 pilgrims by Governor Hope Uzodimma is the highest not only in Imo State but in Nigeria as a whole.”

An elder statesman, Chief Nwaneri who is also one of the 1,000 pilgrims in a brief remark said “the most outstanding decision of Senator Hope Uzodimma as the Governor of Imo State in past three years is the decision to invest in the pilgrimage movement.”

He then thanked the Governor and called for prayers for him and his family, Imo State, Government and the people.

1...1,6411,6421,643...2,955 Page 1,642 of 2,955