Collapsed Banana Island Building: Sanwo-Olu Blames Federal Ministries Of Works And Housing; Orders Demolition, Sealing Of Buildings

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April 23, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu has ordered the demolition of a two storey building and the sealing of some buildings in Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The Lagos State Governor ordered the immediate demolition of the two-storey-building located on 310 Close, as well as sealing of other buildings in the area while on an inspection of the collapsed Seven storey building.

The Governor blamed the collapse of the building at First Avenue, in Banana Island on what he called “reckless” operations of some developers hiding under the pretext of Federal Government agencies issuing building approvals to unsuspecting property owners.

Sanwo Olu led a delegation of Government officials for an on-the-spot assessment of the area, describing the situation as “irresponsible and unacceptable.”

He, therefore, set up a Seven- Man Committee to investigate what led to the collapse of the seven storey building.

According to him, “What we are doing right now is to set up external seven-man committee. We are giving the people two weeks to independently also ascertain what has gone wrong there.

“So they should finish their work maybe towards the end of next week or thereafter.

“And so, this will also further strengthen our hand to be able to also come up with a robust work plan that we can enforce going forward.

“In all of these places, it’s heart breaking each time we have to go through these and it shows sometimes how irresponsible those developers and some of our citizens that just want to make quick money.

“And of course our own officers who are also not alive to their responsibilities.

“We have had to change staff here and there so that we can bring forward a robost and very strong monitoring offices.

“But we believe that we are still far from, we are still short on it I must say. And we will continue to do what we need to do to ensure that we keep the lives of our residents safe at all times.

“We are going round to inspect other properties in this area.”

He was accompanied on the inspection tour alongside the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tayo Bamigbose-Martin, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, LABSCA, Gbolahan Oki, and other engineers.

The Governor said, “We are at the site of the last unfortunate building collapse in Banana Island Lagos and I’m sure you have all gone round and see the site.

“Like it has been reported before now, there has been a lot of investigation that is going on right now and you can see that they are still clearing the rubbles at the site.

“We have given an order to stop work, not only at this site but also in all of the construction sites in banana Island.

“I think that the exercise we are doing today is not really just about this location.

“You have all seen the extent of what I will call unapproved extension into the water. You can see that the original line for Banana Island is even not where we are.

“It’s way in front there and you can see that there are several extensions that have been granted by both the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. These are the two Federal Agencies that have been culpable for those extensions.

“They have done these extensions even without our knowledge. We have the responsibility for building approvals and the rest of these.

“From what I have been told, all of the four buildings at the back have never even applied for approvals.

“The legality is real and so that is why we are going round other properties in Banana Island.

“Excuses have been given that they don’t have access and this is not acceptable. This is total recklessness of all of the developers and we will make a strong point out of this place and all around Banana Island and in other developments that we have.

“The officers that will also be similarly found culpable will also be sanctioned, if any”, he said.

Ortom Gives Widows Parting Gift; Initiates Bill To Protect Them

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Akinwale Kasali

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April 22, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

With less than 38 days to the expiration of his tenure as the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has initiated a Bill to establish the Benue State Widows Commission and to prohibit harmful practices against widows, as well as protect them from exploitative acts and punish offenders.

This is seen as a parting gift from the Governor to the Widows in the State.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Terver Akase in Makurdi, the State Capital, stated that the decision of the Ortom administration to enact the law is premised on the fact that there are several ethnic groups in the State with diverse cultural norms and practices which negatively impact on widows upon the death of their husbands.

“These include, but are not limited to disinheritance from the assets of a deceased husband, banishment from a late husband’s home, being forced to marry a relation of the deceased husband etc.

“Benue State Council viewed that in some cases, a widow is likened to a property of the deceased to be inherited by his relations.

“Most often, such widows have children for the deceased and have the task of nurturing the

children without any assistance from the relatives of the deceased. In some instances, some are denied their fundamental rights enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

“It is in face of such a helpless situation of widows that the Ortom administration has initiated the bill in order to assuage the position of widows as regards inheritance of their late husbands’ assets and to protect and guarantee their fundamental rights as well as obviate the obnoxious cultural practices which deny them the right of inheriting their late husbands’ property amongst others.”

The Bill seeks to protect widows from both monogamous and polygamous marriages.

It further stated that “Furthermore, the Benue State Widows Commission envisioned by the proposed law will have the power and responsibility to support, protect and build the capacity of widows in the state whereby they can own their property and inherit the assets of their deceased husbands. Consequently, the widows can fend for themselves and their children without harassment from any individual or group of persons.

“It shall be the duty of the Commission to, among others, coordinate and monitor the implementation of widows programmes and activities; initiate and support measures which shall enhance the welfare of widows; assist widows by providing support services; create awareness and sensitization of widows on the protection of their rights under a subsisting Widows Protection Law in the State; support international efforts and advocacy to uphold and expand. The rights of widows as enshrined in the international laws and conventions; evaluate the impact of the Commission on the plight of widows and make appropriate recommendations to the Benue State Government.

“There are also provisions in the Bill which annul repugnant cultural practices, create offences and prescribe punishments for infringement. Among the several sanctions stipulated by the Bill is that someone who subjects a widow to any harmful widowhood practice commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment or a heavy fine as contained in the law. The proposed law similarly provides for compensation to the affected widow or widows, among other measures.”

The statement added that “if the bill is passed by the State House of Assembly, the law would bring to an end one of the age-long negative practices among the people and become a point of reference and emulation in other parts of the country.”

Why Governor Ortom waited for eight years, almost, for this Bill is what is hard to understand.

Remaining Four Kidnapped Students Of Federal Govt Girls’ College, Kebbi, Regain Freedom – 20 Months After

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Ayodele Oni

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April 22, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

After 20 months in captivity, the remaining four of 11 girls of the Federal Governments College, Yauri, Kebbi State, have regained freedom from kidnappers den.

The 11 students were kidnapped when bandits invaded their school on June 17, 2021.

The freedom, it was gathered, was made possible after ransom running into millions of Naira, was paid to a notorious bandit kingpin, Dogo Daji.

It was learnt that two of the released students returned with two babies delivered while in captivity.

Dogo Daji had insisted that some conditions must be met by Kebbi State Government before the remaining girls could be released.

Report said the ransom had to be generated by parents and other stakeholders when Kebbi State Government was reluctant to meet the bandits’ demands.

The parents had to beg Nigerians to come to their aid financially in order to rescue their children from their abductors.

In a letter addressed to Nigerians in January 2023, the group known as “Committee of Parents of 11 Abducted Students of F.G.C Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State, Nigeria,” passionately solicited financial assistance towards raising the sum of N100 million as ransom to be paid to the terrorists, in exchange for their wards.

In their letter, the Chairman and Secretary of the ‘Committee of Parents, Salim Ka’oje and Mr. Daniel Alkali respectively, said their female children, aged between 12-16 years, had been in the custody of their abductors for about 20 months now.

And the abductors are demanding the sum of N100 million before they release the girls.

It was reported, at the time that some of the girls had become teenage mothers, while about four others were pregnant.

Martin Agbaso Loses Mother

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The Source

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April 22, 2023

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A grassroot politician, and chieftain of the Labour Party, LP, Ochoudo Martin Agbaso, has lost his mother, Chief (Mrs) Charity Ann Agbaso.

A statement he signed, on behalf of the Agbaso family of Ezedibia, Emekuku, Owerri North, Imo State, to announce his mother’s passing, which only became public knowledge on 22nd April, 2023, revealed that at the time she passed on 10th April, 2023, she was aged 96 years.

The late Mrs Agbaso, a Catholic faithful, was known for her industry, beauty, cleanliness and fashion sense.

Married to Nathaniel Agbaso, whose widow she was (for decades) until she died, she faithfully stuck and concentrated on bringing up her seven very successful children, and building a solid family. Her children include, among others, Ochoudo, a former First Lady of Borno State, Her Excellency, (Chief) Mrs Salome Zainab Buba Marwa, who passed on in 2022, and a former Deputy Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Sir Jude Agbaso. She was, also, Mother-in-law to Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa, rtd, Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

The late Mrs Agbaso, who lived and enjoyed life to the fullest, was blessed with many very successful grandchildren, who begat, for her, many lovely great- grandchildren. One of her grandchildren, Barrister (Mrs) Zainab Buba Marwa- Abubakar, has just been appointed a member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Inauguration Committee.

Chief (Mrs) Charity Ann Agbaso died in Lagos and will be buried on 5th May, 2023, at her home in Ezedibia, Emekuku.

NASS: Lawan Faults Plot By PDP, LP To Snatch Leadership

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James Orji

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April 22, 2023

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Outgoing Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has one strong message for opposition party in the country; you cannot produce the leadership of the National Assembly, NASS.

Lawan spoke barely 24 hours after some opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives are making subterranean moves to ensure that they snatched key NASS positions from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, which has majority members in both the Senate and House of Reps.

In the House of Reps for instance, the APC cannot muster the majority to produce the leadership without the opposition parties.

The opposition parties are aware of this, and are now capitalising on their strength to negotiate for key positions in the 10th assembly, those monitoring what is going on NASS said.

Apart from APC, other major parties that have produced senators and House of Reprs are People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and Labour Party, LP.

From all indications, the opposition parties are also trying to capitalise on APC’s delay to say specifically where it has zoned the Senate President or the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

More trouble came for the ruling APC recently following indications that some senators and House members are trying to frustrate the zoning arrangement by the party for NASS.

These rebel lawmakers, it was learned are now working secretly with opposition lawmakers to achieve their aim of disobeying their party’s plan to zone NASS leadership to certain part of the country in fulfilment of its power sharing arrangement.

Reacting to this plot on Friday, Lawan said the opposition cannot stop the APC’s quest to produce key NASS leaders in the 10th Assembly.

He spoke after joining residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, for a Sallah homage to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the nation’s capital.

“I don’t think opposition parties are planning to usurp because it is presumptuous that the APC will not be a united party,” he said.

“APC is a united party and the opposition party will simply work with the APC majority for us to have stability because there is no way an opposition will decide who should be the senate president or who should be the speaker; it is our party and other leaders that will decide which zone or whoever, and the rest of us in the party will key in and of course, the opposition would have no option but to support.

“I don’t see anything wrong in the opposition talking to us, or we talking to the opposition to ensure that we’re on the same page because we need opposition to ensure that we get most of our constitutional amendments when the time is right, passed. because we can’t have the 73 in the Senate.

“So, you need 73 senators at least for you to have any constitutional amendment. So, you would need opposition.

“That’s why it is very, very critical, it is very essential that you work with opposition right from the beginning.

“Don’t ever think the opposition should be pushed away. I now believe in that. I only believe in the very bipartisan chamber because it is more productive. It is more stable, it’s calm, and it gives you the kind of outcome that you will never get with a very rancourous chamber. And I’ve seen it, we have done it.”

Lawan is not expected to contest for Senate President following what the magazine learned, is the decision of the ruling APC to zone the office to either the south east or south south.

Kaduna: How Jealous Man Killed, Cut Girlfriend Into Pieces

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James Orji

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April 22, 2023

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A man identified simply as Kenneth, has been arrested by the Kaduna state Police Command for allegedly hacking his girlfriend to death.

Ebenezer Agada, a 27-year old was killed by his boyfriend after the latter discovered that she was planning to dump him.

He did only killed her, he ensured that Agada was cut into pieces like pieces of cow meat in the market.

It’s yet unknown whether the demised girlfriend has already being going out with another lover, which probably got Kenneth angry the police who arrested Kenneth said it was because of their timely intervention that the killer was not lynched by an angry mob.
According to a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, PRO, the incident happened at NEPA Roundabout area of the state.

The PRO said, “A suspect, who allegedly murdered his girlfriend, has been arrested while about to be lynched by a mob, which would have jeopardised investigations.

“On April 14, 2023, around 9.30pm, a distress call has it that there was a mob action at NEPA Roundabout and that the unruly crowd was about to lynch a suspect.

“Operatives were mobilised to the scene, where they met the suspect lying unconscious and surrounded by the crowd.

“Information gathered reveals that the suspect, Kenneth, surname not yet known, attacked his girlfriend, Ebenezer Agada, 27, of Command Secondary and Nursery School, Sokoto Road, with a machete and inflicted multiple injuries on her face, arms and hands.

“In the process of the attack, he severed her left hand completely, alleging that he had spent a lot on her and she wanted to dump him for another man.

“The victim was rushed to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital for treatment, where a medical doctor on duty confirmed her dead. The corpse has been deposited at the same hospital for an autopsy.”

The incidents of men killing their girlfriends have spiked in recent times in the country, with relationship experts still searching for what must have been responsible for the ignoble act.

The Equity Imo Craves For

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The Source

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April 21, 2023

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By Oguwike Nwachuku

At the end of its first quarterly meeting in Owerri recently, precisely on April 13, 2023, members of the Imo State Council of Elders took far reaching decision that would go a long way in stabilizing the political dynamics and soothing frayed nerves in our dear State.

For the benefit of those who do not know, the Imo State Council of Elders is a statutory body established by the law of Imo State, empowered with the responsibility of advising the State government and people of Imo State on issues of public interest for the peace, unity and good governance of the State.

It is a non-partisan body with membership derived from men and women of Imo State origin, across the three geopolitical zones of Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri, with impeccable records of accomplishments in politics, academia, military, para-military, business, customs and tradition, religion as well as other professional and vocational persuasions.

So, this is how valuable the body, the Imo State Elders Council, is.

Though the decisions reached at the said meeting for which a Communique signed by the Chairman, HRM, Eze Dr. Cletus Ilomuanya and Secretary, Rt. Hon. Maxwell Duru respectively was raised, cut across different segments of our dear State, one particular area the elders took a position that is reverberating across the length and breadth of Imo is the much talked about Imo Charter of Equity.

Many people from the State believe that the idea has not been properly situated and implemented to reflect the contestation in the three geo-political zones that make up Imo. Therefore, it is the desire of the elders and well meaning Imo people that the Charter of Equity be given ample play now in the interest of all Ndi Imo.

This is also borne out of the fact that members of the Council can only be happy when their State and her people are happy and sad, when the State and her people are sad. Call the elders who are members of the Council the conscience of the State, you would not be wrong.

So, it was heart-warming when news filtered out that members of this noble body rose from their first meeting of the year, proposing, agreeing and resolving to give the Charter of Equity the needed fillip and bite as well as to disabuse the minds of Ndi Imo on the notion that it is merely a recurring decimal with the features of ogbanje that appears and disappears only during periods of elections in Imo State.

Kudos to the Chief Dan Nwanyanwu-led Strategy Committee of the Imo State Council of Elders that painstakingly and objectively considered the issues ailing Imo currently and to our erudite scholar and former INEC Chairman, Prof Maurice Iwu, who conceived and moved the motion that was overwhelmingly bought into by his colleagues for the Charter of Equity to be alive.

There is no doubt that Prof Iwu’s motion awakened the consciousness of the generality of the elders who probably did not know that they were on a renewed mission to make lasting and enduring history for Imo State with the Charter of Equity.

And I think they have unknowingly, but permanently bought a place for themselves in the good books of history in Imo State, particularly if they put in the extra effort of joining everyone, including the government, to ensure its implementation.

Yes, the Nwanyanwu-led report includes that the incumbent Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, deserves a second term in office in line with the earlier decision by Ndi Imo at a Stakeholders meeting on January this year that the governor has done very well and so, should be supported to go for a second term that will bring to an end his tenure come 2027.

However, the role the elders recently played to chart an enduring and stabilizing political course for Ndi Imo goes beyond what anyone thinks about Governor Uzodimma’s re-election bid.

Those with deep intuitive perception know that the ultimate beneficiary in the effort to strengthen the processes of political contestation and quest for power in Imo State will always be the people themselves. It is not and can never be about Uzodimma’s reelection bid.

With the governorship, deputy governorship and speaker’s positions properly defined and zoned among the three zones in Imo State and the tenure also determined, one can, therefore, beat one’s chest and say that Imo is on the way to sustained political stability, socio-economic rejuvenation and unimaginable prosperity for all. Who says Imo is not on the path to recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction?

The beauty of what is unfolding with the Charter of Equity is that by God’s grace, Governor Uzodimma will round off his tenure in 2027, after eight years in office, thereby paving the way for Owerri zone to have her turn of eight years and thereafter, Okigwe zone.

Part of the communiqué reads: “That to further spread this Charter of Equity, it shall be enshrined that no other zone can hold Office of Governor and Speaker of the House of Assembly at the same time or Office of Deputy Governor and Speaker at the same time.

“That whereas the Council is not unmindful of the unethical antics of some politicians who might scheme to thwart this rotational arrangement done in good conscience for their selfish reasons, the Council also resolved that for the forthcoming November election, other zones are enjoined to drop their Governorship ambition to enable Governor Hope Uzodimma complete the tenure of Orlu zone.”

I have read a few lines from those I am constrained to consider enemies of Ndi Imo. I mean those consistent in not seeing anything good about the current government of Imo State. Before the outsiders they are champions. Perhaps, they are seen as champions due to how they run down the affairs of their State, unfortunately if things do not go their way.

I have come across a piece credited to foremost progressive intellectual, philosopher, activist, Prof. T U Nwala, a prominent academic from Imo who reportedly accused members of the Elders Council of collecting N2 million each to sign the Charter of Equity.

In the said news item, Prof. Nwala also picked holes in the endorsement of Governor Uzodimma by members of the Council, insinuating that their action is petty, childish, huge joke, a charade and exercise in futility. He tarred the elders as card carrying members of the APC, a highly uncharitable comment, oozing blackmail.

As an octogenarian, Prof. Nwala should be concerned and interested in things that guarantee the peace, unity, wellbeing, progress of the society, more so, in his own State. But I doubt if that is what he is doing currently.

The energy God has graciously endowed him with now should no longer be for the hitherto doctrine of vigorous action or demonstration geared towards achieving personal political or other goals.

Far from suggesting that Prof. Nwala becomes lethargic in his approach to issues, the position he occupies in the society currently should not be that of a man who always delights in making inflammatory comments with the concomitant negative ripple effects that does no one any good.

I do not think that the 7th Edition of the Imo Stakeholders Forum which held on January 5, 2023, the day Ndi Imo from different backgrounds and persuasions met and endorsed Governor Uzodimma for a second term was an assemblage of never-do-well Imo elders or All Progressives Congress (APC) card-carrying members as Prof. Nwala tried to paint a picture of them.

I am sure Prof. Nwala knew that Dr. Pascal Dozie, the Chairman of the event, does not belong to APC. Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Dr. Kema Chikwe, Senator Chris Anyanwu, and many more prominent Imo sons and daughters who attended the event do not belong to APC.

Then the question is, what actually is Prof Nwala’s grouse? Is he saying that it is not high time Ndi Imo got serious with a political arrangement that would guarantee sustained, deepened, viable political journey, and consequently, good governance and better life for our people? What is ailing him in Governor Uzodimma completing his tenure in 2027 for Orlu zone and then an Owerri son/daughter takes over?

Today in Imo State, it is doubtful if any of the governorship candidates of the other political parties, including the ones Prof. Nwala may have sympathy for, can compete with Governor Uzodimma in a free, fair and credible election. Ndi Imo are aware of this and I doubt if Prof Nwala is not, sincerely speaking.

And you ask again: With what credentials or record of performance are the other candidaes going to confront Ndi Imo to vote them and not Uzodimma in November? All the roads leading to where the candidates of all the opponents to Uzodimma in the November governorship election come from were fixed by the sitting governor. Owerri-Orlu, Owerri-Okigwe and now Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia roads are there for even the blind to see. Who brought Federal University Teaching Hospital for Federal University of Technology Owerri to Imo State?

Governor Uzodimma’s scorecard in agriculture, tourism, housing, commerce and industry, health, land administration, local government administration, social development, youth empowerment/skill acquisition, civil service reform, education, rule of law /justice administration, et al are there to speak for him come November.

His administration has shown commitment to bring a number of benefits to the people of Imo State, both tangible and intangible. He has initiated reforms that have immediate, medium and long term benefits to the people.

The Shared Prosperity 3R programmes and projects associated with Governor Uzodimma are designed to outlive him and that speaks to the quality of his administration.

From all indications, by the time the governor rounds off his first term in office and recharges to start a new tenure come January 15, 2024, Imo State would have been placed on a sound footing to consolidate on all the gains from governance indices that would make her not just competitive in the country, but politically stable and economically viable to unleash prosperity on the people.

One of the things that the government of Governor Uzodimma wants to use to achieve the badly needed political stability in Imo State and consequently place the people on a good stead to live prosperously and happily, is the much talked about Imo Charter of Equity, an idea that is treated with levity and roundly reduced as a mere political tool that appears and disappears like Abiku only during elections in Imo State.

If Prof. Nwala and other critics of Governor Uzodimma do not know that moribund companies like the Adapalm, Owerri Standard Shoe Company, Nsu Ceramics, among others have been given attention by his administration, do they think Ndi Imo in their millions do not know?

If some people have chosen to be blind over the verifiable projects and programmes of Governor Uzodimma, do they expect that all Imo citizens, including those who are direct beneficiaries of the projects/programmes, will willingly also go blind?

Prof. Nwala should spare a thought about how some army of hired interim writers on Imo affairs are making a jest of themselves, criticizing the decision of the elders on the Charter of Equity.

The truth is that Governor Uzodimma’s Shared Prosperity 3R Government of Imo State is real and has caught up with the people, the real reason his government exists.

The Charter of Equity which will irretrievably change the hitherto narrative of political gerrymandering in Imo State is in sync with Governor Uzodimma’s agenda of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Recovery.

Make no mistakes about it, Governor Uzodimma’s government will give the Charter the deserved implementation it requires for the sake of Ndi Imo and their future generation.

Today, the equity Imo people craves for is here and it has finally come to stay.

Nwachuku is the Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to Governor Uzodimma of Imo State

Adamawa Guber: INEC’s Strange Story: Says Suspended REC On The Run; Whereabouts Unknown

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Akinwale Kasali

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April 21, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Friday morning, told a strange story. In a narration that has been described by many as a cock and bull story, INEC said that its Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa Ari, who triggered confusion and crisis in the State during the Supplementary Poll for the Governorship Election, has disappeared.

Ari had, on Sunday, 16th April, 2023, usurped the function of the Returning Officer, Professor Mohammed Mele, and announced the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Aishatu Dahiru Binani, the winner.

At the time of the announcement, collation of votes were still on-going, and incumbent Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, seeking a second term in office, was in a comfortable lead.

An embarrassed INEC quickly disowned Ari, cancelled the result he announced, and declared it null, void and of no consequence.

It also suspended Ari, and invited him to INEC Headquarters, Abuja. Professor Mele on Tuesday, declared Fintiri the winner and returned him as the Governor-elect to serve a second term under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

On Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari weighed-in, suspended Ari from Office, and directed the Inspector General of Police, IGP, to investigate him thoroughly. President Buhari, also, directed the Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, to investigate the role their officers who were present in Adamawa played in the shame.

But while Nigerians thought that Ari was, at least, under protective custody, Festus Okoye, INEC’s Federal Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, on Monday, told a shocked Nation that Ari was nowhere to be seen, that he has disappeared into thin air.

What this means is that Ari did not answer to the summons of his Headquarters when he was asked to do so on Sunday, and INEC kept his disappearance to itself till Friday.

Okoye, who spoke on a Channels Television interview programme said:

“We don’t know where he is because, after this particular incident, the Commission wrote him, and also called him on the phone. He never returned any of the calls, he never answered any of the calls.

“We asked him to report to the Commission on Sunday we didn’t see him. We asked him to report on Monday, we didn’t see him. So up till this moment, he has not reported and we don’t know his whereabouts.”

On if the Police will declare Ari wanted, Okoye said:

“Well, that is the responsibility of the Nigerian police. If they feel that his presence is absolutely needed during the investigation and he is nowhere to be found, it is their prerogative and discretion to declare him wanted.”

After suspending the REC, INEC reported his case to President Muhammadu Muhammadu Buhari, who on Thursday approved Ari’s suspension, pending the completion of an investigation by the Inspector General of Police on the conduct/actions of the REC during the Supplementary election in Adamawa State.

“We wrote to the Inspector General of Police and Secretary to the Government of the Federation. We have received a response from the Inspector General of Police and they have already commenced an investigation.

“My understanding is that the moment the Inspector General of Police concludes the investigation regarding the REC and every other individual who is involved and a prima facie case is established against the REC the file will be made available to the Commission and the Commission will begin prosecution of the REC.”

Imo: Gunmen Shoot Dead Five Policemen, Cart Away Rifles

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Ayodele Oni

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April 21, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

An early morning rampage by gunmen on Friday led to the death of five policemen at a checkpoint at Okpala junction in the Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.

According to reports, the gunmen also killed a couple identified as Mr and Mrs Chinaka Nwagu from Amankwo Okpala community.

The incident, which threw the entire area into chaos, occurred around 8.00am, as residents and passersby ran for cover.

Many scampered for safety on hearing gunshots, bringing commercial activities to an abrupt halt.

It was gathered that three of the police were shot dead at the scene while the other two, who ran to a nearby shop were gunned down.

Their attackers also killed a couple who owned the shop they ran into.

The eyewitness claimed after killing the policemen, the gunmen carted away their five riffles.

A source stated that the police officers drove to the junction to commence stop-and-search when the gunmen stormed the area and attacked them.

Imo police spokesperson Henry Okoye said he was yet to get official report on the incident.

Farmers In Forests Reserves Are Illegal Occupants – Ondo State Government

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Ayodele Oni

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April 21, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government has reacted to some protesting farmers’ claim on the ownership of Forests Reserves in the State insisting that the Reserves belong to it.

There have been protests by the farmers that have plantations in the Forest Reserves as the State moves to hand them over to some Foreign Partners for industrialization.

State Commissioner for Information, Mrs Bamidele Ademola- Olateju, in a statement in Akure on Friday, explained that activities of the farmers in the Forest Reserves are illegal.

“Forest Reserves in Ondo State, like others in Nigeria were primarily created to serve as sanctuaries for endangered species of plants and animals, and to preserve forests for the benefit of mankind.

“Forest Reserves are government owned, and the government of Ondo State declare categorically, that, farming and hunting in its forest reserves are illegal acts.

“It is called encroachment and poaching respectively, and it will not be tolerated.

“We admit that our Forest Reserves harbour squatters. Even though we have legal rights to evict those who encroach on government land without let nor hindrance, we have not done that.

“Many of these squatters have long inhabited these Forests and have developed a sense of ownership. It is no longer news that our Forests have become spaces for criminal activities and hideouts for kidnappers, terrorists, ritual killers, and armed robbers who launch attacks on travellers.

“A few years ago, to prevent our Forests from becoming ungoverned spaces, where terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and allied criminal actors situate their bases and camping grounds, we embarked registration of farmers in our forest reserves as part of our security strategy.

“While that was ongoing, the Central Bank of Nigeria created a window for states to develop commodities that is useful for import substitution, Ondo state keyed in, and identified oil-palm as a crop in which we have competitive advantage.

“Immediately, we envisioned the Red Gold project and prioritized oil-palm cultivation.

“For this purpose, one hundred thousand hectares (100,000 ha) was earmarked, of which 100ha will be treated as free and declassified.

“Two leading companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange that are players in oil-palm value chain indicated interest as investors.

“One of them is SAO Agro-Allied Services Limited. Our drive to open part of Oluwa forest reserve is strictly a deliberate policy geared towards putting the state on solid economic footing, and less dependence on federal monthly allocation.

“The impact of the oil-palm (Red Gold) project has already been felt in terms of meaningful job creation and enhanced flow of money into the state.

“From the onset, registration of farmers in the forest is not the same as conferment of ownership. It was done mainly for identification.

“The state can evict squatters anytime, and whenever the need arises. The resort to blackmail by squatters who have granted themselves ownership and appointed Baale for themselves will not stand.

“The government has engaged them many times and discussed plans to settle those who farm on government land on 100 hectares in a modern, organized farming.

“This was announced to their representatives in the presence of the Orunja of Odigbo (traditional ruler of Odigbo). The government of Ondo State want to reiterate that no amount of blackmail and misinformation will make us rescind our decision on the use of government land.

“Ondo State cocoa yield is very poor compared to our neighbours in Ghana, and Cote D’Ivoire. We have tried educating those who farm on our land, on the need to comply with international standards.

“We have made several efforts to educate these squatters. SAO Agro has held discussions with the community and their camp heads. They have been told that, by 2025 forest cocoa that cannot be geo-referenced will no longer sell globally.

“On the issue of money paid to the government, rent is supposed to be paid annually. We challenge the over “10,000” farmers to produce evidence of payments to government since they were registered.

“We have ceded 100 ha to them and SAO Agro plans its expansion in phases and in ways that will cause them to harvest their crops.”