APC Expels Deputy Senate President, Omo-Agege

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April 3, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Still trying to put behind his defeat at the just concluded governorship election in Delta state, Deputy senate president, Ovie Omo-Agege got another shock as his Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in announced his expulsion.

A letter which announced his expulsion by the Delta State branch reads, “The State Executive Committee of All Progressive Congress Delta State in a meeting held on the 31st March 2023 at the State Secretariat, Asaba, after due deliberation of the Notice of Resolution of Expulsion of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as a member of the party by the executive committee of the Orogun ward and Ughelli North local government chapter dated 20th March 2023.

“And in accordance with the provision of Article 21.2 (1)(II)(VII) 21.3 and 21.5(g) of the constitution 2022 (as amended), we unanimously resolved and adopted the expulsion of Senator Ovie Omo Agege as a member of the party.

“Consequently, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege hereby stands expelled as a member of the party with immediate effect for various offences committed and acts of anti-party activities and gross misconduct that has brought shame and ridicule to the image of the party in the state which affected the party in the just concluded elections.”

The expulsion letter was signed by the Chairman, Ulebor Isaac, on behalf of the State Executive Committee of the Delta APC and Secretary, Inana Michael, and 23 others.

Omo-Agege had lost the Delta State governorship election to the Governor-elect, a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Sheriff Oborevwori.

Omo-Agege polled 240,229 votes, while the winner, Oborevwori, scored 360,234 votes.

Orji Kalu Loses Wife, Ifeoma

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Adesina Soyooye

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April 3, 2023

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By Adesina Soyooye

Senate Chief Whip, and a two-term former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, has lost his first wife, Ifeoma.

Ifeoma was the First Lady of Abia State for the period her husband was Abia State Governor. She was, also, the mother of Kalu’s first lovely and brilliant children.

Senator Kalu, who announced her passing in a post on Monday described the 61 year old as a woman of virtue. A memorial is scheduled in honour in the United States of America.

Senator Kalu’s announcement, signed personally by him reads:

“With a heavy heart and pain, we announce the passing on to eternal glory of Mrs Ifeoma Ada Kalu, aged 61.

“She was a woman of virtue and was committed to the service of God and humanity.

“A memorial service is scheduled to hold in her honour in the United States of America, (USA)

“Please, remember her and loved ones in prayers at this difficult period.

“May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”

Even though the announcement did not say where she died or cause of death, she was believed to have lived in the USA for some years, where she, intermittently battled an undisclosed illness.

Kalu’s second wife is Ifunanya.

Governor El-Rufai Imposes 24-Hour Curfew In Chikun LGA Over Gang Violence

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Akinwale Kasali

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April 3, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has declared a 24-hour curfew in Sabon Garin Nassarawa – Tirkaniya, Chikun Local Government Area in the State with immediate efect following the killing of two persons in an incident of urban gang violence.

Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs in the State said that the decision was reached following a breakdown of law and order which led to the killings.

He said: “The Kaduna state government hereby announces the immediate imposition of 24-hour curfew on Sabon Garin Nassarawa-Tirkaniya area of Chikun LGA.

“This decision was reached following a breakdown of law and order which led to the killing of two citizens in an incident of urban gang violence.

“Security agencies have been directed to enforce the curfew in the said location, to restore order as investigations proceed. Citizens are therefore urged to strictly observe the curfew in this location, which takes effect immediately.

“Further updates will be communicated accordingly.”

Factional Ohanaeze Ndigbo Condemns Interim Government, Says On May 29 Igbo Stand

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Ayodele Oni

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April 3, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

A faction of the Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has clearly come out to say that any form of Interim Government will not be in the interest of the Igbo.

The organization faulted the recent call for an Interim Government, saying it is satanic and unconstitutional.

Secretary-General of the Igbo group, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who said this in an interview with the media on Monday, urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest those behind the clamour for an interim government.

According to him, the group having decided to support the President-elect, Bola Tinubu and his inauguration, will never be part of any evil agenda that will destabilize the country.

“Ndigbo will never be part of any interim government; the DSS should arrest those behind the scene plotting to have an interim government.

“Ohanaeze challenges the DSS to arrest those who are the proponent of the interim government to ensure that unpatriotic elements of doom do not derail our democracy with the evil intent to stall the smooth transition of power from Buhari to Tinubu.

“Ndigbo will not recognize any interim government or be part of any evil scheme and clamour for an interim government.

“The clamour for an interim government is unconstitutional, satanic, and demonic; those behind the call are trying to plunge the country into an unavoidable crisis and make Ndigbo a scapegoat, as witnessed in 1993.

“Ndigbo will participate in all inauguration and swearing-in ceremony of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu. We caution those working behind the scene for an illegitimate government to use the court to express their grievances.

“We are happy that Atiku and Peter Obi have exploited the legal options in order to recover their legal mandate. We will not allow unpatriotic mortals to truncate the hard-earned democracy in Nigeria.

“Ndigbo condemns both in words and letters the call for the establishment of an interim government and insists that the President-elect should be sworn in by May 29, 2023.”

Describing Igbos as endangered species, Isiguzoro said they would not allow themselves to be used as sacrificial lamb.

He noted that those plotting interim government have set the stage by the systemic burning of Igbo properties.

“Ndigbos are endangered species in Nigeria, and never again will Igbos be used as a sacrificial lamb as they were used in 1993 during the Abiola saga, where a lot of Igbos were killed, bullied, and maimed.

“The proponents of the interim government are already setting the stage with the systematic burning of Igbo-populated markets in Lagos, the home of the president-elect. Also, a market was burnt in Borno, the home of the Vice President-elect.

“These are capsules that can never stand the order of the day. Igbos are wiser and more sophisticated now than they were in 1993.

“We will continue to support the president-elect and ask him to commence the healing process from the South-East.”

Breaking: Singer, Portable Granted Bail

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Akinwale Kasali

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April 3, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Controversial Singer, Habeeb Okikiola, with the moniker, Portable, has been granted bail by a High Court in Ifo, Ogun State.

Portable was arrested last Friday by Officers from Ogun State Police Command in Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had said the controversial singer would face more than six charges in court.

It was, however gathered that Portable was granted bail in the sum of N300,000 and to provide two sureties with landed properties within the court vicinity.

Details Later….

Ecobank, LCCI Collaborate To Provide Funds For Exporters

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James Orji

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April 3, 2023

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Ecobank Nigeria says it’s partnering with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, to provide opportunities for exporters in the country. In their bid to promote export, the commercial bank and LCCI said they are educating exports on available finance as well as regulatory frameworks regulating the business.

The bank made this known during a seminar organised by LCCI in conjuction with the pan- African financial institution.

Kola Adeleke, Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, who spoke at seminar disclosed that the bank will provide funds for exporters who want to expand their businesses globally, addding that the aim is to assist serious exporters to meet their obligations to their partners.

Adeleke said, “Export finance can help businesses bridge the funding gap that often occurs between production and payment, enabling them to take on larger orders and enter new markets. It is also crucial in managing risks associated with exporting, such as foreign exchange rate fluctuations, non-payment by overseas customers and political risks.

“Our unique positioning in 33 African countries enables us to leverage our extensive network to reduce the number of financial partners and relationships in executing trade. We own the switch connecting countries where we operate across Africa.

“This centralized switch enables easy integration. We possess knowledge of the local markets in which we operate resulting in unparallel financial advisory. We offer real-time settlement across Africa and our customers enjoy instant transfers across 33 African countries. Ecobank has a reputation for developing innovative products as the bank has won us several international, regional, and local awards and we aspire to be the gateway to pan-African payments and trade.”

Also speaking, LCCI president Dr Olawale Cole stated that the major problem facing export businesses in the country is scarcity of funds.

Breaking: Pat Utomi Alleges Plot By DSS To Elongate Buhari’s Tenure

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James Orji

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April 3, 2023

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Pat Utomi has described the recent claim by the Department of State Services, DSS, that some persons were trying to impose an Interim National Government, ING, on the country as false. Rather, the human rights activist, and Labour Party, LP, chieftain alleged that the DSS is trying to subvert the country’s democracy by raising a false flag.

The secret police had last month disclosed that it has stopped the plan of some powerful forces to impose an ING on the country. It also warned those nursing the plot to desist from it or get punished.

The report came as the country is planning a handover of power on May 29. Incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to handover power of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate who the election on February 25 in two month.

The president has already assured Nigerians that he has no plan to stay beyond his term, and has set up a transition committee to oversee a smooth handover.

Buhari gave his words amidst the call, by some prominent Nigerians for an ING, even though those calling for it are in the minority.

Speaking on AIT programme Kakaaki on Monday, the professor said the DSS is trying to elongate the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari which has largely failed in all its promise to Nigerians.
According to him, the DSS is playing a game with Nigerians, and acting out a script by some unknown persons in the administration who want Buhari to say in office beyond May 29.

He said the plot is to ensure that the government did not hand over power at the stipulated date, describing the DSS action as a “political scavenging for legitimacy” by those who want to perpetuate the incumbent in power beyond the stipulated time.

The DSS had in a statement signed by its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, last week that it will use all arsenals at its disposal to stop the imposition of an ING.

The statement said in part: The illegality is totally unacceptable in a democracy and to the peace loving Nigerians. This is even more so that the machination is taking place after the peaceful conduct of the elections in most parts of the country.

“The planners, in their many meetings, have weighed various options, which include, among others, to sponsor endless violent mass protests in major cities to warrant a declaration of State of Emergency. Another is to obtain frivolous court injunctions to forestall the inauguration of new executive administrations and legislative houses at the Federal and State levels.

“The DSS supports the President and Commander-in-Chief in his avowed commitment to a hitch-free handover and will assiduously work in this direction. It also supports the Presidential Transition Council and such other related bodies in the States. It will collaborate with them and sister security and law enforcement agencies to ensure seamless inaugurations come 29th May, 2023.”

Bureau Rates NIMASA Performance Level 2

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James Orji

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April 3, 2023

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The Bureau of Public Service Reforms, BPSR has declared the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, a “Silver Level” Organization classed as Level 2, with a performance level of 74 percent; which implies that the Agency’s performance meets expectations in essential areas of responsibility, resulting in an overall quality of work that is generally good, with most critical organizational goals met.

This was contained in the summary report on the deployment of BPSR Self-Assessment Tool, SAT, presented to NIMASA Management by the Director General of BPSR, Arabi Ibrahim Dasuki. The BPSR boss appreciated Dr. Bashir Jamoh for his exemplary leadership and strong desire for optimal performance and reform to ensure NIMASA’s systems and operations remain strong.

In his words “We are indeed impressed by the openness, professionalism and decorum the staff exhibited throughout the duration of the exercise. It is an assurance that under your watch and guidance, there are rejuvenated change agents who will help you to accomplish and break new grounds as far as your mandate is concerned. I will like to state that the Award accompanying the Report would help to stimulate the insatiable desire to be the best to achieve safe, secure shipping, cleaner oceans and enhanced maritime capacity in line with best global practices towards Nigeria’s Economic Development”.

The key areas of strength for NIMASA as contained in the report of BPSR include Corporate Governance; which ensured the establishment of an anti-corruption policy with an entrenched whistle-blower mechanism for the Agency, strategic planning and operational leadership, robust and accounting policies that comply with Financial Regulations of the Federal Government. This is in addition to a fully functional procurement process, which has keyed into the e-Procurement policy of the Federal Government.

The BPSR also listed operational and service delivery processes of NIMASA, Human Resource Management, partnership and resource mobilization, as key performance management and results, as some areas the Agency has excelled in when compared with some other Agencies of government.

While appreciating the BPSR for diligently assessing the Agency, the NIMASA DG, Dr. Bashir Jamoh assured that Management would ensure the implementation of all recommendations contained in the report, adding that much progress had been made since 2022, when the SAT was deployed.

“We have made much progress in the past one year. Our automation process has advanced much more within the past 12 months. NIMASA has introduced a customer experience center, which has greatly improved our ease of doing business as an organization.
“We have also acquired new vessels for both staff welfare and operational monitoring and enforcement purposes. Just as we accepted the recommendations of IMO Member State Audit Scheme, IMSAS, and worked towards closing all identified gaps, NIMASA will strive to implement recommendations contained in the report submitted to us today”, he said.

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms is the lead Agency and ‘Engine Room’ for integrated reform initiative, implementation, coordination and harmonization established in 2004. The Bureau introduced the institutional Self-Assessment Tool, SAT, as a practical approach to support the Federal Government in its vision to transform the Nigerian Public Service into a virile, well performing, professional and customer oriented institution.

It is worthy of note that following the marching order by the President for the Bureau to deploy the SAT in all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency was one of the few destinations that readily accepted to undergo the assessment.

Oyedepo Denies Promising Obi South West, Christians’ Votes

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James Orji

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April 3, 2023

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David Oyedepo, Presiding Bishop of Faith Tabernacle also known as Winners Chapel has denied campaigning for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the February 18 election.

An online medium had published a leaked audio where the popular Bishop reportedly had a telephone conversation with the politician on how to get his church support for him to win the election.
The LP candidate was also said to have appealed to the Bishop to assist him to appeal to voters in the south west region.

“Daddy, I need you to speak to your people in the South-West and Kwara, the Christians in the South-West and Kwara. This is a religious war. Like I keep saying: if this works, you people will never regret the support,” Obi reportedly said in the audio.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State eventually lost the election to the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate in the election, Bola Ahmed Tinubu after coming a distant third with over six million votes to his credit.

The LP candidate is now in court to challenge the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, that Tinubu won the keenly contested election.

Reacting to the report during a Sunday service at the headquarters of the church in Ota Ogun State, Oyedepo said he never had any conversation with Obi.

He said Obi, like other politicians came to him for prayers which he gladly obliged, adding that a religious leader all he had to do is to advise anyone who came to him for advice.

Oyedepo said “Nobody had ever told me what to say in this world. No. I have never campaigned for anybody or speak on anybody’s behalf and I will not do that till I go to heaven.

“There is no (political) party in this country that didn’t come to me for prayers and advice. I advised them, some, they didn’t take. Those who chose to take it, they see results; those who said no, they are going about it (laughs). If you still come again, I will still tell you, it doesn’t change.”

Obi received massive supoort from Christian leaders across the country during the election after the ruling APC chose a Muslim/ Muslim ticket, condemned by now a few as a plot to Islamise the country.
His loss has also been blamed on his failure to win the supoort of the predominantly Muslim north.

Drug War: NDLEA Declares Prophetess, Two Others, Wanted

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Ayodele Oni

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April 2, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), has declared three persons wanted in continuation of war against illicit drugs in the country.

They are a Port Harcourt, Rivers state-based popular prophetess and founder of Christ Power Adoration Ministries, Faith Ugochi, a celebrity couple; Igho Ubiribo and Danielle Simba Allen.

They are also being wanted for recruiting teenage girls into drug trafficking, while they serve as the arrowheads of an international syndicate operating from Los Angeles, USA.

This was contained in a statement signed by the agency’s spokesman Femi Babafemi on Sunday.

Babafemi explained that the cartel was exposed when NDLEA operatives at the NAHCO import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos intercepted a consignment of 32.70 kilograms of Loud, a strong variant of cannabis concealed in cartons of used wears on Wednesday 16th November 2022.

A freight agent, Ukoh Ifeanyi Oguguo was immediately arrested while further investigations led to the arrest of four more suspects: Chikodi Favour; Obiyom Shalom Chiamaka; Nnochiri Chidinma Promise and Edward Omatseye (aka Montana).

The 15-year-old Favour was the first sales girl to be arrested at a fuel station in Ajah area of Lagos.

The statement stated that “A letter of invitation sent to Prophetess Faith Ugochi of Christ Adoration Ministries, No. 27 Anozie Street, Mile 2, Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on 28th November 2022 was received and acknowledged by her mother, with whom she runs the Church. The letter was followed with a reminder on 9th January, 2023 after a long wait.

“In the same vein, letters of invitation were also extended to Igho Ubiribo and Danielle Simba Allen.

“A reminder was also sent when the couple didn’t show any readiness to respond to the first invitation. While Prophetess Ugochi fled her home and went into hiding but continued her prophetic ministration on Facebook, the duo of Igho and Danielle initially sent a legal representation to ask for another time to honour the invitation, they have since gone incommunicado.

“Curiously, they hurriedly moved all funds traced to their company Lasgidi Backwood Ltd where all proceeds from the sales of illicit drugs were deposited into a private account of one Victor Imagoro.

“The Agency has since blocked the sum of Eighty Million Naira (N80,000,000) traced to the account and obtained a court order to seize all properties including a fuel station linked to the suspects in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

“The NDLEA has further sought and obtained an order of the Federal High Court Lagos to declare wanted the celebrity couple: Ubiribo Igho and Danielle Allen, as the

arrowheads of the illicit trade as well as Prophetess Faith Ugochi, who recruits teenage girls as sales representatives for the duo.”