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2023: “Selling Pure Water Is Better Than A Certain White Substance”

By
The Source
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By Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed

  1. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, I am glad to welcome you to this Press Conference which is informed by the need to set records straight and highlight some incremental challenges to the signed Peace Accord.
  1. Peter Obi is a successful businessman, a two term Governor, Vice Presidential Candidate in 2019, who subsequently moved to Labour Party, where he is now the Presidential Candidate enjoying tremendous goodwill and overwhelming support of the people.
  1. In the squabble for second and third positions, some erstwhile major political parties appear to have crossed the boundaries of decency to transgress our peaceful activities and our focus on political schedules.
  1. On the 29th September 2022, an eminent group of statesmen under the aegis of the National Peace Committee, brought together all the Presidential Candidates to sign a Peace Accord, which represents an agreed code of conduct for the 2023 Presidential Elections.
  1. Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, it is unfortunate that despite the noble objectives of this initiative, disinformation and misinformation about the Labour Party and its candidates have become fashionable in this election season.
  1. Recently, for example there was a false narrative being spread nationwide that Mr Peter Obi is against the production of oil in the north; nothing could be farther from the truth.
  1. Peter Obi has repeatedly stated at various local and international fora that the greatest physical asset of Nigeria is the vast rich land in the North, and declared his commitment as a visionary transformative leader to exploit same for the overwhelming benefit of the Nigerian people. To the architect of ‘’consumption to production’, oil in the North means more revenue for development, more jobs and opportunities.
  1. Earlier attempts to discredit the Obi’s candidacy through fabricated allegations of demolition of mosques, internal deportation of Northerners, issuance of ID cards to northerners, and ethic hostilities were all conclusively proven to be false and without basis.
  1. As if those were not enough, just a few days ago, the presidential candidate of the APC speaking in Delta State, and referring to our presidential candidate, said that it was a disgrace to mention his name. While our candidate is quite comfortable with not being mentioned, it is most unpresidential, indecorous and disrespectful from the candidate who claims his turn at Nigerian Presidency.
  1. APCs strategy against Peter Obi now appears very clearly centered on promoting falsehood, in addition to empty and derogatory personal attacks, and of course this is because they can find no contentious points of negativity to push.

11.Little wonder that their Vice Presidential candidate has consistently put to shame the noble heritage of the great Bornu Empire, in his unguarded and uncultured public pronouncements, which expose his intellectual laziness and discomfort with empirical facts and arguments. Regular insults which have now become his trademark, have not spared the current Vice President whom he directed to go and sell ice cream, nor the former Vice President whom he described as a pure water seller, a noble venture which serves the populace better than a certain white substance.

  1. It is pertinent to recall how Mr. Shettima at a recent public event belittled Atiku Abubakar’s educational qualification as well as the modest lifestyle of Peter Obi. Clearly Mr. Shettima is out of touch with reality and cannot understand that people like Peter Obi who have reached the heights in business and material achievement have long transcended the need for ostentatious display of wealth.
  1. We congratulate Mr. Shettima on having improved his dressing, but equally remind him that he needs to improve on his public composure and discipline in communication. Shettima is called upon to speak kindly and more responsibly about all personalities if only to uphold long-established standards.
  1. We cannot also forget his disposition and uncooperative attitude when hundreds of schoolgirls were abducted under his watch as governor in 2014 where he did little to secure them in the first place or facilitate their rapid rescue; a Governor under who education was sustained as ‘forbidden’. The circumstances of his emergence as a Candidate in 2011 leaves yet many questions unanswered.
  1. Others are not left out; It is important to underline that Oaths of office do not expire with tenure, and hence the comment that the Northern electorate do not need a Yoruba or Igbo leader is greatly at variance with the oaths of office taken in 1999 and 2003 respectively, and the Peace Accord of 2022. This is to call upon the owner of the statement to respectfully retract same in order to be readmitted to the honour list of esteemed presidential candidates. Truth of the matter is that every Nigerian from anywhere needs a credible and competent President. Simple.
  1. Going beyond the comments of candidates, it is important to further highlight, some other developments of concern to us in the Labour Party. We are concerned about the fate of areas designated by security agencies as ungoverned spaces which contain legally delineated polling units. It is necessary for INEC to clearly address the nation on how it intends to handle the challenge of conducting elections in these areas.
  1. Over the past few months we have witnessed various attacks on Labour Party Offices, meetings and our members in parts of the country, and even INEC offices have not been spared. Just a couple of days ago, Mrs. Victoria Chintex, our vibrant and able Women Leader in Kaura LG of Kaduna State was assassinated while members of her family escaped with injuries. Senseless killings have gone on for too long. We call on government within time left to at least make attempts at fulfilling its 2015 promise of securing lives and property, while serving justice to the killers. Kindly therefore join me in observing a moment of silence in remembrance of her and indeed all victims all over the country.
  1. We are alarmed by the reported arrest, battery, and detention of Aminu Mohammed, a final-year student of the Federal University Dutse, over an alleged social media post, about the person of the First Lady. While as we have presented earlier in this address, we will never as a party condone indecorous speech and disrespect to elders, we wish to remind the Buhari State House that they rode to power on the personal denigration of their opponents and empty promises without slightest clues of good governance. Individuals must be free to express themselves freely and any infraction of law be pursued as civil matter and not through high-handed abuse of power. This is not 1984. We lend our voice to the genuine calls for his immediate release.
  1. We have so far endured the afore-mentioned and have taken remedial actions where necessary and where not we simply ignored. Civility and respect of law must not be read by misguided elements as signs of weakness on our part. It is not too late to adopt our style of strictly campaigning on relevant practical national issues while respecting individuals, and institutions. Any actions to the contrary the people responsible must know they will be held accountable in the decent manner we have presented our issues here today, and in the ways of the law.
  1. 2023 Elections will be different as Nigerian Electorate are increasingly becoming aware of the dangers of ethnic and religious politics; a fact that causing anxiety, frustration, and desperation with political actors of the old order. Consequently these attacks against us are only likely to increase; we must call on authorities to live up to constitutional responsibilities, and on the general public to regard lies, misinformation, and propaganda for exactly what they are.
  1. The ObiDient Movement under Labour Party will continue to remain faithful to founding principles and the Signed Peace Accord and we equally invite all stake-holders to emulate. The next few weeks will see an escalation of election activity. I urge all who have not yet collected their PVCs, to do so without delay, and to follow through, to identify their polling booths, vote, and defend their votes.
  1. I wish to sincerely thank the vast majority of our people, the Youth and elderly alike, from all across the nation, who have continued not just to embrace Peter Obi, my humble self, and our great party, but who are daily investing their time and resources in making sure that other Nigerians share in their conviction and imbibe the urgency of positive action in the coming elections.

With Us, A New Nigeria is Possible!

*Text of a Press Conference addressed by Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, PhD, Vice Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, on 1st December, 2022, in Abuja.

“Ortom Is Governor Wike’s Errand Boy” –  Opposition Parties

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has come under strong criticism from opposition parties in the State who have described his romance with Governor Nyesom Wike as unwarranted.

The opposition said that the Governor has neglected his primary purpose as the Governor of the State, and turned himself to an errand boy for his Rivers State counterpart.

Governor Ortom is accused by opposition in the State of supporting the political activities of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, at the expense of his (Ortom’s) constitutional responsibilities of providing governance.

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Austin Agada, who spoke to our correspondent on the phone on Friday, said Ortom has reduced himself to an “errand boy” to his counterpart in Rivers State in the name of playing politics.

Agada said Ortom has long abandoned the State to pursue his interest which he said has caused a serious setback to the State in the past seven years.

Agada: “He (Ortom)  had long ago attached himself to Wike; this is responsible for his abysmal performance in the past seven years. He has abandoned governance which is the reason everything is in total decay.  He is a disaster to Benue State, he has become an errand boy or may I call him deputy to Wike or an aide to Wike; that is the reason you always see him going around with  Wike.

In the same vein, the Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Joseph Ogli, “I don’t know if it is the tradition of the Peoples Democratic Party to be gallivanting and not sit in their State.

“But I promise you, APGA can not behave like that. Leaving the State and following another Governor is not in our character and if by the grace of God, our party wins the forthcoming governorship election, our candidate, Joseph Waya, will not descend to that level but rather will face governance.”

The Governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Herman Hembe, said his priority would be to meet the yearnings of the people if he wins the governorship election in 2023.

Hembe said: “As for me, I am focusing on how to lift my people from underdevelopment. I will focus on the payment of salaries to workers and pensioners and pay more attention to providing employment to the teaming youths.

2023 General Elections: INEC Pushes Ahead, Announces Dates For PVC Collections

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Despite attacks on its facilities across the country, and some administrative challenges, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) continues with preparations for next year’s general elections.

The Commission met on Thursday, 1st December 2022, and deliberated on a number of issues, including the dates for the collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) nationwide.

It had earlier held a retreat in Lagos with all the Administrative Secretaries and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory from 28th November to 2nd December 2022.

Festus Okoye, chairman and commissioner in charge of information and voters education, in a statement stated that “At the retreat, the Commission finalized the procedure as well as the timetable for collection of PVCs.

“Consequently, the Commission has fixed Monday 12 December 2022 to Sunday 22 January 2023 as the dates for the collection of PVCs in all the 774 Local Government Offices of the Commission throughout the Federation.

“The Commission also resolved to devolve PVC collection to the 8,809 Registration Areas/Wards from Friday 6th to Sunday 15th January 2023.

“Those that are unable to collect their PVCs at the Local Government Offices of the Commission can do so at the Registration Areas/Electoral Wards.

‘After the 15th of January 2023, the exercise will revert to the Local Government Offices of the Commission until 22nd January 2023.

“All eligible and valid registrants can collect their PVCs from 9.00am to 3.00pm daily, including Saturdays and Sundays.

“All the RECs and Electoral Officers (EOs) have been directed to convene a meeting with the critical stakeholders in their States and Local Government Areas, including traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups, community-based organisations and the media to brief them on the modalities for the collection of the PVCs in order to sensitise the public and ensure seamless exercise.

“Similarly, RECs and EOs have also been directed to set up help desks to assist registrants with complaints about their PVCs or with the PVC collection procedure for immediate redress.

“The Commission appreciates the patience and understanding of Nigerians, especially those who registered as voters or applied for transfer/replacement of their cards from January to July 2022.

“In making the cards available for collection, the Commission is also working to ensure that the process is simple and hitch-free for Nigerians.”

Corruption: “Mr President, Please Spare Me. In The Name of Almighty God, I Have Never Touched LG Funds – Wike

By
The Source
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By Charles Igbo

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has told  President Muhammadu Buhari how unfair it was of him to make a blanket allegation of corruption against Governors. Wike said it is what is called “class defamation.” The Governor is a Lawyer.

Wike was reacting to a statement credited to the President during his speech at the Presidential Parley for members of the Senior Executive Course 44(2022) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies at the State House, Abuja. Buhari stopped short of calling Governors thieves. He said they embezzle Local Government funds.

The President stated that the Governors ended up giving Local Councils, just about half of their funds. Meaning, according to the President, that the Governors are collectively corrupt.

But Wike on Friday, took a strong exception to the label placed on the Governors by Buhari. He challenged the President to name the corrupt Governors instead of making a blanket allegation, and committing class defamation.

Wike denied being part of those who  embezzle  Local Government funds at the inauguration ceremony of the Mgbuosimini Internal roads in the State.

He swore, in the name of God that he had never before touched Local Government funds and threw a challenge to anybody to prove him wrong.

The Governor, also, made an exception for the four other  Peoples Democratic Party’s Governors with whom he is waging a war of attrition against the PDP National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, and the Presidential Candidate of the Party,  Atiku Abubakar.

He said the G-5 Governors have integrity  and would never embezzle Local Government funds.

Wike: “I want to challenge Mr President. Mr President you are a leader and we believe as leaders you must come out and tell Nigerians who are those committing the offence.

“You said the Governors are taking Local Government funds. I want to say, in the name of Almighty God,  I have never touched Local Government funds one day. I have never, and I have no reason to do that.

“So, Mr President, who are these people? You know them, tell us. It is not good to say what you call class defamation.

“You say Governors. Please, I am not one of those Governors. So, Mr President, please spare me. Tell Nigerians that the Integrity Governors (G-5) are not part of them. We have integrity. We are not part of them.”

It is common knowledge, however, that most Governors tamper with Local Government funds. At times, what gets to the LGs are less than half of what has been allocated to them.

This is why, many agree,  there is little or no developments at the Local Government level.

Student Aminu: Mocked Deborah’s Murder; Not A First Time Offender; Loses Sympathy

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Aminu Mohammed and Aisha Buhari

By Adesina Soyooye

24-year old Aminu Mohammed, the final year student of the Federal University, Dutse, who was dealt with by First Lady, Aisha Buhari, over an irresponsible post on her, is not a first time provocative tweeter.

The tweet on Mrs Buhari where Aminu said Mrs Buhari was feeding fat on the money meant for the masses, and attached two different pictures of the First Lady to show her looks before her husband came into office, and her looks now, is not the first time he would post such controversial provocative tweet.

Months ago, when Deborah a third year student of the Federal College of Education, Sokoto was stoned by her colleagues in the campus, and set ablaze till she died, the gruesome murder had sparked an outrage in Nigeria and beyond. But not to Aminu Mohammed.

He applauded the manner of Deborah’s murder, and mocked her in death. He had tweeted and posted a tee-shirt which bore Deborah’s photograph, and wrote: “Murderd by peace.” But he tweeted under the Tee-shirt, in Hausa Language: “Duk Wanda yasa wanna Riga ah Bauchi sai munchi uwarsa,” meaning: (“Whoever wears this shirt in Bauchi will be dealt with….. SEVERELY.)

In the heat of her problem with the First Lady, his tweet on Deborah was dug out. The result:  A number of those who condemned Mrs Buhari, and asked for his immediate release, have made a u-turn.

They want Aminu punished. They want him tried. One of them said that Aminu should be sent to jail and from there go to hell.

Another wished him the same fate which befell Deborah. Yet, another apologised for pleading on his behalf and concluded: “The rascal idiot does not deserve sympathy or mercy.”

But the u-turn comes late.

Bowing to pressure, on Friday, Mrs Buhari  said she has forgiven Aminu, and has withdrawn the Court case she instituted against the student.

Babachir Lawal, Dogara Part Ways As Dogara’s Group Endorses Atiku, Lawal’s, Obi; Tinubu Loses; Expulsion On The Cards

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Babachir Lawal and Yakubu Dogara

By Adesina Soyooye

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, have parted ways, politically.

Both men who had been working together since Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the Presidential candidate of their party, the All Progressives Congress,  APC, a Muslim, chose Senator Kashim Shettima, former Governor of Borno State, also a Muslim, finally parted ways on Friday.

Both have chosen to endorse and support different Presidential candidates. Even though they are of the APC, both Christians said they would never support a Tinubu-Shettima ticket. They dismissed it as satanic, an insult to Northern Christians,   and a ploy to divide the North.

Working together with members of their group, they said they would decide and announce which Presidential candidate to support.

A few days ago, Lawal, who is the Chairman of Northern Christians Caucus in Politics, which Secretary Dogara is, announced in an interview on Channels Television, that the Group had decided to endorse the candidacy of Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, and his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.

Surprisingly, hours after Lawal spoke, Dogara and some members of the Executive disowned him.

They said he acted alone, without consultation. In the statement they signed, they said they would meet soon and endorse a candidate.

On Friday, December 2, 2022, Dogara and his Group did. Not surprisingly, they endorsed Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, whose running mate is the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. They had no choice. Having disowned and chastised Lawal for endorsing Obi, Atiku’s endorsement by them was expected.

Both Lawal’and Dogara’s Groups are splinter Groups of the APC.

Dogara’s Group, the Northern Leaders Consultative Forum which membership cuts across Christians and Moslems, adopted Atiku, in a voice vote, after the report of its technical committee was presented to members in Abuja. Honourable Mohammed Kumaila, and Nunghe Kele, SAN, Leaders of the  Technical Criteria Committee, signed the report which was presented by former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Simon Achuba.

It read in part; “After a careful evaluation of all the issues highlighted above, we hereby recommend for the adoption of the PDP, to all lovers of democracy in Nigeria, for the 2023 presidential election.

“However, this should be subject to getting the necessary assurance from the party to run an all-inclusive government, details of which shall be discussed with the leadership of the party in the nearest future”

On 8th  October, 2022, the Northern Leaders Inter-Faith Consultative Dialogue  in Abuja, set up a sub-committee mandated to draw up a criteria to serve as a guide to the Northern Leaders Consultative Forum, in its desire to adopt one of the leading political parties in the 2023 presidential elections.

“After careful consultations, research and brain-storming, the subcommittee came up with the following analysis of the criteria used to arrive at and recommended a Pan-Nigeria platform for the main Committee’s consideration, endorsement and adoption.

“Amongst the criteria used in selecting their choice of endorsement include factors such as presidential experience; requisite track record in public service, business and education; evidence of national penetration; religious and ethnic balance.

“Other criteria include: pan-Nigeria and tolerance, reasonable popularity, physical fitness for the rigours of State as well as the existing structures of the selected political parties and current candidates for 2023 according to INEC records.”

The report said Atiku came tops from a 15-point criteria it used to assess the four frontline political parties; APC, PDP, LP and NNPP.

According to the report, he  scored all 15 points criteria. He was followed by the candidate of the NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso with 10 points. APC’s Senator Bola Tinubu and LP’s Peter Obi, scored nine points each.

Dogara, who presided over the adoption said “the group decided to go for a pan Nigeria presidential candidate, following the adoption of a Moslem-Moslem ticket by the APC against massive protest.”

According to Dogara, “what will destroy Nigeria is not ethnicity but religion.” He emphasized that those “passing statement relating to hate must be stopped before they destroy the country. The same faith ticket does not align with the vision of a united Nigeria because it does not promote a collective sense of belongingness.”

The members were enjoined  to go ahead, fully, and campaign for the Atiku/Okowa presidential ticket.

However, sources within the APC, told this medium that they will not allow Lawal and Dogara to say they are card-carrying members of the Party and work against the Party.

Said one if them who pleaded anonymity: “We are not PDP which allowed Nyesom Wike and his to stay in PDP, and work against PDP. We shall flush Dogara and Lawal out of APC.”

Another noted that the division within the Lawal and Dogara Groups would enhance the chances of the APC candidate, Bola Tinubu.

Why Aisha Buhari, Under Attack, Withdrew Case Against Student, Aminu Adamu

By
The Source
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0

By Gideon Njoku

Bowing to pressure, First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has withdrawn the case she filed against a student of the Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State.

Mrs Buhari, scoring an avoidable own goal, had ordered the arrest of the student, 24 year old Aminu Adamu, for a defamatory post in June 22.

The final year student of Environmental Management posted on his tweeter handle, that “Mama is feeding fat on poor people’s money.” To the post, she attached two photographs of Mrs Buhari, one before she became the First Lady, and the other, a rotund Mrs Buhari presently.

Angered, Mrs Buhari had the student tracked to his school, arrested, flown to Abuja, allegedly tortured on her orders, and hauled before a Court on Tuesday.

The Judge,  Justice  Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, remanded him in Prison Custody, Suleja, and set trial date against January 30.

The  one-count charge read: ” That you Aminu Adamu, male of Anguwar Sarakuna, Bauchi, Bauchi State, sometime between May – June 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did intentionally opened (sic) a Tweeter handle with the name @aminullahie, aka Catalyst, and screenshot the photograph of Her Excellency, Hajia Aisha Buhari, and wrote on it in Hausa Language ‘Su Mama anchi kudi talakwa ankoshi’, roughly translated to English Language to mean ‘ Mama has embezzled monies meant for the poor to satisfaction’ and posted same on your above twitter handle for the members of the public to read, knowing same to be false and capable of affecting her reputation.  You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section

31 of the Penal Code”

But, Mrs Buhari’s action sparked an unprecedented outrage with not a few Nigerians and Groups, including the Media and the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, condemning her for crossing the borderline.

While some asked for her arrest for taking the laws into her hands, NANS declared it would embark on a nationwide protest as from December 5, 2022, until the release of Mohammed.

Apparently, to avoid more embarrassing reactions, and the damage it has caused her and her husband’s Government, Mrs Buhari on Friday withdrew the case against the student.

Withdrawing the case, prosecution Counsel, Fidelis  Ogbobe, said the First Lady, as the mother of the Nation, bowed to interventions of well-meaning Nigerians.

Ogbobe said he relied on Section 108, subsection 2(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to move the application of the withdrawal of the case.

The Judge granted the request.

Uzodimma: My Govt Keen On Health Delivery Architecture; Flags off Nigerian Academy of Neurological Surgeons Scientific Conference

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma with Surgeons

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has said that his administration is determined to put in place a dependable health delivery architecture that would help carter to the health needs of Imo indigenes and aspirations of medical professionals, including neurosurgeons.

He spoke on Friday in Owerri while declaring open the 12th annual Nigerian Academy of Neurological Surgeons Scientific Conference at the Beland Hotel with the theme –  Evolving Subspecialties of Neurosurgery in Nigeria.

Governor Uzodimma who sincerely appreciated the Academy for the choice of Owerri for the conference, described it “as a well  informed decision to visit Imo State.”

The Governor stated that the conference was holding at a time when “many still believe that there is no peace in Imo State.”

His words: “There is no doubt that our improved security situation and our famed hospitality and readiness to provide conducive ambiance for conferences must have informed your choice of Imo State as the venue for this conference.”

Governor Uzodimma noted that in the last couple of months, Imo State has hosted a number of high profile conferences, including that of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, Accountants, and Guild of Editors.

Governor Uzodimma said: “At the end of their stay, they came to the obvious conclusion, just like you would, at the end of your own conference, that Imo is very safe and nothing near what the detractors wanted to say to the world.

“I am particularly happy that distinguished professionals like you are in our midst today. Those of us and many more who are aware of your invaluable contributions to the advancement of medicine for healthy humanity will appreciate you.

“Let me use this auspicious occasion of this conference to publicly commend you specially for your painstaking application to duty. I equally commend your sacrifice and patriotism in choosing to stay back in Nigeria even when you have better opportunities abroad for what some called greener pastures.”

Governor Uzodimma concluded by thanking the neurosurgeons for their choice, “to remain here in your native land to help our country and her citizens who desperately need your specialised skills.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Governor reeled out the numerous efforts his government had made in the area of health care delivery in Imo State, including but not limited to provision of Mobil Clinics for the rural dwellers, construction and equipping of health centres in the 305 Electoral Wards in the State, enhancement of activities in 19 General Hospitals in Imo, the procurement of modern medical equipment for the State owned University Teaching Hospital at Orlu with the attendant facilitation of the requirements for the accreditation of the Medical College which resulted in the graduation of students after more than 11years, among other interventions in the medical sector of the State.

He therefore promised to do what is within the capacity of the State government to support the neurosurgeons and ensure that they are satisfied with their professional callings.

While welcoming the participants, the Chairman of the opening ceremony, Professor Maurice Iwu,  told the audience that Imo is now emerging as centre of excellence in Health, noting that the efforts of the government under Governor Uzodimma during the ugly days of the outbreak of Corona virus and the efforts made to contain the menace is worthy of commendation and emulation.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Success Prosper Ohayagha in  his remarks stated: “We are now conducting complicated neurosurgeries in Imo State.”

The event was well attended by dignitaries including the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof Placid Njoku, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Idris Ahmed Wase, the Minister for State,  Science, Chief Henry Iko, the Secretary to the Imo State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie and members of the State expanded executive.

Also in attendance was Prof. Samuel Ohaegbulem, the father of Neurosurgery in Nigeria who is also Director Memfys Hospital, Enugu, among other egg-heads in the medical profession.

Ondo: Who Owns Oyemekun Grammar School? Akure Community, Anglican Communion, Battle For Take Over

By
Ayodele Oni
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Oyemekun Grammar School Akure

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state government policy to return some public schools to missions had pitched Anglican Communion with Akure community.

Akure community and Anglican Communion are laying claim to ownership of Oyemekun Grammar School, with each of them insisting on taken over the college.

But, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olufemi Agagu, has declared that  government would not handover any school to the missions except all stakeholders, including the host community agree and consented to it.

The Commissioner, while addressing the Akure traditional council that protested to his office, on the request by the Anglican Communion to take back some public schools in the state, maintained that there should be synergy among stakeholders before any school will be released.

The Akure traditional council, led by the Asamo of Akure Kingdom,  Chief Olusegun Adedipe was at the office of the Commissioner to seek clarification on the purported move by the Anglican Church to take over Oyemekun Grammar School.

The entourage, which comprised all the major traditional Chiefs in Akure was in the ministry to represent the Deji, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade and other sons and daughters of Akure kingdom both home and abroad.

Chief Adedipe had accused Anglican communion for not carrying along the community in its quest to take back the school, and moreover that Oyemekun Grammar School originally belonged to Akure community and not owned by the Anglican Church.

Responding, Mr. Agagu told the traditional council that any mission that intends to take-over schools must provide evidence of ownership and must show proof of competence, while all stakeholders; the Old Students Association, the Parents/Teachers Association, the Host Community among others must consent to it.

He explained that the quest by government to find a better way of funding education and ensure standard in the system necessitated the decision to hand over schools originally owned by missions to their owners, who must have the interest and competence in running such schools.

“It is glaring that there have not been much significant progress over the decade in terms of infrastructural facilities in our public schools compared to what it was in the 60s.

“Government cannot fold its hands and allow the situation to degenerate further, hence the need to engage all the critical stakeholders in sector”

The Commissioner added that government would not hand-over more than two schools to any mission that fulfills these requirements, while the process of handing-over would be gradual.

“We will not just hand-over the entire school to the mission, they have to begin with admission into JSS1 alone while government would continue to monitor the developlements in such school”

He explained further that the interest of every segment of the society; be it religion, ethnic, language or cultural background is being taken care of in the memorandum of understanding between the state government and the mission.

The Commissioner said the state government was already working on modalities to expand infrastructure in some public schools to accommodate those who might not in one way or the other be able to attend schools that have been taken over by missions

The Akure traditional Chiefs said they were impressed by the address of the Commissioner, as they have been more enlightened on the issue, and promised to take the message back to the palace.

Wike Puts Governors Of Oil Producing States On A Collision Course With Subjects

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Nyesom Wike

By Adesina Soyooye

The Governor of Rivers State,  Nyesom Wike, has caused big trouble for Governors of Oil Producing States. He has put them on a Collision course with their subjects.

Trouble started when Wike, while commissioning one of his many projects, revealed that the funds he has been using came from the arrears  of 13 per cent Oil Derivation Funds paid to them by President Muhammadu Buhari. He profusely thanked Buhari for helping his Government Fund the projects.

Wike: “Let me say for the first time. So many people asked me: ‘where is he getting this money’? Let me say it. I want through the Attorney General of the Federation, to thank Mr President. Monies that were not paid to the Niger Delta States since 1999 – the 13 per cent deductions – monies that were not paid, Mr President approved and paid all of us from the Niger Delta States. And, for me, it would be unfair not to tell the public.”

Wike’s revelation, deliberate or not, put the other Governors under pressure. The question they were being asked is: “What did you do with the billions of Naira paid your States by the Federal Government?

Until Wike, no other Governor had revealed that Buhari had started paying the arrears. So, suddenly, a couple of them was forced to say how much was received, with some of them under-declaring. About two of them indirectly attacked Wike, notably, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.

Apparently to set the records straight, the Presidency on Friday, in a release signed by Garba Shehu, Presidential Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, made public how much each of the States received, and how much is left. The disclosure is a first.

So far, the release said, N625bn Oil Derivation Funds  has been released to them.

It gave a breakdown of how N625.43 billion 13 percent derivation fund, subsidy and SURE-P refunds were distributed to the nine oil-producing states between 2021 and 2022.

In the statement, Shehu said the states which received the refunds, dating from 1999 to 2021 were Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

The outstanding amount to be released, he disclosed, is N1.1 trillion.

He said the data obtained from the Federation Account Department, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, showed that a total of N477.2 billion has been released to the nine States as refund of the 13 percent derivation fund on withdrawal from Excess Crude Account (ECA) without deducting derivation from 2004 to 2019, leaving an outstanding balance of N287.04 billion.

The States, he revealed, also got N64.8 billion as refund of the 13 per cent derivation fund on deductions made by NNPC without payment of derivation to Oil Producing States from 1999 to December.

The benefitting States still have an outstanding  of N860.59 billion from the refunds, already approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the figures released by Shehu,  under the 13 per cent derivation fund on withdrawal from ECA without deducting derivation from 2004 to 2019, Abia State received N4.8 billion with outstanding sum of N2.8 billion, Akwa Ibom received N128 billion with outstanding sum of N77 billion, Bayelsa with N92.2bn, leaving an outstanding of N55 billion.

“Cross River got a refund N1.3 billion with a balance N792 million, Delta State received N110 billion, leaving a balance of N66.2 billion, Edo State received N11.3billion, with a balance of N6.8billion, Imo State, N5.5 billion, with an outstanding sum of N3.3 billion, Ondo State, N19.4 billion with an outstanding sum of N11.7bn while Rivers State was paid 103.6 billion, with an outstanding balance of N62.3 billion.

“The States were paid in eight instalments between October 2, 2021 and January 11, 2022, while the ninth to twelfth installments are still outstanding.

“On the 13 per cent derivation fund on deductions made by NNPC without payment of derivation, the nine oil producing States were paid in three instalments this year, with the remaining 17 installments outstanding.

“Under this category, Abia State received N1.1 billion, Akwa-Ibom, N15 billion, Bayelsa, N11.6 billion, Cross River, N432 million, Delta State, N14.8 billion, Edo State, N2.2 billion, Imo State, N2.9, billion, Ondo State, N3.7 billion, and Rivers State, N12.8 billion.

“Meanwhile, the benefitting States shared N9.2billion in three installments in April, August and November 2022 as refunds on the 13 per cent derivation exchange rate differential on withdrawal from the ECA.

“The three largest benefitting States were Akwa Ibom (N1.6billion), Delta State (N1.4billion) and Rivers State (N1.32billion).

“Similarly, all the nine states received N4.7 billion each, totalling N42.34 billion as refunds on withdrawals for subsidy and SURE-P from 2009 to 2015. The refund, which is for all the states and local government councils, was paid on 10th November, 2022.

“The Federation Account also paid N3.52billion each as refund to local government councils on withdrawals for subsidy and SURE-P from 2009 to 2015 on the same date in November.”

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