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2023: Atiku, Okowa Receives Thousands 0f Defectors In Bauchi State

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Atiku Received Mamoth Crowd in Bauchi

By Akinwale Kasali

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar has told members of the Party and electorates not to be distracted by the internal crisis rocking the Party, saying that the Party remain united, resolute and a formidable force going into the 2023 polls.

Atiku made this remark in Bauchi State where he, alongside his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, and the Party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu  received defectors from other political parties.

Speaking at a North-East stakeholders’ meeting held at the Multi-Purpose Indoor Sports Hall, shortly after the rally at the stadium, Ayu said he received over 300,000 defectors into the PDP in Bauchi State.

Others who attended the event were the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council and Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and former Vice President Namadi Sambo.

Governors of Bauchi, Bala Mohammed; Adamawa, Umaru Fintiri and that of Taraba, Darius Ishaku and their deputies were also in attendance.

Former governors of Jigawa, Sule Lamido; Adamawa, Boni Haruna and Gombe, Ibrahim Dankwambo; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; also attended among other dignitaries.

Loyalists to the camp of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, were absent at the campaign rally In Bauchi

Speaking at the stakeholders’ meeting, Ayu said that over 300,000  defectors are been received in the State.

He said, “I want to assure you, my brothers and sisters, that PDP is a united family, they will try to divide us but they will fail, stay united. If we were not attractive as a party, there won’t be so many defectors coming back to their party.

“Today, we received over 300,000 defectors into the PDP. I am to welcome all of them and to assure them that they will be treated as every other PDP member of the family, they will make us strong, they will make us capable because Bauchi state for example, is one of the key states in Nigeria.”

NNPC Discovers Illegal Pipeline After N48bn Tompolo Contract

By
James Orji
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Mele Kayari, group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC has disclosed that the ongoing efforts by the federal government to combat the activities of crude oil thieves have led to the discovery of an illegal oil pipeline.

The country, energy experts say loses more than 700 barrels of crude oil to well-organized vandals and oil thieves who operate in mostly the creeks of the Niger Delta.

Security agencies, warlords and community leaders have been fingered by security experts in the crime in which over $7 million is believed to be lost daily by the federal government.

The NNPC chief executive who spoke to the Senate joint Committees on Petroleum (upstream and downstream), and gas on Tuesday said the 4-kilometer pipeline from Forcados terminal to the sea and a loading port that has been operating undetected for close to 10 years.

The discovery comes a few weeks after the federal government awarded a firm owned by Government Ekpumopolo also known as Tompolo a multi-billion-naira oil pipeline protection contract.

The magazine cannot confirm whether Tompolo was connected to the discovery, but it was learned that security has been ramped up around the nation’s crude oil assets following the signing of the over N40 billion yearly contract.

“Security agencies in the Niger Delta and other private concerns are now working together to secure the oil pipelines across the Niger Delta. The communities are also involved in helping the federal government to secure our oil assets,” a security source said on Thursday.

Speaking to the senators Kyari said security agencies have stepped up efforts in rooting out oil thieves from the nation’s oil-bearing states, which has now paid off, adding that all will be done to stop oil theft that has persisted for more than two decades in the region.

“The Brass, Forcados, and the Bonny terminals, are all practically doing zero production today; the combined effect is that you have lost 600,000 barrels per day when you do a reality test,” Kyari said.

According to him, “As a result of oil theft, Nigeria loses about 600,000 barrels per day, which is not healthy for the nation’s economy, and in particular, the legal operators in the field, which had led to a close down of some of their operational facilities.

“But in rising to the highly disturbing challenge, NNPCL has in recent times in collaboration with relevant security agencies, clamped down on the economic saboteurs.

“In the course of the clamp down within the last six weeks, 395 illegal refineries have been deactivated, 274 reservoirs destroyed, 1, 561 metal tanks destroyed, 49 trucks seized and the most striking of all is the four-kilometre illegal oil connection line from Forcados Terminal into the sea which had been in operation undetected for nine solid years.

“It is not only security but social as locals in most areas where the illegal refiners operate, unknowingly serve as their employees by mistaking them for operatives of licensed companies for oil exploration and production in the area.”

Train Attack: How Mamu’s Arrest Led To Release Of Hostages

By
James Orji
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More details on how the remaining 23 hostages of the Abuja/Kaduna terrorist attack were released are trickling out.

Over 100 passengers were abducted by terrorists on March 28, after their train was attacked by criminals who killed at least seven persons.

While many hostages had earlier been released through negotiations between the federal government and the terrorists, the release of the remaining hostages took a long time to come.

Not a few blamed the federal government for the delay but the arrest of Tukur Mamu, the lead negotiator between the terrorists and the passengers last month, according to analysts may have led to the breakthrough in securing the release of the hostages more than seven months after.

Mamu, a close associate of Sheik Ahmad Gumi, a popular Islamic cleric in the North was arrested by Egyptian Police on his way to Saudi Arabia last month and has since been flown back to Nigeria to answer questions by the Department of State Services, DSS.

Manu, sources told the magazine frustrated the release of the hostages by the terrorists by demanding huge sums of money from the government and their families before their release could be secured.

The detained negotiator has denied any wrongdoing following his arrest.

But speaking after the hostages were released Prof. Usman Yusuf, Secretary, Chief of Defense Staff Action Committee, CDSAC, said the release was not monetized.

Yusuf applauded the efforts of Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS in securing the release of the hostages and said no ransom was paid to the terrorists.

He said, “I am pleased to announce to the nation and the world that at 1600Hrs. (4:00pm) today, Wednesday 5-10-2022, the seven-man Presidential Committee assembled by the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General LE O Irabor, secured the release and took custody of all the 23 remaining passengers held hostage by Boko Haram Terrorists following the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna train on 28-3-2022.

“The nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Nigerian Military under the leadership of the CDS who conceived and guided the operation from start to finish. All sister Security Agencies and the Federal Ministry of Transportation contributed immensely to this Operation.

“The unwavering support of the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR is what made it all possible.

“Members of this Committee are grateful for the rare honour and privilege to be part of this Humanitarian,” Yusuf said.

Manu who is believed to have collected over N2 billion on behalf of the terrorists said after his arrest in September that he has nothing to hide.

“I don’t have anything to hide and I am not afraid of them (DSS). I swear to God, I am not afraid of them. I just want the world to know what is happening,” he said.

Muslim/Muslim Ticket: I Won’t Vote APC-Cardinal Onaiyekan

By
James Orji
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A former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, says the ruling APC will face the consequence of picking the same faith ticket for next year’s presidential election.

The party has faced a backlash from not a few Nigerians for choosing Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kassim Shetima as presidential and vice presidential candidates for the 2023 presidential election. Both are Muslims.

The party has fired back saying the action is strategic in other to retain power next year.

Speaking on the issue, Cardinal Onaiyekan said Nigerians would decide whether the party took the right decision by fielding two Muslims as its presidential candidate.

On his part, Onaiyekan said he will not vote for the party.

The cardinal spoke at the first synod of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo at Our Lady and St Kizito Pastoral Centre, Oke Gada Ede, in Abuja the nation’s capital on Wednesday.

The event was part of the efforts of the church to promote dialogue and reconciliation among various communities in the country.

He explained that the Catholic Church has not taken a decision on the issue, and will not interfere on it because in other not to be seen to be partisan.

The reason, he said, is because the church has members across all the political parties and would not decide for parties how to chose their candidates.

Onaiyekan said, “the Muslim/Muslim ticket is a political decision taken by APC as a party on the calculation that is their best way to win the election or ensure their victory in 2023.

“There is no point telling them not to take such a decision, all you can say is that they will have to accept responsibility for the decision they have taken. I only have one voter’s card and by God’s grace I will use it. I will not vote for a Muslim/Muslim ticket, that is my decision.

“But since it is a political decision of a political party, what the church can do officially is bring out this fact and tell people that they should take their political decision accordingly.

“When the APC election leadership appointed Governor of Plateau State, Solomon Lalong, as Director of Campaign of APC who is a Catholic, he took the decision politically.

“The only time when we called him to order was when he dragged the name of Pope into the appointment and political discussion. He tendered his apology which was accepted by us because he is a member of Papa knight.

“APC is still considered a legitimate party in Nigeria. Many Catholics are in APC, not only as members, but hold vital positions. According to our church, we will not involve in partisan politics.”

Meanwhile, not a few believe that Onaiyekan position on the APC Muslim/Muslim ticket will influence many Nigerians in taking informed decision  on who to vote for in the 2023 presidential election.

Why NNPC’s N674bn Profit is Doubtful – CNPP; Calls For Investigation Of Mgt., Board Members

By
The Source
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Willy Ezugwu

Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has described figures released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited on Tuesday as profit after tax as very doubtful, calling for an independent investigation of the management of the company and its Board members in the last seven years.

The company had declared a profit after tax of N674bn according to the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, who said that the company grew its profit after tax from N287bn in 2020 to N674bn in 2021.

However, the CNPP, in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, said that “it is difficult for the NNPC Limited to convince patriotic Nigerians that its declared profits in two years are not manipulated.

“The CNPP calls for proper investigation of the management of the company and the Board of NNPC over the last seven years, particularly those who approved 2021 audited financial statements, declaring NNPC to have made the unimaginable 134.8% YoY profit growth in 2021.

“To point out a few reasons why the profits being declared annually by NNPC since 2020 are very doubtful, we note that in 2017, Nigerian lawmakers uncover alleged $15billion unremitted oil and gas revenue.

“The alleged revenue leakage was exposed by the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee investigating missing $17 billion crude oil and liquified natural gas revenue when the committee uncovered the $15 billion unremitted revenue into Federation Account.

“According to the House Committee, trace of the alleged missing fund, believed to have been stolen and diverted to a foreign destination, was contained in two documents submitted by the then Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, at the committee’s sitting.

“Till date, nobody has been prosecuted and nobody was sacked.

“Again, by 2018, N4 trillion was reported to be unremitted by the NNPC as revealed in 2016 audit report indicating that some revenue collecting agencies in NNPC and DPR did not remit any revenue into the Federation account for some months, neither was any explanation given why those months recorded no revenue.

“The audit report highlighted few of the auditor’s discoveries, indicating that the total unremitted revenue as at 1st January 2016 from amounts payable into the Federation Account by NNPC was ₦3,878,955,039,855.73 (that is, three trillion, eight hundred and seventy-eight billion, nine hundred and fifty-five million, thirty-nine thousand and eight hundred and fifty-five naira).

“Also, the sum of N1,198,138,355,860.30 was due in revenue to the Federation Account out of the total generated in 2016, however, NNPC paid the sum of N1,000,545,058,966.2 resulting in an amount withheld of N197,593,296,894.02. This brought the total amount withheld by NNPC from the Federation Account as at 31 December 2016 to N4,076,548,336,749.75”, the CNPP stated.

The umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria then accused the “NNPC management of inability to keep accurate records let alone making huge profits as it has been declaring since the 2020 pandemic year.

“For instance, it was reported that NNPC failed to clearly state exactly the quantity of crude oil lifted or delivered to Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), and Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical company (KRPC) in the said audit report.

“Accordingly media report in 2018, from the examination of the Demestic Crude Oil Lifting sales profile, a total crude oil lifting of 8,399,027 bbls with a total sales value of $376,655,589.03 (N102, 659,577,632.16) was stated to have been lifted jointly by these two companies.

“Therefore, the auditor held that the failure to properly separate these deliveries and charge directly to each company makes it difficult to reconcile and account for each lifting.

“Again, till date, nobody was queried and no person was sacked”, the CNPP observed.

“Also, in 2019, the House of Representatives accused Federal Government’s ministries, departments and agencies of failing to follow the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy, leading to revenue leakages.

“The House said it had discovered that over $900m was still “being held” by the MDAs outside the TSA.

“The House indicted the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Nigeria Customs Service, ministries and banks of various infractions.

“The House specifically accused the NNPC of extra-budgetary spending as the committee said that from the information submitted by NNPC itself, Brass LNG received an appropriation of $511.60m while the actual release was $461.54m during 2012-2017 fiscal years.

“The House panel said that the ‘Appropriation Acts 2012-2017 depicted $550.33m for the Brass LNG project. But it is very important to note some key observations on the table above: The total appropriation is $511.60m, according to the NNPC. The actual funding for the Brass LNG project from 2012 to 2017 stood at $461.54m. The unutilised portion is $331.72m. The NNPC stated unrealised balance with the DMBs being $708.29m.’

“The House Committee then observed that some MDAS claimed to have obtained a presidential exemption to operate certain accounts outside the TSA policy.

“In the case of NNPC, the committee insisted to sight the purported exemption letter. However, to the dismay of the committee, the letter was only conveying the approval of the President signed by an assistant director.

“The lawmakers also accused NNPC of financial operations outside the TSA, saying, “The balance in this (CBN Joint Venture) account as reported by the NNPC, dated 30th October, 2017, stood at $188,900,383.49. These are the various accounts classified as accounts still not being moved to TSA by CBN, DMBs account”

“The House committee had also discovered three accounts held by the NNPC in Aso Savings and Loans PLC and Unity Bank PLC where the accounts included two placement accounts called NNPC PFL Placement Deposit and the third account called NNPC Pension Fund account. The total balance in these accounts as of August 27, 2017, stood at N1, 079,444,746.49”, the CNPP quoted the committee.

“No fewer than 20 recommendations by the House Committee panel were unanimously approved by the House and till date, no official of NNPC was sacked even as none was prosecuted.

“According a report by Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) in 2021 and widely published in the media, a total of 77 oil companies were owing Nigeria N2.659trn unremitted funds.

“Besides the consistent revenue shortfall yearly, which resulted to Nigeria’s borrowing sprees to finance its huge budget deficit with debt servicing gulping as much as 98 per cent of Nigeria’s revenues, the NNPC was reported to have made a huge deduction of N149.2 billion from the federation’s joint account when the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) met in October 2021.

“If NNPC makes huge deductions from the Federation Account and often withholds Federal Government’s legitimate revenues, how is it possible for the same NNPC to be declaring profits for the second consecutive year?

“Or does the NNPC convert the unremitted revenues and deductions from Federal Accounts into profits?, the CNPP asked.

“The issue of oil theft was also mentioned by the NNPC Limited’s boss, Mallam Mele Kyari.

“He said that the oil spill in the Bodo community of Rivers State has led to the Nembe pipeline which is making the country loose over 100,000 barrels per day, while lamenting the high rate of oil theft in the country.

“For the CNPP, we believe that the NNPC knows those behind oil theft and they should go after them instead of mouthing that it has heavily invested in securing its facilities in the oil-rich region.

“If they don’t know, they should see human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) who recently said that they have all information relating to stolen Nigerian crude oil. The lawyer recently pledged to make available such information if needed by the Federal government”, the CNPP stated.

“As far as the CNPP is concerned, rather than continuing the fruitless policy of destroying hundreds of thousands of illegal refineries operating in the Niger Delta for these years, the NNPC should set up criteria for both standardising the operations of the legal refineries operators and licencing them as modular refineries operators in the region to save Nigeria billions of dollars wasted on importation of refined petroleum products due to ineffective government refining facilities.

“But such ideas as local refining of crude oil can never be welcomed by the NNPC management and Board who could be the ultimate beneficiaries of the sustained fuel subsidy regime that has been severally adjudged as the most corrupt in the world even by the All Progressives Congress (APC) before it came to power in 2015.

“NNPC management would rather invest in endless and wasteful turnaround maintenance of Nigeria’s expired refineries instead of building modern refineries, at least one refinery in the last seven years of the APC administration.

“Until NNPC management is made to answer all questions relating to unremitted revenues and its corruption infested subsidy regime, the CNPP will consider any profit declared by the NNPC management as mere paper work and, mostly likely, a manipulation of figures to confuse unsuspecting Nigerians.

“Therefore, we believe that a profitable NNPC can only be possible when the management of NNPC is held accountable and Nigeria gets functional refineries that would bring to an end the current importation of refined petroleum products into the country.

“We’ll continue to insist on an independent forensic audit of NNPC operations from 1999 to date to enable Nigeria recover all stolen oil revenues, some of which have been declared as unremitted, particularly since 2015”, the CNPP said.

Ogun Governorship Primaries: The Lower Court Erred; We Shall Appeal Judgement – PDP

By
Akinwale Kasali
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PDP Secretariat - Wadata Plaza

By Akinwale Kasali

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is set to appeal the judgement of the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on the party’s primary elections in the State.

The National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP says it won’t rest on its oars until the issue is addressed.

In a  court ruling, the Hon. Justice O. Oguntoyinbo, ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh election to nominate candidates for the 2023 general elections.

The party expressed dissatisfaction over the  ruling in suit No. FHC/AB/CS/83/2022 delivered on September 27, 2022.

The main opposition party said the appeal had become imperative after its NWC evaluated the judgement during its meeting held on Tuesday at the PDP National Secretariat.

PDP Spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement on Wednesday, said the Party has directed its legal adviser to commence necessary actions.

“In his judgment, Hon. Justice Oguntoyinbo held thus “I hereby Order that fresh primary elections be conducted by the current Ogun State Executives of the 2nd Defendant Peoples Democratic Party for the nomination of candidates for elective positions i.e House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senatorial and Governorship elections within 14 days.

“After a comprehensive review and extensive consultations with Party leaders and critical stakeholders particularly in Ogun State, the NWC has resolved to appeal the Judgment.

“Consequently, the NWC has directed the National Legal Adviser of the Party to commence all actions necessary to appeal the judgement.

“The party urges all candidates of the party in Ogun State, all critical stakeholders, party members, and teeming supporters to remain focused and not allow themselves to be distracted as the PDP rally Nigerians to Rescue, Rebuild and Redirect the nation from the misrule of the sitting government,” the statement read.

Mrs Uzodinma Defies Heavy Rain, Leads Thousands of APC Women To March for Tinubu/Shettima Ticket

By
The Source
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Imo APC Women Rally for Tinubu

The South-east All Progressives Congress (APC) women on Wednesday successfully held their one million-woman march in Owerri, the Imo State capital, for the Party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, with Governor Hope Uzodinma saying the APC menfolk are solidly behind their women.

The Governor spoke when his wife, Barr. (Mrs.) Chioma Uzodinma, who is the leader of the Presidential Campaign for APC women in South East, defied the heavy rain and presented her colleagues to him after they successfully marched round the city in support of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidency.

Receiving the women who marched from Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square to the Government House roundabout in Owerri, Governor Uzodinma expressed happiness that “APC has a presidential candidate in the person of Jagaban of our time – Senator Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” and warned the crowd not to be deceived by anybody.

“APC is one united Party in Nigeria and we are all committed to APC and all are working for APC with the believe that what is happening in Lagos should happen in Nigeria in general.”

The Governor emphasized that he believes that “those who initiated the good things that are happening in Lagos should also initiate what will happen in Nigeria.”

He reiterated his conviction that the good work President Muhammadu Buhari has done in the past seven and half years has to be supported and continued “and the only way this can happen is for Nigerian women, youths and politicians to come out en mass and encourage APC to win for continuity and progress.”

Governor Uzodinma told the women that he personally came out to receive them in Owerri “to support and encourage them to continue what they are doing” and that “the APC men are solidly behind them.”

He told them not to be deterred, assuring that they will be carried along, even as he recalled that the APC Presidential candidate has all it takes to make women be in the forefront of his administration.

“This is a man who is after the heart of women,” he added, saying “if you support him you are supporting women, youths and the good interest he has for Nigeria.”

The Governor assured the women that their efforts will not be in vein as “APC is presently better positioned in the five States of the South East that is Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States.”

He thanked the women for their peaceful disposition and conducts in carrying out the rally in Owerri without violence and wished them safe journey to their various States.

Earlier while addressing the mammoth crowd of South East APC women at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square, the First Lady of Imo State who informed them that she has been appointed to coordinate the women Presidential Campaign Team of the party in the South East noted that the rally was “a preamble to what is to come in the course of the official flag-off of APC campaigns for the 2023 general elections as a people and as a formidable Party.”

Besides, she said the march was an occasion to show their “readiness and preparedness to lead the way in sustaining the gospel of progress and national unity, especially in the entire South East region of Nigeria for the actualization of the dream of a more progressive Nigeria.”

“This is an opportunity for Nigeria to choose to move forward by choosing a man who is an enigma of human capacity development and expert in revenue generation, a policy creativity and one with a penchant for infrastructural development so that Nigeria can emerge even stronger than her peers among the comity of Nations,” Mrs. Uzodinma explained.

She acknowledged that APC in Nigeria has given women a lot of opportunities in politics and corperate governance more than any other party, adding that “the Governor of Imo State who is also an APC Governor has done a lot to improve the standard of life in Imo State in accommodating women in positions of leadership and governance.”

Mrs. Uzodinma reiterated Tinubu’s love for women, insisting that as a reliable ally far back in 1999 he had a woman as his running mate and also gave so many women the opportunity to be part of his government when there was little or no drive about women inclusion in politics.

She described the Presidential candidate of APC as “a man of merit whose reign as the Governor of Lagos State had development plans that moved Lagos to an enviable height in addition to nurturing so many young leaders and succeeded in entrenching enduring legacies.”

Mrs Uzodinma solicited the need to “drive the message of the qualities and capabilities ofTinubu home and preach to our people that APC has the best candidate among all who are in the race and with tact, persuasion and strategy the people of the South East will embrace and buy into the message and even win more converts for the party.”

She concluded by saying that “the infrastructural revolution and transformation going on in Imo State under the Shared Prosperity Administration remains yet another compelling launch-off pad that will convince the electorate that APC government and party are 100% commited to the progress and prosperity of the people, which is the true essence of democracy.”

“The city boy is the man to beat. Asiwaju is the way forward and a vote for Asiwaju is a vote for consolidation and progress.”

In their goodwill messages at the rally the Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, the Rt. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha acknowledged the sacrifices of Governor Uzodinma and stated that “the women of the South East have decided that they will do the needful by voting for APC and ensuring that APC wins.”

Also, the Deputy National Women Leader, Hajia Zinab Ibrahim, the National Women Leader, Mrs. Better Odi, called on the women to go and collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to enable them vote for APC and support the President that is gender-sensitive and friendly.

The APC women who were present and whose messages corroborated that of the women leaders and the address of Mrs. Uzodinma include: the Chief Executive of NEPAD,  Mrs. Gloria Akobundu and the Chairperson of Igbo Kwenu, Mrs. TOR. They all affirmed the need for women to support APC to succeed in the forth coming elections.

Other South East APC women who participated in the rally were; the wife of the Ebonyi State Governor, Her Excellency Mrs. Rachael Umahi, Member representing Okigwe North in the House of Representatives, Hon Princes Miriam Onuoha, APC women Executives of the South East States and many others.

Lagos Teachers Endorse Sanwo Olu’s Second Term, Obasa Celebrates Them

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The second term ambition of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu received a boost Wednesday. The Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Lagos State Chapter, has endorsed his aspiration.

The Teachers said that the State has witnessed positive transformation, especially in the Teaching service.

Sharing their experiences in the last three years, NUT gave Governor Sanwo-Olu a pass mark in raising the standards of education through investment in infrastructure and capacity building.

A symposium organised by the Lagos wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) at the NUT Pavilion in Ikeja, Lagos teachers unanimously threw their weight behind Sanwo-Olu, endorsing the Governor’s re-election bid.

Comrade Hassan Akintoye, NUT Lagos chairman, who spoke on behalf of the Teachers, said the Sanwo-Olu administration prioritised Teachers’ welfare and committed unprecedented investment in education and teaching.

Akintoye said not only has the teaching environment been made more conducive for Teachers, he noted that there has also been an improvement in the performance of pupils in National examinations.

The NUT chief said the Governor met and fulfilled majority of demands by the teachers without any confrontation, thereby limiting the prospect of disagreement between NUT and the Government.

Lagos, he said, pioneered the creation of the Permanent Secretary/Tutor General position, which is the apex cadre in teaching career, and designated six slots for teachers across the six Education Districts in the State.

Akintoye added that Sanwo-Olu’s approval of career harmonisation in Teaching Service placed thousands of Lagos teachers on grade Level 17 – the highest level. This, he said, made Lagos the pace-setting State in the transformation of the Teaching profession.

He said: “In Lagos, Teachers have not had any major demands which the Government has not prioritised. It is only in Lagos that  Teachers are promoted and get salaries of the new grade level before the promotion letters get to them. It is in Lagos that thousands of teachers are on Grade Level 17 when their colleagues in other states are either stagnant at Level 14 or demoted.

“On occasion of World Teachers’ Day in Lagos, it is about showing appreciation to the leadership of the State. We are using this opportunity to tell our Governor that we have a large number in the teaching service, and this has never been a burden to the system. Come February 2023, we will mobilise not only ourselves, but also our families and relatives to make the election work in your favour.”

NUT National President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, sent a note of appreciation to Sanwo-Olu on behalf of Lagos teachers, stressing that Lagos Government has lifted the Teaching profession and set enviable standards in the State.

Represented by Comrade Titi Adebanjo, NUT National Secretary, Amba said: “In some States, apart from the Governors being afraid to meet with teachers, Sanwo-Olu can walk confidently among teachers because he has raised not only the standards of teaching in Lagos, the Governor has also improved on the welfare package for teachers to make teaching rewarding.”

Sanwo-Olu described teachers as “important stakeholders” in moulding behaviour and creating a functional society. He said his administration’s efforts towards boosting teachers’ capacity through capacity building led to over 10,000 teachers benefiting from various initiatives to refresh their teaching skills.

The Governor said priorities were placed on career progression of Teachers in Lagos, making their promotion an annual exercise while ensuring prompt implementation of benefits and earnings due to them.

He said: “Today, I join our resilient and outstanding teachers in celebrating a legacy of excellence, dedication and commitment built on the foundation of a unique profession that involves the promotion of the complex personal development of young minds in preparation for future roles as responsible citizens.

“No Society can deliver quality education without placing premium value on its teachers. While many only expect the Almighty God to reward teachers, it is our firm resolve that our teachers must receive and enjoy the rewards for their labour, first here on earth and then, later in Heaven.

“As a teacher-friendly Government, we developed various initiatives to enhance teaching and further motivate our teachers. Our commitment to increasing the capacity of our teaching staff is visible through local and international training. Over 10,000 teachers have been exposed to various training programmes to hone and refresh their teaching skills. To ensure that we don’t lack teachers in any subjects, we introduced an Exit-Replacement Policy, which ensures prompt recruitment of qualified teachers to replace the ones that retire. This has created employment for over 6, 000 qualified teachers in the last three years.”

Sanwo-Olu urged Teachers to always uphold the ethics of their profession and continue to show uncommon sense of responsibility and greater commitment to duty.

He pledged his administration would continue to accord priority to investment in education, while also improving the capacity and welfare of teaching personnel. The Governor said Lagos schools would further become more ICT-compliant, as he promised to expose teachers to international best practices.

“I urge you not to relent in your effort to impart quality knowledge in our children. You are the diamonds set in gold rings for this noble profession. As partners, we will appreciate your continued commitment and support in achieving an effective and efficient education system for the benefit of our dear citizens,” the Governor said.

In a show of appreciation, the teachers honoured Sanwo-Olu with an Education-friendly Award.

In the same vein, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, described Teachers as the most important professionals in any society.

Speaking at Government Senior Girls College, Agege where he joined other well-meaning Lagosians to celebrate the 2022 edition of the World Teachers Day, Obasa noted that no sane society can undermine the value of those in the profession.

The Speaker added that the importance of teaching can be more appreciated with an understanding that through it, many other professions are born.

He commended the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Lagos for making the state proud and for sustaining the relationship between the body and the government.

He further promised that the latter would continue to do its best to meet the welfare of those in the profession, who he described as mentors.

“I want to congratulate you on this day and to further join you in this celebration of your day. It is good that you have a day to celebrate yourselves.

“We all know the importance of teachers in a society. In fact, no sane society can undermine teachers.

“That is why we must all appreciate your roles in our lives. We all have kids and we know what it takes to care for them. That also makes us conscious of what you do for our kids.

“No amount of commendation can actually pay you for all that you do. We all passed through you growing up. Without you, we won’t be what we are and that is why I pray that God will reward you and your family more than how we appreciate you.

“We appreciate your support always and will always be part of you as our teachers and mentors “ he said.

Nigerian Military Secures Release Of Abducted Train Passengers

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Kaduna Train Victims

By Ayodele Oni

With the self-appointed abducted victims negotiator, Tukur Mamu out of the way and safely in the custody of the Directorate of State Services, DSS, it is freedom at last for the remaining 23 Abuja-Kaduna  train passengers trapped in terrorists enclave for almost eight months. The Nigerian Military has safely secured their release.

They were released at about 4.00pm on Wednesday.

The terrorists had on March  28th 2022; successfully attacked the train with explosives and fire power. They killed eight of the passengers, and abducted 68 of them.

Since then, they have been releasing the hostages in batches with Mamu, Media Consultant to controversial Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Ahmad Gumi, as the self-appointed negotiator. Each of the released hostage paid, allegedly, the sum of N100m.

However, Mamu was arrested by the INTERPOL a couple of weeks ago at the Cairo International Airport, Egypt, on his way to Saudi Arabia, in the company of his two wives

Shipped back to Nigeria on the next available flight, he walked into the hands of the waiting operatives of the DSS at the Kano International Airport. He has since been under investigation, and according to the DSS, investigations, so far, show that Mamu was, allegedly, working in connivance with terrorists.

A statement issued by the Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee (CDSAC), Prof. Usman Yusuf, said their release was secured on Wednesday.

The statement reads: “I am pleased to announce to the nation and the world that at 1600Hrs. (4:00pm) today, Wednesday 5-10-2022, the seven-man Presidential Committee assembled by the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General L E O Irabor, secured the release and took custody of all the 23 remaining passengers held hostage by Boko Haram Terrorists following the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna train on 28-3-2022.

“The nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Nigerian Military under the leadership of the CDS who conceived and guided the operation from start to finish.

“All sister Security Agencies and the Federal Ministry of Transportation contributed immensely to this Operation.

“The unwavering support of the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR is what made it all possible.

“Members of this Committee are grateful for the rare honour and privilege to be part of this Humanitarian Operation.”

World Teachers’ Day: FG Commends Teachers For Commitment, Selflessness

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Adamu Adamu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Government has showered encomiums on Teachers for not embarking on strike despite what it tagged  “unfavorable and intolerable policies”.

The Minister for Education, Adamu Adamu  made this known during the 2022 World Teachers Day celebration in Abuja.

Speaking during the ceremony, Adamu noted that teachers embraced the principle of constructive engagement which have helped to keep students in schools amidst relegation of welfare.

“It is universally accepted that the teaching profession is a noble one. Regrettably, overtime, the place of teachers in our society has come to be less appreciated, their roles relegated and their welfare ignored. Our teachers, especially at the basic and secondary levels have been at the receiving end of some of the most unfavourable and sometimes intolerable policies, practices and experiences.

“Despite this paradox, I note with an enormous debt of gratitude that the Nigerian Union of Teachers, the umbrella association of all teachers, never called out their members on strike or stopped catering to the educational needs of our children throughout my tenure as Minister of Education. Rather, they chose a policy of constructive engagement with all levels of governments and the larger society to proffer solutions. They even instituted awards for state and non-state actors who demonstrate commitment to the welfare of teachers and the promotion of educational development generally.

“It is, therefore, not surprising that this strategy has proved more productive as we have witnessed a gradual improvement in the last few years. I recall with deep satisfaction the progress that has been recorded since President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled a comprehensive policy to redress, reposition and refocus the teaching profession in Nigeria exactly two years ago at this same venue. The scorecard is heart-warming but I am the first to acknowledge that there is still a long road to travel before we reach our desired destination.”

Speaking further, Adamu highlighted some of the successes the  Government of President  Muhammadu Buhari has recorded.

“Some of the successes recorded so far include: The retirement age of Teachers has been increased to 65 years with a corresponding increase in service years to 40 years to retain experienced hands and institutionalize mentoring in the profession.

“Following the concurrence of the National Council on Establishments, we have adopted a career path policy that will see our teachers specialize and practice their profession on the basis of skills sets, aptitude and proficiency, and continuing professional development.

“We have restored the practice of attracting and retaining the best brains in the teaching profession to reduce current shortfalls in staff-students ratios in our universities through reintroduction of graduate assistantship with enhanced incentives.

“We have significantly improved teacher quality through steadfast implementation of certification and removal of quacks from our classrooms, through the untiring efforts by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria and the National Teachers Institute.

“Arrangements have been concluded to commence the payment of stipends and scholarships to education students of our universities and colleges of education to boost enrolment and with the assurance of automatic employment upon graduation.

“The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission has completed work on the reviewed remuneration package for teachers in basic and secondary schools including provisions for rural posting allowance, science teachers’ allowance and peculiar allowance. Implementation is awaiting conclusion of consultations with state governments and the National Assembly”.

Speaking further, Adamu noted that the “biological children of teachers can now attend their respective schools at no cost as an additional incentive for committed service and in appreciation of the sacrificial spirit that propels it.

“We have revamped the curriculum and introduced history and religious knowledge as stand-alone subjects. We are also working with professional associations and religious bodies including the Nigerian Historical Society to address the shortage of teachers in specialized subjects.

“We have repositioned our intervention agencies and established the National Senior Secondary Education Commission to fill the gap in that segment of our education tree. The amendment of the enabling law is at final stages in the National Assembly.

“After several failed attempts in the past, we have formulated a National Language Policy that will ensure the progressive and consistent development of Nigerian languages and prevent their extinction. A national launch is planned before the end of the Administration”

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