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Kogi Workers Accuse Gov Bello Of Neglect, Unfriendly Policy

By
Ayodele Oni
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Yahaya Bello
Yahaya Bello

By Ayodele Oni

A few hours after he declared Presidential ambition, Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello has been confronted by workers in the State over his failure to pay them N30,000 minimum wage.

The minimum wage was approved and has since been implemented by some states since 2019.

Organised labour in the State has, therefore, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Sstate Government to implement the  new minimum wage or face an indefinite strike action.

The Labour leaders   disclosed that the Governor has continued to sacrifice welfare of workers for his personal gains.

The State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Onuh Edoka, lamented that tge the welfare of workers has nosedived since 2016 when Bello was elected Governor as he has not added any value to the life of workers.

He pointed out  that the Committee On Minimum Wage set up  February 14, 2020, by Governor Bello has refused to submit its report for the implementation of the new minimum wage and its consequential adjustment of 23 per cent.

According to him, the administration also refused to cashback promotion arrears for workers and has continued to pay percentage salaries to Local Government workers and Pensioners in the state without considering the present economic hardship.

He explained that the strike action will take effect after the expiration of the two-week ultimatum, which begins from January 25, 2022.

“The House has resolved that all workers of Kogi State should note that an ultimatum will be served on the State Government as from 25th January 2022.

“And to this end, the ultimatum served on the Government will be 14 days ultimatum. And after the 14 days’ ultimatum, all workers of the State will proceed on indefinite strike action.

“It was equally resolved that this Government has not added any value to workers since the inception of this administration on the following ground.

“This Government has not implemented promotion with cash backing for Kogi workers since its inception.

“The last promotion that was implemented in Kogi State was in 2013. To this end, Kogi workers have been on the same salary, which they have been upon since 2011.

“It was equally resolved that the value not added to Kogi workers include none payment of leave bonus, none implementation of annual increment. In the end, the livelihood of Kogi workers has always been the same, making the workers completely poor.

“It was equally resolved in this house that the percentage salary paid to Kogi workers at the local government level, inclusive teachers, pensioners’ and health workers be brought to an end with immediate effect.

“It was equally resolved in this house that in view of this, the Kogi State Government should ensure that labour is engaged in fruitful discussion or else nothing will stop the strike action as it ought to be as the ultimatum will begin on January 25 and it will expire on the date therein.

“Once you are a State Government worker or Local Government worker, you must be part of this strike. It is so annoying that since 2020, a committee put in place to return its report within four weeks, have not turn in its report exactly two years.

“The Union in this State and the entire leadership, including workers have continued to show understanding to the government of the day that is why we never allowed any dispute.

“But this understanding has been taking for granted and have shown fully that we the leaders of various unions in this state and workers don’t understand what our rights really look like.

“I say this because it is until the National Headquarter had directed us to proceed on an indefinite strike that we are now waking up from our slumber to join the strike.

“It is an understanding to show peace, and understanding for any leadership to succeed. But this has been eroded by the actions of the Kogi State Government.”

Federal Poly Owerri, Manufactures Fueless Vehicle

By
The Source
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Nekede Poly Fueless Car

The Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, FEPNO, Imo State,  is in a celebration mood.

Reports, from Owerri, indicate that the Polytechnic has manufactured a  vehicle which uses only Solar and Battery to power itself.

It does not require petrol to to operate.

The vehicle was fabricated by Engr Pius Nwosu, with the encouragement of the Rector, Rev (Dr) Michael Arimanwa, the Rector of the Polytechnic.

Nwosu manufactured the vehicle under the supervision of the Directorate of Research Innovation and Development, (RI&D).

The project was sponsored by TEFfund.

The Rector, Arimanwa is an alumni of the Polytechnic, the first Alumni to become its Rector.

Amaechi, Minister For Transportation, To Be Turbanned In Daura

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Rotimi Amaechi - Tuberning in Daura

By Adesina Soyooye

Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Chibuke Amaechi, is to become a Chief of the Daura Emirate Council, Katsina State.

Amaechi’s turbanning ceremony, which will be performed by the Emir of Daura, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Umar Farouk Umar, CON, will take place on February 5, 2022.

Venue is the Emirs Palace.

He will be bestowed with the title: Dan Amana Daura

Amaechi, a two-time Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two- time Governor of Rivers State, two-time Chairman of the Nigeria’s  Governor’s Forum, all under the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2014, in support of the Presidential aspiration of then Major General Buhari who contested against, and defeated incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

He was the Director General of Buhari’s Campaign in 2015 and 2019. His reward was his appointment, by President Buhari, as the Minister of Transportation and Aviation in 2015, and the Minister of Transport, only in 2019, a position he holds till date.

Amaechi is said to be one of the Ministers closest to Buhari’s heart and there have been speculations that  the President could spring a surprise and support him as his successor in 2023. The Minister is said to be acceptable to the North, and according to the speculations, the President thinks he could be used to assuage the desires of the South-east, being Igbo from Rivers State, for a President of Igbo extraction.

By his turbanning by the Daura Emirate Council, Amaechi has followed in the footsteps of Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Kanu, and the former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha.

On being turbanned, Okorocha promised to build a University  that would be tuition free, in the Emirate.

President Muhammadu Buhari is from the Daura Emirate of Katsina State.

Ignore The Mischief, I Remain Of The Christian Faith – Ihedioha

By
The Source
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Emeka Ihedioha, Imo State

Former Governor of Imo State the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has strongly denied changing his Christian faith to the Islamic faith.

Ihedioha, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, was reacting to the viral story which gave the impression that he has become a Muslim.

The mischievous story started when he visited the Governor of Sokoto State, a close friend and ally of his, Aminu Tambuwal, to commiserate with him on the death of his elder brother. The Tambuwals are of the Islamic faith.

As was expected of Ihedioha, he joined the Tambuwals in their home, in prayers for the repose of the soul of the deceased. A photograph of the event where he was praying with them surfaced and went viral on Social Media, and has since been misinterpreted that he had become a Muslim.

In a reaction to the impression, Ihedioha’s Media Office, in a statement released on January 21  and signed by his Media Aide, Chibuike Onyeukwu, dismissed the story as not only a deliberate mischief but false and wicked.

The statement noted that: “While His Excellency, has great respect for all faiths, everyone knows that he is not only a committed Christian, but also a Knight of the Anglican Church.”

Following is the full text of the statement.

“Our attention has been drawn to a deliberate falsehood and gross misrepresentation of facts, syndicated in the social media alleging that His Excellency Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON has switched his Christian faith.

“This harebrained act of desperation is as malicious and wicked as it is puerile.

“While His Excellency has great respect for all faiths, everyone knows that he is not only a committed Christian but ,also a Knight of the Anglican Church.

“For emphasis, His Excellency was only paying his respects to the departed. The picture attached to the viral fake news was taken on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at the Tambuwal family residence in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, where Rt. Hon. Ihedioha joined his longtime friend and Governor of Sokoto State, His Excellency,  Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal CFR, for the funeral rites of his elder brother, Alhaji Mohammadu Bello (Wazirin Tambuwal), who passed on few days ago.

“We know the desperadoes behind this mischief. Fortunately, the perceptive public know them too.

“Recall that these same mischievous characters in their ploy to malign the reputation of Rt. Hon. Ihedioha, had recently flooded the social and mainstream media with reports purporting that he had concluded plans to dump PDP, for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). They had also alleged that he was nursing a Senatorial ambition.

“Unfortunately for these failed political jobbers, the highly discerning and ever vigilant public has stuck with Rt. Hon. Ihedioha despite these orchestrated attacks.

“It is not in contention that His Excellency Rt. Hon. Ihedioha remains the darling of the people of Imo State. This is because of his candour and outstanding stewardship in the high offices he has held, especially his accomplishments as the Servant-Leader of the PDP-led Rebuild Imo administration.

“However, we know that at the appropriate time, our brothers and sisters of all religious inclinations, will join other well meaning people of Imo State to give Rt. Hon. Ihedioha a resounding support to reclaim his mandate on the platform of the PDP,  a party he has been, not just a foundation member but also a very loyal and strong pillar.

“Hon. Ihedioha has remained the pride of the PDP, not only in Imo State, but nationally. He is a party loyalist without blemish.

“The public should therefore disregard these smear campaigns and go about their normal businesses.

“We however, expect more of these blackmails in the coming days but we are not distracted.

“All eyes must be on the ball. What is paramount to the people of Imo State at this time is a return to the era of  good governance so that the sacred project of rebuilding Imo State will continue apace.”

Hoodlums Unleash Mayhem In Idumota, Three Allegedly Killed, Several Injured

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Idumota Mayhem

By Akinwale Kasali

There is pandemonium in Idumota area of Lagos, as hoodlums went berserk, unleashing terror on rival groups, passers-by, market men and Wmwomen, who all scampered for safety, forcing shop owners to lock up to avoid vandalization and theft of their wares.

It was gathered that hoodlums from Oluwole, Idumota, Tom Jones, Balogun and Kosoko areas in the Lagos Island had engaged one another in a free for all fight since Wednesday, January 19, 2022,  but it escalated Friday, as the hoodlums used guns and other deadly weapons against one another, allegedly leading to the death of  three persons with several others sustaining severe injuries from machetes cuts.

The reason for the fight is yet to be ascertained as at the filing of this report, but it took the intervention of the Police and other Security agents for there to be relative peace in the area, but shops are still under lock and key.

Speaking,  a Shop Owner in Idumota, who identified himself as Olasukanmi Adio, said that the cause of the fight is not known, but it has become a norm in the area for hoodlums in the area to engage in such fights.

“We can’t even say this is what led to the fight. Boys from Idumota, Kosoko, Tom Jones and its environs always engage in fierce battle of supremacy. Most of their fights has to do with cult related issues, but they usually hide under the guise that they are members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, to cause mayhem.

“Atimes, they engage in this fight to rob people of their personal belongings. When they start their fights, unsuspecting and innocent people that had come to the market to purchase goods will fall victim and they will be robbed of their belongings. So it is usually their strategies in perpetrating this act”, Olasukanmi disclosed.

Following this development, the NURTW Officials in the area have distanced themselves from the mayhem, saying those involved are not their members, debunking rumours making the round that NURTW members are causing crisis in the area.

Lagos Police Command: Alabi Takes Over From Odumosu As CP

By
Uche Mbah
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Abiodun Sylvester Alabi - New Lagos CP

By Uche Mbah

Abiodun Sylvester Alabi, who was until now the Police Commissioner in Bauchi State, is slated to take over from Hakeem Odumosu as the Lagos State Police Commissioner.

Odumosu was recently promoted to an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, and  is expected to proceed on his retirement leave.

Alabi is expeted to assume office  next week.

Born on December 31, 1964,  Alabi is a native of Ekiti State. A graduate of the University of Lagos, where he had a second class upper division in Sociology, he also has a masters degree.

He takes over Lagos Command well prepared for the task ahead.

Electoral Act: Gbajabiamila Denies Role; Warns Lawmakers

By
Bayo Bernard
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By James Orji

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila  has warned members of the National Assembly  to desist from making utterances  capable of maligning itsimage.

Gbajabiamila  spoke barely few hours after Senator Bala Na’Allah accused him of imputing the direct primaries  provision into the Electoral Act bill rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari last month.

The president refused his assent to the bill on the excuse that direct primaries contradicts the Constitutional provision which gives political parties power to determine the mode of chosing candidates for election.

Blaming the Speaker for Buhari’s  rejection of the bill, Na’ Allah who represents Kebbi South in the Senate, said the proposition was Gbajabiamila’s idea, meant to favour an unnamed politician.

The Kebbi lawmaker said“We are hearing that that law (direct primary) was intended for an individual. I don’t know. I honestly don’t know but I must say and maintain that the process was not painstaking enough,” said Na’Allah on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Thursday.

He said the provision was smuggled into the bill by the Speaker at the eleventh hour.

“The issue of direct primary came at the dying minute on the floor of the House of Representatives when they were considering the report of the committee of electoral matters.

“What it means is that it was never discussed or adopted by the committee of the House but that it came as an amendment allegedly because I don’t have the records, by the Speaker of the House of Representatives,” the Senator  said.

In what is regarded as a veil response to the allegation,  Gbajabiamila  said some lawmakers  are trying to abuse their rights to freedom of speech. He said the utterances of such lawmakers are capable  of damaging the reputation  of the National Assembly.

Gbajabiamila who spoke during plenary on Thursday  said: “some members of this National Assembly exercising their freedom of expression and speech, and that is well within their right. But when you exercise such freedom, be careful not to mislead the public; be careful not to malign, unjustifiably, this institution.

“This leadership has allowed people to express their opinions at all times; I have no problem with that. But when you begin to call the institution which you are a part of names, unwittingly maligning even yourself, we need to draw a line especially when you are peddling untruths. And I just thought it was important that we mention this so (that) in future we will be guided both by the freedom of expression and by the truth.

“It was a show of disgrace as far as I’m concerned – I don’t care what anybody says – the things that were uttered by members of this National Assembly. A show of disgrace! (I am) extremely disappointed.”

Meanwhile, the house of Representatives  and Senate, on Thursday re-amended the Act and are now waiting for its harmonisation  after which it would be forward to President  Buhari for his assent.

2023: Kogi Gov Joins Presidential Race

By
Bayo Bernard
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Yahaya Bello
Yahaya Bello
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has join the long list of presidential hopefuls from his party planning to succeed  President Muhammadu  Buhari. The tenure of the incumbent expires in 2023, and quite a number of politicians  from his the ruling APC have expressed  interest to be President and commander in chief of Africa’ s most populous nation.
Bello who virtually declared his interest to run on Thursday in Lokoja,  the state’s capital is expected to slug it out with Bola Tinubu, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who has yet to make his ambition public and others who may wish to pick the party’s sole presidential  ticket for next year’s  presidential election.
Making the presidential  declaration,  the Kogi helmsman said “I am offering myself to aspire for the 2023 presidency under our party, APC.
“I really want to thank you for the wonderful things you are doing in your respective states and our fatherland and I sincerely want to appreciate you and thank you for the support to our great party, the support to President Muhammadu Buhari and your service to your people in your various constituencies. I want to thank you for taking the time to come for this extraordinary meeting holding in the North-East, Bauchi in particular.
“Mine is just to express a token of appreciation and tell you that the task ahead is an enormous one, it is all about all of us, about our Nigeria, about our dear party, it is about our future.
“However, I asked the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly to link me up so that I can talk to you virtually during the meeting. As you know, my speaker and others as well as well-meaning Nigerians have been going around the country to meet with critical stakeholders like you. I sincerely appreciate you for joining the project, I will meet you, people, one on one very soon.
Bello said his administration  will promote synergy among the three arms of government to move the country forward if elected president.
He said, “I want to promise you that I will not disappoint anyone of you, looking at the relationship I have with my speaker, I know that by the grace of God when we get to the promised land we are going to have a more wonderful working relationship on May 29, 2023, Insha Allah. As you can see we are moving on steadily, I need your support, I need your prayers because together we can make it happen. We will build on the good things done by the administration.”
In his remarks, Speaker of Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman, assured that elected APC members from the zone will work for the emergence of the Kogi State governor because according to him, “he has a lot of positive things to offer the country considering what he is doing in Kogi State presently.”
The Bauchi speaker stressed that the people of the area are unanimously in support of the aspiration, assuring that when the time comes, they will speak with one voice in the support of the Yahaya Bello.
Meanwhile, Tinubu has met with a former military Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim  Babangida to inform him of his quest to become president.  According  to the formerger Lagos state governor and APC National Leader,  the former military  ruler prayed for him and wished him well.

Opinion: Delta: Okowa And The Politics Of Successor

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Ekene Ozuagbu

The vibes from a rally of the Delta Peoples Vanguard on Saturday, January 15, suggests a death knell for democracy, particularly for the Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State.

Curiously, the event was held at the Government Field, Agbor, the very door mouth of the Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and apparently by his instigation and sponsorship.

The rally had this one tag: “On Okowa we stand.” The meaning is that only Okowa can decide for the PDP who will be its flag bearer for the 2023 Governorship election.

Before they came to the public, various party leaders had been sent to subtly threaten members in the wards and cells not to identify with the aspiration of any aspirant until the Governor reveals whom he wants to succeed him.

The implication of this aberration is grave not only for the PDP in Delta State, for democracy in Nigeria but as well for the whole concepts of party membership and adult suffrage.

Conceding a monopoly of power to one person to decide for the whole of the party represents the lowest ebb of democratic civilisation for which the Delta PDP, perhaps Delta State as a whole, can never recover from, for it tips the party into the realms of despotism and tyranny and enmasculates the whole party members, organs, elders and leaders from contributing in its affairs.

It is sad that this anomaly is even being driven by the condescension and complicity of those who should know better to protect the party and the tenets of democracy from such bullish tendency which, if allowed to stay, there will be no end to impunity, unilateralism and arbitrariness in the life of the party and the state.

In fact, the spiral into the districts, local governments and wards can only be retrogressive.

The terrible irony is that him for whom the door was forced open by the people to emerge is now the one closing the door in the face of all and seizing the key. This is a sad commentary on human nature.

It is common knowledge that when former Governor Emmanual Uduaghan attempted to unilaterally foist a candidate on the party in 2015, the party elders, officials and leaders stood against such arbitrariness and came together to defend that fundamental tenet of democracy, the freedom of the people to choose.

The beneficiary was Okowa himself. What then has changed now for Okowa to insist on being the only one to decide who succeeds him? Is it the Machiavellian axiom of power corrupting and corrupting absolutely?

The grace of the PDP to win elections in Delta may be taken for granted but when high-handedness advances towards totalitarianism, the consequences can be grave.

The strength of the Delta PDP had always been in mutual respect by leaders for the rights and privileges of one another. Therefore, for one man to now want to constitute himself as the Alpha and Omega simply introduces poison into the system.

Okowa has enjoyed all rights and privileges of the party since 1999. Who now is he fighting? What does he want? To become the only power of the party?

He did say, himself, that it is only God that can pick a leader and, as they say, the voice of the people is the voice of God. For him to now aggregate himself to the totality of the people and the party and to want to be the only and exclusive voice in deciding who gets the PDP ticket is therefore tantamount to playing God. The real God is watching.

Ozuagbu, a public affairs commentator and political analyst wrote from Asaba .

AFCON: Super Eagles To Face Tunisia, As Comoros Qualifies For Knockout Phase

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Eagles of Nigeria - AFCON 2021

By Akinwale Kasali

The City of Moroni, Comoros Island Capital, erupted in wild jubilation following the qualification of ‘The Coelacanths’ as the Comoros Island National Team is called to the Round of 16 knockout phase of the ongoing 2021 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

No one gave the Comoros Island Team a chance of getting beyond the Group Stage. They were tagged the ‘Whipping Boys’ of the Group.

Like the biblical David and Goliath warfare, the Comoros Island defeated the highly rated Black Stars of Ghana 3-2 to make a historic statement in World Football.

The debutants will play Host, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the Round of 16 clash at the Olembe Stadium, Yaoundé on Monday, January 24th, 2022.

Three Time African Cup of Nations Champions, the Super Eagles of Nigeria is set to battle the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in the knockout stages of the tournament.

The last time the Super Eagles played Tunisia at AFCON tournament, the Nigerian team won 6-5 on penalties at the 2006 AFCON tournament. Incidentally, Interim Coach Augustine Eguavoen was in the saddle as the Coach of the Super Eagles. This may be termed a repeat of that tension soaked match at the Alexandria Stadium, Egypt.

Sadly, after the quarter finals triumph over Tunisia, the Super Eagles lost the Semi Finals to the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire, courtesy of a Didier Drogba strike.

It would be recalled that at the 2004 AFCON tournament hosted by Tunisia, the Carthage Eagles defeated the Super Eagles 6-5 on Penalties in the Semi Final, leading to Tunisia winning the coveted trophy for the first time in its history.

No doubt, the Super Eagles will put in everything in its Arsenal to upset the Tunisian side that has struggled at this tournament, qualifying as one of the Third Best Placed Teams having lost to Mali and Gambia, recording just a 4-0 win over debutants, Mauritania, to garner Three Points.

The other pairings in the Round of 16 are:

Burkina Faso v Gabon

Guinea v The Gambia

Cameroon v Comoros

Ivory Coast v Egypt

Senegal v Cape Verde

Mali v Equatorial Guinea

Morocco v Malawi

Interestingly, the Flames of Malawi; Blue Sharks of Cape Verde; Nzalang National of  Equatorial Guinea; The Coelacanths of Comoros and the Scorpions of Gambia, are first timers in the knock out stage of AFCON Championship, while the Panthers of  Gabon is appearing for the third time after quarter final appearances in 1996 and 2012.

The Super Eagles will face the winner of the match between Burkina Faso and Gabon in the Quarter Final should the Eguavoen led team scale the Tunisian hurdle.

Nigeria faces the Tunisian side on Sunday, 23rd January 2022, 8pm Nigerian time in Garoua, Cameroon.

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