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We Cannot Eradicate Poverty, But We Can Check It – Uzodinma

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The Source
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Hope Uzodinmma on Poverty2

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has expressed gratitude to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for extending its Economic Revitalization Support Programme to the State, noting that Imo citizens are enterprising.

Governor Uzodimma said this  on Monday, October 11, at the Concorde Hotel Owerri, in his special remarks at the official launch of the UNDP’s Economic Revitalization Support Programme for Imo and Aba States.

The Governor explained that the programme was important because it was taking place at a time Imo State has lost a lot as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that brought businesses to their knees, left so many people dead,  got government challenged and brought about a spike in the number of Orphanage Homes in the State.

Governor Uzodimma said though it is “not easy to eradicate poverty” it is also possible to check poverty so that it does not become cancerous.

He said though his government had put in place measures to check poverty and high rate of vulnerability of the people, the intervention of the UNDP in the State will go a long way in providing direction for the army of youths yearning for what to do as well as encourage women inclusion in the socio-economic scheme of things.

The Governor reminded the UNDP that Imo State has a teeming youth community that are both enterprising and innovative but who require some encouragement to unleash their full potentials.

Governor Uzodimma therefore advised the organizers of the Programme to “be painstaking in identifying those who are truly vulnerable,” noting that “if the programme is religiously implemented it will go a long way in meeting the expectations of the UNDP.”

“Work to ensure that the original objective of the programme is achieved. Follow the rules and the programme the way it has been designed. Those involved in the implementation should ensure that it is done in the way it has been designed because the money to be disbursed seems a lot to the real vulnerable ones.”

However, Governor Uzodimma used the opportunity of the event to remind Imo people that another lesson and probably the greatest lesson to be learnt from the event is that the world cannot wait for Imo State on programmes designed to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic because they chose to stay at home.

His words: “Our people must understand what others are doing globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our case is not peculiar. We must shun acts that will discourage partners from intervening in our situation. When you kill the economy you are committing murder. The truth is that the world is moving without Imo.

“We are not created to be poor even though the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Imo State has the highest unemployment rate in Nigeria. We are enterprising people and do not have begging mentality. What UNDP has done for us will go a long way in further unearthing the enterprise and innovation in our people and encourage them to do more for them.”

In her key note remarks, the UNDP Regional Bureau Director, Ms. Ahuna Eziakonwa thanked Governor Uzodimma for hosting the programme and for remembering to include so many women in his government.

She said the UNDP was keen on partnering with Imo to ensure that the youths and women benefit from the intervention and also, to ensure that businesses stay alive.

Earlier, UNDP Resident Representative, Mohammed Yahya spoke in the same vein and on the need to eradicate poverty in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular.

The Special Adviser to Governor Uzodimma on Sustainable Development Goals and Focal Person, NSIPs, Princess Christina Ude had welcomed the delegates and wished them a successful outing. She also thanked the Governor for his passion in fighting poverty and diseases through his numerous social intervention programmes.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of a UNDP symbolic Cheque of One hundred and ninety-five million, two hundred and twenty-five Naira only to the Governor by Ms Eziakonwa for the would be beneficiaries of the programme.

CP Okolo Takes Over Bayelsa Police Command

By
The Source
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Usman Alkali Baba- IGP

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the posting of CP Ben Nebolisa Okolo, fdc to Bayelsa State as the new Commissioner of Police (CP) in-charge of the State. CP Okolo takes over from CP Echeng E. Echeng earlier redeployed to the Anambra State Police Command.

Okolo, a fellow of the National Defence College, hails from Onitsha in Anambra State. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Political Science from the University of Nigeria Nsukka.

According to a Press Release by Force Spokespersons, CP Frank Mba, Okolo is a Cop with vast experiences in policing and community safety, and  has held key positions within the Force cutting across administration, criminal investigations, operations, amongst others. He previously served as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit and the Head of IGP Monitoring Unit, amongst other positions. He has also attended several leadership and professional courses within and outside Nigeria including the Tactical Command Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, Strategic and Management Training Course at the INTERPOL Headquarters, France.

The IGP has charged the new CP to bring his wealth of experience to bear in advancing the gains in crime prevention and public safety in Bayelsa State. The IGP equally enjoined Bayelsans to accord the new Commissioner of Police maximum cooperation to enable him succeed in his assignment.

His posting is with immediate effect.

Izombe Tragedy: Uzodimma vows to fish out culprits, To set up Panel of Inquiry

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

Pained by the killing of security operatives and extensive destruction of property at Izombe in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State at the weekend, Governor Hope Uzodimma has vowed that the perpetrators of the mayhem would be unmasked and brought to justice.

According to a statement by his Media Adviser/ Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, the Governor has, also, promised that Government will set up a Panel of Inquiry that will look into the immediate and remote causes of the crises and make recommendations that will help stop further occurrence.

Addressing newsmen on Monday in the company of Military and Police authorities, the Governor expressed dismay over the ugly incident, particularly a situation where bandits confronted the Military Patrol, burnt their vehicle, abducted and killed two soldiers, and made away with their riffles.

“The recent happenings have brought to the fore the earlier State’s directive that anybody, no matter how highly placed, who is in possession of any weapon should return it to the Security Agencies.”

Governor Uzodimma said: “Regrettably the time given for such had elapsed. Therefore, anybody still keeping any weapon runs the risk of being arrested and prosecuted and made to face the full weight of the law.”

He warned: “Government will go out to fully implement that directive and ensure that all bandits no matter where they are, are discovered and brought to book.”

Governor Uzodimma said it is no longer pardonable for the people or group of persons to take laws into their hands, regretting that banditry, violence, kidnapping and other forms of crime and criminality have been on the increase since the jail break in Owerrri that saw criminals melt into the streets.

“The evidence of their activities is manifested in what happened at Izombe Community where one of those who confronted the military was an escapee from Owerri Prisons. Fortunately or otherwise, the hoodlum was killed by the soldiers in the confrontation.”

The Governor sent his condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers and statesmen who died in the mayhem in the course of service to their fatherland and assured that their sudden death will not be allowed to go in vain.

He reiterated that Government will do all within its powers to support the security agencies, no matter what it will cost, to ensure peace fully returns to Imo State.

Governor Uzodimma also promised to visit Izombe Community to get first hand information of what transpired with a view to setting up a Commission of Inquiry to look into the causes and effects of what transpired.

Pandora Papers: The Authors of The Article Displayed Ignorance, Says Obi

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

Former governor of Anambra State and Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 general elections, Peter Obi, has said he has not violated any law in his  business dealings, whether local or international.

There have been reports credited to an online medium that sought to link him with illegal acts in the conduct of his businesses, based on a faulty reading of leaks from the Pandora papers, which are documents leaked on international business moguls that use off-shore financial bases to launder money to evade tax.

But speaking during an interview on The Morning Show, an Arise TV program Monday, he said the authors displayed ignorance on such matters.

Said Obi: “I did not in any respect, whatsoever, violate any law before, during, and after my stewardship as the governor of Anambra. I think that the authors displayed ignorance on matters of Trust and International Investment Practices.”

According to him, he “was the sole importer of Heinz salad cream”- an example of one company he handled during his hay days.

“I was the sole engineer of South African Breweries. I was also bringing in Ovaltine.

“The company I was with before, I left it for my brother who took over and paid me off. That company became the Next Cash and Carry which you see in Port Harcourt and Abuja.”

He said he was a wine importer. “Everyone knew I was a very big trader,” he said.

On the security situation in Anambra state, he blamed the Federal government.

“People in Government, when they make statements, should always, first of all, evaluate and think about the implications of their statement to the overall wellbeing of the country,” he said, answering questions on the statement credited to Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, that the Government cannot rule out state of emergency in the state.

“People don’t know that the greatest contributors to GDP growth are intangible assets, which is security, law and order, and even behavior and statement of the leaders.

“The statement of leaders can hurt the place. So leaders must always ensure that their words have always gone through scrutiny.

“That statement from the attorney general shouldn’t be. More so, he’s the attorney general of the federation, not of the federal government or APC.

“The Federal Government should not talk about a state of emergency. Failure of security in Anambra state is their failure because they are in charge of security. Unless they are saying, they’re going to declare a state of emergency on the country.”

Groups Demand End To Water Privatisation

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Water Privatisation Protest in Lagos

By Akinwale Kasali

Cross section of Civil Societies and Labour activists under the auspices of  ‘Our Water, Our Right Movement ’ in a protest march has made a urgent demand to the Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu – led Lagos State Government to reject all forms of corporate control of water and privatisation of water services, including through so-called “public-private partnerships.”

In a petition by the Coalition of Civil Societies and Labour activists which consist of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, AUPCTRE, and the Joint Action Front, JAF, among others to

Governor Sanwo Olu through the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Tunji Bello titled: AFRICA WEEK OF ACTION AGAINST WATER PRIVATISATION – UPHOLD HUMAN RIGHT TO WATER, the groups said that it was worried that the Lagos State Government is yet to present its blueprint on how to develop the water sector that will guarantee universal access to the people of Lagos and that comments from some government officials indicate that there is a fixation with the idea of water privatization and the Public Private Partnership (PPP).

The protest march was to mark the commencement of the Africa Week of Action Against Water Privatisation billed for 11-15 October 2021.

The week of action was convened by the ‘Our Water Our Right Africa Coalition’ comprising labour and civil society groups from Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, among others.

CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, delivering a speech at the premises of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment said: “the decision to deliver this petition to the Lagos government is informed by the body language of the Lagos government which seems to favour privatization at a time that there is a growing Afro-wide resistance to privatization”.

Corroborating Oluwafemi are: Achike Chude, Vice Chairman of JAF, Philip Jakpor, CAPPA Director of Programmes, and Abiodun Bakare, Nigeria Labour Congress Lagos State Secretary, who demanded an end to water Privatization in Lagos State.

The Groups highlighted experiences from cities where water has been privatized, that have shown rates hike, job losses, low water quality, shut offs and ultimately government thrown into perpetual debts. Most of these cities have embraced remunicipalisation- another word for taking back water from privatizers and putting it where it should be -under public and democratic control.  Buenos Aires, Berlin, Ghana, Gabon, Jakarta, Paris, Tanzania, and lately Cameroon are some examples to note.

The demands made on the Lagos Government is that it rejects all forms of water privatization and fulfil its obligation to respect, protect, and fulfil the human right to water for all people by prioritizing robust public investment, ensuring meaningful public participation in water governance (with particular focus on the perspectives of those typically left out of decision-making, namely women, low-income, and rural communities), and enshrining the human right to water in law.

Others are, “that the state government respects and protects the livelihood of workers by ensuring safe working conditions, protection from retribution for raising complaints, and investment in salaries and pensions reflective of the public service these workers undertake every day.”

They also want the Lagos Government to resist pressure from international financial institutions, private water corporations, and other financial actors to commercialize the water sector and, instead, ensure universal access to safe water regardless of the ability to pay.  To prevent a revolving door or conflict of interest, they want the state government to prohibit public officials from holding positions in the private water industry for 10 years preceding and after their tenure in the public sector.

The group also urged the Lagos Government to adopt solutions to the Lagos water crisis within the public realm, adding that such solutions are found in the document – Lagos Water Crisis: Alternative Roadmap for Water Sector, copies of which have been delivered to relevant key ministries and the Ministry of Environment office.

Signatories to the petition are CAPPA, AUPCTRE, JAF, the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Child Health Organisation, the Africa Women Water Sanitation & Hygiene Network and Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Right.

Buhari To Complete Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Before 2023

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Muhammadu Buhari

By Akinwale Kasali

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised Nigerians that before the end of his Second Term, the 11.9km Second Niger Bridge, 120 km Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and other key projects under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, PIDF, will be completed.

Giving this assurance at the two-day Mid-Term Ministerial Performance Review Retreat organized to assess progress made towards the achievement of the nine key priorities of this present Administration,  Buhari said that the occasion of the retreat, the third edition, is targeted at highlighting notable achievements of the Federal Government in the last two years.

Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media & Publicity to the President, in a statement, listed accomplishments of this administration in the areas of infrastructure, transportation, economy, electricity supply, the petroleum industry, among others.

The statement reads: ‘‘On transportation, we are growing the stock and quality of our road, rail, air and water transport infrastructure.

‘‘The PIDF projects are also advancing remarkably. These include the 11.9km Second Niger Bridge, 120 km Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, 375 km Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Expressway and the East West Road. Most of these projects are expected to be completed within this 2nd term of our Administration,’’ he said.

Expressing his delight on the services rendered by his Ministers and reports to the Federal Executive Council on their activities related to the achievement of their Ministerial Mandates, he said, ‘‘Some of the notable achievements include the establishment of InfraCo Plc in 2020, as a world class infrastructure development vehicle, wholly focused on Nigeria, with combined debt and equity take-off capital of N15 trillion, to be managed by an independent infrastructure fund manager.

‘‘The Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund was also established in 2020 with more than USD 1Billion in funding.

‘‘In addition, we have launched the Nigeria Innovation Fund by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). This is aimed at addressing investment opportunities in the domestic technology sector: data networking, datacenters, software, Agri-tech, Bio-tech, and more,’’ he said.

President Buhari, furthermore, noted that his administration had made tremendous progress on railway projects in the country, noting that upgrading of the railway network is being extended with the recent completion of the Lagos – Ibadan line.

‘‘The Itakpe-Ajaokuta rail line has finally been completed and commissioned after 30 years of its conception.

‘‘Work is expected to commence very soon on the Port-Harcourt Maiduguri line and Calabar – Lagos Coastal Line to connect the Southern and Eastern States of our Country. Progress is also being made on the upgrading of our Airports, with the state-of-the-art facilities in line with world class safety standards,’’ he said.

He brushed aside speculations and insinuations that the economy has nosedived, stressing that the nation witnessed three consecutive quarters of growth economically after negative growth rates recorded in the second and third quarters of 2020.

‘‘The GDP grew from 0.8% in 2017 to 2.2% in 2019, but declined in the first quarter of 2020, as a result of the downward trend in global economic activities triggered by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

‘‘As at the Second Quarter 2021, GDP growth rate was at 5.01%, the highest since the inception of this Administration.

On security, President Buhari announced that the Ministry of Defence has been instructed to create a modest military industrial complex for the local production of weapons to meet some of the requirements of the country’s armed forces.

The President explained that the establishment of the industrial complex would address Nigeria’s over-dependence on other countries for military equipment and logistics.

He said the project is being implemented under the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), a military department responsible for arms manufacture.

On other efforts to strengthen national security, the President said it was gratifying to note that Nigeria has received six A-29 Super Tucano.

He said the propeller-driven aircraft are being used for training, surveillance and attack by the military.

‘‘As part of the efforts towards strengthening our national security, we have increased investments in arms, weapons and other necessary equipment; expanded the National Command and Control Centre to nineteen states of the Federation; and established a Nigerian Police Trust Fund, which will significantly improve funding for the Nigeria Police Force.

‘‘We have also approved the sum of N13.3 billion for the take-off of the Community Policing initiative across the Country, as part of measures adopted to consolidate efforts aimed at enhancing security nationwide,’’ he said.

On the Power Sector, President Buhari noted that the implementation of a ‘Willing Buyer-Willing Seller’ Policy has opened up opportunities for increased delivery of electricity to underserved homes and industries.

He expressed the hope that the execution of critical projects through the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme, will result in achieving the national goal of improved power supply by 2025.

On the Petroleum Industry Act signed into law on 16th August 2021, the President reiterated his directive to the Implementation Committee to complete all processes for the successful operationalization of the Act within 12 months.

On efforts to empower the youth and other vulnerable groups by enhancing investments in the Social Intervention Programmes, the President said he has approved the expansion of the National Social Register (NSP) by 1 million additional households.

The NSP is the official database for the implementation of the Conditional Cash Transfer programme.

‘‘We have established the N75 billion Nigerian Youth Investment Fund created to boost the Nigerian economy through leverage and access to finance for youths.

‘‘The Fund should serve as a catalyst to unleash the potential of the youth and to enable them to build businesses that will stimulate economic growth and create jobs. These accomplishments are a testament to the fact that all hands are on deck in establishing a solid foundation for even greater successes in future,’’ he said.

The President warned all Ministers and Permanent Secretaries to take seriously all issues relating to the implementation of their mandates towards the attainment of the laudable objectives of this Government.

The President concluded his address at the opening of the retreat with the unveiling of the Presidential Priorities Performance Management System.

He explained that the Performance Management System and Dashboard, which has been in effect since January this year, had provided him the opportunity to track projects in real-time with live data.

‘‘In our continuing drive to ensure accountability, we have incorporated a Performance Management Framework into the functions of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit for ease of tracking of the Ministerial Deliverables along the lines of the 9 priority areas of this administration.

‘‘This initiative has provided me the opportunity to track the performance of all Ministries and by extension my Administration.

‘‘ This process has been in effect since January 2021 and today it gives me great pleasure to unveil the Performance Management System and Dashboard to track projects in real-time with live data and an early warning system to proactively resolve bottlenecks,’’ he said.

In view of the importance of this year’s retreat, President Buhari announced that he would sit through all the sessions to listen to the cumulative assessment of this administration’s performance over the last 2 years.

CBN Working Against Buhari’s Ministers- Osinbajo

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
Yemi Osinbajo

By Fola James

Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s vice president has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to be more open in its operations as ministers in Buhari’s administration simply “have no line of sight on what is going on, on one side,” of the apex bank.

Osinbajo’s comment, analysts say, is likely to generate furore in the government where appointees of the president have been accused of working at cross purposes.

The vice president who made the comment at the midterm retreat of President Muhammadu Buhari’s second tenure, suggested the CBN and ministers are not working in synergy, noting that the apex bank has been meddling on the fiscal side of the economy which is supposed to be the responsibility of cabinet ministers.

CBN Gov Emefiele
Emefiele: CBN Governor

He also urged the CBN Governor , Godwin Emefiele to devalue the naira as the current exchange rate is artificial and discouraging foreign investors. The naira is exchange for N411 to the American Dollar CBN official rate, while the Greenback as the US Dollar is called, is exchanged for N565 at the parallel market.

Osinbajo said “There must be synergy between the fiscal and the monetary authority. We must be able to deal with the synergy, we must handle the synergy between the monetary authority, the CBN, and the fiscal side.

“Sometimes, it appears that there is competition, especially on the fiscal side. If you look at some of the interventions, you will find that those interventions are interventions that should be managed by ministries.

“The ministry of industry, trade and investment should handle MSMEs interventions, and we should know what the CBN is doing. In other words, if the CBN is intervening in the MSME sector, it should be with the full cooperation and consent of the ministry of industry.

“Sometimes you will get people who are benefiting more than once because we simply have no line of sight on what is going on, on one side.”

On the exchange rate, Osinbajo said, “I think we need to move our rates to [be] as reflective of the market as possible. This, in my own respective view, is the only way to improve supply,” Osinbajo said.

“We can’t get new dollars into the system, where the exchange rate is artificially low. And everyone knows by how much our reserves can grow. I’m convinced that the demand management strategy currently being adopted by the CBN needs a rethink, and that is just my view.

Meanwhile, critics of the administration said Osinbajo’s comment signposts the polarisation among Buhari’s appointees at a critical time that they need to work together to move the country forward, particularly on the economic front.

Stock Exchange: Group Demands Onyema’s Resignation As CEO

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The appointment of Oscar Onyema as Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange, NGX violates extant rule according to Nigerians for All Nigerians, NAN a rights group, which called on him to step down from his position.

Onyema who served as chief executive of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE was appointed into the position in April this year, after the demutualization of the NSE. He had completed his mandatory 10-year term as NSE boss.

NAN said his appointment and the listing of by introduction of the shares of the NGX on the main Board of Nigeria Exchange Limited with effect from October 13, 2021, violates the Nigerian Investments and Securities Act

The group, in a statement by Dele Ajanaku, its Secretary General said, “the impending listing by introduction of the shares of NGX Group on the main Board of NGX ltd with effect from October 13, 2021 vis-a-vis Mr. Onyema’ s portfolio in the two companies will be a violation of Rule 184(2)(a) on the status of Mr. Oscar Onyema as the CEO of NGX Group while also serving as a Non-Executive Director of NGX Limited.”

“Rule 184 (2) states that a securities exchange shall have a code of conduct for its council members or Board which shall be approved by the Commission and shall contain provisions that the council members or Board shall not be staff of a quoted company and its subsidiaries.”

Ajanaku stated further that, “te purpose of this provision is to forestall a situation where a Council or Board member of an Exchange would be in a position to extend special privileges or exercise undue influence towards a listed company which he/she works for.”

“In the scenario under review, by virtue of his position as CEO of NGX Group, Mr. Onyema is a staff/employee of the company. Given that he also serves a non-executive on the NGX Ltd, the Exchange on which NGX Group is set to be listed, Mr. Onyema would (if permitted to hold both portfolios), be in contravention of Rule 184(2).

““it is recommended that the Commission should request Mr. Onyema to relinquish one of the portfolios he is currently occupying so as to comply with Rule 184(2),” NAN said.

NGX had in a message posted on its website in April said “following the successful demutualisation of The Exchange, Mr. Onyema has transitioned into the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) Plc.”

2023: Tunubu’s Men Abandon Him

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By James Orji

The event was supposed to be a gathering of trusted associates of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to welcome him back into the country after a three-month medical trip in the United Kingdom, UK. But many of them including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Rauf Aregbesola and Babatunde Raji Fashola were obviously absent at the welcome party organized by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos at the Lagos House, Marina on Sunday.

Many Nigerians are therefore wandering whether the action of the vice president and ministers is not tantamount to disapproval of Tinubu’s 2023 presidential quest, even though the former Lagos governor has yet to declare his intention to run for the nation’s highest office.

This is more so, considering that the event was meant to drum up support for the APC National Leader who spent more than three months nursing a knee injury in London before he returned last week to the tumultuous welcome of his teeming supporters.

The vice president and the two cabinet ministers in Buhari’s government, who are known to be close to the APC stalwart did not visit him while he was in London, fueling speculation that they are trying to distance themselves from him at a critical time that his presidential ambition seems to be gathering momentum, even though some have also blamed the ministers’ failure not to visit Tinubu during his medical trip abroad, on a presidential protocol after President Buhari had paid him a visit.

Apart from the president, some APC governors, National Assembly members, including the Speaker of the House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila and other politicians in the ruling party visited Tinubu in London, thus turning his house in the UK into a Mecca of sort.

“There are many reasons that could have been responsible for their actions. While the vice president’s reason could be as a result of his presidential ambition, even though he’s yet to show interest, the same can also be said of Fashola who has been touted to be eyeing the presidency after Buhari has left power in 2023.

VP Yemi Osinbajo
Osinbajo: Eyes On The Presidency 

“But for Aregbesola, his case can be explained on the basis of what is happening in his state Osun where he is in a running battle with his successor, Asiwaju’s cousin. The relationship between the minister and Tinubu has not been very cordial since Gboyega Oyetola took over power from him and trying to reverse most of his legacies,’ said Akeem Adesina, a political analyst in Lagos.

But some of his close associates who spoke to the magazine said the politician still enjoys a cordial relationship with Osinbajo, Aregbesola and Fashola. “They may have been prevented from attending the occasion due to their busy schedule. There is no division is Asiwaju’s poltical family if that is what you want to know. All these suggestions that he’s not in good term with these people only exist in the imagination of those that hold such view,” one of the sources said.

In spite of what seemed like his abandonment by political associates, Tinubu has disclosed that his political influence is a strong as ever.

Speaking at the event on Sunday, the Lagos strongman said he is a leader ordained by God, adding that his medical condition is not a set back for him, as he remains fit as fiddle.

Tinubu who expressed gratitude to his supporters who stood by him while he was abroad, noted that his life was sparred by God for a purpose.

According to him, ”I am a little emotional now but I am happy. God is the giver of life and the only one who can take life.

”And He (God) says, if I grant you power and the privilege in this life; I am the only one who can take it from you if you don’t use it in the way and manner that promotes humanity.

”It is the same God that has spared us till today and has given us the privilege, that I give glory to because I am standing before you hale, hearty and well.

”Today is a day of joy for me, having fixed today for this great event. We are here giving praises to God. May God bless all of you in attendance. I am grateful. I cannot say more than that today. Thank you all,” the politician said.

Okoi Obla Re-arraigned by ICPC For Forgery

By
Uche Mbah
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Okoi Obono-Obla

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offenses Commission (ICPC), Monday, October, 11, 2021, at a Plateau state High Court sitting in Jos, arraigned former Presidential Aide, Okoi Obono-Obla, on charges of forgery.

The allegation was that he forged the School Certificate result with which he was admitted to the University of Jos to read Law.

Recall that in 2020, he was arraigned on a ten-count charge of corruption, which included forgery and falsification, which the Commission discontinued.

But the charges were dropped because the agency felt it should stand on its own as a separate charge on a separate court and date.

The charge was that Mr. Obono-Obla, falsified “a Mary Knoll College, Ogoja General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level, May/June 1982 (GCE) Statement of Result with candidate No: 09403/247 showing an O’Level credit (6) score for Literature in English, thereby “dishonestly” using the O’Level certificate“as genuine”, to study Law for the 1985/86 academic session in the University of Jos (UNIJOS).

He, however, pleaded not guilty and was subsequently granted bail. He is to pay one million Naira and bring a surety who the court says must be resident in Jos and must produce three years tax clearance.

ICPC must, however, vet the credibility of the dirty to their satisfaction.

President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Mr. Obono-Obla as the Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP) for the Recovery of Public Property two years ago, based on ICPC’s report accusing him of “falsification of records and financial impropriety”.

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