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Ondo: Government Tackles PDP, Says Workers To Smile Soon

By
Ayodele Oni
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Donald Ojogo

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, has clarified that the present situation in the State was not as precarious like that of the immediate past administration during which workers were owed seven months salaries.

Reacting to insinuation by the opposition People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) that Christmas would be bleak for the workers due to unpaid arrears of salaries, the Commissioner assured that things were being worked out to enable the State Government meet its obligations.

“The PDP will be shocked at the unworkability of their devious wish and desire for Ondo workers.

“The height of pretence is this unpardonable display of amnesia on the part of a party which emplaced a government that laid off several workers with many losing their lives while it lasted, amid a huge debt profile aside a seven-month old unpaid salary burden.”

Confirming that there were problems, Mr Ojogo pointed out that ‘Yes, there are challenges and our desire is to face these challenges headlong with a view to charting a more robust and holistic path to surmount same.

“We will, therefore, unlike the doomsday ilk that held sway before us, rather focus on exploring means to measure up with our avowed commitment to workers welfare than dispensing the state’s commonwealth to bribe higher powers for political stability as was the case before now.

This Government will ensure workers in the public service enjoy a very pleasant season. The next one week will manifest Government’s seriousness in this regard. Workers will smile, as further deeper positive thoughts are already firmed up to ease economic challenges imposed on all of us by the global financial straits.

Workers in the State public service are already well acquainted with the pretentious posturing of the PDP. They know too well that there could not have been a better advertisement of hypocritical vices by their immediate past tormentors.

“This party called PDP lacks the moral status to defend its former victims, the current Akeredolu-led administration is striving hard to bring out of an eight-year old economic strangulation wrought on them by the viciousness of a flipant leadership.”

Editors Hold Self-Scrutiny Town Meeting In Lagos; Ativists, Scholars, Students, Lead Conversation

By
The Source
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Mustapha Isah-NGE President

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has scheduled to commence itsTown Hall Meeting in the South-west geo-political zone on Thursday at De Rembrandt Hotel, 172 Obafemi Awolowo Road, Beside Ikeja City Mall, Ikeja, Lagos, with a theme: ‘’Agenda Setting For Sustainable Democratic Culture.’’

The main objective of the meeting, which is supported by the US Embassy in Nigeria, is to assess the media performance in consolidating Nigeria’s democracy – citizens’ verdict and outlining media agenda for the future.

In a statement by its President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, yesterday in Lagos, the professional body of all the editors in Nigeria, said the meeting will also provide a platform for the media’s stakeholders to remind editors and other media managers of the sacred duties they are tasked to perform by the constitution on behalf of the citizens.

Drawing copious examples from democracies around the world, the statement added that the meeting, which is billed to hold in all the six geo-political zones across the country, is expected to instil in the editors the need to perform their duties with the highest form of standard and sense of responsibility.

“The Town Hall Meeting will provide a platform for media stakeholders to undertake self-introspection and also begin a conversation on a framework for media regulation, which will not only have their buy-in but also improve the standard for media practice in Nigeria thereby reducing, if not eliminate, incidents of sub-standard and unprofessional reportage in the Nigerian media.

“Such conversations and hopefully eventual adoption of self-regulatory framework could also have a regional spin-off whereby countries within the region, and indeed Africa, could be encouraged to borrow a leaf from the Nigerian example, as was the case with the adoption of a Freedom of Information Act in Nigeria subsequently having a positive spin-off in Ghana’’, the NGE added.

Those invited for the Town Meeting, which will be followed by a two-day capacity building for editors, are leading pro-democracy/human rights activists in the zone, renowned scholars from the academic community, pro-media rights groups, students from different higher institutions, faith groups, members of the international community and the media.

On the expected impact of the meeting and the capacity building workshop, the NGE said that a pool of Nigerian editors and media managers would be galvanised and would be committed to the highest ethical standard and taking robust actions to ensure same. And committed to the promotion and protection of the right to independent press, freedom of expression and the deepening of democratic space.

The statement added, ‘’The NGE also hoped that at the end of the project, mobilised pool of editors will be constantly projecting issue-based governance in defence of the mass of the Nigerian people in line with Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’’

The NGE explained further that the programme looks to galvanise the key stakeholders to act responsibly and deny the authorities the moral authority to take punitive actions against the media for performing their constitutionally assigned role to hold the government to account, and to the general citizens the right to hold and voice their opinions on the conduct of public officers.

#EndSARS: Activist, Timi Frank Reject LASG’s White Paper, Says No Peace Walk Without Justice

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Timi Frank, Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Wednesday, rejected the White Paper on the report of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters, issued by the Lagos State Government.

He also called on all #EndSARS activists never to partake in the planned “Peace Walk” by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, describing the move as tendentious and anti-youth.

“How can there be peace without justice,” he queried, adding, “Sanwo-Olu should accept the truth about the #EndSARS massacre at the  Lekki Toll Gate, apologise to Nigerian youths and pay adequate compensation to victims of the massacre if he desires to walk for peace,” Frank said in a statement in Abuja.

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, urged Sanwo-Olu to re-read the JPI report and follow the truth courageously captured therein.

He commended #EndSARS activists like  Folarin Falana (Falz), Debo Adebayo (Mr Macaroni), Dele Farotimi, Temitope Majekodunmi, Segun Awosanya (Segalink), Adedotun (Just Detoun) and Seun Kuti, among others, for rejecting the Governor’s tomfoolery.

He called on other youths not to yield to such evil and dangerous temptation now being dangled before them by Sanwo-Olu until the Lagos State Government and Federal Government fully implement the courageous recommendations of the JPI.

He lamented that  while the truth about the #Lekki Tollgate Massacre has been succinctly captured in the JPI Report, the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government are still living in denial and plying the ostrich.

“The truth is the truth. No amount of whitewashing, shenanigans, jerrymandering or intimidation can erase it.

“Sanwo-Olu and Lai Mohammed must acknowledge the truth, apologise to Nigerian youth if they desire closure on this egregious matter.

“The youth cannot be fooled. On justice for our colleagues massacred at the Lekki Tollgate on 20:10:20 we stand! Any youth that marches with Sanwo-Olu without adequate and commensurate justice for our fallen heroes is a betrayer!” Frank declared.

He called on the international community not to be swayed by attempts to sweep the Lekki Tollgate massacre and crime against humanity perpetrated against Nigerian youth by government forces under the carpet.

“The White Paper released by the Lagos State Government is another attempt at covering up an intentional genocide.

“The actors, including officials of the Federal Government must be held accountable. The White Paper is a fluke. The JPI Report says it all and we need not look any further,” Frank insisted.

Ekiti:Coronation Of Monarch Turns Sour; Youths Set Palace Ablaze

By
Ayodele Oni
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Oba Adeniran Ajibewa

By Ayodele Oni

As a Traditional Ruler in Ekiti State was celebrating his coronation anniversary, some angry youths set ablaze the Palace and some houses belonging to his loyalists.

The Olorin of Orin, Oba Adeniran Ajibewa, from Ido-Osi Local Government has petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Mr Tunde Mobayo, on the incident, which he said was the handiwork of some youths in the community.

The petition explained that apart from the attack on the Palace, some of the loyalists of the Monarch also had their houses vandalized.

The petition titled ‘Complaint of Arson, Malicious Damage And Threat To Life,’ specifically identified 18 Indigenes of the community as suspects.

Oba Ajibewa wrote that “I wish to notify the Commissioner of Police about the nefarious act of the above named persons that invaded my palace.

“They damaged properties and burnt down part of the palace on the 20th of November, 2021, which was my coronation day,

“On Sunday 21st November, 2021, I had my coronation thanksgiving where the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti advised the congregation to cooperate with me so as

to move the town forward.

“It was after my thanksgiving service in the evening, I was informed that John Ania a.k.a Oyinbo went to the neighbouring town Ido

Ekiti on a bike and fell off the bike and was crushed by a moving vehicle that led to his death.

“I was reliably informed that the above named persons held meeting in the house of Adebowale Olofinro and after the meeting, went to my palace and destroyed my properties and that of my loyalists.

“Part of my Palace fence was demolished, the Palace was put on fire. Thanks to some of my loyalists in town that prevented the Palace from completely burnt down.

“One of my Chiefs, High Chief Clement Omoso’s car and bike were burnt down completely. Stones were thrown into the building thereby breaking glasses.

“Also the house of the Secretary of Ido/ Osi local government in person of Hon. Olumide Fadipe was damaged.”

For over a year since the appointment of Oba Ajibewa was confirmed by the State Government, the Orin community has been engulfed in crisis.

This has led to the postponement of the coronation anniversary, apparently to pacify aggrieved persons in the community.

It was gathered that apart from delayed coronation, Orin community has been without a monarch for over 10 years due to inability of ruling houses to agree on a candidate.

The Deputy Governor of the State, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, who presented the staff of office to Oba Ajibewa inside the Governor’s office in Ado Ekiti, has met with the warring groups severally urging them to accept the Monarch.

Backlog Of Salaries In Ondo: PDP Predicts Bleak Christmas For Workers

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party,(PDP) in Ondo state has empathized with workers in the public service due to their agony occasioned by inability of the government to pay their salaries as at when due.

The party expressed the fear that as preparations for yuletide period are gathering momentum, the workers may be incapacitated to make plans.

Spokesman of the PDP in the state, Mr Kenedy Peretei, said in a statement on Wednesday in Akure that “December is already here, and fragrance of Christmas is in the air.

“Those who have the means have begun preparations in earnest, so as not to be caught in the web of Christmas fever and its attendant hike in the price essential commodities and other items.

“But for the workers of Ondo State, their Christmas celebration is hanging dangerously in the hope that the Akeredolu led All Progressives Congress (APC) government will be ‘magnanimous’ enough to pay salaries, at least one full month.

“For more than one year now, workers in Ondo State receive percentage salaries. It could be as ridiculous as 30percent of their monthly salary.

“At the last count, only June 2021 salaries have been paid in full. That means, six months salaries are still outstanding.

‘This is in spite of the N18.2 Billion received in tranches as bail out from the Federal Government.

“The Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in separate bulletins sighted online, pleaded passionately with the State government to pay a minimum of two months salary on or before 18th December, 2021, to enable the workers celebrate Christmas.

“It added that their members should endure the harsh economic realities of the time.

“That the leadership of organised labour unions have lost steam and become ineffective in demanding for the rights of workers is understandable.

“What cannot be understood is their inelastic capacity to endure suffering in this manner.

“The leadership of these Unions were carefully installed by Dare Aragbaiye, when he reigned as Head Of Service, of Ondo State public service.

“Even at the expiration of his tenure as a civil servant, Akeredolu, his kinsman from Owo, illegally extended his tenure as HoS.

“What qualified Aragbaiye to be appointed as Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties was his role to midwife the union elections that practically incapacitated the Trade Unions in the state.

“The ‘all powerful’ Special Adviser, assumed and appropriated the duties of Permanent Secretary Governor’s Office, from his days as HoS, a duty and office he has refused to relinquish till today even as Special Adviser.

“The sorrows and pains of workers in Ondo State are the worst in the South West.

“Neighbouring States with less revenue are doing projects and paying staff salaries. Workers in Ondo State have become butt of jokes, unable to meet the challenges of everyday existence.

“Some who used their salaries as collateral to collect loans from banks and cooperative societies are unable to service these loans.

“It has never been this bad in the state. For a ‘Civil Servants State’, the APC Government has abridged every opening for the people to live a meaningful life.

“Artisans and market women all groan under the cluelessness of the incumbent administration.

“As Christmas beckons, we can only plead with Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN to wear a human face in his handling of the affairs of the state and avoid many people falling into depression as a result of government policies under his watch.”

Also Read:  Ondo: Government Tackles PDP, Says Workers To Smile Soon

N97 Billion Public Offer: We Are Not Leaving Nigeria, Says MTN

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has calmed frayed nerves by assuring customers that it has no intentions of exiting the Telecom Market of Nigeria through their public share offer.

MTN is raising about N97.18bn from its public offer to retail investors, an offer expected to be concluded this December.

Fears were that with the volume of public offer, MTN is set to leave Nigeria just as Etisalat did, resulting in change of name to 9mobile.

In a statement Tuesday, the company said  it has pegged the offer of 575 million shares held in MTN Nigeria by MTN Group at N169.00 per share (the offer), and will upload them to retail investors.

“The Offer will open at 8:00am on December 1, 2021 and close at 5:00 pm on December 14, 2021. The minimum subscription is for 20 shares and lots of 20 shares thereafter”, the statement read.

“The offer includes an incentive in the form of one free share for every 20 shares purchased, subject to a maximum of 250 free shares per investor. The incentive is open to retail investors who buy and hold the shares allotted to them for at least 12 months, post the allotment date.”

The Primary Offer will be delivered through a digital platform.

MTN’s Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, linked the success and growth of MTN Nigeria to that of Nigeria and Nigerians.

“Therefore, we are very excited to offer Nigerians the opportunity to own shares in MTN Nigeria. Our journey to becoming the largest network in Nigeria has been humbling, but we still have a long way to go.”

Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Mupita, that other transactions will follow the offer as the group plans to reduce its shareholding in MTN Nigeria to 65 per cent over time.

MTN had last month hinted that it will lift up its shares for sale which it expected to be concluded this month.

“The offer is expected to close in December 2021. This is the first step in MTN Group’s previously communicated statement of intent to sell down approximately 14 per cent  of its current shareholding in MTN Nigeria”, the company said in a release early November.

Lagos Releases #EndSARS Panel Report, Says Nobody Was Killed

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Government has rejected the submission of the Judicial Panel which it set up to investigate the bloody #EndSARS protest that nine people died at the Lekki Toll Gate.

The Lekki Toll Gate was the epicenter of the protest which led to the destruction of both public and private property worth billions of Naira.

The Panel, which Chairman was Hon. Justice Doris Okuwobi, rtd, submitted that nine people died at the Toll Gate and four missing and assumed dead. About 38 people, it said, were injured

But in the released Whitepaper, of the 32 recommendations, 11 were accepted, one was rejected, six were accepted with modifications.

Rejected by the Lagos State Government, Tuesday evening, is the  submission that nine people were shot to death by soldiers. The Government said that is  a product of “assumptions and speculations.”

Recall that Lagos State Counsel, Abiodun Owonikoko, had criticized the leaked report, insisting there were, at least, 42 discrepancies.

The Federal Government  always maintained that the Lekki Tollgate incident was a massacre without bodies.

The #EndSARS protest took place nationwide in October 2020.

Bakassi Restores Police Presence As Government Mandates Council Bosses

By
The Source
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BakasiPolice Station

By Stanley Ekpenyong, Calabar

Bakassi local council area in Cross River state has restored police presence in the area one year after Endsars rioters completely vandalised the only police formation there.

The council area, with headquarters at Ikang, is a shouting distance from the Bakassi peninsula which was ceeded to the Republic of Cameroon in 2006 following the ruling of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, at Hague.

Source told this Magazine, that the rebuilt police formation was part of the people oriented projects the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade mandated chairmen of the 18 local government areas of the state to embark upon.

Many of the council bosses are reportedly gearing up to have Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu commission such projects.

“The council chairmen embarked upon projects that directly touch the lives of the people at the grassroots at the behest of Governor Ayade who had charged them, upon inauguration last year, to justify their election and the people’s confidence in them by delivering projects that directly impact on their lives”, Government Houses sources informed The Source.

On Monday, Professor Esu, a one time Minister of state for Agriculture and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, was at Bakassi, to commission projects executed by the council Chairman, Hon. Iyadim Amboni Iyadim administration.

Apart from the rebuilt and equipped Divisional Police Station at Abana-Ikot Effiom which was destroyed during the ENDSARS riots, the Deputy Governor also commissioned the Ikang Ultra-modern Motor Park(phase 1)

While commissioning the projects, the Deputy governor applauded Iyadim for using funds earmarked for projects judiciously, explaining that though he was on a working tour to inspect projects across the 18 local government areas of the state.

According to Esu, the state government holds local government system and people at the grassroots in the high esteem hence his  working tour of the council areas was geared towards ensuring that the council chairmen expended funds  given to them by the state government on projects in line with Governor Ayade’s policy towards on development of rural areas.

The Deputy Governor described Iyadim as a role model whose performance should be emulated , adding that from what he saw , Iyadim was qualified for additional funds to execute more projects

The deputy governor noted that the Ultra-modern Motor Park has the potential of creating jobs as well as curbing  youth  restiveness in the area

He sued for a healthy police/civil  relations and enjoined the police to live above board and perform their duties without fear or favor while describing the renovated and equipped police station as the best in the state.

“I’m not surprised by what I saw here today. Iyadim has not failed and will not fail because of his antecedent as a grassroot person.. what I saw here today  indicates that Iyadim is well tutored by governor Ben Ayade and he deserves a higher position”, the Deputy Governor said.

Earlier, the Bakassi council boss assured that with the  commissioning of the police station, security has returned to area.

On the motor park, Iyadim disclosed that what was commissioned was the first phase which include gate-house, administrative block, water point and a public toilet as the second phase will include lockup shops, security posts and a clinic

He explained that the park will be managed by National Union Of Road Transport Workers NURTW and therefore requested for the provision of electricity in the area for public and private growth.

On his part, the state Commissioner of Police, Aminu  Alhassan  expressed delight at  with the restoration of the police formation in the area and enjoined the youths to see the police, as an organization charged with securing lives and property.

Breaking: #EndSARS Panel: Falz, Mr. Macaroni Reject Sanwo-Olu’s Invitation To Peace Walk

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Lagos EndSARS Protesters

By Akinwale Kasali

Folarin Falana, Son of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana and Debo Adebayo, popularly known as Mr. Macaroni have rejected the invitation for a peace walk with Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo Olu of Lagos State.

The duo are major stakeholders in the #EndSARS protest last year, which was instrumental to the disbandment of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, over the inhuman treatment and extra judicial killings and extortion of Nigerians

Governor Sanwo-Olu had earlier Tuesday, in a state broadcast,  called for a peace walk for “the healing of Lagos” in December and herald the healing of our land.

The Governor had invited Falana, Adebayo, Dele Farotimi, Temitope Majekodunmi, Segun Awosanya (Segalink), Adedotun (Just Detoun), Seun Kuti; Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu; and Commander of Rapid Response Squad CSP Yinka Egbeyemi and others to join him in the “historic march for our dear Lagos.”

Though, Falz and Macaroni rejected the invitation, but Awosanya, popularly known as Segalinks applauded Sanwo-Olu for his “leadership”.

@segalink tweeted, “@jidesanwoolu has shown leadership with this matured response and we hope the WhitePaper will mirror his sentiment. We all want closure, Justice and healing for our society. The experience of 20th October 2020 must never be repeated.”

On the part of Falz, he tweeted via @falzthebahdguy, described the peace walk as a “joke”, insisting that justice must be served for all victims of police brutality.

In the same vein, Adebayo also tweeted via @mrmacaronii, said he was not ready for any walk, adding that the last “walk” he had, he was stripped naked and dehumanised.

“I humbly decline the Invitation of Mr Governor. The Government itself set up a panel. The panel has made recommendations. I believe that genuine peacemaking will begin by first implementing the recommendations of the panel. Then, we can begin to trust the government.

“Finally, I’m not at war with anyone. Not with the government, police or politicians. All we are asking is that our leaders place value on our lives as citizens and lead us with love, fairness, truth and justice, to enable all Nigerians live a better life in peace and unity,” he wrote.

Appeal Court Strips Orji Kalu of Degree Certificate

By
The Source
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By Charles Igbo

Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has lost his degree certificate.

The Court of Appeal, Owerri Division, stripped Kalu of the certificate on Tuesday, in a judgment that is likely to jolt him.

Kalu acquired the degree certificate from Abia State University when he was the Governor of the State, as well as the Visitor to the University.

Not a few people at the time poked fun at him when a photograph of the Governor, taking examination alone in a big hall, surfaced in the media. The questions were which lecturer would dare fail the University’s Visitor? And what time did the Governor have to attend lectures?

However, he was awarded the degree which was described as controversial. But in the heat of his serious disagreement with his successor, Senator Theodore Orji, the University withdrew the degree certificate after a Panel submitted a report on it.

The impression Kalu had was that the withdrawal was influenced by then Governor Theodore Orji. He, therefore, proceeded to an Isikwuato, Abia State High Court to challenge the withdrawal. The Court restored it to him. But the University appealed the Judgement.

In a judgment on Tuesday, November 30, read by the Hon. Justice Adefope Okojie of the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division, Senator Orji Kalu’s certificate was again withdrawn.

Justice Okojie said that the Isikwuato High Court lacked any jurisdiction over the case. A source close to Kalu said he is likely to approach the Supreme Court. But another source said the initial stripping by the University was politically motivated. He insisted that Senator Kalu does not need the certificate as it does not validate who he is.

“He is already an accomplished man”, he emphasised.

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