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Praises as Ayade’s Igbo Appointees are Honoured in Calabar |The Source

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Ndigbo Cross River

By Chidi Levi

Igbo’s rich cultural heritage was on parade in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, Sunday, during an Award/Reception ceremony for political appointees of Igbo extraction in the Government of Governor Ben Ayade.

Organised by an Igbo socio- cultural group, the Igbo Congress, the event witnessed breathtaking cultural displays by various Igbo dancing groups, beautiful renditions by Igbo women and the display of various Igbo cuisines.

Speakers at the event applauded the Governor for finding Igbo sons and daughters worthy of appointment into his government. They commended his administration’s industrialisation drive and pledged continued support for him by the Igbo in Cross River state.

Ndigbo Cross River

In his address, President of Igbo Congress, Prince Raymond Atulomah, said the body is made up of Igbo professionals cutting across academics, legal, business, the media, public service etc.

He stressed that Igbo Congress will strive to ensure that the existing healthy relationship between the Igbo and their host communities in Cross River State continues to prevail.

Prince Atulomah described the appointment of the Igbo into political offices in the Cross River state Government as novelty, saying, “To our big brother, Professor Ben Ayade, we say thank you for remembering Ndi Igbo. We enjoin you to do more as we are solidly behind you, especially, in the area of Industrialisation of the state”

Earlier in his remark, Chairman of the occasion, Professor Rufus Okoro of the Department of Physics, University of Calabar, commended the Governor for giving Igbo sons and daughters the opportunity to serve in his Government.

Federation of Igbo Students Union(FISU), University of Cross River State, ( UNICROSS) chapter also seized the opportunity to honour the appointees.

Ndigbo Cross River

Among the appointees honoured were Barrister Ugoji Nwabueze, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Non Indigenes Affair ( Igbo), Chidiebere Onyemaizu, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Print Media and Dr. Nancy Irek, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Information

Also honoured was Honourable Justice A.Onyebuke of Akampka High Court.

Chidiebere Onyemaizu was, until his appointment, the Deputy Editor of The Source (Magazine)

My Grandfather, Awo, Was The True Asiwaju Of Yorubaland; This Great Man Lives On |The Source

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By Olusegun Awolowo

Today marks the 34th anniversary of the demise of my grandfather,

Obafemi Awolowo.

“If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!”

-If, by Rudyard Kipling

Indeed the son of the soil was a great man, magnanimous of spirit, temperate in times of adversity, fierce in the face of injustice, a pioneer in every sense of the word, the true Asiwaju of Yorubaland, left a vacuum that no one has been able to fill.

Indeed, this great man lives on, through the impacts of his unequalled visionary leadership as the first Premier of the Western Region.

Indeed, this great man lives on through the lives he changed, the memories of the role he played in Nigeria’s attainment of Independence are passed down from generation to generation.

Indeed, this great man lives on through the future he impacted, the beneficiaries of his free quality primary education, and free health care services for children schemes are a living testament to his legacy.

Indeed, this great man lives on through the Nigerian Tribune (est. 1949) the oldest surviving privately owned Nigerian newspaper.

Indeed this great man lives on in our hearts, immortalized for generations to come!

Dear papa continue to rest in perfect peace

‘Aise dada ara aye, ni muni ranti ara Orun’ translate from Yoruba ;

The failure of the living reminds one of the success of the dead.

Ondo: Nurses Reject Half Salary, Insist On Full Payment |The Source

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Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Attempt by the Ondo State Government to meet part of agreements reached with Health workers before they suspended their strike, recently, has backfired as Nurses in  the on the State’s employ, turned down the move to offset their backlog of salaries piecemeal.

The State Government had, last week, offered to pay the Health workers 60 percent of their February salary with the commitment to pay the balance of 40 percent on a later date.

But the Nurses, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), rejected the payment of 60 percent February 2021 salary to its members.

They expressed their reservation during a parley with the government.

Other Workers Unions in the state were equally invited to the meeting, which was called at the instance of the Government to find solutions to the delay in meeting the monthly obligation.

The Nurses union, in a statement signed by the State Chairman, Mr Olomiye kehinde, and the Secretary, Aina Oluwasegun,  rejected 60 percent salary payment.

The statement explained “In a situation where the available fund cannot pay 100 percent salary, the money should be kept till when full salary can be paid to our members (nurses).

“The act of paying 60 percent salary to our members is unacceptable..

“The leadership of NANNM urges the state government not to pay nurses in percentage henceforth.

“Only 100 percent salary is acceptable as far as the association is concerned.”

It is, however, not clear whether other unions have agreed on behalf of their members to receive 60 percent salary payment.

The State Government had, since last year, commenced payment of workers salary in percentage due to paucity of fund, occasioned by drop in revenue from the federation account.

Although, Government had announced an increase in the internally generated revenue, the astronomical increase in the overhead cost has been draining the resources of government.

Since his inauguration for the second term of office in February, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has been randomly making appointments into his administration with only four Commissioners appointed so far.

Again, Another Principal Officer, At FUOYE Suspended, May Be Sacked |The Source

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Federal University, Oye Ekiti

By Ayodele Oni

As moves by Prof Abayomi Fashina to consolidate his stronghold as the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, (FUOYE) continues, another Principal Officer of  the University is on her way out.

This time, it is the Bursar, Mrs. Bolatito Akande, who has been placed on suspension by the Management.

Her suspension, which was communicated to her in a letter dated May 5, 2021 by Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, came few days after the Registrar, Mr. Olatunbosun Odusanya, was sacked over alleged illegal recruitment.

Mrs Akande, it was gathered, is one of the Principal Officers fingered in an abortive move to block the emergence of Prof Fashina as the VC during the selection process.

Both Mrs Akande and the sacked Registrar, Mr Olatubosun Odusanya, identified as chronic supporters of the immediate past VC, Prof Kayode Soremekun, had their appointments hurriedly ratified by the Governing Council at the tail end of Soremekun’s exit.

Mrs Akande’s letter of suspension titled: ‘Suspension from the University’, explained that she was suspended by the Governing Council of the institution at its Fourth Extraordinary meeting on 27th, April, 2021.

According to the letter, this is to give room for investigation into the allegations of gross misconduct leveled against her by the Labour Unions in the University.

Mrs Akande in her reaction, described her suspension as unconstitutional and illegal, saying she has not committed any act that could warrant her suspension.

She described as dehumanising and humiliating the way she was harassed by the University’s security men while trying to gain access to her office last Thursday, saying such brigandage shouldn’t exist in any higher institution of learning.

Mrs Akande explained that she got knowledge about the petitions by a group through the Personal Assistant to the Vice Chancellor who sent a message to her last week to intimate her about a Panel already sitting on the petition.

“A text message was sent to me last week Wednesday by one Abayomi Kuku that I was to appear before a panel of investigation last Thursday by 11: 00 am.

“I honoured them and immediately I left the venue of the panel and got back to my office, I met two security men at the entrance and I discovered the office had been locked. The two men informed me that the order was from above.

“I put a call to the Vice Chancellor to confirm the development, he told me that he never knew anything about it, that I should contact the Chief Security Officer of the institution.

“All my belongings, including the hand bag that I brought to the office on that day, were locked inside the office. As I am talking to you now, they were still inside the office; they didn’t allow me to have access to the office.

“Similarly, no single letter was given to me from the Management of the institution, except the one sent to me by the Personal Assistant to the Vice Chancellor.

“In fact, I was chased out of office like a child and low ranking officer. This, I found unlawful, embarrassing and undignifying”.

Special Adviser on Media Matters to the Vice Chancellor, Wole Balogun, however, stated that “Prof Fashina is a law abiding citizen and could not have supported brigandage. It was not true that the Bursar was harassed.

“Let me clear the air that the security men that were deployed at the gate were as a result of the ongoing probe. They were there to maintain law and order.”

He, however, did not say why the Bursar was not allowed into her office to pick, even, her hand bag.

Herdsmen: Umahi Reads Riot Act, Says Killings In SE Must Stop |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has made a bold statement against the Fulani Herdsmen who have wreaked havoc in parts of the country, especially in the South East, warning them that they must adhere strictly to the laws and instructions of the land.

Umahi said that any herdsman coming to the South-East must conform to the culture of the people of the region.

The Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, said herdsmen must stop any further killings of the innocent people of the zone.

He made this known at the weekend while addressing a mammoth crowd of believers, stakeholders and political leaders of the state during the ground finale of the seven days praying and fasting organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ebonyi State chapter, which took place at the ecumenical centre Abakaliki, the State Capital.

A Seven-day praying and fasting  organized by CAN, was aimed at seeking Gods intervention on the increasing insecurity in Nigeria, in particular Ebonyi state, where police stations were razed, and officers killed by unknown gunmen.

The Governor further warned that on no account should herdsmen attempt to kill people in the South-East zone, especially in Ebonyi, where some communities were recently attacked by herders killing 15 people.

According to Umahi: “Those people you think are your friends will become your enemies. No place will be safe. We are at war with ourselves. No herdsmen in the South East will make any attempt to kill anybody again.

“Nobody. Every herdsman coming to the South-East must to the culture of the people. Our people everywhere in South-South, South-West and in the north must conform to the culture of the people.

“Some herdsmen threatened that they would come and do this and do that, I said the last killing is the one that happened in the past. No time again will Ebonyi man or woman be killed. Never again. People have the effrontery to say herdsmen are coming to kill people. Let them try it again. That rubbish must stop.

“This madness in this country must stop. I see videos of Boko Haram ravaging places in the north unchecked. Where is our air fighting powers? We must not be ashamed to borrow fighter jets from other African countries. No nation will allow this kind of thing to be happening,” he stated.

Chairman of CAN Ebonyi State chapter, Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali, charged the state’s citizens to give way for peace to reign in the state and shun all forms of violence in the state.

He warned people who are in the habit of sponsoring youths to go into war to desist, or face God’s wrath.

Nigeria Customs’ Gestapo Rice Raid |The Source

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By Festus Adedayo

In a Nigeria where the abnormal and the skewed are fast becoming the norm, not many people were shocked at the impunity of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) which took place a few weeks ago in Ibadan, Oyo State. Its operatives had raided Oja Oba and Bodija markets at about 1.00 a.m, broke into shops and warehouses like night marauders and in the process, bags of rice were carted away in six trailers, as well as unspecified amounts of money.

On the intervention of the Senator representing Oyo South, Kola Balogun, the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges not only condemned this Gestapo-like raid, but gave a two-week ultimatum for the seized bags of rice to be returned.

However, events, thereafter, showed that in an ungoverned space that Nigeria has become, where everybody is muzzling to outdo one another in spates of impunity, the NCS is stiff-neckedly sticking to its curious lawlessness and justifying same.

In an interview with a national newspaper at the weekend, NCS’ spokesmen, Joseph Attah and Timi Bomodi, literally told the senate to go bowl a hoop. With a fallacious argument of false dichotomy, the two men validated the raid based on their justification of an earlier raid by the NCS.

“Is it today that Customs has been raiding markets? Why is so much noise about the Ibadan raid? When Customs raided markets in Mubi in Adamawa State and another notorious market in Kano, why wasn’t there any outrage?” he said.

Warped as this reasoning, a false dilemma, is Attah further cited Section 147 of the CEMA law which he claimed gave NCS the Gestapo power to raid. That same CEMA has been severally cited as allowing seizure of suspected contraband only within 50 miles radius of the border. NCS has also been asked why its men would take away money from the raided shops as well. Bomodi in fact queried the constitutional powers of the National Assembly to perform its oversight functions as he claimed that only the courts could query obvious illegality.

It is only in a country where there are no laws and where order is on sabbatical that this NCS impunity will go unchecked. The mere fact that the NCS chose nocturnes to carry out its operations first alerts the mind to the darkness behind the action. This same NCS that flexes its muscles at bags of rice in the market is completely and hopelessly inept to curtail the influx of arms that has become a pestilence in Nigeria. It also shut its eyes to the seamless movement of contraband goods and illegal aliens at the Nigerian northern border flanks while Buhari’s discriminatory border closure lasted.

In all these, we must thank Balogun for bringing the plight of his Oyo constituents to the attention of the whole Nigeria, via the senate. The senator must however not rest on his oars until the fascism and gross impunity that the NCS is inflicting on hapless Nigerian traders is brought to a stop.

Adedayo, PhD, is a regular Columnist with the Sunday Tribune

NIMASA Partners Army On Training

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Bayo Bernard
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By Fola James

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA and the Nigerian Army have agreed to train journalists and other public communication practitioners in the country’s security sector.

This was the highpoint of a meeting in Lagos between the Management of the agency, led by the Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, and a team from the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information, NASPRI, led by the Acting Commandant, Col. Aliyu Yusuf, at the Agency’s headquarters.

The Nigerian Army delegation said the courtesy call was to explore areas for further collaboration with NIMASA.

Bashir Jamoh
Jamoh: NIMASA DG

Jamoh stressed the cordial relationship between NIMASA and the Armed Forces, especially the Nigerian Army, which plays a leading role in the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure (the Deep Blue Project), domiciled at the Agency.

“We have a very cordial relationship with the Armed Forces,” Jamoh stated. “Both establishments are working towards the same goal of national security and development,” he added.

The Director General said, “The Nigerian Army is a strategic partner in our search for maritime security; it plays a critical role in the Deep Blue Project. We are happy to work with you in the dissemination of information on national security issues. We have a responsibility to manage security information in ways that would engender confidence in the polity – and not endanger the country.”

Jamoh restated plan by NIMASA to set up a media academy for the training and retraining of professionals that report the maritime industry. He said the Agency’s Public Relations Unit would interface with NASPRI to come up with a robust curriculum and information sharing method that would serve NIMASA and the Army in the implementation of their respective mandates.

Yusuf had earlier in the meeting, commended the warm relationship between the Nigerian Army and NIMASA, saying he looks forward to more partnership between the two establishments. He said NASPRI had trained many maritime journalists, members of the Armed Forces, and others involved in security reporting.

Channels TV: NGE Tackles FG |The Source

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World Press Freedom Day: NGE Seeks End To Harassment, Review Of Broadcasting Code

The Nigeria Guild of Editors, NGE, has tackled the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, over the fine imposed on Channels Television and Inspiration FM over an interview granted the Spokesperson of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Emma Powerful.

The  Guild rejected the N5m ( five million Naira) fine imposed on Channels Television and Inspiration FM by the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, for alleged infractions.

In a statement by  the NGE, signed by President, Mustapha Isah, and Secretary, Mary Atolagbe the Guild noted:

“These fines are punitive, arbitrary and against press freedom.

“The NBC is punishing Channels TV for interviewing the spokesman of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB while Inspiration FM is facing the hammer of NBC for broadcasting a statement by IPOB, declaring a sit – at – home order.

“Once again, the NBC has played the role of an accuser, the prosecutor and the judge.

“In a democratic country like ours, a panel should have been set up to investigate the alleged infractions, with both stations given the opportunity for defence.

“The National Broadcasting Code is clearly at variance with the tenets of democracy anchored on freedom of expression and a free press.

“Every accused person or organisation deserves fair hearing before punishment is pronounced. Obtaining letters of apology from the affected stations under duress cannot justify the action of the NBC.

“The Voice of America, VOA, Hausa Service, recently interviewed the leader of a terrorist group  behind the abduction of 22 students of Greenfield University, Kaduna State. In that interview, the terrorists threatened to kill the remaining students in their custody if N100 million ( One hundred million Naira ) was not paid within twenty four hours.

“Neither the American authorities nor any other regulatory agency imposed sanctions on VOA for this interview.

“The Nigerian Broadcasting Code should be reviewed without delay to reflect democratic principles.

“Broadcasting stations in Nigeria should not be made to operate in an atmosphere of fear.

“A free press is needed to nurture and sustain democracy in Nigeria.

“The Guild therefore calls on the NBC to withdraw these obnoxious fines and stop the harassment of broadcasting stations over matters that could easily resolved.”

No Need To Divide Nigeria, Ondo Gov Akeredolu Insists |The Source

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Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Nothing is sweeter than a united Nigeria, Ondo State Governor and Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has said.

Governor Akeredolu, who emphasised the sanctity of one Nigeria, believe that with prayers, the country would get over its mirage of problems.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, and made available to reporters in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Akeredolu, who said Nigeria’s Unity is its strength, charged the people to continue to work for the progress of the country, adding that irrespective of ethnic backgrounds, Nigerians are one.

He spoke at the 52nd Ascension of Mount Horeb 2021 of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church (Worldwide) held at the Church Galilee, Ilorin-Ibadan Expressway, Orile-Igbon, Oyo State.

While noting that the country is very important to all, the Governor urged the congregation to pray for peace and tranquility in the country.

“Our country is very important to us. I believe our unity is our strength. Those of us on this holy ground must pray for our nation.

“Let’s pray to God to allow peace to reign in our land. All these problems of banditry and kidnappings should end. Let us seek the face of God.

“There is nothing that is beyond prayers. Our God is powerful. Let us take to the path of God. Obey him and serve him. He does communicate with us if our heart is pure,” the statement reads

He commended the Church for conducting its programmes in various languages being spoken in the country, saying it is a reflection of the fact that Nigerians are one.

In the past months, the agitation for secession by ethnic groups of, especially, Igbo, Yoruba and Middle Belt extraction has been strong. They cite marginalisation and nepotism on the part of the Federal Government as reason for their stance.They also cite the worsening insecurity in the country and the attendant shedding of innocent blood, which has left the people helpless.

Ekiti: No Campaign For Now, INEC Tells Politicians |The Source

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Ayodele Oni
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Independent National Electoral Commission

By Ayodele Oni

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has reminded politicians in Ekiti State that it is illegal to embark on any form of campaign now.

The Commission warned political parties against engaging in premature campaigns, ahead of the 2022 Governorship election or risk being sanctioned.

Some political parties and politicians have embarked on campaign tours to Local Governments to sell their annoited candidates, ahead of the election, which date is yet to be fixed by INEC.

Some Governorship aspirants too have taken to social media with their posters and manifestoes in their attempt to woo supporters.

But, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Dr Adeniran Tella, said all these are illegal as the Commission was yet to unfold the time table for the Governorship election.

He was speaking in Ado-Ekiti at a Stakeholders’ meeting with political leaders, youths, women and religious groups.

The meeting was convened to address issues bothering on expanding voters’ access to polling units, as it affected the state.

The REC declared that “the commission is challenging you to play this game by the rules.

“A section of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, frowns at organising election campaigns ahead of the stipulated time.

“For the avoidance of doubt, that section of the law states that the period of campaigns in public by any political party shall commence 90 days before the voting day and end 24 hours before the day.”

The next Governorship election in Ekiti State is expected to hold by June, 2022, while the tenure of the incumbent Governor, Kayode Fayemi, will expire in October, 2022.

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