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Alleged Assault: Ondo Labour Union Writes Gov Akeredolu, Wife, Demands For Justice |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu - Ondo Communal Clash

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Ondo state Council, has protested to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and wife, Betty, over an alleged assault of a pregnant worker of the State Waste Management Agency.

In a letter, dated 7th May, 2021, with ref no OD/NLC/47/273, the union demanded the immediate sack of the Governor’s Aide, Dr Doyin Odebowale.

The letter was signed by the Chairman, Adeleye Sunday and Secretary, F.K. Shado.

Part of the letter reads, “it is with pain and heavy hearts that we write to report again (probably for the last time) on your appointee by name; Doyin Odebowale. It grieves our hearts that a man like him still finds space and expression in a decent and humane Government like yours, Sir.

“You will recall, Your Excellency, that, Labour had last year written to your office on more than two occasions of the malfeasance and incorrigibility of Doyin Odebowale regarding his acclaimed working for Mr. Governor against our members, tempered us and openly warned him against reoccurrence of his obnoxious behaviours.

“Our dear Governor, to our chagrin and disbelief the “animal” in Doyin Odebowale yesterday (6th May, 2021) reared its ugly head again when at the Erekesan Market, he inhumanly slapped a heavily pregnant woman, by name, Mrs. Egbebi Adeola.

“Reports that reached the Congress from her colleagues on duty and her primary Union all pointed to the fact that, the victim did nothing to have deserved such animalistic treatment from Doyin Odebowale.

“Your Excellency, with due respect and utmost regard for your office and person, we beg to say,enough is enough of Doyin Odebowale and his ignoble role in your government.

“We are tempted to say, Doyin is the ‘black sheep’ in this Government with the sole aim of tarnishing and destroying the good image Your administration has laboured to carve.

“We own this Government and there abounds eloquent testimonies of our and your achievements as a result of the industrial harmony and peace engendered by maturity understanding and warm relationship which are building blocks for the enduring and much talked about convivial atmosphere.

“Therefore, an ‘utter stranger’ shall not be allowed, no more to truncate it.

We pray Your Excellency to, immediately, suspend Doyin Odebowale from office and set up a panel of inquiry to look into the matter with a view to coming up with appropriate sanctions if, found culpable in the matter.

“To this end, Organised Labour shall commence, immediate action to ensure that the ‘unwanted element’ is chased out of office starting from Monday 10th May, 2021.”

In another letter to the Governor’s wife, Mrs Betty Akeredolu with ref no OD/NLC/47/274 and dated  7th May, 2021, the NLC condemned what it described as “untoward and inhuman treatment one Doyin Odebowale meted out on an innocent and heavily pregnant woman at Erekesan Market yesterday (6th May, 2021).

“Labour has it on good authority that the woman having completed her morning assignment by ensuring cleanliness of her bit as apportioned to her officially, sat to enjoy a deserving rest.

“It was in the course of her sitting, that the ‘lord of the manor’ walked in and queried her reason for not jumping up to her feet on sighting him.

“The victim trying to explain her condition received a loud slap from Doyin Odebowale.

“Ma, it took the quick intervention of the people around who rushed her to private Hospital as she fainted as a result of the assault and battery she suffered that prevented the unexpected from happening.”

The Union appealed to the First Lady to “as a woman of substance and advocate against Violence Against Women, stand in defence of this poor woman by ensuring that Doyin Odebowale does not escape his punishment which should serve as deterrent to others and most importantly that, the poor are no slave to the privileged.

“That, the woman receives the best treatment to ensure her safety in health and that of the unborn child.

“That, Her Excellency joins in the campaign for the removal of Doyin Odebowale as he has done enough damage to the good name and image of this administration.

“We are concerned because Mrs. Egbebi Adeola is a public servant at the Waste Management Board and we must be seen to rise in her defense at this point in time.

“We crave the indulgence of your official support as we join your office in the continuation of your campaign for a just and fair society to our women.”

The Governor’s aide has, however, denied the allegation.

2023: Southern Cross River Insists It Must Produce Governor |The Source

By
The Source
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Professor Ben Ayade

By Stanley Ekpenyong, Calabar

The 2023 governorship election in Cross River state may be two years away but politicking in the state is already in full throttle with political gladiators and various political blocs scheming for the plum position of Governor.

Politicians from the Southern Senatorial District of the State are insistence that it is the turn of that part of the State to produce the  next Governor.

They say any attempt to deny them the opportunity to occupy the Governorship seat in 2023 will negate t the State’s charter of equity and capable of overheating the polity.

Made up of seven local Government areas- Calabar Municipality, Calabar South, Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Odukpani, Akamkpa and Biase – the Southern Senatorial District’s concern  about its 2023 political future, The Source gathered, stems from the alleged moves by politicians outside the district to contest the 2023 governorship election.

Specifically, Senator Sandy Onor representing Cross River Central in the Senate is said to be gearing up to contest the 2023 Governorship election.

A former Chairman of Etung local government area of the state, Senator Onor is allegedly being bankrolled and egged on by a South- south Governor who was also a former Local Government Chairman.

Both men were said to have struck friendship in the course of their activities at the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) where they held important positions.

Going by the unwritten rotational Governorship among the three Senatorial Districts in the state- North, South and Central- the Governorship position is primed to return to the Southern Senatorial District   in 2023, 24 years since it last held  it via  Governor Donald Duke( 1999-2007).

The Central Senatorial district had its turn via the immediate past governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, who held sway between 2007 and 2015, while the Northern Senatorial District is currently serving its turn through the incumbent, Professor Ben Ayade whose tenure elapses on May 29, 2023.

At the end of a recent gathering of political like- minds from the Southern Senatorial zone, under the aegies of Stakeholders of Southern Senatorial District of Cross River held at Transcorp Hotel, Calabar, and attended by, among others, Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw, a resolution was reached to purse the 2023 Governorship with vigour.

The Stakeholders noted that: “Since the advent of the Fourth Republic, a system of zoning of key political offices in Cross River State, particularly so, the Office of the Governor, has evolved and that the zoning system has produced in succession the last three Governors of Cross River State from each of the Senatorial Districts in the State”

They, therefore, insisted that: “The existing zoning arrangement for the Office of the Governor of Cross River State and all other political offices be maintained; and by that arrangement, the Governorship of Cross River State in 2023 should be zoned to the Southern Senatorial District”

The Southern Senatorial District stakeholders implored political stakeholders from Central and Northern Senatorial Districts of the State to join hands with the Southern Senatorial District to ensure that the zoning arrangement was not interrupted so as to ensure equality and equity in Cross River State.

Time will tell.

Breaking: Former Buhari Minister, Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan Is Dead |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan

By Akinwale Kasali

Her death couldn’t have shocked Nigerians more terribly than it did. The news was rude, unbelievably so. It was numbing, especially to Tarabans and the Political Nigerian class.

Former Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan, popular as Mama Taraba, is dead. And her State, which she loved very much has been thrown into deep mourning.

Nobody knew she was ill. Perhaps, only her family and inner circle. But no wonder, it has been silence from her corner since the sad situation Nigeria has found itself in, especially, security-wise. She had been quiet.

Al-Hassan was a woman of courage, fearless, and of colour. In politics, which she embraced with her heart, she walked where Angels feared to walk.

A disciple of former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku, she decamped to the APC from the PDP, along with him.

Her political reward was her appointment as the Minister for Women Affairs during the first tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.

But as Buhari’s Minister, she revolted against him, saying she would never support the President for a second term in office. He said the President had said he would do a one term only. Her loyalty was with Atiku. If Atiku declared interest in the Presidency, she said, she would work for Atiku.

Buhari surprised many by not firing her. He bidded his time, knowing she had an interest in being the Governor of Taraba State.

They let her pick the Governorship form, and humiliated her by disqualifying her. Buhari of course, accepted her resignation on July 27, 2018.

For a woman who, almost, became the first elected Governor of a State, her disqualification was surprising, but not quite. That was her reward for disloyalty as a Minister.

She contested, for a second time, under the UDP, but was  this time, widely defeated

by the incumbent Governor.

But, she had, since, after those political misfortunes, gone back to her original party, the PDP.  On leaving  the UDP, she sent the party  packing from one of her properties which she gave them to use, retrieving most of the office equipment she gave them, including carpets.

Those of her inner circle say to had been sick for some  time and had been frequenting  hospitals.

Born on September 15, 1959, Mama Taraba died Friday afternoon of a yet to be disclosed illness.

BRT: Hard Times Ahead For Commuters |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Lagos BRT Bus

The recent disclosure by Primero Transport Over ageing, unavailability of Spare Parts and CBN’s Forex Policy hampering services rendered brings to fore the FG’s Automotive Domestication Policy, as LAMATA Urges Commuters To Remain Calm

By Akinwale Kasali

Anxiety and fear is the order of the day among commuters of the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT.

This is as result of the disclosure by Fola Tinubu, Managing Director of Primero Transport Services Limited, operators of the Lagos Bus Rapid Transport, that the service rendered by the Company could be hampered by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s, (CBN) failure to make available forex to import essential parts for their buses.

Over the week, Tinubu lamented  that the price of vehicle parts imported within the last eight months by the firm had increased with about N400 million and that it has even become impossible to get the parts due to the apex bank’s policy.

The challenge, he claimed, is having a toll on the operators who are finding it difficult to provide essential service to commuters because they could no longer refurbish old and faulty buses. The services, also, face a challenge from the State government which tries to control fares commuters pay for BRT services. He noted that inflation is eaten up into operators’ revenue who are struggling to remain in business.

Commuters of the popular  BRT are set to face hard times, following this lamentation by its operators of unavailability of Foreign Exchange, Forex, to import essential parts of the buses that needs repair.

Failure of these buses to work optimally will affect millions of commuters in Lagos State who prefer taking these buses due to its comfort and cost effectiveness. This will give room for Commercial bus owners to milk commuters by hiking fares.

However, reacting to this disclosure and putting away fears and anxiety from commuters and Lagosians, the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, the regulatory body for transportation in Lagos, through its Media Officer, Kola Ojelabi, said that Primero is yet to write LAMATA officially, stating their present challenge.

“The Management of Primero have not written LAMATA, that is the regulatory body of transportation, stating this challenges, nevertheless, in any situation, LAMATA is assuring Commuters not to be scared or alarmed by the latest development, LAMATA has Plan B on ground to address he situation. But I am stating emphatically that we are to be briefed by Primero about this development”, Ojelabi said.

Corroborating Ojelabi, the Ministry of Transportation headed by the Commissioner for Transport, Frederick Olarinde, also claimed not to have received any formal letter written to the Ministry by the Primero Transport Service Management.

The Media department of the Ministry told this news medium that they are yet to officially inform of this development by the affected transport service.

A visit to the Majidun Head Office Depot of Primero Transport Service to have a chat with the Head, Corparate Communication, Mutiu Yekeen, on the issue at hand, and to know what the Organization is doing was of no use.

He was said not to be on seat, and would not like to speak to the Media as regards this, stressing that the MD has already spoken on behalf of the Organization.

Speaking with commuters, they lamented that if the issue raised by Primero Transport Service is not addressed in earnest, it will spell doom for commuters and make mobility difficult.

Ade Muyiwa, a media practitioner, who often times boards the BRT buses to the Island says commuters will be hugely affected with this development.

Muyiwa said he prefers boarding the BRT bus to  driving his personal car because it saves fuel consumption, payment of parking space and levies from Local Government officials on Cars.

In the same vein, Jide Johnson, the immediate past deputy Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, NIJ, is of the opinion that if the BRT operators should go out of business, it will be hell for commuters and leads to traffic congestion in the State.

He added that, “The BRT operators are yet to cover the length and breadth of Lagos. They don’t have enough buses to convey Lagosians to their respective destination, yet, they are contemplating of going out business due to the aforementioned reasons. The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led government needs to come to the rescue of commuters in the state, because this will spell doom in terms of transportation”.

This, however, brings to fore the Federal Government’s domestication policy, which announced the introduction of the automotive policy which was geared towards discouraging the importation of wholly assembled automobiles and encouraging local manufacturing.

This policy by the FG specifically allows Local Assembly plants to import completely-knocked-down vehicles at 0% duty, and semi-knocked-down vehicles at 5% duty, while importers pay a 70% duty on new and previously-owned vehicles. And also, to encourage local car production/assembly plants while cutting importation through raising import duties.

No doubt, the automotive industry plays both strategic and catalytic roles ranging from employment creation, fostering the development of small and medium enterprises in respect of automotive parts and components, improving industrial linkages and facilitating investment in technology and innovation

Years down the line, the policies enacted by the FG have failed to achieve the desired outcomes as the country’s domestic vehicle production capacity, which remains underutilized, raising questions on what has happened to this policy.

Johnson delved into the FG Domestication Policy which he said hasn’t yielded any good fortunes for the automobile industry, which he said is affecting the stakeholders in the industry.

He pointed out that if Primero Transport Service had patronized and gotten their buses from Innoson Motors in Nigeria, the issues raised by the Company wouldn’t have come into play.

“The government has failed and is merely playing lip service to the policy. If FG had given local manufacturers in this industry to thrive with its policy, we wouldn’t be where we are now”, he stated.

It would be recalled that that the Chairman of Peugeot Automobile Nigeria, PAN, Aliyu Wadada, on Channels Television weeks back, described the level of growth of Nigeria’s automobile industry as shameful.

He condemned government policies that he described as impeding the growth of the Nigerian automobile industry.

“The automobile sector in Nigeria should have gone way beyond where it is. It is shameful enough that we have still haven’t gotten to manufacturing which is greatly about the environment that we operate in,” Wadada said.

Wadada had queried the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed on her position on the reduction in the tariff on imported vehicles as stated in the Finance Act 2020.

Ahmed had further stressed back then there was a 35% tariff and 35% levy which now all together makes 70%. The reduction in the Finance Act 2020, it becomes to 40% and the 40%, Wadada says it is not good enough for the local assembly plants to thrive or develop because it gives a differential of 30%.

“That 30% has always been there even before this policy but it never attracted investors because it is not good enough for investors to be attracted, so that 40% differential is not good enough for local assembly plants to develop,” Wadada said.

Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd, also known as IVM, is a Nigerian automobile and bus manufacturing company. It was founded by Chief Innocent Chukwuma Nwala and runs a plant in Nnewi in the state of Anambra.  Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing is nicknamed Pride of African Road.

70% of the car parts are produced locally while the rest is sourced from Japan, China, and Germany.

Among IVM’s vehicle models are the five-seater Fox (1.5-litre engine) and Umu (2-litre engine) as well as the mini-bus Uzo. Innoson vehicles have its global presence felt and it has been used in some West African countries like: Mali, Sierra Leone and Ghana. Sadly, it faces neglect from Nigerians, who prefer importation of vehicle parts.

Out of the numerous makers of cars and buses, only Eight companies have an assembling plant in Nigeria, with three out of the Eight being indigenous, including Innoson Motors.

Peugeot Nigeria was one of the first companies to start full local production of cars in Nigeria far back in the 1980, while Hyundai announced that it wanted to start its local assembly of Hyundai cars in Nigeria under Globe Motors which is the biggest distributor of Hyundai cars in Nigeria

Dana motors, the biggest distributor of Kia Motors in Nigeria, also has a local automobile assembling plant that produces major Kia vehicles like the Kia Rio.

Others are Coscharis Motors, the biggest distributor of BMW, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce and Ford cars in Nigeria. It completed its assembly plant for Ford vehicles in 2018 with plans to produce between 10,000 to 20,000 cars there every year.

Nissan started its local production of cars in 2014 starting with the Nissan Patrol SUV. The Nissan Almera and the Nissan NP300 are two vehicles that have been consistently locally produced here in Lagos

Nissan was the first automaker to move in alignment with Nigeria’s new automobile policy because Stallion Motors know that the demand for brand-new cars in Nigeria grows every year and it will only be profitable to the country and the company.

For the locally produced cars and plants in Nigeria, aside, Innoson Motors, the first-ever fully Nigerian company that went into the production of automobiles, Nord Automobiles is a Nigerian automotive manufacturer with headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, owned by Ajayi Joshua Oluwatobi.

Lanre Shittu Motors started its JAC Truck assembly plant in 2018 as a way to make heavy-duty trucks cheaper for Nigerian users. The plant has the capacity to manufacture 6 units of trucks in one shift or 12 in two shifts depending on the market demand and can produce about 150 vehicles monthly.

Recall that the first phase of the Lagos BRT was opened in 2008. The initiative to build the system was initiated by the government under Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. It goes from Mile 12 through Ikorodu Road and Funsho Williams Avenue up to CMS then.

According to LAMATA, it catered for the mobility of over 200,000 commuters on a daily basis when it started operation. The operation was franchised to the 1st BRT Cooperatives, an arm of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos Chapter.

The system commenced operations with 220 buses that runs from 6.00 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and moved more than 200,000 passengers daily. The system in the first 4 years of operation had moved more than 220 million passengers. Presently, over 250 million board the BRT annually.

The emergence of Primero Transport Services Limited as the sole transport operators of the BRT came into being under the leadership of immediate past Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, commencing  operations on approved routes with 434 Yutong high capacity buses.

On the board of the Management of Primero is Ademola Seriki, a renowned Politician, is the Chairman of the board, Fola Tinubu as Managing Director, Francis Obi as Executive Director.

Others are; Ibrahim Bisallah, Yemi Adefaran, Dayo Orimoloye and Raheem Owodeyi are all the Directors in the Organization.

Over the years, the number of buses rolled out has been on the increase and based on customers’ demand, with a state of the art and ultra-modern equipment for the maintenance workshop, automated bus wash facility, fuel storage facility, administrative offices; other facilities include a mini depot at the Mile-12 terminal and a maintenance workshop at our Ojota depot.

Primero is the sole operator of the Ikorodu to TBS corridor, with additional routes to Ikeja, Oshodi and Yaba. We also operate along the Oshodi to Abule-Egba BRT corridor, with it services run all day, seven days a week.

Insecurity: Umahi Exonerates Buhari, Accuses Past Leaders |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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…..Omokri Carpets Him, Says Buhari Was Miyetti Allah’s Supreme Leader Before 2015

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has categorically stated that President Muhammadu Buhari should not be blamed for the state of insecurity in the nation. Umahi blames past leaders who, he said, failed in addressing the issue.

He said the failure of past Nigerian leaders to address the future of youths was responsible for the current spate of insecurity, which has escalated.

Appearing on Channels Television, On Politics Today, the Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum disclosed that Nigerians should not blame the current administration for the spike in insecurity, insisted that the situation was systemic.

The Governor called for sincerity in the fight against insecurity if the country is to win the war, and should not be playing blame game.

Reacting to this, Reno Omokri, former aide to immediate past President of the nation, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, revealed during an interview on Africa  Independent Television, AIT,  that President Buhari was Miyetti Allah’s Supreme Leader before 2015, that’s why he can’t go against them.

He stressed that in recent times, the activities of the Miyetti Allah association made of cattle herders have come under serious scrutiny as they seem to be in support of alleged herdsmen violence and the State of insecurity in the nation today.

He, however, added that even though the Miyetti Allah through their leaders have reportedly made several inflammatory statements, the Government has not done anything to caution them.

This, he said, has caused many persons to believe that the government of Buhari is being complacent when it comes to disciplining the Miyetti Allah Group.

Tension At Ogba, As Police Allegedly Kill Two Okada Riders |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Lagos State ban Okada and keke on Lagos roads

By Akinwale Kasali

There is palpable tension in the Ogba area of Ojodu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State as Motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders, have gone berserk, clashing with Policemen.

It was alleged that Policemen attached to Area G Police Command at Ogba reportedly killed two Okada riders, leading to the violence that erupted in the early hours of today.

Sources revealed that the two killed Okada riders were of Northern extraction, prompting their kinsmen to reinforce and attacked the Police.

The tensed situation threw residents  of Ogba into panic, as people scampered for safety.

An eyewitness, Rafiu Ponle,  said trouble began when some Policemen allegedly killed two Okada riders in the late hours of Thursday, May 8, 2021, while, allegedly, trying to extort them.

In what appeared to be a reprisal attack to avenge the killing of their colleagues, other Hausa Okada riders and Northerners in the area mobilised and went on rampage.

The rampaging Okada riders were said to have destroyed anything on sight.

It took the intervention of heavily armed Policemen from the Area G Command and Policemen from other Commands who were called for  back up to bring about calm and douse the tension in the area.

All efforts to speak with Lagos State Police Public Relation Officer, Odejobi, proved abortive, as he never responded to text messages and calls sent to him before going to Press.

Ondo:Akeredolu Rallies Traditional Rulers Against Insecurity, Warns Against Habouring Strangers |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State
Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has rolled out some measures aimed at arresting insecurity in the state just as cultists are on prowl in the state

Governor Akeredolu, in a state broadcast on Friday directed traditional rulers in the State to seek Government approval before allowing any group to settle in their domains.

Saying any contrary measure to the directive would be sanctioned, the Governor advised residents to be vigilant and report any untoward movement in their areas to relevant security agencies.

Other measures include order to traditional rulers to contain the activities of cultists in their domain or face sanction by the Government according to the law

“The State Government will not hesitate to impose 24- hour curfew on any community where there are crises and any culpable traditional rulers shall be sanctioned.

“Every individual having illegal firearms are advised to submit them to the security agencies as government has mandated the security agencies to prosecute any person found with such weapons; and Parents are advised to control their wards on the use of drugs and other enablers as security agencies have been mandated to be on guard with a view to apprehending users of such drugs.

“We are also concerned with various chieftaincy and land tussles in some communities in the State. Chieftaincy tussles are ill-winds that have never blown anyone any good.

“It is a known fact that bitter tussles are capable of derailing society, stability and development programmes of government.

These tussles, if not carefully managed, could lead to conflagrations, especially when they assume ethnic or political colourations in view of the current tense situation in the country.

“The instant case of Ikare-Akoko where the perennial crisis between Olukare and Owa Ale has dominated the length and breadth of the community in the last 72 hours is a cause for concern.

“Lives have been lost and properties destroyed over a minor chieftaincy in the community. As a way of stemming further crisis, government has imposed 24-hour curfew on the entire Ikare-Akoko till further notice.

“The immediate cause of the current crisis is the contention as to who is the rightful Olokoja. Thus, government has also suspended the chieftaincy till further notice. Nobody should henceforth parade himself as the Olokoja.

“We have noticed some serious matters that we need to address before they degenerate into an unmanageable proportion. These include but not limited to the following areas:

“Influx of strange faces into our State; activities of cultists; irresponsible use of the social media; Chieftaincy tussles and Land disputes.

“It will be recalled that about 42 persons whose suspicious presence had caused a security scare around the Army Barracks, Okitipupa some days ago, obviously created some level of curiosity and anxiety. These persons who were allegedly transported from the North for a non-existent security training have since been profiled by Amotekun Corps before repatriation to their respective States.

“I have instructed our security agencies to confront with renewed vigour, all criminal elements in our State. Any individual found carrying illegal weapons should be arrested and prosecuted.

“Any herder who is not properly registered in our forest reserves should vacate the place, I reiterate. One emerging security concern that our State is facing is the unfortunate activities of cultists.

“The State Government has observed lately, the upsurge in their violent activities in the State. Our administration frowns on this development. A situation where our State has been turned to battleground for rival cult groups shall no longer be tolerated.

“Let me sound a note of warning to all cult groups and their sponsors that we will not spare any efforts in dealing with anyone caught engaging in dastardly acts.

“Towards this end, I have instructed our security agencies to clampdown on all cultists in Ondo State and deal decisively with any persons found engaging in cult-related activities and ensure that they are arrested and prosecuted in line with extant laws.

“The flash points of these cult activities are Ikare-Akoko, Owo, Okitipupa and Igbokoda. We have noted with deep concern that their activities are more prevalent in Owo than any other towns in Ondo State.”

NPA Saga: Amaechi, El Rufai Ignite Feud Ahead 2023 Presidential Contest

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By Tosin Olatokunbo

After the suspension of Hadiza Bala Usman as the managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA many watchers of what is currently playing out in the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC are wondering whether the sack will be well received by Governor Nasir  El rufai of Kaduna, who was instrumental to her appointment and perceived as her godfather.

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, suspended Usman after a recommendation by the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, and the federal government had immediately set up an investigative panel to investigate her.

Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed in a statement on Thursday, that the president has constituted a panel to investigate the embattled NPA chief executive. .

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the recommendation of the Ministry of Transportation under Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi for the setting up of an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

“The President has also approved that the Managing Director, Hadiza Bala Usman, step aside while the investigation is carried out. Mr Mohammed Koko will act in that position.

“The panel is to be headed by the Director, Maritime Services of the Ministry while the Deputy Director, Legal of the same ministry will serve as Secretary. Other members of the panel will be appointed by the minister.”

Amaechi who is the supervising minister of the agency had recommended the suspension of the NPA managing director, following what sources in the ministry described as “insubordination to the authority of the minister” on the part of Bala Usman who became the head of the agency, riding on the influence of Governor El Rufai.

The Kaduna Governor was an ally of the minister until recently when the duo parted ways over the 2023 Presidential contest. The two frontline politicians are believed to be interested in who becomes president after the expiration of President Buhari’s tenure in two years time. Sources privy to what’s going on, told the magazine that the minister has not been very comfortable with the closeness of El Rufai to Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, who have been touted as the candidate of the ‘El Rufai camp’.

Recall that Governor El Rufai said early in the year during a forum of Northern leaders in Arewa House, Kaduna state, that some powerful leaders from the region and APC are interested in Governor Fayemi presidential ambition.

“The initial arrangement by the El Rufai group was for Amaechi to run with the Kaduna Governor as Vice President. But the arrangement has since changed after the realization that the current realitiesin the country does not favour a northern candidate for the 2023 election.

“This is what is happening as prominent Arewa leaders have agreed that the next president should come from the south. Many APC governors are in support of this, but this did not sit well with the Amaechi group who believed that his ambition of becoming the vice president is being threatened, because they understand that the president and VP cannot come from the south based on existing power sharing arrangement in the country,” a source said.

The source said what is playing out in NPA is a power struggle among political actors in the ruling APC. According to him, more divisions should be expected in the APC as the general election approaches.

Recall that Bala Usman was an assistant to El Rufai while he was Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT under President Olusegun Obasanjo and the duo has strengthened their relationship since then. she was also Chief of Staff to Governor El Rufai before she was appointed as NPA managing Director in 2016.

Speed up Investigation On Nationwide Attacks, Uzodimma tells Security Operatives |The Source

By
The Source
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Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has admonished security operatives investigating all the recent attacks perpetrated nationwide on government facilities to speed up the process.

Governor Uzodimma said the public is desirous of knowing the truth about those behind the mayhem visited on Government property across the country as well as the sponsors of the security breaches.

Speaking on a Television programme on Wednesday, Governor Uzodimma said speeding up the investigation and making the outcome known to the public will go a long way in helping government find a lasting solution to the cases of insecurity that have recently caused a lot of tension in the country.

He reiterated that unveiling the faces behind the security breaches across the country had become critical, noting that the attacks were targeted at the Government of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) with the intetsion of discrediting the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Governor Uzodimma also took time to explain that despite the recent security breaches experienced in Imo State, the citizenry are happy with the Government  of the day, having seen the truth in the policy direction as far as development is concerned.

He said those insinuating that there is tension in Imo State were part of the people who have been working hard, using all forms of strategy, to distract  and discredit the Government  of the day.

Governor Uzodimma added that he swore to an oath of office to protect the lives and property of the people, and that nothing will make him not to live by the oath of office he took.

He promised that not again will Imo State be haven for criminals and other forms of criminality.

Imo Orders Students Back To School, As Uzodimma Names Prof. Dozie Vice Chancellor, Kingsley Mbadiwe University |The Source

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By Adesina Soyooye

Lecturers and Students of the Kingsley  Mbadiwe University, have been ordered back to the University by the Imo State Government.

The University, formerly Eastern Palm University, has been a subject of controversy over its ownership between the Imo State Government and former Governor Rochas Okorocha.

The Governor, now the  Senator representing Imo West, had claimed ownership of the University, saying his Foundation entered into partnership with Imo State Government while he was Governor, giving him a 90% stake and the State, a 10% stake.

However, a Judicial Panel, set up by the  Imo State Government under former Governor Emeka Ihedioha,  and sustained by the incumbent Governor Hope Uzodinma, discovered that the University is wholly owned by the Imo State Government, having been funded to the tune of over N20 billion from the State Treasury.

It took over the University, and renamed it after one of the State’s great sons, Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe, popular as K.O.Mbadiwe.

Last week, the Okorocha appointed Vice Chancellor, Professor Tola Badejo, suddenly, suspended academic activities , and asked Lecturers and Students to vacate, citing among other things the renaming of the University and confusion over its ownership.

But in a swift reaction in order not to disrupt academic activities, Governor Hope Uzodinma appointed, with immediate effect, Prof Ikechukwu  Dozie as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University.

Dozie, a well-rounded academic is a Professor of Micro Biology at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO.

According to the Imo State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Thompson O. Ikegwuoha,  with the appointment of Prof Dozie,  “the former Vice Chancellor, Prof Tola Badejo, has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.

“This is sequel to the former Vice Chancellor’s unauthorised announcement, illegally suspending academic activities in the University  for the 2020/2021 academic year.

“All students and staff of the University are consequently advised to disregard the unauthorised announcement of the former Vice Chancellor and return to normal academic and administrative life without delay,” Prof. Ikegwuoha added.

Born on March 3, 1966,  in Umuokazi Amuzi, Ahiazu Mbaise Local  Government  Area  of Imo State,  Professor Dozie was one of the contenders for the office of the Vice Chancellor of FUTO which was filled recently. He was the first runner-up.

Prof. Dozie  had his First School Leaving Certificate from Agbani Road Primary School, Enugu , Enugu State  and attended Mbaise Secondary School, Aboh-Mbaise , Imo State where he obtained the West Africa School Certificate with Division One in 1980.

He holds a BSc. combined honours in Microbiology/Biochemistry and an MSc Medical Microbiology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a PhD in Public Health Parasitology from the University of Jos.

His quest for further skill sets in higher education management to him to Galilee International Management Institute (GIMI) Israel in 2010 and 2011.

Professor   Dozie, until his appointment is a Public Health  Scientist, Teacher  and Community Health  Specialist currently serving at the Department of Public Health, FUTO.

Dozie is a member of American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (ASTMH), served as a consultant to the World Health Organisation ; WHO’s African programme for Onchocerciasis, as well as a  Director, Linkages and Advancement, Federal University of Technology Owerri .

He started his teaching career in 1992 as an Assistant Lecturer at Imo State University Owerri, Nigeria and was promoted to the rank of a Professor in 2005.

He was a Visiting Professor at the Federal University of Technology Owerri , Nigeria between 2007-2010 while on leave of Absence from Imo State University Owerri .

Prof Dozie was Head, Department of Public Health Technology, Dean, School of Health Technology and Member, 11th Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology Owerri .

Prof Dozie’s engagement in other National Assignments include Panel Moderator at the nd High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the GlobalPower Women Network Africa (GPWNA) organized by the Government of Nigeria in collaboration with the African Union and with support of UNAIDS , Abuja June 27 – 28, 2013; Facilitator, Induction Course for Ambassador-Designates by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria, December 9 – 13, 2013; Panellist, 2014 Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) Selection Interview, Federal Ministry of Education Federal Scholarship Board, Nanet Suites Abuja, December 1-5, 2014 and Member Imo State Government Transition Technical Committee (April, 2019).

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