CNPP Cautions Against Violence Ahead Ondo Poll |The Source

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September 1, 2020

By Ayodele Oni, Akure

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, (CNPP), in Ondo State, has expressed concern over the spate of violence and intolerance being witnesssed among political parties ahead of October 20 Governorship election in the state.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Akure, the chairman of CNPP, Mr Rotimi Boboye accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), of being behind series of reported violence in the state.

He stated: “We have observed the recourse to violence, intimidation and subterfuge by officials of the outgoing APC government in Ondo State.

“This dangerous development was manifested in the recent local government election largely boycotted by many political parties, while a few of our members participated.

“In the said sham of an election, not only were candidates of participating parties intimidated, harrased and violently assaulted, voters were disenfranchised and figures concocted to meet the pre planned agenda of the outgoing APC government.”

According to him, rather than abate, such violence has taken new dimensions with meetings of political parties being invaded by known thugs.

Boboye pointed out that the spreading violence may not be unconnected with the well articulated, though sinister position expressed by a self confessed militant, and who not only boasted of being in possession of high calibre arms, but went ahead to name known harbingers of violence that are to be recruited to cause mayhem from within and outside the State.

“Spreading across the state are confirmed incidences of battered heads, broken limbs and bruised bodies which allign with the ‘strategy’ openly canvassed by Mr lsaac Kekemeke which is yet to be condemned by his party, the APC.

“These have also been followed with illegal arrests, dehumanising treatment and detention of members of the opposition parties by police and military officers.

“The only way to avoid a sad repeat of the events of the better forgotten experience is to arrest the descent into anarchy that current trend portend.

“We expect nothing but professionalism and demonstrable fairness from the police and indeed all the security agencies.

“Our minimum request is that all agencies to be involved in the forthcoming polls display obvious neutrality and fairness to all.

“We are aware of clandestine plans to arrest and detain effective and active opposition politicians across the state on trumped up accusations before the election only to release them after the polls, we warn that such could only heighten tension which may result in public tumult.

“We as members of the CNPP have resolved to conduct ourselves in the most civil and most decorous manner in the forthcoming election, but will not watch the outgoing government and party throw our dear state into unpredictable darkness.”

Ekiti Governorship Race 2022, Count Me Out – Niyi Adebayo |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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September 1, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni

The first Governor of Ekiti state, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, has declared that he is not in the race to succeed Dr Kayode Fayemi as Governor of the state.

Otunba Adebayo, who was governor of the state between 1999 and 2003, said speculations about his Governorship ambition in 2022 is not true.

In a statement by his media aide in Ado Ekiti, Mr Julius Toba- Jegede, the former governor, now Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, said he made his marks when he served as Governor .

Adebayo was reacting to the recent erection of some billboards across Ado Ekiti, the state capital, and other strategic locations across the state by some political groups, calling on him to join the race in view of what they described as his good leadership traits.

There has also been speculation within the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) in the state that Adebayo is being tipped to succeed Governor Kayode Fayemi.

He said though he appreciates the various calls from the groups, he would rather be focused on his current assignment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I am aware of the recent development of people agitating for me to contest the governorship of Ekiti State in 2022.

“With every sense of humility and respect, I want to thank them for believing in me. However, I must state clearly that I am not interested in running for the office of governor of Ekiti State again.

“As a leader, it was a privilege to serve Ekiti as its first executive governor where I did my best leaving behind verifiable legacy projects.

“My interest now is to continue playing my leadership role of ensuring that our dear state is peaceful, well governed and to encourage the next generation of leaders to emerge.

“At the federal level, I am currently engaged with the responsibilities of my office as a Minister and how to ensure that the economic diversification goals of President Mohammadu Buhari for the country are achieved during this second term.

”At all times, I will be available to offer my advice, support and encouragement to all Nigerians who are serving and those who crave to serve in various capacities, especially those of Ekiti extraction.” the Minister said.

Hunger To Kill More People Than COVID-19 In 2020, Says UN Report |The Source

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Uche Mbah

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September 1, 2020

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By Uche Mbah

A United Nations projection on population has indicated that ten percent of the world population will not have enough food to eat this year. This, according to them, is due to the impact of COVID-19 on the world economy. According to the institution, the impact will go beyond hunger alone because millions more will likely experience the corollary effect of the hunger pandemic, which is not being able to eat healthy – a situation that can result in malnutrition and obesity.

Besides the World Bank, Bloomberg has projected that as many as 132 million more people than the World Bank projection will go hungry this year as the pandemic disruption of supply chains, disrupted distribution chains and grounding of economies takes its toll.

But the World Bank looks further.

According to it, by the year 2030, about a billion people will be faced with crippling hunger, an increase of about 200 million from the previous decade of 2010 to 2020. In the last decade, it was a little over 800 million.

Ironically, this is happening at a time of the celebration of global food surplus. The World Bank says that even hitherto comfortable countries may not be spared.

One thing that COVID-19 did, according to reports, was to increase the gap between the super-rich and super poor. Owners of social media platforms are declaring crazy profits as the number of pauperised world population grow. Millions have been thrown out of work due to the lockdown. Those affected are those with a high dependency ratio, and the stimulus package by the various governments only ended up shoring up global equities.

What makes the situation unmatched: The massive spike is happening at a time of enormous global food surpluses. And it’s happening in every part of the world, with new levels of food insecurity forecast for countries that used to have relative stability.

As many as 12,000 people could die a day from hunger linked to Covid-19 by the end ot this year, potentially more than those perishing from the virus itself, accordint to estimates by charity Oxfam International.

There are fears of political backlash through revolutions, as happened in France in 1775. Military incursions into government may be the end result in some African countries, as is happening in Mali.

“We have to make sure that we’re addressing gender inequality — if the international community is not doing that, we will fail to avoid the worst of the hunger crisis,” said Tonya Rawe, a director at hunger relief and advocacy group Care.

Imo Denies Donating Land For Cattle Grazing |The Source

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The Source

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September 1, 2020

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By Charles Igbo

The Imo State Government has described as fake, irresponsible and mischievous, a statement making the rounds, purportedly signed by the Chief Press Secreatary/ Media Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodinma, Oguwike Nwachuku, to the effect that it was donating hectares of land to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, for the purpose of Cattle grazing.

The story, which Oguwike said emanated from criminals who want to destabilise the state was said to have been made by Uzodinma during a meeting in Abuja with the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

In a strongly-worded statement denying that he issued such a statement, Oguwike said he was not aware of any such promise to donate land to the CBN for the purposes of Cattle grazing made by the Governor.

Nwachuku drew the attention of the public to such other fake statements, wickedly, issued in his name, and asked the public to treat the recent one as the trash that it is.

The full statement, as signed by Nwachuku, titled: Another Attempt To Discredit Uzodinma Over Grazing Reserves Fails reads:

“The attention of the Office of the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has been drawn to a fake report suggesting that His Excellency met with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, and purportedly told him that Imo would be donating land to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for purposes of grazing.

“The report credited to the Office of the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor is not only false and fake, but mishievously done to discredit the Governor and Emefiele.

“No such meeting, to the knowledge of the Office of the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor took place to warrant the statement that was mischievously and criminally done by the authors of the fake report.

“While the Governor works so hard under the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic to reposition Imo State to be productive, some politically exposed irascible goons sit down somewhere to churn out stuff that are obviously aimed at disorienting Imo and putting the State under perpetual underdevelopment.

“Much as the reading public are already familiar with the mindset of the persons whose stock in trade is to manufacture fake and gutter news, the Governor can never be deterred from his vision of recovering, rehabilitating and recovering Imo from the clutches of those who want the State to remain in a state of pity while others are making steady progress. For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Uzodimma’s Shared Prosperity is real.

“Members of the public are, therefore, advised to ignore the piece as trash and to regard the authors as those who are not only mentally deranged but need to be pitied.

“They are better seen as never-do-wells, and are so blinded to see those who have committed their time, energy and other resources to help them do well.”

This is not the first time the Government would be denying such fake statements purportedly issued on its behalf by the Office of the Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to the Governor.

They include, but not limited to the fake news on the renaming of the Imo State University to Malam Abba Kyari University, in honour of the late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Malam Abba Kyari, and the building of five Almajiri Schools, each, in the three Senatorial Zones of the State.

2023: Orji Kalu, Disagrees With Rotation, Says No Zoning In APC |The Source

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The Source

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September 1, 2020

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By Gideon Njoku

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has told those clamouring for power rotation in 2023, that there is no room for that in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

He said there is no insertion of a power rotation clause anywhere in the APC constitution, and that anybody from any part of the country could contest for the Presidency.

Speaking in Minna, Niger State, where he said he went to welcome former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar back from a medical trip abroad, Kalu said those who think that power would automatically go to the South after President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year Presidency were in error.

Kalu:”Most people are not aware that there is no zoning of the Presidency in the constitution of the APC. Nigerians from every part can contact for the office of the President.”

Kalu’s views comes at a time the South, and especially, the South-east zone from where he comes from, insist that for justice and equity, the position of the President, should go to the South after President Buhari’s tenure.

It also runs contrary to the position of the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, who stands on the position of power rotating to the South in 2023.

Ngige, a founding member of the APC, said that in 2014, power rotation was agreed upon in the APC. Even though it was not written in the constitution of the party, Ngige said it was well understood.

A number of people from Buhari’s North, including former Secretary to the Federal Government, Babachir Lawal, and Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, both close associates of the President, have spoken up on the need for power to rotate to the South in 2023 for justice and equity.

Orji Kalu, a two-time Governor of Abia State, is the Chief Whip of the Senate.

Uzodinma Inaugurates IMSU Council, Asks Members To Save University |The Source

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The Source

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August 31, 2020

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By Charles Igbo

Governor Hope Uzodinma has appealed to the Governing Council of the Imo State University. The University has, in the past couple of years, suffered a run in its reputation.

A Visitation Panel, set up by former Governor of the State, the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, but inherited by the incumbent Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, headed by a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof Chinedu Nebo, submitted a damming report on the rot that has become the University.

One of the recommendations was for the Governor to quickly inaugurate the Governing Council of the University, which has been operating without any for years, so as to clean up the University.

A couple of weeks ago, Uzodinma appointed members of the Council to the applause of many, considering the status of those appointed.

Inaugurating the Governing Council on Monday, Uzodinma urged the members to save the institution from further decay.

At the inauguration ceremony on Monday at the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chambers, the governor said the choice of the members is an opportunity to infuse fresh air into the University “because it is in dire need to bounce back to reckoning.”

Those inaugurated are His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Ugorji who is also the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Umuahia and the visiting Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Mbaise as Chairman and the Pro-Chancellor of the University.

Other members of the Council include: Chief Leo Stan Ekeh, Chief Tony Ezenna, Prof. (Ven.) Chinedu Nebo, Sir. Louis Ezeigwe, Chief Engr. Ernest Nwapa, Dr. (Mrs.) Uwandu Uzoma, Ugoeze Victoria Adaku Ekezie, Prof. Adaobi Obasi (Vice Chancellor) and others.

The Governor said that the inauguration of the Governing Council is significant for both Imo State and the University and that “it is a golden opportunity to revive the Ivory Tower that was the pride of Imo people some 20 years ago.”

He added that the choice of the members was because they have carved a niche for themselves in their chosen fields of endeavour and that they have earned solid reputation as men and women of substance in their individual trade, an indices that qualified them for the appointment.

He challenged the members to bring their reputation to bear on the University, bearing in mind the task for good quality scholarship in Imo State University as well as service to humanity.

He, also, urged the members to deploy their individual accomplishments, excellence, expertise, passion for service as effectively as necessary to actualize the dream of his administration of having a highly reputable University comparable to the best Universities in the World.

He requested the Council to “restore in words and deeds the motto of Imo State University, which is Excellence in Service”.

He note: “Imo State University currently is a classical example of a failed University,” but he strongly believes that “with a star studded Governing Council such as the one inaugurated there is no doubt that Imo is on the track to realize the dreams of her founding fathers.”

“Imo people expect that though the task before the Council is quite enormous, members should employ their wealth of experience and expertise to clean up the mess that have bedeviled the State University and make it a true citadel of learning and character formation,” the governor added.

The Governor requested the Governing Council to “outline a road map for quality education offered by quality staff in a first class learning environment, find middle roles between the so-called free education in Imo State University and the provision of quality education that will not over-task the resources of Imo parents so much, nor make Government a laughing stock as a provider of questionable free education that is inimical to quality scholarship.”

He further enjoined the Council members to quickly hit the ground running and come up with policies and programmes that will reassure Imo people that the University that made them proud 20 years back is on track as he assured them of Government partnership in this regard.

In their acceptance, Chairman Imo State University Governing Council and Pro-Chancellor, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Ugorji thanked the Governor for the absolute confidence reposed in them by giving them the assignment and acknowledged that though the task is daunting he has a strong believe that with the calibre of members of the Council and support of the management, staff and students the University will be returned to a centre of excellence which was the dream of the founding fathers.

He said that Imo State University deserves the best and that he and his members as inaugurated will work acidulously to ensure that the target of the governor in making Imo State University one the best Universities in Africa is realised.

He congratulated his members and promised that God willing, they will not fail the government and people of Imo State.

Present at the inauguration were the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, and other members of the expanded State Executive Council.

CNPP to Buhari: Order Immediate Publication of Full List of Lawmakers Involved In NDDC Contract Scam |The Source

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Adesina Soyooye

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August 31, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

Following the startling revelation made by Dr Cairo Ojougbo that Nigeria would break if the full list of National Assembly members involved in the Niger Delta Development Commission’s Contract scam, the

Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order the immediate publication of the list of all members of the National Assembly, and any other Nigerian, who have were involved in contract scam at the Commission.

Dr Ojougbo is the Executive Director, Projects, at the Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the NDDC. He, also, alleged that the NASS is desperately trying to stop the Forensic audit of the Commission, ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari because the members are afraid of what the outcome would be.
But in the face of all that, the CNPP urged the , IMC, “never to be cowed by the National Assembly, which has never been conclusive in any probe.”
In a statement issued on Monday by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, while reacting to media report credited to Ojougboh, who alleged that if the list of those involved in looting the Commission is released, the country will break, the CNPP demanded for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the contract scam.
“The CNPP has been in series of consultations with critical civil society stakeholders to take a position on the ongoing probe of the NDDC.
“However, it became imperative to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to take seriously the allegation that some members of the National Assembly are plotting to stall the forensic audit ordered by himself.
“It is cheering news to hear that the new NDDC Interim Management Committee, IMC, has resolved to ensure the conclusion of the forensic audit despite the alleged efforts of the National Assembly to muzzle the IMC and frustrate the exercise.
“Having concluded the first leg of the audit the nation await the second and final leg. But, before then, we urge President Buhari to order the immediate publication of the list of all members of the National Assembly, and any other Nigerian who have been involved in contract scam at the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
“Until this is done to put an end to the ongoing cat and mouse game between the National Assembly and the NDDC management, the world will continue to laugh at the mention of anti-corruption war in Nigeria”, the CNPP stated.

The NDDC and the NASS have been at each other’s throat since allegations of corruption started to fly against both sides.

Committee on Covid-19 In Ondo Seeks Cooperation Of Political Parties, Religious Bodies |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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August 31, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni, Akure

In a move to reduce the spread of the dreaded global pandemic in Ondo state, the interministerial committee on Coronavirus (COVID-19) has sought the cooperation of religious and political leaders to achieve success.

Chairman of the committee on COVID-19, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, during a media chat with newsmen in Akure, said government has taken cognisance of the socio-political context of the State, yet there is the need to comply with necessary precautions that can safeguard residents.

According to him, political parties and other affected stakeholders must embrace other means of convincing voters, rather than encouraging mass gathering of the people, or engaging in acts capable of compromising COVID-19 guidelines.

He noted that where gathering is unavoidable, the proper use of face masks, hand washing practice, use of hand sanitisers and physical distancing should be encouraged.

Prof. Fatusi maintained that as part of efforts to flatten the curve of its spread, the Interministerial Committee is currently reviewing its existing guidelines, part of which will take into consideration the social, economic and political sector of the State.

The Chairman, who hinted that new sets of personal protective equipment will soon be distributed to health workers in the State, stated that aside about 400 health workers that were earlier infected, no health worker has been infected with the virus recently.

While calling for collective efforts towards stopping the spread of the virus, the Don said testing laboratory and isolation centre in Ondo are at 90 per cent completion stage.

He appealed to religious leaders in the State to re-double their monitoring mechanism in order to ensure that worshippers adhere to the guidelines while congregating.

The acting Commissioner for Health, Dr Jibayo Adeyeye, said since the outbreak of the pandemic, Ondo State now has a total of 1539 confirmed cases and 30 deaths while most of the patients have been treated and discharged.

NIJ Governing Council Appoints Gbenga Adefaye As New Provost |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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August 31, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, NIJ, led by former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, has appointed Gbenga Adefaye as the new Provost of the Nation’s Premier Monotechnic.

Adefaye, before his appointment was the General Manager/Editor-in-Chief of Vanguard Newspapers.

In a statement signed in Lagos on Monday 31st August, 2020, by the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institution, Aremo Osoba, he said Adefaye would serve as Provost of the institution with effect from Sept. 1, 2020.

He succeeds the former Provost, Gbemiga Ogunleye, who has served out his term meritoriously.

The change of baton of the School Provost came weeks after the demise of Isa Funtua, the Chairman of the Institution’s Governing Council, who was succeeded by Aremo Osoba.

Aviation Unions Protest Concessioning Of Airports, Contributory Pension |The Source

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Uche Mbah

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August 31, 2020

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Aviation Workers Protests Airport Concession

By Uche Mbah

The terminals of the Murtala Muhammed international airport, Lagos, was today rocked by protests from the Aviation Unions who are unhappy with the plans by the Federal government to concession airports in the country as a means of combating the effect of the COVID 19 pandemics on the industry.

Domestic Flight operations were, however, not affected by the peaceful protest as passengers were seen embarking on their trips.

Last week, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Saraki, had said that only a few Airports are viable, and that government needed to concession the others to be able to cope with the skyrocketing costs of running these airports.

But the National Union of Air Transport Employs (NUATE), the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Air Transports Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and Nigeria Union of Pensioners unanimously rejected government position, claiming it will lead to massive job losses.

Currently, it is estimated that FAAN staff, both full time and otherwise, may run into about 18 million people. These will end up like the Nigerian Airways staff, who have been at the short end of the collapse of the National carrier.

The Chairman of NUATE, Mohammed Zakaria, one of the leaders of the protests, quickly recalled

that the fate that happened to NEPA, Nigerian Airways, and Nitel will follow FAAN staff in the wake of the concession

“We want to continue as FAAN. The government owns everything, but we are saying no to concession,” he said and added that airports’ concession poses security threats as well as the loss of revenues to the government.

Besides concession, the protesters are also against the move by the government to move all FAAN staff who retired from April 1, 2014, to PenCom, claiming that FAAN has not been remitting money to PenCom, and therefore the pensioners will be caught in the administrative entanglements.

FAAN is said to be owing Pencom N200 billion in remittances.

“We spent our time and energy to build the airports, the so-called investors cannot just come and take over the facilities and enrich themselves without involving the key stakeholders.

“The Outline Business Case (OBC) was prepared since 2017 and only made available this August after they have concluded every aspect of the deal. They are telling us lies,” Aliyu said.

He cited the concession plan of the MMA2 that failed, and ended up in litigation. It involved Wale Babalakin, SAN,who was recently suspended as the Council Chairman of the University Lagos in the controversial power tussle over who becomes the Ag.Vice-chancellor of the University.