LASG Launches LASWELL For Efficiency |The Source

By

-

August 12, 2020

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Government has set the State’s first Employee Wellness Centre, LASWELL, in other to have an effective and efficient workforce.

According to the State’s Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, “The Centre is structured to enhance the welfare of Lagos State Public Servants to function effectively, with the help of professionals, as well as ensure officers attain satisfactory standards of mental stability and emotional/psychological wellbeing.”

“The initiative is part of effort to promote comprehensive health system and ensure civil servants attain better mental health which underscores the high premium the present administration places on the wellbeing of its workforce in line with its THEMES Agenda, particularly at this present time when everyone is grappling with global health crisis of Covid-19 Pandemic.

“The idea to set up LASWELL came from me, having realized that in order to have a vibrant workforce, there was the need to address emotional, psychosocial and mild mental issues that might be confronting the employees,” he said.

Corroborating Muri-Okunola, the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Segun Dawodu stated that the setting up of LASWELL by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was in accordance with the second pillar of the THEMES Agenda which is (Health and Environment).

“The timeliness of the setting of LASWELL would be well appreciated when viewed from the perspective of the ever increasing socioeconomic challenges being faced by Civil Servants as well as workplace related stresses and at challenges at the home front.

“It was observed that the rate of depression has assumed an alarming proportion in recent time, compelling individuals to resort to taking antidepressants, while others are becoming victims of suicidal tendencies. It is in order to rekindle hope in these individuals that LASWELL was brought to the door step of the employees.

“The fact that the rate of depression, hopelessness and lack of self-actualization has assumed unprecedented dimension in our society today is enough to invest in the system. As a responsible government, we cannot pretend to be uninterested in this. We are taking this step to nip the development in the bud,” he said.

Taraba Crisis: MURIC Alleges Christianization Plot By Gov. Ishaku |The Source

By

The Source

-

August 11, 2020

0

By Akinwale Kasali

A Muslim Group has accused the Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku of being responsible for the crisis in the State.

The crisis has led to the loss of several lives, and destruction of lives and properties.

Making this allegation is the Director of Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, who accused the Governor of favouring Christians in his appointments, leading to lack of peace in the state. He saud the Governor is trying to Christanise the state.

MURIC, in a Statement signed by Akintola, said Ishaku has refused to give Muslims and non-Jukuns political appointments, as well as denied them gainful employment in the state.

“Primordialism, parochialism, exclusivism, religious bigotry featuring preferrential consideration for Christians and the Jukun tribe over Muslims and other tribes in virtually every aspect of governance is what Muslims and non-Jukun tribes have been facing in Taraba State for the past five years.

“Taraba Muslims face discrimination when seeking admission into higher institutions. Scholarships are the exclusive preserve of Christians. Jobs are laundered through the churches and letters of reference from pastors and deacons are automatic passports for employment. Promotion from one grade to another is decided by virtue of faith. Even death benefits of Muslims are withheld while those of Christians are paid pronto,” the statement read.

“Governor Darius must be interrogated by MURIC. Nigerian Muslims want to know why ten out of the fourteen commissioners in the state are Christians when twelve out of the sixteen local governments are predominated by Muslim populations. Why are the vice chancellor, rector, provost and heads of the state-owned university, polytechnic, college of education, health technology institute and school of nursing Christians? Darius has a case to answer.

“Your Excellency, kindly explain to Nigerians why your Muslim subjects and non-Jukuns are considered not qualified to hold political posts. What is the minimum educational qualification to become eligible for the post of commissioner in Taraba State? What are the educational qualifications of those appointed to justify the exclusion of Muslims and other tribes?

“Mr. Governor sir, is it only the Christians in your state who are paying tax? If the Muslims and non-Jukuns are tax-payers, why do you exclude them from political appointments and employments? That is your exclusivism. Why must Christians alone sit on the common patrimony of the Taraba people through appointments and employments which are denied Muslims and non-Jukuns? That is your christianisation.

“Peace continues to elude your state because of this gross imbalance and open partiality. Only meritocracy and credibility can win peace. Taraba must set primordial sentiments like faith and ethnicity aside for the state to experience genuine peace and progress.

“MURIC appeals to other governors throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria to allow the composition and variety of their state’s population to truly reflect in the appointments and employments in their states, not only in matters of faith but also of ethnicity. Governors should not lean heavily towards their clans or religion at the expense of all others. This consideration should be without prejudice to merit.”

Akintola said that MURIC is not attacking Christianity but demand good governance and peaceful coexistence. He added that anybody who desires peace must realise that justice is important.

“No one denies one and enjoys the other at the same time. The reason for the industrial and technological progress in developed countries is their ability to pursue meritocracy. Workers are employed based on their qualifications and abilities, not on their religious and tribal affiliations while none is denied employment on the basis of his or her faith.

“In our concluding remarks, we invite Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku to unite citizens of his state by addressing the complaints of Muslims and non-Jukuns. We suggest the setting up of a Committee on Good Governance with a view to plugging the holes in Muslim and non-Jukun circles,” he said.

It would be recalled that MURIC also alleged that Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State had sold the State to Christians, alleging that there is lopsidedness in his appointment.

MURIC Denies Receiving $200,000 From ISWAP |The Source

By

The Source

-

August 11, 2020

0

By Akinwale Kasali

Following accusations that the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, led by Prof. Ishaq Akintola, is receiving funds from the Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP, the Group has vehemently denied such allegation.

ISWAP, a terrorist group, in, or outside Nigeria, has been terrorizing the region, maiming, killing, raping and destroying properties, and is named one of the most dreaded Insurgent groups in Africa.

MURIC’s Group Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, made the denial in a statement, saying it was a blatant lie targeted at destroying the image of the Group.

Akintola described the allegation as illogical, adding that the group always condemned every act of terror.

The group said it was a wicked concoction from the pit of Jahannam, adding that it has never had any contact with ISWAP or any terrorist group.

We remain committed to the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria,” the organization director said.

“The motto of MURIC is ‘Dialogue, Not Violence’. So how can we descend so low as to collect money from terrorists? Such lies will not fly.

The terrorists themselves know that we can never support them. How can they give us money? The allegation is dead on arrival.

The group, therefore, appealed to the Buhari-led Government to investigate the source of the information.

Former CBN DG: “I Don’t Talk Nonsense; Prominent Southerners To Be Killed; Serving Gov. Is B’Haram Commander |The Source

By

The Source

-

August 11, 2020

0

By Gideon Njoku,

A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Mailiafia Obadiah, has caused an earthquake, almost, in the country.

In a very scary revelation made in a video recording, Obadiah, courageously, opened up on the murderous Boko Haram insurgents, insisting that they were still on phase one, and would soon migrate to phase two

The plan for Phase two is blood-cuddling. He says members of the sect would embark on a house to house killing of prominent Southerners in Southern cities.

In 2022, he also revealed, a civil war would break-out in Nigeria.

Another shocking revelation he made was that a serving Governor in the North is a Commander of the insurgent group.

If in doubt, Dr Obadiah quickly reassures: “Take me seriously. I have a PhD from Oxford University. I am a Central Banker, we don’t talk nonsense.”

He did not disclose the name of the Governor, but said he spoke one on one with a couple of Boko Haram Commanders, and is aware they moved money, ammunition and logistics, using planes, during the lockdown.

He then confirmed what many people always suspected – that Boko Haram and Bandits are the same group. And for those who think the group could be starved of funds, he says: “They are not looking for money. They have more than enough money”.

Obadiah, a Developmental Economist, was the Presidential candidate of the African Development Congress in the 2019 Presidential election.

Nobody can confirm whether he was speaking as a Politician, or an honest, patriotic, and concerned Nigerian.

Following are Obadiah in his own words.

“Let me make some revelations because some of us, also, have our own intelligence networks.

“I have met with some of the bandits. We have met with some of their high Commanders, one or two of them who have repented. They have sat down with us, not once, not twice.

“They told us that one of the Northern Governors is the Commander of Boko Haram in Nigeria. Book Haram and Bandits are one and the same thing. They have a sophisticated network.

“During this lockdown, their planes were moving up and down, as if there was no lockdown, moving ammunition, moving logistics, moving money, and distributing them to all parts of the country.

“They are already in the South, in the rain forest of the South. They are everywhere. They told us that when they finish these rural killings, they will move to phase two.

“Phase two is to go into the urban cities, going from house to house, killing prominent people.

I can tell you this is the game plan.

“In 2022, they want to start a civil war in Nigeria.

“Don’t joke with what I am saying. I have a PhD from Oxford University. I am a Central Banker. We don’t talk nonsense. So, don’t joke with what I am telling you.

“I have this from the highest possible authority, higher authority of the Boko Haram.

“Their Commander is a current Governor in the North. They are not looking for money. They have more than enough money.

Many Nigerians are disappointed that Obadiah did not go to the authorities to report. They think he should make public the name of the Governor so that he could be named and shamed. “If he wouldn’t make it public, he should go to the authorities to disclose the person. Otherwise, he should be called in for questioning to disclose all he knows about the operations of the sect. He did not speak like a banker, or a patriot. He should be invited for questioning”, a disappointed too politician said.

At the time of writing this, nobody knows if security personnel have invited him or not.

Court Restrains Ondo Assembly, Speaker, From Suspending Lawmaker |The Source

By

The Source

-

August 11, 2020

0

By Ayodele Oni, Akure

Reprieve has come for a member of the Ondo state House of Assembly. An Akure High Court, on Tuesday, halted the Assembly and the Speaker; Mr David Oleyeloogun, from suspending him.

The Lawmaker, representing Eseodo constituency in the Assembly, Mr Success Torhukerhijo, had earlier been expelled by the majority All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the House, for not signing the impeachment notice against the Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi.

Following the suspension of four other Lawmakers by the Assembly on alleged trumped-up charges, he sought the protection of the Court from being punished.

Those already on suspension are the Deputy Speaker; Ogundeji Iroju, the only woman, Favour Tomomowo and the only Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) member, Tomide Akinribido and Wale Williams over their refusal to sign impeachment notice against the Deputy Governor.

Following the suspension of the only ZLP member, representing Ondo West Constituency, a Committee was set up to investigate Torhukerhijo over his alleged use of foul language in a media chat and report back to the house.

To prevent suffering same fate as his colleagues,

Torhukerhijo sought the protection of the court from being suspended.

Justice Ademola Bola, who granted the Ex parte Order, consequently restrained the Assembly, Speaker, their officers, agents and servants from suspending the Mawmaker as a member of the House.

The order was also served with a motion on notice as well as an originating summons.

The court upon hearing Mr. Dipo Torhukerhijo, counsel for the Applicant, restrained the Defendants/Respondents, their officers, servants and agents from suspending the claimant or by any means, or prevented from performing his constitutional duties or any legislative function as a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice in this suit.

The court also restrained the Defendants/Respondents, their officers, agents and servants from stopping the benefits or other entitlements of the Claimant as an elected member of the House of Assembly pending the determination of the motion on notice.

Prof Sagay: Magu Could Be Prosecuted; Slams Salami; Rubbishes Other Panel Members |The Source

By

The Source

-

August 11, 2020

0

By Adesina Soyooye

The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council Against Corruption, PACAC, Professor Itse Sagay, has denied the statement credited to him to the effect that the suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, could not be prosecuted.

Sagay, a known Magu supporter, also slammed the Chairman of the Judicial Panel set-up by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate Magu and the EFCC under him, beginning from 2015, a retired President of the Court of Appeal, Hon Justice Ayo Salami.

Sagay criticised Salami for inviting those under investigation by the EFCC, to appear before his panel to give testimonies against Magu. He, also, rubbished other members of the Panel, saying he could not trust them to be neutral.

In a statement he released on Monday, titled: Press Release By Prof Itsay Sagay, Chairman of PACAC he said none of the members of the Panel appeared neutral, except Salami. He said they represented agencies which had made allegations against Magu.

Other members of the Panel, among others include a representative of the IGP, a representative of the DG of the DSS, a representative of the Ministry of Justice, and a representative of the NFIU.

Magu’s confirmation as the substantive Chairman of the EFCC was rejected, twice, by the 8th Senate over damning allegations on him by the DSS under the former Director General, Lawal Daura.

His primary constituency, the Police, had, also, recommended him for dismissal or retirement, but his job was saved by the Police Service Commission which recommended a lighter punishment over allegations of carrying official EFCC files home, then under the the Chairmanship of Mrs Farida Waziri. And the NFIU had also investigated him.

Apparently, Sagay’s statement was primarily, to deny what was credited to him to the effect that Magu would not be prosecuted.

Sagay: “What I said was that Magu could not be prosecuted before the Salami Report is out, and that Malami’s allegations are just what they are: allegations in a petition.

“No one is prosecuted on unverified allegations as the PDP wanted, otherwise, it would be a lost cause from the very beginning.

“In my statement, I made it clear that Malami’s petition was just the beginning of a process that could lead to prosecution if solid evidence is established upon investigation.

“I did not say Magu may not be prosecuted. I am not privy to the politics of the Presidency.”

The Salami-Panel, all things being equal, is expected to submit its report within the stipulated 45 days given to it.

Imo: Uzodinma Takes-On IMSU; Appoints Leo Stan Eke Governing Council Member; Race For New VC Begins |The Source

By

The Source

-

August 11, 2020

0

By Charles Igbo

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma has taken the first step into implementing the recommendations of the Visitation Panel into the affairs of the Imo State University, IMSU.

The Panel, headed by a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nsukka, who was, also, a former Minister for Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, was set up by the immediate past Governor of the state, The Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha. But on assumption of office as Imo Governor, Uzodinma retained the Panel ,as he did the others set up by Ihedioha.

While handing over its report, the IMSU Panel had described the University as a mess, which needed a complete cleansing if it is to remain as a University, and if it is to meet the vision for which it was set-up.

For a complete sweep, the Panel asked the Imo State Government to re-constitute the University’s Council which has been non-existent, thus making its leadership a Sole Administrator, almost.

On Monday, Uzodinma started the journey to revamp the University, by re-constituting the Governing Council.

To be headed by an Owerri son, and revered Cleric, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Lucious Ugorji, the Archbishop of the Catholic ArchDiocese of Umuahia, as Chairman and Pro-Chancellor, it also has a prominent Imo son, Chief Leo Stan Eke, Founder and Chairman of ZINOX, as member. Another prominent Imo son on the Council is Chief Tony Ezenna, Chairman, Orange Drugs Group.

**Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma (left) receiving report documents from Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Chairman of IMSU Visitation Panel at Sam Mbakwe Exco Chamber, Government House.**

The appointment of the two billionaires is seen as a coup by the Government which will help boost IMSU Infrastructure-wise, and set it on the road to glory.

Other members are: Prof. Nebo ( Chairman of the Visitation Panel), Sir Lewis Ezeigwe, Chief Ernest Nwapa and, Mrs Victoria Adamu Ekezie.

The reconstitution of the Council would, automatically, kick off the race for the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor to succeed the out-going Prof. Adaobi Obasi, under whom, it is alleged, the University sank to its lowest level.

COVID-19: Last Flight From US To Nigeria Coming |The Source

By

The Source

-

August 11, 2020

0

By Adesina Soyooye

Ethiopian Airline will, on August 20, operate the last evacuation flight of Nigerian citizens from the US to Nigeria.

Since the Virus, which put a halt to International Flights, Nigeria, like other countries of the world, has been evacuating its stranded citizens from all parts of the world.

The last evacuation flight from the USA will be operated from Newark International Airport, New York.

A press release from the Nigeria Consulate, signed by the Consulate General, Benaoyagho Okeyon, says this will be the 10th evacuation flight, and the last.

The 8th and 9th flight would operate from Houston, Texas, in the 15th and 19th of August, and would head to Lagos same day.

The 10th and final evacuation flight would arrive Abuja on the 21st, and proceed to Lagos same day.

The cost of the air ticket to Abuja is: $1, 250 for the economy class, and $2,800 for the business class. That of Lagos, is $1,350 for the economy class, and $3,000 for the business class.

So far, Nigeria has evacuated a total of 1,739 of its citizens from the US in six previous flights.

Every evacuee would be required to present a COVID-19 negative test result, of not more than 14 days old before boarding. Evacuees are also expected to have in their custody, hand sanitizers and face masks which they would be required to wear intermittently all through the flight time.

The Buhari Shocker: Says, “We Could Have Used Military, Police, To Overrun Some PDP States During 2019 Elections |The Source

By

The Source

-

August 11, 2020

0

By Charles Igbo

Perhaps, he meant it as a joke. Perhaps, he mis-spoke.

But whatever, Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari shocked Nigerians when he said that, if he so wanted, he and the ruling party, the APC, would have used security personnel to over-run opposition States and won them during the 2019 General Elections.

The President made this statement at a very inappropriate occasion.

It was at a meeting between him, North-east Governors, the National Security Adviser, his Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, and heads of other Security Agencies.

The meeting was to discuss the serious and very disturbing security situation in the region.

Insurgents had reduced The region and the Northern part of The country to one big killing field. Blood flows like a river. Most have turned refugees in their own country.

The meeting was to tinker with a response, and so reassure the people.

Not a few Nigerians, rightly or wrongly, have the impression, wrongly, or rightly, that the Military has not done their best, or if they had done, their best was no longer enough. Even the President thinks so.

On , at least, two occasions, he had said so. Not a few Nigerians, most Governors, and the National Assembly, had asked The President to replace his Service Chiefs. He has majorly ignored the calls.

One of the Governor’s present at the meeting, Prof. Babagana Zulum of Borno state, miraculously, escaped death when gun men ambushed his convoy along Baga road. The Governor alleged It was soldiers that attacked him, thus absolving Boko Haram.

It is the same military, which has not been able to over-run the insurgents, that the President flaunted before governors, including three, from the opposition party, boasted he could have used to over-run the opposition States for his party.

Among the Peoples Democratic Party governors, who were at the meeting were Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) and Darius Ishaku (Taraba).

He, however, gave his government a pay on the back.He noted that given what his administration met in 2015, it had done its best.

He words “We have problems with resources and security. You know what we inherited. The people of the North East will appreciate what this administration has done. The general report I am getting, from the conventional ones, from the intelligence sources, is that the Army should do better and this is the truth.

“It is so often coming to me that I have to believe it. I listened to your representation, the governors who are on the hotspot now in the North-East, Adamawa, Bauchi and the rest of them who are enjoying peace. I hope they are respecting the sacrifice made by the military.

“I assure you North-East governors, especially the governor of Borno, that we go to bed and wake up thinking about you and how to secure our country. That is the fundamental responsibility of a government; security. In our party, we recognize this. We campaigned on three fundamental issues: security, economy and fighting corruption.

“Nigerians, we thank God, understood us and they voted for us. In 2019, we went round the whole country, saying the same thing and apologizing for not doing better, but we are doing our best.

“I think Nigerians believe us and we did our best. It is true that we lost some states as a ruling party in a developing country, which is normal. I am proud of that because we are impartial, that is why as the ruling party, we lost some states. That means we have our own mistakes.

“Some of those that defeated us are sitting here. We know we are a developing country but we respect our country, otherwise, with the use of the army, the police and the rest of them, we could have overrun you. We just wanted to show that we are humane and we are Nigerians. We will continue to do our best.”

*This is a developing story. Reactions, later…

Arik To Begin Strike August 17, Says NUATE |The Source

By

The Source

-

August 11, 2020

0

By Uche Mbah

The National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, has given August 17 as the day Arik staff are expected to commence a one week warning strike to drive home their demands. This is after the expiration of the ultimatum given by the aviation union to the airline.

Recall that the union had given Arik 15 days to recall all staff placed on leave without pay since COVID-19, and improve conditions of service, or face industrial action. The Ultimatum, which started on July 21, 2020, expired on August 5, 2020.

In a circular addressed to all Arik staff, and signed by Ocheme Aba, NUATE Secretary, and Francis Akinjole, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, deputy secretary, and copied to the various security agencies manning the Airport including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and dated July 10, NUATE said that the notice will remain in force “until otherwise directed by our union”.

“Subsequent to the failure of Arik Air management to address the issues raised in the fifteen-day Ultimatum, our unions issued to the airline since July 21, 202, and realizing that the window of the 15 days came to a close on Wednesday 5^th of August 2020, we are now left with no choice than to inform the management of Arik air that there is going to be a total withdrawal of services from the airline as from the next seven days.

“All staff of Arik are therefore notified that with effect from august 17, 2020, all workers should down tools and assemble at places designated by Union officials to be guided appropriately”, the circular read.

Arik’s problem started when, in the heat of the pandemic COVID-19, Nigeria shut down its airspace to both local and international flights. All the airlines sent most of their staff on strike, pending the opening of the airspace. Since its opening, Airlines have been gasping for breath. No palliatives have been extended to them. Passenger patronage has been very low.

Both Airpeace and Bristol Airlines, penultimate week, sacked 70 and 100 Pilots and Engineers respectively. NAUTE is also up in arms against them.

Arik Air is under receivership by AMCON, which has been looking for buyers.