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NLC Calls For Reversal Of Fuel Price |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ayuba Wabba

By Akinwale Kasali

The Ayuba Wabba led Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has finally broken its silence after over 72 Hours that the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), recently increased depot prices of petrol, directing marketers to sell the product to end users  between N167 to N170 per litre.

The NLC has called on the Federal Government for an immediate reversal of the price  to N160 per litre.

In a statement issued by its National President, Ayuba Wabba, it said there was  no doubt that there is great disquiet in the land over the extraordinary level of inflation.

“The recent increase in the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) has only exacerbated the current level of pain and anguish in the country.

“The recent increase in the pump price of PMS is clearly against the spirit and content of what Organized Labour agreed with government at the last negotiations over the last fuel price increase.

“It has also cast in very bad light our utmost good faith with regards to government explanations that it lacks funds to continue bankrolling the so-called subsidy payments as such would sooner than later cripple the entire economy, throw the country into severe economic crisis and cause loss of jobs in millions,” the statement said.

He stressed that while the NLC awaited the full recovery of the nation’s refineries as contained in its agreement with government, Nigerians could not be made to bleed endlessly for the failures of successive governments to properly manage refineries, ensure value for money for the numerous Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) which were poorly and barely executed, and the horrifying lack of interest in prosecuting public officials and private business people who have profited from the rot in the petroleum sector and the collective misery they have imposed on the general population.

“In line with our recent agreement with government, we will be receiving updates in the next few days from our unions in the petroleum sector which have been given the mandate to keep surveillance on government promise to overhaul our public refineries.

“We will also receive updates from our representatives in the electricity review committee. The updates we receive will determine whether the government has kept to its side of the bargain which is to take serious steps to recover and reposition our public refineries.

“The outcome of this engagement will determine our response in the coming days. But while we are at that, we condemn the recent price increase and we call for its reversal with immediate effect,” Wabba stated.

The pump price of Petrol went up to N170 per litre a few days ago. The Government explained it away by saying oil “is an international product which price is dictated by the international market. The increase has propelled the prices of foodstuffs to high heavens.

#EndSARS: Aisha Yesufu, Sowore, To Lead Another Round Of Protest Wednesday In Abuja |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Lagos EndSARS Protesters

By Akinwale Kasali

Except for any last minute change in plan, Abuja, the Nation’s Capital is set to be shutdown tomorrow by the #EndSARS Protest and #RevolutionNow Conveners.

Publisher of Sahara Reporters and a 2019  Presidential Candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and Human Rights Activist, Aisha Yesufu,  are set to  lead  a fresh wave of the  #EndSARS protests in Abuja on Wednesday.

This magazine  gathered that the #EndSARS Abuja team is planning to relaunch the struggle “for liberation” on November 18 2020.

Sowore posted on his twitter handle that “It is a generational responsibility! @MBuhari regime cannot keep Nigerian youths in the cage forever! #RevolutionNow’- it appears the stage is set for another wave of protests.

Sowore stressed that the Group will not rest on its oars until the Future of the Youths is guaranteed and safe guarded.

For two weeks in October, youths protesting the brutality of the now defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS,  nationwide, under the hashtag, #EndSARS, grounded Nigeria. The peaceful protest became violent when it was corrupted by hoodlums, recording a number of deaths, arson and looting of both public and private concerns.

Orji Kalu To Purchase Arsenal FC; Targets UEFA Champions League Trophy |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

For years, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, had been trying, but so far, in vain, to make his long time dream of acquiring Barclays English Premier League Club Side, Arsenal Football Club,  materialise.

Interestingly, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former two-time Abia State Governor, is set to swim in the same water Dangote failed to swim through.

Known as African Pillar of Sports and Forbes- rated Billionaire, Kalu has already indicated interest in buying the England Club, with a bid of 35 Percent stake, making him the highest shareholder of the Club, ahead of Stan Kroenke.

In a tweet by the Former Abia State Governor on his Twitter handle @OUKtweets, Monday evening,  He wrote :

“Our success with Enyimba FC between  2000-2007 has continuously increased my passion for football. As the pillar of sports in Africa, I am considering an investment in football & I will buy 35 percent stake in Arsenal FC

@Arsenal Our target is to lift the Champions League & EPL…

Achieving this feat will further popularise the Politician, and bring him more into reckoning in the round leather game administration.

As Abia Governor, he so lifted the almost dead Enyimba FC to continental reckoning, winning top African laurels which for years, eluded Nigeria.

CBN: House of Reps Summons Apex Bank Gov Over ‘Missing’ N3tr |The Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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Godwin-Emefiele-CBN-Governor

By Fola James

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Godwin Emefiele has been summoned by the House of Representatives, to explain the non-remittance of over N3 trillion into the federation account, following a query by the Auditor General of the Federation to that effect.

The sum was N9, 923,015,028 revenue from solid mineral and N3,234,577,666,791.35 crude oil sale in 2014 by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC which has not been accounted for by the apex bank, the Auditor General stated in its presentation to the House Committee on Public Accounts investigative panel on CBN and NNPC.

The Nation reported that the committee has also summoned the Group Managing Director, GMD NNPC Melee Kyari over the issue.

According to AuGF the “examination of NNPC mandates to CBN on Domestic Crude Oil Sales and Reconciliation Statement of Technical Committee of Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting held in January, 2015, a total sum of N3,234,577,666,791.35 was not remitted to the Federation Account by NNPC within the period under review.”

It said further that the “cost estimated for crude and product losses was N55,964,682,158.99 which is about 50% of pipeline management cost of N110,402,541,010.88. Names of contractors, location and amount paid to each for the pipeline Maintenance were not sighted for audit verification.

“Over 31% (N826,506,271,231.26 divided by N2,636,390,514,777.18 multiply by 100%) of the realized crude sales for the year were earmarked as other expenses apart from direct cost of productions stated in NNPC reports for the year 2014. The breakdown of other expenses was not provided for audit.

“From the above analysis, it means that the Federation Account is losing 31% (N826, 506,271,231.26) being additional estimated cost from the total amount that should have accrue to Federation Account.”

The AuGF accused the NNPC of spending without recourse to the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, adding that the Accountant General of the Federation should demand accountability from the NNPC on various crude oil sales.

It said “From the total revenue of N3,234,577,666,791.35 as at 14th January, 2015 payable to the Federation Account by NNPC during the year, the Corporation deducted the sum of N826,506,271,231.26) i.e. N660,139,048,061.39, N55,964,682,158.99 and N110,402,541,010.88 for subsidy estimate, crude and product losses and pipeline management cost respectively at source resulting to net amount withheld figure of N2,408,041,395,560.33 shown in the table to the Federation Account.”

The AuGF also demand from the NNPC Group Managing Director to provide details of contracts to all its contractors for proper verification and transparency, insisting that the NNPC has violated the law which stipulated that all revenue must be paid into the federation account..

The Wole Oke-led Committee, has therefore, asked the NNPC GMD to explain the following: total sum of N248,268,291,460.87 subsidy not budgeted for in the 2014 Appropriation Act; N199,705,152,175.52 un-reconciled items in the domestic excess crude oil account since 2012 to 2014; N392, 261,423,894.77 variance in the proceeds made on crude oil which was almost eroded by JVC operational cost to the extent of realizing 11.51%, 20.21% and 15.35% in the month of January, July and September, 2014, which did not reflect prudence as a profit.

2023: Finally, Uzodinma Confirms Umahi’s Defection To APC |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Governor Dave Umahi

By Adesina Soyooye

It is, almost, official now. The long held dream of Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, an Engineer, to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has come true.

No less a person than Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State confirmed Governor Umahi’s  defection   from the PDP to the APC.

He spoke while on a visit to the National Headquarters of the Party where he had gone to confer with the leadership of the party.

In a couple of hours, he told Reporters after a closed door meeting, may be a couple of days, Umahi’s defection would become public.  He said he would be happy to receive the Ebonyi State Governor into the PDP fold.

Gloating over Umahi’s defection, Uzodinma said it was a fulfillment of the promise he made to the APC that his governorship of Imo will change the negative perception the people of the Zone held of the APC. He, also, boasted that more South-east Governors would defect to the APC, saying that talks were going on.

Governor Uzodinma: “If you recall when I addressed you here a couple of months ago,  I told you that the moment I resume office in Imo State as the  Governor, that the impression, and the perception of our party in the South East will change, and the resultant effect will be that more credible individuals and Governors will even join the party.

“Today, I am being vindicated  because we are hearing it, and I’m sure a few hours from now, we get a confirmation that one of our best, will be joining the party. And he is the Governor of Ebonyi State. I will be very  glad, and it will be my joy to welcome a Governor, and more Governors, not only him. We are still talking to more Governors to join.

“APC is the ruling party, and for the interest of National integration, and cohesion, Imo and South-east, indeed, needs to become part and parcel of the ruling party to make the Nigeria project a complete project.”

Governor Umahi’s soon-to- be announced defection comes to political watchers as no surprise. For, at least, two years or more, many say, he has been a PDP member in name, and an APC member in talks and actions, and heart. He threatened to sack any of his appointees who dared criticise President Muhammadu Buhari, and in 2014, said he would vote for Buhari during the 2015 Presidential election. There is no confirmation, however, who he voted for.

Umahi was a Deputy Governor before he became the Governor of Ebonyi state, now serving his second time under the PDP.

Not a few people think he is leaving for the APC because of his 2023 ambition to run for either the office of the President or Vice President, an opportunity he seems to believe will not be offered to him in the PDP.

It is yet to be seen how the APC will prefer him to party members who have been with the party from day one.

The Ebonyi State Governor is the Chairman of the South east Governors’ Forum.

His defection would give the APC its second state in the Zone.

Nigeria’s Ethnic Groups Clamour For Self-Determination; Lawyers Ask ECOWAS To Intervene |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Oodua Action Movement

By Ayodele Oni

The Oodua Action Movement (OAM), has appealed to the President of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to intervene in the quest by ethnic groups for self autonomy within the Nigeria nation.

OAM, which is one of the groups clamouring for self independence for the Yoruba nation, said President Muhammadu Buhari has refused to take action on the demand for autonomy for the Yoruba race.

Writing through one of its Solicitors, Oranmiyo Biobakun, the group noted that series of letters had been sent to President Muhammadu Buhari demanding for self-determination and autonomy for the Yoruba people from Nigeria in accordance with the resolution and provisions of the United Nations Charter.

The petition, a copy of which was made available to the media in Akure, quoted the General Assembly Resolution 1514 (1960) which states that “all peoples have the right to self-determination; by virtue of that right they may freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

“In addition, Article 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights pointedly states that” All peoples shall have the right to existence and also have the unquestionable and inalienable right to self-determination among others.”

OAM pointed out that there has been a clamour for the autonomy of the constituent nationalities which comprise the Yoruba people of the South-west, the people of the Middle-belt, and the Biafra people of the Eastern region.

It pointed out that the Yoruba  with over 60 million people, have expressed their desire to peacefully leave the purported amalgamation midwifed by the British in 1914.

The purported amalgamation, the group emphasised, did not involve any of the constituent regions of the nationalities making up Nigeria.

The petition faulted the Constitution of Nigeria 1999, which does not provide for any procedure to opt out of the British amalgamated units called Nigeria.

“Usually, most modern constitutions contain provisions for referenda or plebiscite which often forms the platform to gauging the interest of the people as recognised under international law.”

The group noted that recent protests by the youths were the climax of a long-drawn face-off with the government on variety of obvious socio-political issues, such as wanton killings, attacks by herdsmen, raping of women and girls by Boko Haram, increasing and deadly brutality by the police controlled by the federal government.

Added to this was the recent disruption of the peaceful protests by the combined team of the police and the army.

The group called on the African Union and the ECOWAS to rise to the festering civil strife that seems to be looming in Nigeria.

It noted that: “An upsurge of refugees from Nigeria to any African nation at this period of global economic meltdown will be catastrophic.

“We are not oblivious to the disdain some Nigerians are being treated even by neighbouring African countries. It will therefore be good for African leaders to eschew sentiments and intervene in this matter now.

“It is in view of the above that we are appealing to you to encourage a roundtable meeting between the federal government and the representatives of OAM at probably the secretariat of the ECOWAS in Accra, Ghana.”

OAM expressed the belief that an intervention  by ECOWAS would bring succour not only to the good people of the Southwest, but also to other regions clamouring for self- determination and autonomy.

At a recent forum in Kaduna organized by Arewa, Ekiti state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in a lecture titled *Unfinished Greatness, Towards a more Perfect Union*, was of the view that the amalgamation of Nigeria by British imperialists was a right step in a right direction.

Uzodimma Sacks IBC’s DG, Makes New Appointment |The Source

By
The Source
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Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State

A new Director General, Mr. James Egbuchulem, has been appointed by the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, for the Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC).

Mr. Egbuchulem takes over from Barr. Ezekiel Opara with immediate effect.

Mr. Egbuchulem who hails from Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State was the  pioneer General Manager of Pacesetter FM, Umuahia; former General Manager of Heartland FM, Owerri, and Commercial Services and Comptroller,  Marketing, of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Enugu.

Mr. Egbuchulem also acquitted himself in other capacities as Radio Programme Presenter, Assistant Director, Programmes, and Manager, Public Affairs, at the FRCN.

He is a fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Corporate Administrators, member, Nigeria Institute of Management (Chattered), member, Public Administrators Institute, member, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), as well as member, Society of Nigeria Broadcasters.

A release signed by Governor Uzodimma’s CPS/Media Adviser, Oguwuike Nwachuku, said Mr. Egbuchulem is expected to bring to bear, in his new place of assignment (IBC), his wealth of experience, in line with the government’s three ‘R’ Mantra of rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery,  for the benefit of Imo people in particular, and the society at large.

Corper Delivered Of Baby Girl In Ekiti |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Youth Corper with Baby

By Ayodele Oni

The number of youth corps members deployed to Ekiti for their service year has increased. A female corps member has been delivered  of a baby girl.

Odoh Abigael, with service number, EK/20B/0375, who reported at Emure Ekiti Orientation camp last week for her service year put to bed at the Community Health  Centre  after the completion of her registration processes.

 A statement signed by the Ekiti NYSC Public Relations Officer, Mrs Rose Onoja, explained that the corps member after registration, went straight to the Camp Clinic where the baby was assessed as due for delivery.

“She was immediately moved to the nearest hospital , “General Hospital, Emure”, where she was delivered of the baby girl.”

Report from the hospital say  that  mother and child are doing well.

However, it is not known why Odoh was allowed to register at all when she was heavily pregnant.

Pregnant women are usually exempted from registeration until they put to bed, and wean their babies.

State Of The Nation: Buhari’s Government Seized; Why It Is Failing – Ndume |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has expressed his discontent over the way President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is being run.

Not for the first time, he has again criticised some policies of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the Party he also belongs to.

Ndume this time  alleges that some certain kleptocrats in the present Government have seized control of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and thus derailed it

The Senator  made this assertion while speaking on a Channels Television programme, Sunday Politic.a weekly

Ndume failed to name the alleged kleptocrats, rather, but suggested  they dominate the government, and are now betraying the objective of the Buhari administration.

“The president is a genuine person that has the interest of the common man at heart.

“He has integrity and the competence. But unfortunately, the kleptocrats in the government have formed the majority and, therefore, betrayed the laudable policies that the president wants to implement”.

Ndume rated the Buhari administration high on his three-point agenda, which include: Security, Anti-Corruption and Infrastructure.

He also noted that the implementation of certain policies as put forth by the president is where the problem lies.

According to the lawmaker, the president cannot do it all by himself, so he had to appoint persons to act in various capacities. But some have failed to deliver on the job.

Obodo Released By Abductors, Says They Told Him They Lost Football Bet |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Christian Obodo

By Adewale Kasali

The abducted Super Eagles midfielder, Christian Obodo, has been released by his abductors.

It is not known if Obodo paid any ransome for his release, but he told Brilla FM on Monday that he was locked up in the boot of a car for hours.

The 36 year old footballer was abducted while buying bananas along the Refinery road, Warri, Delta State, the PPRO of the State Police Command, Onome Onavawakpoyeya, said.

It is also not known if they knew his identity before he was kidnapped, but Obodo said they told him how they lost a Football bet on Super Eagles on Saturday, thinking the team would score more goals in the second half of the match played between it and the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in Benin last Friday. The Super Eagles played a four-four draw, despite leading the Leone Stars by four goals to zero in the first half.

Obodo said he was not hurt by his abductors, or intimidated, but agrees that being locked up in a car boot was very uncomfortable, especially, with the heat.

It is the second time the former Udinese midfielder, who has 21 caps, will be kidnapped. The first was on June 9, 2012, when he was kidnapped on his way to Church, in Effurum, Warri.

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