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ASUP Set To Embark On Strike  Gives 21-Day Ultimatum

By
Akinwale Kasali
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ASUP President,

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the failure of the Federal Government to meet the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, the Union has given a 21-Day ultimatum to address the underlying issues or it would embark on a nationwide strike.

The Union is lamenting the failure of the FG in  establishing a National Polytechnics Commission — a dedicated regulatory body akin to those overseeing Universities and Colleges of education.

Expressing its frustration over the continued delay in the legislative process to establish the Commission, ASUP said it would disrupt academic activities by embarking on a nationwide strike.

ASUP President, Shammah Kpanja, urged the Federal Ministry of Education to fast-track the transmission of the executive bill to the National Assembly, as he further criticised the continued reliance on external consultants for accreditation exercises in Polytechnics, raising concerns about the competence and background of some of those engaged for the task.

The Union reiterated its long-standing demand to “end the disparity in the treatment of Higher National Diploma holders compared to University degree holders, saying the persistent discrimination demoralises Polytechnic Graduates and hinders sectoral growth.”

Decrying the economic hardship facing Polytechnic Lecturers and the  failure of the Government to fully implement provisions of the 2010 ASUP-FGN agreement, including the payment of the Peculiar Academic Allowance and the complete rollout of the 25–35% salary review, Kpanja stated that it remains unimplemented despite being captured in the national budget.

ASUP also noted that the situation is worse in state-owned Polytechnics, where the new N70,000 national minimum wage is yet to be implemented in many states. It also expressed displeasure over the delay in releasing the second tranche of the approved NEEDS Assessment intervention fund, adding that no review has been conducted on how the first tranche was utilised.

The Union called for “reforms in the current quality assurance model for polytechnics, advocating a more transparent and professionally managed process to safeguard educational standards.”

ASUP further stressed the need “to reconvene negotiations on the 2010 ASUP-FGN agreement, particularly on unresolved issues such as the payment of CONTISS 15 arrears and promotion arrears, some dating back to 2014 and 2019, respectively.”

Highlighting what it described as a lack of progress on multiple fronts, the ASUP National Executive Council resolved to issue a 21-day ultimatum to the government.

“The Union may be compelled to declare a trade dispute and withdraw services across public Polytechnics and Monotechnics nationwide should these issues remain unresolved,” ASUP warned.

By-elections: Police Warns Against Thuggery, Violence In Kano

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Police on Duty

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kano State Police Command, on Friday, August 15, 2025, announced its full readiness to ensure a smooth and hitch-free by-elections in the State.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will be conducting elections in two state Constituencies of Kano– Tsanyawa and Bagwai/Shanono on Saturday August 16, 2025.

While the vacancy created in Bagwai/Shanono resulted from death, that of Tsanyawa which dates back to the 2023 general elections was due to inconclusive polls arising from violence and thuggery.

Two previous attempts to hold election in the area were all characterized by serious violent clashes mainly between the supporters of the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, and the All Progressive Congress, APC.

Speaking on  the state of preparedness of the Police , the Command’s CP, Ibrahim Bakori, informed that concerted efforts are underway by all security agencies to ensure a smooth exercise before, during, and after the by-elections.

According to him, adequate human and material resources have been deployed to all concerned areas for effective monitoring and control of security situations.

“We will maintain a visible presence in the areas affected by the by-elections. We have deployed enough personnel and equipment to ensure adequate monitoring polling units so as to safeguard voters rights and prevent intimidation”, Bakori noted.

He, however, warned that security agencies will not tolerate any kind of thuggery, acts of intimidation, and violent activities before, during and after the election.

The State Commissioner of Police noted that Security Operatives have been put on high alert to deal decisively with trouble makers and acts capable of breaching the peace and stability of the state

“We will not tolerate thuggery, intimidation and violent conduct before, during and after the election.

“We will provide a level playing ground for all political parties, and any act capable of causing confusion in the state will not be tolerated” the CP warned.

Gunmen Invade Ondo Community Kill Man, Abduct Woman

By
Ayodele Oni
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Gunmen - Kidnappers

By Ayodele Oni

Gunmen suspected to be Kidnappers shot dead a 34 year-old man and abducted a woman when they invaded Ayede Ogbese in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The State Police Public Relations officer, (PPRO), Mr Olayinka Ayanlade explained that the man Okwudili Okoro was shot dead at the scene, while one Mrs orogun was whisked away by the gunmen numbering about 10 in two vehicles.

The PPRO revealed that earlier, the State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, had visited the scene at and ordered all Tactical Commanders to do everything possible to ensure that the victim is rescued unharmed and those responsible arrested.

Ayanlade said: “I can confirm to you that yesterday at about 2030hrs a woman was abducted at Ogbese, while one individual was shot.

“Upon the receipt of this information the Commissioner of Police Ondo State Police Command, CP Adebowale Lawal psc+, mnips have directed all tactical commanders to do everything possible to rescue the said woman and ensure those responsible are brought to book.

“Okwudili Okoro ‘m’ 34 years was shot dead at scene while one Mrs orogun ‘f’ was whisked away by the unknown gunmen numbering about 10 in two vehicles namely an unregistered Silver colored EOD car that headed towards Akure, after the operation and another unregistered Grey colour unregistered Toyota Camry that’s also headed towards Owo after the attack.

“Earlier today the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal Psc+, mnips was himself in Ayede Ogbese and has ordered all tactical commanders to do everything possible to ensure that the victim is rescued unharmed and those responsible arrested.

“We urge the good people of Ondo State to cooperate with us and anyone with relevant information should please come forward.”

Abia Govt Warned Not To Misapply $125mn Islamic Bank Facility, Gov Thanks Tinubu

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Alex Otti - Governor of Abia State
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Government has expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council, FEC, for the approval of a $125 million loan facility for the State from the Islamic Development Bank.

This is as the opposition camp has insisted on the application of the twin principles of transparency and accountability in the administration of the funds.

The Source reports that the loan facility which was approved by the FEC on Wednesday August 13, during its meeting is part of a $263.80 co-financing package for Abia State Integrated Infrastructural Development Project ABSIID.

The funds are to be applied in modernizing the State’s urban  road networks, tackling of erosion challenges, as well as rehabilitating infrastructural facilities within the urban areas.

According to the statement, “the financing proposal comprises $125 million from the IDB ,$100 million from the African Development Bank AFDB , 15 million dollars from the Canada-Africa Development Bank and $23.80 million in counterpart funding from the Abia state Government.”

However, while the AFDB and Canada-Africa Development Bank agreements have been concluded,  the IDB component is considered vital to the prospect of unlocking the full funding for the projects, going by the integrated structure of the financing package, according to the statement.

“Under the IsDB-sponsored component ,the project is expected to deliver approximately 126 kilometers of roads in Aba ,and 35 .57 kilometers of roads in Umuahia, including a link road between the two major cities of the State alongside  critical erosion control works.”

The State Government further emphasized the importance of the projects to the growth and development of the state, noting that when completed they would reduce travel in Abia’s busiest corridors, create over 3000 job opportunities for locals, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve access to social services and attract private sector investments.

Governor Otti also lauded the support and understanding of the President, the National Assembly, and other stakeholders that played key roles in securing the loan facility.

“We appreciate the President, for his trust and pragmatic leadership, the National Assembly for approving the borrowing plan, and the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edu,for his leadership in concluding the financing process.

“This landmark project will complement my administration’s ongoing infrastructural development initiatives aimed at modernizing Abia’s transportation network, revitalizing urban centres, and positioning the State as a hub for sustainable economic growth”, the Abia state Governor noted.

However, in a statement on Friday August 15,2025 ,a former Commissioner of Finance in the state Chief Obinna Oriaku, warned against any form of misapplication of the funds which negotiations he traced to 2017 .

“The loan purposes are clear — Roads ,Storm water management , erosion control and sanitation.

“It has nothing to do with SMEs etc .That is why we insist that we must demand transparency and accountability on what the Government is doing.

“The loan was initiated in 2017 and approved in Match 2023. What is happening now is mere revalidation of old approvals.

“The State, in 2017, took this route just like other States to revamp their economies by borrowing on long-term basis to enhance infrastructural development which is needed for general economic growth.

“As at 2017 , Abia’s allocation was averagely N2.6b monthly ,a situation which made it impossible to even meet salaries and pensions obligations which were in the region of  N2.3billion.

“Therefore, there were cogent reasons to go for the loan then to meet the exigences of the moment since it was a long-term loan facility”, Oriaku said.

Chief Oriaku, an All Progressive Congress Chieftain ,who served as Commissioner for Finance  during the first tenure of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, (2015-2019), however, noted that  going by the improved monthly accruals from Federation Accounts which he conservatively put at about an average of N38 billion in the last few months, called for a judicious and transparent applications of the loan facility.

He advised the Government to ensure that the funds are used in putting in place investments -attracting-projects, so as to mitigate the burden of repayments .

He cautioned against the replication of the debilitating experience of Kaduna State that was  seriously reeling from the debt burden left behind by the Malam Nasir El-Rufai’s administration, before reprieve came through subsidy  removal induced- windfall.

“However, considering that part of the then Abia’s problems (low Federal Allocations) has been resolved with increased allocations, not minding the high exchange rate, the question now remains: Do we really need this load(loan)?

“If we work on our monthly Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of about N1.8 billion monthly (outside of school fees) by growing it to about N10 billion , while being prudent and transparent in our expenditures, we can achieve all we want as a state.

” For the records, most of the roads captured in the loan package including the Port Harcourt Road ,Faulks Road , Omuma Road and others have already been fixed ,with others nearing completion.

” If the World Bank decides to revisit these roads or continue from where the present State Government stopped ,what and how will our monthly allocations be used?

“Will the State only pay N4.6 billion out of our about N38 billion monthly allocation, and all, as usual, will start jumping up that Abia is doing well?

“Conversely, this loan has a tenure of 25 years with a moratorium of 5 years. It means the present administration will not be part of the repayment, but will be left to future regimes.

“The loan is dollar denominated- meaning if  the exchange rate shoots up to N3000 to the dollar (God forbid), Abians may come back from FAAC meetings with a zero allocation.

” Kaduna State of faced with this grim situation from June 2023 as its monthly.allocation was just N 7 billion, with loaning – serving gulping as much as N4 billion .

The State only became lucky following the windfall from petroleum products subsidy removal, that shot its monthly accruals to about N 42 billion..l

“We, therefore, need to enhance infrastructural development like roads, flood controls and other activities that have the  potentials to attract investments which will, in turn, grow the economy as well as mitigate the loan repayment plan”, Oriaku submitted.

Anambra Bye Election: LP Caucus Accuses Soludo Of Plans To Unleash Thugs On Opposition Parties 

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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…urge security chiefs to ensure adequate security for voters
The Anambra State Labour Party Caucus in the National Assembly has expressed grave reservations over reported moves by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to deploy non-state security personnel and touts in tomorrow’s bye elections in the state. The elections are for the Onitsha North 1 State Assembly seat and the Anambra South senatorial zone.
In a statement issued in Awka, the Anambra State capital, the Caucus, which comprises two senators and six House of Representatives members, called on the nation’s security chiefs to assist the Nigerian Police in providing a serene atmosphere for the citizenry to vote in the elections without fear of molestation.
“Information at our disposal indicates that Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has concluded plans to deploy men of the state’s security outfit, Udogachi,  crude revenue enforcers, popular as ndi Aka odo and sundry non-state actors to take over the various voting points for the bye elections.
 The plan, the Caucus said, is to use these State Government-controlled agents to scare away prospective voters not aligned to APGA from the polling units.
“In an election where candidates of APGA are major contenders, it would be foolhardy to allow the Governor to take charge of security arrangements, especially as that would confer undue advantage on his party.
“We, therefore, call on the nation’s top security architecture, especially the National Security Adviser, NSA, the Chief of Army Staff, the General Officer Commanding(GOC), 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, the Commanding Officer(CO), Field Artillery, Onitsha, the Director-General, Directorate of State Security, DSS and the Anambra State Director of the Service, as well as the Corp Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp(NSCDC), to fully deploy their personnel, so as to restore voter confidence in the election, as well as protect the lives of those involved in the process.
“The whole essence of democratic governance revolves around freedom of choice, made possible by free and fair elections. Tomorrow’s Anambra bye-elections, like several in some other states of the federation, is a litmus test on our country’s readiness to ensure that the votes of Nigerians not only count, but are peacefully counted in order to arrive at an acceptable outcome.
“In order to achieve this goal, therefore, the process cannot be skewed to favour any particular individual, be him a governor, or not.
For the case of Onitsha NORTH CONSTITUENCY   1,WE ARE SHOCKED TO THE BONE MARROW THE LEVEL OF DESPERATION OF GOV SOLUDO AND APGA LED STATE GOVERNMENT AGAINST A WIDOW WHOSE HUSBAND WAS KIDNAPPED AND KILLED AS THEN SITTING MEMBER REPRESENTING THE CONSTITUENCY.
“We also make haste to point out that, as an off-season election, the attention of all participants, including candidates, political parties, local and foreign observers, and of course, the media, would be focused on the process. As a people, we must therefore strive to ensure that everyone plays by the rules,” the statement added.
Signed:
Senator Victor Umeh
Senator Tony Nwoye
Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi
Hon. Afam Ogene
Hon. Emeka Idu
Hon(Prof) Lilian Orogbu
Hon. Peter Anekwe
Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo

OPINION: What Happened In the Matter of Bayo Ojulari?

By
The Source
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Azu Ishiekwene
Mr Azu Ishiekwene

By Azu Ishiekwene

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is an animal that eats its curator for lunch. To survive it, either do not get close or prepare to feed this beast with an endless supply of oil deals, the country’s lifeblood.

When former Governor Nasir El-Rufai accused NNPC of being a parallel government and added that if Nigeria does not kill NNPC, corruption will kill it, he was right.

After the bazaar of the former Petroleum Minister Diezani Allison-Madueke era, and those before it, the hope was that President Muhammadu Buhari would use his wealth of experience to fix NNPC. His junior Petroleum Minister, Ibe Kachikwu, swore that he would resign if the refineries didn’t work in two years, yet left them in a worse state. Buhari’s government killed corruption in NNPC by yielding to it.

A ’village’ problem’?

After over 35 years in the oil industry, with a significant part of it in leadership roles in Shell Petroleum, Bayo Ojulari knew NNPCL before he was appointed group chief executive officer in April. He knew the place was rotten and that his reformist agenda would be tested. Yet, the general public reaction to his appointment was positive, with the expectation that after the squalid Mele Kyari years, defined mainly through keeping politicians happy, Ojulari would use his expertise to fix the rot.

Four months in, while Ojulari’s solid technical credentials remain intact, his political naivety might ruin him and any hopes of redeeming the NNPCL. I’m not concerned about the Senate Public Accounts Committee’s investigations into alleged discrepancies in the NNPC’s audited financial statements between 2017 and 2023,insinuating that overN210 trillion was unaccounted for.

That happened long before Ojolari’s tenure. Except that sensational reports about missing oil trillions are testosterone-fueled for press headlines. They also strengthen the hands of politicians who have perennially used NNPC as a honeypot. But the Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, and his members know it’s nonsense.

Wadada and all-what-not

Audit queries are not unusual in accounting, and issuing threats over a six-year “unaccounted” sum that focuses mainly on assets and not liabilities is foolish. Of course, when politicians are involved, you can’t rule out strategic foolishness. But if push comes to shove, it’s not only NNPC that will be held accountable. The IOCs, joint venture partners, will also have questions to answer.

Next, there’s the matter of Abdullahi Bashir Haske, a contractor, allegedly linked to Ojulari indeals estimated at either $21 million or $31 million, depending on who you believe.

This gets a bit curiouser because Haske has made statements to the security services. Haske is not new to NNPCL. His company, AA&R Investment Group, has, among other things, provided mainly helicopter services for nearly 20 years, especially for the five or six locations where the company is currently involved in frontier drilling across the country.

The Haske-Atiku angle

The problem with Haske is two-fold, each fold highlightingOjulari’s naivety. Reports indicate that even though Haske’s company had had problems with NNPCL over some turnkey projects, it was to Haske that Ojulari turned to provide jets that flew the board and management for a retreat in Kigali, Rwanda. If there had been a lull in Haske’s business with NNPCL, Ojulari’s tenure has been something of a Haskean revival. Some reports estimated the jet hire service cost of the Kigali trip to be over N1 billion – hardly a prudent expenditure for a reformer in a bleeding company.

This “indiscretion” might have been forgiven if Haske were not the son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a connection which, if Ojulari claims,is unknown to him or doesn’t matter, only means his naivety is of ghastly proportions.

Ojularimay wish to remember what Sun Tzu said in The Art of War about making the enemy toil when he is relaxed, and starving them when they’re full. Atiku knows Ojulari should know the government doesn’t consider him a friend. If Ojulari does not know that even an appearance of redemption of “the enemy” by proxy will not go unnoticed, then he doesn’t know anything.

Or was it Rowland?

There have been unverified suggestions that the testy relationship between Ojulari and NNPCL GCOO, Rowland Ewubare, may also have played a role in the current turbulence. Or that some key former staff, especially the managing directors of the three refineries – Warri, Port Harcourt and Kaduna – who were fired by Ojulari, may be stirring the pot. Probably.

Where the truth lies

Two things, according to insiders, which go to the heart of Ojulari’s problem are 1) the failed Saudi Aramco $7.5 billion loan, and 2) lingering displeasure over the sale of ExxonMobil assets to Seplat last year. The Saudi Aramco $7.5 billion oil-backed loan predated Ojulari’s assumption of office. It started in 2023.

The problem was that while earlier discussions with Riyadh were around 20,000 bpd to back the loan, some vested interests, with an eye on two-and-a-half percent interest, raised the trade-off by six times.Ojulari later opposed, arguing that piling 120,000 bpdon the current raft of forward pledged oil-backed deals was unsustainable. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu backed him, making it unlikely that Nigeria would continue with the deal.

As surely as outrage attracts company, losers from the Aramco deal teamed up with their angry cousins in the Seplat $1.3 billion ExxonMobil (Seplat bought the asset over deeply bruised egos), and the rest is misery.

Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari- NNPCL
Bayo Ojulari

Beyond Ojulari

But seriously, this is not just an Ojulari problem, however partly self-inflicted. Nigeria is sick, and a Band-Aid would not make it whole. Saudi Aramco, from which Nigeria seeks an oil-backed loan, started drilling in 1935, but it became Saudi Aramco by royal order only in 1988. Today, it is the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals company with a net incomeof $106.2 billion in 2024.

NNPCL’s contemporaries, such as the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), have a market capitalisation of $12.89 billion. In contrast, one of its major subsidiaries, ADNOC Gas, has a much higher value of $70billion. Petronas (Malaysia), only three years older than NNPC, has a solid global footprint in oil and gas.In Africa, national oil and gas companies such as Sonatrach (Algeria) and Sonangol (Angola) continue to demonstrate that things work where people are serious.

The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is the boldest effort in decades to make Nigeria’s oil and gas sector work for investors, communities and the country. It has brought some structural improvements and regulatory clarity.But Nigeria, being Nigeria, this bold effort has been hampered by regulatory and administrative bottlenecks, underinvestment and infrastructure deficits, security and operational risks, and legal and institutional challenges.

Fix it or leave it!

The suggestionthat a company like NNPCL, with a board and shares currently being held 50-50 by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Petroleum Incorporated in trust for Nigerians and overseen by the National Assembly, is controlled from some bedroom may be seductive, but unconvincing.

Whatever the obstacles before him, with the support of the board and the President, Ojulari will have no excuse if he fails to fix the NNPCL. If the current baptism of fire hasn’t taught him a lesson or two, nothing will. Not the enemies within. Not the contractors. Not the politicians in the National Assembly. Not the vested interest, planted and rooted. Certainly not the paramours, real or imagined.

Ishiekwene is the Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the book, Writing for Media and Monetising It.

Uzodimma To LG Chairmen, Councillors: You Are Elected To Serve, Not Punish The People

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma with LG Chairmen

Governor Hope Uzodimma has told the Local Government officials in Imo State, particularly the elected ones, to use their offices to serve the people who elected them into office and not to punish them.

The Governor who spoke on Thursday at the Rockview Hotel Owerri while declaring open the three day retreat for Imo State Local Government officials also read the riot act to those of them who do not take their responsibility to the public seriously.

The theme of the three day retreat is: Public Sector Governance for Officials of Local Government in Imo State with emphasis on “Enhancing local government sustainable development.”

According to the Media Adviser/ Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, Governor Uzodimma reminded both the elected and appointed officials that the public office is a calling that requires those holding them to be responsible, passionate about service to the people, accountable and ready to give those they are serving a sense of belonging.

His words: “Those elected by the people are to represent the people not to punish the people. They are to improve on the welfare of the people who elected them.”

Governor Uzodimma who said that the Local Government Chairmen must regularly meet with the stakeholders in their domain for inclusiveness, responsibility and sense of belonging also noted that the Councillors must regularly consult with leaders in their Ward with regard to the needs and challenges facing their communities.

He further urged the Councillors to make it a habit to interface with the Traditional Rulers and the Town Union Presidents in their Ward, insisting that their different responsibilities are cut out for them.

While urging them to remain focused in discharging their duties in the midst of unwarranted distractions and malicious attacks from those who may be eyeing their positions, Governor Uzodimma reminded them that they must live among, and with the people who elected them.

Governor Uzodimma however reminded both the Chairmen and Councillors that he had briefed the security operatives to monitor the movement of those of them who flout his directives as regards doing the right thing, living among their people and serving the people well.

The Governor who mandated them to serve the people in line with the All Progressives Congress (APC) manifesto added that part of the reasons for the establishment of the Progressive Institute last year was to fashion out a think tank that can serve as compass for the implementation of the Party’s development agenda nationwide.

“Imo is an APC State and you must serve based on the APC manifesto and progressive ideology,” the Governor explained, noting that when the Institute was opened last year, he made a promise to leverage its presence to train the Imo State Local Government officials. “I have kept the promise to the APC Institute,” he said.

Governor Uzodimma said he has confidence in the ability of the resource persons from the Institute to drill the participants in such ways that they will take stock of what they are expected to do, reflect deeply on the job of service as elected officials, and then come to the realisation that they must work together to achieve optimum results.

Earlier, the Director General of the Progressive Institute, Mr. Lanre Adebayo commended the Governor for fulfilling his promise to have his resource persons train the Imo State Local Government officials.

Adebayo lauded the quality of those who were elected and appointed officials of the Local Government Areas in Imo State, noting that their contributions during the retreat showed they were prepared for the position they are holding.

He said that the quality of the contributions of the personnel at the Local Government Areas of Imo State attending the retreat was not only unbelievable but a reflection of the purposeful leadership the Governor has provided in Imo as a true ambassador of the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Adebayo thanked the Governor for providing an enabling environment for them to hold the retreat, adding that “Owerri is peaceful, a very peaceful city in the South East, and contrary to the insinuation of insecurity.”

“Since we arrived we have taken time to go round Owerri and we can tell that the city is peaceful and we have enjoyed our stay.”

In her welcome remarks, the Imo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Ruby Emele, thanked both the Governor and the resource persons, and said that the participants look forward to more of the retreat.

Mrs. Emele who told the Governor that he may not know how much he had invested in the training of the Local Government officials free, added that the Governor has not just proven to be “Infrastructure Governor but  also Human Development Governor.”

The event was well attended by top government officials including the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, members of the Imo State expanded Executive Council, heads of traditional rulers of the 27 Local Government Areas in Imo State led by Eze Imo, HRH Eze EC Okeke, critical stakeholders, among others.

Governor Uzodimma’s speech read:

“It is my utmost pleasure to address you today as you commence your three-day retreat, which centres on public sector governance. A retreat, by its nature, is a time for you to take stock of what you have done, soberly reflect on what ought to have been done, and gear yourself towards the attainment of the expected goals. It is necessary for us as individuals and public servants to periodically engage in this kind of serious reflection to aid us in the performance of our duties to the electorate.

“When the Progressive Institute was inaugurated on Friday, 6 September 2024, I made a promise to engage it in organising retreats and workshops for officials of the Imo State Government. The aim was to draw on the rich experience of its resource persons. For those who may not know, the Progressive Institute is a think tank of the All Progressives Congress, created to ensure that officials elected or appointed under its platform do the right things the right way. Today, I can proudly say that I have kept that promise.

“Beyond that, this particular retreat is important because of its focus, which is on Public Sector Governance. I have often observed that some officials get elected into office without any kind of template to drive a vision for performance. Some just believe that the election is an end in itself and not a means to an end. That is why they leave office without adding any tangible value to the system.

“However, when you have a valuable and vision-driven roadmap, it becomes very easy for you to achieve your sustainable goals. Public office, whether elected or appointed, is a noble calling. It is a rare privilege to be among the select few entrusted with the responsibility of serving the people. With such trust comes the duty to give your very best, to act with integrity, and to ensure that your actions reflect the honour of the office you hold.

“As elected council chairmen, councillors, and appointed local government officials, your sacred mandate is to showcase the alluring benefits of democracy to our people. Among them must include transparent, open, and accountable governance processes. Through your conduct and actions, you must make the grassroots appreciate why democracy is the best form of government. To achieve this will mean that you must follow the due democratic process in all your actions.

“Public funds must be judiciously appropriated for public good. Councillors must regularly consult with relevant stakeholders in their wards to ensure the interests of the ward are accommodated in the values allocated by the local government council. The council chairmen must hold regular stakeholders’ meetings to appraise local government stakeholders of their policies and programmes. These are the ways to ensure inclusivity and transparency.

“In addition, councillors and chairmen are the ambassadors of the APC in their respective wards and Local Government Areas. You must set the right example and inspire confidence by residing in your wards and council areas. Security agencies have been directed to monitor your movements and report those who fail to do so in their periodic reports.

“You cannot be an absentee councillor or chairman. Let me be clear, not residing in your constituency amounts to abandonment of office. Once established, the necessary constitutional processes shall be applied to declare the office vacant. I  believe a word is enough for the wise.

“Furthermore, the State Government has established and is funding vigilante groups in each of the 655 autonomous communities. Councillors must therefore liaise with town unions and traditional rulers in the communities that make up their wards so that the vigilantes function optimally. The vigilantes are members of the community and should know who is who; if they cannot identify criminals in their own communities, then who can? Working closely with security agencies, you must ensure that insecurity is stamped out from your domains.

“You must also note that public office comes with its own cross. People will criticise you for doing well. Rabble-rousers will use you to shine by playing to the gallery to claim they can do better than you. You will fail if you allow charlatans to distract you. Constructive criticism is a good balm for democracy, but malicious attacks are cancerous agents of democracy. Ignore them, keep your eyes firmly focused on the goal, which is service to the people, and success will be your portion.

“As people elected and appointed by an APC government, another challenge before you is to serve the people based on the manifesto of the APC. This is where the resource persons from the Progressive Institute are handy. I am sure they came prepared with all the things you need to know in this respect.

“Generally speaking, public sector governance simply refers to the systems, processes, and practices that guide the operations of government and public organisations. It encompasses the rules, structures, and decision-making processes that ensure public resources are managed effectively, ethically, and accountably to achieve public goals.

“It also involves establishing clear goals and objectives for public organisations and aligning resources to achieve them. Key factors, such as accountability, transparency, efficiency, and integrity, are essential for achieving effective public sector governance.

“I already mentioned that you need to engage citizens and stakeholders in decision-making processes and ensure that policies are developed through a transparent and participatory process and effectively implemented.

“It goes without saying that you must hold yourself so far from corruption that even suspicion cannot reach you. You are aware that this 3R government abhors any kind of corruption. That is why those who criticise it will never find any shred of evidence to nail us. They may bandy hollow figures around, but that is where it all ends. Do not give them any room whatsoever to justify their bogus claims. Like Caesar’s wife, you must be above suspicion.

“As beacons for the development of our local government areas, the chairmen, councillors, and supervisory councillors must ensure that they deliver on their mandate. The local government is the first contact that the citizens have of what is called government. You must, therefore, impress them with your sterling performance. Both the traditional rulers and presidents-general of the town unions are watching your performance, and their reports to me will be taken seriously. You may, therefore, do well to pay attention to the resource persons to learn ways that you can enhance your service delivery to the people.

“I hereby charge the Commissioner for Local Government to take more than a passing interest in the performance of the officials. I am aware of the Supreme Court ruling regarding the funds of local governments, which this administration fully supports and adheres to. I am also aware of the State’s constitutional responsibilities in the oversight of the councils. All of them are geared towards greater efficiency and productivity in the councils for the overall benefit of the people.

“Let me formally welcome the officials of the Progressive Institute who are here to oversee this retreat. Feel free, for our people are hospitable. I guarantee you that you are safe to go round the State and savour her legendary hospitality.

“It is now my pleasure to declare this retreat open and to wish you a very successful exercise. I wish you safe return to your respective stations.”

Rivers Council Polls: We Will Win All The 23 LGAs – APC Boasts

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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0
Chief Victor Giadom

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The All Progressive Congress, APC, has expressed the optimism that it will sweep the Local Council Polls in Rivers State.

At the flag off of its official campaigns for the August 30, 2025, election, the National Vice Chairman, South-south, Chief Victor Giadom, said nothing will stop the APC from securing victory in all the 23 Councils of the State .

This is as the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, and other political groupings, aside fron the APC and its emergency ally, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have vowed to shun the exercise.

According to Giadom who was represented at the rally by Senator Magnus Abe, the APC, as the main opposition Party in Rivers State, is ready and rearing to snatch victory from other political parties.

He noted that the new found unity and cohesion within the party will propel it to a resounding victory come August 30 .

“The APC in Rivers State is united. The APC in Rivers State is strong. The APC in Rivers State is ready to deliver the dividends of democracy to the grassroots”, Giadom stated.

He, therefore, charged the party leadership in the state and the Chairmanship and Councilorship candidates to always try to project the good image of the Party as examplified by the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The current Chairmen and Councilors of our Party, you are now the face of the Renewed Hope Agenda at the grassroots .

“You are the Tinubu that Rivers people will now look up to. We know that you will not disappoint us. The election, looking at this crowd here, is a no- contest .We are together, and we will deliver”, the National Vice Chairman assured .

Also speaking, the Rivers State APC  factional Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha,  while re-echoing the victory song of the National Vice Chairman , expressed satisfaction with the way and manner the Rivers state Independent Electoral Commission RSIEC has handled the process of the election.

According to Okocha, the transparent manner the Commission has adopted in the conduct of  the polls is the major reason the APC is participating in the exercise.

He noted that past elections were majorly marred by irregularities and insincerity of purpose.

“Today, we are bold; we are happy; we are excited to tell you that because the processes put in place by RSIEC are right, we are here to follow and support those processes.

“We are not just going to test the waters on August 30, we are going to contest and win the election in all the 23 Local Government Areas and 319 Wards of the State” Okocha stated .

This is just as he lauded the efforts of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister Nyesom Wike, for the new alliance between the PDP and APC in the countdown to the council polls.

“I am sure you are aware of the marriage of politicians in Rivers State weaved together by a son of the soil, under the umbrella of the Renewed Hope  2025”, he further noted.

The Source further reports that in  the alliance which did not come to  many as a surprise, PDP members were nominated as APC candidates and vice versa.

Curiously too, all are believed to be elements fiercely loyal to Wike who has been battling with his political godson, suspended Governor Similanayi Fubara for the soul of Rivers state.

But while the APC/PDP appears to be comfortable with the planned Local Council Polls, it is not so with the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, which has expressed its unflinching opposition to the exercise.

In a statement on Wednesday, August 13, the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, informed that the umbrella body of Registered Political Parties in the country  has directed all member-parties to boycott the exercise

According to Dantalle,the Rivers state Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas has no constitutional powers to conduct a democratic election.

He maintained that as long as the country is not under any martial laws, the IPAC will not participate in any democratic election being conducted by an unelected official.

The IPAC National Chairman informed that the leadership of all political parties under it , has been adequately notified of the resolution to boycott the planned Local Council Election.

“The proposed Local Government Election in Rivers State is illegal, unconstitutional and a mockery of our emerging democracy.

“It is totally unacceptable and should be rejected by all lovers of constitutional governance in Nigeria. The Sole Administrator has no constitutional mandate to conduct a democratic election as if the nation is under a military regime.

“Only an an elected Governor has the constitutional powers to conduct a Local Government Election in collaboration with the State House of Assembly.

”The Sole Administrator cannot arrogate to himself powers in flagrant violation of the 1999 Constitution as amended. The Sole Administrator is not an Emperor with absolute power to rule as he pleases”, the IPAC National Chairman asserted .

Nigeria Itches For First Manpower Development Policy

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

Nigeria’s first-ever National Industrial Manpower Development Policy is underway.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who  announced the plan, said the country’s greatest asset lies in its people rather than its natural resources.

He also stressed the urgent need to bridge the gap between educational output and industry requirements to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential.

These were contained in a keynote address at the opening of the National Industrial Manpower Summit (NIMS) 2025 at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

A statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications

(Office of The Vice President), stated that the President, who was represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, pointed out that the country must urgently invest in its citizens or risk dire consequences.

The summit with the theme, “Manpower Development: The Bridge Between Potential and Productivity,” brings together government officials, industry leaders, academia, and international partners to develop actionable recommendations for workforce development.

The president stated that “For a nation with a median age of about seventeen, Nigeria is an incredibly young country. This youthfulness is a gift, but it is also a responsibility.

“We must make our young people not just a demographic statistic but a central component of our policy-making process.

“An improvement in human capital, along with infrastructure and sound policy, is the bridge between development and setback in every nation. We cannot afford to divest from our people because the world will not pause to wait for us.”

The President said the summit “is not just a forum for discussion; it is a call to produce actionable recommendations that will form the basis of Nigeria’s first-ever National Industrial Manpower Development Policy.

“I assure you that this administration will review, adopt, and implement viable proposals with urgency.

“Our mission is to align the education and training of our young people, and indeed the larger workforce, with the needs of industry. We must reverse the mismatch between what our institutions produce and what our economy requires.

“This cannot be realised unless we foster robust collaboration between the public and private sectors to prepare young Nigerians for the demands of today’s job market,” he noted.

Earlier, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, noted that the summit is not just a ceremony or another line in the calendar of events, but a crossroads where Nigeria elects whether to remain as a nation of vast potential – often admired but unrealised, or whether the country is ready to step forward as a nation whose productivity matches its promise.

Kaduna Bye-Election: ADC, SDP Accuse APC Of Thuggery, Bribery; Govt Says Allegations Amount To Defeat

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
APC

By Ayodele Oni

With few hours to the conduct of the bye- election in Kaduna state, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have cried out over conduct by the All Progressives Congress (APC) which could mark the poll.

The two parties  alleged that the APC-led government has mobilised over 4,000 thugs to sabotage the Saturday bye-election in the state.

They also accused the state government of securing more than ₦5.2billion in funds to influence and disrupt the bye-election.

Addressing a Press Conference in Kaduna on Thursday, the Chairman of ADC, North West, Jafaaru Sani, also

alleged that the thugs, were drawn from within and outside the state.

Jafaaru Sani claimed that the thugs have been positioned at polling units, collation centres, and political hotspots to intimidate voters.

ADC further alleged that individuals with a record of electoral violence are in charge of election operations, and that senior officials in Giwa, Soba, and Zangon Kataf LGAs are plotting attacks on opposition rallies.

This is just as the opposition parties claimed that ₦4.8 billion from Abuja, along with compulsory contributions of ₦30 million from each of the state’s 23 local government councils, is being used to compromise security agencies, bribe electoral officials, and sow chaos during the polls.

The opposition parties urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to be neutral and remove compromised personnel and replace them with neutral staff to protect the credibility of the electoral process.

Reacting to the allegation, the Kaduna state government described ADC and SDP as equally confused bedfellow, who are already aware that the good people of Kaduna State have decisively rejected them.

In statement released by the Commissioner of Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, explained that the opposition, in the face of imminent defeat, they have resorted to concocted tales of “vote-buying” and “thug recruitment” to pre-emptively discredit an election they know they cannot win.

According to Maiyaki, “let it be clear: Kaduna State Government has no hand whatsoever in the conduct of elections.

“That responsibility belongs exclusively to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is fully capable of defending its processes and integrity.

“We will not sit idly by while political opportunists smear the name of our administration and malign innocent officials with wild, unsubstantiated claims.

” Democracy in Kaduna is alive and thriving — and no amount of theatre from El-Rufai’s political leftovers in ADC will change that.

“We are confident that if good governance is marked by inclusivity, peaceful coexistence, and developmental projects, APC, under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, will continue to win elections in the state”

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