World Teachers Day: Ogun To Build 900 Classrooms, Declares Monday Public Holiday

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October 5, 2024

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state has disclosed his administration’s plan to construct 12 blocks of 900 smart classrooms in each zone of the state.

The governor made this known on Saturday while speaking in the state’s capital, Abeokuta in commemoration of the World Teachers Day.

The state held the celebration at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.

Speaking, Abiodun said the government decided to embark on the construction of smart classrooms across the schools in all the zone, in response to complaints that students are learning under dilapidated buildings.

The state helmsman said he already approved the construction of 12 blocks of 900 smart classrooms in four schools in each zone across the state.

The four benefiting schools are Abeokuta Grammar School, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta; Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode; Remo Secondary School, Sagamu; and Yewa College, Ilaro.

He explained that the problem is not as a result of lack of funds to provide conducive classrooms for students, citing the Ogun State Education Intervention Fund as one of the interventions by his administration to make funds available for education in the state.

He also denied suggestions that the state failed to pay its counterpart fund for the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC funds to access necessary funds for the state’s basic education development.

He blamed his predecessor for not paying the state counterpart fund to UBEC, stressing that his adminsitration has started performing its obligations regarding this.

The governor said, “You recall that when I assumed office, this state had not accessed the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 funds. Shortly after I assumed office, we paid the counterpart funding for those four years, and we accessed the funding. The current funding we are implementing is for 2018 and 2019.

“What I noticed is that most of the contracts were abandoned because of inflation; the pricing was not realistic. That was my number one observation

“My second observation was that despite all these interventions, every now and then, you would see an Ogun State school in the news. You would see Ogun State learners sitting on 9-inch blocks and learning in schools without roofs, despite the fact that we have accessed UBEC or SUBEB funding.

“I realised that something had to be wrong, and what was that? I realised that the schools that were being built were not the worst of the worst schools.

“We put a hold on the programme, and I set up a task force headed by the Head of Service, and I mandated them to go around the nooks and crannies of the state and identify the worst of the worst schools so that we are no longer embarrassed.”

He added, “I am glad to tell you that the exercise has now been completed, and I had to personally call the UBEC Chairman and tell him that we had to rework our work plan and that work plan had to reflect our peculiarities in Ogun State. We must not have schools that are not conducive for academic planning anymore, “ Abiodun said.

Rivers: Jonathan Warns Fubara, Wike, Says Crisis Capable of Destroying Nigeria’s Democracy

By

James Orji

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October 5, 2024

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Former president Goodluck Jonathan has warned that the current political crisis in Rivers state is capable of destroying Nigeria’s democracy if not quickly checked.

The former leader, who is also an international Peace Envoy gave the warning on Saturday in a statement he shared on his Facebook page.

According to Jonathan, the local government election in the state has become a subject of controversy between major political actors, and has heated up the oil rich state.

He warned that the crisis in the state has the potential to set the country on fire, the same way the Old Western Region crisis that led to the collapse of the First Republic.

“The political situation in Rivers State, mirrors our past, the crisis of the Old Western Region. I, therefore, warn that Rivers should not be used as crystal that will form the block that will collapse our democracy,” he said.

The former president also blamed the crisis surrounding the council elections on conflicting court judgment, he called on the National Judicial Council to wade in to stop corrupt judges from destroying the nation’s nascent democracy.

He also appaeled to security services in the country not to be partisan, but work in the collective interest of Nigerians.

He explained that people should be allowed to express their electoral right free from intimidation from any quarters, noting that when election is free and fair the citizens confidence in democracy become stronger.

Part of the statement reads:

“I am aware that the local government election taking place in Rivers State today, October 5, has been a subject of great interest to political actors.

“The political happenings in Rivers State in the past days is a cause for serious concern for everyone, especially lovers of democracy and all actors within the peace and security sector of our nation.

“Elections are the cornerstone of democracy because they are the primary source of legitimacy. This process renews the faith of citizens in their country as it affords them the opportunity to have a say on who governs them.

“Every election is significant, whether at national or sub-national levels as it counts as a gain and honour to democracy.

“It is the responsibility of all stakeholders, especially state institutions, to work towards the promotion of sound democratic culture of which periodic election stands as a noble virtue.

“Democracy is our collective asset, its growth and progress is dependent on governments commitment to uphold the rule of law and pursue the interest of peace and justice at all times.

“Institutions of the state, especially security agencies must refrain from actions that could lead to breakdown of law and order.

“Rivers State represents the gateway to the Niger Delta and the threat to peace in the state could have huge security implications in the region.

“Let me sound a note of caution to all political actors in this crisis to be circumspect and patriotic in the pursuit of their political ambition and relevance.

“I am calling on the National Judicial Commission (NJC) to take action that will curb the proliferation of court orders and judgements, especially those of concurrent jurisdiction giving conflicting orders. This, if not checked, will ridicule the institution of the judiciary and derail our democracy.

“The political situation in Rivers State, mirrors our past, the crisis of the Old Western Region. I, therefore, warn that Rivers should not be used as crystal that will form the block that will collapse our democracy.”

Rivers Crisis: Fubara Supporters Bombed APC Secretariat- Okocha

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James Orji

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October 5, 2024

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Siminalayi Fubara - Governor of River State — Governor Similanayi Fubara

The All Progressives Congress, APC, secretariat in Rivers state has been rocked by explosion. The incident occurred in the wee hours of Saturday, few hours before the local government election took off.

According to eyewitnesses, the attackers used suspected dynamites to attack the secretariat along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The secretariat belongs to the Tony Okocha-led APC faction in the oil bearing state. Okocha is loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, a memebr of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who also has a stranglehold on the APC.

The magazine reports that the other APC faction is under the control of Rotimi Amaechi, a former minister of transportation and ex-governor of the state.

Reacting to the explosion, Okocha, in an SMS sent out to journalists blamed suporters of Governor Fubara for the attack, ading that it was the second time the office had been attacked this year. accused supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, of the attack on the secretariat.

Okocha wrote: “At the wee hours of Saturday, pro-Fubara civilian soldiers detonated dynamites at our office.

“The second attempt to set it ablaze was foiled as the security at the gate quickly put out the fire.”

Recall that Governor Fubara and Wike have clashed over the council elections.

On the eve of the election, the governor allegedly foiled an attempt by the police to cart away sensitive election materials from the office of the state independent electoral commission, RSIEC.

The governor also accused Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police, IGP of trying to destabilize the state, the police has however denied the allegation

“We Shall Go After Looters Of Govt Properties, Funds”, Abia Gov Vows

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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October 5, 2024

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Justice Florence Duruoha -Igwe and Governor Alex Otti

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Government has extended the time frame originally given to the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the recovery of public properties and other assets.

This is even as Governor Alex Otti assured that his administration will soon go after all those that have been indicted by the Recovery Panel.

The State Government has, also, expressed satisfaction with the level of job so far done by the Justice Florence Duruoha -Igwe led Panel.

The Source reports that the Abia State Government, late 2023, empaneled the Commission to look into cases of alleged misapropriation, conversion, and misuse of public properties and funds under the immediate past administration from 2015 to 2023.

Many public properties and assets particularly those belonging to public schools, hospitals, recreational facilities and others which were partitioned and shared among Government functionaries, political cronies, friends and family members.

Over 180 public schools and no fewer than 20 Public Health Institutions were believed to have had their lands illegally allotted to private individuals and faith based organizations.

This is in addition to a plethora of complaints and allegations against top Government functionaries, public Servants and political actors carting away numerous Government vehicles, buildings, lands and other assets by serving and vacatingoffice .

Governor Otti, gave the approvals for the extension to the tenure of the Commission on Friday, October 4, 2024, while receiving the report.

Chairperson of the Commission, the Honourable Justice Duruoha-Igwe while submitting the report, informed that the panel received 350 petitions and memoranda from the public in the course of its assignment.

She also noted that in the course of discharging its duties, the Commission held 99 sessions, during which many people were summoned and oral and written submissions collected.

The Commission Chairman stated that the panel conclusively dealt with issues bordering on markets, lands, contract awards, movable properties, assets, employments and others.

According to her, despite some constraints, the Commission still carried out a free, fair and thorough job. She urged the authorities to consider the various recommendations of the Panel.

Speaking while receiving the three-volume report, Governor Otti noted that since there are other petitions and memoranda which the panel could not attend to during its timeline, it will be imperative to grant additional time for it to finish the good job it has started .

The Governor appreciated the Panel for a job well done, and noted that its work has already started yielding fruits, as most of the people invited for questioning have begun returning the items in their possession.

” lAlready, some of the people you had called have already started complying. One came here to return documents of a property somewhere that he acquired illegally and he said he doesn’t want our trouble” Gov Otti noted.

He used the occasion to call on others to toe similar path of honour by voluntarily retuning Public assets in their possession.

The Governor assured that the Commission having done a good job, his administration will strongly consider its recommendations .

He promised that Government will soon go after those found wanting by the Commission.

” I want to assure you that none of your recommendations will be swept under the carpet.

“We are going to take this report very seriously ,and we are going to implement it to the letter.

“One thing that is not lacking in this Government is courage. It is only courage that you require to do the right thing.

“It doesn’t matter how long you have been living in a decayed system, once you have the courage to correct it, you will start a new journey with courage, and you will also be able to complete it”, the Governor noted .

Akwa Ibom Governor Appoints Daughter Acting First Lady

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Adesina Soyooye

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October 5, 2024

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By Adesina Soyooye

“I am not considering re-marrying anytime soon” – Governor Eno

Akwa Ibom State has a new First Lady. She is Helen Eno-Obareki. Helen is the first daughter of the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.

The Governor lost his wife, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo-Eno a few days ago to cancer. She was 19 when she married her 22 year-old childhood Sweetheart who, much later, became the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

The Governor, who said he was not about to marry anytime soon, therefore, appointed his daughter, Helen, the Acting First Lady of the State. In that capacity, Helen will see to it that all the projects her late mother started will continue to run seamlessly, especially, the Golden Initiative For All which was very close to the heart of the late First Lady.

Governor Uno announced his daughter’s appointment as the State’s Acting First Lady when Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and her entourage paid him a condolence visit at the Government House, Uyo.

The governor made the announcement on Friday during a condolence visit by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and other dignitaries in Uyo.

He said: “To maintain the Office of the First Lady and carry forward my late wife’s work, I present our daughter, Helen, to continue the duties of the office. She will work closely with the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare”.

He said he has implicit confidence in his daughter to stick to the values and vision of the late First Lady, who was her mother. He assured that he is commited to sustaining all the projects initiated by the former the First Lady.

The heartbroken Governor described his late wife as his “greatest supporter and toughest critic with whom I had a lifelong bond”, and added, “she is irreplaceable”.

“I married her when she was 19 and I was 22. I called her Oluwa-Kemi because she was truly a gift from God. We went through many challenges together, and her passing is an irreplaceable loss for me.”

During the visit, Mrs Tinubu praised the governor’s decision and expressed confidence in Obareki’s ability to excel, calling it a thoughtful way to preserve the late Eno’s legacy.

Mrs Tinubu welcomed Helen’s appointment as the Acting First Lady, and described it as thoughtful.

Mrs Tinubu: “Your mom didn’t bring you to me for nothing, and it’s a blessing that your mom’s colleagues and the Vice President’s wife are here to support you. I know you well, and I believe God will guide you. You will accomplish even more than your mother, and He will grant you good health.”

Governor Eno had during a condolence visit by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio dismissed as rubbish the rumours about taking a second wife.

The Governor: “I’m not considering remarrying anytime soon. I don’t have the money to pay another bride price.”

Mrs Umo-Eno died on 26th September, 2024, at the age of 57 years.

Uzodimma Felicitates Teachers For Nurturing Future Leaders

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The Source

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October 5, 2024

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Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma has congratulated teachers for their untiring efforts in nurturing the leaders of tomorrow for the society.

He specifically singled out teachers in Imo State and appreciated them for their services to the State.

Governor Uzodimma’s felicitation in connection to Teacher’s Day which is being marked globally today.

Taking to his social media handle, the Governor said: “It is with immense joy that I felicitate with the remarkable teachers of Imo State as you join your counterparts worldwide in marking this year’s Teachers’ Day.

“Your tireless dedication to shaping the minds of our young ones remains a beacon of hope for our society.

“Through your commitment, you are nurturing the future leaders of our State, ensuring that knowledge is transferred with precision and care at every stage of their development.

“As a Government, we recognize your invaluable contributions and remain resolute in our commitment to your welfare.

“I assure you that my administration has already commenced the process of working out the modalities for implementing the new national minimum wage. In no distant time, we shall begin the payment, reaffirming our dedication to your well-being.

“Thank you for your service to our State and society.”

How Peter Obi Overpaid Us – Cleric

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The Source

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October 5, 2024

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Peter Obi presenting Cheque — Mr. Peter Obi (in black), presenting 10m Cheque to our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing, Ihiala for continued infrastructural improvement.

Rev. Fr. Obiora Ugochukwu, CEO of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, revealed during Peter Obi’s visit to the school that Obi had accidentally overpaid the hospital’s School of Nursing by ₦2.5 million. Obi had pledged ₦20 million to 16 medical institutions, paying in instalments, but the hospital received ₦2.5 million extra. Fr. Ugochukwu initially thought it was an isolated mistake until other institutions reported the same. When he contacted Obi about the error, Obi was pleased with the integrity shown.

Obi confirmed the story and, during the visit, donated an additional ₦10 million. He explained that the extra amount would be given to institutions that demonstrated honesty by reporting the overpayment. Obi also encouraged public and private sector managers to uphold such transparency.

In his words: “Today, in furtherance of my unwavering commitment to critical and measurable areas of development—health, education, and lifting people out of poverty—I visited Our Lady of Lourdes College of Nursing Sciences, Ihiala. During my visit, I took stock of their progress and was pleased to witness the positive outcomes of our ongoing support. Earlier this year, I donated ₦20 million to aid their efforts, and in recognition of their commendable work, I made an additional donation of ₦10 million today.”

Obi encouraged the students to remain dedicated in their pursuits, assuring them that the world would always need nurses and other healthcare workers. He mentioned some Nigerian nurses abroad who are supporting their families and urged the students to grow with the same spirit of helping others, including their teachers.

Obi also took the opportunity to encourage the government to pay special attention to schools, emphasising that spending on education should be seen as an investment, not a waste.

Miss Peace Ituma, Secretary General of the Student Union, expressed gratitude on behalf of the students, noting that Obi’s contributions, dating back to his time as Governor, had significantly enhanced the school’s infrastructure. Obi was given a tour of the complex to observe ongoing projects, including a new administrative building partly funded by his donations.

ASUU To Embark On Indefinite Strike

By

Akinwale Kasali

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October 5, 2024

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By Akinwale Kasali

Nigerian students may be forced to go on a long holiday if the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, carries out its threat to embark on an indefinite strike. This follows the failure of the Federal Government to honour the 2009 agreement reached with ASUU.

ASUU’s position was made at a Press Conference held in Jos, Plateau State by Professor Timothy Namo, the Bauchi Zonal Coordinator of the Union.

Namo said the Union, after its National Executive Council (NEC) held between Aug. 17 and Aug. 18, issued a 21-day ultimatum.

”As we speak, the Government has not honoured any of the agreements or addressed our concerns.

”At the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum, we again issued another 14-day ultimatum that commenced from Sept. 23.

”So, we want Nigerians to blame the Federal Government if ASUU decides to down tools and shut down public Universities,” he said.

Namo highlighted the lingering issues – non-conclusion of the re-negotiation of the 2009 agreement, non-release of the three-and-half month salaries of academic staff, unpaid salaries of all academic staff on adjunct appointment, and outstanding third-party deductions.

Other lingering issues, he said, are poor funding for the revitalisation of public Universities, non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) as captured in the 2023 budget, proliferation of Universities, and non-implementation of the reports of Visitation Panels to Universities, among others.

Anambra NSCDC Nabs Fake Security Guards, At Illegal Checkpoint

By

Suleiman Anyalewechi

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October 5, 2024

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

For possessing illegal fire arms, mounting illegal checkpoints ,thereby facilitating robberies, extortion, abductions and killings of civilians and state actors, the Anambra state Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC ,on Friday October 4,2024 announced the arrest of five suspected illegal private security guards .

This is even as it promised ,to ensure the reign of sanity in the operations of private security outfits in the state.

Olatunde Maku, the state Commandant of the Corps ,informed that the suspects were apprehended while operating an illegal checkpoints within the vicinity of Nteje Community in Oyi Local Government Area of the state.

The NSCDC Commandant,who spoke at a media briefing ,noted that the Service was aided in the operation ,by actionable intelligence received concerning the operations of the five man illegal private Security guards.

According to Maku,the suspects who were arrested on Thursday October 3, were caught extorting motorists and other road users ,in addition to causing gridlock and inflicting hardship on their victims.

Arrested were Obiuto Eze (42) from Abia state ,Ekene Erigaka 27, from Imo state ,Emeka Eze 28 ,Prosper Ugoma 20, and Victor Nnadi all from Anambra state .

” The Command mobilized its patrol team and operatives of a private guard company in collaboration with Nteje Vigilante Group to the scene and apprehended the suspects.

Preliminary investigation reveals that this kind of illegal checkpoints can facilitate robberies ,extortion,abductions and the targeted killings of civilians and state actors .

They are among those making it difficult for average citizens to pursue their legitimate businesses

We are determine to rid the state of every form of crime and criminality in accordance with our corps mandate” Maku stated

Speaker Abass Under Fire Claim He Built First House Aged 19

By

Akinwale Kasali

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October 5, 2024

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Abbas Tajudeen - Speaker House of Representatives

By Akinwale Kasali

Tajudeen Abass, Speaker of the House of Representatives has been criticized by Social Media Users over his statement during his interactive session with Select Public Secondary School students, that he struggled to fend for himself while growing up. He, also, narrated how he built his first house at just 19 Years of age.

Abass went further to say that nobody sponsored him in his political career; that he rose to become the Speaker of the Ninth Assembly.

He also said that he has no Political godfather, as nobody sponsored or supported his emergence in politics.

According to the Speaker: “By the time I reached the age of 19, I was already a homeowner.

“A homeowner at 19 years old. I built my own house based on my sweat. I never needed one single contribution from any member of my family.

“By the time I finished secondary school, something very very dramatic happened. I went to my father and told him that I had come to say bye-bye to him and that I was going to the National Youth Service, NYSC.

“He was lying down, he stood up and looked at me and said, Abbas when did you go to the University, when did you go to the University?

“I said, Baba, I’ve been studying all these years; he never knew. Because he never sees me coming to ask him, ‘Give me school fees,’ give me money for books, give me this, give me that.

“That is the kind of environment I grew up, believing that I can do it for myself”.

The Speaker went further and said, “And even when I ventured into politics, I’m probably one of the few you find in this country who does not have a godfather in politics.

“Nobody ever supported me or sponsored me, nobody; I didn’t hide under anybody’s umbrella to be elected or to be re-elected.

“I believe in myself and serve my people diligently. They appreciated and they kept re-electing me.

“Believe in yourself, be very hardworking, be very prayerful, be very honest, be very transparent.”

Nigerians have however queried that the Speaker never disclosed what business or job he was doing to have built a house at that tender age.

Social Media Users also queried Abass to disclose his source of money that which enabled him sponsor himself all through his University days and when he decided to leave home.

@debby_kelvin said that it baffles her when the political class come and spew gibberish and become unnecessary motivational Speaker when it is obvious they are lying. “Make him disclose his source of wealth”.

Another Netizen, @squillaci_Bart said the Speaker was mainly playing to the gallery, saying that the Speaker is encouraging the young ones to delve into heinous crime and make money. “How can a 19 Year old build a house, why is he been deceitful. We need to investigate and query his source of wealth”, he stated.

“I am not considering re-marrying anytime soon” – Governor Eno