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UN Delegation Visits Borno, Announces $6 Million For Flood Victims

By
Ayodele Oni
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UN Team Arrives Borno

By Ayodele Oni

The United Nations, (UN) and humanitarian organisations have pledged immediate support for the affected population in Maiduguri, Borno state, following devastating flood which ravaged the city.

This was contained in a press release made available to journalists on Sunday by the National Information Officer of the UN Information Centre, Oluseyi Soremekun.

The floods, caused by the collapse of the Alau Dam on 9th September, have left thousands homeless, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation in Borno State.

Led by Mohamed Fall, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, a high-level delegation of UN agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society visited Maiduguri on Saturday.

The team met with affected residents, government officials, and Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, to assess the damage and outline immediate support measures.

Fall said “The flood-affected people are facing a crisis within a crisis, as the floods occurred during a severe food insecurity and malnutrition crisis.

“I witnessed firsthand the devastation and hardship caused by the flooding, including the destruction of homes, businesses, and infrastructure. I also saw the suffering of the affected communities.”

The UN noted that many people affected by the floods, reported to be the worst in 30 years, already had humanitarian needs prior to the disaster, having been displaced multiple times by conflict and insecurity, and are now even more vulnerable.

“The disaster has forced thousands into overcrowded relocation sites, with many lacking basic necessities such as food, clean water, and shelter.”

Officials visited two of the 25 temporary camps, including Asheik Jarma Primary School and Yerwa GGSS, where flood survivors have been relocated.

The delegation promised swift action to alleviate the suffering of displaced families, including the provision of food, clean water, sanitation facilities, and shelter.

The floods have also dealt a severe blow to agriculture in the region. Across Nigeria, more than 125,000 hectares of farmland have been destroyed just before the harvest season.

According to the UN, Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states are particularly hard-hit, with 4.8 million people facing severe food insecurity and 230,000 children at risk of acute malnutrition.

To scale up lifesaving assistance, Mr Fall announced the allocation of US$6 million from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund, with additional funding in the pipeline, bringing the total contribution to more than USD8 million.

Zulum expressed gratitude for international support, saying “We are especially thankful for the use of the UN helicopters to deliver life-saving assistance, including food and non-food items, to communities cut off by the flood.

“I also thank the UN for camp coordination and camp management support.

“Our priority is to rebuild the lives of affected people and to ensure that the displaced population does not stay for more than two weeks in the temporary shelters provided for them.”

CNPP Urges President Tinubu to Establish Special Court to Tackle Crude Oil Thieves, Corruption

By
The Source
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu - President
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish a special court to accelerate the trial of suspected crude oil thieves, corruption, and economic sabotage in Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement signed by Comrade James Ezema, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the CNPP.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the CNPP expressed alarm over the persistent revenue leakages in the country, which have led to increments in taxes and incessant hikes in petrol pump prices. The party believes that until a special court is established to address these issues, Nigerians will continue to bear the burden of the government’s failure to address these challenges.

The proposed special court should be mandated to limit the period of prosecution to not more than six months, ensuring that justice is served swiftly and efficiently. The agency responsible for the new court should also deploy advanced technology to tackle crude oil theft, economic sabotage, and corruption.

The CNPP insists that Nigerian people should not fund the luxury of offenders who have reduced accruable revenues to near zero and misappropriated funds meant for the masses. The party notes that an improvement in Nigeria’s legal framework is necessary to minimize trial duration and prevent innocent persons from remaining on awaiting trial lists endlessly without conviction.

The CNPP also highlighted that oil theft cases have gone on for over ten years, and some corruption cases have not been concluded for about twenty years. The party emphasized that no country can progress with a defective justice system that runs at snail speed.

Furthermore, the CNPP called on President Tinubu to order an end to the burning of vessels with suspected stolen crude oil and direct security agencies to prosecute suspected crude oil thieves and other offenders instead of destroying evidence against them.

Abia: There Are Plans To Disrupt Peace In The State By Some Forces

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, on Sunday September 15, 2024, said some persons hiding under the canopy of Traditional Rulers are planning to unleash mayhem on the Arochukwu part of the State.

It has, therefore, cautioned those believed to be behind the orchestrated moves to disrupt the peace of the state to desist forthwith or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

The Source reports that the Abia State Government’s warning is coming on the heels of the new twist in the festering Arochukwu royal stool crisis.

For some time, the ancient Arochukwu Kingdom has been embroiled in a battle of attrition over the control of its traditional stool.

A few weeks ago, a High Court sitting in Umuahia, the State  Capital, nullified the earlier efforts of the State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, in recognizing and installing one of the claimants to the throne Eze Eberechukwu Orji.

Dissatisfied with the Governor’s action, the opposing camp approached the Court which subsequently declared the earlier efforts of the Governor null and void.

The Source gathered that ever since  the Court’s pronouncements, the opposing camp which has insisted that it is a taboo to install a person whose father is still alive as the King of Aro Kingdom, has been pushing for the respect of the court order.

But in the statement issued by the  Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kalu, the State authorities said Information available to them  indicates that  some impostors are planning to employ street urchins ,thugs and drug addicts to intimidate and browbeat unsuspecting members of the Community under the guise of laying claims to a non-existent traditional title.

According to the State Government’s statement, security agencies have been placed on alert to ensure that no persons, masquerades under any guise to disrupt the fragile peace of any parts of the State.

“The Abia state Government hereby reiterates its commitment to protect the lives and properties of all Abia citizens and residents at all times .

“The security agencies are hereby directed to enforce law and order in the Community and to  ensure that those who disrupt the peace are brought to book accordingly”, part of the statement reads.

SW Houses Of Assembly Majority Leaders Push For Harmonization Of Standing Orders

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The South-west legislators, in search for legislative efficiency and seamless governance, have suggested harmonization of standing orders across the Houses of Assembly in the region.

The legislators, under the auspices of the Southwest Legislative Reform Implementation Committee (SLRIC), also asked for the strengthening of security in the geo-political zone.

The lawmakers, at the end of their meeting in Osogbo, Osun state, at the weekend,  called on the six governors of the southwest region to reinforce and strengthen the South Western Security Network Agency codename Amotekun Corps, enhance security cooperation, and recommendations for legislative measures.

The gathering brought together Majority Leaders from across the Southwest region to discuss crucial issues impacting the region’s legislative, security, and economic landscape.

In a communique, signed by Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, Chairman of SLRIC and majority leader, Ondo state House of Assembly, stated that “the meeting focused on several key areas, notably the harmonization of standing orders across the Southwest region.

“This critical reform aims to streamline legislative procedures and ensure that all Houses of Assembly in the Southwest are aligned, fostering seamless governance and legislative efficiency.

“One of the significant topics of discussion was the state of security in the region. Our discussions have led to formulating strategies to bolster our region’s security. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that these plans are swiftly and effectively implemented.”

According to Ogunmolasuyi, the communique also made a special mention of the Southwest Governors and Speakers, calling on them to look beyond political affiliations and work together for the region’s greater good.

“We must transcend party lines and focus on building a safer and more prosperous Southwest. Our people deserve nothing less.”

It highlighted the need to foster more business and economic opportunities across the Southwest and encourage state governments to create policies and partnerships that attract investments and drive economic growth.

“The future of the Southwest is not just in security and governance, but in unlocking the vast economic potential of our region. Let us work towards creating an environment where businesses can thrive, providing jobs and prosperity for our people.”

DSS Arrests, Releases Leader #EndBadGovernance Protest, Sowore

By
Ayodele Oni
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Omoyele Sowore

By Ayodele Oni

Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, Omoyele Sowore was on Sunday morning arrested by the operatives of Department of State Services (DSS).

Sowore, one of the organizers of endbadgovernance protest, was arrested on arrival at the Lagos Airport.

He was taken into custody immediately upon his arrival in Nigeria on Sunday.

However, few hours after his arrest, Sowore announced that “I have just been released by the Nigerian Immigration after a brief detention and my passport released back to me. #RevolutionNow

Earlier it was reported that members of the Take It Back Movement and other activists gathered at the airport to await Sowore’s return.

He had been in the United States with his family. His flight departed from Washington Dulles International Airport at 6:14 AM EDT and arrived in Lagos at approximately 9:43 AM WAT.

In a post on his X account on Thursday, Sowore remarked, “The current administration, led by Tinubu, has shown an alarming inability to effectively track and apprehend terrorism suspects, bandits, and kidnappers, while the @officialEFCC has yet to arrest former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

“Meanwhile, the lawless @OfficialDSSNG has added my name to their ‘watchlist’ for arrest upon my arrival in Nigeria.

“It is crucial to acknowledge that Nigeria needs salvation, and our people require liberation, which will require considerable effort. I plan to return home shortly, I mean very soon.”

The arrest directive, issued by the newly appointed DSS Director General, Adeola Ajayi, was linked to Sowore’s involvement in the recent 10-day #EndBadGovernance protests.

APC Assures Edo People Of More Development At Benin Mega Rally

By
Ayodele Oni
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Edo APC Officials

By Ayodele Oni

The All Progressives Congress (APC) held its grand rally in Benin City on Saturday, assuring the people of the State of greater development.

Chief Press Secretary to Ondo state Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan in a statement said the event, which served as the final major push before the September 21st election, drew crowd of supporters and saw the presence of prominent APC figures, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by his Vice, Kashim Shettima.

Several APC governors, including the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and other high-ranking officials converged on Edo to demonstrate unity and support for the party’s governorship candidate and his running mate.

Othe governors present included

Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Bassey Otu of Cross River, Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Umar Namadi of Jigawa, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, and Usman Ododo of Kogi.

They all rallied party faithful, urging them to secure victory for the APC on election day.

Vice President Shettima, in his address, expressed confidence in the APC candidate, highlighting his strong connection to the grassroots and his deep understanding of governance.

“Edo needs a compassionate leader, someone who will listen to the people and address their needs. A great leader is one who inspires progress.”

He conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s best wishes, assuring the crowd of the president’s commitment to ensuring a free and fair election in Edo.

Shettima emphasized the importance of peace during the election, urging Edo citizens to exercise their mandate by bringing the state into the mainstream of Nigerian politics under APC leadership.

He also noted the president’s efforts to improve state allocations and promote development nationwide, encouraging Edo residents to vote for progress and stability.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio also addressed the rally, stating that Edo is ready to take the right path with the APC.

The state’s APC gubernatorial candidate, Monday Okpebholo, promised to deliver quality education, healthcare, and infrastructure if elected.

He pledged to empower farmers, market women, and youth, and vowed to employ over 5,000 teachers within his first 100 days in office.

“The hope you’ve been searching for is here. On September 21st, vote for change.”

The Director General of the Edo APC Campaign Council, Matthew Urhoghide, criticized the current PDP administration for its failures over the past eight years. He described the large turnout at the rally as evidence of the people’s desire for change and urged them to vote for the APC on election day.

The National Campaign Council Chairman, Bassey Otu, echoed the call for change, stating that only those who understand Edo’s problems can provide the solutions. He encouraged voters to stand firm with their mandate and ensure APC’s victory.

Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole also addressed the crowd, drawing attention to the deteriorating conditions in Edo’s markets and the prevalence of flooding in the state.

He assured the people that the APC candidate would rescue the state from mismanagement and restore Edo’s fortunes.

In his closing remarks, APC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, expressed confidence in the party’s victory, calling the rally’s massive turnout a sign of impending success.

He stressed that development, modern infrastructure, and prosperity could only be achieved through the election of Okpebholo as governor.

ANSIEC List Of Candidates: LP Kicks, Alleges Impersonation Of Members

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Labour Party

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Anambra State Chapter of the Labour Party, LP, has accused the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, ,of impersonating the Party ahead of the September 28 ,Local Council polls in the State.

This is even as the Party reiterated its earlier decision to boycott the election which it has already dubbed a disaster in waiting.

At a press briefing in Awka the State capital on Saturday, September ,14, the Publicity Secretary the Party ,Theo Egbe, raised the alarm that in a desperate bid to confer legitimacy on the Council Poll, the   Anambra State Government has masterminded the listing of APGA members as LP candidates for the proposed sham exercise.

The LP said that in the count down to the shambolic polls ,it neither sold nomination forms nor screened and conducted any primaries that can lead to the emergence of candidates.

However, the Party expressed shock and disbelief that the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission, ANSIEC, two days ago, listed some names as LP Candidates for the election.

The LP spokesman, described the listing of APGA followers as LP candidates as the height of deceit and desperation by the APGA-led Anambra State Government.

The LP, he noted, had long dissociated itself from the planned charade called Local Government Election ,and is already in Court challenging the process.

The Source reports that last week , the All Progressive Congress, APC, while officially announcing its withdrawal from the planned election, informed that it was joining LP and PDP in further subjecting the process to legal scrutiny.

The APC lauded the LP and PDP for toeing the part of honour in not participating in the election,noting that APC itself will not want to confer legitimacy on the impending fraud.

The LP spokesman maintained that the exercise scheduled for September 28, is ” mere sham” as the outcome has already been determined.

“They have conducted the election in their rooms and are waiting to announce the results” Egbe stated.

Accordingly,  the LP reaffirmed its earlier stand that it will not participate in the “illegally packaged and lawlessly commenced obnoxious Local Government election.,being midwifed by the hastily conceived and ill prepared ANSIEC.”

It insisted that the exercise going by its fraudulent trajectories, is not worthy of its participation.

“It is really very worrisome, criminally egregious and outlandishly absurd that Labour Party that sued the Commission , never sold nomination forms ,nor conducted any primary election ,and never submitted its register, not to mention submission of any list of candidates to ANSIEC was dubiously published and held out to have “sponsored” candidates for the farcical Local Government election .

“The Labour Party ,Anambra state chapter, views this conduct of ANSIEC and Anambra State Government as a criminal assault on due process and a rape of the Electoral Laws of the land ,as well as unwarranted provocation of the law abiding members of Labour Party at large .

“A careful perusal of the Commission’s list of these fangled Labour Party “candidates” reveals that the names belong to known members of the defeated Soludo faction of the APGA,  including the name of a current APGA Transition Chairman ( Orumba North LGA) Mr Nwafor Chinonso Charlesmary Casmir and that of both past and present Transition Councilors of APGA extraction.

“Labour Party still appeals to ANSIEC and Anambra State Government to save Anambra State the enormous resources clearly billed for wastage by jettisoning this ignoble proposed LG election of September 28,2024 ,and rather opt for a properly organized Anambra state Local Government election” the LP stated .

FG Approves Promotion Of 20,000 Paramilitary Officers

By
Ayodele Oni
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Olubunmi Tunji Ojo

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government has approved the promotion of 20,000 paramilitary officers during this year’s exercise.

Those that benefitted from the exercise cut across the Civil Defence, Correctional centres, Fire and Immigration services board.

In a statement at the weekend, the minister of the interior, who doubles as chairman of the promotion board, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, confirmed the promotion exercise.

The minister explained that the exercise was meant to eliminate career stagnation in paramilitary agencies.

The statement added that “The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), Chaired by Hon Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, as the Minister of Interior, held its 5th meeting today, and approved the promotion of over 20,000 officers for 2024.

“This marks the second consecutive year that the Board has completed a promotion exercise within a calendar year, following the promotion of over 30,000 officers in 2023.

“This is walking the talk of our promise to eliminate career stagnation in our paramilitary agencies, and demonstrating our dedication to recognizing and rewarding excellence.”

PSC Approves Peter Opara As New FCT CP

By
The Source
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Peter Opara

The Police Service Commission has approved  the posting of CP Peter Ukachi Opara as the substantive Commissioner of Police Federal Capital  Territory Abuja.

Opara replaces former CP Benneth Igwe who  has since been promoted  to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police and posted to Zone 7 Abuja as the Zonal Assistant Inspector General of Police.

The new FCT Commissioner was the immediate CP Force Secretary’s office and former Deputy Commissioner, Administration and Finance Imo State Command. He, also, at a time, served as Personal Assistant to former Chairman of the Police Service Commission,  IGP Mike Okiro rtd.

Cp Opara was DCP Legal Studies Police Academy. POLAC, Wudil Kano, Area Commander  Aba and Uyo; Area Crime Officer kubwa, and Senior Deputy Defence Adviser Police, Permanent  Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, New York.

He was severally Personnel Assistant to Inspector General of Police; DIG works, DIG Operations and Personnel Assistant to CP Lagos State Command.

The Commission has also accepted the recommendation of the Inspector-General of Police, for the replacement of CP Miller Gagere Dantawaye with  CP Festus Eribo as the new substantive Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State Command.

Dantawaye was one of the four Commissioners of Police recommended for posting as substantive Commissioners of Police.

CP Festus Eribo, a law graduate of the University of Calabar was at a time Liason Officer at the Police Service Commission and later  Assistant Commissioner,  Federal Operations, Force Headquarters.

He served as Area Commander  Area M, Lagos, Area F lagos  and State CID, Lafia Nasarawa state. He was Area Commander Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State, Deputy Commissioner, Zonal CID Zone 9 Umuahia and Deputy Commissioner Operations, Kogi State Command.

He was also substantive Commissioner of Police, Taraba State.

The Commission had earlier approved the posting of four Commissioners of Police which included that of Abia, Lagos and Ebonyi States.

Food Security: Enugu Set To Assemble 1000 Tractors Locally

By
Ayodele Oni
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Peter Mbah
Gov Peter Mbah

By Ayodele Oni

Enugu state Governor, Peter Mbah, has announced that the state will assemble 1,000 tractors locally by next year.

The governor stated that this was part of his administration’s effort to grow the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn and ensure food security.

Mbah, who disclosed that 300 tractors will be ready this year, reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment and helping to de-risk investment in the state.

The governor stated this when he received the newly elected president of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye, and other leaders of the association in Enugu.

He called on investors to key into the growing investment revolution in the state.

“We are ready for business and we are open for business. You could not make a better choice  than Enugu when you are thinking about where to invest or where to grow your wealth.

“This is because you are dealing with a government that is business-friendly and we do not only think about creating the environment for businesses to thrive, we are also interested in working with you collaboratively either as a Joint Venture (JV) or Private Public Sector Partnership (PPP) or even helping you to de-risk the investment flow.

“We are interested in listening to you, knowing what areas that would make it possible for you to invest.

“We have just signed an order with a Danish company that is coming here to manufacture their tractors.

“So, our target is that before the end of the year, we would  have been able to assemble over 300 tractors. Our ultimate target  in the medium term is to get up to 1,000 tractors before  the end of next year.

“In the area of roads, our target is to make sure that all our streets, all our roads in the city are paved and we are already achieving that.

“Just recently, we completed the 71 roads we awarded last October and we again awarded another 141 roads.

“We are also making sure that we get our rural roads paved, most importantly the access road to the farmlands because we have some ambitious target in our agricultural sector where we now have over 300,000 hectares of land in our landbank.”

Speaking earlier, the NECA leadership pledged commitment to foster partnerships that will catalyse socio-economic development in Enugu State and the South East, having observed the governor’s vision and business-minded approach to governance.

“We have closely observed your outstanding leadership, coupled with your clear vision for the transformation of Enugu State.

“Your administration’s focus on economic diversification, infrastructure development, and human capital enhancement aligns perfectly with NECA’s objectives.

“We believe that through strong collaboration between the public and private sectors, we can collectively drive growth, create jobs, and improve the overall well-being of the citizens.”

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