Home Blog Page 1788

Aisha Yesufu: PDP failed, still failing because of greed, failure to field Peter Obi

coic
-
0
Aisha Yesufu: PDP failed, still failing because of greed, failure to field Peter Obi

Aisha Yesufu, a social activist, has stated that the People’s Democratic Party, also known as the PDP, is a pointless party.

According to Yesufu, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) could have easily won the presidential election of 2023 if it had nominated Peter Obi as its candidate for president.

She mentioned that had the PDP run in the presidential elections in 2015 and 2023, they would have won.

The political activist described the failure of the PDP to win the presidential elections as being caused by greed in a series of tweets.

According to Yesufu, “PDP was pointless in 2015, and it remains pointless in 2023.” The PDP had a good chance of winning both elections, but they botched their efforts and lost both of them.

“Their members are running around spreading various conspiracies while being even more ignorant than usual due to their pride and desire for money.

Read Also: FEC approves WEE policy for optimal growth

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would have won the election in 2015 if they had either fielded a different candidate or listened to and responded to the cries of the people. However, their arrogance got the better of them.

If they had fielded Peter Obi as their candidate for the 2023 election, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would have won, but their greed is a tight vice around their neck.

“PDP failed and is still failing to read the handwriting that is on the wall.”

Aisha Buhari informs Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, necessary documents is ready

coic
-
0
Aisha Buhari informs Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, necessary documents is ready

Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, the incoming first lady of Nigeria, has been informed by the First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, that her office has provided the necessary documents to Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu.

During her speech on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the former First Lady revealed that the office documents will serve as pointers towards the success of the office.

Mrs. Buhari, who was acting as the chief host for all of the spouses of African heads of state, also gave the incoming First Lady the seal of the African First Ladies Peace Mission.

Mrs. Buhari said, “As you are all well aware, the role of the First Lady is unconstitutional. However, we enjoy the goodwill of the citizens in order to carry out some fundamental things, such as humanitarian activities.”

Reports indicate that this event serves as the first official engagement and formal transition in the role of First Lady.

In addition, Mrs. Buhari was quoted as saying, “We partner with a lot of non-governmental organisations in order to help our citizens, and I have enjoyed that goodwill over the course of the previous eight years.”

“So, in order to help guide you, and so that you can see the NGOs that we have worked with, I have prepared a handover.”

As a form of response, Mrs. Tinubu conveyed her appreciation to the First Lady. She used her as an example of excellent leadership throughout her life. In addition to that, she complimented her on the way that she had dealt with a number of different situations.

She expressed her gratitude to him by saying, “I want to sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart because you don’t come into this role and say you know it all.

“You have our word that the work that we do for you will be worthy of your pride.”

Between the years 1999 and 2007, Mrs. Tinubu held the position of First Lady of the state of Lagos for a total of eight years.

She is a member of the Senate and serves as a legislator at the present time. On May 29, she will get back to work as the First Lady of Nigeria and resume her official responsibilities.

 

FEC approves WEE policy for optimal growth

coic
-
0
FEC approves WEE policy for optimal growth

An empowerment policy aimed at the country’s female population has been approved by the Federal Executive Council.

On Wednesday, in Abuja, the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, disclosed this information to State House correspondents. She expressed the hope that the new policy, which is called WEE, would assist in bringing about optimal development in the country.

She stated that “Yesterday, the WEE Policy was approved by the Federal Executive Council.” Women’s Economic Empowerment is the focus of the WEE Policy. It’s been over a year since we started working on this policy dialogue that we’ve been having.

“We’ve travelled all the way around the country to all 36 states, having conversations with people from the private sector and rural dwellers, to figure out the most effective way to empower women and integrate them into the mainstream of nation building.”

Tallen remarked to his audience, “You’ll agree with me that women constitute over 50 percent of the population, and the surest way to contribute to the growth of the nation is to involve the participation of the entire population of the country.”

“If fifty percent of the population is neglected, it means that the country cannot develop optimally; it’s like a country walking with one leg,” said a researcher. “This is like a country walking with one leg.”

The minister expressed gratitude to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), for giving his approval and mentioned that it had been a dream for a very long time to have such a policy in place due to the significant role that women play in society.

“We have been working hard to make this dream a reality, and finally, Mr. President presented us with the opportunity to do so yesterday. “It is a legacy that Mr. President is leaving behind by approving this Women Economic Empowerment to help get women into the mainstream of financial plans to ensure that women are carried along in nation-building,” she added. “This will help get women into the mainstream of financial plans to help get women into the mainstream of financial plans.”

During the event, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, disclosed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had granted approval for the publication of laws enacted by the Federation of Nigeria.

“As you are aware, there was a second extraordinary meeting of the Federal Executive Council that was held on Tuesday, May 23, 2023,” stated the Minister of Justice. “The meeting was called to discuss a number of important issues.”

“The Office of the Attorney General for the Council presented three FEC memos, which were subsequently taken, discussed, and approved by the Council.

“The first memo that was taken was a memo to the regularisation of the Public Private Partnership arrangement between the Federal Ministry of Justice and Lexis of South Africa. This was the first memo that was taken.

“And it relates to the publication of the laws of the Federation of Nigeria as well as all materials pertaining to the law,” she said. This pertains to the publishing of the consolidated set of laws that govern the Federation.

“In 2003 and 2005, there was an agreement entered into between the Ministry of Justice and a company in South Africa, which contract has to do with the continuous publication of the laws of Nigeria having been compiled as a book for 15 years. This contract has to do with the continuous publication of the laws of Nigeria having been compiled as a book.

“Now, that contract was supposed to be a rollover contract, so that as part of a sustainable arrangement, we will be having a compendium of laws of the federation published periodically,” the speaker said.

According to the minister, if the council gives its approval, the nation will have a continuous publication of the laws of the Federation of Nigeria in the form of a book, and it will be done in a way and manner that will conform to the quality and indeed international best practises associated with the quality. This will take place after the approval of the council.

Malami also disclosed that the Council approved the standardisation of the use of discretion by lawyers in order to protect the interests of the nation in international cases. This was done in order to standardise the use of discretion by lawyers.

According to him, the new action will help check the insertion of clauses that are harmful to Nigeria into international agreements or contracts. He said this will happen as a result of the new action.

“The second memo is a memo that pertains to the deployment and operationalization of the government’s contracts administration system.

“When we came into office, we inherited an award of liability against the Nigerian government for approximately US$10 billion in damages resulting from the alleged breach of a contract, which is more commonly referred to as P&ID.

“And then, our assessment of the contract is the fact that a lot of discretion on the part of the lawyers responsible for vetting government contracts was underrated. This discretion now resulted in some level of overlooking of the major clauses that will ultimately have provided some level of protection to the interests of the Nigerian government. “And then, our assessment of the contract is the fact that a lot of discretion on the part of the lawyers responsible for vetting government contracts was underrated.

As a conclusion, Malami stated, “So with that unfortunate situation in mind, the need has arisen for us to consider the best way that we can minimise the level of discretion being exercised by lawyers, and bring about standardisation in line with international best practises.”

 

Judge threatens bench warrant against Fani-Kayode

coic
-
0
Judge threatens bench warrant against Fani-Kayode

Wednesday’s hearing of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja threatened to make Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation, wanted for failing to show up for his trial.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is pursuing Fani-Kayode on 12 counts related to the use of forged documents, the use of fabricated evidence, and obtaining the execution of documents under false pretence.

 

The ex-minister is being sued by the EFCC for an alleged N4.9 billion fraud, and he presented allegedly fabricated medical reports to Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Fani-Kayode’s refusal to show up for his trial following his arraignment on December 17, 2021, and subsequent adjournments infuriated Justice Olubumni Abike-Fadipe, who threatened action on the issue on Wednesday.

The defendant’s attorney, Mr. Wale Balogun, informed the court of the defendant’s absence at the most recent adjourned date and gave the reason as “ill health,” which he claimed was related to Fani-Kayode’s run-in with the Department of State Services, which interrogated him over some comments made prior to the general elections.

Balogun had pleaded with the court to grant him an adjournment with the assurance that he would be present at the hearing on Wednesday.

However, the defendant’s attorney, Mr. Chinozo Eze, informed the court at the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday that Fani-Kayode was unable to attend due to health issues.

He told the judge that the court already had a medical report and a letter asking for permission to change the two dates in its file.

The EFCC Counsel, Zinat Atiku, confirmed the development and claimed that the prosecution’s options were limited.

The defendant’s frequent absences, however, bothered the judge, who pointed out that the last time he appeared in court was on November 4, 2022.

When Fani-Kayode appeared in court for his trial, the judge cited a number of defence arguments.

As a result, Justice Abike-Fadipe threatened to issue a bench warrant against him if he does not appear at the subsequent adjourned date.

The prosecutor’s lack of diligence in the case’s prosecution was also criticised by the judge, who noted that anti-graft could withdraw the case if it was not prepared for prosecution.

 

Three jailed for diverting dead person’s stocks

coic
-
0
Three jailed for diverting dead person’s stocks

Kasumu Ademola, Salau Mikailu, and Ganiyu Ishola were all given 20 years in prison on Wednesday by the Federal High Court in Lagos for defrauding a stock company of N45.6 million.

After finding them guilty of the crime, Justice Chukwuejekwu Aneke imposed the jail sentence.

The defendants entered a not guilty plea after being charged with four counts of conspiracy, unlawful fund conversion, and money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The defendants, who were initially charged in 2019, entered a not guilty plea to each of the eight counts and were granted bail under a variety of conditions.

The defendants in 2021 informed the court of their decision to withdraw their earlier not-guilty plea, and they subsequently entered guilty pleas to the charges.

The three convicted individuals were charged with plotting and illegally converting 298,550 stocks belonging to the late Joseph Adeyemi, worth N34m.

Additionally, it was claimed that they had retained N9.481 million in their bank accounts illegally.

The defendants’ attorneys, O Muyideen and A. Olufemi, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy when sentencing the defendants, citing the fact that they have been in detention since their initial arrest in 2018 as justification for their request. The case was resumed on Wednesday.

In her ruling, Justice Aneke gave the defendants five years in prison for each of the four counts.

 

In Enugu, NDLEA destroys 24 tonnes of illegal drugs

coic
-
0
In Enugu, NDLEA destroys 24 tonnes of illegal drugs

The amount of illegal drugs that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, or NDLEA, destroyed in Enugu State between 2008 and 2022 was not more than 24 tonnes.

In his speech at the exhibit burning ceremony at phase 11 of the Enugu Port-Harcourt motorway, Enugu State, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa made this point.

Marwa urged Nigerians to join the government in the fight against drug abuse and illegal trafficking because she regretted the harmful effects that drugs could have on people’s health if they were not seized.

Bawa, represented by Samuel Gadzama, Director of Operations and General Investigation for the agency, revealed that a total of 23,721.798kg of drugs were seized during the time period, including cannabis sativa (23,225.1kg), cocaine (21.699kg), heroin (14.828kg), amphetamine (0.0618kg), methamphetamine (24.347kg), precursor chemicals (154.0kg), and pharmaceuticals (281.769kg).

He gave the populace his word that the agency would keep using all legal means available to get rid of the hard drug threat in the state.

Read Also: Governor-elect Kano receives transition report from Ganduje

“I won’t forget to acknowledge the important roles and contributions made by our international counterparts, including the German Police, the UK Board Force, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United States DEA, and many others who are too numerous to list to the success of the Agency. I also want to thank the State’s other security organisations for helping the NDLEA’s work.

I appeal to all Nigerians to join the government in the fight against drug abuse and illegal trafficking. Wide-ranging negative effects of these twin evils include, but are not limited to, harm to human health, preventable traffic accidents, and drug-related crimes.

“I would like to add that there won’t be any more weed or other psychotropic substances for burning in the near future if the current pace of work in combating the drug epidemic is maintained with the help of non-state actors and parents.

“For our part, I can assure you that the Agency will not let up in the fight against the threat of hard drugs, but rather will keep looking into every legal option available.

 

“I also want to let you know that the NDLEA is not only engaged in the arrest and prosecution of drug offenders, but also in combating the scourge through aggressive drug awareness and sensitization programmes, aimed at youths and other vulnerable groups in our society.

The Agency has also played a significant role in providing drug addicts with counselling and treatment. For members of the public who might need assistance with drug-related issues, the agency recently opened a 24/7 toll-free call centre at 080010203040.

In his remarks, the governor of Enugu State, Rt Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, praised the agency for its efforts to clean up the state’s drug problem and gave them the support of the state government.

Gov. Ugwuanyi stated that the state government is leading the fight against drug abuse and emphasised that they would keep up the pace to ensure the state remains one of the most tranquil and secure in the nation. He was represented by the SPA on Information, Hon. Steve Oruruo.

Aniette Idim Bassey, the commander of the NDLEA in Enugu State,

added that it was the agency’s cumulative, painstaking, and diligent effort to rid the state of illicit drugs and their effects. The public destruction of illicit drug exhibit by burning case was completed at the federal high court in Enugu, it was disclosed.

You may find it interesting to know that a total of 23,506.279 kilogrammes of various illicit drugs were seized in the Enugu State Command and 215.515 kilogrammes were taken from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and are being destroyed today. These substances were intended to be distributed and consumed by citizens and good citizens of Enugu State with the potential to disrupt the peace and tranquilly of the State.

“Let me also reaffirm that we are unwavering in our collective determination to carry on the struggle against our public enemies, the traffickers in illegal drugs throughout Enugu State. We do this in order to express our gratitude to Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, our amiable Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, whose leadership has seen the Agency reorganised, rebranded, and repositioned for the task at hand.

 

Governor-elect Kano receives transition report from Ganduje

coic
-
0
Governor-elect Kano receives transition report from Ganduje

Wednesday, Abba Yusuf, the incoming governor of Kano State, received the 2023 transition report from outgoing governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

Ganduje reiterated his willingness to ensure a smooth transition on May 29, 2023 during a brief meeting held in the Kano Government House’s Ante Chamber Hall. Ganduje was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji.

In this way, he commended the members of the departing government’s transition committee for producing the report in three volumes, which covered every aspect of the state, and urged the incoming administration to study it and point out any grey areas as needed.

Read Also: Ogoni youths task Wike over the deserted medical facility

The New Nigeria People’s Party Governorship Transition Committee Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, spoke on behalf of the Kano state governor-elect, Abba Kabir Yusuf, who said that his committee would report to the incoming governor and share any observations they may have.

The formal handover and takeover of government in Kano state will occur in just 105 hours, according to Yusuf. As a result, he added, “We are committed to a hitch-free transition in the interest of the good people of Kano.”

Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the chief press secretary for the governor-elect of Kano State, also released a statement in which he said that certain agreements between the departing and incoming governments must be reached before details of the inauguration ceremony can be made public.

 

Ogoni youths task Wike over the deserted medical facility

coic
-
0
Ogoni youths task Wike over the deserted medical facility

The abandonment of the Bori General Hospital in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State by Governor Nyesom Wike was referred to as “worrisome” by a group of Ogoni youths operating under the auspices of the Ogoni Youth Development Initiative on Wednesday.

The group bemoaned the governor’s refusal to finish and commission the hospital for use, as he did with other commendable projects in the state, through its National President, Savour Imeabe.

Imeabe pointed out that the hospital is the only public healthcare facility in Khana that the Wike administration had planned to renovate but had “now suddenly forgotten.”

Read Also: Anambra commissioner raids beggars, arrests 50

The OYDI president lamented the facility’s abandoned state while noting that all the projects Wike started in his LGA had been successfully finished, outfitted, and put into service.

He therefore questioned why it was the hospital and not the other way around.

Imeabe emphasised, “It is worrying that the Wike-led administration in the state is on the verge of abandoning the Khana General Hospital in Bori, the traditional seat of Ogoni. The only government hospital in Khana that this administration has designated for renovation is this one.

“It hurts that the governor, who started the hospital’s remodelling project, has refused to finish it and commission it for use, just like he has in other local governments, particularly in Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City Local Government Areas.

It is stated that every project Wike began in his LGA has been finished, equipped, and put into service. However, the General Hospital has been overlooked in the case of Ogoni. We comprehend the governor’s desire to hand off responsibility for the project’s completion to his successor. Why must this be the case with a project in Ogoniland that is so sensitive? He asked.

Imeabe, who spoke for the group’s displeasure that politicians use Ogoni to advance their agenda, urged the governor to order the hospital’s rapid completion before leaving office the following Monday in order to provide residents and community members with access to a high-quality healthcare system.

Anambra commissioner raids beggars, arrests 50

coic
-
0
Anambra commissioner raids beggars, arrests 50

On Wednesday, a joint task force from the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra Brigade and the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare raided key locations in the state and removed over 50 street beggars and uninformed children selling goods from the streets of Awka and the surrounding area.

According to the ministry, the action was taken to achieve the current administration’s clean, green, and sustainable megacity agenda by sanitising the state, paving the way for free flow of traffic, and rescuing out-of-school children.

Arroma, Regina Ceali Junction, UNIZIK temporary site, Akwata Junction, Amawbia Bypass, and Eke Awka market were among the places that were visited.

According to reports, the men, women, and kids who were raided came from various regions of the nation.

Ify Obinabo, the commissioner for women and social welfare, told reporters during the operation that the ministry had noticed a daily rise in the number of child hawkers in the Awka area and nearby areas.

Read Also: Keyamo labels ‘minister of state’ portfolio an aberration

This is proof of child labour and exploitation, which is against the Child’s Rights Law, to which the Anambra State is a signatory, according to Obinabo.

“The government of the state of Anambra detests child labour in all its forms. Any child seen in a school building during the week will be taken and sent there.

Some of the beggars who were raided gave their names as Uju Obie, Afam Nweke, and Ifeoma Chukwu, and claimed that because of hardship and a lack of assistance, they were forced to beg in order to provide for their children.

They begged for help, promising to stop begging if they received help to start some businesses so they could support themselves.

 

Keyamo labels ‘minister of state’ portfolio an aberration

coic
-
0
Keyamo labels ‘minister of state’ portfolio an aberration

Festus Keyamo, who serves as the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, has urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the possibility of appointing different ministers to handle individual portfolios. He did so on the grounds that the position of “minister of state” is unconstitutional.

On Wednesday, Keyamo delivered his farewell speech in the council chambers of the Presidential Villa. Within that speech, he included a recommendation that he would like to make.

His suggestion was made during a time when senior politicians and political analysts were urging the Federal Government to reduce the amount of time it spends on governance in accordance with the recommendation made in Stephen Oronsaye’s white paper on reforms to the public sector.

On April 16, 2012, the Oronsaye committee handed in a report with 800 pages that recommended the dissolution and merger of 102 government agencies and parastatals. However, some of these organisations were listed as being able to support themselves financially.

In addition, the report recommended that the number of statutory agencies be cut from 263 to 161, with 38 of those agencies being eliminated and 52 of those agencies being combined.

In addition, it suggested that 14 different agencies should be converted into departments within different ministries.

Read Also: Actress Adunni Ade breaks silence on owing N250,000 to late Murphy Afolabi

But Keyamo argued that the “Minister of State” portfolio is practically useless for a large number of people who have been appointed to the post.

He made the observation that many people who have been appointed to such positions by different governments have persistently remained silent out of concern that they will come across as ungrateful to the Presidents who appointed them.

The spokesman for the now-defunct Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council explained that the schedules of duties leave so many gaping holes that often pitch ministers against ministers of state, while at the same time stating that he does not want to be seen in the light as an ungrateful person. He stated that he does not want to be seen in the light as an ingrate.

The Schedules of Duties of Ministers and Ministers of State, which are intended to correct some of these anomalies, are not particularly helpful in resolving the problems. To begin, the Permanent Secretaries and Directors consistently violate the Schedules of Duties, despite the fact that it is unrealistic to anticipate that they will be able to satisfy the needs of both parties. And in any case, many of the responsibilities that are shared by the two Ministers are so vague that the bureaucrats will always interpret them in a way that satisfies the Ministers that they consider to be the “Senior Ministers” or “main Ministers” out of fear that they will be persecuted by those Ministers.

According to him, the practise first came into existence during the time of the First Republic. At that time, it was used as a ruse to give the appearance of a “Government of National Unity,” even though, in reality, no “real power” was transferred to the members of the opposition who were co-opted into governance.

He argued that the ultimate purpose of designating such opposition members as Ministers of State was to keep them in check under the leadership of the Ministers who were appointed by the Party that was in power.

Continuing, he stated that the practise has become ingrained over the course of history and has become accepted as the standard, even with regard to ministers who are members of the same ruling party.

“In point of fact, one political absurdity that has emerged as a result of this is the fact that some Ministers of State won more votes from their States for the party that is currently in power than the “main Minister.” As a direct consequence of this, the majority of Ministers of State are now largely superfluous, and the majority of them only go to the office for symbolic purposes and to kill time. Only at the other minister’s and the permanent secretary’s discretion do we hand over files for them to work on. Nevertheless, the Ministers of State will be singled out for either praise or condemnation, depending on whether the Ministries they oversee are successful or not.

“In addition, the provision that “Ministers of State” are unable to present Memorandums in Council, except with the permission of the Minister, is another anomaly. It indicates that the Minister’s discretion supersedes that of the Minister of State, despite the fact that both of them are responsible for the representation of different states in Cabinet. Given that their discretion is constrained by the discretion of the Ministers, it is also difficult to evaluate the individual performances of the Ministers of State because their discretion is constrained by the discretion of the Ministers. Before an original idea that was developed by a Minister of State can be submitted to Council for consideration, it must first be approved by another Cabinet member who serves on the same team. Evidently, the people who drafted our Constitution did not intend for this to happen.

While the schedule of my colleague had to do more with labour and productivity, mine had to do more with employment. “In my case, while his schedule had to do more with labour and productivity, mine had to do more with employment. The directorates within my ministry that were under my office will then report directly to the Minister of Employment, eliminating any potential for conflict of loyalty with the Minister of Labour and Productivity. We also have the option of appointing a Minister of Investment and another Minister of Trade. We can have a Minister of Education for tertiary education as well as another Minister of Education for primary and secondary education; we can have a Minister of Mines as well as another Minister of Steel; we can have a Minister of Works as well as another Minister of Housing, and so on.

“It should come as no surprise that the argument that some ministries only have room for two ministers in order to avoid the proliferation of unnecessary ministries and, as a result, save the government money is no longer tenable. This is due to the fact that the current Ministers and Ministers of State each have their own offices, cars, security personnel, and personal aides at their disposal. So, what exactly is the point of this?

“Finally, I want to state for the record once more that Mr. Present provided me with the greatest amount of support possible in my role as his Minister so that I could perform at my absolute best. This is not a personal complaint; rather, it is a treatise. This is merely a recommendation made with the utmost respect for the purposes of the record and for the sake of posterity. In addition to that, the aim is to put an end to an anomaly that has persisted for a very long time.

 

1...1,7871,7881,789...2,843Page 1,788 of 2,843
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv