Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has suspended the Provost of Ikwo College of Education, Professor Benedict Mbam, and the College’s Bursar, for embarking on employment of workers without due process.
The Governor directed the Provost and the Bursar to handover to the next in rank with immediate effect.
The Governor who frowned at the development, also nullified all the employment done by the management of the College from 2019 till date.
Seven governorship aspirants in the All Progressives Congress have withdrawn from the party’s primary election in Ekiti State, which is set to take place today.
Kayode Mojo, Demola Popoola, Femi Bamisile, Bamidele Faparusi, Dayo Adeyeye, Opeyemi Bamidele, and Afolabi Oluwasola, the hopefuls, claimed on Thursday that the primary election committee is made up of Kayode Fayemi’s loyalists.
The ruling party’s governorship aspirants stated that Fayemi intends to impose Biodun Oyebanji as the party’s governorship candidate in the upcoming election.
In a statement released on Thursday, the aspirants stated that the primary election will not be fair because of the caliber of people on the primary election committees.
The statement reads, “The seven aspirants herein received with rude shock and dismay the purported list of the local government election committee and ward election committee made up solely by party members and political appointees that had before now openly endorsed the candidacy of Biodun Oyebanji the immediate past secretary to the state government.
“It is on record that the government of Governor Kayode Fayemi has given its unwavering support to the candidacy of Biodun Oyebanji, it is common knowledge that the Governor and most appointees of the governor are openly rooting for and supporting Biodun Oyebanji’s aspiration to become the flag bearer of our great party.
“What is more disturbing is the fact that a simple glance at the names of the persons appointed as members of both committees would reveal that it is made up of appointees of government who are all supporters of a candidate in the primary election they are appointed to superintend on.
“The seven candidates herein are loyal, faithful and committed party members who are sincerely concerned about the chances of the party in the forthcoming 2022 governorship election where imposition is allowed to override a Democratic primary election for determining its flag bearer.
“We request that both the local government election committee and ward election committee that was constituted on the list already in circulation be disbanded and replaced with names that would reinforce internal democracy and uphold the aims and objectives of the party.”
The African Export Import Bank has committed $5 billion in corporate finance to the Nigerian National Petroluem Company Ltd to fund major investments in the country’s upstream sector.
The funding commitment stems from a meeting on Wednesday in Cairo, Egypt, between Benedict Oramah, Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), and the NNPC Ltd team, led by Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari.
Mr Kyari was accompanied on the trip by Umar Ajiya, Chief Financial Officer; Adokiye Tombomieye, Group Executive Director, Upstream; Bala Wunti, Group General Manager, NAPIMS; Lawal Sade, Managing Director, NNPC Trading, and others.
The move marks a significant step forward in the corporation’s efforts to increase investments in the oil and gas industry following the start of the Petroleum Industry Act’s implementation.
President Muhammadu Buhari signed the PIA into law on August 16, 2021.
After receiving an application for registration from the Federal Government, the NNPC LTD was incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission on September 22 last year with the President’s approval.
The new legislation has opened up new business opportunities for the NNPC, allowing it to generate more revenue for the country and attracting foreign direct investment into Nigeria’s energy sector.
The PIA has also raised stakeholder expectations of the company while also providing it with a lot of leeway to stimulate oil and gas investment.
Oil industry stakeholders see the NNPC’s $5 billion corporate finance commitment from Afreximbank as a dividend of the Petroleum Industry Act and the NNPC’s incorporation as a limited liability company.
The Company would raise between $3.5 billion and $5 billion in corporate finance to fund major upstream investments under NNPC Ltd’s funding strategy for selected upstream investments.
To achieve this goal, the NNPC intends to purchase pre-emption rights in the sample Joint Venture and take over ownership from the non-investing partner.
The NNPC’s strategy also includes investing in assets to address integrity, bottlenecking, and growth issues in the oil industry, such as rig-less activities and drilling campaigns.
The company prefers to find lenders who can provide this funding in a ratio that is based on each lender’s capacity.
The funds will also be used to fund a portion of the NNPC’s investment, which will include the purchase of a stake in high-quality upstream oil and gas producing assets.
Ahead of next year’s general election, no fewer than 1,000 Christian and Muslim clerics will on Friday hold a joint-prayer session for Governor Yahaya Bello’s emergence as President.
The clerics, drawn from over 800 churches and mosques across the country, said their mission at the seat of power is to seal the divine prophesy that Yahaya Bello will be president come 2023.
In a press statement co-signed by the organisers, Bishop John Praise and Sheik Mohammed Hassan, on Thursday, the preachers said they decided to put aside religious sentiments for a common goal in the best interest of the nation.
At this crucial time in the nation’s existence, they said only Bello has shown the capacity to unite the nation and end the tide of insecurity.
The clerics said it was no surprise that Bello was revealed to them as President Buhari’s successor.
They noted that the Kogi State Governor was predestined to rule the nation as this was revealed to them after their initial 40 days of prayer and fast last year.
Quoting from Romans 13 verse 1, Bishop Praise added that “for there is no authority except God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God, and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves”.
According to the Christain cleric, like Cyrus, ” God has taken Bello by the right hand, to subdue nations before him, and to loose the loins of kings; to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut”.
He said what is happening now is just a manifestation of the prophecies of years ago about Bello, hence his seamless emergence as Governor of Kogi State.
In that manner, with the prayers of the 1,000 clerics, Bishop Praise said the governor will ascend to Aso Villa effortlessly.
Adding his voice, Sheik Hassan said in the eyes of humans, Bello seems unqualified, young and inexperienced but Allah’s ways are always different.
He recalled that prophet Shammil said to his people, “Indeed, Allah has sent to you Saul (Talut) as a king. But they said, ‘How can he have kingship over us while we are more worthy of kingship than him and he has not been given any measure of wealth?’ He said, ‘Indeed, Allah has chosen him over you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allah gives His sovereignty to whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing [in favour] and Knowing”.
The clerics, therefore, urged Nigerians to show support for this “anointed” candidate with their prayers.
They added that in no distant future, Nigerians will understand this prophesy and appreciate God’s choice of Bello.
They, however, urged citizens to set aside religious and ethnic sentiments ahead of the next election and instead focus on God’s will for the nation.
The National Youth Service Corps Museum has been described as a center of attraction in the country.
This description was given by a Committee for the Establishment of a Museum at the Nigeria Defense Academy, NDA, who was at the NYSC Museum for an understudy in preparation for the establishment of the NDA museum.
The team, which was led by Col KC Uwa, commended the Management of the NYSC for putting together what he described as a modern edifice.
Col Uwa who revealed that the team was in NYSC to compare notes with the scheme had visited similar museums in other organizations including the Nigeria Police Force.
He thanked the NYSC Director General for availing the team the opportunity to be conducted round the NYSC museum and pledged to ensure that the proposed one for the NDA will soon come on stream.
In his response , the Director General of the NYSC, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim stated that the idea behind the establishment of the museum was based on the desire of the scheme to properly document its activities and achievements for generations to come.
He said that the NYSC, which was established in the last five decades has made so much impact that it was only proper to archive its numerous achievements.
It would be recalled that the NYSC Museum was commissioned by the Hon Minister of Youth and Sports Development on Tuesday, 25th January 2022.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Alhaji Muhammad Musa Bello has commended the managers of NYSC Scheme for its laudable achievements and mentorship roles for Corps Members.
He also said the services rendered by the Corps Members deployed to the Capital Territory cannot be underestimated.
The Minister stated this today in Abuja in his address as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2022 NYSC Annual Management Conference, themed, “Repositioning the NYSC for improved Healthcare Delivery; Revenue Generation and Corps Employment for Self-Reiance”.
Alhaji Bello, whose address was read at the conference by the Secretary, Social Development Secretariat FCT, Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed Kabir promised that the FCT administration would continue to partner the Scheme for the successful implementation of its lofty programmes.
The Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare in his goodwill message said the National Youth Service Corps, being a foremost youth organization in the country, has made numerous accomplishments in the promotion of national unity and development, as well as mentoring and empowerment of youths for self rellance.
Dare, who was represented by the Director, Special Duties in the Ministry, Mr Abumere Akhindewor added that the youth of every nation constitute its strength, and, as NYSC deals with this most agile, innovative and highly mobile segment of the country’s population, it is important that the operations of the Scheme are responsive to societal dynamics.
“Successive Managers of the Scheme, therefore, deserve a big applause for initiating and sustaining this Conference, which
is a step in the right direction”, he said.
He urged the Conference participants to use the forum to share experiences and generate fresh ideas that would improve the operations of the Scheme.
He expressed confidence that the outcome of the Conference will further strengthen and position the NYSC for more positive contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.
The Minister promised that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development would continue to give necessary support to the Scheme for the successful discharge of its mandate, especially in sustaining the mentorship of members of the Service Corps for entrepreneurship development and self-reliance as it will contribute immensely to the success of the economic agenda of the present administration.
Dare also reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry to the actualization of the proposed NYSC Trust Fund.
He said, “This is based on our firm belief that the Fund will enhance the operations of the Scheme, especially with regards to the training and empowerment of Corps Members for self-employment and wealth creation”.
He enjoined all stakeholders, including State and Local Governments to continue to support the Scheme, especially through the discharge of their statutory
obligations as spelt out in the NYSC Act.
NYSC Director-General, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim in his welcome address added that the Annual Management Conference is a forum where NYSC Top Management and other key officers make critical review of the Scheme’s operations with a view to evolving new policies and strategies for improved performance.
He said despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Scheme has continued to operate effectively in line with the established safety protocols.
“We have been working closely with the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, as well as Federal and State Ministries of Health for safe and efficient conduct of Orientation Courses and other aspects of our operations.
I am glad to mention that the Scheme has become a reference point for other organizations due to the measures we put in place in response to the pandemic” he said.
Ibrahim added that since its establishment in 1973, NYSC has continued to play vital roles in areas of national unity and integration, promotion of peaceful co-existence among people of different socio-cultural backgrounds, and free movement of labour among others.
Speaking further, he said the contributions of the Scheme to national development, especially in the areas of health, education, rural infrastructure, culture and tourism, sports, conduct of elections and job creation have attracted commendations from within and outside the country.
“The Scheme’s accomplishments are also being showcased through our in-house news magazine, print and electronic media and the newly established NYSC Museum/Archives”, Ibrahim said.
The Director-General added further that while the Scheme appreciates stakeholders’ roles in the achievements recorded so far, the Annual Management Conference seeks to consolidate them by generating new ideas for greater impact.
He said despite the aforementioned achievements, there is need for some critical stakeholders to be responsive to their statutory responsibilities to ameliorate the challenges facing the Scheme such as; dilapidated Orientation Camp facilities, inadequate Corps Lodges and lack of befitting office accommodation in some States.
“As we continue to call on the relevant stakeholders to help in addressing the foregoing challenges, I wish to also use this medium to appeal to the appropriate authorities and well-meaning Nigerians to support the establishment of the proposed NYSC Trust Fund.
Among other benefits, the Fund will make the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme of the Scheme more impactful through the provision of training facilities and start-up capital for Corps entrepreneurs. It will also assist in addressing our infrastructural needs for enhanced operational efficiency”, he added.
There was also a goodwill message from the NYSC National Governing Board Chairman, Ambassador Fati Bala Abubakar.
Despite a court order ordering their release, they were held in the custody of the DSS for more than 30 days.
Due to the retirement of the presiding judge, the court hearing of the human rights case filed by five #BuhariMustGo activists against the Dunamis International Gospel Centre in Abuja and the Department of State Services was stalled on Wednesday.
This was revealed in a statement to Television Nigerian on Wednesday by human rights lawyer Tope Temokun.
The hearing of the case could not proceed, according to the statement, due to the aforementioned reason.
“Upon the retirement of Justice Chikere of the Federal High Court 3 Abuja, the judge who wrote her name in gold before retirement for ordering the DSS to release the 5 youth activists who filed for the enforcement of their rights to personal liberty against the DSS and Pastor Enenche for their unlawful arrest and detention… we are in court today but the matter could not go on owing to the exit from the bench of this great judge,” Temokun said.
On July 4, 2021, the DSS arrested Ben Mannaseh, Emmanuel Larry, Victor Udoka Anene, a blind saxophonist, Samuel Gabriel Iwatonaiye, and Henry Nwodohave for wearing #BuhariMustGo branded shirts on the church premises in Abuja.
Despite a court order ordering their release, they were held in the custody of the DSS for more than 30 days.
On July 26, 2021, Justice Anwuli Chikere granted bail to five activists who had been detained and arrested by the DSS since July 4, 2021 for wearing T-shirts with the slogan #BuhariMustGo to the Church.
In separate exparte applications filed on behalf of the defendants by their lawyer, Temokun, Justice Chikere issued the order.
Ben Manasseh, Anene Udoka, Henry Nwodo, Samuel Larry, and Samuel Gabriel are among the applicants.
They were apprehended by the DSS for wearing ‘Buhari Must Go’ T-shirts to a Sunday service at the Dunamis International Gospel Centre Headquarters in Lugbe.
However, the defendants, who claimed that the DSS’s actions had violated their fundamental rights, went to court to seek redress.
President Muhammadu Buhari and the church’s pastor-in-charge, Pastor Paul Enenche, are also being sued alongside the DSS.
Mr Yusuf Bichi, Director-General of the DSS, and Mr Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation, are among the others (SAN).
They asked the court to declare their arrest and detention illegal, as well as to award N10 million in damages to each of them for the violation of their fundamental rights.
The five had filed a contempt suit against Yusuf Bichi, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), for disobeying the court’s bail order.
On July 30, the activists filed a ‘Notice of Consequences of Order of Court, also known as Form 48,’ in order to force the SSS boss to serve time in prison.
Tomekun, their lawyer, had filed the suit on their behalf in a Federal High Court in Abuja at the time. The DSS DG could face jail time, according to the court notice.
Recall that a Magistrate Court in Mpape had also admitted the activists to bail in the sum of N500,000 each with one surety each on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, but DSS operatives hurriedly drove the activists away before the bail conditions were perfected.
The thugs were dispatched from Oyo State in order to prevent the election of a specific candidate for the governorship election in 2022.
The 105 suspected political thugs apprehended by the Nigerian Army on their way to Ekiti State have been transferred to the Nigerian Army’s 323 Artillery Brigade in Akure, Ondo State.
The soldiers took the arrested thugs there for further investigation, according to a Vanguard report.
Captain Akin Omojokun, the brigade’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed the suspects’ arrest.
The suspects, according to Omojokun, will be interrogated.
The Nigerian Army intercepted some armed members of the Oyo State Park Management System, also known as the National Union Workers (NURTW), at Ita Awure/Efon Junction, Osun State, on Wednesday morning, according to Television Nigerian.
They were apprehended around 3 a.m., according to television Nigerian.
The armed thugs were reportedly on their way to Ekiti, where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Primaries were scheduled to take place today.
According to television Nigerian, the thugs were dispatched from Oyo State to prevent the election of a specific candidate in the 2022 governorship election.
Guns, machetes, charms, and other weapons were used to apprehend the hoodlums.
Usman Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, had earlier dispatched additional policemen from Abuja to Ekiti State to supplement personnel on the ground in the state in order to ensure that the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress primary elections went off without a hitch.
Tunde Mobayo, the state Commissioner of Police, announced the move on Tuesday, saying it was “in a bid to maintain a peaceful atmosphere and free, fair, and credible governorship primary elections for the PDP and the APC.”
While 11 candidates are vying for a PDP ticket in the indirect primary scheduled for Wednesday, eight candidates are vying for an APC ticket in the direct primary scheduled for Thursday.
According to a letter sent to Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Senator Rochas Okorocha (APC, Imo West) has entered the presidential race for 2023.
Lawan read the letter at the start of the plenary on Wednesday.
Okorocha has scheduled a press conference for next week, where he will discuss his plans.
Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi and Senate Chief Whip Orji Uzor Kalu join the former Imo governor.
On the APC platform in the south east, there are now three aspirants for the presidency in 2023.
In the South West, only Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has made his plan public.
AWKA is an abbreviation for the word “awkward The Anambra State Police Command has issued a wanted list for 21 people in connection with the recent murder of two people in the Ogwu-Aniocha community of Anambra State’s Ogbaru Local Government Area.
The individuals are also wanted in connection with the alleged kidnapping of the community’s monarch, Igwe Oliver Chike Nnaji.
A press statement signed by Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, listed the suspects and urged members of the public with useful information on their whereabouts to report to it.
“Anambra State Police Command wishes to declare the following persons wanted in the ongoing investigation of the alleged murder of Chief Ajieh Anthony Nwanasor, Ikenna Ugochukwu, and abduction of the traditional HRH Igwe Oliver Chike Nnaji (Ezechukwukwadolu the III) of Ogwu-Aniocha community, Ogbaru Local Government Area,” according to the release.
“In the ongoing investigation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng, assures Ndi Anambra and the good people of Ogwu-Aniocha that the Command will leave no stone unturned.”
“He also encourages citizens to contact the Anambra State Police Command if they have any information that can help the investigation.” Confidentiality is ensured.”
Okwudili Ogana, Chidi Ekpendu, Chukwunonso Udom, Amaechi Akachukwu, Emmanuel Ejiofor, Christian Udeze, Chikezie Onwuka aka Osy Torture, Iweka Odogwu, Chimezie Okonkwo aka Danger, and Onochie Nwabugwu aka Young PG were among the suspects named.
Anayo Ubadi aka Agunechimba, Chibueze Egwenu, and Charles Obi are among the others.
Aboy Udom, Chinedu Collins Nwonani, Onyebuchi Umuna aka Omeke, Ifeanyi Mbanugo aka Acid, Sunday Osadebe, Nduba Chibuzor, Amechi Adama, and Azuakonam Anyakodia are among the other participants.