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The Senate is not in a position to create new states, according to a spokesman

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The Senate claims it is not in a position to propose or recommend the creation of new states unless Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic, as amended, is followed.

Senator Ajibola Basiru, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said in a statement yesterday.

The statement, titled ‘Senate Committee Did Not Propose Creation of 20 New States,’ was issued in response to reports that the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by the Senate Deputy President, Ovie Omo-Agege, had recommended the creation of 20 new states in addition to the 36 currently in existence and Abuja.

Read also: For striking doctors, the FG enforces a no-work, no-pay order and opens attendance registers

According to Basiru, it is up to the Independent National Electoral Commission to decide where a new state should be established.

“Far from recommending the creation of any state,” the statement says, “the Senate committee, while acknowledging receipt of several bills proposing the creation of new states, decided that it is not in a position to recommend or propose the creation of any state unless there is compliance with the provisions of Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic as amended.”

Lalong expresses his regret for the attacks on Plateau communities

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The recent attacks on communities in his state by suspected herdsmen, according to Governor Simon Lalong, are regrettable.

Despite the government’s efforts to address the problem, the governor lamented the state’s growing insecurity, noting that attacks on communities have continued unabated.

This was stated by Lalong during the launch of four books published by COCIN President, Rev. Dacholom Datiri, at the church headquarters in Jos yesterday.

He was responding to recent attacks by herdsmen on communities in the state’s Bassa and Riyom LGAs.

Maritime security: NIMASA will begin removing wrecks from Nigerian waters

“The recent attacks in Bassa and Riyom LGAs were regrettable, coming so soon after the state government spent a large sum of money to purchase and distribute 50 patrol vehicles and 200 motorcycles to security agencies,” Lalong said.

“Now is the time for everyone to act as a first line of defense by gathering intelligence, passing it on to security agencies, and taking all necessary precautions to avoid vulnerability.”

Four notorious bandits are killed by troops in the Kaduna forest valley

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In the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, four notorious bandits were killed in a valley known as ‘Maikwandaraso.’

According to reports, the military used a ground and air assault on the four identified bandits’ enclaves to neutralize them.

The names of the bandits who were neutralized were Alili Bandiro, Dayyabu Bala, Bala Nagwarjo, and Sulele Bala, according to Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Samuel Aruwan, who confirmed the news yesterday.

Read also: Maritime security: NIMASA will begin removing wrecks from Nigerian waters

Several other bandits, he claims, were eliminated in the same air and ground offensive cycle.

Maikwandaraso is close to Karshi village and shares borders with the infamous Kawara and Malul forests, both of which are located in the same Igabi LGA and have been identified as a hotbed of bandit camps and hideouts.

According to the Commissioner, Governor Nasir el-Rufai was ecstatic when he received word of the military’s valor in defeating the bandits.

In Kwara, seven wedding guests, the pastor, and five others were kidnapped

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Five soldiers shot dead at Imo state

In two kidnapping incidents that occurred between the Kwara-Ekiti axis on Saturday evening, a total of 13 people were abducted, including seven wedding guests, a pastor, and his wife.

According to police sources, seven guests on their way back to Ilorin in a Sienna bus from a wedding in Ekiti State were kidnapped at a point between Oke-Onigbin and Omu-Aran in the Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State around 5.35 p.m. on Saturday.

A pastor and his wife, as well as four other people, were involved in the second incident, which occurred between Ekan-Meje in the Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State and Ekiti State.

SP Ajayi Okasanmi, the Public Relations Officer for the Kwara State Police Command, confirmed the two kidnapping incidents, but added that nine of the victims had been rescued.

Read also: Nasarawa APC is investigating the land commissioner for insubordination

In a press statement issued late yesterday, Okasanmi said that the joint security men rescued four of the seven victims of the first kidnapping incident that occurred between Oke-Onigbin and Omu-Aran, while only the pastor and his wife have yet to be rescued in the second incident.

“Reports of two kidnapping incidents were received simultaneously by the Kwara State Police Command on Saturday 07/08/2021 at about 1735hrs to the effect that, along Okeonigbin/Omuaran highway and Ekiti / Ekan Meje axis, six armed men emerged from the bush and stopped a Siena bus in transit from Ekiti state on its way to Ilorin and the seven occupants of the vehicle were marched,” the statement said.

“The Command quickly dispatched its tactical units, which included anti-kidnapping and anti-cultists units, as well as local hunters and vigilantes, while police patrols on the routes were alerted,” said the statement.

“The abductors were immediately chased into the bushes, and four of the seven abducted people were rescued; efforts to rescue the remaining three are still underway.

“Using similar tactics by operatives, those abducted in the Ekanmeje/Ekiti axis using the same modus were equally rescued, leaving only a pastor and his wife, whom the Command is frantically trying to rescue unharmed,” Okasanmi said.

For striking doctors, the FG enforces a no-work, no-pay order and opens attendance registers

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FG enforces a no-work

The Federal Government, FG has ordered all chief medical directors in teaching hospitals across the country to open attendance registers in order to prevent doctors participating in the National Association of Resident Doctors’ strike from receiving pay.

Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, the President of NARD, confirmed the order yesterday.

“The government is determined to implement the no-work-no-pay order,” a senior health official told PUNCH. In all hospitals, attendance registers will be opened as of tomorrow. Everyone will be paid based on attendance.” Recall that NARD resumed its strike on Monday last week after the Federal Government promised to meet its demands, which included payment of the residency fund, Covid-19 allowance, hazard allowance, and outstanding salary shortfalls.

Before resuming their strike on Monday, the doctors claimed that the Federal Government had failed to implement the Memorandum of Understanding that had been signed with them after their previous strike had been suspended for more than 100 days.

Despite the efforts of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, to ensure that the Medical Residency Training Funds are included in the supplementary budget, they claim that the Federal Government has failed to distribute the funds to their members.

Read also: The White House intends to build a new State House Clinic within the Villa

The strike brought tertiary hospitals across the country to a halt, as consultants left to care for patients were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of patients.

The Federal Government announced on Friday that it had invoked Section 43 of the Labour Act’s “no work, no pay” rule.

Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, stated this in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, a current affairs program, saying that the government had communicated its position to the leadership of NARD.

“We are aware that they are going to bring down registers tomorrow,” the NARD President said in an interview with PUNCH yesterday. We are aware that they have discussed this with the chief medical directors. We are aware that they have sent a circular to all teaching hospitals about no-work, no-pay.

“We don’t know if they’ve responded to our ultimatum. What have they done to persuade the younger generation to return to work when they have not responded to our Memorandum of Action signed on March 29 and April 9? So, these are the major concerns.

“You’re in government, and you want to discipline a child. You beat the child, but you still hold his mouth shut so he doesn’t cry out. You had 116 days since you signed a time-bound Memorandum of Action with a six-week deadline, but it will be 117 days tomorrow and you have done nothing. Will you continue to bully your child because you haven’t paid them in months and want to impose a no-work, no-pay policy?

“He (Ngige) has already written to the chief medical directors of hospitals, and we are aware that they are already invoking the no-work-no-pay policy,” Okhuaihesuyi said.

Okhuaihesuyi said the alleged threat by the Federal Government to fire NARD members if they do not resume this week was a positive development.

The President of the NARD argued that anyone hired by the federal government would automatically become a member of the organization.

Read also: Amnesty International: When Human Rights Campaign Is Misplaced

He also wondered where the government would find doctors to replace the 16,000 NARD members who had already completed their training.

“I don’t see how they’re going to replace someone who’s been in training for three to five years with someone who knows next to nothing. “Anyone who is hired as a resident doctor is automatically a member of our organization,” Okhuaihesuyi said.

He also mentioned that his organization had been invited to meet with the House Committee on Health on Monday (today).

“The chairman of the House Committee on Health, Dr Tanko Sununu, has invited us to meet with him in Abuja on August 9, 2021,” he said.

Maritime security: NIMASA will begin removing wrecks from Nigerian waters

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The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has completed preparations for the start of a major wreck removal operation in Nigerian waters.

Dr. Bashir Jamoh, the Agency’s Director-General, made the announcement during a Ministerial retreat hosted by the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMOT) in Lagos.

Dr. Jamoh also stated that plans had been finalized for the recycling of wrecks and derelicts recovered from the waters in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Government and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), which already has a wrecks recycling foundry in Lagos, with the ultimate goal of creating wealth from waste while providing jobs for Nigerians.

Minister of Transportation Chibuike Amaechi, speaking at the retreat’s opening, said the two-day event was organized to assess the performance of the Ministry’s agencies in order to improve the efficiency of service delivery to Nigerians.

“We are here to assess the progress made so far in the maritime sector in order to improve the efficiency of our operations,” Amaechi said.

Read also: Private doctors will honor Odebiyi, and Maduka at the Centenary Anniversary Award

“This administration has accomplished a lot in areas like rail transportation, port operations, maritime safety, and security, among others, and our goal is to do more to enhance productivity,” the NIMASA DG said.

He also revealed that the Agency’s automation push had resulted in the integrated use of technology in the Certificate of Competency (CoC) verification process, resulting in a decrease in manual verification.

“In 2020, the number of manual CoC verifications dropped from 4,112 in 2019 to 2,750, a 33 percent decrease in manual certificate verification,” Jamoh said. In 2020, there were 9,723 online verifications.” On the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) disbursement, Jamoh said NIMASA was working with the Ministry to resolve all grey areas and ensure smooth distribution of the Fund.

Nasarawa APC is investigating the land commissioner for insubordination

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Dr Salihu Alizaga, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, has appeared before an All Progressives Congress (APC) investigative committee in Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area to answer questions about his alleged insubordination to the party leadership.
While answering questions from the committee and petitioners in Nassarawa Eggon on Sunday, Alizaga admitted that he called a meeting on July 18 without the consent of the party because he wanted the party to grow.
“The governor gave me orders to coordinate party activities in the Nassarawa Egggon local government area,” says the governor.
“I called for the meeting on July 18th, 2021, as the governor’s representative in the local government area, because I want to have all inclusive, more electorally valuable stakeholders in order to move the party forward,” he said.

Read also: Breaking: Capt. Hosa Okunbo, a billionaire businessman, died at the age of 63

He claimed that the purpose of the meeting he convened had nothing to do with the party’s chairmanship candidate.
The commissioner also denied receiving any meeting invitation from the Nassarawa Eggon/Alizaga ward, which allegedly led to his suspension.
“No one has ever invited me to meetings in my ward, whether by phone calls, letters, or messages,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Ibrahim Ebbe, the Deputy Chairman Youth Leader, and other Nassarawa Eggon/Alizaga ward executive members insisted that the commissioner had been invited to three ward meetings in the area but had failed to attend any of them.
They claimed that the commissioner’s insubordination prompted them to write a letter of complaint to the state party leadership.
Earlier, the chairman and secretary of the investigative committee, Alhaji Mohammed Ubangari and Mr Bala John, expressed their gratitude to the commissioner and the party executive members for accepting their invitation.
They stated that the committee would be guided by the party constitution in order to complete their task with a positive report.

Read also: In Jigawa, 700 supporters of the PDP and SDP have joined the APC

The committee urged all parties involved to continue to provide them with the necessary support and cooperation in order to help them resolve the problem.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the commissioner was suspended on July 22 by Mr Malle Moses, Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee in Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area, for alleged insubordination to the party leadership in the area.
Moses announced the suspension while appointing a seven-member committee to look into the allegations leveled against the commissioner by local APC officials.
He stated that Alizaga’s suspension was to allow for a thorough investigation into the matter.

“As you can see, the APC leadership of Nassarawa Eggon/Alizaga ward, which is his ward, has filed a formal complaint/petition against Hon. Dr. Ahmed Salihu Alizaga,” Moses said.

The White House intends to build a new State House Clinic within the Villa

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Buhari cautions contractors and businesspeople against bribery.

The White House has announced plans to build a new State House clinic within the Presidential Villa’s precinct, with the goal of providing first-class medical services to the first citizens.

The plans for the construction follow President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval of the location of the clinic within the villa.

The state-of-the-art clinic is expected to be completed within the next two years, before the end of Buhari’s presidency.
The Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs has already visited the site as part of its oversight function to learn more about how the budgetary allocation to State House is being used.

Read also: In Jigawa, 700 supporters of the PDP and SDP have joined the APC

This comes as Tijani Umar, the Permanent Secretary of State House, has lamented that the non-release of full budgetary allocation to State House has become a challenge, citing the fact that some of the facilities at the nation’s seat of power have become obsolete.

Only about N5,083 billion, or about 58 percent, of the N8,699 billion budgeted for State House in the 2018 fiscal year was released, leaving an outstanding balance of about N3,616 billion, according to Umar.

Umar told the committee that only about N2 billion of the N6,955 billion budgeted for 2019 was released, accounting for about 38% of the total amount, leaving a shortfall of about N4 billion. In 2020, a total of N4,878 billion was appropriated and released in full.

In response to journalist questions, the Permanent Secretary stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the economy.

“First and foremost, let me say that we are privileged to be in this position, to be able to discharge these huge responsibilities, and I’m also happy that you raised the issue of funding challenges,” he said when asked how the State House management was dealing with the funding challenges.

” I’d also like to take this opportunity to make a clear distinction between appropriation and release. In 2018, about N8 billion was appropriated, of which only about N5 billion was released, as you mentioned. Looking at the magnitude of the challenges we face on a daily basis, it’s clear that it’s affecting our performance. However, we have a tradition of caution, and we have not lost sight of the international challenges we face, particularly with COVID, in terms of how much money the country as a whole makes.

Read also: Amnesty International: When Human Rights Campaign Is Misplaced

“However, I would like to point out that the State House requires a significant amount of support and funding. Especially since we’re dealing with the phase-out of a lot of infrastructure that has reached the end of its useful life.

“We have a problem with our ICT infrastructure, we have a problem with our equipment in the Conference Centre here, kitchen equipment, we have a problem with telecommunications, and we have a problem with operational and utility vehicles that are slowly approaching the end of their lives and need to be replaced.

“But, in general, I believe the most significant intervention we need is in the design and construction of the Presidential wing of the State House Clinic, which is of strategic national importance and is being done as a legacy project.

“And by the time this administration leaves office, we will have the Presidential Wing of the State House Clinic in place, demonstrating that all of the general public’s observations, hopes, and aspirations for the State House Clinic and its facilities have been realized.

“For the time being, we have begun in earnest with the activities required for the construction, and we have received the necessary approvals. The Bureau of Public Procurement has not raised any objections.

“We have already directed the contractor, because he is coming in the form of a turnkey project, to mobilize and take over the site, as well as to develop the necessary drawings and geotechnical survey reports that we have so that we can complete this project in the two years that we have set for ourselves.”

Read also: Re-NYSC Scheme’s Relevance To Nigeria

“It is going to be delivered over two budget years: 2021 and 2022, and we have not yet finalised is a turnkey project, we need the contractors to finish the development of the drawings and other necessary documents that we need, and for them to give us a conclusive estimate for the building,” he said when asked how much the project would cost.

“After that, we’ll move on to the issue of equipping the building after it’s been delivered, and then we’ll present it to the BPP for consideration.”

When asked if the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs had made a commitment to ensure that funds appropriated were released, Umar responded, “I think, you know, during our meeting or interaction with the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs, it became very clear to the membership of that committee.”

“You know, the entire delegation that came today, what we need to do isn’t just for the executive branch. We need all of the support we can get from the National Assembly because this is a project of national proportions and significance.”

Prof Ibrahim Gambari, the President’s Chief of Staff, as well as members of the Senate Committee and the State House management staff, were present at the meeting.

Professionals and religious leaders are being urged to participate in politics by Makinde

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On Sunday, Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, urged professionals and religious leaders to get involved in politics in order to improve governance and promote sanity in the political system.

The governor made the charge while speaking at a thanksgiving service hosted by Reverend P.F Owa of the Christ Revival Miracle Church in Molete, Ibadan.

He claims that the first time he attended church was on September 20, 2018, but that he returned three weeks before the election and that the Pastor prayed with him in the auditorium.

Read also: Breaking: Capt. Hosa Okunbo, a billionaire businessman, died at the age of 63

Mr Taiwo Adisa, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, quoted Makinde as saying, “We knelt here and prayed, and God answered the prayers.”

“You prayed for me and prophesied that I would win the election after I worshipped here, and I did, to the glory of God.”

Even though he has not been able to return to the church two years after his victory, he claims that the man of God has never chastised him for not doing so.

“It’s been two years since I’ve come here to worship, despite the fact that it’s always been on my to-do list to return and appreciate.

“For those two years, you didn’t go on the air to say that despite prayers helping me win an election, I didn’t come back to thank the church.

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“However, some people have claimed that they were the ones who contributed to the victory. Some have even claimed that I used and dumped them,” the governor continued.

He thanked the pastor and the people of the state for their unwavering support and prayers over the last two years for his administration.
“As a result, I thank you all, the Pastor, and the entire congregation. I am grateful that, despite the fact that I have not attended this church in two years, you have continued to pray for my administration.

Read also: Federal Capital Territory and 12 other states also get new police commissioners

“Aside from Thanksgiving, I’d like to say a couple of things. Pastor Moji Alawiye, the special visitor, expressed concern about those who will build our nation during her speech. The secret is that you, as God’s children, must participate in politics and governance.

“Yes, it’s a difficult task because the political landscape is tainted. We don’t want to be associated with nonbelievers, but we can’t build a nation without dealing with them. And the Bible contains an example of this.

“Look at what Eli’s son did to the temple, but Samuel was in the same place, and God called him out to complete the task He had for him. The same thing happened to Joseph; he had dreamed and seen all of his elder brothers bow before him, but he was sold as a slave and ended up becoming Egypt’s Prime Minister as a result of his journey.

“As a result, don’t entertain any fears in your head. Nigeria will be great again if we go out there and participate in politics.”

The governor explained that the road leading to the Church was in poor condition, promising to instruct the South East Local Government Council to repair it so that users could easily access it.

“When I first came here to worship, I noticed how bad the road leading to this church was, and it is still bad. This church is under the jurisdiction of the South East Local Government, and I’ve brought the Chairman of the Local Government, Pastor Alawode, to see for himself,” he said.

When asked about the politics of 2023, the governor said that all he wants is for God’s will to be done, just as he prayed for in 2019.

“One of the pastors mentioned the first and second tenures while praying. So, in 2019, I came out to tell the people that I wanted to be governor, but I prayed to God that only His will be done.

“And now I’m not sure if it’s even God’s will for me to seek or push out for a second term. The only prayer I want you to pray for me is that God’s will be done in my life alone.

“On a final note, as children of God, let us participate in politics and governance. This nation will get what it deserves because of our participation.”

Read also: Ex-President Yar’Adua’s son allegedly crushes four people to death and is imprisoned in Yola

Earlier in his sermon, Rev. Peter Folorunso Owa, the founder and president of the Christ Revival Miracle Church, praised Governor Makinde’s administration for its tremendous achievements over the last two years, adding that the governor is doing something new in Oyo State.

He stated that Nigeria requires prayers, and that no problem or challenge can be solved without them.

“We are truly proud of God’s wisdom that guides your decision-making in governance, which has brought tremendous achievement and joy to Oyo state,” he said.

“Prayers are what our country requires at this time. God will hear us if we pray and live a righteous life, and He will deliver this nation from its various problems.”

Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, Chief of Staff, Mr Akinola Ojo, Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akinola Ojo, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, and a host of other government officials attended the thanksgiving ceremony.

In Jigawa, 700 supporters of the PDP and SDP have joined the APC

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Over 700 supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Jigawa state’s Gumel local government area (APC).

Defectors from the state’s Gumel, Gagarawa, Ringim, Sule Tankarkar, and Garki local government areas have renounced their membership in their respective parties.

“Myself and other hundreds of youths from the PDP and SDP decided to join the APC and contribute to nation building,” Comrade Hamisu Bekarya, one of the area’s youth leaders, said while declaring the defectors’ intention before the APC leadership in Gumel.

Read also: Buhari endorses the renaming of the Ministry

“We decided to leave our political parties, the PDP and the SDP, and join the APC in order to contribute our quota to nation building, because only the APC provides more opportunities for youths at the local, state, and federal levels,” he explained.

According to defectors, Governor Mohammed Badaru is one of the best among all previous Governors of Jigawa State who have provided opportunities for youths in their administrations.

Former SDP woman leader Hajiya Jummai Shu’aibu Gumel said she and 82 other women left the party to join the APC.

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