A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, yesterday, alleged witch-hunt by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, in the fight against corruption.

This was contained in a joint statement signed by leaders of the coalition, The President, Competent Governance for Accountability and Civic Trust, CGACT, Comr. Omoba Micheal; Deputy National Chairman, Urhobo of the South-South Youth Peace Mission, USYPM, Comr. Godwin Erheriene Oghenero; and Executive Director, Beyond Boundaries Legacy Leadership Initiative, BBLLI, Comr. Omaga Daniel.

The coalition alleged that the Commission is not playing according to the rules of the anti-corruption fight under the Buhari-led administration, because of not following due process.

According to the group there are cases that show the ICPC has not done thorough investigations over alleged fraud committed by some organizations.

The statement reads in part, “We the Coalition of Civil Societies are using this medium to call on the presidency for an overhaul of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, as the anomalies recorded in recent time is far more than the right they have recorded under this present leadership.

“This record is not good for a growing nation like Nigeria as it will discourage many well-meaning Nigerians both within and outside the country, who intend to contribute their own quota to the development of this nation. We are having growing worries over the too many ‘unprofessional acts’ being displayed by the commission, just to score cheap political points.

“We are not unaware of the recent misinformation on some organizations which are too important to this nation and sensitive but being dragged to the mud by ICPC.

“One is the issue of Pinnacle Communication and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) regarding the Digital Switch Over (DSO) which when completed will generate $1 billion annually for the Nigerian television industry according to the Minister of Information and Culture.

“It is so apparent that the issue of ICPC fighting the company handling this magnificent project is against the interest of the nation, as it is obvious, because the petition alleging of the sum of N2.5 billion to Pinnacle Communication by NBC without due process, thereby making it a baseless and factual media trial and also place a “post no debit” on the account of Pinnacle Communication with Zenith Bank Plc.”

Meanwhile, the group also alleged that, “ICPC has current issue of alleged indictment of the MD/CEO of Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET), Marilyn Amobi, which has really cut the attention of many because of the misinformation coming again from ICPC.”

In giving instance on the alleged witch-hunt by the Commission, the group said, “The story claimed that the alleged ICPC report was dated February 6, 2019. And as at April 10, 2019, two days before the ICPC publication, NBET staff was at the ICPC office to provide additional document to the commission on the said issue. Why are they saying they have concluded the investigation since February 6, 2019?

“ICPC should be more professional in its fight against corruption instead of this their media trial strategy which they are using to dent the image of some well-meaning Nigerians who are trying their best to see this Nation be at par with best globally.”

Prof. Emmanuel Ingwu has been appointed the acting VC of CRUTECH an hour ago.

Professor Emmanuel Eunimke Ingwu, born 7th November, 1958, hails from Ohong Village in Obudu LGA Cross River State, Nigeria. He attended Government Secondary School, Obudu (1972-1976); St. Thomas Teachers’ Training College, Ogoja (1978-1979); University of Nigeria Nsukka (1981-1985). He went to the University of Ibadan for his Master of Education (1986-1987) and Doctorate Degree (2000-2004) in Industrial Education.

He taught in the Primary School, Ohong between 1976-1978, and 1979-1981. Between 1988-1990, he taught in St. Thomas’ Teachers Training College, Ogoja; between 1990 and 2002, he was a lecturer in the Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa, where he served as Acting Dean, School of Education from 1996 to 1999.

He was appointed Senior Lecturer in the Cross River University of Technology in 2002. He was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, in 2010, and appointed full Professor of Adult and Industrial Education in 2014, by the same University. He has served the University in various capacities, as Acting Head, Department of Educational Foundations and Administrations 2003 – 2004 and 2005 – 2007; and Dean, Faculty of Education, 2016 – 2017.

He was an external examiner, teaching practice programme to the Fedreal College of Education, Obudu between 2006 – 2017. He is adjunct Professor, (Industrial and Labour Studies Unit), Department of Continuing Education and Development Studies, University of Calabar from 2016 to date.

Professor Emmanuel Unimke Ingwu has to his credit extensive publications in reputable National and International Journals in the area of Adult Education and Industrial relations. He is member of Professional associations, namely; Nigerian National Council for Adult Education, Nigeria Society of Educational Psychologists, Association of Nigerian Teachers.

Before his appointment today been 30th of April 2019, Prof. Emmanuel was the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Cross River University of Technology Calabar from 2017.

He is to resume office by Thursday 2nd May 2019 which is also the date for the University matriculations.
He is married to Mrs. Gladys Eneyi Ingwu.

In readiness to when Nigeria will embrace the use of electric cars, Cross River Government is aligning with a Slovak firm, Sirieco, with a view to establishing electric car assembling plant in the state.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sirieco Company Limited, Mr. Groidis Peter disclosed this when he led his team on an inspection tour of Ayade Industrial Park, in Calabar.
As well as the electric car plant, the the Slovakian firm will also set up a factory for the manufacture of the latest and long lasting energy bulb in the state. 
Speaking to newsmen shortly after a visit to the Ayade Industrial Park, he said “after a useful deliberation with the governor and tour of some of the projects here in this industrial park, I am glad to announce to you, gentlemen,  that we will love to build a strong working relationship with the Cross River State government which will culminate in the building of a hub that will be second to none in Africa.”
According to Peter,  “We are starting with Eco-Cars; electric cars and we hope to set up the car assembling plant here in this park. We are also building a factory for the manufacturing of long lasting street lambs.”
Reacting to the development, Governor Ayade said: “The Ayade Industrial park has 42 plots of land ready for any serious investor who is willing to create jobs for at least 50 Cross Riverian from its investment outlay.
“We are offering free land, tax exemption and providing the necessary utility support services including free Wi-Fi.”
Ayade who expressed his  excitement at the visit of the business team further stated that “the team we just received has expressed its readiness with the speed of light to commence the installation of an electric car assembling plant and  in addition, set up a modern street light bulb manufacturing plant with minimum of 18watt and above for our streets using the latest technology that has a better temperature control system and 22 years life span solar systems.”
Offering more insights on the new technology, the governor explained: “The new solar bulb will not suffer the deposition burden that characterizes the existing technology we currently have and that it will have no attenuation of its lighting on the basis of long use occasioned by high temperature in Nigeria.
“So, all the limitations of the existing systems using solar energy have been addressed by this latest technology which is why we are excited that this is coming at this time when we are still battling to fix the energy needs of the state.”
Justifying the tour of the Industrial park,  Ayade informed: “We brought them here to make a choice of a location because we are giving them free land and also guaranteeing them 3 years tax exemption. We also guarantee them that once the production line is up and running, we will purchase at least 10,000 lamb per anum which I think is enough to catalyze and energise them to commence work on site as soon as possible.
“We have also offered to build on order, their factory plant at no cost to them as an incentive to ensure that they settle in properly. Once we achieve this, young Cross Riverians will gradually start having the anticipated technology transfer."
On being the first state where electric car will be assembled, Ayade said: “I’m the only digital governor in Nigeria so, it is expected. We are working ahead of time. Four years is like four days so, that is why everyday I am on the road to ensure that  by the time I leave office after eight years, I should turn back and reflect and say wow! And consistent with my history, I have never failed and won’t fail this time.  So, in less than six months construction will start.”

Adoga Michael Oyi


President Donald Trump lambasted union leaders on Monday hours after former Vice President Joe Biden received the endorsement of a major firefighters’ labor group.

“I’ll never get the support of Dues Crazy union leadership, those people who rip-off their membership with ridiculously high dues, medical and other expenses while being paid a fortune. But the members love Trump ,” Trump wrote on Twitter.
Trump, who has long claimed support of rank-and-file union members, added that “they look at our record economy, tax & reg cuts, military etc.” and see a “WIN!”

His latest attack came hours after the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) announced it would endorse Biden’s 2020 Democratic presidential bid after staying out of the 2016 election, declining to endorse Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton or Trump.

People close to Trump believe Biden could be the president’s most formidable general-election opponent, since he could earn support from white, working-class voters in states Trump won in 2016, including Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

According to Cnbc news update, President Donald Trump on Monday unleashed a series of tweets criticizing leaders of major labor unions and former Vice President Joe Biden , who launched his 2020 presidential campaign last week.

Biden was scheduled to speak to the Teamsters union Monday in Pennsylvania, a state Trump won in 2016, but where Biden was born and raised.

 See Tweet..

By Team Jarigbe

April 30th, 2019

The Lawmaker representing the good people of Ogoja Yala Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has condemned in  totality the abduction of one of his constituents Mr  Mathias Odo, a business man in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State.

In a statement he issued to his Media team on Tuesday in Abuja, Jarigbe noted that the rising cases of kidnapping had become a serious National security problem.

He urged the security agencies to confront this challenge, he also commended Hon. Barrister Alphonsus Ogar Eba and the Yala youths for their roles in the rescue mission.

He said, “It is a menace and  threat to life and liberty of all Nigerians. We must courageously stand collectively and confront the evil of kidnapping.

“There is the urgent need for communities to organise themselves, cooperate with security agencies and protect themselves against this spreading danger.

“We must not succumb to kidnappers nor allow them to dictate our lives.

“If we chose to remain silent and submit to fear of kidnappers, we encourage them the more."

The Lawmaker, who described the abduction of the business man and the killing of a young man as evil.

The Lawmaker extended heartfelt condolences to the people of Yala for the Lost of their son during the operation. And had promised his readiness all times to collaborate with other functionary agencies and persons to protect his people.

C. Ronaldo

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has welcomed the appointment of Pep Guardiola as a possible replacement following Juve’s consideration of sacking their manager.
Massimiliano Allegri has been at the helm of the Serie A giants since July 2014, winning four Italian Super Cups and five Scudettos during that time.

The former AC Milan boss could be sacked due to an “irreplaceable rift between Allegri and Juve’s management”.

Following the Bianconeri’s first-leg round of 16 loss to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
While the 51-year-old ended up staying at the helm of the Italian giants, his future at the club once again appears uncertain.

Juventus are once again assessing Allegri’s situation following their quarter-final UCL elimination at the hands of Ajax Amsterdam.

Ronaldo’s arrival at Juventus in July 2018 was supposed to help deliver the European crown, which has eluded the club since 1996, with Allegri suffering defeats in two UCL finals in the space of three years.

As a result, Juve could part ways with Allegri and look to replace him with two-time Champions League winner Guardiola, a move the five-time Ballon d’Or winner would reportedly welcome

Salah and Messi

Barcelona vs Liverpool: Michael Owen has made his prediction for the clash.
BARCELONA will struggle to cope with Liverpool’s pace and power when the two teams meet in the Champions League semi-final first leg.

That is the view of former Liverpool striker Michael Owen, who thinks that Jurgen Klopp’s men can come away from the Nou Camp with a draw.
The two teams put on dominant displays in their quarter-final ties with their big game players coming to the fore once again.

Barcelona beat Manchester United 4-0 on aggregate with Lionel Messi bagging twice in the second leg at home.
Liverpool on the other hand beat Porto 6-1 on aggregate with goals from Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah.

“Barcelona retained their La Liga title when they beat Levante at the Camp Nou on Saturday, but I feel they will struggle to cope with the pace and power of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah midweek,” Owen said.

Michael Owen

“I expect the Reds to get a draw from another entertaining tie.
“Barca are unbeaten in 31 home Champions League games but the Reds have never lost at the Camp Nou in four previous visits (W2 D2) and I expect Jurgen Klopp’s side to maintain that sequence on Wednesday.
Barcelona vs Liverpool: Roberto Firmino completes the front three for Klopp's boys

“Lionel Messi has scored 24 goals in 32 Champions League games against Premier League opposition, but he has failed to score in his two previous games against Liverpool.
“Messi showed against Manchester United in the quarter-final 2nd leg that he remains at the very top of his game.
“How Liverpool cope with the little magician might be the key to the tie.”
Klopp will be hoping to at least score an away goal in the first leg but will be quietly confident of avoiding defeat also.

That said, the Reds have not been at their best away from home in this season’s competition.

They lost all three of their group stage away trips to Napoli, Red Star Belgrade, and Paris Saint-Germain.
But they have improved in the knockout stage, beating Bayern Munich and Porto in the away leg

The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has carpeted an APC stakeholders’ forum over its letter to President Muhammadu Buhari and the party’s national leadership that he (Bello) should not be given the party’s ticket for the November 2, 2019, governorship election.

The Kogi APC Stakeholders Forum, led by Sen. Alex Kadiri, had in the letter, alleged that the APC would lose Kogi if it fielded Bello for the election given his alleged poor performance.

But reacting, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Bello, Mr. Onogwu Muhammed, described the petitioners as “amorphous group” who had been “dislocated and sent on political wilderness” and were now resurfacing to seek some political relevance in the state.

“For a start, let it be categorically made clear that the leader of the APC in Kogi State is his Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and any emergent group is nothing but a criminal assemblage out to hoodwink the good public.

“Sen. Alex Kadiri can, therefore, seek genuine forum by aligning himself with the purposeful direction of his Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello – the only and recognised leader of the APC in Kogi State.
“This group of elders led by Sen. Kadri have never been fair to our state and affairs of the people, but rather constitute themselves as a clog in the wheel of progress of our dear state.

“They are like the seasonal lizards that come out only when it rains. Always coming during election circle, forgetting that party politics is not about feasting, but building formidable structures – a feat his excellency has consumed himself in for the past three years,” he said in a statement.

Petr Cech’s Czech Republic teammate Josef Sural has passed away after being involved in a car accident. The 28-year-old Alanyaspor forward was travelling in a private minibus with six of his team-mates following Sunday’s 1-1 Turkish Super Lig draw at Kayserispor

According to a report by Turkey’s state-run news agency Anadolu, the bus overturned five kilometres from the southern coastal town of Alanya. Sural’s fellow players – including Papiss Cisse and Steven Caulker – were treated as outpatients for minor injuries.

A statement tweeted from Alanyaspor’s official account read: “Despite all efforts by the doctors of Alanya Private Anatolian Hospital, our Czech footballer Josef Sural has passed away after the VIP van that was carrying seven of our players crashed.”

Sural was capped 20 times by the Czech Republic and scored his only international goal in a crucial 3-2 Euro 2016 qualifying win over Netherlands in October 2015. The former Slovan Liberec, Sparta Prague and Zbrojovka Brno player featured in all three of his country’s matches at the finals in France the following year.

He only moved to Turkey during the January transfer window. A switch was completed from Slavia Prague as he sought a new challenge. Sural leaves behind a wife and two children – with his youngest having been born just two months ago. His former employers at Slavia Prague are among those to have paid their respects on social media.

A post from the Czech club read: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the death of our friend and former captain Josef Sural. We would like to express our condolences to his family.

“Sury, we will never forget you. Rest in peace!”

Former international team-mate Petr Cech, who is currently on the books of Premier League side Arsenal, offered his own message of condolence.

He said: “Sad news from this morning. Sincere condolences to the family and to all the loved ones. R.i.p.”

Regina Daniels on bed with her ex -boyfriend Somadina Adima

browngh.com

When the heat gets so intense the ‘rough get going’, such is the case of Regina Daniel’s ex-boyfriend who is currently gnashing his teeth for losing the pretty actress to 59-year-old Ned Nwoko.

Somadima Adima

The ex-boyfriend upon several trolls by social media users has finally reacted to the brouhaha surrounding Regina Daniels and Ned Nwoko’s marriage.


Actor, Somadina Adinma who is the ex-boyfriend of Regina Daniels seems to be fed up with the constant mockery over losing her ‘bae’ to the billionaire.

The actor who has kept mute on the current reports concerning her ex-lover, Regina Daniels has finally broken silence due to trolls bugging him on social media.

The actor has responded to critics by saying that they should mind their own business.

He used ‘unprinted words’ on all those trolling him as he claimed he is unperturbed.

See his full post below:

Nigerians are on alert as Legend Jay Jay Okocha took to social networking site, instagram to announce his daughter, Daniella is ready to settle down.

Augustine Azuka “Jay-Jay” Okocha is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

Interior Minister, Abdulrahman Dambazau.

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 1, 2019 as public holiday to celebrate the 2019 Workers’ Day.

The Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Barr. Georgina Ekeoma Ehuriah yesterday.

He congratulated Nigerian workers on their commitment and sacrifice towards building a greater Nigeria.

Dambazau also commended workers’ effort at ensuring the full implementation of the policies and programmes of the government through effective service delivery to Nigerians and foreigners at large.

By Uchino Amatey

Members of the Pan African Good Governance Council (PAGGC) have presented an award of recognition to the Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), Dr Stephen Odey in recognition of his outstanding achievements and commitment to the advancement of good governance in Africa.

The award which was presented at the Office of the Executive Chairman SUBEB, Calabar as part of the councils annual Good Governance Indicators Programme was also to honour Dr Odey as one of the top ten best performing appointees in Cross River State and to further appoint him as a “Pan African Good Governance Ambassador.”

The leader of the delegation Pan African Good Governance Council, Prof. Austin Angba said Dr Odey has distinguished himself and has shown excellence in service delivery, especially in the basic education sub-sector.

Prof.  Angba said the council which was established in 2010 as a watch-dog to promote, enforce and encourage good governance amongst African States, also celebrates and honours individuals who have made immeasurable impacts in their roles in governance and leadership.

Responding, the Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Stephen Odey, expressed gratitude to the Council for the honour, describing it as a humbling experience. He added that the gesture will spur him to greater heights.

Extending gratitude to Governor Ben Ayade, Dr Odey stated that strides recorded in the basic education sub-sector would not have been possible without the governor’s commitment to ensuring that Cross River becomes a leading state in basic education.

Speaking on some of the achievements recorded by the Prof. Ben Ayade-led administration in the basic education sub-sector, Odey said the Board has been able to address key challenges confronting the basic education sector.

According to him “We have to leave a legacy, by the time we leave here people should have positive stories to tell. We may not be perfect but we have been able to address some key issues that had bedevilled the basic education sub sector. This is the first time we have uncovered about 1,500 teachers with fake certificates, for the first time we have been able to conduct a recruitment exercise where teachers were subjected to open interview and only the best were employed, and money was not collected from any applicant."

 "We are currently running three model junior secondary schools in Akpabuyo, Abi and Yala LGAs. We are constantly building and rehabilitating our school structures across the State and we are poised to do more in the years to come,” He reiterated.

Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki has bagged a new international appointment.
Naija News report that Saraki has been appointed as an “Ambassador-at-Large” of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC).

This was contained in a letter dated March 16, 2019, signed by the Diplomatic Head of the Commission to Nigeria and other African Countries, Ambassador Friday Sani, where he said that Saraki’s appointment was sequel to the approval of the World Secretary General of the IHRC.

Saraki was appointed as one of the revered Ambassadors-at-Large of the multinational body.

A copy of the letter obtained by Saraki’s media office read as thus; “While our role as a regional body is to promote and encourage institutions and persons to uphold human dignity across the world, we must not fail to mention the commendation of our Nigerian team over your resolute efforts in the stability of your country and your firm leadership of the Nigerian Senate which is adjudged to be among the most proactive parliaments across the world.
“Besides, the Commission is not unmindful of the maturity that you recently displayed in the face of an obvious provocation in your constituency during the last Presidential and National Assembly elections,” Ambassador Sani said in the letter.

In the new capacity as the “Ambassador-at-Large,” Saraki is expected to lead the diplomatic team of the IHRC in various diplomatic missions across the world.
While expressing his appreciation to the IHRC for his nomination, the Senate President has accepted the nomination of the Commission.

The lawmaker representing the Kaduna Central senatorial district, at the National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, has unveiled the reason behind the fight between the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos state, Bola Tinubu; Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

According to Sani, the disagreement was all about the leadership of the ninth National Assembly.

Sani also noted that it was a continuation of what transpired at the eight Assembly.
The disagreement also comes after it was reported that Tinubu had accused Saraki and Dogara of having padded the national budget for four years.

While reacting to the allegation levied against them, both Saraki and Dogara fired back and accused the national leader of the APC of attempting to hijack the National Assembly to aide his dream of becoming President in 2023.

However, in a tweet on Sunday, Sani explained as thus; “Tinubu’s Cruise missiles fired from Ships and Submarines and Saraki’s Surface to Surface missiles and Dogara’s Ballistic missiles are continuation of the old war and the beginning of a new one,over the control of the eight and ninth regiment.”

April 29, 2019

Press Statement

PDP Alerts As INEC Replaces Servers Across States To conceal Rigging #RescueNigeria

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alerts Nigerians that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is now replacing all the servers in its Headquarters and offices in all states of the federation and Abuja, in a desperate bid to obliterate the actual Presidential election results transmitted from the polling centers across the nation.

This is completely reprehensible and further exposes the culpability of INEC in the manipulation and rigging of the 2019 Presidential election.

The PDP has been well briefed on how the INEC leadership and officials of the Buhari Presidency became jittery and resorted to the desperate measure, after they realized that the servers have information of Atiku Abubakar’s victory at the election.

Our party also has details of how the INEC leadership and the Presidency agents procured and detailed computer experts to the commission’s offices to switch the servers, mutilate vital information in the system and attempt to erase all trails of transmitted results to the main server.

Moreover, our party has been informed about how the INEC leadership, several weeks after the election, used some compromised officials of the commission to manipulate voter registers in some states by ticking names of individuals who did not participate in the Presidential election, as having voted. This is with the view to using such to cover the fictitious results it wrote for the APC.

What INEC and the Buhari Presidency do not understand is that computer software and applications leave traces, signatures as well as footmark. Forensic investigation of the system will reveal the real votes transmitted from the polling centers, which show Atiku Abubakar as the winner of the election.

The PDP therefore insists on forensic examination of all relevant documents and equipment used for the Presidential election.

Our party will continue to be at alert as we stand with Nigerians to reclaim our stolen mandate at the tribunal and no amount of manipulations by INEC will detract from this national resolve.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

By: CrutechPress

A student of the the department of Medical Biochemistry, faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Okuku Campus  identified as miss Ayomide Favour Johnson has emerged as the overall winner of the 'Shift the Emergence Talent Hunt' singing competition.

Favour who just defended her final year project went home with  whooping one million naira (N1.000,000.00) cash prize donation from the competition.

On behalf of the Nigerian Union of Campus Journalists (NUCJ), we say a big congratulations to our worthy ambassador who is already blazing the trail using her talent.

@crutechpress

The National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been accused of plotting to take over power from President Muhammadu Buhari before the year 2023.

The allegation was leveled against Tinubu by the Northern Youth Movement (NYM) which also claimed that the APC leader’s desperation to take over the National Assembly by installing Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, his “political boy” as Speaker of the House was part of his moves to pave way for his presidential ambition.
Mallam Ishaya Jato, Chairman of NYM commented that much in a lengthy statement issued in Abuja on Saturday.

The statement by the NYM reads thus; “Tinubu is banking on two scenarios; the President becoming incapacitated before 2022 or his impeachment and he will need the National Assembly for both.
“Having used the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole to take over states in the South from governors like Rochas Okorocha and Ibikunle Amosun that he opined can challenge him in 2023; Tinubu is now after the larger picture of total control of the National Assembly.

“It is, therefore dangerous for the north for the same Southwest, which already has the Vice President to produce the House of Representatives Speaker.

“It’s even more dangerous for the same Tinubu; whose political boy is the Vice President to also have another of his stooge as the House of Representatives Speaker.
“We in the NYM will resist this attempt by one single individual to control the political destiny of our country and we urge our leaders in the north to take note of this.
“This is more so that the in the spirit of federal character formula enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria, the six positions of President, Vice President, Senate President and Deputy as well as Reps Speaker and Deputy available, the six geopolitical zones must get one position each.

“Already, Northwest and Southwest have taken President and Vice President respectively; the remaining four positions must therefore be shared among the South-South, South East, North Central and North East zones.
“Particularly, the North Central, which gave massive votes to President Buhari must produce the Speaker.”

Four months later, the Kogi State branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), has suspended a strike it embarked on in December 2018.

The judicial workers went on the industrial action following a disagreement with the executive arm of the Kogi State Government on proposed screening to audit its workforce.

JUSUN announced the strike suspension, which will take effect from Monday 29th April, in a statement issued after an emergency meeting on Sunday, in Lokoja, the state capital.
The statement titled: “Suspension of Strike” was signed by Comrades Emmanuel Waniko and Sule Suberu, Chairman and Assistant Secretary respectively.

It read: “The union wishes to sincerely appreciate the members for their patriotism, resilience and their absolute support to the course of this struggle for the past four months in the face of untold hardship.

“Fellow members, as you all know, various mediators, including the Kogi State Elders Forum (KSEF), traditional rulers, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama’atu Nasir Islam (JNI) and other government representative agents, waded into, but could not resolve, as the union and the government could not reach consensus.
“However, as you must have heard, the National Judicial Council (NJC), in their quest to resolve the impasse, sent a sub-committee to the state, and among other things, was able to wade into the matter with the view for amicable resolution.
“Among other things arrived at are as follows: That the strike embarked upon on the 11th December, 2018 by Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Kogi State branch, be suspended to give room for further deliberation.
“That a committee be set up between the executive and the judiciary to work out the modalities for the payment of salary arrears.

“JUSUN has considered the NJC as the apex body that regulates the conduct and administration of the judiciary in Nigeria, and therefore has confidence in the council, that the matter has finally been put to rest.
“Also, in consultation with other sister associations in the Kogi State j udiciary, i.e the Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Association of Inspectors and Area Court Judges (IAJA), are also in agreement with JUSUN.

Elders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi sate have kicked against the second term bid of the state governor, Yahaya Bello.

Among other allegations, the elders said the governor had nothing to account for the N344billion allegedly received as allocation in the last 38 months of his administration.
In a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari signed by the Convener of Kogi APC Stakeholders Forum, Sen. Alex Kadiri described the governor as non- performing and violent.

The elders described the emergence of Bello as an accident which came to manifestation after the death of the elected governor of the state, Abubakar Audu.
The petition reads, “Governor Yahaya Bello was never elected by the good people of Kogi State. The death of Abubakar Audu made it possible for Bello to be Kogi State Governor. He has shown everyone that he lacks leadership abilities. He can’t fight for the rights and privileges of Kogi people.
“We request you to step down your support for the candidature of Governor Yahaya Bello for the forthcoming election in Kogi State.

“If the party fields him as a candidate, we are sure of losing the state to the opposition.”
The stakeholders further gave an analysis of how the governor had mismanaged state resources.

They said: “For the past 38 months including February 2019 Governor Yahaya Bello has not paid full salaries to the workers of Kogi State, despite the fact that the state received full allocation from the Federation Account as detailed below: Statutory allocation, Excess Crude and Value Added Tax (VAT) (N132b); Internally Generated Revenue by the state(N51b); total allocations to local governments(N111b).
“Total funds received by the state and local governments: N294 billion. The other funds received by the state are as below: Bail Out (N20b); Paris Club refunds 1, 2, and 3 (N19b); and refunds for road construction by previous governments (N11b).

“The governor had conducted multiple staff screening for both the state and the local governments. And from the report of the screening, the monthly wage bill (state, local governments and pensions) at the inception of the administration stood at N5.8 billion. After screening, this figure reduced to N4.4 billion.

“From the table above it is evidently clear that the total revenue received by the state government was more than enough to settle all salaries, pensions and gratuities with huge balance remaining for overheads and capital projects.

“It is very instructive to note that even without bailout and other funds received outside statutory allocation, Governor Yahaya Bello could have still paid all salaries including pensions without conducting multiple screening and inflicting pains on Kogi State and local government workers. This must hurt APC at the polls.

“Even after the screening, all salaries and pensions payments were paid using arbitrary percentages, thereby still owing workers huge outstanding salaries,’’ the elders said.

The Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammad Barkindo has given reasons God allowed President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election.

…dares President to speak up on N14 trillion looted funds, unwholesome borrowing

ABUJA- The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Presidency and the All Progressives Congress, APC, of desperation to remain in power at all costs, so as to continue to exploit Nigerians, protect corrupt leaders in its fold, cover their incompetence and conceal the humongous sleazes in the administration.

This is the reason, the party said “the APC and the cabal at the Buhari- led Presidency resorted to violence, intimidation as well as manipulations and alteration of results at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to rig the February 23, Presidential election.”

In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party maintained that the desperation informed the reason “APC agents and certain Presidential aides have been making desperate efforts to distract the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal and derail the course of justice by making and promoting baseless judicial interpretations and externalizing the proceedings of the court.

“The President Buhari-led APC administration wants to remain in power to prevent investigation into the N14 trillion allegedly stolen under its watch; including the N9 trillion stolen from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, as detailed in the leaked NNPC memo; the over N1.4 trillion alleged oil subsidy sleaze and the N1.1 trillion worth of crude diverted using 18 unregistered companies linked to APC interests.

“This is in addition to the N33billion National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) fund, and the over N18 billion stolen out of the N48 billion approved by the National Assembly in the 2017 budget for the rehabilitation of IDPs in the Northeast, among others.”
The statement further stressed that “the Buhari-led APC administration is desperate to avoid an investigation into its unwholesome borrowings that led to the escalation of our nation’s debt stock from N12.12 trillion in 2015 to an overburdening N24.39 trillion in 2018.
“Within a space of three years, this administration has borrowed a total of N12.27 trillion, yet it cannot point to any significant development project into which the money was invested. This includes the N2.66 trillion borrowed in 2018, ahead of the 2019 general elections.
“These and many more are funds meant for infrastructural development and welfare of Nigerians but have been cornered by APC leaders.
“That the Buhari Presidency lacks the competence and integrity to run a creative, transparent and credible administration that can guarantee economic growth, wealth creation and a dependable system has become a globally accepted fact.
“The negative effect is the further dipping of our economy, as investor’s confidence, which shored up at the expressed resolve by Nigerians to elect Atiku Abubakar as their next President, slumped with the rigging of the Presidential election.”
It urged Nigerians not to despair but continue to be steadfast in the aspiration for the recovery of the stolen Presidential mandate at the tribunal, “as this is the only way to return our nation to the path of peace, national unity and a vibrant economy.”

Oil rig in Lagos, Nigeria. (Source: iStock)
YENAGOA, Nigeria (NEWS 1130) — Global Affairs has confirmed a Canadian is among three oil workers who were kidnapped in Nigeria on Saturday.
Three workers from Canada, Scotland and Nigeria were abducted during an early-morning raid on a rig owned by Niger Delta Petroleum Resources in Ogbele, Rivers State, Reuters reports. The abduction is the second in the Delta region within the last week.

According to Global Affairs Canada, officials from the consulate are supporting the family of the kidnapped Canadian. It says its working to get more information from Nigerian authorities.
The agency won’t be releasing any more information for now, citing privacy concerns.

A military spokesperson in Nigeria says troops are searching the swamps, and police have upped security in that area where civilians were recently attacked.
Last year, two Canadians and two Americans were kidnapped after they were ambushed by gunmen travelling through Nigeria’s northern Kaduna state.

An anti-corruption advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has urged Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, not to give assent to a bill proposing life pensions for the principal officers of the state House of Assembly.
In an open letter on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oludare, SERAP said it was aware that Bayelsa lawmakers last week passed a bill that would grant life pensions to the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and other members of the state House of Assembly.

The bill, the group noted, proposed N500,000 monthly pay for the Speaker; N200,000 for the Deputy Speaker, and N100,000 for each of the 24 other members of the House.
But SERAP, which described the proposed life pensions for the lawmakers as abuse of office, warned Dickson against giving his assent to the bill.
It warned that it would take the governor to court should he give assent to the bill.
It said, “The bill amounts to an incorrect and improper performance of public functions. It’s clearly an abuse of legislative functions by the lawmakers. Rather than sponsoring bills that would improve access of children in Bayelsa to quality education, the lawmakers are taking advantage of their entrusted public positions to propose a bill to collect large severance benefits.

“The lawmakers are clearly the major beneficiaries under the proposed legislation. Therefore, by passing the life pension bill, the lawmakers of Bayelsa State House of Assembly have violated the constitutional and international prohibitions on conflicts of interest.
“The people of Bayelsa would expect you, as their governor, to use your entrusted public office to act in the public interest, including by rejecting the life pension bill and prevailing upon the House of Assembly to immediately drop the bill.
“It is forbidden for any public official, including lawmakers, to engage in self-dealing, and place him/herself in a position of conflicting interests and to hold incompatible functions or illicitly engage in providing to him/herself emoluments deemed unacceptable, unconstitutional and illegal.”
Also, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Preye Aganaba, has joined other Bayelsans in condemning the life pension bill proposed for Bayelsa State House of Assembly members.
Aganaba described the bill as self-centered, insensitive, preposterous and a sad reflection of the inordinate desire of the lawmakers for self-enrichment.

This is coming as Bayelsans, including civil society organisations, political parties and other well meaning individuals are preparing to hit the streets in protest over the bill on Monday (today).
He said the inconsiderate nature of the bill was a direct assault on the sensibilities of majority of Bayelsans who live below poverty line.
Aganaba said the outrage shown by the people of the state against the ‘rapacious bill is an indication of the total rejection of a bill that serves no purpose than enrich the pockets of a select few but impoverish the lives of thousands of Bayelsans.’
A statement by his media aide, Kariebi Prekebena, on Sunday, called for a complete reversal of the life pension bill.
He said, “Passing of the bill last Wednesday by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly unfolds a new chapter on the insatiable greed of the Bayelsa State legislative arm and of all the laws passed by the House since the inception of the current Assembly, the preferential Life Pension Bill, is the most controversial and insensitive.

“It is sad that at a time the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is putting in place palliatives to improve the standard of living for citizens of the country, the Bayelsa State House of Assembly is still in the business of passing retrogressive bills with no incentive for the people they claim to represent.
“It is outrageous that a state government which found the payment of workers’ salaries a major challenge, a situation which led to the now famous “half of half” salary, is planning on giving assent to a bill to pay a whopping sum of N.5m and N.1m to the lawmakers as pension.
“This is nothing more than an exploitative, mercenary plot to further plunge Bayelsans into bottom line poverty.”

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says 140 shelters were destroyed by fire in two Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps at Monguno Local Government Area of Borno.


NEMA Northeast Information Officer, Malam Abdulkadir Ibrahim, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Maiduguri.


Ibrahim said the fire incidents were recorded at Flatari and Nguro camps in Monguno on Saturday.

He disclosed that 28 shelters were destroyed at Flatari camp, affecting 20 households while 120 shelters were  razed and 77 households displaced at Nguro in the fire disaster.


He added that about 371 persons were displaced in the fire outbreaks recorded in the two camps.


Ibrahim said  that the agency was conducting investigation to identifying  the cause of the fire and appraise the needs of the victims.

According to him, the agency in collaboration with the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) had scaled up activities to support the victims.