Sowore posted a distress tweet at exactly 1:25 am with an eyewitness confirming that his phone was forcefully taken from him.

Operatives of the Department of State Services have arrested pro-democracy activist and the convener of #RevolutionNow Protests, Omoyele Sowore.
It was gathered that Sowore was picked up at his apartment in the early hours of Saturday.

Sowore posted a distress tweet at exactly 1:25 am with an eyewitness confirming that his phone was forcefully taken from him.
The tweet read, " DSS invades Sowore's".
DSS invades Sowore’s

— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) August 3, 2019

He also tweeted " Ja p", confirming his phone must have been seized while trying to raise the alarm about his arrest.
His arrest and detention are not unconnected to #RevolutionNow, a series of planned protests against bad governance in Nigeria scheduled for August 5, 2019.
Details later...

THE ABDUCTION OF FIVE PASTORS, THE SLAUGHTER OF A CATHOLIC PRIEST AND A WORD FOR PASTOR ENOCH ADEBOYE AND VICE PRESIDENT YEMI OSINBAJO

It is no longer news that no less than five Pastors of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) have been abducted in Ijebu Ode, Ogun state. This is sad and regrettable. It was also avoidable.

Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, erudite and distinguished Professor of Law and number one cheerleader, shameless lackey and garrolous Man Friday of President Muhammadu Buhari, Yemi Osinbajo over to you. What will you tell us now?

Three years ago one of your fellow Pastors from Redeemed Church of God, a lady of remarkable courage and strength, was butchered in the streets of Abuja by northern Muslim fundamentalists for preaching the gospel in the early hours of the morning and you said and did nothing.

Since then thousands of innocent people and hundreds of clerics from different Churches and denominations have been murdered by the same people and their Fulani terrorists and again you have said nothing.

The only thing you have done is praise and encourage our tormentors and act as a cheerleader and defender of Buhari and his Phillistines. This does not fit or serve you well.

Now that five Pastors from your own RCCG Church have been abducted by the Fulani terrorists what do you have to say?

Is Buhari still your Messiah? Do you still love him and believe that he is doing a great job? Do you still believe that the scourge and menace of Fulani herdsmen that kill, rape, pillage and abduct our people is "exagerrated"?

Do you still want us to be praying for the Fulani herdsmen? Do you still believe that we should not protect ourselves against them even when your Government refuses to protect or defend us? Are we still to be treated and regarded as your little personal sacrifice to Buhari? Are our lives that expendable?

How many more people do the Fulani terrorists have to slaughter and abduct before your eyes open? Do you not feel any sense of shame or guilt? Do you have any empathy or compassion for the victims?

Do you feel any sense of outrage about what these barbaric aliens are doing to YOUR people and do you feel any remorse for sitting by silently and allowing them to do it?

How did you feel about the slaughter of Mrs. Funke Fasoranti-Olakurin the other day, the butchering of a Catholic priest by the name of Rev. Father Paul Offu in Enugu yesterday and countless other killings and abductions by the Fulani herdsmen?

Does your boss Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu still believe that the killers of Funke and the abductors of those that were with her are Igbos like the self-confessed and notorious kidnapper Evans? Is he still asking "where are the cows?"  Will that be your collective spin once again this time around?

Do you know how much shame you have brought to the Body of Christ and how much innocent blood your Fulani terrorist friends and allies have spilt?

Do you know how many Christians have condemned your RCCG and criticised your much-loved and reverred spiritual father, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, all because of you?

When will you grow some balls? When will you be a man? When will you build up your tetesterone levels? When will you get some energy and show some strength and courage? When will you say no to this great evil? When will you stand up to this tyranny? When will you say to Buhari that enough is enough?

How many more innocent and defenceless people have to be killed, raped, tortured and abducted before you consider resigning and breaking your alliance with the forces of darkness and the earthly representatives of the Anti-Christ? I sincerely hope that you experience a Paulian conversion or have a change of heart and come home and repent, like the prodigal son, before it is too late and before you are uttetly destroyed.

Talking about fathers, permit me to share the following.
In response to the abduction of the five RCCG Pastors, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Church said the following:

"As a father, how do you think I should feel to hear that five of my children have been kidnapped while on their way to attend the Ministers Conference?”.

My  heart goes out to Papa G-O as we pray for the  speedy release of his Pastors and sons.  I am however constrained to add the following and I say it from a position of the deepest love and respect:

Sir, it is time for you to condemn and renounce President Muhammadu Buhari and to stop sitting on the fence. If you refuse to do so this madness will NOT stop!

The Pastor Enoch Adeboye that I know, love and reverre loves and serves the Living God, despises all forms and manifestations of wickedness, is pure in spirit, deplores injustice and has always believed that the worse believer is better than the best unbeliever.

You have thousands of sons all over the country and on all sides of the political divide, including yours truly.

You are respected, reverred, trusted and loved by millions across the nation and across the globe. You have immense favour and goodwill before God and man and you are blessed beyond measure.

I respectfully ask you sir, why should you sacrifice all that for Yemi Osinbajo and turn a blind eye to the evil of Buhari and his people simply because of your love for him? Do you not love the rest of us too? Are our lives and that of our loved ones not more precious to you than the Vice Presidency of Nigeria? Surely that cannot be the case.

Something must be done! Something has to give! Something has to change! The Lord Himself cannot be happy with this regular quantum of bloodshed and spilling of innocent blood!

He cannot be pleased with the level of terror and tyranny that our people have been subjected to.

I beg you in God's name sir to stand with the voiceless, the weak, the defenceless, the innocent, the vulnerable, the oppressed, the suffering and the victims of this demonic bloodfest rather than with the villanous oppressors and the vile tormentors.

I implore you to ensure that you are on the right side of history and that posterity treats you kindly. You deserve no less given what you have achieved over the years. Your silence speaks volumes and it has hurt and discouraged millions of believers.

Your tacit support for the Buhari administration and for Yemi is becoming more of an embarrasment as each day passes. It is unecessary, unwise, uncalled for and unsustainable. It is those of us that love and revere you that can really tell you the truth. And we do so because we adore you and we care! That is why I have written these words and not to in any way embarass, insult or disrespect you.

The truth is that a saint and a man that is as close to being an angel as is possible for any mortal like you cannot be seen to be supporting or condoning evil or standing on the side of bloodthirsty and evil men who seek to destroy and devour the Church of God, to destroy the Christian faith, to stop the spreading of the gospel, to lay siege, slay and prey upon the lives of the downtrodden, defenceless and the innocent and to turn God's children and His elect into celebrated urchins and worthless slaves.

I hope and pray that my counsel will be considered favourably both for the sake of your Church and your excellent and irreproachable reputation. However, time is running out.  The sooner you take a firm stand and speak out against this evil the better for us all.

Permit me to conclude this contribution with the following.  The murder of Rev. Father Paul Offu, Catholic priest, by Fulani terrorists in Enugu yesterday provides yet another example of the barbaric and homicidal disposition of the herdsmen.

I wonder how clerics like Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka, who have consistently defended the atrocities of these vagrant beasts feel about this latest act of barbarity and wickedness? I wonder how they and Pastor Osinbajo sleep at night?

Those who target innocent and defenceless women and children and our reverred and noble clerics for butchery and slaughter are nothing but cold-blooded killers and wholesale cowards who are too weak and timid to take on real men in battle.

May God judge them and all those that sponsor, support and encourage them ever so harshly.


FFK

 Cross River youths under the aegis of Greater Ogoja Development Initiative, have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the Federal University of Technology, Ogoja (FUTOG) Bill passed by the National Assembly.

While making the appeal during a rally in Abuja yesterday,  the Team Leader, Greater Ogoja Development Initiative, Mr Mike Udam, said the youths gathered to bring to the President’s notice the FUTOG bill, passed by the 8th National Assembly
 which has less than 30 days to expire.

Udam, who was represented by a Co-covener of the group, Mr Slater Udam, said the bill is historical to the peace-loving people of Ogoja whom he said are desirous of accessing quality education as clamoured by the Federal Government.

While commending a member of Parliament and former Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Tertiary Education and Services,  Mr Jarigbe Agom, for his selfless service to the needs and aspirations of his Ogoja/Yala constituents, he said Agom's action found expression in the sponsored bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Ogoja and Related Matters (HB. 1293).

Udam added that Ogoja has come of age to ask for what is rightly theirs and ready to support the Federal Government to make the establishment of FUTOG a reality.

He said: "Mr President, the people of the northern fringes of the Ogoja Province, presently configured into Bekwarra, Obanliku, Obudu, Ogoja, and Yala Local Government Areas have resolved that the FUTOG be established in Ogoja.

“Therefore, Ogoja people are compelled to request for the establishment of a university of technology given the Federal Government’s well-intentioned disposition for the development of science and technology in the country.

“Ogoja was promised a university as early as 1975 but was shortchanged on the grounds of a minor disagreement between communities,’’ he said.

He said that Ogoja is blessed with heavy weights in the academia who are willing to relocate to give the university a smooth take off.

“We can boast of 12 professors in the field of Science and Technology presently offering their services across the country.

“We have about 23 associate professors in engineering and allied courses that are ready to come home and develop the university; we are indeed ready,’’ he said.

Udam, therefore, enjoined Mr President to grant the request of Ogoja people by giving assent to the bill, based on the above reasons.

PRESENTATION BY GREATER OGOJA DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE TO PRESIDENT MUHAMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA  DURING THE AWARENESS RALLY HELD IN OGOJA, ON THE 5TH OF JULY 2019

Mr. President,
State House,
Abuja

President Muhammad Buhari

All other Protocols duly observed and respected.

We, the good people of Ogoja, consider it pertinent, to express our profound gratitude to God Almighty for keeping you strong to lead this country after securing another four year term of office. We very formally congratulate you and wish you well as you discharge your duties to the good of all Nigerians.
Today, we are gathered to bring to your notice the bill seeking the establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Ogoja which has been passed by the National Assembly. This bill is indeed historical to the peace-loving people of Ogoja who are desirous of accessing quality education to drive the nation-building endeavour of the Federal Government.





It is germane to commend our illustrious son, the indefatigable Member of Parliament and former Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Tertiary Education and Services, Honourable Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe for the magnanimous ventilation of the needs and aspirations of his Ogoja/Yala constituents. This has found expression in the sponsored Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Ogoja and for Related Matters (HB. 1293) that has been passed by the National Assembly awaiting your assent.
Mr. President, it is axiomatic that “knowledge will forever govern ignorance.” The fact that you have an avalanche of requests for the establishment of tertiary institutions in the country does not only corroborate the imperativeness of the citizens’ desire for education to provide the needed manpower to fill the yawing manpower deficit, but also address other teething challenges faced by these Nigerians in their respective geographical locations.
Historically, Ogoja is a colonial creation of the peoples found in the Middle and Upper Cross River regions- from Obubra, Ikom, Obudu to Ogoja Divisions of Ogoja Province. The Ogoja Province is a pioneer province in Nigeria. Economically viable- agro-based, solid mineral deposits, and tourism. There is hydro-electric power potential at Obubu and Agbokim, and a population of about 2 million from which a dependable manpower is derived. The Province with her Calabar counterpart, comprise the present-day Cross River State. It is on record that Ogoja Province has been marginalized, oppressed, and suppressed by the majority ethnic nationalities even by her fellow Calabar Province. Thus, being the only province yet to be excised into a State, the people of the Province since the 1950s have been involved in the agitation for an Ogoja State to address the socio-economic injustices and political emasculation of the area and her people.
Mr. President, the people of the northern fringes of the Ogoja Province, presently configured into Bekwarra, Obanliku, Obudu, Ogoja, and Yala Local Government Areas have resolved that the Federal University of Technology, Ogoja be established in the Ogoja and land provided for that purpose. Therefore, the good people of Ogoja are compelled by the following realities to request for the establishment of a university of technology given the Federal Government’s well-intentioned disposition for the development of science and technology in the country.
i.  Ogoja, the Headquarters of Ogoja Province and the Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State, is the only town in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria that is over 340km away from its State capital. Thus, any student from Ogoja or any of the northern local government areas of Cross River State, desirous to access the University of Calabar, Calabar, must travel an average of 360km. The closest Federal University is located in Wukari with a distance of 192km from Ogoja. Nsukka is 256km from Ogoja, and University of Agriculture, Makurdi, 209km. It is instructive to note that the growing spate of insecurity through the routes to these university communities in Benue, Taraba, Ebonyi States threatens the actualization of accessing university education there.
ii. Ogoja was promised a university as early as 1975 and surreptitiously shortchanged by the powers that be on the grounds of a minor disagreement between the host communities who have no history of belligerence for several decades to have warranted such an anti-Ogoja decision.
iii.  Today, we have come of age to ask for what is rightly our own. Ogoja has been greatly marginalized in terms of Federal tertiary education. This is a legitimate demand. States with special needs are given attention and awarded another Federal University. Delta State has a Maritime University, a Petroleum Resources University, an Admiralty University and now an ICT university all owned by the Federal Government. Benue State with an existing Federal University in Makurdi is now at the verge of getting a second at Oturkpo. Anambra State is at the verge of getting a second at Nsugbe.
iv. Ogoja Province being the only province to realize a State while other provinces have been configured and reconfigured into States, it is evident that, if the 2014 Confab report had sailed through, that golden dream of Ogoja would have materialized. Now, in the absence of an Ogoja State, we demand a Federal University of Technology, Ogoja in a civilized way. Ogoja is the most peaceful senatorial district in Nigeria with no record violent activities since the advent of democracy in 1999.
V. Ogoja is blessed with heavy weight in the academia that are willing to relocate to give the university a smooth take off. We can boast of 12 professors in the field of science and Technology presently offering their services all across the country. We have about 23 associate professors in engineering and allied courses that are ready to come home and develop the university. We are indeed ready.
Mr. President, consequent upon the above enumerated realities, our prayer is that you grant the request of the people of Ogoja by giving assent to the Bill seeking the establishment of the FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OGOJA.
God bless you all.
Mike Udam
Team Leader
Tom Alims
Akolison Simon
Benedict Wonah
Ojeka Anthony Lechor
Veronica Ushie Ojisor
Okwo Festus
Ushonye Ayim
James Udam
Eric Kanjal
Jarigbe Agom
Egar Mgbantul
Leo Aggrey
Udam John
Maurice Nkong
Atunishor Aju
Ajie Paul Abang Abang
Emeka Okenwa
Ibu Monkom
Regina Inyambe Jangita
Magdalene Liman Inika

We note at this point that the issue of youth unemployment has assumed a global significance, and on the front burner of development discourse

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his previous administration lifted five million Nigerians out of extreme poverty, TheCable reports.
Nigeria has been ranked by the World Poverty Clock as the nation with the poorest people in the world. Poverty remains at 33.1% in the country.
President Buhari spoke at the opening of the Global Youth Employment Forum of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Abuja on Thursday.
Represented by Boss Mustapha, secretary to the federal government, Buhari said this was achieved through the National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP).
“We note at this point that the issue of youth unemployment has assumed a global significance, and on the front burner of development discourse,” he said.
“The government of Nigeria understands the need to focus attention on youth empowerment by creating the enabling environment for job opportunities and capacity building.
“The present administration from the onset, invested in our people, one of the key goals of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, which is the national development blueprint from the period of 2017 to 2020.
“The implementation of the plan also has the flagship programme such as the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).
“It has yielded some measurable outcomes in the form of increased school enrolment and the creation of more jobs.
The President said the programme created opportunities for Nigerians and lifted them out of extreme poverty.
“One of the key components of the NSIP is the N-Power Programme and its sub-components has led to the creation of job opportunities in different sectors of the economy for young persons.
“For example, in the past three years, the programme has yielded over 2 million direct and indirect employment opportunities and has lifted over 5 million Nigerians out of extreme poverty,” he said.

The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams has today on the floor of the House announced  the membership of special and standing committees of the 9th Assembly, First session

1. Selection Committee

Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Chairman
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Member
Rt. Hon. Okon Ephraim - Member
Rt. Hon. Fred Osim - Member
Rt. Hon. Regina Anyogo - Member

2. House Service and Security

Hon. Elbert Ayambem Ekom - Chairman
Hon. Cynthia A. Nkanu - Vice Chairman
Rt. Hon. Charles Ekpe - Member
Rt. Hon. Regina Anyogo - Member
Rt. Hon. Ogbor Ogbor - Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

3. Business and Rules
LEADERSHIP

4. Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution

Rt. Hon. Efa Esua - Chairman
Hon. Chris Mbu-Ogar - Vice Chairman
Hon. Godwin Akwaji - Member
Hon. Davies Etta - Member
Rt. Hon. Charles Ekpe - Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

5. Public Accounts

Rt. Hon. Friday Okpechi - Chairman
Hon. Edward Ajang - Vice Chairman
Rt. Hon. Fred Osim - Member
Rt. Hon. Okon Ephraim
LöRt. Hon. Elizabeth Ironbar - Member
Hon. Cynthia Nkasi - Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

6. Finance and Appropriation

Hon. Sunday Achunekang - Chairman
Hon. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey - Vice Chairman
Rt. Hon. Regina Anyogo - Member
Rt. Hon. Okon Ephraim - Member
Hon. Davies Etta - Member
Hon. Bassey Asuquo - Member
Hon. Chris Mbu-Ogar - Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker  - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

7. Transport & Marine Services

Rt. Hon. Ogbor Ogbor Udop - Chairman
Rt. Hon. Hilary Bisong - Vice Chairman
Hon. Edward Ajang - Member
Rt. Hon. Okon Ephraim - Member
Hon. Frank Ovat - Member
Hon. Elbert Ayambem - Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

8. Petroleum, Gas and Solid Minerals Development

Rt. Hon. Hilary Bisong - Chairman
Hon. Elvert Ayambem Ekom - Vice Chairman
Rt. Hon. Okon Ephraim - Member
Rt. Hon. Fred Osim - Member
Hon. Godwin Akwaji - Member
Rt. Hon. Efa Esua - Member
Rt. Hon. Nelson Ofem - Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

9. Works and Infrastructure

Rt. Hon. Nelson Ofem - Chairman
Rt. Hon. Efa Esua - Vice Chairman
Hon. Edward Ajang - Member
Rt. Hon. Friday Okpechi - Member
Hon. Bassey Asuquo - Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

10. Lands, Housing & New Cities Development a
Hon. Godwin Akwaji - Chairman
Hon. Francis Ovar - Vice Chairman
Rt. Hon. Regina Anyogo - Member
Rt. Hon. Efa Esua - Member
Rt. Hon. Elizabeth Ironbar - Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member


11. Commerce, Industry, PPP & Privatization

Hon. Chris Mbu-Ogar - Chairman
Hon. Francis Asuquo- Vice Chairman
Rt. Hon. Okon Ephraim - Member
Hon. Edward Ajang - Member
Hon. Sunday Achunekang- Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

12. Education

Rt. Hon. Itam V. Abang - Chairman
Rt. Hon. Friday Okpechi - Vice Chairman
Hon. Cynthia A. Nkasi - Member
Rt. Hon. Ogbor Ogbor Udop - Member
Rt. Hon. Charles Ekpe - Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

13. Culture, Tourism and Events Management

Hon. Cynthia A. Nkasi - Chairman
Hon. Sunday Achunekang - Vice Chairman
Rt. Hon. Mathew Olory - Member
Hon. Francis Ovat - Member
Rt. Hon. Elizabeth Ironbar - Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

14. Youth and Sports Development

Hon. Francis Ovat - Chairman
Rt. Hon. Mathew Olory - Vice Chairman
Hon. Cynthia A. Nkasi - Member
Rt. Hon. Hilary Bisong - Member
Rt. Hon. Ekpo Ekpo - Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

15. Information and Communication Technology and Public Affairs

Hon. Francis B.Asuquo - Chairman
Rt. Hon. Nelson Ofem - Vice Chairman
Rt. Hon. Ogbor Ogbor Udop - Member
Rt. Hon. Itam V. Abang - Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

16. Agriculture & Natural Resources

Rt. Hon. Charles Ekpe - Chairman
Hon. Godwin Akwaji - Vice Chairman
Rt. Hon. Fred Osim - Member
Rt. Hon. Regina Anyogo - Member
Rt. Hon. Okon Ephraim - Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

17. Health Services

Rt. Hon. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey - Chairman
Hon. Davies Etta -Vice Chairman
Hon. Sunday Achunekang - Member
Hon. Chris Mbu-Ogar- Member
Hon. Ogbor Ogbor Udop - Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

18. NDDC/Women Affairs, Social Welfare & General Development

Rt. Hon. Elizabeth Ironbar - Chairman
Rt. Hon. Charles Ekpe - Vice Chairman
Rt. Hon. Nelson Ofem - Member
Hon. Godwin Akwaji - Member
Rt. Hon. Itam Abang - Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

19. Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development

Rt. Hon. Mathew Olory - Chairman
Rt. Hon. Ogbor Ogbor Udop - Vice Chairman
Rt. Hon. Fred Osim - Member
Rt. Hon. Regina Anyogo - Member
Hon. Chris Mbu-Ogar - Member
Rt. Hon. Ekpo Ekpo - Member
Hon. Sunday Achunekang - Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

20. Water Supply/Sanitation and Environmental Matters

Hon. Davies Etta - Chairman
Rt. Hon. Itam V. Abang - Vice Chairman
Hon. Sunday Achunekang- Member
Rt. Hon. Itam V. Abang - Member
Rt. Hon. Nelson Ofem - Member
Hon. Chris Mbu-Ogar -Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

21. Due Process, Anti Corruption, International Donor Support and SDG's

Hon. Edward Ajang - Chairman
Rt. Hon. Elizabeth Ironbar - Vice Chairman
Hon. Nelson Ofem - Member
Hon. Bassey Asuquo Francis - Member
Rt. Hon. Okpechi Friday Gabriel - Member
Rt. Hon. Eteng J. Williams - Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey - Dep. Speaker - Ex-officio member
Rt. Hon. Peter Odey - Leader - Ex-officio member

•Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded the setting up of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the reported burial of 1,000 fallen Nigerian soldiers in a secret mass grave.

He also wanted another panel of inquiry to determine the true state of the war against terror in the country.

In a statement personally issued by the presidential candidate of the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 2019 election, he maintained that Nigerians were entitled to know the truth.

His statement followed the report published by the United States-based Wall Street Journal (WSJ), which exposed the alleged practice of secretly burying fallen soldiers without the consent of their family members.

Atiku expressed shock that such cover-up could occur in the country, saying that men and women of the nation’s armed forces deserved more respect.

The statement reads: “I read the report by the Wall Street Journal that over a thousand Nigerian soldiers have been secretly buried at night by the General Muhammadu Buhari led administration, in order to hide the true state of the war on terror, with a sense of heartbreak and shock.

“Heartbreak for the families and friends of those soldiers who, if the report is true, have lost their loved ones, without being allowed to bury them or even to have any sense of closure as regards their fate.” (Nigerian Tribune)

Source News Express

The Presidency has asked Nigerians to disregard any list of Ministers-Designate with assigned Portfolios being circulated on social media,as it does not emanate from President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Personal Assistant to President Buhari on New Media, Bashir Hamad stated this on his official twitter handle on Thursday.
Hamad said “So someone makes a list of Ministers-Designate and assigned portfolio for them.

The assigned list is now trending on WhatsApp as usual.
DISREGARD any list pls. Portfolio will be announced by Mr. President after their inauguration as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Next Micro Finance in collaboration with Wastebuzz Recycling are organizing a street clean up at Ilaje Bus Stop, Mobile Estate Road, Before Ajah Bridge, coming up on Saturday August 3rd 2019 from 7AM to 12PM.

These 2 organizations have come together in their efforts to promote sustainable development and give back to the communities in which they operate.

Next Micro finance is a microfinance institution that aims to provide financial inclusion by providing access to financial services to the underserved and unbanked spanning from Nigeria to the rest of Africa.

“Every time you save with us, you help contribute to a fund that assists us tackle the pollution of our waterways caused by improper disposal of wastes, especially plastic wastes” says Segun Sodimu, Managing Director at Next Micro Finance.

Wastebuzz Recycling is dedicated to making an impact on the climate crises around the world, from this side of the world. Wastebuzz is known for their CSR and have organized other clean ups in the past.

Ola Seriki, Managing Director at Wastebuzz says, “Simply disposing of plastic wastes in the dustbin isn’t good enough. It is essential to see to it that it gets recycled. Doing this inevitably helps reduce the amount of plastic that end up on our streets, clogging our gutters and drainages, and in the ocean.”

There will be light refreshments served to our volunteers after the cleanup so we urge everyone in the Ilaje community to join us in this social effort to keep our communities clean.

A hospitality company, MOJ'S Entertainment Limited, yesterday, revealed that Senator representing Cross River North senatorial district and Chairman Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, Dr Rose Okoji Oko, Rt Hon Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe (Deputy Chairman, House Committee in Waterways), Chairman, Cross River State  Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Dr Stephen Odey, Chairman/CEO of Loaded Global, Prince Akwaji Offiono, and others will be honoured with the prestigious Yala Achiever’s Award 2019 on August 31.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the organisers of the event, MOJ'S Entertainment Limited, which stated that the awardees were critically assessed based on their impacts and achievements, which the people in the state have benefited.

The organizers said the awards were to encourage the awardees to do more for development of Yala nation and Cross River State.

The statement reads in part, “We want to state that it has become important for us as an organization to honour those who have positively impacted the lives of the people through their offices and expertise in Yala nation.

“We have done a critical assessment about the personalities for the prestigious Yala Achiever's Award 2019 that will hold on Saturday August 31, 2019 at Santuscom Agro Park, No.1 Liyel Imoke Drive, Okuku-Yala, Cross River State.

“The awardees are being awarded with various awards, who include the Senator representing Cross River North senatorial district, Sen. Dr Rose Oko, Dr. Stephen Odey, Rt. Hon Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Sen. Greg Ngaji.

“Others are Chief Akpa Ebinyi, Hon. Gabe Ugor , Amb. Jammy Gabriel Egbe, Rt. Hon. Mrs. Regina Anyogo, Mrs Beatrice Igwe, Hon. Gabriel Bravo Oluohu (JP), Chief Paul Santus Ofana, Lt Oko Aja, Chief Jude Ogbeche Ngaji.

“Mr. Chaz King Boche, Rt Queen Jesustina Ogar, Mr. Sunny Omagu Ogar , Pastor (Mrs). Alice Achi, Hon. Emmanuel Asegem, Barr. Fabian Ogbeche, Barr. Godwin Offiono, Dr. Betta Edu.

“Mr. Omaga Odo, Prince Akwaji Offiono, Prof. Austin Angba, Hon. John  Ulafor, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Chief Stephen Odom, Dr. Julius  Okputu, Hon Mike Usibe, Prince George Ogonyi and Justice Obojor Ogar (Rtd).”

The orgainsers also disclosed that to spice the evening will be performance from stand up comedians and musicians including class and Fun.

“A lots of great personalities on the Red Carpet, performance by Ambassador Wahala, Dr Ayuba, Mr Odey D Uncommon, Mc Sam, JobLegend, Mc 3310, Gudex, Funny Mic, Ogar Obriku (Eje'Worhi), Cultural Dance, and we could be reached for table reservation call: 07030956395, 08124384114.

By Adoga Michael Oyi

The government of Cross River state has promptly sent vehicles to the federal University Wukari, Taraba State, to convey her students back to the state, due to the outburst of communal crisis in the area yesterday.

It was earlier reported that, there was outbreak of crisis between the Tiv and Jukun people. The cause of the crisis is yet to be revealed.

Our reporters gathered that, the management of the school has yesterday shutdown the school and told students and staff to go back home until normalcy returns to the area.

The Director General Cross River State Due Process and price Intelligent Bureau, Barr Alphonsus Ogar Eba has at the early hour of today sent busses and team of rescuer led by a staff of the school Mr Eneje David Etalung, to rescue the students and staff.

The team are currently in the school making sure no student is left behind.

See more photos from the school premises..




Details shortly...

Abdul Babajide Abdul Babajide



The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has rejected the ruling of the elections petition tribunal sitting in Akure, which sacked Ikengbolu Gboluga, member representing Okitipupa/Irele federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the party’s Director of Publicity in the state, Zadok Akintoye, the PDP described the tribunal’s ruling as lacking basis.

Recall that on Wednesday, Gboluga’s victory at the February 2019 House of Representatives election was nullified for holding both the Nigeria citizenship and that of the United Kingdom, UK.

The party emphasized that the issue of citizenship being specified in the constitution and Gboluga has not contravene any electoral law.

The statement read, “We reject in its entirety the decision of the Elections Petitions Tribunal which nullified the legitimate mandate of the people of Okitipupa-Irele Federal Constituency given to Hon Ikengboju Gboluga of our party.


“We find the basis upon which the decision of the Tribunal was made, deeply troubling and at variance with the constitutional provisions under section 25 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

“The constitution, by virtue of section 28(1) which deals with dual citizenship and forfeiture of Nigerian citizenship, states expressly that:
Subject to the other provisions of this section, a person shall forfeit his Nigerian Citizenship if, NOT being a citizen Nigeria by birth, he acquires or retains the citizenship or nationality of a country, other than Nigeria, of which he is not a citizen by birth.

“Hon Ikengboju Gboluga, therefore, as a Nigerian citizen by birth cannot forfeit his citizenship if he acquires the citizenship of another country. This position has been endorsed by the Supreme Court in several cases. The possession of a secondary citizenship as in Hon Ikengboju Gbolugas’ case is therefore NOT a reason for the court to invalidate his victory at the polls. His Nigerian Citizenship by birth cannot be forfeited on any ground as posited by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal.”

The statement further read that, “Let it be on record, that the petitioners in this case, lost the election with a margin of well over 90,000 votes and only won in his ward in his local government with a margin of less than 20 votes.

“Thus, we conclude that the Tribunal should have upheld a legitimate victory rather than use technicalities that are purely procedural to seek to set aside a valid election.

“Our party, therefore, rejects in its entirety the decision of the Tribunal which is in variance and contravention of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and therefore would be appealing this judgment.


“We enjoin all members of our party to remain calm as we retrieve this mandate at the appeal court,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the APC in the state had commended the judgement of the tribunal which nullified the election of Ikengboju.

The Ondo State chairman of APC, Ade Adetimehin hailed the resilience of Akintoye to reclaim his mandate in court, stressing that it is an added advantage to the APC fold in the National Assembly.

Adetimehin, however, appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately issue a certificate of return to Akintoye as directed by the tribunal.

Jose Mourinho has said he hopes Frank Lampard looks to Chelsea’s current young players and insists his only problem has  been losing Eden Hazard to Real Madrid.

With a transfer ban imposed, Lampard who replaces Maurizio Sarri this summer will have a unique situation to work with at Stamford Bridge.


But Mourinho, speaking with Sky Sports, feels it could still work in their advantage.

With January signing Christian Pulisic finally arriving, Mateo Kovacic making his loan move permanent and the likes of Tammy Abraham and Kurt Zouma returning from loans, Chelsea do still have options ahead of the new season.

“It depends on what you have in the academy, that’s the point.

“I think every manager in the world loves to play kids from the academy.

“The question is: what is the product from the academy? What can you work with to improve?

“I think Chelsea is a very special club in relation to that. I just give an example: Chelsea needs a centre-back – Kurt Zouma! You don’t need to buy, you don’t need to spend. Zouma!

He’s champion of England, he played for Chelsea, played for Stoke in the Premier League, played for Everton in the Premier League, played for France. He’s your player, he’s on loan, where are you going to buy a better player than him? You already have him.

“You want a young striker – Tammy Abraham! He’s yours. He knows the club. He was made at the club, he was educated at the club. He was on loan, he played already some matches in the Premier League, he plays in the Championship but Championship at the highest level with the responsibility to play at a big club like Aston Villa. He’s ready.

“Do you need to buy a young centre forward? No! And Chelsea were criticised many times with the number of players they had on loan, more than 30 players, 40 players, but now the moment arrived and they have answers like nobody else could have.

“They have the answers, so I don’t think it’s any problem for them. The only problem for them is obvious which is that they lost a phenomenal player. Eden Hazard was a special player for Chelsea and they lost him, apart from that I don’t see any problem for them,” Mourinho said.

• PDP lawmakers calm, beneficiaries hail appointments
• Buhari, Senate president meet in Aso Rock

Barely 24 hours after the Senate unveiled the chairmen of its 69 standing committees, early signs of rancour have appeared in the caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the chamber.



The Guardian learnt that the distribution of some 23 committees considered to be at Grade A level (otherwise referred to as juicy committees) is at the heart of the growing tension.

Although 16 of the 23 Grade A committees went to APC senators, some are claiming that the method of sharing was a breach of what they described as a gentleman’s agreement among the top notchers of the ruling party who wanted the whole 23 restricted to APC lawmakers.



In a swift intervention to check the brewing crisis, the presidency has defended the actions of the Lawan-led Senate leadership.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Solomon Ita-Enang, explained to journalists in Abuja yesterday that the refusal of the Senate to restrict committee chairmanship positions to only the APC was in line with the best parliamentary practices.

“When somebody is elected to the Senate, he becomes a member of that Senate and he is entitled to all the rights and privileges. When somebody is campaigning to be elected as presiding officer, speaker, deputy speaker, president of the Senate or deputy president of the Senate, he is doing so for votes of the majority party and the minority party that are represented because each senator has one vote. When a senator is elected, he represents his constituency first, and secondly, he represents his party by sitting on his party’s seat.

“Therefore, in the distribution of assignments and privileges, it is normally considered that you should not by any means make one constituency inferior to the other. That is the principle that causes the presiding officer to embrace the minority parties.

“Also, when one becomes a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you are entitled to all the privileges and rights of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Therefore, on the basis of equality of senators, equality of membership and equality of seats, the discretion to embrace all is in the heart and hand of the presiding officer,” Ita-Enang said.

The APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, who was at the Senate earlier on Tuesday before the names of the chairmen of committees were announced, had in March, directed the APC-dominated National Assembly to ensure that the party was made to head an overwhelming number of the committees.

It was also learnt that Oshiomhole’s mission to the Senate on Tuesday was partly to put more pressure on the leadership to give greater consideration to the APC in the distribution and appointment of chairmen for the panels.

In the company of Oshiomhole was a former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, who was reported to have made a case for an APC senator to be made the chairman of the committee on Niger Delta Affairs. But Lawan picked Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP, Delta State) to disappoint the APC leaders.

Among the protesting lawmakers in APC is a ranking senator from one of the most prominent states in the South West.

On the condition of anonymity, the lawmaker expressed disgust that he was not made the chairman of the committee on appropriation even after he had not only merited it but struck an agreement with Lawan to that effect.

Meanwhile, there are allegations that the original list of committee chairmen agreed to by the selection committee was tampered with.

It was further alleged that the list Lawan read out on Tuesday was dominated by hand-written names as against the list that was earlier typed for him.

Among the APC senators who are to head some of the Grade A committees are Barau Jubril (Appropriation); Oluremi Tinubu (Communication); Abdullahi Adamu (Agriculture); Uba Sani (Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions); Abubakar Kyari (FCT); and Mohammed Bulkachuwa (Foreign Affairs).

The case against Lawan by some of his party men in the Senate is further amplified by the allegation of giving undue attention to a few non-ranking APC lawmakers in the distribution of the Grade A panels. The fact that 20 out of 44 PDP senators were appointed chairmen of committees has further created problems in the APC caucus.
It is the opinion of some lawmakers in the ruling party that the opposition party has been overrated.

“I am not in support of the school of thought that canvassed total restriction of committees to the ruling party, the game of politics is essentially about number. Of the 63 APC senators, about 15 are now shut out of the committee chairmanship as constituted on Tuesday. What I am saying, essentially, is that more APC senators out to have been appointed as chairmen of panels, “ another lawmaker said.

But the PDP caucus has been calm since the names of the panels’ chairmen were announced on Tuesday even as some beneficiaries have expressed satisfaction and appreciation to the Senate leadership.

Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, the only senator of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) from Anambra State, said his appointment as the vice chairman of the Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) Resources would boost technological growth and innovations in the sector.

“The upstream petroleum sector is a value chain which comprises oil exploration, drilling, production and development. As a first term and the only YPP senator, it is deeply humbling to be accorded the privilege of being the vice chairman of the Senate committee saddled with the task of overseeing the upstream sector of the oil industry which is the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy,” he said.

Also, Yakubu Oseni (APC, Kogi Central) said he dedicated his appointment as chairman of Committee on Information and Communication Technology/Cyber crime to his constituents.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with Lawan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Senate president’s visit came barely a day after he led his colleagues to screen 43 ministerial nominees presented by Buhari. All the nominees were cleared by the parliament.

After the closed-door meeting with the president, Lawan did not speak to newsmen when he departed the State House.

Buhari had on Tuesday lauded the Senate for the swift confirmation of the ministerial nominees, via a process he described as efficient.

Wale Odunsi Wale Odunsi


Justice Halima Shamaki, the Chairman of Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, on Wednesday ordered the Nigeria Police Force to tender the March 23 governorship election results before the tribunal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PDP gubernatorial candidate Abba Yusuf and his party are challenging the declaration of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, of All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of March 23 polls.


Justice Shamaki ordered the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmed Iliyasu, to produce the documents demanded by the petitioners on Aug. 5.

Earlier, Counsel to the petitioners, Adegboyega Awomolo SAN, in his prayers, pleaded with the tribunal to order the police commissioner to provide to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the election result documents that were given to the police.

Earlier, Police Superintendent Sunday Ekwe, the officer in charge of Legal Department, Kano Command, told the tribunal that the command received the Subpoena on July 30 at about 4:45 requesting the Commissioner to provide some election documents used during the governorship election.


He prayed the tribunal to grant them time to go back to the command and check their records to ascertain if they have such documents in their custody.

Justice Halima adjourned until Aug 1, for continuation of hearing