Politics

Gov Wike threatens to shut down banks, other businesses that pay VAT to FIRS

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The governor of Rivers State has threatened that the state government will shut down the premises of any bank or business organisation in the state that continues to pay Value Added Tax (TAX) to the federal government through the Federal Inland Revenue Service. (FIRS).

The governor stated this in Port Harcourt on Wednesday during an interactive session with corporate organizations in the state.

He lamented that the federal government has purposely turned the states into beggars, by making them congregate regularly in Abuja to beg for funds, instead of utilizing their potentials to develop their respective states.

Gov Wike threatens to shut down banks, other businesses that pay VAT to FIRS

The warning from Wike again brings to the fore, the ongoing cold war between the FIRS and the Rivers State Government over which authority has the right to collect VAT.

Ripples Nigeria had reported on Monday that Wike warned the FIRS against sabotaging the state government to freely administer its own tax and other related laws in the state.

Wike gave the warning while reacting to a Federal High Court ruling, which dismissed FIRS’ move to stop the state government from collecting Valued Added Tax (VAT) pending the determination of the matter in court.

In a reiteration of his earlier statement, the Governor implored the organisations and businesses to pay their taxes to the coffers of the state government in order to ensure the revamp of infrastructure and crucial sectors for economic boom.

“What we are doing is not against the law and it is obvious for everyone to see. In September, a lot of projects are earmarked to be commissioned. Kindly pay your taxes.

“The payment of taxes will ensure the revamp of critical infrastructure and we are waiting for the court ruling with FIRS before the next step,” the Governor said.

In order to ensure strict adherence to tax payments, the Governor warned against defaulting while urging organisations to jettison imminent threats from the FIRS.

“Rivers state will not hesitate to apply sanctions in line with the VAT laws to defaulting organisations. This is part of giving governance a human face.

“The court reveals that until there is a reverse, the state has the wherewithal to collect taxes.

Let nobody threaten you. FIRS will issue threats but don’t waver in your responsibilities,” the governor concluded.

He also lamented that some states were being timid to do the right thing because of threats from the federal government, and that the states’ executives were being deceived to believe that they would be at the receiving end if states are allowed to collect VAT.

Wike noted that the issue was a legal and constitutional one, and should not be viewed as politics, or based on political parties.

He revealed that the Federal government having realised it’s error of collecting VAT illegally had quietly written to the National Assembly through the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to amend the Constitution by including the VAT issue on the exclusive list, even while the matter was still in court.

Politics

Ex-Aviation Minister, Chidoka, challenges Buhari to release review of Ministers’ performance

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Osita Chidoka, a former Minister of Aviation in the President Goodluck Jonathan regime, has tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to be transparent enough to release the performance review report of the recently sacked Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Nanono, and Ministry of Power counterpart, Sale Mamman.

In a statement he signed in Abuja on Tuesday, titled ‘Chidoka tasks Buhari to publish review on sacked Ministers, security sector, others,” the former Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), described Buhari’s sacking of the two Ministers as an “uncharacteristic move” and Nigerians deserve the right to know how he arrived at the decision.

President Buhari, in a widely reported speech at the Federal Executive meeting, predicated his decision on a claimed ‘independent and critical self-review’ of sectorial performance and evaluation,” the statement said.

“According to Mr President, ‘two years and some months into the second term, the tradition of subjecting our projects and programmes implementation to independent and critical self-review had taken firm roots through sector reporting during cabinet meetings and at retreats.’

“These significant review steps had helped to identify and strengthen weak areas, close gaps, build cohesion and synergy in governance, manage the economy and improve the delivery of public goods to Nigerians,” the statement stated.

Chidoka added that the speech gave the impression that the President evaluates and monitors the activities of his appointees through independent review and monitoring alignment with the nine priority areas of the government.

However, he said he is worried that Nigerians do not know the criteria and indices employed by the President to arrive at the decision and will like Nigerians to know.

“Nigerians would want Mr President to publish the said independent performance review, which, according to him, have been going on for two years and some months into his second term and final term in office, and which led to the dismissal of the two ministers,” he added.

Politics

Gombe begs southern states to be ‘brother’s keeper’ in push for VAT collection

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Gombe State has made an appeal to southern state governments to reconsider their push to keep Value Added Tax (VAT) generated.

Muhammad Magaji, the state’s Commissioner for Finance and Economic Creation, made the appeal at the start of a Technical Workshop on the development of the state’s Medium-Term Sector Strategy (MTSS).

He stated that the other states, particularly those in the country’s south, should set emotions aside and become their brothers’ keepers in sharing the VAT produced in their respective jurisdictions.

The demand came in response to Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and Nyesom Wike of Rivers taking moves to begin VAT collection in their respective states.

Magaji contended that, with declining money from the federation account, just three of the country’s 36 states could exist without assistance from the federal government.

The VAT issue will have adverse effects not only on Gombe state but almost all the states of the federation. I was part of the discussion few weeks ago by all commissioners of finance across the country.

“The realisation was that only Lagos, Rivers and probably Delta states would be able to pull through without this VAT being administered centrally, and it is our appeal that we all put sentiments behind and work towards a federation that is one, by being our brothers keepers and ensuring that what is pull together at the center is distributed to be able to balance resources across the country,” Magaji said.

According to him, it would be a very bad development that won’t augur well for the country if every state will ask for control of its resources.

According to him, it would be a very bad development that won’t augur well for the country if every state will ask for control of its resources.

He added, “Don’t forget that the oil producing states collect only 13 per cent derivation, so if you say every state will take whatever resources it has, that it means we are starting a very dangerous trajectory that will not augur well for the federation called Nigeria.”

Politics

Akeredolu signs bills on judicial, legislature’s autonomy

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The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, on Tuesday signed the bills on financial autonomy for the judiciary and the legislature in the state.

The governor signed the bills at a brief ceremony held at the state Secretariat in Akure.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye, were also at the event.

Titiloye, who addressed journalists after the event, said the bills provide for the management of funds accruing to the judiciary and management of the state House of Assembly.

He added that the new laws would promote independence, efficiency, transparency and accountability in the judiciary and legislative arms of the government in the state.

These new laws are for the management of funds of Ondo State Judiciary and House of Assembly as separate arms of government.

“The laws also provide for the establishment of the House of Assembly Service Commission. It means that these arms of government will be able to have their funds and distribute them.

“They will have the adequate financial strength to do their jobs effectively. The house of Assembly by the new law establishing the service commission now has the power to appoint, promote, engage and disengage its workers.

“There will be a committee set up under the new law where funds will be distributed for the three arms of government. The Judiciary and Legislative arms of government have also been empowered by these laws to distribute and manage funds allocated to them.”

Politics

Masari a drunkard, Katsina’s worst governor – Miyetti Allah

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The Fulani socio-cultural organization, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, on Tuesday, described the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, as a drunkard for saying most bandits are of the Fulani stock.

Masari, who featured in a Channels Television’s programme, “Politics Today” on Monday, alleged many of the bandits causing havoc in Katsina and other parts of Northern Nigeria are Fulani indigenes whose main occupation is rearing cattle.

He said: “They are the same people like me, who speak the same language as me, who profess the same religious beliefs as me.

“So, what we have here on ground are bandits. They are not aliens, they are people we know. They are people that have been living with us for 100 years.

The infiltration we have from some West African countries and North African countries are also people of the Fulani extraction.

“Majority of those involved in this banditry are Fulanis whether it is palatable or it is not but that is the truth.

“I am not saying 100 percent of them are Fulani but a majority of them are, and these are people who live in the forest and their main occupation is rearing of cattle.”

However, in its reaction to Masari’s remarks, the National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Saleh Alhassan, asked Nigerians to ignore the governor.

He told journalists that nothing good can come out of Masari because he was a drunkard.

He said: “No one should take that drunkard seriously. Nigerians should just ignore that man as he has nothing to offer.

“Just looking at him, one would see he is tired. Do you take him serious? Records should come from security operatives, not a confused human being.

“He knows them now, is he not a Fulani man? All of them talking are stealing security votes. They should find solutions, create ranches for these herders and accommodate them.

“Which people do you find along the Sahel Sahara desert? They are many tribes. Is it by a physique that you now identify a Fulani man?

“The bandits are criminals, why should you attach tribe to it? That’s why we are not happy. You don’t need to attach a tribe because it will affect an innocent person.

Forget that man, that man is the worst governor Katsina has had; we are just praying for his time to lapse.”

Politics, World News

Armed bandits invade college of education in Katsina, abduct deputy provost’s three sons.

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Armed bandits stormed the Isa Kaita College of Education in Dutsinma, Katsina State and abducted the children of Dr Isma’il Ado Funtua, the deputy provost of the institution.

A source close to Ado Funtua, who confirmed the incident to Daily Trust said the bandits invaded the campus and broke into the deputy provost’s residence around 11:30 p.m. on Monday, September 6.

“Around 11:30 pm on Monday, four heavily armed terrorists entered the school premises and broke into the residence of the Deputy Provost of the college, Dr Isma’il Ado Funtua, where they abducted three of his children,” the source, who pleaded anonymity, said.

“When they arrived, his gateman was not around. They removed the padlock on the door and entered the house. While they were there, the gateman returned and they asked him about his boss and he said he was not around.

“They went into the parlour and met the young men who were reading. They kidnapped the gateman alongside three of the children, Usman, Aminu and Abdullahi, while the fourth young man was able to sneak out.”

The source added, however, that on their way, the kidnappers released the gateman and went away with the man’s children.

Politics, World News

Like Zamfara, Katsina Governor To Shut Down Telecoms Services As Bandits Take Over Buhari’s Home State

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The governor disclosed this on Monday while inaugurating a committee on monitoring and enforcement of security challenges (Containment) order he recently signed at the Government House.

The Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, says his administration is considering the need to shut down telecoms services in some Local Government Areas as part of fresh measures to contain banditry in the state.

The governor disclosed this on Monday while inaugurating a committee on monitoring and enforcement of security challenges (Containment) order he recently signed at the Government House.

The affected LGAs are Funtua, Bakori and Malumfashi.
Masari, also announced the ban of commercial mobile phone charging points in 19 out of 34 LGA, saying, “We believe it’s also an area that is helping the bandits to acquire means of communication.”

He explained that the security measures taken by the state government would affect residents economically but it was necessary to take them in order to restore normalcy and stop bandits and their collaborators from having access to communication and other means of livelihood.

“We believe with this and other further measures that we are taking with the Federal Ministry of Communication, would also help in restoring normalcy to our respective communities.

“Further instructions and directives affecting Funtua, Malumfashi and Bakori Local Government Areas are coming today (Monday). We have to restrict the sale of fuel in these local governments as well. And we are looking at the possibility of curbing further communications in these local governments.

“The security measures taken by the state government might hurt residents economically but it is necessary to take this now to forestall worse situation if these bandits and their collaborators are allowed free access to communication and other means of livelihood.

“It is important we realise that our number one enemies are informants. So, we must tackle and deal with them in accordance with the law.”

This is coming few days after the Zamfara State Government ordered all telecom operators to shut down their networks in the state.

Katsina, despite being the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari, has witnessed sporadic attacks by bandits and kidnappers that have claimed the lives of many.

Over 700 people have been reportedly killed by the gunmen in Jibia, Kankara, Dutsinma, Musawa, Danmusa and Safana LGAs of the state in the last five months.

Politics

Nigeria needs a kind-hearted leader like Buhari in 2023 – Umahi

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The Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, Monday expressed hope that God would give Nigeria a kind-hearted leader like President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

The governor, who spoke with State House correspondents at the end of a meeting with President Buhari in Abuja, said people of South-East are grateful to the President over his great works in the region.

He commended Buhari over some landmark projects including the Second Niger Bridge and the eastern corridor of the railway line among others in the South-East.

He stressed that the country needs a leader with a good heart like Buhari.

Umahi said: “I came to see Mr. President. One is to thank him very highly for a number of mega projects that he is doing in the South-East. The Second Niger Bridge is fast becoming a reality. Each time we visit that bridge location it is always like a dream.

“So we the people of the South-East are very grateful to Mr. President for this. We also thank him for the award of the Eastern corridor of the railway line. This is a project that is going to fast-track the commercial activities of our people.

“I recall that when I was in school, I used to join train from my state, Ebonyi, and then get up to Maiduguri where my brothers were staying for my holidays.

Mr. President is about restoring that hope. We are deeply very grateful. But I also reminded Mr. President that one of his cardinal objectives is to integrate the South-East or the state capitals, but in putting together the project through South-East that the capital of Ebonyi State, which is Abakaliki and capital of Anambra State, which is Awka, were omitted.

“And I reminded Mr. President that the South-East governors had requested that I write which I did, but not yet approved by the Honourable Minister of Transport, which Mr. President said he will find out why they were omitted in the first place.

“I am very, very hopeful that Mr. President is going to give approval to those two locations. Let me also mention the fertiliser presidential initiative which has helped the country Nigeria so much in food sufficiency.

Let me point out that without the effort of Mr. President, through this fertiliser initiative and other programmes in the agricultural sector, it would have been a very difficult time for this country.

That project is supposed to produce a large set of granules to enable us to produce fertilisers to serve the South-South, South-East, and part of North- Central.

“Mr. President has already approved the funds and released to Solid Mineral Development Fund. But part of the requirement is that there must be SPV integration or private sector initiative. They have applied to Mr. President for approval through the Chief of Staff. So we had to remind Mr. President.

Lastly, four years back, Mr. President was in Ebonyi State about November to commission a number of projects and lay the foundation stone for others. I reminded Mr. President that we are expecting him four years later, which would be November for him to come to Ebonyi State. The last time he spent one night but this time we are asking him to spend three nights.

“We have over 20 different projects that we consider good enough for Mr. President to commission. We have completed the Muhammadu Buhari light tunnel bridge complex, the first of its kind in Africa for Mr. President to commission.

We have gotten to the stage of completing the best medical center, King David University of Medical Sciences, the best in Africa. We have completed the largest mall, the most beautiful mall you can see anywhere in West Africa.

We have completed additional six twin flyover bridges, well decorated and beautiful. We want Mr. President to commission it. We want Mr. President to commission the St. Margeret International Market, the largest market in West Africa.

“We have over 200-kilometre concrete roads in Ebonyi state, some of them federal roads and some concrete roads. We have over 1000 kilometres of road completed, since my first tenure. Of course, the list can be unexhaustive here. Even the three agric Industrial clusters are ready for Mr. President to commission.

We also have a number of ongoing projects. Most of them will terminate at the end of 2021. Like the International Airport which Mr. President approved two years ago. Now we are the first in the whole of Nigeria to build an international airport runway with concrete that is going to be ready for Mr. President to lay the foundation stone. I will invite him to commission it next year.

“We have the first flight about May 29, 2022. We also have a number of road projects, especially the 199 kilometres of Abakaliki ring road, of which the state government has completed with 53 kilometres of it.

“And of course, the limestone granules is Mr. President’s project and he has to lay the foundation stone.

“But I think after Lagos and Abuja, Ebonyi remains, another state with the highest numbers of flyover and Ebonyi Airport remains the largest after Lagos and Abuja.

So this is why we came and I’m happy that Mr. President is quite disposed towards visiting us again.

“I will continue to say that power rests in the hands of God. And God will also give us the next President who has a good heart like President Buhari for the good of this country.

Politics

Buhari picks Osinbajo to lead committee on reform of Nigeria’s health sector

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday set up the Health Sector Reform Committee to begin the development and implementation of health-related reforms in the country.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, said the committee is headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

According to him, the team will work in collaboration with the state governments and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The establishment of the committee followed the review of the Health Sector Diagnostic Report developed by a consultant, Vesta Healthcare Partners and the Federal Ministry of Health.

Vesta Healthcare Partners and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will work as resources persons and have observer roles in the committee.

The committee has six months to complete its assignment.

Other members of the committee are the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa; Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprise, Alex Okoh; a Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at University College London, Prof Ibrahim Abubakar; Director-General of Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC), Babatunde Irukera; Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe; Dr. Adedamola Dada and Dr. Sani Aliyu.

Also listed are – Dr. Mairo Mandara, Dr. Haliru Yahaya, Emir of Shonga, Prof. Uche Amazigbo; Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib; Prof. Nasiru Sambo; Dr. Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa, Dr. Gambo Aliyu, Mrs. Temi Marcella Awogboro, Dr. Muhammad Sadiq, Dr. Azubike Tagbo, and the Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu.

The President of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Innocent Ujah; President Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Sam Ohuabunwa; President National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Nnachi Mike; President Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Prof James Garba Damen and World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Nigeria completed the list.

The statement read: “The committee will undertake a review of all healthcare reforms adopted in the past two decades and lessons learnt and factor them into the development of the new Health Sector Reform Programme

Politics

Nigeria has become world’s capital for corruption, unemployment – Falae

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A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, on Sunday decried the worsening insecurity and poor state of the Nigerian economy.

Falae, who addressed journalists in Akure, Ondo State, said Nigeria had become the corruption and unemployment capital of the world.

The elder statesman insisted that if the activities of bandits who were already shooting down military jets were not checked on time, they would soon develop the boldness to negotiate for control of territories in the country.

He added that Nigeria was already at the edge of the cliff.

He said: “We are already at the edge of the cliff. The question is, are they going to topple into the abyss below? Or are we going to find a way of pulling back from the precipice? That is the question.

“For us to pull back, there must be a political initiative that will signal that tomorrow will be better than today. If there is no such signal, I don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow, I don’t know.”

Politics

Rivers APC boils, as Amaechi, Abe trade words again

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The crisis rocking the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has continued to deepen following a renewed war of words between Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and former Senator representing Rivers South-East district in the National Assembly, Magnus Abe.

The first shot was fired by Abe at the inauguration of a socio-political pressure group, the Rivers Voice of Freedom, on Sunday, when he accused Amaechi of trying to push him and his supporters out of the APC.

“I am one of the founders of the party and I am one of the leaders of the party in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Nobody can take that away; If you have contributed, you have contributed. All of us here have contributed. Without us, there would have been no APC in this state,” Abe said.

Also speaking on the party’s local government congress held in the state on Saturday, Abe said:

“You are aware of the current activities going on in the party. You are aware that we have been excluded by those powers that be within the state, led by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who deliberately took the decision to push us out of the party.

Push all of you out of the party for no other reason than because you associate with Senator Magnus Abe. I am happy that you continue to associate with me. I will also continue to associate with you.

Those who do not want to see me, when they hear the name Senator Abe; they cannot sleep, when they hear Senator Abe, they are worried, you have taken congress and you are still worried, let me assure you that even in your dream you will still see Abe.

“I am not going anywhere. This is Rivers state and we will play politics in Rivers state. If you don’t know the rules of the game, go and learn the rules of the game.”

In a swift reaction, Amaechi, in a brief statement issued by the the state APC spokesman, Ogbonna Nwuke, advised the former Senator to move on like Amaechi has done, pointing out that the party’s local government congress which held on Saturday was quite successful, but that Abe chose not to take part, but would rather go to court.

“We would like Senator Abe should just move on like Hon. Rotimi Amaechi has done. That is the mark of great men.

We don’t need his obsession with the Minister. He should stop his politics of bad-bellicking as it is doing him no good.”

Politics

Nigerian govt gives condition to withdraw court case against striking doctors

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The Federal Government says the only condition to withdraw a court case instituted against striking members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is for them to go back to work immediately.

This condition was given by Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige on Sunday in Abuja, while briefong newsmen on the outcome of a meeting he had with President Muhammadu Buhari over the lingering strike.

“I briefed Mr President and we have agreed that they should come back to work and if they come back to work, we can take other things from there; we’ll drop the case in court and then they will come back and get things done.

The Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, in conjunction with the Office of the Head of Service, had a meeting and they are jointly going to do a circular that will be issued for salaries, incomes and wages to reiterate that house officers and youth corps doctors are still on the CONMES scales one and two, respectively. So, I think we are doing the implementation.

“Also, from the monitoring meeting we held this morning, the Ministry of Health has got the list of doctors, who supposedly are to benefit from the Medical Residency Training Fund.

Total submission of about 8,000 names was obtained and the Ministry of Health is scrutinising them.

“We have done the first round of scrutiny and they will now compare what they have with the Postgraduate Medical College’s list and the chief medical directors, who submitted the names.

So, this is it and that is the only thing holding back the Residency Fund payment, because it is there already incurred expenditure has been done by the Finance Minister and it’s in the Accountant-General’s office.

“So, once they verify the authenticity of those they are submitting, the accountant-general will pay.

“Some are refunding, but there is no full reconciliation of the account. That account has to be reconciled to enable the accountants to pay the next round of fund for 2021.

“That’s what I briefed Mr President about and we also discussed some policies, which are not for public consumption now. We take it in strides as the days come by; we also discussed politics and the state of our party,” the minister said.

Politics

Make NDDC audit report public, punish all offenders, Dan Orbih tells Buhari

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Nothing must be done to sweep the forensic audit report on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under the carpet.

This charge was made Sunday by Chief Dan Orbih, National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while addressing journalists in Abuja on the widely reported submission of the forensic audit report commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The PDP chieftain also tasked the President not to spare anyone indicted by the report, insisting that identified culprits be made to pay for their acts of corruption, and not pardoned because of any known relationship or ties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, had last Thursday submitted the Forensic Audit Report on NDDC to President Muhammadu Buhari through the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Speaking on the issue Sunday, Orbih welcomed the report, noting that it was a confirmation of his earlier held fears that the NDDC was, and still is, a cesspool of corruption from where misguided politicians were milking the people of the South-South dry instead of developing the region.

The outcome of the forensic audit report confirms my worst fears. NDDC is the centre of corruption in Nigeria. President Buhari must not allow this report to gather dust or be swept under the carpet. It may have its flaws because of the processes leading up to it but it remains too important to toy with.
“The Niger Delta has been robbed for too long and our people demand transparency in the implementation of the findings of the forensic exercise. I call on Mr President to make the audit report public without delay,” Orbih said.

While expressing concerns over the manner in which the Buhari administration has handled issues of corruption by public officials, Chief Orbih tasked the President to bring all indicted individuals to book and have them pay for sabotaging the people of the Niger Delta.

He said: “President Buhari must prove this time that he is not selective in dispensing justice to all those involved in the criminal act of sabotaging the economy. We demand that all individuals indicted by the report must be made to face the law. Being a member of APC should not be a ticket to freedom in the matter of recklessly stealing from our people. The President must be firm and just.”

Orbih also demanded apology from the Nigerian government for its indiscretion in appointing into the Board of NDDC a set of unaccomplished individuals, alleging that they were largely responsible for the later woes of the interventionist agency.

“The APC government must apologize to the people of the South-South for imposing an incompetent Board on NDDC. Their indiscretion is largely responsible for our woes today,” Orbih alleged.

The forensic audit report had reportedly shown that there were over 13,000 abandoned projects in the Niger Delta, and that multinational oil companies had failed to remit over $4billion to the commission.

Politics

‘I will mount pressure on security agents to find your brother’s killers, Keyamo tells Sowore

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The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, said on Saturday would mount relentless pressure on security operatives to track down suspected killers of Olajide Sowore, younger brother of Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore.

Olajide, an undergraduate student of Pharmacy at the Igbinedion University, Okada, was killed by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen along the Benin-Lagos highway in Okada, Edo State, on Saturday morning.

The minister stated this in a condolence message to the co-convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement.

He wrote: “It is quite regrettable that such a young man would be cut down in his prime by criminal elements.

“I and other compatriots would be pressurising the law-enforcement agents to track down these killers without delay and bring them to justice. This, and many others around the country, must be checkmated with all arsenals at our disposal.

“I urge you to take heart and remain committed to helping the nation to find a lasting solution to some of these numerous challenges.”

The Edo State Police Command had in a statement said the attackers also kidnapped five people from the scene.

Politics

Sowore brother’s killers will not escape justice –Obaseki

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The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, said on Saturday evening the state government would bring to justice, the suspected killers of Olajide Sowore, younger brother of Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore.

Olajide, an undergraduate student of Pharmacy at the Igbinedion University, Okada, was killed by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen along the Benin-Lagos highway in Okada, Edo State, on Saturday morning.

The governor gave the assurance while commiserating with Sowore over his brother’s death.

He said the state government would work with relevant security agencies to investigate the unfortunate incident and bring the assailants to justice.

Obaseki said: “The news of Olajide’s death is heartbreaking and we will make all efforts to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to justice.

“On behalf of the people and government of Edo State, I condole with the Sowore family and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

Politics

INEC redeploys five RECs, four Directors

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Five Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and four Directors have been redeployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a bid to reposition the body ahead of the 2023 elections.

The announcement was made by the National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Barr. Festus Okoye, in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

According to Okoye, the postings which he described as “routine’, has the REC, Osun State, Olusegun Agbaje, who has been redeployed to Ogun State, while his counterpart in Ogun State, Prof. AbdulGaniy Olayinka Raji, will now take charge as the REC for Osun State.

The Bayelsa State REC, Dr Cyril Omorogbe, will take up his new role as the REC for Cross River State, while Dr Emannuel Alex Hart proceeds to Bayelsa State as the REC from his former office in Cross River State.

The statement reads:

“The REC, Zamfara State, Dr Asmau Sani Maikudi, has also been redeployed to Kaduna State.

Similarly, the Director (Voter Education and Publicity), Mr. Nick Dazang, has proceeded on terminal leave.

“Consequently, Mr. Victor Ayodele Aluko has been reassigned from Director (Administration) to Voter Education and Publicity as Director, while Mr. Mikah Thabbal Lakumna is redeployed to Administration from his erstwhile position as Director (Security).

“Mr. Nduh Lebari Samson moves from the office of the Secretary to the Commission to Director (Security). Mr. Yakubu Mohammed Duku, Director in the Electoral Operations Department, proceeds to Niger State as the substantive Administrative Secretary.

The Handing/Taking Over activities should be completed by Monday 13th September 2021. The redeployments are part of the Commission’s routine administrative postings”, Okoye said.

Politics

Sowore’s younger brother, Olajide, shot dead by unknown gunmen in Edo

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The younger brother of Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist and the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Olajide Sowore has been allegedly shot dead by unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

The development was confirmed by Sowore in a statement on his Facebook page on Saturday.

According to him, the deceased, who was said to be in his late 40s, was killed on his way from Igbinedion University in Edo State.

However, the police was yet to confirm the development as of the time of filing this report.

Sowore’s statement read, “My immediate younger brother, Olajide Sowore was today shot and killed near Okada in Edo state by reportedly herdsmen/kidnappers on his way from Igbinedion University in Edo State where he is studying Pharmacy.

“They snuffed out the life of yet another real human being! Rest In Power, “Dr. Mamiye!”

“This act in itself will not delay their day of justice.

“I travelled widely with you and our father as a little kid. You were the most loved robust kid I ever first knew. You, Mr. magnet had no enemy!

“You, Mr. Sunshine Foundation who made everyone happy.

You, the boy who snuck out his older ones to parties, taking all the blames when our disciplinarian father found out.

“You, the guy who was an out-of-the-box thinker who decided school wasn’t for you and created your own genre of music and then turned around to go to school after you almost turned 50!

“You lived your life so that everyone could be alright but now assassinated by everything that’s not alright! Saddest day yet!”

It would be recalled that Sowore had been in many battles with the Federal Government and it’s agencies, as the activist has contnuously called for President Muhammadu Buhari’s resignation.

Many times, the activist and his followers have been arrested by state agents for carrying out #BuhariMustGo campaigns.

Politics

Nigerian govt pledges to redress doctors’ demands

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In a bid to ensure an end to the ongoing doctors’ strike, the Federal Government has pledged to do everything possible to redress their grievances.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the ongoing nationwide strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has paralysed activities in government-owned hospitals nationwide.

This pledge was issued by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, while addressing the Nigerian Health Commissioners’ Forum Quarterly meeting on Friday in Abuja.

Ngige said this in a statement signed by Mr Charles Akpan, Deputy Director, Press, and Public Relations in the ministry.

The minister recalled that the doctors were “sleeping on their rights until COVID-19 pandemic broke out last year” and the Federal Government felt that the N5,000 hazard allowance paid to them since 1991 was too paltry.

He noted that the Federal Government paid the doctors and other health workers “bumper money” as a special COVID hazard allowance for three months in the first instance, to the tune of N32 billion.

He said that states were told to pay as much as they could afford.

He, however, narrated to the Health Commissioners the trajectory of the current strike.

“In September 2020, they put a notice of strike, asking for Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), by which each of them will get N542,000 to cover the cost of books and journals for that particular examination, transportation, and lodging for three days.

Luckily, a supplementary budget was being put together and it was included and was paid to them. They called off the strike.

“By March this year, they listed other things again. They said the Residency Training Fund is not in the 2021 budget.

”They also needed the hazard allowance to be upgraded and demanded that States should domesticate Residency Training Act.

They said some states owed their people long months of salaries. They also wanted skipping allowance and arrears of consequential adjustment to minimum wage.

“Before we could say, Jack Robinson, they went on strike on April 1. I thought it was April fool until April 2 when we didn’t see them at work.

“I told them that, they didn’t give the mandatory 21 days notice to their employers who have written to me to complain.

”However, we returned to the table. The government pledged that the 2021 Residency Training Fund will be captured in the supplementary budget. This has been done and payment is ready,” he said.

Ngige noted that the Federal Government had also approved N11.3bn for Group Life Insurance in 2020 and renewed it in 2021.

He said the government had also held a series of conjoint NMA-JOHESU meetings on hazard allowance until the two disagreed and then asked for separate negotiations.

”They are the ones delaying action on this.

“Every other issue bordering on what the states have failed to do with doctors is where our hands are tied, but Federal Government agreed to speak to the Governor’s Forum.

“The arrears of consequential adjustment to the minimum wage cuts across sectors.

“Anyway, N160 billion earmarked for it has been exhausted and the next thing to do is to push for more. But really, some hospitals have got.

”We also abolished bench fees for Residency Training for those doing specialty. At this, the doctors left the negotiation happy,” he said

Politics

Akpabio submits NDDC audit report revealing13,000 abandoned projects in Niger Delta

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The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday, submitted the Forensic Audit Report on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) while noting that 13,000 projects were abandoned in the Region.

Akpabio submitted the report to President Muhammadu Buhari through the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, in Abuja.

“The report of the audit committee showed that there are over 13,000 abandoned projects in the Niger Delta and even before the submission of the report some contractors have returned to site on their own and completed about 77 road projects.

Although the exercise had a checkered history, I thank Mr President and all those who supported and ensured its success”.

He stressed that the exercise was not done to witch-hunt anyone, but to ensure that the huge sums of funds committed to the area yearly are justified.

He lamented that the region had remained backward since 1958 in spite of successive governments’ efforts through the creation of various interventionist programmes and projects.

The Lead Forensic Auditor, Alhaji Kabir Ahmed, in a brief overview of the report, said that the team recommended managerial as well as structural changes, chief of which is the downsizing of the NDDC’s board.

He said to reduce cost the team recommended that members of the team should henceforth be appointed on a part-time basis.

Politics

Kogi govt threatens to sue EFCC

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The Kogi State government has threatened to take legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N20 billion salary bailout funds said to be in fixed deposit at a commercial bank by the state government.

Specifically, the Commissioner of Information and Communication in the state, Kingsley Fanwo, made the threat at a press briefing at the Kogi Liaison Office in Abuja, on Thursday.

The commissioner accused the anti-graft agency of a deliberate attempt to malign the integrity of the state governor, Yahaya Bello, saying the claims that the governor did not disburse the said bailout funds released by the Federal Government in 2019 for payment of salary arrears owed civil servants in the state are false and malicious.

This comes after a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Tuesday ordered the freezing of the Kogi State salary bailout account domiciled in Sterling Bank over a N20 billion loan obtained from the bank.

Ripples Nigeria reported that the EFCC had made an ex-parte application before the court, which according to the agency, was according to section 44(2) of the Constitution and section 34(1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act and under the court’s jurisdiction.

The presiding judge, Tijjani Ringim, who gave the order, said it would subsist pending the conclusion of an investigation or possible prosecution by the EFCC.

In its argument, the anti-graft agency had explained that the loan was meant to augment the payment of salary and running cost of the state, alleging that the state government kept the money in an interest-yielding account with Sterling Bank.

Also, the EFCC claimed that as of April 1, 2021, the balance standing to the credit of the said fixed deposit account was N19,333,333,333.36, adding that it was still in the process of tracing what the sum of N666,666,666.64, a shortfall of the said sum was used for.

However, Fanwo told journalists at the briefing that the state government disbursed the said funds since October 2019.

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