Politics, World News

Defense Secretary Mark Esper prepares letter of resignation.

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WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Mark Esper has prepared a letter of resignation, according to three current defense officials.

It’s not uncommon for Cabinet secretaries to prepare undated letters of resignation during a presidential transition, giving the commander in chief the chance to replace them for a second term. The president decides whether to accept the resignation letters, and the process usually occurs after the election results are clear.

But defense officials say Esper prepared his letter because he is one of the Cabinet officials long expected to be pushed out after the election.

As his tenure may be coming to an end, Esper is helping members of Congress draft legislation that will strip names of Confederate leaders from military bases in a move that could put him further at odds with President Donald Trump.

While Esper considered issuing a directive that would order the secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force to change the names in their respective services — an order that could be overturned by Trump, who has strongly opposed renaming bases — he now plans to work with Congress to put language in the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) so the name changes will be written into law.

This week Esper provided a written framework to Pentagon leaders for renaming installations, and possibly even ships and street names on bases, that honor Confederate generals or leaders, the officials said. For example, the framework suggests that the NDAA could say that military installations cannot be named after someone who has betrayed the U.S. or committed a felony, and instead must be named after people who have met certain criteria, like having earned a Medal of Honor or Silver Star, Est or achieving the rank of general.

The speculation about potential resignations of Cabinet officials is a well-worn, D.C.-insider, post-election parlor game,” said Jonathan Hoffman, the assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs, in a statement. “[Secretary Esper] continues to serve the nation as the secretary of defense at the pleasure of the president and is at the Pentagon today working on the irreversible implementation of the National Defense Strategy.”

“As is normal and expected, the department works with Congress to provide the administration’s concerns and views regarding proposed defense-related legislation — particularly when House and Senate versions of defense bills are being reconciled and finalized. This does not indicate support for previously proposed legislative language. Out of respect for the members of Congress who havnue sought technical assistance in good faith, we generally do not discuss these efforts.”

The NDAA, which outlines the military’s budget and policies, is expected to be passed during the lame duck session of Congress in coming weeks, and Trump would have to sign it for it to become law.

Two current defense officials said Esper believes that if he announces the renaming it could lead Trump to fire him. But Esper is not pushing the renaming because he wants to get fired, according to two other defense officials, who insist he believes this issue is important.

Esper is also thinking about his legacy, said the two officials. He earned the nickname “Yesper” from lawmakers and White House officials for, in their view, his willingness to implement Trump’s agenda without pushing back. “He cares about his legacy and prefers to be remembered as someone who was fired because he stood up to the president, rather than being remembered as ‘Yesper,'” one defense official said.

Trump has denounced the idea of stripping  Confederate names from bases several times. In June, he tweeted, “The United States of America trained and deployed our HEROES on these Hallowed Grounds, and won two World Wars. Therefore, my Administration will not even consider the renaming of these Magnificent and Fabled Military Installations.”

Politics

Ladoja impeached for sidelining Adedibu – Obasanjo

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed ex-Oyo Governor Rashidi Ladoja was impeached because he was ungrateful to his late political leader, Chief Lamidi Adedibu as well as Chief Yekinni Adeojo.

He spoke at the launch of Ex-Oyo Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala’s autobiography titled Amazing Grace in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Thursday.

Obasanjo, who was President from 1999 to 2007 during the incident, said Ladoja deliberately failed to accommodate the two political leaders in his administration despite being in the same Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He explained all his attempts to reconcile Ladoja with the duo were unsuccessful as Ladoja turned deaf ears to his entreaties.

He said it was the reason he paid heavily for it.

Reacting to page 140 of the book, Obasanjo said: “You pointed out on page 140 that Ladoja picked up a quarrel with me for reason of a non-existent third term.

“I didn’t know that Ladoja picked up a quarrel that his becoming governor was due to the grace of God and major contributions of two people- Yekinni Adeojo from whom the party structure was snatched and Chief Adedibu who spearheaded the whole programme.

“I pleaded with him to make accommodation for them both. He told me that they were all Ibadan people and they knew how to deal with themselves.

“He subsequently proved himself right as they dealt with themselves and he, Ladoja, came out the worse for it.

Alao-Akala, who succeeded Ladoja in 2007 after serving as Deputy Governor and Acting Governor when Ladoja was impeached, noted he was a product of grace penciled in the hands of the creator who drew the picture of whom he became.

He added that God brought him from junctures where many who had great and greater hope of tomorrow fell.

He pointed out the title of his autobiography was not a happenstance but an audacity of providence to bring him out of the dungeon of a hopeless tomorrow into the fulfillment of a destiny.

Alao-Akala said: “I call this history-making, not strictly for any other reason but for the fulfillment of my long anticipated desire to codify how the tragic death of my father in a road accident in 1952 single-handedly threatened to swamp my dream of getting to the cusp of my life aspirations but how providence miraculously found for me a path to the top.

“How I became governor of Oyo State is also documented which serves as a reminder to those who may be prone to being quickly swept off by the amnesia of history that God used me and my team of dependable colleagues at that period in time to change the lives of the people in the state.”

Politics

Governors set to sign World Bank fiscal transparency subsidiary grant agreement

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The 36 State Governors under the aegis of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) unanimously resolved to sign the World Bank’s State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme’s subsidiary grant agreements.

The NGF’s resolution was contained in a communiqué signed by its chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi after the 21st teleconference meeting sequel to the adoption of the update report presented by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, on the SFTAS programme.

According to the NGF, each of the 36 state governments is expected to capture at least 50 per cent of the properties that have electricity connections in urban areas to unlock $2 million performance grant under the World Bank-funded States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Program for results before June 30, 2021.

The governors during the meeting affirmed that the assessment of states’ amended budgets published at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has been completed while the verification exercise for the implementation of tax relief programmes in all states is underway.

To this end, the governor enjoined all state governments to immediately direct their commissioners for finance to sign the SFTAS Subsidiary Grant Agreements with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to give effect to the principles and objectives of the programme in their states.

In the same vein, the governors during the review of various issues affecting the country, particularly on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the fallouts of the EndSARS protests, unanimously resolved to: “engage with traditional, religious and civil society organizations to drive a common agenda and generate the required support for security personnel who play a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of all Nigerians.”

The Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, chairman of the NGF Sub-Committee interfacing with the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, raised concerns about the current low testing numbers in the country, especially in the light of the resurgence of COVID-19 cases globally. State governors were enjoined to increase their testing capacity in all local governments to help prevent the start of a second wave of the pandemic in the country flowing from imported cases from abroad.

Also at the meeting, the chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong gave an update on steps taken by the governors of the 19 Northern states to address the fallouts of the EndSARS protests.

While acknowledging that security situation in the country remains a priority agenda for Forum members across board, the governors resolved to: “adapt at both the state and regional levels guidelines to be developed and issued by the NEC Sub-Committee on Engagement to reduce restiveness among young people as it is clear that these agitations are attributable to social and economic inequality in the country.”

They also commended the private sector-led Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) for presenting the true situation of what transpired in the light of the unfortunate misperception that attended the distribution of palliatives at the state level resolving that the NGF chair should work with the CACOVID chairperson to address the media in addition to members speaking up in their local settings.

The NGF is also expected to educate the citizenry about the various palliatives provided by the states including cash transfers, food items, medical supplies, and tax incentives given to individual taxpayers and businesses.

They also reiterated commitment to the partnership with Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGF) to organize a virtual event on the 17th November 2020 with the support of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) and other strategic partners in the country’s infrastructure financing space, noting that the event will discuss the entryway for privatization in the development and performance of State economies.

Similarly, the vice chairman of the Forum and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal provided an update on the work of the National Economic Council Sub-Committee mandated to engage with youths, civil society organizations, religious, political and traditional leaders with the objective of framing a new security and stability architecture for the country.

Politics

Senate wants State House Clinic upgraded

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The Senate, on Thursday, called for the upgrade of the State House Clinic to check medical tourism.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-governmental Affairs, Sen. Danjuma La’ah, made the call when the State House Permanent Secretary, Tijani Umar, appeared before the panel to defend the 2021 budget.

La’ah said that the committee would consider the budget for the State House Clinic; adding that the clinic needed to be more active in its operations.

“We must ensure our hospitals are fully equipped to world-class standards.

“So that no matter the issue of an emergency our hospitals should be endowed with that capacity to attend to them before flying out if the need arises,” he said.

He said that the proposal for the State House Clinic of N1.3 billion had already been approved.

“I want this thing done and the credit goes to the entire members of the committee.

“We want to leave a legacy that the clinic we requested is built in the State House within the shortest time frame. That is our primary concern and we must do it at all costs,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary, in an interview after the meeting with the lawmakers, said that “I took over in the State House in April this year and in the last six months; we have made giant strides in almost every aspect of our work.

“We have outlined a lot of things trying to put it on the right pedestal, so it is not correct to say that it is comatose, it is not.

“We have realigned so many things. One of the fundamental challenges we have dealt with is the sustainable supply of drugs and consumables.

“Don’t forget that this derives from the budget. You have a budget and you have a sustainable supply, if the budget is not sufficient it affects everything.

“What we have on the ground now is something we can use to stabilize the State House Clinic and this is what we have achieved, stability in the supply of consumables, stability in the supply of electricity.

“Stability in motivating our doctors and all our medical professionals, stability in infrastructure renovation, upgrade and maintenance of the facility, and our equipment.

“What we can do with the resources right now is all that, just to maintain and to try to hold on to what we have until the new budget comes on stream,” he said.

Politics

Agbakoba writes Senate, demands devolution of Powers to States

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A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has called for the devolution of powers to states in order to make them independent and stronger.

He made this known in a letter written to the Senate and addressed to the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan on Wednesday.

Agbakoba noted that the country must also be immediately restructured in order to solve the various challenges facing the country. The Senior Advocate added that the country must choose its own model of federalism considering its peculiarities.

The lawyer, however, demanded a review of the exclusive and concurrent lists, so as to give more powers to the states. He also asked the federal government to rename both lists as the federal legislative list and state legislative list.

He said: “The constitution has two legislative lists namely, exclusive and concurrent. These lists have 98 items of power. The federal government exercises exclusive power over 68 items on the exclusive list. The states in concurrence with the federal government, exercise power over 30 items on the concurrent list.

“But the states may only exercise power on the concurrent list, only if the federal government has not already ‘covered the field’ on any of the 30 items. In effect, state governments really have no power.”

Agbakoba disclosed that a committee should be set up to review the 98 items on the exclusive list and assign what is best to the federal government and what is best to the states.

He noted that the simple process of devolved powers can be by virtue of an enactment styled, and constitution alteration (devolution of powers) bill.

Politics

BENUE State Government has again declared Fridays as work-free days for civil servants in the state.

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The work-free day, according to the state government, begins on November 6 till January 29, 2021, while normal weekly work schedule will resume on February 5, 2021.

The development, it was gathered, was to allow civil servants the opportunity to harvest their farm produce.

According to the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mrs Ngunan Addingi, “the declaration of Fridays as work-free days is to improve food security in the state.”

The governor always declared Fridays for the state workers during plant and harvest seasons.

Politics, World News

Babajide Sanwo-olu signs executive order to begin rebuilding Lagos State.

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Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday signed an executive order to rebuild the state following destruction of properties by thugs.

He also constituted the Lagos State Rebuilding Trust Fund to oversee the rebuilding of properties burnt and vandalised by miscreants.

Thugs had attacked properties in the state following shooting and killing of peaceful #ENDSARS protesters in the state.

The state government had said it would need N1trn to rebuild the state.

Politics

We’ll no longer play the fool for you, Southern, Middle Belt leaders tell Northern leaders

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Leaders of the Southern and Middle Belt parts of the country under the auspices of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) on Wednesday, warned they would no longer allow the Northern part of the country to dictate to them, or allow them keep playing any supremacist role over others.

This was the focus of a communiqué issued by the forum after an emergency meeting the forum held in Abuja.

The communique was signed by Chief EK Clark (PANDEF Leader), AVM Idongesit Nkanga, Chief Broderick Bozimo, Mr. Solomon Asemota (SAN), Senator Bassey Henshaw, Prof GG Darah and Chief T J O Okorotie for the South-South

Others, who signed the communiqué were Chief Ayo Adebanjo (for Afenifere Leader), Mr Yinka Odumakin, Senator Kofoworola Akerele-Buknor, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Chief Supo Sonibare, Chief Demola Folarin, Dr. Akin Fapohunda for the South-West.

They also included Chief John Nwodo (President General, Ohanaeze), Chief Guy Ikokwu, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Mr. Chuks Muomah SAN, Mr. Mike Ahamba SAN, Mr. Madu Bright O Allwell, Chuks Achi-Okpaga, Chief Alex Ogbonnia for the South-East.

For the North-Central (Middle Belt) are Dr. Pogu Bitrus (President, Middle Belt Forum), Air Commoder Dan Suleiman (retd), Dr. S D Gani, Elder Stephen Bangoji, Hon Jonathan Asake, Mr. Chris Aba, Mr. Mark Jacob and Mr. Festus Nyiwo.

While reacting to the meeting of Northern states’ Governors with Northern Emirs and Chiefs and Arewa leaders in topmost positions in the current regime held on Monday, the SMBLF reiterated it’s call for restructuring before the 2023 general elections.

The communique reads: “The meeting coming aftermath of the ENDSARS protest when we should be putting heads together nationally to seek solutions to our problems is most distractive, divisive and made Nigeria widely scattered as against the ‘indivisibility’ and other non-sequitors that were regurgitated at the end of it.

“Where would this country be heading to if we also decide to call our own meeting with our Governors and top officials in the Federal Government? We do not see any responsibility displayed by those who have been serially accused of sectionalizing our national government to allow such in sensibility, insensitivity and total subversion of the unity of the country that only exists on the lips of those behind the meeting.

“It not also lost on us that the communique of the meeting was making space for National Executive Council nominations to a sectional initiative as the utmost level of disregard to the rest of the country whom they are treating as serfs when we are supposed to joint and equal stakeholders in project Nigeria

“The meeting wondered the quality of humanity of any group meeting at this period of mourning not to have a word of compassion for those that were recklessly murdered by state forces and hired thugs during the protests.
>
> “We reject the indecent approach to paste the peaceful protesters in dark colours. They made their demands clear and were orderly before the violent Nigerian state deployed armed soldiers and thugs in 911 lorries against them.

“It is wickedness to place ‘our power’ above every other national interest by playing the “regime change” label on the peaceful protesters who were not armed like Boko Haram that the regime is chasing about with negotiations in the same spirit it has been cuddling and pampering killer herdsmen.

“We do not see the thoughtfulness in the celebration of Northern youths not participating in ENDSARS protests as if they did not also loot like their deprived young people in other areas of the country which shows they are suffering the same thing. But instead of treating leprosy, our counterparts are dealing with eczema.

“We foresaw all that is happening now, which is why we have been calling for restructuring as a multi-ethic country like Nigeria can only be run along federal lines. We were not oblivious of the damage the military did to this country by using fiat to create LGAs with headquarters in the villages of top shots mostly from the North. Kano state today has 44 Local Governments and Bayelsa has 80.When you want to recruit 10 policemen per LGA Bayelsa will have 80 and Kano 44O. That affects where the materials to be drawn into SARS and others are drawn.The inequalities multiply everywhere. And this is why we insist on restructuring of the country now before we go for any national election.

“We make it abundantly clear to our colleagues from the core North that yesterday ended last night and never again shall this country be run the same old way. No section of the country can play any supremacist role again as if the rest of us are fools.

“It is either we live together as equals under the same rules of engagement or we explore other options as dignified human beings.

“We deeply mourn with all families who lost dear ones in the crisis we just went through and pray to God to comfort them. May those who wantonly destroyed lives pay grievously for their deeds.”

Politics

Amaechi, El-Rufai have not told us about their presidential ambition yet – APC

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, on Wednesday reacted to the presidential campaign posters of Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation.

APC’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena said both Amaechi and El-Rufai have not informed the party about their intentions to contest for presidency in 2023.

The campaign posters also had Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State as Amaechi’s running mate.

Messages on the posters read: “The People’s choice,” “Today may not be the best, but tomorrow will be better”.

The posters were sighted in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and some highways in Abuja.

However, Nabena in a brief chat with DAILY POST said the party needs to find out those behind the campaign posters.

According to Nabena: “We need to find out if they are the ones behind it or people are the ones doing it.

“We need to get those things clear because they have never told the party that they want to run for presidency, so I really don’t know. Until they inform the party, then I will know.”

Politics

362 Ghost Workers Earning N20m Monthly Discovered In Ekiti

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The state’s Accountant-General in Ekiti has been instructed to stop the salaries of the ghost workers.

A screening committee set up by the Ekiti State Government has uncovered 362 ghost workers in the state’s workforce.

Prof Adio Folayan, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development in the state, made this known when he presented the report of the verification committee to Governor Kayode Fayemi in Ado Ekiti, the capital.

His Excellency, Dr Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti state governor).

Folayan said further screening by the committee revealed that only 362 workers out of the figure were clarified to be on government’s payroll as of June this year.

He disclosed that the state government was losing about 20m monthly to the ghost workers, who are mainly in the local government areas of the state. 

He added that the state’s Accountant-General had been instructed to stop the salaries of the ghost workers.

According to him, the committee has recommended that all illegal salaries earned by the affected workers should be deducted from their pension and gratuity.

The commissioner also said the ghost workers would be prosecuted for fraud with their accomplices, noting that all heads of department have been directed to enforce discipline.  

Governor Fayemi while receiving the report promised to look into the recommendations for immediate implementation.

Politics, World News

Joe Biden flips Arizona, first Democrat to win state since 1996.

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Joe Biden has become the first Democrat to win a Presidential election in Arizona in 24 years. 

With his win, Biden denied President Donald Trump 11 pivotal electoral votes that were once reliably Republican. 

Joe Biden

While Trump ran up the score in rural Arizona, Biden carved a path through fast-changing Maricopa County, where Phoenix and its suburbs supply some 60 percent of the state’s electorate. It was the largest county in America to go to Trump in 2016, but it is also at the center of twin trends reshaping Arizona politics: disaffected suburbanites migrating away from the Republican Party and Democratic-leaning Latinos turning out in greater force with every election.

Donald Trump

The southwestern state broke its own records with early voting, marking a significant turnout with 2.6 million votes having been cast before Election Day.

Biden also picked up an Electoral College vote in a Nebraska congressional district that voted for Trump four years ago. The president hadn’t converted any new territory by early Wednesday morning.

Republicans breathed another sigh of relief when must-win Ohio was added to Trump’s column. 

Politics

‘Consider children of ordinary Nigerians,’ Fayemi begs ASUU to end strike

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Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Tuesday appealed to members of the Academic Staff of Universities (ASUU) to suspend their nine-month-old industrial action.

The governor, according to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, made the call when he received members of the Board of Trustees of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation led by the former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, in his office at Ado Ekiti.

He urged the university lecturers to consider the “children of ordinary Nigerians” attending the public universities in the country.

Fayemi also implored the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders in the education sector to have an urgent engagement with the leadership of ASUU in order to end the current impasse.

He charged the lecturers to look at the hardship the students and their parents are going through because of the strike that has kept the students at home for nine months.

The governor said: “We need to get to a point of convergence with ASUU, but I also think ASUU should begin to look at this from the position of their importance. It is the students of the ordinary Nigerians who attend the local universities. So, even if it is for the sake of ordinary Nigerians who have children in these universities and cannot afford to send their children to private universities or abroad.

“Whatever the areas are, we would like to engage them, not as Federal Government but as concerned parties at the level of government who feel that we can still work out an arrangement in which you don’t completely dictate to your employer how he pays your salaries.

“If an agreement has been entered into and if it is not going to be honoured, you owe a duty to urge the other party to review it consensually and then come up with something that is mutually acceptable to both sides.”

Politics

Lagos panel rejects LCC’s request to retake possession of Lekki tollgate

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The Lagos State judicial panel of inquiry probing the alleged shootings of #EndSARS protesters in the Lekki area of the state on Tuesday rejected the request by the operators of the tollgate, Lekki Concession Company, to take back possession of the facility.

Armed soldiers had on October 20 opened fire on the protesters.

A few of the protesters were reportedly killed while others sustained injuries in the incident.

However, nobody has come forward to give the actual number of #EndSARS protesters killed in the shooting.

The panel’s chairman, Justice Doris Okuwobi (retd), declared in a short ruling that the tollgate would remain closed.

He said panel needed to pay another visit to the tollgate plaza after watching the video footage from a surveillance camera submitted by the LCC on Tuesday to arrive at a definite conclusion on the matter.

Counsel for LCC, Rotimi Seriki, had urged the panel to allow the firm to take possession of the tollgate plaza to evaluate the level of damage before seeking insurance claims.

He said: “My humble request is that if the tribunal doesn’t have further need to visit the plaza, the LCC should be permitted to take back possession of the toll plaza for the purpose of evaluation of the damage and commence the process of carrying out necessary repairs.”

Politics

Gov. Oyetola approves N708m for payment of retirees

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Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun has approved the release of N708 million for the payment of pension arrears of retired civil servants in the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Festus Oyebade, the Head of Service, on Tuesday in Osogbo.

According to him, N508 million was approved for the payment of pensions of retired civil servants, while N150 million was approved to pay retirees under contributory pension scheme.

Oyebade added that additional N50 million was approved for the part payment of the gratuities of retired officers under the old pension scheme.

He said the list of beneficiaries selected on merit had been pasted on the notice boards of the Ministry of Information and Civic Orientation, the State’s Pension Bureau, and the Office of the Head of Service.

The head of service said payment of the approved funds would begin on Nov. 5.

He said the governor had assured all workers, both serving and retired, that all efforts would be mustered to always give their welfare the place it deserved.

Politics

I wasn’t born with a silver spoon- Senator Dino Melaye.

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Senator Dino Melaye in an interview with BBC revealed how he moved from grass to grace. He mentioned how his father was sacked from work as a result of his religious belief.

He also mentioned how he survived as a child , sponsored himself and siblings through school. Dino Melaye revealed how the grace of God and hard work helped him to sail through the storms of life.

The senator further revealed his intention to become the President of Nigeria someday. Watch below the video to find out the full details of Senator Dino Melaye’s interview.

Politics

Lekki tollgate shooting: LCC finally submits footage to judicial panel

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The Lekki Concession Company (LCC), operators of the Lekki tollgate, has submitted video footage recorded by its surveillance camera on the night of October 20, 2020, when soldiers allegedly opened fire on #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate.

The Managing Director of LCC, Abayomi Omomuwa, submitted a hard drive containing the footage on Tuesday.

Omomuwa’s submission was made to the Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by the Lagos State Government to probe the Lekki shootings, as well as complaints of human rights abuses against members of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

“I can confirm that inside here is the video footage that our surveillance camera was able to record for the 20th of October,” Omomuwa said.

According to Anakle CEO, Editi Effiong, who is at the hearing, “LCC is being led in testimony by a member of the LASG legal team. A hard drive has been admitted in evidence as containing the footage from the toll gate.

“LCC is also tendering press releases in which they denied the company was bribing in police to disrupt the protests.”

Politics

True Federalism: I didn’t indict National Assembly—El Rufai

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Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna state did not indict the National Assembly for not acting upon the report of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Committee on True Federalism.

A statement issued by Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser on Media and Communication on Monday, clarified that the governor merely appealed for urgent action from the federal legislature.

The Special Adviser who was reacting to the comments of Senator Ajibola Bashiru, the spokesman of the senate, wondered ‘’how can this public appeal for urgent action prompt the sort of diatribe attributed to the Senator in the newspaper report?.’’

‘’The comments do not show that the person has read Malam El-Rufai’s speech, except if the person quoted is suffering from the crisis of comprehension that has become sadly endemic in our country.

According to Adekeye ‘’the unnecessary defensiveness to an allegation that was never made against the National Assembly cannot be deemed as distinguished conduct.’’

‘’Neither can the attempt to portray the report of a party committee on which several governors sat as that of the individual who had the privilege of chairing it,’’ he added.

It will be recalled that Senator Bashiru said that that Governor El Rufai does not know the workings of the National Assembly, by accusing the legislators for not acting on the report of the APC on True Federalism.

The statement said that El Rufai had ‘’ appealed to federal legislators to initiate the necessary constitutional amendments to secure restructuring using the draft bills that are contained in the report of the committee.’’

‘’Notwithstanding the comments attributed to the spokesman of the Senate, Malam El-Rufai believes that the entire National Assembly will play a positive role in helping our country meet the urgent demands of the moment,’’ he said.

Adekeye advised that ‘’these times call for responsibility, not for a flourish of ego; for sobriety and utter focus on what is significant and consequential for the future of our country.’’

Politics

Families of policemen who were unlawfully killed will be compensated. – Governor Seyi Makinde.

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Earlier today , the Oyo state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde visited the police command headquarter in the state. According to him, the state needs the police cooperation inorder to bring anarchists to book. He stated the following on all his social media platforms.

This afternoon, we visited the Eleyele Police Command Headquarters, Ibadan, to meet with members of the Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force.

His excellency, Engr Seyi Makinde (Oyo state governor).

I stated that the police are a very important part of our community and acknowledged that not every member of the police force is bad. However, I said it is the professional conduct of the good ones that will win back the trust of the people.

I encouraged them to look beyond the actions of thugs and hoodlums who hijacked the legitimate protests and unleashed mayhem on some of their members. Bearing in mind that the protesters included them in their 5 for 5 requests by asking for better conditions of service for them.

I said we should all work together to build a better society. That I support the protests doesn’t mean I am against them. I am for the protection of everyone’s right, including theirs. And that we need their cooperation to ensure that arsonists and anarchists are brought to book.

Finally, I told them that the families of policemen in Oyo State who were unlawfully killed will be part of those compensated from the initial N500M Fund which we set up last week. May their souls rest in peace.

Politics

UPDATE OF OYO TESCOM RECRUITMENT…..

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Almost 4000 Merit Lists of Youth and Professional Teachers will be published this week.

His Excellency , Governor Seyi Makinde a God fearing, deligent, lover of youth and the entire people of Oyo State; who never descriminate on races, tribes nor political party affiliation believe in honesty and job opportunity for all. As a leader and father of all, he believe in Standard Education, he therefore allocated the highest percentage of the state budget 23.5% to education restructuring.

The Governor gave the standing order that TESCOM recruitment must be based on sincerity of purpose and 80% true performance of the innocent applicants who have no connection with highly placed Civil Servants nor Politicians. Oyo TESCOM under the Chairmanship of Pastor Akinade Alamu and the Permanent Secretary Mrs Grace Olabisi Oderinde is set to publish the Merit list of Successful Applicants who scored 50% and above this week ….

Shortlisting of Non Teaching staff will commence immediately .

Members of public please watch out!!!!

Oyo TESCOM moving education towards the World Class.

Grace Oderinde
PS

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Dare me, what you have I have – Governor Wike tells IPOB members.

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Governor Nyesom Wike had dared members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to attack him when he’s abroad.

The Rivers state Governor who said this in an interview on AIT, stated that he’s not like other Governors who can be threatened as he has what the IPOB members think they have. He also insinuated that the position he currently occupies has made him calmer. 

Also debunking claims of sending soldiers to kill members of the proscribed group, the Rivers state Governor stated that he has no control over the military or the police. He also pointed out that South-East Governors have never supported IPOB as he wondered why “criminals should be the mouthpiece of a region”. 

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