Politics

Termites allegedly eat up N17.128B expenditure evidence at NSITF

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The Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) has put the current and past management of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) under scrutiny.

The committee said it discovered that the fund’s management failed to produce relevant documents to justify alleged spending of N17.158 billion in 2013. Some of the documents to back the expenses were said to have been eaten up by termites, according to the Nation.

The Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (OAuGF), in its 2018 audit report – now being considered by the Senate panel chaired by Senator Matthew Urhoghide (Edo South) – had queried the agency over the disbursed sums without appropriate supporting documents.

In his report, the OAuGF said the N17.158 billion represented the total sum of money, transferred by the agency from its Skye and First Bank accounts, into various untraceable accounts belonging to individuals and companies between January and December 2013.

The OAuGF had, in its 2018 audit report, raised 50 different queries bordering on alleged misappropriation of funds against the agency. The AuGF’s query reads:

“Management of NSITF, as shown in statements of account number 1750011691 with Skye Bank Plc, for the period 1st January, 2013 to 20th December, 2013, and statements of account number 2001754610 with First Bank Plc for the period January 7, 2013 to February 28, 2013, transferred amounts totalling N17,158,883,034.69 to some persons and companies from these accounts.

“However, payment vouchers relating to the transfers together with their supporting documents were not provided for audit. Consequently, the purpose(s) for the transfers could not be authenticated.

“These are in violation of Financial Regulation 601 which states that ‘all payment entries in the cashbook/accounts shall be vouched for on one of the prescribed treasury forms.

Vouchers shall be made out in favour of the person or persons to whom the money is actually due’.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee, Urhoghide, had summoned and interviewed NSITF’s past and present managements on where the said N17.158 billion was transferred to between January and December 2013.

It was learnt that no official of the former management could offer satisfactory explanation on the alleged multiple transfers with necessary documents.

Members of management in charge of the agency in 2013 had told the committee that relevant cash vouchers pertaining to the transactions were left behind by them.

But the current NSITF Managing Director, Dr. Michael Akabogu, was said to have claimed that no such documents were in the organisation’s custody.

The container the said documents were kept by past management has not only been beaten by rains over the years but even possibly been eaten up by termites.

“As directed by this committee, I told the past management officers on the need for them to help us out in answering this query with necessary documents which have not been made available for us,” Akabogu allegedly said.

The Managing Director of NSITF from 2010 to 2016, Mallam Umar Munir Abubakar, allegedly claimed that he was aware of the query and had no explanations to render since the audit exercise was not carried out during his tenure.

But his successor, Mr. Adebayo Somefun, who was head of the agency from May 2017 to July 2020, allegedly insisted that those in the agency’s account section should be able to trace the documents.

But the current General Manager Finance of the agency allegedly said that the container in question had been under lock and key and abandoned in an isolated area within the premises of the organisation in Abuja.

In his ruling, Urhoghide expressed worry over the development and ordered both members of past and present management of the NSITF to re-appear before the panel with all necessary evidence concerning the transactions unfailingly on Thursday, September 22, 2022.

Politics

Passenger shows empty waiting area at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport

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The hike in airfare has discouraged travellers from going by air and this was highlighted by a video shared online. A traveller was surprised to see an empty waiting area at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.

The airport, which usually has bodies milling around, was almost empty, save for about two travellers.

“Flying is now a big deal,” the person filming is heard saying as she went round to show the decline in human activities at the airport.

Watch the video below.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/ChRfznxoRbt/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Politics, World News

Top Russian official ‘secretly approaches West to bring Ukraine invasion to an end’

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A senior Kremlin official has reportedly met Western diplomats and intelligence chiefs in a bid to help end the war in Ukraine.

According to Mail Online, a source claimed that much of Moscow’s elite are highly concerned about the trajectory of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion into the neighbouring country and are alarmed by the bite of wide-ranging sanctions levied by the West in response.

A document, purportedly circulated to Western intelligence agencies and seen by The Mirror, said: ‘A representative of Putin’s inner-circle sent a signal about the desire to negotiate.

The mood of the Kremlin elite is panic.’ It is unclear which member of Moscow’s top officials is likely to have undermined Putin’s plans, but the document supposedly described the insider as a ‘pillar of the regime’ in Russia.

A Ukrainian diplomatic source told The Mirror they would not be surprised to hear that high level Kremlin officials are attempting to connect with Western intelligence agencies behind Putin’s back.

‘It is often the case as happened in the closing stages of the Second World War that officials on a side concerned about their future make approaches to ensure it,’ the source said.

Politics, World News

Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un exchange letters pledging Russia and North Korea form closer ties against ‘hostile military forces’

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Russian President Vladimir Putin told North Korean leader Kim Jong Un the two countries will “expand the comprehensive and constructive bilateral relations with common efforts,” Pyongyang’s state media reported on Monday, August 15.

In a letter to Kim for Korea’s liberation day, Putin said closer ties would be in both countries’ interests, and would help strengthen the security and stability of the Korean peninsula and the Northeastern Asian region, North Korea’s KCNA news agency said.

Kim also sent a letter to Putin saying Russian-North Korean friendship had been forged in World War II with victory over Japan, which had occupied the Korean peninsula.

The “strategic and tactical cooperation, support and solidarity” between the two countries has since reached a new level is their common efforts to frustrate threats and provocations from hostile military forces,” Kim said in the letter.

KCNA did not identify the hostile forces, but it has typically used that term to refer to the United States and its allies.

Kim said cooperation between Russia and North Korea would grow based on an agreement signed in 2019 when he met with Putin.

North Korea in July recognised two Russian-backed breakaway “people’s republics” in eastern Ukraine as independent states, and officials raised the prospect of North Korean workers being sent to the areas to help in construction and labour.

Ukraine, which is fighting against Russia’s invasion immediately severed relations with Pyongyang over the move.

Football, Politics

Gunmen kidnap five female footballers and club owner in Edo, demand N30m ransom

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Gunmen have kidnapped five grassroots female footballers and owner of Itugbe Queens football club, Precious Agbajor in Uronigbe, Orhiomwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

The victims were kidnapped at the border town between Edo and Delta State while returning from a football tournament at Owa-Alero in the Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State on Friday, August 12, 2022.

A source from the locality, who confirmed the incident, said that the abductors had contacted the families of the victims, demanding a sum of N5m ransom each for the victims.

“They (footballers) went to Owa-Alero to play a football match. On their way back, they were kidnapped at the Uronigbe area, the boundary between Delta and Edo states,” the source disclosed.

“The victims include Mrs Precious Agbajor, one Abraham, Nancy, Beatrice, and the driver. They are six in number that are in the kidnapper’s den. The matter has been reported to Uronigbe police station. The kidnappers have contacted the family of Agbajor and asked them to pay N5 million for his wife”, the source added.

Spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the kidnapping incident, adding that the abduction happened in Edo.

But his Edo State counterpart, Chidi Nwabuzor, when contacted, said from the record available at the State Command, that there was no information about the incident.

“You know, we transmit our records to Force Headquarters everyday. There is no record of that before us. From the Command’s record, no such incident happened yesterday (Friday), so the police will not give an account of anything unreported.” said Nwabuzor.

Politics

I made an error — Lalong apologizes to Catholic bishops over comment about the Pope

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Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state has apologized to Catholic Bishops in Nigeria after referencing the Catholic church and the Pope during his interview on leading the campaign for the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Lalong had said that as a Catholic, the Pope has not informed him that it is improper for him to serve as the Director-General of the APC presidential campaign team.

In a letter addressed to Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and dated August 12, Lalong said he made an error and realised that his comment brought “embarrassment” to the Catholic church, especially to the family of Papal Knights.

He said;

“I have followed with some shock and deep regret, the reactions that have trailed my appointment as the Director-General of the Campaign Council for the Presidential Candidates of our Party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Ibrahim Shettima.

“The appointment understandably was received with mixed reactions across the Christian community who genuinely feel aggrieved by the decision of our party to settle for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“While many people commended me for the appointment and saw it as a way of remaining within the system to fight for our interests, others cast aspersions on it on the grounds that our faith had been insulted and denigrated.

“In the course of this, many of my opponents turned the issue into a political weapon with some spreading rumours and questioning the integrity of my credentials as a Catholic and a Papal Knight.

In trying to make my case, I have granted interviews to justify why I believe that the appointment did not in any way undermine my commitment to the Catholic Church.

“During the week, in the course of defending myself, I had cause to make reference to my credentials as a Catholic and a Papal Knight. In the process, I made reference to the Holy Father.

“I now realise that this was an error on my part and has caused some level of concern and even embarrassment to many especially the Members of the family of Papal Knights to which I belong.

“I now understand that I may have overreached myself in the course of trying to defend my personal decision in accepting this appointment and thus, the reference to the holy father was not intended as an act of disrespect to his exalted and revered office.

“Your Grace, by this written letter, I wish to tender my unreserved apologies and ask for their understanding and forgiveness from my brothers in the Catholic faith and, through you, the entire members of the Bishops’ Conference, our Fathers and our Leaders.

My commitment to the Catholic faith to which | belong remains unreserved and undiluted.

“I will continue to uphold the banner of my faith in public life as I have done over the years. You may recall, Your Grace that in the last five or so years, I have been at the forefront of facilitating our dialogue as politicians with you our fathers in the faith. I remain committed to this and pray that you will continue to encourage us as we ascend the slippery slope of politics. While soliciting your episcopal blessings.”

Lifestyle, Politics

Abuja-Kaduna train abduction shows Buhari’s failure – CSOs

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Three civil society organisations have asked the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to give an account of the missing and the dead in the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.The Community of Practice against Mass Atrocities and the Joint Action Civil Society Committee under the aegis of Nigeria Mourns said the abduction of the passengers of the ill-fated train was an indication of Buhari’s “continued failure to protect the lives and property of Nigerians”.

The groups condemned in strong terms the spate of insecurity across the country and called on the Federal Government to take “actionable steps to mitigate further attacks by terrorist groups”.

In a statement posted on the global petition website, change.org, which had gathered over 7,000 signatures as of the time of filing this report, the groups noted that the Buhari regime had failed in its primary responsibility to its citizens.

“Since the Kaduna train attack, the government has failed to account for the number of persons rescued, the missing and the dead, failing in its primary purpose as provided for in Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution which states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”, and Section 17(2) (c): “governmental actions shall be humane”.

“We point out that the level of humaneness envisioned by our constitution is lacking in the actions of the government in each of these incidents, and that these actions rather suggest that the value for human life in Nigeria is now at its lowest and that the government is failing in its constitutional duties,” part of the statement read.

In the same vein, Global Rights, which also petitioned Buhari on change.org asked the FG to secure the release of the remaining abductees.

“None of us are free till all victims of abductions across the country are free. Our security is a constitutionally prescribed duty of the government,” part of the statement read.

Politics

Corps member jailed for internet fraud in Kwara

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Corps member jailed for internet fraud in KwaraA Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has sentenced a corps member to two years imprisonment for internet related fraud offences.

Adetuberu Christopher Adetoyese, currently serving in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, was arraigned before the court on Thursday, August 11, by the llorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was found guilty of the two counts preferred against him by the anti-graft agency.

The presiding judge, Ibrahim Yusuf, while sentencing Adetuberu ordered the forfeiture of a 3-bedroom flat acquired with the proceeds of the illegal activities.

Other items forfeited include a Lexus car, different brands of phones and a laptop, which are instruments of the crime as well as the sum N921, 535.49 in his bank account to the Federal Government.

He, however, gave the convict an option of fine of N200,000 stating tha his conviction would serve as deterrence to others.

Adetuberu, an indigene of Ilesha, Ilesha West Local Government Area of Osun was arrested at Ogele area of Eyenkorin, Ilorin.

The convict had in the course of investigation revealed that he ventured into ‘Yahoo Yahoo Business’ in 2016 and had among other things built a house with the proceeds of the illegal activities.

Politics

Why we killed lawmaker and former DPO – Terrorists arrested in Bauchi state confess

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Four terror suspects arrested in Bauchi State by the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have said they murdered a former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) CSP Garkuwa because he gave them a tough time while they carried out their nefarious activities.

The suspects, Hashimu Galadima alias Kan Wuka, Abduwahab Abdulhassan alias Emeka, Hamidu Saleh, and Abdulwahab Ahmed alias Dan Mama were arrested by the DCP Tunji Disu-led elite squad following an investigation into high-profile murders, kidnappings and armed robbery incidents in the State.

The Nation reports that three members of the gang were arrested at Dass Local Government area of Bauchi State and their confessions to the police led to the arrest of the fourth suspect.

In his confessional statement, Hashimu, 48, who’s the gang leader said all members of his gang hated the DPO because he usually arrested them and prevented their operations within his jurisdiction.

He said the lawmaker’s murder was masterminded by Abdulwahab Alhassan because he offended them. The ex-convict said the lawmaker usually gave people money but never gave him even when he requested.

“My gang killed Honourable Mante and kidnapped three of his family members. He offended me but I am not the only one that he offended.He used to give people money but he never gave me. That is why I don’t like him. I have begged him for money many times.

He did not give me but he was giving other people money.I did not want to kill him but Abdulhassan also told me that he hated the honourable and we should kill him. It was even Abdulhassan that facilitated how we located him and gained entrance into his house” he said.

Hashimu who said he served two-year jail term for criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and kidnapping, said he continued the acts when he was released from prison. Alhassan claimed that he did not follow them to the lawmaker’s residence but provided the gang with information.

“I am into sale of hard drugs. I know most of these criminals and sell hard drugs to them. My problem with Honourable Mante is that he refused to help me when I had problem with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Bauchi.

I sent people to him with the hope that he will assist me by using his position to facilitate my release from the NDLEA but he ignored me. I spent one year in prison and I was released to go and unite with my family” the suspect said

The spokesperson of the state police command, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the arrest of the suspects, assuring that the service under Inspector General (IG) Alkali Usman was committed to the protection of lives and properties in all parts of the country.

Politics

Lagos state government disbands Ministry of Transport (MOT) enforcement team

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The Lagos Ministry of Transportation has placed an indefinite ban on the operations of its enforcement team tagged M.O.T Taskforce.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa, in a statement released, stated that the decision was reached after a thorough appraisal and review of the enforcement teams operating under the Ministry of Transportation.

Giwa explained that the ban is part of measures initiated to streamline transport enforcement activities in Lagos State to achieve the required effectiveness in line with global best practices, warning that the ban is not an excuse for drivers to disobey the traffic laws of the State.

”The Special Adviser averred that Traffic Management and Transportation is a cardinal pillar in the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stressing that the readjustment of the enforcement strategy was to enhance service delivery to the people of the State.

He, therefore, enjoined the general public to report the activities of any unauthorised enforcement team still operating with the tag M.O.T Taskforce to the Ministry of Transportation for prosecution.

Appealing to Lagosians to cooperate with the State Government in its effort to improve the traffic situation across the metropolis, the Special Adviser gave an assurance that a lot is ongoing behind the scene to bring the much-desired change in the transport sector.”

Lifestyle, Politics

We won’t use force to rescue abducted train victims – Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the federal government will not use force in securing the release of the remaining abductees of the ill-fated Abuja-Kaduna train.

Buhari who revealed this during a meeting with the representatives of the families of the victims at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday August 11, said they’ve weighed all options and concluded that the best way to bring all the victims back home safely was not to use force.

He also stated that the federal government is doing everything within its powers to ensure the safe return of the remaining captives.

The President said;

“I have been informed that at last count, there remain about 31 people in the hands of the kidnappers, and our determination is to work towards returning these 31 people to their families.

“It is understandable that emotions typically run high, we have received several suggestions about the deployment of lethal military force in extracting those still being held in captivity.

“This option has indeed been considered and evaluated. However, the condition to guarantee a successful outcome and minimize potential collateral damage could not be assured and therefore that course of action had to be reluctantly discarded.

“My primary concern is to get everyone released safe and unhurt.“Each one of them will be hunted and pursued and spoken to in the language that they understand.

“Judging by the available reports to me and news that have begun emerging in the last few days, I will say they (security operatives) have heard this instruction and are responding appropriately.

“In the past couple of days, you must have heard about the number of terrorists neutralized by the military, and number of hostages freed. These efforts will not stop, or reduce.”

Buhari also said that several actions had been taken by government to bring succour to the affected families and to prevent a recurrence in the country.

Lifestyle, Politics

Protest In Sierra Leone Over Cost Of Living

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Some citizens of Sierra Leone on Wednesday protested in parts of the capital, Freetown and other locations over the increased cost of living amongst other concerns.

Videos from the protests showed there were breakouts of violence.

An internet blockade has also been reported with a curfew imposed.

Business, Lifestyle, Politics

Nigeria is facing existential threat – World Bank warns

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The World Bank has raised an alarm that Nigeria might be facing an existential threat due to its dwindling economy.

The international financial institution opines that the dwindling revenue, the continued payment of trillions of naira on fuel subsidy by the government, and the attendant economic challenges put Nigeria in an unfavorable position economically.

The Senior Public Sector Specialist, Domestic Resource Mobilisation, at the World Bank, Mr Rajul Awasthi, raised the alarm at a virtual pre-summit, with the theme ‘Critical Tax Reforms for Shared Prosperity’, organized by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group on Wednesday, August 10. He insisted Nigeria would have to eliminate the subsidy regime eventually.

In a slide he shared during his presentation, which showed Nigeria’s Development Update, Awasthi explained that between 2015 and 2019, Nigeria’s non-oil revenues were among the lowest in the world and as a result the second lowest in spending, and that oil revenues were also falling even when oil prices were higher.

“Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa and the largest country in Africa by population, so it is critical to Africa’s progress. There is no doubt about that. But the government of Nigeria, from the public finance perspective, is really facing an existential threat.

Let’s not downplay the situation. That is the actual reality. he said Nigeria is 115th out of 115 countries in terms of the average revenue to Gross Domestic Product ratio.

Despite the oil prices rising the way they have been, net oil and gas revenues have been coming down because of the tremendous impact of the subsidy.So, what is going to happen in 2022? The federation’s revenues are going to be significantly lower.

They are already very low, and Nigeria is already the lowest in the world out of 115 large countries and this year, it’s really going to be lower than what it was in 2020 because of the debilitating impact of fuel subsidy.”

Speaking on how to get out of the impending threat, Awasthi stated that in the non-oil sector, Value Added Tax compliance gaps were immense and they needed to be breached as well as rationalise tax expenditures.

Politics

Gov Candidate Vows To Join Security Patrols

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The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Niger State, Umar Mohammed Bago, on Wednesday said that he would join security operatives to patrol the state to ensure lasting peace returns.

Bago said this at the strategic security meeting in Minna adding that he is not a thug and has never been.

“I am saying it loud and clear that anyone caught disrupting the peace of our state and it’s people should be decisively dealt with according to the provision of the law and I’m prepared to support the security agencies to ensure that the menace of hooliganism is permanently curbed on our streets. I have said it, I will personally join the police to patrol our streets to ensure the success of nipping in the bud this madness.

“I am not a thug, I have never been a thug and will never be a thug. Therefore, I will not be a part of all these disturbances of law abiding citizens.

Lifestyle, Politics

Photos from the burial of police orderly killed by terrorists who ambushed AIG Madaki in Bauchi

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ASP Gideon Sam Pakachi was shot dead by suspected terrorists who ambushed the convoy of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 12 Bauchi, Audu Madaki.

Late ASP Pakachi, 49, was laid to rest on Sunday, August 7th in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The convoy which was on its way out of Bauchi was attacked by the terrorists in the Barde Zangidi area which is a forest stretch linking Bauchi and Plateau States at about 2.30 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.

The gunmen killed Pakachi, who is the orderly of the AIG during the attack while several others reportedly sustained gunshot wounds.

AIG Madaki was on his way to Abuja to attend the security meeting of zonal AIGs and Command Commissioners of Police summoned by IGP Usman Alkali to deliberate on the current security challenges plaguing the nation.

The AIG sustained two bullet wounds on his leg during the attack. He is said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

Politics

RMAFC Commisioner, Tanko Abari is dead

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Commissioner for Revenue Mobilization Allocation And Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Musa Tanko Abari is dead.

Daily Trust reported that a family member of the deceased, Isyaku Musa confirmed that Abari died at about 2:34 pm on Tuesday August 9, after a brief illness at private hospital in Abuja.

He said the deceased fell sick last week and did not recover. On Tuesday when his health condition deteriorated and he was rushed to the hospital.

Musa said arrangements are ongoing to convey the remains of the deceased from the hospital to his Jiwa village in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) for burial.

Politics

Pyrates Confraternity reacts to viral video of its members mocking Bola Tinubu’s health

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The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has said the viral video mocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu is being taken out of context for political gains.

The organization condemned in very strong terms those making political gains out of the video, insisting that it is apolitical and does not have any preferred candidate for the upcoming 2023 presidential elections.

Recall that on Monday, August 8, a video of members of the Confraternity holding a procession in which they could be seen gyrating to an anti-Tinubu song and poked fun at Tinubu for a speech he made in June in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he asked that power should be handed over to him.

Tinubu had in his speech in Abeokuta said; ”Emi lo kan’, which means ”It’s my turn’.

During his speech he also mentioned how he consoled President Muhammadu Buhari after he had lost the presidential election thrice and pledged to make him President come 2015.

The lyrics of the song the pyrates sang read;

”Hand dey shake, leg dey shake, Baba wey no well, e de shout emi lo kan (Hands are shaking, legs are shaking.

A sick old man is shouting ‘it’s my turn’). Emi lo kan (2ce), Baba wey no well, him dey shout emi lokan (It’s my turn (2ce), a sick old man is shouting ‘it’s my turn’”

They sang Some Nigerians including Professor Wole Soyinka who is one of the founders of the group found the lyrics distasteful.

Soyinka in a statement condemned the song and said it was ”frankly appalling”.

In a statement titled ‘Setting the Records Straight’, the NAS Capoon, Abiola Owoaje, said the organization had a procession to round up its 46th Annual General Meeting as its customary in all events in like manner for the past 46 years, adding that no aspect of its procession was political.

“Part of the annual general meeting was the review of our entire advocacy, humanitarian and operational activities for the year.

This, then, as usual, culminated in a celebratory procession, an aspect of this yearly process that we have undertaken for the last 46 years.

In our view, it proceeded without event, until this extremely limited video made this appearance. Quite contrary to the manner in which certain aspects of the video are being portrayed, no aspect of this procession or the event itself was political.

Rather it was the typical climax of our annual general meeting. At no time in the history of this organization has this event, or indeed any of our events had any slanted political leanings” he said

Owoaje clarified that the organization does not mock or discriminate against the physical condition of any person as it also has members who are physically challenged.

“We must stress that we are apolitical. As an organisation, we have never had a preferred candidate in any political elections including the upcoming 2023 general elections.

We have members who belong to different political parties and are absolutely free to support any candidate of their choice. It is most unfortunate that political capital is being made of this with interpretations that are totally at variance with the philosophy of the Pyrates Confraternity.

Unequivocally, we condemn this in very strong terms. We understand that political merchants desperately seeking media mileage are all over the place misinforming and twisting events to suit their political agenda.

However, we wish to re -emphasise that the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) are not supporting or backing any candidate for the office of the President or any other office in the 2023 general elections and beyond.

As an organisation in tune with disadvantaged and voiceless people, we are committed to the enthronement of a just society in which no one is discriminated against based on tribe, religion, gender or disability.

We are against conventions that are moribund. We have always stood for Humanistic ideals, comradeship and chivalry. Nothing that has happened can and will change that posture.

We are determined to continue to use our social programmes, intellectual platforms and our compelling songs to advocate for good governance and accountability!”

Lifestyle, Politics

NYSC warns corps members against getting involved in local politics

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Brigadier General Mohammed Fadah, Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, has warned corps members against getting involved in local politics.

Speaking in Gombe State during the batch B stream II orientation camp closing ceremony held at Amada, Akko Local Government Area on Tuesday August 9, Fadah said instead of getting involved in the electioneering process, corps members should engage in Community Development Service which would enhance society.

The NYSC DG who was represented by the state coordinator, Ada Imoni, stressed that management would sanction defaulters who go against bye-laws. He said;

“Your letters of posting to Places of Primary Assignment will be handed to you soon after this ceremony. In this regard, I would like to remind you of your oath of allegiance in which you pledged to accept posting in good faith.

“I enjoin you to perform your duties with diligence and be guided by the provisions of the NYSC Act and Bye-Laws as well as workplace rules and regulations.

In keeping with the objectives of the Scheme, you are expected to integrate into your host communities while also appreciating and respecting their cultures.

“I must, however, emphasise that engagement in their local politics is a no-go-area for you. Furthermore, I enjoin you to undertake personal and group Community Development.”

Also speaking against fake news, Fadah said; “I urge you to avoid using social media for ethnic jingoism, rumour peddling, and the promotion of hatred.

Instead, your activities online should be targeted at self-improvement as well as the promotion of the unity, peace and prosperity of our dear country.

“In the same vein, avoid being speculative on issues affecting the NYSC and, instead, visit our website, social media platforms, and other official channels for clarifications.”

Commenting on incessant accidents and security threats, Fadah urged corps members to seek due approvals while warning against night travels.

Politics

Former Governors Dariye and Nyame released from prison

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Former Governors of Plateau and Taraba states, Joshua Dariye, and Jolly Nyame, have been released from Kuje correctional facility in Abuja.

This is coming three months after the Council of State, led by President Buhari approved the pardon of the convicts along with 159 others, a decision which generated outcries. The former governors were set free around 2:15pm on Monday, August 8, 2022.

Sources close to to duo revealed that all the necessary formalities were completed by 10 am on Monday and the former governors were released into the waiting arms of their families.

Nyame was to serve a 12-year jail sentence for diverting N1.64 billion during his tenure as governor of Taraba, while Dariye was serving 10 years’ imprisonment for N1.126 billion fraud. The duo was pardoned on health and age ground.

The FCT Spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Chukwuedo Humphrey, confirmed their release to newsmen.

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