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Newspaper Vendors Slam Family Of Slain Colleague For Demanding N500m From Gbajabiamila

Newspaper vendors in Nigeria have slammed the family of their late colleague, Ifeanyichukwu Okereke, who died after being shot by a security aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, for demanding N500m from the speaker.

Igbere TV had on Tuesday reported how Okereke’s family, in a letter to Gbajabiamila dated November 23, 2020, signed by the lawyer of the family, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), demanded the large sum as compensation.

Ozekhome said he was given the mandate to write the letter by the father of the deceased, Okorie Okereke; and the younger brother to the deceased, Destiny Okereke.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had last week arrested the operative, Abdullahi Hassan, who shot Okereke while Gbajabiamila had also visited the family of the deceased and promised to ensure that they do not suffer.

However, the family demanded more, adding that nothing could bring back the dead vendor back to life.

The family also asked the Speaker to ensure that the safety of vendors is guaranteed as they had become afraid to return to the streets since the tragic incident.

The Okereke family said it would take legal action against Gbajabiamila if all the demands are not met within seven days.

But in a letter made available to Igbere TV, on Wednesday, in Abuja, the newspaper vendors' leadership faulted the demands of Okereke’s family, berating them for threatening the speaker with litigation.

The letter was jointly signed by Comrade Benji Obute, President, Abuja Newspapers Distributors Association (ANDA); and Comrade Etim Iwara, Chairman, Newspapers Vendors Association, Abuja (NVAA).

While disowning the late colleague family's letter in its entirety, the vendors said they were neither consulted nor ordered anybody to write and send such letter to the Speaker on their behalf.

“In as much as we cannot decide for Ifeanyi's family what they want in place of their slain son, we strongly object to the use of our name in the letter. We are not at war with anybody or agency and not afraid of going to the streets,” it read.

“At our level, we are engaging the Rt Honourable Speaker and his team, and having fruitful discussions aimed at getting adequate compensation for the family. We do not encourage and support any aggressive approach since the Speaker has taken responsibility and doing everything within his powers to alleviate the pains of the family and all those associated with the slain Ifeanyi.

“We enjoin the family to tow the path of dialogue and have this issue resolved amicably as needless legal approach and media trial won't yield the needed fruit,” the letter added.

https://igberetvnews.com/1372978/newspaper-vendors-slam-family-slain-colleague-n500m-demand-gbajabiamila/

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Governors from the South-South region on Tuesday met with Chief of Staff to the President, Amb. Ibrahim Gambari, at the Rivers Government House, in Port Harcourt.

Igbere TV had earlier reported that President Muhammadu Buhari's Chief of Staff and other high profile dignitaries were expected in Port Harcourt later today.

The meeting with the South-South governors and stakeholders of the Niger Delta region is coming after the initial meeting was called-off last week due to the absence of the federal government’s representatives.

At the Presidential meeting on Tuesday were Governors Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom) and Nyesom Wike (Rivers).

Igbere TV reports that the Chief of Staff to the President, Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari, led the federal government delegation to the meeting in Port Harcourt.

During the course of the meeting, the six Governors and leaders in the zone in a common position presented by Chairman of South South Governor's Forum, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, made the following demands:

1. Immediate relocation of headquarters of oil multinational to their operational bases in the South South region.

2. Immediate relocation of government-owned oil subsidiaries from Lagos and Abuja to the South South region.

3. Immediate completion of East-West road under construction.

4. Immediate privatisation of the two refineries in Port Harcourt and the one in Warri for effectiveness.

5. Call for release of all funds due NDDC and that henceforth, all NDDC projects MUST be done in consultation with State Governors.

6. Reactivation of sea ports in Calabar, Port Harcourt and Warri. Then, the Lagos to Calabar rail line.

7. True federalism, resource control, fair revenue sharing and State Police, the best ingredients to achieving a better Nigeria.

https://igberetvnews.com/1372887/south-south-governors-meet-gambari-table-demands-photos/

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In order to reduce the impact of inflation on Nigerians, the Buhari administration, is, through the 2020 Finance Bill, proposing the exemption of minimum wage earners from Personal Income Tax, Igbere TV has learnt.

This is even as the President Muhammadu Buhari administration tried to justify the reduction of import duties on cars, saying the government will buy locally assembled vehicles.

Buhari made these disclosures in his speech delivered virtually by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday at the opening session of the 26th Nigerian Economic Summit Group Conference themed: "Building Partnerships for Resilience".

And when coupled with other items in the proposed Finance Bill, and various economic policies of the Federal Government, these incentives would ensure the resilience of the Nigerian economy to exogenous shocks, according to Buhari.

According to the President, “we are proposing in the new Finance Act that those who earn minimum wage should be exempted from paying income tax.

“These provisions which complement the tax breaks given to small businesses last year will not only further stimulate the economy, but are also a fulfilment of promises made to take steps to help reduce the cost of transportation and the impact of inflation on ordinary Nigerians.”

Explaining the role of the private sector in building a resilient economy, President Buhari said “this government has always emphasized that the private sector has a key role to play in our efforts to build a more resilient and competitive economy as expressed in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

“Private companies in design, construction, logistics and finance are very much engaged in our infrastructural projects in power and rail as well as road and bridges and the installation of broadband infrastructure which is an essential requirement if Nigeria is to participate actively and benefit from the 4th Industrial Revolution.”

Continuing, the President added, “…it is clear that we must diversify the economy away from dependence on crude oil exports, speed up human capital development and improve on infrastructure. Above all, our economy must be made more resilient to exogenous shocks. It is important for the private sector to play a key role as we work together to identify national priorities and try to influence our future national trajectory.”

The President also gave insights to the collaboration between the CBN, the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority (NSIA) and other stakeholders in the creation of an Infrastructure Company (Infraco) Fund to address some of the nation’s critical infrastructure needs.

“It goes without saying that partnerships remain essential to attract the resources for building a solid national infrastructural base. I am pleased to inform you in this regard that we are working actively with the Central Bank, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority and State Governments under the auspices of the National Economic Council to design and put in place a N15 trillion Infraco Fund which will be independently managed.

“The Infraco Fund will help to close the national infrastructural gap and provide a firm basis for increasing national economic productivity and growth,” the President explained.

Restating the commitment of his administration to sustaining collaborations with the private sector in addressing challenges, President Buhari said “if there is one single lesson to be learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that partnerships are essential for credible responses with lasting effects.”

His words: “Our national journey to economic prosperity is a long one, so we must all certainly work together. As we saw, partnerships were essential when we were faced with the serious challenge of combatting COVID-19.

“We saw the key role that partnerships played in our national effort to combat the COVID-19 crisis. While Federal and State Governments worked together to manage the health response and ensure the establishment of isolation centres and availability of test kits, personal protective equipment, and medicines, the private sector also played an active role as individual entities, and also worked together in groups like the Coalition Against COVID-19.”

During the speech presentation, the Vice President responded to the issue of import duties raised by some speakers at the summit. The Vice President noted that “the point of the reduction in levies on motor vehicles, commercial vehicles for transportation is to reduce the cost of transportation by reducing the cost of vehicles.”

He explained that “with subsidy removal and the increase in fuel price and the pass-through to food prices, transportation costs had to be reduced. Now the automotive policy is directed at localizing the production of vehicles. So the logic was increase the duty and levies so that local production becomes more competitive. But the annual demand for vehicles is about 720, 000 vehicles per year. Actual local production is 14,000 vehicles a year.

“So, the problem is that at current rate of production, we will not meet the serious national needs and this will just mean higher prices of vehicles and greater strain on other sectors of the economy that depend on transportation. But we are not giving up on the local auto industry.

“Two important things to note; the first is that we still have relatively high duty at 35%, so there is still a disincentive for importation. Second is that we are promoting policy that the government must buy only locally manufactured cars.”

The opening session of the summit featured presentations by speakers including Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Kayode Fayemi; Governor Aminu Bello Tambuwal of Sokoto State; Chief Executive Officer of MainOne, Ms Funke Opeke; and the Chief Executive Officer of GIG Group, Mr Chidi Ajaere; among others.

The Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has been named 2020 'Man of the Year' by BusinessHallmark Newspaper, Igbere TV reports.

The event which is part of the yearly activities of the Newspaper’s tradition of honouring outstanding individuals and institutions who have affected national development in productive ways was held yesterday at the Civic Centre,Victoria Island, Lagos.

Chief Tola Adeniyi, a member of Business Hallmark Advisory Board and Co-Chair of its Public Policy Forum, said Governor Wike was chosen in recognition of his developmental strides in the state as well as his staunch defense of democracy.

He said the Governor has become the
lightning rod for good governance and true democracy.

“Your choice was not only informed by your remarkable success in Rivers State, but mostly for your inspirational evolution as the poster card of true democracy in Nigeria.

“We recall that the immense challenges which confronted your administration at its inception, raging from insecurity, poor infrastructure and an insipid business environment. It is noteworthy that Your Excellency has responded creatively to these challenges.

“Findings from our team of editors reveal that there is hardly any facet of life which your government has neglected. Most remarkably, Your Excellency has remained steadfast and committed to the ethos of good governance despite the overwhelming and sometimes contrived challenges.

"Our board had no hesitation therefore, in selecting you for this well merited honour," he stated.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Governor, the State Deputy Governor, Dr(Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo,described the honour as a recognition of the modest people oriented achievements of Governor Wike in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture,sports and human capital development.

According to her, the State remains committed to the rule of law and overall development of the people.

The Deputy Governor who commended Business Hallmark for the honour stated that it would spur the government to do more for the State.

In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion, Former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim commended Governor Wike for his courage to contribute to the ethos of good governance.

Commenting on the award, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim described Governor Wike as a visionary and forthright leader who is passionately committed to leaving an enduring legacy for posterity.

Nsirim said that within the last five and half years, Governor Wike has promoted good governance and infrastructural revolution.

Previous winners of the prestigious Man of the Year Award include, former Central Bank Governor, Muhammadu Sanusi, former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko; Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele; Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano among others.

https://igberetvnews.com/1372762/governor-wike-named-2020-man-year-photos/

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The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has again imposed 10pm to 6am curfew across the state to checkmate the rising level of insecurity in Edo State, Igbere TV reports.

This is even as the governor urged security agencies in the state to check the activities of hoodlums and criminals following the hijack of the #EndSARS protests in the state.

Obaseki spoke on Friday when he received the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Anthony Bamidele Omozoje, at the Government House, Benin City.

Igbere TV reports that the visit was to inform the governor on plans by the military to embark on a seven-day heightened security operation to fish out criminal elements in the state.

The governor who thanked the Chief of Army Staff and other senior security officers for refusing to be compromised and ensured that Edo had a free, fair and credible election, said their actions have saved and sustained democracy in the State and Nigeria.

Obaseki said: “We have a subsisting curfew in Edo, which is being breached. To support your seven-day heightened security effort, we are reinforcing the curfew from 10pm to 6am daily. The town should be on lockdown and anyone found outside within this period should be dealt with according to the law.”

The governor said during the #ENDSARS protest, Edo was a hotspot, as hoodlums took advantage of the heightened anxieties surrounding the September 19 governorship election to cause mayhem.

Obaseki, who assured of the government’s support, thanked the commanding officer for the moves made, which he said would ensure normalcy is restored in the State ahead of the yuletide season.

He noted: "We will increase consultations with various stakeholders, traditional rulers, youth groups and religious leaders over the seven-day operation to sensitize them and solicit for their support, cooperation and information to help rearrest the fleeing inmates from our correctional centers.

"We have their data and we would commence flashing their names and pictures on social media, television stations and other media platforms. We would release hotlines for citizens to call and give vital information to security agencies, especially information on those that have arms and ammunition in their custody".

Speaking earlier, Major Omozoje said he is in the state to collaborate with other sister security agencies to see how to consolidate on the gains being made in curbing the rate of criminality witnessed after the EndSARS protests.

"We need to go actively after these criminals in order not to give them the liberty to operate. The seven days heightened security operation will involve all security agencies to arrest criminals and recover arms and ammunition.”

He said the operation has been carried out in Osun, Kwara, Oyo, Ekiti and now Edo State, adding, “We would establish fixed check points at very critical locations within the City.

"After the operation, an evaluation will be carried out to know the level of success. We have men in Ibadan and Akure who are ready re-enforce our effort, if need be.

On Friday, suspected bandits abducted an Abuja-bound bus belonging to a popular transport company with 14 passengers in the state along the Benin - Ekpoma Expressway.

Same day, a 400 level female medical student of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma was abducted alongside chairman of Esan Central local government council.

All kidnap victims have however been released, following the alleged payment of N9 million ransom by owners of the transport company, with the diver said to have been shot dead.

https://igberetvnews.com/1372435/insecurity-obaseki-declares-curfew-edo-army-begins-operation/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

MejiLoyon:
This guy wan lie

Igbere TV has obtained photo of the victim of yesterday's shooting involving men suspected to SARS operatives in Ughelli, Delta State.

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The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barr. Festus Keyamo, has said that operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) were not responsible for the shooting of a young man in Ughelli, Delta State.

Keyamo made the revelation in a statement forwarded to Igbere TV on Sunday, while adding his voice in condemning the recurring brutality and extra-judicial killing by SARS operatives against defenceless citizens.

The minister said those responsible for Saturday's shooting are known as "Operation Delta Safe" and not SARS. This was as he also revealed that the victim was alive and currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

Keyamo said he already spoke with the victim's brother, the Commissioner of Police in Delta and the Area Commander in Ughelli, where he said he was born, bred and raised.

While condemning the extra-judicial killings by SARS and other Police outfits against defenseless citizens, Keyamo called for comprehensive reforms and overhaul of the system.

On the incident that occurred in Ughelli, the minister said "the victim was not shot as confirmed by his brother, but fell out of the Police vehicle when being taken to the station after arrest."

"The brother said he was pushed; the Police said he jumped," Keyamo added.

"The Police stopped to pick him up after the fall, but an angry mob had already gathered and the Police fled and left the victim."

He added that "a good Samaritan picked him and took him to hospital."

Keyamo, however, appealed to the youths in Ughelli not to resort to violence and/or destruction of lives and properties.

"I am on top of this matter and though the victim is alive, I will be urging the authorities to still investigate the conduct of the Police in this matter," he assured.

https://igberetvnews.com/1367097/keyamo-exonerates-sars-delta-shooting-says-victim-alive/

Lalasticlala Seun

By Ogochukwu Isioma, Abuja

More groups and individuals have continued to urge the Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate and former Governor of Abia, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, to contest the 2023 presidential election.

The latest is from indigenes of Alor community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, South East Nigeria.

The indigenes, on Friday, trooped out en masse bearing placards with various inscriptions urging the former Abia governor to run for office of the President in the 2023 general elections.

Igbere TV reports that the elated indigenes held a peaceful procession at the palace of the traditional ruler of Alor, HRH Igwe MacAnthony Elibe Okonkwo, chanting songs and calling on Nigerians to support South East to produce next Nigerian president.

Senator Kalu had visited Alor, home of the Honorable Minister for Labour and Employment (Sen. Chris Ngige) for the funeral ceremony of late Chief (Mrs.) Priscilla Mary Ejiakardo Amolue.

Sources close to the Senate Chief Whip told Igbere TV that the former Governor, who was expected to pay a courtesy call on the Alor traditional ruler, had a tip-off from the State Security Services (SSS) about the procession, and immediately rescheduled the visit to a later date.

Despite the growing call for him to contest, Kalu in a recent interview urged Nigerians to allow President Muhammadu Buhari concentrate on the completion of his tenure rather than distract him with who replaces him in the future.

Meanwhile, Kalu's presence at the funeral caused an overwhelming sensation at the home of the Amolues'. Shouts of 'Mmiririenyi Ndigbo' filled the air as he sang worship songs and danced with the women and youths.

With Kalu at the event were former Chairman of Independent Democrats, Hon Edozie Madu; Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife of Anambra Central; Hon. Mascot Uzor Kalu; Chief Chidozie Nwankwo, Barr. Sylvester Okonkwo, Hon. Osita Chidoka, Hon. Madukwe Ukaegbu and Hon. Chibuike Jonas.

The Abia North senator, with his entourage, later proceeded to the home of Chief Chidozie Nwankwo in Oko where he was entertained by the astute business mogul and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Igbere TV reliably gathered that the former Governor later departed for Enugu from Oko where he flew back to Abuja at exactly 7 PM.

The re-elected Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Friday, met with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

This was as the Edo governor visited the Villa to express gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for conducting a free, fair and credible poll under his administration in Edo State.

The visit is coming exactly five days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday, declared Obaseki as the winner of the September 19 Edo governorship election.

Governor Obaseki was accompanied on the visit by his wife, Betsy; deputy governor, Philip Shuaibu and wife, Maryann. They were joined by few lawmakers from Edo. The meeting held at the Council Chambers axis of the Villa.

Obaseki had earlier paid similar visits to Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States Government House to thank Governors Ifeanyi Okowa, Douye Diri, Nyesom Wike, Udom Emmanuel and Ben Ayade for the roles they played in his electoral victory.

Igbere TV reports that Governor Obaseki defeated Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 12 other contestants to win the just concluded September 19 Governorship election in Edo state.

He had dumped the APC for the PDP when the ruling party headed by his then estranged benefactor and former Edo governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, disqualified him from participating in its primary election.

Asked if he has plans to return to the APC, following his re-election as governor, Obaseki told State House correspondents that it would be immoral for him to return to the ruling party.

https://igberetvnews.com/1365933/edo-guber-obaseki-deputy-visit-osinbajo-aso-rock-photos/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

By Ogochukwu Isioma, Umuahia

Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, on Thursday, empowered members of his Abia North Constituency of Abia State with motorcycles and sewing machines.

Igbere TV reports that the distribution exercise, which is second phase of the OUK’s empowerment scheme, kicked off at Isukwuato Local Government Area of the State.

Our correspondent, covering the ceremony, witnessed Senator Orji Kalu, a former Governor of Abia, hand over several empowerment kits to his constituents.

As at the time of filing this report, the OUK empowerment programme was still on, with a live broadcast on the Senator's Facebook page, Orji Uzor Kalu.

Senator Orji Kalu had in August distributed over 400 motorcycles, 150 generators and several sewing machines to his constituents, in the first phase of the empowerment exercise.

The former governor told Igbere TV that the gesture was part of efforts to fulfill his campaign promises of providing an improved living standard to the people.

He had pledged to distribute more additional items to other constituents that didn’t benefit, saying he has concluded plans to also rebuild Aro-Ikpa road in the next few months.

According to Kalu, the idea behind the empowerment was to support the mobility of the youths and give them motivations in their farming activities.

The senator said such motivations will reduce the rate of unemployment and over-dependence among youths, hoping that such motivations will encourage productivity.