Bamideleafolabi's Posts

Nairaland Forum › Bamideleafolabi's Profile › Bamideleafolabi's Posts

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (of 7 pages)

Politics › Trcn Ceo, Prof Josiah Ajiboye Honoured As Parastatal Head Of The Year In Abuja by bamideleafolabi(op): 4:35pm On Dec 11, 2022

It was an afternoon like no other. The venue was the Conference Room of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN. In attendance were top shots of the Council.

The event was the Annual ABUJA Reporters Award in honour of top achievers and heroes who have made their marks in improving service delivery, ways of doing business as well as heads of government agencies and private organisations who have had landmark footprints.

Professor Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye, the Registrar, CEO of TRCN was nominated for his gargantuan achievements not only in the core mandate of the Teachers Registration Council, but also generally as it affects the teaching profession.

In his welcome address, the Publisher, Editor in-Chief of Abuja Reporters, Bamidele Akinola Ogundana welcomed all and reiterated the fact that there is a dearth of leaders who can truly be called heroes in today's Nigeria, hence when such men or women are seen, they should be celebrated. This is because such people could easily serve as mentors for those who are younger.

The Publisher also disclosed how the media house has over the last couple of years followed the career and service of Professor Ajiboye at TRCN, taking notes of the various efforts geared towards giving the teaching profession in Nigeria a big boost.

According to him it was these that influenced the selection of the former lecturer as the Parastatal Head of the Year 2021/2022.

In urging him to do more for the society, the Editor in-Chief further highlighted the fact that the role of teachers in the society cannot be overemphasized and whatever TRCN does today will definitely impact Nigeria, especially, its workforce in the nearest future.

After the presentation of the Award, the Award winner, delighted and went down memory lane how he was transformed from being a critic of government to a Chief Executive of a government agency. According to him, he saw the appointment as an opportunity, and as a way of practicing what he preached as an egg-head.

He spoke on how he met the Council steeply in debt and insolvent but turned things around in a matter of one year. He also disclosed other achievements such ensuring that TRCN formally collected valid papers for its land, completed the building of the Annex structure, approval of the Federal Government for a new retirement age for teachers as well as new salary scale for them while students reading education courses are now to enjoy bursary courtesy of Professor Josiah Ajiboye's intiatives.

It is also on record that his administration has been at the vanguard of international recognition for Nigerian teachers so much so that hundreds now leave the country to teach abroad after acquiring standardized qualifications through tests and examinations prepared by TRCN.

The TRCN under his leadership now occupies an enviable position among other allied organisations worldwide so.much so that they are being called upon to share their technical know-how in bringing the best out of teachers as well as standardization of the profession.

OLAJUMOKE Akinola

Politics › Accolades As Buhari Presents Award From The Army To Abdul Samad Rabiu by bamideleafolabi(op): 8:28pm On Dec 05, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari was on hand to present yet another award to the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu today at the instance of the Nigeria military.
The event was the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference which took place in Sokoto.
The Army used the occasion to honour some Nigerians with Recognition Awards for their support. Chief among them was the BUA Group Chairman and founder of ASR Africa Initiative, Abdul Samad Rabiu.
It was the fourth recognition to be presented by the President personally to the BUA Group founder in less than a year.
Earlier in the year, , specifically in May, he was honoured with the Nigeria Productivity Awards, after which he was presented with a national honour as a Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR.
Then in October, he was again presented an award, this time Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service for philanthropy and interventions in education. Curiously at the last award, he was the only Nigerian drawn from the Public sector found worthy of such honour.
Speaking at the Chief of Army Staff Conference, the President, Muhammadu Buhari directed the military to remain apolitical and continue to operate within the framework of the constitution to ensure the successful conduct of 2023 elections.
He also urged the Army to continue to improve to their human rights obligations during operations in line with global best practices.
In his response, Abdul Samad Rabiu said, "Personally, I am very honoured to have received this recognition award today. I thank the Nigerian Army for this recognition; it is a call to do more. Our security agencies are doing so much and have sacrificed a lot to keep us safe. We must acknowledge visible progress and support where we can as individuals and private sector". He further enjoined others in the private sector to join hands in supporting visible government effort in the security and social development space.
Speaking at the event, the COAS, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya reeled out the numerous achievements of the Nigerian Army and thanked eminent Nigerians, other security agencies and government for supporting the Nigerian Army in its quest to defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty against external aggression whilst also giving aid to civil authorities in mitigating internal security challenges in the country.
According to the Nigerian Army, Abdul Samad Rabiu’s contributions include a 2billion Naira donation to the Army, plans to refurbish and equip science laboratories as well as libraries in 6 command secondary schools across the various regions in Nigeria, infrastructure development and refurbishment of barracks, provision of kits, equipment amongst others.

In related news, Abdul Samad Rabiu was named the CEO of the Year (2022) whilst BUA Group/ASR Africa bagged three awards namely, ‘Best Company in Social Impact and Human Capital Advancement in Africa’, ‘Impact Investor of the Year’, and ‘Best Company in Infrastructure Development’ at the 16th Annual Africa CSR Awards (SERAS) for driving impactful change and sustainable development through various ASR Africa and BUA Foundation projects in the year under review.

Politics › Breach Of Contract: Greenville Lng Faces Another Multimillion Dollar Lawsuit by bamideleafolabi(op): 2:06pm On Nov 30, 2022

*Greenville LNG, top gas company notorious for breaching contracts, risks another multi-million dollar lawsuit*

Two years after it was slammed with a $9m claim for breaching contract by a US Court, Greenville LNG company is on the brink of another lawsuit in its supply dealings with Nigerian-based manufacturing giant, BUA Group.

Owned by Eddy Van Den Broeke, a Belgian cement magnate, Greenville is the pioneer Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) production and distribution company in Nigeria with three liquefaction trains and a total capacity to produce 2250 MT of LNG per day.

The company, which was incorporated in 2013, prides itself for producing and marketing Liquefied Natural Gas to customers across Nigeria since April 2019.

It should be noted that the company is a Nigerian subsidiary of the International Engineering & Construction (IEC), a Luxembourg-based construction company.

However, in 2018, there are reports of how Broeke was struggling to get his LNG project off the ground in Nigeria and also facing a $9m claim from his subcontractor Baker Hughes.

*How it started*

In 2014, IEC through Greenville LNG entered into an agreement with Baker Hughes Energy Services LLC, formerly known as GE Oil & Gas (GEOG), for the purchase and installation of two small-scale liquified natural gas plants in Rumuji, Rivers State, Nigeria.

According to the documents obtained by POLITICS NIGERIA, GEOG agreed to supply IEC with two small-scale liquified natural gas production plants — the first by June 24, 2015, and the second by September 24, 2015— for use at the Rumuji Site.

In exchange, IEC agreed to pay GEOG $95 million. Both parties also agreed on a payment schedule, which would require IEC to pay various percentages of the $95 million at specific milestones.

It was stated that the agreement would be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of New York.

Unfortunately, GEOG failed to deliver the gas plants by their contractual delivery deadlines and this stalled installation, commissioning, and start-up of the Plants.

*Arbitration*

On July 31, 2018, IEC filed a Notice of Demand for and Commencement of Arbitration under the Contracts on behalf of itself and Greenville.

IEC initially sought approximately $75 million in damages but its demand increased to $700 million by the end of the arbitration.

The $700m claims included the liquidated damages for delayed delivery and damages associated with the delayed entry into operation of the gas plants.

But GEOG also filed counterclaims against IEC for breach of the contracts, asking for damages up to $40.1 million.

In 2020, the American Tribunal gave its verdict, ordering IEC and Greenville to pay GEOG over $9.5m for breaching contracts.

The Tribunal held that IEC had breached the Equipment Contract by failing to make two Milestone payments.

Dissatisfied with the judgement, On January 27, 2021, IEC filed a petition to vacate the Award in New York state court but the court rejected IEC's arguments.

"In short, due to the strong deference owed to the decisions of arbitrators, the Court is compelled to reject IEC's arguments and confirm the Award," the court ruled.

*Poor Ethics/Underhand Business Practices*

It is believed that the posture of the company and record of breaching contract is owing to its owner's secretive and shady business activities. Prior to setting up Greenville, Eddy Van Den Broeke ran ASCA bitumen from 1996 and grew the company into becoming a giant monopoly with over 90% of the Nigerian market by 2015.

Through this position, he was famed to hold everyone to ransom through alleged arbitrary price increases, artificial scarcity, amongst others. Eddy Broeke's families were one of six of Belgium's wealthiest families that featured on the Panama Papers, a cross-border investigation that revealed a list of thousands of people who channelled funds to tax havens.

"The family of Eddy Van Den Broeke, who turned the Eres company into an international player, is also mentioned. Eddy Van Den Broeke is identified as the sole beneficiary of at least five offshore companies in the BVI," the ICIJ report read.

Eddy was named in the Panama Papers having had an extensive network of shell companies to hide his funds and avoid government oversight.

*Another multi-million dollar breach of contract suit looming*

Our investigations also revealed that recently, BUA, which is one of Greenville’s largest clients, is set to allegedly sue Greenville for 50 billion Naira for a possible breach in contract and reneging on its obligation to supply gas to its businesses in the far north.

According to sources, this dispute is as a result of Greenville LNG reneging on their contract with BUA to supply gas and also increasing prices arbitrarily despite the contractually agreed oil-indexed pricing for any changes in price.

Industry watchers have claimed that Greenville is trying to take advantage of its near monopoly in the domestic trucked LNG market hence their habit of entering into contracts and reneging on it after starting.

With Eddy and his companies’ history of reneging on contracts entered into with the Federal Government, partners, suppliers, communities and clients, it is unlikely that Greenville LNG or its billionaire owner Eddy and Managing Director Ritu Sahajwalla would stop such behaviour anytime soon.

Experts familiar with BUA's history of ensuring its rights are enforced, believe BUA will pursue this issue to a logical conclusion at the courts and till their rights are enforced.

Politics › Sani Magaji Tambuwal,new Clerk Of National Assembly Unveiled by bamideleafolabi(op): 12:19pm On Nov 28, 2022

MEET SANI MAGAJI TAMBUWAL, THE NEW CLERK OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
The Nigerian public service system has a way of churning out some of the best administrators that have always make the country proud through its system of staff development and career progression.
Tales of men and women who came in as typists or stenographers who grew to the topmost echelons in the service as Permanent Secretaries or even Heads of Service of the Federation abound.
The story of the new Clerk of the National Assembly, Sani Magaji Tambuwal is not different. And if there are lessons to be learnt from his rise, it is the fact that diligence, consistency and commitment to ideals always pay ultimately. Providence, has a way of choosing and guiding humans to professions where you would excel.
It is instructive that having joined the Sokoto State Assembly workforce as a Budget Officer II as his first workplace of note, Sani Magaji Tambuwal has remained in the accounting arm of the legislature since then. Curiously, he only spent a few years with the State Assembly before moving up to the National Assembly in Abuja in 1992. And since then, he has risen through the ranks at the National Assembly.
His ability to patiently wait, learn and improve upon himself and bid his time is what has paid off today that he has been picked as the National Assembly’s number one Public Servant.
There is no doubt that Sani Tambuwal has in the 30 years in which he has climbed to the topmost seat in the National Assembly, acquired a lot of skills and experience that made him stand head and shoulders above any competitor who vied for the CNA post.
Today, one of the key areas of assignments for the Assembly is ensuring a controversy-free national budget preparation which is then transmitted to the Executive through the occupant of the office of the CNA. Observers will agree that experiences count on such delicate affairs.
This is more so since the Nigerian National Assembly has a high turnover rate at every election year such as we expect to have in 2023. An experienced CNA will undoubtedly freely lend his expertise to new Federal lawmakers who at the inauguration of the next Assembly might be as high as 70% of the legislature.
Humble and self-effacing, Tambuwal is liked by all who have had reasons to interact with him across the workplace and outside. This is because of his selflessness and willingness to offer a helping hand and put others’ interest first before his without compromising the principles of integrity and corporate well-being.
To many at the National Assembly, the choice of Tambuwal is indeed a major master stroke for the National Assembly Service Commission and a sign of the good things to come for the workforce of the Assembly. This is because he has always been seen as a leader and listener who has over the years, even when not in the position to decide, influenced things to happen in their favour, willing to listen, and when necessary offer explanations why things are the way they are.
The ability to listen and offer a shoulder to cry on is one of the key attributes of leadership that is needed in today’s world of uncertainties. Empathy has been missing in positions of authority and this is one thing that Tambuwal has over the years proved that he has in abundance.
While some have argued about the need for a legislative staff to succeed the outgone Clerk of the National Assembly, it has to be noted that the new CNA’s appointment follows a trend that has ushered in other professionals as leaders of the Public Service arm of the National Assembly without necessarily compromising the standards or endangering the system.
In the last twenty odd years, non-legislative CNA’s have emerged and they have in their own ways further deepened the experience of the Assembly’s workforce, offered the non-legislative staff glimpses of hope that the Public Service where they work affords them an opportunity to rise to the topmost level if and only they are diligent and steadfast.
Before Sani Magaji Tambuwal who occupied the position of Secretary, Finance and Accounts Directorate was named as Acting Clerk of the National Assembly, Ojo Olatunde Amos who was the occupant of the post was an Architect. The Assembly’s strong workforce prides itself in its rich repertoire arrays of professionals who are well-groomed and look forward to a day when they will be able to offer their knowledge and wealth of experience to the nation at the highest level of their chosen career path within the public service.
What Tambuwal’s appointment is bringing to the table at the National Assembly is surely a new vista in terms of accountability, smooth and seamless administration that will support the elected officials to work in a rancour-free environment so that the nation can benefit ultimately.
Anyone who knows and understands the goings-on in the Assembly in the recent past will appreciate why the whole staff of NASS now walk with a new gait. A new Czar has indeed come to town and this one, they all know. They know his antecedents, they have seen him at work and they know that he comes with equity. They know that so long as they are diligent and stick to the rules of engagement, they will not be pushed out of the system and their voices and opinions would always be heard.

Bamidele Akinola Ogundana

Politics › Buhari Honours Samad Rabiu For His Contributions To Tertiary Education Devpt by bamideleafolabi(op): 4:13pm On Oct 21, 2022

For Abdul Samad Rabiu, the year 2022 can easily be described as a year of Awards both in Nigeria and globally.

His philanthropic activities have continued to catch the eyes of national and international leaders even as he spares nothing to put smiles in the faces of the less privileged.

The latest honour came from President Muhammadu Buhari today as the billionaire philanthropist was singled out for honour as one of the pillars supporting tertiary education development in Nigeria.

The event was the Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service where 43 prominent Nigerians were singled out for honour. According to the government, Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service was set up to recognize distinguished public service to Nigeria either contributions to individuals, State or local community, or the public through excellence in leadership service, or humanitarianism.

To be eligible, the recipient must be a living public official or a private citizen excelling consistently in a given sphere of influence, in good character standing, and must also be at the forefront of service and innovation.

There is no doubt that the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu ticks all these boxes.

His ASR Initiative for Africa has touched lives in Nigeria and beyond. No wonder the President specially recognised him for his decision to be at the vanguard of educational transformation in Nigeria.

In the words of President Buhari, his ''intervention in education through the ASR Initiative for Africa as well as his personal initiative. These initiatives funds tertiary education in Nigeria from its yearly 100million dollars" allocation for social development and renewal' of which five Universities in Nigeria have benefited.

This year alone, the Government of Niger Republic has also honoured Rabiu for his philanthropic works in the country while he has been reappointed the Chairman of the France Nigeria Business Council by the French President, Emmanuel Macron. This are apart from various recognitions given his organisation for working to help communities including where he has business interests.

Politics › Bua Group Not Interested In Kogi Land, Company Replies State Assembly by bamideleafolabi(op): 12:24pm On Oct 18, 2022

BUA Group has replied Kogi State Assembly over threat to revoke 50,000 Hectares of land allocated to the company for development in 2012 over non-payment of compensation.

The company has opted to have the Certificate of Occupancy revoked by the State in view of the fact that not only did lack of infrastructure to provide access to the land a hinderance, there have been recurring security challenges around the area in the years after the initial indication of interest and granting of the C of O. Moreover, the terrain of the land in question, after feasibility was done revealed that it would not able to serve the purpose for which BUA intended.

According to BUA, ' we conducted feasibility on the land and found out that only about 30% of the entire land mass is suitable for investment, with the rest consisting of rocks, hilly and undulating areas which is not suitable for its intended purpose.

In the statement issued by the BUA Group, they disclosed that 'since their invitation by the State Government in 2012 to invest in the State through the land, no visible effort by the the State Government and its successors to address issues of access to the land. As an investor, BUA also claimed that issues of security of its investment as well as staff is also paramount hence the company had to think twice given the deteriorating security situation in the area.

The company further revealed that it has a record of being one of the best when it comes to paying of dues and entitlements to States and local indigenes anywhere it operates and this is verifiable in all the states where it has investments. The BUA group also said, 'As a responsible organisation, we believe in the principle of equity sustainable business practices and fairness' and this has been the hallmark of their activities and operations everywhere they do business either with communities or governments.

Regretting that the land cannot be used for its intended purposes, the company therefore says the State Government can go ahead and revoke the Certificate of Occupancy.

https://politicsnigeria.com/bua-not-interested-in-kogi-land/

29 Likes 3 Shares

Politics › Obajana Cement: Kogi Govt Heads For Court As Bello, Dangote Meeting Deadlocked by bamideleafolabi(op): 9:25am On Oct 17, 2022

The Kogi State Government said on Friday that it had not reached any agreement with the Dangote Group concerning the ownership of the Obajana Cement Plant.

The plant, located in Obajana, Kogi State, has been a subject of controversy as both parties claim to be the legitimate owners of the plant.

In a new development, after meetings and interventions by stakeholders, the Kogi State Government has put measures in place to take Dangote Group to court and reclaim ownership of the plant.

This was disclosed in a statement by the state Commissioner of Information, Kingsley Fanwo; a copy of which was sent to Saturday PUNCH.

Fanwo said the battle for the ownership of the plant was far from over and that the government was ready to “battle it to the end”.

Fanwo noted in the statement that the decision was as a result of late night consultations and meeting on Thursday between key government officials led by Governor Yahaya Bello and stakeholders representing the different ethnic groups in the state.

Fanwo said at the meeting, which ran into the early hours of Friday, “All stakeholders resolved to head to court in the interest of the people and generations to come.”

He also noted that the governor made it clear that there was “no going back on the state’s resolve to reclaim its asset”.

This was as he sued for calm in the interest of peace.

“This struggle is not about Governor Yahaya Bello or his administration. It is about the people of Kogi State. In the last 72 hours, well meaning Nigerians, leaders and government officials have waded in and have pleaded with the governor to consider reopening of the plant while discussions are ongoing.

“The expectations of the over four million Kogites are clear and high and we want to assure them that the Governor and the Government of Kogi State will not compromise the interest of the people of the state to reclaim their rights in the cement company.

“There were a series of high-powered meetings to resolve the impasse, including meetings having the Governor and Alhaji Aliko Dangote in attendance.

“Discussions were held and statements of interest were established, but there was no agreement yet as some desperate parties are trying to promote in the media to mislead the public.

“We shall be non-violent in our approach as we are sure of green pathways to success for the people in this battle for the economic future of our dear state.

“However, we maintain that the collective assets of the people of Kogi State must be protected and reclaimed in this instance. And that is the process the government has started. We will fight this battle to the end until we get justice from the courts. No committee can resolve this dispute,” the statement read

Politics › Kogi Govt Replies Dangote, Vows Not To Surrender, Lists Way Out by bamideleafolabi(op): 2:01pm On Oct 13, 2022

The controversy and war of words over the closure of Dangote Cement Factory in Kogi continues to rage as the State Government today reacted to claims by the Billionaire that his organisation did no wrong and that they own the Cement Factory 100 percent.

In a paid advertorial placed in ThisDay newspaper, Kogi Government reveaed that despite the fact they claim that Dangote Group owns the company 100 percent, it is curious that it has been listing the State officials as shareholders in the company in its returns to Corporate Affairs Commission, which is quite bizarre.

The advertorial revealed how the Obajana Cement Company was registered in 1992 and the state government took a loan to fund its activities which included feasibility on mining and production of cement. According to the State, 15Deutsch Marks loan was taken and years after Dangote took over the State was still paying the loan. Yet, it was the enticement of these findings that drew the conglomerate to the State.

The advertorial also averred that Dangote did not acquire any shares of Obajana Cement or pay any compensation known under the law hence their insistence that they own Dangote Cement Kogi.

Speaking about resolution of the crisis the State Government claimed that it resorted to the closure as the last resort after various administrations had failed to draw the conglomerate to the implications of of its silence to the issues they raised but Dangote ignored them.

They listed Judicial Commission, Technical Committee as well as other fora they had opened and invited Dangote to speak up only for the management of Dangote Group to ignore such opportunities to clear the air and stake their claims.

Moving forward, the State demanded that a full accounting of the activities of Dangote Cement Kogi in the last twenty years be conducted so that they will know what should accrue to the State. They also demanded the restoration of their shares as well as the accruing benefits for the past two decades.

See the full text of the 2-page advertorial

Politics › Fight Over Dangote Cement Factory Gets Messy, Kogi Gov Says It Belongs To His St by bamideleafolabi(op): 10:16pm On Oct 06, 2022

The Governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello has disclosed that reports before him indicate that the Dangote Cement Factory does not belong to the billionaire, Aliko Dangote

Speaking at a media briefing, the Governor revealed that in the past five years he has received many petitions against the operations of the Dangote Cement factory, its ownership as well as the denial of the State its dues.

All efforts to sit down with the proprietor of Dangote Conglomerate failed, according to Yahaya Bello because Dangote failed to show up. Despite this, he set up committees to look into the matter and they made efforts to get those who claimed to be very big in the company to come and defend themselves which also failed. Because of these, the petitioners went to the State Assembly to seek redress when they found that he was delaying. He also stressed the fact that every Governor who was there before him faced the same challenges with Dangote to the extent that the people now allege that maybe they had soiled their hands.

From the Technical reports before him, he claimed that the Obajana Cement now known as Dangote Cement Factory belongs to Kogi State.

Speaking further, the Governor stated that he has already invited Aliko Dangote to come for discussions. He however warned that ‘In case of the Billionaire’s refusal to come down, I will have no option than to execute every recommendation in this report’.

Again he warned the law enforcement agents, over their delay in executing orders given by law courts and legally constituted agencies. Yahaya Bello said that when they delay in executing such legally issued orders, they are calling for anarchy and self defence. He said that this was what led to agitations and unrests in the Niger Delta, South East and other places.

According to him, the State Government is not interested in shutting down Obajana Cement Factory, which in his words, is now purported to be Dangote Cement company. ‘ ‘If there is anything, we want more of such investments. We cannot have such investments and every month, we will be waiting for envelope from Federation account.’

The State according to him has been lucky to have the late Abubakar Audu as its Governor who based on his foresight established the Obajana Cement Factory, did all the groundwork, acquired mining licence, the Certificate of Occupancy and ensured that the business was one hundred percent owned by the State and ran it as such before the coming of Dangote.

‘We cannot have such an organisation one hundred percent, lose it one hundred percent and be at the mercy of Dangote. It is an aberration’, he said. Governor Yahaya Bello promised to secure any investor who is coming with clean hands and have interests of the State at heart.

Politics › Kogi And Akwa Ibom Govts Drag Dangote Over Tax Evasion, Takeover Of Obajana by bamideleafolabi(op): 12:44pm On Sep 30, 2022

These are not the best of times for Dangote Group as they face allegations of sharp practices in business from Kogi State government, Kogi Assembly as well as Akwa Ibom State.
Already, the Kogi State House of Assembly has ordered stoppage to the activities of the company in two Local Governments in the State while investigations continue.
The crux of the matter, from our investigations arise from sharp practices in terms of tax payments.
According to exclusive reports from Kogi State, the initial story was that Dangote Group took over the State Cement Company illegally without paying a dime for the takeover.
According to our findings, Dangote took over the State Cement Company Obajana Cement without paying the necessary compensation to the State government.
This is corroborated by the State Assembly findings.
According to some media reports, 'the parliament stated that all available documents showed that the company started as Obajana Cement Company before turning to Dangote Cement company without any considerations.

It also directed that the documents signed at the establishment of the company and relevant receipts of dues claimed to have been paid to the government be made available at the next adjourned sitting date.

The Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Matthew Kolawole, gave the order after interim reports of the ongoing investigative hearing on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) which was submitted by the ad hoc committee led by Hon. Isah Tenimu and deliberated upon at the plenary on Wednesday.

Kolawole said this has become imperative in view of the claims and counterclaims between the Chairman of Kogi State Internally Generated Revenue Service (KGIRS) and representatives of Dangote Cement.

The Speaker further directed that the Financial Director of Dangote Cement Company should meet with KGIGRS and the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry to reconcile financial differences.

Earlier, during the investigative hearing, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry had pointed out that Dangote had not been paying business premises fees since operation in the state.

Responding, the representative of Dangote, Alhaji Jimoh claimed that on the contrary, Kogi State had 10 per cent share which could only be claimed if the state showed interest, adding that since no interest was shown, the shares had been acquired when Dangote became a conglomerate.

While the Financial Director of Dangote, Segun Oyebanjo, claimed that since 2016, the company has paid in total dues the sum of N14 billion to the coffers of Kogi State Government through KGIRS with receipts.

But the Chairman of KGIRS said it was not so, adding that the receipts being bandied are not from them.

Oyebanjo stated that it was only in 2021 that some certain taxes were not being paid'.
But the Kogi problem with Dangote is not limited to this.
In another development, Following the unrestrained environmental degradation in Ankpa and Olamaboro local government areas, Kogi state House of Assembly on Wednesday, directed the Commissioner of Police and Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to seal off operations of Dangote Plc in the affected areas of the State. The House gave the order during a public hearing on activities of Dangote Group in the state, especially on the the massive exploitation , environmental degradation and non compensation to the affected owners of the land and without revenue accruing to the state government.

The Speaker, Kogi state House of Assembly, Mathew Kolawole, charged the NSCDC commandant to ensure immediate implementation pending when the ad hoc committee on revenue clarifies some grey areas. Kolawole, who lamented the environmental degradation caused by mining activities on Kogi by the Dangote group and its subsidiaries, accused the multi national business concern of making billions in the state but yet fails to give back to it.

Akwa Ibom is also finding it difficult to collect its entitlement from the Dangote Group. According to reports from the place, the Itu Local Government blocked Dangote premises with their trucks because the company has refused to pay tax for more than two years despite pleas and series of warnings.

Politics › 14 Years After Their Affair Crashed, Chante Campbell Says She's Ned Nwoko's Wife by bamideleafolabi(op): 11:33pm On Sep 15, 2022

Not a few high society Abuja celebrities, especially those who attend gigs and know who’s dating who were taken aback a few days ago when a report came up about Chante Campbell and her relationship with Billionaire philanthropist and politician, Ned Nwoko. In the report, published by an online outfit, Chante claimed she was the fourth wife of the billionaire and claimed her kids were being maltreated because she had issues with Ned.
Many who knew her in the city’s social circles years back, especially before and after she had her first child for Ned were aware that there was never any marriage anywhere. Chantel was and still a beautiful babe and between her and the politician there was the chemistry that metamorphosed into producing babies. Even when the relationship went sour and Chante went to the media, back in 2008, Ned kept quiet all through.
It is instructive that both of them went their separate ways emotionally while Ned took up the responsibility for his kids, and nothing was heard from her until recently when she started these tantrums which even friends close to her have warned could cost her dearly. For instance, Ned Nwoko at no time paid any dowry on her neither did the formalities of a wedding whether traditional or, Islamic or church performed.
Yet, sources close to her acknowledged that the kids have not at any point in time lacked anything good, indeed they are said to be in some of the most expensive boarding schools in Abuja. He is also believed to have given them a house in Life Camp, providing every support that they need.
A source, close to Chantel revealed that the relationship died fourteen years ago and the man has been doing more than enough for the kids but Chante is ‘always high,’ and once in a while she switches off completely from reality and might have in such moments of delusion called himself a wife to a man 14 years after they parted ways and also in a bid to court attention, claim that his kids were being maltreated while the opposite is the case.
What makes the whole story more curious is the fact that this is the first time any of the women who have children for Billionaire Ned Nwoko will come out and accuse him of negligence.
Recall that some of the earliest pictures of his actress wife, Regina Daniels Nwoko that leaked to the media were those of her teaching some of his kids how to swim and sharing intimate experiences together. Even though Ned Nwoko is yet to speak over the recent controversy it is believed that he does not find the issue funny because, according to sources close to him, he tries to keep issues relating to his kids off the social media as much as possible.

Politics › 14 Years After Their Affair Crashed, Chante Campbell Clai To Be Ned Nwoko's Wife by bamideleafolabi(op): 11:27pm On Sep 15, 2022

Politics › Re: Deserving Cheers For Dss Boss, Gentleman Bichi. By Amos Dunia by bamideleafolabi: 2:43pm On Aug 24, 2022

Truly he deserves some accolade for his leadership thus far

2 Likes

Politics › Abdul Samad Rabiu Donates 10bil Security Support Fund To Fg As He Visits Buhari by bamideleafolabi(op): 3:07pm On Aug 12, 2022

BUA Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, donates 10bn Naira Security Support Fund for various interventions through ASR Africa

Leading Nigerian Businessman, Industrialist and Philanthropist, Abdul Samad Rabiu, paid a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari today in Abuja, to update him and to thank him for creating an enabling environment for business to thrive, and also brief him on the strides BUA Group has made in the past few years.

Thereafter, Rabiu briefed the President on the activities of his foundation, The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) during which he also announced the donation of a N10billion Nigeria Security Support Fund from ASR Africa towards the provision of some security equipment, medical and other supplies, upgrade of health facilities and other infrastructure for families of those on the frontlines.

According to Rabiu, the visit was in order to identify with President Muhammadu Buhari, during whose tenure BUA has built over 10 factories with two of the Group’s subsidiaries now amongst the top 10 largest publicly listed companies in Africa, and to further support the efforts of his administration in business as well as in the security space.

In his response, President Buhari said it was heartwarming to see and hear of Nigerian companies doing so much within Nigeria, and Africa especially in the area of production using locally available raw materials. He also expressed his elation at the achievements of BUA which had led to phenomenal growth within such a short time. “As a Government, we know we have done a lot in this regard, and we will continue to do more to support the aspirations of serious businesses, big and small, by providing an enabling environment as well as supporting value creation within Nigeria..”

Politics › Buhari, Atiku, Tinubu, Governors Hail Bua Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu At 62 by bamideleafolabi(op): 9:07am On Aug 05, 2022

It has been encomiums galore as the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu added a year yesterday with President Buhari, former Vice President and PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, APC Presidential candidate and former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu leading others including State Governor's to congratulate the billionaire and philanthropist.

The President in his 62nd birthday message sent to the industrialists and chairman of BUA Group on Thursday. urged him to continue as a steadfast champion of the poor and marginalized whose charitable efforts touch millions of Nigerians and people outside the shores of the country.

The President also lauded the efforts of Rabiu and other leading citizens in giving the country a good name at home and abroad.

He urged the industrialist to carry forward his momentum of investment and charitable deeds as he marks yet another birthday.

gh your life and career, you have persevered with determination and dignity, the family traditions of business, scholarship and charitable work.

President Buhari said he cherished the businessman’s compassion and concern for the weakest citizen.

“You are a steadfast champion of the poor and the marginalized and your charitable efforts will continue to inspire fellow citizens.”

On his own, Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and PDP Presidential Flagbearer also sent a birthday greeting to founder of BUA, Samad Rabiu. In his words,

"I congratulate my brother, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, CON, the Founder/Chairman of the BUA Group, on the occasion of his 62nd birthday anniversary.

You are an accomplished business personality. Your strides in making valuable inputs into our economy, especially in providing employment for our people, are commendable. As an entrepreneur, you have demonstrated that success can be achieved by dint of hard work.

"As a corporate icon, you have also shown an incredible capacity to manage men and women and to create wealth".

"There is no gainsaying that you are an inspiration to the youth and the Nigerian business community.
I pray Allah will continue to grant you many more years of good health and success".

All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asíwájú Bola Tinubu, has congratulated the Founder and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu, on yesterday’s celebration of his 62nd birthday.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his Media Office, Asíwájú Tinubu wished the industrialist many more years and good health.

He said: “I congratulate the Founder and Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdusamad Rabiu, as he turns 62 today. Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Samad Rabiu, has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s development.

Through his huge investments in manufacturing, infrastructure and agriculture, Alhaji Rabiu has provided jobs for many and assisted many more, helping to put food on their tables.

“He grew his BUA Group into a Nigerian conglomerate through hard work, dedication and perseverance, taking after his late father, Khalifah Isyaku Rabiu, one of Nigeria’s foremost industrialists.

“On this occasion of his 62nd birthday, I pray that Almighty Allah grant Alhaji Rabiu many more years, robust health, increased wisdom and continued success in business.”

On his own, the Vice Presidential candidate of PDP in next year's election who is also the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has also congratulated Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, on his 62nd birth anniversary.

Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, said Rabiu, who is President of France-Nigeria Business Council, had by his pragmatic entrepreneurship, given confidence to budding investors in Nigeria.

According to him, Rabiu has made exemplary contributions toward revamping the nation’s economy, and has brought succour to many homes through the numerous employments to Nigerians.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate our friend and brother, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, as he celebrates his 62nd birth anniversary.

“Your contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria’s economy are not lost on citizens as you successfully built one of the most flourishing and enviable business enterprises in the past 34 years.

“We also thank you for your philanthropy and massive contributions to making life more meaningful for the less-privileged in the society.

“As you celebrate 62 years today, it is my prayer that Almighty God will continue to grant you good health and longer life to sustain your benevolence to humanity,” Okowa stated.

Meanwhile, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has joined other Nigerians to congratulate BUA Chairman Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu on his 62nd birthday anniversary, calling him a man with tremendous positive impacts in the lives of millions of people.

In a statement on Thursday, the Governor commended the billionaire businessman for his investments and philanthropy, and for playing a leading role in steadily building a local economy that lifts many people out of extreme poverty.

“On behalf of the people and government of our state, I join family, associates and the rest of the country to celebrate this accomplished man whose investments contribute a great deal to the local economy in Kwara as they do to the larger Nigerian and African economy,” he said.

“We are always grateful for his investments in Kwara and his support for our administration during the COVID-19 pandemic till now. His latest support for Kwara — the under-construction cancer centre — is deeply appreciated. We do not take this for granted. We beseech Allah, the Living and Ever Lasting, to continue to bless Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu and give him long life and good health.”

Business › Abdul Samad Rabiu's Asr Africa Donates $3mil Grant To Niger Republic by bamideleafolabi(op): 6:26am On Jul 24, 2022

Billionaire industrialist and Africa's foremost philanthropist, ABDUL Samad RABIU has donated 3million Dollars development grant to the Republic of Niger.

The presentation of the Grant was done personally by the Billionaire philanthropist himself at the Nigerien State House in the country's capital, Niamey this weekend.

Speaking at the presentation, Abdul Samad Rabiu disclosed that himself and his conglomerate has a long standing relationship with the country. He also revealed that he was indeed very pleased to come and visit the Nigerien President who he described as his brother. He also added that the President has been a close family friend for many years and he was therefore gladdened by the warm reception he was given in the nation's seat of government.

Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative was established by the Billionaire industrialist and Africa's foremost philanthropist to ginger development across the continent.

The ASR AFRICA was established in 2021by the BUA Group Chairman and is dedicated to solving development issues in areas of Health, Education and Social Development on the African continent.

Over the years it has intervened largely and at various levels in Nigeria, Ghana and now Niger Republic.

1 Like

Politics › Tinubu Lauds Bua Boss Over Reappointment As France Nigeria Business Council Pres by bamideleafolabi(op): 12:51pm On Jul 13, 2022

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Abdul-Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group, on his reappointment as President of the France-Nigeria Business Council by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

Tinubu’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement shared via his verified social media channels on Wednesday.

According to the former governor of Lagos state, the BUA chairman over the past decades has continued to build industries across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

The statement reads, “Today, I celebrate one of Nigeria’s biggest industrialists and philanthropists, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder and Chairman of BUA Group on his reappointment by President Macron of France as President of the France Nigeria Business Council in Paris.

“This reappointment reaffirms Alh. Rabiu’s commitment to the economic development of Nigeria, and the confidence reposed in him by the council to unlock opportunities for business partnerships between Nigeria – Africa’s largest economy, and France – one of the world’s largest.

“Over the past few decades, Abdul Samad Rabiu has continued to build industries across the length and breadth of Nigeria, creating employment opportunities for tens if thousands and adding value to locally sourced raw materials in various industries from cement, sugar, agribusiness, ports operations, construction, amongst others as well as numerous social impact investments through his Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), and BUA Foundation.

“His recently announced 200,000bpd refinery and petrochemicals complex in Akwa Ibom in partnership with Axens of France is testament to his belief in the power of collaboration and the potential of Nigeria – Africa’s best kept secret.

“Congratulations, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu!“

Health › Servicom Names National Hospital Cmd, Jaf Momoh Service Champion Award Winner by bamideleafolabi(op): 9:04am On Jun 27, 2022

SERVICOM, the agency set up by the Federal government to monitor access and promote service delivery in Government agencies by the President has awarded, the CMD of the National Hospital, Dr Jaf Momoh the SERVICOM Champion Award for his services at the National Hospital, Abuja. The award was presented to the CMD a few days ago by the National Coordinator of SERVICOM Mrs. Nnena Akajemele who came to the Hospital with her team.

Prior to the presentation. Dr Momoh highlighted some of the latest achievements of his management team to the SERVICOM leaders. He spoke about the hospital increasing the bed space from 200 about seven years ago to 450 and in a few week time, 500. He also highlighted the new Infectious Diseases unit of the Hospital which is a major achievement. According to him, when Covid -19 came, most hospitals in Nigeria and around the world shut down because they could not cope. This was because they lacked intensive care bed space and since there was no sharing of facilities, they had to shut down.

The Federal government however intervened in the case of the National Hospital as the management under DR Jaf Momoh was able to construct a new Infectious Diseases Intensive Care Unit.
The 10-bed unit is fully equipped with oxygen and other equipment, up to international standard. It laso has ventilators, mobile x-ray, ECG facilities, such that you can undertake all these tests 24-7 without taking a patient out of that section. There is a laboratory in that section also totally dedicated to infectious diseases.
Another new acquisition is the Simulation CT for cancer patients only- bought new. It can scan a patient in 12 seconds. This equipment makes the National Hospital a one-stop centre

for cancer treatment so whether it is chemotherapy you need or radiotherapy the hospital can handle it. They are the only Government hospital in Nigeria that can do this. Most can handle either chemotherapy or radiotherapy but not both. This means patients don't need to be referred from the National Hospital.
He spoke extensively on the Electronic Medical Records, EMR introduction and how this has helped greatly in saving time, and resources, while also helping in revenue generation.
Missing case note no longer are no longer an issue because of the EMR according to the CMD, you get attended to from the point of entry and from there we keep a tab. Case notes are no longer missing because everything is computerized. Patients are no longer complaining. The hospital, according to him is presently planning to restart the training school to train staff on EMR and also train outsiders.
Dr. Jaf Momoh also spoke on the Ask Me Team of the Hospital which was put together to ensure that first timers or people who need information are promptly attended to as they interface with the Hospital.
National Coordinator of SERVICOM in her response was full of praise for THE CMD and his team form doing a wonderful job in service delivery. She went down memory lane reminding all who were present how service delivery has become a major issue dear to the heart of the President, Muhammadu Buhari and how they go about discreetly investigating each government agencies. According to her, 'We evaluated this hospital, sometimes we come in as patients, incognito to assess your services, we also have feedback from people who use the hospital, all in a bid to see the quality of services your people deliver.
In doing this we have discovered a lot of things. We are partners in progress as we are adding value to governance.
Some of the things we discovered about the National Hospital through members of the SERVICOM tea is that patients are now sent text messages even before their appointment date as reminders, which we at SERVICOM regard as wonderful enhanced access to service. As at the time we came for the last evaluation, the hospital was not as large as it is now. There has been increase in assets also, which means better and enhanced service delivery. She also spoke about the hospital website as a major access to information which is part of the service charter.
She appreciated the Chief Medical Director for his commendable service performance and the way he has led the hospital.
Speaking on the award, she disclosed that it is for outstanding performance, which is to encourage, appreciate those who are doing well so as to institutionalize healthy competition, encourage those who have negative energy to do away with the energy and join those who have positive energy. In her words, 'with the good job done especially during the COVID Pandemic, we cannot but appreciate the work done by the National Hospital under the leadership of Dr Jaf Momoh, who also Chairman of other CMDs in the country, ensuring that they worked together to kick COVID-19 out of Nigeria. All these influenced his nomination for the SERVICOM Champion Award. Presenting the award, the National Coordinator called for more efforts so that the new heights attained by the Hospital would be maintained.

Politics › Family Faults Ex-speaker Etteh's Arrest-accuses Efcc Of Wrong, Hasty Assumptions by bamideleafolabi(op): 3:17pm On May 18, 2022

Sodiq Oyeleke

The family of a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh, has faulted Etteh’s arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The family also blamed the EFCC for arresting the ex-lawmaker in a statement signed by its representative, Femi Alabi, titled, ‘Mrs Patricia Etteh’s detention: Putting the record straight’.

The PUNCH had reported that EFCC arrested Etteh over a shady contract worth N240m awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

The former speaker was said to have received N130m through her personal account from Phil Jin Project Limited, a firm which was awarded a N240m contract by the NDDC in 2011.

The statement read, “We, the family of Mrs Patricia Etteh, hereby condemn in strong terms the illegal detention of our matriarch by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday.

“We want to put it on record that the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, went to the Commission’s office to honour its invitation through an SMS inviting her to make some clarification on the issue of the contract involving Philjin Projects Ltd.

“Putting the record straight, Mrs Ibiene Wille-Harry, the Chief Executive Officer of Philjin Projects Ltd, a company under investigation is a longtime friend of Mrs Etteh as far as we know.

“Their bond of friendship is so deep to the extent that Mrs Etteh’s daughter lived in Mrs Wille-Harry’s house till she graduated from the university.

“This degree of closeness, therefore, encompassed constant financial assistance in form of soft loans from Mrs Etteh to Mrs Wille-Harry for the latter to execute several projects.

“It is crystal clear that the basis of every transaction between Mrs Etteh and Mrs Wille-Harry within the period mentioned by the EFCC was evidence of repayment of the said loans.

“Obviously, Mrs Etteh, by her inalienable right reserves the liberty to instruct her debtor to make payment in any manner she considered desirable in line with her financial circumstances at that point in time, hence, the directive to make payment into her personal account and that of her company.

“Logically, therefore, there wouldn’t have been a directive to make payment into her personal account in case of any predetermined notion of fraud.

“Secondly, Mrs Patricia Etteh, from all indications had nothing to do with any business transaction with Mrs Wille-Harry except generous assistance on the ground of friendship.

“However, the speed at which the EFCC coined the said mutual transaction a ‘fraud’ is nothing but a fallacy of hasty assumption and encroachment of her fundamental rights.

“To this end, we want to emphatically state that we are really disturbed and worried by this development as a family because we are people of respected pedigree and we have an important family name to protect.

“We can say without any doubt that Mrs Patricia Etteh has nothing to do with any contract as the commission itself clearly established that she is neither a director in the company nor a contractor.

“Etteh, in line with our family’s guiding philosophy, is contented and would never involve in any shady deals. Even in office as an elected official, she never solicited any contract.

“The purity of her personality had been established in the past by appropriate authorities after she was wrongly accused as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and her innocence was later proclaimed without blemish.

“We, therefore, strongly implore the Commission to further beam its searchlight on the investigation of Philjin Projects Ltd, to ascertain the veracity of Mrs Etteh’s part as explained therein, as we demand her immediate and unconditional release on the strength of her innocence and fundamental human rights.”

Copyright PUNCH.

Politics › Ayade Joins Presidential Race, Meets Buhari, Itemises Critical Area Of Focus by bamideleafolabi(op): 5:48pm On Apr 26, 2022

Cross River State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade has informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention to join the presidential race.
Ayade, who is of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made his intention known after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa today

Ayade, who said he had the longest meeting with the President ever, said Buhari advised him to do more consultations before making a formal declaration.
The Governor who said, he came to seek spiritual and political guidance from the President, on who will take over from him come 2023 for continuity sake, said security, economy, electricity and employment will be his focus should he become the president.

Ayade said he will replicate what he did in Cross River, adding that if the presidency is zoned to the South, he is willing to take up the challenge as the only APC governor in the south south.

Asked to react to unconfirmed report that the APC might present former President, Goodluck Jonathan as the sole candidate for the 2023 presidential election, he said “I have great respect for President Jonathan and so I have no challenges whatsoever.

“I believe that the party leadership will decide on the appropriate candidate that will take our party to victory. And so, if you heard me well, I am just part of the family; absolutely loyal to the president, seeking to run for the president. And I am running. But at any point in time that the political leadership of my party, the APC feels that president Jonathan is the appropriate candidate that will actually take us to victory, I will turn my support for him.

“I am never, ever going to fight the establishment, the institution, the aristocracy, the spiritual vortex of which God has placed a leader of a country. I will never question the powers of the leader of a country. I have never played politics of antagonism or fight.

“I became governor by offering to suppprt whoever the governor (Imoke) wanted and by stroke of luck, I became the candidate.
“By the same token, I am only here to support the president’s candidate and by a stroke of luck, he said, you too go there and join the race and let me see.”

Politics › Group Calls On Buhari's Minister Jedy-agba To Contest Cross River Guber Seat by bamideleafolabi(op): 10:46am On Apr 26, 2022

The Initiative for Integrity and Good Leadership has called on Minister of State for Power, Giddy Jedy Agba to come out and contest for Cross River Gubernatorial seat.
Speaking at a conference yesterday in Abuja, the group, led by Bassey Etang and Nkoyo Effiong stated that having looked at the various major stakeholders who have indicated interests in succeeding Ben Ayade as the Governor, they believe that Jeddy Agba should be the one to carry the APC banner in the election.
They highlighted not only his sterling leadership qualities as shown in the role he has continued to play in uniting the party in the State, but also his ensuring that no one from the State comes to him with a problem or problems and goes back home with the same.
They recalled how he came to the aid of Akpabuyo Local Government in the State, months back after they had issues with Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company and their light was cut off for two years. It took less than a month for light to be restored.
They also cited his various projects back here me that have helped in ameliorating the conditions of the people and giving them a new lease of life.
Not only this, his efforts in ensuring that the electricity supply in the country receives the needed boost has also been acknowledged by all including even the President.
Based on this, the NGO believes that if given the opportunity to serve Cross River, he would take the State to a new level in terms of rural development, industrialization while building on the Ayade legacies.

Politics › Ex-aig Mbu Operates Turns Home To Detention And Torture Chamber In Cross River by bamideleafolabi(op): 11:45am On Apr 12, 2022

-----Use policemen from CID Alagbon in Lagos to arrest, detain CRSG officials for months without trial

A for Assistant Inspector General of Police, Joseph Mbu is in the eye of the storm over his activities back home in Cross River that has continued to bring sorrow, tears and blood to his people. Indeed, the former police top shot is presently standing trial for murder after shooting a young man to death during the community masquerade festival. Mbu was fingered in the murder of one Ayuk Etta Ngon in December 2018 and was subsequently charged to court. What made the case more curious that the former AIG refused to release the corpse of the young man to his father who came crying that it should be released. At the end of the day, the father of the late Ayuk Ngon also died of depression over the case.

Meanwhile, Mbu has continued to frustrate the court case by refusing to be served the court papers yet sending a lawyer to court, his counsel also pleaded that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the case since it is coming up in Calabar and not the Local government where the murder happened. Meanwhile, the said Local government has no High Court.

The cantankerous former police top shot has however gone a step further to unseat a traditional ruler in the same community, which ordinarily should have earned him a reprimand from the state Government. Again, the people involved have had to go to court as Mbu has proven to be above the law.

Of recent however, his battle with the State Cocoa department has become the major issue that has pitched him against Government appointees as well as some farmers. The situation is said to be so tense now that if the Police authorities do not call him to order, the whole community might rise up in arms against him. Reports indicated that he has virtually turned his house into an unofficial Police cell where he detains people at will, and those he finds too difficult to keep in his home he brings in men from CID Alagbon Close in Lagos to arrest and take them to Lagos where they spend weeks and even months without trial. A top aide to the State Governor Dr Oscar Ofuka is one of those who have had the full weight of his wrath. He had to call in the Governor to intervene after spending one week at Alagbon close because of a brush with Mbu.

The lingering crisis over cocoa farmland which rightly belongs to the people and which the Government had acquired in the 70’s as cocoa plantation seems to have reached a boiling point in the last couple of months. Governor Ben Ayade in a bid to shore up the revenue of the state, get more youths out of the streets created a Department for Cocoa Development and appointed a Special Adviser who is an expert on the field as well as an indigene of the specific area where the crop could be cultivated in the state to be in charge.

Because of years of neglect, the state government had not been paying dues to those who own the land on which the plantation was so the government negotiated with them while also agreeing with those cultivating the land and arranging for them to pay their dues.

At that point, the land owners as well as those cultivating cocoa within the plantation were happy. This was more so since the Government promised new seedlings that would increase yields.

It was at this point that Mbu appeared on the scene. From our investigations, Mbu was never a farmer cultivating cocoa or one of the land owners. His agents were said to have showed up point to demand that those cultivating the land, with whom the State Government had reached a mutual agreement should stop work. Assuming the whole threat was a huge joke, the famers ignored Mbu. His claim was that the dues meant for the land owners should be paid to him, even though he isn’t among the primordial land owners. As from that moment it has been threats upon threats, arrests and detention in Mbu’s house using uniformed policemen who were supposed to be guarding him.

When he realized that the threats and arrests would not do, he moved against the Special Adviser to the Governor, Dr Oscar Ofuka who is the arrowhead of the Government plan to resuscitate cocoa farming in the State. According to reports, while he was sharing new cocoa seedlings to the farmers, in broad daylight and in full glare of the media, agents of former AIG Joseph Mbu came around to claim that he represents the owners of the land. Even in the presence of same owners who claimed they do not have any relationship whatsoever with him, his agents insisted that the Government should pay the money due for the landowners to the former Police Officer.

The owners have continued to insist that they never signed any documents or in any way put him in charge of their land. They insist that they are the owners and they do not have any relationship with him.

Mbu, working on the premises that the Government had paid them the money due to the landowners saw Ofuka as the arrowhead of the move against him. Weeks back he was abducted in the presence of journalists in the state and forcefully bundled into a vehicle and was about being smuggled out of the State. Because journalists raised alarm, the State Commissioner of Police as well as other double-crossed his abductors and they were forced to release him. Their claim was that he was wanted in Lagos for collecting money on the Cocoa Plantation. Because the State Police command was aware of the case, they knew Mbu was behind it.

At the second attempt they succeeded in taking him away from the State and smuggled him to Cid Department, Alagbon in Lagos where he was detained for days after serious torture. But when they found out that he was telling the truth and that no money had been paid to him or to the farmers who own the land, he was released after Governor Ayade intervened. When the farmers complained bitterly that Mbu had been sending young men, believed to be cultists to threaten them over their farmland, a team was constituted by the Government to checkmate his men. The team's duty was to check the farms, ensure that the farmers operate in a peaceful environment. They are recognized and paid by the government.

But Mbu moved against them. Henry Etta Orok, the leader of the team that moved round to ensure that the farmers operated peacefully without any molestation was abducted in Cross River early in March, 2022 by policemen sent by Mbu. He was subsequently bundled into a vehicle and driven to Lagos. He is presently being kept at Alagbon. He has been in detention for over a month and he has not been charged to court. No charge has been preferred against him. A court order has been served on the Police to enforce his fundamental human rights after court ruling that he should be produced in Calabar, but the Police has refused to obey the court order.

The farmers whose livelihood is being threatened by Mbu have seen all that is happening as a prove that Mbu wants to use the Police to take over their ancestral land and deny them their only source of livelihood. They are no longer allowed to go to their farms unless they settle Mbu's Cult boys. The situation is like a time bomb as previous activities of Mbu have shown that the former Assistant Inspector General of Police is now a lord into himself and above the law. Already leaders of the communities as well as youths have threatened to take the law into their hands and face the former AIG squarely so that if he wants to kill them he should, rather than surrender to his lordship over their land

Politics › Rumbles Over Chairman Medical Advisory Comte Appointment In National Hospital by bamideleafolabi(op): 4:03pm On Jun 30, 2021

RUMBLES OVER APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN MEDICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR NATIONAL HOSPITAL

The National Hospital is in the news again, and this time there is a furore over appointment of Director of Clinical Services and Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, C-MAC.
Despite the law establishing the Hospital stating clearly, the manner in which appointments to the office of C-MAC are to be made, it is obvious that some people are bent on dragging the Hospital management and Board into the media for the wrong reasons.
The Act establishing the National Hospital Decree 36 of 1999 clearly states among other things that the Medical Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the Board. The law is equivocal about this in Part 3 Section 12 subsection 1c and it does not in any way states that this power could be delegated to any individual or group within or outside the Hospital.
At the 12th Extraordinary meeting of the Interim management Board, held on Monday July 3, 2006, the Board took the resolution without prejudice to the above condition for the employment of CMAC in Part 3 of the Act that the CMAC shall have a tenure of 2 years renewable for another two years.
From our findings, the tenure of the incumbent C-MAC expired around 5th May 2021. Given the dictates of the Act, the Hospital Board had always as a matter of privilege allowed Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, National Hospital Chapter to initiate the process of new C-MAC through conduct of an election. This process though unknown to the law and not recognized by the law establishing the Hospital is to give them a sense of belonging. Even then, the Board only allows them to elect and send in three nominees from which one could be picked as the new C-MAC as long as he or she meets the criteria set by the Board during the interview.
Even when elections were held in the past, the Board still decided who occupied the post despite input from the MDCAN, so it is not a new thing.
According to information at our disposal, the MDCAN held an election in which three consultants, Dr Aderonke Obisesan, Dr Bayo Aluko-Olokun and Dr Oluwagbenga Ogunfowokan participated.
In the said election, Dr Aluko-Olokun won and based on this, he assumed that his appointment was automatic. However, the Board, invited the three for screening and interview with known parameters that would help in assessing their abilities to handle the job at hand.
Only two of them went through the interview process with the third candidate claiming that she had withdrawn her candidature for health reasons. By the time the Board finished it's assessment, none of the two met the benchmark set by the Board.
Based on the above, Dr Aisha Umar, the incumbent CMAC having satisfactorily performed the duties of the office was reappointed by the Board, in the same capacity for a second term of two years. Dr Bayo Oluokun who won the election by MDCAN was appointed as Deputy C-MAC. He wasn't the better of the two candidates, but he was said to have been appointed because he had support of a cross section of the MDCAN. The Board believed that what he lacked, he could gain in terms of exposure and experience as Deputy C- MAC.
Unknown to Dr Bayo Oluokun, it was alleged that some of the things that worked against him were his past misdemeanor and attitude to work. For instance, he was alleged to have attended to less than 15 patients throughout last year due to absenteeism. His work ethics definitely did not recommend him for higher post.
Again, it was alleged that as a dental surgeon, he committed medical crime that bothered on ethical issues.
As if these were not enough, he allegedly failed to produce his School Certificate result during the interview process neither did he produce an affidavit when he appeared before the Board. His excuse was that he had none.
Having failed to impress the Board, Oluokun is believed to have instigated the new controversy by hitting the media with stories alleging that the Chairman of the Board is behind his being rejected.
This is not the first time that issues relating to the management of the Hospital is being personalized as if Patricia Etteh, who is the Chairman of the Hospital Board singlehandedly decides issues without regard to the law nor resolution of the entire Board. It is believed that the ultimate aim of those behind the present attack is to create a crisis without regard for what the law states concerning appointment of C-MAC.
Already, the MDCAN leadership are alleged to have threatened to call NHA consultants to go on strike if the man they elected is not appointed as C-MAC which shows that it is either the body has other ulterior motives to its action or they do not know what the law establishing the hospital says on the issue.
Please note that the power of the Board in the the Act empowers the Board to provide general policies and guidelines, manage and supretend over the affairs of the Hospital, make, alter and revoke rules and regulations, then do other things which in opinion of the Board are necessary for the efficient performance of the Hospital.
In view of the above, the action of the Governing board is in accordance with the Acts and board resolution which is in the overall best interest of the hospital due to the enormous work that has been carried out during the lifespan of this management and Board towards ensuring that NHA fulfils and meets its vision of being the flagship of medical institution in Nigeria and the West African subregion.
Observers believe the NMA should call overzealous consultants to order over issues of appointment that is not ordinarily within their powers.

Politics › Engr Funmiayinke Holds Talent Hunt On Instagram Doles Out Millions To Winners by bamideleafolabi(op): 8:40am On Apr 06, 2021

For FunmiAyinke Waheed Adekojo, Engineer, musician and philanthropist, every opportunity is a chance to help the needy hence her new show on Instagram which has been tailored to inspire and also motivate her teeming followers while also helping those who have talents to discover them.

The show has both Motivational talk and Talent Hunt segments with top celebrities and achievers, usually orators invited to speak on topical issues meant to strengthen the listeners belief in themselves after which youths who have sent in their entries are screened by a panel of judges that have been selected for the purpose.

The panel is selected in such a way that no member appears twice.

During the first episode 100,000 Naira was given to the first set of winners. By the fifth episode which took place penultimate weekend, 15 people won 160,000 each. 170,000 Naira was won by each of the successful talents last weekend.

Most of the participants send in their own pre-recorded contributions on the pre-selected topics into her Instagram page. Every Saturday at 10:00pm during a live program anchored by her, winners are picked by the judges during a program anchored by her. Before the selection process, the live audience listens to the motivational speakers for the day. And the audience have the opportunity of contributing as well as asking questions.

According to FunmiAyinke Waheed Adekojo, the essence of the money is to give those who need start up capital, encourage those who are already in business but need some cash to move to a new level.

Students and others who are in desperate financial situation are also believed to have benefited with the testimonies we heard from those who have benefited from the program.

The philanthropist who has carved a niche for herself for helping widows and youths and who recently veered into music and has released hit songs is said to have enjoyed some support from sponsors for the program.

According to her she feels fulfilled putting smiles on the faces of people especially in these hard times when there is nowhere to run to for most Nigerians.

Music/Radio › Engr Funmiayinke Adekojo Speaks On Her Journey Into Music, Releases New Single by bamideleafolabi(op): 11:07am On Feb 17, 2021

ENGR [DR] FUNMIAYINKE WAHEED ADEKOJO FNIMechE, FNSE SPEAKS ON HER JOURNEY INTO MUSIC AS SHE RELEASES ANOTHER SINGLE
She is well known as a philanthropist, with her reach-out programmes touching the lives of hundreds of thousands of widows and students. FunmiAyinke Waheed Adekojo, the lady behind FunmiAyinke Humanity Foundation is a woman of many parts. As an accomplished Engineer, she is already a Fellow of Nigeria Society of Engineers FNSE,
Fellow of Nigeria Institute of Mechanical Engineers FNIMechE, Fellow of Instiutute Management Consultant FIMC,
Fellow of Institute of Management Specialist UK FIMS and many more...like APWEN. A division of the Nigerian Society of Women Engineers.
Her Engineering Company is also one of the foremost in the country on account of handling big and challenging jobs, execution of contracts to specification, Timely and Quality delivery and above all given VALUES to all funds.
All these have earned her awards and commendations locally and internationally including two different Honourary Doctorate Awards in Engineering, Project Management and Cooperate Governance from European American University and another Doctor in Public Administration from the Universite Protestante Delafriq in West Africa. However, she added another feather to her cap by releasing her first musical single, a track, ‘It’s Our Time’. Listening to the track, many could not believe that it was sang by a newcomer to music. It became a major hit on television stations and some radio stations in the country. Some of those who heard the song felt, well, maybe she just tried her hand on that and it would end there. After the song, people started asking when would the next one come, or has she ran out of ideas? Today, she is out with another single written and composed by her her titled
“I Can Make It’. Another hit in the making, it also followed the genre of the others, motivational. “I had this project, a Mechanical and Electrical Engineering drawing project which had given me sleepless nights. At a point I now decided ok, I had to tidy up this job, and within a couple of hours I had finished. And I said waoh!, so I can make this, and by the time we presented the job, everyone acknowledged it was an excellent one. That formed the foundation for the lyrics, the fact that we were able to make it, irrespective of the environment, the situation around us and the pressures facing us meant we could be one of the best in the world if we wanted to. That inspired the song. Then I set out to change the notion that as you lay your bed so you lie on it. The notion that your morning decides your night, this wrong. If you lay your bed in the morning, you can still change the way you will lie on it in the afternoon before the night comes. It is the afternoon that determines the night. These two principles form the focus of the song.”
Going down memory lane, she disclosed that her journey into music started from her youth days as an undergraduate she was a member of the Winners Chapel Choir; she also sang at Canaanland’s Annual Shiloh programme at a point.
To her, Music has always been a source of refuge when she wants to relax, get her groove back after being stressed. Unlike many others who will claim music run in their family, for her this wasn’t so. However, she has come to see music as an integral part of her life so much so that once in a while she sits down compose and sing songs all by herself. Speaking on her songwriting prowess having written many now, she says they come to her naturally. ‘They come as inspirations from God,’ she revealed. It is God using her to pass a message across. ‘Look at this last one. I had the inspiration and wrote around 1.00am in the morning. Indeed, I wrote three songs that night and after looking at them, sent them to my producer who picked ‘I Can Make It’ and that’s why it is out. I have other songs I have also written.
So writing them comes natural to me, she added.
So what really informed the songs she is singing? we asked the Engineer. According to her as a Philanthropist, she has been reaching out to young people but she realised that passing the message across these days are a little difficult. Majority of Nigerians don’t read, she says, ‘even when I posted pictures of myself being given an award, months back, with a write-up to illustrate the motivational piece, they will be congratulating me, which indicated that they didn’t read the write-up.
Again, on several occasions we have seen that people got satisfied whenever they approach FunmiAyinke for Counseling. The situation of Nigeria has caused Mental depression hence, getting their attention and making them believe in themselves have become more difficult. This is where music comes in. Everybody listen to music. They don’t read but they listen to music and so God gave me the inspiration to reach out to them through music so that the message of hope can get across to them. Anywhere they are they are always listening to music, and music has a way of working on people.
To many, the new engagement will definitely take its toll on her day to day business, but not Funmi Ayinke Waheed Adekojo. According to her, she has to manage her time, apportion what to go for music to music. What it only means is that she has little time for other things as she maximizes the twenty-four hours in a day to achieve everything she plans to accomplish. At times it is difficult to respond to telephone calls because of this tight schedule. This has in a way limited her social circle as some do not see it from her perspective as it as snobbish. But this has not in any way weighed her down.
So where do we see the newly evolving music brand in years’ time? The Engineer musician is quiet optimistic. As someone who does not abandon projects midway, she has firmly set her target in using music to take her motivational activities to the highest level attainable. Looking back at how people underestimated her philanthropic activities when she started, thinking she would stop after a year, ‘we have outgrown their predictions and expectations, same way we will outgrow anyone who think this is just a flash in the pan. We are unstoppable and with God being our source, we will continue to ride high. You see the inspiration for this comes from God and since He cannot be limited, we cannot be limited”.
She also called on established brands to support upcoming ones one way or the other especially those who are using music to perform humanitarian works.
Given the nature of her music, we asked her how she would feel if the songs are used by others. Her reply: Yes, of course, anyone can use it, they can remix it, but they have to acknowledge that it is our song. The lyrics are ours. We have copyrighted them since I wrote the songs. It is important that when works like these are used, we acknowledge their owners so that we do not run foul of the law, she concluded.

Check out her new single on her YouTube channel below
https://youtube.com/channel/UCWHXrYL-6Aw0QyLrz3hQogg

Bamidele O

Politics › Re: Buhari Blames Middlemen: 1984 And 2020 (Photos) by bamideleafolabi: 8:08pm On Sep 06, 2020

Let's talk

southniyikaye:
I see no changes....

Sincerely right now, I need to speak to either a pastor or an elder cos am loosing my sanity.
What am feeling right now is way beyond my control.
I don't need any financial help, I just need people to tell me it will be alright.

This is my 5th business attempt in the space of 3months.
Each time I get a good location for business, some people from nowhere will just rise up and antagonize me.
The one that happened today could make me a millionaire in no time but again, they rose up and antagonized me.
Different sets of people but same strategy.
I would have spent alot and when it's time for me to start reaping, it will just happen..
Am saying this here cos in real life, I have no one close by to talk to

Politics › Re: Do We Really Have Nairalanders In Abuja? by bamideleafolabi: 1:07pm On Sep 01, 2020

[We plenty ooo. We usually read your comments and pass by

Me, Garki Area 1 [/quote]

Celebrities › We've Spent Over 500mil Supporting Widows, Undergraduates- Fhf Boss Funmi Waheed by bamideleafolabi(op): 3:29pm On Jan 25, 2020

It is not every day you meet a young female Engineer and academician who has empowered over ten thousand women as well as have over five hundred undergraduates call her mummy because she pays their school fees. But that is the life of Engineer Funmilayo Adekojo Waheed the lady behind Funmilayo Ayinke Humanity Foundation.

For someone who spends hundreds of millions to help people every year, it is curious there are no airs around her, she is as natural as they come, warm and unassuming. To her, ‘money is good, but useless when you don’t use it to add value to people’s lives’.

Having spent childhood and early adulthood in great depravity, it is easy for her to relate with the poor and needy, especially widows and children of widows and single parents. These are the people she set out to help. We met the enterprising engineer at her Abuja office a few days ago to find out why she is spending so much on humanity and how she is going about the NGO that is gradually becoming talk of the town in Ogun State and among students all over the country. Excerpts

At what point did you start helping people, devoting resources to the needy?

I won’t deceive you, it has been long. Even as an undergraduate when I didn’t have, and I had to struggle to pay fees, I was always doing something. I recall one instance, while I was at LAUTECH, struggling to pay school fees, there was this woman whose daughter dropped out school because of 1,000 Naira. I paid the money and friends were looking at me and saying, ‘you sef’, na wa o, you cannot pay your fees yet you are taking care of someone else’s child. That was me. I recall another instance, I had this friend, whose room was opposite mine. I had paid school fees and it was few days to examination. She approached me, and said, Funmi, there is trouble, exams are here and I am yet to pay school fees. I had money, at least enough to feed myself for the remaining days in school. Well, it so happened that that same amount was also enough to pay her school fees. Of course, we paid the fees and had to live on garri all through the examination. We did it with joy. That was the type of life that I lived when I was in school. So after school, you could have imagined what I felt like when I had more than enough to help others.

So what really attracts you to helping people?

It is a passion. I love my job as an Engineer, a female Engineer at that, but I am beginning to take so much joy in the passion for helping for others, especially when you see people appreciate what you have done, old people, young people, people you never knew before, whose life you turn around by giving so little.

Does this have to do with your growing up?

[Countenance changes] Hmmmmm. I was raised by a single mother. We were raised by our mother. We lost our father at a tender age and our mother was a teacher. So you can only imagine what it felt like raising three children. I had to drop out of medical school because we could not afford the money to buy books and other things we needed. I lost two years in the process. Taking that decision was not easy for me and my mother. The day I informed my mother, I cried and cried. She also wept. But I made up my mind that I would do my best and ensure that even as a professional Engineer, I was successful. I also decided, deep within me that as long as live I will help others and ensure that no child has to go through what I went through because of their poor background.

With all the Courses you had taken in Medicine and Surgery, how was the transition to now read Engineering.

Hmmmm. You can ask that question again. It was never easy. But God gave me a guardian angel who saw me through. My knowledge of Mathematical Engineering was down since I was no longer taking courses in Mathematics as a Medical student, but he directed me to lecturers who helped me. I ended up coming out with a 2:1 in Mechanical Engineering. My guardian angel then ended up as my husband. Believe me, he was God sent and I cannot but tell you, if not for him, I wonder how I would have ended up. He has been my pillar of support in everything. He has been there for me every step of the way. In everything I do I see him as the God-sent hand, lifting me up and guiding me.

So how much have you expended on Funmilayo Ayinke Humanity Foundation since inception?

It is difficult for me to estimate. But I think it will be close to half a billion Naira. You can see how we operate. We don’t limit ourselves to once- in -a -year activities or school period activities. A lady needed baby things, she contacted me, I verified the need and send 150k to her, she sent the proof of receipt to our Whatsapp group page, everyone’s happy, life goes on. Others have special needs, they raise them and we take care of the needs. These are apart from school fees; things you need in school. Don’t forget, the people I am talking about here are children of single parents or widows who cannot afford to make ends meet. The tears of joy in their faces, the way they express themselves inspire me to do more. Only last December we were able to touch the lives of widows again in Abeokuta, Ogun State. We gave many grinding machines, other things to empower them and for some who needed cash, we also provided cash. We ended up giving everyone cash, one way or the other, bags of rice were also shared We touched over four thousand lives. Yearly we do this. Many still continued to come after what we did at the palace of Olowu of Owu in Ogun State and we have been helping them. We will continue to.

We started out never really caring about how many people we touched their lives, believe me we have done so much for many. If we did four thousand last December, imagine what we have done years before. The pictures and videos are there.

Have you been challenged by people about having political ambitions and maybe this is why you are doing all these?

Yea, I had a situation last December in which some women came to me that I should go and contest, and that they are ready, or bring someone out they will support. I laughed it off. That has never crossed my mind. I am not from Ogun and the large chunk of beneficiaries, the widows are from Ogun so there is no way I can set out to woo them for votes. I am just doing what God has put in my heart.

Given this large bill, how do you finance the giving you have been doing?

It’s God’s doing. Don’t forget I am an Engineer apart from being an academic, so nearly everything that comes in from our jobs are channeled into the philanthropic activities.

How does it feel, a female Mechanical Engineer, in man’s world. Do they discriminate against the female Engineers as we hear in some other professions?

No, not at all. They rather encourage us, they see us as their little sisters, the men in Engineering are so helpful. They are willing to help at any point in time. That’s why you see women aspiring to positions of leadership in COREN and others. They want the women to step out and lead while they stay at the background. The Engineering men are quite supportive. They are always there for us. I can boldly say that.

1 Like

Politics › Ile Arugbo Demolition: Tear Gas Cans & Bullet Shells Found In GBEMI Saraki' Home by bamideleafolabi(op): 3:29pm On Jan 02, 2020

It is no longer news that the famous Ile-Arugbo, meaning home for the aged was demolition around 3.00am this morning by the Kwara State Government having claimed that the owner of the property, late Dr Olusola Saraki did not pay for the land. Abujareporters exclusively gathered that the demolition did not go unprotested as many supporters of the Sarakis were in the property sensing that the government could move in at night. It was also gathered that a lot of old women really live in the buildings.

It was reliably gathered that the first attempt to demolish the properties was resisted and the Police who came for the demolition had to go back for reinforcement had to come back with tear gas and they repeatedly fired into the air to scare the people.

Unconfirmed reports also claimed that some of the women who reside in the premises were wounded and taken to the hospital.

A new twist was however introduced to the demolition with reports coming from Ilorin that the house of the Minister of State, Transport, which is over 300meters away from Ile Arugbo was also fired at and indeed, 9 canisters of tear gas as well as empty bullet bullet shells were picked by SSS officials who were contacted after the house came under bombardment. Curiously the minister left Ilorin hours about 24 hours before the incident. The SSS officials were said to have gone away with the tear gas canisters as well as bullet shells.

A Kwara based non- political Group, KWARA For All has issued a statement warning that the Governor should not set the state on fire by being vindictive even after he won the election. The Group, in a Statement signed by its President, Wale Alimi wondered why the government had to go for the demolition in the dead of the night despite the fact that they know that old people live there. They also raised a poser for the Governor over his intention to build a secretariat on the land. According to the Group, ‘The immediate past government built and completed a modern secretariat which had four complexes along Ahmadu Bello way not too far from Police headquarters here in Ilorin, so the government should not sell any dummy that they are out to build any new secretariat when the completed ones are still unoccupied’.

The Group advised the Governor to know that he is the father of all, even more so since Gbemi Saraki, whose father’s legacy he is hell bent on destroying was one of those who labored and financed his election office. Kwara For All Group wondered why the former Senate President, who has been one of the major targets of Abdulrazaq’s attacks was not targeted, rather it was the late man’s memorabilia which served many aged people that was destroyed.

The Group went down memory lane and wondered why Governor Abdulrazaq would pursue the same line that had denied his elder sibling the same post as people feared that if they ever got there, their first targets are the Sarakis. They recalled how the Abdulrazaqs had battled to get the title of Waziri when it was given to the late Olusola Saraki and even continued to struggle for the post when he died and was not yet buried.

They enjoined APC leaders and lovers of peace in Kwara to call the Governor to order stating that, ‘war against Saraki might not be tantamount to developing Kwara.’

1 Like

Crime › Re: Girl Detained After Being Raped By Father by bamideleafolabi: 12:30pm On Dec 04, 2019

So sad. Women are turning to sex objects all.over the world. Fathers raping daughters, and the law turning blind eye.
So sad.
angry

Wiseman07:
Officers at Isebania police station are on the spot fo r throwing into a cell a defiled minor after the girl had gone to report the case. The distraught 12-year-old girl had accused her father, a police officer, of defiling her on November 1 at their home in Nyabohanse town after luring her into his bedroom. The victim on Tuesday told the Nation that her attempts to have the suspect arrested were futile after officers turned against her. SEX ABUSE They locked her up in a bid to conceal evidence of defilement and shield their colleague. Shedding tears, the Standard Five pupil at a private school in Nyabohanse town narrated her harrowing ordeal when attempts to seek school fees from her biological father saw her sexually assaulted. She told the Nation that her father, a police officer who guarded a senior politician in Migori County before being interdicted from police service, lured her into his bedroom and defiled her in broad daylight. “I went to see him to collect my fee balance on instructions of my grandmother with whom I lived. She could not afford Sh13,890 which I owed the school so I went to my father who operates a pub in Nyabohanse town,” she said. “I was cleaning utensils when he came home that morning. He called me to his bedroom as he wanted me to do some shopping for breakfast. I was helpless as he pinned me on his bed and committed the act, she said. POLICE CELL According to the minor, she rushed out of the house weeping and ran to Nyabohanse Police Post where she reported the incident. “I reported the incident to a female police officer, who called my father and the area chief and tried to persuade me to forgive him,” she said. At about 2 pm, she was transferred to Isebania Police Station where she was placed in a cell and, two hours later, was taken to Nyayo Hospital where she was tested and given a prescription. The minor said she stayed in police custody for six days, sharing the cold floor with adults. Officers at the station, she said, allowed in her father to check on her, only to threaten the girl to drop the case. “When we visited her on the same evening she was arrested, the officer declined to release her, saying the national flag at the station had already been lowered and we were not allowed to see her,” her grandmother told the Nation. Attempts by the old woman and the girl’s mother to have her freed were unsuccessful. There was no explanation as to why she was being held that long or why she was not charged or released from custody, with the officers constantly piling pressure on her to drop the case. JUSTICE “All we need is justice for the minor. It is sad that the police, who ought to have protected her, conspired with the suspect to torment her further,” the girl’s grandmother said. “The suspect, who should be in custody, walks scot-free and was accessing the girl freher as we were denied any chance to see her.
Currently, the minor is staying with a guardian whom the Nation will not name to protect the victim.

The guardian said the girls grandmother said the medical report, P3 form, police statements and medical reports were tampered with severally to destroy the case.

“The six-day detention was a plot to conceal possible evidence of rape. Even police records and the occurrence book entries were skewed,” she said on Monday.

What shocked the mother and the guardian was the fact that the medical examination revealed the minor had been infected with a venereal disease.

But, despite all this pain, hopes for justice seem to be dimming by the day.

NO EVIDENCE

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji says it seeks to close the case “due to lack of evidence”.

In a letter dated November 5 and addressed to the OCS Isebania Police Station, Mr Martin Mwongera, a senior prosecution counsel, says the case should be terminated.

“… after perusing police files and statements, I find no sufficient evidence to charge the suspect with the said offence,” the letter reads in part.

When the Nation visited Isebania Police Station on Monday, senior officers privy to the case declined to comment and instead referred us to Kuria West police chief Bernard Muriuki and Migori Police Commander Celestino Nyaga.

Mr Muriuki said attempts to take the suspect to Kehancha Law Courts twice on November 5 and 19 failed after the prosecution counsel cited lack of evidence.

However, he said he was not aware the victim was held at Isebania Police Station for six days.

“We want to duplicate all the files, including evidence and statements, and send back to ODPP for review for the minor to get justice,” Mr Muriuki said.

IPOA

On his part, Mr Nyaga said they will internally investigate the matter and ensure the minor and the suspect get justice.

Nyamosense-Komosoko MCA Susan Mohabe called on the Independent Police Oversight Authority (Ipoa) and Mr Haji’s office to fast-track the case.

Mrs Mohabe said Kuria West police officers were yet to arrest suspects who gang-raped a 70-year-old woman a week ago.

“Women in this region have been turned into sex objects,” she said.

“Victims of sexual abuse and gender-based violence who attempt to seek justice from police have always met resistance. Some even receive threats from the same officers who should be protecting them.”

As the Nation was pursuing the story on Monday, police arrested a 14-year-old boy who defiled and killed a four-year-old girl in the same area.

Source: https://westdelivery.com.ng/?p=1314

Politics › Alex Akinyele Dies At 81 by bamideleafolabi(op): 3:50am On Nov 15, 2019

Ondo born former PR guru and former Information Minister and NSC boss, Sir Chief Alex Akinyele is dead.

His death was announced by his son Constantine, Kayode Akinfolarin Akinyele a couple of hours ago. According to him, his father died after a brief illness. In his post on his Facebook wall, Constantine Akinfolarin Akinyele did not state where his father passed on.

He only stated that

With thanks giving for his life, I am sad to announce we lost our father and grand father Chief Alexander Opeyemi Akinyele earlier today after a brief illness May his soul rest in peace. He will be missed by his children, grand children, family and friends.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2726544310739304&id=100001512841538

Sir Alex Akinyele was one of the few men who brought character and panache to national service when he served Nigeria as the Infornation Minister and later Chairman of the National Service Commission during the military era.

Biography

Chief Sir Akinyele Opeyemi Alexander: Born on April 24th 1938 to Pa Akinyele a soldier and an ex-serviceman who was by the end of the Second World War holding the rank of a Regimental Sergeant, he retired in 1974 as a Court Clark in Ondo town. Alex attended all Saint Primary School Ondo, Gboluji Grammar School Ile-Oluji and St. Andrew’s College Oyo. While at St. Andrew’s College, he was appointed the school first reception prefect. He studied English language at the prestigious university of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University. On leaving Ife he worked as a teacher at Olofin Grammar School Idanre and in June 1967 he applied to join the Nigeria Police force and was offered a place as a trainee assistant Superintendent of Police, but fate had other plans for him.

On reporting to the Police Service Commission, the other 12 trainees recruit were not present due largely to the commencement of the civil war. He was directed to join the customs. After his 18 month training programme, Custom Controller Henry Duke appointed him the first Public Relation Officer of the Nigeria Customs and Excise. Chief Akinyele, Remained a man that will never shy away from public glare or the press. If success is a relative word then judging by his own standard one can say it without fear that Chief Akinyele was a successful man, one that doesn’t believe that money guarantees happiness.

A man of vast tentacles, a Communicator, Public Relation Practitioner, industrialist and Executive Director of so many functional Companies, and above all a Philanthropist. Chief Alexander Opeyemi Akinyele was a charismatic man of gait and immerse stature and yet unbelievably accessible. Following his retirement from the Customs he joined the private sector business.

It is on record that he was the first former secretary general of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relation that eventually became the President. As president of NIPR he was very vocal and actually changed the face of public relation in Nigeria. In fact he injected panache into the body. Ebullient good looking, and entertaining Alex is truly an Image Maker who was always ready to contribute meaningfully to any healthy discussion that bother; on the advancement of the Nigeria polity as well as the upliftment of public relation practice in the country, A cursory look at part of his achievement during his tenure as NIPR President reveals that he fought against quacks in the profession and encouraged large registered memberships.

Under his leadership NIPR liaised and aligned itself with the universities of Lagos, Akoka and Nigeria, Nsukka for more emphasis on public relation in their mass communication syllabus. Perhaps it was on this basis that the former military president, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babaginda deemed it fit to first of all nominate him as a member of the constituent Assembly and later appoint him as the Minister of information thus becoming the very first public relation practitioner in Nigeria to be appointed into that post. In his stint as the Information Minister/ Chief Akinyele did not only perform his role creditably well but also with great zeal, enthusiasm and style. Chief Alex Akinyele has received so many chieftaincy titles which include Lobosin of Ondo land and Jagunmolu of Ipetu-Ijesha just to mention but a few.

Despite the fact that President Babaginda was noted for shuffling his cabinet at will/ Chief Akinyele was still considered as among the Ministers that could be discarded. Eventually when the president decided that it was time to have a change in the information ministry, he thanked Chief Akinyele tremendously and promise him yet another job. Akinyele was later appointed the Chairman of National Sports Commission (NSC) though several years later he bowed out from the NSC in a circumstantial manner, his tenure as the boss of the NSC saw Nigeria moving to a greater height, it was under his chairmanship that a Nigeria Contingent for the first time did put up a superlative performance ever. Nigeria won a bronze and four silver medals at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic. The following year the Nigeria under 17 team the Golden Eaglet won the under 17 world cup (Japan 93), in addition to the golden boot and the fair play prize. In 1994 the Super Eagles for the very first time too also qualified to play in the final of a world cup (USA 94).

Sir Alexander Opeyemi Akinyele who was knighted by king Juan Carlos 1, Rey. De Espana on 15th November, 1991 remained a colossus communication pundit and a guru in public relation. Chief Alex Akinyele was also the Chairman of the National Reconciliation Commission till his death

Additional reports from Ekimogun magazine.

4 Likes 1 Share

Politics › Cjn Tanko Read Law With 3 Credits, Termites Ate His Certificate, See Affidavit by bamideleafolabi(op): 3:25am On Jul 23, 2019

In an affidavit sworn to by the newly sworn in Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhammad Ibrahim Tanko, he has revealed how termites are his First School leaving certificate and left no part remaining.

The affidavit, which was sworn to in 1980 claimed that the termites ate the First School Leaving Certificate which was issued in 1968 was devoured by the termites on the 15th day of March 1998, without any trace.

The Affidavit was sworn to at the Court of Appeal, Jos division in 2002 when the now Chief Justice of Nigeria was already a judge having graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor's degree in Islamic Law.

Curiously, the CJN's Secondary School Certificate, which was the only certificate we cited at that level Indicated that he had only three credits and two passes which to all intents were adjudged enough for him to read Law at Ahmadu Bello University where he graduated.

See more bromide of his certificates https://abujareporters.com/how-cjn-read-law-with-only-3-credits-and-2-passes-termites-ate-his-certificate-see-affidavit/

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (of 7 pages)