₦airaland Forum

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Bayelsa chapter, has sought God’s face for all authorities concern to ensure speedy implementation of the N30, 000 minimum wage for workers in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the bill signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari is still awaiting implementation. 

The NLC at a thanksgiving service held for the reelection of Bayelsa’s chairman of the NLC, John Ndiomu at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Yenagoa, said it was an opportunity to seek God’s intervention.

A statement by Ndiomu on Sunday, said he was happy over God’s blessings in his live and labour activities in the state. He noted that by God’s grace labour Unions would continue to grow from strength to strength. “We also thank God for the new minimum wage; we all heard Governor Seriake Dickson recently during a meeting with PDP governors expressing his readiness to pay the N30,000 minimum wage. “God has already granted our prayers on the signing of the new minimum wage into law and we believe that whatever God has ordained will surely come to pass, we are just waiting for government’s action. “We call on all workers in the state to remain committed, the struggle is not the duty of labour leaders alone, we need the support of all workers to achieve our goals,” he said. 

Meanwhile, thickmatch.com had reported that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors have expressed their readiness to pay the N30,000 minimum wage recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen at the end of the forum’s meeting which ended in the early hours of Friday, June 7 in Abuja.


Read more here https://thickmatch.com/nlc-goes-spiritual-ensure-speedy-implementation/

A retired Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, on Sunday said that Nigeria was yet civilised and mature for states to operate their own police systems.

Tsav stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi.


He said that he was not against establishment of State Police in the future, but said that currently, activities of some politicians, including governors, suggested that the country was not mature enough for such arrangement.


“As I always say, state and local government police is desirable in Nigeria, to bring policing to the people at the grassroots, but we are not politically mature enough to have such arrangement in Nigeria.


“We have many modern `Pharoas’ among our politicians and governors who may use state and local government police to harass and intimidate their political opponents,” he said.

Tsav, a former Federal Commissioner, Public Complainants Commission, said that state police may be misused in the same manner some governors were currently misusing security votes.

“There may be no security of tenure for state commissioners of police, especially those who refuse to carry out illegal or hatchet jobs. Professionalism may be compromised.
credit to dailypost

get more here https://thickmatch.com/nigeria-cant-state-police-now-ex-cp-tsav/

Ahead of the June 11 inauguration of the 9th session of the National Assembly, former Ministers of Labour and Productivity, Science and Technology, Foreign Affairs and Education (State) as well as Trade, Investment and Industry, Dr Chris Ngige, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, Mr. Geoffrey Onyema, Prof. Anthony Anwuka and Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah respectively met on Friday, behind closed doors with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in a bid to cede the position of Deputy Senate President to the South East.

According to a reliable source at the APC national secretariat, the former Ministers, who arrived at 2.05pm on Friday, were immediately ushered into the office of the National Chairman. Confirming the development, the source stated that the South East is likely to produce the Deputy Senate President in the interest of fairness, justice, and equity.
The source, who also confirmed that the meeting, which was held in the National Chairman’s office, lasted 45 minutes, stressed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is desperately making moves to appease Ndigbo ahead of 2023.

He said: “As the inauguration of the 9th assembly draws nearer, the APC leadership is leaving no stone unturned in order to protect its members and Nigerians at large.
“The national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has met with former Ministers of the last administration, who are also from the South East. Their deliberations were not unconnected to the marginalization of the South East in national positions.

In the same vein, Enugu and Imo State Governors, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Hon. Emeka Ihedioha have thrown their weight behind the candidacy of Dr. Orji Kalu for the position of the deputy senate president in the soon-to-be inaugurated 9th National Assembly. While extolling the virtues of Kalu, the governors noted that the collective interest of Nigerians should be placed above selfish ambitions. They called on the members of the yet-to-be inaugurated National Assembly to bury party differences for national progress, adding that the political class must live up to expectations.
The governors, who declared their support for Kalu as Deputy Senate President, urged the Senator-elect, Abia North senatorial district, to sustain his patriotic strides across the country.

Earlier, the duo of former Senate President and former Governor of Enugu state, Chief Ken Nnamani and Chief Chimaroke Nnamani respectively had called for support for Dr. Kalu’s ambition for the position of Deputy Senate President. The two politicians, while describing Kalu as a good choice for the position, called on Ndigbo to support the Abia state born politician in his quest to clinch the seat of the deputy senate president.

Also rooting for Kalu are some Emirs in the North. Confirming the development, a close ally of a respected Emir in the North West, stressed that the choice of Kalu is borne out of the former governor’s goodwill across the board. He noted that Kalu, though a Catholic and Igbo by origin, has a close relationship with people of other tribes. The former governor, who is said to be reaching out to political associates, friends and leaders of the APC, has promised to bring to bear his political and business acumen in the national assembly if he is given the opportunity to serve as deputy senate president.

In the same vein, a pan Nigeria group, National Alliance For Equity and Justice, yesterday, charged the All Progressives Congress (APC), senators-elect and other stakeholders to support the former governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu to emerge as the Deputy Senate President, in the interest of equity and fair play.

The group in a statement jointly signed by Mazi Chukwuemeka Nwosu, Hon Akinola Akinyemi and Alhaji Hassan Jubril said electing Kalu, who is the senator-elect for Abia North, as Deputy Senate President will reflect balance and federal character in the distribution of principal officers in the Ninth Assembly. It noted that the former Abia governor has worked hard to popularise the APC in the South east since he joined the party, as well as for the success of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential poll.



https://www.sunnewsonline.com/nass-apc-under-pressure-to-zone-deputy-senate-president-to-southeast/

The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has approved the immediate dissolution of the Abia State Civil Service Commission.

This was contained in a terse statement issued to newsmen, on Saturday, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka.

According to the statement, “The former Chairman and Members of the Commission are to hand over any government property in their possession to the Permanent Secretary in the Commission.

“The Governor expresses his appreciation to the members of the dissolved Commission for their services to the State and wishes them well for the future”.


Read more here https://thickmatch.com/abia-gov-ikpeazu-dissolves-state-civil-service-commission/

In view of the recent spate of kidnappings and other criminal activities in Osun State, the state governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, on Wednesday called a security meeting to fine-tune a strategic plan aimed at curbing the menace.

According to a statement by Mr Adeniyi Adesina, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the strategic plan would be predicated on intense collaborative efforts between the government and the leadership of security agencies, and in consultation with key stakeholders across the State.

The statement, made available to newsmen in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, disclosed that the intervention entails joint security patrol teams of the police, the military and paramilitary outfits to patrol the dark spots in the state and route criminals from their hideouts.

Adesina said, “During a meeting with top security officials on Wednesday, chaired by the Governor, the situation was reviewed and a decision to halt further attacks in any part of the State was taken.

“The meeting was attended by leadership of the Police, the Army, the Air Force, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) , the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

“The mandate of the joint patrol team is to support the activities of the Police Operation Puff Adder which has raised the stake in the battle against kidnapping and other forms of attacks on the people.

“Intelligence gathering has also been stepped up to give the necessary backing to the operations of the joint patrol teams. Governor Oyetola has given the needed logistics to the security operations to guarantee success.



See more here https://thickmatch.com/osun-govt-moves-kidnappers-inaugurates-joint-security-team/

The Chief Judge(CJ) of the Federal High Court on Friday transferred the trial of the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, charged with alleged N6.9 billion fraud, to a new judge.

The CJ, Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati, transferred the case from the former judge, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, to Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.

The action, followed a petition by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking a transfer of the case.

Fayose was arraigned on Oct. 22, 2018, by the EFCC, alongside a company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on 11 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering offence.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail on Oct. 24, 2018, in the sum of N50 million with sureties in like sum, while the prosecution opened trial on Nov. 19, and had so far called 13 witnesses out of 15 listed.

On March 20, a drama ensued in court midway into the trial, between the trial judge, and EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, SAN.

The judge raised concerns on the manner of prosecution by counsel, and had noted that the prosecutor was not doing a good job, adding that he was not competent to evaluate the court’s ruling.

On his part, the prosecutor expressed his displeasure on the grounds that he had always dispensed his duties diligently and had never been derogated by any court.

Meanwhile, at the last proceedings on May 10, the 13th prosecution witness, Mr Adewale Aladegbola, a former driver of a bullion van, had given evidences which the prosecutor described as being contrary to his extrajudicial statement to the commission.

On this premise, the prosecutor informed the court that his witness appeared “hostile” and urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him make necessary application on the situation.

Continuation of trial was billed to resume on June 10.

However, the CJ conveyed the transfer of the case from Justice Olatoregun to Justice Aneke, by a letter dated May 23, a copy of which was obtained by newsmen,NAN reports.

The CJ said: “I refer to the petition of EFCC on this case and your Lordship’s comments thereto.

“It is apparent that the prosecution has lost confidence in the judge trying this case and justice must not only be done but must be seen to have been done, I hereby transfer this case to Hon. Justice C. J. Aneke for hearing.”

A new date for the case before Aneke has however not been confirmed.

The matter will consequently begin afresh before the new judge, as the defendant will take his plea again.

During the trial before Olatoregun, the prosecution had called witnesses, from Zenith Bank, Diamond Bank, as well as a former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro.

According to the charge, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and Agbele were said to have taken possession of the sum of N1.2 billion, for purposes of funding his gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti State, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

Fayose was alleged to have received a cash payment of five million dollars, (about N1.8 billion) from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution and which sum exceeded the amount allowed by law.

He was also alleged to have retained the sum of N300 million in his Zenith Bank account and took control of the aggregate sums of about N622 million which sum he ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

Fayose was alleged to have procured De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd, to retain in their Zenith and FCMB accounts, the aggregate sums of N851 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.



Get more details here https://thickmatch.com/n69bn-alleged-fraud-chief-judge-transfers-fayoses-trial-another-judge/

The Emir of Rano, Alhaji Tafida Ila Autan Bawo on Thursday suspended two district heads over alleged insubordination by shunning the Sallah activities of the emirate.

The two suspended district heads are Bebeji , Alhaji Haruna Sanusi and Tudun Wada, Dr. Bashir Muhammad who are said to have their loyalty to Emir Muhammadu Sanusi ll and not to Rano new emirate.

The suspension was announced in a letter issued by the emirate Secretary, Muhammad Idris Rano and sent to the district heads., which also stripped them of their titles.

The Letter reads, “The suspension was due to the insubordination of the two titleholders to constituted authority as they refused to participate in the just concluded Sallah festivities of Rano first Class Emir despite invitations sent to them”.

The Emir also withdrew the titles of Dan Galadima Kano from Haruna Sanusi and Dan Kadai Tudun Wada from Dr. Bashir Muhammad

According to the emirate Secretary, the state ministry of local government and their respective local government councils have been informed of their suspension.

get more get here https://thickmatch.com/kano-emirate-new-emir-rano-suspends-district-heads-strips-titles/

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has declared that none of its members is involved in the alleged diversion of funds meant for local government administration in their states.

While condemning the suppression of local government through funds diversion, the governors challenged the Federal Government to publish names of state governors found culpable.

This was part of the resolutions made at the first post inauguration meeting of the PDP Governors Forum held at the Bayelsa State governor’s lodge in Abuja Thursday night.

Reading the communique of the marathon meeting on Friday morning, Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, the chairman of the forum, said the PDP governors condemned the issue of local government funds diversion in strong term.

He said, “We dealt with the allegation of alleged diversion of local government funds by state governments. And we condemned it in very strong term, we as governors on the platform of the PDP want to make it clear that no PDP governor is involved in this allegation of diverting local government funds for whatever purpose.

“In our case, the reverse is the case. It is the state government that have been supporting and subsidizing funding for the local government. So we call on the federal government and agency in charge to name the state governments and tell us the date and the people who were in charged as the time when this diversion took place.”

The governors, also at the meeting, declared their readiness to implement and pay the new N30,000 minimum wage to workers in their states while calling on Federal Government to review the current revenue sharing formula.

He said the PDP governors want to do so “to alleviate the plight of the long suffering Nigeria workers who have been under paid for long. And the workers who are currently groaning in economic hardship as a result of what has gone wrong with the economy since the APC government took over.”

Speaking on the suspension of the operating license of AIT and RayPower FM radio stations by the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation on Thursday, the governors condemned the act and urged the Federal Government to reopen the stations.

“The forum note the shocking intolerance and act of repression against the media by the federal government. This evening, as you are aware DAAR Communications we understand has been closed down. And our position is that due process must be followed.

“If there are any allegation of infraction, then due processes of the law should take place. Because when you short down news outlet, when you harass and intimidate journalists, then you are shutting down Nigerians from speaking their minds. And in democracy, freedom of expression is cardinal component.

“So we condemn what has taken place and we urge the federal government and its agency to forthwith, do what is right. That is reopen the company and follow the due process of the law,” he said.

The forum also commended the judiciary for exhibiting uncommon courage and for professionally discharging their responsibilities under the constitution to adjudicate dispute, adding that they are doing so under a very difficult time.

The governors expressed deep concern over the politicisation of the security apparatus in states by the federal government and its agencies, essentially in states not controlled by the ruling APC.

While believing that this is the reason for the widespread insecurity in the country, the governors resolved to take some of this issues up when they interact with the President Muhammadu Buhari.

The forum congratulated the party over an impressive outing in the last general elections, and congratulated returning and new governors, National and State assemblies members both outgoing and new, elected on the platform of the PDP.

The meeting had in attendance all the 16 PDP governors except the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, who was represented by his deputy.


Get more details here https://thickmatch.com/release-names-governors-diverting-lg-funds-pdp-governors-dare-buhari/

Naira Marley drops new music, “Opotoyi”

Naira Marley is here with another tune, “Opotoyi” produced by DJ Leo Mix up for download here.

Naira Marley still in EFFC custody for one or two reasons drops this new song as he has promised it’ll be out after Ramadan.

“Opotoyi” is being dropped with the help of his management and it’s a potential street jam.

Song by Naira Marley
Featuring: Nil
Album: Opotoyi- Single
Produced by: DJ Leo Mix
Release date: June 7, 2019.

Audio Player 

Download here https://thickmatch.com/naira-marley-drops-new-music-opotoyi/