FG Flags Off N-Power Batch C With 510 Beneficiaries

By Blessing Bature

The federal government of Nigeria has flagged off the onboarding of 510 N-Power beneficiaries in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

While onboarding Stream 1 of
N-Power Batch C on Monday at the NAF Conference Centre Abuja, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq congratulated the successful beneficiaries who made the final selection stage and charged them to make optimum use of the rare opportunity given to them.

Umar Farouq noted that changes have been made in the selection process of N-Power beneficiaries while pledging the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that the strategic objectives of all the National Social Investment Programmes are achieved.

“Some innovations have been introduced into the N-Power selection and payment processes such as the creation of the National Social Investment Management Systems (NASIMS), partnership with key MDAs including the NYSC, the UBEC, the NPHCDA, the NOA to mention but a few, with which the Ministry is leveraging to effectively implement its interventions.
“To ensure that the challenges of communication are addressed, regarding limitation of information flow and internet access across the country, the Ministry has provided access to information via a USSD code. The USSD short code *45665# will provide the required connectivity and technical support for the provision of information services to our beneficiaries”.

The minister thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his administration’s unwavering efforts in eradicating poverty in the country and sustaining the National Social Investment Programnes. She also appreciated the National Assembly members for appropriating funds to execute the N-power programme and for their oversight in ensuring that the programmes were implemented as approved.

And presented engagement letters to some of the successful beneficiaries.
The Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment Amb. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum, Minister of Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen, United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria Edward Kallon, Former Rivers state Governor and the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass, Bayelsa State Alfred Diette Spiff and other dignitaries were among those who gave goodwill messages at the flag off.

Popular music artist D’bang also entertained the dignitaries at the event.
Batch C is divided into 2 streams. Stream C1 comprises 510,000 beneficiaries while stream C2 has 490,000 beneficiaries. Under the Batch C1, a total of 450,000 have been selected to benefit under the graduate component and 60,000 non-graduate beneficiaries.

The N-Power programme which specializes in Agriculture, Health, Teaching, ICT, Entrepreneurship and Building, deploys an online application and selection strategy to ensure fairness, transparency and credibility in the recruitment process.

CYMS Advocate For Peaceful Coexistence


By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja


The Committee Of Youth On Mobilization and Sensitization (CYMS) has called for peaceful Coexistence among Nigerian youths and advised Nigerian youths to desist from acts capable of disintegrating the country and embrace peace.

The Director General, CYMS, Comrade Obinna Nwaka made this call during a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Interreligious Council intimating the council of the organization's readiness to forge a partnership that will enhance peaceful Coexistence and stability in the country.

He said "as CYMS remains focused on its 2020 agenda of empowering the youth, a peaceful atmosphere remains imperative for the actualization of our agenda, saying that the recent situation in the country calls for concern and as an organization we will continue to do our best to bring calmness to the country.

"We are proactive and have taken a technical approach towards confronting few challenges that led to recent nationwide protest and unrest by the Nigerian Youth, which we announced few weeks ago.
We are still Monitoring and Evaluating all processes, in due we shall be doing a paper presentation in a Conference to address Peace in Nigeria.
At CYMS, we are not just Leaders but also good Readers".

He however encouraged Nigerians to embrace a book tittled "Dialogue in Context" A Nigerian experience as autographed by the organization's Executive Secretary (the Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC) Executive Secretary Fr Prof Cornelius.

The Executive Secretary, NIREC, Fr. Prof. Cornelius commended CYMS for the role they play in Nation building and also assured them of a good working relationship with the council.

The CYMS delegation was led by the Director General, Ambassador Obinna Nwaka comprises of other five (5 ) National Officers; Yerima Aminu Isa Ahmadu, Tonto Dikeh, Adeyemi Qudus, Chima Maurice and Aisha Baiyee Ibrahim.

CYMS PAID COURTESY VISIT TO MINISTER OF SPECIAL DUTIES


In our usual way of engagement, today 5th November 2020 we paid a courtesy visit to Senator George Akume the Honourable Minister of Special Duties & Inter-governmental Affairs who was ably represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Chris Tarka who gave us warm reception.

The meeting was impactful as we interacted on current situation and youth engagement in National development.

The Committee of Youth on Mobilization and Sensitization (CYMS) had 8 Man Delegation from the NEC including the Benue State Chapter, Coordinator Mr John Okpa.

The delegation was led by Mr Obinna Nwaka Director General while others officials in attendance were
Yerima Aminu Isa the Secretary General
King Tonto Dikeh, Director, Socials and Empowerment.

Adeyemi Qudus, Director, Logistics
Chima Maurice, ICT Director
Mr Otobong Gabriel Director Media and Taiye Akintola our Admin Officer.

London Bridge Business school honors Tom Ohikere with a doctoral award


Otobong Akpakpan, Abuja

The Africa Institute of Public Administration (AIPA), an affiliate of the London Bridge Business School has conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration DPA award on one of Nigerian leaders, Dr. Tom Ohikere, a two time commissioner of Information of Kogi and publisher of APC News Online on Saturday 5th of September 2020 at Nigeria’s country office, Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman Governing Council of the Africa Institute of Public Administration, Accra Ghana on the occasion of the investiture Ceremony while conferring the Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration DPA to Dr. Tom Ohikere said that the choice of Ohikere for the first ever single investiture ceremony of the Institute is as a result of his outstanding personality as a true ambassador, a role model, motivator and pathfinder whose positive communication , consistent leadership Style, track records of experience and dexterity have produced evident results and generated in others the instincts to do the same if not more.

"It is with immense pleasure that I welcome all of you to this historic occasion marking the 4th Investiture ceremony of the Africa Institute of Public administration for the Honorary Award Doctorate Degree in Public Administration by our learning partners on an illustrious son of Kogi state and identified humble leadership icon and creative thought leader in Africa. On behalf of the board of trustees, the governing council, management and staff of the institute, I welcome you all to this auspicious occasion in order to launch out yet another enterprise star, role model and motivator to the Africa space, who will go to the African community and grow more leaders."

According to the Chairman, the Africa Institute of Public Administration AIPA, was established in 2010 in Ghana and today has spread across 12 other countries in Africa, is the continent’s professional education platform founded on the ideal philosophy to offer practical finishing learning solutions to innovate and reshape the operationalization of management and leadership of government systems in Africa, most especially to drive human capital revolution in the administration of policies, people and resources to place governance at the centre of development of the people in Africa.

"Today the institute has rolled out numerous trademark executive learning and public work system improvement diet that are research based but practical in delivery. We are proud that we serve as the network Centre connecting and synchronizing leadership practices and experience within Africa, underpinning the lessons for country level strategy, performance benchmarking and in some case policy overhaul to strengthen the capacity of public institutions and governments for growth and advancement of states in Africa. Also through research efforts and strategic collaboration conducted empirically directed comparative appraisals of socio-economic developments of other regions vis-à-vis states in Africa in a peer-to-peer review protocol which draws inferences and lessons that contribute the public policy ecosystem in the governance of nations of Africa. "

AIPA has been in the forefront of constructing a leadership pipeline across Africa by interface of the experienced icons with upcoming group leaders. Through our learning programmes, engagings and publications, we walk our talk that AIPA is simply put; where leaders grow leaders. This is the primary goal and responsibility of any leadership.

AIPA has a regional education system in the study and practice of public administration, belongs to many professional organizations and possesses the right accreditations for its operations as well as the necessary affiliation to superior academic institutions to make it stronger and more capable to deliver on its mandate. Today the Institute has obtained membership and accreditations of eight organization including regulatory bodies like the International Network for Quality Assurance AGENCIES IN Higher Education, Barcelona. European Association for Public Administration Accreditation, Netherlands, and Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges and Universities, UK among others.

Linkages and international collaborations and affiliations increase the velocity of the attainment of competency, academic and institutional growth. Two years ago AIPA successfully attained full affiliation with the London Bridge Business School, UK and signed a Bilateral Academic Agreement (BAA) which has greatly impacted on the institutional performance of the Institute.

Given this arrangement, we identified the need to build a strong community and network of African leaders who are unleashing innovative leadership at micro levels across organizations, public institutions and governments in Africa and bestow on them a drown that is befitting of their experience, contribution, dedication and sacrifice as a leader to stand them out as iconic examples that will inspire others.

"We have conducted three open ceremonies in London, Dubai and Accra. Among this Gap of exemplary African leaders who have received the honor are Adamu Muhammed Bulkachuwa, a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Daniel Lubuwa, Registrar in the Judiciary of Uganda and Hon. Justice Stephen Kavuma, Deputy Chief Justice Emeritus of Uganda. Others include Walton Ekundayo, Managing Director of a leading bank in Sierra Leone, Dhadho Gaddae, H.E. Governor Tano River County of Kenya, Hon Pendukeni Ithana, Former Minister and members of parliament Namibia, Mpho Kuano of Botswana, Ernest Mintah of Ghana, Kimani Njoroge of Kenya, and Timothy Olawale, Director general of Employers Consultative Assembly, Nigeria, just to mention only a few."

And hoped that this singular honor will give the awardee a deeper and wider roadmap to build a sense of commitment and innovations in the leadership and management of our common-cause.

Receiving the award, Ohikere thanked the institution for the honors and promised to leverage on the teachings and leadership principles of the institution to better the lots of the Nigerian state and be more committed to his mission for the nation.

"I cherished the doctorate award coming from the London Bridge Business school, this singular honour and recognition by this prestigious institute is a welcomed motivation to do more"

Productivity Should Be The Correct Criterion For Continued Employment- Ohikere



Following the purported compulsory retirement of the clerk of the National Assembly Mr Sani-Omolori and no fewer than 160 other officers including the Secretary of the national assembly, a two time former Commissioner of Information of Kogi, Dr. Tom Ohikere has argued that it is wasteful to compel productive workers to retire at an arbitrary chronological age despite the resolution of the 8th National Assembly on the conditions of service of staffs which raised retirement age from 60 to 65 years and years of service from 35 to 40.

It is crystal clear that the leadership of the 9th National Assembly is looking into the position being canvassed by the commission but finds it intriguing that the National Assembly Service Commission has unilaterally gone ahead to take a decision, otherwise the National Assembly Service Commission does NOT have the powers to set aside the Revised Conditions of Service as passed by the 8th National Assembly.

"The Resolution of the 8th National Assembly on the Conditions of Service of Staff has not been rescinded nor abdicated by the National Assembly, who under the authentic National Assembly Service Act 2014 as passed is empowered to review any proposed amendment to the Conditions of Service by the Commission".


Ohikere said that productivity should be the correct criterion for continued employment.

"In Nigeria the retirement age for Judges, University Professors and Registrars was raised to 70, and 65 for other academics. The Daily Trust on June 6, 2019, reported that the Federal Government was considering raising the retirement age to 65 for school teachers. The Federal Ministry of Finance said it will not oppose a Bill to that effect. Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Barrister Yakubu Dogara, assured visiting leaders of the Nigerian Union of Teachers that the National Assembly would support it.

In a tacit way, under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the retirement age of some Federal Permanent Secretaries was raised by at least one year. The official reason was to enable them put new Ministers through on policies and ensure smoothness in implementing those policies.
As stated earlier, another reason for raising the retirement age in some countries is largely the inadequacy of money to cater for a large number of retirees, especially from ever shrinking budgetary provisions from which the defined benefit system is funded.

From 2007 to date, over 80 countries around the world have raised the retirement age for their workers. The retirement age in Libya was raised to 70 years in 2017. Most of Europe is moving toward fixing 67 years as the age of retirement. The retirement age is 68 in the Netherlands.

It is therefore unjustifiable for the National assembly service commission to attempt to set aside an amendment that was passed by the 8th National Assembly because of a targeted interest, Nigeria will not continue to be overwhelmed by personal interest of some sec which do not represent the interest of the country.

CAACASVI COMMENDS MALAMI FOR STEMMING OUT CORRUPTION



A civil society organisation, Citizens Awareness Against Corruption And Social Vices Initiative (CAACASVI) has commended Abubakar Malami (SAN), the attorney general of the federation for his doggedness in fighting corruption irrespective of whose leg is bruised.

The Executive Director, CAACASVI, Comrade Olumuyiwa Onlede said in a statement in Abuja that the leadership of Abubakar Malami (SAN) as the attorney general of the federation has proven beyond doubt that no matter how highly placed someone can be and no matter the position such a person occupies, no Nigerian is above the law.

He however said that the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) as the president of the federal republic of Nigeria and the subsequent appointment of Abubakar Malami (SAN) as the chief law officer of the Federation has no doubt being a good omen for the war against corruption, and this is evident considering some difficult decisions taken by the attorney general in the past few years and in a way that suggest that the present anti corruption war being championed by President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) has no sacred cow.

Looking at the suspension and prosecution of justice Walter Onnoghen the then CJN for allegation of misconduct and now the suspension of Ibrahim Magu the acting Chairman of EFCC.
These actions should motivate every civil society organisation and all well meaning Nigerians who are in the business of agitating and advocating for good governance to see these bold actions by the Attorney general as a commendable one and should be encouraged to do more.

There is no doubt the issue of corruption has been the bane of Nigeria underdevelopment from time immemorial and having President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and Abubakar Malami (SAN) at the center of anti graft war so far is something that deserve commendation by well meaning Nigerians, haven said that, we assert that in as much as it is the constitutional duty of HAGF as the chief law officer of Nigeria to recommend the prosecution of any Nigeria citizen no matter how highly placed who must have engage in any misconduct or heard in the law, we believe the action and role of HAGF in Ibrahim Magu’s saga is in order.

While urging Nigerians who are privileged to occupy high offices, even if it is advisory to always watch their utterances within the public space, because it is either you are for the present anti corruption war as being prosecuted by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) or you are against same. Those who believe in conspiracy theory and are in the business of calling the players in the anti corruption war names should look at the war in its objectivity.

The prosecution of Walter Onnoghen and Ibrahim Magu is a clear evidence that President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) do not seek favour or arm twist his appointees and that the independence of institutions is his priority.
"We hereby commend HAGF Abubakar Malami (SAN) for his effort at repositioning the image and integrity of Nigeria among comity of nations, we also admonish not to be distracted in the discharge of his constitutional duties. We believe it should now be clear to all Nigerians that whatever bad names the HAGF has been called in the media space does not reflect the reality about on ground, the question is, if Abubakar Malami (SAN) was in the business of seeking favour from Walter Onnoghen and Ibrahim Magu, whence the decision to recommend their suspension would have been a difficult one. Also if there are contrary claims with evidence against the HAGF we urge Ibrahim Magu to tender same for Nigerians to see".

Illegal Mining by Dangote And Its Massive Destruction of Rural Lives in Kogi State - Tom Ohikere




Dangote Group has been carrying out illegal mining activities in Ankpa and its environs in Kogi state without regards to extant laws guiding such activities, milking their God given resources with impunity, pollutes their water, encroach their land, damage their roads and cause erosion to the communities without necessary compensation. His Coperate Social Responsibility is almost zero.

Ankpa is a big town in Ankpa LGA, Kogi State. It is about 170.5 kilometres to Lokoja, the state capital. It is one of the few towns that can pass-off as urban with relatively good roads and also serves as the main town to Onupi, Awoakpali, Okaba and several other rural settlements in the LGA.

For almost six years, Dangote Coalmine Company operated on the minefield with no recourse to the Community Development Agreement ( CDA). It continued its illegal operation, until September 2016 when it commenced coal excavation in Awoakpali and Onupi communities.
Initially, Dangote Coalmine started coal exploration in Onupi village in 2014 without proper community consent – an exercise against the mining regulation. The Act says there must be consent and the CDA must have been signed to show approval of the host community prior mining activities. It is usually an indication that the host community have given their consent and had not been exploited in anyway. In fact, the CDA is a major requirement to acquire a mining lease from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD) before proper excavation could commence.

But that was not the case, according to a report by the former youth leader Dominic Onupi “We just saw them in the bush working So we challenged them,” he told the ICIR.
“After a while, they claimed the deceased HRH. Alh. Ahmadu Yakubu, Ejeh of Ankpa gave them a go-ahead for exploration on the sites having signed a consent letter. But it turned out to be a different community, so they left for Awoakpali with their equipment.”

In Awoakpali, Adejoh, former Chairman of the community development association narrated an almost similar story. The only difference is that those whose land was captured started receiving benefits for crop losses only in 2016.
“We just saw them in the bush in November 2015 so our youths stopped them from working,” says Adejoh.
By January 2016, the mining firm had invited two community representatives – Elder Daniel Adejoh and a chief from Awoakpali to sign CDA without inputs or representation of the community’s lawyer.

“The following day, they brought the agreement drafted by the company. We were all novice. So we were compelled to sign.”
“Our only input in the former CDA is the name of the community,” Adejoh adds.

The Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIRECO) Office which represents both State and Federal officials in Kogi was reportedly in the dark, they were unaware of the agreement.
However, after the old CDA was signed, compensations were paid for the tree crops. Adejoh described the compensation as grossly inadequate, as also mentioned by another. The community leaders said they did not know that the excavations would take almost half of the community’s farmland.

This mining activities has caused lots of damage to the well being of the people resident in these communities, sicknesses that were alien to the communities has now become what they have to live with. Miscarriages and other forms of ailment is rampaging the lives of these people and leading some to untimely death.

Environmental impact of coal mining in host communities visited during this investigation revealed constant reduction in farm yields. Sadly, the level of destruction to farmlands in Onupi, for instance, is better imagined. Its effect on farmers, especially women cannot be overemphasized.

Millions of farmers are facing shrinking harvests, because their lands are being degraded under a scorching sun; fishing villages have been swallowed up by rising sea levels and whole roads and towns have fallen into erosion gullies, contamination of streams when effluents from the mines are washed down during wet season due to the landscape has become reality in the host communities of Awoakpali and Onupi.
“It cost trillions of Naira to restore livelihoods and pacify conflicts arising from resource scarcity and migration”.

According to a recent report, gastrointestinal diseases, liver damage, kidney and nerves defeat among other health conditions are susceptible to the rural communities in this coal mining villages as a result of dust challenge and soot during the dry season in these affected settlements.

Other farmers shared almost similar stories of how effluent from the Mines is washed to the farms, especially during wet season causing crop losses. Though, compensation was given by the mining firm, as revealed by two of the farmers, but claimed the pay came once after years of repeated losses.
Again, Section 61 of the Mining Act addresses concerns on the waste water from the mine. The Act charges every license holder to, “conduct exploration activities in a safe, friendly, skilful, .efficient, and workmanlike manner in accordance with the regulations;
“…not abstract, divert or discharge water or effluent from any Watercourse except in compliance with a water-use permit and regulations.”

The Wanton Exploitation Of Coal By Dangote Group, An Abuse Of Nigerian Minerals And Mining Act 2007 - Tom Ohikere





The Nigerian businessman, founder and chairman of an industrial conglomerate in Africa " Dangote Group" who is also the richest man in Africa, Alh. Aliko Dangote owns the biggest cement factory in sub-Saharan Africa " the Obajana plant" in the Western Kogi State expected to produce about 10 million tonnes of cement a year.

It is one of the country's biggest investments outside the oil sector in recent years. He also operates Coalmine in Ankpa, Kogi state.



His presence in Kogi state supposed to be a blessing and a boost to the economy of the state but instead residents have begun to develop health challenges ranging from eye problems to respiratory difficulties due to the poor mining methods applied in harnessing the coal for powering his factory. This is a double whammy as the Coronavirus attacks the respiratory system in human beings.



Dangote Coalmine for over a decade had been spewing fumes and greenhouse gases into the environment, exposing residents to attendant health risks. His mining activities has created a long term health risk and potential looming environmental disaster for residents and future generations.



The concentration of toxic residues from coal mining, the geological hazards and ecological disturbances of flora and fauna are major challenges from coal mining. There are concerns that Kogi lacks adequate records of transactions and the exact inventory of traded mineral treasures and the impacts on the environment. Surely, there are damaging environmental effects from coal mining across the country aside from the potentials as mentioned earlier. While the ecological problems emanate from the activities of artisanal and small scale mining types, the impacts consist of toxic pollution of air, degradation of arable land, habitat loss, and contamination of water resources.



Additional impacts involve the incursion of built up areas into the natural environment, the littering of mining wastes and abandoned quarries and radioactive contamination are fatal to the communities of operation.



These negative externalities would not have emerged in their lethal forms had there been no interactions between operators "Dangote " and the mining sites, hence the ecological mishaps.



The ecological anomalies do not occur in a vacuum; they are attributed to a host of socio-economic elements, made up policy, economic variables, the inadequate data, infrastructure and the activities of the informal sector. This stems partly from the fact that mining industry is largely underdeveloped and dominated by informal miners scrubbing minerals to make ends meet with little regulatory oversight to ensure conformance to operational information systems in tracking the patterns and forms of mining impacts standards.



Despite the exploitation of resources by the Dangote Group in the area, the people lacked infrastructure and are not employed by the organisation, the few he employed are been sacked on daily basis. This wanton destruction and exploitation of its resources, the environment, its people, its infrastructure and lack of employment opportunities for indigenes and residents of Kogi State is unpatriotic and detrimental to the Kogi project.



The Dangote trucks have destroyed the road infrastructure in Kogi State from Okaba/Odagbo in Ankpa to Itobe to Ajaokuta and its bridge through to Okene/Lokoja to Obajana, due to the overturned trucks to potholes to a huge number of deaths due to truck accidents and a whole lots of infractions.

Whatever he is giving to Kogi state now is a matter of minimum investment instead of the anticipated maximum amount on the investment and if the law of derivation formula is adopted in Kogi State, it supposed to bring in more revenue for the government, while the original master plan provides for maximum return from Dangote to Kogi state on social responsibilities.



Dangote group has failed to comply with the guiding principles of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act at the project onset.

“(1) The public or private sector of the economy shall not undertake or embark on or authorise projects or activities without prior consideration, at an early stage, of their environmental effects.

“(2) Where the extent, nature or location of a proposed project or activity is such that it is likely to

significantly affect the environment, its environmental impact assessment shall be undertaken in accordance with the provisions of this Act,” Section 2 (1)(2) of the Act states.



However according to the recent report as a result of the manifestation of some health challenges within the communities of operation coupled with the complaints of some community women of the taste of their water, the ICIR subjected the water to Laboratory test to ascertain the hygienic level of the provided borehole facility, which indicted Dangote mines, shows contaminated water.



“It tastes oily and strange,” women who were at the borehole facility told this reporter during the visit. The essence of the test is to establish if the water body contained carcinogenic or harmful elements that could be harmful to public health such as lead or other harmful chemicals.

Initially, four samples were taken for study by the reporter from two communities Onupi and Awoakapli where active mining is taking place by the Dangote Coalmines. The samples were stream and borehole water from the communities.



But for the purpose of reliability, an independent body was later consulted by the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), to visit the host communities for fresh samples and subsequent test.

The laboratory tested for hard metals such as Lead, Cadmium, Chromium including Sodium and Manganese among others. However, the test result showed a significant concentration of dangerous microbial elements- water and soil in comparison with the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard.



The United Nations body on climate change among other global experts attributed human actions to increasing change of climate and its adverse effects. These effects have led to rising sea level, flooding, extreme weather conditions and drought currently experienced in Kogi.



His laxity in the area of social corporate responsibility to Kogi state and commitment to the Community Development Agreement (CDA) will no longer be compromised, as the lives of residents are at risk.



In conclusion, in the days ahead, i will explain in details on every factor here.

Ohikere Okays The Appeal Court Judgment, Trivializes The Statement Issued By The State PDP Faulting Its Judgement


Following the controversial publication in a statement issued by the Kogi state chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the appeal court verdict on Saturday that affirmed Yahaya Bello as the Kogi state Governor, PDP and its candidate Musa Wada said the judgment was a travesty of justice and threatened to claim it at the supreme court.

Tom Ohikere, a former Commissioner of Information of Kogi and stakeholder of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in a press release described PDP as corrupt party who are bent at cutting corners to get mandate but has failed in the case of Kogi Governorship because the good people of the state who voted Yahaya Bello into office knows what they want having tested Bello for the first term confirmed his credibility and capacity to lead the state to the next level of economic prosperity.

"PDP is known for falsehood without prove, money bagged politics, and all sorts of irregularities"

Recall, Justice Haruna Tsamani who delivered the lead judgment held that the appellants merely dumped their documents on the tribunal without calling relevant witnesses to link the documents to the allegation of over-voting, hence held that the allegations of over-voting, multiple thumb-printing, and results falsification were not proved by the appellants and therefore affirmed Yahaya Bello as the Kogi state Governor.

So PDP's Wada and his group should stop wasting borrowed money over a futile case and join hands to build the state if he ever meant well for the state as he claimed, its clear that GYB won the election unquestionably and the appeal court has also confirmed Bello as the valid winner of the election.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu: Nigeria's Most powerful politician.

By Dr Tom Ohikere

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one unique Nigerian personality with imposing features, strides and achievements. A politician, businessman and leader of thought, who has in the last 16 years risen to become the El Generalissimo of Nigerian Politics and his self-belief, sagacity, decorum, vision and dexterity in the coordination of human resources in leading the party to the height it has attained today is uncommon.

Apart from President Muhammadu Buhari, he is another politician that vehemently refused to collapse his political structure, to join the ruling party, then the Peoples Democratic Party.
Even when his government was at loggerheads with the Federal over allocations, due to the creation of Local Council Development Areas. He was firmed and unwavering to the antics of the then Obasanjo administration.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu rather through his economic team devised ways of surviving, by deploying new strategies for internally generated revenue, that used to fund several State projects. He is the father of modern Lagos, the largest city in Africa and he has also been a powerful voice tackling the PDP led government for 16 years, on its policies and programs for the nation which brought to limelight, the ruling All Progressive Congress APC, which came into power with anger to fight corruption bedevilled by the 16years of PDP led administration.

However recent events unfolding in the All Progressive Congress (APC) has triggered political observers to gush out unholy insinuations against the duo, saying President Muhammadu Buhari has betrayed the former Lagos State governor and national leader of the party Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for using his disposition as the father of the party and the President of the country to manage the crisis that was about pulling down the ruling party by dissolving the national working committee of the APC and subsequently inaugurated the care-taker committee.

It is erroneous to say that this decision by the President has in anyway jeopardize their relationship, Tinubu and President Muhammadu Buhari are still in good terms.

As a crusader of change, Tinubu has accepted the decision of Mr. President regarding the party's dissolution and still work together to ensure that the party deliver devidens of democracy to the Nigerian state as promised during their campaign. Remember the pro-Buhari alliance that Tinubu headed, the All Progressives Congress (APC), rallied elites around Buhari in the southwest, Nigeria's wealthiest region. That enabled Buhari to tackle a perception that his support lies only in the dust-blown, largely Muslim north. The religiously mixed southwest had voted overwhelmingly for Buhari.

Tinubu has become so many things to so many people in the Nigerian communities and Africa as a whole, to the supporters, Tinubu is a Yoruba Muslim, a wily political operator with a passion for getting the job done and a knack for picking bright, committed technocrats to do it. To critics he is a ruthless godfather who doles out lucrative contracts to his friends' firms, insists on installing his man in office and is capable of sending in street thugs if he fails to get his way.

He is a talent hunter, he put talents in his office, groom them and the best out of them, he is the tallest person politically today in the Nigerian politics who has groomed so many politicians today, like the Osinbajo, Fashola, Fayemi, Oyetola, Gbajabiamila, Faleke, Ambode, Fowler, Aregbesola, Sanwo-Olu, the seating governor of Lagos state and many others, this has substantiated his role as one of Nigeria's most powerful political godfathers.

As a tactical politician, and an indomitable opposition leader who is endowed with sheer organisational ability, mobilisation prowess, uncommon acumen and foresight, dogged in his politics, he is firm and resolute about what he wants and believes in. In 1998 he was among the die hard political class in the group ‘Afenifere’, insisting that Nigeria needs a true and participatory democracy.
He damned the consequences of putting up a resistance to the Military Junta of Late Gen. Sani Abacha, risking his life which paid off with the untimely demise of the dictator.
This gave him the capacity to re-launch into the new political frontier of the 4th republic, where he joined the Alliance for Democracy and emerged the Civilian Governor.

The APC, which came to power on anger over corruption and growing insecurity, was orchestrated by the Jagaban Ahmed Bola Tinubu through the pro-Buhari alliance which he headed, the All Progressives Congress (APC), rallied elites around Buhari in the southwest, Nigeria's wealthiest region. That enabled Buhari to tackle a perception that his support lies only in the dust-blown, largely Muslim north. The religiously mixed southwest had voted overwhelmingly for Buhari.

Jagaban's curve has not yet peaked the political plateau, he remains dogged in the Nigerian politics and his indelible footprints in the affairs of Nigerian development will continue to speak for him, he is too busy for the luxury of hasty, ill-conceived utterances and will not be cow to the demands of those who press for him to make a fractionating statement on the President decision as the opposition party expect, he is a crisis manager, the builder of modern Lagos state and seemingly the power behind the intellectual content of the APC.

Asuku Must Not Be Misconstrued, He Didn't Insult Christians - Ohikere


Following the recent uproar in the Ebira land of Kogi state, a former Commissioner of Information of Kogi, Dr. Tom Ohikere who also hail from that region has cautioned the anti people elements in Ebiraland not to overwhelm the polity on the issues of Bello’s Chief of Staff's statement "disparaging Christians while trying to address the leadership tussle between members of the Izala and the Tijanniyah sects, that has engulfed the Okene Central Mosque following the death of the Imam, Sheikh Musa Galadima last year that Asuku didn't insult Christians in any way.

Ohikere said Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and his Chief of Staff, Abdulkareem Jamiu Asuku has not on any occasion display any acts of religious bigotry, his administration has been fair in all sence of judgment to both the Muslims and the Christians alike and the good people of Kogi has been living together as a people created by one God, and cautioned that no one should spark or fuel crisis in the state.

"I am a catholic born but now worship with mountain of fire and miracle ministry. I am a practicing Christian with very strong belief in Christ, Religious leadership should be a devine call to serve for both the Muslims and Christians and should not be politicize to the extent of expecting a governor to leave issues of economic importance and got involved on selecting Iman if not for glutton and insensitivity of our minds".


Asuku didn't insult Christian religion and he will never do that with govt or without govt, he was only addressing the insensitivity of the people for fighting over religious leadership, he had helped both Christains and Muslim without discrimination and abuse of religion, so, his statement on 93.5 FM was a reference to the issues on ground among the Muslim Ummah, so my Christain brothers and sisters disregard any kind of misinterpretation from biased minds that are bent at defaming the Bello's administration at all cost.


For record purposes, Christians never worshiped in the confines of Government House in Kogi state and there had being Governors and Chief Of Staffers before the emergence of His Excellency. In all of these pre years , However, today there is a Christian Chapel in the Government House this is possible in the reign of Chief Pharm Abdulkareem Asuku Jamiu without any rumor of opposing such policy before or after it's implementation. This is an extreme show and display of religious tolerance on his part.

"I am very sure that the Christian association of Nigeria (CAN), in Kogi central can attest to the fact that the relationship between them, that's the government and the Christians is mutually beneficial and I advise my Christian brothers to differ from the faceless elements that are trying to misinform the public, Ebira Christians are too informed to be misled by shortsighted ones."


The said Abdulkareem Asuku Jamiu was paying NECO, WAEC, NABTEB, Empowering the market women, paying hospital bills as part of his humanitarian service to humanity and gave scholarship to our students in the higher institution of learning to both Christians and muslim.

"What he said was that the governor would not have been involved in the issue of chosing an Imam were it not for the fact that as the State’s chief executive, the security and well-being of the society rests on his shoulders.
“We won’t sit down and allow Ebira land to be engulfed in crisis, otherwise the governor is too big to come home and be participating in the process of picking an Imam”, he said in the 44 minutes, 20 seconds video.
Asuku warned Ebira youths against abusing the state governor on the social media, promising that one of such people would soon be made a scapegoat in order to serve as a deterrent to others.

It is however not new that people would be looking for imaginary fault lines in the administration to magnify instead of encouraging the governor for all his achievements including seeing us through the facade called Covid-19 and protecting his people accordingly, he said. Adding that Peace has come to stay in Kogi central and there is nothing the evil ones can do to make it change.

CYMS Hails Gambari's Sterling Qualities, Calls For Synergy



The Pro-government organization, Committee of Youth on Mobilization and Sensitization (CYMS) has commended the sterling qualities of the newly appointed Chief of Staff to Mr President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari as a highly distinguished diplomats and bridge builder whose administrative ingenuity is unrivalled and called on all stakeholders and the Nigerian communities to synergize with him to deliver this onerous task.

Speaking in an interview with newsmen on Friday, 22nd May, 2020 in Abuja, the Patron, Committee of Youth on Mobilization and Sensitization (CYMS), Alh. Bala Usman said Prof. Ibrahim Gambari is a golden asset to the President Muhammadu Buhari's administration especially at this challenging moment where Covid-19 global pandemic has crippled the economy.

Usman said the appointment is a pleasant recognition of Gambari’s distinguished pedigree and a confirmation of his enduring commitment to national development and capacity to mobilize human and natural resources for a common purpose, and hoped to see him utilise his skills in serving the country.

He advised the Chief of Staff not to allow himself to be distracted by mischieves who are bent at defaming the Buhari's led administration but to be focused and ensure that the President interest is protected while delivering the next level agenda of the administration for the common benefits of all as Nigerians expects much from him.

The CYMS Patron, Bala Usman, a Kano born businessman and politician reiterated his commitment to Buhari's led adminstration, aligned himself with the organizations congratulatory message by the Director General, Mr Obinna Nwaka immediately he was appointed as Chief of Staff and also urged other political appointees and Nigerians at large to support Professor Agboola Ibrahim Gambari in prayers.

The Committee of Youth on Mobilization and Sensitization (CYMS) is a pro- government's evaluation & monitoring organization established to sensitize Nigerians both in Diaspora and across the federation on the achievements of the federal government and to mobilize the Nigerians to key into the Federal Government policies and programmes to ensure National Development.

The CYMS comprises of erudite young youth groups on Government policies with the drive to champion peaceful and progressive coexistence of the diverse ethnic groups across the federation with formidable structure ranging from National Executive Council, State Coordinators, LGA Coordinators and Wards.

Bulama's Appointment: Ohikere Slams Shuaibu


The Former Commissioner of Information of Kogi state and a staunch APC Stakeholder has on Thursday voiced out his stands over the purported crisis in the ruling All Progessive Congress (APC), saying that the unruly behaviour exhibited by Lawal Shuaibu, APC Deputy National Chairman for the North is a clear display of shameful acts of indiscipline and political rascality.”

He said for Senator Shuaibu who was recalled from suspension as part of resolution of the lingering crisis that rocked the party to describe the decision and subsequent appointment of Arc. Waziri Bulama as the acting National Secretary of the APC by the Leadership of the party as "Nullity" is undemocratic and unorthodox and his plot to disintegrate the party would not be fruitful, he should retrace his steps for the interest of the party, he added.

Ohikere said Sen Lawal Shuaibu has no moral standing to challenge the decision of the Leadership of the party having beeing one of the principal causes of the crisis that led us to losing every thing in Zamfara. Adding that Shuaibu is neither the party's publicity Secretary nor legal adviser so should not infiltrate the atmosphere with statements capable of disintegrating the party that took years of cooperate efforts and sacrifice to build " the party's interest remains sacrosanct and would not be subjugated to anyone's personal interest "

The party statesman however without hesitation, expressed his undiluted and absolute confidence in the sterling and patriotic leadership of the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, who has been doing excellently well and won two tough elections . He commended the choice of Arc. Waziri Bulama as the acting National Secretary of APC saying its the right decision at this point, adding that Bulama is the best man for the job.

He said Bulama is an organizational reformer of proven capacity and his role in the Presidential election was undeniably superb.

"Ach. Waziri is a man with impeccable character, a person that you can vouch for and is very hard working. He knows what to do per time. “In fact, he has already started doing that trying to work and carry everybody along so that APC should deliver on its mandate and that is what he is going to do”.

Recall, Giadom loses seat as acting National Secretary
During the brief suspension of Oshiomhole, Giadom had reportedly paraded himself as the acting national secretary , saying he was the most senior party official in the absence of the embattled APC chairman.
With Oshiomhole's victory, Giadom has lost the chance to parade himself as the acting national secretary . Also, he can no longer function as the acting national secretary as the party's National Working Committee has appointed Waziri Bulama as the acting national secretary.

For the party to remain strong in power we need someone who have what it takes to unite the party and take the party to greater height and not someone who is known for devide and rule.
Bulama is the man that can stabilize the party he should be allowed to pilot the affairs of the party as the acting National Secretary for the good interest of the party and advised him to accept reality and be a good sport man .

CYMS Congratulates Gambari On His Appointment As The New Chief Of Staff



The committee of youths on mobilization and Sensitization ( CYMS) has congratulated Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari (CFR) on his appointment as the new Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Director General of the Committee Of Youth On Mobilization and Sensitization, Comrade Obinna Nwaka in a statement issued on Friday by the Director Media, Comrade Otobong Gabriel described Gambari's appointment as a well deserved one rooted in his vast wealth of experience and loyalty.

He said as an academia, scholar and seasoned career diplomat who had served in various capacities both at home and on the international scene particularly at the United Nations, was no doubt fitted to the job.

According to Nwaka, Gambari would bring his unrivalled wealth of knowledge to bare in the discharge of his new responsibility as the Chief of Staff to the President and ‘engine house’ of the Presidency.

"The new chief of Staff, an Ilorin prince, born on November 24, 1944 is a scholar and seasoned diplomat, he served as minister of External Affairs between 1984 and 1985. He was appointed by former United Nations Secretary Ban Ki-moon and the chairperson of the African Union Commission as Joint African Union-United Nations Special Representative for Darfur in 2010.

"He also served as Special Adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and Other Issues for the UN Secretary General. Prior to that, he served as Under-Secretary General of the United Nation for the Department of Political Affairs (DPA)."

Gambari, as foreign minister, played a key role in quelling the diplomatic uproar generated by the failed attempt to kidnap Mallam Umaru Dikko from UK by the Buhari military government.

Nwaka however thanked Buhari for appointing Professor Ibrahim Gambari as his new Chief of Staff saying it is the right choice for such an enormous responsibility and prayed God to grant him the grace to contribute his wealth of experience towards actualising the next level agenda of the President.

While looking forward to forging partnerships that will continue to support the achievement of Nigeria's development agenda, he said.

COVID-19: Ohikere Doubts NCDC Figures


By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja

An Abuja based Kogite and APC Stakeholder of Kogi state Dr. Tom Ohikere expressed his dissatisfaction over the manufactured figures of covid-19 victims by NCDC on daily basis says its unpatriotic, imposing fear and panic among citizens. It is unimaginable that out of the 4,971 confirmed cases, 1070 discharged and 164 deaths in the country, nobody knows anybody that knows anyone that has been infected by Covid-19 virus.

Like the countries mostly hit by the Covid-19 example USA, Italy or Spain, the patients are mostly seen in ICU gasping for life and leaves in no doubt the seriousness of the COVID-19.

"But I live in Abuja and do have a sizeable number of contacts which comprised my family, neighbors, friends and professional colleagues.
Since the coming of this COVID-19 pandemic in China and subsequent infection of other countries of the world, I have been abreast of the news of the pandemic. How it was tackled in Wuhan, how Prime Minister of Britain Boris Johnson got infected, treated and discharged was well followed."

Here in Nigeria, NCDC on daily basis churn out figures of infected, discharged and those that unfortunately died from the virus. As of yesterday the 13th of May 2020, we had so far 4,971 confirmed cases, 1070 discharged and 164 deaths in the country. The FCT had 370 cases. So far I have not seen any of that I know who have tested positive to the virus and non of my contacts have seen anybody who have tested positive.

"Yesterday 13th of May being a 'Market Day' in the FCT, I went to restock my foodstuffs, I used the opportunity to ask my rice and been seller if she had seen or know anybody who had seen anybody that had tested positive and the answer was NO. I post the same question to my meat seller and got the same answer. Same with my grocery and gas sellers, I later drove to Apo mechanic village to effect a minor repair on my car. Both my mechanic and spare parts dealers also said they have not seen or heard of anybody who has seen a COVID-19 patient.

Ohikere said "last week, we watched the unfortunate incident in Gombe where COVID-19 patients left their Isolation Center to come and demonstrate on the highway of their poor treatment. Do you ever imagined that a truly infected COVID-19 patient will have the energy to do such?

I am not saying that the virus is not in Nigeria, but I do not agree with the figures coming from NCDC. Is it not curious that states Kogi, and Cross River that refused to cooperate with NCDC have no case COVID-19 neither do they record any unusual deaths?"

He said the Lockdown both full and partial have meted untold hardship on the citizens.
As it is Nigerians has started learning how to live with the Coronavirus just as they have learned to live with Malaria, HIV, Cancer, Pneumonia, lassa fever, Ebola etc.
Today, the Governor Zulum of Borno state has suspended all lockdown indefinitely after seeing that lockdown is counterproductive. Very soon other governors will follow suit.

Ohikere Congratulates New CoS, Gambari On His Appointment



Dr. Tom Ohikere, the Deputy National Chairman of the APC support Groups and the Managing Director of APC news online has congratulated Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari over his appointment as the new Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ohikere said in a statement issued to newsmen today that Gambari's appointment is a well deserved one rooted in his accumulated years of experience, dedication, loyalty and accomplishments.

"The new chief of Staff, an Ilorin prince, born on November 24, 1944 is a scholar, seasoned diplomat, he's a global citizen and a man of international repute haven served as minister of External Affairs between 1984 and 1985. He was appointed by former United Nations Secretary Ban Ki-moon and the chairperson of the African Union Commission as Joint African Union-United Nations Special Representative for Darfur in 2010.

"He also served as Special Adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and Other Issues for the UN Secretary General. Prior to that, he served as Under-Secretary General of the United Nation for the Department of Political Affairs (DPA)."

Gambari, as foreign minister, played a key role in quelling the diplomatic uproar generated by the failed attempt to kidnap Mallam Umaru Dikko from UK by the Buhari military government.

Ohikere however thanked Buhari for appointing Professor Ibrahim Gambari as his new Chief of Staff saying it is the right choice for such an enormous responsibility and prayed God to grant him the grace to contribute his wealth of experience towards actualising the next level agenda of the President.

While looking forward to forging partnerships that will continue to support the achievement of Nigeria and Africa’s devt agenda, he said.

2023 Election: Youth Group Woos Tinubu For Presidential Seat, Says He Is The Best Candidate From Southwest





As the Southwest APC is positioning itself for the presidency in 2023 based on a rotational arrangement in the polity, a support youth group, "Ahmed Tinubu Youth Support Organization" has voiced out their unwavering supports for the Jagaban, Ahmed Bola Tinubu presidency come 2023.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, the National Cordinator of the group, Comrade Olumuyiwa Onlede said Tinubu is the most prominent Yoruba person that has paid his dues and is knowledgeable enough about the politics of Nigeria, adding that no politician wields as much influence as Tinubu does today.

Onlede said that going by Tinubu's antecedents and pedigree he can run the affairs of Nigeria effectively and smoothly. He laid the financial engineering foundation for Lagos State, which explains why governors that came after him found it easy to run the affairs of the state and the reason why Lagos state remains the largest economy in Africa.


Before Tinubu became Lagos state Governor, Lagos was like a city buried in heaps of rubbish, a city almost swallowed up in crime, millions of unemployed youths, thousands of area boys on the street, decaying infrastructure, non impressive internally generated revenue and a city of over 10 million people as at of 1999 with hopelessly bad and damaged roads. The armed bandits also ruled the day and night. Lagos was Nigeria's nemesis. Everyone loved Lagos, but no one, not past military and civilian governors could do anything about it. Not even the federal government was willing to tackle the problems of Lagos. The narrative of Lagos was that of an abandoned and neglected former capital city which had become a no man's land.


He came in as an elected governor in 1999 after years of democratic struggle and a wealth of experience in the business world as an accountant and oil industry expert. Soon after he took over, he stamped both his vision and authority on the state of Lagos and in 8
years, the face, reputation of Lagos changed.


Asiwaju Tinubu Administration grew the budget size of Lagos State from N14.200 billion in 1999 to N240.866 billion in 2007


"So with his numerous achievements as a politician and leader, I am confident he can lead Nigeria well if he becomes president of the federal republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is and remains the tallest person politically today in the South-West so I will encourage and plead with him to run for the office of the president for the common benefits of all".

RAMADAN: CYMS Patron, Bala Usman Calls for prayers Amid Covid-19 Pandemic.

As the auspicious month of Ramadan starts, the Patron, Committee of Youth on Mobilization and Sensitization (CYMS), Alhaji Bala Usman has called for prayers for all Muslim faithfuls and Nigerians at large amid the dreadful Covid-19 pandemic that has eaten deep into the Nigerian economy and prayed that the crescent-shaped moon brighten their path toward enlightenment and may Allah bless Nigeria with peace and grace.

Speaking in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday in Abuja, Usman Bala the Kano born business expert and a politician said this year, Ramadan and social distancing have combined to give us ample opportunity for spirituality and introspection, so it is fitting to learn how gray hair has been perceived as a positive sign throughout religious history and its a great opportunity to be healthy as the fasting washes away toxic acid from the body and enable one to rest.

He however said that Ramadan is not only by fasting we need to feed the hungry, help the needy, guard our tongue, not to judge others and forgive, that is the spirit of Ramadan, he added.

He also advised Nigerian youths to exemplify the good teachings of Allah even as they fast and do abstinence every day of this holy month of Ramadan so that the spirit of faith, the warmth of love and the power of togetherness will radiate in our lives and push peace to transcend the earth, brighten up the world and grow hope to every Muslim's heart.

And encouraged all Nigerians around the country to still keep faith with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari even as they tackle the Covid-19 pandemic in the country and obey all the relevant precautions directed by the NCDC and WHO to put an end to this global pandemic so that our economy can be stabilised.

In conclusion, he commended the CYMS's Director General, Mr Obinna Nwaka on the organizations activities on Covid -19 programs across the States and its recent recognition, affiliation & partnership with the most famous international organization, United Nations (UN).

THE WOES OF CORRUPTION IN Nigerian DIPLOMATIC GOVERNANCE



By Dr. Tom Ohikere

It is an incontrovertible fact that corruption has been the bane of Nigeria’s development. Thus,

without mincing words the phenomenon has ravaged the country and destroyed most of what is held as cherished national values.

Unfortunately, the political class saddled with the responsibility of directing the affairs of the country have been the major culprit in perpetrating this act. Regrettably, the 16 years of PDP administration in the country has been the institutionalisation of corruption in all agencies of the public service, which, like a deadly virus, has subsequently spread to the private sector of the Nigerian communities.

Pathetically, the logic of the Nigerian political leadership class has been that of self-service as some of the leaders are mired in the pursuit of selfish and personal goals at the expense of broader national interest, emphasis has been on personal aggrandisement and self-glorification making corruption an euphemism for explaining political leadership in Nigeria in relation to the management of national wealth.

However, there is nothing wrong with the Nigerian land, climate, water, air, or anything else including the Nigerian institutions. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to their responsibility, to the challenge of personal example, which is the hallmark of true leadership.

Consequently, the state of Nigeria’s pitiable socio-economic development has been a direct consequence of the actions and inactions of the leadership class that has managed the affairs and wealth of the country since independence.

Over the years, we have seen the development of a vast system of institutionalised political corruption most times emanating from the very top and pervading all governmental institutions with perverse influence on the entire society.

Chief among the corrupt regime was the Goodluck Jonathan led administration from 2010 to 2015. In late 2013, Nigeria's then Central Bank governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi informed President Goodluck Jonathan that the state oil company, NNPC, had failed to remit US$20 billion in oil revenues owed to the state. Jonathan, however, dismissed the claim and instead and replaced Sanusi for his mismanagement of the central bank's budget.

A Senate committee also found Sanusi’s account to be lacking in substance. After the conclusion of the NNPC's account audit, it was announced in January 2015 that NNPC's non-remitted revenue is actually US$1.48 billion, which it needs to be refund to the government. Upon the release of both the PwC and Deloitte report by the government at the eve of its exit, it was however determined that truly close to $20 billion was indeed missing or misappropriated or spent without appropriation.

In addition to these, the government of Goodluck Jonathan had several running scandals including the BMW purchase by his Aviation Minister, to the tune of N255 million naira and security contracts to militants in the Niger Delta, massive corruption and kickbacks in the Ministry of Petroleum, the Malabu Oil International scandal, and several scandals involving the Petroleum Ministry.

In the dying days of Goodluck Jonathan's administration, the Central Bank scandal of cash tripping of mutilated notes also broke out, where it was revealed that in a four-day period, 8 billion naira was stolen directly by low-level workers in the CBN. This revelation excluded a crime that is suspected to have gone on for years and went undetected until revealed by a whistle-blower. The Central Bank claims the heist undermined its monetary policy. In 2014, UNODC began an initiative to help combat corruption in Nigeria.

New allegations of corruption have begun to emerge since the departure of President Jonathan on May 29, 2015, including: $2.2 billion illegally withdrawn from Excess Crude Oil Accounts, of which $1 billion supposedly approved by President Jonathan to fund his reelection campaign without the knowledge of the National Economic Council made up of state governors and the president and vice president.

NEITI discovered $11.6 billion was missing from Nigeria LNG Company dividend payments. 60 million barrels of oil valued at $13.7 billion was stolen under the watch of the national oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, from 2009 to 2012.

NEITI indicates losses due to crude swaps due to subsidy and domestic crude allocation from 2005 to 2012 indicated that $11.63 billion had been paid to the NNPC but that “there is no evidence of the money being remitted to the federation account”.

Diversion of 60% of $1 billion foreign loans obtained from the Chinese by the Ministry of Finance, Massive scam in weapons and defense procurements, and misuse of 3 trillion naira defense budget since 2011 under the guise of fighting Boko Haram.

Diversion of $2.2 million vaccination medicine fund, by Ministry of Health, Diversion of Ebola fight fund up to 1.9 bn naira, NIMASA fraud under investigation by EFCC, inclusive of accusation of funding PDP and buying a small piece of land for 13 billion naira.

Ministry of Finance led by Okonjo Iweala hurried payment of $2.2 million to health ministry contractor in disputed invoices, NDDC scams and multifarious scams including 2.7 billion naira worth of contracts that do not conform to the Public Procurement Act and the Police Service Commission Scam investigated by ICPC that revealed misappropriation of over 150 million nairas related to election-related training. ICPC made refund recommendations, but many analysts indicated prosecution was more appropriate.

Commenting on President Muhammadu Buhari APC led administration which insisted on rooting out Corruption squarely from the Nigerian nation occasioned by bad leaders.

There is nothing wrong with the Nigerian land, climate, water, air, or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to their responsibility, to the challenge of personal example, which is the hallmark of true leadership (Achebe, 1984: 1).

President Muhammadu Buhari came to power in the 2015 elections on the back of two key messages: improving the security environment and reviving the fight against corruption. On the latter, at least, he can point to some progress. His administration has worked more closely with the US, the UK, and various Middle Eastern countries to seize and repatriate assets from public officials that are suspected to have been purchased with illicit funds. Nigeria’s leading anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has also become more active. It has launched a series of investigations into former high-ranking public officials from previous administrations, in particular former cabinet officials, state governors and senior civil servants.

But all these efforts modelled to tackle corruption in the country is still proven abortive because of some certain individuals and directors of agencies who are bent at nothing to defame the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari most currently is the case of the PTF on Covid-19 and the NCDC this agencies need to be investigated by the anti graft agencies to regain the confidence of Nigerians on the present administration.

Because of the mounting panic and uncertainties over the ravages of COVID-19 worldwide, Nigerians are wracked by the double whammy of disabling fear over the scourge of the virus and bewildering COVID-19-inspired fraud by the administration.

Nigerians on social media justifiably say their country’s most pressing burden now is how to deal with the heartrending transmogrification of COVID-19 to COVIK 4-1-9 there.

While other nations are working day and night to reverse the effects of COVID-19 some Nigerians except for Lagos State for now, see the virus as an opportunity to perpetrate chicanery. The only silver lining in the dark clouds is that if the tragedy of the leaders’ fraud unravels, they would have nowhere to run to, EFCC and other anti grafts should be at the watch to bring sanity to the President Muhammadu Buhari's administration

Orji Kalu: - CAACASVI Commend Supreme Court for Upholding the Rule of Law.




A Civil Society Organization, Citizens Awareness Against Corruption and Social Vices Initiative (CAACASVI) has commended the Supreme Court for overturning the decision of a lower court jailing former Abia state governor and senator representing Abia north, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for fraud.


Justice Mohammed Liman was the judge who convicted Senator Kalu of N7.65billion fraud perpetuated when he was Abia State governor between 1999 and 2007. He was convicted alongside his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited and his former Abia State director of finance, Ude Udeogu.


However, the apex court in its judgment declared that the judgement delivered is set aside.

In a statement by its Executive Director, Comrade Olumuyiwa Onlede, it said the judgement proves that Justice Mohammed Liman who gave the initial judgement acted vindictively and in contravention of due judicial processes.

"This has also confirmed the suspicions of so many Abians and Nigerians at large that the conviction of Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as a predetermined exercise by his enemies who are bent of pulling him down at all cost just for their own benefit and not in any way for the benefit of Nigerians and the anti graft war.

"The fact that Justice Mohammed Liman who was sitting on the case as a Judge of the High court was elevated to the appeal court but still went back to the same high court to give a rulling on a pending case, has said it all and according to the supreme court as an abuse of process.

"It confirms that Justice Liman knowing full well that he no longer have jurisdiction to sit on any case in the high court base on his elevation was determined to jail Senator Orji kalu at all cost feigned ignorance because he was committed to that unfortunate act. The reason we don’t know but for whatever reason, it is a condemned able act

"This did not come to us as a surprise as we have always said it in the past that there is need for total reform of the judiciary if we are to make a headway in the fight against corruption.

"We Congratulate Senator Orji kalu for this judgement and urge him to be prepared to defend himself at any time he is called upon by a reputable panel that will give him fair hearing.

"We also congratulate Nigerians for the milestone that is recorded in the judiciary through the supreme court as we believe today judgement is not victory for the accused persons alone but for all Nigerians who sees the court as their last hope.

Group commends "knowledgeable" religious leaders in fight against COVID-19




A Civil Society Organization, Citizens Awareness Against Corruption and Social Vices Initiative (CAACSAVI) has commended what it called "Knowledgeable" religious leaders in the fight against the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

The group said their efforts had significant facilitated the efforts of the government and related agencies in curbing the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement by its Executive Director, Comrade Olumuyiwa Onlede, it said knowing the complexity of the Nigerian society and its sentiments when it comes to religious matters, these individuals, authorities and bodies have been instrumental in the the quest for a co-ordinated and equitable approach to managing the dreaded Corona virus pandemic in the country.

"We commend the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar IV, the President Jama’atu Nasir Islam (JNI) for his doggedness in the fight against Coronavirus pandemic, his efforts was evident in the series of media engagements and religious enlightenment which has gone a long way to educate Muslim faithfuls on the need to obey constituted authorities during lockdown and the need to maintain social distancing even when lockdown is no longer in place by enjoining them to adhere to directives of relevant health organisation especially NCDC,"

"We also appreciate the effort and support of the General overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor E.A Adeboye and Pastor Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Christian Center in feeding the people with the word of God about what the Bible says about pandemic situation like we find ourselves in this time of Coronavirus. There is no gainsaying that your sermon in support of various efforts by government at all level and other health agencies was able to calm nerves and subdue the dissenting voices of some unknowledgeable clerics whose mission in ministry is not to save lives spiritually and physically but that of wealth acquisition even to the detriment of their congregation,"

"Knowing full well that most Nigerians are overzealous when it comes to their various religion but without the basic understanding of the word, some bad elements in the name of cleric tried to use that opportunity to cause unrest in Nigeria during the lockdown but they failed due to the effort of this religious leaders and some others whose voices may not have been heard but were able to calm nerves within their own little way."

Alleged 7 Billion Naira Isolation Centre: Ohikere Condemns Unverified Utterances


By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja

The recent rumour going round in Kogi state regarding the alleged 7 billions naira spent on Covid-19 Isolation Centre by the Bello's administration is not only cheap but unpatriotic and act of mischief by political jobbers who are bent at defaming the state at all cost.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, Hon. Tom Ohikere, a two time commissioner of Information and APC Stakeholder in Kogi state refutes the information as false saying that the said Isolation Centre which is at the Federal Medical Center was built for Lassa Fever for the institution by the State Government. "The Federal Medical Center approached the State Government to help them put in place an Isolation Centre where Lassa Fever patients could be kept before their transfer to Management Centres" and was never meant for COVID-19 and it is unfortunate that some falsehood merchants are peddling ridiculous figures around as the cost of the centre, even without any papers or even the evidence of the Governor’s statement to that effect.

Recall that Kogi state till this moment has no record case of covid-19, it is rather unimaginable that Kogi will spend such amount on Covid-19 even at its present poor resources and Lagos the epicentre of the Covid-19 virus with its reach economic status have not spent such amount on Covid-19.

The State Government has recalled the Contractor to come and fix the damaged Isolation Centre. Storm destroys permanent structures. So it shouldnt be strange if a temporary Isolation Centre is affected by storm, he said.

"Kogi doesn’t have such resources and even if we do, they shall be expended on infrastructure and economic expansion program which have been the hallmarks of the Governor Yahaya Bello administration".

And called on those sharing the falsehood to reevaluate their rationality and hearken to the need for all men and women of goodwill to come together at this critical time to defeat the virus instead of spreading rumours that are inimical to the fight against the deadly Covid-19 virus.

Covid-19: Ohikere Faults NCDC Over Slow Response To Curtail Its Spread

By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja

As Covid-19 continues to spread like wildfire, a two time former Commissioner of Information, Kogi state Dr. Tom Ohikere has faulted the NCDC for their ineptitude to curtail the spread of the dreadful Covid-19 virus despite the resources at their disposal.

"The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) saddled with the responsibility of managing infectious diseases has not been doing enough to curtail COVID-19 despite availability of funds and other resources at their disposal. NCDC, rather than focus on their core mandate has been playing to the gallery and even chasing shadows when they’re supposed to face the curtailment efforts squarely".

He said the NCDC Director General, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu has been failing in his responsibilities as Chief Incident Commander in Nigeria, adding that the sporadic spread of COVID-19 in Kano was due to the slow response to SOS by families of suspected COVID-19 patients. For instance, it took efforts of prominent personalities and popular radio stations in Kano before NCDC swung into action after a viral audio message by a woman who lost her son-in-law to COVID-19. On Friday, the son of a 57 year old suspected COVID-19 patient in Kano said NCDC had taken his father’s sample for about a week and yet to confirm his status despite several calls.

Ohikere said such under-performance of NCDC at this critical period when humanity is under threat, is unpatriotic. Many Nigerians complained about NCDC’s negligence such as the inability to reach their hot lines, sometimes picking patients without oxygen, slow response time, abandonment of patients, ignoring SOS from citizens and other issues which escalated COVID-19 spread. In Lagos, a 60 year old lawyer died with COVID-19 complications after NCDC abandoned him in his residence, thus making the family members also vulnerable to the deadly virus.

He however commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his proactive steps taken to curtail the spread of the noble coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nigeria. The Presidential Taskforce headed by Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha has been briefing Nigerians daily about the ongoing efforts to curtail the deadly virus while state governors have deployed scarce resources to set-up isolation centres, Intensive Care Units (ICU), procured PPEs and other medical equipment to manage the pandemic in their respective states.

" these moves are commendable as no country in the world, including developed nations such as United States, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom were cut off guard by COVID-19".

And urged the NCDC to be purpose driven and focus on its core mandate and safe Nigerians from this dreadful pandemic as it’s becoming clear that NCDC DG is enjoying his agency’s peak period while many Nigerians are being exposed to COVID-19 due to their negligence. His actions and inactions are inimical to national strategy to tackle COVID-19. President Muhammadu Buhari and Anti-graft agencies should be on alert on alleged financial misappropriation in NCDC amidst this pandemic.

Ibaji Oil Belongs To Koji State- Ohikere


By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja


Following the controversial Ibaji oil crisis which has been on for a while now and has led to large scale destruction of property with loss of many lives. The Odeke and Aguleri communities of Kogi and Anambra states as well as the Igala speaking communities in Uzo-Uwani Local government area of Enugu State all laid exclusive claim to the ownership of the oil in the disputed area.

Hon. Ohikere a former Commissioner of Information, Kogi state has recently revealed that Kogi state remains the true owner of the Ibaji Oil Well and should be declared as one of the oil producing state in the country for the sake of justice .

Narrating the story, he said the history of oil exploration in Ibaji LGA which comes under Anambra Basin in geological terms dated back to 1952, when villages in this area formed the then Ibaji district of the Old Igala Native Authority in Kabba Province of the Northern Protectorate. It later fell into Kwara and Benue States at one time or the other and now a Local Government Area in Kogi State.

Between 1952 and 1986, three companies namely; Shell BP (now SPDC), Elf (now Total Fina Elf) and AGIP Energy have drilled 25 exploration wells, 2 appraisal wells and 8-core drill wells in the entire Basin out of which majority of the wells fall into Kogi State”. “The NNPC/NPDC on its own carried out seismic activities in the Anambra Basin in which Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi East was largely involved between 1976 and 1983; about 4,500km of 2D seismic were acquired.

From the report of NNPC, Oil and Gas was found to be in commercial quantity in Kogi State”. READ Add Skill Acquisitions to Your Formal Education, Otiti Counsel Youths According to the former chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area, Hon. Dave Ogwu; “During the exploration activities which includes among other things like cutting, shot holes drilling and exploration wells, compensation was paid to the people of Odeke, Echeno, Ihile, Anocha, Omabo, Ikah, Iregwu and Ujeh in Ibaji local Government Area of Kogi State respectively for damages caused on the farmland, economic trees, fishing ponds and shrine area as a mark of ownership of the land.

However, the exploration of Oil activities in Kogi State part of Anambra Basin was later abandoned until 18th July, 2001 when the executive governor of Kogi State, Late Prince Abubakar Audu wrote to the Group Managing Director of NNPC Abuja to remind him of earlier discovery of crude oil at Odeke, Echeno, and Anocha communities in Ibaji Local Government of Kogi State which was abandoned”. “As a follow up to this call, on 25th July 2001, a team of Geo-Scientist/Engineers was drafted to the area to carry out a very preliminary investigation on the claims of Kogi State Government. The resuscitation of these productive core wells in the area among other areas prompted the granting of an Oil License now known as Oil Prospecting License (OPL) 915 and 916 to an indigenous company known as Orient Petroleum Resources PLC.

Orient Petroleum Resources PLC has been taking Crude Oil from OPL 915 since 2012 till date. The percentages of crude oil in the OPL 915 among the three contesting states are as follows; Kogi State- 53%, Anambra- 23%, Enugu- 17% and Edo-3%. No drilling activity from the OPL 916 which belong to Kogi, Anambra and Delta States”. “The activities of Orient Petroleum Resources PLC after acquiring the license to operate OPL 195 and 196 in Ibaji communities are well documented in their communication with Kogi State Government.

These documentation span from letter of notification of commencement of exploration activities in Ibaji area, request for appointment of a Liaison officer who will interface between the company, the communities and the State Government on the issue of their activities, request for purchase of shares, report to Kogi State government on the disruption of activities by miscreants etc which clearly show that Orient Petroleum Resources PLC know the Oil belong to Kogi State”.

READ Police Want to Kill Me - Senator Melaye According to Kogi State former Commissioner for Information, two-time chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area and the indigene of Odeke community in Ibaji “The unilateral declaration of Anambra state alone in 2012 as oil producing state led to uprising in the disputed area and since then no 13% derivation was paid to either Anambra or Kogi States.

Having operated exploration for this long time, it is time to declare Kogi State as Oil Producing State since it is no longer in doubt of the existence of crude oil in this part of Kogi State. This singular action will eventually reduce tension among the communities from both Kogi and Anambra States and enhance security of life and properties, he said.

"You can not be sitting on a goldmine and remain in poverty". And advised the government and people of kogi state to wake up from their slumber and do the needful on Ibaji oil wells. All the right buttons and necessary goodwills have to be mobilized in Abuja and anywhere needed, Kogi state cannot remain ignorant to its economic strength and the dynamics of oil gains in the federal economy, he added.

Covid-19: Ohikere Okays Bello's Strides, Says NCDC Should Be Objective



By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja



Following the recent comments by the Director-General of the National Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, that states which are yet to record cases of COVID-19 are either negligent in testing and tracing or actively hiding the disease within their territories, Tom Ohikere, a former Commissioner of Information of Kogi said NCDC Should be objective rather than making claims that will demoralise the efforts of state governors who remains resolute in ensuring that the virus does not enter their states.



Ohikere said Kogi State had religiously followed all the NCDC and World Health Organisation (WHO) COVID-19 advisories, both for identifying cases and preventing spread.



The state have also adhered strictly to the various guidelines from, and directives of, the federal government, customised to improve both efficiency and efficacy within the peculiarities of our own circumstances.

And this has worked for us so far in keeping our state COVID-19-free, we do find it disconcerting that the lead agency in the fight is possibly expressing doubt in their efficacy while simultaneously denouncing states that do not record cases for following her own guidelines.



NCDC should be optimistic and support states making vigorous efforts to prevent and to contain the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus and not to proud itself on number of recorded cases to fault state that do not have any recorded case.



As of today, the governor still insist that Kogi state has no confirmed case of COVID-19 or any case to the knowledge of the vigilant medical structures across the state which matches the suspected or high-risk factors for it. If the situation changes at this very moment they will not hesitate for a second before alerting the NCDC.



In fact, the state is one of the first to build a self-assessment app hosted at kogicovid19.gov.ng around the NCDC’s checklist for ‘suspected and high risk’ cases and as at last week it has been visited nearly 200,000 times with over 14,000 completed self-assessments out of which only about 60 presented cause for further investigation which then failed to meet the COVID-19 spectrum.”



And based on the giant strides the governor has made in the fight against the deadly Covid-19 virus, since it crept into the country in February, one should expect encouragement and commendation from NCDC for the state's efforts to contain the outbreak of the pandemic, rather than derogatory statements.



The governor of Kogi State does not believe that increasing the burden on the overwhelmed NCDC and the other agencies cum resources labouring in the frontlines of our response to this deadly pandemic, when neither case nor cause for such has genuinely risen in the state, is helping the country in any way.