My name is Nonso Mbamalu from Ugwudunu village, Neni ward 2.This is my story of transformation from a place of obscurity back in the village to a place of prominence. From a poor background of hopelessness to a Frontline of prosperity. From zero to hero.

The history of my life would not be complete without Senator Uche Ekwunife . Sometimes in 2006 during the electioneering campaign ,I came in contact with Chief Mrs Uche Ekwunife in one of her visits to Neni. During the course of my interaction with the Senator, I found out that she is someone whose priority and desire is to lift as many people as possible out of poverty and hopelessness.

Prior to meeting Senator Uche Ekwunife,I was holed up in my village after graduating from IMT Enugu .I never ever believed that a politician could be as down to earth to the extent of responding to text messages. When I met Senator Uche Ekwunife, then she was running for the House of Representatives for Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency in 2007. We were recruited as canvassers, many people believed we were political thugs even though we were not but Senator Uche Ekwunife after listening to us saw beyond what people thought we were and she promised to get as many of us possible gainfully employed if she won the election.

At that time,many critics and sceptics dismissed her pledge to help facilitate employment if she won the election as a campaign statement. She still kept true to her words.

Few months after the election, twenty three of us were shortlisted for an interview at Nigeria Immigration Service. These people include Ambrose Onyemaechi from Abagana, Onyinye Ofoedu from Nri, Peace Anadi(a widow from Akwaeze and a host of others. We were successfully employed by the Nigeria Immigration Service and it was like a dream come true.

There are very few politicians that try to remember the people that worked for them even after they have won the election. When I received my first salary,I bought a carton of red wine and a he goat to go and pay homage to Senator Uche Ekwunife at her residence at Iyiagu , Awka,she refused to accept any of the gifts and told that she expected nothing in return, instead I should help the needy anytime I have the opportunity and be a channel of blessing to others.

Today I have served my nation and after an honourable discharge from the service,I migrated to Atlanta, USA with my family.The history of my success can not be complete without the mention of Senator Uche Ekwunife and I know there are so many in my position she uplifted.

Today we are presented with another opportunity to decide who leads us in the senate and I’m happy the gladiators in the Anambra Central have had the opportunity to represent us in one position or the other, the difference is quite clear. I can authoritatively say she has been the best so far. So let’s send someone who cares,someone who listens,someone who exhibits what a mother’s love ❤️ is all about.I am calling on all the people of Anambra Central to stand behind Senator Uche Ekwunife and cast their vote for her and her party PDP in the Senate Election .One good turn deserves another .Ndigbo na ekwu si” Etoo Dike na nke Omelu..omekwaa ozo”. Your vote for Senator Uche Ekwunife will change your destiny. Look at someone like me from a village man to a resident of the United States of America.

Senator Uche Ekwunife is the most accessible politician today,you can call her anytime she would answer your phone call unlike other politicians that won’t answer your call once the election is over. Almost every weekend she is in Anambra attending to issues quite like others that appear only when they need our votes.

CHUKWUGA ANONYELU IYOM MAKA NA NWANYI BUEZIGBO NMADU.

https://naijavoice.org/from-jobless-villager-to-u-s-citizenhow-uche-ekwunife-transformed-lives-of-myself-family/

Reports have confirmed the uproar in some parts of Enugu State as Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi and Senator Victor Umeh were booed out of a function in the state.

An eyewitness reporter gave an account that the group, who spotted Senator Victor Umeh’s presence around Peter Obi booed them out of an arena; save for the help of security operatives who guided the former APGA National Chairman, Umeh and Labour Presidential Candidate out, the group would have harmed the duo.

The group warned that Peter Obi will not be allowed to continue his campaign of calumny, deceit, betrayal, and treachery against other Igbo sons and daughters in Enugu State and with the character of Victor Umeh in his team, who collected millions, if not billions, from Enugu indigenes in return for APGA tickets, only to defraud them.

They warned Ndi Enugu to be wary of the return of Peter Obi and Victor Umeh together again after their ugly past in APGA and Anambra State, where they chased Chief Chekwas Okorie out of the APGA party he founded.

According to our reporter, the group had accused Peter Obi of sending his supporters to attack two prominent Enugu sons, Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka and had not gone to visit the suspended Catholic priest whom his supporters have been attacking unabatedly.

They asked Ndi Enugu to be careful not to be used as willing tools and that Peter Obi and Victor Umeh should leave Enugu and return to Anambra State.

"The sudden reunion of Peter Obi and Victor Umeh is a threat to our peace in Enugu State." They have started again with their deceitful politics of exclusion and denomination.

Victor Umeh, a Knight of the Catholic Church and from Anambra, was the National Chairman of APGA when Peter Obi, a Knight of the same Catholic Church was the Governor. Yet Umeh still went ahead to install another Catholic from Anambra, Chief Victor Oye, as National Chairman of APGA.

How can an acclaimed NATIONAL PARTY like APGA be comfortable with National Chairmen from Anambra State alone? This was a bad political precedent set by Umeh and Peter Obi.

Umeh and Peter Obi made APGA their Anambra Central affairs and revolted against Anglicans becoming Anambra State Governors under the party.

They have regrouped again in the Labour Party and want to test their evil experiment in Enugu, a relatively peaceful state. We are aware that Peter Obi is not contesting for President in 2023 because he can not get the constitutionally required spread. Instead, he intends to use vulnerable Igbos to build his Labour Party to take over Anambra from Professor Charles Soludo having seen that himself and Umeh have lost their stake in Anambra State politics.

The game plan is for the next gubernatorial election in Anambra State and not the presidency. Ndi Enugu must be careful in dealing with these two dubious characters who want to use Enugu to fight for Anambra State."

The group also accused Peter Obi of spending millions on the Labour Party in Anambra State and using "No shishi" to deceive the people of Enugu State and set them on a collision course with their people.

If Peter Obi can accept to reunite with Victor Umeh after what the latter has said against him in recent times, it’s evident enough that Peter’s integrity should be questioned.

The lies he goes around telling innocent people should not be believed because he lacks character and firmness. He can sell anyone out for his own selfish interests, just like he is on a vendetta mission against the few perceived political enemies in the PDP; the same those who stood firm for him as the party's Vice Presidential Candidate in 2019.

Peter Obi’s only intention in 2023 is to attack and decimate Igbo sons and daughters and use the vulnerable ones to launch his way back to fight for Anambra State.

According to an insider source, Umeh is on his way back to Anambra State from Enugu after the Boos and chase of him and Peter Obi by angry youths.

https://thepolitynews.com/2023-drama-as-crowd-boo-umeh-peter-obi-of-enugu/

There seems to be no end in sight of the crisis bedeviling the Labour Party as some of its stakeholders have accused it's Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi of mounting pressure on his proposed running mate , Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed to sign an agreement which demands that Datti serves only term as Vice President and also makes a financial commitment of two hundred billion Naira as contribution to fund the campaign.

Findings have also revealed that in addition to the above demands that Datti the founder and Pro-chancellor of Baze University Abuja utilises his position to mandate the students and staff to obtain and avail their Permanent voters card (PVC) to vote for the Labour Party Presidency in the 2023 General elections.

This is coming barely few hours after a former Deputy National Chairman of Labour Party, LP, Calistus Uju Okafor disowned the Presidential ambition of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi which vowing not to backtrack on his suit currently challenging the constitutionality of the Abure-led national working committee of the party in Court which produced Obi as the Presidential candidate of the LP. The development as gathered fueled the recent call by a northern establishment on Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed to decline the vice Presidential slot offer.

According to reports as gathered by polity.com a source close to the Julius Abure led LP executive hinted that the pronouncement of the businessman and politician as running mate to the Labour Party candidate is being delayed as a result of Peter Obi’s demands which some of them described as stringent and inconsiderate.

Pleading anonymity the source further unveiled that a series of meetings had been ongoing inorder to meet up with July 15 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for the submission of the list of vice Presidential,governorship and House of Assembly candidates by political parties.

The insistence of Obi's stance that Datti will serve only one term as vice president and also commit 200 billion campaign fund has been a major clog in the wheel as majority of the party stakeholders including Datti have out rightly rejected. According to the source, signing such agreement will be a betrayal to the North, adding that though the party is in need of funds considering the financial power of their opponents Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, Datti will however not be induced to make such outrageous commitment. Disclosing further the source said that Datti has also refused to compromise his position as pro Chancellor of the University to mandate the University communities to submit their voter cards, he added that talks are still ongoing as at the time of filing this report its however unclear if any agreement has been reached.

Another bottle neck as disclosed by the source is that fact that Baba-Ahmed hails from the popular Baba Ahmed family in Kaduna, whose brother is Hakim Baba-Ahmed, spokesperson of the Northern Elders’ Forum, NEF hence the demand to refuse the offer.

"The situation is very difficult as a result of the demands being made by Peter Obi. Though he has brought the Party to limelight, his demands are outrageous. We are trying our best to manage the situation.

"We are still battling with our court case over the leadership of the Party but Peter Obi is not helping matters by insisting that Datti agrees to serve only one term and gives 200 billion. Even on social media we are tagged as the IPOB party. How can you expect Datti to agree to such demands? We cannot even agree to such a thing because it will cause a serious problem later in the future and it will be a huge slap to the Northerners.

"According to our last meeting we are looking at a budget of about six hundred billion to fund the campaign if we are to match Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and Atiku of the Peoples Democratic Party but asking Datti to provide 200 billion out of 600 is very inconsiderate. It's just like buying the position of the Vice Presidential ticket when Peter Obi joined; we never made such a demand, not even to Pat Utomi, the source is quoted to have said.

Obi, a former Governor of Anambra and former presidential aspirant of the PDP joined LP on May 27 after he withdrew from the race for PDP’s presidential ticket and also resigned from the party in a letter dated May 24. He won the presidential ticket of LP at the party’s convention in Asaba on May 30.

https://thepolitynews.com/lp-vp-slot-disquiet-as-peter-obi-demands-single-term200-billion-from-datti/

Notable Chieftains of the All Progressives CongressParty in Abia State on Sunday gathered in Umuahia to celebrate, former Senator and Party Chieftain ; Senator Chris Adighije who turned 76 recently.

The Umuahia residence of Adihije who also doubles as the current Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Federal University Lokoja by the Federal Government of Nigeria, hosted party dignitaries who stormed his home to celebrate his new age.

Articulating his speech, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, rendered prayers of gratitude over the life of Senator Adihije.

“We are indeed grateful to God almighty for meeting you in good health, it’s not just about adding another year but being in good health for which we are grateful to God almighty.

“We are grateful to almighty God ,who has kept you all these years and who made sure that. We are also grateful for being an elder of our party that is worthy of emulation.His banner of love will continue to fly above you and we give him the glory and we are happy , thank you for hosting us on a very short notice today”. Let me also thank the Leader of our party Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for his sterling leadership of our party in this state”he concluded”

Apparently cheery over the attendance of guests in his honour, the former Abia Central Senator and seasoned geologist expressed his gratitude to the dignitaries.

He described the result of the March 27th Bye election for Aba Federal Constituency as the will of God , saying that the party will learn from its mistakes to make better progress in future elections.

His words”We shall move on triumphantly, the devil shall not have any space for us for we shall overcome, for everything that happens to any man God is aware. The outcome of the last election has a reason, though the election was a shambolic exercise but we give God the glory. So don’t be discouraged , we will learn a lot from this and move forward. I’m also delighted that a few hours after the election was announced, you (Orji Kalu) went to worship with Mascot at the church and God is watching. I will still be here when you under your leadership produces a Governor for the state. They voted out the party , but it was thwarted. We seem to have won the battle but we are going to win the war .

Adihije also praised Senator Kalu’s Political sojourn , describing it as courageous.

“I told people, this is one man who did not translate from the Government House to the Senate , he went to the Senate almost 14 years after he left the Government House. Those who go these days manipulate their way from Government House. This is a man everybody hates to love , they might dislike him but once they see him they fall in love with him.

“I am 76 this year and I pray that you all present shall exceed that age , for honoring me , God will honour you. I thank you all for stopping by to celebrate with me in my house from Aba, despite all that happened.

Other personalities who attended the event include, Hon. Nnana Kalu, Hon Acho Obioma, Rev Jemaimah Ola Kalu, Engr Ndukwe Orji among others.

https://thenigeriadaily.com/2021/03/31/nfc-bossdr-chidiaapc-chieftains-celebrate-senator-chris-adighije/

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Abia-North Senator and Chief Whip of the Senate,Senator Orji Kalu on Saturday administered the distribution of empowerment items to Anambra central constituents, the exercise involved the distribution of over 400 tricycles by their Senatorial representative, Senator Uche Ekwunife.

Kalu's presence at the exercise elicited great euphoria amongst people, who expressed their joy by heaping praises on Senator Kalu for attending the event.

The Senate Chief Whip being the Southeast leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) honoured the invitation of Senator Uche a People's Democratic Party (PDP ) to preside over the empowerment programme held at the Senator Uche Ekwunife Centre,Awka Anambra.

Prior to the flag off, Senator Kalu initially paid a courtesy visit Ekwunife's constituency office, where he was received with magnanimous ovation from party faithful, stalwarts and beneficiaries.


In her introductory speech to the Senator Uche disclosed that the empowerment exercise was the 9th to her constituents,on why she invited the Senate Chief Whip despite their party differences.

Ekwunife said that human development has nothing to do with political affiliation, she also stated that Senator Kalu is an elder statesman leader to all politicians, saying that Senator Kalu is the only Southeast political leader she invited to the event.

Her words" This has nothing to do with political affiliation but the commitment 9th Senate, in addition Senator Kalu is also the Chief Whip of the Senate, he is also my leader not the Chief Whip of the All Progressive's Congress (APC) , but the Chief Whip of Nigeria.

"More importantly like I said earlier he is my leader our relationship can be traced right from so many years back when we were both in the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the People's Progressive's Alliance (PPA) and to the APC before I now returned to the PDP.

"Morseo; he is man full of compassion and immense kindness and he has played a supportive role all through my political aspiration, when I contested for Governorship under the platform of the PPA , he was there for me as leader and financier.

"I am very grateful and loyal to him , I am also excited that he physically decided to attend this event although the exercise is quite one. He is my leader, colleague, friend and most importantly the Chief Whip of the Senate.

About the empowerment, exercise Ekuwnife disclosed that the event was part of her transportation empowerment scheme to empower her constituents, she revealed that four hundred and sixty seven tricycles will be given out to her constituents.

She said " Asides today's scheme I have given out a total of two hundred and twenty nine tricycles while today I am giving out sixty seven for four local Governments in Three months time.

"I will giving out another sixty nine to the rest of the wards. Also, I have given out sienna vehicles in addition to the construction of twenty seven roads in my district, currently we are also building forty seven schools.

"In the area of Job creation,I have facilitated jobs for over 300 people in the Federal civil service. For the women I have empowered them to venture into trading and also facilitated skill acquisition and SME trainings. To foster unity amongst among the people training on conflict resolution was organized for traditional rulers, community leaders and the clergy.

"Chairman of the occasion, Senator Kalu emphasised the essence of the empowerment to lives of the beneficiaries drawn from seven local governments of Anambra central Senatorial district.

"Kalu clarified that his presence at the event is to represent the President of the Senate , Ahmed Lawan , he maintained that though he and Ekwunife belonged to different political parties, he's attendance is to further reinstate the commitment of the members of the 9th Senate to work together in oneness regardless of politics, tribe or religion.

"On behalf of the Senate I want to express my gratitude to Senator Ekwunife for a relentless support to uplift her people, though I belong to the APC which I am very proud, the current 9th Senate is colourless when it comes to working for the people.

"Empowerment of this nature is highly beneficial for the society because it will lift the many people above the poverty line, many families will be lifted by this act" said Kalu.

He continued " Senator Ekuwnife is a household name in the Senate, she is no doubt a powerful woman. I appreciate her efforts for remembering the poor and downtrodden in the society. Also , I am impressed by the quality of women on her team and she's different from other politicians who remain in Abuja after winning elections, she has constantly kept in touch with her constituents.

https://thenigeriadaily.com/2021/02/13/anambra-elated-as-orji-kalu-presides-over-sen-ekwunifes-empowerment-programme/

The Chief Whip of the Senate and Senator representing Abia-North Senatorial district, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has arrived at the National Assembly complex to join his colleagues to resume the session for the 2021 legislative year.

Dressed in his usual white Kaftan matched with a Red Traditional cap, the former Governor arrived at the Senate chambers at 9:15 AM, Senator Kalu was greeted to tumultuous pleasantries from staff , security agents and workers at the National Assembly building as he headed towards the office of the Senate President.

Recall that the provisional schedule for 2021 legislative activities of the National Assembly as the year was scheduled for Tuesday, January 26, 2021. But was postponed to February 9. According to the clerk of the National Assembly, the postponement is to enable members of the APC participate in the registration and revalidation of its membership which commenced on January 25 this year.

Also recall , the Abuja division of the Federal High Court on Monday gave a former Abia State Governor and Senate Chief Whip, Dr.Orji Kalu the permission to challenge his retrial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on alleged money laundering charges.

Consequently, Justice Inyang Ekwo has ordered that the planned re-arraignment of the politician in the alleged N7.1billion money laundering charges be put on hold until the resolution of the legal questions raised against his retrial.


In a motion exparte which was moved an argued by his counsel, Prof. Awa Kalu (SAN), Senator Kalu asked for an order of Court prohibiting the EFCC from retrying him on the same alleged money laundering charges against him.


He contended that having been tried, convicted and sentenced the n same charges FHC/ABJ/CR/56/ 2007, by the court by Justice M.B. Idris, it will amount to double jeopardy if is subjected to a fresh trial on the same charge.

Justice Ekwo in his ruling, granted leave to Kalu to seek an order prohibiting the Federal Republic of Nigeria, through the EFCC (her agent), her officers, servants, others, agents, privies and any other person or bodies driving authority from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, from retrying him on charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/56/2007 between FRN vs Orji Kalu & 2 or any other charge based on the same facts de novo, there being no extant judgment and ruling of a competent court in Nigeria mandating the same.


An order prohibiting the Federal Republic of Nigeria, through the EFCC (her agent), her officers, servants, others, agents, privies and any other person or bodies driving authority from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, from retrying, harrassing and intimidating him with respect to the charge as concerns charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/56/2007 between FRN vs Orji Kalu & 2 ors or any other charge based on same facts as he need not suffer double jeopardy.

The court further ordered that the leave should operate as a stay of proceedings until the determination of the application.

https://osunreporters.com/2021/02/breaking-senator-kalu-resumes-legislative-duty-arrives-senate-chambers/

Dr. Muhammed Ibrahim, a prominent scholar and National Coordinator of Northern Nigeria Good Governance Initiative (NNGGI), has expressed deep concern and disappointment over the betrayal of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu by President Muhammadu Buhari by allowing selfish and desperate members of the APC to instigate the retrial of the Senate Chief Whip.

Ibrahim expressed his anger while reacting to the politically motivated retrial of Senator Kalu by the EFCC, insisting that President Muhammadu Buhari had abandoned his long time friend to be humiliated by those who are enemies of Nigeria and envious of Kalu’s growing popularity and acceptability across Nigeria.

He said the political interference in the operation of EFCC and the inability of President Muhammadu Buhari to defend Kalu was saddening and heartbreaking recalling that Kalu and Buhari were friends even before he became the nation’s number one citizen.

“I remembered those days President Buhari visits Orji Kalu’s village in Igbere . I remember how Kalu reconciled President Buhari, Former President Ibrahim Babangida, Late Chief Alex Ekwueme and late Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu in Abia in 2006 . When many Nigerians deserted Buhari, Orji Kalu was there for him , the North knows the story . President Buhari was close to Senator Kalu to the extent that he sleeps in his house. Allowing some bad elements to influence his retrial is a betrayal of friendship irrespective of the interest involved. We don’t want to be seen as ungrateful people who doesn’t consider history.

“We all know that Kalu was a billionaire before becoming the governor of Abia state and he did excellently well as a governor. The records are there for all to see. He paid workers salaries without owing a dime; pensioners were paid and all the physical infrastructures you see in Abia today were constructed by him.”

“Nigerians must shun vindictive politics and witch hunting credible leaders. We have those who stole their state dry as governors walking freely without anyone harassing them. These are the people EFCC should be going after and not someone that did excellently well as a governor.”

However, the Katsina born activist commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing credible and hard working officers as Service Chiefs. He noted that the efforts of the Nigeria Army in defending Nigeria was incredible and that they should be commended.

He also praised the police and the Department of State Security for doing their best to secure a complex nation like Nigeria at a time kidnapping and banditry was ravaging other West African countries.

https://zamfarareporters.com/2021/02/kalus-trial-university-don-accuses-buhari-of-betraying-northerners/

Four travellers along Gbagi express road in Kogi state escaped what could have been described as a Christmas tragedy as the vehicle which they were travelling in caught flames and got completely burnt down.

 

The vehicle a Toyota Tundra developed an electrical malfunction which resulted to a fire which started from the bonnet and later spread to other parts of the vehicle. Though no life was lost and properties were salvaged the vehicle was completely burnt as there was no fire extinguisher available to quench the fire.

 

Narrating the incident one of the occupants who identified himself as “john” said that the vehicle showed no signs of malfunction, not until they noticed fire emanating from the  bonnet.

 

According to him they were initially trapped in the vehicle as the back doors were locked ; they barely managed to escape through the driver’s door.

In his words :

“The vehicle is a brand new Toyota Tundra; we were going smoothly and it showed no signs of any fault , all of a sudden we saw fire coming from the bunnet, we had stop in the middle of express road and we escaped from the drivers side because the back doors were locked.

 

“We managed to rescue our properties but unfortunately we couldn’t save the car because there was no fire extinguisher though we were able to get water from some nearby villagers but it was too late the fire spread quickly we had to save our properties, I thank God for my life and that of others.

 

The fire incident caused a traffic gridlock along the road which left other motorists stranded from over two hours as the burning vehicle was in the middle of the road.

 

Commenting on the development and official of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Kogi state , described the incident as unfortunate. He advised motorists to adhere to safety precautions while plying the roads most especially during this yuletide season. The official appealed to drivers to observe thorough vehicle inspection before embarking on any journey , ensure they have functional fire extinguishers, avoid over speeding by maintaining a maximum of 100kmph for  cars and 90kmph for articulated vehicles.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/christmas-tragedy-averted-as-travellers-escape-death-along-kogi-express-road/

Mr. Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, has apologised for spreading fake news on the number of students that were kidnapped at the Government Science School in Kankara, Katsina State, last week Friday.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how gunmen on December 11 invaded the public school and abducted over 300 students.

The kidnap incident triggered outrage on social media with many Nigerians calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the military chiefs immediately.

While the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, confirmed that over 300 students were missing after the attack, Mr Shehu told BBC Hausa on December 14 that only 10 students were taken away by the gunmen.

Meanwhile, six days after their abduction, the 344 kidnapped students were freed and it became clear that Mr Shehu misinformed the public.

The students on Friday met with President Buhari in Katsina and some of them also shared their experiences while with the gunmen.

Following a backlash on social media, Mr Shehu took to Twitter on Friday evening to apologise for sharing unverified information despite being a top aide to Mr Buhari whose administration has repeatedly vowed to discipline purveyors of fake news.

“I apologize for the incorrect communication citing that only 10 students were kidnapped at the science school, Kankara. This communication of numbers was provided by persons that should ideally know. These numbers were seen to conflict with what was available at that time.”

“Please understand that this communication was in no way done to downplay the seriousness of the situation. Please accept my sincere apologies on this matter as we continue to move our great Nation Nigeria forward. Thank you”, he wrote on Twitter.

https://thenigeriadaily.com/2020/12/19/presidential-aide-garba-shehu-apologises-after-giving-false-information-on-kidnapped-katsina-schoolboys/

Citing transparency, humility and commitment to accountability the National Assembly yesterday resolved to lift the ban it earlier placed on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the parliamentarians also adopted the 2021 budget proposal of the commission.

The resolutions were reached at the joint budget defense session which had in attendance members of the committees on Niger Delta and NDDC of the Senate and House of Representatives, where both chambers agreed to work with the NDDC led a sole administrator.

The meeting had in attendance committee Chairmen Senate committee on Niger Delta, Senator Peter Nwaboshi and the Chairman House of Representatives of Niger Delta Development Commission.

Making his maiden attendance before the committee, the newly appointed interim sole administrator of the commission, Mr. Effiong Akwa had in a letter addressed to the President of Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan indicated his commitment to transparency, honesty and accountability in the discharge of his duties. On accountability Effiong, explained in the letter his awareness of the implications of spending funds outside budgetary allocation and appropriation.

In view of the objective of the letter , Senator James Manager moved a motion for the NDDC budget proposal to be adopted by the committee, the motion was subsequently seconded by the spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, this was followed by an unanimous.resolution by members of both parliament to receive the commission’s budget.

Prior to the resolution, Nwaboshi had in his remark charged the Effiong to see the gesture by the committee as a privilege, he urged the new sole administrator to remain firm in his words, not to take undue advantage of the privilege given to him by the committee.

In his words “The motion on the floor.moved by Senator Manager seconded by Hon. Benjamin Kalu saying that in view of the new administrator’s humble disposition and in line with the letter he wrote telling us that he understands the implication of spending money without it.being appropriated. I want to thank the Senate President for lifting the ban placed on them for incompetence and some of the infractions the IMC committed.

“Before you take your leave take it.that this is a rare privilege and I am happy that the gentlemen of the press.are here , let us hope that you will stand and live by your words.

“However; we have lawyers accountants.and auditors here , we have the power to invite you again in a joint session.and in that joint session , you may have to present this budget again”. We are allowing you to go as a mark of respect to you and because of the humility you have exhibited here said Nwaboshi.

In his remarks on the letter Chief Whip of the Senate , Senator Orji Kalu rallied his colleagues to lend their support to the new administrator.

He said :” Given the letter that distinguished Senator Nwaboshi read , the letter was written to the Senate President I think that should give us some hope , we are not in this hall to be fighting everyday. Let’s give this gentleman a benefit of doubt . He will come again and we are going to throughly scrutinize this budget.Let’s give him the benefit of doubt to go and we shall work on the budget.

On his part Chairman House of Representatives committee on Niger Delta Commission, Hon.Tunji Ojo drew attention of Effiong to the issues which had bedevilled the commission under the erstwhile Interim Management Committee (IMC) He urged the Effiong to seek for alternative means for funding the commission.

He said “It is imperative to draw.attention to some of the concerns that we have consistently raised during our interactions for the purpose of reiterating the objective of NDDC which is to drive sustainable development in the Niger Delta region. It’s a proposal we would like to propose to you and advice that the NDDC has to look at alternative means of revenue generation, hopefully 30% for partnerships, joint ventures agreement and 50% for capital development projects and 20% for completion and payment of existing projects.

Hon. Tunji also urged Effiong to be transparent.

“I wish to congratulate you the new sole administrator It’s my desire and hope that you will not abuse this privilege and you return to this house and you will make us proud as an accountant that you are. We hope to see the difference, we hope to see transparency being displayed and we hope to see that.performance being..epitomized, Tunji concluded.

Recall that the NDDC led by the now dissolved Interim Management Committee, accused of alleged financial recklessness to the tune of N40 billion.

The 2 chambers of the national assembly had set up ad-hoc committees to investigate the alleged mismanagement of N40 billion by the IMC within a period of 3 month.

The Senate in plenary on Thursday July 23, resolved that the IMC be disbanded and made to refund the sum of N4.923 billion.

As a result of the plerophia of against the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC, President Muhammadu Buhari on December 12, appointed a sole administrator to run the affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Effiong Akwa, who has been the acting executive director, finance and administration in the NDDC, “is to assume headship (of the commission) till completion of the forensic audit,” .

Also recall that a Federal High Court in Abuja recently issued an order restraining Kemebradikumo Pondei-led interim management from running the affairs of the commission.

Members of the parliament present; include; Hon. Boma Goodhead , Senator Ajayi Borofice, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Senator Isitifanus Gyang among others.

https://thenigeriadaily.com/2020/12/17/finally-national-assembly-adopts-nddc-budget-lifts-ban-on-commission/

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Wednesday, annulled the Federal High Court judgement that convicted and sentenced a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, to seven years imprisonment for money laundering.

In a unanimous decision, a three-man panel of Justices of the appellate court, held that the judgement trial Justice Okon Abang delivered against Metuh on February 25, was tainted with bias.

The appellate court held that the trial Judge had by disparaging remarks he made in the judgement, betrayed his premeditated mindset against the Defendant whom he accused of writing various petitions against him.

According to Justice Stephen Adah who delivered the lead verdict of the appellate court, allowing the trial court’s verdict to stand “will set a dangerous precedent”.

Consequently, it voided the conviction and sentence that was handed to Metuh and his firm, Destra Investment Limited, and remitted the case file back to the high court for a re-trial by another Judge.

It will be recalled that Metuh was jailed over the allegation that he received the sum of N400million from the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, retd, prior to the 2015 presidential election, without contract approval or execution.

His earlier conviction followed a seven-count charge that was preferred against him and his firm by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

https://thenigeriadaily.com/2020/12/16/appeal-court-annuls-metuhs-conviction-orders-re-trial/

In recognition of his efforts at delivering the dividends of democracy to his constituents in less than a year in office and giving prominence to the South-East in the 9th National Assembly, Southwest First Alert Magazine has awarded the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, a special recognition award as the Most Performing Senator in Nigeria.

Presenting the award to the senator at his office at the National Assembly complex, the publisher of the magazine, Mr Charles Oladokun Aridunnu Omo, disclosed the publishing group had carefully chronicled the impact made by Senator Kalu to his constituents since his election into office, highlighting the distribution of aid, construction of 19 roads, reconstruction and renovation of primary schools, reviving of abandoned power plants, sponsorship of notable motions and bills as some of the factors that necessitated the award.



Oladokun noted that despite his wrongful incarceration for six months at the Kuje custodial centre, Senator Kalu never deterred in discharging his legislative duties to his constituents. He emphasised that the award ceremony was organised virtually as a result of the resurgence of the 2nd wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Southwest Magazine declares Sen Orji Kalu 2020 Most Performing Senator Senator Orjiuzor Kalu (L) receiving the recognition from Southwest First Alert Magazine publisher Mr Charles Oladokun Aridunnu Omo
‘We are extremely grateful to you for putting your region and Nigeria first in your scale of leadership performance. The Board of the Southwest First Alert Magazine, after an online poll, unanimously selected you,’ Mr Omo said.



‘The magazine is appreciating your outstanding efforts and tremendous contributions at putting the South-East race on the list of distinguished personalities of the Black race, as one of the most influential Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, whose legacies and contributions cannot be overemphasised.

‘We recognised your achievements, indelible impacts as well as outstanding performance both at the National Assembly and your senatorial district, most especially your fantastic impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘We sent some of our reporters to carry out an on-the-spot assessment of the road projects and they were able to testify that they were ongoing and some were almost at their completion stages.

‘On empowerment, on two occasions you have distributed vehicles and farm inputs to farmers, generating sets, sewing machines to artisans, just to mention a few.’

Responding, Senator Kalu said his tenure as Senator and principal officer would focus on empowerment and the facilitation of infrastructural development to his constituents and the South-East at large as a means of improving in the lives of his people.

Senator Kalu, who described laws as the software of democracy, noted that asides attracting infrastructure to his constituents, he has sponsored motions to improve Nigeria’s productive output as well as a bill to strengthen the legislative arm of the country.

The Abia-North Senator said the ongoing rehabilitation of primary schools across his constituency was to provide the right environment for teaching and learning, assuring that the gesture would be extended to secondary schools and similar institutions.

The Senate Chief Whip also informed that he was working on additional bills that would have an impact on the lives of all Nigerians, urging citizens to remain united and continue to coexist peacefully with one another.

While appreciating the recognition, the senator called on the publishing company to continue to remain unbiased in its reportage, noting that the media has a huge role to play in the development of the country’s democracy, most especially in tackling fake news.
https://abntv.com.ng/2020/12/south-west-declares-sen-orji-kalu-2020-most-performing-senator-photos/

Primary school Staff and students, as well as indigenes of Ohafia and Isiukwuato Local Government Areas of Abia-North will undoubtedly have a cause to smile following the intervention of their senatorial Representative and Chief Whip of the Senate , Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in the renovation of primary schools located in their communities.

The schools namely; Ahaba Imenyi community school and Uguafia Primary school all in Abia-North now wear brand new looks as result of the reconstruction works facilitated by Senator Orji Kalu.

In less than a year in office Senator Kalu has embarked on the renovation of schools in the five local Governments of his Senatorial district, this is in addition to 19 road projects currently being constructed by Chief Whip with some already at their completion stage.

Prior to the infrastructural overhauling by Senator Kalu the primary schools was in sorry state characterized by bushes, dilapidated structures, roofless & windowless classrooms. The condition of the school not only obstructed the learning process but also posed as danger to the staff and students.

However, with the renovation the school now wears a brand new look as the entire dilapidated blocks of classrooms in the school premises have been completely reconstructed.

The classrooms which had no roofs now have been replaced with brand new roofs, while the dilapidated ones have also been replaced with brand new roofs. The windows and doors of the classrom blocks have been entirely replaced and the structures repainted.

Moreso, other facility upgrade in the school include toilets, classroom furnitures and similar construction works within the school premises.

https://thenigeriadaily.com/2020/12/14/abia-north-students-jubilate-as-sen-kalu-reconstructs-renovates-schools-photos/

Senate Chief Whip and former Governor of Abia state, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has revealed that the founder and president of LoveWorld Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome told him that he would go to prison and be freed after six months

The business mogul made the revelations on Sunday during the Thanksgiving service at the headqauarters of Christ embassy church in Lagos presided over by Pastor Oyakhilome

Testifying from the pulpit, Kalu said Pastor Chris Oyakhilome told him in October 2019 that no amount of intervention from world leaders would prevent him from going to prison

Revealing further, he said , ” I was traveling to Abuja and Pastor asked me to drop by for a dinner . We have been friends for more than 28 years and we are very close. When I was about leaving , we prayed together and he told me what I didnt know how to digest . He said I should prepare myself because I was going to be in prison for six months. He told me it is something I cannot stop and no amount of intervention from world leaders can stop it .

“He said the expected day of the High Court judgement will be postponed and it all happened as he said . He told me I should come closer to God because what He has in stock for me after the prison experience is great. He made me understand it’s a phase God really want me to pass through. Today I am very grateful for that experience . Then, I wished the cup could pass by but today I am glad and extremely happy very to God for everything.

“That was not the first time Pastor has given me Prophesies and I have always disagreed with him because I don’t believe in prophecies . In 2011, he told me I should not contest for Senate election because my mandate would be stolen and won’t be recovered. I disobeyed him and it went as he said . In 2014, he also told me Muhammadu Buhari would win the 2015 election and it happened. There are several cases he gave me prophesies and even though I disagreed with him , it all came to pass . So I am here to thank God and to thank Pastor for being the instrument God uses to speak to me .

“If you can remember I wore black for the Court’s judgment that fateful day and I was not worried because I was prepared both in body and in spirit . God’swill will always prevail and I give all the Glory to Him ” He also said.



Recall that Senator Kalu who was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment in December 2019 on corruption charges was released from Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja in June 2020 after the Federal High Court in Lagos presided by Justice Muhammed Liman ordered his release, in line with the Supreme Court judgment nullifying his trial and conviction.

The Supreme Court had, in May, ruled that the trial and judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris against Kalu and two others were null and void since the trial judge had no juridiction, having been elevated to the Court of Appeal.

https://thenigeriadaily.com/2020/12/13/breaking-pastor-oyakhilome-told-me-i-will-go-to-prison-and-come-out-after-6-months-orji-kalu/

Thursday’s plenary session ended on a note filled with delight and emotions for the Leader of the 9th Senate,Senator Yahaya Abdullahi as the Kebbi North Senator who turned a year older was treated to Birthday Suprise by the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

Sitting side by side at Red Chambers prior to the commencement of the day’s plenary on Thursday, while awaiting the arrival of Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Senator Yahaya intimated Senator Kalu that the day being December 10th was his Birthday.

Armed with the information Senator Kalu fast tracked the arrangement of a Birthday cake inscribed with the title of the Senate Leader without the knowledge of the celebrant. The cake was conveyed to the Chief Whip’s office. Upon the arrival of the Senate President to begin sittng, Senator Kalu whispered to the Senate President, Deputy Leader of the Senate, Senator Borofice Ajayi and some other Senators on his plan.


At the end of the plenary the Senate President and some other Senators proceeded to Senator Kalu’s office while the celebrant Yahaya was asked by Senator Kalu to join him for a crucial meeting in his office.

On arrival at Senator Kalu’s office, Senator Yahaya was greeted with a Birthday cake inscribed with his name, followed by a Birthday song rendered by the Senate President and others present.

Speaking at the office of the Senate Chief Whip , an emotional ladden Yahaya who turned ’70’ disclosed that the mini Birthday celebration was the second time he would be treated to such suprise in his entire life.

Giving his speech amid tears of joy rolling down his cheeks and taking off his eyeglasses, the celebrant expressed his gratitude to Senator Kalu for pulling off such in just few hours saying that he never expected it.

In his words ” This is the second time in my life that I would be treated to a Birthday surprise. The first time was when I was in the civil service and this makes it the second time. I am grateful to Senator Kalu for this ,honestly I am in short of words because I never expected it . I just told him to wish me well in his prayers not knowing he could organise a cake not only that mobilise the Senate President , the Deputy Leader and others to come and celebrate me.

I have never been this honoured on my Birthday, I also specially thank the Senate President for being here to celebrate me. I will never forget this day in my life.

Bursting with words of encouragement,Lawan had special words for the Senate Leader describing him as honest, committed and dedicated to work. Lawan also thanked Senator Kalu for pulling off the mini occasion on very short notice.
He said ” The credit goes to you to Senator Orji Kalu , I am not surprised that the Chief Whip has decided to do this. This kind of occasion gives you a reality of the perception that we your colleagues have about you.

“We are all desirous of ensuring that this leader continues to shine. When the leader shines than those who are led also shine. You have been absolutely fantastic I knew you from 2003 when I was in the house of Representatives and you and up to this time you have been the same person. You are the same person that is honest and committed,I have enjoyed that relationship from 2003 till date and we are all very proud of you. May God continue to give you good health, long life and continue guide you and give you better opportunities to serve your people.

Senator Kalu on his part narrated to the visibly excited principal actors of the Red Chambers how he organized the mini Birthday reception.

He said “The leader told me casually this morning that it was his Birthday;you know me and him are usually the first to arrive the chambers to welcome the Senate President
“So without him knowing I stood up and called out the Senate President’s secretary to quickly go and order for a cake with the name of the Senate Leader on it and send it to my office and hide it there.

He continued, Senator Yahaya is a technocrat and a committed person who wants to work for the benefit of the people, heis man who loves to work. I tell people that whatever that is worth doing is worth doing well and I feel that leader’s birthday should be marked, not necessarily with a feast. But this a token to continue showing the love we have for him and the work he has been doing for the Senate President and for all the Senators. It wasn’t planned it was just initiated this morning and this same morning I told the deputy Senate leader.

Also present were; Senator Yaroe Binos Dauda; Senator Istifanus Gyang Deputy;Senate Deputy Majority Leader,Senator Borofice Robert Ajayi and Senator Amos Bulus Kilawangs .

https://thenigeriadaily.com/2020/12/12/senate-leader-goes-emotional-as-orji-kalu-hosts-him-to-birthday-surprise/

A controversial statement by Ango Abdullahi, Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum has gotten a reply from the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Nnamdi Kanu, while reacting to Abdullahi’s accusation that the South East perpetrated the most violence against Northerners in other parts of the country during #EndSARS, wondered where he got his information.

Kanu also wondered who was more terror inclined between the South East and the North.

Kanu, who spoke through the spokesman of IPOB, Emma Powerful said Boko Haram, ISWAP, killer Fulani herdsmen, Ansaru, ISIS, and bandits are terror groups domiciled in the North.

A statement by Powerful reads partly:

“The attention of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ably led by our great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to the unguarded and highly provocative utterance made by one Alhaji Ango Abdullahi and his tribalistic Northern Elders Forum, NEF, that the Igbo are the worst perpetrators of violence against Northerners in every part of Nigerian.

“But for our concern for the average Igbo and indeed Biafrans who have been betrayed by their so-called political leaders and socio-cultural group leaders like Ohanaeze, we wouldn’t have bothered to dignify the gibberish with a response.

“May we, therefore, ask Alhaji Ango Abdullahi and his co-travelers: Between the Igbo and Fulani jihadists, who are terror inclined? Who among the two tribes have violence, terrorism and killing without provocation in their DNA?

“Which of the two tribes habour and have sympathy for the six most dangerous terrorist groups in the world – Boko Haram, Fulani killer herdsmen, Ansaru, ISWAP, ISIS, bandits ? Are the Igbo the perpetrators of the daily carnage and pogrom committed by these vampires in the North?

“Were the Igbo behind the burning of car shops in Abuja and the looting of Igbo businesses in Lagos during the #EndSARS protests? “

https://thenigeriadaily.com/2020/12/11/north-has-terrorism-in-their-dna-nnamdi-kanu-replies-northern-elders/

The National Population Commission (NPC) yesterday announced that the country had an estimated 206 million people. Chairman of the NPC, Nasir Isa Kwarra, who disclosed this in Abuja while announcing the commencement of the 11th phase of Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD), added that the next population and housing census would hold by middle of 2022.

The commission had, about two years ago, put the estimated population of the country at 198 million. Kwarra, who said the new figure was based on projection, stated that it would be challenging to know the exact population of the country since it has not been able to hold a census in the last 14 years.

“In the absence of an actual census, we formally make projections, and we have all along been making our projections, and we estimate that as of 2020, the estimated population of Nigeria is 206 million,” je said.



Kwarra, who said that all the necessary preparation towards conducting a transparent population and housing census had commenced, added that the NPC was just waiting for President Muhammadu Buhari, whom, he said, has the sole right to make the proclamation.

The NPC boss, while announcing the commencement of the enumeration exercise, said about 260 local government areas out of the 774 in the country had been fully demarcated. He stated that the 11th phase of the exercise would begin on December 9, 2020, and end on January 20, 2021.

He assured Nigerians and the international community that the commission was determined to deliver to the country a population and housing census that would stand the test of time.

According to him, NPC will continue to explore all the means to avoid the pitfalls of the past. “Planning for census is anchored on the EAD as the basis for estimating both the human and material resources required for the census.

“In essence, the success of a credible and accurate census depends very much on the quality and reliability of the EAD. It is, however, necessary to state unambiguously that the EAD exercise is not the enumeration of persons living in the country.

“Its outcome is in no way the determinant of the population of any locality, local government area or state. The EAD is simply a preparatory activity before the actual census enumeration and it should not be equated with the census.”

“In addition to being the foundation for the census, the national sample frame for the country is created from the EAD. The sample frame derived from the EAD is the one that is used by all data collecting organizations, including MDAs and research institutions.

https://m.guardian.ng/business-services/industry/nigerias-population-now-206m-says-npc/

Leader of the Ninth Senate, Senator Abdullahi Yahaya Abubakar has attributed the genesis of the series of strike embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to the effects of the economic polices put in place during administrations of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and General Ibrahim Babangida.

In this exclusive interview with Saturday Sun, the former University lecturer and founding member of ASUU, identified how two policies implemented under previous regimes aggravated the problems in the Nigerian University system which led to the series of ASUU strike. He cited abolition of school fees by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) by Military President Ibrahim Babangida.

The Kebbi North Senator noted that though the policies had good intentions , they nevertheless affected the University system. Senator Abdullahi also bared his mind on other pertinent national issues like the #EndSARS protests, national security, the Buhari led administration and others. He fielded questions from KENNETH UDEH in Abuja.


Why did you go into politics being a former Head of Department of Rural Sociology in Ahmadu Bello University and a member of the University Senate?

Well, like you rightly said I started my life as a teacher in the university. Then I rose to the position of Head of Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology Department in the Ahmadu Bello University. From there I went ahead and became a Commissioner and joined the federal civil service and retired as a federal permanent secretary before I went into active politics. To say the fact, I have been one arm in academia and the other arm in politics throughout my life.

Politically, I was a member of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) in 1978 up until 1981. I was a member of the people who worked with the late Alhaji Balarabe Musa referred to as the past governor of Kaduna state through 1978 and 1981 and I along with other people like the late Bala Usman and others were those who were in government as at that time until after the impeachment. Actually, we were fully involved, I was a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the aborted transition that brought Abiola’s  victory. We campaigned for the SDP, I contested for the national secretary of the party (SDP) but I lost to Sule Lamido at that time. However, the election was annulled and somehow I went back to the civil service and from there I started the service during the military era. After that time, in 1999 when democracy was restored, I was still in the service but I retired in the year 2010 and in 2014 I joined the President’s (President Muhammadu Buhari)  party, which was as at then known as the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).



We campaigned everywhere with the party and the merger with the then Action Congress of Nigeria  (ACN) and other political parties was introduced, which brought about today’s All Progressives Congress (APC). We were part of the people who were there when the APC was formed. I played a prominent part in the formation for the APC in my state (Kebbi) and from there I contested for the position of senate and became a Senator in 2015. Basically, academia is also a part of politics, there isn’t much difference; the fact is that academia gives you a platform and knowledge, which will inform your political direction, political action and your political behavior and I worked in academia. I worked in the civil service. I have been dabbling in and out of politics, therefore it’s not something strange to me.

How would describe Nigeria at 60 judging by where we’re coming from as a nation?

Well, the nation received its independence in 1960 but it didn’t stay for long because six years after independence the military took over and remained in power for almost thirty years. That tells you that a lot of things happened which within that period of time affected both the structure of governance and the security of the country and the economy of the country. The major issues that are coming up now are results of those kinds of changes that were accorded by the military at that time.

The changes that occurred at that time generally led to the issues we are facing today as a democratic government. When we talk about democracy, you know people tend to forget that this democracy did not come to Nigerians on a platter of gold. There were people who fought and died for it, in their quest to get the military out of politics. It is also good that we have at least more than twenty years of an uninterrupted civil governance and democracy, whatever you call it, it’s better than what used to happen under our thirty years with the military rule.

The focus now is to deepen the democracy and allow it to work and do the necessary reforms under the democratic governance, never allow a situation whereby you loose the democracy, because if you do, you are not just truncating the labour of those people who fought for it but you are also getting yourself in another dark age, once you loose this democracy. I do not know when you are going to be able to get it again, the issue is to build on what is there and make it work, do the reforms that are necessary to make the democracy work, not to truncate democracy and then start again to start rebuilding it again. There’s no change or restructuring or anything that you cannot do by amending the current constitution. All these people that are talking about restructuring; restructuring what? People have different ideas of what restructuring means. Do people want to go back to the governance structure before independence or do people want to go back to Gowon’s state structure, these are not issues, the issues that are germane to Nigeria is to take the challenges of the moment that are facing us, study the Nigerian constitution now, there are provisions for amendments of the constitution to provide for whatever you want. There are constitutional provisions for; creation of more states, creation of state police, revenue allocation changes, changes in the legislative list to the concurrent list. There’s no change that cannot be implemented in the country, we can change the structures and everything, you can do it through the constitution, so why do you have to abort the democracy? You don’t need to do that, so the issue is to allow the current institution or the democratic institutions to work and work through them so that we can attain whatever goal of restructuring and change we want.

There have been divergent opinions on the performance of President Buhari since his assumption of office in 2015, how would you rate the President’s performance?

We have to be honest, President Buhari inherited a bad situation after so many years of struggle with the military, civilians and everything. He came into office at a time when governance institutions were already overstretched. The fact is that the society had already overgrown governance institutions, security institutions and the security structures that were established since 1967. Therefore, you can see that all these challenges are real, the governance system collapsed, the economy built on oil has also collapsed, the government is operating on a revenue basis which is 40% of what the previous governments were getting. If you want to do justice on the true assessment of this president, you have to realise that the man is operating on the basis of loss of 60% of revenue, even lower than what the government of Jonathan was getting.

However, he is doing much more than what others have done with little, so these are the things that people who are realistic should see, not the kind of things that are here and there. Yes! There are lots of problems with insecurity and of course they are by the way. We have to manage security, the way in which we have managed governance, thereby creating room for a lot of governance spaces and non-state actors to come into the process because the police are not sufficient to handle the security. The people are the ones that can ensure security. It is the people that relate with each other in the local level, that is where security is. When the military came they removed all the traditional institutions and the local people from security and handed it over to the police and the military, in fact the police is too small to handle those issues.

So we have to go back to the drawing board and rejig the architecture of security and local governance, if we don’t change the architecture of security and local governance, we shall still be in trouble. Notwithstanding, like I said, you can do it through amendment of the current constitution, you don’t need to go and start a revolution.

The Nigerian University students have been at home for months now due to the current ASUU strike and this not the first time; as a public office holder who is a former lecturer and founding member of ASUU, what are the causes and solutions to this recurring industrial action?

Let me cut you short, I was part and parcel of people who created and formed the Academic Staff Union of Universities, what we all know now as ASUU and led it. In fact, I was the Chairman of the Academic Statff Union Universities as a Lecturer in Ahmadu Bello University(ABU), Zaria branch from 1983-1984. I will tell you that we never pressed our agitations through strikes. We agitated for good governance, we also suggested to the government how to go about ruling but we did not down tools. We did not go on strike, somehow when you look at this strike thing it began when other generation of leaders who are more radical than some of us took over the leadership of the union. I do not know what they’re talking about but for me, “when you come to equity, you come with clean hands”. If the universities are not being run the way they should or funded the way they should, we should look at the genesis of what happened. When we were university teachers and university students in the early 70s, the whole issue started with two major events. I am talking about the past events; the first was the abolishing of tuition fees by the federal government under former President Obansanjo. He came and made a declaration that “nobody should pay tuition fee”, saying that students shouldn’t pay tuition. At that time when the government abolished tuition fee, it thought it had that enough funds to take care of universities. The trouble started and there was confusion when the responsibilities of government started growing and manifesting, the university had to rely on the government for funding and the government had no money to fulfill its obligations.

The second policy that destroyed not just the autonomy of the universities but also the resources put in the education sector was during the Ibrahim Babangida regime, Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). The entire nation woke up one day and discovered that the naira had no value in relation to other foreign currencies because of the structural adjustment policies and programs that were put in place. We at the universities who were there teaching, suddenly we found out that the research grants and the money that should go to university teaching, was not coming to the university anymore. A lot of our foreign partners who were teachers at that time, because they were not able to get enough money in dollars to remit to their parents ran back to their countries. So, we had to come and start managing things, and then the government came and took over, you say parents are not responsible for payment, scholarship systems in states died, everything died because you say you’ve abolished tuition fees; thereby , shifting every responsibility to the government and the government did not have the resources. The government has so many competing demands, so universities really suffered. Now if you say you’re going to restore tuition fees, everybody is going to rise up against you, there’s economic crisis, parents will refuse to pay. If you look at the situation, the universities are now collecting money in several other areas not even tuition, so the university since the abolition of the tuition fee, asides from scholarship, the universities are relying on the government for most of their funding and the government doesn’t have that kind of resources unless we go back, really look at the thing objectively, we’re never going to get out of it.

As the nation is gradually recovering from the effects of EndSARS protests against police brutality, what is your advice to the government at all levels in addressing the issues raised by the youths?

Talking about issues in the Nigerian Police Force, I believe that issues in the police today are all the fault of the government, because even during the military regime, there have been several panels on the reform of the Nigeria Police Force. When I was in the civil service, I served in two of those police reform panels, reports were written about reforming the Nigeria Police Force but, none of the governments implemented any of those reports. It was the government that set up the reforms, that put them under the carpet. There was the Muhammad Danmadami Presidential Committee on Police Reform in May in 2006, there was the special panel on national security, there was also the M.D. Yusufu Presidential Committee on the Reform of the Nigeria Police Force which I was also a member and several other panels before then. These panels were led by police officers and other people who were knowledgeable in security matters. During Jonathan’s regime, they set up another committee under Parry Osayande, they reported and made their submissions but none of them was implemented.

On the #EndSARS, it was of course hijacked by some people who had sinister plans to bring in a revolution into the country. The fact is, you cannot bring a revolution into a country as diverse as Nigeria, and think that you can simply come and overthrow the government. How can you overthrow the government? That means we shall start building all over again? What it means is that if you destabilize this country, you’re destabilizing the entire Central and West Africa. A simple refugee crisis, which will involve at least ten to twenty million Nigerians moving out of Nigeria borders, and there’s no government in central and western Africa that will stay alive. The Libya situation will be a child’s play, those people who think that they can take over Nigeria government by force are jokers, they don’t know the extent of suffering that they’re trying to create for themselves and family, none of them may live to see the success of this country. How many countries do you see that have survived after revolution? Take for example Libya, how many people are there since 2011? Look at Somalia, they are more instructive because Somalia is one ethnic group, one culture but are they stable today? Since crisis happened in the eighties, where are they? And you want to start a revolution in a country like Nigeria, a nation that we’re lucky we’re even able return to democracy where you can be able to make structural changes and do other reforms. We should continue to build the democracy that we have. We agree that things are not well and fine and equitable. However, we need to have a stable government on the basis of which we can be able to reform the economy.

How do we address the issues of insecurity in the country?

It’s the same issue, you have to sit down, reform the security architecture, the governors can come through a constitution amendment and reorganize the way in which security is managed by the people at the local level, eliminate all ungoverned public spaces, and with that we can be able to conquer. Let the people manage security, police is too small to secure people, they can’t provide the security, that is the premise of the army when they did the reform in 1967, that era is gone, we have to go back and build security among the people. In so many places in the world they have security representatives, it’s not like the military.

The military is vertical, it’s high command from the top to the bottom but policing is representative, so different institutions and different places you know, are allow to have their own police force. We have police in counties, even universities have police, towns, cities. So we have to sit down, look at the police force and have federal police, county police, town police, community police and map out ways by which they can relate with each other, so that they can secure people and secure the public space. But this hierarchical policing for the people wouldn’t work, it has not worked, it worked before but not now, we have overgrown it, something has to be done.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/ASUU-strike-how-obasanjo-babangida-ruined-nigerian-university-system-senator-leader-abdullahi-yahaya/

More pictures..

Kenneth Udeh,Abuja

The Chief Whip of the Senate Senator Orji Kalu on Friday led a high-powered delegation from the Federal Government to inspect abandoned power transmission projects in Abia-North Senatorial zone.

The Federal Government delegation drawn from the Ministry of power arrived Abia state on Thursday, this was in response to Senator Kalu's earlier request in a letter dated 20th October to the Power Ministry for the revitalization of six uncompleted power transmission stations sited in Arochukwu,Umuahia,Ohafia and Isuikwuato LGAs of the zone.

The Federal Government's team led by the Honourable minister of Power Engr. Mamman Kwagyang Saleh followed by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Power; Chinyeaka Christian Ohaa, Managing Director Transmission Company of Nigeria; Engr Sule Ahmed and the Director of Transmission; Nosike Emmanuel as well as several other Directors and Engineers from the Ministry of power embarked on an inspection tour of the power transmission sites on Friday.


The uncompleted power stations commissioned in 2001 have since been abandoned by previous administrations; the power stations include: UMUAHIA-OHAFIA 132KV SINGLE CIRCUIT Transmission line, UMUAHIA-MBALANO 132KV SINGLE CIRCUIT Transmission line, OHAFIA-AROCHUKWU 132KV Transmission line , 2X30/40MVA, 132/33KV Substation at Mbalano ,2X30/40MVA, 132/33KV Substation at Ohafia and 2X30/40MVA, 132/33KV Substation at Arochukwu

In a bid to revitalise the projects abandoned for almost 20 years, Senator Kalu had earlier written to the Ministry of Power calling the attention of the Honourable Minister for Power, Engr. Mamman Saleh to the abandoned power transmission projects.

In response to Senator Kalu's request a delegation of the Federal Government from the Ministry of power arrived Abia State on Thursday to commence the inspection tour on Friday.

The inspection Team asides from the Minister for Power, MD of Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN) and the Senate Chief Whip also included; Directors and Engineers from the Ministry of Power, Staffs of TCN, Members for the Abia State House of Assembly and the Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives Nkeiruka Onyejeocha amongst others.

The first point of call by the delegation was a Homage visit to the palace of the His Royal Majesty,Eze Aro of Arochukwu, followed by an onward journey to the six sites of the transmission power stations.

Speaking at the site of the uncompleted power transmission stations ; Senator Kalu lamented the non-completion of the projects which wrestling facilitied in 1999 during his administration as Governor of Abia-State.

Kalu in his speech reiterated the commitment of President Buhari's administration to better the lots of Nigerians, while also giving assurances that the projects will be completed. Furthermore Kalu outlined the economic benefits of the power projects to the community and other parts of the country if eventually completed.

In his words "Few months ago I wrote to the honourable minister to see how his ministry can reactivate the power plants because these are part of the reasons we were elected. President Buhari is committed in reactivating all abandoned projects, we are constructing the roads and we also believe that power should not be left behind. The people will function economically when they are have both road and power infrastructures put in place. The Government of the All Progressives Congress are committed you can see the construction of roads all over this local Government; it shows that the APC Government is responsive.

I can assure you that in no distant time works to complete these abandoned power projects will commence that is why the minister came with a powerful delegation from Abuja with the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power and other directors and Engineers in the power sector.

Expressing his worry Kalu said "I am particularly worried because this project was initiated when I was Governor in 1999 , I facilitied these power plants when I was Governor but till date it has not been completed. But I am assuring you that President Buhari is committed to ensure that these projects will be completed."


"This power station is of very good economic importance to this zone and the entire Southeast zone because once you generate electricity even people in Cross-River. The project will bring about economic development this is why you can see the deputy chief whip here and many other members of the house of Representatives are also here following you for us to do this project."

On his part the Managing Director TCN; Engr Sule Ahmed explained to the delegation the constraints in the completion of the projects which according to him include; price variation, vandalism, obsolete equipments etc.

He said " The major problem experienced with this station is that the line that is expected to energize this station is not completed and that line is Umuahia,Ohafia and Arochukwu so that's the most important issue in this project.

The 2nd problem is that the contractor has requested for variation which we are currently working on, then these equipment have been installed for over 10 years so we have to test them again because they have been installed for a very long time and there have been vandalization of the cables. So the contractor has applied for variations to see that they are still okay.

"The prices submitted for this project in 2001 cannot complete this project now because prices have changed. All the equipments are here; procurements almost 95 % . Election 90% . So it's just few works. This Substation goes all the way to Okigwe ; it's a very strategic Substation he concluded.

Giving assurances the Minister for Power Engr. Saleh emphasised the commitment of the Federal Government to ensure that abandoned projects around the country gets completes. The minister stressed the importance of the six power stations to the community and the nation at large. He disclosed that a memo on the uncompleted was already prepared for onward submission to the Federal Executive for consideration stating that works on the abandoned power stations would begin next year 2021.

He said " As you can all see this place is very bushy and the project has been abandoned for almost 20 years and that is why we are here. We are here to inspect to see things for ourselves and take immediate action. We want to assure the people of this community that, this project is one of the most important transmission stations we have in the country, in fact these are types of transmission stations that are really needed across the country to boost the capacity of our supply and I want to assure you all that we are going to expedite action on these uncompleted projects immediately we return to Abuja.
This project will not just benefit Abia-North but other areas and in extension the entire nation. This Substation is a 320-33Kva Substation and we will take most of our power extension from this station to expand our supply. On the time frame by next year this project will come up . When this project is completed it will attract investors. In fact I'm already putting a memo together on this to send to the Federal Executive council.

https://thenigeriadaily.com/2020/12/04/abia-north-senator-kalu-leads-fg-delegation-to-revive-abandoned-power-projects/

Chief Whip of the Senate and eminent businessman Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has arrived Enugu International Airport to celebrate birthday of his long time ally , Chief Clement Nwankwu

Kalu who departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at exactly 3:30 PM in his Gulfstream G650 landed Enugu International Airport at 4PM and headed straight to Dr Tony Okam’s residence.

The birthday which was celebrated with great funfare and hosted by Dr Okam had in attendance Ambassador designate Major General Chris Ugwu; Former Chief of Staff to Abia State Government, Hon. Mascot Kalu; Former Deputy Chief of Staff to Abia state government, Dr Madukwe Ukaegbu ; Former Chairman , Arochukwu Local Government Area, Hon . Chibuike Jonas ; Director General, Orji Uzor Kalu Movement, Rev. Mrs Jemima Ola Kalu amongst others .

More details soon

https://thenigeriadaily.com/2020/11/24/kalu-arrives-enugu-with-gulfstream-g650-to-celebrate-friends-birthday/

Chief Whip of the Senate and former Governor of Abia State last Saturday showcased his youthful/social side as he joined Popular award winning Rapper “Chinko Ekun” in a Rap freestyle session. Senator Kalu also showcased his dancing talent with the popular "Gbese" dance style.

Recall that on Saturday the Rapper paid a visit to the Chief Whip of the Senate at his Aso-Villa Abuja residence.

The highpoint of the visit was when Chinko performed his award winning song “Able God” to the admiration of Senator Kalu and his guests. The performance reached a crescendo when Chinko Ekun switched to a freestyle session using a background instrumental in which the law graduate of OAU-ILE-IFE turned musician displayed his Rap prowess . However, Senator Kalu got everyone astonished when he stood up and signaled Chinko to pause and joined the rap session.

The Chief Whip also engaged the youths in brief discuss session on pertinent national issues and the legislative support for the creative industry.


See Video below…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sncnYAfxvts


https://thenigeriadaily.com/2020/11/16/video-orji-kalu-dances-gbese-freestyles-with-popular-rapper-chinko-ekun/

More Exclusive pictures...

Popular award winning Rapper "Chinko Ekun" on Saturday evening met with the former Governor of Abia State and current Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

"Chinko Ekun" whose real names are "Oladapo Olamide Emmanuel" arrived the "Aso-Villa" Abuja residence of the Senate Chief Whip at about 3:15pm in company of his friends.

The visibly thrilled prolific Rapper was ushered into the building and made his way straight the expansive visitor's lounge to greet Senator Kalu who was already hosting other dignitaries.

Chinko Ekun who bagged "The Headies Award for Best Street-Hop Artiste for the Hit song "Able God" exchanged pleasantries with Senate Chief Whip and was immediately invited to join the banquet.

The highpoint of the visit was when Chinko performed his award wining song "Able God" to the admiration of the Senator Kalu and his guests. The performance reached a crescendo when Chinko Ekun switched to a freestyle session using a background instrumental in which the law graduate of OAU-ILE-IFE turned musician displayed his Rap prowess . However, Senator Kalu got everyone astonished when he stood up signaled Chinko to pause and joined the rap session.

The Chief Whip also engaged the youths in brief discus session on pertinent national issues and the legislative support for the creative industry.

https://igberetvnews.com/1371709/popular-rapper-able-god-crooner-chinko-ekun-meets-sen-kalu-photos/

Frontline Chieftain of Peoples Democratic party ( PDP) in Akwai Ibom state, Chief Vincent Enobong has come hard on the convener of a civil society organization, Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju ,over comments made against former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio
Enobong in an interview with newsmen at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo on Monday, called Adeyanju a fraudster who has serial cases of defrauding youths and politicians.

Responding to questions on the corruption allegation against ex Governor Akpabio, Enobong said Adeyanju’s petition was politically motivated as it was targeted to tarnish the image of imaginary political enemies of his paymaster, former Lagos State Governor , Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
He accused Adeyanju of “leaving those that stole billions and still stealing from Lagos state to talk about Akwa Ibom former Governor.”

Adeyanju had on Friday written a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ,( EFCC) urging the EFCC not to forget its petition against the Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the acting Managing Director of the Niger-Delta Development Commission, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei.
The petition dated November 6, 2020, and titled, ‘Re-arraign Senator Orji Uzor Kalu Now’, was also demanding for the re-arraignment of former Abia governor and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

According to Enobong, “it is time we the South South teach the riff raff called Adeyanju a physical lesson. This is not the first time he has dragged the name of our illustrious son to the mud. He is claiming to be a social crusader meanwhile he is a fraudster and blackmailer. This is how he goes about collecting money from politicians and promising them image making. It is because Akpabio refused to entertain his financial requests that he is comfortable dragging his name unnecessarily.

Speaking further, H e said, “If he thinks Akpabio is corrupt, what does he think about his own brothers and paymasters? Tinubu has not done any legitimate business aside been a staff of Chevron in the 90s . What business has Tinubu done to have so much money ? What business has Fashola done to have so much money ? These are the big thieves that should be prosecuted. Is Adeyanju not aware of the petition against Tinubu’s Alpha and Alpha ? Why is he not talking about it ?

“We will definitely not allow that lousy yoruba man to destroy our own while leaving his own corrupt brothers and paymasters to live frivously.” He said

https://warrireporters.com/2020/11/deji-is-tinubu-stooge-fraudster-must-stop-blackmailing-akpabio-vincent-enobong/

Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state, Chief Femi Adedibu has called on the Justice Ayo Salami-led presidential panel probing the embattled and suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu, to look into the activities of EFCC lawyers Rotimi Jacobs and Rotimi Oyedepo.

The Prominent Chieftain also requested the presidential panel to publicly invite Nigerians who must have had extortion experiences with the two lawyers to send in memoranda and petitions just as he said the anti-graft commission lawyers stinks of professional misconduct and are worse than Ibrahim Magu.

In an interview with Warrireporters.com , Adedibu said he has resolved to petition the Justice Ayo Salami – led presidential panel investigating Magu to also look at the extensively damaging bribery allegations made by some Nigerians against Rotimi Jacobs and Rotimi Oyedepo.

According to Adedibu, the experiences shared by some people who have had encounters with the anti-graft commission lawyers are very saddening and embarrassing. Corruption is so pervasive in Nigeria that it has turned public service for many into a kind of criminal enterprise . How can a lawyer representing such an anti corruption institution demand 200 million naira to close cases before the EFCC? It goes to show us the magnitude and moral deficits of people representing the institution.

“Rotimi Jacobs and Rotimi Oyedepo are brothers and need to be thoroughly investigated. They are worse than the politicians they take to courts and deserve to rot in jail. What they do is to use the EFCC to arrest, harass and intimidate anyone that fails to pay their price . It is more painful because the EFCC is the only Nigerian government institution that was meant to pose a meaningful challenge to the impunity enjoyed by corrupt and powerful members of the political elite. It is important and necessary for Justice Ayo Salami – led presidential panel to find quick and pragmatic steps to bring the two lawyers to account for their misconducts.

Speaking further, he said , “I am even thinking the presidential panel is slow to have not extended their investigations to them . They have a synergy with Ibrahim Magu and that is why he allowed them to handle more than 70 corruption cases at the same time. It is time Buhari sanitize the anti-graft agency and put in a more responsible people to head the institution.

“What I mean to say is that Magu could never have acted alone, we want them to holistically investigate Rotimi Jacobs and Rotimi Oyedepo, the director of operation, the directors of records and audits from the time of Nuhu Ribadu and we heard the stories about the Kangaroo execution of orders that are not known to law. So, it is not just about Magu but those that helped him to work against Nigerians and conspired to commit the same crime with him” He said Adedibu also expressed his satisfaction over the way the security agencies handled the #EndSars protests that saw to loss of lives and property. He blamed those that attempted to destroy peaceful protests by engaging in violence acts, looting and maiming innocent police officers.

According to him, “the country would have been in serious anarchy if the police folded their hands and watch some of the misinformed youths go below expectations”.

Warrireporters.com recalls that Nigerians were on Monday, July 6, 2020, stunned by the news that men of the Department of Security Services (DSS) had arrested the now suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Ibrahim Magu and whisked him away to the Aso Rock Villa for interrogation over alleged fraud.
Magu was then detained at the Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) and was questioned by the Ayo-Salami-led Presidential Panel.
His travails began with a memo written by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami over alleged misappropriation of recovered funds, gross misconduct and insubordination.
The multiple allegations of fraud leveled against the anti-corruption czar were to the tune of a whopping N37 billion including confiscated property he was said to have cornered to himself and his cronies across the country.
Magu was also accused of living in an apartment of N20 million annually allegedly paid for upfront of N40 million by an alleged corrupt retired Air Commodore, who is being investigated by the EFCC.

The multiple allegations against him led to his presumed suspension by President Muhammadu Buhari and his replacement on Tuesday, July 7, by the Director of Operations in the EFCC, Muhammed Umar in acting capacity.
Magu has been in the vortex of controversy in the last five years, following the refusal of the 8thSenate led by Bukola Saraki to confirm him as substantive Chairman of the EFCC. The Senate rejected him because of a damning report of the DSS in 2016, which advised the upper legislative chamber not to confirm him on account of fraud and incompetence.

However, President Muhammadu Buhari re-nominated him but he was again rejected by the Senate in 2017 yet the President allowed him to act in clear violation of the EFCC ACT 2004, which stipulates that the Senate must confirm him before he can commence operations in the commission.


https://warrireporters.com/2020/11/corruption-rotimi-jacobs-rotimi-oyedepo-worse-than-magu-femi-adedibu/

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the results of the 2020 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

WAEC’s head of national office, Patrick Areghan, said a total of 1,549,740 registered for the examination.

Areghan said 1,338, 348 representing 86.99 per cent obtained credit and above in a minimum of any five subjects – with or without English Language and/or Mathematics.

He said 1,003, 668 candidates representing 65.24 per cent obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

To check the results, candidates were asked to visit the website of WAEC.

Earlier, WAEC postponed the release of the results due to attacks on some of its offices and operations nationwide by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protests
https://m.guardian.ng/breakingnews/waec-releases-2020-results/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&Echobox=1604318486

Suspected herdsmen have killed a police officer and a motorcyclist in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Catherine Anene, said the incident happened on Wednesday, October 28.

The police officer was shot dead at the Police post before Idokpo Market while the commercial cyclist unsuspectingly ran into the assailants.

“The two died before they could be rushed to the hospital.” Anene said on Thursday in Makurdi.

The PPRO explained that the Command is still investigating the motive behind the attack, adding that the identities of the victims are still unknown.

Meanwhile, the Ado Local government Chairman, James Oche has described the incident as cruel, inhuman, intolerable and has vowed to bring the perpetrators to book.

The Council Boss said he summoned an emergency meeting of the Local Government Security Council and thereafter personally briefed security agencies who are on course trailing the assailants.

He urged the people to remain calm, law abiding and also volunteer information that would lead to the arrest and prosecution of the killers while promising that his administration was ready for the task of ensuring security of lives and property.

https://thenigeriadaily.com/2020/10/30/breaking-herdsmen-kill-police-officer-motorcyclist-in-benue-state/

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday, October 29, that hoodlums looted one of its offices in Nigeria and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were stolen from the stores.

The African Regional Director, WHO, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, made this known while responding to questions on the impact of the hijacked endsars protest, riots and looting on its facilities and on the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, during a webinar on Thursday October 29.

Moeti said that mass gathering remains a breeding ground for wide spread of the pandemic.

She said, “I think it is always a major concern when you have mass gathering where people fail to take precautions , especially during riots and demonstrations, there’s certainly going to be wide spread of the pandemic.

“As I said earlier, we were concerned not just by the situation in Nigeria which is very sad but mostly about the way the riot was carried out. We are aware that in the process, the WHO office in one part of the country was raided and looted and so were some stores of the Personal Protective Equipment, a development we we say is very sad.”

On whether Nigerians should expect an increase w possible outbreak, Moeti said, “It is a concern and we wish to see the situation ease. But from all Indications, there is a need to ensure that the public health interventions are there for quick response to any eventualities.”

“This is similar to the situation in Guinea where there were mass demonstrations and violence in very unsafe situations,” the WHO official added.

The WHO regional director said Africa had witnessed a decline in the rate of infections since July which led to many countries relaxing lockdowns. She, however, said in the last couple of weeks, the rate of decrease of infections had slowed down.

Moeti added: “We have seen a kind of flattening of the curve. It is no longer going down. It has plateaued.

“We have seen this in a number of countries and it is often linked to two things ; easing of the lockdowns to aid movement.

“Not just by the situation in Nigeria, which is very sad by the way, and we know that in the process, the WHO office in one part of Nigeria was actually looted and so were some stores of PPEs. It is a very sad situation.”

https://thenigeriadaily.com/2020/10/30/hoodlums-ransacked-our-office-in-nigeria-who/