SENATE PASSES VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ON AKPABIO
Dons Eze
- October 17, 2024
HOUSE OF REPS FAULTS SACK OF MD ENUGU NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, MONDAY IGWE, CALLS FOR REINSTATEMENT
HOUSE OF REPS FAULTS SACK OF MD ENUGU NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, MONDAY IGWE, CALLS FOR REINSTATEMENT The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was misled to have replaced Prof. Monday Igwe as the Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychatric Hospital, Enugu. The House Committee has therefore directed the Federal Ministry of Health to reinstate him. The committee gave the directive, in his ruling on a petition brought before the House by Igwe against the Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Neuropsychatric Hospital, Enugu challenging his removal as the Medical Director of the institution. The Chairman of the committee, Mike Ataba, in his ruling said, “we have listen to this matter. We don’t need to call the Honourable Minister of Health for state. Mr President has been misled for him to replace this man (Igwe). And the House’s position is that this man be reinstated back to his duties and that will be our recommendation to the floor.” Igwe, in his petition to the House, had contended that his suspension and subsequent termination of his appointment did not follow laid down procedure. Consequently, he prayed the parliament to declare his suspension and termination of his appointment illegal and direct the government to reinstate him. While testifying before the committee, Igwe explained that “I was appointed as medical director for the second and final term with effect from April 1, 2023. Around September there was frivolous allegations petitions from the acting principal of the school and some social media information that was misleading and not true. For example, he claimed that the School of of nursing was closed and that I was responsible for “Then on 5/9 2023, the federal ministry of Health gave me a query to respond to the allegations of closing the school. The school was not closed, it was the nursing and midwifery council that withdrew accreditation. So, I didn’t close school. I responded on 8th of September. I was expecting that I would be called for fair hearing. “On 20th of September I got a suspension letter without any recourse to me to explain what I have written as a response to the query. And it was very unfair. I wasn’t given a fair hearing and the suspension was indefinite. And in public service, there is nothing like indefinite suspension. It either you suspend somebody for three months or for six months. But I was suspended indefinitely.” Also, the counsel to the petitioner, Micheal Okorie , told the panel that action of the Hearth ministry, “including the suspension and termination did not follow the laid down procedure in the circular from the SGF.” He added that “disciplinary procedure against chief executives of federal parastatals should follow certain procedures, that any action in respect of suspension should be routed through the Office of the SGF to the President. It is Mr President that will take a decision about the suspension or termination if the appointment of a chief executive officer. But in this case, they did not follow the procedure.” However, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Daju Kachollom, in her response said the suspension and subsequent termination of Igwe’s appointment as the MD of the the Federal Neuropsychatric Hospital, Enugu was in accordance with extant rules. She explained that Igwe was suspended based on a petition from the institution. According to her, after his three months suspension elapsed, it was further extended for another three months before his eventual sack. Nevertheless, the lawmakers observed that Igwe’s appointment was terminated after he was issued only one query; and that the Ministry of Health disregarded the recommendations of a 7-man panel, which recommended the reinstatement of the latter. Therefore, they insisted that Kachollom should furnish…
TINUBU IN FRANCE FOR ‘MEDICAL REASONS’ PRESIDENCY KEEPS MUTE ON WHEREABOUTS
TINUBU IN FRANCE ‘FOR MEDICAL REASONS’, PRESIDENCY KEEPS MUTE ON WHEREABOUTS Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu has gone to France, SaharaReporters has gathered. The President’s trip to France came a few days after his trip to Saudi Arabia officially ended following the conclusion of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh on Monday. Investigation by SaharaReporters showed that the President first went to London, England from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, and then left the UK for France on Thursday. While the Presidency has been silent on the trip to the UK from Saudi Arabia and later to France, SaharaReporters was told that the President’s unreported trip to France was for medical reasons. “The President is in France to see his doctors,” a source said. An investigation by SaharaReporters revealed that a Nigerian presidential aircraft, a Gulfstream Aerospace GV-SP (G550) with registration number 5N-FGW and serial number 5310 (Mode-S 0640F2) with Tinubu onboard arrived at Paris Airport-Le Bourget, France around 04:00pm on Thursday from an airport in London. The President on Tuesday morning left Saudi Arabia – where he attended the World Economic Forum – for London. A statement issued last week by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale said the special WEF meeting in Riyadh would end on Monday, April 29. “After his engagements in the Netherlands, President Tinubu will proceed to attend a special World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting scheduled for April 28-29 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,” the statement had read. Meanwhile, in the statement, the Presidency carefully left out information about when Tinubu was expected back in Nigeria after the international forum or that he would visit the UK and France after leaving Saudi Arabia. Also, the Presidency has been silent on President Tinubu’s whereabouts since the international summit ended on Monday, April 29. Efforts to reach Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, for comments and clarification failed as he did not answer calls from our correspondent. He also did not reply to messages sent to his mobile phone. However, SaharaReporters learnt that the 5N-FGW (Gulfstream Aerospace) which was operated as Nigerian Air Force 1 – meaning the President was on board – left Riyadh International Airport on Tuesday, April 30 at 12:05 am (02:05 am Saudi Arabian time) and arrived at Stansted Airport, London at 06:35 am, UK time. The jet was used to replace the Boeing Business Jet (Boeing 737-700) 5N-FGT that is still in Germany for repairs. “Nigerian Air Force 1 isn’t technically the plane, it’s simply the radio call name for any Nigerian Air Force jet carrying the President of Nigeria. “As soon as the president steps aboard an Air Force jet, either the Boeing Business Jet (Boeing 737-700) 5N-FGT or Gulfstream Aerospace GV-SP (G550) with registration number 5N-FGW or the Falcon 7X jet (5N-FGV), that aircraft is referred to as Nigeria Air Force 1 by the crew and all air traffic controllers, in order to avoid confusion with any other planes in the area and give him special treatment. “No plane can operate as Nigerian Air Force 1 without the President onboard, it’s an illegal and treasonable offence. So for it to be operated as NAF 01 to London as you stated clearly showed President Tinubu was onboard. “If you check the flight history of the current plane in London, you would realise it was operated recently as Nigerian Air Force 2, meaning that Vice President Shettima was the one onboard,” a senior Nigerian Air Force officer had told SaharaReporters. Before the 2023 general elections, Tinubu’s health was a source of concern for many Nigerians. SaharaReporters had reported how the former Lagos governor spent over four months patronising hospitals in France, the United States and the…
AFDB, FG TO PARTNER ENUGU STATE IN AGRO-INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING
AFDB, FG TO PARTNER ENUGU STATE IN AGRO-INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING The African Development Bank (AFDB) and the federal government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Ministry of Finance, yesterday, disclosed its readiness to partner with the Enugu State Government in the development of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SPAZ) in the state. This was in line with the promise made to the people by the Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, that his administration would establish SAPZ in the three senatorial zones in the state as a way of harnessing commercial agriculture, food production, and rural areas into economic zones. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, who was represented by Dr. Akande Oyetola of the African Financial Institutions while leading the team to Enugu State, described their visit to the proposed over 1,000 hectares of land earmarked for the pilot project as a preparatory mission to ascertain the level of preparedness of the state government for the landmark project. The minister, who commended the state’s readiness for the SAPZ initiative having provided over 1000 hectares of land for the kickoff with access road to the farmland, maintained that Enugu had met a good number of the condition precedent which a state must fulfill before the intervention of other partners in the development of the agro-processing zones. “We are here to improve the livelihood of the farmers, create investment for them, and improve their incentives as they engage in their farming activities. Our mission here is to see what Enugu State has in place to propel the bank to disburse funds for this project. I must say that I am satisfied with what I have seen because the state has provided over a thousand hectares of land which is one of the criteria a state must have to enable it to participate in this programme. It is one thing to be envisaging participation in a programme and another thing to have the requisite infrastructure. So, the infrastructure we are seeing now is satisfactory to us,” the minister added. The traditional ruler of Owo Community in Nkanu East Local Government Area, Igwe Okeke Arum, assured the visiting team that his people had already embraced the development, adding that Owo people would donate additional land if required and would continue to ensure the success of the project in order to guarantee food security in the country. “We gave this land to the government with our hearts. This is over 1000 hectares, and we are ready to give more. We welcome this development because we know that it will not only help our community but also the state and Nigeria at large. The community is ready, and we are supporting this development that is coming because the benefit is enormous,” the traditional ruler further noted. The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro Industrialisation, Engr. Patrick Ubru, who was accompanied by senior government officials in the state, said the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone was in line with Governor Peter Mbah’s mission to end hunger and eradicate poverty in the state. “We are very much ready for this project. As you can see, the governor is already constructing a 40km dual carriageway from Owo-Ubahu-Amankanu-Neke-Ikem-Obollo, linking Enugu State to the North Central. He has equally done the access road to the over 1000 hectares of land. We have equally gone ahead to do environmental impact analysis and feasibility studies, which we are going to amend in line with the recommendations of the federal government before their next visit. The community, too, is welcoming the development with two hands and promising to donate more land when the need arises,” Ubru said.Other dignitaries in the team included Dr. Chuma Ezedimma, team leader, African…
I’LL BE AMONG FIRST TO IMPLEMENT NEW MINIMUM WAGE – GOV UZODINMA
I’LL BE AMONG FIRST TO IMPLEMENT NEW MINIMUM WAGE – GOV UZODINMA The Imo Governor, Hope Uzodimma on Wednesday said his government would be among the first to implement the new minimum wage anytime the tripartite committee and the federal government agree on the issue. Uzodimma stated this while addressing workers on this year’s workers’ day celebration at Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kalu Square in Owerri. According the governor, “I thank the workers for the support they have extended to my administration since 2020 when i assumed office leading to industrial harmony in the State and more importantly, for supporting my reelection that made me record a resounding victory in all the 27 local government areas in Imo State. I promise not to take this support for granted hence my administration will continue to place the welfare and interest of the people above every other consideration.” The Governor listed some of his welfare packages to Imo workers to include: implementation of N30,000 minimum wage, prompt payment of salaries, free transportation to and fro work, free health insurance scheme with complete payment of premium, palliative measures to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal, adjustment of the salary to N40,000 for the lower cadre of workers, among others. The Governor recalled that his government was among the first to domesticate the increase of Service period of teachers from 60 to 65 years of age and 35 to 40 years of Service, commencement of payment of gratuities to retired workers, not forgetting the comprehensive renovation of the State Secretariat, to name but a few. He said his government set out to implement all the above programmes without being prompted by workers and that because they appreciated them they did not see the need for industrial action in the State.” He was not happy that “some workers connive with corrupt and fraudulent persons to undermine the government by way of stealing of government property like land, raising fake invoices and using same to steal government money and in most cases, setting up private businesses that divert their attention away from serving the government fully and sincerely. It was the mess I discovered in the ministry of land, for instance, that compelled me to cede the ministry for now to my own office as a way of restoring the needed sanity and trust.” However, he said: “The workers and the State Government and the national leadership of the NLC are on the same page as regards what is best for them contrary to earlier insinuations. Be that as it may, I promise that my government will be among the first to implement the new minimum wage after being properly guided by the federal government anytime the tripartite committee and the federal government agree on the issue.” Earlier in his address, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Imo State Chapter, Comrade Uche Chigemezu Nwigwe, while thanking the governor for being sensitive to their plights, he said: “Some pressing needs of Imo workers, such as, the immediate implementation of the financial effect of the arrears of promotion already approved by him for Imo workers, for which the workers now have their Gen-35.Other demands include: implementation of consequential adjustment of salary on the approved N30,000 minimum wage for workers from grade levels 08 to 17, appeal to add additional buses to the existing fleet of free buses for Imo workers, request that the State should be among the first to implement the new national minimum wage, when finally approved, among others.
REPENTANT BOKO HARAM MEMBERS INVADE POLICE STATION IN BORNO, WANT TO SET FREE COLLEAGUES
REPENTANT’ BOKO HARAM MEMBERS INVADE POLICE STATION IN BORNO, WANT TO SET FREE COLLEAGUES Some repentant Boko Haram insurgents Tuesday night invaded a police station in Maiduguri in an attempt to set free their colleagues that were arrested earlier over alleged drug offences, witnesses said yesterday. However, Police Public Relations Officer in Borno State, Kenneth Daso, who confirmed that there was an incident at the police station, said the assailants were repelled by officers on duty. Daso said the security breach was heralded by an operation carried out by the police. He said, “On the 30/04/24 at about 1745hrs in a joint operation raid at the Kasuwar Fara, following an intelligence report that some drug peddlers, smokers, repentant and Boko Haram insurgents are indulging in nefarious activities, eight persons were arrested including seven male and a female in that operation with 476grams of illicit substances. “As you know, such activities have been banned in the area by the state government since last year. “Few hours after the arrest, some unscrupulous persons, so-called repentant Boko Haram, dressed up in military attire tried to invade our police station at Ibrahim Taiwo but were repelled immediately. “Thereafter, they went and attacked Nigeria Immigration Service and NDLEA check points after the welcome to the township gate and they burnt it down,” he said. ASP Kenneth said a serious investigation is currently ongoing to unravel those who were behind the acts. However, some eyewitnesses told one of our correspondents that the attackers, dressed in military camouflage and wielding cutlasses, forcefully gained access into the police station and whisked away some suspects. “About 20 of the attackers forced their way into the police station and escaped with some of the detained members. “They left some policemen on duty wounded; they also went on rampage attacking passers-by with cutlasses, before reinforcements by the CRACKS team arrived,” he said. Another witness said the police operatives in the station did their best to repel the attackers but were subdued. “Some of the police operatives took to their heels but returned when reinforcements came. We were told that the actual suspects could not be freed, only some people at the counter escaped. It was a sad incident,” he said. Residents in the area said they were scared by the development, saying the incident was a clear indication that Maiduguri is no longer safe. Fanta Modu, who owns a restaurant around the area, urged the government to reconsider its approach to issues around the de-radicalisation exercise of the federal government. “I was relatively young when followers of Mohammed Yusuf (Boko Haram founder) launched simultaneous attacks on Maiduguri in 2009. They also attacked the police headquarters at that time. “Honestly, the recent event reminds me of that terrible incident. I am of the view that the so-called repentant Boko Haram members have not fully repented. They are not well refined because if they have been fully reintegrated into the society, why would they go back to drugs to the extent that they had the audacity to attack security posts?” she asked. Contacted, Abdulrahman Bundi, who is one of the spokespersons for Governor Babagana Zulum, said they were yet to be briefed on the matter and therefore, could not comment on it. “I just read it on social media. There is no enough information but I assure you that the government will comment on the matter after we get the correct information on what transpired,” he said. Recall that on March 5, 2021, Governor Zulum had said that the de-radicalisation of repentant Boko Haram members “is not working.” Zulum, who spoke at the North-East Governors’ Forum meeting in Bauchi, said that the initiative needed to be reviewed because some of the ex-Boko Haram members only come…
TEARS AS EBONYI COMMUNITIES FIGHT: CHILDREN, PREGNANT WOMAN, OTHERS KILLED
TEARS AS EBONYI COMMUNITIES FIGHT: CHILDREN, PREGNANT WOMAN, OTHERS KILLED At least 11 persons including children, mothers were killed on Wednesday when suspected armed men said to be warlords attacked the residents of Inikiri Effium community in Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi State. Ezza Effium and Effium community of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have been at war since January 2021 leading to loss of lives and destruction of property worth billions of Naira in the State. According to report, the victims of this latest attack include children between the ages of two and 12 years as well as a pregnant woman who were massacred by the armed persons who invaded the community. The gunmen were said to have invaded the community at about 2 pm and shot sporadically till 6 pm without a challenge from the soldiers stationed in the area. Speaking with our correspondent, a resident who hails from the community, Jeremiah Obaji urged Ebonyi State government to arrest the leaders of the community. According to him, “just yesterday, they attacked Inikiri Umuezeoka where they massacre children, old men and women and burnt down every structure within their reach including Amurt.” “This is unbecoming and Ebonyi State government should arrest their leaders.” “It’s now obvious that Uffiom never wanted peace.”The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu said he has not received any information on the incident.
10 «лучших» онлайн-казино май 2024 г Азартные игры на реальные деньги
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IHEDIOHA’S PLAN TO JOIN LABOUR PARTY HITS BRICK WALL
IHEDIOHA’S PLAN TO JOIN LABOUR PARTY HITS BRICK WALL Former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha, may have hit a roadblock in his planned move to the Labour Party (LP). Ihedioha had recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with hundreds of his loyalists, and was expected to join the LP to further his 2027 governorship ambition. He had met with Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Sunday, signaling his intention to join the LP. Otti, the only South East Governor elected on the LP platform, was seen as a key figure in Ihedioha’s planned move. However, sources within the LP revealed that Ihedioha’s move is facing stiff resistance from the party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Imo State, Senator Athan Achonu. Achonu, who placed a distant third in the November 11, 2023 governorship election, is currently challenging the victory of Senator Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Election Petitions Tribunal. According to multiple sources, Achonu is resisting Ihedioha’s move to the LP and his intention to take over the party structure in the State. “Athan complained to Otti that Ihedioha has an overbearing attitude and influence in any party he is in,” a source revealed. “He specifically mentioned what Ihedioha had said in Ghana, where he described anyone who votes for Peter Obi, the LP presidential candidate in the 2023 Presidential election, as a saboteur,” the source added.Achonu has instructed his loyalists at the ward and local government levels of the party in Imo State not to panic over their positions and not to lose sleep over Ihedioha’s planned move.
YOUR CLAIMS OF INCITING IGBOS AGAINST FG BASELESS, PETER OBI REPLIES UMAHI
YOUR CLAIMS OF INCITING IGBOS AGAINST FG BASELESS, PETER OBI REPLIES UMAHI The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi has described the allegation that he is inciting people of the South-East against the federal government as baseless. Obi stated this in a statement via his verified X handle on Thursday. Recall that Minister of Works, David Umahi, while speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos on Wednesday, accused Obi of inciting people of the South-East against the federal government over the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project. Umahi said Obi implemented the demolition of structures for road infrastructure while he was governor of Anambra. The former governor of Anambra said the allegation is a “baseless distraction,” intended to tarnish his character. He said his “focus is on fostering constructive dialogue and inclusivity, rather than engaging in divisive politics.” Obi said he would not reduce himself to the level of those who wallow in ethnic politics. He stated, “Regarding allegations of incitement against the government, I firmly reject these unfounded accusations aimed at tarnishing my character.“My focus is on fostering constructive dialogue and inclusivity, rather than engaging in divisive politics.
CONDEMNATION TRAILS BEATING OF FEMALE NURSE BY MASQUERADES IN NSUKKA
CONDEMNATION TRAILS BEATING OF FEMALE NURSE BY MASQUERADES IN NSUKKA Wild condemnation trails the beating to pulp of a nurse by a group of masquerades in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State on Sunday. The has attracted outrage, with individuals and groups demanding justice for the nurse who was racing to her duty call. The victim was identified as Miss Blessing Ogbonna, a staff of a private hospital in Nsukka. In a video trending online, the nurse, properly kitted, was flogged until she fell down from a motorbike. As she managed to get up and run, the hordes of masquerades continued to beat her till she fell into a deep drainage. Miss Blessing told an online TV that a tipper blocked her view while she was riding to the hospital, adding that before she could see the masquerades, it was too late to run. While calling for justice for her and other victims, she said that she had remained traumatised as they showed her no mercy. The development had drawn the ire of many Nigerians, who called for outright ban of the ‘Oriokpa Nsukka masquerade’, which they said was notorious for committing all manners of crime. Apart from always beating people to a pulp for not parting with money, they have also been accused of bearing arms. Reacting to the sad incident, a rights group, Heroine Women Foundation said the action of the masquerads and their handlers must be probed and proper sanctions meted out on them. The Executive Director of the Foundation, Amb. Onyi Mama, said the act against the female nurse shouldn’t be tolerated by the relevant authorities. “Watching the video of the attack on this helpless lady is so painful and I wonder what has happened to our humanity,” Amb. Mama said. “What is even more sad is that this is a nurse in the business of saving lives and was on her way to work when these conscienceless individuals descended on her and were having fun in her pain. “How do you even begin to define this as a cultural display? I call on the relevant authorities to round up anyone involved in this act to serve as a deterrent to others,” she demanded. Similarly, a pressure group in the Nsukka zone, Otobo Nsukka Cultural Zone Community Developmental Initiative, had rallied authorities to ensure justice for the nurse. In a statement signed by Prince Chibeze Onah, Convener and Agu Chineme, Head of Administration, the group disclosed that it had traced the nurse to where she was receiving treatment and that justice was underway. “We are happy to inform the general public that the leadership of Otobo Nsukka Cultural Zone Community Developmental Initiative led by Prince Chibeze Onah (Tallest), Convener, and Agu Chineme Mc O one, Head of Administration, today, Tuesday, April 30th, 2024, took swift action to locate the nurse in question. “We met her at a hospital in Nsukka, where she is receiving medical treatment. After interviewing her, we discovered that she was mercilessly beaten by the Oriokpa masquerades at Echara Nsukka while on her way to answer an emergency call from a patient. “We thank God that she is responding to treatment as of the time we met her. “Otobo Nsukka Cultural Zone Community Developmental Initiative NGO is calling on the Igwe, PG, and youth leaders of Echara Nsukka to ensure that those behind the incident are brought to justice, so that such an incident does not repeat itself. Culture should be revered, not used as a cover for hooliganism. “It was possible that through the leadership of Otobo Nsukka Cultural Zone Community Developmental Initiative, Blessing Ogbonna, was opportune to speak with the government of Enugu State officially. “We look forward that the office of the…