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‘Buhari must take responsibility for the unequal distribution of power in Nigeria’ – Bishop Kukah

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‘Buhari must take responsibility for the unequal distribution of power in Nigeria’ – Bishop Kukah

Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, says President Buhari’s APC administration must take responsibility for the uneven distribution of power in Nigeria.

Kukah said this at the 2021 edition of The Platform, an annual conference organised by Pastor Poju Oyemade of the Covenant Christian Centre, Lagos.

The programme was themed, ‘Is Devolution of Powers The Solution To Nigeria’s Problems’.

Participating virtually, the cleric said, “anybody who loves this country would have to accept the fact that the APC as a government and the President must take responsibility for the fact that the way power has been distributed in Nigeria has created a sense of alienation and it is the underlining factor why people feel the way they feel, why people feel so disenchanted, why people don’t feel a sense of psychological, emotional, cultural or even economical involvement in their country and there is the need to reclaim all of those things back,”.

“The challenge now is how do we connect back because all the things we are hearing now, nobody would have expected to hear them and now everybody wants to go home.

“Yes, it may be right for everybody to want to go. Yes, it may be right for people to want to feel so dissatisfied that they want an end to what we have today. But the cost of staying together is far cheaper than the cost than the cost of everybody going his way.

“The most important thing here is that the government must give us a reason – the body language – we need to be inspired as a country to inspire ourselves that this country is worth the psychological, the spiritual and the cultural engagements.” he said.

Workers in Nigeria have “never had it so bad” – Atiku Abubakar

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Workers in Nigeria have “never had it so bad” – Atiku Abubakar

Nigeria’s former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, says workers in Nigeria have “never had it so bad” in his workers’ day message issued on Friday.

Abubakar said rising inflation has wiped out the benefits of the increased minimum wage – he said, productivity will “inevitably take a nosedive” in the face of low morale and poor motivation.

He lamented what he called the frightening economic decimation of the working class, “The Nigerian workers have never had it so bad. The impacts of the lockdown and worsening inflation have taken their heaviest toll on the working class. The situation is so bad that they are now living from hands to mouth,” .

“Even what we call basic food items are unaffordable and we are in a situation where the price of a bag of rice is nearly at par with the value of our minimum wage.

“Increase in the national minimum wage has been matched or neutralised by astronomical inflation that is accelerating at a breathtaking rate almost daily. Even the locally produced foods are prohibitively expensive.“Let me be clear: these challenges of economic survival are not limited to the civil servants alone. They affect the working class at all levels, including artisans and other low-income groups that are struggling desperately to put food on the table in the face of declining incomes and rising inflation.”

The former presidential candidate further said that in the face of extreme poverty and declining incomes, public officials should review the cost of governance to align with current economic realities.“The extravagant lifestyles of elected officials while poverty is decimating the people is a demonstration of insensitivity. We can’t tell ordinary people to make sacrifices while elected officials are reluctant to take the lead in making those sacrifices,” he said.

“Elected and appointed officials must at all levels cut down on their extravagant expenditures at the expense of the people.”

‘I did not blame El-Rufai for Kaduna killings’ – Oshiomhole

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‘I did not blame El-Rufai for Kaduna killings’ – Oshiomhole

The Former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has denied accusing the Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, of being responsible for the banditry and killings in the state.

Oshiomhole in a statement he personally signed and released on Friday night, noted that a report by an unnamed “obscure online media”, misrepresented the speech he delivered at the 2nd Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) National Peace and Security Summit, held in Abuja on Thursday April 29, 2021.

According to the former Governor of Edo state, at no time did he make reference to Governor Nasir El-Rufai or the retrenchment of civil servants by the Kaduna state government, during the entire speech.

“In the body of the report, the writer maliciously misrepresented the speech delivered by me at the 2nd Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) National Peace and Security Summit, held in Abuja on Thursday April 29, 2021.

“As rightly reported by all the mainstream national newspapers and television networks that gave media coverage at the event, I blamed the worsening security situation in the country partly on the massive closure of factories over the years by successive governments.” He wrote.

“Specifically, I mentioned the closure of textile factories in Kaduna, Kano, and Lagos; the closure of Dunlop, Michelin Tyre factories and Bata, Lemards Shoe factories. I opined that closure of factories in Kaduna alone affected over 35,000 workers and possibly the same number in Kano.

“At no time during the entire speech did I make reference to Gov. Nasir El-Rufai or the retrenchment of civil servants by the Kaduna state government.

“There was no consonance of opinion in the position I advocated as being responsible for the heightened security challenges in Nigeria today and that of the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Fhilibus Wabba, as can be clearly deduced from the accurate reports of the newspaper correspondents and electronic media personnel that were present [at] the summit.” He further stated.

Jelani & Jalil: Kiss Daniel has made an important announcement

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Jelani & Jalil: Kiss Daniel has made an important announcement

Singer, Kiss Daniel has announced the arrival of his twin babies, Jelani and Jalil. The singer is a first-time parent and has enthusiastically posted it online alongside other publicly-known accomplishments.

He revealed through his Instagram page on Saturday that he has welcomed two boys, Jelani and Jalil.

“????? ?? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ????????? ?? ????????, ???? ?????????? ??? ??????? ?? ?? ????… ?????? & ???????,” the singer shared the news while stating that there’s no better way to usher a new year in his life.

Residents block Abuja-Kaduna Highway in protest

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Residents block Abuja-Kaduna Highway in protest

Residents angered by incessant abductions and bandit attacks have blocked the Gonin Gora end of the Abuja-Kaduna Highway in Chikun Local Government area of Kaduna State in protest.

The protest follows the recent abduction of four people in Ungwan Auta in Gonin Gora by bandits on Saturday night according to Channels Television.

The protesters, in their numbers, barricaded the busy road with stones and wood, insisting that nobody will pass until the state Governor Nasir El-Rufai addresses them.

They also prevented the convoy of a top military officer from passing through the road.

Gonin Gora, like some other communities in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been experiencing incessant attacks and kidnappings by bandits, a situation which many of the residents described as worrisome.

Kaduna State government had on Friday said a total number of 323 people were killed by bandits in Kaduna State between January and March 2021.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who presented the figures during the state security report meeting explained that of the 323 people killed by bandits during the period under review, 292 were males and 20 were females.

He added that a total of 949 people were kidnapped by bandits during the period, while Kaduna Central senatorial district accounted for 236 deaths within Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Igabi, and Kajuru Local Government Areas.

Kankara Boys kidnapper, Auwalun Daudawa, who recently returned to the forest, has been killed

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Kankara Boys kidnapper, Auwalun Daudawa, who recently returned to the forest, has been killed

Notorious bandit leader Auwalun Daudawa, who led the abduction of over 300 students of Government Science Secondary School Kankara, Katsina state, has been killed.

Daudawa had surrendered and accepted Governor Bello Matawalle’s peace initiative on February 8. However, a few days ago, NewsWireNGR reported that Daudawa had returned to the forest to continue his banditry.

Confirming his killing to Channels Television, the Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs in Zamfara State, Abubakar Dauran said Daudawa left Gusau day two days ago.

He had reportedly told some people that he was going to attend one of his relatives’ wedding. However, he rustled over 100 cows and killed the herdsman in charge, the Commissioner said.

In retaliation, some people around the area organised and killed him.

Daudawa had surrendered 20 AK-47 rifles, 20 Magazines, one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), one Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) and several ammunitions to the Zamfara State government on the day he repented with five of his comrades.

Insecurity: University Of Jos shuts down hostels; students ordered to leave

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Insecurity: University Of Jos shuts down hostels; students ordered to leave

Authorities at the University of Jos have ordered students on campus to vacate their hostels with immediate effect until further notice.

The closure in coming days after Four students of Capro Secondary Mission School located at Gana Ropp in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State were abducted in the early hours of Thursday.

In a circular addressed to members of the university community which was released on Friday night, the Deputy Registrar of the University, Information and Publications, Abdullahi Abdullahi, said that the closure of the hostels followed security report regarding threats to the students, staff and properties which identified hostels as soft targets.

Abdullahi said, “Management of the University of Jos has directed that all hostels in the university should be closed.

“This follows an emergency meeting Management held with the University’s Dean of Students Affairs, Chief Security Officer, President, Students Union Government, Speaker of Parliament and External Security Agencies on Friday, April 30th, 2021. The meeting deliberated on a Security Report regarding security threat to the University Staff, Students and properties. As a result of this, soft targets like the Hostels are in great danger.

“In the light of the above, the hostels are to be closed with immediate effect. This is in the interest of the safety of students until all security measures have been perfected to protect the campuses as well as the hostels. However, all examinations are to continue unhindered.”

“Members of the university community are to note and strictly comply with this directive.”

2023 Presidency: Retired Generals drum supports for Yahaya Bello

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2023 Presidency: Retired Generals drum supports for Yahaya Bello

Again, the call for Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi to run for the Nigeria’s presidential race got intensified, this time from Kogi West Council of Elders who on Thursday,  pressed on the governor to sustain his desire to occupy the nation’s top seat come 2023. 

The group who made up of mostly retired military personnel were led by the former Military Governor of old Western States and former Minister of Police Affairs, General David Jemibewon (Rtd), the Council recognised Bello’s giant strides in the areas of infrastructure, security, education and human capital development- a feat, they asked, should be replicated at the national level. 

The council of elders specifically commended the governor for the establishment of Alape Staple Crops Processing Zone while appealing for speedy completion of the project. Speaking on behalf of the Council, General AB Momoh marvelled at the governor’s pushing development strides at a time the nation is embroiled and bleeding from all forms of insecurity. 

‘ We are not unaware of your relentless drive to push for safe corridor for kogi state, not perturbed by escalating insecurity in the country, you continue to push and embark on aggressive people’s oriented projects across the state. Your approach in dealing with criminal elements is commendable and we enjoin you to maintain the tempo.” Momah stressed 

On the unceasingly calls from all quarters for Yahaya Bello to run for the office of the president in 2023, the Council welcomed the calls as heartwarming and a testimony to the leadership imprints of the governor. 

“We are witnesses to the many calls from different groups, associations and persons calling on your Excellency to run for the office of president in 2023, this is not a surprise but a welcoming development for us and kogi people as a whole. This recognition and call for service gladden our hearts and we stand on the position of legitimacy to add our voice that you are eminently qualified to run for the office of the president in this country. The North Central zone is the heart of the Nigeria’s political equations, we contribute a lot to the development and progress of our country but never given a shot at the highest office in the land. You have what it takes to lead this country prosperously and we urge you not to betray the people calls whatsoever”, The council emphasized. 

In his response, Governor Bello thanked members of the Council and commended their advisory role which he said has added more values to every decision his administration has made. He said he will continue to seek their wealth of experience, wisdom and kind advice in ensuring that his administration remained focused in the provisions of critical needs for the people of the state. He appealed to the retired Generals to continue to offer advice in ways of combating insecurity in Nigeria noting that the fight against criminal elements cannot be won by those in position of authority alone. The governor said he will continue to do his best for the betterment of the people of kogi state while urging the elders for continuous engagement in discussion that will be of interest to the state. 

Other members of the county on the courtesy call were Vice Admiral Joseph Ajayi Rtrd, Chief James Awoniyi, Chief Ishaq Ajibola, And Secretary of the group 

Sacked former chairman of @FirstBankngr Mrs Ibukun Awosika @IbukunAwosika breaks silence

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Sacked former chairman of @FirstBankngr Mrs Ibukun Awosika @IbukunAwosika breaks silence

Sacked former chairman of First Bank Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, has insisted the decision to sack reinstated Managing Director of the bank, Adesola Adeduntan, was taken in the best interest of the institution.

She said maintained consistency in her contributions to development of the bank in over five years as chairman in an Instagram post late Friday.

Awosika explained she joined the bank’s board in October 2010 after which she was appointed to chair the board of FBN Life Insurance Limited.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had wielded the big stick on Awosika and Chairman of FBN Holdings, Mr. Oba Otudeko on Thursday.

The CBN named Mr. Remi Babalola as replacement for Otudeko (FBN Holdings Chairman) and Tunde Hassan-Odukale as Mrs. Awosika’s replacement FBN (Chairman).

Awosika, in a statement shared on Instagram, titled “My FBN Group Journey”, stated the decision to end the tenure of Adesola Adeduntan as the bank’s Managing Director was taken in the bank’s best interests.

But the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rejected the move by the bank’s board of directors

CBN argued the tenure of Adeduntan was yet to expire.

She said: “In October 2010, I was appointed to join the board of First bank of Nigeria.

“A few months later, I was appointed to chair the board of its startup FBN Life Insurance Limited (a joint venture with Sanlam of South Africa). As its pioneer chairman, I had the privilege of working with a strong management team led by Val Ojumah.

“Together with the rest of our team we built a company that became profitable in twenty four months and continues to be so.

“In early 2013, I was moved from FBN Life Insurance Ltd to assume the chairmanship of FBN Capital working with a brilliant team led by Kayode Akinkugbe as the Managing Director.

“We worked hard to build the institution, bought Kakawa Discount House which I was again asked by the Group to Chair.

“We eventually merged the companies to create the FBN quest Merchant Bank Group, which I chaired until my appointment as chairman of First Bank of Nigeria on January 1st 2016.

“For over five years, I have worked with a dedicated team of board and management, with the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria to rebuild and restructure the institution for its future.

“This included cleaning up non-performing loans, establishing good operational governance systems and processes, building controls and an effective and robust risk management system.

“I am confident we have brought First Bank of Nigeria to a place where it is more than able to deliver utmost value to its stakeholders and the nation at large.

“As a board, we acted in what we clearly believed to be in the best interest of the bank and we had great plans and aspirations for where the bank could go to in its future, building on all the work that has already been done in the last five plus years.

“Without a shadow of doubt, I will unequivocally state that I have always acted in honor and integrity with the utmost interest of the institution, all our stakeholders and the nation.”

Man arrested for collecting N400,000 to offer fake UNICAL employment

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Man arrested for collecting N400,000 to offer fake UNICAL employment

One Mr Godswill Johnson has been arrested by the University of Calabar security unit for fake employment racketeering in the university.

The arrest was made known by the school’s Acting Chief Security Officer, Usani Okon-Etim while parading the suspect to the vice-chancellor.

Okon-Etim said the suspect has duped many people in the guise of offering them employment in the institution, including a retired Commissioner of Police.

“He collected the first instalment of N400,000 from one retired Assistant Commissioner of Police and then collected another N350,000 from another person and he offered her a fake employment letter.

“The person saw the employment letter and noticed that it is at variance with other employment letters that people have collected, so she knew it was fake.

“They now traced the fake syndicate to the University and reported the matter to us; we mounted surveillance and we were able to pick him up. We recovered the fake appointment letter.

“The suspect has been on this business for years now and he has duped many persons, using a fake signature of the Registrar of the University on the fake employment letters,” he said.

Reacting, the VC expressed dissatisfaction that many people have been using the Vice-Chancellor’s name to swindle members of the public under the guise of giving them employment.

She said that the University was not carrying out any employment or awarding contracts on social media.

She vowed that the suspect would be prosecuted and made to face the consequences of the crime committed.

“We are going to court, and we are going to make sure that the law takes its course. We are not going to allow justice to be circumvented, we are going all out to ensure that justice is served to serve as a deterrent to others.

“The University of Calabar will not carry out employment on social media; if we are going to employ, the vacancies will be advertised on national dailies for Nigerians to apply.

“The University is not going to tolerate any act of fake employment racketeering from any individual that is caught,” she said.

The VC handed over the suspect to the Department of State Services for onward investigation and prosecution.

Buhari approves minimum wage for pensioners

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Buhari approves minimum wage for pensioners

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the payment of the consequential adjustment to pensioners.

President Buhari’s approval of the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) is in line with the minimum wage approved in 2019.

The Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, Dr Chioma Ejikeme, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja.

Dr Ejikeme said that with the presidential approval, PTAD had been empowered to start the upward adjustment of all pensioners’ benefits according to the approved template.

She said the adjustment of the new pension payment would start from May 2021 and the payment of the arrears would cover the period of the implementation of the minimum wage.

“The arrears from April 2019 will be paid along with the pensioners’ monthly benefit starting from May 2021 payroll,” Dr Ejikeme stated.

A statement was released on April 22, to inform the public of the President’s sincerity to implement the consequential adjustment on the pension benefits through PTAD.

She said; “I emphasise that the Nigeria Union of Pensioners has no reason to go on protest because the matter has been finalised.

“True to that statement, we are here to confirm that the consequential adjustment will be implemented from May 2021 payroll.

“As a responsible agency of government saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the payment of pension benefits to pensioners under the DBS and their welfare, we are encouraged to do more for our pensioners…And we will continue to strive to improve the quality of their lives.”

Dr Ejikeme also said that PTAD would not request the senior citizens to pay any gratification to anybody before they receive their money.

The Executive Secretary advised them not to give their account details to anybody, and to report any scammer to any of the security agencies or PTAD.

“We have concluded arrangements to send SMS to all pensioners, informing them of the payment and to caution them on the activities of the pension scammers.

“The time has come for DBS pensioners to continue to eat the fruits of their labour,” she added.

Nigerian Army Renames North-East’s Operation Lafiya Dole

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Nigerian Army Renames North-East’s Operation Lafiya Dole

The Nigerian Army has renamed Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) to Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) to reflect inclusiveness in the North-East geopolitical zone.

The renaming, according to a press release by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima is premised on the fact that the Nigerian Army (NA) has made a lot of progress over the years and needs to re-align for better efficiency.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru who approved the renaming expressed his belief that the complete defeat of insurgency is a process that requires the participation of the entire nation using all elements of national power as the new name depicts.

The renaming also affected the re-designation of the Army Super Camps which now reflect the nomenclature of the formations and units followed by the name of the locations they occupy, while sub-units are redesigned as Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) followed by the name of their locations. All these changes are with immediate effect.

The renaming is in line with the COAS Vision of having “A Nigerian Army that is Repositioned to Professionally Defeat all Adversaries in a Joint Environment.”

The COAS further assured the nation that the Nigerian Army under his leadership will continue to pursue the path of joint actions and oneness in prosecuting the counterinsurgency war.

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