Ebonyi group commends Umahi for sacking over 1000 aides urges him to recruit youths into civil service

Group under the Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in Diaspora, AESID, has commended governor Dave Umahi, for sacking over 1000 of his aides while urging him to recruit young men and women into the state’s civil service, saying politics is not a vocation.

In a statement signed on Thursday by the group’s President, Ambassador Paschal Oluchukwu, AESID also expressed satisfaction with the state government’s decision to share the COVID-19 palliatives to Ebonyians after three months.

The statement reads, “We commend the decision of the Governor to sack his Executive, Special and Technical Assistants who he acknowledged have been grossly inefficient in the discharge of their duties since their appointments.

“However, we urge him (the governor) to immediately recruit youths into the state’s civil service as he has not recruited any single soul into the system since his emergence in 2015.

“Because it is our believe that politics is not a vocation, we rather urge the governor to provide skilled employment opportunities for our teeming youths to teach them how to fish rather than just hand over pieces of fish to them.

“For us, it is very heart-warming that the State government has after months of delays and obstinate procrastinations, finally decided to share the COVID-19 palliatives to Ebonyians.

“We must therefore caution that these items must get to the government’s targeted benefactors which are poorest of the poor in our extremely poor State.

” It should not be hijacked by some political hawks wearing the toga of ‘Honourable’ in the various communities comprising our dear State.”

The association expressed displeasure over actions and inactions of certain principal officers of the state government for manipulating justice system against poor citizens in the state.

“On the other hand, we are also deeply saddened by the notorious and nefarious activities of some of those manning the hallowed temple of justice in our beloved State.

“We are reliably informed for instance, that despite AESID’s laudable call for immediate release of an Ebonyian, Engr. Stephen Oken who was recently arrested, detained by security agencies obviously working on the firm instructions of the state government for merely baring his mind on the plights of some displaced Ezza indigenes following the construction of the State’s airport project, he was later ‘dumped’ in prison and literally denied bail.

“A reliable source had stated very ostensibly that an appointee of the governor, had curiously demanded for a ‘book shelf’ for his office use to sign the bail bond of the said accused person before he was released from the Correctional Service Centre in Afikpo where he had been ‘dumped’ and abandoned for weeks on frivolous charges.

“This organization is miffed by this ugly development in our justice system as we may not know how many poor Ebonyians must have been denied justice due to the actions and inactions of certain principal officers of the state government.

“We hereby call on the Governor to thoroughly investigate this allegation and bring those culpable to book.”

The association also commended the leadership of the Department of State Security Service for its diligent and disciplinary action which led to the removal of the former director of DSS in Ebonyi following the outcome of investigations on a petition filed against him by a Business mogul and the Executive Director, Economic Strategic Growth and Development Initiative of Africa (ESGADIA) Maazi Obinna Agommuo.

“We wish to call on its men to be more circumspect and thorough by not allowing itself to be used as a pawn in the Chess board of some political actors and shenanigans in the state which we have keenly observed to be the case, particularly in our dear Ebonyi state.

“The falling of the dried leaves should ordinarily serve as a warning to the green ones and we believe the new Director who has since been posted to Ebonyi to replace the former would not tow the path of his predecessor.”

Buhari Finally appears with face mask - Photo

The President, Muhammadu Buhari, was on Thursday sighted with a face mask for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 had recommended the compulsory use of face mask while in public as one of the guidelines meant to curtail further spread of the virus in the country.

But while visitors to the Presidential Villa are always seen with face masks, Buhari has never been seen with one.

But in a photograph shared by his personal photographer, Bayo Omoboriowo, on Thursday, the President adorned face mask in Bamako, Mali.

The photograph showed the President with the white face mask as he disembarks the presidential jet.

Omoboriowo captioned the photograph as “@MBuhari arrives Bamako, Mali for the peace mission by the ECOWAS Head of states. 23rd July, 2020.”

Buhari and some West African leaders are currently in the Malian capital to find a solution to the worsening political crisis in the francophone country.

Nigerianpilot had earlier reported that Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, announced Wednesday that his principal would join his counterparts from the West African regional bloc on a peacekeeping mission to Mali.

NDDC fraud allegations probe is mind blowing – Okorotie

Chief Okorotie who doubles as Publicity Secretary of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, and Chairman Bayelsa  Elders Forum disclosed this in a chat with Nigerianpilot in his office in Yenagoa,  described the ongoing fraud allegations probe as a tragedy, and a culmination of what has been happening over the years.

He said, “well the outcome of the public hearing that the house of representatives in the ongoing probe of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC has been mind blowing.

 “Its a tragedy this country, to sit somewhere and cry and had made a fool of itself over the years. That a senator is having a billion naira  to go home on a monthly basis. That the jobs that should be for the upliftment of the Niger Delta people are now meant for outsiders to the detriment of the people.

“This Is what the Niger Delta people have been suffering, its not just Bayelsa state alone, it is the entire south south that is suffering, the minorities here are not considered as full fledge human beings, and that is why we are down. Tomorrow they will go and say the amount of money, that have spent here what , what has happened.

“The NDDC is the federal government agency not the state government, what have they done with the money they put it that place? We are looking at the state government, but the federal that has responsibility over NDDC for the effective development of the state, of the various States in the Niger Delta or in the areas of the jurisdiction of the NDDC.

“They have not done anything proper. So it is a great pity and it is sad that we live in a country that the federal government, does not deliberately do things to promote sense of belonging for its citizens. And when I say federal government, I’m not talking about the APC government alone  I’m talking about the federal government over the years. Because what is happening now is the culmination of what have been happening over the years., And I do hope that gory openings that we are seeing now would be addressed.

He blamed those that appoint the politicians without proper questioning or investigations, just so for easy manipulation.

Chief Okorotie said, “I would also like to observe that our people who have also occupied major position should also make sure that they stand their ground when they are faced with major decision. Of course I’m not surprised, why I blame them. because those who appoint them, choose lackies, people that they can easily manipulate. That is why they don’t make proper consultation and before they make the appointment”

He therefore, appealed to federal governments to ensure they do the proper things, by providing hospitals, roads and schools to the Niger Delta people.

“We appeal to the federal government to do the right thing, and the result of this forensic investigation that would take place let them make sure that the proper things are done so that our poor people can be helped, we need roads, we need hospitals, we need schools.”

Nigeriapilot reports that, the public hearing of the investigative panel at the house of representatives, which was set up to probe the corruption allegations against the minister God’s will Akpabio and members of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC, is ongoing.

Police arrest 2 serial Lekki car burglars

FILE: Police arraign 2 serial car burglars

The Police at the Maroko Division, Lekki, Lagos have arraigned two men for serial vehicle burglary in Lekki and Victoria Island in Lagos.

The two accused were Mukaila Atanda, 36, and Sunny Kamuli, 35.

They specialised in burglarising vehicles, the police said.

The suspects were accused of breaking into vehicles parked at supermarkets, church and events centres at Lekki Phase I and Victoria Island areas of Lagos to steal the properties inside.

Also charged with them was Agu Chikezie, a 38 year-old trader at the Computer Village, Ikeja.

He was charged with receiving from the suspects, stolen properties valued at N500,000.

Police alleged that Atanda and Kamuli, on 3 June 2020 stormed Angle Villa premises at Lekki Phase I and burgled a vehicle belonging to Onyeabor Okafor.

Police said the suspects stole the victim’s bag containing laptop and other valuable items worth N252,000 from the vehicle.

Also, on 25 June 2020 the suspects allegedly smashed the side glass of a Toyota Prado SUV with registration number AKD 160 FT parked by the owner, Ogbeide Osazuwa, at the DHL office premises at Lekki Phase I to steal an Apple laptop valued at N600,000.

Police said the suspects on the same day went to 38 Sinari Daranijo Street, Victoria Island to break into a Hyundai SUV GEE 300 AA parked by the owner, Oluwaseun Ogunnaike.

The suspects, according to police, stole from the vehicle, a bag containing HP laptop valued at N600,000, and escaped to Computer Village at Ikeja with the stolen items to sell to a trader, Agu Chikezie.

Following the complaints by the victims, a team led by SGT Ewa Ewa Abam swung into action and arrested the two suspects at a hideout in Lagos.

The suspects, thereafter, led the police to the Computer Village to arrest Chikezie, the alleged receiver of the stolen properties.

All the suspects were charged before the Igbosere Chief Magistrate’s Court on five counts bordering on stealing and receiving stolen properties.

Police Counsel, Inspector Cyriacus Osuji told the Court in charge N0. C/70Q/2020 that the accused persons vandalized parked vehicles at Lekki and Victoria Island, Lagos to steal properties worth N1,404,000. 

He said they sold the stolen items to a trader, Agu Chikezie for N500,000 at the Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos.

Osuji said the offences, the accused persons committed were punishable under sections 411, 287, 350 and 328(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Their counsel, Barr. Okedi Emmanuel prayed the court to grant them bail in the most liberal conditions, promising that they would not jump bail if granted,

The presiding Magistrate admitted them to bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

The Magistrate adjourned the case till 29 July for mention.

I Don’t Respect Arsenal - Guardiola

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has taken a jibe at Arsenal – by claiming he only respect Arsenal on the pitch but not off it.

Guardiola’s anger with Arsenal seems to be connected with the prominent role they played in the group of eight Premier League clubs who ganged up on City during their appeal against their two-year Champions league ban.

The group wrote to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), to try to ensure any City attempt to delay their two-year ban – while their appeal was ongoing – was dismissed.

City had their two-year ban overturned by CAS, but it seems Guardiola and the club’s hierarchy are still seething at the conduct of their domestic rivals, in particular Arsenal.

And while Guardiola said he had respect for the way his former City assistant Mikel Arteta orchestrated the FA Cup win at the weekend, he was withering with his view of Arsenal off the pitch.

“The opponents always deserve my respect and credit,” said Guardiola.

“And Arsenal, I have all the respect for what they are on the pitch – not much off the pitch – but on the pitch, a lot.

“So congratulations to them and good luck in the final.”

In the meantime, City will focus on their Champions League second-leg against Real Madrid.

Guardiola will give his players Monday and Tuesday off, but has told them it is “full gas” from then on until they host Real at the Etihad on August 7.

“We’ll have two days after Watford, but after that we’ll make two weeks worth of training sessions,” said Guardiola.

“Our game, who we are, with and without the ball, we’re good when we go full gas, with no fear.

“We’re going to have a specific way to play against Real Madrid. We’re going to try to maintain our rhythm, because we have to remember who Madrid are.

“We’ll see the games they’ve played since lockdown. They’ll have no Sergio Ramos [suspended], so we’ll see the games without him.

“It’s a final and we have to prepare properly. We’re going to train the specific way to play one game, sometimes you have global concepts, but now we have to be more specific. We’ll be specific against Madrid.

“Against Madrid we have to play a good game. On Saturday, it wasn’t good enough, but it’s forgotten.

“We’re excited and optimistic against Madrid. If we play at a decent level, we’ll have a chance. If not, we’ll be out.”

Ondo 2020: Akeredolu emerges APC candidate

Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo State Governor

Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has emerged the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Oct. 10 election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akeredolu polled 2,458 votes out of the total 2,793 votes cast to defeat 11 other contestants.

NAN also reports that three aspirants– Ife Oyedele, Abraham Olusegun and Jimi Odimayo– had stepped down hours before the commencement of the exercise in support of Akeredolu ‘s aspiration.

The election was held at the Dome in Akure and was  conducted through indirect mode.

Gov. Yahaya Bello, the Chairman of the Ondo State APC Primary Election Committee, who announced the election results, said Akeredolu  met the requirements and was certified winner having scored the highest vote.

“This is to certify that Oluwarotimi Akeredolu having scored the highest number of votes cast is hereby declared winner,” he said.

He noted that 3,016 voters were accredited while 33 votes were declared invalid.

Bello ,who maintained that 12 aspirants  contested for the ticket, explained that Chief Olusola Oke polled 262 votes.

Other contestants were Ife Oyedele(one), Nathaniel Adojutelegan (four), Jimi Odimayo(nill), Isaac Kekemeke(19), Jumoke Anifowose(two), Olusegun Abraham(nil), Olayide Adelami ( four vote), Awodeyi Akinsehinwa(one) Sola Iji(9) and  Bukola Adetula (nil)

Commending the exercise, Akeredolu said that his victory was a show of love by party members.

He urged his co- contestants to partner with one another to strengthen the party.

The governor promised that he would start the process of reconciliation among aggrieved members of the party.

NAN reports that only Akeredolu, Sola Iji, Isaacs Kekemeke, Olusola Oke, Nathaniel Adojutelegan and Olayide Adelami were the only aspirants present at the venue of the primary. 

(NAN)

Face Masks: Kwara To Prosecute Offenders From Friday | Leadership Newspaper

 

Kwara state government has made wearing of face masks for residents in public places compulsory with effect from July 24, 2020.

Residents were also enjoined to adhere to social and physical distancing rules.

The spokesman of the state’s technical committee on COVID-19, Rafiu Ajakaye announced at news conference in Ilorin, the state capital.

He said the state government has traced the spike in cases of COVID-19 in the state largely to people not adhering to safety protocols.

The government added that violators of the latest directive — including shop owners and drivers of commercial or private vehicles —risk arrest and prosecution from July 31st under the Kwara State Infectious Diseases Regulations 2020.

He said that the government is disturbed by the rising cases in the state and would spare no effort to flatten the curve and protect the people.

He added that the government would meet with the leadership of the Muslim community on Wednesday July 22nd to discuss the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha — a period of mass gathering and celebration —and agree on the safest way to curb further spread of the virus.

Ajakaye said both Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and his Deputy Kayode Alabi have both undergone test for the virus which came back negative, adding however that a few workers in Government House have tested positive and are being managed at the infectious diseases centre.