Much Expectation As High Court To Rules On Chijiuba/ Tinubu’s Case

Democracy Watch Nigeria has said that the Judgement of the high court between Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba and Bola Ahmed Tinubu who won the presidential primary election of the APC will shake the political fabric of Nigeria.

The Convener of Democracy Watch Nigeria, Dr Nwambu Gabriel, stated this on Friday in Abuja while addressing the media o the road to the 2023 general Election.

Dr Nwambu said it would determine whether the nation is indeed compliant with Electoral Act 2022 or whether it is lip service.

An excerpt is the full text of the press briefing

It is 78 days to the general elections as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of voting materials across the country. Ironically, the offices and facilities of INEC have frequently and systematically been attacked in what seems to us as coordinated and simultaneous attacks across Nigeria especially in the southern part of the country. The attacks in Imo state is making it the seventh attack in four months. They were coordinated attacks in INEC offices in Ogun and Osun states respectively. Democracy Watch Nigeria has noted with dismay that these attacks are coming after INEC had met with the nation’s security chiefs and several reassurances by the Inspector General of Police which is the lead agency for international security that security has been beefed up to protect INEC installations and facilities nationwide. It is worthy of note that INEC is not a security agency and no successful election can take place without adequate protections of lives and property of citizens. For an effective election process, citizens need proper reassurance of their safety otherwise this would impaire negatively on the turnout of registered voters on elections. In these attacks, Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), electricity generating sets, and election materials, infrastructure, etc. were burnt and destroyed.

The electoral management body has assured every registered voter that they may not be disenfranchised. Consequently, the commission has commenced the reprinting of all burnt PVCs across the country. This is coming when issues about the funding of INEC’s budget had long been concluded for the 2023 General Elections for a country that is in a dare need of funds to finance it’s budget. The funds for the replacement of PVCs and other facilities would have been saved if not for these consistent and incessant attacks.

The Independent National Electoral Commission is working relentlessly well to comply with the Election Time Table and to ensure a transparent, peaceful, free, fair and credible elections come February 2023 amidst intimidation, threat to life, including various cases in court to compel the chairman and other national commissioners to resign, or to prevent the commission from deploying the BVAS technology. We are aware that several attempts has been made by just a very few desperate politicians to infiltrate the voters register of INEC, and hack into the website to manipulate elections in their favour. In all these, INEC has remained resolute and steadfast in ensuring the conduct of the general elections synonymous to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

By this medium, we, the members of Democracy Watch Nigeria hereby pass a vote of confidence on Prof. Mamood Yakubu, the National Commissioners and the management of the commission on their insistence on doing the right thing, complying significantly with the relevant laws and the Electoral Act 2022.

We hereby call on all registered voters who are yet to collect their PVCs, civil servants, traders, market women, students, youths, women and every eligible person who has registered to go to INEC offices from 12th of December 2022 to 22nd January,2023 to collect their permanent voters’ cards as their votes must surely count in the general elections.

THE JUDICIARY.

There have been an increased number of cases bothering on the candidature of various political parties on different positions. The Independent National Electoral Commission has 600 cases bothering on same issue. The Adamawa APC is facing serious litigation on the authentic Governorship candidate of the party.

The Abia state APC is also not left out. It is having its own share of litigation between Dr. Uche Ogah and Chief Ikechi Emenike on who is the authentic Governorship candidate.

The APGA in Abia state is having its own tussle. In a case filed by Chief Chikwe Udensi challenging the APGA governorship primary that produced Prof. Greg, Justice Binta Nyako nullified the primary and ordered for a fresh primary within 14 days.

In Akwa Ibom state, the PDP is at the Appeal Court now on who the authentic Governorship candidate is. The APC is also in the Appeal Court. While the Governorship candidate of the YPP, Senator Bassey Albert has been jailed for 42 years for an offence he allegedly committed between 2010 and 2014 while serving as commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom state.

In the same vein there is a case that would be decided on Monday, 12th December, 2022 by a high court in Abuja between Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba and Bola Ahmed Tinubu who won the presidential primary election of the APC. This Judgement on Monday will shake the political fabric of our nation. It would determine whether the nation is indeed compliant to our beloved Electoral Act 2022 or whether it is lip service. Nigerians and the international community are watching and waiting for this Judgement. This would definitely make or erode the public perception on the belief that the Judiciary is really the hope of the common man.

Hon. Nwajiuba posited his stand on 3 germane issues:

1. That the Primary and Secondary School Certificates of the candidate was not submitted to INEC sequel to fundamental requirements of law.

2. That the candidate had in the past deposed to an affidavit that he attended certain secondary schools.

3. That the provision of section 90(3) of the Electoral Act which bothers on the disclosure of sources of funds in excess of 50 million naira has been breached by the candidate, as the candidate has failed to furnish same to INEC. This is sequel to the purchase of expression of interest and nomination forms at the cost of 100 million naira.

Hon. Nwajiuba argued that other political parties might as well take advantage of this lacuna thereby destroying the chances of the APC. He went further to Section 84(13) of the 2022 Electoral Act which states that where a political party fails to comply with the provision of this act in the conduct of its primaries, its candidate for the election shall not be included in the election for the particular position in issue.

The above, no doubt, are earth shattering issues for which the Judiciary should brace up to the challenge of doing justice to ensure transparency and the dominance and supremacy of the rule of law preparatory to the 2023 general elections.

Thank you.

Signed: 

Dr. Nwambu Gabriel.

Convener

Alhaji Babananga Nengari.

Secretary.

FG Halts Plan To Acquire N5Bn Office Building For NAICOM

 

…..Finance Minister orders immediate recall of transferred Director of Finance and Admin

…..Sets up a probe panel to look into the process of acquisition

The Federal Government has waded into the leadership crisis rocking the National Insurance Commission.

The Network gathered that the leadership of NAICOM is sharply divided over the move by the Commissioner, Mr. Olorundare Sunday Thomas, to acquire a property in the Gudu District at a whooping N5billion for the Commission.

An investigation conducted by the Network revealed that the six directors of the Commission, the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Finance and Administration, Mr. Oba Oluniyi, and the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Abubakar Sanu, all opposed the decision of the Commissioner to acquire the property.

It was gathered that the internal process for the hurried acquisition of the property ran into a hitch when the Deputy Commission, Finance and Administration, and the Director, of Finance, advised against the acquisition of the property.

A source who confided in our correspondent said the directors and the Deputy Commissioner advised against the planned acquisition arguing that there was no cash backing for such a venture.

The top management of NAICOM was concerned that pulling out N5 billion to acquire a property at a time of grinding paucity of funds would throw the Commission and staff into crisis over welfare issues.

On Monday, the Chairman of the Governing Board led other members to inspect the building and discovered to their chagrin that the purported building was a massive carcass.

It was learnt that the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Abubakar Sani, advised against the acquisition of the building on the ground that it would require another N5 billion to complete the carcass.

The Commissioner reacted by posting the Director of Finance and Administration to Lagos. It was further gathered that he initiated a process to change the signatories to the Dollar Account of the Commission to ensure that the building was acquired without hitches.

However, as the disenchantment within the Commission increased amidst heightening tension among top officials of the Commission, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Zaina Ahmed decided to intervene in the NAICOM leadership crisis.

The Network gathered that the Minister set up a Committee headed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry to look into the brewing leadership crisis threatening the Commission.

As a first step to douse the escalating tension, the Minister was said to have directed the immediate recall of the transferred Director of Finance, from Lagos to Abuja.

The Minister also directed suspension of the process of acquisition of the property. Lastly, she set up a committee to look into the process of its acquisition.

An investigation by the Network revealed that the Committee held its first meeting on Tuesday where five directors supported the position of the Chairman of the Governing Board, Abubakar Sani that there was no cash backing for the project.

The directors also declared that they did not know about the purchase as they were not informed.

Already, the workers union has written the management of NAICOM to stop processing the acquisition of the property.

The union wrote to stop the acquisition or else the place is shut down.

But the management of NAICOM in an unsigned statement on Wednesday said that a request for the acquiring of an uncompleted property was presented to the Federal Executive Council by the minister which was granted.

The Commission had before the FEC approval, obtained a certificate of “No Objection” from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) following the valuation of the property by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

The statement added that the management also obtained no objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) after the property was evaluated by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

The statement added that due diligence was conducted on the property and all approvals were secured by the Commission.

“That the management of the Commission through the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning presented to the Federal Executive Council presided over by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR an Unfinished property for approval to be acquired as NAICOM Academy and office accommodation following the approval by the immediate past Governing Board of the Commission.

“All documents relating to the property clearly state that the property was unfinished.

“The Commission had before the FEC approval, obtained a (certificate of) “No Objection” from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) following the valuation of the property by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

“Adequate due diligence was conducted on the property for acquisition and all relevant approvals were secured by the Commission.

“Provision was made in the 2022 approved annual budget of the Commission to acquire the building for the Commission.

“The building is to serve the dual purpose of housing the newly established NAICOM Academy which is an initiative of the present leadership of the Commission to address the knowledge gap in the insurance sector regulation and supervision not only in Nigeria but across Africa and beyond and also serve as the new head office of the Commission.

“To address the problem of low insurance penetration, entrench the culture of insurance in every part of the country and enhance the effectiveness of its surveillance in all the geopolitical zones of the country, the expansion of the Commission’s infrastructural facilities is inevitable thus the Commission requires a befitting Office accommodation to curtail any future office space crises.” The statement read in part.

Crisis Rocks NAICOM Leadership Over N5Billion Naira Property Deal

 

…….Governing Board, Commissioner on War Path as Top Management Staff Plead with Minister to Save Commission from Collapse

The leadership of the Nigeria Insurance Commission is embroiled in a crisis over an attempt by the Commissioner, Mr Olorundare Sunday Thomas to acquire a multibillion property for the commission.

Our Reporter gathered that the top management of the Commission opposed the decision which they described as curious.

A source at the commission confided in our Reporter that the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Finance and Administration Mr Oba Oluniyi and other members of the top management opposed the decision to buy the property said to be located at the Gudu District, Abuja.

The source said that the Deputy Commissioner and other senior management staff of the commission opposed the move on the ground that the approval for the acquisition of the property does not have cash backing in practical terms.

It was learnt that they opposed it on the ground that releasing a worker's huge amount of money (N5 billion) to acquire the Gudu property which they described as an abandoned uncompleted hotel carcass would be harmful to the workers welfare especially in the area of paying salaries to them.

The source said that the Deputy Commissioners, the Directors and the legal department did not buy into the project to acquire the property months into the end of the Buhari administration.

For some reason, they felt the decision to acquire the property was inimical to the interest of the commission.

Investigations revealed that the top management was not convinced on the issue of the property because the NAICOM has a beautiful office complex which meant that acquiring a new office at time of serious scarcity of funds is not a priority.

It was learnt a cabal claiming to be close to the Presidency is behind the urge to acquire the new office complex and are pushing for it with maddening urgency.

It was further gathered that the Minister of Finance whose ministry oversees the commission observed that NAICOM had a good office building/complex and wondered why the management should acquire a new building.

Our Reporter gathered that the Commissioner who is irrevocably committed to the acquisition of the property has started effecting changes in the management structure of the commission.

A Director in charge of Finance and Administration was said to have been transferred out of Abuja to Lagos to ensure that all perceived obstacles to the deals are cleared.

The source said that others opposed to the decision of the commission are panicky now as they expect more drastic steps to clear all obstacles before the realization of the project.

Our Reporter gathered that the Commissioner has also ordered a process to change the signatory to the account of commission at the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to pave the way for the smooth execution of the deal.

It was gathered that moves are being made to get the money out of the Dollar Account of NAICOM with the CBN.

However, things came to a head on Monday when the Chairman of the Governing Board, led the members to inspect the building.

Our Reporter gathered that the board discovered to the chagrin of the members that the purported building was a massive carcass.

It was learnt the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Abubakar Sani, advised against the acquisition of the building on the ground that it would require another N5 billion to complete the carcass.

“Surprisingly, the man is insisting on acquiring the building. Information reaching us is that the Commissioner boycotted the necessary protocols. He transferred the Director Finance and Administration and started mounting pressure on an Assistant Director in the Finance and Account’s Department to proceed to the Accountant General’s office to effect a change in the mandate to enable him to move out the money and this they have started doing. As I am talking to you, the process is ongoing.” The source said.

“As a matter of fact, information flying out there is that the carcass was initially in the market for N2.5 billion and now ready to be purchased at N4.0 billion of which when commission and taxes are added would be in the region of N5.0 billion.

“The Union and staff members are aggrieved and are battle ready should the purchase be carried out. This is so as some of them contacted claimed that there will be no money left in the account should the property be purchased.

“As at last week when the CFI met with the Management of the Commission, he was categorically told that the purchase should be shelved till more money comes in but it seems the advice was ignored.

“The staff were shocked that the CFI went to the Accountant General’s office to put pressure for a change of signatory having transferred out the DFA of the Commission for the same reason.”

Our Reporter gathered that concerned members are calling on the Minister of Finance to step in to save NAICOM from collapse.

Our correspondent contacted the Spokesman of the Commission, Mr Rasaq Salami, who asked him to send a text on the matter.

The message seeking clarification on the raging leadership crisis in NAICOM was sent to his WhatsApp and message boxes.

However, he asked to be given till Monday to respond to the issues raised.

Personal Interest Of Orji Uzor Supersedes That Of His Constituents, Coalition Alleges

 

The speed at which Kalu started singing praises for Tinubu against his earlier servant disposition for Lawal brings to the conclusion, that the man Orji Uzor is a man of a double standard.

This was revealed on Monday in Abuja by the Director General of Coalition of Democratic Watchdogs for Electoral Reforms, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel while addressing the media.

“Our firm belief is that the essence of representing a people is essential to speak the mind of your constituents. But nay, Orji Uzor Kalu consistently without recourse to the yearnings and aspirations of his people has demonstrated that his interest supersedes that of the people who voted him to power. Moreover, how Kalu switched loyalty, the somersault from Senator Ahmed Lawal to Bola Ahmed Tinubu brings to bare the integrity of Orji Uzor to question, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel said.

An excerpt is the full text of the press statement.

UNGUARDED UTTERANCES BY SEN ORJI UZOR KALU

As the nation prepares for the conduct of the 2023 General elections, the need for a true, fair, and equitable representation has consistently eluded Nigerians across the board. The cardinal principle of civil society organizations globally is hinged on equity, fair representation of constituents, and democratic principles. It is the quest for a true representation that has compelled our coalition to look at some of the unguarded utterances of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the Senator representing Abia North senatorial District of Abia state.
Firstly, in 2021, during the heated debate on Section 47 and 50(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 as Amended which dwells on the electronic transmission of votes in the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor was one of the Senators who said in categorical terms that Abia North had no network coverage. This was a blatant lie because Abia North has effective network coverage. It is also well known to Nigerians that Senator Orji Uzor voted against the electronic transmission of election results, an innovation introduced by INEC to reduce the rigging and manipulation of election results.
Secondly, preparatory to the primary election that produced the Presidential candidate of political parties, the chief whip of the 9th Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu on camera displayed his loyalty to the Senate President; Dr. Ahmed Lawal. This was done immediately after the APC party chairman; Adamu mentioned that Ahmed Lawal was the consensus candidate. Kalu said that he would prefer to be a servant in the Aso Rock Villa, sweeping and serving Ahmed Lawal than exist as other Nigerians outside the Villa.
For us as Igbos, we believe that such a statement from a man who is representing the good people of Abia North Senatorial district, doubling as the chief whip of the 9th Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria is derogatory and demeaning to his constituents, people of Igbo extraction and Nigerian citizens in general. Mr. Kalu has not only subjected himself to ridicule but has reduced his constituents to mere servants.
Now, Nigerians who stood up and spoke vehemently against the Christian/Christian or Muslim/Muslim ticket opined that for the peaceful coexistence of all Nigerian citizens, for equity and fairness as contained in the Federal Character, 1999 constitution as amended, it is an aberration for any political party to field two persons of the same faith as Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate respectively, as this is not consistent with fair representation and therefore could impair on national unity and peace.
However, the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the candidate of the APC and his decision to field Kashim Shetima as a running mate against wide condemnation and public outcry against a Muslim/Muslim ticket brought in yet another utterance from Mr. Kalu. On National television, Orji Uzor was seen saying that even if his position would be against that of his Bishop as a Catholic and his people in Abia North at he prefers the Muslim/Muslim ticket for his party to win the 2023 election and his wife of Tinubu (a pastor) would become the first lady who invariably for him, is like a Deputy President. In other words, Sen. Kalu’s position is that Christians would be represented even when the office of the first lady is not recognized by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Now, Senator Kalu is from Abia North of Abia State where 100% of his constituents are Christians. Our firm belief is that the essence of representing a people is essential to speak the mind of your constituents. But nay, Orji Uzor Kalu consistently without recourse to the yearnings and aspirations of his people has demonstrated that his interest supersedes that of the people who voted him to power. Moreover, how Kalu switched loyalty, the somersault from Senator Ahmed Lawal to Bola Ahmed Tinubu brings to bare the integrity of Orji Uzor to question. The speed at which Kalu started singing praises for Tinubu against his earlier servant disposition for Lawal brings to the conclusion, that the man Orji Uzor is a man of a double standard.
Abia state farmers and residents have witnessed an alarming rate of killings in recent times perpetrated by Fulani herders. The Prelate of the Methodist Church was even kidnapped and a ransom of one hundred million Naira was paid to secure his release. The victim stated clearly that the men who kidnapped him were Fulanis.
Now, Orji Uzor Kalu has also laid claims to be the one who brought in the infamous RUGA to Abia state while holding sway as Governor of the state. This claim by Mr. Kalu is obviously to seek favour and be loved by some persons other than his constituents who are killed daily, women are raped on farms, men, women, old, young, children are killed and decapitated in farms and homes, people are kidnapped here and there in Abia state, yet Kalu does not give a bulge. He doesn’t care, so long as the situation benefits him.
Ironically, this same man, a calamity to the people of Abia – North, a disgrace to Christian Dom, a sell-out and selfish man is seeking re-election to the Nigerian Senate… God Forbid! We reject such Calamity to befall us again.
Orji Uzor, an ex-convict (reversed by the Supreme Court), a man alleged to have peculated the treasury of Abia state, bringing the state to its knees and responsible for the state’s current economic, financial, and security woes that have befallen Abia state is currently standing a re-trial of 7.1 Billion Naira theft. Whether he likes it or not; the 7.1 Billion Naira theft is still hanging around his neck.

Suspend Emefiele Immediately, Group Tells Buhari

 

The Integrity Youth Alliance on Saturday demanded the suspension of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, over the depreciating value of the Naira.

The group said the CBN governor should be suspended because he had disappointed Nigerians and plunged millions into poverty.

The Board Chairman of Integrity Youth Alliance, Comrade Adewole Kehinde, stated this in reaction to reports that the naira had depreciated further, exchanging at N710 against the dollar.

He said, "For how long will President Buhari and the National Assembly tolerate Godwin Emefiele's inefficiencies? For how long are Nigerians going to tolerate him? Can Naira continue to breathe under him?

“Even those who don't know about the economy now know that the Naira is in tatters under Emefiele's inept leadership. President Buhari must remove Emefiele from office because he has plunged millions into poverty and destitution. It’s time for him to step aside.

"It is instructive to note that when Emefiele took office as CBN Governor in 2014, the Naira exchanged for N164 to a dollar. Today, in the hands of Emefiele, the Naira has tumbled to nearly N710 to a dollar, putting the nation’s economy on its knees.

"Unfortunately, under Emefiele's leadership, the CBN has failed in its core mandate of managing the economy, instead blaming NNPC Limited with claims that do not reflect the harsh economic reality on the ground."

The CBN has in recent times come under criticism for failing to stabilize the Naira, which has continued to dip against major currencies.

However, the Naira hit an all-time low of N710 to the dollar earlier in the week, attracting criticism from the opposition.

The Naira has, however, remained stable at N420/$1 on the official market.

TETFund Is Being Run With A Deep Sense Of Responsibility – Management

The management of Tertiary Education Trust Fund has reassured its stakeholders and the general public that TETFund is being run with a deep sense of responsibility.

In reaction to a publication by the Sahara Reporters dated July 20th, 2022, titled “Disquiet in Nigeria Education Agency, TETFund over Contracts Fraud, Procurement Racketing, Others under New Head, Sonny Echono,” the Ag. Director, Public Affairs, Tetfund, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, said that the Executive Secretary of Tetfund, Arch. Sonny Echono remained committed to providing quality, accountable, and exemplary leadership and will not be distracted in any way whatsoever, by such unfounded allegations.

An excerpt is the full text of the rejoinder.

Disquiet In The Nigerian Education Agency, TETFUND Over Contracts Fraud, Procurement is CORRUPTION FIGHTS BACK AS ECHONO IMPLEMENTS SWEEPING REFORMS

“The attention of the Management of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has been drawn to a publication by the Sahara Reporters dated July 20th, 2022 titled “Disquiet in Nigeria Education Agency, TETFund over Contracts Fraud, Procurement Racketing, and Others under New Head, Sonny Echono”.

“In the said report, it was alleged that the Executive Secretary of TETFund had turned the Fund into a fiefdom where contract splitting and padding were the order of the day.

“It would be recalled that Arc. Sonny S. T Echono was appointed as Executive Secretary of TETFund by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, in March 2022 after his retirement as the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education; and this was based strictly on his track record as an astute administrator, having served meritoriously in the same capacity at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as the Federal Ministry of Communication.

“In a demonstration of his determination to provide quality, transparent, and accountable leadership, the Executive Secretary on the assumption of office, in a widely publicized press conference, expressed total commitment to upholding and entrenching tenets of accountability and transparency in the Fund, and this he has demonstrated in the period of being at the helm of affairs, through the introduction of innovative policies and reforms aimed at improving efficiency.

“I know petitions will start flying soon, and my opponents will band together,” said Arc. Sonny Echono, the new Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), as he signed the final batch of letters disengaging 37 members of the 87-member National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS & MC) for failing to diligently discharge their duties or whose roles were at best unclear.

Earlier, he had frozen, canceled, or suspended programmes and consultancies adjudged wasteful or economically disadvantageous to the Fund.  Some of those affected are licking their wounds, while a few who initially threatened legal action have settled for renegotiation after realizing their weak positions.

The unwieldy 99-man Technical Advisory Group (TAG) has been put on notice to right-size for prudence and greater operational efficiency. The Executive Secretary is indeed stepping on some long toes and the expected response is to question his qualification for the job, which none of his five (5) predecessors (3 academics and 2 technocrats) was better prepared for.

It is worth noting that Arc. Echono’s reforms include the need for curriculum review, skill acquisition/entrepreneurship, advancement of information and communication technology (ICT), and deeper research, development, and innovation. Others are the provision of funds for capacity building of lecturers to equip them with the requisite skills for entrepreneurial studies and research studies in digital technologies and preparing Nigerian students for global competitiveness with the end goal of building a knowledge economy and increasing the country’s global presence.

He has also initiated a series of partnerships with notable institutions globally and locally, such as the University of Brazil, Vicosa on tuition-free agreements for the training of more Nigerian professionals in agriculture; transnational cooperation with the Government of Britain, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), African Union (AU), signing of an MoU with the University of Sussex for the development of tertiary education in Nigeria, partnership with the European Union (EU) on Research, Development, and Innovation at Brussels, among others; all aimed at articulating new strategies to reinforce existing efforts of the government at improving the standard of education in Nigeria.

Internally, he is undertaking a holistic review of the operating procedures of the Fund, operationalizing the zonal offices with delegated functions, and setting targets for all departments and standing committees. For example, the Book Development Committee, which last published books in 2014, has been directed to publish at least 40 standards, peer-reviewed academic textbooks on diverse topics by December 31st, 2022. The Monitoring & Evaluation Department must complete site visits and process recommendations for tranche releases within 2 weeks of receipt of requests from institutions. Starting with ICT interventions, beneficiary institutions shall henceforth make submissions electronically (online) to minimize human contact. Staff of the Fund were also requested to make sacrifices by forgoing certain privileges in response to the sharp drop in tax collections in 2021, with the promise that they would be restored when the situation improves. He is also committed to the completion of ongoing projects rather than starting new ones, and has taken steps in that direction. He interacted with and secured the buy-in of the management and staff of the Fund for the reforms, which have received widespread support from stakeholders.

Perhaps more problematic are the procurement and project management reforms introduced to eliminate corruption, reduce delivery time of projects, prevent cost escalation, and improve general efficiency in the discharge of the Fund’s mandate. Under the new dispensation, all projects to be executed by the Fund are to be planned, packaged, and selected by the beneficiary institutions for review and concurrence by the Fund. There will be no more TETFund or vendor-promoted projects, as the needs of the institutions will take precedence.

Annual disbursement allocations were made directly to the beneficiary institutions at a public ceremony held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) on May 9th, 2022. The Vice-Chancellors, Provosts, and Rectors were directed to advertise and procure their projects through open, competitive bidding to achieve value for money. This was widely reported in the media and commended by the Procurement Professionals Association of Nigeria, along with the threat to punish erring contractors who delay project execution or deliver poor quality jobs. Hardly the stuff of a wheeler and dealer.

It is therefore laughable that these measures are being described by some aggrieved vested interests as “unwholesome practices”. Equally instructive is the fact that TETFund is not a contract awarding agency on behalf of beneficiary institutions, so the references to contract splitting and padding are totally baseless and incomprehensible. The design and costing of projects are done by the respective institutions. So too is the supervision and management. TETFund only monitors milestone attainments ahead of releases in tranches.

To allege that someone who publicly distributes allocation letters “is in the habit of asking for advance payment in dollars before grants are given” is to stand the truth on its head. It is on record that since the resumption of duty, Arc Echono has not personally issued any grant or letter to any beneficiary institution but rather through technical departments responsible for each intervention area. It is indeed cruel to insinuate that Vice Chancellors will be happy to meet the monetary demands without complaining and that the same Vice Chancellors will be instructed to award the contracts to anointed contractors. When people are consumed with evil and hate, logic departs. It is noteworthy that no institution or Vice Chancellor was cited to buttress or corroborate this callous claim. Is anybody hurting? Why?

Equally curious is the allegation that Arc Echono has a list of anointed firms that execute TETFund projects, yet the author failed to mention even one of them for fear of rebuttal. It was even asserted that his control of TETFund contracts preceded his appointment, judging from the singular example of a twin lecture theatre in a university in Southern Nigeria. Sahara reporters should find the courage to mention the institution so that serious-minded investigative journalists can unearth the truth and debunk the fat lies. The suspicion is that since 2022 allocations were only made recently in May and the projects are still being packaged and prepared by the institutions, it will be difficult to sustain any allegation under his recent tenure. Solution? Backdate the allegations.

“Brilliant though incomprehensible attempts were also made to make a link, as well as draw, parallels with an alleged phantom contract scam at NECO some years back.  What Sahara reporters did not say is that those allegations were thoroughly investigated by five (5) different anti-corruption and regulatory agencies and not a single one of them even mentioned, let alone, associated Arc Echono with any allegation of wrongdoing or misdemeanor. In fact, neither Arc Echono as Permanent Secretary nor the Federal Ministry of Education’s Ministerial Tenders Board approved any contract for NECO throughout the period, and not a single contractor with NECO was associated or linked to him in whatever form. In fact, Arc Echono met and recognized Mr. Ibrahim Peter Alih for the first and only time at the end of the 2021 National Council on Education Conference in Jalingo, Taraba State, more than a year after the allegations were made. So much for relationships (even if they are not from the same state), front and tacit support. Yet Sahara reporters chose to rubbish the reputation and character of an individual without an iota of evidence or proof.

“The allegation of lobbying powerful Vice Chancellors to facilitate his appointment betrays further ignorance of how such appointments are made and does not merit further comment. It is, however, unfortunate that the sacred duty of the fourth estate of the realm (media) to hold institutions and public officers accountable has been misappropriated for lucre and as a weapon for slander, libel, and character assassination in this particular case. Equally tragic is the fact that a once credible and respected medium has reduced itself to a purveyor of falsehood and trash.

“”It is instructive that some of the measures introduced have led to the stepping on many toes of individuals and firms whose services were considered not necessary, wasteful, or lacking in value and have had to be disengaged or discontinued. The public may therefore expect further false allegations with maximum prejudice.

“We seize this opportunity to reassure our stakeholders and the general public that TETFund is being run with a deep sense of responsibility. The Executive Secretary remains committed to providing quality, accountable, and exemplary leadership and will not be distracted in any way whatsoever, by such unfounded allegations.

Accredited Observer Group Commend INEC For Conducting Credible Election In Ekiti

The INEC accredited observer organization has commended the just Ekiti Guber Election.

Speaking on behalf of the organisation, the Director-General of the Centre for Credible Leadership & Citizens Awareness, Dr Nwambu Gabriel said that the BVAS Technology as introduced by INEC functioned optimally in 94% of areas visited.

Malfunctioning of the BVAS Technology was observed in 6% of the state and INEC was prompt in replacing them with elections continuing almost immediately.

Except is the full text of the observer’s organisation statement:

A POST-ELECTION PRESS BRIEFING ON THE EKITI STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION HELD ON THE 18TH OF JUNE, 2022.

Gentlemen of the press, you are welcome to this press briefing.

On the 18th of June, 2022, the people of Ekiti state exercised their franchise to determine the candidate of the 16 political parties to saddle the affairs of the state for the next four years. This is essential to elect a replacement for his Excellency, Dr Koyade Fayemi whose administration would come to an end in the next few months having served for a maximum of 8 years. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Accredited reputable Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations as observer groups essentially to observe the degree of compliance of the electoral management body, the political parties as well as their supporters to the relevant electoral laws. Ekiti state is one of the States with off-season elections and is classified as a volatile state because of the persistent violence observed in past elections in the state.

This election has its peculiarities, firstly, this is the first time the BVAS Technology would be deployed in an Ekiti state election. Secondly, this is the first election in Nigeria where the Electoral Act 2022 As Amended would be deployed in full force. Electronic uploading and transmission of votes, backed by law with viewing portals in real time was deployed in the election.

Now, the rights of the electorates are said to be violated if the processes of power transition do not conform with the relevant provisions of the electoral laws governing the process of the said election.

749,065 voters out of 988,923 registered voters collected their PVCs in Ekiti state. The election was conducted in 2,445 Polling Units, and 177 Wards across 16 Local Government Areas.

We, as INEC Accredited observer organization observed the election and hereby state as follows:

(1). That election was held across the 2,445 Polling Units of Ekiti state.

(2). That we observed the distribution of sensitive materials from the INEC State office in Ado Ekiti to the LGAs, then to the RAC centres and then to the polling units. (3). That election commenced between 8.00-8.30 am across the state.

(4). That the BVAS Technology as introduced by INEC functioned optimally in 94% of areas visited. Malfunctioning of the BVAS Technology was observed in 6% of the state and INEC was prompt in replacing them with elections continuing almost immediately.

(5). We observed that there were pockets of vote buying, especially in Ado and Oleh. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were on the ground and the operatives arrested some persons allegedly believed to be buying votes in one of the locations. Now, this is not enough fact to prove that the entire process was marred by vote-buying as this was observed in pockets of polling units visited.

The performance of the BVAS Technology improved significantly from what was observed in the Anambra State Governorship election.

(6). That the Centre observed a significant reduction in the snatching of ballot boxes. This could be largely attributed to the latest amendments of the electoral act 2022.

SECURITY AGENCIES.

The deployment of about 17,000 officers and men of the Nigerian Police and 9,000 members of the NSCDC and other security agencies no doubt aided in the reduction of electoral-related violence. However, security agents have been alleged to be complaisant in vote-buying.

CONCLUSION.

The Ekiti State Governorship election has come and gone, it should be noted as observed that this election is one of the most transparent elections in the history of Nigeria for which the processes were consistent with the relevant electoral laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Therefore, we can unequivocally state that the election was free, transparent and in tandem with the law. The APC candidate emerged the winner of the election having polled 187,057 against his closest rival the SDP candidate who scored 82,211 voters. While the PDP candidate scored 67,457 votes. Consequently, we advise those who lost in this election to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship by congratulating the APC candidate who won the election.

By this medium, we hereby commend YIAGA AFRICA and Channels Television for the collaboration in enhancing the viewing portals of INEC for the wider reach of all Nigerians online and in real-time.INEC is here commended for initiating the latest amendments in the electoral act and the introduction of the BVAS Technology backed by law which has made the electorate’s vote count. This has increased the populace’s belief and trust in our electoral system.

Thank you.

Signed: Dr NWAMBU GABRIEL.

Director-General.

Recall Uzor Kalu Now; Coalition Tells Constituents

 

The coalition of Democratic Watchdogs of Nigeria has called for the recall of the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, an erstwhile governor of Abia State.

According to Dr. Nwakor Chibuzor who spoke on behalf of the coalition, he said that the good people of Abia North do not deserve Orji Uzor Kalu.

“By this utterance of Orji Kalu, the people of Abia North who are 100% Christians should immediately commence a recall of Orji Kalu from the Senate as it is evident that he is not representing Abia North, Dr. Chibuzor said,

An excerpt is the full text of the press briefing:

Good morning gentlemen of the fourth realm and welcome to this press briefing.

No doubt the issue of choosing a running mate by the two main political parties (that is, the APC and the PDP) has dominated the media space and national discussion especially as the electoral management body (INEC) has issued 17th June 2022 as the deadline for the submission of names for the Vice Presidential Candidates for all political parties. The fundamental issue is the combination in terms of the Muslim/Christian ticket or the Muslim/Muslim ticket. In other words, a Muslim from the North, and a Christian from the South or vice-vasa. This balance essential is to ensure that equitable representation of both Muslims and Christians alike in the nation's highest executive arm of government. Moreover, the 1999 construction of the federal republic of Nigeria as amended provides for the Federal Character in other to ensure equity, balance, and fair representation across the nation.

You would all agree with me that the Nigerian state has never been this polarized, aligned and divided along religious and tribal sentiments and affiliations. Hence both the AREWA and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)has warned against the looming jeopardy that would associate the Muslim/Muslim ticket by the APC in the country if Bola Tinubu make the mistake of fielding the Muslim/Muslim ticket.

Now, the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, an erstwhile governor of Abia State, who has been charged and convicted by the court for 7.6 Billion Naira fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is yet at it again. Mr. Orji Uzor, a supposed Christian, emphatically stated his unalloyed support for a Muslim/Muslim ticket for the APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu. He further emphasized that his own interest is for the APC to win the election. In other words, for the Chief Whip, equity does not matter, fair representation for Christians and Muslims alike doesn't matter, the provision of Federal Character as entrenched in the Nigerian constitution does not matter, for him, it is all about winning the and election. Recall also that the same Orji Uzor Kalu had previously declared his unalloyed support for the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan. He even stated that he prefers to be a cleaner in the Aso Rock Villa provided that Ahmed Lawan wins as President of the federal republic of Nigeria. What a multi-faceth character! This is absurd and gross irresponsibility of the highest order. No Christian has sold out to this level in Nigerian history. How did the people of Abia North Senatorial District deteriorate to this level? It is unfortunate because the good people of Abia North do not deserve this satanic incarnate. A Lucifer personified and the antichrist of our time. By this utterance of Orji Kalu, the people of Abia North who are 100% Christians should immediately commence a recall of Orji Kalu from the Senate as it is evident that he is not representing Abia North. People like Orji Uzor should not be found in public service as his interest is personal and selfish. For oscillating like a pendulum, from Ahmed Lawan to Tinubu, and to Muslim/Muslim ticket, Uzor Kalu has demonstrated inconsistency and no recourse whatsoever to the people of Abia North he claims to be representing, therefore he should be treated as his I'll conduct depicts. Orji Uzor Kalu is an anti-Christian, anti-Igbo and anti Abia North.

Thank you.

 

Rivers 2023: PDP Governorship Primaries Under Threat

 

…….Court Grants Order Compelling PPD, INEC To Show Why Primaries Should Hold In Rivers Without Dagogo

The Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo has ordered the  Peoples’ Democratic Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission to show reasons why the party’s gubernatorial primaries should hold in Rivers State without the plaintiff, Hon Farah Dagogo.

The Plaintiff/Applicant, Farah Dagogo the Member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency of Rivers State under the PDP.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo ordered the PDP and INEC to show cause on Tuesday,  May,2022 why Dagogo’s application seeking injunctive orders against the PDP and INEC in respect of the PDP gubernatorial primary election for Rivers State should not be granted.

Dagogo had filed a suit on March 12, challenging his prevention from the screening exercise of his party (PDP) for the oncoming gubernatorial primary election for Rivers State having submitted all the required documents.

The presiding judge in the sitting of the court on Monday granted the order for INEC and PDP to show cause why the primaries should not be stopped.

Dagogo went to court  to seek an order of the High Court to restrain INEC, (2nd Defendant) or any of its officers or agents from monitoring the conduct of the PDP (1st Defendant) primary election for the gubernatorial position for Rivers State scheduled for 26th May 2022.

He asked the Court not allow INEC to send any of its representatives on the scheduled fixed without his name on the list of contestants for the forthcoming primary election pending the hearing and determination of the substantive action.

Dagogo, is appealing to the court to compel INEC and PDP, to include his name as one of the aspirants in the forthcoming gubernatorial primary election.

The aspirant is seeking "an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the 2nd Defendant either by itself or any of its officers or agents from monitoring the conduct of 1st Defendant’s primary election for the gubernatorial position for Rivers State on 26th May 2022 or any other date fixed, without the name of the Plaintiff on the list of contestants for the said primary election pending the hearing and determination of the substantive action."

The Network gathered that the aspirant was duly nominated by not less than 45 persons from at least two-third of the Local Government Areas within Rivers State, who are registered voters in their respective Local Government Areas and registered members of PDP.

According to Dagogo, he completed and submitted the said nomination form to the the PDP,  and accompanied them with all the relevant documents, including copies of his PDP membership card, voter’s card and sworn declarations made before a Commissioner of oaths at the High Court.

He stated that he satisfied and abided by the guidelines, all laws, rules or regulations made by PDP relating to the conduct of primary elections.

He stated that his Primary Form was issued to him by the PDP as proof that he had met all the requirements required of him as an aspirant by the National headquarters of the party.

He said that he presented himself to the Screening committee for gubernatorial aspirants in Rivers State, on the 28th and 29th of April, 2022, at the PDP Zonal Headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He disclosed that while he was waiting to receive his interim clearance papers, some individuals in mufti who claimed to be Rivers state Government House security agents led by the Camp Commandant, DSP Efeture Irikefe removed him from the sitting arrangement with the active connivance of the membership of the Screening Committee, who had ensured that he was the last person to be screened.

However, Dagogo narrated that he was whisked away to Operation Sting Police Unit/formation and later at State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (State CIID) both in Port Harcourt. 

According him,  the State CIID, quickly made an attempt to arraign him on trumped up charges at the Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt on 29th April, 2022 which proved abortive.

“There was an attempt to arraign Plaintiff/Applicant on trumped up charges at the Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt on 29th April, 2022 which proved abortive. 

"Following the deterioration of the Plaintiff/Applicant’s health in custody the Plaintiff/Applicant is now receiving medical attention at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State and he as remanded in hospital care since 4th May 2022, still under the detention of the security agents.

"From inquiry and investigation, Plaintiff/Applicant was being prevented from physically participating in the PDP Primary, and as a result he caused  his Solicitors wrote to the PDP Screening Committee in charge of the exercise on 29th April, 2022 narrating his travails and requesting that he should be obliged with a virtual meeting or for the appeals committee to come to the State CIID, Port Harcourt where he was being detained at the time to meet him since he had earlier submitted all his necessary documents to the 1st Defendant. 

"None of the complaints of the Plaintiff/Applicant were treated and the 1st Defendant’s agents at Port Harcourt has completely ignored the Plaintiff/Applicant which led Plaintiff/Applicant to write again, through his solicitor’s (in line with the PDP Guidelines) to write an appeal to the PDP Gubernatorial Screening Appeal Panel, Abuja in a letter dated 30th April, 2022.

"Again, despite the appeal made to the said Appeal Panel, it did not treat the appeal and or deal with the grievances of the Plaintiff/Applicant or granted his request. 

"By the constitution and guidelines of the 1st Defendant, an aspirant to the position of the gubernatorial office of a state must go through the screening process before he/she will be eligible to participate in the 1st Defendant’s primary election to elect the party’s gubernatorial flag bearer/candidate of the state, (Rivers State herein) for the general election,” the sworn  affidavit deposed in support of the motion of interlocutory injunction before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in SUIT NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2022  read in part.

Anti-Corruption Coalition Berets Petitioner On Allegation Against Senator Bassey Otu

The Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption has bereted one Bala I. Dakum for petitioning Senator Bassey Otu who is an APC Governorship aspirant in Cross River State.

According to the anti-corruption organisation’s Director-General, Dr Nwambu Gabriel, he said that the name of the individual who purportedly signed the petition is non-existent and the address used by the petitioner does not exist in reality. In other words, it was a fabricated address.

“Senator Bassey Edet Otu served his former employer meritoriously before he resigned his appointment to venture into politics. Senator Otu was even bestowed with a meritorious service award by his former employer for his exemplary conduct and dedication to duty, Dr Nwambu Gabriel said.

An excerpt is the full text of the press statement:

Good morning gentlemen of the fourth realm. Welcome to this press briefing.

On the 14th of May, 2022, a petition addressed to the state screening committee of the APC, Cross River state purportedly signed by one Bala I. Dakum had alleged that Senator Bassey Otu who is a Governorship aspirant in Cross River State had been convicted of fraud while working with his former employer, Mercantile Bank of Nigeria Plc. In other words, the petitioner claimed that this alleged offence is in contravention of the provisions of section 182 (e) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Sequel to the determination of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to combat corruption in Nigeria, the Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption (A Coalition of 13 Anti-Corruption CSOs), decided to conduct a clinical, very thorough, independent verification and fact-finding exercise to ascertain the veracity and facts of this grave allegation.

Consequently, our coalition unravelled as follows:

1. That the name of the individual who purportedly signed the petition is non-existent.

2. That the address used by the petitioner does not exist in reality. In other words, it was a fabricated address.

3. That Senator Bassey Edet Otu served his former employer meritoriously before he resigned his appointment to venture into politics. Senator Otu was even bestowed with a meritorious service award by his former employer for his exemplary conduct and dedication to duty.

4. That Distinguished Senator Edet Otu was never accused of any allegation bothering on fraud, was never convicted and therefore has not contravened section 182 (e) as alleged by the ghost petitioner.

5. That Senator Otu is a graduate of Social Sciences from the University of Calabar.

6. That Senator Otu has served as a two-term Member of the House of Representatives for Calabar Municipal/Odukpani between May 2003 and May 2011. He has also served as a Senator representing the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State from June 2011 to June 2015.

7. That Senator Otu has contested elections in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 respectively. He has been consistently screened by all the relevant agencies of Government.

From the foregoing, it becomes evident that this fiction exists only in the mind of the author of this script which was orchestrated, premeditated, designed to mutilate the impeccable integrity of Distinguished Senator Bassey Edet Otu who has served this nation meritoriously, performed creditably well, and has made his mark in banking and public service respectively. In another world, Otu should be commended for his selfless and exemplary leadership style.

We want to enjoin Nigerians and indeed all persons aspiring for public positions of trust to face the realities of politics rather than the ‘Pull Him Down Syndrome’ which is inimical to deepening democracy in Nigeria but sadly has dominated our political space.

Thank You.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya Deserves An Overwhelming Second Term In Office

 

By Adewole Kehinde

After about 25 years of existence, Gombe State, the Jewel of Savannah, is now clearly set on the path of new dawn under the transformational leadership of Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya.

The current administration, which ushered in the new era, was only three years old when the impact of transformational leadership began to gain traction, whereas my findings indicate a solid foundation for sustained growth across the state's socio-economic landscape in the medium to long term.

Most governance analysts have often excused many governments’ failures on the premise of the impact of COVID-19 on the national and sub-national economies, but Gombe seems to have created a different narrative; that challenges berth creativity and ultimately superlative performance.

For Gombe, the environmental circumstances were even more daunting, judging from the difficult financial and socio-political liabilities inherited by the Mohammad Yahaya administration. My findings show that upon assumption of office, the administration was confronted with a treasury in distress, burdened with about N124 billion in loans and bonds, pension and gratuity arrears, and contractors’ liabilities.

The fiscal stress could be gleaned from the recurrent obligations amounting cumulatively to about N900.4 million monthly to service the liabilities. But the administration has gone ahead to demonstrate a determination to achieve positive results. It is the usual practice for new administrations in Nigeria’s governance space to abandon uncompleted projects inherited from the previous administration, especially if the new administration was not an extension of the previous. But Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya chose the road less travelled.

Determining to salvage and possibly turn around the taxpayers’ money into viable assets, the administration embarked on completing those projects.

Despite being in the midst of the theatre of insurgency, Gombe ranks as the best state in the ease of doing business, emerging top in Nigeria’s sub-national ease of doing business survey. The survey was conducted by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council. The states were assessed using homegrown indicators in four thematic areas: infrastructure and security, transparency and access to information, regulatory environment, and skills workforce readiness.The Infrastructure and Security theme involves four indices, namely transportation, primary healthcare, and security.

It is more than apparent that Governor Inuwa Yahaya is achieving all these, by predisposing his energy and resources, towards engaging the youth population in the state, with the various developmental projects he has embarked upon. The Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park is scheduled to provide 50,000 jobs for youths in the state.

The governor has already established the Gombe State Security, Traffic, and Environmental Corps, GOSTEC. The corps is a homegrown innovation which is providing 2,000 young men and women with jobs in security, traffic control, as well as environmental cleaning and maintenance services across the state. It boasts of a women's empowerment programme where 5,000 women are being trained and funded to embark on different business ventures of their own.

When youths are taken off the streets, and the idle womenfolk are engaged with one business or the other, society becomes safer and more ideal for government policies and other socio-economic programmes to thrive. Overall, the youth empowerment programmes are targeting 20,000 youth and women.

Another arm of this youth empowerment drive is the unprecedented provision of 2,000 tricycles, popularly called Keke-NAPEP. This is geared towards the socio-economic advancement and self-reliance of the common man. This was done through the human capital development initiative of the state government. The distribution of the Keke-NAPEP was done through the umbrella association of the Keke Riders Association of Nigeria, Gombe State chapter. One thousand (1000) beneficiaries were drawn regardless of their party affiliations, their local governments or tribes to kick-start the initiative. This was in addition to the training and engagement of over 1,000 youths under the At-Risk Children Programme (ARC-P).

Another 3,000 youths have also been engaged as development facilitators, working for the progress of their various communities. With the aforementioned programmes, the state government has institutionalised a framework that has guaranteed a steady and geometric surge in internal revenue, which has never been seen within the last 25 years of the state’s existence. To further bolster the human capital development drive, a database capturing the 27,000 unemployed graduates in the state is being deployed to link them to appropriate jobs in both the public and private sectors based on their skills.

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) have not been disabled by the Inuwa Yahaya empowerment and youth development projects. A mega centre is being built for them in the state, while various empowerment items, funds and training are being extended to them as well, just like the other able-bodied youths in the state. This is being done in collaboration with the Qatar Charity Foundation, which has executed over 400 projects across the state.

It has provided medical services to more than 5,000 people, with over 1,000 eye surgeries and medical glasses. It has built more than 50 places of worship, in which youths were engaged, with marketers of various building materials in the state enjoying patronage. More than 140 boreholes were also built. PWDs were provided with tricycles for the disabled and hundreds of sewing machines, grinding machines, and learning packages for PWDs.

A whopping 1,000 fresh teachers are being recruited by the Gombe State Teacher’s Service Commission. A total of 288 teachers under the SUBEB programme have applied for a transfer of service to the State’s Ministry of Education’s Secondary Schools and Technical Colleges. All of them have been approved and will be absorbed into the recruitment exercise. This massive engagement of the youth populace into the state’s workforce, and other meaningful programmes, are going a long way in providing job and food security in the state. It is a key ingredient in maintaining law and order in the state. The jobless ones are mopped up from the streets by providing employment and businesses that make them independent or self-reliant. Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s purposeful leadership is providing food on the table for the common man, jobs for the youth, and security for the state.

For these and even some more landmark achievements, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State deserves a second term in office with at least 99% of the total vote cast in Gombe State.

Adewole Kehinde is the Publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached via 08166240846. kennyadewole@gmail.com

 

Sustain The Islamic Virtues Learnt During Ramadan – A.A Zaura

Kano State APC Guber aspirant, His Excellency Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura has called on the people of Kano State to sustain the good lessons and Islamic virtues learnt during the month of Ramadan after Sallah.

Zaura made this call while discussing with pressmen on Sallah message on Sunday evening at his Kano office, Gyadi Gyadi Kano metropolis.

He said the idea of the month is to improve in one’s good doing, revive them and they have a paradigm shift of good Values lost during Ramadan, calling on people.

Zaura reminded us that “we are worshipping One ALLAH, the same ALLAH we worship during Ramadan is the ALLAH that we worship outside the month, therefore Ramadan is an institution to add to our faith and Iman as well as learn food virtues that benefit us here in Dunya and hereafter, we, therefore, should know that the good should be sustained after Sallah “Zaura Preaches.

“One of the objectives of the month is to train us, train us on endurance, a lot of people don’t know how hunger seems, this month had trained and taught us about it when next you meet a hungry man, you can share his pain, we had learned to give, to be tolerant, to love one another, to listen and read the Quran, it’s Science among many others,” Zaura said.

He, therefore, calls on the good people of Kano to continue to exhibit and act this good as they are not only limited to Ramadan.

Recall that Zaura had throughout the month his Social media handles reminded people of their Obligations during the month on daily basis, to remind and freshen their minds.

Zaura Calls On Youth To Sustain The Peace Tempo In Kano During Sallah Celebrations

His Excellency, Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura, Founder of the AA Zaura Foundation, called on the stage youths to contribute to sustaining the hard-earned peace the state is enjoying throughout Sallah Celebrations.

Zaura made this disclosure while chatting with pressmen in his Kano campaign office at Gyadi Gyadi, Kano metropolis. He said the state is about the only peaceful state in the Northwest, despite it being bordered by the frontline states of Kaduna and Katsina.

“Of course, we are obliged to thank Allah for this, but we must also appreciate the efforts of the state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, state security operatives, and the entirety of Kano’s residents.

“We, as a subnational, have, alhamdulillah, enjoyed relatively sustainable peace. We, therefore, should continue to maintain it, rather than use the Sallah celebrations to cause havoc, I am happy to have seen the state governor’s statement on the use of posters during the period. Indeed, according to the law, the schedule of election campaigns has not yet begun. Let us all abide by and keep this state to prosper, progress, and develop. ” Zaura ended.

Remember that Zaura has called for long-term peace and the avoidance of thuggery politics in several Fora.

Unmasking The Lies Against Oborevwori; Go For Sheriff

 

By Livingstone Edesiri

The hazy confusion is clearing; the obscuring agent of deliberate and depraved lies concocted to obfuscate the truth about the persona of the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, and PDP governorship aspirant Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, seeking to fly the ticket of his party in the 2023 governorship battle for the Unity House, Asaba, is now transparent and able to be seen clearly.

The serial blackmailers have called the gentleman names; terrible and disgusting names, and disseminated falsehood in extremely sentimental speech and writing; in order to give him the proverbial bad name and hang him. But try as they could, the spins from the publicity mills of the detractors, some of whom are even aspirants, have failed to meet their expectations.

The observing loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta, are not convinced and so have continued to rebuff such inglorious false dissemination, holding intact their support for Oborievwori, proving that they are SHERIFFIED and are resolute about it.

The lies against Sheriff came in various forms: In one, he was labeled as having not gone to school and so not properly educated. In another form, he is said to have been a street man and Motor Park person. The truth, however, is that Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori has a rich and excellent profile.

Born on the 19th of June 1963 to the family of Chief Samuel Oborevwori of Osubi in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, he started and completed his basic education at Alegbo Primary School, Effurun in 1977 and later attended Oghareki Grammar School, Oghareki for his secondary education. He was then admitted into Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, where he obtained a B.Sc. Honours degree in Political Science.

He topped this later also with a Masters degree, still in Political Science from our own Delta State University, Abraka. Put in proper perspective, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevworia  is not only a politician in practice, he is also a certified Political Scientist, which is the academic component of the fine art of politics.

In his quest for more knowledge, experience, capacity building, and self-development, Oborevwori has attended various courses and obtained certificates from various institutions, as well as membership in reputable organizations . They include: 

• Certificate in Top Executive Leadership Programme, Manchester Business School, UK;

• Certificate in Legislative Framework for Budget Management, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA;

• Certificate in Legislative Management and Leadership, International Law, Institute, Washington DC, USA;

• Certificate in Leading Inclusive Development, London School of Economics Political Science, UK;

• Certificate in Advanced Leadership Programme, University of Cambridge, UK; among others.

He is also a recognized member and fellow of leading highbrow and top-notch institutes and establishments including;

• Member, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered);

• Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (FICMC).

As the political scientist that he is, it was not a surprise that he necessarily had to venture into politics, to practice what he had learnt in the classrooms on the political terrain. And the experience culminated in his possessing a rich and enviable resume having held offices as follows:

· Councilor/Supervisory Councilor for Works in 1996, under the old Okpe Local Government Area, which included the present Udu and Uvwie Local Government Areas.

· Special Assistant on Youth Development to Governor James Ibori (2003 – 2006).

· Special Adviser on Land Security to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (2007 to 2010)

· State Coordinator for the Amnesty Programme (2009 – 2010

· Senior Special Assistant on Security to the Governor (2012 – 2014)

· Member, representing Okpe State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly (2015 – 2019)

* Speaker, 6th Assembly of the Delta State House of Assembly (2017-2019)

* Re-elected as Speaker in the 7th Assembly in 2019, thereby becoming the first Deltan to serve as Speaker from one Assembly to another Assembly, as well as the longest-serving Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.

* Treasurer, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (2018 – 2020), and

* Deputy Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (2020 to date).

It is important to let his traducers and cynics know and understand that the above offices held by Sheriff Oborevwori, underscore his sterling reputation as a very solid and responsible personality; a man of ability, capacity, and capability, imbued with features that distinguish him as a leader and politician of worth; a grass rooted politician, who has interacted and continues to interact with the hoi polloi, the wealthy, educated and cultivated elite.

Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is a complete homegrown politician, just like some of our well-respected leaders before him, who is intelligent, astute, very stable, firmly focused, yet humble, warm and accommodating detribalized Deltan, who can relate and interact freely and comfortably with people and is always interested in their welfare. He does not need to rely on a packaged profile, like some aspirants, for as the popular Latin saying goes: “Res Ipsa Loquitur” (the thing speaks for itself). He is a man of the people.

It is, therefore, given that a man with this rich pedigree, should not sit back when the opportunity for higher service beckons. It is similarly significant to point out that Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has proven himself to be a man and politician of value, a man with a high sense of valour and value for the human person, no matter their level and status. It is the reason he is at home with his peers and colleagues, the downtrodden, exploited and helpless, the rich and well off, the wealthy and affluent, and the less privileged, indigent and disadvantaged.

This mix has actually put him in the straitjacket to throw his hat into the political ring once again for the higher office of the governor of Delta State and the realization that Sheriff Oborevwori has remained determined and focused on his mission to get to the Unity House of Delta’s Government House, Asaba by seeking to fly the PDP flag in the 2023 governorship elections, despite the tantrums, abuses and degrading tirades thrown at him to intimidate, frustrate and make him back out of the mission and vision he set for himself, speak volumes of him as a dogged and rugged politician that can never be moved by such irrelevances. It is the stuff that pacesetters are made of.

It thus cannot be faulted that Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori represents the Continuity and Consolidation that is necessary for our times. He is a familiar face with a fresh vision; a bridge between the old and the new. Hence, his mission and quest to occupy Delta’s Unity House, Asaba come 2023, is to extend the frontiers of human capital development, Agricultural expansion, job creation, Health reforms, infrastructure renewal, and indeed, peace and security that have all been established by previous administrations in the State.

With the gubernatorial choices now before Delta’s PDP delegates, it has become imperative to urge them to remain resolute in their belief in Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori who, far and above every other consideration, is a loyal, committed, victorious and unwavering party man.

It is important to urge Delegates to go for a homegrown, intelligent and astute politician, who can relate with people; one who understands the people and can relate with them in their anxieties and celebrations; one that is interested in their welfare, understands their language and is right at home in the social and cultural locales and milieu, not like a fish out of water faking and forming ‘home boy’ just to score cheap political points.

Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is the original Delta man in the guber race and as the Naija saying goes: “If e nor be Panadol, e nor fit be like Panadol”.

Barr. Livingstone Edesiri, is a public affairs analyst.