Category: Southeast report

• •Hails Fubara for developmental steps

Rivers State governorship candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) in the last general election, Danagogo Wenike-Briggs, has withdrawn his petition against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Siminialayi Fubara from the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.

Wenike-Briggs hailed Fubara for “starting on a right footing” in his development masterplan for the state.

He urged him not to relent.

Read Also: APC, YPP, others reject Akwa Ibom results

Wenike-Briggs Development Organisation spokesman Nduchukwu Oriji made this known yesterday in a statement in Port Harcourt. 

He said the governorship candidate’s decision to withdraw the petition followed appeal and advice by elders and stakeholders.

He expressed regrets that the plans by Wenike-Briggs to become the governor did not materialise now, hoping that the ambition would be realised in future.

Oriji recalled the lofty visions of the governorship candidate for the state if he was given the privilege to serve, saying his principal was passionate to ensure development of the state.

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has trained the Community Mobilisation Officers (COMO) of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to enable them to drive grassroots enlightenment on the health insurance scheme in Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking on Thursday during a two-day training workshop for NOA’s personnel in Uyo, the Acting Director on Media of NHIA, Mr Emmanuel Ononokpono noted that the move is geared towards attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.

“We adopt this strategy to increase health awareness because Nigerians need enough information to enable them to have access to affordable and quality health care,” he added.

Read Also: Fed Govt ready to reverse shortage in medical personnel

On his part, the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of NHIA, Mr Williams Ebiokobo noted that low awareness and funding have been the major challenges confronting the agency.

Also speaking, the Director-General of NOA, Dr. Garba Abari assured that being an agency to disseminate all government policies and programmes, NOA will take NHIA’s activities to the grassroots Abari represented by the Director, Human Resource Management, Mr Kehinde Ogunkuade noted that the health of all Nigerians also remains the concern of the agency, adding that a “healthy manpower produces a healthy development.”

DELTA Governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, has appealed to traditional rulers to give priority attention to matters of security in their domains.

Oborevwori, made the call yesterday during the presentation of Staff of Office to His Royal Majesty, Simpson Sapele Obruche, Obruche (11), the Odion R’ode of Uwheru Kingdom, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Monday Onyeme, assured that his administration will continue to hold traditional rulers in high esteem.

Read Also: Supreme Court dismisses case seeking Delta Gov Oborevwori’s sack

He urged them to work closely with law enforcement agencies and local government councils to ensure that peace prevails in their domains.

According to him, “The traditional institution remains a priceless legacy in any African society for which there is yet no credible substitute, as a rallying point for the people.”

Chairman, Central Planning Committee for the event, Hon. Esemeteye Benjamin, thanked Oborevwori for presenting the Staff of Office to their traditional ruler.

The Chairman, Ughelli North Council, Mr. Adode Godwin, urged youths to ensure that peace is maintained in the kingdom while they channel their energy to productive ventures.

A leading governorship aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, has stated that Edo South Senatorial District, where Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hails from, will still produce governor next year, in view of the majority.

He also assured that he would rescue Edo state from underdevelopment.

Agbonayinma gave the assurance when he visited the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, in his palace in Benin.

The frontline governorship aspirant, who hails from Edo South senatorial district, and earlier represented Ikpoba-Okha/Egor constituency in the House of Representatives, said: “Everybody has the right to aspire (to be the governor of Edo State in 2024), but it is about Edo, because Edo is one.

“Edo South is the majority, and the majority will always have their way. The issue is about Edo, and not about any senatorial district.”

Agbonayinma also disclosed that his visit to the first-class monarch was in view of the fact that a Benin son or daughter must recognise the treasured culture and the eminent traditional ruler.

Read Also: Kidnapped Ekiti APC chairman regains freedom

He said: “Prior to embarking on campaigns, I need to first inform the Oba of my mission and vision for Edo State, why I have decided to aspire to contest for the office of the governor of Edo State. He deserves to know where I stand. I am here to let him know, as our father.”

Oba of Benin hailed Agbonayinma for his resilience and focus on his quest to govern Edo state, and prayed for him not to regret his aspiration.

The foremost traditional ruler said: “A lot of persons from various political parties are contesting for this position. We have prayed for you that as you have respected your elders, you will reap the reward. “This journey that you are about to begin, it shall be peaceful for you. You will not encounter regret.”

Oba of Benin, as the father of all, noted that he would continue to bless all the governorship aspirants and others, in their determination to move Edo and other parts of Nigeria forward.

The immediate governor of Edo, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who is a former National Chairman of APC, currently represents Edo North senatorial district in the National Assembly, while Obaseki wants his successor to come from Edo Central/Esanland, and he is pushing for Asue Ighodalo, a lawyer, on PDP’s platform.

Obaseki’s deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, is also intensifying consultations to vie for governorship in September next year, still on PDP’s platform, thereby succeeding his boss on November 12, 2024, when the incumbent governor’s second term will expire.

The Edo State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Pastor Foluke Oladeinde, shockingly stays in a rented apartment that she personally paid for in Benin, contrary to what is obtainable in other states of Nigeria.

She called for the provision of a suitable accommodation for Edo coordinator of NYSC in Benin, while calling on Governor Godwin Obaseki to address the challenge of inadequate hostel accommodation for male and female corps members, and collaborating agencies, at the permanent orientation camp.

Oladeinde, yesterday in her address at the swearing-in of 2023 Batch B, Stream 1 corps members deployed in Edo, at the NYSC’s permanent orientation camp, opposite Igbinedion University, Okada, the headquarters of Ovia Northeast Local Government Area, in Edo South Senatorial District, noted that things could be much better in the state.

She said: “At the close of registration by midnight of July 13, 2023, a total of 1,136, comprising 607 males, and 529 females were duly registered. A successful orientation course is centred on the realisation of the objectives and aspirations of the NYSC scheme.

Read Also: Obaseki takes over supervision of revenue generation

“It is most gratifying to place on record that this permanent orientation camp, which has been a long-aged dream of the NYSC family, was brought into fruition by Governor Obaseki-led administration. I am indeed confident that upon its completion, the NYSC Edo permanent orientation camp will become the new standard for all orientation camps nationwide.

“The needs of NYSC in Edo State, to ensure smooth implementation of our programmes, include the provision of perimeter fencing of the orientation camp, to prevent further encroachment by individuals; need for two more boreholes to complement the only borehole we currently have; need for completion of state coordinator’s lodge on camp; completion of sporting arena; and provision of hospital beds in the well-equipped camp clinic.”

Edo coordinator of NYSC also pledged that members of the corps in the state would ensure continuous loyalty and support towards the lofty goals of Obaseki’s Make Edo Great Again (MEGA) agenda.

Oladeinde hailed Edo governor for always providing the state’s NYSC with luxury buses for the conveyance of corps members to their respective places of primary assignment at the end of every orientation course, which she described as a noble act, and a demonstration of his fatherly love for the youths.

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested one Michael Charles alias Thankgod Ekwueme for allegedly selling his three children.

This follows the Command’s busting of a child trafficking ring operating in the state.

Parading the suspects within the Old GRA Police Station, Head Office of the CP Monitoring Unit, who were responsible for the breakthrough, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said they arrested a number of suspects involved in the trading of minors in the state.

Charles, who is one of the suspects paraded and the father of the trafficked children admitted to selling them, blaming his action on poverty and an inability to fend for the children.

Others involved in the racket include a medical practitioner and a former Councillor.

Speaking on behalf of the mother of the traded kids who is deaf and dumb, the mother Janet Igwe from Umudiogo, Emohua Local Government Area of the state, said her son-in-law has been selling the children borne by her daughter while telling her the children died at birth.

Read Also: PHOTOS: Police arrest mastermind of attack on Apostle Suleiman’s convoy

The statement by the police said, “Operatives attached to the CP Monitoring Unit on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at about 5.00pm, based on the revelation of two suspects earlier arrested in a case of child trafficking, extended the investigation to Omudiaga in Emohua LGA of Rivers State and Ogbaku in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State where they arrested the duo of Ndubuisi Egbueri ‘M, and Ndubuisi Wosa ‘M,’ at Omudiaga, and one Chioma Anele ‘F at Ogbaku. Both Ndubuisi Egbueri and Ndubuisi Wosa confessed to receiving one of the babies which they later handed over to Hon. Regina Aki ‘F at Rukpokwu in Port Harcourt. Hon. Regina Aki was also arrested and admitted to contacting one Favour Amaewhule ‘F at Aluu, where the baby was sold in the presence of Michael Charles, the father of the baby.

“Subsequently, Favour Amaewhule ‘F was arrested and admitted to buying the baby for the sum of N700,000.00, while N350,000.00 was paid to Michael Charles, the father of the baby, and N350,000.00 was paid to Hon. Regina Aki and partners.”

“However, the baby bought by Favour Amaewhule has been recovered, and the investigation is in top gear with a view to recovering the other babies received by Chioma Anele ‘F.’ Seven (7) suspects are currently in custody.”

Traditional rulers in Enugu state have urged Governor Peter Mbah to be more ruthless in flushing out kidnappers and enforcers of the sit-at-home order.

The royal fathers praised Mbah for his laudable efforts at ensuring security, and also promised their continued commitment and support.

The monarchs converged yesterday on the House of Assembly Complex for an interactive session with the governor. They stressed that kidnapping and sit-at-home were alien to the Igbo people, adding that the illegal Monday sit-at-home did not represent the true identity of what the Igbo people were.

They also admonished Mbah to deploy joint security operatives across different communities to reinforce the people’s confidence in going about their legitimate businesses.

Read Also: Sit-at-home: Enugu residents count losses say ‘we can’t cope anymore’

Some of the monarchs who spoke on behalf of their senatorial districts were Igwe Simon Osisi Itodo, Igwe RSN Eze, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, Igwe Godwin Madu, Igwe Julius Nnaji, Igwe Greg Ugwu, among others.

Mbah told the royal fathers that the meeting was convened to appreciate  their support during the election, and to brief them on the security measures taken so far to rid the state of criminal elements, and attract the promised investments.

The governor also stressed that the only way to make the state the premier destination for investment, eradicate poverty, build theme parks, attract over three million tourists yearly, provide employment for the youths, and move the state’s gross domestic product from its current $4.4 to $30 billion, was by ending insecurity posed by hoodlums hiding under the guise of sit-at-home to hurt the economy and inflict pain on the citizens.

The Ogun State Integrity Group has asked President Bola Tinubu to consider fairness, justice and equity when picking ministerial nominee from Ogun State, saying the nominee should come from Ogun Central.

The group argued that Ogun East has Governor Dapo Abiodun and Ogun West has Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele.

Group leader, Wale Coker, who addressed reporters yesterday, said any arrangement short of this fair demand would put Ogun Central out of the 2023 political equation. He also reminded President Tinubu and party leaders that the Central has the largest voting population and demonstrated same during the last general elections.

Coker noted that given the past experiences since 2003, it is quite logical, reasonable, and politically expedient that the next minister due to Ogun should come from the Central District.

Read Also: Youths seek ministerial nomination from Taraba Central

He said: “Ogun Central has eminent and qualified sons and daughters who are distinguished in their personal and professional lives, and have also worked assiduously for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu in the last elections.

“Picking any minister from Ogun East or West will amount to a total disequilibrium of the state’s political setup, which may not augur well for APC and our leader who we all know to be an apostle of fairness. Also, for political expediency, Ogun State is politically sophisticated as shown during the last governorship election when compared to the earlier presidential election.

“Therefore, for justice and equity, we are appealing to President Tinubu to choose his ministerial nominee from Ogun Central as anything against this may not go down well with the leaders and stakeholders of Ogun Central.”

• •Okays 25 special advisers

Screening of commissioner and special adviser- nominees began yesterday at the Osun State House of Assembly. The screening is expected to end on Monday.

Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the screening committee, Akinyode Oyewusi, stressed the seven-man committee’s readiness to carry out a thorough job.

“The exercise should not be seen as an attempt to witch hunt any of the nominees, but a legislative procedure to choose the best hands to navigate the running of government for the next four years,” he said.

Read Also: Forum chides Adeleke for breaking pact on women inclusivity

Oyewusi added that the nominees shall make another appearance before the House next Monday on after the committee submits its report to the General Assembly. 

The Assembly also okayed the governor’s request to appoint additional 25 special advisers, a statement by the speaker’s media aide, Olamide Tiamiyu, said.

He added that the confirmation was conveyed in a letter by the Speaker Adewale Egbedun, to Governor Adeleke yesterday.

The statement reads: “Governor Adeleke had written to the House on July 4, requesting approval to appoint 25 special advisers. After careful consideration, I am pleased to inform you that the House of Assembly has approved your request.”

Former Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade followed strict and due process approving contracts, and land allocations, among others, a statement by his media aide, Egbelo Edward said yesterday.

Contrary to an online publication purportedly written by Emmanuel Ogbeche, Press Secretary to Governor Bassey Otu, he stated that every approval, including major land allocations, compulsorily passed through the scrutiny of the Executive Council, due process, and audit before getting the final nod of Ayade.

The statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to an online publication purportedly authored by Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche, the press Secretary to Governor Bassey Otu

“We want to state categorically that under Governor Ben Ayade, at no time was any government approval granted via Whatsapp or any social media channel as opined by Mr. Ogbeche.

“Appointees of the Ayade administration are still alive and can bear testimonties to the rigorous procedure of securing government approvals.

“Every approval, including major land allocations, compulsorily passed through the scrutiny of the Executive Council, Due Process and Audit before getting to the final nod of Governor Ayade.

Read Also: Ayade inaugurates multi-billion Naira smart Teachers Training Institute

“Former Governor Ayade and Governor Otu share a very cordial relationship that has lasted for years, dating back to their years as lawmakers in the National Assembly.

“It is important for Mr. Ogbeche and his co-travelers to note that such a statement will be misinterpreted as a rift between Governor Otu and his immediate predecessor, His Excellency, Prof. Ben Ayade.

“We are not unaware of Mr. Ogbeche’s long-standing romance with the PDP, therefore, it is now imperative to state emphatically that Mr. Ogbeche is a PDP agent sent to cause disaffection among members of the APC in Cross River State.

“We advise Ogbeche to tread carefully and respect the existing peace and harmony amongst members of the APC family in Cross River State.

“Ayade gave his all to ensure Governor Bassey Otu emerged victorious in the last gubernatorial election, so, Mr. Ogbeche is a beneficiary of Ayade’s wise decision and shouldn’t be acting like a fifth columnist.

“The APC family in Cross River State remains one indivisible family.”