Category: Southeast report

A coalition of 150 civil society organisations under the aegis of Advocates of Truth and Justice (ATJ), has berated the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) over what it termed unnecessary and fraudulent involvement in politics.  

The Coalition, in a statement by its Executive Director, Dr. Anthony Ujah, accused top officials of the scheme of conniving with politicians to destroy the reputation of others in the name of forged NYSC certificates. 

NYSC DG, Brig Gen Yusha’u Ahmed, recently alleged that it never issued a discharge certificate to Enugu Governor-elect, Dr. Peter Mbah.

Read Also: Tribunal dismisses suit seeking to stop Mbah’s inauguration as governor

Mbah consequently obtained a court order barring the NYSC from further disclaiming his certificate.

The Governor-elect also sued the NYSC for N20 billion at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged conspiracy, deceit and misrepresentation of facts.

However, despite the court order, the NYSC DG engaged the media to again disclaim the certificate, denying knowledge of the lawsuit and consequent court order. 

Ujah alleged the NYSC leadership is derailing  from its mandate and becoming a tool in the hands of desperate politicians to frustrate perceived rivals. 

The Coalition wondered why Mbah will forge a certificate he didn’t have to pay for and did not need to write any exam to earn.  

“After our investigation, we discovered that the Governor-Elect of Enugu, Barrister Peter Mbah was dully mobilised by the NYSC, issued a call-up letter, assigned to a place of primary assignment, and carried out all duties and responsibilities assigned to him, including participating in the passing out parade and was issued a discharge certificate by the NYSC,” Ujah said. 

“One now wonders how at the end of all these exercises, the NYSC could make a bold face by telling the world that the Governor-elect didn’t participate in the exercise. This is not only scandalous but ridiculous, to say the least.

“The NYSC discharge certificates are printed by the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company PLC. They have security features such as watermarks and serial numbers denoting the batches. The NYSC should back its claim by producing any other certificate in the series of Mbah’s certificate that has the same serial number”. 

The Coalition vowed to embark on a massive protest at the NYSC secretariat to call for the total investigation of the Scheme and by the National Assembly as soon as possible. 

Ujah said after this mass action, the incoming administration would be left with no other option but to reform the Scheme.

•Governor lays foundation for Wigwe varsity 

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said he has kept the promises he made to the people.

He told the residents of Elele community that delivering internal roads in the area was a proof of a fulfilled promise to them.

Inaugurating Elele internal roads in Ikwerre Local Government yesterday, Wike said the project kicked-off five and a half months ago with a promise to inaugurate it before leaving office.

He said barely six days to the end of his tenure; he came to Elele to inaugurate the project, in line with his promise.

The governor said it was gratifying to witness the belief expressed by Rivers people in him and his administration.

Wike has laid the foundation for a newly approved private institution, Wigwe University.

He said his administration would support the university to achieve its objectives.

Wike said education remained important to his administration, because nothing could equate its contributions to human capital development.

The governor spoke yesterday at Isiokpo town in Ikwerre Local Government where he laid the foundation.

He said with Wigwe University coming on stream, Rivers State could boast of two private universities. 

He said a state like Rivers would encourage more private universities and assured the citizens of government’s support.

Wike admired the courage of the owner of Wigwe University, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Access (Bank) Holdings, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, for returning home with such investment to benefit the state.

He said at the first private university in the state, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, the state government sponsored at least 120 students yearly. 

He stressed that the government would not hesitate to also partner Wigwe University.

Wike said access road to the private university would be reconstructed by the government.

He described those who often used insecurity to either deny or discourage investors from coming to the state as mischievous.

Wigwe said the university would be a world-class institution with 60 per cent Nigerian lecturers and 40 per cent foreign lecturers.

Wigwe, also the Chief Executive Officer of HOW Foundation, said the institution would groom fearless generation of youths to become confident future leaders and entrepreneurs.

He said about 200 buildings have been determined for construction on the 400 hectares upon which the university is located.

The former Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank PLC, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said the remarkable infrastructural development of Wike inspired Wigwe to establish the world-class university.

A Federal High Court in Awka has issued a bench warrant directed to the Nigeria Police to effect the arrest of Hon Augustine Ike also known as Ikedoji, a House of Assembly Member Elect representing Nnewi North Constituency.

Also, another Onyedika Chukwuma was also found wanting, as the warrant requested for them to be brought before the court for arraignment.

The warrant was particularly direct to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba.

Justice F.O Riman gave the order following what the court described as their refusal to be served with the Charge against them by Baba.

The Court noted that since the 29th day of March 2023 that the police completed their investigation on Hon. Ike and Chukwuma and was indicted, that the duo has refused to show up and they have been on the run.

The development has made it difficult for the Court to serve them with the charge against them.

Read Also: Court adjourns Kanu’s suit against DSS for adoption of processes

The Court further stated that it will not assume jurisdiction to start hearing the charge unless they are served and that the only option left is for the Court to issue a bench warrant to the IGP to effect their arrest.

Hon Augustine Ike is the Hosue of Assembly Member Elect representing Nnewi North at the Anambra State House of Assembly. His arraignment in Court together with Onyedika Chukwuma may not be unconnected with a petition filed to the IGP by Billionaire Businessman, Dr. Cletus Ibeto.

The 11 count order filled at the Federal High Court Awka by Anthony Egwu Esq, the Prosecuting counsel to the IGP, Mr Augustine Ike and Onyedika Chukwuma were alleged to commit a criminal offence through the use of cyber stalking by using computer system to send messages on Social media known as FaceBook and WhatsApp, wherein they published that Dr. Cletus Ibeto is a “land grabber who want to defraud Nnew/ Community of their land, surrounds himself with thieves, criminals, armed robbers and have been rejected by universal God”.

The leadership of the Abia State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) and Dr. Alex Otti’s campaign team yesterday raised the alarm over attempt by agents of Abia State Government and an unnamed chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to use a court in Kano State to withdraw Otti’s Certificate of Return.

In a statement jointly signed by Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti’s Special Adviser Media and State Publicity Secretary of Labour Party, Njoku Jerry Ajike, Otti’s team and Labour Party accused the state government of plotting to stop Otti from being sworn in on May 29 and an interim government installed.

This, they said, would be done in connivance with an unnamed corrupt official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This was even as they alleged that a large amount of cash of Abia State in foreign currencies had been stolen from the state treasury for the purpose.

“Abia Governor-elect Otti and his party, the Labour Party, wish to reassure ‘Abians’ once again that the divine mandate unanimously given to him and his party by ‘Abians’ remains sacrosanct, safe and secure, and that under no circumstance will these civilian ‘coupists’ and criminal usurpers and interlopers be allowed to steal it.”

Responding, the state Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Deputy Chairman of the party for Abia North, Abraham Amah, in a statement accused Labour Party of committing contempt of court.

He absolved the state government of having any hand in the Kano- instituted court case.

Amah warned Otti and LP to stop causing unnecessary political tension in Abia and allow the judiciary to do its work. 

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has granted full accreditation to National Diploma (ND) in Mass Communication, Pharmaceutical Technology and two other programmes at Edo State Polytechnic, Usen.

The other programmes with full accreditation from the last exercise are ND in Science Laboratory Technology and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Public Administration.

The Rector, Sylvester Omoruyi, an engineer, said yesterday that the board granted the full accreditation after a quality assurance visitation to the polytechnic last month.

He said the outcome of the accreditation was contained in a letter by NBTE’s Director, Polytechnic Programmes, Ngbede Ogoh, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugage, and addressed to the polytechnic management.

Omoruyi thanked Governor Godwin Obaseki for his commitment to the development of tertiary education and support to the polytechnic.

He praised the NBTE executive secretary, polytechnic workers and management for their support and cooperation in ensuring the delivery of quality education at the institution.

The member representing Orlu/Oru East/Orsu Federal Constituency of Imo State, Jerry Alagbaoso, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Alagbaoso, who read his letter of defection on the floor of the House of Representatives during plenary yesterday, said he hoped to work with Governor Hope Uzodinma to take the state to the centre of Nigerian politics.

He hailed the governor for his achievements.

The lawmaker said there was need to work with the governor to bring more dividends of democracy to the people.

Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, who presided, said given Alagbaoso’s political stature, his defection was an “earthquake moment.”

This, Gbajabiamila said, was the reason Alagbaoso was allowed to read his defection letter by himself, instead of by the Speaker, which was the usual practice.

Anioma Youth Forum Worldwide (AYF-W) has called on Ijaw youths, who issued a warning to the board Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ms. Lauretta Onochie, to desist from making such utterances.

In a statement made available to reporters in Warri, Delta State, yesterday, the group described the development as “unacceptable” and capable of truncating the fragile peace in the region.

The statement was signed by

Nnamdi Ofonye, Frank Odum and Ekwukwo Elvis, national president, secretary and publicity secretary.

It expressed dismay that rather than seek solution to the face-off between the NDDC Chairman Onochie and Managing Director, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, the Ijaw youths resorted to issuing “threats”.

In a viral video, the youths, under the aegis of Amegba Force, warned Onochie against using the commission as a “political business”.

They also cautioned her to jettison “any plan to kick against the NDDC board”.

AYF-W said like other well-meaning ‘Niger Deltans’, it was worried by the “frosty relationship between the management and board members”, as it (face-off) threatened the intention of President Muhammadu Buhari to end financial recklessness in the interventionist agency.

The statement said in a bid to end plundering of the agency’s resources, President Buhari sanctioned a forensic audit, which led to the long absence of a substantive board until a few months ago.

It added: “That notwithstanding, it beats our imagination that rather than seek peaceful end to the unfortunate lingering face-off between Onochie and Ogbuku over issues bordering on allegations of usurpation of power and non-adherence to the Act establishing the Niger Delta Development Commission, some ex- agitators have resorted to issuing of threats. 

“We view this action as unacceptable, as it is capable of jeopardising the fragile peace Niger Delta enjoys. 

“In the light of the above, AYF-W cautions that Anioma youths will not fold their arms and watch a respected and accomplished Anioma daughter and amazon, Onochie, being bullied, threatened and intimidated by any group on account of her determination and attempt to ensure relevant sections of the Act establishing the NDDC are followed in the running of the affairs of the commission, in the interest of ‘Niger Deltans’. 

“AYF-W therefore calls on the group issuing threat to retract it, desist forthwith and allow for a peaceful resolution of the imbroglio by the parties, especially now that the issues of concern

are before the distinguished Senator Yusuf Yusuf-led ad-hoc committee investigating the budget and running of the NDDC.”

Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has directed political appointees to hand over on or before May 26, ahead of the end of his tenure on May 29.

The governor’s directive was conveyed yesterday through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Simon Ortuanya, when the SSG met heads of boards, parastatals, agencies and commissions at the Government House, Enugu.

Ortuanya listed the affected political appointees to include commissioners of ministries, special advisers (SPAs) to the governor, chief executive officers of government-owned companies, senior special assistants (SSAs) to the governor and special assistants (SAs) to the governor.

Others are technical assistants to the governor, technical assistants to commissioners, technical assistants to special advisers, technical assistants to House of Assembly members, board chairmen and board members of government-owned companies, executive secretaries of parastatals or government-owned companies and state project coordinators of World Bank-assisted projects.

Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed an application seeking to stop the inauguration of Mr. Peter Mbah as the governor of the state on May 29.

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) and its governorship candidate in the March 18 governorship election had prayed the tribunal to stop the forthcoming inauguration and/or swearing-in of Mbah as the incoming governor of Enugu.

The petitioners, through their motion, urged the tribunal to make an interlocutory order of injunction restraining Mbah from presenting himself, for the purpose of being sworn in or inaugurated as the Executive Governor of Enugu State on May 29.

But in a ruling yesterday, the tribunal dismissed the application for lacking in merit. It described the matter as novel, which needed to be tested.

The leadership of the South South Women Assembly is in total allegiance with the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over his preference for Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio as the President of the 10th Senate.

Without any modicum of doubt, we boldly affirm that Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio is a fit and proper person to lead the 10th Senate and properly guide the National Assembly towards the actualization of the ‘Renewed Hope’ of the Tinubu administration when it sets sail from May 29.

He understands the workings and intricacies of the legislature having had a direct relationship with it as a commissioner in the state executive council for 6 years; as an Executive Governor for 8 years; as a Senator of the Federal Republic for 4 years when he served as Senate Minority Leader; and as a Minister of government for about 3 years.

As an executive governor, he was an achiever par excellence, earning the sobriquet ‘Uncommon Transformer”. His landmark achievements as a governor are too numerous to mention.

It was in his time as a Minister of government that the permanent building housing the heaquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was completed and occupied by the interventionist agency thus saving it from millions of Naira in rent.

It was in his time that the forensic audit of the NDDC was commissioned and completed. The direct benefit of the crucial exercise can be seen in the current optimization of the performance of the Commission. It was his time as Minister that peace returned to the hitherto volatile region.

Senator Godswill Akpabio is not perfect, but he has a strong relationship with virtually every political office holder of note in Nigeria.

Read Also: NASS: Why APC settled for Akpabio, Abbas, by Shettima

As Governor, he gave women opportunities in his administration, fulfilling over 35 percent affirmative action and encouraging women to go into elective positions. His endorsement of affirmative action found eloquent expression in his appointment of the first female Deputy Governor, a female Head of Service, a female Chief Judge, amongst others. His investments in the development of the girl child remain unrivaled. Girls benefited immensely from the free and compulsory education policy initiated by the Akpabio administration. His administration also made laws to protect the girl child.

More so, South South has never occupied the position of Senate President since after Senator Joseph Wayas of blessed memory more than forty years ago.

We urge the relevant players to be mindful of the chicanery that took place in 2015 on the day of the inauguration of the 8th National Assembly.

The leadership of the South South Women Leaders Assembly appreciates the President-elect, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for standing for equity as it relates to the leadership of the 10th Senate, and we pledge our solidarity to his incoming government.

We appreciate the solidarity of the majority of the Senators of the 10th senate and their rock solid resilience in supporting the choice of the President-elect.

We also appreciate all relevant stakeholders who have openly supported the candidature of Senator Akpabio, irrespective of political party affiliations.

The leadership of the South South Women Leaders Assembly views the Senate Presidency of Senator Akpabio as a call to National duty and as a call to the service of our fatherland.

Mrs Geraldine Etu, APC chieftain; Hon Racheal Kufre Nse, Federal Board Member; Hon Cecilia Brigidi, former councilor; Mrs Ibite Dokubo, APC chieftain