Category: Southeast report

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig Gen YD Ahmed, has been accused of conspiring with politicians to sabotage Enugu State Governor-elect, Peter Mbah.

The Centre for Defence of Human Rights and Truth in Nigeria (CDHRTN), which made this known at a press conference on Monday, said the goal is to truncate the will of Enugu people.

Obaike Francis, the convener of the group, spoke in reaction to the Enugu State Governor-elect Peter Mbah’s alleged NYSC certificate scandal.

Mr. Francis said instead of Ahmed providing evidence to back his claims that Mbah falsified his discharge certificate, the NYSC DG has embarked on a media trial of the People’s Democratic Party’s stalwart.

According to Francis, this is a shameful path considering the gains of the scheme in the past, adding that the state may be heading towards anarchy if not checked.

“As a group, we are alarmed at the politicization of the operations of the NYSC by the director general, which is indeed worrisome and an indication that the lofty ideal with which the NYSC was established is about to be rubbished on the alter of politics,” he said.

“The fact that the NYSC DG could engage in a media frenzy by issuing press statements and live appearances on Television programs smacks a mockery of what the NYSC represents.

“It is also baffling that the NYSC DG, in his rants and vilification of the Governor-Elect of Enugu State, did not avail to the press the certificate presented by the Governor-Elect of Enugu state and what made it fake.

Read Also: NYSC DG lied on Mbah’s certificate, says Enugu PDP

“Our opinion is that issues of this nature should be backed by documentary evidence and not mere word of mouth through media trials. This is an aberration that all well-meaning Nigerians must condemn.

“This action is injurious to the image of the NYSC. It rubbishes whatever gains the NYSC has recorded in recent times. It further reinforces the call for the scrapping of the NYSC for outliving its usefulness in the scheme of things in the country.

“It is our firm opinion that the NYSC has no business in politics as this action is, by extension, a call for anarchy given that the swearing-in of elected governors is some days away. The question thus is: what does the NYSC stand to prove with this highly divisive action?

“Could the NYSC have become a veritable tool for politicians to truncate democracy in Nigeria? The NYSC Discharge Certificates are printed with security features and serial numbers.

“Consequently, the NYSC still needs to provide evidence that the serial number on the certificate presented by the Enugu State Governor-Elect belongs to someone else. And if that can’t be provided, it indicates that the NYSC is playing to the gallery by acting under the whim and caprices of some vested interests that wish to truncate the smooth transition of power in Enugu State.

“Understandably, the Governor-Elect is a member of the opposition party hence the attempt to cause a distraction by all means necessary. If the Governor-Elect is of the APC, would the NYSC act similarly?

“We are tempted to believe that some politicians wanted to exploit that window of the break in service year to truncate the swearing-in of the democratically elected governor of Enugu State.”

The Centre, therefore, called on the NYSC to immediately issue a retraction and public apology to Mr. Peter Mbah.

A group, Abia State Elders Consultative Forum, has cautioned Governor Okezie Ikpeazu-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration to reconsider its decision to hold local government election.

The Nation had reported that the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Emma Alozie, disclosed that they were pulling out of the council poll scheduled to hold tomorrow.

Although there is a court order restricting the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) from going ahead with the conduct of the election, there were indications that the state government was ready to still go ahead with the election.

Read Also: Ikpeazu approves N500m takeoff grant for Abia Poly upgrade to university

But the Abia elders in a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting in Umuahia, described the efforts of Abia State Government to hold the local government election as counterproductive.

They described the move by the PDP as ill-advised, ill-timed and a waste of scare resources.

The communiqué was signed by His Grace, Prof. Princewill Ariwodo, National President and Rev. Dr. Joseph Adiele, National Secretary.

A coalition of All Progressives Congress Northwest Support Group has backed the party’s endorsement of Abbas Tajudeen and Benjamin Kalu for the position of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 10th National Assembly.

The coalition said Abbas had whatever it takes to be speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.

APC had on May 8, , picked Abbas and Kalu for House speaker and deputy.

In a statement jointly signed by the National Coordinator Auwal Gumel and Secretary, Abdullahi Muhammed yesterday in Abuja, the group said having come from the region which gave the APC the highest number of votes (North-west) with 2,652,824, it became imperative and justifiable to support Abbas morally and politically.

It said Abbas, who is a ranking member, and currently the House Committee Chairman on Land Transport, has been in the House since 2011 and had vast experience in the position.

It said Abbas’ parliamentary service to the nation was evident in the 9th House of Representatives when he set the record of a member with the most Bills.

Read Also: Deputy speakership race: ‘I’ll not step down for Kalu’

The statement said Abbas sponsored 74 of such Bills, of which 21 were signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Such a milestone is unprecedented and speaks volumes of his legislative prowess. So, if the experience was the yardstick to gauge one’s performance, Hon Abass has enough of it.

“He understood the tempest and complexity of the House of Representatives, having been there for 12 unbroken years. As such, he will be a Speaker, for all Nigerians, regardless of creed or political leanings,” the group said in the statement.

The group added that Kalu, the party’s candidate for deputy speaker, from the Southeast, was a resourceful and vibrant lawmaker.

“Having come from the Southeast, his choice for the position will address the issue of inclusiveness, marginalization, faith, and balance of political power,” the group added

• .Group backs Betara

Nigeria Citizen Action Group (NCAG) has appealed to the All Progressives Congress to adopt Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Muktar Betara for House of Representatives Speaker.

The civil society group urged the APC leadership and members-elect to choose an individual who is competent, has leadership skills, values, and ethics, among other unmatched values.

It urged the leadership of APC to reconsider its position and adopt a sellable and competent candidate for a seamless principal officer election and emergence proceedings for the 10th National Assembly.

In the same vein, the group implored all members-elect to support Betara for the position.

The group’s Spokesperson, Comr. Muhammed Lukman, at a news conference, said: “Only when a competent lead, regret never comes, talk less of seeking a cure. The credibility of the House Principal Officer counts a lot in the coordination and performance of the Assembly which in turn influences the general performance of the administration.

Read Also: Crisis rocks Ondo APC over poor performance in Assembly polls

“The choice of National Assembly Speaker shouldn’t be colorized with the sentiment but rather with leadership skills, values, and ethics such as credibility, capability, intellectual rating, critical/ innovative thinking and reasoning strength alongside experience and acceptability of the individual seeking such intellectually demanding Position.

“Betera, representing Biu/Bayo/Shani Federal Constituency, fulfilled all these qualities of a public servant: a soft and outspoken figure, Betara remains the best, most credible and most qualified, aside is his youthfulness, his wealth of experience is unmatched by any contender, being 5th term member, outgoing chairman House Committee on Appropriation place him far ahead in term of the legislative wealth of experience and in-depth understanding of one of the major function of National assembly.

“Hon Betara is a lovable individual by the young and the old because of his unique disposition that represents both generations, he enjoys the support of all and sundry beyond political party affiliation, hence remains the best for the 10th National Assembly Speaker beyond every sentiment.”

Thirteen year old student of Graduate High School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Excellent Edwin-Isotu, has won the 2023 junior category of the Nigeria Spelling Bee Competition .

He will represent Rivers State in the national competition scheduled to hold from July 26 to 29 in Rivers State.

Over 700 students from primary, secondary and institutional platforms in Rivers state participated in the competition.

The National Coordinator, Abdulsalam Ibrahim, in a statement , said the goal of the Nigeria Spelling Bee Competition was to promote literacy among Nigerian students and by rewarding learning with amazing opportunities.

He said the competition was crucial as a lot of young people had formed the habit of using slang, shortening words while writing, saying the advent of social media was a major factor.

He said the English language was a prerequisite for learning, adding that its mastering at all times should be considered especially for students and young people, who are the future of the country.

He said: “Having been charged by the Federal Ministry of Education to produce the best of Nigeria and project them as Team Nigeria at international stages, we aim to bring out the very best wordsmiths and readers to make Nigeria proud.

“This is the reason for organising spelling competitions among Nigerian school students, to promote accurate spelling of the commonly used words and improve the knowledge of students.

“We do not give the spellers words to learn, they have to study words from the dictionary, at the National level, they have to write essays too.”

Ibrahim said the competition was aimed at improving learning for spelling and comprehension of concepts, saying a study guide has been prepared to guide spellers and teach rules of spelling to make them better spellers.

He noted that spellers were actively engaged in communication and public speaking skills and self-esteem.

He said the organisation was worried about the common mistakes students and writers make in the usage of English words and in the three major Nigerian languages.

According to Edwin-Isotu’s tutor, Mr Evans Kingsley, he is optimistic that his mentee would make Rivers state proud at the National finals and beyond.

“I see the confidence in him and he has proven it, so I am optimistic that we will become victorious”.

The winners of the regional stage would progress to the National Finals where they will compete for a chance to win N1,000,000 scholarship Grand Prize among other prizes.

The National Champions would also win an all-expenses-paid trip to represent Nigeria at the African Spelling Bee in November in Ethiopia.

The Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has hailed the Senate for passing NDDC’s N876billion budget for 2023.

Ogbuku, in a statement signed yesterday by the commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Dr. Ibiyoye Abosede, said the budget was passed on Tuesday.

The Senate had stood down consideration of the budget and requested further clarifications on the financial activities of the NDDC for 2021 and 2022 budget estimates.

Ogbuku said the passage was a milestone in developing the Niger Delta.

Read Also: NDDC consolidated budget: From reform to rebirth

He said the budget would enable the NDDC to continue providing infrastructure and services to the people.

The NDDC boss pledged to ensure the funds allocated in the budget were used judiciously and through due process.

He said the NDDC would ensure its projects were completed in time, having highest standard.

Ogbuku called on stakeholders to support the NDDC to develop the region, saying the commission needed the support and cooperation of stakeholders in the region to achieve its goals.

A faha Iman Ibom community in Etinan Local Government of Akwa Ibom State has opposed plan to install on the Paramount Ruler of Onna Council, Edidem Inyang, the ‘Enin Afaha’, which is the highest chieftaincy title in Afaha group of communities.

They argued that if such sensitive traditional title was accorded Inyang, such position would be in conflict with the throne of Oku Ibom Ibibio; the apex Ibibio traditional seat in the state occupied by Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government.

Read Also: Yoruba group demands constitutional role for monarchs

Addressing a news conference in Uyo yesterday, the people of Afaha Iman Ibom led by Dr. Asikpo Ibok, said Inyang was not only unqualified, but also lacked the moral status to bear such traditional title.

“His Royal Majesty Edidem Inyang, the Paramount Ruler of Onna Local Government, who is the Secretary General of Ifim Ibom Ibibio, should not compete the supremacy status with his superior, the Oku Ibom Ibibio, the existential supreme leader in all cultural and traditional matters relating to Ibibio.”

•Family gets N1m

An Ijaw youth leader and founder of Amagbein Force, Endurance Amagbein, as part of this year’s Isaac Boro Day, has renovated the family house of the late Ijaw freedom fighter, the late Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, at Kaiama, headquarters of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government of Bayelsa State.

The youth leader, who yesterday led hundreds of his followers and supporters to Kaiama, to mark this year’s Isaac Boro Day, also made a donation of N1 million to the Boro family to support this year’s celebration.

Presenting the donation and unveiling the renovated family house, Amagbein, represented by the National Leader of Amagbein Force, Alhaji Harmony Destiny, said the gesture was to support the family of Boro in view of the contributions and sacrifice to the Ijaw nation and struggle.

Destiny, who described Amagbein as an ardent follower of Boro, urged the Federal Government to recognise Amagbein for his contribution in stopping crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

He hailed the Federal Government for appointing Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), calling on the Chairman of the NDDC board, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie, to desist from politicising the commission.

He said: “Today is a great day in Ijaw nation. We want to thank our leaders, Endurance Amagbein, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo and Alhaji Asari Dokubo for their contributions to the Ijaw struggle.

“We are also thanking the Federal Government for appointing Chief Ogbuku as MD of the NDDC from the Adaka Boro Movement. We are taking this opportunity to call on Mrs. Onochie that she should desist from using the NDDC as a political business. She should back off from any plan to kick against the NDDC board.

Read Also: Supplementary polls: PDP wins Southern Ijaw, APC picks Ogbia in Bayelsa

“We are calling on the Federal Government to ensure Amagbein is recognised because he has paid his dues in the Niger Delta struggle. You can see that oil theft has been stopped.”

The Coordinator of Amagbein Peace Movement, Comrade Okardi Yogo, who extolled the legacies of Boro, hailed Amagbein for always making it a point of duty to celebrate the late Ijaw freedom fighter.

He enjoined other prominent Ijaw leaders to emulate the youth leader.

“We are here to celebrate the legacy the late Boro has laid down for Ijaw people and Niger Delta. We want to thank Amagbein for making it a point of duty to fund the celebration of Isaac Boro Day every year,” Yogo said.

The patriarch of the late Boro family, Mr. David Jasper Boro, thanked Amagbein for his love and support to Boro’s family, describing him as a son of the family.

He said: “We are grateful to Amagbein. You can see this house behind us, it was an old, dilapidated building, but Amagbein made it what it is today, not just renovating, he rebuilt it. Last Christmas, he donated a cow and money to the family and this time he has brought N1million.

“For us, he is not a stranger, but our son. He loves the Boro family. Others should take a cue from him, rather than being jealous. Isaac Boro died for everybody. We are saying let the spirit of Izon-ibe and Isaac Boro guide and protect him.”

Nigeria has one of the most advanced payment systems in the world, making it a benchmark for payment systems in Sub-Saharan Africa and globally, Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) Branch Controller in Benin, Edo State, Apostle Michael Mgbeze,has said.

He made this known at the privately-owned Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin, Edo State.

It was at the opening of a three-day training for select students of the higher institution on eNaira, with the beneficiaries referred to as eNaira ambassadors.

Mgbeze said: “The CBN has followed with keen interest, the debates on Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) by central banks across the world. The CBDC offers potential benefits, in line with the CBN’s overall objective of driving a more cashless and inclusive economy.

“CBN began its CBDC journey in 2017, with extensive study, consultations, identification of use cases CBDC and the testing of the CBDC concept in a sandbox environment, culminating in the official launch of Nigeria’s CBDC – the eNaira.

“The eNaira is the digital equivalent of the cash Naira. Put simply: ‘Same Naira, more possibilities.’ The eNaira, like the physical Naira, is also an official legal tender of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and is a direct liability of the CBN.

“With innovation comes new risks and challenges for the integrity, reliability, and stability of our financial system. However, these were considerations taken into account in the design of the eNaira.”

The branch controller also stated that the CBN believed the eNaira would make a significant positive difference to Nigeria and Nigerians.

He said: “Central banks play an essential and pivotal role in the economy. They act to ensure monetary and financial system stability, a robust, safe, efficient, and inclusive payment system, and issue the most popular form of money to the populace – fiat money.

Read Also: N120b USSD debt: CBN laments impact of banks’ disconnection on economy

“Accordingly, central banks must evolve in the face of several technological advances that transect the financial industry to be able to play these roles and maintain control over the monetary space.

“For this reason, many central banks are exploring how contemporary technologies, such as the use of blockchain technology to issue digital currencies, can alleviate several policy problems.

“Around the world, central banks are in advanced study of the concept, running pilot-test phases on the concept, or in some cases – such as The Bahamas Sand Dollar – commenced full implementation and use of CBDC.

“The CBN desires to partner key stakeholders like institutions of higher learning, such as the prestigious BIU, and other members of the public, to deepen the adoption of the eNaira, both as a payment system on which products and services are rendered, and a medium of exchange and transactions settlement.”

The CBN’s chief also stated that it was the apex bank’s expectation that the eNaira would provide a platform on which the digital economy agenda would be driven.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of BIU, Prof. Johnson Oyedeji, in his remarks, noted that the initiative was a project that the university would want to support.

He said: “The recent experience of Nigerians concerning the cashless policy, makes people to be a little bit wary of what is coming on board.

“With innovation comes new risks. I want to believe that the project has been well thought out, especially with Central Bank all over the world adopting the system. What is important is that whatever will help us as a nation, to grow financially, and to benefit us, everyone will want to latch on it, but what is important is that the policy must be well thought out and efficiently implemented.

“As a university, we are going to support you. We are going to have some of our students as your ambassadors. Paying the ambassadors, as promised, will be very good for the students. As a university, we are also looking forward to how we will benefit.”

Oyedeji also assured that officials of BIU would provide a comfortable environment for the CBN’s team to operate.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) yesterday said it has trained and empowered over 14, 000 Niger Delta youths and women under the ongoing IFAD/ Federal Government scheme.

The programme, which began in 2020 is also in partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC), and is meant to empower 25,500 persons in 12 years and in two-phase of six years each.

IFAD Country Director in Nigeria, Ekoue Dede made this known during the mid-year review meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday.

Dede, in the review, said that the NDDC counterpart fund for the scheme of $30m has scaled through in the Commission’s 2023 budget at the National Assembly.

She said the target figure is 25,500 but that 14,155 beneficiaries have been reached in Abia, Cross River, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, and Ondo states.

She said hopes are high that over 12,000 others would join from Imo, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom as soon as the $30m from the NDDC drops.

The country director said the programme would be made faster the moment the fund is released to meet 100 per cent target of 25,500 participants.

The programme is to enhance income, food security and Job creation for rural youths and women through agri-enterprise development on a sustainable basis in the Niger Delta.

Beneficiaries of the scheme are youths, and women from, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers states.

“IFAD brought $60m while the Federal Government and the states were to bring $7.8million to add to the $30million NDDC is soon to bring,” Dede said.

Partnering with the private sector, she said the programme uses the mentorship system to train trainers and do massive replication of skills and competencies in the agric value chain.

She said the project participants have already mobilised N7.3 million in savings from their enterprises and in addition leveraged N33.7m credit.

The Director said it has fulfilled IFAD’s basic objective of stirring economic and investment interest in the rural areas, creating awareness, attracting additional funds, and stimulating collaborations in communities.

The National Programme Coordinator of LIFE-ND, Biodun Sanni expressed optimism that the scheme would help the youth and women of the oil region to enhance their financial status for the well-being of their families.

He said the programme of such magnitude was evidence that the Federal Government cared much about the people of the Niger Delta, especially women and the youth.

In his remarks, the director, of the project coordinating unit (PCU), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Peter Kush reported that the cassava processing business was highly appreciated by communities.

He said improving the economies of individuals and communities as LIFE-ND does is what boosts the national economy.

He said they were happy that the NDDC fund was around the corner because IFAD cannot spend for others due to process regulations.

In an interview, the NDDC representative, Seigha Glasgow, from the fishery unit, said the budget has been passed and the new Managing Director, Sam Ogbuku, had expressed the commitment of the Commission to pay its counterpart fund for over 12,000 participants to join.