The national leadership of the Labour Party (LP) yesterday warned members, particularly those seeking elective offices, to be wary of the planned national convention of the LP slated for this Friday in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The party alleged that the convention is being sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to collapse LP nationwide and railroad members into its (PDP’s) fold with the connivance of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
The Radio Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union (RATTAWU) has called on media houses in the country to avoid being card-carrying members of any of the political parties ahead the 2015 general elections to safeguard the integrity of the profession.
The union in a communiqué signed by its National President, Comrade Yemisi Bamgbose at the end of a capacity workshop organised for the broadcast professionals in the Northeast states and Northwest ,called on broadcast stations in the country to adhere to their civic responsibility of promoting election awareness and avoid speculating on election results.
Part of the communiqué read: “Broadcast stations in the country must adhere to their civic responsibility of promoting election awareness and avoid speculating on election results by allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to authenticate and formally announce results using both audio and visual evidences”.
Participants also called on media organisations and broadcast professionals to adhere to INEC election guidelines and the National Broadcasting Code in their operations by ensuring balanced reportage on all political issues to ensure fairness and avoid sentiments or biases.
While participants identified misconceptions and distrust among Nigerians as major factors in conflicts, it advised media organisations at all levels to avoid making live presentations on religious programmes, they however resolved that all religious transcripts should be subjected to editing before going on air.
•’They’re robbery suspects’
Two members of a vigilance group have been rushed to the emergency unit of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, after they were shot by the police.
It was learnt that the victims were pursuing some robbery suspects when policemen opened fire on them.
The incident unsettled the neighbourhood behind St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Yenagoa.
An eyewitness said residents raised the alarm about a robbery, which was said to be an occurrence in the area.
“The vigilance group responded to the call and immediately started chasing the robbers.
“But unknown to them, a neighbour had called the police.
“When the police came and met the vigilance group members, two of the police officers shot them in the stomach,” the eyewitness said.
Sympathisers were said to have thronged the hospital to wish Emma Gabbuth, a refrigerator repairer, who hails from Emede in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State and a young man said to have come from Atissa, quick recovery.
But police spokesman Alex Akhigbe insisted that the victims were robbery suspects.
He said the police received a distress call and on getting to the neighbourhood, they saw two men with cutlasses.
“When the police asked the men to stop they refused and instead started running. Then the police shot at them.
“They were disarmed and immediately taken to FMC for treatment.
“As far as we are concerned, they are robbery suspects because we are not aware of a vigilance group in that area.”
Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi has assured the over 1,889 Batch ‘B’ members of the National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC) deployed to the state of adequate security, despite the challenges facing the country.
The governor spoke during the terminal parade of 2014 Batch ‘B’ corps members at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, old Macgregor College, Afikpo.
Elechi, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Sam Mgbada, called on the corps members to explore the peace in the state to impact positively on the well-being of the people.
“I want to assure you that Ebonyi people are hospitable, warm, peaceful, friendly and accommodating. I therefore urge you to promote the objective of national unity and integration which the NYSC scheme has championed in its over 41 years of existence.
“I re-echo my earlier directive that rejection of corps members by employers on flimsy reasons will not be tolerated by government. Corps employers are hereby advised to accept these youths and make judicious use of their knowledge in the interest of the state and the country.”
The state Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs. Ngozi Dorothy Nwatarali urged the Corps members to utilise all the orientation programmes and empowerment schemes which they had gone through to better their lives and the society.
Nwatarali, who appreciated the corps for their comportment, discipline and commitment during their stay at the camp, expressed her optimism that they (corps members) would perform creditably in their places of primary assignment.
Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has charged corps members across the country to come up with ground breaking community development projects that will impact positively on the lives of residents of their places of primary assignments.
He also urged them to discourage any act of violence that could put them in disrepute as leaders of tomorrow, but rather strive to be partners in progress in their various communities.
Amosun, who gave this advice at the closing ceremony and terminal parade of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 2014 Batch B Orientation Course held at NYSC Orientation Camp, Sagamu, said corps members should endeavour to keep the scheme’s flag flying in their quest for new grounds without attempting to drop the ball.
He charged them to contribute their quota through selfless service in order to leave remarkable imprint on the sands of time.
He also admonished them to move and relate freely with their host communities as well as share the hopes and aspirations of the people of the state.
“I want to congratulate you on the successful completion of the rigourous and captivating three weeks orientation course. This one year of compulsory national service is a time your God-given talents and energy would be fully stretched from time-to-time.
“Make sure you contribute your quota through selfless service to your host communities. I charge you to keep the flag flying and possibly, strive to break new grounds. Come up with ground breaking community development projects that will impact positively on their lives.
“As good ambassadors of the country to your various locations where you will spend the next one year, apply caution in your activities. Shun violence and discourage any act that can truncate the peace being enjoyed in the state,” Amosun urged.
While commending the dogged determination and visionary skills of the brains behind the scheme established for over four decades, Amosun
pointed out that the NYSC scheme remained one of the unifying factors that has survived this long in spite of the twin scourge of terrorism and economic downturn facing the nation.
He charged employers to discourage the idea of rejecting corps members posted to their organisations, assuring that “the state government would not relent in providing the necessary ambience for a hitch-free service year.”
The governor reiterated that the state’s board of the NYSC which was inaugurated recently, would further see to the welfare of the corps members and strengthen the existing structure.
Amosun promised openness to partnering with any willing individuals or organisations in the tireless efforts to maintain security of lives and property in the state.
Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Governing Board have visited the Ekiti State Permanent Orientation Camp in Ise-Orun Emure as part of their effort to ensure seamless operation of the scheme.
Addressing corps members during the visit, the chairman of the board, Dr Gordon Bozimo, lauded the discipline displayed by the corps members, noting that the board was impressed with their attitude.
Bozimo reiterated the board’s commitment to the security of corps members during their service year, saying: “I want to inform you that the board is not unmindful of the happenings in the country and has made concerted efforts to address some of these challenges. The board has made a special case to the Federal Government about your security and efforts have been made to redouble the certification of all NYSC Orientation Camps with armed personnel for 24-hour surveillance.”
Bozimo urged the corps members to shun partisan politics in the coming 2015 general elections, stressing that the youth must remain positive and use their God-given energy to inspire sustainable development.
The state co-ordinator, Mr T.C. Ibeh, thanked members of the board for the visit, noting that the camp was peaceful and devoid of violence.
Ibeh, who hailed the corps members and camp officials for their patriotism, said he would embark on landmark projects to make the orientation course memorable.
He listed some of the projects to include installation of Closed-Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV), replacement and repairs of damaged water pipes at the secretariat, construction of an extra six-room VIP toilets and renovation of hostels’ roof.
Ibeh praised the Ekiti State government for supporting the programme, stating that the partnership would contribute to improve corps members’ welfare in the state.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Muhammed Abubakar, to investigate the circumstances leading to the alleged kidnap of three of its members in Osun State at the weekend.
The state party Chairman, Mr. Ademola Isola, in a statement in Osogbo, expressed concern over the incident, calling on all security agencies to be on the watch as the August 9 Osun governorship election approaches.
He said SDP members, including the party chairman in Ede-North Local Government, Alhaji Adewimbi Kadiri, Mrs. Titilayo Alaanu and Mrs. Musili Usman, were abducted during their house-to-house campaign at Alusekere ward of Ede on Saturday.
The SDP Chairman thanked the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Maishanu, for his timely intervention and the DSS for treating his party members, who were found with no incriminating materials, with respect.
“But we still want the IG to investigate this matter,” he said.
A group campaigning for the re-election of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, De Raufs Volunteer Group, has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Omisore Campaign Organisation that it will not condone further attacks on its members.
The group condemned the attack on its Director of Mobilisation, Comrade Bello Lukman, in front of the group’s secretariat, describing the act as “unwarranted and criminal.”
The group’s Director-General, Comrade Amitolu Shittu, in a statement, said the incident occurred when a private car owner was harassed at the entrance of De Raufs office in Osogbo by persons suspected to be PDP’s thugs.
According to Shittu, a member of the group who was recharging his phone nearby was accused of taking the picture of the thugs.
The thugs later descended on Lukman, broke his Android phone and took away his Blackberry phone as well as N250,000 cash meant for the local units of the group.
Two hundred and thirty six members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State.
The defectors attributed their decision to PDP leaders’ insensitivity to their plight.
The defectors, mostly youths from Ajanaku ward in Ilorin South Local Government Area claimed to be members of the Solidarity Oba Abu Youth Vanguard.
They were received by the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Sulaiman Yusuf.
The defectors claimed that PDP “lacks organisation, team work, credibility and service to humanity”.
They lamented that the party leaders “lacks sincerity and do not have their interest at heart. They only make empty promises to gain popularity and followership among the youth of the community”.
The group’s Chairman, Usman Olaiya, explained that they have nothing to show for their support for PDP leaders.
Olaiya said: “They are so self-centred, they only want to benefit from us and care less about the situation of our group or the ward we represent.”
To educate people and rid Akure South Local Government Area of sickle cell anaemia, Corps members serving in the local government have held a sensitisation campaign on the disorder as part of their Community Development Service (CDS).
Ifeoluwa Osundare led the corps member to Oja Oba Market, Akure.
The rally featured donation of free drugs to residents and medical tests, including free HIV screening, diabetes, blood sugar level test and dental check-up.
Dr Osho Patrick, a consultant and haematologist at the Ondo State Specialist Hospital, dismissed the notion that sickle cell patients die prematurely.
“Sickle cell can only be transferred through heredity. The haemoglobin in the blood of a sickle cell victim is weak; that is why we always advise them to go for medical check-up frequently. Drugs which contain folic acid should be taken more by patients,” he stated.
Dr Patrick said Nigeria had one of the highest rates of sickle cell occurrence in the world.
Mrs Soetan Abimbola, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, Federal Medical Centre in Owo, said all a sickle cell patient needed to live healthy was support from the people around them.
“You need to be watchful as parents if you have a child suffering from sickle cell. Dehydration is a factor that aggravates it, so you need to give them water from time to time. They should not be left to excessive exercise, mosquitoes should be prevented around them, they should be kept warm always and more importantly, the environment where they dwell should be kept clean. The more the attention, the less the crises and the more the chances of living a longer life.” She said.
A beneficiary of the free check up, Azizat Gbadebo, a 400-Level History and International Studies student of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), said: “All the tests we did here today were great. As carriers of the SS genotype, we need to get tested often so as to keep ourselves in good shape at all times. We should know our HIV status, blood sugar level and many others.”
The convener, Ifeoluwa, expressed happiness at the high turnout of residents.
“Today is one of my community development programmes in line with the NYSC directive which says that we must help our community. And of course, I chose this initiative because of my passion for sickle cell patients. We just want them to know that they are normal people like us, just that they have a peculiarity they need to address.”
A 94-year old woman, Mrs Longe Eunice, said she was surprised that all the tests were free, urging government at all levels to support such effort at all times.