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  • Probe: Ekiti Assembly invites eight suspended chairmen

    The Ekiti House of Assembly has invited eight local government chairmen for an interface with the joint Committee on Public Petitions and Public Accounts on Friday.

    In a statement issued on Monday in Ado-Ekiti by the House Majority Leader, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, the House said the interface was aimed at discussing the petition written to it by the affected council chairmen challenging their suspension from office.

    Aribisogan said apart from the issues relating to their suspension, other matters regarding their stewardship would also be discussed.

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    He listed the affected council chairmen as those of Oye, Ise/Orun, Ekiti East, Ikere, Efon, Ido/Osi, Emure and Ilejemeje.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 16 council chairmen were suspended in December 2018 over alleged misappropriation of public funds.

    The Assembly, however, in July reinstated eight of the chairmen.

    Those reinstated were for Ijero, Moba, Gbonyin, Ado, Irepodun/ Ifelodun, Ikole, Ekiti SouthWest and Ekiti West.

  • No more godfatherism in Kwara, says AbdulRazaq

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said that the dislodgement of Saraki dynasty in the last general elections put an end to godfatherism in the state’s politics.

    The governor said this in Ilorin at a national youth summit organised by the Youths Assembly of Nigeria (YAN).

    The theme of the summit is ‘reforming education.’

    The governor added that “the godfathers still want to remain as godfathers anywhere in the world. Thank God we have destroyed godfather in Kwara state politics. And never will godfathers come to the state again.”

    Represented by his Deputy Kayode Alabi, Mallam AbdulRazaq urged the youths in Nigeria to take over the reins of power through their permanent voter’s cards (PVCs).

    Said he: “The old men and women will never hand over power voluntarily to the youths. There are so many things around power that will never allow them to hand over power to you. You have to take it not violently but through your voter’s cards. The guys that came up with the slogan ‘otoge’ were between the ages of 30 and 35. When i listened to the proposal and heard ‘otoge’ a sweetness welled up in my belly as I was sure that the ‘Otoge’ slogan would win the election.

    “We used the slogan to educate the people. Our opponents spent money but we did not spend money. The ‘otoge slogan went into the mindset of the people and did the wonders. We won the election because the youths woke up in Kwara and decided to take their destinies into their own hands. There is nothing like godfather. There is only one God the Almighty. Let nobody intimidate you. But you and I allow godfathers to survive.

    Read Also: AbdulRazaq locks out workers for late coming

    “The people listened to the slogan of otoge and came out massively with God on our side voted for us to win the last election. It is time for the youths in this country to say no to old order.”

    He disclosed that “our pact with the people of Kwara state is to deliver qualitative and quantitative education under conducive environment. There is no going back on that as you shall see in the next few years. There is a nexus between education, employment opportunities, youth empowerment and crime rate.

    The society has two options to either empower and guide young people to the right path or spend resources fighting crimes. We choose the former. We will key into all the development agenda to help our youths
    become responsible. We will also show good example for young people to emulate. We will continue to identify and partner with you.”

    Speaking, YAN vehemently opposed the called for revolution in the country by the publisher of online newspaper Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore. Rather the youths urged their members to revolt against the old order
    through the use of their permanent voter’s cards (PVCs) in subsequent elections in the country. National Speaker and Kwara state Ambassador of YAN Samuel Godstime and Musbau Esinrogunjo told reporters on the sideline of the summit.

    Said Godstime: “Nigerian youth are opposed to any form of revolution. Therefore, we are appealing to all the youths in the country to revolt against the old order by using their voter’s cards not buy force of
    arm.

    “Let us use our PVCs and ensure that the youth take over the leadership of this country not by trying to cause mayhem in any part of the country.

    “The youth should use their PVCs in the next elections for the so-called revolution. We have discovered that the youths in the country constitute about 65 percent of the electorate. We are saying no to revolution. Let us use what we have, which is our PVCs, to get what we want in the next general elections. The unity of Nigeria is
    paramount and non negotiable.”

    Esinrogunjo, a former senatorial aspirant in the state said “It is even strange that somebody that contested for the presidency of the country and lost would be the one instigating the youths to revolt against the government. We say no to that. We don’t want bloodshed in Nigeria.”

  • Nigeria may face fiscal crisis, says Presidency

    The Presidency on Monday warned that Nigeria may soon face fiscal crisis if urgent steps are not taken to stop the negative trends in target setting and target realisation in tax revenue.

    This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

    He said “Taking a cue from today’s presentation of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Retreat for Ministers-Designate, Federal Permanent Secretaries and Top Government Functionaries , which dwelt on an ‘Overview of the Policies , Programmes and Project Audit Committee,’ a body he chaired, projected revenue of government falls behind recurrent expenditure even without having factored in capital expenditure.

    “Consequently, it would appear that the country might be heading for a fiscal crisis if urgent steps are not taken to halt the negative trends in target setting and target realisation in tax revenue.

    “Anyone conversant with Federal Executive Council deliberations would have observed that issues bordering on revenue form the number one concern of what Nigeria faces today, and therefore, often take a prime place in discussions of the body.” he said

    He said that it was noteworthy and highly commendable that the number of taxable adults has increased from 10 million to 20 million under Buhari’s administration.

    He said that concerted efforts are still on-going to bring a lot more into the tax net.

    According to him, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Babatunde Fowler, is not under investigation.

    A leaked letter on Sunday to Fowler, entitled “Re: Budgeted FIRS Collections and Actual Collections”, with reference number SH/COS/08/5/A/301, was signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Abba Kyari.

    The letter was a response to an initial report on tax collections the FIRS’ boss forwarded to the President earlier on July 26.

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    The Presidency, in the letter, directed Fowler to give reasons for variances by providing a “comprehensive” “variance analysis” for each tax item from 2015 to 2018.

    The letter also raised concerns over the collections for 2015 to 2017, stressing that they are “worse than what was collected between 2012 and 2014.”
    But in a statement on Monday, Shehu said “Following reports making the rounds in some media outlets, it is necessary to state categorically that the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Babatunde Fowler, is not under any investigation.

    “The letter from the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, on which the purported rumour of an investigation is based, merely raises concerns over the negative run of the tax revenue collection in recent times.” he stated

  • AAU, UNIBEN join warning strike

    Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) in the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and the University of Benin joined in the nationwide warning strike.

    At the University of Benin, the monitoring team of labour unions made sure offices were not opened.

    The offices that were already opened were shut down.

    Some of the university staff were seen at various places in the institution.

    Only one gate at the main campus of the university in Ugbowo was open for vehicles to go in.

    This caused heavy vehicular traffic that stretched into the Benin – Lagos road.

    At UNIBEN Ekenwan Campus, the situation was the same as many offices were locked.

    Read Also: NASU strike: Admission seekers stranded as varsity shelves screening

    Chairman of UNIBEN chapter of NASU, Comrade Anthony Igbinosa, said he was satisfied with the compliance as it was a fight for common course.

    In his words, “So far so good, it has been actually successful, we expected our members to comply and they actually did. If you go round the campus, you will see that everywhere is sealed up and this will continue till Friday 23rd of August 2019, until we get directives from the national. So far if we have a hundred, I would rate it ninety-nine percent”.

    Some students complained of no water in their hostels because no one on duty to pump the water.

    Academic activities were on in AAU but the concerned labour leaders ensured their members stayed away from work.

  • Five causes, remedies for back-pain

    It is fortunate that episodes of back pain heal with time. However, back pain can be a temporary but recurrent pain that is indeed a very uncomfortable occurrence. It has a way of interfering with your daily routine, aside making you very uncomfortable. It is important to identify the causes of back pain and know the remedies to help deal with it.

    Poor posture

    This is one of the major causes of upper and lower back pain. This pain usually occurs along with neck pain or shoulder pain. Poor posture puts on strain on sensitized muscles and soft tissues leading to increased tension in the muscles which most times results in pain.

    Remedy: The simple remedy for this is to correct your sitting and standing posture to help alleviate some of the muscle tension causing you back pain. Avoid slouching or hunching your back when sitting. Also try to do exercises that strengthen your core muscles, buttock muscles, check muscles, neck muscles, rear-shoulder muscles and back extensions (exercises like bridges, back extensions, side-lying stretches, planks etc.), this will help improve your posture.

    When standing, balance your weight evenly on both feet (don’t lean on one leg), keep your shoulders and back relaxed, pull in your abdomen, keep your feet apart and straight but knees relaxed, and try not to tilt your head forward, backward or sideways.

    Strenuous physical work and exercise

    Jobs that involve lifting, pushing, pulling or twisting with the low back can cause injury and back pain. These jobs especially affect the lower back and cause lower back pain.

    Also, there are some physical exercises that contribute to back pains. Exercises like the ‘touch-your-toes’ hamstring stretch, hurdler’s stretch, leg raises, sit-ups, crunches and high impact aerobic exercises.

    Remedy: For physically strenuous jobs, try to avoid heavy lifting, pushing, pulling or twisting your low back as much as you can. If you must do heavy lifting try to bend your legs and keep your back straight when lifting something heavy. Also, you should often do exercises to stretch and strengthen your core, back, neck, shoulder and buttock muscles.

    For strenuous exercises, avoid strenuous physical exercises like the ones mentioned above and swap them for more back-friendly exercises like side-lying stretches, reverse curl-ups, swimming, walking etc.

    Mentally stressful work
    Mentally stressful work tends to cause stress and anxiety which are two of the most common causes of back pain. Stress and anxiety drastically increase muscle tension, which in turn increases pain. The back contains a variety of muscles that tense during stress and anxiety, which increases pain and leads to a mild or severe back pain in the upper and lower back.

    In addition to this, anxiety and stress also cause changes in behaviors that lead to back pain. These include changes in posture (there is a tendency to slouch more, hunch your back etc.), inactivity (there is the tendency of decreased healthy physical activity and mobility) and hypersensitivity (stress and anxiety tends to make you more sensitive to physical sensations which makes them feel more severe and harder to ignore).

    Remedy: Stretching your muscles regularly, watching your posture, occasional massages, exercising and being mobile can help reduce stress or anxiety-related pains in your back. But for a more permanent treatment, you should learn ways to cope with stress and anxiety. This can be done by identifying your stressors and what triggers your stress and anxiety, then finding ways to avoid it if you can or accept and adapt to it if you can’t. Taking breaks can also help, relaxation and meditation exercises also included. Try to eat a balanced diet, sleep well and limit caffeine or alcohol.

    Pregnancy

    During a healthy pregnancy, women usually gain between 25 to 35 pounds which the spine has to support. This can lead to lower back pain for most women during pregnancy. Also, the weight of the baby and uterus puts pressure on blood vessels and nerves in the pelvis and back, which in turn increases pain and leads to back pain. In addition to these, posture changes, hormone changes, muscle separation and stress during pregnancy can also contribute to back pain during pregnancy.

    Remedy: The good thing is that the back pain experienced during pregnancy gradually eases before birth, however things like safe exercises for pregnant women, applying heat and cold compress to your back at intervals, working on improving your posture during pregnancy, avoiding high-heeled shoes, and not sleeping on your back can help treat and alleviate the back pain.

    Sedentary lifestyle

    A sedentary lifestyle tends to cause increased stiffness and weakened muscles which can cause or worsen back pain. Being sedentary keeps you inactive and makes you miss out on the benefits of regular physical activity which helps to nourish spinal discs, soft tissues and ligaments.

    Remedy: Perform regular strengthening exercises, stretching and low-impact aerobic exercises for the muscle of the back and abdomen to help provide better support for your spine. Move around more and engage in healthy physical activities.

  • Taraba Killings: Arrest of Wadume key to investigations – DHQ

    Military and Police detectives have widened their search for Taraba kidnap suspect Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume beyond towns and villages within the country, The Nation learnt Monday.

    This was as the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Monday gave reasons for adding more time to the period within which the Joint Investigative Panel it set up is expected to submit its report.

    It noted also that the arrest of Wadume as a principal suspect would not only accelerate the work of the Panel, but very important to investigations.

    Security operatives were said to have extended their search for the kidnap kingpin to border towns in the northeast and southeastern part of the country.

    Wadume is still at large more than 10 days after he escaped in controversial circumstances that led to the death of three police detectives and a civilian, when soldiers attached to the 93 Battalion, Taraba, fired gunshots at their vehicle along Ibi-Jalingo Road.

    Wadume who was in handcuffs was allegedly set free by the soldiers who Army Spokesman, Col Musa Sagir, said were acting on a distress call by a kidnap victim.

    Sources at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Monday said Wadume is yet to be apprehended by detectives and intelligence personnel who are combing all nooks and crannies of states within the middle belt, the northeast and southeast of Nigeria.

    It was gathered that besides the efforts of the security agents in combing likely hideouts of the kidnap kingpin, the services of Interpol might have been enlisted to tighten the noose on him.

    Read Also: Taraba Tiv are indigenes not settlers, says Ishaku

    The source expressed optimism that Wadume would soon be arrested as the security agencies are quite aware of the onerous responsibility placed on them to ensure the arrest of the principal suspect.

    The DHQ source also confirmed that the time frame given to the Joint Panel to undertake the assignment of investigating the circumstances leading to the death of the three police personnel had to be extended due to the enormity of the assignment.

    Said the source: “We could not give the Panel a time frame because we were not sure of the magnitude of the problem, but as events unfolded, we realised they could not finish up with the work within a week or two, so, yes I can tell you that the time has been extended. But still, no time frame.

    “What we are concerned about is that the Panel will do a thorough job the outcome of which will be commendable. And if you look at the composition of the Panel, you will know that these are officers that have distinguished themselves professionally over the years in their various services”.

    The Nation further learnt that the Panel is currently looking at preliminary evidences gathered within the past few days from various sources, while police and military personnel, as well as civilians connected with the matter, are facing various levels of interrogations and grilling.

  • UPDATED: Lagos Assembly clears 35 cabinet nominees, drops three

    Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday confirmed 35 out of 38 of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s nominees for commissioners and special advisers.

    The exercise was after the final screening and adopting the recommendation of the ad-hoc committee on screening as the resolution of the whole House.

    The three nominees who were denied confirmation are: Prince Olanrewaju Sanusi, Mr. Obafemi George and Ms Adekemi Ajayi-Bembe.

    Speaker Mudasiru Obasa said the governor was at liberty to represent them to the House.

    The committee report, which was read by the chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Chief Whip, Hon. Rotimi Abiru, recommended the nominees be confirmed by the whole House according to section 192 (2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    Obasa however cautioned the cabinet- designate that the House would not hesitate to pass a vote-of-no- confidence on any of them found wanting after they assume office.

    The 38 nominees had been screened by a 16-man ad-hoc committee set up by the Assembly for the exercise

    They were however called individually on Monday to appear before the whole House at plenary to introduce themselves fully.

    The speaker told the nominees that the House would not fail in its oversight to ensure that each performed his responsibility to the people of Lagos.

    Urging them to prioritise service to the people, saying that the House would not hesitate to pass vote of no confidence on anyone found wanting.

    The speaker added that the House was not concerned about the academic qualifications and oratory prowess of any of the nominees but readiness and commitment to serve the state.

    “Even after the confirmation, we will continue to monitor whatever offices you are assigned to ensure value for public fund. We will continue to oversight your activities.

    “We will not hesitate to pass vote of no confidence any time anyone is found wanting,” the Speaker said.

    Those cleared as commissioners and special advisers are: Mr Oladele Ajayi, Mr Oluwatoyin Fayinka, Mrs Yetunde Arobieke, Mr Kabiru Abdullahi and Mr Joe Igbokwe.

    Others are Mr Bonu Solomon Saanu, Mrs Lola Akande, Prince Anofi Elegushi, Mrs Solape Hammond, Mr Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, Mrs Shulamite Adebolu, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, Mr. Rabiu Olowo Onaolapo, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, Professor Akin Abayomi, Dr. Idris Salako, Mr. Tunji Bello, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka and Mrs. Bolaji Dada.

    Read Also: Lagos Assembly denies three nominees, confirms Omotoso, Igbokwe

    Others included: Mr. Lere Odusote, Dr. Frederick Oladeinde, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal, Dr. Wale Ahmed, Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo (SAN), Mr. Hakeem Fahm and Mrs. Ajibola Ponle.

    Also confirmed were Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, Mr. Segun Dawodu, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, Mr. Sam Egube, Ms Ruth Bisola Olusanya, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, Mr. Tunbosun Alake and Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo.

    The rejection and confirmation were done through a voice vote supervised by the Speaker.

    However, the swearing-in and inauguration of the cleared nominees have been fixed for Tuesday at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja by 10 am.

  • Ekweremadu’s attackers for prosecution under German law-Embassy

    Attackers of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu will be prosecuted under German laws, The Nigerian embassy in Germany has confirmed.

    Members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in Nuremberg, Germany on Saturday beat up the Enugu senator as he arrived to speak at the event.

    Under German laws, physical assaults are punishable by fines or imprisonments of up to 10 years, depending on the gravity.

    In a statement on Monday evening, the embassy assured they will be prosecuted to serve as deterrence to others planning such assault.

    The statement reads: “The Embassy of Nigeria, Berlin, Germany wishes to react to viral videos of a vicious physical attack on the immediate past Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate and serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ike Ekweremadu, by some members an illegal and terrorist entity named Indigenous Peoples of Biafra ( POB) in Nuremberg on 17th August 2019.

    Read Also; Ekweremadu: Apologise for supporting IPOB, APC tells PDP

    “The attack happened at an event organised by Nigerians in Germany under the auspices of a socio-cultural organisation known as Ndigbo Germany, a registered entity in the Federal Republic of Germany.

    “Invitations were extended to Nigerian dignitaries, including the Distinguished Senator and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, His Excellency Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.

    “The Nigerian Ambassador also honoured the invitation but arrived at the venue shortly after the incident.

    “The organisers reportedly requested for police protection to ensure public order during the event but were told that the threat level was minimal and did not require stationing of any personnel at the venue before the incident.

    “The Embassy has requested a thorough investigation of this attack with a view to identifying the perpetrators and bringing them swiftly to justice in accordance with German law.

    “This would deter future acts of violence against officials of the Nigerian Government on German soil particularly against the backdrop of threats by the proscribed IPOB to carry out similar attacks on more Nigerian dignitaries, especially those from the South Eastern part of the country.”

  • StarTimes marketer defrauds customers of N2.1m

    A staff of Startimes, Victor Opeyemi, 34, was on Monday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding five customers of N2.1 million.

    The Startimes customers are Mrs. Gloria Idoko, Mr Isa Akakiu, Mrs Christiana Umeobi, Mr Chibuzor Okafor and Mr. Sulaimon Ismaila.

    Opeyemi, resident at Mushin is facing a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretences before Magistrate, Mrs M.O. Tanimola.

    Police prosecutor, Insp. Aondohemba Koti, told the court that the defendant committed the offences in May on Fatai Atere Way, Mushin.

    According to Insp. Koti, the defendant obtained N2.1 million from the company’s customers on the pretext of supplying them Startime decoders, visual play systems and recharge cards.

    Read Also; StarTimes launches StarLife, Area ten

    He alleged that Opeyemi failed to supply the items to the complainants after they had paid for them.

    He said that the defendant collected the goods from his company but sold them to other persons described as ’illegal customers’ and converted the money to personal use.

    He said that the complainants intimated the company of the alleged fraud which led to the arrest of the defendant.

    Opeyemi pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Tanimola, granted him bail in the sum of N400, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    She adjourned the case until September 9.

  • No, Kogi State does not occupy 30,354 sq Kilometres of land!

    Claim – That Kogi state occupies 30,354 square kilometres of land

    Claim 2 – Kogi state has a population of 4.7 million people

    Conclusion – Mostly false

    The two part statement made by the Kogi State Senator and gubernatorial aspirant, Dino Malaye is mostly false. This is consequent on the fact that Kogi state currently occupies 29,833 square kilometres of land and there is insufficient data available on its current population.

    Full Story

    With the upcoming governorship elections around the corner, indigenes are keeping their eyes and ears peeled for promises by aspirants. Such is the case with Senator Dino Melaye.

    On July31st, The Senator representing Kogi Central Constituency who happens to also be a governorship aspirant caught the attention of the media with a singular statement.

    “I will operate Kogi like an independent country. Kogi occupies 30,354 square kilometres of land, with a population of about 4.7 million people,” he said.

    A media interaction organised by the Kogi state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for governorship aspirants in Lokoja reported.

    https://staging.thenationonlineng.net/ill-revive-kogi-economy-in-four-years-melaye/

    Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, on Wednesday, pledged …

    However, what was of interest was the assertion that the state occupied 30,354 square kilometres and has a population of 4.7 million people

    Kogi state is one of the states slated to have its governorship elections in November and political activities has kicked off in the state. To this end, this fact check is necessary to ensure that the public is well informed about the claims of their political aspirants and other popular figures; one of which is Dino Melaye, a Nigerian politician, Senator and member of the 8th National Assembly, representing Kogi West Senatorial district. Dino is also a member of the People’s Democratic Party. He is currently the Chairman of the Senate Committee in F.C.T.

    Verification of claims

    Having conducted research on the subject, it was found that Kogi state actually occupies a total of 29,833 square kilometres. This of course renders the first claim to be FALSE. It is worth noting that although Wikipedia are not the most reputable source, their reliability with respect to statistical data of this sort is well known.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kogi_State
    It is also worth noting the limitations to determining the veracity of the second claim. With the latest national census being held as far back as 2006, population projection analytics had to be consulted. Data from the census (2006) put Kogi state at a population of 3,313,043.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kogi_State

    Population projection data found in the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and information on Kogi state website further showed that as at 2016, the state is expected to have a population of 4,473,490.

    https://www.kogistate.gov.ng/political_structure.html

    Considering that most of the available data on the subject are either outdated or at best, calculated guesses, the veracity of the claim remains in question. Regardless, we are certainly not saying it is admissible. This is because the Senator would not have verifiable data to make such an assertion.

    A message was sent to the Senator via his Facebook pages to know the source of his claim. And, as at the time of filing this report, we can confirm the read receipt; but still no official response.

    Conclusion

    The two part statement made by the Kogi State Senator and gubernatorial aspirant, Dino Malaye is mostly false. This is consequent on the fact that Kogi state currently occupies 29,833 square kilometres of land and there is insufficient data available on its current population.


    This fact-check was done by a Dubawa Fact-checking Fellow in collaboration with The Nation Newspaper.