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  • Breaking: Imo Deputy Speaker resigns amid impeachment scare

    The crisis rocking the Imo State House of Assembly few weeks to the end of its tenure deepened, Thursday, with the resignation of the Deputy Speaker, Ugonna Ozurigbo.

    The resignation of the Deputy Speaker followed the Wednesday’s suspension of the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Acho Ihim and the Majority leader, Hon Lugard Osuji and subsequent issuance of impeachment notice to the Speaker.

    Meanwhile, the resignation letter dated May 15, was received by the office of the Clerk of the state House of on May 16.

    The letter of resignation which Ozurigbo personally signed was addressed to the Speaker and members of the state House of Assembly.

    The Deputy Speaker in the eight paragraph letter attributed his resignation to his new responsibilities as a member-elect of the House of representatives.

    He was in March, elected to represent Nwangele-Nkwerre-Isu-Njaba Federal constituency under the Platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Read Also: Imo lawmakers serve Speaker impeachment notice

    The resignation letter read in part, “as you already know, I have been sent to another four years mission by my federal constituency, nay Imo state, at the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja”.

    It continued, “this new task has come with its own challenges and expectations, especially need to play key roles in the formation of the National Assembly leadership, and time to strategically position, to pursue the greater interests of Imo state, South East and Nigeria, at the federal legislature. Currently, these will make my availability in Imo state irregular.”

    “Hence, I seek your undertaking as I either save the office of Imo state Deputy speaker by resigning or allow my new engagements to suffer the office of Imo state Deputy speaker by holding same tenaciously.”

    “Thus, for your efficiency and good of Imo people, I hereby resign as the Rt Hon. deputy speaker of Imo state House of Assembly (8th House), effective from the date written above.”

  • Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong returns to prison

    Democracy activist Joshua Wong has returned to prison for two months after he lost a court appeal on Thursday.

    According to public broadcaster RTHK, Wong was earlier found guilty of failing to clear a protest site during the 2014 Umbrella Movement democracy protests.

    He had hoped to appeal his original three-month sentence handed down January.

    While the appeal court did not quash prison time it reduced the sentence by one month.

    Wong was previously sentenced to jail time for his role in leading the protest movement alongside activists Alex Chow and Nathan Law.

    Read Also: What age for varsity admission?

    The trio successfully appealed their sentences in February 2018.

    The 2014 Umbrella Movement saw Hong Kongers occupy major streets in the city’s business districts for 79 days to demand universal suffrage in the election of their highest ranking leader.

    In the ensuing years, the Hong Kong courts have prosecuted the protest’s top leadership.

    In April, the courts sentenced four of them to between eight and 16 months in prison.

    Another four protest leaders received community service or suspended sentences.

  • 10 ways to enjoy your wedding day to the fullest

    YOU’VE planned, organised, analysed your spreadsheets, worked with your coordinator, finalised details and checked off your list.

    The big day is almost here. Are you ready to make sure you soak it all into the fullest? You’ve heard it before, but it really is true it’ll fly by! We’ve got a few tips to make sure all your planning and hard work is put to good use and you enjoy every moment of your big day.

    • Leave your phone behind. You’ve hired a professional photographer, everyone you love is there with you leave the digital distraction in your hotel room!
    • Remember to eat and hydrate. Don’t forget to have a small snack and lots of water, especially if you’re getting married outdoors in the heat and/or plan on drinking later in the evening.
    • Hire (at least) a day-of coordinator. Don’t want to worry about the caterer showing up late, or where that 18th table arrangement has gotten to? While were huge advocates of hiring a full coordination planner for the entire wedding planning process, if you haven’t done so already, invest in a day of coordinator. Trust us, it’s worth the money!
    • Speaking of professionals, don’t micromanage them. You’ve hired your vendors for a reason. Trust they know what they’re doing, and will do their jobs well!
    • Outsource the tips. While it’s never expected, it’s always appreciated to tip your vendors. Have the tips already arranged in labelled envelopes, and recruit someone trusted to hand them out as vendors arrive. You can also ask your coordinator to do this!

    READ ALSO: Bride writes exam on wedding day

    • Take a few minutes with your new spouse. You’re officially married! Make sure to plan for a quick break with your new spouse maybe right after the ceremony, before you sign your license. Just sneak away for 10-15 and soak in your first moments together, alone.
    • Don’t over book. The morning of your wedding is inevitably chaotic don’t try to pack in more than you need to. There will be plenty of time to say hello to everyone later, and don’t plan to be finishing any DIY projects that morning. Schedule yourself a little more time than you think you need so you have a cushion, and can relax!
    • Stay in the moment. Easier said than done, but do your best to take a deep breath and stay in the moment. It really does go by ultra-quickly!
    • Don’t sweat the small stuff. Remember you can only control the controllable. If it starts raining, or a last minute delayed flight means your great aunt doesn’t make it in time, try to take it in stride. No large scale event goes off without a few small hiccups, and working yourself up into a fuss over something you have no power over won’t help anyone.
    • Have a glass of champagne. We are firm believers that a nice glass of champs improves everything!

     

     

  • Reps move to ban age restrictions into FG agencies

    The House of Representatives has approved 45 years and below as the age benchmark for prospective job seekers into Federal Ministries establishments.

    The military, police and other paramilitary organisations are also included in the age bracket.

    This followed the passage of a report on the Bill for an Act to prohibit discrimination against job seekers in Federal government agencies (eradication) and allied matters Act presented by Edward Pwajok (PDP, Plateau), Chain House Committee on Rules and Business.

    While passing report at the Committee of the Whole, chaired by Deputy speaker Lasun Yussuff, the lawmakers expressed deep concern about the seemingly intractable unemployment crisis facing the country.

    The lawmakers were also disturbed by the extant policy, whereby most organisations especially military and security agencies always fix a maximum of 30 years for applicants seeking employment as senior officers.

    On the need to pass the bill, the lawmakers explained that it seeks to eradicate the age barriers on employment into Federal government agencies and ensure that no citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is deprived of employment into Federal government establishments on the basis of age.

    Read Also: Imo lawmakers serve Speaker impeachment notice

    Details showed that Section 3 (1) and (2) of the bill provides that “no citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be deprived of employment into any of the agencies of the federal government, on grounds that he /she is above thirty (30) years of age.

    “That any citizen of Nigeria that is thirty (30) years and above but not above forty-five (45) years, shall be entitled to gainful employment within any of the agencies of the federal government of Nigeria.

    Also, Section 3 (3) provides “that the provisions of the above subsections shall be subject to the provisions of the laws establishing security agencies, including the Armed Forces and other paramilitary agencies with regards to age for enlistment in the relevant security agencies”

    Furthermore, Section 3 (4) that “where a person to be employed into any of the Federal government’s agencies is found to be qualified but of an age that is above the age limit specified for such employment, the abilities and/or qualification of such person shall have recourse to and his age shall not operate as a disqualification”.

    The report was unanimously passed after a voice vote.

  • LG funds: NFIU faults comments, warns against breach of new guidelines

    For the umpteenth time, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) on Wednesday faulted isolated comments against new guidelines on the management of the finances of the nation’s local governments.

    It described the comments as willful misinterpretation of the 1999 Constitution.

    It clarified that the guidelines were also on the account of legitimate powers provided by the NFIU Act 2018.

    The NFIU which made the clarifications in a statement in Abuja by its Chief Media Analyst, Mr. Ahmed Dikko, warned that any violation of the said guidelines will be sanctioned appropriately.

    The statement said: “The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) is using this second press statement on the above subject to reiterate its position that the 1st June effective date of the guidelines to all financial institutions and public officials on the local government funds stands.

    “The Unit also maintains its understanding of the 1999 constitution that no debit is allowed on any local government funds unless and until the funds are credited to and reach the bank accounts of a local government in any state of the federation.

    Read Also: Imo lawmakers serve Speaker impeachment notice

    “The provision of the cumulative cash withdrawal not exceeding N500, 000 per day is also firmly in place effective 1st June 2019.

    “We observed isolated comments to the contrary in the past few days which in our assessment only amounted to willful misinterpretation of the 1999 constitution and therefore, of no consequences to the operations of the entire financial system.

    “The provision of the guidelines to the financial institutions was also on account of legitimate powers provided by the NFIU Act 2018 and any violations of the said guidelines will be sanctioned appropriately.

    The NFIU last Monday unveiled the new guidelines in Abuja.

    The complete copy of the guidelines has been released to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and Chief Executive Officers of all Banks and other financial institutions.

    A statement by the agency explained in details the steps taken to protect local government allocations.

    The statement said: “The NFIU requests all financial institutions, other relevant stakeholders, public servants and the entire citizenry to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the guidelines already submitted to financial institutions and relevant enforcement agencies including full enforcement of corresponding sanctions against violations from 1st June, 2019.

    “Having realized through analysis that cash withdrawal and transactions from the State Joint Local Government Accounts (SJLGA), poses biggest corruption, money laundering and security threats at the grassroots levels and to the entire financial system and the country as a whole, decided to uphold the full provisions of section 162 (6) (8)of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended which designated ” State Joint Local Government Account into which shall be paid allocations to the local government councils of the state from the federation account and from the government of the state.”

    “The amount standing to the credit of local government councils of a state shall be distributed among the local government councils of that state” and not for other purposes. As far as the NFIU is concerned the responsibility of the account as a collection account is fully reinstated.

    “In addition, taking such measures was necessitated by prompting reasons on the NFIU to respond to threats of isolating the entire Nigerian financial system by other International financial systems due to deficiencies in our anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing implementation and measures.

    “Therefore, it is no longer possible to allow the entire system to suffer the deliberate and expensive infractions or violations by public officials and/or private business interests.”

    “In addition, a provision is also made to the effect that there shall be no cash withdrawal from any local government account for a cumulative amount exceeding N500, 000:00 per day. Any other transaction must be done through valid cheques or electronic funds transfer.”

  • Imo lawmakers serve Speaker impeachment notice

    Members of the Imo State House of Assembly on Wednesday served impeachment notice on the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Acho Ihim.

    The notice signed by 21 members of the House also disclosed that they had elected the member representing of Onuimo State Constituency, Hon Chinedu Offor as the Acting Speaker of the House, while allegations against the Speaker are investigated.

    But the Speaker dismissed the action of the Lawmakers as null, void and of no consequence.

    He argued that impeachment notices are not issued through press releases

    Meanwhile, the embattled Speaker had during plenary read a letter of apology from the suspended Local Government Chairmen and ruled that they should be recalled without calling for a vote.

    Objections raised by members of the House were shut down by the Speaker who quickly adjourned and left with the majority leader of the house, Lugard Osuji.

    Read Also: APC lawmaker behind my proposed CCT’s arraignment – Bayelsa Speaker

    Aggrieved members who perceived the walkout as a slight stayed behind in the hallowed chambers even after the power supply had been cut off, throwing the entire House into darkness.

    Briefing journalists at the House of Assembly, Offor stated that Ihim had consistently run the House without recourse to parliamentary process, adding that his action at the plenary session of the House on Wednesday was an insult to the other Lawmakers.

    Offor added that “the Speaker had taken a unilateral decision to recall the suspended local government Council Chairmen contrary to our resolution at the Executive session”.

    He added that efforts to speak by members who invoked order 15 of the house rules were rebuffed by the Speaker who quickly adjourned without giving room for the input of other members of the House.

  • Emefiele to Nigerians: Tough economic times still ahead

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, on Wednesday told Nigerians that the road to the country’s full economic recovery is still tough and rough.

    The CBN governor also said that contrary to insinuations, the country does operate multiple exchange rates.

    What is obtainable in the country, he said, is multiple windows designed to stabilise the exchange market.

    Emefiele spoke when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions for screening for reappointment as CBN Governor for another five year term.

    He decried the high level of disregard and disrespect of policies and laws of the country.

    For him, the Federal Government designs policies and puts laws in place aimed at growing the economy, but implementation had always posed a challenge.

    The CBN boss noted that there was no doubt that observing policies and laws put in place by the government was a sure way of growing the country’s economy.

    Emefiele took time to explain what the apex bank did to lift the country out of recession.

    He vowed that those who work to circumvent and flout the laws of the country would no longer be spared.

    He expressed worry over the country’s rapid population growth rate warning that steps must be taken to put in place policies that would take care of the projected 425 million people in 2015.

    Emefiele said, “We just came back from the IMF/World Bank programme in April. And in the World Bank’s/IMF’s World Economic Outlook, Nigeria is positioned as a country whose population will grow and rise to over 425 million people by the year 2050.

    “That will present Nigeria as a country with the third largest population in the world after China and India and indeed surpassing the United States of America in population.

    “I worry and I do think that we all should worry that a lot of work needs to be done to make sure that we are able to put in place policies that will make life good for this 425 million people when we are the third largest population in the world.

    “So, we from the Central Bank of Nigeria from the monetary policy side, have come to the realisation that using the instrumentality of the Anchor Borrowers Programme where access to credit is being provided to our masses all over the country, that it will be a way to generate employment and boost economic activity amongst our rural population.

    “The results are there to see that as a result of our Anchor Borrowers Programme where we have disbursed over N190 billion to over 1.1 million smallholder farmers, cultivating over 1.3 million hectares of land, that we need to do more of this.

    “As we do this, we make finance available at low-interest rate, we make access to credit easy for our people. And in doing this, we will be able to create jobs for them and improve the livelihood of our people.

    “That is a sole thing that we make. And I am very optimistic that this can be achieved.”

    He continued, “I went to one Asian country, I entered the country happy but I came out of the country sadly. Sad because I could see the level of development that this country has achieved over the last 50 years.

    “And I cast my mind back and look at my country Nigeria that what have we achieved? This is what gives me the push that at my age of 57, I saw this country when it was good.

    “I am looking at the country today and I am saying I don’t want to say it is bad but I want to say that we have a lot of work to do; because the country has no doubt receded somewhat.

    “So from our side in the monetary policy, we will do everything possible to ensure that with the mandate that is bestowed on us, we will pull this country forward.

    Read Also: Buhari support groups kick against Emefiele’s reappointment

    “Aside from the Anchor Borrowers programme, we are also looking at special programmes targeted at wholesale growth of agricultural sector in Nigeria. Aside from rice and other small good crop markets, we have started looking at palm oil. “Because we believe that this country has a lot of potentials in palm oil. If you think about what this country was in the 50’s and 60’s, Nigeria being a country at that time that controlled 40 per cent market share in palm oil industry, exporting its palm oil to different parts of the world. But because we found crude oil, we receded and abandoned it.

    “For some of you who are very good in doing calculations, go and check today: the price of a barrel of palm oil is more than the price of a barrel of crude oil. So, what happened to our country?

    “There are countries when they have the opportunities in agriculture and also have opportunities in the crude sector, they didn’t let their guards down.

    “But unfortunately we did and that is what we are paying for today. So that when there are some external shocks in the crude oil market, we sneeze, but we only smile when the market is good.

    “We will grow that market back again. And after that, we will go into cocoa in the South West area to be sure that what we are doing permeates all the nooks and crannies of this country. Because we think we owe Nigerians this.”

    Emefiele who thanked the lawmakers for praying for the CBN to succeed said, “I thank you for praying for me because we need it. I say this because the road ahead is still rough and very tough.

    “But I want to appeal to all Nigerians that a time comes in the history of a country where you have to learn to respect the policies and laws of a country.

    “Part of the problem that we have seen in Nigeria is lack of respect for the policies of this country. Nigeria is very good at putting in place policies that are sound and workable. But implementation has always been almost zero.
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  • Ajimobi swears-in 11 new permanent secretaries

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has charged workers in the employment of the state government to be more hardworking, noting that hard work never goes unnoticed.

    He gave the charge on Wednesday in a remark during the swearing-in ceremony of 11 Permanent Secretaries.

    The event which held at the Executive chamber of the Agodi governor’s office was witnessed by the state deputy governor, Otunba Moses Adeyemo, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli, the Head of Service, Mrs Hannah Ogunesan, State APC chairman, Chief Akin Oke, other top government functionaries, religious leaders, friends, families and well-wishers of the new Permanent Secretary.

    Noting that the appointment of the new Perm Secs to head the various ministries, departments and agencies is strictly political and not about how smart they are, the governor urged the newly elevated workers to use the position to better the state and not for personal gains.

    With the new appointment, Governor Ajimobi said his administration had elevated a total of 34 Perm Secs since his administration began in 2011 because of its understanding of the importance of the role of the civil service to governance.

    He said “This administration has appointed 34 Permanent Secretaries altogether till date to fill the vacuum created by the retirement of their predecessors. Today, we are swearing-in another batch of 11 Permanent Secretaries to fill existing vacancies across our Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).

    “Abhijit Naskar, an author and Neuroscientist once said, ‘Take the Civil Service out of government and the country will collapse…’, The civil service is the engine room of any government.

    “Hence, our administration’s deliberate resolve to reform the civil service on assumption of office in 2011. We not only reformed we introduced many incentives to boost their morale and for better service delivery, including free transportation, enhanced loan facilities, local and foreign training etc.

    Read Also: Why our administration will remain a reference point – Ajimobi

    “To whom much is given much is expected. The enviable position of a PS is the peak of any civil servant career and it comes with a huge responsibility and commitment to advance the course of the state. I, therefore, admonish you to be up and doing, to be more resourceful, productive, dedicated and join hands with the incoming administration to take our dear state to the next level.

    “You are expected to continue to exhibit these salient leadership qualities, which earned you this appointment. This is another feat in the set of appointments and elevations that I have made so far, not only to ensure better service delivery but to ensure reward for hard work.

    “I charge other civil servants to be inspired by the event of today by being hard-working. Hard work will never go unnoticed. What is important to us is that with your appointment, we want to urge you not to be loyal to Ajimobi but to the government of Oyo State irrespective of who is there to move the state forward. I want you in the spirit of your oath of office and oath of allegiance to take service above personal interest.”

  • Buhari off to Saudi Arabia for Umrah

    President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to jet out of the country on Thursday, 16th May 2019 for Umrah.

    According to a statement by the media aide to the President, Shehu Garba, the visit is at the instance of Salman Bin Abdulaziz, the ruler of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to perform the Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) in the Kingdom.

    The Umrah trip which was announced through a statement noted that the president is expected back in the country on the 21st of May 2019.

    Read Also: Stop vandalising govt projects, Buhari warns communities

    The statement reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the invitation of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, the ruler of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to perform the Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) in the Kingdom.

    “To this effect, the President, accompanied by close personal aides, will embark on the journey on Thursday, 16th May.

    “He is expected back in the country on Tuesday, 21st May.

    Umrah is an optional but recommended pilgrimage to Makkah that can be made at any time of the year.”

  • CCT’s move on Speaker is witch-hunt – Bayelsa professionals

    The Association of Bayelsa Professionals (ABP) has faulted the decision of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to arraign the Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Kombowei Benson, describing it as political intimidation.

    The General Secretary of ABP, Dr. Jasper Timiebi, in a statement on Wednesday called on the tribunal to resist the political pressure of being used as a tool to witch-hunt perceived enemies by some elements in the corridors of power.

    Timiebi appealed to the leadership of the CCT to protect its image and resist pressure from politicians to use the tribunal to fight their personal battles.

    He alleged that investigations indicated that the lawmaker, representing the Brass 1 Constituency in the Bayelsa State House òf Assembly, Mr. Sunny Goli, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was behind the recent plan to arraign the speaker and the others for alleged abuse of office.

    He said that while the body of Bayelsa professionals would not delve into political disputes, the ABP was opposed to acts that were deliberately designed to undermine the peace and stability of the state.

    He called on the CCT leadership to investigate allegations made against the Speaker and the three others in order to arrive at the truth which should guide the decisions of the tribunal.

    He insisted that investigations conducted by the group, whose members were in strategic places in various institutions across the state, revealed that the lawmaker, was absent in most legislative sessions.

    Read Also: Edo: Tribunal fixes May 24 for hearing on Igbinedion’s petition

    He said that it was immoral and ridiculous for such political elements to use the CCT as a battle axe against their political opponents, who had made serious sacrifice for peace, stability and development of the state.

    Timiebi said that the lawmaker had been paid all his entitlements by the leadership of the House and lacked the moral credentials to cry wolf where none existed.

    He said that the APC lawmaker was only on a mission to seek prosecution and persecution of the Speaker and the others for political reasons inimical to the interest of Bayelsa.

    The ABP Scribe urged the leadership of the CCT to halt the impending arraignment of the Speaker and others to avoid sending out wrong signals that members of the opposition PDP were being persecuted because of a lawmaker from the APC.

    He said that the CCT is a federal agency which should be of service to Nigerians irrespective of political affiliations.