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  • Don’t steal funds, group cautions outgoing Kwara govt.

    A group known as Kwara Coalition for Good Governance and Accountability (Kwara-CGGA) has cautioned officials of the outgoing People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government to refrain from last-minute stealing of public funds or government properties.

    In a statement, Secretary general of the group, Hassan Omoiya said there are consistent reports of mindless looting of public funds and properties since after the outcome of the governorship election last Saturday.

    The statement also called on the Kwara State Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed not do anything that would create confusion for the new administration.

    The group said the rumored plan of the government to create new local government development areas (LCDA) or negotiate the new minimum wage with labor leaders are not in good faith or in the larger interest of Kwara.

    The statement read: “Reports from reliable quarters within the outgoing Kwara State Government circles suggest ongoing massive looting of public funds and properties by some unscrupulous officials.

    “While the incoming administration is urged not to embark on a witch-hunt of anybody as a way of focusing on the bigger picture of developing the state, the truth is that the new government will have a duty to the electorate to ensure that nobody gets away with mindless stealing of public funds and properties.

    “Also, we call on the incumbent Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed to be a statesman and avoid setting traps for the incoming administration. We have it on good record that the PDP government plans to create LCDAs and negotiate the new minimum wage, even though it really doesn’t pay the current one faithfully.

    “We hope this is not true because that will be in bad faith since its term expires in about two months. It will be unfair to create crisis of confidence between the new government and the people or the workers. We hope Governor Ahmed will, for once, act like a statesman that the office of Governor has bestowed upon him.

    “Finally, we urge everyone to note that while the incoming administration has a burden to fix Kwara State almost from the scratch, its works can be made easier if everyone keys into this patriotic agenda, including blowing the whistle on those allegedly stealing public funds or properties.”

  • ‘El-Rufai wasn’t involved in any accident’

    The Special Adviser on Media and Communication to Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai has debunked the rumour making the rounds of that the Governor was involved in an accident.

    It would be recalled that from Wednesday night, rumours were rife in hush tones that Governor el-Rufai was involved in an accident. The rumours, however, became louder on Thursday, as it was been carried that, the Governor was injured, while his driver died instantly.

    Meanwhile, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye debunked the rumour on his Twitter handle.

    Read Also: PDP alleges fraud as El-Rufai leads in Kaduna

    He described the rumour of the governor involving in an accident as an act of hatred, which according to him moves people to peddle lies.

    According to him, “It is hatred that moves people to peddle lies, concoct rumours of accidents and try to pass off their ill-will as God’s doing is a burden on those who have permitted reason to exit their minds and have given their hearts to a constructing narrowness.”

  • My position on Uzodinma vindicated – Okorocha

    Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, Thursday said that the outcome of the governorship election in the state has justified his position on Senator Hope Uzodinma, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Imo governor, stated that his earlier warning that the Uzodimma who came in a distant fourth in the election was a member of the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP), who was planted as mole to destroy the chances of the APC in the governorship election.

    According to Okorocha, the fact that Uzodinma was among the first set of people to rush to the home of the PDP candidate shortly after he was declared winner, confirmed the pact he has with the PDP.

    The APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole gave the party’s ticket to Uzodinma, a new entrant to the party, instead of the governor’s preferred candidate, Uche Nwosu, who won the governorship primary.

    A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, read thus, “we have been vindicated over our repeated claim that Chief Hope Uzodinma has remained a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) both in spirit and in body and that, it was not only wrong but totally unacceptable for the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole to have handed over the governorship ticket of the party in the State to him, no matter the deal.

    “We had maintained that Chief Uzodinma was just a mole in the APC. Today, the governorship election in the State and its outcome has obviously vindicated us. Aside the fact that Chief Uzodinma worked for the PDP in the Presidential/National Assembly elections and also in the governorship/House of Assembly elections, he was one of the first set of people to celebrate with the PDP Candidate, Chief Emeka Ihedioha the moment he was announced the winner of the election. The video of Chief Uzodinma’s celebration with Ihedioha has gone virile on the social media”.

    The statement continued that, “Chief Uzodinma succeeded through Adams Oshiomhole to ensure that the list he sent from Abuja which he gave to INEC, only his supporters were made agents of the Party and the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State (REC) Prof. Francis Ezeonu insisted on the list, just to ensure the success of their conspiracy.

    Read Also: Okorocha missing as senators-elect receive certificates of return

    “Unfortunately, none of the Uzodinma/Oshiomhole’s approved agents was seen either at the ward level, or Local Government level or at the State level. They didn’t care about the election and its outcome. At the end of the day, the APC Candidate came fourth. And he has been celebrating with the PDP Candidate.

    “Their target as it has shown now is to totally destroy APC in the Southeast and in Imo in particular, thereby authenticating the claim in some quarters that it is all about 2023. One therefore wonders how Oshiomhole feels today, seeing the only APC State in the South-East that was there before he came as Chairman, been taken over by the PDP.

    “We had equally sustained the contention that Imo people would not vote for Uzodinma because they know him very well, but Oshiomhole refused to listen. He came fourth and never showed that he took part in the election. Posterity and history will Judge Oshiomhole and Uzodinma over the fate of APC in the South-East especially in Imo State”.

  • NNPC boss seeks energy integration in Africa

    The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC ), Dr. Maikanti Baru, has called for more integration among countries within the West African sub-region towards providing lasting solutions to the region’s numerous energy challenges.

    Baru made the call during a meeting with the United States Energy Secretary, Rick Perry and some African petroleum ministers, on the sidelines of the 19th CERAWeek Conference taking place in Houston, United States.

    NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, in a release in Abuja Thursday, said Dr. Baru disclosed at the meeting that energy integration across the sub-region was necessary as it would drastically reduce unemployment and restiveness as well as improve the economies of the affected countries.

    “Nigeria as a regional leader has already encouraged regional integration by first putting up the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) to ensure gas is available to West Africa. We are also doing the Trans Sahara Gas Pipeline (TSGP), even as we are intent on extending the WAGP to Morocco,” Baru told the US Energy Secretary at the occasion.

    He said the intent was to come up with a West African Power Pool that would put up power plants and other gas-based industries along those areas within the respective countries.

    The GMD said Nigeria’s crude oil production had seen tremendous improvement in recent years, due to Federal Government’s laudable efforts in ensuring security in the Niger Delta region.

    He said Nigeria and US had been very good partners with about $35bn worth of trade between the two countries.

    Earlier in his remarks, the United States Secretary of Energy, Rick Perry, expressed his country’s commitment towards helping Africa achieve energy independence for the benefit of their people.

    “For our part we will support progress by engaging economically as well as championing open markets in societies. We endorse the modernization of critical oil and gas infrastructure which leads to better security and diversification of energy supplies and exports,” he noted.

    Describing innovation as the surest path to energy security, Perry added that once countries innovate, they are greeted with greater economic growth, opportunities and national security.

    “We support efforts to improve the regional interconnectivity. We also see energy access as critical to increasing prosperity and combating the cycle of poverty,” he added.

    He said as the number one producer of oil and natural gas in the world, the US was more than well-positioned to not only share its resources, but also its technology and know-how.

    He said his country would work towards transforming the Africa’s domestic energy systems so that it would provide power, create jobs, foster development, open up new opportunities and improve almost every facet of human existence on the continent.

    “The US is very eager to share its energy resources and expertise with the African continent. As we go forward, we want to be a desired partner in ensuring that the global energy markets are supplied with the diversity of energy sources,” he stated.

    Other Ministers and high level energy executives from African countries such as Ghana, Mali, South Sudan, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda and Sierra Leone participated in the meeting.

  • Edo police station attack: Security beefed up in Afuze

    The Federal Government has beefed up security in Afuze, headquarters of Owan East local government area of Edo state following the bombing of the Divisional Police Command in the locality by unknown gunmen.

    Soldiers and other security operatives including anti-riot mobile policemen, officials of the Directorate of the State Service (DSS) and National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were drafted to Afuze as back up security in the area.

    When our reporter visited Afuze, heavy security presence was seen in front of the police station. Ten patrol vans were stationed outside while a show of force was carried by a combined security team.

    Hunters and vigilante groups in the locality were said to have been mobilised to trail the gunmen.

    Four police officers, including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Ojo Kosenami and an expectant police officer, Sergeant Justina Aghomon, Inspector Sado Isaac and Corporal Glory David were killed in the attack.

    Details of how they were killed have emerged as it was gathered that the gunmen asked them to remove their uniforms before killing them.

    Sources said the gunmen locked the corpses in a room and left.

    According to the source, “We thought everybody escaped until a policeman forced a locked door open and we saw their dead bodies.”

    It was gathered that the attack took place a day after soldiers deployed to the area for election duties left.

    Another source said the casualties would have been higher if the explosives thrown at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had exploded.

    The source said many ad hoc staff were at the premises collecting their election allowances when the gunmen attacked.

    At the residence of one of the victims, Inspector Sadoh, his children were seen setting up condolence register even as they demand justice for their father.

    His second son, Pastor Louis, said their father was looking towards retirement.

    Read Also: Edo: Gunmen attack Police Station, kill DPO, three officers

    Pastor Louis said their father worked hard to cater for them since their mother died four years ago.

    He said his father stood for justice and peace and had uncovered many crimes in his career.

    “My father loved Justice. He has unearthed many case. The Police should also find his killers and prosecute them.”

    Secretary to Owan East council, Mr. Godwin Imoudu, said an alert of an impending attack was raised before the election.

    He said the entire people of the council were mourning the sad event, and described the late DPO as a quintessential police man who stood for peace and had worked tirelessly towards the peaceful coexistence of all segments of people of the council.

    Imoudu recalled that the late DPO (Tosimani Ojo) who was a member of the council’s peace and security committee, “was very neutral during the just concluded elections“.

  • Ohaneze to S’east govs-elect: do not renege on campaign promises

    The Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Wing has congratulated governors-elect in the South Eastern states for their reelection victory in the just concluded elections.

    The group in a statement on Thursday made available to journalists in Awka, urged the governors-elect to ensure they fulfil their campaign promises particularly in accommodating the youths.

    The statement, signed by the group’s President, Dr. Arthur Uchenna-Obiorah, also called on those that lost to accept the outcome in good faith and avoid unnecessary litigations.

    He said, “We congratulate the governors of Enugu State Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Abia, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Delta, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa and Ebonyi David Umahi on their reelections.”

    “The governors-elect should give more political appointments to the youths because they are the bedrock of meaningful development in any promising society.

    “Those who lost at the polls should not go into unnecessary litigations, but see the outcome of the elections as true reflection of the people’s political decision.”

    Uchenna-Obiorah however described as worrisome the declaration of the governorship election in six states by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as inconclusive.

    He particularly expressed concern over the situation in Rivers State, calling for proper investigation of the roles of some security agents in the election.

    He also urged the INEC and security agencies to follow due process in concluding all inconclusive elections.

  • NDLEA nabs 35 suspected drug peddlers

    Thirty-five persons have been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) in various parts of Anambra state over drug-related offences.

    The arrests on eight hot spots were effected in collaboration with the Military, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prisons Service and Nigeria Immigration Service.

    The spots raided included the Nnewi hundred Foot Road, Ihiala, Aba, Obosi, Okija, Okpoko, Owerri, Lagos and Benin motor parks.

    The State Commander of NDLEA, Mr. Sule Momodu said those arrested would be screened, adding that the innocent ones released while those found culpable would be charged to court.

    He said, “The joint raid has come to stay as the agency and its sister agencies will from time to time clamp down on drug peddlers to ensure the state is free of illicit drugs especially in the parks.”

    Read Also: NDLEA nabs 250 drug suspects in Kano

    Appreciating the state governor, Willie Obiano for providing the agency with the needed logistics, Momodu stressed the need for parents to monitor the activities of their children.

    He cautioned all illicit drug peddlers and abusers to leave the state, warning that the agency was all out in its onslaught against hard drugs dealers.

    “Exhibits seized include 6.3432kg of cannabis sativa, 9.4g of cocaine and 4.3g of heroine,” he added.

  • Niger: AEDC declares state of emergency in Bosso

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company ( AEDC) has declared a state of emergency on electricity in Bosso local government area of Niger state.

    This follows the incessant fire accidents caused by electrical surge which has claimed many lives in the communities.

    The AEDC Regional Manager, Engineer Usman Musa Usman stated this during a public campaign on electrical safety in Bosso local government of Niger state.

    He said the declaration of state of emergency is to ensure the protection of the residents.

    “A state of emergency will be declared in Bosso local government area. These surges, domestic accidents, electrical accidents that are happening is as a result of lack of protection.

    “We will go from house to house to ensure that there is adequate protection in each house. We will ensure that each house will have protection from electrical accidents.”

    This declaration is coming after a recent fire incident attributed to have been caused by electrical surge which resulted in death of a pregnant woman and her two children.

    Speaking on the incident, Usman said that investigation is ongoing adding that at the end of the investigation, AEDC will be directed on what to do.

    In his address, the representative of the Managing Director/Chief Executive, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) , Engineer Henry Egwu advocated for the safe use of electricity stressing that, “our product which is electricity is not meant to kill people but to satisfy people. ”

    He urged the people to ensure that they get good cables in wiring their houses stressing on them to practice the safety practices they have been taught.

    “We want you to use the electrical appliances in your homes in the safe and right way. Do not overload your sockets, do not buy fake cables,do not leave naked wires lying around.”

    ” Get competent and qualified people to do your electricals. Teach the younger ones the safe and right ways to operate electricals at home.”

  • Senate: I’ve forgiven Theodore Orji, says Kalu

    Senator-elect for Abia North and former state governor, Chief Orji Kalu, said on Thursday that he had put his political enmity with his successor, Sen. Theodore Orji, behind him and was prepared to work harmoniously with him in the Senate.

    Kalu said this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent in Umuahia, shortly after receiving his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Election Commission in Abuja.

    He said: “I have forgiven him (Orji) for the benefit of Abia people and we are going to work as one family in the Senate in the interest of Abia and Nigeria.

    “We are going to have a robust relationship in the Senate because the interest of Abia and Abians is uppermost to me.”

    NAN reports that Kalu and Orji, who succeeded him in 2007 as Abia governor, had been arch- enemies for almost a decade due to political differences.

    Kalu, who won the March 9 National Assembly polls, after two consecutive attempts, said that he would work assiduously to re-write the history of representation in his senatorial district.

    “There is a lot of work to do for my constituency and we shall work to support the programmes of the Federal Government to ensure they succeed,” he said.

    Read Also: Samuel Kalu relieved as mother regains freedom

    Kalu, who was a member of the House of Representatives in the aborted Third Republic, promised that the ninth Senate would reverse the unnecessary delay in the passage of the annual budget.

    He said that the Senate would ensure that the Appropriation Bills received expeditious considerations, once they were presented by the president.

    “The consideration and passage of budget estimates would not exceed three months. Once the president presents the bill in September, by December we would have concluded the consideration.

    “By so doing, the budget would be ready by January for the president’s assent,” Kalu said.

    He said that during the consideration of the budget, the ministers would be restrained from embarking on overseas trips.

    “They must be available during the budget defence. They would not be allowed to travel overseas until the budget is ready,” Kalu said.

    He said that his membership of the Senate would be remarkable, saying that he would strive to build harmonious relationship among all the ethnic nationalities in the National Assembly.

  • Actress Adesua Etomi makes Vogue’s 14 global superstars list

    Nigerian actress, Adesua Etomi-Wellington has been featured on Vogue’s list of 14 global superstars.

    Vogue is a leading international fashion magazine. The British Vogue was the first international edition launched in 1916, while the Italian version has been called the top fashion magazine in the world.

    Adesua was featured in the April issue of the magazine alongside 14 actresses from 14 countries across several film industries including Hollywood, Bollywood and Nollywood.

    She announced the feature on her Instagram page @adesuaetomi. She said, “Nigeria to the world. Celebrate brown girl MAGIC.

    “I’m so thrilled to reveal my cover for @voguemagazine’s April issue celebrating this talented group of women from across the globe.

    About Adesua, Vogue wrote, “The Nigerian actress Adesua Etomi-Wellington can’t walk down the street in Lagos without getting mobbed.

    “If she’s with her husband, the actor Banky Wellington, forget it—a trip to the grocery store launches a thousand selfies.

    “But unlike some of her cohorts on the shoot, she’s more of a third-culture kid, born in Nigeria and raised mainly in England.

    “She went to school in Coventry, studied drama at University of Wolverhampton, and then got a nine-to-five job with the fashion arm of a large supermarket chain. It was then that, as she puts it, “I can’t explain it—I felt I had to go back to Nigeria.”

    “In fact, she points out, of the four films that have done best for the relatively young industry, she is in three.

    “I love, love, love Nollywood,” Etomi-Wellington says brightly over tea and biscuits at the shoot,” Vogue wrote.

    Reacting to the feature, her husband Banky W gushed on Instagram through his handle @Bankywellington.

    He said, “Breaking news: My wife is on the cover of VOGUE MAGAZINE!!!!!!!!!! Susu you are such a star and an inspiration!!!

    “I’m so PROUD of you and happy for you. You’re an incredible actor, and an even more incredible human being.

    “You deserve to shine so bright that the whole world has no choice but to see it. This is incredible. Thank you to @voguemagazine and glory to God.

    “Ladies and gentlemen, Please if you see me walking around with high shoulders today, you should understand. Link to the cover story is in my profile,” he said.

    NAN reports that Adesua was featured alongside Doona Bae, Golshifteh Farahani, Eiza Gonzalez, Hera Hilmar, Scarlett Johansson, Vanessa Kirby and Bruna Marquezine.