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  • Abe: My 2019 gov ambition over

    Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers South-East) has declared an end to his 2019 governorship ambition in Rivers state.

    The declaration followed the last week’s Supreme Court judgement on the matter bordering on the 2019 governorship candidacy for the state All Progressives Congress (APC) in the general elections.

    Abe also noted the Supreme Court pronouncement has also brought to an end to the issue of faction in the state party.

    He called on all members to come together and move the party forward.

    He spoke on Sunday at the APC stakeholders meeting in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    He equally noted by the development, APC’s dreams for elective political positions in 2019 in Rivers have been laid to rest.

    He vowed to rebuild the party in the state and called on every member to join hands together to achieve the dream.

    He blamed the unfortunate fate that befell the party in the polls on high handedness of some persons in the party who exalted themselves above others members.

    According to him, if every member of the party was given equal right to participate in APC’s activities, the experience would have been different.

    He said the supreme Court judgement is a precedent for future reference, adding that no more will anyone politically suppress it’s party members in the country.

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    Abe said: “With the last week Supreme Court pronouncement on our candidacy matter, I have ended my ambition for 2019 here in Rivers.

    “This time again, the court upheld the Rivers State High Court judgement of Justice Chiwendu Wogu, which authenticates the leadership of Peter Odike as the current APC state chairman where I contested for governorship.

    “We have come to fight for Representation in government, every human being as members of APC should be treated with respect.

    “We have sacrificed so much, we may not be holding anything now but because of what we have done politics will be better in our country.

    “We need to be realistic so that we can move forward. The dream that we have in the state is laid to rest because of the pronouncement of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in our suit before it.

    “As a lawyer we know that the Supreme Court is infallible. That pronouncement by the Supreme Court brought to an end our agitation.

    “But God knows the reason, He (God) who knows what we do not know, made His decision.”

    He noted “Peter Odike’s factional APC remains the authentic party in the state. The Congress they held still remains voided. No other person or group can parade as APC executives based on the Supreme Court judgement.”

     

     

     

  • Banditry: Yari satisfied with military operations

    Zamfara State Governor and Chairman Nigeria Governors’ Forum Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar has appreciated the ongoing operation by the Army and other security agencies against bandits and criminals in the state.

    The governor expressed delight and commended the military during a courtesy call visit by the Force Commander of the Operation Sharan Daji Major General Hakeem Oladapo Okiti at the Government House Gusau weekend.

    Yari said reports from the areas where the deadly acts of the bandits had been intense indicated efforts by the combined military operations in flushing out the criminals were yielding positive results.

    He told the Commander the extent at which residents of Zamfara suffered from the killings of innocent lives and destruction of property by bandits, which halted commercial activities in many areas thereby rendering many people miserable.

    The governor explained as at 2015, the state had not experienced kidnapping but cattle rustling and reprisal attacks until the menace became the order of the day.

    Read Also: Yari commends FG, calls for media support

    He therefore called on the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to step up efforts to put to an end to banditry in the state by sustaining the ongoing operations.

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum also promised to do everything possible in assisting the security operatives in the ongoing military actions in the state.

    Okiti briefed the Governor on the Operation Sharan Daji by the Nigerian Army in diverse locations of the bandits in the state.

    He thanked the Governor for the support the Army enjoys while carrying out their duties aimed at restoring lasting peace in Zamfara State.

     

  • Breaking: PDP wins Rivers supplementary elections

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has won the four  House of Assembly supplementary and re-run elections in Rivers state.

    The elections were conducted in Abua/Odual, Ahoada West, Gokana and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cancelled the March 9, 2019 Assembly elections in the areas following electoral violence.

    Read Also: Supplementary polls: PDP leads in Rivers

    INEC on Sunday declared Sokolo Solomon, winner of the Abua/Odual constituency with 55, 944 votes.

    In Ahoada West LGA, Okpokiri Nwanaka polled 32,574, to clinch victory.

    Also, Dumle Maol of Gokana constituency was declared winner after scoring 55,319 votes.

    The House of Assembly seat for Opobo/Nkoro constituency was won by Adonye Diri after he had scored 7,713.

     

     

  • ‘Nigeria spends $1b dollars annually on fish importation’

    The Director of Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research Lagos, Dr. Adekunle Oresegun has disclosed that Nigeria spends about $I billion annually on the importation of fish.

    He stated this in Abakaliki during a four-day vocational training and empowerment on aquaculture production and fish post harvest for youths and women from Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal constituency in Ebonyi state.

    Oresegun said the 40 participants drawn from the area were part of the constituency project of the House of Representatives Committee chairman of Agricultural Colleges and Institution, Hon. Linus Okorie.

    The Director noted that Nigeria has great potentials for fish production, which if harnessed properly, would save the country about one billion dollars expended on fish importation.

     

    He said: “The truth of the matter is that Nigeria spends about one billion dollars annually on importation of fish. Because of our fish production deficiency in Nigeria, we want to increase the number of people who have the knowledge and skills to farm fish. The intention of this vocational training is to increase fish production.

    “There are two ways to approach it: to increase production by increasing the number of people into fish production; to genetically modify the fish for productivity.

    “The metric tons of fish production in Nigeria are below the demand and consumption of fish and so we are still at the infancy in popularizing fish production”.

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    Oresegun further called on the Federal government to create enabling environment that will make fish production popular in Nigeria.

    Okorie represented by his Senior Legislative Aide, Wilson Okereke noted that the training was part of the measures of the lawmaker to engage some youths of the constituency into meaningful businesses.

    He admonished the participants to utilise the opportunity and engage in fish production to become self- reliant stressing that incentives would be provided for the participants for the production of fish.

     

  • Air Force loses airman to Parachuting accident

    The Nigerian Air Force on Sunday announced it lost one of its airmen to parachuting accident in Kaduna.

    Its spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said in a statement that the incident occurred during recurrence training.

    Read Also: Air Force strike kills 25 bandits in Zamfara

    He said: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is sad to announce the passing of one of its airmen, Corporal Meshach Iliya Komo, who died in Kaduna today, 14 April 2019, in a parachuting accident during recurrence training.

    “On behalf officers, airmen and airwomen of the NAF, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, commiserates with the family of the late airman over this irreparable loss.

    “We pray that the Almighty God grants his soul eternal rest.”

  • Appeal Court affirms Agoda as APC candidate for Ethiope federal constituency

    The Court of Appeal has affirmed that former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Halims Agoda is the validly nominated candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ethiope Federal Constituency of Delta state in the recently concluded general elections.

    In a unanimous judgement, the Benin division of the court held that the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba was right when it held that Chief Solomon Edojah whose name was forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the candidate of the party was not validly nominated.

    In the lead judgement delivered by Justice Moore Asiemo Abraham Adumein dismissed the appeal with a N250, 000 cost against the appellant in favour of Agoda.

    Edojah had challenged the suit brought before the High Court by Agoda, alleging the petition was filed out of the stipulated time and therefore status barred, but the suit was dismissed by the lower court as incompetent.

    Delivering judgement on the Appeal, Justice Adumein said even though the party primary was conducted on the 5th of October, 2018, the issue for determination before the court and for which time frame for filing a petition before the court occurred on October 18, 2018 when the Agoda was denied his right to participate in the general election by the APC when it submitted the name of Solomon Edojah to INEC as its candidate.

    Agoda had told the court that he won the primary election conducted by the party and that even though the results of the primary was submitted to the party, it went ahead to substitute his name despite winning an appeal against the decision of the party.

    Read Also: APC to tribunal: Atiku not Nigerian by birth

    The judge said: “It should be noted that by section 285(9) of the 1999 constitution as amended, it is the date of the occurrence of the event, decision or action complained of in the suit that will determine when the cause of action accrues. In this context, since there are an amorphous variety of circumstances, fact and situations, each case ought to be considered and determined within the peculiarity of its own circumstances.”

    He also held that the lower court was right for not calling oral evidence to determine the actual winner of the primary as a result of conflicting affidavit and counter affidavit, adding that the statement deposed to by the Independent National Electoral Commission already put the issue to rest.

    While agreeing with the lead judgemet, Justice helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju said: “I share the same view and agree with the reasoning and conclusion that the appeal be dismissed as lacking in merit. I will add a few word.

    “The cause of action in a case crystallises when all the aggregates of facts which delineate and constitute the complaints are present. Thus, the cause of action becomes completes so that the aggrieved parties can begin to maintain his cause of action”.

    Also, Justice Tunde Oyebamiji Awotoye also agreed with the lead judgement dismissing the appeal and the order as to cost.

  • Two students drown in River Benue found

    The bodies of two students of Benue State University (BSU), which drown in River Benue on Friday had been found by a search and rescue team.

    The two students are Adakole Christopher a 100- level Math and Computer science student and Miss Emmanuellla Mson, a 100- level MBBS student.

    It was gathered that five students of the university had gone to River Benue for swimming.

    However, tragedy struck when two of the students, Emmanuella and Adakole, swam deep into the river and were drown.

    The three remaining students rushed back to the campus, which is located on the bank of River Benue to report the incident to school authorities.

    But it was learnt the rescue mission was hampered by poor visibility.

    The body of Adakole was first found on Saturday and was hurriedly buried at the bank of River Benue according to Idoma tradition.

    Mson’s body was later found.

    The Vice Chancellor of Benue State University (BSU) Professor Msugh Kembe, who confirmed the unfortunate incident in an exclusive interview with correspondent, described it as unfortunate and sad.

    Read Also: Election petitions tribunal receives 31 petitions in Benue

    Kembe said: “For we practising Catholics, it’s really a sad and regrettable incident, which is coming during the Holy week of Easter.”

    He added the university has set up a committee to probe the remote and immediate cause that led to the drowning of the two students in River Benue.

    He also added that students have been severally warned not to go swimming in River Benue without guide or life jackets during orientation.

    He commended the Marine Police and President of the Student Union Government of BSU, Comrade Kizito Joseph, who immediately mobilised search- and- rescue team of students with other spirited individuals to found the bodies.”

    Wachihi described the incident as “unfortunate and black day for Benue state University students.”

     

  • Ayinke House nearing commissioning

    To offer the best care to women, the Obstetrics and Gynecology Center of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) – Ayinke House – has been expanded, upgraded and set to be commissioned soon.

    Speaking during the inspection of the facility, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of LASUTH,  said the newly renovated Ayinke House will satisfy the needs of women, children and new born with its state-of-the-art equipment and will soon be commissioned by the state government.

    “Women in Lagos and its environment are in for a very fantastic time. We can only compare the facilities here to what you will find in developed countries,” he boasted.

    Fabamwo mentioned the old Ayinke House was a donation from Late Bank Anthony and was in itself an ultra-modern edifice and served us for about 10 years. And the state government felt that it needed to be renovated; now we have a super ultra-modern hospital for women in Lagos and its environs.

    Dr Abiodun Adewole, Head of Project Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Health, said that the government put a lot of commitment in ensuring that the facility was functional.

    “The government approved intake of medical personnel across board even before the completion of the facility. What the government has done is to put in effort to address the lapses; this is a promise delivered.”

    Meanwhile, Dr. Sylvester Odigie, who is the hospital and medical equipment consultant, said that the facility was originally 80-bed capacity facility and now expanded to 170-bed capacity by the state government.

    “This facility is equipped with 30 incubators; all with oxygen delivery system capability and there is also special space for challenged newborn requiring intensive care.

    “The facility for intensive care has the capacity to deliver and support pre-organ treatment; it also has a capacity of 16 beds and very high-dependency unit that incorporates a theatre to attend to emergencies,” he said.

    Ade Akinsanya, who is the commissioner for works and infrastructure, however, said that the facility would not be inaugurated until everything has been put in place to ensure it is functioning perfectly.

     

  • Kebbi recruits 2000 teachers

    The Kebbi state government has concluded the recruitment process of 2000 teachers, the Commissioner for Education, Muhammad Aliero, has said.

    He said the recruitment was done to aid the development of basic education in the state.

    The commissioner disclosed this during an interview with reporters in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.

    He said “(Even this month) Throughout, I was away to some local governments because we are recruiting about 2000 staff.

    “I went to all the headquarters and we have finished the recruitment of 2000.

    “We will start giving the offer by this month. We designed a very nice format where we will give automatic offer to anyone who made ‘A’.”

    He said the administration of Governor Abubakar Bagudu, met a very “sorrowful basic education condition” when it took over.

    Aliero said this made the administration to pay more attention to the sector.

    The commissioner said: “Education in Kebbi state is thriving very well given the kind of Governor that we have. We have an amiable Governor who is education-friendly.

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    “When he came on board, (I’m sure that you have gone round and seen that our boarding schools), Government Day schools have enough furniture.

    “While coming on board, he gave premium to the education sector.

    “He met a very sorrowful basic education condition, where over 70% were still on the ground but 80% with no accommodation, bed and mattresses.”

    He also said the administration will continue the Cash Transfer Programme being implemented by the United Nations Children Fund in the state.

    According to him, the CTP project has increased school attendance and enrollment.

    He said: “We find it very laudable and interesting because it has gingered the attendance retention of our schools in a very big way. Because, before the cash transfer, only few schools have full attendance but now I think….

    “If you compare the three local governments that enjoyed the programme. Very soon, we, in the state here, are planning to take over after the UNICEF intervention.

    “Our hands are on deck to make sure that we continue with the programme. I think I told you that Kebbi state spends 280 million on feeding. We have built 40 nomadic schools.

    “We have identified 504 almajiri Islamic schools. We will make necessary renovation for them and we’ll make sure that we send mathematics and English teachers to them.

    “When we do that, by 2020, our volume of out -of- school -children (OSC) will be very low and depleted. We will be the least in the north.”

  • A’Ibom community decries incessant armed robbery, cult attacks

    Residents and indigenes of Mbak Etoi community in Uyo local government area of Akwa Ibom state are living in morbid fear following incessant armed robbery incidents and attacks by cultists.

    The inhabitants of the community situated in the outskirts of Uyo metropolis lamented threats to their lives by hoodlums have forced them to abandon their homes to sleep in the bushes most nights.

    Our correspondent, who visited the embattled community at the weekend, observed that business and economic activities in the sleepy village have also been crippled.

    Shop owners said that they have lost count of the number of times they have robbed and extorted by cultists.

    Some of the victims, who narrated their ordeals on the condition of anonymity for fear of further attacks, said the police from the Shelter Afrique Divisional Police Station Uyo have not done anything to help them.

    A nursing mother, who owns a provision, said she was robbed inside her provision shop few days ago under gunpoint, adding that the hoodlums even threatened to shoot her three- month baby if did not give them money from her day’s sales.

    Her words: “Armed robbers have been terrorizing us so much in this community. The first time they broke through my ceiling into my shop and packed all my properties.

    “The second time they broke through the window. The third time they waylaid me on the road and collected money from me under gunpoint.

    “The fourth time they were even more heavily armed and came in large numbers. Two of the armed robbers entered my shop and requested for money from the day’s sales. I was terrified so I carried the money, which was in a carton and gave it to them.

    Read Also: Tension as army takes over Ijaw community

    “When they noticed that I had delayed in giving them the money they ordered me to drop my three months baby on the floor for them to shot but I refused to drop my baby. They now began to beat me up and so I handed over the money to them.

    “They thereafter went into other shops around and started robbing them. They even stole fishes and other food items. I have been robbed five times in this shop. They have also been robbing people’s houses.”

    Another victim said: “I want the government and the police to ensure that armed robbery attacks end in Mbak Etoi.

    “We don’t sleep well at night because throughout yesterday we were running away from the attacks with some of us hiding in the bushes.

    “If we put distress calls to the police they will tell us that they have no petrol in their patrol vehicles. The police usually tell us to buy petrol for them before they come to our rescue.”

    However, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area, Mrs. Atim Eshiet told our correspondent that her men have been patrolling Mbak Etoi and other communities its coverage to checkmate criminal activities.

    The DPO, who accompanied our correspondent to the community to assess the security situation, denied not having petrol in their patrol vehicles.

    She promised to beef up security in the village and other areas,

    assuring the situation would be brought under control.