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Attempted Murder of Ogwashi-Uku Chief, Court Sentences Five to Prison

By
Toyin Adebayo
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Five suspects who were on trial for the attempted murder of Chief Onyema Igbokei, the Okwabani of Edo Ogwashi-Uku two years ago, were given life sentences by Hon. Justice Umukoro of the Delta State High Court in Asaba on Thursday.

Recall that the new Chief was appointed to oversee the affairs of the Edo and Otulu Ogwashi-Uku villages by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku two years ago.

A gang led by the convicted suspects severely attacked him soon after he was appointed.

Michael Arueze Njoh, Monday Okondo, Chinedu Anene, and Agaliga Okolie received life sentences for attacking the new Chief.

The convicts are said to have shot him in broad daylight and left him for dead.

He was rescued by members of the community and rushed to the hospital to have the bullets removed from his body.

The matter was first reported at the Ogwashi-Uku police station and then transferred to the Delta State CID for further investigations.

The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku concerned about the overall activities of the gang who had been operating in the Otulu and Edo Ogwashi-Uku areas requested the intervention of the Inspector General of Police.

After a painstaking investigation which was carried out by the IG Monitoring Unit, the suspects were brought back to Delta and charged with attempted murder, cultism, illegal possession of firearms and other charges.

The trial continued for the past two years in Court 5, Asaba led by Hon. Justice Umukoro.

Today, he finally reached his verdict and convicted them on all counts and sentenced all of them to life imprisonment.

When contacted for comments, the Palace Secretary of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, thanked the Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice in Delta State, The Director of Public Prosecutions and her State Counsel who prosecuted the matter, the Inspector General, Commissioner of Police in Delta State and all members of the Edo Ogwashi-Uku community who stood firm against the threats even during the trial.

According to him ‘today is an important day for our community.”

“These people and others about to face trial have terrorised our community for a very long time. We are glad they have had their day in court and the court has given its verdict. It is our sincere hope that this will serve as a deterrence to others especially in the Otulu and Edo Ogwashi-Uku area so they know that there are consequences for their illegal activities,” he added.

Dangote In More Trouble As Kogi Govt Gives Him Three Days To Shut Down His Cement Factory

By
Ola Akinola
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The conflict between the Kogi state government and the alleged owners of the Obajana Cement Factory, the Dangote Group of Companies, took a new turn on Thursday when Governor Yahaya Bello handed the owners an ultimatum to close the factory within the following 48 hours.

The government accuses Dangote of merely taking the place illegally and challenges it to present documentary evidence of ownership, leading to a days-long dispute between the two sides over who is the true owner of the factory.

Dangote has however repeatedly said it acquired the factory legally and owns it hundred percent.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, the state governor ordered Dangote to shut the factory in line with the decision of State House of Assembly.

The statement reads: “The Executive Governor of Kogi State wishes to thank the people of the state for their resoluteness in the ownership impasse between the Dangote Group and the State Government.

“While the State Government recognises the right of the citizens to peaceful protest as we witnessed across the state yesterday; we urge the people to remain civil, law abiding and give room for constitutionalism. Breakdown of law and order will not be in the interest of anyone as we hope to remain the most peaceful state in Nigeria.

“To this end, the Governor has directed that trucks loading cement that are impounded across the State be released with immediate effect to either return to the plant or go to their destinations peacefully. As a State, we must retain the peaceful and business friendly environment that have attracted scores of investment giants to the state in the last seven years.

“The Governor has also urged the Management of Dangote Group to ensure the Cement Factory at Obajana is shut down within the next 48 hours in honor of the legislative arm of Government which ordered the plant sealed until the Dangote Group furnishes the legislature with the requisite documents demanded by the legislature. As a Government, we will defend and protect all Government institutions against impunity.

“The Governor also wishes to assure the people of the state of his unwavering commitment to defending their interest without compromise. As the face of the struggle with the over four million Kogites behind him, he will ensure the interest of the state is defended with a high sense of integrity, responsibility and allegiance through democratic instruments.

“We call on the people to remain calm and law abiding as well as continue to have faith in the leadership of the Governor to deliver on the mandate of the people to take back what belongs to them.

“We also urge security agents to be on red alert to prevent anarchy in the face of the boiling anger of the people against exploitation and oppression. We can only win the battle ahead with cool heads. When our people come together like we are now, all we can do is win”, the statement further stated.

Kogi Govt Reacts To Dangote’s Claims, Reveals How State Has Been Listed As Shareholders Over The Years In Dangote Returns To CAC, States Way Forward

By
Ola Akinola
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0

The State Government responded today to accusations made by the billionaire that his organization did nothing wrong and that they own the Cement Factory entirely, fueling further controversy and verbal exchanges over the shutdown of the Dangote Cement Factory in Kogi.

In a paid advert published in ThisDay, the Kogi Government revealed that, despite their assertion that Dangote Group controls the company entirely, it is odd that the company has been naming State officials as shareholders in its reports to the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The advertorial revealed how the Obajana Cement Company was registered in 1992 and the state government took a loan to fund its activities which included feasibility on mining and production of cement. According to the State, 15Deutsch Marks loan was taken and years after Dangote took over the State was still paying the loan. Yet, it was the enticement of these findings that drew the conglomerate to the State.

The advertorial also averred that Dangote did not acquire any shares of Obajana Cement or pay any compensation known under the law hence their insistence that they own Dangote Cement Kogi.

Speaking about resolution of the crisis the State Government claimed that it resorted to the closure as the last resort after various administrations had failed to draw the conglomerate to the implications of of its silence to the issues they raised but Dangote ignored them.

They listed Judicial Commission, Technical Committee as well as other fora they had opened and invited Dangote to speak up only for the management of Dangote Group to ignore such opportunities to clear the air and stake their claims.

Moving forward, the State demanded that a full accounting of the activities of Dangote Cement Kogi in the last twenty years be conducted so that they will know what should accrue to the State. They also demanded the restoration of their shares as well as the accruing benefits for the past two decades.

Kachikwu’s Reacts To Unlawful Convention

By
Toyin Adebayo
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Ralph Nwosu, the discredited former chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and his staff have issued a number of remarks that the public is urged to disregard, according to Dumebi Kachikwu, the ADC’s presidential candidate.

Kachikwu made this statement in response to an illegal convention held by the previous chairman that reportedly gave him a new term in office after serving in the same capacity for seventeen years.

He questioned how someone who had only recently claimed that a special convention at the end of August had granted him a one-year extension could now hold another special convention in October for the same reason.

According to Kachikwu it is clear Nwosu enjoys conducting conventions having done so for the last seventeen years.

He further stated that the Senator Patricia Akwashiki led ADC would soon hold a convention to usher in a new set of executives who would lead the party to victory in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Obi Of Ogwashi-Uku’s Sister Receives GCON Honour

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

When HRM Obi (Dr) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II’s sister got the nation’s second-highest honor, the GCON, from President Muhammad Buhari, there was a huge celebration in Abuja and the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom.

His Excellency Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who received the OFR honor, was also present at the ceremony and also received an award.

Our correspondent gathered that a private reception was held in honour of the distinguished recipients and it was an occasion graced by notable persons in the country.

Dignitaries present include business man, Tony Elumelu and former President Goodluck Jonathan.

SEE THE INITIAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN DANGOTE AND KOGI GOVERNMENT SIGNED IN 2002, AND WHY THE STATE IS ANGRY

By
Roland Edet
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0

Official: 2002 Agreement Between Kogi State Government and Dangote Industries Limited on Obajana Cement Plant

Extracts from the duly signed and stamped agreement:

Agreement between Kogi state Government and Dangote Cement
  1. Project was at conceptual stage in 1992
  2. Preliminary feasibility study carried out in 1992
  3. Obajana Cement Company Plc with Certificate of Incorporation No. RC208767 dated 4th November, 1992 is solely owned by Kogi state
  4. Prospecting Right (Numbered PR No.14 of 2001 No.0053) was issued exclusively to the company
  5. Kogi state offered and transferred 90% of its total shareholding in the company to Dangote Industries Limited
  7. Kogi state is at liberty to sell half of its 10% equity to indigenes of the state by public offer or private placement
  8. Kogi state shall grant Dangote Industries Limited tax waivers and exemption from levies for a period of 7 years from the date of commencement of production

Over 116 Million People Live With Mental Health Conditions- WHO

By
Toyin Adebayo
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Regional Director for Africa, WHO

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, has said that more than 116 million people in the African region were estimated to be living with mental health conditions prior to the pandemic.

Furthermore, the exponential rates of alcohol use and abuse among adolescents as young as 13 years of age remain particularly worrisome.

This information, which Moeti shared in a message to mark World Mental Health Day in 2022 with the theme “Make Mental Health and Wellbeing for All a Global Priority,” serves as a reminder that, after nearly three years, the COVID-19 pandemic’s social isolation, fear of illness and death, and difficult socioeconomic conditions have contributed to an estimated 25% global rise in depression and anxiety.

World Mental Health Day, marked on 10 October every year, provides an opportunity to draw attention to Africa’s large and growing burden of mental health conditions, with children and adolescents worst impacted.

According to her: We need to urgently strengthen regulatory systems to close the gaps that allow such young people to easily access alcohol, contributing to heavy episodic drinking rates as high as 80% among teens from 15 to 19. The situation poses a serious threat to their education, while setting the stage for a lifetime of alcohol abuse, and the associated risks of noncommunicable and other related diseases.
Inadequate financing for mental health continues to be the biggest limitation, negatively impacting efforts to expand Africa’s mental health workforce. As things stand, there are fewer than two mental health workers for every 100 000 people, the majority of whom are psychiatric nurses and mental health nursing aids.
With these scarce resources concentrated at large psychiatric institutions in urban areas, people at community and primary care levels are left critically underserved. For example, while two-thirds of Member States report having guidelines to integrate mental health into primary health care, fewer than 11% are providing pharmacological and/or psychological interventions at this level.

“It is however heartening that up to 82% of our Member States are receiving training on how to manage mental health conditions at primary care level, with up to 74% reporting that specialists are involved in providing appropriate training and supervision to primary health care professionals.
African governments have also made some progress on mental health spending, which has risen to 46 US cents per person. But that is still well below the recommended US$2 per person, with mental health not featuring in national health insurance schemes.

“To address the challenge, it is crucial that Member States follow through on the implementation of commitments they made at the Regional Committee in August 2022, when they endorsed the Framework to Implement the Comprehensive Global Action Plan 2013 to 2023 in the WHO African Region. This key document highlights the severe shortage of mental health services on the continent, and makes recommendations for key actions by Member States.
Among the developments of which Member States can be proud is the launch of Special Initiative for Mental Health frameworks by Ghana and Zimbabwe. Supported by WHO training, the aim is to strengthen relevant services at lower levels of care.
WHO in the African Region is also supporting task-sharing and integration of mental health into multisectoral programmes in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria and Mali. Examples include joint tuberculosis and mental health programming in Ghana and Kenya, and joint Neglected Tropical Diseases and mental health efforts in Nigeria.
Additionally, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe have been supported to complete mental health investment cases. These provide a valuable base from which to make the case for increased investment in this neglected aspect of our health systems.

“To advance continental efforts towards equitable access to mental, neurological and substance abuse care, I want to take the opportunity today to urge Member States to prioritise the implementation of the Framework to Implement the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan in the WHO African Region. This requires, among other things, increasing government expenditure on relevant services, and mobilising resources from partners”, she explained.

Moeti added that countries especially need to strengthen the mental health and psychosocial response in humanitarian emergencies, including COVID-19 and Ebola, which have a significant negative impact on school-age children and our health care workers. Mental health and psychosocial support are integral to any successful response.

On World Mental Health Day today, let us all commit to work together to deepen the value we afford to mental health, to reshape the environments that negatively impact mental health, and to strengthen the care systems to make mental health care accessible to all Africans.

FCTA Tasks Religious Organization on CSR

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

Faith-based organizations have been urged to continue to provide Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) through targeted interventions aimed at improving the quality of life for those living in and around their areas of influence.

The task was given over the weekend by the FCT Administration’s mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim during the commissioning and handover of a borehole to Kado village, constructed and donated by the Church of Christ, Kado, Lifecamp, in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

Ibrahim, who described the project as laudable which exemplifies unconditional love for humanity, said the intervention deserves to be emulated by others in the society.

Represented by a Director in the Secretariat, Mrs. Anne Ijeoma, noted that the government cannot carry the whole load of meeting the needs of the people on its head alone, as there has to be intervention from others.

He adds: “Your relationship (with host community) is very important. And if you don’t have good relationship with people around you, there is no amount of preaching you will do, that they will listen to you.

“Christianity is all about love, if there is no love, I’m sure this project will not be here today. The people of Kado have shown love to the Church of Christ, and that is why to let them know that the Church appreciates their love, by providing the water project”.

While commending the Chief of Kado for being there for the people and government of the FCT, the Secretary, if had not be so, the Church of Christ, wouldn’t be there to carry out its activities as well as to do the project.

“You permitted them to be here in Kado, and that is why they want to pay back for your good deeds. This is a good example of evangelism”.

Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Comrade Ikharo Attah, also commended the Kado congregation of the Church of Christ for the noble initiative, that would impact positively on the people in the community.

According to him: “We hope to see this project properly maintained. The FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, is keen to get people to understand the fundamentals of what life is.

“And he has been very grateful to the indigenes of the FCT, who have never been violent, but allowing access to their land for development, while also looking at their own interest as well. So we thank you for your good hearts and warm reception that has helped to grow this city”.

Also speaking, Chief of Kado, Esu Danlami Audu, who expressed gratitude to the Church for providing the borehole, said it is the first water supply intervention by a Church for people in the community.

Audu, while his annoyance and dismay over the absence of basic amenities in the community, argued that ” Our local government administrations are supposed to be carrying out these projects (water supply and other amenities), but no one is done by them. But we are happy since NGOs have recognised us, at least it is a big development to me and entire residents of Kado”.

He however made a passionate appeal for provision of standard toilets (convenience) in the community, for the sake of a clean environment.

He said “The recent activities of the FCTA enforcement drive, point to the fact that the government abhors dirty environment, hence the need to continue to sustain the effort.

“My community is a place Kado is a large and peaceful village, we love people to be clean, so continue to do the cleaning. What you are doing, is for the benefit of we, the indigenes of Abuja. You are not doing it for display of power (might). So, we show our appreciation to you”.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Bishop of Church of Christ Kado, Peter Egure, disclosed that the project is part of the Church’s way of giving back to her host community.

According to him, “The intervention is coming because we know this community lacks water. It is just a token of our love and good neighbourliness because of the peace, we are enjoying together with the community”.

Also, there was an entertaining charity football match inside Kado Football Field, near the Fish market, in the area, leading up to commissioning of the borehole fully equipped with a big tank, electricity, generator, gatehouse and six dispensing points.

No Ransom Paid for Release of Train Victims Attack-FG

By
Ekaette Ibuot
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0

The Federal Government has disclosed that no ransom was paid for the recent release of the remaining 23 victims of the March 23, 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack by terrorists, that left some passengers dead, and many severely injured.
The Minister of Transportation, Mu-Azu Sambo disclosed this in Abuja, while briefing journalists on the release of the victims.
Sambo insisted that no dime was paid to the abductors of the train victims, as the present administration frowns at monetary negotiation with terrorists.

He said, “I want to state categorically that because this government does not support or approve ransom payment, no Kobo was paid in exchange for the release of the 23 hostages and even for the release of the other hostages”.

He further revealed that the hostages were released based on the efforts of the combined team of retired Generals and some retired public officers of high ranking and status who worked with the military and the security agencies to secure their release.

“The security agencies were charged to ensure no collateral damage was recorded in the process of freeing the victims” Sambo noted that no one victim was hurt.”

The minister added that the victims are receiving required medical attention after their release, as they were taken to the Nigeria Air Force Hospital and are currently recuperating at the Nigeria Defense Academy Hospital in Kaduna state.

On the resumption of the Abuja-Kaduna train services, he gave assurance that commercial activities will kick off soon.

The minister assured that both long-term and short-term measures would be put in place to avoid such ugly incidence.
He said, the short-term measures will be urgently put in place to ensure the resumption of train services very soon.

“Now, I can tell you, we are going to resume very soon and in order to resume train services, we have to put in place measures that will ensure that going forward such an incident will never ever happen in this country. And so we have a short-term and a long-term plan”.

It could be recalled that, at about 8pm on 28th March, 2022, a train heading to Kaduna from Abuja was attacked by gunmen using explosives on the rail tracks to stop the train.

About 62 persons were kidnapped by the terrorists during the attack. Over the past months, the victims have been released in batches, with the last 23 hostages released as the last batch.

Stakeholders dialogue on boosting basic education in FCT

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

By Laide Akinboad, Abuja

In order to increase access to effective and inclusive basic education system in Federal Capital Territory, FCT, stakeholders in the sector on Thursday, have reiterated their commitment to step up advocacy for accountability and productivity in the system.

Most of the participants at the dialogue, tagged: Demand side-supply side stakeholders dialogue on UBE, organised by Youth Hub Africa, with support of USAID, called for increased intervention from government and private entities in the provision of basic education in FCT.

The participants include representatives of the Accountability For Good Governance in Education (AGGE) project cluster member organisations: Youth Hub Africa, FCT Universal Basic Education (UBEB), Nigerian Governors Forum, Budget and Planning, CODE, Palladium SCALE and civil society groups.

In his remarks, Mr. Auta Emmanuel from FCT UBEB, disclosed that as at last count, FCT has a total of 440 pre-primary schools, 751 primary schools and 199 junior secondary schools.

Auta added that there are available structures that pave way for effective involvement of stakeholders in the implementation of the basic education action plan in the FCT.

He however noted, that the rising influx of people into to Abuja have continued to outstretch the available learning facilities especially at the basic level across the Territory.

While commending the organisation for stepping up the quest for a better education in the society, the FCT-UBEB scribe reiterated the importance of effective basic education in the developmental process of any society.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Segun Medupin, Youth Hub Africa programmes Manager, on behalf Executive Director of the foundation, Rotimi Olawale said the focus of the dialogue on the basic education will have fruitful bearing on other aspects of the sector.

He explained that the AGGE project, running in 4 states and FCT is funded by USAID, to help tackle the current state of basic education in Nigeria and promote inclusivity in the developmental process.

He noted that the dialogue had the following objectives: create opportunity for stakeholders consuming education and those supplying to identify the problems and collectively proffer solutions through dialogue and increase knowledge and strengthen participants’ skills related policy and advocacy tools and approaches.

AGGE cluster with support from strengthening civic advocacy and local engagement, aimed at improving the standard of basic education.

Highlights of the Dialogue was questions, answers and contributions on the presentation AGGE project/results of needs assessment for FCT, Desk review on UBE act and procedures at the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), desk review of UBE fund implementation in 5 states; and business of education: Supply side challenges and solutions.

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