The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has suspended Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka from church activities for one month.
Fr Mbaka was asked to proceed on suspension with effect from May 3 after being summoned by Callistus Valentine Onaga, the Diocesan Bishop.
They said his priest’s political escapades continue to overshadow his theological obligations on a scale that nurtures unending concerns amongst his senior clerics.
The suspension could have far-reaching consequences for the conventional but unofficial church and state relationship.
Church sources said Mr Mbaka’s latest suspension was being viewed as significant for its undertone.
Church officials admitted Father Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry has been a cash cow for the Enugu Diocese. But they said it is not the first time the fiery priest would face administrative action.
The crisis rocking the Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has deepened as a faction led by the Ebierien Fala Itubor-led opened a parallel secretariat in Yenagoa on Wednesday.
According to the Deputy Chairman of the faction, Ogeibiri Orubebe, the Amos Jothan-led executive of the party was first suspended from office before they were sacked by the directive of the president last year.
The faction also accused the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, who is also the leader of the party in the state of allegedly failing in his leadership role.
The parallel secretariat, which is located at Dimrose junction, occupies a building used by former Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, during the 2019 governorship election.
Chief Timipre Sylva and Senator Heineken Lokpobiri who were political allies fell apart in the build-up to the last governorship election in the state, when Sylva supported Chief David Lyon instead of Lokpobiri.
The State Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr Doifie Buokoribo, said those claiming to be new executives of the party in Bayelsa were impostors and desperate politicians who wanted to score cheap political points.
The clamour by judicial and legislative workers for the implementation of financial autonomy for the two arms of government has yielded fruits as Governors have shifted ground in their quest for an earnest resolution of the industrial crisis.
Newsfocusng gathered on Wednesday that the governors had proposed to pay lawmakers a certain percentage of their statutory monthly entitlements towards funding the legislature.
An anonymous source said the governors’ offer followed the refusal of speakers of Houses of Assembly of the 36 states of the federation to accept the N100 million monthly offer made by the governors for each state legislature.
In rejecting the irreducible minimum payment of N100 million monthly to each of the legislatures in the states to fund their operations, the speakers had insisted on N250 million monthly.
It was also gathered that the governors had also rejected the demand of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) that the gross allocations should be remitted to the two arms of government directly.
The governors’ hard-line position was said to be responsible for the delay in the resolution of the strike embarked upon by judicial and parliamentary workers in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to press for the implementation of financial autonomy for state judiciaries and legislatures.
However, the governors agreed that the National Judicial Council (NJC) will handle funds for states’ judicial councils to take care of the high courts while the state governments will be responsible for funding the magistrates and customary courts.
In a bid to resolve the issues and end the ongoing industrial dispute, the federal government has invited the leadership of JUSUN and PASAN to a negotiation today.
This was contained in a statement by the Deputy Director Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. Charles Akpan, said the Minister, Senator Chris Ngige, would host the negotiations with the workers.
An earlier plan to hold talks with the striking workers was stalled by a lack of harmony in the positions of the team representing the federal government and that of governors.
The Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mr. Dayo Apata, who had represented the federal government, and the Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Mr. Asishana Okauru, had presented different position papers, which stalled negotiations.
But a source revealed yesterday that the two parties had reached a consensus, while all the grey areas have been resolved.
He confirmed that Ngige would schedule a meeting with the leadership of JUSUN and PASAN to sort out any other outstanding issues.
According to him ; “Right now; there’s a consensus. There’s some agreement, grey areas have been cleared and I think the minister is committed to putting a meeting together with the workers and in the next couple of days. I think all the grey areas will be sorted out.
“Some of the grey areas for the judiciary, for instance, is that it is clear to all the parties now that the National Judicial Council (NJC) will be handling that because that’s the position of the constitution. They have been doing that for recurrent at the state level, but have not been doing it for capital spending.
That will continue, especially for courts of record. The governors will be in charge of customary courts and magistrates courts.
“For the legislature, the major issue was whether the deduction should be based on gross or net. What they have agreed is that it is going to be an agreed percentage of appropriated amount.”
Following the different positions adopted by the federal government and the governors, Ngige had urged the governors to rework the agreement for negotiations to resume.
The governors had accepted in principle the funding of both the state legislatures and judiciaries from their allocations from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), to be deducted from the States Accounts Allocation Committee (SAAC).
As part of its implementation, the state governments were expected from May 1, to set up the States Accounts Allocations Committee (SAAC) with members from the states Assembly committee chairmen on Finance and the States Commissioners of Finance to discuss on monthly basis the disbursement of funds
However, the governors and speakers could not reach a consensus on how much to be given to each state legislature monthly.
Lawmakers have been notified of a possible imminent attack by Boko Haram insurgents on the National Assembly complex and other public buildings in Abuja.
Our correspondent gathered on Wednesday, from several members of the House of Representatives, confirmed that they had been notified of the imminent attack by the terrorist group.
One of them, who is from a state in the South-West, said his presence would henceforth be limited on the premises.
“That is the security alert I saw today. I’m already moving out of here. I’ll only be around when there is a major reason to do so. Nowhere is safe in the country anymore,” he said.
Already the notice on the impending attack has been made available to the lawmakers.
The notice, a copy of which our correspondent saw, was sent to the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, other principal officers and all members of the House.
The ‘security alert’, dated May 4, 2021, was issued by Chairman of the House Committee on Internal Security, National Assembly, Mr Usman Shiddi.
It was titled ‘Re: planned insurgent attacks on VIP locations, government facilities and assets in Abuja.’
The alert read, “I refer to the above subject of which a copy of the intelligence report from the Force Intelligence Bureau of the Nigeria Police Force in the National Assembly Complex has been made available to my office.
“The report indicates planned insurgent attacks by some elements of Boko Haram on some VIP locations, government facilities and assets in Abuja, including the National Assembly complex.
“In view of the above intelligence, I have considered it paramount to advise that all members should, henceforth, use the presidential gate for ingress and egress.
“This is to avoid the unforeseen congestions that are sometimes encountered at the main gates, since such congestions could easily be the targets for these insurgent elements.
“Security agencies are, however, actively on top of the issue to unravel and to contain the intended menace. Accept the assurances of my highest regards, please
Security has been beefed up in and around the complex since Thursday last week.
For the first time, security operatives on that day checked vehicles entering the premises, causing traffic congestion especially at the third (and last) gate, a process that has continued till date.
Before now, the security operatives were only after the identities of drivers and passengers to confirm that they were staff members, legislative aides, journalists or persons working in private businesses in the complex.
Abubakar Fulata, confirmed the development in plenary.
The Speaker called on Chairman of the House Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements, Nicholas Ossia, to lay the report on the ‘Bill for an Act to Repeal Treaties (Making Procedure, Etc.) Act, Cap. T20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Enact Treaties (Making Procedure) Bill.’
Fulata, however, notified the Speaker that Ossai was not in the chamber, saying several lawmakers were still stuck in the traffic because of the security checks.
It would be recalled that the Governor of Niger State, Sani Bello, had e on April 26, 2021, raised the alarm over Boko Haram terrorists taking over a part of the state, hoisting their flag in Kaure village from where they had made incursions into more than 50 villages.
Bello said Abuja was not safe, with Boko Haram’s presence in Kaure – a two- hour journey from the Federal Capital Territory.
He said, “I am confirming that there are Boko Haram elements here in Niger State. Here in Kaure, I am confirming that they have hoisted their flags here.”
Same day, Gbajabiamila, had met with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Presidential Villa, in company with the Majority Leader, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa
The House the next day held a long executive (closed-door) session to discuss the rising spate of insecurity across Nigeria, calling on Buhari to declare a state of emergency on security.
At the secret session that lasted over three hours, the lawmakers unanimously adopted a series of resolutions, one of which was that “the Federal Government should ensure the protection of national infrastructure and assets, particularly the Shiroro and Kainji Dams in Niger State
Resident of Ungwar Yamadawa, Dorayi Baba in Kano metropolis on Wednesday night arrested two unknown gunmen after a failed kidnap attempt in the neighbourhood.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that, the unknown gunmen who infiltrated the densly populated slum made a bold attempt to kidnap a resident who was accessing his garage late evening.
The witness narrated that in the ensuing melee, the targeted victim outsmart the gunmen and escaped into the midst of curious onlookers.
The account further explained that the miraculous escape of the victim comprised the dastardly operation as gunmen embarked on sporadic gunshots to meander their escape from the neighbourhood.
He said , “residents dammed the consequences and swooped on the suspected criminals as the were arrested them like a lame duck on a hijacked Tricycle during the fracas.”
The eyewitness said that the “crowd of volunteers on a hot chase overwhelmed the gunmen who were caught pant down, seized and handed over to police who arrived the trouble spot on the nick of time.”
He stated the police further evacuated the two suspects to unnamed health facility in the city for medical attention that arose from assault from volunteers.
DSP Haruna Abdullahi Kiyawa, the police public Relations Officer, Kano police Command confirmed the incident to local Radio station, but said details are sketchy at the time of going press.
President Muhammadu Buhari has sent an appeal to the abductors of Greenfield University Students to also follow suit by releasing the students unconditionally.
Just as the 27 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, near Kaduna State.
According to the Presidency, the government is ever determined to ensure that Nigerians lived in a country where everyone can move where they want, when they want without the fear of kidnapping and banditry.
He welcomed the release of the 27 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, near Kaduna, congratulating their friends, families and the government and people of Kaduna State following the happy end to the saga.
This was contained in a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, quoted the President as saying, “We are happy they have been released,”
“We express our deep appreciation to all the actors who contributed one way or the other to this happy outcome, in particular the defence and security agencies, the officials of the Ministry of Environment and the government of Kaduna State. We thank Nigerians for their prayers.”
Buhari also called for steadfastness and security awareness on the part of citizens and the law enforcement agencies and deplores the increasing politicization of security in the country by opportunistic politicians.
“The President appeals for the release of the students of the Greenfield University and all other citizens held in captivity,”the added.
The Organized Labour has rejected plans by the Federal Government to slash workers’ salary from the current 30,000 naira national minimum wage and consequential adjustment in salaries. In a statement signed by the President Nigeria Labour Congress Comrade Ayuba Wabba and made available to journalists, it described as shocking the statement credited to the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, who said that the Federal Government was working to reduce the high cost of governance by cutting down on the salaries of Nigerian workers. The Statement describes the planned salary slash as uncharitable, insensitive, barbaric and dehumanizing. The statement further called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Minister Of Finance to order before it gets too late.
Ayuba said “It is most unthinkable that government would be contemplating to unilaterally slash the salaries of Nigerian workers at this time. The question to ask is “which salary is government planning to slash?” It certainly cannot be the meagre national minimum wage of N30000 which right now cannot even buy a bag of rice! The proposed slash in salaries is certainly not targeted at the minimum wage and consequential adjustment in salaries that some callous State Governors are still dragging their feet to pay!”.
He added that “It is public knowledge that the multiple devaluation of the Naira in a very short time and the prevailing high inflation rate in Nigeria has knocked out the salaries earned by Nigerian workers across board. Nigerian workers are only surviving by hair’s breadth. Indeed, Nigerian workers are miracles strutting on two legs. It is, therefore, extremely horrendous for a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to pronounce salary slash for Nigerian workers at this time”.
“This call for salary slash by Mrs. Zainab Ahmed is tantamount to a “mass suicide” wish for Nigerian workers. It is most uncharitable, most insensitive, most dehumanizing and most barbaric. Nigerian workers demand an immediate retraction and apology by the Minister of Finance. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Minister of Finance to order now before she sets Nigeria on fire with her careless statements”.
Ayuba added that “If there is any salary that needs serious slashing it is the humungous remuneration and allowances pocketed by political office holders in Nigeria who do very little but collect so much! Workers generate surplus value and revenue for government. We do not constitute any unnecessary cost or burden to governance! It is also important to make the point that salaries are products of contracts governed by laws. They cannot be unilaterally adjusted”.
He also stated that “While many countries of the world are increasing the salaries of their workforce, extending social security coverage for their citizens and providing all forms of palliatives to help their people through the terrible socio-economic dislocations occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, it would be completely absurd for the Nigerian government to be thinking of salary slash. This move is not only at great odds with global best responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is also in violation of relevant ILO Conventions and Declarations on Wages and Decent Work”
The statement urge Government as a social partner to quickly respond to the demands by Labour for an upward review of salaries of all Nigerian workers.
It could be recalled that the Minister of Finance Zainab Ahmed recently said in Abuja at a policy dialogue on corruption and cost of governance in Nigeria organized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission, that the Federal Government was working to reduce the high cost of governance by cutting down on workers’ salaries.
The Minister of Finance was also reported to have directed the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to immediately review the salaries of civil servants as well as the number of federal agencies in the country.
Fr. Ejike Mbaka of Adoration Ministry said the authorities of the Enugu Catholic Diocese were behind his disappearance.
Newsfocusng gathered that Mbaka’s alleged arrests triggered protest in Enugu on Wednesday leading to blocking of roads and description of Bishop residence by angry youth.
Addressing his parishioners at the Adoration ground in Enugu on Wednesday evening, Mbaka said he was summoned by the Bishop on Tuesday with a plan to keep him away from ministering for 1 month.
According to him “I was summoned by Bishop Calistus Onaga with other ministers and was told to remain indoors for one month and one of the things they presented against me was that blessed Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)
“But they heard that my parishioners were worried about my whereabouts, I was asked to go out and address them in order to bring calm to the state,” he said
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Wednesday vowed to punish defaulting staff over an alleged viral video purporting an accident victim was rejected by Maitama District Hospital.
While adding that the administration had commenced a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the veracity of the said viral video on the social media.
Recall that a short video produced in hausa language, went viral on social media two days ago, suggesting that an accident victim was brought to the emergency unit of the hospital, but was rejected.
However, the Acting Secretary, FCTA Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Muhammed Kawu who spoke in behalf of the administration stated that the investigation over the video was to ensure that no staff jeopardises the efforts of the administration towards umbellished health services delivery.
Kawu who was in the hospital to see the accident victim George Imohimi, (45) who hails from Edo state, and a resident of Mpape hinted that the patient is recuperating.
According to him , Imohimi is currently on admission in the hospital and is also said to be recuperating, but the administration has vowed that any staff found to have exhibited any form of negligence over the matter will be sanctioned in accordance with Civil Service rules.
Kawu reiterated the commitment of the administration towards efficient healthcare service, noting that all public hospitals in the territory are bound to accept and treat accident victims before any other protocols.
His words; “FCTA is very concerned and the Minister has directed that I come here personally and observe the situation and also ensure that it is brought under control.
” Investigation is ongoing, we have seen the video and we are investigating further.
” The Administration wants to assure all Nigerians, particularly FCT residents is that all public facilities are for the public , every person has the right to go to any of this hospitals and must be attended to .
” This has been the policy and will continue to be so. The policy is that you take in accident victims and treat them before you look for police. We will let the public know what the issue is all about after the investigation. But now the patient is getting adequate attention. Any public servant that is found to have erred will be dealt according to civil service rules” , Kawu said.
Earlier, the Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr. Imuentinyan Igbinovia, said that victim was actually taken into the emergency unit for proper attention, as against the message conveyed by the viral video.
Igbinovia, explained that the lady who brought the accident victim had expressed discontent over the delay in admiting the victim, but after explaining the situation to her, the disagreements with the emergency unit staff was resolved.
The MD further clarified that despite the great influx of patients into the hospital on a daily basis, the hospital management has remained committed to excellent health care services to all residents.
He also confirmed that the patient in question is receiving the best medical treatment obtainable in the hospital, and has been recuperating very well .
Igbinovia stated that , ” It was on Monday around 8pm about an hour prior then some accident victims were rushed in and staff were seeing them and I joined them. About 30 minutes later another accident victim was rushed in and the staff also went to attend to the second set of victims.
” Unfortunately there was ultercation between those that rushed the victims and the accident emergency staff, I was able to calm down the situation and also spoke to the lady who brought in the accident victim.
” Immediately after that a stretcher was brought and the victim was taken into the emergency unit. After the victim was admitted and stabilised I spoke with the Police Divisional Officer who was also around.
The lady who brought in the victim thought that our responses would have been faster, I explained the situation to her.
” To the best of our knowledge the matter has been settled. The victim is in the ward now receiving treatment and is getting better. To our surprise we saw the social media messages which we have taken in good faith. I want to assure the public that Maitama hospital is poised to take care of patients and from what you can see, there is a very large crowd that come here every day”, he said.
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on Wednesday has accused the Presidency of scaring Nigerians with the rhetoric of subversion.
Responding to the alarm raised over the alleged attempt to overthrow President Muhammadu Buhari, the Director, Publicity and Advocacy of the Forum, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, asked the current administration to deal with the problems facing the country.
The NEF said that there was no point telling Nigerians that some unnamed citizens were plotting a forceful and undemocratic change of leadership in the country if the Presidency could not use the mechanism available to it to deal with the situation.
He challenged the Presidency to mention the plotters it claimed were recruiting some leaders of ethnic groups and the alleged ethnic groups.
According to Baba-Ahmed ; “Subversion is a crime, sedition is a crime and treason is a crime. Why is the Presidency or DSS telling us that there are people who are involved in these activities? What do they want the public to do with the information? They are failing twice; first of all, they are failing to eliminate the ground which gives these kinds of elements if they do exist, the reason to do what they are doing and then they are failing in enforcing the law.
“I can say we talk with other groups, we discuss national issues. That is our right; there is nothing illegal in that and I am sure other groups do the same thing. But when you throw this kind of blanket accusations that somebody that you haven’t told us, someone, that you are in opposition today with, you haven’t dealt with is engaging and recruiting sociocultural groups, you have to wonder are you just using words to scare citizens?”
