Wednesday, September 25, 2024
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Your Gang Up Against Accountant General Is For Selfish Interest, CSO Tells petitioning Directors

By
Ola Akinola
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A Civil Society Organization, under the auspices of Pro-Impact Initiative has raised the alarm over what it termed, “ Calculated attempts by few sit-tight Directors to blackmail the Accountant-General of the Federation , Mrs Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein.

Saying,the attempt can derail her from carrying out much needed reforms and cleansing in The Treasury House”.

The group pointed out that these few directors who were largely affected and displeased by the recent posting exercise which was with the noblest of intentions and in compliance with relevant civil service rules are hell-bent on seeing that the Accountant General of the Federation , Dr Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, is forced out of office to allow them continue calling the shots.

The Coordinator of the group, Dr Osamudiamen Isokpehi who briefed newsmen over the weekend in Abuja said: “Those few Directors behind these acts appeared not to understand the extent to which they have exposed their self-centeredness and shallow mindedness in the said petitions written against an Amazon of repute and personally distributed them to media organisations to destroy her hard-earned reputation”.

The group pointed out that , “These self serving few directors who have apparently checked the books and found no case of fraud against her decided not to back down but continue their endless search for evidence and allegations to get her out of office.

“To start with, how can these directors accuse the accountant-General of not being qualified for the position because they claimed she came second during the rigorous interview and examination attended by multiple directors who applied and sat for the exam?

Dr Isokpehi explained that, “ The process of selecting the Accountant General of the Federation are; After a rigorous examination ,some names are shortlisted accordingly to their overall performance; The shortlisted names are forwarded to the president and Commander-in-Chief who reserves the right to select any candidate from the list.”

He asked further, “ Why is this examination issue coming up several months after? Why at a time after the Accountant General carried out a reformative posting exercise during which she moved “untouchable Directors of the Agency” who believed they are ‘Principalities and Powers’ in their offices ?”

“On allegations of age falsification against her by these “We will die here” directors , Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, has last week publicly dismissed it as false and a fabricated lie”

“Though not given the expected media attention it deserves, her brief response which was contained in a statement by the director of press in her Office ,Mr Bawa Mokwa, said the allegations did not come as a surprise because “the office of the AGF is a competitive position and often falls victim to unjustified attacks”.”

Dr Isokpehi pointed out that those who know Mrs Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, including the petitioners themselves, know she would be the last person to collect money from staff to post them to places they have genuine qualifications and competence to be.

He stressed that reports from across sections of the staff showed that, “ the Accountant General only gave those competent and ready to serve the opportunity to rise”.

He pointed out that the office of the Accountant General of the Federation On August 23rd, 2023, released new posting of directors of finance and accounts based on merit irrespective of ethnic, tribal or religious affiliations.

However, some directors who considered themselves “too big to be posted” decided to put up a fight. True to her determination, Dr Madein stood her ground by ensuring the “big” Directors comply with the directives ”.

He wondered why directors with backgrounds in finance and other other related professions would write petition accusing the accountant General of the federation of collecting bride to post accountants without producing any evidence such as financial transactions, pictorial or video evidence of collection or any other proof. In his words, “ They refused to state which directors or accountants allegedly induced the accountant General and how much they allegedly gave bribes . They only insisted she took bride and must be sacked and arrested. These directors have played God for too long”

He highlighted Some of the reforms currently being pursued by the Accountant General of the Federation to include: Bottom-up cash plan which ensures Improvement to capital budget execution by ensuring that respective agencies draw up their own cash requirements monthly as against the practice of just allocating funds to MDAs irrespective of their needs; Blocking revenue leakages by Setting up of strategic revenue management team to improve internally generated revenues (IGR). The team in turn sets up technical sub-committee who will be trained in data analytics and who can mine data of agencies not currently on GIFMIS directly from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation. Such agencies include NCC, NNPC, NUPRC, FIRS, TETFUND, etc.

The Civil society group warned that “ a system in which people, particularly those at the top are unwilling to accept reforms or changes cannot work. How on earth can a set of rebellious and “Powerful” directors who ought to be working hand in hand with the Accountant General, lock themselves in an office and spent hours, if not days, writing , editing , vetting petition against a woman and thereafter go round key government offices to submit them? Which time do they now have to focus on the real work they are being paid to do”

Dr Isokpehi called on the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr Wale Edun to “disregard their frivolous petitions and focus his strength on the actualization of a vibrant economy, under the president Bola Tinubu renewed hope agenda. These characters, we believe are part of those who brought the nation to where it is today “

“Worried by the big reformative shock they received during the posting exercise they went all out to destroy a bold Amazon by also sending petitions to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan; and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The question is, for what purpose?”

“From their pains over the internal posting exercise, one would not be wrong to conclude that before the coming onboard of Mrs Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein as Accountant General of the Federation , these very few men are the ones who seat in their closets and choose accountants to be posted and where they are to be posted to. This must stop. One will not be wrong to conclude that they have promised many persons postings which did not materialize, hence their extreme anger and animosity”.

The Group called on the Directors to “Immediately withdraw their ill-conceived petition, tender an apology to the Accountant General and return to their offices to work for the overall good of country. The energy, connections , time and resources they are putting in to destroy the Accountant General will go a long way in improving the nation.

Women group throws weight behind Accountant General, warns Directors against frivolous petitions

By
Ola Akinola
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The Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein has been enjoined not to be distracted in the discharge of her duty but remain resolute in the face of challenges.

A Civil Society Group, Nigeria Women Professional Alliances, (NWPA) gave the charge over the weekend during an interactive session with newsmen.

Spokesperson for the group, Mrs Christine Ezekwe said they decided to come out and voice their position, following what they termed, “ Unprovoked attacks against a woman who is just doing her professional noble job”

Mrs Ezekwe explained that, “ we read in some sections of the media that some directors wrote petitioned against the Accountant General of the federation claiming she was not qualify to be on the seat. How on earth will people who see her progress in her carrier as a well-bred professional wake up one day to fabricate such gruesome lie”

“When Mrs Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein was appointed the Accountant General of the Federation there was Joy and high expectations across all facets of Nigeria regardless of gender, religious or ethnic affiliation. Her emergence gave hope to millions of young girls across the thirty-six states of the federation and the FCT that they can aspire to any position in Nigeria. Today, few men woke up wrote petitions and wanted to paint her black for not dancing to their tunes”

The group appealed to the Accountant General to remember she is an ambassador of the Nigerian woman and go about her duty passionately to actualise the dreams of President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

They lamented that, “ one thing we find real disturbing is the fact that women in positions of authority go through a lot. Many just believe that because they are women they cannot take certain tough decisions or be their boss. Some can endure incompetence and non-performance from anyone, but when it comes to women working upright in the discharge of their duties, they get very offended”.

Mrs Ezekwe pointed out that at a time when Nigerian women are clamouring for more seats in governance they cannot watch their unacceptable few number depleted by some persons who , “ have left their offices to start chasing shadows”

The group spokesperson said, “ it is time these few directors who were affected by the recent postings done by the Accountant General accept their new offices and let the Accountant General breathe”

Nigerian Ports To Commence Full Automation, Cargo Tracking

By
Victor Obabunmi
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The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has disclosed that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) will soon commence the implementation of full automation and cargo tracking across the various ports in the country to promote Port efficiency and Ease of Doing Business.

The Minister made the disclosure recently in Abuja, when he received a renowned entrepreneur and sustainability expert, Prof. Gunter Pauli, who is on a three-day visit to Nigeria.

Pauli’s visit was facilitated by his partners in Nigeria, Premium Blue Economy Innovation and Investment (PBEI& I).

This was made known in a statement signed by the Director of Press & Public relations, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Henshaw Ogubike.

The Minister stated that the Federal Government is keen on the diversification of the Nigerian economy away from the oil industry, hence, it was intentional when it created the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

“Again, we are going to be talking of automation of ports to make them more efficient. I would like to tell you that in another two years, it will all change. We are bringing in automation and cargo tracking as we are working on that for implementation” he said.

Speaking further, the Minister said that the government is interested in partnering with relevant stakeholders under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to maximize and explore the resources of the ocean sector for rapid economic development, improve the livelihood of its people and create jobs as well as preserving the health of the ecosystem.

According to him, “seventy percent of the resources that are available actually comes from the ocean, and we have it in abundance here”.

” I believe in the Public Private Partnership arrangement. The government will create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and our concept in dealing with these, is purely in PPP, and I see quite a lot of opportunities there,” Oyetola added.

In addition, the Minister noted that the Nigerian water ways have enjoyed adequate security with no single incidence of piracy for the past two years.

He, therefore, called on investors to take advantage of the opportunities and partner with the newly created Ministry to drive development.

“We have sufficient control of our ocean in terms of security and there has been nothing like piracy in our ocean. So, the fear of investors about the safety of their investments is out of it now.” He argued.

Speaking during the visit, Professor Gunter Pauli said his team was in Nigeria to partner with the Ministry on commercial and technological innovations and job creation around the sector.

He argued that his partnership with the Ministry will attract foreign and local investments that would create a lot of opportunities for the Nigerian youths.

Also present at the event, was the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation / Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, Directors and Heads of Parastatals under the Ministry and other Senior Management Staff.

60th Birthday: NAIC MD Mrs. Folashade Joseph Distributes Food Items To Elderly Women , Orphanage Homes

By
Toyin Adebayo
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On Thursday, Mrs. Folashade Joseph, the managing director and CEO of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, turned 60.

In an effort to give more color to the celebration of God’s goodness in her life for the past 60 years, the highly regarded insurance industry specialist visited some orphanage homes and residences for the elderly in Abuja, where she distributed food and other necessities.

Mrs. Folashade Joseph, a shining Amazon of enormous influence and an outstanding woman player in a male-dominated business, visited the sites with family, friends, and coworkers as a way to thank God for everything.

Speaking at different points where the Items were distributed, Mrs Folashade noted that she believes in associating with little children, the less privileged and the needy in the society.

In her words: “I can say that my visit on a day like this to these different homes, means a lot to me and the beneficiaries.

“No doubt, our country is bleeding and people are living in challenging times and abject poverty. We are faced with unprecedented paucity of fund everywhere and most people cannot afford three square meals.

“So, this is part of my own contribution to ensure I make people happy and put smile on their faces to mark my birthday.”

The founders of the orphanage Homes, in their separate remarks, however, thanked Mrs Folashade for the kind donation and prayed that God grants her long life and prosperity in good health.

Troops’ Operations Yield Significant Successes

By
Victor Obabunmi
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The battle against terrorism and insurgency is a collective endeavor that extends beyond the confines of the military.

History has shown us that a purely military approach cannot fully quell these threats. It demands a unified commitment from every facet of our society, a symphony of efforts against those who disrupt peace.

These adversaries, far from being phantom entities, have roots and connections within our communities. By embracing a holistic societal approach, we can stifle the aspirations of these groups for senseless violence and chaos. While not all of us can be on the frontlines, we can still play pivotal roles in supporting the larger mission to eradicate terrorism and insurgency. It’s a commitment that must echo the will of the people, a pledge to stand together against those who threaten our peace and security.

This was made known in a statement signed by the Director of Defence Media operations Major General EDWARD BUBA While giving progress report on various military operations across the country
Troops, as part of Operation HADIN KAI, conducted targeted operations in Borno State. In Monguno LGA, suspected terrorists’ collaborators were apprehended, and their operations led to the surrender of BH/ISWAP fighters. Additionally, troops neutralized terrorists and recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition in Gwoza LGA.
The overall results of Operation HADIN KAI include the recovery of 40 AK47 rifles, ten G3 rifles, one single barrel gun, one 36 hand grenade, and various rounds of ammunition. Troops neutralized 17 terrorists, arrested 12 suspects, and successfully rescued 17 kidnapped hostages.
In subsequent operations, troops conducted ambushes and raids on terrorists in Hamul and Jalingo LGAs of Borno and Taraba States. These fighting patrols led to the neutralization of terrorists and the recovery of additional weapons and ammunitions in Bama, Gazamala, and Dikwa LGAs of Borno State.

Under Operation SAFE HAVEN in Kaduna State, troops conducted successful operations in Sanga and Jema’a LGAs, resulting in the arrest of terrorists and the recovery of a significant arsenal of weapons. These operations also included neutralizing terrorists, arresting suspects, rescuing kidnapped hostages, and recovering arms.
The overall results of Operation SAFE HAVEN encompass the neutralization of 5 terrorists, arrest of 24 suspects, and the successful rescue of 9 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 7 locally made pistols, 2 locally made AK47 rifles, and a substantial quantity of ammunition and weaponry.

Troops from Operation WHIRL STROKE conducted successful operations in Benue, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory. These operations involved arresting suspected terrorists, conducting raids on hideouts, and neutralizing threats in various LGAs, leading to significant recoveries of arms and ammunition.
In Ukum LGA of Benue State, troops conducted fighting patrols, resulting in the arrest of suspected terrorists. Additionally, raids were conducted on terrorists’ hideouts in Nasarawa LGA of Nasarawa State and AMAC of FCT.
Troops neutralized 6 terrorists, arrested 62 terrorists, and successfully rescued 9 kidnapped hostages. The operations also led to the recovery of weapons, including one SMG, one G3 rifle, one unserviceable FN rifle, one locally made pistol, and a substantial amount of ammunition.
Operation HADARIN DAJI was carried out in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Katsina States, focusing on countering armed banditry and fostering peace in the Northwestern region. Troops engaged in fighting patrols, targeting bandit hideouts and conducting rescue missions. These operations resulted in neutralizing 18 terrorists, arresting 8 individuals involved in terrorism, and rescuing 38 kidnapped hostages. The troops also recovered a substantial cache of weapons, including one PKT gun, 5 AK47 rifles, 2 AK47 rifles loaded with 23 rounds of 7.62mm ammo, one fabricated rifle, one locally made pistol, 7 magazines, 215 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, and 22 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo. Additionally, 11 motorcycles and 3 mobile phones were recovered.

Operation WHIRL PUNCH targeted Kaduna and Niger States, with troops conducting extensive operations to tackle criminal activities and enhance security. The operations resulted in the elimination of 3 terrorists and the arrest of 7 suspected terrorists. Troops also successfully rescued 3 kidnapped hostages and recovered one AK47 rifle, 3 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 2 mobile phones, and a substantial sum of N5,480,000.00, along with other valuable items.

Operation DELTA SAFE was executed to combat crude oil theft and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta region, specifically in Delta and Cross River States. Troops conducted targeted raids and destroyed numerous illegal refining sites, tackling oil theft. They apprehended 59 suspected oil thieves and other criminals, and seized a range of equipment, including boats, vehicles, and pumping machines. In total, 38 dugout pits, 21 boats, 57 storage tanks, and 34 illegal refining sites were destroyed. Troops also recovered stolen crude oil, illegally refined AGO and PMS, weapons, ammunition, and valuable assets.

Operation UDO KA was implemented to counter criminal elements in Abia, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi States. Troops conducted raid operations targeting terrorists’ hideouts, resulting in the neutralization of 11 terrorists and the arrest of 20 suspected criminals. The operations also led to the successful rescue of 15 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered an array of weapons, including 6 locally made rifles, 3 pump-action guns, a dane gun, and 4 improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Other recovered items included locally made IED launchers, ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and a significant sum of N266,455.00. These efforts showcased the military’s commitment to restoring peace and security in the region.
In conclusion Major General Edward Buba reiterated that the armed forces remains unperturbed by the evil machinations of these extremist groups. Noting that their nefarious tactics have been exposed for what it truly is, which is a mere ploy to self-enrichment through killings.
He also added that the armed forces , have clocked their game and are laser-focused on pursuing peace, by the pursuit of those that threaten the peace in the country.

Umahi Locks Out Late Workers, They Protested

By
Roland Edet
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There was apprehension at the Works ministry on Thursday as protesting civil servants grounded activities after the minister, Dave Umahi, locked out over 300 staffers and directors that resumed work late.

The civil servants expressing their displeasure also demanded an apology from the minister.

Earlier, the minister upon resumption at 9.30 am was said to have prevented workers who came to work late from gaining access to the ministry for over four hours.

After the gate was opened, the workers, comprising both Housing and Works Ministry, refused to enter the ministry and resorted to an impromptu protest barricaded the entrance gates.

Wike Sacks 21 Heads of Parastatals, Agencies, Govt Companies

By
Toyin Adebayo
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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike sacked 21
heads of parastatals, agencies, govt companies of their appointments with immediate effect.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the Director Press, Office of the Minister, Mr. Anthony Ogunleye late yesterday.

The affected parastatals, agencies and government companies of the FCTA include: Group MD/CEO, Abuja investment Company Ltd; CEO/MD, Abuja Markets Management Ltd; MD/CEO, Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company; CEO/MD, Abuja Property Development Company; CEO/MD Abuja Technology Village Free Trade Zone Company; and CEO/MD Abuja Film Village International.

In addition, CEO/MD Powernoth AICL Equipment Leasing Company Ltd; MD Abuja Broadcasting Corporation; MD, Abuja Enterprise Agency; GM, FCT Water Board; DG, FCT Emergency Management Agency; Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Healthcare Board;
Director General, Hospital Management Board; and Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board.

More so, Director, FCT Scholarship Board; Director FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board; Director, Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board; Coordinator, Abuja Infrastructure Investment Center! Director, FCT Health Insurance Scheme; Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department; and Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council.

They are to hand over the affairs of their offices to the most senior officers in rank.

Appointments into the offices will be made in due course.

How Two Ibo Men Dispossessed 85-Year-Old Yoruba Man Of His Land In Yorubaland -Yoruba Rights Initiative 

By
Roland Edet
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**Alleges Collaboration With Other Yoruba People

The Yoruba Rights Initiative, a Yoruba indigenous rights organization, has condemned the alleged seizure of 1,355 hectares of land in Eti-Osa, Lagos State, from an 85-year-old man, Pa Faloye Awosika, by two individuals of Southeastern descent, Samson Nnadi and Jerry Erondu, through their real estate development company, Carter-Tech Ltd.

Addressing reporters over the weekend in Lagos, the group, through its convener, Bamidele Adebanjo, and spokesperson, Eniola Fafunwa, claimed that certain individuals from the country’s southeastern region had recently committed gross injustice and naked oppression against Yoruba people in Yorubaland.

The group said: “This case involves an 85 years old Yoruba elder, Pa C. Faloye Awosika, who has been most heinously duped of his land of 1,355 Hectares in Eti-Osa, Lagos State, by one criminally inclined fellow, Samson Nnadi and his equally crooked business partner, Jerry Erondu, through their criminal organisation masquerading as a property development company, Carter-Tech Ltd.

“The background to this matter is how building permit could have been issued on land belonging to Pa Faloye Awosika without any challenge to his documentation when the documents were submitted for planning permission, yet somehow those same documents *were later said to be defective after construction had completed on the land and it was time for Samson Nnadi and Jerry Erondu through their dubious company Carter-Tech Ltd to hand over the units belonging to pa Awosika.*

“In fact, the most astonishing aspect to the case is how the same Lagos State Government transferred the rights in the 1,355 hectares of land which the Awosikas bought from Ologolo Family in Ologolo Village in 1996, to none other than their development partners, Mr Jerry Erondu and Mr. Samson Nnadi in the name of Carter-tech Ltd! *We understand this dastardly act was possible through the dubious connivance of a said lawyer Olufon and some senior officials at Alausa who using a copy CoA claimed not to have known for over 2 decades that pa Awosika had encroached on his land*.

“Just imagine officials of a Yoruba state cheating a Yoruba elder and his family of their property and handing it over to the very two Ibo men who had initially approached them for development of their land on a partnership basis!

“We find it totally intolerable that two crooked businessmen can come all the way from the East to Lagos and have the effrontery to dupe an authentic Yoruba man of his property, even to the extent of reducing the octogenarian to tears at the insult meted to him by strangers young enough to be his children.

“The heartlessness and arrogance displayed by Samson Nnadi and his partner, Jerry Erondu, along with other dubious real estate developers from their section of the country, in their various nefarious activities in the real estate sector in Lagos, which has seen them duping several Yoruba people of their property and dubiously taking over their lands, will soon come to a head and create serious crisis in Lagos State if it is not immediately nipped in the board.

“To imagine that these two questionable characters had the boldness to drive Pa Awosika, a pensioner, for that matter, along with his wife and their children from their own land when they came to demand their entitlement under the terms earlier agreed on to develop the property.

“Just imagine people coming from the East to drive Yoruba people from their plot and forbidding them access to their own land in Yorubaland, for that matter!

“Who will tolerate that?

“Will their people tolerate it in their own place?

“Indeed it is a complete disgrace that Pa Awosika has had a pending petition on the desk of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which the governor has completely failed to treat thus far because apparently the problem of Yoruba people in Lagos is not his priority.

“Why do we Yorubas keep doing this to our own people?

“Even members of the Elegushi Family of Eti-Osa connived with these two rascals from across the Niger to dispossess their own fellow Yoruba brother and cheated their senior brother, of his property!

“What a shame!

“Indeed, at a point, Pa Awosika was in court with the Elegushis only for Samson Nnadi and Jerry Erondu to come to him claiming that they had reached out to Oba Saheed Elegushi and he had demanded N100 million as his settlement to leave his Yoruba brother alone to peaceably enjoy his property!

“Thereupon, they managed to convince Pa Awosika that two houses be deducted from his share of the joint venture and awarded to the same Oba Elegushi as settlement!.

“As a proper Yoruba “Omoluabi”, he felt he must defer to a Yoruba monarch and forfeited the houses only for these same two common criminals to steal the entire property from him!

“To even worsen matters, the Awosikas had briefed one Barrister S. A. Oshodi of Ade-Oshodi and Co as their lawyer to represent them, protect their interest in the matter and ensure their just entitlement comes to them.

“Despite being paid fully for his services, both his spoken and body language gradually began to change while he began to seem more interested in protecting Nnadi and Erondu, the adversaries of his clients, rather than advancing the cause of the Awosikas, his fellow Yorubas, who had briefed him and even somehow managed to cough out a whooping sum of ten million naira, the bulk of which they had to borrow, in order to pay him!

“Even our elder statesman, Chief Robert Clarke, SAN, was later briefed by the Awosikas to monitor the case for them when they lost confidence in S. A. Oshodi and began to suspect him of throwing them under the bus.

The Awosikas even also managed to borrow heavily to pay Chief Clarke for his services only for them to wake up one morning to realize that the same Barrister Oshodi they had asked him to monitor for them had somehow succeeded in merging his law firm with Chief Clarke and made the legal luminary his consultant to the extent of using Chief Robert Clarke’s name in his various correspondences!

“This is what Yoruba people are doing to Yoruba people in Lagos, Nigeria!

“Whereas the Awosikas are adamant to reclaim their land through the prescribed judicial process, we find it unconscionable what they have suffered at the hands of those who describe Lagos as a NO MAN’S LAND in connivance with supposedly authentic Yoruba people they had trusted to see justice done to them.

“The Awosikas even decided to brief yet another lawyer entirely to take up their case given the highly suspicious conduct of S. A. Oshodi, only for the same Oshodi to refuse handing over the documents in his possession to the new lawyer unless the 87 year old Pa Awosika coughs out an additional 47 million naira for all kinds of imaginary fees with nothing to show for his phantom services!

“In short, Barrister Oshodi is asking the Awosikas to pay him a grand total of 47 million naira for doing absolutely nothing for them, while, from all indications, having stabbed them in the back whilst sleeping with their enemies all along!

“If we may ask, what has happened to the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, For God’s sake, that we now have so many lawyers behaving like questionable characters these days?

“Pa Awosika rightfully bought the property in question from the Ologolo family, its original owners in 1996, a purchase thereafter ratified by a Deed of Assignment issued to him by the same Ologolo Family dated 4th December, 2003 and registered as No. 44 in Volume 2087 at the Lands Registry Office, Lagos.

“Yet it is the same Lagos State authorities, led by the Registrar Of Titles, that connived with two brazen and highly arrogant criminals from the South East claiming to be property developers and hiding under that canopy to dispossess Yoruba people of their land all over Lagos.

“Can any Yoruba man be so bold as to go to Iboland, pretend he wants to help an Ibo man to develop his property as a partnership only to then connive with their own government officials to dispossess the Ibo man of his hard-earned property and chase him and his family out of the land?

“Will any Yoruba man dare try that in Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia or Ebonyi?

“If not that Yorubas have sold themselves to outsiders, can Ibos ever dare to try such nonsense in Delta State or even Edo State or Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom or even Cross River?

“We can assure you that there would have been serious crisis by now but we the Yorubas are just too tolerant of rubbish for our own good which is why those from the East think they can just keep coming over here and taking our people for a ride.

“We say “No more!” Absolutely no more.

“We are not taking this lightly and insist that Pa Awosika and his family be given justice immediately, failing which we will take all necessary, ordinary or extraordinary measures to effect justice in the matter.

“Anyone can call it self-help, if they like but self-help cannot be the watery threat and cheap blackmail of only one section of the country.

“While we are law abiding and committed to the rule of law, we are quite prepared to fully demonstrate that self-help is not the monopoly of people from Samson Nnadi and Jerry Erondu’s part of this country.”

While the Awosikas, themselves, where not available for comments, and Samson Nnadi and Jerry Erondu refused to pick their calls, it remains to be seen how the matter will be resolved in the coming days given the stance of the Yoruba rights group, the insistence of the Awosikas not to be cheated out of their property, and the recalcitrance of Nnadi and Erondu not to relinquish their entitlement under the agreement, especially against the backdrop of recent ethnic tensions in Lagos.

Tinubu’s Aide To Put Nigerian LGA’s on Global Smart City Stage

By
Gladys Phillip
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Mrs. Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Community Engagement, has elevated the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to the forefront of the world’s smart cities by taking home the bronze Tech-InnovaCity medal at the Seoul Smart Cities prize.

Essiet announced it on her Twitter profile on Monday, writing, “I have re-elevated @AmacLg on the global stage. The grant that my team submitted for the Seoul Smart Cities award has just been given a bronze Tech-InnovaCity prize, making it the only African LG to receive recognition out of more than 240 submissions from all over the world.

The SSA Community Development was able to achieve this feat for Nigeria’s AMAC Area Council, Abuja, in her former capacity as the consultant to AMAC on development partner and the regional director Africa for the world smart and Sustainable Cities Organisation (WeGO), there by earning Nigeria’s AMAC local government the bronze award, making it the only African local government that emerged as winner in the contest.

According to Essiet, the Area Council as a result of the bronze award to AMAC representatives would have the avenue to be invited as participants in a tailored capacity building training program in Seoul Korea to experience peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and share technical know-how in advancing human-centered city development.

Representatives of the Area Council would also be given an opportunity to collaborate with the Seoul Metropolitan Government on a smart city project on various models including but not limited to a feasibility study and pilot implementation, triangular cooperation, and collaborative demonstration which will be customized to the selected cities’ smart city development stages and policy needs.

The Area Council representative would also be invited to join the ‘Seoul Smart City Prize Platform,’ which serves as a space for networking and interaction with relevant institutions, companies, and local governments.

The grant would equally afford the AMAC local government the opportunity to be invited to present it cases in a presentation, roundtable discussion, or exhibition format at international events, while the local government stand the chance of free publication of its achievements on the official websites of Seoul Smart Cities prize and other forms of media.

The official Seoul Smart City Prize application process had earlier announced that it will start the collection of applications on March 1st, 2023, and called on Cities, companies, organizations, and individuals who have developed or contributed to innovative and people-centered smart cities – in fields such as transportation, safety, environment, welfare, culture, and governance were invited to apply.

” It is our utmost honor to introduce and invite your city to apply for the Seoul Smart City Prize, which will be launched by WeGO in partnership with the President City Seoul, to promote an innovative yet inclusive smart city model that looks after underprivileged groups”.

The Seoul Prize aimed to commend cities that strive to implement an innovative and inclusive model of smart city in their respective capabilities, given different municipal circumstances.

Diphtheria Kills 453 People In Nigeria, Spreads To 105 LGAs

By
Toyin Adebayo
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The Federal Government has hinted that there have been 11,587 suspected cases of diphtheria in Nigeria, of which 7,202 cases have been confirmed and 453 deaths have been reported.

The reported instances of diphtheria, according to a situation report released today by the federal government, were found in 105 Local Government Areas (LGAs) throughout 18 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

A dangerous infection known as diphtheria is brought on by toxin-producing bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It may result in breathing difficulties, irregular heartbeat, and even death. To prevent diphtheria, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States advise vaccinations for infants, kids, teens, and adults.

This was contained in a joint press statement from the Federal Government through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), stating, “As of September 24, there have been 11,587 reported suspected cases out of which 7,202 were confirmed cases from 105 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in (18) States including the FederalCapitalTerritory (FCT).

“Most 6,185 of the confirmed
cases were recorded in Kano. “Other states with cases are Yobe, (640), Katsina (213), Borno (95), Kaduna (16), Jigawa (14), Bauchi (8), Lagos (8), FCT (5), Gombe (5), Osun (3), Sokoto (3), Niger (2), Cross River (1), Enugu (1), Imo (1), Nasarawa (1) and Zamfara (1).

“The majority (5,299 [73.6 per cent]) of the confirmed cases occurred among children aged one to 14 years with those aged five to 14 years bearing most of the brunt of the disease.

“So far, a total of 453 deaths have occurred in confirmed cases giving a case fatality rate (CFR) of 6.3 per cent.”

Meanwhile, given the escalation of the outbreak and findings that 80 per cent of confirmed cases in the ongoing outbreak are unvaccinated, the Coordinating Minister of the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare (FMOH&SW), Professor Muhammad Ali Pate has set up a national emergency task team co-chaired by the Executive Director of the NPHCDA and the Director General of the
NCDC for higher level coordination of outbreak response efforts.

This includes ensuring optimal collaboration of all relevant health stakeholders in this fight. “Other prominent members of the task force include: Director of Public Health-FMOH, representatives from the Federal Ministry of Information (FMoH), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), USCDC, USAID, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, other non-governmental organizations and development partners

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