The suspects in the assault and attempted murder case who fled from the magistrate court last year in charge No MO/185c/2022 have today 13/02/2023 for the second time desecrated the sanctity of the court and fled from the court in Ogwashi-Uku Magistrate court 2 presided over by Magistrate Chinedu Osumah. It would be recalled that last year, the suspects who were undergoing trial at the magistrate court were granted bail but could not perfect their bail conditions. As the court officials moved to take them into custody pending the perfection of their bail and verification of their sureties, with the help of a mob from the Azungwu community, they overpowered the police and court officials and ran away with handcuffs. The Chief Magistrate subsequently on December 20, 2022, issued bench arrest warrants for them. The defendants include Mr Elue Nwaolise, Azuka Obata, Ifechukwude Ikewenji and Osim Okelue, Iloba Obata, Godwin Asikawili and others. These same suspects are apparently sought separately for very serious crimes which include murder, arson and rape at the High court in Asaba. The organisers of the mob who have continued to assist them to flee from custody are thought to represent a serving ACP Chike Nwabua. The said suspects are from the Ogbe Odogwu community in Azungwu. The said suspects are apparently facing charges after they assaulted Ogwashi-Uku vigilante members with cutlasses and inflicted deep wounds on several of them. Many community members have expressed their disgust with the blatant disregard for the court and the judicial system. Speaking to a community leader, Mr Moses Adigwe, he said as follows: ‘We are highly embarrassed by this repeated show of shame. We cannot understand in the first instance why Magistrate Chinedu Osumah granted these people who ran away from court last year bail in the first place. Clearly, they demonstrated that they are a flight risk and should not be trusted with bail. For them to flee again a second time from his court shows a high level of complicity in this matter. Why didn’t the court official and police prosecutor ensure the premises were secured? I even understand that the court dates were shrouded in secrecy and even the complainants didn’t know about the court hearing date. It is high time this embarrassment stops as it is giving our community a very bad reputation. Our people are normally very law abiding. These people who are involved in these matters are repeat offenders and have committed so many crimes. They are a danger in our community and the police and courts should ensure they are locked up until after their trials.’Efforts to reach the Delta State police PRO to confirm the incident have not been successful.
NSITF- Buhari Reconstitutes new Board, as Allagoa Emerges new Boss
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the re-constitution and placements of a new Management Board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)The reconstitution is in consonance with the provisions of Section 4 and the powers conferred on him by Sections 7 and 8 of the NSITF Act, CAP N88, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, based on the provisions of the Act and following the expiration of the tenure of the former Chairman and non-executive members of the Board, the memberships of the new approved Tripartite Management Board are:: Chairman, Chief Emmanuel C. Nwosu, FNITP, a seasoned Urban Planning and Management expert who is the past chairman of the Nigeria Insurance Commission (NAICOM) Managing Director/CE, Barrister Mrs. Maureen N. Allagoa. She is the immediate former Executive Director, Administration with broad experience in many Blue Chip Companies.She replaces the erstwhile Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mr. Mike Akabogu removed for certificate of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) forgery and low productivity.The full Management Board Membership, according to the statement, includes, Chief Emmanuel C. Nwosu, former chairman of NAICOM Board, represent Federal Government, Barrister Mrs.Maureen N. AllagoaNSITF Managing Director/Member, representing FG, and also replaces the erstwhile MD/CE of NSITF Mr. Mike Akabogu who was removed for forged NYSC Certificate and low productivity.Others, Modu GanaNSITF Executive Director/Member, representing FG. He retained his position as Executive Director, Operations, Dr. Gabriel O. C.Okenwa NSITF,Executive Director (Admin)/ Memberrepresenting FGN and filled the position of Executive Director from his position as the Special Management Consultant to NSITFThey also include, Adedeji BabatundeAdegoke, NSITFExecutive Director (Finance & Investment)/ Member, representing FG and promoted from General Manager Investment to Executive Director to fill vacancy occasioned by the death of Mrs. Temitope Caroline Akinwale, the immediate past ED Finance & Investment.The statement said comrade Marwan Mustapha AdamuNigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is a member, representing the NLC, while Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, NLC is also a member, representing the NLC.Other members, according to the statement, were, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi(President of NECA), representing NECA, Mrs. Celine Oni (Director, Learning & Development/Projects, NECA), Leuretta Nneka Adaogu (Director, Occupational Safety & Health – OSH – Department)Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment (FML&E) Ex-Officio Member, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Nominee Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)The statement said the new Managing Director and Executive Directors had assumed their respective positions and duties with immediate effect from February 6, 2023.It noted that the New full Management Board will be inaugurated by the Minister of Labour & Employment as soon as the security and other clearance processes of its memberships are completed by the Security Agencies and other affected bodies, on a date to be announced soon.
Labour Threatens Action over Naira, Fuel Queues in the Country
The Trade Union Congress has called on the Federal Government, as a matter of urgency, to put an end to the present crisis bedeviling Nigerians as a result of the redesign of some denominations in the nation’s currency, that has brought about the non circulation of naira notes in the country.
Briefing Journalists in Abuja, on the State of the nation, the President of TUC, Comrade Festus Osifo, who described the present situation, as the worst of times in the lives of Nigerians, said citizens have not only been betrayed by the banking system which has been unable to pay them their money on demand, but have also been failed but the Federal Government in its inadequacy in the entire process.
“These for Nigerians, are some of the worst of times in their lives as many are on the brink of financial collapse, not because they have entrusted such monies to the banks under the supervision of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.”
He said ” As you are aware, the Nigerian populace is unable to pay for basic needs including food, medicines, clothes or transportation. This is nothing but a calamity of epic proportions. We have never had it so bad, never have our populace been made to attack banks, strip in banking halls or threaten to commit suicide inside financial houses because they cannot have access to their hard earned money. We are worried and wish to note that smaller denominations of N100 naira notes and N50 notes were not affected by the naira redesign, but paradoxically not in circulation anywhere in the country”.
On the lingering long queues at fuel stations,
he said ” the lengthy explanations on why there are long queues at fuel stations and prices of PMS being far above the official price can no longer be tolerated. All we demand is that patrol returns to fuel stations and is available at the official price across the country. As we have often stated, the answer to the fuel shortage question, i the local refining of our petroleum product needs. Local refining would add value to our crude oil, provide local jobs, and not only save us foreign exchange, but would enable us earn far more income”
He stated that, ” In furtherance of this and should these issues not resolve in the coming days, the TUC and its comrades in the labor and social movements would begin consultations with various groups in the country to work out democratic, constitutional and legal ways and means to save the populace and our beloved country”.
Group Asks INEC, Security Agencies to Support Women’s Rights in 2023
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies have been requested by the Center for Women Studies and Intervention (CWSI) group to take further measures to safeguard the safety of women and girls during the general elections in 2023.
The center’s program manager, Paschal Idogbe, told journalists on Thursday in Abuja that providing adequate security will encourage women to actively participate in the election.
He pointed out that more than 70% of the country’s population is under the age of 30, particularly young women and girls.
According to him: “INEC and security agencies should provide the enabling environment for women and girls to be encouraged to participate in the forthcoming election.
“Women have the mind of mother, they care about welfare and the future, if interested with anything they would not fail”
Idogbe said young women and girls within the age range of 18-35 are largely not represented in decision making and governance.
According to him, they are often reduced to agents of political violence during elections while a number of other young persons show little or no interest at all in elections and its processes.
Idogbe said to address female marginalization, apathy and passiveness in Nigeria’s electoral processes.
“The centre implemented the Action for better female participation in elections in Nigeria project, being supported by the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD”.
Collaborating, the communication officer Anastacia Okolo said the centre is concerned with the protection of women and girls’ right based on the conviction that all men and women are equal and indeed, they have right in the society.
“We protect women and girls right, we also promote equality for both gender. Giving justice to women is the same as giving justice to men, it is the only way to build a balance society”
Banks will accept old naira notes after deadline, Emefiele Says
The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has stated that banks will continue to accept old naira notes after the deadline.
Emefiele addressed an interactive session with the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on currency reform and naira swap policy on Tuesday.
He also stated that the CBN will accept old naira from banks after the February 10 deadline.
Emefiele referred to the CBN Act, which requires the central bank to continue accepting old notes after they have expired.
However, the CBN governor did not specify when banks would stop accepting outdated currencies.
Section 20 (3) of the CBN act states: “Notwithstanding sub-sections (1) and (2) of this section, the bank shall have power, if directed to do so by the president and after giving reasonable notice in that behalf, to call in any of its notes or coins on payment of the face value thereof and any note or coin with respect to which a notice has been given under this sub-section, shall, on the expiration of the notice, cease to be legal tender, but, subject to section 22 of this act, shall be redeemed by the bank upon demand”.
Speaking further on the CBN act, he explained that even after the old currency has lost its legal tender status “we (CBN) are mandated to collect these money (old notes) and I stand with the house of representatives on this”.
“What does that mean? It could (old notes) have lost its legal tender status which means we have moved on. But if you have your money that you have not been able to send to the bank, we will certainly give you the opportunity to bring them back into the CBN to redeem it. Either you pay it to your bank account or you want to do exchange, we will give you. You will not lose your money. This is the assurance I give to Nigerians,” Emefiele said.
Breaking: Buhari okays 10-day extension of old naira notes swap
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) request to extend the deadline for exchanging old Naira notes for new ones.
The new deadline has been moved from January 31, 2023 to February 10, 2023.
A seven-day grace period, commencing February 10 and ending February 17,2023, has also been allowed to allow Nigerians to deposit their old notes at the CBN after the February deadline, after which the old currency would have lost its Legal Tender status.
On Sunday, the President met with the governor of the top bank, Godwin Emefiele, at his country house in Daura, Katsina State.
Emefiele briefed correspondents after the meeting, revealing that 75 percent of the N2.7 trillion held outside the banking system has been recovered.
He said: “We are happy that so far, the exercise has achieved a success rate of over 75 percent of the N2.7 trillion held outside the banking system. Nigerians in the rural areas, villages, the aged and vulnerable have had the opportunity to swap their old notes; leveraging the Agent Naira Swap initiative as well as the CBN Senior staff nationwide sensitization team exercise.
“Aside from those holding illicit/stolen Naira in their homes for speculative purposes, we do aim to give all Nigerians that have Naira legitimately earned and trapped, the opportunity to deposit their legitimately trapped monies at the CBN for exchange.
“Based on the foregoing, we have sought and obtained Mr President’s approval for the following:
“10-day extension of the deadline from
January 31, 2023, to February 10, 2023; to
legitimately held by Nigerians and achieve
more success in cash swap in our rural
communities after which all old notes outside the CBN losses their Legal tender Status.
“Our CBN staff currently on mass mobilization and monitoring together with officials of the EFCC and ICPC will work together to achieve these objectives.
“A 7-day grace period, beginning on February 10 to February 17,2023, in compliance with Sections 20(3) and 22 of the CBN Act allowing Nigerians to deposit their old notes at the CBN after the February deadline when the old currency would have lost its Legal Tender status.
“We therefore appeal to all Nigerians to work with the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure a hitch free the implementation of this very important process for program.”
FG Registers App-Based Transport Workers, amid Jubilation
The Federal Government has presented a letter of approval of registration to the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transport Workers of Nigeria (AUATWON), an informal sector trade union.
The membership of the new union comprises all app-based transport workers, online transport services, and e-hailing drivers and operators in Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja at the Presentation Ceremony, the Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige, described the registration of the new union as a milestone in labour administration, particularly in the trade union services segment, adding that it marks a continued global journey to formalise the informal sector, which constitute the larger population in the world of work.
Ngige noted that prior to now, the informal sector had been unmanageable, owing to lack of identifiable structural framework to harmonise and demarcate its diverse sectors.
Ngige said, “hitherto, we gave recognition and certification to workers in the formal sector, including the private sector, such as banks, oil and gas, insurance, among other technical areas, and the public sector workers in the unions of pensioners, teachers and recently, the two newly registered university based unions, the Congress for University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dentral Academics (NAMDA).
“Today, we are breaking new ground with those in the informal sector who are employing themselves and from there, employing others. The promoters of AUATWON applied for registration as a trade union on April 27, 2021 to cater for self-employed persons in the field of IT-based transportation services.
“We considered necessary factors and perimeters, especially the global move, which is sponsored mostly by the International Labour Oraganisation (ILO) to formalise the informal sector that has most of the working population in the world of work, characterised and independent owned-account workers.
“In our case today, we have a hybrid of the forgone in the informal economy who own and operate economic units which may also further include employers, and members of cooperatives and of social and solidarity economy units.”
Ngige said they also considered the changing world of work oiled by technology transformation as contained in the Centenary Declaration of the ILO in 2019, especially the need to ensure that such transformative changes were human driven.
He said in view of these considerations, his ministry decided to register AUATWON to enable the organisation of the new but growing segment of the informal economy.
Besides the creation of jobs, he said the registration of the union would enable the government to monitor the security component of transportation systems in Nigeria
“We are also backed by international position on the unionisation of workers who are self employed. The need to ensure that such workers enjoy trade union rights for the purpose of furthering and defending their interest, which includes collective bargaining, has often been emphasised in different fora, concerning the world of work.
“But for the self-employed, it is a different kind of collective bargaining, tailored to suit the peculiarities of the self-employed segment of workers, and the collective bargaining mechanism may transverse international shores of Nigeria, as such apps are usually foreign owned and operated.”
He urged the union to observe the provisions of Section 3 of the Trade Disputes Act, CAP.T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004, which demands that they should deposit copies of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) with the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment.
He further charged them to also discharge their obligations under the Trade Unions Act, CAP T14, LFN, 2004, such as the rendition of annual returns to the Registrar of Trade Unions.
“The office of the Registrar of Trade Unions (RTU) will gazette your organisation in consonance with Sections 5(2) and (3) of the Trade Unions Act, and 90 days will be given for those who want to object to your existence. We will look at each petition on its merit and the RTU will write a recommendation. Afterwards, we will invite you to give you the certificate of registration to operate as a full-fledged trade union.”
In his remarks, the President of AUATWON, Dr Adedaramola Adeniran appreciated the minister for the registration of his union to protect the interest of their members who belong to the informal economy.
He noted that their members before now, were threatened due to lack of policies to protect their industry.
He described the registration of the union as a step towards achievement of decent work practices in the Nigerian informal sector, especially in the area of social dialogue by the establishment of union to represent the needs of workers in the app-based transportation sector.
“This great job will protect workers by ensuring their safety, and promote responsibility of app-based unions.”
He said as a union, they will promote the interest of their members and seek redress for those who have experienced harm in the hands of their employers.
He assured that they will work and collaborate with important stakeholders including government, app-companies, both local and international organisations that will provide welfare for their members, among others.
2023: PDP Targets 5m Votes From South South States
2023: PDP Targets 5m Votes From South South States
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared its intention to win six million votes from the six South South states in the presidential election of 2023.
The PDP stated that its goal is to receive 700,000 votes from the state when campaigning for the presidency in Bayelsa state.
Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, the vice presidential candidate and governor of Delta state, revealed the party’s strategy while addressing the crowd during the presidential campaign rally. He claimed that the PDP has the best chance of winning the presidency given the economic crisis and the dysfunctional social and security system that the ruling All Progressives Congress has caused (APC).
He said, “This is the best opportunity we have as a party to reclaim the presidency and I am sure that Bayelsa is ready. Go out there and ensure that you deliver a minimum of 700,000 votes and I know that in the South South geopolitical zone, we are committed to delivering a minimum of five million votes and I know that it is doable. We must work to deliver that quantum of votes.
“I know that with Atiku Abubakar and your son Sen. IfanyI Okowa and other well-meaning Nigerians, we will be able to change the story of Nigeria. The division in Nigeria will not continue to go on. We must reunify Nigeria; we must ensure that we restore peace in Nigeria. We must ensure that we grow the economy.”
Addressing the crowd, the presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar reaffirmed his commitment to restructuring the country, devolution of powers and creating the right policies that will avail more resources and powers to states and local government.
Atiku lamented that the ruling party has exploited the nations’ fault lines, leaving citizens are more divided along ethnic and religious lines.
He said: “I said I am committed to implementing five key programs in this country starting from the unification of this Country. The reason why I want to unify the country is because we have never been this divided along a number of fault lines either north South or Muslim and Christian.
“I am going to give every part of this country a sense of belonging in the next PDP government, I promise to tackle Insecurity. Here in Bayelsa state you have faced a number of security challenges, you have lost so many people, do not breach the law and order, I promise I will restore security in this country.
“We promised that we are going to tackle the economy and make sure that we provide jobs and other opportunities for our young men and women to be gainfully employed either in the private sector or public sector.
“Finally, we propose to restructure this country, you people in the Niger Delta need more restructuring than any other part of this country, we would give you more resources and power to deal with your problems, you don’t need to always beg the federal government for everything, when you are actually producing the resources of the country, so we will devolve more power and resources to you in the Niger Delta.”
The Director General of the campaign council and governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said, “Atiku/Okowa are very familiar with the issues in the South South, Atiku is very familiar with the issue of insecurity in the South South. Atiku is the only candidate in this election that has a clear pathway for restructuring Nigeria and not only that, he picked Sen. Seriake Dickson as his technical adviser on restructuring.
“You should know that Atiku means restructuring and he will do it and by the grace of God, there will be a better Nigeria where life will be more meaningful to all of us especially our women in Bayelsa, our farmers in Bayelsa, our fishermen in Bayelsa, our youths in Bayelsa and every Nigerian. Atiku will reposition Nigeria and will rescue it.”
Buhari Unveils Lekki Deep Sea Port, Largest In Sub-Saharan Africa
…Thousands of jobs would be created Says Sanwo-Olu
The largest deep sea port in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Lekki Deep Sea Port, was unveiled by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday.
The multipurpose Deep Sea Port will be a huge asset to the expanding trade in Nigeria and throughout West Africa.
While the Port’s unveiling is a part of President Buhari’s project’s opening in Lagos, the president nonetheless went on a quick tour of the project to check out the facilities.
The Lekki Deep Sea Port is the result of the combined efforts of the Federal Government, Lagos State Government, and the Private Sector, according to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who spoke at the ceremony.
Sanwo-Olu, who said that the project was begun and finished in the President Buhari administration, added that the size of vessels which would be coming to the Lekki Deep Sea Port could be up to four times the size of vessels that currently berth at both Tin Can and Apapa Ports.
The governor said the project would provide thousands of direct and hundreds of thousands indirect jobs to Lagosians and thanked all that brought it to reality.
According to the governor: “The project is a total combination of efforts of the Federal Government, Lagos State and the private sector and we are happy that this is happening in your time.
“It all started within your time and it has been completed within your time. The size of vessels that will be coming here could be up to four times the size of vessels that currently berth at both Tin Can and Apapa Ports.
“So, it is a massive infrastructure and we are in deed excited that something fresh has been impacted into this country and it is going to generate thousands and thousands jobs directly and hundreds of thousands of jobs indirectly in the entire ecosystem and this is your own project and we are excited.”
Attempted Chieftain Assassination: CUPP Wants Police IG Out
Charges Police, Imo Government With Cover-Up
Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, has been brought into question by the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) for which it has dubbed culpable dereliction of duty.
Recall that on January 14, 2023, armed individuals who were not identified stormed the Akokwa family residence in Ugochinyere, Ideato North Local Government Area, Imo State, with great brutality.
CUPP that the IGP be removed from his position at a news conference on Monday in Lagos after the main suspect, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, brazenly threatened to harm the Coalition’s national spokeswoman on January 19th.
The National Co-Spokesperson of the Coalition, Comrade Mark Adebayo, while addressing newsmen, frowned at what he referred to as police criminal conspiracy with suspects in the violent attack against the CUPP chieftain, which led to three deaths including Ugochinyere’s paternal uncle.
Adebayo alleged that the Police authorities are engaging in a cover-up scheme in a criminal incident of that magnitude in cahoots with the Imo State government.
According to Adebayo, “It is extremely baffling and disappointing that ten days after those hired terrorists carried out their horrific attacks against Ikenga, no arrests have been made despite overwhelming evidence as to who could have planned, sponsored and executed that carnage.
“Let us make it clear that the CUPP stands by our earlier allegation that the Imo State government is culpable in this death and destruction that occurred that fateful January 14 day at Akokwa. The plan was to assassinate Ikenga but God surpassed them.
“It is more disappointing and much painful that the Nigeria Police have refused to play their constitutional role of arresting the suspected sponsors of that crime despite establishing indubitable prima facie evidence against one Chinasa Nwaneri who openly threatened Ikenga that he would deal with him among other severe threats on phone.
“A petition to that effect was sent to the police authorities but without any action until that fatal arson was carried out and even till now, Chinasa Nwaneri, an aide to the Imo State Governor, who called Ikenga Ugochinyere on his phone to threaten his life and family days before the heinous attack, is still walking free and boasting about that he would not rest until Ikenga is finally silenced.
“A prima facie evidence of threat to life and property has been established against Mr Chinasa Nwaneri prior to the actual execution of the arson, murders and attempted assassination of Ikenga. No action was taken by the Police to prevent Chinasa from carrying out his threats and the Police have not deemed it fit to invite this suspected murderer and arsonist after he made true his threats.
“The CUPP suspects an attempt by the Police authorities at the highest levels to cover up these heinous crimes in cahoots with the Imo state government. This is especially as the Imo state governor, Hope Nzodinma has publicly claimed that he knows those who unleashed the terrorist attacks on Ikenga that claimed the lives of his supporters and his uncle.
“The governor claimed that he had security reports that revealed that a meeting was held with the purpose of carrying out the violent attacks against Ikenga before it happened but chose to do nothing about it. It is only an irresponsible or a criminally culpable governor who can do this.
“We challenge Governor Nzodinma to publish the names of those involved, dates and locations where the pre-attack meetings were held and to also explain why he didn’t take any action to forestall it if he didn’t know anything about it.”
The Co-Spokesperson of the Coalition maintained that despite the attack, “the coalition still remains confident that its spokesperson, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere would win his House of Representatives election for Ideato Federal Constituency of Imo state on February 25, 2023 despite the carnage unleashed on him.”
However, the coalition was vehement in its insistence that, “should the IGP fail to act on the petition against Chinasa Nwaneri, he should either resign or be fired by Mr. President, who has pledged a level playing field for all in the coming elections,” Adebayo added.