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Humiliated Edo Widow Rejects PDP’s N250,000 Donation

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Humiliated Edo Widow Rejects PDP’s N250,000 Donation

The widow who rose to fame after an unpleasant encounter with the governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has turned down the N250,000 offered to her by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The widow, Joy Ifijeh, who has now been employed by the state, with a N2 million cash gift from the governor, said she does not want to be politically used and had asked the PDP to extend its generosity to other widows.

Speaking shortly after collecting her letter of appointment at the office of the secretary to the Edo state government, Ifijeh promised to lead in the campaign against street trading and selling on walkways.

She also called for assistance to enable her collect her late husband’s benefits from the police authorities, saying that since her husband died last year shortly after graduating from an inspectorate course, all effort to collect his benefits has proved unsuccessful.

Oshiomole hosted at the Government House, Benin, the widow whom he told to “Go and die”, while on a sanitation tour of the state.

Ifije had spread her wares along the road causing obstruction to the governor who ordered her goods to be confiscated.

The incident which was captured on video generated a lot of condemnation within and outside the country, causing Oshiomhole to tender apologies to the widow in addition to an automatic employment and N2 million cash donation.

Mass Grave Containing Soldiers Found In Mali

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Mass Grave Containing Soldiers Found In Mali

Malian authorities said on Wednesday that they have found a mass grave containing the bodies of soldiers in the southern garrison town of Kati.

Senior military and judicial officials said that they discovered the grave that had been known for a long time, but there were more bodies than previously thought.

The judicial source said the site, a short drive north of the capital Bamako, contained 21 bodies.

The discovery came days after the detention for complicity in kidnapping of former junta chief Amadou Sanogo, a general who led the March 2012 coup that plunged the country into chaos. .

The judicial source said at the time of Sanogo’s detention he had also been questioned over a failed counter-coup shortly after he seized power which caused more tensions between warring factions of the army.

It was not immediately clear if the soldiers in the mass grave had met their fate at that time.

Mali’s newly elected President Ibrahim Keita is still battling to assert state control over the army, accused by human rights groups of excessive violence, torture and enforced disappearances.

Edo Police Arrests Cop Killers

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Edo Police Arrests Cop Killers

From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

The Edo state police command says it has arrested members of a robbery gang responsible for the death of four policemen deployed from the Osun State for a special election duty in Anambra State.

It would be recalled that the policemen were ambushed by the gunmen on November 14 while reporting at their place of assignment.

The Edo State police commissioner, Foluso Adebanjo, told journalists in Benin on Tuesday that his men were accosted at the Benin bye-pass on the Benin/Lagos expressway by another gang of 20 armed robbers, who reportedly blocked the road to prevent the arrest of their colleagues.

In the shoot-out that ensued, one of the robbers was shot dead while a policeman sustained gunshot injury on his leg.

Other armed robbers reportedly escaped into the bush with bullet wounds.

One of the arrested armed robbery suspects, Muhammadu Umaru, 29, confessed that he had taken part in robbery cases in Enugu state three times, receiving N5,000, N6,000 and N30, 000 each time.

Umaru, who further disclosed that he had joined a new robbery gang in the Adumawa area of Benin City, however denied being part of the gang that killed the policemen.

“I don’t know who killed police. We don’t have real guns but carved guns which we use to block road,” he said.

In another encounter on the Benin/Auchi road, Adebanjo said three members of a robbery gang who had laid siege to the road, were gunned down in a shoot-out with his men.

In all, 43 suspects were paraded for various kind of offences ranging from armed robbery, unlawful possession of fire arms and cannabis, cultism, conspiracy and fraud, car snatching, murder ad rape.

No Quarrel With My Deputy- Gov Al-Makura

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No Quarrel With My Deputy- Gov Al-Makura

By Godwin Ojoshimite

Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has debunked reports that he is having a rift with his deputy,  Dameshi Luka Bauru.

The governor made the rebuttal at a meeting of the state interim management committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lafia, the state capital, onWednesday.

He alleged that the report in some sections of the media, was the “handiwork of mischief makers, who do not mean well for the development of the state.”

He proclaimed that “those waiting to see friction between me and the deputy governor will have to wait till dooms day.”

Al-Makura attributed his administration’s success to the collaborative efforts of everybody in his government, including the deputy governor.

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He prayed members of APC in the state to eschew personal interests and imbibe the spirit of sacrifice to enable the party to excel.

The governor appealed to members of the party to support the interim management committee and avoid unnecessary scheming capable of causing disunity in the party.

He described the recent claims that over 4,000 supporters of the APC in the state had defected to the Peoples’ Democratic Party as “ridiculous”, and urged the public to disregard it.

FG Extends Ultimatum To ASUU

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FG Extends Ultimatum To ASUU

The federal government has announced the extension of the deadline for the striking university lecturers to resume work from December 4 to December 9.

The executive secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Julius Okojie, announced the new date while addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.

Okojie explained that government made the decis ion to shift the deadline after it received notification of the funeral rites of the late former  president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Festus Iyayi’s slated for between December 5-7.

Iyayi died on November 12, 2013 in an auto crash on the Lokoja-Abuja express way, while on his way to attend the association’s meeting in Kano to discuss the lecturers’ strike action.

According to Okojie, the decision is also to avoid a situation where government and ASUU will have to deal with the ultimatum during the funeral of the former ASUU President.

“Based on this information, government decided to shift the resumption deadline to December 9, to enable lecturers to participate in the burial,” he said.

The NUC executive secretary said the directive had been communicated to the governing councils of various universities and vice chancellors for onward transmission to the academic staff.

Okojie added that there was no intention to victimise any lecturer for participating in the strike, but maintained that any lecturer who resumed work after the expiration of the new deadline would not have his or her salary arrears paid.

“You cannot pay someone who has failed to resume work. You are on strike and you want to be paid? What if some has already left the system? Some of our very bright lecturers may have got jobs elsewhere,” he said.

On the N200billion Revitalisation Fund which ASUU wanted government to disburse within two weeks, Okojie said the money had been deposited in an account in the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, but added that the money cannot be disbursed as ASUU demands because it was meant for capital projects.

He stressed that government, as employer of labour, could not fold its arms while the institutions remained shut at the detriment of students.

Timipre Sylva’s Arrangement Stalled

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Timipre Sylva’s Arrangement Stalled

The arraignment of the former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, and six others before a Federal High Court in Abuja over their involvement in laundering N19.2 billion could not hold Tuesday.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is re-arraigning Sylva following fresh evidence linking him with certain fraudulent transactions carried out during his tenure as governor of Bayelsa State between.

He and the other accused persons are being prosecuted on a 42-count amended charge.

The other accused persons are Francis Okuburo, Gbenga S. Balogun, Samuel Ogbuku, Marlin Maritime Limited, Eat Catering Services Limited and Haloween Blue Construction and Logistics Limited.

Although, the ex-governor was present in court, his counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, objected to his client taking a plea on the grounds that the accused persons were not served with hearing notice.

He asked that the provision of the law which allows for seven days before arraignment should be complied with.

Counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, however, urged the court presided over by Justice A.R Mohammed to proceed with the arraignment since the accused persons were already in court.

He added that the defence already had a proof of evidence and the amended charge but Fagbemi insisted on the defence’s right to a hearing notice.

Counsel to the 4th accused person, Ajayi Olowo, at this point informed the court that he had filed a notice of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter and asked for a short adjournment for the motion to be argued.

Counsel to other defendants aligned themselves with his submission.

Jacobs, however, urged the court to take their arguments on the motion orally to save the time of the court and ensure speedy trial.

Justice Mohammed adjourned the case to January 23, 2014 for hearing on the notice of preliminary.

15-Year-Old Emerges Winner Of UBA National Essay Competition

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15-Year-Old Emerges Winner Of UBA National Essay Competition

Caption: Deputy Managing Director, UBA Plc, Kennedy Uzoka; 1ST Prize Winner, Ezenwa Joseph Okonkwo, (Middle); and President, Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), Alkali Mohammed, at the grand finale ceremony of UBA Foundation National Essay Competition for Secondary Schools.

A fifteen year old student of Ambol Comprehensive High School, Akesan-Igando, Lagos, Ezenwa Joseph Okonkwo, has emerged winner of the third edition of the UBA National Essay Competition for Senior Secondary Schools in Nigeria.

Okonkwo’s essay was picked out of about 2,000 entries by a panel of four Nigeria professors for its outstanding style, earning him the coveted N1m educational grant star prize.

A student at Sharon Rose Schools College, Saki,Toluwase Adeagbo and  of another of the Air Force Secondary School, Port Harcourt, Korie Ijeoma Jennifer, emerged first and second runner ups, winning the sum of N750,000 and N500,000 as educational grants respectively.

Among the 12 finalists are: Victoria Aluko (Caleb International College, Magodo); Gloria Ayoola (St. John Comprehensive Academy, Ilesa); Korie Ijeoma Jennifer (Air Force Secondary School, Port Harcourt); Sarah Benson (Living Stone College); Esenwa Joseph Okonkwo (Sambol Comprehensive High School, Akesan-Igando) and Ayewunmi Bukola Ifesowapo Senior High School, Aboru).

Others include Ogbo Ozioma (Kingsdale Schools, Akute); Toluwase S. Adeagbo (Sharon Rose Schools College, Gedu Estate, Saki); Adetona Miriam Omolayo (Oladipo Alayande School of Science, Oke-Bola, Ibadan); Ani Chisom Tochukwu (Krisbethel College, Ipaja); Mmesoma S. Enibe (University of Nigeria Secondary School, Nsukka) and Sunday K. Ikemsinchi (Dority International Secondary School, Aba).

Each of the 12 finalists received a laptop as a consolation prize for getting to the final of the competition.

Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony held at the Bank’s headquarters in Lagos, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, Alkali Mohammed, commended the UBA Foundation for the initiative, saying it was worthy of emulation.

Mohammed noted that the path towards sustainable development is through investment in the education of its youths, particularly in Nigeria.

“Any competition such as this will certainly help to bring out the best in the youths, by kindling their competitive spirit and academic excellence,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the bank’s deputy managing director, Kennedy Uzoka, explained that the initiative was not only to test the aptitude and knowledge of the students but has become a pipeline to groom future UBA Ambassadors.

He said the winners who would go to any university of their choice in Africa would remain part of the UBA family provided they are of good behavior and remain focused.

“In UBA we appreciate and nurture talents. All the finalists here today have opportunity to excel in life and UBA is delighted to play a part in the process” he added.

The UBA Foundation National Essay Competition was conceived three years ago as a follow up to it’s  Read Africa initiative.

Winners each year receive educational grants to study in any university of their choice in Africa.

ICPC To Prosecute Employment Racketeers

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ICPC To Prosecute Employment Racketeers

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, says it will prosecute job seekers and job placement agents who indulge in giving and demanding “bribes”, or other forms of gratification to secure jobs.

The commission said it has received series of petitions relating to an ongoing internet scam whereby gullible applicants are paying money for recruitment and bogus interviews into Nigeria Customs Service and expressed concern at the ease with which the general public and those seeking employment are easily duped.

“It is sad to note that despite a highly publicized joint ICPC/Customs operation early this year announcing several arrests over internet-based recruitment scams, pranksters are still at work preying on the gullible few who also probably believe in subverting the recruitment process by paying monies for recruitment,” Folu Olamiti, spokesperson of the ICPC stated.

He warned members of the public that investigation was ongoing and “the Commission will not hesitate prosecuting those who willingly lend themselves to or abet criminals to subvert the recruitment exercise through fraudulent means.”

Olamiti stressed that no government ministry, department or gency should request for applicants to pay money into private accounts to secure employment, adding that those who offer money or gratification in any form in order to facilitate employment during real or fake government recruitment exercises are as culpable as those soliciting or receiving same.

The ICPC also cautioned that applicants who procure or present fake documents like forged or altered certificates, affidavits, recommendation letters for use during recruitment exercises risk prosecution.
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EFCC Re-arraigns Timipre Sylva For Laundering N19.2 billion

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EFCC Re-arraigns Timipre Sylva For Laundering N19.2 billion

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will today arraign former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, and six others on a 42-count amended charge of money laundering before Justice A. R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The other accused persons are Francis Okuburo, Gbenga S. Balogun, Samuel Ogbuku, Marlin Maritime Limited, Eat Catering Services Limited and Haloween Blue Construction and Logistics Limited

The former governor was first arrained in June for the alleged misappropriation of N6.46 billion state funds.

The anti-graft agency had in a suit number HC/ABJ/CR/23/2012, claimed that Sylva and the others fraudulently obtained N4 billion loans from Union Bank under the guise of using it to augment workers’ salaries.

The EFCC also alleged that the accused persons had in the same period converted properties and resources of the Bayelsa government amounting to N2 billion to personal use, and another N380 million worth of government property through a Fin Bank account No. 221433478108 belonging to one Habibu Maigida, a bureau de change operator on January 22, 2010

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The EFCC further said that Sylva and his accomplices had on February 5, 2010, converted N50 million of the state’s funds through a First Bank account number 6152030001946 of Enson Benmer Ltd.

The EFCC said the offences contravene the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2004.

Sylva, however, pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge but his re-arraignment, the Commission says, is sequel to fresh evidence linking him with a bouquet of fraudulent transactions that borders on money laundering to the tune of N19.2 billion during his tenure as governor of Bayelsa State between 2009-2012.

Seven Commissioners, 13 Special Advisers Suspended In Cross River

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Seven Commissioners, 13 Special Advisers Suspended In Cross River

The governor of Cross River, Liyel Imoke, has suspended seven commissioners and 13 special advisers in his cabinet indefinitely for failing to attend the state’s World AIDs Day anniversary walk on Sunday.

According to a statement signed by the secretary to the state government, Michael Aniah, the affected cabinet members are to hand over to their permanent secretaries or the most senior officers in their respective ministries and agencies.

The four-kilometre World AIDS Day walk, which also heralded the flag-off of the state’s annual Calabar Festival, was attended by the governor and other cabinet members.

Those affected include the commissioner for Justice, Attah Ochinke; the commissioner for Finance, Etim Takis Caifas; the commissioner for Women Addairs, Edak Iwuchukwu; and the commissioner for Social Welfare, Patricia Endeley.

Others are the commissioner for Environment, Sandy Onor; the commissioner for Agriculture, James Aniyom and the commissioner for Water Resources, Elemi Etowa.

The suspended special advisers include Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Eja Dons Eseghe; Tourism, Wilfred Usani; Religious Affairs, Eyo Okpo Ene and Special Duties, Fabian Okpa.

Also affected are the special advisers, Forestry and Biodiversity, Ntufam Gabe Odu-Oji; Investment, Gerald Adah; Political and Legislative Matters, Fred Osim andLegal, Mark Obi.

Others are the special advisers on Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, Margaret Johnson Ebokp; ICT, Odo Effiong and Mineral Resources, Effiong Bassey.

The adviser on Strategy and Planning, Idem Temple and the Special Adviser on Debt Management, Francisca Nkoyo Effiong were also suspended.

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