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  • Kogi NMA crisis: Congress set up committee of past Chairmen, to freeze account

    By Odimayo Olatunde Fredrick, Kogi 

    Following the crisis rocking the Nigerian Medical Association, (NMA) in Kogi State, the medical body has set up an interim committee made up of all the past Chairmen of the association from inception, and has also directed same committee to freeze the account.

    The Caretaker Committee has  concluded plans to freeze the Association account until a new State Officers Committee is elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the 11th August, 2024.

    This forms part of the Communique issued at the end of the Emergency General Meeting (EGM) of the NMA State Branch held in Lokoja on 13th July 2024.

    The communique, which was signed by the EGM Chairman Dr Joseph Arome Iduh and Dr Raji Adediji Idris, Secretary respectively passed a “Vote of No Confidence” on the suspended NMA Chairman, Baoku Olusola, and the remaining State Officers Committee members.

    The Communique resolved as follows “The congress passed a resolution empowering the Committee of Past Chairmen to take over the running of the Association as an “Interim/caretaker committee” pending 

    the 2024 AGM in August 2024.

    “The Congress also resolved that a prima facie case of gross abuse of office and constitutional violations were established against the Chairman and current SOC and thus referred them to the State Disciplinary Committee, and that the Committee should report back to the interim leadership of the Association within 2 weeks, who will look into the recommendations and report back to the congress during the forthcoming AGM.

    “In furtherance of the above resolutions, the Interim committee is empowered to exercise all the powers of the State Officers Committee of the Association and interphase with any and all Secretariat Staff, members of the Public and all Affiliates as deemed necessary for the sole purpose of the discharge of their duties.

    “The interim committee also had the mandate of the Congress to execute ongoing plans, including the already scheduled medical outreach in Okene and AGM Meeting in Lokoja, and the General elections of the Association scheduled to take place during 

    the AGM next month”.

    The communique, while noting that the meeting was attended  by 96 members of NMA across all the affiliates, seven past Chairmen, among others observed that the requisition and demand for an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) by the members of NMA Kogi State Branch was in order and in line with the provisions of the association Bye-laws and that the Constitutional requirements for such requisition was fulfilled.

    Other observation raised in the communique reads in part “The proposed MDCN verification is not a requirement for convening or attending an EGM of the Association: a Meeting which in this case necessitated by the deliberate failure of the Chairman to call for any to address any of all endless lingering issues that had plagued the Association which is now on the brink of collapse.

    ” Issues bordering on non-payment of levies and under-remittance of dues are issues that requires resolution of disputes and financial reconciliation between the leadership of the affected affiliates and the SOC. The depositions of former SOC members of falsification of their signatures at various times,high-handedness and unparliamentary conducts of the Chairman are very worrisome, and needs to be properly investigated.

    “The failure of the Chairman and the SOC to convene a SEC Meeting the governing body of the Association -in over nine months does not conform with the provisions of the constitution of NMA and the NMA Kogi State Branch Bye-law.

    “The mass resignation of seven(7) out eleven (11) members of SOC including Auditor, Secretary and the Asst. Secretary, means the Association is without a Secretariat, making it constitutionally difficult for the SOC to continue to function.

    “Written petitions on abuse of office levelled against the Chairman by aggrieved members and affiliates are deserving of urgent attention. The lingering issue regarding NMA NEC directive to NMA Kogi State Branch was also noted”.

    “The congress also noted that the last two (2) Ordinary General Meetings (OGMs) which held virtually lack the constitutional backing because conditions for a virtual meeting were not in force (that is prohibition of physical gathering by government due to pandemics and epidemics) as at those times”.

  • Ex-governor Udom’s kinsmen berate Akpabio over alleged non performance in office 

    By Lovina Anthony, Akwa-ibom 

    The kinsmen of the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel have tackled the senate president, Senator Godswill Akpabio  over claims that Udom Emmanuel did not do any project in Ikot Ekpene district(Akpabio’s district) while he was a governor.

    Recall that Akpabio had at the chambers accused his successor, Udom Emmanuel whom he ‘made a governor’ of not leaving any imprint in the zone.

    He said, “I gave you a governor (Udom Emmanuel) who for eight years did not do anything for the people of Ikot Ekpene and Eket Senatorial district, he did not leave any imprint.”

    Irked by the comments, Udom’s kinsmen under the body  of ONNA Unity Forum warned Akpabio against spreading  what they described as “falsehood and Misinformation” against their son.

    In a statement signed by  Efiok Bassey, Chairman and Edet Edet Secretary, and issued to newsmen on Sunday, highlighted the tangible developments and achievements of Governor Emmanuel’s administration in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district and wondered why Akpabio failed to recognize them before making such ‘misleading comments.’

    According to the statement,  “How could Senator Akpabio have forgotten that Governor Emmanuel completed  the 27km Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road project which was commissioned by the President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan. The fact remains that this road was abandoned at less than 20% completion by Akpabio’s administration despite a reported full release of over N74 billion contract sum for the project. 

    “It is unfortunate that Senator Akpabio has also forgotten that, despite his premature commissioning of an uncompleted structure as Sheraton by Four Points Hotel after over 25 Billion was said to have been expended before 2015.

    It was Governor Emmanuel who ensured that the structure was completed and made  functional as a Hotel. Today, it stands as a testament to his commitment to infrastructural development, often being used for significant events, including those hosted by Senator Akpabio himself.

    The group also faulted Akpabio’s claims of making Udom Emmanuel a governor  singlehandedly saying that he was only but an instrument God used in making Udom a governor therefore he should stop bragging about it.

    “It is crucial to acknowledge that no individual can singularly take credit for making Udom Emmanuel Governor. It was through the collective will of the people of Akwa Ibom State, and ultimately, divine providence, that Udom Emmanuel was elected. Senator Akpabio played a role as a vessel in this process, but it is God who ordains leaders.

    ” It is regrettable that Senator Akpabio, who has the  potential of being a unifying figure for our nation, has instead chosen to engage in baseless criticism against a man who dignifies himself by not dignifying the attacks.

    “Let him know that Nigerians are poised to judge him not by his verbal assaults on a fellow statesman, but by the tangible impacts he can make during his tenure.” The statement added.

  • Appointment list: How Tinubu averts confusion, crisis in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions

    From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

    The Chairman governing board, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State Barnabas Gemade, on Sunday, explained that the reviewing of the board appointment lists by President Bola Tinubu has averted confusion and crisis in the various tertiary  institutions in the country.

    He however applauded President Bola Tinubu for his prompt intervention, which according to him had seriously averted skewed appointments.

    Gemade made this known while speaking during a reception organized by Benue APC Youth Forum, in honour of the newly appointed Chairmen and members of governing council and board of tertiary institutions from Benue State, 

    He noted further that in the past when Boards were being appointed, people skewed these boards appointments in a manner that was not very palatable.

     According to him, even this time except for the timely intervention of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigerians would have gone with very skewed appointments in the tertiary institution boards.

    The chieftain of APC noted that going by the first list  that came out, maybe the  forum wouldn’t have held the event in Benue, but that governor Alia in his wisdom stood up to the occasion and made sure that his impact was felt by stepping into the gap immediately and ensuring that some Benue people that are the right people were appointed into this positions. 

    He maintained that, the governor would not have done as good as he has done and many more people who were trying to be governors couldn’t have done as much as he has done, stressing that “If you compete and you lose and you see that the winner deserves it, you must be thankful to God that God decided for that person to be the winner. 

    Responding, governor Alia said the Government of Benue State is grateful and remains indebted  to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for approving his nominees on the Board of tertiary institutions of Nigeria.

    The Governor who was represented at the occasion by the Secretary of the State Government (SSG), Prof Joseph Alakali said, those  nominated for  the appointments were credible people.

    “We appreciate the governor that all the nominees also cut across the three senatorial zones of Benue and it is in view of the credible profile of these persons that one of them is the Chairman of the Governing Boards of Tertiary Institution in Nigeria.

    He  charged the honorees to make the interest of the state paramount, in order to make Benue proud and also carry everyone along, including the youth.

    Chairman of the occasion, Innocent Ikwumonu, called on the people of the state to continue to be supportive of Governor Alia to continue the works he was doing.

    He stated that for a while now the people of the state have prayed for the leadership style and have done very well in the area of infrastructure and other developmental projects.

  • Gov. Otu’s Aides Using Govt  Influence  To Victimize Former Aide  — SAN 

    Ene Ene Calabar 

    Human rights lawyer, and senior  Advocate of Nigeria, Mba  Ukweni (SAN) has accused governor Bassey Otu ‘s officials of using government power  to slam former Special Adviser SA to former  governor Ben Ayade on Cocoa Development and Control, Oscar Ofuka behind bars.

    The legal practitioner made the allegations  on Sunday  while reacting to  the circumstances that led to  Ayade ex-aide  Oscar Ofuka who is now in coma for four days now in one of the hospitals in Calabar 

    Ukweni  stressed  that as a lawyer, he would never obstruct justice or prosecution of any individual who had been found wanting stressing that what he is against is when those in charge failed to follow due process 

    “They should just pray that nothing happens to Ofuka. Being in government does not make anyone above the law.

    “All I expected them to have done is to set up a commission of enquiry to investigate what happened during Ayade’s regime rather than torment the young man the way they are doing to the extent  that he slid into a coma. What they are doing is totally unacceptable.

    “That is not what the law said. In all circumstances, we must always act in accordance with what the law says should be done. 

    “Our law presumes any suspect to be innocent until the court makes pronouncement of his guilt.

    “It pre-supposes that a suspect should be treated with the highest level of decency, and respect because sometimes  you may eventually find out that the  suspect is innocent.

    While not wanting to comment on what is before the court, on the basis of sub- judice.

    “This in particular, is when I got to find out that he was arrested in his home town, that he brought army people to intimidate people in the farm, and I went to find out.

     “I found that was wrong, he was taken to the army station at Edor Barracks at Ikom local government of Cross River state”. Ukweni stated.

    The legal practitioner attributed  the torment faced by Ayade’s former aide to  allocation of cocoa plots made by the past administration at the government Cocoa estate where some  officials of the  Otu’s administration are  refusing to honour agreements  Ayade government entered into with Cocoa allottees.

    “The present administration can not say whatever agreement the previous administration entered into can not work. Government is continuum.

    “Those agreements were done before the attorney general of the state, with receipts from the government, paid into government revenue internal revenue accounts and the present administration is saying it won’t honour the agreement.? Ukweni queried.

    In reaction to the allegation, Gov. Otu special Adviser on Security Matters Rtrd. Maj. Gen. Okoi Obono and Secretary to State Government SSG Prof Anthony Owan  have since denied their involvement in Ofuka ‘s travel.

  • NMA suspends its chairman over alleged financial infringements in Kogi

    By Odimayo Olatunde Fredrick, Kogi 

    The  Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Kogi State Chapter has suspended its Chairman, Olusola Baoku for constitutional, administrative and financial infringements.

    At an emergency Congress held in Lokoja on Saturday, a former Chairman of NMA, David Ayemila told Journalists that a  committee has been constituted to hold  sway till 11th August,2024 when election that will produce a new state executives that run its affairs would be conducted.

    It was learnt that the Congress resolved to ensure there was no vacuum by empowering the committee of Past Chairmen Chaired by  Ayemila and Zubair Kabiru as Secretary, to take over the running of the Association till  when a new election is expected to be conducted and new officers emerge.

    Ayemila blamed the crisis that  affected the Association for the way and manner the dissolved chairman handled the Association’s affairs.

    “Our committee was inaugurated today 13th July 2024 to watch the activities of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA)   until the 11th of August that is next month when a new leadership of the Association would be elected”, Ayemila noted.

     Ayemila,  stated that the decision for the dissolution of the former State Exco was as a result of their failure to managed the Association well and preventing  avoidable challenges which the association was subjected to, adding that,  the only way out is to constitute the new interim  management committee to handle by the past chairmen of the Association.

    He blamed the inability of the disbanded state officers to organize  meetings, hence the far reaching decision to have a new organ that will steer the affairs of the Association.

    Ayemila implored the members who are seasoned professional doctors to support and cooperate with them to discharge their current assignment with all the vigours it required.

    He said “The Congress also empowered the Association of Past chairmen by transmitting all the powers of the State Officers Committee (SOC) to the Committee of Past Chairmen.

    “The committee is to ensure that the medical and surgical outreach proposed for Okene holds, including a successful election and Annual General Meeting, (AGM)”.

    It could be recalled that under the former Kogi State NMA Chairman, Olusola Baoku, seven members of the 2022-2023 exco  tendered their resignation letters following the crisis rocking the association.

  • No Southeast Govs should allocate land to Miyetti Allah for grazing – IPOB warns

    No Southeast Govs should allocate land to Miyetti Allah for grazing – IPOB warns

    By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

    Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), weekend warned Southeast Governors to shun demand from the Miyetti Allah terrorist group to be allocated land in the Southeast zone for grazing purposes.

    Sounding the note of warning through her image maker, Emma Powerful, the movement stated that, “No governor in Biafra Land should mortgage the safety and security of Biafrans by allocating land to the terrorists for RUGA in disguise.

    “The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is asking the Southern and Middle Belt Governors to reject the demand for grazing reserves by the Fulani Miyetti Allah terrorist organization in Nigeria. Fulanis claim to be Nigerians. Why would they want grazing reserves from other States instead of utilizing their own ancestral land for their grazing reserve. Any governor in Nigeria that yields to these selfish demands of these terrorists has mortgaged the future of their  generations to come. 

    “That governor will be mortgaging the future of their children to mass slaughter and mass burial and that Governor must be receiving consequences of his or her actions. Any state or clan that allocates land to the Fulanis today for whatever reason have willfully sold his state to invasion and displacement. Both the governor and his future generations will not live to tell the story of yesterday by the time the terrorists will launch attacks to take over their state.

    “People must learn from history. History always repeats itself. According to history, the indigenous Hausas welcomed and hosted the nomadic Fulanis from Futa Jelon in the 18th century. Today, the indigenous Hausas have been reduced to slaves in their own land. In today’s Northern Nigeria,  Fulanis have displaced, killed, took over, and renamed many Hausa communities. .

    “Almost all the Northern opinion leaders, political leaders, traditional rulers, and religious leaders by Fulanis and Hausas have no other place to call their place. The same deception and voodoo the Fulanis used on the Hausas in the 18th century is what they are using on the political elites in the rest of Nigeria and if such voodoo works on other Nigerians it won’t work on Biafrans as long as IPOB-ESN exists.

    ” If the indigenous people in Nigeria think that the political class have all the powers to stop the marauding Fulanis and their Fulanization agenda, then the people must be out of their minds. As we bring the attention of the governors and politicians in the South to the Fulanis’ dangerous moves to grab people’s land, the people themselves must rise up to defend their ancestral lands or be doomed. 

    “As for us, IPOB, the Fulanis, knew that Biafra Land is a no-go area for their deception and voodoo. 

    We are certain that governors in the Biafra land will not mortgage the future of our generations to come. But if they dare create any grazing reserves for Fulanis, they would have drawn the battle line with IPOB/ESN. We are confident that they will never allow Fulanis to occupy or be in possession of an inch of Biafra land. 

    “President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, who created the livestock ministry for Fulanis, should allocate grazing reserves to them. The Livestock Ministry is a code name for RUGA.  No RUGA in any format will be tolerated in the Eastern Region. President Tinubu can allocate Sambisa Forest as a grazing reserve to the Miyetti Allah. That massive forest is more than enough grazing reserve and settlement for them.

    “The Fulanis can have their way with the Nigerian fulanized presidency, but the indigenous people must resist any attempt to take over their ancestral land in the name of grazing reserves and Fulani settlement. Fulanis are opposed to the idea of modern ranching. Instead, they want grazing reserves in different states because they are deceptively pursuing the Othman Dan Fodio’s ideology of conquering the whole of Nigeria.

    “IPOB is reminding the Nigerian government and Miyetti Allah that Biafrans don’t have sufficient land for development and agriculture, let alone for grazing reserves. IPOB/ESN Operatives have a duty to monitor Biafran forests and bushes. They are to dislodge any Fulani terrorist and destroy any Fulani settlement found in the bush. 

    Fulanis are free to export their cows to our territory by cargo and sell them to their customers and after which they go back to their base. Those of them who want to reside in Biafra Land should rent a house and live peacefully like other citizens. But we will never tolerate any terrorist occupying any inch of our forest for whatever reason. If ESN Operatives apprehend anyone in the bush, such a fellow will be treated as a terrorist. 

    “IPOB, once more, calls on all the Governors in the South, particularly the Eastern Governors, to avoid setting fire that will consume their generations to come by disregarding Miyetti Allah terrorists group demand for a grazing reserves. IPOB will resist any form of land grabbing, change of demography, and conquest ideology in any disguise. All we are saying is that there shall be no grazing reserve for Miyetti Allah terrorists group in Biafra Land,” the movement warned 

  • Adamawa Govt. heads to supreme court, seeks interpretation on distribution of revenue by FG

    By Yagana Ali, Yola.

    After the judgement passed by the supreme Court about Local government Autonomy, the Adamawa state government headed to the apex court for the interpretation of section 162 of the Constitution.

    The Adamawa State government made this known in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor State, Humwashi Wonosikou and issued to newsmen in Yola.

    The statement reads in part: “The Adamawa State Government is seeking the Supreme Court’s interpretation of Section 162 (1), (2) and (3) of the Constitution regarding the distribution of revenue from the Federation Account.

    The Adamawa State government led by governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, however argued that: “The entire sum in the Federation Account must be distributed among all levels of government without deductions, except as permitted by law.

    The communique further reads that: “The President must comply strictly with the Constitution in managing and distributing revenue.

    “All revenue collected, except those exempted by the Constitution, must be paid into the Federation Account for distribution to all tiers of government.

    “The Federal Government has no discretion to withhold or deduct revenue for any purpose not expressly permitted by the Constitution.

    In essence, Adamawa State Government is seeking a declaration that:

    The Federal Government must distribute the entire revenue from the Federation Account without deductions, except as permitted by law.

    “Any deductions or withholdings made without constitutional backing are unconstitutional.

    “The Federal Government’s discretion to manage revenue is limited to only what is expressly permitted by the Constitution.

    “The State Government is seeking a strict interpretation of the Constitution to ensure that revenue distribution is done in a transparent and constitutional manner, without arbitrary deductions or withholdings by the Federal Government” it stated .

  • Gov. Fintiri to rehabilitate  bridge leading to Sambisa forest, vows  to clampdown on hoodlums

    By Yagana Ali Yola 

    The Adamawa State government has expressed readiness to partner with the northeast development commission to commence the rehabilitation of Waga Bridge, a border bridge that links Adamawa and Borno states that has been damaged by erosion.

    Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri revealed this while speaking to newsmen shortly after he inspected the Waga bridge in Madagali local government area.

    Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri who described the importance of the bridge that is on a federal road, said it is the major route that leads to Sambisa forest and the mandara mountain where most of the boko haram insurgents are hiding.

    He noted that if the road is allowed to be cut off, not only the people of the two communities will be in danger, but the security agencies in that area, especially the army will find it very difficult to carry out their operations.

    The governor assured that the rehabilitation work will commence immediately  as the state government is already in talks with the  North East Development commission  NEDC being the   commission with the mandate of carrying out these kinds of projects as they are positive too about seeing that the bridge and the road is being repaired.

    Governor Fintiri explained that the road is very key and essential to  both Adamawa and Borno state.

  • Gunmen abducts acting Rector Benue Polytechnic,  demand N70m Ransom 

    Gunmen abducts acting Rector Benue Polytechnic,  demand N70m Ransom 

    From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

    Acting Rector, Benue State Polytechnic Ugbokolo, Engr. Emmanuel Barki has been abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

    He was kidnapped while returning from Makurdi to Ugbokolo after an official assignment that took place in the State capital, Wednesday.

    It was gathered that the Acting Rector was kidnapped alongside some management staff of the polytechnic and his driver.

    It was further gathered that the abductors moved them away from the highway and reportedly abandoned the official vehicle of the polytechnic.

    A source who disclosed this to newsmen in Makurdi on Friday, on condition of anonymity, said the abductors called the family of the Acting Rector and demanded N70m as ransom after 24 hours that he was kidnapped with his driver and other management staff of the Polytechnic.

    Since the incident happened, prominent individuals have been paying visit to the family of the Acting Rector to sympathize with them.

    The immediate past Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Benue State chapter, Rev.  Augustine Akpen Leva, condemned the dastardly act and prayed for the immediate release of the Acting Rector.

     Leva particularly called on Governor Alia to improve on the security situation of the state to enable  people and even the travellers to go to places of their choice without being victims of kidnappers.

    When contacted, the Benue State command police public relations officer SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident, saying investigation is ongoing. 

    However, the special adviser to governor Alia on internal security, Chief Joseph Har also confirmed the abduction of the rector.

    According to him, the Acting Rector was kidnapped three days ago.

    He said he was not aware of any ransom negotiation, but that security  personnel have been in the bush since then combing the bushes.

  • Supreme Court judgement on LG fin. autonomy is good but not enough – APC chieftain, Ngwu insist

    Supreme Court judgement on LG fin. autonomy is good but not enough – APC chieftain, Ngwu insist

    Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu

    A Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Hycienth Ngwu has said that the Supreme Court judgement on Local Government financial autonomy is “good but not enough” to meet with the desired development at the grassroots level.

    Ngwu, former APC Publicity Secretary in South-East, who made this known on Friday in Enugu, said that the local government needed electoral freedom as well to function optimally.

    According to him, electoral freedom will ensure more reach and the grassroots people holding their elected representatives at that level accountable.

    Ngwu, who is a founding member of APC, said: “The Supreme Court judgement is a good development but not enough to bring the desired change we need at the local governments.

    “To bring about the complete change and to make the local government system independent enough to discharge their responsibilities that will impact positively on the people, there is a need to bring the INEC to conduct elections at that level. 

    “That will entrenche true democracy at the level. The situation where elections are conducted by State electoral bodies, where the party at the state government house wins in all polling units and wards is a mockery to democracy.” 

    The APC chieftain noted that if this electoral entanglement is not changed “the supposed benefits of this Supreme Court granted financial autonomy will not be felt 100 per cent at the local government.”

    “We need financial as well as electoral freedom at the local government level for the people’s liberation,” he added.