Nigeria@61: Reps Minority Caucus charges Nigerians not to give up hope

The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has charged Nigerians not to allow the hardship occasioned by the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration to make them give up hope in Nigeria as their country. The Caucus in a statement by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu on Friday, October 01, 2021, commended the commitment of Nigerians towards the task of nation building, despite daunting challenges. The Federal lawmakers lamented that despite the fact that Nigeria remains a nation blessed with abundant natural and human resources with patriotic zeal, for the last six years, the citizens have been subjected to the worst form of inhuman treatment, in violation of the reasons for independence and democratic tenets The Statement Reads: Independence Anniversary: Don’t Give Up Hope, Minority Reps Charges Nigerians As the nation celebrates her 61st Independence Anniversary, the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives, charges Nigerians not to allow the hardship occasioned by the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration to make them give up hope in Nigeria as their country. Nigeria is a nation blessed not only with abundant natural resources, but most importantly, patriotic citizens that have remained resilient and committed to task of nation building, despite the daunting challenges. It is lamentable that in the last six years, our compatriots have been subjected to the worst forms of state-backed injustice, deprivation, suppression, abuse of rights, economic strangulation, electoral manipulations, violence and traumatizing bondage mentality; in violation of the essentials of independence, particularly in a democratic setting. With total disregard for the tenets of our constitutional democracy comes dereliction of duty, recklessness, entrenched corruption in high places, counterproductive economic policies, infrastructural stagnation and national retrogression. The 61st Independence Anniversary therefore presents to leaders at all levels, the opportunity to redirect the tide by giving greater commitment to issues of good governance, justice, equity, fairness as well as the overall development security and wellbeing of Nigerians in such a manner that reflects their aspirations as free citizens. Our caucus commends Nigerians as true agents of nation building and urges them to use the occasion of this year’s independence anniversary to revamp the bond of unity, love and oneness of purpose for which we are known. The caucus also salutes the gallantry of our troops, who are putting their lives on the line to safeguard our nation, and for which many of them have paid the supreme price. On our part, the Minority Caucus remains resolute and unwavering in using all legislative instruments at our disposal in protecting and projecting the interest of Nigerians at all times. The Minority Caucus congratulates Nigerians and wishes them happy independence anniversary celebrations.

Okowa signs Delta State anti-open grazing bill into law, lists law benefits

Delta State today joined other states in the country to put in place a law to prevent open grazing with the signing into law by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa the anti-open grazing bill recently passed by the State House of Assembly. Known as the Delta State Livestock, Breeding, Rearing and Marketing Regulation Bill, 2021, otherwise known as Anti-Open Grazing Bill, the governor called on the Federal Government to assist interested farmers to establish ranches across the country. Okowa made this known after assenting to two Bills passed by Delta State House of Assembly, at Government House, Asaba. The Bills, including Delta State Urban and Regional Planning Bill 2020, were presented to Okowa by the Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, in company with principal officers of the Assembly. The governor said that the two laws were very important to the state, adding that the Delta State Livestock Breeding, Rearing and Marketing Regulations law had taken a new life of its own in the country. He recalled that the Southern Governors met and took certain decisions which they believed was in the best interest of the nation. "Today is quite a remarkable day in the history of this state because we signed two important bills into law this morning. "We believe that it is in the best interest of security; we also believe that it is in the best interest of ensuring food security and that it will help us to ensure that we are able to cause people from across this nation who will find themselves outside their own states inhabiting in Delta State to live with Deltans in a peaceful and respectable manner with each other. "We believe as the Southern Governors had stated that we must start to look into other ways of ensuring that we are able to breed and that we are able to rear our cattle and other livestock in such a manner that is acceptable in modern times. "We believe that this is something that is workable; many times it is difficult for people to embrace change, but I believe that the world all over is changing by the day and if you find that change is going to bring peace, if you find that change is going to bring development and even economic enhancement, it should truly be embraced. "I think that it is time for our nation to depart from the old ways and to look into the future, ensuring that we do things in the best way for development. "We must encourage best actions to be taken towards ensuring that there is peaceful coexistence within the various ethnic nationalities in Nigeria and the various states and also ensuring that we are able to do our businesses in such a manner that is respectable and I think that is what this law stands for," he said. Okowa said that the law was not enacted to witch-hunt anybody, but to encourage people to live with each other, respecting each other’s view, noting that the Delta State House of Assembly had done the state proud. "Today, Delta State can rightly boast that we now have a law that regulates livestock breeding, rearing and marketing and a law that also prohibits open grazing. "It is one law that every one of us in this country should truly support; it is something that is in the best interest of us all. "I want to urge all who are into livestock business to realise that this law has been signed and it is in the best interest of everybody, including those who are into livestock breeding, rearing and marketing business. "There has to be some decency brought into it, and there has to be some reasonable level of respect for each other and even the rights that we tend to claim. "Everybody has their own rights but it is important that we respect each other’s rights; every man's right has a limit because you cannot infringe on the rights of somebody else. "As a government, we encourage our people to gradually go into ranching because it will help our people, it will help to boost the economy of even the livestock breeders. "I believe that with time they will come to realise that these laws being passed would help to boost the economy, going into the future," he said. He called on Federal Government to put processes in place to assist in various ways to enable people to establish ranches, saying ``this is very important because if we do not do something now, in the nearest future we will find that we will definitely be having food scarcity and the insecurity that we find in our country we may not be able to address them. "We should take very stringent and supportive measures to ensure that there is control in terms of open grazing and that there is respect among citizens because we are a united country. "We have accepted to be one nation and everything that will strengthen the unity of this country, every government in this country both at the national and the sub-national levels, must truly support it.’’ On the Urban and Regional Planning law, Okowa said that it will enable the state to have a planned development with proper regulations and a formal establishment of the Ministry of Urban Planning backed by law. "I believe that the very challenging areas we had in the former law have been corrected now and so it will be possible to continue to develop our urban centres within the context of the law without having any challenges in the way. "This new law formally recognises the establishment of the Ministry of Urban Planning and I believe that is very important because we need to have liveable cities and if we are to have liveable cities there must be laws regulating and control of development of urban cities and that has been given life to by this law," he stated. He thanked the parliament for working always in the interest of the state and for taking its work very seriously. Earlier, Oborevwori had said that Delta State Urban and Regional Planning Bill, 2020 was aimed at development of the State through a proper mechanism for urban and regional planning to ensure compliance with laid down laws. He added that the passing of the Delta State Livestock Breeding, Rearing and Marketing Regulation Bill, 2021 was in fulfillment of one of the agreements reached at the Southern Governors’ meeting held here in Asaba the State Capital. "I believe that by virtue of this Bill the Delta State Government under your very able leadership has demonstrated its resolve to protect the people of our dear State from the menace of clashes between herders and farmers. "I also believe that this Bill will boost food production in the State as farmers can now go about their businesses without fear of anyone grazing on their crops," Oborevwori stated.

Atiku pays tribute to IBB at 80

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has described former military President General Ibrahim Babangida as a pillar of unity and a firm believer in one Nigeria. In a goodwill message on the occasion of Babangida's 80th birthday anniversary on Tuesday, 17th of August, Atiku stated that IBB established a record of an inclusive government that reflected Nigeria's ethnic and religious diversity. "You can't deny IBB the credit for his sincere efforts to build a viable federation founded on equitable representation", Atiku said in the statement signed by Paul Ibe, his Media Adviser. The former Vice President noted that even Babangida's most stubborn critics can't deny the fact that the former military leader had built a solid national infrastructure for the country which is still standing and visible around the country. Atiku also paid tribute to IBB for assembling one of the best and most formidable cabinets in our recent history because of his commitment to excellence. The former Vice President commended Babangida's remarkable childhood history. He said the General lost both his parents at an early age and had to struggle to pull himself up in life. He described IBB as a man of vast knowledge, wisdom, wealth of experience and broad outlook on life. He prayed to Allah to grant him more years in good health and vitality. Signed: Paul Ibe Media Adviser to H.E Atiku Abubakar Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007 Abuja. 16th August, 2021

ANALYSIS - Another surprise from PDP's bag of tricks

By Ehichioya Ezomon Time and again, the Peoples Democratic Party has demonstrated a capacity for declaring any election it loses - and unfavourable court judgments therefrom - as a mandate stolen from the party through manipulation of the electoral processes.

No matter how credible the poll, how roundly it's beaten, and the margin of the lead, the PDP would hold its main rival, the All Progressives Congress, in cahoots with the electoral umpire and security agencies as denying it the position(s) on offer. When the PDP lost the October 2020 Ondo gubernatorial race, on the back of its surprise win of the Edo State poll the previous month, the party resorted to its pastime of blaming the APC. The PDP refused to admit its miscalculation in the choice of its deputy governorship candidate, leading to divided votes the party could've secured to stand a chance at the balloting. The voting over, PDP shifted attention to the courts, to "retrieve our stolen mandate" it didn't win, as the Independent National Electoral Commission posted results from polling units on its portal for "real-time viewing." Disappointed by the Election Petitions Tribunal and Appeal Court, the PDP moved to the Supreme Court. As the apex court also refused it judgment by a split decision of four to three, the PDP loudly interpreted the minority ruling as ousting the APC's caretaker committee and its chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni, and called on the INEC to delist the APC. But when the APC publicised the aspects of the ruling that touched on the two thorny issues, it's mum in the PDP camp, prompting speculations that the party might finally rest the case. Keen watchers of the polity weren't deceived, though, as they predicted the PDP would pull another surprise from its "bag of tricks" to assail the APC, and the party didn't disappoint. The PDP has upped the ante by demanding that Buni be sacked as governor of Yobe State, for holding dual "executive" positions simultaneously, and "breaching" the amended 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and the constitution of the APC. Malam Buni was elected governor in 2019, and in 2020, he's appointed by the National Executive Committee of the APC to head the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, even as he retains the position of governor. This formed the premise of the PDP appeal at the Supreme Court, arising from rulings of the lower courts that affirmed the declaration of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) as winner of the Ondo poll. The PDP and its candidate, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) had argued that Akeredolu was wrongly nominated, as Buni, who forwarded His name to INEC, was in violation of section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, and article 17(4) of the APC constitution. Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution states that: "The Governor shall not, during the period he holds office, hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity whatsoever," while article 17(4) of the APC constitution stipulates that: "No officer in any organ of the Party shall hold executive office in government concurrently." So, to the PDP, the Supreme Court should hold that Akeredolu wasn't qualified to contest the 2020 poll, as Buni breached the law by forwarding Akeredolu's name to INEC. But the court, in a split decision of four to three on July 28, 2021, ruled that Akeredolu was lawfully nominated, as Buni only represented the APC that fielded Akeredolu for the election. The court held that "the law is and remains that the provisions that gover n sponsorship and nomination of candidates in an election are: Sections 31 and 87 of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended." "That sponsorship of a candidate in an election is that of the party and not the individual Officer... forwarding the name of the candidate," the court ruled, adding that, "there is no provision in the Electoral Act prescribing any form for forwarding or submission of the sponsored candidate of a political party in an election." On PDP's plea to disqualify Akeredolu on the basis of Buni violating section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, the Justices held that "no other Law/Act can be relied upon to disqualify a candidate in an election save for the provisions of Section 182 of the CFRN." "Sections 177 and 182 of the CFRN, which make provisions for qualifications and disqualification of candidates for Governorship election, are exhaustive and leave no room for any addition." The Justices declared that failure of the appellants to join Buni as a respondent was fatal to their case, rejected their entreaty to be declared winner, and affirmed Akeredolu as duly elected But in a minority ruling, three of the Justices questioned the validity of the Buni-led caretaker committee, which it declared illegal, and held that the APC erred by allowing a sitting governor as its national chairman, against section 183 of the 1999 Constitution. The Justices also ruled that it wasn't mandatory for the appellants (Jegede and PDP) to join Buni, as the governor was an embodiment of the APC that's a respondent in the matter. The PDP, relying on the minority ruling, and the unanimous opinion of the Justices that politicians should obey the laws of their parties, has gone to court again, to demand Buni's sack as governor. The PDP also prays the court to disqualify Buni's deputy, Idi Barde Gubana, from taking over as governor, and install PDP's Amb. Umar Iliya and Dama Baba Abba Aji, as governor and deputy governor. Besides, the PDP seeks a declaration that Buni's actions, as the chairman of the APC caretaker committee, while he remains the governor of Yobe State, "are wrongful, null and void." In an originating summons filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 12, 2021, through Chief Emeka Etiaba (SAN), the PDP poses several questions for the determination of the court: * Whether the 1st defendant (Buni) did not breach the clear provisions of section 183 of the 1999 Constitution when, as the governor of Yobe State, he accepted the 3rd defendant (APC) appointment as its caretaker Committee Chairman and proceeded to occupy the office. * Whether the 1st defendant, who is the governor of Yobe State and the Caretaker Committee chairman of the 3rd defendant (APC), has not ceased to hold the office of Governor of Yobe State, having regard to the provisions of section 183 of the 1999 constitution. * Having regard to the clear provisions of section 187(1) of the 1999 constitution and the state of law, whether the 2nd plaintiff (Dama Baba Abba Aji), can lawfully occupy the office of the governor or deputy governor of Yobe State upon the cessation of Governor Buni occupation of the office. The PDP urges the court to order the Chief Judge of Yobe State or any other relevant judge, "to immediately swear in Umar Iliya and Dama Baba Abba Aji as governor and deputy governor of the state, respectively, as the offices have become vacant." The PDP, aiming to swing the matter it failed to achieve at the polls, and through the lower and appellate courts, may appear as an interloper, a "busy body" prying into the home affairs of a rival. Anyway, didn't Jegede say he declined to join Buni as respondent because the governor has immunity? Has Buni waived the immunity, or the PDP really believes he has forfeited the governorship by chairing the APC caretaker committee? The APC has slammed the PDP as engaging in "abuse of court processes" that the APC hopes the court would punish. Secretary of APC's caretaker committee, Sen. Akpan Udoedehe, said the PDP "is obviously executing a desperate and poorly-scripted plot at deflecting attention from its crisis of confidence." "The PDP is an ignominious rabble-rouser and has no locus to take any action on the internal affairs of the APC," Sen. Udoedehe said, adding, "the Supreme Court has already affirmed the status and legality of the CECPC and that is all there is to it." The PDP is, indeed, hurting, as cacophonous voices have risen against the party chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, to resign his position in the National Working Committee. So, what better way to arrest the rumpus than for the PDP to "regain its stolen mandate" in Yobe State! And what a master stroke that would be ahead of the crucial 2023 general election! * Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

MRA Calls on Federal Government to Reverse Steady Decline in Internet Subscriptions in Nigeria

LAGOS, Monday, August 16, 2021: Media Rights Agenda (MRA) today called on the Federal Government and its relevant agencies to take urgent measures to reverse the steady decline in the number of Nigerians online, saying the Government’s efforts should now be geared towards ensuring that every citizen is connected to the Internet rather than pushing those already connected off the grid. In a statement issued in Lagos, MRA’s Communications Officer, Mr. Idowu Adewale, noted that from the monthly figures published by the National Communications Commission (NCC) of active Internet subscriptions in Nigeria, the number of active Internet subscriptions in Nigeria has been steadily declining over a period of eight months, between November 2020 and June 2021, the latest month for which subscription data is available. According to him, in November 2020, there were 154,437,623 active Internet subscriptions in Nigeria across three different communication technologies, namely the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication, fixed wired telephone, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), but the number dropped slightly to 153,873,786 in December 2020 and then sharply to 150,898,122 in January 2021. Mr. Adewale observed that since then, the figure has continued to fall monthly at an alarming rate, going to 148,133,233 in February 2021, 144,581,026 in March; 141,407,324 in April; 140,132,128 in May and currently standing at 139,814,913 as at June. He stressed that “The rate at which Nigeria is bleeding Internet subscribers is extremely worrying and unacceptable, particularly at a time when the global preoccupation and efforts are directed at ensuring that all remaining unconnected people around the world get online. This situation in Nigeria obviously constitutes an impediment to that global effort.” Mr. Adewale said: “Besides the fact that access to the Internet enables people to exercise and enjoy their rights, the lack of access obviously has other far reaching negative consequences for those who are excluded, for the quality of lives that they have, their livelihoods as well as their participation in many social, economic and political activities. Even before the current COVID-19 context, many public services and benefits were becoming available virtually only to those with Internet access. In the current environment where many social and economic activities are taking place online, there can be no justification for this situation which serves to deprive significant numbers of citizens access to such services and benefits.” He called on the government and its various departments and agencies with responsibilities in the Internet and telecommunications sectors to make a serious effort to identify the causes of the steady decline in Internet subscriptions, adopt and implement measures to address them and other barriers to connectivity for all Nigerians, including the high cost of data and devices such as smart phones and computer equipment.

PERSPECTIVE - Whitewashing is a waste; history has already judged Babangida

By Owei Lakemfa Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, retired general and former military Head of State will turn 80 tomorrow, Tuesday, August 17. I congratulate him primarily because I also pray to grow old. But I do not pray that in my old age my children will organise gatherings where people will try to whitewash my deeds.

One of such occasions was the August 12, 2021 pre-birthday event. The summary of the endless speeches which were relayed live on television is that Babangida is a reliable, kind-hearted statesman who never neglects or betrays his friends. But that is not what the records show. Yes, Babangida comes across as a comely, friendly, charming person, but so does the beautiful, cunning, crafty fox. Those gathering for the whitewash of Babangida know that Nigerians gave him the sobriquet Maradona. This was because like the famous Argentine footballer, Diego Maradona, who was a great dribbler and seller of dummies on the field, Babangida was dribbling Nigerians, selling them dummies, was quite crafty, deceitful and unreliable. A great difference was that while the real Maradona never shifted the goal post during play, Babangida was always shifting the goal post whenever he thought a goal was to be scored against him. For instance, he promised to hand-over power to an elected civilian administration in 1990. When the date drew near, he shifted it to 1992, then January 1993, later to August 1993, and ended up not handing over power before he was disgraced out of office. While claiming to be a champion of mass participation in decision-making, he declared a public debate on whether or not, the International Monetary Fund, IMF, loan and its conditionalities should be accepted. Nigerians in overwhelming numbers rejected both. On December 13, 1985, Babangida addressed the nation acknowledging the undeniable choice of Nigerians and even declared that “ …the path of honour and the essence of democratic patriotism lies in discontinuing the negotiations with the IMF for a support loan”. Nigerians were ecstatic, but the cunning Babangida did the exact opposite by going to bed with the IMF and imposing its criminal conditionalities christened the Structural Adjustment Programme, SAP. When Nigerians protested against this imposition, patriots like the labour legends, Michael Imoudu and Wahab Goodluck and lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi were detained, many tertiary institutions shutdown and protesters were shot in the streets. As to the claim that Babangida was loyal to friends, at least two of his close friends who believed that, were sent to early graves. One of them was Mamman Vatsa, his childhood friend, high school classmate at Government College, Bida, and a fellow general. In fact, Babangida signed Vatsa’s marriage register as his best man. Vatsa was accused of harbouring the thought of overthrowing Babangida, was tried in a military tribunal, tied to the stake on March 5, 1986 and executed. Another Babangida close friend, Chief Moshood Abiola, won the June 12, 1993 presidential election, fair and square. But Babangida annulled it and later claimed he did it to prevent a coup. Is that not treasonable felony? What a friend he had in Babangida! Abiola while fighting for his mandate was detained under the Abacha regime and eventually died. At the Babangida whitewash last week, a former Director of Military Intelligence, DMI Haliru Akilu, a retired general, mentioned Babangida’s relocation of the capital from Lagos to Abuja as a monumental achievement adding: “This was a great decision that only leaders of IBB’s capacity can make.” I am not sure about this. Abuja was being built by previous governments and partially under Babangida. Not a few attribute Babangida’s December 12, 1991 relocation to Abuja as a fall out of the Orkar coup which exposed the vulnerability of the Dodan Barracks State House. In fact, the haste and disorderly way the capital was relocated was like a man fleeing a city. For instance, many of those who had to relocate, had no offices. As for accommodation, it was in so short supply that many lived in their offices for years, while many desperate female public servants, some of them married, shared rooms with males lucky enough to secure accommodation. This is the origin of the popular ‘Abuja Marriage’ syndrome. Businessman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, talked glowingly about Babangida as a dependable friend. Babangida, he claimed, made him leader of the Raw Materials Development Council, and stayed by his side for a whole day when he buried his father. But he only narrated one side of the story. The other is that the same Babangida sent armed security agents to traumatise journalists and staff of Iwuanyanwu’s Champion Newspapers and shutdown the publication without any warning or court order. It was simply the application of brutal force against a non-military institution. The Babangida regime had no regard for fundamental human rights. People were detained without trial. At any given time, under that dictatorship, the cells and dungeons were packed full of patriots. When the pro-democracy protests broke out with demands for the de-annulment of the June 12 election, the regime sent out well kitted soldiers led personally by then Chief of Army Staff, General Sani Abacha to repress them. On July 6, 1993, a total of 118 protesters were shot dead on the streets of Lagos. Almost all were shot in the back which meant they were running away and not confronting their murderers. These are crimes against humanity for which the regime should be held accountable. When the pro-state candidate, Takai Shamang, could not win the 1988 Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC elections, the Babangida regime banned the Congress under a nebulous ‘Economic Recovery’ decree. When senior staff of Nigeria Electricity Power Authority, NEPA, went on strike against the poor state of power infrastructure, the regime seized eleven of them and hauled them before a military tribunal demanding the death sentence. Eventually, the men were sentenced to life imprisonment for going on strike which is a right! In 1986 after the police murdered four students of the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, for protesting, the regime shutdown virtually all tertiary institutions in the country for protesting the murders. It also proscribed the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS. The Babangida regime was a lawless one which not only ousted the jurisdiction of the courts in many decrees, but also did not obey court orders and rulings. Those gathering around the country in a vain attempt to whitewash Babangida are just deceiving him and deceiving themselves; history has already judged him. The wise in Africa say even if a man is being deceived, he owes himself the duty not to deceive himself. If Babangida does not apologise for his atrocities against the Nigerian people, he should go to a quiet spot in his hilltop mansion to pray that God forgives him his sins.

Elumelu hails Delta Council Chairmen for successful 100 days in office

The Minority Leader of the House Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu has felicitated with the Council Chairmen in Delta State as they mark 100 days in office. Elumelu in a statement on Tuesday commended the Chairmen for successfully steering the affairs of the people at the various council areas in the State for 100 days, noting that it was a period where solid foundation was laid for a glorious tenure. The Minority Leader also lauded them for ensuring peace, security and unity in their domains within the period under review in consonance with the directives of the State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, saying that testimonies of environmental cleanliness, assistance in the area of provision of seedlings, improved cassava stems, insecticide and fertilizers to local farmers by the Council bosses as well as infrastructure development, abounded in some of the Council areas within this period they have been in office. "We are impressed with your action so far with the limited resources available to you. You have followed the directives of His Excellency, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, our indefatigable Governor and I must say that you have done well within your 100 days in Office," the Minority Leader stated.

N-POWER Batch C Stream 1: Humanitarian Ministry announces next stage of enrolment

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has announced the next step for the Npower Batch C Stream One applicants. A statement signed by Nneka Ikem Anibeze, the Special Assistant on Media to the minister, the Permanent Secretary Bashir Nura Alkali, revealed that the ministry has commenced the next stage of enrollment with the verification of email addresses by applicants. Alkali therefore called on shortlisted applicants to check their respective email/ addresses for confirmation and further directives. He further directed applicants to log on to www.nasims.gov.ng to enrol their biometric data. Applicants are also advised to contact NPower helplines or email support at support.npower@nasims.gov.ng for other enquiries. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs is charged with the responsibility of implementing National Social Investment Programmes.

Twitter ban: PDP chides APC for conspiracy to suppress Nigerians

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the National Caucus of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of conspiring against Nigerians to ban Twitter in the country in a devious move to suppress the people. The PDP in statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, recalled past efforts by the APC caucus to push bills for legislation to enforce draconian regulations and gag Nigerians from exposing their atrocities and human rights abuses. The party’s statement reads: June 6, 2021 Press Statement APC Behind Twitter Ban and Moves to Suppress Nigerians The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accuses the National Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. The PDP says revelations available to it show how APC leaders at one of their party’s national caucus meeting recommended the regulation of social media in Nigeria and how they have been plotting to obliterate internet-based interaction platforms such as Twitter. The PDP recalls how the APC Caucus has been pushing bills in the National Assembly, particularly in November 2020, seeking to enforce a draconian regulation of social media so as to gag Nigerians from exposing its atrocities, including human right abuses, treasury looting, nepotism and sectional marginalization by the APC administration. Nigerians can also recall how the APC administration in carrying out the agenda of its party have been using the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, to suffocate the media space with humongous fines and threats of suspension of operating license on broadcast stations. The PDP wants the APC to know that their plot against Nigerians have been exposed and cannot stand. Our nation is known for her resilient citizenry and no leader or political party has been able to suppress the wishes of Nigerians. The APC, in spite of its machinations, cannot vanquish Nigerians in their determination for a free and democratic nation where sovereignty belongs to the people. Signed: Kola Ologbondiyan National Publicity Secretary

AMASS Congratulates Ukah on appointment as Delta’s SSG

Anioma Media Associates, a group of leading Journalists of Anioma extraction, has hailed the appointment of Ogbueshi Patrick Ukah as the Secretary to the Delta State Government. The group, in a Statement on Saturday, by the Deputy National Coordinator, Deacon Chukwudi Abiandu and Secretary General Deacon Williams Chijioke Ugbolue expressed happiness over the appointment and while saying it was well deserved, described Mr. Patrick Ukah as a man with considerable understanding of the Government and people of the state, having worked closely with the present administration in very notable positions where he distinguished himself creditably. AMASS noted that Chief Ukah’s wealth of experience in administration, garnered over the years, will serve as an added advantage to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the State, affirming that the new Delta SSG, with his charisma, charm, discipline and humility, is an excellent choice for the office, now being the engine room of the Government. While appreciating the Governor of the State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for the appointment, AMASS called on Chief Ukah to see his new responsibility as another avenue to promote the unity, peace and progress of the State, adding that the appointment was to further consolidate the coordination of the administration in fulfilling the Stronger Delta Agenda to the benefit of all Deltans, as the tenure gradually winds down. “We are happy and fulfilled that you were found worthy to be appointed to the exalted position of the Secretary to the Delta State Government. It is, no doubt, a position of trust where you are expected to continue to display the impressive discipline and unflinching loyalty, synonymous with your excellent service to the state in previous portfolios, to the Governor who is the epitome of the Government of the State. “You have done it before and we trust, you will do it again and continue to make us proud. “We heartily Congratulate you and pray to God to guide and direct every of your moves as you perform your assignment in your new position, to the satisfaction of the people of Delta State,” AMASS declared in the Statement.

Ozekhome, aghast, flays FG on Twitter ban, calls for more prison spaces for violators

The Federal Government has been criticized for not properly weighing the implications of the decision to ban twitter in Nigeria. Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chief Mike Ozekhome handed down the criticism in his reaction to the banning of twitter by the government in a statement he released Sunday. Entitled “The twitter ban, prosecution, more prisons and the link with the JUSUN strike,” Chief Ozekhome obviously displeased with the development urged the government to be ready to accommodate the deluge of Nigerians in prisons across the country because they will defy the order. Pointing out that the ban outrightly denies citizens of their individual and collective right to freedom of speech and right to freedom of expression and the press ,contrary to section 39 of the Constitution, the legal luminary said: “This government does not appear to have weighed carefully the serious implications of its actions and the likely ricochetting effects. Many Nigerians run global businesses with links and business partners across the world. They carry on business using the social media of twitter. Secondly, many Nigerians, especially the jobless youth who have been rendered destitute by this thus anti-masses government. They rely heavily on legitimate income realised from the platform through advertisement of their products and services and act on behalf of their not so ICT-compliant clients who desire to reach out to the world Banning Twitter is akin to what this government did 8n a kneel-jerk action on coming to power whether thoughtlessly banned Nigerians from operating their domiciary foreign accounts .The naira has never recovered from this shock treatment. Perhaps, more important is that the ban outrightly denies citizens of their individual and collective right to freedom of speech and right to freedom of expression and the press ,contrary to section 39 of the Constitution. The cumulative effectof these negative act is a serious blight on Nigeria’s image both at home and abroad.” Full text of Chief Mike Ozekhome’s statement reads: The Twitter Ban, Prosecution, More Prisons and the Link With the JUSUN Strike BY CHIEF MIKE A.A. OZEKHOME, SAN, OFR, FCIArb, LL.M, Ph.D, LL.D. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has just ordered the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation to immediately prosecute offenders contravening the Federal Government’s ban on twitter operations in Nigeria. Indeed he wants the DPP to liaise with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the National Communications Commission (NCC) and other relevant Government agencies to ensure “speedy prosecution of offenders without further delay”. How I wish that Malami’s APC Government, has displayed such alacrity and sense of urgency on the grave insecurity challenges of the country; the parlous economy and the mounting corruption ravaging our land. Malami did this with Lai Mohammed apparently being aware that many knowledgeable Nigerians had started to use different Virtual Private Networks (VPN) to clearly bypass the blockage. This government must be ready to build thousands of prisons across all the nooks and cranies of Nigeria so as to accommodate the deluge of ‘erring’ Nigerians. THE DANGERS INHERENT IN GOVERNMENT’S ILLEGAL ACTION This government does not appear to have weighed carefully the serious implications of its actions and the likely ricochetting effects. Many Nigerians run global businesses with links and business partners across the world. They carry on business using the social media of twitter. Secondly, many Nigerians, especially the jobless youth who have been rendered destitute by this thus anti-masses government. They rely heavily on legitimate income realised from the platform through advertisement of their products and services and act on behalf of their not so ICT-compliant clients who desire to reach out to the world Banning Twitter is akin to what this government did 8n a kneel-jerk action on coming to power whether thoughtlessly banned Nigerians from operating their domiciary foreign accounts .The naira has never recovered from this shock treatment. Perhaps, more important is that the ban outrightly denies citizens of their individual and collective right to freedom of speech and right to freedom of expression and the press ,contrary to section 39 of the Constitution. The cumulative effectof these negative act is a serious blight on Nigeria’s image both at home and abroad. THE CURIOUS JUSUN STRIKE ANGLE From day one, I had whole-heartedly supported the JUSUN strike by Judicial workers. I had believed (and still believe) that Judicial autonomy must never be compromised. I dripped oceans of ink and made tons of television appearances (permit the hyperbole; it is to emphasise the frequency), arguing that the strike was well-intentioned because it was meant to save the Judiciary from itself, give it autonomy from the strangulating grip of State Governors; and allow it unfettered access to its constitutionally granted funds without genuflecting before “almighty” State Governors. Then twitter suspended Buhari’s account and pulled down his offensive threats against his own electors and citizens he governs. Then, Lai Mohammed reacted by saying the FG has banned twitter operations in Nigeria. And, now, Malami has directed the DPP to prosecute any Nigerian who flaunts this ban by using VPN to bypass it. NO ACCESS TO COURT In all these, the agitated citizens are eager to go to court (section 6 of the Constitution), to challenge these outrageous infractions of their rights. Then, they suddenly realize that the doors to the courts are firmly shut, and put under lock and key by JUSUN workers. So, they lick their oozing wounds. Meanwhile, the same courts being protected, are busy every day, delivering judgements (physical and virtual), on matters already pending before the JUSUN strike commenced. So, who are these workers that prepare the files, take them to Judges and create the enabling environment for such sittings, including fixing the zoom meetings? How and where do they gain access to the courts’ strong rooms, filing cabinets and court processes, to aid the Judges? Just how? I cannot understand. Or, can you? PLAUSIBLE CONSPIRACY THEORY Meanwhile, the Governors and the presidency appear not only comfortable with the existing impasse (which has literally suspended the third arm of Government, as during vile military juntas), they are quite happy with it. Their unyielding stance is encouraging the strike. These got me thinking. I therefore decided to give a second look at the unfolding scenario. It points to one fact: Nigeria appears to have been scammed by some smart elite alecs, working in collaboration and tandem with probably the unsuspecting JUSUN leadership. My response to this new development? JUSUN, CALL OFF THE ONGOING STRIKE IMMEDIATELY. MY NEW STANCE I have now changed my views and stance. My new stance is now occasioned by the frequency of series of curious events (some quite frightening), emanating from the government and its operatives in the last two weeks. First, the Attorney-General, Malami, condemned Southern Governors’ ban on open grazing by cattle. He curiously likened the murderous acts of non-tax paying nomadic cattle rearers to innocent shop-owning, spare-parts-selling Igbos who carry out their businesses legitimately and peacefully in their rented premises, paying their tax, tenement rate, water and wastage disposal bills. Freedom of movement by human beings in section 41 of the Constitution was now being mistaken for freedom of movement for cows, sheep and goats. The life of a cow was being elevated, valued and priced beyond that of slaughtered and raped human beings. Second, there sprang out an alleged secret memo attributed to the Attorney-General (but which he has firmly denied and denounced), in which he purportedly advised President Buhari to declare a state of emergency and suspend provisions of the 1999 Constitution that deal with the people’s fundamental rights. I believed his denial because that would have been unthinkable, having regard to his sacred position and duties as espoused in sections 150 and 174 of the Constitution. GOVERNMENT’S APPARENT GAME PLAN Let us not continue to be used by fifth columnists as pawns in a game of musical chairs. This government will very shortly likely crack down on the opposition, rights Activists, dissenters, plural voices and perceived enemies. There will be no courts to run to with a view to obtaining any remedy. They are all firmly locked. Many of the Justices and Judges that we are strenuously defending, denying lawyers (especially junior lawyers, the challenged and widows) food and money in their pockets, are enjoying, receiving their salaries and emoluments. We now appear to be crying more than the bereaved. The iron is rusting while the gold is shining. The JUSUN strike has therefore outlived its usefulness and purpose. JUSUN, CALL OFF THE STRIKE NOW AND SAVE THE JUDICIARY FROM ITSELF, FROM SELF-IMMOLATION AND SELF-DESTRUCT. IMMEDIATELY. AS URGENT AS YESTERDAY. THE LAW: NO NIGERIAN CAN BE PROSECUTED FOR A NON-EXISTENT OFFENCE The Court of Appeal was emphatic in ONWUGHALU v. FRN (2019) LPELR-47313(CA), that no citizen of Nigeria can be tried or punished for an alleged offence not created by law. It said: “Truly, our Constitution guarantees that no citizen of this country should be put through a criminal trial, convicted and punished over an alleged offence not created by any law and thus unknown to the laws of the land. See the causa celebre of AOKO V FAGBEMI (1961) 1 ALL NLR 400, which till date represents the locus classicus on this matter. In GEORGE v. FRN (2013) LPELR-21895(SC), the apex Court held thus: “Any conduct that must be sanctioned must be expressly stated in a written law to wit: an Act by the National Assembly. That is what Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution provides. Such conduct should not be left to conjecture. As well, it cannot be inferred by the Court”. Also, in SELE v. STATE (1993) LPELR-3030(SC), the apex court held: “It is a cardinal principle of our concept of criminality, and which is protected by our Constitution, that a person can only be charged with and convicted for an offence recognised by the law and in existence at the time the act alleged was committed – See S.33(8) of the Constitution 1979. This is the hallowed and sacred principle of legality. It is because of its importance and high public policy that the legislative jurisdiction of the legislature is also excluded from having retrospective effect in relation to any criminal offence whatsoever.” Per ADOLPHUS GODWIN KARIBI-WHYTE, JSC (Pp 18 – 18 Paras A – C. Similarly, the Supreme Court in TAFIDA v. FRN (2013) LPELR-21859(SC), made it clear that: “the interpretation of a penal legislation or any statute for that matter should not be left to the whims and caprices of the Judge called upon to interpret the legislation. Any conduct which carries a sanction of imprisonment must be expressly stated in a written law and not left to conjecture or inference by the Court.” Per KUMAI BAYANG AKA’AHS, JSC (Pp 15 – 16 Paras C – D). Finally, on the legal position, the Court of Appeal in OMATSEYE v. FRN (2017) LPELR-42719(CA), incisively held that: “It is trite and settled by the 1999 Constitution (as altered) particularly Section 36(8) which states thus: “No person shall be held to be guilty of a criminal offence on account of any act or omission that did not, at the time it took place, constitute such an offence, and no penalty shall be imposed for any criminal offence heavier than the penalty in force at the time the offence was committed.” There is no question therefore on the need to have a statutory provision clearly creating an offence before any person can be convicted for the said offence. The punishment too must be specifically named in a legislation. The apex Court emphatically stated that it is rudimentary and elementary for anybody or persons having something to do with dispensation of justice in this country to know that no citizen can be made to face any criminal trial for an act which is not qualified as an offence not defined or stated (codified) in any law and the punishment thereof prescribed. All Courts, so named, cannot claim ignorance of these facts. See the following cases: GEORGE V FRN (2014) ALL FWLR (PT.718) 879; ABIDOYE V FRN (2014) ALL FWLR (PT.722) 1646; ALIYU V FRN (2014) ALL FWLR (PT.720) 1272.” Per YARGATA BYENCHIT NIMPAR, JCA (Pp 7 – 8 Paras A – A). All the above judicial authorities are crystal clear that neither Malami, the DPP, nor this government, can prosecute any twitter user. Using twitter is not a known crime or written offence. The NASS has not enacted any law banning the use of the social media, including Twitter. Mere verbal pronouncement, declaration, directives or threats by the Attorney-General, do not amount to a Law validly passed by the NASS. SOME RESPITE: A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL All hope is not lost, even with the JUSUN strike. There is some respite here. Any Nigerian arrested or detained should immediately proceed to the sub-regional West African Court situate in Abuja. The African charter on Human and People’s Rights is there to protect the rights of citizens of Nigeria. The Court that operates it (the West African Court) is there right now, fully operational. The last time I checked, we are not in the Hobesian state of nature where life was solitary, nasty, short and brutish.operating a military Junta or Musolini and Hitler’s despotism and absolutism! Nigeria is not a banana Republic. Never in the past; not yesterday, not today; not tomorrow; not ever. We operate a Constitutional democracy where things are done according to the Rule of Law and within our Constitutional organogram. We do not operate rule of the thumb or rule of men.It is always better to build strong institutions rather than strong men. My one kobo piece of advice to this clueless Government that spreads pains, agony, pangs and blood like manure on plants.

Asaba Declaration: We owe no apologies on open grazing, restructuring, declares Okowa; says it's impossible for federal police to secure the country

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has berated critics of southern governors on the ban of opening grazing of cattle and the call for national dialogue to restructure Nigeria. These were part of the decisions taken when he hosted his 16 colleagues on 11 May, 2021 in Asaba where they also called for state police and devolution of powers from the Federal Government to the States. "We owe no apologies, because we spoke the truth and we thought that the truth we spoke was in the best interest of this nation. Okowa expressed surprise that some elements in the Presidency are still advocating for the retention of open grazing of cattle. "Can we truly at this moment be promoting open grazing? Thank God that the President was misrepresented, because I have seen news headlines that the President is not opposed to the ban on open grazing. We need to begin to look into what is best for us. Where we were 50 years ago should not be where we should be today and tomorrow." He acknowledged that it might not be a one-day affair. He said: "It may not be but the process has to start and there must be a programme that must become evident, a programme in which we will begin to see actions being taken." He warned that Nigeria's growing food insecurity may soon spiral to a tipping point on account of the threat posed by open grazing of cattle. "Today, a lot of money is being spent by the Central Bank of Nigeria to encourage farmers to ensure that we are food sufficient but a lot of these efforts are lost, because of insecurity. Farmers can't go to farm, their crops are destroyed, they are maimed and raped and some are even killed. We cannot continue like this, because if you have a programme you are spending billions on, we must secure it and we must ensure the food security of this country." Okowa called for wholesale adoption of ranching given that, apart from safety issues, it is more beneficial for both cattle owners and herders. "Ranching obviously is the only way out as is happening in other climes and it's not impossible in this place. In some parts of Taraba State, ranching has been on for so many years and we can actually create those ranches where the cattle will have more meat, more milk and then the children can actually afford to go to school", he said. "We may not go into the big ranches but we can start in some form by acquiring some lands for that purpose and it may not be owned by individuals. Government can own the ranches where individuals can come and populate and pay some form of token", the governor stated. The voices for restructuring have been very strong out there. Why will somebody even criticise on restructuring? The only thing you need to know is that restructuring is of various facets, you only have to bring forth your arguments", Okowa said as he spoke with selected journalists in Asaba. His stand came against the backdrop of the criticisms of the Asaba Declaration by Abubakar Malami, Federal Attorney and Minister of Justice including Mallam Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman. "I actually thought that the voices who tend to criticise the meeting failed to have an understanding. People should learn to approach things after a very deep thought rather than just looking at the surface ,picking one thing and speaking about it. "We actually came in as state governors to reaffirm our belief in the Nigerian state and secondly we do also realise that there are things going on very wrongly and there was a need to address them", the governor said He had earlier called for the writing of a new constitution, not an amendment, to accommodate emerging issues of good governance and greater interest of Nigerians when he received on a courtesy visit, the Senate sub-committee on review of the 1999 Constitution led by Senator James Manager in Asaba. He told the committee that a new Constitution for the country had become imperative in view of observed inadequacies in the 1999 Constitution and called for the insertion of a clause to allow for the re-writing of the present Constitution while it would continue to be in operation until a new one was ready. "I believe that the southern governors' meeting was in the best interest of this nation and not just the southern part of the country, because the voices of our people have continued to ring loud and ours was just to reflect their voice. "We first proclaimed as a people and as governors who run the various States in Southern Nigeria that we believe in the Federation and unity of this country, because there has been a lot of voices on secession here and there", Okowa stated. "There is nobody that has not talked about restructuring. Even the APC government constituted a restructuring committee headed by Nasir el-Rufai and they agreed that restructuring was inevitable. It has to be done. That is why we asked for the national dialogue so that we can sit down and look at the issues and agree together as a nation, as peoples of same nation on what and what will be needed and I think it is very important. "It is important and it will help to enhance the peace and recreate hope amongst our people that truly we are in a federation that is united in the best interest of the federating units. I don't see why people will need to criticise that" On state police, Okowa said the way the federal police is structured "is such that they won't be able to police this nation, it's impossible. We are not saying that they are incompetent. "But when the police hierarchy is already calling for vigilantes, they are calling for state police. So the state police can be organized in such a manner that it assists the federal police, because the level of insecurity in this country now is too high and we need to do something about it."

Delta Police in big haul of criminal suspects

Sequel to the earlier directive issued by the commissioner of police Delta state command, CP Ari Muhammed Ali, that DPOS and tactical commanders carry out continuous raid of black spots so that sanity can be restored and sustained in the state, the initiative has continued to yield results with the arrest of suspected gun runners, cultists, drug peddlers, rescue of kidnap victims among others. A statement by the Command’s Acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe, said that the Commander, Delta State Anti Cult Unit (SACU) detailed SACU Operatives to Jesse area of Delta state. The statement reads further: “After discreet intelligence gathering, on 20/5/2021 three suspected cultist namely, Onomua Victor ‘m’ age 29years, Saturday ‘m’ surname unknown, and Ibru Adegbor all from Jesse were arrested. On investigation and interrogation, they confessed to be members of Aro Bagger confraternity, and that the cult leader who is on the run is in possession of their arm which they call ‘tool’ popularly known as cut to size gun. On further interrogation, they confessed one Francis Ogono ‘m’ age 42years to be their gun supplier who is also from Jesse that allegedly sold the gun to their cult group. On 29/5/2021 SACU operatives went after the said gun runner he was arrested. exhibit recovered include on single barrel gun, and several tools used in the production of cut to size guns. Investigation is ongoing. “On 27/5/2021 at about 0845hrs, Dragon Patrol teams while on stop and search duty along Ughelli/Warri expressway by Ekrehavwe Community junction intercepted and rescued one Ibude Celestine ‘f’ of Okoukoko. The victim was kidnapped at about 0730hrs of 27/5/2021 in her Lexus Jeep after dropping her kids at School in Okoukoko. However, based on technical intelligence, Dragon patrol teams in conjunction with Agbarho divisional patrol team promptly swung into action and moved to Usiefurun Community Off Ughelli/Warri road.The vehicle was sighted by the combined teams. The hoodlums on sighting the police abandoned the victim’s Gold colored Lexus RX 350 Jeep Reg. No. LSD 366 CL, Chassis No. 2T2HK3U08C077223 and their operational vehicle A black colored Honda Pilot Jeep Reg. No Lagos KTU 911EJ, chassis No. 2HKYF18604H541056 and fled into the bush. Upon search of the abandoned Honda Pilot Jeep, one Pump Action Gun, Breech No. 870150457 and six (6) live cartridges were recovered. The victim and the exhibits have been handed over to Supol Agborho. Investigation is on to arrest the fleeing suspects. “Acting on credible intelligence that a cartel suspected to be dealing in cocaine are domiciled in Sapele, Police operatives attached to SACU went on a discreet operation to investigate and fish out these elements who supply criminals in Sapele with cocaine, Indian hemp and other illicit drugs, which they depend on before going for their criminal activities. On 29th may 2021, SACU Operatives stormed their hide out, where over 50 suspects were sighted, they immediately took to their heels, the police went after them, and arrested Eric Atijegbe, ‘m’ 35years, Adams Esubi ‘m’ age 46 years, Joshau Oda, ‘m’ 18 years and nine others all of Okpe Delta State, exhibit recovered includes cocaine, refnol, Indian hemp, cracks and other illicit drugs. Case is currently under investigation.”

Delta: EXCO dissolution in State’s best interest, says Solomon; calls for relevant laws to enforce Southern Governors’ resolutions

The dissolution of the Delta State Executive Council has been described as the best course of action to take in order to free those with political ambition to concentrate on their quest. It also had the added effect of bringing down the "rising temperature in the state." Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, until recently the Senior Political Adviser to the governor, stated this while speaking on a Delta Television, Asaba current affairs programme. The governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, had on May 18 dissolved the state executive council, sacking the commissioners, including the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff as well as all senior advisers. "The governor's action was in the right direction. He needed to concentrate on his task of serving the people. Remember, he still has two years to the end of his administration and that is a long time to still make additional impact on the people. Okowa has impressed Deltans with his achievements and it is logical of them to expect him to do even more. "So he needs a compact team that will not be distracted by political permutations and jostling on 2023. As Senior Political Adviser to His Excellency, I had cause to issue warnings on two occasions over the ambitions of some people serving in the administration. Some of them started almost immediately after the second term began. Gov. Okowa is not vindictive neither is he looking to scuttle anybody's political ambition. But he still has a lot of job to do", Solomon said. Noting that the governor has already began assembling a new team with Monday's appointment of some advisers; Solomon called for continuous support for Okowa as he seeks to finish strong. "Those aspiring to be governor should play by the rule, be moderate in their approach and respect the supremacy of the party. The executive council needs unity of purpose to continue to implement Gov. Okowa's agenda. And nobody should forget the God factor. "The governor has made it clear that no individual, including himself, has the power to determine who becomes governor in 2023. God has unquestionable judgment in the affairs of men and only Him knows who will emerge in 2023", Solomon who was a deputy speaker in the Delta State House of Assembly and one time Commissioner for Works said. He said Okowa has been able to stabilise the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State and appealed to party members to exercise caution. "PDP members should not be over zealous. We should not lose focus. Everyone should exercise caution so that there will be a seamless transition. Okowa has stabilised the party and the state". He said Deltans are satisfied with how PDP and Okowa have been running the state. On Okowa's achievements in the past six years, he said the governor has "upped the ante in governance" because he came prepared for the job. "He has been in government, has knowledge of governance, understands and knows the entire terrain in Delta and so hit the ground running. "From his SMART Agenda theme in 2015, he identified key areas that needed total revamping. Urban renewal, boost to technical education, huge road projects, equipping of over 100,000 youths to become entrepreneurs and employers of labour, creation of three new universities to enable every child in Delta achieve their aspirations in education are some of the areas where Gov. Okowa has made a massive impact in the wellbeing of our people", Solomon stated. He also commended Okowa for driving and hosting the unprecedented meeting of 17 governors of southern Nigeria. "The resolutions they made are right and germaine. Through this, the Presidency was unraveled in their uninformed reaction to the governors' declaration. “By questioning the power of the governors to decide how land is managed in their respective states, the Presidency displayed an embarrassing lack of knowledge on the content of the Land Use Act that vests on governors the authority to manage lands. "I salute the southern governors and appeal to them to ignore the Federal Government and proceed to enact relevant laws that will give effect to their declaration," Solomon said.

Dame Okowa: Worthy partner in Stronger Delta, says Ifeajika

The wife of the Governor of Delta, Dame Edith Okowa, has been described as a distinguished woman of substance and committed partner in the sustained drive by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa's administration towards a Stronger Delta. Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in a statement to congratulate Dame Okowa on her 60th birth anniversary, said that she had contributed remarkably to the success of the Okowa administration, especially through her philanthropic programmes. He extolled the Governor’s wife for being a very supportive and reliable pillar to her husband and the entire family. According to Ifeajika, Dame Okowa is celebrating 60 years of great accomplishments and I urge her not to relent in her mission to give succour and hope to the less-privileged in the society. "The activities of the 05-Initiative have continued to attract positive narratives, particularly from well-meaning Deltans and Nigerians. "On behalf of the Governor's media team, I congratulate our loving mother and outstanding philanthropist, Dame Edith Okowa. “Your Excellency, your passion to provide care for the sick, Nigeria Correctional Services inmates, orphans and other less-privileged, stands you out as a great woman of compassion. "As an Evangelist and mother of inestimable value, you have impacted hugely on your family and the State. "It is our prayer that God will continue to grant you good health, wisdom and grace in your avowed commitment to the well-being of women and children. "We join your family, friends and associates in celebrating and praying for you, a worthy child of God, on this joyful day of your birth anniversary," he said. Ifeajika prayed that Almighty God should keep the Governor’s wife in good health to continue her noble deeds, especially with her 05-Initiative and to remain a great pillar of support in her family.

Constitution review: House of Reps holds South-South public hearing in Asaba June 3rd-June 4th

The House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review will hold its South-South zonal public hearing in Asaba, Delta State. According to statement signed by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Special Committee on Constitution Review, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and Chairman, South-South Public Hearing, Asaba Centre, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, the public hearing comes up on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th June, 2021. The statement said that the public hearing is part of House of Representatives efforts in ensuring wide participation of Nigerians and other critical stakeholders in the process of altering the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It further stated that the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu will be leading five other Honourable members of the committee, two consultants and three secretariat staff to the event that has been scheduled to hold at the Delta State Event Centre, Okpanam Road, Asaba, Delta State. The Committee therefore, has invited the State Governors that make up the Asaba South-South zonal centre, namely Delta, Edo and Bayelsa States, to present position papers during the public hearing. Also invited to present position papers are: representatives of Delta, Edo and Bayelsa States Houses of Assembly, representatives of traditional institutions in Delta, Edo and Bayelsa States, civil society organizations, political parties, NUJ, NLC, NUT, Ethnic Nationalities in the three States, as well as other critical stakeholders. Time for the public hearing is 10 am each day.

May 29: You’re a failure, Reps Minority Caucus tells APC-led FG, decries Nigeria’s world poverty nation status

The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives after a critical look at the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government and declared that the administration has failed Nigerians on all fronts in the last six years. The assertion came In a statement signed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu on Friday 28th May, 2021, saying: “As the nation observes the May 29 government anniversary, the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has taken stock of the performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration and posits that the government is a failure. “We hold that with its failure to check worsening insecurity and mass killing of citizens; its intrinsic corruption, mismanagement of our national economy, as well as the unrelenting assault on our national diversity, the APC administration at the centre has failed on all fronts in the last six years. “As lawmakers, our Caucus is worried that exclusionist tendencies, trade restrictions, nepotism in government appointments, disregard to rule law, relegation of constitutional order and principles of separation of powers; abuse of human rights, electoral malpractices, harassment of opposition and arrogant insensitivity to the sensibilities of the Nigerian people by the APC administration have occasioned instability, economic crisis and avoidable acrimony that are threatening our corporate existence as a country. “Poor policies by the APC administration have stifled the economy and put the nation in dire strait with a disturbing 33.3 per cent unemployment rate, a scary 18.12 per cent inflation rate, over N32.9 trillion accumulated debt burden, a progressively devalued currency and collapsed infrastructure. “Failure of the government to address escalated insecurity challenges has crippled the agricultural sector and disorganized commercial activities leading to imminent food crisis with cost of food and other necessities of life skyrocketing beyond the reach of Nigerians. “Nigeria, under the APC administration has now become the poverty capital of the world, ranking 98th out of 107 in Global Hunger Index, with 22.95 food inflation rate and increasing morbidity and mortality rates. “As representatives of the people, the Minority Caucus is worried that our nation is heading towards a failed state. We therefore urge President Muhammadu Buhari to buckle up and use the occasion of May 29 to address the failures of his administration by taking urgent steps to tackle insecurity, ensure respect for rule of law, end corruption in his government, adopt a more inclusive approach to governance and engage better hands to manage our economy. “Nevertheless, our Caucus commends the commitment of the governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in giving hope to our nation through their excellent performance in key sectors of our national life, despite the daunting challenges. “These governors have displayed unmatched leadership competence in developing their states through economic empowerment of citizens and massive infrastructure investments in key sectors of agriculture, education, healthcare, transportation, water resources, industrialization, aviation, road infrastructure, security among others. “Indeed, the performance of the governors elected on the platform of the PDP has further demonstrated that with the right type of leadership and ideological drive of a pan-Nigeria political party, such as the PDP, our nation will obviously come out of the woods of misrule,” the Federal lawmakers stated. They therefore called on Nigerians to remain focused and not lose sight of the potentials and promised that “our nation holds despite the challenges we face today.”

Home Grown School Programme: FG gives out 15,750 utensils to FCT as 10 m pupils benefit

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development on Tuesday flagged off the distribution of Utensils under the National Home Grown School Programme in the North Central Zone. In a statement by Nneka Ikem Anibeze, the Special Assistant on Media to the minister, the occasion took place at LEA primary school Jabi, where the Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq presented 15,750 utensils including stainless plates and cutlery sets as well as 1,000 aprons to the FCT which is a balance of the 73,060 utensils and 1555 aprons earlier presented in 2020 . The minister who stated that the impact of the school feeding initiative has been enormous said: “I am happy to report that we have so far, recorded feeding nearly 10 million pupils, and engaged over One Hundred Thousand Cooks. Also massive employment opportunities are being created within the school feeding ecosystem in sectors of transportation, agriculture, energy supply and food materials packaging.” The National Home Grown School Feeding Programme being one of the Social Investment Programmes under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is in fulfillment of ensuring that school pupils have the best experience of integrity, hygiene and safety during consumption of the free meals provided by the federal government. It is targeted at increasing enrollment of children in schools, boost their nutrition and encourage entrepreneurship, enhance agricultural production and generate millions of rural jobs in the country is a collaboration between the Federal and the State Governments. Umar Farouq said that the government is totally committed to the initiative which has prompted a nationwide resumption after the Covid-19 pandemic break. She explained that the Federal Government is responsible for funding, policy and guidelines formulations as well as conduct of close monitoring, while the States carry out the day-to-day implementation including procurement of food items, selection of cooks and vendors who would prepare, cook and serve the meals to the pupils. According to her, the Federal Government under the directives of President Buhari adopted the social protection mechanisms to tackle the social and economic challenges occassioned by the pandemic. "Part of these was the deployment of take-home rations initiative to Lagos, FCT and Ogun states, where over 127,000 households of pupils on the program were targeted to receive a food basket comprising of uncooked materials including rice, beans, palm oil, eggs etc. "This was specifically selected for the nutritional benefits of the children. We recorded tremendous success in this intervention that brought succor to the lives of many Nigerians who are at the bottom of the pyramid”, Umar Farouq said. The Minister is convinced that the school feeding program is an integral part of President Buhari's administration policy to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years. As at the last count, 9,196,823 pulpils had been captured nationwide across 54,619 schools with 100,000 farmers and 103,028 cooks actively employed. Umar Farouq promised that the ministry will continue to roll our policies and strategies capable of strengthening, sustaining and scaling up the program as well as all the other social investment programs under its stable. Earlier, the focal person representing the FCT Chinwendu Eteyen Amba thanked the federal government for the school feeding program initiative. “We thank the Minister and the Federal government for what you’re doing in the FCT using the Social Investment Programmes. We hope that you will continue to enjoy the robust relationship you have with the FCT”. The Minister later inspected the school feeding session in the LEA Primary School to ascertain the quantity and quality of the food given to the children.

£4.2m: No money returned to Delta, Accountant General recants

The office of the Accountant General of the Federation has withdrawn its earlier statement that it had returned to Delta State the 4.2million pounds money returned from the United Kingdom. A statement by the AG office putting the record straight reads: OFFICE OF THE ACCOUNTANT GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION Press Release Wednesday, May 26, 2021 RE: £4.2m IBORI LOOT: PUTTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) wishes to put the records straight regarding the widely circulated media report on the £4.2m Ibori Loot. The issue of the £4.2m Ibori Loot has not been properly resolved. The money is still being awaited, after which the issues around it will be resolved before further action is taken. For now, no money has been returned to Delta State. This explanation is without prejudice to the proceedings at the public hearing that took place yesterday during which the AGF was only making general comments about recoveries relating to State Governments. This is the true position as regards the £4.2m Ibori Loot. Henshaw Ogubike mnipr Director (Information, Press and Public Relations)

2021 Delta State Praise, Thanksgiving Day: Some roads to be closed

The Organizing Committee of the 2021 Delta State Praise and Thanksgiving Day in commemoration of the 6th anniversary of the Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa administration has announced that some roads leading to the Stephen Keshi International Stadium, venue of the event, will be closed to traffic on May 29, 2021 from 8am to 5pm. The Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the ceremony, Mr. Patrick Ukah, in a statement in Asaba today said that the roads are entrance to Nnebisi Road from SLOT, Studio 24 Road, Ebenuwa Street, MFM Road, behind stadium, and Tom Halim Street. Others are entrance to Nnebisi Road from Gallant Chi Chi Drive, Nwokobia Street, Nwabueze Lane and Austin Iyeh Lane all around AGGS area. Mr. Ukah stated that the closure of the roads is to allow for a hitch free ceremony as very important dignitaries are expected to attend the event. He advised motorists and other road users to make use of alternative routes in the town as all relevant security and traffic control departments will be mobilized that day to ensure strict compliance with the closure. The Chairman apologized for the inconveniences the closure of the roads will cause members of the public, just as he asked for their cooperation to make the ceremony a success. The ceremony is in fulfillment of a solemn promise made by Senator Okowa on the day of his inauguration as Governor of the state to always acknowledge the hand of the Almighty God in the affairs of Delta State. Notable local and international gospel artists such as Mercy Chinwo, Paul Nams, Sinachi, Nkechi Chukwura, Chioma Jesus, Tim Godfrey, Testimony Jaga and Sonnie Badu will join in offering worthy praise to God.

Returned £4.2m: Not in our coffers yet, says Delta Govt

Delta State Government on Wednesday said it had not received from the Federal Government the 4.2 million pounds returned by the United Kingdom. It said that although the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Ahmed Idris, had disclosed on Tuesday before the House of Representatives Committee on Recovered Assets, in Abuja that the funds had been released to the state, the money had not arrived in its coffers. The government, however, said in a statement by Mr Olisa Ifeajika, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, in Asaba, that it was in contact with the Federal Government, especially the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on the issue. It expressed appreciation for the disposition of the Federal Government in releasing the funds to the state, and assured that it would acknowledge receipt of the funds when it arrives. The government also assured the Federal Government and Deltans that the funds would, in tandem with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration’s hallmark, be judiciously deployed especially in the completion of projects it had earlier intimated the Presidency about.

Nigeria needs new Constitution, not amendment, says Okowa

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Wednesday said Nigeria needed a new Constitution, not amendment to accommodate emerging issues of good governance and greater interest of Nigerians. Okowa stated this when he received on courtesy visit, the Senate Sub-Committee on review of the 1999 Constitution led by Senator James Manager at Government House, Asaba. He said that a new Constitution for the country had become imperative in view of observed lacunas in the 1999 Constitution and called for the insertion of a clause to allow for the re-writing of the Constitution while it would continue to be in operation until a new one was ready. "There is no doubt that there is still a lot to work on in our Constitution to have a near perfect document, and I know that the National Assembly has continued over time, to cause some of the amendments to be. "I thank God that those sent here are familiar with the zone; so, when the people truly speak they would understand. ``But, I also wished that some persons from other zones actually had the opportunity to come down here to hear the voices of our people directly because sometimes we do not understand the extent of the pains that people of the Niger Delta truly suffer in our nation. "We believe in one Federation; we believe in the unity of Nigeria, but we will continue to ask for very strong equity in our Federation as a people and I know that the people will really voice out their opinion at the public hearing. "We know that some amendments were made recently but on a general note, we are also aware that the Constitution itself appears to have just been hurriedly put up just before the 1999 elections and handed over. "I wished it was possible to start the whole process again and to re-write the Constitution and also believe that there may be a need for us to look very closely on ways and means of re-writing the Constitution as a new document even when the current Constitution exists,’’ Okowa said. He recalled that the process of reviewing the 1999 Constitution started in the 7th Assembly, but that it was not possible to push it forward because of certain disagreements at that time. Reiterating the necessity of a new constitution for the country, he said "if we look deeply as lawmakers we would be able to create a window for that purpose because every year or in every assembly, we continue to engage ourselves in one amendment or the other. ``I think that it is possible to insert a clause that will enable us to truly rewrite the constitution while the current constitution may be operational until the new one is brought into force. "In that case, we would not be struggling year-in-year-out trying to amend one clause or the other because there are challenges when it comes to that.’’ The governor urged the National Assembly to look into power devolution to the states, review of revenue allocation formula, oil derivation and state police in the amendment to enable Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to lay revenue allocation formula proposals directly before the lawmakers. "As a state, we believe that the way the federal structure is in terms of governance, the powers at the federal level or what you call the powers of the Presidency are too weighted against the rest of the structures in the state or what you call the sub-national governments. "We believe that the exclusive list ought not to be as it is, because there are many things in that place that could truly be in the concurrent list. ``This is because the sub-national governments are much closer to the people and understand truly the pains and needs of their people and they are more likely to effect development changes that will be impactful on their people," he stated. He regretted that no review had been made to the revenue allocation formula for the past 24 years whereas it was supposed to be reviewed every five years. Okowa said that oil-producing states had continued to struggle for the 13 per cent derivation fund, and remarked that oil was a wasting asset while the environment where it was being extracted had continued to be polluted and degraded. "The 13 per cent is actually too low and we believe it should be reviewed to 50 per cent as it used to be in the past or allow the states to own the assets and pay tax to the centre as applicable in other climes. "We are also fully aware that our country is going through tough times with the current insecurity pervading our nation.

"We believe in the Nigerian Police but to fully secure the land there is a need for states to have their own police and all the governors of this nation are in support of that. "The Nigerian police have been stretched beyond limit and to complement the Federal Police Force there is need for the states to have their own police," he added. He assured the Committee of the support of the state when recommendations were made from the National Assembly. "We are glad that you have come to listen to the people and we hope that when you also speak within the larger Committee that those voices which do not understand the pains of our people will not suppress the voices of our people. "It is in the interest of the country that we provide more funds for the development of oil-producing states and for them to take care of the degradation of their environment," the governor said. Earlier, Senator Manager had said that the Committee which comprised Senators from Edo, Bayelsa and Delta were in the state to conduct a two-day public hearing on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution. He said that aside the Spiritual Books, the Constitution was the most important book for any country. Manager restated that Southern Senators had endorsed all the resolutions made by the Southern Governors in the ``Asaba Declaration’’ of May 11. "The amendment of the Constitution is not what can be done by the National Assembly alone, but it involves states Houses of Assembly and other stakeholders. "The document is never a perfect one; therefore, amendments are inevitable from time to time and in tune with current realities. "The public hearing will afford the Committee the opportunity to hear from the people and collate their views for onward processing by the Senate," he stated.