DELTA FRESH VISION CALLS ON DEJI ADEYANJU NOT TO DABBLE INTO AN UNFAMILIAR COMMUNAL TURF

 

By Fred Akpewe

DELTA FRESH VISION watched with consternation the deployment of lies,propaganda and defeaning hate campaign against Prince Ned Nwoko,a Prince of Idumuje Ugboko clan in a Facebook live programme anchored by Deji Adeyanju,the covener of Concerned Nigeria Group on wednesday, the 26th  of August,2020.

There is no iota of truth whatsoever in the sponsored lies that Prince Ned sequestered Idumuje land. The 90 hectares of land in question was duly applied for to build a Sports university and international golf course. The Idumuje-Ugboko land allocation committee duly approved the land with a proviso that Idumuje Ugboko retain 40% equity on the projects for the benefit of their children and those yet unborn.There is therefore no truth whatsoever that Prince Nwoko secured his land through intimidation,threats and arrests.

Deji Adeyanju is an activist whose name has resonated several times in"Our mumu don do" and in solidarity marches to release Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters when the latter was incarcerated.We note his ordeal in the hands of his oppressors who inflicted bodily harm on him,a situation that made him seek medical attention in Dubai. The point to make here is that Deji should remain in his lane and not dabble into complicated community squabbles which about eight high powered peace committees had tried to settle without success. Those who are sending Deji messages to address the Kinship tussle in Idumuje- Ugboko are hypocrites whose aim is to arm twist the hands of the law and further complicate  the crises in the community.There are people in Idumuje Ugboko who have been charged for murder including Prince Nonso Nwoko, the self acclaimed Royal Father of the village.

To refuse to address the real issue and begin to address a land issue genuinely procured with good intentions smacks of hypocrisy, malice and ingratitude. The records of Prince Ned’s vindication is in the custody of the Police and anyone who cares should go there to find out the truth. Recently the Delta Police Command also interrogated Prince Nonso Nwoko over lingering murder charges hanging on him since 2017.The evidences are in police custody for anyone who cares to find out the truth.

The ordeals of Prince Nonso are self inflicted and Prince Ned Nwoko , as we found out has no hand in his arrest neither is Prince Ned the architect of some Idumuje Ugboko young men who have been charged for terrorism and murder. Some of the youths charged for terrorism and murder have made useful confessions to the police admitting their crimes. It is unfortunate that Comrade Deji Adeyanju does not understand court processes.

These people in Kuje prisons were arrested and charged with terrorism and murder offences. Some of them were granted bail on certain conditions. One or two of them who met the conditions were released to return to court for trial. Others have not been able to meet bail conditions. All these have nothing to do with the Police or Prince Ned Nwoko. It is sheer ignorance to think or believe that Prince Ned Nwoko will tell the Police what to do with prisoners who are not in Police custody. They are remanded in Prison on Federal Court orders and only the court can determine their fate. But these are alleged dangerous criminals who terrorised Idumuje-Ugboko citizens and allegedly killed two innocent people in the process. The victims and their families who did not retaliate deserve justice.

·        Fred Akpewe is co-ordinator of Delta Fresh Vision.

Adim Elue felicitates Deltans on 29th anniversary, commends Okowa’s strides of positive growth

 

Hon. Adim Elue.

The Senior Special Assistant on political matters to Governor ifeanyi Okowa, Hon Adim Elue has congratulated the government and the good people of Delta State on the 29 years anniversary celebration of the creation of the state.

He said today, Thursday, August 27, 2020 in Asaba, while felicitating with Deltans on the occasion of the celebration of the 29years anniversary of the creation of the state, that Delta State is a land of peace and development.
Commending the Governor for his giant strides in the governance of the state and provision of critical infrastructures for Deltans, the SSA said that the Governor as a grassroots politician has the interest of the people at heart always.

Hon Adim Elue hailed the Governor for what he described as his compassionate spirit for the people.

Adim Elue said: “I wish to on behalf of my family and Constituents, congratulate Deltans and our Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa who has done so much. The Governor has justified the mandate given to him by the people with the enviable transformation of the state. Today, Delta State has become first choice for investors.

“As we mark another anniversary of the creation of our blessed Delta State, it is my appeal to our people to continue to support his administration and our people should continue to live in peace and harmony. We are one big family despite our different tongues and ethnic affiliations. I wish all Deltans happy anniversary celebration and God’s protection”.

 

Delta PDP expels two members, suspends five others indefinitely

 

Delta PDP Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza.

The State Working Committee (SWC) of the Delta State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expelled two of its members and suspended five others indefinitely.

 

Three others have also been directed to appear before the State Disciplinary Committee of the Party.

 

The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza who made this known in a statement today, Wednesday, August 26, 2020 stated that the decisions were based on recent actions by the affected members, which were deemed to be potentially inimical to the peace and harmony of the party and tantamount to causing discord and disaffection among loyal party members in Bowen Ward Six, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

 

Dr. Osuoza identified those expelled as:

 

(1). MR. BOSE OMARE AYO.

(2). MR. VICTOR MAMOH.

 

THOSE SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY:

 

(1). MR. OPE ONOME WILSON - (SECRETARY).

(2). MR. UBER OKORETE -  (YOUTH LEADER).

(3). MR. SILLO ORITSEWEYINMI - (PUBLICITY SECRETARY).

(4). MISS. NOMAYO EMMANUELLA RUKEVWE - (LEGAL ADVISER).

(5). MR. OKENE ESE - (FINANCIAL SECRETARY).

 

THOSE TO APPEAR BEFORE THE STATE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE:

 

(1). DR. MEYIWA EREWA.

(2). AUGUSTINE OKENE, ESQ.

(3). AMB. TOYIN AGBOHAYAH, JP.

 

Osuoza also confirmed that the decisions were taken after a meeting of the party’s SWC, on Wednesday, August 26th, 2020.

 

Dr. Osuoza stated: “The Delta State PDP hopes that these decisions will not only serve as a clear signal to other Party members that Party discipline should always be paramount in all our actions and utterances but will also deter those intending to tow the same line to be very mindful of their actions in the overall interest of the Party.

 

“We urge all party members to remain calm and law-abiding and most importantly, to keep adhering strictly to the Covid-19 directives and advisories, mandated by the State Government and the medical and health authorities.

 

“Covid-19 is real. Please stay safe and act safely always. Together, we can overcome the pandemic by the Grace of God. Amen.”

 

Idumuje-Ugboko crisis: Profound revelation on AIT talk show

 

Idumuje-Ugboko traditional stool.

By Fred Akpewe

Members of DELTA FRESH VISION, an NGO committed to social justice, peace and good governance recently watched an AIT programme on the morning of Friday, 22nd August, 2020 anchored by Osasu Igbinedion and Madaki Christopher. The programme had as guests, Chief Christopher Ogwu, the Iyase (or Traditional Prime Minister) of Idumuje Ugboko, Prince Walter Eziashi, a former President-General of the community, Nelson Iloh, the son of Kennedy Iloh who was murdered in the Idumuje Ugboko mayhem, and a relation of Cyprian Kumiolu, the motorcyclist who was senselessly murdered in the course of the Idumuje Ugboko crisis.

The above television guests who apparently were invited to have a balanced account of the communal crisis in turn gave a vivid account of the crisis in Idumuje Ugboko. Chief Christopher Ogwu, the Iyase of the community went memory lane to recount how he and other leaders in Idumuje Ugboko resolved to move the town from a rural agrarian community to a development based community.

According to him, opportunity came when Prince Ned Nwoko approached the community leadership then led by the late Obi, HRM Albert Nwoko III for a parcel of land to establish a Sports University and an International Golf Course. After a vigorous screening of the land quest, the Land Allocation Committee approved a 90 hectare piece of land to Prince Ned Nwoko through his company LINAS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED. However, in order to protect the interest of Idumuje Ugboko children yet unborn, the Land Allocation Committee together with the Izu Ani (Committee of Elders) decided to issue a Memorandum of Understanding to the effect that the community will have a 40% equity in the university project and the golf course to which Prince Ned Nwoko agreed. Chief Christopher Ogwu debunked insinuations that they were coerced or compromised to give out Idumuje Ugboko land to Prince Ned Nwoko.

On his part, Prince Walter Eziashi, a Chieftain of Idumuje Ugboko and former President-General of the community traced the genesis of the crisis to a forged letter claiming that the former Obi, HRM Albert Nwoko had repudiated an earlier letter of approval of land to Prince Ned Nwoko for development purposes. According to Prince Eziashi, both letters, the letter of approval and the alleged forged letter were subjected to Police investigation which found out that the letter repudiating the approved land was a forgery. Prince Eziashi also debunked allegations that Prince Ned Nwoko forcefully seized lands from the locals stating that the parcels of land in question was set aside since 1969 for developmental purposes and did not belong to farmers as alleged by some “elites in diaspora” who did not know the location of the land in question as they do not come home and have no stake in the development of the Idumuje Ugboko community.

Nelson Iloh gave a startling revelation on how his father, Kennedy Iloh was brutally murdered in the Idumuje Ugboko mayhem. He stated that his father was the secretary of the Idumuje Ugboko Land Allocation Committee which approved the parcel of land for Prince Ned Nwoko in respect of the Stars University and golf course. He said on account of his father’s support for development, his father was attacked, stripped naked and beaten allegedly on the orders of Prince Chukwunonso Nwoko. His father, Kennedy Iloh died as a result of the beating. Nelson Iloh also revealed that there was a barbaric order to cut off the hands of his father to prevent him from using his hands to write again. Nelson Iloh further confirmed that his father was denied a burial in Idumuje Ugboko with the claim that his family had been banished from Idumuje Ugboko and thus they could not bury their late father in the community.

The relation of the murdered motorcyclist, Cyprian Kumiolu who was also a guest in the AIT programme also commented on how his relative was killed. Cyprian Kumiolu merely dropped off a passenger at the palace and on allegation that he was a spy, Cyprian was lynched right in the palace, his body dismembered and carted away in a wheelbarrow to an unknown destination. Although the murder of Cyprian Kumiolu is still under Police investigation, his body is yet to be found even till this day. The Police concluded their investigations on the Idumuje Ugboko murders a long time ago. Those who wreaked havoc on Idumuje Ugboko in 2017 were charged with terrorism and the trial is ongoing. Those allegedly involved in the murders have been charged appropriately including Prince Nonso Nwoko, Prince Uwadiegwu Nwoko and Okey Ifejoku.

The AIT television comperes advised the community to settle the crisis amicably to which Prince Eziashi responded that there are eight subsisting cases in court begging for justice and about eight failed peace meetings already.

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) rejects CAMA Completely (Full text)

 

Rev. Samson Ayokunle, CAN President.

The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) rejects out rightly the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 that was assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari recently. By implications, he has repealed the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990 (1). The law, to say the least is unacceptable, ungodly, reprehensible and an ill-wind that blows no one any good. It is a time bomb waiting to explode.

 

We recall that during the First Term of the President, there was a Public Hearing conducted by the National Assembly on the Non- Governmental Organisations Bill tagged ‘Bill for an Act To Provide For The Establishment Of The Non-Governmental Organizations Regulatory Commission For The Supervision, Co-ordination And Monitoring Of Non Governmental Organizations’ which was attended by CAN and many NGOs. At the Public Hearing, the Bill that sought to bring the religious organizations and NGOs under the control and influence of the government was totally rejected because it would snuff life out of the church and rank the church as a secular institution under secular control. We thought it was all over until we heard of the CAMA that was assented to by the President, making the rejected bill a law. 

 

The satanic section of the controversial and ungodly law is Section 839 (1) &(2) which empowers the Commission to suspend trustees of an association (in this case, the church) and appoint the interim managers to manage the affairs of the association for some given reasons. 

 

While we are not against the government fighting corruption wherever it may be found, yet we completely reject the idea of bringing the Church, which is technically grouped among the NGOs, under control of the government. The Church cannot be controlled by the government because of its spiritual responsibilities and obligations. This is why we are calling on the Federal government to stop the implementation of the obnoxious and ungodly law until the religious institutions are exempted from it. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently return the law to the National Assembly for immediate amendment. Nigeria should not be compared with any other nation when it comes to the relationship between the religious institutions and the government. In Nigeria, people’s religions are tied to their humanity and of course, their life. 

 

How can the government sack the trustee of a church which it contributed no dime to establish? How can a secular and political minister be the final authority on the affairs and management of another institution which is not political? For example, how can a non-Christian head of Government Ministry be the one to determine the running of the church? It is an invitation to trouble that the government does not have power to manage. Let the government face the business of providing infrastructure for the people. Let them focus on better health provision, food, education, adequate security employment, etc.  The government should not be a busy body in a matter that does not belong to it. The government does not have the technical expertise to run the church of God because of its spiritual nature.

 

 

If the government is bent on imposing a law on us which the entire Church in Nigeria is against, then, they have declared war on Christianity and the agenda to destroy the Church which we have spoken against before now is coming to the open more clearly. If you cannot give us good amenities of life, we would not allow you to take away our liberty to worship our Maker.

 

 

What good thing again will you not take away from the people in the name of being in power? Are we not running a democracy which is a government of the people by the people and for the people? Is this not gradually becoming a dictatorship or what was the essence of the Public Hearing you called us to when you had made up your mind not to consider the position of Christians at all which we presented during the Public Hearing? 

 

 

We call on all well meaning Nigerians to ask the Federal Government to suspend the law because we do not need it in this nation. 

 

Thank You for making this position of CAN known through your credible and popular media.

 

 

God bless you richly. 

 

 

Signed

 

Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant, (Media &Communications) to His Eminence, Rev Dr Samson Ayokunle, the CAN President. 

 

20 August, 2020. 

 

Ejiofor speaks of Ewulu breadfruit plant marvel, says Delta going digital to boost tourism

 

Engr. Lawrence Ejiofor, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Delta state.

As a way of overcoming restrictions occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic that have stalled activities in most Ministries and Departments, Delta State Governments through the Directorate of Culture and Tourism is thinking outside the box and going digital.

Commissioner for Culture and tourism, Mr. Lawrence Ejiofor, an engineer, said while playing host to journalist of the Indigenous Correspondent Chapel (ICC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council in Asaba hinted that the directorate is looking into ways of moving forward like going online.

 

The Commissioner in answer to a question said: “We had planned a carnival to showcase the cultural activities of the people of the state, but we are constrained by the coming of covid-19 pandemic. For now, all those things have been put on hold. But we are looking at others ways of moving forward like going online.

 

“We want to unravel some tourist sites in the state and package stories in a documentary for release online,” he said.

He gave the example of Ewulu community in Aniocha area of the state, which has a river and breadfruit plants.

 

Ejiofor said although the people don’t eat the breadfruit, yet it will interest people to know that even though the breadfruit trees lie facing the river, no leaf from the plants’ tress fall into the river. “It’s a mystery,” he said.

 

For him, packaging such into a documentary will provoke tourists to want to come and see this amazement. He observed that Delta State has a lot of amazing sites that will interest tourists, saying: “Because of the covid-19 pandemic and its limitations, we are trying to go digital; we are trying to turn Delta State into a Dubai. For instance, we are moving Nollywood literally to Delta.”

 

Engr. Ejiofor announced that the Leisure Park on which work is now ongoing will be run by the private sector. Government is only to provide the enabling environment. The same is for the Jabi Boat Club which is to be built by an accomplished expert. “Delta’s equity share is that the state owns the land. But the club would be built and run by the club,” he said.

 

Answering another question, Ejior said that Delta State took part in the National Arts Festival (NAFEST) and won two gold medals in the two main events cuisine and one other, and that over all, Delta came fourth position at the festival.

 

HoReps Public Hearing: Federal University of Technology, Asaba establishment ‘ll curb militancy, vandalization, says Elumelu, as NUC gives nod to bill

 

Hon. Ndudi Elumelu at the public hearing of the Bill to establish a Federal University of Technology
in Asaba.

The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu on Thursday said the Bill which seeks the establishment of a Federal University of Technology in Asaba Delta State, aside providing quality technical education for the youths, will also help to curb militancy, vandalization, thievery and all manner of banditry that is going on in the South South.

Elumelu stated this at the public hearing on the Bill held at the National Assembly complex.

The piece of legislation, which was sponsored by the lawmaker, was recently passed for second reading by the House.

In his submission, Elumelu noted that there was no gain saying that education is the bedrock of societal development upon which great nations build their economies.

He explained that the desire to push for the creation of the university through legislation stems from the need to provide more opportunities and level playing ground for all to gain admission in Nigeria universities and to specialize in technology related courses.

He lamented that the failure of the country to heed earlier warnings of investing in technological development have led to the loss of highly gifted citizens who in their quest to seek technological knowledge migrated to other countries benefitting those countries to Nigeria’s detriment.

The lawmaker said: ”When this university is established, it will be the first and only University of Technology in the whole of the South South region and the only federal university in Asaba. It is therefore incumbent on us to note that the establishment of this university will help to open the floodgate for technology development and transfer in the South-South geo political zone and neighboring states within the boundaries of the zone.

”The National Assembly as an arm of government, owes it as a duty to draw the nation’s attention to the need for the continuous investment in the areas of technology as such investment will not only build our economy but enhance our image and standing and place us in a proper stead in the comity of nations.

”The major reason for the migration of our valued man power is the lack of adequate University of Technology in the country to cater for the need of our citizens. I therefore stand here today to push for the repeal of paragraph(m) of the first schedule of the Federal College of Education Act, cap F8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 , which established the College of Education (Technical) Asaba, Delta State and for the re-enactment of the Federal University of Technology, Asaba, Delta State so as to provide students in the state and environs the opportunity of gaining broad technological knowledge and practices that will equip them with solutions to modern day challenges as well as prepare them for technological related careers in the nearest future,” the Minority Leader posited

While urging Nigerians to support the bill, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu who also represents Anioch/Oshimili Federal Constituency also said that establishing the university would be also a way of compensating and encouraging the youths as well as giving back to them for what they give to the nation.

Meanwhile the Bill at the hearing got the support of the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, SSANU.

The public hearing which was declared open by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabaimila, was attended by a delegation of critical stakeholders from Delta State. 

PDP accuses Buhari of complicity in plots to arrest PDP officials in Edo, urges president to probe Gambari

 

President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to discharge the burden of being complicit in plans by officials of the federal Government and the all Progressives Congress (APC) to instigate the “arrest of certain individuals, ahead of the September 19 governorship election,” in Edo State.

The party made the call at a press conference addressed on Tuesday, August 17, 2020 by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan entitled: “Leaked Video: PDP Campaign Calls Out Presidency Over Oshiomhole’s Arrest Comment…Charges Buhari to Question Gambari.”

Text of the press conference reads:

The Peoples Democratic Party National Campaign Council for Edo Governorship Election has called out the Buhari Presidency over the trending video showing the sacked National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole and the Chief of Staff to Mr. President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, at the Presidential Villa, in which discussion on the arrests of certain individuals, ahead of the September 19 governorship election, was held.

Nigerians were alarmed by the video in which Oshiomhole was seen emphatically urging the Chief of Staff to Mr. President on the need to clampdown on certain unnamed Nigerians to achieve political suppression and submission ahead of the Edo election.

Our National Campaign holds that the presence and involvement of the Chief of Staff to the President and the fact that the discussion held within the precincts of the Presidential Villa, have made the Presidency complicit and place a huge burden on President Muhammadu Buhari.

Already, there is anxiety in the public space that the discussion between Oshiomhole and Prof. Gambari as captured in the video is an extension of discussions that must have held behind closed doors in the Presidential villa.

The video has validated earlier revelations of plots by Oshiomhole and the discredited APC governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to use compromised security operatives being mobilized by certain individuals in the Presidency, to arrest innocent Nigerians, including traditional, faith-based and community leaders on trumped up charges, ahead of the Edo election.

It also confirms our stance that Adams Oshiomhole and the APC candidate have completely lost ground in Edo state, hence the plot to clamp down on the people.

Nigerians and the people of Edo state now know those to hold responsible should there be cases of illegal arrests, assassinations and unexplained killings, sudden disappearances of prominent people, accidental discharge by federal security operatives and mysterious accidents in the course of this Edo governorship election.

The PDP National Campaign Council on Edo governorship election charges President Buhari to reassure Nigerians by immediately ordering that Adams Oshiomhole and Prof. Gambari be pulled in for questioning over the video.

Anything short of a decisive action on this matter will further indict the Buhari Presidency especially coming on the heels of public anxiety over Mr. President’s widely condemned comment on the use of security forces for elections.

Our campaign however wants the APC and Oshiomhole to know that their ignoble plots against the people of Edo state have come to naught as the people are at alert and will use every legitimate means available to defend their already expressed will in support of the candidate of our party, the PDP, Governor Obaseki in this election.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
Secretary,
National Campaign Council on Edo Governorship Election.

The Guardiand Opinion - Trash that National Water Resources Bill 2020

 

Presidency seal.

That Bill is suspicious. A Bill that is out to rob many people, in broad day light, of their means of livelihood cannot but attract resentment and condemnation.

It is inconceivable that indigenous peoples, especially, in the South and Middle Belt regions of Nigeria would accept to be alienated from their God-given water resources. The National Assembly would do well to once again, trash the Bill to save the country from avoidable conflagration. The representatives of the people had better let the sleeping dog lie to avoid another round of crisis in the already volatile polity.

The repugnant and detestable land-grabbing Bill, which obviously is suspected to grant Fulani herdsmen and Miyeti Allah cattle breeders unfettered access to land and water resources in Southern Nigeria, can only trigger national upheaval. 

Coming at a time when Nigerians are clamouring for proper federalism that entails devolution of powers to the states and local authorities, the introduction of a Water Resources Bill by President Buhari, to further alienate the people is unfortunate. The president should withdraw the bill in public interest.

When the Bill was first introduced in the 8th Senate, it generated controversy across the country, because of its desire to have the Federal Government take control of lands and water resources in the country. The perception by the public that the Bill was a decoy to advance the interest of the cattle herding Fulani population was palpable. 

Though the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, had reportedly raised concerns over the piece of legislation, by querying, “is this not the same Bill that generated controversy in the media,” he still allowed it to pass. And the question is why? Why did he not shut it down knowing the gravity of the implications of the Bill if passed into law?

The Bill, entitled “National Water Resources Bill, 2020,” was arbitrarily reintroduced in the Green Chamber, in breach of its rules, legislative convention and provisions of the 1999 constitution before the House adjourned for a two-month recess on Thursday, July 23, 2020.

It was therefore shocking that on Thursday, July 23, 2020, the House had, in referring to Order 12, Rule 16 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, 9th Edition, passed the National Water Resources Bill, 2020 and committed it to a “Committee of the Whole”, for third reading and final passage. The presentation of the Bill was done by the House Chairman on Rules and Business, Fulata.

Analysts say the referral of the Bill to the Committee of the Whole breached Order 12, Rule 16 of the Standing Orders of the House. Though the Order states that such a bill from a preceding Assembly be gazetted and clean copies circulated, reports say none of that was done.

The Bill seeks to bring all water resources (surface and underground) and the banks of the water sources under the control of the Federal Government through its agencies to be established by the Bill. 

Section 13 of the Bill, states, “in implementing the principles under subsection (2) of this section, the institutions established under this Act shall promote integrated water resources management and the coordinated management of land and water resources, surface water and ground water resources, river basins and adjacent marine and coastal environment and upstream and downstream interests.”

Section 2(1) of the Bill, says: “All surface water and ground water wherever it occurs, is a resource common to all people.’’ The Bill is primed for passage by the House on their resumption from recess next month, which is September.

Reacting to the secret plot to pass the bill, the Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), called on Nigerians to be ready for a protracted resistance to the move by the lawmakers. 

The authorities in Abuja should not ignore the warning statement by the Southern and Middle Belt Forum on this hot potato. In their statement: “The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum calls on all the communities opposed to the bill, meant to grab land around waterways for cattle herders, to use the break time to organize community special sittings for their representatives to explain the meaning of this latest move and their roles in it.” The Bill, if passed into law, will clip the wings of state and local government authorities as well as individuals from making use of the water at their backyard without permit from Abuja. This development will engender serious contentions across Nigeria. The result would be water wars, which would be more devastating than the contentions over grazing land and even oilfields.

Federal University of Technology, Asaba Establishment Bill: HoReps slates public hearing for Thursday August 20th

 

Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker, House of Representatives.

In furtherance of the efforts to pass the bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Asaba, Delta State, into Law, the House Committee on Tertiary Education and Services has concluded arrangement for a public hearing on the bill.

 

The bill is being sponsored by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu

 

According to a statement signed by the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Aminu Suleiman, the public hearing has been slated for Thursday, August 20th, 2020, at the Conference room 028 located at the ground floor of the new building extension, House of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

 

The event which is billed to commence at 9 a.m., will be declared open by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

 

The committee had earlier invited critical and relevant stakeholders, including Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Tertiary Institutions, as well as the General Public, to attend the public hearing and has also called for the submission of Memorandum on the bill with the title: “A bill for an act to Provide for Establishment of Federal University of Technology, Asaba, Delta State and For The Promotion And Development of Technical Education in Nigeria And To Make Comprehensive Provisions for Its Due Management And Administration: And For Related Matters (HB.721) Sponsored By Hon. Godwin Ndudi Elumelu.”

 

According to the statement, the submission of Memoranda should be in 35 hard copies and a soft copy in a flash drive and should be submitted in Room 317, 3rd Floor, White House, House of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on or before Monday 17th August, 2020.

 

Also listed to attend the Public hearing are; the Minister of Education, Minister of Justice, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Executive Secretary Tertiary Education Tax Fund(TETFUND), Chairman Committee of Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities, President Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU), President Senior Staff Union of Universities(SSANU) and President Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities.

 

Hon. Aminu Suleiman also in the statement, stated that further inquiries on the public hearing should be directed to the Clerk of the Committee on Tertiary Education and Services, Mr. Abubakar Sale Muri on telephone number: 07087291965

774, 000 jobs: Reps Minority Caucus rejects 30 slots for members; urges Buhari to review execution process

 

Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, house of Representatives' Minority Caucus Leader.

The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has rejected the 30 job slots allotted to each member of the House for their respective local government areas within their constituencies, in the Federal Government’s 774,000 public jobs scheme.

                           

The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, in a statement on Tuesday, described the allotment of 30 out of the 1000 slots per local government, as grossly unfair and unacceptable by Nigerians and the lawmakers, who are the true representatives of the people  

 

The caucus demanded for more transparency and a review of the criteria being used for the allotment, which is alleged to favour certain interests in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the detriment and disadvantage of the majority of other Nigerians.

 

The minority leader of the House, who also represents Aniocha North/Aniocha South and Oshimili North and South Federal Constituency of Delta State, insisted that “the 30 persons allotment to be supervised by a member in each of the local government areas, cannot by any criteria, said to be a true representation of the people they are mandated to represent.”

 

Elumelu stressed that the 774,000 jobs are meant for the people and that the people look up to the lawmakers as major channels through which they are reached for social and economic empowerment, a situation, which makes the 30 person, out of the 1,000 per local government, grossly inadequate.

 

“The 30 person’s allotment per local government for lawmakers is grossly unfair, inadequate and unacceptable to Nigerians. As the representatives of the people, we are closer to them and they directly interact with us, irrespective of religion, class and political affiliations.

 

“All Nigerians living in our constituencies are our constituents, irrespective of political leanings. We have a responsibility to protect their interests at all times. As such lawmakers ought to have been carried along on the allotment.

 

“Moreover, the questions are: what criteria are being used in the job allotments? Given the 30 persons out of the 1,000 per local government area allotted to federal lawmakers, what happens to the remaining 970? What answers do we give Nigerians? How do we ensure that the programme benefited Nigerians and not enmeshed in allegations of sharp practices as witnessed in the COVID-19 palliative distribution?

 

The lawmakers therefore demanded for more transparency and consultation in the implementation of the 774,000 public works jobs. 

 

The caucus charged President Muhamamdu Buhari to immediately order a review of the implementation process to ensure that the targeted citizens benefited from the programme as intended.