Buhari returns from medical trip abroad

  President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Nigeria at around 4.am on Friday, March 10 after an extended medical leave in London

According to This Day, the president landed in Kaduna airport after which he was choppered to Aso Rock Villa after left the country on January on a 10-day vacation.

The president was expected back into the country at the end of the month but sent another letter to the National Assembly informing of his decision to extend his vacation citing medical reasons.

His indefinite vacation fuelled speculation about the state of his health with rumours being spread that he was dead although this was refuted many times by his media aides, Garba Shehu and Femi Adeshina.

There was also speculation that the president could remain in the UK for four months due to medical complication although the Senate president, Bukola Saraki led a three-man delegation of himself, Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawani to meet Buhari in London.

Saraki insisted after meeting the president that he was hale and hearty and said he was in his usual high spirit.

Apart from the delegation led by Saraki, the president also received high-profile visitors at the Abuja House in London including All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande.

His wife, Aisha also paid him a visit to confirm to Nigerians that he was hale and hearty as well as Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun.

The last visitor he received before his return to Nigeria was Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury who visited on Thursday, March 9.

Delta to wage war against cultism, says Otuaro

With the alarming rate of cultism in all parts of the state, the Delta State Government has disclosed that no effort would be spared in bringing those involved and their sponsors to book.

Barrister Kingsley Otuaro,

 The Delta State Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro made the disclosure in Asaba while holding a meeting with the State Commissioner of Police, Divisional Police Officers, DPOs and Chief Inspectors of Educations, (C.I.Es), from across the 25 local government areas of the state and some members of the State Executive Council.

Barr. Otuaro, noted that the import of the meeting was for the relevant stakeholders in the society to brainstorm and seek ways of addressing the cult activities happening in all parts of the state.

The Deputy Governor, who averred that the spate and menace of cultism is becoming alarming and worrisome, noted that government is working on the anti-kidnapping and cultism law as a proactive measure to curb the menace of cultism in the state.

He said that the State government is calling on all relevant stakeholders to faction and phantom out ways to address this ugly incident, adding that government is prepared to bring those involved and those sponsoring this form of anti-social vise bedevilling the society to book. 

In an address, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Zanna Ibrahim who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Samuel Ojo defined cultism as an enclosed organized association devoted to same cause whose activities are exclusively kept away from the public. CP, Ibrahim noted that secret cult is rampant in schools all over the world. He said that it was known to be at its peak in tertiary institutions adding that it is no more news that it has expanded its territories to secondary and primary schools. 

CP Ibrahim, noted that parental and home background, the society, emotional sickness, peer group influence, the quest for power and revenge as well as popularity and wealth among others are factors that may influence peers participation in cultism. 

He noted that the State Anti-Cultism Unit established in 2016 with the mandate to eradicate cultism and cult related offences in Delta State has thus far arrested 369 cult suspects and has succeeded in arraigning 289 of them who have been remanded in various prisons across the state. 

The CP advised that parents should enforce discipline on their children and have time for them to teach them good parental styles. 

The Commissioner for Higher Education, Sir Jude Sinebe and his counterpart in Basic and Secondary Education, Barr. Chiedu Ebie blamed the menace on poor upbringing and pledged government readiness to embark on routine orientation and advocacy against cultism. 

Some police officers who spoke at the meeting promised to do their best but advised politicians, Godfathers and others using cultists to ferment trouble to desist or ready to face the wrath of the law. 

Some chief inspectors of education also appealed to the state government and other relevant agencies to intensify effort in stemming the ugly trend before it cripples not only the education sector but the society at large.

Ogbemudia, a trail-blazer, superlative Governor, inspired, inspiring leader, says Ibori.

Chief James Onanefe Ibori has described the late Brigadier-General Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, who died Friday morning at age 84 as a nationally respected trail-blazer and superlative State Governor, and an inspired and inspiring leader.  

Late Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia

In a press statement signed by Chief Ibori’s Media Assistant, Tony Eluemunor, the former Governor of Delta State said that whether as a soldier, administrator, politician or bureaucrat, Chief Ogbemudia was always a trail-blazer who set the pace for others to follow. 

He said that Ogbemudia’s achievements when he was Governor of Midwest and later Bendel state (comprising of Edo and Delta States), between 1968 and 1975, have remained a challenge for governors after him to meet. When he later contested a governorship election on the platform of the defunct National Party of Nigeria, in 1983, he won rather easily – but the January 1^st 1994 coup d’état truncated that administration.

Ibori said: “Ogbemudia turned Bendel into a super-state with intra-city modern bus service, first class education system that led other states in sports and examinations. The Bendel school system was serviced by its own central book acquisition centre, the Bendel Book Depot, and Ethiope Publishing Company and a Bendel Library whose trailers and boats went round the state twice a month taking books to borrowers in even the remotest parts of the state.

By 1970, Ogbemudia’s administration provided television viewing centres in remote villages, powered by small generators.

According to Ibori, road construction, in fact anything that enhanced the quality of life of the people of Bendel, was a priority to Ogbemudia who introduced the Bendel Line (with Mercedes Benz buses and cars and both male and female drivers to ferry Bendelites to and from major cities across Nigeria. Within Bendel itself, a fleet of Hino buses provided a luxury inter-city transport service across the state while equally top-class boats serviced the riverine areas.

Ibori said that though Nigerians do remember that Ogbemudia made Bendel first in sports in the nation, he would want them to appreciate the fact that Ogbemedia actually made Bendel the number one state state in the country and would be remembered in superlative terms. As a nationalist, Ogbemudia provided the first seats and desks to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, immediately the Civil War ended.

Ibori said he is happy that Nigerians actually appreciated Ogbemudia while he was alive as a superstar administrator who left remarkable achievements as state Governor, national sports administrator, Nigerian Railways head, and a conscientious politician.  Ibori added that “Nigeria advanced considerably simply because General Ogbemudia was here”.

May his name never be forgotten!

Okowa mourns, as Ogbemudia ex-governor of Bendel State dies at 84

Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has expressed sadness over the death of former Military Governor of the defunct Midwestern State and former Civilian Governor of old Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia who died at 84 years.

Late Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia

Governor Okowa in a statement issued in Asaba on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, described late Ogbemudia as a patriot and a political icon whose life-long dedication and indefatigable commitment to serving the people will be missed.

The Governor noted that the history of the defunct Bendel State (now Edo and Delta) will certainly be incomplete without a chapter generously capturing the immense, robust and earth-shaking contributions of Gen. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia to the social, political and economic development of the geo-political entity, Nigeria and indeed humanity.

Governor Okowa further described Dr Ogbemudia, a one time Minister of Labour and Productivity, as a quintessential Army General, adroit and sagacious administrator, elder statesman, an astute politician and a patriot to the core, who no doubt stamped his footprints in the sands of time by touching the lives of Nigerians, particularly the people of Edo and Delta States.

Governor Okowa on behalf of the government and people of Delta State, joined the government and people of Edo State, the numerous friends, associates, well-wishers and admirers of this political colossus of our time, a generalissimo, a soldiers’ soldier, a patriot per excellence, a workaholic, an exemplary leader and achiever of all times in mourning Dr. Ogbemudia whose many years of service to his father land and mankind remains indelible in the hearts of many.

He prayed God to grant the immediate family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

2017 UTME will be hitch-free, says JAMB Coordinator

Mr Sunday Aladegbaye, Lagos State Coordinator of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has said that all the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) intending candidates will experience a hitch-free examination.

Aladegbaye said this on the sidelines of the Parents’ Forum organised by the Management of the King’s College on Thursday in Lagos.

According to him, there will be no compromise in the accreditation of centres to be used for this year’s UTME.

He said that measures were being taken to avoid technical hitches.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some candidates that sat for the examination in 2016 complained of technical challenges in some of the centres.

Such hitches ranged from malfunctioning of computers to poor power supply. This resulted to moving affected candidates to other functional centres.

“We have taken time to go round designated centres in the states, in order to ascertain the level of functionality of their computers, the backups and other requirements.

“Where we find missing gap, we dropped such centres immediately and those that meet requirements, we recommend them to management.

“We will continue to insist on accreditation of well-equipped centres; no more, no less.

“This is because, as a parent myself, I will not do anything that will compromise the future of my children,’’ Aladegbaye said.

NAN learnt that the board would begin the sales of its registration documents for the UTME before the end of March.

The coordinator warned candidates not to fall prey to some desperate persons, who had been defrauding innocent Nigerians in the guise of selling registration documents.

Adeyinka Adebayo: Great leader, remarkable patriot, says Ibori

Chief James Onanefe Ibori has joined other Nigerians in mourning the passing of Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo at theage 89. He described the late Adebayo as a great patriot who sacrificed greatly

so that Nigeria could remain one united nation, in its trying days after the counter-coup of July 1966.

Late Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo

In a press statement signed by Ibori’s Media Assistant, Tony Eluemunor, the former Governor of Delta State

said the late General Adebayo did not for once seek personal gain whatsoever, as one of the most senior officers that would have been in contention for leadership in the aftermath of the counter-coup in mid-1966, but set his mind and heart to the search for peace and unity for Nigeria. Furthermore, his record as Western State Governor remains a shining example for others to emulate.

While wishing the soul of General Adebayo a sweet repose, Ibori sent his condolences to Mr. Niyi Adebayo , who was his close colleague as Ekiti state  governor from 1999 to 2003. He said that Niyi Adebayo has since remained “a friend and brother”. He also sent his condolences to Niyi’s elder  sister, Mrs. Nike Makinde as well as his brother Sola. Most of all, Ibori prayed the Almighty God to give Mrs. Adeyinka Adebayo the grace to bear this irreparable loss.

Delta teachers begin indefinite strike; express dismay over Govt’s handling of teachers, education issues

*Pupils sent home to parents

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.

Piqued by the failure of the Delta State Government to respond and address its demands, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Delta State chapter today, Thursday, March 9^th, 2017 called out its members to down tools and proceed on an indefinite strike action until the Union’s demands are met.

Consequently, primary and secondary school pupils were sent out of the classrooms back to their homes. Many of the school children in the early hours of the day were seen returning home and in response to observers’ questions said they were told to go home because the teachers are on strike.

At the palatial NUT state secretariat, on Teachers’ Street, Asaba where BMN went to find out the reason for the strike action, the State NUT Secretary, Comrade Joe Iyakekhue merely handed to BMN  copies of the directives to the various Teachers’ segments to commence the action and the communiqué issued at the end of the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of the NUT held on Thursday, March 2^nd, 2017.

N the communiqué signed by the State NUT Chairman, Comrade J.O. Jemirieyigbe, the Secretary Comrade Joe Iyalekhue and Comrade A.L Okogba, publicity Secretary,  the teachers took a critical look at the issues and expressed dismay over the manner with which the State Government and its agencies are handling issues affecting teachers and education sector in the state.

It stated: “For the avoidance of doubt, the lingering issues for which the union suspended its strike action on September 9^th, 2016 which are yet to b fully addressed include:

·         Non-payment of monthly salaries to primary school teachers as at when due;

·         Willful down-grading of teachers in salary grade level 9by Infosec);

·         Decision by JAAC to reduce primary school teachers’ monthly salaries to 81 percent.

·         Non-payment of minimum wage arrears of primary school teachers;

·         Non-payment of CONPSS arrears May/June 2015;

·         Illegal deduction of teachers salaries;

·         Non-implementation of inter-cadre transfer of teachers in PPEB;

·         Non-implementation of teachers promotions by PPEB and SUBEB;

·         Non-payment of promotion arrears of primary and secondary school teachers, and

·         Non-payment of retired teachers benefits.

“Consequently, SWEC at its meeting held today 2^nd March, 2017 resolved to resume the suspended strike action on Thursday, (9th March, 2017 if the above listed issues are not addressed within seven days”.

With the lapse of the seven day ultimatum, the Nut in a statement signed by Comrade Iyalekhue directed “All SWEC Members, NUT Delta State, and Teachers/Principals/Headmasters of Primary and Secondary Schools in Delta state” in a memo entitled: “Strike Action By Teachers in Delta State” stated:

“I am directed to refer to the above mentioned subject and to inform you that the resolutions contained in our communique issued on 2^nd March, 2017, at the end of the state Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting binding, following the failure of the State government to address our demands.

“Consequent upon the above, I am directed to request all Teachers in the State Primary and Secondary schools to proceed on an indefinite strike action with effect from Thursday, 9^th March, 2017 until our demands are met.

“Your total compliance to this directive remains necessary and irrevocable. Solidarity forever!