Paradise News

Tag: Nigeria

  • I Didn’t Stab Him In The Back – Atiku Denies Betraying Tinubu

    Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 presidential election has denied betraying President Bola Tinubu.

    Atiku made this known Thursday during the press conference he held in Abuja.

    This comes days after the former vice president obtained Tinubu’s school records from Chicago State University in the United States.

    Atiku claimed that Tinubu forged the Chicago State University certificate he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), during his filing for the 2023 election.

    During the press conference, Atiku noted that the political relationship between him and Tinubu collapsed 16 years ago.

    He said, “Yes, it is true, in 2007 we came together to form. In Lagos, at a convention, I emerged as the winner and got the ticket after I got the ticket, he sent about 5 or 6 seniors, some of whom are here. I can even name them but I don’t want to embarrass them, and they met me and said to me that Bola wanted to be my running mate.

    “I said gentlemen you are all old enough and virtually all of you are Christians with the exception of only one person, what will be your reaction to having a Muslim-Muslim ticket? All of them said we totally objected to it. I said why didn’t you tell him when he was giving you the message that, look Mr Tinubu, the message you are giving us, we don’t seem to agree with you. why are you coming then?

    “That was the end of a political relationship, we broke away when I supported Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. So, what is the ground for him to say that I betrayed him?

    “For those of you who are old enough, will also remember that in 2003, the PDP took over all the southwestern states with the exception of Lagos.

    “I stood between Obasanjo and myself and said no you can’t take over Lagos, leave it and he left it. So, who is indebted to the other, is it me or Bola Ahmed Tinubu? There are other things that I won’t go into but I vehemently deny that I stabbed him in the back.”

    Source

  • BENUE: How Abducted Commissioner Mathew Abo Was Released – Governor Alia

    The Benue State Government has explained the circumstances leading to the release of its abducted commissioner, Mathew Abo.

    Abo, Benue State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mathew, was abducted from his Ukum Local Government Area residence on September 24.

    He was confirmed to be released in the early hours of Thursday.

    Several reports said the commissioner paid N60 million to secure his freedom, but the state government has explained how he was released.

    On Thursday, the State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, noted that the commissioner was released due to pressure from the state’s security operatives.

    “We can confirm that the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Matthew Abo, has regained freedom. He has since reunited with his family in Sankera, Ukum Local Government Area, where he was abducted.

    “His release was due to intense pressure on the criminals from the gallant security operatives acting on the directives of Gov. Hyacinth Alia, who had earlier given marching orders to them to ensure Mr Abo’s release,” the statement said.

    The governor further warned criminals operating within the state to leave or incur the wrath of the law while commending security operatives’ efforts to ensure the commissioner’s safe release.

    He tasked them to be ruthless on criminals and ensure they had no room to operate in the state.

    Source

  • Abia Assembly To Intervene On Reinstatement Of Sacked Abia Workers

    Labour-Partys-Emmanuel-Emeruwa-Abia-Speaker-

    Following the protests staged by the disengaged Abia workers employed from January -May 2023 at the Abia State House of Assembly last Tuesday, the Majority Leader of the 8th Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu has said that the House during her plenary considered the appeal and petition of the protesting workers.

    Kalu who disclosed this in his official Facebook page said the Letter of Appeal for Reinstatement by the disengaged workers after its presentation during the Tuesday plenary was committed to the House Committee on Public Complaint for further legislative action.

    Our Correspondent reports that the Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Emeka Obioma who received the Letter of the Appeal after addressing the sacked Abia workers at the House of Assembly complex on behalf of the Speaker, promised to take their message to the House for immediate intervention.

    Recall that the Abia State Government, had last Month disengaged all staff employed between January, 2023 by the immediate past administration of Okezie Ikpeazu.

    The Head of Service, Joy Maduka had in a circular dated 30th August 2023 stated, “Following the ongoing reorganisation in the Abia State Public Service and in line with the provision of the Abia State Public Service Rules nos. 02801 and 02803, I write to inform you that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Abia State has directed the disengagement of all staff employed into the Abia State Public Service from January, 2O23 till date.

    “However, any further directive(s) of His Excellency on this matter shall be communicated in due course. Please take appropriate steps to implement immediately and according to His Excellency’s directive”

    Source

  • SENATE: Ministerial Nominee Who Slumped, Two Others Scale Screening Exercise

    Godswill-Akpabio

    The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointments of three ministerial nominees by President Bola Tinubu.

    The three confirmed nominees are:

    1. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim (Kwara State).
    2. Balarabe Abbas (Kaduna State).
    3. Ayodele Olawande (Ondo State)

    The confirmation brings the total number of ministers in Tinubu’s cabinet to 48, as the Senate had previously approved 45 out of the 48 ministerial nominations put forth by President Tinubu on August 7.

    THE WHISTLER reported an unexpected incident that occurred during the screening session when Abbas, who was nominated to replace former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, slumped.

    The situation forced the Senate to go into a brief closed-door session.

    Meanwhile, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, born in 1986 and representing Kwara State, expressed her commitment to serving Nigeria.

    She expressed belief in the potential of Nigerian youths and her desire to contribute to nation-building in Tinubu’s administration because it prioritizes youth empowerment

    Bio-Ibrahim also pledged to create opportunities for the youth to access education, self-development, and entrepreneurship, harnessing their potential talents.

    The Senate spokesperson , Senator Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed that Balarabe Abbas, the nominee who had slumped during the screening, was successfully revived.

    Source

  • N110m Fraud: You Have Case To Answer, Court Tells Lagos Businesswoman, Company

    A Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, presided by Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe, on Wednesday, ordered one Portia Emilia, a businesswoman, to enter her defence in an alleged N110m fraud brought against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    The order was given to both Emilia and her company, Savanah Crest Investment Limited.

    Both she and her company were re-arraigned on March 16, 2023 on amended five-count charges bordering on conspiracy to steal.

    According to EFCC, this is contrary to Section 411 and punishable under Section 287 (5) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

    In the case of obtaining money and property by false pretences, the Commission noted that it goes contrary to Section 1(1)(2) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Fraud Offences Act 2006.

    Meanwhile, pertaining to theft, EFCC noted that it is contrary to Section 280(1) (12)8(7), 285(1) and 278(1)b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

    However, in retaining stolen property the defendants’ actions are contrary to Section 328 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

    Emilia pleading for herself and her company had pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges and during the course of the trial, the prosecution counsel, F. Ofoma called two witnesses through whom he tendered several documents.

    On March 16, 2023 the prosecution closed its case and instead of opening their defence, lawyer to the defendants J.J. Amodu, filed a no-case submission, arguing that his clients had nothing to answer in spite of evidence EFCC had submitted.

    Justice Abike-Fadipe while ruling on the no-case submission on Wednesday, held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the defendants on all the counts, necessitating them to be arraigned for their own sides of the story.

    “I am satisfied that the prosecution has established a prima facie case, which the defendants are called upon to answer.

    “The no-case submission is hereby overruled, and the defendants are called upon to enter their defence.”

    The matter was adjourned to January 18 and 25, 2024 and February 1, 2024.

    Meanwhile one of the charges against Emilia reads: “Portia Anthony Emilia and Savanah Crest Investment Limited, sometime in 2018 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, stole and dishonestly converted to your own the sum of N40,000,000.00 (Forty Million Naira only).”

    Another count reads: “Portia Anthony Emilia and Savanah Crest Investment Limited, sometime in 2018 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, fraudulently obtained the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) from one Wendy Daniel.”

    Source

  • Arewa Assembly petitions Police, DSS over alleged blackmail of NNPCL management

    Arewa Assembly petitions Police, DSS over alleged blackmail of NNPCL management

    The Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has petitioned the Acting Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Security over what the group termed coordinated attacks against the top management of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) especially its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mallam Mele Kyari, and Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya amongst others.

    In the petition titled; “Petition Against the Ceaseless Blackmail on NNPCL Management by Some So-called Civil Society Organisations: The Need to Bring the Menace to an End,” the AYA warned that the politically orchestrated attacks against mainly top management personnel of the oil giant must stop.

    Mohammed Salihu Danlami, Speaker, of the Arewa Youth Assembly, said, “It is most disturbing that these elements, in their recent advocacy, decided to single out the management of the NNPCL mainly of Northern extraction for attack namely; Mele Kolo Kyari, GCEO NNPCL (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited), Umar Ajiya, Chief Financial Officer, NNPCL, Danladi A. Inuwa, Executive Vice President, Business Services, and Ahmed Dikko, MD Port Harcourt Refinery.”

    Danlami singled out those he alleged to being used in the cyberbullying and blackmail including the Northern Youth Council, Sardauna Platinum Leadership, “and so-called civil society organizations” of “taking advantage of the current political climate in our country to exert undue pressure on our new government and force a change in the leadership of NNPCL.

    “The relentless harassment and manipulation tactics employed by these groups not only weaken the stability and progress of our nation but also pose a significant threat to the hardworking and dedicated management of NNPCL.”

    The youth speaker claimed that the media attacks were designed to incite the common people in the north against the administration of President Bola Tinubu and derail the government.

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    The statement reads in part: “We strongly believe that these unpatriotic elements are trying to cash in on the complaints in Northern streets and communities about the appointments of Mr. President, which we believe hasn’t violated any constitutional provision and incites people of our region against the government, thereby derailing the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “We have strong evidence in custody which showed that such characters have been sending text messages to the Management Staff of the Corporation, threatening them with protest and whatnot.

    “These satanically inspired threat, we believe, is capable of reducing their productivity, which in the final analysis, will affect our economy as it is oil-dependent.

    “Therefore, we wish to call all relevant Security agencies to take swift and appropriate action to address this issue and put an end to the ceaseless blackmail and protests against NNPCL management. We implore them to investigate these organizations thoroughly, as their actions warrant serious scrutiny and pose a threat to National Security and cohesion. They should equally check whether they are legal entities or not.”

    A spokesperson of the oil company who preferred not to be named said the NNPCL too had forwarded all such messages bordering on threats and blackmails have been forwarded to relevant security agencies.

    “The GCEO has directed that no management or staff of the NNPCL should engage these elements any longer who hide under the guise of FoI or civil society to threaten or blackmail the company. Our books have been made public severally, therefore, there is nothing to fear.

    “Very soon these mushroom groups and those behind them will have a busy time with the security agencies,” the official hinted.

  • Local Meter Manufacturers Withdraw Court Case Against Federal Gov’t

    Local Meter Manufacturers Withdraw Court Case Against Federal Gov’t

    The Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria (AMMON) has formally withdrawn a court case it instituted to stop the procurement process for phase two of the National Mass Metering Program (NMMP).

    This decision was taken after the intervention of the Hon Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu at a stakeholder meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Power on Tuesday, where all the association’s concerns were tabled before the Minister.

    In attendance at the stakeholders’ meeting were the Chairman, NERC, represented by Mr. Nathan Shatti; Commissioner, Finance and Administration, Dr. Alex Okoh; the Director General, BPE, the Managing Director of the TCN, and other directors in the Federal Ministry of Power.

    Recall that the World Bank is funding only 1.2million meters.

    During the meeting, the Minister promised that AMMON members would be accommodated in the procurement process for the World Bank-funded NMMP phase 2 through a national competitive bid.

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    The Federal government will also work with the local meter manufacturers to implement other metering initiatives to address the huge metering gap in the power sector.

    According to the President, AMMON, Engr. Ademola Agoro, the Association is happy to observe that the Minister, Chief Adelabu restated the FG’s determination to ensure that Nigeria becomes self-sufficient in local meter manufacturing and production to close the huge metering gap of over 8 million meters.

    “Though this is a painful decision for the members of the association, the decision to discontinue the court case stopping the procurement process was done in national Interest and because of liquidity challenges of the Power sector”, Agoro said.

    “We therefore seek the support of all stakeholders to work with the association to develop the Metering sector and the Backward Integration Program of the FG”, he added.

  • Dunamis Church Building Collapses, Kills Pastor in Nigeria

    Dunamis Church Building Collapses, Kills Pastor in Nigeria

    By Ben Nsemo

    Tragedy has befallen a popular church in the North Central Zone of Nigeria following the collapse of the building.

    THE PARADISE NEWS gathered that the church, Dunamis Church Nigeria, located at Mission Ward in the NorthBank area of Markurdi, Benue State capital, collapsed in the early hours of Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

    The pastor of the church, Pastor Emmanuel died following the incident.

    Confirming the incident on Tuesday to newsmen, Sewuese Anene, Police spokesperson in Benue State, said the incident occurred at about 2.00 a.m.

    Anene noted further that the pastor, identified as Emmanuel gave up the ghost while receiving treatment at the Benue State Teaching Hospital.

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    “The incident occurred this afternoon. It was at about 2:00 a.m. this morning.

    “Yes, it is confirmed. We have a report of a building collapse at the location, we have his name as Pastor Emmanuel.

    “He died while he was being treated at the Benue State Teaching Hospital. The cause of the collapse is yet to be ascertained,” the Police spokesperson said.

  • Diri Reinstates 704 Sacked Tertiary Institutions Workers

    Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has approved the re-engagement of 704 staff of three state-owned tertiary institutions in the state who were sacked in 2018.

    They were sacked during the administration of Seriake Dickson.

    The re-absorbed staff, who were disengaged in 2018, were staff of the Niger Delta University, Amassoma (644), Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro College of Education, Sagbama (48) and the College of Health Technology, Otuogidi (12).

    Speaking in Government House, Yenagoa, when he received the report of the committee set up to look into the disengagement of the staff, Diri said he approved its recommendations, which include re-engagement of the majority of those sacked based on the needs of the institutions as well as the payment of their salary arrears and other entitlements.

    A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying their re-absorption will take effect from the month of September based on the recommendation of the committee.

    He said contrary to speculations by those who want to play politics with everything in the state, his administration had been working on the issue quietly.

    Diri reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of Bayelsans, stressing that he will never play politics with the lives of the people of the state.

    The governor expressed appreciation to members of the committee for the diligent job done and to those affected for their patience.

    “This has been one issue we inherited and from when we came in, we had a lot of concern about what had happened. In 2022, I constituted a committee to look into the issues.

    “Some people wanted to play politics with it but they did not know that we were working on it quietly. Today, I am happy we have come to the end of this issue.

    “Having looked at the committee’s report, I approve all the recommendations. Therefore, most of the staff, particularly in the Niger Delta University, are hereby re-engaged.”

    Earlier, Secretary to the State Government, Alabo Gideon Ekewei, who spoke on behalf of the committee, said that based on the needs of the affected institutions, the committee recommended the re-engagement of most of those sacked.

    While thanking the governor for the opportunity to serve the state in that capacity, he also expressed appreciation to other members of the committee for their dedication and commitment to accomplishing the task.

    Chairman of the Higher Institutions Joint Action Committee (HIJAC), Lucky Brambaifa, in his remarks, said the body was excited that the prolonged issue had finally been resolved.

    Brambaifa commended the governor for prioritising the welfare of workers in the state and for ensuring that succour came to the reinstated staff of the higher institutions.

  • PDP Floors Another Labour Party Candidate At The Tribunal In Abia

    The Abia State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal has affirmed the Election of Barr. Solomon Akpulonu as Member Representing Obingwa East State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly.

    The tribunal dismissed the petition of Labour Party’s Peter Azubuike for lacking in merit and could not prove the allegation of non-compliance to the electoral act.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Hon. Solomon Akpulonu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the winner of the Obingwa East State constituencies in the March 18 Governorship and House of Assembly of Election.

    Returning Officer for Obingwa East Constituency, said Akpulonu polled 7,772 to defeat his closest rival, Peter Azubuike of the Labour Party, who scored 1,636.

    The tribunal held that the election that produced Akpulonu was held in compliance with the constitution and the electoral act as amended.