...Demand for Governor of Esan Extraction in Osadebey Avenue
...Want Political Inclusion of Edo Central
...Felicitate with Benin Monarch Over NOUN Chancellorship
...I’ll Consult Before Getting Back on Request....Omo N’Oba
A delegation of Esan Traditional Rulers and leaders of Esan Okpa Initiative (EOI), a socio-cultural non partisan Pan Esan group, have requested the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare 11 to intervene in the ensuing political contest in Edo State to ensure that a Governor of Esan extraction emerges to succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki whose term expires on November 11th, 2024.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation led by the Onojie of Uromi, His Royal Highness Anselm Edenojie 11, the President, Esan Okpa Initiative, Rt Hon Mathew Egbadon thanked the Omo N'Oba for the warm reception accorded the delegation, felicitating with the Benin monarch over his recent appointment as Chancellor of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
According to Egbadon, who’s a pioneer Speaker, Edo State House
Of Assembly, the quest for a Governor of Esan extraction is hinged on justice, equity and fairness, arguing that since the advent of Edo State in 1991, an Esan son, Prof Oserheimen Osunbor has only been Governor for 18 months.
Also lamenting the political exclusion of Esanland from top positions in the state, he recalled that Edo State was created in 1991 on a tripod comprising Edo North, Edo Central and Edo South to make for cordial relationship amongst a people who share common ancestry. According to him,
“We would like to seize this opportunity to formally apprise Your Majesty, of the yearning and desire of Esan people to produce the next Governor of Edo State, at the end of the tenure of the present administration in 2024.
“We know that this is a matter primarily within the remit of politicians and political parties to decide on. We have started engaging the various political leaders across the political divide in the state, on the need to have a Governor of Esan extraction at Osadebey Avenue, come 2024. This will be in the interest of equity, fairness and justice which Edo people are known for.
“To dispel the deliberate misinformation being bandied by some mischievous people, we need to state clearly and unequivocally, that there is no ethnic insularity to this yearning. Edo people are one- Edo Okpa Makhin. We believe that all parts of Edo State have bountiful talents and sound minds, that can work in unison for the greater good and development of Edo State for the benefit of all. Esan people have never nursed any divisive, narrow minded or supremacist agenda, and shall eternally remain in friendship and brotherhood love with all other Edo people across the State.
“Since the creation of our State in 1991, the statistics shows that we have only had an Edo Governor of Esan extraction for a period of about 18 months, in the person of Prof Oserheimen Osunbor. Cumulatively, our kith and kin in Edo South would have occupied the office for about 17 years by the end of the tenure of the present administration in 2024. While our kith and kin in Edo North have effectively occupied the seat for 8 years already.
“We are happy to report to Your Royal Majesty, that a considerable number of the political leaders and influential personalities we have consulted in the State, have supported our yearning and desire for an Edo Governor of Esan extraction, come 2024. We will continue to engage a wide variety of political and other opinion moulders, in our State to buy into and support this yearning in the interest of the unity of the Edo people.
“Though you are not a politician, we solicit Your Royal Majesty’s support and blessing for this yearning and desire of Esan people. We give full assurance that we shall encourage and support our best Esan sons and daughters, if necessary, to contest the elections for the office of the Governor on the platforms of the various major political parties, come 2024.
“We thank Your Majesty for receiving our delegation. We shall continue to accord our respect and unalloyed loyalty to Your Majesty and the revered throne of our common ancestors. We request Your Majesty to grant us the opportunity to return in the nearest future, to express our deep appreciation to Your Majesty and account for the realization of this desirable cause,” Egbadon, who’s also a lawyer stated.
Continuing in effusive thanks, he declares:
“We wish to thank Your Royal Majesty for the honour and privilege accorded us to visit the Palace and pay our homage to Your Majesty. We are so glad for the warm reception to the sacred seat of our common origin. All of us of the Edo Nation holds this Palace in the highest esteem, and yearn to be here – any time – of course, at your Majesty's pleasure and convenience.
“History teaches us that Your Majesty is not just a symbol of the historical unity of the Edo people, but is also, significant traditionally, and serves as the pivot for the accomplishment of the vision of a greater and inclusive Edo Nation.
“Your Royal Majesty, please, indulge us to take factual notice of, and thank you, for the remarkable strides you have made since ascending the throne of your forebears. Indeed, Your Majesty has been a source of inspiration to Edo people for the peace and prosperity that have reigned in your kingdom, and by extension Edo State in general, since your enthronement as the Oba of Benin.
“We also acknowledge some of the stellar achievements Your Majesty recorded in the recent past. These include, Your Majesty’s (a). Relentless war against all forms of criminalities, including the ban on land grabbers across the Benin kingdom. (b). Upholding the rich cultural heritage of the kingdom by championing the rightful return of some of the ancient Benin artifacts looted from the Palace by the British and other colonialists. (c). Being at the vanguard of campaign and action against human trafficking, a menace that has brought odium to Edo State. (d). Establishment of the Oba Ewuare Foundation to support skills acquisition, to mention but a few.
“We heartily applaud Your Majesty on the recognition by the Federal Government of Nigeria with the award of the National Honour of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) in September 2022.
“We also use this opportunity to congratulate Your Majesty on your recent appointment as Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). We may remark that it is an important milestone, as NOUN has the largest number of learners – about 120,000 students population – cutting across the various distance teaching and learning Centres nationwide. These momentous attainments can only indicate the good fortune ahead, for us to celebrate with Your Majesty,” the address concluded.
While thanking the Esan traditional rulers and leaders for their visit, the Oba of Benin promised to look into the issue raised. Stressing that the matter brought before him was akin to security matter which are not discussed in public, he said that he would consult widely with relevant stakeholders to ensure fairness and equity before getting back on the issue.
The Esan Okpa Initiative last month kickstarted consultations with influential personalities in both the Edo North and Edo South Senatorial Zones with the aim of eliciting their support for a Governor of Esan extraction by next year.
Onojie of Uromi, His Royal Highness Anselm Edenojie 11 and other Esan Traditional Rulers
Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare 11
Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare 11 with Esan Traditional Rulers and Leaders of Esan Okpa Initiative.
President, Esan Okpa Initiative, Rt Hon Mathew Egbadon with other leaders of his group
Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s assets did not increase through out the eight years he spent in office, Garba Shehu, his spokesman, has said.
Shehu said this could be seen in the assets declaration form he submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
According to Shehu, the completed declaration showed that Buhari’s movable assets did not increase, at home in Nigeria or outside and he did not add new bank accounts outside the only one he had in Union Bank, Kaduna.
“He has taken no loans and has no liability. The number of animals in his farm recorded a little decrease due to the number he gave out as gifts in the last four years,” Shehu said in a tweet on Saturday.
The asset declaration form is mandatory for all elected, appointed, recruited and contracted public officers.
All public officers are to declare their assets and liabilities on the assumption of office and at the end of their tenure.
Declarants are required by law to state their assets/liability including that of their spouses who is not a public officer and children under 18 years of age and submit same to the bureau within 30 days of the receipt of the forms.
However, some public officers do not disclose their declared assets.
The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to declare his assets in accordance with Paragraph 11 of Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution and make it public as a way of committing to the genuine fresh beginning he promised Nigerians.
The AFRICMIL Coordinator, Dr. Chido Onumah, said on Wednesday in a statement that declaring his assets and making it public would place President Tinubu on a much higher moral pedestal than his predecessors who were not on record to have taken any significant action regarding this constitutional obligation.
“Besides the moral capital that accompanies such a rare gesture, Mr. Tinubu would be seen to have reinforced belief in the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda on which his governance plan is anchored, and which was the mantra at every turn in his campaign trail.
“The anti-corruption agenda of the Tinubu administration remains vague even though in his inaugural speech President Tinubu said his administration would ‘take proactive steps such as championing a credit culture to discourage corruption while strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of the various anti-corruption agencies’
“AFRICMIL looks forward to a more detailed and unambiguous anti-corruption programme and is ready to work with the Tinubu administration to tame the vicious monster of corruption currently ravaging the country,” Onumah said.
Fuel Subsidy: FG Scraps Petroleum Equalisation Fund, National Transport Allowance To Oil Marketers
Admin…NMDPRA Explains Why Petrol Prices Will No Longer Be Fixed
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)
has revealed that the Federal Government has officially scrapped petroleum equalisation as well as the national transport allowance.
This is just as the Authority said it will no longer fix prices or release templates for petrol prices.
The PEF was set up by Decree 9 of 1975 (as amended by Decree Number 32 of 1989 now chapter 352 of the Laws of the Federation).
Its main function is to ensure price uniformity of petroleum products via the reimbursement of marketers for losses they incur in trucking products from depots to their filling stations anywhere in Nigeria.
The Authority Chief Executive (ACE), Engr Farouk Ahmed, explained that under the liberalised market, the forces of demand and supply would dictate prices.
He also stated that the NMDPRA and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) will mount aggressive monitoring of activities in the downstream sector to prevent profiteering by petroleum marketers.
Ahmed said, “We put the regulation in place, we make sure quality control is complied with, we make sure the product is there and we give licence to a prospective importer.
“The market is now open for everybody that wants to import as far as they meet all the requirements. So, it is not about the NNPC alone.
“For everybody in the sector, we make sure we guide their operations whether at the depot or wherever the product is but we will not put a cap to say this is what the price must be.
“As far as we are concerned in the NMDPRA, this is not like before when the PPPRA fixes the price. In a deregulated market, it is the market force that dictates the price.”
Ahmed explained that the NNPC’s role is to fix the prices of the petrol it imported and not take over the responsibilities of the Authority.
“In the case of the NNPC, the organisation is the sole importer at this point. We told the NNPC to recover its costs because they know how much it cost them to import the product and sell it.
“Of course, we also know how much shipping, offshore, ex-depot and ex-pump are. But we cannot tell them to sell at a price because the market is deregulated,” he said.
Ahmed further disclosed that marketers are now free to source their foreign exchange anywhere around the world to import petroleum products and then recover their costs without impediments.
On where the importers will source their forex from, Farouk said: “No. the CBN will not give dollar to anyone because it is an open market. Anyone willing to import should get the dollars from anywhere to import.
“Anyone willing to open a letter of credit from any part of the world can do that to import. That marketers can source their forex from anywhere is the beauty of the liberalised market that the NMDPRA has introduced based on the provision of the law.”
Though no template spells out the pricing components of petrol price, Ahmed hinted that the market will henceforth be modulated to allow the fluidity of prices.
He added, “This means that the price will no longer be static. It will depend on the international price of the gasoline market. But this does not imply that marketers can sell at any price.
“If we find that certain prices are way above the expected profit margin, we and the FCCPC can move in to curb such excesses because that will be profiteering. The market structure will dictate the price swings at every point in time.”
He maintained that the Dangote will help the nation in two ways, adding, “The refinery will give Nigeria easy access to petroleum products on-land for security reasons because it is within the Nigerian territory.
“Secondly, it will increase employment for our professionals.”
However, Ahmed was quick to caution against optimism for cheap petroleum products, saying, “I don’t think products will be cheaper because the company will be buying crude oil at the international price.
“However, it is going to be cheaper in terms of freight rate. Bringing of cargoes from Europe. Dangote Refinery is a game changer in terms of accessibility. By the time the NNPC refineries and other modular refineries across the country come on stream, Nigeria will be a net exporter of petroleum products.”
The Federal High Court sitting in Gusau, Zamfara State, has restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC from further inviting, arresting or detaining present or past officials of the Zamfara State government including the outgone governor Bello Matawalle with respect to how funds meant for security votes, estacodes, traveling allowances or any similar facts were expended by the administration.
A copy of the court Judgement dated May 31 by Justice A. B. Aliyu was made available to THE WHISTLER.
The suit was filed by Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, on behalf of the Government of Zamfara State with SUIT N0: FHC/GS/CS/30/2021, against the EFCC and the Attorney-General of the Federation, on the 16th of November, 2021.
Lately, it became public knowledge that the EFCC was tracking Matawalle over allegations of diverting public funds to the tune of N70 billion.
The ex-governor had also alleged that the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, wanted him to pay a 2 million dollars bribe for his investigation to be stepped down.
Ozekhome, who approached the court, contended the constitutional overriding powers of the anti-graft agency to investigate state government officials over the use of public funds appropriated by lawmakers.
He argued that the power to interrogate the disbursement and utilization of state funds appropriated is constitutionally vested in the State House of Assembly and the Auditor-General of the State, not the EFCC.
The Plaintiffs’ lawyer argued that based on the doctrine of separation of powers, the EFCC was trying to usurp the powers of lawmakers and the auditor-general of the state.
But EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, had opposed the application, contending that the EFCC (Establishment) Act, LFN, 2004, empowers the anti-graft agency to investigate state officials’ utilization of state funds, while the Constitution only grants the power to audit the funds and expenses of the State to the Auditor-General of the State.
He maintained that there is nothing stopping the EFCC from investigating and prosecuting financial crimes in any part of Nigeria.
The Attorney General of the Federation also aligned by the submissions of the EFCC counsel.
But in his judgment, Justice A. B. Aliyu held that the current or outgone public officials can only be probed through the House of Assembly of Zamfara State and in strict compliance with the 1999 Constitution.
He held that the EFCC does not have the powers to direct past and present officials of Zamfara state government for the purpose of superintending over them or exposing any waste in the management of the government’s consolidated fund and its general finances.
Part of the order reads, “An order of injunction is made restraining the EFCC whether by itself, its agents, employees, servants, operatives, detectives, privies, investigating officers and other persons by whatever name called, from inviting or further inviting, intimidating, harassing and threatening to arrest or detain or from arresting or detaining any past or present official of the government of Zamfara state on the basis of the same facts or similar facts as herein stated.”
“An order is made setting aside EFFC’s letter of invitation to past and present officials of the Zamfara state government dated 28th, September, 2021 or any other date same being ultra vires (beyond) the powers of the EFCC, and therefore, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”
The court held that by the proper interpretation of Sections 120,121, 122,123 of the 1999 constitution, the EFCC other than the House of Assembly of Zamfara state does not have the constitutional authority to exercise powers and control over public funds of the state.
Lionel Messi was jeered by a section of Paris Saint-Germain supporters as he played his final game for the club in the Ligue 1 champions’ 3-2 home defeat by Clermont on Saturday.
Messi’s expected departure from the French giants after two seasons was officially confirmed by PSG in a statement shortly before Saturday’s game.
“His contribution to Paris Saint-Germain and Ligue 1 cannot be underestimated and we wish Leo and his family all the best for the future,” said PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi.
Yet Messi’s name was jeered by some fans as the teams were announced at the Parc des Princes and the Argentinian World Cup winner was again whistled sporadically during the match.
There was little riding on the game itself after PSG wrapped up a record 11th French title last weekend, and Christophe Galtier’s side contrived to throw away a two-goal lead.
Sergio Ramos, whose own departure from PSG was confirmed on Friday, marked his final appearance by heading in a Vitinha cross for the opener in the 16th minute.
– Tribute to injured Rico –
Mbappe, looking to end a fifth consecutive season as Ligue 1’s top scorer, then scored a penalty to make it 2-0 with his 29th league goal this season, which he marked by holding up goalkeeper Sergio Rico’s number 16 jersey.
Spaniard Rico, PSG’s back-up goalkeeper, is in a serious condition in hospital in Seville after being injured in a horse-riding accident last weekend.
“The most important thing was the tribute to Sergio,” Mbappe told broadcaster Canal Plus.
“There are more important things than football, and on the pitch we were already champions. We could have lost 22-0 and that would not have changed anything for us.
“We had to pay tribute to Sergio. I think we have all been affected by what is an extremely serious situation. We have been worried about that all week and so we tried to pay tribute in the best possible way.”
Mbappe’s goals tally left him two ahead of Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette in the final standings.
Johan Gastien pounced on a Marco Verratti mistake to pull a goal back for Clermont, who then saw Grejohn Kyei miss a penalty.
The visitors then equalised in first-half stoppage time when Mehdi Zeffane netted from close range after Gianluigi Donnarumma spilled the ball.
Kyei got Clermont’s winner in the second half when he turned in a cross with his knee.
A famous win for Clermont sees them finish the season in eighth place.
PSG picked up the championship trophy after the game but end the season with seven league defeats, all of them suffered in 2023.
The apex umbrella body of all Yoruba indigenous people, Yoruba Council Worldwide, YCW, has described the bid to embark on strike action by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, over the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government as an act of economic sabotage.
The group, in a statement issued by its President, Aare (Oba) Oladotun Hassan (Esq) and made available to Sunday Vanguard, said it was aghast to see Joe Ajaero and Emmanuel Ugboaja led Nigeria Labour Congress (NLS) to have declared strike action via a trending circulated letter dated June 2, 2023, to commence strike action on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, against President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led Federal Government on the removal of the fuel subsidy in the wake of the inauguration on May 29, 2023.
The statement read: “Based on evidence at our disposal, the proposed NLC planned strike is an act of economic sabotage, calculated at truncating the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, consequently amounting to Double standards and Treasonable felony.”
“We are equally surprised to see the ill-motivated chaotic action to picket CBN offices nationwide and not NNPCL if even genuine as a deliberate premeditated ploy of the Labour Party manifested to cause monumental havocs, considering the siemese political affinity and negative positions of NLC and Labour Party at the last Presidential election, and their earlier treacherous declarations led by the Labour Party’s Vice Presidential candidate Datti Baba Ahmed to make the current government ungovernable.”
“Surprisingly, this is the same political campaign Agenda of the Labour Party’s Presidential candidate Peter Obi to remove and scrap fuel subsidies immediately if elected, so what has changed?”
“It is highly hypocritical to see the Labour Union Leaders and their ilk involved in such deceitfully clandestine and criminally crafted plans, considering the purveyors of the strike action who are mainly hardcore “Obidients” using the sentiments of the current economic situation to orchestrate the ill-motivated chaotic total shutting down of the economy.”
“It is on this premise we call on all law enforcement agencies, particularly the DSS to stop any act of NLC declared protests, for this is a dangerous prescription to nosedive the ship of government and throw the country into abyss.”
“We hereby serve as a note of warning to the Nigeria Labour Congress and all her affiliates to desist from this political grandstanding evil machinations to disrupt the wheel of progress of governance predicated on the successful start of a renewed hope agenda.”
“While we use this medium to call on all Nigerians to continue to support and rally around the new administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima led Federal Government, based on their genuine robust plans to positively reposition the Oil and Gas industry and strategically grow the economy in the overall interest of the greatest number.”
“Besides, NLC and TUC leaders knew since last year November that the subsidy will be scrapped from July 1 as no provision has been made in the budget for it, beyond this date. The Federal Government which already commits 96 per cent of its revenue in servicing debt is not in any position to continue selling subsidised fuel, most of which is smuggled across our borders for criminal and obscenely unpatriotic profit.”
“Subsidy of fuel is the most fraudulent decoy to plunge the nation into the bottomless pit of hell and economically NO longer sustainable as the Federal Government is virtually broke. Apart from its N77 trillion debt, it also owes the NNPC Limited about N2.4 trillion for past subsidies,” YCW said.
The Senator representing Kogi West in the National Assembly, Smart Adeyemi, says the legislative experiences of President Bola Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Shettima, will help them perform excellently.
Adeyemi, who was also an All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant in the Kogi governorship election, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.
According to the senator, once somebody has been in the Senate, that person cannot afford to fail.
“This is the first time we are having field politicians controlling the executive arm of government.
“President Bola Tinubu, a former senator; Vice-President Kashim Shettima, a former senator, and even the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu is a senator.
“If you look at the states that are governed by former senators you will see outstanding performance; like Hope Uzodubma of Imo State.
“In the Senate, you are exposed to the needs and aspirations of Nigerians, ” he said.
Adeyemi said that Tinubu’s government would resurrect so many moribund economic and productive endeavours in the country and create opportunities for real economic development.
“Some of us who are fanatical about Tinubu, it is because we are sure of his track record.
“He will not approach you based on your ethnicity or religion, he considers the quality of your thought, and how your mind works.
“Look at Lagos today, he gave them the master plan of socio-economic development. We are not in doubt that there is going to be a turnaround under this government,” he said.
He said that the president was capable of initiating economic policies that would increase productivity and strengthen the Naira.
“We are confident that he is going to strengthen the Naira; he is going to strengthen productivity that will enhance the strength of the currency.
“He is going to create wealth, he will create job opportunities; you know the number of agencies he created as governor of Lagos?
“These are the things making Lagos excel today.
He said that the Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, had a similar track record through his performance as governor of Borno.
“Shettima is a former banker; and Agric/Economist by training. He is the person who revamped agriculture in Borno.
“We need to look inwards for productivity and one of the gifts of God to Nigeria is that we have arable land.
“Under the leadership of Tinubu and Shettima, there will be accelerated development of Nigeria, there will be a new Nigeria.
“There will be a resurrection of all those things that are dead or half-dead in Nigeria.
He urged the Federal Government to take advantage of abundant solid mineral deposits across the country to accelerate economic and infrastructural development.
He said the country had 32 solid minerals in commercial quantity, which, if harnessed, could turn the economy around for good.
He described Kogi as the solid mineral hub of the country and urged the government to prioritise the state in its solid mineral agenda.
“During the campaigns, the president promised to make Kogi the headquarters of solid minerals.
“This is because, out of the 32 solid minerals in Nigeria, there are 27 in Kogi,” he said.
Adeyemi urged Tinubu to source for competent Nigerians across ethnic and religious divides, that will help actualise his development plans for the country.
He expressed confidence that the president had the proven capacity to appoint the right people in the right positions.
“There are people who are not cut out for leadership. Tinubu does not have sentiments in his DNA, he considers what people are capable of doing, ” he said.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration on Saturday pulled down Abuja’s biggest graphics design and printing hub, the UTC Shopping Complex, over 30 years after it came into existence.
According to Administration officials, the sprawling complex had to be demolished to give way for reconstruction to fit into a model required to grow SMEs to address global business needs and challenges.
A Deputy Director, of Monitoring and Inspection, Department of Development Control, Hassan Ogbole said the structures were defective and there was a need to upgrade them to the standard that will meet global business standards.
Ogbole noted that provisions had been made for the traders and other occupants of the complex to enable reconstruction of the place.
He also stated that adequate notices were served on the occupants of the place to enable them to move out and allow the construction to start, but many of them deliberately refused to move out.
He said; “The place is in a state of disrepair. It is no longer habitable for occupation and business activities. The place has to give way for a new development.
“The company handling the development has informed Development Control and we are here to enforce compliance. We have given them enough notice for them to remove their goods, to enable us to start the work”.
Also Speaking, the Secretary, Command and Control, FCTA Department of Security, Peter Olumiji said demolishing the Complex was also needed to contain the security challenges in the area.
Olumiji noted that apart from restructuring the place to meet global standards, there was a need to nip criminal activities prevalent in the place.
According to him, it had become imperative to remodel the place to rid it of elements that engage in faking official documents.
One of the traders in the complex, Samuel Onuchukwu, said the traders and other occupants were worried because the temporary site provided by the developers, was not secured for business.
Onuchukwu disclosed that many of the traders were yet to remove their goods and property from the shops and offices.
According to him, they woke up early in the morning on Saturday to learn that the whole UTC area had been barricaded, and demolition was ongoing, while their wares were still trapped.
Nigerians have been advised to embrace cycling as alternative means of transportation in the midst of fuel subsidy removal in the country.
Mr Joshua Adekanye, Oyo State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), gave the advice on Saturday in Ibadan at the celebration of the 2023 World Bicycle Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the United Nations (UN) had in 2018 declared June 3 of every year as World Bicycle Day.
It is an international observance recognised as a result of the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries.
The day is set aside to raise awareness about the importance of bicycles as a sustainable mode of transportation.
According to him, it is advisable for the general public to make use of bicycles now that the fuel subsidy has been removed because bicycles do not use fuel.
He said that carbon emissions to the atmosphere by vehicles would also be drastically reduced when Nigerians rely more on bicycles.
This, Adekanye said, would create an enabling environment for Nigerians to live in.
“Use of bicycle is economically cheap because the cost of a bicycle is not as expensive as using a car or motorcycle,” he said.
On the health benefits, Adekanye said that cycling, not only improves physical strength but also helps reduce body fat “and keep the heart healthy”.
“Cycling may help prevent and manage medical conditions; helps in improving mental health and reduces stress, among other benefits, ” the sector commander said.
He, however, commended the contributions of all the agencies and stakeholders toward advancing the course of encouraging cycling in society.
Adekanye urged relevant stakeholders to keep on sensitising the general public on the need to embrace cycling.
NAN also reports that five cyclist organisations and young cyclists from the Air Force Primary School, Ibadan, participated in the event.
Among the organisations were Lifeline Cyclists, Rising Star Cycling Academy and Pedal Power Cycling Club.
The cycling event took off at the State Command of the FRSC, Eleyele, en route Jericho – Dugbe – Mokola – Sabo and ended at Lekan Salami stadium Adamasingba
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr David Adejo on Saturday in Abuja lamented the rate at which parents made their underage children sit for National Common Entrance Examination.
“Parents are killing these underage children by allowing them to write the National Common Entrance Examination into Federal Government Colleges,’’ he said.
He confirmed that some underage children were found to have sat for the 2023 examination; an act which he said was not good for their development.
Adejo said education was not about passing examinations and advised that children should get to appropriate ages before writing the entrance examination.
He made the remarks while monitoring the 2023 examination alongside the Registrar of the examination body, the National Examination Council (NECO), Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi.
“We are getting to a stage where education is what you will use your knowledge to do for society.
“When you make a small child to go through all these rigours, by the time he finishes secondary school, getting to the university becomes a problem.
“Parents should please let children get to the appropriate age before writing this examination and we are going to make sure NECO puts appropriate checks in place.
“We need to get the children to present their birth certificates before registration so that at our own end we are able to curb some of these excesses.
“To get to a secondary school, a child should minimally be 12 years old and a child of less than 11 years is unacceptable,’’ he stressed.
Adejo said oversubscription made two candidates to pair for question papers at the 2023 exercise and assured that such development would no longer be tolerated.
“I was informed that there was enough provision for every child that registered, but more people registered as late as 11.23 p.m., whereas 12 midnight was the deadline for registration.
“By that time all questions papers had been despatched.
“NECO made enough provision to have extras for every centre, but because there was oversubscription, arrangements made were inadequate.
“NECO will henceforth put strategies in place for oversubscription.
“One of the strategies is that registration will no longer end a day before the examination, but a week before the exercise,’’ he said.
Adejo noted that the campaign to increase girl child enrolment in school was yielding results as more than 38,000 girls sat for the 2023 examination out of the total 72,881 candidates registered for the exercise.
In his remarks, Prof. Wushishi noted the increase in the number of candidates registered by states in the northern parts of the country, which he said was better than the previous years.
“Lagos State has the largest enrolment of candidates in 2023, while the least enrolment was from Kebbi.
“As part of proactive measures being considered, we are intensifying sensitisation and reiterating the importance of the examination.
“We are also ensuring we keep to the deadline for registration to avoid the problem of upsurge.
“Primary and secondary school education is compulsory for every Nigerian child. As a country, our children must hold this certificate to be useful both within and outside the country,’’ Wushishi said.
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The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says prices of food items such as tomatoes, beans and yams witnessed increases in April.
It made the declaration in its Selected Food Prices Watch Report for April issued in Abuja on Saturday.
The report also stated that the average price of 1kg of tomato on a year-on-year basis rose by 13.73 per cent from N426.54 in April 2022 to N485.10 in April 2023.
“On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of tomato increased by 3.97 per cent in April from the N466.60 recorded in March 2023,’’ it stated.
The report also showed the average price of 1kg of brown beans (sold loose) increased by 16.03 per cent on a year-on-year basis, from N530.62 in April 2022 to N615.67 in April 2023.
“On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 3.13 per cent in April from N596.96 in March 2023,’’ the NBS added.
It stated also that the average price of 1kg of onion bulb rose by 15.87 per cent on a year-on-year basis, from N380.94 in April 2022 to N441.38 in April 2023.
“On a month-on-month basis, it dropped by 0.67 per cent in April from the N444.37 recorded in March 2023,’’ it stated.
The report stated also that the average price of 1kg of Yam rose by 23.12 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N361.20 in April 2022 to N444.69 in April 2023.
“On a month-on-month basis, 1kg tuber of yam increased by 0.38 per cent in April from the N443.02 recorded in March 2023,’’ it added.
It stated that the average price of 1kg of boneless beef increased by 23.13 per cent from N2,026.8 in April 2022 to N2,495.69 in April 2023.
“On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of boneless beef increased by 0.65 per cent in April from the N2,479.61 recorded in March 2023,’’ it added.
The report explained that at the state level, the highest average price of 1kg boneless beef was recorded in Imo at N3,277.11, while the lowest was recorded in Kogi at N1,789.67.
In addition, the average price of one bottle of vegetable oil rose by 26.34 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N981.16 in April 2022 to N1,239.58 in April 2023.
“On a month-on-month basis, it rose by 1.55 per cent in April from N1,220.62 recorded in March 2023,’’ the report stated.
The highest average price of 1kg of Tomato was recorded in Edo at N950.62, while the lowest was recorded in Kogi at N205.26.
The report stated that Ebonyi recorded the highest price of brown beans (sold loose) at N961.74, while Niger recorded the lowest price at N428.57.
It showed that Cross River recorded the highest average price of 1kg of onion bulb at N987.39, while the lowest price was recorded in Katsina State at N163.33.
The report added that the highest average price of 1kg of Yam tuber was recorded in Akwa Ibom at N920.15, while the lowest was recorded in Benue at N200.37.
Also, Abia recorded the highest average price of one bottle of vegetable oil at N1,694.74, while Kogi recorded the lowest at N735.33.
Analysis by zone showed that the average price of 1kg of boneless Beef was highest in the Southeast at N3,223.05, followed by the South-South at N2,673.33, while the North-Central recorded the lowest at N2,133.46.
It stated that average price of 1kg of tomato was highest in the South-South and South-East at N849.02 and N647.96 respectively, while the lowest price was recorded in the North-East at N256.13.
The Southeast recorded the highest average price of 1kg of brown beans (sold loose) at N834.55, followed by the South-South at N699.76.
“The lowest price was recorded in the North-East at N496.78,’’ the NBS stated.
The crisis rocking opposition Labour Party (LP) has yet again assumed a fresh dimension as the Lamidi Apapa group Friday secured a court order staying the execution of a Benin High Court of May 26, 2023 in suit HCU/21/2023 in favour of the embattled National Chairman, Mr. Julius Abure, and three others.
The judgment of May 26 had initially granted Abure the right to act as the National Chairman of the party pending when other issues challenging his position in various courts of competent jurisdictions were addressed.
Dr Abayomi Arabambi, the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the party, at a press briefing in Abuja Friday said the Lamidi Apapa-led group had secured three notices in motion appealing against the said judgment.
According to Arabambi, the Apapa-led NWC had filled three notices of appeal at the Court of Appeal Benin City with a stay of execution granted on the judgment delivered on the May 26, 2023 where the court ordered the NWC of LP under Apapa not to act on the suspension made by the ward 3 executives.
He said: “With the stay of execution from the higher court now, the judgment is now in nullity and of no effect. Thus, the suspension of Julius Abure still subsists with the restraining order of the FCT High Court granted on April 5th,” Arabambi said.
Meanwhile, in a motion of notice the document read: “An order staying execution of the judgment of this Honourable Court delivered on 26th day of May 2023 in suit no: HCU/21/2023 pending the determination of the appeal already filed.”
According to the court document dated June 2, 2023, in the notice of Appeal, the documents read in part: “That the appellant being dissatisfied with the judgment/decision of the Edo State High Court, Benin Judicial Division sitting at Benin coram: Honourable Justice E.O. Ahamioje (hereinafter referred to as ‘the learned trial judge’), delivered on Friday 26th day of May 2023 in Suit No. HCU/21/2023, between Barr. Julius Abure & 3 others V. Thompson Ehiguese & 2 others, hereby appeal against the decision to the Court of Appeal upon the grounds set forth in Paragraph 3 and shall at the hearing of the appeal seek the reliefs set forth in paragraph 4.”
The appellant also faulted the trial judge in paragraph four of the documents.
It read: “The learned trial judge of the Edo State High Court erred in law when he failed, neglected and/or refused to pronounce upon and resolve all the issues in contention between the parties and thereby denied the appellant fair hearing guaranteed by section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has alleged that his predecessor Bello Matawalle spent N2,794,337,500 on vehicles and failed to leave them behind upon his exit from office last Monday.
The governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Sulaiman Bala Idris, in a statement on Saturday, said a contract awarded by the former governor, for the purchase of vehicles to be distributed to dignitaries and other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) at N1,149,800,000.
It added that the contract for the purchase of the vehicles was awarded to Hafkhad Properties and Facilities Management Nig. LTD.
He also alleged that N484,512,500 was spent on three bulletproof Jeep; N459,995,000 for seven sets of bulletproof Prado Jeep, and Land Cruiser; and N228,830,000 for seven Toyota Hilux.
The governor further said N61,200,000 was paid for 30 sets of Peugeot 406; N130,000,000 for one bulletproof Land Cruiser and N160,000,000.00 for two Land Cruiser Jeeps, while three vehicles were purchased at N120,000,000 for the office of the Deputy Governor.
“It is the height of indignity for the Zamfara APC to continue to fizzle at a time when all the above official vehicles were looted by the outgone governor and his associates,” the statement read.
“None of the vehicles is available in the government house. This is a show of shame, not only to the state chapter of the APC but to anyone justifying the action of Matawalle.
“We have communicated officially to former Governor Bello Matawalle and his deputy to return all the missing vehicles within five (5) working days.”
See the full statement below:
PRESS RELEASE
WHERE IS THE LIE? COST AND NUMBER OF OFFICIAL VEHICLES LOOTED BY FORMER GOVERNOR BELLO MATAWALLE
The Zamfara State Government has described a statement issued by the State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as an act of attention-seeking from a political party yet to recover from defeat.
The APC statement was a response to the assertion of the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, in which he fingered former Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle for looting official vehicles and other valuables from the state Government House in Gusau.
The Zamfara State Government in a statement issued in Gusau on Saturday, by the spokesperson to the Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, noted that the vituperation by the Zamfara APC in a desperate and face-saving defence of the looting orchestrated by former Governor Matawalle was a further confirmation that the party has drifted into the abyss of confusion and failure.
The statement read in parts: “Our government is determined in fulfilling the campaign promises made to the good people of Zamfara State, which involves the swift recovery of public funds and properties looted.
“The mischievous APC statement is only aimed at distracting us from doing the work that positively touches the lives of the people. Our time is precious, and we cannot waste it in engaging or bandying words with a political party that spent four years without a single project beneficial to the people of Zamfara, instead their only achievement is massive looting of the state’s treasury.
“We have the facts and records available that exposed Matawalle’s impropriety. Where is the lie? A contract was awarded by the former governor, for the purchase of vehicles to be distributed to dignitaries and other ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) at the cost of One Billion, One Hundred and Forty-Nine, Eight Hundred Million Naira (N1,149,800,000.00). The contract for the purchase of the vehicles was awarded to Hafkhad Properties and Facilities Management Nig. LTD. The money was meant for the purchase of a Toyota Lexus VIP Bullet Proof 2021 Model; Toyota Land Cruiser VIP Bullet Proof 2021 Model; Toyota Prado V6 2021 Model; Toyota Prado V4 2021 Model; Peugeot 2021 Model; Toyota Hilux 2021 Model; Toyota Land Cruiser Bullet Proof 2021; and Toyota Lexus 2021 Model.
“On the 4th of October 2021 the former governor paid MUSACO for the supply of three bulletproof Jeep at the sum of N484, 512, 500.00; to supply seven sets of bulletproof Prado Jeep, and Land Cruiser at the sum of N459, 995, 000.00; to supply seven Toyota Hilux at the sum of N228, 830, 000.00.
“On the 19th of May 2021, Matawalle paid for the supply of 30 sets of Peugeot 406 to TK Global Services at the sum of N61,200,000.00. Also, on the 15th of December 2021, Nadeen Butta was paid for the supply of one bulletproof Land Cruiser in the sum of N130, 000, 000.00.
“On 26th of February 2022, a contractor Dapiyau B. Linus was paid the sum of N160,000,000.00 for the supply of two Land Cruiser Jeeps 2021 model; On the 20th of March 2022, Matawalle government paid MUSACO the sum of N120,000,000.00 for the supply of three vehicles for the office of the Deputy Governor.”
“It is the height of indignity for the Zamfara APC to continue to fizzle at a time when all the above official vehicles were looted by the outgone governor and his associates. None of the vehicles is available in the government house. This is a show of shame, not only to the state chapter of the APC but to anyone justifying the action of Matawalle.
“We have communicated officially to former Governor Bello Matawalle and his deputy to return all the missing vehicles within five (5) working days.”
Sulaiman Bala Idris,
Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to Zamfara Governor
June 3, 2023
Defeated presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general elections, Atiku Abubakar has expressed confidence that he will reclaim his alleged stolen mandate at the court.
He, therefore, referred to the President Bola Tinubu-led APC administration as a “temporary government”.
Atiku Abubakar who addressed elected officials of the PDP during a stakeholders meeting held at the Government House Banquet Hall in Bauchi on Saturday, charged members of the National Assembly of the PDP not to be “rubber stamp members of the National Assembly”.
He added; “You are there to serve as a formidable opposition to this temporary administration.”
According to him, “Based on the results announced by the INEC and pending the determination of electoral challenges in the court, our members elect are not the majority in the National Assembly.
“So, for the time being, they have to prepare to work as an effective, constructive opposition while also preparing for possible roles of the majority party when the cases are resolved. A Government in waiting, so to speak.”
Atiku Abubakar stressed that, “In the recently concluded elections, our party campaigned on specific things, Nigerians are therefore expecting you to work on how to fulfil those campaign promises. That you are not among the INEC selected members is not an excuse not to perform, you must collectively work to put the temporary government on the right direction to serve Nigerians. Don’t be part of rubber stamp.”
He continued; “As you know, the PDP remains the only political party that is led by all its members, not a political party that is led by a few political godfathers. No one individual or group of people are bigger than the party in the PDP. You are Representatives of the party, do not be tempted to leave your party just because of INEC induced temporary setback.
“In the end, the truth shall triumph over falsehood and evil. Therefore, you must please remain resolute, do not work in isolation from one another, you are a team and should always work to together as a team in order to achieve meaningful results and also remain connected to your roots, your constituents and other stakeholders.”
The former Vice President explained that, “Retreat such as this, is like a meeting you will have with someone or a group about to embark on a very important journey or mission.”
“It is to discuss what we expect from the journey, how to prepare adequately for that journey including pieces of advise on how to handle various challenges that might be encountered along the way and also at the destination,” he further added.
He, however, charged the members-elect not to lose hope.
“Don’t ever lose hope, the role of the opposition is holding the government in majority party to account. And in doing so, you demonstrate that you and your party are ready to govern at the shortest possible time,” he said.