German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz has warned against violence spreading like wildfire “with incalculable consequences for the whole region” following the biggest attack on Israel in years by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.
“We warn everyone against fueling and spreading terror in this situation,” he said, noting he would hold a discussion with US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the topic later.
“The security of Israel is Germany’s reason of state and we will act accordingly,” he said.
Scholz said he had already spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and also aimed to speak with the Egyptian president about possible mediation efforts.
He added that authorities had increased the protection of Israeli and Jewish institutions in Germany in view of the attack on Israel and condemned reported celebrations of the violence on German streets.
[REUTERS]
In a wave of resurgence of attacks on Nigerians and their businesses in South Africa, another Nigerian has been killed by an unknown gunman.
The latest victim is Anambra-born Anene Esihi from Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area.
The National Secretary- General of Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA), Mr Somadina Okeke, announced the death in a statement on Sunday, a copy of which was emailed to Persecondnews.
On Sept. 22 this year, NUSA had raised the alarm over fresh terror attacks being unleashed on Nigerians by a criminal vigilance group in Sasolburg, Freestate Province.
The union had in a statement claimed that the attacks were not only perpetrated on the streets but that the group also located, robbed, denuded and assaulted Nigerians in their homes.
The union also accused the police in the province of complicity in the fundamental human rights infringed and which had led to the death of three persons.
“Three persons were killed. No arrest has been made. Survivors are living with traumatic scars.
“Some are terrified of leaving their places of abode to carry out their daily activities for fear of being assaulted,” it said.
Okeke alleged that Esihi was attacked and shot severally by his assailants between 7.30 p.m. and 8 p.m., at his shop, No. 8A St. Georges Street Central Business District, Bloemfontein.
He said that after he was shot, his landlord chased the unknown assailant but he couldn’t get him.
“During the chase, a cell phone fell from the unknown gunman which another onlooker picked from the ground.
“The Police and Ambulance Service were called but when they arrived, the medical team declared Anene dead.
“The crime scene department also came with its forensic officials and afterward his body was taken to a government mortuary,’’ Okeke said.
He added: “The cell phone recovered from the unknown gunman was handed over to the Police investigation officer as evidence.’’
The union urged Nigerians in that country to be law-abiding and to carry on with their legitimate business, promising that it would do its best to ensure that it secured justice for the slain member.
NUSA also condoled with the family and friends of the deceased as well as Nigerians living in that country.
[persecondnews]
The management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has responded to ticket racketeering allegations in its rail operations, saying it has suspended nine workers found culpable.
This comes after some staff members of the NRC were alleged to be involved in fraudulent dealings, collecting cash from passengers which they do not remit to the government as well as ticket racketeering.
Speaking to journalists at the Obafemi Awolowo Station in Ibadan, the Managing Director of the NRC, Fidet Okhiria, said nine members of staff involved in the fraudulent practice had been suspended.
“It’s an offence to carry an intending passenger to enter the train without having a ticket,” Okhiria said.
“We have made that arrangement and we have staff members to check the tickets before they get to the departure hall and also check the tickets before they can get to the platforms to board the train.”
The NRC boss stated that adequate steps had been taken to prevent such people without tickets from being allowed to pass into the departure hall and onto the platform to board the train.
“I just came here to remind them that anybody caught will not be spared and to ensure that we do the right thing at the right time,” he added.
[NaijaTimes]
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has said that Nigeria, at 63, needs to become truly independent and self sufficient instead of depending on loans.
The Deputy Speaker said this while speaking at a stakeholders’ dialogue on the implementation of Section 45 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, on Saturday in Lagos.
Kalu, who was represented by Mr Nalaraba Abubakar, Chairman, House Committee on Loans and Debt Management, noted that previous governments sustained budgets through loans, an approach he considered not sustainable.
According to him, the compliance of the provisions of Section 45 of the FRA remains crucial to the banks and other financial institutions before lending to any government of the federation.
“Lending by banks and financial institutions is contravention to the FRA 2007 is unlawful,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker further stated that it was imperative for banks and financial institutions to comply with the provisions outlined in Section 45 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act before they lend to the government.
He also noted that it was essential to consider the authorised borrowing limit specified in the appropriation Act and adhere to the extant provisions of Section 45.
Kalu, who expressed disappointment that state governments were borrowing for consumption rather than focusing on long-term capital expenditure for production purposes, argued that the trend worsens the country’s inflation and inhibits economic growth.
He, however, urged state governments to explore their own potentials and enhance local production to increase internally generated revenue instead of relying solely on the Federal Government.
“We encourage states to stop depending on federal government and boost their local production, thereby increasing internally generated revenue.
“I commend FRC in its responsibility of keeping up with promoting a transparent and accountable government fiscal management framework for Nigeria,” the deputy speaker said.
Kalu also expressed disappointment that the authorities in charge of monitoring inflow of grants into the country had no proper record of the grants.
“These grants do not just pass through the thin air, but by processes, which the commercial banks are involved in.
“It is important for commercial banks to liaise with the government by making disclosure on the inflow of the grants,” he said.
According to him, accumulation of those aids and grants are crippling the economy, which has become unbearable.
He, therefore, confirmed that the 10th Assembly was prepared to introduce legislation that would bring transparency to the processes of grants entering the country, adding that there are plans to enact a law compelling commercial banks to disclose the sources of grants, their beneficiaries, and who holds custody of the funds.
The lawmaker said: “We have billions of dollars coming into Nigeria as grants, but cannot pin point where the grants are going into in the economy.
“So, it’s important that the commercial banks work together with the government to rebuild the country, because a bouyant economy would also contribute in the activities of the banks too.”
[RipplesNigeria]
A Special Court Martial set up by the Nigerian Army, which found the former Group Managing Director and Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Major General Umar Mohammed, guilty will deliver judgment on Tuesday, THISDAY has learnt.
The Special Court Martial sitting in Abuja had found Major General Mohammed guilty of 14 out of 18 counts of charges, including stealing and other sundry offences, which are all contrary to service laws.
The charges brought against the general border on stealing, forgery, conspiracy, theft, unauthorised diversion of Army property, among others.
In one of the charges on which he was found guilty, General Mohammed was alleged to have collected the sum of $1.045,400 paid by shipping companies for the use of Nigerian Army Jetty located at no 6 Marina, Victoria Island, Lagos
He was also found guilty of a theft of $430,800 monies paid into the Nigerian Army Domiciliary account at Unity Bank, Abuja for the use of Nigerian Army Jetty, Marina, Lagos.
The court martial also found him guilty of withdrawing and confiscating the sum of N74 million out of N75 million paid for a property belonging to the Nigerian Army at Ikoyi, Lagos.
The general was however found not guilty on allegations that he sold Army property worth N200 million in Lagos as well as stole the sum of another N750 million out of the sum of N2.5 billion secured from banks as well as contributions from subscribers for Army housing estate in Asokoro, Abuja.
He was also not found guilty of charges of forging a Deed of Agreement document pursuant to confiscating another Army property in Lagos.
The Special Court Martial with Major General Kames Myam as President, has seven other Major Generals as members and a Brigadier General as Judge Advocate and it is expected to read out its sentences for the accused on Tuesday.
General Mohammed had claimed that the houses and monies accused of selling and misappropriating were released on the directive and instruction of his boss.
During the court-martial, Major General Mohammed was brought into the court in a wheelchair but the President of the court, Maj-Gen Myan said all necessary medical checks were carried out on the accused and all proved that he was fit to stand trial.
The lead counsel for the prosecution was Col. BA Oguntayo (rtd), while the lead counsel for the defence was Olalekan Ojo (SAN).
[ThisDay]
The Lagos State government has announced the sealing of a popular nightclub in the state over noise pollution.
In a terse statement on Saturday night, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, identified the sealed nightclub as Silk Club.
Located at 190, Awolowo Road in Ikoyi, the commissioner said the nightclub was sealed by the officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), who on his orders, conducted a nighttime enforcement operation in the area.
“As I directed, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency @LasepaOfficial conducted a nighttime enforcement operation, leading to the closure and sealing of Silk Club at 190, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi due to noise pollution,” he disclosed this on X (formerly Twitter).
See photos below:
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has instituted a Scholarship Award scheme for 550 indigent students in the Remo Federal Constituency of the state in honour of his late son, Gbemiga Abiodun, who died six years ago.
The scholarships cover pupils in primary and secondary schools as well as those in vocational and tertiary institutions.
The scholarship was spread across all schools in its coverage area.
Speaking at the launch of the Gbemiga Abiodun Education Scholarship Award held at Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area, Prince Abiodun said the scheme would ensure that brilliant students and those whose parents could not afford to educate them, have access to quality education.
According to him, the number of beneficiaries will increase to 1000 in the next 12 months, which will be the minimum at any given time.
He also promised that the scholarship would be extended to the other federal constituencies in the state for maximum spread. He said: “It is against this backdrop that my family came up with a scholarship scheme called GBEMIGA ABIODUN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD, in memory of our son, Gbemiga Abiodun, which is strictly for indigent learners of Public Primary, Secondary Schools, Technical College, and Tertiary Institutions, as well as Special Needs Learners within Ikenne, Remo North, and Sagamu Local Government Areas, to provide support to selected learners who are from the aforementioned local government areas of Ogun State.
“The Award is in two phases. The first phase is to be a Scholarship Award, designed for indigent and brilliant students while its alternative form; the second phase will be a Bursary Award for in-need but not necessarily brilliant indigent students whose chances of upward socio-economic mobility are probable with bursary support.
“This Scholarship award is designed for a period of three (3) years and within the age bracket of 6-25, and selection will be determined by the State Ministry of Education Science and Technology, using the Cumulative Promotion Examination Result obtainable from the OGSERA platform while the beneficiaries for tertiary institutions were recommended by their respective institutions.”
[Nation]
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has said that the history of the ancient city of Ile-Ife is deeper than what is available in academic institutions.
Ooni disclosed this on Saturday during a press conference on the theme, “International Conference on Ile-Ife and Yoruba Civilisation: The Nexus between Tradition and Modernity,” held at his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
He lauded the organisers of the event saying that it would pave the way for proper documentation of Ile-Ife history.
“As the 51st Ooni of Ife, in the third dynasty of Ife, I noted that there are so many facts that were not written down about the nexus of tradition and modality.
“Our oral tradition has not been adequately written down, so many facts and figures were distorted from the original history of Kaaro-o-o-jiire.
“For me to build the legacy for the entire Kaaro-o-o-jiire race, that is known as Yoruba people, we are discovering every day that our history is deeper than what we have in various academic institutions,” Ooni said.
He commended the team led by a Lecturer at the Department of History, International Studies, Osun State University, Prof. Siyan Oyefeso, as very passionate and fantastic people working together to put history in the right perspective.
The royal father revealed that Ghanians had traced their lineage to Aga-Ako in Ile-Ife and that Ethiopians are sons and daughters of Oranmiyan in Okerewe, Eredumi ruling house in Ife to date.
“Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania categorically told me when I traveled to their countries that they migrated from Ile-Ife and they are sons and daughters of the source, while all these cannot be found in any archive.
“We are leading the team globally, nobody has documented the three dynasties, only the last dynasty, Ife Akanlubebe, which I’m the 51st Ooni, was documented to a large extent.
“But the two, Ife Oodaye and Ife Ooyelagbo, some professors talked briefly on them, but during this international conference, the duo will be deeply rooted.
“Their rulers, supernatural beings that form these dynasties like the Luwos, the Agbaakos., the Oromos, Oranmiyans, all over the continents of Africans, the Bantoos, the Baribas will be dealt with,” Ooni added.
Oba Ogunwusi tasked the indigenes to support the conveners of the conference in order to properly document the history of their race.
“If we fail to do it this time around, nobody will do it for us. We cannot be waiting for any Western country to continue with wrong documentation,” he said.
Earlier, Oyefeso had said the conference is an international academic gathering that needs the royal blessing of Ooni.
Oyefeso said that apart from the royal blessing, the conference would deepen the body of literature on Ile-Ife and Yoruba civilisation.
He stated that facts would be established that Ile-Ife is not just the cradle of the Yoruba race, but a place where Yoruba identity was formed.
“Right from the Oduduwa revolution to the three phases of Ile-Ife history, Ife Oodaye, Ife Oyelagbo and Ife Akanlubebe, have not been put in the right perspective.
“We want to ensure that Nigerians are aware that before the 51st dynasty, there had been three phases and it’s the third phase that his royal majesty is now the 51st Ooni of Ife.
“So when people talk about the history of Ile-Ife, they talk about it in generic terms, we want to draw that distinction,” the convener said.
“The main purpose of the conference is to invite a body of scholars at the international, national, state and local levels to reexamine the existing literature.
“And to come out with a new original and unsearched evidence which might have been unresearched. A number of experts in Yoruba history, and archeology would be part of the conference.
“Eminent scholars overseas and in Nigeria that would partake in the conference are Prof. Cordelia Osasona, Professor of Architecture, OAU; Prof. Oyeronke Olademo, Professor of Comparative Religious Studies of the Unilorin.
“Others include Prof. Akin Ogundiran, Professor of Africana Studies, Anthropology & History of Northwestern University, United States of America and the 18th President of the Society of Africanist Archaeologists among others.
“In less than eight years of Oba Ogunwusi on the throne, there are a lot of changes in the architectural and infrastructural landscape in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife within the 60 years of establishment.
“Ile-Ife is now the home of tourism and hospitality, it is a great destination of today, Ooni is a proprietor of Ojaja University, Eyenkorin, Ilorin, Kwara.
“He established the hospitality industry in the leading city of Nigeria today like Ife Grand Resort, Ojaja Arena, Ojaja Cinema, Adire Odua hub, Ojaja More in Ife, Ede, Ibadan, Akure, Lagos among other cities,” Oyefeso expressed.
The historian said that Oba Ogunwusi had impacted greatly on Yoruba history and culture, encouraging archeologists and historians to partner by coming together to deepen their understanding, not just of the history of Ile-Ife but of the entire Yoruba race.
He said that the academic conference would be held between Oct. 10 and Oct. 12 at Ojaja Arena, Ife Grand Resort, Km 4, Ife-Ibadan Expressway, Ile-Ife.
“The Ooni has positioned Ile-Ife as a leading light in the making of modern Nigeria, embarked on several local and foreign trips to tie the loose ends and reestablish the cultural significance of the Yoruba race.
“Ooni is passionate about the preservation and restoration of the ancient city of Ile-Ife, since ascension to the throne,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria {NAN} reports that the conference would basically be on documenting the history of Ile-Ife in terms of culture, archeology, history, tourism, hospitality and international networking.
NAN
The Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has expressed readiness to organise a hitch free hajj pilgrimage to MECCA and Medinnah for the year, as the Muslim Umar were preparing to perform the 2024 Hajj rites.
The Executive Secretary of the Board, Alh. Salau Babatunde, who dropped this hint in Abeokuta, disclosed that 1, 191 hajj seats have been allocated to the state by NAHCON for 2024 Hajj and will be distributed on a first come first served basis.
Babatunde, in a statement signed by Mrs. Lateefat Ayoola, the press officer, OGSMPWB, said the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced four million five hundred thousand naira (4,500,000.00) as the initial hajj deposit pending the announcement of the final fare.
He further stated that the initial hajj deposit will be paid through bank draft, or by paying directly through bank tellers obtainable at the Board into designated bank accounts, while those that had made some deposits during 2023 hajj are advised to top it up to meet current initial hajj deposit.
While assuring that all hands are on the desk to ensure a hitch-free Hajj exercise, Alhaji Babatunde noted that the State government is ready as usual to make the spiritual journey a memorable and fulfilling exercise.
He, however, urged intending pilgrims to fast-track payment of the initial hajj deposit as the old way of processing visas has changed, informing that visa issuance will be concluded at least 50 days before Arafat by Saudi Arabia.
Alh. Babatunde advised the intending pilgrims to visit the Board's Office located at New Secretariat Complex, Block 'B', Governor's Office, Oke- Mosan, Abeokuta for further enquiries.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says there is a need for its personnel to bear firearms in discharging their duties, considering the level of security challenges across the country.
The Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, made this known on Saturday while inaugurating 1,762 personnel of the corps who just concluded their four-month basic course at the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora, Niger.
Mr Biu, who was represented by Shehu Zaki, a deputy corps marshal, said that the measure would ensure adequate protection for the personnel who were often attacked in the course of duty by some road users or suspected criminals who take advantage of the security challenges in the country.
“It is left to the political leaders to arm the FRSC, but what we do know is that the issue of the FRSC bearing arms has been on our status since 1992.
“What we are still waiting for is for us to be given the go-ahead to start using arms.
“Right now, looking at the level of insecurity in the country, it is not out of place for the FRSC to start using arms to enable us protect ourselves when the need arises,” Mr Biu said.
He, however, urged the cadet officers, cadet marshal assistants and road marshal assistants to be dedicated to their duties towards bringing glory to the corps and the nation.
The corps marshal urged the personnel to be patriotic and exhibit the highest level of discipline, honour, integrity, accountability, transparency, courtesy, confidentiality, decency, loyalty and team spirit in discharging their duties to ensure success.
Mr Biu said, “As we tackle the challenges of nation-building and sustainable development in a complex operational environment, where you will soon face reality.
“It has therefore become imperative that I sound a very strong caution which is aimed at protecting and preserving your lives in the cause of discharging your duties objectively.
“You must constantly abide by the regulations which guide the work ethics as you carry out your constitutional roles.
“Without this, you will be doing a lot of damage to yourself, the corps and the nation as a whole.”
He thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, for approving the use of the training facility and also commended the army trainers for their contribution in ensuring a successful exercise.
Earlier, Yakubu Muhammad, the camp commander, said that among the commissioned personnel were 204 cadet officers, 402 cadet marshal inspectors and 1,156 road marshal assistants.
Mr Muhammad said that during the four-month training, the cadets and other trainees were trained in road safety management, physical drills and regimental ethics.
He also said that the corps recently introduced martial arts into the training to enable its personnel to defend themselves in the course of duty when the need arose.
“This is because we have not been authorised to carry firearms, so we should be able to defend ourselves when the need arises,” Mr Muhammad said.
Also, Cadet Chime Martin, the general parade commander, who spoke on behalf of the commissioned cadets and others, promised to utilise the knowledge acquired to create a safe motoring environment in the country.
(NAN)
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The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government has called for the de-escalation of hostilities between Israel and the Islamic terrorist organization, Hamas.
Naija News reports that in the early hours of Saturday, the Palestinian militant group, Hamas launched an unprecedented and offensive attack by infiltrating Israel through land, sea, and air and firing missiles from Gaza Strip.
The attack has resulted in the confirmed deaths of hundreds of people in Israel, with over a hundred others currently receiving medical treatment in hospitals and dozens of abductions.
In response, Israeli forces have carried out retaliatory strikes in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of nearly 200 people.
In a statement on Saturday night, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, expressed the federal government’s concern about the outbreak of hostilities, calling for a ceasefire.
He noted that the cycle of violence and retaliation that the current escalation has assumed only serves to perpetuate an unending cycle of pain and suffering for the civilian population that bears the brunt of every conflict.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria, therefore, calls on both sides to exercise restraint, prioritise the safety of civilians and give room for Humanitarian consideration.
“We are therefore calling for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue,” the statement read.
[NaijaNews]
Tongues are wagging over the high number of aides appointed by some state governors, Daily Trust on Sunday reports.
Against the backdrop of dwindling resources and high cost of governance, not a few critics have described the appointments as outrageous, even as others have called for a review
Adamawa
In Adamawa State, the appointment of 46 media aides by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, is generating criticism from stakeholders, with many describing it as extravagant.
Humwashi Wonosikou, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, had issued a release announcing the list of 46 media aides.
They comprised two special advisers, 10 senior special assistants and 34 social media assistants.
“Governor Fintiri has approved the appointment of two special advisers, senior special assistants and special assistants to serve as media aides. The two special advisers are Dr John Ngamsa (communication and strategy) and Babayola Toungo (media and publicity).
“The appointments, which take effect immediately, include George Kushi, Senior Special Assistant Media and Publicity; Ijafiya Domiya, SSA Digital and Visual Communication; Sherif Alhassan, SSA Electronic Media; Muhammed Tukur, SSA, New Media; Nurudeen Kama, SSA New Media; Pius Iliya, SSA New Media; Auwal Hamza, SSA New Media; Thomas Terry, SSA Visuals photography), Sunday Wugirah, a lawyer, SSA Public Affairs, and Victor Dogo, SSA Social Mobilisation, while 34 others are to serve as special assistants, social media and content creation”, the statement reads.
Two months later, precisely on October 6, the governor’s spokesman rolled out another list of 103 aides, including 37 principal special assistants, 45 senior special assistants and 21 special assistants.
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149 aides to gulp N28m
Sources revealed that the monthly salaries for principal special assistants is above N300,000, while senior special assistants and special assistants receive N240,000 and N180,000 respectively.
It implies that over N28 million will be spent to maintain the political aides appointed by the governor.
But it is not the first time a governor would appoint a huge number of aides. For example, Nyako ran a monthly financial assistance programme with thousands of beneficiaries known as special assistants who were placed on monthly stipends. However, what drew attention to Fintiri’s recent appointees is the fact that they were expected to carry out roles as aides to the governor.
Sallau Amada, a chieftain of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yola, expressed reservation about the appointments, saying it was done to compensate loyalists and members of the ruling party in the state.
He questioned the governor’s recruitment of dozens of social media campaigners who are concerned with the posting of materials to please their paymasters rather than engage in meaningful conversation to help the state.
“Some are qualified, but many are not. Paid activists on the social media do not care about the condition of the people; they are like praise singers, so just give them what they need and don’t give them a responsibility,” he added.
However, the governor’s press secretary disagreed that the number was extravagant and that the social media assistants may have been recruited to work as foot soldiers to attack political opponents.
According to him, each of the media appointees had been assigned a designation defining their roles, adding that the appointments would also serve as a poverty alleviation measure in the state.
He said, “For the social media assistants, there is no cause for alarm. Their role is to push what is given to them that will promote government policies and programmes. Their engagement by the governor was borne out of the desire for poverty alleviation.”
One of the media aides who spoke to Daily Trust on Sunday on condition of anonymity said he believed he would not be redundant because his role was clearly defined. He noted that the employment of 34 social media assistants would help sanitise posts on various online platforms.
Niger
In Niger State, the appointment of aides by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has been greeted with mixed reactions among citizens, including some officials of the APC in the state.
The governor recently assigned portfolios to newly appointed 41 female coordinators of political mobilisation, media relations, community relations, maternal and child health, Government House counsel, women support group, and women empowerment.
In addition, 90 female senior special assistants were assigned similar portfolios for political mobilisation, among others.
Some residents who spoke with Daily Trust on Sunday said the money to be spent on the over-bloated political appointments should be used to fix critical sectors, especially health and education.
Fatima Muhammad, a mother of 3, said the health sector in the state was faced with dearth of doctors and nurses, and wondered how 131 women appointed as aides would translate into development.
“I took my son to Minna General Hospital but I was disappointed. Only one doctor was attending to the many children that were brought on various health challenges. The doctor rejected our folders, saying he was tired because he was the only one on call. Imagine that,” she lamented.
A key member of the ruling APC who preferred anonymity said many of those who made the list of the 131 women appointed as aides were not qualified. He added that as a result of the appointments, cost of governance would be very high.
“Many of the appointments are merely patronage as most of them don’t have the capacity to contribute anything meaningful to the government,” he said.
Over N23.7m to be spent on 131 aides
Although the newly appointed senior special assistants and coordinators are said not to have done documentations to start collecting salaries, reliable sources told Daily Trust on Sunday that the salary of a senior special assistant is not below N150,000 after the deduction of taxes, while that of a coordinator is not below N250,000.
Special advisers, a position reportedly equivalent to that of commissioners, receive not below N350,000 as salary, while the salary of a special assistants is said not to be below N120,000.
Daily Trust on Sunday found that the Niger State Government would spend nothing less than N 10,250,000 to pay the salaries of the 41 female coordinators and N13,500,000 monthly to pay salaries of the 90 senior special assistants so far appointed.
Cumulatively, at least N23.7m will be spent to maintain the 131 female aides, aside the salaries of other appointees.
Sources said nothing less than N10,500,000 would be spent every month to pay the salaries of 30 special advisers.
However, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said the appointment of the 131 female coordinators and senior special assistants were in fulfillment of the governor’s campaign promise to carry women along in his administration.
Kano
In Kano, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has so far appointed 406 aides that are working for him.
This is besides commissioners, directors of ministries, departments and agencies and other appointees.
Among the appointees are personal assistants, special advisers, senior special assistants, senior special reporters and special reporters.
While personal assistants, special advisers and senior special assistants are familiar and common to every government, senior special reporters and special reporters are new and initiated by his administration.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said the appointments were towards fulfilling the governor’s promise of a transparent government that would carry people along.
He said the appointments were also in line with the vision and mission of creating jobs, engaging youths in governance and transforming access to information.
He added that while the personal assistants and senior special advisers would serve their usual functions, the reporters would help in reporting activities and happenings among various agencies, parastatals, ministries and governmental bodies to the state government and the general public.
However, a civil society activist and renowned public commentator, Ibrahim Garba Maryam, said the appointments were not economically wise and would create unnecessary spending of public funds.
Maryam, who is the executive director of a civil society organisation, Gneder and Social Inclusive said, “The appointment of aides by state governors is a waste of resources. They are not doing anything but just receiving salaries.
“At a time when the economy needs to be improved they are busy spending unnecessarily,” he said.
The Commissioner for Information in the state, Baba Halilu Dantiye, said that considering the state’s population, the aides were not even enough.
He said the state government was doing that to ensure that the administration is transparent and always close to the people.
“If you look at our population, we need more that 406 appointees. We have 44 local governments and 447 wards; as such, we need assistants that will be reporting happenings in the nooks and crannies of the state for proper action,” he said.
251 aides to gulp N36.6m monthly
Findings by Daily Trust on Sunday revealed that the new aides are not aware of the amount they will be paid as their appointment letter did not contain their salary structure.
However, it was gathered that the immediate past administration paid N70,000 to senior special assistants as salary with an overhead of N50,000, making a total of N120,000 in a month.
Special advisers were said to have been paid N200,000 by the past administration.
If the present government will maintain the same payment, it will cost them N20,280, 000 in a month to settle the 169 senior special advisers the governor appointed.
It will also cost the government the sum of N16, 400,000 to settle the salaries of the 82 special assistants appointed by the governor.
The salaries of the 138 reporters deployed to ministries and agencies are not yet ascertained as they are new to the system. But there are reports that they will be paid stipends by the various agencies they are reporting from.
Akwa Ibom
In Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Bassey Eno recently inaugurated 368 personal assistants drawn from each ward across the state to help the grassroots implementation of what he tagged his ARISE agenda.
Following grumblings that arose from some aggrieved members of the PDP who felt sidelined in the appointments, he promised 4,000 additional appointments, saying they would be used for the Neighborhood City Watch Programme.
This is in addition to 30 existing aides to the governor under different portfolios and the 23 commissioners and one special adviser sworn into office in July.
Dr Godwin Ntukudeh was appointed as his political adviser, as well as three honourary special advisers—Dr Henry Archibong, Sir Udo Kierian Akpan, Bishop Sam Akpan, representing Akwa Ibom North East, Akwa Ibom North West and Akwa Ibom South senatorial districts respectively.
Rationalising the appointments, Governor Eno said, “We had promised to return power to the people in line with our party’s mantra. Power to the people really means power to the people at the grassroots. That’s what we are trying to do.
“We insisted that everyone that had been picked would live within their wards. And I hope this is the true situation. But let me warn that if there is any time we find out that you are not living in your ward, we will not hesitate to remove you. We want people that will give us reports on the ground in their various wards.
“So, if you take this appointment and we later find out that you are in Uyo, or you are not living within your ward, please note that the same way we appointed you today, we will disappoint you because the hands that appointed can also disappoint.”
Before now, the governor had justified his reappointment of all the commissioners who worked with him in the administration of immediate past governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, saying he was fulfilling his promise to include them in his administration if they supported him to emerge as governor.
Daily Trust on Sunday reports that it will cost the Akwa Ibom State Government not less than N73.6 million to maintain 368 aides as each of them will not earn less than N200,000 monthly.
Ironically, the governor had, in his recent maiden media parley complained that a huge chunk of the state’s monthly allocation, which is the second highest among the 9 Niger Delta states, was expanded on recurrent expenditure, including salaries and payment of project debts, with little remaining for the execution of new projects.
Civil society organisations have condemned the development, saying employing almost 5,000 youths in the agricultural sector to generate income for the state would have been more productive than hiring them as political aides who would contribute nothing financially to the state but rather take from it.
The chairman of civil society organisations in the state, Mr Harry Udoh, who said Governor Eno was ill advised on the large political appointments, added that employing them into the civil service or engaging them in agriculture would have been most beneficial.
“This is not something we are quite comfortable with. He has appointed 368 with the argument that he wants them to work in the communities and give him feedback. If he stops at that, probably we would say it is okay because one of his ARISE agenda points is rural development because rural communities have been neglected by previous governments despite the annual budget for the rural development ministry, but nothing much is happening around rural roads and electricity and medical care.
“But we are quite taken aback to hear that 4,000 more would be employed by the state government. Why we think they should be employed, we don’t think having them as personal assistants to the governor, which often than not keeps them idle, making them political jobbers and tools in the hands of nefarious political holders to drive their agenda, is proper. It doesn’t bring development for the state.
“It is quite worrisome to hear political appointments that do not add value to the lives of people employed. They would constitute themselves into a mass of people that would subdue the will and intent of the masses during elections.
“Apart from being burdensome to the resources of the state, we have to look at the future. You cannot keep that number of people redundant, all in the name of personal assistants to the governor of the state. They need to be productive,” he said.
Efforts to get the Commissioner for Information, Mr Ini Ememobong and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ekerete Udoh to speak was unsuccessful as they did not pick their calls at the time of filing this report.
Plateau
In Plateau State, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has appointed over 200 persons, including, the secretary to the state government, commissioners, heads of agencies, parastatals, special advisers.
Peter Gad, who is the executive director of CLEEN Foundation, a civil society organization, while commenting on the appointment by state governors, described them as waste of resources. He added that the resources often spent on political appointees would have been better channeled to other critical sectors, such health, security, education etc.
He said, “We often appeal that, either at the federal, state or local level, there should be slim governments.
“Running a slim government is that appointment should be on essential and need basis. But when you wake up and appoint 150 special advisers or special assistants, for example, the question is: What are they going to be assisting with or what value are they adding?
“The appointment of these individuals is not benefitting anybody but the individuals themselves. If you appoint aids, you need to buy them cars and get them housing allowances. And the appointees would appoint other people as their aides.”
Musa Adams, the state commissioner for information could not respond to calls or messages to respond to the matter.
Ebonyi
In Ebonyi State, the Governor Francis Nwifuru-led administration has appointed 35 commissioners and 40 special assistants since he assumed office in May.
Boniface Nwankwo, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Documentation, said the large executive was not a political patronage as thought in some quarters of the state but mark of a people-oriented government.
“On Wednesday, Governor Nwifuru appointed more 5 special assistants, bringing the total number to 40 and 35 for commissioners.
“I don’t see anything wrong with that because our governor has demonstrated that his administration is people-oriented,” he explained.
[DailyTrust]
There are growing concerns over the activities of some criminal elements who are reportedly on the prowl in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja and other states of the federation stealing male genital organs.
In recent times, there has been an increase in reported cases of disappearance of genital organs in some states in the North Central, particularly in Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and the nation’s capital.
DAILY POST reports that while it is yet unclear how the miscreants carry out such acts, residents of the FCT have, for over a month now, been living in fear following reported cases of ‘stealing’ of manhoods.
The ugly trend has led to the murder of some persons by irate youths who descended on suspects for allegedly causing the mysterious disappearance of manhoods.
There are different accounts of how the heinous crime is being perpetrated in the city. While some said a mere conversation with the alleged manhood thief can cause disappearance of the victim’s penis, others said it happens after a physical contact, including handshake.
DAILY POST recalls that on August 23, the Nasarawa State Police Command, while cautioning residents against jungle justice being meted out to the alleged organ thieves in the state, revealed that some persons were attacked over same allegations in Nasarawa Eggon, Obi, Lafia and Keffi Local Government Areas of the state.
The State’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, however, said a medical examination conducted on the alleged victims, “gave all of them a clean bill of health”, saying there was no basis for the allegations.
On September 20, some irate youths in phase 2, Gwagwalada area of the FCT, lynched a yet-to-be-identified young man for allegedly stealing a resident’s manhood.
Three days after the incident, another resident, Lucky Josiah was accused of causing the disappearance of one Rokeeb Saheed’s manhood.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, while confirming the ugly development, told DAILY POST that officers of the command quickly responded to a distress call that a victim was being lynched.
Unlike the Gwagwalada incident, Lucky was saved by the police operatives from being killed by the angry mob.
The PPRO revealed that after medical examinations were conducted on Saheed, his male organ was “confirmed to be fine, and Lucky’s injuries were treated”.
Residents of the city have continued to record similar incidents almost on a daily basis in both the city centre and satellite towns.
On Friday, a disturbing motion picture which captured an alleged manhood thief being subjected to torture and dehumanization by mob, including some security operatives surfaced online.
In the video, the alleged thief who was accused of stealing two manhoods, was heard saying he is innocent of the allegations.
False alarm
There are indications that some of the allegations by the victims of manhood theft are false and may have sinister motives.
A security operative in the FCT, who does not want to be mentioned in the news, told DAILY POST that most of the alerts raised by the alleged victims were orchestrated.
According to him, some criminal elements who are on a rampage in the city, deliberately create scenes in a public gathering to enable them to steal from unsuspecting citizens.
He said that some miscreants in the nation’s capital are taking advantage of the trend to perpetrate other heinous crimes.
“About 80 percent of the alarms raised by these people that claim that their manhood is missing are fake. It is a new strategy to steal people’s belongings.
“Most times, what happens is that these people go to places that are crowded and then one or two of them raise the alarm that their penises are stolen. They do it just to capture attention.
“Normally, when such things occur, people tend to forget themselves and focus on what is happening, it is at that moment that other members of the gang will start stealing phones, bags, and even cars.
“By the time the alleged victims notice that the jobs have been done, you will start hearing something like, ‘my manhood is back’, back from where exactly?
“The only way out of this is that when any person raises such an alarm and it is discovered whether in the hospital or anywhere that he lied, such person should be arrested and prosecuted for raising false alarm. If the police do this to at least three persons, the trend will reduce,” he said.
However, a video clip cited by DAILY POST revealed how one alleged manhood thief confessed to have committed the crime in Nasarawa State. According to him, “if I just talk to you and you reply to me, your manhood is gone”.
He claimed to be working for one native doctor.
But the Nasarawa State PPRO told DAILY POST that the confession may have been made under duress.
“The condition he was in at that moment may determine why he made such a confession”, he said.
Manhood theft scientifically impossible
The allegations, according to experts, are only hinged on diabolism as it has no bearing on science.
Residents have blamed the trend on ritualists, particularly internet fraudsters who may have sent boys into the city to diabolically harvest people’s manhoods for sacrifices to woo their prospective victims.
Speaking on the matter, former federal lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani lamented how the claim of manhood theft was becoming rampant in the Federal Capital.
In a post on his official X handle, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain expressed worry over how the accused thieves are being lynched by mobs, saying they may be innocent.
He wrote, “The claim of manhood stealing is becoming rampant in Abuja and the lawlessness is when the accused or wrongly accused are lynched by a mob. There is no scientific basis behind such claims. It’s simply magicians at work”.
According to a health expert, Dr Kaleb Ugo, who spoke with DAILY POST on Saturday, it is medically impossible for a man’s organ to just disappear without a cut.
He said the allegations are “based on African magic and not facts.”
Ugo, however, said there are medical conditions that may lead to a shrinking of manhood but not a total disappearance as being peddled by alleged victims.
He said peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction can lead to the reduction in the size of penis.
The doctor explained that peyronie’s disease condition is when a body begins to form a condition called plague, which is the forming of scar tissue in the lining surrounding the corpora cavernosa, known as the tunica albuginea.
According to him, the condition can lead to the shortness of the penis.
He said patients suffering from the disease will always notice that their organs are shorter than they were.
On erectile dysfunction, Ugo explained that when a man stops experiencing an erection for a long time, there are possibilities that the manhood would shrink.
“Just like every other thing, for instance, when your car packs up and you stop using it for six months, you don’t expect it to remain like it was.
“Somehow, when our body stops having regular erections, the elastic tissue that stretches the penis from the flaccid state into the erect state can transform in a way that the penis loses its elasticity.
“And when the penis is no longer elastic, it won’t stretch when you get an erection, and you will notice you lost length”, he said.
DAILY POST reports that the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Haruna Garba had warned against spreading false information regarding alleged organ disappearance.
According to the CP, such rumours had led to public anxiety and disruption of peace across the territory.
[DailyPost]
Over one million Nigerians have lost their jobs under the N-Power programme of the Federal Government following the indefinite suspension of the scheme by the government.
The N-Power programme was established by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to address youth unemployment as beneficiaries were paid N30,000 monthly stipend.
It is a component of the National Social Investment Programme put in place by the previous administration through the on-boarding of 1.5 million unemployed Nigerian youths (mostly graduates), providing capacity building, targeted tenured employment and structured of-boarding unto various career paths.
In February this year, figures obtained from the Humanitarian ministry in Abuja indicated that the programme had enrolled 200,000 youths in Batch A; 300,000 in Batch B; 510,000 in Batch C1; and 490,000 in Batch C2.
Although the number of beneficiaries who had exited the scheme could not be confirmed at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that virtually all enrolees in batches C1 and C2 were still enrolled in the scheme, representing about one million persons.
Many N-Power beneficiaries teach in primary schools across the country.
But on Saturday, the Federal Government announced the indefinite suspension of the programme and vowed to investigate the funds spent on the scheme.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, announced the indefinite suspension of the programme during a live interview on TVC News.
Edu said the programme had been marred by irregularities, adding that the government had launched an investigation into the utilisation of funds since the inception of the scheme.
She added that some of the beneficiaries of the programme were not found in their places of assignment, yet they were receiving monthly stipends.
Edu also stated that some of the N-Power beneficiaries ought to have exited the programme in 2022, but were still on the payroll.
She said, “We must go back to look into N-Power and understand what the problems are; so we will basically suspend the programme for now until we are done with proper investigation into the utilisation of funds by the N-Power programme.
“We want to know how many people are basically on the programme right now; how many people are owed and the amount they are owed. We are totally restructuring N-Power and expanding it.
“There are lots going on. We met people who were supposed to have exited the programme since last year and they are still claiming that they are teaching.
“Sometimes, we contact the schools or the places where they are working and they are not there. They are not working, yet they keep claiming that they are being owed eight or nine months’ stipends. About 80 per cent of them are not working, yet they are claiming salaries.”
Previous investigations
The N-Power scheme has been marred by irregularities as the humanitarian ministry had in a response to an enquiry by The PUNCH in December 2022 detailed how some of its officials were being investigated.
In the response, which was signed by the immediate past Permanent Secretary, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, the ministry said it was aware of publications regarding ongoing investigations in relation to fraud allegations in the programme.
It said, “We wish to state as follows: the ministry has deployed a well-rounded mechanism for the selection of eligible beneficiaries from across the country and this has been in place since the inception of the programme.
“Working with our service provider, programme beneficiaries are on-boarded, trained and deployed to pre-selected places of primary assignment.
“When it came to our notice that there might have been sharp practices by some personnel of the payment service provider involved in the payment processes of the beneficiaries, the matter was immediately referred to the ICPC for a thorough investigation.
“We are aware that certain persons have consequently been invited for interrogation as part of the ongoing investigations.”
The former permanent secretary said the ministry had carried out thorough reinforcement of its systems to eliminate all anomalies and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
He added, “To this end, we are in close collaboration with the ICPC to support the successful determination of the investigation.
“The public may wish to note that in a bid to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of the N-Power and other National Social Investment Programmes, namely the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme and the Conditional Cash Transfer, the ministry has over time involved other government MDAs, security agencies and Civil Society Organisations in monitoring and compliance checks across the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory.
“We want to assure all N-Power beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s continued commitment to the programme and the subsequent exit/of-boarding channels activated.”
The ministry had also urged all programme beneficiaries to continue to apply themselves to their utmost at their places of primary assignment.
“All monthly stipends will continue to be paid in line with programme expectations,” the ministry had stated.
It also called “on members of the public to come forward with information on any irregularities noticed in the implementation of the National Social Investment programme” through some email channels and phone numbers at the time.
[Punch]