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Future of Nigerians mortgaged by Tinubu, family – Atiku

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election and former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday alleged that the future of Nigerians is being mortgaged by President Bola Tinubu, his family, and associates.

Atiku, in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, on Wednesday, said he believes that even after Mr Tinubu leaves office, breaking these shackles will be nearly impossible.

Atiku compares Mr Tinubu’s integration of his business interests into Lagos’s public enterprises to his efforts at the federal level.

“Just as Alpha Beta, Primero, and others act as Tinubu’s proxies in Lagos, managing critical sectors and generating revenue for him and his family, he has begun to replicate this at the federal level,” he said.

He expressed astonishment at the operations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and how the government-owned oil company had put its retail arm under the control of OVH, a company in which Oando, led by Wale Tinubu, a relative of the president, owns 49 per cent.

The statement said Atiku regretted that his intention to privatize the NNPC and increase its transparency has been overshadowed by what he describes as the “criminal hijacking of the NNPC by corporate cabals around the current president.”

“In October 2022, just five months before the elections, the NNPC Retail controversially announced it had acquired OVH and all its filling stations. NNPCL already had about 550 filling stations across the country but claimed it was enhancing its capacity by acquiring OVH, which had only 94 stations and 100 others leased.

“The NNPC did not disclose the purchase price of OVH or the terms of the acquisition. A Freedom of Information request by Premium Times was also rejected by the NNPC, which claimed to be a private company despite still being government-owned,” he said.

Following this controversial deal, he said Mele Kyari, the NNOC boss, was controversially retained as NNPC group managing director “despite his incompetence.”

“Tinubu then appointed his former boss at Mobil, turned ally, Pius Akinyelure, as NNPC Chairman, while he took on the role of Minister of Petroleum.

“In a move that defies economic logic, OVH, previously owned by NNPC Retail, has now acquired NNPC Retail. This absurd situation means that Wale Tinubu’s Oando now owns 49 per cent of NNPC Retail,” he said.

Atiku said Nigeria paid Wale Tinubu a significant sum to facilitate the Tinubu family’s acquisition of the national oil company.

He said this represents a clear case of illogical business transactions and abuse of office by Mr Tinubu, who has prevented NNPC from becoming a public liability company as stipulated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

PREMIUM TIMES reported how OVH Energy effectively took control of NNPC Retail’s management, prompting an NNPC insider to describe the deal as “the most ridiculous business acquisition in the world”.

The former vice president acknowledged that the NNPC and its leadership are under legislative investigation but expressed scepticism about the process’s credibility due to the vested interests of those conducting the investigation.

“Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who is heading the National Assembly panel, is a known supporter of Tinubu. He served as a commissioner under Tinubu in Lagos State and publicly called him his godfather,” Atiku said.

He said that since Tinubu is the Petroleum Minister, he should be held responsible for the sector’s issues.

“I doubt Bamidele will conduct a thorough investigation that might implicate his patron,” he added.

Commenting on the recent revelation that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project is under litigation, Atiku explained that the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a global network of investigative journalists, reported that the coastal highway project has been taken to court and revealed a close relationship between Tinubu’s son, Seyi, and Gilbert Chagoury, who was awarded the contract without competitive bidding.

“I had earlier claimed that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project was fraudulent, but the government denied it. Now, the matter is in court. It is also concerning that Chagoury and Tinubu have a business relationship, and their children are business partners, as revealed by the OCCRP.”

This, he said, indicates a conflict of interest.

“It is no surprise that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Coastal Highway, which together will cost over $24 billion, were approved without competitive bidding. It seems that whatever Tinubu wants, he gets,” he said.

 

Source: Premium Time News

Exchange Rate: Naira Gains Ground Against Dollar at the Parallel Market

The Naira gained ground in the parallel market on Thursday, appreciating to N1,600 per dollar from the previous day’s rate of N1,615 per dollar.

In contrast, the Naira weakened in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), where it depreciated to N1,586.11 per dollar, according to data from FMDQ. This marks a significant drop from the N1,543.84 per dollar recorded on Wednesday, representing a N42.27 decline.

The volume of dollars traded in NAFEM also saw a sharp decrease, with turnover falling by 30 percent to $120.2 million, down from $171.79 million the previous day. As a result, the gap between the parallel market and NAFEM rates narrowed significantly to N13.89 per dollar, compared to N71.16 per dollar on Wednesday.

Breaking: Doctors In Anambra Withdraw Services Over Insecurity

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Anambra has ordered its members to cease clinical services in all private and public hospitals, effective Thursday night.

This directive is outlined in a statement issued in Awka by the branch chairman and secretary, Princeston Okam and Ifeanyi Obiaeli, following the association’s emergency general meeting on Thursday.

The decision is a protest against the kidnapping of their colleague, Stephen Ezeh, who has been in captivity since August 15. The NMA had previously warned on August 19 that if Mr. Ezeh was not released by his captors within 48 hours, they would initiate a strike. Despite this ultimatum and their appeals to the Anambra government, Mr. Ezeh remains in captivity, exacerbated by his health challenges.

“NMA Anambra hereby directs all doctors in the state to immediately withdraw clinical services in all federal, state, private, mission, institutional, and corporate hospitals until our member is released,” the statement read.

The NMA will closely monitor compliance with this directive through its ‘Strike Monitoring Team,’ and hospitals or members who do not comply will be blacklisted and penalized according to congress resolutions.

The statement also urged the Anambra government to mobilize all necessary security agencies and resources to ensure the timely and unconditional release of the abducted member.

“While we acknowledge the hardship this withdrawal of services will cause the people of Anambra, we appeal to the state government to expedite action towards securing Eze’s release to restore normalcy to the health system.

NMA Anambra’s leadership will continue to collaborate with all relevant government agencies to achieve a healthy and secure community.”

Additionally, the NMA commended Governor Charles Soludo and the health commissioner, Afam Obidike, for their efforts to improve healthcare delivery and security in Anambra.

They also praised doctors for their dedication and commitment to providing quality healthcare to the people of Anambra.

Why we started Good Governance Ministry (GGM)- Anaenugwu Ndubuisi (August 2024)

The problem with our current political class is greed and abnormal appetite for consumption and perhaps building an unsustainable consumption pattern.

The northern and south western political and military Elites are using the advantages of civil war that ended in 1970 to exploit and enslave the victims of that war and sadly the entire Nigerian masses ended up being the victims. The political and military elites have continued to use unitary constitution in the name of federal constitution to retain political power at the centre ,thereby frustrating innovation and creativity that would have enhanced a productive environment where every Nigerian would be engaged in viable and productive activities.They abhor true federalism which will guarantee equitable redistribution of our human and mineral resources.

The political ,business, military and religious elites have amassed so much wealth for the generations of their children and grand children, hence the widening income inequalities that have threatened the corporate existence of Nigeria.

Everything is wrong with current Nigeria system.The system is designed and structured to keep the working class in perpetual slavery while the poor are abandoned in state of penury .

Millions of youths in Nigeria are jobless and those in Europe and America work as modern slaves . These political and military elites are heartless and most wicked that they have sold their souls to the devil!

Millions of Nigerians are too docile when it comes to the issue of politics ,Governance and holding people in Government accountable,hence GGM has come to give the working class and the ordinary people sense of direction .

GGM is here to engineer the building of modern society that will meet the expectations of 21st century and beyond . GGM working with a revolutionary online media – BVI Channel 1 and with like-minded people across our political space is determined to take Nigeria political class by storm and like rampaging soldiers will bulldoze the entire criminal political structures in Nigeria . We have proven that the power of the people is supreme and we shall continue mobilizing the people in line with Constitution of FGN chapter 14(2a &b)

We have learnt an obvious lesson : that the leader of GGM – Chinedu Asuzu or any chosen candidate can win the Governor of Anambra State or any chosen State : for the power of the people is the greatest. They have been deceiving and dividing the people with money , ethnicity and religion . Now ,we are wise ,we will choose our Leaders goingforward no matter how long it takes!

The awareness has been created and people eyes have been opened to know that political power belongs to the people .

Good Governance Ministry is here to organize the people to pursue ideological politics . The Nigeria politicians could disappoint the people but GGM will always be there for the ordinary people.

We are on the part of history. We can do it together. You can be a GGM Ambassador in your Street/Community. Step out to be counted . Contact us via 08104207522 or send email to ggovernanceministry@gmail.com

Ndubuisi Anaenugwu
GGM Ambassador General

What Do Ndigbo Want From Nigeria – Ndubuisi Anaenugwu GGM

what do the Igbos want politically and economically?

Lets begin to address the question and let the debate begins !

To me and Good Governance Ministry (GGM ) , ndigbo desire a competitive confederal system of Government where each federating unit will have control of her destinies .

APC has been in charge of the powerful federal Government and we have not seen a sincere effort to make Nigeria competitive and productive . It has remained sharing of cake( crude oil revenue) from Abuja instead of allowing the federating units to bake their cakes. This feeding bottle federalism cannot stand the test of time and APC under Tinubu has consolidated the sharing of our Commonwealth while millions of Nigerians are jobless and slaves in the Lord Luggard created entity.

Therefore , Hon Kalu agenda should be resisted by all -well meaning Ndigbo. Let him continue to enjoy the sharing of our Commonwealth with his family and friends. The judgement day is fast approaching.

Ndigbo are productive and bakers of cake .

Ndubuisi Anaenugwu,GGM

Gov Mbah Targets 700MW, as Investors, Stakeholders Review State’s Draft Electric Regulatory framework

In line with its vision to grow the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn and meet the state’s power needs, the Enugu State Government says it is working to ramp up the state’s electricity capacity from the 70MW currently supplied by the national grid to 700MW through private sector investment.

The government said it was, however, eager to get the inputs of industry stakeholders into the state’s draft electricity regulatory framework to make the state’s electricity market viable.

This was even as developers, operators, investors, financiers, consumers, among other stakeholders commended what they described as the transparency and proactiveness of the state in its effort to build an electricity market where everyone’s interest is protected.

The state government and industry players spoke at a stakeholders engagement and consultation organised by the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission, EERC, to review it’s draft regulatory instruments in the state capital on Tuesday.

Declaring the event open, Governor Peter Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, said the campaign promise to resuscitate pipe-borne water, improve security, education and healthcare delivery services, revamp and expand road networks, create the enabling environment for business development, job creation and economic growth would not be possible without a drastic improvement in electricity services.

“Therefore, we are opening up the entire value chain of the electricity market in Enugu State for all market participants to play, from supply to generation, transmission to distribution, electricity retailing through off-grid to mini-grid solutions and from metering to energy efficiency applications,” he said.

He assured the industry players of the continued independence of EERC to operate without political or administrative interference.

Speaking, the Chairman of EERC, Chijioke Okonkwo, who rued the present power deficits in the state, noted that the Commission needed to carry everyone along from the outset in order to build investor confidence required to turn things around.

“We have given ourselves some projected targets that within the next two years (2026), Enugu State should be consuming at least 300 megawatts and by 2030 we would have hit at least 700 megawatts.

“Right now, we are getting approximately 70 megawatts from the national grid. And this is not sufficient for us to say that we want to put ourselves in the position to industrialize. We want to change that narrative.

“However, industry players and operators want a place where they can carry out commercially viable businesses. They are here to make money, but they are also expected to provide services that are reliable and sustainable and also undertake these service for the long term and not the short term.

“So, this engagement will give them an opportunity to make inputs and let us agree on what these regulations should speak to in order to support their investment initiatives before the finalisation, adoption, and implementation of the regulatory framework,” Okonkwo said.

In his contribution, the Managing Director of Siemens Energy Nigeria, Seun Suleiman, commended the transparency of the state government through its regulatory agency.

“I see a lot of transparency here today. Each Commissioner is breaking down all the discussions in terms of the regulation and how you will get the permit. We are very happy because we also want to support a lot of these captive power investors with our ranges of gas turbines, which we have done in so many places,” Suleiman enthused.

Enugu govt has demolished kidnappers’ dens, saying more to go down

The Enugu State Government today demolished properties used by kidnappers for detaining their victims in the outskirts of Enugu, the state capital.

Among the properties were an uncompleted storey-building with an underground tunnel at Nkwubor Layout in Emene Nike where a large cache of arms and ammunition were recovered and a large farm housing a poultry, piggery, and plantain plantation at Ogbeke Nike all in Enugu East LGA.

At Nkwubor Nike, 17 firearms were recovered, including eight AK47 riffles, seven pump action riffles, and two short guns, while two AK47 riffles were recovered at the Ogbeke Nike farm. Shrines, charms, and mini Indian hemp farms were also destroyed.

Security operatives had, following months of discreet investigation on the activities of the kidnappers, stormed the two hideouts, where they made the startling discoveries and rescued some victims after gun duels with the criminals.

It is recalled that the Enugu State Government had announced its readiness to demolish properties used for kidnapping purposes in line with Section 315 of the Criminal Code (Second Amendment) Law Cap. 30, Laws of Enugu State.

Speaking to newsmen at the kidnappers hideout at Ogbeke, Nike, the Executive Chairman of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, Uche Anya, said the demolitions were in compliance with the said law as directed by the government.

“This government is determined to exterminate all manner of criminality. So, people were kidnapped and brought here, including the woman that was kidnapped near the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

“You can see the trouble we took to get here today. But after today, this place will never exist again in the manner you met it. That is why we are here to send a strong signal and we are also warning property owners not to come and tell us that they are in South Africa, China or Germany and do not know what is happening. Once your property or commercial entity is used for kidnapping or anything involving grievous bodily harm or threat, including attempted murder, we will come after you and your property,” he stated.

At Nkwubor, Emene, Nike, Anya told reporters, “The activities here were even more gruesome. You have seen the underground cell they built and covered it with a manhole. Ordinarily you will think nothing is happening there, but the eagle eye of the security in the course of doing their work detected that something was amiss, only to discover that there’s an underground where human beings are kept and we found their armoury, many AK47 riffles and other crazy equipments that no civilian is entitled to hold. But, today, it has to go down as directed by the governor in accordance with the Laws of Enugu State,” he said.

The ECTDA Chairman said the government would in addition take over the properties and put them to good use, noting that the demolition is an ongoing process as more structures were already marked to go down.

“So, all these places will be taken over by the government and we can turn it into a children playground, garden, park or primary health care. But whoever thought he or she owned this place before this hour will no longer touch his or her foot here forever.

“Enugu State has an anti-kidnapping law, but beside that, the Criminal Code covers that whatever that deprives you of your liberty and leads to death is what the government cannot condone,” he concluded.

Mbah to demolish properties used for kidnapping, warns landlords to vet tenants

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed the government’s threat in a statement issued on Tuesday in Enugu by the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Peter Mbah on External Relations, Uche Anichukwu.

Onyia stated that the step was in continuation of the determined efforts by Mbah’s administration to rid the state of all forms of crimes and criminalities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Enugu State House of Assembly had in November 2016, amended the Criminal Code Law of Enugu State, which was subsequently signed into Law by former Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on January 20, 2017.

Section 315 of the Criminal Code (Second Amendment) Law Cap. 30, Laws of Enugu State, currently provides that, “If the building or structure owned by the offender or any other person, who knows or ought to reasonably know that the building or structure is so being used for that purpose, the building or structure shall be demolished or forfeited to the State Government.”

The SSG was quoted to have said that Enugu citizens had wondered why the government was yet to enforce the law, eight years after.

“Responding to the citizen’s agitations over what they perceived as a lukewarm attitude to the law, the current administration is taking time to carry out due diligence to ensure that nobody suffers undue losses or miscarriage of justice.

“The government warned property owners to take necessary steps to know their prospective tenants before leasing their property to them,” Onyia reportedly said.

“He said that after due diligence, the government had compiled the list of property used for kidnapping purposes in the state,” the statement added.

According to him, the property will go down sooner than later, to serve as a deterrent to others.

“There is no hiding place for criminal elements in Enugu State.

“They either repent, leave town, or meet their Waterloo, the choice is theirs,” he reportedly said.

 

Source: Pulse News

Terrorism financing: NLC mobilises for nationwide strike over Ajaero’s invitation

Following the ongoing face-off between it and Nigeria Police, the leadership of Nigeria Labor Congress  has asked its members to be ready to commence a nationwide strike if need be by midnight of Tuesday.

The labor center said in a communique issued after its emergency National Executive Council in Abuja that it had directed all the state chapters and affiliates to mobilize workers for an indefinite strike from midnight if anything happened to the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, who was invited by the police for questioning over terrorism financing allegation.

The police invitation to Ajaero comes weeks after policemen conducted a night raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, while justifying the raid, said the police were on the trail of one of the terrorists who masterminded the crisis in Sudan.

The police added that the raid was to search for seditious materials in connection to the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernance or hunger protest, which turned violent in parts of the country, particularly in the North, where some protesters were seen waving the Russian flag and demanding President Bola Tinubu’s resignation.

On Monday, the police said Ajaero should appear for questioning at 10 am over allegation of terrorism financing and treasonable felony.

But the NLC National Executive Council convened an emergency for Tuesday morning to weigh the situation.

Rising from the meeting, the NLC leadership, in their communique, said they viewed Ajaero’s summon as “a clearly unfounded and politically-motivated investigation.”

In the communique signed by NLC Deputy President, Ado Sani Minjibir, the congress warned that “it will not hesitate to take all necessary actions, including mass protests and industrial actions, to protect the integrity and independence of the labor movement.”

“The NEC directs all affiliates and state councils to immediately commence the process of mobilizing their members across the nation.

“The congress will not hesitate to take all necessary actions, including mass protests and industrial actions, to protect the integrity and independence of the labor movement.

“If anything happens to the President of the Congress or any other leader of the congress in furtherance of these tendentious allegations by the state;

“NEC puts all its affiliates and state councils alert to proceed on indefinite nationwide strike action by 12:00 midnight today.”

The NLC also called on all civil society allies and the general populace to stand in solidarity with the union at “this critical moment”.

The meeting expressed grave concern ‘that rather than extending the demand by the congress for the earlier invasion of its national headquarters by security agencies, the Nigeria Police has chosen to embark on this spurious and fortuitous journey of intimidation, harassment, and witch-hunt.

“This is nothing but a travesty and a blatant attempt to stifle the voice of the working people and their leadership, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the International Labor Organization  Conventions 87 and 98.In light of this, the NEC of the NLC resolves as follows,” it said.

NLC said that it had decided to honor the police invitation as a responsible labor center committed to the rule of law and due process.

It however added that it would not sit idly while the rights and freedoms of its members and leaders were trampled upon with impunity by the state.

“The NLC shall honor the invitation extended to its President by the Nigeria Police but will demand for extension of time given the nature of the invitation.

“However, we wish to state unequivocally that this does not in any way legitimize the baseless allegations levelled against him.

“The Nigeria Labor Congress remains resolute in its commitment to defending the rights and interests of workers and the Nigerian people. We shall not be cowed or intimidated by these desperate attempts to silence us.

“The NEC strongly condemns the continued harassment of the leadership of the Nigeria Labor Congress and other Labor leaders. We view this as a calculated attempt to weaken and destabilize the labor movement, which has always stood as a bastion of democratic principles and the voice of the Nigerian masses.

 

Source: Punch Newspaper

Fake Certificate: Uganda, Kenya Write JAMB To Demand Students’ Verification

Following cases of fake certification recently detected by the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB), examination boards in Kenya and Uganda are now writing Nigeria to verify records presented by Nigerian candidates seeking admissions into tertiary institutions in their respective countries.

JAMB made this known in a document ‘Registrar’s Report on 2023 ADMISSION & 2024 UTME Policy Meeting’ document obtained by Channels Television on Wednesday.

According to the document, JAMB stressed the need to protect Nigeria’s tertiary institutions from international disrepute, adding that it would not falsify the records of any students.

“Uganda and Kenya examination boards are now writing to JAMB to confirm records presented by candidates for admission of candidates. JAMB would not falsify record,” the Nigerian exam body stated.

Recently, the Federal Government suspended the verification of degree certificates from Uganda, Kenya, Benin Republic, Togo and some other countries over allegations of certificate racketeering.

The Federal Government’s decision comes on the heels of an investigation by Daily Nigeria reporter, Umar Audu on how he obtained a degree within six weeks in the Benin Republic.

After his report, the Federal Government set up an Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling to probe the activities of certificate racketeers and it had reported that JAMB threatened to sanction higher institutions that fail to submit lists of students admitted immediately after matriculation.

According to JAMB’s Public Communications Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, the initiative is one of the recommendations made by a committee set up by the Federal Government to combat fake degree racketeering in the country.

According to a ‘CLARIFICATION ON DISCLOSURE OF ADMITTED CANDIDATES OUTSIDE CAPS( 2017-DATE)’ by JAMB obtained by Channels Television, institutions are to “regularly submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education not later than three months after matriculation ceremonies.”

The list is expected to be submitted through the dedicated channel of JAMB.

“The Board has observed a large number of candidates thronging its offices to resolve issues related to the disclosure of candidates admitted outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) from 2017 to date. While we appreciate the enthusiasm, we must correct the misconception that the focus is on candidates’ actions. The true emphasis lies with the institutions, which must disclose all candidates admitted outside CAPS before the August 31st, 2024 deadline.

“This directive requires immediate attention and compliance. We urge institutions to carefully review our initial letter and ensure full compliance, as failure to disclose will result in severe consequences. Candidates are also reminded not to accept admissions outside CAPS.

“The Board reiterated that candidates not disclosed by institutions would not be entertained. The Board will not tolerate any condolement of undisclosed admissions moving forward.”

In a similar development, a memo addressed to the JAMB on July 15, 2024, the education ministry said, “You may recall that following the publication of allegations of certificate racketeering involving some foreign institutions, especially in Cotonou, Benin Republic, and other countries, the ministry constituted an inter-ministerial committee to investigate the allegations to find lasting solutions.

“The committee has submitted its report and the Honourable Minister of Education has approved its recommendations for implementation.

“In that regard, I hereby convey the request of the honourable minister for the implementation of the following recommendations of the committee:

“Enforce the mandatory requirement for all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to exclusively conduct their admissions processes through the Central Admissions Processing System under the auspices of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board; mandate all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to regularly submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education not later than three months after matriculation ceremonies through the dedicated channel of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

“You are kindly requested to implement the above recommendations and furnish the ministry with implementation updates.”

Last Thursday, Channels Television reported that the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) had demobilised 54 corps members who were illegally mobilised by the University of Calabar.

This is in addition to the earlier 101 certificates that were recently voided by the scheme, making a total of 178.

Given the developments, the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman has since vowed to flush out holders of fake degrees from the Nigerian educational system.

 

Source: Channel News