Soludo suspends monarch for conferring chieftaincy title on Sen Ubah.

Soludo suspends monarch for conferring chieftaincy title on Sen Ubah.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has suspended the traditional ruler of Neni in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, Igwe Damian Ezeani, indefinitely for conferring a chieftaincy title on the senator representing Anambra South senatorial zone, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

It will be recalled that Senator Ubah, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, is believed to be eyeing the governorship of Anambra State in 2025.

A letter addressed to the embattled monarch by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Town Union Matters, Collins Nwabunwanne, accused Igwe Ezeani of breaching the Code of Conduct for traditional rulers in Anambra State, which stipulates that no traditional ruler can confer chieftaincy title on anyone from outside his domain without obtaining the permission of the traditional ruler of the recipient’s community.

Ubah hails from Nnewi and it was gathered that Igwe Ezeani did not obtain permission from Igwe Kenneth Orizu of Nnewi before conferring the title on his subject.

Part of the suspension letter read: “We have received confirmed reports that you, as traditional ruler of Neni, conferred such a phantom chieftaincy title on one Senator Ubah in violation of the Code of Conduct and without clearance from the ministry.

“Whether or not your action was for pecuniary reasons as being insinuated in many quarters is irrelevant. What is important is that your action is an affront to order and good governance.

“In the light of the above, and for order and good governance, I am directed to inform you that Mr. Governor has in the exercise of his powers under Section 2 (C) of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers (Amendment) Law, 2020, suspended your recognition as traditional ruler of Neni untill further notice.

“You are also by this letter, required to show cause why your certificate of recognition should not be withdrawn in line with the Traditional Rulers Law.

“In the meantime, you are advised in your interest, to stop parading yourself forthwith, as the traditional ruler of Neni community.”

The commissioner regretted that while a vast majority of traditional rulers conduct their exalted office with dignity and integrity and stick to the Code of Conduct and directives of the ministry, a tiny few still act recklessly and in total disregard for the Code of Conduct of their office and directives of the supervising ministry.

Sanwo-Olu Urges Super Eagles to Bring AFCON Glory as a Source of Comfort to Nigerians.

Sanwo-Olu Urges Super Eagles to Bring AFCON Glory as a Source of Comfort to Nigerians.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has charged members of the Super Eagles to strive and win the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, as a succour to Nigerians from various economic challenges.

Sanwo-Olu, gave the charge while hosting the team to a special dinner at Lagos House, Marina, late Tuesday evening, before their final departure to Cote-de-Ivoire for the AFCON Competition, slated to commence on Saturday.

Addressing the players, Sanwo-Olu said, “You are our country’s unifier, as much as we will be putting the pressure on you during the matches, Nigerians expect you to do that (unifying spirit) for us. We believe we have the men who can do it for us.

“People might say we don’t have a team, it’s another thing to believe in yourself and once you believe in yourself and as a team, we are on that track already, no matter the obstacles, no matter the fuel price facing the country, but just to go out there and demonstrate your undying spirit as Nigerian with a total of two hundred and 20 million people in the country and the Diaspora are right behind you.

“And this is how you can write your names in gold forever. And I want to assure you that this number (220 million Nigerians) is behind you in support.

“We know you have a sense of patronage and patriotism, let that be your driving force. Let it encourage you that for our country at the moment we need this unifier. We need peace, we need sports as a healing tool for us, (Nigerians).

“We need that cup to be a succour, that would energise us and bring together all of the yearnings of this country. Andi pray God gives you the strength bro achieve this.

“You should qualify and make sure that you don’t give up. You could be in the first half is not what you want, to give up. It could get to 70 minutes, do t give up.

“You could see 80 minutes, don’t give up. You have to have that belief that until the whistle blows you still have an opportunity and that’s how life is.

“Because when we want to say that we will do it again is not by mouth alone, it’s about that team’s spirit and commitment. Just know that over 222 million Nigerians are behind you.”

Also in attendance were: the Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh, as the Minister of Sports Development, Chairman, Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, among others 

Kwara workers issue 14-day strike notice to govt over agreement breach.

Kwara workers issue 14-day strike notice to govt over agreement breach.

Public workers in Kwara State, under the aegis of the Joint Kwara Labour Congress, yesterday, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the state government over the alleged refusal to implement the agreement it reached with the union.

State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Muritala Saheed, who spoke on behalf of other unions, said the ultimatum became effective from Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

Other labour leaders at the event included State Chairman of the TUC, Tunde Joseph, the state chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council, JNC, Saliu Suleiman, among others.

The NLC Chairman said they had “observed that our dear state is falling apart and the body language of our government does not suit the purpose of mending the cracks. These cracks cut across both formal and informal sector of our State economically, psychologically, physically and morally.

“On several occasions both NLC and TUC of this state have written government on demands of Workers and observed ills in our State. Unfortunately there was no change or attempt to address issues raised in our letters.

“As we speak, all industrial Unions in the state have one demand or another that requires government attention, this is not forthcoming as the government has remained invisible/incommunicado.

“Most pathetic is the fact that government of our dear state has refused to honour/implement all written and gentleman agreement it entered into with labour.

Among these are Non-implementation of N35,000 Wage Award for all categories of Workers in Kwara State following fuel subsidy removal, Refusal to domesticate and implement 40 percent peculiar allowance as approved and provided for by the Federal Government of Nigeria, and Non-payment of Consequential adjustment to pensioners since.”

Others are the approval of the current New Minimum Wage in 2019, lack of willingness to pay Local Government Workers Outstanding Arrears, outstanding Arrears of promotion for 2020, 2021 and 2022, non-implementation of 100 percent CONHESS and 100 percent Hazard.

Join hands with Alia to develop Benue, Ganduje tells opposition.

Join hands with Alia to develop Benue, Ganduje tells opposition.

The national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Tuesday, January 9, told the opposition parties in Benue state to join hands with Governor Hyacinth Alia to move the state to the next level.

He gave this advice while congratulating the Benue state governor over his victory at the Supreme Court.

Ganduje in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu in Abuja noted that the verdict by the apex court confirmed Governor Alia’s well-deserved victory in the 2023 governorship election.

He then called on the opposition and well-meaning people of Benue state to join hands with the Governor to ensure the socioeconomic development of the state.

He said: “The Supreme Court ruling is a confirmation of both the perfect will of God and the undeniable choice of Benue state people.

“It also reinforces the confidence our people have in the judiciary. This is a good development for the advancement of democracy in our dear nation Nigeria.

“The APC and our teeming supporters in Benue state are satisfied with the transparent and accountable leadership you have exhibited since you took the oath of office and allegiance on May 29, last year.

“Please accept my warm congratulations on your victory and my best wishes for your success as you prepare to take up the responsibilities and challenges of your high office.

“I wish to assure you and the people of Benue state of the continued support of the party.

“It is time for the people of Benue state from all political parties and all ethnic subgroups to rise and support you as our God-ordained governor.”

Fubara vows to complete Etche-Igbodo road in Rivers.

Fubara vows to complete Etche-Igbodo road in Rivers.

Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to complete the remaining section of the Etche-Igbodo road in Etche Local Government Area following outcries by residents.

The governor after inspecting the road observed its deplorable state and vowed to urgently commence work to complete the road.

A statement signed by the governor’s Special Assistant, Media, Boniface Onyedi, said Fubara visited the area on Tuesday in response to complaints from residents in Umuohie-Igbodo communities.

The governor was said to have driven on the entire stretch of the bad section to the Okpala community of Imo State to assess the condition of the bad section and the level of work required to complete it.

He acknowledged that the immediate past administration did a great job when it reconstructed the Etche-Igbodo road and observed that the deplorable section was not completed then and had become a problem for residents and commuters.  

He said: “We got this complaints that a section of the Etche-Igbodo road that was not completed is creating a very big problem for the residents here. 

“So, I know that the previous administration did a very great job here, so I came myself to see what the problem is and from what I’m seeing here, it’s really a problem. 

“We, as a government we see what we can do immediately to complete this section so that there will be very easy traffic along this route.

“It’s really bad, you can see that. I wonder how these people manage during raining season because if we are in dry season, it is bad this way then it must be terrible during the raining season. So we will do something about it immediately.”

Fed Govt seeks ASUU’s support for strike-free academic system.

Fed Govt seeks ASUU’s support for strike-free academic system.

The Federal Government has sought the support of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to ensure that the country runs smooth academic sessions free of strikes.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, made the appeal after a meeting with the union’s leadership.

She urged the union leaders to join forces with the government for national progress.

A statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Olajide Oshundun, said the minister told ASUU leadership, led by its President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, that she believed in mutual understanding between the union and the government to move the country towards the same progressive direction.

She expressed worry about unending disputes in the nation’s academic system, saying: “We should be part of the process to ensure such actions are averted.”

The minister called for “proactive problem-solving rather than reactive conflict resolution”.

Onyejeocha extended an open invitation for dialogue and complete transparency to ASUU.

The minister urged the union to allow the ministry to know its problems, noting that by prioritising open communication and proactive problem-solving, both parties could work together to ensure a smooth academic session in 2024 and beyond.

She said this would eventually paved the way for a vibrant and flourishing educational landscape.

Onyejeocha said: “I crave your indulgence to allow the ministry to know all the issues you think we should know. I want us to be on the same page, from item one to the last, for the sake of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Labour Ministry is not supposed to be reactive but be proactive. We should be part of the process to make sure that every issue is addressed.

“I am a product of the university system. We want to be on the same page because of the Renewed Hope Agenda. We have to move at the same pace. I believe that we can move in the same direction.”

The minister urged ASUU leaders to consider the current economic realities when presenting their demands.

She called for pragmatism on past agreements between the union and government, suggesting that some demands might need re-evaluation in the light of the nation’s financial constraints.

NAFDAC seeks stiffer counterfeiting law without fine option.

NAFDAC seeks stiffer counterfeiting law without fine option.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has promised to remain resolute in its commitment to rid the country of counterfeit drugs and unwholesome products.

It affirmed that threats to the lives of its officers as well as the recent negative press concerning the activities of fake drug manufacturers and sellers of substandard food and beverages would not discourage its efforts at ensuring the safety of drugs and food consumed in Nigeria.

NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who restated the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s health, noted that an urgent review of the nation’s law on counterfeiting would address the issue.

Adeyeye said the support of the National Assembly for the review of the extant law for stiff penalties without an option of fine for the offenders had become expedient.

The NAFDAC boss said this would deter the audacious stance of perpetrators in the illicit trade, who appeared unfazed by existing penalties.

Section 3 (1) (a) of the Counterfeiting and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004, states that ‘Any person who commits an offence under (a) Section 1 of this Act, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N500,000 or imprisonment for a term of not less than five years or more than fifteen years or to both such fine and imprisonment’.

Section 3 (2) states: ‘Where an offence under Section 1 or 2 of this Act has been committed by a body corporate, every person who at the time of the commission of the offence was a proprietor, director, general manager, secretary or other similar officer, servant or agent of the body corporate (or a person purporting to act in any such capacity), he, as well as the body corporate, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and may be proceeded against and punished accordingly’.

Though she did spell out details of the agency’s proposed penalties, Adeyeye stressed that stiffer penalties without an option of a fine would discourage perpetrators from engaging in such illicit trades.

According to her, the recent exposure of a cartel involved in the production of fake wines and soft drinks in Aba, Abia State, underscores the gravity of the situation.

Adeyeye assured Nigerians that NAFDAC remained steadfast to battle those aiming to profit at the expense of the well-being of their fellow citizens.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, the director general expressed dismay at uncomplimentary commentaries in a section of the media.

She cited the interception of counterfeiters in Eziukwu Market in Aba, Abia State, as an example of the agency’s commitment to fighting counterfeiting.

The NAFDAC boss said the agency would not be deterred by unfounded allegations, urging the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

Adeyeye said officers from the Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) as well as Pharmacovigilance and Post-Marketing Surveillance directorates had been empowered to apprehend those involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit drugs and substandard food items.

According to her, despite numerous life-threatening encounters and attacks on NAFDAC officers, the agency remains undeterred in its mission to safeguard the health of Nigerians.

Adeyeye urged fellow Nigerians to provide useful information on the activities of counterfeiters, saying: “They live and operate in our midst. We should say something when we see something.”

The NAFDAC boss promised that the agency would persist with its sensitisation activities across the country in the new year, ensure that Nigerians were aware of the threats posed by counterfeit products.