Afenifere scraps positions of acting leader, deputy.

Afenifere scraps positions of acting leader, deputy.

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere on Wednesday, annulled the office of the acting leader of the group being occupied by Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

Afenifere, which appointed Adebanjo as the acting leader of the group in 2022, said the position had been abrogated, adding that another group named as Afenifere Elders Caucus has been formed.

However, Adebanjo is also a member of the new group.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the monthly meeting of the group held at the residence of the National Leader of the association, Pa Reuben Fasoranti on Wednesday. The communique was read by the Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr Jare Ajayi.

The communique partly read, “In the light of recent events and the pressing need to reposition and rejuvenate Afenifere, it has been decided that the position of acting leader and deputy leader have now been abrogated.

“The responsibilities and authority of advising the leader of Afenifere and Asiwaju Yoruba are now vested in the Afenifere Elders Caucus which is hereby constituted.”

According to the communique, Fasoranti is the chairman of the elders’ caucus while some of the members of the group include Adebanjo, Olu Falae, Senator Cornelius Adebayo, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Seinde Arogbofa, Senator Kofo Bucknor-Akerele,  Prince Ladigbolu, Lt. Gen Alani, Akinrinade (Rtd.),  Maj. Gen. Olu Bajowa (Rtd.), Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, and Prof. Banji Akintoye, amongst others.

At the meeting, the group also expressed its displeasure over the state of the nation with particular reference to the socio-economic and security challenges in the country, saying it was time to restructure the country.

“There is an urgent need to rework the security architecture of the country to ensure that Nigerians are able to live and move about without the fear of being kidnapped or harassed in any way. Such reworking should include giving states and local government councils that so desire to establish their own police services with all the requisite powers to function as such. Doing so would check if not totally stop, the incidences of kidnapping and sundry banditry now ravaging the land.

“The unfortunate blast in Ibadan clearly underscores the need to allow the federating units in the country to control mineral resources in their respective areas with particular reference to mining and exploration.

“The reasoning behind this was that had it been that states were in control of mining, for instance, the Oyo State Government was likely to know how explosives were being moved around. Such would have made last week’s horrendous blast that claimed many lives, traumatised hundreds of people, and destroyed properties running into billions of naira would have been prevented.”

While reiterating that it is time for a restructuring of the country, the Afenifere urged President Bola Tinubu to set the machinery in motion for the purpose.

“The organisation (Afenifere) took note of the fact that the President, a known democrat and federalist would not hesitate to do things that would quicken the country’s quest for true federalism in which people would have self-determination within the context of one nation that is genuinely democratic and federal,” the group noted

Ring Road: Ekiti Govt Pledges Compensations for Land Owners.

Ring Road: Ekiti Govt Pledges Compensations for Land Owners. 

.....Rallies stakeholders' backings for project execution.

To douse the fears being nursed by farm owners in towns where the Ekiti State Ring Road Phase One will traverse, the government, has expressed willingness to pay adequate compensations to affected individuals, who lost their crops to the ongoing construction project.

The government emphasized that Governor Biodun Oyebanji values the welfare of Ekiti citizens and won't do anything that will inflict suffering or cause infringement of their rights, saying the project will bring an upswing to economic activities in the six host communities when completed. 

The Ekiti estate Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said this in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday, while interfacing with stakeholders from the six communities where the ring road phase one flagged off by Governor Oyebanji touches.

The communities were: Iworoko, Are, Afao, Araromi, Orun and Igbemo Ekiti, under Ifedara Local Council Development Area, where the ring road that began last year is domiciled.

Addressing the stakeholders, Mrs Afuye appealed to the farmers and other residents to cooperate with the contractor for speedy completion of the project that will bring development to the benefiting communities and decongest Ado Ekiti of traffic snarl.

The Deputy Governor stated that the interface was convened by Governor Oyebanji to resolve some misgivings being nursed by some farmers, whose lands fall within the radius of the construction site, assuring them that adequate compensations will be paid for damaged crops.

"This project rests chiefly on the development of our dear state, which concerns all citizens. On this premise, we crave your understanding on all the issues to be raised for this government is absolutely for peace and we are here to make peace with whoever is nursing any agitation with the project execution.

"We are not unaware that these agitations stemmed from the damage that will be done to some crops and farmlands in an attempt to prosecute the project and make a success of it. 

"We know the value placed by our people on farming, being the mainstay of their income and economic survival and this government won't take any action that will inflict sufferings and unwarranted loss of their means of livelihoods. 

"Let me allay your fears by bringing you the assurances of our governor that justice will be done to whatever damage that is done to your crops by way of payment of commensurate compensations by the government to affected farm owners. 

"Allow the contractor to do the job, your compensation is sure and guaranteed. But in paying the compensation, make sure you don't overestimate whatever loss you suffered, that has always been the area of disagreement. Make sure you are honest in this regard".

Lending credence to the position canvassed by the Deputy governor, the Commissioner for Works, Adesola Adebayo, revealed that the entire road length from Iworoko to the terminus is 18 kilometres and needed to be completed within 24 months, which he said made it imperative for the citizens to back the contractor.

To further allay the fears of the stakeholders, the Commissioner added that the Ministry of Works has begun full enumeration of all the affected farmers and landowners, assuring that "every single person affected will be compensated". 

In his submission, the Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, revealed that the policy was aimed at creating better access across Ekiti in form of ring road that will be extended round the state to bolster economy.

Speaking specifically about the ring road phase one, Olatunbosun said it will turn the axis into the economic hub of the state, particularly when the international Cargo airport that will begin full operation soon is completed.

"If we begin to demolish houses, the displaced people won't be happy with the government. That was why we decided to change the course and redirected to where no house will be demolished. The governor doesn't want the masses to suffer. Even globally , ring road cannot pass through the town.

"The governor also looked at the values these houses will get in terms of monetary evaluation , because some of them were constructed with mud. The compensations that will be paid might not even be enough to build another houses. 

"Let it be stated that whoever loses crops like Cocoyam, cocoa, yams, cassava , kolanut and others will be compensated. Nobody will be shortchanged, be rest assured of this".

Speaking for the stak holders, the Alare of Are- Ekiti, Oba Adebiyi Boluwade, noted that his people were elated by the project conception, because it will add value to the development of the affected towns, saying they have nothing against the government and its intention.

The monarch advised that "As much as we are ready to support this project, please, don't let the compensations due to individuals be delayed, let it be done in time". 

Present at the event were: Lawmaker representing Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency 1, Hon Femi Akindele, his counterpart from constituency 2, Hon. Hakeem Jamiu, the Director General, Community Engagement, Mrs Mary Oso Omotoso, the Chairman of Ifedara LCDA, Hon Lawrence Ogunsanya, traditional rulers, traditional chiefs, community leaders, among others.

National minimum wage must be done well, says TUC.

National minimum wage must be done well, says TUC.

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has again urged the Federal Government to inaugurate the National Minimum Wage Committee to enable it have ample time to carry out its assignment diligently.

TUC’s Deputy President, Mr. Tommy Okon, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos that the failure to inaugurate the committee, three months to the expiration of the current minimum wage, was worrisome.

He said organised labour would not want to be put under pressure on the wage increase because it had to be done in line with the rule of engagement.

The labour leader said organised labour had since submitted the list of members that would be part of the committee for the minimum wage negotiations.

“The intention of the government is not known to us. This is because by now, the committee should have been inaugurated.

“We do not want a situation where the work of the committee is done under desperation. This is January, and the N30,000 national minimum wage will expire on April 18 this year (2024).

“So, it is expected that by now, the committee would have been inaugurated and a chairman of the committee appointed. This is because it is tripartite in nature, and the committee has to conduct the activities also on zonal basis.

“Thereafter, it will come to a conclusion where whatever will be agreed will also be sent to the National Assembly which in turn will also look at the public hearing and thereafter send it to Mr. President for assent,” Okon said.

The TUC chief said there were positive and negative implications in further delay of setting up the committee.

According to him, the positive is in the sense that government may have an agenda unknown to labour and try to be sure of what it wants to come out with.

“However, the negative implication is that it may send a wrong signal that the government is not willing to negotiate the National Minimum Wage and that will be a very wrong impression, if the public is taking that as the position.

Read Also: I’ll take on your concerns one by one, Tinubu assures South-south indigenes

“Also, Nigerian workers and the masses are not finding it easy because of the socio-economic challenges.

“We know that the N30,000 minimum wage cannot do anything, much less for transportation, payment of house rent, children’s school fees, even taking care of some life-threatening challenges.

“So, these are the implications. It is also going to send a negative signal to even the international communities. This is because now, we are talking about transition to energy. These are things that need to be put in place,” Okon said.

The TUC chief also said the issue of the National Minimum Wage review was a task that must be done well.

The Federal Government had, on January 17, pledged to fulfill its agreements with organised labour.

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, announced this during a visit to the office of the TUC in Abuja.

Onyejeocha said the Federal Government understood the plight of the trade unions and was ready to partner, but the channels of communication must be kept open.

Tinubu seeks U.S support for G-20 membership, Security Council seat.

Tinubu seeks U.S support for G-20 membership, Security Council seat.

President Bola Tinubu has called for the support of the United States (U.S.) on Nigeria’s pursuit of a United Nations(UN) Security Council permanent seat and G-20 membership.  

Tinubu made the call during bilateral talks with the U.S. Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, in Abuja yesterday.

 Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar made the President’s request known during a joint press conference with Blinken. 

Tuggar added that fruitful deliberations were held by Tinubu and the Secretary of State on Agriculture, food security, pharmaceuticals, security and Artificial Intelligence.

The minister said: “Today (yesterday), we’re happy and honoured to be receiving the United States Secretary of State. Blinken at the Presidential Villa here in Abuja. He met with His Excellency, President Tinubu, along with myself and a number of my colleague ministers and during the meeting, several issues were discussed on the bilateral nature as well as multilateral issues.”

Tinubu, according to Tuggar, emphasised that Nigeria being the largest economy in Africa deserved to represent the African voice on the UN Security Council following the fact that 60 percent of resolutions passed by the UNSC are Africa-related.

“It is also important to note that President Tinubu brought up the issue of Nigeria’s membership and participation in the G-20 as well as the United Nations Security Council”, he said.

The minister also disclosed that during the talks, decisions were made on other issues, including the Nigeria-US bi-national commission billed to hold March 11 and 13. 

By-elections: INEC, security agents meet.

By-elections: INEC, security agents meet.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed concern about the rising insecurity across the country and its likely spillover on the conduct of the February 3 rerun and by-elections.

The INEC boss, who spoke at the first quarterly meeting of the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security, urged security agencies to restore order so that the elections could be held in the affected places.

According to him, an election is a multi-stakeholder responsibility.

Yakubu added: “As security agencies, it is your responsibility to secure the environment to enable us deploy personnel and materials, the protection of observers, the media, as well as the polling and collation agents representing the political parties and candidates.

“Without a secure and peaceful environment, the conduct of credible elections is imperilled.

“From experience, the conduct of isolated elections, such as by-elections and re-run elections, can be very challenging. We must pay attention to the potentials for disruptive behaviour by some candidates and their supporters.

“A re-run election conducted in one polling unit or a handful of polling units can be severely disrupted by acts of thuggery, knowing full well that these few locations will determine the outcome of the election.

“Arising from the reports we received from the states, concerns have been raised about the impact of the prevailing insecurity in some states on the conduct of the elections, made worse by incendiary statements by some political actors.”

The INEC chairman stressed that there is no more a single election season in Nigeria as elections are held throughout the year between one general election and another.

He added: “This adds to the enormous pressure on both INEC and the security agencies.

“For instance, in addition to the by-elections and re-run elections holding next week, the commission has also released the timetable and schedule of activities for the two off-cycle governorship elections in Edo State, scheduled for September 21, 2024, and in Ondo State, holding on November 16, 2024.”

“As required by the Electoral Act 2022, party primaries and nomination of candidates shall be done not later than 180 days before the date fixed for the elections. Accordingly, party primaries for Edo State will commence next week and end three weeks later (that is, February 1 to 24, 2024). For Ondo State, the primaries will be held between April 6 and 27, 2024.

“Our collective experience as election managers and security agencies shows that party primaries can sometimes be more acrimonious than general elections. Therefore, as we prepare for the by-elections and re-run elections, we should equally be prepared for the two major elections later this year in Edo and Ondo states.”

Yakubu announced that INEC would first conduct by-elections into national and state legislative houses and later the rerun elections ordered by election petitions tribunals.

The National Security Adviser (NSA) and Co-chairman of Inter-Agency Consultative Election Security (ICCES), Mllam Nuhu Ribadu, announced that the President had always maintained that the ability of security agencies to protect lives and property boosts the credibility of any election.

Ribadu, who was represented by the Director of Internal Security in the Office of the NSA, said the forthcoming by-elections and rerun elections must be held without intimidation and other security threats.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun said the security agencies were aware of the challenges of by-elections and assured Nigerians that they were on top of the situation.

He said the police had conducted a threat analysis in the states where the elections would hold and ensure sufficient personnel to those areas.

I’ll take on your concerns one by one, Tinubu assures South-south indigenes.

I’ll take on your concerns one by one, Tinubu assures South-south indigenes.

President Bola Tinubu has assured indigenes of the oil-rich South-south region of his administration’s commitment to addressing all their development and environmental concerns, one after the other.

Tinubu, who gave the assurance when he met with the South-South Monarchs Forum at the State House, Abuja, also emphasised the importance of the traditional institution, saying traditional rulers are the intelligence needed for the holistic development of the country.

According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the monarchs were led to meet the President by Chairman of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers and Vice-Chairman of the South-South Monarchs Forum, Major-General Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd).

The President told the Royal Fathers that his administration is diligently working, domestically and internationally, to strengthen Nigeria’s durability and approach to climate change, environmental restoration, infrastructure development, all while ensuring security and stability in the region.

Commending the monarchs for their understanding approach to his administration’s ongoing economic reforms, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy, President Tinubu promised that Nigerians would soon enjoy the benefits of these tough, yet necessary decisions.

”We are working to revive the economy from the damage of several years. We seek your support, prayers, and understanding, and I am glad that the Vice-Chairman of the Forum served in an organization where we need intelligence to operate.

”You (the traditional institution) will be the source of the intelligence we need for the holistic development of our country, and anytime you need to tell us something, do not hesitate to reach out to this office. I will take on all of your concerns, and I will address each of them one by one.

”We cannot underestimate your contributions to the peace and stability of this country. Continue to uphold us in your prayers and in talking to our youths to keep faith with the country because light is already visible at the end of the tunnel,” the President said.

His Royal Majesty, Major-General Mujakperuo appealed to President Tinubu to follow up on all developmental efforts in the region to be sure that progress is tangible to the people.

“Mr. President, you know the problems of our region as an expert with experience in the energy industry. We see you working hard to solve our problems, and we are comforted that you have pledged to take on our concerns and bring a final solution to them,” the South-South Monarchs Forum Vice-Chairman said.

EFCC to arraign ex- Anambra Gov Obiano over alleged N4bn fraud.

EFCC to arraign ex- Anambra Gov Obiano over alleged N4bn fraud.

Barring any untoward occurrence, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will arraign former Anambra Governor Willie Obiano before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday on alleged complicity in financial fraud involving about N4billion.

Sources at the EFCC confirmed to Newsmen late on Tuesday that a charge had been filed before the court to that effect and that all arrangements have been tidied up for the arraignment.

It was learnt that the EFCC is charging Obiano with money laundering related offences on accounts of the movement of some funds, estimated at N4,008,573,350 while he was the Governor between 2014 and 2022.

It was further learnt that the case has since been assigned to Justice Inyang Ekwo.

Meanwhile, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Apo, Abuja on Tuesday ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to promptly arrest the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede and the commission’s Head of Proceeds of Crime Unit, Aliyu Yusuf for disobeying an order of the court made on December 6, 2023.

Justice Abubakar Hussaini Musa ordered the IGP to arrest the two senior officials of the EFCC and produce them before his court on January 25 to show cause why they should not be sent to prison for disobeying the court’s order.

The enrolled copy of the ruling reads: And upon reading a 16-paragraph affidavit in support of the application deposed to by High Chief Ikechi Emenike of No. 6 Aso Drive, Abuja, the claimant/applicant in this suit, to which four exhibits were attached, and a written address in support of the application; and after listening to Adeyemi Pitan Esq, counsel for the claimant/applicant argue in favour of the application and Hadiza Afegbua Esq, counsel for the defendant/respondent (EFCC) informing the honourable court that she has no response to the application; it is hereby ordered as follows:

*That an order is hereby made directing the Inspector-General of Police to arrest Ola Olukoyede, who is the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Aliyu Yusuf, who is the Head of Proceeds of Crime Unit, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the purpose of committing them to prison for disobeying the Orders of this honourable court contained in the ruling of this court delivered on the 6th day of December, 2023.

*That an order is hereby made directing Ola Olukoyede, who is the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Aliyu Yusuf, who is the Head of Proceeds of Crime Unit, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to appear before this honourable court on the date mentioned in this order to show cause why an order

in this court to show cause why an order for their committal to prison should not be made.

*That this suit is hereby adjourned to the 25th day of January, 2024 for hearing.

Justice Musa had, on December 6, upon a motion by Chief Ikechi Emenike, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election, ordered the EFCC and its operatives to vacate his private residence on 6 Aso Drive, Abuja.

In an affidavit supporting a Form 49 (application for committal) filed by Emenike, he alleged that despite the court’s order being served on the EFCC, operatives of the EFCC, acting on the instruction of the Chairman failed to comply with the order.

Emenike said: “Notwithstanding the service of the enrolled order, the respondent (EFCC) and its principal officers named in this contempt proceedings (Ola Olukoyede and Aliyu Yusuf) have refused to obey the said court order.

“In a strange fashion, on December 7, 2023, at about 6:000m, 35 operatives of the defendant on the authority and directive of the Chairman and Head of p

Proceeds of Crime Unit, over powered the security and domestic guards and broke into my living room when I was barely on pajamas.

“My lawyers caused to be filed on December 8, 2023, Form 48 that is, notice of consequences of disobedience. 

“But the principal officers of the defendant, named in this proceedings refused to be served personally.

“My lawyers swiftly filed an application for substituted service of the order on the principal officers of the defendant named in this contempt proceedings, which application was granted on December 12, 2023 directing the Forms 48 to be served either by DHL Courier or by pasting same on the gate of the defendant .

“In compliance with the order of the court, my lawyer immediately caused to be sent through the DHL Courier the court order as well as the Form 48, which was delivered on 18th December 2023.

“The defendant has refused to vacate the premises of the claimant even after It was in receipt of the order of this honorable court and the said Form 48.”