Rescued Ekiti kidnapped schoolchildren, teachers discharged from hospital.

Rescued Ekiti kidnapped schoolchildren, teachers discharged from hospital.

The eight rescued kidnap victims who have been receiving medical attention at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, were on Sunday discharged after a week in the facility.

The victims including five school children and three staff of The Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure Ekiti, who were kidnapped along the Emure-Eporo Road, on their way home from school, spent six days in the kidnappers’ den before they were released last Sunday.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, said it was a moment of joy, having the people rescued from the kidnappers and treated by government.

Filani, who spoke at EKSUTH while discharging them, said, “As a government having had them including the children released and having had them properly treated by various teams from management here in the teaching hospital, we would be returning them to their community.”

The Chief Medical Director, EKSUTH , Prof. Kayode Olabanji, had assured the government while the eight persons were brought in last Sunday, that they would be given necessary medical attention before they would be discharged.

Olabanji had said, “They were in various conditions when they were brought in, some of them were so dehydrated, we don’t know when last they had taken water or even food. Many of the pupils were in a panic state, you could see that they were very terrified. However, immediately we brought them in, they had been attended to by the doctors, nurses and the various specialties.

“We brought in clinical psychologists who could work on them to allay their fears. They were given the initial resuscitations including rehydration, they were given fluids, some who needed oxygen were given oxygen.

“After they had stabilised a bit, they were even given food too, now, they are much better, we will still carry out few investigations to fully appraise their situation.”

The grandmother of three of the school children, Mrs Dorcas Ojo, said it would not have been possible for her to remain alive if the kidnappers had not released her three grandchildren.

The woman, who said the eight abducted persons were saved by God through the prayers of the people of Emure Ekiti and Eporo Ekiti, said, “The abductors made the children undergo what their parents had never experienced.

“They (children) were traumatised by the kidnappers as they were forced to trek long distance in the bush, not staying in one location and also not given food to eat for the days they were in captivity.”

Reps push for 5% yearly allocation to NASS, federal judiciary.

Reps push for 5% yearly allocation to NASS, federal judiciary.

The House of Representatives is set to begin the process of amending the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 in the next few weeks.

The proposed amendment is a sequel to a bill set for presentation on the floor of the Green Chamber sponsored by the member representing Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency, Osun State, Mr Oluwole Oke.

The Fiscal Responsibility Act enacted in July 2007 during the administration of late President Umaru Yar’ Adua provided for the prudent management of the nation’s resources, ensured long-term macro-economic stability of the national economy, secured greater accountability and transparency in fiscal operations within a medium-term fiscal policy framework.

A copy of the draft bill exclusively obtained by our correspondent revealed that the House seeks to insert a new section immediately after Section 54 of the Principal Act.

Titled “A Bill for an Act to amend the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007,” it seeks the insertion of Section 54(a) to “Make provision for the allocation of five per cent each to the National Assembly and the Federal Judiciary in the Appropriation Act for each year.”

In a letter addressed to the Clerk of the House, dated February 6, 2024, Oke who chairs the House Committee on Judiciary, submitted the bill for further legislation to enable him to present the same on the floor at plenary.

While Section 54 of the Act provides that the Federal Government may provide technical and financial assistance to states and Local Governments that adopt similar fiscal responsibility legislation along the same line as this Act, however, the proposed Section 54(a) read, “Notwithstanding any other provision of the Principal Act, the National Assembly and the Federal Judiciary shall each be entitled to a minimum of five per cent of the entire budgetary provision in the Appropriation Act for each year. This Bill may be cited as the Fiscal Responsibility Act (Amendment Bill), 2024.”

The National Assembly in November 2023 while adopting the 2024-2026 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper submitted by President Tinubu, had pledged to amend the FRA as part of the steps to address corruption, block revenue leakages and waste of public resources.

At the plenary, the two chambers adopted the report of the Joint Committees on Finance, Appropriations, National Planning/Economic Affairs, and Local and Foreign Debts and noted that “The National Assembly shall commence the process of amending the FRA to enhance the agency’s ability to enforce fiscal responsibility and impose sanctions on erring corporations specifically, with regards to Sections 21 (1) and 22 (1) (2).”

Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake Dismisses Gubernatorial Aspirations in Ekiti State.

Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake Dismisses Gubernatorial Aspirations in Ekiti State.

The Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Oladele Alake, has unequivocally refuted claims suggesting his interest in running for governorship in Ekiti State. Addressing the circulation of a poster across social media platforms and WhatsApp groups positioning him as a gubernatorial aspirant with the slogan 'Take it Back', Dr. Alake clarified that he has no intention of contesting for the governorship position, neither now nor in the future.

In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, Dr. Alake emphasized that the poster in question lacks his endorsement and should be disregarded as it is deemed fraudulent. He expressed his commitment to his current role as Minister of Solid Minerals, tasked with the responsibility of reforming and revitalizing the sector to enhance its contribution to Nigeria's economy.

Dr. Alake reiterated his dedication to President Bola Tinubu's mandate to transform the solid minerals sector into a significant revenue generator and job creator for Nigerians. He emphasized his focus on fulfilling this national assignment and debunked any distractions posed by unfounded political speculations.

Furthermore, Dr. Alake affirmed his support for the incumbent administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State, pledging to continue contributing to the state's growth and development as a proud indigene.

The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of Dr. Alake's unwavering commitment to his duties, undeterred by the activities of detractors or speculations about his political ambitions.

The assertion by Dr. Alake's camp serves to dispel any misinformation regarding his purported gubernatorial aspirations and underscores his steadfast dedication to his ministerial responsibilities and national service.

Don’t relent in protecting Nigeria, Tinubu tells Armed Forces.

Don’t relent in protecting Nigeria, Tinubu tells Armed Forces.

President Bola Tinubu has charged the Armed Forces to continue to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity against all threats, commending them for their dedication to duty and sacrifices for the nation.

The President, while speaking at an event marking the Diamond Jubilee of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna on Saturday, assured the military of his administration’s commitment to its welfare, as well as unflagging support in the discharge of its duties.

The NDA was established about six decades ago, on February 5, 1964.

The institution has undergone various stages of transformation in its quest to fulfill its mandate of training officers for the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Tinubu highlighted some of the milestones recorded during the transformation of the NDA to include the subsequent addition and training of Air Force cadets, the successful reunification of the country after the Civil War in 1967 as well as the various short-service military training programmes instituted to fill the manpower needs caused by the Civil War.

Other noteworthy achievements, he added, include the upgrade of the NDA from a non-degree awarding institution to a full-fledged degree-awarding university in 1985, thereby phasing out the Nigerian Defence Academy Certificate of Education hitherto awarded to cadets.

“The government is also pleased to note that the curriculum approved by the National Universities Commission, the regulatory body is sufficiently robust and broad-based to enable the cadets to acquire the knowledge, skills, values, character, and discipline required for effective and efficient service in the Nigerian Armed forces in peace times and in times of crises.

“I understand that other giants’ strides recorded in the NDA include the establishment of post-graduate programs, the creation of research centres and centres of excellence to facilitate research and enable cross fertilization of ideas.

“The consistent academic calendar devoid of industrial disputes and strikes should make the NDA postgraduate school an institution of first choice not only for Nigerian students but also for students across the globe.

“I therefore charge the academic staff both military and nonmilitary to transform the NDA into ‘Nigeria’s Silicon Valley,’ a hub for startups where ideas are not only incubated but also actualized,” the President said.

Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, commended the past and present leadership of the NDA for the quality of military and academic training, which has continued to attract clientele from other African nations.

He said with the quality of training at the Academy, the military was capable of bringing to an end all acts of banditry, insurgency, and criminality that have ravaged the country.

Oyebanji Mourns Access Holdings CEO, Herbert Wigwe.

Oyebanji Mourns Access Holdings CEO, Herbert Wigwe.

.….Says Ekiti lost a friend, strategic partner, supporter.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed condolences on the death of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Limited, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, who died in an helicopter crash in the United States of America on Friday.

Wigwe, 57, was reported to have died alongside his wife, son and three others in the chopper crash around the California-Nevada border in the United States.

Governor Oyebanji in a statement on Sunday, signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, described the death of Mr. Wigwe, his spouse and son as a monumental tragedy for Nigeria.

Governor Oyebanji described the late Wigwe as a great friend of Ekiti State and a strategic partner and supporter of the state’s development programme. 

Oyebanji described the late Access Holdings CEO as a phenomenal philanthropist, who served humanity eminently with his time, talent and resources and would be remembered for the impact he made on the lives of the people as much as his notable contributions to the development of the nation’s financial sector. 

He prayed God to grant the Wigwe family and the Access Holdings the equanimity to bear the loss and also grant the families of other victims of the crash the fortitude to bear the huge loss of their loved ones.

The Governor said Mr. Wigwe made lasting and unforgettable impact during his earthly sojourn, urging all his proteges to build on his legacies of service and innovativeness as a way to immortalize him.

“It is indeed a sad and devastating news, a tragedy of immense proportion not only to the Wigwe family and the Access Holdings which he headed, but to us in Ekiti State, where he was regarded as a great friend and supporter of our development programme; and Nigeria where he was a shinning star and an icon in the financial sector. 

“Our hearts and prayers are with the Wigwe family and to the families of the late Abimbola Ogunbanjo and others who died in the ill fated flight. We pray that the Lord will comfort the entire families, much more than words can.”, the statement added.

Edo PDP moves to reconcile aggrieved aspirants.

Edo PDP moves to reconcile aggrieved aspirants.

The Peoples Democratic Party has commenced a reconciliation process among all the aggrieved aspirants of the Edo State Governorship election as part of its efforts to emerge victorious on September 21, 2024.

The PDP had earlier on January 30, cleared all the 10 screened aspirants including the state Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu, a former Chairman of Sterling Bank, Asue Ighodalo, and the daughter of Esama of Benin Kingdom, Blessing Igbinedion, for the state party’s governorship primaries scheduled for February 22.

Other aspirants are Anselm Usiose Ojezua, Felix Akhabue, Martin Uhomoibhi, Umoru Hadizat, Osaro Osaze Onaiwu, Arthur Esene and Omoregie Ihama.

Although Governor Godwin Obaseki had been at loggerheads with his deputy over the party’s governorship ticket, the crisis became more complicated when the chairman of the three-man committee, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who was supposed to conduct the party’s state delegate election, resigned from the position.

On February 4, nine aspirants out of the 10 that would participate in the primary election were said to have boycotted the election which took place all over the state last Sunday. The nine aspirants in their letter to the acting National Chairman, Umar Illiya, and copied to the National Vice Chairman South-south of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, protested the process and compositions of those to conduct the delegates election.

The aspirants, in a petition signed by the Shuaibu and Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama among others, demanded the cancellation of the state delegate election.

A chieftain in the PDP National Working Committee told Sunday PUNCH that some party leaders are already reaching out to aspirants and stakeholders for the party to go into the election united.

The source, who spoke anonymously, said the first reconciliatory meeting of all aspirants and stakeholders would take place after the primaries, while some party leaders had been tasked to reach out and pacify as many aspirants as possible to embrace peace in the state.

Meanwhile, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Saturday disclosed that the party leadership would receive all committee reports and meet with aspirants to enhance peace among party members.

Edo 2024: APC clears all 12 governorship aspirants.

Edo 2024: APC clears all 12 governorship aspirants.

Ahead of the February 17 shadow election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, its National Gubernatorial Aspirants Screening Committee has cleared all the 12 governorship aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket for the September state governorship election.

Prof. Taoheed Abdul Adedoja-led 7-man screening committee on Friday night after a two-day screening exercise gave all the aspirants a clean bill to contest Saturday party’s primary.

APC National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammadu Arugungu on Saturday presented all the cleared aspirants with Certificate of Screening clearance at the party National Secretariat in Abuja.

The aspirants cleared include former Minister of State, National Economic Planning, Prince Clem Agba; Senator Monday Okpebholo, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District; former deputy governor, Hon. Lucky Imasuen; member representing Etsako Federal Constituency, Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri; former APC governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Andrew Ize-Iyamu and Engr. Gideon Ikhine.

Others cleared are the immediate past APC state chairman, Col. David Onabure Imuse; former Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Major. General Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd); former governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor; former Zonal Organising Secretary (South-South), Dr. Blessing Agbohmere; member representing Ovia South/West-Ovia North/East Federal Constituency, Hon. Dennis Idahosa; and Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe.

All the aspirants but Prof. Osunbor who was represented by his wife, Lady Ussieh Osunbor were presented to receive their certificates.

Assuring the aspirants of a free, fair, transparent shadow election on Saturday, February 17, the Deputy National Organising Secretary, Hon. Nze Chidi Duru told the aspirants that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) remains the only clearing house for all the processes for the election.

According to Duru, “We (NWC) are working closely with the state acting chairman of the party. We will brief him constantly on the steps being taken by the NWC to ensure free, fair, and transparent primaries in the state. Where you are in doubt, please feel free and make a call to the state chairman. If you cannot reach him, you can call on the national organising secretary or myself to answer any questions at any point in time.”

He also advised the aspirants to acquaint themselves with a schedule of activities towards the conduct of the party’s primary.

Earlier the Chairman of the Screening Committee, Prof. Adedoja who was represented by Hon. Adeoye Adelakun said the committee after scrutinising the expression of interest and nomination forms along with all the backup documents, found all the aspirants worthy to contest the party’s primary.

Commending the NWC and the screening committee for a thorough job so far, the acting state chairman of the party, Hon. Harriet Tenebe said the party was ready for both the primary and the state election in September.

Tenebe also refuted rumour of differences between the State Working Committee (SWC) and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the leader of the party in the state.

“We don’t have any difference with our leader, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. He is our leader in the state. The leader of the party. We are working together. Everything you see here today, he is aware. So there are no cracks in the wall.’