Odion Olaye, Edo state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has sparked controversy as he declares that the state will burn if Asue Ighodalor winner in the September 21 gubernatorial election.
In a viral video, Olaye, while campaigning in Egor, Benin City, for Asue Ighodalo, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, assured supporters of victory.
He predicted that Egor will be won by PDP, adding that the state “will burn” if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to declare Ighodalo winner of the poll.
“I want to assure you that PDP, our party, is going to win Egor 80 percent come 21st of this month and on 22nd of this month, they must declare Asue Ighodalo the winner.
“If they refuse to do that, Edo state will burn,” he said in the video.
His comments come on the heels of allegations and counter allegations by parties.
In one of the scenarios, the state PDP Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, said it has uncovered plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to use fake INEC staff who would be posing as technical staff to tamper with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Media Director of APC Campaign Council, Prince Kassim Afegbua, however dismissed the allegation.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Wednesday, September 11, declared an indefinite strike action at the Gombe State University (GSU).
The union’s branch chairman, Suleiman Salihu, during a press briefing, said the strike was declared over lingering welfare issues yet to be addressed.
Salihu stated that the action became inevitable following the poor teaching and learning activities at the institution.
He said that for a long time, ASUU had engaged the state through various avenues but all to no avail.
Stating that no tangible result has emanated from its amicable resolution, Salihu said the institution has failed to implement the N30,000 minimum wage approved by the governor, leaving workers with the outdated salary table of 2012.
In addition, the union leader noted that the government has reneged on the 2021 MoA for the provision of N50 million to the institution annually.
He said, “Some of the issues are the non-implementation of the 2021 Memorandum of Action (MoA) between the ASUU and the state government, on increasing funding for the university and non-payment of accumulated Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).”
He also highlighted the non-payment of the EAA for over five years forcing GSU workers immense difficulty in discharging their duty.
The Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has addressed the severe flooding that has impacted various states across Nigeria.
The floods, attributed to unusual rainfall patterns and ongoing climate change, have displaced over 1 million people and caused extensive property damage.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reports that the flooding has led to substantial humanitarian challenges, with significant economic losses.
In response, the Federal Ministry of Environment had previously issued flood awareness directives to state governments and relevant agencies, including early warnings for high-risk areas.
The Alau Dam flooding, in particular, has devastated communities in Borno State, prompting urgent collaborative recovery efforts. The Ministry continues to work with state authorities and international partners to address the crisis and support affected individuals.
The public is advised to relocate from flood-prone areas, follow evacuation orders, and stay informed through official channels. The Ministry remains committed to mitigating the impacts of flooding and enhancing community resilience.
For further updates, residents are encouraged to adhere to safety guidelines and report any incidents of flooding.
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, NCAIR, has announced the launch of a N100 million AI Fund in collaboration with Google.
This initiative aims to support Nigerian startups that are leveraging Artificial Intelligence, AI to develop innovative solutions across various sectors.
The fund will provide up to N10 million in funding to selected startups, along with access to Google’s AI tools, mentorship, and global network.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, stated, “The AI Fund is a significant step in nurturing homegrown innovation and driving the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy. By supporting our startups, we are investing in the future of our nation.”
The AI Fund is open to Nigerian-based startups that are focused on AI-driven technology solutions with the potential for significant impact. Applications are now being accepted, and the recipients will be announced in October.
National Coordinator of NCAIR, Dr. Bunmi Ajala, highlighted the collaborative effort: “Our partnership with Google is a reflection of our shared vision for Nigeria’s technological advancement. The AI Fund is designed to empower our entrepreneurs with the resources they need to create impactful AI solutions. We are excited to see the transformative innovations that will emerge from this program.”
Also, the West Africa Director, Google, Olumide Balogun, reiterated Google’s commitment: “Google’s support for the AI Fund is part of our broader mission to enhance digital capabilities across Africa. We are committed to providing Nigerian startups with the tools, mentorship, and resources they need to innovate and succeed on a global stage.”
The AI Fund seeks applications from Nigerian startups that meet the following criteria: startups with their headquarters in Nigeria, it must have at least one Nigerian founder, focus on developing scalable AI-driven solutions and possess a live product demonstrating early traction and market fit.
Interested startups can apply through the link as a rigorous selection process will identify promising startups with not only innovative AI solutions but also the potential for significant impact and scalability.
Successful applicants will be announced in October 2024, with the programme officially commencing shortly thereafter.
These do not look like the best of times for peace loving Nigerians as the fear of arrest by overzealous security agents hang over them like the sword of Damocles.
The latest is the rumour of arrest Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) which has been swiftly dismissed by his media aide, Valentine Obienyem.
He said there’s no truth in rumours that Obi was arrested at his home in Anambra, stressing that the former Governor was not even in the country at the time the alleged arrest was said to have taken place.
Obienyem, who made the denial in a statement on Tuesday, added that contrary to claims in such reports, Obi’s wife, Margaret, was also not arrested.
The media aide said stories about his principal’s arrest were entirely false and baseless.
“As of Saturday, Mr. Obi was in Rwanda attending to important engagements,” Obienyem said. “He has since returned to Nigeria and is currently in Edo State, where he is actively involved in party and national matters.”
The statement urged the public to disregard the rumour and stop spreading false information.
“There was no DSS operation at his residence, and no arrest was made,” Obienyem emphasised.
According to him, Obi continues to focus on his commitment to the nation, while his team remains steadfast in providing accurate updates on his activities.
The Senator representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has raised the alarm saying, members of the Boko Haram terrorist group have resulted to looting immature crops of farmers in the state without any confrontation from security agencies.
Senator Ali Ndume, a former Senate Committee Chairman on Army, said the trend if allowed to continue would lead to severe hunger for the communities and the nation.
Ndume, in a statement on Thursday, appealed to security operatives to intensify actions to clear Boko Haram terrorist group still camped in the Sambisa Forest.
He explained that the insurgents posed serious economic setbacks to the liberated communities and farmers.
Senator Ndume said, “Sincerely, the renewed pockets of attacks recently perpetrated by insurgents have posed serious economic setbacks to our resilient farmers who were newly resettled in liberated communities of Ngoshe, Kirawa, Warabe, Wala, Pulka, and even Gwoza town, the council headquarters.
“This is because the terrorists resorted to looting of their immature crops without confrontation.”
He further revealed that Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains bordering Cameroon and Nigeria remain hideouts of the terrorists.
“I want to use this medium to appeal to the military and other security agencies to intensify efforts aimed at clearing remnants of terrorists still hibernating in Sambisa Forest and parts of Mandara Mountains bordering Cameroon Republic and Nigeria,” he added.
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the arrest of one Adeleye Ayomide, as the suspect responsible for the death of a 300-level student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Idowu Christiana.
The deceased was abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Ikorodu-Yaba Road, Lagos State, on Monday, August 19, 2024.
A family source who spoke with PUNCH Metro on condition of anonymity earlier disclosed that the abductors initially demanded a ransom of N3 million before they could release the student.
However, after several pleas, the abductors accepted N350,000 which was sent to their account but they refused to free the kidnapped student.
When contacted on Thursday, the spokesperson, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lt-Col. Olabisi Ayeni confirmed Ayomide’s arrest via a telephone interview with our correspondent.
Ayeni said the suspect was arrested by men of the 174 Battalion, saying, “Yes. I am aware about the issue. We arrested him and the 9 Brigade Nigerian Army will be handing him over to the Lagos State Police Command today, so you can liaise with them for further information.”
Confirming this, the spokesperson, Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, wrote on his X handle Thursday, “23-year-old Ayomide Adeleye has been handed over to #LagosPoliceNG by 9 Brigade #HQNigerianArmy. The handover took place today, September 5, 2024, at about 1400hrs. Investigation is ongoing.”
Also, on Thursday, the Student Union Government president of FUNAAB, Ibrahim Adeyemi, confirmed Christiana’s death to one of our correspondents in a telephone conversation, saying, “The union can confirm that she was reportedly killed by her abductor. We will be addressing the matter soon.”
Christiana’s death has continued to attract reactions from concerned Nigerians, especially users of the social media platform, X (formerly Twitter).
Checks on X by our correspondent revealed that some users had pointed accusing fingers at Ayomide for Christiana’s death.
The hashtag #JusticeForChristiana is one of the top trends on Nigeria’s X domain, with over 90,000 posts as of the time of filing this report.
An X user, Tommy, tweeting as #Tommyjr277, in early Thursday, stated, “Our friend, Christiana is dead, a Funaabite; was abducted by this Ayomide, a student of Philosophy in OOU, Ogun State. We want justice for our friend. The suspect is reportedly at 174 Battalion in Ikorodu. We demand justice. He must face the wrath of the law.”
One tweep, Man of Letters, with the username #Letter_to_Jack, tweeted on Wednesday night, affirming that the suspect was held at the 174 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
He also noted that Ayomide confessed to the deceased’s father and the military operatives to have killed and buried the victim, according to “detailed reports from trusted sources.”
His tweets, among others, read, “Armed by this information, operatives began investigation into the suspect whom they observed to have a mutual relationship with Christiana Idowu, especially judging by Instagram posts as they both commented on each other’s pages. With all these information at hand, the operatives began to track down his cell phone activities and text messages.
“The cell phone tracking led them to his parent’s house, somewhere in Ikorodu. Operatives then got confirmation of his presence in the building through active tracking of his mobile device. Immediately, gallant personnel of the Nigerian Army 174bn swooped in on the suspect to conduct an arrest. After the arrest, damning evidence were seen with the suspect and this includes the victim blue ITEL A56 with IMEI:35230**.”
A Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, says the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede risks imprisonment over his alleged refusal to comply with its ruling.
The court stated that the EFCC boss failed to comply with its verdict in a suit filed against the Commission by the Bliss Multinational Perfection and Arch Oyinmiebi Bribena, the Chief Executive Officer of Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited.
Justice Isa H. Dashen in his judgment in suit number FHC/YNG/CS/125/2022, had perpetually restrained the EFCC from seizing properties belonging to Bliss Multinational Perfections Limited and Bribena, which are clearly not proceeds of crime.
Also, Justice Dashen declared the seizure and sealing of properties belonging to Bliss Multinational Perfections Limited and Bribena by the EFCC as unlawful.
The court further described as unlawful the instructions given to Bribena’s bankers by the EFCC to place a post-no-debt lien or freeze his accounts.
The EFCC was also perpetually restrained from “inviting, harassing, arresting, detaining, threatening to arrest, or detaining the plaintiffs as a result of the civil dispute between Baraza Multipurpose Co-operative Society Limited and its members, or on matters arising from the registered business objects of the co-operative society.”
The sum of ₦10,000,000 was awarded as exemplary damages against the EFCC for the unlawful seizure and attachment of properties belonging to Bliss Multinational and Bribena.
However, the plaintiff has alleged that, in disobedience of the Court order, the Port Harcourt zonal office of the EFCC engaged an estate valuer to value and rent out properties belonging to Bliss Multinational Perfection Limited and Arch Oyinmiebi Bribena.
Sequel to the development, the court, in a “Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order” addressed to Olukoyede, noted that “unless you obey the direction contained in this order, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”
This notice comes after the EFCC Port Harcourt Zonal Office engaged an estate valuer to value and rent out properties belonging to Bliss Multinational Perfections Limited and Arch. Oyinmiebi Bribena, The CEO of Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited.
Barring any last-ditch efforts by the supervisory authorities, the five-year-old Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Benue State may soon implode.
Staff, Management and service providers accuse the Vice Chancellor, Prof Innocent Ujah of unpaid salaries, contract scam, violation of due process in procurement process and poor condition of service.
The Nigerian Anchor investigations reveal a cesspool of financial malfeasance arising from the processes of contract award, implementation and payment as well as misappropriation of monies meant for payment of staff salaries and allowances.
Insiders who spoke to us narrated instances where critical infrastructural projects were awarded to inexperienced contractors, while some of the projects fully paid for were still at various stages of completion.
As the tenure of the pioneer Vice Chancellor, Prof Innocent Ujah wears out therefore, staff and service providers are in palpable fear and overwhelmed with a sense of trepidation wondering if they would ever be paid.
The Federal University Health of Services Otukpo was first established on 20th May, 2015 by former President Goodluck Jonathan. It could however, not commence operations because President Muhammadu Buhari suspended its establishment. This was later restored on June 6, 2019.
Prof Ujah and other Principal Officers and Council members of the University were appointed on 12th May, 2020.
Threat of Legal Action
Already, a real estate firm, ZIGGCHUBS Resources Nigeria Ltd, acting through its lawyer, has threatened to sue the university in a law court over a N14million debt owed by the University for the rental of a hostel accommodation for female students.
In a letter dated July 3rd, 2024 and addressed to the Dean of Student Affairs of the University, Barr E. A. Ogalekwu issued a seven-day Pre-Action Notice on the institution.
In the letter, it was alleged that the Management of the University reneged on their commitment to pay N14million, being the balance of an agreed rental sum of N22million on a property it hired as hostel for its female students. This debt had lingered for over a year and the property owner threatened to recover the property.
Nigerian Anchor checks at the law firm reveal that as of September 2, 2024, the University was yet to redeem the pledge, despite the fact that money realized from the sale of bed spaces to the students could have offset the indebtedness.
It was also disclosed that the university replied to their letter pleading for two weeks extension of time, which had elapsed.
Poor Condition of Service and Work Environment
A source close to the management of the university, who spoke to us on condition of anonymity alleged that some projects at various stages of completion had been fully paid for while alleging also, that the Departments of Microbiology and physics is one single building project being passed off as two different projects.
Another reliable source also alleged that the administration’s claim of completing abandoned projects at the sum of N200million was a hoax, wondering, “What is the evidence of abandoned projects for a four-year-old university?”
A very senior member of the management who felt disappointed by the overall performance of the outgoing VC lamented that by his conduct, Prof. Ujah denied the university the opportunity of a good start “as a world class citadel of learning that was aspiration of the founding fathers.”
The staff member cited the example of a sister Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun that was established barely two years ago, boasting of an outstanding array of completed critical infrastructural facilities while FUHSO does not have any.
“We have not commissioned any project. The University is on autopilot as we have absentee VC who looks in occasionally on Thursdays and departs by Fridays.
While absent all financial decisions must await his return.” He complained.
At a recent town hall meeting with staff members to douse tension and forestall likely breakdown of law and order, the Governing Council of the University was inundated with a long list of complaints bothering on poor welfare and a lack of foresight on the part of the University Administration.
The workers complained that almost five years after its establishment, the university does not have a defined condition and scheme of service thereby leading to a haphazard recruitment and placement of personnel.
Stakeholders at a FUHSO event
Items 2, and 3 on the long list of welfare issues for which the staff members demanded attention were, “2. Payment of backlog of salary for staff captured in 2022 (some are owed arears of more than 12 calendar months); 3. Capturing of staff members that are yet to be captured, some have spent up to two (2) years without drawing salary and they are breadwinners.”
Additionally, item 4, which contained serials (a-l) emphasized the “Absence of conditions and scheme of service.” and “No appraisal of staff has been done but staff are due for promotion and steps increment this year.”
In the face all these challenges, another staff told us, the VC paid himself a hefty sum of N11million as DTA, while newly recruited staff being 28 days allowance, amongst others.
When contacted for his own side of the story, Prof Ujah, rebuffed Nigerian Anchor, querying why it was just now that the paper was showing interest in the running of the university. “I am used to the media writing stuff about me” he said.
As of press time, he was yet to reply to the questions we sent to him, hoping he would oblige us with a response.
In what observers have derisively referred to as a dress rehearsal, hoodlums have burgled the campaign office of the Ondo State governor’s campaign organization on Wednesday, with several items stolen.
This was revealed in a statement issued and signed by the Information Director of LACO-FSIC, Kayode Fasua, who noted that the incident was discovered on Wednesday when staff resumed work.
Fasua indicated that the manner in which the office was burgled suggested that the invasion was politically motivated.
The leadership of the organization condemned the attack, stating, “There was a method to the burglary.
The invaders not only stole some belongings but also destroyed electrical sockets, tore down Governor Aiyedatiwa’s billboards and posters, and smashed furniture items.”
Fasua added that while the invaders took two rechargeable fans, the extensive destruction of memes and electrical gadgets clearly exposed them as political burglars, likely from the opposition camp.
“With what took place overnight, it is now evident that at least one of the opposition parties in the state is prone to violence and criminal activity, despite the olive branch extended to all by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who is tirelessly working to improve the standard of living for the masses.
“The methodical burglars and their paymasters were apparently shocked by the large crowds at the two meetings held in quick succession at the newly acquired LACO-FSIC campaign headquarters in Akure.
They succumbed to the devil’s influence, destroying multi-million Naira properties and stealing valuable items,” Fasua lamented.
He recalled that at the inaugural meeting of LACO-FSIC leaders in Akure, the Convener of the Campaign Organization, Dr. Oladipupo Okeyomi, aka Carry Go, and its Director-General, Mr. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, led other State and Local Government Directors in outlining plans for a mass, community-based campaign to ensure total victory for Governor Aiyedatiwa on November 16.
“The opposition likely sponsored moles to spy on our meetings, and realizing the futility of stopping what has become a moving train, they, in a state of panic over their looming failure, resorted to the indignity of political burglary, as was carried out overnight,” the LACO-FSIC spokesman criticized.
