Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

  • Pro-Fubara Rivers Assembly confirms Iboroma as commissioner

    Pro-Fubara Rivers Assembly confirms Iboroma as commissioner

    The Rivers State House of Assembly faction loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara has screened and confirmed a legal luminary, Dagogo Israel Iboroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN as Commissioner-designate.

    The faction led by Speaker Victor Oko Jumbo loyal To Governor Siminalayi Fubara screened and confirmed Commissioner-nominee, Dagogo Iboroma on Monday at the Chambers Inside Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.

    Iboroma is likely to be sworn into office by Governor Fubara as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the office vacated by Professor Zaccheus Adangor SAN, who resigned when he was redeployed to the Ministry to Special Duties,(Governor’s office),two weeks ago.

    Iboroma was on Sunday invited via a letter signed by Dr.G.M. Gills-West,the Clerk of the House to come for screening as the Commissioner nominee as a member of the Rivers State Executive Council on today 13th May, 2024 at 10:00am at Hallowed Chambers, Rivers State House Of Assembly, Auditorium , Admin Block, Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.

  • Gunmen shoot FIRS official dead in Abuja

    Gunmen shoot FIRS official dead in Abuja

    Some unknown gunmen have reportedly shot dead a middle-aged man, identified as Khalid Bichi, in Maitama, Abuja, on Friday night.

    Bichi, said to be an employee of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, was reportedly killed by his attackers just before 9 pm while he was out to get food, the Guardian reports.

    He was reportedly shot multiple times.

    He was afterwards rushed to Maitama General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

    According to sources, Bichi was known for being active on social media with the username @Khalid Bichi and had connections with influential politicians.

    The deceased will be laid to rest today at 1:30 pm following a funeral prayer at Abuja National.

  • EFCC Warns Embassies Against Demanding Dollars For Services

    EFCC Warns Embassies Against Demanding Dollars For Services

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has warned embassies not to demand foreign currency for goods and services in the country.

    The chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, gave the strong warning in a special memo addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

    In the memo dated May 5, 2024, the EFCC chair made it clear that it was illegal for embassies to collect any currency apart from Naira in Nigeria.

    Part of the memo reads: “I present to you the compliments of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and wish to notify you about the Commission’s observation, with dismay, regarding the unhealthy practice by some foreign Missions to invoice consular services to Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country in United States Dollar.

    “This practice is an aberration and unlawful as it conflicts with extant laws and financial regulations in Nigeria. Section 20(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 makes currencies issued by the apex bank the only legal tender in Nigeria.

    “It states that ‘the currency notes issued by the Bank shall be the legal tender in Nigeria on their face value for the payment of any amount’.

    “This presupposes that any transaction in currencies other than the naira anywhere in Nigeria contravenes the law and is, therefore, illegal.

    “The refusal by some Missions to accept the naira for consular service in Nigeria and also comply with foreign exchange regulatory regime in fixing the exchange of the cost of their services is not only illegal, but represents an affront on the Country’s sovereignty symbolized by the national currency.

    “It undermines Nigeria’s monetary policy and aspiration for sustainable economic development.

    “This trend can no longer be tolerated, especially in a volatile economic environment where the country’s macroeconomic policies are constantly under attack by all manner of state and non-state actors.

    “In light of the above, you may wish to convey the Commission’s displeasure to all embassies in Nigeria and restate Nigeria’s desire for their operations not to conflict with extant laws and regulations in the country,” the EFCC boss warned.

  • Dana Air sacks workers, see why

    Dana Air sacks workers, see why

    Dana Air, in response to an ongoing operational audit by regulatory authorities, has announced the temporary disengagement of some staff members.

     The decision, communicated by the airline’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kingsley Ezenwa, aims to ensure compliance with aviation standards and facilitate a thorough review of operational procedures.

    Dana Air reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with authorities and supporting affected staff during this period of uncertainty. 

    The airline is actively engaging stakeholders and pursuing dialogue with lessors to navigate through the audit process. 

    In light of the ongoing audit, Dana Air has made the decision to temporarily disengage some staff members pending the conclusion of the audit.

    “This decision has been made to ensure efficient management of resources and to facilitate a thorough review of operational procedures.

    “The Management of Dana Air extends its sincere appreciation to all staff members for their resilience and dedication during this period of uncertainty. It recognises the difficulties that staff have had to endure and assures them that every effort is being made to resolve the situation promptly.”

  • Wike vs Fubara: Bode George calls for intervention in Rivers crisis 

    Wike vs Fubara: Bode George calls for intervention in Rivers crisis 

    A former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has appealed to the party’s elders and stakeholders to intervene in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. 

    George, also a member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT), stressed the importance of the elders’ intervention to prevent the escalation of the crisis into a national catastrophe. 

    Also, he urged President Bola Tinubu not to perceive the issue solely as a PDP concern but to intervene in order to prevent any potential breakdown of law and order within the state.

    The State House of Assembly has been polarised since 2023 following the rift between Gov. Sim Fubara and Nyesom Wike, minister, Federal Capital Territory FCT.

    The crisis, which has led to several threats to impeach the governor, assumed a new dimension on Wednesday when lawmakers loyal to Fubara appointed a factional speaker of the House of Assembly.

    Lawmakers loyal to Wike had recently defected to APC.

    Reacting, George said the crisis in Rivers was a time bomb waiting to explode.

    Insisting that the oil-rich state belongs to PDP, Mr George advised that nobody should sit on the fence and pretend as if everything was okay.

    He said Section 109 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution states that a member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the House if “ being a person whose election to the House of Assembly was sponsored by a political Party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected”,

    George said that all the PDP lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, had automatically lost their seats.

    The PDP chieftain said: “They are in no position to threaten Governor Fubara. So, their plot to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor is already in vain.

    “Rivers people belong to PDP. Those threatening to impeach the governor are being remote-controlled by some forces.

    “This must stop because if Rivers is set on fire today, that may end this democracy.

    “We should remember ‘Operation Wetie’ which started in the defunct Western Region and eventually consumed the nation and ended the First Republic in 1966.

    “All the actors in this crisis in Rivers should avoid actions likely to cause breach of peace and breakdown of law and order in our country.”

    According to him, members of the Board of Trustees of the party should be the elders in the room, act swiftly and nip this crisis in the bud before it consumes everybody.

    He said that all the gladiators should also think of the collective interest of Nigerians.

    “Whether we are members of PDP, APC or other parties, we should stop issuing provocative statements to increase the tension in Rivers.

    “Any move that can truncate this democracy must be stopped immediately. Enough is enough,” he said.

  • Why we took over Rivers Assembly quarters – Police

    Why we took over Rivers Assembly quarters – Police

    The Rivers State Police Command has clarified its presence at the State House of Assembly Quarters, asserting it’s to maintain peace and prevent any potential disruption of order.

    Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, emphasized that the deployment aims solely at ensuring tranquility, dispelling concerns of any alarming situation.

    The move comes amidst recent tensions, as state lawmakers loyal to Chief Nyesom Wike encountered resistance over facility inspection, with occupants disputing the necessity for renovation.

    The Command urged public cooperation, affirming commitment to fostering a secure environment for all.

    The statement read: :The Rivers State Police Command wishes to clarify the recent reports regarding our presence at the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters.

    “Our deployment in the area is solely aimed at ensuring peace and preventing any possible breakdown of order. We assure the public that there is no cause for alarm, and all individuals are encouraged to continue their lawful activities without fear.

    “Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as we work towards maintaining a safe and secure environment for all.”

  • Tinubu’s appointees are misfits and weak- Dikwa

    Tinubu’s appointees are misfits and weak- Dikwa

    The Dean of Borno Elders Forum, Prof Khalifa Dikwa, says members of the elite in the northern region of the country are unhappy with President Bola Tinubu because of his “misfit and weak appointees” as well as his “anti-people policies”.

    The political analyst, who featured on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday, said northern elite are “not happy because each of these policies affect the north entirely”.

    “Most of the appointees are either misfits or weak or to the wrong places,” the elder statesman said, adding that the appointments by the Tinubu administration are “lopsided”.

    Prof Dikwa said even “the southern elite should be annoyed because Nigeria is more than Lagos”.

    He further described as “provocative”, the 0.5% cybersecurity levy on electronic transactions recently introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and asked the President to immediately order the apex bank to suspend the implementation of the new policy.

    “This is not the time, it’s wrong timing. Why are they provoking the people of this country? They have taken enough,” he said.

  • 2027: Mega Party Prepares to Unseat Tinubu

    2027: Mega Party Prepares to Unseat Tinubu

    Renowned political economist and former presidential candidate, Professor Pat Utomi, has announced plans for the formation of a new mega-political party aimed at unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. 

    Utomi, who criticized the current political landscape for its failure to deliver effective governance, emphasized the need for a drastic change. 

    The proposed party will merge two distinct groups: the ‘mea culpa’ cohort, consisting of former politicians acknowledging past failures, and the ‘new value’ cohort, comprising forward-thinking individuals from various political backgrounds. 

    Utomi highlighted the importance of promoting value-driven citizenship, integrity, and respect for the dignity of people. 

    “The nature and the structure of our politics is such that even good people, when they enter these existing political parties, will play to their interests,” Utomi explained.

  • Review of Judges salary: Bill passes second reading

    Review of Judges salary: Bill passes second reading

       
    A bill seeking to increase the salaries and allowances of judges at all levels has passed second reading in the senate.

    The bill was considered after Lola Ashiru, deputy majority leader, led the debate during plenary on Thursday.

    Ashiru said the bill, which was sent by the executive, will enhance the integrity of the judicial arm of government.

    Contributing to the debate, Tahir Monguno, senator representing Borno north, said improving the welfare of judges will insulate them from corruption.

    “There is a need to bring up the remuneration of judicial officers that have stagnated over the years,” Monguno said.

    “This will insulate judicial officers from corruption and give them courage to deliver judgments that are just and fair.”

    On his part, Orji Uzor Kalu, senator representing Abia north, said increasing the salaries of the judges is the right thing to do.

    “No right thinking Nigerian will not think that it is right to keep the judiciary comfortable. I want to thank the executive for deeming it fit to increase salaries of judges at all levels,” Kalu said.

    “We should not stop at the judiciary but look at other sectors of the economy.”

    Emmanuel Udende, senator representing Benue north-east, said judges have had their morale dampened over the years because of poor remuneration.

    “For the past 15 years, judicial officers have remained on meagre salaries,” he said.

    “When you interact with them as a lawyer, you see their morale is dampened, and when the morale is dampened the work will be.”

    The bill passed second reading after it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

  • Nigerian Army Agrees to Withdraw Troops from Okuama Community

    Nigerian Army Agrees to Withdraw Troops from Okuama Community

    The  Nigerian Army has reached an agreement with Delta State Governor Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori to withdraw military personnel from the troubled Okuama community in Ughelli, South local government area.

    This decision, announced in a press release by Governor Oborevwori, comes after discussions with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. 

    The withdrawal is effective immediately.

    The community had been under military siege following the tragic killing of 17 soldiers, including high-ranking officers, on March 14. 

    Governor Oborevwori expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Nigerian Army hierarchy for their understanding and cooperation in a peaceful resolution ofthe crisis.

    He also thanked members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, and other leaders for their support during this challenging time. 

    Governor Oborevwori reassured the people of Okuama of the Delta State Government’s commitment to assisting them in returning to their homes and rebuilding their lives.