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Category: News

  • FCCPC Vows To Probe Death Of Abuja ‘One Chance’ Victim

    FCCPC Vows To Probe Death Of Abuja ‘One Chance’ Victim

    The Executive Vice Chairman, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Babatunde Irukera, has inaugurated a nine-man investigative panel to ascertain the cause of death of Greatness Olorunfemi at the Maitama District Hospital in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    According to Irukera, who is also a member of the panel, the Patients’ Bill of Rights would be one of the major considerations that the panel will look at to determine if anything went wrong as well as strengthening the value chain to prevent avoidable fatality.

    Irukera further explained that the bill was aimed at effectively addressing the issue of consumer abuse in the health care sector.

    He said the bill will set a transparent benchmark that empowers consumers to recognize, demand and insist that their rights be respected, while guiding providers about the scope and extent of their obligations to patients.

    “Under the bill, patients can demand rights to relevant information in a language and manner they understand, right to timely access to detailed and accurate medical records and available services, right to transparent billing and full disclosure of any cost and right to privacy and confidentiality of medical records.

    “Others are right to clean, safe and secure healthcare environment; right to be treated with respect, regardless of gender, race, religion; right to receive urgent, immediate and sufficient intervention and care in the event of an emergency and right to decline care subject to prevailing laws upon full disclosure of the consequence of such a decision.

    “The Patients’ Bill of Rights is really just an aggregation of rights that patients have. Different instruments whether ethical codes, legislation, global practices and responsibilities by law. So, it will certainly be one of the considerations that I expect the panel would look at in determining what went wrong if anything went wrong. 

    “Beyond looking at what went wrong, more importantly, how to strengthen the value chain so that where preventable, we will not experience avoidable fatalities and even when fatality is not preventable, if there is anything that can strengthen the process to dignify people I am sure those will be the considerations,” he said.

    Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had in July 2018 launched the bill, which is meant to articulate the rights of patients in the health care sector

    Earlier, the Mandate Secretary, Health Services & Environment, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, said the with seven-day ultimatum to submit their report and recommendations will ascertain the clinical status at the time of arrival of the patient Ms. Greatness Olorunfemi at the Maitama Districts Hospital and any progression to and until her death.

    She said the panel will determine the role of parties in the matter and her unfortunate death in order to make recommendations for similar situations like this case

    “This accountability may involve recommending legal actions, disciplinary measures, or policy changes to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future,” she said.

    She further said, the panel will investigate, unravel and recommend on the way forward to forestall future occurrence.

  • 112,351 Uncollected Passports Across Nigeria, Says Immigration Boss

    112,351 Uncollected Passports Across Nigeria, Says Immigration Boss

    The acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs. Wura-Ola Adepoju, has revealed that a significant backlog of uncollected passports exists across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    According to her, as of October 5, a staggering total of 112,351 passport booklets had not been retrieved by applicants.

    During a press briefing at the service headquarters in Abuja, Mrs. Adepoju addressed the concerning issue and shared updates on the passport distribution.

    She noted that the NIS had successfully cleared all 204,332 passport applications that had accumulated over time and this accomplishment is following a two-week deadline set by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for the service to address the backlog.

    Despite this achievement, Mrs. Adepoju emphasized that only 91,981 passport booklets had been collected by applicants thus far. She stressed the importance of prompt collection, as these travel documents are essential for various purposes, including international travel.

    In light of the remaining uncollected passports, the NIS chief urged applicants to visit their respective application centres to retrieve their passports. The backlog not only poses administrative challenges but also underscores the significance of ensuring that applicants receive their passports promptly to facilitate their travel plans and related activities.

  • Senate Probes ‘One Chance’ Victim’s Tragic Death, Maitama Hospital Negligence

    Senate Probes ‘One Chance’ Victim’s Tragic Death, Maitama Hospital Negligence

    The Nigerian Senate has taken significant action in response to the tragic death of Ms. Greatness Olorunfemi, who fell victim to criminals operating the notorious ‘one chance’ scheme.

    This horrific incident occurred when Ms. Olorunfemi was brutally attacked and thrown out of a vehicle she had boarded along the Maitama/Kubwa Highway last Tuesday.

    Despite being in dire need of medical attention, Ms. Olorunfemi was not promptly treated at the Maitama General Hospital, as the facility insisted on the requirement of a police report before offering assistance. This delay in care likely exacerbated her condition and contributed to the tragic outcome.

    In light of this distressing incident, the Senate has taken immediate action by summoning key figures for a thorough investigation.

    The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Ministers of Health and FCT, Ali Pate and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, have been called to account for the circumstances surrounding Ms. Olorunfemi’s death.

    Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong sponsored a motion in the Senate, which received unanimous support, to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the matter. The Senate has tasked its committees on health and police with conducting a meticulous inquiry into the events leading to Ms. Olorunfemi’s death. They have been given a two-week timeline to compile their findings and present a comprehensive report.

    Furthermore, the Senate has also called for legal action against Maitama General Hospital, emphasizing the need to hold the hospital accountable for potential manslaughter charges related to the tragic incident.

  • Deadly Communal Clashes Erupt in Osun Leaves 8 Dead, Homes In Ruins

    Deadly Communal Clashes Erupt in Osun Leaves 8 Dead, Homes In Ruins

    In a tragic turn of events, communal clashes between the residents of Ilobu and Ifon communities in Osun State have left about eight people dead, with several houses razed to the ground. The violence erupted on Thursday, leading to a significant loss of life, destruction of property, and a wave of fear and panic among the affected residents.

    The conflict escalated to a point where even security operatives found it challenging to access the embattled communities, and they remained stationed at the entrances. Sadly, some of those who lost their lives during the clashes were struck by stray bullets fired by the security forces deployed to quell the unrest.

    Chief Leke Ogunsola, the Otun-Jagun of Ilobu, speaking on behalf of the Ilobu community, revealed that four lives, including that of an innocent baby, were lost on their side during the crisis. Meanwhile, Prince Jide Akinyooye, representing the Ifon community, disclosed that numerous houses were set ablaze during the violent attack on their town.

    The root cause of the conflict was traced back to a land dispute exacerbated by a gazette that ceded portions of land belonging to Ifon to Ilobu during the tenure of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola. Tensions simmered, and despite efforts to avoid retaliation, the situation escalated to a dangerous level.

    In response to the dire situation, Governor Ademola Adeleke swiftly intervened, issuing a directive that prohibited residents of both communities from accessing the disputed land. He emphasized that anyone found on the contested territory would be arrested and prosecuted. The state government has assumed control over the disputed land, and the Governor has urged community leaders to come together to seek a peaceful resolution.

    The crisis has forced numerous residents of Ilobu and Ifon to flee their homes in fear for their safety. The situation has also prompted the evacuation of corps members serving in the affected areas by the state government. Security personnel, including soldiers, DSS operatives, and police officers, have been deployed to the entrances of the two communities to maintain order.

    The violence reached such a level that a new police patrol van was burnt by the warring factions, and several police officers were injured in the line of duty. The situation is particularly challenging, as the conflicting parties have accused the police of taking sides in the dispute.

    To curb further escalation, the Osun State government declared a curfew in the two affected local government areas of Irepodun and Orolu. This measure aims to restore peace, protect lives, and prevent further bloodshed as authorities work to find a lasting solution to the underlying issues fueling the conflict.

     

  • Fuel Importation: Assist Us With Emergency Palliatives, Oil Marketers Beg FG

    Fuel Importation: Assist Us With Emergency Palliatives, Oil Marketers Beg FG

    The Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) has warned that unless the federal government provides emergency palliative measures to oil marketers for three months to enable them import fuel, the country would not face an energy crisis by January 2024.

    In a communiqué he read at the National Executive Council Meeting of NOGASA Thursday in Abuja, its National President, Bennet Korie, added that the situation may force many marketers to close shop.

    According to the Union, it will go a long way in cushioning the harsh effect of the high cost of importation and equally bring about reasonable reliefs to the business and cost of living generally.

    While expressing worries that the removal of fuel subsidy and the volatility of the FX market were taking its toll on oil marketers inability to access forex, Korie said there were increasing losses of lives, businesses and jobs with the accentuation by mass shut down of filling stations and packing up of petroleum tankers, all due to unattainable high cost of importation, lifting, transportation and distribution of petroleum products.

    “Similarly, Depot Owners are so terribly affected by the increasing cost of the crude and exchange rate to the extent that many Depots are practically deserted as their owners are unable to secure Bank loans to fund their business due to high interest rates. Banks are not willing to guarantee funds release to stakeholders as a result of the difficulty, instability and galloping rates of foreign exchange and high cost of the Dollar. Many Depots are presently dried up or out of stock, and this is no gainsaying as it is evidently verifiable.

    He insisted that owners of filling stations find it extremely difficult to secure funds to procure products for their retail outlets as both the Independent and Major Marketers were terribly affected adding that filling stations were shutting down because of their inability to secure funds to facilitate orders for their stations.

    The NOGASA President urged the federal government on the maintenance of roads across the country in order to make distribution of petroleum products seamless.

    Therefore road networks and maintenance need to be positively impactful as it will also create thousands of jobs for jobless youths and other restive people in our communities.

    He said the dollarization of the economy was severely harming the country as businesses are dying and the system is not helping us at all.

    He insisted that urgent action is highly required to save our industry from total collapse.

  • Alleged $280m Libel: Ex-NNPC COO Ewubare Demands N2bn, Apology From Whistleblower

    Alleged $280m Libel: Ex-NNPC COO Ewubare Demands N2bn, Apology From Whistleblower

    A former Chief Operating Officer of Joint Ventures and Business Development at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Chief Roland Ewubare has demanded the payment of N2 billion damages from Mr George Uboh, for publishing a libelous and untrue story against him in his online platforms.

    Ewubare is demanding immediate retraction of the libelous story published online on 12th July 2023 and tender a full and unqualified apology (to be given a prominent place on the front page of seven widely read/circulated newspapers including his various platforms and on the internet to his client. 

    His counsel, Ojonimi S. Apeh Esq., in a pre-action notice dated July 13, 2023, and addressed to George Uboh, is demanding a solemn declaration from Uboh, never to libel his client (Ewubare) again through his platform or any other means. 

    Ewubare’s lawyer gave Uboh, not later than 7 days from the date of receipt of the notice to comply with the demands of his client or face prosecution.  

    Apeh stated that Uboh had through his online platform named as George Uboh TV (GUTV) and George Uboh Magazine, published and or disseminated a story to the world titled: “Re: Mele Kyari, Roland Ewubare, Belema Oil, Jack-Rich Tein, etc Involved In $280 USD Fraud Allegation”.

    The said story had alleged among other things that George Uboh Whistleblowers Network (GUWN) was availed of documents germane to illegal transfer of $280 million USD to Belema Oil producing Ltd tied to a phantom servicing of Oil Well OML 55. 

    However, Apeh stated that the allegations in the publication were “absolutely force, untrue, malicious, unfounded, wicked, mischievous, reckless, libelous and calculated to cause him to be shunned, avoided or exposed to hatred, ridicule, contempt, opprobrium before millions of Nigerian citizens and others worldwide and to convey an imputation on him, disparaging or injurious to his person, career and office as a responsible citizen”. 

    “Our client, Chief Roland Ewubare is a law abiding Nigerian and is an urbane, upright, incorruptible, transparent and well-mannered gentleman who had occupied several offices in the past wherein he led with strict adherence to the rule of law, accountability, prudence and deep sense of patriotism” Apeh stated. 

    The lawyer posited that by the content of the publication, particularly the allegations, insinuations and or innuendos contained therein or arising therefrom, Uboh had clearly portrayed his client as “corrupt, kleptomaniac, devious, inhumane, dubious, irresponsible, and somebody who uses his position to foster and perpetrate corruption and self-aggrandizement. 

    “All these you have deliberately done with the view to lowering our client in the estimation of right-thinking members of the society, nationally and internationally. 

    “It is clear that your story is not only untrue, but a well orchestrated plan to harmfully malign and hurtfully libel our client before members of the public and humiliate him. 

    “It is also clear that your story is a fabricated one considering that you could not provide any concrete fact or evidence to back your fictitious allegations which is within the limited purview of your imaginations.

    “Notwithstanding that the allegations contained in your publication are untrue and false; you have published them mala fides, with the intention to ridicule our client before the whole world and rubbish his hard-earned reputation for excellence and damage the good career and reputation he has built over several years. 

    “Be it known to you that our client is not a criminal. 

    Apeh stated that since the false and malicious story was published and has continued to appear online, Ewubare has been inundated with several calls and still continues to receive phone calls, messages and mails from the international community and top government officials in and outside Nigeria and several phone calls from his friends and associates all of whom have seen and read the bundle of lies as contained in the publication. 

    “Many of these personalities have indeed openly expressed serious concerns as to his alleged conducts as reported and or published by your organization, which allegations they claimed will definitely affect their continuous dealings with him.

    “As a result of your dastardly publication of this deliberate falsehood against our client, he has suffered and continues to suffer severe humiliation, mental and emotional anguish, pain and suffering.

    Apeh said the action of Uboh has not only caused his client unquantifiable damage, but also loss of good will and destruction of reputation.

  • Address Nigeria’s structural issues, Oloyede Tells FG

    Address Nigeria’s structural issues, Oloyede Tells FG

    The Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Oloyede, has said that for the country to make any meaningful progress, there is need to address the structural issues that continue to retard the country’s growth.

    In his opening remarks at the 7TH Annual Conference of the

    Guild Of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) on Thursday in Abuja, Oloyede insisted that authorities must show leadership in the drive to put the country on the path of sustainable growth and development.

    The GOCOP conference has as its theme: “Nigeria: Roadmap for Socio-economic Recovery and Sustainability.”

    The JAMB registrar noted that with the country undergoing tremendous pressure from numerous socio-economic challenges, it was obvious that the new administration and newly elected and appointed persons at various levels have their jobs cut out for them.

    According to him, these economic phenomena have further put pressure on the well-being of Nigerians.

    He noted that the foreign exchange market volatility, insecurity, kidnapping and a host of other vices and crises have conspired to rob the country of realising its potentials in productivity and economic growth and development and have contributed significantly to the rising level of poverty.

     “The issues confronting us as a nation have resulted in loss of earning assets, decline in the capacity to earn and curtailment of purchasing power,” he said.  

    The Professor of Islamic Studies explained that in planning a roadmap for economic recovery and sustainable development, “we need to address some issues that have confronted us as a nation which have contributed to negative and slow growth, overtime. Some of these factors have contributed in not small measures to high levels of corruption and low productivity in the public sector.

    While noting that the removal of fuel subsidy, managed float of the naira among other policies by the new administration has further worsened the living conditions of Nigerians, he was however hopeful that the new policies will help in turning around the economy and put the country on the path of sustainable growth and prosperity.

    Oloyede, also called on the government to overhaul the wages and compensation structure in the public service to discourage deep- rooted corruption in the society.

    “Unless we are pretenders, we all know that some things do not just add up in the compensation of public servants and most of the public office holders. These phenomena encourage corruption and lack of accountability. It gives room for malpractices, financial impropriety, and malfeasance.  When officers and executives are not well paid and they are entrusted with huge resources of the state, some may resort to helping themselves.

    “I recommend that the code of corporate governance be extended to all major actors in the Nigerian economy. Specifically, the government should come out, without further delay, with a code of corporate governance and make it mandatory for public sector institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and small and medium enterprises that represent over 97% of businesses operating in Nigeria.

    “When this is done, I believe there would be improvement in governance of government, non-governmental and private entities in Nigeria which would help to unlock their values for prosperity of Nigerians and sustainable development of the country.

    “It is important that our economists should not shut their eyes to the many alternatives to the template of Bretton Woods’s institutions. Not a few people believe that some austerity measures and curtailment of our high taste for foreign products are absolutely necessary in view of the current realities,” he explained.

    He therefore urged the media to partner with the government in order to “attain the socio-economic and political progress we badly need as we cannot treat the media as adversaries and as entities whose health or ill-health shouldn’t concern us.”

  • Islamic Group Warns Wike Over Security Deal With Israel

    Islamic Group Warns Wike Over Security Deal With Israel

    The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly cautioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, regarding his plans to partner with Israeli security experts. 

    This warning came through a statement released by MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof Ishaq Akintola, in Abuja on Thursday.

    In the statement, Prof Akintola highlighted Wike’s announcement of a prospective collaboration with Israeli security experts to enhance security measures in Abuja.

    MURIC, however, voiced apprehensions regarding this potential partnership.

    “We like to warn that such collaboration with the state of Israel will exacerbate Nigeria’s security problems by escalating it from a local crisis to an international fracas engineered by MOSSAD (Israel’s secret spies) with the likelihood of Nigeria becoming the centre of rivalry for global espionage outfits like the American CIA and the Russian SVR and FSB,” the statement read.

    Furthermore, MURIC expressed concerns about misconceptions surrounding Israel’s religious identity, asserting that Israel predominantly recognizes and respects Judaism.

    The statement also referred to recent incidents in which religious tensions were reported in Israel.

    “We believe that Wike is now courting the Israelis because, like most Nigerian Christians, he holds the wrong notion that Israel is a Christian state whereas the reverse is the case. Several instances confirm that the only religion Israel recognises and respects is Judaism,” Prof Akintola stated.

    FCTA, Israel Partner On Agriculture, Security, Digital Economy

    He continued, “Just yesterday, on Wednesday, September 4, Jews spit on Christian pilgrims in Jerusalem and Christians are under constant attacks in Israel.”

    The MURIC executive director emphasized the need for caution, citing Israel’s history of disregarding United Nations resolutions and its contentious stance on several international issues.

    “To cap the edifice, Israel’s arrogant posture at the United Nations as it shuns the latter’s resolutions is legendary. At least 45 UN resolutions have condemned Israel’s aggression against Palestinians,” he pointed out.

    In conclusion, Prof Akintola stated, “A terrorist state cannot be the ideal security partner for us in Nigeria. Wike should take the Israelis to Rivers State. Israel constitutes an existential threat to both Muslims and Christians in Nigeria.”

    Minister Nyesom Wike’s office has yet to respond to MURIC’s cautionary statement, leaving the fate of the proposed security partnership uncertain.

  • Tears As 3 Die In BRT, Okada Crash In Lagos

    Tears As 3 Die In BRT, Okada Crash In Lagos

    Three lives were lost in an auto crash in the Alakija area of Lagos on Thursday.

    The victims, riding on two commercial motorcycles, were involved in a head-on collision with a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicle en route to Okomaiko from Mile 2 in the Ojo area of the state.

    Reports say that the victims were returning home after a football match at Navy Town in Ojo when their motorcycles collided with the Lagos State government-owned commercial bus.

    The situation grew tense, with irate youths considering setting the bus ablaze, but the timely intervention of the police from FESTAC Police Station, led by Divisional Police Officer Balogun Gboyega, prevented a potential catastrophe.

    The body of one of the motorcyclists was taken away by their family, while the remaining three were taken to FESTAC Police Station.

    The BRT driver, who narrowly escaped a lynching by the angry mob, was also rescued by the police.

    The police revealed that many motorcycle riders were unaware that riding on the BRT lane from Okomaiko to Mile 2 had been prohibited since the commencement of BRT bus operations on the route.

    A police source emphasized, “The state government had outlawed the use of the BRT lane by okada riders or commercial buses. Some are aware but still choose to violate the rules, leading to incidents like this.”

    Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident, stating that it occurred around 5:40 pm on Wednesday.

    “The crash involved a BRT Mercedes bus with registration number BRI 043, driven by Olubor Oluwasegun.

    The driver was on the Mile 2 BRT lane heading towards Iyana Iba when the accident happened.

    Tragically, three of the victims lost their lives at the scene, while one, Divine Omosowo, was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. 

    Two of the deceased were taken to the Mainland General Hospital mortuary in Yaba”.

  • Terrorism Charges: Nnamdi Kanu Knows Fate Dec 15

    Terrorism Charges: Nnamdi Kanu Knows Fate Dec 15

    The Supreme Court of Nigeria has officially set December 15, 2023, as the date for delivering its judgment in the highly anticipated case involving the federal government of Nigeria and the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

    This announcement was made by the apex court on Thursday, following the completion of final submissions by the legal teams representing both the federal government and Nnamdi Kanu. 

    Recall that the Court of Appeal in Abuja, on October 13, 2022, ordered the release of Kanu from detention, while also dismissing a 15-count terrorism charge brought against him by the FG.

    The three-member panel unanimously reached this decision, stating that the Nigerian government had violated established laws by forcibly bringing Kanu from Kenya for trial, thus stripping the trial court of jurisdiction. 

    Following this verdict, the FG, dissatisfied with the ruling, appealed to the Supreme Court and obtained a suspension of the judgement’s execution pending the appeal’s determination.