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Category: News

  • Senate passes North Central Development Commission (NCDC) Establishment Bill into law

    Senate passes North Central Development Commission (NCDC) Establishment Bill into law

    The senate, on Thursday passed into law the bill seeking the establishment of North Central Development Commission (NCDC). The bill was sponsored by Senator Abba Patrick Moro, representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader.

    The bill, which passed First and Second Readings on the 5th of October, 2023, and 21st of February, 2024 respectively, was first sponsored in the 9th Senate by Senator Moro where it passed first and second readings but could not get presidential assent before the expiration of the 9th Senate.

    Senator Moro had argued in his lead debate that the commission, when established would be saddled with the responsibility of receiving and managing funds from the federal government and donors for the resettlement, rehabilitation, integration and reconstruction of roads, houses and business premises of victims of flood and farmers/herders clashes, communal clashes, construction of large format drainage systems, dredging of rivers Niger and Benue to control flood and incidental matters, as well as tackling the menace of poverty, illiteracy and other related environmental or developmental challenges facing the North Central Nigeria.

    The passage of the bill followed adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Special Duties submitted during plenary.

    The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary congratulated Senator Moro and all those who contributed to the success of the bill.

    He expressed optimism that President Tinubu would assent to the bill for the overall development of North Central Nigeria, which comprises Kogi, Niger, Benue, Kwara, Plateau, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

  • Court Gives Two Kano Judges 48 Hours To Resign

    Court Gives Two Kano Judges 48 Hours To Resign

    Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court has instructed Justices Faruk Adamu and Zuwaira Yusuf, judges of Kano State High Court, to step down from their positions as chairmen of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Misappropriated Public Properties and Assets as well as Political Violence and Missing Persons within 48 hours.

    The National Judicial Council (NJC), Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Attorney General of Kano State, Justices Faruk Adamu and Justice Zuwaira Yusuf are defendants in the case.

    In a ruling on Thursday in a case brought by former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Justice Amobeda stated that the NJC should halt payment of any remuneration, allowances and benefits to the two judges from the consolidated revenue fund if they do not comply with the order.

     Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, had on April 4 inaugurated the two judicial commissions of inquiry under the chairmanship of Justices Adamu and Yusuf to investigate cases of misappropriation of public properties, political violence and cases of missing persons from 2015 to 2023.

    Justice Amobeda directed that the judges should refrain from carrying out the executive functions assigned to them by the governor in courtrooms designated for adjudicating disputes between individuals and authorities in the state.

    The judge held that “The combined effects of sections 6, 84, 153(1), 271(2), 272 together with paragraph 21(c) of part 1 of the third schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the 4th and 5th defendants (Justices Faruk Adamu and Zuwaira Yusuf) are not legally permitted, “while purporting to hold the office of a judge of high court of Kano State, to accept appointments as chairmen of commission of inquiry with quasi-judicial powers equivalent to that of a Magistrate and subject to review by a judge of the High court of Kano State.”

    The court ruled that the governor lacked the authority to appoint and administer the oath of office for individuals to serve as chairmen of a commission of inquiry, a position designated for commissioners exercising executive powers.

    The court emphasized that Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman’s ruling, which stated that only the EFCC and the ICPC have the jurisdiction to investigate the former governor, deems it an abuse of power and a violation of judicial integrity for the governor to establish a commission of inquiry to probe the plaintiff’s administration.

    Nevertheless, the court dismissed the plaintiff’s counsel’s argument that the judges compromised their judicial roles by participating in the judicial commission of inquiry.

  • Surprise: Governor gifts Corpers N320 million, 600 bags of rice, 20 cows

    Surprise: Governor gifts Corpers N320 million, 600 bags of rice, 20 cows

    Niger State Governor Umaru Bago has donated 600 bags of rice and 20 cows to the corps members posted to the state.

    This donation fulfills the pledge Governor Bago made on Tuesday during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2024 Batch ”B” Stream One orientation course. The Coordinator of the NYSC in Niger State, Olayinka Abdulwahab, confirmed that the items were delivered on Thursday.

    Additionally, the governor promised N200,000 to each of the 1,600 corps members in this batch, totaling N320 million. According to Bago, this gesture aims to enhance the corps members’ comfort and encourage them to remain in the state after completing their service year.

    Mr Bago equally promised to sink five boreholes and provide additional toilet facilities at both the male and female hostels.

    Mrs Abdulwahab noted that she had taken delivery of the 600 bags of rice and 20 cows, adding that the items were received with great elation by both corps members and camp officials.

    She said the process for the payment of the N200.000 for each of the corps members was ongoing, while the survey for the five boreholes and the toilets had commenced.

    The coordinator said the donation of the items would help mitigate the challenges faced by corps members during the orientation exercises. 

  • BREAKING: Many feared dead as two-storey building collapses in Anambra market

    BREAKING: Many feared dead as two-storey building collapses in Anambra market

    A building has collapsed at Eke Amawbia Market in Awka, Anambra State, leaving many feared dead.

    The tragic incident happened at about 12 noon on Thursday, causing panic in the area.

    Eyewitnesses report that a two-storey shop building suddenly crumbled, burying numerous vegetable traders beneath the debris.

    As of press time, DAILY POST learnt that one person has been rescued and rushed to Amawbia Maternity Home for urgent medical attention, but many more are believed to be trapped inside the wreckage.

    A large contingent of police officers has arrived at the scene to coordinate rescue efforts and maintain order.

    Traders, who witnessed the collapse, blamed the disaster on substandard engineering work, alleging that the building’s structural integrity had been compromised.

    The rescue operation is ongoing, with emergency responders working tirelessly to search for survivors amid the rubble

    The atmosphere at the market is tense, with onlookers anxiously waiting for news of loved ones feared trapped in the building.

    The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the community, with many calling for an investigation into the cause of the collapse.

    Authorities have yet to comment on the incident, but promised to release a statement soon.

    As the rescue efforts continue, the death toll remains uncertain, but fears are mounting that the tragedy may have claimed multiple lives.

    The Amawbia Market, a bustling commercial hub, has been plunged into mourning, with traders and residents struggling to come to terms with the devastating loss.

    The incident has raised questions about the safety of buildings in the area, sparking concerns about potential risks to occupants.

  • Governor declares Monday public holiday 

    Governor declares Monday public holiday 

    The Oyo State Government has declared Monday, July 8, 2024, a work-free day in commemoration of the Islamic New Year, Hijrah 1446AH.

    In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the state government acknowledged the significance of Hijrah in the lives of its Muslim residents.

    “Monday, July 8, 2024, has been declared a work-free day to mark the Hijrah, which signifies Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD,” Oyelade said.

    The commissioner emphasised that this day is a gesture of respect and solidarity with the Muslim community. He called on all residents to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity, and prosperity in Oyo State and Nigeria.

    Oyelade urged everyone to reflect on the teachings of Hijrah and to come together in the spirit of solidarity and brotherhood.

    “The Hijrah is a time for reflection, prayer, and community spirit. Let us come together on this day to pray for peace, unity, and prosperity in our state and our nation,” he added.

  • Rivers Crisis: Appeal Court returns speaker Amaewhule, 24 house members, sacks Oko-Jumbo

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, Thursday, dismissed an order of the Rivers State High Court, which sacked the Martin Amaewhule’s led 24 Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    The lower court had, in its judgement, restricted led the lawmakers from parading themselves as members of the Assembly.

    The appellate court made the order following an appeal by Amaewhule and the 24 Assembly members, challenging the interlocutory decision of the Rivers State High Court, delivered on May 10, 2024.

    The 3-man panel member of the court led by Justice Jimi Olukayode-Bada held that Amaewhule’s appeal was “meritorious” and therefore allowed the same.

    Consequently, the suit by Victor Oko-Jumbo at the Rivers State High Court is hereby struck out.

    The panel held that Amaewhule and the 24 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly should revert to their positions before the restraining order was made.

    The Court of Appeal held that the only court vested with jurisdiction to hear the suit filed by Oko-jumbo is the Federal High Court and not the State High Court.

    Therefore, the panel unanimously reasoned that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit filed by the 1st to 3rd respindents.

    Consequently, it was the contention of the appellate court that the ex parte order which had restrained Amaewhule and the 24 Assembly members, having been made without jurisdiction, “is null and void and of no effect whatsoever”.

    “Trial court lacks the jurisdiction to hear and determine the suit of the respindents, the court said.

    The panel held that in granting an ex parte order, there must be an existence of “real urgency and not self-induced urgency.”

    More so, the Court of Appeal said the trial court should have heard the position of the appellant in the interest of fair hearing since there was no urgency in making the interlocutory injunction.

  • Edo Guber: Court nulifies PDP Primary poll

    Edo Guber: Court nulifies PDP Primary poll

    Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has declared as invalid the People’s Democratic Party’s Primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as a governorship candidate.

    The primary election conducted on February 22, 2024 was voided on the ground that 378 delegates who were supposed to vote at the primary election were unlawfully excluded by PDP.

    The court invalidated the primary election on Thursday while delivering judgment in a suit instituted by the aggrieved delegates.

    The suit marked THC/ABJ/CS/165/2024 was instituted by one Hon Kelvin Mohammed in a representative capacity.

    Justice Ekwo held that both the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and PDP Guidelines were grossly violated in the conduct of the primary election at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin.

    Details later.

  • Lagos State Clears N100 Billion Pension Liability, Plans Medical University

    Lagos State Clears N100 Billion Pension Liability, Plans Medical University

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State announced at the third annual Lagos State Employment Summit that the state has successfully cleared nearly N100 billion in pension liabilities. Speaking at the event themed ‘Job Creation Uniting for Impact: Create, Collaborate, Change’, Sanwo-Olu highlighted the government’s efforts to reduce unemployment in Lagos.

    “We have cleared almost a hundred billion of pension liability,” Governor Sanwo-Olu stated, emphasizing that the final Pension arrears would be signed off on Thursday, making Lagos the first state in Nigeria to achieve this milestone.

    Earlier commitments included disbursing N3.20 billion to the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) of 1,013 retirees for February, with additional payments of N4 billion in March and N3 billion in April to address the accrued pension debt.

    “While acknowledging the backlog in accrued rights payment, our focus remains on systematically eliminating this backlog,” Sanwo-Olu affirmed. He expressed confidence that Lagos would achieve a “Pay As You Go” pension model by the end of his tenure.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu also disclosed plans to establish a medical university in Lagos before his term concludes, highlighting healthcare advancements as a priority for the state.

    “In addressing recent health challenges such as cholera outbreaks, the state has taken proactive measures,” Sanwo-Olu noted. He emphasized the need for systemic corrections and additional investments, proposing approximately N100 billion for urban water infrastructure to prevent future health crises.

    The governor’s remarks underscored Lagos State’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and sustainable development, aiming to enhance public welfare through strategic investments and policy initiatives.

  • Christian Association of Nigeria Condemns Gwoza Suicide Attacks

    Christian Association of Nigeria Condemns Gwoza Suicide Attacks

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed profound concern over the recent suicide attacks in Gwoza, Borno State, which resulted in the tragic loss of over 30 lives and left numerous others injured.

    The attacks, reportedly carried out by suspected female suicide bombers, targeted a wedding ceremony, a hospital, and a funeral in Gwoza, a town near the border with Cameroon. In response to these devastating incidents, CAN’s President, Daniel Okoh, issued a statement on Wednesday condemning the resurgence of suicide bombings in Nigeria.

    “The National Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria is deeply worried by the recent suicide attacks in Gwoza, Borno State, which have claimed numerous lives and injured many others,” Okoh stated. “We are concerned about the resurgence of suicide bombing in our country and the threat it poses to the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians. This senseless act of violence is a stark reminder of the evil that terrorism represents, and the need for collective action to defeat it.”

    Okoh commended the efforts of security agents who have been tirelessly working to contain the threat of terrorism. He urged them not to relent in their efforts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining vigilance to prevent further tragedies.

    “We commend the security agents who have been working tirelessly to contain the threat of terrorism in our country,” Okoh affirmed. “We encourage them not to relent in their efforts, as every necessary intervention is welcome to prevent a relapse into the dark days of suicide attacks.”

    CAN called upon the government to intensify its efforts to ensure the security and safety of all citizens, particularly in vulnerable regions. The association also urged religious leaders and all Nigerians to unite against terrorism and violence, promoting peace, love, and harmony across the nation.

    “We call on the government to intensify efforts to ensure the security and safety of all citizens, particularly in vulnerable regions,” the statement added. “We also urge religious leaders and Nigerians to unite against terrorism and violence, promoting peace, love, and harmony.”

    The attacks in Gwoza serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by terrorism in Nigeria, underscoring the urgent need for concerted efforts to protect communities and prevent further loss of life.

  • Nnamdi Kanu’s Release Not Discussed in South-East Governors Meeting- Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo clarified that the issue of releasing the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was not part of his discussions with the South-East governors in Enugu, Enugu State, on Tuesday.

    Obasanjo, accompanied by former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, met with the governors primarily to discuss regional development issues. These included security, infrastructure, economic cooperation, and collaboration aimed at complementing the national economic development agenda.

    In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo emphasized that the agenda did not include Nnamdi Kanu’s release. The meeting was convened at his invitation before the governors’ summit began.

    The South-East Governors Forum, comprising Peter Mbah (Enugu), Alex Otti (Abia), Prof Charles Soludo (Anambra), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), and Senator Hope Uzodimma (Imo), had resolved during the six-hour meeting to visit President Bola Tinubu and engage with the Federal Government to secure Kanu’s release.

    Additionally, the forum expressed condolences over the passing of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, a former Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation and the first civilian governor of Abia State.