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  • Job racketeering: FG suspends Admin Director, as OAUTH CMD absconds

    Job racketeering: FG suspends Admin Director, as OAUTH CMD absconds

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    Following the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Teaching Hospital, Ile Ife, job racketeering unrest, the Acting, Administration Director Balogun Tajudeen, has been suspended while the Chief Medical Director, CMD Dr. Owojuyigbe Olumuyiwa has absconded from his duty post.

    The OAUTH Acting Director of Administration was suspended after the intervention by the Ministry of Health.

    In a press statement signed by the Director of Information Patricia Deworitshe, the Ministry of Health stated that the unrest is attributed to the alleged job racketeering/ over employment saga in the establishment, under the former Chief Medical Director,(CMD) Dr. Owojuyigbe Olumuyiwa who employed over 1,973 staff as against the 450 vacancies waiver granted in the 2022 employment by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), which is flagrant abuse of extant rules and regulations.

    The hospital conducted the exercise in 2 phases (230&220) after securing approval of the Federal Character Commission not to advertise the posts.

    During the first phase, the hospital recruited 600 instead of 230, and a total of 1,823 staff members were recruited in the second phase instead of 220.

    At the end of the 2 phases, the hospital recruited 2,423 staff instead of 450. As such, 1,973 staff members were recruited in excess of the approved waiver.

    In August 2023, an investigative panel was set up,led by Dr. Aderemi Azeez,from the Ministry, and the report of the panel states that the former Chief Medical Director, (CMD) Dr.Owojuyigbe Olumuyiwa, was embroiled in over-employment/ job racketeering
    in the establishment, without provision in the personnel budget for over 1,973 workers illegally employed.

    The report further showed that the 450 workers waiver granted to the OAUTH was for the recruitment of clinical staff, but only 55 clinical staff were employed, while others were non clinical staff.

    The outcome of the recruitment exercise also revealed that OAUTH has staff strength of 7279( out of which 3034 were clinical staff and 4245 were non- clinical staff, this translates to a non clinical staff ratio of approximately 1:1 instead of the recommended 3:1, that is 3 clinical to 1non – clinical).

    The report also revealed that many recruited staff were without requisite academic and professional certificates as well as evidence of National Youth Service Corps Certificates.

    Currently, Dr Owojuyigbe Olumuyiwa who was appointed in acting capacity in March 2023,has absconded from his duty post since July 2023, while his co- culprit Mr Balogun Tajudeen, who was the Acting Director Admin has been suspended for their involvement in the job racketeering saga.

  • Ex- Benue Lawmaker, Akoso, Escapes Assassination Attempt 

    Ex- Benue Lawmaker, Akoso, Escapes Assassination Attempt 

    Honourable Abbas Akoso, who  represented Ushongo state Constituency of Benue State in the 8th Assembly, was attacked on Monday in his hometown of Lessel enroute to Gboko while returning from a private function in Vandeikyaa local government area of Benue State. 

    Gunmen suspected to be assassins have attacked the convoy of Akoso, who escaped unharmed. 

    The embattled lawmaker who has been into hiding for close to a year now was forced to attend a close friend traditional marriage that he was to chair the occasion. 

    It was gathered that the convoy of the former lawmaker, who is also a member of the leading opposition party Peoples DemocraticParty (PDP), was riddled with bullets as the gunmen directly aimed at his vehicle. 

    Confirming the dastardly attack in a statement, Honourable Abbas  Akoso,  accused the members of the ruling All Progressives Congress,  APC, of being behind the violent attack. 

    The lawmaker, who contested for re-election for a second term at the parliament and lost to the APC candidate, specifically accused some political bigwigs in the APC of masterminding the attack.

    He added that he had already petitioned all the security agencies in the state following the attack. 

    He further added that he fear for his life even after reporting the incident to the police as nothing has been done in his previous attacks.

    “The assailants were hired by the APC bigwigs. They shot directly at my vehicle but I thank God I was able to escape and have reported the case to the police and all the security agencies for investigation,” Hon. Abbas said in the statement. 

    SP Anene, the police spokesperson in Benue State police command confirmed the attack, saying an investigation had begun into the case. 

  • Botched Surgery in Mexico Leaves American Woman “Disfigured

    Botched Surgery in Mexico Leaves American Woman “Disfigured

    By Milcah Tanimu

    A 65-year-old American woman, Kimberly McCormick, shared her horrifying experience of undergoing botched surgery in Mexico. She had initially visited the Mexico Bariatric Center for skin-tightening surgery, but when she woke up, she discovered doctors had given her a breast augmentation and Brazilian butt lift that she had not requested. McCormick had returned to the clinic for procedures to remove excess skin after losing 150 pounds.

    Despite the surgery costing $13,000 in Mexico compared to over $50,000 in the U.S., the outcome left McCormick “disfigured.” Her daughter, Misty Ann McCormick, claimed they faced mistreatment, extortion, and threats from hospital staff. Misty Ann alleged that she was physically removed from the premises by armed men and that American authorities provided little assistance upon their return.

    McCormick now faces medical bills of approximately $75,000 to correct the damage done during the unauthorized surgeries. The incident sheds light on the risks associated with seeking medical treatments, especially surgeries, in foreign countries where regulations and patient protections may differ.

  • **Somalia Floods Claim 50 Lives, Displace Nearly 700,000 People**

    **Somalia Floods Claim 50 Lives, Displace Nearly 700,000 People**

    Flash floods in Somalia have resulted in the loss of 50 lives and forced nearly 700,000 people from their homes, according to a government official. The Horn of Africa is grappling with torrential rainfall and floods attributed to the El Nino weather phenomenon, causing widespread displacement and destruction of infrastructure. The Somali Disaster Management Agency reported the death toll and displacement figures, warning of potential worsening conditions with heavy rains expected from November 21st to 24th. The United Nations humanitarian agency revealed a significant increase in displaced individuals over one week, affecting a total of 1.7 million people. The Horn of Africa, vulnerable to climate change, faces intensified extreme weather events, complicating recovery from the recent severe drought. Humanitarian organizations stress the need for urgent global intervention as the El Nino impact is forecasted until at least April 2024.

  • Maida Confirmed As Executive Vice Chairman of NCC

    Maida Confirmed As Executive Vice Chairman of NCC

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

     
    The Senate has confirmed Dr. Aminu Maida as the substantive Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.

     The Senate Committee during it’s plenary session on Wednesday 15,2023 screened and confirmed Maida as the NCC EVC.

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Communications, and former Minister of Communications, Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, told the Senate that the confirmation was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s confirmation of Maida’s appointment as the country’s Chief Telecom Regulator.

     
    He said the Committee had screened Maida, who had earlier passed all scrutiny by the relevant security agencies in the security governance sector. 

     
    According to Bilbis, Maida possesses the requisite qualifications, professional experience, competence, and regulatory capacity to ensure accelerated development of the nation’s telecommunications sector.  

     
    Dr. Aminu Maida’s appointment was confirmed through a voice vote to serve a five-year term in office, subject to renewal by the President.

     
    Earlier at his screening by the Senate Committee, Maida responded to questions related to his insights into the industry, qualifications, experience, suitability, and competence to manage the nation’s telecom regulatory sector, and was variously described by members as the round peg in a round hole. 

     Maida told the committee that his top priorities are to improve coverage and connectivity by bridging access gaps between rural and urban communities through increased broadband infrastructure as well as increasing the quality service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE) for the consumers to enable them to get value for money.

     
    He also stated that, under his stewardship, he would ensure that the Commission’s licensees numbering over 8,000 across different segments of the sector, are made to adhere strictly to their Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with their consumers in terms of service delivery. 

     
    Maida also said that he would create a more conducive environment for investment in the sector. Maida also promised to work with the dynamic team at the NCC to “re-think” how the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) would be better leveraged to bridge the extant digital divide in the country.

     
    The new NCC EVC promised to prioritise inter-agency collaboration towards achieving the current blueprint for the digital economy sector, just as he said that the ongoing review of the NCA 2003 would lead to greater innovation for improving the performance of the sector and solicited the support of the National Assembly to succeed.

     
    Maida further emphazied his commitment towards aligning regulatory activities with the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, developed to accelerate the actualisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.

  • Plateau Appeal Court Judgement – Group refutes report of protest in Jos

    Plateau Appeal Court Judgement – Group refutes report of protest in Jos

    Insist Plateau was thrown into celebration mood following Dr Nentawe’s Victory .

    By our correspondent

    Group operating under the umbrella body of Plateau APC Youths for Good Governance has debunked media reports of any mass protest in Jos or any part of the state following the declaration of Dr Nentawe Yilwatda as the winner of the March 18th 2023 Governorship Election by the Court of Appeal.

    In a statement made avail­able to reporters in Jos , the group led by Hon. Murphy Lazarus Gobus said what happened in the state was rather massive Celebration .

    The statement reads ” As a group we want to say out loud and clear that ” There is no report of any protest that took place in the state capital or any other community ,rather there was celebrations in almost all the 17 local government councils of the state .

    ” The People of Plateau are in tandem with the Judgment of the Court of Appeal declaring Dr Nentawe Yilwatda as Governor elect of the state .
    The statement also reads that ” instead of a protest ,celebrations broke out in several Local government councils of the state following the Victory of the All Progressives Congress APC Governorship Candidate Dr Nentawe Yilwatda at the Court of Appeal .”

    “Most of the residents of the city came out into the streets in their numbers to celebrate the court judgement jubilantly holding Dr Nentawe’s posters.”

    They added that ” The report of any protest in Jos following the declaration of Dr Nentawe is false and the handwork of mischief makers .”

    “As we speak there is celebration ongoing in almost all the 17 Local government councils of the state following the APC’s victory at the Court of Appeal “.

    ” The celebration is ongoing in Jos metropolis as well as several communities in the 17 Local government councils of the state .”

    They added that the People of the state have confidence in Dr Nentawe Yilwatda whom they believe would bring massive development to the state .

    “Our Governor elect Dr Nentawe is a bride builder ,who would carry all tribes along while discharging his duties “.

    ” We call on citizens of the Country to disregard this fake news as our dear state Plateau is very peaceful and would continue to be so as citizens can’t wait for Dr Nentawe to be sworn in as Governor of the state.”

    The group further added that we called on all our members to continue to celebrate the victory with utmost modesty and decorum.

    ” APC is a peaceful Party and we urge our members to be law abiding as we celebrate this victory ”
    ” We appeal to members of the APC in Plateau state to maintain calm and refrain from any provocative acts that would affect the peace and tranquility of our beloved state.”.

    It could be recalled that the Appeal Court in Abuja in a unanimous judgement on Sunday nullified the election of the Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang mainly over the PDP’s LACK OF STRUCTURE and non adherence of Court Orders.

  • Declare State Of Emergency On Security, Ex Senate President Ameh Ebute to Gov Alia

    Declare State Of Emergency On Security, Ex Senate President Ameh Ebute to Gov Alia

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Perturbed by the current insecurity rocking Benue State, a former President of the Senate, Chief Ameh Ebute, has counseled Governor Hyacinth Alia, to declare a state of emergency on security in the state.

    Chief Ebute who gave this advise at the Government House Makurdi, at an expanded stakeholders meeting of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Benue State Chapter, emphasized the need for Government to accord security of lives and property topmost priority for development to thrive.

    The former Parliamentarian who recalled the recent coordinated bank robbery attacks at Otukpo where many people were killed by armed robbers and other attacks in some parts of the state where many people have been killed, described the dasterdly acts as unacceptable.

    The former President of the Senate, expressed worry over the security situation in the three Senatorial districts of the state, lamenting that the former Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area who has been kidnapped by unknown Gunmen, was still being held by his abductors.

    The Elder Statesman who sued for unity of purpose towards rapid development of the state, urged Benue State Governor to liaise with the Security Chiefs to tackle insecurity in the state.

  • Femi Falana Advocates Review of Appellate Court Judgments on Kano and Plateau Governors

    Femi Falana Advocates Review of Appellate Court Judgments on Kano and Plateau Governors

    By Milcah Tanimu

    Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights activist, Femi Falana, has called for a review of the recent appellate court judgments that led to the removal of Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State and Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State. Falana expressed his views in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

    Falana argued that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had failed in its responsibility to conduct proper elections in the country. He criticized the nullification of votes by the courts due to alleged negligence by INEC, particularly in clearing candidates without proper party primaries and the failure to stamp ballot sheets.

    The human rights advocate stressed that election matters should be resolved before the inauguration of any administration. He pointed out that the recent appellate court decisions resulted in the removal of three governors, all from opposition parties.

    In the case of Kano, the appellate court sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and declared Nasir Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner. In Zamfara, Governor Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was removed, and the court ordered a fresh election in three local government areas.

    Regarding Plateau State, the appellate court removed Governor Caleb Mutfwang of the PDP and directed INEC to issue a Certificate of Return to Nentawe Goshwe of the APC. Falana acknowledged the affirmation of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s election in Lagos State by the appellate court.

    Falana urged those dissatisfied with the appellate court verdicts to seek recourse at the Supreme Court. He emphasized the need for the Supreme Court to address the controversies surrounding the non-stamping of ballot papers by INEC officials and suggested a review of the recent judgments in question.

  • Abducted Wife of Slain Kaduna Pastor Regains Freedom

    Abducted Wife of Slain Kaduna Pastor Regains Freedom

    Mrs. Grace Maraya, the abducted wife of the late pastor of Second Evangelical Church Winning All in Damakasuwa, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has been freed two days after being taken by her husband’s killers. The church elder, Mr. Ishaku Chinge, confirmed the release on Monday, revealing that a ransom of N350,000 was paid for her freedom on Sunday night.

    Initially, the kidnappers had demanded N3 million, but after negotiations, they agreed to the lower amount. Rev. Amako Maraya, the church pastor, was killed during the attack on their residence in Damakasuwa early Friday morning, while his wife was abducted.

    Chinge stated that Mrs. Grace Maraya is currently receiving medical attention in one of the hospitals after her release.

  • Nine Bodies Recovered from Niger Boat Accident, Confirms NSEMA

    Nine Bodies Recovered from Niger Boat Accident, Confirms NSEMA

    The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has reported the recovery of nine bodies following a tragic boat accident in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.

    Alhaji Salihu Garba, the Head of Relief and Rehabilitation at NSEMA, shared this information during an interview in Minna on Sunday. The incident, which took place on Thursday, November 16, resulted in the confirmed death of 10 individuals, predominantly traders transporting goods from Zongoru Community to Gijiwa for the Friday market in Kuta, headquarters of Shiroro LGA.

    Of the 34 persons reportedly on board, 22 were successfully rescued by local divers. Garba identified the deceased, all from Zangoro, as Farida Muntari, Sharhabila Sagir, Bubakar Sadiq, Na’ima Ibrahim, Amina, Safaratu Ibrahim, Sadiq Ibrahim, and Rafiya Yakubu. Two of the deceased individuals remain unidentified.

    The NSEMA official stated that the ongoing search operation aims to recover the remaining bodies, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to managing the aftermath of the tragic incident.