Bayelsa Guber poll: INEC to distribute 49,819 PVCs

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday said it will distribute 49,819 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Bayelsa State.

INEC said it was doing this, so that some people will not be disenfranchised during the Nov. 16 gubernatorial poll.

Mr Monday Udoh, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Bayelsa, said this in Yenagoa on Tuesday, during an election stakeholders forum on modalities for collection of PVCs, organised by the commission.

Udoh represented by Mr Boco Ekong, INEC’s Executive Secretary in the State, said the distribution would commence across the eight local government areas of the state on Sept. 2.

According to him, the distribution is expected to take place at the Registration Areas (RAs) level from Sept. 2 to Sept. 31.

Giving a breakdown of the numbers of PVCs to be distributed in every local government area, he said 4,452 were for Brass, while 4,707 were for Ekeremor and 2,718 for Kolokuma/Opokuma.

“In Nembe, we have 8,206 cards; Ogbia, 1,682; Sagbama, 5,091; Southern-Ijaw, 765; and Yenagoa Local Government Area, 21,601 cards.

“Our staff have been directed to start on Sept. 2 by moving from RA to RA, Monday through Friday.

“I, therefore, urged all eligible persons, who have yet to collect their PVCs, to use the opportunity to collect them,” NAN quoted the REC as saying.

Seven-man forgery syndicate arrested in Maiduguri

The Borno State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has arrested seven people, who specialised in forging fake school certificates and security documents.

The Commandant, Mr Abdullahi Ibrahim, made this disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

He said that the suspects were arrested on Aug. 21 at the Post Office area of Maiduguri by the anti-fraud unit of the command.

Ibrahim explained that the suspects specialised in forging fake diploma and degree statement of results as well as National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, certificates.

The commandant said the suspects also specialised in forging fake admission letters and identification cards of the University of Maiduguri and the Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri.

Ibrahim, who did not give the names of the suspects, said that they comprised two non-academic staff of the university and five collaborators.

“The syndicate siphoned huge sums of money from the bursary departments of the affected institutions.

“They also forged assorted and customised stamps of banks, government agencies and other organisations.

“Some of the holders of such fake certificates are currently studying or working with government agencies and non-governmental organisations in the state,” he said.

Ibrahim added that investigation was still ongoing into the matter because of the huge number of people connected with the fraud.

Again, Nigerian Policemen Accused Of Assaulting Female Student

Nigerian policemen have again been captured in a video allegedly brutalizing a female student.

According to a tweet from @iambabtee, a self-identified official Twitter handle of the Ondo Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian students (NANS).

The victim of the alleged police brutality was identified as a student of the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

"This is what the @PoliceNG in Ondo has done again to a student of FUTA. NANS JCC ONDO AXIS is on this and we wont give up until justice is attained. We say no to police brutality," the tweet said. 

In the 15-second video, the lady was seen with blood dripping from her face as she kept saying, "Look at my eyes".

There are four policemen in the video who appeared unconcerned about the plight of the bleeding lady.

Toward the end of the video, there was a close-up of the student's injured eyes with the her saying, “My eyes”.

A voice was heard saying, “Nobody touched you nau".

Kaduna: Four men remanded for allegedly abducting teenage girl

A Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Tuesday, ordered that four men, who allegedly abducted a teenage girl, be remanded in prison pending legal advice.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the police charged Mohammed Musa, 25; Suleiman Umar, 27; Sunajo Ibrahim, 26 and Yunusa Ja’eh, 25, with two counts of conspiracy and kidnapping.

Mr Musa Lawal, the Chief Magistrate, who did not take the plea of the defendants, ordered the police to send the case file to the Kaduna State Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.

He adjourned the case until September 9 for mention.

The Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Yusuf Inuwa, had earlier told the court that the case was transferred by the Director State Security Kaduna, to the Commissioner of Police Kaduna State, on August 16.

Inuwa said the defendants and two other persons, at large, kidnapped a teenager from Ugwan Uku in Kano State to Kaduna State in November 2018

He said during investigation, Musa (first suspect) was arrested and he revealed the whereabouts of the other defendants, who were later arrested.

The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 59 and 247 of the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017.

Gov. Ikpeazu lauds Abia founding fathers over Charter of Equity

The Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has eulogized the founding fathers of the State for their foresight in conceptualizing Abia Charter of Equity which has ensured rotation of governorship seat among the three senatorial districts (Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South) of the state.

The Governor made this commendation in a statewide broadcast to mark the 28th anniversary of the creation of Abia State, which was monitored by DAILY POST Tuesday morning.

Abia was created during Major-General Ibrahim Babangida (retd) military regime in August 27,1991.

However, Governor Ikpeazu said the Charter of Equity was a template that has ensured that every part of Abia State was equitably treated in the socio-political evolution of the state.

He said, “I thank God that we have sustained that charter and I will do my best to ensure that the torch of equity in Abia State remains alight.

“Since our assumption of office for a second term on the saddle of leadership in Abia State, we have taken steps to consolidate on the successes we recorded in our first term while ensuring that we finish strongly, our second and last lap.

“I wish to reiterate that our cardinal objective in our second term is the completion of all the projects that we began in our first term while laying solid foundations for sustainable job creation for our teeming youths in Abia State.

“In that regard, we have hit the ground running upon our swearing-in and have taken steps to actualize our objectives.”

Ikpeazu called on the people of Abia to sustain their supports and encouragement to his government as he has redoubled efforts to ensure that democratic dividends were brought to the doorsteps of the people.

Yahaya Bello pledges to tackle discrimination of physically-challenged persons

The governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has pledged to tackle issues of discrimination against people living with disability in the state.

He said already made laws would be rigorously implemented to ensure such cause.

He made this known on Monday while receiving people living with speciality who paid him a courtesy visit at the banquet hall in Lokoja.

Mr Bello thanked them for taking the lead in throwing their weight behind his second term bid, noting that they were not with disabilities but with “specialities”.

The governor, who was emotional, revealed that he also has a special child like them who he treats in a special way and as such, understands their special needs.

The governor promised to look into the implementation of the already signed bill suggesting that the law should be renamed as people living with speciality law so as to remove certain psychological effect the word “disability” has on them.

He emphasised that people living with specialities deserved special treatment, promising to look into their requests and give it all prompt and special attention.

Speaking at the event, the chairman of the association of people living with disability in Kogi State, Ibrahim Arome, stated that the All Progressive Congress support group, alongside the entire association of people living with speciality, after three-days spiritual exercise, received assurances that Mr Bello would be the governor of the State till 2024, hence their prompt endorsement.

He lauded the governor for the appointment of one of them as Senior Special Assistant, payment into the account of the association’s account, the inclusion of Persons with Speciality into APC party executives, medical interventions and signing of Disability right bill into law.

Kidnappings: Osun is donating 20 APCs to Western Nigeria Security – Gov. Oyetola

The Osun State Governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday, declared that the state would be supporting the newly-established Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) with 20 Armoured Personnel Carriers to aid its operation.

We reported that the presidency recently gave a nod to proposed security arrangement by governors of the South-Western states to curb the spate of kidnappings, banditry and other criminal activities in the region.

Oyetola disclosed this in a statement he personally signed to congratulate people of the state on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the creation of the state, reiterating his government’s commitment to deliver on campaign promises.

“The state is partnering with other South West states to strengthen security in the region, and soon, the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) will commence operation to fortify the area.

“We are contributing 20 Armoured Personnel Carriers and other ideas and logistics to further guarantee the security of lives and property of the citizens in our state and region,” the governor said.

Oyetola added that his administration’s policies roadmap is being driven by the preponderant aspiration and yearnings of the people in the state, which, according to him, was validated by the United Kingdom Department for International Development’s (DFID) funded Citizens’ Needs Assessment exercise in Osun.

He explained that every responsible government must make the people’s demands the basis of its policies and implementation.

“We promised to pay full salary to all our workers, we have not defaulted. We promised to pay our pensioners; we have also not defaulted. We promised to rebuild, remodel and, in some cases, carry out total rehabilitation of existing school buildings in series 4 classrooms, 5 classrooms, 6 classrooms, 8 classrooms, 10, 15 and 20 classrooms at a maximum of 50 pupils/students per class, to cater for communities at 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 750 pupils per school.

“We have commissioned completed projects in that regard in Telemu and Morinu, in Olaoluwa and Iwo local government areas respectively. Our work as a government so far points to one fact: better days ahead.

“We have also reconstructed and equipped 11 fire service stations, with 14 fire fighting vehicles to give confidence to the fire fighters in the discharge of their life and property saving duties. We did that because security is meaningless without safety.”

Ekiti students task Fayemi on amenities, bursary disbursement, others

Students of Ekiti State, under the aegis of the Federation of Ekiti State Students Union (FESSU), Ekiti State University (EKSU) chapter, have pleaded with the Governor Kayode Fayemi to urgently provide social amenities such as electricity, water, and security on campus.

The students also appealed to governor Fayemi to work towards an even disbursement of the bursary and scholarship they received from government

The union alleged that the current system of the bursary disbursement  has always favoured indigenous students whose parents are close to politicians. They equally asked for fees reduction for students from Ekiti as practised by other state’s tertiary institutions.

According to  a statement signed by the FESSU, EKSU president, Alegbeleye Ayorinde Temitayo, and made available o newsmen at the weekend, the e students appreciated governor Fayemi and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi for his love and care for Ekiti people and the youths.

The statement reads: “We appreciate the government for the love he has for the indigenous students of the State in giving scholarship and bursary awards. History made us know that this kind of opportunity has not been available during the previous administrations in the state.But a problem ensues, which we want the government to help us look into. The problem of partiality. It has become a rampant belief among students that names are being collated in political party ward offices in Ekiti, making only children of party members some beneficiaries.

“In short, Ekiti State scholarship board and bursary award is now a party slot. If this continues this way, there will never be space and opportunity for sons of nobody to become somebody. Therefore, we seize this medium to plead with the government of Dr. John Kayode Fayemi to help us look into this by making the scholarship and bursary opportunities liberal for all and to all.” 

On security, they said: ” Moreover, we call on the government to come to our aid on the issue of insecurity in schools and students’ environments.  We want the government to help us curb some factors that enhance insecurity such as, uniformed-men’s  invasion, hooliganism, cultism, and other physical violence in tertiary institutions in the state and in EKSU particularly. ‘ Another problem which causes impediment in the academic performance in our dear institution, EKSU is the problem of lack of electricity. The issue of electricity in EKSU has become a story of yesteryears. The last time availability of electricity was experienced was 2014 during the last tenure of Dr.John Kayode Fayemi. Therefore, we want the government to continue the good works which was earlier started.”

The students also urged the government to ensure  the indigenous students enjoy some benefit of being students from Ekiti, saying: ” another issue we want the government to look into is that differences should be slated in the school fees of indigenes and non-indigenes as applicable in other institutions in the nation,”they appealed.

Sylva reveals Buhari govt’s plan for crude oil production

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva has declared that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration will pursue vigorously the sanitization of the oil sector and prevent losses in crude oil production.

Sylva made this position of the federal government known at the weekend during his ‘thank you tour’ to his hometown of Okpoama in Brass and Opu-Nembe in Nembe local government area of the state.

He said the FG will pursue the issue of sanitisation of the petroleum sector and the adoption of a zero policy to crude oil production loss with all seriousness.

According to Sylva, “First, we will need to sanitize the oil industry. I believe that we cannot condone losses in crude oil production. We must ensure zero loss. we must not loose any crude oil. we must also develop our abundance gas deposits in the sector, and generally sanitize the sector.”

The minister, who was welcomed into the ancient city of Nembe Kingdom, explained that his visit to his hometown is in appreciation of the support shown him during the last National Assembly and Presidential elections.

Sylva, who is also the leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Bayelsa, was also handy to receive some decampees in Nembe City who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to pitch their political tent with the APC.

The Minister of State for Petroleum thanked the people for the warm reception and confidence reposed on him, and assured them that he would use his new position to attract development to the state and the region.

Sylva, who was accompanied by the Senator representing Bayelsa East, Bishop Biobarakuma Degi, House of Representatives member representing Brass-Nembe Federal Constituency, Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli, General Kojo Sam, Engineer Fakuma Ilagha, Assembly member representing Brass Constituency-2, Hon. Timi Omubo-Agala and other party faithful, announced the new policy direction of the Federal Government in the Petroleum sector.

On the forthcoming governorship election in the state, Sylva assured the people of the state that the APC will win, adding that, “APC is winning the Governorship election. We are taking it. It is very clear. It is very clear. The deaf can hear and even the blind can see. It is very clear we are going to win.”

Jigawa declares August 27 as public holiday

Jigawa State Government has declared Tuesday, the 27th of August as public holiday in commemoration of the 28th Anniversary of the Creation of the State.

Governor Badaru Abubakar stated this in a press statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Office of the Head of the Civil Service, Ismaila Ibrahim Dutse and issued to us.

The Governor felicitated with the entire people of Jigawa State and enjoined the people to pray for the State and the country at large while celebrating the
day.

He also urged all pubic servants and the entire people of the State to utilize the one-day break in thanking the Almighty Allah for conducive atmosphere, peaceful co-existence and various developmental projects so far recorded in the State.

Badaru, however, sympathised with the families of those who died and others whose property were destroyed in flood in the State and the country at large.

He warned people of the state to heed the early warnings by relevant government agencies to avert further consequences of such natural occurrences.

Rivers Governor, Wike speaks on demolition of mosque in Port Harcourt

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, on Monday, distanced himself from claims that he ordered the demolition of a mosque in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

An Islamic Right organisation, Muslim Right Concern, MURIC, had fingered Wike in the demolition of the Trans-Amadi Central Mosque in Port Harcourt, the state capital. 

The mosque was said to have been demolished by the Rivers State Government on August 20, 2019.

Reacting to the development, Wike described the claim as unfortunate.

Addressing journalists at the location on Biambo Street, Off School Road by Mami Market Junction, near Rainbow Estate, Wike said the claim was the handiwork of mischief makers attempting to create disaffection.

The governor maintained that there was no Mosque on ground, hence nothing was demolished.

According to Wike: “I received calls from several prominent Nigerians on the fake news being circulated online. I have come here with reporters and you can see there was no Mosque here.

“It is most unfortunate that fickle-minded persons will claim that a Mosque was demolished at this place, when no Mosque existed here. The story was concocted by mischief makers to score cheap points”.

Governor Wike explained that some persons started erecting illegal foundation at the disputed land, even though they had no approval to embark on any construction work.

“They came here to erect illegal structure. There was no approval from the State Government for any structure to be erected here.

“The persons who started the foundation had already dragged the State Government to court on the disputed land. The Rivers State Government won the case. What they attempted to do was to start the illegal construction to tie the hands of the State Government. “

Governor Wike said that the State Government operates within the rule of law, stressing that the State Government will not be distracted by the illegal circulation of fake reports.

Wike stated that several Mosques constructed on the approval of the State Government exist across Port Harcourt and other major towns of the State.

He added; “The government gave them notice not to do anything on the land. But they went ahead with the illegal foundation and the relevant agency stopped them.

“Why would we want to bring down any Mosque, when there are other Mosques across the State? What is the Special interest on this one?”

Buhari told to suspend his Minister, Festus Keyamo immediately

Paul Ibe, a Senior Adviser to the presidential candidate to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has called for the suspension of Festus Keyamo as Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs.

Ibe said this in a reaction to trending photos where the newly appointed Minister posed with a suspected fraudster, Ikogho.

The FBI released full details and identities of 80 suspected fraudsters, with many being Nigerians, arrested in the United States on Thursday.

Iro, 31, and Chukwudi Christogunus Igbokwe, 38, were named as lead suspects.

The duo allegedly coordinated with others, to launder the funds from victims.

Jerry Elo Ikogho was among the 77 Nigerians arrested last week for online fraud. He is number three on the 77-man list.

Keyamo had in reaction to the viral picture said himself and Ikogho grew up as friends and he wouldn’t deny alliance with him, adding that the picture was taken in 2011.

But in reaction on Monday, Ibe tweeted, “Festus Keyamo (SAN), Niger Delta Minister of State and former EFCC Prosecutor is linked to Jerry Elo Ikogho also known as J Man, Number 3 on the FBI Fraud List of 77.

“As was the case with Babachir and Obono-Obla, Keyamo should be suspended for unfettered investigations.”

Nigerians To Pay Tax On Internet Transactions From January 2020 –FIRS

Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Babatunde Fowler, has said that the agency will begin to impose value-added tax on Internet transactions both domestic and international with effect from January 2020.

Fowler, made the revelation on Monday at the African Tax Administration Forum in Abuja.

He said, “We have thrown it out to Nigerians. Effective from January 2020, we will ask banks to charge VAT on online transactions, both domestic and international.

“VAT remains the cash cow in most African countries, with an average VAT-to-total tax revenue rate of 31 per cent.

“This is higher than the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s average of 20 per cent.

“This statistics, therefore, is a validation of the need for us to streamline the administration of this tax with the full knowledge of its potential contributions to national budgets.

“It is, however, also bearing in mind the rights of our taxpayers.”

Beware Of Social Media Scams, CBN Warns Loan Seekers

The Central Bank of Nigeria has warned Nigerians to beware of social media scams using the apex bank as bait to lure unsuspecting Nigerians to part with funds in the guise of providing federal government loans.

In a tweet on Monday, the CBN through its verified Twitter handle @cenbank said, “CBN has nothing to do with fraudulent messages on social media requesting unsuspecting loan seekers and owners of small-scale businesses to apply for loans provided by the Federal Government through the email: empowermentcbnloan@gmail.com. Please beware!”

Central Bank of Nigeria

✔@cenbank

CBN has nothing to do with fraudulent messages on social media requesting unsuspecting loan seekers and owners of
small-scale businesses to apply for loans provided by the Federal Government through the e-mail: empowermentcbnloan@gmail.com. please beware! http://ow.ly/nfMb50vJFTw 

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Fayemi To Corps Members: Work For Nigeria’s Unity, Devt

Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has charged corps members deployed to the state to key into the vision of the National Youth Service Corps to unite and develop the country.

The governor who noted that the scheme was established  forty-six year ago as possible solution to mistrust and suspicion among ethno religious groups in the country as well as her socio-economic development urged them to be patriotic as they serve their fatherland.

He spoke at the official opening and swearing – in ceremony of the 2019 Batch ‘B’ Stream lI 1451 corps members deployed to the state held at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Ise/Orun/Emure Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Fayemi who was represented by the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Michael Awopetu said ” you are to drive these programmes with ultimate objective of eliminating ignorance, mistrust and suspicion that will eventually  unite and integrate multi ethnic and religious people our great country.

“As agent of change, you are therefore expected to deploy your academic knowledge, talents and professional skills to tackle the socioeconomic problems that have bedevilled our national life”.

While commending the NYSC Coordinator in the state, Mrs Emmanuella Okpongete for providing conducive for the training of the corps members, the governor restated his administration support for the scheme in the state.

Earlier in her address, Mrs Okpongete who commended the patriotism of the corps members said, “they have obeyed instructions and comported themselves with humility and modesty to the admiration of all.

“You have been mobilized at a time when our great nation needs you most as you are the generations to move our dear country to the next levels. Therefore, you are to take seriously your trainings in this orientation course and be ready to contribute positively at all times”.