DSS Denied Me Drugs For 9 Days, Food – Nnamdi Kanu Cries Out

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December 16, 2022

Ahead of the governorship election in Abia next year, an aspirant on the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Sir Chikwe Udensi has announced General Chukwu Mbibi (rtd) as Chairman of his campaign council.

Also appointed as in the Chikwe Udensi Campaign Council is Professor Casmir Obialom who will act as Secretary of the Council.

In a statement made available to ABN TV on Thursday, Sir Udensi said other members of the Council will be announced next week.

This comes barely 24 hours after he said he will go ahead to unveil his campaign team despite a protracted legal battle on who the rightful governorship candidate of APGA is in the party.

Prof. Gregory Ibe who before now was the party’s governorship candidate in the state was about 2 weeks ago sacked by a Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Binta Nyako.

The court granted the prayer of Sir Udensi who initiated the suit by voiding the primary election which produced Prof. Ibe and ordered a fresh primary within 14 days.

The party is yet to act on that even as the 14 days window runs out.

Udensi has said he will file a cross-appeal and urge the court to declare him the authentic candidate of APGA governorship candidate in Abia.

Udensi who vied for the party’s ticket had alleged that the primary election which produced Prof. Ibe was fraught with irregularities, a ground upon which the primary was annulled.

General Chukwu Mbibi (rtd) hails from Ikwuano, Umuahia Central while Professor Obialom, an erudite academic will be the secretary.

Job For Nigerian Teachers In UK | APPLY NOW

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December 15, 2022

UK Doctors Embark On Third Strike In 2023 Over Pay Rise — United Kingdom (UK)

The United Kingdom Department for Education has announced that non-UK nationals can now apply to teach in schools in the UK.

ABN TV reports that the announcement was made early in the month of December as seen on the UK government’s website for interested non-nationals.

Nigeria has been listed as one of the countries whose citizens can now apply for qualified teacher status through the Teaching Regulation Agency in the United Kingdom, from February 2023.

In order to stand a chance, eligible applicants will be required to have a qualified teacher status (QTS), a qualification awarded by the Teaching Regulation Agency.

Also, note that applicants do not need a formal teacher training qualification.

According to the publication, however, applicants must have “a minimum of two years teaching experience, a first (bachelor’s) degree from a UK or non-UK university, an English language qualification which is the same standard as a grade four General Certificate of Secondary Education, a maths qualification which is the same standard as a grade four GCSE to teach children aged three to 11 in primary school, a physics, chemistry or biology (science) qualification which is the same standard as a grade four GCSE.”

Meanwhile, the following are all you need to know to apply to train for an international QTS;

International qualified teacher status (iQTS) is a new teaching qualification backed by the UK government that:

is delivered online by English teacher training providers in partnership with schools around the world
meets the same standards as English QTS and leads to the automatic award of QTS.
is open to all non-UK citizens, and is currently available from six providers, with plans to roll the qualification out more widely from September 2023
is the only international teacher training course that leads to the automatic award of QTS (other courses may offer valuable training but do not lead to QTS)

When you apply for QTS you will:

have to pay a fee
not have to undergo any further training
not have to visit the UK

For more information on application and eligibility click here

2023: US President Biden Cautions Buhari, INEC Against Partisanship

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December 15, 2022

2023: US President Biden Cautions Buhari, INEC Against Partisanship — Buhari With Joe Biden

President of the United States, Joe Biden has advised President Muhammadu Buhari and the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against adopting a partisanship posture in next year’s general elections.

Biden, however, praised Buhari over what he described as efforts in deepening democracy not only in Nigeria, but also in Africa.

The US President admonished Buhari in Washington, on Wednesday, while interacting with leaders of six African countries slated to have elections in 2023 on the sidelines of the US-Africa Leaders Summit taking place in the US Capital.

Biden revealed that he had followed the personality traits of Buhari since 2015 when he was elected President, especially his stint as an opposition leader at a time he (Biden) was a Vice President.

Biden also stated that it was very heartening that Nigeria is quite a model for democracy, especially the fact that President Buhari is not seeking a third term.

At the meeting, Biden said the meeting called with select African leaders, including those of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Madagascar, and Sierra Leone was to discuss elections and democracy in Africa, share experiences with the United States on the forthcoming elections, as well as encourage the countries to continue with the democratic process.

The US President also pointed out that he is abreast of the challenges facing African countries, noting the willingness of the United States to support them in every area assistance may be required.

Buhari, who is billed to return back from the United States on Sunday, had variously pledged to bequeath a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.

Despite the security challenges, Buhari has also boasted that he would ensure he bequeaths a secured country by May 29 when he will be leaving office.

Man, 49 Tells Police Why He Bathes With Blood In Ogun

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December 15, 2022

A 49 years old man, Ganiyu Shina of No 4, Oguji Street, Obantoko Abeokuta, was on Thursday, arrested by men of Ogun State Police command for bathing with blood at a community river in Kotopo area of Odeda local government.

The suspect was arrested when members of the community sighted him at the River bank, where he parked his Nissan commercial vehicle, came out with local sponge and a container filled with blood and started bathing with it.

Immediately he discovered that some people are watching him, he took to his heels, but was chased and apprehended by members of the community.

A call was made to the police at Aregbe divisional headquarters by a member of the community, and the DPO, SP Bunmi Asogbon quickly led the patrol team to the scene, from where the suspect was brought to the station.

On interrogation, the suspect claimed to have a spiritual problem, and that one herbalist instructed him to perform the ritual.

He claimed further that the blood in his possession is not human blood, but that of cow.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, has directed that the remaining blood should be taken for laboratory analysis, to ascertain whether is human or not.

The CP also praised members of the community for not taken laws into their hands, he therefore assured them that the suspect will be properly investigated.

NPL To FG: Declare December 12 National Leadership Day

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December 15, 2022

As Nigeria grapples with leadership challenges across various sectors, Nigerian Prize for Leadership (NPL) has called on Federal Government to declare December 12 every year a national leadership day, beginning from 2023.

NPL while reaffirming its belief that the task of nation-building is a joint effort of both government and citizens, said it will continue to lead the way in supporting government to appropriately address the challenge of leadership deficit in the country.

“Since 2020 we have set aside the 12th of December each year to call attention to the importance of effective leadership in building our nation”, the chairman NPL Governing Board, Prof. Anya O. Anya said at the investiture of former Executive Secretary of TETFund, Prof. Suleiman Elias Bogoro as the winner 2021 Nigeria Prize For Leadership recently in Abuja.

“This is the third edition of this initiative and we can confirm that the value has been significant. We will explore way forward on how we will amplify this modest effort into a national movement that will with time redefine Nigeria as a symbol of right values, honesty and integrity, a truly pan-Nigerian initiative” Prof. Anya further stated.

He pledged the readiness of NPL to provide adequate content to effectively mark the day in a most rewarding way for all citizens, government and the nation.

Prof. Anya while underlining that getting it right in leadership has become a matter of urgent action expressed belief that setting a day aside for this purpose will demonstrate government’s disposition to redefine the character of leadership in the country, as well as enable citizens and organizations to give it exceptional attention.

Backing this call, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Prize for Leadership, Dr. Ike Neliaku said the organization’s experience in the past three years indicates that Nigerians desire exceptional leadership, which he said NPL is working tirelessly towards providing quality input.

“We believe that as we continue to do this, to mark this day, it is something that will raise leadership consciousness in the minds of Nigerians. It is a very important call, a day we will look at issues of leadership, identify models of leadership, those who have done well, we celebrate them.

“NPL is willing to partner with the federal government to develop the content for this day, qualitative content that will answer its name in all ramifications”, he stated.

Prof. Bogoro in his response expressed gratitude to the NPL selection panel as well as the Governing Board for finding him fit for the N25m prize award, saying the transparency and confidentiality deployed in screening nominees for the Prize, which later produced him as winner should serve as a guide to other institutions.He expressed gladness that his modest efforts in setting the leadership pace with the privileged positions he had occupied are being recognized and appreciated.

Prof. Bogoro attributed failure of leadership to local authorities, states, region and entire country to selfishness and desperate quest for personal profits.

“Most leaders who failed the country and the people are those who pre-occupy themselves with personal interests and in the process, they are not bothered about the moral obligations of rendering service and emphasizing on personal privileges at the expense of the people you are called to lead, or indeed serve.

“This is because many of us don’t bother to know that the best stewardship is servant leadership”, he said.

Chairman of the prize presentation and the Vice Chairman, Governing Board of NPL, Prof. Jerry Gana said the selection and screening panel made up of eminent Nigerians independently assembled from various parts of the country set a standard with which all nominees were screened and Prof. Bogoro emerged winner.

He said the selection panel led by Engr. Mansur Ahmad, a forner Group Executive Director of NNPC and immediate past president of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, was very independent without any interference from the Governing Board.

IGP Talks Tough, Says Attack On INEC Facilities’ll No Longer Be Tolerated

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December 15, 2022

Resign If You Can’t Stop Extortion – Senator-Elect Tells IGP — IGP Usman Alkali Baba

The inspector-general of police, IGP Usman Baba, has warned all criminal elements attacking the facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the country to desist forthwith as the Nigeria Police Force will no longer allow such attacks.

This is even as the IGP reassured that the Force would in collaboration with other sister security agencies ensure free, fair, and credible polls come 2023 as promised by President Mohammed Buhari.

The IGP, who stated this at a meeting with strategic Police officers from the ranks of Commissioners of Police and above at the Force headquarters in Abuja ahead of the 2023 general elections, said “enough is enough” of such barbaric act as it would no longer be business as usual for the criminal elements.

He stated that, “the Nigeria Police has the requisite human capacity in terms of experience, strength of character, and professionalism to surmount the current and evolving challenges ahead of the general elections.

“The meeting is being convened to evaluate our performance in the outgoing year; dissect operational challenges in relation to our policing mandate; review and perfect our election security governance plans, ahead of the 2023 general elections; and collectively set our policing goals as we usher in the Year 2023.

“The outgoing year presented sets of security challenges which at some point evolved to threaten the security order and national cohesion of the country.”

Speaking on the measures to curtail the incessant attacks on the INEC facilities, the IGP added, “we have put measures in place to prevent future occurrences, apprehend the culprits, and to bring the culprits to book

“We have also deployed personnel to deter the attacks. We have stepped up intelligence gathering. We have discovered that the criminal elements were using petrol bombs, dynamite at gunfire at distance to carry out their dastardly acts, but there will be hiding place for them. The Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies are on the top of the situation. We are calling on the members of the public to assist us with credible information about these criminals.”

How Oyetola Took N18bn Loan After Losing Election, Left N407.32bn Debt – Adeleke

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December 15, 2022

Osun Guber: Ademola Adeleke Floors Oyetola At Supreme Court — Adegboyega Oyetola and Adeleke

The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke has disclosed that the state is indebted to the tune of 407.32 billion naira, including N76 billion debts on salaries and pension.

Adeleke said his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola took a N18.04 Billion FGN Bridge Finance Facility loan after the July 16th, 2022 election which Oyetola lost and that there is no information on the repayment terms.

The governor made this revelation in an address he delivered at a meeting with the Osun State Traditional Rulers in Osogbo On Thursday. He said the amount owed contractors is yet to be determined.

Adeleke said his administration inherited eight outstanding loan facilities from Oyetola, apart from salaries and pension debts.

According to him, the repayment period ranges from 16 months to about 28 years.

Some of the loans listed include Budget Support Facility, Salary Bail Out Loan, Restructured Commercial Bank Loans, Excess Crude Account (ECA) Loan, CBN Infrastructure Loan, FGN Intervention Loan, FGN Bridge Finance Facility and Foreign Loans.

Stating that the only fund in government coffers as at Monday 29th November was for November 2022 Salary, the governor insisted that he would ask questions and demand answers on how the funds were expended.

He said that Governor Oyetola must also explain why Osun state owes salaries & pension to the tune of N76 Billion after collecting a N50 Billion Salary Bail Out Loan from the Federal Government.

Governor Adeleke also said that creditors, especially the Commercial Banks must explain why various loans were given to an administration beyond its 4 year tenure.

See the full address below:

I am pleased to welcome our royal majesties and fathers to this all important event. I called this meeting first to meet our royal fathers and to present to you the official debt profile of Osun state as at November 30th, 2022 as submitted to me by the Accountant General of Osun State.

With high sense of responsibility, I am reporting to our people through our traditional rulers, the total debt profile inherited by my administration from Governor Oyetola’s administration.

This event is in pursuance of my pledge to Osun people to be transparent and run an open government.

My administration inherited eight outstanding loan facilities, apart from salaries and pension debts, from Governor Oyetola’s administration. The repayment period ranges from 16 months to about 28 years, as follows:

1. Budget Support Facility:
• Outstanding Balance: N51.8 Billion

• Monthly repayment: N154.9m

• Repayable Period Outstanding:
335 months = 27 years 9 months

2. Salary Bail Out Loan:

• Outstanding Balance: N38.8 Billion

• Monthly Repayment: N232.77m

• Repayable Period Outstanding:

•167 Months = 13 years 9months

3. Restructured Commercial Bank Loans:

• Outstanding Balance: N158.77 Billion

• Monthly Repayment: N1.14 Billion

• Repayable Period Outstanding:
139 Months = 11years 6 months.

4. Excess Crude Account (ECA) Loan:
• Outstanding Balance: N14.48 Billion

• Monthly Repayment: N89.97m

• Repayable Period Outstanding:
161 Months = 13 years 4 months

5.CBN Infrastructure Loan:
• Outstanding Balance: N9.2 Billion

• Monthly Repayment: N44.98m

• Repayable Period Outstanding:

205 months = 17 years 1 month

6. FGN Intervention Loan:
• Outstanding Balance:
N1.7Billion

• Monthly Repayment:
N100m

• Repayable Period Outstanding:
17 months

7. FGN Bridge Finance Facility: N18.04 Billion

A large portion of this particular loan was taken after July 16th, 2022 election which Governor Oyetola lost.

No information on the Repayment terms.

Not one kobo of this loan was left in Government Coffers, when the Deputy Governor and I resumed work on Monday 29th November 2022. And no explanation on how the loan was expended.

8. Foreign loans: $86.2m

No information on the Repayment Terms.My good people of Osun state, the total loan stock as at today is N331.32 Billion.

If the N76 billion debt on salaries and pension are added, the state is indebted to the tune of N407.32 Billion . The amount owed contractors is yet to be determined.

The only Fund in government coffers, as at Monday 29th November, was for November 2022 Salary. Otherwise, the state treasury was empty.

As your Governor, I will ask questions on your behalf. And will demand for answers.

Governor Oyetola must explain how the N331 Billion borrowed in the name of Osun State was expended, with no obvious infrastructural development to justify this huge debt.

Governor Oyetola must explain how the N18 Billion Bridge Loan taken after he lost the election on July 16, 2022, was expended.

Governor Oyetola must also explain why Osun state is owing salaries & pension to the tune of N76 Billion after collecting a N50 Billion Salary Bail Out Loan from the Federal Government

The Creditors, especially the Commercial Banks must explain why various loans were given to an administration beyond its 4 year tenure. 28 years is equivalent to the tenure of at least four Governors. A child that is born today would have earned a PhD at 28 years of age. This is nothing but mortgaging the future of Osun State with nothing to show for it. This is definitely not acceptable.

I will update you accordingly, as we progress.

Find attached to my speech the attachments directly from the state’s Accountant General

●.HE Senator Ademola Adeleke,
Executive Governor of Osun State delivered this address at a meeting Osun State Traditional Rulers on December 15th at Osogbo, Osun State Capital.

Atiku Takes Campaign To Anambra, Promises To Dredge River Niger, Make Onitsha Port Work

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December 15, 2022

Compare PDP Regime With APC, Make No Mistake In 2023 – Atiku Tells Youths — Alhaji Atiku Abubakar

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has promised to dredge the River Niger, ensure that the Onitsha Port becomes operational as well as resuscitate industries in the South East in order to boost the nation’s economy.

Atiku said this while addressing party supporters during his campaign rally in Awka, the Anambra State Capital, on Thursday.

He explained that these were part of requests made by the Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, when he met him hours before the commencement of the campaign.

Atiku said, “On our arrival today we visited their governor Prof. Soludo, and he said to me. I know you are going to work but make sure that all the federal roads that pass through Anambra State are reconstructed.

“And I promised him, I’m going to do that, he said ‘make sure that you control our erosion, because Anambra is the erosion headquarters of the world. Erosion is destroying our farmlands, is destroying our houses and everything have.’

“This is a very gigantic project. And I promised him am going to do that, and you know I have worked with Soludo before, he is a first class patriotic Nigerian.

“You have an excellent governor. He also appealed to me that Onisha port this time around we are going to dredge River Niger and Onisha port will function.

“We are also going to help Anambra indusrilise the state so that the state will create as many jobs as for our young men and women.

“And you know I promised to set aside $10 billion to promote small scale and medium enterprise for our young men and women so that they can be independent.

“I am going to be a stepping stone to an Igbo president in this country. I have shown it in my action because this is the third time I am running with an Igbo man, if you really want to produce a president then vote Atiku-Okowa ticket.

“ I want to thank you the people of Anambra state for this warm reception I never thought I will see such a crowd in Anambra state and believe me we are not going to forget you, we are going to reward you handsomely.“

Speaking in a similar vein, National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, recalled the role played by the late Alex Ekwueme, in the formation of the PDP.

He said, “ Dr Alex Ekwueme who led 34 of us, including Atiku Abubakar here to form this party. Anambra is PDP and I am happy with what I have seen here, even APGA is the sun of the PDP, so we shall bring many APGA members back to their home in PDP.

“We want to assure you that the Igbos particularly Anambra people have a big stake in Nigeria, there is no village that you will go in Nigeria that you will not see an Igbo man who is a businessman.

“The Igbos in terms of business are the more National people in Nigeria, you need every part of this country and I like the indomitable spirit of the Igbo nation.”

He appealed to the people to vote for the PDP because it has the blueprint of how to make Nigeria work again.

Also, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Ifeanyi Okowa, who spoke in the native Igbo language said, “Our party has brought out Atiku Abubakar as our Presidential candidate.

“We asking all of you to work hard in Anambra state because Atiku Abubakar is a good product.

“Among all the aspirants, it is only Atiku Abubakar who has the requisite experience to recover the country from the hardship created by the APC government.

Atiku has pledges to empower women and youths including traders and startups with $10 billion. I plead with you to work wholeheartedly so that we can win the election in Anambra state.

“For the past two weeks, we have toured round the country as a part and I am quite convinced that PDP will win the next Presidential election.

“This is not the time for sentiment. Vote for the PDP so that Anambra will be you ted among the states win by the PDP.

EFCC To Auction Forfeited Real Estate Soon – Bawa

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December 15, 2022