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Protesters paid by Yahaya Bello block highway over plots to arrest ex-Gov. Bello
Some youths in Kogi State have accused the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, of witch hunting former Governor Yahaya Bello urging it to shelve its plot to arrest him over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
The youths, who gathered in their numbers for a protest, barricaded the popular Lokoja-Abuja road on Tuesday, causing gridlock on the highway.
The protesters under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Society for Democracy, and Africa Youths Coalition for Justice, accused the anti-graft agency of blackmailing and victimizing the former governor.
They were seen carrying banners with various inscriptions, “Nigeria is not a banana republic”, “President Tinubu, Call EFCC to Order”, “EFCC Stop Witch Hunting”, “Yahaya Bello remains a responsible citizen”, “EFCC Obey Court Order Now” and many more.
The groups called for caution and adherence to the rule of law during Bello’s trial.
Addressing journalists in Lokoja, the Convener, Coalition of Civil Society for Democracy, Richard Otitoleke, said the groups are on the ground in defence of the rule of law and democratic governance.
“We are here this morning to express our opinion on the fracas between EFCC and the former Governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
It has been in the news for some days on the travail of the former governor. We want to say very clearly that the operation of the EFCC is an establishment of an act of parliament and the law of Nigeria.
“We are saying confidently again that its operations must be based on the established extant law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The rule of law is the hallmark of a democratic society.
We are saying there is a court order, an interim restraining order of the court of competent jurisdiction that stated clearly that the former Governor of Kogi State should not be invited, arrested, or prosecuted pending the determination of the issue before it concerning his human rights.
“It is not a big thing for EFCC to comply with it. Nigeria is not a banana republic. Disobedience to court order is worse than corruption itself, except if we want to drive this country into anarchy. I am not sure Mr. President is interested in lawlessness. Mr. President is not interested in witch hunting, ” he stated.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, examine the activities of EFCC to ensure that their operations are professional by the extant law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We are not saying former Governor Bello is above the law. We are saying that the law must take its course. We are not saying the Ex-Governor should submit himself when there is a subsisting court order. EFCC must comply with the rule of law” he added.
Adding their voices, Comrade Ajibade Olamilekan David and Comrade Oluwa Kayode who are members of the groups protesting both accused the EFCC of engaging in a media trial on the former Governor of Kogi State.
Their words, “It is uncalled for, for EFCC to come against what the Court has said. We are saying that we will not bow down to such illegality. We heard that they are busy saying the sitting governor in Kogi State Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo whisked away his predecessor in Abuja. It is a lie.
“The Governor only paid a solidarity visit to the former Governor. We are saying the EFCC should obey the court order. We call on the President to call the EFCC to order so that the right thing can be done.
“We are saying no to victimization. We are saying no to the threat. We are saying no to anyone who thinks he can suppress the voice of the people’s mandate.
We are out to say no to EFCC because, in the face of the law, you can’t disobey the court to enforce the law. It has never happened, and it will not happen. In any attempt for anybody to go against that, we will not take it lightly.
“EFCC is not above the law, so they must respect the law of the land. Going against the law of the land is more satanic than corruption. That means the nation is in jeopardy. The EFCC should stop the victimization of Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
There is something they are not taking into cognizance. Yahaya Bello is a youth. He is a Man that cut across the nation. He is a man who has worked tirelessly for this state for eight years.
“The man is supposed to be resting, but they are now victimizing him, using EFCC. We are seeing the hands of Monkey in this matter. How can EFCC use the lawyer of an opposition party to be the lawyer that will try former Governor Bello in court? It is uncalled for, unheard of, and highly condemnable. We want EFCC to trade with caution.
“We will be going around each state across the federation to protest if EFCC fails to obey Court order. This victimization must stop because an injury to one is an injury to all. So we are saying that their satanic and evil victimization must stop. Yahaya Bello is not the person they will use to do their drama. ”
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NAFDAC alerts Nigerians About fake Dettol soap
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control has alerted Nigeria to the sale of a fake soap labelled as “Dettol Health Fresh Soap” in the market.
Ad revealed on NAFDAC’s website on Thursday, the manufacturer of Dettol Antiseptic products confirmed that the soap is fake as it does not have any product by the name “Dettol Health Fresh Soap.”
“The Marketing Authorization Holder and manufacturer (Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria Limited) of Dettol Antiseptic products, received a consumer complaint regarding the above-mentioned product. The product was reported to have caused skin irritation to the complainant.
“The MAH has confirmed that the product is fake as they do not have any product by the name “Dettol Health Fresh Soap”. Dettol Antiseptic products are widely used in Nigeria for household disinfection and personal hygiene to prevent illnesses from germs (bacterial infection),” it said.
It added that details of the complaint product were not provided by the complainant except for the name of the product “Dettol Health Fresh Soap.”
The agency noted that the illegal marketing of NAFDAC-regulated products or fake products poses a risk to people’s health, and since they do not comply with the regulatory provisions, the products’ safety, quality, and efficacy are not guaranteed.
It said all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the fake product if found within the zones and states.
“Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, caregivers, and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the fake product. All medical products must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.
“Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical products to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: [email protected].
“Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on [email protected]
“Furthermore, note that this notice will be uploaded to the WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System,” it concluded.
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LP Crisis: Nobody Unseated You, The Constitution Did, Sheathe Your Sword — Obi Tells Abure
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections has asked the party’s former Chairman, Julius Abure, to sheath his sword.
He urged him and others to join hands with the National Caretaker Committee to rebuild the party.
Obi, who was represented by Datti Baba-Ahmed, stated this at the inaugural meeting of the caretaker committee of the party held in Abuja on Tuesday night.
He stated categorically that nobody but the constitution of the party unseated former chairman Abure after the expiration of his tenure.
Obi said: “Listen, my friend, no governor unseated Abure, the constitution unseated him. Abure’s time elapsed. Nobody unseated him. As of today, Abure is our good friend and a loyal member. We want him back in the fold; we have roles for him to play.
“We didn’t have crisis. We managed a transition that was a bit bumpy and that was it. I tell you, no other political party of our size could do that in the time and manner that we did.
“We are a political party who went all the way to the Supreme Court claiming our 10 million votes. They were only able to give us six million votes. So we are a force to contend with in Africa. What we’ve done has never been done before. When PDP came, they had the military. We had nothing.”
Obi noted that the opposition party was ready to repeat and surpass the feat recorded during the 2023 elections in 2027 by producing a majority in the National Assembly and winning the presidential seat in 2027.
Earlier, the chairman of the Labour Party National Caretaker Committee, Senator Nenadi Usman, assured party members of the committee’s determination to rescue the party from the current challenges and restore and rebuild it as a veritable alternative platform for Nigerians.
She assured of the committee’s readiness to lead the party on the path of reconciliation within the short time of its assignment.
Usman stated: “We are on a rescue mission, not just for the Labour Party, but I tell you for our dear nation, Nigeria. The interest this committee has generated extends beyond party lines.
“The number of telephone calls I have received not just from Labour Party members, but people from other political parties who told me that if we get this thing right, we will walk together. So we have a huge task.
“Our party, by the grace of Almighty God, will become a platform for all disenfranchised and unhappy Nigerians. People who are not happy with the way things are going, we are going to be the platform for them by the grace of God. Therefore, we must view this as a significant national assignment.”
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Nigerian varsities working in shadows of death – Omole
The Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Professor Ayodeji Omole on Thursday said that the Nigerian University is under siege and currently “working in the shadows of death”.
He maintained that the university system has been captured and held hostage by many government policies especially since the advent of the so called ‘civil rule’.
Professor Omole made these assertions while delivering the 561 inaugural lecture of the university of Ibadan, entitled “working in the shadows of death”.
A former ASUU chairman, Professor Omole stated unless something urgent is done to stop government attacks on the Nigeria’s educational system, the system will die faster than anticipated
“More than ever before, the Nigeria University system is under siege and therefore ‘Working in the shadows of death. If nothing drastic is done to stop the various attacks from government and its agencies, the system will die faster than anticipated. The University system is captured and has been held hostage by many government policies, especially since the advent of the so called ‘civil rule’”.
He took a swipe at various civilian administrations who he said foisted anti-intellectual policies on the education system in the country.
According to the Professor of Forest Engineering, “Treasury Single Account (TSA) and Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). IPPIS is a mismatch with university work structure. It is incompatible with the academic calendar, and a clear violation of the University Act.
Therefore, it is illegal. Only in Nigeria is the data-base of scholars surrendered to foreign agencies in the name of cutting cost. The effects of which are threatening the very existence of the University system in Nigeria today, because it is now impossible for Universities to recruit even cleaners.”
According to the University don, “the proposed imposition of Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) by the National Universities Commission (NUC) is another policy that will kill Nigerian Universities, faster than expected”.
While expressing sadness that the university of ibadan senate also caved in from its stance on the CCMAS introduction, Professor Omole lamented that the rigid standardization will definitely limit universities’ ability to innovate and design programmes to meet societal needs; because local content and flavour are ignored.
As a former ASUU Chairman at the University of Ibadan, Omole who appreciated the efforts of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and its quest for enhancing qualitative public education for children of the masses in Nigeria noted that “every financial gain the university system has been able to make is as a result of the struggles of ASUU”
He challenged Nigerian academic to “criticize policies that are inimical to national development” saying that “scholars worthy of the description should be vocal in their resistance to foreign exploitation, through the imposition of neo-liberal policies”.
To ensure sustainable development, Professor Omole harped on the need “for government and other stakeholders to ensure fair and adequate compensation for all workers, fostering a motivated workforce that is fully engaged in the pursuit of national progress”.
“Slave wages severely undermine the commitment of workers to national development and have broad, damaging effects on a country’s economic, social, and political fabric. Under-funding in Nigerian universities has led to a range of problems that affect the quality of education, research, and overall institutional performance.
This has manifested in the form of deterioration of infrastructure, poor facilities, brain drain/loss of talent, labour/student unrest, erosion of university autonomy, low morale among staff, decline in global ranking and reputation. These affect productivity, commitment, and willingness to engage in advanced research or innovative teaching methods.
In summary, the under-funding of Nigerian universities is a significant barrier to the advancement of education, research, and national development. Addressing these issues requires increased investment in higher education, better financial management, and strategic policies that prioritize the long-term sustainability and improvement of the university system.
Poor remuneration in Nigerian universities has far-reaching consequences for the future of the university system, affecting its ability to deliver quality education, retain talent, and contribute to national development.”
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