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Protesters paid by Yahaya Bello block highway over plots to arrest ex-Gov. Bello

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7 months ago

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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“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.

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“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.

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“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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Speaker Abbas Decries Gross Inadequacy In Health Sector Despite Annual Allocation

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10 minutes ago

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November 22, 2024

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By Gloria Ikibah
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Reps. Tajudeen Abbas, has lamented that the health sector is still grossly inadequate and far below what is invested in other countries, despite the considerable amount is allocated annually by the Federal Government.
The Speaker also said alot more needs to be done if the life expectancy of the average Nigerian is to rise as well as a reduction in infant mortality.
Abbas stated this at a public hearing for four bills organised by the House Committee on Healthcare Services at the National Assembly Complex on Friday.
The Bills are “A Bill for an Act to to Amend the National Residency Training Act 2018”; “A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Insurance Authority Act 2021”; “A Bill to Amend the National Tobacco Control Act”; and “A Bill to Establish the Institute of Healthcare Service Administrators of Nigeria”.
The Speaker who was represented by Rep. Obordor Mitema, member representing Ogbia Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, said it was for this reason that President Bola Tinubu, recognizing the urgency of this situation, prioritized healthcare as one of the pillars of his Renewed hope Agenda for Nigeria.
According to him, this was to revive the country’s healthcare sector and to ensure it receives the necessary support partnerships with the private sector within and outside Nigeria are being explored and hopefully in the not too distant future we shall see vast improvement.
He said, “Though the Federal Government appropriates a considerable amount yearly to the health sector, the amount is still grossly inadequate and far below what is invested in other countries.
“It is no longer news that despite the committed efforts, the health Sector has sadly over the years faced several challenges associated with outbound medical tourism, emigration of skilled healthcare workers, poor salaries and insufficient budgetary allocation.
“It is also sad to note that even though Nigeria has the highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Africa the progress it has achieved in health has been rather slow and disappointing hence, more effort is needed if we are going to be at par with Western countries.
“Indeed more needs to be done if the life expectancy of the average Nigerian is to rise as well as a reduction in infant mortality.”
Speaker Abbas commended the Acting Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bassey Akiba and the entire members of the committee for organizing this hearing.
He said it is a reflection of their commitment and support to do their quota towards helping Nigerians achieve not only better health but having access to better healthcare.
“We all know the significance of having a Health Sector that works. Western countries have taken bold steps to make their Health sector first class and second to none and we must do the same.
“The House Committee on Healthcare Services and other Health related Committees of the House of Representatives and indeed the National Assembly are fully committed to doing their part by initiating and amending laws that will always be people friendly with the aim of bringing succor and positive changes towards the Health sector in Nigeria.,” he said.
Rep. Akiba, said the healthcare sector in Nigeria over the past few years has gone through a myriad of challenges.
The challenges, according to him, includes the rising cost of healthcare services, financial challenges for providers, preventable medical errors, high mortality rates in both cases, lack of insurance coverage, the need for an improved mental health system, increased demand for personalized care, and a well-regulated health care system among others.
“As parliamentarians, it is our responsibility to discuss critical legislation that will not only shape the future of our nation’s health but impact possibly other people.
“Public hearings are essential because it is one of the crucial avenues used to sample opinions on any matter of public relevance and importance. Like I mentioned, there are four bills.
“Three of these bills are an amendment bill, three of the bills are an amendment bill, and one is an establishment bill. I wish to assure you all that as legislators and members of the Committee on Health Care Services.
“We are conscious of our constitutional and legislative resources towards the people. We are ready to partner with relevant stakeholders and support any genuine effort required to improve the healthcare system in Nigeria,” he said.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said, A Bill to Amend the National Residency Training Act should be dropped for more input by relevant stakeholders.
The Association said the Medical Residency Training Act was a bill primarily sponsored by Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), an affiliate member.
First Vice President of the NMA, Dr Benjamin Oluwatosin, said It was a surprise to them that the primary constituency on the Bill was never contacted for input.
He urged that the Bill be stepped down to get more input of relevant stakeholders.
“So, in solidarity to our affiliate NARD and the validation of the Medical Residency Training Act we strongly advise that this bill be stepped down until every stakeholder involved and primarily NARD and then NMA is on the table from the very beginning,” he said.
Stakeholders who attended the hearing included representatives of the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, Committee of Chief Medical Directors among others.
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Reps Demand Details Of Project Undertaken From Ministry Of Solid Minerals In 2024 Budget

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26 minutes ago

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November 22, 2024

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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has directed  the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to provide details of all projects embarked on in the last year.
The Chairman Committee on Solid Minerals, Rep. Jonathan Gbefwi gave the directive when the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mary Ogbe, appeared before it to defend the 2024 budget.
The committee members expressed displeasure with the inconsistencies in the presentation by the Permanent Secretary and resolved that all documents pertaining to all jobs carried out by the Ministry be made available before next Tuesday.
The lawmakers also queried the Ministry for not capturing most of the projects it embarked on in the presentation it made.
Gbefwi said, “We are expecting the budget and we cannot appropriate if we do not know the true status of the utilisation of what has been given you in 2024.
“We were quite detailed when we sent you then documents we required. You must provide details of all the projects, budget codes, budget items, appropriated amount, contractors, amount awarded, date of award, the status of the projects, the percentage with regards to performance, and the lot numbers among others.
“So all these individual items must be captured in detail in this document so that Nigerians would know how the money that has been appropriated has been utilised.
“There are a number of projects that were not captured in the presentation to the Committee. There was no explanation whatsoever.
“Don’t give us any half baked documents again. Every line must be adhered to. And give us the advertisment that was done, the code the contractors and everything. Even if it is before. FEC. Kindly put it in the remark section. Go and work on your documents again and make proper presentation. Let’s have a comprehensive submission,” he said.
Earlier the Permanent Secretary said a total of N25.05 billion was appropriated as expenditure outlay for the ministry in the 2024 budget.
“This comprised of 894.4 million as overhead cost and 23.15 billion as capital expenditure. The personnel cost of the Ministry was captured in the captured still in the Ministry of Steel Development for 2024 because the personnel separation  had not been fully executed.
“On appropriation releases to the Ministry, she said for overhead, the total appropriation is N895, 441, 335. As at October 31st 2024, N745, 367, 779 had been released. Balances as at October 31, is N149, 073, 555. Percentage of releases of the appropriation for the overhead is 83 percent. Expenditure on release is the same amount that has been released. So there is a hundred percent performance. For capital appropriation it is N23, 150, 884, 863. Out of which N2, 724, 818, 977 has been released. 11 percent had been released and percentage performance is 100 percent.
“The Ministry achieved a 100 percent utilisation mainly of non debt recurrent expenditure and the percentage utilisation in capital as at the end October is 11 percent. This is because procurement process is still ongoing and some are awaiting FEC approval. With the bottom up cash plan, works must be executed before payment,” she said.
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PDP leaders, critical stakeholders endorse Hon. Teejay Yusuf for National Chairman

Published

29 minutes ago

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November 22, 2024

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Key political figures and critical stakeholders from the North Central region of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have rallied behind Hon. Tajudeen Yusuf as their preferred candidate for the party’s next National Chairman.

The endorsement comes from the group known as the PDP Conscience Vanguard, who believe Yusuf is the key to uniting and revitalizing the main opposition party

In a statement issued on Thursday in Lokoja, the North Central Coordinator of the group, Isaiah Akoh, emphasized that Hon. Yusuf possesses the experience, leadership qualities, charisma, extensive connections necessary to lead the PDP towards unity and strategic repositioning.

The statement outlined several reasons for their endorsement of Hon. Yusuf, particularly noting that the party’s future success lies in having a chairman from the North Central region.

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The group pointed to his extensive political background and ability to bridge gaps within the party, especially in light of the challenges the PDP faces.

“We believe that Hon. Teejay Yusuf is the right candidate at this crucial moment,” the statement reads. “Yusuf is not merely a legislator; he is an experienced statesman with a proven track record. Serving three terms as the representative of Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and political acumen.”

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