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Anger as Gov Alia orders Och’Idoma to delist Ortom’s official, Olofu from receiving Idoma title

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has reportedly ordered the removal of David Olofu from the list of prominent Idoma achievers slated for honours Saturday, June 29, 2024.

The Och’Idoma, Agabaidu Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, CON, had included Olofu who served as finance commissioner in the administration of former Governor Samuel Ortom, on a broad-based list of deserving honorees at the forthcoming event.

Alia, a Catholic priest, and his deputy, Samuel Ode are also on the list. Godwin Obla, reputed to be the first Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN) from Idomaland, is equally on the 17-man list.

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While Alia is to be conferred with the title of Okamaleya K’Idoma, (the promise keeper); Ode will be invested with the honour of Ebeneigbogwu K’Idoma. Obla is listed for investiture as Oyakwei K’Idoma, (the one who gets things done), while Olofu from Apa local government area, has been primed as Owo’Ichoha K’Idoma. Abba Adaudu, Francis Alochu, Nick Eworo, John Otse Aboh, Ameh Idoko, Bonny Apochi, Ojotu Ojema, Ogaji Bright Igodo, Paul Samuel Edeh, are some distinguished Idoma achievers penned down for the Saturday June 29, 2024 ceremony. Ujah Innocent, Ochacho Muhammad, Michael Oglegba, Lami Danladi, Patrick Agwo Olonta, also feature on the roster of honorees.

HRM Obagaji, who was installed Och’Idoma in December 2021 by Ortom, is a Pastor of the Deeper Life Christian Ministry. The scheduled investiture is perhaps the Och’Idoma’s biggest event yet, having deployed a high-powered, dispassionate committee to select worthy Idoma frontliners deserving of recognition.

While no official reason has been adduced for Olofu’s delisting, it may not be unconnected to his membership of the Ortom administration, for the latter’s straight eight year stint in office.

There has been no love lost between Alia and Ortom since the change of baton between both men in May 2023. In gestapo style, Alia’s agents started off last year impounding the vehicles of many Ortom associates who had been allocated the vehicles via a decision of the State Executive Council, (SEC) and who had paid for the vehicles.

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Alia has also repeatedly promised to probe the Ortom government. He recently accused the preceding government, among others, of leaving a salary burden of over N350bn for his administration to offset, a claim that is yet to be proven.

Alia’s vindictiveness in the Olofu matter has been very widely criticised by many political watchers.

“People cannot understand why David Olofu is being scapegoated just for being a top functionary in the Ortom dispensation. He couldn’t have appointed himself to the office, he actually set aside his thriving business concerns to oblige the call to serve.

“As the exchequer of the state, Olofu no doubt, occupied an enviable position of responsibility. He was, however, never the chief executive of the state, nay the approving officer. The genuineness of Alia’s priesthood is also being questioned, especially because of his alleged style of vengeful governance”, John Adoche, a youth leader from Idoma land told our Correspondent.

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Traditional rulers have been variously undermined over time by the overbearing over-lordship of many Governors. Yahaya Bello who is on the run from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), for the monumental heist he committed as Governor of Kogi State, disrespected the immediate past Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, the nonagenarian Ado Ibrahim. He embarrassed the now departed grandfather by issuing him a query over nothing.

In Kano, there is a subsisting ding-dong between an Emir of Kano appointed by the Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, in the person of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and the recently deposed Emir, Ado Bayero.

There have been recent murmurs about a plot to unsettle the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the spiritual leader of Muslims in Nigeria, who has been on the throne since 2006. The administration of governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto has debunked that rumour which gained rapid ascendancy in popular discourse.

“The investitures fixed for Saturday June 29, 2024, in Idomaland, will proceed as scheduled, even as the people of Benue State remain confounded about the Olofu saga”, a title holder in Idoma land who felt insulted by Alia’s decision, told our reporter.

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Video: Watch moment Senator Manu tasks NAFDAC officials on poor budget presentation

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The Senator representing Taraba Central, Manu Haruna white washed officials of NAFDAC for poor budget presentation during 2025 budget defense on Friday.

In a video, Senator Manu a former Deputy Governor of Taraba State opened the underbelly of NAFDAC on improper presentation of figures in the outlines.

He pointedly told the officials that the presentation was designed to mislead senators.

Watch video below:

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Why I returned N100m excess fund to Kano Govt Commissioner

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The Kano State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Tajo Othman, who was recently in the news for returning N100 million excess fund to the state government, has revealed the reason behind his action.

The commissioner while addressing newsmen in Kano on Friday said his action was influenced by the state governor’s “exemplary leadership style,” adding that in an ideal situation, leaders are always a pace setter for others to follow.

He said he did not expect Governor Kabir Abba Yusuf to reveal the act to the public, but the governor chose to do so during the flag-off of the free uniform distribution to encourage the future generation to be transparent.

He said, “In an ideal governance setting, the leader is a pace setter for others to follow. We have seen the governor’s body language and as such we fall in. That is what exactly happened. it is the wish of the governor that everybody should be as transparent as possible.

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“He is a transparent governor and therefore we should be transparent as well. I never expected the governor to go public with it, but I believe the reason behind his announcement is indeed genuine.”

The commissioner added that as the head of the committee for school uniform distribution, the state governor entrusted him with the task and advised the committee to execute it to the best of their ability.

The commissioner who was a retired customs officer was in the news when the Governor Yusuf publicly commended him for returning N100 million in unspent funds from a N2 billion budget earmarked for the production of 798,000 uniforms for pupils of primary 1 in the state.

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Nigerian Online Population Shows Strong Enthusiasm for AI – Report

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A new global survey report from Ipsos and Google has shown widespread use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools among Nigerian online population.

The study, tagged: “Our Life with AI: From Innovation to Application,” surveyed 21,000 people across 21 countries, and observed that global AI usage has jumped to 48 per cent and excitement about its potential now exceeds concerns (57 per cent vs. 43 per cent, up from 50 per cent / 50 per cent last year).

According to the report, in Nigeria, AI adoption and enthusiasm are even higher, as 70 per cent of the Nigerian online population used generative AI, surpassing the 48 per cent global average. Moreover, 87 per cent are excited about AI’s potential and see its benefits outweighing the risks.

Analysing the report, President of Global Affairs, Google & Alphabet, Kent Walker, said: “AI is starting to deliver magic at scale, making people’s lives easier and better. The survey results show the more people use these tools, the more excited they get about the possibilities and about the personal, professional, and scientific breakthroughs on the way.”

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The survey results indicate that optimism about AI is growing within the surveyed online community in Nigeria. Key findings from the survey, show that among survey participants in Nigeria, 70 per cent reported using generative AI in the past year, which is significantly higher than the global average of 48 per cent. A substantial 87 per cent of Nigerian respondents feel that AI’s potential benefits outweigh the associated risks, suggesting a strong belief in the positive impact of AI. A significant 81 per cent of surveyed Nigerian adults believe AI will positively change the economy.

Furthermore, 90 per cent of the survey respondents in Nigeria anticipate AI having a positive impact on science and medicine, demonstrating the widespread belief in the potential of AI to drive progress in these sectors.

According to the report, Nigeria’s online population demonstrates a higher level of excitement and adoption of AI when compared to other regions. The survey indicates: Nigeria is among the top countries in terms of AI usage and excitement about its potential.

This contrasts with more cautious sentiment in some European and North American countries.

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The report also said the Nigerian online community saw immense potential for AI in science and medical advancements:

“A significant 90 per cent of survey respondents expect AI to have a positive impact on science and medicine. This is one of the highest rates globally, highlighting the strong anticipation of breakthroughs in these fields through AI,” the report said, and onlinerd that the population in Nigeria recognised AI’s potential to enhance personal and professional development:

“Many believe AI can make people’s lives better by boosting productivity and providing access to resources. Within the Nigerian online population surveyed, there is a prevailing sentiment that supports the fostering of AI advancement rather than restrictive regulations. This suggests that those surveyed are keen to embrace innovation,” the report further said.

The survey results highlight the strong enthusiasm and optimism of the surveyed online population in Nigeria about the role of AI in various aspects of life, particularly in the economy, healthcare, and scientific advancement. The findings suggest that Nigeria’s online community is among the most enthusiastic globally about the transformative potential of AI.

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Google has been pursuing AI boldly and responsibly for years. In 2018, Google was one of the first companies to establish AI Principles grounded in beneficial use and avoidance of harm. Two years ago, it unveiled its opportunity agenda, which shard concrete recommendations for governments to ensure AI benefits the broadest range of people possible.

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