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Uzanu community kingmakers remove traditional ruler, send notification in petition to LG chairman

Published

3 months ago

September 30, 2024

Kingmakers of Uneme-Uzanu in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State have sent a notification/petition to the Chairman of the Area Council, Hon Benedictta Attoh, intimating her of the removal of Benjamin Ikani as the Oliola of Uneme-Uzanu.

The petition dated September 22, 2024, was endorsed by the Onotu of Uzanu, Chief Emmanuel Ikemeh, the Anogie of Uzanu, Chief Peter Ajegba and the Vice-President of Uzanu Progressive Union, Mr. Benjamin Salami.

The petition, a copy of which was sent to the Area Commander, Agenebode; Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Uzanu Divisional Police Headquarters; Clan Head, South Uneme clan; and, Director of State Security, Agenebode, came on the heels of an earlier petition to the Oliola of Anegbette and Clan Head of South Uneme Clan, dated September 2, 2024 signed by six Uzanu chiefs and three other prominent sons of Uzanu.

The signatories to the petition were the Onotu of Uzanu, Chief Emmnauel Ikeme, the Anogie of Uzanu, Chief Peter Ajegba, the Ogievhokha of Uzanu, Chief Jimoh Shaibu, the Osese of Uzanu, Chief James Aluigbe, the Ogiegbai of Uzanu, Chief Ephraim Abu.

The other signatories comprised Chief Kasimu Kadiri, Mr Joseph Momoh Jn (Youth Chairman), and Mr Sani Momodu (former Youth Chairman).

In the September 2, 2024 petition, entitled: “Petition for the removal of Banjamin Ikani as the Oliola of Uzanu”, the signatories called for the immediate removal of Benjamin Ikani from his position as the Oliola of Uzanu.

They predicated their removal of the traditional ruler on eight grounds including torture and inhumane treatment meted out to three community elders namely Mr Kenya, Mrs Abide an Mrs Michael Ayegbeni- who is Adegbomo’s mother in August 2021.

They claimed that for the first time in the community, the three elders were tied to a stake overnight on a trumped up and unsubstantiated charge of witchcraft while the Chief Benjamin Ikani ordered that they should be whipped and water poured on them overnight.

They also cited the inhumane treatment meted out to a woman in 2021. “Ikani again instructed the feeding of one Acheluwa Esther with excreta and was also forced to drink water to ensure the excreta was properly swallowed. This is a heinous act that violates human dignity,” they alleged in the petition.

They listed other alleged offences of the traditional ruler to include intimidation and threat to life, unlawful lease of community resources, misappropriation of community funds, threats of violence and harm, instigating crisis between Uzanu and its neighbouring communities, and causing disharmony among the palace chiefs and unlawful turbaning of chiefs.

Stating that they could not watch the developments continue unchecked, they decided in the meeting held on the 21st of September 2024 to remove Benjamin Ikani from his position as the Oliola of Uzanu.

They called for the immediate setting up of a committee to investigate his acts/actions with a view to compelling him to account for his wrongdoings.

They also demanded protection for community members from further harm or intimidation; restoration of community resources and funds misappropriated by Ikani; and, immediate resolution, mandating the Oliola-in-Council to take over the affairs of the community pending the appointment of a substantive Oliola.

Both petitions sighted by our reporter were in pari materia as both centred on the alleged atrocities of Chief Ikani.

The petition to the Etsako East Local Government Chairman, dated September 22, 2024, was received on September 25, 2024, in the Office of the Chairman and accordingly acknowledged with a stamp of the Local Government.

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Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.

Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.

He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.

This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.

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Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.

This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.

During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”

The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.

Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:

Federal Medical Centre, Bida
Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
Federal College of Education, Yola
Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
Federal University of Technology, Minna
Cross River Basin Development Authority
Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
National Examination Council (NECO)
Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
Presidential Amnesty Programme
Galaxy Backbone
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals

Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.

The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.

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Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called for the revitalization and strengthening of the National Association of Public Accounts Committees (NAPAC) to enhance transparency, accountability, and good governance across Nigeria.

Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), Rep. Bamidele Salam, stated this at the joint sitting of Public Accounts Committees of Senate and House and inauguration of an Adhoc Committee for the reconvening of NAPAC at the National Assembly on Tuesday, emphasised the importance of collaboration among Public Accounts Committees at both federal and state levels.

Formed in 2014, NAPAC comprises 38 chapters nationwide, including the Public Accounts Committees of the Senate, House of Representatives, and all 36 State Houses of Assembly, Rep. Salam noted that the Association has been dormant in recent years, necessitating urgent action to restore its relevance.

He stated, “This Association is a pivotal platform for promoting transparency and accountability in governance. However, in recent times, the Association’s activities have been dormant, necessitating the need for a quick revitalization.

“It is in this context that we are inaugurating this Ad-hoc Committee, tasked with the vital responsibility of reconvening the meeting of NAPAC.”

Salam outlined committee’s objectives, including reviving NAPAC’s activities, adopting innovative strategies to combat corruption, and collaborating with anti-corruption agencies, civil society, and the media.

He also stressed the importance of leveraging partnerships with continental and regional associations such as AFROPAC, WAPAC, and SADCOPAC for capacity building and knowledge sharing.

“The task ahead is daunting, but with collective effort, unwavering commitment, and an unshakeable faith in our nation’s potential, I am confident that we shall succeed,” he added.

In an interaction with journalists, thr Committee chairman, stressed plans to engage with the Auditor General of the Federation and Accountant General of the Federation to address delays in submitting reports on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“Of course, Nigerians should expect that we’re going to have more productivity, especially in consideration of the report of the Auditor General,” he said.

He noted that only the 2021 Auditor General’s report is currently before the National Assembly, a situation he described as inconsistent with constitutional provisions. Salam expressed the committee’s determination to ensure Nigeria catches up with the 2022 and 2023 reports by next year.

He added, “We’ll also be able to bring more of these agencies of government in line to ensure that all monies appropriated by the National Assembly are spent judiciously, efficiently, and in a lawful manner.”