Ex-UK secretary of state for international trade Kemi Badenoch on Saturday emerged as the leader of the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom.

Kemi Badenoch, 44, representing North West Essex in the British parliament, contested for the Conservative Party’s leadership on Thursday, October 31.

Badenoch, at the close of voting, in a statement, thanked supporters of her “Renewal2030” campaign promise of returning the party to 10 Downing Street, after a historic loss for Keir Starmer’s Labor Party.

Polls have closed for the Conservative Party leadership contest. I want to thank all our party members who have taken the time to listen to pitches from all of the candidates, turned up to our Hastings and hosted us in your associations and in your homes.

The Conservative Party is much more to me than a membership organization. It is a family. Thank you to all who voted, especially those who supported me,” she wrote. on her X handle.

She will now replace Rishi Sunak who quit after the party’s poor showing in July’s general election.

Prof Utuama, a two-term Deputy Governor, served under the administration of former Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan.

He was born on June 5, 1947, Utuama served as Deputy Governor to former Governor Uduaghan from May 2007 to May 2015.

It was reliably gathered that the ex-Deputy Governor died in Warri at the age of 78 after a protracted illness.

More later…

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

After strike, the Federal Government has released funds to settle outstanding salaries owed to members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Federal Universities and pay benefits to retirees under the Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme.

In a statement on Saturday by Bawa Mokwa, Director, Press and Public Relations, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation confirmed that payments to NASU members have commenced, with many already confirming receipt.

The statement read, “The Federal Government has released funds for payment of withheld salary of Non-Academic Staff Union of Federal Universities.

According to the OAGF, the Federal Government has also released funds for payment of benefits to retirees under the Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector.

“The OAGF said payments to the Non-Academic Staff of Federal Universities had commenced and many have confirmed receipt.”

The OAGF reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers and retirees.

On Monday, the Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU embarked on an indefinite strike over its four months of withheld salary.

Since then, activities have been grounded in universities across the country.

In an earlier interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, the National President of SSANU, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, stated that university executives, including vice-chancellors, bursars, and registrars, did not receive salaries for four months.

He said as a result, the universities would remain completely shut down until the payments were made.