Author Archives: News All Around

Musa Kankara

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has come hard on those who staged a protest against the Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle.

A group of people were spotted at the Abuja office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, demanding re-opening of investigation against the former Zamfara governor.

Reacting to the development, the National President of the Ohanaeze Youths, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike said the protest was in a chain of actions lined up to discredit the minister for standing with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Okwu recalled that he had earlier raised the alarm over the plot by some Northerners opposed to Tinubu’s leadership to slam Matawalle’s image, having seen him as the rallying point for Mr President in the North.

He said, “It is, therefore, not a surprise that early Friday morning, the same people recruited people from the outskirts of Abuja and moved them to the city centre to protest against the minister.
“There was no doubt that most of the said protesters were ignorant of their mission to the EFCC office; they merely came to deliver on the job they were assembled to do.

“We therefore, once more retrait our advice to His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu not to be deceived by the same people who have vowed to truncate his second term in 2027.

“We urge Mr President to be wary of these desperadoes who are hellbent on destroying any good person around his government. They should not be given any space at all to thrive in their evil machinations.”

“Once more, we stand solidly behind the Defence Minister and urge him to continue the good work he is doing, as could be seen in the improved security across the country,” Okwu stated.

He vowed that a time would soon come when “we will expose all those behind this desperate attempt to discredit the current government.”

The Kaduna Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has commended the Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, for his exceptional leadership and transparent information management, which has significantly enhanced public credibility and goodwill for the current administration.

In a statement issued by the Chapter Chairman, Haroun Malami, on the occasion of the Minister’s birthday, the NIPR acknowledged Alhaji Idris’ demonstration of the highest standards of public relations practice, showcasing character, competence, and credibility in his handling of government communication since assuming office.

The Chapter praised the Minister as an innovator who has made a purposeful shift from the old norm, building on his experience as the Kaduna State Chapter Chairman. His patriotism and service to nationhood in various capacities have left an indelible mark, with laudable footprints and remarkable accomplishments that testify to the impact of public relations on outcomes.

The NIPR expressed its appreciation for Alhaji Idris’ commitment to elevating public trust in governance and deepening citizens’ faith in the country. The statement concluded with a prayer for the Minister’s continued good health, wisdom, and strength in his patriotic service to the nation.

This version maintains the same message and structure but with a few tweaks to enhance clarity and readability.

The Kaduna Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has praised the Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, for his exceptional leadership and transparent information management, which has significantly enhanced public credibility and goodwill for the current administration.

In a statement issued by the Chapter Chairman, Haroun Malami, on the occasion of the Minister’s birthday, the NIPR acknowledged that Alhaji Idris has demonstrated the highest standards of public relations practice, showcasing character, competence, and credibility in his handling of government communication since assuming office.

The Chapter described the Minister as an innovator who has made a purposeful shift from the old norm, building on his experience as the Kaduna State Chapter Chairman. His patriotism and service to nationhood in various capacities have left laudable footprints and remarkable accomplishments, testifying to the impact of public relations on outcomes.

The NIPR expressed its appreciation for Alhaji Idris’ commitment to elevating public trust in governance and deepening citizens’ faith in the country. The statement concluded with a prayer for the Minister’s continued good health and wisdom in his patriotic service to the nation.

… Urges Tinubu to Intervene

As Nigeria joins the world to mark the Workers Day, the civilian staff of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), have used the occasion to protest what they termed unfair treatment and transparent payroll practices by the management.

The workers,who trooped out today at the premises of Ordinance Factory Complex , Kakuri , Kaduna  with various placards with inscriptions such as :”Pay us our wage award”, “we are tired of management incompetence”, ” military said we are not special” etc complained about denied access to a critical program that promotes transparency and efficiency in wage distribution as regards the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

According  to workers, the exclusion prevents them from receiving the recent wage increases implemented for IPPIS-enrolled employees.

The aggrieved  workers during the protest  raised concerns about the accuracy of their payroll data outside of IPPIS, said, ” To add insult to injury, the Deputy Director of Human Resources, Mercy Philip, curtly dismissed our inquiries, calling IPPIS a “no-go area” and suggesting they forget about enrollment altogether until she retires.

Speaking further about their concerns , the workers alleged :  “Allowances for scarce skills (established in 2008) and transportation (introduced in 2015) were abruptly stopped without explanation, causing frustration and a sense of unfair treatment. This is they described as a reprehensible treatment of a dedicated workforce.”

” To confirm the maltreatment, the workers alleged  that Director of Production Air Commodore, Ola Emmanuel in his address to some staff in the factory justified reasons civil staff have not  enjoyed wage award . Stressing, We have not received a single month of the wage award since it was announced September 2023.

He also said that rather than questioning our management , we should go and ask the Accountant General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defense and offices budget office and salary and wages commission to confirm why the non payment of the wage rewards .

They  explained further,” We are owed eight months of minimum wage arrears dating back to 2019. Additionally, we haven’t received the N35,000 six-month wage award initiated by the federal government in September 2023. With a new minimum wage on the horizon, we are concerned that we may be left behind again.

“Unfortunately, our attempts to address these concerns through open communication with DICON’s management have fell on deaf ears.

“Management has brushed aside our concerns, and even the Employee Town Hall, promised by the Director General to be held every two months, has never been held. This lack of transparency is further hindering progress.

“We have held peaceful protests, first on July 3rd, 2023, and most recently the one we declared on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, demonstrating a commitment to finding solutions. As DICON is a non-union workplace, we are staging this peaceful protest on a symbolically significant day for workers’ rights: May 1st. This comes amid reports of a list being compiled to terminate the appointments of those believed to be spearheading the ongoing protests.

“Furthermore, it should be noted that the demoralization and potential dismissal of a highly skilled workforce with exclusive expertise in producing restricted goods like weapons and explosives poses a significant security threat. Disgruntled or desperate workers could be more vulnerable to exploitation or radicalization, potentially jeopardizing the security of these sensitive materials. Will laying off such a critical workforce not exacerbate security threats by placing sensitive expertise in uncertain hands?

The workers however, said the failure on side of  DICON Management to meet the obligations to its civilian workforce has has negative impact on employees morale which raises serious concerns about fair treatment.

They  urged President Bola Tinubu  to take immediate action to address the concerns regarding fair treatment; transparent payroll practices, and the timely resolution of these outstanding issues.

*Advice opposition Presidential candidates to support Tinubu or become unpopular

*Insist his emergence was divine

While describing the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a divine project, the Northern Youth Leader’s Forum (NYLF), an umbrella body of over 43 groups from Northern Nigeria, has dumped it’s preferred candidate at the 2023 presidential polls and is rallying support for Jagaban.

NYLF made its position known in Abeokuta, Ogun State today, at a press briefing during a visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whom they are also lobbying to key into the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu project.

Reading the text of the briefing, Comrade Elliot Afiyo, National President, Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF), the umbrella organization of Northern Youth Leaders, said Nigerians should support President Tinubu whom they described as the “Moses” for Nigeria.

“We want to let Nigerians know that President Tinubu is a child of necessity and his emergence as President is a working Process of Divine Project. God allows Tinubu to be President for a purpose towards fulfilling the divine destiny of Nigeria and Nigerians.

“Tinubu may not necessary be the Joshua that will take us to the Promised Land. But definitely he is the Moses that will mentor and set the pace for the Joshua to take us to the promised land and there we shall be,” Comrade Afiyo said.

He explained that it’s a privilege once again to address the press on their decision to contact all their Patrons and Elders especially former Presidents, Heads of State, Military Chiefs, Traditional and Religious Leaders to appeal for support and encouragement for President Tinubu’s administration.

“We have keenly and neoterically observed and experienced the emergence of President Tinubu as a divine intervention by God to free and empower His children and also lay a true foundation based on patriotism for the overall development of Nigeria.

“From the emergence of Asiwaju Tinubu during the primaries of the All Progressive Congress (APC), to campaigns and subsequent presidential election and to his pronouncements as the President elect and consequently sworn-in as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you will agree with us that, it was the finger of God in action.

“This is a man that was opposed by the Presidency, Cabal, CBN, EFCC, NNPCL, Nigeria’s Godfathers, His party (APC), Christians, Muslims, leaders of his kinsmen and the International Community. Even INEC worked against him.
His opponents used his age, educational, financial and family backgrounds, his age and his health against him. He lost his state and the entire South east, South-south, north-west, north-east and north-central, but won the election and subsequently sworn in as President. This can only be the finger of God,” NYLF said.

According to the text of the briefing titled, “IT’S TIME TO SUPPORT THE DIVINE PROJECT” NYLF said that they observed with great joy, the President’s actions and inactions both covertly and overtly within the first one month of his administration and genuinely concluded that the ways of the Lord are indeed supreme and unpredictable and He can use anyone or anything to achieve his will and purpose

“Judging from his inaugural speech, appointment of Service Chiefs and other paramilitary heads and the unification of the exchange rate of the foreign currencies against the Naira, coupled with his pronouncements and body language, every reasonable citizen of This Country knows that at last, we shall laugh again.

“This is the reason why I am here to meet and to deliberate with the foremost Father and respected Leader, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR) to appeal to him to support President Bola Tinubu at least to liberate us from the grip of the senseless and wicked politicians, civil servants, Traditional and Religious Rulers parading themselves as our leaders.

“We consider and truly too, President Bola Tinubu as the King of Assyria that was sent by God to deliver His children from the Babylonian slavery. Consequently, we sincerely and honestly call upon our elders, especially our Patrons to sheath their swords and support President Tinubu’s government to succeed.

“To this end, we will like to state unequivocally that the entire Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) has unanimously decided to support this administration totally against our earlier standpoint and wait for the perfect will of God to be fulfilled,” they declared.

NYLF therefore, appreciated and thanked President Tinubu for his appointments especially those of the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defense Staff, Inspector-General of Police and Comptroller-General of Customs.

They appealed to the President to consider it as a matter of urgency and emergency, to initiate the process of their confirmation to substantive positions.

In view of their conviction, they adviced the opposition parties and their presidential candidates to continue and pursue their cases at the Tribunal with utmost decency but join hands with the Tinubu’s administration if they want to be popular or succeed in their future political endeavours because whether President Tinubu met all the requirements to be President or not, or he was illegally declared the winner and subsequently sworn-in illegitimately or not, God has spoken.

“When the supernatural declares it, all natural protocols, requirements and qualifications become irrelevant and illegal, because they must have been suspended by the supernatural declaration and they can only be restored by the supernatural authority,” they advised.

Group hails Mele Kyari over NNPC reforms

A group under the aegis of Oil Industry Transparency Solidarity League ( OLTRASOL) has expressed satisfaction with ongoing reforms by the NNPC management led by Malam Mele Kyari.

Chairman of the group Ibrahim Garba Gombe who made this known in a media statement at the weekend said only politicians with hidden agenda would fail to see the good in the ongoing reforms of the oil giant.

The group said the anti-NNPC and Kyari campaigners were unsettled by “the massive interventions of the Company in the educational, health sectors and the funding of infrastructural development projects”.

The statement explained that the current media campaign against the NNPC and Kyari were therefore designed by “persons scheming for Kyari’s seat as the GCEO of the NNPC, ignorant of the fact that it is a tenured appointment”.

The group said the ongoing reforms at the NNPC has led to exposing illegal refineries in strategic locations of the South-South.

The statement said ” the massive policing of oil pipelines in the Niger-Delta, with the cooperation of security agents has helped greatly in security the national assets of the oil giant.

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has raised the alarm on the need to invite both the Managing Director of Access Bank and his counterpart at the Guaranteed Trust Bank (GTB) following the arrest and the ongoing probe of the erstwhile Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele.

Frank said the probe of the two bank leaders was necessary based on allegations that the duo were allegedly main accomplices in aiding the atrocious acts of subversion and misappropriation of public funds meant for the welfare of the Nigerian people.

In a statement signed and released Friday in Abuja, Timi Frank also appealed to the government of United Kingdom (UK) to cooperate with Nigeria security agencies to immediately invite the duo for questioning.

Frank claimed that invitation for probe had been sent to the two managing directors.

According to him, this key information also discloses that even when invitation from the Department of State Service has been extended to these individuals to report and answer to allegations bordering on their involvement with the erstwhile Governor of the CBN, active plans are underway to undermine the invitation extended to them whilst resorting to taking refuge in the UK specifically.

“It is important to note that even when invitations have been extended to these individuals to report on Monday the 3rd of July for questioning, the MD Gtbank who was sighted today chilling in the streets of the UK had repeatedly reaffirmed his unwillingness to return to the country for any such cross examination by the DSS.

“We are also aware that four other Managing Directors of tier one banks in the country have been fingered as direct accomplices and conduit for Mr. Emefiele with the Access and Gtbank MD’s playing the greater roles in aiding to defraud and fleece the nation fraudulently.

“Therefore, I’d like to call on the UK government to kindly assist the Nigerian government by disallowing any form of extended stay for these individuals who are currently in the UK for personal purposes.

“The UK government must be seen in aiding the Nigerian government by disallowing any corrupt individual, whether Private or Public servants by making the UK a haven for corrupt officials.

“As stakeholders in fighting for a corrupt free nation, we’re determined to do all we can in assisting the FG eradicate all forms of corruption in the Nigerian society.

“We must also note the acquisition of two private jets by the Gtbank Managing Director with a value of over $80million which is not officially captured anywhere in their books. This fraudulent acquisition must also be properly ascertained to determine the genuineness of such largesse.

Frank also called on the State Security Service (DSS) “to do all within its powers in fishing out and bringing the enemies of Nigeria to book. We have had enough of individuals taking the country for a ride and benefitting solely for personal agrradisement.

“I am convinced that the Department of State Service will take this information seriously and act accordingly in compelling these individuals to answer to their fraudulent roles in line with the provisions of the law.

“We have other key information at our disposal should the DSS oblige.”

By: Musa Zakar

As Nigerian Muslims joined  Muslim faithfuls all over the world to mark the  festival of Eid El Kabir, the National President of Rescue Movement For New  Nigeria ( RMNN) and a former presidential candidate under the platform of Labour Party, Hon.Joseph Faduri has sent congratulatory message to Nigerian Muslims.

In a open letter signed by him, Faduri urged Muslims to do their best to be their brother’s keeper the face of numerous challenges bedeviling the country 

“As citizens of the great nation called Nigeria, we must do our best to be our brothers  helpers in the face of these hostilities, inflation, high cost of living, poverty in the land, hardship, joblessness. Cashlessness and hunger; like Nigerians have never seen before.

“Our country is a nation where we have everything but we lack everything, a nation of oil but has the highest price of gas in her country, a nation of so much human resources but the people struggle in the midst of it all. A nation of love, but hatred overtakes the land,  a nation of giants, but giants struggle like weakling, a people that work like lions but eat like ants.

Faduri further charged President Bola Ahmad Tinubu and elected political office holders to to do more to elevate the hardship Nigerians are going through due years of corruption, mismanagement of the country’s resources by past administrations 

The former Presidential aspirant urged the political class especially the President to create more jobs and fight corruption.

” I want to use this festive period to appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Nigerians are going through a lot, the president must do his best to come to the rescue of Nigerians, he must do all it takes to bring hope back to Nigerians again

“We must start rebuilding our dilapidated nation, bad roads, insecurity, kidnapping; as a result of hunger must be tackled not with guns but with jobs, and enabling environment to survive, that will turn the players away from those evil acts, a hungry man will steal, a hungry man will kill, will do anything to survive. It’s the survival instincts that makes many commit havoc in our nation.

” And if government can create jobs and better life for Nigerians; all these anomalies are definitely going to drop to bearest  minimum.

On the vexatious issue of corruption, Faduri had this to say,

“Pesident Tinubu must not allow corruption to continue in public office. A nation that must succeed must fight corruption and bring it to the lowest minimum. 

“A nation that wants to fight corruption must punish offenders and not reward them with medical treatments abroad. Until people start paying for corruption and we start  punishing offenders, our dear nation won’t move forward and people won’t have faith in the government

The Full Text of Hon Faduri’s Sallah Message 

Open Message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians: Eid-el-Kabir: Time for Hope.

Happy Eid el Kabir  to all Muslim faithful in Nigeria and all around the World. This is a time to remind ourselves of the need for love for one another and the need to seek peace with all men and, most importantly, to look after one another. Especially in our nation that so many citizens have been going through a lot lately. From poor new Naira notes rolled out, to poor subsidy removal, from hikes in standard of living, and of course a high expense of daily  survival.

As citizens of the great nation called Nigeria, we must do our best to be our brothers  helpers in the face of these hostilities, inflation, high cost of living, poverty in the land, hardship, joblessness. Cashlessness and hunger; like Nigerians have never seen before.

Our country is a nation where we have everything but we lack everything, a nation of oil but has the highest price of gas in her country, a nation of so much human resources but the people struggle in the midst of it all. A nation of love, but hatred overtakes the land,  a nation of giants, but giants struggle like weakling, a people that work like lions but eat like ants.

Those in our government, especially our newly elected leaders starting from the President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu down to the Senators, Honourables in House of Representatives and State House of Assemblies, State Governors, Local Government Chairmen and every elected officials; must do so much to change the narrative of African giants that is crawling to eat, struggling to feed, a hungry nation. Nigeria today is one of the poorest nations on earth. A  nation that was once feeding neighbouring countries and beyond. A nation the world once used to come to, but now turned to a nation its citizens are daily looking for a way to escape.

This Eid-el-Kabir celebration must remind us of the basis for religion, to bring hope to the hopeless and life to the  lifeless, to bring help to the needy and peace to to the troubled citizens.

Those in government in the past have so much mismanaged the resources of the nation, and it is time to turn the table and change the narrative.

It is time for Nigerians to for once to say, “yes we have a government”, this administration is still new and there is not much yet to say about it.

But I want to use this festive period to appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Nigerians are going through a lot, the president must do his best to come to the rescue of Nigerians, he must do all it takes to bring hope back to Nigerians again. We must start rebuilding our dilapidated nation, bad roads, insecurity, kidnapping; as a result of hunger must be tackled not with guns but with jobs, and enabling environment to survive, that will turn the players away from those evil acts, a hungry man will steal, a hungry man will kill, will do anything to survive. It’s the survival instincts that makes many commit havoc in our nation. And if government can create jobs and better life for Nigerians; all these anomalies are definitely going to drop to bearest  minimum.

President Tinubu must not allow corruption to continue in public office. A nation that must succeed must fight corruption and bring it to the lowest minimum. A nation that wants to fight corruption must punish offenders and not reward them with medical treatments abroad. Until people start paying for corruption and we start  punishing offenders, our dear nation won’t move forward and people won’t have faith in the government

. 

Every elected officials must take governance seriously and not just seen as a place to enrich themselves, but call to service. 

Our nation has been destroyed by corruption. Those we trusted with our treasury have looted it all, those we trusted with power have overpowered us and it is time for this next generation of leaders to start rising up to rebuild our nation. We must be sincere to fight poverty and bring better life to Nigerians once again. We must create suitable environment for business to strive.

Youths must be made a priority with the government creating jobs that reduced unemployment and getting our able youths back to the workforce. Our working force is daily migrating away in millions. 

Every policy of this government must be geared towards alleviating poverty for Nigerian people, reducing and totally eradicating hunger in the land. 

Yes, we can 

Yes, it is possible .Yes, we can achieve this if we put our might at it.

We Must look for the good of our nation. We must all as citizens too, play our part as all of us have a role to play if this Nation must succeed. every where we find ourselves we must do things with the consciousness of God who sees us even when no one sees us. We must love our country and think of what we can do for it to succeed, not just what only our country can do for us: every Nigerian, both home and in diaspora, must seek the success of our nation, and we must all contribute to its survival. I believe that someday Nigeria will still be great again. 

Happy Eid-el-Kabir to all Muslim faithful in Nigeria and all around the World.

And May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed the

 Joseph Faduri 

Former Presidential Aspirant Labor Party Leader

Rescue Movement for New Nigeria (RMNN)