Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Author: Tobiloba Kolawole

Edo PDP: Obaseki, other cleared aspirants get green light for primary

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has been given a reprieve after a High Court of Justice in the Ekpoma judicial division today restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from excluding Governor Godwin Obaseki and the other cleared aspirants from participating in the Edo State governorship primary.

According to the court order, the PDP and the electoral umpire should not exempt any of the aspirants who have been cleared by the party from participating in the gubernatorial primary election scheduled to hold on the 25th June 2020.

This decision as of now guarantees the participation of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the gubernatorial primary.

Recall that earlier today, there were reports in the media that indicated a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State had on Monday stopped Obaseki from participating in the June 25 governorship primary of the party in the state.

A PDP member, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, had filed an ex parte motion, praying the court to bar Obaseki from taking part in the primary.

June 23, 2020
UN refugee agency appoints 2Baba Goodwill Ambassador

Tobiloba Kolawole

The United Nation Refugee Agency, UNHCR has appointed Nigerian born world-renowned musician, Innocent Ujah Idibia popularly known by the stage name 2Baba, as its Goodwill Ambassador.

The appointment of 2Baba, who is also a music producer and philanthropist was announced in a statement by the UN Refugee agency today, Tuesday 23, 2020.

The agency stated that for the past three years, 2Baba has been a committed High-Level Supporter of UNHCR’s LuQuLuQu campaign – a pan-African movement of people from all walks of life investing in a better future for forcibly displaced people across the continent.

The International agency noted that the talented musician has over the years dedicated his time to uplift the narrative of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDP) in Africa.

In 2017, during a visit to IDP camps in Borno State, north-east Nigeria, 2Baba remarked that: “These families shared heart-breaking stories of watching loved ones being kidnapped or killed, forced to flee the comfort of their homes and leave everything they knew behind. I saw how they struggled to access basic things that we take for granted – like food, water, education and healthcare.

“I witnessed UNHCR’s work firsthand during my visits and commend the organization for being on the frontlines, providing emergency relief and support to forcibly displaced families. I believe in this organization and I’m proud to be associated with UNHCR”, 2Baba the first Nigerian to be appointed as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador stated.

Reacting to the appointment, the UNHCR Representative in Nigeria, Chansa Kapaya, expressed optimism about the positive impact 2Baba’s appointment will bring to the organization and refugees.

“Nigeria hosts 60,239 refugees in south east Nigeria and over 2.6 million internally displaced persons in north east Nigeria. With such staggering numbers of people forced to flee in Africa, 2Baba’s support and advocacy is instrumental for Nigeria and the continent.

“We look forward to his continued incredible commitment”, Kapaya said.

As an Afropop music legend, 2Baba has given his voice to refugee and IDP causes. In 2017 he wrote and recorded, Hold My Hand, a song dedication to internally displaced persons, which helped raise funds for UNHCR’s humanitarian response.

Apart from his time, physical presence at the refugee/IDP camps and song dedication, 2Baba has also generously contributed personal funds to support refugee and IDP families in Africa, while continuing to use his celebrity status to raise awareness and support for UNHCR’s work.

In his welcome statement to the new Goodwill Ambassador, UNHCR’s Director of External Relations, Dominique Hyde noted that: “At a time when one percent of humanity has been forced to flee, we welcome 2Baba’s help in raising awareness and support for refugees and our cause.

“We welcome 2Baba to the UNHCR family as a Goodwill Ambassador and commend him for being part of the movement challenging the narrative of the African refugee”, Hyde said.

The appointment of 2Baba comes as the world is facing unprecedented levels of forced displacement globally, with 79.5 million people forcibly displaced.

More than 26.4 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa have been forced to flee their home, the largest number of displaced people in the world.

June 23, 2020
Breaking: Police takes over APC headquarters, seals premises

The Nigeria Police Force has sealed the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

According to information gathered by Channels Television, the seal-off was aimed at ensuring peace around the secretariat.

Members of the NWC who showed up at the party secretariat were prevented from gaining access to the party house while members of staff and journalists were allowed to walk in without their cars.

This development comes as the party’s leadership has been divided over who takes over as the Acting National Chairman, following the suspension of the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

The party’s National Working Committee had affirmed former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, as the Acting National Chairman.

However, due to Mr Ajimobi’s unavoidable absence, the NWC appointed the National Vice Chairman, South-South, Hilliard Etta to act on his behalf.

Meanwhile, the APC Deputy National Secretary, Mr Victor Giadom also declared himself as the acting National Chairman, on the strength of a Federal Capital Territory High Court order obtained on March 16.

In his reaction, embattled National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, said he has accepted the verdict of the Court of Appeal which upheld his suspension.

He noted that his next line of action will be determined by his lawyers.

“We thank their lordships, they have given their judgement. In our democracy, the court is an independent arm of government.

“When they hand that judgment, it is not for you to pick whether you will obey or not. I accept their judgement in good fate.

“My lawyers will advise having studied the judgement, what the next line of action will be. So at this point, I will just thank their Lordships for their judgment and look forward to my lawyers on what should be the next line if there should be another next line of action,” he said.

June 23, 2020
Ondo: Akeredolu sacks Deputy Governor’s media aide

Ondo state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has terminated the appointment of an aide to the embattled Deputy Governor of the state.

The sack was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday in Akure by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Olusegun Ajiboye.

Ajiboye stated that the sack of the Deputy Governor’s Special Assistant on New Media, Allen Sowore, was with immediate effect.

READ ALSO: Finance Minister reconstitutes NBET Board, reinstates controversial MD, Amobi

The Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, who has been having irreconcilable differences with his principal, Governor Akeredolu on Sunday finally resigned from the All Progressives Congress and joined the People’s Democratic Party.

Ajayi, however, maintained that he remains the deputy governor of the state in spite of his leaving the All Progressives Congress. He explained that the APC has “become a poisoned space” with one man “kneeling on its neck”.

The statement, which conveyed the sack of the Deputy Governor’s aide advised Sowore to submit all government properties in his possession to the Chief of Staff to the Governor.

June 23, 2020
Finance minister reconstitutes NBET board, reinstates controversial MD, Amobi

The Federal Government has reconstituted the Board of Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company, the managing and administrative agency of the electricity pool in the Nigerian electricity supply industry.

A statement from the Federal Ministry of Finance indicated that the prevalent challenges in the power sector made it necessary to re-constitute the Board.

During the inauguration of the board, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, charged the members to come up with strategies that will facilitate the speedy resolution of challenges in the power sector.

Members of the board are Mr. Alexander Okoh, Ms. Patience Oniha, Mr Ben Akabueze, Suleyman Ndanusa, Engr. Mustapha Balarabe Shehu, Mr. Adeyeye Adepegba and Dr. Marilyn Amobi, as Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Air Force foils bandit attack

Mrs. Ahmed, who is the Chairman of the Board, said: “The reconstitution of the board therefore took consideration of the current stage of evolution of the restructured electricity sector, the complexities the sector currently faces, multi-disciplinary skills of prospective Board members especially in finance and investment, electricity generation, system operations of deregulated electricity markets, administrative law, as well as economic regulation of network utilities, amongst other factors.

“It is important that we bring our skills and experiences to bear in this critical assignment.

“It is important that we build NBET to become that defensive wall against potential payment defaults, till generation companies and distribution companies are able to enter into power purchase agreements on bilateral basis.”

She said NBET should be able to successfully fulfill its role in the management and administration of financial flows in the sector, adding that it was vital for the agency to promote a contract-based market that allocates risks efficiently to parties responsible for them.

Recall that the reinstated Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer NBET, Dr. Marilyn Amobi, has been enmeshed in controversies including an alleged N517 million graft and violation of the country’s code of conduct for public officials.

READ ALSO: Buhari meets progressive Governors over APC crisis

Premium Times had on June 10 exposed how Ms. Amobi continued to run a private firm, ESL Economics and Management Limited, registered in the United Kingdom, while being a public officer in Nigeria in violation of the country’s code of conduct for public officials.

She also continued to run a foreign account in violation of Nigeria’s law, Premium Times reported.

June 23, 2020
Nigerian Air Force foils Bandit attack

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has foiled an attack by armed bandits along the Kwauya-Tsamiya village axis in Kaduna State.

This is according to a statement issued on Monday by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Major General, John Enenche.

According to the statement, the personnel of the 404 Force Protection Group (404 FPG) NAF Base Kaduna thwarted the planned attack in the early hours of Sunday.

Major General Enenche explained that this followed “reports that some cattle rustlers/armed bandits had raided the Fulani settlements adjacent to the NAF Base and seized some heads of cattle from some herders at gun point.”

The statement further noted that a Rapid Response Force (RRF) Team was dispatched to pursue and recover the rustled cattle.

“The RRF Team, supported by NAF Special Forces deployed to Operation BADAMAMAKI, in conjunction with the local vigilantes, quickly located the bandits and engaged them in a firefight causing them to retreat in multiple directions abandoning 40 cattle in the process,” the statement added.

“While there were no casualties to any civilian or NAF personnel in the encounter, some of the bandits managed to escape with gunshot wounds.”

This is as the statement commended the officers for their gallantry and urged them “to sustain their efforts to curb the activities of bandits and all other criminal elements threatening the peace and security of our beloved country.”

– Channels TV

June 23, 2020
Abiodun Appoints Selimot Ottun as Ogun New Head of Service

Idowu Sowunmi

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved the appointment of Alhaja Selimot Olapeju Ottun as the new Head of Service in the state.

Ottun’s appointment was coming after the former Head of Service, TPL Amope Ajibola Chokor, bowed out of the public service of Ogun State over the weekend.

An accomplished psychologist, community development expert and administrator, she becomes the fifth woman to occupy the office and the 17th Head of Service since the creation of the state.

While wishing Ottun success in her new assignment, Abiodun said he believed that she would put her vast knowledge in the management of the state’s civil service to good use in her new assignment.

Ottun comes into her new position with impeccable pedigree and service record.

Until her appointment, Ottun was Permanent Secretary in the Bureau of Political Affairs and Administration. She previously served as Permanent Secretary at Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism between 2015 and 2019.

A 1985 graduate of Psychology from University of Ibadan, the new Head of Service also earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Integrated Development from Pan African Institute of Development, Bua in Cameroon.

Ottun had coordinated many Community Development and Gender Programmes for the state government and was also the state Director of the United Nations Gender Development Programme between 2009 and 2015.

The new Head of Service has over the years proven to be an asset in different leadership roles she was saddled with. She’s also known to have used her network and creative ingenuity to adapt to changes in public sector management.

Ottun is happily married and she is the President of Remo Secondary School, Sagamu 1973/78 set.

June 22, 2020
Updated: Buhari meets Progressive Governors over APC crisis, Giadom consults Presidency

Idowu Sowunmi

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday held a closed-door meeting with some Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The meeting, which took place inside the Presidential Villa in Abuja, has been described as Buhari’s intervention with the sole aim of finding lasting solution to the current crisis rocking the ruling party.

Ahead of the Monday meeting, the President had Sunday evening met with the Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, who hinted of Buhari’s readiness to intervene and resolve the party’s crisis.

Those at the meeting include the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu; Chairman of Northern Governors Forum, Mr. Simon Lalong, and Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting on Monday, Bagudu said the governors visited Buhari over crisis rocking the APC.

Kebbi State governor said the meeting discussed “steps to support unify and bring about a peaceful resolution in our party, the APC.”

According to him, “Mr President listened attentively and discussed with us and he gave us all the assurance we need to know that a resolution of contentious issues will soon be arrived at.

“Mr President has shown that he is a democrat. He is not running the party. Yes, he is the party leader, he allows party organs to do and decide what should be done.”

APC has been in a leadership crisis since last week after the Court of Appeal Abuja upheld the suspension of Adams Oshiomole as its National Chairman.

READ ALSO: Edo: Giadom says Ize Iyamu APC primaries victory is illegal in a letter to INEC

While Victor Giadom, a suspended Deputy National Secretary, is insisting he is the acting National Chairman of the party, the National Working Committee approved the appointment of former Oyo State governor and APC Deputy National Chairman, Abiola Ajimobi, as the acting chairman of the party.

Due to Ajimobi’s ailing state, the party approved the appointment of Hilliard Eta, APC Vice Chairman (South-south), as the acting chairman pending the time Ajimobi would fully recover to take over the mantle of party’s leadership.

Meanwhile, Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Victor Giadom is believed to have initiated consultation with APC governors and relevant offices in the Presidency ahead of upcoming Emergency National Executive Council (NEC) of the party.

According to Independent, findings suggest that APC governors and the presidency have asked Giadom, one of the Acting National Chairman claimants to submit to the government documents relating to the last Emergency NEC of the party which was suspended at the last minute in March this year.

June 22, 2020
Edo: Giadom says Ize-Iyamu APC primaries Victory is illegal in a letter to INEC

All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has emerged the flagbearer of the party in the September 2020 Edo election.

Ize-Iyamu, who has been touted as the preferred candidate by political observers was declared winner of the primary election by Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodinma after the end of the exercise on Monday.

Ize-Iyamu, a former 2016 Edo governorship candidate in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was said to have won the direct primary election with a total of 27,838 votes to defeat Dr. Pius Odubu who scored 3,776 and Osaro Obazee who got 2,751 votes.

Meanwhile, an Acting Chairman of the party, Victor Giadom has distanced himself from the primary election held within the APC Edo chapter on Monday.

The letter dated June 18 and sighted by Echotitbits indicates that the erstwhile National Secretary of the APC, Giadom, who leveraged a court judgement in his favour to declare himself as the Acting Chairman of the party wrote to inform the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the exercise lacks authenticity.

Giadom had in the letter, which also copied the Inspector General of the Police, Director General of the DSS and Chairman of Edo APC, advised INEC not to lend support or recognition to the said primary election.

Read more in the letter below:

June 22, 2020
How we avert multiple fire explosion on Kara bridge – Lagos Fire Service

Idowu Sowunmi

The Lagos State Fire Service has explained how it successfully averted an escalation of a fire explosion involving three tankers and one trailer on Kara Bridge along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in the early hours of Sunday.

Lagos State Fire Service and other first responders like Ogun State Fire Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, National Emergency Management Agency and Federal Road Safety Corps had swiftly moved to the scene of the incident in order to avert multiple fire explosions.

Speaking on the incident, the Acting Head, Lagos State Fire Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, said the quick and timely response by the agency ensured that the fire disaster was effectively contained before it escalated.

“Lagos State firemen responded to a fire call at about 0046hrs on Sunday, 21st June, 2020 at Kara Bridge and quickly reached the location where some vehicles were already engulfed by fire.

“Nevertheless, our firefighters were able to contain the situation from escalating before it was finally extinguished a few hours later.”

Adeseye added that one of the tankers involved was conveying gas, while two others were filled with Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).

She explained that the firemen were on standby until the gas leakage from one of the vehicles in the accident stopped in order to avert further havoc and chaos.

“The fire incident was a delicate operation that required the use of chemical foam compound to avoid explosion,” she noted.

June 22, 2020