The APC Presidential Campaign Council led by its Director General and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong on Tuesday 19th December 2022 organised a Town Hall meeting with the organised Labour in Abuja where the Presidential Candidate of the APC Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave an insight into what his relationship with the Labour will be when elected into office.
The engagement with the Organised labour is contained in a press statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Director General DG Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council Makut Macham,and made available to gnews reporter in Jos ,plateau state capital
Asiwaju who said his manifesto, “Renewed Hope” captures his plans for reviving the economy and boosting production said the Nigerian worker will have a greater deal under his Presidency.
He said his relationship with the Labour movement goes deep as he worked side by side with some of its frontline leaders in the fight for the enthronement of democracy many years ago.
Tinubu explained that his vision for Nigeria is anchored on creating economic opportunities through industrialisation, fighting corruption and enhancing security as well as harnessing the potentials of every part of the country. Jobs he said must be created for the youths which will make the economy grow while crime goes down.
He said Nigerian workers apart from deserving living wages, must be given the opportunity to own houses, access quality healthcare, get credit to afford basic necessities of life as well as have their children get quality education through student loans among others.
Tinubu assured that the Labour will be carried along in the governance process as he believes in collective responsibility which is evident from his antecedent as Governor of Lagos State where he was able to marshal resources and gurantee the survival of the State depsite drought orchestrated by the then federal government.
Director General APC Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong appreciated the organised Labour for giving the APC Presidential Candidate the opportunity to share his vision with them and to also explain how he intends to impact their lives and that of Nigerians in general when elected.
NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba while presenting a charter of demands by the workers said the Nigerian worker is the one that really creates value but yet has been under-paid, under-employed and even exploited both in and out of service.
He said workers want a living wage, social security, controlled inflation and a regime of energy security that is based on local refining of Nigerian crude rather than import of refined products which has been used to siphon money belonging to all Nigerians under the guise of subsidy.
Also speaking, TUC President Comrade Peter Osifo said the Nigerian worker is tired of being shortchanged and left with no option than to embark on strike to press for his rights.
He said in the next dispensation, the workers want to be part of a government that will be transparent, responsible and prudent in order to manage the resources of the nation rather than plunging generations yet unborn into debt.
Deputy DG PCC and former NLC President Adams Osiohmole said Asiwaju presents the best deal for Nigerian workers because of his antecedents which clearly show that he is compassionate, strategic and open to carrying all sectors along.
He said a vote for Tinubu will make the Nigerian worker comfortable enough to give his best for the growth of the nation.
My friend and workmate, Professor Jimi Kayode, now of Lagos State University, teaching mass communication but formerly director of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism in Lagos where we worked together told me a story about the decadence that has become of journalism and journalists in Nigeria. He was somewhere on the Lekki Ajah axis in Lagos standing at a bus stop waiting for public transport, usually bone shakers; he had no car. After waiting for some time under the intense heat he got tired but then a state-of-the-art car parked at the bus stop and the driver beckoned to him. The driver of the beautiful car happens to be a student he had trained. Jimi Kayode hopped in but was amazed at the speed of things happening in Nigeria. The student was just a few years out of the NIJ, and now he rode one of the best car models in town. ‘How did you get this car?’ he asked the former student. ‘What do you do? Aren’t you a journalist?’ By that last question, Jimi was sounding the training he had received which he had also given to generations of his students; if you want money go to business, don’t come to journalism but if you want fame, journalism should be your forte. If you want power, go to the civil service.
In his well-cooled car, the former student took a look at his old teacher and giggled. ‘Oga,’ Yoruba word for boss, he replied in a very soft tone, ‘journalism has changed from your time. Today, journalism is cash and carry. Those who need the services of the journalist pay him or her in cash and kind.’ He reeled out names of his editors who have landed properties in choice parts of Lagos, the nation’s commercial capital, and Abuja, the nation’s political capital. ‘When editors collect houses and money and are sponsored on holidays abroad, what sir, do you expect the reporters to do?’ Professor Jimi Kayode was dumbfounded; poverty was written all over him; he graduated in 1980 and with his donkey years as both practitioner and teacher, he was still not anywhere near his student of just a few years on the job. He was not complaining but he wondered what will happen to the profession and the society it serves.
“Journalism has become cash and carry.” That is the story of the current public spat between the journalists of Nduka Obaigbena of the ThisDay and Arise media and the journalists of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidates of the APC. You wonder why they are described as journalists of Obaigbena and journalists of Bola Tinubu. It is because with their money these humans have bought these journalists and they use the organs not for the public good but for the private and selfish interest of the slave merchants. The story of journalism and journalists reflect the sad story of the decline of Nigeria. It should be like that. Journalists and journalism are very important factors in the development of nations. Journalism was the major instrument that scared the colonial power out of Nigeria. Journalists are purveyors of information. They are to make the comfortable uncomfortable and to comfort the uncomfortable. The journalist is involved in the class war between the poor and the rich, the haves and the haves not. His duty is to publish what power holders try to hide and to give voice to the voiceless in society. Journalism is very important to democracy. Democracy is about the free choice of the people. The people must constitute the government and even after that constitution, the people must hold those who form the government to account for how they manage the commonwealth. In Nigeria especially, where the law is either nonexistent or made weak to suit the power holders who made them or interpreted in the courts to pander to the power holders, the men and women of means have found a way to control the massive power of the media. They employ them and they bribe them.
Bayo Onanuga and Dele Alake in the stable of Bola Tinubu are fantastic journalists. Their first buyer was the late MKO Abiola, the late president of Nigeria that was not allowed to be by the power holders. Abiola won a popular election which was scuttled by a self-proclaimed military president, Ibrahim Babangida. The story of why IBB annulled the election of his friend is still a not fully known secret, some allege that Abiola had a drug issue in the US that made the Americans pressure IBB not to allow the richest black man then in the world to be president of Nigeria. But when Abiola had his eyes on the presidency, he procured the best journalists in the country and gave them very good salaries and good working tools. For the first time a flamboyant journalist, the late Dele Giwa rode a Mercedes Benz 200 and wore designer shirts and suits. Dele Giwa was a fine writer, and he became a model for all journalists in the country. Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga, and a host of others joined Abiola’s Concord train. They were so fierce in their duty that the Concord newspapers became the enemy of the military with whom Abiola was friendly. The journalists looked like they were fighting for the downtrodden but in real terms, they were fighting for the interest of Abiola. Bayo Onanuga refused to apologize to the military over a story and he and his team resigned from Concord to set up their own media empire, The News which became a torn in the flesh of the military.
But while The News was firing from all cylinders, it was the money of Bola Tinubu that was oiling the engine. A friend who is a journalist and a close friend of Onanuga and his team told me that constantly Tinubu was giving out cars and a huge chunk of money at different times to Bayo Onanuga and his team at The News. Dele Alake who had become Tinubu’s commissioner for communication and strategy in Lagos is said to be the intermediary between Tinubu and Bayo Onanuga and his team. The truth of this relationship was brought out plainly when Onanuga and The News refused to publish anything on the story of Tinubu’s drug deal allegations. In an interview, Bayo said frontally that they did not because “we have a relationship with Tinubu”. Bayo Onanuga and his team are said to be proud owners of houses in Abuja and Lagos. Today, The News is dead, but Bayo is surviving playing a big role in Tinubu’s quest to become the next president of Nigeria. Why did The News die? It had served the purpose of promoting Bayo into wealth and prominence and was not needed again. Babafemi Ojudu, one of the Bayo Onanuga’s team parted ways with Tinubu and was the chief promoter of the failed Yemi Osinbajo presidency. Ojudu is a special assistant at the presidency.
Coincidentally, it is the story of the alleged drug dealing of Tinubu which The News refused to publish that is now causing a public spat between the Tinubu journalists and the Nduka Obaigbena journalists. Nduka Obaigbena came to the country with a big bang from the US, he set up a magazine, This Week, and became a big player in the media industry. But the journalists of This Week, many of them very good professionals and ethical were not smiling. Salaries may not be paid for months while with the same money earned by the sweat of these journalists, Obaigbena junketed all over the world. The story of unpaid salaries, inglorious and expensive lifestyle, and blackmailing with which the Tinubu journalists are now pinning down Nduka Obaigbena did not start with the ThisDay Arise media, they were so much talked about even in the days of This Week. This Week eventually died; some say because of these unethical behaviors. It gave rise first to ThisDay, then Arise, still with the character of This Week.
What then is the story of Nigeria’s failure as a nation? It is the story of the failure of journalism which refused to watch over the power players but rather watch over the pockets of the journalists. It is the story of a Tinubu, an MKO Abiola, a Michael Ibru, an Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, a Nduka Obaigbena, an Orji Kalu, all of them rent seekers who discovered that the souls of Nigerian journalists can be bought; bought them and derailed the dream of Nigeria using their massive media power. Let the Tinubu – Obaigbena public spat continue so the Nigerian public will know what has happened in the secret that has affected their lives for the worse. Perhaps the public might change their voting behavior.
Tunde Akande is both a journalist and pastor. He obtained a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos
The Plateau State Correspondent of the Vanguard newspapers, Marie-Therese Nanlong has emerged winner in one of the categories of the African Union Agenda 2063 Pitch Zone Awards.
The female journalists selected as the finalists were announced on the 9th of December 2022 at the African Women in Media (AWiM) conference 2022 held in Fes, Morocco.
The event that is held every year, during the annual AWiM conference, this year 2022,five female journalists were allowed to pitch their story ideas to the African Union, according to set categories, and winners are supposed to produce in-depth and evidence-based stories that reflect the progress and impact of the implementation of Agenda 2063 on the continent, under each thematic area.
At the ceremony in Fes, winners were announced for three of the five categories; Marie-Therese Nanlong ,Nigerian practicing journalist was selected the front runner winner in the category on the AU Theme of the Year 2022, The Year of Nutrition, “Strengthening resilience in nutrition and food security on the African continent: Strengthening agro-food systems, health, and social protection systems for the acceleration of human, social and economic capital development.”
Her series of stories will delve into how to scale actions that address the challenges of food scarcity, malnutrition and how regional and continental trade offers exponential potential for the continent to meet the food demands of every African citizen.
Ms. Elizabeth Angira from East Africa (Kenya) ,won in the category of Promoting efforts towards the Economic and Financial Inclusion of African Women (Agenda 2063 Aspiration 6, AU Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Strategy (GEWE); the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), and the AU Constitutive Act.
Ms. Angira’s series of stories will advocate for the rights of women, and breaking the culture of harmful practices that continues to hamper the full realization of those rights. She will also interrogate the implementation of policies and laws that safeguard those rights.
Ms. Melody Chikono (Zimbabwe) was selected as the winner in the category on Promoting the Rights of Children in Africa (Agenda 2063 Aspiration 6, African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children).
Her series of stories will amplify the voices of children in advocating for their rights. The series will also showcase the significance of promoting the rights of children for the continent to prepare its future, from which it can harness the demographic dividend.
While announcing the winners on behalf of Ms. Leslie Richer, AU Director of Information and Communication, Mrs. Wynne Musabayana, Head of Communication, restated the commitment of the African Union that is driven by the desire to ensure that the media engage with Africa’s development from a position of knowledge about the different key issues.
She stated, “With the funding received, each winner will have sufficient means to produce relevant, evidence-based, and timely content in their chosen format: content that digs deep into the issues to answer the famous five W’s and one H of journalism.”
She concluded, “We are encouraged by the presence of so many professional women journalists who are determined to make their mark in telling the many stories of success, challenges, and mitigation measures, as well as the concrete plans for a brighter future, that are made by our heads of state and government and other policy and decision-makers, with the participation of the African public.”
However, Dr. Yemisi Akinbobola, Co-founder & CEO, of African Women in Media, restated the vision of the Pitch Zone since its inception in 2017 as a platform to create opportunities for women journalists to produce the kind of stories that will give them the level of visibility, they need for their career development.
She said, “Our partnership with the African Union since 2019 in achieving this means that the winners get continental exposure and are at the same time contributing to the broader objective of changing the narrative of Africa. Our research shows that allocation of resources and roles in newsrooms are often gendered, and we hope the Pitch Zone Awards continues to do its part in bridging this gap.
Not fewer than Five Hundred Persons has benefited from the free medical Outreach Organized by Victor Bello Kwande Foundations Medicliq Free Medical Outreach Amidst Jubilation, Wubel Village of Chakfem in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State where Victor Bello Foundation, Yahaya Kwande Foundation and Medicliq Healthcare carried out free medical treatment in the community.
Most of the villagers who are battling with life threatening diseases such as malaria, typhoid, hypatities A and B among other diseases which has perished several lives were treated and given free drugs as parts of effort to achieve universal health coverage in Plateau.
It was observed that those who turned out for the two day medical outreach which commenced on Saturday includes women, children and the aged while over 50 volunteer doctors, pharmacists and nurses were on ground to attend to the poor villagers.
Victor Bello who addressed the mammoth crowd in the community explained that it has become a tradition for his Foundation and Yahaya Kwande Foundation to offer free medical treatment to rural communities in December every year.
He said the gesture was parts of their efforts to bring succor and provide accessible health care services to vulnerable persons in Plateau.
“This is the fourth edition of medical outreach that Victor Bello Foundation and Yahaya Kwande Foundation are giving every December to create awareness on personal hygiene; to give self medication and free drugs to indigent persons.
“This year, we are in Wubel Village of Chakfem in Mangu and we are targeting over 500 persons, we have enough medical personnel and drugs to reach the target population. We have about 50 doctors, pharmacists and nurses to attend to the crowd.”
He explained that they are well equipped to treat every kind of disease and that the Foundations have also made provision for referral to bigger health facilities cases that are beyond.
Founder of Yahaya Kwande Foundation and renowned Philanthropist, Yusuf Yahaya-Kwande said the gesture is to try and do some gap bridging by providing short term high quality healthcare and health education to the community dwellers and refer those that have Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) or require surgical care that are unable to be treated to an appropriate health facility.
He noted that most people in the rural communities across the country lack access to medical services which informed the free medical outreach every December by the two foundations.
He lamented how women, children and the aged battles with life threatening diseases without medical help in rural communities and called on government and spirited individuals to step in and assist.
Yusuf Kwande said his foundation derives satisfaction in putting smiles on the faces of helpless and hopeless citizens, adding that making vulnerable persons in the society happy will continue to be their priority.
ote Cement Transport, Obajana in Kogi State has directed all its members to boycott the transportation of cement to the South-East region of Nigeria.The association said the decision was taken over the security situation in the region and in Akwa Ibom state in the South-South region.
A memo dated December 11, 2022, and sent by the drivers’ association to the company, said, “We kindly write this short notice to the company that we are returning some waybills of the southeast state Nigeria that we driver (sic) are not going to some part (sic) of southeast Nigeria due to ongoing situation of the site Nigeria those part (sic) of southeast they are as follows: 1. Enugu, 2. Anambra, 3. Abia, 4. Imo, 5. Ebonyi, 6. Akwa Ibom.”
Criminals enforcing sit-at-home orders in the South-East have in the past burnt trucks belonging to Dangote Cement and reportedly killed some of the company’s drivers.
This comes a few days after the leadership of some Northern groups involved in commercial activities between the North and South-East zone directed commodity traders and truck drivers to shun the zone over the incessant killing of their members by gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Coordinator of the Northern Consensus Forum, Dr Auwal Abdullahi Aliyu said they declared a warning strike due to the constant killing of the northerners in the South East, adding that not less than 100 northerners were murdered in the zone within a week.
Aliyu claimed that the strike had started to have a good effect and that security agencies, northern state governors, and residents in the impacted zone had all been informed.
“We have blocked the roads linking the North to the East ranging from Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara and Plateau states among others, and the truck drivers are cooperating with us,” he had said.
Ondomind earlier reported how gunmen enforcing a purported five-day sit-at-home order in Enugu State attacked and burnt a police patrol vehicle in the New Market area last Saturday.
It was also reported that some supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were also killed by gunmen for defying a kangaroo sit-at-home order in Anambra recently.
The Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) who doubled as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army Major General Ibrahim Ali as bagged an award for Peace Building in Kaduna State .
The Award which is presented to OPSH ,who also the GOC,3 Division Rukuba in Jos,17th December 2022 ,by Muslims Youths Foundation and Boys Brigade of Sanga LG in Kaduna State is for Peace Ambassador and Exemplary Leadership in Peace Building in Kaduna State.
General Ali who was represented by the Deputy Commander OPSH, Deputy Commissioner of Police DPC, Tazangwu Iyua thanked the association for finding him worthy of the award.
He charged them to continually preach peace and unity to their congregation and live by same teachings.
General Ali further urged those present at the occasion to be peace lovers, noting that development is achievable only in a peaceful society.
Present at the award presentation ceremony were the Chairman Sanga local government council, Commander Forward Operating Base FOB, Sanga among other dignitaries.
Highlight of the event were presentation of award to the awardee, Boys Brigade band display and group photograph.
Honourable Justice Peter Odo Lifu of Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos has adjourned till 6th of March 2023 the suit seeking for the Recovery and Forfeiture of over N70 trillion of looted funds in the hands of few Nigerians.
The revered Justice presided over the suit marked No: Fhc/L/Cs/968/2021 on the 7th of March 2022 and adjourned to the 31st of March 2022 for ruling before the last adjournment till March next year.
The money said to be stashed away in 29 bank accounts mainly in Zenith and First banks is enough to fund Nigeria’s budget for three years with some change to keep. The proposed budget for 2023 is N20.5 trillion, meaning that the N70 trillion hidden by some Nigerians could effectively finance the national budget for three years.
Attempts by Muhammad T. Ismail, a private investigator and his team to recover the N70 trillion through the office of Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) have met a brick wall as some vested interests in high places have moved in to frustrate the case.
The investigator lamented that all efforts to recover the said loot were being frustrated by some vested interests in the Presidency, Central Bank Nigeria, Zenith Bank and First Bank.
Below is the full deposition made by the investigator:
BRIEF ON THE RECOVERY AND FORFEITUURE OF OVER N70 TRILLION NAIRA OF LOOTED FUNDS IN THE HANDS OF FEW NIGERIANS IN SUIT NO: FHC/L/CS/968/2021.
1. Muhammad T. Ismail (a private investigator) and his team were able to identify fraudulent bank accounts where trillions of illicit funds belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria were domiciled. Mohammad T. Ismail needed a legal instrument to recover these illicit funds to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
2. Muhammad T. Ismail therefore approached Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) and instructed him to write and request for a letter of mandate/instruction from the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, and also from the Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on his behalf, for the recovery of the illicit funds hidden in some secret bank accounts in Nigeria. These funds belong to the Federal Government of Nigeria. This letter from Muhammad T. Ismail was received and acknowledged on the 6th of January 2021 by the Head of Department of Civil Litigation in the Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers), Barr. Saidu Alfa Bala.
3. Muhammad T. Ismail also swore to an Affidavits on the same date of 6th of January 2021 in support of the instruction given to Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers).
4. As instructed and being convinced of the facts available, Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) wrote to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning and also to the Accountant General of the Federation. Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) requested for a mandate and instruction to recover Federal Government looted and hidden funds on behalf of his client who is Muhammad T. Ismail. (Copies of all these letters and correspondences will be made available to you on request).
5. The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice responded on the 14th of January 2021 by way of inviting Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) for a meeting scheduled for the 19th of January 2021 to discuss details and procedures for the recovery with the Asset Recovery Unit in the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Twenty Nine (29) bank accounts where a combined sum of over seventy trillion naira (N70 Trillion) belonging to the Federal Government was hidden were identified.
6. On the 21st of June 2021, The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice approved and issued the letter of instruction to recover illicit funds traced to specified accounts of individuals to Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers). The letter of instruction also listed the twenty nine (29) bank accounts. The twenty nine (29) bank accounts are in seventeen (17) banks in Nigeria.
7. As expected, Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) ran to the Federal High Court 9, Ikoyi Lagos where most of the Bank Head Quarters are domiciled. The case was between (1) The Federal Republic of Nigeria (2). The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as Claimants/Applicants against the seventeen banks as Defendants.
8. On the 9th of August, 2021, Hon. Justice T. G. Ringim gave several orders including an Interim Order of Forfeiture. All the Banks were served accordingly. The Banks were also to provide Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) all documents and information relating to the listed accounts.
9. Shockingly, the Banks could not provide information regarding the ownership of twenty six (27) out of the twenty nine (29) accounts. That automatically meant that all the funds in the twenty seven (27) accounts should be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria even as no one has come to claim ownership of the accounts. But this has not happened till date. The hands of the courts have been tired down.
10. Three (3) accounts stand out. The affected banks were able to provide documents relating to the three (3) accounts;
1. Zenith Bank Plc.
Account Name: NNPC (REM ACC/PRIVATE)
Account No: 1012280444
Account Bal. N32 Billion Naira
Currency Type: Naira
2. First Bank Plc.
Account Name: NNPC/ NAOC IPP SECURITY
Account No: 2006367288
Account Bal. N147B Naira
Currency Type: Naira
3. First Bank Plc.
Account Name: NNPC/NAOC IPP SECURITY
Account No: 2005942905
Account Bal. $299,613. 72 USD
Currency Type: DOLLAR USD.
11. This is the interesting part; Zenith Bank Plc., suddenly woke up from sleep and said that the N32B in Account No. 1012280444 with Account Name NNPC (REM ACC/PRIVATE) has been swept into NNPC Remittance Account (Coastal PRD Sales) Account No. 1010654418 from where it was eventually transferred to CBN/TSA Account No. 3000004989 with the CBN on the 7th of January 2016. This is not true.
12. Recall that the CBN directives for all balances/receipts due to the Federal Government or its Agencies to be paid into the Treasury Single Account (TSA) ended on or before September 15, 2015. Zenith Bank Plc. has not been able to give explanation as to the reason Account Nos. 1012280444 and 1010654418 were still operational after September 15, 2015.
13. Another shocking revelation is that Account No. 1012280444 with Zenith Bank Plc. has five (5) BVNs as follows: 22173355534,22376914983, 22193440291, 22367697055, and 22235680190. Zenith Bank Plc. has not been able to supply statement of accounts for Account Nos 1012280444 and 1010654418from inception to date. They cannot provide photograph pictures of the five (5) BVN owners.
14. Zenith Bank Plc. stated that Account No. 1012280441 (another account being investigated with N32B lodgement) belongs to Mrs Okoro Comfort with cellular number 08130734041. However, Mrs Okoro Comfort, through her counsel denied any knowledge of the said account or any other account with Zenith Bank Plc. Mrs Okoro Comfort admitted that her cellular number is 08130734041 and her BVN is 222417%%%49 different from the BVN 2236767055 attached to the account number 1012280441.
15. BVN 2236767055 belongs to Mr Okam Eze Ezenna who receives transaction alerts from Account No. 1012280441 with two (2) cellular numbers 08139383487 and 08130734041which belongs to Mrs Okoro Comfort. Account Number 1012280441 with Zenith Bank Plc. has Thirty two million naira (N32m) with no identifiable owner coming to claim it.
16. The question in the mouth of every concerned person is, what is holding back the hand of justice to declare total forfeiture of all these stolen funds to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
17. It is expected that Muhammad T. Ismail and Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) should have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). At the beginning of the assignment, Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) allotted a space to Muhammad T. Ismail and his team in his office to do the leg work and provide the needed information for Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) to do the needful. Surprisingly, Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) has not shown any interest in signing the MoU with his client, Muhammad T. Ismail.
18. On the 7th of September, 2021 Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) wrote to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice to provide Bank Account details to receive recovered funds to the tune of one hundred and seventy nine billion naira (N179B) and $299,613.72 USD from three (3) out of the twenty nine (29) accounts.
19. On the 8th of September, 2021 Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) also wrote to the Central Bank of Nigeria, complaining against the uncooperative attitude and disobedience of court orders by First Bank Plc. and Zenith Bank Plc. Proof of service of the court orders was attached to the letters to the CBN.
20. It was after the request for bank details was sent to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice and a complaint against First Bank Plc. and Zenith Bank Plc. was sent to CBN that trouble started. Some persons who are in position to drive the process for the recovery of the illicit funds became threatened and they had to act fast to stop the process.
21. In their response on the 27th of September 2021, CBN stated that they cannot act because they were not served any court order and that necessary steps should be taken to effect service on the CBN to enable them respond to the request. The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, although received the letter of request for account details to receive recovered funds, never responded and the request not met.
22. *In March 2022, Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) invited Mohammad T. Ismail and told him that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice had terminated the recovery exercise but he could not show any document or correspondence from the Attorney-G eneral of the Federation and Minister for Justice to that effect. To make matters worse, Mohammad T. Ismail and his team were stopped from accessing the office and prevented from retrieving details of information in the office*.
23. *On one hand, Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) claimed that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice had seized from pursuing the recovery of the trillions of naira for the Federal Government of Nigeria. However, he sent another SAN to represent him in court on the 7thof March 2022 in respect of the same matter that he told Muhammad T. Ismail that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice had seized to pursue.*
24. Hon. Justice P. O. Lifu of FHC, Ikoyi Lagos presided on the 7th of March 2022 and adjourned to the 31st of March 2022 for ruling. Since then, it has been adjournment upon adjournment with the next adjournment scheduled for 6th of March 2023.
25. Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) is now foot-dragging in pursuing the case as it should be. Mohammad T. Ismail is also not enjoying the cooperation of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice as it was in the beginning. The Judge only announces long adjournment to frustrate the case. The Banks too are acting above the law. CBN is not worried that trillions of naira which can service our national debt was being stolen.
26. Several correspondence had been sent to Ndarani (SAN) & Co (Solace Law Chambers) to release copies of all the correspondence relating to the recovery exercise but he hasn’t obliged. He has also refused to sign the MoU with his client, Muhammad T. Ismail who owns the recovery exercise and hired him to work for him. He is no longer showing seriousness in the recovery pursuit.
27. It can only be concluded that some persons are congregating to share over N70 trillion belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria. We have a responsibility and a sacred duty to let the world know the truth and those who are sabotaging this nation and causing everyone to crawl while they ride on horseback.
The Plateau State Commissioner of information and Communication Hon Dan Manjang had reeled out achievements of Governor Bako Lalong by extension APC led government in the state in particular and Nigeria in general since assumption of office in 2015.
As he revealed that the APC governor Lalong government is guarded by three Pillars policies of the Rescue Administration anchor on infrastructural Development, sustainable economic rebirth , these sectors, non Governor Lalong has not touched.
The Commissioner of information and communication ,Hon, Dan Manjang reeled out the achievements of Governor Lalong in an interview with journalists during the 2023 budget Defence at the Plateau State House of Assembly .
He said in the area of insecurity in the state which had virtually eluded the state before the coming of Lalong administration is better now,as “Peace Building Agency”,a brine Child of this administration has improved the situations,now night life have returned back to Jos metropolis .
Hospitality in the state is booming ,hotels in the state are being built ,on daily basis.
On infrastructures ,the Commissioner said the Lalong administration have continued from road constructions mostly the ones abandoned by the previous administration, and completed Jos Maraba road.
He also highlighted the administration construction of the on going fly-over of British America junction , dualization of the road to Rikkos junction.
On the area of Human capital development,the government has been able to empowered over Thirty Thousand Youths through Social interventions of PLASMEDA of federal government. He added that just recently,the plateau indigenes where given intervention of money raging from Twenty Thousand Naira and above, concluded that as far as the APC, Governor Lalong led administration is concerned, so far so good.
Manjang said on the area of education,the state owned University of Bokkos that had been closed down for lack of accreditation was reopen when this administration facilitated the accreditation of courses been offered in the university.
” Just recently there was convocation at school of Agriculture Garikawa which has not happened since the school came into existence. There are lot this administration has done,be it agriculture.”
” We have health institutions hospital ,we have built Riyom General hospital in Quan,Kanke ,Manbudi ,and so many interventions,we where able to intervene”
” The Federal Polytechnic,the north central law school, autopendic hospital in Barki ladi. Others achievements of this administration including federal training School in Shendam, Nigeria Air force Station Keran in Mangu local government area.
He decried the challenges bedeviled the information ministry which is non released of funds, funding have being our major challenges which has led to people misunderstanding this administration, particularly pundits ,majorly who are oppositions.
Dan Manjang however very skeptical that the party APC is going to win in landslide considering the party achievements since 2015 to date,if we didn’t win,it means we are not doing well.
Similarly,the Commissioner for Higher Education in the state, Elizabeth Wapmuk has solicited for maximum attention be given to educational sector in the state because it is the ministry that has to do with training future generations.
Stressed that any bad educational background of country can easily reflect in the society which is more or less a chain.
The Commissioner was speaking during 2023 budget Defence of her ministry at the Plateau State House of Assembly in an interview with journalists.
Mrs Wapmuk said up grading and given attention to educational sectors didn’t suppose to be seasonal but offen because it has to do with impartation of knowledge .
He said the recruitment of teachers , training and retraining of teachers suppose to be carried out offen .
She lamented the challenges of the sector to include under funding which is obviously reflected on the sector.
However adviced the government to adequately make funds available for the sectors in the state to carry out it constitutional duty of training and retraining.
Commended the Lalong administration for his attention on the educational sector in the state which informed the transformed of most of the schools in the state and the provision of instructional materials for teachers to work with which has made their work easier.
The university of Jos Cooperative Sociy ,is set to disbursed over Two Million naira proposed dividend to shareholders of Unijos Staff Multi-purpose cooperative society limited UJSMCSL very soon.
The president of the co-operative society Mr. Ukpo Aondohemba revealed this to members at the 12th Annual general meeting AGM of UJSMCSL where shareholders voted for the sharing of the dividend for the financial year.
Recall that University Don, Professor Likita Ogba, had enjoined cooperators to embrace shares among other strategies of investment to secure a promising prospect after retirement,at the AGM.
The Professor of Economics Department of the institution who frowned at the low patronage of the cooperative members of just 2% said that shares investment have double value of dividend and capital appreciation.
The chairman of the 12 AGM of the cooperative and former Director of cooprative societies Plateau state Mr Laurence Lankwap said there is no better time than now to discuss investing in cooperative society as a better hope for retirement.
He called on cooperators to quickly key into it as it is a rare privilege.
Shareholders who spoke in congress commended the ingenuity of the president and his team for realizing such profit in the midst of the skeletal remittances from IPPIS and the strike.
Highpoint at the session was question and answer session which was robust and affords members the opportunity to know that deadline for sale of shares is December 31st 2022 .
They were also informed that shares affords members the opportunity to enjoy both interest and dividend and continue to be members even upon retirement or demise.
Gindiri Theological Seminary (GTS),for the institution 2022 Convocation and 600 million funds raising for the building of liberty.
This contained in an invitation signed by pastor Yiljab Abraham ,and made available to this medium in Jos, plateau state.
This year’s event is meant to be celebration of excellence which will be climaxed with fund raising and the official Unveiling of Partnership open status innitiatives of the Theology.
According to the information from Programmes, Protocol, and Publicity Subcommittee, the Theology is expecting all to sow bountifully towards actualization of the State of art Library in the institution.
The occasion is under the distinguished chairmanship of H.E Architect Darius Dickson Ishaku, the Executive Governor of Taraba State with Admiral S.B Atukum.
Fmr. Military Administration Plateau State as Co- Chairman.
Distinguished guest of Honour at the Fundraising event is , His Excellency, Barr. Simon Bako Lalong.
Executive Governor Plateau State.
While the civilian Governor during the return of democracy in 1999-2007, and a two term Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Chief Sen. Joshua chibi Dariye, is to be the Special fundraiser, Special guest of Honour is, Boss Mustapha
Secretary to the Government of the Federation of Nigeria.
Chairlady of the occasion is Ms. Rose C. Ndong Executive Commissioner, Exploration and Acreage Management of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), as guest of Honour is Prof. Sonny Gwanle Tyoden
Executive Deputy Governor Plateau State.
Chief Fund raiser
Jonathan Onigbinde – CEO – Nigerian Best Foods Limited
Freewill donations in support of the project will be thankfully received and acknowledged.
Convocation Lecture
Rev Dr. Hosea Chollom .
Fathers of the Day include,
Lt. Gen. Jeremiah Timbut (Sardauna Plateau & Nassarawa),Da Jonah David Jang
Fmr. Gov. plateau state and Nde Senator Hezekiah Dimka, Senator representing Plateau Central Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly Abuja.
Mother of the day is
PROF. LAMI Lombin while all Gubers Candidates serve as Chairmenn of the occasion with
All National Assembly Members & Candidates as Co-Fundraisers.
Chief Host/Host
REV. Dauda Chentu
Chairman GTS BoGC
Rev. Prof. Gyang Pam
Sponsorship and enquiry, contact: 08039665806
Announcer: Professor Patricia Lar,
Contact Program, Publicity & Protocol committee .
Venue of this event is, Ulster Church, Gindiri by 10am prompt.
Announcer: Pastor Yiljap Abraham, Chairman planning committee.
Operation Save Haven (OPSH) has resettled the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Jong Community of Barki -Ladi in Plateau State amidst Jubilation by the affected community 15th December,2022.
The community came under heavy attack in 2015 by Persons suspended to be Fulanis.
In his welcome address, the Commander Sector 4 OPSH, Colonel Danjuma Abdulsalam, said the 2015 and 2018 crises in Plateau state produced many Internally Displaced Persons scattered in various camps, with some living with family members under harsh condition. He expressed gratitude to the Commander OPSH for showing compassion to the plights of the displaced people of Jong community and other communities planning to return to their original homes.
The Sector 4 Commander appealed to government at all levels and individuals to assist displaced persons in building their ravaged homes and provide basic amenities to aid their safe return.
In his goodwill message, the Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly and Deputy Chairman Senate Committee on Defense, Senator Istifanus Gyang commended the roles Commander OPSH, Major General Ibrahim Ali played in facilitating the return of peace to troubled communities in the state. He assured that every necessary action to ensure the safety of the Plateau people would be supported without any sentiment.
Speaking at the event, the Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Ibrahim Ali said the return of Jong community to its ancestral land was a model for other displaced persons to consider returning to their original lands, while promising to provide the needed support for this to be achieved.
General Ali informed the gathering that the unfortunate incident that led to the displacement of the community had long been addressed through different means championed by relevant authorities in the corridor of peace. He further announced the deployment of armed personnel on guard to protect Jong community and neighboring communities from any external aggression and threats.
Speaking further, Major General Ali said strong security measures have been put in place to ensure no community within OPSH Joint Operations Area is attacked or displaced again. He commended the efforts of the 36-man peace committee set up to recommend modalities to achieve reconciliation between warring tribes/communities and the board constituted for the safe return of IDPs to their original homes.
In their separate remarks, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Chairman Barikin-Ladi local government area, Justice Longji Daniel (Rtd) and other dignitaries, said it was a joyful thing that the people have gained the trust of security agencies and are coming back home after being displaced for seven years.
Highlight of the event were cultural display, drama and award presentations, spoken word rendition, commissioning of some landmark projects and group photograph.
The Chairman Plateau State 2023 Budget Defense by Ministries and Agencies Hon. Yahaya Mavo has commended Ministries and Agencies for their cooperation with members of the committee which has made execise hitch free.
As the earlier fear by the members of the committee that the civil servants in the state may cause distraction and made the program prosponed due to warning strike action embarked upon by the state Civil servants for non payment of salaries was alley as members of civil servants in the state are presently working with the members of the House to ensure seamless execise.
Hon,Mavo stated this in an interview with journalists immediately after some Ministries , Agencies billed for today 15th December,2022 Presented their budget for Defense.
The chairman said budget Defence by the various Ministries and Agencies in the state is normal yearly ritual which enable the Ministries and Agencies defend their budget of their various ministries and Agencies for the fiscal year.
The chairman lauded the ministries and Agencies that has defended their budget so far for their cooperations with the members of the committees for their understanding, cooperations they where able to know that the committee were not here to witch hunt any one ,but to make sure all stayed within the limit of their constitutional spending by the house of Assembly and held accountable.
Mavo stressed that the challenges encountered by the ministries and Agencies are similar, which revolved around inadequate funds, as the most of the funds appropriated for to them are scarcely released by the government .
As the committee however assured them that he will ensured that this year 2022 budget will have dramatic changes, as this year budget will be keenly monitor and the money earmarked released.
The Ministries and Agencies which defended their budget today 15th December,2022 include, ministry of Agriculture, School of Agriculture Garikawa, P.A.D.P , SSG’s office and host of others.
It would be recalled that the budget Defense commenced 14th December,2022, but was distructed by plateau state civil service union who embarked on Seven days warning strike for non payment of over Four months salaries by the state government.
The face-off was settled with the intervention of the speaker Hon.Yakubu Sanda and other members of the State House of Assembly.
The People Democratic Party PDP Presidential Candidate for 2023 General Elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar has promised to make Plateau State ,by extension Nigeria Economic Hub of Africa if voted president of Nigeria in 2023 general election.
As he assured the citizens of the state his willingness to revamped the numerous companies that has been abandoned by the APC administration, bring them to life and help to generate IGR for the state and increase the standard o f living of plateau state citizens ,by extension Nigeria in general.
The Former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubarkar make the promise on Tuesday 13th December 2022 in his speech during the collapsed into one Presidential Campaign flagged-Off of Atiku/Okowa, Mutfwang/Piyo Campaign Rally held at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium Jos, Plateau State.
Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar decried the abysmal failure of APC who promised the people of Nigeria “Change” in all aspects of life as their campaign promises,but over Seven Years down the line, Nigeria is ranking one of the poorest country in the world occasion by bad governance of Mohammadu Buhari
led government.
He reminiscence back when he was in Jos some years back ,the state use to be one of the places in Nigeria for tourist largely due to it favourable weather ,but today it has been a place where people did not want to habit because of insecurities.
Jos is also know as one of the largest mineral deposit compared to other states in Nigeria which is not adequately tapped because of lack of economic focus of APC government.
As the People Democratic party PDP, Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubarkar assured the citizens of Plateau State to revamp all the moribund industries in the state if they cast their votes for him and make him president in the forthcoming 2023 general election.
He further promised to fight insecurity which had make people deserted the state head on , and assured the people of the Plateau of sleeping with their two eyes closed, contrary to what is happening under the APC Government.
He however appealed to the citizens of plateau state not to choose the alternative of going back to Egypt by voting APC into power in the next election.
In their separate speeches,the Chairman of PDP in Plateau State, Hon.Chris Hassan, Promised the presidential candidate Atiku Abubarkar the state will give him not fewer than Two Million votes because the citizens of the state are know to stand by their word , and do identified with betrayals.
The PDP State chairman further revealed that the presidential campaign rally is collapsed into one which means the state Governorship Campaign is also combined,so better called Atiku/Okowa, Mutfwang/Piyo Campaign Rally for easy convince.
In his Goodwill message the elder state man Ambassador Yahaya Kwande thank God for keeping him alive to see this day that Atiku Abubarkar his bossom friend ,and good man per excellent is coming out to seek for the mandate of the people of plateau ,and by extension Nigeria.
He thank the people of plateau state for coming out en-mass to receive the man that has the heart to transform Nigeria without tribal and religious sentiment.
And appealed to the people to right the wrong they had unknownly made in voting the Mohammadu Buhari APC led government into power.
Berated the APC Government for plunging the country Into unimaginable Security, Economic and numerous crisis because of their clueless government policies.
I.D Gyang, Member Representing plateau North Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly reminded the presidential candidate how the state for the past 15 Years had passed through what can be best described as harrowing experience following the incessant killing by some groups tagged unknown gunmen, attackers or what ever name.
However charged him to use the instrumentality of his power as president to end the killing of the innocent citizens of plateau state and fish out those behind the callous killing with the view of bringing them to Justice if voted into power as president come 2023.
The Plateau State Governship Candidate under the platform of PDP, Caleb Mutfwang, decried the suffering of the citizens of Plateau occasioned by the clueless government of APC in the state ,and Nigeria as a whole is enough ,and is time to Change the Change.
Mutfwang appealed to the people of plateau to come out en-mass during voting and vote for Atiku Abubarkar for president, and other PDP candidates irrespective of their Positions from head to bottom.
Stressed that is the only way to end the artificial suffering brought to Nigeria and Nigerians by APC “Change”.
The Chairman of Atiku/Okowa Presidential Council,Udom Emmanuel thank the people of State for their large turn out to receive the Presidential candidate of the party.
Further add that contrary to the Change the APC government is preaching, categorized change as in two categories, which are,those who Manages Change,and those that create change.
Promised that the government of Atiku Abubarkar will change the economic of plateau State in particular, and Nigeria in general for the benefit of Nigerians.
The Presidential Running Mate Ifeanyi Okowa berated the APC, administration for taking Nigeria down the hill for over Seven years Party held sway in power without nothing to show for it , only Economic hardship, and Security deserter.
Assured that Atiku Abubarkar who is master in all the areas the APC Government failed, will teach them how do it including revamping the Economy, fight Insecurity without stress if given the opportunity to serve.
Iyocha Ayu, the National Chairman of People Democratic party PDP lauded the amicable resolution of the crisis hitherto bedeviling the party in the state these he said, informed the number of decampees from the APC to PDP in the state recently.
Appealed to the citizens of the state to come out and vote overwhelmingly for PDP, February,2023.
The former Governor of the state, Senator Jonah David Jang represented by the Former Minister of Water Resources Sarah Ochekpe charged the party to sheath their sword and vote for Atiku/Okowa ticket in the forthcoming General Election.
And also charged them to vote the partys’ candidates contesting for various elected positions across board.
Director General of Atiku/Okowa Presidential campaign who doubled as the governor of Sokoto state Aminu Waziri Tambuwa charged Plateau and Nigeria in general to make a decision and end the hardship brought on the people by APC Government.
Senator Dino Melaye was on ground to do what he knows how to do best as he employed series of satire to paint the bad administration of APC with songs.
And appealed to Nigeria , plateau State to end the infectious diseases of APC by voting them out of power in 2023
Dignitaries that graced the occasion include Honorable Ubandoma Joshua Laven, Beni Lar, I.D Gyang,and host of other too numerous to mention.
The unseen hands fanning the ember of crisis in the labour Party LP, plateau State Chapter has finally been exposed ,and the reasons behind their action.
The crisis hitherto bedeviling the party is externally influenced , which can be best described as “The Hands Of Esue, and the voice Of Jacob” fuelled by
people on the corridor of power within and outside plateau state scared of Labour Party looking at the political fast lane LP is moving to capture power from the ruling APC, and return it back to the citizens of the State.
Counsel to the Governorship candidate of LP in the state, Edward Pwajok SAN,who doubled as running mate to the Governship Candidate Patrick Dakum made the exposure in an interview to journalists at the Federal High Court premises 9th December,2022, immediately after the Judgement of who is the authentic governship candidate of the party instituted by the embattled former Governorship candidate of the party Ambassador Yohanna Margif.
Edward further revealed that the other reason while some notable people who are already scared of LP in the state ,are bent of sowing seed of political discord among the members of the party ,is because the party in the state has provided the people of plateau an alternative political platform to elect their Representatives in the forthcoming General Elections which they are not comfortable with.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, further stressed that the APC and it traveling agents are moving round the clock to stopped at nothing, till they succeed in setting the members of the party against themselves.
Warned those behind the wicked plans that they have all failed the political permutations which the table will turn against them sooner or later, unless they retrace their steps.
Their annoyance is that they have run short of compendium of lies they are going to tell the people of plateau,by extension Nigerians after over Seven years of abysmal failure of All Progressive Congress APC, without accompanied the change they promised Nigeria people.
He advised the citizens of the state to go and get their PVC ready to push APC out of power now the legal tussles in the party is over, and the political coast is clear.
He warned some lawyers who instead of advising their client against filing frivolous cases that are bad , they rather instigate them because of their financial interest , as the supreme Court has come hard on those categories of lawyers as they will be fined adequately when luck run out of them.
Earlier the Governship Candidate of the party Patrick Dakum advice the Electorates to go and dust their PVC ahead 2023 voting.
He advised voters to look at the family centered ballots paper when casting their votes .
Atiku/Mutfwang Campaign Council has adviced those who stock in trade of blackmailing and character assassination to rather dumped it or have his/her self to blame when charged before competent court of law.
The warming is contained in a press release dated 9th December,2022, signed by the Director of Media and Publicity Atiku/Mutfwang Campaign Council , Yiljab Abraham and made available to this medium in Jos, plateau State.
According to the release,the laborious headline “Plateau PDP Crisis – Caleb Mutfwang dumps God father Ex-Gov Jang, endorses Atiku Abubakar” is a clever piece of nonsense!
The PDP Governorship Candidate Barr Caleb Mutfwang has maintained the same position all through his private and public campaigns. 5/5 is what Plateau PDP is campaigning for.
The party has lined up and is solidly standing by, and promoting all its quality candidates from the House of Assembly right to the Presidency.
Sen. Jang remains a member of the PDP Bot of Trustees. He has not categorically told Plateau people and his party he is doing anti-party. And he will not. When the Atiku-Mutfwang Campaign Council was inaugurated, Sen Jang sent the former Minister of Water Resources Hon Sarah Ochepke with his unmistakable message: he is for all the PDP candidates in the election.
This “Caleb Mutfwang dumps God father” headline is simply a weak effort at shopping for relevance and should be treated with disdain and ignomity.
Mutfwang, PDP and Jang have gone beyond this point.
The point must still be made: Atiku is coming to Jos on Tuesday, December 13 for a grand rally; Atiku will win Plateau State.
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