Tinubu sponsors bill to prosecute officials behind unlawful child imprisonment

The lawmaker representing Lagos Central in the Upper Chamber of Nigerian National Assembly, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has sponsored a bill seeking prosecution of officials behind unlawful incarceration of minors in the country.

The lawmaker noted that the Borstal Institutions’ attempt to keep delinquents out of prison and away from adult offenders, was to avoid molestation and negative influence that can make them to become repeat offenders.

According to her, there are only three borstal facilities in Nigeria, situated in Kaduna, Abeokuta and Ilorin.

The wife of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, observed that these Borstal facilities were established to admit only male juvenile delinquents between ages sixteen and twenty-one as at the day of conviction.

She further observed, “Clause 9 of the Borstal Institutions and Remand Centres Act – Subsidiary Legislation, 1962 provides that Delinquents are to be admitted into the institution with a warrant from the court, committing them to a sentence of borstal training; and provides for three months observation period of the inmates.”

Senator Tinubu said, “Clause 123 of the Subsidiary Legislation also provides that Courts of competent jurisdiction may pending determination of suitability for Borstal training, order remand or detention in a Remand Centre or Borstal, provided that persons are not less than sixteen years but under twenty-one years of age.”

Citing a publication titled, ‘Inside Ilorin Borstal Home where deviant children learn life lesson the hard way’, authored by Temitope Mustapha, and published by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting in September 2020, Senator Tinubu stated that the report alludes to young persons being held at the facility without any conviction or directive of the Courts.

She expressed concern that the Publication also alludes to a statement by officials of the Institute stating that none of the said minors and young persons is ‘in conflict with the law.

She said, “Some of these young persons were said to have been admitted to the facility when they were younger than sixteen, the minimum age prescribed by law.”

“Further Disturbed that on page three of a Newspaper (not The Punch) published on Thursday 10th March, 2022, titled, ‘Not yet Uhuru: Dilemma of Children freed from Borstal Facility’, the author, documents the experiences of teenagers tricked to the facility, under the guise that they were being sent off to boarding school.

“Notes with concern that the reasons given for this include evasion of parental responsibility and allegations of stubbornness, truancy, substance abuse and smoking, amongst others;

“Saddened that the publication further alleges that of the two hundred and twenty inmates of the Borstal facility, Ilorin, only seven (7) have reasons to be there.”

Tinubu expressed worry that unless this is looked into and the system reformed, Nigeria may be institutionalizing the ‘reaction of criminals’.

The Senator then directed the Federal Ministry of Justice to ensure the prosecution of any official of the Correctional Service found complicit in the unjustified incarceration of minors.

It also directed its Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; and Interior to investigate the circumstances surrounding the admission of each inmate of the Borstal facilities and come up with appropriate recommendations to the Senate.

The chamber, directed the relevant authorities to ensure the implementation of the Child Rights Act 2003; while urging State Assemblies across the country on its domestication.

These were resolutions reached by the Senate on Wednesday, after it considered a motion on “The need to investigate admission of inmates and operations of Borstal facilities across Nigeria.”

Market group applauds Soludo over dissolution of leadership excos

Traders in the Ogbaru Main/Relief Market, under the aegis of Ogbaru Relief Market Traders’ Forum, Anambra State, have applauded Governor Chukwuma Soludo over the dissolution of market leadership excos in the state.

The group noted that the dissolution of the excos has renewed permanent peace which had eluded Anambra markets since the flawed elections took place.

Soludo had, in May, sacked 32 market excos over “flawed” and “manipulated” elections.

Making the commendation on Wednesday, the chairman of the Forum, Mr Felix Nwankwo, told journalists in Onitsha that the steps taken by the governor through the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Mr Obinna Ngonadi, showed that they were abreast with happenings in all the markets in the state.

Nwankwo, who was flanked by his secretary, Chief Uche Okoli, said “most of the committee members had overstayed their welcome having stayed beyond the life span of a tenure while others rigged their way to the seat of the chairman during elections.

“Some have stayed in office for over five to eight years running as caretaker committee members without the conduct of democratic elections as they used money to oil the palms of those at the helm of affairs.

“Others, who also won the election as anointed candidates of their sponsors, had smooth sail as they openly rigged the elections to the detriment of their rivals who had nobody to question the flawed elections.

“That is why we commend Governor Soludo and the commissioner for rescuing the markets in the state from the hands of selfish individuals who believed that the markets were their personal properties.

“They never expected that the government would oppose them and bring sanity in the markets in the state in less than two months of assumption of office.

“We thank God Almighty for the gift of the governor and the commissioner and hope that by the time they will complete their first tenure of four years and commence another tenure of four years, making it eight years, markets in the state and other sectors of the economy would have been better off than they are now.

“The governor had, in his electioneering campaign era, pledged to turn the state to Dubai of Africa and we believe he will do that having started on a good note by sanitising the markets.

“There is every hope that the markets under the watch of Hon. Commissioner Ngonadi will be better off than what they were when he came on board, having started on a clean slate by sacking market leaders who boasted that they owned the markets,” he stressed.

PDP panel to screen Okowa, Wike for Atiku's VP slot today

Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike and his Delta state counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa, will on this Thursday face opposition Peoples Democratic screening panel for the party’s vice presidential slot.

A party source who disclaimed some newspapers publication on Wednesday, said three nominees, which include; Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa;  his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike and the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, were shortlisted for the position. 

There were reports on Wednesday that a committee headed by the PDP Deputy Chairman, Ambassador Umaru Damagun, had on Tuesday nominated Wike as the running mate of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar when 13 out of the 17 members voted in favour of the Rivers State governor.

When reacting to the  news reports on Wednesday, the PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, told The PUNCH that the nomination of Wike as Atiku's running mate remained a rumour.

He stated, “The party is going through its processes. When it comes in a name, it will be announced. We don’t rely on rumour, we don’t work on that, in the next couple of hours or probably just before the expiration of the time, we will come out with a position and the name will be announced.

But in a related development, a member of the PDP advisory committee disclosed that, the three aspirants who were recommended would face the screening committee of the party before the party’s final decision would be made known to the public.

He said, “The matter is not in the hands of Atiku yet, When the committee members are done with their job, they will report back to the leadership of the party.

“That committee recommended three people, not just one as is currently being speculated in the media.”

But according to the Coalition of South-South and South-East Youth Forum, Okowa remains the best man for vice-presidential slot.

The Coordinator of the group, Mr Eziwomano Ighoegwu, in an interview with The PUNCH, stated, “Governor Okowa is a man with proven records that can deliver peace and unity to Nigerians, adding that his good work of transforming the state and ensuring peaceful co-existence among indigenes and non-indigenes of the state, can be attested to.

“The decision of endorsing Okowa is to ensure that Atiku has a running mate who would support him in rescuing the country from the insecurity and social vices that have hit Nigeria under the Buhari–led administration.”

On their part, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Communication, Mr Fred Oghenesivbe, and the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr Tidi Michael, said Atiku needed a trustworthy, incorruptible, competent, wise, good listener, intelligent and experienced politician to be by his side as Vice President.

A top government official and chieftain of the party, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity,  said Okowa had the population of Christians on his side.

“When you talk of national structures, acceptability, give it to Okowa. The relationship between Okowa, CAN and PFN is very cordial compared to Wike.

“He can woo the Christian community for Atiku. He does not talk too much but thinks faster and his role in national assignments over the years gives him an edge over Wike.

“In terms of voters, there is not much difference between Delta and Rivers’ votes, so it is not an edge for Wike over Okowa. We are talking of acceptability among the six geopolitical zones,” he said

The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said the PDP would unveil Atiku’s running mate on Thursday, adding that the report on Wike’s nomination was a rumour.

Also, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, stated, “It is the party and the candidate that pick VP. It is not a contest or race. Nobody buys a form for it rather the party and the candidate take decision who to pick based on good performance.”

But a PDP and former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Ogbonna Nwuke, said picking Governor Wike as vice presidential running mate would be the right choice.

Nwuke, in an interview with The PUNCH, said Atiku and Wike would make a good pair, as they both had political structures and leadership acumen.

He said, “If we were to look at what transpired during the PDP presidential primaries, we will all agree that Wike ran a strong race for a newcomer.

“Therefore, if Wike and Atiku’s political structures are brought together, it will be in the best interest of the PDP. We are happy that a great majority of people in the party believe that Wike indeed has what it takes to be the running mate to Atiku.

“We are aware a committee has been constituted and a final report will come and we are very hopeful.”

On his part, another party chieftain and Chairman of the Ikwerre Local Government Area, Samuel Nwanosike,  said the choice of Wike would be good for the party.

He said Kano, Lagos and Rivers are three important states anyone wishing to pilot the affairs of the country must win.

Nwanosike stated, “You must win Kano, Lagos and Rivers. If you look at our sister party, the APC that has brought us the worst state of insecurity and destruction of lives and property as well as the destruction of our resources because of their inability to understand the Nigerian nation and lack of capacity to deliver the dividends of democracy, you will see that the candidate they choose has a hold on Kano because of his relationship with the Governor, Ganduje.

“Because of that relationship, you can take it to the bank that the APC will win the Kano votes.

“In Lagos, you don’t need to be told that Tinubu has a stronghold there. So, the only state left is Rivers State. So if the PDP didn’t take this decision, the answer is what you and I know,” he stated.

Reps set to override Buhari on Section 84 (8) of Electoral Act

The Nigerian House of Representatives has concluded plans to override President Muhammadu Buhari on Section 84 (8) of the Electoral Act 22 that stipulates provision for statutory delegates at the meetings, congress and conventions of political parties.

The Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, at a plenary called on members willing to move a motion for the chamber to override Buhari’s veto to do so anytime from Thursday.

The Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu, who failed to secure his party ticket for reelection at the recently concluded primaries, threw weight behind Gbajabiamila on the comments made by the Speaker earlier on Tuesday, faulting the way political parties conducted primaries leading to the failure of members of the National Assembly to get tickets of their respective parties to seek reelection in the 2023 general elections.

The Speaker had, on Tuesday criticised the failure of the parties to allow statutory delegates to vote for candidates at the primaries, as the National Assembly proposed in the amendment to Section 84(8) of the Electoral Act 2022, which the President has yet to assent to.

The bill which National Assembly had, on May 13, transmitted to the President for assent, had yet to be signed as at Tuesday.

It is now over 30 days after the National Assembly passed and transmitted the legislation to the Presidency, the window within which the parliament can veto the bill should the President fails to assent to it.

On Wednesday, the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Okechukwu said, “I want to take notice regarding the very copious and auspicious comments you (Gbajabiamila) made yesterday regarding the Electoral Act where, in the circumstances, it has been weaponised; where as a matter of fact, there was an aspiration to make the law a more perfect law to remove every ambiguity; and where there isn’t any material difference between the 2010 Act and that of 2022. And suddenly, the majority of members, where it has been weaponised, have become victims.

“Something is wrong in an environment – in an institution – where the two (Majority and Minority) Leaders of the Senate would have to cross to other parties because of inherent inclement conditions. Anything that occasions it, anything that warrants it, if it is our Electoral Act, if it is our politics, if it is the environment where we operate, we need to retool. And like you said, we have to do better work and we have to fight on.

“For me, it is just a battle that is lost, the war is on and we should go ahead to make sure that that law is retooled, made clear. And if it requires this parliament to take action to override what has not been signed, we should be willing to do so.”

Shortly after, a member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency area of Delta state, Hon. Ben Igbakpa, who also failed to secure PDP ticket to seek reelection in 2023 election, decried that lawmakers were recalled from recess to quickly consider and pass the amendment to Section 84(8) and it was transmitted to the President for assent.

He said, “Mr President did not just ignore (the amendment bill), he travelled out of the country on a condolence visit to Dubai and that created a lot of problems for the country. There was tension and many of our political parties, out of the tension, created what will now be for us in the 2023-2027 electoral process.

“Nigerians are crying for good leadership and the leadership recruitment process starts with our primaries. You have worked hard and that is why I took us to Section 58 (of the Constitution). We are to make laws and present to Mr President and where he does not sign (a bill into law), that same 58 gives us the powers to make sure that we pass that law without Mr President’s assent.

“There is nowhere in the Constitution that says that one arm of the government is subservient to the other.”

The lawmaker noted that Gbajabiamila, despite showing good leadership of the House, would only be judged by Nigerians based on the laws passed that better their lot.

Igbakpa added, “This Constitution gave us the powers, just as it gave to them. We must wake up as a parliament. When we pass laws and we are sure that we have done the right thing, we should start overriding Mr President, because this is just the beginning.

“Today, the NDDC Act is in force because the parliament, which you were part of, did it. Why are we afraid? Mr President has not committed any offence. What he has done is the rule of law and the Constitution, and I believe by the time we do our own by overriding his veto, we would not have committed any offence. We would be working according to the Constitution and the rule of law.

Reacting to the lawmakers' assertions, the Speaker, Hon. Gbajabiamila listed the conditions under which the lawmakers could override a veto successfully.

He said, “Clearly, the Constitution says he has 30 days leeway and we have since gone beyond the 30 days. But the Constitution also says it is not automatic that you override, it is if you are convinced as a House that that amendment must stand. If you are not convinced with the arguments advanced by the president, or in this case there is really no argument advanced, then you can override.

“For us to override, I believe we require two-thirds majority and it cannot be by voice vote neither can it be by way of signatures unless, of course, you have enough two-thirds by signatures what I will suggest is that you bring the application – a formal motion on notice – perhaps tomorrow or whenever you are able to do that and we will determine whether or not this House is ready to override or not,” he submitted.

Kaduna cleric urges members to vote credible leaders in 2023

The Pastor of Rhema Baptist Church at Sabo Tasha, Kaduna State, Chatwason Nathan, has impressed on the worshippers to vote for credible leaders, who have the interests of the downtrodden at heart, come 2023.

Speaking on Sunday, the cleric said bad leaders, who inflict hardship on the people are brought to power when citizens fail to exercise their civic responsibility.

He condemned a situation where Christians were displaced from their ancestral lands and made hopeless under the watch of a government that ought to look after them.

He charged his members not to vote for any presidential or governorship candidate who decided to fly a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 general election.

The cleric who tasked Christians to defend themselves against unprovoked attacks, added that it was regrettable that some Islamic clerics in the northern part of the country were already beating drums of war by inciting the Muslims against the Christians.

He asked the Mission Committee in the Church to identify any Internally Displaced Persons’ camp around so that the church could assist them with relief materials to help alleviate their suffering.

“You must ensure you have your Permanent Voters Card because that’s the only weapon you have to vote for credible leaders who have the interest of the downtrodden at heart.

“I will curse any member who cast his vote for any presidential candidate or governorship candidate that flies a Muslim-Muslim ticket come 2023.

“We are governed by a constitution and those in the position of power must adhere to the rule of law in order to enhance fairness and justice,”

“You must ensure you use your PVC as your only instrument to eject evil leaders who have brought shame, tears, and agony upon our land,” he admonished.

Gunmen kidnap journalist in Abia, demands N10m ransom

Unknown gunmen Tuesday night kidnapped the Editor-in-Chief of All Fact newspaper, Chucks Onuoha, in his Umungasi, Ohuhu Umuahia country home.

According to the family source, the journalist, who was a former Sun Newspapers Correspondent in Umuahia,  was abducted around 10 PM Tuesday night by the gunmen who scaled the fence.

The source who disclosed that Onuoha jeep was taken along with him, added that the abductors were said to have since established contact with the family and allegedly demanded a N10 million ransom.

When contacted, the Abia State Police Command said it was yet to be officially notified of the incident.

The Command Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna, said, “we are yet to be officially notified”.

However, the President-General of the community, Suleiman Anyalewechi, confirmed the incident to journalists.

He said he was contacted by the secretary of the community last night to inform him that some men took Chucks Onuoha away.

He added that they were not sure what it was all about until this morning when the kidnappers established contact with the family that he is in their custody.

Also, his present employer confirmed the incident.

Buhari hosts APC governors in Aso Rock

Again, President Muhammadu Buhari had met the governors elected on the platform of ruling All Progressives Congress behind closed on Tuesday.

Although the governors declined to speak with the newsmen after the meeting, it is believed to be in connection with last-minute hunting for a running mate for the party’s standard-bearer, Bola Tinubu.

The Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, led the governors to the meeting.

Since he emerged last Wednesday, Tinubu had been under pressure to produce a running mate.

The APC presidential flag bearer has been consulting various party stakeholders with the likelihood of a Muslim/Muslim ticket.

At the 2022 Democracy Day service held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, last Sunday, the Christian Association of Nigeria warned that a Muslim-Muslim ticket would tear the country apart.

The CAN President, who was represented by the Founder of Sword of The Spirit Ministries International, Bishop Francis Wale-Oke, said, “While I congratulate the candidates, I must sound this warning, please do not fly a Muslim-Muslim ticket. It would not fly. It will not stand. Rather, it would set the nation against each other.”

Attending the Villa meeting were the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; governors Babagana Zulum of Borno, Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, Mohammed Abubakar of Jigawa, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, and Hope Uzodinma of Imo state.

‘Okowa may be picked as Atiku's running mate'- Source

As political parties in Nigeria are gearing up for INEC's June 17 deadline for submission of candidates for the 2023 presidential election, the Peoples Democratic Party standard-bearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has lowered to one person for deliberation as his running mate.

Sources said Atiku’s supporters were wrapping-up talks on the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, for the role of the vice president.

The source revealed that except for a final minute change, Okowa may be disclosed as the running mate of the PDP candidate for the 2023 race. 

The Governor had played a prominent role in Atiku’s emergence as the standard-bearer of the PDP during the party’s convention last May

This also gave Okowa an upper hand to be recognised before Alhaji Atiku, apart from other monetary aid incurred by the former to the latter.

The source said, “Okowa mobilised resources for us during the primary. He is the preferred contender even though others are making case for Wike and Udom.”

In the meantime, the report of a PDP committee, including governors, members of the National Working Committee, and the Board of Trustees, put in place to quest for a suitable running mate is anticipated to be ready today Tuesday.

The Party via its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologbunagba, reacting to the matter, did not give any specifics but rather advised that time would be the judge after consultations are concluded in the week running.

Ekiti traditional rulers sue for peace among parties, supporters

Following the violence that broke out at Itaji Ekiti on Saturday and Ado-Ekiti on Sunday morning, traditional rulers in the state had called on stakeholders in the Saturday election to maintain peace in the development of the state.

Speaking on Monday, at the Palace of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, venue of the peace parley summoned by the monarchs, they expressed dissatisfaction with the violent trends in the build up to the elections.

The monarchs called on the candidates of the 16 political parties participating in the election to impress on their supporters to ensure there was no repeat of any trace of violence before, during and after the gubernatorial election.

Candidates of political parties in attendance including Biodun Oyebanji of All Progressives Congress, Bisi Kolawole of People’s Democratic Party, Segun Oni of Social Democratic Party and Mrs Kemi Elebute-Haile of Action Democratic Party, pledged that they alongside their supporters would play according to rule and ensured peace.

The Ewi, Oba Adejugbe, who warned against any form of recurrence of violence, warned that perpetrators and their sponsors “will be punished by the ancestral spirit of Ekiti forefathers”.

He said, “Elections will come and go, but our great state, Ekiti, will remain. Nothing thrives under violence. Our state can only move forward in a peaceful environment. Violence before, during and after elections is totally unnecessary and completely unwarranted because we are not at war.

“The essence of election is to allow the will of the people to prevail. The people are supposed to decide who will govern them and that is all. Democracy is not about killing or bloodbath, but an avenue where choices would be made freely.

“We (traditional rulers) are all apolitical. All that bothers us is violence-free electioneering process. But what happened in itaji-Ekiti and Ado Ekiti was condemnable and unacceptable.

“I, therefore, urge all stakeholders to place state interest above personal interest. We must prioritize peace and stability of our state as the people will go to the polls to elect a new governor,” the monarch stressed.

Also in attendance at the peace parley was the former governor of the state and chieftain of People’s Demicratic Party, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

Customer, friends set prostitute ablaze for keeping Qur’an in her room

The Lagos State Police Command has charged three suspects to court for allegedly beating a prostitute, Hannah Saliu, to death and setting her corpse ablaze for keeping the Holy Quran in her room.

PUNCH Metro gathered that one of the suspects patronised Saliu and after having sex with her, he reportedly paid her N1,000 for the service.

The customer was said to have left her room when she suddenly discovered that her N5,000 had gone missing.

She reportedly ran after the customer and accused him of stealing her money.

The accusation, however, degenerated into an argument.

The customer was said to have mobilised his friends to Saliu’s room to search for the missing money.

While searching the place, the friends reportedly found a Quran underneath her pillow.

A source said Saliu was questioned for possessing the Quran with the kind of job she was doing, adding that the customer and his friends, who became infuriated by the discovery, pounced on her, beat her up and set her ablaze.

The source said, “What happened was that the girl was a prostitute and a customer patronised her and after sleeping with her, the customer paid N1,000 for her service.

“But when the customer was leaving, he stole the prostitute’s N5,000 and after discovering that her money had gone missing, the prostitute chased him to ask for her money.

“The Northerners, who were with the customer that the girl accused of stealing her money, asked if she was sure that he stole her money. So, they decided to go and search her room where she attended to her customers.

“While searching the room, they found Quran under her pillow and started asking what she was using the Quran for as a prostitute. So, they started attacking her; they stabbed her, took her out and set her ablaze.

“The incident happened at Alaba Rago, where a lot of Northerners reside. The girl that was killed also came from the North. Their grouse was that she was not supposed to be carrying Quran because of the kind of work she was doing.”

The state Police Public Relations, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident.

He said, “The case is at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, and three suspects have been charged to court. The incident happened in April.”

A source identified the suspects as Abubakar Musa, Sarauta Monsur, and Surajo Yusuf.

Umahi woos electorate for Tinubu

The Ebonyi State Governor and Chairman South-East Governors’ Forum, David Umahi, has reassured the presidential flagbearer of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the votes of the state only belong to APC.

The governor who stated this at the inauguration ceremony of five new Commissioners and other aides in Abakaliki, the state capital on Monday, told eligible voters in the state not to vote for the Labour Party in the forthcoming general election.

The directive is coming one week after the All Progressives Congress presidential primary election.

Those sworn in as commissioners are Mathias Adum, Celestine Nwali, Beatrice Eze, Christopher Uchaji, Romanus Nwasum; Mrs Mary Rita Okoro, was sworn in as Head of Service.

Umahi, who urged Ebonyi people to only vote for the APC, said, “We will not vote for Labour Party. We will only vote for APC. Our votes are for APC and not for Labour Party. Our agenda is Ebonyi agenda.

“We will vote for our presidential candidate in the person of Tinubu. We must strive to liberate Ebonyi State; Ebionyi is our agenda now.”

The governor contested the APC presidential ticket but lost to a former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu.

Owo massacre victims get mass burial Friday at church’s cemetery

The Catholic Diocese of Ondo has fixed Friday, June 17, 2022  for the mass burial of those who lost their lives in the terrorists attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo , Ondo State last week Sunday.

Confirming the date of the mass burial to newsmen on Monday, the Diocese’s Director of Social Communication, Rev. Fr. Augustine Ikwu, maintained that the number of the deceased still remained 40.

According to Ikwu, the mass burial would take place at the church’s new cemetery at Emure Road, Owo.

It was gathered that the injured victims are still receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre and the St. Louis Catholic Hospital both in Owo and some other private hospitals in the state.

In a related development, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his Oyo State counterpart, Mr Seyi Makinde had declared a three-day mourning for the victims of the attack.

In a statement issued by the Lagos state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omostoso, on Monday, directed that all flags should fly at half-mast as part of decision to mourn the victims at the Southern Governors’ meeting.

Sanwo-Olu also urged Lagos residents and visitors to remain law-abiding and vigilant as the government is doing everything to ensure that peace continues to prevail in the state.

He said, “Flags are flying at half-mast in Lagos following Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive. The action is for three days to mourn the victims of the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, terrorist attack.

The decision to mourn the victims came at a Southwest Governors’ June 10 virtual meeting, which reviewed the security situation in the region. 

The communique issued after the meeting was signed by Governors Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo; Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Gboyega Oyetola, Osun; Dapo Abiodun, Ogun; Seyi Makinde, Oyo and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos.

The governors unanimously condemned in very strong terms the horrendous crime perpetrated by terrorists against the people and residents of Owo, Ondo State and, by extension, the peace-loving people of the South-West.

JAMB talks tough on change of courses for candidates by tertiary institutions

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JaaMB), had said the transfer candidates from one course to another in any tertiary institution can only be carried out with the consent of the candidates concerned.

In a bulletin made available to the newsmen in Abuja on Monday, the JAMB Registrar, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, said the warning was in line with the Board’s policy which proscribes tampering with the preference for particular programmes as expressed by candidates unless such candidate indicated otherwise.

The bulletin read, “The comments of the Registrar were to clarify the call by some institutions that JAMB allow them to transfer candidates from one programme to another within the institution’s CAPS at no extra charges to the students.

“It was also to clarify the notion that it is difficult to transfer candidates from one programme to another and that not all the candidates transferred on the change of Programme platform would appear on CAPS. Elaborating on the workings of the Central Admissions Processing System, the Registrar said the transfer process is automated on CAPS and can only be effected with the consent or acceptance of the candidate.

He said this prevents the unconscionable transfer of qualified candidates from a particular course so as to create spaces for unqualified ones. However, with this safeguard, proposed candidates for transfer would not appear on new programmes until the transfer is accepted by the candidates concerned.

“He disclosed further that waiving the need for obtaining the consent or acceptance of candidates concerned would be a violation of the extant rules and regulations of the Board and could also lead to litigation and duplication of admissions.

“Taking the COHEADS through the process, Prof. Oloyede said before a candidate could be moved or transferred to another programme, there would be a Transfer Alert (notification from CAPS) to the candidate to either ACCEPT or REJECT the movement.

“If such a candidate presses YES, the candidate would be moved to the new programme and MUST be admitted. Furthermore, at the point of acceptance, the candidate would be notified to change his/her programme so as to be able to print his/her Letter of Admission.

“However, if the candidate presses NO or is silent (no response), the candidate remains in his/her chosen programme and cannot be moved anywhere,” Prof. Oloyede stated.

Breaking: APC stakeholders kick against Muslim-Muslim ticket

The National Stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), have called on the leadership of the party and the Progressive Governors Forum to narrow their search for the vice-presidential candidate to a northern Christian.

Their concerns stemmed from the raging controversy of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, which has seemingly heated the polity in the last few days.

The PUNCH reported that the Convener of the APC Stakeholder, Aliyu Audu, in a programme to mark the June 12 Democracy Day, disclosed that the need to reject the temptation of presenting another Muslim candidate as a running mate will ensure national inclusion and promote national unity.

He said, “Why we are conscious of the fact that religion should not be a determining factor in the our leadership selection proces. The peculiar circumstance the nation finds herself calls for reflection in the decisions we take, so long as they bother on our national lives.

“Today, the country is deeply divided within our fault lines of ethnicity and religion and we cannot afford to jettison this sensibility in critical decision making.

“This is why we think that the All Progressives Congress must be guided by the sense of these sensibilities in the selection of the Vice Presidential Candidate of the party.

Audu said that to do otherwise would be to further fuel what divides the masses and give room for mischief makers to take advantage of our differences.

According to him, Nigeria is in dire need of good governance, which can come from either a Muslim leader or a Christian leader.

He also noted that while some interests wanted the north to pick the ticket so as to put the contest between two northerners, others advocated for the All Progressives Congress to pick her flag bearer from the south in the spirit of nationalism, justice and fairness.

“But in the spirit of nationalism, justice and fairness which the northern governors demonstrated a few days ago, the leaders of the north on whose shoulder the emergence of the Vice Presidential candidate rests must also demonstrate this spirit by ensuring that the candidate comes from the Christian faith.

“The northern APC has in its fold capable individuals from the Christian faith with proven track record that can deliver just like anyone from the other faith.

“Their capability to deliver on the ideals of the party aside, they also have the capacity to win elections for the party. Suffice to add that no individual wins elections for any political party, it is the collective of all and we are sure the APC can achieve this,” he urged.

Edgard Leroy dies in auto crash

The award winning and fast rising filmmaker, Edgard Leroy, has died in a ghastly auto crash few about four weeks after he won an award for the Best Indigenous Movie (Yoruba) Category at the last African Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) .

The Cameroonian-born movie director died at the Sagamu area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway last Saturday.

The 26-year-old was heading to a movie location at Ibadan when he was involved in the fatal accident that cut his life short.

His colleague, David Akande, announced the filmmaker’s death on his Instagram page on Monday.

Akande wrote, “Good night Edgard Leroy, my brother, friend and partner. I love you.

“On the 11th day of June, 2022, a ghastly motor accident on Lagos Ibadan Expressway, precisely at Sagamu, cut short the life of one of Africa’s fast rising film makers, Cameroonian born Edgard Le Roy Nouke Ngedemon.

“Edagard Leroy who won an Award at the just concluded African Magic Viewers Choice Awards ( AMVCA) in the Best Indigenous Movie ( Yoruba) Category, was on his way for a movie shoot in Ibadan, Oyo State, South West Nigeria from his base in Lagos when the sad incident happened.

“Born on the 13th of July 1995, this amazing director, editor and motion graphics artist was the first from his country to win the highly respected AMVCA award.

“And just a few weeks shy of his 27th birthday, this is the sad story of a life cut at its prime.

“Safe journey, Director Edgard. Creative Nigerian and Cameroonian film industries will miss you.

“The family is yet to announce funeral arrangements. May his soul rest In peace.”

Ekiti 2022: legal luminary urges electorates to shun vote-buying

As people of Ekiti State prepare to go to the poll on Saturday, 18th of June, to elect their next governor, an Ondo State-based legal practitioner, Mr. Morakinyo Ogele, has enjoined the people of the state to reject the act of selling their votes to politicians on the election day.

The lawyer who alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress was planning to involve in the act of vote-buying, said the APC had failed the people of the state in the last four years and didn’t deserve to remain in power.

Ogele revealed this in an open letter to the Ekiti people, titled, ‘Letter to Ekiti People’, which made available to the newsmen in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Monday.

According to the letter, Ogele enjoined the people of Ekiti to vote the ruling party out on Saturday, saying the present administration under Dr. Kayode Fayemi had allegedly grounded the state.

The letter read, “We must observe carefully to see what is on the ground presently in Ekiti State, on how the present government has grounded our dear state. It is no defamatory statement that the APC non-functional government in Ekiti State is an accidental discharge that produced the government in the state.

“The state has become a dynasty of emirate where APC is handling to its stooges a baton in a relay race over to whosoever they believe that can dance to the rhyme of their music. The APC organised a charade and dubious Congress and selected a candidate appointed by the former governor, signed, sealed, and delivered to Fayemi.

“The government has monetised politics in Ekiti Which is now cash and carry affairs, hence, they could not make the financial obligation for the provision of infrastructure as the party is on daily basis going down due to their confused management of Ekiti affairs.

“My investigation so far revealed that the APC is coming with a strike force and money, forcing and buying votes. People are wondering how the APC candidate for the June election sourced N50 million paid to their party headquarters in Abuja, a man whose salary is not up to N500,000 monthly as former secretary to Ekiti State government.

“The years of APC government has been years of the locust and termites, state workers are suffering, retires are dying for non-payment of their pension, still the government is ready to buy votes on June 18, 2022 election,”

Three military officers slump during Democracy Day Parade

No fewer than three military officers who were participating in the Democracy Day Parade, on Monday, slumped at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

It was believed that the officers, having stood for hours under scorching sun, succumbed to exhaustion.

Though, there was no casualty recorded but the development was noted a bit of confusion as some security and medical personnel rushed to the parade ground with stretcher and whisked the exhausted officers to the medical shed where they were being attended to and regained consciousness almost immediately.

The ceremony featured performances by the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Police.

The Nigerian Army Female Corps also performed a combat display followed by traditional dance performance from various ethnic groups.

President Muhammadu Buhari who was the Special Guest of Honour, inspected the guards, and was followed by a military/police march past in slow and quick time.

To round up the ceremony, there was a combined silent drill display by the Armed Forces and Police, and a playlet performance before the advancing of the parade in review order.

Dignitaries at the 2022 Democracy Day Celebration at Eagle Square include former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Senate president, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Service Chiefs, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Youth Corps Members, amongst others.

Notably, Kingibe who was the running mate of the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, GCFR, was introduced as former Vice President and invited to join in a group photograph.

2023: Ebonyi PDP guber candidate pleads with party leaders to close ranks

Ebonyi State Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), governorship aspirant in the 2023 general election, Ifeanyi Odii, has impressed on the leaders and stakeholders of the party to close ranks and secure the future of people of the State.

He said this is more imperative than engage in frivolous lies capable of disuniting the party and cost its fortune in the forthcoming elections.

The PDP governorship candidate noted that the common enemy of the party in the state was the ruling All Progressives Congress, adding that he remained the authentic governorship ‘candidate’ of the party.

The PUNCH had reported that the National Working Committee of the PDP cancelled the May 28 and 29, 2022 primary election, that elected Odili as ‘candidate’, claiming it was held against its directive and ordered a rescheduled primary election on June 5 and 6, 2022.

The rescheduled primary election brought the Senator representing Ebonyi Central Zone in the Red Chamber, Senator Obinna Ogba, as the ‘candidate’ of the PDP in the state. But a Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, the state capital, declared Ogba’s ‘candidature’ null and void, and upheld Odii’s.

However, Ogba had, while displaying the Certificate of Return issued to him by the NWC on Saturday, in Abakaliki, told journalists that he was the authentic governorship ‘candidate’ of the party, saying his opponent, Odii, was embarking on exercise in futility.

But Odii, in a statement signed and issued, on Sunday, by the Director of Media and Publicity, Anyi Chuks (Odii) Campaign Organisation, Chief Abia Onyike, disagreed with Ogba, insisting he remains the ‘candidate’ of the PDP, in Ebonyi State.

He said, “I wish to refer to the press conference addressed yesterday, 11th June, 2022 by Sen. Obinna Ogba and to react as follows:

“The crisis rocking the PDP in Ebonyi State is a self-inflicted logjam which came about because of weak leadership. However, the crisis cannot persist without a resolution and the time to resolve it has come, if the party must rise to the occasion in the state as a liberation movement in the hands of Ebonyi people to rescue themselves from the atrocities of the incumbent APC government in the state.

“The resolution of the crisis could be achieved not through falsehood or the telling of blatant lies to the suffering people of Ebonyi. Our teeming members and the ordinary people on the streets need to be told the true situation of things so that they can face the situation squarely and take their destiny into their own hands.

“The PDP governorship candidate today is Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii. He won the primary election conducted by the PDP on 28th and 29th of May, 2022. The three-man Delegate List used for the primary election was the outcome of the State PDP Congress of 7th May, 2022, which was eventually recognised by the PDP National Working Committee. That primary election was properly authorised by the PDP NWC and was peacefully conducted with the INEC monitoring the exercise in line with the Electoral Guidelines and the 2022 Electoral Act. An attempt  by the opposition to cancel the successfully conducted primary election suffered a set-back.

“The parallel primary conducted on the 5th and 6th of June, was an anti-democratic intervention by some powerful forces who were hell-bent on reversing the popular will of the people. The ruling of the Federal High Court in Abakaliki on 7th June, 2022 restoring the authenticity of the first primary which elected Dr Odii was a historic confirmation of the democratic will of Ebonyi PDP cadres as against the dictatorship and imposition by a few Godfathers.

“On the 10th of June, 2022, the national body of the party obeyed the Court order by forwarding the names of all the candidates elected during the legitimate primary of 28 and 29 May, 2022 to INEC and the processing of their forms have commenced.

“The PDP governorship candidate in the person of Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii is willing and ready to provide leadership and to reconcile the members of the party after the divisions arising from the internal power struggle.

“We appeal to the leaders and members of our great Party in the state to embrace the path of maturity and reconciliation at this moment to enable us focus on the common enemy as we gradually approach the 2023 general election. We should quickly recover from the fallouts of the primary elections and close ranks in the interest of our people and the future of the state.”

Zamfara gov appoints speaker to lead 2022 Amirul Hajj

The Governor of Zamfara State, Alh. Bello Matawalle has approved the appointment of the State House of Assembly Speaker, Alhaji Nasiru Magarya, as Amirul Hajj (leader of Hajj pilgrims) of the state for the 2022 Hajj.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Kabiru Balarabe, in Gusau on Monday, the appointment takes immediatediate effect.

“This is to inform the general public that Governor Bello Matawalle has approved the appointment of Alhaji Nasiru Magarya, Speaker, Zamfara House of Assembly, as Amirul Hajj and leader of the state government delegation for the 2022 Hajj operation.

“The Governor has also approved the appointment of the following as members of the delegation:

“Alhaji Farouk Musa Dosara, House Leader, State House of Assembly; Abubakar S-Pawa, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs; Emir of Talata-Mafara, Alhaji Bello Barmo; and Chairman, State Council of Ulama, Sheikh Ahmad Kanoma.

“Other members of the delegation include Babangida Abubakar-Anka, Musa Ibrahim-Yau, Hajiya Asiyatu Suleiman, while the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Transport, Garba Ahmad, is the Secretary of the delegation,” the statement said.

According to the SSG, the appointment takes immediate effect.

NAN

National grid collapses fifth time in 2022

There was widespread blackout across the country on Sunday Following the collapse of the national power grid on Sunday, there was widespread blackout across the country, which make it the fifth time collapse of Nigeria’s electricity grid between January and June.

The PUNCH gathered that the grid collapse on Sunday occurred around 6.49pm, leading to the shutdown of the outgoing electricity feeders of some power distribution companies.

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc and Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company in separate messages obtained by the newsmen confirmed the grid collapse.

Findings had earlier shown that the quantum of power on the grid as at 6am on Sunday was 3,628.6 megawatts, but it was gathered that this crashed significantly in the evening leading to the eventual grid collapse.

Nigeria’s power grid had collapsed twice in March and twice again in April this year, as the power generation on the system had continued to fluctuate due to various concerns such as gas constraint, water management challenges, gas pipeline vandalism, among others.

Confirming Sunday’s collapse in a notice on its verified Twitter handle, entitled, “Power Outage In Our Franchise Due To Grid Collapse,” Kaduna Disco said, “Dear esteemed customers, we regret to inform you that the power outage being experienced in our franchise states is due to system collapse of the national grid.

“The collapse occurred at about 18:47pm this evening hence the loss of supply on all our outgoing feeders. Power supply shall be restored as soon as the national grid is powered back. Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience.”

Also, the Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, Emeka Ezeh, said the grid collapse threw five states under the Disco’s franchise area in total blackout.

A notice from the Disco, which he signed, read in part, “The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc wishes to inform her esteemed customers of a system collapse which occurred at 6.49pm this evening, Sunday, June 12, 2022.

“As a result of this development, all our outgoing feeders are out and this has affected supply to our customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.

“We are on standby, awaiting further information on restoration of supply from the National Control Centre. Thank you.”