Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Monday admitted four members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to bail in the sum of N10 million each.

Justice Nyako, admitted Bright Chimezie, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, David Nwawuisdi and Benjamin Madubugwu to bail.

Chimezie, Onwudiwe, Madubugwu and Nwawuisi, aged between 33 and 45, are facing three-count charge of conspiracy to commit treasonable felony and illegal possession of firearms.

They were all arrested in 2016 and had been in detention since then.

They were charged along with the former leader of the IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu who has not been seen since Sept. 22, 2017

Nyako in granting them bail, said she had carefully considered the consolidated application for bail submitted by their counsel and the number of years they had spent in prison custody.

She also made reference to the defendants health status as well as the ruling she had read of “a sister judge’’ as well as the Administration of Criminal Justice Act,(ACJA)2015.

In considering their bail, Justice Nyako ordered the defendants to deposit monetary sum of N10 million each with the Chief Registrar of the court.

She added that the defendants are not allowed to travel outside the country, that they are to deposit their travelling documents at the court as well.

The judge ordered that they were not to seen in any gathering at any time or granting newsmen interviews or any type of interviews.

“No welcome `oyoyo’ gathering.If you do that, you will be sent back to prison. Go home, be with your family, come to court. The trial has commenced, Nyako said.

At the prayer of the defence counsel, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the judge ordered that the defendants to report to the Commissioner of Police at their locality every two weeks, instead of Abuja.

She ordered the first defendant, Chimezie to report to the Commissioner of Police, Rivers.

Nyako also ordered the second defendant, Onwudiwe and the fourth, Nwawuisdi to both report to the Commissioner of Police, Enugu state.

She said the third, Benjamin Madubugwu should report to the Commissioner of Police in Anambra.

Chimezie also pleaded the court to stop men of the State Security Operatives from invading their residence after being admitted to bail.

Justice Nyako in response, assured them that they were under the custody of the court.

She adjourned the commencement of triai until Nov. 14.

I found this interesting

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the dissolution of the Governing Board of National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB).

A statement, made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday by Mr Sonny Echono, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, said the approval was with immediate effect.

Echono said the President had also directed the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu to take immediate measures to reposition and refocus NABTEB for greater efficiency and to render its performance more responsive to the expectations of the present administration.

He said the purported suspension of the Registrar, Prof. Ifeoma Abanihe and four other Directors of NABTEB had been nullified as it did not conform to due process, especially in the case of the registrar.

He said the board went beyond its powers and in contravention of Section 5 and Section 6 of NABTEB Act.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a special investigative panel was constituted to probe activities of the registrar of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), Prof. Ifeoma Isuigo-Abanihe and four others.

The panel allegedly uncovered irregularities in contract awards and abuse of office by the embattled registrar.

The registrar and four directors were suspended by the 9th Governing Board of NABTEB at its first regular board meeting held on 19th June at NABTEB headquarters, Benin City, Edo State, following allegations of N49.7 million fraud.

The four affected staff members are: Mr Nnasia Ndarake Asanga, Director, Finance & Accounts, Dr Obinna Opara, Director, Examination Administration, Alhaji Jimoh Adewola Kasali, Director, Examinations Development, and the Procurement Officer, Engr. Edwin Osamo.

I found this interesting

President Mohammed Buhari, has spoken up on the bloodbath that happened in Plateau state, which left scores dead, while attributing the massacre and destruction of properties to the handiwork of politicians and thugs in the country.

According to Buhari, the politicians are responsible, because they hoped that their quest for instability and chaos in the country would give them an advantage in the 2019 general elections.

The President’s Senior Special Assistant, Garba Shehu, revealed this in a statement made available to Newsmen, that the president has decried the recent bloodbath.

He said, “We know that a number of geographical and economic factors are contributing to the longstanding herdsmen/farmers clashes. But we also know that politicians are taking advantage of the situation. This is incredibly unfortunate.”

According to him, “Nigerians affected by the herdsmen/ farmer clashes must always allow the due process of the law to take its course rather than taking matters into their own hands.”

“According to information available to the Presidency, about one hundred cattle had been rustled by a community in Plateau State, and some herdsmen were killed in the process. The state governor, Simon Lalong, had invited the aggrieved groups and pleaded against further action while the law enforcement agents looked into the matter. Less than 24 hours later, violence broke out.

“Some local thugs then took advantage of the situation, turning it into an opportunity to extort the public, and to attack people from rival political parties. There were reports of vehicles being stopped along the roads in the state, with people being dragged out of their cars and attacked if they stated that they supported certain politicians or political party.

“On his way back to Jos after attending the All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention in Abuja, the state governor had to dismantle a number of illegal road blocks set up by these thugs. There were also a number of dead bodies thugs had killed, lying along the road.”

Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Senate President, has also reacted to the bloody massacre that happened in Plateau state on Sunday, and has warned that the Federal Government needs to reorganize the nation security architecture, or more lives would be lost.

Ekweremadu decried the reluctance of the nation’s leaders to tinker with the nation’s security structure, despite glaring lapses.

The Senator, who spoke after decorating his newly promoted security aides, Mr. Uchenna Igwebuike and Edward Utuh, with their new ranks of Superintendent of Police (SP) and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), respectively, however, commended the Nigeria Police for the recent promotion exercise, noting that such would motivate the personnel to give their best.

He said: “It is really unfortunate because our country is a nation where the leaders have refused to learn from the mistakes and missteps of the past.

“For many years now, some of us have been consistent about the need to descentralise our security architecture; and so long as we are not doing that, we are going to get exactly the same result.

“It pains me that innocent people, who voted us into power to protect their lives and property are losing their lives and their property because we have refused to take the correct steps.

“The sad news is not only that many people have died, but also that more people will die unless we take the right steps, putting the right security architecture in place. There is no way you will have a federation like Nigeria as big as it is, with all the diversities, and continue to operate a centralised policing and expect it to work. It will never work and it is a major problem.

“So, it is sad that this is happening. But, as I said, the real tragedy is that this Plateau incident is not going to be last because we refuse to be corrected”.

Ekweremadu reasoned that the Government of Plateau State would be in the best position to protect the citizens if it had its own police outfit.

“I want to call on the Federal Government and the leaders of this country again for us to, for once, decide to protect the lives and property of those we are leading because that is the primary purpose of government. I appeal to the Federal Government to have a rethink on the issue of restructuring, especially the ones relevant to the security of lives and property. And the only way to do that is for all of us to sit down and agree to, within a space of the next two or three months, amend the constitution to enable the component units of this country to have their own security architecture, namely the police.

“If the people of Plateau are empowered under the constitution to have their police, then you can place the blame squarely on the governor because he will have the responsibility to recruit sufficient police personnel to protect the people. Right now, the responsibility is that of the Federal Government. There is little or nothing the governor can do about it.

“I sympathise with the people of Plateau State, especially the communities, which lost their loved ones. However, I will continue to sound even like a broken record until the correct thing is done”, he concluded.

Osibanjo arrives Jos for an on the spot assessment

Nigerian artist Daniel Oyebanjo popularly known as Dbanj and his wife Lineo Didi Kilgrow lost their son Daniel Oyebanjo III on Sunday. The toddler who was a year old in May, was said to have drowned in a pool at the couple’s house in their Ikoyi residence in Lagos. Although rumors of their son’s death filtered on Sunday. Dbanj confirmed the news on Monday morning via an instagram post where he posted a black image with the caption “ trying times. But my God is always and forever faithful”.

Following the death of the singers first son which he has confirmed via instagram, former president Obasanjo, Ben Murray Bruce, Genevieve, Don Jazzy and other celebrities and Nigerians has sent in their condolence .

Former president Obasanjo on his twitter handle wrote “my heart and prayers are with Dapo and his family. No parent should ever have to bury a child. As a parent, it’s the worst thing imaginable. May God give you the fortitude to bear the loss, Dbanj”.

Former label mate and producer Don Jazzy wrote “just heard the worst news in a long time”.

Banky W wrote “sending prayers up for @iambangalee, his wife and their entire family. This is a nightmare. Heart wrenching news may God strengthen and comfort y’all in this absolutely terrible time in Jesus name”.

Tiwa Savage wrote “I was just holding you last month celebrating your birthday. I am in shock, my heart is broken. This is unbearable.”

Ben Murray Bruce wrote “I am really sad to read about the death of your son. Death of a child is the saddest thing for any parent. On behalf of my family and I, please do accept our sincerest sympathy”.

Genevieve Nnaji wrote “please join me in saying this prayer as we commiserate with the Oyebanjo family at this time. We can never fully understand the pain of others but every little prayer helps. @iambangelee our hearts break with yours. Stay strong my dear”.

Other celebrities who reacted to Daniel III death include Juliet Ibrahim, Adesowa Etomi, Alex Unusual, Dr Sid amongst others.

Dbanj was in Los Angeles to attend the BET awards when the death of his son occurred.

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Chief Jide Awe has resigned his position, citing irreconcilable difference between him and the party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi
as main reason.

Details later

The battle to re-order the proposed sequence for the 2019 general election, has resumed in the National Assembly. -as the legislature, asked the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja to set aside a Federal High Court judgement, which stated that it lacked the power to re-order the proposed sequence.

Reports gathered that Justice of an Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, Ahmed Mohammed, had in his judgement in a suit filed by Accord Party against National Assembly, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), held that the election timetable earlier released by the INEC could not be altered by the Legislature.

Accord Party filed the suit through Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, after both chambers of the National Assembly attempted to implement Section 58 of the Constitution, which allows the Legislature to override the decision of the President.

Among reliefs the Plaintiff sought before the court, which were granted, include “A declaration that the 3rd Defendant, is the only body and or institution constitutionally vested with the powers, vires, and duties to organise, undertake and supervise elections to the offices of the President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Governor and Deputy Governor of a State, membership of the Senate, the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly of each State of the Federation, including fixing or assigning dates of the said elections and sequence of same”.

However in its appeal, the NASS, which was the 1st Defendant at the lower court asked the appellate court to set aside the decision of Justice Mohammed, and dismiss in its entirety, the Plaintiff’s claims in the Originating Summons.

In the Notice of Appeal filed through its Lawyer, Mr. J.B Daudu, SAN, the NASS stated that the learned trial judge, erred in law when he assumed jurisdiction to entertain and determine the suit, when the purpose of passing the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018 into an Act.

NASS contended that the trial judge wrongly failed to appreciate that, until the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018 was passed into an Act by the exercise of the legislative power of the National Assembly to over-ride the veto or withholding of assent to the Bill by the President, the same remained inchoate and not capable of vesting a justifiable civil right or obligation on any person, including the Plaintiff.

The legislature further contended amongst others, that the lower court wrongly interpreted the provisions of Section 4(8) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), so as to reach the conclusion that the Federal High Court was vested with jurisdiction to impugn a Bill perceived to be unconstitutional.

“The lower court was further in error, when it relied on the certificate of the Clerk of the National Assembly pursuant to the Acts Authentication Act on the Bill (Exh ‘A’), as proof that the Bill’s constitutionality could be challenged in a superior court of law.

“The learned trial judge erred in law, when he failed to appreciate that the Plaintiff’s suit (subject-matter of this Appeal), was not properly constituted and therefore, incompetent”, it stated.

The barbaric massacre in Plateau state, which left scores dead, has recorded so many reactions from prominent persons and groups, one of which is Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, who described the killings in the state as evil, barbaric, inhuman and ethnic cleansing of the people of the Middle Belt.

The group, said killing of over 100 people by men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on Sunday, the leader of MASSOB, Comrade Uchenna Madu, said the people were killed because they were Christians.

MASSOB said the killings were targeted at eliminating Christians in the Middle Belt to pave way for Muslims to dominate the area.

The group’s statement said, “MASSOB wishes to condemn the killing of the citizens of Plateau state by a world confirmed terrorist group called herdsmen. It is so evil, barbaric and inhuman to kill these innocent unarmed citizens because they are Christians who do not share the same religious faith with the killer herdsmen.

“It is regrettable that President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress, APC, and government has failed to provide the citizens of Nigeria with security, welfare and other infrastructural amenities. Instead, they are using the security agents to intimidate and frustrate members of opposition.”

It added, “How on earth will such brutal killing of innocent citizens happen without response from any security agent? The Plateau state killings took many hours and there was no response or rescue team from security agents.

“To us, this is shameful on Nigeria security agents and the Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“MASSOB wishes to remind the people of Middle Belt to hearken to the advice given to them by General T. Y. Danjuma to defend themselves. It should not be ignored. This is time for the Middle Beltans to fight for their coming generations.”

The pro-Brafra group further claimed that there was a grand plan by herdsmen whom it alleged were mostly Fulani to wipe out the people of the Middle Belt, adding that it is a well calculated ethnic cleansing.

“There is a grand plan by the terrorist herdsmen to wipe the people of Middle Belt. This is ethnic cleansing at it best.

“Can President Buhari tell the world the difference between terrorism and the action of his kinsmen who are hiding under the name of herdsmen? The caliphates are jittery because the people of Middle Belt have refused to be used against Biafrans as they did during 1967-1970 Biafra/Nigeria civil wars.

“Have the herdsmen ever attacked any Fulani or Muslim dominated area even once? The areas they have been attacking in Adamawa, Zamfara, Kaduna, Taraba are mostly Christian/non-Fulani dominated areas.”

Senator of Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, had on Tuesday, June 26 in Abuja, solicited that graveyards should be built close to the seat of power, for the victims of herdsmen and Boko haram.

Sani said this will cause the government at all levels who have failed to protect Nigerians to share in the pains of families who have lost beloved ones to incessant killings.

Nigerian Pilot reports that Plateau Police Command on Sunday confirmed the killing of over 86 persons in attacks on Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government, also Daffo and Kuba communities in Bokkos Local Government.

He had earlier in a statement on Monday in Abuja expressed concern over the lackadaisical attitude of political office holders towards incessant killings.

The senator further stated that while killings continued unabated across the country, the interest and attention of the political class were more on power and 2019 elections.

He also expressed concern, on the spate of killings on his Twitter page with a caption, “We need a graveyard in the three arms zone of Abuja so that victims of the mindless killings in the country can be buried close to the seat of power.

“Then the Executive, Legislators and the Judiciary can feel the pains of the helpless widows and orphans we failed to protect.”

Minister of State, Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has given an assurance  that the Diagnostic Laboratory which was recently gutted by fire at the National TB and Leprosy Training Centre, NTBLTC, Zaye Zaria, Kaduna State, would soon be rebuilt.

Ehanire  disclosed this when he visited the centre recently to assess the extent of damage caused by the incident in order to push the process of repairing and putting the Laboratory back to use in the shortest possible time.

While been conducted  by the Head  of Laboratory Department, HOD, of  Mr Isiaka Adamu to assess  the damage on the the facility, the Minister  promised that after the assessment by  Experts is concluded, the laboratory would be redesigned in order to prevent occurrence in the future.

He also assured that the new design would consider good flow of service movement and all features for fire and bio-safety would be put in place.
Ehanire, who was accompanied by the National Coordinator, TB and Leprosy Control Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr.  Adebola  Lawanson, commended Management and Staff of the centre for the measures they took to stop the fire from spreading and also keeping services running at the facility despite the setback.

Principal of the Centre, Dr. Labaran Shehu, appreciated the Minster for his unflinching support for the centre to monitor and ensure the functionality and effectiveness of the Centre.

On behalf of Management and Staff of the Centre, Dr. Shehu pledged to continuously run the facility with all sense of responsibility and patriotism adding that every resources committed to the centre by the Ministry, Development partners and NGO’s would be utilised judiciously.

About 1.8 million youths, are advocating for Governor Yahaya Bello’s assent to the pending Youth Commission Bill to aid development of the youths in the state.
This was disclosed yesterday in Abuja at a press briefing organized by Action Aid Nigeria in support of the bill.

According to Honourable Ahmed Mohammed, Deputy Majority Leader, Kogi State of Assembly, who is sponsor of the Bill during a round table meeting to establish the Kogi  Youth development Commission, KYDCBILL, the bill is aimed at developing and empowering the youths for economic growth as well as creation more job opportunities  and to generate internal revenue for the state.

“It will dramatically reduce youth restiveness and social vices like armed robbery, kidnapping and prostitution.”

It will bring  about sustainability on youth development and empowerment programs within the state. It is expected to consolidate all efforts of this present administration on youth programs, he said.

County Representative of ActionAid, who was represented by Programs Director, Mr Blade Oniyanju noted that the bill coming at this point is in tandem with the Not Too Young Bill signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that 50% of Nigerians are youths and that Kogi has one of the most brilliant youths in the country.

Oniyanju disclosed that in terms of governance  ActionAid believes in the vibrancy of Kogi youths just as the state has the youngest governor in the county.

A group under the umbrella of Middle Belt Renaissance Group yesterday called on the leadership of the Department of State Service (DSS), to immediately release, the immediate past governor of Benue State, Dr. Gabriel Suswam.

The DSS had on last Thursday detained Suswam after he reported at the service’s headquarters in Abuja following an invitation was earlier extended to him.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday in Abuja, the President General of the group, Onoja King Esq, described the continued detention of the former governor as a violation of his constitutional right.

Onoja who is a legal practitioner, cited Section 35 (1) (C) (4) & (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, and said “the DSS has not brought Suswam before a court of law within a reasonable time.”

While the DSS has not formally disclosed the reason for Suswam’s arrest and detention, the group stated that it had become aware that the former governor’s detention is connected to a petition allegedly written by highly placed politicians in Benue State which bordered on Suswam’s allegedly contact with Mr. Terwase Agwaza also know as Gana, a wanted fugitive.

Also, Suswam is being accused of sponsoring the incessant killings in Benue State.

The group noted that Suswam’s arrest and detention follow a pattern of “disrespect for constitutional rights and civil liberties of Nigerians by the security agencies in the country.

“We categorically join our voices with other well-meaning Nigerians to state that the action of the DSS threatens the very foundation on which democracy, Justice and fair play are hinged on as it attempts to silence opposition politicians.

“It is against this backdrop that we make the following calls on the DSS to immediately:
“Inform Dr. Suswam, and indeed the entire country, of the reasons for his arrest and detention as provided for by section 36 of the constitution.

“To grant him access to his lawyers as soon as possible as provided for by the constitution.
“To charge him before a court of competent jurisdiction as quickly as possible so he can defend himself of all the allegations levelled against him.
“In the alternative, to release him unconditionally,” the group demanded.

Following the gruesome bloodbath in Plateau State, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday arrived the state to commiserate with victims.

This was revealed by President Buhari’s Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, via his Twitter handle.

The President is visiting the state after no fewer than 86 persons were killed by suspected herdsmen in Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government.

Ahmed wrote, ”President @MBuhari arrives Jos, Plateau State. #SecuringNC #SecuringNG.”

Buhari is expected to meet with community leaders, traditional rulers, representatives of various stakeholder groups, and security chiefs.

Abia Senator, Eyinnaya Abaribe is to remain in detention of the Department of State Services, DSS, as a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, rejected his bail application.

The Justice, Binta Nyako who led the court ruling,  gave the order while turning down Abaribe’s application for his release from DSS custody.

Nyako, In her ruling,  said she could not order Abaribe’s release because she was not the judge who ordered his arrest.

The judge held that the circumstances that resulted in Abaribe’s recent arrest were not before her.

She expressed dissatisfaction with counsel on both sides about their manner of handling of the case, saying she will not mind prolonging the matter if they were not serious.

Abaribe was one of the sureties who signed the bail bond of the elusive leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

Shortly after his release, Kanu has not been seen in public.

Popular se*x doll, Samantha now has the ability to turn down sex if she’s not in the mood or if she feels disrespected.

The creator of the popular franchise, Dr. Sergi Santos, said he upgraded the robot at the request of his wife, so it can now shut down if it feels like its being treated inappropriately.

The upgrade means the doll can now enter a stage called ‘dummy mode.’ The mode is activated if sensors under her skin detect a partner is aggressive or if Samantha is bored by its partner’s advances.

Samantha can even has the ability to say “No” if she wants to. The new update will encourage sex doll owners to treat robot women and real women with respect and create awareness about consent.

The robot which is created in the form of a real woman has motorised hands, hips and face, and can whisper endearments if properly seduced. She also has ‘family’, ‘romantic’ and ‘sex’ modes, as well as an ‘extra naughty’ level.

Rap artist is on the heat again after she compared herself with queen B. Cardi revealed that she and boyfriend Offset had a secret marriage last September and fans were outraged. Offset has continuously cheated on the rap artist to the disgust of fans who have been calling for their break up. The star, in response to their request tweeted that she is already married to offset. In her words “There are so many moments that I share with the world and there are moments that I want to keep for myself! Getting married was one of those moments!” she tweeted

“Our relationship was so new breaking up and making up and we had a lot of growing to do but we was so in love we didn’t want to lose each other.”

The star explained that, the two woke up and decided to get married in September 2017 with a frills-free ceremony. “We found someone to marry us, and she did, just the two of us and my cousin. I said I do, with no dress, no makeup and no ring!”.

While trying to explain herself she said that Beyoncé didn’t leave Jay Z after he cheated so did Coretta Scott King with Martin Luther King. After the post fans immediately lashed out at her for the comparison leading her to immediately delete the post.

The star explained that she kept her pregnancy news a secret because people where too nosey.

“This why i name my album ‘Invasion of privacy’ cause people will do the most to be nosey about your life,” she tweeted. “Welp f–k it.”

“Well now since you lil nosey f–ks know at least ya can stop saying I had a baby out of wedlock,”

This news reveals that Cardi and Offset where already married when he proposed to her in October last year.

…Asks INEC not to recognize Oshiomhole over breach of Electoral Act

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday alleged that that the 24 All Progressives Congress, APC, governors diverted N150 million each, amounting to N3.6 billion, from their state coffers, to fund the APC’s national convention.

This is coming as the party also asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, not to recognize the new APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, as his emergence by affirmation is in violation provisions of the Electoral Act (as Amended) and of democratic requirements of direct voting by delegates.

Section 85 (3) of the Electoral Act (as Amended) states: “The election of members of the executive committee or other governing body of a political party, including the election to fill a vacant position in any of these bodies, shall be conducted in a democratic manner and allowing for all members of the party or duly elected delegates to vote in support of a candidates of their choice.”

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, made the positions of the party known while receiving party leaders from his home Kabba/Bunu area of Kogi state, who paid him a solidarity visit at the PDP national secretariat, Abuja on Wednesday.

According to him, “It is unimaginable that while Nigerians are suffering untold economic hardship, including unpaid salaries, due to the misrule of the APC, governors elected on the platform of the APC diverted N150 million each, amounting to a humongous N3.6 billion to fund their wasteful national convention in Abuja.

“Recently, the Brooking Report shows that under President Buhari and APC governors, millions of Nigerians are daily dropping below poverty line. According to the report, Nigeria under Buhari has become poverty capital of the world. There is hunger and starvation everywhere, yet the APC stole N3.6 billion from public coffers to fund its national convention.

“Everybody knows that APC is a party of corruption that is why their choice of a national chairman is an individual overburdened by allegations of humongous corruption and alleged stealing of public funds, yet enjoying presidential cover, even when the petitions against him at the EFCC are in the public domain.

“The PDP restates the demand that the EFCC immediately commence investigation against Oshiomhole, otherwise, it would have no ground upon which to continue to arrest, investigate and arraign other Nigerians on allegations of corruption”, he said.

The party also said President Buhari can no longer claim to be a man of integrity, as he have been found complicit on acts of corruption in his party and government.

“Each time President Buhari postures as a man of integrity, informed Nigerians shudder. If he is a man of integrity, why is he condoning corruption in his presidency and surrounding himself with corrupt people? Why is he blocking the investigation of Oshiomhole over corruption allegations? Why did he allow looted funds to be used for his party’s national convention? Buhari is not a man of integrity as his handlers want Nigerians to believe”, he said

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ActionAid Nigeria is seeking to end poverty through Art for the purpose of Development by engaging hundreds of talented artists living in poor and excluded communities whose main occupation is production of arts and crafts of various forms.

Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, AAN, Ene Obi who was represented by Director of Finance, Wale Elegbede said that AAN in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture is engaging local artists from poor and excluded communities to bridge the gap between them and their counterparts across Nigeria through and art and craft exhibition tagged ‘’Art for Development’’ as a platform for them to showcase their work and sell at higher prices in order to end poverty.

ActionAid Nigeria said that these local artists have farmlands or cattle rearing as an alternative source of income mainly because sales of the artworks alone are unsustainable for their families.

Obi said, ‘’we have met with incredibly amazing artists whose artworks sell for as low as two thousand naira, whereas, their professional counterpart could sell similar artwork for millions of naira because of the level of professionalism evident in the production and presentation of their final product.’’

It is our belief that if the skills of these local artists are properly harnessed, it will positively impact the economy; if local artists are trained to understand the recent artistry trends and how to better package and refine their products for the global market, s production of arts and crafts in local communities will become a source of sustainable livelihood, thereby contributing to the micro and macro economy of the nation and ultimately , lifting them out of poverty, Obi said.

Representative from the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Mr Augustus Babajide Ajibola, Director of Entertainment and Creative Services noted that before now all artworks by Nigerians were attached to palace courts, adding that the job of the ministry is to commit and preserve artworks.

He said in the age of Renaissance, Art was for Art sake but now it has changed for development.

Head Resource Mobilization and Innovation at ActionAid Nigeria, Mamedu Andrew said that the agency is drawing crafts and Artworks s from six states mainly Bauchi, Lagos, Kogi, Ebonyi and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to create market for them and to provide training on how their works can be improved and sold at better prices.

‘’We want to improve the minds of these artists in excluded communities, improve their livelihood because some of them could join Boko Haram because of idleness.’’

‘’Art for Development’’ Expo (Art4Dev) is an art and craft exhibition that seeks to create a platform for local artists to showcase their work , for art lovers to shop, while connecting local and professional artists to share experiences and network, ActionAid said.

Nigerian Pilot reports that the four-day expo event will be flagged-off on June 28th to June 30th at The Pavilion in Abuja.

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As the aftermath of the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is yet to simmer down, some notable pro-democracy activists in Imo State have condemned the level of hooliganism and brigandage displayed by the state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha by deploying thugs to attack delegates not loyal to him.

Speaking in an exclusive chat with Nigerian Pilot in Owerri, the National President of Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, and President of Centre For Peace Across Boarders, CPAB, Uche Wisdom Durueke Esq, described the violence that rocked the APC National Convention as a clear pointer to the fact that the political class has learnt nothing and are unwilling will to change their old styles.

Durueke, who regretted that Governor Okorocha and his men were at the centre of the commotion that erupted, maintained that the violent attack on the Coalition Group by the governor’s thugs was most condemnable and smacks of extreme desperation.

He remarked that the APC by allowing such of brazen disrespect for the rule of law in a party convention is an indication that it has also not departed from the ways of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as promised and predicted that the ruling would soon go the way their predecessor went.

“What happened at the APC National Convention venue was the worst show of shame by a party that prides itself as the one that has come to bring about change in the old ways of politicking in Nigeria.

“It is shameful disheartening that Governor Okorocha went that far in portraying Imo State in bad light simply for the consolatory position of a national organizing secretary of APC. I am surprised that the party closed its eyes on the violence unleashed on Imo delegates by Okorocha and his men and went ahead to declare a winner.

“My fear now is that what led to the nPDP and the then ruling party losing in 2015 is about happen and I see us having a nAPC that will eventually cause the ruling party to lose the 2019 Presidential and other election,” the lawyer state.

Also reacting to the violence that rocked the convention and the role of the Imo governor and his men, an All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, governorship aspirant, Hon. Uche Onyeagocha decried what happened at the convention ground last Saturday.

He described the unleashing of violence on Imo delegates by the alleged sponsored thugs of the governor as disgraceful, disdainful and an embarrassment to the people of Imo State and therefore called on the APC to sanction him accordingly.

Onyeagocha who spoke through his media aide, MacDonald Enwere said, “We have observed with total dismay the shameful display of hooliganism and thuggery by Governor Okorocha’s aides and recruited thugs at Eagles Square, venue of the just concluded APC National convention in Abuja.

“We all saw what happened at the convention ground on Saturday this week, how Governor Okorocha’s aides and recruited thugs were shamelessly fighting indiscriminately, displaying their profession of thuggery and hooliganism, showing their lack of decorum , comportment and maturity. It is very unfortunate that Imo State which is known for decency is now seen by many as a training ground for thugs and touts.

“We consider such action at Eagles Square as not only disgraceful but a huge embarrassment to the entire state. Again, we are higly astonished that Governor Okorocha went to APC Convention ground in Abuja with his recruited thugs only to embarrass and brought opprobrium to the name of our state by showing his flair for thuggery and hooliganism which he has been displaying heavily on innocent Imo people. Obviously, the Governor has made Imo State a laughing stock and object of mockery and caricature before the global community.

“We are not surprised on the Governor’s action because the Leopard we all know can’t change its colour. Indeed, the Governor has once more confirmed his wild desperation in imposing his son-in-law as the Governor of the state. He has lost his navigating compass and only looking for any available straw to remain relevant.

“However, we condemn in its entirety the huge embarrassment and disdain Governor Okorocha’s shameful act has brought to the state. This is indeed highly disgraceful and we condemn it totally.

On his part, an APC chieftain from Orlu Zone of the state, Nze Elvis Agukwe noted that Governor Okorocha his aides, for over two months now, relocated to Abuja just because of one man, Senator Osita Izunaso, describing the former NOS of APC as a great man.

Agukwe who expressed shock at the way Owelle Okorocha fiercely fought to displace Sen. Izunaso further wondered why the governor had lavished the states meagre funds just to get the position of the national organizing secretary of a party while owing pensioners, workers etc.

His words, “The way Okorocha competed to dethrone Izunaso from office took a frightening dimension. Even the major contest of National chairmanship did not attract the kind of attention Izunaso has attracted.

“All what Okorocha wanted was to throw Izunaso out of the party headquarters. From threat of disqualification to outright dismissal that Izunaso must be removed from the way. In all these, Izunaso never uttered a word against Owelle. You must always demonstrate who you are and this is called character.

“Izunaso turned around the office of the National Organizing Secretary to something else. The office, like all others, has always been there but it’s only the person involved that makes the office what it is.

“Those celebrating injustice are not men of honour. My advice is for them to be cautious as it’s not yet uhuru. History will vindicate the just.”

Also contributing, Sir Sunny Ndukwu, a social media practitioner, berated Governor Okorocha and his group over the act of brigandage saying the violent attack on Imo APC delegates by Okorocha’s thugs was unbecoming of a person occupying the position of a governor.

He congratulated the state deputy governor, Prince Eze Madumere and the Allied Forces for conducting themselves maturely throughout the pre-convention and convention period pointing out that they have proving a point that they are men of honour by refusing to subscribe to the Gov Okorocha’s third term ambition by proxy.

Meanwhile, it has been jubilations galore for the Rescue Mission Group as they see the defeat of Sen. Izunaso and emergence of Barr. Ibediro as the NOS of the APC as the last stray that held them from losing outrightly in the war for the soul of APC in Imo State.

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