NEWS
Threat Can’t Deter Me from Speaking Out – Obla
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
Former presidential aide to President Mohammadu Buhari and Chieftain of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Okoi Obono -Obla said he is ready for any show down from the Cross River state party Chairman of APC, Alphonsus, whom Obla claimed threatened to have him disciplined for daring to call for his removal as party chair.
Obla made the remarks while commenting on the issue during an interactive session with our Correspondent in Calabar yesterday. Obla had in a letter dated September 9, 2024 addressed to the Cross River State governor Senator Bassey Edet Otu, calling for suspension of the APC state party Chairman Alphonsus Ogar for daring to make statements which Obla alleged were inciting against the leadership style of president Bola Tinubu’s economic policies in the social media space.“Making such comments on the social media space about the president’s economic policies and hunger situation in the country amounts to inciting Nigerians to rise up against Mr President”.While on the contrary, Ogar had alleged that Obla’s letter to the Governor advocating his suspension as party helmsman was abnormal as the letter is likely to bring disdain and disrepute to his person as state party chairs.He alleged that Obla had no right nor justification to carry out such advocacy on his suspension as he lacked the powers, wondering what could have given Obla the temerity to seek for his suspension.But in a swift reaction to Ogar’s comments, Obla threatened to approach the court to kick Ogar out from the party Secretariat for daring to make deriding comments against him even when he knows that he has no clean financial records to showcase when called to do so during accountability as he had run the party as an emperor.He enumerated Ogar’s wrong doing to include, factionalization, violation of party rules, stifling of party’s internal democracy diverting 800 out of the 1000 bags of rice meant for vulnerable to his cronies.Obla called on Ogar to account for 10,000 bags of rice that he received from the federal government for the vulnerable people in the state.”I am waiting for Oga to discipline me. You can see his pseudo democratic, dictatorial, oppressive and intimidatory mindset.”Ogar threatened to discipline me for expressing my opinion on matters concerning the Party”.Resorting to the use of derogatory, insulting and gutter language to belittle me or obfuscate the fundamental issues I had raised in my letter to the Governor, is a reflection of their poor home training.”I have taken it upon myself to be an advocate to speak up against dictatorship,oppression and constitutionalism.”Chicanery, feudalism, retrogression and deviation,from the progressive credentials of the APC, that are being perpetrated by the present State Exco, and nothing would deter me.”When we were founding the APC in 2013, where were these charlatans and opportunists? Threatening to discipline me would not deter me from speaking out.In his reaction to Obla’s call for suspension of APC state party Chairman, State party Chairman Barr. Alphonsus Ogar through the state publicity secretary, Emmanuel Edem Inyang, called for psychological examination, stressing that Obla’s allegations were baseless as they were meant to tarnish his good reputation.”Okoi Obono-Obla’s conduct is unbecoming of someone who claims to be a senior lawyer and former presidential aide. His history of blackmail, crisis-mongering, and personal vendettas is well-known in Cross River State and indeed the entire Nation.”We will not allow him to tarnish the image of our party or its leadership. He has no locus standi to institute any legal action against the party, and we will not hesitate to initiate disciplinary action if his reckless behavior continues. The release was maintained.
By David Torough, Abuja
The remains of elder statesman and President General of the pan-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, have been slated for burial on November 1.
Chairman of the burial committee, Senator Ben Obi, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Alongside with the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb Okey Emuchay and burial sub-committee chairmen, Senator Osita Izunaso, Gen.
Azubuike Ihejirika (retd) and others, Obi unveiled a series of activities culminating into the actual burial ceremony.“Our message today is to convey the dates for the burial of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“Lagos day of tributes, Wednesday 16th October 2024 at Eko Hotels and Convention Centre.
“Abuja Day of Tributes Friday 18th October, 2024 at the National Ecumenical Centre.
“Enugu Day of tributes, Saturday 26th October with a brief stop at Ohanaeze headquarters, 7 Parkland GRA Enugu while the main event will be held at the Okpara Square.
“Owerri Service of Songs Tuesday 29th October 2024. Commendation Service on 1st November in Owerri and Imo day of burial on Friday, 1st November 2024,” he said.
He added that further details will be communicated in due course.
On whether the Federal Government would participate in the burial, Senator Obi said the committee will visit President Bola Tinubu to intimate him about the transition of the statesman and details of his burial.
“We will be visiting President Tinubu to formally announce to him details of this transition and I am sure the President knows all that Chief Iwuanyanwu had done and he will do the needful,” he said.
Asked whether the late newspaper publisher had regrets about his inability to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and ensure the realization of a restructure federation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo scribe said Chief Iwuanyanwu died a fulfilled man because he never shies away from doing his best in the circumstance.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu and I visited Kanu in jail and I think that was his last official assignment before his demise.
“Prior to that, he had never missed any opportunity to call for the release of Kanu.
“On restructuring, he never minced his words on equity, fairness and justice and he knew that he couldn’t do it alone.
“So he operated with the South-South PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum and Afenifere. He asked for parity in the number of states in each geopolitical zone.
“We in Ohanaeze will continue to pursue these issues that were very dear to his heart and we want to give the assurances that we will not fail,” Obi said.
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday.“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.The high-level General Debate, with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,”will run from Sept. 24, to Sept. 28. (NAN)
The National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.
Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.
The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.
He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.
55 per cent.Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.
He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.
“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.
The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.
” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.
” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.
“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.
” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,”said.
He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.
Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.(NAN)
Ohanaeze Ndigbo President Iwuanyanwu for Burial Nov. 1
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja The remains of elder statesman and President General of the pan-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief...
Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation to UNGA
SharePresident Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has...
NECO Releases 2024 SSCE Results
ShareThe National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent...
NDDC Unveils Initiative to Enhance food Security in N’ Delta Programmes
Share The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it is committed to advancing projects and programmes that enhance food security...
Kwara Govt. Seals off 14 Buildings over Concerns about Environment
Share The Kwara Government has in the past few days sealed off 14 buildings due to environmental concerns, the state’s...
Microsoft Boss Warns of Meddling Ahead of U.S. Presidential Election
Share Brad Smith, the president of technology giant Microsoft has issued a stark warning regarding foreign attempts to influence the U.S....
New Dangote Varsity Pro-chancellor Promises to Turn Challenges into Opportunities
Share The newly-appointed Pro-chancellor of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Justice Abdu Aboki, has promised to turn...
KWASIEC says 21,000 Applied for 7,000 ad Hoc job During Saturday’s LG Elections
Share Alhaji Mohammed Baba-Okanla, Chairman of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC), says more than 21,000 persons applied for...
FCT Civil Service Commission Begins Regularisation of FCTA Staff Appointments
Share The Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission has begun the regularisation of staff appointments in the FCT Administration and...
FCT primary Teachers Resume Strike over Unresolved Welfare Concerns
Share The Federal Capital Territory Wing of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) on Wednesday, resumed industrial action over unresolved...