Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Thursday 28th April 2022
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 28/04/22
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N150Billion Loan: Nigerian Deputy Senate President, Omo-Agege Accuses Delta Governor, Okowa Of Corruption, Reckless Borrowing
The deputy senate president and senator representing Delta Central in the National Assembly, Ovie Omo-Agege, has accused Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration of corruption.This followed the governor’s request to the state House of Assembly to borrow N150 billion barely one year before the end of his administration.
The Delta State House of Assembly on Tuesday approved the request made by Okowa to borrow N150 billion in favour of the state government.Okowa had in his letter to the Speaker of the House, Sheriff Oborevwori, explained that the requested credit facility which has Zenith Bank PLC as the “lead arranger, would be principally to settle the arrears of unpaid certificates earned by contractors with respect to the completion of some critical ongoing legacy projects awarded by past and present administrations in the state, as well to take care of outstanding pension commitments to the state and local government areas, pensions in the contributory pension scheme, amounting to N20 billion and N10 billion respectively”. But Omo-Agege on Wednesday reacted to the loan request in a statement titled “The N150 Billion So-called Loan Looks Too Corrupt To Be Ignored”, signed by Aruviere Martin Egharhevwa, Executive Assistant to the deputy senate president, and obtained by SaharaReporters.”This huge loan, so-called, is not tied to any specific major strategic developmental project thoughtfully conceived and executed in the best interest of Deltans,” the statement reads.Also according to the deputy senate president, “Given Delta’s distinct comparative financial advantage compared to many states of the Federation on account of its huge monthly oil derivation funds, Deltans deserve to know the compelling justification to hastily borrow a whopping N150 billion under the pretext of paying for contracts that the Okowa administration regularly claims it duly awarded, with funding guarantees. Strikingly, the so-called projects are all unknown to the public.”Why is the Okowa regime borrowing hastily against anticipated ‘Petroleum Subsidy Payment’/‘refund’ with indeterminate crystalisation time? Are they not wetting the ground for the next administration to contend with huge debts unnecessarily? “Knowing that the repayment funds may not even crystalise till maybe 2027/2028, why is the regime doing this? As suggested by some commentators, is the N150 billion a 2023 ‘election war chest’? If true, we can only advise a rethink because it will fail with serious consequences. As reported, after about 7 years of neglecting the all-important duty of diligently settling pension commitments to our senior citizens, the Okowa regime now suddenly wishes to pay them from this so-called loan.”Because these citizens are entitled to their pensions, they deserve to and must be paid their pensions, anyhow. However, the regime’s choice to pay them from an unusual source and close to the 2023 general elections is not lost on discerning minds, including our seniors.“Whatever the intentions are, they will be clinically shut down at the right time. We also believe such borrowing must be responsible, and not recklessly propelled by corruption and primitive private interests. It should not be all about sinking many generations into intractable debts in the hope of achieving impossible electoral postulations.”Without question, the N150 billion loan approved by the House of Assembly is an escalation of a very corrupt pattern of reckless borrowing by the Okowa administration to fund mystery projects or what Deltans now generally refer to as ‘audio’ or invisible projects.“We strongly advise and warn them to think twice about this so-called loan. It looks too corrupt in appearance and character to be ignored. It will create too many problems for them. A word is enough for the wise.”However, the state finance commissioner, Fidelis Tilije and his Information counterpart, Charles Aniagwu, on Wednesday said the fund would be used to pay for the completion of some critical ongoing projects awarded by past and present administrations as well as outstanding pension commitments to state and local government pensioners in the state.Tilije said, “The funds totalling N270.6 billion ought to have been received a long time ago but because the federal government could not pay the whole money in bulk, it became reasonable and logical that the oil-producing states enter into an agreement for some part of it to be paid within 3 years and the other part within 5 years. “Having reduced the debt profile of the state from N151 billion to N72 billion, it is important that we have so many other contracts that we have awarded within the period of time.”Because it is a closeout of a particular tenure it became very important that we ensure those legacy projects including the new State Secretariat building are completely paid for before we leave office.“The intention of governor Ifeanyi Okowa was to ensure that on transition day, the debt profile of the state would be almost insignificant. So, we thought it wise that rather than allow inflationary variables to dry down the proceeds of this recovery, it was important for us to discount some of them.”Aniagwu said contrary to speculations on social media, the bridging finance is not for any political reason but simply to address special needs in the state.He said the funds would be paid to the state in tranches on a quarterly basis.
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Prince Andrew Stripped Of Freedom Of City Title Over Sexual Assault Case
Prince Andrew has been stripped of the Freedom of the City of York after councillors unanimously voted to remove his title in the wake of his settled sexual abuse case. Councillors in York gathered this evening to debate revoking the prince’s Freedom of the City honour, awarded to him in 1987. After discussing the motion for around half an hour, it passed unanimously.
The prince was branded ‘an utter disgrace’ during the extraordinary meeting and his continued clinging to the title Duke of York was described as a ‘stain’ on the city, Daily Mail reports. Although symbolic, the new humiliation places Andrew under renewed pressure to quit as Duke of York, with civic leaders calling on the Queen, Palace or government to step in and strip him of the title if he refuses ‘to do the right thing’ and resign. The council also noted objections from the public calling for the prince to be banned from attending horse racing events in the city. Another said he should be referred to as ‘Andrew Windsor’ in the future. Andrew had been warned in advance that he would be losing the freedom of the city, an honour bestowed on him on February 23, 1987, as a wedding gift to Sarah Ferguson. He is the first person ever to have the Freedom of the City removed, councillors were told. There were two formal abstentions – from the Lord Mayor and Lord Mayor-elect. Lib Dem Darryl Smalley, City of York Council’s executive member for culture, leisure & communities proposed the motion. He said tonight: ‘The Honorary Freedom of York is the highest honour we, as a city, can bestow on those who represent the very best of York. The honour is held by many notable and accomplished people who carry it with pride and responsibly. ‘Having been stripped of his military roles and royal patronages by the Queen, we believe that it is right to remove all links that Prince Andrew still has with our great city. ‘I was pleased to see councillors of all parties support this motion and make it clear that it is no longer appropriate for Prince Andrew to represent York and its residents. ‘The removal of this honorary title sends the right message that we as a city stand with victims of abuse. The next logical step is now for Prince Andrew to do the right thing and relinquish his Duke of York title. ‘If he fails to do so, the Government and Buckingham Palace must step in to remove his title to finally end Prince Andrew’s connection to York.’ It follows a slew of authorities, institutions, schools and even golf clubs, which have all sought to distance themselves from the disgraced duke since he settled his civil case with Jeffrey Epstein s** trafficking victim Virginia Roberts. In the wake of the case, which was settled in February, the 62-year-old was also stripped of his military roles and royal patronages and was told he would no longer be known as ‘His Royal Highness’. Both Buckingham Palace and a spokesperson for the Duke of York declined to comment.
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Police Invite Nigerian Pastor Who Asked Members To Pay N310,000 To Make Heaven
The Ekiti State police command has invited Nuah Abraham, a pastor, who reportedly asked congregants to “part with N310,000 for them to prepare for the end of the world” for interrogation. According to NAN, Abraham, a pastor with the Christ High Commission Ministry, had asked members to relocate to a camp in Araromi-Ugbesi in Omuo-Oke-Ekiti.
The state police spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, said the pastor had relocated from Kaduna where his church is known as Royal Christ Assembly. According to him, the invitation is to allow the preacher to explain himself. One of Abraham’s church members was said to have confirmed that the pastor first relocated to Ekiti in 2021 from his former base in Kaduna State. “He later returned to Kaduna State in April to ask each member of his church to pay him N310,000 before they are allowed to follow him to Araromi-Ugbesi in Omuo-Oke-Ekiti in Ekiti East,’’ the member said. The source added that the pastor preached that it was where “the gate of heaven will open for all of them to fly to heaven”.
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Ukraine War: Putin Threatens Nuclear Strikes If US, UK, Other Western Countries Intervene
Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President, Vladimir Putin has warned the West that he will use nuclear weapons if any other country intervenes in his war in Ukraine. Speaking to politicians in St Petersburg, the Russian president said that “if anyone sets out to intervene in the current events from the outside and creates unacceptable threats for us that are strategic in nature, they should know that our response… will be lightning-fast”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin
UK Telegraph
Putin said that the military would not hesitate to use the most modern weaponry, in an escalating war of words days after Russia warned of a “real” threat of World War Three, The Telegraph reports. Four days after the February invasion, Putin put Russia’s nuclear deterrence forces on high alert. “We have all the tools for this, that no one else can boast of having. We won’t boast about it: we’ll use them if needed. And I want everyone to know that,” Putin said, in a veiled reference to Moscow’s nuclear arsenal. “We have already taken all the decisions on this.” ?Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has warned the country has “extremely difficult weeks” ahead, saying there will be major “destruction” in a developing Russian offensive in the east. “Some extremely difficult weeks lie ahead,” Reznikov said in a statement on Facebook. “Russia has already gathered forces for a large-scale offensive in eastern Ukraine,” he added, saying Moscow “will try to inflict as much pain as possible” and warned of “destruction and painful casualties”.
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E2%80%99s-ruling-party-apc BREAKING: Thief Steals N43 Million From Headquarters Of Nigeria’s Ruling Party, APC
There was confusion at the National Secretariat of the ruling All ProgrIt was learnt that the party resorted to the use of canopies due to the ongoing renovation/refurbishment works being carried out in the Secretariat main building.
It was gathered that the sum of $75,000 had gone missing amid the crowded struggle at the main entrance to the party premises. Party sources, however, disclosed that the missing money was in no way connected to the monies from the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms as aspirants are expected to make deposits in the designated account numbers before picking up their forms at Buhari House. “It’s actually $75,000. You know there was a struggle at the gate when aspirants and supporters were trying to get in. “When the parcel of money dropped, it went missing in a flash. By the time security operatives were alerted, the thief had vanished with the envelope,” the party source said. Earlier, the Secretariat had been a beehive of activities as aspirants trooped in to obtain forms for various electoral offices.On the outside of Buhari House were hundreds of supporters lined up to cheer their respective aspirants as they made their way into the premises. Wednesday’s sale of forms had made it clear that the party premises may not accommodate the nearly two-week exercise. Therefore, talks are underway to relocate to a different venue altogether.It was learnt that officials of the party were heard deliberating to move the exercise to International Conference Centre, Abuja.The APC last Wednesday pegged its presidential nomination and expression of interest forms at N100 million. The party’s national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, disclosed this shortly after the 11th National Executive Meeting in Abuja last week. The nomination form would go for N70 million while expression of interest forms would go for N30 million.Morka said the nomination and expression of interest forms for those seeking the party’s ticket to contest the governorship election in their respective states will cost N50 million. The other ratified prices for other elective positions include N20 million for senatorial aspirants, N10 million for aspirants seeking to be members of the House of Representatives and N2 million for State Houses of Assembly aspirants.
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Zamfara Government Deposes Two Emirs, One District Head Accused Of Working With Bandits
Governor Bello Matawalle
The Zamfara State Government has officially deposed three traditional leaders earlier suspended over alleged involvement in banditry activities in the state.The two emirs and a district head were deposed over allegations of aiding the activities of bandits terrorising communities in the state.
Governor Bello Matawalle
The affected traditional rulers are Emir of Zurmi, Abubakar Atiku; Emir of Dansadau, Hussaini Umar and Sulaiman Ibrahim, who used to be the District Head of Birnin Tsaba.Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, the information commissioner disclosed this while addressing journalists after the state executive council meeting in Gusau on Wednesday.According to him, the decision was based on the reports of the committees set up by the government to look into the issue.He said, “The council has approved the deposition of Emir of Zurmi, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and that of Dansadau, Alhaji Hussaini Umar.“The council also approved the immediate removal of the District Head of Birnin-Tsaba, Alhaji Sulaiman Ibrahim.”“We took the decision after careful examination of the reports submitted by the two committees to the State government,” the government added.The state government had suspended the traditional leaders 10 months ago after they were accused of working with bandits.Subsequently, the government had set up a six-member committee to investigate the allegations against the traditional rulers and the committee had recently come up with its report.“The council upheld the recommendation of a six-man white paper committee set up by the government to review the report of two separate committees earlier set up to investigate the involvement of the three traditional rulers in the activities of banditry in the state,” a statement by Governor Bello Matawalle’s media aide, Zailani Bappa, also said. “The three impeached royal fathers were earlier suspended by the state government following wide allegations of serious involvement in the act of banditry in the state. “The findings of the committees also revealed abuse of the Land Act in their domain and the government ordered the reversal to status quo involving the lands illegally allocated.”
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Female National Youth Corps Member Kidnapped With Baby In Abuja Reportedly Found Dead
A member of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, identified as Stephanie Se-Ember Terungwa, kidnapped in Abuja, has reportedly been found dead.
Stephanie is a graduate of Micro Biology from the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State.
Her disappearance was made known by one Richard Lorliam who claimed the missing corps member was his niece.
According to a post on Lorliam’s Facebook page, Terungwa was last seen on Thursday in the Lokogoma area of Abuja.
Lorliam said she was abducted with her one-year-old son while returning from the Community Development Service exercise.
He, however, said the baby was later found but the mother was still missing.
He wrote in several Facebook posts, “My niece is missing …anyone with information should come forward. Last known location… Lokogoma Abuja.”
In another post, he said, “Abducted with her 1yr old son after attending NYSC CDs exercise. The baby was later found but she still remains missing. Pls share till she is found.”
Meanwhile, a friend of the young woman, Rachael Iveren Ingbian has taken to her Facebook page to announce that Terungwa was found but was already dead.
She wrote, “She was found but not alive….
IT IS WELL
Adoo
Na wa o.”
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Efforts made by SaharaReporters to reach Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, for confirmation, proved abortive as calls to her telephone lines did not connect and text messages sent were not replied to.
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E2%80%99t-resign-yet-despite-declaring-run-president-%E2%80%93-buhari%E2%80%99s-minister-ngige I Won’t Resign Yet Despite Declaring To Run For President – Buhari’s Minister, Ngige
Chris Ngige, Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, who is seeking to contest the presidency, says he won’t resign even though his continued stay in office contradicts section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022 by remaining in office. He added that he has not received any specific instruction from the All Progressives Congress (APC) on his ambition.
The APC had given a deadline to cabinet ministers and other executive appointees at both the states and federal levels to resign their appointments if they intend to participate in the coming primary elections to avoid any possibility of violating the provisions of the newly amended Electoral Act. Section 3(i) of the party guidelines for the nomination of candidates for the 2023 general elections states that “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for the purpose of the nomination of candidates. “Any political office holder interested in contesting for an elective office shall leave Office 30 days prior to the date of election or party primary for the office sought.” However, speaking to some journalists after the week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Ngige denied knowledge of the APC directives that all appointees should resign ahead of the May 30 presidential primary. Ngige, a member of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet, maintained that his decision to stay on as a member of the Federal Executive Council is in line with the 1999 Constitution, as amended, adding that the March 18 judgement of the Federal High Court in Umuahia, struck out Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act. Asked when he will resign in line with his party directives, Ngige said, “Because I don’t know about that I’m hearing for the first time from you. But like I always say, I’ll be guided by the letters and spirit of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria. “You are pushing me into something that is not necessary to discuss because that aspect of the law, enacted by the National Assembly, via the Electoral Act, that section 84(12) has been struck down by a court of law and the cases are on appeal. “And for now, no matter how bad the judgement is, that’s the maximum jurisprudence, no matter how bad the law is, it is a judgement of court, it should be obeyed, until upturned or stayed. “But there is no stay, there’s no atonement of that particular pronouncement, and the party is on appeal. So, the judgement is still subsisting, that aspect of the law was injurious to some persons and should not have been there. “I also know that the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria in certain sections, section 107, 137 and 88, prescribes disqualification clauses for people who are going for election and that prescription is supreme because it’s in the Constitution and the Constitution is grand-norm of all laws.” Pressed further that his party has asked all appointees in his cadre to resign, he said, “No, it’s not there. It’s not in the works at all. But I will make some consultation with the party, I will find out.” When reminded that the same party is aware that the judgment of court has not been vacated, Ngige added, “I have not seen that pronouncement from the party. I have not seen any release from the party. It has not been conveyed to me or to anybody. I’m an aspirant, I’m a presidential aspirant, so I’ll find out and if it is true, I will then know what to do.”
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Israeli Prime Minister To Pay For Family’s Food After Public Criticism Of Extravagant Lifestyle
Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett says he will now pay for his family’s food bills from his own pocket. He faced criticism after a TV report alleged extravagant expenditure at his private home, which currently functions informally as his official residence.
He later disclosed that $26,400 (£21,000 or approximately N11 million at the official exchange rate of N415 to $1) of taxpayers’ money was spent each month, including $7,400 (approximately N3 million) on food, BBC reports. Mr Bennett, who is a self-made millionaire, insisted that his conduct had been within the rules. His office also said his predecessor, Benjamin Netanyahu, had spent three times more in total – $84,300 per month – at the prime minister’s official residence in Jerusalem and his private home.The BBC’s Yolande Knell in Jerusalem says there were regular reports in the Israeli press about lavish spending on restaurant food and hair-styling when Mr Netanyahu was prime minister. Mr Bennett, who controversially decided to continue living in his private home in the Tel Aviv suburb of Raanana after taking office last June, has attempted to paint himself differently, our correspondent adds. However, last weekend a Channel 13 TV report alleged that the prime minister’s household spent large amounts of taxpayers’ money on staff, cleaning and take-away food. Mr Bennett defended himself in a Facebook post on Sunday, declaring that such spending had “dramatically decreased” during his premiership and that “attempts to present me as a hedonist are simply funny”. He explained that his family of six did not employ a cook – as prime ministers are entitled to do – and instead ordered meals from restaurants. The Netanyahu family, he claimed, had spent $11,100 each month on food. Mr Netanyahu’s Likud party said in response that the Bennett family’s food bill just covered “personal matters” because their home was not used for official events, and that the Netanyahu family’s monthly “personal take-away expenses” had not exceeded $400. On Wednesday, the prime minister acknowledged the criticism by members of the public, and announced that he would pay for his family’s food. “Although our behaviour was in accordance with the rules, I am aware of the feeling created in the public. Therefore, I announced to the staff of my office that from now on, all of my family’s food expenses will be paid from my personal account,” he said in a statement. “I am not in this job for money or respect, but to serve the citizens of Israel with all my might, and that is what I’ll continue to do.” Mr Bennett set up and sold two hi-tech companies for more than $250m before entering politics. He earns $16,500 a month as prime minister, while the average monthly salary in Israel is $3,400.
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Nigerian Senate Calls For Upgrade Of Slave Trade Centre In Bayelsa To National Museum
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The Senate has urged the National Commission for Museum and Monuments to upgrade the Akassa Slave Trade Centre to a National Slave Trade Museum. The call was contained in a resolution reached by the Senate, a sequel to the consideration of a motion to that effect.
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The motion was entitled, “The need to establish National Museum at the Akassa Slave Trade Centre in Bayelsa State to preserve National Heritage.” The motion was sponsored by Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo (Bayelsa East), Dr. Ezrel Tabiowo, Special Assistant (Press) to the Senate President, said in a statement on Wednesday. The lawmaker, in his presentation, noted that Akassa is a settlement at the southernmost tip of Nigeria in Bayelsa State where the Nun River estuary meets the Atlantic Ocean, with a lighthouse that had stood since 1910. Degi-Eremienyo said that due to the proximity of Akassa to the Atlantic Ocean, the settlement had always been a traditional trading site in Nigeria, especially in the business of palm oil trade during the colonial era. He recalled that before the abolition of the slave trade, it was one of the major centres in the country where the harrowing effects of the transatlantic slave trade were felt, adding that, “during the British colonial years, it was the site of an outpost of the Royal Niger Company.” He further recalled that “the Akassa settlement, in the 17th century, now a sprouting town, was where the Nembe People in today’s Bayelsa State waged a war valiantly against the British in 1895 with 22 war canoes and 1,500 foot soldiers due to the high-handedness of the Royal Niger Company and the obnoxious taxes imposed on the local people by the company.” According to him, in the year 1899, the charter of the Royal Niger Company was revoked, an act seen to be partly a consequence of the war as from January 1, 1900, the company sold all its possessions and concessions in Africa to the British government for £865,000. He stated that some of the relics of the slave trade such as slave house; slave masters’ administrative block and quarters; slave jetty; slave transit tunnel; white-men graveyard, can still be found, even though erosion of past decades had eroded some of the antiquities. The lawmaker observed that “with the current efforts made by the government to diversify our economy, the Akassa Town is a veritable historical/heritage centre which will boost our tourism potential and consequentially earn us foreign exchange if its heritage is well preserved.”
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