12012021 - COVID-19: FG may suspend NIN registration — MINISTER

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12 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 INSPECTION: From left, Managing Director/CEO, Federal Housing Authority, Senator Gbenga Ashafa; a resident, Olamilekan Soyeye, and SSA to the MD on General Duties, Mr Mustapha Oseifa, during the MD's inspection of FHA Low Cost Housing Estate at Obada- Oko, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Sacked Rivers council chairmen, councillors move to stop April 17 LG polls •Resolve your crisis, stop blackmailing Wike —PDP By Davies Iheamnachor PORT HARCOURT— The sacked 22 local government chairmen and their councillors elected under former Governor Chibuike Amaechi in Rivers State have threatened to stop the scheduled local government elections in the state. The chairmen, elected on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, who were sacked under the administration of the incumbent Governor Nyesom Wike, said it would be contempt of court if the state goes ahead to hold the local government polls scheduled for April 17, 2021. Speaking for the elected APC chairmen and councillors, Sogbeye Eli, said the 22 of the 23 local government chairmen and councillors, who were elected on May 25, 2015, under the administration of former Governor Amaechi, but were sacked by a judgment of the Federal High Court on July 9, 2015, have vowed to return to the Court of Appeal on February 1, 2021, where the appeal over their sack is pending. Eli said: “We respectfully invite you to note that the claim by the Rivers PDP that our election was nullified because RSIEC conducted same on May 23, 2015, in contravention of an order of the Federal High Court is another strand in a huge tissue of lies. “Same is deliberate falsehood mischievously engineered to cast shadows on the legality of our election. We insist that no order was made by Justice Akanbi to stop the local government elections of May 23, 2015, when he adjourned hearing of the matter sine die on April 29, 2015, upon learned counsel to RSIEC, B. Nwafor, SAN, informing the court that an appeal had been lodged at the Court of Appeal to stop it from hearing the matter. “However, when it became convenient for the PDP to exercise her well documented impunity, she ignored the judiciary and directed RSIEC to conduct the 2018 council polls, which action tampered gravely with theirs after successfully freezing the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal in over two years with a rash of frivolous motions. “Believing that the mission to seal our fate was accomplished, both appellants/applicants withdrew their motions on December 18, 2018 and January 23, 2019, respectively and same were struck out. “It should be noted that in dismissing the interlocutory appeals, the Supreme Court awarded N1,000,000 cost in favour of each set of respondents, which the appellants have failed to pay to this day. Resolve your crisis, stop blackmailing Wike —PDP Meanwhile, the state PDP spokesman, Sydney Gbara, has advised APC to make useful attempt to resolve its internal crisis and stop blackmailing Wike. Gbara said: “The Isaac Ogbobula (Caretaker Chairman) APC is bringing the name of the governor unnecessarily over one accusation or the other. The internal crisis of APC dates back years ago and it baffles me that members of that party nearly all the time kept bringing the governor’s name into the internal crisis of the APC. “The governor is not a member of the APC and has nothing to do with who wins or loses in whatever that comes out of the internal crisis of the APC. If they have aggrieved members, they should call themselves together and see how they can sort themselves out.” Ban on CDAs still in force, Oba of Benin warns By Gabriel Enogholase BENIN CITY— OBA of Benin, Omo N’Oba Ewuare II, has warned that his earlier decision banning Community Development Associations, CDAs, throughout his kingdom remained in force. He spoke in Benin City, Edo State when Benin Christian Community led by Rev Godspower Ogbomwan ended a week long New Year prayers at his palace. Oba Ewaure II explained that the resurging CDAs across the various communities in Benin Kingdom through different I’ll build 100 industries in my first 100 days as Delta gov— Gbagi By Emma Amaize & Festus Ahon ASABA—A Delta State governorship aspirant in the 2023 election, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, has promised to establish 100 industries in his first 100 days in office if elected governor. Gbagi in Asaba, during a Town Hall meeting with Aniocha/Oshimili stakeholders, said Deltans should call him to question if he fails to build 100 industries in 100 days in office as governor. He noted that he has all it takes to transform the state, insisting that he was the most qualified to govern the state after Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, urging Deltans to choose a governor who will take the state from one point to another. He said he was the most qualified person to be governor in 2023 in the present PDP family in Delta, noting that he has his signatures everywhere across the country and beyond. Vowing to contest and win the 2023 election, he said it was the turn of Delta Central to produce the next governor. means would never see the light of the day. He warned some District Heads (Enigie), who collaborate with youths to violate his order to stop the act, saying they would be made to face the full wrath of the law and disastrous ancestral consequences. On the state of insecurity in the country, the Benin monarch attributed the situation to deviation from family values as well as traditional and cultural norms of the land, just as he insisted that religious leaders must desist from practices that are inimical to societal growth. Commending the efforts of Benin Christian Community, Omo N’ Ewuare II said he would continue to offer prayers and other spiritual exercises for the good of the state. Earlier, Rev Osama Usualele, who took his text from 2 Chronicles 6: 26-31, said God does not renege in fulfilling his promises to his children when they truly obey his commandments He said absolute repentance from wicked ways was the key for God’s forgiveness and open heaven of peace and blessings for the land. MILITANTS TO SECURITY OPERATIVES, BAYELSA GOVT: Stay away from our battle with ex-militant leader •Ogunbos didn’t fleece anybody – Source By Emma Amaize YENAGOA—ANGRY exmilitants in Bayelsa State, who bombed the country home of an ex-militant leader in Bayelsa State, “General” Ogunbos, last December and January, for purportedly shortchanging them, have urged security operatives and Bayelsa State government to steer clear of their ongoing battle with the former militant commander. Spokesman of Niger Delta Cleansing Force for Development, NDCFD, a coalition of former militants, Blacky Peres, in a statement, yesterday, restated that the exmilitant leader did not dispense the stipends of his boys collected from Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, and called for a halt to payment of their remunerations to him. Vanguard could not reach Ogunbos for comments, yesterday, as his cell phones were switched off, but a source close to him maintained he did not defraud his boys. Edo gov poll: Tribunal resumes sitting By Ozioruva Aliu BENIN CITY— THE Justice Yunusa Musa-led three-member Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday commenced hearing in the remaining four petitions against the reelection of Governor Godwin Obaseki for a second term as governor of the state. The four remaining petitions are bought by Action Democratic Party, ADP, and its governorship candidate, Iboi Emmanuel; Action Peoples Party, APP, without joining its governorship candidate, Amos Areloegbe; Allied Peoples Movement, APM, excluding its governorship candidate, Igbineweka Osamuede, and Tracy Agol, without joining her political party, the New Nigeria However, the militants threatened to continue their offensive, saying: “General Ogunbos will continue to suffer severe attacks as he is paying for his sins for desecrating the oath he took for the struggle for the emancipation of the long neglected region. “We want to warn the military and other security operatives to stay clear and not interfere in our attacks on ex-militant leader, which is far from over and others we intend to launch similar attacks on as the attacks are to correct some errors and place it on record that it is blood for blood. “The Bayelsa State government cannot pretend not to be aware of the actions of the ex-militant leader at his hometown in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, where he has turned to a lord, installs community development chairman at will without recourse to laid down procedures and constitution, as well as bluntly refusing to pay his boys their amnesty funds." APC petitions Rivers CJ, CJN, NJC over alleged plot to scuttle revalidation exercise By Davies Iheamnachor PORT HARCOURT— The All Progressives Congress, APC, has petitioned the Chief Justice of Rivers State, Justice Adanma Laminkanra; National Judicial Commission, NJC and others over an alleged attempt by a judge to scuttle the revalidation exercise of the party. Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party in Rivers State, Isaac Abbot- Ogbobula, who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, said Justice Ngbor Abina, the trial judge, has unilaterally brought a matter that was adjourned till January 18, 2021 to January 11, 2021, adding that the decision was unlawful. Ogbobula accused the judge of bias, adding that the judge would not do justice to the party as she was the daughter of a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, in the state, Chief Precious Abina. He urged Ngbor to step aside from hearing the matter, stating that her attitude showed total display of hatred for APC. Peoples Party, NNPP. The tribunal had last year in an unanimous ruling dismissed the petition by Action Alliance, AA, and its governorship candidate, Ukonga Onaivi, against Obaseki, PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for failing to file prehearing notice. The four petitions are seeking the nullification of the September 19 re-election of Obaseki and his deputy (Shaibu), while calling for fresh election by INEC to exclude PDP, Obaseki and his running mate, in view of the call for their disqualification over alleged forgery of their certificates. The Federal High Court in Abuja last Saturday dismissed the forgery and perjury suit against Obaseki by APC and one of its chieftains, Williams Edobor. C M Y K
C M Y K Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021 — 13 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 INAUGURATING: Fleet Commander, Eastern Fleet, Nigerian Navy, Rear Adm. Perry Onwuzulike (2nd right), inaugurating a 40 rooms story building for ratings, at the Akim Navy Barracks in Calabar, yesterday. OHANAEZE PRESIDENT-GENERAL: Why we chose Obiozor —Igbo leaders •Ekweremadu, Abaribe, Ozonweke, others speak •Buhari, Ikimi, PDP, others hail Obiozor By Clifford Ndujihe, Dapo Akinrefon, Henry Umoru, Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Dirisu Yakubu THERE WERE showers of tributes, yesterday, for the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor as Igbo leaders gave reasons they chose him as Chief John Nnia Nwodo's successor. According to them, the Igbo Nation is at the cross roads now and needs an experienced hand to steer her to safety of which Obiozor is eminently qualified and experienced to undertake. Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinaya Abaribe; and Secretary of Lagos State chapter of Ohanaeze were among Igbo leaders who marshalled reasons Obiozor is the best man for the Ohanaeze job Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari; former Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Tom Ikimi; and the main opposition Peoples Democratic, PDP, were among those who congratulated Obiozor and urged him to use his new position to deepen Nigeria's unity. The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, had shortly after Obiozor's victory on Sunday, congratulated him and promised the South-East geopolitical zone inclusive politics and to further mainstream the zone in the workings of the party. Obiozor has track record of integrity, honour, courage intellectual capacity—Abaribe Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia South) said the emergence of Ambassadors George Obiozor and Okey Emuchay as president-general, and secretary-general of Ohaneze respectively would sustain the progressive trajectory, which the immediate past executive built.“In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom in Abuja, Senator Abaribe noted that Professor Obiozor who is widely ac- knowledged for his track record of excellence, honour, intellectual capacity and courage in public service, qualities that greatly qualify him as the preferred choice to lead the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, will no doubt inject such attributes to further reinvigorate and build an activist-driven Ohanaeze in the face of current realities in Nigeria. "I am confident that the new executive, known for their consummate love for the Igbo race, particularly the President-General who has been at the front line in articulating interest of Ndi-Igbo, would continue to exhibit courage and forthrightness in not only pursuing our collective interest in Nigeria, but also weave Ndigbo as a nation bonded in love, peace and unity," he said. Obiozor has what it takes to lead Ndigbo —Ekweremadu Speaking in like manner, Senator Ekweremadu said Obiozor was elected because the new Ohanaeze leader has what it takes to lead Ndigbo. Ekweremadu, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Uche Anichukwu, described Obiozor as a man of “uncommon pedigree, unimpeachable integrity as well as a bridge-builder with national and international clout and appeal. “I believe the former university don and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States of America, the former Nigeria’s Consul-General to South Africa and newly elected Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, Okechukwu Emuchay, and others constitute a formidable and dependable team for harnessing and advancing Igbo interest worldwide at this crucial time in our history. “They have proved their mettle over the years and we trust them to bring their antecedents of quality leadership, national and international reach, and diplomatic finesse to bear in advancing the Igbo course in Nigeria and globally." We're presenting our best team —Ozonweke On his part, Ozonweke, who is also special assistant Special Duties to the Ohanaeze President-General, said: ''Obiozor is eminently qualified and has all it takes to lead Ndigbo. The Igbo nation is at cross roads like Nigeria. We need a seasoned statesman. The Igbo are not going to war but dialogue with other ethnic nationalities. We need somebody who can improve on what Nwodo did. When other ethnic nationalities leaders such as Professor Ango Abdullahi, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Edwin Clark meet, the Igbo leader should not be a house boy to them but some one with clout, who can hold his own.'' Use your new position to forge greater unity of Nigeria —Buhari President Buhari felicitated with Obiozor and urged him to deploy his immense experience within and outside government to forge greater unity of the country and be a “unifying force beyond his immediate constituency.” President Buhari in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said the eminent diplomat and scholar, who was Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Israel and Cyprus, has a lot to offer Ndigbo and Nigeria “Given Prof. Obiozor’s rich background, especially in international affairs and pan- Nigerian commitment, I have little doubt that his election is well-deserved and will serve not only the interest of Ndigbo but also that of his fatherland. We need all hands to be on deck for this country to move forward in peace and unity." Obiozor should lead crusade to rescue Nigeria —PDP The PDP in a statement signed by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, also extolled the leaders and the people of the South-East for their democratic credentials "evinced in the successful election of a new leadership of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization." "Prof. Obiozor is a seasoned administrator, excellent diplomat, courageous nationalist and a firm voice in the fight for the entrenchment of democratic tenets of the rule of law, social justice, equity, fairness, mutual respect, true federalism and a credible electoral process in our country. "The PDP notes the choice of Prof. Obiozor to lead the Ohanaeze Ndigbo at this critical time in the history of our nation, particularly given his doggedness in fighting for constitutional all-inclusiveness as well as elimination of all forms of social injustice, divisiveness, nepotism, sectional marginalization, constitutional violations and disregard for the sensibilities of the Nigerian people. "Our party therefore urges Prof. Obiozor to use his new assignment to further rally compatriots in our collective determination to rescue our nation from misrule and return her to the path of peace, national cohesion, mutual respect, adherence to the rule of law, social justice credible elections, economic prosperity and political stability. Igbo have made better choice —Tom Ikimi Hailing Obiozor on his victory, Ikimi said the Igbo nation has made a better choice with Obiozor’s election in this crucial period of the nation’s history. According to Ikimi, the Igbo’s quest to play significant role in Nigeria will find appropriate leadership in Obiozor, who has over the years established very robust contacts across the country. Ikimi also congratulated the outgoing President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo on completion of an exciting and eventful tenure. He said: “I have received with utmost pleasure the news of the election of Ambassador George Obiozor as the new President General of the Apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The Igbo nation could never have made a better choice, particularly at this time of our nation’s evolution other than this erudite scholar and exquisite diplomat, who has earned my respect over the past three to four decades of our association.'' Ikpeazu commissions 7 roads in Aba, flags off reconstruction of another By Ugochukwu Alaribe UMUAHIA—Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has commissioned seven roads his administration built in Aba and also flagged off the rehabilitation of Omuma road. Commissioning the roads; Ebemma, Egege/Ama Ohafia and First Avenue in Ogbor Hill area as well as Osusu, Eziukwu, Ojike and Milverton Avenue; Ikpeazu said he finds it difficult to celebrate roads his administration completed lately because they were things the government could have done earlier. He assured residents of the commercial city that his administration was gradually rebuilding the road infrastructure of the state. The Papal Nuncio to the Bahamas and other affiliate countries, Arch Bishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu cut the ribbons to declare the roads open for public use. The Governor explained ANAMBRA 2021: Voters should learn from Trump’s debacle —Okwuosa AWKA—ANAMBRA State Governorship Aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Sir Azuka Okwuosa, has urged Anambra State voters to learn from the track records of outgoing United States President, Donald Trump, in electing a balanced person as governor.“Okwuosa, a former chairman of APC reconciliation committee in Anambra State said developments around President Trump’s last days in office should make Anambra voters to be very critical of the many billionaires aspiring to govern the state. “He noted that as a commercially viable and socially gregarious state, the next Anambra governor should be a person that strikes a balance between business acumen and political experience. His words: “If you look at previous experiences, since the creation of the state, those who lacked political experience failed. I believe before you can be a governor, you must have that before he came to power, the only accessible road in the Ogbor Hill area was the Umuoba Road which made life unbearable for the people of the area. Ikpeazu disclosed that with the coming to power of his administration, government had built six roads in the area and added that his administration built the roads because of their economic importance to the people. According to him, his administration applied cement technology in reconstructing the roads which he said though costly, would be beneficial economically at the long run. His words; "We did rigid cement pavement technology on the roads because since the roads were abandoned for many years, the soil texture had changed and it is only the cement technology that will make them to stand the test of time. Our minimum standard of doing roads is rigid pavement technology with drainages which would more last than 40 years.” UMAHI: APC exco alleges plot by politicians to hijack it's leadership in Ebonyi By Peter Okutu ABAKALIKI—THE Execu tive of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Monday, raised alarm over what it described as a plot by some politicians to hijack the leadership of the party in the LGA. The present leadership in the LGA was inaugurated on June 18, 2018 as its tenure, which is for a term of four years would elapse on 18th June, 2022. In a Communique issued at the end of an Expanded Executive Council meeting held at Umuniko Town hall, Achiuzam in Isu, Onicha LGA, the executive led by the Chairman, Hon. Okoro Agwu Uchenna, said that they would not condone any form of indiscipline, division, disloyalty and rancour within the party. They called on members of the party to uphold the supremacy of the Party's Constitution as they will not hesitate to invoke relevant sections of the constitution to discipline any erring member. The Communique read in part: "We have no intention whatsoever to resign our positions which we are duly elected of. We shall resist in unison any move by anybody or group of persons to truncate the tenure of our office which is still running. been privileged to pass through the local government, you must taste executive at the local level, which will propel you by the time you find yourself at the state level to be able to function well.“ “You must also be an accomplished person. Take myself as an example; I am an accomplished businessman, I have business interest in oil and gas as well as communications. I am also into construction. You must have a sustainable source of livelihood and also have had the opportunity of going through political tutelage, of which I was privileged because of my association with Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.'' Okwuosa said Anambra has gone beyond electing a governor that would begin to learn the ropes in office, stressing, ''we have instances in the state, where people without political experience were brought in and they started learning on the job.”
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12012021 - COVID-19: FG may suspend NIN registration — MINISTER

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