Thursday, April 30, 2020

President Buhari Extend Prof Pondei Led NDDC Interim Management Committee ~ Creeks News







President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the tenure of the Professor Keme Pondei-led Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from May 1 to December 31, 2020.

The extension is to cover the period of the forensic audit of the NDDC, earlier approved by the Federal Executive Council, under the chairmanship of the President.

In the same vein, President Buhari equally approved that the NDDC provides intervention support to complement efforts of the Federal and State governments against further spread of COVID-19 in the nine States of the Niger Delta region, in the sum of Six Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N6,250,000,000.00) only.

The materials and supplies are to be done through Emergency Procurement method as provided in Sections 42(b) (c) and 43 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
April 30, 2020

Buhari Becomes First Nigerian Leader To Take IMF Loan



April 30, 2020
VOL Editor


              President Muhammadu Buhari


Nigeria, for the first time in its history, has tapped the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a loan, showing the severity of the damage inflicted by the Covid-19 induced slump in crude oil prices on Africa’s largest economy.

The IMF approved Nigeria request for emergency financial assistance of US$3.4 billion to meet the urgent balance of payment needs of the country stemming not only from the crash in crude oil prices but the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The loan is classified under the IMF’s Rapid Financial Instrument (RFI), which is given to member countries without the strings and conditionalities attached to a typical IMF formal programme.

It’s therefore different from a full-fledged IMF programme or Extended Fund Facility (EFF) which Egypt, for instance, took in 2016 to solve its macroeconomic challenges.

Nigeria has never borrowed from the IMF be it in form of RFI or EFF. Nigeria has consistently turned down IMF bailouts of any kind until now.

Nigeria’s current President Buhari was the same one in charge in 1983 when the IMF first offered financial assistance to the country.

A mountain of unpaid debts to service and repay following the oil price decline made the IMF’s offer difficult to resist but Buhari rejected the Funds prescriptions which included reducing the role of the state in the economy, cutting trade protectionism and devaluing the naira which was then pegged at 1: US$1.

The economy continued to deteriorate and by 1985, Buhari was oustered by Ibrahim Babangida, who quickly re-opened talks with the IMF and World Bank.

Babangida would eventually turn down the option of an IMF loan even though he did implement some of the Fund’s conditionalities under the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) from devaluing the currency to loosening import bans.

To fund and supervise the SAP, Babangida tapped the World Bank, whose intrusiveness and oversight of government finances, the area most in need of reform, was less severe and conditional than that of the IMF.

As the structural adjustment began to bite, jobs were lost, the currency continued to fall, and the slogan SAP saps Nigerians became familiar. Babangida blamed its failure on the World Bank and IMF, even though there was no IMF programme, leading to a longstanding resentment of an IMF programme by Nigerians.

Why did Nigeria finally take an IMF loan?

The $3.4 billion may not come with the strict conditionalities of an IMF programme but it remains a loan which Nigeria must pay back if it is to continue being one of the member countries of the IMF.

The near-term economic impact of COVID-19 is expected to be severe, while already high downside risks have increased.

Even before the COVID-19 outbreak, Nigeria’s economy was facing headwinds from rising external vulnerabilities and falling per capita GDP levels. The pandemic along with the sharp fall in oil prices has magnified the vulnerabilities, leading to a historic decline in growth and large financing needs.

The loan is supposed to help meet Nigeria’s balance of payment gap which economists project at $9 billion this year.

That amount would pile pressure on an already thinning external reserves which is at a near four year low.

What $3.4bn loan inflow does for Nigeria

The money will provide much needed liquidity support to respond to Nigeria’s urgent balance of payment needs.

Bloomberg recently reported that foreign investors had some cash trapped in the debt market. The inflow from this loan could go a long way in ensuring these set of investors can now exit the country.

The loan will also help limit the decline in the external reserves and provide financing to the budget for targeted and temporary spending increases aimed at containing and mitigating the economic impact of the pandemic and of the sharp fall in international oil prices.

The money will ease some pressure on the foreign exchange market which has witnessed dollar shortages lately. The parralel market rate weakened to a near three-year low of N450/$ this week as the dollar scarcity bites with reports of foreign investors dollars trapped in the country.

The $3.4bn inflow could see the CBN resume its dollar interventions in the FX market which it had suspended to conserve scarce dollars thereby creating room for the naira to appreciate in the coming weeks. To what extent the naira strengthens will depend on how aggressive the CBN intervenes.

Too small to make a big difference

The question most economists are having to answer at this time is whether the IMF loan significantly eases Nigeria’s economic pain.

Sergei Lanau, an economist at the IMF took to Twitter Wednesday to say the amount may be too little to be of significant impact on Nigeria.

We  think Nigeria will face an external financing gap this year,Lanau said on Twitter. Easy unconditional IMF loans for emergency situations (RFI) are too small to make a big difference.

Reserve drains or more devaluation to compress imports appear more likely, Lanau added.

Although Nigeria expects another $3.5billion in multilateral loans from the World Bank and Africa Development Bank (AfDB), it is the view of some analysts that the IMF facility will only serve as a short term relief for a dollar thirsty Nigeria which may have bigger problems than $3.4 billion can solve.

Even if the country succeeds in tapping the entire $6.9 billion in seeks in multilateral loans it could still face a balance of payment deficit of as much as $2 billion.

Another economist, Omotola Abimbola, an analyst at Lagos-based investment bank, Chapel Hill Denham, said the IMF loan will improve FX liquidity in the interim but whether that is sustainable in the long term is another thing entirely.

Nigeria’s current account deficit is quite large and the IMF loan will not be able to finance it entirely which means it will not completely solve all the structural problems we have, Abimbola added.

Alternative way out

Ten economists polled by Business day urged the government to take a full-fledged IMF loan, incentive diaspora inflows and boost exports.

There are two things signing up for an IMF programme does for the country at this time.

First is we (Nigeria) get more money to fix the balance of payment deficit and second is it inspires foreign investor confidence in the economy which then helps slow the pace of foreign outflows from Nigeria,one economist who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

A money manager who spoke to Business Day echoed similar thoughts.

Nigeria’s needs around $10bn for starters and should be talking to the IMF for a loan of this size or atleast a Stand-By Facility which would help engender investor confidence and somewhat slow the rate of portfolio outflows which would help ease our balance payment problem,the person said.

The other alternative will be to tap the Eurobond market and that will be too expensive at this time given the risk aversion in the market, the person said. Raising debt from the local market is another alternative but the government will be wise to avoid debt that overburdens its already high interest payment to revenue ratio.

An IMF loan comes at zero interest and should be preferable at this time but its lack of popularity among Nigerians could serve as a hindrance to taking this option even though it makes economic sense,the money manager added.

Taking an IMF loan is a politically popular decision in Nigeria. Many Nigerians detest an IMF programme because of the conditionalities that the fund will force the country to implement in return for its cheap money.

The matter that some of those conditionalities will inadvertently help put the economy in better shape by curbing the excesses of the government from wasteful consumption subsidies to the overbloated costs of running the government, one Lagos-based economist said.

We are resisting an IMF bail out, but time will tell if we really have a choice, another economist said.

Another way to manage the country’s balance of payment crisis will be to further incentivise the inflows of diaspora remittances, according to Bode Agusto, founding managing director of Agusto Consulting.

Diaspora remittances has formed a sizeable chunk of dollar inflows into Nigeria since 2014, averaging $21 billion. It is estimated that remittances hit a six-year high of $25 billion in 2019 but that could cool to $20billion this year as the Covid-19 pandemic hurts the incomes of Nigerians who reside in the principal sources of inflows- the US and UK.

Another option on the table for Nigeria is to boost exports, particularly non-oil exports. This way it diversifies its source of foreign exchange inflow away from oil exports, which account for some 90 percent of foreign exchange earnings.

IYMMF EGBEMA CHAPTER CALL ON IJAW LEADERS TO HELP BRIDGE THE LEADERSHIP GAP IN WARRI NORTH.








Youths under the aegis of IJAW YOUTHS MUST MOVE FORWARD  (IYMMF) Egbema chapter in Warri North Local Government has said earlier that it is not a militant group neither affiliated to any political party. But it's main concern, is about the political maltreatment and enslavement facing the Egbema Ijaws in Warri North Local Government of Delta State.

Due to this political thraldom in Warri North Local Government, the IYMMF regards it as an eyesore and has unfeignedly appealed to both the Itsekiri Political entity and leaders of thought in Warri North and the Egbema political leaders to change the political theory that has favored one ethnic group over many decades and give the Egbema Ijaws a chance to produce the council chairman for the first time after 29 years.


IYMMF observed that this political aberration and urglyness has made Egbema Kingdom so backward in Izon-Ibe and it is on record that Egbema Ijaws have contributed to all Izon-Ibe struggles for freedom yet Egbema still political backward. Take a look  at Warri Southwest LG that is occupied by same two ethnic groups, the chairmanship, house of Assembly and other political positions are rotational, what about the G-3 formula that made Gov. Uduagha to became a Governor of Delta State, even the federal character principle of Nigeria, why is the Egbema kingdom situation in Warri North so different? This is an aberration, an eyesore, political injustice which must STOP in our co-owned Local government or else, we remain in doom forever.

The IYMMF Egbema Kingdom chapter believe that in the presence of Ijaw leaders, Egbema kingdom will not be allowed to perish. We are calling on all Ijaw great Leaders that can facilitate the political sharing formula in Warri North so that Egbema Ijaws can produce a local government chairman in Warri North Local Government and other key elective political positions. Dr. Goodluck Abele Jonathan GCFR Former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, HIGH CHIEF GOVERNMENT EKPEMUPOLO ( aka Tompolo, GOC) THE IBE-EBIDOUWEI OF IZON IBE, His Excellency TIMIPRE SILVA; Minister of Petroleum state, Bar. DCN KINGSLEY OTUARO, Deputy Governor of Delta State, SEN.  DOUYE DIRI, Governor, of Bayelsa State, SEN. JAMES MANAGER Rep. Delta South district, Hon. EMOMOTIMI DENNIS GUWOR, DHA Warri SouthWest,  Hon. KINGSLEY KEMEBRADIGHA KUKU, Former SA to the President, Hon. TIMI ALA-EBE, former chairman PAP, HRM ATEKE TOM, HON. FUNKEKEME SOLOMON, SSA to the Governor of Delta State, Hon. DAVID LYON and the Freedom Fighters of Izon land; HIGH CHIEF GOVERNMENT EKPEMUPOLO ( AKA TOMPOLO,  GOC) THE IBE-EBIDOUWEI OF IZON-IBE, GEN. EZEKIEL AKPASIBEWEI, COMR. JOSEPH EVANS, FORMER AND PRESENT INC PRESIDENTS, FORMER AND PRESENT IYC PRESIDENTS, PRESIDENT OF IYMMF WORLD WIDE and all highly respected Ijaw leaders should adhere to this clarion call made by the IJAW YOUTHS MUST MOVE FORWARD Egbema chapter in Warri North chapter to facilitate the process to produce the next council chairman after a period of 29 years.

Long live Izon-Ibe
Long live Warri North Local Government
Long live Egbema Kingdom

Signed
Hon. Baratei Apataimini
Chairman ( IYMMF ) Egbema chapter in Warri North

Hon. Yerin Agbainfo
Publicity Secretary ( IYMMF ) Egbema Warri North chapter.

BREAKING NEWS: Warri south LGA council boss set up task force to implement compliance of social distancing and mandatory use of face mask


The Chairman of Warri South Local Government,Dr Michael Tidi addresses Union leaders and Representatives of major market in the oil city at the Warri South council main Secretariat in Warri on setting up internal task force to ensure compliance with the advisory on social physical distancing in the market.

The Chairman who stated that," Monday, Wednesday and Saturday remains the only days that market will open and those selling their wares along roads within the markets’ premises, should sell at their homes for the time being, so as to maintain social distancing.

 Dr. Tidi, ordered the immediate distribution of face masks to the market union leaders and representatives, and making it clear that from Thursday April 30th , anyone caught without face mask in the public places in Warri South local government Area will face prosecution as a result of the new law enacted in Delta State.

Dr. Tidi, noted that traders, security agents, media practitioners, artisans and commercial drivers, will be given priority in the distribution of the face masks made available by the state government.

He concluded saying," The face mask would be distributed through Councilors representing the Nineteen wards in the council and with collaboration with the security agencies his administration will supervise the operations of the internal taskforce to be established by the market Unions, to ensure full compliance of the advisory on social distancing.

MOBILE COVID19 LABORATORY COMMISSIONED IN DELTA



The irrua Specialist Hospital/Pandora Consortium in partnership with state Government (DTSG) has deployed a mobile Covid19 laboratory and has been commissioned at Asaba Specialist Hospital.

Performing the official commissioning of the state-of-the-art laboratory facility on behalf of Delta State Government, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, said that the partnership between Pandora and DTSG facilitated by Irrua Specialist Hospital was a healthy initiative.

"The mobile laboratory was the first in the series of laboratories that would be established in the state to facilitate faster testing of covid19 related cases in the state",Ebie disclosed.

He disclosed that the laboratory came at the right time as it would enable suspected cases of COVID-19 run test and get the result on time.

The SSG thanked management of Irrua Specialist Hospital and Pandora for deploying the mobile laboratory to the state, even as he called on others to partner the government in the fight against the dreaded corona virus.

The commissioner for health , Dr.Mordi Ononye said In his remarks during the ceremony that laboratory was a dream come through, pointing out that the center had the capacity to conduct as many test as possible.

Dr Ononye said that the state government was doing it's best in the containment of the disease, stressing that anyone with the symptoms of ailments should swiftly report to appropriate medical facilities of government for treatment.

He made mentioned of the two death cases recorded in Delta that it is as a result of the fact that the deceased patients reported very late to the appropriate medical facilities for treatment.
He stressed that the team handling Covid19 related cases in the state had all the technical know how to treat any suspected case of the disease.

Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director, Irrua Specialist Hospital, Prof. Sylvanus Okogbenin, who was represented by the Director of Clinical Services, Training and Research, Dr. Reuben Eifediyi, noted that the deployment of the laboratory facility was to enable suspected cases in the state had access to medical facilities for testing that would engender effective treatment of COVID-19 patients.

He, therefore, charged residents of the state to maximize the opportunity to avert reporting to the hospital when the situation had gone critical.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu and NCDC officials witnessed the commissioning ceremony

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

BREAKING: FESTUS KEYAMO INAUGURATE COMMITTEE TO EMPLOY 774,000 PEOPLE IN NIGERIA.





                          Festus Keyamo

Earlier today, the Honourable Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, as Supervising Minister of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) inaugurated the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee on the FG’s Special Public Works Program designed to employ 1000 (one thousand) persons each in all the 774 LGAs of the federation for a period of 3 months. They would be mostly unskilled labour.




The Committee is chaired by the  DG, NDE, Dr. Nasiru Ladan and has representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Health, Agriculture and Rural Development, Environment, Transportation, Water Resources, Works and Housing and Labour and Employment.

CORRUPTION IN NDDC: NIGER DELTA YOUTHS BLAST AKPABIO ON TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

PRESS STATEMENT

April 29, 2020




                     Sen. Godswilll Akpobio


Godswill Akpabio Sends Staff on Mandatory Leave and Retirement for Leaking to the Public the Obscene Corruption Being Perpetrated by NDDC's IMC and Akpabio.

The corruption in the NDDC yesterday took another dimension as the Minister of the Niger Affairs, Godswill Akpabio and his hand picked  corrupt Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development NDDC, yesterday sent letters to staff of all cadre who are perceived to be opposed to the reckless and corrupt practice in award of contracts to proceed on mandatory leave and early retirement.

 The move came just two days after a contract award letter exposing corruption in the award of contract to Signoria Concept Services Limited and Osmoserve Global Limited were leaked to the public. But in a desperate move to cover up their tracks, Godswill Akpabio and his Interim Management Committee sent letters to some of the staff of the NDDC who are the most trained and experienced to better manage the affairs of the Commission to proceed on mandatory leave and early retirement in a bid to silence them for opposing his illegal and corrupt  practices in the award contracts. With this cleansing, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC is now left in the hands of Akpabio's cronies and the least experience staff who cannot run the affairs of the commission.

Recall that two days ago the media was awashed with allegations of corruption in the award of contracts to various companies believed to be connected to Chief Godswill Akpabio and members of his Interim Management Committee. At the root of these scandals were three companies, Osmoserve Global Limited, Signoria Concept Services Limited and Rodnab, Godswill Akpabio's  surrogate that was awarded a contract to complete the NDDC headquarters building without public advertisement and bidding and in complete violation of the Public Procurements Act. Rodnab has since been fully paid in the amount of N16 billion while the contract is yet to be completed.

A N4.8 billion contract was also awarded to Akpabio's connected companies, Osmoserve Global Limited for unspecified medical supplies. The contract was awarded to Osmoserve on April 6 and an upfront payment of 55 percent was effected. In an usual practice under Akpabio and the IMC, the award letter does not specify the lots, quantity and quality of materials to be supplied, giving room for fraudulent manipulations.  Same contract was never advertised and there was no bidding to that effect.

Also, another company belonging to Akpabio's allies, Signoria Concept Services Limited was awarded contract following similar practices. The letter to the company dated April 6, 2020, read 'Award of Contract for the Emergency Procurement of Specialized Medical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Health Workers and Provision of Community Based Sensitization Campaign Against the Spread of Covid-19 and other Communicable Diseases in the Nine States of the Niger Delta Region' and signed by Head, Procurement Unit on the instruction of the IMC. Akpabio and the IMC later suspended payment on that contract following disagreements over sharing formula and when it was leaked to the public by staff of the Commission they walked away from it and began destroying all evidences relating to the contract including sending the best trained and experienced staff to mandatory leave and retirement under the guise of forensic audit.

The award of the contract to Signoria Concept Services Limited  was made on April 6, 2020. Signoria Concept Services Limited was also paid N357 million for maternal delivery kits on February 22, 2020.


The two contracts  awarded to Signoria and Osmoserve and dated April 6, 2020, were signed by the Head of Procurement on behalf of the Acting Managing Director of the Commission.  The contract award letter to Signoria has a Reference Number NDDC/MD/HPU/20/4/EHSS/05, while the one to Osmoserve Global Limited has a Reference Number NDDC/MD/HPU/20/4/EHSS/02.

 Following the award on April 6th, 2020, the IMC has paid Osmoserve Global Limited upfront payment of 55 percent of the contract value of N4.8 billion while the one awarded to Signoria was temporarily suspended following disagreements on sharing formula which led its leak to the public and the subsequent order to some of the staff believed to be behind the leak to proceed on mandatory leave and early retirement.

These evidences of large scale corruption by Akpabio and his IMC of the NDDC make a mockery of the anti corruption mantra of President Mohammadu Buhari and they constitute serious insult to the intelligence of the people of Niger Delta and Nigeria who are destitutes, especially at a time when resources are limited.

President Buhari has an official duty and a moral responsibility to Nigerians to put an end to these grand heists which are happening under his watch. He should as a matter of urgency bring order to the NDDC by disbanding the IMC which has clearly shown itself to be a tool for fleecing the Niger Delta people of their resources. He should also ensure that all funds looted by the IMC are recovered and ploughed back into the development of the Niger Delta.


CHIEF KINGSLEY DAPA WHITE
NATIONAL COORDINATOR
Yenegoa, Bayelsa State.

OJOUGBOH DISMISSES ALLEGATIONS OF 5.55BN CONTRACTS SCANDAL AS BEEN SPECULATED AGAINST NDDC.





#SAYS_DOCUMENTS_EMANATED_FROM_OPPONENTS_WHO_ARE_AGAINST_FORENSIC_AUDIT






The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) through it Acting Executive Director of Project, Dr Cairo Ojougboh has dismissed the allegations of 5.55bn Contracts scandal been speculated against NDDC to support Lassa Fever and Covid-19 pandemic by some interest groups who are opposed to the FORENSIC AUDIT of the commission.

Describing the calculated attempts of those behind the drama as agent's of "Pull Him Down" who are mainly against the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio and the NDDC Interim Management Committee (IMC) put in place by President Mohamadu Buhari to over see the Commission while the FORENSIC AUDIT lasted.

Dismissing the alleged contract scandal Dr Cairo Ojougboh, who spokes on Channel Tv recently, said the attackers were mainly targeting Akpabio for driving the FORENSIC AUDIT of the commission as ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari to expose any CORRUPT person's who may be find wanting in the days ahead to gives account of stewardship in their time.

Added that most of the attacker's are partner's incrime or agents of those big wheigth who may have done job with NDDC directly or indirectly benefiting illegally from the commission through CORRUPT practices been papertriated by past Successive Management of the commission to siphoned Money meant for the Developement of the Niger Delta Region to fund their Political Ambition and family comforts  .

Dr Ojougboh who emphasized that the Interim Management Committee made up of some of the BEST PROFESSIONAL hands in the Niger Delta, should not be distracted. Going forward he said that some of the allegations are directly on someone Character, Integrity and hard earned name just to mislead the General Public of the TRUE POSITION of thing's with unfounded claims to discredits the commission Affairs.

Meanwhile, on the ongoing construction of the HEAD OFFICE of the commission, he said: the "Interim Management Committee" is focused on completing the Permanent Headquarters Project, as a result of this commitment it's paying the contractor for WORK DONE in stage's. Noting that if not the Corona Virus, the commission would have completed the new head office this month he added.

Dr Ojougboh in his conclusion vowed that the Niger Delta Development Commission exists for the GOOD of the REGION, added that the Present Commission you are seeing today is different from the commission you saw yesterday, therefore, the COMMISSION can't continues to pay rent for a temporary head office rather than complete and occupy its own he said

Speaking further, he revibrated it LOUD and CLEAR that it's disheartening and Great Disservice to its people of NIGER DELTA REGION for a few selfish elite to go on the attack every time their attempt to corner the RESOURCES of the COMMISSION is challenged. “He pointed out that the FORENSIC AUDIT ordered by the President Muhammadu Buhari, which Senator Akpabio is pursuing with his UNCOMMON passion, is for the GOOD of all stakeholders.

Believe me he said: the Greatest tragedy we would not accept is for a few ELITES to TRUNCATE the GOOD INTENTIONS of the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT because their access to the COMMONWEALTH is being THREATENED. We shall HOLD to our FAITH and move on to deliver on our primary ASSIGNMENT, even as we continue to witness more of this attacks but i will rather assured you or borrowed from the word of FAITH of Bishop Miyerijesu: that since the Sky Exist no Body can Harm us and we hold to FORENSIC AUDIT to expose any CORRUPT hands he submitted.

@ Justice & Ovuokeroye
#National_Coordinator_Ojougboh_Media_Campaign_Team_Supporters

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

President Buhari Appoints 38 Persons Into The Board Of Federal Character Commission.




                         President Buhari


In a letter on Tuesday, the president asked the senate to confirm the appointees.  He based his request on section 154 (1) of the constitution as amended.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan read the letter on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday.

“In compliance with the provision of section 154 (1) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, I write to request for confirmation by the senate for 38 nominees as chairman and members of the Federal Character Commission,” the letter read.

The development is coming about two months after the senate asked Buhari to reconstitute the FCC board.

The agency has had only one commissioner out of the 37 as required by law. Abdullahi Halidu Shinkafi, the lone commissioner, has retired.

Here is a list of those newly appointed by the president:

Muheeba Dankaka, chairperson
Henry Ogbulogo
Salihu Bella
Obonganwan Dorah Ebong
lbeabuchi Uche
Mohammad Tijjani
Tonya G. Okio
Silas Mfa Madkpah
Abba Ali Monguno
Nsor Atamgba
Alims Agoda
Tobias Chukwuemeka
lmuetinyan Festus,
Sesan Fatoba
Ginika Florence Tor
Hamza Mohammad
Diogu Uche
Lawan Ya’u Roni
Hadlza Usman Muazu
Muhammad Awwal Na’lya
Lawal Garba
Abubakar Atiku Bunu
Idris Bello
Daniel James Kola
Are Bolaji
Nasir Kwarra
Suleiman Barau Said
Abiodun Akinlade
Olufemi Lawrence Omosanya
Adeoye Abdulrazak Olalekan
Adeniyi Olowofela
Stephen A Jings
Wokocha Augustine
Abdullahi Aminu Tafida
Armaya’u Dauda Abubakar
Jibril Maigari
Saul Garba
Adamu Muhammad Sidi-Ali
Hon. Alims Agoda.   Delta state.

Sunday, April 26, 2020

IPDI TO OKOWA: WE'RE YET TO BE CONVINCED THAT THERE IS CORONAVIRUS IN DELTA, SAYS THERE'S MORE OF POLITICS THAN REALITY IN COVID-19 CASES IN DELTA ~ CREEKS NEWS

Press Release
26th April, 2020





As a pressure group in the state, we have made several findings as to the reality of the covid-19 outbreak in Delta State, following the reactions of the supposed covid-19 patients in the state. We are surprised that only Delta State you hear supposed covid-19 patients debunking their status of being tested positive. There has been drama and counter reactions between Delta government and those alleged to be tested positive.

We made a thorough findings into the first covid-19 case which was reported to be an indigene of Warri. The government of Delta state and NCDC made a Vogue announcement, whereby the name of the person was not mentioned, the ethnic nationality, location, the first contact point and isolation centre where the victim was admitted was not mentioned.

The second case reported was alleged to be a pastor who was admitted in Gifted hands clinic at Okurede Itsekiris, Warri.
The authorities said his result came out after his death and that he was tested positive for covid-19. This case has been a bone of contention between the family of the deceased pastor and the Delta State authorities. This was followed by the alleged case of Hon. Eric Ogharisi, an house of Assembly member in Delta State, but he guickly debunked it. The case of Asaba resident, his name was not known, his identity, location and isolation centre he is being admitted is not known.
This forms some of the concerns whether there are covid-19 cases in Delta State.

The most controversal case calling for proper investigation is the case of Omamuzu Ijala. She cried out loud, following the news of her been tested positive for the dreaded coronavirus pandemic. She reacted in 10minutes video saying that she is not covid-19 patient and that she was only having serious cough. The situation remains tense, as the public remains domfounded till date. She is currently admitted in Central hospital and not in any isolation centre and her test results are still withheld by the government authorities.

The situation was made clumsy especially when it was discovered that the state does not have any isolation centre. This shows that there has not been any authentic case of coronavirus in the state, reason being that no responsible government will keep covid-19 patient among other patients in public health facilities that is being accessed by people of one health challenge or the other in daily basis.

Another surprise was that the Delta State government is yet to tell the public how many of the 17 contacts of the alleged covid-19 infected pastor have been tested positive as it is getting beyond 14days since the deceased positive status announced. This was followed by the earlier Warri alleged covid-19 case, as the NCDC and Delta State government is yet to tell Deltans how many of the contacts of the first Warri Covid-19 case has been quarantined or being tested positive as it getting beyond 14days. And if truely Mrs Ijala is tested positive for covid-19, why her mother, boy friend, other siblings and friends who come in contact with her have not been quarantined?

The above forms a base for anybody to doubt and debunk the claim of covid-19 cases in Delta State. It is possible that the craves for covid-19 support funds from Federal government may have made Delta State to join the league of her counterpart States who lies about Covid-19 status in their States.

We are being apprehensive over the covid-19 spread in Delta State. People are suffering and paying sacrifices to stop the supposed spread of covid-19 in the state. It will be detrimental if it appears that all sacrifices and sufferings are for a mere politics.

However, we calling on Okowa to clear our doubts, and clear the air why we should belief that there are covid-19 cases in Delta State.

Signed
Mayor Timi Ogobiri
Acting Spokesman, Ijaw People's Development Initiative, IPDI.

Six SANs, 46 Lawyers Begin Battle To Save Douye Diri, Ewrujakpor.



April 26, 2020




                          Gov. Douye Diri

By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt


At least 52 lawyers, including six with the ranks of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) have been enlisted to save the jobs of the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri and his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewrujakpor, at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.

The lawyers and SANS hired by Diri, Ewrujakpor, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were reportedly ready to begin legal fireworks in a case filed by the Governorship Candidate of the Liberation Movement (LM), Vijah Opuamah.



Opuamah’s case scheduled for pre-hearing on Monday commenced like a joke immediately the Supreme Court declared Diri the winner of the last year’s governorship election following the disqualification of the Governor-elect, Chief David Lyon.



The matter packaged by three junior lawyers, Ebikebuna Aluzu, Pius Danba and Ebi Robert, was dismissed initially by most PDP leaders as dead on arrival, until careful scrutiny of the processes filed by the lawyers suggested otherwise.

Opuama is seeking the disqualification of Ewrujakpor and the cancellation of the November 16, 2019 governorship election.

He wants the court to order a fresh election in Bayelsa alleging that the poll conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to comply with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.



Opuama, in the petition alleged that Ewrujakpor, the 4th respondent, submitted an affidavit to INEC, the 1st respondent, that contained false information.


The nucleus of his petition contained in a statement of facts he deposed at the tribunal said: “The 4th Respondent was not qualified to contest the election in that he submitted an affidavit containing false information to the 1st Respondent.



“The 4th Respondent’s degree certificate dated 3rd February 1998 purportedly issued by Rivers State University of Science and Technology and the 4th Respondent’s certificate of exemption from National Youth Service Corps purportedly issued on 2nd February 1998 are inconsistent with one another and contradictory to one another and both forged”.

It was gathered that all the respondents, INEC, PDP, Ewrujakpor and Diri, forwarded  their replies on the petition to the tribunal.

It was further learnt that a couple of Bayelsa leaders especially chieftains of the PDP were mounting pressure on Opuama to withdraw the matter.

They were said to have made various offers including cash and juicy appointments to Opuama to withdraw the matter but the candidate remained adamant.

Opuama confirmed receiving many telephone calls from various persons, who wanted him to abandon the case.

He said: “That was not the reason why we filed. I did not spend ten years of my life researching on leadership and studying political leadership just to negotiate paltry some of money.

“If the party was established for such then it is against the values enshrined in its ideology and constitution. I refused to take citizenship in Australia because that automatically disqualifies me to run for Governor or president of my country. After making such sacrifices, I should come negotiate for how much?

“And what do I do, negotiate for a few millions and tarnish image I have spend 25 years to build and make? I believe in one thing. A good name. There are only two options here. A good fight and establish a good name, and becoming the next governor of Bayelsa State.

“However, if they call anyone again to negotiate, I can only give them audience if they offer 115 million dollars. At least, that will build a strong Liberation Movement. We will get offices in all states. Get offices in all Bayelsa wards.

“Empower our members in various capacities including scholarships and research funding, invest and create jobs for Bayelsa youths and sponsor more young people in politics”.

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Good News As Families Of Abule-Ado Explosion Victims Gets N2.5m Each From Lagos State Government ~ Crees News



April 23, 2020



The Lagos state government has begun payment of N2.5 million compensation to each of the 23 families who lost their loved ones in the tragic Abule Ado pipeline explosion last month.

The money, according to a statement by the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), will be paid to the next-of-kin of those who died in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area disaster on Sunday, March 15, 2020.

Scooper recalls that 23 persons died in the incident with about 586 displaced and hundreds of properties destroyed in the multiple blasts said to have been caused by pipeline rupture.

Although effects of the devastation were felt as far as Surulere, Festac Town, Okota, Egbeda among others, with properties allegedly

affected, the major destruction occurred in Abule-Soba axis where scores of buildings scattered across seven streets were completely levelled.

During an on-the-spot visit to the area, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had announced a N25 billion relief fund for the victims to be disbursed by a committee headed by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat.

Announcing the commencement of the disbursement through text message reportedly received by Business Day, LASEMA said it followed the approval of the State Executive Council.

Director General (DG) Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu who signed the notice said the disbursement will commence Wednesday, April 22, at the Deputy Governor’s office in Alausa.

It reads, “Further to the verbal commitment made by Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, Executive Governor, Lagos State to assist the victims of the families affected by the gas explosion at Amuwo Odofin LGA which occurred on the 15th March 2020, I wish to notify you that Executive Council approval has been given for the presentation of relief assistance to you, as a named next of kin, by the Lagos State Government tomorrow, Wednesday 22nd April 2020."

“We therefore request that you attend a brief meeting at the office of the Deputy Governor, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja. You are to come with a valid form of identification and to be seated by 11am. Thank you in advance for your prompt attendance and cooperation.”

On April 18, Oke-Osanyintolu sent a statement announcing that government would in coming days start giving money to the deceased’s identified next of kins without details as to amount nor when the disbursement will kick off.

Asked the amount each next of kin will get, the LASEMA boss replied Wednesday morning that “Each named next of kin of a deceased victim of the Abule Soba pipeline explosion will be given Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,500,000) by the Lagos State Government.”

However, there are concerns as to how these named next of kins are expected to get to the State Secretariat in Alausa since the state was on lockdown as a preventive measure against further spread of COVID-19.


Covid-19: Release Palliative To Ogulagha People Now, OYIF Blast Shell, Chevron, Others ~ Creeks News






By Emmanuel Ken



  Ogulagha.........................Human Right Group under the aegis of Ogulagha Youth Initiative Forum, OYIF, has vehemently berate and blast the multinational oil companies operating in Ogulagha Kingdom to provide adequate palliatives for people in the Kingdom.

  They made this call after a meeting held in Ogulagha and was made available to Creeks News  by the Secretary of the group Comr. Joshua Keneware.

 The group said since the emergence of this Coronavirus pandemic. The Multinational oil companies like Shell, Chevron, Agip, Brittina U and other companies has not done anything meaningful to alleviate the hunger, suffering and squalor of the people.

 It is shocking, terrible, overgasted and overwhelming to state that the multinational oil companies can be so bitter, heartless, wicked and callous to not show concern to their host in this trying time of global threat and tension.


                            OYIF Members


 They call on all well-meaning individuals in the Kingdom to join in the clamour and urge the multinational oil companies to do the needful.

 Meanwhile, Ogulagha Kingdom is a oil rich Kingdom in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State. A host to the Popular Forcados Terminal Ogulagha, SouthBank Flow station Youbebe, Yokiri Flowstation Sokebolou and North-Bank flowstation Obotobo 1&2.

  Others members of the group who attended the meeting include Comr. John Perekekigha Iyoronguagha, Comr. Clifford Otogie, Comr. Jovita Temewei, Comr. Timi Temewei etc.

   The group said, the will not rest or relent until the needful is done and various relief materials are provided for everyone in the Kingdom. They added.

Friday, April 24, 2020

COVID-19 PALLIATIVES: DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED DELTANS ~ IPDI

Press  Statement
23rd April, 2020






It is sad that Delta State Government is showing ingratitude to deltans despite the pains and hunger in the state,  a situation where people don't go to work and do business for a whole month, and you are coming to share few cups of rice ,beans and garri to few Deltans.

It may interest your His Excellency Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to know that less than 10percent of Delta State population got a cup of rice, beans or garri from the state government creek gift, called pallatives.

We want to state that
deltans deserve a befitting treatment from Delta State government. A situation where deltans are treated as beggars and destitutes, it is unacceptable. It is only irresponsible government that would treat her people ,the way deltans have been treated in the face of this difficulty of covid-19 lockdown. This is a sign of ingratitude to deltans and a slap on the faces of deltans. This evidence that there is no government in Delta State.





It is disappointing that in the face of grievous lamentations of hunger and hardship, Delta State government shared cups of rice, beans and garri to few Deltans. This is a sign that Delta  State government does not have the people at heart. It is shameful and disheartened. We are not convinced that the few foods shared were to cushion the pains of covid-19 lockdown as it was meant to insult Deltans.

We want to believe that the few foods shared were from donors, and it was expected that the state government would argument to ensure that every deltan is given a share or a sense of belonging.
His Excellency senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor of Delta State should know that Deltans laboured hard to create comfort for him, "deltans pay your bills, and ensure you live in free house, eat free food and drive free cars and get other free enssentials and necessities. Deltans deserved better treatments.
We can borrow to build Government official houses. We borrow to pay Politicians salary but we can't borrow to maintain the welfare of the citizens or electorate in this auspicious times. It is really sad.

We want to state unequivocally that deltans are disappointed over what was shared as palliatives by Delta State government. It is worrisome that Delta State government only shared foods from donors and bluntly refused to make committements to alleviate the suffering of deltans.

The shabby distribution was for the fact that there was no proper data capturing. It is appalling that a whole state government shameless distributed between a cup and four to few deltans to cushion the effects of covid-19 lockdown for a whole month. Truely, we don't need your cup of rice and beans to survive as it cannot sustain us as Deltans.

A ward was given 40 bags of rice and 20 bags of beans, and a ward has several voting units. Some political wards have 12 units, others have between 15, 17, 18, 20, 25 etc.  Some units are between three hundred, five hundred, six hundred,  eight hundred or one thousand voters.

For example,  a ward that has 20 voting units, with average of five hundred persons per unit, will sum up to Ten thousand, (10,000) voters. This should have been the arithmetic analysis that may have helped the government for equitable distribution of food items in the state.

You may agree with us that sharing 40 bags of rice and 20 bags of beans in a ward of 10,000 registered voters is a great disservice. A bag of rice contains 12 baskets. A bag of beans contains 24baskets. If we multiple 40 bags of rice by 12, we will have four hundred and eighty baskets (480). It means at the estimate of one basket to an individual, 480 persons will benefit from the 40 bags of rice. If 20 bags of beans multiple by 24, we will have the same four hundred and eighty baskets (480), which means at the estimate of one basket to an individual, 480 persons will benefit from the 20 bags of beans. And in total, it is assumed that 960 persons will benefit from the 40 bags of rice and 20 bags of beans with the estimate of a basket to per person in the midst of 10,000 legible voters in a ward. In this case it was split to cups, making the process or exercise meaningless.

This shows that every ward less than 10pecent of the population benefited the few cups of rice, beans or garri. Going by the above analysis, one will vividly say that less than 10% percent of Delta State population benefited the beggars gift of a cup of rice or beans from Delta State government.

The sad part of it is that a basket to a person cannot sustain an individual for a month, now it is split to a cup, how does a cup of rice become meaningful in a family life. Can Okowa or his Political Appointees fee their family with a  basket or a cup of rice or beans? And you give out few cups of beans or rice and you called it a palliative. It too sad.

It is dishearten that someone was given a cup of rice and we called it a palliative. How would a responsible government share a cup of rice for an individual to survive in a month longed lockdown. We are pained.
We are equally disgusted over the accolades following the sharing of a cup of rice and beans by Delta State government. It is a fact that politicians and community leaders celebrating this nonsense are suffering from the poverty of the mind and mental defunction.

It is worrisome as no responsible government would disregard data analysis as such forms a better platform for even distribution of benefits to deltans.

We want to call on the governor of Delta state ,his Excellency senator Ifeanyi Okowa to treat Deltans as humans and with heart of gratitude based on the support given to him during his governorship elections in the state in a view of providing pallatives that will affect lives positively in the state.

Signed
Comrade Emma Keneware
Acting Secretary.
Ijaw People's Development Initiative, IPDI.

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Bayelsa Guber: Alaibe Vs Gov. Diri's Case Fixed For Hearing May 5 ~ Creeks News



 April 23, 2020

By Athan Agbakwuru




Court of Appeal sitting in the Owerri Judicial Division, Imo State has adjourned to May 5, 2020, for hearing on the appeal brought before it by Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, a governorship aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, challenging the verdict of the High Court in Bayelsa State which dismissed his suit against the nomination of Governor Duoye Diri as the candidate of the PDP in the last governorship election held in the state.

Chief Alaibe had approached the High Court in Yenegoa, capital of Bayelsa State to challenge the outcome of the PDP governorship primary election held on 3rd September, 2019 which produced Governor Diri as the candidate and winner of the gubernatorial election held in the state.

Presiding Judge, Justice R. C. Agbo leading other two justices: Hon. Justice A.O. Lakulo-Sodipe and I. A. Andenyangtso addressing the parties yesterday adjourned the case after addressing learned counsels to the parties on their various motions and cross-appeals filed in response to the Notice of Appeal filed by counsels to the appellant, Timi Alaibe.

Justice Agbo who remarked that the court had very limited time to dispose of the matter advised the lawyers to shun any act that may delay the processes.

He granted the motion by counsel to the appellant, Ayodeji Adedipe Esq requesting for service of briefs and responses on the respondents by electronic mail, email, in view of the difficulty in traveling from place to place under the current lockdown occasioned by the deadly Corona virus pandemic.

The judge further granted the motion for amendment of notice of appeal filed by Mr Chuks Uguru, counsel for the for the 4th respondent/cross-appellant as well as the request for all parties to file all relevant papers within seven (7)4 days and fixed hearing on May 5.

The legal team representing the 5th respondent/cross-appellant, led by J.C. Uwandu Esq, contended for proper service by the appellant saying they were served illegible photocopies of the notice of appeal as well as motions on Monday afternoon and requested for seven days instead of five to respond.

The judge granted his request and clean copies of the notice of appeal and motions were served him immediately as directed by the court.

Earlier, Justice Agbo had informed the court that he got Information from Abuja that three appeals relating to the case pending before him were taken

NCDC Clears Air On Covid-19 Vaccine In Kano ~ Creeks News



April 22, 2020




The Nigeria Center for Disease Control has reacted to reports of a vaccine for COVID-19 found in Kano State.

A yellow liquid vaccine being sold in Kano State had emerged on Monday with claims that it prevents people from contracting the deadly Coronavirus.

Reacting, the NCDC on its Twitter handle warned Nigerians not to patronize the vaccine as it is fake.

It said, “A liquid mixture is being sold with claims that it is”#COVID19 vaccine”. This is false!

“There is currently NO VACCINE or drug approved for #COVID19 prevention by health authorities

“Take responsibility; only purchase & consume drugs at accredited pharmacies or health facilities.”

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday said there was no approved vaccine for COVID-19.

WHO Immunization Team Lead, Dr Fiona Braka, said researches were still ongoing on the deadly viral disease.

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

PDP Advises Kogi People To Embark On Mass Prayer Over Gov. Yahaya Bello's "Show Of Shame" On Channels TV.








Sequel to Governor Yahaya Bello's statements on Channels TV on Sunday, the Kogi State Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has advised the people of the state to embark on prayers, describing the governor's appearance as a show of shame.


The opposition party in a statement signed by the Director Research and Documentation, Achadu Dickson, said the governor's silence would have been golden, rather than going to wash what the Party described as dirty linen of unpreparedness and unseriousness of his administration in the current fight against Coronavirus pandemic.


PDP said it has reiterated on several occasion on the need for the people of the state to embark on prayers for the deadly disease not to visit Kogi, adding that no effort has been put in place in case of any eventuality.

The party asked governor Yahaya Bello to bury his head in shame and continue his exercise in his gym, lamenting that under Yahaya Bello and APC, Kogi is already a failed state.

According to PDP, while other governors are making efforts to making sure the lives of their people are protected, Kogi people are only looking up to God because the state is witnessing the worst administration.

Monday, April 20, 2020

Crisis: Bauchi APC Gets Reconciliation Panel To Resolve Differences.









By Hassan Ibrahim, Bauchi

Apr 20, 2020

Bauchi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has constituted a reconciliation committee to resolve ongoing internal wrangling among aggrieved members of the party. Chairman of the panel, Baba Abubakar Suleiman, said the committee was constituted to resolve the internal crisis in the party and strengthen it ahead of the 2023 election. Suleiman explained that the terms of reference of the committee are to make an in-depth analysis of the remote and immediate causes of the crisis that led to the internal party conflicts before, during and after the last general elections.

“The state chapter of the party has directed all local government chairmen of the party to follow suit by constituting the reconciliation committee down to the ward level to reconcile all aggrieved members of APC in all the party hierarchy.

 “Some notable individuals and groups within the APC were met and fruitful discussions for reconciliation were also achieved and the committee will continue to reach out to all aggrieved members of this great party in the state until genuine reconciliation is attained,” he added.

Chief Of Staff Job: I'm Unemployable, Says Ismaila Funtua.





ON APRIL 20, 2020

Republic Minister and Elder Statesman, Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua, 78, has advised those associating him with the post of Chief of Staff, CoS, to President Muhammadu Buhari, to look elsewhere.

Reason: He is unemployable and not interested.

A national newspaper yesterday tipped him as one of those under consideration for the post of Chief of Staff to succeed late Abba Kyari, who died of COVID-19 and was buried last Saturday

Speaking on the issue with Vanguard, yesterday, Alhaji Funtua, who was Administrative Officer, Katsina Native Authority, for seven years, Minister of Water Resources in the defunct Second Republic, a member of the 1994-1995 Constitutional Conference, and founder of Bulet International Nigeria Limited (the largest wholly owned indigenous construction company), which built most of the iconic public buildings in Abuja, said he was  not interested in the post.

Asked for his reaction to reports tipping him for the CoS post, the former President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN, laughed it off, saying: ”I am an employer of labour and, therefore, unemployable.

”I was a minister in 1983. What position will I be interested in now? I am embarrassed that a national newspaper could display such level of ignorance by connecting me with the Chief of Staff  job.”

Covid-19: Bright Guwor Task Oil Companies In Ogulagha Kingdom To Provide Relief Materials For The Kingdom --- Creeks News







*~~Says Shell, Chevron, Agip, Others need not to be told before doing the needful.

By Emmanuel Ken





  A vocal youth leader, Niger Delta Activist and President of the Ogulagha Youth Initiative Forum, OYIF, has tasked the Multi National Oil Companies operating in the kingdom to provide palliative materials to the people of the kingdom.

 He made this call while speaking to Creek News correspondent. He said, as a kingdom that play host to major multi national oil companies like Shell, Chevron, Agip, Brittina U etc, they need not to be told before carrying out such task.

In this trying time of global tension and threat,  were hunger and squalor is really biting hard. They need to provide adequate relief materials to cushion the hunger.

 From the huge impact and environmental hazard cum health effect being melted to the people. This is really a time to display care and show love to the people who host them, he said.

 For the Oil companies not to have done this till now shows that they are heartless, wicked and did not have the people at heart except their liquid gold.

He said before this week run to an end, the multinational companies in the kingdom should do the needful to the people.

                     Comr. Bright Guwor


He that much is given, much is expected. And to whom much more is given, much more is equal expected. The Ogulagha people deserved and need much more from their tenants (the multinational oil companies) which is milking more from them.

Meanwhile, Creeks News learnt that *Comr. Bright B. A. Guwor* is a one time Publicity Secretary and Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the revered Ogulagha Kingdom Youth Council, OKYC, Former Secretary General of Youbebe Youth Association *YYA* , and a former President of the Ogulagha Youth Association, OYA.

 He also holds a B.sc degree in Political Science from the prestigious Benson Idahosa University, BIU, and M.sc in view.

We Acknowledged Mistakes Made During Burial Of Abba Kyari, Says Presidential Task Force.








                      PRESS STATEMENT





We Acknowledge Mistakes Made During Burial of Late CoS - PTF

The burial of the late Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, on 18 April 2020, has attracted a lot of concerns from Nigerians over the non-adherence to the physical distancing measures and mass gathering restrictions at the Gudu Cemetery.

The nonobservance of physical distancing and the flouting of mass gathering restrictions at the cemetery were due to the failure of crowd control measures.

We acknowledge that mistakes were made, we have learnt from these mistakes and would ensure that future events are adequately regulated in accordance with the Presidential Task Force and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols.

It is however important to state that the body of the late Chief of Staff, who died on 17 April 2020, was prepared for burial in line with the  NCDC interim guidelines for the safe management of a deceased person with COVID-19 infection.

As a matter of fact, the body of anyone who dies from COVID-19 infection will not be released for burial without following these guidelines

Consequently, the body of the late Chief of Staff was thoroughly decontaminated, put in a body bag and then a sealed coffin in Lagos before being flown to Abuja. On arrival in Abuja, all safety measures required to protect those handling the body were strictly adhered to, from the plane to the burial ground. At no time was the body openly exposed to the environment.

It is worth noting that while COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that is significantly less infectious when compared to Ebola or Lassa fever, the protocols for safe burial must still be strictly followed.

The incidents that were recorded after the burial, which may have compromised due safety procedures, have been duly recognized and correct steps taken to limit any risk to the public.

Mr. Boss Mustapha
Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Kingibe, Adamu, Ali, Mustapha, 5 Others Jostle To Succeed Kyari.









The next Chief of Staff to the President is likely to emerge from a field of nine notable public figures, as the seat of power tries to get over the shocking demise of the former occupant of the office, Mallam Abba Kyari.

Kyari died on Friday night and was buried at Gudu Cemetery in Abuja on Saturday.

The Nation gathered on Saturday that the search for Kyari’s replacement has to get underway as early as possible in view of the importance of the office to the smooth functioning of the Presidency.


Several power brokers are already showing interest in who gets the post.

Sources said that the emergence of the next Chief of Staff may depend largely on the advisory of the President’s nephew and confidant, Mallam Mamman Daura, who stuck out his neck for Kyari.

Those being tipped for the position include former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe; Education Minister Adamu Adamu (arguably the closest cabinet member to the President); Customs Comptroller-General, Hamid Ali; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; and a former Minister, Ismaila Isa Funtua.

Others are Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties, Ya’u Shehu Darazo; a former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Gen. Buba Marwa; and the immediate past Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr. Jalal Arabi.

Five of the nine candidates are considered part of the President’s kitchen cabinet, otherwise called “The Cabal.”


Although El-Rufai is not ranked as a member of the inner circle, he is always consulted when necessity demands.

In the case of Marwa he is seen as the choice of Mrs. Aisha Buhari for the office.

Some bigwigs prefer SGF Mustapha for endearing himself to all with his sterling performance, loyalty and maturity with which he is serving the Buhari administration.

Arabi’s 12 years’ experience as State House Counsel and later Permanent Secretary is considered a plus for him in the race.

Investigations revealed that members of the kitchen cabinet would want the slot for one of them for continuity, having been privy to the modus operandi of the late Kyari.

It was gathered that if the President bows to the demand of “The Cabal”, the search may be narrowed down to five persons: Kingibe, Adamu, Ali, Darazo and Funtua.

A reliable source said: “The choice of Kyari’s successor won’t be easy, especially because he made the office the locus of power. President Buhari is known to have relied on him so much that he is regarded as the pillar of the administration.

“It is expected that whoever succeeds him in official and unofficial capacities must have most of the qualities which made Buhari to strike a bond with Abba Kyari for 40 years.”

A snapshot of some candidates is as follows:

BABAGANA KINGIBE

In the last five years, Kingibe, who will be 75 years old on June 25, has been one of the powers behind the throne.

Going by the permutations of power brokers, Kingibe fits into Kyari’s shoes having served as SGF (2007-2008), Minister of Foreign Affairs (1993-1995), Minister of Internal Affairs (1995-1997); and Minister of Power and Steel from 1997-1998.

A Kanuri like the late Abba Kyari, Kingibe is an astute technocrat and politician. He was, in the stillborn Third Republic, pioneer chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and later running mate of the late Chief Moshood Abiola in the truncated 1993 presidential election. He is, however, disliked in the Southern wing of the progressives where he is seen as a renegade. He bounced back into reckoning under this administration where he has been saddled with official and unofficial assignments by the President.

A source said: “If Kingibe is appointed as the next Chief of Staff, it might change the colour of the jostle for power in 2023 as he might use the office to take a shot at the presidency. This may provoke North-South rivalry because power is expected to shift to the South in 2023 after the eight-year tenure of President Buhari.

“Age factor and its related health challenges may not favour Kingibe who is well-loved by the President. He is one of the key members of ‘The Cabal’ behind Buhari.”

ADAMU ADAMU

Until the miraculous renewal of the tenure of the late Kyari, the expectation of some close aides of the President was that the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, who is the only cabinet member who has the ears of the President at any time, would clinch the post. Adamu had acted more as a Personal Assistant to Buhari for decades based on love, shared principles and faith in the President. He was the only minister given the privilege to assess the list of ministerial nominees and to oversee the assignment of portfolios.

A source recalled the politics of the reappointment of Kyari and what happened during a trip to Saudi Arabia.

The source added: “Before constituting his present cabinet, Buhari went on a trip to Saudi Arabia and Adamu was on the entourage.

“While in Saudi Arabia, a respected influential person in the power corridors was even begging the Minister not to decline to be Chief of Staff if offered by the President.

“We do not know whether or not the Minister refused to be the Chief of Staff and Buhari decided to retain Kyari.

“With his Spartan discipline, incorruptible principles and a cosmopolitan outlook, Adamu is actually the man to beat for the job. He likes operating behind the scene than being a minister.”

Born on May 25, 1956, Adamu will be 64 years old next month leaving him with age advantage. He is a shrewd accountant, writer and reputable journalist.

It could not be immediately confirmed if it is true or not that Adamu has some health challenges.

HAMID IBRAHIM ALI

A disciplinarian, Ali was Military Administrator of Kaduna State between 1996 to 1998 with a rare anti-corruption agenda.  He has taken the same sanitization drive to the Nigeria Customs Service where he has tightened the noose on corrupt officers and men. In 1997, he sacked about 30,000 striking civil servants and detained 18 local government chairmen. He believes in the carrot and stick approach and he does not care whose ox is gored.

Born 15 January, 1955 (now 65 years), Ali, who is a confidant of the President, was penciled down as Buhari’s Chief of Staff in 2015 until he was outsmarted in palace politics for being “non-conformist and tight fisted.” He is a former Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and a tidy record keeper with disdain for ostentation.

YA’U DARAZO

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties, Ya’u Shehu Darazo may appear little known but to those conversant with the power game in this administration, he cannot be dismissed. He is the Secretary of ‘The Cabal’ and the unseen hand before some appointments, especially some youthful ministers.

Although there was a Presidential Campaign Council for 2019 poll, Darazo headed a team which strategized for the re-election of the President in 2019. All the political accords and manoeuvres which earned Buhari victory in some states were managed and coordinated by Darazo.

Highly organized, Darazo has been a long time associate of President Buhari.

BOSS MUSTAPHA

Calm, cool-headed and polished, SGF Boss Mustapha was not in the reckoning of ‘The Cabal’ until fate dealt him a favourable hand when a former SGF Babachir Lawal quit office. Within a short time in office, Mustapha, who became the SGF in 2017, has brought his background as a lawyer, businessman and politician to bear on his assignment. Between 1998 and 2006, he was in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) until he joined forces with progressive-minded politicians in the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Two factors might work against him namely being a Christian minority from the North and as well as not belonging to core loyalists of Buhari. He lives a decent and non-aligned life. But he has performed his duties in a manner that he has become a favourite of the President, climaxing in his choice as the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on the containment of COVID-19. On merit, Mustapha would be a right peg in the right hole.

BUBA MARWA

One factor in favour of Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa is his excellent record of performance as Military Administrator (MILAD) of Borno and Lagos States. Born September 9, 1953, the 66 years old general was one of the elite officers in the Nigerian Army who obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.

He had attempted to be the PDP presidential candidate for 2007 polls but withdrew for the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. A former Aide-de-Camp to a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, the ex-MILAD is currently chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse. He is polished, intellectually deep and a pan-Nigerian – qualities needed in a Chief of Staff. But Marwa’s unstable political career could be his undoing.

A source said: “Some forces within the first family, including Mrs. Aisha Buhari, wanted the ex-Military Administrator to be made the Chief of Staff at the commencement of the second term, but counter-forces from the kitchen cabinet frustrated it.

“When the lobbying was stuck, they made a case for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for the former MILAD which also failed. This is a second chance for him.

“Although the ex-MILAD will add value to the government, the only hurdle facing him is how he allegedly abandoned Buhari in the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) in 2011 for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) without deferring to him. Some loyalists of Buhari do not want him near the power corridors.”

JALAL AHMAD ARABI

Said to be liked by the late Abba Kyari, the 1983 Law graduate of the University of Jos was appointed State House Permanent Secretary on November 11, 2015. Before then, he was the State House Counsel for many years. He ran into a storm in 2017 for allegedly being too prudent, including cutting the budget for the Office of the First Lady. But he was saved from suspension by Kyari. He is a very good administrator.

A source said: “If Buhari is tired of having aged administrators as Chief of Staff, he can try a core civil servant and Jalal is a favourite of some power holders.”

ISMAILA ISA FUNTUA

A former President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua, who is a member of the so-called cabal, is eminently qualified. He has been a public administrator, newspaper publisher and successful businessman. He was also a Minister in the Second Republic (1979-1983). Born in 1942, he fits the President’s known preference for older figures.

An Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), he was at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies where he was Monitor General of Course Nine. He will likely have the full backing of another member of the unofficial kitchen cabinet -Mamman Daura.

In an interview with Arise Television, Funtua said: “I’m not a member of any cabal, I’m cabal myself. What is cabal? In short, I think it means kitchen cabinet, people that you trust. People you believe will not deceive you, that they can do things in the interest of the country.”

However, his emergence may be stoutly resisted by the First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari. Some may also raise eyebrows that Funtua is, like the President, from Katsina State and an in-law to the President because his son is married to Buhari’s daughter.

NASIR El RUFAI

He is relatively young, charismatic, brilliant, brutally frank and courageous. He has been a political follower of President Buhari since the CPC was founded just before the 2011 election. He is the President’s confidant who is not afraid of criticism. He is believed to have lobbied for the office before the 2019 elections. Despite being governor of Kaduna State, 60-year-old El-Rufai is said to be interested.

At the moment, he too, like Kyari before his demise, is battling the dreaded Covid-19. Major baggage for him may be the distrust of the cabal and the Northern traditional and religious elite. A presidential hopeful, his penchant for controversy might be his Achilles Heel.

Saturday, April 18, 2020

Abba Kyari's Death, End Of A Surrogate Presidency, And The Coming Chaos





By Farooq Kperogi








To say I was shocked by Abba Kyari's death would be to tell a lie. Being an asthmatic patient who routinely had "breathing problems" that necessitated periodic trips to London hospitals—in addition to being a diabetic who was older than 65—it would have been nothing short of miraculous if he survived COVID-19.

In spite of who he was, especially the last five years of his life on earth, as a Muslim, I won't speak ill of him in death. But I won't write undeserving and deodorizing posthumous extolments of him, either. That would be as bad as, or even worse than, celebrating his death.

With Kyari's death, Nigeria is now truly leaderless. Buhari is practically in the land of the living dead. He's a breathing mannequin whose only reason for living is to prove he isn't dead in order to justify the continuity of the rule in his name.

Abba Kyari ruled the country on Buhari's behalf. In my viral February 22, 2020 column titled, "The Tragedy of the Abba Kyari Surrogate Presidency," this line appeared: "Sometime in the midpoint of last year, a northern retired general told me Abba Kyari said in private that people who vilify him don’t realize that without him Nigeria would be rudderless and descend into chaos."

Now, he is gone, and the chaos he talked about would start in the coming days and weeks. Mamman Daura, Buhari's nephew who introduced Kyari to Buhari, isn't only old (he is now in his early 80's) he is also now isolated from Buhari thanks to Kyari.

Babagana Kingibe who has been acting on Kyari's behalf and who will probably formally replace him, doesn't quite know Buhari in the same way that Abba Kyari did.

There is a yawning, potentially disorienting power vacuum in the presidential villa now, which actually emerged really visibly since Kyari went out of circulation before his eventual death.

Watch out for Aisha Buhari to assert herself more aggressively and to work to grab power in the fashion that Turai  Yar'adua did. In fact, she already started this the moment Kyari took ill.

One of the first things Aisha did was to cause Jalal Arabi, Permanent Secretary of the State House and Kyari's dutiful protege, to be redeployed from the Villa.

The remnants of the cabal will, of course, fight back. But the fight between Aisha and members of the cabal who are merely Kyari's proteges, would be a fight in the dark because Buhari who is supposed to intervene is an insentient being who's barely aware he's alive.

The in-fighting will create noticeable cracks in the Buhari group that Osinbajo, Tinubu, and other interest groups would exploit to feather their nests and advance their interests. In other words, in the coming days and months, expect the cessation of any pretense to governance and an unprecedentedly factious, dog-eat-dog, recriminatory fight between competing power blocs.

Friday, April 17, 2020

COVID-19 EXPOSES OKOWA'S INEPTITUDE TO GOVERNANCE





A cognitive, affective and psychomotive well equipped man is known in times of impromptus happenstances (Coleman, 2020). With what we are experiencing in delta State Governor Okowa was over rated of capabilities, having struggled to hypnotized deltans with audio scorecards of developmental progression to secure second term. Little did we know that "Great leadership seems easy when things are good and everybody's happy. When times grow tough, however, a leader's true colors are revealed".

Suffice to say, governor Okowa as a sonorous medical Doctor was expected to showcase his journeyman, credibility as well as creating medical fearless in the State was accidented with colossal disappointment.

It's no news that governor Okowa lockdown delta state for 17 days now without any palliatives put in place to ameliorate the suffering of deltans.
No Food.
No Face masks.
No well equipped. Isolation centres.
No testing Centres.
No proper contact tracing.
No proper information of covid-19 cases.
No sanitisers.
No power.
No covid-19 monitoring committee.
Security recklessness.
Killings.

The self acclaimed road master now covid-19 minor has practically lost  innovations to deal the with modalities in cushioning the effect of the lockdown. People are constricted with frustration, hunger, expose to killings, protest everywhere.

I want reiterate for the umpteenth time, if something urgent is not done to mitigate the tension in the state, the ravaging frustration of hunger will lead to more uproar.

Can't Okwa take clue from Lagos, Osun, Ogun, cross rivers, Bayelsa states respectively? How can Okowa lockdown a volatile state like delta without any plan to cushion the effect of hunger? It's systematically not enough to copy and paste what other states does but also to be proactive, smart, innovative like them.

The only eminent thing witnessed in delta state is that, he Okowa has successfully made ways for our security personnel's to make more money on the road.

Hereto, Okowa should be held responsible for whatever breakdown of laws and order in the state for not doing the needful. 

 *Amb. Timi Coleman FHNR*