News

An Educated Ijaw Nation My Priority’ Says NDU VC

Published

4 years ago

December 29, 2019

…Advocates Free Varsity Education for Ijaw Nation

The Vice Chancellor of Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Prof. Samuel G. Edoumiekumoh, has said that one of his priorities is to see the entire Ijaw nation attain peak education wise.

The VC, who noted that he was convinced that the Government of Bayelsa State, being the rallying point of the Ijaw, has capacity to sponsor free university education for the entire Ijaw nation, urged authorities concern to work towards the direction.

Prof Edoumiekumoh disclosed this in Burutu, Delta State, at a Thanksgiving/Reception party put together by the Barr. David Otutufegha-led Committee of Friends over the promotion of Ben Binebai to a Professor of Drama, Dramatic Theory and Criticism by the Niger Delta University.

“My pride would be for the Ijaw nation to attain a time when nobody would tell us we didn’t go to School.

“I personally believe that as a way of moving the Ijaw nation forward, all willing Ijaw students need not pay school fees. We have the statistics and have done the calculations. It is possible. I mean students of the entire Ijaw nation across the Niger Delta, in tertiary institutions nationwide.

“It won’t be more than 3 billion naira annually. Taking that out of the annual Bayelsa State budget is a sacrifice that will beget a forward match for the Ijaw nation”, the VC noted.

Prof. Edoumiekumoh said on assumption of office, he engaged the National Universities Commission (NUC), on the inadequate admission quota of NDU then placed at 3,500 to raise it to 7600.

“We are now begging Ijaw people to come to school. The NDU is also for all Ijaw irrespective of state. Please forward names of your wards seeking admission through Prof. Binebai. Bring your children to NDU. Indeed, I intend a tour of Ijaw communities to canvass for students for NDU.

“We need western education to be able to compete favorably with other regions. Ijaw youths should be focused in self-propulsion even where our parents may not have the wherewithal to push us on.

“I became a professor at a young age even when my father had thought that if I go to school, I’ll die. These things hold us back. As youths, you should work hard to go to school. As a Professor and VC, powerful doors are open to me. I am shocked to know today that Binebai is the first Professor of Burutu town, an ancient community. We should strive to have, at least, one Professor in every Ijaw family.

“Since I became VC, we have produced 57 Professors. We’ll produce more as they qualify. We have produced 80 Associate Professors and 47 Senior Lecturers. We won’t deprive deserving people promotions. We must set the stage for the time nobody will tell the Ijaw people that we didn’t go to school. That is my pride.

“It is against this background that, amidst criticisms, I commend Governor Seriake Dickson’s establishment of two universities in the state. I insist that we even need more but my concern is proper funding”, the VC further said.

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Also speaking at the event, the Registrar, Nigerian Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, Dr. Alfred Mulade, urged Ijaw youths to take advantage of the NMU, Okerenkoko, as close quarters to obtain university education, saying “the Bible itself recommends that we study to show ourselves approved.”

The celebrant had earlier said “with sponsorship often in short supply, Ijaw youths should assume status of fingerlings who must propel themselves to be able to swim”.

In apparent response to the challenge of encouraging education in the Ijaw nation, a philanthropist, Chief Evans Etimigba, at the ceremony, announced purchase of 6 JAMB/UME Forms for willing students.

It was also announced that Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi, member representing Burutu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Abuja has 300 JAMB/UME Forms for take by willing students.

News

Bandits Seek Peace Talks With Zamfara Gov In Viral Video

Published

4 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Editor

Some bandits have called for a peace talk with the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal.

The decision of the gun-wielding men was made known in a viral video on Thursday.

In the video, a bandit, Garba Habeeb, who claimed to be the leader, appealed for negotiation between his group and the state government.

He said, “Because I represent Zamfara State (bandits), after that I need to send message to Dauda Lawal. Dauda Lawal Dere ‘ittakullaha’ (fear God)!

“As from today, we need peace. We need peaceful coexistence in Zamfara State. Continued fighting will not bring us peace. Peace is what is required of you.

“If you look at what’s going on in Eastern Africa, you’ll agree we need to find common ground to resolve our differences.

“After that, I need to send a message to the military, Tukur Usman Gusau, because he’s the one who sends warplanes to bomb bandits.

“Last week, a vigilante group came to my area to follow my cow and sheep to go (sic). This one is not good.

“Dauda Lawal Dare, you’re the leader of Zamfara State, fear God. If you lead a peaceful Zamfara, (sic) then call all the leaders of Fulanis and all the ‘Kachallas’ (bandits commanders) to the negotiation table for the benefit of all,.”

Efforts by to reach the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, for comment proved abortive as his phone lines were not connecting and text messages were not replied to.

In 2019, bandits in Zamfara gave conditions for laying down their arms, one of them being the halting of extra-judicial killings of herdsmen.

The bandits also demanded that they be allowed to attend local markets without fear or intimidation.

Recently, the governor called for the deployment of more soldiers due to the high level of insecurity plaguing the state.

He made the call when he visited the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

A statement by the governor’s spokesperson disclosed that the governor briefed the CDS about the security situation in the state during the meeting.

Lawal expressed concerns over the resurgence of attacks in some parts of his state and appealed to Musa, an army general, to deploy more troops and weapons to the state.

PUNCH

News

JUST IN: More Trouble For Bello As Immigration Service Places Ex-Kogi Gov On Watchlist

Published

4 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Editor

The Nigerian Immigration Service on Thursday put the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on its watchlist.

This came hours after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declared Bello wanted in connection to an alleged case of money laundering to the tune of N80.2bn.

The circular sighted by The PUNCH was dated April 18, 2024 and was signed by Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, DS Umar, for the Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap.

The service detailed the name, nationality, and passport number of the former gpvernor (B50083321) saying “I am directed to inform you that the above-named person has been placed on the watch list.

“Suffice to mention that the subject is being prosecuted before the Federal High Court Abuja for conspiracy, breach of trust, and money laundering vide letter Ref; CR; 3000/EFCC/LS/EGCS.1/ TE/Vide/1/279 dated April 18, 2024.

“If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation or contact 08036226329/07039617304 for further action.”

Earlier, the EFCC declared Bello wanted, asking members of the public with useful information about the former governor’s whereabouts to contact any of the commission’s offices across the country.

The anti-graft commission had earlier stated that it would arraign the former governor before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday.

This came after the EFCC was granted a warrant of arrest by the Federal High Court in Abuja to apprehend Bello.

Bello, alongside three other suspects, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, were to be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on 19 counts related to money laundering.

But drama ensued when officers of the Nigeria Police Force foiled the EFCC’s attempt to arrest Bello at his Abuja residence on Wednesday.

A group of armed men, identified as “Special Forces,” along with officers from the Nigeria Police Force, intervened to prevent the EFCC operatives from apprehending him.

The PUNCH gathered that the current governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, had intervened to prevent the arrest of his predecessor.

Ododo’s security team reportedly escorted Bello out of the location in the governor’s vehicle.

News

Ex-Anambra Gov, Obiano Loses Bid To Stop Trial In N40bn Fraud Charges

Published

7 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Editor

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the application by a former Anambra State Governor, Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, which sought to quash the N40 billion money laundering charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

The Judge, in a ruling delivered on Thursday, faulted and rejected all grounds upon which the application was predicated by Obiano.

The former governor had, among others, prayed the Judge to dismiss the 9-count charges instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on behalf of the Federal Government.

He claimed that there was no connection between the proof of evidence supplied to the court by the EFCC and the accusations against him.

He averred that there was no testimony from any witness indicating that he issued directives for the disbursement of security votes and other funds belonging to the Anambra State Government.

Obiano also claimed that he could not be held accountable for any alleged unlawful actions by officials of the Anambra State Government as there is no concept of vicarious liability in the criminal justice system.

His motion on notice was brought pursuant to Section 6(6)(a) and (b) and Section 36(6)(b) of the 1999 constitution as amended and Section 1(1) & (2), 266, 271(b), 383(4) &492 (3) of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act 2015.

Among others, Obiano sought “An order of the court quashing the instant charge for it amounts to flagrant abuse of judicial process and a mockery of the criminal Justice

“An order quashing the charge for non-disclosure of a prime facie case being vague and devoid of precision in respect of all the 9 count charges.

“No prima facie case has been disclosed against the defendant in this charge. There is no link between the proof of evidence and the purported allegation made against the defendant in the charge

“No evidence exists from any witness showing that the defendant passed down a directive for the disbursement of security votes and other funds belonging to Anambra State government.

“The defendant cannot be made answerable for any purported unlawful actions of officials of Anambra State government as there is no vicarious liability in our criminal jurisprudence.

“The thinking and conclusion of the prosecution on the counts arose from speculation and suspicions.

“The subject matter of the charge borders on accountability for security vote funds.
The honourable court lacks the requisite jurisdiction to entertain issues on accountability for security vote funds

“There is an appeal filed by the Anambra state government challenging the powers of EFCC to investigate the security vote of Anambra state government.

“The preferment of the entire charge is in bad faith. This honourable court has inherent judicial power to grant all the reliefs sought above.”

But in the ruling, Justice Ekwo held that all the reliefs sought by Obiano are not grantable because they are premature and lacking in merit.

The Judge said there is no way the court would know whether the former governor is linked with the alleged offences or not unless the trial is conducted in line with the provisions of the law.

The former governor is being prosecuted by EFCC on 9-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N40 billion.

Meanwhile, the Judge has fixed June 24, 25, 26 and 27 for full blown trial of the charges.

In the same vein, Justice Ekwo permitted Obiano 60 days to travel abroad for medical treatment.

The Judge ordered that Obiano be made to sign an undertaking to return to the country after the treatment and to deposit his travelling passport within three days of his return to Nigeria.