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Group To IGP, DSS: Arrest Sponsors Of Protests Against Otuaro, Tompolo, Pondi In US, UK

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Group known as Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI) has urged the Inspector General of Police and the director of the State Security Services, DSS to track down those sponsoring protests against the administrator of the presidential Amnesty (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro; High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, and Engr Kestin Pondi, the Managing Director , Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited in the UK and US.

The group, in a statement by its national president, Comrade Ozobo Austin alleged that individuals who are eyeing the seat of the presidential Amnesty administrator are behind protest with the intent of spreading falsehood against Dr Otuaro.

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IPDI added that on Tompolo and Pondi, oil thieves who were responsible for destruction of oil pipelines are the ones spreading falsehood against the duo in the UK and US.

The IPDI expressed concerns over the negative impact these false claims could have on the reputation and integrity of the involved individuals and the wider Niger Delta region if not timely checked.

READ ALSO: PAP: Your Reforms In One Year Laudable – IPF To Otuaro

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The emphasised the need for a thorough investigation to identify those responsible for disseminating these baseless allegations and to ensure that appropriate legal measures are taken against them.

The IPDI, while stating that Otuaro has done well as administrator of the presidential Amnesty programme in just one year in office, added that every well-meaning leader, stakeholder and youth should give him total support to do more for the Niger Delta and ex-agitators.

The IPDI president who argued that Otuaro’s appointment has greatly contributed to the current peace enjoyed by his (Tinubu) administration, noted that the PAP administrator did well to calm tension in the Niger Delta especially during the #EndBadGovernance protests and in the face of the ongoing provocation regarding the rivers political crisis.

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According to the IPDI, Otuaro’s appointment as PAP administrator was a square peg in a square hole, and was celebrated by all in Niger Delta.

READ ALSO: We’re Adding Value To PAP Beyond N65k Monthly Stipend, Says Otuaro

On Tompolo and Pondi, Ozobo said They have helped to restore the once bastardised Niger Delta environment, stopped once prevalence oil thieves menace and boost the country’s oil production to over two million (2m) barrels per day.

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Ozobo said Tompolo and Pondi are great leaders that have empowered thousands of youths, stakeholders and women, and that they need to be appreciated for their good leaderships.

He, therefore, urged president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ignore falsehood peddled against the trio, adding that conquered oil thieves and those who lost out for the race for the administrator of the presidential Amnesty program are spreading falsehood against Dr Otuaro Tompolo and Pondi.

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Former Vice Governor Sentenced To Life Imprisonment For Bribery

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A Chinese court on Thursday sentenced Zhang Zulin, former vice governor of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, to life imprisonment for accepting bribes.

According to the verdict of the Intermediate People’s Court of Chongqing Municipality, Zhang will deprived of his political rights for life; his personal property will be confiscated, and his illegal gains from bribery will be recovered and turned over to the state treasury.

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READ ALSO:JUST IN: Gospel Singer Sentenced To Death For Killing Girlfriend

The court found that Zhang had taken advantage of his positions in Yunnan between 2001 and 2023 to assist individuals and organisations in matters related to real estate development, project contracting, project approval, and obtaining loans.

The court stated that he accepted money and valuables worth more than 122 million yuan (approximately $ 17.03 million) in return.

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Zhang’s case was presented to the court in an open trial on April 10.

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Strike: NLC To Shutdown FCT After Tinubu’s Project Inaugurations Labour

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The Federal Capital Territory Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) says it is mobilising to shut down the territory after President Bola Tinubu concludes his projects’ inauguration on July 3.

The Chairman, Dr Stephen Knabayi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

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Knabayi explained that the move was to draw the attention of the FCT Administration to address the area council workers’ lingering strike.

NAN reports that primary health care centres were under lock and key, primary school teachers had been at home while the six area councils’ secretariat were abandoned by the workers for months.

Primary school teachers and other area council workers embarked on a series of strikes over non-payment of minimum wage and 40 per cent peculiar allowance.

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READ ALSO:Sealing Spree: FCTA Sledge Hammer Hits FIRS Office, Bank, Fuel Station, Others

Other unresolved issues included the non-implementation of 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases, and the N35,000 wage award, among other benefits.

The NLC chair, who described the development as “very unfortunate”, said that the area council chairmen left the union with no option but to shut down the FCT.

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He recalled that the union had on June 13, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the FCT Administration to address the demands of the teachers, health workers and other area council workers.

He explained that the ultimatum followed the resolution of the executives of the joint unions of the NUT, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees and the National Association of Health Workers Union.

He noted that the ultimatum had expired on June 20 and the NLC was yet to take any action.

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READ ALSO:Tinubu Orders 14-day Grace Period For FCT Ground Rent Defaulters

Knabayi explained that the union backpedalled to allow President Bola Tinubu to complete the inauguration of projects executed by the FCT Administration, as part of activities to celebrate his second year in office.

“We had to extend the ultimatum because of Tinubu’s movements to inaugurate the FCT executed project.

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“Members of the union will take over the streets of Abuja as soon as Tinubu concludes the inaugurations, hopefully on July 3.

“We are waiting for it to end and we will come together to step up our planned action,” he said.

He added that the NLC had already informed the FCT Administration and security agencies of the planned protest to shut down the territory as the last resort to press home their demands.

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He said it was very unfortunate that up to this moment nothing has been done to address the lingering welfare cities in the area councils.

READ ALSO:FCT Doctors Begin Warning Strike Over Sack Of Health Workers

He noted that although the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage began across the six area councils in May, it was stopped the following month with no explanation to the workers.

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“Like you know, strike or protest is always the last option, but we were left with no other opinion.

“We are not happy and it is not going to be a small thing if they don’t do the needful,” he said.

Knabayi alleged that the area council chairmen were spending huge resources in preparations for the 2016 February FCT Area Councils’ Election.

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According to him, the funds being expended will be enough to settle all the workers’ outstanding entitlements.

He called on the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to take a more decisive action to compel the area council chairmen to settle the council workers welfare concerns.

READ ALSO:FCT Unveils Committee To Monitor Influx Of Almajiri, Others

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Recall that Wike had made several efforts to resolve the crisis, including the recent release of N4.1 billion to the area councils to support the payment of minimum wage to the workers.

The minister had explained several times that primary school teachers and primary health care workers were under the purview of the area councils and not FCT Administration.

The NUT Chairman in FCT, Mr Abdullahi Shafa, during a protest on April 24, acknowledged Wike’s intervention to resolve the lingering strike, including the release of the N4.1 billion to the area councils to pay the striking teachers.

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On their part, the chairmen of the area councils had in a press conference on May 13, urged the primary school teachers and other council workers to call off their ongoing strike.

Mr John Gabaya, Secretary of the FCT Chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, who addressed the journalists, particularly appealed to the primary school teachers to return to the classrooms.

Gabaya said that the appeal became necessary for the interest of the pupils while negotiation continues.
(NAN)

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Senate Confirms Olubunmi Adetunmbi Chairman Of South-West Development Commission, MD, Others

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The Senate on Thursday confirmed Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi from Ekiti State as the Chairman of the South-West Development Commission (SWDC).

Also confirmed was Charles Akinola as the Managing Director of the commission, alongside 16 other nominees to serve on the board.

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The confirmation followed the presentation and consideration of the report by the Senate Committee on South-West Development Commission, chaired by Senator Yunus Akintunde (APC, Oyo Central).

While presenting the report, Senator Akintunde said: “That the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on the South-West Development Commission on the confirmation of nominations for appointment as Chairman, Managing Director, and Members of the Board of the South-West Development Commission.”

READ ALSO:Senate Confirms Olubunmi Adetunmbi Chairman Of South-West Development Commission, MD, Others

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The confirmed board members include:

Bolaji Ariyo

Joseph Olugbenga

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Scholastica Omoworare

Olumuyiwa Olabimtan

Ibrahim Olaifa

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Kabiru Lakwaya

Abdul Adamu (Retired General)

READ ALSO: Uproar As Senate Okays Non-indigene As Rivers Electoral Commission Chairman

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Arinola Fagbemi

Ukoha Onyekwere

Howell Ihenacho

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Also confirmed were:

Olugbenga Olufehinti – Executive Director, Projects

Tele Ogunjobi – Executive Director, Finance

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Funmilayo Tejuosho – Executive Director, Corporate Services

READ ALSO:Senate Passes Two Tax Reform Bills

Fatai Ibikunle – Executive Director, Commercial and Environmental Development

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Lateef Ajijola – Executive Director, Social and Human Capital Development

It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu had last month forwarded the list of nominees to the Senate, requesting their screening and confirmation as members of the SWDC board.

The request was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary and subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on South-West Development Commission, which was given one week to report back.

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With the confirmation, the South-West Development Commission board is now fully constituted and expected to commence work aimed at driving regional development across the six South-West states.

 

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