News
House Of Reps Insists Threats, Blackmail Won’t Stop NDDC Probe
Published
4 years agoon
By
EditorThe House of Representatives said on Tuesday that it will not succumb to any form of threat, intimidation or blackmail in its quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding allegations and counter allegations of corruption rocking the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The House also said it decided to carry out the investigation as part of its legislative function, adding the exercise has not in any way hindered the forensic audit of the commission ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Reacting to series of allegation, Chairman of Committee on Niger Delta, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also denied claims by the Executive Director, Project of the IMC, Dr. Cairo Ojuogoh the House was sitting on the Commission’s 2020 budget.
READ ALSO: Grave Diggers With Five Human Heads Arrested In Ondo
The NATION reports that he insisted that the delay by the Commission in submitting its 2019 budget performance was responsible for the delay in passing the 2020 budget.
He said since threat and intimidation has not succeeded in stopping the National Assembly from carrying out its functions, those involved in the allegations have resorted to blackmail, adding that anyone who has nothing to hide should come forward to defend themselves of the allegations instead of throwing tantrums.
Tunji-Ojo dismissed claims of award of emergency contract not budgeted for by the commission, saying “Obviously, this is sheer blackmail and we expected this from the onset when the investigation process started.
He said, “The bottom line is that we are not going to be deterred. This is coming after threat to life by militants and different text messages which has failed. The next agenda to stop the legislative work is blackmail. I can say it categorically that we are more determined to work for the people of the Niger Delta”
READ ALSO: Ondo Governor’s Wife, Critic In Verbal War
He said it was it part of budget indiscipline for any body to award a contract for a project that was not budgeted for.
Reacting to allegations that he demanded for payment for an emergency training, which was smuggled into the 2019 budget, the lawmaker said: “I have gone through the 2019 budget as approved and I can tell you that there is no provision for emergency training and so.
” I don’s know what he is talking about. I have said it before and let me repeat it for emphasis sake that I dont have a single contract in NDDC. It started with a 17 kilometre road which they could not substantiate and now, they have come up with another thing. We are only expecting more.
” I have never had any contract with NDDC, I am not a contractor with NDDC, I have never worked for NDDC and I have never been paid by NDDC for anything.
“I am the chairman of this committee by the grace of God and I know the responsibilities on my shoulders. I know that the Niger Delta is looking up to us for succour, for intervention, for help and for a greater tomorrow. We will not mortgage of the Niger Delta people for sake of our today. That will not happen.
READ ALSO: ‘We’re Committed To The Wellbeing, Academic Progress Of Our Students’-Igbinedion Varsity VC
“I don’t have a contract, and I repeat, I dont have a contract. It is an indictment on their part if they claim that there was an award for none budgeted item. That is a very serious offence which the National Assembly must look into.”
(NATION)
(PHOTO: File)
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News
JUST IN: Renowned Journalist, Ray Ekpu Loses Wife
Published
24 mins agoon
April 24, 2024By
EditorRenowned journalist and columnist, Ray Ekpu, has announced the news of the death of his wife, Uyai Ekpu.
The announcement was contained in a statement personally signed by Ekpu and made available to The PUNCH on Wednesday.
Mrs. Ekpu, aged 73, died on April 21, following a brief illness.
The statement read, “Uyai was a distinguished staff member of the Centre for Management Development (CMD), where she served until her retirement in 2011 as an Acting Director in the Management Education and Training Department.
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“Uyai was a scholar of remarkable achievements, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, a Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Enugu State University of Technology, Enugu State.
“Additionally, she earned diplomas from the Maastricht School of Management and the Ghana Institute of Management and Personnel Administration, Ghana.
“Uyai epitomised the virtues of family, community service, and inclusivity. Her life was characterised by a deep-rooted compassion and devotion to God.”
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“Uyai is survived by her husband, Ray Ekpu, and three children: Elu Ray Mbakwe, Mfoniso Ray Ekpu, and Edikan Ray Osho.
“She leaves behind six grandchildren, as well as her elder sister, Eneanwan Inyang, a retired educator, and a multitude of other relatives.”
Ekpu, who previously served as Editor-in-chief and Chief Executive Officer of Newswatch Magazine, said details regarding the funeral arrangements for his wife would be communicated in due course.
News
Drama! Supporters Of Yahaya Bello Perform Rituals to Prevent His Arrest By EFCC [Video]
Published
40 mins agoon
April 24, 2024By
EditorLead British International School Abuja, which has been in the eye of the storm over viral videos of bullying involving some of its students, has been shut for three days.
The shutdown order was issued on Tuesday by the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye.
The Public Relations Officer of the FCT Education Secretariat, Kabiru Musa, confirmed that the school had been shut down by the minister.
“Yes, it was shut down by the honourable Minister of Women Affairs for 3 days,” Musa in response to a Whatsapp message by one of The PUNCH correspondents.
A staff member of the school, whose name could not be ascertained as of press time, had earlier announced the shutdown of the school by the minister.
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The PUNCH reports that an X user, @moooyeeeee, had on Monday night posted two videos of a female student of the school being repeatedly slapped by another female classmate.
The user called for justice for the victim. Since they were posted, the videos have drawn the wrath of many users of the microblogging platform, who condemned the incident and called for the school authorities to investigate and punish the culprits.
A third video depicting a separate case of bullying at the Lead British International School, Abuja emerged on Tuesday.
In the new video posted on Tuesday, some male students in the school’s uniform are seen surrounding another boy who appears to be in casual attire.
A student slapped the boy, who was on his knees, and then some of the other boys who were gathered appealed to stop the ‘bully’ from further harming the boy, who was later whisked away in the nine-second video.
An X user, @PopoolaJoke4, who posted the video wrote, “No be the same school?”, in response to the first viral video of bullying in the same school that was released earlier.”
In one of the videos of the minister’s visit, the representative of the school was heard saying, “By the request of the Minister of Women Affairs, we are Nigerians who respect rules and regulations and we are under the law because our school is actually recognised and our school is under the Federal Capital Territory, and we are registered and based on that, Lead British International School, Abuja is hereby shut for three days.”
As of the time of filing this report, our correspondent could not ascertain whether the FCTA would use the occasion to investigate other private schools in which alleged cases of bullying take place in the FCT.
Victim threatens lawsuit
Namtira Bwala, the student assaulted by her fellow students at Lead British International School, has written the school management, demanding a thorough investigation and heavy sanctions for the 11 students who bullied her.
Two of the bullies were identified tobe Maryam Hassan and a certain Faliya.
Bwala, in a letter addressed to the management of her school through her lawyers at the Deji Adeyanju and Partners Law Firm, gave the school an ultimatum of 48 hours after which she will seek legal redress.
A copy of the letter obtained by The PUNCH read, “Our client and several other parents in Lead British International School have informed us and we verily believe them that this act of bullying is a reoccurring issue in the school, and despite several attempts to draw the school’s attention to it, the issue has persisted, leaving our client traumatised from the emotional and physical effect of the oppressive acts by these daredevil bullies.
“Our client completely dissociates herself from the statement issued by the school on April 22, 2024, wherein a case of battery was unconscionably referred to as an ‘incident between minors’.
“Sequel to the foregoing, we have our client’s instruction to demand an immediate investigation and the pronouncement of the stiffest possible sanctions in the student’s rule book on Ms. Maryam Hassan, Miss Faliya and nine other students who have formed a cult of bullies in Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja.
“Please note that if the school fails to sanction the student bullies within 48 hours of the receipt of this letter, we have our client’s further instruction to seek an immediate and severe legal redress against Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, without further recourse to you.”
PUNCH
JUST IN: Renowned Journalist, Ray Ekpu Loses Wife
Drama! Supporters Of Yahaya Bello Perform Rituals to Prevent His Arrest By EFCC [Video]
Bullying: Abuja School Shut, Victim May Sue
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