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Rivers Eders Drag Tinubu, Others To Court Over Peace Agreement

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Some elders in Rivers state have approached a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to declare the purported peace agreement with the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike unconstitutional.

They stated that the said agreement, which was signed on December 18, was not only illegal but amounted to an usurpation, nullification, and undermining of the extant/binding relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

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The plaintiffs, led by a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly representing Bonny State Constituency, Victor  Jumbo, are Senator Bennett Birabi, Senator Andrew Uchendu, Rear Admiral O.P. Fingesi, Ann Kio Briggs, and Emmanuel Deinma also asked the court to order the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh poll to replace 27 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

Listed as defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1718/2023 are President Bola Tinubu; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Governor Fubara, the Rivers Assembly, Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly, and the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Threatened, Imposed Resolution On Fubara, Says Ex-Rivers Commissioner

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They contended that neither  Tinubu nor  Fubara have the statutory powers to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from conducting fresh elections to replace the 27 Rivers State lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Recall that last week that the political crisis in Rivers may have ceased as parties reached a truce.

This followed about three hours of the talks at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, between President Bola Tinubu, Rivers Governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara; his Deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu; a former governor of the State, Peter Odili and the immediate past governor now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike, and other stakeholders.

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The FCT Minister, Wike, who was acclaimed to be instrumental in the emergence of Fubara and other elected officers in the last general elections, arrived at the State House at about 7 pm and was ushered into the President’s office, where the meeting was held.

READ ALSO: Rivers Crisis: No Amount Too Big For Peace – Fubara

Also present at the meeting was the Vice President, Kashim Shettima; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

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According to an eight-point resolution signed at the end of the meeting on Monday night, the President directed that all lawsuits instituted in the courts by Fubara and his team regarding the political crisis in Rivers State be withdrawn immediately.

The resolution was signed by  Fubara; his deputy, Ordu; Wike;  Ribadu; factional Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly, Martin Amaewhule;  Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Aaron Chukwuemeka, and his All Progressives Congress Chairman, Tony Okocha.

The eight-point resolution read: “All matters instituted in the courts by the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Fubara, and his team, in respect of the political crisis in Rivers State, shall be withdrawn immediately.

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“All impeachment proceedings initiated against the Governor of Rivers State by the Rivers State House of Assembly should be dropped immediately.

READ ALSO: Rivers Lawmakers Withdraw Impeachment Notice Against Fubara

“The leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly as led by the Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule shall be recognised alongside the 27 members who resigned from the PDP.

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“The remunerations and benefits of all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and their staff must be reinstated immediately and the Governor of Rivers State shall henceforth not interfere with the full funding of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“The Rivers State House of Assembly shall choose where they want to sit and conduct their legislative business without interference and/or hindrance from the executive arm of government.

“The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Fubara, shall re-present the state budget to a properly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly.

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“The names of all commissioners in the Rivers State Executive Council who resigned their appointments because of the political crisis in the State should be resubmitted to the House of Assembly for approval

“There should not be a caretaker committee for the local governments in Rivers State. The dissolution of the Local Government administration is null and void and shall not be recognised.”

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Tragedy Deepens As Prime Suspect in Taraba Student’s Death Found Dead

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The investigation into the death of Comfort Jimtop, a 100-level Mass Communication student at Taraba State University, has taken a dramatic turn following the discovery of the lifeless body of Emmanuel Kefas, the prime suspect in the case.

Kefas’s body was discovered on Friday in the Tudiri community, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, under unclear circumstances, intensifying public concern and adding a tragic dimension to a case that has already gripped the university community and residents across Taraba State.

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Confirming the development on Saturday, the spokesperson for the Taraba State Police Command, James Lashen, said the police received a report from the village head of Tudiri about the discovery.

READ ALSO:Army Kills Notorious Bandit, Babangida, In Kogi

A lifeless body was found in Tudiri, and a Tecno Android phone was recovered beside it,” Lashen stated.

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Upon charging the phone, investigators found a photograph showing the deceased with the late Comfort Jimtop, suggesting they were in a romantic relationship.”

Lashen added that the body has been taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jalingo for autopsy. At the same time, efforts are ongoing to officially identify the remains through the suspect’s family.

READ ALSO:Four Feared Killed As Gunmen Attack Burial Ceremony In Anambra

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Police have yet to determine whether Kefas’s death was the result of suicide, homicide, or an accident. Investigations into both deaths are continuing.

Comfort Jimtop’s mysterious death had earlier sparked outrage on campus and across the state, with students and rights groups demanding justice. Kefas was named a prime suspect in the case, which remains open.

This latest development has left many unanswered questions and deepened the grief surrounding the case.

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Students, residents, and civil society groups are closely monitoring the situation, calling on authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and bring clarity to the tragic chain of events.

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Ossiomo, Chinese Impasse: This Is Our Story — Management

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The management of Ossiomo Power Plant has cleared the air on the dispute between its Chinese partners and the circumstances surrounding the shutting down of the power plant early this month.

Representative of Ossiomo management, Engineer Festus Evbuomwan, during an interactive session with customers on the impasse between the two partners, said contrary to the rumour making the rounds, the management of Ossiomo Power Plant had paid over ₦2bn to its Chinese partner — Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology (CCETC) — since the power plant started operation.

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Recall that representative of CCETC who identified himself as Mr. ‘W’ had, during a telephone phone interview two weeks ago, claimed that “instruction to shutdown was because we lost lots of money and did not get any return on investment,” adding that “all the $20m investment was done by us including the distribution lines.”

But Evbuomwan during the interactive session, said the management was not aware of the $20m investment the Chinese partner claimed, just as he disclosed that “when they generate power, we sell and pay them.”

READ ALSO:Edo Govt Denies Shares As Ownership Tussle Rocks Ossiomo Power

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He disclosed that after shutting down the power plant, the Chinese partners came up with a request of ₦185m to be paid to two Chinese not known to the management, stressing that this was declined.

According to him, the Chinese partner, having seen how lucrative the business is, “went to some quarters and raised some issues probably thinking they can manoeuvre us with the help of some big persons, so that they can use their machines to generate power and sideline us but this is not possible.”

The Chinese partners also claimed that they borrowed $20m from their native land to invest, we are not aware of such investment, and we do not know where the money was invested up till now.

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“They have been also saying they have not been receiving anything, but I want to tell you unequivocally that first, the partners run a joint account where their investment is going into. More so, The Chinese partners have received over ₦2bn so far for the power they generate with their machines. When they generate the power, we sell and pay them.”

READ ALSO: Five Years After, Edo Govt Reconnects To BEDC As Ossiomo Shut Down

Engr. Evbuomwan, while apologising to customers for the power outage caused by the dispute between the two partners, said Ossiomo had started power generation though not in full capacity, assuring that power generation would be fully restored soon.

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“We have purchased turbines, and one have started working. They are working on the second one, so, by the time our five turbines start working we will be in full capacity. Even with that, those connected to the government may not be reached immediately. This is because the government bought the poles and contracted the wiring, and we cannot force the government to do our bid. Also, we are making efforts to site 33kva transformer along Airport Road and Lagos Road as soon as possible, so that our customers there will get power.”

He said the Edo State government does not have a stake in the company, just as he appealed to the “government to let us supply power to customers in through their Lines. I want to emphasise that Ossiomo is not completely shut down.”

He further urged the “government to encourage the Nigerian citizens to invest and not to work against local investors.”

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Five Soft Skills Every Graduate Must Have In Today’s Job Market

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There is no doubt that graduating from university anywhere in the world is not a small feat but a major milestone.

However, securing a job in today’s competitive labour market, especially in a country like Nigeria, requires more than just a degree as employers now look for graduates who possess practical skills that can add value to their organisations from day one.

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The workplace in today’s world is shaped by technology, globalization, and evolving business needs.

As a result, graduates must develop skills that go beyond academic knowledge to remain relevant and employable.

READ ALSO:Start A Small Business In These 7 Steps

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In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at five essential skills every graduate should have in today’s job market.

1. Digital literacy

The world has no doubt become a global village, and as a graduate, you cannot afford to be left behind. In almost every sector today, technology is at the centre of operations. From using productivity tools and managing data to adapting to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, digital literacy is a must-have for graduates.

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Graduates who are familiar with digital platforms, social media, and online collaboration tools often stand out during recruitment. Being digitally literate also means being able to learn new software quickly, a trait employers value highly.

2. Communication skills

This is an important skill not just for graduates but for everyone. The importance of communication in navigating all aspects of life cannot be overemphasised. It remains one of the strongest predictors of workplace success.

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As a graduate, you must be able to express your ideas effectively, both in writing and in speech. Good communication fosters teamwork, leadership, and strong professional relationships.

READ ALSO:I Won’t Allow His Movement To Die, Charlie Kirk’s Widow Vows

3. Critical thinking and problem-solving

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Life is not a bed of roses, and there will always be challenges that require critical thinking to resolve. Employers want graduates who can analyse situations, think logically, and propose solutions rather than simply follow instructions.

In organisations, unexpected challenges arise frequently, and individuals who can make sound decisions under pressure are highly valued. Critical thinking also helps graduates evaluate information and avoid bias.

4. Adaptability and flexibility

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If there is one lesson COVID-19 taught us, it is that nothing is certain. The pandemic proved how quickly industries can change. From remote work to automation, graduates must be adaptable to remain employable.

READ ALSO:Drama As Hilda Baci’s Jollof Pot Falls After GWR Attempt

Adaptability means being open to new ideas, adjusting to different work environments, and learning new skills as industries evolve. Employers also value flexibility in graduates who can handle multiple roles or shift priorities as needed. Being adaptable often signals resilience, a quality highly sought after in uncertain job markets.

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5. Emotional intelligence

While technical know-how is undoubtedly important, emotional intelligence is what often sets successful graduates apart. Emotional intelligence involves self-awareness, empathy, and the ability to manage relationships.

In workplaces where collaboration is key, graduates with strong emotional intelligence can work well with diverse teams, resolve conflicts, and even take on leadership roles earlier in their careers.
(TRIBUNE)

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