NEWS
Fubara Backs Caretaker Committees To Operate From Anywhere
The political contest in Rivers State turning rowdy and bloody, which saw the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) sealing the secretariats of the Local Governments Areas (LGA), has also seen Governor Siminalayi Fubara willing to allow the Caretaker Committees to operate at large.
Gov Fubara made the disclosure on Wednesday after swearing in the 23 LGA Caretaker Committee Chairmen in Port Harcourt.
He noted that the Police barred the newly inaugurated caretaker chairmen from accessing their offices in all the 23 LG headquarters, but that should not stop the running of government.
Recall that the Rivers State Police Command had on Tuesday announced that it had taken over all the LG council headquarters to forestall further bloodshed and to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
This operating from a temporary location might be sine die, if the words of the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Olatunji Disu, are to be taken seriously.
Disu made it clear that the LG council headquarters would remain shut for the time being due to the clash between the feuding parties.
Disu said, “It is because two groups are fighting over something. Two groups are fighting over it. The other group is waiting to tackle them. We have to prevent them from clashing and killing one another like they did yesterday (Tuesday) and killed a policeman and one other person.
“So we have to prevent them from going in. We have locked up the local government secretariats. If we allow them (caretaker chairmen) to go in, other people will come out and clash. Then people will ask what are we doing as police officers?
“We are here to prevent a breakdown of law and to protect lives and property. So we know definitely if there is a clash, anything can happen. So we are doing our jobs of protection of lives and property.”
On why local government workers were not allowed into their offices, he said, “For the time being nobody should come in. If we allow local government workers to come in, others will sneak in. So it will still boil down to the same thing. How do we sit and those who are not workers sneak in?
“So it is better we lock up the place and ensure that there is peace. And that is exactly what we are doing.”
Recall that at least two lives were lost at Eberi-Omuma in the Omuma Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday as a result of the feud between supporters of the governor and his predecessor, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Those who died include a serving policeman and a member of a local security, which prompted the Police’s intervention.
Will Caretaker Chairmen Pursue Peace?
After administering the oath of office on the newly appointed Caretaker Committee Chairmen, Gov Fubara charged them to eschew violence, maintain the peace, and be guided by the Constitution.
He also directed the Auditor-General of Local Governments to commence an immediate audit of the accounts of the 23 councils, and made it clear that the new appointees could operate from anywhere.
According to Gov Fubara, the swearing-in of the chairmen would ensure seamless administration of local governments following the expiration of the tenure of elected chairmen and councilors in the state.
Gov Fubara warned them against any form of confrontation, insisting that such was not in his nature and style but advised them to be law-abiding as they take full control of the local government councils.
He said, “Whatever happened yesterday (Tuesday), I know and the world knows that it is not from you people. Some people caused it. So, let us not allow them to continue to make our state look bad in the comity of states.
“So, when you go back, if there is any situation, you should be law-abiding. I don’t want any confrontation. You can operate from anywhere for now. But the most important thing is that you have the control of the local governments today.”
The coming days would show if the new appointees would heed the counsel of the governor or escalate crisis for which the Rivers State’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has already called for an imposition of a state of emergency.
Political watchers are keen that the judiciary would have a say on the matter before long.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Lagos to commission the new corporate headquarters of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited.
Shettima, who is the Special Guest of Honour at the event, is expected to deliver the keynote address and officially commission the facility alongside Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other government and private-sector leaders.
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The development was disclosed by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President on Friday.
Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited is an indigenous oil and gas company involved in the importation, supply, distribution and storage of petroleum products, as well as crude oil export activities.
The investment is being positioned in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda of mobilising private capital, strengthening indigenous businesses and expanding the role of the private sector in Nigeria’s economic development.
The Tinubu administration has continued to emphasise private-sector-led growth and investment mobilisation as key components of its development strategy, with a focus on job creation, increased productive capacity and a more competitive economy.
The commissioning brings together senior government officials and private-sector stakeholders as the administration seeks to encourage greater domestic investment and enterprise development.
Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has reacted to reports of arrests involving members of the Obidient Movement in Akwa Ibom State, saying Nigeria’s independence means little without freedom.
Obi, in a statement posted on X on Friday, said citizens should be able to express themselves within the bounds of the law without fear.
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“As we continue to reflect on Nigeria’s Independence, we must remember that independence means very little if citizens cannot freely express themselves, within the bounds of the law, without fear,” he said.
His comment came after the reported arrest of Elijah Noah, the Akwa Ibom coordinator of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, during an attempted Independence Day march in Uyo.
Reports also said police fired tear gas as supporters gathered for the planned march, while Obidient Movement coordinator in the state, Dr Ben Smith, was later reportedly arrested after going to facilitate the release of detained members.
The development followed a directive by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for political parties, groups and associations to reschedule rallies, meetings and processions planned for Independence Day, citing security concerns.
Reacting to the reports, Obi said the arrest of Nigerians for identifying with the Obidient Movement should concern anyone who believes in democracy and freedom.
“One of the greatest tragedies of our society is that people who once described themselves as freedom fighters can become defenders of oppression when they eventually occupy positions of authority,” Obi said.
He added that those who had previously complained about injustice should not become comfortable with it when it is perpetrated against people they disagree with.
“That must not be the Nigeria we accept,” he said.
Obi said Nigeria’s independence should ultimately mean freedom from fear, injustice, intolerance and abuse of power.
“Our independence must ultimately mean freedom from fear, injustice, intolerance and abuse of power.
“Nigeria must belong to all of us,” he added.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, has said the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) now has a clear schedule for student loan payments based on submissions from institutions.
Ahmad made the disclosure while responding to concerns over alleged delays in the payment of student loans.
The minister acknowledged that there were challenges when the scheme initially commenced but said NELFUND and institutions have become more familiar with the process.
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“I wouldn’t say there is much delay in the payment because as I said, NELFUND now has a clear schedule for payment based on submission from the institutions,” she said.
“When it started, I said we had issues, but now we are used to the system now. The universities are familiar with the system, NELFUND itself is more familiar with the institutions and how it works.”
Ahmad also explained that complaints about delays may sometimes arise from individual cases or misunderstandings of the payment process.
She further clarified that students are required to apply for the NELFUND loan every academic year and are not automatically covered for the duration of their programmes after their initial application.
“You need to apply every year because we don’t know whether you are still interested in getting that loan,” the minister said.
According to her, students’ financial circumstances can change, meaning that a student who required the loan in one academic year may no longer need it in another.
Ahmad stressed that students are not compelled to take the NELFUND loan, adding that those who wish to benefit must apply before they can be paid.
She disclosed that more than 1.6 million students have so far keyed into the NELFUND scheme.
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