In a tragic turn of events, the death has been announced of Patience Umo Eno, wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.

The sad news was made public by the Commissioner for Information, Akwa Ibom State, Ini Ememobong, in a statement on Friday.

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Ememobong revealed that the First Lady died at a hospital on September 26, 2024, surrounded by family members

The statement titled “Unexpected Sunset” read, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of the Wife of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, following an illness.

“She passed away peacefully at the hospital on 26th September 2024, in the presence of her family.

“The family submits to the will of the Almighty and asks for the prayers and support of kind-hearted individuals during this difficult time.

“Further details will be provided by the family as necessary. In the meantime, the family kindly requests privacy as they mourn their beloved wife, mother, and grandmother.

“His Excellency, the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno appreciates all who have stood by the first family in this period and assures all the citizens that despite this huge personal loss, his commitment to the service of the state is unwavering.”

The Osun State Government has raised concerns about the operations of the Segilola Gold Project, managed by subsidiaries of Thor Explorations Ltd, a UK-based company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

According to Prof. Lukman Jimoda, the Special Adviser to the Osun State Governor on Mining and Mineral Resources, the state’s investigation revealed various unethical business practices, including alleged tax evasion, use of proxies, and failure to comply with environmental rules and regulations.

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The companies involved — such as SINIC Engineering, ATF Consulting, Monurent Nigeria, and others — are reportedly engaged in outsourcing employment and operations to undisclosed third parties without proper documentation or environmental compliance.

Prof. Jimoda highlighted that the federal constitution places environmental oversight under the concurrent list, allowing the state to assess companies’ operations for economic and environmental impacts.

He emphasized that the Segilola project, despite its significant production since 2019, has resisted complying with extant laws like the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) and the Company Income Tax Act (CITA) which govern tax levies.

He also expressed concerns over pollution, including particulate emissions and possible acid drains from waste rocks, which pose serious environmental risks to the state.

The state government is therefore demanding the payment of accrued taxes and environmental development levies, as well as proper documentation for all involved parties.

The Special Adviser stressed that Osun has not received its due revenue from the Segilola project for over three years, despite its bankable gold production since 2019.

“The government is prepared to take necessary actions to ensure compliance and safeguard the state’s environmental and economic interests”, the Special Adviser noted.

Also speaking, the Financial Consultant to the Office of Mining and Mineral Resources, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro while presenting his report said the allegations against Thor Explorations Ltd and its subsidiaries mark a significant moment for Osun State, as the government seeks to reclaim its financial rights and ensure compliance with tax regulations.

Dr Bolorunduro highlighted the state’s concern over the company’s alleged tax evasion and failure to comply with legal requirements, which could have severe financial implications for Osun.

Dr. Bolorunduro’s detailed statement paints a picture of a company attempting to sidestep its fiscal responsibilities, with far-reaching consequences for the state’s revenue.

“The refusal to remit taxes from both direct employees and service providers, as well as the evasion of other financial obligations, highlights a deeper issue of corporate governance and transparency.

Particularly troubling is the claim that Osun State’s interests in Tropical Mines Ltd were strategically diminished without due financial compensation, raising questions about the fairness of the company’s practices in Nigeria versus its compliance with international standards in the UK and Canada, where it is publicly listed,” Dr. Bolorunduro stated.

Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration has emphasized the need for due payments to be made, while also ensuring that business operations continue smoothly. This balanced approach underscores the state’s willingness to foster investment, but not at the expense of its fiscal health or integrity.

Responding to the allegations that the Adeleke Dynasty is involved in the management of the Segilola Gold Project, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi denied the report, noting that those holding a stake or the other in the gold firm areas shortchanged the Osun State government.

He therefore assured members of the public that the administration of Senator Ademola Adeleke will not relent in efforts to ensure that the state gets its dues from all companies operating in Osun State.

In an effort to resolve the ongoing strike by primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike has threatened to use the statutory 10 percent of internally generated revenue (IGR) meant for area councils to pay the striking teachers in Abuja.

Speaking on Thursday, Wike stated, “This issue is on my desk. I’ve met with the Area Council Chairmen and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). We must sit down and address these matters to ensure the system functions properly. I have already informed the chairmen that if teachers remain unpaid and continue their strike, I will use the 10 percent IGR usually allocated to them to pay the teachers.”

He added, “I will not sit back and allow this to continue. No responsible government will let teachers stay at home while children suffer. I won’t tolerate it.”

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Primary school teachers, represented by the FCT branch of the NUT, resumed their strike on September 18, 2024, after issuing a 14-day ultimatum to the Area Council Chairmen.

This comes seven months after the Minister’s initial intervention, which had temporarily resolved the industrial dispute.

According to Comrade Abdullahi Shafa, the State Chairman of the NUT FCT Wing, the decision to resume the strike was made following deliberations by the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC).

“We extensively discussed the issues affecting teachers in the FCT and decided to resume the suspended strike due to the non-response of the council chairmen to our demands,” Shafa explained.

Shafa further revealed that the union’s unresolved demands include:

– Payment of remaining 60% of minimum wage arrears: The teachers are owed 25 months of minimum wage arrears, of which 60 percent is still outstanding.

– Implementation of salary increases: The union is pushing for the implementation and payment of arrears for the 25 percent and 35 percent salary increases.

– Payment of peculiar allowance: The union demands the implementation and arrears payment of the 40 percent peculiar allowance.

– Payment of wage award: Teachers are also seeking arrears for the N35,000 wage award.

– Correct implementation of entitlement templates: The union calls for the proper and continuous application of the agreed 2022 template for teachers’ outstanding entitlements.

However, the union commended Minister Wike for his intervention in paying 40 percent of the total 25-month minimum wage arrears owed to the primary school teachers.