News
NDDC Chairman, officials snub Senate Committee
The Interim Management Committee ( IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), snubbed the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, carrying out investigation on alleged illegal sacking of some staffers of the commission between February and May this year.
The Senate had on May 5, 2020 on the strength of a motion sponsored by Senator George Sekibo (PDP Rivers East) on alleged financial recklessness and arbitrary sacking of staff in NDDC , mandated his committee on Niger Delta Affairs, to investigate the staff sacking aspect and assigned that of financial recklessness to an Ad- hoc Committee.
While the Ad-hoc committee had carried out its own investigation on the alleged financial recklessness against the current Professor Daniel Pondei led IMC of NDDC, the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, has not been able to get attention of the IMC members on alleged illegal sacking of staffers.
Attempt made by the Committee led by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi ( PDP Niger North), on Monday to carry out the investigation was stalled with the absence of the entire IMC members along with the Managing Director, Professor Pondei.
Signs that the IMC members would not appear before the Committee , emerged at about 12:30 pm when none of them was sighted at the venue of the planned investigative hearing in room 022 of the Senate wing of the National Assembly.
Even attempt made by the Committee to ensure appearance of the IMC members before it two hours after by shifting the sitting to 3:00pm failed, as none of them appeared at about 3:20 pm when the session resumed .
Irked by the development, the committee chairman, Peter Nwaoboshi, asked the NDDC Director of Human Resources, Silas Anyanwu to offer explanation for the development .
Anyanwu in his explanation said , the Managing Director of NDDC , Professor Pondei and other IMC members , were held back at the House of Representatives wing of the National Assembly where they were being engaged on similar investigation .
“For the past two hours sir , I have been communicating with the MD and some other IMC members but information reaching me , indicated that they are not allowed to leave the venue of similar investigation going on in the House of Representatives ” ,he said .
Apparently not satisfied with the explanation , Senator Nwaoboshi reminded the Human Resources Director that the Monday sitting was the third attempt to get the IMC members to respond to series of petitions written against them by the sacked staffers .
“Even if the MD is held up in the House of Representatives , is there no person from the IMC who has the capacity to represent ?”, he asked .
Though Anyanwu attempted to make presentation on behalf of the absentee MD, but withdrew when he was asked to sign the unsigned written submissions forwarded to the committee by the IMC.
At that point, the committee members quickly resolved that since tomorrow , Tuesday, July 14, 2020 , is the day fixed for 2020 budget defence session for the Commission , the issue of illegal sacking of staff , will be taken as well .
Specifically, the Committee Chairman said, ” from the altitude and actions shown so far by the IMC on this investigation , there is no sign of seriousness or interest from them .
“Though because of our respect for our colleagues in the House of Representatives , this sitting will be adjourned till tomorrow which is even the earlier fixed day for the 2020 budget defence session for the Commission .
“Before we adjourn, an erroneous impression must be corrected by saying that it is not this committee that petitioned against NDDC but affected staffers who alleged to have been illegally dismissed from service from of the commission .
“Petitions on such allegations have been forwarded to us and most of the affected staffers have made their presentations which must be responded to by the IMC ” , he said .
Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Victor Umeh has denied his involvement with 42 other Senators who received $10,000 each to support President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of state of emergency in Rivers, saying he was absent from Wednesday’s meeting where the money was allegedly shared.
He reacted to viral allegation that Senators received $10,000 each to support the state of emergency in Rivers in the red Chamber, when the motion comes for ratification.
His denial was contained in a statement on Friday, where he distanced himself from Senators who shared the money, insisting that he was not among the 42 senators who collected $10,000 the previous day in order to pass the state of emergency resolution.
According to him, he came out to clear his name because reports in the media suggested that he was the one that coordinated the meeting along another Senator where each of them was offered $10,000, insisting that he wasn’t in that meeting and never benefitted from the bribe for support.
“I did not receive any money to support the state of emergency in Rivers State. I was not at any meeting where such payments were allegedly made,” Umeh stated.
Umeh explained that on the evening of Tuesday, he attended the traditional IFTAR (Breaking of Fasting) gathering at the Senate Guest House with their Muslim brothers and sisters, where he was asked to say the Christian prayers after Senator Adamu Aliero said the Muslim prayers after the IFTAR.
”I prayed for God to grant peace to all parts of Nigeria and reconciliation to all the warring parties in Rivers State.
“I prayed for love and for all Nigerians to embrace one another, for the good of our nation.”
“We did not discuss the State of Emergency in Rivers State at the IFTAR.”
“There were other Labour Party Senators at the IFTAR.”
Dismissing the allegations as backmail, the senator, assured his constituents that such reports would not distract him from providing good Representation, adding that the aim of the detractors was to create disaffection between him and the people and impugn his reputation.
He vowed that “I will not be distracted by their false reports, and I will continue to serve my constituents with dignity and integrity.”
Twelve persons have been arrested by officers of Kaduna State Police Command in connection with attack on a mosque which killed a worshipper during the Tahajjud prayer at Rigasa, in the Igabi Local Government Area of the State.
In a statement by the Command on Friday by the Spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Friday, said hoodlums’ attack on the mosque led to the death of a worshipper.
The statement noted that, “On 21st March 2025, at about 0200 hours, the police received a distress call from a m
concerned citizen, reporting that a large group of armed hoodlums had mobilised from Malalin Gabas, Tudun Wada, Rafin Guza, and Unguwar Baduko areas to attack worshippers performing Tahajjud prayer at Layin Bilya, Makwa Road, Rigasa, Kaduna.
“Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) led a team of officers, accompanied by the Commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), to the scene in an attempt to apprehend the suspects.
“However, before their arrival, the assailants had already stabbed one Usman Mohammad, a 23-year-old victim, with a sharp knife. Despite being rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries hours later and was confirmed dead by the attending doctor.”
In response, the police swiftly apprehended twelve suspects who confessed to having participated in the attack and recovered several weapons from them.
A full-scale investigation has been launched to uncover the full details of the incident and ensure justice is served.
rom engaging in these criminal activities, stating that they will face the full weight of the law if caught.
News
Oyo College of Nursing matriculates 147 students as Governor Makinde urge students to uphold ethics
The Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery, on Friday, held its second matriculation ceremony, with the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, as the special guest of honour.
The event was held at the main auditorium of the College at Eleyele, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, Governor Makinde represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Soliu Abdulwaheed Adelabu said the future of healthcare in Nigeria has taken a significant step forward with the intake of 147 new students of nursing program.
“This matriculation ceremony, marking the college’s second for the national diploma program, is a significant milestone for these aspiring nurses as they began their journey to become healthcare professionals”, he said.
He congratulated the matriculants, encouraged them to embrace every lesson with an open mind, and shun examination malpractices.
Governor Makinde emphasized the importance of resilience in the nursing profession, urging them to uphold the college’s high standards of virtue and ethical conduct.
The Governor further reiterated his administration’s committment to the education system in Oyo state, especially the nursing education.
He commended the Provost and the college’s staff for their dedication to fostering excellence, noting the significant progress made by them to elevate the college to its new heights.
In her speech, the Provost of the College, Dr. Gbonjubola Owolabi also extended her congratulations to the students, urging them adhere to the college’s rules, and strive to be ambassadors for the institution.
She said, “Let me remind you, our matriculation students, that you are now ambassadors of this great institution. Let excellence be your watchword, and may you go on to make remarkable contributions to the Nursing profession and society at large.”
She encouraged the students to prioritize their studies and dedicate themselves to achieving their academic goals.
The Provost said the Oyo state College of Nursing and Midwifery stands as a beacon of academic excellence, committed to producing highly skilled and compassionate nurses who will make a difference in the world.
She also said, “our curriculum is designed to equip you with the necessary theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and ethical grounding essential for success in the nursing profession.”
Dr. Owolabi praised Governor Seyi Makinde for his unwavering supports and commitment to the development of the institution. 
She pointed at the avalanche of approvals and infrastructural advancements granted to the college under Makinde’s administration.
The Director, Nursing Services, Dr. Arinade Oyebode enjoined the students to get acquainted with the ethics of Nursing profession.
She also encouraged them to study hard, while they put God first in their academic activities.
A Professor of Nursing from the University of Ibadan, Prof. Chizoma Ndikom encouraged the students to prioritize their studies and dedicate themselves to achieving their academic goals.
The event was filled with excitement and anticipation as a new student, Islamiat Lawal was rewarded by the Commissioner, the Provost, and other guests for her adherence to punctuality.
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