FocalPoint Reports

IYC tells Okowa, include School of Marine Tech, Burutu in ur upgrade of institutions to university status in Delta Ijaw Youth Council, IYC western zone has decried gross neglect by Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa calling on him to include School of Marine Technology, Burutu in its tertiary institution upgrade in the State.  The IYC stated that any attempt by the State government to ignore or play politics with their demand would be viewed as deliberate ploy by Okowa to perpetually keep university education far from Delta Ijaw people.  This message is contained in a statement issued by IYC western zone chairman Comrade Frank Akiefa  made available to newsmen ,frowning at the brazen speed used by Okowa and the State House of Assembly without impute from the Deltans to look into areas that are educationally disadvantaged. The statement also urged the State government  to re-visit the abandoned Bomadi polytechnic project noting that education to the pe...

Tragic sunday in Nigeria: 20 killed, 11 injured in Kwara road crash Twenty persons reportedly lost their lives in a road accident at Olokonla, along Bode-Saadu-Jebba Expressway in the Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State on Saturday. Seventeen of the victims were burnt to death while 11 others sustained varying degrees of injury. The Kwara State Fire Service and the state Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps blamed the crash on speeding and wrongful overtaking. It was also gathered that the multiple crash occurred about 3am on Saturday involving three vehicles: a commercial Mark truck with the number plate GGE614XM, a commercial Mitsubishi Canter Truck with the number plate, BRK534YX and a Toyota Hummer bus, marked KEY479YE. Eyewitness account said the driver of the Toyota bus had lost control of the vehicle while trying to overtake a lorry loaded with pepper and a truck, leading to a head-on collision with another truck that was coming at the opposite lane ...

Game of Throne in Warri Kingdom: Nomination and disqualification of Next Monarch, Regent a call for independent Heir to the throne continues Itsekiri's who claim to know should come to the palace and show to the rest of us where their Royal father is.... Chief Rita Lori The first son of HRM Ikenwoli Possible choices to Prince Alhaji Benard Emiko, a Muslim, Prince Oyowoli Emiko alleged to be into drugs and also cannot speak Itsekiri........Read More  The silence is deafening just as the obvious has become common place with everyone except a few playing the ostrich and believing that the vast majority are still gullible as it was in the past in this twenty-first century. The rumour mill is grinding away dangerously with each passing day as to where the pendulum would likely swing to as directed by the God in Heaven and our ancestors but interpreted by men of power, money and influence. And yes, this is where the trouble lies-upturning the decision of the all-seeing God fo...

Ex-Minister Gbagi commiserates with Okowa over father’s demise Former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi on Friday condoled with the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, over the death of his father.  Gbagi, in a statement released to the media, described the late Sir Arthur Okorie Okowa as a pillar of unity in the state, and a guiding example whose footprints are evident in the life and achievements of the Governor.  According to the former Minister, the deceased who until his death was the Okpara-Uku of Owa Alero in Ika North East of Delta State, lived an eventful and fulfilled life worthy of celebration.  Gbagi said: “I condole with my brother and friend, the Executive Governor of Delta State over the demise of his father, Sir Arthur Okorie Okowa. “Without a doubt, papa lived a fulfilled life anchored on the principle of honesty and will be remembered particularly for his unifying role in ensuring peace in Delta State.” While commise...

Delta Assembly member, Oharisi hails Okoh on his 50th jubil birthday The Delta State House of Assembly member representing Ughelli North Constituency II, Hon. Prince Eric Oharisi, on Friday congratulated the Delta State House of Assembly member representing Ika South Constituency, Hon. Festus Okoh on the occasion of his 50th birthday. In a congratulatory message on Friday, signed by Hon. Prince Eric Oharisi, commended the lawmaker, Hon. Festus Okoh for his show of commitment to the ideals of democracy and rule of law in his quality representation to the Ika South people and the State at large. Oharisi while describing Hon. Festus Okoh as a gentleman endowed with wisdom and charisma to attract to his people dividends of democracy, saying that he has no doubt as to his capacity to handle matters of state interest, development and progress. He said, “On behalf of my family, the good people of Ughelli North Constituency II, I celebrate with my friend, my brother on this special...

Odidi Community Chairman, Prince Preye Okrikpa Sympathizes with Gov. Okowa Over his Father’s Demise The  Chairman of Odidi community, Warri-South-West Local government area, Prince Preye Okrikpa has sympathised with the Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa over the demise of his father, Pa Arthur Okowa.  Okrikpa in his condolence message to the Governor, urged him to take hearth adding that his Late father lived a fufilled and examplary life on earth. Okrikpa urged Governor Okowa to reflect on the legacies built overtime by Pa Arthur and the lives he has touched positively.  He also noted that, it is the Lord who giveth and who also taketh. According him, late Pa Arthur Okowa was a father of all who cared for his people. May his gentle soul rest in the bosom of the lord.

Sheriff Mulade Mourns with Governor Okowa over Death of his Father  The National Coordinator of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, an NGO, Chief Comrade Sheriff Mulade has commiserated with the family of the Delta State Governor, Dr. Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa over the death of his father Pa Sir Arthur Okowa.  Chief Mulade, who is the Ibe-sorimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, prayed God to grant the Governor and his family the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. While quoting John chapter 5 verses 28 and 29, the CEPEJ CEO enjoined Dr. Okowa to take solace in the fact that his father lived an exemplary and godly life and therefore has the hope of resurrecting into eternal life. The death of Pa Arthur Okowa occurred on Thursday the 28th of January, 2021, at the Federal Medical Centre Asaba, in a brief illness. He was aged 88.

Ogbon Royal Family of Olomu annouces death of Prince Emmanuel Announces death of  With heavy hearts and a deep sense of loss, but in difference to the will of God, the Ogbon Royal Family of Olomu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, announce the passage of Prince Emmanuel E. Ogbon. He died in the early hours of Thursday, January 14, 2021 in Lagos after a brief illness. Burial arrangements will be announced later.  Signed: Prince Reuben Ogbon, on behalf of the Ogbon Royal Family

Appointment of New Service Chiefs: Mulade Commends Buhari For listening to Nigerians, calls for restructuring of Nigeria   A Niger Delta born development activist and peace advocate, Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, and Nigerians for the appointment of the new service chiefs, noting that it will put an end to agitations from the people of the need to rejig the security apparatus of the Nation. He also joined other stakeholders in Nigeria to call for the urgent restructuring of the country following the mismanagement of the nation’s resources, as well as the endless marginalization of the South-South Region of the country.  Addressing newsmen in Abuja on the issue, Chief Mulade who is the National Coordinator of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, an NGO, said the calls for restructuring by politicians, religious and ethnic groups in parts of the country, especially in recent times, show that restructuring i...

Call for accountabilit in Bayelsa: Group demands accountability of N38bn acrueed to Bayelsa State from FG An advocacy group, Concern Bayelsa Youths (CBY) has called on the federal government to ensure that the Bayelsa State government gives account of its expenditure of the N38 billion reimbursement approved for the state recently. Last month, the federal government approved the fund as reimbursement for its spending on federal roads in the state. The approval was granted at the virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari. Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, yesterday made declaration that the state received 27billion instead of 38billion. As a group we don't want to drag words with the state government but we are calling on the federal government to publish the details of the amount refunded to Bayelsa as stand for transparency The CBY convener, Comrade James Ebikeme, on Tuesday, urged the federal government to en...

Man, 37, pushes lady to her death from 5-storey building — Police The Police Command in Anambra has arrested one  Nonso Eze, 37, for allegedly pushing a lady to her death from his apartment on the fifth floor of a 5-storey building   The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Haruna Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Awka. Mohammed said the incident occurred  at about 3 a.m. on Saturday at No. 6 Orakwe Close, Fizzle, Awada-Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.   The spokesman, who noted that the matter was reported to  Awada Police Station  at about 6:30 a.m. of the same day, said the victim, yet to be identified, was later confirmed dead by a medical doctor. “ Police operatives attached to Awada Division visited the scene, photographed the victim and rushed her to a hospital in Onitsha for medical attention but was certified dead on arrival by a medical doctor.   “ Consequently, a preliminary inquir...

New Delta Initiative Urges Gov. Okowa to Attract Investors, Economic Opportunities to Delta State A Nigerian based Development advocacy group, New Delta Initiative has appealed to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State to Attract investors and Economic opportunities to the  State. In a statement made on Friday by the Coordinator in Asaba, Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala noted that creating a conducive environment for companies to return to the state is key to attracting investors and boosting the economic fortunes of the state. Ezekiel Kagbala noted that the state will be attractive for investors if the government create durable infrastructures. He said, "24 hours electricity, good roads, bridges drinking water Clean Environment, aesthetic environment and street lights will breed life in Delta cities as Modern infrastructure remains a basic need in Delta State. "It will be near impossible for Investors to invest in a state with dilapidated infrastructures of bad roads, pit...

Warri Beyond Borders Holds Prayer Section for the Development of the Oil City By: Emma Arubi A platform under the aegis of Warri Beyond Borders has slated a prayer section for all well-meaning persons in the Old Warri Province for the growth and socio-economic cum political development of the Oil City. The venue of the prayer section is the Mom Civic Center, Airport road Warri. The time is 4pm-6pm on Saturday 23rd January, 2021. Warri Beyond Borders is a platform for the promotion of ethnic harmony amongst the indigenous tribes and residents of Warri and its environs, rebuilding of its economy to bring back its socio-economy buoyancy and political growth. The prayers are to bring back to life all comatose companies and those that have moved out to other places or regions.   

FDA warns against use of unregulated face masks, Check for FDA Certifications Before Use The general public has been warned against the purchase and use of certain brands of face masks that lack product notification certificates. The face masks in question, according to the FDA include Cherub Daily Protective Mask, Just Mask Anti Viral Face Mask, Health Master Disposable Protective Mask, Aidelai Disposable Face Mask, and Disposable Medical Mask. The agency had published in a number of advisories that the brands did not pass through its regulatory evaluation process. Through post-marketing surveillance, the FDA said no Product Notification Certificates have been issued for the mentioned brands. According to the agency: “Pursuant to the Republic Act No. 9711, otherwise known as the ‘Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009,’ the manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, transfer, non-consumer use, promotion, advertising, or sponsorship of health produc...

Omadino Crisis In Delta State: We are living in fear---Chief Priest, Gbokwa Accuses Military of Fomenting Trouble By Emma Arubi The chief priest of oil-rich Omadino Community in Warri South Council Area of Delta State, Mr. Roland Yomere has stated that they are living in perpetual fear of attack by some sponsored hoodlums who visited violence on some youths and also destroyed household properties worth millions of naira. Mr.Yomere made this assertion at Omadino recently in an interview with newsmen appealing to the government at all levels and the security agencies should come to their aid to save their lives. But Mr. Austin Oniyesan a.k.a Gbokwa alleged to be at the center of the crisis rocking the community said there’s peace in Omadino only that there’s power tussle for leadership that also exist in all communities. Mr. Gbokwa also accused the military men of fomenting trouble in the community by destroying houses of innocent people. According to the Chief Priest, the te...

Covid-19: Enough of this NIN registration, people are dying, end it now, Ojuyah sends letter to FG Nigerian Businessman and philanthropist, Anirejuoritse Ojuyah, Tuesday sent an open letter to the federal government over the ongoing NIN registration, advising it to end the process. Ojuyah, who tested positive for Covid-19 a few weeks ago and has spent time recuperating at an isolation centre in Lagos, believed the government is doing a terrible job by mandating a nationwide NIN registration amid a ravaging pandemic. Read his open letter below: I spent about three weeks at a Covid-19 isolation centre in Lagos during which time I was gasping for breath and required the use of a ventilator, and it is only by the grace of God that I am alive today. At my centre, many people (rich and famous included) died. Seeing what is going on with the current NIN registration, I cannot help but wonder, where is our soul as a nation? Where is our humanity? Has humanity sold its soul to the devil? Wh...

Political Gladiators grace Rt Hon. Franc Enekorogha Son's Marriage ceremony, Mr & Mrs Collins Freedom 2023 Obviously in  Focus A huge crowd of Delta state political gladiators from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the wedding ceremony of of Rt Hon. Frank Enekorogha's son. It was like a political get together for all Delta State politician, especially for some who nurses 2023 political ambition as Mr & Mrs Collins Enekorogha celebrates in a joyous occasions at Warri Delta State. The occasion got spiced up with the arrival of the Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, who was graciously welcomed by Delta State People's Democratic Party Chairman Bar. (Chief) Kingsley Esiso, past and present Delta State house of Assembly members and reps members Among the dignitaries at the wedding. Traditional rulers from different kindoms added royal presence to the ceremony  Frank Enekorogha was a member representing Burutu Federal Constituency in the National As...

Deltans Must not Allow Thieves, People Without Character to Succeed Governor Okowa in 2023.....Kenneth Gbagi The former Minister of State for Education and biggest private industrialist in Delta State, Chief Kenneth Gbagi has urged Deltans not to make the mistake of allowing thieves and people without character to succeed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in 2023. Gbagi who spoke in a Townhall meeting at Asaba organized by Aniocha/Oshimili Stakeholders in Delta North senatorial district, said he has a track record of trustworthiness and selfless service. He told stakeholders that political opponents who contrived negative blackmail purporting that he stripped some workers, last year, really executed an inventive contract, but misfired, as everybody in PDP in the state knows that he is trustworthy and the most knowledgeable among the aspirants. Gbagi warmed: “If Deltans make the mistake of having a mad man in the saddle after Okowa, what will happen four years after him will be unimagi...

Albert Okumagba buried, colleagues mourn  in Warri, Delta Albert Okumagba, former Managing Director of BGL Group, was buried on Friday. Okumagba, 56, was laid to rest in Warri, Delta State. The Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) expressed sadness over his death. Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, the Board of Trustees Chairman, in a statement eulogized the body’s pioneer President-General. She recalled how the late capital market operator devoted his time and resources to the network of alumni. The association comprises graduates of the 104 Federal Government Colleges in Nigeria (Unity Schools). Muhammed-Oyebode said Okumagba’s passion for education and unity of Nigeria knew no bounds. She revealed that he spearheaded “an informal coming together of a few former students of various unity schools, and turned it into the formidable network of leaders that it is today”. “The Unity Schools, the country, the education sector, will no doubt miss him. USOSA owes him a debt of gratitude, ...

Warri Kingdom in tears as Chief Nelson Utieyone Passes on Delta State has lost one of her finest elder statesman and renowned Insurance guru in Nigeria, Chief Nelson A. Utieyone (JP) at the age of 80 years. He reportedly passed on in the early hours of Tuesday 12 January, 2021 after a brief illness according to family sources. Chief Utieyone until his demise was the Chief Executive Officer/ Managing Director of Nelson Uti Insurance Broker based in Warri, Delta State. He was the “Ogun-Oyibo of Warri Kingdom” a.k.a Orurunagbakiridi, a philanthropist par excellence and the founder/promoter of the multi-million naira “Utieyone Educational Endowment Foundation”, a scholarship awarding organization he founded in 2007. Pa. Utieyone is a foundation member of the prestigious and foremost Itsekiri apex socio-cultural organization-Warri Progressive Society, WPS, a.k.a Otonloye and member of some other very important/prestigious oganisations in Nigeria.

Education Ministry to review Jan 18 resumption date for schools, Says New Date May be Announced depending on Malam Adamu Adamu The Federal Ministry of Education says the Jan.18, 2021 date for schools to resume is not sacrosanct, hence a new date may be announced depending on the nation’s COVID-19 indicators. The Minister of Education, Mr Adamu Adamu gave the hint on Monday in Abuja,  at the joint national briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the  PTF in December 2020, ordered schools in the country to remain closed until Jan. 18, 2021. Adamu said,“When we decided on that date, it was just a target toward what we are working on. “’ Of course we are keeping it in view and looking at what is happening in the society and then it is supposed to be subject to constant review. “’ Even today at the PTF meeting, we looked at the rising figures and thought we should probably take another look at it. On the Jan.18, 2021 ...

Delta State Gets New Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Ali Ari, Warns kidnappers, armed robbers, oil thieves The new Commissioner of Police (CP),Delta State, CP Muhammed Ali Ari, has warned criminals in the state to hibernate from the state or be dealt with according to the law. He spoke exclusively with DAILY INDEPENDENT in Lagos shortly before leaving for Asaba, the state capital. The new CP specifically warned kidnappers, armed robbers and oil thieves to turn a new leaf, urging them to surrender their illegal arms to the nearest police station. He said: “I will not condone any form of criminality in the state. I advise the criminals, especially kidnappers, armed robbers and oil thieves who are economic saboteurs to repent and turn a new leaf or hibernate from the state. “Otherwise, we will apply the full wrath of the law on them.” Furthermore, he appealed to traditional rulers in the state to cooperate maximally with the police.

Create Enabling Environment for Economic Growth in Delta... NDI Urges Gov. Okowa An dvocacy group in Delta State, New Delta initiative, NDI has Urged the Delta State Government led by Sen. Dr Ifanyi Okowa to Create an enabling environment for economic growth in the State. This was contained in a statement signed by Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala on behalf of the group in Warri. The group raised an advocacy for Clean Environment across Delta State, restoration of street lights, security and sustainable infrastructure. The statement said; "Delta state has all it takes to get 24 hours electricity, Good Roads, Clean Aesthetic Environment, street lights in all Delta cities". "New Delta initiative also commended Governor Okowa for ensuring basic infrastructure in some part of the state. However, the group insist that the state government can achieve 24 Hours electricity, Good Roads, Clean Aesthetic Environment, street lights for all Deltan's". "Delta State is blessed wi...

IPDI DEMANDS COMPLETION OF INC INCONCLUSIVE ELECTIONS- WARNS IJAW AFFAIRS COMMISSIONER Our attention has been drawn to the pointless delay in completing the inconclusive INC elections held in 2018. It is our call that His Excellency Sen. Douye Diri should respond timely and positively to this call and ensure that the INC election is concluded without further delay.  Every day the election is not conducted the destiny of Ijaw Nation is stagnated. It is worrisome that Ijaw nation is in disarray. The leaders are confused, elders are wondering and youth are locking horns in division, because the head is sick.  The delay in completing the INC disrupted election shows that truth has been murdered and buried in Ijaw nation. Ijaw nation cannot be seen as a banana republic. It is shameful! Ijaw leadership must do the needful. INC must be resuscitated to provide leadership for Ijaw nation. Again, information reaching us reveals that some persons from the previous administrat...

2023 Governorship Aspirant Gbagi to hold town hall meeting with Stakeholders in Aniocha/Oshimili Today Frontline 2023 Governorship Aspirant in Delta State, Chief Kenneth Gbagi has said that he will by tomorrow hold town hall meeting with the Stakeholders in Aniocha/Oshimili, Anioma Nation of Delta State. In a media chat with Newsmen in UghelIi, Delta State, he stated that the Consultation is part of his grassroots move and Political approaches to get the Stakeholders, people in that part of Delta North Senatorial District know of his ambition to Govern Delta State come 2023. The event which was slated to take place in Asaba, Delta State capital at Nigeria Union of Teachers Guests House, NUT Hall, NUT Street, off DLA Road, Asaba on Sunday being 10th of January, 2021 by 12pm prompt is expected to have all Stakeholders in the area in attendance to welcome the PDP Governorship aspirant come 2023. No doubt, Chief Gbagi is a seasoned legal Practitioner, Criminalogist, and Busines...

62 feared dead as Indonesian plane crashes after takeoff An Indonesian budget airline plane with 62 people on board is suspected to have crashed into the sea shortly after the Boeing passenger jet took off from Jakarta airport on Saturday, authorities said. Flight tracking data showed the Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737-500 plunged into a steep dive about four minutes after it left Soekarno-Hatta international airport. Sixty-two passengers and crew were on board, including 10 children, the nation’s transport minister, Budi Karya Sumadi, told reporters. The suspected crash site is near tourist islands just off the coast of Indonesia’s sprawling capital. Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182 was bound for Pontianak on Indonesia’s section of Borneo island, about 90 minutes flying time over the Java Sea. Distraught relatives waited nervously for news at the city’s airport. “I have four family members on the flight — my wife and three children,” Yaman Zai said as he sobbed. “(My wife) sent me a picture of th...

Why Court dismissed certificate forgery case against Obaseki Governor Godwin Obaseki Says Plaintiffs failed to prove their allegations Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Saturday goes victorious, as the Federal High Court in Abuja, dismissed the certificate forgery case the All Progressives Congress, APC, and one of its members, Mr. Williams Edobor, instituted against him. The court, in a judgment that was delivered by Justice Ahmed Mohammed, held that the Plaintiffs, failed to by way of credible evidence, discharge the burden of proof placed on them by the law. Justice Mohammed said there was no iota of evidence before the court to establish that Obaseki forged either his O’level certificate or the degree certificate that was awarded to him in 1979 by the University of Ibadan. He held that allegation of forgery the Plaintiffs levelled against Obaseki bordered on crime and therefore required to be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. “It is quite known that he who alleges must prove....

COVID-19: NCDC reports more deaths, 1544 new infections in Nigeria The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has reported 1544 new COVID-19 infections in the country. NCDC disclosed this via its verified Twitter account on Friday night. The health agency reported that the country sadly recorded twelve additional deaths in the last 24 hours, raising the overall total in the nation since the start of the pandemic to 1,342. It added that the new infections were recorded from 20 States and the Federal Capital Territory, in the last 24 hours. NCDC tweeted: “1544 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria; Lagos-739 Plateau-168 FCT-153 Oyo-91 Nasarawa-90 Rivers-80 Kaduna-35 Edo-33 Kano-29 Ogun-21 Delta-19 Sokoto-16 Akwa Ibom-11 Ebonyi-11 Enugu-10 Osun-10 Niger-9 Bauchi-8 Kebbi-8 Katsina-2 Taraba-1 97,478 confirmed 78,552 discharged 1,342 deaths.”

DISCLAIMER: Ikaka No Longer A Staff Of Borosa Petroleum Resources Limited MR. FIDELIS IKAKA The Management and Staff of BOROSA PETROLEUM RESOURCES LIMITED, along Hospital Road, Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State hereby notify the general public that MR. FIDELIS IKAKA whose photograph appears beside, ceased to be an Administrative Officer or Staff of BOROSA PETROLEUM RESOURCES LIMITED. Anyone who does any business with him purportedly does so at his own risk Signed: Management

Alleged certificate forgery: APC, Obaseki, others to adopt final arguments January 7 Governor Godwin Obaseki The Federal High Court Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the ongoing alleged certificate forgery suit against Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo until Jan. 7 for parties to adopt their final written addresses. The parties; the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr William Edobor, Obaseki, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are to adopt their final written addresses as their brief of arguments in the suit. At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Obaseki called another witness, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, a professor of Comparative Politics from the University of Ibadan. Osaghae, a subpoenaed witness, tendered a Certified True Copy (CTC) of a Bachelor of Science degree certificate in Political Science that was awarded to him by the University of Ibadan on July 6, 1979. The certificate was admitted in evidence and marked as exhibit D18. The witnes...

FG releases N11.8bn pension for MDA retirees, 10 months arrears still outstanding The Federal Government, yesterday, released the sum of N11.82 billion for payment of accrued rights for retirees of treasury funded Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs) under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). Accrued rights represent benefits for employees of Treasury Funded MDAs who worked up to June 2004, before the Pension Reform Act that gave birth to the CPS was introduced. The amount will cover only two months arrears of January and February 2020. This is because the last payment for accrued rights was for December 2019. In essence, a backlog of ten months arrears is still outstanding. Meanwhile, Head, Corporate Communications Department of National Pension Commission, PenCom, Mr. Peter Aghahowa, who disclosed the information noted that the Commission appreciates the effort of the Federal Government at ensuring that the accrued rights arrears are cleared. However, retirees are of the o...

The Federal Government on Tuesday emphasised ban on rice importation. Mr Abdulhamid Ma’aji, Comptroller, Nigerian Customs Service in charge of Sokoto and Zamfara, made the emphasis at the reopening of Illela Border in Sokoto State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the government made the emphasis as importers and exporters in Sokoto get excited at the reopening of the Illela border. Illela border was reopened by dignitaries from Nigeria and Niger Republic. Ma’aji said that the border reopening was being monitored to ensure sanity. He said that border closure was in the interest of Nigerians. The comptroller noted that many instruments used by criminals were brought into the country through land borders. He said that efforts were being made to curb it. He called on Nigerians to show understanding and support for government policies and appealed to traders to adhere to business regulations and safety guidelines. ”Government organs can achieve maximum success with much suppor...

BREAKING: Unpaid Salary: Magistrate collapses during protest in Calabar One of the 30 Magistrates protesting the non-payment of their 24 months salary on Tuesday collapsed in front of the Governor’s office, Calabar. The Magistrate, Richard Edet was later revived by his colleagues who administered him with milk, Soft drink and water Also, the Magistrates numbering over 20 came in their full regalia and were among the 30 Persons freshly employed by the Cross River State Government two years ago.  that the protest which began on Monday by, Her Worship, Safiya Iyeh Ashipu, Chief Magistrate Court in Odukpani as a” lone man protest ” culminated into a full-fledged protest in front of the Governor’s office, Calabar. The Magistrates who were demanding their two years salaries came out dressed in their full regalia because they were already insinuations that they were not who they claimed to be. According to them, they were demanding their two years salary as they have not received a d...

By Ezekiel Kagbala FPR The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has approved over 50 per cent hike in electricity tariff effective January 1, 2021. The new tarrif hike regime is to be paid by customers of the 11 electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs. This is coming just two months after the Commission forced implementation of much opposed hike on Nigerians in November 2020. In a revised Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) signed by the new Chairman of NERC, Engr. Sanusi Garba, on December 30, 2020, the new tariff increase took effect on January 1, 2021, and supersedes the previous Order NERC/2028/2020. In the new Order NERC/225/2020, the commission said it considered the 14.9% inflation rate rise in November 2020, foreign exchange of N379.4/$1 as of December 29, 2020, available generation capacity, US inflation rate of 1.22% and the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) of the power firms to raise the tariff. The revised Service Based Tariff (SBT) also saw increase in th...

Alleged certificate forgery: Obaseki to open defence January 5 Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State. Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo will on January 5, open his defence at the Federal High Court, Abuja,  in the ongoing alleged certificate forgery suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) against him. The trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed,  adjourned the matter on Monday for Obaseki to open his defence on Jan. 5, after the APC closed its case after calling six witnesses. The APC and one of its chieftains, Mr Williams Edobor, dragged Obaseki to court for allegedly forging his University of Ibadan degree certificate. According to them, Obaseki submitted the certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as part of his educational qualification to contest the September 19, 2020 governorship election in Edo. Other defendants in the suit are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and INEC. The fifth and sixth witnesses, Mr Gabriel Iduseri and Mr Maikano Ase...

Edging Toward 2023: Tompolo Receives Kenneth Gbagi in Gbaramtu Kingdom By Ezekiel Kagbala FPR Edging towards 2023 governorship election, the former Minister of Education and Frontline Governorship aspirant, Olorogun (Barr) Kenneth Gbagi has been given a warm reception In Gbaramtu Kingdom. The visit was tagged as a visit to his younger brother, High Chief Government Ekpomolo (AKA Tompolo) former warlord of Niger Delta to celebrate the new year during the weekend in Warri South-West, Delta State. According to Tompolo, my elder brother, Chief Gbagi, you have done well to visit your younger brother in the season of celebration, especially the end of the year, which is a season of celebration and to show love to one another. May the good Lord continue to protect and guide us as we enter 2021. Chief Gbagi thanked High Chief Tompolo for the warm reception. I will not only visit you during Christmas and New Year, as my younger brother. I will visit you when the need ari...

Zimbabwe’s government on Saturday imposed a national lockdown with immediate effect, following a surge in Covid-19 cases, creating a major problem for most citizens who rely on the informal employment sector. Only essential services, such as hospitals, pharmacies and supermarkets will remain operational for the next 30 days, putting more pressure on already poverty-stricken families. The southern African nation is already struggling with a deepening economic crisis, hyperinflation and high unemployment. The government first imposed a nationwide lockdown in March to contain the spread of Covid-19, but had eased most of those measures amid fears of further economic malaise Vice President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga told reporters there had been a huge spike in cases over the festive season which almost doubled the number of infections recorded throughout the year. “In light of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases the following stiff lockdown measures are being put in place...