Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Nasarawa State Police Command has signed a peace agreement with the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state ahead of the judgment of the Supreme Court judgment on the 2023 governorship election in the state.

During the signing of the peace agreement in Lafia, the state capital on Monday, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Umar Nadada, vowed to deal decisively with anyone who gets involved in any form of trouble before, during and after the apex court judgment.

Recall that the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on October 2, 2023 sacked Governor Abdullahi Sule of the APC and declared David Ombugadu of the PDP as winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

But the APC and its candidate were not satisfied with the tribunal judgment, hence, they filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal to set aside the Tribunal judgment.

The appellate court upturned the tribunal judgment and affirmed the election of the APC candidate, but the PDP candidate approach the Supreme Court for the final verdict on the matter.

LeadingReporters gathered that while speaking at the peace according meeting on Monday, the Commissioner of Police said, “This meeting is aimed at ensuring peace before, during and after the Supreme Court judgment. 

“It is also expected that the party leaders would bring this peace agreement to all their loyalists and supporters across the state.

“The joint security committee has also resolved to work together towards ensuring a sustainable peace in the state.

“Information at the disposal of the command reveals that some faceless individuals are planning to stage a violent protest in the state.

“Whoever goes against this peace agreement, no matter how highly placed in society, will regret his or her action.”

The Police Commissioner further assured the APC and the PDP representatives that the joint security forces would be neutral in carrying out their activities. The peace accord was signed in the presence of other security agencies in the state.

At the peace accord meeting, the APC was represented by the party’s state chairman, Aliyu Bello, and state secretary, Yarus Dakusa while the PDP was represented by the state Organising Secretary, Yahaya Bunu, state secretary, Adamu Bako, Woman Leader, Stella Oboshi, and PDP Zonal Chairman, Isa Sule.

A human rights body, Global Rights, has said the administration of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, was characterised by threats or intimidation of journalists and protesters.

The organisation added that Buhari during his time in government suppressed access to information, curtailed freedom of expression, and monitored how and for what purposes citizens assembled.

Global Rights stated this in its report titled, “Shege! A scorecard on the Buhari administration’s impact on Nigeria’s civic space,” which was published on January 13, 2024.

The organisation said in the report, “In the eight-year term of President Buhari’s administration, Nigeria witnessed a notable decline on all frontiers of the civic space and basic freedoms. The administration was characterised by a suspicious relationship with the media, a frosty relationship with civil society organisations, and a clear desire to control access to information, curtail freedom of expression, and monitor how and for what purposes citizens assembled.

“There were also several legislative attempts made by the administration with regard to the civic space. If all these attempts made it into law, it is safe to say Nigeria would have emerged as one of the most repressive democracies globally.”

The report added that no fewer than 69 protesters were killed during the Buhari-led administration.

The organisation also said that an estimated 250 protesters and 189 journalists were arrested, detained, or harassed under the former president.

“The number of peaceful protesters killed: at least 69. Number of arrests made during peaceful protests: 250 (estimated based on available data)

“Instances of government interference in the activities of CSOs: At least four. Number of journalists arrested, detained, or harassed: more than 189,” it said.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the former President, Garba Shehu, declined comment on the issue, saying former Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, was the appropriate person to speak.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Charles Ugwu, for alleged conspiracy and loan fraud to the tune of N3.6bn.

The spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, in a statement on Monday, said the ex-minister was arrested alongside one Geoffrey Ekenma on January 11, 2024, at No.2, Musa Yar Adua Way, New Owerri, Imo State, following a petition received from a new generation bank.

Ugwu was appointed minister by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and was sacked after a cabinet reshuffle that affected 19 members of the cabinet.

Revealing details of his arrest on Monday, the EFCC spokesman said the petitioner accused the ex-minister of failing to meet his obligations to the bank, adding that all efforts to get him to repay the loan facility proved abortive.

Oyewale said, “Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC have arrested a former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Charles Ugwuh, for an alleged conspiracy and fraud to the tune of N3.6bn.

“Ugwuh was arrested alongside Geoffrey Ekenma on January 11, 2024 at No.2, Musa Yar Adua Way, New Owerri, Imo State, following a petition to the commission from a new generation bank on the alleged fraud perpetrated through a company, Ebony Agro Industries Ltd., linked to the ex-minister.

“Investigations revealed that Ugwuh and Ekenma, Managing Director, Ebony Agro Industries Ltd., allegedly obtained a loan facility from the bank for the purchase and production of polished rice.

“However, the suspect, according to the petitioner, failed to meet his obligations to the bank and all efforts to get him to repay the loan facility proved abortive. The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has been sworn-in for a second term in office on Monday afternoon.

Uzodimma took the oath of office at about 3:23pm, to commence his second tenure in office, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri, the state capital.

Earlier, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru took her oath of office as the deputy governor of Imo State.

The event was witnessed by thousands of Imolites and guests from outside the state, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Details Later…

President Bola Tinubu has named Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, as the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education.

An esteemed ex-student of the Federal Government Girls’ College in Benin City and the Federal Government College in Ilorin, is among the first individuals educated at Nigeria’s Unity Schools to achieve this high-ranking position within the Ministry of Education.

Walson-Jack holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987. She is married to Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack, a former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Nigeria’s leading Civic Educator. They have two children, both of whom are also lawyers.

First appointed as a Permanent Secretary in 2017 by then President Muhammadu Buhari, Mrs. Walson-Jack has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment in various capacities, including her roles as Permanent Secretary in the Service Welfare Office of the Office of the Head Of Service of the Civil Service of the Federation, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Federal Ministries of Power, and Water Resources, and Sanitation.

In her new capacity, Mrs. Walson-Jack is expected to leverage her extensive experience and dedication to excellence in working with the country’s education ministers to elevate the standards and policies of Nigeria’s education system and deliver on President Tinubu’s education agenda. Her appointment is viewed as a crucial stride toward achieving gender balance in the realm of Nigerian politics and exemplifies President Tinubu’s commitment to fostering a governance structure that is both inclusive and competent.

Commenting on this historic appointment, Oraye St. Franklyn, a Canada-based leadership communications specialist, praised the Tinubu administration for its commitment to excellence and competence in governance.

“This appointment signifies a transformative shift in the Nigerian government, ushering in a new era of diversity, inclusion, and administrative brilliance in the nation’s education sector, underpinned by Mrs. Walson-Jack’s remarkable track record,” St. Franklyn noted.

Former Senate President, David Mark has urged Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, to be magnanimous in victory, following his victory at the Supreme Court.

LeadingReporters gathered that the apex court validated the March 2023 Electoral victory of Alia as the winner of the governorship election in Benue after the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate challenged the outcome of the exercise.

In a statement by his media adviser, Mr Paul Mumeh, in Kano on Sunday, the ex-senate president urged Alia to carry everyone along in the interest of the development of Benue, asking him to be a father to all.

He equally urged the governor to strengthen the security network and promote peace, unity, and welfare of all citizens of the state.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and your Deputy Governor, Sam Odey, as well as your team on the recent electoral victory and the successful resolution of the court case.

“Your leadership, dedication, and the support of the people have resulted in this triumphant moment, and I want to express my admiration for your unwavering commitment to public service,” he said.

He described the positive outcome of the court case as a testament to the integrity and strength of Alia’s campaign and the affirmation of the people’s mandate through the democratic process.

The Joint Admission and Matriculations Board has said Persons Living With Disability who wish to sit for the 2024/2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination can register at no cost.

The JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this while rolling out the registration process for interested candidates across the country.

While announcing that registration for the 2024 matriculation examination will commence on Monday, (today), Oloyede said JAMB will issue free application documents to all categories of Persons Living With Disability as a form of support.
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“To support the PLWD, JAMB will issue free application documents to all categories of Persons Living with Disabilities in the advertisement for the 2024 UTME/DE,” he said.

Oloyede who disclosed that measures have been put in place to ensure a smooth exercise for all candidates, said audio books will now be provided for all blind candidates.

The registrar said the development was a digital adaptation of the traditional reading book, noting that it will come in popular audio formats such as MP3, WMV, and WMA which will be compatible with all devices that can stream audio records.

He said the suggestion for the provision of audiobooks was made at the first National Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education in Nigeria.

Apart from the blind candidates, other groups to benefit from the free registration according to the examination body are people with Down syndrome, Autism, Dyslexia disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

“The following categories of candidates will now be listed under the disability group: Down syndrome, Autism, Dyslexia disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),” he said.

•⁠ ⁠Names finance minister as chairman

Following the six-week suspension of the four programmes under the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA) by President Bola Tinubu on Friday, he has approved the establishment of a Special Presidential Panel on the programmes, which will be led by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun.

The Special Presidential Panel is tasked immediately to undertake a comprehensive review and audit of existing financial frameworks and policy guidelines of the social investment programmes with a view to implementing a total re-engineering of the financial architecture of the programmes with detailed modification to procedures guiding the programmes’ implementation moving forward.

According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, on Saturday, the Special Presidential Panel, which is comprised of ministers representing strategic sectors and will ensure a multi-disciplinary approach to the reform effort, is made up of six members.

They are the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, as chairman, and Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, as member.

Other members include Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, and Minister of State for Youth.

“President Tinubu anticipates that this Special Presidential Panel will validate the confidence reposed in it by winning back all lost public confidence in these vital programmes over the years by ushering in a new era of operation based on open and accountable governance frameworks that will prove impervious to abuse and incompetence for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households across our nation,” the presidential media aide added.

Gunmen, in the early hours of Saturday, abducted the Caretaker Chairman of  Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, Haanongon Gideon, and three others.

The chairman was said to have been kidnapped along Anyagba, Tongov, in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state around 6.30am while on the way to attend the burial of the paramount ruler of Katsina-Ala LG, the Ter Katsina-Ala, Chief Fezaanga Wombo.

Among those kidnapped along with him were his personal assistant, Mr. Ior Yuhwam, his driver, and a police officer.

However, a press statement from the council secretary, Jonathan Modi, confirmed the abduction of the caretaker chairman and three others.

The statement read in parts, “The Ukum Local Government Area Executive Council announces the kidnap of the Council Chairman, Rev. Haanongon Gideon, alongside his PA on Administration, Mr Ior  Yuhwam, his driver and police officer.

“The ugly incident took place this morning, along Anyagba, Tongov, in Katsina-Ala LGA, of Benue State, around 6:30am, while on the way to attend the burial of the paramount Ruler of Katsina Ala LG, the Ter Katsina-Ala, Chief Fezaanga Wombo.”

The statement enjoined all the people of the local government to remain calm and be law-abiding, assuring them that measures are being taken to ensure the victims’ freedom.

The state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Matthew Abo, also confirmed the abduction of the chairman.

He said, “It’s true he was abducted, I cannot say much now because I am at a funeral in Katsina-Ala.”

The state Commissioner for Information, who hails from the same local government area, was also abducted by gunmen in September, 2023.

However,  the state command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, said she was yet to be briefed