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The Labour Party is facing a fresh crisis as its National Treasurer, Mrs. Oluchi Oparah, has accused the National Chairman, Julius Abure, of mismanaging party funds exceeding N3.5 billion.

The funds in question allegedly originate from the proceeds of selling nomination forms and engaging in other fundraising activities for the 2023 general elections.

At a press conference held on Monday in Abuja, Oparah alleged that Abure has been stopping her attempts to fulfil her constitutional duty of overseeing the party’s finances. She further claimed that the chairman has refused to open the party’s books for scrutiny since the closure of nomination form sales before the 2023 elections.

Oparah said, “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the press. I stand before you today with a heavy heart and a sense of duty to the principles of transparency, accountability, and justice. With great reluctance and deep concern, I am compelled to publicly address the media regarding the egregious financial mismanagement and corruption that have plagued our beloved party under the leadership of Mr Julius Abure, the current National Chairman.

“As National Treasurer, I am constrained to come before you and the public today because the internal mechanisms of our party have failed woefully to bring Mr Abure to account for his brazen abuse of office and misappropriation of party funds.

“His appetite for power has grown unchecked, and he has deliberately undermined my duties and authority as stipulated in the party’s constitution.”

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police Command have arrested a total of 311 suspects – 297 males and 14 females, in a bandits’ relaxation camp called “Game House” in Gidan Dambe, Dei Dei, Abuja.

Some guns and ammunition, swords, knives, axes, daggers, motorcycles, and several mobile phones, were recovered during the operation.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, disclosed this on Monday, during a parade of the suspects at the Intelligence Response Team unit (former Special Anti-Robbery Squad), Guzape, Abuja.

He noted that police operatives at about 11:30 pm on Sunday, acting on credible intelligence that bandits, kidnappers, and armed robbers usually return to the “Game House” to relax and entertain themselves, arrested the 311 suspects within 20 minutes of storming the area.

Igwe said, “When you hear something, say something. We had credible information that some bandits and kidnappers usually return to a place called ‘Game House’ in Gidan Dambe in Dei Dei, after returning from their criminal operations. They usually go back there to relax and entertain themselves at the game house.

“Our newly launched operation Velvet raided the marked black spot and arrested 297 males and 14 females within 20 minutes of storming the area.

During the search, one English Pistol with 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition was recovered from one Ibrahim Tukur who claimed to be a DSS personnel.

Other exhibits such as motorcycles, wraps of marijuana, illicit substances and valuables reasonably suspected to have been stolen from innocent residents were equally recovered. Meanwhile, all the suspects are still undergoing screening.

The FCT has been experiencing a surge in kidnapping and bandit attacks in recent times.

In January 2024, operatives of the Special Intervention Squad, Federal Capital Territory Police Command, neutralised three notorious bandits in a forest within the Bwari area of Abuja.

GUO Transport Company has officially acknowledged a bandit attack on one of its buses traveling from Lagos to Abuja, as the police maintain silence on the matter.

The incident, which occurred along the Ikare-Akoko Road in Ondo State, resulted in the tragic killing of the bus driver and the abduction of passengers, excluding a three-year-old child.

In a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Sunday, GUO Transport provided details of the incident, specifying that the attack took place around 3:15 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2024.

The transport company clarified that the vehicle was en route to Abuja from Lagos, contrary to earlier reports that the bus was headed for the southeast.

While GUO Transport expressed regret over the unfortunate incident and conveyed prayers for those affected, there has been no official statement from the police regarding the attack.

The company called for urgent government intervention to enhance the safety of Nigerian roads.

“Our prayers are with those directly or indirectly affected by this unfortunate incident,” GUO Transport stated in its release, adding, “We appreciate the prayers, advice, understanding, and support of the security agencies, our staff, our passengers, and the public at this critical moment.”

GUO Transport added that it is actively collaborating with security agencies to facilitate the swift and safe release or rescue of the kidnapped passengers.

The company appealed to the government and security agencies to intensify efforts for the safety of highways underscores growing concerns about the security of road travel in Nigeria.

The Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) in Enugu State has announced a temporary shutdown of water-producing factories due to the high cost of production.

The decision was made following an emergency meeting on February 8, 2024, where the challenges confronting the association’s members were extensively discussed.

Starting from February 12 to February 15, 2024, all Table Water Producers in Enugu State, including those producing sachets and pet bottles, are required to suspend production.

The move is aimed at providing an opportunity for the association to seek viable solutions to the numerous challenges faced by its members, particularly in light of the harsh economic situation in the country.

The statement issued by ATWAP highlighted the following:

The current harsh economic situation in the country, especially as it affects materials and other logistics for the production of sachet water in the state, was critically reviewed.

“After hours of deliberations on the overwhelming challenges being encountered by ATWAP members, especially the over 500 per cent increase in the prices of raw materials and other factors of production, we have to come to this decision.

“Following the 500% increase in the prices of raw materials, which included, nylon, parking bags, purifying materials, procurement of water from boreholes located outside the city, diesel, high electricity tariff, haulage/transportation and other maintenance and staff costs, we had to close shop.

“Also, the upward review of various fees charged by both agencies of the state and local governments within our areas of operations is also a factor,” it said.

Nurses under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Abuja chapter, on Monday, protested against the new verification certification guidelines released by the Nigeria and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

The nurses expressed displeasure over what they described as an attempt to hinder their freedom to pursue career opportunities, asking the council to address nurses’ welfare, salary scale, shortage of staff, and other rights.

The protest monitored by our correspondent was carried out at the NMCN’s office in Abuja.

The NMCN had on February 7, 2024, issued a circular revising the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives.

The council’s circular was released after The PUNCH reported the deactivation of the verification portal on NMCN’s website since December 2023.

The circular signed by the Registrar of the council, Dr Faruk Abubakar, read in part, “A non-refundable fee per application shall be paid for verification to foreign boards of nursing as specified on the portal. This shall cover the cost of courier services to the applicant’s institution(s) of training, place of work, and foreign board.

“Eligible applicants must have a minimum of two years post qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practicing licence. Any application with a provisional licence shall be rejected outright.

“The council shall request a letter of good standing from the chief executive officer of the applicant’s place(s) of work and the last nursing training institution attended and responses on these shall be addressed directly to the Registrar/CEO, NMCN. Please note that the council shall not accept such letter(s) through the applicant.”

The council also stated that applicants must have active practising licences with a minimum of six months to the expiration date, and processing of verification applications would take a minimum of six months.

It added that the implementation of the guidelines takes effect from March 1, 2024.

Meanwhile, on Monday, the nurses and midwives were at the NMCN office singing and wielding placards around the premises .

Some of the inscriptions on the placards read, “Address unemployment among nurses, address quakery, address nurses welfare, and “#No to verification rules. Stop frustrating the Nigerian nurses, we are going through a lot already, Protect nurses, protect healthcare, NMCN, we say no to the verification rules, NMCN, don’t reduce nurses” among others.

Details later.

Following the death of group managing director and chief executive of Access Holdings, the former Nigerian minister of Finance and current director general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; and the group MD/CEO of NGX Group, Temi Popoola, among others, have expressed their condolences over the death of group managing director, Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe in a helicopter crash in the United States of America at the weekend.

This is even as the board of Access Holdings Plc may soon begin to hunt for a helmsman after the tragic demise of its group managing director, Herbert Wigwe, in a helicopter crash in the United States of America.

The group had, in an earlier statement, yesterday, noted that it will soon name a successor to Herbert Wigwe in acting capacity.

It is expected that the board of the financial conglomerate will officially notify the regulators on the first day of business and would convene a board meeting to begin to consider the options for a replacement for the late GMD.

The board of directors is expected to convene a meeting to discuss the situation and decide on the next course of action. Whilst they may appoint an interim replacement pending the appointment of the substantive GMD, there is also the option of appointing a permanent replacement.

In many cases, there may be a designated deputy or an interim successor in the bank’s leadership structure. If the managing director had a clear succession plan in place, this individual may step in temporarily to ensure continuity and stability.

Presently, the board of the bank is constituted by the chairman, the group managing director, four non-executive directors, one independent non-executive directors and two executive directors. The most senior after the chairman is the current managing director of the banking subsidiary, Roosevelt Ogbonna.

Ogbonna, before his current role, was Access Bank’s deputy managing director since 2017 prior to which he had been appointed executive director, Commercial Banking Division, in October 2013.

He was appointed the managing director of the bank with effect from May 2, 2022. He is a through-bred professional with over two decades of banking experience having joined Access Bank in 2002 from Guaranty Trust Bank.

With the guideline on tenure as released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last year, which fixed the tenure of deputy managing directors and executive directors (ED) of a bank at a maximum period of 12 years, Ogbonna currently has two years on the board.

Banking sources told news correspondents that to ensure stability and continuity, Ogbonna may be favoured by the board as an interim GMD to stabilise the corporation before it shops for the substantive one later.

Also to be put into consideration are the two camps that hold sway on the board. Recall that Access Bank was bought by Herbert Wigwe and his business partner, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. It is, however, not sacrosanct that the replacement would be from within the Corporation itself.

Commenting on the demise of Dr. Wigwe, Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, chairman of Access Holdings said: “The Access Family has suffered a major loss with the passing of Dr. Wigwe who was a great friend and fine gentleman. He had a prodigious intellect, admirable personal qualities, and vast business experience which he brought to bear on the Access Family and for which we owe him a debt of gratitude.

“In line with the Company’s policy, the Board will soon announce the appointment of an acting group chief executive officer even as we remain confident that the Access Group will build further on Dr. Wigwe’s legacy of growth and operational excellence.”

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has said the problems facing Nigeria are spiritual.

The clergyman stated this on Sunday while visiting the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani.

He stated that Nigeria needed urgent spiritual help to overcome the challenges confronting the nation.

According to Adeboye, the challenges facing the country were more than political, but problems that required spiritual solutions.

“We don’t want a situation where people begin to think of taking their own lives.

“Nigeria needs the help of God and it needs the help urgently,” he said.

He, however, expressed hope that the problems would not last forever and things would soon be better.

According to him, his tour of Nigeria, which brought him to Kaduna, was not just to organise crusades and pray for the people and Nigeria, but an opportunity to gather people together to let them know that, tomorrow is going to be alright if Nigerians can be a little more patient with God.

He said, “I am delighted to be here again. I was here about two or so years ago with the former governor; at that time, I came to pray for some of my members who were kidnapped and they were miraculously rescued. I came to encourage their families to let them know that all will be well.

“I have come again this time around because it has become more and more clearer to us that, the problem our nation is facing is more than political. Our problems will require a bit of spiritual solution.

“We as a country are blessed; we are blessed with people with great intelligence, we are blessed with all manners of resources and yet we have so many problems.

“And it is not as if people in authority are not trying their best; they are doing as much as humanly possible. And then we found out that when you have problems that are beyond human ability to solve, you call on the Almighty. The reason we call Him Almighty is because He has the power to solve all problems.

“So, we have been going around in our little way to support the efforts of all the various governments and parastatals to call on the Almighty to come to our aid, because we need help. We need help and we need it urgently.

“Because, as much as our leaders are doing their very best to help us solve our problems, the problems seem to have persisted, and in some areas, the problems seem to be getting worse. But we trust in Almighty God that, this problems will not last forever. We trust God that the problem will even be over sooner than later.

“That is why we have been going round holding crusade and the crusade are just a means of gathering people together to let them know tomorrow is going to be alright if we can be a little more patient with God. We believe very strongly that people need this kind of encouragement so that they don’t lose hope.”

Federal civil servants in about 90 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are yet to receive their January salaries, Daily Trust can report.

The affected MDAs include the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHoCSF), the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Ministry of Education, the National Population Commission, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Voice of Nigeria, among others.

According to Premium Times, the workers lamented and said their December 2023 salary delay experience ought not to have been repeated.

“As I am talking to you, myself and three of my colleagues have not been paid. The situation is not fair not with the current situation of the daily increment of prices of food items and other things in the country,” one of the workers said

Others alleged that the delay in the payment of their salaries was an indication that the government was insensitive to the sufferings of the masses.

The delay in the December salary payment had been attributed to technical issues relating to upload and harmonization of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

The delay in the payment of January salaries was blamed on the technical glitch on the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS) platform by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).

GIFMIS is an IT-based system for budget management and accounting put in place by the federal government to improve public expenditure management processes and enhance greater accountability and transparency across ministries and agencies.

A January 31 memo titled, ‘Delay in the Payment of January 2024 Salary’, from the bursary department of the National Mathematics Centre, Abuja, to all its staff, signed by the acting bursar, Pius Ukwah, said, “We wish to inform you that January 2024 salaries will be delayed beyond normal.

“As of today, the OAGF is still working on finalising the 2024 appropriation on the GIFMIS platform and as a result, the personnel warrant for January is yet to be released”.

In separate interviews with Daily Trust and Premium Times, the workers lamented and said their December 2023 salary delay experience ought not to have been repeated.

“As I am talking to you, myself and three of my colleagues have not been paid. The situation is not fair not with the current situation of the daily increment of prices of food items and other things in the country,” one of the workers said.

Others alleged that the delay in the payment of their salaries was an indication that the government was insensitive to the sufferings of the masses.

A January 31 memo titled, ‘Delay in the Payment of January 2024 Salary’, from the bursary department of the National Mathematics Centre, Abuja, to all its staff, signed by the acting bursar, Pius Ukwah, said, “We wish to inform you that January 2024 salaries will be delayed beyond normal.

“As of today, the OAGF is still working on finalising the 2024 appropriation on the GIFMIS platform and as a result, the personnel warrant for January is yet to be released”.

The memo, which copied the Director/CE, the Registrar and pasted on all notice boards, stated further, “The same situation applies to all MDAs and not just the centre. We regret the inconvenience caused by this delay.”

In Ekiti State, some of the workers who spoke with Premium Times included staff of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti; Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN); National Orientation Agency (NOA), and Federal Ministry of Information, among others.

An official of FUOYE, Wole Balogun, said with the hardship being faced by the people, it was inconceivable that salaries could be delayed longer than necessary.

Balogun, who blamed the delay on an unnecessary bureaucratic bottleneck associated with the payment platforms, urged the federal government to expedite action on the payment, “because the situation is becoming unbearable.”

A staffer of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Folashade Daramola, also lamented the delay. She noted that many members of staff have loan obligations that they ought to have paid as at when due, which have remained pending.

Also, Owoeye Ilesanmi, who is a staffer of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), said that in addition to delay in the payment of January salary, the federal government has reneged on the payment of the wage award.

In Katsina State, many federal workers spoken to also said they had not been paid their salary and palliatives support from the government.

In separate interviews with Daily Trust and Premium Times, the workers lamented and said their December 2023 salary delay experience ought not to have been repeated.

“As I am talking to you, myself and three of my colleagues have not been paid. The situation is not fair not with the current situation of the daily increment of prices of food items and other things in the country,” one of the workers said.

Others alleged that the delay in the payment of their salaries was an indication that the government was insensitive to the sufferings of the masses.

In Ekiti State, some of the workers who spoke with Premium Times included staff of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti; Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN); National Orientation Agency (NOA), and Federal Ministry of Information, among others.

An official of FUOYE, Wole Balogun, said with the hardship being faced by the people, it was inconceivable that salaries could be delayed longer than necessary.

Balogun, who blamed the delay on an unnecessary bureaucratic bottleneck associated with the payment platforms, urged the federal government to expedite action on the payment, “because the situation is becoming unbearable.”

A staffer of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Folashade Daramola, also lamented the delay. She noted that many members of staff have loan obligations that they ought to have paid as at when due, which have remained pending.

Also, Owoeye Ilesanmi, who is a staffer of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), said that in addition to delay in the payment of January salary, the federal government has reneged on the payment of the wage award.

In Katsina State, many federal workers spoken to also said they had not been paid their salary and palliatives support from the government.

Some of the affected workers told Premium Time that the delay was affecting their work schedule, as they now find it difficult to go to work, especially those living in areas far from their offices.

“I work in a department that requires me to go to the office every day, but I’ve finished my savings and I’m finding it difficult to travel to Dutsin Ma to undertake my responsibility,” Faruk (surname withheld), who is an engineer with the department of Physical Planning and Works at the Federal University, Dutsin Ma, said.

Another non-academic worker of the Federal Polytechnic, Daura, who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation, said the delay in salary payment was affecting her activities, especially because she travelled daily from Katsina to Daura.

An official of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Edo State, Jude Abugu, described the delay in payment of salaries as commonplace in recent months.

A memo from the Accountant-General’s Office said work was ongoing towards finalising the 2024 budget on the GIFMIS platform.

When contacted last night, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the OAGF, Bawa Mokwa, told Daily Trust that about 90 offices across the MDAs were affected, including some universities and polytechnics.

He, however, said many of the workers had started receiving their salaries on Thursday; while others did on Friday and at the weekend.

“The issue was attributed to issue of uploading the 2024 budget and making it current because the salary was paid from the 2024 budget instead of the tradition where they overlap the budget,” he explained.

“All has been finalized on Friday. They are supposed to have started getting since yesterday (Saturday). If they don’t get, maybe it is from the banks, from tomorrow (Monday) morning, definitely they will get it”.

A top official in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, who insisted on not being named, said the delay in salary payment was not a punishment for workers.

He confirmed receiving his salary, but said he was aware that some of his “superior officers and some junior workers are yet to receive theirs.”

Source: Daily trust

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has canceled a scheduled trip to Abidjan, the capital city of Côte d’Ivoire.

Obi had earlier planned to watch the finals of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) football tournament, between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Ivorian national team.

Obi, took to his X handle on Sunday to express sadness over the death of a close friend and Chirman of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, his Wife, Son and a seasoned Nigerian banker, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, who died along with others in a helicopter crash in California, the United States.

A statement from his media office said Obi had purchased a return ticket and was to depart Nigeria by 1pm on Sunday when he received the news of the helicopter crash.

The statement reads: “Obi’s love for football dates back to his days as a student at Christ the King College, CKC, Onitsha during which he was also an ardent supporter of Rangers International of Enugu and the old Green Eagles.

“As a Governor he further demonstrated his love for the game when he renamed the Onitsha township stadium in Fagge, Onitsha after the first National team Captain Godwin Achebe.

“But he will not watch the epic match today following a helicopter crash in California, USA on Saturday that killed two Nigerian seasoned bankers, a sector Obi professionally belongs, the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group).

“As a result, Obi is in shock, and mourning and can no longer Tavel to Abidjan as already scheduled but his heart remains with the boys as he wishes them victory to bring home the trophy.

“Writing about the disease in his X handle, Obi said “I’m deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of my dear friend, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, CEO of Access Holdings, along with his wife and son, and another close friend, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former group chairman of NGX Group. This loss is profoundly felt across the nation.

“I first met Herbert during his early days, on the brink of starting his marital journey. I vividly remember assisting him in preparing for his traditional wedding and being there for the ceremony with his wife, Chizoba, from Achina, Anambra State. Since then, I’ve maintained a connection to his endeavors in my own modest ways.

“Herbert, a determined and forward-thinking individual, led Access Bank to new heights following his brother Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.

“His noteworthy contributions extended beyond the professional realm, with commendable philanthropic efforts in health and education, exemplified by the establishment of Wigwe University, showcasing his deep commitment to education as a driver of development.

“The loss of such an exceptional individual reminds us of life’s fleeting nature, encouraging us to live with a purpose that contributes to the betterment of humanity.

“My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Herbert, his beloved wife, his son, and all those who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash.

“May God grant them eternal rest and provide strength to Herbert’s family, Access Holdings, and all of us mourning this irreplaceable loss.”

United States authorities have travelled the cause of a helicopter crash which led to the death of of Group Chief Executive Officer, Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe.

Speaking during a media briefing on Saturday night (3am Nigerian time, Sunday), a National Transportation Safety Board member, Michael Graham, said preliminary reports suggest that a wintry weather condition was among the factors that contributed to the chopper crash that killed Wigwe.

Wigwe, his wife and son were onboard the helicopter when it crashed in California near the Nevada border on Friday, February 9, 2024.

Also on board was the former group chairperson of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.

Graham said officials were on the scene to gather perishable evidence adding that the team was “methodically and systematically reviewing all evidence” and considering all potential factors to determine the probable cause of the crash.

He noted that although the information provided was only preliminary, witness reports suggested that a wintry weather condition was among the factors that contributed to the accident.

“The crew consisted of a pilot in command and a safety pilot. The accident flight was operated by Orbic Air LLC as a Part 135 charter flight,” Graham said.

“Witness reports of the weather conditions at the time of the accident suggest rain and a wintry mix.

“The helicopter was not equipped with a cockpit voice recorder or a flight data recorder. This helicopter was not required to be equipped with those types of recording devices,” Graham added.

Asked about more information on the passengers, Graham stated there were no details but added that “any names will be released through the coroner’s office” without specifying a time frame.

He added that the NTSB would look into the chopper’s airworthiness; maintenance and structure of the helicopter, operations, meteorology, and air traffic control.

“Parties to the investigation include the FAA and Orbic Air LLC. As the investigation continues, other parties could be named,” he said.

“The BEA — the French aviation accident investigation agency — will serve as an accredited representative because France is a state of the manufacturer of the Airbus helicopter and the Turbomeca engine.”