Future of Lagos: Sanwolu welcomes Ambode back into Government House

By: Celestine Ukah 

The Governor of Lagos State Nigeria, Mr. Babajide Sanwolu has welcomed back his Predecessor, Governor Akinwumi Ambode into Lagos Government House on a courtesy visit over the future of Lagos State.

The visit which was done Monday August 12, 2024, according to Governor Babajide Sanwolu their conversation centred around the future of Lagos and greater Lagos.

The Governor in his  official X handle noted that him and Ambode Concentrated on consolidating on building on the solid foundation already in place.

He stressed that he values his perspective “As we all work together to ensure that Lagos remains on the path of growth and development”. Sanwolu stated.

Group Urges Yorubas To Fully Support Tinubu

** Says President Cannot Worship The North

Worried by the recent hardship protests witnessed in Nigeria, the O’Odua Integrity Network ( OIN) has called on the Yoruba Ethnic Nationality to be proactive, saying it was time for Yoruba Nation to re-think and rise to the defence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at all times against the North.

EndBadGovernance movement, according to OIN, organised by some faceless individuals, mostly misguided people, was supposedly against longstanding grievances about governance, corruption, and socio-economic challenges in the country.

In a Press Statement signed by Chief Adewale Adeosun (President) and Mr Ige Kilanko (Secretary), the group, lamented that despite assurances by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the government had heard the message loud and clear and his promises to meet some of the demands, the protests escalated in parts of the country, costing lives and leading to significant damage to property.

OIN said that the protests in the North were particularly volatile, destructive, and mindlessly orchestrated with a clear intention of bringing down the government, with hundreds of protesters waving Russian flags, while others openly called for the military to take over and wondered what the Service Chiefs were doing.

The Ibadan based group noted that Nigeria has a history of youth-led protests, adding that the most notable in recent times was the #EndSARS movement in 2020, which targeted police brutality and sparked widespread demonstrations across the country.

According to the group, during that period, Northern Nigeria remained relatively quiet, pointing out that; ” In fact, President Buhari said the protest was aimed at bringing down his government” and that key Northerners, who would not “stand idly by and watch Buhari’s government attacked”, spared no effort to crush the protests.

They noted that despite efforts by President Tinubu to clear the Augean stable left by Buhari and previous governments, he has been abandoned to bear the brunt of his long-overdue economic reforms, adding that;
“Northerners are up in arms against him – and sadly, very sadly – prominent Southerners, folding their hands, watching”.

The group wrote; “It’s even worse in the South West, Tinubu’s base! It appears that it was for exactly this moment that the illustrious Yoruba dramatist and actor Herbert Ogunde produced the play, “Yoruba Ro’onu!”

“What was the point in the deadly violence in places like Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Gombe, Nasarawa, Sokoto, and Maiduguri, with protesters waving Russian flags and calling for military intervention? What has Tinubu’s government done to deserve a call for unconstitutional change and an invitation to Russia to intervene in the country’s internal affairs? And Yorubas are watching as if it doesn’t concern them”, the group added.

The OIN said that they are concerned that the same Southern betrayal that scuttled the presidential ambition of the sage Obafemi Awolowo in 1979; the same Southern betrayal that cost the region the MKO Abiola presidency in 1993; and the same South betrayal that nearly cost President Olusegun Obasanjo a second term in 2003; was rearing its ugly head again.

They noted that; “While we are opposed to violence, we unequivocally call for a change in the attitude of Southerners, especially the Yorubas of the South West in the unfolding political situation in the country.Yorubas – women, students, workers and the elite – especially the elite, MUST take a stand and do so firmly.They should stop hiding behind a finger or burying their heads in the sand.The Northern agenda is clear, even to the blind. Because they believe that Tinubu must worship them and that they have been at the losing end of the progressive reforms of this government, they have vowed that Tinubu will NOT have a second term.But this is NOT about Tinubu! It’s about the South, specifically, the Yorubas.It is disgusting and disgraceful that Yorubas are standing by, as enlightened as they claim to be, while the North is riding roughshod over the country. We expect Yoruba sociocultural groups to see the Northern agenda for what it is and to come out fully in support of the President. The North’s attitude of “Kaka ki eku ma je se se…”, literally meaning that if they can’t have power, then no one else will, must stop! Yorubas home and abroad must see this danger for what it is and rally to the Tinubu’s defence.They must take a stand, NOW!

Here Is The Full Press Statement By OIN:

STATE OF THE NATION:
YORUBA RO’0NU – TIME FOR YORUBA NATION TO RE-THINK

*RECENT PROTESTS AND DISCONTENT: A CALL TO PROACTIVE ACTION BY YORUBA ETHNIC NATIONALITY

Recently, Nigeria witnessed a surge of youth-led protests under the banner of the “EndBadGovernance” movement.

This movement, organised by some faceless individuals, mostly misguided people, was supposedly against longstanding grievances about governance, corruption, and socio-economic challenges in the country.

Despite assurances by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the government had heard the message loud and clear and his promises to meet some of the demands, the protests escalated in parts of the country, costing lives and leading to significant damage to property.

The protests in the North were particularly volatile, destructive, and mindlessly orchestrated with a clear intention of bringing down the government.

Hundreds of protesters waved Russian flags, while others openly called for the military to take over!

We wonder what the Service Chiefs were doing!!!

Nigeria has a history of youth-led protests. The most notable in recent times was the #EndSARS movement in 2020, which targeted police brutality and sparked widespread demonstrations across the country.

During that period, Northern Nigeria remained relatively quiet – in fact, President Buhari said the protest was aimed at bringing down his government! Key Northerners, who would not “stand idly by and watch Buhari’s government attacked”, spared no effort to crush the protests.

Fast forward to 2024.

Despite efforts by President Tinubu to clear the Augean stable left by Buhari and previous governments, he has been abandoned to bear the brunt of his long-overdue economic reforms!
Northerners are up in arms against him – and sadly, very sadly – prominent Southerners, folding their hands, watching!

It’s even worse in the South West, Tinubu’s base! It appears that it was for exactly this moment that the illustrious Yoruba dramatist and actor Herbert Ogunde produced the play, “Yoruba Ro’onu!”

What was the point in the deadly violence in places like Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Gombe, Nasarawa, Sokoto, and Maiduguri, with swathes of protesters waving Russian flags and calling for military intervention?

What has Tinubu’s government done to deserve a call for unconstitutional change and an invitation to Russia to intervene in the country’s internal affairs?

And Yorubas are watching as if it doesn’t concern them!

We are concerned that the same Southern betrayal that scuttled the presidential ambition of the sage Obafemi Awolowo in 1979; the same Southern betrayal that cost the region the MKO Abiola presidency in 1993; and the same South betrayal that nearly cost President Olusegun Obasanjo a second term in 2003; is rearing its ugly head again!

While we are opposed to violence, we unequivocally call for a change in the attitude of Southerners, especially the Yorubas of the South West in the unfolding political situation in the country.

Yorubas – women, students, workers and the elite – especially the elite, MUST take a stand and do so firmly.

They should stop hiding behind a finger or burying their heads in the sand!

The Northern agenda is clear, even to the blind!

Because they believe that Tinubu must worship them and that they have been at the losing end of the progressive reforms of this government, they have vowed that Tinubu will NOT have a second term!

But this is NOT about Tinubu! It’s about the South, specifically, the Yorubas!

It is disgusting and disgraceful that Yorubas are standing by, as enlightened as they claim to be, while the North is riding roughshod over the country.

We expect Yoruba sociocultural groups to see the Northern agenda for what it is and to come out fully in support of the President!

The North’s attitude of “Kaka ki eku ma je se se…”, literally meaning that if they can’t have power, then no one else will, must stop!

Yorubas home and abroad must see this danger for what it is and rally to the Tinubu’s defence.

They must take a stand, NOW!

Yoruba Ro’onu!

SIGNED:

CHIEF ADEWALE ADEOSUN
PRESIDENT

MR. IGE KILANKO
SECRETARY

Dr Isaac Akpoveta presenting the award of IEAI brand advocate for Universal Health Coverage to the sponsor, Chief John Nani who was represented by Chief Happy Otojareri

By Pat Gbemudu

300 women drawn from the various kingdoms in Urhobo nation have been adopted and enrolled into the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission.

The gesture, courtesy of the Chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief John Nani, is in fulfillment of Chief Nani’s promise, while paying for health insurance for 240 persons earlier in April this year, that he would sponsor more Urhobo women.

While describing the gesture as a demonstration of commitment to social responsibility and the welfare of the vulnerable, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Olorogun Isaac Akpoveta, commended Chief John Nani.

Dr. Akpoveta stated that healthcare is a fundamental human right, many cannot access it; hence, the importance of such philanthropic efforts to ensure no one is left behind.

He thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his consistent support for the scheme, which has enabled the commission, adding that before the 2030 deadline of the World Health Organization (WHO), Delta State would have achieved the Universal Health Coverage goal.

While reiterating the readiness of the commission for a hitch-free implementation, the Director-General called on well-meaning individuals, associations, and groups, including those in the diaspora, to key into the Indigent Adoption Initiative of the Commission and purchase health insurance for as many indigent persons as they could, at the subsidized cost of ₦7,000 per person per year.

The sponsor of the 300 new enrollees and Chairman of DESOPADEC, Chief John Nani, represented by Chief Happy Otojareri, lauded the state government for the initiative, saying it was apt, especially at a time when the country was experiencing inflation, leading to high costs of medication.

The President of the UPU Women’s Wing, Dame Rose Oghene, and other women leaders who spoke, expressed gratitude, adding that the adoption and enrollment of their members into the scheme have not only helped to spread good health in the Urhobo nation but have also led to a significant increase in membership of the UPU Women’s Wing.

A beneficiary thanking the sponsor and the DSCHC for the opportunity to access free healthcare for a year

Beneficiaries said they have never had it this good and thanked the state government, their sponsor, and the UPU leadership for selecting them to enjoy free healthcare for a year.

It is noteworthy that Chief Nani had earlier sponsored the health insurance of 240 women from the UPU Women’s Wing, bringing the total number of women sponsored by him to 540.

Ereyitomi congratulates newly elected PDP Chairmen in three Warri LGAs, wishes them successful leadership

The Member Representing Warri Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives. Honourable Chief Dr. Thomas Ereyitomi has extended his best wishes to the Delta State ruling, PDP in Warri South, Warri North and Warri South-West LGAs.

Rep Ereyitomi in his special congratulatory wishes on Saturday August 10, 2024, immediately after their emergence commended the PDP for the hitch free elections that brought in Hon. Richard Pessu, Chairman PDP Warri South, Hon. Victor Dudu and Mr. Goddy Omadoye Chairmen of PDP in Warri North and Warri South-West respectively.

He urged the new party Chairmen to carry everyone along and ensure PDP remain the party to beat in the three Warri LGAs as the party remain strong in the LGAs.

Chief Ereyitomi a second term member of the Green Chamber, Federal House of Representatives and Chairman House Committee on Petroleum Resources Training Funds, appealed to the PDP leaders to show strong support to the people in making sure the party sustain its winning sequences in the three Warri LGAs, even as he assured them of support for them to succeed in their piloting of the affairs of the PDP in the three Warri LGAs.

Dr. Agbolaya to Richard Pessu: Maintain winning record of Warri South PDP, As he Congratulates new party exco

By: Celestine Ukah 

Special Adviser to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta on Community Development, Amb. Dr. Toyin Orighomisan Agbolaya JP has welcomed in a high delight the election of Hon. Richard Pessu as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Chairman in Warri South, urging him to maintain the winning streak of the party in the LGA.

Dr. Agbolaya in his congratulatory message to Hon. Pessu also charged him to continue in harmonising the people as one as well sustain the unity among the various ethnic groups and members of the party irrespective of religious background.

He congratulated the newly elected executive of the PDP in Warri South and expressed optimism that Hon. Pessu will perform creditably well as he has been a well grounded loyal party member who has supported to the growth of the PDP in the Local Government Area.

Dr. Agbolaya described the new PDP Chairman in Warri South, Hon. Richard Pessu as the immediate past Public Relations Officer, PRO, former Councilor and the longest serving Deputy Leader in the Warri South Legislative Arm.

Surrogacy: Ejovi issues 7 days ultimatum to ex wife, Emily Apiloko to retract media report

CHIEF Johnbull Ejovi has issued seven days ultimatum to his ex wife, Emily Apiloko to retract her story on BBC where she linked his name to her surrogacy journey or be prepared to meet him in court for defamation of character.

Chief Ejovi said he is not in anyway against surrogacy, but against the deceit of his ex wife Emily Apiloko, attempts to trap him with twins he knows nothing about how they were conceived.

According to him, he never planned with Emily to do a surrogacy with her when those children were conceived, he never gave his sperm to “Meet the Surrogate Mothers Agency” or any affiliated hospital for that purpose, so why is Emily and the Meet the Surrogate Mothers Agency parading him as the father of Emily’s twins?

Reacting to her remarks on BBC, Chief Ejovi alleged that Emily bought those children from Meet the Surrogate Mothers Agency, adding that he Chief Ejovi does not want to be linked to that crime.

While recalling that his ex wife, Emily Apiloko pleaded for time to change her name and names of the children from Ejovi three years ago, he expressed surprise to now see her on BBC still linking him to the journey of her “so called surrogate story”.

Chief Ejovi alleges that Emily travelled to Lagos June 1st 2021 claiming she was going to harvest her eggs for her to start their surrogacy journey, only for her to call him that the hospital/agency offered to give her babies abandoned with a surrogate mother and claimed after few days that she had set of twins.

“It is obvious she bought the children, which of course, she admitted at Alagbon Police Station in Lagos that I did not donate sperm and she did not donate egg. So it is obvious that she bought those children.

“I have grown up children before I married Emily. Today, I am a grandfather. I cannot be part of crime of buying children at my age”, he said.

Meanwhile, Ejovi had in an adversarial, titled legal notice/disclaimer signed by him published 25th September, 2021 said; “myself and my wife Emily Ejovi have no children together.

“The children she purportedly have either via her self planned surrogacy or babies buying, who she named Ejovi Oromena Mayjane and Ejovi Oghenemaro Marvel or any other name are not my children and so cannot be bearing my name.

“I am not the father of these children as I was not the donor of the sperm and also did not sign any adoption papers, nor was my wife ever pregnant to my knowledge.”

Continuing, Chief Ejovi said: “I will put her on strict grounds to proof if she continues to claim I am the father of her twins.

“Her allegation in her BBC broadcast that her Mother in-law was insulting her of being barren is obviously not my mother because my mother died 20 years before I got married to Emily”.

Anioma’s Political Paragon, Joan Onyemaechi Regains Freedom From Abductors

By Patrick Ochei

The Paragon of beauty and politics, former House of Reps member and immediate past Delta State Commissioner for Technical Education, Hon. Joan Onyemaechi popularly known as Ada Anioma has been released by her abductors.

The cheering news was confirmed by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright who promised to make details of her freedom known to the Press later.

Further confirmation to her release also came from her Media Assistant, Mr. Fortune Ngozi Onwordi over a telephone conversation.

There is jubilation across political, cultural and religious divides in the State, as people who have been earnestly enmeshed in prayers are now rejoicing that their awesome and philanthropic Ada Anioma is back.

Hon. Joan Onyemaechi, a woman of God, politician and socialite of attractive delight has been in the kidnappers den for 11 days.

During the operation that led to her successful abduction at the King Jesus and I Fellowship Centre, one of her drivers and a police orderly were shot dead while the second police officer was injured and still being medically attended to.

Ada Anioma who grew from the cradle of politics to the level of authority in politics, became a renowned voice and unarguably one woman that stood out in politics for the people of Delta North Senatorial District (Anioma) by the positions and assignments she has handled in government.

She started off as a PA to former Governor, two terms State House of Assembly member, one term House of Representatives member and then Director General of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency where she made her mark by changing the face of Asaba against all odds, just before her last appointment as Commissioner for Technical Education.

While we await details of her release, the state is in jubilant mood over her freedom.

“We want at least 500 students”- DVC of NOUN declares as Warri South LGC Boss, Agbateyiniro gives 30-day timeline for facility upgrade

By: Celestine Ukah 

The Deputy Vice Chancellor, DVC, Administration of National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, Prof. Isaac Butswat, has told the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Comr. Weyinimi Isaac Agbateyiniro, that at least five hundred students, must be guaranteed and the physical infrastructure for the study centre, needs to meet the necessary requirements, before a study centre of NOUN would be approved in Warri.

Prof. Butswat, gave the condition Friday August 9, when he led a delegation of NOUN Officials to Warri South Local Government Council in Warri, Delta State, on the invite of Comr. Weyinmi Agbateyiniro.

Photo-Grid of some facilities at the proposed Warri Study Centre of NOUN

The DVC Administration, who led the team on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi A. Peters, said the requirement for the number of students may not be as easy as it appears, because the Warri South Local Government Boss, “might have to help your (his) people with school fees, scholarships, grants etc.”

Whilst expressing happiness with Comrade Agbateyiniro’s interest in actualizing the takeoff of NOUN study Centre at Esisi Road, Warri, Prof. Butswat, who later followed Comrade Agbateyiniro, to the facility of the proposed Warri study centre, noted: “We are here because the honourable chairman is very interested in expanding access to education in Warri South Local Government.

Photo-Grid: Bottom Photo from right: Mrs. Misan Eke, Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyiniro, Prof. Isaac Butswat, Mr. Oladibo Ajayi, Mr. Omayeli Okotie & others

“Our VC is one that has the passion for open and decent learning and also a very cooperative person.

“It is with his approval that I am leading this delegation, to first of all come and inspect this facility that you have, for us to now deliberate on the qualifications of the facility for a befitting community study centre. Very recently, we have modified the requirements for the establishment of the community centres. We have made it more community friendly.

“We have different types of study centres. The main study centres are in the state capitals, mostly former party offices donated to us by Former Preident Olusegun Obasanjo. We have Community Study Centres, for communities that meet the requirements, and also Special Study Centres, usually established in Correctional Centres (Prisons). Yours, falls under community study centre.”

Speaking to newsmen after inspecting the proposed Warri Study Centre of NOUN, Prof. Butswat, stated: “I can say that it is a good effort. There are a few more things to put in place, principally the furniture.”

While the Registrar of NOUN, Mr. Oladipo Ajayi, said: “All the observations made today will be formalized and forwarded so that improvements can be made,” the Acting Director, Learner and Support Services of NOUN, Dr. Sefinat Omuya, averred: “I’m glad to be in a place where I can see passion for the development of the people around here. Personally, I feel Warri deserves a study centre and we all can join hands together to make it happen.”

The Director, Physical Development, Works and Services of the institution, Arc. Enyinnaya Akueshi, expressed his observation thus: “We are happy that the facility meets some of our requirements. The facility is fenced. Provisions for other needs, should be made to accommodate the students and the staff.”

The Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Comr. Weyinmi Isaac Agbateyiniro, who also addressed newsmen at the proposed Study centre, declared: “This facility has been here for nearly a decade. Considering the fact that Warri is the economic nerve centre of the state (Delta) and we do not have a university in the city, we want to appeal that after this inspection, you speedily put relevant machinery in place, to grant us this privilege of a study centre of NOUN in Warri.

“We have taken commitment that all the observations made by the team, will be addressed and concluded within 30 days.”

Chairman of the Steering Committee of Warri Study Centre of National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, Mr. Omayeli Okotie, who conducted the Warri South and NOUN delegations round the facility, disclosed that the member representing Warri Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi and the Warri South Chief Executive, Comr. Agbateyiniro, have made huge sacrifices toward the actualization of NOUN Warri Study Centre.

Group Calls For Investigation Of Ugochinyere’s Futile Attempt To Derail Progress Made By Kyari

**Says He Is Serial Extortionist, Blackmailer

An Enugu based pressure group, the Ohaneze Think Tank, on Friday August 9, 2024, called for the investigation of house of Representatives member, Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere over his futile attempt to derail the commendable progress made by the Group CEO of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, describing the House of Representatives member as a serial extortionist and a blackmailer.

The Ohaneze Think Tank in a Press Statement signed by Dr Azubuike Ajuluchukwu (Coordinator) and Dr Cletus Akinyili (Deputy Coordinator), equally rooted for the removal of Ugochinyere as Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum (Midstream).

According to the group, it is heartening that after a public outcry, the House of Representatives finally dissolved the so-called committee that was supposed to investigate the frivolous allegations against the Group CEO of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, by the so-called group of 15 members of the House, making it clear that the matter should not end there.

Specifically, the group said that the scandalous committee of 15 led by Representative, Ikenga Ugochinyere must also be investigated as a deterrent, saying that Ugochinyere has grossly abused his position as chairman of the Ad-hoc House Committee on Petroleum Products for reasons best known to him but which are hardly consistent with the public interest.

The group noted that rather than facing the crucial task, the Ugochinyere-led committee jumped to a spiteful conclusion that Kyari and the Chief Executive Officer of NMDPR, Farouk Ahmed, should be sacrificed even before scratching the surface of a thorough investigation and said that it was a shame that a man who claims to be a lawyer did not think about a fair hearing.

The group lamented that hiding under the cloak of the Deputy Spokesman of the House, Rep. Philip Agbese, Ugochinyere ignited a media agenda against the NNPCL management, feeding his colleagues in the House, especially the leadership and the general public with falsehood and a deliberate attempt to destroy Kyari’s reputation by criticising him unfairly and dishonestly to please those whose bidding he was willing to do at all cost.

“But for the swift intervention of about 120 members of the House under the aegis of “1 Agenda”, Ugochinyere and his cohorts were poised to impose their sinister agenda on the House and the Nigerian public. The only way he and people like him can learn a lesson is for them to be investigated. What is their interest in the Dangote Refinery? We align ourselves with the views of “1 Agenda” that the calls for Kyari’s removal are baseless, unfair and hypocritical”, the group said.

The group stated that he deserves commendation for his leadership and transformation of NNPC Ltd, increasing crude oil production from 800,000 bpd to 1.6 million bpd, saying that; “-We have every reason to suspect that the calls for Kyari’s removal are targeted at the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the petroleum minister”.

The group therefore, called on the House not to stop at dissolution of the the adhoc committee set up to implement the scandalous agenda of Ugochinyere and his ilk but also to investigate Ugochinyere’s interest in the Dangote Refinery further, adding that; “Ugochinyere and members of his extortionist ad-hoc committee were heavily compromised during their visit to Dangote Refinery. They were desperate to justify and deliver to justify package.His shameful indiscretion was not an accident. It was a carefully orchestrated move to advance his interest”.

According to the group also, Ugochinyere as a reputatable extortionist and blackmailer is a cog in the wheel of progress in NNPCL, pointing out that; “Ugochinyere is perennially on the neck of virtually all the managements of the strategic business units (SBU) of NNPCL under his oversight engagements, blackmailing and extorting them to no end. The heads of the SBU live in constant fears of Ugochinyere, who daily threaten them for their refusal to yield to his sinister and self- serving demands. Ugochinyere is inordinately looking for money, especially dollars on a daily basis and whoever refuses to accede to his dubious requests are tagged as enemies and he would threaten to deploy the instrumentality of the committee he headed in the House to deal decisively with the innocent public officers”.

They said that Ugochinyere has shamelessly become a monumental disgrace to the Ndigbo and a national tragedy and he should immediately be stripped of his position as chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Midstream) and be called to account for his shameful conduct, which interestingly came to light only after he visited the Dangote Refinery.

Here Is The Full Press Statement By The Ohaneze Think Tank:

OHANEZE THlNK TANK, ENUGU

Investigate Ugochinyere’s Futile Attempt to Derail Progress Made by Kyari

* Probe Ugochinyere as a serial Extortionist, Blackmailer

*PLEA FOR REMOVAL OF UGOCHINYERE AS CHAIRMAN, HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PETROLEUM (MIDSTREAM)

It’s heartening that after a public outcry, the House of Representatives finally dissolved the so-called committee that was supposed to investigate the frivolous allegations against the Group CEO of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, by the so-called group of 15 members of the House.

But the matter should not end there.

That scandalous committee of 15 led by Representative Ikenga Ugochinyere must also be investigated as a deterrent.

Ugochinyere has grossly abused his position as chairman of the Ad-hoc House Committee on Petroleum Products for reasons best known to him but which are hardly consistent with the public interest.

Rather than facing the crucial task, the Ugochinyere-led committee jumped to a spiteful conclusion that Kyari and the Chief Executive Officer of NMDPR, Farouk Ahmed, should be sacrificed even before scratching the surface of a thorough investigation.

It’s a shame that a man who claims to be a lawyer did not think about a fair hearing.

Hiding under the cloak of the Deputy Spokesman of the House, Rep. Philip Agbese, Ugochinyere ignited a media agenda against the NNPCL management, feeding his colleagues in the House, especially the leadership and the general public with falsehood and a deliberate attempt to destroy Kyari’s reputation by criticising him unfairly and dishonestly to please those whose bidding he was willing to do at all cost.

But for the swift intervention of about 120 members of the House under the aegis of “1 Agenda”, Ugochinyere and his cohorts were poised to impose their sinister agenda on the House and the Nigerian public.

The only way he and people like him can learn a lesson is for them to be investigated. What is their interest in the Dangote Refinery?

We align ourselves with the views of “1 Agenda” that the calls for Kyari’s removal are baseless, unfair and hypocritical.

He deserves commendation for his leadership and transformation of NNPC Ltd, increasing crude oil production from 800,000 bpd to 1.6 million bpd.

We have every reason to suspect that the calls for Kyari’s removal are targeted at the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the petroleum minister.

We, therefore, call on the House not to stop at dissolution of the the adhoc committee set up to implement the scandalous agenda of Ugochinyere and his ilk but also to investigate Ugochinyere’s interest in the Dangote Refinery further!

Ugochinyere and members of his extortionist ad-hoc committee were heavily compromised during their
visit to Dangote Refinery. They were desperate to justify and deliver to justify package.

His shameful indiscretion was not an accident. It was a carefully orchestrated move to advance his interest!

Ugochinyere as a reputable extortionist and blackmailer is a cog in the wheel of progress in NNPCL. Ugochinyere is perennially on the neck of virtually all the managements of the strategic business units (SBU) of NNPCL under his oversight engagements, blackmailing and extorting them to no end. The heads of the SBU live in constant fears of Ugochinyere, who daily threaten them for their refusal to yield to his sinister and self- serving demands. Ugochinyere is inordinately looking for money, especially dollars on a daily basis and whoever refuses to accede to his dubious requests are tagged as enemies and he would threaten to deploy the instrumentality of the committee he headed in the House to deal decisively with the innocent public officers.

Ugochinyere has shamelessly become a monumental disgrace to the Ndigbo and a national tragedy.

He should immediately be stripped of his position as chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Midstream) and be called to account for his shameful conduct, which interestingly came to light only after he visited the Dangote Refinery!

SIGNED:
DR. AZUBUIKE AJULUCHUKWU
COORDINATOR

DR. CLETUS AKINYILI
DEPUTY COORDINATOR