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Akwa-Ibom First Lady Dies, Gov’t Mourns

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  The Akwa-Ibom State government has announced the passing of the wife of the Executive governor, Mrs. Patience Umo Eno. A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong, on Friday said the governor’s wife died following an illness. The statement added that Patience Eno passed away peacefully at the hospital, on 26th September, 2024, in the presence of her family. He added that her husband, Governor Umo Eno appreciates all who have stood by the family in the trying period, assuring all the citizens that despite this huge personal loss, his commitment to the service of the state is unwavering. The statement reads: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of the Wife of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, following an illness. She passed away peacefully at the hospital, on 26th September, 2024, in the presence of her family.” “The family submits to the will of the Almighty and asks for the prayers and support of kind-hearted individuals during this difficult time. Further details will be provided by the family as necessary. In the meantime, the family kindly requests privacy as they mourn their beloved wife, mother and grandmother.” “His Excellency, the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno appreciates all who have stood by the first family in this period and assures all the citizens that despite this huge personal loss, his commitment to the service of the state is unwavering.”

FG Begins Payment Of New Minimum Wage

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    The federal government of Nigeria has commenced the payment of the new minimum wage to the civil servants under its payroll. The civil servants according to the federal government will start receiving the new minimum wage from Thursday, 26th of September. The Spokesperson of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, disclosed this in an exclusive interview on Thursday. He assured that workers will begin to get alert of their new minimum wage salary payment starting from Thursday. However, Mokwa did not state if the minimum wage would be paid alongside its arrears. He said: “Federal Government civil servants will start getting the new minimum wage from today (Thursday) this September 2024. What I can tell you is that the minimum wage salary payment is today I am not sure of the arrears.”

Jill Biden Bids Farewell To Visiting First Ladies At UNGA

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  The Wife of the US President Jill Biden has bid farewell to visiting First Ladies from other nations including the First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu at the 79th United Nations General Assembly. Jill Biden who hosted the First Ladies to a lunch described her interactions with the First Ladies as impactful as the lunch will be the last she will be hosting as the First Lady of the US. She says the bond they have forged over the years in their struggle to promote peace in the world and attract development to their respective countries will continue beyond next year January when she is expected to vacate as the First Lady of the United States. “I appreciate you all for always coming for this gathering, I have a great feeling that I will be seeing more of you in my next chapter of life. I wish you all the best as you all return to your various countries as it has come to my notice that many of you have a long way back home”. Lunch events are common on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, serving as platforms for world leaders and their delegations to hold bilateral talks, forge partnership and strengthen diplomatic ties. Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu attended the lunch, held at Pier 57, New York, as one of the events marking the end of her engagements and participation at the 79th session of UNGA .

PDP Accuses INEC, Security Agencies Of Making Edo Election A Must Win For APC

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    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies of aiding and abetting the irregularities that bedeviled the last Saturday Edo state governorship election, just as the party described the election as the worst poll ever conducted by the electoral umpire. Rev. Olu Martins, the Deputy Director-General, Media and Publicity, of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Council Management made the accusation while addressing newsmen in Benin. Martins said that the INEC made the election a must win for the APC following its actions and inactions. He berated the electoral body and the security agencies for providing the cover for the massive irregularities that took place at the collation process at the INEC State collation centre. Martins noted that the election was going on free, fair, and credible at the ward and Local government levels until INEC and the security agencies became interested parties in the election when it moved collation to the INEC State collation office. He added that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu body language and comments ahead of the Edo governorship election were not unconnected with the rape of democracy perpetuated during the September 21st governorship election, which he described as a sham and shame. He disclosed that the party was already consulting and putting things together to know the next line of action.   Independent NG

Conference Of Speakers Chairman, Ogundoyin Harps On Continuous Legislative Reforms For Effective Governance

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  By Adeleke Maria   Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin has emphasized the need for continuous legislative reforms to achieve and sustain effective governance in Nigeria. The Chairman spoke on Tuesday at the Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) programme closeout and dissemination event in Abuja. Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin highlighted the successes of the PERL program, which has fostered a culture of collaboration, accountability, and transparency in governance over its 8-year journey [1). “The PERL program has achieved remarkable milestones, including strengthening the capacity of State Houses of Assembly, supporting landmark legislation, enhancing public participation, and promoting transparency and accountability.” He noted that building on PERL’s successes, Nigeria is poised to make significant strides in governance reforms, focusing on sustaining and scaling up the program’s achievements. Speaking on some of the key reforms, Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin stressed that autonomy was vital for promoting federalism and ensuring representative democracy. According to him, when State Houses of Assembly are autonomous, they will perform oversight functions effectively, represent their constituents rightly, and ensure power devolution to grassroots levels. He emphasized that further legislative reforms are crucial for strengthening democratic institutions, addressing emerging challenges, promoting transparency, and accountability. While calling for full financial autonomy for all State Assemblies, the Conference Chairman noted that many countries have successfully implemented autonomy for their sub-national legislatures. Rt. Hon.Ogundoyin assured that negotiation and consultation will continue to ensure more states comply with the constitutional provision on financial autonomy for State Legislatures in Nigeria. He expressed gratitude to the PERL team and staff for their dedication and expertise in driving governance reforms in Nigeria.

FG Officially Increases NYSC Monthly Allowance Above N33,000

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  Federal Government has officially increased the monthly allowance for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from N33,000 to N77,000, effective July 2024. This change is in line with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, and it’s a significant boost to the corps members’ welfare package. This development follows the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, aimed at enhancing the welfare of corps members. The approval was communicated through a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission, dated September 25, 2024, and signed by Chairman Ekpo Nta. According to Caroline Embu, Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, NYSC, the Director-General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, had advocated for a robust welfare package for corps members during a visit to the Commission. In a statement released on Wednesday night, Embu confirmed the approval, stating that the NYSC Boss is thankful to the Federal Government for the timely gesture. She stated that the enhanced allowance aims to boost the morale of NYSC members and motivate them to contribute more effectively to national development. Embu said, “The Federal Government has approved the increase of Corps Members’ monthly allowance to Seventy-Seven Thousand Naira (N77,000) with effect from July 2024. This is in line with the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024. “Before this, the Director General, NYSC Brigadier General YD Ahmed, had paid an advocacy visit to the Chairman in which he solicited a robust welfare package for Corps Members. “The NYSC Boss is thankful to the Federal Government for the timely gesture and is optimistic that it will not only bring much-needed succor to the Corps Members but also boost their morale and motivate them to do even more, in their service to the nation. “Before this increase, the monthly allowance for Corps Members was Thirty-Three Thousand Naira (N33,000).

Armed Men Abduct Ogun Journalist, Location Unknown

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    The Publisher of the Newsjaunts online news platform, Seun Odunlami was abducted by suspected armed men in the Oke-Ilewo area of Ogun State on Wednesday. Odunlami was taken around 1:00 pm while standing outside a bank, where he had gone to conduct a transaction with a colleague. Speaking on the issue, the colleague who was at the scene said the suspected’ armed men arrived in a car and whisked Odunlamin away. When other colleagues called to ask where he was being taken, Odunlami replied that the suspected armed men identified themselves as the Special Fraud Unit, taking him to Ikoyi. “The gunmen arrived in a car, handcuffed Seun, and dragged him in”, the colleague recounted. “When I called him on the phone, he said they were from the Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi”. Idunlami’s phone was switched off after the abduction, leaving him incommunicado

Makinde Reabsorbs, Promotes 1,800 Workers; Compensates State Anthem Composers; Praises Florence Ajimobi

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  Oyo State Government has reviewed the promotion of 1,629 State workers including Nurses who were adversely affected by administrative error during the 2017-2020 promotion exercise. In a statement released by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, after the Executive Council Meeting yesterday, government also approved the prayers of the State Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni,for the reinstatement of 47 civil servants who were wrongfully dismissed from the service during the last administration. Also, 124 workers who were dismissed in 2012 have equally been pardoned. The Commissioner said that 823 workers who were dismissed by the previous administration on the ground of fake certificates submission have their dismissal upheld while 180 who were employed at the twilight of the exit of the last administration in 2019 have their termination approved by the Council. In another development, the Commissioner for Information said that finally ₦25million (Twenty-five million naira) has been approved by the Council as compensation for the Composers of the State Anthem “Asiwaju Ni Wa.” In approving the compensation, the President of Council and Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, acknowledged the initiative and foresightedness of the wife of the former Governor, Chief (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi. Additionally, the Composers will be given a parcel of land each, have streets named after them, while the Ministry of Information and Orientation will produce a documentary on the history behind the State anthem. According to the Commissioner, *_Asiwaju Ni Wa_* became the official anthem of the State about a decade ago without any form of compensation for the Composers which made the Council to set up a Committee last year. Prince Oyelade also said that the Council approved the presentation by the Commissioner for Public Works, Prof. Daud Sangodoyin, for road markings, kerbs painting and patching on designated roads in Ibadan metropolis through Direct-Labour Intervention adding that the kerbs will be painted in Oyo State colours. The Executive Council Meeting also approved the following Bills for onward transmission to the State House of Assembly as presented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Abiodun Aikomo. They include: 1. The Oyo State College of Health Sciences and Technology Bill, 2024; 2. The Oyo State Flood Management Agency Bill, 2024, and 3. The Oyo State Drug and Health Commodity Management Agency Bill 2024. According to the Commissioner, these new Bills are expected to have a positive impact on the State’s Healthcare System, Infrastructure, and overall development.

EFCC Summons Bobrisky and Very DarkMan in Connection With N15m Bribery Case

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    EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede has invited Martins Otse, a.k.a VeryDarkMan, and Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, over bribery allegations against personnel of the Commission. This is as the Chairman of the Commission ordered an immediate investigation into the alleged bribery of some officers of the commission by Bobrisky. In a viral video circulating online shared by Martins Otse, a.k.a VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky alleged that some unnamed officers of the EFCC collected the sum of N15,000,000 from him to drop money laundering charges against him. The money was said to have been paid into his company’s account number 2830002929, domiciled in Eco Bank Plc between September 2021 and April 2024. However, the offence was dropped following a prayer by the counsel for the EFCC, Suleiman Suleiman. He had to the court that the commission had agreed with Bobrisky. Suleiman was quoted to have said, “We have an agreement with the defendant, which will lead us to withdraw counts 5 and 6. In the circumstance, we’re humbly urging the court to strike out counts 5 and 6, leaving counts 1 to 4 alive.” However, in a statement on Tuesday, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale said the invitation of Bobrisky and VDM to its Lagos Directorate was to assist investigators unearth the alleged bribery. Oyewale said, “The EFCC chairman has ordered an immediate investigation of alleged bribery allegations imputed to some officers of the Commission by Idris Okuneye(a.ka. Bobrisky) in a viral video circulating across the country. Okuneye, an ex-convict had alleged in the video powered by VeryDarkMan that some unnamed officers of the EFCC collected the sum of N15,000,000 from him to drop money laundering charges against him. “In a swift reaction, the EFCC’s boss has constituted a Team of Investigators to critically look into the allegations. To this end, the Commission hereby invites both Okuneye and Otse to make themselves available at its Lagos Directorate to assist investigators unearth the alleged bribery. “ Oyewale assured Nigerians that the allegations would be thoroughly investigated. He said, “The EFCC wishes to assure the public that the allegations would be thoroughly investigated and the result of the findings made public accordingly. The Commission is committed to its core values of integrity, courage, professionalism, and collaboration at all times. “ Recall that Bobrisky was initially arraigned on six charges bordering on naira abuse and money laundering to the tune of N127,780,877.98.

Oyo State Government Announces Plans For Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day Celebration

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  The Oyo State Government has unveiled its plans for the upcoming celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary on October 1st. According to a statement released by the State Ministry of Youth and Sport, the festivities will commence with a Cultural Game of Ayo Olopon on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at the open space of Oyo State House of Assembly Complex Secretariat in Ibadan, starting at 10 am. On Thursday, September 26, 2024, an Independence Walk will take place from the Govt House Arcade through Total Garden to UCH back to the Secretariat, commencing at 8 am. Additionally, a Special Jumat Service is scheduled for Friday, September 27, 2024, at 1 pm, followed by a Sunday Service for thanksgiving at the Cathedral of Saint Peters Aremo in Ibadan on Sunday, September 29, at 9 o’clock in the morning. The climax of the 64th Anniversary celebrations will occur on Tuesday, featuring a march past by students and voluntary organizations at 8 am. A football match by the Female Team and a cycling display will also take place on the same day. The statement encourages top government functionaries and political office holders to attend these events.

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