Featured

Edo Gov Absent as South South Govs Fault Buhari on Charges against Onnoghen (See Detailed COMMUNIQUE)

Published

6 years ago

January 13, 2019

Eric

The Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, was conspicuously absent when the governors of the South South states met to deliberate over the recent travails of the Chief Judge of Nigeria, Mr Walter Onnoghen.

At the meeting, which was held in Abuja with the governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom states in attendance, condemned the call for the resignation of the CJN, and asked him to ignore the invitation for prosecution.

The group noted that the action was aimed at ridiculing the nation’s judicial as well as the South South region, bringing to mind the unceremonious removal of the acting DG of the DSS, Mr Matthew Seiyefa.

Below is a detailed COMMUNIQUE reached at the meeting.

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MEETING OF THE SOUTH SOUTH GOVERNORS’ FORUM HELD IN ABUJA ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019.

An emergency meeting of the governors of the states of the South South geopolitical zone, held at the Bayelsa State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja on Sunday, January 13, 2019.

The meeting, called at the instance of the Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, who is also Chairman of the South South Governors Forum, was attended by the Governors of Cross River State, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Delta States.

The meeting deliberated on the recent happenings at the Supreme Court involving the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen and resolved that the action against him constitutes a setback to the gains of the nation’s democratic experience of 20 years.

We note that under Section 158(1) of the 1999 Constitution, the National Judicial Council, has ample powers to deal exhaustively with matters pertaining to allegations of misconduct and discipline of Judicial officers. Specifically, the NJC has the powers and clear procedures for investigating allegations, and recommending appropriate sanctions or disciplinary measures against judicial officials as a matter of first instance before any further steps.

The judicial pronouncements in the cases of FGN Vs Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court (January 9, 2018) and Justice Ngajinwa Vs FGN 2017 at the CCT have given validation to the express provisions of the constitution on this issue.

We note that the attempt to drag the CJN to the CCT is also a grave and dangerous escalation of the assault on institutions of state including the National Assembly and the judiciary

We believe that the President, Muhammadu Buhari has a constitutional responsibility and huge moral obligation to defend our democracy.

Therefore, we consider this step, which is directly aimed at humiliating the nation’s highest judicial officer and a prominent son of the region, as totally unacceptable as it is reflective of the South South story of endless marginalization and intimidation. The unceremonious removal of former Acting Director General of the Department of State Service, Mathew Seiyefa and his replacement is still very fresh.

We note that the unfortunate action against the CJN further reinforces the perception that the Buhari administration has no regard for the sentiments of Nigerians, in particular the people of Niger Delta, and the rule of law

It is a fact that this administration has a penchant for flagrant disobedience of and disregard for legitimate and valid court orders.

We expect President Buhari to know that democracy cannot survive without respect for the constitution, strict adherence to the rule of law, and separation of powers as enshrined in the constitution.

We strongly believe that the regrettable development at the Supreme Court at this critical time, when preparations for the general elections are wobbling (with serious concern about INEC and security agencies) is capable of causing avoidable anxiety, tension and possible breakdown of law and order in the country.

We note further that the action undermines confidence not only in the judiciary but also the electoral process that has already commenced, in view of the pivotal role that the judiciary plays in the process of electoral adjudication.

We affirm President Buhari should know that the continuous assault on critical institutions of state is a defining feature of a dictatorship, and that the President is obliged to live up to his word that he is a born-again democrat, as he assured Nigerians in 2015.

Based on the foregoing, we hereby call on the President:
1) To condemn without any equivocation, this assault on the CJN and the judiciary especially coming after similar assaults on the National Assembly, to save the country from this embarrassment and global contempt.

2) We call on the CJN to ignore this so-called Court summon from the CCB and the provocative call for his resignation in some quarters.

While we are not opposed to a genuine fight against corruption, such an action must always be anchored on the rule of law.

We also decry the massive buildup of arms by APC leaders and members across the Niger Delta with the intent to cause mayhem and a general breakdown of law and order during the elections.

Dated this day January 13, 2019

Signed

The Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, Governor of Bayelsa State

HE Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State

HE, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, Governort of Cross River State

HE Udom Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom State

HE Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State.

Featured

Follow Me to APC or Resign, Umo Eno Tells Appointees

Published

14 hours ago

May 22, 2025

Eric

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, says he has concluded plans to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) in no distant time.

He has reportedly mandated his commissioners and other appointees to either join him in the APC or resign if they are not comfortable with his decision.

A Government House source, who confirmed the development, said the governor broke the news during the State Executive Council meeting on Thursday.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, said Governor Eno warned his appointees that he had nothing to negotiate with them other than for them to follow him or leave.

The governor was quoted as saying, “Anybody who claims he is not aware of my intention to leave the PDP is still living in the 18th century.

“Apart from elected officials like House of Assembly members and Local Government Chairmen, I have nothing to negotiate with you.

“Let me tell you, anybody who believes that when I leave the PDP he will use the party structure to fight me is lying, because I will still control the PDP structure.”

Eno disclosed that he is in love with the leadership style of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and, as such, would like to align with him.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in the state, Aniekan Akpan, could not confirm the development at the time of filing this report, as his lines were busy. However, the Director of the APC Media Network, Mr. Iniobong John, confirmed the news to journalists.

John said, “It is no longer a rumour. I think there are some confirmations that the governor is defecting to the APC. Though unofficial, I can confirm that the governor is joining our party sooner or later. No official date has been confirmed yet, but all plans have been perfected for his defection to our party.”

He described the proposed defection as great news for the APC in the state and for Akwa Ibom in general, adding that the state would now be better connected to the national power center.

Daily Post

Featured

Glo Urges Girls to Focus on ICT for Future Careers

Published

3 days ago

May 20, 2025

Eric

Digital solutions company, Globacom, has advised young girls to dream big and never to be deterred in the pursuit of their dreams and aspirations, promising that the company would always be behind them to power their ambitions.

Adeboye Adeniji, Vertical Head, Financial Institutions and HNI at Globacom, shared this encouraging insight with a select group of secondary school students during the 13th edition of the Girls in ICT Day observance in Lagos. The event, which had students from various secondary schools in Lagos, was organised by e-businesslife Communications Limited.

She called on girls not to see themselves as users of technology service, but to see and envision themselves as creators, leaders, and innovators.

“At Globacom, we know that when girls have the tools, the training, and the confidence, there is no limit to what you can achieve. Whether you dream of becoming a software engineer, a robotics expert, a cybersecurity analyst, or even the next big tech CEO – it’s all possible”, she said.

Warning the girls not to be discouraged from pursuing their dreams, Adeniji advised them not to let “anyone tell you tech is ‘only for boys’. You are smart enough. You are strong enough. And you have every right to dream as big as you want”.

She counselled the students to “keep learning, stay curious, ask questions, and never be afraid to try, because the future of technology in Nigeria isn’t just being built in labs and boardrooms but in classrooms”.

She promised that Globacom, a wholly owned Nigerian brand, will always be ready to support the dreams and aspirations of young people in Nigeria. “We believe in you, we support you, and we can’t wait to see how you’ll change the world” she added.

The convener of the yearly event, who is also the CEO of E-Business Life Communication Limited, Mrs Ufuoma Emuophedaro, while welcoming the students and guests to the event, noted that the “world of ICT holds limitless possibilities. It is a realm where creativity knows no bounds, innovation thrives, and dreams are transformed into reality through lines of code and digital solutions. Yet, despite its vast potential, the representation of women in this field remains disproportionately low.”

She said her effort is geared towards challenging the narratives, breaking down the barriers, defying stereotypes, and paving the way for a “future where every girl, regardless of background or circumstance, feels empowered to pursue her passion for technology.

“That means ensuring that women and girls have equal access to leadership training, career development, scholarships, and fellowships. It means addressing gender bias and challenging societal norms and stereotypes that discourage girls from pursuing ICT careers,” she noted.

Apart from lectures, round table discussion and a quiz, the students from the various schools also demonstrated their prowess in developing obstacle-avoiding robots. Though they were not perfect at it, but their commendable efforts indicated the growing interests of young girls in ICT and science.

Featured

Happy 65th Birthday Dear Egbon Dele Momodu

Published

4 days ago

May 19, 2025

Eric

By Dr. Seye Oyeleye

Happy birthday egbon, thank you for inspiring a lot of us over the years, your kindness, candour, bravery and unparalleled demonstration of empathy in many a situation, is indeed a lesson in leadership.

I celebrate you today and it is a privilege to have come across you more than a few times over the last 42 years starting from Oscas Ife as a coper😁 to becoming one of your early distributors of Ovation magazine out of your dockland office on westferry road. 😁

Congratulations Sir.

Dr. Seye Oyeleye is the DG, DAWN Commission