Connect with us

General News

Gov Adeleke raises alarm, says Oyetola plots to cause mayhem in Osun   …respect Appeal court ruling rather than resorting to cheap blackmail-Oyetola

Published

on

Gov of Osun state, Prince Ademola Adeleke
By Our Reporter
Following disagreement between Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke and Minister of Marin Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, the governor on Sunday raised the alarm that the Minister, is planning to cause mayhem in the state from Monday, February 17 (today).
Adeleke made the allegation during a press conference on Sunday, alleging Oyetola is spearheading moves to enforce a court order which reversed the sack of local council chairmen, elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.
Adeleke further alleged that Oyetola is conspiring with several law enforcement agents, including the State Commissioner of Police and the State Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, to destabilize the state.
Adeleke said: “I called this press conference to alert the national and global audience about a deliberate plot to create chaos and anarchy in Osun State.
“I invite you all to expose a fascist anti-democratic agenda designed to enforce a non-existing court judgment on our local governments.
“This evil plot is being spearheaded by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Gboyega Oyetola in active collaboration with the Osun state Commissioner of Police, the Osun state Director of DSS and the State Commandant of the Civil Defense Corps.
“Before I continue this address, let me affirm that I know Mr. President to be a true democrat, a lover of rule of law, and a believer in the sanctity of the judicial process.
“I know, as a matter of fact, that Mr. President will never authorise a dictatorial violation of the constitution irrespective of who is involved. It is crucial to add that Mr. President will never support any action that is capable of generating bloodbath and bloodshed.
“I, however, regret to inform Mr. President and the public that Mr Gboyega Oyetola has concluded an arrangement to cause mayhem in Osun State starting from Monday.
“He is issuing illegal directives to security operatives to enforce illegality simply because he is the nephew of Mr. President.
“I chose to alert the nation before my people are killed or maimed by a minister dropping the name of Mr. President in connivance with the Osun State security operatives obeying unlawful orders.
“The bone of contention is the brazen effrontery to return to office council chairmen sacked by a subsisting court judgment using a different court decision, which has no consequential order.
“Let me make it clear that the said council chairmen were sacked before I was sworn in as governor of Osun State, contrary to the lies being peddled, that the chairmen and councilors were sacked by my Executive Order,” Adeleke submitted.
In his reaction, Oyetola, dismissed the allegation that he was plotting to destabilize Osun State, saying his antecedents, pedigree and track records of public service in the last 15 years does not support the claim by Governor Adeleke.
At the same time, the former governor has appealed to his successor to respect the Appeal Court judgement, rather than resort to cheap blackmail, which has no place in law.
In a statement by the Media Office of the minister, a copy of which was made available to journalists on Sunday, the statement described Oyetola as a man of peace who has tremendous respect for the judiciary, rule of law and constituted authority, as such would never be party to any breakdown of law and order.
“For the four years he governed Osun, he gave a good account of himself as a man of peace, a respecter of rule of law and one not given to violence. If he is given to violence, he would certainly have fought back violently in 2022 when he was brazenly rigged out.
“Again, in 2022, when Governor Ademola Adeleke employed extra-judicial means to sack democratically elected council officials, Oyetola as the leader of the party, never preached violence. Instead, he led the party members to court.
“Thankfully, his party won at the Appeal last week. And as a peace-loving leader, he appealed to security agencies to enforce the judgement of the court. How can such a man be accused of a destabilisation plot. I think anyone accusing Oyetola of violence needs to have his/her head properly examined.
“The minister, is further seizing this opportunity to appeal to his successor to respect the Appeal Court judgement, rather than resort to cheap blackmail, which has no place in law,” Oyetola noted.

General News

Education Ministry Denounces Smear Campaign Against UBEC Executive Secretary

Published

on

By

Aisha Garba

The Federal Ministry of Education has strongly condemned what it described as a “sponsored smear campaign” targeting the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba.

In an official statement released on Tuesday, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the Ministry’s attention had been drawn to “libellous” media reports circulated by an unknown group operating under the name Education Rights Activists Coalition (ERAC).

The group had accused Garba of administrative misconduct and disregard for the rule of law—claims the Ministry has dismissed as “baseless, misleading, and malicious.”

Dr Alausa described the attacks as a deliberate attempt by “disgruntled individuals” to derail the ongoing reform agenda in basic education under Garba’s leadership.

“Aisha Garba is an internationally recognised education expert with over 24 years of experience, including 15 years at the World Bank. She has brought integrity, competence, and global best practices to UBEC,” he said.

According to the Ministry, Garba’s tenure has seen major strides in access, equity, and quality of basic education. UBEC has constructed nearly 5,000 classrooms, renovated over 3,000, and established nationwide Early Childhood Care and Development centres.

More than five million textbooks and over 350,000 units of school furniture have also been distributed.

In the area of teacher training, over 147,000 educators have been trained in modern teaching methods, and nearly 978,800 have benefitted from Nigeria’s largest-ever Teacher Professional Development initiative.

A major curriculum overhaul to embed digital literacy and entrepreneurship is also underway in partnership with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).

The Ministry also noted that reforms introduced under Garba’s leadership have improved the utilisation of the Basic Education Action Plan (BEAP) and the Matching Grant Formula, with ₦78.6 billion accessed by 28 states and the FCT in 2024 alone.

Institutional partnerships have also been strengthened with major development partners, including the World Bank, UNICEF, KOICA, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Over 15,000 community projects have been implemented through the School-Based Management Committee–School Improvement Programme.

The Education Ministry reaffirmed that no financial infractions or breaches have been recorded under Garba’s leadership, and urged the public to disregard what it called “orchestrated falsehoods.”

“We stand firmly with Aisha Garba as she continues her transformational work to deliver quality, safe, and inclusive basic education to Nigerian children,” Dr Alausa said.

Continue Reading

Editorial

NYSC is cornerstone for national identity-Gov.Diri

Published

on

By

NYSC on passing out parade in Bayelsa State

 

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri has described the NYSC as the corner stone for national identity.

Gov. Diri, who made this known at the opening/ swearing -in ceremony of Prospective Corps members deployed to the state for the 2025 Batch B, Stream 1 service year at NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Boro Town, said for many years, despite its challenges, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme has been a cornerstone of national identity, defined by shared values and commitment to unity amidst diversity.

Gov. Diri, represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Alfred Kemepado Nimizigha, encouraged the corps members to the nation’s legacy bequeathed through the programme and contribute positively at making it their own.

He said ” As you take your first steps as members of this distinguished programme, I encourage you to embrace the privilege of contributing to this legacy and making it your own.”

He also encouraged them to consider Bayelsa State their own by exploring the various legitimate pursuits available to them,”During your brief time in Bayelsa State, I trust that you have begun to appreciate the renowned hospitality and warmth of our people.”

” You will find that our state is rich in opportunities, and I invite you to explore the various legitimate pursuits available to you. Remember, the opportunity of a lifetime must always be seized during the lifetime of that opportunity.”

,”Your time here is not just about service; it is about personal growth and seizing the possibilities that lie ahead.”

He encouraged them to maintain a harmonious environment within the camp by adhering strictly to the established rules and guidelines,”Discipline and respect for the surroundings will make their experience both productive and enjoyable.”

“As I often advise the youth, focus on the significant aspects that will sustain your future. It is easy to become distracted by fleeting pleasures, but the fruits of your labour will eventually lead you to the things you truly desire. Remain calm, stay focused, and you will discover that success will come to you in due course.”

He emphasized that, the government of Assured Prosperity remained steadfast in its commitment to enhancing the facilities of the Permanent Orientation Camp so that it is comfortable and conducive for orientation.

“Moreover, you can rest assured that wherever you are posted, we have taken adequate measures to ensure your peace and security throughout your service year.”

“As you embark on this new journey, I wholeheartedly welcome you and wish you continued success, good health, and prosperity in all your endeavours. This experience will shape your character and offer invaluable lessons that you will carry with you throughout your life.”

He extended his heartfelt gratitude to the leadership and staff of the National Youth Service Corps for their invaluable contributions to the nation.

According to him. their dedication to instilling the principles of integrity, patriotism, and service in the youth is vital for fostering a sense of national unity and pride.

Earlier In her welcome remarks, the State Coordinator, Mrs Okpalifo Obiageli Charity, highlighted the objectives of the orientation course and advised corps members deployed to the state to embrace the service year with all the seriousness, ” it deserves because careful and deliberate programmes have been well designed to adequately prepare and equip them for optimum performance.”

Mrs Okpalifo also enjoined them to shun all forms of social vices and actions detrimental to the image of the scheme during orientation course and in their various places of primary assignments .

She specially thanked the Executive Governor of Bayelsa state Senator Douye Diri for his immense support to NYSC.

Continue Reading

General News

Nation Wide Strike: Hospitals In Bayelsa Discharge Patients Abruptly Over Nurses Strike

Published

on

By

Striking Bayelsa Federal Medical Centre workers

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Patients and in Bayelsa State were on Wednesday stranded as public hospitals in Bayelsa abruptly discharged patients as nurses across the country begin a 7 day warning strike to press home their demands on the issues affecting them.

The strike action embarked by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), affected the proper functioning of the public hospitals in the state in the early hours of the day, as union leaders were on ground to monitor the compliance.

When our correspondent visited the Primary Health Centre in Amarata community, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capital, the busy health centre was not even open as at 9am, a situation where the locals said it might be due to the strike.

Also, at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), few patients were seen roaming around some wards without prompt attention.

Some patients said that they were still waiting for doctors’ attention after arriving the hospital as early as 8am.

Also, those who said they were on appointment with the doctors on Wednesday were also seen roaming around, waiting for attention.

The Chairman of NANNM at the Federal Medical University (FMC), Mr Liberia Woyengibarafagha Progress, who led the enforcement team at FMC, said there will be no skeletal services when the warning strike lasted.

He said: “We have nine point demands, in Nigeria, they say nurses should not travel out of the country, and we have been suffering all these while taking care of our patients and we have been doing our best, at this point we asking the government to give us our needs, so that we can also take care of our patients.

“Our demands are, government should gazette our nursing scheme of service, we are asking for the implementation of industrial act, 2012, upward review of professional allowance for nurses and midwife, employment of more nursing personnel and adequate provision of health facilities equipments.

“Currently, if you look at the hospitals, most times you don’t have equipments, it’s even hard for government to even provide light for us in the hospital environment, we have been suffering to take care of our patients, we are saying no, enough is enough.

“We are also asking for the creation of nursing department, in the federal ministry, nursing department is not there, everything boiled down to one particular department, which I don’t want to mention, but we the nurses know that we are the majority in the health sector, and we are not being recognize in Nigeria, other countries, they recognize nurses and we are not being recognize here.

“We are also asking for inclusion nurses in the headship of health policy, what I mean is that most of our boards, nurses are not there, and we form the heart of the health sector, and we are not being included, how do we take decisions, it’s only few states in Nigeria that they always appoint nurses as Commissioner for health.

“We are also asking for centralization of internship posting for graduates nurses, federal government should take over the posting of internship posting for nurses as it’s done for doctors, we are also asking for consultancy cadre for nurses, there should be nurse consultants and nurse practitioners.

“This strike is a total shut down, no plan for skeletal services, this strike had to do with federal, state and local government nurses nationwide, and currently, the hospital has discharge so many of their patients, we don’t have patients at the wards, so even the patients are suffering now.

Also speaking, the National Treasurer of NANNM, Federal Health institution Sector and South South zonal Coordinator, Comrade Amos Ombufa, said after the 7 days warning strike in accordance with the labour law, the Union will also give the Federal Government another 21 days ultimatum to meet the needs of the nurses, stating that if at the end of ultimatum, the demands are not met, they will proceed on indefinite strike.

“I urged nurses not to relent, we should press home our demands, as we are speaking, all the federal hospitals across the nation are totally shut down, especially in the South South zone where I’m in charge, there is total compliance, there is no provision for skeletal services.” He said.

The Public Relations Officer at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Mr Akpedi Bernard, said though it was unfortunate that nurses were proceeding on strike, adding that the management envisaging the strike, put the house together by mobilizing the doctors to see the skeletal services they could provide.

He said: “With regards to strike declared by NANNM, it’s unfortunate that as a management here, we are not happy about it, particularly in FMC Yenagoa, is the only tertiary federal health facility in Bayelsa State and we have the responsibility of taking care of more than 70% health care needs of the people, it’s the only principal referral centre that we have here too, so when strike occured like this, it really affect us negatively.

“However, the management envisaging the strike, put the house together by way of mobilizing the doctors to see the skeletal services they could provide, off course, the very senior nurses, those at the management cadre will support too, so that those with very critical health needs, we will still be attending to them and maybe some very urgent cases that may come too, while the strike is ongoing.” He said.

Continue Reading

Latest

Law & Crime5 hours ago

Court restrains Niger state govt,Agencies from taking an unpleasant action against Baddegi 90.1 FM station

  By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Minna High Court number four, has granted an interim injunction restraining...

Politics10 hours ago

ANIBEZE CHIEFTAINCY TUSSLE: Bayelsa Govt Constitutes Fact-finding Committee … Warns Against Ostracism

  By David Owei,Bayelsa Bayelsa State Government has constituted a 7-member committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of...

Politics10 hours ago

2027: Early campaigns inappropriate, violate Electoral Act, INEC cautions

By George Mgbeleke The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised political parties against their current resort to public campaigns...

Uncategorized10 hours ago

FCC Seeks Synergy with Legislature to Uphold Equity, Fairness in MDAs

  Jonas Ezieke, Abuja Acting Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, FCC, Hon. Kayode Oladele has advocated for a robust...

General News12 hours ago

Education Ministry Denounces Smear Campaign Against UBEC Executive Secretary

The Federal Ministry of Education has strongly condemned what it described as a “sponsored smear campaign” targeting the Executive Secretary...

Politics1 day ago

Senator Yar’Adua dumps APC …says party derails from original ideals,selfish, corrupt

By Our Correspondent Senator Abubakar Sadiq Yar’adua has formally resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ),...

Politics1 day ago

Senator Yar’Adua dumps APC  …Says its derails from its original ideals, selfish, stinkingly corrupt 

  By Our Correspondent Senator Abubakar Sadiq Yar’adua has formally resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress ( APC...

Politics1 day ago

Akpabio bags prestigious international Peace award 

  By George Mgbeleke President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has been honoured with the International Peace Award by the...

Editorial1 day ago

2027: Otuaro Urges Niger Delta Ex-agitators To Shun Desperate Politicians Planning Mischief ••• Reaffirms Tinubu’s Commitment To Region

By David Owei, The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has appealed to ex-agitators in the...

Sports1 day ago

New Champion Emerges in Gov Diri National Scrabble Championship. …Gov Diri Reaffirms Administration’s Commitment to Hosting 2028 National Sports Festival

  By David Owei Adebola Samuel of Ogun State has emerged winner of the Masters category in the 5th Governor...

Trending