News

We’ll not succumb to intimidation, Nigerian Army tells Intersociety, IPOB

Published

9 months ago

September 3, 2022

The Nigerian Army (NA) says it will not be intimidated by allegation that the Nigerian military, is working with armed herdsmen/bandits to terrorize the Eastern part of the country and Benue state.

This was made known in a statement signed by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu on Saturday in Abuja.

Onyema noted that the attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a libelous, spurious and derogatory narrative credited to one so called International Society for Civil Liberty and Rule of Law ( Intersociety), alleging that the Nigerian military, especially the Nigerian Army is working with armed herdsmen/bandits to terrorize the Eastern part of the country and Benue state.

He pointed out that a cursory look at the content revealed a business-as-usual pattern of propaganda by the well known, paid jobbers and fifth columnists christened INTERSOCIETY, who after several failed attempts, still unrepentantly and shamelessly continues to dissipate its energy in mudslinging, all in a futile effort to drag the image and reputation of the NA in the mud, while promoting irredentists, lawless and outlawed organizations.

He said,”Unfortunately for these mischief makers, the highly patriotic and untiring efforts of the Nigerian Army to neutrally defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria is visible enough and boldly seen by all and have received international accolades.

“It is on this unmistakable pedigree, that the NA wishes to dismiss these concoctions and evil propaganda peddled and served to unsuspecting members of the public by INTERSOCIETY, covertly sponsored by IPOB/ESN, with the singular purpose of destabilizing our dear nation.

“It is on record, that the NA conducted and will still conduct series of Exercises not only in the South Eastern states, but across all the states of the Federation, which has reasonably reduced criminality especially in the South East, where Intersociety’s cohorts like IPOB and ESN could no longer enjoy freedom of action to unleash death and mayhem on Ndigbo and other Nigerians, who do not support their evil bid.

“Intersociety’s unprofessional posture is crystal clear and evident in its biased and unbalanced submissions and reportage, as it has never openly condemned the atrocious activities of IPOB/ ESN, for which it is fronting. InterSociety would rather turn a blind eye, when these groups illegally deny law abiding citizens their rights to freedom of movement and association through their illegal sit-at-home order, the attack on military, police, paramilitary personnel and other security agencies, the attack and callous beheading of Nigerians including ndigbo, the destruction of government facilities and infrastructure, amongst myriads of other nefarious activities.

“However, the NA through the conduct of Exercises such as PYTHON DANCE, GOLDEN DAWN, ENDURING PEACE AND STILL WATERS have effectively checkmated and drastically reduced their criminal activities and other sundry crimes in South Eastern Nigeria, while alongside the exercises, fostering excellent Civil-Military Relations through series of Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities heralding the conduct of these exercises.

“The recently concluded Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2022 held in Owerri, Imo state saw the Nigerian Army bringing succour to the South Easterners through organized medical outreaches, renovation of schools, sinking of boreholes and road repairs. These are totally in dissonance with the image being concocted of the NA by the glorified Civil Society Organization (Intersociety) and their collaborators.

“The Nigerian Army therefore, remains a professional institution that is resolved to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria and will never be distracted by mischief makers, who find pleasure in blackmailing and defaming the institution to gain cheap publicity and satisfy the interest of fifth columnists, in their unrelenting effort to destabilize the nation.”

Onyema said the Nigerian Army is not by this reaction denying the presence of black sheep in its fold, just like in any other organization or institution, this, he said the Army is very mindful of and actively monitoring and effectively handling within the provisions of extant laws.

“We call on INTERSOCIETY to channel its energy like the Nigerian Army into nation building, rather than tearing our nation apart. Nigeria remains our nation and no other.

“The Nigerian Army will continue to count on the support of all Nigerians and the international community, as it selflessly continues to carry out its constitutional mandate to defend Nigeria and restore sanity and peace in all troubled parts of the country,” he said.

News

Senate knocks Accountant General over failure to recover N910bn short-term loan to MDAs from Special Accounts

Published

2 mins ago

June 4, 2023

Advocate News Nigeria

•••Orders Imo State SUBEB to refund N482m paid illegally to unqualified contractors

The Senate has indicted the Office of Accountant General of the Federation following its refusal to repay short term loans given to Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs from Special Funds Accounts totaling N910 billion.

The Senate uncovered this after investigation by the Senator Matthew Urhoghide, Edo South led Senate Committee on Public Accounts following the submission of 2017 Auditor General’s report.

According to the query, the loans and debts arose from Special Funds Accounts totalling N910,039,557,742 and showed that the balance remained unpaid throughout the year even as they were designed to be short term.

In its response, the Office of the Accountant General claimed that several letters were written to the then Honorable Minister of Finance to authorize the settlement of the loans granted against allocations of various MDAs affected

The AGF office further said that it had requested the Honorable Minister to include the loans repayment in 2017 budget.

Urhoghide’ Committee observed that there was continous abuse of the Special Funds by Executive as the withdrawals were continually made for political expediency outside the purpose which the funds were meant .

The report read, ” There is continous abuse of the Special Funds by Executive as the the withdrawals are continually made for political expediency outside the purpose which the funds were meant.”

The Senate therefore ordered that all outstanding laons should be recovered by the Accountant General of the Federation and evidence of recovery presented to the Auditor General and Senate Public Accounts Committee within 60 days.

Meanwhile, the Senate after considering the report, directed the Executive Chairman of Imo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to account for money paid to companies that were not financially capable contrary to requirement of extant rules

The Chairman of the board failed to appear before the Committee to defend the allegation of payment without due process

News

Ending Sit-at-home: Bishops Onah, Chukwuma, Enugu Town Unions back Mbah

Published

34 mins ago

June 4, 2023

Advocate News Nigeria

Enugu State Governor Dr Peter Mbah

• Call for Kanu’s release

• It’s bondage, let’s free ourselves – Bishop Chukwuma

• Let’s give new governments benefit of doubt – Bishop Onah

The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Godfrey Onah, the Anglican Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, and the Enugu State Association of Presidents-General of Town Unions, have thrown their weights behind the efforts of the Enugu State government to end sit-at-home in the state starting from Monday, June 5, saying it is long overdue.

They equally expressed total support for Mbah’s call for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention, saying it is the right path to national healing and stability in the South East region.

Speaking to reporters after leading a prayer session for a smooth end to sit-at-home in Enugu State and the entire South East at the the Chapel of Redemption, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), on Sunday, Most Rev. Chukwuma, who also doubles as the Anglican Bishop of Enugu Enugu Diocese, appealed to the people to support the government’s move through compliance.

“Government has given directive. My advice and appeal is that they should comply so we can save the economy of Southeast.

“Now the Governor has said it is safe to come out; therefore people should come out to do their business, and be free and set ourselves free from this bondage. It is a bondage, and we must be set free from it”, he concluded.

Also, in his homily at the St. Theresa’s Cathedral Nsukka, Bishop Onah, while commending Dr. Mbah’s initiative to end the sit-at-home syndrome, noted that the suffering in the land was too much.

He, however, begged the people to give the new governors of the South East the benefit of doubt.

Bishop Onah traced the insecurity and restiveness in the region to the continuous detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and appealed to President Bola Tinubu to heed Mbah’s call for Kanu’s release.

“The suffering is too much. But, please, everybody should have mercy. Those that are angry should calm down. Many of us are angry, but we have to be careful how we express our anger or we may cause more problems.

“It’s in this spirit that I understand the initiative by some state governments in the South East, especially the newly inaugurated government in Enugu state, to try to restore normalcy in the South East.

“But I want to believe and I want to affirm that this initiative must of necessity include an increase in the effort to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention”.

On their part, the Presidents-General (PGs) of Enugu State Town Unions wondered why Enugu State should continue to be on lockdown every Monday whereas “both private and pubic offices in the capitals of other states of the South East region had since resumed businesses.”

They wondered why Enugu’s case should be different.

In a statement by the Coordinating PG, Barr. Paully Ezeh, the association said the loss of Mondays since September 2021 had resulted in untold hardships and caused incalculable economic losses in the state and South East.

“The governor’s promise to transform Enugu from a public sector economy to a private-sector driven economy; raise the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the present $4.4 billion to $30 billion in eight years, make Enugu one of the top three economies, restore public water supply in Enugu metropolis in 180 days, and eradicate poverty can’t happen if we continue to sit at home on Mondays. It presents our state to investors as restive, insecure, and unproductive place.

“The Association, therefore, appeals to both private and public institutions and people of Enugu to support the government’s efforts to restore full days of work and productivity in the state.

“We urge aggrieved persons and groups to take the opportunity of dialogue advanced by the Mbah administration and we equally join the Governor in his call for Nnamdi Kanu’s release to engender organic peace and national healing”, the Association concluded.

News

New State lawmaker appoints 14 aides

Published

56 mins ago

June 4, 2023

Advocate News Nigeria

Ondo lawmaker Chris Ayebusiwa

A first–time Ondo lawmaker Chris Ayebusiwa has announced the appointment of 14 aides.

Seven of the newly appointees are to work as legislative aides while seven others would work at the Ward level of the party.

Ayebusiwa was among the 26 lawmakers that took oath of office into the 10th Assembly at the weekend.

He said the appointments was to ensure smooth running of office.

Among those appointed were: Monday Akinsulere as Senior Legislative Aide; Femi Olawoye as Personal Assistant; Morayo Itiolu as Special Assistant Women & Girl Child Affairs; Kehinde Akinyemi as Special Assistant, Media & Advocacy; Joshua Akindoyo as Special Assistant, Youth & Mobilisation; Ayo Olowoselu as Special Assistant, Special Duties and Osedele Gbenga as Special Assistant, Party Affairs.

Others are: Adebayo Saheed, Obolo Morenike, Idowu Fasalejo, Simeon Adedeji, Atinuke Arikawe, Koya Mewaye and Mrs Ayebuola.

He urged the appointees to put communal interest above their personal comfort and advised them to work toward achieving improved status for the constituency.