Killing Of Fatima, Four Children Worst Forms Of Criminality And Human Rights Violation – NHRC

Killing Of Fatima, Four Children Worst Forms Of Criminality And Human Rights Violation – NHRC
  • … Calls on Police, Others to Apprehend Killers and change The Narratives

Abuja – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in strong terms, the killing of a pregnant woman, Fatima, and her four children in cold blood in Anambra state, describing it as one of the worst forms of criminality and human rights violation, which has needlessly portrayed Nigeria in a very bad light.

The Executive Secretary (ES) of the Commission Chief Tony Ojukwu SAN stated this in Abuja while reacting to the unfortunate killing of the innocent woman and her children in their fatherland.

According to the statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, the E.S noted that the country for some time now has been replete with negative stories of killings, kidnappings, armed banditry, rape, etc, “all happening on a daily basis as if the perpetrators do not have human conscience or feeling anymore”.

Mr. Ojukwu further decried that the incessant killings as gross violations of the right to life and dignity of human person, all guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other national and global regional human rights instruments which Nigeria has enacted or is a party.

“These senseless killings are not acceptable and we as a Commission condemn it and urge the that citizens must engage and collaborate with the law enforcement agents, by providing them with the necessary information that will assist them to fish out those behind these heinous and dastardly acts and ensure that they are prosecuted and possibly punished in accordance with the law”, Ojukwu stated.

He further tasked the Police, to as a matter of urgency, carry out a comprehensive investigation into the killing of Fatima and her children with a view to serving justice on all the parties involved. “We are keenly monitoring the Police investigation in this case to ensure that those who are behind this inhuman and wicked act are quickly prosecuted and consequently punished in accordance with the relevant national, regional and international laws.

The Chief Human Rights Officer tasked the law enforcement agencies, particularly the Police and DSS to rejig their strategies and deploy intelligence-led security to get to the root of this instant killing and lots of other killings, such as Deborah Samuel’s among others.

The NHRC Boss is using the opportunity to advise the citizens against any form of ethnic or religious intolerance and divisiveness which he noted are enemies of inclusiveness, national cohesion and development, recalling that Nigeria has had a regrettable history of civil war that came with unimaginable loss in terms of human and material resources, “so we must collectively say no to violence to sustain our unity as a country”

In the same vein, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria warned those championing different ideological and political causes, to always put the security of Nigeria first above any other considerations, saying that “we must first of all be alive peacefully as citizens before we agitate for one interest or another, and always bear in mind that setting the Country on the path of violence and disunity will rather worsen or complicate our problems”.

Lastly, he expressed the heartfelt condolences of the Commission to the family of the victims and urged them and their community members to remain calm and never resort to taking laws into their hands, believing that justice will be done at the end.


Texax Elementary Shooting: Gunman Walked in Unobstructed by Francisca Ogar

Texax Elementary Shooting: Gunman Walked in Unobstructed by Francisca Ogar

A gunman who attacked a primary school in Texas on Tuesday was able to enter the building unobstructed, police say.

Texas Ranger Victor Escalon said no armed guard challenged the teenage attacker and it is unclear if the school door was even locked.

Mr Escalon defended the police response amid mounting criticism of an apparent delay in confronting the gunman.

Reports quoted witnesses saying police were hesitant to confront the killer inside Uvalde’s Robb Elementary School.

Mr Escalon said at Thursday’s press conference that initial reports the gunman had shot a guard were incorrect.
He said officers entered the school four minutes after the gunman.

“They [didn’t] make entry immediately because of the gunfire they were receiving,” Mr Escalon told reporters.

But an hour lapsed before the gunman was killed in a shootout after US Border Patrol tactical teams arrived.

The attacker shot dead 19 students and two teachers, and injured at least 17 more people.

Videos have emerged of police being urged by onlookers and family remembers to storm the building immediately.

A father whose daughter died in the attack told the Associated Press news agency he had considered running into the school with bystanders out of frustration with the alleged police inaction.

Mr Escalon – a Texas Ranger and spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety – said that during the time officers were outside the school they were calling in reinforcements and “also evacuating students, teachers”.

“An hour later US Border Patrol tactical teams arrive, they make entry and shoot and kill the suspect,” he added. “Immediately… it turns into a rescue operation.”
After crashing his truck into a ditch near the school, the gunman emerged and began firing at two people across the street.

He then jumped a fence and began firing “multiple, numerous rounds” at the building, Mr Escalon said.

As he approached the entrance to the school he “was not confronted by anybody”, the ranger said.

According to Uvalde County Independent School District Officers protocol, campuses are required to have staff “who patrol door entrances, parking lots and perimeters”. Teachers are told to keep doors locked at all times.

“We will find out as much as we can why it was unlocked,” Mr Escalon said. “Or maybe it was locked. But right now, it appears it was unlocked.”

Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro has written to the director of the FBI to ask that agents investigate the law enforcement response to the attack as it was unfolding.

“Onlookers allege that parents unsuccessfully urged law enforcement to enter the building during this time and confront the shooter,” Mr Joaquin said in a statement, noting the “conflicting accounts” offered by police and witnesses.

President Joe Biden and the US first lady will visit Uvalde on Sunday, the White House announced.

Across the country, students from primary to high school staged class walk-outs to protest against gun violence in schools on Thursday. The leaders of the country’s two largest teacher unions are also planning to travel to Houston, Texas, this weekend to demonstrate outside an annual conference of the National Rifle Association, a pro-gun lobby group.

A father has told the BBC how his two terrified children hid as the massacre unfolded inside Robb Elementary.

“My son ran up to me and said he didn’t think he was going to make it out – that he didn’t think he was going to see me or his mother again,” Jesse Jimenez said. “My daughter was lost, she didn’t know what was going on, she didn’t know if it was a drill or if it was real.”

On Thursday, the husband of one of the two teachers killed in the attack died from a heart attack.

Joe Garcia “passed away due to grief” two days after his wife of 24 years, Irma Garcia, family members said.
Source: BBC News

PDP congratulates Uba, Ortom, applauds Benue over success of state congress

PDP congratulates Uba, Ortom, applauds Benue over success of state congress

Markurdi – Benue State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has congratulated Rt. Hon. Titus Tyoapine Uba, over his emergence as Governorship Candidate of the party at its State Congress held in Makurdi.

The Benue State House of Assembly Speaker won the majority of votes cast by delegates at the gubernatorial primary election of the party held at the Aper Aku stadium on Wednesday and was declared candidate for the governorship election scheduled to hold in 2023.

In a statement signed by the state publicity secretary of PDP, Bemgba Iortyom Wednesday night, the party described as credible, the result of the election in which Engr. Uba scored 731 votes out of a total of 851 accredited votes to emerge victorious over the incumbent deputy governor, Engr. Benson Abounu with 81 votes, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar 2 votes, Barr. Paul Angya and Rt. Hon. Dominic Ucha with a vote each, and Engr. Benjamin Akaakar with no vote in the field of 6 aspirants.

“The party acknowledges and deeply appreciates the sacrifice and magnanimity shown by the other aspirants who stepped down from the race to fast-track a rancour free process of nominating a Guber Candidate.

“Those noble party stalwarts who sacrificed their ambitions and at the venue of the primaries openly professed deference to the supremacy of the party, include, Chairman of the Forum of PDP Governorship Aspirants, Barr. Chille Igbawua and 7 others, among them Mrs. Susan Nguveren Waya.

“Our great party specially appreciates its leader, His Excellency, Governor Samuel Ortom, national chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, former Senate President, Dr. David Mark, Senators Gabriel Suswam, Emmanuel Orker-Jev and Abba Moro, BoT member, Mrs. Margaret Icheen, Members of the House of Representatives, the State Assembly, the G-14 and G-9 groups of elders as well as stakeholders of the party.

“We hail the resilience and undying faith of our teeming members in the state, being it the spine of the party, which has seen it emerge victorious from one election year to another in the state since it was founded in 1998”, the statement added.

It further stressed that PDP in Benue state remained reliant on the unity of purpose among its leaders and members, “such as has engendered a mature internal democracy culture, the sort that gave birth to the free, fair and transparent primary election today which, surely is the envy of our opponents, yet unattainable to them”.

Obi Dumps PDP, Begins Coalition Talks With Kwankwaso, Others

Obi Dumps PDP, Begins Coalition Talks With Kwankwaso, Others

Presidential hopeful and former Governor of Anambra State Peter Obi, has dropped out of the presidential race of the PDP amid talks with the Rabiu-Kwankwaso-led New Nigeria Peoples Party, the Labour Party and the Social Democratic Party.

It was learnt that Obi’s defection was part of a grand plot to form a coalition that could defeat the All Progressives Congress and the PDP.

In a letter of resignation addressed to the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, the former governor said he was happy to have contributed to the growth of the PDP.

He further stated that recent developments within the party had made it impossible for him to continue in the race.

The letter read in part, “I am writing to intimate you of my resignation from the PDP which was conveyed to the Chairman of Agulu Ward 2. Anaocha LGA Anambra, effective Friday 20 May, 2022. Consequently, I am by this letter informing you of my withdrawal for the PDP Presidential Primaries.

“It has been a great honour to contribute to nation-building efforts through our party. Unfortunately, recent developments within our party make it practically impossible to continue participating and making such constructive contributions.

 “Our national challenges are deep-seated and require that we each make profound sacrifices towards rescuing our country. My commitment to rescuing Nigeria remains firm, even if the route differs. I wish to thank you personally for your graciousness and leadership. I wish you well and best of luck in the service of country.”

Obi, who enjoys massive support from the youths, had purchased the N40m form of the PDP and was screened to participate in the primary against 14 others on Saturday.

However, it had been difficult for him to bring many of the delegates to his side.

“We are in talks with Labour Party, SDP and a few others. We will announce our new party in the next 24 hours. It will be a party that is also youth friendly since we have discovered that the youths form the bulk of our supporters,” said an associate of the former governor.

Another source, however, told The PUNCH that the plan was to form a coalition that could defeat the two major parties.

“There is a plan for some major parties to form a mega party although this is coming quite late. Discussions are still ongoing but Obi is expected to be the Presidential candidate. Kwankwaso is also part of the discussions. Everything will be clear by Thursday,” said a chieftain of the PDP.

Attempts to get a reaction from the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, proved abortive as he did not respond to repeated calls.

Texas Elementary Shooting Victims: The Sweetest Little Boy I’ve Ever Known by Francisca Ogar

Texas Elementary Shooting Victims: The Sweetest Little Boy I’ve Ever Known by Francisca Ogar
Texas Elementary School Teacher

Nineteen children and two teachers have been killed in a shooting at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

The children who died were aged between seven and 10. Some of them had just received awards for great school work.

One victim was a 10-year-old boy who loved to dance. Another was a girl who died while trying to call the police.

It is the deadliest shooting at a US elementary school since 20 children and six adults died at Sandy Hook school a decade ago.

There are unconfirmed reports that two children from the same family were killed.

‘The sweetest little boy that I’ve ever known’
Some parents were at the school hours before the shooting, watching with pride as their children held up their honour roll certificates at an awards ceremony. Hours later, they were back there.

Amerie Jo Garza was one of the first children to be confirmed dead. She had celebrated her 10th birthday just two weeks ago, and was shot while trying to call emergency services, her grandmother Berlinda Irene Arreola told The Daily Beast.

Amerie was “super-outgoing” and a “teacher’s pet”, she added.

A family member wrote on Facebook: “Please don’t take a second for granted. Hug your family. Tell them you love them.”


Xavier Javier Lopez, aged 10, was remembered as a “sweet, playful” boy by his cousin, 54-year-old Lisa Garza.

Amerie

Speaking to the BBC, Ms Garza said she and her family were devastated when they learnt of his death.

She saw Xavier over Easter and said he seemed so happy to be enjoying the holidays with his family.

Xavier loved to dance, she said, and was an avid user of TikTok.

Ms Garza added she had other cousins studying at the same school, some of whom were injured but survived. One of them was being treated at a hospital in San Antonio, she said.
Uziyah Garcia, 8, was remembered by his grandfather, Manny Renfro, as the “sweetest little boy that I’ve ever known”.

Mr Renfro recalled the last time he had seen his grandson during the school holidays, saying that they had practised football passes together.
Such a fast little boy and he could catch a ball so good,” Mr Renfro said. “There were certain plays that I would call that he would remember and he would do it exactly like we practised.”

‘The worst nightmare ever’
Eva Mireles, 44, was the first teacher to be confirmed killed. Trained in bilingual and special education, she had taught fourth-grade students in the Uvalde school district for 17 years.

In a short biography posted on the school district’s website, she described her love of running and hiking. She also said she had “a supportive, fun, and loving family” – her husband, her college graduate daughter and “three furry friends”.

According to media reports, Ms Mireles’ husband Ruben Ruiz, a police officer in the same school district, had held an active shooter drill at Uvalde High School just two months ago.

In a post on Twitter, her daughter Adalynn Ruiz described her as the “half that makes me whole” and hailed her for having “selflessly jumped in front of her students to save their lives”.

“I want everything back,” she said. “My heart will forever be broken.”

Ms Mireles’ aunt, Lydia Martinez Delgado, expressed her grief in a Facebook post, saying she was “furious that these shootings continue”. Her cousin, Cristina Arizmendi Mirelez, said “it’s unimaginable… the worst nightmare ever”.

One grief-stricken parent paid tribute to Ms Mireles on Twitter.

Source: BBC

14 Students, One Teacher Dead in Texas Elementary School Shooting . By Ada Nkong

14 Students, One Teacher Dead in Texas Elementary School Shooting . By Ada Nkong

Fourteen students and one teacher were killed in a shooting Tuesday morning at a Texas elementary school, Gov. Greg Abbott said.

The suspected shooter, who might have had a handgun and rifle, was fatally wounded by responding law enforcement, he said.

The incident was no longer active Tuesday afternoon. The suspected shooter was 18, authorities said.

Initial accounts indicated 13 children were taken to the emergency room at Uvalde Memorial Hospital after the shooting at Robb Elementary, according to a Facebook statement and hospital CEO Tom Nordwick. Two were transferred and one is pending a transfer, the CEO said in a phone call.

In addition, two people were pronounced dead prior to arriving at the hospital, Nordwick said. Their names and ages were not released.
University Health said in a tweet that it was treating a child and a 66-year-old woman who is listed in critical condition. The condition of the child is not yet known.

A University Health spokesperson said she could not confirm if the patients are shooting victims, but added their injuries are related to the shooting at the school.

The suspected shooter was taken into custody just after 1 p.m. local time, the Uvalde Police Department announced on Facebook. No other details, including the suspect’s name and the number of those injured, were disclosed.
News of the suspect’s capture came less than an hour after the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District announced on Twitter that there was “an active shooter” at the elementary school.

“Law enforcement is on site. Your cooperation is needed at this time by not visiting the campus. As soon as more information is gathered it will be shared,” the tweet said.
Source: NBC News

Why We Invaded Okorocha’s Maitama Home – EFCC

Why We Invaded Okorocha’s Maitama Home – EFCC

Abuja – Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has given reason why it’s operatives invaded the home of Senator Rochas Okorocha.

The Commission said the move followed the refusal of the former governor to honour invitations after jumping the administrative bail earlier granted him by the Commission.

Recall that the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on May 24, 2022, arrived at the Maitama, Abuja home of a former governor to effect his arrest.

The Commission disclosed this via it’s Facebook page on Tuesday shortly after the news of his house’s siege by the EFCC went viral on social media.

EFCC had on January 24, 2022 filed a 17-count criminal charge bordering on diversion of public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9billion against Okorocha.

The case was assigned to Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja but attempts to arraign Senator Okorocha were twice stalled owing to the absence of the ex-governor who evaded service of processes.

At the last adjourned date, March 28th, 2022, Justice Ekwo before adjourning until May 30th, 2022, had warned that it was “the last adjournment I shall grant in this matter”.

In the circumstances, the Commission is left with no option than to effect the arrest of Senator Okorocha and bring him to trial.

Engaging Journalists To Promote Reconciliation, Reintegration And Transitional Justice Will End Cycle Of Violence – NHRC

Engaging Journalists To Promote Reconciliation, Reintegration And Transitional Justice Will End Cycle Of Violence – NHRC
  • …Takes them on project training

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has stated that engaging journalists has become necessary to promote the whole idea of Reconciliation, Reintegration and Transitional Justice as this will bring an end to the cycle of violence, particularly in the North East where insurgency and counter insurgency measures have occasioned the need for peace building in various communities.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu (SAN) who stated this in Yola, Adamawa state during the opening ceremony of a training programme for Media Practitioners on Transitional Justice and Reconciliation in three North East states, namely Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, noted that Chapter 2 of the1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) recognizes the role of media in national discussion.

The Executive Secretary who was represented at the occasion by the Project Coordinator, Mr. Hilary Ogbonna recalled that journalists were earlier engaged in Media Advocacy and Messaging last year, adding that the job is not over since the media still have more work to do in telling the affected communities and victims that they are not abandoned.

Continuing, the Chief Custodian of Human Rights in Nigeria restated that engaging journalists has become necessary to promote the whole idea of Reconciliation, Reintegration and Transitional Justice in such a manner that the offended communities and victims could begin to see the rational for forgiveness and apologies, from the victims and repentant Boko Haram combatant respectively.

This, according to the Executive Secretary, will bring an end to the cycle of violence and enable the society to have peace and move forward.

The NHRC Boss therefore stated that the media remains “an essential partner in promoting reconciliation and transitional justice in the North East, saying that no effort should be spared in building the capacity of media professionals to embrace and perform this role effectively”.

“The Pilot Project was to initiate community-led process for nonjudicial transitional justice and reconciliation as a foundation for reintegration and post conflict recovery in the North East”, Ojukwu added.

In his opening remarks, Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Adamawa state, Samuel Yaumande Esq commended the NHRC for chosing the nonjudicial process to pursue the issue of reconciliation, reintegration and transitional justice in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, advocating that the project must be owned and supported by the communities, in order for it to work effectively.

The Adamawa state top government Official who declared the training open also tasked journalists to be at the centre of promoting the peace project even as he promised that relevant department of his Ministry would be willing to work together with any partner that supports reconciliation and peace building in the state.

Similarly, in her goodwill message, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Humanitarian Services, Adamawa state, Aishatu Bibi Umar Rilwanu stated that security is one of the major priorities of the state government, and that serious efforts are being made by the goverment to ensure that displaced persons are successfully reintegrated into their various communities.

Several papers were presented at the event which was attended by scores of journalists. They include Presentations on the Transitional Justice Project : Milestones, Plans and Expectations (Labaran Babangida, NHRC), Framing Speech: Role of Media in Peace Building, Reconciliation and Transitional Justice in Post Conflict Societies in West Africa (Dr. Chukwuemeka Eze, Executive Director of West Africa Network for Peace building), Transitional Justice: Meaning and Approaches (Hilary Ogbonna, Senior Human Rights Adviser, NHRC).

Others are Role of the Media in promoting people centred approaches to reconcilation and reintegration in post conflict North East (Dr. Jude Momodu, Director, Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Modibbo Adamawa University of Technology and Building Community Confidence and Resilience in the Process of Reception and Reintegration of Deradicalised Ex- Boko Haram and other Returnees (Dr. Saheed Owonikoko, Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Modibbo Adamawa University).

The project is being carried out with the NHRC with the support of the UNDP and European Union.

States Groan Over Delayed Revenue Sharing, FAAC Meets Today

States Groan Over Delayed Revenue Sharing, FAAC Meets Today

Abuja – The Federation Account and Allocation Committee meeting initially scheduled for last week will now hold on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Chairman of the Finance Commissioners Forum, David Olofu, and the Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Fidelis Tilije, disclosed this in separate interviews with The PUNCH on Monday.

But Olofu, who is also the Benue State Commissioner for Finance, added that the delay in holding the FAAC meeting had affected the activities of many states including payment of salaries and capital expenditures.

FAAC, which is headed by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and whose members include state Commissioners of Finance, states’ Accountants – General, Accountant – General of the Federation and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance meet every month to share revenues among the federal, state and local governments.

The FAAC meeting was scheduled to hold on Wednesday and Thursday last week, but the Federal Ministry of Finance, in a statement on Wednesday by its director of Home Finance, Stephen Okon, said it had been postponed indefinitely.

The postponement of the meeting, which the ministry said was due to certain circumstances came a few days after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, over an alleged N80 billion fraud.

On Wednesday, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, announced an indefinite suspension of Idris without pay.

When contacted on Monday, Olofu, who declined to comment on Idris arrest, said that the delay in the sharing of this month’s allocations had affected most of the states of federation of meeting their obligations.

He stated, “We are holding FAAC meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, adding, ‘the delay has affected government activities.

“We have cash group plans at states, those cash group plans have not been met, so that has put in the cooler all plans of cash group and they have yet to be met including payment of salaries and capital expenditure because over 28 states in the country rely on federal allocation except Lagos and Rivers. In fact, no other states again, all other states depend on allocation,” Olofu said.

On his part, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Finance, Akin Oyebode, said the delay in the FAAC meeting brought to the fore the need to ensure fiscal federalism.

The commissioner, who said that Nigeria was producing less crude than OPEC quota and spending heavily on pipeline security and infrastructure, said, “Despite the huge spending on security, we are still unable to secure our pipelines, we can see heavy theft of crude oil, that should concern anyone.

“Despite significant investment in agriculture, agriculture is still growing at 3 per cent per annum. We should be asking questions about how do we invest in storage and irrigation which are the big drivers of productivity in agriculture, which is the mainstay of our economy. These are conversations we should be having.

“We should be having conversations about how do we decentralise our grid infrastructures, how do we put in the grids that we need to deepen and increase electricity generation. We need conversation around even fiscal federation – is the current revenue sharing formula the right one?

“Oil production has dropped to about 1.4 million barrels per day and we are spending hugely on subsidy. Not only are we earning less from crude, we are actually spending more to import refined products. At the end of the day, we are going to end up with the position that subsidy is simply not sustainable and something has to be done.

“, I think, in the spirit of fiscal federalism, the states should be given the choice whether or not they want the subsidy for the refined products being sold in their state.

The Delta State Government has said even though Federation Account Allocation A Committee (FAAC) does not hold its meeting, it will no affect Delta state finance.

The State Commissioner for Finance Mr. Fidelis Tilije, stated this on Monday in an interview with The PUNCH in Asaba, said that there will be FAAC meeting on Wednesday.

Commenting on the delayed FAAC meeting, A political economist and former presidential candidate, Prof Pat Utomi, urged States to create an environment for wealth creation rather than depend solely on the federal allocation.

He said, “States must focus more on creating the environment for wealth creation. If you go back to the late 50s and early 60s, most of the developments that took place in Nigeria are from the subnational governments. They collected the revenues, and send 50 per cent of it to the centre but the military ruined all of that.

“So, Nigeria became more focused on sharing revenues than on the fundamental way of governing, which is the production and taxing earned revenue. Whenever there is no revenue to share, the States are in complete trouble and they become bureaucracies that are unable to manage themselves because they are dependent.

“This is not the way they should function. I have in fact argued that local governments should be restructured as economic development areas rather than political drain pipes where a local government in Ogun will be struggling with the one in Oyo to offer better incentives for businesses to relocate so that they can benefit from the tax.”

A Professor of Economics at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Prof Sheriffdeen Tella, said that one of the reasons for the delay is likely the recent arrest and suspension of the Accountant-General.

He added that States should stop depending on the federal government and find a way to boost revenue.

Tella said, “I think the delay is caused by the action of the Accountant-General who stole money. He happens to be a major stakeholder in the meeting they are supposed to hold to decide on the allocation. It also exposes the States’ dependence on the Federal Government. That is not good enough because there is no State that cannot take care of itself if they are really working if the governors are thinking out of the box.”

He further said that this delay may lead to States being unable to pay salaries, adding that the States may also owe creditors and contractors, which may affect productivity levels.

“The major delay will be on salary payment. It would also be on paying their creditors and contractors. When this happens, it will likely affect productivity and reduce output,” Tella said.

NEC meeting fails to hold two consecutive months

He stated this as the National Economic Council chaired by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, failed to meet two consecutive months as most members, including contesting 2023 elections intensified their electioneering.

Impeccable sources close to council members who spoke to one of our correspondents anonymously affirmed that there has not been any sitting in April and May. More so, there were no prior announcements of suspension of NEC meetings.

According to the source, “Yes, there have been no meetings for two months now. Also, there was no official communication to members that the meeting won’t be held in the coming months.

“I believe everyone understands that this is an election season and they all moved on with their political activities.”

Punch

Women will be given equal opportunities as their male counterparts, says Amaechi.

Women will be given equal opportunities as their male counterparts, says Amaechi.

Abuja – Leading Presidential Aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has said that if elected as the Nigerian President comes 2023, women will be given equal opportunities as men in his administration.
 According to the statement signed by RT Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi Media Office made available to Peionews, Amaechi stated this during his consultation visit to Benue, Gombe, and Katsina State.
 He said he doesn’t believe in the 35 percent affirmative action for women in politics because women are more competent and intelligent than men.
Amaechi, however, said that women delegates should get ready to vote him into power after he gets the party ticket. They should be rest assured that his administration would give women equal rights.
 “When we win, women will have equal opportunities as the men; there will not be 35 percent affirmative action for women. No, you are more intelligent than the men. Ask parents; if you have a boy and a girl, the girl develops faster than the boy and is more intelligent; eventually, the boy becomes the Oga of the house by tradition, not because he is more brilliant.
“Amina Mohammed was not selected because she was a woman; she earned it. Women are more qualified than men; whether you believe it or not, in our government, we will include women; just go and vote.
“We will give you opportunities like every other person in Nigeria to serve the country because you are equally qualified. So, there will be equal opportunities for both genders.”
 Speaking to the youths, he said that he became a Speaker at the age of 34yrs, stating that youths should join a party and be more active at the party level.
“I became a Speaker at the age of 34yrs, then there was no “Not too Young to Run Bill,” and I was given the opportunity, if youths are more committed at the party level, they will get more opportunities to serve,” he said.
 Various NGO and women groups had protested over denying women 35 percent affirmative action in party administration, leadership, and specific seats for women in the National Assembly.