News
Lawyers, Group Petition Malami Over Transfer Of NDDC To Ministry …Give Akpabio 14-Day Ultimatum To Reverse Action
Strong indications have emerged that crisis looms following the transfer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from the Presidency to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs as lawyers and a group under the aegis of Accountable Leadership for Better Nigeria Initiative (ALBNI) have kicked against the action.
Subsequently, the lawyers and the group have written a letter of protest to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to, as a matter of urgency, carry out a holistic investigation into why President Muhammadu Buhari took the decision to transfer the agency to the ministry.
According to them, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and former Akwa Ibom State governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio wrote to the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, requesting the transfer, which was approved.
In a letter to Malami, signed by Tolu Babaleye, on behalf of the group, Akpabio has been given a 14-day ultimatum to reverse the action, warning that failure to do that would force them to approach the court for redress.
In the letter dated October 10, and entitled, “Illegal Transfer of Niger Delta Development Commission from Presidency to Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs: Demand for Immediate Reversal”, the group expressed displeasure and sadness over the recent illegal, and what it described as unlawful action taken by the duo of Akpabio and Abba Kyari.
The group warned that if not checked, the development might lay a bad precedent in the country, hence it became imperative to bring the action to the notice of the chief law officer of the federation and Justice Ministry to unearth the underlying factor which necessitated such action.
The letter read, “We are the solicitors to Accountable Leadership for Better Nigeria Initiative of No. 9A, Nnewi Street, Area 2, Garki, Abuja, and Act Initiatives of Suite C10, PEB 04 Plaza, Plot 2027, Dalaba Street, Wuse, Zone 5, Abuja, (hereinafter freely referred to as our clients), and it is on their instructions and behest that this letter is caused to be remitted to you.
“Our clients are reputable non-governmental organizations with commitment and passion for an orderly society and a better Nigeria where things are done by leaders in accordance with the laid down legal standards to engender good governance for the betterment of the citizenry.
“Our clients, as good governance watchdogs, wish to use this medium to express their displeasure and sadness over the recent illegal and unlawful action taken by the duo of the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Abba Kyari, which, if not checked, might lay a bad precedent in the country, and our clients feel very strongly that this must be brought to the notice and knowledge of the chief law officer of the federation and Justice Ministry to unearth the underlying factor necessitating such action.
“Your Honourable Sir, via a letter dated September 2, 2019, with Reference No. SH/COS/81/A/1900 signed by Mr. Abba Kyari, and addressed to Honourable Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, which is under the supervision of Senator Goodwill Akpabio, the former granted the request of the latter by transferring and purportedly delegating the management and control of the Niger Delta Development Commission to the ministry under Senator Goodwill Akpabio without consultation with the relevant stakeholders; which action is against the law of the land as the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is by virtue of Section 7 of the Niger Delta Development Commission Act charged with the sole responsibility of overseeing the affairs of the commission and same is not delegate-able to any person or body. The principle is delegatus non-potest delegare.
“Our clients are left in awe as to the rationale behind the actions of Messrs Kyari and Akpabio and the pecuniary gains they intend to get in brazenly circumventing the law.
“As stakeholders in the Nigeria project, our clients are greatly concerned and profoundly worried about this patently illegal and unlawful act being perpetrated by men on whom President Muhammadu Buhari rely to help him drive his administration mantra which is based on Next-level goal and good governance.
“This is disheartening and disconcerting, to say the least. Our clients are of the strong opinion that this ugly development must not be allowed to be swept under the carpet, hence this letter of petition to your exalted office for reversal of this infraction of our Constitution and NDDC Act.
“In the light of the foregoing, our clients hereby unequivocally demand immediate reversal of the action of Messrs Kyari and Akpabio and restore the Niger Delta Development Commission to its appropriate and original statutory domain as an autonomous commission which is the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the interest of the Nigerian public, public probity and good governance.
“We on behalf of our client believe that your exalted office should be able to work on the reversal and achieve it within 14 days of service of this letter on you including the date of service.
“We shall take to our client’s outstanding instructions of taking the matter to court at the expiration of the time stated above if the matter is not resolved to the knowledge of Nigerians.
“While waiting for feedback from your exalted office on this petition, please, accept the esteem of our due professional regards and warmest compliments of our clients.”
Meanwhile, as reactions continue to trail the planned transfer of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from the office of the Presidency to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, a non-governmental organization, the Niger Delta Youth Coalition (NDYC) has opposed the move, saying it would be counter-productive.
The National Coordinator of the NDYC, Prince Emmanuel Ogba, said such move would make the commission less effective in delivering development to the Niger Delta region.
Ogba said in an interview with our correspondent, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, that, “If the commission is finding it difficult to make needed impact on the people when it is under the direct supervision of the Presidency, it will even be worse under the supervision of the Niger Delta Ministry”.
He described those behind the new move as enemies of the region, urged the Federal Government to rather think of a better way of reviving the commission to provide development as an interventionist agency than transferring it to the ministry.
“The whole idea is funny in the sense that even the Niger Delta Ministry we are talking about is showing obvious sign of a failed ministry. It needs help.
“Since its creation, what reasonable impact can you attribute to the ministry in terms of meaningful projects’ execution?
“So, transferring the supervision of the NDDC from the Presidency to the Niger Delta Ministry will kill these two organs of development and that will spell doom for the region”, he said.
He advised President Muhammadu Buhari to disregard the suggestion, stressing that such idea could only come from those who do not mean well for the region and also want Buhari’s administration to fail in the region.
The NDYC boss called on Buhari to focus on unmasking those who defrauded the commission and made it fail with huge number of abandoned projects.
“Trace the stolen wealth of the commission and strengthen the supervision of the agency, and you will see remarkable difference”, Ogba said.
Ogba further pointed out that the move to transfer the commission away from the Presidency contradicts the act that established the commission.
Chris Oluoh
Front Pix
We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
Front Pix
Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
News
Tinubu Appoints New NACA DG, Two FMC CMDs
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Temitope Ilori as the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).
He also approved the appointment of Dr James Enimi Omietimi and Prof. Sa’ad Ahmed as Chief Medical Directors of the Federal Medical Centres in Yenagoa and Abuja respectively.
A statement by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, said Ilori and Omietimi would serve for an initial term of four years, while Ahmed is for a second term of four years.
Ilori is a senior lecturer in the Department of Community Medicine at the University of Ibadan. He is also a consultant family physician at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
She was Commissioner for Health in Osun State from 2011 to 2014 and Chairperson of the state’s agency on control of HIV/AIDS.
Omietimi is an accomplished medical professional who graduated from the University of Port Harcourt in 1994 with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree (MBBS), and began his medical career with specialisation in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
He is a fellow of the West African College of Surgeons and the International College of Surgeons.
Ahmed is a Professor of Pathology at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, concurrently serving as the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, for four years during his initial tenure.
He holds fellowships from esteemed institutions, such as the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, the International College of Surgeons (USA), the College of American Pathologists (USA), and the Central East and Southern Africa College of Pathology (South Africa).
The President had also approved the relocation of NACA to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The relocation of NACA to the Ministry is to foster synergy and enhance collaboration in pursuit of the nation’s goal to achieve the 95-95-95 pathway for ending the AIDS epidemic.
“The President is determined to consistently harmonise institutions within and between the different sectors in the country, ensuring improved coordination and synergy among agencies for efficient and qualitative service delivery to all Nigerians,” Ngelale said.
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