Orji Kalu Resigns from PPA

  Eminent  businessman and former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu has resigned his membership of the ProgressivePeoples Alliance (PPA).  The former governor said he took the decision after wide consultations with political associates, followers, loyalists and well-wishers.

This was contained in a November 14, 2016 letter he personally signed and addressed to the national chairman of the party.
The letter was made available to the media yesterday: “It is with a heavy heart, full of precious memories, profound appreciation and goodwill that I write to inform you of my decision to quit my amembership of the PPA.
“As a founding member of the PPA, in 2006 and a former chairman of the BoT, I have been fortunate to have witnessed first hand, the growth of a party that grew out of the yearning of a people to challenge their intuition and their struggle to determine who governs them and how they should be governed.
“I gave to the PPA and that struggle the better part of my political life and the time has come for me to say thank you for the opportunity to have served a worthy cause, and to have been your flag bearer as candidate for the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I must move on now and as Tennyson reminds us, “Though much has been taken, much still abides and though we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are; one equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will. To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.
“And so, today, I officially resign my membership.
Thank you and may God continue to guide the affairs of the PPA under your reign as national chairman.’’
PPA which was founded by Kalu in 2006, produced Chief T. A Orji and Chief Ikedi Ohakim as governors of Abia and Imo states respectively in the 2007 polls.

Naira drops to N470 per dollar in the parallel market

The depreciation comes after the local currency had recovered from N470 it traded on Wednesday, October 26, to close at N465 at the parallel market on Thursday, October 27.

 

However, reports have it that the current rate has prompted the CBN to meet with Bureaux De Change (BDC) operators and Travelex to evolve measures to halt the persistent slide of the currency.

Senate passes the Code of Conduct Act for third reading.

The Senate passed the Code of Conduct act for second reading less than 72 hours after it passed through the first reading.

The bill was sponsored by Peter Nwaoboshi representing Delta north senatorial district who said that the act does not contemplate criminal trial.

Oyo govt discovers 50 schools without pupils

Fifty schools have been discovered to be without pupils yet with full compliments of teaching staff in Oyo State. This and many more are some of the startling revelations so far discovered in the ongoing verification exercise which intends to put things in proper perspective in the state’s education sector.

Commissioner for Education, science and technology Professor Joseph Adeniyi Olowofela stated this in Ibadan while briefing newsmen in the aftermath of the state’s executive council meeting.

The top government functionary emphasized that the deduction of subvention to tertiary Institution remained effective as this would give administrators ample opportunity to source for revenue.

Kastina: Emir’s marriage to 14-year-old irreversible – Emirate Council

The Katsina Emirate Council on Thursday declared that the marriage between 14-year-old girl, Habiba Isa, and the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumin Usman, was irreversible.

The council said the marriage and Isa’s conversion to Islam were voluntarily and willingly entered into by the girl.

The council told officials of the Katsina State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, who visited Usman in his palace over the issue, that there was no evidence that the 14-year-old girl was forced to act against her wish.

The family of Isiyaku Tanko of Warkaza community in the  Kudun Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State on Wednesday alleged that Usman forcefully abducted their 14-year-old daughter and forced her into marrying him.

A publication made on the anti-graft agency’s website by its spokesman, Wilson Uwujarem, says Mr Ibru is wanted in connection with a case of conspiracy, capital market fraud, stealing, diversion and money laundering.

The EFCC said: “He was said to diverted billions of Naira and assets of Ikeja Hotels Plc, owners of Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, Federal Palace Hotel and Capital Hotel and owners of Sheraton Hotel, Abuja to his personal benefits.
Mr Ibru, 74, is a native of Agbara-Otoh in Delta State, southern Nigeria.

Ondo Army promises to be fair to political parties

The Nigerian army has promised  to be neutral to all political parties that will participate in the November 26th, Governorship election in Ondo state.

The brigade commander, Ondo and Ekiti States, Brigadier General Charles Ofoche made the promise  at a media parley with journalists in Akure.

Ofoche said the Nigerian army is ready to partner with other security agencies to ensure that the election is credible and peaceful.

He added that chief of army staff has directed all officers not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to manipulate the election.

On his part, the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo state council, James Sowole commended the  commander for his proactive steps to curbing crimes

Governor Ambode reads riot acts to kidnappers

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is indeed not pleased with the rising spate of kidnapping in Lagos state.

He is not only talking tough, he is also taking tough actions.

All illegal structures and shanties built on lagos waterfront will be demolished.

The Lagos governor believes the illegal occupation of the waterfronts could be aiding and abetting criminal elements who now operate on the state’s inland waterways.

Governor Ambode raised this concern when he visited the uncompleted Ilubirin Housing project in the state.

He disclosed the government’s intention to partner with the private sector and scale-up the process to meet the housing need of Lagosians.