The Board of Trustees and Governing Board of the Environmental Rights Development Foundation (ERDF)/Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria have learnt of a purported General Assembly called on October 7, 2020 by recently disengaged executive director of ERA/FoEN, Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo in Benin City.
The Board would not have considered the illegal convening worth being given any attention but for the stakeholders of ERA/FoEN who might be scandalized if the Board remains silent.
To put the records straight, Godwin Uyi Ojo was removed from the Trusteeship of the ERA/FoEN in 2015 following allegations of gross misconduct and actions inimical to peace and progress of the organisation.
Similarly, the Board had on October 3, 2020 held an Emergency meeting where the decision to relieve Godwin Ojo of his appointment as executive director was taken. The decision followed the report of an independent evaluation of the organisation commissioned by the Board. The evaluation concluded that: “The current ED who is by nature of the position ultimately responsible for the day to day functioning of the organization and staff management appears to be out of his depth, lacking both leadership and management sufficient to the task”.
Members of the Board who signed Ojo’s Ouster are Nnimmo Bassey, Dr. Ike Okonta, Dr. Joe-Okei Odumakin, Professor Margaret Okorodudu-Fubara, Akinbode Oluwafemi and Daphne Wysham.
Instead of abiding by the decision of the Board, Ojo has been involving himself in illegalities including the purported General Assembly Meeting where he brought together faceless civil society groups.
The Board uses this medium to restate that Ojo is no longer a member of ERA/FoEN and does not in any way represent the organisation in any capacity. The public should take note.
Emerging facts have confirmed that Ondo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Agboola Ajayi is now working against his own interest and that of his new political party, the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Saturday’s election as part of a larger plan to sabotage the chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and state governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu.
Agboola Ajayi, has allegedly received N3.6 billion from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in order to step down for its candidate, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede and also further malign Governor Akeredolu in arrangement that he personally admitted will shortchange the people of Ondo State.
A source that is familiar with the development revealed that the deputy governor got the offer during a late-night meeting at the residence of a PDP stalwart in the state capital, Akure late on Monday.
The source who declined to be named out of concern for his personal safety further disclosed that “As a show of good faith that the PDP will keep up its side of the bargain, the party Chieftains at the meeting were immediately able to raise N1.57 billion with a promise to give His Excellency (Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi) the remaining N2 billion before results are announced.
“The idea is that the Deputy Governor will supply damaging information on the governor while a second layer of the strategy is for Ajayi to do a last-minute midnight broadcast in which he will withdraw from the race and urge his supporters to vote for PDP and Eyitayo Jegede.
“The deputy governor was able to drive the offer up to N3.6 billion by reminding the PDP chieftains that what they were asking him to do was against the interest of the state, but they pointed out to him that he was being adequately compensated,” the source explained.
The PDP however reportedly rejected Ajayi’s demand that Jegede will discard his running mate, Gboluga Ikengboju as deputy governor within three months and replace him with ZLP candidate if he should win the election. One of those in attendance at the meeting dismissed the request on the ground that the Deputy Governor’s recent short stay in the PDP will make stakeholders wary of such arrangement
The Board of Trustees of the Environmental Rights Development Foundation (ERDF) has announced the appointment of Chima Williams Esq as Acting Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) following the disengagement of Godwin Uyi Ojo’s executive directorship effective from 3rd October 2020.
The Board took the decision at an emergency meeting held on October 3, 2020. Chima William’s appointment takes effect from October 5, 2020.
In a statement by the Board Chairman of ERDF, Nnimmo Bassey, “the Board appreciates the work that the former executive director did while in the organization and wishes him well in his future endeavors. We remain hopeful and excited for the next chapter of ERA/FoEN”.
Until his appointment, Chima Williams was Head of Legal Resources/Democracy Outreach of ERA/FoEN. Williams is a consummate legislative and policy change advocate who believes in globally enforceable environmental and human rights standards by all business operators to ensure respect for the environmental and human rights of local communities.
A lawyer, Williams is President, Green Alliance Nigeria and is in his second term as an Editorial Board Member of Business and Human Rights Journal published by Cambridge University Press, London. He is Country Focal Person and Regional Chairman, Publicity Committee of Public Interest Lawyering Initiative for West Africa, among other positions he holds.
Williams has utilized campaigns, advocacy, mobilization, policy and legislative interventions and litigation at both national and trans-national spheres to contribute towards the protection of citizens’ rights, especially against the destructive practices of the extractive industry.
He was the Nigerian Lawyer to the Ikebiri Kingdom in their case against the Multi-National Oil Company ENI/NAOC in Milan, Italy where the King of Ikebiri Community is suing NAOC-ENI for environmental disaster in his community. The case was settled out of Court with the Ikebiri people gaining enormous benefits from the company.
He is currently involved in monitoring the implementation of an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Complaint Process following the successful outcome in the complaint of Egbema Voice of Freedom & 2 Others Vs. ENI/NAOC in Aggah Community of Rivers State. This process involves the removal of perennial flooding occurrences that have ravaged the community for over 40 years.
He is the Principal Partner of CHIMA WILLIAMS & ASSOCIATES – a Nigerian Law Firm. He is a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria with over 19 years of litigation experience in the areas of human/environmental rights, livelihoods protection/defence, land rights, property rights, criminal and civil litigations.
My attention has been drawn to a rash of social media posts concerning my health and the inhuman manner in which it is being orchestrated to look as if it was as a result of the outcome of the September 19, 2020 Edo State Governorship election in which I publicly supported Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
It is evidently ungodly for people to gloat over the fact that I am not feeling well. God does not approve of such disposition and those who engage in that pastime are only mocking and playing God.
I have never claimed to be a superhuman being. I do not deny the fact that I am not well. I am outside the country for my medicals, which were delayed because of the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
After a series of tests, my doctors confirmed that I have some health issues.
It is, therefore, ill-advised and inhuman for those who are not comfortable with the position I took in the Edo election to joyfully circulate in the social media that I have health issues and that I have slid into coma. Well, I leave them all to God.
I am over 60 years. I thank God who gave me the gift of life, an opportunity to live a good life, the grace to build a legacy of achievements and, most importantly, a good name, which is better than silver and gold.
I hold dearly to heart the words of the scriptures that there is a time to be born; and a time to die. But what is most important in life is what I have done with my life. And, this applies to every mortal being.
Edo election, which is the reason they are doing this, has come and gone. Those who are opposed to me for taking a position in the election, which they won, should leave me alone and get busy with their life.
I have moved on with life. I advise them to do the same instead of dwelling in the past. Nevertheless, I wish them well in all they do.
God is on His throne and to Him be all glory, honour and adoration.
Captain (Dr) Idahosa Wells Okunbo, JP
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Odumosu Hakeen, Lagos Commissioner of Police has gone tough on prevailing indiscipline amongst officers under his command.
The Lagos Commissioner’s renewed vow to stamp out indiscipline follows public outcry over seeming unethical operational modes amongst officers. The development had prompted Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu’s directive on strict compliance to ethical standards.
The IGP’s directive was contained in a press statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba. In the statement, IG frowns at officers’ disobedience to the rules of engagements in some units.
In compliance with the IG’s directive, Odumosu, on Sunday, through a statement by Superintendent Olumuyiwa Adejobi vows to arrest erring officers. “Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has vowed to arrest, dismiss and prosecute any erring police officers and men who disobey the directives in Lagos State.”
According to Adejobi, the Commissioner of Police re-echoed the IGP’s directive in his Ikeja office on Sunday 4th October, 2020. In the statement, Odumosu ordered his monitoring teams to go after, arrest and prosecute any personnel of police tactical squads, including Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad(FSARS), SARS, Special Tactical Squad (STS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Anti Kidnapping, Anti Cultism, or Anti Robbery teams or under any nomenclature from Lagos command or any formations within Lagos State, engaging in Stop and Search and any other low-risk operations like patrol; and operating on mufti, against the directives of the Inspector-General of Police.
CP Hakeem Odumosu reinstated that any police officer who wants to embark on patrol, Stop and Search, checking of information etc must be on official police uniform with identification cards conspicuously hanged on his or her chest.
He further ordered that the Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers in Lagos State must discourage and kick against the use of commercial buses or unbranded vehicles for such operations, except on surveillance or decoy, which must be approved personally by the Commisioner of Police.
The police chief also vowed to hold any Area commander and Divisional Police Officer where police harassment, brutality or extortion occurs, vicariously accountable and shall accordingly be disciplined.
While encouraging members of the public to report any ugly and unprofessional conducts of the police to the command via the Public Complaint Bureau phone digits: 09057597931, 09010512350, 09010512348 and 09090003792, he affirmed his commitment to sanitize policing system in Lagos Command and achieve people-oriented Nigeria Police Force in Nigeria.
The Lagos Employment Trust Fund in partnership with the United State African Development Foundation have opened application portal where Lagosians desiring to acquire skills in Construction and other Vocational trades under various sectors can apply to attend the sponsored training that will arm them with sellable skills.
Deadline for application is Friday, October 9th, 2020.
Hurry now to register, and tell your loved ones who might have these desires.
Construction courses in focus:
1.Electrical Installation and wiring/ Alternative energy.
2. Plumbing and Fitting Installation
3. Painting and Decorative work.
4. Masonry and Tile Installation.
5. Carpentry and Joinery.
Also note that Honeytreat Trade Academy has been positioned as one of the training partner for construction skills under LSETF/USADF Employability Support program.
The police command in Kano State has arrested a 26-year-old woman, Hauwa Habibu, for allegedly killing her two children at Diso Quarters in Gwale LGA of the state.
The command spokesman, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, stated this in a statement sent to National Association of Security Reporters (NAOSRE).
He said, “The Kano State Police Command under the leadership of CP Habu A. Sani, psc wishes to inform the general public that on the 03/10/2020 at about 1130hrs, information received revealed that one Hauwa’u Habibu ‘f’ 26 years old of Diso Quarters, Gwale LGA, Kano State attacked and killed her two biological children by name Irfan Ibrahim ‘m’ 6 years oldand Zuhura Ibrahim ‘f’ 3 years old and wounded one Aisha Sadiq ‘f’ 10 years old, her nephew of the same address, and fled to unknown destination.”
Haruna said that on receiving the information, men of the Kano Police force led by SP Nasiru Gusau, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Gwale Division were sent to the scene and found the victims stabbed.
On preliminary investigations, the suspect confessed to have locked up their dwelling house, used machete and aluminium made pestle to attack the three helpless children, causing severe injuries on different parts of their bodies where the quick intervention of the Police saved Aisha to live and give the horrific story.
He affirmed that the first two victims were rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano and were confirmed dead by doctors on duty.
The third victim, Aisha Sadiq identified as her nephew was rushed to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano for treatment.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Habu Ahmad, has ordered the case to be transferred to the Homicide Section, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), for discrete investigation.
The National Association of Security Reporters (NAOSRE) has commended the Lagos State Commissioner for Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu for coming to the people’s aid by rolling out complaint phone numbers in order to allow people lodge complaints against police harassment, brutality and extortion.
In a statement in Lagos, signed by its Acting President Favour Benson, the group said the step was a vindication of the Lagos CP as a purposeful leader that believes more in action than getting involved in rhetoric.
“We commend CP Hakeem Odumosu for charging and checkmating units in the command, including provost, X-Squad, CP Monitoring Team and Public Complaint Bureau (PCB), to wake up to their duties and responsibilities as officers,” it added.
NAOSRE called on other media agencies and platforms to put more effort in publicising the phone numbers, help the Nigeria Police Force, especially the citizens considering the efforts of the Lagos State Command of the NPF.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi,, the numbers to contact at the command (Public Complaint Bureau) against police unethical behaviors are: 09057597931 (WhatsApp), 09010512350 (OC PCB), 09010512348 and 09090003792, adding that Odumosu has restated his zero tolerance for unethical and inhuman conducts by police officers.
In the same vein, Two operatives of the FSARS and their civilian accomplice operating in Lagos State, Inspector Sale James, Inspector Monday Uchiola and Okechukwu Ogbonna, have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, for acts of professional misconduct including extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens.
Favour Benson onbehalf of NAOSRE passed a vote of confidence on the Lagos State Command for impounding and disciplinary procedure against the defaulters, according to police source.
Not many of her peers would shoulder the responsibility of creating succour to the less privileged around them. They would rather invest their resources on frivolities and absurd materials that would never impact peoples life positively. Maryam Onikijipa Belgore, chooses to be different as her giant stride towards creating an egalitarian society, where equity, justice and fairness thrive seems to be actializing. Just like the proverbial rattle snake that saunter through the rocky path without it’s presence recorded, Maryam has made an indelible mark, cresting her name in gold as history will forever be kind to her for contributing to humanitarian ideals. If Cheerful giving were to be a craft, maryam would have had a mastery of it. She does it effortlessly without blinking an eye.
During her formative years, she has always had this covenant with her creator on using her God given wealth to service humanity. She further promised that; she would invest in the education of many girl-child and empower them to reach their full potentials. She has since been living her dreams, fulfilling her heart desires. Not much people are blessed with such a benevolent heart Maryam is blessed with, she has showed the world that; you can be beautiful in and out and still be a kind person.
Despite having an aristocratic and bourgeois background, born into the family of popular clergyman; Sheik Sulaiman Farooq Onikijipa, she was raised Inline with the tenents of Islam which gives strong references to ‘Zakat’ ‘Giving’. Through her Maryam Onikijipa Belgore Foundation, she has done fantastically well. She has extended her hands of help to the downtrodden. She has visited several IDP camps in Nigeria, where she sponsored children educations, distributes sanitary towels to kids, distributes Food items, toiletries and other important materials for survival.
Apart from her philanthropic gestures, The graduate of Cresent Univerisity is an advocate against rape, child abuse, genital mutilation and sexual abuse. She has constantly lend her voice by galvanazing the private sector in the need to address illiteracy affecting children as they are all entitled to quality education and good life regardless of their background. Despite the recent surge in mental health related issues leading to depression, suicide, trauma and low self esteem, She has also assisted by raising funds through, mental health care and policy advocacy. The fund will be used to cater for anyone who needs mental health recovery either as a result of drug abuse or other mental health related issues.
Today the 3rd of October, the super pretty mother of three saunters into a new age on earth. At a time when the world is currently ravaged by a global pandemic, she spent million of Naira in distribution of palliative to people in Lagos, Abuja and Kwara. Like popular Nigerian Professor and writer and dramatist; Prof Femi Osofisan wrote in one of his masterpiece; ‘Birthday are not for Dying’; which aptly captures that birthday are for the living. Being alive to witness such day is a clear indication that the creator still watches over his own people. Maryam sees birthdays as a day not only to celebrate by throwing big soiree and entertain friends but a time to reflect on the past and work on the future.
To further show her commitment to humanitarian related works, on Thursday the 1st of October, Maryam and her crew visited the Durumi IDP Camp in Abuja, where she donated food items, sanitary towels, cash. She also cut her birthday cake with displaced children who sang and merried with her. For her, celebrating her birthday in such a way was the best. The children she fed matters more as it gives her great joy to put smiles on their faces and share her birthday cake with them.
As she would have loved to throw a massive Shindig in celebration mood, most expecially her Cosmopolitan husband, Abdulsalam Belgore, would have treated her to an expensive birthday treat, that would never be forgotten in a hurry but Maryam chooses to keep it on a lowkey and also spend time praying to her creator to grant her many more years in good health and wealth. For those willing to visit her Abuja Home, Maryam will be displaying her culinary skills as she hosts her close friends, family to a special dinner.
Those privileged to attend would be treated like Kings and Queen with grand opulence. Trust Maryam when it comes to hosting a shindig, you should expect the very best of continental and local dish laced with lavish supply of high cost Champagne, Cognac, Vodka, Rums, Whisky, Red and White wines. As she celebrates, we indeed wish her many more years with continuation of her philanthropic and humanitarian works.
The clergy with the prophetic mantle and Shepherd in charge of Champions Royal Assembly has dished out fresh Prophetic insight concerning Nigeria as she Celebrates her 60th independence anniversary.
Iginla reiterated the shortfalls that have bedeviled the country and reeled out the mind of God for this country .
‘In Nigeria today, we dont have fathers of the land. The efforts of our forefathers such as Nnamdi Azikwe, Tafa Balewa and Obafemi Awolowo have been thwarted.
Their dogged passion for a one Nigeria has been taken away. We now have colonial masters despite our freedom.We celebrated our 60th independence but still living under mental slavery.
Prices of food items have multiplied in the market. The poor man cant afford to buy rice again and it has become a hot cake. Lives of people are unbearable because people who are supposed to steer the ship of this country no longer have feelings for the masses.
We have natural resources and one of the richest in Africa yet living in penury and begging for survival. We signed contracts with China that are very complicating and mentally distubing for the future of this country. Nigeria is a ciountry other countries are meant to loan from. In the midst of this pandemics , the electricity tariff has skyrocketed to a level you can think of..
The voice of the masses has been subdued. You cant even tell if the voice of the masses is truly fior the masses. . We can no longer diffrentite human right fighters, actvicts and labour union from politicians. Everything has been adulterated and polluted.
That is niot to say the government of the day is not trying butr I feel it has gottenm to a point that if the masses are sufferuing, then the duty of the Government of the day is questionable. Its time to see that Nigeria might be celebrating her independence but are we really free? We need to pray.
Some will ask man of God whats your message for independemce? I see a new Nigeria in the hands of God. Nigeria is a country that cant be abandoned. I see leades that will stand up and steer the fortune of this country and turning it arpound to what it should be. I see the giant of Africa raising her head and walking gallantly among its competitors, rising up to become what it should be…I believe in this country and iwant you to believe there is hope fior Nigeria. We will get there. We are work in progress.’
