This unfortunate incident occur in the wake of the recent attack on the Kabba correctional centre, where the unknown gunmen killed security officers and freed hundred of inmates.
Your Excellency, you have demonstrated the new lease of life with the countless solidarity visits to your London residence by prominent Nigerians including H.E President Muhammadu Buhari, State Governors, former Governors, Speaker HOR, Senators, members HOR, party stalwarts and other very important personalities too numerous to mention.
Your Excellency have also been strong to attend to all your visitors against the backdrop that you have been hospitalized and incapacitated.
The lies and propaganda is now a "national anthem" being chorused and peddled by some individuals who feel threatened and are jittery of your rising political profile.
Your Excellency, please accept this open letter as our words of good wishes, solidarity and prayers as you continue with your medical routine in London.
With the hope you have given to the hopeless, the downtrodden you have raised and wiped their tears, God in His Almightiness will put to shame those who have planned your downfall.
Your excellency, as a symbol of Nigeria Unity, your return will strengthen the bridges that connects us as people.
Your return will strengthen us and our party APC for the task ahead.
Your return will redesign the structure of our productive paradigm towards a more progressive and united Nigeria.
Your excellency, your perceived presidential aspiration has become a household subject of discussion and its a testimony that you have made sacrifices, paid the price and walk the walk.
Your steadfastness and devotion to a better Nigeria is at the moment being savoured by men and women of goodwill all over Nigeria, we are certain you will continue the style of good work which you have become known.
Nigeria needs you your excellency, the country needs men who can remain undeterred, unbowed and resolute in the face of trying and difficult situations.
You have proved that you have character under trial, and not just when the going is good but when also it's very tough, reason Nigerians are earnestly calling on you to formally declare for the top position in the country, the Presidency.
We are confident such refinement will stand you in good stead as, by the grace of God, you will complete the good work you have started, only that this time, the good work will go round nooks and crannies of the country.
We wish you sound health on behalf of all Tinubulators and Tinubuist across the globe as we all await your historic return.
Signed: Alamoh Kehinde Samuel
It was gathered that the gunmen launched the attack on the prison located along Kabba-Lokoja highway on Sunday midnight through to dawn of Monday, and killed military men keeping guard on the highway before heading for the prison.
However, about 100 of the inmates have been rearrested, while unspecified number voluntarily returned.
The governor gave the charge shortly after swearing-in the Rivers State Body of Tax Appeal Commissioners at Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday.
Commissioners sworn-in by the governor included Justice Bennett Eke Ugbari (rtd), who will serve as the chairman, Edwin Krukrubo, Owhonda Ihekwoaba Nobel and Mrs. Gift Sovins as commissioners.
Governor Wike explained that they should focus on dealing with complaints arising from those who do not want to pay their taxes, while also prevailing on those who believe that the tax body is doing what it is not supposed to do.
According to Governor Wike, taxes are important sources of revenues for any government to shore up its needs for fund to implement its development agenda.
"It is a very serious assignment at this period as regards to what is going on. So, I believe that you have to take this assignment as a call of duty from your state.
"No country can survive without taxes. And so, you will do all you can to support the government and the citizens to do what they're supposed to do.
"I have confidence in you; the chairman, that you'll be able to lead the members of the commission to do the right thing."
In his response, Chairman of the Rivers State Body of Tax Appeal Commissioners, Justice Bennett Eke Ugbari (rtd) noted that Rivers State like other federating states, needs to generate sufficient internal revenues to augment the statutory allocations it receives from the federal government.
This, he said, will enable the government to fulfil it's obligations and promises to Rivers people in terms of infrastructure and other development, as witnessed presently in the State.
"It is therefore, the intendment of the commission to partner with other relevant tax authorities in Rivers State to generate adequate internal revenue for the State.
"In carrying out our assignment, the commission shall be guided by the principle of fair hearing, justice and equity. We shall ensure that there is proper assessment of taxes and that every tax payers in Rivers State pays adequate tax as required by the relevant tax laws."
Justice Ugbari (rtd) assured that the commission will discharge their responsibilities diligently and conscientiously with the fear of God. According to him, they will also work in accordance with the objectives, purpose of the enabling law and other tax laws of Rivers State.
Kelvin Ebiri
Special Assistant (Media) Rivers State Governor
September 10, 2021
Those abducted were shot at before the abduction and they include the financial controller, group auditor, and group store manager of the firm.
In a bid to promote unity and peaceful co-existence among sons and daughters of Okun Land; the Okun Development Initiative (ODI), has concluded plans to convene a town hall meeting themed Setting Okun Agenda for the Grassroot.
Briefing newsmen, Hon Dcn Otitoju Olusuyi
National Coordinator
ODI disclosed that its going to be awesome as we collectively begin the journey towards sustainable development in Okunland.
He said the town hall meeting had become imperative following the patriotic calls from major stakeholders, youth and women to put in place measures that will set the agenda for revolutionary development starting from the Grassroot.
The National Coordinator urged well meaning individuals to partake in the history making event starting up on the 13th of September 2021.
Attached is the program schedule for each of the local government in Okun Land.
The President's visit to Imo is his first working visit to the State since taking office in 2015 and the first time the State is hosting a President on working visit since 2009.
This visit is especially significant given the recent communication from the governor of Imo State, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, to the effect that the President is coming to put final seals on some strategic federal government interventions and partnerships which the Imo State government has agreed with the Federal Government.
Also, a line-up of people oriented and audacious projects are scheduled to be unveiled and inaugurated for the use of Imo people and for our individual comfort, notwithstanding our political or social leanings.
The President is also billed to hold a town hall meeting with all classes of people from across Igbo land, including, the youths, traditional institution, traders, artisans, religious leaders and the political class. This town hall meeting shall afford anyone or group the opportunity to ask the President any questions or ventilate whatever might be our personal or group grievances and hopefully, the President shall take adequate note of these questions, observations and complaints.
It is delighting to note that the President is not coming for a jamboree but for serious businesses that every true Imo nay Igbo son or daughter should look forward to.
It is on the strength of the above that Igbo youths, worldwide have resolved, not only to welcome the President to the Eastern Heartland, Imo, but to also come out in their numbers to give the President, the hospitality he deserves within the period he is in Imo.
May I reiterate that Igbo youths are peace loving, hardworking and honorable people and would therefore not bring themselves to take part in any act that aims to disrupt this important State event.
Anyone or group of people found to be involved in any act aimed at disrupting this State visit or harassing those who wish to participate, should be treated as invaders and or felons and not doing so on behalf of Ndigbo or Igbo youths.
The leadership made the request during a visit to the immediate past Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, at his political office in Festac Town, Lagos.
Describing Asiwaju Tinubu as a detribalized Nigerian and a great leader, the group added its voice to that of Adewale and other groups who have been demanding that the political leader contest for the number one position in the country in 2023.
Leader of the delegation, Chief Sunday Udeh commended Tinubu’s leadership example, adding that Igbos in the state are ready to support the former governor’s aspiration and the APC in general.
Udeh urged Adewale to introduce the leadership of the community to Lagos APC chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, and Asiwaju Tinubu.
He also praised Adewale for carrying everyone along in his manner of leadership, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation. Responding, Adewale thanked members of the delegation for recognising the high standards set by the late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, which was a template he replicated in Amuwo Odofin during his tenure as the council boss.
He revealed that the party chairman is currently focused on ensuring the success of the ongoing party membership registration and revalidation exercise, which has extended the exercise for a few days.
Nevertheless, he assured the group that he would book an appointment with Alhaji Balogun and Asiwaju Tinubu and personally introduce the duo to them.
Bank account number 0073572696 cited in the alleged order of the Court is ‘an internal (mirror) account operated by the Bank for the purposes of managing the Kogi State Bailout Facility – Sterling Bank.
Kogi state government has vowed to challenge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the recent court action on alleged fraud bothering on a N20 billion bailout fund.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, the state economic team said the state government have no fixed deposit account as claimed by EFCC in court.
The state commissioner for information and communication, Kingsley Fanwo said the action of the anti-corruption agency is an attempt to drag the image of the state in the mud.
He alleged that there are vested interests, people who are behind the embarrassing court interim injunction freezing the state’s salary account in a commercial bank.
The Kogi State Government gave no mandate or instruction to Sterling Bank Plc to open a fixed deposit account on its behalf as it could barely meet the salary obligations for which the funds were received at the material time.
“Sterling Bank Plc by its letter of 1st September 2021 confirmed in writing that the ‘the Kogi State Government does not currently operate or maintain a fixed deposit account with Sterling Bank’. The letter proceeded to confirm that all the balances in all the accounts operated by Kogi State Government was approximately N46 Million Naira. Finally, the letter confirmed that account number 0073572696 cited in the alleged order of the Court is ‘an internal (mirror) account operated by the Bank for the purposes of managing the Kogi State Bailout Facility’,” he said.
The government spokesman said they will seek appropriate redress and will resist most vehemently the instant attempt and any further attempt to bring her into disrepute.
“We are still shocked as to how the EFCC came about the patently false information upon which they have fraudulently or by misrepresentation of facts secured the purported order freezing a non-existent account or a ‘mirror account’ created for administrative purposes by the Bank in respect of funds which have since the October 2019 been fully disbursed and utilized for the purpose for which it was borrowed.
“We want to put it on record at this point that at no time during this entire concatenation of unfortunate events did the EFCC invite or question, much less seek clarification, from this Government or any of her officials in relation to such weighty matters. Also, none of the media houses or platforms which initially broke the news so much as sought a comment from us. No doubt our rights to fair hearing and the nation’s right to fair and accurate reportage did not matter in the circumstances of this shabbily designed but otherwise clinically executed hatchet job.
“This is neither happenstance nor coincidence, but a coordinated hostile action. We remain concerned that a Federal Agency of the calibre and responsibilities of the EFCC which is charged to combat financial fraud is the one engaging in fraud and misrepresentation of facts for the purpose of securing needless Orders meant to ridicule a court of competent jurisdiction while simultaneously attempting to drag the pristine white robes of the most transparent and accountable state government in Nigeria, to with, the Kogi State Government led by His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello in their barrel of palm oil.
“While we are yet to conclude on the EFCC’s motive for this dishonourable act, we cannot but wonder if the ‘new’ EFCC is now lending its machineries for the use of politicians and detractors to tarnish the image of a State that has enjoyed the confidence and commendation of domestic and international partners as a bastion of accountability and integrity.”
The state government assured citizens, partners, investors and the general public that its commitment to transparency, probity and accountability in office will remain unrivalled in the country.
