Mr. Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, on Saturday donated the sum of N10 million to the victims of the Christmas eve attacks in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local government areas of Plateau State.

Obi announced the donation when he visited the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs’) camp in Bokkos LGA on Saturday.

Addressing the victims at the Church of Christ in Nation (COCIN) Bokkos, Obi said, “I’m saddened visiting Plateau again to condole people suffering from attacks by gunmen.

“People have been rendered homeless for no fault of theirs. These victims have lost their loved ones, lost their bread winners and all that they have.

“The humanitarian challenges occasioned by these attacks are so huge to be left for the government alone. And so, I’m not just here to offer them my token, but to mobilise other Nigerians and corporate organisations to come to the aid of these victims.

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“Nigerians need to show them love, we need to go beyond emphatising with them, there is need to support them with foods and clothing while in IDPs.

“I hereby called on the federal government to deal with these issues of gunmen across the country. I believe if the federal government is determined to stop these killings, they can do it.

“I therefore challenge the federal government to end the bloodshed across the country.”

Obi encouraged the victims and the entire Plateau people to forgive their attackers and allow God to revenge for them.

Earlier in a welcome remarks, the chairman of Bokkos LGA, Hon Monday Kassa said, “The displaced people in his local government are more than 4,000 spread in 12 IDP camps”

A bill seeking to criminalise failure to pay salaries by employers of labour and corporate bodies across the country has passed first reading at the green chamber.

The bill was sponsored by Wale Hammed, a member representing the Agege Federal Constituency, Lagos State.

When the bill titled ‘The Employees Remuneration Protection Bill, 2023,’ comes into effect, employees can demand payment from their employer by submitting a written claim.

Section 7 (1) of the bill provides that it is unlawful for any employer to “refuse or neglect to pay the remuneration of his employees, as provided under this Act.”

Section 8 (1) of the bill states that if an employee’s compensation remains unpaid beyond the specified period permitted by this legislation, the employee may submit a written demand to their employer for the payment of their entitlement if they wish to assert their claim.

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The bill said, “Of an employee fails to remit payment within five business days following service of a demand under Section 9 of this bill, the employee may petition the court for redress by filing a motion on notice.”

It added that employers found guilty of failing to pay the salaries of their workers risk three to six months of imprisonment, without the possibility of a fine.

However, any corporate entity that fails to adhere to a court order regarding the remuneration of its employees, risks a fine of N10,000 daily, or “be sealed off for a period not exceeding three months, provided that the default extends beyond two months.”

The bill also imposes a N10,000 penalty on any officer or agent of the organisation, government parastatal, agency, body, or institution who deliberately or knowingly authorises or permits the default or noncompliance with the directive until it is complied with.

Its mandatory upon employers to provide written terms of employment to resuming employees within 14 working days of the employee’s return to work for terms of employment exceeding one month.

The employment contract, which is binding on both the employer and the employee shall comprehensively outline the terms and conditions, remuneration, and methods of payment, in addition to the character of the employment and the procedure for terminating it by either party.

Section 27 of the bill provides that an employee’s petition to the court for payment of remuneration shall not serve as grounds for “Disciplinary action, inquiry, suspension, or termination of the applicant by the employer.”

Section 28 of the bill states that in the event of an employer’s bankruptcy, prioritisation shall be given to the payment of all outstanding remuneration to employees.

Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber during their plenary on Saturday approved the sum of N28.7 trillion as the 2024 budget.

According to the report submitted by the Appropriation Committee led by Senator Solomon Adeola, aggregate expenditure was pegged at N28,777,404.073.861; statutory transfers -N1,742,786,788,150; recurrent expenditure- N8,768.5330,852; capital expenditure-N9,995,143,298,028 and GDP at 3.88%.

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President Bola Tinubu, on November 29, presented a total of N27.5tn budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly.

The President pegged the budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year at N9.18 tn.

He said the deficit represents 3.88 per cent of Nigeria’s gross domestic product

Tinubu stated, “The N9.18 trillion deficit is lower than the N13.78 trillion deficit recorded in 2023 which represents 6.11 per cent of GDP.

“The deficit will be financed by new borrowings totalling N7.83tn, N298.49BN from Privatisation Proceeds and N1.05 trillion drawdown on multilateral and bilateral loans secured for specific development projects.”

National chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa has felicitated with the Igwe elect of Ugwuaji Akwunanaw in Enugu South local government area, Comrade Chinedu Nyia Nwobodo on his election as the Igwe elect of the community.

Ezeokenwa in a congratulatory message issued by his special Adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Tony Olisa Mbeki, rejoiced with the people of Ugwuaji Akwunanaw over the choice of the new king.

He described Comrade Nwobodo as a dedicated and exemplary party man, who has a wealth of experience and a proven track record of service to both the community and the medical field.

The APGA National Chairman noted that Igwe Nwobodo’s extensive background as the former National Publicity Secretary of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, former Chairman of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), former National Vice President of the Medical And Health Workers Union of Nigeria, and his recent role as the Enugu State Publicity Secretary of APGA, all of which reflect his commitment to public service and leadership.

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Barr. Ezeokenwa highlighted Nwobodo’s vast experience as the former Chief Information Officer of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu, and acknowledged his role as the APGA House of Assembly Candidate for Enugu South Rural Constituency in the 2023 General Elections.

He expressed confidence in Comrade Nwobodo’s ability to continue to serve the people of Ugwuaji Awkunanaw with integrity and dedication, and assured him of the party’s unwavering support in his new role as the Igwe Ezeudo III.

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Austin Umahi, younger brother to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has withdrawn from the Ebonyi South senatorial bye-election.

On Friday, Umahi said his withdrawal from the race was because his party, the All Progressives Congress zoned the position to Onicha Local Government Area at the behest of Governor Francis Nwifuru,

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His withdrawal came after a meeting held by the Umahi family of Uburu, Ohaozara LGA, where they persuaded him to step down from the race.

The senatorial seat became vacant following the resignation of Senator Umahi upon his appointment as Minister of Works.

In a statement released by High Chief Nwaze Umahi, the eldest son of the Umahi family, they noted Austin’s contributions to building the APC in Ebonyi State, acknowledging that Austin would have been a strong contender if he pursued his ambition.

However, they stressed the importance of peace, stating that no position is worth causing strife or harming anyone. They urged sincere individuals seeking to serve the people not to resort to conflict.

The statement read,

“The general public is hereby intimated that on December 28, 2023, the family of late Joseph Umahi Nwaeze of Umunaga Uburu, Ohaozara LGA, Ebonyi State held a meeting whereat we reviewed the developments and utterances with respect to the vacant Ebonyi South senatorial seat which Austin Umahi had indicated interest in contesting on the APC platform and notes as follows:

“That the Umahi family is not unaware of the resolution purportedly passed by the State Working Committee (SWC) of the Ebonyi State APC purportedly zoning the Ebonyi South senatorial seat to Onicha Local Government Area.

“That the family is not unaware that the purported Ebonyi APC SWC resolution has no place in law as it’s the exclusive preserve of the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) or the National Working Committee (NWC) to zone political offices if need be, and to organise party primaries for all elective offices.

“That the family is fully convinced that it is the inalienable constitutional right of Austin Umahi, as a member of the APC and Nigerian citizen of Ebonyi South Senatorial District, to contest the APC primary for the rerun election to the vacant Ebonyi South Senatorial seat notwithstanding the purported Ebonyi APC SWC resolution.

“That the whole essence of the purportedly Ebonyi APC SWC resolution is to oust Austin Umahi from contesting the primary in view of the clear evidence on ground that Austin enjoys an overwhelming grassroots support capable of granting him outright victory in a free and fair APC primary and re-run elections in Ebonyi South.

“That contrary to the purported Ebonyi APC SWC resolution, the APC otherwise has a MORAL BURDEN to give Austin Umahi the right of first refusal in the Ebonyi South senatorial rerun election having earlier won the APC senatorial primary of 28th May 2022 which he relinquished on the intervention of the family to HE Engr David Umahi, the then Ebonyi state governor and current Minister of Works.

“That Austin Umahi is known to be a reliable APC member who has worked selflessly and relentlessly for victories of the party in Ebonyi State and was the Director General of Divine Mandate Campaign Council for HE Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, his sole agent in the governorship primary and his State Returning Officer in the governorship election of March 2023.

“He did all these to the satisfaction and admiration of both the APC members and non-members in Ebonyi State.

“That Austin Umahi has never enjoyed any political appointment, notwithstanding that he was the same person who dropped his position as National Vice Chairman of the PDP to defect to the APC with the then Ebonyi state governor, HE David Umahi, and joined since then in building the APC in 2020.

“Notwithstanding the facts above highlighted: The family of late Joseph Umahi Nwaze has decided to passionately appeal to Austin Umahi and his teaming loyal and dogged supporters to kindly shelve his legitimate ambition of contesting for the vacant Senatorial seat for now in order to give peace a chance and disappoint all those people who want to engender crisis and anarchy in Ebonyi South Senatorial District.

“That the family immensely appreciates Austin Umahi for accepting to drop his just ambition and thank his teaming supporters for their sustained support even after the purported Ebonyi APC SWC resolution.”

The convoy of Chief Chris Uba of Anambra State was yesterday attacked by gunmen at Uga junction, (his hometown) in Aguata local government area of the state.

It was gathered that two policemen attached to the politician lost their lives during the attack as well as two other civilians.

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The Anambra State Police command in a statement confirmed the incident.
Uba’s convoy ran into the gunmen at Uga junction leading to a gun battle between them and the police, but Uba who was said to be in a bulletproof car was able to escape.

Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga, said:
“The command has launched an intensive manhunt for armed insurgents who infiltrated from a neighbouring state and killed two police personnel on 28th December 2023.

“The gang, which was disguised in military fatigue and seemed to be on a kidnap mission, were jolted on seeing two armed police officers approaching their direction.

“They opened fire on the officers who had moved ahead of the convoy they were escorting to decongest traffic gridlock. Other personnel returned fire, careful not to hit many motorists who were in traffic, forcing the bandits to flee.

“Police-led Mobile Forward Operating Base which had been on intensive patrol of the entire area throughout Christmas celebrations, promptly responded to the scene.

“It recovered a Lexus SUV the gang operated with and defused an improvised explosive device found in the vehicle. It also recovered an AK-47 rifle belonging to one of the slain personnel.”

According to the PPRO, the state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, has urged the police not to be demoralized by the supreme price paid by their colleagues from Enugu State command, but to draw inspiration from their bravery in confronting the criminal gang.

“The CP has condoled with the families of the deceased officers and Enugu State Police Command and vowed that the personnel will not die in vain.

“He has urged all officers and men of Anambra State Police Command to redouble their efforts and remain vigilant. He assured that technology would be employed to track down the criminals who unleashed the attack on Police personnel.”

Meanwhile, apparently because of the attack on a fellow politician, Senator Nicholas Ukachukwu, also from Anambra State, has requested 16 soldiers, 20 policemen, and 12 DSS to secure him during this yuletide season.

The famous politician and businessman, Chief Ukachukwu applied for the heavy security to enable him go to his Osumenyi home town in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State to perform some functions in early January 2024

Ukachukwu, who recently married Miss Universe Nigeria, Mitchel Ihezue, in separate letters to heads of security agencies in the state, said he would need the security operatives because of insecurity in the area.

According to the letters he signed, Ukachukwu said he would need 16 soldiers, 20 police officers and 12 operatives from the Department of State Service, DSS, to perform the functions he had lined up in the state during the period.

In one of the letters addressed to the Commander 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Ukachukwu said:
“I humbly write to request for 16 Army security personnel to provide security for me during my program /activities in Anambra State and beyond, scheduled to commence on January 6th to 10th of January 2024, respectively, taken cognizance of security challenges in my home town of Osumenyi in Nnewi South LGA of Anambra State.

“The activities are as follows: On the 6th is my arrival and inspection of my personal road project at Osumenyi; on the 7th, the dedication of our village Church which my family rehabilitated and funded; on the 8th of January I will be performing the traditional mandatory rites for my marriage with my wife in her home town at Akaokwa.

“9th will be the dedication of another Church we built. On the 10th, other activities I have in the East.

“I graciously hope my request will be given a favourable consideration and approval.”