The Hood – Hearing from your neighborhood

IMO SMS 2018 IS HERE

About 1000 Imo student delegates are set for the 2018 Imo Students Mentorship Summit (IMO-SMS) slated for 31st July 2018 at the Imo international convention centre, Owerri.

The summit is organised by the Special assistant to the Imo state Governor on students affair; Hon. Samuel Godstime Chukwubuikem with the likes of Hon. Chike Okafor, Hon. Nnanna Raphael Igbokwe, Hon. Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, Hon. Uju CHIOMA Kingsley and Hon. Austin Chukwukere as keynote speakers. Others are Pastor Obi Chinedu as Guest speaker, Rt.Hon.Ugonna Ozurigbo as chairman of the summit, his excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha; Executive Governor of Imo state as special guest of honour.

All chapters of the National Union of Imo state students (NUISS) and students’ union governments of various tertiary institutions are fully involved.

Breaking News:Osun APC Chairman Suspended

In what appears a twist of event,the APC chairman in Osun State Chief Gboyega Famodu has been suspended by the majority of the members of the state working committee.

In a press conference rounded off some minutes ago,the signatories to the notice of the suspension frowned at the way Chief Famodun had personalised the affairs of the party to the detriment and well being of all party members.

The signatories called the integrity and neutrality of the suspended chairman to question.They frowned at the way he had taken far-reaching party decisions without any recourse to other SWC members and major stakeholders in the party.

The angry exco members also expressed their dissatisfaction with the way he had handled affairs of the party,particularly with regard to his open support for a particular aspirant to emerge the party flagbearer for the September 22 guber election in the state.

Present at the press conference were 25,out of 31,Local Government party chairmen in the state,25 LG women leaders,25 LG youth leaders and many ward exco members.

Details later.

MY APPEAL TO NIGERIAN YOUTHS – Aare Tunde Dawood-Akerele

Aare Tunde Dawood-Akerele appeals to Nigerian youths through the write-up below:

I, Aare, ACCORD OSUN IMAGE MAKER , enjoin Nigerian youths to join hands in rebranding our politics. I strongly believe that we can jointly remove the following negative phenomena out of politics: violence, hatred, acrimony and hostility.

Here in our clime, these have been the banes of political development from the time immemorial. Still, they are the reasons why many of our youths are afraid of going into politics.

Let’s try all we can do to replace the aforementioned with peace, love, fun, flavour, paparazzi and glamour. What would be our gains in killing our loved ones, destroying valuables, keeping endless malice, castigating one another just because we are supporting some selfish politicians who have no space for us in their cabinet.

Let’s try to emulate the advanced world where politics is being played with love and love. Let’s join the Western world in caring hand fans instead of guns, umbrellas in place of juju, exchanging confectioneries instead of bullets and throwing banters instead of mudslinging on election days.

Politics is sweet where love is allowed to rule and reign. Politics is nice where the fear of God is sacrosanct. Politics brings about high, fast and valued connection and connectivity. It has a lot of merits peradventure, it is played without bitterness.

Our political leaders are partners in business, chiefs in the palace, friends in politics while we the youths always live a cat and dog life.

Irrespective of your our political affiliation, let’s rebrand politics, let’s begin to have a good mindset, let’s try to make it look alluring and friendly.

Heeding this sincere appeal has no other gain for us than to live a life full of peace, live to enjoy the dividends of our contributions and become good leaders capable of effecting positive change.

Aare Tunde Dawood-Akerele

Publicity Secretary

ACCORD Osun State.

Group Vows To Oppose Buhari In 2019 Unless NDLEA Boss Abdallah Is Sacked

The officers also alleged that Abdallah had spent 85 per cent of its N1.728billion overhead cost in three years on “frivolous foreign trips” while no effort was made to improve the status of staff of the agency.

A communiqué issued in Lagos on Wednesday by a group, the Concerned Officers, and signed by Musa Ahmed Yusuf, threatened that the officers would not support Buhari in his second term bid unless Abdallah is replaced.

Yusuf noted that some of the officers had been stagnant in the past 14 years while Abdallah, as the Chairman of the anti-narcotics agency, had refused to promote deserving officers since he came onboard.

The group lamented that NDLEA’s salary was the least among security agencies in the country even though its officers are subject to high risk in fighting drug barons.

The body complained that in addition to Abdallah’s misrepresentation of the party, officers were highly aggrieved that the President had failed in terms of swift response to complaints of oppressive rule by the chairman.

The communiqué added: “We, therefore, call on Buhari to investigate Abdallah to confirm: if truly officers have been stagnated in one rank for 14 years; if indeed, Abdallah has refused to release running cost to commanders since he assumed office; if officers are dispirited and dejected over poor welfare; if the entitlement of late officers have been utterly neglected and if Abdallah has been draining the overhead cost of the agency on unnecessary and corruption driven foreign trips.

“The agency gets an average of N48million monthly and since Abdallah took over office, over 85 per cent of N1.728billion overhead cost for three years has gone into his frivolous foreign trips.”

The officers further claimed that Abdallah’s incompetence has led to rot in the NDLEA, adding that the Chairman lacks vision, interest in the job and patriotism, and also displays ineptitude.

The body insisted that allowing him to continue in office a second longer would further drive the agency into an irredeemable state of putrefaction.

The group bemoaned that it had lost more officers under Abdallah and none of them had been paid their benefits till date.

Abdallah, the group said, had shown that his appointment was an administrative error of the highest order, stressing that simple administrative promotion procedure of two weeks had taken Abdallah over three years without any headway.

“We demand an appointment of a Sole Administrator to conduct harmonisation and proper placement of officers with full payment of benefits. The director of administration and finance, Mr. Yohanna-Silas Mshelia and others wrongfully promoted like Suleiman Ningi, Special Assistant to the Chairman must be brought back to their normal rank and made to refund the balance of every financial entitlement,” it said.

“Imagine Yohanna-Silas was fraudulently employed in 1994 with a Bachelor of Law degree on grade level 14 without previous work experience. This is unheard off. Besides having no knowledge of finance, he was also made a director to facilitate the questionable transfer of money into Abdallah’s account for his inconsequential and illegal foreign trips.”

Ekiti Election : An Open Letter to the United Nations Secretary General

The Secretary/General of the United Nations

H.E. António Guterres

Thru: UN’s Abuja Office

Diplomatic Drive

Central Business Area

Area 1, Garki Abuja.

Sir,

POLICE SIEGE ON EKITI: NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY ON TRIAL

Democracy in Nigeria is again being confronted by massive attack launched by security agents employed and funded by the country to protect the citizens and safe guard the nation’s territorial integrity. Yesterday the world saw an appalling form of impunity and brutality against innocent citizens in Ekiti State apparently in a last ditch effort to sway the results of this Saturday’s gubernatorial election in favour of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Kayode Fayemi.

The rally (road walk) organized by the outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was not only disrupted with noxious and harmful gas, Fayose was forcefully restricted to the Government House – where he was equally gassed. This renewed intimidation, harassment and attacks against leaders and members of an opposition political party in Nigeria, has compelled me to alert you of the threat to peace and democracy in the country as amply demonstrated by the highhandedness and open display of intolerance by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against opposition political parties in Nigeria.

There is, therefore, urgent need for the United Nations (UN) under your leadership to intervene to prevent the ongoing gross violation of the fundamental human rights of citizens to assemble and the brutal attacks against the person of Fayose and hundreds of supporters of the PDP, who had congregated for a grand finale rally in favour of its candidate in the Election, Professor Olusola Eleka, only to be driven back to their houses by the police through the use of tear gas and live ammunitions. Note that the police were recently deployed to the State by the Federal Government under the guise of maintaining law and order before, during and after the Saturday election. Regrettably, the police deployed to the state in addition to the officers and men in the Ekiti State Police Command have now turned to be an army of occupation.

The ongoing police siege on Ekiti State by 30,000 fully armed policemen in the guise of election duty is nothing but a well-orchestrated security crackdown on innocent citizens who are hoping to be allowed to cast their ballot on Saturday and participate in electing the next governor of the state. It has been established by several UN Conventions and human rights’ charter that the right to vote and be voted for is an inalienable right of a citizens of any country. For the a avoidance of doubt, the number of police personnel and equipment deployed so far for the Ekiti election include a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in charge of operations, Assistant Inspectors General of Police, Four Commissioners of Police, eight Deputy Commissioners of Police, 30,000 fully armed policemen, two patrol surveillance helicopters, 5 additional armored personnel carriers, 10 amoured personnel vehicles and 25,000 police patrol vehicles. The above represents police deployment. Other security agencies will yet make similar deployments.

Recall that the All Progressives Congress on Monday organized its own grand rally at the Ekiti Township stadium in Ado Ekiti to market its governorship candidate, to the electorate. Note that the APC’s rally which was attended by Buhari and several APC Governors and leaders from across the country, was highly successful without no iota of obstruction nor disruption. It is therefore curious that in less than 24 hours after the APC’s rally, security agents working on the orders of the Inspector General of Police did not only disrupt a rally organized by the PDP in favour of its governorship candidate, Professor Olusola Eleka, the incumbent governor was restricted to and teargassed inside the Government House. If a sitting governor can be brutalized and teargassed, then who is safe in the country?

Permit me to say that Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010, provides 90 days for the commencement of campaigns by political parties and end of same 24 hours before polling day. Besides, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Time Table and schedule of activities for the Ekiti State Governorship Election 2018, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu and published on October 5, 2017, the last day for campaigns in the Ekiti State gubernatorial poll is Wednesday 12th July, 2018, which is clear 24 hours before the poll scheduled for Saturday July 14, 2018. Under this circumstances, is the Police justified in disrupting the planned rally of the PDP on Wednesday July 11, 2018 with brutal force?

I hereby call in the UN to order a high-powered independent enquiry into the manifest intransigence and unlawful act of the police against a civilian population comprising mostly of women and the elderly citizens who were freely exercising their right to assemble and support a political party and candidate of their choice. The investigation should among others, determine whether the procession or rally planned by the PDP for its candidate, Eleka, was in tandem with the guidelines and campaign timetable of the INEC for the Ekiti Governorship election. And if it was being conducted within the days allotted for campaigns by INEC, was the police legally justified to have tear-gassed and dispersed the PDP supporters; restricted and confined Fayose to the Government House after being equally gassed?

The UN has the duty to ensure that this police anomaly is speedily and properly investigated and appropriate sanctions meted out to officers and men found wanting in order to prevent a recurrence of such anti-democratic tendencies, bestiality, intimidation, harassment and willful infliction of harm on innocent Nigerians with the use of noxious fumes. The oppressive tactics employed by the police against the people of Ekiti have no place in a democracy as it is indicative of the worst form of dictatorial and totalitarian regimes. The indiscriminate use of military-styled assault weapons on an unarmed civilian population, who were exercising their constitutionally protected civil and electoral rights in a most responsible manner must be remedied with the strictest of sanctions. There is ample and indisputable contextual photo and video evidence to support the claims made by the victims of the police attack, including Governor Fayose who are will to testify to aid the investigative work of the Fact-Finding Commission of Enquiry to be set up by the UN.

I dare say that the unlawful use of the police against innocent citizens and members of the opposition PDP in Ekiti is a direct manifestation of the level of desperation of the APC and the present administration to win the Ekiti Governorship election. Let me add that had ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP be this desperate in 2015, Buhari and APC would never have tasted power. Impunity has overwhelmed us in Nigeria. And we need help to ensure that our democracy and voting process is devoid of harassment, intimidation and undue influence by the government. If the open display of barbarity by the police in Ekiti State, is anything to go by, one can safely say that a worse fate awaits members and leaders of the opposition political parties during the 2019 general elections. The UN and by extension the world cannot afford to condone this open aggression against a peaceful people gearing up to elect a governor of their choice! This is why I am calling on you to come to the aid of Nigeria in this dark hour of massive security crackdown against the people of Ekiti State. Otherwise, chaos and anarchy may soon reign in an unimaginable way should the people now pushed against the wall be forced to resort to self help to defend themselves. If a Governor can be treated in such shabby and inhuman manner, then where lies the hope for the common man on the streets?

Please accept the assurances of my highest regards.

God bless Nigeria.

Yours sincerely,

Comrade Timi Frank

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC

timifrank40@gmail.com

07033555555

Power: Fashola issues quit notice to Discos

Against the backdrop of incessant complaints of poor performance against electricity distribution companies in the country, the minister of Power, Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola,has threatened to withdraw the operating licence of any ailing Disco.

The Minister said that he could no longer contain with the complaints coming to the government about meters, estimated billings. This is even as the minister ruled out the possibility of increasing tariff without adequate provision of meters, noting that metering is a condition precedent to tariff review.

The Minister, who made this disclosure in a press briefing at Abuja, said complaints of poor service delivery and mass disconnections, where not everybody is owing cannot continue.The Minister had subsequently advised the electricity distribution companies otherwise known as DisCos to compete to deliver power to customers or exit the electricity market for investors that are ready to satisfy consumers. He directed the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to work toward eliminating estimated billings.

Fashola said supposing he had his way, he would have directed that estimated billing regime terminates immediately, but the local capacity is not enough to bridge the metering gap in the market.He said that “government must act. DisCos bought these assets with their eyes wide open and they must compete to deliver or exit.”

Fashola directed Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC ) to ensure that the DisCos improve on their distribution of equipment and capacity to take up the available 2,000mw in order to optimise the use of electrical resources produced by the GenCos.He mandated NERC to “enforce the contracts of the Discos to supply meters, and act to ensure the speedy installation of meters with a view to eliminate estimated billings and promote efficient industry and market structure.

“To stop the DisCos from preventing entrepreneurs from entering the market to supply the consumers whom the DisCos cannot yet supply and to license such persons subject to terms and conditions in order to promote competition and private sector participation and avoid a private monopoly in the market.” He said that it is neither his intention nor that of government to take over the investors’ business, but the government desires to see the firms flourish in a competitive environment. The government will, however, find a solution whenever the DisCos are inefficient and not ready to improve, he said.

He lamented that even where DisCos installed 10,000, about 8,000 were bypassed within weeks after installation.

Fashola ruled out the possibility of increasing tariff without adequate provision of meters, noting that metering is a condition precedent to tariff review. Expressing his opinion in favour of tariff increase, the minister countered himself on the issue, stressing that “after that tariff increase why should we increase tariff without meters.” He said for the customers to pay the correct tariff for the power they consume, the suppliers have to defray the distrust by first providing meters for consumers to know what they are paying for. Asked by the directive if his statement that the DisCos should compete or quit is a direct invocation of revocation the privatisation to the inefficient private investor, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Louis Edozien explained that the eligible customers regulation is a means of getting the customers who are not satisfied with the service they are getting from the DisCos to buy their power directly from the GenCos. Secondly, that the DisCos should not refuse unsatisfied customers from going to get power.”

He, however, noted that upon the realisation that they have nothing to lose from the eligible customers’ policy, the distribution firms have started complying with the pitch reluctantly.The NERC chairman, Prof. James Momoh, whom the minister asked to inform the public when the Metering Asset Providers licensees would start providing the meters, said that the meter manufacturing companies in Lagos are ready to roll them out.

As Fashola insisted that the chairman informed Nigerians on when the installation would begin, he mandated Momoh to after the briefing present to him, a report on the number of licensed companies for meter provision, the DisCos they are working with and the areas they are supplying meters to. Momoh said that over 50 firms have been licensed to supply meters.

The minister, who asked the Permanent Secretary to take note of the directive, said that the customers should know when meters are delivered to their areas for them to make relevant arrangements.On billing, Momoh said, NERC has put together a prepaid market for which customers can decide which power they want to use and for the appropriate rate to be paid for.”

He added that with the investment in metering NERC will be able to eliminate estimated billings for people to pay their appropriate cost. The commission, he said, is working hard in the area of customer enumeration in order to avoid a foul play on the customers by the DisCos. He said that NERC is putting in place penalties to ensure that the DisCos abide by the rules and regulations.

First Nigerian Female Flutist ‘Ebele The Flutist’ Celebrates Birthday With Stunning Pictures

Today, July 12, is the birthday of award winning first Nigerian female professional flutist, Ebele Ezeamakam.

‘Ebele The Flutist’ as she is fondly called is also the CEO of ‘Ebele’s World’ a platform she sets up to mentor lovers of flute and supporting Federal Government’s drive of job creation.

We celebrate her today as she adds another year to her year. Join us and send some love to this great Jewel. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter; @ebeletheflutist, @ebelesworld.

Happy birthday First Nigerian female professional Flutist.

Ooni advises ACCORD on Osun Guber Contest

– Aare Tunde Dawood-Akerele

On request by His Imperial Majesty Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11 to have a crucial meeting with him in his palace in Ile-Ife, Otunba Segun Fanibe, Accord State Chairman was accompanied by Aare Tunde Dawood-Akerele, State Publicity Secretary and Mrs. Florence Adeyeni, Osun East Senatorial Women Leader on Tuesday.

As political parties are warming up to conduct their governorship primaries next week, the monarch out of curiosity and consciousness saw the need to draw attention of different political parties to a number of certain issues. His Imperial Majesty enjoined Accord to continue to remain peaceful and law abiding as it is being known for.

“I know Accord has no record of violence in the state, please try as much as possible to maintain that before, during and after the elections. I’ll definitely preach the gospel to other political parties. Again, please try to allow fairness and justice play out in every contest.” Arole Oduduwa advised.

In his response, Otunba Fanibe appreciated the monarch for his love for the state as a whole. “Kabiesi sir, may your reign continue to be peaceful. Boldly, I can confirm the fact that you’re a rare leader. Baba, I’m glad to tell you that Accord is well prepared to win the gubernatorial election and install the next governor in an orderly way devoid of violence. As you rightly said, Accord detests violence in totality, sir, we pledge to remain peaceful and urge other parties to follow suit.”

The State Publicity Secretary, Aare Dawood-Akerele appreciated Ooni Ogunwusi, corroborated the pledge made by Otunba Fanibe of being law abiding all through the exercise. Mrs. Adeyeni, Women Leader reminded the monarch of his promise to invite other political parties and extend the sermon to them.

‘Lovebirds’ Win Best Comedy Movie At TAFF Awards In Dallas USA

Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen’s Lovebirds has won The Best Comedy Movie of the year at this year’s edition of The African FIlm Festival (TAFF) in Dallas, United States of America which also serves as its US premiere’s opening.

The movie which cinema pundits have tagged to be the greatest love story ever told after ‘Titanic’ hits the cinemas in Nigeria on Friday April 13, 2018 after series of premieres across the nation.

‘Lovebird’ a one location film with about 6 characters and one voice over, is bringing to the scene again the original all time Nollywood’s bad boy, Jim Iyke and unraveling delectable actress Stella Damasus after a long break. So, also showcasing another side of Joseph Benjamin in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

At the screening, the hall was filled to capacity with laughter all the way as the audience enjoyed every beat of the well made comic romantic thriller. An evening never to be forgotten as all who came screamed in satisfaction.

Lovebirds moves to Austin TX the capital city of the state of Texas on Saturday 7th July.Put together by Texas Blue Mountain Media (TBMM); a multiple media company own and ran by Mr Evans Osifo, Red carpet is scheduled for 6:00pm and the movie screening 10:00pm at Southwest Theatre 13729 Research Blvd #1500, Austin, TX, 78753.

Tickets goes for $15 Regular, $50 VIP and $100 Sponsor.

Lancelot has been in the eyes of the international movie makers for his consistency in the industry, with accolades coming his way from home and abroad.

According to Lancelot, other parts of the United States are equally gearing up to see this great movie.

New Faction Of APC Emerges In Abuja [See List Of Members]

The new faction is named Reformed-APC (R-APC) with Buba Galadima appointed as the Chairman.

The new faction is made up of aggrieved members of the APC, mostly from the National Assembly.

Briefing journalists after their meeting at the Sheraton Hotels in Abuja on Wednesday, the chairman, Galadima, said the new faction was formed due to the failure of the APC.

They described APC as “severely under-performing and unable to meet its potentials for good governance.”

“We are sad to report that after more than three years of governance, our hopes have been betrayed, our expectations completely dashed. The APC has run a rudderless, inept and incompetent government that has failed to deliver good governance to the Nigerian people.

“It has rather imposed dictatorship, impunity, abuse of power, a complete abdication of constitutional and statutory responsibilities, infidelity to the rule of law and constitutionalism.

“It has failed to ensure the security and welfare of our people and elevated nepotism to unacceptable height. The APC has failed to deliver on its key promises to the nation. There is no evidence of any political will to reverse the decline of our party, while leaders who have created these circumstances continue to behave as if Nigerians owe our party votes as a matter of right.”

Galadima who has previously been critical of the Buhari-led administration added that recently concluded APC ward and state congresses were intensely disputed as it was conducted with “impunity, total disregard for due process.”

Some other members of the R-APC include:

Yobe State – Buba Galadima (National Chairman)

Kano State – Bala Muhd Gwagwarwa (National Deputy Chairman, North)

Abia State – Chief Theo Nkire (National Deputy Chairman, South East)

Ondo State – Hon. Eko Olakunle (National Vice Chairman South West)

Kaduna State – Hon. Hussaini Dambo (National Vice Chairman North West)
Kogi State – Mahmud Mohammed Abubakar – (National Vice Chairman, North Central)

Benue State – Hon. Godwin Akaan (Deputy National Secretary)

Oyo State -Dr Fatai Atanda (National Secretary)

Edo State – Kazeem Afegbua (National Publicity Secretary)

Adamawa State – Daniel Bwala (Financial Secretary)

Jigawa State – Abba Malami Taura (Deputy National Auditor)

Kwara State -Hon. Kayode Omotosho (National Treasurer)

Anambra State -Barr. Nicholas Asuzu (National Youth Leader)

Rivers State – Barr. Baride A. Gwezia (Legal Adviser)

Katsina State – Haj Aisha Kaita (National Woman Leader)

Bauchi State – Mrs. Fatima Adamu (National Welfare Secretary)

Ogun State -Alh. Isiak Akinwumi (Deputy Financial Secretary)

Zamfara State – Alh. Bashir Mai Mashi (Deputy National Treasurer)

Abuja – Hauwa Adam Mamuda (Deputy Welfare Secretary)

Sokoto State – Hon. Shuaibu Gwanda Gobir (Deputy National Publicity Secretary)

Katsina State – M. T. Liman (National Organising Secretary)
Niger State – Dr Theo Sheshi ( Deputy National Organising Secretary)

Galadima, who was secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), President Muhammadu Buhari’s former party further lamented that the APC administration has been “a monumental disaster, even worse than the government it replaced.”

He noted that the party is in turmoil as there are countless cases in courts all over the country challenging the legality of congresses and even the National Convention.

He highlighted that the friction in the APC resulted in parallel congresses in 24 States namely: Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto and Zamfara.

The R-APC include members from the APC, including most of the leading members of the defunct nPDP, CPC, ANPP, ACN and others.