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Gbandi Again!!!Re: Redeployment of Senator Victor Umeh, a necessary change for diaspora

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Gbandi Again!!!
Re: Redeployment of Senator Victor Umeh, a necessary change for diaspora


By: Emmy Ekong, Warri.

Barely 24 hours after the redeployment of Sen. Victor Umeh from the Senate Committee Chairman on Diaspora and Non-Govermental Organizations (NGOs), Hon. Kenneth Gbandi, a man renowned for not seeing anything good in Nigeria and Nigerians, has taken to town again in his usual stock in trade of running down achievers and compatriots as if he has no other job, which, in fairness, he does not. So, may be he has created an oversight function for himself to keep him busy, albeit a very mischievous one.

This time around, he took on Sen. Umeh, who has achieved greatness during his short tenure on
his last committee assignment as well as a Senator representing his people well.

It is obvious from his write up that he did not get the attention of Senator Umeh who refused to be dragged into petty, tribal politics.

It is worthy of note that most of the allegations labelled against him on the issue of diaspora voting is not correct. His view is that a lot needs to be put in place before subjecting the Diaspora to vote to avoid breach in any form whatsoever. To me, this is not a bad opinion, an opinion echoed by many.

As a Senator, he has his fundamental human rights to air his own opinion on any matter.

Similarly, regarding the condusive Investment Climate Policies, it is not the responsibility of the Senator to create that for the Diasporas beyond his legislative duties which he has performed creditable well. It is the duty of the Executive arm through its Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Such responsibilities are being handled by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, as well as Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM). The Commission every November holds the annual Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit, (NDIS), a platform where business owners and prospective investors meet and interacts for possible investment opportunities.

Sen. Umeh attended the past two events since inauguration of his Committee and had the opportunity to interact with the Diasporas in attendance. The Diaspora in the last five years have been investing massively in healthcare, good business, education, ICT, agriculture. And a lot more is on the way, with the Minister of Trade promising soon to be rolled out targeted incentives.

Am equally aware that , NiDCOM in collaboration with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has the Diaspora Mortgage Housing Scheme Project, a project designed for the Diaspora to own their own properties in any part of the country without loosing funds
Senator Umeh’s legislative backing has been crucial
In a nutshell, it will be unfair for Gbandi and his cohorts to rubbish the achievements of the Distinguished Senator on the alter of opposition.

Umeh has in many occasions identified with the Dispora Communities and has been so acknowledged.

Encomiums still continue to pour in on his most recent robust engagements in Canada and South Africa, and his demand for intervention in cases of Nigerians in foreign Prisons.

On the issue of board for the Diaspora Commission, this is at the behest of Mr President and has nothing to do with the Senator, even though, the whole world knows that Gbandi is desperately lobbying for it since the establishment of NIDCOM, so as to turn it to be another sit-tight NIDO Europe where Gbandi refused to vacate the seat even after the expiration of his tenure. Thanks to Gbandhi and his handful of cohorts, NIDOe is now torn apart . And with the Oronsaye report which recommends NiDCOM to be an agency rather than a Commission ,the status of the board is unclear.

Let me use this opportunity to advise the newly appointed Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, Natasha Akpoti to be wary of slippery critics like Kenneth Gbandi and concentrate on her legislative duties geared towards achieving excellence for her Kogi constituencies as well as Nigerians in the Diaspora. Gbandi ’s criticism, in less than 24 hours of Senator Natasha’s appointment is just an attempt to lick her boots. She should consult widely and intelligently so that she will not fall prey to the likes of Gbandhi.

We wish Senator Umeh well in his new Chairmanship position but one thing is certain. The Diaspora community would miss his wealth of knowledge, words of encouragement and wisdom.

Gbandi Again!!!
Re: Redeployment of Senator Victor Umeh, a necessary change for diaspora

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Crisis brews in Gombe SDP as Yakubu emerges acting chairman

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Crisis brews in Gombe SDP as Yakubu emerges acting chairman

The Gombe State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has appointed a new chairman, Aaron Yakubu to serve in acting capacity following the suspension of its state chairman, Comrade Adamu Abubakar Modibbo, over allegations of mismanagement, lack of transparency, and misuse of party resources.

His suspension was announced at a news conference held in Gombe on Saturday by the party’s Welfare Secretary, Usman Yahaya, on behalf of concerned members of the state executive.

Reading the statement, Yahaya said there were countless complaints against the now suspended chairman, whom he said had side-lined party stakeholders and running the party like his personal property.

“Since Comrade Modibbo assumed office, the party has experienced no meaningful progress. Instead, the leadership claims he has used his position to witch-hunt loyal stakeholders and frustrated committed party members for his personal gain.”

He accused Modibbo of systematically “caging” the party’s executive members and aspirants, depriving over 90% of both returning and newly acting executive members of access to official SDP membership cards.

He further alleged that the selection of party candidates has been done without due process or consultation, with names being announced solely via national platforms involving prominent figures like Malam Nasir El-Rufai, thereby side-lining the state executive.
Yahaya also accused the suspended chairman of allegedly using his personal residence as the de facto party office.

This, the executives say, violates proper procedures and comes despite funds being made available to renovate the official state party office and rent offices across the local government areas.

“As it stands, the SDP in Gombe State does not have a functional or recognised operational office,”

In the light of the above weighty and numerous allegations against Modibbo, the Welfare Secretary said that the Gombe State chapter of the party has taken decisive action by suspending Comrade Adamu Abubakar Modibbo as chairman with immediate effect.

“In this regard, we hereby announce that the current State Secretary of the party, Mr. Aaron Yakubu, will now serve as the Acting State Chairman of the SDP in Gombe.

“Similarly, Ambassador Lukman Adamu Elkanem, previously serving as the Acting Assistant Public Relations Officer, has now been appointed as the Acting State Secretary of the party.”

Yahaya, on behalf of the state chapter of the SDP, appealed for intervention from the national body of the party to look into the allegations against the former chairman and to restore discipline, accountability, and credible leadership to the Gombe chapter of the party.

Speaking shortly in an interview, Yakubu said he would work to build inclusiveness in the party and ensure all party members were carried along in line with the constitution of the party.

He stated that out of the 13 working committee members of the party, nine were present and in support of the suspension of Modibbo.

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Kidnap victim rescued with machete wounds in Suleja

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Kidnap victim rescued with machete wounds in Suleja

By: Zagazola Makama

A 45-year-old man, identified as Samuel John, has been rescued by a joint team of police and vigilantes after being abducted and severely injured by suspected kidnappers in the Polosa area of Suleja, Niger State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, June 27, when hoodlums reportedly stormed the community and whisked the victim away from his residence.

According to the sources, a vigilante member, raised the alarm, prompting an immediate response from security operatives attached to the ‘B’ Division Suleja and members of the local vigilante group.

The combined team pursued the kidnappers into the surrounding bush. On sighting the advancing security team, the assailants attacked the victim with machetes, inflicting deep cuts on his head and both hands before abandoning him and fleeing the scene.

The victim was quickly rescued and rushed to the General Hospital Suleja, where he is currently receiving medical attention.

Kidnap victim rescued with machete wounds in Suleja

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Abducted Sharia Court judge escapes from kidnappers in Zamfara

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Abducted Sharia Court judge escapes from kidnappers in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Alkali Usman, a Sharia Court judge attached to the Higher Sharia Court in Birnin Tudu, Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, has escaped from captivity after being abducted by unknown gunmen.

Zagazola Makama learnt from reliable sources that Usman, who was reported kidnapped on June 26, returned home safely on Friday morning, June 27, at about 10:00 a.m., according to local sources.

Upon his return, the judge was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where he received medical attention and was subsequently discharged.

He was later debriefed by security operatives and reunited with his family.

Authorities have not disclosed the circumstances surrounding his escape.

Abducted Sharia Court judge escapes from kidnappers in Zamfara

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