News
Threat to life: Mr. Joseph Peremobowei Farquah, family members to the rescue
The ever self-styled and astute personalty, Mr. Joseph Peremobowei Farquah was up and doing and seen to be diligent in his duty as a Public Relations Officer in the Bayelsa State Government office (1999-2021), his modest and hard work no doubt has earned him several opportunities to work with several governments in the State with the likes of Late Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha and other successful Governors in the State.
For the sensitive nature of his duty, he was well known and highly connected to be privy to the secret antics of the Government and the political class, indeed he knew he was the only one that can be beckoned upon to testify about the fraudulent misappropriation of the State’s treasury funds, after the demise of the former Governor of the State (Bayelsa State). Late Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha was deported sometime ago from London to Nigeria to answer some questions to the State (Bayelsa (State) for the ‘Fraudulent act’ he perpetuated, but unfortunately he gave up the ghost, and several other political class became jittery of the fear of their names been mentioned of the corruption cases against them within the State (Bayelsa State).
The only way the present administration can get to the bottom of the case and unravel the mystery and get the facts of the State loot by the politicians and their cronies was to invite Mr. Joseph Peremobowei Farquah to testify against them so that the facts of the loot can be established and proven beyond reasonable doubt and for them to be prosecuted by the competent court of jurisdiction of the Land.
After this unhealthy and unfocused imbroglio, the life of Mr. Joseph Peremobowei Farquah, his life has been threatened by the politicians and the political class who were accomplices of the State treasury loot in Bayelsa State during the tenor of late Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha. There were several other attacks on his personalty and his immediate family to the extent that he was given an ultimatum to resign and proceed on self exile or be assassinated. At different intervals, physical assaults were carried out upon him that led to the breaking of his head and arm by the evil state perpetrators, just because he doesn’t want to die untimely, he had to elope to a foreign land by the help of a Good Samaritan “a commissioner” from another parastatals who Mr. Joseph Peremobowei Farquah was informing of all that was happening in his office, and who had pity on him and took him out of the country.
After much ado, he was promised that they will help him to relocate his family to his new place of abode if only he obey their command. It can be categorically affirmed that since then till now, he doesn’t know the whereabout of his wife and children, his little boy will be completely a year and ten months (1year and 10 months) since his departure no one has been able to reach out to him. Please he is in serious pain and his family is in dear danger. Please let the authority to help his present predicament which he cannot bear to live without his family.
News
NYSC allowance to increase after minimum wage negotiations – DG
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has announced that the monthly allowance of corps members will be increased once the ongoing negotiations on the new minimum wage are completed.
Ahmed made this known on Saturday while addressing 2,762 corps members of Batch B, Stream One, at the Ogun State NYSC Orientation Camp in Sagamu.
He congratulated the corps members for making it to the orientation camp, noting that many of their colleagues had not been so lucky academically.
“Let me also remind you of the camp rules that you are not allowed to post the camp activities online or on social media. Three of your colleagues elsewhere were found breaking these rules and posting camp activities on social media, and they have been decamped,” Ahmed warned.
He also cautioned against night journeys, emphasizing the importance of seeking permission and finding safe accommodation before traveling. “We don’t want to lose any of you. You are special and dear to us,” he said.
Regarding their allowance, Ahmed reassured the corps members, “Don’t worry, as soon as the ongoing negotiations on the minimum wage are concluded, you can be sure that your allowance too will definitely go up. There is no way the government will forget you because you are really special.”
The DG also urged the corps members to consider a career in the military, praising their military skills displayed during the parade guard mounted for him. He appealed to them to take their security seriously, noting that while the camp has provided tight security, they must also be cautious not to endanger themselves.
Ahmed further advised the corps members to respect the culture of the communities they will be posted to for their primary assignment and to discharge their duties responsibly as worthy ambassadors of the 51-year-old scheme.
In his welcome address, the Ogun State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs. Olayinka Nasamu, said the camp, which opened on Wednesday, June 26, has a total of 2,762 corps members, comprising 922 males and 1,423 females. She highlighted the camp’s efforts to prevent the outbreak of cholera, including the provision of handwashing stations and sanitizers.
Nasamu also listed the needs of the orientation camp, including the sinking of additional boreholes, provision of additional water reservoirs, inadequate bunks and mattresses, lack of functional ambulance, and provision of proper food store.
News
Ondo Govt. releases N1 bn for gratuity arrears of retired LG workers, teachers
News
FG slams Daily Trust over Samoa Agreement report, threatens legal action
By Esther Agbo
In a stern address at the National Press Centre today Saturday, July 6, 2024, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris criticized the Daily Trust over what he described as “reckless reporting” on Samoa Agreement report that threatens national security and stability.
The Minister, speaking on behalf of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasized the administration’s commitment to press freedom while condemning what he termed as abuses of such freedoms.
Idris highlighted the President’s longstanding advocacy for democracy and human rights, emphasizing on the government’s tolerance of media criticism and protection of citizens’ rights to freedom of expression. However, he expressed concern over what he termed a “pattern” of irresponsible journalism, particularly by the Daily Trust.
He said, “This administration has remained very tolerant of media criticism and guaranteed citizens’ rights to freedom of expression. It is however disheartening that some elements are abusing this free environment guaranteed by the Government. We are alarmed by the level of reckless reporting and statements by some media organisations and individuals that border on national security and stability.
“While we sometimes view and treat those occasional reporting as part of media’s normal work, we have now seen a pattern that is difficult to be wished away as normal journalism.
“The insidious and inciting publications by the Daily Trust these past months have come across as nothing but a deliberate effort to brush the government with a tar. On many occasions we have restrained ourselves from believing that this was the case but the consistency of the jejune and mischievous publications leaves us with no option.”
Idris pointed to episodes where the Daily Trust allegedly spread false claims about government actions, including the renaming of a major expressway and involvement in international military agreements, without providing credible evidence. He accused the newspaper of causing disaffection and raising tensions, notably with recent unfounded allegations regarding LGBTQ rights.
“Then just two weeks ago, Daily Trust concocted and popularised a lie that the Federal Government had renamed the Murtala Mohammed Expressway in Abuja to Wole Soyinka Way. In all those instances all that the paper depended on were falsehood and hearsays. They also showed no remorse or the humility to recant.
“We however did not envisage that Daily Trust and people behind it could decend to the reckless level of attempting to set the country on fire by falsely accusing the government of signing a deal to promote LGBTQ. We found that despicable and wicked because the allegation is nowhere in the document signed. Surprisingly, the paper put forward no evidence nor provided the agreement allegedly signed to prove their point.
“The baseless and sensational story unfortunately formed a basis for khutba (sermons) by some of our respected imams who were misled by the story thereby raising tempers,” Idris asserted, noting the ensuing public uproar fueled by the report.
Despite these grievances, Idris reiterated the government’s commitment to handling the situation with civility and adherence to the rule of law, refraining from punitive measures against the press. He announced the government’s intent to formally lodge complaints with the Nigerian Press Association Ombudsman and pursue legal action against the Daily Trust.
“This afternoon, I have the Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning to provide more clarity on this issue.
“But beyond this, the Federal Government is lodging a formal complaint to the NPAN Ombudsman on this irresponsible reporting.
“In addition, the Federal Government will use every lawful means to seek redress in the court of law,” Idris added.
Meanwhile, Idris reaffirmed the Federal Government’s support for ethical journalism and free speech, cautioning against the dissemination of fake news and misinformation that could jeopardize national peace and security.
“The Federal Government once again restates its friendly policy towards ethical media and free speech. We would however not take fake news and disinformation that would injure the peace of our country and it’s national security lightly.”