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Governor Matawalle is under probe for diverting N70bn, says EFCC

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is probing Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara, for allegedly diverting N70 billion meant for contracts in the state.

The anti-graft agency spoke on the investigation on Thursday following comments credited to the Zamfara governor.

On Wednesday, Matawalle said Abdulrasheed Bawa, EFCC chairman, should ensure that the agency’s investigation does not target only the outgoing governors but also officials in the presidency.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Osita Nwajah, EFCC’s director of public affairs, said the N70 billion under probe was allegedly diverted by the governor’s “cronies”.

“The commission would like to put the nation on notice to expect more of the kind of wild allegations made by Matawalle as those at the receiving end of EFCC’s investigations, fight viciously back,” he said.

“But the real issue with Matawalle is that he is being investigated by the EFCC, over allegations of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts and diversion of over 70 billion.

“The money which was sourced as loan from an old generation bank purportedly for the execution of projects across the local government areas of the state, was allegedly diverted by the governor through proxies and contractors who received payment for contracts that were not executed.”

Nwajah said the commission’s findings have shown that more than 100 companies have received payments from the funds, with no evidence of service rendered to the state

“Some of the contractors who had been invited and quizzed by the Commission, made startling revelations on how they were allegedly compelled by the governor to return the funds received from the state coffers back to him through his aides after converting the same to United States dollars,” he said.

“One of the contractors, a popular Abuja property developer, collected N6 billion on a N10 billion contract without rendering any service to Zamfara state.

“Another contractor collected over N3 billion for a contract for the supply of medical equipment but the Commission traced a payment of N400 million from his account to a Bureau de Change operator. The contractor confessed the payment was to procure the dollar equivalent allegedly for the state governor.”

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Sanwo-Olu appoints KWAM1’s daughter as SSA

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The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appointed Basirat Damilola Marshall, daughter of Fuji maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, a.k.a KWAM1, as his Senior Special Assistant on Tourism.

This was according to a viral video of her father thanking the governor, and congratulatory messages sighted by newsmen on her Instagram page, @damimarshall_ on Thursday.

In the viral video, her father, KWAM1, while performing on stage at the coronation and birthday reception of Oba Sikirullah Apena on Thursday, thanked Sanwo-Olu for appointing his daughter into his cabinet.

The fuji singer noted that it was his daughter, Damilola, who asked him to publicly thank the governor for her appointment.

Congratulating her on the appointment, a Nigerian, Olanrewaju-Smart Wasiu wrote, “Congratulations Barr. @damimarshall_ on your appointment as the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism. This is a deserving recognition for your hard work and contributions to our party”, to which she responded by saying “Thank you, sir.”

Another person, Balogun Basia wrote, “Please, join me in congratulating my friend K1 and the entire family on the appointment of my daughter Barrister Basirat Damilola Marshall as the SSA to the governor of Lagos State on Tourism. Damilola, this shall be the beginning of many good things that will come your way and that of your siblings Insha Allah, Alaumoh Amin.”

Until her appointment, Damilola was a principal partner at a law firm, Damilola Ayinde Marshal and Co.

As of the time of this report, efforts to reach the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Lagos State Governor, Gboyega Akosile, for confirmation proved abortive, as messages sent to his WhatsApp line were not responded to.

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Police officer shoots resident dead during argument at filling station in Lagos

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A police officer has shot dead one Toheeb Eniasa, a resident of Lagos, during an argument that occurred at a filling station in the Obalende area of the state.

TheCable understands that the incident occurred on Wednesday evening at a retail station belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

It was gathered that two police operatives in an operational vehicle attempted to drive into the filling station to get petrol while many people were in the queue.

But they were said to have been resisted by customers who had been standing in the queue for many hours.

Eniasa was reported to be among the leading voices who stopped the police officers from gaining entrance into the filling station.

The development led to an altercation which made one of the officers shoot his rifle.

The deceased was said to have fallen on the ground immediately after residents heard the sound of a gunshot.

Angered by the incident, some of the youths at the filling station set the two Hilux vans belonging to security operatives ablaze.

At the time of the incident, residents could not identify whether the shooting was carried out by officers of the police or operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) who were also at the station.

Confirming the incident on Thursday, Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos police spokesperson, said the officer behind the shooting incident is attached to special protection unit (SPU) base 17 in Lagos.

“Investigation is still ongoing and further findings will be made available,” Hundeyin wrote on X.

Hundeyin said the command is working with the deceased’s family to ensure that justice is served.

Over the past few days, Nigerians have been battling petrol scarcity as long queues are at filling stations nationwide.

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Oyo nurses threaten indefinite strike, issue 14-day ultimatum

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The Oyo state council of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if their demands are not met in 14 working days.

The council in a letter addressed to Governor Seyi Makinde on Thursday, May 2, 2024, stated that the resolution was made after its state executive council meeting held on Tuesday on issues affecting the welfare and career progression of nurses working with the state government.

The letter titled, ‘Notification of 14 days ultimatum,’ was signed by the council’s Chairman, Adeyemi Samuel, and Secretary, Aina Emmanuel.

The demands of the nurses border on shortage of staff, correction of the wrong notional date on promotion letters, and implementation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure, among others.

According to the nurses, the ultimatum which began on May 2, 2024, will end on May 21, 2024; and the indefinite strike will commence on May 22, Wednesday midnight if their demands are not met.

Nigeria is experiencing a massive exodus of healthcare workers, including nurses, and midwives. Poor remuneration, rising insecurity, inadequate diagnostic facilities, unconducive work conditions, and economic conditions are some of the reasons for the mass exodus.

In October 2023, the President of NANNM, Michael Nnachi told our correspondent that almost every week, nurses and midwives send applications to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, either to leave the country or be relieved of their duties.

In 2022, Nnachi said over 57,000 nurses migrated from Nigeria for greener pastures abroad within a period of five years spanning from 2017 to 2022.

He said the mass exit leaves the remaining nurses overworked.

“It’s pertinent to note that all these issues have been for a very long time and several letters have been written for the government to come to our aid without a positive response. Hence, we would be compelled to commence an indefinite strike at the expiration of our ultimatum if the following requests/prayers are not granted.

“Our prayers include – Mass recruitment of Nurses and Midwives/Nurse Educator into Hospitals Management Board, Primary Health Care Board, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho and Oyo State College of Nursing Sciences, Eleyele, Ibadan, to address the gross shortage of staff to improve health care delivery in the state.

“Correction of the wrong notional date on the promotion letters issued to our members. Adoption and implementation of the 25 per cent CONHESS adjustment circular for Nurses and Midwives working with the Oyo State Government.

“Financial implementation of 2018 to 2022 promotion for Nurses and Midwives working in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomosho. Adoption and implementation of Enhanced Hazard Allowances for Nurses and Midwives Working in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomosho, Oyo State College of Nursing Eleyele-Ibadan, Oyo State College of Health Technology Eleyele-Ibadan and Primary Health Care Development Board/LGA,” the letter read in part.

They also demand the adoption and implementation of lateral conversion/career progression for Nurses and Midwives on GL12 and above who have possessed degree certificates in Nursing Sciences, the payment of withheld January/February 2011 salaries to the nurses that are yet to be paid, and the payment of uniform allowance to all Nurses and Midwives in the service of Oyo state in line with public services rule.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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