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Akume vs Alia: Battle for supremacy tears Benue APC apart

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The crisis engulfing the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to have no end in sight. Since the beginning of the new government led by Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, a leadership dispute has plagued the party. Alleged tensions between Alia and the party’s state leader, George Akume, who is also the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation, have created a significant rift within the party, with members aligning themselves with either faction.

While the state party chairman, Austin Agada, and the majority of the executive committee remain loyal to Akume, a few others have sided with Alia. Agada, a staunch supporter of Akume, has been critical of the state governor, possibly contributing to his current predicament. Recently, Dan Onjeh, the APC senatorial candidate in the 2023 Benue South election, filed a petition against Agada, accusing him of undermining the party during the last election.

In response, the former Ward Chairman of Ehaje 1 suspended Agada, but the national body swiftly overturned the suspension pending a review. Nevertheless, on Thursday, Benjamin Omakolo, the State Welfare Secretary, was purportedly announced as the acting chairman of the party. However, Omakolo was later suspended by the party’s disciplinary committee in Apa LGA for alleged financial misconduct, insubordination, and consistent non-payment of party dues.

Reports suggest that the governor is now aligned with Omakolo and is actively working to reverse his suspension, no longer supporting Agada as the party chairman. This shift became evident as a State High Court in Makurdi restrained Agada from acting as the party chairman, contrary to the National Working Committee’s position that Agada remains the legitimate State Chairman.

Sources indicate that the governor perceives Agada as an obstacle to sidelining Senator George Akume and aims to replace him with Omakolo. Plans allegedly include orchestrating party executives in Igoro, Apa LGA, to deny authorizing Omakolo’s suspension in a press conference at the Government House.

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This development follows an attack on Agada at the party secretariat, leading to his removal by the police. Concerns have been raised by party members, with one expressing worry about the challenges facing Agada within the party, emphasizing his pivotal role in securing the state for the APC and winning seats in the recent general elections.

However, another party source places blame on Agada, accusing him of disrespecting the governor and justifying the governor’s actions based on alleged disloyalty.

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Hospital Board Suspends Doctor Over Negligence In Kano

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Dr. Mansur Nagoda, the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Hospitals Management Board, has sanctioned the immediate suspension of a medical officer at the Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital. This action follows numerous complaints from patients and staff regarding the doctor’s unauthorized absence from duty.

Dr. Nagoda disclosed that the suspended doctor, whose identity is withheld, left the hospital without informing any authority or management personnel. Despite attempts to reach her, she claimed to be on the premises but failed to report to the doctors’ quarters or fulfill her duties, leaving a dialysis patient distressed.

Emphasizing the ethical responsibility of doctors to prioritize patient care, Dr. Nagoda stressed the need for accountability and professionalism within the healthcare system. He warned that proper arrangements must be made with another doctor when absent from duty, and negligence will not be tolerated.

The suspension will remain in effect pending the investigation’s outcome, demonstrating the board’s commitment to upholding standards of conduct among healthcare workers. Dr. Nagoda reiterated the board’s expectation for all personnel to fulfill their duties diligently, emphasizing consequences for those found derelict in their responsibilities.

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Oyebanji approves 50% subsidy on improved oil palm, cocoa, cashew seedlings for Ekiti farmers

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Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of Ekiti State has authorized a 50 percent subsidy on oil palm, cocoa, and cashew seedlings for distribution to farmers in the state during this planting season. Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, conveyed this information in a statement released to the press in Ado-Ekiti.

He explained that this initiative is part of the strategic measures undertaken by the Oyebanji administration to generate employment, foster wealth creation, and revive Ekiti State’s agricultural sector to its former glory, particularly harking back to the prosperous era of the 1970s when it was renowned globally as a leading cocoa production hub in Nigeria.

Boluwade emphasized that the program aims to rejuvenate the state’s agricultural prowess by replacing aging trees in existing plantations and those lost to bushfires with high-quality seedlings possessing shorter gestation periods. Furthermore, concerted efforts are underway to attract enthusiastic young farmers into cocoa plantation farming.

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‘We’ve no hotel’ – Nigerian Correctional Service clears air

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The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) clarified that the Correctional Service Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society (COCOS) Hotel and Gardens Project was not financed by the Federal Government. Umar Abubakar, the agency’s Public Relations Officer, made this statement in Abuja on Wednesday, emphasizing that the hotel was an investment of the NCoS Cooperative Society.

Responding to concerns raised about the facility, Abubakar stressed that the hotel, featured on the Service’s official Facebook page, was solely aimed at enhancing staff welfare. He attributed its establishment to strategic planning and efficiency within the agency’s cooperative unit.

Abubakar expressed bewilderment at attempts to discourage meaningful investments, highlighting that the “COCOS Hotels and Gardens” was inaugurated on March 1, 2021, by former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola. He asserted that the report in question is not only deceptive but also aimed at spreading misinformation. Abubakar clarified that the hotel was constructed in 2021 and is exclusively owned by the Correctional Cooperative Society, established in 1996 for all personnel of the service.

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