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NEWS

IGR: KWIRS Attains 70% Of 2018 Quaterly Targets

Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) on Wednesday disclosed that it had generated N7.7 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)  between the months of January and April, 2018.

The Chairman, KWIRS, Dr Muritala Awodun made this known at a press briefing in Ilorin, the state capital.

He disclosed that the N7.7b revenue generated was against N7.4b generated in the first four months of 2017. He added that the N7.7b generated marks a 70% increase over that of 2017.

Awodun attributed the increase in IGR to restructuring of the agency in the last quarter of 2017 in a bid to increase effective service delivery.

He further added that the agency also embarked on training and retraining of staff which was geared towards better and workable means of improving the revenue collection of the state, which he noted added to the tremendous improvement.

The chairman gave the monthly analysis showing January at N2.2 billion, February as having the highest collection of 2.39 billion, March N1.8 billion and April N1.29 billion.

Also, the KWIRS chairman, disclosed that the agency in the last four months had embarked on various Community Impact Programmes in a bid to give back to the community. He listed some of the programs embark on to include the renovation of the state marriage registry under the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, donation of vehicle to the state branch of the National Union of Road Transportation Workers (NURTW), distribution of school bags in Primary schools in Kwara north senatorial district.

Awodun, therefore, commended the response from the tax payers in the state nothing that it had been very encouraging and appealed to them to continue with the display of patriotism.

He noted that the revenue court remained the last option for all tax defaulter, pointing out that, two banks operating in Ilorin metropolis were sealed off recently and charge to court for withholding tax on bank interest to serve as a deterrent to others.

Abu, sorry this figure is wrong. Kindly replace with: Updated: KWIRS Attains 70% of 2018 Quarterly Target

Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) on Wednesday disclosed that it has attained 70% of its 2018 first quarter Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target.

The Chairman, KWIRS, Dr Muritala Awodun during a press briefing in Ilorin, the state capital said the agency raked in N7.7 billion out of it’s N11 billion target for the months of January to April, 2018.

He noted that the N7.7 billion was against N7.4 billion generated in the same period of 2017.

Awodun attributed the increase in IGR to restructuring of the agency in the last quarter of 2017 in a bid to increase effective service delivery.

He added that the agency also embarked on training and retraining of staff which was geared towards better and workable means of improving the revenue collection of the state, leading to the tremendous improvement.

Giving the breakdown, Awodun said in the month of January, the sum of N2.2 billion was generated, with February having the highest collection of N2.39 billion, while N1.8 billion and N1.29 billion was collected in March and April respectively.

Also, the KWIRS chairman disclosed that the agency had in the last four months embarked on various Community Impact Programmes in a bid to give back to the community. He listed some of the programs to include the renovation of the state marriage registry under the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, donation of vehicle to the state branch of the National Union of Road Transportation Workers (NURTW), and distribution of school bags in Primary schools in Kwara north senatorial district.

Awodun, therefore, commended the response from the tax payers in the state which he discribed as very encouraging and appealed to them to continue with the display of patriotism.

He noted that the revenue court remained the last option for the agency, pointing out that, two banks operating in Ilorin metropolis were sealed off recently and charged to court for withholding tax on bank interest, to serve as a deterrent to others.

POLITICS

APC Congress: No Petition From Kwara –APC

The All Progressives Congress, APC, congress appeal committee in Kwara State has said there is no petition or appeal against the state congress conducted by the national secretariat of the party at Banquet hall, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the state governor at Government House, Ilorin, chairman of the committee, Hon. Osita Egwuatu, who said they were in the state for hearing of election petition that might have arisen from the last Saturday state congress election, confirmed the committee has not received any complaint against the congress.

In his reaction, the state governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed said the state will continue to strengthen the party in order to give it the much desired support that will ensure victory and sustenance in power at the national level.

The Governor said the congress election was a reflection of what happened at the ward and local government congresses in the state which, he said, was largely due to the inclusive process that allows input into the selection and election processes.

According to him, “the successful ward, local government and state congresses was largely due to the peaceful environment and most importantly the inclusive process that the state party system allows”.

He said the inclusive style of the party allows for ventilation of differences and amicable resolutions noting that the appeal committee is not unlikely to receive petitions but may not be a genuine one.

NEWS

IGP Trending Video: Journalist Refutes Report Of Going Into Hiding, Denies Invitation By The Police

Aminu Nurudeen Amin, a journalist with Liberty Radio/TV allegedly behind the gaffe video of the Inspector General of Police, IDRIS Kpotu has denied media reports that he has gone into hiding and wanted by the police.

Reports emerged on Saturday that the Kano State command of the Nigerian Police has invited Amin for allegedly releasing the video in which the IGP made some blunders forcing him to go into hiding.

But Amin in a statement denied the reports saying he has a professional relationship with the Nigeria police and did not go into hiding as reported.

He also denied responsibility for release of the video.

His statement reads in full:

  1. Re: Journalist goes into hiding

My attention has been drawn to a widely circulated news report in today’s edition of the Punch newspaper with the above caption.

The article erroneusly linked my person to a trending video of the IG Police. It also erroneusly claimed I was invited by the police and that I am currently on the run.

I wish to categorically state as follows;

1. That I, Aminu Nurudeen Amin, is not a blogger for Voice of Liberty Newspaper.

2. I never released the said video in circulation.

3. I was never invited by the kano police command and I am certainly not on the run.

4. In my capacity as the Kano State correspondent of Liberty TV/Radio, I have a professional relationship with the Kano State police command as partners in the development of our dear country.

5. The Punch is advised to ensure they get their facts right before promoting false and inaccurate stories.

Signed: Aminu Nurudeen Amin

NEWS

Don’t Link Me Or Saraki With Suspected Cultists, Says Governor Ahmed

Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has denied as false and misleading, insinuations linking him and Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki with the suspected cultists arrested in Ilorin, the state capital and transferred by the Nigeria Police to Abuja.

Governor Ahmed, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Dr. Muyideen Akorede, said neither him nor the Senate President or any of their aides have links with the suspected cultists or their alleged activities. He also denied any knowledge of or any intention to harm any individual as the political leadership in the state has never used violence as a political tool.

The statement referred the general public to the parade of the suspects by the state commissioner of police, Mr. Aminu Pai Saleh on Thursday, May 10, 2018 in Ilorin, during which he announced that the suspects were arrested for alleged murder and membership of cult groups but made no mention of any confessional statement linking their activities to any sponsors.

Governor Ahmed described the alleged killings as the outcome of clashes between rival cults in the state as most victims have been identified by security agencies as members of cult groups. Governor Ahmed emphasised that the growing problem of cultism and cult-related criminalities formed the basis of his charge to the new Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Saleh to focus on ending the menace on his resumption last month.

According to him, the state government sees cultism as a serious security issue requiring urgent attention and has accordingly amended the State Cultism Law to prescribe stiffer penalties for convicts and those who aid and abet them, besides providing operational support to all security agencies in the state in their fight against all forms of criminalities, including cultism.

Governor Ahmed warned that cultism is a serious security challenge which should neither be trivialised and turned into a political tool nor be treated with levity. He therefore urged well-meaning Nigerians to disregard any attempt to politicise the menace of cultism but focus instead on joining hands with the government and security agencies to bring the menace to an end in the interest of public safety while allowing the rule of law and justice to prevail in the matter.

NEWS

Cultism: Kwara Govt Expresses Concern over Transfer of Suspects to Abuja

The Kwara State Government has expressed concern over the transfer of four suspected cultists, arrested in the state, by the state police command to Abuja.

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Kwara State Ministry of Justice, Jimoh Mumini, made this known after an emergency Security Council meeting chaired by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Wednesday at the Government house in Ilorin.

Jimoh noted that the offence for which the suspects were arrested are state offences which are triable under the state laws.

He said that though the representative of the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Aminu Pai Saleh at the meeting said that the four suspects were transferred to Abuja for further investigation, the state Ministry of Justice has successfully prosecuted suspected cultists and killers at the State High Court under the penal code.

The DPP therefore urged the police to speed up their investigation and return the suspects to Kwara State so as to commence trial as done by the Ministry of Justice in respect to similar offences and offenders in the past.

Also, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr Daniel Ogungbe noted that the concern of the state government was based on the urgency with which the suspects were transferred to Abuja.

He noted that the suspects should have been tried in the State rather than being transferred to the federal capital and expressed hope that the investigation and trial will not be hijacked for political purposes.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Communication, Dr Muyideen Akorede noted that the council received briefing on cult related violence in the State and the outcome of the recent Ward and Local Government Congress of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state.

He said the council commended the Nigerian Police on its swift arrest and prosecution of suspects in the tragic robbery attack on Offa.

NEWS

Senate Bows To Court Order Over Senator Omo-Agege’s Suspension

 

The Nigerian Senate on Monday said it will obey the court judgment which described as illegal, the authority of the upper legislative chambers to suspend Senator Ovie Omo-Agege from the legislative body.

Senate spokesman, Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi in a statement however said the resumption of Omo-Agege is pending the determination of the motion on stay of execution which it has already filed alongside an appeal of the court judgement at the Court of Appeal.

According to Abdullahi, “the Senate leadership has been briefed by our lawyers on last Thursday’s judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on whether the Senate has the legal authority to suspend a member for certain misconduct or not.”

“We have equally filed an appeal against the judgement of the court  and a motion for stay of execution of the judgement at the Court of Appeal.”

“As an institution that obeys the law and court orders, the Senate has decided that it will comply with the judgement of the Federal High Court and do nothing to stop Senator Ovie Omo-Agege from resuming in his office and at plenary from tomorrow May 15, 2018, pending the determination of the application for stay of execution.”

Abdullahi said further added that “the Senate has been advised that since the motion for stay of execution of the Thursday (May 10, 2018) judgement shall be heard and possibly determined on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, we shall therefore respect the subsisting High Court judgement and await the appellate court’s decision on the pending motion.”

NEWS

APC Congresses: Gov Ahmed Seeks Unity Among Members

Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has reiterated the need for the All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the state to close ranks and work together in unison for the progress of the party and the future of its members.

The Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, urged party faithful and supporters from across the state to remain calm and  maintain their support for the party.

He said the outcome of the last Saturday’s APC Local government congresses in the state further reflected the capacity of the party as a formidable platform for good governance in the state.

The Governor emphasised that the loyalty of APC members to the party structure is very key for overall development and growth of individuals and the state at large.

Gov Ahmed also warned members of the party against anti party activities for extraneous or personal reasons which could impact negatively on the party. “Every one must eschew bitterness, individualism and extremism. We must remain united”, the governor said.

According to the Governor, “The APC remains a single and formidable entity in the state. So, member must not succumb to any agent of destabilization in whatever guise”.

Governor Ahmed added that the structure is conscious of individual and general interests, advising party faithful not to allow themselves to be discouraged  by the attitude of black sheeps within  the party who are hellbent in causing confusion.

Abdulwahab Oba

Chief Press Secretary

to the Kwara State Governor

POLITICS

Katsina Govt Commends Voter Turnout In APC Congress

The Katsina state government has commended delegates who participated in the ongoing APC congresses conducted across the 34 local government areas of the state.

Malam Ibrahim Muazzam Abdullahi, the Director -General of the Katsina media and publicity made the commendation while supervising the conduct of the party congress.

He expressed optimism that the ruling party would be reelected into the different elective positions at both the state and national level, stressing the congresses went on smoothly devoid of molestation or any unwarranted behaviour.

The director also salute the courage and determination of government and party officials for coming out enmass to witness the congress which was conducted through consensus and affirmation.

He noted that the state government was happy with the way and manner in which the state deputy governor Mannir Yakubu and state APC chairman Alhaji Shitu Masalaha who participated fully in the congress held at Katsina metropolis.

He described the spectacular performance of the chief of staff to the governor, Alhaji Bello Mandiya and the executive secretary of the state emergency management agency SEMA, Alhaji Dr Aminu Waziri who took part in the exercise at their ancestral home of Malumfashi.

The media scribe also lauded the resilience of the state commissioner and Attorney -General of Justice Barrister Ahmed El-Murzuoq for conducting and supervising the congress across the five local government areas of Daura, Zango, Maiadua, Baure and Sandamu.

Abdullahi noted that the reports reaching his office indicated that the congresses were conducted with maturity, decency and decorum and in accordance with the party rules and regulations .

Our correspondent gathered that the state congress was slated for next week Saturday in which the state party executives were expected to be elected for the next four years.

Director General
Ibrahim M Abdullah

NEWS

IVTEC Matriculates 123 Pioneer Students 

The International Vocational, Training and Entrepreneurship College (IVTEC), Ajase-Ipo has matriculated 123 pioneer students, with a pledge to focus on creating jobs after the training.

The number includes indigent students, who are beneficiaries of the scholarship provided by the Kwara State Government and drawn from the 16 local governments (LGs) of the state.

Speaking at the matriculation ceremony on Thursday, the acting rector of IVTEC, Dr Ade Somide disclosed that 125 students were admitted but only 123 of them have commenced training at the College.

He added that 10 independent students, who benefited from the 70 per cent reduction in tuition fee approved by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, were also part of the matriculating students.

Somide further explained that the training which is a three-month special certificate programme cuts across 14 different programmes in 7 departments of the College.

He listed the departments to include Building construction Technology, Information and Communication technology, Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning (HVAC), Welding and Fabrication Technology, Automotive Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, and Hotel and Tourism Management.

Somide disclosed that after the training, the students will be awarded IVTEC Special Certificate in their respective fields of study. He added that the students can re-enroll in the college for advanced studies or a two-year national innovation diploma programme.

Speaking on the college’s partnership with the Kwara State University (KWASU) Malete, Dr Somide said the partnership stems from the fact that the college is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, which students from KWASU can benefit from.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Board of Directors, IVTEC, Dr Abiodun Adimula, urged the students to be diligent while undergoing their training and work towards becoming employers of labour after their training rather than seeking for jobs.

He also urged them to collaborate and seek partnership with one another after the training in order to build a sustainable business.

HEADLINES, NEWS

Diezani, Omokore, Aluko Stole $3bn From NNPC – Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo last night named those whom he alleged stole $3 billion from oil lifted in a strategic alliance contract by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Osinbajo, in a statement by his spokesman, Laolu Akande, named them as a former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Allison-Madueke, Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko.

The Peoples Democratic Party had last Wednesday challenged Osinbajo to name the three persons he claimed to have stolen the money.

The vice president said Diezani, Omokore and Aluko made away with the money, and that royalties and taxes were also not paid, adding that none of them had come out to make any denial.

“We all know about the $2.1 Billion arms equipment scandal that was investigated, it is being used in the case against the former NSA, this also happened under the previous administration.

“We have released a number of names of people who have been found with questionable funds, allegedly looted from the public till, and some of them, in some instances have actually refunded money that they couldn’t explain where it came from. We have tons and tons of evidence of how under the previous administration grand corruption was the order of the day,” he said.

Reacting to the warning by the PDP that he should stop tagging its leaders and members as thieves, he said it was “a show of shame to have a group of politicians trying to confuse Nigerians and trying to shift the blame. Nigerians are well aware of their antics, and Nigerians have a right to demand accountability from the government, and we’ll not relent until justice is gotten for the Nigerian people on this matter…So, the PDP folks cannot fool Nigerians, they can fool themselves, but Nigerians know what the truth is, and they know who to believe.

“And so any attempt to try to confuse Nigerians is a wasted effort, because Nigerians know exactly who to trust and who to believe. It is a shame that the PDP thinks they can fool Nigerians; it is not going to happen.”

The vice president said Nigerians cannot be fooled by the calculated attempt befuddle the issues, deny and deflect the weighty allegations and the hard facts of grand corruptions and crass stealing that went on under the past administration.

NEWS

Congress: Katsina APC Successfully Elects Ward Executives

The Katsina state chapter of all progressive congress party, (APC) successfully and peacefully conducted ward congresses across the state.

Katsina media and publicity gathered that President Muhammadu Buhari had also participated in the congress at his own ward, the Sarkin Yara A Ward of Daura Local Government.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Katsina state governor Rt Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, the state party chairman Malam Shitu S Shitu, were accompanied by other prominents at the occasion.

Speaking at the Congress held at Bayagida Model Primary School, President Buhari said the passion to serve and see real changes in the lives of Nigerians informed his choice to join partisan politics in the first place, and inspired him to contest elections in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015.

In his remarks, the Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Masari, said the process of electing the leaders of the party at the ward level was hitch-free, orderly and based on the constitution of the APC.

“What we have here are our leaders that were chosen based on consensus and we are happy that it reflects the will of the people and the APC constitution. We followed the process to also ensure that there is affirmation,’’ he said.

The Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Ward Congress, who is also the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, *Ahmad Usman El-Marzuq* urged the party leaders to remain loyal and live up to expectations.

OPINION

Dino Melaye: The Return Of ‘Shina Rambo’ By Phrank Shaibu
When I wrote last month about Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, I was accused in certain quarters of nursing a king size grudge against the Okun born politician.
Some people suggested that the write up smirked of belicosity if not out right hyperbolism. Indeed, the effluents imbued in that piece, according to one of his rabid supporters, was laced with evidence that I was paid by the Kogi State Government, to do a dirty job on the embattled Senator.
The article, entitled, “At Last, Dino Melaye Meets His Nemesis” has turned out to be prophetic. I could as well be called a marabout with uncommon gift of clairvoyance. Indeed, events of the last one or two weeks have confirmed that I was spot on in my description and prediction of the man.
No, I don’t want anyone to surmise that this follow-up piece is about gloating over the misfortunes of Dino, as the senator is better known. On the contrary, this is about reminding us that I saw the events of the past one or two weeks coming and tried, albeit failingly, to warn that he could meet his waterloo if he did not check his excesses and the predilection of always seeking to play to the gallery.
Unfortunately, Dino, like a dog destined for abyss failed to hearken to the hunter’s whistle and suddenly found himself encircled in a trajectory beyond his wildest imagination.
Today, he is fighting the battle of his life, caged like a common rat. He suddenly finds that the law is no respecter of persons and that once you have become a fugitive on the run, you put yourself up to be treated like a common criminal.
Definitely, I am not one of those in sympathy with the Kogi West Senator for what has become his lot. After all, when a man decides to stand in front of a moving train, you can only imagine that he would eventually be crushed. Likewise, a man who dips his fingers in a pond of snakes should not be surprised that the poisonous venom of the reptile would soon takeover the blood in his veins.
Truth is, I never believed that the embattled Senator would try to play “Rambo” by allegedly jumping out of a moving police pickup van. Neither could anyone have convinced me that he would employ alleged thugs to help shield him from the police. But that’s what the man reportedly did to the consternation of all.
Thrice, he was reportedly accosted by security agencies and on all accounts, he had hirelings who blocked his arrest. I stand to be corrected if it was just a coincidence that the thugs did what they did without being induced to do so. Neither would anyone convince me that it was the first time Dino was employing them to do a dirty job. But that is a debate for another day.
Ordinarily I would have questioned the propriety of his trial in a magistrate court while on a stretcher by the police instead of waiting for him to get well but I am constrained because, Dino was NEVER ill at the time of his invitation by the police. Even after he was declared wanted by the police, he repeatedly ?refused to turn himself in for prosecution, on the ground that it was a plot to kill him, resulting in last weekends face off with men of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS).
My pain is that, Dino Melaye as a lawmaker ought to have known that he was fugitive before the law. He ought to also have known that Lokoja, is the city where the alleged crimes or charges against him were pending. The only way to clear his name was to challenge the prosecution in the court in Lokoja like younger activists like Austine Okai and Johnson Musa.
Infact, the former Governor, His Excellency Prince Abubakar Audu, arguably one of the fathers of Kogi State turned himself in for prosecution in 2009 when the EFCC charged him to court. Although the case was still pending when he died, it is remarkable that he respected the law until his death. Dino Melaye is not bigger than Abubakar Audu.
As for his trial on a stretcher , his lawyers and other public commentators should be patient enough to answer these salient questions: Did Dino jump from a moving police van ? If the answer is in the affirmative, then does that action amount to an offense in the eyes of the law?
Isn’t the reported action of ‘jumping from a moving police van’ suicidal? If the answer is also in the affirmative,then I ask again if ‘attempted suicide’ is an offense? Then the viral video where Dino Melaye openly threatened to kill himself and put the Police in trouble. ..so, who will treat a Rambo with kids gloves ?
Anyway, while he cools his head on the hospital bed and or police custody or the prison , he may use this moment to reflect on what has become of the life of a Senator; a youth? who was supposed to be a role model, now a fugitive from the law. He should reminisce on how high he has tried to climb on the political ladder of Nigeria only to use his hand to pull down the lever.
Irrespective of whether the recall process initiated by his so called constituents or ‘sponsors’ succeeded or not, Dino by now should be thinking of the puppeteer behind the high wire intrigue surrounding the entire process.
Most definitely, his thoughts must also revolve round how he became a fugitive, with policemen guarding him round the clock even on the hospital bed. Could this be real or a virtual fantasy created by a puppet master trained to conjure world class tragi-comedies?
But, as I pointed out in the earlier article, the Okun politician brought the many troubles on himself.? After all, if a man goes to the market and buys faeces, he can only expect flies to perch. Dino has directly or indirectly bought trouble on many fronts and he should live with the consequences.
Above, he must tell himself some hard truths about lifestyle change. Because he must know by now that living like a thug does not pay. And that every small alec has his day, just like the medicine man who finds out to his chagrin that sometimes, charms against gunshot fails.
But, a chameleon does not change its spots. A thug will always be a thug. Likewise, Dino will always be Dino. So, I do not expect any significant change. Instead, Nigerians should be prepared to see a more brash and brazen personality.
When he fought and his clothes were torn in the House of Representatives, did he learn anything? Did he become a better person? Compare that with jumping from a moving police van to evade arrest. Which is worse?
That is why as I wake up every morning, I thank God that the embattled Senator does not represent me in the upper legislative chamber, notwithstanding that we are both from Kogi State and I have a sleeping Senator from my own constituency.
A man with no sense of decency,has no scruples fighting in public, who abuses? his elders without any remorse, who can jump from a moving van like a tout on the streets of Egbe cannot be my representative. The Senate is not made for brigands. And the earlier we exorcise such characters from our body politic, the saner our society, nay, Kogi State would be.
A stich in time saves nine.
*Phrank Shaibu ,a Public Communication Expert writes from Abuja .

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