Former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi has denied being involved in stripping some of his hotel staff naked over a missing money.
Recall that the Minister made headlines after being accused of arresting four of his hotel staff and stripping them naked for allegedly stealing N5,000. The four staff of the hotel have been identified as Gloria Oguzie, Victor Ephraim, Rosslyn Okiemute and Achibong Precious. It was also alleged that the hotel management forcefully made some withdrawals from their bank accounts with their ATM cards before the police took them away in a waiting van.
However commenting on the incident at a press conference held at his country home in Oginibo, Ughelli South council area of Delta state, Gbagi stressed that the said staff were not employees of the hotel but “freelancers”. He added that there are records to back this up.
He further alleged that his political detractors who are out to truncate his plans to contest for the 2023 gubernatorial race in the state, are behind the trending video and photos.
Gbagi said;
“There was nothing as you have read, that happened. The people you saw in those pictures are not staff of my hotel. Legally, documentarily, they are not staff of the hotel. They are freelancers.
“Were you to do a forensic analysis of the video for my body on those pictures, and you find me there, I will resign from politics.
“I invited the Police from Ebrumede to take them. I will never descend to do such (strip people naked). It was politically motivated. I will not strip anybody’s daughter naked or strip any person.
“This, to me, is just a distraction. I am resolute, I am contesting in 2023. Let God punish me if I touched any of the girls or was involved in their stripping. I am prepared. I know what they are planning.”
The former Minister who also revealed that he is yet to receive a police invitation over the incident, added that he “will graciously attend any invitation of the Nigerian Police.”
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has disbanded the Sokoto State Hisbah police and halted all its activities over alleged power tuzzle and factionalization.
The Hisbah board in the state has been rocked by crisis for so many years as three persons have been simultaneously claiming to be leaders of the committee without the government’s approval.
A statement issued on Saturday, September 26, by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Muhammad Bello, said a 36-men committee was inaugurated by the Governor to re-organize and harmonize the activities of Hisbah in the state.
The committee is led by the Wazirin Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaid, Secretary the Permanent Secretary in the state’s Cabinet Affairs office, Alhaji Bande Rikina as the secretary.
Other members comprise of Islamic scholars, security agents, representatives of the Sultanate Council, civil society groups, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry for Justice, Women in Daawa, the Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN), the Muslim Students Society (MSS) among others.
Speaking at the event, Governor Tambuwal said the inauguration of the committee became necessary because of the need to have a legitimate structure that will perform the activities of the Hisba according to law.
He charged the committee to look at the law establishing the Hisbah in the state in order to come out with a comprehensive report on what its statutory roles are.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the committee, Prof. Junaid thanked the government for finding them worthy to serve it.
He said they will do everything humanly possible to carry out their assignment effectively .
Waziri added that in the course of their assignment they will consult the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and other stakeholders for further advise and inputs.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have suspended the strike scheduled to commence today (Monday).
This followed an agreement reached with the Federal Government at a meeting which started at 8.30pm on Sunday and ended at 2:50am this morning.
After exhaustive deliberations on the issues raised by the labour centres, the meeting agreed to suspend the application of the cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments for two weeks.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, read the five-page communique signed by the representatives of the government and labour.
The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba; and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Quadri Olaleye, amongst others signed on behalf of Organised Labour while the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige; Minister of State Petroleum, Timipre Silva; Minister of State Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN); Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed; and the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and others, signed on behalf of the government.
Olaleye confirmed the development in an interview with The PUNCH on Monday morning.
He said, “Definitely correct. We just left a press conference. We signed a document to suspend the action for two weeks for the government to implement those things that we agreed in the agreement. So, we are suspending for two weeks.
“We don’t need a notice again to re-convene if there is a need to do that.”
The parties agreed to set up a technical committee comprising Ministries, Departments, Agencies, NLC and TUC.
It would work for a duration of two weeks effective September 28, to examine the justifications for the new policy “in view of the need for the validation of the basis for the new cost-reflective tariff as a result of the conflicting information from the fields which appeared different from the data presented to justify the new policy by NERC; metering deployment, challenges, timeline for massive rollout.”
The members of the committee include the Minister of State Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN) as Chairman; Minister of State Power, Godwin Jedy-Agba; Chairman, National Electricity Regulatory Commission, James Momoh; Special Assistant to the President on Infrastructure, Ahmad Zakari as the Secretary.
Other members are Onoho’Omhen Ebhohimhen, Joe Ajaero (NLC), Chris Okonkwo (TUC) and a representative of electricity distribution companies.
The committee’s terms of reference are to examine the justification for the new policy on cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments; to look at the different DISCOs and their different electricity tariff vis-à-vis NERC order and mandate; examine and advise government on the issues that have hindered the deployment of the 6 million meters, among others.
“During the two weeks, the DISCOs shall suspend the application of the cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments,” the communique noted.
It also noted that the FG has fashioned out palliatives that would ameliorate the sufferings that Nigerian workers may experience as a result of the hike in cost electricity tariffs and the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.
The palliatives will be in the areas of transport, power, housing, agriculture and humanitarian support.
The meeting also resolved that the 40 per cent stake of government in the DISCO and the stake of workers should be reflected in the composition of the DISCO’s boards.
It agreed that “an all-inclusive and independent review of the power sector operations as provided in the privatization MoU to be undertaken before the end of the year 2020, with labour represented.
“All parties agreed on the urgency for increasing the local refining capacity of the nation to reduce the overdependency on importation of petroleum products to ensure energy security, reduce cost of finished products, increase employment and business opportunities for Nigerians.”
To address this, the parties resolved that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation should expedite the rehabilitation of the nation’s four refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna to achieve 50 per cent completion by December 2021, while timelines and delivery for Warri and Kaduna will be established by the inclusive steering committee.
“To ensure commitment and transparency to the processes and timelines of the rehabilitation exercise, the management of NNPC has offered to integrate the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association into the steering committee already established by the corporation,” the communique stated.
It added that a validation team comprising the representatives of the NNPC, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, NUPENG and PENGASSAN would be established to monitor progress of the rehabilitation of the refineries and the pipelines/strategic depots network and advice the steering committee periodically.
It also said that post-rehabilitation, NNPC shall involve the PENGASSAN and NUPENG in the process of establishing the operational model of the nation’s refineries.
The statement added, “The Federal Government will facilitate the delivery of licensed modular and regular refineries, involvement of upstream companies in petroleum refining and establishing framework for financing in the downstream sector.
“NNPC to expedite work on the Build, Operate and Transfer framework for the nation’s pipelines and strategic depots network for efficient transportation and distribution of petroleum products to match the delivery timelines of the refineries as agreed.”
The government and its agencies agreed to ensure delivery of 1 million CNG/LPG AutoGas conversion kits, storage skids and dispensing units under the Nigeria Gas Expansion Programme by December 2021 to enable delivery of cheaper transportation and power fuel.
A governance structure that will include representatives of organized labour shall be established for timely delivery.
To cushion the impacts of the downstream sector deregulation and tariffs adjustment in the power sector, the FG agreed to announce in two weeks a specific amount to be accessed by workers with subsequent provision for 240,000 under the auspices of NLC and TUC for participation in agricultural ventures through the Central Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The timeline will be fixed at the next meeting.
The meeting further resolved that the FG will facilitate the removal of tax on minimum wage as a way of cushioning the impacts of the policy on the lowest vulnerable.
The government would also make available to organized labour 133 CNG/LPG-driven mass transit buses immediately and provide to the major cities across the country on a scale up basis thereafter, to all states and local governments before December 2021.
“On Housing, 10 per cent to be allocated to Nigerian workers under the ongoing Ministry of Housing and Finance initiative through the NLC and TUC,” the communique disclosed.
Olamilekan Agbeleshe has emerged winner of the Big Brother Naija Season 5.
Fondly known as Laycon, the young lad beat 19 other housemates to be crowned the winner of this year’s reality television show.
He led by 60 per cent votes followed by Dorathy with 21.85 per cent votes. However, Nengi had 15.03 per cent votes while Neo and Vee had 1.94 per cent and 1.18 per cent votes, respectively.
However, Laycon’s victory does not come as a surprise as celebrities such as Eniola Badmus, Nkechi Blessing, Samklef, Odunlade Adekola, Broda Shaggi, Anita Joseph, Toyin Lawani, Yul Edochie, Reminisce, Teni D Entertainer, Vector, Niniola, Di’Ja, DJ Nana, Ice Prince, Timi Dakolo, Joeboy, Stephanie Coker, Small Doctor, Yvonne Jegede, Seyi Edun, Woli Agba and Funmi Awelewa have been canvassing votes for him on social media.
Music producer-turned-blogger, Samklef, has been particularly vocal about his support for Laycon. He has never hidden his support for the lanky singer and many people have donated money to him, which Samklef, in turn, has disbursed to fans to buy airtime and vote en-masse for Laycon.
As of September 25, he had raised over N900,000.
Likewise, Tunde Ednut, who has a followership of over a million followers on Instagram, used his platform to canvass for Laycon.
Interestingly, the young man who went into the house with about four thousand Instagram followers now boasts of a million followers and a verified account while still in the competition.
Also, during the week, some youths in Ogun State held a public walk-in support of Laycon, imploring all who cared to listen to vote for the University of Lagos graduate.
This was even as a restaurant in Lagos offered free food to people to vote for Laycon.
Similar scenarios also played out across the country as both youths and adults have been showing support for Laycon in different ways.
The Fierce rapper seemed like a subject of ridicule as many mocked his looks and dressing, especially his superhero costumes during one of their Saturday night parties.
He was meant to be costumed as Deadpool but the costume made him look like a joke. While his fellow housemates called him a sausage in the outfit, online commenters had a filled day creating several memes of his outfit.
He was also laughed at because of his seeming fixation with a now disqualified contestant, Erica Nlewedim, who was more attracted to Kiddwaya.
Despite the odds, most see him as an underdog and he scaled all hurdles to become the winner of this year’s Big Brother Naija reality show.
Laycon goes home with his head high to meet his mother whom he speaks so fondly of with prizes worth N85m.
Former Ambassador to Venezuela, Felix Oboro, on Saturday regained his freedom after 23 days in kidnappers’ den following an alleged payment of N11m ransom by members of his family.
Oboro, 75, who is a one-time Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government and a former lawmaker representing Bayelsa West Senatorial district, was kidnapped on Friday, September 4, 2020 at his hometown of Elemebiri in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The gunmen, numbering about 15, had stormed his residence about 24 hours after he arrived at the village, shooting sporadically before whisking him away.
It was gathered that the kidnappers after abducting him, saw a bank alert balance of over N5m in his account and demanded a ransom payment of N50m, which was later reduced to N11m.
Mr Tuebi Sapri-Obi, a step-son to Oboro, said that he was released on Saturday to the family along the Ayama-Oporoma area of Southern Ijaw Local Government Council.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila
To avert the strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) billed to commence on Monday, the House of Representatives has offered organised labour some palliatives.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, at a negotiation meeting with labour on Sunday in Abuja said the palliatives would be included in the proposed 2021 budget.
Gbajabiamila said that the budget would soon be presented to the National Assembly, stressing that some palliatives were being considered to cushion the effects of increase in electricity tariff and fuel price hike.
The palliatives, according to the speaker, includes distribution of food items, reduction of taxes on minimum wage and payment of some special allowances.
Others are involvement in ownership of housing programmes through mortgage and distribution of special buses to public institutions which run on auto gas.
Gbajabiamila said that the palliatives would go a long way to assuage the suffering of Nigerians.
He said the lawmakers would also make provision in the budget to tackle the eight million deficit of meters to enable Nigerians to access them.
Gbajabiamila, who described estimated billing as a scam, said: “I have never heard it anywhere in the world, so if we may have to provide for the deficit, we will have to do that.”
He appealed to labour to suspend the planned strike, saying embarking on industrial action at this critical time would not augur well for the citizenry.
“You know, you cannot go on strike at this time, if you go on strike, the people you think you are protecting will be at the receiving end, we share your philosophy regarding workers’ rights.
“We know what Nigerians are going through, our position on electricity billing is obvious, the only thing now is to continue to talk, I am concerned about the people out there.
“Shutting down the markets, banks and other places of work is my worry, I am concerned about the people,” he said.
Gbajabiamila said that there was the need for every Nigerian to be properly metered in order to capture the true cost, adding that the lawmakers would consider metering in the 2021 budget.
The President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, said that the increase in electricity tariff and hike in fuel price had eroded the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.
He said the initial plan was that there would not be increase in electricity tariff until meters were provided for Nigerians.
Wabba commended the speaker for the intervention, adding that he had consistently represented the interest of Nigerians.
The NLC president said there was a valid court judgment nullifying the electricity tariff, adding that the judgment of the National Industrial Court asking NLC to stop its planned strike could not be sustained.
Wabba insisted that the NLC would go ahead with the strike if its demands were not met by the Federal Government before the expiration of the ultimatum.
European champions Bayern Munich suffered their first defeat in 10 month when their 23-match winning run was ended by a shock 4-1 Bundesliga loss at Hoffenheim on Sunday.
Hoffenheim raced into a 2-0 lead with early goals by defender Ermin Bicakcic and striker Munas Dabbur.
Although Joshua Kimmich gave Bayern a lifeline just before the break, Croatia international striker Andrej Kramaric netted a second-half goal and converted a late penalty to seal the win and move Hoffenheim to the top of the league.
It was the first time Bayern have lost under head coach Hansi Flick in any competition since going down 2-1 to Borussia Moenchengladbach on December 7, 2019.
“Compliments to Hoffenheim, they cut out our space and gave us few chances,” said Flick, who bristled at repeated questions about his team’s tired display.
“We just couldn’t manage to take our chances or play with our usual intensity.”
Hoffenheim coach Sebastian Hoeness is the nephew of Bayern’s honorary president Uli Hoeness and left Munich’s reserves in July to take over at Hoffenheim.
“We put into practise everything we had worked on, we were dominant from the beginning, managed to always be dangerous and defend well, so I am not surprised by the result,” said Hoffenheim coach Hoeness.
Bayern looked tired, showing the effects of being taken to extra time in the UEFA Super Cup on Thursday before beating Sevilla 2-1 in Budapest.
“We shouldn’t forget that Bayern played 120 minutes four days ago, but we put in a great performance,” added Hoeness.
The loss brings to an end Bayern’s run of 23 consecutive wins, a record for a club in one of Europe’s five main leagues, surpassing Real Madrid’s 22 straight between September and December 2014.
With Robert Lewandowski rested ahead of Wednesday’s German Super Cup showdown at home to Borussia Dortmund — the chance to win a fifth title in 2020 — his 19-year-old understudy Joshua Zirkzee struggled to spark Bayern’s attack.
“We go into every game to win, it didn’t work today, now we focus on Dortmund,” added Flick.
“We will tick off this match and we focus on what we can do better on Wednesday.”
Early Hoffenheim goals
Hoffenheim took full advantage of Munich’s lethargy with Bicakcic giving them the lead on 16 minutes when he out-leapt Corentin Tolisso at a corner and headed past Manuel Neuer.
The hosts doubled their lead when Bayern defender Benjamin Pavard tried to snuff out a counter-attack, but his pass rolled into the path of Israeli striker Dabbur, who held his nerve to chip the ball over Neuer on 24 minutes.
It was the first time Bayern have been two goals down since they lost 5-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt in November 2019, a defeat which cost Flick’s predecessor Niko Kovac his job.
Bayern knuckled went in 2-1 down at the break after Leroy Sane’s superb pass across the box landed at the feet of Kimmich who fired home superbly on 36 minutes.
Hoffenheim could have had a third goal as their Croatia striker Andrei Kramaric clipped the crossbar after his shot beat Neuer on the stroke of half-time.
Flick responded by beefing up his side by bringing on Lewandowski and central midfielder Leon Goretzka for Zirkzee and Pavard on 57 minutes.
Lewandowski went close with a couple of half chances but Kramaric made sure of the win when he finished a counter-attack with a stunning strike on 77 minutes.
Bayern conceded a penalty in added time when Neuer brought down replacement forward Ihlas Bebou in the area and Kramaric converted the resulting penalty.
Tottenham Hotspur manager, Jose Mourinho, and Dele Alli
Former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas says “all the signs lead to” Dele Alli leaving the club.
Alli, 24, started for Spurs on Thursday in their Europa League third-round qualifying clash against Shkendija but only lasted 60 minutes.
He had been left out of Tottenham’s previous two matchday squads, against Southampton and Lokomotiv Plovdiv.
“I don’t feel like it’s one that can be reconciled, I feel like it’s a parting of the ways,” Jenas said.
Mourinho said earlier this week that he was “convinced” Alli will still be at Tottenham when the transfer window closes next month. He has been linked with a possible transfer to Paris St-Germain.
“He will have his opportunities but performances are very important,” said Mourinho. “It’s important for every player on the pitch to have an answer and perform.”
Alli was left out of England’s Nations League squad in August and has not played for the national team for over a year.
“Everything Jose does is to get a reaction,” Jenas said on the Friday Football Social on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I would be concerned if I was Dele. He has always been loved by everyone and every manager.
“No doubt that his form has dipped over the last 18 months, he knows that more than anybody.
“Two weeks ago I would have said, if I was Dele Alli, I would stay and dig in. But all the signs lead to getting him out of there.
“At the end of the season there’s the Euros – he would be desperate to get back in Gareth Southgate’s thoughts. The only way he is going to do that is by playing football and scoring goals again.
“Right now it doesn’t feel like Jose Mourinho or Spurs is the place for him. I’d be looking to move on now.”
For some time, singer, Simi and her husband, Adekunle Gold, have been posting pictures of their daughter, Adejare, on social media to the delight of their fans. But, none of the pictures have shown her face.
For those who have hopes that they would see Adejare’s face soon, they may be in for a long wait. In a recent Instagram Live chat, Simi maintained that she would only show her baby’s face whenever she wants.
When a fan asked her when she would show her daughter’s face, Simi said, “When are you seeing my baby’s face? I don’t know. It will be when I feel like. You guys already know how I am with social media.”
The singer also noted that she was open to working with YBNL boss, Olamide. She said, “Olamide is a leader in his own right. A collaboration with him won’t be a bad idea.”
Correcting those who think her daughter’s name is ‘Duduke’, the ‘Jamb Question’ singer said, “My baby’s name is not ‘Duduke’. ‘Duduke’ is the name of the song I wrote for my child. ‘Duduke’ is the sound of a beat. That is where the title of the song came from. My baby’s name is Adejare, not ‘Duduke’. I love the fact that the song has become a trend and people can connect it.”
Simi also urged budding artistes not to rest on their oars when they succeed.
“Keep pushing. Steve Babaeko used to tell me, ‘Stay hungry’. That is how you get ahead. You have to keep going. Even when you have succeeded at something, act like you have nothing,” she said.
An Argentinian lawmaker has been forced to resign after being suspended for kissing a woman’s breasts during an online parliamentary session.
Juan Emilio Ameri, 47, shocked fellow lawmakers during a debate about pension fund investments when he allowed a woman sit on his laps and snuggled her before pulling down her top to expose and kiss her breast.
The debated was being transmitted live on the lower house’s YouTube channel and on a giant screen set up in congress for online debates during the pandemic
Moments after the sex scene was played out, House president Sergio Massa halted the session to report “a serious offense,” and fellow lawmakers unanimously voted in favour of Ameri’s suspension. The disgraced lawmaker from the northeastern province of Salta was suspended for 180 days.
But on Thursday night Ameri offered to resign. In a radio interview, he admitted he was ashamed and took responsibility: “It was serious, really. I take responsibility. I’m very ashamed.”
The disgraced claimed he thought he was off-camera because his internet had gone down — and admitted he could not keep his hands off his girlfriend because she had recently had a boob job.
“I saw that my partner came out of the bathroom and I asked how she was, due to the operation. At that moment she sat with me and I kissed her on the breast without realizing that the connection had returned.
“It was a moment of intimacy with my partner that leaked. It was serious, really, I take charge and I am very ashamed. I am very distressed by what is happening,” he said.
It is not the first time a virtual meeting has tripped up a politician since their use became widespread with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
In June, a Mexican female senator went topless during a government Zoom meeting while trying to change without realising her camera was still on. Martha Lucia Micher offered an apology and blamed the mishap on her not yet mastering these new forms of digital communication.
Also in June, In June a Spanish councillor was criticised after taking part in a Zoom council meeting from a sun lounger on the beach. Paola Moreno turned heads by opting to appear on camera with her head resting on a towel and her eyes hidden behind shades.
