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NHIS PRESIDENTIAL INVESTIGATIVE PANEL: STILL WAITING FOR THE REPORT, FIVE MONTHS HENCE — Maiwada Dammallam

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Nothing could be more embarrassing than the statement accredited to the Assistant Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Olusegun Adetola, in which he blamed the just concluded general elections as the reason the government is yet to make public the outcome of the Presidential Investigative Panel on the recent crisis in the National Health Insurance (NHIS).

President Muhammadu Buhari had on November 2, 2018 directed the Executive Secretary of the NHIS, Prof Usman Yusuf to proceed on administrative leave while setting up a Presidential Panel to investigate supposed infractions labelled against him by the Chairman of NHIS Council Dr. Enyantu Ifenne who attempted to illegally suspend him indefinitely.

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The Panel was composed of distinguished men and women with diverse experiences and backgrounds in the Federal Civil Service from the Offices of the SGF, Accountant General, Auditor General, Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP). Attorney General, Fed. Ministry of Health, DSS and chaired by a retired Federal Permanent Secretary.
The Panel heard from all stakeholders; Minister of Health, he Executive Secretary, NHIS Board, NHIS Management and Staff, NHIS Unions, Leaders of NLC and TUC, HMOs, Leaders of Healthcare facilities, and enrollees. They also heard from the ICPC that has been investigating corrupt practices in the NHIS since 2013.

The SGF while inaugurating this Panel, gave it seven terms of reference and a deadline of two weeks to submit its report which he promised to make public and government’s swift action on its recommendations.
It has now been five months since inauguration of the Panel and four and a half months since it submitted its report to the SGF and Nigerians have not heard anything but this recent excuse from the SGF’s office of election being responsible for the delay.
If other Ministries and Agencies continued to function during the elections, why is the report of the Investigative Panel of this important Agency sitting in the SGF’s office gathering dust?
What this delay and lame excuse do is give room for unhealthy speculations on the intentions of this government.

Lest we forget, serious allegations were made against Prof. Yusuf which this Panel set out to investigate. Justice and fair play demands that if this Panel finds him guilty, the report should be made public and he should face the full wrath of the Law but, if not, he should be exonerated on National TV as was done when he was accused. In addition, he should be immediately reinstated to continue his fight against corruption and injustice in the NHIS.

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The way this matter has been handled so far, is demoralising and a big disincentive for any Nigerian willing to take the big leap of faith and risk it all to come back home to serve his country. This government should support, commend and protect any Chief Executive courageous enough to doggedly stand up against corruption and injustice.
THIS REPORT SHOULD BE RELEASED UNEDITED TO THE PUBLIC AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

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Politics

BEHOLD THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDE OF OSADEBE AVENUE BECKONS

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BEHOLD THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDE OF OSADEBE AVENUE BECKONS

BEHOLD THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDE OF OSADEBE AVENUE BECKONS

 

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In the spirits of the exigencies of present charged up political topical realities and conversations,I am inherently inclined to ruminate and juggle our consciousness around the personage of Hon Senator M.Okpebholo and his walk towards becoming the Governor of Edo State.

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Humanity has always been subsumed,inundated with transformative phases culminating into palpable tangible events and outcomes and leading to positive disruptive developmental changes.

Undoubtedly,ideas visions and actionable goals shapes our world into transcendental growth and transformative developments.

A purposeful and iconoclastic idea whose time has come breaks down all barriers and obstacles to shine and glow into unparalleled unbridled fruition and acceptance.

In this sense,it’s pertinent to encapsulate rather unequivocally that Senator M Okpebholo emergence as the flag bearer of APC in the forthcoming Edo State elections is an idealistic momentous indication of an idea whose time has come-he is the rave of the moment that everyone should reasonably pander to and readily identify with without hesitations or scruples.

Resoundingly loud in the lips of rational citizens and netizens in and beyond Edo State is the very unmistakable ubiquitous voices,agitations,drumming,clamoring,for the easy going,down to earth,soft spoken,unassuming,humane,humbleness personified mien of Hon Senator M Okpebholo whose time has come to become the Governor of Edo State.

Typically,analogically and apparently the difficulties encountered with attempting to stop a moving train is the same struggle and resistance cum obstinacy to be overcome all attempts to stop the movement of SMO trains into Osadebey Avenue.

Interestingly,but ironically rumor mill and social media tends to be irreverently awash with arguments and postulations for or against and about the antecedents and benevolent overtures of SMO in the past as indices,parameters and anecdotes or measuring yardstick for future performances upon emergence as Governor….and l am simply miffed,wondering and asking rhetorically for the umpteenth time a subliminal regurgitation of our memories as to the performances of our erstwhile Governor Oshiomhole Gov Obaseki,Gov Igbinedion,Gov Odigie Oyegun
before they became Governors of Edo State??

I will be stultified and jolted into coalesce,condescension and submission if one can point at a meaningful remembrance of any grandiose project or remarkable charitable contributions they made in their respective local governments or senatorial zones prior to their being elected as Governors.

Suffice to state that I am struggling to decipher the rationale behind the conversation that previous acts of charity and projects done becomes a major political indicator and justification for becoming a Governor of Edo state.

Therefore and rightly so,it aggregates to cheap assailable blackmail all attempts to profile Hon Senator M Okpebolo on the basis of his personal acts of charity as a vicarious lens of assessment and for voting him into Office as Governor or otherwise.

He is irrevocably the beautiful bride of Edo Politics whose time is now.
An impeccable candidate with no baggages.He is his self cheerleader.
He is your everyday people person who operates an open door policy.
He is a rare silent achiever and an astute leader with pedigree of talking less but doing more.
He is an asset and a gift to Edo State

He is not your regular run of the mill boastful politician who speaks with both sides of the mouth denigrating with prism alluring lies uncensored

In the main,the whole essence of political participation is intended to make policy decisions that could shape up and lead to definitive changes,gains and democratic reforms for the generality of the public interest.

And l boldly posit unapologetically that voting Hon Senator M Okpebholo as Governor of Edo State is a wise choice to make come Election Day cos he will walk the talk by matching words with actionable and transformative deliverables of democratic dividends upon becoming the Governor of Edo State.

 

BEHOLD THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDE OF OSADEBE AVENUE BECKONS

Vibes up the Rhythm

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Ondo governorship aspirant, Akintelure is dead

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Ondo governorship aspirant, Akintelure is dead

Ondo governorship aspirant, Akintelure is dead

 

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Sadly, one of the frontline governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Paul Akintelure, is dead.

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Before his untimely demise, Akintelure had raised concerns about both direct and indirect threats to his life.

 

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He had expressed hope that the situation would improve over time but sadly, it escalated as the APC governorship primary election scheduled for April 25 approached.

Akintelure’s alarm on threat to life

Akintelure in a statement released by his spokesperson, Oladapo Akintelure, on Thursday, March 21, 2023, said, “Initially, I hope these incidents would dissipate over time, yet regrettably, they have escalated to pose a serious threat to my life”

“The threats against me only strengthen my resolve to stand up for what is right and just. I will not allow fear to dictate our path forward.

“Let us embrace peace, progress, and unity. Our collective strength lies in our to stand together as one, regardless of our differences.”

Political background

Recall Akintelure ran as the deputy governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) with Rotimi Akeredolu (the incumbent Ondo State governor) against Olusegun Mimiko, the then Labour Party flagbearer, who won the election.

Earlier, he had contested the senatorial election against the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, but he was defeated.

He was a medical doctor and hailed from Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

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Senegal: 44 Year Old Faye To Be Announced Winner As Opposition Parties Concede Defeat

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Senegal: 44 Year Old Faye To Be Announced Winner As Opposition Parties Concede Defeat

Senegal: 44 Year Old Faye To Be Announced Winner As Opposition Parties Concede Defeat

 

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Senegal opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a political newcomer popular among the country’s disaffected youth, was set to be declared the next president after his main rival called him on Monday to concede defeat.

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Provisional results showed Faye with about 53.7% and Amadou Ba – from the current ruling coalition – with 36.2% based on tallies from 90% of polling stations in the first-round vote, the electoral commission said.

 

 

Senegal: 44 Year Old Faye To Be Announced Winner As Opposition Parties Concede Defeat

Ba and President Macky Sall both congratulated Faye, who turned 44 on Monday. They hailed the outcome as a win for Senegal, whose reputation as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies took a hit when Sall postponed the vote.
“The Senegalese people have reinforced the good health of our democracy.. I wish him (Faye) success at the head of our country,” Ba said.

A peaceful transition of power in Senegal would mark a boost for democracy in West Africa, where there have been eight military coups since 2020.

Some of the juntas that seized power have cut ties with traditional power-brokers in the region such as France and the United States, and turned instead to Russia for help in their fight against a jihadist insurgency spreading through countries that neighbour Senegal.

Senegal’s international bonds rose on reports that Faye was close to being declared a winner, reversing sharp falls from earlier in the day.

Many hope the vote will bring stability and an economic boost after three years of unprecedented political turbulence which saw several waves of deadly anti-government protests.

“I am happy to see there is a wind of change,” said Tall, an opposition supporter who joined revellers during the night as street celebrations broke out in anticipation of Faye’s victory.

“It is wonderful because democracy has won. Many thought it would not happen,” he said, only wishing to give his first name.

Full, official results are expected to be announced by the Dakar appeals court on Friday.

YOUNG VOTERS
Faye has not publicly spoken since he cast his vote. He owes much of his success to the backing of firebrand opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was barred from running due to a defamation conviction.

The two former tax inspectors, who were both released from jail this month, campaigned together under the slogan “Diomaye is Sonko”, promising to fight corruption and prioritise national economic interests.

They are particularly popular among young voters in a country where more than 60% of people are under 25 and struggle to find jobs.

Police crackdowns on protests, the government’s failure to cushion rising living costs and concerns Sall would seek to extend his mandate beyond constitutional limits buoyed the opposition.

Anger crystallised around Sonko’s prosecution only grew when authorities sought to postpone the vote, initially scheduled to take place in February, by 10 months.

Investors are meanwhile wary about a potential change in leadership to an anti-establishment government that may not pursue the same business friendly policies seen under Sall’s government that has attracted investments into infrastructure.

Senegal is set to start producing oil and gas this year.
Faye has promised a raft of changes including plans to renegotiate the country’s oil and gas contracts, though he sought to reassure investors last week that the country would respect its external commitments.

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