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Timi Frank urges new NDDC board to release report of forensic audit of the commission

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****congratulates Onochie, others

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Timi Frank has called on the newly inaugurated Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board to urgently make public the report of the forensic audit of the agency carried out last year.

This he said is expedient for the purpose of accountability, transparency and to set the tone for good corporate governance and zero tolerance for corruption under their watch.

He also felicitated with the newly inaugurated management of NDDC led by Lauretta Onochie as chairman and Mr. Samuel Ogbuku as managing director.

Frank in a statement in Abuja urged the new board to prioritise the interest and development of the Niger Delta region.

He reminded the board that NDDC should not be construed as an appendage of the ruling APC but a special purpose vehicle meant to ameliorate the sufferings of the people due to long years of neglect and environmental degradation brought about by the activities of oil exploration, production and spillage.

He also called on the board not to politicise the activities of the agency but rather to carry the communities and all critical stakeholders in the region, especially the youths, along throughout their tenure.

He lamented that despite the noble objectives for setting up the agency as clearly enunciated in the Act establishing the Commission, past managements have turned the place to a cash cow for a few politicians both within and outside the region.

He described the incumbent Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Ogbuku,
as his friend and urged him to bring his wealth of experience, professionalism and integrity to bare in the administration of the agency.

The Bayelsa-born political activist said: “As a friend, I will commend the agency if it stays true to its mandate under your tenure but I will not also fail to expose any iota of corruption or other forms of illegalities should I notice such in the commission going forward.

“I congratulate the new board and urge them to distance themselves from the predisposition of past leadership of the agency that turned the Commission to a cesspit of corruption and rendered it comatose.

“The new board must demonstrate a clean break with the sordid past of the agency by urgently making the report, findings and recommendations of the forensic audit carried out last year in the agency public.

“The exercise was carried out with tax payers’ money and all Nigerians, especially the people of the Niger Delta, deserve to know why the agency became a personal estate for a few eggheads instead of the generality of the people of the Niger Delta region.

“Let the board know that some of us are critical stakeholders in the region. Our duty is to closely monitor the activities of the Commission. If they do well we shall commend them. But if they neglect their duty and focus on illegalities we shall expose them.”

He called on the new board to equally probe the activities of the immediate past sole administrator of the agency, Mr Effiong Akwa and that of the last acting MD of the agency, Engr Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, who served for about two months before the inauguration of the substantive management.

Frank said: “Information at my disposal show that the last acting MD following the sack of Akwa allegedly awarded 38 contracts to few firms within a space of two months as well as spent a whopping N500million to purchase Christmas rice out of which not even a grain got to any household in the region.”

He also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to urgently investigate the tenure of the immediate past sole administrator and last acting MD of the Commission who spent about two months.

He however warned that if the present administration failed to disclose the audit report and ensure that the indicted political leaders who connived to loot the resources of the region over the years are not prosecuted, the incoming PDP government will not spare anyone that partook in any form of illegality while managing the affairs of the agency.

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Concerned Religious Prayer Forum Responds to Criticism of National Prayer Initiative

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The Concerned Religious Prayer Forum has issued a statement clarifying its mission and responding to recent criticisms surrounding its seven-day national prayer initiative.

Established as a non-governmental organization on January 9, 2024, the Forum emphasizes that it is an independent group composed of citizens motivated by a shared desire to promote peace, unity, and prosperity in Nigeria.
The initiative has drawn scrutiny, particularly due to its involvement of high-profile figures, including First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, as leaders of the prayer effort.

In the statement, Director General, Chief Segun Balogun Afolorunikan of the Forum reiterated that the prayer campaign is not government-driven or politically motivated, but rather a spiritual call for Nigerians to come together and seek divine intervention for the country’s challenges.
The Forum stated that it was not seeking political endorsement but instead believed that the involvement of such respected figures would inspire broader national participation.

Citing religious scriptures, the Forum stressed the role of prayer in supporting and strengthening efforts for national progress.
The Bible, according to 2 Chronicles 7:14, encourages prayer as a means of healing and unity: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face… then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Similarly, the Quran in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:186) reminds believers that “I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.”

The Forum further addressed critics who questioned the efficacy of prayer in resolving the nation’s issues, insisting that divine intervention does not replace the need for diligent work but complements the efforts of the people. “This initiative is not about replacing hard work but about seeking spiritual guidance and collective unity to overcome the challenges facing the nation,” the statement read.

Encouraging all citizens and leaders to support the prayer initiative, the Forum called for unity in Nigeria’s pursuit of peace and prosperity. It urged Nigerians to set aside differences and work together in both practical and spiritual ways to help heal and build the nation.

The Concerned Religious Prayer Forum concluded its statement by inviting Nigerians to join in prayer, stating, “As we strive for national progress, prayer continues to serve as a catalyst for peace, growth, and development in Nigeria.”

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Northern Senators applauds Tinubu’s Order to Release Detained Minors

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***Emphasize Need for Youth Welfare

The Northern Senators Forum, led by Chairman Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decisive action in ordering the release of minors detained during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
The forum expressed appreciation for Tinubu’s directive to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to expedite the release, calling it a demonstration of the President’s commitment to youth welfare and justice.

In a statement he personally signed and made available to the National Update, Yar’adua acknowledged the President’s leadership in addressing this sensitive issue, emphasizing that Tinubu’s prompt response reflects his dedication to safeguarding the rights of young Nigerians.
“This decision demonstrates the President’s commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of our youth,” Yar’adua stated, commending Tinubu for prioritizing the release of the minors held in detention.

Yar’adua also praised Northern leaders who have been actively advocating for the minors’ release, crediting their persistent efforts with bringing the issue to national attention and ensuring fair treatment for the young detainees. He noted that their advocacy was instrumental in prompting a rapid response from the federal government.

As part of the forum’s statement, Yar’adua called on Northern leaders to continue prioritizing youth welfare and development. He emphasized that creating a safe and supportive environment for young people is essential for fostering Nigeria’s growth and stability.
“It is essential that we create an environment where our children can grow and thrive, free from harm and exploitation,” he said. “Our youth need the support and resources to become active contributors to Nigeria’s development.”

The Northern Senators Forum reaffirmed its commitment to policies that protect and promote youth welfare and urged a nationwide focus on youth education and safety. Yar’adua concluded the statement with a call for cooperation among all levels of government and communities, stressing the importance of investing in the nation’s youth for a more prosperous future.

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Timi Frank commends Tinubu over release of detained Minors

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***Calls for Compensation, Justice

In a recent development, Comrade Timi Frank, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has publicly praised President Bola Tinubu’s directive to release minors detained for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests.

Frank called the move a “step in the right direction” and urged the government to do more to address the broader concerns of Nigerians who have faced repercussions for protesting against government policies.

In a statement from Abuja, Frank acknowledged Tinubu’s past involvement in activism, recalling the President’s role in protests, including during Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement and the 2012 demonstrations against the removal of fuel subsidies by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He encouraged Tinubu to extend the recent release order to all detainees held for expressing opposition to government policies, framing this as an alignment with Tinubu’s own history of activism.

Frank did not stop at calling for the release of detainees; he also urged the President to reconsider recent economic policies, such as the floating of the naira and removal of fuel subsidies, which he argued have contributed to widespread economic hardship.

“We commend the President for taking this positive step,” Frank said. “However, we urge him to reconsider the policies that are exacerbating the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.”

The activist also called on the Federal Government to compensate the released minors, arguing that they suffered “violations of their fundamental human rights” and endured “dehumanizing” conditions during their months-long detention without trial.
Frank proposed financial support for the minors and their families, as well as scholarships and psychological counseling to help them recover from the trauma of their detention.
Frank’s statement emphasized the need for accountability, urging the President to launch a probe into why these minors were held for over 90 days without prompt intervention from the intelligence community.
He specifically called for investigations into the roles of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Police Commissioners of Kano and Kaduna states, where the minors were detained.
He warned against any attempt to “sweep the probe under the rug” and pledged to monitor the situation to ensure public transparency.

“This probe must be thorough, and officers found complicit should be held accountable,” he said. Frank emphasized that this is necessary to restore public confidence in law enforcement and ensure such detentions do not recur.

He further appealed for government intervention to ease the reentry of the minors into society, suggesting reputable boarding schools and the assistance of professional counselors to help them overcome the distress of their experiences.

“By taking these steps, we can heal past wounds and work towards a more compassionate society for all Nigerians,” Frank concluded.

Frank, who also serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, has previously expressed support for policies he views as beneficial to Nigerians while holding the government accountable on issues of rights and governance. His recent remarks signal a continuing commitment to advocating for the protection and welfare of young Nigerians, particularly those impacted by political or social issues.

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