Datasets:

saheedniyi

/

naijaweb

like 31

Mrs Taiwo Obasanjo, wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday filed a suit at an Ikeja High Court, seeking to stop the wedding of her son, Olujonwo Obasanjo, scheduled for May 11. Ex-President Obasanjo and the father of the bride, Sir Kessington Adebutu, promoter of Premier Lotto known as “Baba Ijebu” are respondents to the suit. Mrs Obasanjo, who is the twin sister of Chief Kenny Martins, the former Coordinator of the Police Equipment Fund, is seeking a postponement of the wedding of her son, Olujonwo to Tope Adebutu scheduled for May 11 and May 12. She wants the wedding to be fixed for a date after June 1. Olujonwo and Tope had an elaborate introduction on Dec. 17, 2016 with the social media awash with photographs of the event. Obasanjo, among others, is seeking a court declaration that as the mother of the groom, she had the rights to take part in the deliberations, decisions and activities leading to the forthcoming ceremony. According to her, wedding invitations have been sent out and she has been excluded from the preparations for the ceremonies. She said she also received prophesies and warnings from men of God to the effect that Olujonwo, her son who turns 34 on June 1, should not do or be involved in any elaborate celebration before his birthday. The woman wants the court to compel Adebutu and Obasanjo to shift the wedding to a date after June 1 after she had appealed to Adebutu and Mrs Rosemary Dacosta, the mother of the bride, Tope Adebutu, the bride-to-be as well as Chief Kenny Martins. Justice Lateefa Okunnu has fixed April 10 for hearing of the suit no. ID/262FPM/2017. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/obasanjos-wife-files-suit-lagos-court-stop-sons-wedding/

Politics

en

By John Egbokhan Nigerian wrestling champion, Power Uti has been arrested following the controversial death of his wife, Toyin in their Ilupeju Lagos home. Confirming the story Wednesday, Police Public Relations Officer, Famous Cole said that Power Uti, has been remanded at the Ilupeju Police station and would be transferred to the Criminal Investigative Department, Panti in Lagos tomorrow(today). It was gathered that the body of the deceased was first discovered by Power Uti on Monday morning, who, instead of taking her to the hospital, went to a church to seek spiritual help. The deceased was 38 years old and a mother of four children who are under the ages of nine. She was unemployed and had been married for 10 years until her demise. Her body has been deposited at the Isolo general hospital, while her four children have been placed under the care of her mother,. It was learnt last night from multiple sources that the death has caused great shock in the Ilupeju area, as Power Uti is a popular personality, given his sporting prowess. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/10/power-uti-arrested-wifes-death/

Sports

en

Take 100 per cent fruit juice during harmattan, says expert A health and wellness advocate, Dr. BisiAbiola, has urged Nigerians to embrace consumption of 100 per cent fruit juice in order to reduce dehydration in this harmattan season. Dr. Abiola, during the December edition of Chivita-sponsored health and wellness dialogue, also warned against indulging in excess sugar consumption during the yuletide. She advised individuals to take pure fruit juice instead, as it is healthy and highly nutritious. According to the health and fitness expert, the dustiness and coarseness that is associated with harmattan in most parts of the country calls for increased intake of pure fruit juice as an essential survival strategy for both adults and children. ”Quite often, we talk about celebration without considering the fact that you can only have fun when you are healthy. What is your nutritional objective as Christmas and the New Year approach? Of course, this is a season of indulgence, but as a health-conscious individual, you must select your meals and drinks with your overall nutritional goal in mind. And I think pure fruit juice is definitely the way to go,” she said. The wellness expert also urged individuals to adopt a healthy lifestyle to help reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and heart diseases. She said that balancing one’s diet with pure fruit juice consumption could reduce the severity in the case of individuals who are suffering from such challenges. “The available evidence relating to 100 per cent fruit juice consumption indicates modest benefits for blood pressure, while there is also an emerging trend revealing inverse associations between 100 per cent fruit juice consumption and risk of stroke. Overall, this suggests that 100 per cent fruit juice is an appropriate choice of beverage for a heart healthy diet,”she stressed.

http://thenationonlineng.net/presidency-uncovers-plans-scuttle-elections-says-nsa/Take:

Politics

en

By Soni Daniel ABUJA—Fear of losing their dominance of the Nigeria Police Force has been cited as the major reason behind the sudden change of mind by northern governors over the introduction of state police. It will be recalled that at the meeting of the governors of the 36 states in Abuja last month, all the governors opted for state police as a panacea for ending rising insecurity in the country. However, the 19 northern governors met a few days after and kicked against the idea of state police, saying that they were ready to work with the existing police force. A source close to one of the governors told Vanguard that the northern governors were afraid that their dwindling financial position would not permit the funding of state police like their Southern counterparts, who they claim had more funds than them. The source, which was in attendance at last week’s meeting of the Governors’ Forum in Abuja, said: “The governors do not want to plunge themselves into what they cannot adequately sustain and they do not also want to lose what they consider as their leading position in the Nigeria Police Force. “During last Tuesday’s meeting they made their position very clear that they would continue to work with the NPF to contain insecurity in their respective domains.” It was gathered that the northern governors had opted to present a common position to the federal government on how best to tackle insecurity in the country. “They believe that the best way to ensure adequate security in all the states is for the federal government to allow commissioners of police to be controlled by the respective governors so that they can take orders from the state executives. But the governors of the Southern states are reported to have insisted that they would press ahead with state police, hoping to embark on serious campaign to convince some of their northern counterparts to change their minds before their next meeting. It was learnt that while most of the governors would not support the growing agitation for more states, they were however in support of the rotation of governorship posts among the people of the 109 senatorial districts in the country to give a sense of belonging to all Nigerians. They reasoned that if rotational governorship was introduced, it would eliminate the domination of most states by certain ethnic groups to the detriment of the weaker ones. The source said that Benue and Kogi states were used as examples of states were the minority groups could never rule the states without a rotational arrangement for the political offices in those states. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/08/why-northern-govs-oppose-state-police/

Politics

en

Senate mulls Naira devaluation, subsidy removal over COVID-19 By Sanni Onogu, Abuja The Senate Tuesday said it is considering the removal of fuel subsidy and the devaluation of the Naira as part of measures to stem the looming economic devastation caused by the spread of the Corona virus (COVID-19) on the country’s economy. Apart from devaluation of the Naira and removal of fuel subsidy, the upper chamber noted that the review of the Appropriation Act 2020 as passed by the National Assembly is inevitable. The modalities to be adopted in the review of the budget, it said, must be as suggested by the legislative and the executive arm of government. The position of the Senate is contained in the interim report of the Senate Joint Committee on Finance, Appropriations, National Planning, and Petroleum Resources (Upstream) which was set up last week to liaise with relevant agencies of the Federal Government to proffer a way forward for the country following the ravaging effects of COVID-19 on world economy. The Joint Committee was tasked with the “need to assess, examine and suggest to the Senate the urgent steps to be taken on the economic situation of the sharp drop in oil prices and other economic issues caused by the outbreak of the deadly Corona virus (COVID-19) and the uproar between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Russia.” Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Solomon Adeola, in the report, said that the committee during its inaugural meeting with the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, considered a wide range of issues. Adeola, who represents Lagos West Senatorial District, said the issues bordered on the current economic realities in the country which includes: “The current Appropriation Act 2020 passed by the National Assembly; cost of production of a barrel of crude oil compared with the other counterparts in the petroleum producing countries. “The reality of the current situation of the government in terms of number of agencies and parastatals of the government putting into perspective the Oronsanye panel report. “The need to prioritise both the social and the real sector of the economy looking at their importance to the overall benefit of Nigeria. “Loss of revenue as a result of gas flaring which runs into several billions of dollars. “Devaluation of Naira; removal of oil subsidy and other sundry issues.” The Senate adopted the interim recommendations of the committee which among others mandated the Senate joint committee to continue to engage the executive arm of government to keep the Senate abreast of the current ongoing in the economic front. Other recommendations included: “That the review of the Appropriation Act 2020 as passed by the National Assembly is inevitable, but the modalities to be adopted in the review of the budget must be as suggested by the legislative and the executive arm of government. “That the revenue generating agencies must be alive to their responsibility in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act passed by the National Assembly and other relevant laws of the National Assembly.” Adeola said that the joint committee looked at the issues discussed from two angles, that is, the short and long term solutions. According to him, “The short term solution is to address the sharp drop in the crude oil price which is creating difficulties in funding the 2020 Appropriation Act as passed by the National Assembly. “The long term solution discussed is the need to consider and pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which is yet to be laid before the National Assembly. “This will address the issue of cost of production and gas flaring where the country’s resources are going down the drain and other issues that might affect the petroleum sector.” He noted that as part of the fact finding mission of the joint committee, it sought and received different views from experts in finance and economy on the state of the economy which included: “Devaluation of the Naira: while the Federal Government has come out to tell Nigerians that devaluation of Naira is not on its agenda… experts believe will be over as soon as a solution is found to COVID -19 and the price war between OPEC members, Saudi Arabia and Russia, is over. “Also experts believe that fund from internal loans and bonds sourced from the Capital Market should be mobilized to fund infrastructural development, a model exemplified by India with population of 1.1 billion people, as this will be much cheaper for us as a Nation. “Allowing funds taken out of the country to be returned back into the economy without destroying the anti-corruption war of the president by providing legal instrument to ensure the return of this funds. “Experts believe it is time Nigerian should start to look beyond oil as a major source of revenue to the government and ensuring proper diversification of the economy. “Experts noted that our shallow policy in agriculture is responsible for our dependency on oil as our major source of income. “The government should show more commitment in returning the country as a major leader in agricultural produce both within and outside the African continent.” Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, noted in his comments that the country is really in a very challenging period. He insisted that the country should, more than ever before, begin to look inward to ward off threatening economic crisis. Lawan said: I think we are in a very challenging period but every challenge normally presents some opportunities. I think like Senator Odebiyi asserted that we should take our opportunities. “The PIB we had expected by now would have been in the National Assembly but it is not. We had thought we would be able to pass the PIB within this year so that we are able to make our petroleum industry to have the legal framework that investors would find attractive to be here. But we are still expecting that the executive would work faster and harder to present the PIB to the National Assembly in the shortest possible time. “But before then, now that we know that it is difficult or even impossible to get the foreign loans that we had built our hopes and implementation of our capital budgets on, I think we have to be very ingenious as a country. “We have to look inwards. The Central Bank of Nigeria has come up with some measures that are intended to support the economy. “I think it requires a holistic approach, both fiscal as well as monetary policies and if need be we pass a speedy legislation to create an environment where our economy does not collapse; that our economy is sustained with internal resources. “But we have to be very careful. If we have to now borrow as a government from the domestic available resources, we should be very careful that we do not crowd out the private sector from getting required loans. “So it is going to be walking a tight rope. But we need to have a plan in which both the executive and the legislature come together. “We need to listen to them really. I would probably suggest that going forward, in the next one or two weeks that the entire Senate to have a briefing from the Ministries of Finance, Petroleum and the Central Bank so that we are abreast with what is going on and then we can make our suggestions. “But meanwhile, our joint committee continues to engage them but this is a very tough time and it is a time that we should not suffer only but we should also benefit from this tough time. “We need to understand what the CBN is talking about. I saw about seven or eight measures that the CBN has come up with to support local investments. We need to engage them and find out whether that is good enough or we can do better because the truth is, every country now will be trying to stay alive. So probably there may not be anything to spare for any other country and if we are not ingenious enough, I think we will be in a deeper trouble. “But Nigeria is a very resilient country so we should come together with the executive arm of government and work out a way out of this mess and probably come up with more serious agenda for diversification.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/senate-mulls-naira-devaluation-subsidy-removal-over-covid-19/

Politics

en

Buhari Implementing ISIS Ideology? In an article published in The New York Times in the last quarter of 2014 and serialized in several other publications, Major General Micheal K. Nagata, the Special Operations commander for the United States in the Middle East while making confidential comments, admitted that he had hardly begun figuring out the Islamic State’s appeal. “We have not defeated the idea,’’ he said. ‘’We do not even understand the ISIS idea/ideology before now.’’ In the past years, President Obama has referred to the Islamic State, variously, as ‘’not Islamic’’. Statement that reflected CONFUSION about the group, and have contributed to significant strategic errors about seeking to end the great harm that the group posed to humanity earlier. It’s in seeking to end the confusion about the initial errors about the ideology of ISIS (its aim, mission and ambition) that led to Major General Nagata outlining these Ideologies. This incidentally formed the basis of the extensive investigation and research carried out by PETE HOEKSTRA who incidentally is a senior fellow at the Investigative Project on Terrorism in Washington DC. The investigation by Hoekstra culminated in him warning in an article published recently in Wall Street Journal that ‘’BUHARI IS NIGERIA’s PROBLEM, NOT ITS SOLUTION’’ This timely warning according to a credible source at the Investigative Project on Terrorism is based on overwhelming evidences that Buhari’s government is implementing ISIS ideology in Nigeria. A country that prides itself as being a secular state. The source will however enumerate and compare few of these ideologies to prove the case against the government. AIMS & AMBITIONS ISIS makes no secret that its ultimate ambition is to create a Global Caliphate secured through a global war – To what end its speaks off ‘’remaining and expanding’’ its existing hold over territories it has captured. In same vein, Buhari has made no secret his ultimate ambition to drive away indigenous people (mostly Christians) from their indigenous communities and occupy through the activities of his fellow Fulani herdsmen. ‘’Since Buhari became the president, the Fulani herdsmen have developed a mentality of WE OWN THE NATION SINCE ONE OF US IS NOW IN POWER. This 4th most dangerous terrorist group in the world has become so emboldened by the tacit support of Buhari also known as the African Hitler Muhammadu Buhari (AHMB). The AHMB’s government simply looks the other way while these killings, driving away and occupying of these indigenous communities continues. However, the government even sometimes boldly makes some flimsy excuses on why it can’t afford to stop the rampaging marauders ’’ the source said. STRATEGY OF PROVOCATION ‘’Despite the enormous firepower, the resource and technology the USA and its allies can bring to the battle field, ISIS is doing all it can to drag the West into a broader battle. It gruesome murder of American hostages was part of this strategy of provocation; so are their continued attack in France and other soft target attacks around the world. With this provocation strategy “THEY WANT US TO BECOME EMOTIONAL’’. The source added ‘’In Comparison you will discover that this strategy of provocation is equally being deployed by the Buhari administration, it aims to make their victims to become emotional and retaliate so as to give him an excuse to go on rampage of slaughtering innocent citizens. He fully deployed this strategy against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by murdering harmless protesting youths and those who have gathered to pay their respect to their fallen heroes during the recent Biafran Heroes day anniversary at Nkpor on 30th May, 2016 leading to the killing of over 140 defenseless Biafran youths and maiming of many others. The good thing however, is that IPOB has adopted our recommendation and made it clear that it will never be provoked to arm struggle when it is not yet Chukwu Okike Abiama’s appointed time. We are carefully studying these events’’ The source quipped. ERADICATING OF CHRISTIANS AND SHIA MUSLIMS ‘’ISIS ideology as a militant Sunni Muslim group is also fixated with purifying Islam, and that means eradicating Christians and Shia Muslims. ISIS has already shown extreme cruelty towards Shiites, most notably been the slaughtering of more than 1,500 Iraqi air force cadets in Tikrit in June 2014 amongst others’’. The source recalled ‘’On the other hand, AHMB’s government in following the footstep of ISIS leader, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi has even shown more cruelty in dealing with the Shia Muslims in the country. Most notably been the slaughtering of over 1,100 Shia Muslims in an operation lasting a whole 3 days from 12 -14 December, 2015 over a mere accusation of not allowing rite of passage to the government’s Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai . Christians are equally not left out in Buhari’s cruelty as his Fulani herdsmen keeps attacking and slaughtering Christians whilst the government keeps making one excuse or the other of the existence of one ECOWAS Protocol that would not allow it stop the killings of those its supposed to protect’’ said the disappointed source. EMPLOYING THE WE & THEM DIVISON STRATEGY One of ISIS most dangerous ideology is the embroiling of USA and the West in a land war according to the source, ISIS reasons this would give Muslims no choice but to come to the defense of the Caliphate ‘’the we’’, setting up a global confrontation with ‘’the them?’’ Noted the source The source equally believes that this ideology was responsible for Buhari’s government cleverly creating the 97 percenters versus the 5 percenters division in the country thereby leading to a division where none had existed. ‘’In embroiling the country in the 97% vs 5% division, Buhari had reasoned that the former will have no choice but to come to his defense whenever the need arises. Why a leader in a democracy will be engrossed with such a division creating strategy is what I can’t fathom’’ wondered the source. WANT TO SEEN TO BE FIGHTING FOR MUSLIM MINORITIES ISIS sees itself as coming to the rescue of Muslim minorities the world over. ISIS claims ‘’we don’t enjoy life until we liberate the Muslims everywhere, and until we retrieve Al-Quds (Jerusalem and regain Al-Andalus (Spain) and Conquer Rome’’. ‘’This must have been what Buhari’s government had in mind when it advocated for the right to self-determination to be accorded the people of Palestine and those of Western Sahara who are seen as Muslim minorities before the UN in 2015 while turning around to accuse that those advocating for same right in Biafra (populated by Christians) of treason’’ Concluded the source. The good news according to the source is that more and more people and governments of the world are becoming increasingly AWARE that BUHARI IS NOT NIGERIA’s SOLUTION BUT HER REAL PROBLEM. The source is emphatic that the coming days will witness international public outcry and anti Buhari exposures. When this starts happening don’t forget that you heard it first here. Written by Chuks Ikedigwe. Can be reached: [email protected]

http://m.thenigerianvoice.com/news/225100/buhari-implementing-isis-ideology.html

Politics

en

A chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Folasade Aliu has said that the party’s flag bearer, Rabiu Kwankwaso is not stepping down for his counterparts in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu; and in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar. Aliu, a National Campaign Secretary for the NNPP, spoke on The 2023 Verdict, Channels Television’s special election programme on Tuesday. There have been reports of a possible merger between the NNPP and some of the bigger parties for the presidential poll but Kwankwaso’s camp has been consistent in dismissing the claims as untrue. According to Aliu, Kwankwaso is prepared for the task and he has been vocal in engaging Nigerians about his plans for the country if he wins the February 25 poll. “We are preparing for this and we are telling Nigerians one-on-one the love we have for this country,” she said. “So, the issue of Kwankwaso is stepping down or merging with Tinubu or stepping down for Atiku is absolute nonsense. It’s not going to happen. It’s just the strategy of some mischievous people. As I speak with you, he is on the road, he is talking to people.” She said the former Kano State governor has gone to over 600 local governments of the 774 total LGs in the country to identify with the people and understand their everyday challenges. “We have gone to 600 plus local governments. Does that seem like somebody that is stepping down?” Aliu queried. “We are not stepping down for anybody. NNPP is not merging with anybody. If you have something to offer Nigerians, let them know. If you don’t have, go home and sleep.”

https://www.channelstv.com/2023/02/21/again-nnpp-says-kwankwaso-not-stepping-down-for-tinubu-atiku/

Politics

en

By Marie-Therese Nanlong The pilot scheme of the proposed ranching option of the National Livestock Transformation Plan, NLTP in Plateau State is to be funded by the federal government with the support of the State government, the Secretary of the ranching committee, Professor John Wade disclosed. Wade who is also the State Focal Person for the NLTP stressed that though public-private partnership would also feature in the implementation of the ranching policy, funds to be expended at this initial stage would come from these levels of government. It would be recalled that since the issue of ranching/ruga came to the fore in the State, diverse opinions had been expressed for and against the policy with many wondering who would fund it but Wade had explained sometime last year that “the federal government will be on the front seat of driving this process. “It has made some commitment of providing support but if the whole thing is not out completely, whether fund will come from directly or indirectly or from international funding, over 70% will be coming from the central government while the State government will make provision as a kind of commitment towards making up the remaining percentage.” As preparations are geared towards kick-starting the process, the State Government in this year’s budget has budgeted the sum of N250,000,000.00 for the “establishment and management of ranches.” This is about the third year such amount has been budgeted for the same purpose but Wade explained that there were no releases in the previous years but necessary to be captured in the budget so that they money would be made available when the time comes. He told Vanguard, “The Committee was inaugurated towards the end of the year, we are still at the administrative stage of take up, we have not taken off fully so we cannot start accessing funds because accessing funds must be justified. “It is important that we factor the amount into the budget to make sure that when we are about to take off, we have money. Based on what we are doing now, we have not gone into major financial expenditure. We have not gone into constructions, what we are doing now is further advocacy and some data collection. “There is provision if you look at the six-pillar policy of the Live Stock Transformation Programme, one of them is the humanitarian relief programme which adequately takes care of those aspects but don’t forget that as we are starting, Plateau State is among the first that is entrenching this thing.” On when the programme will kick-off, he added, “We have to have an enabling law and we are in the process of getting an enabling law so that we know when we start that we have the backing of the law. Citizens are beginning to understand this thing, there is no problem about acceptance, “Remember in the past two years, in the course of interaction, we have had a total of 22 interactions with different communities and stakeholders and as it is now, the pilot areas that we are starting with, Kanam and Wase. We have interacted with them, collected some data and they have been cooperating very well. “This stage is about government setting the pace, we are already taking with other organizations that have indicated interests to key into it, we are in the stage of tidying up issues with them to see how they can come in but so many organizations have indicated interests. Part of the six-pillar is that government has the responsibility of providing some infrastructure and security.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/01/fg-state-to-fund-pilot-ranches-in-plateau/amp/

Politics

en

ScarletNews.com is a distinctive domain name that exudes energy and urgency. Ideal for news portals, media outlets, or publishing houses, this name resonates with readers seeking timely, relevant, and captivating content. Its evocative power can help you differentiate your business from competitors. With ScarletNews.com, you gain an online presence that's memorable and attention-grabbing. This name is versatile and can be used in various industries, including politics, entertainment, sports, technology, and more. By securing this domain, you lay the foundation for a successful digital strategy. ScarletNews.com can significantly enhance your online presence, leading to increased organic traffic. A unique and catchy domain name can pique search engine algorithms' interest, potentially boosting your site's visibility. This can lead to more visitors, subscribers, and ultimately, sales. A domain like ScarletNews.com can contribute to establishing a strong brand identity. A memorable domain name can help create a lasting impression, making it easier for customers to remember and return to your site. A trustworthy domain can inspire confidence in your audience, leading to increased customer loyalty. Buy ScarletNews.com Now! At DomainMarket.com our goal is to make the domain process as painless and transparent as possible for you. Once your funds settle and we have verified the transaction (typically between 3 to 7 business days), we will be contacting you via email with the transfer instructions to take control of ScarletNews.com. To acquire the domain, you incur a one-time expense. Subsequently, upon the domain’s transfer to your ownership, you must annually renew it through your domain registrar. These renewal charges varies depending to your registrar and remitted directly to the registrar. We accept various payment methods, including major credit cards, PayPal, and wire transfers. Our payment processing system ensures a secure and hassle-free transaction experience.

http://scarletnews.com/2015/10/31/top-5-reasons-why-many-nigerians-dont-pay-tax

Business

en

…says Obno-Obla led presidential panel illegal By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – The Senate President, Mr. Ike Ekweremadu, on Tuesday, challenged the powers of the Federal High Court in Abuja to grant interim ownership of his 22 properties to the Federal Government. Ekweremadu, via a motion he filed through his lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, maintained that under the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the high court, lacked the jurisdiction to entertain and exercise judicial powers in matter related to, connected with and arising from the Code of Conduct and Declaration of Assets. It will be recalled that FG had in an ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/284/2018, applied for an interim order temporarily attaching/forfeiting Ekweremadu’s properties to it, pending the conclusion of further inquiry/investigation by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property and/or possible arraignment of the Respondent. Nine of the properties FG asked the court to freeze because they were not declared by the embattled lawmaker, are in Abuja; two of them in London, the United Kingdom; eight in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates; and three in Florida, the United States. FG predicated the motion on section 330 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, section 8 of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provisions) Act, section 44 (2) (K) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. However, Ekweremadu, in his counter-motion, told the court that the Chief Okoi Obono-Oblah led Special Presidential Investigation Panel that is moving to seize his properties for the government “is an illegal body”, saying it was not created under any law made by the National Assembly. “The so called Special Panel was never Gazetted in any publication in the Federal Government of Nigeria Gazette. The President and Commander-in-Chief never inaugurated any panel anytime and anywhere in Nigeria”, he argued. He contended that the Panel lacked the locus standi, competence and legal vires to receive complaints, investigate and initiate legal proceedings in matters connected with assets he declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau in 2007 and 2015. “The Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) has laid down a set of guidelines for the behaviour of public officers. It is known as the Code of Conduct, which is contained in the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution. “The Code of Conduct Bureau is an institution created by the Constitution and charged with ensuring compliance with the Code; whilst the Code of Conduct Tribunal is responsible for enforcing it. “It is important to invite the court’s attention to the fact that the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) Act, CAP R4, LFN, 2004 gives jurisdiction to the Federal High Court under Section 2(2)b which is not only inconsistent with the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act but inconsistent with section 251 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which did not include code of conduct matters under the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court We refer to Trade Bank Plc vs Lagos Island Local Govt (2003) supra. “My Lord, we submit that the constitution has already provided for the body to undertake this investigation and prosecution of offences related to and connected with asset declaration. It has done so and we are therefore bound to observe it under the doctrine of covering the field. “This sole panel has no power to receive complaints, investigate and initiate criminal proceedings against the respondent concerning issues of Assets by a public officer. “We submit that the Federal High Court is a special court with limited jurisdiction as contained in Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution. “Violating the Code of Conduct for Public Officers is not one of the matters in respect of which jurisdiction has been conferred on the Federal High Court under Section 251 of the Constitution. “We urge the Court to dismiss the Ex-parte application filed in the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. While refuting allegation that he did not declare all his assets, Ekweremadu, in a nine paragraphed affidavit deposed to by one John Amoke, alleged that contents of a Will he lodged at the Probate Registry of the High Court of Justice of Enugu State, was tampered with and unlawfully altered by retired Chief Judge of the state, Justice Innocent Azubike Umezulike. He said the Obono-Oblah led Panel never notified him of its investigation of petition the retired CJ filed against him based on his distorted Will, saying he was never at any time, queried by the CCB concerning any discrepancy in assets he declared before it. Consequently, Ekweremadu, prayed the court to dismiss FG’s ex-parte motion for being incompetent. Meantime, FG, on Tuesday, argued that Ekweremadu lacked the right to be heard by the court since its application was brought ex-parte with the aim of preserving all the assets in issue. FG’s lawyer, Mr. Bala Dakum who is from the chambers of Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, argued that the fact Ekweremadu got wind of motion to freeze his assets, did not grant him the entitlement to be heard. More so, FG, via its own five-paragraphed affidavit that was deposed to by one Yohanna Shankuk, alleged that Ekweremandu has already sold some of the properties in question. It said Ekweremadu’s motion was only “a delay tactics to frustrate the substance of this suit”, saying “there are reports that the Respondent is already hurriedly selling off the assets”. FG said its motion was to stop the Respondent “from dissipating the assets in question whilst investigations are ongoing”. Justice Binta Nyako subsequently fixed April 26 to determine whether or not Ekweremandu should be heard before the court could grant ex-parte orders with regards to the assets in dispute. Assets FG wants the court to freeze over Ekweremadu’s alleged failure to declare them, are located at No. 11, Evans Enwerem Street, Apo Legislative Quarters, Apo, Abuja, Plot 2633 Kyami, Abuja, Housing Estate (Plot 1106 CRD, Cadastral Zone 07-07, Lugbe, Abuja, Plot 2782 Asokoro Extension, Abuja, Houses at Citi Park Estate, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Plot 1474 Cadastral Zone BD6, Mabushi, Abuja, Congress Court, Abuja, Flat 1, Block D25, Athletics Street, (24th Street) Games Village, Abuja and Plot 66, 64 Crescent, Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja. Those in London are Flat 4 Varsity Court, Harmer Street, WIH 4NW, London, 52 Ayleston Avenue, NW6 7AB, London. Other properties in Dubai and USA are; Room 1903, The Address Hotel, Downtown Dubai, The Address Boulevard, 3901, Dubai, 2 Flats of Burij Side Boulevard (the signature), Dubai, Emirate Gardens Apartment No. EGG1/1/114, Dubai, Emirate Gardens Apartment No. EGG1/115, Dubai, Apartment No. DFB/12/B 1204, Park Towers, Dubai, Flat 3604, MAG214, Dubai and Villa No 148, Maeen 1, The Lakes Emirates Hills, Dubai. As well as 4507 Stella Street, Bellavida Estate Kissime, Florida, USA, 2747 Club Cortile Circle, Kissime, Florida, USA and 2763 Club Cortile Circle, Kissime, Florida, USA. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/breaking-fg-cant-seize-assets-nigeria-us-uk-dubai-ekweremadu-tells-court/

Politics

en

SEATTLE — Microsoft has made its most ambitious move in years to reassert itself in a technology market it once dominated. The software giant said Monday morning that it would acquire LinkedIn in a $26.2 billion cash deal. The acquisition, by far the largest in Microsoft’s history, unites two companies in different businesses: one a big maker of software tools, the other the largest business-oriented social networking site, with more than 400 million members globally. The deal is Microsoft’s biggest bet yet that the traditional software business is shifting quickly to cloud computing, a model in which customers rent software and other services delivered over the internet. While LinkedIn does not have the household name of Facebook, a much larger and more lucrative social network, it is the most widely used site for people to advertise their professional skills and work history. It is also further evidence that Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s chief executive, sees the company’s future further and further removed from the PC software that once helped the company’s co-founder Bill Gates turn Microsoft into the world’s most valuable company. Though they operate in different businesses, Microsoft and LinkedIn make most of their money by catering to professionals. Executives involved in the deal said that the common thread prompted the acquisition. “This deal is all about bringing together the professional cloud and professional network,” Mr. Nadella said in a telephone interview.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/14/business/dealbook/microsoft-to-buy-linkedin-for-26-2-billion.html?emc=edit_na_20160613&nlid=58700365&ref=headline&_r=0

Business

en

It appears industrial actions in the education sector may not be limited to Nigeria’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Lecturers and staff of many universities across the United Kingdom under the umbrella of Universities and College Unions (UCU) embarked on a one day strike in protest of pay cuts on Thursday. At the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), students and lecturers appeared to be united in the course. Our correspondent in the city of London, Doris Okenwa monitored activities in some universities and confirmed that academic activities were indeed disrupted by the strike. The lecturers and staff maintained that there has been a consistent drop in the last 13 years despite huge funds being generated in the sector with fees for international students placed at over 10,000 pounds. A senior lecturer of Economics at SOAS, Stephanie Blankenburg said the take home pays does not meet rising costs of living adding that the proposed one per cent increase by employers is not good enough. Another angle to the strike action is the call for increased funding of universities as austerity measures have made university education in the UK astronomical. This could herald a decline in face to face learning and a prompt a rise in online degrees.

http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/11/01/uk-lecturers-embark-on-a-day-strike/

Politics

en

President Muhammadu Buhari By Henry Umoru, Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA–AS President Muhammadu Buhari presents the 2016 Appropriation Bill to the joint session of the National Assembly comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives today, there were strong indications, yesterday, that the lawmakers are ready to ensure speedy passage of the bill. Vanguard learned that senators and members of the House of Representatives are prepared to give the bill accelerated consideration and passage into law. As part of moves to fast track the passage of the bill when the Senators resume from New year break in the second week of January, a source told Vanguard that once the President presents the budget today, the Senate and the House of Representatives will go to their various chambers to commence work. According to the source, part of the arrangement is to present the bill for first reading today and tomorrow, when the lawmakers will formally adjourn sitting till next year, the bill would be presented for second reading and passed and thereafter referred to the appropriate committees on Finance, Budget, National Planning and Appropriation among others. The move, the source told Vanguard, would make the job easy as the budget would then be at the committee level where ministers, heads of parastatals, departments and agencies of government would be invited to defend their budget. Last Wednesday, the Senate approved the Medium Term and Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper, FSP submitted by the Federal Government, just as it approved Crude Oil Benchmark price of US$38 per barrel for 2016 despite the global dwindling crude oil price to $36 per barrel as at Monday from the $40 per barrel. In the documents, the Senate also approved that the Federal Government should in 2016 establish a data base and possibly a single salary account for all its employees as that would help streamline and reduce its personnel cost. It also approved the exchange rate of N197 to $1 as proposed in the MTEF. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/nass-shuts-down-as-buhari-presents-2016-budget-today/

Politics

en

By Victoria Ojeme ABUJA—Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Abike Dabiri-Erewa has demanded full autopsy and investigation from Kenya Government into the killing of a Nigerian, Mr. Bamiyo Ashade, allegedly killed by the Kenyan Police. A statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Media Aide to Dabiri-Erewa, revealed that the reported killing was contained in the briefing by the Nigerian Ambassador in Kenya, Amb. Sheidu Momoh, who met with Nigerians in Kenya, pleading with them to remain calm. According to the Ambassador, the Nigerian High Commission is on top of the situation and had sent a formal complaint to the Kenyan Foreign Affairs demanding full autopsy. The Envoy, however, noted that contrary to insinuation that the late Bamiyo Ashade, also known as Bamo, was a student in Kenya she said he was a Nigerian living in Kenya, adding that he had met with the family of the bereaved to commiserate with them with an assurance that justice will prevail. The deceased, Bamiyo Ashade, the second born in a family of three, was brutalised at his house in Four Ways Estate, Kiambu last week Monday, while the police officers allegedly tried to extort him despite finding out he had valid papers. However, he stood his ground, as he didn’t commit any crime. The officers then resorted to harassment and assault. Seeing that he was nearing his death, he was quickly rushed to a hospital, where he died. Friends and relatives have taken to the social media to condemn the police brutality directed towards Nigerians in the Diaspora and joined in calling for justice for Bamo. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/10/fg-condemns-killing-of-nigerian-in-kenya/

Politics

en

By Dayo Benson & Wahab Abdulah Mr. Femi Falana, is a human rights activist and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. In this interview, he spoke on the recent accident involving the convoy of the Kogi State governor, which claimed the life of Professor Festus Iyayi. He also fielded questions on the aviation minister’s saga, national conference and the inconclusive Anambra governorship election and other national issues. Excerpts: Does the family of late Prof. Festus Iyayi have any cause of action against the Kogi State government? Surely, the family of Late Professor Festus Iyayi has a cause of action against the Kogi State Government for the executive recklessness that led to the untimely and gruesome death of the don. The media reported the circumstances of the tragic death of Professor Iyayi. It is undoubtedly clear that it was the negligence of a driver of a vehicle in the governor’s convoy that hit the vehicle conveying Professor Iyayi, the impact was so much that he was killed instantly. To that extent the Kogi State government is vicariously liable while the driver who caused the accident is criminally liable in the circumstance. Does the Kogi State government have any civil or criminal responsibility considering the fact that the governor’s convoy was responsible for the late professor’s death? Unlike Governor Idris Wada who enjoys immunity from criminal liability, his drivers are not immune from prosecution. So all the drivers indicted in the three road accidents involving the governor in the last few months are liable to be prosecuted for violating traffic laws. This is a clear case of manslaughter. In each of the cases the Kogi State government is obligated by law to pay compensation to the families of the four people who were killed in the three accidents. Can the driver of the killer vehicle be proceeded against personally or is it a case of vicarious liability ? Altogether there are five accidents involving the governor, the deputy governor and Speaker of the House of Assembly of Kogi State in the last two years. This is not surprising in view of the revelation by the Federal Road Safety Commission boss that Governor Wada did not allow the drivers in his convoy to be trained by the FRSC like the other 700 government drivers across the country. The statement is a very serious indictment which may aggravate the damages payable to the families of those who were recklessly killed by the governor’s convoy. The latest accident was the third involving the governor’s convoy this year alone. How do you react to this? The Iyayi’s family and the ASUU are going to take advantage of the killing of Professor Iyayi to prevent further carnage and loss of precious lives on our roads through executive lawlessness. The use of siren is going to be reviewed. In the countries where siren is manufactured its use is restricted. It is not for harassing road users but for making way for fire fighting vehicles, ambulances and the police in case of emergencies. With all the congestion or traffic jam on Lagos roads, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN does not use siren or chase people out of the road. Why then should the governor of any other state intimidate road users to the extent of killing them? Such executive impunity has to stop. The Senate has referred the aviation minister’s issue to its committee on aviation, instead of her appearing before the Senate as earlier reported. Do you think anything will come out of it? It is a desperate attempt to shield the Aviation Minister,Ms Stella Oduah from prosecution. But neither the Presidency nor the Senate can exculpate her from the allegations of grave economic and financial crimes which have been leveled against her. More so, that the Bureau of Public Procurement and the House of Representatives Committee have indicted her. Both the ICPC and EFCC are also probing her while the Presidential probe Panel on the matter has submitted its report. There is no hiding place for her. What is your take on US categorizing Boko Haram as foreign terrorist organisation? That is the internal affair of the United States. Since the Federal Government has proscribed the terrorist body it has no business applauding the decision of the United States. After all, the Federal Government earlier kicked against the stigmatization of the Boko Haram sect as a terrorist society. Do you think the Federal Government is sincere with the planned National Conference? The Federal Government has been sincere about it. In fact, President Jonathan has announced that the resolution of the planned Conference will be sent to the National Assembly for consideration in the ongoing review of the Constitution. This in effect means that the national dialogue or conference is an expanded town hall meeting to collate the views of Nigerians with respect to the amendment of the Constitution. Since the resolutions of the Conference are not sovereign or binding on the Government including the National Assembly it is likely to be a complete sham. Would you like to put the record straight on Governor Chime’s wife issue? There isn’t much to put on record as far as Mrs. Clara Chime’s case is concerned. Although I do not require the permission or written authorization of a victim of human rights abuse to intervene I was instructed by Mrs. Chime to take up her case. She never disowned me. What she said at the nocturnal press briefing by Governor Sullivan Chime was that she did not contact me directly but that a friend might have done so on her behalf. That statement cannot be faulted. Mrs. Chime sent an e-mail to one of our friends and directed her to contact me. The e-mail was forwarded to me. Her mother, Mrs. Patience Igwe also sent me an SOS to free her daughter from detention. I took up the brief without charging professional fees. In actual fact, I took pity on Mrs. Chime and requested the Inspector-General of Police to free her from illegal detention. It is interesting to note that Governor Chime confirmed the allegation that he had detained his wife. In a desperate bid to justify the illegal detention he said he did it in her own interest. As if that was not enough the governor said his wife was mentally challenged. For goodness sake there was no basis for such defamatory statement. To the best of my knowledge, Mrs. Clara Chime is not suffering from mental disability. She is logical and sensible in her reasoning. Happily, we have succeeded in liberating her and she is now enjoying her freedom. What’s your assessment of the Anambra governorship election which PDP and APC and Labour Party, LP, candidates called for its cancellation? The Anambra governorship election has confirmed that INEC requires a total reorganisation. It is not sufficient to accuse some officials of having sabotaged the election. Professor Attahiru Jega must accept responsibility for the gross mismanagement of the election and move speedily to identify all such saboteurs in the INEC and relieve them of their positions. Under Professor Maurice Iwu, the INEC was a machinery for fixing results of elections and for all kinds of electoral manipulations. Apart from the removal of Professor Iwu and the appointment of Professor Jega nothing has changed in INEC. In other words the rigging machinery has remained intact. Hence, INEC has continued to conduct terribly bad elections with lack of materials, lateness of materials, late arrival of materials, non-payment of electoral officers etc. Unless the INEC is re-organized and restructured it is going to bundle the 2015 general elections. If the INEC cannot successfully conduct the gubernatorial election in one state, where is the assurance that it is prepared to handle the presidential, legislative and governorship elections in other parts of the country, in one day? Was the 2011 general election not postponed midway due to insufficiency of electoral materials? I can assure that those who sabotaged the Anambra governorship will smile to the bank. They won’t be sanctioned. Owing to official impurity the manipulation of the electoral process is not going to stop so soon. Nigerians should brace up for further abolition of another electoral process. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/kogi-govt-criminally-liable-iyayis-death-falana/

Politics

en

By Ediri Ejoh & Genevieve Aningo Amidst controversies over appropriate pump price for petrol, reports of the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, has indicated that petrol marketers in16 states of the country are selling the product significantly higher than the N145 maximum price stipulated by the federal government. While the marketers have subtly canvassed for upward review of the ceiling on the bases of upwards movement in exchange rate, the key factor in the petrol pricing template, many stakeholders have argued that the marketers were being selfish in pressuring the government for their financial gains at the expense of the economy and the citizens. Also the federal government through both the presidency and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, have resisted the pressure saying that the increase was not acceptable. Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has also indicated that at N145 per litre the marketers were already making huge margins on the exchange rate of N280/USD1.00, arguing that the further depreciation of Naira recently only narrowed the profit margin instead of wiping it out. But according to the NBS report, as at last month Nigerians across the 36 states bought petrol at average of N147 per litre, above the fixed price cap of N145 per litre. Specifically, the reports show that in 16 states the price ranged from N145.90 in Imo State to N164.30 in Bayelsa State. In the report, all oil producing states are running the most expensive fuel price, except Edo and Delta. Other states that recorded significant mark-up on the benchmark price include: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nassarawa, Niger, Rivers and Sokoto, with a range of N146 and N164.3 per litre. Meanwhile, within this period, no regulatory agency has been able to check the discrepancy. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/marketers-sell-petrol-n145l-16-states/

Politics

en

Former PDP Chair Mu’Azu, Kashim Imam, others escape death Several prominent Nigerians including the immediate past National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Mallam Adamu Mu’Azu,former Special Advise on National Assembly,Alhaji Kashim Imam and former National Chairman of the defunct CPC,Senator Rufai Hanga, narrowly escaped death in the Thursday tragedy in Mecca,The Nation can now report. Multiple eyewitnesses at the scene said Mu’Azu,Imam and Hanga had joined millions of other pilgrims in stoning the devil when the stampede started. Other prominent Nigerians close to the scene were the PDP Youth Leader Abdullahi Maibarisa, Deputy Comptroller General (Operations) of the Nigerian Immigration Service Mr.Muhammad Babandede, and a former member of the House of Representatives. The hajj rituals continued yesterday although with security beefed up across the various points in Mecca. Alhaji Umar Farouk a Nigerian pilgrim from Zaria, Kaduna state said by SMS that “in spite of the tragedy, pilgrims are determined to perform their hajj duties.” Another Nigerian pilgrim,Alhaji Abdullahi from Kano asked Saudi Arabia to stop what he called long-existing discriminatory practices during hajj. “ The designation of pilgrims into categories of Non Arabs, Africans and others ensures discriminatory treatments and arrangements,” he said. According to him pilgrims from US, UK, Canada and European countries are always treated with courtesy whereas every Muslim,irrespective of his colour,should enjoy equal treatment. King Salman has ordered a comprehensive review of arrangements for the annual hajj pilgrimage that sometimes involve some three million pilgrims. The Saudi authorities are in the process of reaching being expected to reach the Nigerian and other countries’ officials anytime from now, with the list of the victims according to nationalities.

http://thenationonlineng.net/former-pdp-chair-muazu-kashim-imam-others-escape-death/

Politics

en

By Pini Jason THIS is not a defence of Chinua Achebe. He does not need one. No amount of abuse can dent his global standing. Ban or burn all his books, as someone suggested, he would only feel sorry for you, not angry. Achebe has since outgrown certain sentiments. On the other hand, if Chief Awolowo were alive, he would have cautioned people against some of the vituperative effusions, especially by people craving relevance with Awo’s name and who cried more than the bereaved. Awo’s daughter, Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, made one of the most mature reactions. She simply said if what was said to have been written was true, she was disappointed but would not say more than that until she read the book! Awo was an accomplished and fulfilled man before he died. Nothing said now by ethnic jingoists and fake Awoists can add any value to his eminent standing. What the nation has witnessed since the publication of an excerpt of a review of Achebe’s There Was A Country: A Personal History of Biafra by Guardian of London is a classic decline of intellectual discourse in Nigeria. At the time the needless controversy ensued, not more than 10 people would say they had read the book. The first few copies available in Nigeria at the material time were review copies sent to some journalists by Dr. Chidi Achebe. Others were those who travelled to countries where the book had been published and were able to buy a copy, or were sent a copy by friends abroad. Therefore all those who plunged into attack and counter-attack based on excerpts of a review simply embarrassed themselves. It really did not mean that the outcome would have been radically different if more Nigerians read the book. I say so because Nigerians read with two brains. While one is reading what was written, the other is busy formulating what the reader believes you wrote! It is therefore not surprising that, in this kind of situation, the combatants in the futile but emotionally charged controversy quickly took cover behind ethnic parapets! Last week I finished reading a copy sent me by Chidi and I felt more disappointed with the entire hullabaloo about the book and the abuses that went all round. In the first place, the duty a writer of Achebe’s status owes humanity is to shock it with the truth whenever it develops amnesia. Achebe did just that with his book, 42 years after the civil war. He seems to have succeeded in rousing us from our amnesia, except that the intellectual debate is yet to ensue, and except also that, in Nigeria, my truth is a lie, and your lie is the truth! Secondly, it was wrong to make it seem as if Awo was the subject of the book. He was not even the important point in the book. The controversial reference to Awolowo did not appear until page 233 of a 333-page book, including appendices, notes and index! Nevertheless, those who have been reading will tell you that Achebe did not say anything new about Awolowo nor has he ever hidden his views about the Yoruba leader! Nature of Nigerian debate It is the nature of Nigerian debate that those who insistently make Awo an ethnic champion often turn round to accuse others of diminishing Awo’s status, making me wonder if those who swear in Awo’s name really knew him. For example, Femi Fani-Kayode who effusively described Awo as “much loved leader of the Yoruba” easily turned round, tongue in cheek, to accuse Achebe of “ethnic chauvinism”. There are not many Yoruba who locate Awo beyond the ethnic enclave to a national stage, unless you tell me that Nigeria begins at Mokola and ends at Dugbe! It took Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu to posthumously elevate Awo to “the best President Nigeria never had”. One thing any reader of Achebe would confess is that the man tries his best to choose his words carefully. The controversial portion of the book came under the subheading, The Case Against the Nigerian Government. There he took not only Awolowo, but also, Allison Ayida and Anthony Enahoro to task. And he prefaced his criticism of Awo’s motive for employing starvation as a weapon of war with the words, “it is my impression that…” We can debate whether Achebe’s impression was wrong without name calling, ethnic baiting or profiling. And that is, if we have any intellectually honest reason to read that portion in isolation of everything else he wrote elsewhere in the book about Awolowo and Yoruba nation! A few hard questions can be asked: Did Awo have ambition for power for himself and for the advancement of his Yoruba people? Yes he did. That was an ambition he spent all his political life pursuing. Did Awo see the dominant Igbo as obstacle to that desire? You may argue that Awo was not the only one who saw the Igbo as obstacle but you cannot deny what happened to Zik in Ibadan in 1951. Hear my friend Ayo Opadokun: “What he (Achebe) expected was that Awo should fold his arms to allow the Igbo race led by Zik to preside over the affairs of the Yoruba nation” (The Nation 5 October 2012). Further, he admitted that “it was clear that the East and West were in contest for socio-economic and political power”. Tell me, could Achebe have put the matter any clearer than Opadokun did? Just as Achebe conceded that there was nothing wrong with Awo’s aspirations, there was nothing wrong with contest between the East and West for socio-economic and political power, except that no ethnic group in Nigeria wants to contest with Igbo on equal terms or compete on a level playing field. Nigeria obviously felt happy that it has removed the Igbo obstacle by inscribing the Federal Character in the constitution. And we cannot deny that there was a sing-song of “Igbo domination” in the years leading to the crises that led to the coup and the war. Unfortunately, the fear of “Igbo domination” not only created an enduring conspiracy to cripple the Igbo but also left an unsettled issue of citizenship that has created the dichotomy of “settler” and “indigene” for which blood flows in the Plateau today. In defence of Awo I think it was futile to defend Awo on the matter of starvation as a weapon of war after he proffered his own personal defence. In his well publicised 1983 interview, Awo did not deny the charges levied against him by Biafrans. He simply rationalised his actions. Respected elder statesman and one of the living authentic Awoists, Chief Ayo Adebanjo apparently based his defence of Awo on this interview (Thisday 13 Oct 2012). We can appreciate Awo’s rationalisation or disagree with them. I disagree with some. Awo said he went to Calabar, Enugu and Port Harcourt shortly after their liberation. “I saw kwashiorkor victims…Then I enquired what happened to the food we are sending to the victims…but what happened was that the vehicles carrying the food were always ambushed by the soldiers…and the food would then be taken to the soldiers to feed them, and so they were able to continue the fight”. The flaw in this rationalisation is that people may conclude that Awo stopped food supply because Biafran soldiers were hijacking them. In the first place, Nigerian NEVER supplied food to Biafra. Whatever food Nigeria supplied was to those “liberated” areas behind Biafran lines. Those areas were under the control of the Nigerian army. Therefore if the vehicles conveying the food were ambushed by soldiers, it could only be by Nigerian soldiers! Food that came into Biafra were direct from World Council of Churches, Caritas, International Red Cross and French NGOs. These supplies were directly administered by the churches, priests and Red Cross through their feeding centres. The humanitarian disaster in Biafra was exacerbated when Nigeria closed the air corridors by shooting down some of the relief planes. The argument about using land corridors approved by Nigeria to supply food to Biafra was still on till the war dramatically ended. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/10/there-was-a-country-there-was-starvation-1/

Politics

en

HypeNigeria.com is more than just a domain name – it's a symbol of your business's connection to the ever-evolving Nigerian economy. With its catchy and memorable name, your website will effortlessly capture the attention of local and international visitors, opening doors to new opportunities and partnerships. Versatile and adaptable, HypeNigeria.com can serve various industries, from tech startups and e-commerce businesses to creative agencies and consulting firms. By choosing this domain, you position your business for success in the competitive Nigerian market and beyond. HypeNigeria.com can significantly contribute to your business growth by enhancing your online visibility and search engine ranking. With a strong domain name that reflects your Nigerian identity, you'll attract organic traffic from potential customers actively searching for businesses within your industry. HypeNigeria.com can help establish your brand's credibility and trustworthiness in the Nigerian market. By securing a domain name that resonates with the region's culture and spirit, you demonstrate your commitment to the community and foster a loyal customer base. Buy HypeNigeria.com Now! At DomainMarket.com our goal is to make the domain process as painless and transparent as possible for you. Once your funds settle and we have verified the transaction (typically between 3 to 7 business days), we will be contacting you via email with the transfer instructions to take control of HypeNigeria.com. To acquire the domain, you incur a one-time expense. Subsequently, upon the domain’s transfer to your ownership, you must annually renew it through your domain registrar. These renewal charges varies depending to your registrar and remitted directly to the registrar. We accept various payment methods, including major credit cards, PayPal, and wire transfers. Our payment processing system ensures a secure and hassle-free transaction experience.

http://hypenigeria.com/2016/08/17/i-warned-people-about-buhari-and-what-he-would-do-with-power-no-one-listened-femi-fani-kayode-reacts/Now

Politics

en

The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has disclosed that he has not taken any salary from the state since assuming office as governor two years ago. He said that his wife does not have an official car as the first lady of Anambra State but still drives his personal cars. The governor said this during the celebration of two years anniversary of his administration at the International Convention Center, Awka, the state capital on Sunday. Soludo said he is deliberately executing the most austere measure government ever by cutting costs and not borrowing for the last two years. “Any governor that comes floods you with offers for borrowing and so on and so forth, but we decided for the first two years to demonstrate something, capacity to do more with less. “And so far as has been said, for two years, despite receiving about 25 per cent in real terms or in dollar terms of what was in the past, we have chosen deliberately not to borrow. I have been aske severally; ‘how do you do without borrowing and with the difficult circumstances?’ And my answer is that we are doing so because we are executing the most austere measure government ever. “As I speak to you, I am not taking any salary, I am not paid any salary by Anambra State government. Even the First Lady of Anambra don’t have any official car, she still drives my personal vehicles,” Soludo said. READ ALSO: Anambra CP Vows To Hunt Down Perpetrators Of Amichi Vigilante Office Attack The governor said that his decision to cut wastes and the cost of governance is to direct resources and prioritise them to things that are important to the people of the state. He said his administration has prioritised areas that has been neglected in the past, building hospitals, roads schools and others in places that such amenities have never reached. Soludo assured the people of Anambra that any kobo entrusted in his hand as the governor will be accounted for, saying that if he ever borrows, the people will be shown the projects the loan was used for and how those projects would repay the loan. The celebration of the two years anniversary of Soludo’s administration was marked with the Pontifical Mass of Thanksgiving led by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, Most Rev. Jonas-Benson Okoye and the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor.

https://www.channelstv.com/2024/03/17/i-havent-received-any-salary-as-governor-my-wife-has-no-official-car-soludo/

Politics

en

Actress Eniola Badmus destroyed my expensive phone, lady alleges By Ekaete Bassey A lady has called out Nollywood actress Eniola Badmus for allegedly destroying her expensive phone at a club in Lagos. In a video making the rounds on social media, the lady alleged she had met the actress at a club and requested a selfie with her. The lady noted Eniola agreed to her request but after taking the photos, the actress got hold of her phone, deleted all the pictures from her Snapchat and smashed the phone on an iron. According to the lady, the actress smashed her phone even though she had earlier agreed to her request and ordered the bouncers to throw her out of the club. She said: “Hello guys, Good evening. I just feel right now is the right time to tell you guys what happened between me, Eniola and my phone…I was at DNA with my friends for my birthday party and I walked up to Eniola because I was at VIP and she was close to me. “So I said “Please can I take a picture of you?” and she agreed to…she agreed to. And after we took the pictures together, she took my phone and erased all the pictures from Snapchat not even my normal camera. She erased all of them and smashed my phone on that iron at DNA. She smashed the back of my phone that was what affected my phone.” She recounted she had also snapped with a lot of stars on the said day. As she narrated her predicament further, she said the actress destroyed her phone which cost 350k in the process of smashing it on an iron. In the course of her narration, the lady also disclosed she is an actress and is currently using a small Nokia phone pending when she can get a better one. The later went on to plead with the actress saying; “Please, I need some money to get another phone even if it’s not all of it. You’re hurting me right now, God is seeing you.” Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, the actress is yet to respond to the allegations.

https://thenationonlineng.net/actress-eniola-badmus-destroyed-my-expensive-phone-lady-alleges/

TV-Movies

en

Impeachment: Oyo deputy governor outsmarts GSM Despite the intensity of the plot to remove the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, it appears a Herculean task because most members of the state House of Assembly are with the Deputy Governor than Governor Seyi Makinde (GSM). Early in the life of the administration, the lawmakers have had the ears and support of Olaniyan than the governor, including standing by some of them when in need. The legislators are angry that the governor has been allegedly contemptuous of them. When the lawmakers were hauled into a hotel by a top member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) to sell the idea of a likely impeachment of the Deputy Governor, most of them were busy with text and WhatsApp messages (on the spot), leaking reports on how the plot will be hatched. Olaniyan’s strategists were enjoying the game. It is obvious that any impeachment investment will go down the drain. Notwithstanding, two confidants of the governor from Itesiwaju and Saki West are locked in a fierce battle to produce the successor to Olaniyan.

https://thenationonlineng.net/impeachment-oyo-deputy-governor-outsmarts-gsm/

Politics

en

A former governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, once again knocked Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over the leadership of the South-West PDP. Fayose described Makinde as a “baby governor”, adding that the Oyo governor is his follower and not his leader. The ex-governor stated this in Lagos on Monday while receiving prominent members of the party who paid him a solidarity visit. The delegation was led by Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, representing Ondo South District in the National Assembly. Among the delegation were Olafeso, former House of Representatives member, Lad Ojomo, ex-House of Assemblymember, Niyi Ogunboye, Chief Ibini Oyedele, Chief Tunde Akindehin, Pastor Larry Ogunmusere, Ife Akinsoyinu, Sola Ebiwonjumi, Olusola Adewo, Adeolu Akinseye and Ebenezer Alabi. However, Fayose added that it was earlier agreed at Makinde’s house at Ibadan, Oyo State that an ex-Ondo State Information Commissioner, Dr Eddy Olafeso, should be the next PDP National Vice Chairman (West). He, however, warned Makinde to earn leadership and not claim it as a title. Fayose added, “Tell the baby governor that the way up is the way down. Let Makinde put feeding bottle in the mouth of his dogs. You are called a leader because you earned it, not your title. He also bashed Makinde’s supporters for calling him an “APC man.” He queried why he wasn’t called such when he supported the Oyo State governor and worked for his victory in last general elections. “Can I be an All Progressives Congressman and be fighting Buhari (the President, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)? I was governor at 42. He is a governor at 51. I don’t deserve an insult from Makinde. “Governor Makinde is not my leader. He is my follower. Respect should beget respect. I have been a warrior. They thought I will be with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission now. But, I am surviving,” Fayose added Fayose, however, commended members of the delegation who visited him for “not sitting on the fence.” He stated, “It is dangerous to sit on the fence. I don’t play to the gallery.” However, Senator Tofowomo, who led the prominent members, said Fayose was a credible leader of the PDP in the South-West. Tofowomo added that Fayose will be supported because he was accessible, a grass-roots operator and a defender of fairness, equity and justice in the party in the last 17 years.

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/12/09/we-inherited-almost-bankrupt-state-from-ajimobi-makinde/amp/Makinde

Politics

en

Governors kick against $138m consultants’ fees $6.9b Paris Club loan refund sparks row Questions over local govts’ $2.6b share There is disquiet among governors over a plan to pay some consultants $138 million (about N42.2b at the official N306 to $1) of the $6.9 billion Paris-London Club loan refund. Besides, The Nation learnt at the weekend that: - the Presidency is unhappy that local governments did not get their right share of the hefty refund; and - some states are still owing local government workers as many as 10 months’ salaries; others are owing six months. Non-payment of salaries and pensions is considered a breach of the agreement between the Presidency and the governors. The Presidency has released N1,266.44 trillion to the 36 states in the past one and a half years. The cash includes N713.70billion special intervention funds. Some governors are displeased that the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) plans to pay 2% of the $6.9billion refund to consultants. The 2% is $138,000,000 (N42.228billion at the official rate of N306 to $1). According to a governor, who spoke in confidence, NGF Chairman Abdulaziz Yari, who is also the governor of Zamfara State, conveyed the agreement to pay 2% to some consultants in a July 29, 2016 letter to the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun. The letter reads: “Please recall that the Nigeria Governors Forum had at its meeting of May 2016 appointed a Consortium of Financial Consultants to reconcile and recover over-deductions from the Paris and London Club loans due to states and local governments. “Also, Mr. President in a meeting with members of the Forum had graciously agreed to pay 50% of the monies due and the balance of 50% paid after due and diligent reconciliation of the accounts. “At the last meeting of the Nigeria Governors Forum held in July 2016, the Forum unanimously resolved to pay a fee of 2% to the consultants as their professional fees for the services rendered. “Pursuant to the Forum’s resolution therefore, I am requesting that the payment of the consultant fees should be deducted at source from each state’s entitlement and paid directly to the account details of the consultants as attached with. “Consequently, we crave the indulgence of the Honourable Minister to effect the wishes of the governors when implementing Mr. President’s directives.” But the aggrieved governors said they were not happy realising that “one or two governors” brought the lead consultants after each state had engaged its own consultants. “Our colleagues can also not be offering consultancy services to us through some proxies”, he said, pleading not to be named because of “the sensitivity” of the matter. The governor went on: “At the end of it all, states are expected to part with N42.2billion to consultants who are not primary sources of the loan records. We were shocked that out of the N19billion consultancy/legal fees paid into the NGF accounts, most consultants hired by states have not been paid a farthing. “The bulk of the job of the reconciliation of loan refunds is being done by officials and consultants or financial advisers from each state, the Debt Management Office (DMO), the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF). “Some of us will resist further deductions from our loan refund. The N42.2billion is outrageous.” Following protests by states against over deductions for external debt service between 1995 and 2002, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the release of N522.74 billion (first tranche) refund to states pending reconciliation of records. Each state was entitled to N14.5 billion or 25% of the amount claimed. Mrs. Adeosun said the payment of the claims would enable states to offset outstanding salaries and pension, which had been “causing considerable hardship”. Governors had sought for the refund to states and local government areas at a meeting with President Buhari on May 24, last year. The President directed that: - a thorough reconciliation be carried out between the states and the Federal Government; and that - 50% of the claims submitted by the states be released prior to completion of the reconciliation to support states, most of which are financially distressed. Based on the intervention by the President, the NGF, in a letter to the Presidency, said “the total refund claim submitted by states was $6.9billion of which $2.6billion belongs to local governments.” The NGF, in the letter through Yari, added that “the data was obtained from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).” “The $2.6billion deducted from the local governments is not disputable as the local governments have the powers or capacity to take foreign loans for which the disputed deductions relate to,” the letter said. The Presidency released N522.74 billion (first tranche) to states. The release of the cash triggered a huge controversy, including payment of N19billion consultancy fees and $86million into the accounts of the NGF. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating the alleged diversion of N19billion of which it has traced N3.5billion, allegedly to a consultant and some aides of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki. The latest dimension is non-remittance or “partial remittance” of the share of the 774 local government areas by some governors. It was learnt that some governors hid under the Joint Account System to utilise local government refund for other purposes. Local governments are entitled to $2.6billion of the refund. It is surprising that in some states, local government employees are still being owed about six to 10 months salary arrears, contrary to the spirit of the refund approved by the President,” a source said. “Some states got the refund and diverted it to other uses. Others transferred to Joint Account and gave local governments paltry sums. “We have the list of states where local government staff have been subjected to untold hardship by governors who have withheld the share of the third tier. “What the government expected was that since each local government paid for the loans, its refund should be directly remitted to it to pay outstanding salaries. “In a few states, the governors outrightly denied local governments their refund, as if the Federal Government did not release any cash. “But we have one or three states where the governors declared the actual refund collected and remitted local governments’ share. “We are looking at the activities of the governors and the government may be forced to name them at the appropriate time. “Such governors may also be investigated by anti-corruption agencies and they will account for the refund after their tenure.” A government source spoke about how the “abuse” of the refund accounted for the strict conditions attached to the release of the more than N500billion in the second tranche. “The Presidency will be strict this time around. The good thing is that the disbursement of the second tranche is subject to cash flow or availability of cash for the Federal Government,” the source said.

http://thenationonlineng.net/governors-kick-138m-consultants-fees/

Politics

en

Gen. Ibrahim Babangida By HUGO ODIOGOR & CHARLES KUMOLU Former Military president, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd), yesterday undertook a critical view of the predictions made by soothsayers, including the United States of America that Nigeria will disintegrate in 2015 and suggested ways to ensure the predictions do not become a reality. General Babangida spoke where he was the chairman of the public presentation of two books in honour of former External Affairs Minister, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos. Said he: “As Nigerians, we are aware of the great doubts that have been cast about what 2015 portends for the continuing existence of our nation. I am aware that Nigerians have taken great umbrage at these predictions. Even Lord Lugard who founded what has been called Nigeria gave it a life-span of 100 years. “I regard it as a challenge to our intelligence to ensure that these portends and prophesies do not become self-fulfilling. We should engage these predictions on an intellectual level, testing whether the facts justify the conclusions. “But on a practical and public policy level, we must import honesty into our public policy assessments. Firstly, we must identify the problems that need to be addressed. Secondly we must address these problems honestly. “Thirdly we must identify the most current and the most appropriate mechanism for addressing these issues. “Let me make this clear. My position is not dictated by the fact that foreigners are making these predictions. We don’t even need foreign sources as a reference point. The Nigerian media is awash with alarming news about our problems. My position is dictated by my conviction that Nigeria is precious enough to be saved. It deserves an investment of our time and resources to make Project Nigeria a success. But the starting point has to be an admission that we need to fix things. We need a new mindset about the Nigerian project. Let us start off by admitting the mistakes of the past. Right policies have at times been wrongly implemented. Temporary solutions have often been turned into permanent policies, even though the problems they were designed to address have long been solved”. Making suggestions on how to ensure the continued existence of Nigeria beyond the predicted 2015, General Babangida said, “the issue of the principle of federal character needs to be revisited. In a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation, the principle of Federal Character is a sensible one and there is no alternative to it. Each national group must be given a feeling of belonging. What needs to be refined is the question of standards. Federal character can go hand in hand with merit. 50 years after independence and over 50 years after the establishment of universities in Nigeria, there should be no national groups, no states, no zones, no hamlets without qualified citizens. Therefore there should be no question of employing unqualified people in the name of federal character, just as there should be no question of abandoning the principle of federal character in a Federation. Principle of federal character “We must admit that sacrifices have been made and sacrifices will continue to be made for the survival of this Nigerian project. In the past, maybe there has not been sufficient recognition of the fact that those making these sacrifices have grievances which should have been addressed. “Maybe in the past, there had not been sufficient recognition of the fact that each national group has legitimate fears and grievances. Some of the mistakes of the past have now come to haunt us. But let me make one thing clear. Not all these mistakes were made out of callousness or bad faith or malice. Most people in office do their best. They act to the best of their ability. Unless we think that our leaders have divine ability, we have to admit that even with all the best of their abilities and even with the best faith and with the best of all intentions, human beings will still make mistakes. “That after nearly 100 years of existence, people and national groups still have grievances provide us with an opportunity to address these grievances. That these grievances are of sufficient magnitude for them to demand a dissolution of the nation show the extent of the grievances and therefore it should point to the magnitude of the seriousness with which we should address the grievances. From the creeks in the Niger Delta to the Sahelian areas of the North, Nigeria is under pressure. Now is the time for us to regard the rescue effort as a joint enterprise to secure maximum benefits for all and not an enterprise to secure temporary advantage for one group over another. We need to arrive at a grand consensus that will move this nation forward rather than a panel-beaten system that satisfies no one except the temporary holders of power. “We can face the challenges together, united in the spirit of a joint enterprise and propelled by the belief in the greatness of this country and a commitment to make Nigeria a source of pride and inspiration to the black race”. Speaking on the forthcoming centenary celebrations General Babangida said, “in less than a year, in about 11 months and a few days, we as Nigerians will be celebrating 100 years of our existence as a legal united entity. We have cause to rejoice. During these 100 years, Europe has endured two world wars, Russia had gone through a revolution, a civil war and finally gone from being Russia to Soviet Union and back to Russia. During this time, Spain and Yugoslavia have gone through horrendous civil wars. During this time, several countries in Asia, including China went through civil wars that almost brought them to their knees. “Yet today, Europe is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. China is destined in a few years to become the biggest economy in the world. Yes, during the past 100 years of our existence, we also have gone through a horrendous civil war. The events that led to the war and the war itself have left lasting effects on all of us, including those who were not even born during those events. “As other countries have overcome the mistakes in their history and moved on, so we Nigerians also have cause to rejoice that even though in our history we have met with obstacles, we have experienced ups and downs, each generation had sought to the best of its ability to tackle these obstacles. That we are still a united nation is sufficient cause for congratulation. Our problems are not over. Nation building is not like an electric switch which you turn on and off. It is a continuous process which makes a heavy demand on government and the people”. Eulogising Prof. Akinyemi, in whose honour the books were being launched, he said “let me say a word or two about the man we are all here to honour today. That he was my first External Affairs Minister is an established fact. That before then he was the Director-General of this Institute, the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs for eight years is also an established fact. The fact that as part of today’s programme, there is a symposium on the Technical Aid Corps scheme, one of Prof. Akinyemi’s enduring legacy in government, is ample demonstration of the relevance of Prof. Akinyemi to Nigeria’s Foreign Policy. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/02/how-to-avoid-nigerias-breakaway-in-2015-ibb/

Politics

en

This short documentary looks at how easy it is to make fake passports and scam the rich into trusting you with thousands of dollars. If the fraud industry were its own country, it would have the fifth strongest economy in the world, just ahead of the UK. Meet the fraudsters who're making a killing from the fastest growing crime on Earth. VICE showcases the British fraud industry and the unapologetic mindset of the type of people who turn to that life to make a living. It's interesting to see it from their perspective, but it's nothing short of violating to know that these are the types of people who think identity theft, credit damage and stealing are viable ways to make a living. LMFAO. Amateurs, the lot of 'em. 30 million my arse! So a 'former' con artist starts a company that specializes in combating con artists. And then makes a video that you might say encourages 'petty' fraud by showing just how simple it is. Looks like just another one of his schemes. I agree that these are amateur examples when compared with the fraud committed by governments, corporations, and underground organizations. Amateurs, compared to the bankers, who actually stole trillions more than a new pair of Nikes and a tart or two. This is sad in that the main guy is kinda likable even though he does bad things that ultimatly hurt many people on an individual level. I wish they wouldent portray people like this in a good light and simple portray them as they really are, evil people that simply take from others. Its that easy... Oh, I ment to coment on this doc but it went to S. Korea story and I don't feel like rewriting it, sorry Vlatko, First time comemment! I was at a funeral last August and I needed gas to drive home 300 K.At the gas station my Visa Gold card was rejected ? Thank god I had a debit card for gas. Apparently,someone was flying to spain on my card as I was trying to buy gas so the Visa company killed my card. The criminal organization called me a month later to sell me identity thieft protection.I knew it was the criminals so I told them off. I said " I don't mind you stelling my Visa and flying to spain but the next time you do it at least offer me a ticket " I would like to see Spain. The guy was trying not to laugh SO HARD and we became good friends in some way.The bank got screwed and that was even better. All criminals are worthless maggots and the only rehabilitation for those vermin would be a bullet into the back of their head regardless age age or gender.Maggots only breed more maggots so this is the only way to cull this filth from society.Home invasion should carry the death penalty see how quickly this crime would disappear. Sure the brainless unaffected do-gooder will howl..let them. about time we got rid of those idiots also This movie is a fraud as it does not tell one s***... it simply shows people who engage in fraud. bloody drunks. all a bunch of drunks Scum bags. Thick headed dumb asses. I would so love to get my hands around the necks of the twits that continue to send me scam emails from nirobi. Show em the end of the barrel. I have been robbed and it changed my life. Do it again MF I'm waiting for you. Anyone else notice just how glazed those girls eyes were? And what a preposterously vain and sad lump that Dave Courtney is! Very fun and interesting doc. I loved the old guy's house. It would appear the main culpret in financial fraud is the retail store. The weakest link in the chain. Just as greedy and the criminal and just as uncaring on the results of thier actions. So why aren't stores being targeted by banks for their poor security measures? One can only cnclude that the stores and the banks make money from that enterprise and prosecuting fraudsters is just for show. These VICE dudes have been putting out some pretty good docu vids. Glad to see TD pick up on what these guys are doing. Hooray - Britain leads the world at something... Simple, ask Wall Street fraud from the top to the bottom, when the entire financial system is based on fraud (they call it rehypothecation in london) then everyone is going to do it.

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/how-to-get-away-with-stealing/

Politics

en

Boko Haram: Borno governor holds emergency security meeting Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has held an emergency security meeting over the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in some parts of the state. Malam Isa Gusau, the Special Adviser to Gov. Shettima on Communication and Strategy in a statement said, the meeting was held behind closed door in attendance with all heads of security agencies in the state including Nigerian Army, Air Force, Police and the Department of State Security where proactive measures were taken on how to increase surveillance against Boko Haram attacks. The statement also disclosed that the meeting lasted for about three hours after the Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Leo Irabor had briefed the governor on recent attacks and ongoing military operations, adding that discussions were also centred on wave of suicide attacks following the dismantling of Boko Haram stronghold in Sambisa Forest. Isa said the meeting was held for over three hours at the council chambers of the Government House, the meeting had in attendance the G.O.C, Seven Division of the Army, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu; the Commander, 79 Composite group of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Charles Oho; the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Commissioner of Police, Damien Chukwu; the Garrison Commander, 7 Division of the Army, Brigadier General Jibrin G. Mohammed; the State Director of the DSS, Suleiman Kankia; Commandant of the Nigerian Civil Defense Corps, Ibrahim Abdullahi; the Secretary to the State Government, Usman Jidda Shuwa, the attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan and the Permanent Secretary in charge of security. The statement said, “At the end of meeting, new guard locations were established in some routes across the State to curtail the movement of remnants of Boko Haram fighters; deployment of security personnel to various locations were increased with more members of Civilian JTF (youth volunteers involved) while the Governor gave approval for release of additional patrol vehicles to security agencies for increased surveillance. “ The Governor also approved logistics to compliment efforts of the federal government in strengthening armed forces while measures were adopted to strengthen the Civilian JTF and hunters. The meeting also reviewed synergy between formal armed forces and volunteers with steps adopted to increase collaboration and clamp down on cattle rustling used by insurgents to raise funds. ” The council deliberated on recent false information spread by mischief makers to cause disaffection between armed forces and volunteers particularly the Civilian JTF with the council warning mischief makers against destabilizing the emerging peace across the State,” the statement said.

http://thenationonlineng.net/boko-haram-borno-governor-holds-emergency-security-meeting/

Politics

en

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – The Federal Government has suspended Chief Okoi Obono-Obla as Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property. The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, in a statement on Sunday, said that recent actions of Obono-Obla who is equally an aide to President Muhammadu Buhari on prosecution, ran contrary to the enabling act that established the panel. Consequently, the AGF directed Obono-Obla to “henceforth desist from carrying out any operation in his capacity as head of the panel”. Obono-Obla was notified of his suspension via a letter dated November 1 with file number HAGF/SH/2017/VOL/1/60, which was signed by the AGF. In the letter, Malami maintained that activities of the panel contravened established administrative procedures and protocols in the nation’s civil service structure. He warned Obono-Obla to strictly comply with FG’s directive that he should hands-off from further presiding over any activity in the name of the panel. Obono-Obla was also barred from further granting press interviews without firstly securing permission to speak on any official matter. “Obla is also instructed to henceforth seek clearance from the AGF before granting any media interview or making press releases on official matters, while he is directed to promptly provide a detailed up-to-date report on the activities of the panel to the Minister for onward transmission to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. Malami’s letter titled, ‘RE: Directive In Respect of Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, Chiarman of the Special Investigation Panel on the recovery of public property’, was said to be a follow-up to a previous letter from the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. According to the statement, Malami’s letter to Obono-Obla read: “I have received a letter Ref. SH/OVP/DCOS/FMJ/0424 dated 20thOctober, 2017 in respect of the above subject from the Office of the Vice President. “In the said letter, the Vice President expressed his concerns on the activities of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property which runs contrary to the enabling Act establishing it. He also noted that the activities of the Panel run foul or contrary to established administrative procedures and protocols in the Federal Civil Service structure. “In view of the foregoing coupled with the directives contained in the letter under reference, you are hereby directed to refrain from any further action or taking any step in your capacity as the Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property with immediate effect until directed otherwise by His Excellency, the Vice President. “While you are to await further instructions in respect of the Panel’s mandate, you are hereby directed to promptly provide a detailed up-to-date report on the activities of the Panel to the undersigned for onward transmission to the Vice President. “Furthermore, you are required to henceforth seek clearance from the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice before granting any media interview or making press releases on official matters. “While appealing for immediate and strict compliance with the contents of this letter, please, accept the assurances of my warm regards and best wishes”. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.google.com.ng/amp/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2017/11/breaking-fg-sacks-obono-obla-chairman-public-assets-recovery-panel/amp/

Politics

en

From left, Chairman Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Shettima Yerima; Member of the Coalition, Nasfura Asher; Spokesman Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Mr. Abdullazeez Suleiman; and Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima during a world press conference on the suspension of the Kaduna Quit Notice declaration by CNG in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan. As Ohanaeze, IPOB attack FG over Nnamdi Kanu By Emmanuel Aziken, Emeka Mamah & Dapo Akinrefon The Igbo apex socio-political group, Ohanaeze-Ndigbo, has warned the Federal Government against the move to revoke the bail granted the pro-Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, on the grounds that he breached the conditions for his bail. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), the separatist group led by Kanu, and a former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Roland Owie, joined Ohanaeze-Ndigbo to reject the government move. The development came on a day Arewa youths, who withdrew their quit notice to Igbo people living in the North, said their action was to honour President Muhammadu Buhari. Meanwhile, the youths said the goal of the quit notice had been achieved as notable Igbo leaders have disowned the “mad (pro-Biafra) agitation coming from the South-East”. The Federal Government had, on Friday, asked a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to revoke the bail granted Kanu, who is being prosecuted alongside others on treasonable felony charges. The government alleged acts of serial violation of the bail conditions imposed on the pro-Biafran leader by the court. It explained that instead of the IPoB leader to use the opportunity of his bail to attend to his health needs, as pleaded before the court granted him bail, Kanu went ahead to inaugurate a security outfit known as Biafra Security Service, saying this constituted a threat to national security. The Ohanaeze-Ndigbo, in a response to the government move, yesterday, said it was provocative, biased and a breach of the Constitution. The President of the Igbo group, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, in a statement, noted that the Attorney General of the Federation looked the other way when some Arewa youths committed what was akin to treason by breaching the rights of other citizens and when they withdrew their quit notice did so on qualified terms. He said although he and many Igbo leaders did not agree with the persuasions of Kanu, he, nonetheless, maintained, in a statement that the AGF got it wrong. “It has just been brought to my notice that the Attorney-General of the Federation has approached the court to incarcerate Nnamdi Kalu for flouting his bail conditions. “I am amazed that the distinguished attorney is prepared to contest the superiority of the provisions of the Constitution on fundamental human rights of freedom of movement and freedom of association over an erroneous judicial proclamation violating those rights. I am equally miffed by the audacity with which the Attorney-General displays his bias without regard to his oath of office. “A few hours ago under the watchful eyes of the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and in total defiance of the Head of State’s proclamation of the rights of a citizen of Nigeria to live anywhere in Nigeria and to do business anywhere in Nigeria, the Arewa Youths, pretending to withdraw their quit notice gave qualifications to the Head of State’s proclamation, issuing conditions for enjoyment of citizenship status. “These same Arewa youths are supposed to have been arrested on the orders of the Governor of Kaduna State and the Inspector General of Police for acts of treason, conversion and sedition. As the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, the Attorney-General looks the other way. He does not go to court to seek an order of arrest or prosecution”. Nwodo pointed out that Kanu, as a citizen of Nigeria, was free to hold any point of view, no matter how displeasing to anyone, so long as they were not inciting or provoking any criminal activities. The Ohanaeze – Ndigbo leader went on: “I and some Igbo leaders have differences of opinion with Nnamdi on a number of issues. We have been insulted and abused by Radio Biafra but we concede them their right to differ from us. We concede them their nature to be exuberant as youths but we cannot be judgmental about their rights. “This is a democracy. In democracies leaders are abused, pelted with rotten eggs and booed at, as the former Edo State Governor was booed in Abuja a few days ago. These acts are not necessarily criminal”. He urged the Attorney-General not to exacerbate the already tense nation by commencing a legal action which portrays him as biased, insensitive and misdirected. ‘Move to re-arrest Kanu illegal, illogical’ Also rejecting the government move, IPoB, in a statement, yesterday, said it was not only a form of terrorism but illegal and illogical, saying Kanu had not committed any offence known to the laws of Nigeria. In the statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPoB described the request by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, as “dangerous, illegal and undemocratic.” The statement read, in part, “We, the IPOB, and it’s leadership worldwide under the command and leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to place the whole world on notice regarding the illegal, unwholesome and undemocratic moves by the APC government led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari to re-arrest our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who committed no crime known to the laws of the Nigerian state. “Merely asserting that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a threat to the Nigerian government is not a crime unless accompanied by legally definable crime or offence. “The Buhari led administration must know that threats and more threats heaped upon intimidation after intimidation does not make IPOB responsible of any crime. “Before President Buhari decides to make a move to arrest our leader, he must first go to court to obtain a court order or else it will be resisted by millions of IPOB members. “This singular act by Buhari-led Federal Government is going according to our predictions. We knew that this day would come, so we are well prepared for it. “As soon as the illegal, unconstitutionally draconian conditions of the bail were spelt out by Justice Binta Nyako, we knew such a day would come when they will use the cover of broken bail condition to launch an attack… After all, the matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction. “When IPOB complained about the inhumane bail conditions, we were advised to approach the court for variation. Now that (some people) are uncomfortable with the conduct of our leader in respect of the same bail conditions, they must also approach the courts to grant their prayers and not try to subvert the legal process by instigating arrest without the permission of the court. “Whatever issues the APC government of Buhari has with our leader, Mazi Kanu, must first be presented before Justice Binta Nyako’s court for determination. “This latest move by this regime is simply a continuation of the well documented anti-democratic tendencies…”. The Igbo group threatened that should Justice Binta Nyako choose to listen to Buhari and revoke the bail granted to Kanu during his appearance on October 17, 2017, it will ensure 100% compliance with the Anambra elections boycott order. AGF overreaching himself – Owie In the same vein, Senator Owie, in a statement, yesterday, said the Attorney-General of the Federation was trying to create problems for the Buhari administration by seeking the re-arrest of Kanu. “I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to ignore the AGF on the re-arrest move”, the former Senate Chief Whip and the National Leader of Action Democratic Party (ADP), South-South, said in a statement. He went on: “The AGF does not wish President Muhammadu Buhari administration well. Why did he not file the court action for Kanu’s re-arrest while the President was away in the UK? Why did he not file a court action for the arrest of a Coalition of Northern Youths for issuing a quit notice to Igbo living in the North? “Buhari should not allow these toddlers and some others around him to dent, further, the already dented image of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Federal Government, and should remember always the saying of Mr. H.G. Bohn: `May the man be damned and never grow fat, who wears two faces under one hat’”. Quit notice to Igbo achieved goal – Shettima While explaining why Arewa youths withdrew their quit notice to Igbo resident in the North, yesterday, a top member of the coalition that issued the notice, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, said it was in deference to President Buhari. Yerima, who is also the National President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), however, said the goal of the quit notice was largely achieved as Igbo leaders distanced themselves from the pro-Biafra agitation led by Kanu and his group, IPoB. Asked what informed the decision by the northern youths to withdraw the quit notice to Igbo, Shettima told Sunday Vanguard in an interview: “In the first place, we considered the fact that we are not agents of destruction. We are agents of building a progressive Nigeria. You will also recall that the reason we went to the extreme of doing what we did was as a result of the mad agitation coming from the South East. No tribe or people will allow anyone to abuse the sensibility of their leaders and get away with it without any caution. So, we felt that the silence of the leaders and traditional rulers of the South East is a conspiracy of silence to allow Nnamdi Kanu to continue with his quest, we felt there was need at that time to do what we did. “Unfortunately, time has over taken a lot of things but we have seen that political leaders and leaders from the South East have come out to condemn the activities of the young man. The leaders are also coming out to say that they don’t believe in Biafra but in one Nigeria, it is commendable. There was also pressure and intervention from our leaders, they spoke to us to withdraw the notice and we listened to their counsel. You will also recall that the Sultan of Sokoto called us to intervene, the northern leaders also spoke to us followed by other prominent northern leaders as well as other stakeholders”. Even before the president’s return, we had written to the Acting President of our plans to withdraw the quit notice on a particular date. We are not ready to join issues. Anyway, there is nothing bad if we honor our president, Mohammadu Buhari. He says he does not want anything that will divide the country. We have obeyed him. If we do that, there is nothing wrong in that . We are proudly Nigerians and he is the President of Nigeria we are looking for ways to build the nation and not destroy the nation”. On what the quit notice had achieved, the Arewa leader said: “First, we have succeeded in exposing the fraud in the agitation, which has been brought to the fore. Also, we have seen southern leaders and traditional rulers from the South East coming out to condemn the Biafran struggle. We are also seeing the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo coming out to talk about a united Nigeria and condemning Biafra. This is commendable and a plus to Nigeria. The quit notice has achieved the desired result. All we need do is work with those who believe in a united Nigeria”. On the clamour for restructuring, he said: “It the issue for now because the unity of the country is being threatened. I am an advocate of restructuring but we need to consider timing. What we need do is to stabilise the country before we can sit down and talk of restructuring. The North is not against restructuring but it should not be done by this government. We need to wait for another government in 2019 before we can talk about restructuring. Nobody is afraid of restructuring from the north because we want it more than any other person”. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/buhari-made-us-withdraw-quit-notice-arewa-youths/

Politics

en

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), making his remarks during the courtesy visit by former Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Evander Holyfield at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Wednesday, May 24, 2017. Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday lauded the achievements of five-time world cruiserweight and heavyweight boxing champion, Evander Holyfield, describing him as the greatest living boxer of all times. Governor Ambode, who spoke at Lagos House in Ikeja when he received Holyfield on courtesy visit, said he was personally proud of the achievements of the legend in the boxing field, and described him as a great role model. Holyfield, who is billed to slug it out with former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at an exhibition boxing match, is in Lagos as part of activities marking the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the State, and to also give back to the society through his foundation. The Governor, who described the visit of the boxing legend to Lagos as historic, said there was no better way to showcase sports as catalyst for growth than the collaboration of such an icon as Holyfield. “This is exciting and historic moment for us coming at a time Lagos is celebrating the 50 years of its establishment and we want to say a big thank you to Holyfield for collaborating with us to put this as part of events marking the Golden Jubilee anniversary of Lagos State. “We believe strongly that in all sectors that we have tried to celebrate Lagos, this is one momentous topic that we really mean to celebrate. As a government, we have always wanted to use sports as a way of driving our economy and there is no way we can showcase sports as the catalyst for economic growth than bringing somebody who is a champion; a revered person and for him to use his God given talent and resources to promote sports in our State,” Governor Ambode said. While noting the vision of the Evander Holyfield Foundation to nurture young stars and future boxers, as well as the issues relating to promotion of health and wellbeing of the people, Governor Ambode pledged to partner with the foundation to ensure that the set objectives are achieved, especially with regards to the people of the State. The Governor described Holyfield as the living greatest boxer of all times, a sport icon and a champion who he is proud of his achievements, adding that the visit to Nigeria would also be used to trace the roots of the boxer back to Lagos. “I love the concept that you want to pay back and that is the essence of leadership which is to be able to touch humanity. There are very many people that go away from their stardom and not pay back and so many champions have not been able to do anything after leaving the ring but Holyfield stand as an exception. “On the other side, boxing should now be in the front burner of sports in Nigeria especially now that a Nigerian, Anthony Joshua recently won as the unified world heavyweight champion. “Lagos has the largest concentration of the black people in the world and we just believe that Lagos should be well projected the visit by the boxing legend is also to promote the brand called Lagos,” Governor Ambode said. Earlier, Holyfield said he was in Nigeria to give back to the society having achieved so much in life especially in boxing. While recalling how he started boxing at the young age of 8 and became champion at 9, Holyfield said he felt like quitting after initially suffering defeats but his mother told him to hang on. “I became the person I am because I listened, I followed direction and I did not quit even when I lost. In giving back to the society, I am here to say I got a Real Deal Promotion. We are looking for young fighters who want to listen and follow instruction. “This is about giving back to the society. I want kids to learn from me how I became four times heavyweight champion,” Holyfield said. He also announced donation of $3million worth of health equipment to Lagos State Government, a gesture which Governor Ambode commended and urged other sports legends and individuals to emulate. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/evander-holyfield-donates-3m-health-equipment-lasg/

Sports

en

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and 302 concerned Nigerians have filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly, asking the court to “declare illegal, unconstitutional and unfair the recent hike in electricity tariff and fuel price because top-level public officers cannot continue to receive the same salaries and allowances and spend public money to finance a life of luxury for themselves while asking poor Nigerians to make sacrifices.” Joined in the suit as Defendants are the Vice-President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). President Buhari had while presenting the 2021 budget proposal of N13.08 trillion to the National Assembly reportedly stated that: “The new petro pricing has freed up resources that were used for subsidy payments, while the new cost-reflective pricing in the electricity industry is meant to address the liquidity challenges in the sector.” READ ALSO: Situation Room Asks Buhari To Withdraw Onochie’s Nomination As INEC Commissioner But in the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/330/2020 filed last week at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order directing and compelling the RMAFC to cut the salaries, allowances and other emoluments payable to President Buhari, Professor Osinbajo, Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila, in line with the current economic realities, and principles of justice, fairness, equality and non-discrimination.” SERAP is arguing that: “The Constitution of Nigeria 1999 [as amended] makes it clear that the authorities should harness Nigeria’s resources to promote and ensure the maximum welfare, prosperity, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality. The country’s resources ought to be harnessed and distributed to serve the common good, and not to finance a life of luxury for politicians.” According to SERAP: “Increasing electricity tariff and fuel price in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic is antithetical to the public interest, the common good, and a fundamental breach of constitutional oath of office.” SERAP is also seeking: “an order of injunction restraining the RMAFC from paying the same amount of salaries and allowances to President Buhari, Professor Osinbajo, Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila until the RMAFC comprehensively reviews downward the salaries and allowances and other emoluments of these top public officers and other high-ranking public officers, in line with Nigeria’s current economic realities, and consistent with the principles of the rule of law.” Dr Lawan issued for himself and on behalf of all 109 members of the Senate, while Mr Gbajabiamila issued for himself and on behalf of all 360 members of the House of Representatives. According to SERAP: “A public officer shall not put himself/herself in a position where his/her personal interest conflicts with his/her duties and responsibilities. Personal interest, in this case, is when top public officers like the Defendants continue to receive the same salaries and allowances while asking poor Nigerians to sacrifice and bear the burden of electricity tariff and fuel price hike.” SERAP is also asking the court to determine “whether RMAFC can lawfully continue to maintain the same level of salaries and allowances for President Buhari, Professor Osinbajo, Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila, in light of Nigeria’s current economic realities, and constitutional provisions, and despite their apparent roles in the increase of electricity tariff and fuel price.” SERAP said: “Public money is spent as security votes without transparency, and to pay for lavish lifestyles for top public officers including lawmakers, who continue to buy expensive new cars at the expense of taxpayers, the poor and socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians. The National Assembly is also set to spend N27 billion to renovate the National Assembly Complex, as proposed in the budget.” The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Opeyemi Owolabi read in part: “Public duty means showing leadership by example and commitment to the ideals of public service, including by reducing salaries and allowances of high-ranking public officers like the Defendants.” “The Nigerian Constitution is founded on the rule of law the primary meaning of which is that everything must be done according to law. It also means that government should be conducted within the framework of recognized rules and principles, which restrict discretionary power.” “The court, being the last hope of the common man, must come to the aid of the poor and socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians by granting the reliefs sought by SERAP and 302 concerned Nigerians. Unless the reliefs sought are granted, the Defendants will continue to breach the constitution at the expense of Nigerians living in poverty.” “The poor and socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians would be negatively affected by the hike in electricity tariff and fuel price. The increase is contrary to the oath of office by the President to faithfully ensure the well-being and prosperity of the people. Increasing electricity tariff and fuel price is neither in the public interest nor the well-being of Nigerians.” “On or about the 1st September 2020, the Federal Government announced a total removal of subsidy from the price of the Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol and thereby pushed the price per litre of petrol to N151. The Government had on 19th August 2020 announced an increment of more than 100 per cent in the electricity tariff per kilowatt to be paid by Nigerians who continue to face unjust electricity charges.” SERAP is also seeking the following reliefs: A DECLARATION that the exercise of the President Buhari’s power to increase the price of petrol under section 6 of the Petroleum Act 1969 and increase of electricity tariff is arbitrary, unjust, unfair, and in breach of the Oath of Office of President contained in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 [as amended]. A DECLARATION that it is unlawful and unconstitutional for President Buhari, Professor Osinbajo, Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila to continue to receive the same salaries and allowances and the same level of budgetary allocations, despite Nigeria’s current economic realities and light of the Public Procurement Act 2007, constitutional code of conduct for public officers, and their respective oaths of office contained in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. A DECLARATION that the failure of RMAFC to reduce the salaries, allowances and other emoluments for President Buhari, Professor Osinbajo, Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila and other principal public officers in spite of their respective roles in the increase of electricity tariff and fuel price is in breach of the principle of equality before the law and equal application of the law, and Section 153 [n] and Paragraph [N] 32[b] [c] [d] in Part 1 Third Schedule of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 [as amended]. AN ORDER restraining all the Defendants individually and/or collectively, directly or through their representatives and agents from implementing any purported increase in electricity tariff and fuel price until an impact assessment of the effects on the poor and socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians is carried out. AND for such further order(s) this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances. No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

https://www.channelstv.com/2020/10/18/serap-sues-buhari-nass-wants-court-to-declare-electricity-tariff-fuel-price-hike-illegal/amp/#click=https:///tJnjaso0fm

Politics

en

By Clifford Ndujihe, Deputy Political Editor Their Common features Indeed, Jonathan and Atiku have a few things in common. They were both born in the month of November. While Jonathan was born on November 20, 1957, Atiku, his main and primary political opponent, was sired on November 25, 1946. In their careers, both men had served in the Department of Customs & Excise. While Atiku served the department for 20 years, Jonathan functioned in the service for two years. The two-term former Vice President joined the Customs in 1969 and retired in 1989 after rising to the rank of Deputy Director of Customs, an equivalent of Deputy Comptroller. On his part, Jonathan got enlisted in the Customs in 1975 as a Preventive Officer after his secondary education. He quit in 1977 on securing an admission into the Department of Zoology, University of Port Harcourt. It will not be surprising if the duo deployed the experience they tapped from their sojourn in the Customs into the presidential contest. Aside the Customs, Atiku and Jonathan are from unique geo-political zones – North-East and South-South. These are the only two zones that have not produced Military Heads of State. And the times people from the two zones occupied the seat of power, they were through democratic means. Nigeria’s first and only Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa hailed from Bauchi, North-East. He occupied the position between 1960 to 1966 through the ballot box. After him, no other person from the North-East has been president or Head of State. The South-South shares a similar fate. It has neither produced a president nor a Head of State until Jonathan appeared on the scene, via a co-incidence of election and divine intervention. He was elected Vice President to late President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua. He assumed the throne following the expiration of Yar’ Adua last May. That may be where the commonness between both men ends. They have a lot of differences. For a start, Atiku is a Moslem while Jonathan is a Christian. Atiku is from Adamawa State, Northern Nigeria as opposed to Jonathan’s Bayelsa State, Southern Nigeria. Atiku is a polygamist while Jonathan is a monogamist. Jonathan has one wife, Mrs. Patience Faka (from Rivers State), and two children– Aruabai and Adolphus Ariweri. Conversely, Atiku has four wives drawn from four ethnic groups, four states and three geo-political zones, who bore him 27 children. The first wife, Hajia Titi, a Christian is from Ilesha in Osun State(South-West zone). The second wife, Rukayat is the daughter of the Lamido Adamawa (North-East). The third, Fatima is a Kanuri, Borno State (North-East) while the fourth, Jamila (formerly Jennifer Iwenjiora) is an Igbo from Onitsha, Anambra State. It is too early to tell if these backgrounds will play a crucial role in the outcome of the PDP primaries and the April 9 elections proper. But one thing is certain, both men are not leaving anything to chance in their quest to be chief occupant of Aso Rock. Changing political equation The campaigns and posturing have since changed gear following the emergence of Atiku as the consensus flagbearer of North, according to the nine-man committee of the Northern Leaders Political Forum, NPLF led by Malam Adamu Ciroma last Monday. A day after the adoption, Jonathan came out with an advertorial, in many national dailies, urging the electorate to cast their lot with him, the “consensus Nigerian candidate.” Indeed, the emergence of Atiku Abubakar has started altering political permutations. Pundits say that the country is about to undergo an interesting phase with the political prospects of a new Nigeria. The political will of the Nigerian nation is about to be tested with the convergence of divergent forces with the attendant far-reaching implications for the polity. With Vice President Namadi Sambo as running mate, President Jonathan has entered the contest with the incumbency factor, Niger Delta factor, South/North factor and a perceived shy, unassuming, articulate, calm and calculating player. On the other side, Atiku, who is expected to come up with a South-East running mate, which sources said might be named before the PDP primaries to sway delegates, is in the arena with Northern hegemony-cum- South factor, acclaimed consummate political gladiator and grandmaster, grassroots mobiliser and strategist as well as an articulate, calm and calculating master player. Atiku is also going into the race with the backing of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Gen. Aliyu Mohammed Gusua, who lost the consensus ticket to him and thereafter pledged to collapse their campaign teams into his. Raging tussle for PDP ticket For the duo, the primary task now is clinching the PDP ticket, which is a different kettle of fish from the presidential election proper. The ruling party’s primaries would be won by the aspirant that woos the majority of delegates and going by current permutations it is almost a 50-50 chance between them with Jonathan having a slight edge. The President has been endorsed by various groups and stakeholders even though most of the groups are not part of statutory delegates to the PDP convention. As of now, Jonathan has got the endorsement of the South-East, South-South and South-South PDP, Southern governors and a couple of Northern states’ helmsmen. Presently, Atiku has the support of some North-West, North-East and North-Central governors and would-be delegates. Sources said he is push hard to get the South-East nod by picking his running mate from the region. He has promised to do a term and relinquish power to the South-East in 2015. Jonathan is yet to make a similar promise. Towards this, Alh Abubakar has raised a committee led by former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme and Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, to advise him on the choice of a South-East running mate. Leading politicians being considered for the Number Two job include former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and Senator Ben Obi among others. Atiku to name running mate before primaries Unlike what had prevailed in the past, sources said the running mate might be named before the PDP primaries, to sway delegates. Sources said the Atiku camp is bent on realising the Northern plan of producing the president in 2011 in line with the PDP zoning formula. The plan has four levels. Two has gone, remaining two. The first was to stop Jonathan from running and it failed. The second is to produce a consensus candidate to fight for the PDP flag with Jonathan and it has sailed through. If Atiku did not get the ticket, the next plan, according to sources, is to contest on the platform of an opposition party or root for an opposition candidate without leaving the PDP. On his part, the Jonathan’s team is upping its door-to-door campaign and firming its hold on consenting governors. Going by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC timetable, both men have between today (November 26) and January 16, a duration of 51 days, depending on when the PDP will hold its primaries, to emerge as the standard bearer. Implications of Jonathan, Atiku’s victory If Jonathan wins the ticket, it might be nunc dimitis for the northern hegemony. And if Atiku wins, it might demystify and erode the power of incumbency in the polity. And depending on how the President is ‘humiliated’, he might throw his weight behind an opposition candidate, with the opposition being the beneficiary. As it were, the winner of the race may not be the harder political puncher but one with the longer political stamina and political sagacity. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/11/atiku-vs-jonathan-the-battle-of-two-ex-customs-officers/

Politics

en

Governor Ben Ayade •Calabar is safe – Inuwa, CP By Ike Uchechukwu CALABAR- FOLLOWING the relocation of many Igbo businessmen from Calabar and other parts of Cross River State to neighbouring Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi states, the Cross River State Government has introduced a new coding system on commercial vehicles, including tricycles plying the state to curb armed robbery, kidnapping and other crimes. Exercise to tackle insecurity– Ngagi Mr. Jude Ngaji, a Senior Special Assistant, SSA, Security to Governor Ben Ayade, told NDV that the measure was to create a data bank of all the commercial vehicle operators in the state with a view to curbing insecurity in the metropolis and the state at large. “The operators have all filled forms giving their full details, so, if a case is reported about a vehicle, all we do is simply check the system and know who the owner of the vehicle is. “We are being proactive, knowing that these criminal activities happen around us every day and we need to curb them. This is not an indictment on any commercial vehicle operator, but it is something we must do to ensure that most of the common criminal cases are reduced,” he said. He said the state government would handle the cost implications of registering and giving codes to the commercial vehicles in all the local government areas of the state. …Govt‘ll bear cost of registration “I heard that a token was paid by the commercial operators for the registration and codes, but I am going to order all that to be returned to the operators and see that it becomes the full responsibility of the state government,” Ngaji added. The security adviser, however, called on commercial vehicle operators who use their vehicles to engage in criminal activities to refrain from such as the state would employ necessary methods to curb their activities. We support measure – Ewa, Tricycles Association chair Reacting, chairman, Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria, TOAN, in the state, Joseph Ewa said the measure would help in identifying the evil ones, who pose as ‘Keke riders’ to commit various forms of crimes. “We have heard numerous complaints of people forgetting their belonging in a keke and they were not brought to the office, so they could be returned to the owners,” he said. It’ll reduce crime – Okon Also speaking, chairman, Unified Commercial Drivers in Cross River, Effiong Okon, said though the system was new in Cross River; it had been in existence in other states and even abroad. Okon noted that the development would surely reduce crime as it is easy to identify the new codes boldly written on the vehicles than identifying the number plates on commercial vehicles. Crime wave down in C’River – Police Commissioner Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa, told NDV: “There will always be criminally- minded people in the society but as security operatives, we are very proactive in our action, we are not reactive because we want to prevent crime even before it happens. “You must have observed that the crime wave is on the decline as we speak, we have raided a lot of criminal hideouts in the city and we have charged a lot of people to court for various crimes. We know and believe that once that confidence is regained, a lot of people, even new businesses, will come back to Calabar. “But I can assure you that Calabar remains one of the safest cities in West Africa, because you can walk the streets till dawn because we have increased patrol and surveillance and we have changed our tactics in a bid to tackle the menace of armed robbery, cultism and kidnapping,” he said. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/08/aftermath-of-igbo-traders-exit-criver-commences-coding-of-commercial-vehicle-tricycle-operators/

Politics

en

NLC backs down on protest in Rivers By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its planned protest in Rivers State following an agreement with the State Government. A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim said officials of NLC led by its National President, Ayuba Wabba, reached the agreement in a meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt. Wabba reportedly read the agreement on the implementation of the new national minimum wage and consequential adjustments saying the parties to the dispute agreed to sign it. He said the state NLC secretariat sealed for correction of structural defects would be unsealed while the government continued with the work. He said the State Government would immediately restore the remittance of check-off dues and pay all outstanding arrears to the respective labour unions. He said the government would pay the salaries withheld from health workers due to the 2017 strike action. The NLC President also said the parties agreed to set up a tripartite committee to resolve the adjustment of pensions in line with the constitution and payment of Pension and Gratuity. Wabba said the parties agreed to take steps to discontinue all ongoing litigations in relation to hitherto disputed matters. He added that no worker would be victimised for their involvement in the industrial dispute with the government. He commended Governor Nyesom Wike for his statesmanship that facilitated the resolution of the dispute. The statement said Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Secretary to the State Government; Rufus Godwins, Head of Service; Paulinus Nsirim, Commissioner for Information and Communications and Dr. Ayebaesin Beredugo signed on behalf of Rivers State Government. It also said that Emmanuel Ugboaja, Gen. Secretary, NLC; Musa Lawal, Secretary-General, TUC; Mrs Beatrice Itubo, Chairman, NLC Rivers State; Austin Jonah, Chairman, TUC, Rivers State; Chuku Emecheta, JPSNC, Rivers State and Obi Fortune, Secretary General, TUC, Rivers State signed on behalf of the Organized Labour.

https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-nlc-backs-down-on-protest-in-rivers/

Politics

en

By Chijioke Okoronkwo Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday presided over a virtual meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Under the Nigerian Constitution, the vice president is the chairman of NEC. The council’s meeting is held monthly to deliberate on the coordination of the economic planning efforts and economic programmes of the various levels of government. NEC comprises the 36 state governors, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Minister of Finance, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and other government officials whose duties hinge on the economy. At an emergency meeting on July 2, the council endorsed the 2022-2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP).

https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/07/15/osinbajo-presides-over-virtual-nec-meeting-2/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=osinbajo-presides-over-virtual-nec-meeting-2

Politics

en

The deposed Baale of Shangisha, Mutiu Ogundare, has been remanded in Kirikiri Prison for allegedly faking his abduction. Ogundare was remanded in prison by an Ogba Magistrate’s Court, Ikeja along with his wife, Abolanle, and one Mohammed Opeyemi Babatunde, four days after he was deposed by the Lagos State government over the matter. They were arraigned before Magistrate T. Akanni on Thursday on three counts bordering on breach of public peace and fake kidnapping. The former Baale of Shangisha was accused in the first count of putting himself “forward to be kidnapped” and in order to breach public peace. According to the prosecution, the offence is contrary to Section 5 of the Kidnapping Prohibition 2017 No. C17, Law of Lagos State. The second count said his wife and Babatunde “did aid, counsel, abet and procure” him to fake his kidnap. The trio was accused of taking part in the fake kidnap – contrary to Section 16(1)(a-d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, CH. 17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015. They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. Subsequently, their counsel, Mr Glory Odimayo, prayed the court to grant them bail, arguing that they are prominent members of the Shangisha community and would not jump bail. But the prosecutor, Peter Okerinmodun, opposed the application, arguing that they used their status to tamper with evidence and that releasing them on bail may lead to the breach of public peace. Magistrate Akanni, however, granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N2m and two sureties in the like sum. According to her the sureties must include a traditional ruler, person with registered property in Lagos, must be a taxpayer and a grade level 17 officer in the state public service. She then adjourned the case till August 23 for hearing.

https://www.channelstv.com/2022/11/24/aggrieved-northern-apc-christians-endorse-obi-datti-give-reasons/Fake

Politics

en

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State. By Elizabeth Osayande Armed with the belief that the cost of governance can be reduced if frivolities are cut, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has revealed that neither he nor anyone in his cabinet had purchase personal or official vehicles with taxpayers’ money since they assumed office. He made this revelation on Thursday, in his address at the 22nd Annual Tax Conference, on the theme ‘Taxation and Economic Competitiveness: Imperatives for National Development’. While harping on the need to reduce the cost of governance, Sanwo-Olu said: “We need to look at the expenditure of our state. “As the Chief Executive of our state, I ask myself where can I cut the excesses from? “What can I do away with in order to increase the revenue of our state, and make available a lot of money for my state for them to do well?” ALSO READ: Abandoned Container: Customs, CMA CGM distance selves from toxic waste as NESREA investigates Sawo-Olu added: “So what have I done, and this is the first time I will be saying this publicly, I have not purchased a single official vehicle for myself or any of my direct staff, or any of my family members since I became the governor. “So if you see me have a convoy of 10 vehicles, what you are seeing are all vehicles that I have been using since my campaign time. “And because we are in Lagos, being your governor, I have also been opportuned to receive two or three brand new cars from very highly-spirited Lagosians. “So I said to my people that it is not a practical thing that any governor would want to begin to buy brand new vehicles when you don’t need too. “So because of this decision, millions are brought back into the pocket, and it simply means we can develop the state very well. “So this is just one of several things in Lagos State that we have committed to, just to reduce cost of governance and improve on the development of our state,” Sanwo-Olu added. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/11/to-reduce-cost-of-governance-i-havent-bought-official-vehicle-sanwo-olu/

Politics

en

Petrol import loss hits N1.4tr Nigeria records about N1.4 trillion yearly as under-recovery from its importation and sale of Premium Motor Spirit at N145 per litre, Petroleum Resources Minister Ibe Kachikwu said yesterday. He spoke at a meeting in Abuja where stakeholders in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) sector met to review the challenges of the LPG market. Kachikwu explained that it was time Nigeria began to look at alternative fuel sources, such as LPG, which are clean and less expensive. He said President Muhammadu Buhari would in the next two months launch an infrastructure rebirth plan with which the country would leverage to attract private finance to upgrade her oil and gas infrastructure. Said the minister: “Clean energy is very essential and we need to move away from complete utilisation in our transport sector of only PMS which is creating a lot of under-recovery of N1.4 trillion per annum of exposure to the government. “At the end of the day, we begin to go into other components of cleaner fuels and rely less on the PMS that is gotten from out of the country.” Asked to clarify if the figure on petrol under-recovery was annually and how the government felt about it, Kachikwu replied: “Yes, currently. That is being addressed at a very high level and I don’t want to go into that.” In March, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) disclosed that its expenditure on petrol subsidy was N774 million daily, and that 50 million litres was consumed across the country everyday. NNPC’s Group Managing Director Dr. Maikanti Baru described the amount as “under-recovery”, adding that the huge fund was due to the proliferation of filling stations in communities with international land and coastal borders across the country. Kachikwu also indicated that the government would launch an infrastructure rebirth plan for the oil and gas industry. The rebirth plan he noted, will enable private investors put in money in key infrastructure assets across the entire value chain of the sector. “I think government is focused in all the areas. We are hoping to launch an infrastructure rebirth map for the oil sector over the next two months, and I hope His Excellency, the President will launch that. “The effect is that it will be to open up tariff and create policy positions that will enable people to actually go in and invest in critical infrastructure that is needed because anywhere you go, whether it is distribution of petroleum products massively through trucks and rather than through pipelines, whether it is being able to take crude into refineries or distribute gas throughout the country, infrastructure is so key. “There are lots of stranded gas and power everywhere. Distribution is key; infrastructure is key. We need to find a way of finding enough incentives to enable the private sector go in very bullishly and put the money where it is supposed to be,” he explained. On the significance of the LPG meeting, Kachikwu said: “Coming from this meetings we are having, we will come up with recommendations of what DPR needs to do to deepen licensing issues and enforcement issues, but over and above just going after individuals who have done it wrongly; what are the incentives, schemes and structures we need to put in place, and it just goes to tell u where the storage capacities for the gas we have been buying; where are the official distribution and sales centers? If we deepen the regulation, deepen the licensing and enforcement, we should be able to get there.” He noted: “But, like you know, we already have a gas policy which was approved at FEC and all of this is in there. What this group is going to do is to take a piece of that as it concerns LPG and say how we can take that policy document and expand and activate the whole LPG.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/petrol-import-loss-hits-n1-4tr/

Politics

en

The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja signed a Front-Runner Solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) worth 1.75 billion dollars with 14 companies to build 1.125 Megawatts(MW) capacity of renewable power in the country. Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, who signed the documents on behalf of the government, said the agreement was to demonstrate government’s commitment to diversify Nigeria’s power industry. The minister listed the companies as Pan Africa Solar with 75mw of electricity to be located in Kankia Local Government in Katsina and Nigerian Solar Capital Partners, 100mw located in Ganjuwa, Bauchi state. Others are Afrinergia Power Limited, 50mw located in Kokowa, Nasarawa State; Motir Dusable Limited, 100 MW in Udi, Enugu State and Nova Solar 5 Farm Limited, 100mw located in Katsina State. Also Kvk Power Nigeria Pvt Limited, 100mw located in Yabo of Sokoto state; Middle Band Solar One Limited, 100mw in Lokoja West in Kogi and LR Aaron Power Limited, 100mw in FCT Nova Scotia Power Development Limited, 80mw located in Dutse; CT Cosmos, 70 MW located in Kaduna West in Kaduna State and Oriental Renewable Solutions, 50mw in Kakowa, Jigawa. Quaint Abiba Power Limited, 50mw located in Manchor Local Government of Kaduna State and Anjeed Innova Group, 100mw located in Kafanchan, also in Kaduna State. According to Fashola, the PPAs are the heart and soul of financing the power industry. Fashola disclosed that before the year 2030, Nigeria would have achieved 30 per cent capacity in renewable energy, adding that Nigeria would invest in renewable power in areas such as Biomass and coal. He explained that the era had gone when the country would depend on one source to generate its electricity. He added that Nigeria sited many of its solar energy projects in the northern part of the country because the area had more sun radiation than other parts. The minister expressed happiness over the confidence the investors had to invest in Nigeria’s power sector not minding challenges in the industry. He assured the investors that the Federal Government would provide them with good investment climate but would not tolerate low standard in the quality of their projects. Earlier, Mr. Waziri Bintube, Acting Managing Director, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC, expressed happiness that the energy sector was making progress in ensuring that Nigerians had quality and stable electricity. Mr. Marcus Heal, Managing Director of Pan Africa Solar, who spoke on behalf of the investors, thanked states, Federal Government and other agencies that assisted the investors to succeed in getting their PPAs. He expressed dissatisfaction with the low rate of the tariff regime in the sector, adding that the investors had expected high tariff in the energy industry.

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/07/21/14-companies-partners-fg-on-1-75bn-solar-power-project/1

Politics

en

BY EVELYN USMAN LAGOS — The Lagos State Police Command has smashed a kidnap syndicate comprising nine Nigerians based in Ghana. They are said to have been responsible for the kidnap of the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area boss, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan, two months ago and a Federal High Court Judge. In the process, seven suspected members of the syndicate were killed during a gun battle, yesterday. Two suspected members of the gang were also arrested at their hideout in Agbara area of Ogun State, while an Indian national identified as Vivex Changrani, said to have been kidnapped Sunday, was rescued. Recovered at the end of the gun battle said to have lasted 30 minutes, were four AK 47 riffles, two of which had police identification mark, 28 AK 47 magazines fully loaded, more than 1,000 rounds of AK- 47 live ammunition, army uniforms and two vehicles — a Honda CRV SUV with number plate ABC 106 AE and a Nissan Pathfinder SUV with number plate AGL 730 AZ. How the syndicate was smashed Briefing newsmen on how the syndicate met its waterloo, the command’s boss, Mr Umar Manko, said: “Remember when the LCDA chairman was kidnapped, I promised Lagosians we were going to arrest the kidnappers. “We got information that these kidnappers were based in Ghana and all efforts to arrest them in Ghana failed because that country had her procedure and they insisted we could not just go there to make any arrest. “We went to Ghana with a team of International Policemen, INTERPOL, but after 31 days without a headway, our policemen returned to Nigeria. “Based on painstaking follow-up and surveillance in tracking these kidnappers, men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad discovered their hideout in Agbara two weeks ago. “The Commander SARS, Mr Abba Kyari, led a team of crack detectives to a suburb in Agbara where the kidnappers had their camp. “After 72 hours of waiting in ambush, the men cordoned off, then stormed the house where all the kidnappers gathered by 3 am, yesterday.” The kidnappers’ modus operandi, as gathered, included dressing in full military uniform, pretending to be military personnel. They would thereafter, kidnap their victims, pretending to be taking them to a military base , only to take them to their hideout, from where they would start negotiating for ransom. In some cases where they usually experience gridlock, some of them would reportedly jump down from their operational vehicle to clear the way, pretending to be conveying a military officer. After each successful kidnap, they would reportedly share their loot before leaving for Ghana. Preliminary investigation, according to Police sources, revealed that the kidnappers usually give their loot to a Bureau de-change operator after each successful deal who thereafter takes it to them in Ghana. $100,000 paid as ransom for Bamigbetan’s release It was gathered that a total of $100,000 was collected by the gang as ransom for the release of the Ejigbo LCDA boss. Leader of the syndicate whose identity was given as Jonah Benjamin Osinachi, was said to have collected $50,000 while the other members shared $50,000. One of the suspects who gave his name as Uchenna Nwanyu (25), admitted working for leader of the syndicate. According to him, “Jonah whom we usually called China (pointing to his boss’ corpse) sent for me from Ghana. I came with his wife and children and lodged in a hotel. I went to his place (Agbara) on Sunday because he said he was expecting his goods. I was there when they were about going for an operation. They all tied charms on their wastes, danced round a liquid substance which they later poured on their heads before leaving the house, wearing their army uniforms with guns. They later came back with a white man whom they pushed inside a room and ordered me to stay with him. They, thereafter, said they would call the man’s relatives the next day (yesterday) for ransom. The rescue operation “I was in the room with the man when I heard gunshots. I even helped the man by telling him to lie on the floor so as not to be hit by stray bullets. I later heard footsteps as they all tried to escape. When the gunshots died down, I went out, only to see the policemen. I was even the one that showed them where the kidnapped man was. “I knew my boss was a kidnapper but I could not do anything about that because he was the source of my livelihood. I also worked for him in Ghana. I am in charge of his building which is under construction in Ghana and his restaurant.” The second suspect, Ogbonna Emenike, who disclosed that he was only released from prison last Monday over a case of robbery, said he was lured into the gang because of hunger. Although he denied taking part in the abduction, Uchenna said he was one of those who came in with the kidnapped Indian in the early hours of Monday. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/police-kill-7-suspected-abductors-of-lagos-council-boss-nab-2/

Politics

en

APC insists on screening Jonathan, Emefiele, Ngige There was confusion in the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday as the National Working Committee (NWC) unfolded plans to screen former President Goodluck Jonathan, Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele and African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwunmi Adesina. Although the nomination forms were obtained for the four, they never submitted the forms to the party before the close of submission. Frontline presidential aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan and other 21 contenders will also appear tomorrow before the Presidential Screening Committee. The venue of the exercise is the Conference Hall, Transcorp, Abuja. The seven-man panel set up by the National Working Committee (NWC) is made up of a member from each of the six geo-political zones. The major work of the committee is to scrutinise the nomination documents of the 24 contenders ahead of the primary slated for Saturday. Other aspirants expected at the exercise are former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Niger Delta Development Senator Godswill Akpabio, former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosu. Read Also: 2023: Who wins APC’s presidential ticket? Others are Pastor Tunde Bakare, Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, his Ebonyi State counterpart, Governor Dave Umahi, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, Minister of State for Education Emeka Nwajiuba, former Senate President Ken Nnamani, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Jigawa State Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and former Zamfara State Governor Ahmed Yerima. Others are Senator Ajayi Borroffice, the only female aspirant, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, Pastor Nicholas Felix Nwagbo, former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole, former Minister of Information Chief Ikeobasi Mokelu and Mr Tein Jack Rich. APC National Organising Secretary Sulaiman Arugungu confirmed that the exercise was shifted from today to tomorrow in a telephone interview with our correspondent. He said: “As far as the party is concerned all the 28 aspirants that paid and picked the forms for the nomination as Presidential aspirants, nobody has formally written to us that he has withdrawn his aspiration. “All the forms of the 28 aspirants will be taken to the screening committee, not tomorrow (Monday), but on Tuesday, God’s willing, at Transcop Hilton Hotel.” Arugungu said the panel will be constituted today. “But, we have to consult with our leaders before we make it public. By tomorrow (Monday) we will know who are the panellists,” Arugungu assured.

https://thenationonlineng.net/apc-insists-on-screening-jonathan-emefiele-ngige/

Politics

en

Anambra gets first female CJ Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state, on Friday, sworn in the new Acting Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Ijem Onwuamaegbu. Onwuamaegbu, the first female Chief Judge of the State since the creation of the new Anambra State in 1991, would take over from the former Chief Judge, Hon Justice Peter Umeadi after a voluntarily retirement. Obiano, while swearing-in the Acting Judge at the Government House, Awka, pledged the support of his administration to enable the acting CJ deliver on her new mandate. He was optimistic that the appointment would further re-position the state judiciary to effectively address the problem of delayed dispensation of justice. Onwuamaegbu was later presented with logistics in relation to her status vehicle and two escorts. Also speaking, the Attorney General of the State, Dr. Uju Nworgu hinted that the new Acting CJ was the most senior among the Judges of the state High Court. “The 1999 Constitution under Section 2714 empowers the state Governor to appoint and swear in an Acting Chief Judge when there is vacancy,” she said. Nworgu observed that the acting Judge had gained wealth of knowledge and judicial experience to transform the state judiciary. In her acceptance speech, Onwuamaegbu promised to ensure proper administration of justice as well as promotion of the welfare of judiciary.

http://thenationonlineng.net/anambra-gets-first-female-cj/amp/

Politics

en

With veteran actor William Shatner — Captain Kirk of “Star Trek” fame — becoming the latest celebrity to go into space Wednesday, we look at the recent rush of amateur astronauts. – Beam me up, Bezos – Shatner is going where no 90-year-old has gone before aboard Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket. The Canadian will become the oldest person ever to go into space on the flight, beating pioneering female pilot, Wally Funk, 82, who also flew with Bezos in July. Shatner will experience a few minutes of weightlessness 60 miles (100 kilometres) from Earth, before returning to the reuseable rocket. Bezos and his brother Mark were also on Blue Origin’s maiden mission in July. – Russian first – Last week Russian actress Yulia Peresild blasted off to the International Space Station with a film director to try to pip the United States in making the first feature film in orbit. They want to best “Mission Impossible” star Tom Cruise who announced his own movie project with NASA and Elon Musk’s SpaceX last year. They hope to wrap their story about a female surgeon who is dispatched to save a cosmonaut by the time they touch down on Sunday. READ ALSO: G20 Leaders Agree To Step Up Afghan Humanitarian Effort – Three-day trip – SpaceX sent US billionaire Jared Isaacman and three of his guests into orbit for three days last month. It was the first time Musk’s outfit blasted non-professionals into space. – Space Station holiday – Axiom Space are sending three businessmen to the International Space Station for a 10-day stay in January in the first of three trips aboard SpaceX rockets. Musk is also handling an orbital voyage organised by Space Adventures for four paying clients next year. – Fly me to the Moon – Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa is due to take a trip around the Moon, possibly in 2023, aboard another SpaceX rocket in a mission called dearMoon. He hopes to take eight amateurs with him on the first civilian lunar mission and has already invited “La La Land” and “First Man” film director Damien Chazelle. Chazelle says he will have to ask his wife. – Virgin troubles – Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson took part in a test flight of its rocket-powered spaceplane in July. But it has since been grounded over a “mishap” and the company that made the early running in space tourism hopes to resume flights next year.

https://www.channelstv.com/2021/04/09/lagos-consumes-1-8m-heads-of-cattle-annually-commissioner/What

Politics

en

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, Abuja THE Presidential Candidate of the United Progressive Party, UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie has disassociated his party from its recent inclusion of political parties loyal to the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential election. Chief Okorie described the inclusion of his party in the alleged loyalty to the APC presidential candidate as “inconceivable, malicious and a wicked political blackmail to drag the name of our Party to a gang-up we know nothing about.” He further added, “We have tried to the best of our ability to avoid hate-speeches, campaign of calumny, denigration of elder statesmen and public office holders and the use of acerbic language likely to heat up the polity in all our campaign up till this time.” In a statement through the Director-General, Chekwas Okorie Presidential Campaign Orgonisation, COPCO, Dr. Ugorji O. Ugorji, in Abuja, weekend, Chief Okorie said he found the inclusion of UPP in the midst of 12 political parties that had pledged loyalty to the APC’s Presidential candidate insulting. According to him, “We find the inclusion of our name in the list of these compromising Political Parties in absolute bad test.” He said that UPP in its inaugural National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting of 13th November 2012 zoned its Presidential slot to the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria and that the policy statement was actualized on the 11th of December, 2014 at the Party’s National Convention held at Aba where he emerged as the presidential flag bearer and Alhaji Bello Umar as vice presidential candidate. He further said that the UPP had commenced campaign for the coveted office of President thereafter with as much commitment and diligence as it could muster, adding, “It is a common knowledge that our Presidential Candidate Chief (Dr) Chekwas Okorie has emerged as one of the three foremost contenders for the office of President of Nigeria.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/03/chekwas-okorie-disowns-inclusion-of-upp-in-apc-alliance/

Politics

en

Owa of ldanre, Oba Frederic Aroloye Dayo Johnson Akure Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is expected to be the special guest of honour at the 45th coronation anniversary of the Owa of Idanre kingdom, Oba Fredrick Aroloye. Traditional rulers expected include the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye, Enitan Ogunwusi, Deji of Akureland, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo and the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II amongst others across the country. Governor of the state, Rotimi Akeredolu will be the Chief host. Oba Aroloye ascended the throne in 1976 after his predecessor died at age of 144 years having reigned for 50 years. Speaking with newsmen at ldanre, the Chairman of the 45th coronation anniversary committee, Dr Anthony Omolola said the anniversary was meant to celebrate the 95-year-old monarch. Omolola noted that ldanre is blessed with a rich cultural heritage and that it produced 40% of cocoa production in Nigeria. He said that week-long activities have been lined up for the anniversary adding that adequate security will be provided for guests that would grace the ceremony. The chairman advised both the state and federal government to tap into the enormous tourist potentials of the ancient town for revenue generation. Omolola declared that tourism in Idanre could feed the whole nation. He advised that if the state government could resuscitate the Mare climbing festival and invest in the tourist centres in the rock town, the internally generated revenue of the state would improve as it would attract foreign exchange. Speaking on the programme schedule for the anniversary, Dr Omolola said on Monday, all natives of Idanre Kingdom would converge on Alade where they would begin a rally to Atosin through Odo Ode and would terminate at Opa. Sports activities include football matches, cross country races and cash awards would be presented to all winners. He said that N500m is being raised to fund the activities of the anniversary and to renovate the palace adding that Museum and infrastructure deficit in the kingdom would also be addressed appropriately. Omolola added that the monarch would confer chieftaincy titles on Prof Akinseye George, Engineer Benson Akinsegiri, Senator Patrick Akinyelure, Tajudeen Adefisoye, Festus Akingbaso, Major Gen. Benson Akinroluyo among others during the ceremony Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/12/osinbajo-ooni-oba-of-benin-to-grace-owa-of-idanres-45th-coronation-anniversary/

Politics

en

Enugu State Governor, Governor Peter Mbah, has accused a Finland-based Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, of murdering and terrorising residents of Nigeria’s South-East. Ekpa, a self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the IPOB, has been allegedly linked to some deadly attacks and enforcement of illegal sit-at-home orders in the region. The governor who received members of the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence in Enugu, accused the Biafra agitator of being a “scammer” who has been “feeding fat” on the suffering of Igbos. READ ALSO: Gunmen Kill Monarch, Son In Taraba “It is surprising that the Finnish government allows this man to reside peacefully in their country and then perpetrate terrorism in Nigeria,” Mbah said. “And I think this is something your committee may have to wade into and see how this guy can be repatriated and then be brought to justice. “Through his (Ekpa) statements and his actions, a lot of people have died and he continues in that trajectory. So, this is a tragedy that we must all work as a country to end. He doesn’t represent the Igbo interest.” According to the governor, his administration has ended the illegal sit-at-home situation in the state and will remain determined to ensure the safety of all residents. He also called on young people in the South-east not to yield to Mr Ekpa’s antics and vowed that the state government would not be intimidated by the agitators’ threats. “As you may also have noticed recently, they have continued to make attempts, particularly, that megalomaniac (Ekpa), who ironically resides with his family peacefully in Finland, a country where the rule of law reigns, but he encourages anarchy here and goad some of our youths to their self-destruction. “This is also a business for him (Ekpa), pretending to be fighting for Igbo’s interest, but does not know anything about the Igbo or have their interest at heart,” he stated.

https://www.channelstv.com/2024/07/21/gov-mbah-calls-for-simon-ekpas-repatriation-over-killings-in-south-east/

Politics

en

OAU: Show of shame as SUG excos fight over N3.8m Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Students’ Union Vice President, Jacob Tosin ( Emerald ) and the Director of Social, Adedayo Afolabi ( Lamba ) fought dirty on Tuesday, 5th of September, 2017 at the CEC meeting that held at the office of the President of the Union, Oyekan Ibukun. Investigation revealed that the kerfuffle is connected to N3.8 million Students’ Union backlog fund released by the University management on Thursday, 31st of August, 2017. We gathered that the council resolved to embark on some projects with the backlog fund which include; refurbishment of union library, construction of SUB relaxation centre and construction of staircase around Alumni-Archi axis while the Vice President, Emerald expressed her displeasure over the decision because they declined her proposal. The Welfare Director of the Union, Ajiboye Adekanmi, who spoke to our reporter in an interview was quoted saying: “The Vice President was not pleased with the decision because we denied her the funds for fresher’s package. We told her to wait for the disbursement of of 2016/17 session but she flared up.” “While she proceeded to the door to exit the meeting, Lamba engaged her but she raised alarm of harassment. Emerald attacked Lamba first before he retaliated. Later, she opened the fridge of the president but could not find any bottle except a malt bottle on the shelf which she broke to attack Lamba. When both party engaged in another round of physical combat, Lamba headbutted the Vice President, Emerald. They both sustained injuries and they were taken to university health centre”, Welfare Director said. The Financial Secretary of the Union, Omisakin Kehinde also shared story related to that of the Welfare Director with our reporter. “We got a backlog from management and we all discussed on what to you the money for. Emerald raised the issue of fresher’s package which was discarded since she already has N1.4 million in her proposed budget. She hot vexed. While trying to leave, Lamba blocked her but she slapped Lamba. Both engaged themselves physically before we could separate them.” “Emerald searched fridge, later got a bottle on the shelf, broke it and charged Lamba while Lamba also headbutted her”, Omisakin stated. The Secretary General of the Union, Boluwajaiye Adeoluwa, while speaking in a public group said the matter was not a big issue. He said two grown up individuals were unable to control their anger and it escalated. However, the PRO of union, Okediji Simon Zuma and the President, Oyekan Ibukun denied any form of interview with our reporter on the saga. While speaking with Lamba in a telephone conversation, he told our reporter that he only prevented the VP from going out which led to the saga. “When we could not meet her demand, she vexed but I held her back jokingly. She slapped me times without number, broke bottle and I headbutted her which was self defense”, Lamba argued. Meanwhile, on getting to the University health centre we were told that the Vice President, Emerald has been transferred to 7th day Adventist Hospital, Ile Ife due to the fact that government doctors embarked on strike. On our visitation to the 7th day Adventist hospital, we met the University Acting Chief Security Officer, Mr. O. Babatunde who said the Vice Chancellor of the institution has ordered the security unit to investigate the incident and file comprehensive report to his office. He said: “The Vice Chancellor is already aware of the matter, he has placed to me that we should investigate and file comprehensive report before today the end of Today. Fighting is becoming too rampant and we are getting irritated with the officers behavior” He further buttressed that the management don’t want to regret reinstatement of the Union. However, all efforts to speak with Emerald proved abortive as she was seen receiving drip with swollen face at the time our reporter got to the hospital. One of her friends who spoke to us under the condition of anonymity for security reasons said the VP was mercilessly rough handled by the Director of Social and nobody sees anything wrong with Lamba deeds. While reacting to the incident, a member of the SU parliament, Ayuba Quadri was quoted saying:”It’s quite sadder and embarrassing that, isn’t only some ridiculous adults that have brought the country into the present degeneracy, but, it’s sufficed also to acknowledge the retrogressive roles played by youths in this downfall, we are as a nation, today.” Another student who pleaded anonymity also told our reporter that the Union is fast becoming a death trap and if care is not taken, the union leaders will dent the image of the institution.

http://thenationonlineng.net/oau-show-of-shame-as-sug-excos-fight-over-n3-8m/

Education

en

…Says North is sick By Bashir Bello THE Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, yesterday accused peoples of the southern part of the country of provoking the north to set the country aflame. At its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Kaduna, the group urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the country, saying Nigeria will overcome her challenges. National Chairman of ACF, Chief Audu Ogbeh spoke at the meeting, “The meeting will look at issues confronting the nation and by extension, the region and proffer solutions. What can we do to end the menace of banditry? What can we do to end Boko Haram? What can we do to improve the economy and lives of Nigerians? What can we do to improve our relationships with other regions? These are some of the issues we will focus on. We want to leave a country for our children and grand children and the unborn so that they will be happy with us.” On his part, ACF Secretary-General, Muktar Aliyu said the North is sick, noting that “We have Boko Haram, we have banditry, we have kidnapping, we have rustling, attacks on Northerners in the South where many lost their property and investments. “Above all, the southerners are doing so to spark reactions from us so that the country will go up in flames but we are saying no. We are being confronted with agitations for separations and dissolution of the state, demands for Biafra, Oduduwa as well as restructuring. ”But we said there are ways of doing things in conformity with the laws of the land. So, this meeting will look at these things holistically and proffer solutions. Nobody is happy with the current situation.” Meanwhile, in a communiqué at the end of the meeting, among others, said the “Forum is not happy with the scant attention paid to animal husbandry by state and federal governments in the country. Animal husbandry alone accounts for 6 per cent of our Gross Domestic Product, GDP, Nigeria spends $1.6 on importation of milk alone. If animal husbandry is well harnessed it will save Nigeria this large expenditure. “Many Nigerians are not aware that those involved in the business of animal husbandry are themselves victims of insecurity. Their cattle are often rustled and they are kidnapped for ransom too. There is need to encourage alternative means of dispute resolution as those involved in farmers/herdsmen clashes are illiterates who sometimes are not comfortable with the police and the modern court system but would prefer traditional way of resolving issues.” ACF lamented the high rates of interest charged on bank loans in the country, contending that “the interest charged by banks on commercial loans are so high that instead of promoting business, they are killing all indigenous business enterprises. No business can function in Nigeria or anywhere without a friendly environment of loaning from banks. We call on the government to intervene because the collapse of business has direct links with unemployment and insecurity.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/06/southerners-provoking-north-to-spark-crisis-acf/?amp=1

Politics

en

By Peter Okutu ABAKALIKI—SEVERAL inmates of Abakaliki prisons in Ebonyi state were yesterday feared dead and many sustained bullet injuries following a foiled jail break. Unconfirmed sources said that more than 14 persons were killed including one prison official and those injured were taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, FETHA, for medical attention. Vanguard learned that trouble started when prisoners on Thursday morning revolted against the poor treatment, especially inadequate feeding that has been persistent in the prison for a long time. Sources further revealed that the angry inmates started rioting inside the prison and used every object within their reach to attack prison officials and consequently injured many. Prison officials injured Two of the prison officials wounded during the incident were already hospitalized. The prison officials, it was learned, returned fire for fire which resulted in the killing of several inmates. Many others sustained gunshot wounds. Vanguard’s investigation revealed that, if not for the rapid response of the combined team of the prison officials, Nigeria police and army drafted to the scene, the inmates had started escaping from the prison having over-powered the guards. As at press time, soldiers and Policemen had already cordoned off all roads leading to the Abakaliki prisons. Gunshots were heard intermittently as Police and soldiers tried to recover firearms allegedly taken from one of the prison officials by the inmates. The rioting inmates had already succeeded in creating an opening on the wall before anti-riot policemen arrived and tear-gassed them into submission. The prison is located beside the police headquarters leading to prompt intervention from the police. Army Commander, CP visits Already, the commander of the military cantonment and the commissioner of Police visited the area and directed that sanity be restored in the prison. In a telephone interview, the state Controller of Prisons, Mrs Oputa Emilia who confirmed the foiled jail break, was sketchy on the number of casualties of the incident. She denied knowledge of any death or snatching of guns from the prison guards by the inmates. But she admitted that the angry prisoners broke part of the fence and assured that the situation has been brought under control. A high ranking prison official stated that some prisoners were actually killed and their bodies were secretly evacuated from the prisons even as he insisted that the shooting of prisoners was carried out in self defense. It was also gathered that officials who took pictures of casualties were forced to delete them to avoid divulging it to the public. The Police Spokesman, George Okafor when contacted said the command was still working hard to resolve the crisis. He, however, refused to confirm if anybody was killed. “There was an attempted jailbreak and the prisons called in the police. We cordoned off the area and restored nomalcy to the area.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/abakaliki-jail-break-prisoners-killed-their-bodies-secretly-evacuated/

Politics

en

By Yinka Odumakin LOUIS XIV was King of France for 72 years and 110 days and became the most powerful French monarch who consolidated a system of absolute monarchical rule that endured until the French Revolution. At the peak of his maniac, he said: “L’Etat c’est moi”(I am the state). I am not aware Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is given to so much reading to have come across Louis’ declaration but I once heard him making the same declaration as he got up from his seat and said “Eko fe lo sun”(Lagos wants to sleep). The embodiment of the current pathetic Lagos by the man who rode to power in 1999 largely on account of his association with NADECO abroad is an interesting study for some of us who are eyewitnesses to recent history. It’s all coming back to me now from 1998 in a rush. Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi and I had led a group from the National Conscience Party, NCP, to join the Afenifere after the radical party we belonged to had taken a decision to boycott the 1999 transition programme without subjecting it to thorough debate. We were received at a rally in Oworonsoki area of Lagos by Leaders of the group such as Chief Ayo Adebanjo and late Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu. Chief Ayo Adebanjo had asked Omoseyindemi and I to go purchase nomination forms for the House of Representatives election but we told him we did not want to appear as position seekers and would want to build the party first. He commended our spirit and asked us to meet Alhaji Dawodu to assist him in organisational efforts. That was how we became regulars at his Western House office where we worked round the clock with Mr. Aro Lambo. Alhaji Dawodu’s office became a place of voyage for the leading governorship aspirants under the banner of Alliance for Democracy, AD. After interface with them all,we concluded we should support Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu on account of his role in NADECO abroad. On our first meeting with him at his residence on Sunday Adigun, he introduced us to Rauf Aregbesola who was like the DG of the campaign. I recall how I put together the first jingle Tinubu had on TV which I composed from one of the popular songs the struggle field which I had to work with Pat Nebo to record with Tinubu doing some voice over message as : “This na the governor we don dey wait o (2ce) This na the governor we don dey wait Heeeeee Bola Tinubu(3ce) This na the governor we don dey wait”. I do not know if Alhaji Dawodu knew we were Tinubu-leaning as he donated us to the National leadership when panels were being put together to supervise gubernatorial primaries being conducted in December 1998 and we were posted to lead the team to Ondo state. When we returned from Ondo, Lagos state was already scattered over dispute between the camps of Bola Tinubu and Funsho Williams. The AD Chairman in Lagos, Alhaji Dawodu already submitted the name of Funso Williams to INEC as he won the contest if results of all 20 LGAs were added. But there was a lacuna. The guidelines used for the primaries stipulated that the electoral panel should cancel results anywhere violence takes place. And there were incidents of violence in four LGAs that were strongholds of Funso Williams and if they were cancelled Bola Tinubu was the winner. Unfortunately for Williams, Dawodu submitted his name to INEC and disappeared. The Tinubu camp intensified protests and the Leaders of Afenifere looked into the matter. Their decision was that in accordance with the rules they made,Tinubu won the primary if the votes from the troubled areas were removed and directed the Acting Chairman of AD, Chief Ayo Adebanjo to write to INEC and withdraw Funso Williams’ name. It was this adherence to the rule that those who are not aware of what happened then use often to accuse Afenifere of imposing Tinubu on Lagos in 1999. It took six years after before I stumbled on the fact that the crises in those LGAs were contrived to deny Williams victory. Tinubu won the elections but with a plan from day one to weaken Afenifere so he can replace the collegiate leadership Yoruba are used to with a caliph order in Yoruba politics. His first deft move immediately he became candidate was to be the arrowhead of the group that stopped Chief Bola Ige from picking the AD Presidential flag for the 1999 elections at D’Rovans Hotel. But the moment elections were over, he moved to Ige’s corner when he started his rebellion against Afenifere. His strategy was to start filling the void once the schism in the group became unmanageable. Even when Ige was assassinated,he ensured that the empty coffin that was paraded all over Lagos as his remains was not allowed to stop at the Afenifere Secretariat,a group he was Deputy Leader of till he died. I should not forget to mention the fact that the open split in AD was as result of the Dawodu-Tinubu feud in Lagos as it was the parallel congresses held by the two factions in Lagos that led to the AD holding parallel conventions in Abuja in 2000. It was that crisis patch Chief Adesanya was managing in the group till the 2003 elections.The group was able to put some temporary truce in place in all other five states for the elections except in Lagos. It was at the last minute that a deal was offered for Tinubu to return for second term and keep 60% of the remaining elective posts and allow the Dawodu faction fill the remaining 40%. A three – man committee made up of Chief R.Fasoranti, Gen. Alani Akinrinade and my humble self were sent to Lagos to implement the decision.I went to Tinubu before our sitting to persuade him not to disgrace Papa Adesanya around whom there were already loud whispers of indulging Tinubu as he truly loved him even when he disliked some of his ways. Tinubu told me he did not understand Arithmetic and that the proposal was undemocratic. When we eventually met the two factions at the Airport Hotel for a whole day, he came and bluntly refused to implement the decision. I remember this incident a few days back when he called the meeting of the so-called Governor Advisory Council to order a Governor it should be advising to withdraw from the gubernatorial primary of APC in Lagos because Akinwumi Ambode is a captive and not a free Governor like he was when Afeifere handed him the ticket in 1999. I have met Ambode only on three occasions and all in the presence of Tinubu and the indignities he went through all made me pray to God not to be that type of governor in my life. I will narrate them next week. Talking of the love Papa Adesanya had for Tinubu, I would just give one instance. Months into Tinubu’s tenure. a scandal broke out around him that he did not attended any of the schools he listed in his resume: from St John’s Primary School, Aroloya in Lagos through Government College, Ibadan and University of Chicago. The scandal broke out shortly after then Speaker of House of Representatives, Salisu Buhari had perjured by submitting a fake certificate from University of Toronto in Canada and was forced to step down. The media was celebrating the scandal and just a sentence from Afenifere against Tinubu then would have done him in. I recall vividly being in the office of Senator Adesanya with the late Rev. Tunji Adebiyi when an old man with all grey hair and beards dressed in immaculate white dress with white shoes walked into his office and we had to excuse them. When he left, we went back to meet the Leader and he was in a pensive mood. He told us what the old man told him: “Abraham,you have to disown this boy (Tinubu) now” and that he said to the oldie that “a person who builds a wall does not pull it down.” He said the man got up to leave and said: “You will regret not doing so”. The scene played in my mind in the last inactive days of Senator Adesanya as the last major outing he had before he went down was over Tinubu. Afenifere had decided to meet all former AD governors who lost in the 2003 elections and Tinubu who survived the Tsunami largely on account of his close relationship with Atiku. We held meetings with his five former colleagues but Tinubu refused the invitation until January 2, 2004 when Senator Adesanya called me that Senator Ayo Fasanmi had persuaded Tinubu to come for the meeting on the 4th at his Apapa residence. I informed all that were supposed to be at the meeting. On the appointed day, only Senators Adesanya, Fasanmi, Tinubu and I were in Apapa. Tinubu came and Pa Adesanya told him all the grievances against him. He responded to the effect that he accepted Adesanya as his father and Leader but he would not have anything to do with his colleagues again. Papa told him that saying he would not relate with his colleagues amounted to repudiating his leadership. As we rounded off the meeting Sir Olaniwun Ajayi called Pa Adesanya that they were waiting for him at the Afenifere Secretariat for the meeting scheduled with Tinubu. He asked if I did not tell them that the meeting would hold in his house to which he responded that all his colleagues were received at the secretariat. As Papa could not get his driver, he asked me to drive him to Jibowu to meet his colleagues. When we arrived there, it was the late Chief Wumi Adegbonmire who fired the first salvo that they were sorely disappointed that Papa would indulge Tinubu once again by moving his own meeting to his house and meeting him in their absence. Sir Olaniwun Ajayi asked me to excuse the meeting at a point with Senator Adesanya telling me to wait for him.I said I knew he had no way of getting home without me. When they were through with the meeting, I joined him in his office and I saw tears dropped off his eyes as he said to me: “Wo bi Tinubu se so mi di alaimose bayi “(see how Tinubu has turned me to somebody who does not know his left from his right). I drove him back from Jibowu to Apapa and we did not utter a word. He suffered stroke a few days later from which he did not recover till he died. Whenever I reflect on his last days, I always remember the admonition of the Wise Old One:”Disown this boy now or you will regret it”. ….To be continued . Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/10/portrait-of-the-tiger-ambode-rode/?fbclid=IwAR3_bIybjruiRn-Bcoe_j9kuACX-g5pObrX2dc_nHY4OsMlmRonetPeyis8

Politics

en

Okorocha joins Imo West Senatorial race …endorses deputy for Imo East Senatorial seat Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, yesterday declared his intention to contest for the Imo West Senatorial seat in 2019. The Imo governor said his participation in the senatorial race will brighten the chances of President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in general election in the State. Okorocha who made the disclosure during the inauguration of members of Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) at Government House Owerri, also endorsed his deputy, Eze Madumere for Imo East Senatorial seat. He also restated his earlier endorsement of his Chief of Staff and son in-law, Chief Uche Nwosu as his successor. According to the governor, “if Uche Nwosu will be home for governor, I will tell the deputy governor to go to Senate. “I told you earlier that my interest is the Presidency but since President Buhari will be running in 2019 I decided to put my ambition on hold until he completes his tenure. “But I have decided to run for the Imo West Senatorial zones because if I don’t, bad people will take the position “. Okorocha added further that, “if my name appears on the ballot paper as contesting for Senate, it will boost APC chances in the State. And many from my Senatorial zone have come to me and said they will not contest if I am interested “.

https://www.google.com.ng/amp/thenationonlineng.net/okorocha-joins-imo-west-senatorial-race/amp/

Politics

en

The people of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa have expressed shock and disappointment over the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the NNPC Retail Management. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NNPC Retail Management had on Tuesday approved an upward review of the pump price from N617 per litre to N897 litre, effective from Sept. 3. This is amid economic hardship and persistent fuel scarcity. Checks by NAN revealed that the NNPC retail stations immediately adjusted their pumps and totems (price boards), reflecting the new PMS price of N897 as against N617 perlite. Many residents in Maiduguri, Yola and Damaturu, who spoke to NAN said that it was more worrisome that the product was not even available at the cost of N897, forcing them to buy a litre from the black market for between N1,000 and above. In Maiduguri, most filling stations have no fuel, while the few with fuel are selling from N1,100 and above leading to an increase in transport fares by about 30 per cent. However, Borno Government mass transit taxis and buses are still conveying passengers within Maiduguri at the old prices of N100 per drop for taxis and N50 for buses. Yakubu Baba, a civil servant said it was unfortunate and insensitive that the increase was coming when the government was yet to implement the new minimum wage. “Its sad we continue to experience a series of increases in prices of things despite the non-implementation of minimum wage by the Federal and most state governments. “Such development looks more like punishment for workers and other Nigerians.” In Yola, the capital of Adamawa where the commodity sells for between N1,100 and N1,200 per litre, transport fares have been increased by 30 per cent. The residents condemned the increase and called for a reversal. Malam Buba Ali, a driver, said the situation had paralysed both intra and interstate transportation in the state. According to Ali, it has made the transport business to be more of survival than profit. “Our fear now is that prices of spare parts and other commodities will increase,” he said. Dahiru Buba, the Adamawa Chairman of Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), also condemned the increase which he said could push some of his members out of business. In Damaturu, the capital of Yobe, residents said already there was fuel scarcity in the state which was worsened by the hike. Alhaji Baba Dan’Iya, a businessman, described the increase as a “double blow” to the already struggling economy and pockets of many Nigerians. “We are still grappling with the aftermath of insurgency in the state, and now this fuel hike, which is further exacerbating our challenges,” he lamented. Malam Bukar Modu, a commercial driver, said the hike had significantly increased his operational costs. “The increase in fuel prices has forced us to raise transportation fares, which has affected our customers,” he said. Alhaji Faruq Mamman, a farmer, expressed fears that the hike would lead to a surge in the prices of agricultural inputs and food items. “Farmers rely heavily on transportation to transport their produce to markets. With the increase in fuel prices, we anticipate a corresponding rise in the cost of food,” he said. Mr Suleiman Sani, a civil servant, advised the government to rethink and address the hardship caused by the fuel hike. “We understand the economic challenges facing the country, but the burden should not be borne solely by the common man,” he said. NAN reports that most filling stations in Damaturu remained closed due to the scarcity of fuel. The few stations that opened were selling the product at exorbitant prices, ranging from N1, 450 to N1, 500 per litre. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/09/fuel-price-hike-borno-adamawa-yobe-people-express-shock-urge-reversal/

Politics

en

The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) has released the prayer points for the October 2020 Power Must Change Hand (PMCH). AllNews understands that the MFM PMCH is a monthly programme of the church which holds in Lagos State. PMCH is also broadcast Live on satellite tv and over the internet for people residing outside Lagos or Nigeria. The PMCH for October 2020 will hold on the first Saturday of October 2020 (3rd of this month) at the MFM headquarters in Lagos State (MFM Prayer City). Those unable to make it down to the church can join the month's edition of the PMCH via this link - https://live.mountainoffire.org/ or https://www.mountainoffire.org/live/amp. The button will remain active until the end of the programme. The Bible Confessions are picked from Ps 91; Isa 3:19. 1. Thank God for the new month, declare it as your month of favour and mercy. 2. Dedicate this month to God and declare that it is well with you and your family in Jesus name. 3. I take authority over this month and declare that this is the month the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it, in the name of Jesus. 4. Commit every day of this month into God’s hands and tell Him to have His way in your life in Jesus name. 5. I cover every journey I shall embark upon this month with the blood of Jesus. 6. Lord Jesus I stand on your word in Isaiah 5:17 and declare that no weapon formed again me and my family this month shall prosper in the name of Jesus. 7. I decree that all elemental forces will refuse to cooperate with my enemies this month, in the name of Jesus. 8. I withdraw my spirit man from the journey into waywardness and perditions, in the name of Jesus. 9. Every defilement that has weakened my spiritual strength and stamina, be purged by the blood of Jesus. 10. Every spirit of Uzzaiah that has sent me into deep slumber, die now, in the name of Jesus. 11. I challenge the foundation of my destiny with the fire of the Holy Ghost, in the name of Jesus. 12. O God arise, and deliver my destiny from the foundation of failure, in the name of Jesus. 13. Every inherited foundation, that has turned my destiny into failure, be corrected by fire, in the name of Jesus. 14. Any power planted around me to draw me away from my destiny, disappear by fire, in the name of Jesus. 15. O Lord, let my destiny live and let the devil in me die, in the name of Jesus. 16. O God of Elijah, repair the engine of my destiny, in the name of Jesus. 17. O Lord, restore my destiny authority, in the name of Jesus. 18. O Lord, save me from every destiny killer, in the name of Jesus. 19. O Lord, touch me with Your finger of fire, in the name of Jesus. 20. O Rock of Ages, smash into pieces every foundation of witchcraft in my family, in the name of Jesus. 21. Witchcraft powers eat your own flesh and drink your own blood, in the name of Jesus. 22. Every witchcraft padlock fashioned against me, break by fire, in the name of Jesus. 23. Every witchcraft identification mark, be wiped off by the blood of Jesus. 24. Anything planted in my life by witchcraft, come out now and die, in the name of Jesus. 25. Every stronghold of refuge for my household witches, be destroyed, in the name of Jesus. 26. Every hiding and secret place of witchcraft in my family, be exposed by fire, in the name of Jesus. 27. I destroy with the fire of God every weapon of witchcraft used against me, in the name of Jesus. 28. I reverse every witchcraft burial fashioned against me, in the name of Jesus. 29. End of the year tragedy my life and that of my family is not your candidate, back fire, in the name of Jesus. 30. Pray for your local church, your Pastors and ministers. 31. Pray for your country.

https://allnews.ng/news/full-prayer-points-of-mfm-power-must-change-hands-october-2020

Religion

en

By Yemi Adeleye/Lagos The Western Metal Products Company (WEMPCO) Group, owners of Lagos Oriental Hotel, on Wednesday condemned attacks on its facilities during the violence that accompanied EndSARS protest in the Lekki area of Lagos. Mr Taiwo Alli, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, WEMPCO Group, in a statement in Lagos said that the firm formally acknowledged there was an attack on its property by hoodlums who hijacked the peaceful protest. Alli said that the facilities were attacked when hoodlums armed with guns, knives and bottles, forcefully gained entrance to the hotel, assaulted some of its security personnel and damaged property. “Unidentified individuals, whose motives remain unknown to us, have gone to town with a rather unfortunate narrative, claiming that the Lagos Oriental Hotel is the investment of politicians, thereby exposing it to unwarranted attacks. “Lagos Oriental Hotel is owned by the WEMPCO Group with 99% shareholding. The WEMPCO Group of Companies was founded by businessman and entrepreneur, Mr K. F. Tung over fifty (50) years ago. “The Lagos Oriental Hotel is a flagship in the Nigerian hospitality business, but it’s not a flagship of the WEMPCO Group. It is an investment made by the group in 2008, but not part of their core manufacturing business. “At present, WEMPCO Group provides jobs for over 25,000 young Nigerians, affording them the opportunity to earn a living and gain useful experience. “It is, therefore, unfortunate the attempt to disrupt our business and tarnish our image, painstakingly built over the years,” he said. Alli quoted the Managing Director, Mr Lawrence Tung, as saying that like other responsible businesses operating in Nigeria, Lagos Oriental Hotel was hopeful there would be an end to cases of injustice identified in the country. “It is, however, important to protect our businesses from unwarranted attacks by individuals who may not be aware of the facts around our existence. “We are fully cooperating with the authorities in their investigations into the remote and immediate causes of the incident that occurred on 20th, October 2020. “We assure our numerous clients and partners that we are working to ensure that normalcy returns to the hotel,” Tung was quoted as saying. The EndSARS protest in Lagos took another dimension on Tuesday evening when soldiers allegedly shot protesters defying curfew at Lekki Toll Gate. The development escalated into violence in Lagos and led to massive destruction of public and private facilities and vehicles.

https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/10/22/real-owners-of-lagos-oriental-hotel-speak-after-attack-by-hoodlums/2

Politics

en

Dr Dakuku Peterside, the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has congratulated Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of the APC for winning the Ondo State governorship election. In a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, Peterside maintained that the APC would have won the state in any free, fair and credible election devoid of violence and intimidation. He called on the governor-elect to be humble in his victory and see his emergence as the wish of the people of the state to chart a new course in the realisation of their hopes and aspirations. “The people of Ondo State have spoken in loud and clear voice. They have chosen the candidate of their choice in a free and fair manner. “I have always said that APC will win any free and fair contest. I congratulate the people of Ondo State and Chief Rotimi Akeredolu for this victory. “I call on Chief Akeredolu to see his victory as that of the entire Ondo State people. “The fact that he won across the three senatorial zones means he was popularly elected. “They have put their confidence in him and the onus is now on him to assuage their feelings and begin to set the template for fulfilling their hopes and aspirations,” Peterside said. He urged the people of Rivers to follow the Ondo State example in the forthcoming Dec. 10 rerun election in the state and reintegrate into the mainstream politics “to get maximum benefit from development programme at the centre. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/peterside-nimasa-dg-congratulates-akeredolu/

Politics

en

Reno Omokri: Atiku Abubakar and Theresa May at the background Bestselling author, Reno Omokri, has said that the Niger Delta region owes former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar a debt. Pastor Omokri who shared a picture showing Atiku Abubakar in conversation with the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, also hinted that the former VP is serious about restructuring and is willing to hold talks with world leaders over Nigeria’s restructuring.’ Omokri said that the Niger Delta region owes Atiku a debt because it was the former VP that persuaded Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to return to oil producing states the offshore revenues earlier denied them by Buhari during his first coming in 1984. According to him, “Look carefully behind me. Guess who you see speaking with Theresa May? Restructuring on the agenda. “Please pray for Waziri Atiku Abubakar if you support restructuring. “In 1984, Major General Mohammed Buhari (rtd) reduced the amount of derivation funds paid to oil producing states to a paltry 1.5 % by military fiat and excluded the offshore oil revenues from derivation. “In 2001, Atiku Abubakar persuaded Obasanjo to go for a political solution that returned offshore revenues to oil producing states. In 2004 it became law. The Niger Delta owes this man a debt!” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/niger-delta-owes-atiku-a-debt-reno/

Politics

en

Buhari: I won’t tamper with press freedom The Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday said he will not tamper with press freedom if elected as a President on March 28. He also said a change revolution is imminent in the country without firing a shot. Buhari, who gave the assurance at an interactive session with members of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria( NPAN) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors ( NGE) in Abuja restated that he will not engage in a debate with President Goodluck Jonathan. He said: “I want to give you my full assurances that in this democratic dispensation, I will ensure that the Nigerian constitution is upheld. This includes respect for the media, respect for the right to free expression and freedom of speech. Page 1 of 2 any of you are aware of Decree 4 of 1984, which was heavily criticised. “I have said elsewhere that I cannot change the past. But I can change the present and the future. Dictatorship goes with military rule as do edicts such as Decree 4. “However, I am a former–former, note the emphasis on the word ‘former’–military ruler and now a converted democrat, who is ready to operate under democratic norms. “I am not only subjecting myself to the rigours of democratic elections for the fourth time, but even after being elected, I will continue to promote the consolidation of democracy in our great country, Nigeria, by guaranteeing that the media’s freedom is not compromised in any way. “I give you my full assurances that the Nigerian media will be free under our APC government.” He urged media owners and Editors to shun hate reports and slanderous political rhetorics. He said: “I also want to use this opportunity to appeal to you to use your media outlets in shaping positive public discourse and eschew hate speech mongering and slanderous political rhetorics which heat up the polity for the sake of peace and stability of our dear nation. “There are two specific reasons why I have invited you here today. The first is to use the opportunity to say a special thank you to the Nigerian media for the role you have played in advancing our country’s democracy thus far, and especially for being a platform through which Nigerians’ cry for change was articulated all around the world. “On newspaper pages, TV screens and radio waves, the alarming depth of corruption and impunity in our country, the terrifying level of insecurity, and the grim state of our economy were kept constantly before the world’s eyes, making it impossible for the current government to doctor the truth, despite their meanest efforts. “I urge you not to relent in your role as watchdogs, to continue to be the voice of the people. The health of Nigeria’s democracy rests partly on you. Without a robust and thriving media, the masses would have no voice. “The electorate would also not have sufficient information to make sound decisions, such as deciding to vote out a clueless government and vote in CHANGE.” Buhari restated that change revolution is imminent in the country without firing a shot. He added: “Our country is on the verge of something new. The tide has turned and the world can sense the wave of change that is about to flood this nation. In less than two weeks, the Nigerian electorate will head to the polls to make their voices heard. “Through the ballot, without a single shot fired, a change revolution will likely take place.” After his speech, Buhari responded to questions from some publishers and editors at the session. But it was not without drama when the President of NPAN, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, asked Buhari if he was ready to apologize to two journalists who were jailed in 1984 under Decree 4. Immediately after Obaigbena asked the question, the Director-General of APC Presidential Campaign Organization, Governor Rotimi Amaechi said: “Gen. Buhari had already answered that question by saying he cannot change the past but he can change present and the future.” Those at the session were the President of NPAN, Prince Nduka Obaigbena; Deputy President of NPAN, Mallam Kabiru Yusuf, the Publisher of Vanguard Press Limited, Sir, Sam Amuka Pemu, a former President of NPAN, Ray Ekpu; the Publisher of Leadership Newspaper, Sam Nda Isaiah, the representative of THE Guardian Publisher, Toke Ibru, the Managing Director/ Editor-In-Chief of Champion Newspaper, Mrs. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa; the Publisher of Peoples Daily, Mallam Wada Maida; the Publisher of Blueprint Newspaper, Alh. Idris Mohammed; a former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Gbenga Adefaye; the Managing Director/ Editor-In- Chief of New Telegraph, Mr. Eric Osagie; the Chairman of Liberty Radio, Tijjani Ramalan; the Chairman of Silverbird Television, Ben Murray Bruce; and the representative of the publisher of THE NATION, Yusuf Alli among others.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/buhari-i-wont-tamper-with-press-freedom/

Politics

en

Three Improvised Explosive Devices have gone off close to the rally ground of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Okrika, Rivers State. This has caused a stampede, as people gathering for the APC rally scampered for safety. The party supporters, in their numbers, had gathered and were waiting for the leaders of the party in the state to arrive the venue of the rally. Loud sounds were heard in quick successions, causing panic among those who gathered for the rally. So far, there are no reports of any injuries or casualties and it is not clear if the rally would eventually get underway. More Details Soon…..

http://www.channelstv.com/2015/02/17/three-ieds-go-close-apc-rally-ground-rivers/

Politics

en

By Kunle Oyatomi The big news is that Mr President is back home after exactly 90 days in which he practically disappeared. That’s supposed to have been a thing of joy for all of us, but some evil people have made the event into a “kill-joy.†They smuggled him in at the dead of night (around 2am on Wednesday) and spirited him into a waiting ambulance enroute Aso Rock. What are we to imagine is happening when our president, who cannot return to the country in broad daylight to waive to us and say “thank you, fellow countrymen for your prayers and goodwillâ€, but was stretchered into an ambulance in pitch darkness and driven into a seduced arrear of Aso rock? Why must the Vice President (now Acting President) not be allowed to be present to welcome Mr President at the airport? Who is shielding him away from seeing his “recuperating†boss, both of whom were jointly elected into governance supposedly by Nigerians? What are we to make of this orchestrated tragic-comic event? The only intelligent conclusion we may draw from how President Yar’Adua was brought back home from Saudi Arabia is that he isn’t any more the same person we used to know!! So, he must be shielded from public view, and even that of his Vice. If that is the case, then I must make bold to say that we have just sprouted a new dilemma that is potentially even more dangerous than what we just survived in getting Jonathan to function as “Acting presidentâ€, pending the recovery of Yar’Adua. Our constitution recognises only a healthy president who function in the open, public view; not one who operates from behind a curtain. So we must constantly have the opportunity of closely monitoring our president to be sure that he is in sound mind and good health to govern. So why is anybody deliberately hiding the president from us if not that he no longer qualifies to be regarded as “fit and healthy†to govern? Perhaps, that explains why so much hassle was made of preventing people from seeing him at the airport on Wednesday. The question that requires urgent answer now is, for what purpose has Mr President been brought back in his current condition? From unfolding events as at the time of writing this piece, it would appear that those who have held the president “captiveâ€, want to use what is left of him as a pretext to control government, (as intermediaries), and render Jonathan not just ineffective but also subservient to their manipulation. However, their problem, (which is as much our dilemma) is that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has no provision whatsoever for any kind of intermediary between an incapacitated president and an acting president! What section 144 of the constitution says is that the incapacitated president should be replaced by his vice. The President isn’t given any option to perform his function through any intermediary. The new dilemma which has sprouted in the orchestrated return of Yar’Adua is that because the president’s wife, Turai and her collaborators have prevented all Nigerians, (not excluding the Vice President, as at Thursday, and members of the Federal Executive Council of the country), from seeing the president, we are in no position to assess his state of health. Worst still, the president’s Saudi doctors have either refused to, or have been instructed not to make available a comprehensive report on the man’s health to the government of Nigeria, thus we are in no position to determine whether Mr President is in a vegetating state, or actually recuperating. It is what these intermediaries tell us that we know, which is hog-wash!! We are now practically between the devil and the deep blue sea. Our options are stark, and only two (as far as I can see). We must find a way of compelling Turai and her collaborators to make Yar’Adua available for professional medical assessment (as provided for by section 144 of the constitution), or we go the whole hog and terminate this dangerous situation hanging over our heads by starting the process of impeachment to rid the country of a President who might have become “unfit to govern.†That said, one must be human and humane enough to admit that it would be the most unkind way to treat a sick person, who is probably not even aware of this hopeless drama being enacted in his name. From what we have observed and experienced this far, Yar’Adua is helpless, and evil people are taking advantage of his incapacity for their selfish interests. For this reason, impeachment is a very difficult option indeed. It could convulse the nation and distabilize it, which is in nobody’s interest. So, this brings us right back to section 144 of the constitution. But if Akunyili’s statement on Wednesday is a measure of the mindset of the Federal Executive Council then it would appear that body is not yet in a hurry to act on section 144. Perhaps it is proper to be cautious at this stage, but when the Acting President talked about waiting for briefing from the ailing president’s wife before he could proceed, that by itself is enough reason to worry. If by the time you are reading this piece Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has still not been allowed to see Yar’Adua and report back to Nigerians truthfully on his state of health, then we have a big problem on hand which should make the Federal Executive Council move decisively to activate section 144 of the constitution. They cannot afford to prevaricate at that point. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/dakwambos-presidential-bid/amp/Now

Politics

en

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Edo State election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has faulted Governor Godwin Obaseki on his claim on job creation during Sunday’s governorship debate. Ize-Iyamu, reacting to a claim by Obaseki that his administration had created 157,000 jobs so far, accused the governor of getting his facts wrong. “I am sure he is not going to misplace the appointments he is making now as jobs,” Ize-Iyamu said during the debate in Benin City. “I know in the past one month, he has appointed over 2,000 people as SSA s on social media and the rest of them. “Those are not jobs. When you say you have created jobs, in what area? We know for example that there is a glaring vacancy in the teaching profession and every school we went to, they practically had no teacher,” he said. Governor Obaseki, while defending his performance in the area of human capital development had said, “At the onset, I promised to create a minimum of 200,000 jobs within a four-year period. “Just before COVID-19, we had created both direct and indirect jobs for Edo people as much as 157,000 jobs. Ize-Iyamu, who did not provide alternative figures to counter the governor’s jobs creation claim, said if the numbers were true, it would have significantly boosted the state’s economy. “If it is true that we are able to have the number of jobs that the Edo State governor claims, our IGR will not be where it is. There will be a significant leap,” he said.

https://www.channelstv.com/2024/03/31/lawmaker-threatens-legal-action-against-air-peace-over-delays-flight-disruptions/Where

Travel

en

Mallam El- Rufai By Caleb Ayansina (Abuja) & Olayinka Latona (Lagos) ABUJA – THE Catholic Church, has sent a strong warning to Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai over the move to enact a religious bill to prohibit preaching of religious ser-mons in the state. Addressing a press confer-ence in Abuja, the Director of Caritas International, a department under the Cath-olic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Rev. Fr. Evaristus Bassey said the peoples’ will is sovereign and must be respected, noting that the bill had enormous potent-ial abuses, therefore, it should not become law, because it would be misused against one religion by ambitious state officials. Fr. Bassey said: “The dang-er in Nigeria is the mani-pulation of structures and institutions by strong ind-ividuals. Thus, the fear is that even if the proposed bill contains good aims, the proposed restrictions would play into the hands of officials of state who have a heg-emonic mentality and would allow them the freedom to persecute one religion in favour of another. “The principle of separation of state and Church/Mosque which springs from the supposed secularity of the Nigerian constitution would be severely battered if this bill is pursued in the way it is. Gov. el Rufai, who is quite dogged in the pursuit of anything, given this tool, would pursue ardently both what is good and what may be divisive. We therefore advise that Kaduna State rely on existing laws and existing state instruments of law enforcement, to main-tain religious harmony in the state instead of reinventing the wheel. “The majority of Kaduna people appear not to want this law, and their wishes should be respected, as no governor is an emperor but an elected official who should defer to the people’s will. The people’s will is sovereign; because of the potential abuses this bill could bring when it becomes law, we opine that it is not necessary.” On the last National Con-ference, the Catholic Church called on President Muha-mmadu Buhari to revisit the report and institute measures which should stand Nigeria on the pillar of justice and peace, arguing that “Niger-ian citizens should continue to engage political and state structures to become insti-tutions which are guided by the rule of law. “Presently, our constitution is like a hermaphrodite, neither completely secular nor religious. A secular con-stitution guarantees the rights and dignity of all under the law,” the Church said. In a similar development, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins also frowned at the legislation, arguing that the Nigerian Constitution makes pro-vision for freedom of worship. Speaking during a Chrism Mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos, Martins stressed that any law that will restrict freedom of worship, should certainly not see the light of the day. “I hope the governor will seriously listen to what the people are saying because democracy is about the people and the good of the people. There may be good intentions behind the law but it is important that in making laws for the people, the laws can only be effective and just if the people have an input.” Calling on government to take the welfare of Nigerians more seriously by enacting policies that will benefit the general populace, Martins lamented that Nigerians are facing numerous challenges which, according to him, is very worrisome. “The government should take the welfare of the people more seriously; there is a lot of suffering, poverty, pro-blems among the people. Government should put in place policies that will indeed help ordinary citizens feel a sense of belonging in the nation,” the archbishop appealed. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/controversial-religious-bill-catholic-church-cautions-el-rufai/

Religion

en

By-election results shatter PDP’s return plan, says Presidency The Presidency yesterday said the All Progressives Congress (APC) electoral victories in the three House of Representatives by-elections have shattered assumptions of a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s return to power. A statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity Garba Shehu described the victories in Katsina, Kwara and Bauchi states as signs of things to come in the 2019 elections. The statement reads: “In the by-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday, November 17, 2018, the APC swept the seats in three federal constituencies in Katsina State, Kwara State, and Bauchi State. “This victory should be a blow for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaigners who have maintained that by merely claiming that they have rebranded, Nigerians will have forgotten all the mess they left behind in 2015. “By voting overwhelmingly for the ruling APC, Nigerians have shown their confidence in the Muhammadu Buhari administration, and their willingness for continuation of this government and its policies. “This clear show of support can only be a synopsis of what Nigerians should expect in the forthcoming elections, at all levels. “I would like to use this opportunity to remind Nigerians that there will always be a winner and a loser in every election, an individual and a party with the highest votes and another with the lowest. “That is what democracy is about. Therefore, all aspirants should approach elections with the mindset that they could either win or lose.” he said He said that accepting results only when one wins and challenging results each time one loses, is not the right attitude. “It is certainly not what democracy is about.” he said He added “On behalf of President Buhari, I thank the people of Katsina, Kwara and Bauchi States for their show of support over the weekend. “I thank Nigerians all over the country for believing in this government and in its determined effort to pull our nation out of the mess left behind by 16 years of PDP government, and into the greatness that is our destiny.” he said

http://thenationonlineng.net/election-results-shatter-pdps-return-plan-says-presidency/

Politics

en

By Jacob Ajom The enthusiasm and optimism exuded by the Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh at Team Nigeria’s send forth to the Olympics must be eroding and gradually turning to frustration, one week into the Paris 2024 Olympics. He was full of hope; not just for medals, but also for a hitch-free participation in the games that would be free of controversies. The Paris 2004 Olympics is the minister’s first. Coming from a background, not too conversant with the demands of the sporting sector, he had hoped to start on a clean slate, using his early months as a learning curve. On resumption of office, the Cross River State-born minister told Nigerians that “it is no longer going to be business as usual.” He hardly knew the magnitude of what he was into. If the Senator must know, the story of Nigeria’s participation in the Olympics is one of twists and turns, dotted with pockets of successes and failures. Above all,hardly had there been one Olympic Games in which Team Nigeria would not have one scandal or another, coupled with the administrative ineptitude of officials. This has become a recurring decimal. In the 1980 Moscow Olympics, Team Nigeria was engulfed in a reported sex scandal. A Lagos-based national newspaper published a story which alleged that the country’s delegation was rocked by a sex scandal in Moscow. Although it turned out to be a hoax, that scandal did a lot of damage to the psyche of Nigerian athletes. Hameed Adio was team Nigeria captain to the Moscow 1980 Olympics held in Russia. He told www.aclsports.com that the story was not true but it had a negative impact on athletes’ concentration, training and mental toughness during the Olympics. Nigeria returned empty-handed. Fast forward to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Team Nigeria was again distracted by so many scandals. The failure of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to properly guide Nigerian athletes on doping regulations led to the disqualification of ten athletes of Team Nigeria. The athletes were disqualified from competing after they failed to undergo mandatory out-of-competition tests before the global sports fiesta. Events at the Tokyo Games snowballed into the hunting down and subsequent ban on Blessing Okagbare, Divine Oduduru and lately Grace Nwokocha by the the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) . Blessing Okagbare was handed a 10-year ban in 2022, while Divine Oduduru got a six-year ban in 2023. Grace Nwokocha was given a three-year ban for using prohibited substances.6 June 2024. Apart from the failure to properly guide her athletes on doping regulations, the AFN and the Sports Ministry under the leadership of Sunday Dare were locked in a kitting controversy. A picture shared by the team after the visit of the Nigerian Ambassador to Japan, Abubakar Moriki, to the team’s camp, showed many of the athletes and officials in different attires, with one of the officials in the picture wearing an Arsenal jersey. Other videos shared by Nigerian athletes in Japan also showed them in different sportswears, like Nike and Adidas. This came to the fore when Nigeria’s shot putter, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, washed the lone jersey issued to him by the Nigerian officials ahead of his final game at the Olympics. The TikTok video, uploaded by the athlete on his Instagram page, @thechuksay, before he deleted it due to pressure from the Ministry, had the caption: “When you made the Olympic Finals, but you only have one jersey.” This drew a social media rant which described the video as the “latest embarrassment from Team Nigeria Tokyo2020 drama series.” The one jersey per athlete issue was brought about by Sunday Dare’s rejection of the jerseys supplied by PUMA to the Nigerian contingent. The former Minister of Youth and Sports Development insisted that the contingent would not wear the German sportswear kits because of a leadership tussle between the AFN board lead by Ibrahim Gusau and another faction championed by the Minister, Sunday Dare. This crisis came to a head when the German company announced the termination of the four-year deal with the AFN in a letter dated August 4, which was signed by PUMA’s Director Manuel Edlheimb. It was rumoured that Puma would sue Nigeria for breach of contract. Nobody knows what became of that case, four years after. When Senator Owan Enoh sent forth the Team Nigeria contingent to the ongoing Paris Games, his thoughts were on how well it would end as he believed, like most Nigerians, that Team Nigeria could pull the chestnuts from the fire this time round. The likes of Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume, Favour Ofili, Blessing Oborodudu, Oduayo Adekuroye, the D’Tigress were all seen as very bright medal prospects. No Nigerian boxer had qualified for the boxing event at the Olympics since 2016. This time, three qualified. Unfortunately, one got injured while preparing for the games and he withdrew, the other got beaten in the first fight; while the third, a lady was disqualified for doping offences. In the main, Senator Owan Enoh’s young era has not escaped from tradition. Cynthia Ogunsemilore’s drug failure and subsequent expulsion from Team Nigeria camp and the Olympic village is another scandal bound to leave a huge impact on the Nigerian contingent. As if that is not enough, the mishandling of Favour Oifili’s omission from the 100 mtrs race has raised a lot of questions. The affected athlete cried blue murder as she had trained and conditioned herself to participate in the race having qualified. Ofili won the Nigerian national title in June with a time of 11.06 seconds . Her personal best time of 10.93 may have probably put her in the final of the event at the Olympics. She will, however, be available for the 200 metres 1×400 mtetres relay. A senior colleague, Onochie Anibeze believes the exclusion of Ofili from the 100 mtrs dash could have been deliberate by an official. “He could have done that for the good of the athlete,” he reasoned, adding, “she is expected to concentrate on 200 mtr which is her speciality and the relays,” Onochie guessed. Even at that, he was of the opinion that “if it is as I think, the said official should have done that with her consent. She should have been consulted and guided. Not telling her before now makes it bad.” But Anibeze did not also rule out an oversight, a complete error on the side of the officials. After one week of competition, Nigeria no longer has any stake in boxing, badminton, women’s football among others, swimming, etc. The minister must be realising the cleansing he has to champion in Nigerian sports. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/08/olympic-games-team-nigerias-bag-of-scandals/

Sports

en

President of the Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Suleman Johnson, has unleashed prayers for the new week amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Allnews reports that as at the time of publishing this report, there had been 111 confirmed coronavirus cases and 1 death in Nigeria. 3 people in the country have recovered after contracting Covid-19 as president of the West African country, Muhammadu Buhari orders lockdown in both Lagos and Abuja. As of 30 March 2020, more than 723,500 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in over 190 countries and territories of the world, resulting in approximately 34,000 deaths. More than 152,000 people have since recovered. Suleman, on his verified Twitter handle on Monday morning, asked for protection from God upon all and sundry. May the God of all grace keep you in his eternal glory..may you overcome this tribulation(John 16.33)..you will not mourn your loved ones neither will they mourn you..you and your family shall see the end of this plague,it will not see your end in Jesus name.. — Apst Johnson Suleman (@APOSTLESULEMAN) March 30, 2020 Earlier, on Sunday, the Edo-born preacher advised employees not to expect full salary, due to the challenging times occasioned by the COVID-19 crisis. Captains of industry,businessmen,CEO's please dont lay anybody off...workers and staff,please dont expect full salary this season..we must understand the times... pic.twitter.com/gFMzdSoSnS — Apst Johnson Suleman (@APOSTLESULEMAN) March 29, 2020 READ ALSO: Coronavirus: Apostle Suleman Unleashes Prayer To Fend Off COVID-19 The spread of coronavirus has rapidly impacted churches and mosques in Nigeria, as the government advised they are closed to large congregations for now.

https://allnews.ng/news/covid-19-you-and-your-family-shall-see-the-end-of-this-plague-apostle-suleman-rains-prayers

Religion

en

Popular Lagos traditional fabric market, Balogun Market, has, Wednesday, gone in flames. The market in Lagos Island which is popular with trading in Ankara cloths caught fire early Wednesday morning after the traders at the market resumed for their daily trading. Although the fire-fighters have arrived the scene and are currently putting the fire out, no casualties has been recorded. Meanwhile, the real cause of the fire is still not very clear but an eye-witness account has it that a generator exploded shortly before the market got engulfed by the inferno. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/02/breaking-lagos-popular-balogun-market-fire/

Business

en

File: Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun Dr Ugoji Egbujo She is neither. Rigour has become outdated, noisy charlatanism reigns. Howlers are everywhere. So Kemi Adeosun scampered to safety. She left her case. The accusation of blasphemy by Nigeria’s ‘Almajiris’ , religious or political, is not fought with reasons and arguments. A minister of finance has a duty to be honest and compassionate, and a compelling duty to prevent and stem panic. The proposed emergency economic bill is evidence of direness and government’s appreciation of it. It’s incontrovertible that sufficient urgency and dexterity haven’t been marshaled against our predicament. But it isn’t because Adeosun is ignorant or callous. The ordinary people are prostrate and bleating miserably. And if their hellish and progressively deteriorating circumstances have been rechristened recession then it must be unholy to describe recession as a mere word. The anger of the ordinary people cannot be faulted, servants and messengers should aspire to clarity. But if recession is a statistical classification, then it has no life outside the set of circumstances it labels. Recession describes preexisting state of affairs. Adeosun was neither wrong nor insensitive. She is neither a ‘BarkinZuwo’ nor a Nero . And not a Marie Antoinette. But there are mourners gifted in wailing, feeding on the grief of the ordinary people. They claim cognitive capacities capable of subtle discrimination but revel in intellectual sophistry and verbal thuggery. Their stomachs can’t remember hunger pangs and their thoughts have never been muddled by suffering. Yet, they find room in the pain of millions to make mischief, to foist amnesia on all. They have become self appointed chief mourners. Their naked complicity can’t be atoned by vacuous empathy or sardonic humour. They, who walked the corridors of power with Corruption, and raised not a whimper. Adeosun is saddled with a treacherous economy. All the chicken of the prodigal era have come home to roost. The rebasingof GDP and the trophy that came with it was cosmetic nonsense. “The biggest economy in Africa” was a phrase. The naira is bleeding and the economy, rendered chronically anemic by avaricious tapeworms is now in shock. With the currency relentlessly emptying its value,she knows that her lips are being watched. Like a doctor in an emergency room, urgency must be demonstrated but nervousness is counter productive. The line between masterly calmness and perception of lack of empathy is thin. While the economy needs comprehensive policies to rebound,reassurances as cosmetic as they seem, are important. So she says, recession is just a word – do not fret. Because recession, a tag that effectively dropped on us about 2 months ago is not a plague,not damnation, not an imminent Armageddon. The attachment of the epithet does not materially change our pre existing state of the affairs. Power has forever been epileptic,infrastructure has always been neglected, the health system is decrepit . The regularity of workers salaries has been lost since2014. Our foreign reserves were depleted prodigally by the last regime. Unemployment didn’t start today, Abba Moro can attest to that. Millions turned up for his scam. What exists today despite Reuben Abati and his like, is an effort to stem the bleeding. It may have been poorly coordinated, but it’s not the wanton profligacy of the past. Sophistry is intellectual fraud. Abati insinuates Kemi Adeosun is either out of touch with the pain of the Nigerian masses or with modern economics. So he decides to teach Kemi Adeosun what recession means. He dismisses any figurative reading of Adeosun and points her in the direction of recession. Recession, he postulates, exists in brothels where prostitutes , he reveals, have crashed fees to rescue declining patronage. Satire is good but any public figure conscious of public morality would look for healthy examples. But opportunism rarely countenances moral constraints. So he counts the reduction in prostitution as loss. There is nothing wrong in insisting that this government has contributed to our economic predicament through its tardiness. And criticizing the government is a civic duty. It doe not create navel gazing, ferocious”children of anger”.But with Abati, conjectures become facts very easily. He cites an example of two suicide cases and concludes that suicides rates have been on the increase and rushes headlong to attribute it to recession. Abati wasn’t an editor of a tabloid. How has he become enslaved to sensationalism? And what happened to the rigour of the Patito’s gang? If after reading Emile Durkheim, Abati thinks that anomie has birthed suicidogenic currents, he may be right. But would he need a soothsayer to tell him that the rampant corruption of the government he promoted left more moral confusion and ethical deregulation than needed to trigger a suicide epidemic? An astronomical rise in suicide rate would be the social complication of spawning a few “nyoungnyoung” billionaires and private jets and leaving the vast majority disillusioned Ordinarily, Abati should be ignored. But since he is a prominent partaker in the collective irresponsibility of the past that contributed to the present misery , his lack of contriteness is particularly irritating. Left unchecked the prodigals, unremorseful and unrepentant, will make a re-entry through the window grief and desperation . When you deliberately refrain from speaking out against the Avengers, you must let innocent others, battered by the effects of their economic sabotage, grieve. Mockery must be for those whose acquisitive instincts tucked billions under the beds of their cooks and seamstresses. Abati must take them to the brothels to see the new price lists, to see how the girls now work for nothing. Wouldn’t you think that an epistle aimed at excoriation would be careful with inconsistencies? Even beer parlour banters are not so totally deficient of coherence. Abati thinks ‘enjoyment joints’ are suffering low patronage like brothels. He could be right. He claims authority . He blames it on recession. But he thinks breweries are still making huge profits. So he needs an ingenuous explanation. Then, he manufactures one. Men, with pockets made lean by recession, go home to drown themselves in liquor and sorrow. Purchasing power has fallen drastically but Ogunpa hasn’t overflowed yet. There is a desperation to paint the picture of apocalypse. And to counter that fraud, you run the risk of irritating the masses who are fed up with excuses and the trading of blames. So the likes of Abati guffaw away, feeling redeemed. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/kemi-adeosun-a-zuwo-or-a-nero/

Politics

en

By Emma Amaize & Sam Oyadongha THERE were divergent views, weekend, on the Federal High Court, Lagos order confiscating the property of ex-General Officer Commanding, GOC, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo. Some Niger Delta activists, contacted by Sunday Vanguard, declined to speak on the matter, saying Tompolo should have complied with the order to appear before the court, especially after a bench warrant on him was renewed. One of them said: “The court had no option than to seize his property until he decides to appear before it. That is the sum total of the order because as the prosecution indicated, it has to go on with the case without Tompolo.” Those who accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of persecuting Tompolo, said “Tompolo Dockyard”, at Enerhen Road, Effurun, and listed as one of his property, belongs to his younger brother, Mr. George Ekpemupolo, currently the Chairman of Warri South –West Local Government Area. However, the Ijaw Youth Council, Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI, Foundation for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade, FHRAAC, and Niger Delta Security Watch Organization, slammed the Federal Government and the EFCC for the order, which they described as unjustifiable. IYC spokesperson, Mr. Eric Omare, said: “The situation is becoming worrisome, especially considering the fact that, from available information, some of the seized property are not Tompolo’s. It follows that the situation is degenerating into persecution of Tompolo and his associates by the EFCC. And, especially, the case is between lawyer Keyamo and Tompolo’s local political enemies”. National President of FHRAAC, Alaowei Cleric Esq., said: “The application purportedly made by the EFCC to seize the property of Tompolo, pending his appearance in court, is nothing but an enforcement of self-rule without recourse to the law. IPDI National President, Mr. Austin Ozobo, and President, Niger-Delta Security Watch Organization of Nigeria, Dickson Bekederemo, in a joint statement, said, “The seizure of Tompolo’s assets is unlawful, the order is ill-conceived, barbaric, obnoxious, vindictive and provocative. Tompolo has accepted to face trial and that is why he engaged the services of a lawyer to do the needful before he finally appears. Nobody sees fire and jumps into it.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/efcc-planned-seizure-of-tompolos-assets-splits-n-delta-activists/

Politics

en

By VICTOR AHIUMA YOUNG BARELY a day to the governorship election in Edo State, a group, Vanguard for Better Edo, VBE, yesterday, called on President Goodluck Jonathan, to be a true patriot and father of the nation by ensuring that the wishes of Edo people are not truncated under any guise in the poll. It will be recalled that an opinion poll released in Lagos by RMS, had said “As things stand, Adams Oshiomhole stands a 93 per cent chance of retaining his job as governor of Edo State”. VBE in the statement by its National Coordinator and Director of Grassroot Mobilisation, Mr Donatus Ossai and Mr Bernard Efosa, tasked the Acting Inspector General of Police, and other security agencies, not to take seriously, the allegation that one of the contending political parties plans to unleash terror on Friday (today) to scare away voters. It said,: “Now that the preparation for this Saturday gubernatorial election in Edo State had reached the peak, we again call on President Jonathan to show leadership example and be a true patriot and the father of the nation by ensuring that a free and fair election, where the wish of majority of Edo people was not truncated under any guise. “The election is about Edo State not about the personal wish of individuals and political manipulators. There is no doubt that every true and well meaning Nigerian wants the ongoing infrastructural and development in Edo State to be sustained. Well appeal to our President to do everything within his power to allow the votes count and save Edo State from unpredictable consequences of a flawed election.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/07/edo-group-asks-jonathan-to-respect-wishes-of-electorate/

Politics

en

Man City star caught peeing in public for the 2ND time A Manchester City star has been caught peeing in public for the second time, just hours after his side's draw with Newcastle United on the weekend. African giants 'consider' Pitso appointment Zinnbauer 'close' to dismissal after just 6 games Ahly make big transfer 'decision' after Super Cup loss Ex-footballer found dead in hotel with head wounds In Africa: Rulani triumphs, Davids still dominant in Tanzania South African stars and managers were in action around Africa this weekend, with Rulani Mokwena's Wydad Athletic Club emerging triumphant and Fadlu Davids' Simba... In-demand African star: I don't really like the Premier League Ex-Real Madrid superstar set for surprise Africa move? OFFICIAL: CAF confirms CHAN hosts and qualifier dates 'They're trying to figure out how to stop Percy Tau'

http://www.kickoff.com

Sports

en

By Henry Boyo The severe social discomfort and economic dislocation caused by fuel scarcity nationwide may stampede the incoming Administration of President-elect Muhamad Buhari to settle the outstanding invoices of Petrol Marketers, and also accept over N200bn penalty interest charge for delayed payments and exchange rate differentials consequent upon the almost 20% recent Naira devaluation. Some critics may suggest that the government representatives who accepted liability for such oppressive penalty charges, would not readily make such an undertaking if they represented their own private corporations or family assets, particularly in the face of a bleeding revenue base and rapidly increasing debt burden. Nonetheless, Buhari may be forced to tow the same path of reckless financial management, if petrol marketers remain adamant and insist that government should first settle alleged outstanding debts before they commit to any fresh fuel importation; unfortunately, the longer it takes to reach an agreement on actual liability, interest payments may continue to increase and further bloat government’s indebtedness. Clearly, however, the retired General certainly does not need an early confrontation with the public or indeed Labour who will as usual insist that subsidy should only be removed after sufficient local refineries can meet domestic consumption! In the event however, that refineries (depending on size) have between 18-36 months gestation, this may suggest that subsidy may not be wished away very soon! Furthermore, Labour and Civil Societies also recognise that it would be foolhardy to accept deregulation, if the Naira rate continues its steady plunge against the dollar as fuel prices will simultaneously continue to spiral! Conversely, Buhari’s Team may plead that it is not sensible to dedicate over 20% of federal budgets to subsidy and almost 50% of total Crude Export Revenue to consumption of imported fuel annually. We cannot predict the length of the ensuing stalemate, but as usual, in the interest of the nation, government and Labour are likely to once more agree to split the subsidy burden. Clearly, government’s share of subsidy will nonetheless rise if the Naira continues its downward slide or if “fortuitously” or “unfortunately”, crude oil prices rebound once again. For example, if the Naira is left to float as currently proposed by the Banker’s Committee, Naira could well exchange for over N300=$1 before the end of 2015, particularly if the instigation of systemic excess Naira remains an abiding feature of CBN’s monetary strategy. Invariably, with such Naira depreciation, fuel prices will spiral about 50% above the price on which subsidy was initially calculated. Consequently, unless pump prices are adjusted upwards, government’s share of the subsidy burden will once again balloon and bring us back to square one, where subsidy exceeds 20% of annual federal budgets. Furthermore, in the absence of fiscal discipline, subsidy refunds to marketers will invariably be delayed and will accumulate as usual, until the issue of delayed payments and exchange rate differentials surface once more to trigger fuel scarcity with the attendant painful, social and economic dislocations. Similarly, higher crude prices will also translate to higher fuel prices and increasing subsidy values. In his attempt to end this horrendous cyclical narrative, Buhari will be well advised to recognise that subsidy can be eliminated if crude price remains below $50/barrel, so that ex-refinery cost remains low; ironically, if this happens, our oil revenue base will unfortunately remain depleted and further threaten the Naira exchange rate as is currently the case. Ultimately, increasing speculative dollar demand will instigate further Naira depreciation which would inadvertently pump up fuel price and also swell the existing value of subsidy. Clearly, if weaker Naira rates instigate higher fuel prices and fuel subsidy values, it stands to reason that an increasingly stronger Naira should also reduce fuel price and ultimately eliminate subsidy while new refineries will be established with the complete deregulation of the sector. For example, if Naira exchanges for N100=$1, this would be a 50% appreciation from the current N200=$1, in this event, the unsubsidized current actual fuel price of about N150/litre will immediately fall below N80/litre, and make N7/litre available as sales tax if the current regulated price of N87/litre remains unchanged. Notably, the relative sales tax potential will increase beyond N7/litre if the Naira strengthens below N100=$1. The million-dollar question however, is how the Naira can appreciate when oil revenue is dwindling; after all, as some experts claim, it is the size of our reserves that defines the exchange rate of the Naira! Curiously, in the Nigerian context however, in order for CBN to build up its dollar reserves, it must consciously continue to induce the suffocation of the domestic money market with surplus Naira, despite the adverse attendant economic consequences. Expectedly, with such a Naira antagonistic strategy, the Naira exchange rate will be pummeled when it is constantly pitted against the paltry dollar rations, auctioned weekly by CBN from its caché of public sector dollars which were earlier captured and substituted with Naira allocations at an exchange rate that is unilaterally determined by the Apex Bank. This bizarre payments strategy apart from instigating excess Naira, also induces the unforced error of the official provision of presumably ‘scarce’ public sector dollars for the unsubstantiated forex requirements of the black market. Instructively, however, if the foreign exchange component of federal allocations are paid with dollar certificates rather than the outright monthly substitution of Naira values which precipitate the constant spectre of surplus Naira and its oppressive train of inflation, huge cost of funds, a weaker Naira as well as higher fuel prices, which make the removal of subsidy impossible. Incidentally, the above recommended reform in fiscal allocations, will gradually mop up the unrelenting flood of surplus Naira which swallow the dollar rations sold weekly by CBN; clearly, if this fiscal payment practice is sustained, the Naira may still ultimately exchange below N100=$1 despite reduced crude oil revenue within Buhari’s first year in office. Thus, Buhari will avoid a protracted social and economic dislocation, if he quickly engages Organised Labour and Civil Societies on a consensus to sustain partial deregulation with government, “reluctantly” conceding 50% of the difference between the current N87/litre and the unsubsidized current actual market price of about N150/litre; with this arrangement, the agreed pump price would be set at N120/litre excluding government’s subsidy of about N33/litre. Clearly, the implication is that when the Naira ultimately exchanges for N100=$1 because of better managed Naira liquidity, the government could also recoup over N10/litre as sales tax on 40 million litres of fuel consumed daily. Such returns from petrol sales tax will continue to rise as the Naira exchange rate improves with the reform in government’s payments strategy. Save the Naira, Save Nigerians!! Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/05/fuel-subsidy-dilemma-the-sensible-way-out/

Politics

en

Residents of Ketu community in Aiyetoro area of Ogun on Sunday expressed mixed feelings over the report that a Pentecostal pastor , Wale Fagbere , was stricken after he allegedly invaded a shrine in the area. They spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aiyetoro, Yewa North Council Area of the state. NAN reports that Fagbere on Sept. 20 allegedly got stricken in a shrine in Ketu community in Ayetoro area of Yewa North Local Government of the state after destroying some structures in the shrine. Fagbere, who was reported to have been stricken by some angry gods, allegedly regained consciousness after custodians of the shrine carried out some rites on him. When NAN visited the community on Sunday, many of the traditional title holders declined comments, saying the issue had been resolved. Some of the residents of Ayetoro, who spoke with NAN on condition of anonymity, said Fagbere was not telling the truth as he was actually stricken. One of them, a commercial motorcyclist, who said he was at the scene when it happened, confirmed the incident. “The pastor got stuck in the shrine and at a point the traditionalists were called in to set him free. “ He was there from morning till evening. At a point, his mother had to come to the scene to plead for him. “If not for the king who waded into the situation, things would have gone beyond human control, “he said. But a female resident of the area, who refused to mention her name, disagreed with people who believe the pastor was stricken. She said that the pastor was not stricken but only obeying the divine instruction he claimed he had been given. NAN also visited the palace of the Alaye of Ayetoro, Oba Abdulazeez Adelakun, but one of the palace Chiefs, Kola Onifade, said the monarch was unavailable for comment. Onifade also said the monarch was the only person that could speak on the matter. He, however, noted that there was nothing more to say on the issue, saying it had been resolved. The cleric had on Thursday in Abeokuta at a press conference organised by the Ogun Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria said that many people mistook his posture at the shrine for paralysis. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/pastor-shrine-saga-residents-ogun-community-express-mixed-reactions/

Religion

en

Nigeria on Tuesday condemned “the horrendous human suffering’’ of the Rohingya ethnic group in Myanmar. A government statement in Abuja also expressed regret at the desperate human rights situation in Rakhine state. It described the situation as a “very reminiscent of what happened in Rwanda in 1994 and in Bosnia Herzegovina in 1995’’. “The Federal Government condemns the horrendous human suffering caused by what is now confirmed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in his statement, to be a ‘textbook example of ethnic cleansing’ of the Rohingya people.’’ It, therefore, called on the UN to invoke the principle of the “Responsibility to Protect” and intervene in Myanmar to stop the ongoing ethnic cleansing and create the conditions for the safe return and rehabilitation of the fleeing Rohingya people to their motherland. “The Government similarly calls on all members of the civilized world to condemn this heinous act and to demand for appropriate punishment to the perpetrators.’’ Thousands of ethnic Rohingya people were forced to flee to Bangladesh in recent weeks following alleged killings, raping and destruction of their properties by government forces. The action had drawn international condemnation of the with about 400,000 signing a petition calling for the withdrawal of Nobel Peace prize conferred on the country’s leader Aung Suu Kyi

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2017/09/12/federal-government-condemns-human-suffering-myanmar/

Politics

en

By Nwafor Sunday The lives of about seventeen remaining students of the Greenfield University in Kaduna is currently in danger, as the leader of the gang, Sani Idris Jalingo, who kidnapped them on April 20, 2021, has vowed to kill them if N100 million and 10 Boko Haram motorcycles ransom are not paid. Sani Jalingo last month kidnapped about twenty three, (23) Greenfield students and had killed five over failure of the state government to comply with their demands. El’Rufai had vowed not to negotiate with terrorists and bandits. He equally promised to root out bandits from the state. “El Rufai says his government is not and will never negotiate with bandits. He advocates their prompt elimination when they are identified”. Reacting to his statement: Sani Idris Jalingo told the Hausa Service of the Voice of America that his group will kill the remaining 17 students if the stated ransom is not paid. However, when contacted the Kaduna state government declined to comment on the issue. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/05/bandits-threaten-to-kill-remaining-greenfield-students-if-n100m-ransom-is-not-paid-before-tuesday/amp/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter&__twitter_impression=true

Politics

en

Late Senator Rose Oko By Henry Umoru CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, Senator Rose Oko, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Cross River North is dead. Senator Oko, who died last night at a UK medical facility, was aged 63. The late Senator, who was one of the female lawmakers at the Hallowed Chamber, was elected into office as the first female Senator from her Senatorial District in June 2015 in the 8th Senate and was re-elected in 2019. Senator Oko’s death came after the Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Ignatius Datong Longjan, All Progressives Congress, APC, Plateau South died on Sunday, February 10, 2020, at a Turkish hospital in Abuja. Also recall that prior to the death of Longjan, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu, All Progressives Congress, APC, Imo South died December 18, 2019. A close aide of late Senator Rose Oko, who confirmed the death, however, expressed shock and sadness. A close relative, Mr Patrick Ikorgor Okoroji speaking about he demise said: “Heartbroken to hear of the passing of my dear Cousin Senator Dr Rose Okoji Oko after a long-fought battle with a physical affliction. “You gave your best to your world now that it has pleased the Almighty God to call you home may your soul find eternal rest in Heaven. Adieu, Distinguished Senator Dr Rose Okoji Oko.” Senator Rose Okojie Oko was born on September 27, 1956. She was a Member of the Federal House of Representatives from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), representing Yala/Ogoja Federal Constituency. She was elected into office as the first female representative from her constituency in June 2011 and sat as Deputy Chairman House Committee on Education. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/03/breaking-another-senator-rose-oko-is-dead/

Politics

en

By Donu Kogbara SINCE Henry Seriake Dickson, the Bayelsa State Governor, bestowed a Permanent Secretary appointment on Dame Patience Jonathan, I have spoken to several people – foreigners as well as Nigerians – who have made extremely disparaging remarks about the giver, the recipient and the recipient’s spouse. Disparaging remarks galore have also been made by readers of various online publications. Dickson has been dismissed as a shameless arch-sycophant. The Dame has been described as deluded, silly, grasping and ill-qualified. The President has been roundly abused for allowing his wife too much latitude. Meanwhile, Mr. Morris Alagoa, who is Chairman of the Bayelsa state chapter of the Civil Liberties Organisation, has made it clear that he regards this development as “unacceptable” for a number of reasons, including his belief that Perm Sec jobs should not be dished out like political appointments or honorary university degrees and should only go to individuals who have steadily worked their way, on a full-time basis and for many years, to the top of the civil service. Going down a dodgy path I have said quite a few nice things about The Dame and Dickson in this column in the past. But I have to criticise both of them on this occasion and say that I don’t understand why they have chosen to go down a dodgy path that was bound to lead them into the painful, humiliating realm of mockery and insults. Talk about playing into your enemies’ hands! Do Dickson and The Dame honestly, in their hearts, think that she deserves a slot that normally goes to dedicated senior career bureaucrats? Did they not realise that they would expose themselves to negative comments such as the following observation, which was attributed to writer Kaanayo Nwachukwu on an internet site I recently visited: “Even the wives of Idi Amin, Eyadema, Omar Bongo, Mugabe, Charles Taylor, Jammeh, Mbasogo, Kerekou, Gbagbo, Ben-Ali, Mubarak, Ghaddafi, Olusegun Obasanjo, Abacha, Babangida, Rawlings, Dos Santos, Idris Deby, Paul Biya, Zenawi, Afewarki, Mobutu, Kabila, Bokassa…who have ruled and ruined Africa – and continue to rule and ruin – are not half as ambitious as Patience Jonathan”. But I am more interested in the personal angle than the ethical, legal and procedural aspects. So while most of Dickson and The Dame’s detractors are focusing on issues such as her eligibility for the post and his motives for offering it to her, the questions that keep reverberating through my mind are: Why bother about a Perm Sec title Why is The Dame bothering with a Perm Sec title in the midst of all this damaging controversy when the title she already has – Her Excellency, First Lady Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria – puts her at the pinnacle of our society? Is the Perm Sec thing not a demotion rather than a promotion?! Whether we like it or not, First Ladies in ANY country have more status than females who have been high achievers in their own rights…and have performed impressively as businesswomen, lawyers, doctors, journalists or whatever. Do people queue up to meet Michelle Obama or Samantha Cameron because they are mega-talented professionals or because they happen to be the consorts of the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Great Britain? Grace Kelly, a dazzlingly beautiful 1950s movie star, attracted tons of fawning adulation in her heyday. But there are different levels of adulation; and it was not until she got hitched to Prince Ranier, the ruler of Monaco, that people started to courtsey in her presence and address her as “Your Serene Highness”. When The Dame embarks on countrywide tours, do Perm Secs in various states not line up to almost kiss her feet? So why did she accept membership of a group that is compelled by convention to treat her like a revered superior? Being respected because of who you married is probably not as satisfying as being respected for what you have actually done. And The Dame can get the best of both worlds if she GENUINELY commits herself to worthy causes. WORDS like “bush” and “nincompoop” are routinely and contemptuously bandied around whenever the current administration is being discussed nowadays; and a lot of Yorubas, Fulanis, Middle Belters and Igbos have, in recent months, a) bitterly berated me for hassling them to vote for my “Big Brother” Goodluck Jonathan and b) assured me that they will never EVER vote for a Niger Deltan Presidential candidate again because they regard Jonathan a huge flop. I find this attitude immensely offensive and ridiculously tribalistic. Since I myself am deeply disappointed in President Jonathan, I cannot blame anyone who shares my view that his leadership style is flawed. But I don’t see why every single Niger Deltan politician should be tarred with the same brush! Why should an acknowledgement of one person’s weaknesses expand to the point where you blindly despise the entire population of an entire region? I don’t remember any of the folks who are complaining about Jonathan saying that we should never again tolerate a Northern or South-Western president because of the multiple shortcomings of Shagari, IBB, Yar’Adua, Abacha and Obasanjo!, I’m yearning for Jonathan to shine and am so very sorry that he hasn’t done well enough. But Niger Deltans are as entitled to be ineffective or disastrous as indigenes of other geopolitical zones! And, for the record, there are plenty of Niger Deltan men and women who will do better if they are given a chance. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/time-line-ASUU-strike/Why

Education

en

Detained Adeleke to be arraigned in Abuja today THE Osun State candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last year’s governorship election, Senator Ademola Adeleke, will be arraigned today in Abuja, the police said last night. According to Force spokesman Frank Mba, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DCP), the senator was arrested and being detained in connection with ongoing criminal investigations touching on his person. He, however, declined to give the exact charges against Adeleke. A police source told The Nation last night that the senator will be arraigned for forgery. A statement by Mba reads: “Senator Adeleke is currently in police custody. He was taken into custody in the evening of today yesterday (6th, May, 2019, in connection with ongoing criminal investigations touching on his person. “Meanwhile, in the best tradition of natural justice and fair hearing, he has already been served with the relevant charge sheet containing his alleged offences in the presence of his attorneys. “He will be arraigned in a competent court of law tomorrow, 7th May, 2019.” But the PDP yesterday alleged plots to poison the senator. According to it, Adeleke was arrested and detained by the police yesterday evening, in what the party described “total disregard for the extant order of the Federal High Court.” At a news conference in Abuja, PDP spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan, described the senator’s arrest and detention as highly provocative, an invitation to anarchy and recipe for a very serious crisis not only in Osun but also in the judiciary and the nation as a whole. The statement said: “The arrest and detention of senator Adeleke is a direct act of violence against our laws, the institution of the judiciary and the 1999 Constitution (as amended). “This is part of the grand plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to coerce Senator Adeleke to relinquish the mandate that was freely given to him by the people of Osun state, which was further established by the election petition tribunal. “The plot is to drag Senator Adeleke before an ostensibly compromised magistrate court, over the same issues of alleged forged school testimonial that is already before the Federal High Court, with a view to using such corridor to secure a stampeded trial and hurried conviction, and put him out of circulation, over trump-up charges. “The heinous calculation by the APC is to ensure that Senator Adeleke is not free to be sworn in as governor of Osun state as they know he will surely obtain justice and retrieve his stolen mandate at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. “The police arrested Senator Ademola on the guise of an invitation despite the direct orders of the Federal High Court, restraining it or its agents from arresting and detaining him on account of statement of result and testimonial duly issued by the Ede Muslim Grammar School, Ede, pending the determination of the originating summons pending in the court. “Senator Adeleke, as a law-abiding citizen, honoured an invitation by the police only for him to be arrested and detained in a dingy facility in Maitama, in direct affront to the order of the Federal High Court. “The PDP holds that any arraignment of Senator Adeleke in a magistrate court, for a matter that is already being heard by the Federal High Court, is a calculated plot to cause crisis in the judicial system, enmesh the matter in unnecessary controversy as a pathway to truncate the course of justice in his matter. “The PDP therefore demands forthwith, the immediate and unconditional release of Senator Adeleke by the police. This demand is predicated on fears already in the public space that there are plots by certain elements to poison him in detention.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/detained-adeleke-to-be-arraigned-in-abuja-today/amp/

Politics

en

The Management of the University of Ibadan (UI) has fixed February 22, 2021, for the resumption of academic activities in the institution but cancelled the 2019/2020 academic session and renamed it 2020/2021. According to the Public Relation Officer of the university, Olatunji Oladejo said the announcement came as the Senate of the institution approved a new calendar on Thursday. Meanwhile, he said the school will be resuming on Monday to complete the 2018/19 session which did not end before the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on strike last year. He added that the 2019/2020 academic session of the school has been cancelled while those admitted to that session will be migrated to 2020/2021 academic session. He said, “Academic activities will commence for those admitted for the renamed 2019/2020 on February 22, 2021.” "Senate approved the recommendations by the varsity’s committee of provosts, deans, and directors who earlier met on Monday. "One of the approved recommendations is that the institution would not admit undergraduate students through the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for 2021/2022 session. "The 2019/2020 academic session be cancelled and the new session now renamed 2020/2021 academic session. The proposed calendar for 2019/2020 is accordingly changed to 2020/2021."

https://allnews.ng/news/ui-cancels-2019-2020-academic-session-announces-resumption-date

Education

en

Is it fair for a bad person to go to heaven and a good person to go to hell for believing in Jesus or not? Is it fair for someone to live a really bad life and then get saved at the last minute while someone who was really good his whole life but doesn’t get converted to Jesus goes to hell? That doesn’t seem right. So, what does the Christian say to that? First of all, what people consider fair is not what God considers to be fair. The Bible tells us that God is holy (1 Peter 1:16), and holiness requires nothing less than self. Also, all people have sinned (Romans 3:23) and sin results in the judgment of God (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, the person who lived a good life is still a sinner. Obviously, a “good person” has not sinned as much as a person who purposely rebelled against God his whole life. But it is not the amount of sin that is the issue. Rather, it is sin itself. Any sin is sufficient to bring damnation. Second, the sacrifice of Jesus (who was God in flesh, John 1:1,14; Colossians 2:9) is of such tremendous value that it can clean the sins of someone who committed only a little sin as well as someone who sinned a great deal. So, is it fair that a person who was bad his whole life gets to go to heaven because he accepts Jesus, but a good person who doesn’t receive Jesus goes to hell? Yes, it is fair. Whether someone has sinned a great deal or a little or receives Christ early in life or late in life, salvation is guaranteed to those who truly receive Christ as their Savior… all of their sins are removed. Without the cleansing sacrifice of Christ on the cross (which is received by faith), nobody will be able to stand before the infinitely holy presence of God, no matter how good they were on earth.

http://ow.ly/COkm50LtZ9t

Religion

en

BY KENNETH EHIGIATOR The Federal Government, weekend, confirmed that Ethiopian Airlines would commence direct flights to and from Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, from Saturday, August 24, 2013. This would be the first international flights to be operated into the South East geo-political zone of the country, barely two years after the airport in Enugu was accorded international status. Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, who disclosed this in Abuja, said she had already written President Goodluck Jonathan informing him of the airlines’ inaugural flight. She said the airport’s designation as an international airport was part of the aviation master plan of the present administration to give every zone in the country the opportunity to grow its full potentials in economic and social development. With the foray of Ethiopian Airlines into Enugu, businessmen and other travellers from all the states of the South East as well as Edo and Delta now have the option of making their international travels through Enugu, rather than erstwhile reliance of far-aay Lagos and Abuja. General Manager, Corporate Communication, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Yakubu Dati, said President Jonathan’s administration had fulfilled his promise of giving every part of the country equal opportunity to develop and realise its dreams. According to him, the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, was designed and built by the former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme when he was only 26, while his vision of many years is now being fulfilled. He said: “This Minister of Aviation has shown her determination to actualise the goals of the aviation master plan which the Jonathan administration has pegged its transformation agenda which objectives include giving every part of the country and every citizen the opportunity to grow to his full potential. “With the international flight operations at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, a novel opportunity has been given to the people of the South East zone to expand their business horizon without stress and the inconveniences of having to travel far to catch international flights.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/08/ethiopia-airlines-begins-international-flights-from-enugu-airport/

Travel

en

Compiled by Florence Amagiya I was watching a program on T.V just the other day when a Governor of one of the South South states came on air and advertised his achievements as Governor. To think that he had really done all these was thrilling to the mind. “He has given jobs to the whole graduates from the State; he has made education free for all, healthcare and childcare has also become free. In fact, he has taken out street children and so on. By the time my analytical mind applied the Nigerian mathematics to the issue and made a few calls to my friends in that State, I concluded that the governor has been caught in the trap of generalization, so, he should be forgiven or that he is lying. First, l had to take away the fact that this is an election period and to retain the seat of power politically, he had to fight with all he has. And since you cannot give what you do not have, lying came to play. At other times, you listen to conversations in commercial buses and hear something like ‘I am in Abuja’ whereas the person is in Lagos with you. Just to get a contract, you hear people claiming what they actually cannot do. It is so amazing that we are so in tuned with this way of life that changing becomes impossible. We tell lies when it is not even necessary! For instance: a lady bought a fantastic dress for N2,000 and she was asked by her friends and she claimed she got it for N20,000. What’s that? I have come to know it’s an ego thing, lying! And the more you tell lies, the more you look for new lies to cover the former. Some of us even tell lies to belong to a certain class as in ‘I belong syndrome’. Don’t get me wrong, belonging to a class has nothing to do with telling a lie or fighting for it. ‘A good wine doesn’t need advertisement’, so we can be proud of our humble beginning because we did not choose it in the first place. You cannot choose the family you are born into, but you can decide where you will go from there. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/10/awolowo-achebe-controversy-unnecessary-ndigbo-lagos/Too

Politics

en

The Federal Government will soon release $120 million to Imo State to support the state government’s livestock programme. Governor Hope Uzodinma disclosed this on Friday during a broadcast to mark the nation’s 61st Independence Anniversary in Owerri. He noted that the state has also been earmarked to receive $850 million to be distributed among seven states. “Another benefit from the visit (President Muhammadu Buhari) is that the Federal Government has graciously included Imo State as a beneficiary of its special Agric Processing Zone Project for Livestock farming,” he said. “Out of the seven states in the country that will benefit from a Federal Government $850 million for the programme, Imo State is number two! Consequently, a whopping $120 million will soon be released to our state for the livestock programme.” READ ALSO: We Must Stand Together To End Violence, Imo First Lady Tells Women The governor explained that the Federal Government has also listed Imo as one of the states to benefit from a $1.4 billion facility secured from the World Bank for urban and rural water development. Speaking on security, Uzodinma said relative peace has been recorded in the South-Eastern state under his administration. He commended President Muhammadu Buhari and security agencies for their “invaluable support to the state government in tackling the worst form of banditry and criminality ever witnessed in the state.” According to the Imo governor, everyone in the state is a witness to the “savagery and cannibalistic brutality that defined the regime of violence and criminality that enveloped the state for some months in the recent past.” Uzodinma warned that his administration will not tolerate anybody that attempts to foment trouble in the state, vowing to crush criminal elements. He called on people of the state to support the security agencies and government by providing useful information to flush out criminals from their hideouts. “Anybody who attempts to disrupt the peace of the state again may not live to tell the story. That is why it is important for parents and guardians to rein in their children and wards as the security agencies have our directive to deal decisively with those who may be tempted to foment trouble again. “I have just inaugurated a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the security breaches in the state and come out with recommendations on what government should do to ensure that there is no recurrence of such. “I believe that both the perpetrators and their sponsors would be unmasked for Imo people to know their enemies. But all of us have a collective duty to protect our state against renegades,” he added.

https://www.channelstv.com/2021/10/01/fg-to-give-imo-120m-for-livestock-programme-says-uzodinma/amp/

Politics

en

Former NBA President, Dr Olisa Agbakoba By Bartholomew Madukwe & Ikenna Asomba Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) is a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA. Agbakoba co-founded the Civil Liberty Organisation, CLO, in Nigeria and founded Human Rights Law Services. In this interview, he spoke on the state of the nation, communication importance in government, President Muhammadu Buhari’s economy policies and others. We have seen at least 195 days of General Muhammadu Buhari as President of Nigeria, what is your view on the state of the nation? Well, it is good when you listen to perception; know what people think because action of government is to reflect what people want. When I was NBA President, I always do what I call sweeping. I will make sweeping calls to about 10 Chair persons to know what lawyers are thinking. Perception is very important. It is for the President to pay more attention to the way people feel and that is why we need a communication strategy, such as having a Director of Communication. You find different people say different things about the President. Some say that he does not know what he is doing and some say he is too slow. But my interest in the President is not as General Buhari as a president because I have not met him, I do not know what he does. The country is suffering what I call economic anaemia. There is no money in the system because a lot of parameters are not working. There is no investment law, competition law, which is why MTN can do what it likes. Does this suggest that in 2016, communication should be one of the key things for effecting the change President Buhari intends to deliver to Nigerians? I hope that the present administration will understand that in 2016, communicating their strategy should be of prime importance so as to dispel all doubts. Also, the Biafra thing is what a good communication strategist will communicate. I think this administration has not done well in communication. In abroad, what attracts people is the programme. If I look at your programme and I am able to compare, then I can make my choice. If you look at the Presidential Debate in the US, you will be able to make your choice. But in Nigerian politics, it is a personal thing. You will need to know the person and touch him. In the US, for example, you do not need to know anybody; he will appeal to you by what he does. So President Buhari’s programme, quite surprisingly, appears to me as something to be looked at. Which means that President Buhari’s programme would succeed since people like you are impressed by it? I am keen to see that it succeeds. Everybody wants to have a break. If he (President Buhari) is going to take us there, then we will support it. I am tired of being able to handle money but unable to spend it because one is not happy. You need to have a country where you feel safe. You know I come from Apapa in Lagos and you know what happens there? You think I like it that I have towalk one mile to the office, in a place that is Nigeria’s richest community? We need to have a good country. And like I said earlier on, the President need to pay more attention to the way people feel and that is why we need this communication strategy. But some people have misconceived you, saying there is something you are looking for from this administration? For those who know me for a long time, they know that I do not need to look for anything. I had a chance to be Abacha’s Attorney-General at age 34 or 35, that was quite tempting and not what I was looking for. I am just looking for a good Nigeria. Many Nigerians seem not to understand President Buhari’s economic policies. Looking at your good sense of economy, can you share what you know about it? The nature of person’s ideology changes with where he is. So the natures of what countries do depend on where they are at any time. Basically, Nigeria as an emerging economy is a very poor country, typified by the fact that we are in the primmest land yet I have no water. Anyone who wants to design a programme for a poor country will take into account what the people want and what their need is. There is no template. A group better known as the Washington Consensus came together and felt that in the context of the war between the west and east, that imposing democracy and imposing the western economy thought will keep the sovereignty away. If you understand it and do not believe it, that is too bad. But for us who are international political economist, I know that the biggest challenge we face is the west and the east, the conflict that they have had and how it has affected us. So the first thing they will do is to bring their doctors of economy and say structural adjustment programme, which we resisted in Gani’s house in 1985 when IBB started it. We said it cannot work in a poor country. You cannot be doing structural adjustment programme when people are hungry. It may be good in the west, but here, it is difficult because people are poor. So if we agree that people are poor, then the last thing you will want to do is to inflict further harm on the people. But I think I understand what President Buhari’s economic policy is, it has two components. It is a derivative of social regulation. Underpinning the programme, as I understood, it is social regulation, which makes provision for people who are at the bottom and trying to bring them up and at the same time leaving space for market efficiency so that the markets can run. Social regulation means we cater for those who need government support but we will allow the Dangotes and the Otedolas space to work, then we task them to about 30 percent to 40 percent, which will be well collected. Once that is done, the money would drizzle down to assist the social regulation policy. It is a mixed economy model that I think it is what this administration want to present. Those who feel like doing business in the country will find that they have the space but they are not going to do it like they have in America. Even in America, there have been questions on the republican model of running an economy. What programme do you think would thrive in Nigeria today, considering the poverty rate you just mentioned? If you have a programme, the one that is commonly referred to as market feudalism, which means asking everybody to go and the best person to sell wheat flour wins. Then you will find out that the person can drive his price up, in the exclusion of others, and make money. So market feudalism, which was Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s doctrine, failed because in the years you will see that her policies did not work. The other one is social democracy and you will find it in Denmark, Norway and other countries. That is why they are the richest countries in the world, even if they have small population. They do social democracy where they plan for everybody. They know the need of everybody and try to meet it. I think social democracy is a better programme for Nigeria than market feudalism. Now, I go back to the challenge of not communicating effectively. In your recent letter to President Buhari, you talked about conspiracy of the elite, can you expatiate? The problem Obama is facing in America is that of the conspirators. Do you know that he was so frustrated in the last 3 killings and he said he was tired of sitting and being helpless as the America President whereas the gun lobby will not allow him to control guns? Who is benefitting? The last person that killed had 13 guns in the house. How can that be? Why is America unable to raid the gun supply? It is simply because people are making billions. What are your thoughts on sovereign wealth fund vis-a-vis your advocacy for freeing frozen funds; there are huge funds frozen while infrastructure in the country is in terrible state? Sovereign wealth fund is a small issue in the large equation. When I was the NBA President, I was able to invite one of the world’s leading thinkers of waking dead capital. Some of my friends, when they come to Nigeria, evaluating it to its state of wealth economy wise, they are shock that amidst great wealth there is poverty. Now development law, which we preach but it has not been understood by anybody, government does not have a lawyer in the policy space. This world is a large space and only the best will thrive. It is shocking that as the developed world and China go about setting standards and goals for investment and trade, there is no single investment and trade lawyer who has any expertise to criss-cross various multi-lateral conferences that take place, fixing your own fortune. For instance, in the last Doha, World Trade Organization (WTO) became stranded by the objection of Brazil and India on the utilization of tree-bags which we allow the west to take away and make into quinine, and then they now put intellectual imprimatur on it- your products. They take it away and reset it. The worst one was when they move into higher drugs, which they wanted to bring to South Africa and India to sell at a high rate. So what am I saying? I am saying that Nigeria is not taking advantage of its huge soft institutions of experts, particularly law. My simple theory is that we have enough money in Nigeria not to worry about how to build our roads. But all our banks, until the Soludo resolution, were interested in getting public fund and lending. So they would not give you any money because they will get it from the government and that was enough to make huge profit. What is your perception of the various election tribunal judgements across the country, especially the judgement of the Taraba Governorship Tribunal? These people who go to court have absolutely lost their senses. The reason why they are so mad is to access the money that is available in government house. Is it not the Taraba man that flew a jet and broke his leg? I am discussing the foolishness of the elite. We need to make this type of Taraba example obsolete. It should not be discussed. We need to make the quest for power to be only for those who want it. My view is that if you give N1 million as allowance in the national assembly many will go and not return. We need to understand that the elites and elite’s structure are the ones who propose people to the tribunal. Of course, they pay lawyers to do the cases. I am tired of unravelling the conflicting decisions. You look at Taraba, you look at Kogi and somebody told me that they will end in absolute mess. Have you seen any election that is different? It is the same complain that INEC did not bring materials on time or they did not provide enough material. Until we help Nigerians understand that they need to take up arms and begin to exercise their right, Nigeria is not going to change. In your letter to President Buhari, you noted that many Nigerians feel alienated and disconnected. Don’t you think that is the reason for recent Biafra struggle? The Biafra thing is not an agitation. People there are very hungry, I am from there. They have been dispossessed and abandoned by different political leaders who deceive them when they come for their votes. APC, PDP and APGA- all kinds of parties deceive them and led them to exactly where they are. The last time I was at the area, I was shocked when I drove around. I was shocked at the level of poverty and unemployment. So when somebody who is an elite wants to manipulate them, which is what is going on now, they will fall for it. I I think the best case has been explained by Prof. Wole Soyinka. We should not say that this country is indivisible. There is nothing indivisible about Nigeria. If we cannot live together, let us go in pieces. Who is to say that it is indivisible and treason? It is not. If you were President Buhari, how would you handle the Biafra issue? If I were President Buhari, I will first find out what the people are agitating. When I know the problem, then I will know how to deal with it and move on. The Nigeria configuration, the Nigeria country, needs to be panel beated around again so that everybody can feel happy. You will need to assign space and a room in a country called Nigeria. But right now, 180 million Nigerians are outside, they have no room and they can see a few Nigerians eating very well inside a room. So they wonder if it is not their own meal too. The more they eat, the more these men get angry. The wall separating the two is so huge and the elite keep constructing it and they have reached a position where they just ignore the people and do not care about what the people say. They do what they like and say to hell with you because you will collect their money and vote for them. This is the time to deal with the elite. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/theres-nothing-indivisible-about-nigeria-agbakoba/

Politics

en

Billionaire philanthropist Mo Ibrahim on Monday hit out at the Nigerian federal government for a crackdown on unarmed civilians during #EndSARS protest, a protest that spilt over into wider calls for better governance. Human rights monitor Amnesty International has said security forces shot and killed 12 people during the protest in Lagos, on October 20. But the military last week denied shooting live rounds, insisting that soldiers only fired blanks at the crowds who had gathered in defiance of a curfew. “I really don’t understand why the government needed to attack peaceful demonstrators,” Ibrahim, a Sudanese-British businessman who made his fortune in telecoms, told AFP. “This is what bothers me, this closing of space, of civil society. The right of people to stand up and say their views is a sacred right, and that was totally unacceptable.” Ibrahim was speaking after his foundation suggested that governance progress had slowed across Africa for the first time in a decade, even before the coronavirus pandemic hit. In particular, the report by the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance, published every two years, found that the commitment to democracy and civil rights had faltered. – Progress slowing – The index scores each African government on criteria including anti-corruption measures, protection of civil liberties and caring for the environment. More than 60 per cent of Africans live in countries that made progress in good governance between 2010 and 2019, this year’s report said. But progress slowed in the last five years and this year, for the first time in the last 10 years, the combined score for all the countries fell year-on-year. The foundation, set up in 2006 to focus on the need for good political leadership and public governance in Africa, cited growing curbs on people’s ability to exercise their democratic rights and take part in civil society. The results use data from last year and do not therefore include the impact of the coronavirus. Since the pandemic began, some elections have been postponed, the report said. But “the continent had been going through a deterioration of civil society space, participation and rights long before Covid-19”. There is “an increasingly precarious environment for human rights and civic participation” as well as a “deteriorating security situation,” it added. – ‘Worrying declines’ – Ibrahim told AFP that Nigeria’s authorities had deliberately conflated peaceful protests with looters, instead of seeing them as two separate events. Civilians had the right to speak out and the government needed to listen, he added, noting that Africa’s better-connected young were increasingly questioning their ageing leaders. Elsewhere in Africa, there has been deadly unrest in Guinea and Ivory Coast sparked by constitutional changes pushed through by incumbent presidents to enable them to stay in power. Post-election clashes have claimed scores of lives in Ivory Coast and at least 21 in Guinea, where several opposition figures are in police custody over the violence. The UN last week called for urgent measures to protect civilians in Mozambique’s northeastern Cabo Delgado province, where jihadists are wreaking havoc. Since 2015, countries’ scores for security and rule of law and participation have slowly worsened while scores for rights and inclusion have fallen more sharply, the report said. South Africa, ranked sixth, has declined over the decade, falling more steeply since 2015, and is on a “concerning trajectory”, the report found. The country’s former president, Jacob Zuma, was forced out by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) over a slew of corruption scandals. – Covid inequality – Only one country, Ethiopia, has made progress across all areas measured over a decade, the report said. But the nation is now embroiled in a military conflict pitting the federal government against the dissident northern region of Tigray. “Definitely people need dialogue, national dialogue,” Ibrahim told AFP, referring to the situation there. Meanwhile, coronavirus now threatens gains in economic opportunity across the continent, he added. “Covid has exposed inequality like no other factor before… If you are well off, it’s different. “If you’re a manual worker earning a living day by day, living in a small apartment with three kids and you’re being locked up with no support from the government, it’s hell.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/11/totally-unacceptable-mo-ibrahim-condemns-crackdown-on-endsars-protesters/amp

Politics

en

Morocco's Atlas Lions have not exactly lived up to what many expected from them being that the seemed to be Africa's strongest representative going into the Russia 2018 World Cup. Morocco looked strong going to Russia Anyone observing the Moroccan national team during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers last year would have said they were Africa's strongest side going to Russia and possibly the strongest Moroccan side ever. Aside from going through the toughest final stage of the African qualifiers with the unique honor of not conceding a single goal, they achieved two exceptional results even the other strongest African teams will envy; beating the Malian side by a whopping six goals to nil and beating the highly rated Ivory Coast by a two nil margin on their home soil. The unforgettable 1986 experience Many Moroccan and even African soccer fans were probably looking forward to a performance that will surpass that of Aziz Bouderbala and co in Mexico in1986. It has not been that in Russia. In that unforgettable performance in 1986, Morocco became the first African side to go past the group stage in a world cup tournament, creating the belief for African teams that Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana and Algeria have since built upon. Atlas Lions' losses in Russia At Russia 2018, however, the exotically named Atlas Lions have exited having lost 2 group matches and achieved a draw with Spain, but it is the first result that was quite disturbing. If Morocco had a good chance of qualifying from their group, it could surely only have happened by their seizing the opportunity to beat Iran, the other less rated side therein. Why has the Moroccan team in Russia failed to measure up to expectation? In truth, their lack of consistency in attack during the qualifiers was not entirely invisible given that they scored quite impressively but in only 3 of 6 of their final group qualifiers. Neglecting their home based players A better performance in Russia may have come the Lions' way if they had built their world cup squad around the home based side that won the African Nations Championship on home soil earlier this year. That squad scored 16 goals in 6 matches en route their victory, scoring at least 2 goals in each of their important matches and defeating their fellow African giants Nigeria by a spectacular four goals to nil in the final. A little more belief in this home based squad may have seen the Atlas Lions add a strong offensive bite to their disciplined defense, and Morocco might have contended well for a second round ticket in Russia. As it stands, they will be leaving Russia with just a point which means they take last place in their group. Not a good standing for an African giant. Home based players are a necessary world cup risk This is a lesson African footballing nations should learn from. Home based players are a necessary world cup risk! In any African world cup team, the foreign professionals are surely not to be done away with, but there must be a balance. Competition for places in the national team should be as tough for foreign pros as it is for domestic league players. Ideally the balance in any African team going to the world cup should be 12 domestic league players and 11 foreign based professionals. The problem with Africa's foreign professional soccer legion is that they lack the hunger of the home based players. They earn quite well by African standards and are prone to at least slightly excessive injury avoidance in order to protect their mostly European club soccer careers. No African world cup squad should be made up entirely of such players. European clubs will surely have their radars also on players who have only played in Africa but manage to outplay top European and South American players at the world cup. Africa's home based players would be aware of this by now and they should not be denied the chance to exploit it! If only North and Sub Saharan African soccer administrators would take note of this.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/morocco-s-regular-african-world-cup-2018-selection-error

Sports

en

Students express mixed feelings over suspension of ASUU strike Some university students have expressed mixed reactions following the suspension of the three-month old strike by the Academic Staff Union of Students (ASUU). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the strike was suspended on Thursday, Feb. 7, after a conciliatory meeting between ASUU and representatives of the Federal Government led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Nigige. The lecturers had demanded for the implementation of agreement entered into by the government with the union, including university revatilisation fund and earned allowances. Some Nigerian students who took to Twitter to express their opinion said the action was a tactic to deceive youths because of the coming elections. @iniobong tweeted: “How ASUU strike has not been a dominant issue in the ongoing presidential campaigns shows how unconcerned we all are about our shoddy education system.” @oheng2000 said “As much as I like the fact that #ASUU has called off its strike, personally I think this is wrong timing. One week to election? Are they looking for ways to get students back to school and use them for election thuggery? Students shine your eyes ooo. Don’t be used.” @Mayowasam1999 said “It is really a good step by the government, but we all know if there were no elections they won’t attend to it. I just pray we don’t go back to where we’re coming from after the election.” Meanwhile, others expressed readiness to return to school. @Bams_Jnr tweeted: “ASUU has finally called off the strike, yay!” @Tchinedvu tweeted: “Finally ASUU strike is over, I can now finish this 400L in peace.” Nifemi Adebowale, who just gained admission into the Federal University of Technology, Akure told NAN he was happy to finally start his university education, as his peers in other institutions were now ahead of him. “My parents advised me to start working to keep myself busy till the strike is called off. “My peers are now in their 100L second semester while I am just about to start my university journey. “I am just happy that finally, I can resume school since I gained admission into the university last year,” he said. Meanwhile, ASUU said if the Federal Government fail to fulfill its part of the agreement as reflected in the 2019 memorandum of Action, it would resume its suspended strike.

http://thenationonlineng.net/students-express-mixed-feelings-over-suspension-of-ASUU-strike/

Politics

en

Governors Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, *El rufai, Bello, reject being co-opted into anti-Oshiomhole camp *Okorocha schedules another meeting for Tuesday *Sen Uzodinma APC candidate in Imo By Charles Kumolu, Deputy Features Editor PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari was infuriated by the refusal of Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha; Ogun State governor, Sen Ibikunle Amosun; and Zamfara State governor, Alhaji Abudulaziz Yari to accept his solution to the crises over their choice of governorship candidates in their respective states, Saturday Vanguard learned. The trio, who had visited the President in Abuja to seek his support in their quest to oust the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, were asked to sacrifice some of their ambitions in the interest of peace. Incensed by their insistence on having their way despite his intervention, the President, who did not buy into the anti-Oshiomhole plot referred them to the latter on the grounds that he runs the affairs of APC. A source privy to the outcome of the meeting told Saturday Vanguard that Buhari had told Okorocha to forgo his senatorial ambition and produce the governorship standard-bearer. Amosun, the source, said was also given options that could have ensured a win-win situation. It was this failure to get the President’s endorsement that informed the failed attempt to mobilise APC governors in Abuja, with the sole aim of moving against Oshiomhole. Govs Bello, Nasir Elrufai The plot, our source said, was for Rochas to have used his influence as the Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum, while the capacity of Yari as the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, would have been deployed to have other governors agree to the plan. However, most of the governors did not turn up for the meeting earlier this week, a situation Vanguard gathered was deliberate. In fact, an insider revealed that attempts at convincing Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and Kaduna State governor, Nasir Elrufai in a telephone conversation failed. Bello was gathered to have told Okorocha that he had absolute loyalty for the President and would not pitch his tent against Oshiomhole, who is on the same page with Buhari on the matter. On his part, Elrufai was said to have told them not to speak to him again about the issue, saying he would not want to be used for settling personal scores. He was said to have added that they should settle any differences they may be having with Oshiomhole, without co-opting other governors in the plot against the national chairman. Saturday Vanguard was told that only four governors attended the failed meeting in Abuja. Faced with the failure to mobilise overwhelming support among the governors, the Okorocha group scheduled another anti-Oshiomhole meeting for next week Tuesday. Signatures of the 21-member NWC Also, the aggrieved governors, it was learned, have commenced collecting the names of the 21-member APC National Working Committee, NWC, in their quest to unseat Oshiomhole, who they considered a stumbling block to their ambitions. However, this move was said to have met a brick wall, as Vanguard gathered that they were relying on the Deputy National Chairman, North of the APC, Sen Lawali Shuabi, who was described as a mole in the party. According to one of the sources:”Rochas and his group of aggrieved governors met the President, thinking that he would support their moves against our National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. “The President as a peacemaker, who means well, sent them back to Oshiomhole. He told them that Oshiomhole is in charge of the party. Buhari even told Rochas to drop his senatorial ambition and allow Hope Uzodinma to go to the Senate. “But Rochas disagreed. Amosun was also given an option that could resolve the crises, but he refused like his co-traveler, Rochas. Their actions got the President infuriated. They had thought that Buhari would support an illegality. They became frustrated, especially when their fellow governors told said they were not interested in the anti-Oshiomhole meeting. Governor Elrufai told them not to call him on phone again for such, stating that it was wrong to use other people in settling personal scores. Even Governor Bello said he would not join them on the grounds that he stands with the President on any issue. Okorocha came to Abuja three days before the failed meeting in his attempt to mobilise support. A vote of confidence “They are now moblising NWC members. They have started collecting their names but it is dead on arrival because they only have one person, who they think is loyal to them. They are collecting the names of those they think are against Comrade. Our party’s Deputy National Chairman, North, Sen Lawali Shuaibu is with them. He is a mole in our party. We have long discovered that he has sympathy for Saraki. We will defeat them. They even want to use the state chairmen but unknown to them, the state chairmen are loyal to Oshiomhole. All the state chairmen in the South-South have passed a vote of confidence in him. That puts him in a better position. The Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi even held a meeting yesterday (Thursday) where he cautioned party chieftains against moving Oshiomhole. Okorocha, Amosun, Yari, and Akeredolu “Rochas has budgeted so much for this project. That is why he is leading the offensive. Another meeting has even been scheduled for Tuesday. The agenda is their intention to remove Oshiomhole for refusing the subversion of popular wishes in their respective states. Okorocha, Amosun, Yari and even Akeredolu are just being motivated by selfish interest. Okorocha is hell-bent on installing his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, while a man, who is engaged to his daughter, would become Nwosu’s running mate. “He would also be in the Senate at the same time. That is not acceptable to Mr. President and our party chairman. Okorocha is exhibiting the height of greed because he had come several times to seek Oshiomhole’s support. The position of Oshiomhole is that the matter belongs to the people of the state. Oshiomhole has no grouse against Okorocha, who he returned the party structure to after being humiliated by the John Oyegun-led defunct national leadership. “At a meeting that was held for the aggrieved people in Imo, Oshiomhole asked Okorocha to take 55 percent of the positions, while Sen Hope Uzodima and Sen Uwajumogu group takes 45 percent, but Rochas refused, saying that Uzodinma and his group are not members of the party. Rochas wants to take Uzodinma’s seat in the Senate, while he has got someone to replace Uwajumogu in his senatorial district. These senators are the people fight for President Buhari in the Southeast and Rochas wants to displace them. “There is a security report that APC would lose Imo State if the ticket is given to Okorocha’s son-in-law. Even the Catholic Church which is an influential platform in the state has vowed not to vote for his candidate. The church was instrumental to the electoral defeat suffered by former governor Ikedi Ohakim. And we are talking of Okorocha, who had offended the church. The party expected them to take the opportunity offered by the Osunbor Electoral Panel Committee but Okorocha, Yari, Amosun, and Akeredolu failed to do so.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/10/how-okorocha-amosun-lost-buharis-support/amp/

Politics

en

JAMB hopeful on CBT improvement An official of JAMB, Mr. Clement Ojo, says the ongoing UTME, on the all Computer Based Test (CBT) platform, would be improved upon with time. Ojo, who is supervising a centre in Yaba, gave this assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos. According to him, since the total migration of the examination on the CBT platform, it has stemmed incidences of examination malpractices drastically. He said that the platform has also proved cost effective and reduced stress for the candidates, their parents and the board generally. “Since we started this year’s examination for instance, it has been hitch-free. “The candidates themselves are already armed with the schedules of their examination and they come in for the examination and go happily. “The development is a far cry from what used to obtain in the past when the Paper Pencil Test (PPT) mode was still in place. “With the current development, it can only get better with time as the board will continue to research and deploy more modern technology in ensuring that it sustained global best practices in the conduct of public examinations,’’ he said. Ojo said that more than 1.8 million candidates registered for this year’s examination across 400 centres, both within and outside the country. The examination, which started on Saturday, Feb. 27, is expected to be concluded on March 15.

http://thenationonlineng.net/jamb-hopeful-cbt-improvement/

Education

en

By Dirisu Yakubu ABUJA- The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has threatened to pull out of the 2019 general elections if the electoral umpire and security agencies fail to demonstrate sufficient level of impartiality expected from them by Nigerians. National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus stated this at the party’s national secretariat on Thursday while playing host to a combined delegation of the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI). Secondus who lamented what he called the manipulation of vote figures by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the recently concluded Ekiti governorship election in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also accused the Nigerian Police of chasing away PDP agents from various polling centres particularly areas known to be its strongholds. “We are still contemplating on whether we will participate in the 2019 elections or not. We are yet to take a decision on this. “We are not sure that the security agencies and INEC would be impartial and transparent. In the Ekiti elections, there were instances our party agents’ tags were removed and given to the APC agents. “There were clear cases of manipulation, ballot snatching and harassment of our party agents,” Secondus said. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/07/breaking-pdp-to-boycott-2019-polls-if-secondus/

Politics

en

Buhari and Saraki By Clifford Ndujihe, Henry Umoru, Ikechukwu Nnochiri & Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari has dissociated himself from the current travails of Senate President Bukola Saraki in the hands of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over a 13-count criminal charge preferred against Saraki on account of alleged false declaration of assets, saying the courts have a duty to perform. This came as Abuja, the nation’s capital city hosts a web of high-wire intrigues and three-fold legal fisticuffs over the issue today. Meantime, Saraki returned to Abuja after a short trip to Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital. Saraki and a host of senators were said to be meeting in Abuja, last night over the issue. Details of the strategic meeting were not available at press time. Also, members of Senate Unity Forum, SUF, an anti-Saraki group in the Senate were, yesterday, engaged in a marathon meeting. It was gathered that the senators who met in Abuja in an undisclosed venue, were said to have gathered to strategize ahead of the resumption of the Senate. According to a source, the meeting was a follow up to the one held by senators loyal to Saraki, weekend. Leave Buhari out of Saraki’s trial-Presidency While saying that it will not tolerate claims linking President Buhari to the matter, the presidency added that the speculation that CCB and CCT only act on external influence was unfounded. A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said: “There is no place in law that the Bureau and the tribunal should take instructions from any quarters.” According to him, “as an independent institution equal to any superior court of record, the tribunal is set up by the constitution to determine the issue of default, false declaration or forgery in assets declaration.” Shehu said that the matter was purely a judicial process and had nothing to do with the presidency. He advised the affected parties to also use the courts to acquit themselves of the allegations. According to Shehu, the president cannot interfere with the judicial process by stopping the Judge. He reiterated President Buhari’s avowed commitment to the fight against corruption no matter whose ox is gored, saying that the President has sworn to protect the constitution. “If anyone has an axe to grind with what they are doing, they should do it in a judicial manner by challenging those actions in a proper court of law. Let them hire a good team of lawyers to prove their innocence. “Government has no desire to persecute anybody. The President has vowed to respect the rule of law and this is what he is doing by staying out of this matter. He has said times without number that the war against corruption has no sacred cows. Even if the President wants to help, there is no way he can do anything. Is he going to ask the judge to stop the trial? “It is purely a judicial process, the type of which are routinely dealt with by the CCB and the CCT. There are many cases like this that are going on. The President has sworn to an oath to protect the constitution and will not violate that oath”, Shehu said. Three-fold legal fisticuffs One leg of the triangular legal battles will be at the CCT, where Justice Danladi Umar will be expecting the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase and other security agencies to produce Saraki for arraignment. Saraki refused to appear before the CCT on Friday and sent his team of lawyers led by former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. J.B Daudu (SAN) to file a memorandum of conditional appearance on his behalf. Justice Umar in issuing a bench warrant said that having sworn to protect the constitution Saraki should have shown respect to the tribunal and appeared. The second leg will be at the Federal High Court Abuja, where Justice Ahmed Mohammed is also expecting the Ministry of Justice, the chairmen of the CCT (Justice Umar) and the CCB, Mr. Sam Saba over the charge against Saraki. Justice Mohammed had on Thursday summoned the trio to appear before him today after hearing Dr. Saraki’s ex-parte application. And the third front is at the Court of Appeal where Saraki has gone to challenge the powers of the CCT to try him as well as the refusal of the tribunal to discharge the bench warrant for his arrest, adding that the CCT acted without jurisdiction by assuming jurisdiction over a charge that is being challenged at the Federal High Court. Saraki returns to Abuja Meanwhile, Saraki’s Spokesman, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, yesterday, dismissed as false, reports that Saraki was hiding. He said in a telephone chat: “No. we are just arriving Abuja from Ilorin. Why will he leave Nigeria? For what? We are in Abuja. At least you know where he lives, you can come and have dinner with him.” Asked if the Senate President will appear before the CCT, he said: “I can’t answer that question. It is a legal matter, only his lawyer will answer but you know there are three angles to the matter. You have the Federal High Court, CCT and Court of Appeal.” Saraki may appear before high court A source close to the Senate President who spoke to Vanguard on grounds of anonymity, yesterday, stressed that Saraki would not be comfortable to appear before the CCT today, “having regards to the hurried way the Justice Danladi Umar-led panel issued a bench warrant against him on Friday based on a mere oral application”. However, the source, who is part of Saraki’s legal team, but not authorised to speak on his behalf, said his client would rather prefer to appear before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja who is presiding over the suit seeking to halt the proceeding of the CCT. Justice Mohammed had on Thursday adjourned till today to hear Saraki’s suit against both the tribunal, the CCB, the Ministry of Justice and the deputy director in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. M.S. Hassan, who signed the charge against the Senate President. “You will recall that whereas the CCT commenced its sitting on Friday, the same day it hurriedly issued a bench warrant against the Senate President, Justice Mohammed of the Federal High Court had earlier on Thursday delivered a ruling that ought to have put the proceeding of the CCT in abeyance. “Justice Mohammed was categorical when he summoned the Chairmen of both the CCT and the Code of Conduct Bureau to appear before him today to show cause. When you are asked to come and show cause, it means that you should come and adduce reasons why you should be allowed to proceed with a planned action. “The record before the Federal High Court which is a superior court to the CCT shows that the subject matter of the ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/775/15, bothers on the legal propriety of the proceeding before the tribunal. “If a court of competent jurisdiction had asked you to come and show cause why you should be allowed to do a specific thing, and you are notified about the ruling of the court, yet you go ahead to do exactly the same thing the plaintiff is trying to prevent, does that not in itself epitomise lack of respect for a constituted authority?” Meantime, effort to reach Saraki’s lead counsel, Mr. Daudu, SAN, yesterday, proved abortive. Similarly, repeated calls to the phone line of Mr. Mahmud Magaji, SAN, who also represented the Senate President at the tribunal on Friday, were not answered. Some senators loyal to Senate President Saraki have decried Saraki’s travails, saying that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC was drifting Nigeria into a state of anarchy. Commenting on the development, Senator Sonni Ogbuoji, PDP, Ebonyi South noted that the current travail of the President of the Senate was an indication that the APC has no programme of governance for the country but to use state apparatus to witch-hunt perceived political enemies, adding that the CCT was treating Nigeria to a “new form of Constitution”, whereby a deputy director instead of the Attorney-General of the Federation was the one that took Saraki to court. Describing Saraki’s treatment as politically motivated, Senator Ogbuoji noted that those behind the saga were not fighting for the growth of democracy, but for their selfish interest, which he said was to the detriment of the country. When asked whether he would advise the President of the Senate to resign in view of the dimension his opponents had taken to fight him, Senator Ogbuoji, who noted that there was no basis for anyone to demand for Saraki’s resignation, stressed that even if Saraki was eventually arrested and arraigned before the court, it would not remove him from his seat as the President of the Senate, adding that such would only be seen as a judicial process. Also speaking, Senator Joshua Dariye (PDP, Plateau Central) who warned that the unfolding scenario was not a good development, however, suggested that the best way to handle the matter was for the warring factions to go for dialogue and resolve their differences, since the recent action against Saraki was still a fallout of the outcome of the formation of the leadership of the 8th Senate. He said: “It is not a good development. Dialogue is the key to any success; so let them go into dialogue and settle their differences.” Anti-Saraki senators meet A source told Vanguard that members of the SUF, the group of Senators who are in support of the position of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the leadership of the Senate have continued their consultations in readiness for the fallout of the CCT trial of Saraki. It was gathered that the SUF has decided to lie low and allow the ongoing trial get to a head, as they continue the consultations behind the scene. A source said that the senators cannot say for certainty what would happen during the week, but many of them were said to be banking on the government “handling the assignment for them.” The SUF Senators: Abu Ibrahim, Kabiru Marafa, Ajayi Borofice, Olugbenga Ashafa, Suleiman Hunkuyi, Banabas Gemade, Ahmed Lawan and George Akume among others came up to support Senator Ahmed Lawan during the fight for the position of Senate Presidency, which Saraki won. As members of SUF are consulting, Saraki’s supporters, mostly of the Like Minds Senators (LMS) were also moving to consolidate the Senate President’s hold on the red chamber. According to a source, one of the forces against Saraki was pushing for an “Obasanjo option,” which would be to pull through the planned arrest and detention of the Senate President irrespective of the CCT order on the issue. Those behind this agenda are claiming that the CCT is not lower than the High Court and that its orders can only be referred to the Court of Appeal. It was also gathered that the position of this camp is that the CCT could be made to get Saraki “out of the way” while the issue of control of the Senate would be sorted out on resumption. Others are, however, expressing caution that the “Obasanjo option” could look drastic and reduce the government’s democratic credentials, especially as the government is still trying to get off the fallout of the invasion of Akwa-Ibom Government House. The source said: “The noise by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is also unsettling the plans. If the nation had remained quiet as it was before now, the authorities can go all out after the Senate President under the guise of fighting corruption,” a source close to the party said, adding that the two divides in the APC camp are weighing the best option going forward. It was also gathered that loyalists of the Senate President have decided to hold a Unity meeting of all Senators on September 28, a day before the 29th resumption date. CCB member faults trial Meanwhile, there was a new dimension to the case against Saraki, yesterday, as a member of the CCB said that the entire trial was needless and in contradiction with the process stipulated in the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. The member of the Bureau noted that the Section of the Act was not complied with before the Senate President was charged before the tribunal, adding, “If it had been complied with, the man will probably not even need to get to court at all, even if he committed all we are charging him with. Once he admits the inconsistency and regularise them”. According to the member who spoke on condition of anonymity said if the Bureau had followed the provision of Section 3(d) of its own law, it will not rush to trial, but invite Saraki to come and defend whatever inconsistency or infraction that may have been discovered in his asset declarations, adding that the normal procedure according to Section 3(d) of the Act was that the Bureau should set up a committee to determine whether an infraction has been committed by any public officer after submitting his/her asset declaration forms. Section 3(d) of the CCB Act states that: “The functions of the Bureau shall be ….to receive complaints about non-compliance with or breach of this Act and where the Bureau considers it necessary to do so, refer such complaints to the Code of Conduct Tribunal established by Section 20 of this Act in accordance with Section 20 to 25 of this Act. “Provided that where the person concerned makes a written admission of such breach or non-compliance, no reference to the Tribunal shall be necessary.” The source recalled that it is this same refusal to follow procedure stipulated in his own law that led to the collapse of the case filed by the Bureau against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in 2011, adding that members who observed this anomaly were dissatisfied with the unilateral action of the CCB chairman, Mr. Sam Saba who did not consult with other members before referring the matter to the tribunal. Meanwhile, Senators have kept mum since the matter came up, even as the Chairman, Ad- hoc Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Dino Melaye, APC, Kogi West has failed to issue an official statement from the Senate, even as Senators called to speak vehemently refused to make comments. There are also strong indications that Senate President Bukola Saraki may not honour the order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal that the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase should arrest and produce him in Court today. Though, Senate President Saraki was said not to be in town, but when Vanguard contacted his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, he said the Senate President was in town. Don’t be influenced IEDPU urges CCB The Ilorin Emirate Descendant Progressive Union (IEDPU) has described Senate President Saraki’s current travails at the CCT as politically-motivated. The union therefore cautioned the CCB against being used to achieve political gains, adding that the board should do its job devoid of external interference. National President of IEDPU, Alhaji Abdulhamid Adi wondered why CCB failed to raise any issue concerning the Senate President’s asset declaration forms since 2003. Alhaji Adi added that the 12 years interval to unearth the alleged issue by the CCB and the way the CCT is handling the issue is suspicious. “I see it more or less as political persecution. It is purely political. Maybe there are some political opponents that are trying to get at him,” he said. MEF begs NU, MBF to intervene Also Group known as ‘Maja Elders Forum’ (MEF) has urged President Buhari to intervene. In a statement, MEF Coordinator, Alhaji Kayode Yusuf, appealed to the Northern Union (NU) and Middle Belt Forum (MBF), the two bodies, Saraki’s biological father Olusola Saraki had brought into prominence in the nation’s socio -political landscape, to meddle in the “persecution of Bukola Saraki’s family.” The statement which was entitled: ‘Save Bukola Saraki’s Life: a Passionate Appeal to President Buhari,’ the group believed that the recent invitation of Saraki’s wife Oluwatoyin by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and his attempted prosecution by the CCT might not be unconnected with the rising political profile of the former Governor of Kwara state. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/go-defend-yourself-buhari-tells-saraki/

Politics

en

42 Boko Haram suspects arrested in Lagos, Ogun Army alleges plot to attack Southwest 20 feared dead in Kano bombings Forty-two suspected Boko Haram members were paraded yesterday by the Army in Lagos. They were arrested in various parts of Lagos and Ogun states, after fleeing the military intervention in some parts of the North. The suspects were arrested between July 12 and 23. Parading the suspects at the headquarters of the 81 Division, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Gen. Obi Umahi, said they were seized during raids done in conjunction with intelligence operatives following plans by the sect to unleash terror in parts of the Southwest. One of the suspects, Ibrahim Abubakar Bori, said they took part in several major operations in Borno State, where several military personnel and civilians have been killed since the insurgency started in 2009. “We were involved in several major operations in Maiduguri, where several security agents and civilians were killed. “I and some others here were recruited by Mallam Hassan Ibrahim.” Ibrahim, 22, admitted recruiting some of the suspects and disclosed that he went with Ibrahim Ismaili and Alhaji Black to kill a soldier and a man described as Buka. He said: “We rode in a tricycle and it was Alhaji Black that pulled the trigger. “I met both Ismaili and Alhaji Black in Lagos, while I was riding Okada. We all went to Maiduguri, where we carried out some operations.” However, some of the suspects denied being terrorists, alleging that they had been in Lagos for many years. Black, who was indicted by Ismaili, said he had been staying in Lagos for about five years, riding Okada (commercial motorcycle). He said the army came to Kirikiri to arrest some suspects and he was taken along with them. The Army said the raids were conducted at Ibafo trailer park and Ileke new trailer garage in Ogun State; Aviation Quarters at Mafoluku, Oshodi; Ketu/Mile 2 Motor Park; Orile Trailer Park; Lekki new extension and Bar Beach, which are fast becoming Boko Haram terrorist enclaves. Gen. Umahi said the suspects, who were arrested at various intervals, gave information that led to the arrest of others. The GOC reiterated security agencies’ determination to rid Nigeria of terrorists, adding that the suspects would be handed over to security agencies. Gen. Umahi, however, refused to disclose if weapons were recovered during the raids. He said: “In response to intelligence report on the influx of Boko Haram terrorist elements into Lagos and Ogun states, 81 Division headquarters organised and conducted raids with intelligence operatives in these states between July 12 and 23. “The Boko Haram trickling influx is adduced to their plan to unleash terror in some parts of the Southwest. “During interrogation, they confessed to have participated in various major terrorist attacks in the North, especially Maiduguri, where majority of the suspects fled from. “We are bent on ensuring that Lagos and its environs remain safe for Nigerians and will not hesitate to fish out criminals,” Gen. Umahi said. Security agents March 14, raided Ijora Badia, Lagos following intelligence reports, which led to the arrest of over 14 suspected Boko Haram members. The suspects were said to have disclosed during interrogation, their planned massive attacks on Lagos, with designated 16 landmarks slated for simultaneous bomb blasts. That foiled attack was the second in March. No fewer than three suspected Shiite sect members were arrested in Illorin, the Kwara State capital in February, with the allegation that they had plans to bomb Israeli and America’s interest in Lagos. The group allegedly planned attacks on the Lagos offices of the U.S. Agency for International Development; the Haifa-based ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Limited and the Jewish Cultural Centre. Also in June, the army said it arrested about 15 Boko Haram suspects at various parts of the metropolis, with most of them arrested at Ijora Badia and Kotankowa areas between February and May, who were handed over to security agencies. Sophisticated weapons were recovered including explosives and remote controls during the previous raids The vehicles that were to be used to transport the bombs to their designated places were also among other items recovered during the raid. When the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security, visited Lagos, it emerged that about 104 Boko Haram members arrested in the Northern part of the country, were being detained in Lagos prisons.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/42-boko-haram-suspects-arrested-in-lagos-ogun/

Politics

en

Ojougboh was a courageous, outspoken personality, says Ibori Former Delta state governor, James Onanefe Ibori has described as shocking, the death of a former member of the House of Representatives, Cairo Ojougboh. Ojougboh, who represented the Ika federal constituency of Delta state in the House of Representatives from 2003-2007 reportedly slumped and died while watching the semi-final clash between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Wednesday, February 7. Ibori, in a condolence message he signed, expressed shock, disbelief, and sadness over the sudden death of Ojougboh, who also served as a former Executive Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Read Also: Tinubu mourns late Cairo Ojougboh He said: “I am devastated by the news of the death of Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, a very outspoken and courageous personality who served his community, Delta state, and Nigeria well in different capacities during his lifetime”. “Our paths crossed years back as students at the University of Benin. Years later, our friendship became solidified when we both worked together to advance the interests of Delta State both at the national and state levels. The late Ojougboh was elected into the National Assembly in 2003 while I was also sworn in for a second term as governor.” “In everything that he did, Cairo was exemplary. He was a committed grassroots leader who lent a helping hand to everyone around him during his lifetime. “My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones. I pray that God repose his soul and give his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/ojougboh-was-a-courageous-outspoken-personality-says-ibori/

Politics

en

Another senior Army officer has been killed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists. The officer, O. Umusu, a Lieutenant Colonel and Commanding Officer, 118 Task Force Battalion in Borno State, was killed alongside his security details, by an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, in an ambush, Monday evening. This came as the Defence Headquarters, Tuesday,warned Nigerians to to be wary of people entering their communities as menial workers, saying it was a new strategy employed by the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists to get at their targets. Military insiders said the officer and his men were returning from Maiduguri towards Baga. The incident happened between Sari and Gudumbali. Their remains were evacuated to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital, sources said. The incident brings to four the number of lieutenant colonels the Army is losing in two months. Also the Defence Headquarters, Tuesday,warned Nigerians to to be wary of people entering their communities as menial workers, saying it was a new strategy employed by the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists to get at their targets. In a statement, late yesterday, by Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar,its Director of Information, the Defence Headquarters insisted that the terrorists, in their desperation to get at their targets, have resorted to disguising as menial workers. The statement read:”The Defence Headquarters wishes to alert members of the public of another antic being employed by the escaping Boko Haram terrorists that were smoked out of Sambisa forest by the combined efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces. “Available information indicates that some fleeing Boko Haram terrorists are now disguising as menial workers to melt into communities and towns with a view to organising terrorists attack against our innocent citizens. The unfortunate recent incidents in Madagali and Maiduguri are instructive. “The Defence Headquarters therefore advises citizens to be on the alert and be wary of these tricks of the defeated terrorists who are hell-bent on remaining relevant inspite of their lost battle. “This sensitisation becomes necessary now to create security awareness to our citizens to be conscious of some strange faces that could take menial jobs in their communities or towns, especially now that festivities are around the corner. “ Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/another-army-colonel-killed-boko-haram-terrorists/

Politics

en

•Mystery deaths: District head, two others die in Kano •47 health workers test positive for COVID-19 •Serving commissioner dies in Sokoto By Bashir Bello & Abdulmumin Murtala Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State yesterday berated his Kaduna State counterpart, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, asking him to stop politicizing the issue of almajiris evacuated to the state who tested positive to COVID-19. Recall that Governor El-Rufai had last week, said over 50 almajirai evacuated to the state from Kano State had tested positive for cOVID-19, besides 16 and eight from Jigawa and Gombe states respectively. Governor El-Rufai had posted on Twitter that, “COVID-19 Update: The Kaduna State Ministry of Health this evening confirmed receipt of 16 more positive results, 15 of them from almajiris. The state has now recorded 50 cases from repatriated almajiris. Active cases have risen to 59.” But Governor Ganduje in a statement said some of the almajirais also evacuated to Kano State during the exercise, tested positive for COVID-19 positive and that he did not make noise about it.. Governor Ganduje in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, said among others, “We are not making politics out of it, no noise making. To put record straight on the movement of Almajirai across states of the federation and how Kano embarks on the exercise, “We agreed at the Northern Governors Forum that all Almajirai be moved to their states of origin. That is why we are sending, in good faith and procedures, all Almajirai that are not from Kano state to their respective states of origin. The exercise was not political and should not be politicized. “The way we are sending back almajiris to their states of origin, we are also receiving Almajiris from other states who are Kano indigenes. But the fact that we are not making noise about it does not mean they are all healthy without COVID-19 infections. “Let’s make it categorically clear that, some of the Almajiris brought to Kano during the exercise, are also COVID-19 positive, but we are not making politics out of it. Because we all believe that what they need most now, is not noise making or publicity. What they need at this critical point in time is, care giving. “People should also understand that, these children were not infected in the process of transporting them to their respective states. So noise making is not fit as a way forward. All we are doing is simply to comply with the Northern Governors’ Forum decision that all Almajiris in our states should be taken back to their respective states, simple,” the statement however reads.” Meanwhile, Coordinator, Kano State Task Force on Coronavirus, COVID-19, Dr Tijjani Hussain, yesterday said no fewer than 47 health workers in the state had tested positive for the virus. The Coordinator who spoke during a briefing by the state taskforce on COVID-19 said with the additional 29 new cases recorded in the state Saturday night, “ we have recorded 576 confirmed cases, out of which 29 were new recorded on Saturday. Out of the total number of the confirmed cases, we also discharged 10 patients bringing it to 32 so far discharged. Similarly, out of the total number we have in Kano, we recorded three deaths on Saturday, making the total number of deaths recorded to be 21. In a related development, Ganduje has told health workers in the private health facilities not to reject patients, noting that sending them away could equally mean helping COVID-19 to wreck more havoc on people. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ganduje, Abba Anwar, said among other “We don’t want you to be sending away patients who come to you for other illnesses. Even though we are in the COVID-19 pandemic era, that does not mean other illnesses are gone. We want you to be running your other services. Surajo Gatawa, commissioner of land and housing in Sokoto state, is dead. A government source disclosed this, last night did not go into details. Again, the Kano State traditional institution was weekend thrown into mourning with the death of a district head, Dan Iyan Kano, Alhaji Yusuf Bayero. Before his death Bayero was the District Head of Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area. A source who confirmed the death said Bayero died on Saturday. He was also said to be the first district head of Ajingi Local Government Area in the history of Kano state. Similarly, the leader of bodyguards in the Kano Emirate (Sarkin Dogaran Kano), Muhammad Lawal Bala, has also confirmed dead. In the same vein, a broadcaster with the state owned radio station, Kano State Radio, Nasidi Hussaini Yakasai has equally been confirmed dead. All efforts to speak with the Special Adviser to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on Emirate Councils, Tijjani Mailafiya Sanka, on the reported the death of the traditional ruler proved abortive as he did not respond to calls put to his phone at the time of this report. Recall that in the last one week, the traditional institution in the state had lost the former Emir of Rano, Alhaji Tafida Abubakar Ila II and another traditional ruler, the Jarman Kano, Professor Isa Hashim. On the death of Sarkin Dogaran Kano, Muhammad Lawal Bala, he was said to have died at the of age of 80 years after protracted illness. Also on the death of the broadcaster, a source in the radio station who confirmed the death , said Yakasai died at the age of 58 years and was the Deputy Director of Programmes Department before his death. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/05/ganduje-el-rufai-fight-over-positive-covid-19-almajirai/

Health

en

BREAKING: Ayu worked against my emergence as PDP presidential candidate – Wike Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has alleged the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Iyorchia Ayu worked against his emergence as presidential candidate of the party. Ayu, he alleged, called many presidential aspirants to withdraw for Atiku Abubakar, who eventually picked the ticket. Read Also: BREAKING: Atiku, Saraki, Tambuwal, Aliyu, others rebuffed Jonathan’s pleas in 2014 – Wike He mentioned some of those contacted to withdraw for Atiku as Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed: his Sokoto counterpart Aminu Tambuwal and former Senate President Bukola Saraki. He alleged Ayu also threatened to resign as chairman if he emerged the candidate, stating the National Chairman manipulated the process for the victory of Atiku.

https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-ayu-worked-against-my-emergence-as-pdp-presidential-candidate-wike/

Politics

en

By Dennis Udoma UYO— Plans are underway for the establishment of Qua Iboe Power Plant, a new electricity company by Akwa Ibom State Government. The Qua Iboe Power Plant project, which is to be sited at Qua Iboe On-shore Terminal in Ibeno Local Government Area of the state, will be operated under Public Private Partnership Agreement, PPA, with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Joint Venture, Dangote Group, BlackRhino, African Development Bank, International Finance Consortium, IFC and Islamic Development Bank as financiers of the project. Governor Udom Emmanuel of the state disclosed this after a meeting with the investors on the new power plant project in Uyo, yesterday. He said the project, when completed, will create employment and boost the economy of the state in particular and country at large, maintaining that, with the production of 400 million cubic of gas, the industrialisation policy of his administration shall witness a major leap. Earlier, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Black-Rhino, Mr Brian Herlihy, explained that, the Qua Iboe Power Plant Project has a portfolio of more than $1billion in partnership with Black-Rhino, Dangote Group and NNPC. He added that the company will build a 570 megawatts gas power plant using a combined circle technology with General Electric and world class expertise to utilise onshore and offshore gas for its operations to enhance the growth of other industries in the value chain. Herlihy added that, the power plant project will employ more than 12,000 workers at the construction level and 300 workers during operations. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/02/ibom-build-qua-iboe-power-plant/

Politics

en

The South-East Governors’ Forum has set-up a 7-man committee to investigate the recent clash between the Nigerian Army and the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) members in Umuahia. Mr Michael Udah, the forum’s Director of Media and Communications, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the committee was expected to submit its report during the forum’s meeting scheduled for Sept.15. Udah did not mention the leader of the committee, but said that it was set-up to proffer lasting solutions to such problems and forestall future occurrences. “Reports in the social media that the governors condemned the alleged attack on IPOB members are false, but instead, they are working assiduously to bring lasting peace and stability to the zone. “I did not tell any medium on the social and print media that the governors condemned the incident as they would soon meet to review the situation,” he said. Udah said that the governors were consulting with relevant stakeholders in the zone including the military to ensure clarity of positions. “I urge my colleagues in the media to exercise decorum in their reportage to avoid creation of false and embarrassing impressions about sensitive national issues,” Udah said.

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2017/09/12/south-east-governors-set-committee-investigate-armyipob-clash/

Politics

en

The Federal Government has declared Sept. 16 as National Identity Day and has supported the enrolment of Nigerians for Digital Identity (ID) across the country. Dr Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, said this in a statement signed by Mrs Uwa Suleiman, his spokesperson on Tuesday, in Abuja. Pantami reminded Nigerians of the importance of digital identity, adding that the ministry was developing the right policy environment to support enrolment for digital IDs in the country. He said that the celebration of the National Identity Day would take place virtually, adding that digital IDs play critical roles in the development of digital economies, as they were often called the fabrics of the digital economies. Pantami also stressed that the importance of a digital identity programme for the successful development of a digital economy cannot be overstated. “The Sept. 16, has been declared as the National Identity Day. Following the approval of the federal government under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria also formally adopted 16.9 as the National Identity Day. “This year’s edition of the National Identity Day will take place virtually on the same date and will have the theme: Identity for Health, Sustainable Development and Growth. “We will start by capturing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria and will also support the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and other stakeholders to ensure that we make the process of obtaining digital identities swift and secure. “One of the key objectives of pillar 6 (Soft Infrastructure) of National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) is support for the accelerated implementation of a Digital Identity Programme,” he said. He said that the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa rightly noted that Digital Identity and the digital economy were not only linked, but reinforcing as digital ID was the basis for digital economy platforms. He explained that digital identification can be an important catalyst for various development initiatives in the continent such as impacting on trade, governance, social protection, financial inclusion, domestic resource mobilisation, as well as security and human rights. As the world and Nigeria mark the International Identity Day and National Identity Day, accordingly, Pantami urged Nigerians to support the development the digital economy by embracing the use of digital identities. He encouraged Nigerians to visit NIMC accredited centres for their digital identities. That minister said that his ministry is committed to ensuring that Nigeria derives the benefits of a functional digital ID system and calls on all stakeholders to support the process.(NAN) Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/just-in-fg-declares-sept-16-as-national-identity-day/

Politics

en

By Innocent Anaba, Victor Ahiuma-Young, Albert Akpor, Ifunanya Okafor & Ifeanyi Okolie LAGOS— The Lagos office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was a beehive, yesterday, with the operatives fixing the jigsaw created by the action of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, that removed the boards and Managing Director of five banks, three weeks ago. Vanguard had reported exclusively on March 23, 2009 on the alleged plot by a group of individuals to take over five banks in the country. As a direct outcome of its recent moves, EFCC announced, yesterday, no fewer than 16 banks’ executives and 60 loan defaulters were presently in its custody. They were, however, not named. The commission also said that it had so far recovered a sum of N25.5billion out of the N1.143 trillion of total non-performing loans of the five banks. The break-down of recovered debt and the banks are as follows; Intercontinental bank N7, 736, 571, 744.19; Finbank.N1, 590, 417, 332.05, AfribankN7, 551, 121, 378.69, Oceanic bankN8, 033, 481, 868.65; Union bank N659, 240, 400.78. The Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Mrs Farida Waziri, who made these disclosures at a briefing at the Ikoyi head office of the commission, also assured that the agency was “committed to recovering more money from loan defaulters,†adding, however, the EFCC was not out to criminalize loan procurement from banks. The commission equally said it had agreed to obey a court order to set the former MDs of Finbank and Afribank, Messrs Oke Nwosu and Sebastian Adigwe respectively free. However, stringent conditions were attached. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, yesterday faulted Waziri for cautioning the courts against granting frivolous interlocutory applications from former bank executives and bank debtors, saying that the commission’s position amounted to blackmail and arm-twisting the judiciary. Similarly, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, CIPM, has faulted the involvement of the EFCC in recovery of funds from banks’ debtors, saying its tactics show that the commission does not understand the workings of the banking sector. EFCC recovers N25.5billion from bank debtors Mrs Waziri, who briefed newsmen in Lagos, gave a break-down of the money recovered for the banks. A break-down shows: Intercontinental bank . N7, 736, 571, 744.19; Finbank, N1, 590, 417, 332.05; Afribank, N7, 551, 121, 378.69; Oceanic bank, N8, 033, 481, 868.65 and Union bank, N659, 240, 400.78, bringing the total to N25, 570, 832, 724.36. According to her, no fewer than 16 bank executives and 60 defaulters were presently in custody of the commission. They were, however, not named. She further said that former MDs of Finbank and Afribank, Messrs Oke Nwosu and Sebastian Adigwe might be granted bail following a court order to that effect. Her words, “it is important to emphasize here that our efforts are not targeted at genuine business people who have existing credit obligation to banks and have dutifully complied with the terms of the facility. We are not out to criminalize legitimate borrowing from banks. We are mindful of the fact that banking strives on robust credit administration system and we will respect the rights of customers to access funds from their banks in so far as the rules are followed. For the borrowers, we have been able to group them into two categories; those who have legitimate business intension and have continued to service their loans and those whose loans do not follow due process and non- performing. “It is unfortunate that some of the banks chiefs in trouble at present abuse their offices by granting unsecured loans in total disregard to banking regulations to the second category of people. You will agree with me that the amount owed by the later category has enormous effect on our national economy and every national must guard that seriously.†Moments after Mrs Waziri’s briefing, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim told the commission that he had paid N3.1bn of the alleged loan owed Oceanic Bank, arguing, however, the bank had overcharged him on the said procured loan. According to him, “we have paid Oceanic Bank N3.1bn and the rest of the account, we have to go through auditing as the bank has undertaken to reconcile the account and as soon as that is reconciled, if there is any figure against us it will be paid within 24 hours. Oceanic alleged that we owe them N8b and we have paid N3.1b, that means it is remaining N4. 8b. We will do a reconciliation of the account once it is reconciled, I will immediately within 24 hours issue a cheque.†…wants INTERPOL to arrest Akingbola On the former MD of Intercontinental Bank, Mr. Erastus Akingbola, the EFCC Chairman said efforts were on top gear to tracking him down stressing, “ We learnt that Mr. Akingbola has travelled abroad, we are going to start the process of bringing him back through INTERPOL. He is the only one that has escaped so far.†NBA faults Waziri on courts’ orders Meanwhile, NBA has faulted EFCC’s call on courts not to grant bank executives frivolous orders. NBA National Publicity Secretary, Mr Muritala Abdulrasheed, in a statement in Lagos, yesterday said “while the NBA does not begrudge Mrs. Waziri’s commission the right to reawaken from its long slumber in matters not affecting evidently corrupt former Governors, in which it has been evidently complacent in their escape from the long arms of the law, we express fundamental concern at this one-more-attempt to blackmail and arm-twist the judiciary into injudicious and un-judicial positions.†The association said, “although we concede to Mrs. Waziri the right, usually exercised by all legal practitioners, to describe an opponent’s application as frivolous, the NBA is concerned, given her position as EFCC chair and the various public fora used to launch her appeal, about the blackmail and the unwholesome practice of trial by media implicit in her comments. “We therefore urge the judiciary to ignore this so-called appeal and the arm-twisting inherent therein and continue to carry out their hallowed responsibilities in the EFCC cases in keeping with their oaths of office and certainly, without fear or favour, let or hindrance.†EFCC sets stringent bail conditions for Adigwe, Nwosu Waziri at the same briefing said, “the commission has decided to forthwith and with further assurance comply with the said court orders by granting bail to the suspects affected thereon in the following terms; Deposit of Bank Guarantee in the sum of Nl billion in favour of the Commission to secure the attendance of the accused person, such Bank Guarantee to be procured from banks not involved in the Current CBN/NDIC/EFCC investigations. “The procurer of the said Bank Guarantee; to provide tax clearance certificate of the preceding three years payable as at when due and in tandem with the amount of the Guarantee. A surety in respect of each suspect/accused person, such surety must be a serving/current Minister, who will provide a landed property on Victoria Island, Lagos or Ikoyi, Lagos or Maitama in Abuja.†CIPM faults EFCC President and Chairman of Council of CIPM, Dr. Oladimeji Alo, argued that the seven- day ultimatum by the EFCC to the debtors of the five banks, whose managements were sacked recently by the CBN to pay up their debts was wrong and improper. Dr. Alo also picked holes in the way the Chief Executive Officers, CEOs of the five banks were sacked, stressing that it was done in a military fashion. He queried the rationale behind the rush in releasing the audit and special examination reports of 10 banks, leaving out the remaining 14 banks. The CIPM’s President also decried the controversy trailing CBN’s publishing of the names of debtors and their indebtedness, arguing that the controversy was unnecessary, because what one owns a bank in the morning could change in the evening. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/08/28/60-debtors-16-bank-chiefs-now-in-efcc-custody/

Politics

en

By AbduSalam Muhammad Security operatives have, Saturday, intercepted a Russian plane carrying arms and ammunition at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano. The crew have been taking into custody, according to a security operative who seeks anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. Vanguard cannot independently verify if the munitions destination is Nigeria or whether the plane was in transit. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/12/fg-impounds-russian-plane-arms-kano/

Politics

en

The Federal Government is investing N16.6 billion of the N100 billion Sukuk Bond for rehabilitation of some roads in the South East geopolitical zone. Newsmen report that the Federal Government had in October, 2017 released the proceeds of the N100 billion Sukuk bond to 25 key economic road projects across the country. The Director of Highways, South East, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr Adetokunbo Sogbesan, made the disclosure in Enugu on Wednesday during a media tour of ongoing federal projects in the zone. Sogbesan said that the investment was aimed at improving road infrastructure in the zone, adding that four different road sections were covered by the fund. He listed the sections to include the Enugu – Onitsha expressway, Enugu – Lokpanta, Lokpanta – Abia Tower and Abia Tower – Aba section of the Enugu – Port Harcourt expressway. At the 9th Mile – Enugu section of the Enugu – Onitsha Expressway, Sogbesan expressed satisfaction on the job done so far by the contractors, Reynolds Construction Company Ltd. (RCC). He said the project which covered a distance of 58km was from Amansea in Anambra to Enugu. “Forty kilometres of the road is in Anambra while 18km is in Enugu section of the road. The contractors have achieved about 35 per cent completion of the project,” he said. He said that with the quality of job being done by the contractors, the road would make its expected lifespan of between 20 years and 30 years. Sogbesan, however, expressed concern on the heavy traffic flow on the road. “I pray we get more funding so as to deliver this project at the right time. This project will improve transportation infrastructure. “The micro-economy impact of this road will go a long way to help Nigerians,” he said. Also, the Federal Controller of Works, Enugu, Mr Oluropo Oyetade, said that monitoring of the project had been encouraging since the contractors reported to site. Oyetade said that the contract with a completion period of 36 months was awarded in 2014 but was not funded till 2017. He said that the job was expected to be delivered by December 2019. The Acting Project Manager, Mr Italy Zohar said that the project started in 2017 after their mobilisation. Zohar said that the contractors had complied with the relevant provisions on local contents as it affected the project. He said that a total of 650 Nigerian workers were engaged on the site with five local engenders and five expatriates. He said that no fewer than 6772 tons of bitumen, 12 tons of cement, 230 tons of rods and 775,000 cubic metres of gravels had been utilised on the project. Also, the Chairman of Enugu branch of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Mr Ifeanyi Ofili, commended President Muhammad Buhari on his insistence on the utilisation of local content. Ofili said that such directive was an encouragement to Nigerian engineers and materials. “From what we have seen on site, the contractors have complied with local content. So far, the quality of the road is good and we believe it is up to standard,” he said. He appealed to the Federal Government to fund the project to ensure early completion. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/02/federal-government-invests-n16-6-bn-sukuk-bond-road-rehabilitation-south-east/amp/

Politics

en