Abia House tasks security agencies on security

The Abia State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the security agencies in the state to rise up to the resurgence of criminal activities in the two major cities of Aba and Umuahia. This is even as the House decried the incessant cases of car snatching, theft and report of missing persons in the state.

The resolution was passed following a matter of urgent public importance on the resurgence of car snatching and armed robbery brought before it by the member representing Umuahia East State constituency, Mr Chukwudi Apugo, during plenary. He urged the House to mandate the security agencies in the state to rise to the primary responsibility of protecting lives and property of the people especially during the yuletide.

He lamented that the situation was becoming alarming and worrisome and should not be allowed to continue, saying that the security agencies in the state should use the resources at their disposal to combat the situation and save the people the sleepless nights that have become the order of the day. In his contribution, the Speaker, Mr. Martins Azubuike, described the development as a wakeup call for the people to be concerned in things happening around them, saying that security is everyone’s business

Biafra: The dilemma of South-East leaders

UNTIL his arrest and detention, many of us, Igbo leaders did not know about Nnamdi Kanu and his radio, and, we dare say, neither did most of the rest of the world. But with his arrest, the opposite has become the case. Our youths, many of whom were born more than 10 years after Biafra and who hardly thought of Biafra in mind, are now matching through our streets, unemployed  and hungry for Biafra.”

The above were the words of Chief Eke Ogburu Urum, an indigene of Abririba in Abia State, after reviewing the stakeholders’ meeting in Enugu on Sunday. His view spoke volumes of how an average Igbo man or woman perceives the on-going protests by members of the Movement for Actualisation for Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and other pro-Biafra agitators.

Indeed, the meeting of South-East governors and stakeholders held on November 22, 2015, gave an indication that the activities of the pro-Biafra groups are becoming of serious concern to the authorities, including the Presidency.

But how far the Igbo governors will go in pacifying the groups is another thing all together, as it appears that the move might be an exercise in futility unless the governors and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo agree to work in harmony. Already, a discordant tune has begun to rear its head between the South-East Governors Forum and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

The emerging picture indicating that the governors have no confidence in the leadership of Ohanaeze came to the fore when Governor Rochas Okorocah of Imo State, who spoke on behalf of the Igbo stakeholders, told reporters after the meeting in Enugu that there was an impasse in the pan-Igbo group.

The import of Chief Okorocha’s message is that neither the group of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Chief Gary Igariwey nor the Ohanaeze Committee chaired by Chief Ralph Obioha was invited to the Enugu meeting. “We agreed that South-East governors set up a committee to immediately address the impasse on Ohanaeze leadership,” Okorocha said.

But the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze,  Dr Joe Nworguthinks differently, as he told Nigerian Tribune in a telephone interview that their absence at the Enugu stakeholders summit had nothing to do with the crisis in Ohanaeze. He disclosed that they were not invited to the meeting. “We have a leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. It is led by Chief Gary Igariwey. He is the incumbent President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yet he was not in the picture of the governors and stakeholders proposed dialogue”, Nworgu added.

Be that as it may, the Igbo elders summit in Enugu was significant in many respects, as it afforded the Ndigbo an opportunity to brainstorm on how to chart the way forward for Ndigbo in national politics.

According to Okorocha, “After a compassionate review of the recent MASSOB/IPOB agitations in the country, it was resolved that a committee be set up to dialogue with MASSOB, IPOB as well as  the Federal Government with a view to finding a lasting solution to the issue.”

Interestingly, both the Igbo governors and Ohanaeze share a common view on the activities of the pro-Biafra agitators, which is restoring lasting peace to Igbo land they only differ on the approach.

Perhaps, the non-recognition of the warring parties in Ohanaeze led the South-East governors to hold their meeting at the Government House Enugu simultaneously with the one Ohanaeze faction held at the residence of Dr Nworgu the Secretary General of the pan-Igbo group.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting, the President of the South-East/South/South group of Professionals, Emeka Ugwuogu said: “The leadership of Ohanaeze met with MASSOB, IPOB, where we agreed to summon a meeting of Imeobi (the highest decision body) of Ohanaeze. “Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges MASSOB, IPOB to continue to be peaceful. Ohanaeze is the only channel to talk with MASSOB and IPOB on the agitation for Biafra.

If there is any other burning issue tabled at the Enugu gathering of elders, it was the deplorable condition of roads in the Igbo land.
Governor Okorocha,

“The elders also examined other issues including poor state of infrastructural facilities in the South-East, marginalisation in federal appointments and other social economic issues that impact on the economic development of the South-East and resolved to support the decision of South-East to set up an economic council and urged them to interface with the Federal Government on remedial issues. A delegation of elders of the South-East was mandated to meet the President.”

To the Eke Ogburu Urum, “old Biafra will be better off in a truly federal, strong and prosperous Nigeria than they will be in the Biafra of 1987 boundaries”. He regretted. “Today’s Nigeria is not truly federal. Instead, it is military unitary system masquerading as civilian federalism.”

Comparatively, the meeting of the Igbo stakeholders at Enugu seems to have an upper hand. It had in attendance past and present governors, ministers and senators of Igbo extraction. Among them were: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Governor Dave Umuahi; Ebonyi Deputy-Governor Nkem Okeke (Anambra) and  Governor Rochas Okorocha (Imo), deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Dr Sullivan Chime, Professor Barth Nnaji, Chief John Nwodo (Jnr), a former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara.

The conduct of some of the past governors at the meeting reminds observers of the transient nature of power.

For example, ex-governor had to run like a sprinter from the Lion Building to join other stakeholders for a group photograph and hung on for a while before walking away lonely to his car without any policeman or security personnel accompanying him.

Prior to the beginning of the meeting, it was pretty difficult for guests to enter the venue of the meeting, as a list of invited dignitaries was placed at the major entrance to Government House, where the meeting was held.

Most journalists waited for hours outside the venue of the meeting, as the summit was held behind closed door. 

Difficulty In Transaction: Reps To Probe Cashless Policy

The House of Representatives has resolved to examine the level of compliance with the cashless policy by government agencies and business outfits in the country in order to ensure smooth implementation of the policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The resolution was sequel to the unanimous adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Edward Pwajok (PDP, Plateau) at plenary yesterday, which was aimed at ameliorating the sufferings of Nigerians.

Moving the motion, Pwajok expressed worry that the vision for which the apex bank introduced the policy was not being adhered to by both public and financial institutions.

He said that the policy was partially successful in few cities because there seemed to be no measures in place to compel adherence.

“Many supermarkets, shops, hotels not only still transact business in cash, but outrightly inform customers that they accept only cash,” he noted.

The lawmaker added that the installation of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) within the premises of supermarkets, hotels and shops to enable citizens withdraw cash for transaction was counterproductive to the policy.

According to him, Nigerians are compelled to withdraw huge amounts of cash with charges and the attendant risks.

US State Of Tennessee Honours 3 Nigerian Women

The US State of Tennessee has honoured three former Command Secondary School, Jos, alumnae in recognition of their outstanding leadership, exemplary and inspirational service as role models to the women population and for their invaluable contributions in promoting girl-child education.

The honourees include the principal manager at the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Abuja, Hajia Halima Remawa-Fufore, senior special assistant in the office of the Clerk of National Assembly, Abuja, Mrs Rose Uwadia-Jacobs and, management analyst at the City of Houston’s Public Library, Mrs Mary Tombiri-Ero.

In a public proclamation, at a gala fund-raising event, during the 6th annual international convention of Command Jos Alumni (COJOSA) of North America, held in Nashville, USA, Sen Thelma Harper who was represented by Dr Afam Ikejiani charged the awardees not to relent as agents of change on women issues both in Nigeria, Africa and globally.

Earlier in his welcome address, the president of the organisation, Prince Dennis Iyelih said: “So many girls from poor and rural households are denied the opportunity of a basic education and we are also mindful of the challenges that some Nigerian girls including those in our alma mater face in pursuit of their education. Yet we know that there are many benefits in training the girl-child, such as poverty reduction, healthier families and lower fertility rates.”

While congratulating the award honourees, the chairman, Convention Planning Committee and CEO of AsoGates Strategies Inc., Dr Ugo Ben-Nwauzor stated that the award was imperative.

“We celebrate our commando women, who were able to break the cultural barriers and economic challenges to become shining examples of the importance of educating the girl-child.”

He further stated that “not only have our female schoolmates become great mothers and wives, they have contributed immensely to national development and globally.”

Power Supply Attains New Peak Of 4883MW – TCN

The Transmission Company Nigeria, (TCN), yesterday announced the achievement of a new record peak power generation of 4883.9MW and the highest maximum daily energy delivery of 106,288.48MWH.

The mew record, according to a statement from the TCN, was attained on Monday, 23rd November, 2015.

In a statement signed by the TCN Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, Clement Ezeolisah, the new peak generation was achieved yesterday at about 21.15hours

The previous peak generation was 4810.7MW and was attained on August 25, 2015. Similarly, the previous highest maximum daily energy wheeled was 104,794.26MWH, attained on September 23, 2015.

According to the statement, the Managing Director, System Operation/Market Operation, TCN, Engr. Dipak Sarma, attributed the achievement to the improvement in the supply of gas to the power generating stations and enhanced cooperation among all the stakeholders.

Army arrests pastor, 2 others over 'fake miracles' in Rivers, parades 2 for posing as Majors

The Nigerian Army has arrested a 'pastor' and two others who faked miracles and healing to deceive members of the public in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Army Public Relations Officer, 2nd Brigade, Port Harcourt, Captain Eli Lazarus, made the disclosure while parading the suspects before newsmen, on Tuesday.

He said the suspects, who had several members of their church, were arrested following a tip-off from a member of the church. "We got a tip-off from a member of the church who complained of immoral and fraudulent activities that were ongoing in the church.

"The self-acclaimed pastor and his collaborators were subsequently arrested and they confessed to duping unsuspecting members of the public of various sums of money. "The suspects also confessed to stage-managing miracles and healings to attract members to their church, located along Aluu community, close to Port Harcourt," he said.

The army image maker said the suspects would be handed over to the police for further investigation and possible arraignment in court. The prime suspect, a 27-year-old founder of the church, confessed to have paid his collaborators undisclosed sums of money to give false testimonies.

He said his church, Revelation Power Ministry, had over 100 worshippers, adding, "I told my accomplices to tell my church congregation that after performing miracles, they were healed from a terminal illness.

"This was done to enable me draw more members to the church and to retain my old members, numbering over 100. "So, after praying for them during church service, they lifted up their hands and professed to my church members of their healing. "I'm very sorry for my actions which has offended God and man. And, if forgiven, I will live a life that will be pleasing to Heaven," he said.

In a related development, two men who paraded themselves as Majors in the Nigerian Army were paraded before newsmen in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday. Parading the suspects, Lazarus said Fabian Enudi (39) and Samuel Agaga (38), indigenes of Delta and Bayelsa states, were arrested separately dressed in army uniforms with the ranks of Major.

“Fabian Enudi, dressed in army uniform, presented himself as an army Major to our troops on security checkpoint at Mbiama area in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. “Enudi, realising he could not defend himself while being interrogated by our personnel at the checkpoint, speedily drove past the checkpoint in an attempt to escape arrest.

“Our troops immediately mobilised and gave him a hot pursuit, spanning several kilometres, until he was forcefully stopped and apprehended. “During the pursuit, our troops fired warning shots to demobilise his car but unfortunately, the suspect sustained gunshot wounds on his leg,” he said.

Lazarus said the suspect confessed to being a major supplier and transporter of Indian hemp and other banned substances to an unknown drug cartel. Similarly, he said the other suspect, Agaga, was arrested when he, dressed as a Major, came to the army barracks to request that soldiers accompany him to settle a land dispute.

"Apparently, the suspect, thinking that as an officer, he could deceive our personnel, was subsequently arrested when he could not provide his identification card or defend himself.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the two suspects had been impersonating our military officers, using our uniforms, while having dealings with unsuspecting members of the public.

“The suspects have defrauded a lot of people. But, unfortunately, they met their Waterloo when our troops intercepted them in the course of their nefarious activities,” he said.

Obama urges calm after downing of Russian jet

US President Barack Obama has called for a reduction in tensions after Turkey shot down a Russian military jet over Syria. He spoke by phone to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Obama and Erdogan agreed on the need to reduce tensions after Turkish forces shot down a Russian fighter jet, claiming it had entered Turkish airspace.

In a phone call, the two leaders concurred on the need to prevent a repeat of the incident as both Moscow and a US-led international coalition continue separate airstrikes against the so-called "Islamic State" (IS) militant group in Syria.

"They were in accord on the importance of de-escalating tensions and making arrangements to prevent a repeat of such incidents," the Turkish presidency said in a statement following the telephone talks.

The Russian SU-24 attack plane was shot down earlier Tuesday by two Turkish F-16s after the Russian pilots were warned 10 times - without a response, Turkish officials said.

"Stab in the back"

Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin vowing "serious consequences" for Turkey, earlier in the day, Obama said he hoped "all parties can step back and make a determination as to how their interests are best served."

Obama's comments follow a similar call by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also called for urgent measures to de-escalate tensions, demanding a "credible and thorough review" of the incident to prevent a repeat.

"He urges all those who are engaged in military activities in Syria, especially air campaigns, to maximize operational measures to avoid unintended consequences," Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

The downing is the most serious incident involving Russian forces since they entered the Syrian conflict in support of President Bashar Al-Assad in late September.

Repeated violations

Publicly, the US military backed up Turkey's claim that Turkish pilots had warned the Russian jet.

Pentagon officials have previously condemned the actions and tactics of Russian pilots after Russian jets twice violated Turkish airspace last month.

But the Kremlin maintained that the jet was flying at least a kilometer away from Turkish airspace.

Late on Tuesday, a US official - speaking on condition on anonymity - told Reuters that Washington also believes the Russian jet was hit inside Syrian airspace, after a brief incursion into Turkish airspace.

The pilots of the downed Su-24 ejected, but one was killed by Syrian rebel fire from the ground as he parachuted to earth, military officials in Moscow said.

One of two helicopters sent to the crash site to search for survivors was also hit by rebel fire, killing one serviceman and forcing the chopper to make an emergency landing, they added.

Short-term impact

Despite the spike in tensions, there was no immediate request for an emergency UN Security Council meeting. But analysts disagree over whether Russia and Turkey will let the incident escalate. The two share economic and energy interests and have a common opposition to IS.

"Relations have been very strained between Russia and Turkey of late, so Moscow will be trying its utmost to contain the damage this might cause," Natasha Kuhrt, a lecturer in international peace and security at King's College London told the Associated Press.

Hours after the incident, Obama and French President François Hollande held a joint news conference at the White House, calling on Moscow to cooperate in the fight against IS, but insisting that Moscow ends its support for Syria's embattled president Bashar al-Assad.

Hollande is due to meet with Putin on Thursday in Russia. as part of his diplomatic effort to build support for an intensified campaign against IS, which has claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks.

Poor condition of roads costs economy N296trn annual loses

The Regional Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Cement Plc, Arvin Pathak has disclosed that Nigeria is losing$1.5 billion (about N296 trillion) annually, due to poor condition of roads.

Deplorable state of Enugu-Onitsha-Expressway

Pathak, an engineer, presented his paper during a session on ‘Transport System as a Backbone for the actualization of National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP): Strategies for Implementation,’ held in Akure.

He gave a vivid picture of the state of Nigerian bituminous roads constructed few years ago as opposed to concrete roads in the USA and India which have been constructed over 80 years ago and still smooth.

He said roads play very important part in nation’s infrastructure development and well-designed concrete roads required little maintenance over 40 year design lives.

“Using concrete roads will result in less fuel consumption and less emissions. Small percentage reduction of life time energy use associated with road will have significantly positive implications on sustainable development. Concrete roads are durable and safe. Less prone to wear and tear and low maintenance requirements is one of the principal advantages of concrete roads.”

Urging for a new policy that will accommodate the use of concrete for roads in the light of the defects of bituminous road and its attendant strain on the nation’s lean economy, the Dangote Cement boss, said the country will free itself of frequent maintenance and overlay repeatedly increase cost and cause inconvenience to users.

According to him, government would find out that Concrete road is the way to go because of easy availability of indigenously produced cement, uncertainty about bitumen availability in future.

He added: “Present cement capacity in Nigeria is around 41 million ton per annum while the expected demand of cement is 20 million in 2015. The capacity of cement plants under construction is 8.5 million ton per annum. Also there is adequate quantity of cement of international quality is now available within the country.

“This is against the fact that bitumen is derived from petroleum crude and the world supply of crude is not inexhaustible. It may last for another 25 years or so, but prices will continue to increase beyond expectation. it is in the country’s interest to conserve petroleum products and to adopt more eco-friendly and cost effective technologies.”

Another Speaker, Engr. Ali Kashim explained that the intervention by Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) could not achieve the desired result because the roads that it was to maintain were already failed and needed reconstruction and not maintenance.

“Maintenance means working on a good infrastructure to make it remain in good condition and not working on roads that had already failed and needed total reconstruction”, he stated.

Earlier in his address during the opening ceremony,  President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,  Babachir David Lawal,  lauded the roles being played by the engineers and that his government would work closely with them and other professionals to achieve the desired change promised by his government.

New challenges for PDP in Bayelsa

For the first time in history, Bayelsans are witnessing a highly competitive campaign for the Creek Haven, the Bayelsa Government House from the political parties, two of which have shown consistency and left none in doubt of their desire to lead the state in the next four years.

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party PDP, though    the occupant of the Creek Haven    in the predominantly riverine state since the advent of civil rule is seriously being challenged by the All Progressive Congress APC, a party that dismantled the former dominance at the centre in the last Presidential polls and has vowed to replicate same in Bayelsa.

Though dismissed as a non starter by the ruling PDP given the slow take off of its (APC) campaign, the APC penultimate Saturday formally flagged off its campaign at Governor Seriake Dickson, Sagbama council area of the state.

The choice of Sagbama and the massive mobilisation which resulted in the huge crowd at the venue of the campaign flag off, according to an APC chieftain, was a strategic move to unsettle the PDP. PDP partisans, however, claim that majority of those that thronged the arena were ferried in from Yenagoa and neighbouring towns as they insist that Sagbama remains a PDP stronghold.

The grandstanding notwithstanding, the Sylva-Igiri APC campaign organisation driven by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri has hinged its message on returning the state to the era of prosperity if elected into office.

Governorship campaign

The APC which though started late has taken its campaign to Sagbama, Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw promising better days.

Ex gov Timipre Sylva and Gov Seriake Dickson

Speaking at the maiden flag off of the APC governorship campaign, the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun had affirmed the sincerity in the promises made to the people of the state by the party’s flag bearer, Timipre Sylva.

Presenting the party flag to Sylva, he said the last four years of the Governor Seriake Dickson administration in the state has been characterized by poverty and under development.

His words, “the party does not need to work on the people of the state and convince them to vote for the APC. The people know that the last development efforts witnessed in the state was carried out by the Chief Timipre Sylva administration. And I was told that there is somebody in the state Government House pretending to be the governor.”

Chief John Oyegun, who also received into the APC three aides of Governor Dickson and two ex-officio of the State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), however assured the people of the state that a vote for Sylva and the APC will bring prosperity.

Speaking at the occasion, Lokpobiri who is driving the campaign said the issue of campaigning for the December 5 governorship election goes beyond television coverage and frivolous claims.

Senator Lokpobiri said a recent survey conducted by the APC in Bayelsa showed that the party will score over 75 per cent of the votes to be cast during the December 5 Governorship election, “the PDP go to television and portray themselves as if they will score 10 per cent of the expected votes. They brought hunger and poverty into the state but the APC has brought jollification.”

The APC flag bearer, Sylva, after receiving the party’s flag called for a minute silence for the late former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and late APC stalwart and former PDP Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd). He likened the APC train to the biblical Noah’s Ark saying persons who failed to enter the ark would be swallowed by the Opuabadi (sea).

Era of poverty and hardship

He said when voted in, his administration would bring prosperity to the state and end the era of poverty and hardship.

“A new day is dawning over Bayelsa. We are going to bring prosperity and empowerment to you people especially the youths. It is our responsibility to look after the youths,” he said.

He said the APC government would be about the people promising that youths would play active roles in his government. He said the first thing his administration will do is to embark on quick-win jobs to empower the people and reduce the scourge of unemployment in the state. He vowed to stop over taxation of civil servants saying it was inhuman to centre development around the salaries of civil servants.

Sylva also dispelled speculations that if he wins, he would relocate the College of Education to his town where it was formally sited before Dickson took it to his council. “I am not going to do that. I am going to show him (the governor) that l am not vindictive and vengeful like him. I love my people and l know that my people love me.”

At Ekeremor, home base of the APC campaign director general and minister of state for agriculture, Senator Lokpobiri, the party also solicited the support of the people.

Interestingly, Ekeremor council area parades some of the big names in the politics of the state. The Director General of the PDP Restoration Campaign Organisation and member of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi is from the council area, the wife of the incumbent governor, Mrs. Rachel Dickson is also from the area.

At Ekeremor, Sylva said a new day had dawned in Bayelsa, and urged the people to embrace change in order to move the state to the next level of socio-economic and political development.

Though the PDP led government in the state has taken the ongoing Sagbama-Ekeremor Road project beyond Toru-Orua already tarred, with sand filling beyond Ofoni, the APC candidate mocked the former’s effort saying if elected his (Sylva) administration would not short-change the people but would run a transparent government.

Sylva said, “I will link Sagbama with Ekeremor by road. I want to assure Bayelsans that I will not play ‘419’ because some people are doing 419 with the road.

BIAFRA: Buhari must not ignore protests — Ogundokun

Chief Abiola Ogundokun, the publisher of Conscience International Magazine was the national publicity secretary of the defunct National Party of Nigeria, NPN, in the Second Republic, in this interview, he spoke on many issues including why President Muhammadu Buhari should take ongoing protests and agitation for Republic of Biafra seriously.

By Gbenga Olarinoye

What is your take on comments that the President Muhammadu Buhari government is slow?

I have been in politics for over 56 years and I have witnessed so many governments in Nigeria, and all over the world.  If anyone is saying that Buhari has not performed, I will say Buhari needs time to study the situation of things, he cannot just rush.

Most of the things happening today are not his making but he still has to work very hard with  the opposition and people in government. Buhari must work with them and obtain ideas from the people. But to say he is not doing very well, I don’t think it is anything but political.

Nigerians need some patience, one year is too short to adjudge a new president. The type of military government he did is not like now, he is now in the democratic system and those military period, he was dictatorial, but now, he has to feel the pulse of every sector with a view to knowing what next to do.

We should all work together in Nigeria and embrace the opposition, get a little bit of their own ideas, whenever we want to condemn something, we must proffer solutions in order for the person you are condemning to make corrections.

One thing I will advise President Buhari as a politician is to thread slowly over Senate President Bukola Saraki, he should not allow Saraki to be swallowed or destroyed because it will portend a very serious danger to the All Progressives Congress (APC). They should call themselves  to a round table and resolve whatever is happening to the party and allow Saraki to rest.

What is your take on the ongoing protests and agitation for the actualisation of Biafra Republic?

Ogundokun

It is a very serious matter that should be handled with care and maturity. They should not start talking about secession or creation of another state. The America you see today has so many states and no American will support the breakaway of any little arm of America. Britain fought when one of its states wanted to go away.

Nigeria must ensure that it doesn’t break. We should try to resolve our differences rather than allowing ourselves to break up. If Biafra breaks away Nigeria is losing out in the comity of Nations. Look at the Arab world now, America has succeeded in breaking them into pieces and you can see that they are not in peace, they are experiencing wars over and over again. The same thing is happening in Africa, it will be rewarding for us all if all African nations can be a country.

I don’t think Buhari should overlook their agitation but find a solution. Buhari should bring Biafrans nearer, and study the situation in Nigeria so that every segment of Nigeria will be part of the progress of the country and the sharing of whatever comes to us. We are talking about fair share, fair share is when you are able to give people their entitlement and they get what is due to them and everybody will be happy.

You know what affected PDP in the decision making, there was no Yoruba man, the end result is the fall of the party. We cried, we talked, we advised the then president and when the people told him what to do, the money mongers went after his money and destroyed him. I am happy that I told him in the presence of those who sneaked him out and today he must be thinking that Chief Abiola Ogundokun told him this thing in the presence of everybody inside the villa. So,  I want to appeal to Buhari to look into the agitation of the MASSOB.

Going by the recent tribunal judgements on Rivers and Taraba governorship petitions, PDP alleged that the judiciary is playing to the instruction of the presidency, do you believe in such thing?

PDP in one of the papers made a very strong point about the Taraba case, making reference to Benue situation, while the man left the PDP like yesterday and was adopted today without going through any primaries, and today he is the governor of that state and no one has removed him even at the tribunal, so I think PDP made a good point there, so the judiciary should be very careful in reference to decisions taken in some other courts, it should be uniform. PDP should be careful of what is happening because they are losing out in many places and Buhari is the president of Nigeria and he is the president of the APC, and he is also the president of the PDP.

As an elder statesman, I will prefer that we find solution to our problems in Nigeria and work together to promote Nigeria. Buhari should not do anything that will provoke a section or group by doing anything that will not create progress for the country because it could be very dangerous.

Ndigbo have forgiven Niger Delta for civil war betrayal — Evah

COORDINATOR of Ijaw Monitoring Group, Comrade Joseph Evah in this interview calls for unity of purpose among political leaders of the Niger Delta extraction. He opines that with a common voice, the long expected development of the region may become realistic.

By Charles Kumolu

What is your perception of the state of the nation?

The way the Federal Government is handling the Biafra agitation in the East is very dangerous. They are taking the wrong steps by ignoring the agitations that are going on. For the first time since the end of the civil war, we are seeing an organised agitation. The Igbo man cannot ordinarily abandon his business for something else, but now we are seeing Igbo men leaving their businesses in order to agitate.

That tells you that they are serious. Seeing them sacrificing their time, energy and money, should be enough to make the Federal Government interested in the matter.  Threats by the army, are not acceptable. We expect the government to tell us why they are detaining Kanu. Intimidation did not work when we had our Kaima Declaration during the military era. When they threatened us, we became resilient.

Do you think the Igbo man has a cause to protest?

Yes, the Igbo have something to protest against just as the Ijaw man has something to protest against. Why are they denying the Igbo the right of seeing their son, who was arrested? They can’t be denied that right. I went to court to stop the dredging of the River Niger during the military era because there was no environmental assessment. The government under Abacha awarded the contract through the Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF. I went to my lawyer, Femi Falana and we stopped the dredging through legal process.

Comrade Joseph Evah

If the government had not obeyed the judiciary on the matter, we would have resorted to other alternatives which would not have been in the interest of the government. I questioned the justification for wanting to have a sea port in Baro in Niger State, while our ports in Warri, Koko and Akasa were moribund.

Justification for seaport in Baro

They wanted to dredge the River Niger from Warri to Onitsha and to Lokoja before finally connecting it to Baro, which is close to Abuja. So the government should listen to the Igbo the way we were listened to during the military.

Do you think the Niger-Delta region is fairly represented in Buhari’s government?

Niger Deltans are not well represented in the government and we don’t know why they are doing that. Maybe it is being done because the region produced the immediate past president.

But those, who may be thinking in that direction, do not have conscience. If you look at the way Jonathan worked, it will not be difficult to know that the north benefited more from him. He did that because he believed in the unity of this country.

And the new administration has also started treating the Niger Delta people wrongly. For instance the Urhobo nation which is a sophisticated ethnic group has not been given any appointment. We have not seen any solid appointment that befits the Urhobo nation and we are asking them to correct this type of insult.

But Jonathan was also believed to have insulted the Urhobo nation in that regard?

Well, you must have seen my publications. I Joseph Evah, I told Jonathan, ‘You are embarrassing the Urhobo people.’ I don’t do Ijaw struggle, what I do is Niger Delta struggle. That has been our major setback. To see yourself as Ogoni man, Itsekiri man or Ijaw man and so when we are divided the external oppressors will now deal with us.

A number of persons from the Niger Delta region felt that the Ijaw took over everything and looked down on the rest of the Niger Delta people when Jonathan was in power?

A lot of our people were actually misbehaving and we cautioned them. They were behaving as if this was the time for Ijaw people as if it was Christmas Day and the Christmas Day is forever and we cautioned them.

We tried to caution them that Jonathan was representing all Niger Deltans.

In fact, not only the Niger Delta, when people tried to make Jonathan an Ijaw President or tried to do as if Jonathan ends with Ijaw we tried to warn them that it is very dangerous. For example, 100% of the Igbo committed themselves to Jonathan’s presidency. That was why when Ojukwu died, I organised farewell to Emeka Ojukwu. I mobilised over 5000 people to the National Theatre. I paid N1.5 million to mobilise over 5000 people to take over the National Theater for us to celebrate Ojukwu. The Eze Ndi Igbo were there. I took micro finance loan to organize it and I announced it.

Jonathan presidency

The reason was that during the war, we did not follow the Igbos. We supported the northerners against our Igbo brothers. Now, Jonathan is the President of Nigeria, Igbo had to forget about the way we maltreated them during the war, collectively decided to support Jonathan.

Now, the symbol of Igbo greatness, I call him the Ndi Igbo Black Moses, that is Ojukwu, I said there is need for us to celebrate Ojukwu. We will not allow Ojukwu’s burial without the Niger Delta people celebrating Ojukwu. That was why I organised that and thanked the Igbo for forgiving us because during the civil war, we joined outsiders to kill them. Today our son is the President, you Igbo decided to forgive us.

There are calls for the extension of the amnesty programme, which will end by December. Can you tell us the justification for such calls?

The training of the ex-agitators is still ongoing. Many of them still require to be trained. Even the trained ones are jobless. If the APC government is talking about N5,000 Social Security for the jobless, they should consider extending the amnesty programme because the idle mind is the devil’s workshop.  It is not that we are encouraging people to be lazy. We are only concerned about how to make our youths productive and self sufficient.

Buhari’ll decide on MTN’s N1.04trn fine, says Minister

The Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, has said that the issue of N1.4 trillion fine imposed  on MTN Nigeria by the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, is now before President Muhammadu Buhari, who will take the necessary decision at the appropriate time in the best interest of the country.

The Minister, disclosed this, yesterday, at the Alliance 4 Affordable Internet Nigeria Coalition conference in Lagos.

He said that the government decision to impose fine on MTN was not borne out of hatred but ”in the interest of the public.”

He stressed that MTN admitted that it erred and apologised  and that the matter was before the President, who will take the final decision, which he vowed,  will be in the interest of Nigeria.

“I don’t think there is any conflicting position on where government stands on the MTN issue. Recall that there were violations which were established against MTN.

“The violations were to the tune of five million subscribers. There are many countries where subscribers, in the entire country, are not up to half of the five million. In the case of Nigeria, we had more than five million violations.

“However, both the government and MTN are on the same page that rules have been broken in this instance.

“The issue is now before Mr President. He will take the necessary decision at the appropriate time. And the President would do what is best for the public interest,“ the Minister said.

“The good thing is that MTN did not contest the fact that they had violated the regulations and guidelines. They never contested it. They admitted they were at fault. They apologized for their role in the saga and they made a commitment that what happened will never happen again. And of course, they made a plea for review of the payment terms,” he said.

Treasury looters now returning stolen funds —Buhari

ABUJA — President Muhammadu Buhari, in Tehran, Iran, yesterday, disclosed that many of those who looted the public treasuries in the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan had started returning the stolen funds to the government.
He said that though the government appreciated the development, it was still not enough to condone corruption, stressing that his government would still prosecute them in due course.

President Muhammadu Buhari

He stated that the prosecution of suspects is taking time because the government is painstakingly gathering hard evidence against them.

The President, who spoke at an interactive session with members of the Nigerian community in Tehran, Iran, yesterday, decried the constraints inherent in democracy, recalling that it was easier for him as a military Head of State in 1985 to arrest corrupt individuals and put them in protective custody for them to prove their innocence than in the present democratic practice.

He acknowledged that under the rule of law, the suspects are presumed innocent until convicted by the law.

According to him, “on corruption; yes, they are still innocent. But, we are collecting documents and some of them have started voluntarily returning something. But we want all. When we get those documents, we will formally charge them to court and then we will ask Nigerians to know those who abused their trust when they are entrusted with public funds. So, the day of reckoning is gradually approaching.”

On power generation

Speaking on power generation and distribution, President Buhari stated that though his government was yet to give a comprehensive policy direction in the sector, there was still an improvement.

He, however, condemned those who sabotaged the efforts of the government in the sector.
He said: “I believe if you are in touch back at home, you would have been told that already there is some improvement in power. We haven’t said anything to them yet. I think they only find it sensible or appropriate for them to try and improve the power.

“I’m sure you know about the privatization of the power sector; your old friends NEPA or Power Holding Company of Nigeria have been sold to a number of interest groups. But, the fundamental thing about us is that we remain potential in everything except performance.

“We have a lot of gas, we have a lot of qualified people but again we have a lot of saboteurs who go and blow installations. Those who normally steal Nigerian crude and those who blow up installations, whether they called themselves militants or whatever, they are still there.”
On insecurity, the President assured that peace would soon return to the troubled North-East even as he stated that his administration would also revive the educational system from primary to tertiary levels.

Work to begin on Lagos-Ibadan expressway  next week

The President also disclosed that work would commence on the dilapidated Lagos-Ibadan expressway next week. The President assured that the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, would address the issue of the collapsed road.

Also to checkmate and end the ugly trend of gas theft, President Buhari announced that the existing Military Task Forces will be reorganized to ensure a successful protection of the network of gas pipelines.

He noted that “although some improvement in power had been recorded in the recent period,” sabotage of pipeline installations had continued to be a problem.

He said: “Power is a running battle because the saboteurs are still there. We have the potential. We have gas, we have qualified people but we are contending with a lot of saboteurs who go and blow up installations. When gas is pumped to Egbin and such other power stations, thieves and saboteurs such as the militants cut those supplies.”

Another factor, according to the President, is the reduced role of the government in the sector due to the privatization of the institutions under the Power Handling Company of Nigeria, PHCN in the process of which, the facilities “have been sold to a number of interest groups.”

He, however, assured that the military task-forces with representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force, the Police and the secret services will be reconstituted to secure the pipelines.
“Supplies will become steady; there will be less sabotage as we secure the pipelines,” he said.

Responding to a question on the need to improve healthcare delivery, President Buhari said that efforts had been intensified towards ridding the country of fake drugs and fake doctors, and also what he called “ the disgraceful aspects” manifested by “ baby factories.”

He also enumerated several steps being taken towards the revival of education from primary school school level to university.

On the creation of jobs, he placed the prevailing joblessness in the country at the door-step of the last administration which he blamed for giving “a devastating blow to the economy through corruption and incompetence.”

Speaking on corruption as one of the three issues he identified as the priorities of his administration, President Buhari said that the necessity for compliance with due process of the law was responsible for the delay in the prosecution of the looters of the country’s economy but that the “the day of reckoning is gradually coming.”

He also revealed that a number of past officials had begun the voluntary return of stolen funds but expressed the view that his government was not satisfied with tokens.
“We want to have everything back-all that they took by force in 16 years,” he said.

Biafra: We won’t succumb to intimidation —MASSOB

Group slams FG over Kanu’s detention

Traders woo Buhari

Uwazurike hosts Bianca Ojukwu

By Nwabueze Okonkwo & Chimaobi Nwaiwu

Nnewi—The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has said that no amount  of intimidation, harassment and blackmail will ever deter its leader Chief Ralph Uwazurike from dropping the agitation for the actualization of Biafran Republic.

This was disclosed by the  Regional administrator for MASSOB, in Isu, Imo State, Prince Ogaraku Venatus in a statement  made available to Vanguard.

“We have absolute confidence, trust, respect, and faith in our leader and father of the agitation for Biafra actualization  Chief Ralph Uwazuruike’s leadership traits and strong conviction to actualize Biafra.

“We have also uncovered a planned move by some disgruntled Igbo politicians to stage anti-Biafra rally in Abuja. That move will fail and our leader Chief Uwazurike is not worried about such silly and selfish move by the people we understand have been paid heavily to do the protest.

“Chief Uwazurike has succeeded in telling the Federal Government of Nigeria that he does not mince words in his determination to achieve the Biafran state and equally expose the injustice done to Ndigbo. So, the politician whose interest is nothing more than money in their pockets cannot stop MASSOB or any other pro-Biafra  group,”he said.

Prince Ogaraku also prayed that no evil plan intended to scuttle the Biafra struggle will succeed.

Restoration of Biafra

Similarly, another Igbo political group, Ndigbo United Assembly, NUA, yesterday, added its own voice in the on-going agitation for the restoration of Biafran state, saying that Biafra is on course.

Speaking to newsmen during a peaceful demonstration embarked upon by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB,   President-General of NUA, Comrade Peter Okala declared: “My  take on the Biafran agitation is positive in the sense  that our colonial masters knew our differences before  making a contract of amalgamation  to try if we could understand ourselves, but the fact remains that till date, the centre could not hold and the South East is still hated with passion  by our Northern and South West brothers.”

Okala who is also a one-time governorship candidate of the National Conscience Party, NCP, in Anambra State asked: “Could you imagine Wole Soyinka using Igbo people to popularize his seminar topic in far away United States of America, where he was quoted as saying that Igbo people can only vote at the direction of their stomach? So, what kind of a hopeless statement from a so-called prominent citizen is that?

“In Nigeria today, if one is asked to name 100 most corrupt people in Nigeria who have  emptied our treasury , hardly will an Igbo man be among them. But we are abused in every part of Nigeria as people, who could do  anything to get money simply  because the West is in control of the media and the North has partnered with them to marginalize the South-East.”

Okala also observed that  the inabilty of political office holders in the South -East to join the pro-Biafra movement is not a crime because it may be a treason in Nigerian laws, but it’s the right of every person to choose an association or a country he or she should belong to and there is no law that will empower anyone or institution to stop it.”

Quenching  agitations

Uwazurike

Continue

Arms and President Jonathan’s National Security Adviser

By Ogaga Ifowodo

By every standard, even in Nigeria  where new standards are set every day in our never ending quest to shock and awe the world with impunity, the figures reeled out against former National Security Adviser Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) would boggle any mind.

According to Femi Adesina, special adviser to President Buhari on media and publicity, citing the interim report of the Air Vice Marshall Ode panel on arms procurements since 2007, no less than N643 billion and $2.2 billion was spent through—to use either the panel’s or Adesina’s quaint phrase—”interventions from some organisations that provided funds” for what turned out to be “illicit and fraudulent financial transactions” under the guise of arming the military to put down the Boko Haram Islamic fundamentalist insurgency.

But these figures were conjured out of the witch-hunting hat of Buhari’s investigative panel, say Jonathan and Dasuki in effect. Speaking from Washington, D.C., in the United States where he gave a speech on “elections and democratic consolidation in Africa,” Jonathan denied awarding any billion-dollar arms contract. “I did not award any $2 billion contract for procurement of weapons,” he said, adding for emphasis: “Where did the money come from?”

The figures truly beggar belief, especially in a country borrowing money to pay salaries, and make Jonathan sad. “Sometimes, I feel sad when people mention these figures,” he said—shaking his head and a step from weeping for his country of liars and witch-hunters, I imagine.

Yet, Dasuki, his NSA, may implicate him in any scandal that may yet be proved, even if in the end the figures are not exact to the last fraction of a billion. “Nigerians should note,” said Dasuki in his reaction to Adesina’s statement and the report that President Buhari had ordered the arrest of all persons indicted in the report,”that all the services generated the types of equipment needed, sourced suppliers most times and after consideration by the Office of the NSA, the President will [sic] approve application for payment.”

He who asserts must prove, so Dasuki must now tender evidence to show that he was not usurping the powers of the military command by turning himself into the “clearing house” in the procurement of weapons for the armed forces. Not a small thing, I think, when an individual becomes a house. Jonathan: “I did not award any $2 billion contract for procurement of weapons.” Dasuki: “There was no contract awarded or equipment bought without approval from the then President and Commander-in-Chief.” Apparently, arms were bought. Dasuki even names the types and the quantities, including Alpha jets, helicopters and other military hardware that we do not have to search for with a magnifying glass.

The more the billions that were spent to equip our army for the fight against Boko Haram, however, the more the lives wasted (soldiers’ as civilians’).

The former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshall Badeh, very loudly indicted himself by confessing that he sent soldiers to battle literally bare-handed, leading to my column “Arms and the Nigerian Army” (Vanguard, 5 August 2015).

Yet,Dasuki cites grateful acknowledgements of delivery of the very weapons that the service chiefs had requested and were bought by him (Dasuki, as it is safe to assume). Why then our soldiers were driven to mutiny and Brigadier Enitan Ransome-Kuti was sacrificed in a face-saving measure is what will prove who the liars are in this matter of arms and the man who advised former President Jonathan on security.

Which brings me to the point I mentioned earlier: how Dasuki as an ordinary NSA usurped the powers of the CDS and Minister of Defence combined. And, if Jonathan is to be believed, even the powers of the president as well. One of the most devastating results of the long and brutal military misadventure in our politics is the incalculable harm it did to our psyche as it relates to power and authority. Within the military itself, the harm was total: professionalism and discipline were destroyed.

Thus, General Abacha’s chief security officer, a mere major, became so powerful that Generals fell at his feet to beg for their lives after being framed in a coup plot. Just as a colonel, and a retired one at that, became the “clearing house” for arms procurement for the military.

Where was the Chief of Defence Staff in all of this? And the Minister of Defence to whom the CDS and the service chiefs ought to report, the minister in turn reporting to the president? How did it become possible for the NSA whose role ends with advising the president on security matters, and so with policy issues, end up as the “clearing house” of the armed forces?

If it is true that Dasuki was never invited to state his case before the interim report damning him was compiled, then that is a lapse that President Buhari must not accept. Yet even after Dasuki shall have been heard, by the panel or the courts, this question will remain his strongest indictment in the court of public opinion.

By the same token, it shall also be our collective indictment: that we have been content to allow public servants become our lords and masters under any guise. Our military-wounded psyche needs to be healed fast else we shall remain slaves to power.

Fuel scarcity: APC senators frustrate move to summon Buhari

President can’t be summoned —Senate
We must reconsider PIB to stop scarcity —Saraki

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

ABUJA—EFFORTS by senators of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to convince the Senate to summon President Muhammadu Buhari to give reasons for the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country, were frustrated, yesterday, by their counterparts in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The PDP senators, who berated the President’s handling of current economic situation in the country, insisted that he be made to a appear before the Senate to give explanations on the cause of the fuel scarcity and how he intended to solve the issue as Minister of Petroleum.

Fuel crisis

Their frustrated efforts came following a motion, tagged: “The current fuel scarcity all around the country and the need to urgently resolve the crisis,” sponsored by Senator Jibrin Barau, APC, Kano North and 23 other senators, which was debated upon.

Speaking through Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, PDP, Abia South, the opposition senators accused the President of mismanaging the country’s oil sector, causing untold hardship for Nigerians, barely six months after being in the saddle as president.

But the Senate, in a reaction to the development, said the President could not be summoned even as Minister of Petroleum.

The red chamber, reacting through its chairman on Media and Publicity, Aliyu Sabi, insisted that the fact that the President was overseeing the Petroleum ministry as a substantive minister, did not make him to be easily summoned like other ministers.

Abaribe had, while contributing to the motion, urged the Senate to summon President Buhari to explain why the Federal Government was yet to find solutions to the continued fuel problem in spite of its claim that the refineries in the country were working.

He said the unnecessary hardship occasioned by the scarcity could only be resolved if lawmakers were adequately briefed on the true state of affairs. Senator Abaribe‘s submission received wide support from other PDP senators, as they all hailed him.

Senator Abaribe supported his call with a prayer for adoption but it was defeated when the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, put it up for a voice vote.

At this point, the APC Senators, who were more in number, defeated their PDP colleagues with overwhelming shout of “yes” against the PDP’s “nay.”

President cannot be summoned —Senate
Earlier, in his motion, Senator Barau regretted that Nigerians were going through untold hardship following the lingering fuel problem.

“We are worried that the scarcity is creating an untold hardship to our citizens who have to pay higher prices for these products especially petrol. We are convinced that the current situation is not in tune with the desire of the progressively inclined government to bring succour to Nigerians in all spheres of their lives,” Senator Jibrin noted.

But at a briefing after the plenary session, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Aliyu Sabi, explained why President Buhari could not be summoned by the Senate.

He said as the Commander-in-Chief, it was wrong to invite him to appear before the Senate, despite the fact that he was the Minister of Petroleum.

Senator Sabi said in the place of President Buhari, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu would be summoned to brief the Senate on plans put in place by the Federal Government to end the fuel scarcity.

Senator Gbenga Ashafa, APC, Lagos East, while also contributing, called for the approval of the supplementary budget which he noted, contained the amount proposed for payment of subsidy to the marketers. He pleaded that the issue be treated with uttermost urgency.

We must reconsider PIB to stop scarcity —Saraki
Meanwhile, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, said the Senate must take the issue of passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) seriously if scarcity of petroleum products would end in the country.

Saraki stated this while commenting on a motion seeking permanent solution to recurring scarcity of petroleum products in the country at Senate plenary.

He said with a law regulating the petroleum industry, relevant institutions would function effectively and urged senators not to politicize issues relating to petroleum products production and supply as they affected the live of every Nigerian.

“Scarcity has continued to plague this country and we must find a lasting solution to this problem,” he said.

After debate on the motion moved by Sen. Barau Jibrin (APC Kano North), the senate directed its Committee on Petroleum Upstream to proffer a lasting solution to the recurring problem of scarcity of petroleum products.

The upper chamber sought means of collaboration with the executive to end the recurring fuel supply challenge.

It urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to continue its current push to stem the scarcity, and commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment in tackling issues in the sector.

Moving the motion earlier, Jibrin expressed worry that scarcity, whenever it occurred, brought untold hardship on Nigerians.

He said that problem was not in line with the goals of the current administration and as such, urged the senate to liaise with the executive and other relevant stakeholders to solve the problem.

In his contribution, Sen. Olugbenga Ashafa (APC Lagos East) recommended stringent punishment, including jail term for marketers who hoard petroleum products.

He said that such marketers contributed in making the lives of Nigerians more miserable, adding that their stations should not just be shut ‘’but they should be jailed”.

“Some marketers derive pleasure in hoarding petroleum products; if we do not set example with such people, the dastardly acts of hoarding will continue.

“Our regulators must ensure that marketers that are hoarding are not just clamped down on but prosecuted.

“We must assist Mr President in reviving our ailing refineries; if our refineries function optimally, we will not have the problem of scarcity,” he said.

On his part, Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe, specifically said that the “senior” minister of petroleum resources should be summoned to explain the problems with fuel supply.

The senator questioned why the country still paid subsidies and experienced long queues when the present administration had in their campaign promised to end the problem.

“Many thought there will be no fuel queues under the APC but we see it everywhere; we are seeking the approval of over N400billion for payment of subsidy.

“Change has come but there is no change because we are still doing the same things; the fuel queues are still here; the subsidy payment is still there and there is no hope in sight.

“So we are asking, where is this change?

“We will ask the Minister of Petroleum to come and tell this senate what the ministry is doing to solve this problem.

“I support this motion, but I do not support the part where we are thanking a minister for not solving the problem,” he said.

Sen. Adamu Aliero (APC Kebbi Central) said that the issue of deregulation must be revisited if private investors must delve into local refining of crude.

Sen. Dino Melaye (APC Kogi West) in his contribution recalled that the cost of crude has dropped from about 120 dollars per barrel to about 40 dollars per barrel.

He pointed out that the subsidy being paid was what was owed to oil marketers, and urged that the issues should not be politicized.

In the meantime, the North East Development Commission Bill sponsored by Sen. Ali Ndume and Frivolous Petition Prohibition Bill sponsored by Sen. Ibn Na’Allah passed first reading at the Senate on Tuesday.

Also passed for first reading was the National Youth Service Corps (amendment) Bill, 2015 sponsored by Sen Stella Odua (Anambra North).

Buhari to launch Lagos police patrol choppers.

LAGOS—President Muhammadu Buhari is billed to commission three helicopters purchased by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration as part of efforts to beef up security in the state.

President Muhammadu Buhari

Meantime, the state government has disclosed plans to rehabilitate 189 identified deplorable roads,  including the Ilasa-Ijesha bus stop, along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.

General Manager, Lagos State Public Works Corporation, Engr. Ayo Shodeinde disclosed this yesterday, at Aluasa, Ikeja, while giving highlights of the state government’s efforts in the area of road infrastructural upgrade in the last six months.

Buhari, who will be visiting Lagos officially for the first time since his inauguration, will be handing over the helicopters to the police authorities for immediate operation.

Shodeinde, while giving the update on the total number of roads rehabilitated so far, explained that Ambode has approved rehabilitation of 189 new roads across the state.

He added that despite the N52 billion being owed the state for the total number of federal roads fixed in the past, the state government since June 15, 2015, had rehabilitated 282 roads, “while 189 new roads have been listed for rehabilitation and construction work will soon commence.”

“When the Federal government repays us the debts, we will be able to rehabilitate  more roads  in the state.” Shodeinde said.

One of the deplorable roads listed for rehabilitation, Shodeinde said is the Ilasa-Ijesha Bus stop, along Apapa Oshodi Expressway which has recently turned into nightmare to motorists.

Can this be TRUE? Rivers making progress under Wike, say 28 political parties

Twenty-eight political parties in Rivers State yesterday said the state is making progress under the administration of Governor Nyelson Wike, describing his emergence on May 29 as a major boost to the development of the state. The political parties under the umbrella of Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) at a press conference in Port Harcourt yesterday said Wike was fulfilling his electoral promises by making the impact of governance felt across the stat.

Amosun the Ogun state gov. posts N200bn budget proposal for 2016

Pledges not to slash N18,000 minimum wage

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, y e s t e r d a y distanced himself from state governors seeking the reduction of the N18,000 minimum wage to workers in the country. 

Amosun, who spoke during the presentation of the state’s 2016 Appropriation Bill before the House of Assembly in Abeokuta, the state capital, said he would rather support an increment of the workers’ pay. 

At the session presided over by the Speaker of the House, Suraj Adekunbi, the governor presented N200.27 billion budget proposal for the 2016 fiscal year.

The 36 state governors, under the umbrella of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), while rising from a crucial meeting last week at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, had said they could no longer pay the N18,000 minimum wage owing to the poor state of the nation’s economy.

 Speaking on the governors’ behalf, the Chairman of NGF and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari said the burden of the wage was lighter when oil was selling at the international market at $126 as against the current $41 per barrel.

But Amosun said yesterday that he would not be part of any move to reduce the current N18,000 minimum wage being paid to the workers, even as the governor recalled that at the inception of his administration in 2011, he ensured upward review of the workers’ salaries.

While insisting that the state approved N18,250 as minimum wage to its workers, he said: “I am not part of any move that says we cannot pay N18,000 minimum wage to our workers. And in any case, what we did when we came into office in August 2011, was that; I was probably the only governor that did not limit it to N18,000, but made it N18,250.”

The governor added: “If I did it then, the day we have enough money and we could generate adequate revenue, I will move mine to N20,000 or even N25,000. But for now, the N18,250 the state is paying, I will not subscribe to anyone or governor saying we should reduce it or that they cannot pay. I am not part of those that said that.

For me, we should continue to struggle to pay the minimum wage of N18,000.” Amosun said the 2016 Appropriation Bill, tagged: “Budget of Optimisation,” is about N10 billion or 4.79 per cent less than the current 2015 budget. According to him, the proposed budget comprises N99.29 billion (49.6 per cent) for capital expenditure and N100.98 billion (50.4per cent) for recurrent expenditure. The governor stated that the proposed budget would be funded from the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Federation Account, external loans and grants

Amnesty: EFCC arrests eight consultants

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC) yesterday arrested eight consultants allegedly used by the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the past to award multi- million naira contracts.

 New Telegraph gathered from highly placed sources at the headquarters of the anti- graft agency in Abuja that the consultants ( names withheld) were arrested over allegations of fraud and infractions in the contracts said to have been awarded by the Amnesty Office under the leadership of Mr Kingsley Kuku, former Special Adviser to ex- President Jonathan on Amnesty Programme.

One of the sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the arrest and interrogation of the suspects, was in continuation of the EFCC’s investigation of the tenure of Kuku, who is outside the country on medical grounds. 

Although, details of the alleged infractions by the consultants were still sketchy as at the time of this report, New Telegraph gathered that operatives want the suspects to explain allegations that their companies allegedly performed below requirements.

FIRS to generate N4.5trn revenue in 2016 –Fowler

Senate probes AIPB’s failure to publish accident reports

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has said that it was targeting to rake in the sum of N4.5tr in 2016 in a bid to raise the country’s revenue profile. T his was disclosed yesterday by the Acting Executive Chairman of the Service, Babatunde William Fowler while appearing before the Senate Committee on Finance at the National Assembly complex.

Speaking during his screening by the Senate Committee, he said the revenue from the country’s Value Added Tax (VAT) would be increased from N500m to N2.5tr next year. He also said the proposed N8trillion budget for 2016 was realisable, saying “the Vice President was not aware of this projection before disclosing the proposed N8trillion budget. “If oil can generate N1trillion, the Customs and us can generate N4.5trillion. So, the budget of N8trillion is quite durable. “Our projection of N4.5trillion does not include an increase in VAT.

This is because we are of view that tax should be fair, “ he said. Warns against repeat of NIS tragedy in proposed recruitment of 10,000 policemen Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday resolved to investigate the reasons behind the non-publication of reports on air crashes that occurred in the country by the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau, AIPB.

The upper legislative chamber, through a motion, entitled, “the need to publish accident investigation reports”, by Senator Theodore Orji (PDP Abia Central), stressed the need to carry out holistic investigation into the non-publication of air accident investigation reports by the AIPB.

While describing the tradition as counter-productive and in contradiction with best practices, the parliament mandated its Committee on Aviation to thoroughly investigate the remote and immediate causes of the trend and report its findings to the Senate within two weeks. Orji, in his lead debate, recalled the Bellview, Sosoliso, ADC and Dana air crashes between 2005 and 2012, lamenting that till date, nothing had been heard about findings of AIPB on the crashes.

HID Awolowo’s burial holds today

Buhari, govs, others expected in Ikenne

All roads will lead to Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State today as the late Yeye Oodua and matriarch of Awolowo dynasty, Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, is laid to rest. Mama Awolowo, who died on September 19 at her residence in Ikenne-Remo, would have celebrated her centenary birthday today.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, governors across the 36 states of the federation and eminent Nigerians are billed to attend the burial. As last minute preparations were being made yesterday, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) honoured the late matriarch by organising a farewell programme for her.

The UPN National Chairman, Prof Bankole Okuwa, and the party’s governorship candidate in the April 11 election, Prince Rotimi Paseda, led hundreds of members to the event which took place at the party’s secretariat in Ikenne. Okuwa, who was one of the associates of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, recalled his relationship with the deceased, describing her as true jewel of inestimable value. On his part, Paseda, who extolled the virtues of Mama Awolowo, noted that the support she gave to her husband during their political travails was unprecedented.

The UPN chieftain described the ideology of the couple as exceptionally outstanding, adding that it was for simultaneous economic and human development. Paseda also canvassed the adoption of the economic policies of the late Chief Awolowo, saying they remained the best for Nigeria. Also yesterday, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, said that he has no doubt that the late Mama Awolowo is now resting in heaven.

The renowned minister of God said this at a private prayer session held with the family at the Efunyela Hall of the Awolowo’s residence in Ikenne-Remo. “By the special grace of God and because of my interaction with Mama, I have no doubt at all that she is in heaven now,” he said.

Adeboye, who shared his experience with the audience on how he confirmed that the late matriarch was already resting in heaven, noted that he had a personal encounter with her two weeks before her death. “Before Mama passed on, she was making a request and I was contacted.

I won’t go into details about the request but I was abroad and when I came back, I saw her and we had a little discussion before she passed away. As a result of that, I have no doubt that Mama is resting with the Lord,” the cleric added. Adeboye used the occasion to appeal to the congregation to also work hard towards making heaven in the eternal life.

“You have to consider your own case. Because all of us can’t say when it will be our turn. Would you end up resting in the Lord or you end up on the other side? The choice is yours,” he said. The General Overseer led a 20-minute prayer session which he stated was held on three points. He said, “The question is why are we having a special prayer at this time like this.

The reasons are: number one; that at a time of celebration that is when we are most vulnerable to the enemies. “If you look through the scriptures, you will find out that most of the people who ran into serious problems got into trouble because of celebrations and we don’t want that to happen during this celebration. “This is a very big celebration involving the whole nation.

We want to pray in advance that nothing evil will happen to us during this celebration and after this celebration.” “Second reason why we need to pray is because a lot and lots of people will be coming. We don’t want anybody to say that it was when I was returning for any occasion that I had an accident. We have started peacefully and we will end it peacefully.

We want people to come in peace and return in peace. “Thirdly, why we need to pray because of the legacy of our parents who have gone. We want it said that after the transition of Papa and Mama, the Awolowo family became stronger and bigger. We don’t want a situation where things will now begin to diminish. We want to pray for the legacy they are leaving behind that the Almighty God will keep the legacy and move the children to higher heights.”

CBN reduces lending rate to real sector to 11%

Warns banks against diversion of credit facility

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday took a two-pronged approach aimed at easing credit flow to the real sector of the economy by reducing both the benchmark interest rate – the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) and the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) to 11 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.

Before the reduction, MPR was at 13 per cent while the CRR stood at 25 per cent. CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, told newsmen yesterday in Abuja that the cut was part of efforts by the Federal Government to improve the country’s economy. Emefiele, who spoke on the outcome of the committee’s meeting, said the cut would also ensure that more funds were released to Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to boost lending to agriculture and solid minerals sectors. According to him, this will improve their productivity and provide added avenues of job creation.

“The MPC, by a vote of eight out of 10, reduced the MPR from 13 per cent to 11 per cent, while two members voted for retention of the rate at 13.0 per cent. “Seven members voted to reduce the CRR from 25 per cent to 20 per cent, while three members voted to hold. “In addition, eight members voted for an asymmetric corridor of +200 percent to 700 percent, while two voted to retain the symmetric corridor of +/-200 per cent around the Monetary Policy Rate,” he said.

Emefiele said the committee came to the decision in consideration of the weakening economy, particularly the low output growth, rising unemployment and the uncertainty of the global economic environment. “The committee underscored the need for banks to ensure that measures taken to stimulate the economy translate into increased lending to the sectors with sufficient employment capabilities and the potential to generate growth. “Accordingly, the MPC agreed that going forward, any attempt by the CBN at easing liquidity into the system shall be directed at targeting the real sector, infrastructure, agriculture and solid minerals.

“The MPC further directed all bank managements to put in place necessary regulations to ensure strict compliance by the DMBs. “This is to ensure that employment and productivity is stimulated, while also moderating prices,” he said. The apex bank boss also warned commercial lenders to comply with the new policy directives targeted at growing specific sectors such as agriculture, power, solid minerals whose long term objectives are employment generation.

Emefiele said a formal circular would be addressed to the banks in respect of the new directive. According to him, “the MPC was, particularly, concerned that the previous liquidity injections embarked upon through lowering of the CRR, in the last MPC, has not transmitted significantly to improved credit delivery to key growth and employment in sensitive sectors of the economy. Rather, more credit was to sectors with low employment elasticity.” He said the committee restated its commitment to evolve and implement measures that would be supportive of consolidating and strengthening output growth with an eye on price stability. Emefiele said:

“At the last policy committee meeting, we took the decision to begin to ease and that was why we reduced the CRR from 31 to 25 per cent. Unfortunately, we thought that by allowing the bank to have access to the liquidity, that the funds will be channeled to those sectors that we think would be employment-generating sectors; that will support growth, stimulate development and reduce the level of unemployment.

Unfortunately, that has not happened. “But what we have decided to do at this meeting is to say yes, we must stimulate growth, we do not have a choice in the face of challenges in the global economy and Nigeria is not isolated at this time that we must commit to growth. “What we have decided is that, yes, we continue to ease going forward, we will ensure that funds that are going to be injected into the system, banks are going to be expected to ensure that those funds are directed as loans to these sectors.

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Crisis looms over Kogi guber poll

INEC fixes Dec 5 for supplementary election

APC: We’ll do fresh primaries

PDP: INEC’s decision morally bankrupt

AGF: Poll must be concluded

Crisis is brewing over the Kogi State supplementary election fixed for December 5 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). INEC yesterday said it would go ahead with the conduct of supplementary poll despite the death of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, on Sunday.

With the window of replacement provided by INEC, the national leadership of the APC said it would conduct a fresh supplementary primary for governorship aspirants. But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected INEC’s decision to go ahead with the conduct of the supplementary election. Both APC and PDP are holding emergency meetings today in Abuja.

New Telegraph learnt that the PDP is weighing legal options. Also, a silent war has begun in APC over Audu’s replacement. Some hawks in the presidency see Audu’s death as an opportunity to entrench the interest of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the party by producing the new flag bearer.

Audu was of the Bola Tinubu-led defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) ilk. Some of the forces pushing for a fresh primary election are said to be considering the majority Igala ethnic group where the late Audu hailed from. The PDP candidate, Governor Idris Wada also bared his fang yesterday as he removed 15 local government chairmen from office for defecting to APC.

The Electoral Act gives INEC 14 days to conduct supplementary election where there is an inconclusive poll. The commission has declared Kogi State governorship election inconclusive because the number of cancelled votes was higher than the margin of the difference between the two frontline candidates – Audu and Wada – and ordered a rerun in 91 polling units across 18 local government areas. APC governorship candidate, the late Audu, was leading with 240, 867 votes as against the PDP candidate, Governor Wada’s 199,514 votes.

INEC, in a statement issued yesterday, said the commission has been notified by the APC of the death of its governorship candidate in the election. According to the statement signed by Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, the commission has, after due consideration of the circumstances, decided to conclude the process by conducting election in the 91 affected polling units as announced by the returning officer.

It said it decided to allow the APC to fill the vacancy created by the death of its candidate. “Accordingly, notice is hereby given to all the 22 political parties participating in the Kogi governorship election that supplementary election in the 91 affected polling units shall hold on December 5, 2015,” the statement added.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja yesterday after a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC), APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said the party is set to conduct fresh primaries. Oyegun, however, did not state the date for the supplementary primaries.

“The truth is that I will only know by the end of tomorrow (today),” Oyegun told New Telegraph. “As a party, we are going to proceed with process of organising primaries to provide a substitution for the late Abubakar Audu.” Oyegun said the Attorney General of the Federation has made it public that the APC should replace the late candidate.

When asked what will be the modalities for the fresh primaries, Oyegun said “we have only just got notification today, so we are going to go into executive session now, to know the nature of the primaries”. On the fate of Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, the running mate of the late Audu, the APC national chairman said that the aspirants will determine who becomes the next running mate to whoever emerges through the fresh primaries.

In the APC primaries conducted two months ago, Audu came first with 1,109 votes. Other aspirants that contested the primaries with Audu and their votes are: Yahaya Bello (703), Usman Abatemi (400), Sanusi Abubakar (309), Atawodi (183), James Ocholi (90), Olumoroti (56), Baba Ali (28), Obadofin (15), Elephant (11), Nicholas Ugbane (8), Clarence Olafemi (7), Idrissima (5), Meyanga (2), Sule Eje Abutu (2), Alex Kadir (1), Ojo Onukaba (1), Sani Shaibu (1), Zakari Jiya (0) and Yakubu Mohd (0). The AGF and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), earlier yesterday said APC would present another candidate in the supplementary elections.

The AGF, who spoke in Abuja at a seminar, said the election has to be concluded and that APC would have to substitute its candidate for the purpose of the supplementary elections. He, however, did not say that the party’s deputy governorship candidate would automatically step in as the party candidate.

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