A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
ABUJA- AS the Federal Government explores various agribusinesses to diversify the economy, an apiculturist, David Musa, disclosed that honey production can create 10, 000 jobs in three years.
This was stated by Musa while speaking at the recent launch of National Apiculture Platform, NAP, where he said the nation stands to rake in high foreign exchange from honey production and export if attention will be given to the industry.
Musa said: "I tend to provide strategic dynamic for Apiculture bee industry in Nigeria. The value of Nigerian bee industry is N36.8 billion with that the bee will also to get better. As stakeholders we have an idea on how to develop the sector.
"The honey industry has a lot of prospects to turn around the agriculture sector. We can't continue importing honey into the country when we have such potential to develop the industry because our import bill is huge, we import 90 per cent of honey into the country, but we can reduce the importation in two years and halt importation in five years.
"We can generate up to 10, 000 jobs within three years from bee production in Nigeria. We need to build local houses to generate employment. We need to develop up stream, middle stream and low stream. In the upstream we have producers, middle stream we have the processors and packagers, and the downstream we have the end users and the consumers.
"We believe very soon apiculture and bee keeping will effect change in the agricultural sector and make impact in the economy. We need to improve bee nutrition and reduce the price of the commodity.
According to him honey has been consumed domestically compared to industrial and urged investors to build capacity in the honey production industry.
He also added that apiculture should be included in secondary school curriculum as it will make the students to develop interest and venture into the money spinning industry.
The governments of United States of America and Nigeria at the weekend exchanged views on the ongoing efforts to engage in dialogue with Niger Delta militants and seek an immediate and peaceful resolution to the conflict.
This effort was part of the highlights of a meeting between the American National Security Adviser, Susan Rice and Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Maj-General Babagana Monguno (rtd) at the White House.
The two National Security Advisers met at the White House to discuss opportunities to expand cooperation between the United States and Nigeria.
Ambassador Rice welcomed the progress that Nigeria and its regional partners have made in the fight against Boko Haram, now known as ISIL’s West Africa Province.
She encouraged Nigeria to maintain focus on defeating the group militarily while establishing good governance and providing basic services in liberated areas.
They also discussed the urgent need for international collaboration to support the Government of Nigeria's response to the humanitarian emergency in northeast Nigeria.
Meanwhile troops of 13 Brigade, 82 Division, Nigerian Army at the weekend, in a coordinated operation arrested a suspected high ranking militant kingpin Mr. Victory Benjamin (aka Abuja Daddy and G3) and 3 others.
A statement from Army headquarters said "The kingpin was arrested at Saint Joseph Hospital, Ikot Ene junction, Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State while attempting to collect ransom from one of their kidnap a victim's relations.
"In a related development, troops of the same formation have also arrested 3 militants with locally made pistol and some cartridges while robbing victims around Refugees Camp at Efut Isigi in Bakassi Local Government Area, Cross Rivers State.
"Meanwhile, troops have cordoned off the residents of the most wanted militant kingpin, alias G1 still at large, as already the arrested militants known as "G2" and "G3" are providing useful information that would assist the military to track other criminals in the region.
Some intending passengers on the Oshodi-Ijora route on Sunday lamented the hardship they had to go through as a result of high fares by commercial motorists.
The passengers who spoke with reporters in Lagos said they were made to part with N200 whereas, coming from Ijora to Oshodi attracted N150.
Mr Kazeem Babalola, a passenger going to Ijora from Oshodi, said that six months ago, the cost per passenger was N100 which was later increased to N120.
Babalola said that when the country was faced with the scarcity of petrol, the price was again increased to N150 and now N200.
"Amid all fare increases, passengers are compelled to pay the cost because there is no other route to Ijora from Oshodi that will cost less than N200.
"We expected that the authorities in the motor park will reduce the cost after stability is restored in the pump price of petrol but nothing has been done.
"It is sad because all the way from Sango-Ota in Ogun State, I paid N150 to get to oshodi, now I am paying N200 to Ijora. It is sad,'' Babalola said.
He pleaded with the authorities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to call the drivers to order, adding that going to Oshodi from Ijora was N150.
Another passenger, Mrs Toyibat Lawal, said that she paid N250 from Ifo, Ogun, to Oshodi but she was made to pay N200 to Ijora.
"The distance from Ifo to Oshodi which is very far, cannot be compared with that from Oshodi to Ijora because it is shorter.
"Again, the road network of Oshodi to Ijora is far better than Ifo to Oshodi which is very bad and I paid N250, which is okay when you look at these conditions.
"I cannot understand why they are still collecting that much on this route; please let the right authorities look at the issue because this is extortion,'' Lawal said.
Miss Bukola Taylor, another passenger, said that Oshodi to Ijora was her route to work daily and that the price had affected her monthly expenses greatly.
"When the price was still N100 and N120, it was convenient but now, I spend almost half of my salary on transportation.
"The amount that should take me to and from work is what I spend to work only now,'' Taylor said.
One of the drivers of a 14 seater bus who pleaded anonymity said that out of the N2,800 got from each loaded bus, N1,000 is remitted to the union at the garage.
A passenger who had no idea of the latest fare had only N150 to pay but he was allowed at the discretion of the bus driver.
WARRI- CHAIRMAN, Warri Ijaw Peace Monitoring Group, WIPM, Warri, Delta State, Chief Patrick Bigha, weekend, pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently resume work on the Export Processing Zone, EPZ, Escravos, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, comprising Ogidigben Gas City and Deep Seaport, Gbaramatu, to tackle the issue of unemployment and economic hardship besetting the country.
"As we speak, the land for both components of the project is ready to start construction and coupling of machines," he asserted.
He said: "It could be recalled that during the groundbreaking ceremony performed by former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday March 26, 2015, the drivers of the project did say that the project will engage 150,000 work force at the construction level and 5,000,000 work force at the completion of the project."
"No doubt, this is a project that will reduce unemployment to barest minimum, if not totally eradicate unemployment in this part of the country. This is the time for this project to continue as it will help to reduce the effects of the current economic hardship Nigerians are going through," Bigha said.
According to him: "The beauty of this project is that it is private- sector driven, as the government of Nigeria will not spend any kobo in the project, but will only provide the enabling environment for the private investors, which the two ethnic groups have promised before the inauguration of the present administration."
Bigha stated: "The resumption of work will also address the issue of the Niger -Delta resurgence as most of the youths, including those that had skilled training from the Presidential Amnesty Programme will be engaged in the project. By then, no one will be left to make trouble in the region. It will also address the incessant quarreling between the Ijaw and the Itsekiri, as sometimes, idleness is the cause of such quarreling."
"To this end, it is our sincere and humble advice to Mr. President to urgently order the necessary bodies to activate the project to address the issue of economic recession and unemployment in our country," he added.
WARRI- NATIONAL Vice- President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, South-South, zone, Bishop Simeon Okah, has beseeched President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately deal with the economic recession that has hit the country and save Nigerians from further hardship.
He observed that the poverty level in the country was so high and should be addressed with dispatch to save the people from further misery and avoidable deaths.
Okah, the presiding Bishop of Flock of Christ Mission Inc., Effurun, Delta state, made the plea weekend at the swearing-in of newly approved and elected officers of Delta State Chapter of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), led by Bishop Kingsley Enakirherhi, at Jesus Dominion Mission Inc. Airport Road, Warri.
“Let them see how they can address the issue of poverty. There are too many complaints in the land. They should address the issues for which they are voted in.
“Same thing goes to those who have suggestions to help out of economic recession, they should speak out. Nobody should keep quiet. Anybody who has something to suggest, stop murmuring and speak out with the spirit of love and maturity”, he counseled.
He said" “Let everybody learn to work with their hands. the time of free money is over. Everybody should go back to farm. Everybody, in whatever they lay their hands upon should do it with all their might and all their skills."
The newly elected Chairman of PFN, Delta State, Bishop Kingsley Enakirherhi, asserted: “Nigerians should be focused. There is a time and season for everything. The economic recession we are facing now will soon be over. It is not strange to us, America and Britain went through it and came out it. I am saying confidently that we will come over it too."
Immediate past Chairman of PFN, Delta State and presiding Shepherd of Jesus Dominion Mission Inc, Warri, Bishop Pius Odioko, said: “Nigerian would have been in total catastrophe if not for prayers by the church. There is so much prayers going for the country and Delta State. I think those prayers are making the country to be what it is now and we will continue to do it."
The new leadership of Delta PFN include Bishop Kingsley Enakirherhi as chairman; Pastor Joseph Okafor, vice chairman; Bishop Abos Willie, general secretary and Bishop Samuel Oyede- treasurer.
As schools resume for new academic session, traders in Lagos are lamenting low patronage of schooling items by parents, according to reports.
Dealers in books, shoes, bags, uniforms and other items are complaining that buyers are not coming as expected.
They revealed in separate interviews that the patronage was not impressive compare to previous times when schools resume for new session.
Mrs Chinonso Shina, who runs Shina Bookshop at Moshalasi,Alagbado, said that the patronage was not as impressive as before.
Shina attributed this lull to the country's economic recession, but added that many of the textbooks on demands were not available.
"The publishers are complaining about high cost of material and papers, prompting them to reduce the quantity published.
"Some are not even publishing at all and as such, some of the books requested for are not available,'' Shina said.
Miss Benedicta Osuagwu, a schoolbags dealer, also complained about poor sales.
According to her, even when children still have good school bags, parents are in the habit of buying new ones for the new session.
"That is not the same now, it is as if they are now cutting cost.
"I approached my customers to ask if I should bring some bags for their children, many of them said the old ones were still in good condition,'' Osuagwu said.
A parent, Mr Adbulrahman Onikoyi, said his plight was about the increase in tuition fees by schools.
Onikoyi explained that the schools were giving excuses about the current inflation in the country as the reason for the increase.
"I thought of changing my children's school to cheaper ones, but by my investigation, they too have increased their fees.
"If I have to register them in a new school, I will even spend more? on registration, uniforms and other things.
"I think the government should come to our rescue and regulate fees being charged by these private schools,'' he said.
A mother, Mrs Florence Ajayi, told reporters that she only managed to buy some core textbooks for her children and forego other school items because "the prices were outrageous''.
Ajayi said items like school bags, sandals, socks, lunch bag ?and boxes were among those things she could not afford now.
"I decided to assemble the old items the children used last term and clean them up for use in the new session because there is no money to buy new ones,'' Ajayi said.
Another parent, Mr Bola Makinde, described school resumption as a period to incur compulsory expenses.
Makinde said that buying books were compulsory but one need to prioritise buying for core subjects, leaving those that were not so compulsory.
"I bought a dozen of 60 leaves for N850 as against N500 and six higher Education notebook for N800 as against N500.
"These are essential learning materials the children need,'' Makinde said.
He, however, said that other expenses on shoes and bags could be avoided if the old ones were still in good condition.
A trader in Odumota? market at dopemu, Lagos, Mrs Titilope Gold, said traders were not responsible for the hike in price of school items, adding: "we sell according to how we buy".
`According to her, things are very expensive from the manufacturers as they all complain about high exchange rate.
"Even we, the sellers, are not happy with the hike in prices of virtually all items in the market, just as the buyers are complaining,'' Gold said.
…..S-C begins new legal year Monday, as 22 new SANS emerge
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA – The Federal Judicial Service Commission, FJSC, has okayed Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN.
Onnoghen who is presently the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, was nominated by the judicial body to take over from the current CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed who will step down on November 10, upon clocking the 70 years mandatory retirement age.
Meanwhile, the FJSC, last week, forwarded Justice Onnoghen’s name to the National Judicial Council, NJC, which will in turn, forward same to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Though section 231(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, conferred on President Buhari the power to appoint a CJN on the recommendation of the NJC, it however stressed that such appointment must be subject to confirmation by the Senate.
According to section 231(3), “A person shall not be qualified to hold the office of the CJN or of a Justice of the Supreme Court, unless he is qualified to practise as a legal practitioner in Nigeria and had been so qualified for a period of not less than fifteen years”.
If President Buhari approves Onnoghen who hails from Cross-River State as the 17th CJN, he will become the first Southern jurist to head the judiciary in about 29 years.
Onnoghen will clock 70 on December 20, 2020.
Remarkably, Justice Ayo Gabriel Irikefe who retired in 1987 was the last Southern CJN.
FirstNation Airways says it will resume operations on Sunday evening, one month after it suspended flights to enable the aircraft fleet undergo engine maintenance.
The airline made the announcement through its Twitter account which stated that it would resume flights by 4 p.m. on Sunday.
The suspension of its flights was announced on Aug. 17, a development some people said created panic in the aviation sector.
However, Capt. Chimara Imediegwu, the airline's Director of Flight Operations, on Sept. 6, told newsmen that a team of engineers were coming to Nigeria to service the planes.
Imediegwu had debunked the claim that the airline was on the verge of folding up, stressing that it voluntarily grounded the aircraft to await the arrival of the manufacturer's team.
He said "the FirstNation management planned well ahead and kept the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) informed of the progress of the maintenance of its aircraft.
"The airline planned this maintenance action well ahead. We notified passengers and flights are currently loaded online, effective Sept. 15.
"This will ensure that passengers continue to enjoy safe and reliable services that the airline is reputed for."
It would be recalled that another airline, Arik Air, resumed operations on Sept. 14, after suspending its flight operations for 24 hours over issues relating to aircraft insurance renewal.
PORT HARCOURT- THE Federal Government is putting together the machinery for the much awaited Niger Delta dialogue to hold on Monday, September 26 and 27, at Abuja.
Vanguard learned, Sunday, that the summit was being coordinated by the Office of the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo with Senator Babaemi Ojudu of Ekiti State, who is the SA, Political Matters to President Muhammadu Buhri and a former Commissioner in Ekiti state under the former governor, Fayemi, as facilitators.
Ahead the Abuja meeting, the Niger Delta Dialogue Contact Group, headed by the former military governor of the old Rivers State, King Alfred Diette-Spiff is meeting today (Monday) at Port-Harcourt, Rivers state, to analyze the findings of its contact groups and come up with an action plan for the Abuja meeting.
Leader of the Pan-Niger Delta platform, comprising monarchs, leaders and stakeholders of Niger Delta coastal states, former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, told Vanguard, yesterday, "We are not aware that any date has been fixed for the Niger Delta Summit, but arrangements are on top gear for the monarchs, leaders and stakeholders of the coastal states to meet with President Buhari to brief him on our last meeting in Effurun, Warri and the way forward."
Our source hinted: "Several international partners like NSRP and PIND, as well as the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, are on the planning committee of the Abuja summit on Niger Delta,"
Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno said he abandoned the use of bullet proof cars as an act of sympathy with the suffering masses who had no means of self protection from terrorists. Shettima stated this on Sunday in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri.
He said that the action was also aimed at showing that the terrorists had no super natural powers. "We have to dare the terrorists; I have bullet proof cars, but I do not use them; I want to be exposed to the elements as the ordinary people do," Shettima said.
He said the bullet proof cars were only kept for the use of visitors who might be afraid to use ordinary cars. "We have so many bullet proof cars but we only use them for our guests. "Sometimes I drive myself round the town to see things for myself," Shettima said.
The governor also attributed his numerous achievement in office to dedication and hard work. "There is no magic in our achievements, except that where there is will, there is the way; like I always say, there is no politics better than the contentment of the people.
`You are there not because you are the best among the people of the state; I am the governor not because of my political sagacity, intellectual prowess, parental back ground or physical strength, " he said. Shettima added: " This is because even within my cabinet, there are many people who supersede me in all these attributes.
"Power to me is a very humble experience; it is about what you can do to a great number of people within the time allotted to you to pilot the affairs of the state." He said that with the gradual return of peace in the state, government would unfold a developmental agenda in a few months time.
"By the grace of God, we are poised for a great change. "Believe me, in the next couple of months, you will see changes in the fortunes of the people of the state," Stettima said. He said that the recent successes recorded by the military against the Boko Haram terrorists, had made the state capital a safe haven for all Nigerians
"`Maiduguri is more secured than even Lagos or Abuja. "There are 2 million people living in Maiduguri; we celebrated Sallah without any incident," Shettima said. He said that the government would take advantage of the Boko Haram crisis to ensure better welfare for the people.
"This crisis has accorded us the opportunity to merge small settlements and provide better infrastructure to uplift the living standard of the people. "This is more especially for those living in remote communities," Shettima said.
The FCT Police Command said it had arrested a suspect, Jehu Kwasu, 25, for allegedly impersonating the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, His Lordship Matthew Kukah, to defraud members of the public.
Presenting the accused to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr Muhammad Mustafa, said the suspect was arrested on Aug. 15 in Kaduna by personnel of the command.
He said that Kukah had complained to the command on the activities of the suspect. "We received a complaint from Kukah through our unit that is investigating the matter which arrested the suspect,"he said.
He said that the Bishop had been informed of the arrest of the suspect who was a habitual criminal, adding that he was currently on remand. The commissioner said that the command would continue with the investigation diligently to ensure the prosecution of the suspect.
He advised members of the public to be alert and to report any criminal activities to the security operatives. "Any scam that you suspect should be reported to the police, whether on your e-mails, telephone calls and SMS,"he said.
The suspect who confessed to the crime, said that he opened an account at the GTB in the name of Kukah and solicited for money from the public to assist IDPs. "My name is Jehu Kwasu, I impersonated Bishop Matthew Kukah, I collected quite a huge amount of money from people in his name.
"When I opened the account in GTB, I called people on phone for support for IDPs to channel the money to them but instead I channeled the money to myself,"he said. He said that he was arrested by the police when he went to the bank to make withdrawal from the account which the victims paid money into.
Kwasu said that he usually called his victims through their phone numbers which he got from the Internet and true caller application. He said that he decided to use the name of the Bishop to defraud members of the public because of his personality in the country.
The suspect who had defrauded prominent Nigerians of millions of Naira, said that his attempt to defraud former Senate President, David Mark failed.
The political science graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University, said that he took to the crime because of the hardships in the country.
NAN reports that the suspect, a son of an Anglican Bishop, late James Kwasu, had before this arrested been also arrested for impersonating Bishop Stephen Akobe of the Kabba Anglican Diocese.
Watford piled on the misery for Jose Mourinho as Manchester United crashed to a third successive defeat in an embarrassing 3-1 loss at Vicarage Road on Sunday.
Mourinho’s side were rocked by Etienne Capoue’s first half opener and, although Marcus Rashford equalised after the break, United capitulated in the closing stages.
Juan Camilo Zuniga restored Watford’s lead with seven minutes left before Troy Deeney’s penalty condemned Mourinho to a third consecutive defeat for the first time since he was in charge at Porto in 2002.
It was the first time United had lost three in a row since the unlamented Louis van Gaal presided over four successive defeats in December last year.
Adding to the indignity for United, it was their first loss in 30 years against Watford, who ended a run of 11 successive defeats against the Manchester giants.
United are already lagging six points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City and the feelgood factor following the three wins that marked the start of the Mourinho era has been completely erased.
Juan Zuniga celebrating his goal
After losing to City, Feyenoord in the Europa League and now Watford over the last week, the size of the task facing Mourinho as he rebuilds United has been laid bare.
They looked out of sync from the moment United goalkeeper David de Gea collided with Chris Smalling as they made a hash of dealing with Sebastian Prodl’s towering cross.
When de Gea dropped the ball straight to Odion Ighalo a goal seemed certain, but the Watford striker fired hurriedly wide of the unguarded net from the edge of the penalty area.
It was a shocking miss, but even that escape couldn’t shake United from their lethargy and de Gea had to throw himself to his left to claw away a goalbound header from Deeney moments later.
– Pole-axed –
Paul Pogba has struggled to live up his world record fee since joining United and, amid another tepid display, the France midfielder gave a sudden glimpse of his ability when he quickly shifted the ball to set himself for a curling 25-yard strike that left Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes rooted to the spot as it cannoned off the crossbar.
But Watford’s relentlessly physical approach was wearing United down and Anthony Martial needed several minutes treatment after being pole-axed by a clash of heads with Daryl Janmaat.
Martial eventually got to his feet but the France international still appeared groggy when he was made a fatal mistake in the 34th minute.
Dwelling too long on the ball deep inside his own half, Martial was caught in possession by Miguel Britos and, with United’s defence completely exposed, Janmaat had time and space to pick out the unmarked Capoue, who drilled a clinical finish past de Gea.
As Watford celebrated, Mourinho questioned whether Martial had been fouled and the winger lay flat on the turf before being substituted.
That ignominious exit encapsulated a forgettable half for United, but they equalised with a rare incisive attack in the 62nd minute.
Rashford played a one-two with Ibrahimovic and broke into the penalty area, where he showed his predatory instincts by sweeping home from close-range after the Swede’s cross deflected into his path off Valon Behrami.
Ibrahimovic nearly won it for United in the 78th minute when he met Marouane Fellaini’s cross with a powerful header that Gomes brilliantly pushed away.
But United never looked convincing and they crumbled at the back in the 83rd minute as Zuniga scored with his first touch less than a minute after coming on.
Roberto Pereyra was unchecked when he raced onto Nordin Amrabat’s pass into the United penalty area and he cut the ball back to Colombia defender Zuniga, who lashed a fine strike past de Gea to leave Mourinho ashen-faced.
There was even worse to come for Mourinho in stoppage-time when Fellaini tripped Zuniga in the area and Deeney stepped up to lash home the spot-kick.
WARRI- THE Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI, yesterday, urged the military to stop further destruction of local refineries in the Niger Delta, saying they were not illegal as charged.
National president of the group, Austin Ozobo, in a press statement, said: "The local refineries help in controlling price and availability of petroleum, diesel and kerosene products in the country and government should regulate, rather than destroy the technology."
The group said: "It is, therefore, unfair to describe its operation illegal, what is illegal about it, no innovation is illegal, and no technology is illegal in the world. The government can regulate its operation and earn revenue from it. It is subject to improvement. Troops clear kidnappers’ dens, destroy illegal oil refinaries in Rivers state "They should think of improving the robust local technology and stop destroying them. The army and navy, which destroy stolen crude or locally refined products are another set of economic saboteurs against the nation’ economic. They are not different from oil thieves and vandals because both efforts gear towards bleeding the nation’s economy."
"That local refineries are not owned by government do not make them illegal. The government is sectional and lopsided, that is why they fail to see the beauty of this local technology," IPDI asserted.
It noted: "Local refineries in the country complement other refineries in the country. They help in controlling price and availability of petroleum products in the country, such as petroleum, diesel and kerosene products. Nigeria government does not see the beauty of it because it is being operated by people of the most neglected Niger Delta. But it would have been welcomed if it were operated by the northerners."
"Local refinery bunkering business has created thousands of jobs for interested jobless persons and young school leavers all over the Niger- Delta region and the western part of this country and had drastically reduced crime rate in the region. The activities of local refinery have reduced poverty among aborigines in these regions."
"The so- called illegal refineries could be converted to Modula refineries. If the govt think it is illegal, let the govt legalize it by either issuing operational lichens or permit. It can be regulated in such a way that the operators will be buying raw crude direct from NNPC at local price," the group stated.
IPDI said: "Of what importance is the destruction of impounded stolen crude, it is unfair to destroy it, looking at its economic importance. Whether stolen or impounded, such does not reduce or devalue the crude or other locally- refined products. If the government is wise, such impounded products can be converted to assist the dying economy. Instead of burning it or wasting it, it is better to allow citizen to use it to develop themselves if the government is not being wicked."
"The local refineries help to checkmate activities of militancy and piracies in the region as thousands of jobless persons now earn a living from it. Operators of local refineries are not oil thieves, neither pipeline vandals, they buy to refine.
"They are different from oil thieves and vandals and saboteurs, who are seeking pipeline repair and surveillance contracts. Oil thieves are those, who use vessels and barges to siphon crude from pipeline and export it, these group of persons include NNPC top staff, top politicians, top army and navy officers," it said.
It added: "Local refinery operators buy remnants or spill over from such cartels to refine. They buy to refine and do not siphon from pipelines to get their products. The government of Buhari, its military and navy should have a rethink and stop further destruction of the nation’s economic products."
Abuja – The family of Evangelist Martins Oko- Oboh has called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in the country to help to find the missing Evangelist, his wife and three children after attacks on Nandu and Kabamu Villages in Kaduna state by suspected herdsmen.
John Oko-Oboh, the Evangelist's younger brother made the call in an interview in Abuja on Sunday.
He said that the family got missing after the Herdsmen attacked Nandu and Kabamu villages in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State on June 24.
He said that the Evangelist had lived in the village for so many years before the recent attack which claimed so many lives.
Martins said that he had reported the matter at the police station in Kabamu village.
"When every other persons were reporting at the police station, we equally went there to report the matter too,"he said.
"We have tried to get across to my brother and his family all to no avail.
"I am appealing to the members of the public to also avail us of information that will lead to the whereabouts of my brother and his family," he said.
He appealed to the Federal Government to intervene in the incessant attacks by suspected herdsmen in the country to ensure peaceful coexistence.
"I want the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to these attacks by suspected herdsmen which threaten the unity of this country,"he said.
NAN recalls that no fewer than 38 persons were killed in separate attacks in Nandu and Kabamu villages in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Abuja – President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday morning arrived New York, United States of America, ahead of his participation at the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Mr Femi Adesina, the president's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Confirmed this development in his twitter page on Sunday.
President Buhari departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Saturday for the New York trip, where he would attend the UN General Assembly, slated to commence on Monday.
A statement earlier issued by Adesina in Abuja, said the president while in New York, would deliver Nigeria's statement at the opening of the General Debate of the Assembly, on the theme: "The Sustainable Development Goals: a Universal Push to Transform our World".
He said that president Buhari would also deliver a keynote address on "Taking Climate Action Towards Sustainable Development in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin".
Adesina said the president would also attend a high-level summit, hosted by the UN, on "Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants''.
According to him, while in New York for the annual gathering of world leaders, President Buhari will also attend series of meetings as well as side events, which are of significant interest to Nigeria.
President Buhari and his US counterpart, President Barack Obama, will meet on Tuesday in New York, on the sidelines of the US leader's final appearance at the UN General Assembly session.
The 71st UN General session will be President Buhari's second appearance since he assumed office as Nigeria's president on May 29, 2015.
Maiduguri – The Nigerian Army on Sunday called on commercial banks to deploy Automated Teller Machines (ATM) to the military barracks in Maiduguri for the use of front line soldiers involved in the ongoing counter-insurgency operation in Borno.
Brig.Gen. Victor Ezugwu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, made the call while speaking at a Civil-Military Forum organised by the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri.
Ezugwu was reacting to criticisms by residents that soldiers often refused to join queues at the ATM points in the town.
He said that the army had written several letters to the banks for the deployment of ATM machines to the barracks without much success.
"We have been battling with the issue of lack of ATM in the barracks for the use of soldiers in the front line zone.
"I wrote letters to the banks over seven months ago for them to deploy the ATM at the Maimalari Cantonment for soldiers use, but there is no response yet," he said.
Ezugwu said that the military was concerned about the development and urged the residents to intervene.
"I want to urge everybody here, especially traditional rulers, to help put pressure on the banks so that they can give us ATM at the barracks and allow you to use the ones in town.
"We are aware of the fact that everybody needs the ATM at one point or another," he said.
" A soldier carrying 12 ATM cards at a time must have brought his colleagues' cards from the frontline to take money and send to their families all over Nigeria.
"We have areas where there is no network, it is only through the ATM that the soldiers can send money home to their families' he said.
Ezugwu appealed for more understanding from the residents pending when the ATM would be provided by the banks at the barracks.
One person died and 14 people were injured in an explosion in a block of flats in a Spanish seaside resort near Barcelona early Sunday, rescuers said.
It was not immediately clear what caused the blast which took place in the residential building in Premia de Mar, a resort town some 25 kilometres (15 miles) north of Barcelona.
“The explosion happened at 8:25 am (0625 GMT) and affected 15 people, 14 of whom were injured and one who died,” a spokeswoman for Barcelona’s emergency services told AFP.
Two of the injured were in serious condition, she said.
Local media reports showed images of a fire burning in a seven-storey building, saying the building had been evacuated while investigators tried to determine what
A deliberate explosion rocked one of the most fashionable neighborhoods of New York on Saturday night, injuring 29 people, one seriously, a week after America’s financial capital marked the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
The blast occurred in Chelsea at around 8:30 pm on West 23rd Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues at a typically bustling time of the weekend in an area packed with bars, restaurants and luxury apartment blocks.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said there was no known link to terror at this stage, albeit as police investigated 27th Street for a reported secondary device, scrambling to reassure the city’s 8.4 million residents.
The explosion comes two days before world leaders led by President Barack Obama gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, a time when parts of Manhattan grind to a standstill under draconian security measures.
“There is no evidence at this point of a terror connection to this incident, this is preliminary information,” de Blasio told a late-night news conference.
“There is no specific and credible threat against New York City at this point in time, from any terror organization,” he added.
AFP reporters saw a massive police presence at the crime scene, where they were joined by FBI and counter-terrorism squads, as police helicopters circled overhead and sirens wailed.
Obama was “apprised” of the explosion and would receive updates on the situation as they become available, a White House official said.
Of the 29 people who sustained injuries, 24 have been taken to hospital with various degrees of scrapes and abrasions from glass and metal, said Fire Department commissioner Daniel Nigro.
– Clinton, Trump wade in –
Witnesses living three blocks away told AFP they heard a large boom from their fifth floor apartment, followed by quiet, then the sound of sirens.
A photograph shared by New York’s local NY1 television station showed shattered glass in a doorway, apparently caused by the blast. CNN and ABC television said an apparent pressure cooker device was also found at 27th Street.
Public officials were tight-lipped on the cause of the blast, saying it was still under investigation but confirmed it had not been a gas leak.
“We believe it was intentional. As soon as we’re able to determine what specifically caused this explosion, we will report it,” de Blasio said.
New York lauds itself as the safest big city in America. Violent crime has become rare in Manhattan and stringent security checks the norm in many areas since the 2001 Al-Qaeda hijackings destroyed the Twin Towers.
Any confirmed attack in New York could impact the country’s already deeply divisive presidential election.
Republican nominee Donald Trump jumped the gun on the news reports by saying in Colorado Springs that “a bomb went off in New York.”
“We better get very tough, folks, we better get very, very tough,” he said.
His Democratic rival Hillary Clinton immediately took swipe at her opponent.
– New Jersey pipe bomb –
“I think it’s always wiser to wait until you have information before making conclusions,” she said.
De Blasio said investigators believe there was “no specific connection” to a pipe bomb explosion hours earlier in a trash can in New Jersey.
“It is again too early to say anything definitive on those questions, but there’s no specific evidence of a connection at this point,” he said.
The New Jersey blast occurred in Seaside Park during a Marine Corps charity run. It caused no injuries but forced officials to cancel the event.
There were up to four timed explosives but only one detonated, Al Della Fave, a spokesman for the Ocean County prosecutor, told CNN.
The mayor said that the police department, all other agencies and the city’s “anti-terror capacity in particular” was on full alert.
The city routinely goes on extra security alert following attacks in other American cities or in Europe, and police claim to have foiled multiple alleged terror plots since September 11, 2001 when nearly 3,000 people were killed.
James O’Neill, who took over as New York police chief only on Saturday after his predecessor resigned, described the explosion as “large” and said it happened outside 131 West 23rd Street at 8:30pm.
The building has not been evacuated but an “extensive search is being conducted,” O’Neill said.
President Muhammadu Buhari arrived New York ahead of his participation at the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 71).
The President accompanied by Governors Abubakar Yari and Akinwunmi Ambode of Zamfara, Lagos and others arrived New York airport at about 2am Nigerian time.
New York Arrival 3: President Buhari with Governor of Zamfara H.E. Abubakar Yari and Governor of Lagos State H.E. Akinwunmi Ambode as he arrives New York ahead of his participation at the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 71) on 17th Sep 2016President Muhammadu being received by the SSA Legislative Matters, Senator Ita Enang asas he arrives to participate in series of meetings lined up for the 71st General Assembly of the United Nations at the UN Headquarters, New York. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 18/09/2016Officials receiving President Muhammadu ahead of series of meetings lined up for the 71st General Assembly of the United Nations at the UN Headquarters, New York. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 18/09/2016
As the National Assembly resumes on Tuesday, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja for an order to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to "investigate and prosecute allegations of budget padding and abuse of office leveled against the Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara as well as the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun; the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor; and the Chief Whip, Hassan Ado Doguwa."
The suit with number FHC/ABJ/CS/733/16 dated 15th September 2016 was filed on behalf of SERAP by its Solicitor Femi Falana, SAN.
The mandamus suit reads in part: "This suit was borne out of the fact that it is the statutory responsibility of the EFCC to investigate and prosecute financial crimes in Nigeria. Unless the reliefs sought by SERAP are granted, the EFCC will not investigate the Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara as well as the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun; the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor; and the Chief Whip, Hassan Ado for grave financial and economic crimes."
“This matter is presently generating a lot of public concern and discourse and is presently in the front burner of national discourse thus germane to Nigerians. By the nature of the case, it ought to be heard urgently. It is in the interest of justice to hear this matter expeditiously."
"The Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara as well as the Deputy Speaker, Yussuf Lasun; the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor; and the Chief Whip, Hassan Ado are not immune from investigation under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, even though the Hon. Speaker Hon. Yakubu Dogara has been talking tough saying that the EFCC cannot investigate him."
"By virtue of Section 6 of the Economic and Fiancial Crimes Commission Act, 2004, the EFCC is statutorily empowered to investigate and prosecute economic and financial crimes committed in Nigeria. The EFCC has failed, and or refused to investigate allegations of budget padding and abuse of office leveled against the Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara as well as the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun; the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor; and the Chief Whip, Hassan Ado Doguwa."
"By a letter dated 26th July, 2016, and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni the organization requested the EFCC to investigate allegations of budget padding and abuse of office leveled against the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon. Yakubu Dogara as well as the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yussuff Lasun; the Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor; and the Chief Whip, Hon. Hassan Ado."
"In the petition to the EFCC, SERAP requested for investigation into the following allegations of grave economic and financial crimes: the approval of N40 Billion for principal officers of the House of Representatives out of the N100 Billion approved for members of the House of Representatives for constituency project; the running of the finances of the House by the Speaker like his personal estate; and the diversion of millions of naira in the name of paying for guest houses and official residence."
"Other allegations of economic and financial crimes include: soliciting for inappropriate favors from agencies and multi-national companies; compelling an agency to grant loans; blackmailing a construction company to do some work at the Speaker's Asokoro, Abuja plot; and designing a scheme to scam members of the House through deductions from their salaries for supposed mortgage arrangements."
"Section 46 of Act which is the interpretation Section in the defines "economic and financial crimes" to mean the "non-violent criminal and illicit activity committed with the objectives of earning wealth illegal either individually or in a group or organized manner thereby violating existing legislation governing the economic activities of government and its administration and includes any form of fraud, embezzlement, looting and any form of corrupt malpractices."
"Section 13 (1) (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act empowers the General and Assets Investigation Unit of the Commission to arrest and apprehend perpetrators of economic and financial crimes. Mandamus lies to secure the performance of a public duty in the performance which the applicant has a sufficient legal interest. The must show that he has demanded the performance of the duty and that performance has been refused by the authority obliged to discharge it"
"SERAP's letter to EFCC contained mind blogging allegations of primitive accumulation of wealth by Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara as well as the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun; the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor; and the Chief Whip, Hassan Ado Doguwa."
"The heinous crime of fraud, diversion of public funds and unlawful enrichment leveled against Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara as well as the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun; the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor; and the Chief Whip, Hassan Ado Doguwa is a gross deprivation of the good people of Nigeria's legitimate wealth and natural resources. The citizens of Nigeria have been deprived their natural wealth and these public officers in question should be investigated forthwith."
"The allegations leveled against the leaders of the House of Representatives are despicable to the highest degree. These leaders must not be allowed to run away from justice. The Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 has provided these accountability channels and has gone further with a provision giving every Nigerian a standing to seek the enforcement of the provisions of the Act in court as provided in Section 51 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007."
The suit was brought pursuant to Order 34, Rules 1 (1) (A); 2, Rule 3 (1) and (2) (A), (B) and (C) of the Federal High Court Rules, 2009 and the inherent jurisdiction of the Honourable Court. SERAP is seeking the following reliefs:
A. A DECLARATION that the failure of the Respondent to investigate to investigate allegations of budget padding and abuse of office leveled against the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon. Yakubu Dogara as well as the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yussuff Lasun; the Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor; and the Chief Whip, Hon. Hassan Ado is illegal and unconstitutional as it violates Section 6 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004.
B. AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS compelling the Respondent to investigate allegations of budget padding and abuse of office leveled against the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon. Yakubu Dogara as well as the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yussuff Lasun; the Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor; and the Chief Whip, Hon. Hassan Ado Doguwa.
