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
Despite the economic down turn in the country, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has earmarked the sum of N119.001 billion for capital expenditure for the 2017 fiscal year with road infrastructure billed to gulp the sum of N35 billion.
According to Governor Okowa, though, paucity of funds hampered the provision of infrastructure in the implementation of the 2016 budget, "in the first year of our administration, we constructed and completed 55 road projects covering over 148 kilometres (including 113 kilometres of concrete-lined drains) at a total cost of N27.2 billion.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State
Between June and now, a further N2 billion has been committed to the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation and completion of 29 roads across the State. We fully intend to sustain this momentum in the coming year."
The governor made the disclosure in Asaba while presenting a budgetary proposal of N270.910bn christened "Budget of Fiscal Consolidation and Steady Progress," to the Delta State House of Assembly for 2017 fiscal year.
According to him, "a total sum of N35.188 billion is allocated to road infrastructure in the 2017 fiscal year and because, "technical and vocational education is at the core of our educational policy, which emphasizes skills acquisition as against certificate acquisition, the sum of N900 million is earmarked to strengthen Vocational and Technical Education in the State during the 2017 fiscal year."
"As contained in the 2016 budget, we intend to establish a Teacher Professional Development Centre aimed at updating and upgrading the skill set of our teachers by providing systematic and coordinated capacity building for them; the Centre will also coordinate teacher's professional registration, licensing as well as offer continuous professional development programmes and the sum of N400 million is proposed for the Centre in the 2017 budget," the governor said, reiterating, "a total sum of N12 billion is allocated to the education sub-sector for capital projects in 2017."
While stating that "the proposed capital expenditure estimates for 2017 is N119.001billion and the proposal is N4.114 billion or 3.58 per cent higher than the 2016 capital budget of N114.886billion," Governor Okowa said, disclosing that the sum of N6.3 billion was allocated for the health sector as capital expenditure.
The sum of N1.3 billion was budgeted for Job Creation scheme, Agriculture, N535 million, Finance and Investment, N1.1 billion, Environment and Urban Renewal N1.2 billion, and for general administration.
The governor said, "this administration is committed to the application of the rule of law; in this regard, the state's Justice System will continue to receive maximum attention in the delivery of justice to our people; we shall continue with the development of our courts and offices including residential quarters for our judges throughout the State and for these, the sums of N400million and N174million have been proposed for the High Court of Justice and Customary Court of Appeal, respectively, during the 2017 fiscal year."
"The construction of a befitting State Civil Service Secretariat Complex will commence in 2017. Government also intends to complete the on-going construction of the Office of the Head of Service Complex; no doubt, the construction of a new State Secretariat Complex and the office of the Head of Service will not only save costs for the government in the long term, but also enhance better coordination and efficiency of government operations across the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, so, the sum of N1 billion has been earmarked for the Secretariat Complex, while N100 million is provided for the Office of the Head of Service in the proposed capital budget of the 2017 fiscal year," he stated, reiterating that, "in 2017, we hope to extend our social safety net through the provision of N1.2 billion for the State's Social Security programme which will cover agro-business, skill acquisition or outright disbursement of cash to persons in dire conditions."
Abuja – The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says that the Federal Government has demonstrated political will to drive sustainable tourism.
A statement by his Special Adviser, Mr Segun Adeyemi, on Friday in Abuja, said that Mohammed made the remark at a panel of African Ministers of Tourism, which met on the sidelines of UN Conference on Climate Change in Marrakech, Morocco.*Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture
Mohammed explained that the demonstration of political will was showcased in the revival of the Presidential Council on Tourism (PCT) by President Muhammadu Buhari to drive the development of tourism in the country.
He said that already, the Steering Committee of the PCT had met to prepare its agenda and would meet with the president soon.
Mohammed said that for tourism to be sustainable, it must first be put on a sound footing, adding that was what informed government's massive investment in infrastructural development such as roads, rail and power.
He also said that since tourism could not thrive without security, transparency and good infrastructure, government had improved security drastically, especially in the North-East where Boko Haram had been decimated.
According to him, the government also put a lot of premium on transparency, which is required for boosting investors' confidence and encouraging tourism.
"The fight against corruption has been ratcheted up, and no one is deemed to be a sacred cow as far as the fight is concerned.
"With all modesty, the present administration in my country has been working hard to move tourism from the margins to the mainstream," he said.
The minister maintained that Nigeria "has a rich diversity in our culture and tourism sector.
"We have so much that the world would want to see. We have stories that the world wants to hear.
"But, the challenge for us is to leverage our huge diversity to make tourism the next oil in Nigeria."
"It is not of him that runneth, nor of him that willeth. It is the LORD that showeth mercy", say the Holy Writs.
Shock and disbelief could be the appropriate words to describe the outcome of the recently declared outcome of the United States of America election results. Shock and disbelief because the man whom God has allowed to win the Presidential election seems like a dark horse to the rest of the world in general and some sections of the American Electorate in particular.
This is more so when the US President – Elect has no Military or any known political background. He has not occupied the office of a governor before nor has he been elected to serve as a Senator or a Member of the House of the Representatives. What is more, Trump Donald has not even served as a Mayor or a Councilor of any of the Counties or the Municipals in the country and yet the man whom most people considered to be very controversial has been elected to be the next occupant of the White House, by God's grace.
Initially, I used to be an admirer of Mrs. Hillary Clinton- the Presidential flag bearer of the Democratic Party until the woman and her daughter – Chelsea began to show supports and identify with the Gay/Lesbian community. The duo even went ahead to participate in Gay parades.
That was the point when Hillary Clinton lost my admiration and support purely on spiritual grounds. America is a Christian nation whose moral codes and ethics are based on the Bible. But these moral codes and ethics are being eroded daily in the name of modernism and the so-called human rights advocacy that are being overstretched to the extreme and sometimes out of context.
For an instance both the Old Testament and the New Testament in the Bible forbid gay union, incest, bestiality and other non-conventional sexual relations which seem to be overlooked/ignored and have even become the order of the day in America and in some European countries. And in the name of upholding Human Rights activism, Mrs. Hillary Clinton and her family have chosen to cast their lots in support of what the Holy Writs have termed/tagged to be abominable in the sight of the LORD.
The Scriptures clearly state that "Thou shall not lie with mankind as with womankind: it is abomination. Nether shall thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith, neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations are defile which I cast out before you. And the land is defiled: therefore I visit the iniquity thereof upon it and the land itself vomited out her inhabitants." (Leviticus 18:22-25, KJV). And so for the Land of the United States of America not to vomit out its inhabitants – the Americans, the LORD in his own infinite wisdom must have put a halt to possible Hillary Clinton Presidency. That is how I viewed it from the Biblical viewpoint and I stand to be corrected.
Another point that stands in favour of the Republican candidate – now the President – Elect is his declared displeasure for radical Islam or Islam fundamentalists due to the spate of widespread of suspected Islamic terror groups in some parts of Europe and Africa. Against the background of what America and Great Britain have witnessed from suspected Islamic Terrorists, Donald Trump avowed disdain for Islamic Fundamentalists seems to be a welcome and a good omen to a cross – section of the Americans who are mainly Evangelicals and Pentecostals in their Christian Faith.
However, the President – Elect's victory is greeted with some mixed-feelings especially from the Americans who are of the Africa origin. Donald in one of his characteristic usual outbursts has once allegedly declared that most African immigrants will not be welcomed during his Presidency and those who are residents may be asked to leave especially if they are found to be linked to any Islamic terrorist group or found to be practicing any form of Islamic fundamentalism.
The Blacks may have nothing to fear if they choose to obey the laws of the land where they are residing for the purposes of peaceful coexistence.
Apart from his hatred for Islamic extremists, no one can say for sure whether the President – Elect is a racist who harbours some hatred for the Blacks generally and especially the Black race in the United State of America. If he does, we will pray that the LORD will touch his heart favourably to favour the Blacks in his country in particular and has favourable Foreign Policy for the African nations.;'' For the heart of the king is like a river in the hands of God, and He can turn it wherever He wants'' – Prov. 21:1, KJV.
Another controversy surrounding the personality of the new President-Elect is his purported promise to support some secessionist movements in Nigeria if he should win the American Presidential Election. I am sure the officials of the Nigerian government wouldn't be comfortable with that statement.
American Presidential Election must have come and gone, but the lesson there from shows that God is not a Democrat who operates by some sectional demands. If people can pray and chose to accept His will on any issue of national importance or on personal issues, He may chose to operate the way of seemingly unpopular demands. But since He knows the end of any matter right from its beginning, His Will/choice in any matter will be for the ultimate good of His children/people who may chose to accept His verdict.
Besides, God has said that His ways are not our ways and as the Heaven is far from the Earth, so is His thoughts far from our thoughts . Also the wisdom of this world is foolishness unto God. This unique attribute of God was also evident in the appointment of David as the second king of Israel when the teenager was preferred above his seven elder brothers. On that particular occasion, God pointedly told Prophet Samuel that ''… the LORD seeth not as man seeth. For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart .''-1 Samuel 16:6-7, KJV.
We therefore join the Americans to congratulate the President – Elect and ask for God's guidance and wisdom for him so that we can all live a peaceable life in line with I Timothy 2:1- 4, (KJV). And for those who may be contemplating of checking out of America on the account of Donald Trump Presidency, there is no need to do so provided they are not trouble – makers.
On a personal note, I am one of the concerned persons in the just concluded American Presidential Elections who is not comfortable with the Republican Presidential-candidate's reported alleged vituperations against the Blacks. But now that the man has become the President – Elect of the most powerful nation in today's world by God's grace , we hope that Mr. Donald Trump will gracefully accept from the LORD another heart that is more refined to accommodate all races. That was what the LORD did to Saul when God appointed/anointed him to be the first king of the nation of Israel. "And it was so when he (Saul) had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart…"-1Samuel 10:9, KJV.
And so if God could give king Saul another heart for the purpose of governing the Israeli kingdom so that Saul can function well under the anointing for kingship, we should believe God to do same for the American President – Elect too in view of some observed lapses/shortcomings in the opinion of men. God must have looked into the heart of Donald Trump before He allows him to be so elected against the choice of many American celebrities.
Gbemiga Olakunle,JP General Secretary, National Prayer Movement
CRISIS has erupted in the leadership of Abia State chapter of All Progressives Grand Alliance [APGA] with the State Working Committee [SWC] suspending the party's state chairman, Rev Austin Ehiemere, alleging misconduct and violation of the party rules.
The Secretary the party, Mr. Sunday Onukwubiri, who announced the suspension in Umuahia, Ehiemere was alleged to be working against the directives of the national chairman of the party.
According to Onukwubiri, the national chairman of the party had directed that aspirants should pay all monies for nomination forms into the party's National Bank account at Fidelity Bank, but Ehiemere allegedly directed otherwise that the monies should be paid into the party's state account at FCMB.
"The acts of misconduct include compilation of list of candidates for the local government election in Abia state outside the
party secretariat without any SWC member citing the list.
"Abuse of office by deliberately and fraudulent removal of the name of aspirants that passed through all the processes of purchasing the nomination forms, screening out those who won and replacing their names with those who never bought forms.
"Gross violation of party guidelines and hijacking of the processes for the conduct of the primaries, which specifically said that primaries should be conducted by local government party chairmen whose names are with INEC.
"He [allegedly] sold nomination forms from his office and was collecting cash from aspirants without the knowledge of members of the SWC which is against the rules and regulations of the party as enshrined in our constitution", the secretary alleged.
Onukwubiri said that with the actions of the party chairman that he has brought the party to disrepute, "Therefore he will face the consequences o his actions according to the constitution of our party".
Abuja – Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, says the country has deficit in the supply of food commodities.
The minister said this while receiving a team of Russian investors led by the country's Ambassador to Nigeria, Udovicnenko Nikolai who visited him in Abuja on Friday.
Ogbeh said that the present administration was ready to evolve flexible policies that would promote agricultural investments.
He said that the country's demand for rice was currently at seven million tonnes but the local production was at about 3.5 million tonnes, adding that there was a deficit of four million tonnes.
The minister also said that the country had a deficit of three million tonnes in fish production.
According to Ogbeh, we are encouraging potential investors to come to Nigeria and invest, apart from production, we encourage processing of agricultural produce.
He appealed to potential investors, particularly the Russians to take advantage of the existing huge market in the production of rice, wheat, maize, fish, dairy, vegetables and other food crops to invest in Nigeria.
"We will evolve flexible policy that will promote investment and when we see your willingness to invest, we will create enabling environment.
"Nigeria being one of the largest economies in Africa has millions hectare of arable land for agricultural production and any investment in Nigeria is a gateway to other African countries.
"The policy thrust of this administration is to enhance local production of agricultural produce thereby creating wealth and jobs for the teeming youth,'' Ogbeh said.
He called for the support of the Russian Government in areas of agricultural machinery and technical expertise to boost agricultural yields.
Earlier, the Russian Minister of Agriculture, Mr Tkachev Alexander, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, said they came to explore areas of collaboration with the Nigerian government in the development of agriculture sector.
"Nigeria has huge potential in agriculture like Russia and we are interested in contributing to the economic development of Nigeria through agriculture.
Alexander said that Russian companies were ready to contribute to the nation's dairy, beef and poultry production as well as provision of machinery and technology if given the opportunity.
President Muhammadu Buhari has called on African leaders to form a strong united front to defeat terrorism and violent extremism, saying that the vices were frustrating development in Africa.
The president made the call on a day the Kenyan government solicited Nigeria’s support in its quest to produce the next chairperson of the African Union Commission AUC.
Receiving Kenya's Deputy President and a special envoy to President Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto at the State House on Friday, Buhari expressed concern that the continent was still grappling with acts and effects of terrorism after a successful de-colonisation campaign.
Buhari who acknowledged the valued cooperation between Nigeria and Kenya in the fight against terrorism also commended the country for the recent successes recorded in tackling terrorism in the region.
"A situation in which insecurity continues to obstruct the process of national development should not be allowed to continue", Buhari said.
On the forthcoming election of a new leadership for the African Union Commission (AUC), President Buhari said African States needed a very strong leadership at the AUC that would encourage member states to refocus their resources and energy toward human and national development.
Speaking on Kenya's request for Nigeria's support for the candidature of Ambassador Amina Mohammed, Kenya's Foreign Minister, who was vying for the AUC Chairperson, Buhari said “Nigeria will hold robust consultations with other African leaders on the need for strong and capable leadership that will respond to the current challenges facing the continent.”
In his remarks, Deputy President Ruto commended President Buhari for his leadership, particularly on regional security and the fight against corruption.
Ruto said President Buhari's effort to eradicate terrorism and violent extremism had emboldened the continent's resolve to achieve lasting peace and security.
*Says West African Parliament ‘ll meet over matter
*Asks Trump to reconsider stand on US immigrants, refugees
By Joseph Erunke
Vice President, Inter-Parliamentary Union for Africa,IPU-Africa, and senator representing Kano Central, Kabiru Gaya,yesterday, frowned at Ghanaian government for introducing $120 residency fee for Nigerians in the country , saying the development, which he noted, was against the spirit of brotherliness in Africa, must not be allowed to stand.
This came as he urged the United States President – Elect, Donald Trump to reconsider his stand on immigrants in his country as well as refugee issues. To this end, he hinted that the regional parliamentary body would immediately convene a meeting where the issues are expected to be addressed.
Speaking in Abuja, yesterday, Gaya, who was elected last week in Geneva, Switzerland, during the organisation’s 135th General Assembly, also urged the United States President-elect, Donald Trump to reconsider his position during campaign on immigrants and refugees.
Gaya insisted that the $120 residency fee imposed on Nigerians negated the spirit of love and free movements being preached by the regional governments.
“We intend to invite all West African countries for a meeting here in Nigeria so that we could be able to discuss this issue.
“There’s no way we will be discussing on how to move freely as West Africans and then fees are being charged. And therefore, this issue will be discussed and a way forward will be found.
“I will make sure I use this office to get over those issues. There’s no point any country in Africa should begin to charge money for you living in the country, because if we are going to charge levy for those living in Nigeria, it will be a different story entirely.
” I think we should be our brother’s keepers. And that’s what Nigeria has been doing. Nigeria has been accommodating and we know the roles we played in getting independence for many other countries, fighting and doing solidarity for other countries to get freedom and we stabilized Liberia and other countries.
“Nigeria spent a lot of money in trying to keep peace in African countries. We believe we shouldn’t be treated like that. I think there’s a need to have dialogue and discuss these issues as a group, “he said.
Recall that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had on Wednesday, frowned at the development and appealed to the Ghanaian parliament to review the $120 residency fee imposed on Nigerians living in Ghana.
Gaya, while congratulating the United States President-elect, Mr Donald Trump for winning the United States presidential election, added: “But I think he has to look at the issue of immigrants , the issue of refugees, the issues of countries that are in dire need of assistance.
He hinted on how he was elected the Vice President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, in Geneva, Switzerland.
” A position of Vice Chairman, African Group of IPU was vacant and therefore, it was zoned to West Africa where three countries bid for that position. And finally, we negotiated and campaigned where it was agreed and left for Nigeria.
“That was why I was able to have the position.I think this is the first position this country ever got from IPU, the most high and strong position ever got from the IPU by the country.”
He said he would use the position to work for the unity of global parliament in general.
‘I hope I will work in the interest of getting the unity of the world global parliamentarians so that issues could be discussed like the last where we discussed the issue of immigrants, Visa fees and the problem of Boko Haram in Nigeria of which some international bodies have started joining to assist, “he said.
Speaking on immigration crisis, Gaya said:” People must understand that everybody is a migrant, we move from one place to another.
“If you look at the issue a long time ago, we are all migrants. But we end up settling in one location like we have settled in Nigeria. Long time ago, somebody’s parents came from somewhere. So what we are saying is that the issue of migrant is a very important matter.
” If crisis breaks out in one country, people have to leave for another country and we can’t just simply throw them away. So, we believe that the issue of migrants must be treated well and accepted.
“Nobody will want to force himself out of his country unless there’s war. “
SENATE President, Bukola Saraki,has said the future of Nigeria’s economic security could only be determined by how the youths of the country were prepared.
To this end, he has tasked governments, the private sector and academia to redouble efforts to empower Nigerian youth for entrepreneurship and greater self reliance.
Speaking in Abuja ahead of the upcoming technology and skills building training programme, expected to be launched in Kwara State today (Saturday) the Senate President said one of the greatest challenges the country has to grapple with was the need to gainfully engage its bulging youth population.
“I for one believe it is a national imperative for us to promote the development and education of our young people today, so they can benefit from tomorrow's global economy”, he said.
Noting that the International Monetary Fund, IMF, predicted that Nigeria's economy will contract by 1.7 percent in 2017, Saraki insisted that "government, the private sector and academia must redouble its effort to empower Nigerian youth for entrepreneurship and greater self-reliance."
"We must ask ourselves, are we to plant the seeds for a prosperous and abundant Nigeria? Or do we ignore the danger signs about the current youth bulge?" He said.
"According to the latest estimate from the National Population Commission, Nigeria's population is now approximately 182 million people. More than half of the population is under 30 and another 40 percent of that are under the age of 14" said Saraki.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki yesterday threatened that the Senate will take up the case against any ministry, department or agency of government that is violating the Public Procurement law which compels them to give preference to locally produced goods in Nigeria.
He also charged Senate Committee Chairmen to ensure in the course of their oversight duties that MDAs comply with the provision of the law on patronage of local manufacturers as he also urged all military and para-military agencies to emulate the Army by procuring items like booths and other needs locally.
Bukola Saraki
Dr. Saraki spoke Thursday in Abuja when members of the Leather and Allied Products Manufacturers Association of Abia State (LEAPMAAS) visited him to express appreciation for the constant support he and the Senate have given to the Buy Made in Nigeria campaign.
While responding to the welcome address by the co-ordinator of the Association, Chief Ben Hart, Saraki said the government spends more than N2 Trillion annually in the purchase of goods, and that the aim of the Senate is to ensure that a large chunk of the funds go into the pocket of Nigerian manufacturers.
He advised local manufacturers to petition the Senate where they feel a government agency is deliberating denying them the opportunity to sell their goods as he said the law making institution was ready to take up such cases.
“I commend you for your determination and creativity. When I came for your trade fair in Abuja earlier in the year, I promised you that with the support of my colleagues here in the Senate, we will make the campaign to buy Made in Nigeria go beyond a trade fair and become a national agenda for all Nigerians.
Today, we have made it a national project. I also promised you that we will amend the existing law to give your efforts a solid legal backing that will ensure patronage for your products and that of other local manufacturers. That has also been done with the amendment of the Public Procurement Act.
“I have a promise from the House of Representatives that they will soon pass the same law. Government agencies must necessarily and compulsorily patronise locally made goods. It has started with order made for booths by the Army. If the Army are doing that, I also challenge all the other agencies to follow suit.
I challenge all the Senate committee chairmen here to ensure that all the other agencies, whether it is Air force, Navy, Customs, even the Road Safety, Civil Defence, NYSC must follow suit. We should include that as part of the conditions when they come to defend their 2017 budget. They must show evidence that they patronise and purchase locally made goods.
“I commend your persistence such that over the years you have been there, giving your support to the growth of the economy government. With little or no assistance, you continued to demonstrate that you have the capacity to produce different high quality goods for the use of Nigerians.
“This is a very big agenda that we are promoting. I want to thank my colleagues and let me remind you that we have kept our promises, so you should not disappoint us. You must improve on the quality of the goods. You must deliver the orders made on time as agreed with clients. If you look at the budget of all these agencies, it is enough for you to increase your production and that will make Nigeria to take over the market in some of the West African region.
Lafia – The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, Abubakar Sadiq-Bello, says gunmen have killed a police officer during an ambush in Obi Local Government Area of the state.
Sadiq-Bello disclosed this on Friday in Lafia, while fielding questions from newsmen.
But he did not disclose the name or rank of the officer who was serving at the Obi Division of the command.
He said the police patrol team was ambushed along Obi-Agwatashi road about two weeks ago.
He said the Police would arrest the killers and prosecute them.
The commissioner described the incident as unfortunate and part of the hazards policemen encountered in the line of duty.
He condoled the family of the deceased officer and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
He appealed to members of the public to continually support the efforts of the police in order to curb crime and criminality in the state.
The trial of the four suspects in the alleged kidnap of the traditional ruler of Iba Town, Oba Goriola Oseni, commenced yesterday before a Lagos State High Court, sitting in Igbosere, with the revelation from two witnesses that the abductors obtained two ransoms worth N15.1million. The defendants, Duba Furejo, Ododowo Isaiah, Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh were arraigned on October 24, before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo on an eight-counts charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, robbery, armed robbery, felony and kidnapping.
During the court proceedings the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr Adeniji Kazeem SAN, made an oral application that the trial should be held in camera to ensure the safety of the witnesses who will testify. He argued that the matter was a sensible one that has to do with kidnapping and murder and therefore urged the court to allow only the parties in the matter, lawyers and journalists to hear the testimony of the witnesses.
However all the counsel to the accused objected the application stating that the application made by Mr Kazeem was prejudicial against their clients as they are entitled to fair hearing. They therefore insisted that the trial should be done in the open.
After listening to the submissions of the counsel, the judge held that the court has the power to exclude the public from the trial adding that there is nothing prejudicial about the application. While assuring the defence counsel of fair hearing in the matter, the judge then granted the application.
While granting the application, she said that all journalists in the court should identify themselves with their official Identification card.
Oseni, 73, who testified as the first prosecution witness was led in evidence by Kazeem.
The Monarch said that at about 8pm on July 16, he was kidnapped while watching TV in a room at the palace and was held in captivity for three weeks in an unknown camp.
He described his abductors who were about nine in number as shirtless, heavily armed men wearing only black trousers and said they met him when he went to investigate a noise from his sitting room.
The gunmen said, “‘this is the king", and I asked them, ”what can I do for you?” Then they grabbed me. I was putting on only a boxer short because I was preparing to take my bath. My Oloris (Queens) came in and asked them where they were taking me to but they fled when the gunmen released bullets into the decking of the room,” Oseni said.
He said the gunmen dragged him out of the palace and began shooting sporadically as they left the main gate killing his security guard and a motorcyclist in the process and also shot at one of his Oloris.
“They started pushing me and shouting ‘trek, trek’, till I fell and injured my arm. My toe nail was also forcibly removed, so they carried me,” Oseni said.
He, further stated that the defendants took him to a speedboat where he was driven away to a riverine camp with about 50 militants. The next day he was driven in another boat to a bigger camp with six houses and more of the militants.
He pointed at the first, second and third defendants in the dock as being among his abductors, but explained that the fourth defendant was one of those who came to visit him in the camp.
According to him they demanded the sum of N500million ransom but his family paid N12million and then another N3.1million to another group of the kidnappers, totalling N15.1million after which he was released.
He said that on the day he was released on August 6, the second accused paddled his canoe to a point and then gave him a bamboo paddle to find himself back to Iba Town while the accused joined another boat that was behind him. He further explained that after paddling the boat for some time, he started hearing the sound of vehicles and he then managed to get out of the boat.
Oseni also said that after he got out of the boat, he saw some women and asked them where he was and they told him he was at Iba. “I then asked one of the women how long she has lived at Iba, she said 19 years. I asked them if they had seen their king who was kidnapped and they said no that they were still looking for him. I then told them that I was the one. Immediately they got me a Tee- Shirt to wear because I was only putting on a boxer, and then helped me to my palace.” he stated.
The Oba’s son Prince Kazeem, who testified as the second prosecution witness, said he delivered both ransom money of N12million and N3.1million to the militants at a canal near Igbehinadun in Iba.
He said they negotiated the ransom from N500million to N40million but they couldn’t raise that amount, especially after the government refused to pay any ransom.
The militants, he added, gave him directions on phone where to drop it after warning him not to tell anyone and that he should wear a face cap and ride on a motocycle.
The case has been adjourned till November 18, for continuation of trial.
Lagos State Government has raised N6.25 billion for its Employment Trust Fund, ETF, as first tranche of the N25 billion funding program for self employment generation in the State.
Governor of Lagos state, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode,
who made this known at the 5th edition of the EU-Nigeria business forum, said the ETF was basically conceived to support young and upcoming entrepreneurs to establish small businesses with little capital requirement.
Ambode who was represented by the Secretary to the state Government, Mr. Tunji Bello also said the state has signed Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Kebbi State Government on rice, wheat, groundnut, onions, maize and beef value chains.
This partnership, according to him, will contribute to national self-sufficiency in rice production by about 70 percent.
He stated: "Investment opportunities still abound and desirous investors are guaranteed government support to remove log-jams and bottlenecks that impede the ease of doing business.
"Generally, our investment drive is yielding the desired result. The Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment also known as LagosGlobal,has continued to provide support services to both existing and potential investors; and it is heart-warming to disclose that Lagos has become a preferred choice destination for foreign investors.
According to the Head of EU Delegation in Nigeria, Ambassador Michael Arrion, "The European Union and Nigeria have developed robust economic relations with very large trade volumes at €30 billion in 2015.
"The EU is the top destination for oil and non-oil exports from Nigeria."
On her part, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Nike Akande, stated: "These relationships are more critical for the Nigerian economy now than ever before. We need to attract as much investment as we can at this crucial time.
"The decline in crude oil price has considerably changed our development focus for good. We are taking steps to reduce our reliance on oil.
"A lot of attention is now being paid to manufacturing, agriculture and agro allied industries, solid minerals, ICT, entertainment and tourism and many other
areas in the non-oil sector.
"The government is also focussing on the development of infrastructure to enhance the productivity of the non-oil sector of the economy. Infrastructure provision such as power and transport offers tremendous opportunities for investment which the EU investors can explore at this time."
Chairman Lagos State Council of Ndieze Igbo, and former President General Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. J. O. Irukwu (SAN) has enjoined Ndigbo living in Lagos and Diaspora to always be in good relationship with people in whose territory they live, saying, that's the only way peace and harmony can only reign in a person and a country.
Prof. Iruku made this remark during a speech at the dinner event tagged: '2016 Iriji Ndigbo' (New Yam Festival) and Award ceremonies and official launching of Igbo House in Lagos, organized by the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos, (ISCL) an arm of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, held on Thursday November 10 at the Colonades Hotel, Ikoyi Lagos.
Prof. Iruku said; "Today's Iriji event organised by Ndigbo in Lagos is an expression of one of the seven pillars of Igbo culture that says when you go to a place where will you live and work, you endorse it as a home. And for those of us, who live in Lagos for very long, we have given our best to Lagos. One of our duties as Indigbo who live and work in Lagos, and have adopted Lagos as our home, is to try and make sure that we have very good relationship with the people in whose territory we live. That's what makes this organisation a very important one. This is an event to celebrate integrity, love and good relations."
President-General, Igbo Speaking Community, Lagos State, Chief Ebere Ubani in his welcome address thanked the distinguished personalities, sons and daughters of Ndigbo and recipients of awards who made the event worthwhile.
Ubani urged Ndigbo living in Lagos and Diaspora to see the Iriji Festival as one avenue to chart way forward for the Igbo cause. While officially launching the proposed Igbo House in Lagos which its purpose is for the gathering of Ndigbo and Igbo Language School in Lagos, enjoined them never to ignore the benefits of the mother tongue which is one unifying factor to bring Ndigbo together.
Keynote speech titled "Haunted Hopes, Reflections and Commentaries on Igbo Land and Igbo leadership today" was delivered by Mazi Kalu Onuma, Administrative Secretary, Ndigbo in Lagos. Some of the highlights of his lecture hinged on the importance attached to Igbo organizational gathering after Civil war, the weakness of Igbo institution, differentiating Igbo leaders from Igbo politicians and challenges militating against Ndigbo moving forward in the polity of nations.
Recipients of the Award include Prof. J. O. Iruku, Ambassador Patrick Dele-Cole, Prof. Kimise Koko, Chief Yinka Odumakin, Chief Duro Onabule, Prof. Femi Aribisala, Odia Ofeimun, Chief Femi Okoronmu, Dr. Ernest Obiejesi, (Nestoil Group), Dr. Dan Chukwudozie among others. Royal fathers include Eze Amb. Jude Ihenetu, Eze Ndigbo Ghana, HRH. Dr. Cyril Anomneze, Eze Uche Dimgba, Eze Gabby Dimude, among others, while the Royal Father of the night is His Royal Highness Eze Emma Saint-George Ekeh, Ishi Ubomiri, Imo State.
On the Udi highlands of Enugu state, the Nsude pyramids once stood as a testimony to Black Africa's level of cultural enlightenment. Built with hardened red mud and clay, the structures lasted centuries until the 1930s when degradation followed years of negligence, so much that today only their faint outlines can be traced. A report on the monuments published in Wikipedia describes them as "one of the unique structures of Igbo culture".
Ozoani and the Pyramid
Appeals have been made in the past by the community leaders as well as historians for the restoration of the circular pyramids which bear striking resemblance to the Step Pyramid of Saqqara, in Egypt. Unless the Nigerian government takes appropriate steps to reconstruct them, that historical monument will remain, perhaps, one of black Africa's greatest losses to world civilization.
Now, scholars believe there were more to them, with the possibility they may rewrite the history of black Africa. Even more compelling is the attraction it holds for tourism in Nigeria. At a time the pyramids in Egypt have turned the economic mainstay of the North African country with approximately 14.7 million tourists flocking in a year, revenues peaked in excess of $12.5 billion as recently as in 2010.
It is still a mystery why the Nsude pyramids which once stood with circumferences of about eighty feet and a pinnacle reaching up to 40 feet, according to information obtained online, were constructed in the first place. Much of what were known of them were tales about how they were used in times past for surveillance against hostile neighbour during inter-community wars.
Historical accounts say the pyramids were first constructed in the topmost altitudes of the community's boundary villages at Umuaka and Ugwuto: while only one large pyramid stood at Umuaka part of the community overlooking Ngwo and parts of Nkanu land, a set of 10 pyramids—standing five-a-side on two rows—was located at Ugwuto, overlooking Owa in Ezeagu Local Government Area.
While this surveillance theory is the most believable considering the community's fame in inter-community wars in times past, other accounts, however, attribute the construction of the monuments to the memory of Uto-Nsude, the community's war hero that has since become a deity. The third theory that the pyramids may have served as furnaces for iron smelting lacks credibility as not much by way of history has linked Nsude and the larger Udi area to iron smelting.
Europeans who carried out extensive geographical survey and explorations for solid mineral in various places around the Udi hills had first 'discovered' the pyramids. The first discovery was credited to one Luke Walter, a British who led one of the exploration missions in 1891. It is either Mr. Walters did not document his 'discovery' probably because he did not consider it of historical significance, or whatever he did has been lost in time.
It was not until 1935 that an anthropologist and colonial administrator in the area, Mr. G.I. Jones took what is, perhaps, the only surviving photographs of the historical monuments and after printing them, scribbled behind them what has today become vital information. His photographs were not made public until a few years back when they were published by his estate. Apart from oral historical accounts of the pyramids, the limited information provided are reproduced from notes written by Jones on the black and white photographs.
Recently, the Nsude community leader Mr. Emmanuel Ozoani had ordered an inspection of the site of the set of 10 pyramids in Ugwuto, with a view to renewing the call for their restoration. The pyramids which were said to have been maintained annually with red mud mixed with cow dung, were robbed of this preservation by the advent of modernity and sheer negligence. It is believed that since the 1930s, they were not preserved in any way and have over the years been totally degraded.
There is even a theory that the British colonialists may have conspired to degrade the structures whose 'discovery' sharply contradicted their position that Black Africa lived with no civilization until their arrival. The visit by community officials to the site, however, revealed that it was still possible to fully restore them.
The story is the same with the lone pyramid that once stood at Umuaka area of Nsude. According to another community leader, Mr. Gab Ozougwu, the pyramid once stood at the eastern entry point where the community had maintained the mysterious Iga gate. While he explained that it has been degraded and almost submerged by erosion that has since developed a gully at the site, Ozougwu who now heads the village union, says it has been a subject of enquiries by some Europeans in recent years.
He disclosed that one of his predecessors, well aware of the historical relevance of the pyramid, constructed a miniature version in front of the Umuaka community hall at Obu Anukwu in the 1970s. The replica made of concrete cement, with the same five circular cones, still stands to this day.
Between the Nigerian pyramids and those of Egypt, the similarity ends with the conical shape. It still remains a mystery for instance, when and how the Nsude Pyramids were built. Archaelogists believe the clay/mud pyramids may have been built at the same time the first or second wave of Egyptian pyramids were built by the Nubians, but no records are available on the actual period when they came into being.
The Egyptian pyramids were built by moving huge stones from a quarry and dragging and lifting them into place. Built during the reign of Fourth Dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu over a 20 year period ending in 2540 B.C., the 2.3 million cubic meters pyramids at Giza, with base measurement of 227.5 meters and vertical height of 137.2 meters, is believed to have involved about 60,000 labourers. The Nsude pyramids were made of tons of hardened red mud and clay.
While those great pyramids on the Giza Plateau of Egypt including the massive sculpture known as the Great Sphinx have historically become symbols of Egyptian culture and world civilization, Nigeria and the Black race have not benefitted culturally from the Nsude pyramids in any way.
If restored, they may yet rewrite Black Africa's history. More importantly, in terms of potentials for tourism in Nigeria, it is a gold mine waiting to be tapped.
By Joseph Erunke ABUJA- Vice President, Inter-Parliamentary Union for Africa,IPU-Africa, and senator representing Kano Central, Kabiru Gaya, Friday, frowned at Ghanaian government for introducing $120 residency fee for Nigerians in the country , saying the development, which he noted, was against the spirit of brotherliness in Africa, must not be allowed to stand.
This came as he urged the United States President – Elect, Donald Trump to reconsider his stand on immigrants in his country as well as refugee issues.
To this end, he hinted that the regional parliamentary body would immediately convene a meeting where the issues are expected to be addressed.
Speaking in Abuja, Gaya, who was elected last week in Geneva, Switzerland, during the organisation’s 135th General Assembly, also urged the United States President-elect, Donald Trump to reconsider his position during campaign on immigrants and refugees.
Gaya insisted that the $120 residency fee imposed on Nigerians negated the spirit of love and free movements being preached by the regional governments.
“We intend to invite all West African countries for a meeting here in Nigeria so that we could be able to discuss this issue.
“There’s no way we will be discussing on how to move freely as West Africans and then fees are being charged. And therefore, this issue will be discussed and a way forward will be found.
“I will make sure I use this office to get over those issues. There’s no point any country in Africa should begin to charge money for you living in the country, because if we are going to charge levy for those living in Nigeria, it will be a different story entirely.
” I think we should be our brother’s keepers. And that’s what Nigeria has been doing. Nigeria has been accommodating and we know the roles we played in getting independence for many other countries, fighting and doing solidarity for other countries to get freedom and we stabilized Liberia and other countries.
“Nigeria spent a lot of money in trying to keep peace in African countries. We believe we shouldn’t be treated like that. I think there’s a need to have dialogue and discuss these issues as a group, “he said.
Recall that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had on Wednesday, frowned at the development and appealed to the Ghanaian parliament to review the $120 residency fee imposed on Nigerians living in Ghana.
Gaya, while congratulating the United States President-elect, Mr Donald Trump for winning the United States presidential election, added: “But I think he has to look at the issue of immigrants , the issue of refugees, the issues of countries that are in dire need of assistance.
He hinted on how he was elected the Vice President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, in Geneva, Switzerland.
” A position of Vice Chairman, African Group of IPU was vacant and therefore, it was zoned to West Africa where three countries bid for that position. And finally, we negotiated and campaigned where it was agreed and left for Nigeria.
“That was why I was able to have the position.I think this is the first position this country ever got from IPU, the most high and strong position ever got from the IPU by the country.”
He said he would use the position to work for the unity of global parliament in general.
‘I hope I will work in the interest of getting the unity of the world global parliamentarians so that issues could be discussed like the last where we discussed the issue of immigrants, Visa fees and the problem of Boko Haram in Nigeria of which some international bodies have started joining to assist, “he said.
Speaking on immigration crisis, Gaya said:” People must understand that everybody is a migrant, we move from one place to another.
“If you look at the issue a long time ago, we are all migrants. But we end up settling in one location like we have settled in Nigeria. Long time ago, somebody’s parents came from somewhere. So what we are saying is that the issue of migrant is a very important matter.
” If crisis breaks out in one country, people have to leave for another country and we can’t just simply throw them away. So, we believe that the issue of migrants must be treated well and accepted.
“Nobody will want to force himself out of his country unless there’s war. ”
In a bid to boost usage of Information Technology (IT) in Nigerian schools, Microsoft Nigeria and Dynamiss are set to launch a fast track digital learning initiative for Nigerian schools.
The solution will be launched at an event which will take place on the 16th of November 2016 with schools proprietors, heads of schools and IT directors of learning at all levels, expected to be in attendance.
According to the Microsoft Head of Education for Nigeria, Jordan Belmonte, "Microsoft will be unveiling a 21st century skills centre that benefits both students, teachers and surrounding communities by providing schools with access to a vast e-learning platform and affordable professional certifications."
She noted: "We believe that investment in education is a critical component of preparing youth for the global workforce and is directly tied to a countries economic growth. Our mission is to ensure that we support this advancement in learning and the benefits it provides for Nigerian students
"Microsoft Nigeria is committed to promoting lifelong learning by providing affordable access to education solutions and promoting the adoption of ICT in schools," she said.
Jordan also said that, their partners Dynamiss Solutions are challenging education norms with their product which ensures that digital technology will become a key aspect of teaching and learning.
On her part, Head of Sales for Dynamiss, Mrs. Angela Oyekanmi, said: "We have ensured that the cost of our solution is affordable for all students. We have also partnered with financial institutions to create payment plans that will ensure the affordability of the product by most people.
"Schools are also able to benefit and generate revenue from our partnership with Microsoft which will support IT implementation. Ultimately it is the student's quality of education and employability that will benefit the most from implementing the Dynamiss Microsoft Learning Management system."
She noted that, "remarkably our software also incorporates all Microsoft Office365 tools for free for all students as well as Microsoft Imagine Academy digital learning platform offered for qualifying schools also for Free."
Kangaroo courts set up by the retreating militants of the Islamic State(ISIS) ordered the killing of 40 civilians in Mosul, Iraq. Bodies of the victims were thereafter hung on power poles, the United Nations said today.
In a statement outlining human rights abuses committed by the militant group also identified as Daesh, ISIS and ISIL in Iraq, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein reported killings of civilians based upon decisions by self-appointed IS courts.
"On Tuesday, ISIL reportedly shot and killed 40 civilians in Mosul city after accusing them of 'treason and collaboration' with the Iraqi security forces. The victims were dressed in orange clothes marked in red with the words 'traitors and agents of the ISF.' Their bodies were then hung on electrical poles in several areas in Mosul city."
The statement detailed other atrocities allegedly committed by IS as Iraqi forces attempt to take back control of the city, which has been under IS control for the past two years.
The operation to retake the city involves 50,000 Iraqi security forces personnel, including soldiers, police, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Sunni Arab tribesmen and Shiite militiamen, the BBC reported.
The U.N. statement reported a man was shot to death for ignoring an IS ban on use of mobile phones.
Six civilians also were hanged for carrying banned SIM cards, a data storage element of cellphones; 20 civilians shot to death on charges of leaking information; and boys that IS calls "sons of the caliphate" were deployed to roam the streets of Mosul wearing explosive belts.
An underground IS prison holding 961 starving inmates was found; IS is also abducting women and relocating them to Mosul, and has a fleet of loudspeaker-equipped vehicles which announce anyone escaping battles with the Iraqi security Forces will be executed, the UN statement says.
My father-in-law watched an intimate video of myself and my partner. I didn’t know my husband’s father is computer literate and operates the lap-top very well. A video of his son and I smooching and making love was saved in my lap-top which was in the sitting room the day he visited. I was in the bathroom and when I came out, he was already on the lap-top. My husband was not around. I didn’t like that and ever since,I feel funny and strange around especially after he made comments about my body.
Is it okay for me to feel uncomfortable when around him and when he comments on my body,
saying things like, “I don’t understand why men are still attracted to women with stretch marks."
Ese, Auchi
Dear Ese,
Unfortunately awkward situations do happen, such as people seeing things you don’t intend them to. It is very normal to feel awkward and uncomfortable as a result. It sounds like you would prefer for your father in law to forget he ever saw the video and not speak about it.
If you feel that he is saying these things on purpose, it needs to stop. It isn’t okay for him to make you feel uncomfortable or ashamed of your body. It might not be a pleasant conversation, but you do need to speak up for yourself and tell him calmly and firmly not to make these comments to you.
Sometimes people prefer to do this in a letter so that they can express themselves clearly. If that is also too daunting perhaps your partner can have the conversation?
Take some time to think about how you want to express your views so that you can do it calmly, as yelling or threatening certainly won’t help the situation.
I am a 62 year old retired civil servant. My husband died many years ago and I live with my father, who is 82. Until he suffered stroke nine months ago, we led a good life together. We went for walks, read, listened to music and shared the household chores. I have no close friends but I enjoy my own company.
I love travelling by train and used to do so regularly here and abroad. Although my father has made a good recovery, our lives now consist of shopping and watching television. I do all the house work and I’m too tired for any hobbies.
My father and I quarrelled recently and he accused me of being selfish. I have plenty of information about help services but they are not my kind of thing and my father would never countenance them. I cannot see an end to all of this. I just wanted to tell someone how I feel.
Widow, Lagos
Dear Widow,
Try to see it this way. Your father is lucky to have you there looking after him. Sometimes, you need to put yourself first and this is not being selfish. You should continue the train travelling that you love, both here and abroad.
So be a little firmer with your father and say that you would like to still do this.
Sometimes, you can arrange for someone to do the cooking, cleaning and shopping while you are away. Don’t see outside help as not your thing, but as something you both need. It’s important that you have your own life.
My husband and I appear to have the perfect marriage and family that everyone wanted. In fact, many people said so. The truth is, it was not as great as they or I thought. He is successful in his job and his colleagues speak very highly of him. By chance, I discovered that he had been sending sexually explicit photographs to a woman he works with. I had met her a couple of times but never thought she could rival me for my husband’s affection.
He says he has broken off contact, but I still think about her all the time. How can I trust him again. He would describe other people doing this sort of thing as very seedy, so why would he do it. If he had been going out with her, that would have made more sense. I hate the thought of him sending pornographic photos to another woman. I now ask myself, do I really know him. How can I move on.
Bidemi, Delta
Dear Bidemi,
Sexting is so foolish and so high risk apart from being caught out, it can have far wider consequences. The photographs could end up on internet, especially if a relationship is ended against someone’s will. That person often wants to take revenge and might even circulate it at work, which would be hugely embarrassing.
Most people would be devastated if they discovered their partner sexting and your husband has let you down. Tell him how hurt and betrayed you feel and talk about why he did it. Hopefully, he can reassure you that it went no further. It does undermine trust and that takes time to rebuild.
If you're the kind of person for which cheating completely dashes your trust in someone; if it's going to make you crazy with worry and suspicion; if you're going to start snooping and lashing out; if it's going to do negative things for your mental health, then you're likely not going to be able to make a relationship work.
Some people can forgive and forget. So ask yourself if you think you can. Can you not snoop through his phone? Can you be at peace when you don't know where he might be going or with whom? Will you eventually stop worrying about his straying? And, for his part, does he make a concerted effort to change?
Can you tell that he's dedicated to the marriage? Does he seem remorseful? Is he making strides to really and truly become a more evolved person in your marriage? These are questions you can answer through time, observation and in therapy. Your answers to them will determine whether or not you two can make this work.
