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
Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG in- charge of Zone 2 Command, comprising Lagos and Ogun States, Kayode Aderanti, yesterday , rated cultism and kidnapping as the most common high profile crimes in Lagos state, calling on officers and men to step up on their games with a view to checkmating the trend.
Aderanti who gave the assertion while addressing men and officers at the command’s headquarters in Ikeja, during his maiden operational visit to the Command, said " It is pertinent to note that there is an increase in cult related activities in the State. We cannot fold our arms and watch cultists destroy our communities. We must stand up to them, take up our responsibility and make sure their effrontery and bravado is reduced to the barest minimum.
It is no longer news that perhaps the commonest high profile crime today is kidnapping. We are happy that the IGP's Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and Tactical Intelligence Unit (TIU) have not let us down in tracking down these kidnappers. We also must redouble our efforts in intelligence gathering and crime prevention. It is a joint war that must be won.
Calling on the need for the command to double its effort in intelligence gathering and crime prevention be ensuring that the fight against cultism and kidnapping was won, Aderanti however noted that members of the public played a vital role in intelligence gathering.
He therefore warned policemen to desist from molesting and harassing them( members of the public) as well as shun all manner of extorting money from them.
He said : " We are not being paid to torment members of the public. We are paid to actually help them because Nigeria Police is about service.
The current Inspector- General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, has zero tolerance for corruption and official misconduct.
" Whosoever requests money for bail or to register people’s complaints is on his own . I warn again, don’t demand gratification from members of the public.
Again, cases of policemen on illegal duty has reached an alarming proportion and this is highly unprofessional. It needs to be nipped in the bud.
Some of them operate in unmarked vehicles and harassing people by searching through their phones. All these undue harassment must stop as violators will be severely dealt with. We need to focus more, apart from our crime fighting prowess, on service delivery to the public.
I believe this is where we have issues. Lets render service to the law abiding members of the public because we need them to fight crime , we need them to help us in the area of kidnapping , cultism and all forms f criminality and without them we can not do anything".
He further admonished policemen to take their health serious by going on routine check up. He added that policemen should imbibe the culture of observing their annual and casual leave
He said " its been observed that most of you don’ t go on annual medical check- up. I urge you to endeavor to see your medical doctors once in six months. Issue of people slumping and dying in the offices, is enough. The Inspector-General of Police frowns at this idea of not going on leave or taking at least five days casual leave to rest He has directed that henceforth , all officers health condition must count".
On the welfare of policemen, he informed that names were being compiled for the next batch of promotion, even as he disclosed that arrears of those promoted last year would be paid before the end of the first quarter of 2017.
A trending video clip shows Afro-beat singer, Dede Mabiaku walk out on the Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina during radio programme. Both Adesina and Dede were guests at Lagos Talk 91.3 FM programme.
In the clip, Mr. Dede is seen fuming with anger and walking out on Adesina while on air after he claimed Buhari’s spokesman commanded him to “shut up” during the programme. Whats your take on this? Type your opinion below.
Jumoke Akindele, the suspended Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, on Tuesday said she did not misappropriate N15 million as alleged by some of her colleagues.
Akindele, who was reportedly suspended on Friday by 14 lawmakers, said in a statement in Akure that although she was a signatory to the House schedule, she was not a signatory to the cheques.
"I wish to place it on record that though I am the signatory to the schedule, I am not a signatory to the cheques of the House.
"I did sign the schedule in line with the budget passed by the House so that I do not hold up the business of the House in the likely event that I do not return from my journey early enough.
"Most certainly, I did not speak with the Director of Finance and Administration on the issue of cheques or any other matter at all, and I also did not speak with the Clerk.
"I did not ask the Pay Master, Mr Makanjuola Adeshina, who was unfortunately brutalised by some of my colleagues to bring any funds to my House," she said.
She said she was in Lagos on Friday and received a call that some 13 members allegedly removed the leadership of the House "on the puerile and baseless claim of fraud or financial impropriety.''
Akindele explained further that the Pay Master was the lawful custodian of all unspent funds of the House and he was only acting in his official capacity as such.
Rt. Hon. Jumoke-Akindele,
The suspended speaker further said the money in question was meant for some projects in the House as passed in the budget and approved by the proper authority.
She alleged that some PDP caucus members seemed more interested in proving their loyalty to the incoming administration in the state.
"They are actively working hand in hand with their APC counterparts to destabilise what would have been one of the most peaceful transitions ever.
"They are desirous of becoming speaker and deputy speaker at all cost and are therefore playing to the gallery to show they are "disenchanted" with the outgoing governor," she stated.
Akindele further stated that she was not desperate and was actually set to resign since the emergence of the governor from the North District and the Deputy Governor from the South District.
"We are a people with an age long tradition that demands that the Speaker must, of necessity, emerge from the Central District of Ondo State.
"I sustained this position because I owe it to Nigerians worried of the dangerous precedent that may be created if fraud, forgery and forceful takeover of this nature is allowed to prevail.
"It is disheartening that some of my honourable colleagues forged the signatures of five members to make up their list.
"The members whose signatures were forged have strenuously asserted that their signatures were forged and have stood with the leadership of the House since the beginning," she said.
Akindele said change was inevitable and may even be desirable, adding that the house leaders could not be removed by no fewer than 18 members in accordance with the law
She expressed her sympathy with the workers, promising that all justifiable grievances would be addressed while taking the blame for the crisis and pleading for forgiveness.
"I remain loyal to my party, the PDP, and I consider it a solemn duty to work with any government, outgoing or incoming, regardless of the political party that births it as long as it works for the interest of the people.
"To my colleagues, let me state that the most difficult job is to lead one's peers who are as entitled to one's position as oneself
"I, therefore, call that we come together and ensure that we do the desirable as guided by the dictates of our oath of office," she said.
The Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Majority Leader were suspended for allegedly withdrawing N15 million from the House account without parliamentary approval.
Out of 26 members, 14, including the Speaker, Deputy speaker, and Majority Leader, attended a press briefing where the suspension was made public.
The suspension process was carried out on Friday by 14 lawmakers, made up of five All Progressive Congress (APC) and nine PDP members.
Bode Adeyelu, the Clerk of the House, and the mace were present at the process.
Mr Malachi Coker, representing Ilaje 2 Constituency, was sworn in by the clerk as the Acting Speaker while Mr Ayodele Arowele, representing Owo 1 Constituency emerged Acting Deputy Speaker,
Mr Olamide George, the member representing Akure North was sworn in as Acting Majority Leader.
Moroccans welcomed their country’s “victorious return” to the African Union as their king on Tuesday took a seat at the bloc’s Ethiopian headquarters for the first time in decades.
“Morocco should have rejoined the African Union a long time ago,” pensioner Mohamed Alaoui told AFP in the capital Rabat late Monday.
“The country will now revert to its role as a political and economic leader and correct its previous errors.”
Morocco quit the then Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1984 after the bloc admitted the former Western Sahara as a separate member.
Morocco says the former Spanish colony under its control is an integral part of the kingdom, while the Polisario Front, which campaigns for the territory’s independence, demands a referendum on self-determination.
“Morocco never renounced its African origins. It always called for the union of African and Arab countries,” said Abdellatif Tighazouane, 25.
“Today we were able to realise this spirit of unity,” the student added.
The King of Morocco Mohammed VI delivers a speech in the main plenary of the African Union in Addis Ababa on January, 31, 2017. Morocco’s King Mohammed VI took a seat at the African Union headquarters Tuesday for the first time in 33 years after being re-admitted by the bloc. Morocco’s return to the fold comes a day after 39 of the AU’s 54 member states agreed to allow Morocco back in the fold, despite stiff resistance from countries such as South Africa and Algeria over the status of Western Sahara. AFP PHOTO
Mustapha Akhaziz, a language professor, said it would be an opportunity for Morocco to “defend its interests on the issue of the Western Sahara”.
Morocco’s press on Tuesday hailed the kingdom rejoining the 54-member bloc after 33 years of absence.
“Historic decision”, “Victorious return”, “Thank you your Majesty…” read several headlines.
The official news agency MAP published a string of interviews with African ministers welcoming Morocco back into its “African family”.
Television channels broadcast footage of the Moroccan delegation in Addis Ababa, led by Foreign Minister Salahedinne Mezouar, singing the national anthem by the grand piano of a hotel lobby.
On Monday, 39 countries voted to allow Morocco back into the fold despite resistance from countries such as Algeria and South Africa, which have traditionally backed the Polisario Front.
Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, foreign minister of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, which claims sovereignty over the entire territory of Western Sahara, said the SADR accepted the decision.
He said on Monday that having Morocco in the same room would allow the SADR to pressure them into allowing a referendum on self-determination in accordance with a 1975 decision by the International Court of Justice.
Morocco has been angling to return to the African Union for several years, and King Mohammed VI formally announced his intention to do so in July last year.
Morocco is increasingly looking southwards to expand its economy, and has realised it cannot drive an agenda on the continent without being a member of the union, observers say.
A Maiduguri High Court has adjourned till Feb.9, hearing in the case of Shettima Maina, Chairman of Mafa Local Government Area in Borno, along with two others, charged for allegedly diverting food items meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Maina could not be produced in court on Tuesday as he had been arrested by the military over another alleged offence of links with Boko Haram insurgents.
When the case of alleged diversion came up for hearing, Mr Alquasim Ja'afar, EFCC Prosecuting Counsel, sought for adjournment of the case to enable him amend the charges.
In his ruling, Justice Fadamu Umar granted the request and adjourned the case to Feb-9 for further Hearing.
Maina, along with Bulama Ali Zangebe and Modu Bulama, had allegedly connived and misappropriated about 300 bags of rice worth N2 million, meant for IDPs in Mafa LGA.
According to the prosecution, the offence committed is punishable under Section 96 and 97 of the Panel Code Law Cap 345 laws of the Northern States of Nigeria.
The Federal Government says it has henceforth banned the admission of students who do not have farming interests into its Universities of Agriculture.
Farmers
Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said this at a stakeholders meeting with registrars and pro-Chancellors of the universities in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said the decision was to reposition the institutions with a view to involving youths in agriculture, training them to proffer solutions to the multi-faceted problems in the sector.
The minister, who expressed regrets that non-agriculture-based courses like engineering was being thought in the schools, directed that only agriculture-related disciplines be thought.
Audu Ogbeh
Ogbeh said the Federal Government's decision to relocate its three Universities of Agriculture from the Federal Ministry of Education to Agriculture, was to refocus the schools as globally acclaimed citadels to move the agriculture sector forward.
He assured the universities that the government would actively support them by providing funds and grants to assist in research to move the agriculture sector forward.
"The domiciliation of the universities in this ministry is a commendable effort by the Federal Government based on sound reasoning and logic.
"Your return will effectively help us to reposition the three universities of agriculture as centres of excellence for the rapid development of the agriculture sector.
"There is no place where the competence and capacity to drive agriculture resides outside the Universities of Agriculture. We need to achieve a hunger-free Nigeria.
"Henceforth, students who are not interested in becoming farmers should be made to seek admission elsewhere.
"We are determined to offer you the necessary support for your transformation, for research for a healthier realm of discovery and self-actualisation,'' the minister said.
Mr Mohammed Munguno, the Chairman, House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, advocated a bill to establish the National Universities Agricultural Commission to regulate operations of the Universities of Agriculture.
He said that the National Assembly would amend their rules to make sure that the universities were adequately domiciled in the ministry for effective monitoring by the assembly.
"There is need either through an executive bill or bill to be sponsored by the House and Senate Committees on Agriculture for the establishment of the National Universities of Agricultural Commission.
"The commission will be charged with the responsibility of regulating the universities of agriculture to effectively perform their statutory roles in tandem with the laws establishing them,'' Munguno said.
Prof. Anya O. Anya, the Pro-Chancellor of the Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia, applauded the Federal Government for the relocation.
Anya, who raised concern over disconnect with the science and practice of agriculture in the country, expressed hope that the domiciliation of the universities in the ministry would reposition the sector.
Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Tuesday said the Government House was not a bank where people went to collect money but a place to render service.
Obaseki made this known while receiving executive members of Women's wing of All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state in Benin.
He assured the women of 35 per cent appointment in his administration but insisted that ''government house is not where you come to make money, but where you come to serve.
According to him, I don't have money to give anybody; the money I have is to work for the people.
"I can create money going by my experience as an investment banker; I can organise things and people must be ready to work,'' the governor said.
He told the women that the days had gone when politics was about money sharing.
''The question is what do you do with the political power. It is our level of commitment that gets us where we want to be.
''People should be ready to work. We should prioritise and cut waste because our biggest problem is waste.
''God chose me for a purpose to change things at this time and politics of money and sharing is not possible,'' Obaseki said.
He commended the party women for supporting him during the 2016 governorship poll in the state and urged them to be the vanguard of the new politics.
He called on the women to partner the government in the development of the state, especially in the area of ensuring quality basic and technical education for their children.
In her remarks, the APC women leader in the state, Dr Aisosa Amadasun, commended the governor on his victory at the polls and pledged their support to the success of his administration.
Amadasun said that the visit was to solicit the fulfilment of the United Nation's mandate of 35 per cent appointment position for women in his administration.
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources , Mr Ibe Kachikwu, said that Nigeria is capable of producing three million barrels of crude oil per day from the Niger Delta region.
Kachikwu stated this at a stakeholders' meeting organised by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs on Tuesday in Abuja.
Apart from the Niger Delta Ministry, the convener, the meeting was also attended by officials from the, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCD&MB), among others.
The minister said the insecurity in the region had been undermining the nation's capacity to realise its potential in oil production.
"It is important we continue to sustain the institutional engagement and negotiations which are key to the development of the region.
"Our target is zero militancy by the middle of 2017, and an incident reduction in the region by 90 per cent by 2018.
"We must resolve current militancy problems and bring back oil production to 2.2 million barrels per day," he said.
He lamented that over $40billion had been spent in 12 years and there were no infrastructures on ground to justify the huge expenditure profile.
Kachikwu said that a lot would have been achieved if there were zeal to collaborate in such a manner.
Kachikwu urged the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and other partners to commence immediate action in this regard.
Kachikwu said there was need to create stability incentive schemes, jobs and investment opportunities, so that the government would look at cross border investments to strengthen the region.
The minister said the government was introducing a joint account with oil companies to foster transparency in cash calls and ensure that inflows were clearly understood by all.
"We are targeting 30 per cent cost savings, which we can link to transparency.
"What is most important is not the amount of the fund; it's the conceptualization of that funding.
"Governors will have to come together as a regional block to look at cross-state investments in roads, railways, town facilities or specialist hospitals.
"We are going to pool in energy and ensure we look at cross border investments to strengthen the region" he said.
Kachikwu said government was also looking at the amnesty programme to absorb some of the trained ex-agitators in the areas of coastal patrol and Niger Delta paramilitary type organisations.
The Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), (retired) Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, in his remarks reaffirmed the readiness and determination of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration to find a permanent solution to the problems of the region.
Boroh, who doubles as the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, said that the current administration deserved cooperation and support for appreciating the environmental challenges of the region.
He disclosed that the ex-militants in the region were trained on fish farming, snail farming etc by the National Biotechnology Resources Centre, as parts of the Federal Government's efforts to gainfully engage them in responsible living.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, has called for collaboration with the nine oil producing states, oil companies and development partners to solve challenges facing the region.
Usani made the call at a stakeholders' meeting organised by the ministry on Tuesday in Abuja.
The meeting was attended by officials from the Ministry of Petroleum, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCD&MB), among other stakeholders.
Usani explained that many organisations and development Partners were working in the region without fully involving the state governors.
He said that his dream was to get every relevant agency involved in the affairs of the region.
The minister said the collaboration had become imperative because of the recent activities of militant groups and other criminal elements in the region.
According to him, such activities have greatly threatened the relative peace, which had hitherto prevailed in the region.
Usani said the ministry had been saddled with the responsibility of involving policies that would ensure the development and security of the region.
"In doing this, the ministry has the mission to formulate and execute plans, programmes and other initiatives as well as coordinate the activities of other stakeholders involved in the development of the region,'' he said
According to the minister, the region had been bedevilled by security challenges arising from gaps in job creation, poverty, hunger, environmental degradation, neglect and perceived discrimination.
"We are gathered here today to deliberate and chart a new course that will ensure relative peace.
"Government is desirous of dialogue with stakeholders on a way forward as the expectation are that the nagging security issues will be thrown up and comprehensively addressed," the Minister said.
He disclosed that the Ministry is restructuring key departments such as Community Development and Education, Housing and Urban Development, Infrastructure Development as well as that of Economic Empowerment.
Usam, however, noted that the ministry had recorded milestones in the past in human capital development.
He said this was done in various sectors such as oil and gas, agriculture, maritime, information technology (ICT) and entertainment in addition to other infrastructural development.
"Youths, who were trained in the International Skills Acquisition Centre in Israel, have been empowered by the Bank of Agriculture in collaboration with the ministry.
"Over 260 youths from the region benefited from mobile phone assemblage in Calabar.
"Other 30 youths were trained as seafarers to bridge the skill gap in the maritime sector and were awarded with certificates of international standard.
"It might also interest you to know that the ministry has embarked on construction of Skills Acquisition Centres in the nine oil producing states.
"The major problem militating against the completion is paucity of funds," he said
Usani said it was on that note the ministry sought collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCD&MB) with the view to developing institution of excellence in the Oil and Gas sector.
The minister disclosed that the ministry has acquired 270 hectares of land in each of the nine states to develop industrial parks.
"Many investors are interested: Industry-driven skill acquisition centres are being developed," he said
Usani acknowledged all the state governors and their representatives for demonstrating commitment for partnership toward the development of the region.
THE Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) yesterday in Abuja said it has concluded arrangements for the signing of a sponsorship deal worth a staggering sum of $12 million dollars. The deal is to run for five years.
This is as the president of the federation; Tijjani Umar revealed that the main intention of his board is to truly develop the game of basketball to the extent that young Nigerians will begin to show the same level of interest they have in football for the sport.
Umar who spoke at the Annual General Meeting of the federation said contrary to the thinking in some quarters that his board was putting all these efforts so as to earn another term in office, their primary aim was to build a federation which every basketball stakeholder will be proud to associate with.
"Honestly speaking, I have said it severally that I am not interested in election, my board is not doing anything because of election.
Umar, NBBF President
When the election comes if we win fine, if we don't whoever wins will continue from where we stopped and I personally will continue to support the federation in any way I can.
"I am happy that we have taken basket ball to a higher height and any true lover of the sport will attest to that fact. What matters for us is not whether we will return or not; we are happy that today Nigerian youths are embracing basketball more than they did in years past. For instance, the $12 million dollar sponsorship deal is largely for our league. Now there will be a lot of bonuses and incentives that will encourage these players to redouble their efforts and in the long run, the country will be the better for it."
Earlier, the marketing consultant of the NBBF, Kunle Raji said the $12 million dollar deal with an organization he refused to disclose will lead to the 'game changer league' which has never been experienced before in the history of basketball in the country. While extolling the efforts of the NBBF to develop the game, Raji recalled that under the present administration, the nation's senior men's team, D'Tigers have appeared in the last two Olympic Games in London in 2012 and Brazil in 2016.
He however charged both the NBBF and the players to be ready to redouble their efforts when the new season begins so as to ensure that the sponsors get the value for the money they are investing both in cash and kind.
In his remarks, the president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel tasked the NBBF to ensure that they harmonized their Constitution insisting such was the only way they can qualify to be affiliated to both the NOC and other international sporting bodies.
European transfer briefs on Tuesday, the final day of the January window:
Anwar El Ghazi (Lille)
Dutch international forward Anwar El Ghazi penned a four-and-half-year deal with Lille after joining the French side from Ajax. The 21-year-old scored 23 goals in 101 matches for the Amsterdam club and has been capped twice for the Netherlands.
Lucas Ocampos (AC Milan)
Italian giants AC Milan snapped up Argentine winger Lucas Ocampos on loan from Genoa until the end of the season. The 22-year-old was shipped to Genoa by parent club Marseille in June, with Ocampos scoring three goals in 17 appearances for the Serie A side. He arrives at the San Siro to offset the departure of French striker M’Baye Niang to Watford.
Taye Taiwo (Lausanne Sport)
Former Nigeria international Taye Taiwo could make his debut for Lausanne Sport on Sunday after signing a six-month deal with the Swiss outfit following his exit from HJK Helsinki. The ex-Marseille left-back, who won the French league title in 2010, has earned 54 caps for Nigeria and played for his country at the 2010 World Cup.
Trent Sainsbury (Inter Milan)
Australia centre-back Trent Sainsbury joined Inter Milan from sister club Jiangsu Suning, also owned by Chinese electronics retailer Suning, on loan for the remainder of the Serie A season. Sainsbury, 25, spent two years at Zwolle in the Dutch top flight before moving to China last January. He has played 21 matches for the Socceroos and was part of the side that won the 2015 Asian Cup.
Lagos – Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), said on Tuesday that the stability in the Naira exchange rate would eventually lead to its appreciation.
Gwadabe made the assertion in an interview in Lagos.
He said that some International Money Transfer Organisations (IMTOs) were on the verge of concluding plans with stakeholders in the forex industry to boost liquidity in the market.
The financial expert said that the stability been witnessed by the Naira at the open market was an expression of the ground work done by the CBN, the BDCs and other critical stakeholders in the forex market.
The ABCON chief explained that the increase in the nation's external reserves would also serve as a buffer in ensuring stability in the Naira exchange rate.
"We are happy that the Naira had remained stable for about two weeks running.
"This is attributable to many factors, including efforts by the CBN, the BDCs and the IMTOs to boost liquidity in the market.
"Many of these IMTOs have indicated interest in bringing their inflows into the economy, thus leading to the appreciation of the Naira,'' Gwadabe said.
The Naira had remained stable for close to two weeks, exchanging at N498 to a dollar at the parallel market.
In spite of the Jan. 23 and 24 Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the CBN, the Naira remained stable. =
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Tuesday, met with leadership of the National Assembly (NASS) in continuation of consultations between the executive and legislative arms of government over the 2017 Budget.
The meeting, held behind closed doors in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, had the President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and some cabinet ministers in attendance.
Addressing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Senate President said they discussed issues relating to the nation's economy, including the 2017 budget proposal before the NASS.
Saraki, who described the meeting as fruitful, revealed that they were updated on the proposed government's economic recovery plans, the road show for the sales of bonds and the 2017 budget.
According to him, the National Assembly has so far not encountered any problems with the 2017 budget.
"We are meeting on the economy and the budget; myself, the Vice-President and the Speaker, minister of budget and minister of finance.”
"We are aware that the economic team will soon be going on a road show and just to brief us and let us know the issues and just carry us along.”
"We have just started the defense so there are no issues; these are just consultations,'' he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Dec. 14, 2016, presented a budget of N7.30 trillion for 2017 before a joint session of the National Assembly.
The president explained that N2.24 trillion, representing 30.7 per cent of the budget, would be committed to capital expenditure aimed at pulling the economy out of recession as quickly as possible.
The capital expenditure was increased from N1.8 trillion in 2016 to N2.24 trillion in 2017 while N2.98 trillion was announced as recurrent expenditure for the 2017 fiscal year.
Lagos – A lawyer and rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, on Tuesday filed a suit seeking a restraining order on the appointment of a new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) other than Justice Walter Onnoghen.Malami, SAN and Onnoghen
Onnoghen, 67, Supreme Court Judge since 2015, from Cross River, a 1977 law graduate of the University of Ghana, Legon,and Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1978, was sworn in as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) by President Muhammadu Buahri.
Joined as co-defendants in the suit are the Senate, the National Judicial Council, Justice Walter Onnoghen and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Adegboruwa asked the court to direct that the name of Justice Walter Onnoghen be forwarded forthwith to the Senate for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
He asked the court for an order of injunction restraining the appointment of another candidate for presentation to the Senate for the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, apart from Justice Walter Onnoghen.
The lawyer argued that Onnoghen was the most senior justice of the Supreme Court who had been selected and recommended by the National Judicial Council.
Adegboruwa also asked the court to stop the Senate from accepting, deliberating upon or considering the nomination of any other candidate that may be forwarded to it, apart from Onnoghen.
The human rights activist also sought an order of injunction to restrain the National Judicial Council from entertaining any request to consider another candidate for the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Adegboruwa also prayed the court to direct Justice Walter Onnoghen to assume and take over the functions of the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria,''until he is confirmed or attains the mandatory age of 70 years.''
He further argued that it had never been the style of the executive to leave a vacuum in the highest judicial office of the land.
Adegboruwa stated that by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the President had no discretion in the choice of candidates to occupy the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, other than the person recommended by the National Judicial Council.
Abuja – President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung on the death of his wife, Mrs Briskila Dalung.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by Nneka Anibeze, the Special Assistant, Media to the minister, said Buhari commiserated with Dalung through the telephone from London.
The President prayed God to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest.
Buhari, who expressed shock at the death of Mrs Dalung which came at an unripe age, prayed that God would forgive her sins.
He also prayed to God to give the family she left behind the fortitude to bear the loss.
The President promised to support the Dalung family in their moment of grief.
Mrs Dalung is survived by her husband and five children.
She died after a brief illness on Jan. 29, in Jos.
Kaduna – Ahead of the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week starting on Feb. 1, a Muslim woman has donated chairs to Church and a pastor decorated a Mosque both in Kaduna to boost inter-religious tolerance and harmony.
Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani, a peace Ambassador, told newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday that the donation was also to promote mutual respect and better understanding between Muslims and Christians in the state and the country in general.
She said the World Interfaith Harmony Week was to promote peaceful religious co-existance and dialogue on peace, share love, unity and encourage togetherness, irrespective of faith.
The week, beginning from Feb. 1 to Feb. 7 every year extends the Two Commandments by adding "Love of the Good" and "Love of the Neighbour", she said.
She added that "the formula includes all people of goodwill. It includes those of other faith, and those with no faith."
According to her, the week is part of efforts to strengthen inter- and intra-religious relationship toward preventing and countering violent extremism and promoting peace building, reconciliation and conflict transformation, which is part of events of the ceremony worldwide.
She said that the week was also to celebrate the principles of tolerance and respect for one another which was deeply rooted in the world's major religions.
Tijjani said that the impact of ethno-religious and political crisis in Kaduna State some years ago claimed hundreds of lives and properties and damaged the hitherto peaceful co-existance enjoyed by the people.
She then called for the creation of institutes of comparative studies in the country, saying the institutes would promote better understanding, religious tolerance, forgiveness, reduce blasphemy tendencies and continuously preach peace and harmony between Muslims and Christians.
She noted that there were more than 6,000 religions in the world, most of which were different from the literate Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) that many people think of when they hear the word "religion."
"In order to make statements or generalisations about religion, the concept of religion, rather than a specific religion or group of religions, we need to engage in comparative study of religions so as to reduce ethno-religious attacks and blasphemy," she added.
As part of the week celebration, she decided to also include a package of gift items to the best Church/Mosque cleaners to encourage them in the service of cleaning the environment of holy places.
Pastor Yohanna Buru, the General Overseer of the Christ Intercessory Fellowship Church, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, who received the chairs, expressed happiness with the donation and appealed to Christians and Muslims to learn how to tolerate, accommodate and live in peace with one another to make the country great and peaceful.
Buru said that "the place of worship belongs to God; we must do everything possible to protect Mosques and Churches against destruction."
He added that "as the interfaith and harmony week commences, we are going to organise an endurance trek for Muslim and Christian clerics to create awareness on peaceful co-existance.
"We will also organise reading and writing competition among Muslims and Christians in schools and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to enhance understanding among youths."
He said the Church would also donate prayer mats and plastic kettles to some Mosques to reciprocate the gesture and to foster peaceful co-existence.
The World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly on Sept. 23, 2010 by King Abdullah II of Jordan and unanimously adopted by the UN on Oct. 20, 2010 and henceforth the first week of February was observed as World Interfaith Harmony Week.
The Week is based on the pioneering work of The Common Word initiative which started in 2007 and urged Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in dialogue based on two common fundamental religious Commandments; Love of God, and Love of the Neighbour, without nevertheless compromising any of their own religious tenets.
The Two commandments are at the heart of the three Monotheistic religions and therefore provide the most solid theological ground possible.
The Week provides platform for interfaith groups and other groups of goodwill to show the world what powerful movement they are as events are organised to buttress it.
Jose Mourinho has confirmed Wayne Rooney will remain at Manchester United for the rest of the season despite reports linking him with a move to the Chinese Super League.
The Chinese transfer window does not close until the end of February and the England forward's name has been linked repeatedly with astonishing offers from a country where professional football is enjoying an explosion in financial investment.
But Mourinho insisted Tuesday that Rooney, 31, will stay in his squad until at least the end of the season, despite having long since lost his status as an automatic first-choice at the club where he has been such a key player for the last 13 years.
"Yes,” said Mourinho when asked if Rooney, who recently became United’s all-time leading goal-scorer, will see out the season at Old Trafford.
“We don’t have players in, we don’t have players out, we lost two players from the squad,” the United manager added.
“You can say Memphis Depay (who joined Lyon in the January transfer window) and Morgan Schneiderlin (signed by Everton) did not play a lot, but the reality is they played some matches, and when they did, others didn’t, and when they played, others were rested.
Mourinho
“When Schneiderlin played, it meant (Paul) Pogba, (Michael) Carrick or (Ander) Herrera didn't. You lose players sometimes it does not look important because they were not first-choice players, but in the end they’re important if a club is going to have a difficult season.”
United are still active in four competitions — the Premier League, League Cup, FA Cup and Europa League — and Portuguese boss Mourinho has spoken repeatedly about his concerns at the lack of numbers in his squad.
Even though Rooney has seen his name linked with a move that could be worth up to £1 million a week in China, Mourinho has fought to keep him at the club, at least for the remaining four months of the campaign.
However, it seems increasingly likely the veteran England forward could still be heading for the Far East in the summer.
– ‘Know what I want’ –
The only player Mourinho feared he would lose before the English transfer window closed at the end of January was winger Ashley Young, who was also linked with China as well as Premier League clubs Watford, West Brom, Swansea and West Ham.
“He’s staying, he’s selected for tomorrow,” said Mourinho, speaking on the eve of Wednesday’s league fixture with Hull. “He stays with me until the end of the season. It’s finished.”
Mourinho, like most of the other managers near the top of the Premier League, has had a quiet January transfer window with the sales of Schneiderlin and Depay his only major business.
However, the United manager believes that January transfers are becoming increasingly difficult for the Premier League's leading clubs and the summer is now the more important period for team strengthening.
"I cannot speak for the other teams, their decisions, what they think," he said. "In our case, we are more focused on the summer period. I like my players, so nothing for me.
“The market closes today, so there is no point in me speaking about the next transfer window when we have so many matches to play, so much to fight for, so many good players to work with."
Abuja – The Federal Government on Tuesday said the decimated Boko Haram sect had refocused its resources to media war and propaganda against the nation.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, urged Nigerians, the media in particular, to unite against terrorism by denying Boko Haram platforms to propagate its ideology.
Mohammed said the decimated group had "shifted its strategy toward dominating the media space, propagating a perverted version of Shariah law and giving the impression that it is still holding territory''.
He said the propaganda strategy was discovered from materials left behind by the terrorists after they were routed from their last stronghold in Sambisa.
"The materials include documents, phones and computers that contained detailed information on the Boko Haram media and propaganda strategy.
"An analysis of the materials reveals Boko Haram's training in videography as well as how they sought and received training from other terrorists groups on video recording and manipulation.
"The documents, written in Arabic, also outlined the media strategy that Boko Haram Commanders should employ and how the surviving members should ensure the propagation of the Boko Haram doctrine using the Social Media,'' he said.
The Minister said the recovered materials confirmed the announcement of a new media wing called "Wadi Baya" (Clear Speech) by Boko Haram in an audio released by the group on Jan. 17, following its routing from Sambisa.
He said following the recovery of the treasure trove of materials from the terrorist group, the government, was therefore, calling on the media and the general public to be vigilant.
Mohammed said they should ensure that they did not unwittingly provide the terrorists with the oxygen of publicity that they desperately needed.
Coach Abubakar Bala, the Technical Adviser of Niger Tornadoes FC, Minna, has appealed to the Niger government to provide more funds to enable the club acquire quality players currently on loan from other clubs.
"We need to acquire these players and make them our property; it is the best way to make them put in their best," Bala stated in Minna, on Tuesday.
He said that the measure would ensure optimum output by all, in the ongoing 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
"So far, the state government has done well. But one area it must look at is the need for us to clear our players in order to own them.
"If the players are cleared, they will not be moving from club to club on trials in search of greener pastures.
"They will be our property and concentrate on one club and give value for the resources spent on them,'' he said.
He regretted that 90 per cent of the club's players were on loan, and declared that the situation was not good for stability and growth.
"Immediately after our Sunday match against Enugu Rangers, for instance, one of our best players traveled for trials abroad.
"If he was our permanent player, he will not depart so casually," he said.,''
The coach also called on the government to redouble efforts toward completing work on the Bako Kontagora Memorial Stadium, Minna, to enhance performances.
"Playing our home games away from our home stadium is affecting our performances and chances of winning some of our games; we cannot rule out home advantage.
"Too much money is spent on hosting our matches in Lokoja, our temporary home. Aside the expenditure, this is very stressful,'' he said.
He said that the team had a target to surpass its 11th position in the 2015/2016 campaign.
"In the 2016/2017 NPFL season, we want to be among the first 10 on the table by the time league is concluded,'' he said.
He said that the management and technical crew had done a lot to put the players together.
"We have put in much and expect lots of positive results,'' he said.
Bala explained that 70 per cent of the players were new and needed time to play together in order to blend.
"When they understand themselves, the results will be there for all to see," he said.
Malam Mamman Musa, the Commissioner for Youth Affairs and Sports Development, recently advised the coach to resign, if the team continued to lose matches.
The club had since gone on to beat Wikki Tourists FC 2-0, and secured a 1-1 away draw against defending champions, Rangers International FC in Enugu.
Musa has, however, assured the technical crew that the ongoing rehabilitation work at the stadium would be completed before the commencement of the second stanza of the league.
Owerri – A leading communication company in Nigeria, MTN Communications has been accused of defrauding some indigenes of Umukaram Amato-Amaraku in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, Imo State.
Speaking on the issue on Tuesday, the spokesman of the family, Mr Chibuike Unugo said that MTN Nigeria misled them and fraudulently acquired their land.
"The land in dispute rightfully belongs to Unugo's family. The struggle started in 2006 when an MTN land negotiator, Mr Chinagorom Iwunze approached the family to enable the communication company mount its mast on the disputed land.
"Iwunze came back to lure another family member, Mr Isaac Unugo to sign some documents and presented N 300,000 to him.
"Iwunze promised that a lease agreement and entitlement will be concluded after installation of the mast.
"He never fulfilled his promise after the installation and construction work was concluded,'' he said.
He lamented that when they intensified agitation to recover their right, the company brought out a fake document of an outright sale as opposed to the initial lease arrangement.
According to him, the company has resorted in using all manner of intimidation to deny them of their customary right.
Unugo called on the relevant authorities, especially the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and the security agencies to come to their aid.
When contacted the MTN Regional Legal Adviser, Mr Francis Okwunna, he said he was not permitted to speak on the issue, but acknowledged the land dispute between MTN communication and the family.
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