A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
ABUJA- DEPUTY Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has described the death of the former Taraba State governor, Danbaba Suntai as an incalculable loss to Nigeria as a country. Former Taraba Governor Danbaba Danfulani Sunta.
In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media, Uche Anichukwu, deputy Senate President while reacting to the news of the death of the former governor, said that Suntai gave a good account of himself as a politician, public administrator and party man.
Ekweremadu said: "This is an incalculable loss not only to the people of Taraba State, but also to the Peoples Democratic Party family, and the nation in general. We had all prayed for his full recovery following the air mishap of October 2012.
"This is a very sad news, for he was a leader that loved his people, for he gave a good account of himself as a politician, public administrator, man of peace, patriot, party man, and nation builder. He will be sorely missed, but like all great men, he is immortalised by his selfless service to God and humanity".
Ekweremadu who condoled with the family of the late politician, Government and good people of Taraba State as well as the entire nation, also prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased.
THE Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria, MWFAAN, has unveiled 'search' for young social innovators and changemakers through its Beyond School Community, BSC, challenge for secondary school students across the country.
This was disclosed by the Vice President, MWFAAN, Grace Ihejiamaizu, who explained that the BSC challenge provides a platform for teams of outstanding secondary school students to create community development projects that capitalise on people's ideas and talents as the pillar for making social and economic impacts.
The participating students are expected to be guided by advisors and supported by their schools, the students are to take an over-reaching idea and a hands-on entrepreneurial approach that empowers people to collectively tackle community development-oriented challenges.
Ihejiamaizu further stated that all applications received will be duly scrutinized and judged by MWFAAN panel judges. Each participating team will receive a feedback regarding the outcome of their applications.
Five finalist teams will receive invitation to the Pitch Competition and Summit in Lagos, Nigeria. In addition, the top three winning teams will receive exciting cash prizes, mentoring and educational grants. A Teacher Prize will be given to the most outstanding and committed teacher.
She said: "Nigeria needs more social innovators and changemakers who will take action towards solving problems. The question this challenge poses to our young ones is, 'If you could solve one problem in your community, what would it be? We want them to identify problems within their communities and propose solutions that have both social and economic impact.”
"We need to foster collaboration among our future leaders and empower them to develop skills that will transform their lives and our nation. The competition is open to secondary schools students in rural, as well as urban areas within the age range of 13-18 throughout the country. For more information on how to apply, please visit www.beyondschoolchallenge.com."
According to her the conditions interested students should adhere to include identify one significant problem in a specific community and propose an innovative solution with social and economic impacts, build a team comprising of 3 students in the age range of 13 to 18 and select a teacher as an advisor.
"Take YALI Learn courses online with the help of the advising teacher. Where it is not possible to completely access the courses online, MWFAAN will assign a fellow or a YALI network member to facilitate the courses offline, design a viable solution to the problem identified using a unique business model with the help of the teacher", she added.
According to her the proposed solution significantly addresses at least one relevant target of Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, submit an online application and upload the certificates of the YALI learn courses before the deadline of July 19, 2017.
Following the quit notice issued Igbo by the Northern Youths Coliation Forum, (NYC), Mr. Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, aka, ‘Charly Boy’ in a viral online video advised Bifran agitators who are angrily bent to have referendum, plebiscite and a separate country from Nigeria, to calm their temperament,return home and help in harnessing the key industrialized areas (Onitsha, Nnewi, Aba etc), in the South East.
According to him, “Let it be well to all the Igbo listening to me. “I know that Nigeria has shattered, Biafra is on everyone’s lip, please don’t be angry for the injustice meted on us by Nigerians. ‘Let’s use our brains in this critical period. Please let’s look inward on Biafran land, places like Aba, Nnewi and Onitsha. Lets help in harnessing these areas for tomorrow, thus to have a place to run to if we are chased out, he said.
Furthering his advice, the area boy quizzed, ” Talking about ‘Biafra’, who will lead us? Is it 419ners, (Fraudsters), criminals and saboteurs, no he forcefully abhorred. “I know all of us are angry but I said unto you today to calm down my people, whether they like it or not, in a due time our tension will be doused.
‘I want to use this opportunity to advice my fellow Igbo to calm down, ‘onye ajuru adighi aju onweya’ meaning ‘rejected people do not reject themselves’. Let’s use own brain, trade with caution and harness our place”, he finally said.
Voters in Osun West Senatorial District have been urged not to associate themselves with deceitful politicians who suddenly joined politics for personal reasons.
APC campaign for the Osun West Senatorial District By-Election
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state including the state party chairman, Prince Gboyega Famoodun, the state APC Secretary, Alhaji Rasaq Salinsile, APC Osun West Senatorial Leader, Alhaji Yinusa Amobi, Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Elder Peter Babalola among others reiterated this in Iwo/Ayedire/Ola-Oluwa federal constituency during the APC Campaign for the July 8 By-Election in the district.
According to the leaders, voting the APC candidate, Senator Mudashiru Husain, in the polls will provide a platform for dividends of democracy to spread to the grassroots.
APC campaign for the Osun West Senatorial District By-Election
The State APC Chairman, Prince Famodun noted that the PDP Candidate, Ademola Adeleke is a selfish politician who suddenly joined politics to serve his pocket.
He told the electorates to vote a responsive, charismatic, experienced, progressive and result-driven candidate because that will in turn benefit the populace.
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the July 8 by-election, Senator Husain appreciated the people for their support over the years urging them to replicate this in the forthcoming election.
Husain promised to serve the electorate better than he did in 2011-2015 sojourn in the Senate adding that the development of the people is his major priority.
Lokoja – A group, Aggrieved Constituent Voters in Kogi West senatorial district, says there is no going back on the recall of Sen. Dino Melaye who represents the constituency at the Senate.Sen. Dino Melaye
The leader of the group, Mr Olowo Cornelius, made the statement while addressing news conference on Wednesday in Lokoja.
He said that the recall bid was premised on lack of performance and total disconnect between the senator and his constituents.
"The recall of Sen. Dino Melaye was entirely initiated and is being pursued by constituents of Kogi West Senatorial District.
"This is after having had enough of Dino's unbearable utterances, conduct and misbehaviour both in and out of the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly coupled with his total disconnect from the people he claims to represent.
Cornelius said the group was poised to make history in the country as the first constituency to recall a lawmaker for performing below expectation.
He accused Melaye of abandoning his constitutional duties for trivialities and described the senator as "a huge embarrassment'' to the people of the western flank of the state.
He also accused Melaye of embarking on "fruitless attempt'' to discredit his recall by claiming that some personalities in the area like the late Prince Rotimi Obadofin was included in the signatories of the recall register.
He described the claim as not only "demonic, but grievous wickedness to the resting soul of the deceased politician.''
Cornelius urged Melaye to be patient and wait for verification to ascertain the signatures.
He expressed delight that the action to recall Melaye was yielding positive results as the emattled lawmaker was now on his toes attending to the needs of the people of his constituency.
According to him, nine constituency projects awarded by the senator but abandoned in the area are now "seriously" receiving attention as he had mobilised contractors to site.
He said that four constituents had benefitted from car donation from the senator, adding that the recall bid had forced Melaye to do what he ordinarily would not have done.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Mr. Ike Ekweremadu, has described the death of the former Governor of Taraba state, Mr. Danbaba Suntai, as a great loss to the nation.
Ekweremadu made this known in a statement by his Special Adviser, Mr. Uche Anichukwu, on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said that Suntai gave a good account of himself as a politician, public administrator and party man.
"This is an incalculable loss not only to the people of Taraba, but to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family, and the nation.
Dambaba Suntai, former Taraba governor is dead
"We had all prayed for his full recovery following the air mishap of October, 2012.
"This is a very sad news because he was a leader that loved his people, gave a good account of himself as a politician, public administrator, man of peace, patriot, party man, and a nation builder.
"He will be greatly missed, but like all great men, he is immortalised by his selfless service to God and humanity."
Ekweremadu condoled with the family of the late politician, government and people of Taraba.
He also prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased.
The Police in Borno State on Wednesday refutes claims by the leader of the dreaded Boko Harm terrorist group, Abubakar Shekau.
Abubakar Shekau in a video had said that he his group had abducted about ten policewomen during an abashment in Borno recently. Shekau
"We have confiscated several cars, and we have also taken women, among them were top policewomen. God had given the senior policewomen to us as slaves and has put them in our custody, we that are known as the Jamaatu Ahlil Sunna li Dawati wal Jihad, which they call with the derogatory name as Boko Haram.’ Shekau said
But in swift reacting, Wednesday, the Borno state police command refuted Abubakar Shekau claims saying ‘For avoidance of doubts, and to put records straight, there are no Police women under Boko Haram terrorist's captivity as claimed by the sect leader.’
The police statement signed by DSP ISUKU VICTOR read thus ABDUCTION OF WOMEN POLICE PERSONNELAND WIVES OF SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS:- Police denies Shaku calim on kidnap of Policewomen The attention of Borno State Police Command has been drawn to media reports over the attack by Boko Haram terrorists on Military/Police escorted convoy at Abari/Dalwa village Maiduguri/Damboa highway on 20th June, 2017 at about 1130hrs.
According to one of these reports, that "sixteen (16) female passengers in the bus trailing the ambulance carrying late Sgt Rahila's corpse were Police women and wives of Policemen asked to accompany the burial party. And all of them were taken away by BHT".
2. In another recently released video on You-Tube where Boko Haram claims responsibility for the attack on military convoy, its leader Abubakar Shekau, claims to have women Police personnel and wives of Senior Police officers in the custody of the Boko Haram.
3.For avoidance of doubts, and to put records straight, there are no Police women under Boko Haram terrorist's captivity as claimed by the sect leader. The Command wishes to reiterate as contained in an earlier Press Briefing by the Commissioner of Police, CP Damian A. Chukwu, on 20/06/2017 that: Police lorry with Reg. No. NPF 2677 D was carted away.
Occupants comprise personnel, relations and burial party for late Sgt Rahila Antikirya. Driver of the Police lorry, Sgt Kubura Mwada, was shot and injured on his back. He was able to jump down from the lorry and escaped.
Personnel missing are Inspr Fatsuma Sale and Cpl Abubakar Haruna. There is no evidence in the video clip indicating that they are in the captivity of the sect.
Other occupants of the lorry are either relations or sympathizers of the deceased, and were all reported missing in the earlier press briefing. They took advantage of the space in the lorry conveying personal effects of the deceased Police woman and joined the burial party.
4. The Command therefore wishes to advise media organisations and the general public to disregard the claim(s) in the video, as well as social media reports as they are not a true representation of that unfortunate incident.
Former Taraba state governor, Mr. Dambaba Suntai, who survived an air crash at the Yola Airport in 2012, is dead.
He died at home on Wednesday in Houston, Florida, in the United States.*Suntai at the airport File
He is reported to had brain injuries arising from the plane accident
Mr. Emmanuel Bello, a former Commissioner for Information in the state, broke the news of the death.
The former governor, who flew the light plane, crashed in October 2012 and had not recovered fully since then.
He became governor of Taraba state in 2007 and was sworn again on May 29, 2011 for a second term.
A pharmacist by training, Suntai enrolled for training as a pilot at the Nigerian College of Aviation in Zaria in 2010 and was thus licensed.
Prior to his plane crash in 2012, Suntai had been flown to Germany for medication after returning from his annual leave in August 2009, following a sudden ailment that was suspected to have developed from food poisoning.
On his return from Germany, Suntai spoke at the opening of a three-day regional convention of the Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship International in Jalingo, where said his meal was actually poisoned.
He had had several successful flights with his private aircraft even while piloting the affairs of Taraba State as governor.
But his current travails started precisely on October 25, 2012, when a private plane he piloted crashed in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
After receiving the initial treatment at the Adamawa Standard German Hospital in Yola he was later transferred to the National Hospital Abuja on October 26, 2012. From there he was flown to Germany and was later taken to a rehabilitation centre in the United States for further medication.
After 10 months of medical sojourn overseas, Danbaba Danfulani Suntai finally returned to the country on August 23, 2013.
After weeks of political intrigues in the North-East state based on claims and counterclaims over his health status, it was revealed that the former Taraba State governor was not healthy enough to live in Nigeria without adequate treatment, or to govern a state.
He was subsequently flown abroad again for treatment, even as his then deputy, Garba Umar, was empowered by the Taraba State House of Assembly to fully take over the ship of the state in acting capacity.
He was brought back in the build-up to the 2015 elections and remained confined in Jalingo until after the change of guards on May 29, 2015.
Suntai was born June 30 1961 and attended the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he studied pharmacy.
By Abdulwahab Abdulah Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike a.k.a. Evans, the suspected billionaire kidnapper, has dragged the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and three others before the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged illegal detention.
EVANSJoined as respondents in the motion he filed by his lawyers are the Nigeria Police Force, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State Police Command.
In a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed on his behalf by a Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, the suspected kidnapper is praying for the order of court to direct the respondents to immediately charge him to court if there is any case against him in accordance with Sections 35 (1) (c) (3) (4) (5) (a) (b) and 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In the alternative, he prayed the court for an order compelling the respondents to immediately release him unconditionally in the absence of any offence that will warrant his being charged to court.
The Federal Government has announced its readiness to roll out the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in broadcasting in all the six geo political zones in the country in the next few weeks, as a practical demonstration of its commitment to the DSO project.The Control Room at Pinnacle Communications, Signal Distributors for Abuja Digital Switch Over
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the announcement in Quincy, U.S., on Tuesday during a meeting with the executives of Gates Air, a market leader in transmission solutions for broadcast network operators.
The Minister said the DSO, which was first launched in Jos in April 2016, is ready to be rolled out in six states across the country Kaduna, Kwara, Delta, Enugu, Gombe and Osun – covering the six geo-political zones.
He said the switch over from analogue to digital television is ”irreversible” because the DSO is a ”game changer” that will bring immense benefits to Nigerians and help the government to achieve one of its cardinal goals, which is the diversification of the economy.
Alhaji Mohammed said the meeting with the US company, which is a key player in the DSO process, further confirms the government’s commitment to the project, which has also been launched in Abuja.
”The DSO is very important to this Administration, because of the limitless potentials that it represents. For us as a government, DSO goes beyond just receiving digital transmission but an avenue to create jobs and ignite the huge creative potentials of our youths. It is also a solution to some of the intractable problems affecting the Creative Industry, including piracy and distribution,” he said.
The Minister, who led a Nigerian team that includes the Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on DSO, Hon. Sunday Katung, and the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Malam Ishaq Kawu Modibbo, inspected the facilities at the company’s sprawling factory, where several equipment meant for the DSO roll-out are currently being manufactured.
”Seeing some of the equipment being shipped to Nigeria for the DSO project has reinforced our belief in the ability of Pinnacle Communications Limited (one of the two signal distributors for the project) to meet its roll-out targets,” he said.
For his part, the Chairman of the House Committee on DSO said he is in Quincy, home of the 95-year-old Gates Air, as part of efforts to ensure that the DSO process goes smoothly.
”We seem to be heading in the right direction, after several misses, and I can now confidently speak on the project when I return to Nigeria,” he said, describing Pinnacle Communications Ltd and Gates Air as reliable partners.
Also speaking, Malam Modibbo assured that the DSO project will be delivered on a modern platform because of the wonderful partnership involving the Ministry of Information and Culture, the NBC and the signal distributors.
The NBC Director-General described as a source of pride the benchmark set with the Abuja roll-out of the DSO in December 2016.
Welcoming the delegation to his company, the Chief Executive Officer of Gates Air, Mr. Phil Argyris, assured of the company’s readiness to work with Nigeria to ensure the success of the DSO project, saying: ”We never let our customers down.”
Other members of the Nigerian team are the Chairman of Digiteam, Mr Edward Amana, and the Chairman of Pinnacle Communications, Sir Lucky Omoluwa.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – Kano state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has weighed in on the recent ‘quit notice’ issued the Igbo by a coalition of northern groups, saying the Igbos in his state and “everybody is now an indigene of Kano”.
Speaking Wednesday in Abuja when he visited the national Secretariat of his ruling All Progressives Congress APC Ganduje also commented on the recent face off with Emir Muhammadu Sanusi, saying: “I am not aware of any compromise by the State Assembly but I know that I personally wrote to them, asking them to discontinue the investigation because of so many requests by some highly placed individuals in the country.
“Clearly the reasons were mentioned in the letter to the State Assembly and was widely published in the national dailies. We just had a successful Sallah celebration and it was peaceful”, he said.
On the quit notice, Ganduje said: “Nobody has quit Kano; they said they are not going anywhere and we too, we told them that they were not going anywhere. So, it is an issue that we in Kano want to show to be an example of national integration, therefore, in Kano we are dialoguing with the people and in fact we have even abolished the issue of indigene versus settlers. Everybody in Kano is an indigene of Kano but there are some indigenes of Kano with primordial claims elsewhere which is a fact.”
He said Kano would continue to set the pace on issues of national integration, urging Nigerians in the state to go about their normal businesses without fear of molestation.
Academic and non-academic staff of the University of Maiduguri (Unimaid), have appealed to the Federal Government to approve funds for the construction of perimeter fence round the University to address the current spate of suicide bombings.
Unimaid ASUU Chairman, Dr Dani Mamman, made the appeal on Wednesday in Maiduguri while briefing newsmen on behalf of other unions which include SSANU, NASU, NAAT and SUG.
"We advocate for the immediate construction and fortification of the perimeter fence which is porous and easily accessible by the misguided suicide bombers.
"In this regard, we implore the Federal Government to give special consideration to the management request for funds for the project," Mamman said.
He also urged the government to approve the request of the management for the procurement of modern security equipment to ensure security at the university.
"Given the place of science and technology in the 21st century, we strongly believe that the use of modern security equipment is a better option of providing policing.
"We urge the Federal Government to give immediate attention to management request on the two projects which amounted to N2.8 billion," Mamman said.
The ASUU chairman added that no amount of money was too much to save lives.
"We believe that no amount of money is too much to save lives of over 40, 000 staff and students that have bravely refused to give up to the ideology of the Boko Haram insurgents that forbids Western education.
"Those staff members that braved the dreaded insurgents and remained to teach deserve special consideration and commendation by Federal Government," Mamman added.
Newsmen report that Unimaid had witnessed several suicide bombings lately.
The latest attack took place on Sunday in which over 16 persons were killed.
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano says his administration is determined to make the state a true example of national integrity and a home to all Nigerians irrespective of cultural affiliations.
The governor made this known on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking with newsmen on recent calls for the restructuring of Nigeria by some All Progressives Congress (APC) members.
He was at the secretariat to attend a meeting between members of the party`s National Working Committee (NWC) and the governors elected on its platform which was later rescheduled.
Ganduje who condemned the ultimatum given to Igbos leaving in the northern part of the country by youths to leave the region by Oct. 1, said the ultimatum was not necessary.
He explained that his administration had abolished the indigeneship status in the state, adding that all residents were regarded as its indigenes.
He said that the APC as a party would soon come up `with a concrete pronouncement' on the agitation to restructure the country by some people.
The governor said that his administration would continue to provide training to improve manpower and to better the welfare of the less privileged in the state.
He said that in spite of the economic situation in the country, his administration had ensured regular payment of workers' salaries in the state.
This, he said, was made possible because it was able to reduce the cost of governance by reducing the number of ministries in the state from 19 to 13.
Ganduje said his administration was able to block all avenues through which public funds could be siphoned as well as ensuring an effective tax regime in the state.
"Our goal is to tax the rich so that we can get enough money to improve the lives of the poor in the state,'' Ganduje said.
The Edo House of Assembly on Wednesday confirmed 18 nominees as commissioners in the state.
Governor Godwin Obaseki had on June 20 forwarded the 18-man list to the house for consideration and confirmation.
The confirmation of the nominees followed the recommendation of the House Committee on Rules, Business and Government House.
Presenting the report, the chairman of the committee and Majority Leader, Mr Foly Ogedengbe, said the nominees were educationally qualified to be appointed as commissioners in the state
Ogedengbe thereafter presented the report to the House for consideration.
The House consequently adopted the report of the committee and confirmed the nominees as commissioners.
Meanwhile, the House is to hold a Public Hearing on a bill for a law to enact Edo State Control of Nomadic Cattle Rearing/Grazing Law scheduled on July 6.
By Anayo Okoli. UMUAHIA – SEVEN pro-Biafra groups Wednesday agreed to work together under the leaders of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, with the aim of achieving faster the their quest for referendum that will lead to the emancipation of Republic of Biafra.
Nnamdi kanu
The groups said that they decided to work together so that they would be speaking with one voice seeking for one objective of securing the Republic of Biafra.
Well over 5000 people from the various groups converged on Afaraukwu, native home of Nnamdi Kanu to witness his appointment as the over leader of Biafra.
The groups were the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Biafran Revolutionary Organization, BRO, Eastern People Congress, EPC, Joint Revolutionary Council of Biafra, JRCB, Biafra Liberation Crusaders, BLC, and Salvation People of Biafra, all of who agreed to work indiscriminately with the Nnamdi Kanu led IPOB to pursue the Republic Biafra.
Rising from a closed down with Kanu, Comrade Uchenna Madu addressed journalists on their decision. He said the decision was to work together and speak with one voice under a central leader, saying however that all the groups still exist but would be speaking with one voice more so as the quest for referendum hits up.
A cross section of members of the various pro-Biafra groups that converged in Umuahia to name Nnamdi Kanu the leader Leader and arrowhead of the agitation for Briafra Republic
"Distinguished members and great people of Biafra and supporters of divine mission of emancipation of the land of Biafra from the oppressing Nigeria State, we salute you. Today as we stand in this holy land of Bifra in unique and brotherly gathering to honour our own brother who distinguished himself in the self determination struggle for Biafra actualization and restoration.
"Today in honour of our supreme leader, Chukwu Okike Abiama and in remembrance of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, we the people of Biafra under the representation of all the pro-Biafra groups hereby adopt and declare our brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as the new leader of Biafra Nation, whose under his leadership, through the grace of Chukwu Okike Abiama shall the people of Biafra rest.
"Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's leadership shall bring unity, peace, progress and brotherly love among the esteemed people of Biafra through the instrumentality of mutual and intimate understanding among the pro-Biafra groups", the declaration read by MASSOB leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu said.
Kanu Reacts In his reaction, Nnamdi Kanu said that he was humbled by the decision of the various groups and assured that h would not let them down.
"I am humbled by this decision of the groups, we started together and we have all ended up together because we are sincere and purposeful. I am not in the habit of letting my friends down, that thing you said I cannot do is what I will down.
"Everybody will be carried along; if I am invited for any meeting I will take some people along. Today is a great day for Biafran all over the world. Today we have shamed our enemies think that we cannot come together, who think that if when we get Biafra we will kill ourselves, we have shamed them".
In answer to a question, Kanu said he did not believe in the restructuring of Nigeria being called by eminent Nigeria, saying that Nigerian Government would not keep any agreement reached in the restructuring exercise.
According to him, it is a referendum or nothing. He said that Aburi agreement was reneged by Nigerian Government and that the 2014 National Conference was dumped where it was coated by dust until the Biafra agitation became intense and it was remembered.
On whether the IPOB has formerly written to the United Nations demanding referendum, Kanu said that the best letter was the continuous civil disobedience which he said serves as "handwriting on the wall for the Government, they wake up to see it every day".
"We are going to compel the powers that be to recognize the inevitability of the referendum. Man made the law, man will change it. We will continue to deploy civil disobedience. It is not war, it is self-determination", Kanu said.
UN OBSERVER.
A United Nations observer, Prof. Nwaimo Emma was around yesterday to see what was going on.
According to Nwaimo, who said he is a professor of religion, he was overwhelmed with the crowd he saw and said that he would report back to the United Nations the true position of what he observed.
WE HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN IGP
Meanwhile, the leader of Afenifere Youths, Eric Olawale has said that the Afenifere youths have totally lost confidence in the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris over his failure to arrested the Arewa Youths who gave the Igbo quit notice from the North.
Olawale also said that they have lost confidence in the Northern governors over the same issue, saying with their action they have failed to provide leadership.
Olawale who said he was in Umuahia in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu and other pro-Biafra groups, said that they are also keenly interested in having Oduduwa Republic.
He said that they came to give support to Kanu because they all part of Southern Nigeria, and will not watch and see their brother being punished.
By Ben Agande Kaduna – Heavily armed security operatives from various arms of the security services led by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on Wednesday stormed the Kaduna residence of former Vice President, Namadi Sambo in Kaduna State.Namadi Sambo
The operation which lasted several hours saw the operatives cordoning off the No 1Alimi road residence of the former number 2 man while some of the operatives went into the residence ostensibly to carry out a search.
The operatives came in two vehicles, a Coaster Bus and Toyota Hilux Van while a third vehicle, a Toyota Corolla car was used to block the entrance to the street where the house is located.
An eye witness, a residence of the area told journalists that the operatives were were aggressive as they threatened to shoot any unauthorized person that got close to the residence.
“They came at about 3.00pm and left at about some minutes to 5:00pm.As they came they warned that anybody that move would be shot,” the resident said.
It was further gathered that the operatives came in with equipment, ostensibly to overcome any challenge they may face.
“When they came out, they look so rough, an evidence that maybe they break into some areas(ceiling) in the house. We saw police, SARS, DSS and we are trying to confirm from them their mission and they told us that they are here to search. “They threatened to shoot us. They blocked all the road leading to this place,” a resident told our correspondent.
He continued, “this is their fifth time in three months that they came to this house.”
An attempt by journalists to find out the motives of the Security agents was resisted as they threatened to shoot anybody that came close to the house.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has extended the deadline for stoppage of issuance of physical dividend warrants in the nation's capital market to Dec. 31, 2017.
Mr Naif Abdussalam, SEC Head, Corporate Communications disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos.
Abdussalam said that the deadline was extended to give room for investors to key into the e-dividend payment platform.
He told journalists that the extension became necessary to perfect the commission's rules on issuance of dividend warrants that was exposed to the public a week ago.
Abdussalam stated that the commission's issuance of dividend warrants would be a thing of the past by Dec. 31, 2017, with the amendment of the rules and keying into the e-dividend payment platform by more investors.
Newsmen report that SEC had in 2016 announced June 30, 2017, as deadline for issuance of physical dividend warrants to shareholders by quoted companies to tackle unclaimed dividends and mitigate the risks associated with warrants.
He also said that SEC had extended the underwriting cost of investors e-dividend registration to Dec. 31, 2017 from against the earlier underwriting deadline of June 30, 2017.
Abdussalam said that the deadline was also extended to give room for enrolment of more investors in the e-dividend payment platform.
"E- dividend simply refers to an online system of paying dividends to investors when companies declare dividends, which are the profits meant for investors, rather than send it by post, they will just wire it to the investor's bank account.''
He stated that the commission's decision to continue to underwrite the cost till Dec. 31, was part of its developmental role to curb the menace of unclaimed dividend.
The commission's spokesman said that the e-dividend would strengthen the KYC of all investors in the capital market to curb unclaimed dividend and stopage of unauthorised sale of shares in the market.
Abdussalam added that lost of dividends would be a thing of the past with the e-dividend payment platform.
He said that the commission would continue to leverage on the BVN initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to boost investors' confidence in the nation's capital market.
Pressmen report that Mr Mounir Gwarzo, SEC Director-General at the Capital Market Committee meeting in May said that 2.2 million investors had mandated their accounts for the e-dividend payment policy as of April 30, 2017.
He stated that the commission would urge all listed companies to participate in the on-going enlightenment campaign on e-dividend by informing their shareholders at Annual General Meetings (AGM) on the processes put in place to increase the figure.
Gwarzo explained that the e-dividend form could be obtained and properly filled at bank branches or in the office of a registrar and stock broking firms, or could be downloaded and filled by individuals.
He added that the major aim of the e-dividend payment system was to curb unclaimed dividends in the market, noting tha unclaimed dividend figure was reducing due to the e-dividend.
Newsmen also report that major shareholder groups in the capital market had been calling for the extension of the deadline to allow more investors to embrace the initiative.
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has called on the Federal Government to drive the growth of the non-oil sector through enhanced participation of the Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) sector.
Mrs Nike Akande, the President, LCCI, made the appeal in Lagos during the celebration of the UN Day for Micro, Small and Medium-Scale Enterprise.
Newsmen report that the UN on April 6 in New York adopted a resolution recognising the crucial role MSMEs play in economic growth for sustainable development.
Following the resolution, June 27 of every year has been set aside globally to commemorate Micro, Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises Day.
The maiden edition of the MSMEs Day in Nigeria was organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday.
Akande said that the non-oil sector guaranteed a more sustainable growth beyond the volatility of oil prices in the international market.
She said that the chamber was passionate at seeing the private sector empowered in order to positively impact on job creation, poverty alleviation and supporting economic development.
"We therefore recommend that the current reform efforts are sustained to ensure stronger and sustainable businesses in Nigeria.
"There is a need for a stable policy and regulatory environment that supports the reforms on the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
"Issues of taxation, trade and foreign exchange policies should be managed in line with international best practices.
"This should take into consideration policies that facilitate trade, attract foreign investment and protect businesses from avoidable regulatory pressures," she said.
Akande said that with the right policy environment and provision of needed infrastructures, Nigerian entrepreneurs were resourceful and diligent to fully contribute to economic recovery and growth.
Mr Ronald Kayanja, the Director, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), said that MSMEs were vital in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in promoting innovation, creativity and job creation.
According to him, efforts to enhance finance for MSMEs across key sectors of national economies is important to implementation of SDG Goal 8 of creating decent work and economic growth; and Goal 9 of creating industry, innovation and infrastructure.
He urged the banking and financial institutions to create a tailor-made intervention that would ease access to finance for MSMEs.
World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua’s possible rematch with Wladimir Klitschko could be staged in Las Vegas, promoter Eddie Hearn said on Wednesday.
Joshua, the IBF and WBA heavyweight champion, is waiting to see if terms will be agreed with Klitschko for another bout after the British fighter’s thrilling victory over the Ukrainian at Wembley in April.
Hearn has held talks with Klitschko’s manager Bernd Boente and told Sky Sports News: “We’re getting close now to identifying the real options in terms of venues and locations.
“Vegas has taken a little bit of a front-runner in those. I know the British fans would love to do a trip out there for Joshua-Klitschko.
“Nigeria is still in the mix, Dubai as well, and of course Cardiff. But like I said, Vegas has probably got its nose in front at the moment.
“I think in the next week we’re looking to present all those opportunities to Wladimir Klitschko and his team.
“Speaking to Bernd Boente this morning, I feel like it’s going to take that special event to make this fight.”
No comments:
Post a Comment