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The Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed during a factory tour of the Innosson Motos manufacturing plant in Nnewi.
Lai at Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd plant in Nnewi, AnambaraVehicle manufactured Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd plant in Nnewi.Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited, Chief Innocent Chukwuma (right), conducting the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (middle), on a facility tour of the company in Nnewi, Anambra State on Monday.Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited, Chief Innocent Chukwuma (right), conducting the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (middle), on a facility tour of the company in Nnewi, Anambra State on Monday.
By Emmanuel Elebeke Nnewi – The Federal government has extolled the doggedness of Innosson Motors in vehicle manufacturing and promotion of made in Nigeria products, despite the daunting challenges, saying that the company has put Nigeria on the global map of vehicle manufacturing.
Lai at Innosson
The minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed gave commendation on Monday during a factory tour of the Innosson Motors manufacturing plant in Nnewi.
With the success and achievements so far achieved by the company, the minister said Innsson ‘represents the new Nigeria that we are all clamouring for, a Nigeria that – in the words of President Muhammadu Buhari – produces what it consumes and consumes what it produces.’
“We are not visiting this factory merely for visiting sake, we are here so that we can also tell the world that there is a company that is already putting Nigeria on the global map of vehicle manufacturing, and that company is Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd.
“Having toured this factory today, I make bold to say that Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd. is a trail blazer in the automotive industry, and a shinning example of what Nigeria is capable of achieving if it looks inwards and taps into the boundless energy and ingenuity of its people.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited, Chief Innocent Chukwuma (right), conducting the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (middle), on a facility tour of the company in Nnewi, Anambra State on Monday
“True to its name, Innoson is a manufacturing company, not an assembly plant. It is exactly what the brains behind the National Automotive Industry Development Plan have in mind when they rolled out that policy, which is to curtail dependence on imports and ensure the growth of the Nigerian automotive industry, using local resources.
“Innoson is living up to what the policy aims to achieve: Creation of jobs, conservation of foreign exchange and acceleration of technical development,” he said.
Recall that the Federal government recently, through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Culture, rolled out the National Media Launch of the Made-in-Nigeria Campaign.
According to the minister, ”the campaign is to let Nigerians know that the Federal Government is not just paying lip service to this whole issue of Made-in-Nigeria. I have no doubt in my mind that with this company, Innoson, will be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, beneficiaries of this campaign, which we also intend to launch in other parts of the country soon.”
Mohammed who described Innosson Motors as a pointer to the realization of diversification plan of government called on state governments and Local Government Councils to key into the Made-In-Nigeria campaign by patronising Innosson motos and other local manufacturers.
Her also affirmed that the Federal government’s commitment to diversifying the economy is unwavering and also urged other tiers of government to key into the new executive order of Ease of Doing Business Initiative recently signed by the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.
A key provision of this is that all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall grant preferences to local manufacturers of goods and service providers in their procurement of goods and services. Specifically, it says Made-in-Nigeria products shall be given preferences in the procurement of items including furniture and fittings, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, ICT, uniforms and footwear, food and beverages and Innosson motor vehicles.
Speaking the advantage of Innosson motors over other brands, the minister said Innosson Motors have fuel efficiency advantage; warranty; no overheating; auto-financing guaranteed and environment-friendly.
“I have no doubt that this company will live up to the billing. Its record, within just a decade, confirms this: over 10,000 vehicles manufactured, over 7,000 human resources, and markets covering over 25 African countries.
“Just like this company pioneered the manufacture of Made-in-Nigeria motorcycle and helped to end the dominance of Tokunbo motorcycles, we have no doubt that it will also help us to drive tokunbo vehicles away from Nigeria.
“I challenge you to educate yourselves about Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, and to spread the good news to the world,” he added.
In his address, the Chairman of Innosson Group, Chief Innocent Chukwuma said the company had not been able to attain its full potentials due to low patronage, particularly the state and Local government Councils.
According to him, the Anambra state government has procured only 11 vehicles; IMO 400; Ebonyi 300 in the last one year with lesser patronage by other sister states.
With increased patronage, Chukwuma said, the company will not only take the manufacturing process from 60 per cent to 100 per cent by establishing engine manufacturing plant in Nigeria, which he said remains the only component he is currently importing from abroad.
He dismissed what he called the erroneous believe the company only assembles vehicles, but explained that the factory manufacture all forms of vehicles from the scratch to finish as is evidenced with the work going on in the factory.
Kanu came from nowhere, declared massively complied sit-at-home order and Presidency keeps mum? – Okupe
Former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe questioned the alleged silence kept by Presidency over so many issues threatening the unity of Nigeria as a nation, including recent massive agitations for the sovereign state of Biafra.
A statement signed by Dr. Okupe said the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and Director, Radio Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu came frome nowhere, declared a massively complied sit-at-home order and the presidency still kept mum over it as if nothing of such happened?
He added that while the South is united in demanding for the restructuring of the country, the North is united in vehemently opposing it, saying not even this threat made the powers that be to issue a statement towards solving the threats to the country's united existence.
"A young man, from virtually nowhere, issues a decree for a section of the country to stay at home. Surprisingly, there was maximum compliance even beyond his immediate natural constituency.
"Yet, the next day, the whole country pretends nothing has happened or at best, as if, it was an isolated event somewhere in Southern Cameroon.
Okupe
"About the same time, there was and still is conflagration, confrontation and war-like proclamations from major sections of the country on the persistent and perplexing call for Restructuring of the federation.
"Statesmen from the South threatened fire and brimstone that Nigeria will break up if restructuring is resisted by the North. Their colleagues from the North responded in similar vein, that if the country will break up because of their adamant position on Restructuring, then so be it.
" Yet, no word was issued from the official quarters on the very obvious and menacing threat to National unity and stability from all sides.
"Intriguingly all Southerners are united in the clamour for restructuring while all Northerners are united in condemning and or rejecting it… The grave implication of this confounding development, appears to be a non issue in government circles.Neither does it constitute a matter of urgent national importance in any of our legislative chambers.
"Ministers were nominated, screened by the Senate. One month down the line they are yet to be sworn in into their respective offices which have been vacant and therefore lacking leadership for several months. In current Nigerian parlance, this also is not an issue.
"An announcement was made that budget which is already over delayed will be signed on a particular day, only for this event to be cancelled unceremoniously and without any specific official explanation that same day.
"This is half way down the year and still life goes on without qualms. Indeed what manner of a Nation is this?
"How do we get our GDP to rise and for us to get out of this crippling recession, if there is no government spending to propel the economy? How can the government spend without the validly signed legal document. Was this not how we got into recession in the first place.
"When Fulani herdsmen go on rampage, the South is "rambunctious" but there is dead silence in the North.
"This is a nation where the the political elite class lie and are pretentious to each other. Everybody abhors and stay as far as possible away from the Truth. Everybody plays the Ostrich in this country.
"There are Northerners and Southerners in government and parastatals. They are also in Aso-rock; the seat of power. All busy with several schedules and meetings. In all of these sittings, these issues like plagues are carefully avoided.
"Yet, no supervising angels from above will come down to sort things out for us.
"We move slowly towards a state of ANOMIE, yet nobody attends to the real infirmity crippling the nation, officially.
"I say to this nation, to whosoever wants to listen, that ethnicity, not religion or corruption for that matter, is the greatest threat to the corporate existence of this nation, especially If we do not want to speak openly, earnestly and truthfully to one another about the problems confronting us and dividing us.
"We all have fears, we are all angry with one another, We distrust each other and we are dissatisfied with the ways things are.We don't even like solutions being proffered by various zones yet we do not want to discuss it openly.
"It is politically incorrect. But it is okay for us to clandestinely go to our ethnic caucuses to plot How to scheme out other nationalities or manipulate things in our own favour legally or illegally, justly or unjustly. For How long can we honestly manage the affairs of our Nation with such crudity and shameless degree of dishonesty and brazen selfishness.
"Do we have a Nation we can truly say belongs to us all. Have we ever had a government where we are all equal stakeholders? Have our officials, high and low divested themselves from crass nepotism and Prebendalism?
"If we don't have a nation, how can we expect development or prosperity?
"We need to talk to and with each other before this approaching or creeping darkness falls.If the South desperately wants restructuring; why? If the North is vehemently opposed to restructuring; why?
"Always, there is a middle road in all issues concerning national discourse, where there is genuine love of the Nation. We must find it, and we must talk about it; eyeball to eyeball and heart to heart. Enough of these pretensions.
"If 'not restructuring' will break the country, then 'restructuring or nothing" too, obviously will do same. Can that be our desire or ultimate objective after coexisting for over a hundred years and more than five decades of existence as a republic?
"I do not at this stage want to go into the merits and demerits of Restructuring .Today we are a Nation. If we must restructure or not we must boldly and sincerely come to a table and talk and agree one way or the other.
"Without doubt, it is regrettable and very shameful that very distinguished men and women will at public expense sit down and talk for over 6 months, spend more than N7billion, agree willingly on 600 items and all of a sudden, typical of us, declare it a non event."
Onitsha (Anambra) – Two armed men who have been terrorising Onitsha and its environs, on Monday killed two policemen and escaped with one AK47 rifle.
Upper New Market Road in Onitsha, Anambra State, File Photo
An eyewitness said the armed men, who rode on motorcycle, took the policemen unaware and shot them at close range near Tracas junction, Upper Iweka axis of Awada near Onitsha.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, said one of the policemen, an inspector, was rushed to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi but later died.
According to the source, the other police officer, a sergeant, died on the spot.
The deceased officers were on patrol when they met their untimely death.
The incident forced people around the area to close their shops.
Contacted, the Police Area Commander, Onitsha, Mr Yahaya Abubakar, who confirmed the incident, said he could not speak on the matter because it occurred at Awada, an area outside his command.
Efforts to get further details of the incident from Mrs Nkeiru Nwode, the state Police Public Relations Officer, were not successful.
The attack is the fourth of such attack in Onitsha and its environs on police officers since January.
By Abiola Gbemisola It is easy to quickly dismiss the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, as one who doesn't get his priorities right when you consider the news that he has appointed 192 Special Assistants from all the 192 wards in the 18 local government areas of the state to "serve as representatives of the government at the grassroots". But such conclusion can be reached when one is only thinking on the surface or doesn't understand the sense in the governor's action. If Governor Obaseki's decision appears as madness, to borrow the Shakespearean axiom, I bet there is unclouded method in it.
In that connection, I don't think the Edo governor should be flailed for walking his talk on making the government he heads closer to the people. While we can't roll out drums and celebrate this move, it's also untoward that we dismiss the man as confused. That he has chosen to appoint men and women from each ward in the state in order to distil valuable information on the pressing needs and challenges of the people all supports the view that his promise to run a government that listens to the people – the real employers – and champions in practical terms the principle of citizens' participation in the affairs of government is not a mere campaign slogan.
What is a government if the people it claims to serve are far removed from it? What is a government if it can't respond urgently to the travails and distresses of its people? If a government is really serious about involving the people, however far removed from the urban areas they may be, in governance processes, it must do everything necessary to accomplish that objective. And this, I would like to think, is what the reflective Governor Obaseki has done. This is a governor who upon being sworn in, post-haste, hit the field of work and results are coming forth already.
There is nothing in the conduct of the governor that indicates his latest big appointments are jobs for the boys, or a reflection of lack of what to do with money, or both. If there is one state government which can use every kobo it can get to improve the human condition in its territory, it is the Edo State Government, what with its many already outlined infrastructural projects and social programmes. The Governor understands that these are lean times financially for Nigeria. He can't be reckless in the way he spends what the state earns. The man we voted for can't be unreasonable as to enrich some few pockets with money under the guise of giving them work. If there is no strong need for them, they couldn't have been appointed.
Those appointed are called to serve and not to come and take their share of government's money. If the governor and his team have thus far demonstrated that they understand their mission to be service – complete service to the state –, I don't expect these Special Assistants would understand the opportunity they have to be to enrich themselves. They are to enrich the people by listening to them and despatching their grave concerns to the state government. The people in each of those wards must not only be listened to and their cases taken seriously, the policies and programmes of government must bring meaningful improvement to their socioeconomic situations.
Thus, rather than condemn Governor Obaseki as afflicted by the ailment called misplacement of priorities or insensitivity as regards the appointment of those ward aides, energies must be deployed into tasking the governor to ensure that his decision produces the expected results. We must call on the government to make sure that those appointed are truly serving and performing and not cheating the system or profiting at its expense.
I recall a part of the governor's submission in his November inauguration speech. According to him, "We do not have, do not claim to have, and, for that matter, do not wish to have, a monopoly on what is good for Edo State and its people". That utterance does show that the present administration is willing to tap from the deeper thinking and ideas of critics, intellectuals, and people of the state so as to accomplish its goals. That opportunity is available more now with those appointments. Let's all ensure the right fruits are harvested from them.
Calabar – The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, has warned ratings of the Nigerian Navy not to take laws into their hands in the discharge of their professional duties. •Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas Ete-Ibas gave the warning on Monday in Calabar after assessing the level of destruction of properties during the clash that occurred between the navy and police on May 30.
The CNS, who was represented by Rear Adm. Adeniyi Osinowo, the Chief of Training and Operations, Naval Headquarters, Abuja, described the clash as unfortunate.
On May 30, men of the police and the Nigerian Navy clashed in Calabar over some misunderstanding that occurred at the traffic post on IBB road.
During the clash, two policemen lost their lives while one navy rating was shot on his shoulder.
The Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. James Oluwole, the state Commissioner of Police Mr Hafiz Inuwa and other top security officer accompanied the CNS on the visit.
The CNS said: "at the Naval headquarters in Abuja, the collaboration and coordination between the navy and the police remains very strong.
"The relationship is still growing; nothing short of this is acceptable at your level as well.
"What ever has led to this incident, I want to also let you know that a joint investigation committee has commenced sitting to unravel the circumstances and apportion blame as necessary.
"You have the bigger responsibility to protect the peace and maintain the security of the environment, the state and Nigeria in general.''
Ete-Ibas said that Inuwa, the commissioner of police had assured the navy that the police would maintain peace and cordiality.
"An incident of this nature must not occur again. You are not permitted to take laws into your hands,'' he warned.
The CNS also visited the police officer that sustained bullet injuries at the police clinic as well as the naval rating who was injured at the navy hospital.
During a visit to the state deputy Gov. Prof. Ivara Esu, both security chiefs pledged to work together for the peace and safety of the state.
Esu, who said that the incident came as a shock to everyone, urged security agencies in the state to always promote inter-agency relationship.
"The state governor, Ben Ayade, has promised to take responsibility for all the damages that were done including payment of the hospital bills of the victims.
"I was consoled when security chiefs in the state rose up and step into the matter,'' he said.
Ivory Coast international midfielder Cheick Tiote has died aged 30 while training with his Chinese club Beijing Enterprises, his spokesman announced in a statement on Monday. Tiote
Tiote, who was part of the Ivory Coast squad that delivered the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations after a 23 year drought although he was injured for the final, had only moved to China in February after ending a seven year stay with English outfit Newcastle United.
“It is with deep sadness that I confirm that my client Cheick Tiote sadly passed away earlier today after collapsing in training with his club Beijing Enterprises,” Tiote’s spokesman Emanuele Palladino said.
“We cannot say any more at the moment and we request that his family’s privacy be respected at this difficult time.
“We ask for all your prayers.”
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez paid tribute to the talented Tiote, one of 10 children who like many of his international team-mates grew up in abject poverty and didn’t possess a pair of boots until he was 15.
“It is with great sadness that I have this afternoon learned of Cheick’s death,” Benitez told the Newcastle website.
“In the all the time that I have known him, he was a true professional, dedicated and above all, a great man.
“Our hearts go out to his family and friends at such a sad time.”
Tiote moved to Newcastle from Dutch side FC Twente in 2010 and made 161 appearances for the Magpies, scoring once — the equaliser when Newcastle recovered from 4-0 down to draw 4-4 with Arsenal in 2011.
The 52-times capped Tiote, who was in both the 2010 and 2014 World Cup squads, began his European club career with Belgian outfit Anderlecht but only played four times in three years with them — being loaned out to Dutch side Roda JC Kerkrade — before moving to Twente in 2008.
Newcastle said in a statement they were “devastated” whilst Alan Pardew, who was manager of Newcastle for a large part of the time Tiote was there said his goal in the 4-4 draw with Arsenal was an iconic moment of Premier League history.
“I’m devastated to hear the news about my former player and friend Cheick Tiote,” Pardew said in a statement, quoted by independent.ie.
“From the moment I arrived at Newcastle, Cheick was a wonderful presence around the dressing room and his performances on the field often defied belief.”
“I loved him. He’s everything that you want in a Newcastle player.
“To hear the news that he has passed away at the age of 30 breaks my heart and my sympathies go out to all his family and friends who will be devastated by this news.”
Jaiz bank has emerged the worst performing stock in percentage terms on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for the month of May.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that data obtained from the exchange for the month of May indicated that the stock dropped by 17.39 per cent, to close at 95k per share, as against the opening price of N1.15.
Mr Ambrose Omordion, the Chief Operating Officer, InvestData Ltd, linked the stock's decline during the period to its nature of banking business that emphasised on profit sharing, rather than interest on loans, charged by commercial banks.
Omordion stated that the bank's unimpressive 2017 first quarter numbers released in the market recently, contributed to the price depreciation.
NAN reports that the company on Feb. 9 joined the league of quoted companies on NSE with the listing by introduction of 29.46 billion shares of 50k each at N1.25 per share, worth N36.83 billion.
A further breakdown of the data showed that Mobil Oil trailed with a loss of 14.26 per cent, having closed at N284.65, as against the N332 achieved in April, while Seplat dipped by 14.15 per cent to close at N351 per share, as against the opening price of N410.
Learn Africa depreciated by 9.76 per cent to close at 74k, against its opening price of 82k, while Larfarge Africa dipped 5.73 per cent to close at N48, in contrast with N50.02 in April.
On the other hand, Fidson Healthcare was the best performing stock during the period under review in percentage terms, growing by 107.29 per cent to close at N2.28 per share, as against the N1.10 achieved in April.
May & Baker followed with a growth of 75.29 per cent to close at N1.49, compared with the opening price of 85k and FBN Holdings grew by 67.19 per cent to close at N5.30, against N3.17 in April.
Oando improved by 46.19 per cent to close the month at N8.45, against the opening price of N5.78, while AXA Mansard rose by 43.31 per cent to close at N2.25 per cent, in contrast with N1.57 per share posted in April.
NAN also reports that a total of 9.73 billion shares valued at N102.81 billion were exchanged by investors in 93.899 deals.
The Financial Service Sector was the most active, with a turnover of 5.61 billion shares worth N39.64 billion, transacted in 39,631 deals.
It was followed by Premium Board with an exchange of 2.38 billion shares valued at N32.69 billion in 18.685 deals, while Consumer Goods sold 509.19 million shares worth N16.50 billion, achieved in 12,433 deals.
Anti-corruption associations on Monday threatened to take the Nigerian government to court in connection with a contract won by Italian oil major ENI to operate a neglected oil refinery.
In early May, Nigeria’s junior oil minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu announced that ENI had pledged a $15 billion investment deal, which included the repair, expansion and management of a refinery in the oil hub of Port Harcourt. Buhari
The contract is part of a drive by the Nigerian government to privatise its dilapidated state assets.
But the anti-corruption activists warned the ENI deal may not have followed due process.
“This government is about to fall into the same abyss of corruption in the petroleum sector,” said the campaigners in an emailed statement.
“The deal is patently illegal, morally bankrupt and economically disadvantageous to Nigeria as a country,” said the statement, which was signed by 20 organisations including the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Nigerians Unite Against Corruption and Centre for Change.
“If we do not hear of an outright cancellation of this fraud within 48 hours, we shall proceed to court to stop the transaction,” it added.
On May 30, Nigeria’s Senate voted to stop the concession deal from going through, saying it lacked transparency. It has now set up a committee to probe the circumstances of the deal.
AFP contacted ENI for comment but there was no immediate response.
President Muhammadu Buhari rode to power in 2015 vowing to stop the plunder of state funds and clean up the notoriously corrupt oil and gas sector.
The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Sunday succeeded in breaking the ice of hostilities between his Ekiti State counterpart, Ayo Fayose and
Governors Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state and Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state with members of the oil marketers association
who had been at loggerheads over the sitting of some filling stations in the state.
The Ekiti State Governor commended the swift intervention of the Governor of Osun in resolving the lingering crisis which had led to acute scarcity of oil products in the state.
The truce reached on the intervention of Aregbesola led to the end of the three week old industrial action embarked upon by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
NUPENG suspended the strike with immediate effect.
Governors Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state and Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state
He said the existing unity among the Yoruba has got to the extent that issues can be resolved in any part of the region be it Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Lagos states.
Fayose said the idea was to further strengthen the existing unity and love among the leadership of the region regardless of political ideology.
Governors Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state and Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state
According to him, resolving the matter in Osun was a clear demonstration that Yoruba people are one.
“I appreciate Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun for this peace process that we have been able to achieve.
“The government and the people of Ekiti state highly appreciate the swift intervention of Osun state government led by Governor Aregbesola.
“This is a manifestation of the spirit of togetherness, love, unity and harmony among the people of this region.
“This is done in the spirit of understanding of Yoruba nation as being demonstrated today that we are one nation and indivisible entity.
“What happened today shows that we have the capacity to resolve issues as states in the region without any external intervention.
“Some people will ask why the Ekiti state government has come to Osun to resolve the matter. But whether is Osun or Ekiti, what is important is that we have resolved the matter and reached a common ground.
“It shows that Yoruba people are one and as well remain indivisible.
“All parties involved have signed a communique and we are going to respect all what is in the communique and we will by the communique just as the committee will be given free hands to work to give a lasting solution to forestall such crisis in the future,” He said.
Ogbebor reiterated that the two parties have agreed to set up an ad-hoc committee which will after the suspension of the strike oversee the need to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
The communique reads in part: “An ad hoc committee be constituted to fashion out in clear terms the conditions and guidelines for the establishment and operations of filling stations in Ekiti State.
“The committee comprising representatives of Ekiti State Government and oil and gas stakeholders shall commence work on Wednesday 7th June, 2017
“In the spirit of reconciliation, Ekiti State Government agreed to pleas for reversal of the revocation of some Certificates of Occupancy of landed properties on which filling stations are built, except the ones on waterways, canals and where there is no justification for such revocation;
“In that same spirit, the government agreed to stop further demolitions pending the outcome of the committee's report.
“Consequently, the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and other related oil and gas unions hereby suspend the industrial action embarked upon by their members, with immediate effect.
The communique was Signed by: Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, his Osun State counterparts, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola,
NUPENG General Secretary, Joseph Ogbebor,
IPMAN Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Debo Ahmed
PTD NUPENG, National Vice Chairman, Comrade Solomon Kilanko
In his remarks, Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola commended the maturity of the leadership of NUPENG and IPMAN exhibited in resolving the crisis between them and the government of Ekiti state.
He expressed profound gratitude and high sense of understanding displayed by the leadership of the Ekiti state oil marketers, saying it has shown that dialogue remains the best method of resolving conflict.
Aregbesola added, “Since this matter has been resolved, I am happy that this brings a permanent peaceful coexistence between the two parties in the state.
“It is believed that this resolution will bring an everlasting and evergreen cordial relationship between and the unions."
Osun State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Honouirable Najeem Salaam has passed the 2017 Appropriation Bill of N146,632,746,980.Rauf Aregbesola
The passage of the budget followed a motion by the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Kamil Oyedele after the report of the committee on the consideration of the budget was considered and adopted at the Committee of Supply.
According to a statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the budget, as approved has recurrent expenditure of N76,315,496,240, while capital expenditure is N70,317,250,740.
The Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, had on December 21, 2016 presented a budget of N138.2 billion before the parliament for consideration. The budget was jacked up by the parliament in the course of its consideration.
Explaining the reason for the delay in the passage of the budget, Salaam said, it was delayed due to the method adopted by the parliament, called Executive Budget Session to further look deeper into the budget and make it more realistic.
He said, it was part of the strategy of the legislature to scrutinize the budget agency by agency to ensure that they generate enough revenue for the implementation of the budget.
According to him, after assent to the budget by the governor, the executive can swing into action and start the implementation of the budget in line with its contents and expectations of the people of the state.
The speaker said that the parliament would follow the implementation of the budget and monitor it to the letter to ensure that the purpose of delaying it is well served.
Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has revealed his intention to work with the European Union (EU) to discourage and penalise offenders caught promoting illegal migration, while also noting that his administration would collaborate with the EU to drive economic development.Gov. Obaseki presenting a souvenir to the EU ambassador to Nigeria, Michel Arrion
This was at the Edo State Government House in Benin City where the EU ambassador to Nigeria, Michel Arrion disclosed that the union was currently working with 10 states in development, trade, Investment and Migration.
Meanwhile, he indicated reciprocal intent to partner with the government of Edo state to boost job creation in the state, adding that the state's agrarian resources could be of immense advantage to solving many problems.
On illegal migration, he explained that while the EU welcomed migrants, it was against illegal migration, which had led to the death of many Nigerian youths in the Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea.
Governor Obaseki, meanwhile, commended the EU for its support to Nigeria, especially the Niger Delta Support Programme and Rural Financing Programme, adding that his administration had outlined short, medium and long term programmes to revamp the.
"We want to enact relevant legislation to deal with the criminals who promote illegal migration and we will need your support to help us prosecute the perpetrators at the international level", the governor said.
President Donald Trump on Monday seized on the London terror attack to demand the US ban on travelers from some Muslim countries be reinstated, sparking a diplomatic row with Britain and jeopardizing his legal defense of the measure in the process. US President, Donald Trump In the wake of Saturday’s deadly attack, Trump renewed calls for a travel crackdown, while attacking London’s Muslim mayor, the media, Democrats, judges and opponents who accuse him of playing the politics of fear.
Trump has made combatting jihadists a central plank of his political appeal, using deliberately inflammatory rhetoric and attacking the “political correctness” of those advocating a nuanced approach.
The “special relationship” with Britain became the latest casualty of that hardline stance Monday.
With the seven victims of Saturday’s attack not yet buried, Trump repeatedly criticized London Mayor Sadiq Khan, whom he accused of playing down the terror threat.
Khan had warned Londoners that an increased police presence in the wake of the attacks was nothing to worry about.
Trump misconstrued that statement, and went on to accuse Khan of making up a “pathetic excuse.”
“We must stop being politically correct and get down to the business of security for our people. If we don’t get smart it will only get worse,” Trump said.
Privately, British officials — many of whom call London home — were incandescent with rage.
Prime Minister Theresa May, who is under growing pressure to denounce Trump ahead of Thursday’s election, came to Khan’s defense.
“I think Sadiq Khan is doing a good job and it’s wrong to say anything else — he’s doing a good job,” she said, despite the pair being from opposite political parties.
May had already faced pressure to criticize Trump or even withdraw his invitation for a state visit after he pulled out of a global climate deal and edged away from collective security arrangements under NATO.
Khan, London’s first Muslim mayor, told Sky News he had “better and more important things to focus on” than responding to Trump’s tweets.
In the United States, many veteran diplomats and officials decried Trump’s remarks.
“To my friends in the UK: I apologize for this,” said Ben Rhodes, a former national security aide to Barack Obama.
– Supreme Court – Trump also found himself in hot water over his tough-talking tweets defending his ban on travelers from several Muslim countries, which is currently stalled in the federal courts.
The White House has struggled to prevent the measures from being permanently struck down, insisting it is not a “ban” and does not target Muslims — which would almost certainly be unconstitutional.
But Trump did not mince words.
“People, the lawyers and the courts can call it whatever they want, but I am calling it what we need and what it is, a TRAVEL BAN!” he tweeted.
“In any event we are EXTREME VETTING people coming into the US in order to help keep our country safe. The courts are slow and political!” he said, attacking the judiciary in a way that is rare in American politics.
The husband of senior Trump aide Kellyanne Conway was among those who warned those remarks may pose legal problems for the administration at the Supreme Court.
“These tweets may make some ppl feel better,” George Conway said on Twitter, but “certainly won’t help” get five votes on the Supreme Court.
In a rare move on Friday, the Supreme Court expedited consideration of the case, ordering the American Civil Liberties Union — which represents the plaintiffs — to respond by June 12 to the Trump administration’s petition for court consideration.
Once it receives the response, the high court could quickly rule on whether to take up the case.
Trump called Monday for a “much tougher version” of his travel ban and an “expedited” hearing for the measure before the Supreme Court.
Trump issued his initial travel ban by executive order in January, but that measure — which banned entry to nationals from seven countries for 90 days and suspended the nation’s refugee program for 120 days — was quickly halted by the courts.
He then issued a second version, but that too was put on ice.
BY: Kingsley Omonobi Abuja – The Nigerian Air force on Monday disclosed that its resolve to sustain its humanitarian efforts for Internally Displaced Persons and other support in the Boko Haram ravaged North Eastern part of the country has paid tremendous dividends as most of the affected communities and IDPs now cooperate and provide useful information in the fight against terrorists.
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar who made the disclosure in Abuja, said "Without the soft approach, something that is known in the military as winning the hearts and minds of the people in the communities and the IDPs, you cannot win the counter-terrorism war".
The CAS, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, NAF HQ, Air Vice Marshal James Gbum during the presentation of 4, 000 Cartons of Indomie for IDPs by Tolaram Africa, noted that because of the fear, intimidation, and dehumanizing treatment in the hands of terrorists, if the people are not happy, synergize and give useful information, which we call intelligence, it would be difficult to operate in the terrain.
"That is why we embarked on numerous support services like building of a level 2 hospital in Bama where all the IDPs are given free medicare. We are also providing water, free medical checks and treatment of ailments like breast Cancer, etc.
Commending Tolaram Africa for providing the support, AVM Gbum noted that a key element in winning the hearts of the IDPs is by ameliorating their suffering through provision of such items like foodstuff, clothing's saying, "Without food, clothing, water, medicare, many IDPs would die".
Earlier, Managing Director of Tolaram Africa, Mr. Deepak Singhal noted with great interest, the Nigerian Airforce humanitarian concern over the plight of the IDPs in the North East especially Dalori and Bama.
"We have also seen the NAF's intervention effort to the nutritional needs of the IDPs. This is why we are here to support NAF in its humanitarian intervention to the nutritional needs of the IDPs at Dalori and Bama in the North East of Nigeria" he said.
Singhal added that, "Since business can only thrive in peaceful environment, we are happy for the effort the Nigerian Airforce in conjunction with other security agencies in the country are making to ensure a safe environment for Nigerians and foreigners alike".
While commending the leadership of the NAF under Air Marshal Abubakar, Singhal said, "It is therefore important for us as a company and beneficiary of the dividends of the security and safety it is guaranteeing the country, to proudly identify with the NAF."
In the bid to douse and calm the temperaments of some of the Reps members who voted for the passage of the South East development bill that was rejected by the majority of the house and the common masses who thought that the Reps rejection of the bill was a wrong approach, Hon. Sunday Karimi, PDP, representing Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopa-muro, Kogi State enumerated what seems to be the reasons behind the rejection of the bill.
These according to Hon. Sunday in Channels television includes:
1. They brought the bill as a result of agitations from their people.
2. looking at the common interest of Nigeria as a nation not a specific zone, i.e South East region.
3. Military governments contributed immensely in the development of South East region after the civil war.
4. Government after government has done a lot for the development of the South East.
5. When the bill for the development of North East was passed in the house, we have know reason not to accept it because of the Boko haram things going on cum the destruction of properties.
6. Speaker rejecting the bill for the development of North Central.
7. Where will the funding come from?
These and so many other reasons were held responsible for the rejection of South East development bill by the house of representatives.
Former media aide to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Pastor Reno Omokri, has said that he has taken up the challenge to prove that the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed is a liar. He also went ahead to list what he said to be the many lies of Lai Mohammed, adding that the minister almost lies for a living.
There is no constitutional crisis in Nigeria, with President Muhammadu Buhari's medical leave in London, according to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu.President Muhammadu Buhari and Aisha Buhari and grand daughter
In a statement today, Shehu dismissed an article by a so-called Nigerian historian, Max Siollun, which speculates that Nigeria faces imminent political and constitutional crisis on account of President Buhari's absence to attend to his health in London.
The contentious article entitled "The Gentleman's Agreement that Could Break Apart Nigeria," was published in the United States-based Foreign Policy magazine.
Garba said the article was a "needlessly sensational and exaggerated speculations by conspiracy theorists".
He said it was misleading for the writer to compare President Buhari's case to that of the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, adding that the circumstances are completely different.
According to Shehu, unlike President Yar'Adua, President Buhari has duly complied with the constitutional requirements by formally notifying the National Assembly of his intention to go for medical treatment and handing over to Professor Yemi Osinbajo as Acting President.
"While Yar'Adua was too severely ill to transmit a letter formally to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, President Buhari is not in such medical state, and therefore, the country is not currently facing any complications on account of his absence."
The media aide noted that under President Yar'Adua, there was uncertainty about the role of the Vice President because the late President was not in a position to formally transfer power to his deputy, which necessitated the resort to the doctrine of necessity to enable Dr. Goodluck Jonathan act in his absence.
Malam Shehu explained that, currently, none of these circumstances prevail in Nigeria on account of President Buhari's absence for medical treatment.
According to him, having transferred power formally to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, President Muhammadu Buhari did not leave Nigeria with any power vacuum, adding, therefore, that any suggestions of uncertainty or constitutional crisis are imaginary and exaggerated.
He explained that with the Acting President Professor Osinbajo already running the affairs of the country in the absence of President Buhari, people should stop creating artificial fears of crisis or uncertainty, noting that governance has not ground to a halt because President Buhari has duly complied with the constitution.
Malam Shehu appealed to conspiracy theorists not to pollute the polity by needlessly seeking to create an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty and suspicions in the country.
The Media aide said that the President publicly admitted he was sick and taking treatment and that he never pretended about his health condition with that open admission.
Edo state governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Monday, outlined part of his administration's agenda to salvage forest resources from degradation, revealing that in addition to the GPS land imaging system commissioned in Benin four months ago, a firm had also been engaged to capture another 2000km.
Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki
He made this known in Benin City during the 2017 World Environment Day themed "Connecting People to Nature", which, he also noted, was the biggest annual environment event in the state, while calling on Edo citizens to acknowledge the importance of protecting the earth against abuse by mankind.
In addition, the governor restated that a Forest Commission would be carved out of the Ministry of Environment to deal with issues related to forestry management, noting that that the cleanup process executed at Ring Road would be replicated clinically in other areas of Benin City, such as Oregbeni and Ekiosa markets. This, he explained, would help the state reclaim its aesthetic value and facilitate as well as justify making Edo an economic hub for investment to thrive.
With the government already in talks to make the popular Ramat Park more lucrative, a Green Square made up of young men and women would also be set up to work with the forest commission and plant trees with an annual government incentive of N500 per 10 trees, while an agency for Parks, Gardens and Cemeteries would be set up.
Meanwhile, an environment expert, Giwa Bisirodupe, presenting a paper, called on the State government to restructure the forest laws for sustainable forest management, restoration and protection, even as he also enjoined the federal government to preserve her forests by planting at least 1,000,000 trees annually to increase her forest land area from the present 2% to 40 %.
The Edo state chapter of the State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), on Monday, called for interested individuals to apply for employments, which were vacant in the education board, noting that the vacancies were only open to current staff of the Edo State Civil Service as well as those who registered in the ongoing Edo Jobs programme.
A statement released from the Office of the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Godwin Obaseki, revealed that applicants interested in the appointments were to apply to the Office of the Interim Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, Benin City with 5 copies of their applications, which should contain a typewritten cover letter detailing sustainability for the position and curriculum vitae.
It would be recalled that Edo State had earlier called for unemployed citizens of the state to register in the ongoing Edo Jobs initiative, which was established to collate biodata of unemployed people in the state and match them with jobs when available. This was pursuant to Governor Godwin Obaseki’s promise to provide at least 200,000 jobs for unemployed citizens in the state.
The statement further revealed that the prospective applicants would still undergo written and oral interviews as well as computer proficiency test, while the applications would close by June 19 this year
Meanwhile, interested applicants were requested to visit the SUBEB application website, www.bemis.edostate.gov.ng, for more information on the positions available.
