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
The Kaduna State Police command, on Friday, denied reports in some section of the media that 20 people were kidnapped on Wednesday along Abuja-Kaduna express way. It said rather, only two persons were kidnapped while three others were robbed.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Agyole Abeh said this at a news conference in Kaduna.
"The Command wishes to state that, there was no report of such incident and the story is entirely a fabricated falsehood intended to create fear in the minds of citizens.
"It is pertinent to note that command has not relented in acting on reports on the suspected activities of criminals in the state."
The commissioner, who was represented by his deputy in charge of operations Abdulrahaman Ahmed, said the command had only recorded an incident where five persons driving along Kaduna-Abuja express way were attacked and three of them were robbed while the other two were kidnapped.
"When the report reached us the Command's technical and human resources where deployed to ensure the rescue of the two victims and the arrest of the culprits.
"In view of the foregoing, there is no way 20 people could be travelling inside one car can be kidnapped without trace or a report to the police by the relatives of the victims or witnesses to the crime," he said.
The Commissioner urged the press to always cross-check their facts before publishing any story.
"All accounts of criminal incidents or stories should be verified before publication to avoid being involved in sharing mischief."
He also advised those who patronise the social media to be wary of stories they share especially if they have questionable sources.
This video exposes the danger behind leaving ones child in a vehicle. It was gathered that over 575 people have lost their lives as a result of vehicular suffocation. The kid seen in this video suffered suffocation as a result of vehicular heatstroke. As our constitutional social responsibility, Vanguard advises parents, guardians and drivers not to leave their child inside their vehicle no matter what or how important what they are chasing is.
About 20 people were abducted by gunmen along Abuja- Kaduna expressway on Wednesday.
Those abducted were on their way to Kaduna when they were forced to stop at about12: 30pm.
The armed men ordered the travellers to come down from their vehicles and herded them into the bush near Akilibu village.
A relation of one of the victims told newsmen that the news of the abduction was brought to them by a driver who escaped from the gunmen.
He said about eight vehicles were stopped and all the passengers and the drivers were asked to disembark and ordered to walk into the bush.
He said the kidnappers were yet to establish contact with the families of the abductees. "The driver said they were stopping vehicles as they were coming from Abuja in what appeared like an armed robbery operation.
"He told us it was after they stopped that they realised the passengers of the vehicles ahead of them were not in their cars," the relation was quoted to have said.
The source said the gun men were up to 30 in number.
The driver, the source said, was able to escape after he pleaded to be allowed to take a rest from one-hour journey in the bush.
The abductors agreed due to his age and his health condition but asked one of their men to stay with him until he was able to catch his breath.
He said when the kidnappers had walked some distance and were out of sight the man watching over him decided to track them so he could be sure of the route they were taking.
The driver said it was then that he decided to run away but that no one pursued him.
"When he got to the express way, he found his car with the others where they left them with the keys in ignition holes.
"He returned to Abuja and then alerted the relatives of the four of the kidnapped persons about what happened."
The family source confirmed that the kidnappers are yet to contact the family but said they had reported the matter to the police.
A statement from one of the family members, Danjuma Bello Sarki, gave the names of four of the persons abducted as Kazah Bulus (Kazzy), El-hajj Idrees Goga, Simon Terna and Al-Amin.
He said, "Up till now no news about them yet. This incident is one too many. More than 40 people in a span of two weeks. The Kidnappers are becoming emboldened day by day.
"It is so sad and scary that the Abuja-Kaduna road which is the major gate way to Abuja from the North West states of Nigeria has become a den of Kidnappers.
"Nigerians plying that road have become so helpless and at the mercy of God. Please let's put them, Kaduna State and Nigeria in prayers for God to help us put an end to this avoidable menace."
The police public relations officer ASP Usman Aliyu when contacted said a formal report was yet to be made on the incident but that the police would begin the process of investigation.
A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Jones Onyereri, (Imo-PDP) on Friday said aside corruption, high interest rate was another problem facing Nigerians.
Onyereri, who is Chairman of Committee on Banking and Currency, said this in Abuja while fielding questions from journalists on the unhealthy state of commercial banks.
He explained that when there was high interest rate and government took to domestic borrowing, it would introduce an artificial benchmark which would make it difficult to execute project.
He also identified high levels of non-performing loans as one of the problems of commercial banks.
Onyereri said that his committee was working to introduce a bill that would address the irregularities in commercial banks to further strengthen them.
"If you talk about the interest rate, it is one of our problems in Nigeria; it is a problem.
"I have said it to the regulating authorities, when you have a high benchmark upon which interest rates are introduced in the banking sector, and the government goes borrowing domestically at high rates, it introduces an artificial benchmark.
"In 2009, we had banking crisis due to high levels of non-performing loans.
"It is also worrisome that at this point in time, even after intervention, we still have the non-performing loans and that is why as a committee we have taken it upon ourselves.
"I believe the Speaker will be signing on our amendment on banks and other financial institution Act today (Friday), which will come up as first reading in the house.
"I believe that will change everything in the banking sector, because it doesn't make sense when you have insider abuse causing this high level of non-performing loans in banks. We need to put a stop to it.
"When the amendment is fully passed, I am not sure anybody in the banking sector, be you a director or even a managing director, will have cause to borrow a kobo from any bank without paying back.
"And, there is a limit to which you can borrow.
"For instance if the treasury bill goes for 18 per cent, what you are saying in fact is that the benchmark starts from 18 per cent because the banks will now be compelled to add their cost of funds.
"By the time you add all those things, you will be having up to 20 per cent or 30 per cent.
"If in the Fiscal Responsibility Act contractors are allowed a leverage to make a 30 per cent profit and then you borrow money at 30 per cent.
"What that means is that from the first day you assign any contract it was billed to fail.
"This is because the person ultimately is expected to make profit, a return on investment.
"The person may give a 100-per cent profit margin. If a 100-per cent margin contract is placed, where will the government execute that?
"That is why they collect money and run away with money. So we need to sit back and tell ourselves the truth. In all other climes what adds to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is Small and Medium Enterprises (SME).
"Nigerians are intelligent and creative. The point is, is there any credit accessibility? What is the cost of funds?
"No body is borrowing, nobody is working, and that is why we are in a recession because recession is purely lack of production.'' he explained.
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Stroke and Heart Attack
Short-term serious side effects of Viagra are strokes and heart attacks. When you use Viagra or any of those blue pills continuously its causes stroke. This is because Viagra causes a strong flow of blood to your man-hood so as to force an erection.
This of course would affect the blood pressure of your body system.
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At 80 years, prolific author, human rights activist, fashion designer, community leader Chief Mrs. Adaobi Whyte must have seen and read plenty.
With five books to her credit namely; Abuse of the Nigerian child, Plight of the Nigerian woman, Dr. Peter Otunuya Odili; Threading the path of Destiny (a biography), Ndoni Kingdom and peaceful coexistence and her latest offering, How Africans vandalise Africa (Focusing Nigeria), Adaobi Whyte has tried to entrench her style and character upon her avid readers
In this chat, she reveals that those books enjoying great reviews from readers worldwide never came from the brains of a formally educated person but from the unwavering audacity of someone who never passed through any secondary schools or any universities.
Adaobi Whyte
Second shocker was that she painstakingly wrote them while lying down on her bed no thanks to her debilitating battle with a back ailment that has caused her not to sit comfortably for too long.
With several books to your credit, writing seems to come easy to you…
Noooo ..hahahahah. It does not come so easily o especially with my protracted illness. My perpetual back ache makes it very difficult to sit down properly. I have written all my books lying down on the bed. The back pain never allows me to sit on the table. I believe it is the grace of God that has made these possible.
And to realize that you did not have formal education…
I even marvel at it myself considering my level of education and just thank God. I formed the habit of reading from youth and from there I developed interest in writing. You see, God has taught me many things in all aspects as I just end up writing just like that. I taught myself by practicing and taking it as a hobby and improving on my reading as well as my writing.
I also taught myself dress-making. However, I regret that even with the many years I spent learning all I have taught myself, I still possess no certificates to show. So let my books become my certificates. Teaching yourself takes many more years than being taught. You learnt by trial and errors, by failing and trying harder until you conquer. In area of dress making and fashion designs, it took me many years as I never went to pay any one to teach me. I started by practicing. As a young woman I had no machines. All I did was to continue to cut materials and borrowing sewing machines from older women. It was like this until I discovered paper sewing patterns at Kingsway store. This discovery helped me improve my interest and to develop until I was able to set up a fashion school, Suedest Fashions at Tejuosho street, near Barracks Bus stop, Lagos. This fashion house and school ran for many years until I retired
Your latest book is being talked about worldwide…what did you try to address in it?
How Africans vandalise Africa, focusing Nigeria is a book that exposes and laments the destiny, slave mentality and wickedness of the black man. The indigenous slave trade, the cross Atlantic slave trade, importation of artificial Christianity and Islam into Africa, religious exploitation, commercialization, fanaticism and hypocrisy, colonization and independence and how Africans have engaged in vandalisation and destruction of the continent since independence. They have enthroned themselves as slave masters, dictators and sit-tight leaders, creating obstacles to the development of the rich continent.
You just marked your 80th birthday…life must have taught you plenty?
At 80 years I give glory to God because everything I have done, I have always done them naturally. People often ask which schools I attended and I often tell anybody who would listen to me that I attended God's Natural School and I have graduated in colors from that institution with the highest awards and certificate presented to me by Almighty God himself. This makes me different. My ideas are a bit different from those who attended orthodox schools.
And when I write, it is not cosmetic. You feel the raw things as I feel them as an African living in Africa. People often tell me I should not write the way I write. They wished I were more cosmetic. That is why I have written this book; How Africans vandalise Africa in a very raw way. This kind of book has not come out of Africa before now. Africa prefers praise singers who say you are giants while you are not.
Tell me more about this journey to self development
I recall my journey of self development started when I started work at Nigeria Industrial Development Bank which has now become Bank of Industry. It was then run by Late Mr. Gamaliel Onosede. I worked as receptionist in an environment filled with educated women. Most of them had returned from Europe and Americas and other overseas countries and occupied different departments of the company.
As we worked together, they kind of dragged me up in terms of etiquette, eloquence and poise. I was brushed clean. They bought different kinds of newspapers and magazines like woman's own, women's Digest, etc. I joined them in reading whatever they had to read that it became a habit.
Many who know you may have tasted your life of activism, where do you trace this character?
I think my interest in activism and issues of human rights is inborn. My people still wonder why I was born a woman rather than a man. They wonder how a girl child should come in my mold as I interact with men more than I do with women. I like to be talking about social development; I mean issues men talk about rather than talk more about food and fashion.
My husband helped me in nurturing this knack for self development by buying me interesting books which I read voraciously. I developed my world view causing people to think I had been abroad. My farthest journey outside this country has been to South Africa for treatment. And it was a few years ago. I have never been to Europe or America.
You talk often about the tragedy of the black man..could you elaborate?
I started my mental development drive from learning about my personal history including my home town of Ndoni and then spreading across Nigeria and its governance. I also read about other peoples of the world. I found out that the black man is the most wicked to himself. He does not like or love what belongs to him. He hates his brother so treats him like a slave. Asians also suffered colonization. Rome colonized Britain, Britain colonized America.
Yet after colonization, they all stand up and pick up. Now why must the black man continue to blame colonialism for his problems all his life? As I continued to follow up on my readings, pause and ponder, I discovered that there is no race in the world that hurts his brothers and sisters more than the black man. There is no race that sold its people as slaves like the black man did.
If you check the labour of all our heroes of independence and freedom fighters and compare it with how we have fared since they won independence, you will see that we have not fared well at all. Can someone tell me what we have benefitted from our freedom than self destruction?
The Europeans came with their might and mowed us down in Africa and this history makes me weep. I even denounced my English name Sussana as colonial because of this. Now having seen what the black man is doing to himself, will I now reject my native name?
I even also added another colonial name Whyte as per marriage…(hahahahahahah) Beyond these I am full of shock considering the level of the black man's hatred for his brother. We have lost our national identity. Today, we have no religion of our own and decided we would be in churches and mosques daily with priests daily telling us stories of Israel and Arabia. We do not know our own history or the story of Africa.
We are operating on a borrowed culture and tradition so I doubt when development will come to Africa. So you see Africa is half caste in the world and may never move forward until it charts its own course. Religious and political leaders are doing their best stealing the continent blind. It is self inflicted poverty and has no cure. This is what is addressed in my latest book; How Africans vandalise Africa. Please get a copy and see the direction I am pointing at.
As an indigene of the Niger Delta, it seems like degradation continues…..
I never stop on my lamentation concerning the people of the Niger Delta. That is where I come from. As the treasure base of the nation I have not stopped wondering why the place is a slum.
The governors, senators, House of Reps members and indeed all political officers are stealing either officially or underground. It is this extension of self inflicted wickedness that has left us in recession. I want to say that the politicians of all the political divides including of the PDP and APC should return their loots and restore the dignity of Nigeria and the black man
Any recollections of your birth, youth and upbringing?
I was born in 1937. Let me tell you how I arrived at that date because I did not also know. Like Obasanjo's, my parents were illiterate so they couldn't even have noted down dates of birth. But there is one man from my community who was highly literate and noted that one of his sisters who was said to be younger than me with seven days was born May 12.
And adding seven days to that made my date of birth May 19. That was how I got my birth date so I am 80 years young. I left Ndoni my home village situated east of the Niger at the age of eleven years and went to Jos with my auntie. It was at Jos that I could say I spent my youth days. It was until I got married in 1961 that I came to Lagos to live with my husband.
What has life taught you in the past 80 years?
Life has been wonderful according to how God made it. It has been full of challenges. I had two broken marriages. Yet I have big cause to thank God for life so well lived. Even with the protracted illness, God has given me ability in disability, provided for me even in the wilderness and gave me water in the desert. I discovered that God kept angels for me at all bridges of my life. And when I think of all the interactions and challenges and tremendous respect I have received from men especially from my community, I feel overwhelmed that God loves me dearly.
I have seen communities where men and women do not attend same meeting but my people of Ndoni had over the years given me the audacity to rise above life's occasion. I was Deputy President General of my community association and then was President General. No other woman has achieved this and I am grateful to my people for reposing much trust in me and giving me the opportunity to excel. I am one of the few if not the only woman from my community honored with a Chieftaincy title
You have written several books on Nigerian woman and girl child, do you think that the Nigerian woman has fared well in our sociopolitical life?
Women especially Nigerian women are more cosmetic and fashion conscious than the men and I think that is why I flow with the men. Women will talk about uniforms and style. May be it is my body make- up. Men are more active.
In all I dare say that women in Nigeria in general terms have not done so well because even when men give us the chance, we trivialize it. We enjoy the entertainment, fashion and uniforms. Several women do not belong to associations where there are no uniforms to sew. Once I was part of a committee but the six of us women took uniforms while the men did not bother.
All Nigeria women do in political circles is dance and sing choruses and party while the men or the few articulate women plot their ways. May be it could have been different if the men made the political atmosphere a little less stormy and conducive for all to participate. Our men operate in a jungle-like environment and not every woman can cope. Our men perhaps are too violent because they are working for the interest of their pockets and not of the country.
Many who know your history and antecedents know you as a very courageous woman. Where do you think that that courage comes from?
I like to link my courage for activism to my great grandfather whose two sisters owned war boats. The three cannons standing in my home town today were owned by my aunties and that tells you much about my heritage. So I trace my courage and activism to my lineage. People have always advised "don't do that … they will kill you" but I have always done things and nothing ever happened. No one has killed me. So I must have inherited some of these traits from my family
Could you then throw some light on this family of yours?
I have had two failed marriages but I see it as life and the way it goes.
When I heard that Winnie Mandela and Nelson were divorcing, I asked myself why it ever happened. I never expected Nelson and Winnie to divorce. But I give God the glory of giving me the courage to cope. My second marriage just crashed just like that.
My husband just abandoned me just like that. We had no quarrel and no fight. He complained that I had given him five girls so he carried his box and abandoned me. Marriage is a lot of complication. I still wonder why people divorce. It still baffles me how couples can't patch up their differences. One is trying to change the other yet it does not work. There are things we could change but can we?
What is happening to the marriage institution? If you look well, you would see that it looks like polygamy is succeeding more than monogamy. There seems to be more honesty in polygamy than in monogamy we see these days. In monogamy, he has a wife at home but many others on the streets.
You find our men spending more time out in hotels than at home. You look at life in whole and see plenty complications so humans should try to make the most out of it. That is what I have tried to do. I decided not to wallow in self pity…oooh I am a widow…ooh I am divorced. All are human nature.
What inspired your first book?
My first book is on problems of the Nigerian Child and it was inspired by many things I saw as a teenager. I started to observe divorce and widowhood. I observed how couples were fighting daily with neighbours clapping so to speak or trying to separate them. Then also came Plight of Nigerian woman. The two books came in 2002.
Air Peace Airline flight operations at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu was yesterday disrupted by the airport manager, Mr Mgbemena Orjiakor who wrongly stopped the airline from processing passengers at their check-in counter over what he claimed is the airline's indebtedness to Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN.
Air Peace
According to Orjiakor, Air Peace is owning FAAN N7,000,000 ( Seven Million Naira) and so decided to stop the first flight operation of the airline from Enugu Airport. The disruptions of the airline operation lasted more than One Hour before the Airport Manager was made to realize that Air Peace was not owning FAAN Seven Million Naira.
Reacting, FAAN’s Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu confirmed that Air Peace had paid its outstanding debt to FAAN. She also apologized on behalf of the agency for the inconveniences the situation must have caused the airline and its passengers and promised that the agency will see to it that such doesn't repeat itself.
Speaking about the disruption yesterday, Barrister Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace said that on Friday morning, its operation was shut down by Orjiakor over N7million debt, which the airline showed proofs to have paid.
Onyeama said : "I got a call this morning that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) stopped our operations in Enugu over N7million naira debt, which we have already paid. The airport manager did not go back to check his books to know if we actually paid or not but hurriedly stopped our operations, a situation that is costing us millions of naira.
"We do not know if the airport manager is sponsored by someone to bring down AirPeace because even after Lagos sent evidence of the payment, rather than own up to the fact that the agency lacked proper accounting, the agency said the airline is owing an outstanding N1.8million. This is why I said this act is sabotage."
Onyema lamented that an airline that owes the government over N11billion was allowed to operate that morning but Air Peace was temporary shut down over N7million naira it already paid.
"When I called the Enugu airport manager to complain to him about the situation, he answered me rudely by saying I was talking like a riffraff. This man is not fit to be in that position. This same airport manager does not know that he is employed today because of the airline. How can he call me riffraff?
"If we are not adequately compensated for our losses, we promise the government that we will go to court. This is part of the reasons why airlines in Nigeria do not survive," the AirPeace boss said.
"I had to call Saleh Dunoma, the managing director of FAAN who was not aware of the situation. He politely told me that he will handle it and he was very sorry about the situation. The director of commercials also got across to me and also told me he was looking into the situation and they will get back to me.
"The Director of Human Resources also got across to me and pleaded with me. But Mgbemena Orjiakor, the Enugu Station Manager, will have to explain to the world who sent him because I believe this is outright sabotage. That station manager was not remorseful and very insulting," Onyeama added.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will leave Manchester United as the club excluded from the club’s list of retained players published by the Premier League.
Ibrahimovic
United had signed Ibrahimovic on a one-year deal in 2016 with the club confirming last November that it was looking at extending those terms by a further 12 months.
However, a ligament damage suffered by the striker in the Europa League quarter-final second-leg win over Anderlecht now cast further doubt over whether he would be kept on at the club.
Despite scoring 28 goals, Ibrahimovic’s time at the club could come to an end as the club is reportedly in pursuit of Real Madrid want-away striker Alvaro Morata.
The former Sweden captain scored the winning goals in the Community Shield clash with Leicester City and the EFL Cup final against Southampton.
Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said the executive would continue to engage the legislature in line with democratic principles to ensure that Nigerians enjoyed dividends of democracy.
He stated this at the House of Representatives activity to mark second anniversary celebration of the 8th National Assembly on Friday in Abuja.
Represented by Sen. Ita Enang, Senior Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Osinbanjo said that the executive would not confront the legislative arm in their dealings.
"We appreciate the powers of the legislature; we will in our relationship with you, continually relate on the basis of honour for each other. We will only engage, we will not confront you.
"We thank you, we congratulate you for the two years of your existence, and we wish you the best in the remaining years of your service," he said.
In his address, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, described the Senate and the House of Representatives as two inseparable twins.
Saraki, who was represented by Sen. Dino Melaye said that both chambers would continue to work together for the progress of the country.
He said that he was proud of the House, saying that it had done very well in the last two years.
He assured that the chambers would continue to collaborate as functions of legislation would not be discharged effectively achieved without a synergy.
The 8th National Assembly was inaugurated on June 9, 2015.
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, said the legislature had kept its promise to Nigerians with transparent deliberations and passage of the 2017 Appropriation Bill.
He assured that the bill would be signed next week.
Dogara stated this in his address at the opening of a "Special Session'' to mark the second anniversary of the 8th Assembly on Friday in Abuja.
According to him, the house carried out significant budget reforms "for the first time in the history of Nigeria''.
He said that a public hearing was conducted at the National Assembly to get the input of Nigerians in the budgetary process.
He said that reforms introduced included the details of the Appropriation Bill being made available to all members before passage at the plenary.
Also introduced, he said, was requirement that members of committee should sign report of their committees before it would be sent to the Committee on Appropriations.
"All these novel measures are unprecedented in the history of our parliament.
"These proactive measures ensured that the debate and consideration of the 2017 budget by the house was evidence-based and geared towards galvanizing the economy for greater growth."
Dogara said that a total of 126 Bills were passed by the House during the period and that others were at various stages in the legislative mill.
He said that 27 Bills had received presidential assent, adding that each of the "achievements highlighted above is unsurpassed by any previous Assembly.
"The sheer volume of these Bills attests to the vibrancy of the House in its attempt to legislate on key areas of our national life at a very trying time in our history".
The speaker also said that the lower chamber received no fewer than 500 public petitions during the period.
He said that the Committee on Public Petitions conducted hearing on petitions "almost every week'' to ensure that citizens had access to the legislature.
He also said that the house considered and passed bills designed to stimulate economic growth and promote competition.
Dogara said that the bills included "Bill for an Act establishing Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission''.
According to him, this legislation has the potential to engender innovation and efficient allocation of resources, eliminate barriers to entry and restrictive trade practices in the market.
He said it would have positive impact on the quality of goods and services and their prices in the interest of the Nigerian consumer.
On workers' welfare, the speaker said that the house had introduced a Bill on new minimum wage aimed at promoting the welfare and well-being of workers, especially in the light of changing economic realities.
"For us, it is unacceptable that the average Nigerian worker is shut out from the promise of democracy, which is "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".
"Our democracy must be made to work for all Nigerians, including our workers, who must have the tools with which to pursue happiness while in active service or in retirement.''
On the legislature's part in the fight against corruption, Dogara said that the house was working in tandem with the executive in the effort to stamp out corruption in the country.
The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has reiterated the need for unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
Mrs Buhari stated this in her tweeter handle on Friday after she attended the 2017 Ramadan lecture organised by the staff of Presidential villa community at the Banquet Hall, Abuja.
She expressed appreciation for the turnout where Muslims and Christians participated in the programme and prayers.
"It is important that we reiterate the importance of our unity by sharing our different values.
"I appreciate His Excellency, the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for chairing the Ramadan breakfast dinner," she said.
As the National Assembly (NASS) celebrates its second year, some Nigerians in the Federal Capital Territory have scored the assembly high in its work.
Many said in interviews with the Newsmen in Abuja on Friday that in spite of the leadership challenges that plagued the assembly at the beginning, its actions had been commendable.
The speakers listed some of the achievements of National Assembly as the passage of Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB), publication of its annual budget as well as campaign for patronage for made in Nigeria goods.
They also noted that the 8th Senate had passed 96 bills compared to the 7th Senate's passage of 28 bills in two years, 6th Senate's 23 bills and 5th Senate's 65 bills.
The 8th Senate has cleared 72 petitions in two years compared to the 7th Senate's six petitions: 6th Senate's six and the 5th Senate's which record is unknown, the respondents added.
Mr Okechukwu Ibekwe a journalist, said that the 8th National Assembly had done a great job in its legislative activities with the passage of 96 bills by the Senate and more than 120 bills by the House of Representatives in two years.
"Many of these bills we know came in this second year, as we are aware, the first year of the National Assembly was marred with leadership tussle in the Senate and budget padding allegation in the House of Representatives.
"However, the 8th Assembly still has much to do in the area of administration: I will rate the 8th Assembly 70 per cent," he said.
Mr Ahmed Momoh commended the Senate, especially for overcoming its leadership challenges.
He said that the manner in which the activities of the Senate went on even in the face of the challenges was commendable.
He, however, criticised the assembly for delays in passing the national budget.
"This is the first NASS that has delayed so much in passing budget starting from 2016.
"The delay is because of the suspicion on the part of the politicians who won the leadership and those who lost, so sabotage is at its peak even when they seem to be settling,'' Momoh said.
"Saraki and Dogara led National Assembly, despite all odds have made certain impact:
"In the past one year they have stabilised, there is peace: for the first time the two chambers are working harmoniously.
"They have been able to forge unity in spite of the odds occasioned by the leadership tussle.
"They broke the jinx of the PIB even though it is not yet a law.
"Despite challenges faced by the leadership of the Senate, especially the legislative functions of the National Assembly, seem not to have been affected as bills and motions have been passed promptly.
"I will score them 80 per cent for doing well in the face of daunting challenges," he said.
Mrs Shade Badebo, a civil servant, said the 8th Senate particularly wasted its first year in leadership tussles and litigation.
She said, however, that they had been able to make up in the second year in the performance of their duties.
"I think they are now coming up to their legislative responsibility, the first year was wasted to politicking.
"Even though the minority has a significant number of members, their role as opposition especially on critical National issues, has weighed down the National Assembly.
"Most significant in the last one year is the opening up of activities in the legislature by way of using ICT to publicise their activities.
"The passage of the PIGB and the passage of the 2017 budget is also a significant achievement, especially where the 2016 budget was marred by padding controversies.
"Also the campaign by the National Assembly on patronising locally manufactured goods (Made in Nigeria goods) has been massive and commendable.
"But they must lead more by examples, they should buy made in Nigeria cars, rice and other goods and they must be seen to be doing so to serve as an example to all other Nigerians.
"In all, I will score the National Assembly 60 per cent," she said.
A business man Lawrence Aniere commended the National Assembly for its focus on prioritising patronage of made in Nigeria good.
He said such poise, if followed with sincerity and selflessness, would boost the business environment of Nigeria and grow its economy.
"The 8th assembly started on a roll, political betrayals and intrigues: Two years down the line the ship seems to have sailed on with so much infighting.
"Unsettled still but not totally ruffled, more to be done yet a lot already achieved.
"Greed as we all know has been the bane of the Senate, exorbitant prices of clothing, feeding and house allowances still rock the Senate. Yet minimum wages can barely take us home.
"But on the plus side the Petroleum Industry Bill that has been passed after 17 years may have calmed some frayed nerves.
''Their commitment to improving patronage of Made in Nigeria goods is quite commendable as this is only way we can grow our economy,'' Abiere said.
'He urged the legislators to shelve selfish interests and check massive importation of goods to grow the economy.
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), on Friday called for severe sanction against anybody that compromised professional standard in the building industry in the country.
Fashola, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Policy and Legal Matters, Mr Lanre Akinsola, made the call during World Accreditation Day celebration organised by Nigeria National Accreditation Services (NiNAS).
The theme of 2017 world Accreditation Day is: "Accreditation: delivering confidence in construction and built environment.''
The minister said the theme of this year celebration underscores the importance of quality and standard in the built environment, saying that construction is a sector where standard cannot be compromised.
He said if the defaulters were disciplined or expelled from their professional bodies it would serve as deterrence to others as well as inform members of the public that there was protection against professional misconducts.
According to him, every time there is a failed building, every time a rule of professional conduct is violated, every time a professional is impersonated; it means the rule of standard has been broken.
" Standard as embodiment of rule of law that requires internal regulation by the professional body as the regulator of the profession just like every other professional body.
" What of the built industry? Does our professional disciplinary council exist?
" If it exist, does the public know about its operations and what standard to expect from the professionals they engage in the built industry?
" How many of our professionals have been sanctioned for their culpability in building collapse resulting in cases of substandard construction projects,'' he questioned.
Fashola noted that the building sector was important for economic development, employment creation and the environment, therefore, "it is a sector where standard cannot and should not be negotiated''.
" It is critical that the public have confidence in the safety, security and sustainability of construction projects and the built environment.
" To engender confidence in the industry, internal professional regulation or certification may not be enough, hence the need for external validation by an independent third party accreditation agencies like NiNAS becomes important''.
In his remark, the Chief Executive Officer, NiNAS, Mr Celestine Okanya said that accreditation would provide support in every stage of construction.
Okanya also noted that accreditation could reduce the number of building collapse to the barest minimum, saying that Nigeria lacks a robust quality national infrastructure.
Mr Jean Bakole, Regional Director, UNIDO, said it was committed to work with Nigerian government to promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development activities that would result in significant trade within and beyond Africa Region.
Bakole said that NiNAS would work with the standards set by the international organisation for standardisation and the international electro-technical commission to deliver impartial, objective and competent accreditation services to Nigerian economy
The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City to hear Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and People's Democratic Party (PDP's) Appeal against the Election Petition Tribunal Judgement on the September 26 election passed judgement on Friday, upholding the declaration of Governor Godwin Obaseki of All Progressives Congress (APC) as Governor of Edo.
Counsels to both parties had argued their briefs on May 30 this year, where Obaseki’s counsel, led by Wole Olanipekun, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the Appeal, saying that the grounds of the appeal were watery.
Striking out the appeal, the court, led by Hon. Justice Dongban-Mensen, ruled that the Justice Ahmed Badamasi-led Tribunal did a pain-staking job in its judgement, and so deserved commendation, adding that the Tribunal should be commended for properly evaluating all the witnesses' evidence and ascribing "probative value" to it.
It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the All Progressives Congress candidate, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki as the winner of the September 28, 2016 governorship election and the appellants had alleged that the Tribunal judges erred and truncated their right to a fair hearing by giving unequal treatment to the parties involved.
The Appeal Court, meanwhile, also held that the PDP, from the evidence-led, did not prove their case to warrant the nullification of the election or a declaration of Pastor Ize-Iyamu as the winner.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has warned men to desist from poor treatment of women and urged husbands to take adequate care of their wives.
Fayose, who described women as the mirrors through which the society sees their husbands, said any man found beating up his wife, should be medically examined to ascertain the state of his mental health.
He stated this in Ado-Ekiti during an interactive session with primary school teachers and local government workers.
In a statement on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor also likened women to a bed, saying a man would lie on the bed the way he had laid it.
The governor, who was not pleased with the shoes worn by some female participants, ordered his aides to bring shoes for them.
The governor helped the lucky women to put on the shoes. Fayose, who celebrated women in the state in an unprecedented manner last March during the International Women’s Day, said women were a special breed that must be protected from domestic violence and human trafficking.
“Those who beat up their wives are only bringing curses on their heads. A woman is a reflection of her husband and how her husband treats her. They are delicate and must be treated as such. Our administration has been consistent in implementing policies and programmes that are designed to make life better for them.
“Any good done to a woman is done to the whole family. We must accord them their due respect,” he said.
The governor also used the occasion to brief the people on the finances of the state. He explained that state and local governments operate different accounts and that he would never tamper with local government account.
On the call that salaries of primary school teachers be taken from the purview of LG, Fayose said it
The Lagos State Government has initiated steps to find a lasting solution to the crisis rocking the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) so as to enable resumption of academic activities.
It will be recalled that the three Staff Unions of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) embarked on an Industrial Action basically on the issue of CONTISS 15 Migration for Staff on CONTISS 11 and below through a Circular from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Deputy Registrar (Information and Public Relations), of the institution, Mr. Olanrewaju Kuye said the issues was being handled by the State Government, appealing to the unions to call off their strike to enable amicable resolution of their grievances.
According to Kuye, the Polytechnic commenced the implementation of the scheme in October 2016 as directed by the Office of the Special Adviser on Education (OSAE) in order to ensure industrial peace and harmony in the Institution during the strike action embarked upon by the Staff Unions of the Polytechnic on October 20, 2016.
"The issue at hand now is the Unions' request for the payment of 87 months' arrears (July 2009 to September 2016) which the State Government is looking into with the involvement of all the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
"The position of the State Government as contained in a letter dated 31st May, 2017 was communicated to the Unions through the Governing Council of the Polytechnic where the Government appealed for more time to be able to address the issue holistically. Unfortunately, the Government's position did not go down well with the Unions as they wanted the issue resolved on or before Monday 5th June, 2017. As a result of these conflicting positions the Unions decided to embark on a fresh indefinite strike action," Kuye said.
Explaining the recent clash between soldiers and students of the institution, Kuye said that the fresh strike infuriated the students who also mobilised themselves to demand for immediate continuation of lectures.
He said the students in the course of their agitation, had confrontation with soldiers who were on their routine patrol assignment along the road.
He said that while the soldiers were trying to remove the barricade mounted on the highway by the students, some miscreants took advantage of the situation and hijacked the protest from the students, hauling missiles at the soldiers, who responded by chasing the protesters away.
Kuye said despite the efforts being made so far, the Staff Unions are still resolute to continue with their indefinite strike action.
He said the Management of the Institution has appealed to all the Staff Unions to be patient and call off the on-going strike so as to allow Government to fully address the issue as requested.
Six months after two properties belonging to Russia were seized by the U.S. government, Russia has threatened to return the favour if the properties were not released.Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President- Donald Trump
Russia vowed to seize U.S. diplomatic property in Moscow and complicate life for an Anglo-American school unless Washington hands back the two diplomatic compounds before July.
The daily Kommersant newspaper citing unnamed diplomatic sources, said that Moscow wanted the compounds back before a possible meeting at the G20 in Germany in July between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump.
If that did not happen, a sources said that Russia could retaliate by seizing a U.S. diplomatic dacha, or country house, in Serebryany Bor in north-west Moscow and a U.S. diplomatic warehouse in Moscow.
It said that Russian authorities could also complicate life for Moscow's Anglo-American school by altering its legal status.
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said that Moscow was still waiting for the return of its U.S. compounds and could retaliate in kind if that did not happen.
In December, the former U.S. president Barack Obama ordered the expulsion of 35 Russians over what he said was their involvement in hacking last year's U.S. presidential election, allegations Moscow flatly denies.
The U.S. authorities seized two Russian diplomatic compounds, one in Maryland and another on Long Island, at the same time.
Moscow did not retaliate, saying it would wait to see if relations improved under the incoming U.S. president, Donald Trump.
According to the report, Moscow wanted the compounds back before a possible meeting at the G20 in Germany in July between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump.
Some lawmakers have decried the recurrence of secessionist agitations in parts of the country and said National Assembly must rise against the trend.
They said on the sidelines of activities marking the second anniversary of the 8th National Assembly on Friday in Abuja, that the issue was serious and disturbing.
According to them, while the Federal Government is preaching peace and unity, some parts of the country are strongly bent on seceding or threatening to cause mayhem.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Sen. George Akume, said that the senate must rise and to make a statement to condemn the various agitations in parts of the country.
He said that if the senate kept quiet in the face of the agitations, it would be failing as a major legislative arm of government.
"I want to call the attention of this Senate to movements in this country, including Biafra, Arewa, some groups in the Western part of the country and many others.
" We must rise up to make a statement on what is happening. We will be failing if we do not do something that will reassure the people on the need for one Nigeria.
"We are greater being together than going our separate ways,'' he said.
Similarly, Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt, Sen. Shehu Sani, said that it was time the senate spoke against agitations engulfing some areas in the country.
According to him, the next two years will be a challenging one and the senate must not be seen to be indifferent about the challenges confronting the nation, particularly calls for secession.
"It is not what we say about ourselves that matters but what history has to say about us.
"I believe we have been able to work together over these two years in spite of the turbulent start. The challenge before us is what we can do to address the political, social and economic issues before us.
"The next two years will be tougher because of moves for secession,'' Sani said.
On his part, Chairman of Committee on Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Dino Melaye, called on the Senate to brace up for more challenges as it began the third year of its tenure.
He said, "while the upper chamber has achieved tremendous successes within its two years tenure, it needs to be more confident in the years ahead for more challenges.
" With all our successes, it is time for the senate to be bolder than ever, to speak with more confidence, to speak in the interest of Nigerians.
"We must hold on that which is true. The persecution in the first half should not be entertained in the second half.
"Please tighten your seat belts and tell the truth and we must identify that there is a uniform law and we should not allow selective application of the law.''
Melaye commended President Muhammadu Buhari for respecting Senate's decisions, particularly with regard to nominations.
He, however, urged him to take a decisive action on senate's rejection of the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC), asking, " why is Magu still in office?''
He called for more synergy among the lawmakers in the interest of the country and Nigerians in particular.
"I am happy that the Chairman of APC is here. Two years ago we were on two separate divides.
"Some of us were in the chamber and some took excursion to International Conference Centre (ICC), but today, nobody is anywhere as we are here as one indivisible senate.
"I salute the intellectual mobility of the President of the Senate, a man of style that has brought direction to Senate.
"Were it not for the president, things would not have been this stable. Many may not appreciate what I am saying because they don't like my face but that is the truth.''
The Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, called on all Nigerians to unite against forces meant to cause disunity in the country.
He said that Nigerians were looking forward to the leaders at all arms to deliver the dividends of democracy, adding that leaders should look beyond party affiliation.
" I remind you that after an election there is a people to govern. The Federal Government should avail itself to all Nigerians so that we do not create insecurity in some parts of the country,'' he said.
Akpabio congratulated the security agencies for stemming the tide of violence in the country and urged them to do more to ensure the security of lives and property.
He also commended the leadership of the senate, particularly Saraki, for leading the chamber through all the challenges it faced in the last two years.
"I commend Saraki for his leadership prowess and for the achievements so far. Whenever a bill came from the government we did panel beat it to make it work for the benefit of Nigerians.
"We passed 96 bills, which is historical but we have to do more. There is still a lot to be done.
"If the executive can implement most of the guidelines and decisions we take here Nigeria will get out of recession,'' he said.
The various social protection policies being implemented in Osun by the Rauf Aregbesola-led administration came up for a four-day study on Thursday as the United Nations International and Children Emergency Fund UNICEF brought sixteen other Nigerian states for a tour.
This was even as the Chief of Field Officer and Coordination of the United Nation’s International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Dr. Annefrida Kisesa, commended Governor Aregbesola for being committed to human and capital developments of his people in spite of economic challenges
UNICEF and the sixteen other states have organised a social protection tour of Osun which will last for about four days to enable them understudy the social protection initiatives being implemented in Osun.
From right – Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Chief, Field Services/Coordination (UNICEF), Dr. Annefrida Kisesa Mkusa, Chief of Field Office, Akure (UNICEF), Dr. Tejinder Singh Sandhu , Representative of Ministry of Budget and National Planning / Federal Government of Nigeria, Dr. Sampson Ebimaro and Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Dr. Olalekan Yinusa at the Opening Plenary of the State of Osun Social Protection Study Tour of United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) at Aurora event Center, on Thursday
The programme will also enable them to study the impact of the wellbeing of the children and women and draw lessons to formulate policies on social interventions programmes of the organisation and the participating states.
Visiting officials were drawn from Abuja, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Enugu, Lagos, Katsina, Ondo, Sokoto, Rivers, Zamfara, Akwa Ibom, Kebbi, Anambra, Benue, Delta in addition to UNICEF staff from various field offices in Nigeria.
Speaking at the programme organised to welcome the participants in Osogbo, Governor Aregbesola commended UNICEF for the great work it is doing in Nigeria, which informed the tour to Osun as a model to be studied and recommended for other states.
He held that the tour of Osun is very humbling, stating that when the state sets out to implement social protection programmes, her primary consideration was to take care of the people.
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (7th right), Chief, Field Services/Coordination (UNICEF), Dr. Annefrida Kisesa Mkusa (6th right), Chief of Field Office, Akure (UNICEF), Dr. Tejinder Singh Sandhu (7th left), Director General, Office of Economic Development and Partnerships and Coordinator, Osun Rural Entreprise and Agriculture Programme, Dr Charles Akinola ( 2nd right), and others at the Opening Plenary of the State of Osun Social Protection Study Tour of United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) at Aurora event Center, on Thursday.
The Governor added that his administration never thought that many of the state's novel programmes would be considered models worthy of emulation.
According to him, “When my administration was inaugurated, we said that the biggest challenge at the time was the army of unemployed and disoriented youth that constituted a menace to society and to themselves.
“We then set up the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) in less than 100 days to engage 20,000 youths in public works. The cadets were drawn from all the local governments in the state, without consideration for their political, ideological, ethnic and religious backgrounds.
“We also insisted that their uniforms are sewn by tailors in the states, through their guilds and their equipment like cutlasses, hoes, rakes, booths etc. were purchased directly from markets in all the local governments in the state. We have had two cycles of OYES and we still have the cadets at work.
“The N10,000 monthly allowance we pay them percolates into the local economy in house rent, feeding, transportation and household items, thereby boosting the state's GDP. The direct benefit of OYES was that crime and unemployment rates dropped drastically in the state”. He emphasised.
Aregbesola told UNICEF and participants that for his government to have integration in the various empowerment programmes, it set up an inter-ministerial agency, the Osun Rural Enterprises and Agriculture Programme (OREAP), which comprises the ministries of agriculture, lands, commerce, rural development, finance, health, works, among others.
He noted that the policy has attracted more people, especially women and youths to farming, stating that one flagship programme of empowerment in the state is the home-grown school feeding programme, tagged O'MEALS.
Aregbesola said, “This is an integrated policy of feeding Elementary 1-4 pupils healthy and nutritious meals every school day.
We engaged the services of 3,007 community caterers to prepare the food for the pupils as hygienically as possible.
“To be able to achieve this, the caterers were first medically screened and certified fit and proper, retrained on the rudiments of cooking and particularly made to understand the importance of, one, hygiene in disease prevention and secondly, good nutrition to healthy living."
Director General, Office of Economic Development and Partnerships and Coordinator in Osun, Dr. Charles Akinola, said the purpose of the visit was to provide a platform for interaction on the protection, care and empowerment of children, women and marginalised groups through social protection initiatives of Governor Aregbesola.
“It is our great pleasure to have shown the participating states and the top officials of the UNICEF some of the successes which the present administration had accomplished since inception.
“What we have today is the result of the interaction which the state have had with the UNICEF on the social protection programmes of this administration.
Earlier, the Chief of Field Officer and Coordination of the United Nation’s International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Dr. Annefrida Kisesa, commended Governor Aregbesola for being committed to human and capital development of his people in spite economic challenges
Kisesa said UNICEF was proud to identify with the state’s achievement and impact in raising the standard of living of the people of the state through its commitment to social intervention policies and programmes.
The UNICEF Chief of Field Officer and Coordination, said the international organisation was privileged to partner with the state in its bid to learn on how to harness its potentials to further impact in the general wellbeing of the people in the world.
According to her, “It is amazing that the team of UNICEF officers as well as representatives from the 16 states of Nigeria are here to learn on how to learn and adopt Osun social investment scheme that had impacted greatly in the lives of the citizenry.
“To us as UNICEF, it is our collective beliefs that the only way the larger number of people could be reached with our policies and programmes that centre on the need to eliminate poverty and hunger was to partner with Osun state government that has already succeeded in its social protection initiatives and policies.
“In our quest to achieve this objective, the organisation deemed it fit to collaborate with Osun government through which about sixteen states in Nigeria were carried along to have a plenary session in the state on the need to study the success of the state on many of its social investment scheme”. She added.
Speaking, representative of Federal Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Dr. Samson Ebimaro, lauded the efforts made by the Aregbesola’s administration in turning Osun to a model in all sectors of the economy.
He said the Ministry was surprised that a small state like Osun has turned to be a pacesetter through which many of her policies and programmes are being adopted and domesticated by her peers and Federal Government.
Dr. Ebimaro disclosed that the National Social Protection Policies, an economic ideology drawn from Osun by the Federal Government had been unanimously endorsed by all the federal ministries and their ministers.
According to him, social protection policies remained a mix of policies, programmes and projects designed for individuals and households throughout lifecycle aimed at ensuring that poverty, hunger among other social challenges are eliminated in the society.
“It is for this singular reason that Osun state government deserves commendation as it has successfully championed this cause at ensuring that government and governance are centred on the people.
“Though this is surprising because no one could have thought that a state like Osun within the few years of creation coupled with her resources, could turn to be a model to which others adopt to succeed in governance.
“On our part, the National Social Protection Policies designed to rescue Nigerians out of poverty and vulnerability, would further help to restore abundance in the general wellbeing of the citizens as lives would be positively impacted through this scheme”.
Osogbo – Osun Government has declared Monday as public holiday to commemorate the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
This is contained in a release signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Adelani Baderinwa in Osogbo on Friday.
"The public holiday is to commemorate the June 12, 1993 presidential election believed to have been won by the late business mogul, late Bashorun MKO Abiola, but was annulled by the General Ibrahim Babangida junta.
The government of Osun under Gov. Rauf Aregbesola has been celebrating the day since 2011.
