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
Nigeria Sports Federation elections organised by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development at the main bowl of Abuja National Stadium was on Tuesday marred by fighting, verbal abuses and protests following petitions and counter petitions by contestants of various positions.
Solomon Dalong
Taekwondo federation and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) were the centre of attraction to the journalists who monitored the election.
The athletics federation got the large chunk of the crisis as candidates and delegates engaged themselves in a free for all fight before the intervention of security agents.
Event degenerated when officers of the Nigerian police molestated former female athlete, Charity Opara, who was not only denied voting right but also matched out of the voting arena.
Trouble started when Brown Ebewele who had last month won an election as the technical director into the AFN board was replaced by Gath Onumegbu, who finished second behind Ebewele.
Teakwondo federation was equally enmeshed in crisis when a South East delegate, Ferguson Oluigbo, who was earlier screened, cleared and given delegates tag to vote, was later told that some of his credentials were missing in the documents he submitted.
The bigger problem with the taekwondo federation became evident when the name of one of the presidential candidate and immediate past federation's boss, George Ashiru, got missing in the original candidates' list.
The incident led to the declaration of Ashiru's opponent, Elizabeth Binga, as the winner of the election.
Ashiru's name was later discovered to be in the original list few minutes after the election was concluded which also led to a serious protest by the Ashiru's supporters who were angered by the development.
Security agents immediately gave protection to the electoral officer as he compiled the overall result.
In badminton where there were equally minor misunderstanding to
The Hockey federation was not devoid of the crisis where the Sports Ministry almost disqualified the incumbent president, Senator Abdul Ningi over what they termed "non-submission of age declaration certificate".
Some of the stakeholders blamed the Minister of Sports and Youth Development Solomon Dalung for the crisis.
Ebewele who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) lamented that he cannot understand how his name got missing in the delegates list, stressing that all his efforts to reach the minister including through text messages and calls proved abortive.
According to him; "My grouse is that I participated in an election and won with 31 votes and one other person who participated and finished second is now cleared as delegate for the election. It is even more worrisome that the person is a civil servant on level 9.
"I have sent text message to the minister but he has not replied. There is nobody to tell anybody anything. We just came to the venue of the election and noticed that our names are not on the delegate list. We asked questions but no one attended to us.
"They gave the same treatment to Rosa Collins Okah who won the election to represent the Association of Nigerian Women in Sports as delegate but was replaced by Gloria Obajemi who was not even in the country when the election was conducted.
"The implication is that the election is very fraudulent and as far as I am concerned, I don't want to believe that the Minister has a hand in this because he has continuously preached transparency, free and fair election. If he is aware and he cannot cancel this election, I will be disappointed," he noted.
For Senator Ningi, "the matter will end in court.
Ningi who threatened to drag the minister to court for defamation wondered why the electoral officer should think of disqualifying him for a document (age declaration) he submitted.
"This is the last time we will allow the Ministry of Sport to conduct election for us. We have discovered that they are very ungrateful people. These manipulators don't have anything good to offer to sports; they don't have passion for sports.
"How can somebody sleep and wake up to say I should be disqualified for not submitting age declaration which I did.
"I suspect foul play by the minister and I was warned beforehand by some stakeholders.
"I never wanted to contest but stakeholders said I should run for a second term and now they electoral officials are saying they are sorry after seeing the photocopies of my age declaration and after disparaging my name in an election I am contesting unopposed.
"Going forward, this defamation must be taken to the court of law because I don't like anybody to defame me on a matter I am on my right.
"I am taking to court the minister and everybody that said I did not attach my evidences. Even the electoral officials know it is a hatchet job, so I will take them to court," Ningi said.
Some of the presidential candidates that were successful include Ibrahim Gusau (AFN), Senator Abdul Ningi (Hockey), Hon. Silas Agara (Karate), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Golf) and Daniel Igali (Wrestling).
Others are Elizabeth Binga (Taekwondo), Isiaku Tikon (Table Tennis), Samuel Ocheho (Handball), Mohammed Yahaya (Weightlifting), Prince Timothy Nsirim (Judo), Dare Aiyemola (Cricket), Musa Kida (Basketball) and Musa Nimrod (Volleyball).
Abuja – A member of the National Assembly, Sen. Dino Melaye, has called for the declaration of a state-of-emergency in Kogi, saying there was insecurity and anarchy in the state.Senator Dino Melaye holding a protest against the state government.
The call at Senate plenary on Tuesday was at the backdrop of two alleged assassination attempts on Melaye's life.
Melaye, who came under Order 43 of Senate Standing Rule, prayed the senate to order the Inspector-General of Police to immediately undertake an audit of the police armoury in Kogi command.
He said he would move a motion for the upper chamber to prevail on the Federal Government to impose emergency rule in the state.
He claimed that before the Gov. Yahaya Bello assumed office, Kogi never experienced the high number of kidnappings, killings and anarchy as being recorded currently.
"On Monday l left my village and arrived at Lokoja in the company of Directorate of State Services (DSS) operatives and Police.
"When I arrived at Lokoja, I phoned the state Director of DSS that I had an intelligence report that the governor brought in assassins to kill me and the DSS director provided a truckload of DSS men to accompany me.
"I also called the Commissioner of Police and we were halfway talking and the line went off and I put a call to the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Criminal Department.
"I told him that I was in town and that I had few places to go and I wanted to also go to the Federal Medical Centre to pay the bills of indigent civil servants.''
He alleged that the patients could not pay the medical bills because the state government had not paid their salaries for 15 months, adding that some of them needed surgery.
Melaye said that the Constitution empowered the President of Nigeria to issue proclamation of state of emergency in state, adding that there was breakdown of law and order and public safety in Kogi.
In his remark, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided at the plenary said, "Speaking on behalf of this Senate, I must condemn what happened in Kogi.
"Section 14 (2) of the Constitution is very clear on the primary purpose of government which is the security and welfare of the people and government must not be seen abdicating that responsibility.
"So, I want to appeal to both State and Federal Government to ensure that the citizens are protected and also their property.
"We cannot have a situation where this government will sit by and watch people taking laws into their hands and behaving as if there is no law and order in this land.
"We need to be serious; we need to be firm. Government needs to ensure that people are not allowed to take laws into their hands and of course, the reckless statement that we are hearing from here and there.
"Government needs to do something about it. The unity of this country cannot be compromised and the security of individuals must be assured.
"This is condemnable and we will never allow this to continue in a democratic society," Ekweremadu said.
By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has said that the bank was targeting an inflation rate of between 10-11 per at the end of this year.
He spoke, in Abuja, Tuseady at a meeting with the Senate Committee on Banking on the high interest rates in the Nigerian banking industry.
According to the governor, although the inflation rate has been trending downwards, it remained very high at the current 17. 24 per cent.
He disclosed that the Deposit Money Banks have contributed N27 billion to the pool of funds they decided to set aside for exports business.
Nigerian Banks had in February agreed to dedicate five percent of their annual profit-less tax balances as equity capital for export driven businesses as well as those which commit to helping government’s import substitution drive.
Mr. Emefiele said that the apex bank was ready to increase its financing of agribusiness especially in the production and processing of tomato, dairy and poultry.
The governor said the CBN was also working out an arrangement the banks on how to focus more on lending to the SMEs sub-sector of the economy.
Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, on Tuesday adjourned till June 22 hearing of the written addresses in the alleged N177 million fraud case at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T).
The EFCC had in 2015 instituted the case against Prof. Benjamin Ogunbodede, the former Director of IAR&T, as well as Zachus Tejumola, Clement Adenose and 10 others.Ikoyi cash seized by EFCC
Ayo-Emmanuel adjourned the case based on the plea of the EFCC counsel, Mr Adeola Elumero, who said that the commission needed more time to complete its written address.
"Anything worth doing at all is worth doing well for the purpose of arriving at a just decision on this matter.
"I think that there is need for an adjournment in this case to enable the counsel to file his written address.
"This will be the last adjournment at the instance of the prosecution," the judge ruled.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that both the prosecution and all the defence counsel had closed their cases since May 5.
The case did not also hold on the last adjourned date at the instance of the EFCC.
All the defence counsel–Mr Tunde Olupana, S.A. Salawu and Mrs Yetunde Adegboye– had earlier submitted that the anti-graft body was deliberately wasting time and prolonging the stay of their clients in detention.
NAN reports that Ogunbodede, Tejumola and Adenose, and the 10 other accused persons had been standing trial over multiple charges bordering on conspiracy as well as conversion and stealing of hazard allowance of staff of IART.
Ten other accused persons had in 2016 pleaded guilty and entered into plea bargain arrangement with the EFCC which resulted in their conviction.
bY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO LOKOJA – Following the first successful stage of N-power programs of the Federal Government Social investment schemes in Kogi State, the state government said it expecting to register 50,000 unemployed youths for the second face.
The Focal person for the scheme, Adoga Ibrahim stated this yesterday in Lokoja during a review of the first phase and prospect for the second phase.
Adoga said 10,000 intended beneficiary will be picked for the second phase which is 120 percent (5500) more than the first phase of the successful beneficiaries from the state.
Adoga also said the portal for registration for applicants will open today calling on prospective applicants to take opportunity of the scheme, “In view of the difficulty in accessibility to the portal especially in the grassroots, we have developed a ‘Grassroots Application Support Scheme’ where we have officials in the rural area to give support to intending applicants. Do you want to apply click here
“Those applications will be collated by our field officers to the state capital. We also expect and encourage those who have access to Internet to fill their application. Our Grassroots Application Support scheme is for people in the rural area to have opportunity to benefit from the scheme.
“We received over 18’000 application in the first phase and we know that with the success story recorded we shall have more than that. That is why we developed this new approach to help those in the rural area to get access to easy registration before the window closed”.
He also warned some people who have started requesting for money from prospective beneficiaries to help them facilitate their enrollment, said the process is free.
Head unit of the N-Power, Femi Bolaji on his own eulogized the state government for the operation fund made available for the scheme which he said really supported the scheme to achieve the success.
He also hinted that the Government Enterprises and Empowerment Program, GEEP, otherwise known as ‘Market moni’ has commenced in the state calling on small scale entrepreneurs to take advantage of the scheme, “We are targeting 10,000 SMEs which we be given loans with single digit interest over 6 months. This cooperative driving micro credit scheme is part of the Federal Government Social investment programs and we hope that our people will take advantage of it to better their life”.
Yola – A heavy downpour on Tuesday washed away Dilichim bridge, cutting away communities in Michika and Madagali Local Government Areas from the rest of Adamawa.
. Travelers watch with disappointment the bridge at Gidanmai village on Mokwa-Makera road along Kaduna-Lagos Highway which has collapsed due to erosion in Niger on Monday (5/6/17). Vehicular movement is hampered on the road; Federal Road Safety Corps urges motorists to seek alternative route
The bridge, constructed over River Yedzaram, had in the past suffered bombing by Boko Haram insurgents.
It had remained in a precarious state for two years since the bombing before it was finally washed away after several hours of rain.
Mr Damian Gurai, the Councillor representing Bazza Ward in Michika local government, described the incident as devastating.
"We are now cut off by this development and many people are now stranded; nobody can come to Michika and Madagali, just as nobody can go to Yola and other parts of Adamawa.
"Today is Bazza market day and many traders who came from Mubi and other parts of the state are now stranded at the river bank," Gurai said.
Alhaji Aliyu Kwaji, the Vice Chairman of Michika local council called for urgent action to restore the bridge back.
"To my knowledge, the contract for this federal road has been given to a company named A.G Vision by the Federal Government.
"The company has started scraping the road some weeks ago, but what we want now is for it to concentrate on the bridge," Kwaji said.
Also speaking, the chairman of Madagali Local Government, Alhaji Yusuf Mohammed described the collapse of the bridge as "a serious problem."
He lamented that the rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas affected by boko haram in Adamawa was going at a slow pace.
"It is sad that two years after the insurgency, this major bridge and others were not reconstructed and today here we are.
"Nobody can come in and nobody can go out from Michika and Madagali local government areas," Mohammed said.
By Grace Udofia An investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has told an FCT High Court that former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, has not been declared wanted over alleged criminal breaches.Kuku
The official, Madaki Yakubu, who appeared before Justice Jude Okeke sitting at Court No 13 Maitama Abuja, made it clear that Kuku, who has some clarifications to make before the anti-cgraft agency, was only invited to appear before the commission but that he was yet to honour the invitation many months after the invite had been issued.
Yakubu was summoned to give testimony in a case instituted that the former presidential aide against a newspaper and the EFCC, which purportedly declared him wanted in connection with the management of the funds of the PAP.
Mr. Yakubu while answering questions during cross examination on a document in the proceedings marked exhibit C, put to him by Kuku’s lead counsel C.I Okoye Esq who appeared with Solomon Tunyan Esq, stated that exhibit C which was issued on Hon Kingsley Kuku in 2015 was a mere letter inviting him to the EFCC to clarify some allegations made against him.
He also affirmed that the invitation was to enable the operatives of the commission to interview him based on the issues raised in the petition against him.
After concluding his evidence as the last witness called by the defence in the case the defendants applied to close its case and parties were ordered to file their final address.
Consequently, Justice Okeke adjourned the case to the 18th of September 2017 for adoption of final address. It will be recalled that Kingsley Kuku had in August 2015 dragged an Abuja-based tabloid before the FCT High court via a writ issued by his counsel Solomon Tunyan Esq vide suit No FCT/CV/263 claiming N500 million as damages for libel and defamation.
Kuku had claimed that he was offended by the defendant's publication of July 27-August 2 , 2015 edition claiming that he had fled the country to escape trial after being declared wanted by the EFCC.
Skills and knowledge are the driving forces of economic growth and social development. Despite the current high level of unemployment, harnessing Nigeria's young demography through appropriate skill development efforts provides an opportunity to achieve inclusion and productivity within the country. Large-scale skill development is the main policy thrust of the N-Power Programme. N-Power is also linked to the Federal Government's policies in the economic, employment and social development arenas. N-Power addresses the challenge of youth unemployment by providing a structure for large scale and relevant work skills acquisition and development while linking its core and outcomes to fixing inadequate public services and stimulating the larger economy. The modular programmes under N-Power will ensure that each participant will learn and practice most of what is necessary to find or create work. The N-Power Volunteer Corp involves a massive deployment of 500,000 trained graduates who will assist to improve the inadequacies in our public services in education, health and civic education. Some of these graduates will also help in actualising Nigeria's economic and strategic aspirations of achieving food security and self-sufficiency.
N-Power will also be a platform for diversifying the economy. N-Power is preparing young Nigerians for a knowledge economy where, equipped with world-class skills and certification, they become innovators and movers in the domestic and global markets. Nigeria will have a pool of software developers, hardware service professionals, animators, graphic artists, building services professionals, artisans and others. N-Power also focuses on providing our non-graduates with relevant technical and business skills that enhance their work outlook and livelihood.
WHO CAN APPLY N-Power aspires to provide a platform where most Nigerians can access skills acquisition and development. At this time however, the initial modular programmes in N-Power are designed for Nigerian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35. You will need to meet the minimum requirements (if any) for your respective programme. Generally, selection is based:
1. on your expression of a genuine interest in whichever area you decide; 2. passing the relevant tests; 3. your willingness to push yourself beyond your comfort zone; and 4. ability to show a flair to develop all the skills you need to be the best you can be.
N-Power Programmes
N-Power Teach
N-Power Teach Volunteers will help improve basic education delivery in Nigeria. N-Power Teach Volunteers will be deployed as teacher assistants in primary schools around Nigeria. They will not replace the current teachers, but will work as support teachers across Nigeria, assisting with teaching, school management and other functions within the schools. Where possible, they will also assist in taking basic education to children in marginalised communities.
N-Power Health
N-Power Health Volunteers will help improve and promote preventive healthcare in their communities to vulnerable members of the society including pregnant women and children and to families and individuals.
N-Power Agro
N-Power Agro Volunteers will provide advisory services to farmers across the country. They will disseminate the knowledge that has been aggregated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the area of extension services. They will also gather data of Nigeria's agriculture assets. Called from NTA
Ricardo Martinelli, the former president of Panama, wanted on suspicion of corruption and spying on political opponents, was arrested in the U.S. on Tuesday, Martinelli's lawyers in Panama confirmed.
He was arrested at his home in Miami, Florida, having fled Panama for the U.S. in January 2015.
His arrest was ordered in December 2015 by Panama's top court, and international police organisation Interpol had recently announced a worldwide manhunt.
Martinelli, who was Panama's president from 2009 to 2014, is accused of having ordered the illegal bugging of opposition politicians, businessmen and journalists.
The millionaire businessman is also accused of embezzlement and abuse of office.
Martinelli employed a number of lawyers, whose chief task was to stop his extradition from the U.S. to Panama.
Security Meeting with House Members: From left, Director General of Department of State Service , Lawal Daura, Minister of Interior Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali, Chief of Defence Staff , General Abyomi Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ekwe Ibas, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar at National Assembly shortly after their meeting with House of Representatives members yesterday. Photo by Gbemiga OlamikanDirector General of Department of State Service , Lawal Daura, Minister of Interior Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali, Chief of Defence Staff , General Abyomi Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ekwe Ibas, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar at National Assembly shortly after their meeting with House of Representatives members yesterday. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.From right, Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idiris, Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali and Minister of Interior Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau at National Assembly shortly after their meeting with House of Representatives members yesterday. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan
The Lagos State Government and the Federal Government have concluded arrangement to help over 15 million Nigerians in diaspora to trace their roots back home through the Badagry Diaspora Festival scheduled to hold between August 23 and 25, 2017.President, African Renaissance Foundation (AREFO), Mr. Babatunde Masewaku; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs & Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Overseas Affairs & Investment, Prof. Ademola Abass and Managing Director/CEO, Agile Communications Limited, Mr. Rufai Ladipo, unveiling the Logo for the Diaspora Festival in Badagry during a press conference at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, on Tuesday, June 13, 2017.
Speaking at a news conference jointly addressed at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausaon Tuesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa and the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Oversees Affairs and Investment, Professor Ademola Abass, both governments said the festival, which would be a replica of the 1977 Festival of Arts and Culture otherwise known as FESTAC 77, had been designed to assist Africans in diaspora to reunite with their ancestral roots.
Apart from putting issues of Africans in diaspora on the front burner, the festival, according to Dabiri-Erewa, would also provide platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Lagos State and Nigeria to the world and also promote tourism potentials of the country.
The presidential aide, who commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for throwing his weight behind the festival, said the event would host the largest gathering of Africans in the world, and that it was a thing of joy that many Africans in diaspora had already indicated interest in tracing their roots back home.
She said: "For the first time, we have been having in Badagry a festival that brings people in the diaspora together but when we attended this festival few years ago, we sat together and said this would be the biggest cultural event to come out of Africa and so after years of planning, we have been able to come out with this programme this year coming up on August 23 to 25.
"United Nations already has declared ten years as decade for Africa, and so within the said decade, Nigeria in particular, and Lagos will be putting up one of the biggest gatherings of diaspora all over the world that will gather in Badagry later this year.
"One of the unique events of the festival is the 'Door of Return'. A lot of people and things were taken out of Africa and Badagry in particular, and so our people in diaspora would be coming back through that door that we are calling the Door of Return, which is the opposite of 'Point of no Return. Beyond that, we will be showcasing the beauty and culture of Lagos State in particular and Nigeria in general through the festival," Dabiri-Erewa said.
Responding to questions on number of people in the diaspora expected to grace the festival, Dabiri-Erewa said many Nigerians in the diaspora have already indicated interest to be part of it, adding: "We don't have an accurate database but we are working on 15 million Nigerians in the diaspora and a lot of them are already coming."
Also speaking, Professor Abass said the State Government was delighted to partner with the Federal Government and other promoters of the festival, as the event was in sync with the cardinal objective of the present administration in the State to use tourism, hospitality, entertainment and sport to promote excellence.
He said apart from the fact that the festival was coming at a time the State was celebrating the 50 years of its existence, the festival would be utilized to showcase the giant strides of Governor Ambode's administration in transforming Badagry to the next tourism hub in Africa.
"This festival is going to be utilized to promote the huge efforts that the present administration in Lagos State has been putting into turning Badagry around in terms of infrastructure, in terms of tourism and so many other things and so this forthcoming celebration falls squarely within our government agenda to promote tourism and also to promote investment. "As you know, we are developing a Sea Port in Badagry among so many other things and so the festival will be a win-win for everybody especially for us in Lagos State," Abass said.
On his part, Mr Babatunde Mese-Waku, President of African Renaissance Foundation, one of the promoters of the festival, said a Brazilian, Baye De Santos, whose root has been traced to Ketu in Benin Republic, would be honoured at the festival for his contribution towards promoting issues relating to Africans in diaspora.
Also, Mr Rufai Ladipo, Managing Director of Agile Communications Ltd, the marketing firm for the festival, said series of activities have been lined up for the festival including carnival procession, boat regatta, fishing competition, dark era procession, diaspora dinner, beauty pageant, cultural displays, heritage site visits, heritage night, festival market, international music concert and international symposium, among others.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – The Presidency has justified Monday’s invasion of The Sun Publishing Company by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, saying the anti-graft agency has not acted beyond its powers.
This was even as it said the ruling All Progressives Congress APC will continue to exist for atleast the next 200 years in spite of the myriads of challenges that have continued to threaten its existence.
“I said in the next 200 years APC will be alive. Yes, why not? Because we have done very well and we are going to remain in power for as long as we continue to do well, we believe Nigerian people will always vote for us.”
Speaking at the national secretariat of the party Tuesday in Abuja during the official presentation of his book entitled, “APC: The Making of a Change Agent” to the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla, also denied knowledge of any crisis in the APC.
Justifying EFCC’s invasion of The Sun headquarters in Lagos, Obla said; “EFCC has not gone after the media. What happened is that The Sun Newspaper was under an order of interim forfeiture, so they (EFCC) went there to look at the property; the property was not taken away and not deprecated, and nothing is wrong with that.
“They didn’t go there because The Sun published a news story that is consider against EFCC or government, they went there to do their work as part of their mandate to fight financial crimes, and you know that the media house is owned by a former governor who is under trial; as we are talking now, he is under trial and if your are under investigation, EFCC has a power to go to court and get an order of interim forfeiture pending the hearing of the case against you.”
On his part, Chief Odigie-Oyegun described the book as an insider account of the merger processes that culminated in the formation of the APC, and encouraged other stakeholders who "participated intimately" in the formation of the APC to document their record of events for posterity.
Whille he said the APC will not repeat the mistakes of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, the party chairman also hailed the contributions and sacrifices of chairmen of the legacy parties that merged to form the APC; former vice president, Atiku Abubakar; former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; the new PDP entrants among other stakeholders in the formation of the APC.
The book appears a broader account of the contributions of several individuals to the successes of the party as opposed to the president’s authorized biography, "Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenge of Leadership in Nigeria" written by Prof. John Paden, which diminished the roles of some of the leaders and noticeable left out the name of Chief Odigie-Oyegun in all its 24-chapters.
…as Udoma gives 2017 budget details on Monday By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor
Abuja – Barely 24 hours after signing the 2017 Appropriation Bill into law, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday, began action on the 2018 budget.
The vice president met with top government functionaries and asked them to carry out necessary actions towards completing the preparation and submission of the budget to the National Assembly in early October.
This came as the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, gets set to present the breakdown of the just-signed 2017 Budget to the general public on Monday, June 19, 2017 at the Rotunda Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Abuja by 10.00am.
The budget process anchored by the Ministry of BNP is to ensure that the 2018 Budget aligns with the provisions of the ERGP.
In order to ensure Public safety among all citizens in Bauchi State,the Commissioner of Police Bauchi State Command, CP Garba Baba Umar has today 13/6/2017 met with the Leadership of Igbo Community in the State.
Speaking at the occasion, the Eze Ndigbo of Bauchi State, His Highness Eze J. Umezika commended the CP for the warm reception he accorded them and the selfless service he is exhibiting in ensuring peace and stability in the State.
He further stressed that Igbo Community in Bauchi State are law abiding citizens and will not indulge in any act that would undermine the Unity and peaceful coexistence of this great Nation.
He assured the CP of their willingness to partner with the Police in order to ensure that law and order are maintained.
Responding, the Commissioner of Police CP Garba Baba Umar thanked the Igbo Community and assured them that the Command under his watch is fully committed toward providing a safe and secured environment for all the citizens in the State irrespective of tribe of religious affiliation.
The CP also enjoined them to feel free and report any matter capable of truncating the peace in the State to enable the Command respond promptly.
By Anayo Okoli. UMUAHIA – THE Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, OYC, has declared that the South East zone will not accept anything other a president of Igbo extraction in 2019, saying that it is the only panacea to Biafran agitation raging in the zone.
APC Presidential Campaign Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, (middle) flanked by APC National Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun, APC Chieftain and former Goverinor, Chief Ogbonnaya Ono, Eze Ndi Igbo Suleja, Amb (Dr.) Igwe Collins Chibueze Okoli, Uche Eginti Eze Udo, President General Igbo delegates Assembly (IDA) of the19 Northern States, Chief Damian Sunny Inyamah and others adopt GEN Muhammadu Buhari for 2015 Presidency at the APC Presidential Campaign office in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE
Rising from its meeting in Enugu, the group said it has activated all machineries towards the actualization of the project.
According to the Ohaneze Youths "it is Igbo president 2019 or Biafra 2020".
The group described as a "sheer injustice and hatred, a situation where no Igbo has been allowed close to the seat of power for decades of years, whereas other geo-political zones have been taking turns either as military or civilian presidents.
"More annoying is the fact that the North, a major beneficiary in this direction has bluntly refused to heed the call for restructuring, which has been identified as the panacea to the many socio-political problems plaguing the nation.
"Besides, they have also not only continued to express disdain over the demand for Biafra by IPOB and MASSOB, but have also ordered Ndigbo out of the North based on these agitations.
"Remember that former President Obasanjo had urged Nigerians to beg Biafra agitators; and only Nigeria president of Igbo extraction will appease Igbos or Biafra agitation will be inevitable.
"If there is any conspiracy against President of Igbo extraction, that will surely bring Biafra into existence. One now wonders why Ndigbo will continue to be treated in this manner.
"Two days ago, the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo re-echoed the fact that Nigeria is in a marriage. He was quoted as saying that our nation has been in marriage for a while now. Sometimes, there are quarrels within that marriage. Sometimes there is disagreement. What is important is that you must remain together. You must remain united.
"It does appear from the above that Ndigbo have perpetually remained the sacrificial lamb to keep this forced marriage together. They have remained victims of an abusive marriage, often beaten, cheated by the husband.
"We have resolved today that this grave injustice cannot continue. It is Igbo presidency in 2019 with a Vice President from the North or nothing.
Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday that the country needed to come together to face the challenges of leaving the EU and maintaining security after recent attacks by Islamist militants.
May stated this while addressing Britain's newly returned parliament in London.
"As we face difficult challenges ahead, let us come together in a spirit of national unity to keep our country safe.
" In addition to build a stronger, fairer and more prosperous future for everyone in every part of our United Kingdom,'' she said.
May lost her Conservative Party's majority in parliament in an election recently, raising questions about how she will proceed with her plan to take Britain out of the EU and with other legislation.
Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court in Bayelsa scheduled to be arraigned in Lagos on Monday for alleged unlawful financial enrichment was stalled as a result of his absence in court.
His lawyer, Mr Robert Clarke (SAN) told the court that Nganjiwa was absent because he could not get a flight from Bayelsa to Lagos.
"Today's absence is not deliberate, this is a sitting judge of a federal high court. He called me and said that he could not get a flight to Lagos,'' he said.
However, Clarke had opposed the arraignment of the judge before a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere.
Newsmen report that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had slammed a 14-count charge bordering on unlawful financial enrichment to the tune of $260,000 (approximately N81.7 million) and N8.7 million against the judge.
But Clarke said the court presided over by Justice Adedayo Akintoye lacked the jurisdiction to hear and determine the case.
He said that his objection was brought pursuant to Section 6 (6), (a) of the 1999 Constitution.
According to him, the defendant, who is a sitting judicial officer as defined in the constitution, can only subject himself to the discipline of the National Judicial Council (NJC).
He insisted that any misconduct of a judicial officer should, in the first instance, be looked into by the NJC.
"Therefore, this case should be dismissed and due process followed.
"The prosecutor instituted a criminal charge against the defendant while occupying a judicial office.
"The prosecutor is EFCC for the Attorney General of Lagos State, who are both members of the executive arms of government, " Clarke told the court.
"The 1999 Constitution as amended ensures separation of powers within the arms of the government and provides for discipline of erring judicial officers."
He argued that the information filed offended the provisions of Section 158 (1) and paragraph 21 of the Third Schedule of the Constitution which established judicial precedents and authorities.
Clarke added:"This honourable court lacks the jurisdiction to try the defendant on the basis of the offences contained in the information.''
But the EFCC Prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to dismiss the preliminary objection, pointing out that the application is asking the court to immune the defendant from prosecution because he is a sitting judge.
Oyedepo cited Sections 308 and 35 (1) (c) of the Constitution to puncture the argument of the defence counsel on the issue of a sitting judge not being prosecuted.
He said that the defendant did not fall within the persons mentioned in provisions of Section 3 and therefore, could not enjoy immunity from prosecution.
Oyedepo also said that the NJC only had administrative disciplinary sanction against the misconduct of the defendant.
"The charge is not against the NJC, the charge is against Nganjiwa in his personal capacity.
"The applicant (defendant) misconstrued the charge, we are not asking for the removal of the applicant from office.
"The misconduct in the charge which constitutes an offence in Lagos State is still liable to be determined by this court.
"The charge is brought pursuant to Section 82 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State and Section 39 of the EFCC Act which alleged that the applicant, being a public official, enriched himself unlawfully," he said, insisting that the court had jurisdiction to interpret the information.
"I urge this court to dismiss the objection and call the defendant to take his plea,'' Oyedepo pleaded.
Justice Akintoye adjourned the case until June 23 for ruling on the preliminary objection.
By Peter Okutu ABAKALIKI – THE Ebonyi State chapter of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR Tuesday condemned the recent call credited to Northern Consultative Youth Assembly, NCYA calling on Igbos in the North to leave the Zone.
In a statement in Abakaliki signed by the Committee’s Chairman, Mr Emeka Anosike and made available to journalists, the group said that it condemned in strongest terms the action of the Arewa Youths. From left, Chief Chris Asoluka, Managing Consultant, FNT consulting; Prof. Pat Utomi, Founder of CVL; Chief Abimbola Akinjide, representing Chief Richard Akinjide; Prof. Ben Nwabueze; Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Chief Ayo Adebanjo, cutting the cake at the CVL colloquium in honour of Professor Nwabueze at 86 and Chief Richard Akinjide at 85, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Shola Oyelese.
According to the group, the declaration violated the rights to freedom of movement and ownership of property guaranteed to all citizens by the 1999 constitution.
The statement called on the Federal Government (FG) to take urgent steps to unmask those behind the infamous call stressing that the call posed serious threat to national security and corporate existence of the country.
“We are saddened to read the statement credited to the Arewa Youths comprising 16 Northern youth groups asking Igbo resident in Northern Nigeria to quit the North within three months. We regard the call as ‘secessionist’ action and an outright violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“CDHR Ebonyi branch therefore calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria to take urgent steps to unmask the persons behind this ‘secessionist’ declaration and their sponsors.
We believe in the unity, peace, indivisibility and corporate existence of the Nigerian nation and we urge the FG to ensure that those seeking the violent disintegration of the country are brought to justice.”
The release regretted that the alleged callous, reckless and provocative statements were made by the group inside the symbolic Arewa house in Kaduna and wondered If the declaration received the tacit support of all Northerners.
The rights group , called on the Northern political elite and elders to caution the youths of the zone against making seditious statements.
“We are concerned that the hate declarations and inciting statements were made inside the symbolic Arewa house and this reminds us about the events of 1966 leading to the Civil War and we are asking, is history about to repeat itself?
“We therefore call on the Northern political elite, the emirs and elders to call their youths to order to avoid a repetition of the sad events of 1966 and the civil war.
“The FG is also implored to take immediate steps to arrest and prosecute the authors of the hate declaration and those behind them to avert any conflagration that will do no one any good,” the release added.
The group further commended the FG for condemning the Arewa Youths’ criminal declaration and for assuring the safety and security of every citizen especially the lives of the Igbos in the North.
The release also urged the Igbo especially the Igbo youths to remain calm and law abiding in the face of the unwarranted provocation and assured that the rights group would always strive for enthronement of true democracy, justice and maintenance of rule of law.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called on social media users to use the platforms responsibly and ethically.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, made the call on Tuesday in Lagos, during the maiden edition of CKN News Annual Public Lecture.
The lecture was entitled: "Role of the Social Media in the Socio-Economic and Political Development of Nigeria".
Danbatta, who was represented by the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Mr Tony Ojobo, said that Nigerians should take advantage of the platforms to exchange information and participate in the political, social and economic processes of the country.
He said that the participation should be in ways that promote peace and enable the building of a more united and prosperous nation.
Danbatta said that the commission was technologically neutral in its regulatory role and would not regulate social media usage.
According to him, the Cybercrimes Act 2015 has defined offences associated with social media use and stipulates punishments for breaches.
"All citizens should be mindful of the law in their use of social media networks," he said.
Danbatta said that the regulatory body had auctioned several data frequencies and re-farmed others to ensure that Nigerians continue to have access to data.
He said that this would enable them participate actively in the digital economy and sustain the exponential social, economic and political gains that the social media and the internet had facilitated for the society.
Danbatta said that the commission would continue to engage all stakeholders in the telecommunications industry – central among which were the consumers, in order to improve the quality of regulation.
He said that such engagement with stakeholders would also enhance the quality of consumer experience.
A Kogi High Court sitting in Okene has remanded a former Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Zacchaeus Atte, in prison custody over alleged financial impropriety of N35.5 million.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atte was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) on an eight-count charge.
The Judge, Justice Josiah Majebi, who gave the order, held that the bail application for the accused was not ripe for hearing.
Earlier, the Prosecution led by John Okwor, told the court that the alleged offence was contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The charges against the accused, according to the prosecuting counsel, include using his office as commissioner for agriculture to convert the sum of N11.9 million to personal use.
Okwor said the accused perpetrated the act under the pretext of purchasing and distributing 200,000 sprouted oil palm seedlings to the state oil palm farmers in February, 2015.
He also accused the former commissioner of cornering the sum of N350, 000 on the pretext of distributing 100,000 cocoa seedlings to cocoa farmers in the state in August, 2015.
The accused, the counsel said, also converted N8.87 million under the pretext of purchasing oil palm sprouted seedlings in May, 2015.
He further accused Atte of corruptly enriching himself in January, 2015 with the sum of N2.84 million under the pretext of purchasing two units of photocopiers.
Other offences, according to Okwor, is that Atte used his office as commissioner to siphon various amounts of public funds meant for projects for which he got approvals but decided to pocket the monies released.
When the offences were read to him, the former commissioner pleaded not guilty.
The ICPC counsel told the court that he was ready for the commencement of the trial and asked for a date for him to present witnesses.
Adebayo Eniwaye, counsel to the accused, made an oral application for the bail of his client, which was not opposed by the prosecution counsel.
Justice Medubi, however, in his ruling, observed that the motion was not ripe for hearing.
Majebi ordered that the former commsssioner be remanded at the Medium Security Prisons, Okene, and adjourned the case until June 20 for hearing.
