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 Chairman of Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Hakeem Bello Osagie, has resigned his appointment following the approval of a restructuring plan for the telecommunications firm.
The resignation is effective immediately, according to an insider source.
"Although the chairman had planned to leave immediately the banks made the take-over move, he opted to tarry until a road map for the company was finalised. The timing of the resignation was strategically delayed till now when stakeholders have agreed a plan and comes more than a week after Mubadala Development Company directors tendered their resignation."
Hakeem Belo-Osagie
The source also said that, "The development also reflects Mr. Bello-Osagie's deep commitment to protecting the interest of all stakeholders. It is now expected that Etisalat Nigeria under its new shareholding structure will navigate through its current loan repayment challenge with minimum impact."
"Over the last several months, the chairman has worked extensively with critical stakeholders to prepare clearly articulated strategies and robust road maps that will mitigate the impact of the new shareholding restructuring and realignment on the operations and management of the 4thlargest telecoms player in Nigeria."
"With this development, the new board will assume control of Etisalat.
This is coming following interventions, which have been roundly applauded, from regulatory agencies, including the Nigeria Communications commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other stakeholders to ensure that the best decisions are taken in the interest of the subscribers, employees and the Nigerian economy."
The source conclude by saying that , "Further announcements on the composition of the new board are expected from the stakeholders."
Recall that in just less than four months, telecom company, Etisalat Nigeria survived two alleged take-over attempts by a consortium of 13 banks it borrowed money from in 2013 to fortify its network and expand its operations in Nigeria.
On each occasion, interventions by the telecom sector regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, its counterpart in the banking sector, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, were all it took to avert the impending doom such an action could unleash on the bourgeoning telecom sector.
Etisalat and $68bn market: However, industry practitioners are complaining that the impact of the attempts alone could threaten the strength of Nigeria's telecom sector, considering that Etisalat Nigeria contributed immensely to the over $68bn market it has become.
Part of the reasons that informed their fears included the pulling out of the two biggest investors, Emirates Telecommunications service of UAE and Mubadala Development Company, who together have divested their 70 percent holding in the company.
To them, these pull-outs could lead to a loss of jobs, poor network maintenance, loss of foreign investor confidence and the corresponding domino effect on the other operators, subscribers and the sector itself, if adequate measures are not taken.
Takeover, a bad precedence
A telecom sector analyst Dr. Thompson Ona said: "what has been happening to Etisalat over the past three to four months on this loan saga should be of concern to every Nigerian. If the precedent of allowing the banks to take over a telecommunications company is created, Nigeria may not be able to deal with the domino effect on many fronts. What expertise do the banks possess to run a telecommunications company? Where is Mobitel today after a bank took it over?
"Remember, Etisalat has employed a lot of Nigerians who are bread winners in their respective homes. If this situation leads to loss of jobs, can you imagine the number of people that would be affected? Most importantly, how can we convince a foreign investor to come and invest in the sector which we incidentally are positioning to take over as the mainstay of the economy from oil? These are the critical factors the two regulators, particularly the NCC should consider and do everything humanly possible to forestall this anomaly about to happen."
EMTS, trading as Etisalat Nigeria, is a Nigerian company duly incorporated under the laws of Nigeria in partnership with Mubadala Development Company and Etisalat of the United Arab Emirates. It acquired the Unified Access Licence from the Federal Government in January 2007. The licence includes a mobile licence and spectrum in the GSM 1800 and 900 MHz bands.
Etisalat acquired a 40 per cent stake in EMTS and became the operator of the Unified Access Licence. NCC vows to protect Etisalat Meanwhile, the NCC has sounded a clear warning that a takeover may have complications due to the provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act.
Director Public Affairs of NCC, Mr Tony Ojobo, in a statement, said: "The commission has drawn the attention of the banks to provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 Section 38: Sub section 1: The grant of a licence shall be personal to the licencee and the licence shall not be operated by, assigned, sub licensed or transferred to another party unless the prior written approval of the commission has been granted;
Sub section 2: A licencee shall at all times comply by the terms and conditions of the licence and the provision of this act and its subsidiary legislation. The NCC wishes to reassure the over 21 million Etisalat subscribers that it will do all within its regulatory power to ensure that Etisalat subscribers continue to enjoy the services provided by the operator."
Loan impact, minimal on banks: Just as NCC was cautioning on takeover, a research based and emerging markets investment firm in the United Kingdom, Exotix Capital, has asked the banks to manage the debt as it only has minimal impact on their operations.
The firm in a research report entitled 'Nigeria Banks', said the impact of the $1.2bn syndicate loans out of which about 42 per cent ($504m) has been repaid, was modest. Head of Equities Financials Research, Rahul Shah and Equity Research Analyst, Jumai Mohammed, disclosed that "we estimate a modest impact on banks. At a headline level, loans to Etisalat Nigeria represent 1.9 per cent of aggregate bank loans. Likewise on our sensitivity analysis, the Etisalat loans would on average have a -12 per cent, -2 per cent and -0.3bp impact on our FY17f net profit, equity and capital adequacy ratios for the banks, respectively. We believe the banks should easily be able to absorb a shock of this magnitude."
Geometric growth: The telecom company made the first official call on its network on March 13, 2008 in the presence of officials from the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In September of same year, it kicked off commercial operations with the 0809uchoose campaign which enabled Nigerians choose numbers special to them as their mobile numbers.
The company since then has grown in geometrically accumulating over 21 million subscribers on its network, over 5000 on its employment and well over 13 percent market share. It has also made investments in network infrastructure, roll out expansion, mobile broadband and other Corporate Social Responsibility and development initiatives, including the Etisalat prizes for innovation and Literature.
Its partner, the Etisalat of UAE has been the telecommunications service provider in the United Arab Emirates since 1976 and has footprints in 18 countries traversing the Middle East, Asia and Africa. In its many years of operations, it has built up state-of-the-art telecom infrastructure and taken a leadership position of innovation, and quality service delivery among regional and international operators.
This gave Nigerians hope that despite being about the last entrant in the Nigerian telecom sector, it has all it takes to help EMTS weather the storm. To actually prove this, the three investors making up Etisalat Nigeria unfolded their investment plans to make the brand a strong competition to already existing operators.
Network rehabilitation: In April 2013, the company announced it would invest over $500 million to expand its network, enabling further potential market growth of 17 per cent and went ahead to obtain a medium term loan of $1.2bn from a consortium of 13 banks, which it used to refinance an existing $650 million loan and fund a modernisation of its network.
The loan, which involved a foreign-backed guaranty bond, was for it to finance a major network rehabilitation and expansion of its operational base in Nigeria. However since 2016, the consortium of banks has been having a running battle with the mobile telephone operator over repayment of the loan facility.
Meanwhile, Etisalat said that it had consistently serviced the debt until when it began to experience cash flow problems following the steep depreciation of the naira and the impact on its foreign currency denominated exposure. It, however, revealed that the outstanding loan sum to the consortium stands at $227m and N113bn, a total of about $574m if the naira portion is converted to US Dollars. This in essence means almost half of the original loan of $1.2bn has been repaid.
Following breakdown in negotiations, the company's two foreign investors, Emirates Telecommunications Service and Mubadala withdrew their interest in the concern, compounding the problems of EMTS. Now, it appears a takeover is most likely but Etisalat Nigeria said some options, including restructuring of the shareholding and change in ownership are being considered even as final arrangements regarding ownership and board structure are still in development stage.
The National Sports Federations Elections' Petitions/Appeals Committee has nullified the elections of four board presidents and reinstates Brown Ebewele, Rosa Collins as AFN board members. In a media briefing by the National Sports Federations Elections Petitions Appeal Committee, it said it also nullified the election of Ibrahim Gusau as the President of AFN.
Recall that a petition was sent to the Committee by Charles Eyo, who was allegedly supposed to contest the election but was disqualified, making Gusau contest unopposed.
But the Appeal Committee saw reasons with Mr. Eyo's appeal and annulled the election.
A bye-election has, therefore, been fixed for July 7 in Abuja.
New York – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid al-Hussein has expressed strong concern about international demands that Qatar closed down the Al Jazeera network and other affiliated media outlets.Al-Jazeera microphone
Spokesperson for the UN rights chief, Rupert Colville, described the call as "extraordinary, unprecedented and clearly unreasonable".
According to him, "whether or not you watch it, like it, or agree with its editorial standpoints, Al Jazeera's Arabic and English channels are legitimate, and have many millions of viewers".
He added that "the demand that they be summarily closed down is, in our view, an unacceptable attack on the right to freedom of expression and opinion".
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar in early June.
The countries last week gave Qatar 10 days to comply with a list of demands to end the diplomatic showdown, including the shutdown of Al Jazeera.
The Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) said the dispute had been "taken to a new level" with the inclusion of some fundamental rights and freedoms in the list of demands.
"To insist that such channels be shut down is extraordinary, unprecedented and clearly unreasonable," he said.
He said if Qatar were to comply, the move would "open a Pandora's Box of powerful individual States or groups of States seriously undermining the right to freedom of expression and opinion in other States, as well as in their own," he added.
The High Commissioner reiterated his call that all five Governments solve the ongoing matter in a calm, reasonable and lawful manner that does not impact on their own human rights, or those of other countries.
Abuja – The Army has confirmed that it lost an officer and three soldiers in Borno on Thursday when their patrol vehicle encountered IED buried on the road between Kangarwa and Alagarno village. The Nigerian Army The Army Spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday, while giving update on troops' clearance operations in the North-East between Tuesday and Thursday.
He said three other soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries, while the patrol vehicle was completely damaged.
Usman, however, said three suspected terrorists who planted the explosive and hid themselves had been fished out and neutralised.
The army spokesman added that apart from clearance operations, troops stationed at Banki in Borno rendered humanitarian assistance to over 887 Nigerian refugees who returned from Cameroon since Tuesday.
He said the troops, also on Thursday, handed over Miss Jada Hachaba, who was abducted by the terrorists to her mother at Gulak in Adamawa.
The army spokesman explained that Hachaba escaped from the terrorists' captivity, adding that she was handed over in the presence of the District Head of Gulak.
At Buni Yadi in Yobe, Usman said that troops in the period under review discovered a 122mm D30 unexploded ordinance inside an uncompleted building at the Federal Low Cost Housing Estate.
He said the Explosive Ordinance Team was drafted into the scene to safely detonated the explosive.
Usman said that based on credible information, troops arrested two suspected Boko Haram terrorists' collaborators/informants; Abubakar Ahmed, 23 and Aji Maina, 45, on Wednesday.
"Both were arrested at Garin Gada and Kanamma after painstaking trailing.
"Abubakar Ahmed was arrested while trying to collect relief materials for onward conveyance to Boko Haram terrorists, while Aji Maina was arrested while on transit at Kanamma enroute Gamari in Niger Republic,'' he said.
Similarly, Usman said that vigilant elements of 8 Division Nigerian Army stationed at Kukawa in northern Borno intercepted two minors on Thursday.
He named them as Abubakar Aji, 13 and Isah Mustapha, 12, adding that they were on spying mission on troops' location at Kukawa.
"On further interrogation, the minors claimed to have been with Boko Haram terrorists in Kangarawa since 2014,'' he said.
Chinedu Sabastine Gabriel NATIONAL Chairman of United Progressive Party (UPP),Dr. Chekwas Okorie yesterday stated that the All Progressive Congress (APC) has succeeded in dividing Nigeria along primordial cleavage more than any government before it.Chekwas Okorie & Bola Tinubu
Dr. Okorie speaking during the 2017 national convention of UPP, said that the APC had frequently brought Nigeria to near disintegration. Okorie said
“Nigeria is in dire need of genuine change, we have been politically defrauded by a political party that canvassed true federalism while it sought for the votes of trusting Nigerians but in a very unscrupulous and unconscionable manner promptly jettisoned its avowed article of faith, and foisted on hapless Nigerians the worst form of nepotism, reductionism, lethargy, cluelessness and retrogression”.
He reaffirmed that the policy of UPP was to zone its presidential slot to the south East geo political zone of Nigeria remains sacrosanct, pointing out that UPP is the foremost and most credible opposition party in Nigeria today that is rancor free.
“This National Convention is a non-elective convention but quite unique in a very special way. In the exercise of its powers as the highest authority of the party, convention has ratified three landmark motions earlier approved by the National Executive Committee of the party. These motions have put our great party in the firm position to tackle the challenges of our present and future democratic encounters in Nigeria and a more efficient management of the party’s internal democratic process”.
Chekwas Okorie assured Nigerians that a true Progressive party that will grant all federating units the latitude to explore and exploit their comparative advantages for national growth and development if elected into power had arrived. “Take this message to every corner of Nigeria”.
Earlier in an address, the Chairman of the National Convention Committee, Mr. Uchenna Amaku said the convention was a giant step forward in the collective effort to rebrand, reposition, restructure and reorganize UPP with a view to winning future elections in Nigeria starting with the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra state scheduled to hold on November 18, 2017.
“Distinguished delegates, you are all aware that UPP is founded to promote the best democratic ideals and traditions, strict practice of internal party democracy, acceptability , uphold citizenship rights, equality, justice and fair play among other international best practices. We shall at all times uphold these laudable objectives and ideals of our great party that have attracted numerous Nigerians into our fold”. End.
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday launched the much-anticipated new environmental management policy encapsulated in the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI), expressing optimism that the development would drive the State to the desired future of achieving clean, hygienic and flood-free environment.
Governor Ambode of Lagos State
Speaking at the soft launch of the CLI held at Agege Stadium, Governor Ambode said the initiative was an enduring solution carefully designed to address the shortcomings in the management of the environment, as well as accelerate seamless cleaning of the State.
The Governor, who was represented by the State's Deputy Governor, Mrs Idiat Adebule, said since the inception of his administration, sanitation had been given priority as it was important for maintaining a secure and more prosperous State.
While recalling the signing of the Environmental Management Protection Law which he performed in March 2017, Governor Ambode said deliberate reforms to revolutionize the solid waste management sector in line with international best practice have been put in place through the CLI, and urged the people to support government in its bid to transform the sector.
He said: "To roll back sanitation shortcomings and accelerate seamless cleaning of our environment, the Lagos megacity was in dire need of an enduring solution that would match the needed technology with the massive investment required for its attainment. "It is this void that the CLI has come to fill by creating an environment for the private sector to harness international best practice in the vital area of solid waste management and consequently free public funds for other beneficial uses.
"As a result, residential waste collection and processing which is concessioned to a reputable and competent multinational Waste Services Company is being given a new lease of life with 600 brand new compactors and 900,000 electronically tracked bins, while wastes generated by the commercial sector would be handled by licensed waste management operators (PSP)."
Governor Ambode added that for efficient collection and disposal operations, the State Government has also concessioned three Transfer Loading Stations/Material Recovery Facilities at Agege, Oshodi and Simpson and three Waste Depots at Mushin, Ogudu and Simpson with the aim of rehabilitating and retrofitting the facilities to world class standard, while Engineered Sanitary and Engineered Hazardous Landfills were being constructed in different locations across the State under Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (BFOT) model.
"This is what the CLI represents as it aims to revitalize the entire solid waste management sector to have far-reaching benefits and multiplier effects for the State in particular, and the country at large. The new initiative will usher in new financially viable and technologically driven sub-sector to the Lagos economy, creating new business and job opportunities, including over 40,000 direct and indirect jobs with high poverty alleviation emphasis to serve as a model for the entire country," the Governor said.
Earlier, Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Adejare, in his welcome address, said the soft launch of the CLI with 920 LAGESC Corps, marine waste collection and mechanized sweeping, was a dream come true in the implantation of the new environmental initiative, just as he expressed confidence that the development would translate to improved health and quality of life for residents of the State.
He also announced that the State Government would soon role out other components of the CLI such as residential waste collection and processing, commercial, industrial, hazardous and medical waste collection, as well as secondary and tertiary drainage maintenance.
By Edoamaowo Udeme & Dirisu Yakubu ABUJA – The Japanese government Friday donated 31 new ambulances to the Federal Ministry of Health for onward distribution to selected tertiary health institutions across the country.
The occasion which had the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole and the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sadanobu Kusaoke as well as top officials of the Ministry in attendance, also paraded representatives of beneficiary institutions, many of whom couldn't hide their excitement about the donation.
Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria Sadanobe Kusaoke
In his opening remarks, Professor Adewole praised Japan for keeping faith with the promise made to Nigeria a few years ago.
"This is the outcome of the note-verbal agreement signed by the Federal Government represented by the National Planning Commission now Ministry of Budget & National Planning and the Japanese Government represented by the Japanese Embassy on the 30th September, 2014.
"I am aware that the 31 Ambulances that are being handed over today is the first phase, and that another additional 12 ambulances will be handed over to us by 2018, as the second phase," he said.
According to the Minister, the singular act of generosity by the Asia giant would further deepen relationship between the countries in the years ahead, adding that the Ministry of Health would now be more responsive to emergency situations with the ambulances in the service of the various health centres in the country.
"This move by the Japanese government has provided the opportunity to strengthen greater collaboration and partnership between our two countries. With this kind gesture, our bilateral tie is further deepened.
This gesture will contribute immensely in supporting the Federal Government's efforts in strengthening the National Emergency Response Programme (NERP) of the Federal Ministry of Health. Although we need a pool of ambulances dedicated solely to the NERP, the provision of these ambulances to our Tertiary Heath Institutions across the states will ensure that emergency cases requiring ambulance services will be promptly delivered," he noted.
And given the worrisome statistics of road crashes in Nigeria, the Minister said government is doing everything possible to address the situation, noting that the loss to Nigeria annually from road fatalities runs into billions of naira.
"According to World Health Organization (WHO) report in 2015, 1 in every 4 road crash deaths in Africa occur in Nigeria, having a higher death toll than malaria. Hardly does a day go by without the occurrence of road accidents leading to injuries and death with lots of financial implication to both the society and the individuals involved…Also, Nigeria loses about N80 billion annually to road accidents.
"In response to this ugly trend, the Federal Ministry of Health for the first time in 2016 produced a robust Policy on Emergency Medical Services including use of ambulance. The policy links emergency services personnel, trauma pathways, Integrated National Ambulance Service System, and the toll free 3-digit number 112, to government agencies in the business of emergency services.
This is to be coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Health. The policy further delineates roles and responsibilities of agencies involved in emergency response to eliminate inter-agency rivalry and ensure interoperability and synergy among agencies," he explained.
On his part, Ambassador Kusaoke expressed the readiness of the Japanese government to continue to assist Nigeria, noting that "health is a top priority in Japan's relationship" with the nation. Japan, he noted "has been providing various equipments and medical facilities for health services in Nigeria," and will continue to do in the years ahead.
Beneficiary Institutions include the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakiliki, Federal Medical Centre, Birni-Kebbi and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital. Others are Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Federal Medical Centre, Bida, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu amongst others.
The Information and Communication Technology centre of the Federal University of Technology Owerri is currently engulfed in flames and serious evacuation of inflammable substances and other important materials is currently on going. FUTO ICT Centre on Fire
The fire begun few minutes ago.
According to an observer, only a section building building is on fire and as the time of filling in this report, no findings have been made with regards to the source of the fire and so far no effort is being made to quench the fire.
We seek the attention of relevant authorities to intervene.
By Dirisu Yakubu & Blessing Aina 18 constituents loyal to Senator Dino Melaye have distanced themselves from the ongoing moves to have the lawmaker recalled from the Senate where he currently represents Kogi West Senatorial District. Dino Melaye In a press briefing in Abuja Friday, the constituents under the auspices of Concern Kogi Registered Voters, said they decided to speak up in view of an earlier press release by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to the effect that it had commenced the recall process of Senator Melaye.
"This press conference became more important in view of the press release credited to INEC that it has received signatures above 188, 000 registered voters in Kogi West," they stated, adding that the process of collection of signatures was nothing but a sham.
The group had last week, filed an ex parte motion before a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking amongst others an order of court directing all parties to maintain status quo ante in respect of the recall process of the Senator pending the final determination of the substantive suit.
While accusing the Kogi State government of masterminding the attempt to have the Senator recalled, the group said it was not unaware that "there is possible connivance between the people on the recall agenda and INEC, an act contrary to the Electoral Act. They also prayed the court to note that "at no point was signature taking process conducted by anybody in Kogi West."
It further warned INEC to stop forthwith the recall process, noting that the court should be allowed to do justice in the matter.
"INEC, being a constitutionally constituted organ of government should halt any further action pending the court's adjudication.
"The people of Kogi West have sued those involved to court for forgery of their signatures in a desperate attempt to recall Senator Dino Melaye, it added.
ABUJA: The ruling All Progressives Congress APC has dismissed reports that President Muhammadu Buhari was on life-support at a London hospital, saying though it could not categorical say when he would return, but that he was recovering very robustly.
President Muhammadu Buhari
National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, disclosed this shortly after a meeting between the party`s National Working Committee NWC and its forum of 24 state governors.
Despite claims of the president’s “robust recovery”, the APC leader was however emphatic that only Mr. Buhari’s doctors could determine his return date.
"We are glad to inform you that President Muhammadu Buhari is recovering in a very robust manner. We hope he takes it easy and when he comes back, I have no doubt at all that we will have a new and active period of activities”, said Odigie-Oyegun.
The president has been away for at least 53 consecutive days on this particular trip, having spent several days in previous trips.
Vanguard recalls that Ekiti state Goveror, Ayo Fayose had recently alleged that the president was on life-support and was being shielded from even his immediate family members including his wife, Aisha.
However, the party chairman said he would not dignify Mr Fayose with a response, saying he does not not belong to the same class with the governor and that those who would reply him “at that level” would do so at the appropriate time.
"If I respond, I will be dignifying him. At the appropriate time, people will answer him; at the appropriate level; at the appropriate time. He is in a different world altogether.''
On the outcome of the meeting, Odigie-Oyegun said most of the discussions centred around security and the current wave of socio-cultural agitations which has elicited very unpleasant verbal reactions in certain sections.
According to him, such inciting statements are not good "for the nation`s health and have to be stopped''.
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has said that a census of Nigerians against restructuring to quell the various agitations and correct the marginalisation in the country are "President Buhari, el-Rufai, Ango Abdullahi, Lai Mohammed and Tanko Yakassai."
The Yoruba group said this in reaction to a statement credited to Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, who had said that the 2014 National Conference report is not a sensible basis for the Buhari-led APC government to use and correct the imbalance in the country.
Buhari, Lai Mohammed, El-Rufai & Tanko Yakasai
Recall that in the statement credited to the Kaduna state governor, he was quoted as saying that the APC has an already step-by-step plan which differs from the recommendations of the 2014 Confab to solve Nigeria's problems of marginalisation.
The Publicity Secretary of the Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin who gave the statement also said that the only way out of the current agitations in the country was to restructure the current set-up of the nation.
He stated, "El-Rufai should tell us his own idea to correct the imbalance in the country because as far as we are concerned, the 2014 confab report is about the closest to the democratic representation of Nigeria.
"The confab consisted of representatives of all segments of the societies in Nigeria. But for somebody, who occupies a responsible office of a governor to be saying those who are talking about restructuring are irresponsible, it is very unfortunate.
"It is very sad for the governor to be talking like an area boy on the television. In Nigeria of today, we can now begin to take a census of those who are against restructuring – they are President Buhari, el-Rufai, Ango Abdullahi, Lai Mohammed and Tanko Yakassai.
"Aside from those people, everybody in Nigeria supports restructuring; that is the song everybody is playing all over the country as of today, whether we like it or not. Those who are against it are insignificant.''
Governor Nasir El-Rufai had, while speaking on Channels TV's Sunrise Daily, said that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress, APC, party does not believe that the 2014 National Conference report which so many stakeholders are clamouring as basis to restructure the country is sensible enough for the party to begin what he termed, the already existing steps by the APC to correct the political imbalance in the country.
The Governor who faulted the 2014 Confab in that statement also said that those who were selected to participate in that conference did not reflect the demographics and diversity of Nigeria, adding that the conference and its deliberation were lopsided.
El-Rufai had however maintained that the manifesto of APC has all the solutions to Nigeria's problems.
"We meet every month under the auspice of the National Economic Council and working together with the Federal Government we chart directions of economic policy and that is part of shifting the federal- state balance.
"A lot of the talk about political restructuring is political opportunism and irresponsibility in my opinion. "It is popular and people that have presidential aspirations think there is a platform upon which they will exploit this. As I said, if you look at the APC manifesto, all the elements to divulge power to the state to change the balance in the federation are there and we are committed to that as a party.
"The National Chairman of our party will restate that commitment and we are discussing it and as I said President Buhari and Osinbajo's government has taken very concrete steps rather than rhetoric to actually move in that direction and we are going to move in that direction but we do not believe that the basis for it is rhetoric and opportunism, we do not believe that the 2014 CONFAB report is a sensible basis to even begin.
"We all know the circumstances in which the so-called CONFAB was put together, we all know the composition, how lopsided it was, how important stakeholders were not taken to account, how even the composition and numbers do not reflect the demographics and the diversity of this country and we took a position as a party not to participate but to encourage our state governors to be there at the table."
A 45-year-old man, Olakunle Owoyale, who has been fleecing innocent job seekers of unearned money to the tune of N1.4 million will be out of circulation for at least five years, courtesy of an Abeokuta Magistrates' Court.
Owoyale will serve five years in prison after he was convicted of N1.4 million.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convict had pleaded not guilty to the charges of fraud, forgery and false representation brought against him.
The Magistrate, Mr Idowu Olayinka, said that all evidences tendered in court during the trial proved beyond reasonable doubts that the accused committed the three-count offences preferred against him.
Olayinka, in his judgment, said: "After all evidences tendered in court, I find the accused guilty of the three-count charge of fraud forgery and false representation.
"I consequently sentence the accused to five years imprisonment without an option of fine."
Earlier, the Police Prosecutor, Insp. Olakunle Shonibare, told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime between March and May 2017 at Alani Abiodun Street, Alogi in Obantoko area of Abeokuta.
Shonibare said the accused, who claimed to be a government-licensed recruitment agent for ministries, departments and agencies, fraudulently obtained various sums of money from 17 job applicants and appropriated the money.
"Owoyale fraudulently obtained N1. 48 million from one Kolawole Ogbontolu and 16 others on the pretext of assisting them to secure jobs at the Federal Ministry of Education.
"The accused also collected N60,000 from his wife, and gave her an appointment letter stating that she was posted to the Federal Secretariat Complex in Ogun.
"The complainant had to resign his previous job and also gave the accused another N70,000 after which the accused also gave him another appointment letter into the same Federal Ministry of Education.
"For that reason, the complainant introduced 15 other people to the accused all of whom he promised to assist to secure jobs.
"When the complainant submitted the appointment letter at the Ministry of Education, Federal Secretariat in Ogun, he was told that the employment letters were fake," Shonibare said.
The prosecutor also said the accused forged the signature of one Mr Jamila Shaura, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education and also printed the letter heads of the ministry for the illegal transactions.
He said the impostor also presented himself as an official of the Federal Ministry of Education in Abeokuta.
The offences contravened Sections 390 (a), (d) , 419, 480, and 486 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, has joined `The Elders,' a group of independent global leaders founded by the late Nelson Mandela.
Kofi Annan, Ban's predecessor at the UN and chairman of the group, welcomed the former South Korean diplomat to the group on Friday in New York.
The group brings together global leaders who no longer hold public office.
"As a new member of The Elders from East Asia, Ban will bring a unique and valuable perspective based on his record of global leadership and understanding of geo-politics," Annan said.
He said that the The Elders is a non-political group that works for peace and human rights by engaging in private advocacy and highlighting neglected issues.
Annan added that the The Elders and the UN share the same values of justice, solidarity and determination to fight for peace and human rights.
In his acceptance speech, Ban expressed appreciation to Annan and other members of the group for accepting him.
"I eagerly await the task ahead in this new chapter of my career," he said.
Ban served two terms as UN secretary- general from January 2007 to December 2016.
He was widely tipped to run for president of South Korea earlier this year, but later announced he was pulling out despite opinion polls showing him as a popular choice.
ABUJA– A Group called Fair Society Initiative & Citizen Campaign Against Poverty and Corruption, CACPAC, yesterday, advocated for fair treatment as panacea to address national issues.
This was stated by the Convener/Chief Mobiliser, CACPAC, Chief Ray Morphy, who said government should place Nigerians above themselves with more importance and welfare to achieve peace and development.
Morphy said the countries that have been fair to their citizens have made tremendous progress and everybody has a sense of belonging in national and individual issues.
He said: "We at fair society initiative believe that the basic solution to all problems of human society is located within the context of interpersonal interactions.
"A country in which the leaders are fair to the citizenry will be Eldorado, but one in which the citizens are brutally treated will remain a horror movie for all concerned. This is the difference between North Korea and Finland or Norway. This is all the difference between countries of Europe and countries of Africa.
"The so-called good countries recognize their citizens as assets and treat them fairly while the other countries regard their citizens as burdens and as such treat them unfairly. Crime, instability, insecurity and corruption are the result of the practice of unfairness while peace, growth, security and development is the product of the conscious practice of fairness.
"We know that once a majority adopts fairness in their dealings with one another, human society will automatically change for the better. Every interaction that is built on fairness results in a win-win situation for all parties.
"Every situation, every relationship that has fairness as its soul will bring peace, friendship, growth, happiness to all parties while the opposite of unfairness brings anger hostility, misery and war.
"The adoption of fair practices by any society is logical, it is necessary and it is an investment that yields the dividends of a better society for all. The practice of fairness simply involves putting oneself in the shoes of others and treating them as you would want to be treated.
"Who wants to be cheated? Who wants to be insulted, humiliated or diminished? Who wants his children to be out of school? Who wants to live in dirt and squalor? Who wants to be sent to the warfront without bullets? Who will like to be a patient in a hospital without light, without drugs and without staff? I guess no one. So to understand how to treat others we simply take how we would like to be treated and then treat others that way."
Also as a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he stated that for the country to achieve its dreams the following should be considered, regards for others, courage to do the right things, self discipline, justice, honesty, devotion to duty, belief in common humanity.
"Once we adopt fairness as a social principle, then our group and individual lives become immeasurably better, then our society and nation will regain its lost glory. Do join us in the effort to build a fairer society. All that is required is for you to treat everyone you meet fairly and justly. We all will benefit when we adopt this behavioural initiative and the whole society will be better for it.
“Just learn to treat everyone you interact with fairly. Whether they are rich or poor treat them fairly. Treat your customers fairly, treat your neighbour fairly. Treat your pupils fairly, treat your friends fairly, treat your spouse and children fairly and all together, we will have a much fairer society to the good of all and to the glory of God. Thank you as you experiment and reap the many dividends of the practice of fairness”, he stated.
Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi says that his administration is working hard to ensure rapid development of the state.
The governor said that with ongoing efforts to take the state to an enviable height, it would soon catch up with Lagos State.
Bello said made this known while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Friday.
"Kogi state is moving, it has woken up from its slumber and it's on the verge of taking off to fly.
"We are not just walking or running, we are about to fly, Kogi is really working and it's moving.
"As an ambassador of the youth, am providing good leadership in Kogi and in no distant time, we are going to see that Kogi will catch up with Lagos by the grace of God,'' he said.
He maintained that there was no political crisis in the state, contrary to speculations in some quarters, adding that the state was very stable.
The governor, however, said that he was not behind the travails of Senator Dino Melaye, the embattled lawmaker representing Kogi West in the Senate.
Members of the Senator`s constituency had recently asked for his recall, citing instances of misconduct which they said was unbecoming of a lawmaker.
"Am not behind his problems, he should know who is behind his problems,'' Bello said.
Speaking on the present agitation from different parts of the country calling for restructuring of the country, Bello advised youths to be patient with the Federal Government.
He also urged youths in the country to believe in their ability, stressing that all they needed was a good leadership which according to him, President Mohamadu Buhari was already offering.
He called on Nigerians to continue to support the Federal Government while they remained law abiding citizens.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday said that total credit granted by Microfinance banks to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has hit N214.32 billion as at December 31, 2016
The Director of Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department (OFISD),Mrs Tokunbo Martins made this known at the 2nd Annual Professional Training organised for Lagos state Microfinance banks operators.
The seminar was organised by National Association of Microfinance Bank, Lagos Chapter (NAMBLAG) in conjunction with CA Compusult and Associates with the theme "Sustainable Microfinance Banking in Nigeria''.
Martins also said the total assets of the sub-sector presently stood at N365.51 billion.
She said the figures above was grossly inadequate given the country's population of 170 million that largely consisted of people at the bottom of the social pyramid that consisted a veritable targets of the banks
She added, "the industry is highly concentrated and unevenly distributed with the top 10 of the 991 Microfinance banks accounting for 37 per cent to 40 per cent of the total loans, deposits and assets as at March 31, 2017.
"The sub-sector is also under capitalised with high non-performing loans and characterized by a high spate of distress and failures with many institutions particularly unit Microfinance banks technically insolvent or inactive."
Martins said the bank has also expended 12 million dollars to register the 991 Microfinance banks and some finance houses with Credit Bureaux to enable them combat dubious customers.
Martins, who was represented by Mr Bassey Ekpo, a deputy Deputy Director in OFISD ,however, commended NAMBLAG for organizing the seminar.
" I also commend the association for considering it appropriate to hold the the brainstorming seminar outside Lagos to enable maximum concentration.
"The seminar is significant in three vital aspects, firstly, it holds on the heels of the recent economic recession that hits the country.
"Secondly, the theme this year underlines the need for stakeholders to re-tool and re-invent themselves in the face of economic challenges.
"Thirdly the seminar holds at the time of economic challenge in which Microfinance banks is expected to play critical role and contribute to the on –going economic recovery efforts."
The Chairman of NAMBLAG, Mr Omololu Fatunbi, in his keynote address, commended CBN for its support to the banks.
Omololu said that NAMBLAG was not unaware of the many initiatives by the apex bank to push Microfinance banks to higher level.
The NAMBLAG boss said that the he would also put all efforts to ensure all the banks in the state meet the deadline for the registration of Bank Verification Number (BVN).
Reacting to performance of the sub-sector, he said the banks in Lagos state were ready to support the Federal Government's effort to take the country out of recession.
"By God's grace, NAMBLAG will ensure that our services are extended to all Nigerians living in Lagos State.
"We will penetrate the rural towns and villages to empower them for agricultural development.
A lady, Terry Gobanga, formerly Terry Apudo, was the rape victim who survived and now tells her story. A young Nairobi pastor, she was the bride that everybody was waiting for at the church that faithful wedding day.
Nobody, not even the eagerly waiting groom ever thought or had an inkling of what had happened.
But that was how Terry suffered the second tragedy of her life in a quick succession.
According to her, "It was going to be a very big wedding. I was a pastor, so all our church members were coming, as well as all our relatives. My fiance, Harry, and I were very excited – we were getting married in All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi and I had rented a beautiful dress," she told BBCAfrica.
Terry Gobanga
Continuing, Terry said, "But the night before the wedding I realised that I had some of Harry’s clothes, including his cravat. He couldn’t show up without a tie, so a friend who had stayed the night offered to take it to him first thing in the morning. We got up at dawn and I walked her to the bus station.
"As I was making my way back home, I walked past a guy sitting on the bonnet of a car – suddenly he grabbed me from behind and dumped me in the back seat. There were two more men inside, and they drove off. It all happened in a fraction of a second.
"A piece of cloth was stuffed in my mouth. I was kicking and hitting out and trying to scream. When I managed to push the gag out, I screamed: “It’s my wedding day!” That was when I got the first blow. One of the men told me to “co-operate or you will die”.
"The men took turns to rape me. I felt sure I was going to die, but I was still fighting for my life, so when one of the men took the gag out of my mouth I bit his manhood. He screamed in pain and one of them stabbed me in the stomach. Then they opened the door and threw me out of the moving car.
"I was miles from home, outside Nairobi. More than six hours had passed since I had been abducted.
"A child saw me being thrown out and called her grandmother. People came running. When the police came they tried to get a pulse, but no-one could. Thinking I was dead, they wrapped me in a blanket and started to take me to the mortuary. But on the way there, I choked on the blanket and coughed. The policeman said: “She’s alive?” And he turned the car around and drove me to the biggest government hospital in Kenya.
"I arrived in great shock, murmuring incoherently. I was half-naked and covered in blood, and my face was swollen from being punched. But something must have alerted the matron, because she guessed I was a bride. “Let’s go around the churches to see if they’re missing a bride,” she told the nurses.
"By coincidence, the first church they called at was All Saints Cathedral. “Are you missing a bride?” the nurse asked.
"The minister said: “Yes, there was a wedding at 10 o’clock and she didn’t come.”
"When I didn’t show up to the church, my parents were panicking. People were sent out to search for me. Rumours flew. Some wondered: “Did she change her mind?” Others said: “No, it’s so unlike her, what happened?”
"After a few hours, they had to take down the decorations to make room for the next ceremony. Harry had been put in the vestry to wait.
"When they heard where I was, my parents came to the hospital with the whole entourage. Harry was actually carrying my wedding gown. But the media had also got wind of the story so there were reporters too.
"I was moved to another hospital where I’d have more privacy. That was where the doctors stitched me up and gave me some devastating news: “The stab wound went deep into your womb, so you won’t be able to carry any children.”
"I was given the morning-after pill, as well as antiretroviral drugs to protect me from HIV and Aids. My mind shut down, it refused to accept what had happened.
"Harry kept saying he still wanted to marry me. “I want to take care of her and make sure she comes back to good health in my arms, in our house,” he said. Truth be told, I wasn’t in a position to say Yes or No because my mind was so jammed with the faces of the three men, and with everything that had happened.
"A few days later, when I was less sedated, I was able to look him in the eye. I kept saying sorry. I felt like I had let him down. Some people said it was my own fault for leaving the house in the morning. It was really hurtful, but my family and Harry supported me.
"The police never caught the rapists. I went to line-up after line-up but I didn’t recognise any of the men, and it hurt me each time I went. It set back my recovery – it was 10 steps forward, 20 back. In the end I went back to the police station and said: “You know what, I’m done. I just want to leave it.”
"Three months after the attack I was told I was HIV-negative and got really excited, but they told me I had to wait three more months to be sure. Still, Harry and I began to plan our second wedding.
"Although I had been very angry at the press intrusion, somebody read my story and asked to meet me. Her name was Vip Ogolla, and she was also a rape survivor. We spoke, and she told me she and her friends wanted to give me a free wedding. “Go wild, have whatever you want,” she said.
"I was ecstatic. I went for a different type of cake, much more expensive. Instead of a rented gown, now I could have one that was totally mine.
"In July 2005, seven months after our first planned wedding, Harry and I got married and went on a honeymoon.
"Twenty-nine days later, we were at home on a very cold night. Harry lit a charcoal burner and took it to the bedroom. After dinner, he removed it because the room was really warm. I got under the covers as he locked up the house. When he came to bed he said he was feeling dizzy, but we thought nothing of it.
"It was so cold we couldn’t sleep, so I suggested getting another duvet. But Harry said he couldn’t get it as he didn’t have enough strength. Strangely, I couldn’t stand up either. We realised something was very wrong. He passed out. I passed out. I remember coming to. I would call him. At times he would respond, at other times he wouldn’t. I pushed myself out of bed and threw up, which gave me some strength. I started crawling to the phone. I called my neighbour and said: “Something is wrong, Harry is not responding.”
"She came over immediately but it took me ages to crawl to the front door to let her in as I kept passing out. I saw an avalanche of people coming in, screaming. And I passed out again.
"I woke up in hospital and asked where my husband was. They said they were working on him in the next room. I said: “I’m a pastor, I’ve seen quite a lot in my life, I need you to be very straight with me.” The doctor looked at me and said: “I’m sorry, your husband did not make it.”
"I couldn’t believe it.
"Going back to church for the funeral was terrible. Just a month earlier I had been there in my white dress, with Harry standing at the front looking handsome in his suit. Now, I was in black and he was being wheeled in, in a casket.
"People thought I was cursed and held back their children from me. “There’s a bad omen hanging over her,” they said. At one point, I actually believed it myself.
"Others accused me of killing my husband. That really got me down – I was grieving.
"The post-mortem showed what really happened: as the carbon monoxide filled his system, he started choking and suffocated.
"I had a terrible breakdown. I felt let down by God, I felt let down by everybody. I couldn’t believe that people could be laughing, going out and just going about life. I crashed.
"One day I was sitting on the balcony looking at the birds chirping away and I said: “God, how can you take care of the birds and not me?” In that instant I remembered there are 24 hours a day – sitting in depression with your curtains closed, no-one’s going to give you back those 24 hours. Before you know, it’s a week, a month, a year wasted away. That was a tough reality.
"I told everybody I would never ever get married again. God took my husband, and the thought of ever going through such a loss again was too much. It’s something I wouldn’t wish on anybody. The pain is so intense, you feel it in your nails.
"But there was one man – Tonny Gobanga – who kept visiting. He would encourage me to talk about my husband and think about the good times. One time he didn’t call for three days and I was so angry. That’s when it hit me that I had fallen for him.
"Tonny proposed marriage but I told him to buy a magazine, read my story and tell me if he still loved me. He came back and said he still wanted to marry me.
"But I said: “Listen, there’s another thing – I can’t have children, so I cannot get married to you.”
“Children are a gift from God,” he said. “If we get them, Amen. If not, I will have more time to love you.”
"I thought: “Wow, what a line!” So I said Yes.
"Tonny went home to tell his parents, who were very excited, until they heard my story. “You can’t marry her – she is cursed,” they said. My father-in-law refused to attend the wedding, but we went ahead anyway. We had 800 guests – many came out of curiosity.
"It was three years after my first wedding, and I was very scared. When we were exchanging vows, I thought: “Here I am again Father, please don’t let him die.” As the congregation prayed for us I cried uncontrollably.
"A year into our marriage, I felt unwell and went to the doctor – and to my great surprise he told me that I was pregnant.
"As the months progressed I was put on total bed rest, because of the stab wound to my womb. But all went well, and we had a baby girl who we called Tehille. Four years later, we had another baby girl named Towdah.
"Today, I am the best of friends with my father-in-law.
I wrote a book, Crawling out of Darkness, about my ordeal, to give people hope of rising again. I also started an organisation called Kara Olmurani. We work with rape survivors, as I call them – not rape victims. We offer counselling and support. We are looking to start a halfway house for them where they can come and find their footing before going back to face the world.
"I have forgiven my attackers. It wasn’t easy but I realised I was getting a raw deal by being upset with people who probably don’t care. My faith also encourages me to forgive and not repay evil with evil but with good.
"The most important thing is to mourn. Go through every step of it. Get upset until you are willing to do something about your situation. You have to keep moving, crawl if you have to. But move towards your destiny because it’s waiting, and you have to go and get it," she concluded.
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Friday inaugurated a special patrol team codenamed "Cobra Squad' in the FCT, preparatory to the July 1 commencement of mental test on recalcitrant traffic law violators.
The move came a day before the planned nationwide enforcement of mental stability/psychological test on traffic offenders by the commission.
The test would focus on life threatening violations, such as use of phone while driving, route violation, traffic light violation, dangerous driving and overloading.
The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, inaugurated the squad, along with 10 equipped patrol motorcycles, five vans and an ambulance, dedicated to the exercise in the FCT.
He used the occasion to reiterate his warning against assault of FRSC personnel in the country, stressing that the commission would press for maximum punishment of culprits.
Oyeyemi said he would personally lead the FCT squad, adding that similar teams and logistics would be deployed at the zonal level before the end of July.
He explained that the special patrol would be outside the normal patrol activities of the commission in the FCT and other parts of the country.
He said "let me sound a note of warning to all road users; the Corps will not tolerate any form of assault on its personnel.
"With the support of the Federal Ministry of Justice, if need be, I will press for maximum punishment of culprits and ensure that I send them to jail.
"FRSC officials are law enforcement agents funded by the government to ensure the safety of Nigerians on the road, but road users, especially passengers, are fond of assaulting them.
"I will get them arrested and with the help of the Inspector-General of Police, criminal cases will be filed against them. It is not a threat; I have started that already,'' he said.
The Corps Marshal said flashpoints of traffic violations in the territory would be effectively manned by FRSC officials and backed by ambulances.
Oyeyemi, who noted that his announcement of the mental stability test had been misinterpreted by a section of the public, said the commission would, however, remain focused in the discharge of its responsibilities.
"I have never said the issue of psychiatric test or any form. I am very focused on what I am doing; I will take them (offenders) to the appropriate hospital and they will run a mental and psychological evaluation to confirm they are fit for driving.
"Although this is one of the criteria before you obtain licence, I just want to reconfirm the mental and psychological state of offenders before appropriate sanctions are meted out on them.
"The issue of fine does not come in. We need a firm approach to this and the National Assembly has said it that we should improve on our enforcement.
"The Executive has also said it and we are getting the full backing of the Judiciary. So, this is a note of warning to reckless drivers."
He said the commission must not allow few lawless drivers to endanger the lives of other road users, urging all hands to be on deck in the FRSC to restore sanity to the nation's highways.
He also solicited the cooperation and support of the public, private and commercial drivers and other road users.
The Nigerian Army says it has contributed immensely to the democratic process in the country through robust participation in peace support and internal security operations.
It said that it contributed by consolidating, especially in the last one year on the gains so far achieved in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency and other domestic threats.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai made the remarks on Friday at a news conference to begin the 2017 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL), which holds on every July 6.
The army which came into being in 1863 is now 154 years old.
Represented by Maj.-Gen. Christopher Jemitola, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Buratai said that the 2017 event was organised to sustain the rich history, traditions and values of the army.
The theme of the celebration is; "Sustaining the Successes of the Nigerian Army in Tackling Contemporary and Emerging Security Challenges.''
"This theme was deliberately chosen to reflect on the successes recorded by the Nigerian Army in the fight against insurgency in the North East and other forms of criminalities across the nation.
"The liberation of all parts of the country hitherto claimed by the Boko Haram terrorists and the eventual collapse of the once dreaded Sambisa forest are clear testimonies to this fact,'' Buratai said.
He said the annual event was an opportunity for the army to take stock, assess its performances, inter-face with members of the public and set goals for the succeeding year.''
He recalled that onJuly 6, 1967, the first shot was fired at Garkem in the present day Cross River, which commenced the unfortunate 30-month long Nigerian Civil War.
The army chief said that NADCEL constantly reminded the army of the supreme sacrifices paid by its gallant troops, as well as to showcase its contributions in keeping Nigeria united and indivisible country.
"The celebration is also aimed at protecting the Nigerian Army as an instrument of national unity, integration and development as well as highlighting the achievements, capabilities and positive image of the Nigerian Army.
At a Juma'at service to begin the event, Brig.-Gen. Shehu Mustapha, the Director of Army Islamic Affairs called on religious leaders to contribute their quota in ensuring peace in the country.
Mustapha urged them to prevail on their followers to exercise restraint in the practices of their belief and avoid extremism to reduce the incident of religious crisis.
"They must assist the army by preventing conflicts,'' he said, noting that religious extremism causes crisis.
He also urged Nigerians of different faith to be tolerant of one another, while praying for the quick recovery of the president.
At the service, the chief of army staff, who was represented by Maj.-Gen. Alkali Ahmadu, the Chief of Administration, commended officers and men of the army for their resilience in the fight against insurgency.
While urging them to be disciplined and subjective to constituted authorities, Buratai charged them to ensure that terrorists were totally defeated.
Other activities lined up for the week-long celebration include sanitation, medical outreach and photo/arts exhibition.
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) on Friday described reports that it connived with some political parties to manipulate the list of candidates for the July 22 council election as absurd.
The Chairman of the commission, retired Justice Ayotunde Phillips, spoke at media briefing in Lagos on LASIEC's preparations for the election.
She said that the commission, under her watch, would not, under any guise, interfere in the internal affairs of parties.
"I wish to use this forum to state with all sense of responsibility that contrary to insinuations by some disgruntled persons that the commission connived with some political parties to manipulate the list of candidates, I wish to state that the responsibility for the conduct of primaries rests with parties and not the commission.
"The commission is only expected to obtain a list of candidates selected through the primaries organised by parties, which are expected to be observed by the commission.
"So, we find media reports accusing the commission of conniving with some members of some political parties to impose some unwanted candidates as absurd and ill-motivated to discredit the commission and the electoral process.
"The commission under my watch believes in the rule of law and due process and will not under any guise interfere in the internal affairs of parties,'' the chairman said.
Phillips emphasised that the role of the media in mobilising the electorate and stabilising the electoral process cannot be over- emphasised.
She said that when the enormous powers of the media were, however, deployed negatively, the harm that could wreak on the society was better imagined.
The chairman appealed to the media to always strive to be patriotic and professional in their reportage of activities of the election.
"You must always be guided by truth and ensure your reports are balanced to guarantee peace before and after the election.
"As professionals, never allow desperate politicians to use you and your organisations for selfish motives which create conflicts.
"You owe it as a duty to use your profession and media practice to promote patriotism and integrity among people,'' she said.
Phillips urged the media to give LASIEC the necessary support to ensure the successful conduct of the council polls.
She said the media were a critical stakeholder in any democracy, especially at the grassroots, adding their contribution was particularly important for peaceful conduct of elections.
The commission's chairman appealed to the media to help mobilise the electorate for the election through publicity with a view to address the perennial problem of voter apathy.
On the commission's preparations for the election, Phillips said it had partnered the National Orientation Agency to step up awareness.
She said that the commission would also start massive creation of awareness through the mass media and others from next week.
Phillips explained that the lack of strict adherence to the election timetable by the commission was because of disruptions caused by public holidays and other contingencies.
She, however, said the commission was still on course as it had begun the screening of candidates for the election.
Phillips said the list of the validated and invalidated would be displayed by the commission on the completion of the screening in a fortnight.
She pointed out that parties still had the opportunity to substitute the names of invalidated candidates after the display.
Asked if the commission would announce all the results in its headquarters as was done in the last council elections, she answered in the negative.
She said the law required the results to be declared at the ward collation centres and that was what the commission would follow.
Phillips said assured that adequate security would be put in place at every polling unit to ensure peaceful conduct.
While assuring residents that the commission would conduct the election without let or hindrance, she urged residents to show interest in the process through participation.
"I urge all eligible voters to participate in the election. It is when they participate that they can elect the right leaders," she said.
The chairman said that LASIEC would make use of the voters register for the election, and that those participating in the on-going continuous voter registration would only vote if their names appeared on the list with the commission.
