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
A day with the Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka and Ijaw literary icons’, at the Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, Bayesla state.
R-L Hon Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa State Governor; Prof Wole Soyinka; Dr Gabriel Okara and Prof Ebiegberi Alagoa during an Interactive Session of Nigeria’s Literary ICON’s with Secondary School Students in Bayelsa State at The Newly Commissioned Ijaw National Academy Yesterday in Kaiama Bayelsa State. Photo: Nwankpa ChijiokeL-R Prof Ebiegberi Alagoa; Real Admiral John Jonah, Bayelsa State Deputy Governor; HRM King Alfred Diete Spiff; Prof Wole Soyinka; Hon Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa State Governor; Dr Gabriel Okara; Prof John Pepper Clark and Dr Racheal Dickson, Wife of Bayelsa State Governor cutting a Cake to Mark Prof Wole Soyinka’s Birthday after an Interactive Session of Nigeria’s Literary ICON’s with Secondary School Students in Bayelsa State at The Newly Commissioned Ijaw National Academy Yesterday in Kaiama Bayelsa State. Photo: Nwankpa ChijiokeL-R Prof Ebiegberi Alagoa; Real Admiral John Jonah, Bayelsa State Deputy Governor; HRM King Alfred Diete Spiff; Prof Wole Soyinka; Hon Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa State Governor; Dr Gabriel Okara; Prof John Pepper Clark and Dr Racheal Dickson, Wife of Bayelsa State Governor cutting a Cake to Mark Prof Wole Soyinka’s Birthday after an Interactive Session of Nigeria’s Literary ICON’s with Secondary School Students in Bayelsa State at The Newly Commissioned Ijaw National Academy Yesterday in Kaiama Bayelsa State. Photo: Nwankpa ChijiokeMembers of Bayelsa State Council of Arts and Culture Presenting an Adaptation of Prof Wole Soyinka’s Poem “Abikun” during an Interactive Session of Nigeria’s Literary ICON’s with Secondary School Students in Bayelsa State at The Newly Commissioned Ijaw National Academy Yesterday in Kaiama Bayelsa State. Photo: Nwankpa ChijiokeMembers of Bayelsa State Council of Arts and Culture Presenting an Adaptation of Prof Wole Soyinka’s Poem “Abikun” during an Interactive Session of Nigeria’s Literary ICON’s with Secondary School Students in Bayelsa State at The Newly Commissioned Ijaw National Academy Yesterday in Kaiama Bayelsa State. Photo: Nwankpa ChijiokeBenstowe Justice A Student of Ijaw National Academy[L] asking Prof Wole Soyinka [R] a Question with them are Dr Gabriel Okara [2nd right] and Prof Ebiegberi Alagoa during an Interactive Session of Nigeria’s Literary ICON’s with Secondary School Students in Bayelsa State at The Newly Commissioned Ijaw National Academy Yesterday in Kaiama Bayelsa State. Photo: Nwankpa ChijiokeL-R Prof Wole Soyinka; Hon Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa State Governor and Prof John Pepper Clark during an Interactive Session of Nigeria’s Literary ICON’s with Secondary School Students in Bayelsa State at The Newly Commissioned Ijaw National Academy Yesterday in Kaiama Bayelsa State. Photo: Nwankpa ChijiokeL-R Prof Wole Soyinka; Hon Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa State Governor and Prof John Pepper Clark during an Interactive Session of Nigeria’s Literary ICON’s with Secondary School Students in Bayelsa State at The Newly Commissioned Ijaw National Academy Yesterday in Kaiama Bayelsa State. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke
A detachment of policemen invaded the residence of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke(SAN) in search of cash and undisclosed documents. Former attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke Armed to the teeth, the policemen from the Force Headquarters in Abuja laid siege to the house in Okene for about one hour without finding anything.
Although they displayed a warrant from a High Court of Justice in Gudu District Abuja, the policemen refused to disclose their exact mission.
They however ransacked the duplex, from about 4.15pm to 5.15pm, including Adoke's bedroom, his wife's bedroom, the roof and the toilets.
A junior brother of the ex-Minister, Mr. Abdul Adoke said: said: "The policemen presented a search warrant obtained from the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Gudu in Abuja. Their leader identified himself as a police officer from the Force Headquarters, Abuja but he refused to disclose his identity.
"We cooperated with them and at the end of the day, nothing was found. They wrote a report declaring that the duplex was free of any incriminating documents. I and four others also signed the report too."
Adoke has been facing trial for alleged involvement in a $1billion Malabu Oil Block deal against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He however said that although the charge was irrational, he was prepared to make himself available to defend it at the appropriate time.
He said he did not benefit in any way from the auctioning of the Oil Prospecting Licence 245(OPL 245) popularly referred to as Malabu Oil Block.
Adoke said he got requisite approvals from the former President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to broker the settlement and execute the OPL 245 Settlement Agreement.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has said his administration would cut expenditure and stick to available resources to help the government cope with the reality on ground, while also calling for a change of people's attitude to expenses. Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki This was on Friday, during a courtesy visit by the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) at Edo State Government House in Benin City, the state's capital.
Explaining, the Governor said that Nigeria was making money, but people's attitude towards expenses accounted for the country's present condition, emphasising that attitudinal change would be a step in the right direction for facilitating nation growth.
Frowning at unnecessary expenditures, which he described as frivolities, he declared that avoidance of wasteful spending motivated his decision not to acquire a new bulletproof car, which he was entitled to.
He said, "I am governor of Edo State, I am entitled to a brand new bulletproof car, but I have not bought because we cannot afford it. I am using what my predecessor left, but I have got lady mechanic who is refurbishing all government cars".
Meanwhile, he also asserted that no state pensioner was owed any entitlements, and that the state was not responsible for local government retirees as the local governments were well funded, and should provide accounts of their income and expenditure for the past 10 years, as this would help the pensioners understand how their money was spent.
Leading the ANAN delegation, Barr. Felix Ahonsi noted that citizens of the state were already benefiting from the developmental stride of the governor, while also commending his policies to deliver the dividends of democracy in the areas of human capital development; infrastructural development; economic revolution; and repositioning of the local government council for service delivery.
Ahonsi said ANAN was ready to collaborate with the government in accounting, auditing, training and other relevant areas.
Lusaka – The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Friday, called on member states to adhere to the UN minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners.
Late Nelson Mandela
UNODC's National Coordinator, Sharon Nyambe, made the remarks ahead of the Nelson Mandela Day on July 18, 2017 and the Day of Prayer and Action for Prisoners on the 15th July.
The UNODC acts as the custodian of the international standards and norms related to the treatment of prisoners, including the Nelson Mandela Rules.
He expressed concern that prisoners in many countries continued to experience inhuman conditions, adding that time had come for states to provide conducive environments for inmates.
"A large number of prison systems around the world are at a stage of crisis with serious effects on prisoners, their families and societies as a whole in Zambia,'' Nyambe said.
The UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners were named after the South African icon that spent 27 years in prison, to honour his legacy.
Nyambe said it was the responsibility of member states to make a difference in the lives of prisoners following ongoing reforms in many countries.
Nyambe also said it was to ensure that prisons move from penal facilities to correctional facilities.
She said that the ultimate purpose of imprisonment was undermined in prisons which were overstretched and poorly managed.
The UNDOC, she said, had designed guidance materials, adding that it would provide technical assistance and advisory services to member countries in the field of penal reforms.
The national coordinator said the effort would help member states develop or strengthen penitentiary legislation, policies and practices in line with the rules.
''The UNODC has also developed the Nelson Mandela Rules compliance checklist which forms part of its global programs on addressing prison challenges.''
She said UNODC in Zambia had provided 175, 000 dollars for supporting rehabilitation programmes in correctional facilities and the social reintegration of prisoners upon release in 2017.
According to her, figures shows that about 115 countries in the world have 100 per cent overcrowding in prisons.
Percy Chato, Head of the Zambia Correctional Services, said at the occasion that efforts were made to ensure that the country's correctional facilities adher to the Nelson Mandela Rules in the treatment of inmates.
He promised that the authorities of the facilities would do everything possible to embrace the basic principles in the rules.
Abuja – The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has expressed satisfaction with the level of progress so far in its job creation scheme, N-Power.
Osinbajo
He gave the indication while addressing state House Correspondents shortly after inspecting the N-Power Call Centre as well as the distribution of tablets to N-Power volunteer corps.
"We are extremely excited about what we have achieved so far.
"Already, 200,000 young graduates had been engaged and since the portal was opened, another 2.3 million or so have applied and we are looking at the next phase of engagement.
"For me, what is important is that we have been able to do this incrementally and that we are able to give hope to some of these young people who need the opportunity.
"We will never always do everything but I think it is important that we do as much as we can,'' he said.
Osinbajo stated that the target was 500,000 employees, "but depending on our resources, we can always do more.''
He advised beneficiaries of theose on the job scheme to make judicious use of the tablets being distributed which had so much training materials to develop ones skills in a wide variety of ways to access greater opportunities.
"It is much more than an employment programme; it is a learning programme; it is a skills development programme.
"It is unprecedented and I have not seen anything that compares with it anywhere in the world.''
The Acting President rated the programme as excellent, adding that the implementation was well done.
On the call centre, he said the whole idea was to ensure there was constant engagement with the young people trying to enter the scheme.
According to him, the centre is also being used to resolve payment issues of volunteers.
"We are trying to use electronic platform as effectively as possible.
"There is no way that you can engage the number of people that we are engaging, train the number of people that we are training without doing it electronically.
"I just want to say that I am so impressed, especially with the young people who are working here and they are proving a point.
"They are proving that we have gone to a different scale to do something entirely different.
"Because here, we are engaging young people and training and informing them at the same time without necessarily physically seeing them here in Abuja.
"So, I think it is unprecedented in its scope, creativity and in all that we will be able to achieve,'' he added.
Osinbajo said that volunteers who failed to authenticate their bank details would not be paid until they were done with the clearance.
He said the process was new and it was clear that people may have problems with their record adding "if you fail to clear that you will be paying the wrong people.''
Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and Youth Empowerment, said that the call centre was the back room operations of N-Power.
He further said that the centre had the communications team, N-Power Comm, comprising all its social media handlers across the globe.
According to him, the programme is not to share money but for the volunteers to assist in community work to improve the grassroots.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that N-Power, linked to the Federal Government's policies in the economic, employment and social development arenas addresses the challenge of youth unemployment.
This is done 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.
Abuja – Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, on Friday said President Muhammadu Buhari nominated late Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin for two-year extension of his service at the UN shortly before his death. Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA Executive Director Onyeama stated this in Abuja at a memorial service for Osotimehin organised by the UN.
He said that Nigeria was proud of the late professor, and pointed out that he diligently served the country and the international community.
He said that the country had to write a letter to the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres to retain late Osotimehin in his team.
"Two months ago, I actually had to write a letter to the UN Secretary-General at the instruction and encouragement of Mr President and the Acting President.
"The letter was to inform him that Nigeria was immensely proud of what Osotimehin was doing for the past six years.
"And, that we will appreciate very much since he has the right to appoint his team, to retain him for the next two years," he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osotimehin was appointed the UNFPA Executive Director in November, 2010 for a four-year term, which was renewed in 2014.
He was also until his death on June 4, Under Secretary-General of the UN.
Prior to joining the UN, late Osotimehin was Nigeria's Minister of Health.
He was also the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS after nurturing it as National Action Committee on AIDS, which he managed as chairman.
Onyeama said that Ostimehin had laid a legacy in the health sector and projected the image of the nation at the international scene.
"We are here not to mourn but to celebrate a great Nigerian's life – a former Minister of Health, who dedicated his life not only to our fatherland but to humanity," he said.
According to him, any nation on earth would be proud to have him as one of their own.
The minister said that it was not surprising that international community appointed him as Executive Director of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
He said that since his passing on, the narrative about his contribution to global health had been wonderful "and even this morning people were talking about his humility''.
"I want to place on record our immense gratitude to the international community for giving him the opportunity to serve the world in the capacity of Executive Director and Under-Secretary of UN.
"As Minister of Health, he mobilised all the ministries of the 36 states of the federation to build and developed health plan that focused on primary healthcare.
"He ensured that medical institutions in Nigeria treat gun shots and accident victims before any other thing. He was an advocate of reproductive health and reproductive rights," Onyeama said.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, said he would have burnt his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) membership card if the court had declared Ali Modu Sheriff chairman of the party.
He said that he would have also destroyed the party's flag in his possession.
Fayose, who returned to the state on Friday after the Wednesday's Supreme Court session, stated this while addressing PDP supporters in Ado-Ekiti.
He said that he would have destroyed his membership card of the party and the flag right at the court premises if the verdict had been in favour of Sheriff.
"I never imagined myself being in the same party with impostors" he said.
The governor, however, said that Sheriff and his followers had been forgiven but won't go scot-free for causing the party members so much pain.
"I went to court with a perfume which I wanted to use to spray my cards and party flags and set them ablaze even within the court premises if Sheriff had won; that was why I went to court.
"Although I believe that we remain the same PDP family, no one can cause our party such pains and embarrassment and expect that he will go without being asked to account for his actions.
"The `no victor, no vanquished' that we said was a mere political slogan. Whoever that participated in this charade must show some reasonable level of remorse for his actions," he said.
By Chimaobi Nwaiwu Nnewi – The Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra.MASSOB, has described the call by Northern youths for the United National to list Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB as a terrorist group as one made by confused and directionless people who are bereft of the meaning of terrorist and what constitutes terrorism.
MASSOB-BIM members on parade MASSOB in a statement by its National Director of Information, Comrade Edeson Samuel said the Norther youths are limited by their lack of education and therefore should not be blamed for not knowing the difference between terrorist, terrorism and self determination.
MASSOB under the leadership of Mazi Uchenna Madu has condemned the utterances from Arewa youths against IPOB.These Northern youths who want United National to list IPOB as a terrorist group are confused and directionless group who do not know the meaning of terrorist and what constitutes terrorism.
“MASSOB will not blame them because they are limited by lack of education as most of them are illiterates,uneducated and charlatans who did not know the difference between terrorism and self determination.
“The Northern elites are using them to cause trouble because they are desperate to control Nigeria by all means by using Northern youths to intimidate Nigerians when they feel their hold on to power is threatened, and these Northern group forgot that they have ruled Nigeria for 20years from 1979 to 1999, there was no complain from the Southern part of Nigeria.”
According to MASSOB, “the Northerners are to be blame for crisis Nigeria, their believe in “born to rule has failed them,that is why they are shouting and complaining creating confusion in the society.”
The Northern youth should have first of tell United Nations to declare Fulani herdsmen who went about killing and raping women and destroying people farm land as terrorists, these Northern youths are so blind that they cannot see the havoc the brothers are doing communities in the name of herdsmen.
The Arewa youths who ordered Ndigbo to vacate their land with threat should have been declared as terrorist before asking for IPOB to be declared as terrorist group,they are the one that killed Ndigbo and Biafrans from 1953 till date and have not been listed as terrorist.
“They want United Nation to label IPOB a terrorist organization because they are seeking like other Biafra agitating groups for self determination, when they use Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen to kill and maim people and yet they have not been declared terrorists region.
United Nations is made up of enlightened and educated people, they cannot respond to such laughable and unrealistic call because they know the meaning of what IPOB, MASSOB and other Biafra agitating groups are doing.
The United Nations are made up of professional leaned,educated gentle men that cannot be pushed by sentiments of these ignorant Northern youths and politicians backing them, who are desperate to hold unto power.
“MASSOB is therefore warning Arewa elders and their youths to mind their utterances because Ndigbo and Biafrans cannot be intimidated by their antics of the people who have continued the set Nigeria back and yet they want to hold on to power by all means.”
…damns memos by Osinbajo, HoS for probe of fraud allegations against him
By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor The crisis rocking the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, has taken a new dimension, as the Executive Secretary of the federal government-owned agency, Prof Usman Yusuf, has rejected the suspension order slammed on him by the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole. Yusuf Usman Yusuf, a professor of Paediatrics, who came on board the scheme last year, was given a marching order by Adewole, a professor of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, to proceed on suspension for three months following mounting petitions against alleged fraudulent practices and nepotism by concerned groups.
The letter suspending Yusuf, who hails from the same state as President Muhammadu Buhari, was given to him on July 6, 2017, directing him to go on three months suspension to pave the way for an independent probe of the mountains of petitions against him.
In the three paragraph letter entitled "Suspension from Office" and addressed to Prof Yusuf , Adewole said, "I refer to the series of petitions against you which were forwarded for your comments.
"I am to draw your attention to your response which has been considered unsatisfactory. I have therefore, directed the setting up of an investigative committee on the various allegations against you.
"Consequently, you are directed to proceed on three months suspension with immediate effect to pave way for an uninterrupted investigation, in accordance with Public Service Rule.
"Meanwhile, you are hereby directed to handover to the next most senior General Manager in the Agency," the suspension letter said.
However, in a daring tone, never seen in the history of the public service, Prof Yusuf fired back at the Health Minister on July 12, telling him to his face that he could not proceed on the suspension as the minister lacks the power to sanction him.
Yusuf pointedly told Adewole that it was only the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who appointed him, that could remove him from office, which has tenure of five years in the first instance and another five, if renewed.
The embattled NHIS ES advanced five reasons why Adewole could not suspend him and why he would not leave his office to anyone else.
Yusuf said, "By virtue of the NHIS Act particularly section 4 and 8 thereof, my appointment and removal from office whether by way of suspension or otherwise is at the instance of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
"Except removed from office by the president under circumstances specified in the NHIS Act, my appointment is for a period of five years subject to further term of the same period at the discretion of the president.
"Although by virtue of section 47 of the NHIS Act, you are empowered to give directives of a general nature to the Governing Council of the Scheme and in the absence of the Council, you have Presidential mandate to exercise the powers and functions of the council, but since the powers and functions of the Council do not include discipline, suspension or removal of the Executive Secretary of the Scheme from office, the directive in your letter under reference cannot find comfort under the said section or presidential mandate; and
"The letter of suspension is not in accordance with Public Service Rules as no prima facie case has been established against me in respect of the petition referred to in the letter. The mere fact that there are pending petitions against a public officer which is yet to be substantiated does not constitute a ground for suspension under the Public Service Rules. Otherwise, with over 18,000 petitions pending against public office holders before the EFCC and ICPC as at the end of June 2017, the total number of public officers who would have been on suspension by now including Honourable Ministers is left to be imagined.
"As you are aware, the petitions referred to in your letter are currently being investigated by the ICPC which is yet to submit its report. In view of the criminal nature of most of the allegations in the petitions, security/investigative agencies like ICPC are the appropriate agencies for investigation contemplated in your letter; not a Ministerial Committee. I have cooperated fully with the investigations so far and will continue to do so."
Copies of the letter were sent to the Acting President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Katsina Governor, Attorney General of the Federation, Director of DSS, Head of Service of the Federation, the Chairman of the EFCC and the Chairman of the ICPC.
Vanguard gathered that the decision to suspend the embattled NHIS ES followed two memos given to him by the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, directing him to investigate two allegations of criminal diversion of NHIS cash running into billions by the ES and cronies sent in by United Youths Alliance against Corruption and Dr. Tunde Ladele.
In the two petitions sighted by Saturday Vanguard, the two groups had called on the Acting President to cause the EFCC and the ICPC to investigate the high level of corruption and nepotism promoted by Prof Yusuf in the NHIS, which had caused the Federal Government billions of Naira and stifled the growth of health insurance as a result.
The marital challenge between Tonto Dikeh and her ex Husband, Churchill Olakunle has taken a new dimension as the actress and her friend seem to have teamed up to arrest Abuja Based popular Media Practitioner Alex Nwankwo.
Nwankwo who is known to be the publicist of Big Church Foundation was accused to have posted a story on an instagram page @church_exwives_association allegedly operated by him. He was said to be arrested after honouring a call from an unknown person for an advert feature on his platforms.
AlexReports was picked up with his Secretary by the Nigeria police in Maitama, Abuja after he was wrongly accused on the issue of defamation which he denied with substantial evidence.
According to him, “It beats my imagination to be arrested and made to pass a night in the police custody for a crime I know nothing about… it was indeed a terrible experience without any visible evidence linking me to the report on instagram which several blogs feasted on. But I don’t think I want to talk about it now because the case is still under investigation owing to the fact that the accusation was filed by one Tonto Dikeh’s Fashion Designer”
The publicist who lamented over inhuman treatment melted on him by the inmates at the Police cell alleged that the Fashion Designer who filled the case wants to use Churchill's publicists which he is one of them to get at him. He also confirmed that the same instagram page which he knew nothing about posted another defaming story while he was in detention signifying his innocence on the accused claims.
Immediate past National Organizing Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okey Nnaedozie has congratulated the leadership of the party under Senator Ahmed Makarfi on the Wednesday's Supreme Court verdict, urging all members to put the past behind, forgive one another and unite as one big family.
Nnaedozie in a statement on Friday described the leadership tussle as unfortunate and regretted that it resulted in many avoidable pain and losses to the party.
Ahmed Makarfi
He lamented that the tussle saw many loyal members of the party "wittingly or unwittingly on different sides of the divide depending on different interpretation of the Party's constitution", and expressed happiness that the ruling of the apex court has settled all the issues.
Nnaedozie said as a loyal member of the party, he regretted that the tussle tore the party apart resulting in many mistakes and unguarded utterances even from genuine members but added that very serious lessons have also been learnt.
The statement reads: "While it lasted, the disagreement saw many committed members of our great party wittingly or unwittingly on different sides of the divide based on principle and different interpretation of our Party's constitution. But in all, the verdict is victory for all as it has at last brought us all together again as one big family that we have always been.
"It is on this note that I sincerely congratulate the leaders and members of our party, particularly, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and members of the National Caretaker Committee, Our Governors, members of the National Assembly, and of course all Nigerians for this important judgment. Indeed, the ruling is a clear pointer to the future of not only our party but also the entire nation.
"No doubt, during and immediately after the 2015 general elections, and particularly during the period of this unfortunate divisive leadership tussle, mistakes were made; unguarded statements were made, our party had to bear avoidable pain and loses, but in all, very serious lessons have also been learnt.
"As a loyal member of our great party, the PDP remains my home as we once more rededicate ourselves and place the overriding interest of our party over and above every personal ambition or interest", he said.
Nnaedozie, urged the leaders and members of the party to "put the past behind forgive and embrace one another and together forge ahead in the onerous charge to reposition our party for the task ahead" while commending leaders who had already made comments in that regard.
The Lagos State/Mavrodi Mondial Movement (MMM) Under 18 Karate Championship ended during the week at the Rowe Park Sports Complex, Yaba, Lagos with Samchi Karate Academy of Lagos emerging champions.
Samchi Academy dazzled Karatekas from other states by winning 7 gold, 5 silver and 9 bronze medals in the event which featured 16 categories.
The champions discovered at the event include; Jamal Akeem, gold in category 6 and under male, Somelo Osielo gold in category 7 to 8 female, Odi Redah gold and silver in category 9 to 10 green belt male, Hene Bassey gold in category 7 to 8 green belt female, Esther Ndukwe gold, in category 8 to 9 orange belt female, Nwane Nnonye 2 gold medal in category 11 – 12 orange belt female and kumite.
Speaking after the event, winner in the under 15 category, Dauda Muba said: "I am very passionate about karate and I want to thank the Lagos State government and MMM for giving me this opportunity."
In the same vein, organizer of the event, Sensei Adejebe Samuel, Founder of Samchi Karate Academy and coordinator Japan (Nihon) Karate-Do Seikokai Suzuki-Ha Shito-Ryu Nigeria branch, stated that the objective is to discover and nurture future talents.
"Today, Karate is an Olympic sport so the need to catch them young cannot be over-emphasised. We need to start preparing them for the Olympics so that we can help them grow and win medals for the country."
Louis Olusegun Kolawole, Director of Sports, speaking on why the Lagos State government partnered MMM said it was because the Lagos State government is ready to partner any individual or group with developmental initiatives targeted at the youths of the state.
"The Lagos state Under 18 Karate Championship is one of such programmes and that fits into the vision of the Lagos State government because it promotes the youths in Lagos State.
Bakare Suleiman, Vice Chairman, Nigerian Referee Karate Commission, described the championship as a welcome development: "It is something we are all happy to witness. The children will benefit a lot because this gives them the opportunity to showcase what they have learnt in different belt categories. It is a stepping stone in the right direction."
Comprising team of about 20 policemen on Friday raided Okene , Kogi, the country home of the former attorney general of the federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, newsmen report.
It was gathered that the officers arrived at arround 3pm with a search warrant which after the search found nothing and asked guards on duty to append their signatures in a form to confirm that they did not take anything away.
ABUJA – The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, on Friday, swore-in 19 new Judges of the National Industrial Court, NIC, saying they should “take hard decisions” for the sake of the country.Justice Onnoghen
According to the CJN, “heavens will not fall”, should the new Judges, in strict adherence to their oath of office, decide cases brought before them in accordance with the rule of law.
He stressed that the Judiciary could only checkmate impunity in the country by adhering to the law.
He said, “When you need to take hard decision, take it, heavens will not fall. Heaven has never fallen off anybody’s judgment.
“We can only checkmate impunity by adherence to the law.”
Justice Onnoghen implored the new judges to be guided by oath of allegiance they swore to the Nigerian Constitution and their Office.
“I want to advise judicial officers particularly those of you that just sworn in to always be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the laws and your conscience.
“I assure you that as judicial officers, if you remain true to the oaths of your office, you have no problem; anything you need to function in that office is contained in the oath of office.
“If you allow yourself to be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the law, and your conscience, you can never go wrong.
“Two persons you cannot deceive – yourself and your God.”
The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, SAN, appointed the new NIC Judges, following recommendation from the National Judicial Council, NJC.
Those that were sworn-in yesterday as Judges were Targema John Iorngee (Benue), Namtari Mahmood Abba (Adamawa), Nweneka Gerald Ikechi (Rivers), Kado Sanusi (Katsina), Adeniyi Sinmisola Oluyinka (Ogun), Abiola Adunola Adewemimo (Osun) Opeloye Ogunbowale (Lagos), Essien Isaac Jeremiah (Akwa-Ibom) and Elizabeth Ama Oji (Ebonyi) .
Others were, Arowosegbe Olukayode Ojo (Ondo), Ogbuanya Nelson S. Chukwudi (Enugu), Bashir Zaynab Mohammed (Niger), Galadima Ibrahim Suleiman (Nasarawa), Bassi Paul Ahmed (Borno), Danjidda Salisu Hamisu (Kano), Hamman Idi Polycarp (Taraba), Damulak Kiyersohot Dashe (Plateau), Alkali Bashar Attahiru (Sokoto), and Mustapha Tijjani (Jigawa).
Their elevation brought the total number of Judges in the NIC which has the mandate of resolving industrial/workplace disputes, from 20 to 39.
…Would ‘ve burnt my membership card, PDP flag if Sheriff had won
By Rotimi Ojomoyela Ado Ekiti- The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayuose, Friday declared that even though the embattled former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and members of his faction may have been forgiven, they would not go unpunished for causing the party members so much pangs and pains.
Sheriff and Fayose
Fayose, who spoke in Ado Ekiti on Friday during his triumphant entry into Ekiti from Abuja said he would have burnt his membership card and the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) flag if Sheriff had won at the supreme court on Wednesday.
Fayose, who had been the most vociferous critic of Sheriff's leadership in the party, said he went to court with a perfume with the sinister intention to destroy his card and the party's flag if the delegitimised Chairman had won, saying " I never imagined myself being in the same party with impostors".
The Supreme Court had in a judgement on who was the authentic Chairman of the party declared the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction the genuine leadership, laying to rest crisis of several months that had done colossal damage to the party.
The governor said with the victory, President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo would be defeated in the 2019 presidential poll, saying efforts will be stepped up to revive the party and fortify it the more to be able to play its opposition roles.
"I went to court with a perfume which I wanted to use to spray my cards and party flags and set them ablaze even within the court premises if Sheriff had won, that was why I went to court.
"Though, I believe that we remain the same PDP family but no one can cause our party such pains and embarrassment and expect that he would go without be asked to account for his actions.
"Even the reactions of Sheriff people shows that we remain together. But the no victor, no vanquished that we said was a mere political slogan. Whoever that participated in this charade must show some reasonable level of remorse for their actions", he said.
He said the party would henceforth begin serious mobilization drives up to the grassroots level with efforts to reenergize the party to be able to defeat President Buhari and his Deputy in one swell swoop.
"Our party had ever remained one indissoluble family, which is PDP . It was only these impostors that were causing troubles but such had been laid to rest . PDP is a formidable force and we shall work up to the grassroots level to convince our people that we are up to the task of rebuilding this nation and win election in 2019".
When asked about his presidential ambition, Fayose retorted that; "It is still much alive. I am an early starter and that has been my style of politics. In 2003, I started earlier and I defeated Otunba Niyi Adebayo and likewise Dr Kayode Fayemi in 2014.
"I want to tell you that the APC won't return to the Villa. We shall defeat both Buhari and Osinbajo, we are removing the two together and I want you to believe this.
"When I talk, people would say I always pose like a Nostradamus, a man who can see tomorrow. Whether they like it or not, I shall be in the Villa in 2019, so my ambition is very much alive", Fayose stated.
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday described the continuous operation of the Federal Land Registry in Lagos as an aberration which the current ongoing Constitutional amendment process must address in line with the principle of fiscal federalism.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd right), member, House of Representatives, Hon Babajimi Benson (2nd right); Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade (right); Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (left); Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (2nd left) and Sen. Godswill Akpabio (3rd left) during the opening of the joint working retreat of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees' on Review of 1999 Constitution at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday, July 14, 2017.
Speaking at a joint working retreat of Senate and House Representatives Committees on the Review of 1999 Constitution held in Lagos, Governor Ambode also called on the National Assembly to jettison the proposed Stamp duties Bill currently being considered, which according to him, would cripple the internally generated revenue due to States in the federation if allowed to scale through.
While faulting the Federal Land Registry in Lagos which was established when Lagos was Federal Capital Territory, the Governor said the continuous operation of the registry was an aberration and it ought to have been closed and all title therein moved to the Lagos State Land Registry, urging the federal lawmakers to urgently correct the anomaly.
He also called for the restriction of Land Use Act only to the Federal Capital Territory on the basis of the fact that land had always been and should remain a residual matter for the State Houses of Assembly to legislate upon, hence the need for the Act to become Land Use Law of the States.
On the Stamp Duties Bill, the Governor said: "I will also like to express the imminent dangers inherent in the proposed Stamp duties Bill which no doubt seeks to cripple the internally generated revenue due to States in the federation in favour of a Federal Government Agency- NIPOST.
"The Bill is presently before the National Assembly and it is a grave threat to the principles of fiscal federalism and as representatives of the true beneficiaries of the Act as it presently stands, there is need to put an urgent and immediate end to its further coordination by the National Assembly which also has the noble tradition that once a matter is before the Court, all activities on the matter would be suspended."
He said the call became imperative in view of a case currently pending before the Supreme Court between Lagos State Government Attorney General and Attorney General of the Federation.
While highlighting some of the unhelpful provisions in the Constitution, Governor Ambode attributed the imbalance in the financial resources of States and Local Governments to the current unhealthy revenue sharing formula which is heavily tilted in favour of the Federal Government, calling for an urgent review to enable other tiers of government realise their potentials and accelerate growth and development.
He said: "The current revenue allocation formula by which the Federal Government takes as much as 52.68% of centrally-collected revenues in the Federation Account, leaving the States and Local Governments with 26.72% and 20.60% respectively has created a glaring and unacceptable imbalance in the financial resources of the three tiers of government.
"The sharing formula should be limited to Federal and State governments. Since Local Governments are to come under the purview of the States, allocations to them should be shared to States as they can have as many Local Governments as they wish. The 774 formula is inequitable."
Governor Ambode also reinstated his call for special status to be granted to Lagos in the proposed Constitutional amendment being the former federal capital territory of Nigeria, the economic and commercial nerve centre of the nation, and taking into cognizance the high population density and continuous influx of people into the State.
He said such was even more important considering the fact that whatever comes to Lagos would be in the overall interest of all Nigerians, as the State holds the trigger of Nigeria's growth and development.
Besides, Governor Ambode said it was time for Section 214 (1) of the Constitution to be amended to allow States to establish their own Police Service, as the current arrangement was unhelpful to truly protect the citizens.
He said over the years, the Federal Government had been unable to provide resources necessary to pay, equip and train policemen to the level required by the challenges they face, adding that the situation whereby only about 300,000 policemen are policing more than 140 million which is a ratio of 1 to 467, confirmed the fact that the country was grossly under-policed.
He said the situation had negatively affected States like Lagos with huge population saying despite the massive financial support to security agencies by most States including Lagos, such was still inadequate mainly because State Governments have no influence over the number of men recruited for or deployed to their domains.
By Dapo Akinrefon, Charles Kumolu THE arguments against restructuring of Nigeria were Friday countered by Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, who said it was wrong to say that the country’s structure should be left the way it is.
Corroborating Soyinka’s position, Governor Seriake Dickson said there was need to negotiate cohabitation just as he said those calling for the breaking up of the country should jettison the idea.
R-L Hon Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa State Governor; Prof Wole Soyinka; Dr Gabriel Okara and Prof Ebiegberi Alagoa during an Interactive Session of Nigeria’s Literary ICON’s with Secondary School Students in Bayelsa State at The Newly Commissioned Ijaw National Academy Yesterday in Kaiama Bayelsa State. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke
Soyinka said this at a colloquium entitled: ‘A day with the Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka and Ijaw literary icons’, held at the Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, Bayesla state.
Other literary icons present include Dr Gabriel Okara, Prof Ebiegberi Alagoa and Prof John Pepper Clark.
Asked to contribute to the restructuring debate, the Nobel laureate said: “My response is simple. We must stop confusing and mixing up the argument, we are mixing up the argument. It is very unfortunate for our leaders to say that the question of breaking up or not breaking up should not arisen in the first place. It all sounds hypocritical, dogmatic and dictatorial. The statement is the unity of Nigeria is non negotiable, now that to me, is a falsititude.”
On the need to discuss the unity of the country, he said “Anything is negotiable, the right for people to determine their future is what is non-negotiable. Most nations came to being through negotiation.”
In an attempt to enlighten Nigerians on what is obtainable in restructuring, Soyinka said “Sometimes, when people say negotiate, what they really mean is restructuring. What the question should be: should Nigeria break up? My answer to that is no, but please don’t tell me that Nigeria, as it stands is non-negotiable. For me, this is a fallacy.”
“The nation has got to be negotiated, negotiation includes ensuring that there is no marginalisation. Negotiation means control of resources, negotiation has to do with restructuring a nation in a way that the components and constituents are not feeding an over bloated centre to the detriment of their own development. The language we should use is what are you willing to sacrifice? what effort are you willing to make to ensure Nigeria remains intact? That is the question,” he said.
Nigeria’s unity is negotiable—Dickson
Also throwing his weight behind Soyinka, Dickson said: “Nigeria’s unity is desirable and negotiable. The answer to break up is no. There is a desire to stay as one. Ask questions about what is happening, there are several things to negotiate. If we can control our resources, we will do more for our people. All we need to do, is to talk about about existence, our living together.”
Former Governor of Abia, Dr Orji Kalu, has said that those peddling rumours that President Muhammadu Buhari is on life support have been proven wrong by the visit of the acting president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
Kalu according to PremiumTimes citing NAN, said the visit of acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to Buhari in London had shown that the rumour peddlers were liars.
It was reported that the chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Kalu said that everything possible should be done to reduce increasing hate speeches and `death wish' in the country.
"The confirmation of the President's health status by the acting president and wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari is something good Christians and good Muslims should embrace with joy.
"Those wishing the President dead and spreading false rumours about his health are exposing their ignorance about life and death.
"I do not understand what joy people derive in wishing their fellow human being dead. Anybody can fall sick, but no good Christian and Muslim would wish someone dead,'' he said.
The former governor also commended Osinbajo for the visit, noting that he had not only shown leadership but also maintained the virtues of the President.''
He also spur all Nigerians to pray for Buhari's quicker recovery in the "hope for a better and stronger Nigeria.''
By David Odama LAFIA- Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) have described the circumstances that led to the dismissal of four of its members by the management of the federal medical centre as embarrassing.
Chairman of the union, Mr. Monday Otso told journalists at a one day seminar organized for members of the union titled "Work Ethics: A Panacea for Effective Service Delivery in a Tertiary Health Institution, FMC Keffi that four of its members were sacked following their involvement in cases of theft and other misconducts established against them because they were not conversant with the provisions of the public service rules and scheme of service .
According to him, "Over the years and indeed in more recent times, a good number of our members who are not conversant with the provisions of the public service rules and scheme of service have found themselves entangled with discordant practices that do not conform with the provisions of the law.
He said the union have decided to put this very important seminar together to further consolidate on our campaign promises and to equip their members with the public service rules and scheme of service .
"Lack of training and orientation given to our members over the years has led to either the issuance of queries, stoppage of salaries and in some cases, dismissal from the service, so we are poised to nip this development in the mud and to create a more enabling environment for our teeming members.
The union decided to organized the seminar so as to acquaint members with recent developments and etiquette as its affect work ethics and general conduct of members".
Otso who tasked the members of the union to be reliable, dedicated, punctual and to shun all negative acts capable of tarnishing their image and the image of the union, commended the Medical Director, Dr.Joshua Giyan and his management team for given adequate attention to the welfare of staff and called for its sustenance.
In a Key note address, the Medical Director, , Dr.Joshua Giyan represented by the Head of the Clinical Services, Dr.Luka Samuel urged members of the union and other staff to abide by the rules and the ethics guiding public service to avoid been sanctioned or get their appointment terminated.
He assured the staff of the centre of the management readiness to continue to give topmost priority to their welfare and called on them to be hard working on their duties post.
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru SENIOR Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, SSANU has threatened to withdraw their services in the Universities if the Governing Council of University of Abuja did not reverse the termination of the two officials of the union. SSANU members preparing bean cakes and pap in celebration of the VC's suspension.
Already SSANU has urged the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu to prevail on the Governing Council of University of Abuja to immediately recall the affected officials of the union.
SSANU on Friday at its National Executive Council meeting at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, presided by its National President, Comrade Samson Ugwoke said that it will be left with no other option than to declare industrial action if the Governing Council of the university continued to be adamant on the recall of its members.
SSANU said, “The process leading to their suspension is unlawful, unprocedursl and illegal. We seriously urge the minister of Education to prevail on the new Governing Council of University of Abuja to without further delay recall our members to avoid industrial unrest.”
Meanwhile, NEC in session has ratified the indefinite suspension of the Registrar of the University of Abuja and 23 other members of the union for alleged anti-union activities.
