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
By Godwin Oritse THE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has said that Nigeria is currently compliant to the International Ship and Port Security, ISPS, Code, following a renewed enforcement drive.
Disclosing this to Vanguard, Head of ISPS Unit of the NIMAS, Captain Green Egbodi, said that all Nigerian facilities that are compliant are also listed on the Global Integrated Safety Information System, GISIS.
Dakuku Peterside, Director General, NIMASA
Egbodi said the agency had to embark on a regular verification inspection exercise with a view to ensuring that facilities are kept in check. He also disclosed that there over 120 port facilities across the country with 44 in Lagos alone.
Similarly, the Head of ISPS Committee in NIMASA, Mr. Adebayo Olatoke, enjoined all port security officers to be abreast with Port Security Plan, PSP and Port Facility Security Assessment, PFSA, as this will make them to be alive to their responsibilities as first point of contact at their facility. Olatoke also warned that not being abreast with the PSP and PFSA could render them ineffective in times of security breaches and threats.
The port security expert opined that a secured port environment will lead to increased vessel calls and consequently lead to more businesses for the facilities. He noted that the compliance level has eliminated wharf rats, hawking and even touting within the ports' vicinity, adding that unlike in the past; one can now import goods and be sure that the goods will arrive intact without the usual dreadful experiences.
Yenagoa – President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, (NWF) , says six wrestlers are set to represent the country at the 2017 World Wrestling Championships in Paris. Wrestlers size each other during a bout.
Igali said in Yenagoa, on Thursday that the wrestlers consisted of four female and two male, to be accompanied by two coaches.
He said the championship is scheduled to hold between Aug. 20 and Aug. 26.
He expressed confidence that the team would perform well in the Championships, noting that the wrestlers are two times Africa Champions, Amas Daniel, 65kg and John Emmanuel, 70kg in the male category.
"Blessing Oborududu, 63kg, 2014 World Bronze medalist, Adekuroye Odunayo, 53kg, Africa champion; Mercy Genesis 48kg, and 2014 Commonwealth gold medalist, Aminat Adeniyi 58kg will represent Nigeria in the female category.
"The Coaches of the team are; female National head coach; Purity Akuh and 14 times African champion; Victor Kodei.
"Of course, the wrestlers are going to make Nigeria proud, we are targeting the first ever gold medal at the world championships.
"The team is in a very high spirit and I am optimistic that they will deliver," he said.
NAN recalls that the Nigeria National Wrestling Team had been training in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital for the past two weeks in preparation for the Championships. (NAN)
Madrid – At least 13 people were killed after a van ploughed into crowds in Barcelona's Las Ramblas avenue in the city centre on Thursday, Cadena Ser radio station reported, citing police sources.
Other media including El Pais said there were at least 10 dead. A police spokeswoman could not immediately confirm the number of casualties.
Madrid (dpa) – A van that ploughed through a crowded pedestrian street in Barcelona is being treated as a terrorist attack, police said Thursday, as local media reported that at least 12 people were feared dead.
Police said on Twitter that multiple people were dead and injured and the attack is being treated as a terrorist attack, police said.
Europe has been hit by a series of terrorist attacks using vehicles in the last two years, including deadly incidents in Nice and two in London.
Videos on social media showed a van travelling with its side door wide open at high speed down a pedestrian area of Barcelona's popular Las Ramblas district.
A police spokesman said that they were not exactly certain what happened.
Newspaper El Pais reported that two suspects in the incident had barricaded themselves in a nearby restaurant.
Authorities are warning people to stay clear of the area. (Reuters/NAN)
By Ola Ajayi, Ibadan – THE frosty relationship between lawmakers in the National Assembly and former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, worsened Thursday as he said with their monthly take-home pay which remains the highest in the world, they can best be described as a bunch of "unarmed robbers"
Chief Obasanjo who was the chief host at a public presentation of a book, entitled: I am Kagara, I Weave the Sands of Sahara, held at University of Ibadan said though he knew the legislators would call him names for speaking out his mind once again, he vowed never to stop until they empathised with the poor people who he said were more than 75 per cent.
Opening Remarks by His Excellency The Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, San, Gcon, At The National Economic Council, NEC, National Security Retreat, at the Banquet Hall of The State House, Abuja, 17 August 2017:
I am delighted to welcome you to this special session of the National Economic Council, focusing on Security. As you're all aware, the Buhari administration came into office on a vision that covered three key areas: Security, the Economy and the fight against Corruption.
All three issues are closely linked, of course. Without guaranteeing security, we will struggle to attract the kind of investments, domestic or foreign, needed to create jobs and prosperity for our people. And when those jobs are hard to find and keep, our people will naturally be more susceptible to the lure of criminal activity. Which means that governments that are serious about fighting crime ought to be extremely serious about fighting poverty.
And I take the point that the Chairman of the Governors' forum made about investments in agriculture, although the N23 billion investment is one aspect of agriculture which is the Anchor Borrower's Programme. Our total investment is well over five times that. If you look at all the other areas in which we are investing in agriculture, and that excludes what the States are also investing in agriculture. So I think that substantial effort is being made, still not enough but certainly more than N23 billion.
Corruption and Security are also interconnected. We are all witnesses to how, only a few years ago, much of North Eastern Nigeria was at risk to falling completely into the hands of Boko Haram, largely because widespread corruption in the military had robbed our troops of the resources and morale needed to fight and defeat the terrorists.
Regarding this all-important issue of security in Nigeria, we all know what the issues are. In our lives as politicians and as elites; in our security meetings and confidential briefings, in news reports and editorials in the media, we are all daily confronted by the disturbing reality of Nigeria's security situation.
Now I think is the time to implement our thinking and our talking; to add action to our analysis. And this action must be bold, ambitious, urgent – and, and very importantly – innovative. It was Albert Einstein who said, and I quote, that "We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems in the first place."
This is a challenge to all of us, to confront these matters with utmost seriousness. Because the problems we face as a nation are not static, but instead continue to evolve, our thinking and our solutions for them must also be equally dynamic, to take into account the peculiar realities of the 21st century. I have spoken at a number of recent fora about how technology and the internet have altered the nature of conflict and war in contemporary times, enabling and amplifying the efforts and impact of terrorists, insurgents, warmongers, secessionists, and peddlers of hate speech.
Against this backdrop, the question we should be asking ourselves, as Governments, especially as Chief Security Officers in our States, as Law Enforcement Agents, is: how can we take advantage of these same tools and technology to stay permanently ahead of those who seek to wield them to create mischief, and cause terror, fear and bloodshed?
These are the conversations that we should be having, and at the highest levels of government no less. My expectation is that we will, at this forum, focus on solutions, instead of rehashing the problems.
But let me just reiterate an important fact, one of the reasons why the National Economic Council is so important is because the framers of our Constitution recognise that that the Federal Government alone cannot solve Nigeria’s security or economic challenges. Security is a collective enterprise, requiring the harmonization of efforts from all three tiers and branches of Government, and from the private sector, civil society and indeed the general public as well.
Yesterday, we took an important step in incorporating all of our society into this security issue and into the fight against insecurity in our country. Pursuant to our Constitution, I issued a directive to the Inspector General of Police to constitute the Community Policing Programme. As you know the Community Policing Programme is one that the Police itself had developed over the years.
But by this directive, we expect that the community Policing Programme will take root and take effect and all of our Police formations across the country will engage their communities in the very creative ways the Police themselves have prescribed in the Community Policing programme.
We expect that this will be a fundamental change in the way that policing is carried out in our country and that it will yield the kinds of results that we expect.
The Buhari administration has already set a pattern of engagement and collaboration with Governors, and we are committed to maintaining this atmosphere of frank engagement.
You are aware that this was not always the case; and prior to this administration, the National Economic Council had not exactly fulfilled its obligations as an economic council because of the unending series of conflicts between the Federal and State Governments over very many issues.
But we are determined to do things the right way, to be transparent in our dealings with you, to respect your views, regardless of partisan or ideological affiliations, and to join hands with you to create positive change in the lives of all our people.
Please permit me a comment on hate speech. The Federal Government has today drawn the line on hate speech. Hate speech is a specie of terrorism. Terrorism as it is defined popularly is the unlawful use of violence or intimidation against individuals or groups especially for political ends. The law, that is the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 (as amended), defines terrorism as inter Alia, an act which deliberately done with malice which may seriously harm or damage a country or seriously intimidate a population.
The intimidation of a population by words, by speech is an act of terrorism and this government intends to take this matter very seriously. As I have said, we've drawn a line against hate speech, it will not be tolerated, it will be taken as an act of terrorism and all of the consequences will follow it.
I call on all business, religious and political leaders, whatever your political leaning, your religion or tribe or faith to condemn in the strongest possible terms at all times, hate speech.
Speech that promotes violence against an individual or group, especially when such comes from people of your own faith, tribe or group, your silence in such situations can only be seen as an endorsement.
Hate speech, and the promotion of the same throughout history from Nazi Germany and the extermination of Jews to the Rwandan genocide succeeded in achieving their barbarous ends by the silence of influential, voices from the aggressor communities.
When leaders in communities that speak in such a manner as to create dissension or to intimidate a population are quiet, they do a great disservice to our unity and nation.
This is why I urge all of our political leaders, religious leaders, business leaders and all of those who truly want a united country and a country where there will be peace and security, to ensure that we do not tolerate by our silence the hate speech that we hear every day in our community.
In closing, let me remind you that our Constitution states that the primary purpose of government shall be the security and welfare of the people. And as President Buhari likes to say: "you cannot administer a country you have not secured."
We will not relent in our vision to ensure a secure country, in which all citizens can confidently aspire to achieve their dreams and ambitions. I am confident that today will mark an important milestone in the achieving that vision.
The Department of State Services, DSS, Thursday, allegedly bared its fangs when it attempted to arrest bestselling author and former aide to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Pastor Reno Omokri who is equally the author of the Amazon #1bestselling book, Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years: Chibok, 2015 and Other Conspiracies today at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Vanguard has learnt.
His distributor who confirmed the development to Vanguard through electronic mail said the US based Nigerian publisher had sent a consignment of the book, Facts Versus Fiction, to Nigeria to meet sales but when he who bears a striking resemblance with Omokri got to the airport to pick the cargo, he was accosted by a customs agent who began interrogating him until a DSS agent came up to him and took over the interrogation.
Reno Omokri with Lord Tim Bell, a British Aristocrat and former Adviser to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher!
According to him, "the DSS agent kept asking, ‘are you the author?’ to which he responded in the negative. At which point, he was detained and taken to an office with four or five other people in it."
He added that, "After some minutes, he heard the DSS agent discussing his fate in an adjoining room, so he began moving to the door, which had been left ajar, and then bolted” and took to his heels.
Also, in an electronic voice mail sent to Vanguard, the distributor said he was repeatedly asked "Are you the author?" "Where is the author?" and "where is your passport?" among several questions to which he told them he was not the author and neither was he travelling abroad. He said he also told the operatives that the author was not in the country.
By Henry Umoru ABUJA- SENATE President Bukola Saraki Thursday described former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida as a major part of Nigeria's political history.
Former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida during prayers to mark his 75th birthday celebration at the Hilltop, Minna, Niger State
According to Saraki, Babangida is one of Nigeria's most prolific Statesmen.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, to congratulate the former Head of State on the occasion of his 76th birthday, the Senate President who commended the former Military President for the role he has continued to play to bring about the development and progress of the country, said, “The former Military President has played a key role in the history and development of our nation. IBB's leadership, commentaries and advice on the state of our polity and how to move our nation forward have been pivotal since he left office.
"I wish him good health and many more years as he celebrates his 76th birthday ," the President of the Senate said, "I pray that the Almighty Allah will continue to bless, guide and protect our former Head of State."
A driver deliberately smashed a van into a crowd on Barcelona’s most popular street on Thursday, killing at least one person before fleeing to a nearby bar, police said.
Officers in Spain’s second-largest city said the ramming on the popular Las Ramblas boulevard was a “terrorist attack” and a police source said one suspect had left the scene and was “holed up in a bar”.
Regional interior minister Joaquin Forn said that at least one person had been killed and 32 others were wounded, warning however that the toll could rise.
A local government source earlier said two people had died.
Vehicles have been used in several terror attacks in Europe in recent years, including a jihadist massacre that claimed 86 lives in the French Riviera city of Nice.
The famous Las Ramblas is one of Barcelona’s busiest streets, lined with shops and restaurants and normally thronged with tourists and street performers until well into the night.
Police said there had been a “huge collision” between a van and pedestrians on the thoroughfare and a police source said officers were seeking a total of two suspects.
– ‘Bodies on the floor’ –
Xavi Perez, who works in a sports shop near the site of the attack, described a scene of carnage.
“When it happened I ran out and saw the damage,” he told AFP. “There were bodies on the floor with people crowding round them. People were crying. There were lots of foreigners.”
Witness Aamer Anwar told Britain’s Sky News television that he was walking down Las Ramblas, which he described as “jam-packed” with tourists.
“All of a sudden, I just sort of heard a crashing noise and the whole street just started to run, screaming. I saw a woman right next to me screaming for her kids.
“Police were very, very quickly there, police officers with guns, batons, everywhere. Then the whole street started getting pushed back.”
– ‘Mini stampede’ –
Spain had so far been spared the kind of extremist violence that rocked nearby France, Belgium and Germany.
But it was hit by what is still Europe’s deadliest jihadist attack in March 2004, when bombs exploded on commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191 people in an attack claimed by Al Qaeda-inspired extremists.
Ethan Spibey, a charity director on holiday in the city, said he and several others had locked themselves in a nearby church after Thursday’s van ramming.
“All of a sudden it was real kind of chaos… people just started running screaming,” he told Sky. “There was kind of a mini stampede.
“It seems like a lot of people have taken refuge in shops and local cafes.”
The United States offered its assistance to Spain and was providing consular assistance to Americans in Barcelona.
“Terrorists around the world should know — the United States and our allies are resolved to find you and bring you to justice,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters in Washington.
– String of vehicle attacks –
The Nice onslaught in July last year and other similar attacks including the carnage in Paris 2015 were claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group.
In another deadly vehicle attack in December, 12 people were killed when a man driving a truck ploughed into a crowd at a Berlin Christmas market.
Spain has emerged as a potential target for jihadists, with extremist websites mentioning it for historical reasons, since much of its territory was once under Muslim rule.
Generally, authorities in Spain — the world’s third largest tourism destination — remain discreet on the terror threat.
But they publicise every arrest of alleged jihadists, most of them detained for propaganda, recruitment for extremist groups or “glorifying terrorism.”
According to the interior ministry, more than 180 “jihadist terrorists” have been arrested since June 2015 when Spain raised the terror alert level to four out of a maximum of five, in domestic and foreign operations.
Late Retired Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki, has been described as jurist par-excellence and a man of great intellect and wisdom.
Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen made this known during a valedictory court session held in his honour on Thursday at the High Court of Justice in Benin City, Edo State.
The session attracted legal luminaries from across the country, who gathered to pay their last respects to the foremost jurist, first Bini indigene to become a Supreme Court Justice, who participated in a total of 658 judgements while at the apex court.
Declaring the court session open, Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen, who was represented by Justice Ikpomwonba Ehigiamusoe, recounted landmark judgements of the late justice and extolled his sagacity on the bench.
"He was a man of great intellect and wisdom, a passionate and erudite icon of the bench, among the finest and the best. His lordship will always be remembered for his deep knowledge of the law and as an advocate of morality, integrity, excellence and a strong defender of the rule of law," Justice Ikponmwen said.
In their tributes, Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen, who was represented by Justice Ejembi Eko, Attorney General of Edo State, Professor Yinka Omoregbe, and the Chairman Nigeria Bar Association, Edo State chapter, Mr. Ede Asenoguan, all spoke glowingly of the man, Andrews Otutu Obaseki. They described him as a jurist par-excellence and a legal icon who had passion for justice and fairness, evidenced in his landmark judgements.
The nephew of the deceased and Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said he was taught the value of hard work by his late uncle, and as a way to sustain the legacy he left behind, he would strengthen the state judiciary to play its role in the development of the state.
"I will ensure we strengthen the judiciary to play the role it ought to play in the society. I understand the implication of not having a good judiciary, where judges are not paid and work in an environment that is not conducive to work, such a system will affect the dispensation of justice," he said
Obaseki assured the judiciary that his administration understands the importance of the rule of law and justice in the society and would ensure the judiciary receives the necessary support to enable it dispense justice.
Recounting his experience under his late uncle, Governor Obaseki said he was a child of the judiciary as he had the privilege and rare opportunity to grow under the tutelage of the late Andrews Otutu Obaseki, with whom he attended court sessions.
"He has instilled great virtues and values in us. He stood for the truth and represented the truth, which does not change. He was a man of integrity, and we carried ourselves as such. He taught us simplicity and humility and fairness, when you are wrong, you are wrong."
To allow for the removal of Late Justice Obaseki's remains from the High Court well, a Motion on Notice was moved by the Edo State Attorney General, Professor Yinka Omoregbe, and Chief Judge of the State, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen ruled in favour of the motion on notice.
Photo Caption: Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, addressing the court during the valedictory court session held in honour of Late Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki, in Benin City on Thursday.
For Nigeria to attain to the level of greatness aimed for herself, she must create a stable ground for economic justice, rule of law and permit 'presidency' to be rotational for a period of time among the six known geo-political zones in the country, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon said in Good Morning Nigeria NTA programme, anchored by Kingsley.
The former chief of staff to Edo state governor, equally said that supremacy of the law, constitutionalism, federalizing security matters and giving legal teeth to Nigerians noble aims and aspirations cum restructuring and devolution of powers to states and local governments will not only make Nigeria move forward but to be first to attain greatness amongst nations.
He urged government to re-visit and adopt the 2014 national confab and organize a meeting for Islams (Muslims) and Christians whom he said have constituted quantum of problems in the nation building for thus, struggling for religious hegemony and political supremacy, to however have a serious conversation about their established militia.
"I believe we need to have an incremental devolution of powers and that is the only way to go", he said.
By Bartholomew Madukwe Niger Delta Creek warriors and other Militant groups in Niger Delta have kicked against activities of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in the region and warned them to steer clear of matters of the Niger Delta.
The militants in joint statement signed by "General Christ Etareotu Spokesperson Niger Delta Creek warriors(NDCW), Brig General: Etigbein Oghene. Spokesperson Ogunuma Camp of Niger Delta(OCOND). General Ovie Yinks spokesperson Niger Delta Redemption Fighters Coalition group(RFCG). And General Santana Otuks Spokesperson Niger Delta Republic Seekers (NDRS) and Brig General Esuku Friday spokesperson Niger Delta Green Revolutionaries(NDGR), explained that MEND had everything it took to actualise the dream of the Niger Delta people’s republic then, but they dropped the struggle and collected stipends which they now live fat on.
They said: "What has the disbanded elements called MEND done for the people in the Niger Delta, knowing fully well the kind of resources that was given to them by the Goodluck Jonathan administration through the Nigeria Amnesty office.
"What did they do with the Amnesty money. They never deem it feet to empower the youths in the region. Rather they enrich themselves, with surveillance contracts money, NDDC contracts, converted the militants monthly stipends to their family members, forgotten the people who died for them to actualise their dreams. What does MEND actually have against PANDEF rather than their personal and selfish reasons."
According to the Militant groups, MEND is the original contributor to recent crisis in the region and should henceforth decease from matters of the Niger Delta and stop deceiving youths.
"We the various militants groups in region as decided to throw our wait behind the PANDEF. We are OK and we now have confidence in the PANDEF, which is led by Papa E.K Clark. Henceforth MEND should distance themselves from matters of the Niger delta region. Long leave federal republic of Nigeria, Long leave federal republic of Niger Delta.
"General Christ Etareotu Spokesperson Niger Delta Creek warriors(NDCW), Brig General: Etigbein Oghene. Spokesperson Ogunuma Camp of Niger Delta(OCOND). General Ovie Yinks spokesperson Niger Delta Redemption Fighters Coalition group(RFCG).
And General Santana Otuks Spokesperson Niger Delta Republic Seekers (NDRS) and Brig General Esuku Friday spokesperson Niger Delta Green Revolutionaries(NDGR)," they added.
By Henry Umoru ABUJA – PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has praised the thirty- six state governors, saying that they are holding Nigeria together as a country, just as he thanked them for playing such a role.
President Buhari was also said to have thanked the governors for their concomitant cooperation with the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and urged them to continue to put their faith in his leadership.President Muhammadu Buhari in a group photo shortly after receiving in courtesy visit delegation of Nigeria’s Governor’s Forum led by its Chairman Governor Abdulaziz Yari in Abuja House London on 26th July 2017 in the photo are R-L: Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi state and Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State
This was disclosed to the governors Thursday by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum, NGF and governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar as a message from the President during their visit to him in London.
The Chairman of NGF who briefed the governors in Abuja on their visit last July to London to see President Muhammadu Buhari, said that the visit forms what many termed a first-hand assessment of the President's state of health, as well as to deliver the governors' goodwill message to PMB.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and six others departed the country on "a goodwill visit" to President Muhammadu Buhari in London last July 26th.
Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar said, “I was invited to select six governors, one from each geo political region, to visit Mr President and I led them to London," the NGF chairman said.
"The Governors are Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Kano, Benue, and Kashim", Governor Yari reckoned, referring to Kashim Shettima of Borno State, with the last, but by no means the last person in the delegation, being Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State.
In a statement by the Head, media & public affairs, NGF, Abulrazque B. barkindo, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum described President Buhari as being "in very good health", while assuring them that the he delivered the Forum's message of goodwill to the President in response to which President Muhammadu Buhari thanked the governors for "holding Nigeria together in his absence."
The statement read, ” This would be the first time anyone visiting the President is delivering any word from the President or revealing anything that they discussed with President Muhammadu Buhari who is on his 103rd day out of the country.
“Although President Buhari is reported to have felt fit enough to return and continue his duties of presiding over the affairs of the country, it wouldn't be until his doctors give him the nod, reports say.
“However, those who have previously visited the president in London including the minister of Information and the presidents' own media team have only returned to the country to narrate the status of the president as at the time they met him, but non ever delivered any wishes of the president or what he discussed with them regarding the Nigerian people.
“Governor Yari therefore becomes the only person to deliver a message to his colleagues, from President Muhammadu Buhari. Even the governors who went along with Governor Yari Abubakar had in their earlier statements only spoken about the Presidents stability and were mute about a message.
“Before that visit by a delegation from the Nigeria Governors' Forum, Imo and Kaduna State governors, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and Mallam Nasiru el Rufai respectively had visited President Muhammadu Buhari along with other top functionaries. But, mum was the word.
“At Wednesdays NGF meeting, the Executive Director/CEO, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib had solicited the governors' cooperation to pay up their counterpart funding quota by Aug 23 to enable his agency embark on a nationwide immunization exercise but the chairman of the forum had asked the agency to allow all governors to meet that obligation by September 10, saying that the ultimatum was too short as most governors are in Abuja and may have to be here until Friday.
“Dr Faisal Shuaib stated that the Federal Government is contributing N3bn to the agencies coffers for the exercise.
“The governors also listened to a presentation on the informal sector taxation by a solution provider.
“Earlier the Director General of the Nigeria Governors' Forum Mr Ashishana B Okauru had told the governors in an update on the polio status of the country, that Nigeria is once again expected to be tipped off the global polio map by way of delisting in 2019.”
In attendance at the meeting were governors of Borno, Kebbi, Kwara, Niger, Imo, Osun, Plateau and a host Deputy governors, among them those of Kaduna, Yobe, Nasarawa, Rivers, Enugu, Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti and Cross Rivers among others.
Lagos and Ogun state chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called for the expulsion of Senator Buruji Kashamu from the party, accusing him of anti-party activities and antics meant to destroy the party.
They stated this in their resolutions in Ado-Ekiti during their meeting with the reconciliation committee set up by the national leadership of the party in the South-West zone chaired by Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose.
Briefing newsmen at the end of the meetings, the Zonal Secretary, Reverend Bunmi Jenyo, said leaders from the two states endorsed the resolutions.
Among PDP leaders who signed the resolutions were former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Capt. Tunji Shelle, Chief Joju Fadairo, Alhaji Sikirulahi Olawale among others.
The resolutions read: “After extensive deliberations with the Reconciliation Committee, we, party delegates from Lagos and Ogun States, arrived at the following resolutions: “1 We have resolved to work together as one united party and to learn from the past mistakes and happenings in the party.
“2 We have resolved that the National Working Committee of our great party should deal and relate with the true leaders of Lagos and Ogun PDP under the Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee.
“3 We also call for the immediate expulsion of Senator Buruji Kashamu for his anti-party actions and destructive antics in the South-West.”
Speaking during the meetings, Fayose said while the party was interested in reconciliation, those who have gone astray must be repentant first and promise not to go astray again or undermine the progress of the party.
He called on the leaders of the party in both states to give room for genuine repentant dissidents to come back.
The governor added that with unity amongst them, PDP would win subsequent polls in the states. The Zonal Chairman, Olorogun Eddy Olafeso, thanked members for their support and steadfastness during turbulent period the party went through.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has felicitated with former military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida on the occasion of his 76th birthday anniversary.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan on Thursday, Dogara said “the former Nigerian leader has over the years displayed qualities of a true leader and elderstatesman.”Former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida during prayers to mark his 75th birthday celebration at the Hilltop, Minna, Niger State
The statement added that “Over the years, you have displayed qualities of a true leader, most of all in the personal sacrifices you have made for the betterment of Nigeria’s political environment and for the overall Unity, development and wellbeing of the country.”
“As an elder statesman, you have made yourself accessible to us, the younger generation of leaders, in times when we needed advice from more experienced elders for purposes of taking important decisions”.
The Speaker alsi prayed Almighty God to bless, protect, preserve and grant the former leader many more fruitful years of selfless and meritorious service to fatherland.
Leave the siddon look corner: Obasanjo tells Agbakoba…
explains why younger Nigerians can’t rule in politics By Bartholomew Madukwe
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Thursday said the younger generation of Nigerians are mostly unwilling to beat an alternative path to leadership and contented with waiting for dead men’s shoes which is affecting generational shift in political leadership.
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo
He said, "Politics is a game of numbers at the end’ of the day. The youth are in the majority. What is the excuse? So long as the older generation do not have the incentive to step down, so long will they continue to reinvent and reappoint and resurface. The generational shift will need to be worked for and worked at".
In a reply to a letter sent to him by former President of Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Obasanjo explained that those who assumed the mantle of leadership in public offices at relatively early age were brought into limelight by circumstances which were not of their own making.
The letter in parts read: "Having been thrown into the deeper end of the pool, so to speak, some of us made great efforts with determination, commitment, broad national outlook, integrity and uncommon zeal to shoulder the responsibilities thrust on us. We recorded varying degrees of successes that the older people should be excluded in our leadership recruitment process.
Obasanjo advised Agbakoba to step forward and develop a mobilization framework that seeks to rearrange Nigeria on a different basis of legitimacy, noting that late Chief Awolowo and the great Zik were younger than him when they threw their hats in the ring.
"The modern history of Nigeria was shaped by young people. Your Excellency was 39 years when you became Head of State; Zik was 40 when he founded the NCNC; Awolowo was 43 when he became premier of Western Nigeria; Ahmady Bello was 40 when he co-founded the NPC; Ojukwu and Gowon were in their 30s when they took the centre stage in Nigerian politics.
"We demonstrated patriotism, selflessness and also acquitted ourselves creditably with our uncommon contributions to the socio-political development of Nigeria. My dear Olisa, it is sad that the successor generation of Nigerians have in most cases resorted to work avoidance in the quest for leadership.
”Most members of the younger generation of Nigerians are mostly contented with waiting for dead men’s shoes and are unwilling to beat an alternative path to leadership.
”In such a situation, it is to be expected and actually it is human that those with some head start in life will not concede such advantages freely and based on their innate goodness.
”The world, as I know it, is powered by shrewd hard-headed, calculating individuals and the cornucopia .of their mercy is decidedly thin and it is unlike God’s rain that falls on the just and the wicked alike.
”The point to ponder is how have the successor generation positioned themselves to
lead? I look back at some members of the younger generation and I am miffed at the missed opportunities.
”I am equally saddened that although we the so-called older generation did facilitate some semblance of infrastructural development. Today, the gains made have been mostly pushed down the drain by some of those privileged young people saddled with similar responsibilities in the recent past. .
”You should know that some of these same young people, whose interest we canvass, have in the recent past been a complete disappointment and failures in their various appointed or elected positions.
”Some of these young people in public or private sector have frittered the prospect of being at the vanguard of sustainable development of what some of us, the earlier generation of leaders, pioneered on the altar of their crass materialism, self-centeredness and opportunism.
”So, while these failed young men and women should not be a disincentive to support other young people, I don’t think that the older people should be excluded in our leadership recruitment process. ”For me, if I find men and women who have shown profound commitment and exemplary
integrity in their various chosen careers or professions as well as zeal for the service of our fatherland, I will, of course, give such both my support and inspiration, notwithstanding their age, circumstances or place of birth.
Obasanjo stressed that it is time Agbakoba takes the hard road by jumping down-from the fence and the siddon look corner; saying "it is your fatherland. The time is now. let the young people organize themselves around positive core values; let them become ideological in the sense of nationalism and patriotism in this struggle. This is a democracy."
It will be recalled that Agbakoba, in a letter to Obasanjo, entitled "Nigeria Needs a Generational Shift in Political Leadership", said Nigeria is held back by a crop of leadership that has outlived its usefulness and effectiveness as a result of old age.
"I am concerned about the quality of leadership in Nigeria; corruption is endemic; poverty is high, life expectancy is low. Nigeria ranks poorly on all international human development indicators. Chinua Achebe, in his book, The Trouble with Nigeria, pointed out the situation is directly linked to failure of leadership," Agbakoba stated.
He said he was also convinced that with Obasanjo's support, giving the young a chance can be expanded to become a policy of all political parties in Nigeria, adding that the country will benefit greatly.
”It seems to me a great contradiction that after a young vibrant set of leaders got Nigeria off the ground in the early 60’s, Nigeria has steadily descended into chaos and is probably now ranked as one of the most ungovernable countries in the world.
”I feel compelled to request your intervention because you are’ one of few past leaders with enough clout to galvanize the political elite to produce like in France, a Macron or in Canada, a Trudeau. I believe it is time for our elder statesmen to give way to a young new vibrant political leadership.
”I am also convinced that with your support, this can be achieved and expanded’ to become high policy among all political parties in Nigeria. Nigeria will greatly benefit. I strongly feel that a radical change in political leadership from old to new will be transformational.”
The naira on Thursday continued to fall against the dollar at the parallel market.
The Nigerian currency lost one point to exchange at N368, weaker than N367 posted on Wednesday, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N478 and N432.
At the Bureau De Change (BDC) window, the naira was sold at N363 to the dollar, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N478 and N432.
However, the naira appreciated at the investors' window, exchanging at N361.17 stronger than N362.39.
Traders at the market told Newsmen that in spite of the weekly auction of foreign exchange by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to BDC, the naira continued to depreciate.
By Joseph Erunke ABUJA-A meeting held Thursday, in Abuja, between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to resolve the ongoing industrial action by the latter, just ended without agreement.
But both the government, represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige and his education counterpart, Adamu Adamu and ASUU representatives, led by its president, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, agreed to reconvene within a week, to continue the negotiations.
The meeting which was held at the conference room of the Minister of Labour and Employment ended after much deliberation on issues that led to the industrial dispute.
Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, both sides said there was tremendous progress following offers made by government and position of the union on the new offers.
But both the representatives of government and ASUU refused to disclose the offers just as ASUU President said he was taking the deliberations and offers by government to members with a view to responding appropriately to them within one week.
ABEOKUTA – Embattled leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State on Thursday said the constitution of the party does not recognize Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Foyose as the leader of the party in South West, saying, the party’s constitution has been amended and entrusted the leadership of the party in the state to the Chairmen. Ayodele Fayose The embattled Chairman in the state, Adebayo Dayo stated this at the state party Secretariat, Kuto, Abeokuta during a press conference, describing the governor as rather the biggest problem of the party in the region.
The national Caretaker Committee had announced the dissolution of executives in Ogun, Oyo, Osun and four other states during the recently held non-elective national convention in Abuja.
Reacting to the dissolution, the state Chairman accused Fayose of misleading the Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee on the issue surrounding the emergence of the executive in the affected states.
Speaking on the on-going South West reconciliatory moves by Fayose in his state, Dayo who was flanked by other members of the embattled executive including the state Secretary , Semiu Sodipo and Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Adeniji , Dayo said the meeting was a personal one called by Fayose and was being attended by his friends ,adding that the outcome would not have any effect on the party executive and members in the region.
Dayo said "how can Fayose be holding a meeting in his house and you think the meeting will succeed? I cannot go to Fayose's house to hold any meeting because as far as I know, the party is above the governor, the governor is not in control of the party. But it is now the other way round, the governors are using their power to do whatever they like to the party and I will not be a party to that.
" If Fayose is holding a meeting in his house, let him say whatever he wishes, that is not my concern, he cannot decide for the party. Fayose can do whatever he wishes, it is his personal opinion which is not the opinion of the party. Fayose is just a governor, it is the people that made him to become the governor. He cannot just say that because he is a governor, his wishes would become everyone's command. His wish cannot be anyone's command in the South West. Ayodele Fayose is not in charge of the South-West.
"We have so many leaders in the South-West. In our constitution, it is stated that the chairman of the party is the leader of the party in every state, but, it was amended at a stage. But, I can tell you, up till now I am the party chairman in Ogun state. Fayose may be the leader in his state, but, definitely not the leader in Ogun state. Our constitution did not say Fayose will become the governor and be the leader of the party. We have an executive in place and the executive is led by Mr. Ogundipe. Incidentally, Foyose was the one that nominated Ogundipe at the 2012 congress in Ibadan. Fayose put up Makanjuola Ogundipe and now he is going against his own candidate that is the situation".
He however, advised " the National Caretaker Committee to avail itself of the provisions of the rule of law and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as minimum consideration in handling the business of the party especially in the aftermath of Saturday’s Special non-elective National Convention.
President Muhammadu Buhari receives Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of House of Representatives Hon. Yakubu Dogara at the Abuja House London on 17th Aug 2017. Phtot Credit: Femi Adesina
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to reduce the cost expended on payment of overheads and salaries.
Obasanjo made the call in Ibadan at the public presentation of a book entitled, " I am Kagara: I Weave the Sands of Sahara,'' written by Mark Nwagwu, a retired professor of molecular biology.
The former president said that government spending on overheads, salaries and allowances in the face of the prevailing economic situation would not boost the socio-economic development of the country.
"Ninety per cent of our revenue goes to pay overhead, allowances, salaries and not much is left for capital development.
" We are not going to develop this way and we will only have ourselves to blame.
"It is even worse with the National Assembly, they are one of the highest paid legislatures in the world.
"We have 75 per cent of our population living in abject poverty, yet these people have refused to cut down their earnings.
"We must speak out to get corrected when we err, the behaviour and character of the National Assembly is one that should be condemned," he said.
Reacting to the ongoing indefinite strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Obasanjo urged the government to honour the agreement it entered into with the union.
"I have seen this in government; maybe it is a lesson government will learn. Government allowed itself to be stampeded into signing agreement without full consultation with those within the government.
"Then, they run into the implementation of that agreement that has been signed; however, an agreement is an agreement and whoever is your agent who signed the agreement on your behalf, you are bound by it," he said.
In her remarks, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education, urged the society to offer the girl-child opportunity to excel by giving her equal right to education as her male counterpart.
" I am Kagara" is built around a female heroine; the book highlights the marked difference a woman can make if given the needed support.
" The greatest support a girl-child could have is that of a strong male who gives her a voice and is not afraid of her," she said.
