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
Abuja – The Federal Government on Thursday renewed its resolve to negotiate for the release of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls and other captives.
President Muhammadu Buhari (standing) speaking during a reception for the 82 Chibok girls. ABOVE RIGHT: A cross-section of the girls. BELOW RIGHT: Members of the BBOG jubilating yesterday.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Sen. Aisha Alhassan, said this at a media briefing in Abuja.
"We cannot say when the girls will be released, if they will release the remaining girls for their members we will gladly do that and we don't regret our actions.
"If we have our way, the girls will be released tomorrow but negotiation is still ongoing for the remaining abducted girls," she said.
Alhassan explained that the 82 girls released recently were undergoing medical screening, and would afterwards go for psychosocial therapy and refresher courses to facilitate their quick reintegration into the society.
She said pictures of the 82 girls had been sent for their parents to confirm their identification as some have similar names.
"It is not true that we are not allowing the parents to see their children; we allow them access but not everyday.
"Most of them prefer to be here because they don't want to be reminded of their experiences having to go to their community.
"Those saying we are not allowing them access are not the direct parents of the girls; we cannot bring anybody to see them apart from their biological parents, allowing visitors everyday will not allow them to heal fast.''
She said allowing unnecessary visits would jeopardise the release of the remaining girls and other captives.
Alhassan said there was need to help the girls forget the trauma they experienced from the bush.
She said all the girls would resume the new academic session in September, including the recently released 82 Chibok girls, adding that they will undergo skill acquisition and ICT.
"The other girls released earlier have been undergoing some teachings in Biology, Civic Education, English, Mathematics and Geography pending the time they will resume school.
"The 82 girls who will undergo medical screening and psychosocial therapy will also join in the new academic session,'' Alhassan said.
According to her, the first 24 girls released were in bad shape as they underwent two months screening.
The minister added that a team of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and a doctor were available to attend to the girls.
Alhassan said the girls were given adequate care by the Federal Government to enable them live a normal life.
NO fewer than 2, 000 mosques and Islamic organisations have been registered by Lagos State Government to ease resources allocation.
Confirming the registration of religious houses and organizations in the State, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, argued that the registration of religious organisations was to have accurate data of every place of worship located in the state on a centralised database.
Though Abdul-Lateef did not state the number of mosque and Muslim organizations registered but said 10, 000 religious organizations have been captured by the government in the ongoing registration of religious organization.
Speaking at the 2017 Ministerial press briefing, the commissioner explained that the registration was free and it was for data gathering, orientation and to strengthen security arrangements in the state.
According to him, "This is to allow the State Government have a reliable data of religious organisations and their locations, with a view to carry them along with state government policies.
"It is expected that the policy, because of effective resource allocation and efficient management inherent in it, will bring and extend benefits to many more churches and mosques in the State. At present, the website has over 10,000 data of religious organisations including Mosque across the state," he added.
Lagos – Mr Wale Tinubu, the Managing Director, Oando Plc on Thursday said that the company would seek approval from the Federal Government for the refurbishment of one or two refineries.
Tinubu stated this at the company's facts behind the figures at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos.
He said that refurbishment of the refineries would enable the country to end fuel importation.
Tinubu stated that the company would take advantage of its indigenous status by participating in the Federal Government bid.
He added that militancy activities were affecting its production in the Niger Delta.
The managing director said that 2016 was a challenging year for companies due to foreign exchange challenges.
He added that the company was besieged with liquidity constraints, devaluation of the naira and a slump in oil earnings due to low oil prices intensified by the insurgency in the Niger Delta.
According to him, the company has mapped out strategies to mitigate the foreign exchange challenges, as 90 per cent of its earnings focus will be on dollar, while 10 per cent will be in naira.
On the midstream, Tinubu said that the company would invest in acquisition of NIPP grid connected power utilities in the current financial year.
He stated that the company would commence phased development of gas distribution system in Tema industrial area Ghana in 2018.
The company for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2016, posted a profit after tax of N3.5 billion, this was against a loss after tax of N47.6 billion posted in the preceding period of 2015.
The result showed that the company posted a turnover of N569 billion against N380 billion recorded in the comparative period of 2015, representing an increase of 49 per cent.
Its net debt reduced by 35 per cent to N230.6 billion in contrast with N355.4 billion posted in 2015.
Tinubu attributed the performance to its proactive timely execution of its restructuring programme of growth in upstream division.
He said that some divestments embarked upon by the company during the period under review resulted in a net debt reduction of 125 billion dollars.
He attributed the company's return to profitability to focus on dollar denominated earnings.
Tinubu stated that 2016 saw the country plunge into a recession for the first time in over two decades.
Mr Haruna Jalo-Waziri , NSE Executive Director, Capital Market commended the company for coming for the facts behind the figures.
Jalo-Waziri said that timely and accurate information helped investors in making the right investment decision.
He also urged the company to always comply with good corporate governance, noting that the exchange would continue to provide the needed platform for quoted companies to excel. (NAN)
Abeokuta – Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun on Thursday escaped death in an auto accident at the Ibafo axis of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The governor's Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Juwon Soyinka, said in a statement that the incident happened when a bullion van belonging to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ran into Amosun's convoy in the area.
He said: "The incident which occurred around Ibafo while the governor was travelling to Lagos for an official assignment, resulted in damage to the escort vehicles in the governor's convoy.
"The CBN convoy drivers, driving dangerously, attempted to overtake the governor's convoy without regard for the safety of other road users.
"On sensing danger, the governor's escort commander used a public address system mounted on his vehicle to warn the CBN convoy drivers to desist from such reckless driving.
"Not only was the governor's escort commander ignored, the CBN convoy drivers went ahead to crush his vehicle and subsequently went after other vehicles in the governor's convoy, including his official car.
" The CBN convoy was later brought to a halt by the security team attached to the governor," Soyinka said.
Amosun, according to Soyinka, described the manner of driving of the drivers in the CBN convoy as reckless.
"We will not allow such senseless and reckless behaviour in Ogun State," Soyinka quoted Amosun as saying.
Soyinka also said: " If this could happen to a governor within his territory, you can imagine what they would do to our citizens who are simply going about their legitimate business.
"Governor Amosun, who expressed disappointment at the reckless manner in which the CBN bullion van convoy moved on the road, warned that such act of impunity will no longer be tolerated within the borders of Ogun.''
He explained that the governor had cause to personally caution reckless CBN convoy drivers in the state on a number of occasions.
"On several occasions, the Ogun State governor had to personally turn back reckless CBN bullion van drivers who often drive against traffic with impunity on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway," he said.
Abuja -The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has said that the opposition created a faction within ranks to undermine the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The council said this in a statement signed by Mr Gambo Jagindi, the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to NYCN President Murtala Garba.
Jagindi said the opposition is using youths as a tool of destabilisation of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration.
He disassociated the Garba-led council from a faction of the NYCN circulating posters for a planned election.
The spokesman alleged that those circulating the posters of a purported election to form a parallel NYCN had no mandate to do so as the council already had a leadership in place headed by Garba.
He said that the current leadership of the council came into power following the unity congress that was held between Aug. 25 and 27, 2016, in Abuja.
He described those trying to create disunity among Nigerian youths as enemies of democracy who were bent on destroying the strides being achieved by the council.
Jagindi noted that the council was currently recovering from the crisis that nearly crippled it.
He reiterated the commitment of the current leadership of NYCN to support the policies and programmes of Buhari's administration that were aimed at sustainable development of the country.
According him, the council will continue to pursue its programmes that tend to promote youth reorientation and attitudinal change.
He added that the council would continue to mobilise youths to support good government policies aimed at ensuring national development.
"NYCN by this statement is disassociating itself from the actions of a misguided few that were misleading the general public,'' he said.
Lagos – The Lagos State Government on Thursday intensified its smart city initiative with the unveiling of a free public Wi-Fi at the Ndubuisi Kanu Park, located at Alausa.
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode said at the event that one of the overriding policy objectives of his administration was to build a globally competitive economy.
Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology that provides high-speed internet and network connections.
Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr Olufemi Odubiyi said that the economy of the state was being developed to provide opportunity for self fulfilment.
He said that achieving global competitiveness would entail keying into new ways of doing things and the deployment of technology, especially the internet.
According to him, the provision of free public Wi-Fi in the park is part of the administration's efforts to make Lagos a smart city.
"It is consistent with our commitment to make Lagos work for all.
"Parks and gardens have been established in different parts of the state to provide a conducive environment for recreation and relaxation.
"Just last week, the number of gardens and parks in the state increased with the opening of the Badagry Park.
"The increased patronage of these facilities, which is no longer restricted to festive season, has made it necessary to equip these centres with free Wi-Fi to serve the needs of visitors to these parks.
"As you relax and enjoy the recreation facilities in these parks, we are also making it possible for you to access your email, browse and search the internet on your tablets, smartphones and laptops, via a reliable public Wi-Fi," he said.
Ambode said the the free Wi-Fi was another landmark in the administration's desire to integrate the State's economy in the mainstream of the 21st century economy.
He said that recently, the government unveiled the Citizens' Gate Portal, a platform designed to bridge the communication gap between the citizens and the state government.
According to him, his administration, with the launch of the free public Wi-Fi, has empowered citizens to express their views on the platform, as non-availability of data will no longer be a constraint.
"As a responsive government, I wish to assure all residents of Lagos State of our commitment to continue to develop and implement innovative ideas that will promote the delivery of dividends of good governance.
"As I launch the free public Wi-Fi in this park, it is my belief that this service will enhance productivity and add value to all our parks and gardens," he said.
The free Wi-Fi/internet access project is an initiative of the Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology.
In his capacity as the Commissioner, Odubiyi said that the free Wi-Fi/internet access at park and Gardens was starting from the Ndubuisi Kanu Park, as it would be extended to others in the State.
He said the government was creating a safe, healthy and conducive environment for the residents of Lagos, in line with the Governor's pledge at the inception of the administration.
According to him, the administration has continued to demonstrate its commitment to the pledge through various programmes, aimed at making the state livable for all and sundry.
"WiFi is a facility allowing computers, smartphones and other devices to connect to the internet or communicate with one another wirelessly within a particular area.
"One of the biggest benefits of offering Wi-Fi is that it will provide new ways for the public to enhance social/leisure activities and this will encourage more patronage to the parks.
"We are embarking on providing free public Wi-Fi in our parks and gardens spread across the states to further enhance social/leisure activities," Odubiyi said.
Ikeja – A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Abiodun Owonikoko has said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has no evidence linking his client Mr Rickey Tarfa (SAN) to alleged bribery of two judges.
Tarfa is being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency of two charges of offering gratification to a public official and perverting the course of justice. Ricky Tarfa According to the EFCC, Tarfa allegedly bribed Justice Mohammed Yinusa and Justice H.A Ngajiwa to pervert the course of justice.
Tarfa claims to be innocent of the charges.
Owonikoko, made the assertion on Thursday, while cross-examining Mr Danladi Daniel, a detective with the EFCC.
"The EFCC has no evidence directly linking Rickey Tarfa's chambers to the bank accounts of the judges.
"Our findings revealed that the alleged UBA bank account which belonged to Justice Mohammed Yinusa, belonged to someone who bears the same name, one Mr Mohammed Auwal Yinusa," he said.
Owonikoko presented to the court an affidavit sworn by Justice Yinusa's namesake claiming ownership of the said account.
Explaining the alleged illegal communication that the SAN had with the judges, Owonikoko noted that the Tarfa, had prior personal relationships with Justice Ngajiwa and Justice Yinusa.
"Justice Yinusa was one year junior to Rickey Tarfa when he was studying law at the university of Maiduguri from 1982-1986 and they are friends.
"Justice Ngajiwa worked at the chambers of Rickey Tarfa for over 17 years.
"Ever since Ngajiwa became a judge, Rickey Tarfa has never had a case before him.
"Before Ngajiwa became a judge, he had over 300 cases he was handling at the Rickey Tarfa chambers some of which are still pending in court," he said.
Owonikoko also accused the EFCC of not concluding their investigations before charging the SAN to court
"Justice Yinusa's statement to the EFCC was given on Oct. 17, 2016 which is seven months after he was charged in February 2016.
"The call logs from MTN which allegedly showed the communications between the defendant and the judges were obtained on Feb. 11, which is six days after the defendant was charged.
"The defendants phones were retrieved by deceit by the operatives of the EFCC, they told Tarfa's driver that his boss was requesting for his phones and when he brought the phones, they were seized.
"The phones did not become an exhibit of the EFCC until Feb. 9, after the defendant was charged," Owonikoko claimed.
Owonikoko noted that the EFCC did not profile Tarfa during the course of their investigation.
"You did not try during the course of your investigation to profile Rickey Tarfa and his lawfirm.
"His lawfirm is the biggest lawfirm in Nigeria, employing over 100 lawyers with branches in Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and Yola.
"He currently has two retired judges working as consultants for his chambers," he said.
Responding to Owonikoko's accusations, Daniel said "The defendant signed a consent of analysis form for his phone, it is not true that the phones became exhibits after Feb. 9, 2017.
"We have documents linking one Esther Agu, a staff of Rickey Tarfa's chambers to Justice Yinusa, though, we don't have documents showing that the defendant directly made any payment to the judge.
"I am not aware that ever since Justice Ngajiwa became a judge, the defendant has not had a case before him," Daniel said.
Earlier, during proceedings, Daniel during his evidence-in-chief, revealed details of text message as well as voice communications between Tarfa and the judges.
"On Jan.2, 2014, there were three text messages between the defendant and a member of his staff stating that they were in court for a case to be assigned before Justice Yinusa.
"There are biometrics captured by MTN communications of the defendant and Justice Yinusa the voice communications were from Tarfa's MTN, number- 08034600777 and Justice Yinusa's MTN number-08035967291," he said.
The detective read aloud details of the voice communications including late night calls between the SAN and the judge.
"Esther Agu, a staff of the defendant, made a payment of N2.5million into the bank account of Justice Yinusa.
"Based on the account records, the payments were made on May 15, 2015.
"The payments were made when there were three EFCC cases in which Tarfa was the counsel for the opposing parties before Justice Yinusa.
"The communications started sometime in February 2015 and ended sometime in September 2015 after judgments were delivered in those cases.
"There were some text messages between Justice Ngajiwa and the defendant on Oct. 16, 2014 in which Justice Ngajiwa sent his Guaranty Trust Bank details to the defendant.
"The defendant also sent another person a text message on that day to pay $5, 000 into the bank account of the judge," Daniel said.
Justice Aishat Opesanwo adjourned the case to July 7 for continuation of trial.
An Ikeja High Court was on Thursday thrown into confusion after a witness slumped and died in the court just before testifying in a land case.
The deceased who was in his late 30s had come to court to testify in a land dispute before Justice O.A. Olayinka.
"Before the case was called for trial, he started coughing and gasping and had to leave the courtroom.
"He was vomiting a lot of blood and onlookers were scared to go near him. He collapsed on the corridors of the courtroom and a medical team came in with an ambulance to take body away.
"His lawyer informed Justice Olayinka of his client's death and she immediately stopped proceedings for the day," a witness said.
When newsmen visited the courtroom, clothes smudged with blood were seen on the corridors of the courtroom as well as the blood-stained shirt and leather slippers of the deceased.
KEEP your knees and feet to yourself. That's the overarching message from Expedia's latest etiquette survey which identified the rear seat-back kicker as the most annoying type of flier.
A passenger in a wrong position in a plane
It's bad news for long-legged travelers who fly economy and those who sit in front of them: A full 64 percent of respondents cited the rear seat kicker as the most offensive in-flight "etiquette violator."
Pollsters also asked respondents to weigh in on the controversial subject of seat reclining, and found that 37 percent of Americans would choose to ban it altogether or restrict the practice on short-haul flights. More than half (53 percent) of travelers said they recline their seats, while about a quarter (23 percent) said they refrain because they deem it "improper etiquette."
The poll surveyed 1,005 passengers on their biggest in-flight pet peeves. Here are the results: The Rear Seat Kicker; Inattentive Parents ; the Aromatic Passenger ;the Audio Insensitive ; the Boozer; the undresser and the amorous among others.
The United States Government on Thursday announced that it had in the last two years spent $500million (about N152billion) on humanitarian assistance to communities in North-eastern Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
Mr Natan Holt, the U.S. Deputy Director at the Office of West African Affairs, Bureau of African Affairs, in Washington, D.C. made the announcement in a teleconference with Journalists from across Africa.
Holt, who expressed his government's joy at the release of 82 more Chibok girls at the weekend, said that the girls were among thousands of victims of Boko Haram.
"Many of you will have also followed the news of the release of the Chibok girls over the weekend. That was a heart-warming and positive development for these young women and their families.
"We provide a range of assistance to Nigerian authorities in their efforts to combat Boko Haram and ISIS in West Africa.
"That includes intelligence sharing, training, advice on strategic communications, and various services to support victims of Boko Haram.
"We have provided close to $500 million in humanitarian assistance over the last two years to those affected by the conflict in Northeastern Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad,'' he said.
According to him, Nigeria and her current challenges will continue to occupy an important place for the U.S.
Holt said that his government had gone from the place of, "not being on the same page with Nigeria, to a place where we see things very much in the same terms.
"The future of Nigeria matters not just for Nigeria, but very much for its neighbours and I would argue for this planet.
"We have gone from a place where we were often not on the same page with Nigeria, to a place where we see things very much in the same 1`terms,'' he added.
LOOKING to fulfill a lifelong dream to tour one of the most iconic ships in history? Travellers interested in exploring the wreckage of the Titanic will have to pay a high price for the experience. Luxury travel company Blue Marble Private is offering voyages to the ship for $105,129 per person – almost double what travelers paid for Deep Ocean Expeditions' 2012 journey to the wreckage, according to CNN.
The eight-day trip will kick off in Canada in May 2018 and transport participants in a submersible to the wreck site, where travelers will have as many as three days of diving, up to three hours a day, to examine the ship, which rests 12,000 feet below the surface of the North Atlantic Ocean. The chance to "explore Titanic's massive debris field, home to numerous artifacts strewn across the ocean floor, nearly undisturbed for over a century," will also be available to voyagers, Blue Marble Private founder Elizabeth Ellis told CNN.
She also revealed one of the perks for "mission specialists" who take part in the experience. "During the dive, your crew may conduct 3D and 2D sonar scans or search for one of the ship's giant boilers, enormous propellers, and other landmarks of this famous vessel." Although the first trip is fully booked, there are still potential trips in summer 2019.
The Naira on Thursday gained N2 against the dollar at the parallel market as it was traded at N386 to the dollar, stronger than the N388 it closed on Wednesday.
At the same segment, the pound sterling and the Euro closed at N495 and N425, respectively.
At the Bureau De Change (BDC), the naira was N362 to the dollar, while the pound sterling and the Euro exchanged for N492 and N423, respectively.
The naira was exchanged at N305.6 to the dollar at the interbank.
Currency traders said that the weekly offering of foreign exchange to BDCs by the CBN was paying off and restoring stability to the exchange rate.
Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, the President of Association of Bureau de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), said that he expected the naira to continue to appreciate in the coming weeks.
Gwadabe said that BDCs had taken measures to ensure that they would not run foul of the law in the foreign exchange market.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA-In a manner that apparently portrays an affinity between them, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has said that President Muhammadu Buhari sees him as a brother and also treats him like his son.
—President Muhammadu Buhari receives briefing from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (right) after the president's resumption at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE.
He spoke in Katsina, the home state of President Buhari on Thursday while launching the State’s version of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise, MSMEs clinic.
Osinbajo’s latest position has overtly countered the perception in some quarters that there may not be any love lost between him and his boss following the wording of a recent letter the President wrote to the National Assembly, announcing a transfer of power to him (Osinbajo).
President Buhari had on Sunday at the verge of his departure to London for a follow-up on his medicals written to the National Parliament, informing the lawmakers of his trip abroad in the fulfillment of Section 145 of the 1999 constitution.
While many expected the president to categorically state that Osinbajo would “act” in his stead, the President in the letter said that his vice will “coordinate” the activities of government in his absence.
The development didn’t sink well to many and has consequently elicited concerns across the nation.
But in a series of tweets @akandeoj yesterday, the spokesman to the Acting President, Laolu Akande quoted Osinbajo as saying that President Buhari has assigned him many responsibilities outside treating him like a son.
The remarks were however a response to the benign and hospital words of the Emir of Katsina to Osinbajo who had said “Here you are home, welcome to the most peaceful state”. We all sit together side by side”, during the launch.
Responding Osinbajo said: “I feel very much @home in KT. Moreso because this is the State of the President who has taken me as a brother.”
“In fact, the President has taken me as a son in the way he treats me”.
“The amount of responsibilities President Buhari has given me shows he seriously believes we can live together as brothers”.
“I pray the Lord will preserve our President to continue to lead as the nation has voted him to do. He seriously believes in Ngr unity.”
US President Donald Trump insisted Thursday he always intended to fire FBI director James Comey, undercutting the initial White House explanation that he acted on the recommendation of top justice officials.
Opponents have claimed that Comey’s shock sacking was a bid to stall an FBI investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election, which is also looking into possible collusion between the Kremlin and Trump’s team.
Trump
In announcing Comey’s dismissal on Tuesday, the White House said it was based on a damning assessment of his handling of a probe into Hillary Clinton’s emails — but Trump told the NBC network that he was always going to dismiss him.
“I was going to fire him regardless of recommendations,” said the president. “He’s a showboat, he’s a grandstander.”
Vice President Mike Pence and a string of White House officials have said Trump acted upon the advice of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and his deputy, Rod Rosenstein — although administration officials have also said the president had steadily “lost confidence” in Comey’s leadership prior to firing him.
Trump’s interview was released on the same day the interim head of the FBI told the US Congress that Comey’s sacking would not derail the Russia investigation.
“There has been no effort to impede our investigation to date,” acting director Andrew McCabe told the Senate Intelligence Committee, in a hearing that capped two days of high drama provoked by the dismissal.
“You cannot stop the men and women of the FBI from doing the right thing,” he said. “All of the agents involved in the investigation are still in their positions.”
While Trump told NBC that the outgoing director had left the agency in “turmoil”, McCabe rejected any suggestion that Comey had lost the support of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s rank and file.
“Director Comey enjoyed broad support within the FBI and still does today,” he told the committee. “I hold director Comey in the highest regard. I have the highest respect for his abilities and his integrity.”
Echoing a widely-held view in opposition ranks, the senior democrat on the Senate committee, John Warner, called the timing of Comey’s dismissal “especially troubling.”
“He was leading an active counterintelligence investigation into any links between the Trump campaign and the Russian government or its representatives, and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia’s efforts to interfere in our election.”
“For many people, including myself, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that the president’s decision to remove Director Comey was related to this investigation.”
McCabe gave no information on the status of the FBI probe, which dates back to July last year when the agency became aware of alleged Russian hacking of Democratic party computers and communications.
– ‘Not under investigation’ –
McCabe and five other top intelligence officials, including the heads of the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency, reiterated their January conclusion that the Russian government was behind the effort to manipulate last year’s election.
Trump has repeatedly downplayed suspicions of Russian interference, and dismisses any notion of collusion with his team as “fake news.”
The president told NBC he had personally asked Comey whether he was under investigation — an admission that could expose the president to allegations of interfering with the ongoing FBI probe.
“I actually asked him, yes. I said, ‘If it’s possible would you let me know am I under investigation?'” Trump said, recounting one of three conversations about the issue — two over the phone and one over dinner.
“He said, ‘you are not under investigation,'” Trump claimed, repeating an assertion he first made as he announced Comey’s firing.
McCabe refused to respond to panel questions on the claim, saying: “I can’t comment on any conversations the director may have had with the president.”
He also pledged not to discuss the Russia investigation with the White House, saying it had adequate resources to proceed. Unconfirmed media reports said that Comey in recent weeks sought more financial resources from the government to support the probe.
“I can assure you we are covered,” McCabe told the panel when asked if the FBI needs more money for the investigation.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has lashed back at critics of the party’s ambitious expansion, saying the APC is not for integrity-challenged politicians currently within the radar of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.
Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
Odigie-Oyegun spoke Thursday when he received Senators Florence Ita-Giwa and John Enoh at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
“I know that those who do not wish us well often tend to misinterpret some of these happenings as running away, thinking that they would have protection from the EFCC. Of course, I am not aware in your case that anybody is harassing you with the EFCC.
In any case, it is obvious and played out today that we do not offer sanctuary to anybody running from the arms of the law. The evidence is all over the place”, said the chairman.
Ita-Giwa and Enoh had recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to the APC.
“We welcome you to the headquarters of the APC headquarters. It is an honour that has been bestowed on only very few persons. One thing made your presence significant here. Traditionally, the South-south has been the heart of the unity and oneness of this nation, whether during the civil war or post-civil war.
“In spite of the obvious difficulties that the nation is passing through, people like you voluntarily wanted to assist in this responsibility of helping in nation building.
“Of course, our party does not have the presence it ought to have in the South-south. So when people of your calibre join us in the struggle, we from the South-south are particularly glad and happy. On that parochial basis, I welcome you”, he said.
Responding, Sen. Ita-Giwa said, “coming to the party is like a home coming, and I am identifying with the people I have known before.
I feel very comfortable identifying with the calibre of people in the APC. I will like to correct the erroneous notion that I decamped or they call it defection because there is no party to defect from. I personally stopped attending meetings, in the last two years, just because of the impunity there.
“It is on record that in 2015, I had gone to the presidential candidate to say that I was leaving the party, so I was potentially one of the politicians that were forcefully driven out of the party”, she said.
BY UGOCHUKWU ALARIBE ABA- A medical doctor identified as I.J. Mbaekpe, has committed suicide in Aba, Abia State.
Vanguard gathered that Mbaekpe who lives at the Abayi area of the city has been suffering from undisclosed ailment for about 30 years.
According to a family source, the medical doctor, aged 74, kept lamenting that he was tired of life, as his health condition defied solution.
While his wife, Mary, was said to be out of the house, Mbaekpe allegedly shot himself which attracted neighbours. He died as he was being taken to the hospital.
"He has been sick for about 30 years now. While the family continued to take care of him and seek solution to his ailment, he kept telling us that he was tired of life. While his wife was out of the house, he shot himself. Nobody knew he could get to the extent of taking his life," the family source said.
Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Godfrey Ogbonna, who confirmed the incident, stated that the medical doctor was reported to have suffered from a sickness for about 30 years and committed suicide.
The Senate Intelligence Committee had its first chance on Thursday to question the acting director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the wake of President Donald Trump's decision to fire James Comey.
Andrew McCabe became acting director after Trump fired Comey on Tuesday.
He is filling Comey's shoes at the previously scheduled hearing, which was supposed to discuss "worldwide threats" but took on new significance after Comey's firing.
The chairman of the committee, Sen. Richard Burr asked the panel, which includes other top intelligence chiefs, to focus on the original topic of the hearing.
Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the committee, said that would be difficult to do.
"The timing of director Comey's dismissal to me and many members of the committee on both sides of the aisle is especially troubling," Warner said.
McCabe told the committee that he could not comment after being asked about conversations Comey had with Trump.
The question referred to Trump's statement Tuesday in his letter dismissing Comey that he "greatly appreciate" Comey informing him that he is not under investigation.
Despite attempts by Republicans on the committee to stick to the broader questions about threats to U.S. security, Democrats on the committee are largely questioning McCabe and other top officials about investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
The White House justified the firing of Comey based on his handling of the Hillary Clinton email affair.
However, opposition Democrats suspects said it was because the FBI was advancing its investigation into possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign.
By BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO LOKOJA – Kogi state government says contrary to speculation in some quarters, the recent appointment of traditional rulers were based on fairness, justice and due process. Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State
Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abubakar Ohere stated this yesterday in Lokoja during the presentation of letters of appointment to thirteen newly appointed traditional rulers between 2nd and 3rd class status.
Ohere said, “The era of imposition of traditional rulers in any community is over. Appointment of any chiefs is now based on the Kogi State Chief Appointment, Disposition and Establishment of Traditional Council Law.
He called on the newly appointed Chiefs to partner with the state government towards its ‘new Direction’ agenda especially in the fight against crime, criminality and other forms of social vices in their domain.
He urged them to also support the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello, assuring them of the government commitment to improve on their welfare packages.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, the Olu of Ayetoro-Gbede, Oba Sunday Ehindero thanked the state governor, Yahaya Bello for finding them worthy of the appointment, promised their loyalty and support to his government.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers, (NUT), has said that it will breed more illiterates than literates, should federal government hands over primary education to Local government council.
This was made known to newsmen by the president of the association,Micheal Olukoya, during a recent workshop in Abuja. Olukoya made the assertion while reminiscing lost members killed by Boko Haram in North East area and laments the backlog of salary owed teachers in over 28 states.
School Children
According to him, "Education should be seen as a right enshrined in our constitution. We are not against local government autonomy, but if FG says primary education should go to the local governments, it will lead to slavery. We will be breeding more illiterates than literates.
"We appeal to the federal government not to contemplate handing over primary education to local government councils under the guise of local government autonomy.
"If we attempt to put primary education under the purview of local government administration, we shall be going back to the analogue age. We will not allow that to happen.
"The economic recession has worsened the situation of teachers with many teachers being owed by state governments. As I speak, about 28 states owe our teachers. The commercialisation and privatisation of education in Nigeria should be condemned. The policy has left education in the hands of private proprietors of schools who charge outrageous school fees in the bid to make profit," Olukoya said.
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
Medical experts have called on the Federal Government to increase investments in hospitals to reduce medical tourism.
The Vice Chairman of Garki General Hospital and NHSA premier hospital, Dr. Ibrahim Wada, who made the call in Abuja during a live streaming of an open heart surgery session, said the country has well-trained experts to break boundaries in medical practice, but that finance is lacking.
He said the hospital had carried out 50 successful open heart surgeries since the programme commenced four years ago, and they partner with Nigerians in Diaspora to break the bounds of medical science.
Speaking, a missionary doctor, who is the Chief Perfusion Specialist in Las Vegas, Dr. Ikenna Okoro, said foreign doctors are not better than Nigerian ones, but that the missing link is that people abroad believe more in what they have.
On his part, the Chief Surgeon of Garki Hospital, Dr. Elijah Miner, disclosed that the hospital is also running kidney transplant and IVF programmes, but that they were no longer sustainable because of lack of finance.
He said: "We could have had more surgeries, but most of the patients lack the funds; we need government and donor-organisations to intervene in the programme so that they can continue with it."
The parent of one of the patients, who had the surgeries, described the operation as a good one, stressing the need for government to enable young doctors to be tutored by experts that come from overseas, so that they would always be on ground to attend to patients.
The New York Times reported on Wednesday that President Donald Trump sacked former FBI Director James Comey, days after Comey requested additional funding and personnel for the agency's probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
According to the newspaper, Comey had asked Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein last week for a significant boost in resources and later briefed U.S. lawmakers on the request, the New York Times said, citing three unnamed officials.
…Tinubu Gives Guidelines, Urges Party Leaders, Members To Embrace Peaceful Conduct Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday charged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State to work round the clock to ensure that the party wins all available elective positions in the forthcoming July 22 Local Government elections. Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); his Deputy, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (left); National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (middle); APC Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Otunba Henry Ajomale (2nd right) and Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (right) during the APC Stakeholders meeting ahead of the Local Government Elections at Party Secretariat, Acme Road, Ogba, on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. Governor Ambode, who addressed members of the party at a stakeholders meeting held at the APC Secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, Lagos, which attracted thousands of faithfuls and top chieftains of the party, said it was important for the party to come out tops in the elections, adding that it would go a long way to ensure that the State continues to make steady progress.
While attributing his success in the 2015 gubernatorial elections to the dedication of party members and chieftains of the party, especially the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Ambode charged them to rally round the party yet again to ensure victory for the APC in the polls.
"Almost exactly two years after, we have cause to thank God. I am able to look back that the confidence you give me two years ago and all of you working together to make sure I defeated the PDP candidate was no small feat.
"I have come here not only to attend this meeting but to say a big thank you to all of you. I want to thank you for being the first set of people that believed in me and thereafter God has been so gracious, he has not allowed me to disappoint u. I want to say a big thank you to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the State APC Chairmen and Exco members for supporting that course.
"If there is any party remaining in Nigeria today, that party is manifested in all the good things coming out of Lagos State. Why are we here; we are here to count our blessings and renew the course of unity to move forward as one great party.
"I want to implore all of us, whatever it is that would have transpired, it is very clear that this coming LG elections is all in your hands; just the same way we have done in the last two years, my call to all members of our great party is that all 57 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas must be won by APC without exception," the Governor said.
Noting that there were challenges and issues that had emanated in the run up to the local government elections, Governor Ambode, nonetheless urged members to stand by the decisions of the party leaders, which according to him would bring about the best for all.
"This is our first gathering this year, it is very significant, it is instructive and we are meeting on a very happy note. We have begun a new journey into the crusade to make Nigeria a progressive nation and it is starting from this process that we would use; our Chairmen, Councilors, SLGS and this is the new chart that we want to follow in this state.
"A whole lot of things have happened; it is left in the hands of Asiwaju to proclaim the way forward for all of us. So, whatever direction Asiwaju say we should go, we would go," he said.
On his part, APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu commended members of the party for supporting Governor Ambode in the 2015 elections, and urged that the candidates of the party for the forthcoming Local Government Election should also be supported.
Tinubu, who described the election as the most challenging, recalled how the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former President Goodluck Jonathan moved to take over the State by all means including spending huge cash, but the APC members resolutely stood their ground and ensured the victory of the party.
While urging members to accept the decision of the party with respect to the LG election, Tinubu said as agreed earlier, the 18 chairmen who were promised automatic ticket for their efforts in the party and the State would be allowed to return, while the Sole Administrators who took over from Executive Secretaries (ES) of the LGs and LCDAs would not be allowed to contest in the election.
He also directed party leaders in all the 57 councils to give special concession to youths and women, while also urging members of the party in Surulere to give peace a chance and drop all forms of public disorder.
Responding to issues raised by party members that the ES should be disallowed from contesting, Tinubu said: "Doing such would amount to denying them their rights having left office more than a year ago. It is just like saying that Governor Ambode or Senators and other party leaders should not be allowed second term."
Besides, Tinubu commended Governor Ambode for his sterling performance so far, saying that the Governor had not let the party down.
"Governor Ambode you have not let us down. He is doing a fantastic job, in an environment where there is economic recession is a big challenge, they say he might not be able to do it, but he is doing it and doing it perfectly.
"He has a very good team of performers, it takes a leader to lead a team to victory and a leader to think and dream. He thinks and performs and he is doing a great job, we are very proud of him," Tinubu said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and other at the Stakeholders meeting ahead of the Local Government Elections at Party Secretariat, Acme Road, Ogba, on Wednesday.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); his Deputy, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (left); National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (middle); APC Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Otunba Henry Ajomale (2nd right) and Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (right) during the APC Stakeholders meeting ahead of the Local Government Elections at Party Secretariat, Acme Road, Ogba, on Wednesday, May 10, 2017.Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (right); Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (2nd left) and Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (left) during the APC Stakeholders meeting ahead of the Local Government Elections at Party Secretariat, Acme Road, Ogba, on Wednesday, May 10, 2017.L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Otunba Henry Ajomale (right) during the APC Stakeholders meeting ahead of the Local Government Elections at Party Secretariat, Acme Road, Ogba, on Wednesday, May 10, 2017.
Moon Jae-In was sworn in on Wednesday as South Korea's new president, just a day after his landslide election victory.
He immediately declared his willingness to visit Pyongyang amid high tensions with the nuclear-armed North.
Left-leaning Moon Jae-In, a former human rights lawyer, backs engagement with North Korea in the quest for peace — in contrast to the threatening rhetoric from the Trump administration in recent weeks.
"If needed I will fly to Washington immediately," Moon said in an inauguration speech after taking the oath of office in front of lawmakers at Seoul's National Assembly building.
"I will also go to Beijing and Tokyo and even Pyongyang in the right circumstances."
Moon Jae-In
Moon will have a difficult diplomatic path to tread in his approach to the North, which dreams of a missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental United States, and has vast artillery forces trained on Seoul.
At the same time the South is embroiled in disputes with China over a US missile defence system, and former colonial occupier Japan over wartime history.
He named former journalist Lee Nak-Yon, a four-term lawmaker, as prime minister — a largely coordinating role — and appointed a new head of the National Intelligence Service, Suh Hoon, who played a key role in preparing the past two inter-Korea summits of 2000 and 2007.
Domestically, Moon begins his term facing multiple challenges, including the aftermath of the huge corruption scandal that saw his conservative predecessor Park Geun-Hye impeached and swept him to power, but leaves the country bitterly divided.
Ahead of the swearing-in, Moon met leading lawmakers of Park's Liberty Korea party — which has repeatedly accused him of being a Pyongyang sympathiser — to "beg" for their cooperation.
"I will be a president to all people," he said in his speech, promising to "serve even those who did not support me" and remain "at eye-level with the people".
After the low-key ceremony he was driven through the streets of the capital to the Blue House, standing in the back of his limousine and waving to supporters.
Moon took 41.1 percent of the vote in Tuesday's election, far ahead of Hong Joon-Pyo of Park's Liberty Korea party, on 24.0 percent, and centrist Ahn Cheol-Soo on 21.4 percent.
The 64-year-old is bespectacled, reserved and mild-mannered, although some critics describe him as bland, indecisive and uninspiring.
"I liked the no-frills inauguration event and his down-to-earth style," said Lee Jeong-Mi, a Seoul office worker who watched him pass by. "He really looks like a true people's president."
THE Nigerian economy is overwhelmingly dependent on oil, while accounts for 81 percent of government revenue and more than 97 percent of export earnings. Myopic policies pursued by successive military regimes in the final decades of the last century devastated the traditional agrarian economy and crippled growth in the non-oil sectors.
Consequently, Nigeria's growing oil wealth corresponded with a simultaneous decline of human development indicators and widening urban- rural divides. Massive imbalances in the economy spawned a thriving informal sector that continues to sustain most of Nigeria's 188 million people( UN estimates October 19, 2016) . The fundamental problem with the Nigerian economy is its failure to diversify. Instead of investing oil revenues in multi-sector economic growth or poverty alleviation, past governments frittered away national profits through unsustainable import reliance, poorly sustained policies, and corruption. The resulting fragility has been clearly evident during the global economic downturn which has impacted key areas of the Nigerian economy from banking and foreign exchange reserves to the capital market and the mortgage sector.
Nigeria is better placed to develop a well-diversified economy than any other country in the West Africa. The abundance of natural resources, mineral deposits and fertile land it enjoys is unrivalled, as is its substantial human resource pool. A range of initiatives devoted to promoting other sectors of the economy is already in place as part of the government's extensive reforms programme. The non–oil economy saw two- fold growth to 7 percent between 2001 and 2006, an encouraging sign in view of Nigeria's vision 2020 goal of accelerated growth and economic consolidation. Optimising resource and raw material utilisation by developing a mass base of inter- linked enterprises are central to this scheme.
Business expansion
Given past experiences and present realities, Nigeria's resurgence is inseparably tied to business expansion in the small and medium sector. SMEs have proved reliable vehicles of economic transformation across the developing world because of the wide scope of their benefits – employment generation, foreign exchange conservation, optimal resource utilisation and equitable wealth distribution. The most convincing benefits of all, however, is the independence among businesses that SMEs foster- a critical consideration in the context of Nigeria's long term ambition.
Recent efforts by government to promote a more inter- linked enterprise economy includes: Reinforcing the financial sector with the 2004 bank consolidation programme to improve credit access to the private sector, specifically, small businesses. Privatising major public sector entities in oil production and marketing, construction, mining and ports to promote private participation and downstream enterprise development. Reduction of government expenditure and involvement in direct economic production through commercialisation, disinvestment and strategic mergers.
The Nigerian economy has not diversified as hoped. Even after a decade of multifarious reforms, more than half of all industrial raw material and consumer goods continue to be imported. Non- oil export remains marginal while growth in potential boom sectors like tourism and textiles is sluggish. The dynamic economy running on rapid enterprise development that Nigeria is desperate for remains patently unachieved. The challenge of economic diversification is not limited to the developing world. Emerging and developed economies likewise are constantly seeking to reinvent and diversify their economic profile to reduce dependency on traditional sectors and take advantage of new opportunities in our globalised world. The oil rich emirate of Saudi Arabia, which is well on the way to rein venting itself as a luxury tourist destination, is a striking example.
Nigeria's oil reserves are estimated to run out before the end of 2030. Even if further reserves are explored over the coming years, the eventual decline of oil- driven economy is inevitable. Nigeria's future standing on the world stage is therefore, a future beyond oil. If this future is to be a prosperous one it will be because Nigeria has successfully realised a multi-faceted and interdependent enterprise economy based on a profound entrepreneurial revolution.
Daud Olatunji ABEOKUTA-The General Managers of Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation , Engr. Tunde Awolana, General Manager, Ogun State Television Engr. Dele Bolujoko have been ordered to proceed on compulsory retirement from the Public Service of Ogun State. •Amosun: Ogun governor
The state governor , Senator Ibikunle Amosun on Wednesday reportedly accepted the notices of voluntary retirement with effect from the affected general managers .
The Head of Service, Abayomi Sobande in a statement said the retirement of the two affected general managers takes immeidate effect .
He said “on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, I wish to seize this opportunity to appreciate the contributions of these General Managers to the development of the State and wish them success in their future endeavours.
“The Most Senior Management Staff of the two Government Agencies are hereby directed to take over the Management of the Agencies pending further directives from the office of the Head of Service”,he said .
FACTORING services can bridge the gap in the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa by addressing the challenges SMEs face in accessing funding for business activities.
Ms. Kanayo Awani, Managing Director of Intra-African Trade Initiative of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), stated this at a two-day factoring promotion seminar organised by the bank in Douala, Cameroon.
She said that the effectiveness and potential of factoring services to support SMEs became even higher during periods of financial distress and that, because of its unique features, factoring was well-suited for facilitating financial inclusion of SMEs.
Factoring is a financial transaction and a type of debtor finance in which a business sells its accounts receivable (i.e., invoices) to a third party (called a factor) at a discount. A business will sometimes factor its receivable assets to meet its present and immediate cash needs.
Awani asserted that Afreximbank had been championing the development of factoring in Africa to support its strategy to grow intra-African trade and facilitate greater SME contribution to regional and global supply chains.
She added that the bank's support had been through provision of credit lines to factors, capacity-building workshops, policy and regulatory inputs, advisory services and technical assistance to promote best practices. "We are proud to note the increased awareness about factoring in Africa and, more tangibly, the growing number of factoring companies on account of our efforts," she said.
Increasing factoring transaction volumes and ensuring stronger legal frameworks were also part of the bank's targets, Awani added.
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – The Federal High Court in Abuja, Wednesday, adjourned the suit that erstwhile Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Jibrin Abdulmumin, filed to challenge his suspension from the House, indefinitely.
Abdumumin Jibrin
Justice John Tsoho suspended hearing on the suit based on an appeal that was lodged by two members of the House of Reps, Hon. Nicholas Ossai and Hon. Orker-Jev Emmanuel.
Ossai who is the Chairman of House Committee on Ethics and Emmanuel who moved the motion that led to the Jubrin’s suspension for 180 legislative days, are challenging refusal of Justice Tsoho to join them as interested parties in the suit.
Counsel to the two lawmakers, Mr. Hakeem Kareem, informed the court that appeal his clients lodged against the dismissal of their joinder application has already been slated for hearing by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
He prayed the court to temporarily hands-off the matter and await decision of the appellate court.
However, counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, urged the court to go ahead and hear the suit on its merit.
Falana accused the two lawmakers of deliberately stalling hearing on the matter, saying the appeal was only aimed at rendering the suit spent and nurgatory.
He drew attention of the court to the fact that Jubrin’s suspension which is the subject matter of the suit will lapse on June 28.
On their part, the House of Reps and its Speaker, Yakubu Dogara who are original defendants in the suit, through their lawyer Mr. Kanu Onuoha, aligned with the appellants and urged the court to hands-off for the appellate court in line with the principle of judicial heirachy.
In his ruling, Justice Tsoho held that he was minded to halt further hearing on the suit in order not to take any pre-emptive step capable of jeopardising the pending appeal.
"This suit is hereby adjourned indefinitely pending the decision of the Court of Appeal on the motion for stay of proceedings," Justice Tsoho ruled.
Aside querying legality of his suspension, Jubrin is also praying the high court to award N1billion against the defendants as punitive and general damages for his suspension.
He is equally praying the court to declare that his suspension amounted to a violation of his fundamental human right to freedom of expression.
As well as to declare that the resolution the House passed to suspend him was in breach of section 68 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Besides, Jibrin wants the court to issue an order of injunction restraining the House of Reps from preventing him from participating in the Committees of the House or accessing the legislative chambers to perform his legislative duties.
It will be recalled that Jubrin was suspended on September 28, 2016 for 180 days, following corruption allegations he raised against principal officers of the House.
He had among other things, alleged that the officers, including the Speaker, Dogara, surreptitiously padded the 2016 budget with about N40billion
By Dennis Agbo ENUGU- SECOND republic Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme has noted that the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu were aimed at enthroning justice in Nigeria.
Former Vice President Alex Ekwueme and Independent People of Biafra's leader, Nnamdi Kanu during Kanu's visit to the former Vice President, in Enugu on Wednesday
Ekwueme also said that IPOB's agitation is pursuant to equity among all peoples of Nigeria, particularly the Igbo.
The former Vice President made the remarks, Wednesday, when the IPOB leader visited him in his Enugu residence.
He said he was happy to receive Kanu in his house and promised to privately offer his advice to him on how to carry on with his vowed agitation for restoration of a Biafra republic.
Ekwueme said "For me it is a pleasure receiving Nnamdi in my humble abode here today after all his travails in the last few months. I thank God that he is free and able to move around and to be able to see him here in this house.
"It is a pleasure for me to receive him. I will make my best counsel available in his very onus task of leading an agitation that is committed to maintenance of justice and equity among all peoples, especially our people."
A 17-year-old secondary school student, Jamiu Ibrahim, who allegedly broke into his school and stole nine ceiling fan regulators valued at N30,000, was on Wednesday released on N50,000 bail on the orders of an Ikeja Magistrates' Court.
The Magistrate, Mrs F. A. Azeez, who gave the ruling, also granted the accused a surety, who must be gainfully employed with an evidence of two years' tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
Ibrahim, whose address was not provided, is facing a charge of theft.
He, however, entered a `not-guilty' plea.
But the Prosecutor, Sgt. Emmanuel Ajayi, said the accused committed the offence on April 19 at Birch Freeman High School, Mushin.
According to him, the accused unlawfully entered the school premises and stole nine ceiling fan regulators worth N30,000, property of the Lagos State Ministry of Education.
"The accused, a student of the school, was caught with the items when he wanted to escape at the school gate."
The offence contravened Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the section prescribes a three-year jail term for offenders.
The magistrate adjourned the case until May 17 for mention.
The ex-governor of Benue, Gabriel Suswam, has withdrawn the fundamental human rights suit he instituted against the Department of State Services (DSS) seeking an order of unconditional release from detention.
Former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, has been invited by the Department of State Services, DSS.
Suswam had also asked the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to order the DSS to award him N10 billion as compensation for unlawful incarceration and violation of his rights.
When the matter was called on Wednesday, counsel to Suswam, Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN), told the court that his client had no further intention of continuing the suit.
Daudu maintained that although Suswam's doctor had placed him on strict bed rest, he reluctantly released him to appear in court to validate his claim of ill health.
"The applicant was just released on Sunday after over 70 days in detention and he visited his consultant cardiologist and was given a document showing that he should be on strict bed rest.
"In view of the fact that he was released based on his health, he needs time to get his health back to be able to stand trial.
"We, however, apply to withdraw the application since he has been released," Daudu said.
State counsel, Mr Terhemba Agbe, said the DSS was not opposed to the application since an applicant had a right to proceed with an application or to withdraw it.
In a short ruling, Justice Gabriel Kolawale, said that based on the oral application made by Suswam's counsel to withdraw the suit, the application was granted and he accordingly, struck out the suit.
Suswam had been in DSS custody since Feb. 25 over allegation of possession of firearm found inside the boot of his car.
The DSS had prayed the court not to release Suswam owing to his alleged connection to the militant group that attacked Zaki Biam, a town in Benue.
The DSS also stated that security report from Benue government alleged that the state would be ungovernable if Suswam was released.
The court however released the former governor on May 7, on self-recognition.
Suswam and his former commissioner for finance, Mr Omadachi Oklobia are standing trial for allegedly diverting about N3.1 billion belonging to the government of Benue.
They are also being tried for alleged money laundering and breach of public trust while in office.
The Federal Government had on Jan. 25, asked the court to adjourn sine die, fresh N7 billion criminal charges filed against Suswam by the office of the Inspector-General of Police.
The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission was committed to making future elections in the country better than the 2015 exercise. Yakubu made the pledge when he received the new United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington at INEC headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.
He expressed gratitude to the U.S. Government for its commendation of the 2015 polls.
According to him, you have noted that the elections were well organised and were of international standard and accepted, contrary to situation in the past where there were protests on the street after elections.
"After the 2015 elections, there were jubilations on the streets and this further underscored the achievement of the commission and the steps that Nigeria has taken towards consolidating its democracy.
INEC
"We appreciate your kind words; 2015 was a defining moment for Nigeria elections, but we want to assure you that the commission is conscious of its responsibility and we are committed to making future elections even better.
"It is for that reason we are have taking some steps in ensuring that the 2019 general elections are better that 2015 general elections,'' Yakubu said.
He said that one of the steps being taken was proper planning.
"We have been planning ahead for 2019 general elections and beyond, and we have done so in many other areas in two ways.''
He disclosed that the commission would, from next week, commence the process of implementing its "2017-2021 Strategic Plan''.
The chairman said that the commission would also clean up voter register, conclude ongoing continuous voter registration in 774 local governments before the 2019 general elections, and continue the exercise later.
He also listed the fixing of specific dates ahead of the 2019 general elections as well as deepening the use of technology as other steps being taken to improve on the country's electoral system.
Yakubu pledged that the commission would continue to work more closely with the US embassy to strengthen the country's democracy and electoral process.
"There is a lot we share in common with the US in terms of our democratic evolution. America practices presidential system, Nigeria also practices the presidential system.
"Many people don't also realize that the Nigeria presidential democracy is second only to the US in terms of the size of registered voters.
"As I speak today, Nigeria has 70 million registered voters, and US is the only country that practices presidential democracy that has more registered voters than Nigeria,'' he added.
Earlier, Symington had said that his visit to INEC was to learn how Nigeria conducted its elections, and commended the commission for the success of 2015 general elections.
He said that conducting widely accepted elections had helped Nigeria to play a leading role expected of it in Africa.
Symington said that majority views across the globe on the 2015 general elections was that the elections were conducted in the atmosphere of peace imposed by wind of hope and shaped by the certainty of comfort.
"So, the combination of peace, hope and comfort seems to me a sort of key that is needed, going forward,'' he said.
He, however, listed good relationship and confidence between the leaders and the followers as some of the key factors required for good governance across the globe.
ABUJA – Only one of the 82 recently ‘released’ Chibok girls has established contact with her parents, Vanguard has learned. President Muhammadu Buhari (standing) speaking during a reception for the 82 Chibok girls. ABOVE RIGHT: A cross-section of the girls. BELOW RIGHT: Members of the BBOG jubilating yesterday.
Chairman of the Chibok community in Abuja, Hosea Tsambido told Vanguard in a telephone chat Wednesday night said Mr Bulus Yehi, who resides in Lagos was able to speak with her daughter via telephone.
“Only one parent, a father, Mr Bulus Yehi, who stays in Lagos has been able to speak with her daughter on telephone”, Tsambido said.
The Chibok community chairman also advised Mr Mustapha Zanna, a chief negotiator for the release of the girls to refrain from disclosing all he knows about the state of the girls in order not to put the families into further trauma.
“Government should not hold to that statement whether it comes from the girls or not. Government should do the right thing by ensuring the release of the girls, including the one said to have preferred the option of staying with her Boko Haram husband.
“Zanna should not have spilled this. It is not everything that he hears that he should come out to say. We are not saying he lied, but he should have kept it a secret. There are so many things that we have also heard but we are not speaking about them in order not to cause more trauma for the parents”, he explained.
The Kogi House of Assembly on Wednesday asked the State Emergency Management Agency (KOSEMA) and other relevant agencies to assess and remove all dangerous rocks and trees along roads across the state.
This is contained in a resolution of the House following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the menacing rocks and trees moved by John Abah (APC-Ibaji) at plenary in Lokoja.
Abah expressed concern that the unbalanced rocks and trees constituted great threat to motorists and passersby on the roads.
The lawmaker recalled that last month a rainstorm uprooted a tree by hydro junction, Adankolo in Lokoja, killing five persons in a tricycle including a pregnant woman.
Seconding the motion, Haruna Idoko Musa (APC-Idah) said government needed to take urgent steps to preventing further disasters, adding "a stitch in time saves nine".
Mr Aliyu Akuh (PDP-Omala) in his contribution said that the state Town Planning and Urban Development Board be made to be alive to its responsibilities, noting that many residential houses were being erected near such rocks and trees.
He said that the officials of town planning board should be cautioned against reckless approval of development plans in such areas.
In his ruling, the Speaker, Alhaji Umar Imam, first recalled the scenery provided by natural plants during his schooling days, holding however that since the government had failed to culture them for safety and recreational purposes, it should remove them with a view to protecting lives and property.
He ordered the clerk of the legislature to communicate the executive on the resolution.
Sylvester Emmanuel , Nigeria's number two-ranked tennis player who lost 3-6, 4-6 to Canadian Brayden Schnur on Wednesday, said experience kept the North American ahead of him.
Emmanuel however had qualified for the Round of 16 after beating US-based Aron Pierce on Tuesday in the ongoing second edition of Dayak Tennis Championship.
In an interview with nwesmen in Abuja, Emmanuel acknowledged that his opponent preformed better.
" The Canadian player was better and his experience enables him to unleash his skills and didn't give me chance to do what I needed to do.
"He played well and his experience was well above mine, which kept him ahead of me.
"This is a process anyway. You learn from each game and you move on," he said.
Schnur, who was in Nigeria for the first time and had to change his shirt twice in the match, said the hot weather did not affect his style of play.
"I changed my shirt because the weather is hot and I was sweating, though I ensured that the weather did not distract me.
"But I am getting used to the weather and will take the game one at a time as I look forward to playing in the quarter-finals," he said.
NAN reports that Schnur had won the Tombim Abuja Open last weekend and was hopeful of moving further.
NAN reports that the Dayak tournament is an International Tennis Federation event where players can garner Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) points.
The event which has over 50 players with 25,000 dollars up for grabs began on Sunday and will end on Saturday.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has not gambled with the club’s season by prioritising Europa League success over a top-four finish in the Premier League, he said on Wednesday.
Mourinho
Mourinho has given up on United’s hopes of securing Champions League qualification via the league and fielded a weakened team in last Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Arsenal.
United are 1-0 up ahead of the home leg of their Europa League semi-final against Celta Vigo on Thursday and with victory in the tournament yielding a Champions League slot, Mourinho says his choices were entirely rational.
“The situation is simple. Seventeen matches in seven weeks with 16 players is impossible. It was not a gamble. It was a simple decision,” he told reporters at Old Trafford.
“It was a decision based on common sense. Seventeen matches in seven weeks, April and May. Seventeen matches with 16 players is completely impossible.
“We lost four players in one week, when we lost (Chris) Smalling and (Phil) Jones in the (England) national team and (Marcos) Rojo and Zlatan (Ibrahimovic) against Anderlecht (in the previous round).
“After that we lost boys that could be alternatives: Ashley Young, Luke Shaw, Timothy Fosu-Mensah. When we lost these players in a period of 17 matches in seven weeks, it was the impossible job.
“It was not a gamble, just a consequence of our situation.”
Mourinho has already led United to victory in the League Cup, but they lie four points off the Champions League places with three matches of the Premier League season remaining.
More accustomed to competing for Champions League titles, United are bidding to reach the final of Europe’s second-tier competition for the first time in their history.
– Atmosphere ‘not consistent’ –
Spanish side Celta have never reached a continental final of any stripe, but Mourinho says there will be no difference between the teams when it comes to their will to win.
“In terms of motivation we are even,” said the Portuguese, who led Porto to glory in the UEFA Cup –- as the Europa League was formerly known -– in 2003.
“For Celta, in their words it’s the most important match of their history. My feeling is also the most important match of our history. It doesn’t matter what happened before, how big the matches before were.
“What matters is the next one and the next one is tomorrow. I don’t think Celta want it more than us. So in this aspect I don’t think there will be a difference between the teams.”
Mourinho revealed United will be without Rojo, Shaw, Young, Fosu-Mensah and Ibrahimovic for the rest of the season, but he reported no new injury problems
Celta have scored in all six of their Europa League away games this season and with United’s lead so slender, Mourinho challenged the club’s supporters to provide a fitting atmosphere for the occasion.
“I see a difference between matches. I don’t think it’s consistent, the atmosphere, the enthusiasm,” he said.
“For example, the match against Chelsea (which United won 2-0), I could feel they (the fans) wanted to play. They played from the first minute until the last minute. It was really a very strong Old Trafford.
“We had other matches, for example against Anderlecht, where the stadium was not warm enough to make us feel that was a very important match for us.
“And it was, because it was a quarter-final second leg. So hopefully tomorrow they have this feeling it’s a semi-final second leg and more important than a quarter-final second leg. So we have to fight hard tomorrow.”
Manchester United's manager Jose Mourinho will be putting all his eggs in one basket when he leads out his team against Celta Vigo at Old Trafford on Thursday.
The main aim will be to move a step closer to ensuring UEFA Champions League football for next season.
The Portuguese coach has made no secret of the fact he has prioritised winning the Europa League over a top-four Premier League finish.
He has seen it as the best route for United to secure a place in Europe's elite club competition once again in 2017-18.
Mourinho takes his side into the Europa League semi-final second leg against Celta on Thursday, protecting a 1-0 lead comfortably earned in Spain.
The result has made United to be looking hot favourites to reach the final in Stockholm on May 24.
He effectively gave up the challenge of earning Champions League qualification through United's Premier League placing.
This was when he decided not to field his strongest team at Arsenal on Sunday and paid the price with an insipid 2-0 defeat.
Mourinho's caution earned him criticism from those United followers who believed he should have been more ambitious and gone all out for the victory at The Emirates.
They argued this could have still given the team hope on two fronts.
Most vociferous has been United's former England midfielder Paul Ince who, in his column for bookmakers Paddy Power, described Mourinho's approach as "rubbish" and "naive".
Yet Mourinho may have another good reason for focusing on the Europa League route.
Already, he is sure to bring back key figures like Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Antonio Valencia against Celta Vigo after resting them from Sunday's starting lineup,
But United are almost sure to go straight into the group stage of next season's Champions League by winning the Europa League.
However, they would have to go through the tricky final playoff round if they qualified by finishing fourth in the league.
The rules dictate that if the winners of the Champions League don't also qualify for next season's competition via their home league placing, then the Europa League winners have to go through the playoffs.
Yet with both Champions League finalists, Juventus and in all probability Real Madrid, sure to qualify through their domestic leagues, that will not apply.
All of this depends on United finishing the job against Celta and then prevailing in a potentially tough final against, in all likelihood, a vibrant young Ajax Amsterdam side.
The Dutch side go to Olympique Lyonnais protecting a 4-1 lead in their semi-final.
Yet Ince felt Mourinho had taken an unacceptable risk, with United now four points behind local rivals Manchester City with three Premier League games remaining.
"Jose Mourinho keeps going on about playing a 'weakened' team against Arsenal to save themselves for the Europa League second leg. It's rubbish," Ince said.
"They've got some really unfortunate injuries but they still have an excellent squad and should be able to cope with playing both games.
"I can see they're clearly going for the Europa League as the main target, but I think that's naive.
"If they'd put out a slightly stronger team last week (against Arsenal), they'd be touching top four. It's a massive risk."
