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The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has reiterated the call for a united and strong Nigeria whose central and historic position on the black continent must be realised for the black race to take its rightful position.
He made this call when the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) paid him a courtesy call cum condolence visit on Thursday.
The National President of CAN, Rev. Dr Samson Ayokunle, had led some Christian Associations to the government house to pray for the repose of the soul of the late mother of the Governor, Alhaja Saratu Aregbesola, who passed on recently.
Rauf Aregbesola
Aregbesola said Nigeria must not fail as a nation if it is to fulfil the roles and responsibilities history placed at its doorstep as the champion of the black race.
According to him, a united Nigeria is capable of taking the black race to its rightful place, stressing that Nigerians should always remember that they are the only race that can make a mark in the world.
The Governor, who called for other bodies like CAN to support and pray for the country, added that for the black man to have headway in the world, then Nigeria must not fail.
He explained that for Nigeria live up to performing its roles in uplifting the black race in the world then all hands must be on deck to support it to achieve the goal of making the black man important.
He said, “We need to begin to realise as a nation that we are the only black nation that can assist the black man to make a name in the world.
“Nigeria must not fail, if we must achieve this task and play this big role on behalf of all black race, we should all begin to work towards supporting Nigeria to achieve it.
“I want to call on all well meaning groups and bodies in Nigeria to believe in the Nigerian dream and work towards realising it.
“We need to believe in ourselves as a nation for others to believe in us because this is the only way the black man from any part of the world can have a face.
“We need to begin to see Nigeria as project which must not fail and must never fail. Failure of Nigeria will be a disaster for the black man anywhere in the world,” Aregbesola stated.
He thanked the CAN president for the condolence visit saying that he is happy that his mother died at a good time without stress, praying for all to have the opportunity of exiting the world at a time one will be celebrated.
“For my mother to have had the privilege of giving birth to me, I can say that she died a very good death and am grateful for that.
Delivering his condolence message, CAN President, Rev. Dr Samson Ayokunle, said it is worthy of note that the late mother of Governor Aregbesola spent quality life while on earth, saying the quality of the life she lived was portrayed through the achievements of Aregbesola as a governor.
Ayokunle, who is also the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, also added that Alhaja Saratu Aregbesola died at a good time because she died at time when her demise brought about a lot of honour to her.
He noted that the quality of life she lived is made manifest in the lives of her offspring, Governor Aregbesola inclusive, saying the good and hard work of the Governor must have been taken from Alhaja Saratu Aregbesola.
“We at the CAN Headquarters received the news of the death of Alhaja Saratu Aregbesola with a great shock.
“We are grateful to God that she led a quality life, which is made manifest in the lives of her offspring of which you are one of them.
“It is my prayer that God strengthen you, the Aregbesola family and the entire state to overcome the loss.
“He will strengthen you so as to continue to impact on your generation positively,” Ayokunle said.
BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME PORT HARCOURT – There was jubilation at the 6 Division, Port Harcourt Thursday when soldiers from 29 Battalion in returned home after taking part in the the war against dreaded Boko Haram insurgent in Nigeria’s restive North East.
A soldiers from 29 Battalion Spokesman of the Division, Colonel Aminu Ilyasu said the soldiers served under various units in the Operation LAFIYA DOLE, adding that they came back following rotation of troop for the military operation in North East ordered by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.
He explained that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur ordered that soldiers that had overstayed in the Operation LAFIA DOLE operation in North East be replaced.
The General Officer Commanding the Division, GOC, Major General Enobong Udoh welcomed the soldiers, assuring them of their welfare. He said they should remain professional in their conducts, saying they would deployed for operations under the Division.
A batch of 128 Nigerians deported from Libya arrived in Lagos on Thursday aboard a chartered Airbus A320 Afriqiyah aircraft with registration number 5A-ONA
ThE aircraft landed at 5.35p.m at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The deportees, comprising 126 male, two female, were flown back into the waiting hands of officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Police.
Also on ground were officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The two females and four male deportees had medical cases.
The Director General, NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Maihaja, represented by Mr Suleiman Yakubu, Zonal Coordinator, South West, NEMA, used to occasion to counsel Nigerians not to be deceived by phantom promises in their quest for pastures.
He said that one of those who returned had sustained bullet injuries all over his body had been stretchered into a NEMA ambulance.
Maihaja said the victim would be taken to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for proper medical attention.
He advised Nigerians to stay back and contribute their quota to the socio-economic development of the country.
"There are a lot of things you can do in Nigeria here. You don't have to travel outside the country in search of greener pastures.
"My advice to parents is to keep tab on their children and to ensure that they know where their children are going and not to be deceived by phantom promises," he said.
Maihaja said NEMA and some state governments had put various schemes in place to help rehabilitate and reintegrate returnees into the society.
The Director-General, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Mrs. Julie Okah-Donli, had on Wednesday said that 540 Nigerians were set for deportation from Libya, beginning from Aug. 10.
She had said that the deportees would be brought back to Nigeria in three batches.
Thousands of Nigerians have been flown back from Libya, with some voluntarily returning with the help of the International Organisation for Migration.
A 22-year-old man in Abeokuta, who has allegedly contacted Lassa Fever, is under medical observation at the State General Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta.
The patient, whose name was not given, was said to have returned from a trip to Lagos when he came down with the symptoms.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Babatunde Ipaye, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with Newsmen on Thursday in Abeokuta.
He said the patient had been placed under watch.
"He (patient) is resident here in Abeokuta; he travelled to Lagos and returned with the fever.
"He is currently at the state General Hospital Ijaye where he is under medical observation.
"We have carried out the first test.The first sample was positive. It shows some reactions, but we need to carry out another confirmatory test.
"We are doing everything to see whether it is a confirmed case, the patient's temperature was high, but, today, it has reduced considerably.
"By tomorrow, we should be able to confirm whether it is Lassa fever or not. Meanwhile, the patient has been isolated", Ipaye said.
The Commissioner said the government had commenced preventive measures against the infection.
Two persons, including a 36-year-old pregnant woman, died at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, after being treated for Lassa fever.
The Black race is mired in a state of war. But only one side is fighting. That, unfortunately, is our adversaries—our myriad competitors in the ceaseless struggle for survival.
Collectively, we are a carpet on which the world not only tramples but also empties its bowels, in contempt. Almost everywhere, a Black image invites aggression, symbolic and/or real.
Symbolically, foreign art-forms routinely assault the moral and aesthetic integrity of our kind, while the preferred pastimes of U.S. policemen appear to be gunning down Black men.
Racial survival
Below the Sahara, African states evince no strategic awareness—continuing to violate, all known rules of racial survival.
Hardly a whimper is heard, for instance, as China and India dump millions of their people into East and Central Africa, in what amounts to a surreptitious invasion.
When will our quiescence end? And after it ends, what then? Which new paradigms must we adopt, in formulating a modern survival strategy?
Lying beside me, as I type these lines, is a lucid prescription for a 21st century paradigm shift. It is inscribe in a 900-page biology text, which details the rules and principles that govern life on our planet.
Pressingly pertinent, are the precepts of evolutionary theory, with its emphasis on the reproductive process—the sequence of cultural and chemical events, that result in the successful rearing of offspring.
Evolutionary logic imposes a cardinal condition for species success: That being proficiency at sex and/or warfare. Inhibited mating and uncompetitive behavior, lead inexorably to group extinction.
Entitled Biology: Life On Earth, the text lists five "kingdoms" of living things–"monera," "protists," "fungi," "plants" and "animals".
It makes no mention of "humans," as a separate category—nor do any of the countless other credible sources I've consulted. Biologists invariably classify us as "mammals".
Humans are, indeed, mammals: And mammals are animals! Hence we are subject to the same natural laws, and exhibit the same drives and instincts, as other members of the animal kingdom.
"We too are organisms," write Teresa and Gerald Audesirk, the co-authors. "We evolved in response to the same sorts of survival needs.
"Our bodies and those of all other living creatures," they continue, "consist of the same basic set of chemicals. The same processes allow us to survive and reproduce".
Procreation is our reason for existence. But how can the "processes" that enable us to "survive and reproduce," find expression in the arts, education, diplomacy, social policy, etc.?
Such questions are rarely, if ever, raised in public discourse—not to mention policy deliberations. Yet the ramifications are far-reaching and impinge heavily on African genetic and strategic interests.
Impervious to the precepts of biology, Blacks domiciled in North and South America, Asia and the Middle East are continuously cannibalized genetically, due to unprincipled reproductive behavior.
On the continent, evolutionary indifference has led to, among other things, ill-considered domestic priorities and outright childish diplomacy.
Lamentable examples include the suicidal mass importation of Asians, funding football and "Women's Ministries" instead of investing in steel or arms factories and agreeing not to acquire nuclear weapons.
I alone, cannot offer definitive answers. But by exploring urgent issues, from a biological perspective, my aim is to encourage, and contribute to, a much-needed paradigm shift in Black thinking, globally.
In biological parlance, the time has long-since arrived, for our intellectuals, activists and political leaders to take a hemispheric leap—and join the rest of the world, in using the left side of the brain!
"Hemispheric," in this context, refers to the brain's physical and functional divide. Generally speaking, the right half accommodates emotions, while the left deals with analysis and projection.
Right hemisphere behavior sufficed in times past, because the issues were clear-cut and largely emotional. White "slaveholders," "segregationists," and "colonialists" presented visible moral targets.
But with "independence" and the end of apartheid in Africa and the removal of "No Negroes Or Dogs Allowed" signs in the U.S. South., visible targets started to vanish.
Alas, the leopard now prowls in antelope's skin! This change has thrown Black elites, everywhere, into confusion, as threat-perception becomes increasingly complex—and more demanding intellectually.
Insights from science
The new paradigm impels us to use insights from science, to X-ray the leopard's disguise. Theory, logic and racial self-interest—not moral declamations—must now inform and guide our struggle.
These essays, therefore, are intended as battlefield flares: Bursts of insight, ignited in Nigeria's beclouded intellectual atmosphere, to illuminate survival issues and expose hidden racial threats.
The Commissioner of Police in Delta, Mr Zanna Ibrahim, said three police officers had been dismissed from service for hijacking a petroleum tanker in the state.
Ibrahim said the dismissed policemen were also being prosecuted.
He disclosed this in Asaba while presenting to newsmen the culprits alongside 21 other suspects who committed various crimes ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, car snatching, cultism and murder.
He said that the dismissed policemen had served in three different places in Edo, Delta and Imo, and had connived with two civilians.
The commissioner said that the two civilians had earlier been arrested, tried and sentenced to prison.
He said that the five-man gang confiscated the petroleum tanker which was carrying about 33, 000,000 liters of petrol along Agbor/Benin Expressway, tied up the driver and the conductor and took away the tanker, but that luck ran out of them.
He gave the names of the dismissed policemen as: Sgt. Christopher Onyegho (Ex-F/No.375631), Sgt. Nwakem Enonzim (Ex-F/No.413318) and Sgt. Michael Chimaera (Ex-F/No.441254).
"During my last briefing I informed you about the three serving policemen who were involved in robbing a Petroleum Tanker, and were undergoing department disciplinary measures.
"The department proceeding has been completed and the policemen have been dismissed and arraigned in court for prosecution," Ibrahim said.
He also said that the command had recovered several locally made guns, ammunition, a Sienna bus, and some cash from the 21 other suspects, adding that the culprits would be charged to court on conclusion of investigation.
Bestselling author, Pastor Reno Omokri has described as lies, the report claiming that over ₦11 trillion was wasted in the electricity sector during the Obasanjo, Yar'Adua, Jonathan years.
Pastor Omokri who was the former aide to the ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has exonerated Jonathan from the claims made in the report by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP).
Omokri said Dr. Jonathan, as against the claims in the report, brought much succour and development in the sector during his years as President of the country.
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan
The statement read thus:
“My attention has been drawn to the story ‘Obasanjo, Yar'Adua, Jonathan wasted N11tn on electricity –SERAP’ publishedmost prominently in The Punch newspapers on August 10, 2017and less prominently in other papers.
While I cannot speak for others, I can certainly say that as touching former President Goodluck Jonathan, the story is false and is the fruit of the laziness of the researchers who could have taken advantage of the Freedom of Information Act that Dr. Jonathan signed into law in May, 2011 to get records and data from relevant government ministries, departments and agencies that would have given the a fuller picture instead of the narrow view they have.
Former President Jonathan could not have wasted ₦11 trillion or any other amounts of money for the simple reason that he was the Nigerian President who privatized the Power Sector beginning on August 26, 2010 when he launched the roadmap to power sector reforms and culminating on October 16, 2012 when the winning bids were announced for the sale of power generating and distributing companies.
SERAP may do well to remember that on Monday the 30th of September 2013, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Former President Jonathan successfully handed over the bulk of Nigeria’s Power Infrastructure to successful private sector bidders after they had made payments for the assets they acquired.
At that event, he said “I congratulate our new owners who have taken over the engines and cables that are expected to drive not just the electricity industry but also the socio-economic well-being of the nation”.
In total, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria was split into six generation and 11 distribution firms, all sold separately, for about $2.5 billion for which the Jonathan administration received much deserved praise.
In fact, rather than wasting money, the Jonathan administration generated money for the federation from the sale of these assets which were seen to be transparent and followed global best practices.
Between May 6th 2010 when he was first sworn in as President to May 29, 2015 when he handed over power, the budget for the ministry of power under Dr. Jonathan was not up to ₦400 billion in total for the simple reason that his administration had succeeded in transferring most of Nigeria’s power assets, liabilities and personnel from the public sector to the private sector.
As such, it is evidently clear that any allegations that the Jonathan government wasted trillions is not a well thought out allegation at best and is a figment of the imagination of the makers at worse.
I do hope those papers which published this false report against the person of former President Jonathan and the administration that he led will be honorable enough to set the records straight for posterity.”
With some hours to Saturday’s Non-Elective National Convention of the PDP, Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee and Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, said the party was set to welcome high profile Nigerians defecting from other parties into its fold.
Okowa stated this Thursday while inspecting the Eagles Square, venue for the Convention, assuring that arrangements have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
Gov. Okowa
“We just came to see what is on ground. I believe that our people will be safe because we have everything under control, we are not expecting any hitches at all.
“We are doing very well as a party and as a committee. In this kind of planning, you will have some challenges here and there but there are solutions being proffered for everyone of it and we are confident that we are on the right track and it shall be well on Saturday”
He stated that some prominent Nigerians will join the party within the next three weeks.
“This is a new PDP and with the excitement we saw after the supreme court victory, we did see amongst Nigerians and not only PDP followers, I believe that a lot of people who thought that the party was going to implode by itself will realise that we are back alive and ready to offer what it takes to better the lives of Nigerians.
“Many of our members that left earlier due to one form of disagreement or the other will return back to their party because the National Caretaker Committee has constituted a Reconciliation Committee as well as a Contact and Mobilization Committee to reach out to them.
“From the way things are going presently in this country, I believe Nigerians will realise that PDP is the only alternative that can bring Nigeria out of her present economic challenges,” he added.
Similarly, National Chairman of the Party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi has assured members of the party that the issues relating to the South West zone of the party have been resolved.
In his words, “In politics there are always issues but what is important is that we sit down and resolve the issues in a civil manner.”
Pastors-in-charge of regions to have assistants New position equivalent to that of regional pastors More promotions coming LAGOS—THE Governing Council of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG has appointed two special assistants for the wife of the General Overseer, Pastor (Mrs.) Foluke Adeboye. They are Pastor (Mrs.) Shola Balogun until recently the Pastor-in-Charge of Province 34 and Pastor Deola Mensa until recently Pastor-in-Charge of Province 15 with headquarters in Surulere, Lagos.
Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye, wife of General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God anointing the newly ordained Assistant Pastor at the ongoing 65th Annual convention of the church at the Lagos -Ibadan expressway headquarter of the church. Photo Lamidi Bamidele
The General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye reiterating the announcement at a council meeting Monday night on the opening day of the 65th annual convention of the church, after a meeting of the Governing Council of the church, the highest organ of the church, said their new positions are equivalent to that of regional pastors.
The RCCG Governing Council, the highest organ of the church is made up of 18 members, with Pastor Adeboye as chairman. Other members include Pastors David G. Kuo, Ezekiel Odeyemi, Elijah Daramola, Gbadebo Lawal, Joseph Obayemi, Johnson Odesola and Remi Obayemi.
Adeboye also announced the promotion of the National Youth Pastor, Pastor Belemina Obunge to the rank of an Assistant General Overseer, adding that there will be more promotions in the church hierarchy this new year because the Governing Council has just approved the creation of more provinces in the country which will give room for more Pastors-in-charge of such new provinces.
New Assistant Pastors and the Provinces
Pastor Johnson Odesola, Assistant General Overseer to General Overseer on Admin and Personnel, Redeemed Christian Church of God anointing the newly ordained Assistant Pastor at the ongoing 65th Annual convention of the church at the Lagos -Ibadan expressway headquarter of the church. Photo Lamidi Bamidele
In addition to the heads of such provinces, he asserted, there will also be new assistant Pastors-in-charge of such provinces. He also announced that Pastors-in-charge of Regions will henceforth have assistants, pointing out they will have a co-ordinator in the person of the National Overseer, Pastor Joseph Obayemi.
Displeased by rising cases of corruption in the country and the church, the General Overseer sounded a note of warning to staff of the church at the convention which regarded as the annual general meeting of a corporate organisation, saying that henceforth any auditor who asks for gratification when they come to do their work, the ministers should blow the whistle by giving the names of the auditor, amount and when given, so that such would be dealt with.
According to him, the same applies to National Elders who do the same thing when they go to investigate issues.
Announcing new policy directions of the church to position it for the expected unprecedented growth, Pastor Adeboye urged young male members of the church who are qualified to marry, with good qualifications and jobs to go and marry in order to stop our daughters from being married by Muslims.
As expected there will be mass transfers of pastors in the mission this year, he said, adding that any pastors who have spent three years in their current location shall be moved.
Doubling of membership
On the issue of growth in line with the mission’s dream of doubling its membership, he said some regional and provincial pastors who have not measured up in their records were looked into were recommended for sack, but the Governing Council prevailed on Him (G.O.) to temper justice with mercy and have given such ministers another chance of one year.
In the meantime they would be demoted to an acting capacity, stressing “if after at the end of next year, they do not measure up, they shall be removed. If they do well, they will remain. What that means is that they have been demoted.”
According to the 75-year old General Overseer, the mission’s School of Discipleship should be taken much more seriously, stressing that there would be nothing like accelerated SOD again, “all those who passed out of the school without doing manual labour should go back to the basics where manual labour was the integral part of it.”
He emphasised the need for manual labour for disciples, stating that “the hand that cannot do manual labour cannot heal the sick,” just he stressed the need for every member of RCCG to take the annual evangelical Programme tagged Lets Go A-fishing must be emphasised.
“It’s not for fun. Let’s Go A-fishing is a programme God gave us to reach to people who are relaxing during festive seasons and win them to Christ,” he said, maintaining that if we are going to have dominion we have a price to pay.
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God preaching at the ongoing 65th Annual Convention of the church. Photo Lamidi Bamidele
He also told the church members that from the new year, every third Sunday will be devoted to the teaching of church doctrines and the purpose is that with the expected explosion of membership there is need to prepare committee members who will train the won souls.
Sources close to the church told our reporter that the mission now has presence in more than 195 countries, with over 32,000 parishes in Nigeria. There are over 730 branches in the UK and Ireland.
5,658 graduate from Bible College
As part of its manpower development in preparation 5,658 persons yesterday graduated from the Redeemed Christian Bible College, RCBC. The graduation ceremony on the third day of the on-going 65th annual convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, with the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye as visitor, started at 8.00 a.m. when the graduands filed out.
According to the Provost of the school, Pastor Babatunde Adedibu, the graduands were drawn from different campuses within and outside the country who received certificates in accordance with their course of study and duration of their programmes. Some graduated with doctorate degrees, others with masters, bachelors and diploma certificates.
He further explained that the RCBC is part of manpower development programme of the fast growing Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG.
In his words: "Redeemed Christian Bible College is responding positively to forces of globalization and migration by appropriating technological approach in the delivery of theological education. Online programme of the College is attracting a lot of attention across the globe, we are having students from Australia, North America, Greece, United Kingdom, some of these ones are graduating with us today.
Building a legacy
"We are committed to enhancing and building on the legacy we inherited from the preceding administration. To this end, we have completed the construction of our ultra-modern hostel for our female students and we are building with the future in mind,” he said, calling on past students of the college to contribute to the development.
Extending fatherly blessings to the graduands, the Bible College and its lecturers, the general overseer of the church, Pastor Adeboye prayed that the graduands will not leave the school with an ordinary certificate but with God's auction and power, adding that God will use them mightily for His Kingdom work.
Earlier on the opening day, the mission ordained over 8,230 deacons and deaconesses to assist the leadership pilot the affairs of the church.
At exactly 8.50 a.m. Pastor Adeboye made the familiar pronouncement: “I ordain you deacon and deaconess in the Redeemed Christian Church of God in the name of God the Father, God the son and God the Holy Ghost. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose will be loosed in heaven.”
That declaration preceded the laying of hands by senior ministers of the church on the candidates who had maintained a rare spiritual discipline in the last couple of days leading to yesterday’s exercise.
Adeboye admonished them to give priority attention to the Word of God and pray in their individual lives and ministry for them to do exploits in their various callings, stressing that a true minister of God, no matter what title he/she chooses, must be one who has the capacity to maintain his/her home.
Admonishing newly ordained ministers
President/founder of Doulos Ministries, Pastor Charles Achonwa, in a short sermon after the ordination also admonished the newly ordained ministers exhibit the training they have received over the years, saying to reach “your goal in ministry you need the grace to bear shame, pain and maintain your reputation.”
Drawing inspiration from the Bible, Achonwa stressed that JESUS has said that every knee must bow at the name of Jesus, but challenged them on “how many knees will bow because of you? As a soldier of the Cross you must strive to do all within your means to be part of the army that will make all knees bow before the name of the Lamb.”
Pastor Achonwa explained that for any minister of God to enjoy the fullness of God, he/she must allow the Word of God to change his/her attitude, lifestyle and also activate it in his/her individual lives, pointing out that the minister who lacks the passion to conquer cannot go beyond a mediocrity.
“On the second day, 2,236 persons were ordained as assistant pastors. T?he candidates were officially presented by? RCCG? National Overseer,? Pastor Joseph Obayemi?, after the opening prayers. The cleric invited them to the altar where the?y received blessings? from elders and leaders of the church.
After the formal ordination, Rev. Joe Olaiya in a message titled; 'The God of all Flesh,'? charged them not to disappoint God but be led by His spirit always, warning that those who choose to operate with other spirits would be rejected by God.
As Makarfi Assures Of Resolution Of South West PDP Crisis
AHEAD of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] Special Non-Elective National Convention, Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee and Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has said the party was ready to organize a successful Convention.
Governor Okowa stated this on Thursday while inspecting the Eagles Square, venue for the Convention assuring that every necessary arrangements have been taken care of.
. Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (middle); PDP National Technical Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makafi (2nd right); Senator Ben Obi (right); National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adayeye (2nd left) and National Organizing Committee PDP, Senator Abdul Ningi, during an Inspection at Eagle Square Abuja.
“We just came to see what is on ground, I believe that our people will be safe because we have everything under control, we are not expecting any hitches at all, we are doing very well as a party and as a committee, in this kind of planning you will have some challenges here and there but there are solutions being proffered for every one of it and we are confident that we are on the right track and it shall be well on Saturday“, he said.
Senator Okowa assured that high profile Nigerians will join the party within the next three weeks, stressing “This is a new PDP and with the excitement we saw after the supreme court victory amongst Nigerians and not only PDP followers, I believe that a lot of people who thought that the party was going to implode by itself will realise that we are back alive and ready to offer what it takes to better the lives of Nigerians”,
“From the way things are going presently in this country, i believe Nigerians will realise that PDP is the only alternative that can bring Nigeria out of her present economic challenges.”, he added.
Many of our members that left earlier due to one form of disagreement or the other will return back to their party because the National Caretaker Committee has constituted a Reconciliation Committee as well as a Contact and Mobilization Committee to reach out to them.
In a related development, National Chairman of the Party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi has assured members of the party that the issues relating to the South West zone of the party have been resolved.
According to Makarfi, “In politics there are always issues but what is important is that we sit down and resolve the issues in a civil manner.
“Yesterday we had a long meeting with the leaders from the zone to resolve the issues and no matter what you are doing as a political party you must lose some members and also gain others.
“As a party we will continue to work hard not to lose anybody, but will work much harder to bring in more members to the party” he said.
Ahead of Saturday's non-elective convention of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), former President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark, has urged members to ensure a hitch-free exercise that would strengthen the party.
In a statement by Mr Paul Mumeh, his Media Assistant, Mark called for a peaceful outing in the convention scheduled for the Eagles Square, Abuja.
He expressed optimism about the future of the party after the convention, but warned members that the party could not afford to make another mistake.
The PDP has just survived a protracted leadership tussle which lasted about two years and was settled by the Supreme Court about a month ago.
Mark is one of the party's leaders, who remained steadfast in their commitment to its survival while the challenge lasted.
He said that having just survived the ugly phase, "I am impressed by the renewed enthusiasm and commitment of members towards rebuilding the party after the protracted leadership tussle''.
Mark, therefore, charged the Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa-led Special Convention Committee not to leave any stone unturned to guarantee a hitch-free exercise.
"We have come this far through a tortuous journey. We cannot afford to make another mistake that could affect the fortunes of the party in the days ahead," he said.
He recalled his pledge never to dump the party after it lost to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections.
"Even if I will be the last man standing in the PDP, I will remain in PDP. I have no reason whatsoever to leave the party.
"I have risen to where I am on the platform of the party. The PDP has a manifesto and I believe in it.
"Those who are decamping from PDP to APC are fair-weather friends of the party.
"So, the point I want to make is that I remain in PDP and I will work hard with other faithful members to bring it back.
"This is democracy; there will always be a winner and a loser in every election. Both parties must accept the outcome in a free and fair contest and move on," he had said.
A civil society organisation, Office of the Citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(OCFRN) has commended the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for suspending the on-going promotion exercise in the Nigerian Police Force(NPF).
OCFRN's convener, Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, who briefed newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, said that the action had shown that the Federal Government was responsive and responsible.
Olajengbesi, under the auspices of United Global Resolve for Peace (UGRFP), had recently called on Osinbajo to intervene in alleged one-sided promotion exercise in the Nigerian Police Force .
He said the group petitioned the Acting President, Inspector-General of Police and Police Service Commission (PSC) over allegations of ethnicity, nepotism and favouritism in the promotion exercise.
The legal practitioner, who is also the executive secretary of UGRFP, had alleged that no fewer than 72 aggrieved policemen had lodged complaints with the group over denial of their promotions.
The Spokesperson for the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, however said the commission had not released the names of the successful candidates.
He said that the complainants should have waited for the list before accusing the PSC of injustice.
"Recently we petitioned the Acting President, Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission on the on-going promotion in the Nigerian Police Force.
"There were alleged irregularities in the process of the promotion; we want to commend the Acting President for displaying a high sense of responsibility.
"We are glad to receive the decision of the Acting President suspending the Police Service Commission promotion.
"This is a demonstration of the fact that this administration will stand against any act that is corrupt; that this administration is concerned about the welfare of all Nigerians,'' Olajengbesi said.
He urged the leadership of the Nigerian Police Force to eschew favouritism from the process and ensure that it complied with the relevant rules and regulations.
Olajengbesi also called on the Police Service Commission to ensure compliance with extant rules with regards to promotion in the Nigerian Police Force
According to him, the concept of OCFRN is the belief that every Nigerian citizen by default and by the constitution occupies a very important office.
He said that the initiative was in pursuit of OCFRN's mandate as civil rights activists and social crusaders, giving voice and vision to the voice of the genuine emancipation of the Nigerian people
23 organisation have received benefited from grant making non-profit organization, Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation’s 2017 grant scheme.
Act Foundation, Thursday, announced the recipients of its awarded 2017 Grant Scheme to include organisations operating in areas such as in health, entrepreneurship, environment and leadership.
While delivering this announcement, the CEO, ACT Foundation, Osayi Alile explained the various stages involved in the selection process of the deserving organizations.
L-R: Head, Programs, ACT Foundation, Ndifreke Okwuegbunam; Manger, Financial Services, Generation Enterprise, Wunmi Akinde and Managing Director, Generation Enterprise, Bunmi Otegbade during the ACT Foundation 2017 grant disbursement ceremony, recently in Lagos.
"Our desire to change the world cannot be done by us alone and so we are excited to announce that we have selected 23 deserving nonprofit organizations to partner with in order to achieve our aim of creating positive social impact in our world."
"We are assured that our collaboration with these organizations will help in creating the desired change we deserve," Alile said.
ACT Foundation 2017 grant cycle which began in May 2017 saw over 300 non-governmental organizations apply for the grant. Successful applicants were then requested to submit their proposals which was scrutinized by a 12 man selection committee. The due diligence exercise produced 23 non-governmental organizations which are recipients of the 2017 ACT Foundation Grants.
The Foundation noted that this being its first year of existence, focus will only be given to the western part of Nigeria to ensure for effective and efficient implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects.
The 2017 ACT Foundation grants aims to mitigate against health issues such as malaria, cancers such as breast, cervical and prostrate as well as maternal and child health with a special focus on infant and young child feeding. Awarding organizations in the areas of leadership will focus on thought leadership and youth leadership. The grants intervention in the areas of environment and entrepreneurship will focus on waste management; and skills acquisition and financial literacy respectively.
Also speaking about the grant, Executive Director, Sebbecly Cancer Care and Support Centre, Dr. Omolola Salako noted that the 2017 ACT Foundation grant will go a long way in reducing the women at risk of cervical cancer in Lagos State. She also expressed her delight in partnering with an organization that is determined to fight against socio economic issues in the country.
Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation is a grant making non-profit established to support local, national and regional non-profits working to address challenges and associated vulnerabilities in the African continent.
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA – THE Federal Government Thurusday said that the 2018 budget proposal will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and passage as was already promised.MINISTER OF BUDGET AND NATIONAL PLANNING, SEN. UDOMA UDO UDOMA
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma who gave the assurance while briefing State House correspondents at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja where members of the Federal Executive Council were having a retreat on the 2018 budget said that the delay in the presentation of the budget estimate to the National Assembly was as a result of the annual vacation the lawmakers had embarked on.
He also said that the focus of the retreat with the theme "Building Synergy For Effective ERPG Implementation".was to review the Economic Recovery Growth Plan, ERGP, of the Federal Government as well as the performance of the 2017 budget.
According to him, “It (the retreat) was basically about the ERGP and preparations for the 2018 budget and linking the plan with the budget and we will be briefing cabinet members about the linkages between the plan and the budget.
“Basically we have to keep on reviewing at every stage, so this review is looking at where we are, what needs to be done and what steps we need to take in areas that we need to fast rack.
“We need to review what we are doing at the stage of implementation. So this was the purpose of the meeting.”
On the level of performance of the ERGP and the 2017 budget, he said a remarkable achievement had been recorded so far.
He said, “We are moving ahead in terms of the modalities that have been defined. This is not the time to actually say what stage and so on. We will be giving briefings and so on.”
Commenting on when the executive will submit the MTEF for the 2018 budget estimate to the National Assembly, the Minister said it would be as soon as the members of the National Assembly come back from their annual vacation.
Udoma said, “National Assembly is on break so nearer the time they will resume in September but ours is to follow the fiscal responsibility act which has some timelines and we are trying to keep strictly by those timelines.
“So the budget will get to the National Assembly by October that was our commitment. We will go all out to make that happen, we made a commitment that we will do that on our part and we intend to deliver on that commitment. This is a government that delivers on its promises.”
By Dirisu Yakubu ABUJA – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Thursday screened candidates for the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State.Chairman Capital Oil, Mr. Ifeanyi Uba being shielded from correspondents after appearing before the Anambra State PDP Governorship Aspirants Screening Committee at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 10/08/2017
The screening process which began few minutes at 10: 30 AM at the party national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja was attended by six of the seven aspirants including Prince John Okechukwu Emeka, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, Honourable Linda Ikpeazu, Oseloka Obaze Senator Stella Oduah and Dr. Ifeanyi Uba.
Chairman of the screening committee and former Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Maina Waziri while welcoming the aspirants urged them not to forget that the entire PDP family has everything to lose if Anambra is lost to a rival political party on November 18.
“Each one of us has everything to lose if we lose Anambra State,” he said in his opening remarks, while promising that the screening committee would do its job fairly and justly.
The former Minister also added that in line with the PDP constitution, the N6 million fee for the collection of nomination and expression of interest form for women aspirants was waived as a way of encouraging the female folk to take active interest in partisan politics.
Shortly before the commencement of the exercise, Waziri told newsmen that the screening committee had received a petition against one of the aspirants, but failed to reveal the identity.
Meanwhile, Ubah who was the last to be screened was whisked away by a retinue of aides, after spending hours with the screening committee. As at the time of filing this report, it could not be established if he scaled the screening or not.
L-R : Committee Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri; Anambra State PDP Governorship Aspirants, Mr. Oseloka Obaze; Prince Okechukwu Emeka; Dr. Alex Obiogbolu; Mr. Ifeanyi Uba and Hon. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu during the screening of the aspirants at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 10/08/2017Chairman Capital Oil, Mr. Ifeanyi Uba being shielded from correspondents after appearing before the Anambra State PDP Governorship Aspirants Screening Committee at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 10/08/2017L-R: Committee Secretary, Casmir Ugwu; Committee Member, Moshood Salvador and the Chairman, Anambra Gubernatorial Primary creening Committee, Adamu Maina Waziri discussing during the screening of the aspirants at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 10/08/2017L-R: Anambra State PDP Governorship Aspirants, Senator Stella Odua; Hon. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu and Mr. Oseloka Obaze during the screening of the aspirants at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 10/08/2017L-R: Anambra State PDP Governorship Aspirants, Senator Stella Odua; Hon. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu; Mr. Oseloka Obaze and Dr. Alex Obiogbolu during the screening of the aspirants at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 10/08/2017L-R: Anambra State PDP Governorship Aspirant, Prince Okechukwu Emeka; Screening Committee Secretary, Casmir Ugwu; Committee Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri; Other Aspirants, Hon. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu; Mr. Oseloka Obaze and Dr. Alex Obiogbolu during the screening of the aspirants at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 10/08/2017L-R: Anambra State PDP Governorship Aspirants, Senator Stella Oduah; Hon. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu; Mr. Oseloka Obaze; Dr. Alex Obiogbolu and Prince Okechukwu Emeka during the screening of the aspirants at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 10/08/2017
By Evelyn Usman Another ritualists’ den has been uncovered in Lagos, barely 24-hours after a similar discovery was made at Ojokoro, along Lagos/Abeokuta expressway. Another ritualists’ den has been uncovered at Ile Zik in Lagos, The den located in an underground tunnel was uncovered at Ile-Zik , also along Lagos/Abeokuta road. But in this case, the suspected ritualists were prevented by policemen led by the Commander, Rapid Response Squad, RRS Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
As at time of writing this report, five suspects said to have been smoked out from the man hole have been arrested .
ABUJA- A coalition of Niger Delta agitators on Thursday handed down an ultimatum to Northerners and Yoruba from south west zone resident in the region to vacate before October 1. The coalition also said that it is set to resume the bombings of major oil and gas installation in the coastal region.
Made of up 8 frontline groups, the agitators also dissociated itself from the leadership and membership of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, warning the Federal Government to stop dealing with the body on their behalf.
Recall that PANDEF led by eminent leaders of Niger Delta including a former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clarke met twice with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo recently at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting was principally to articulate lasting solution to the challenges of the people in the region.
But in a statement signed by the leaders of the groups, the agitators said that they had resolved to declare Republic of Niger Delta on October 1, also mandating the federal government to return all the oil wells given to non indigenes of the region to them.
They also congratulated the Yoruba for their intention to declare Oduduwa Republic, saying that they would work in tandem with the South East and Middle Belt to achieve economic and diplomatic developments.
The signatories to the statement included General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs and Convener Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators); General Ekpo Ekpo ( Niger Delta Volunteers); General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors) and Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters).
Others were Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw for Bakassi Freedom Fighters; Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall for Niger Delta Movement for Justice; Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson for Niger Delta Fighters Network and Major-Gen. Inibeghe Adams for Niger Delta Freedom Mandate.
The statement read in full: “At the general council meeting of the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators (CNDA) involving surveillance department, intelligence department and commanding officers held today to deliberate on the recent development in the Niger Delta and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) meeting with the Acting President, after hours of careful deliberations, we unanimously resolved as follows:
“To commence Operation Zero Oil in the Niger Delta from September 10, 2017 as a preparation for the actualization of Niger Delta Republic
“We totally condemn the recent meeting between PANDEF and the Acting President; we see it as another plot to deceive the Niger Delta people. First and foremost, the meeting was marred with inordinate greed of the PANDEF as they did not involve the representatives of the Agitating groups and youths leaders. We wish to let the Acting President to know that those he met have no capacity and cannot solve the current crisis in the Niger Delta; therefore they cannot represent the militants or speak for the Niger Delta people.
“The Coalition unanimously adopts to stand by the previous demands, which are: 100% percent control of our resources.
“The Federal Government should hand over all oil blocks owned by the Northerners/Yoruba to Niger Delta indigenes.
“All Oil companies operating in such oil blocks/wells should vacate October 1st, 2017.
“Relocation of NNPC to any of the Niger Delta state and replacement of the Group Managing Director with an indigene of region.
“All the Multinational Oil, Gas, Servicing and Marine Companies must relocate their operational base to the Niger Delta; sign a new Memorandum of Understanding with Niger Delta people which would include Niger Delta indigenes being paid same salaries with foreigners.
“We demand independence and sovereign Republic of Niger Delta, all the companies and business owned by the Northerners / Yoruba in Niger Delta should be vacated before 1st October 2017, we accept and congratulate the Yoruba for demanding Oduduwa Republic and we wish them success.
“We hereby call on all agitating groups to resume attacks/bombings on all oil/gas pipelines, especially the exporting lines across the Niger Delta region from September 10, 2017. This is to ensure zero oil/gas production before October 1, 2017.
“We shall work to interface with more patriotic and zealous Niger Delta people to work out new collective approach that will ensure total freedom and complete control of our resources by any means necessary.
“We shall from henceforth, fight to liberate ourselves from the shackles of neo-colonialism and rule ourselves under a Niger Delta Republic, with diplomatic and economic relations with the peoples of the South East and Middle Belt.
“Finally, we want to inform the federal government of Nigeria and the general public that we no longer recognize PANDEF under the present leadership as they are working against the interest of the Niger Delta people.”
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said that the negative economic impact of Boko Haram activities in the North East is estimated at $9 billion (N274.5b)
Buratai, represented by Maj. Gen. Peter Dauke, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 division Lagos, made the assertion on Thursday at the first annual conference of Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCON).
The paper is titled Counter- Insurgency and Role of the Nigerian Army in Creating Conducive Environment For Nigeria`s Economic Development.
Buratai said, of the figure, Borno had the highest impact estimated at $5.9 billion (N180b).
He said that loss of agricultural production in the North East caused by Boko Haram activities was $3.5 billion (N107b).
The army chief said Borno had 95 per cent of the 400,000 houses damaged by Boko Haram.
According to him, the restructuring of the army`s operations in the zone in 2015 yielded fruitful results.
"This restructuring changed the counter insurgency strategies by adopting aggressive posture, effective command and control, efficient use of weapon and logistics with particular attention to welfare of the troops," he said.
Buratai said the new strategy led to the recapturing of territories occupied by the insurgents, rescue of about 300,000 hostages.
"Furthermore, not less than 1,009 Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered voluntarily, while 1,140 others have been arrested and another 1,500 confirmed boko haram terrorists are under investigation, he said.
He stated that with improved security, the Borno Adamawa and Yobe governments had embarked on reconstruction of damaged schools, bridges, hospitals and other critical infrastructure aimed at recreating socio-economic activities of the areas.
Buratai said in keeping with its constitutional mandate of defending the nation, the army would ensure that the right atmosphere to promote economic development was maintained in the country.
The Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN has said that excuses was no longer tenable in its quest to deliver sustainable socio-economic development to Nigerians, by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and that it will no longer accept excuses that suggest such progress is not attainable.
Prof. Osinbajo speaking today at the Cabinet Retreat on the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) and the 2018 Budget preparation which featured guest speakers including Dr Idris Jala, a former top official of the Malaysian government said: ‘after listening to Dr. Idris Jala all I can say is as the opposition leader in Malaysia said this is what I have been saying for the past 50 years!
‘But seriously he is so right, the challenge is this, the discipline to be unreasonable in our targets and objectives. The discipline of attending the labs diligently and accepting to be locked in a room for as long as it takes to iron out what it is that needs to be done.
‘I like the point also that Dr Jala made that the excuse that it won’t work here, the Nigerian factor, or some say exceptionalism, or the acceptance of failure before you even start is certainly not tenable any more.
‘We simply have to accept that there is nothing Nigerian about failure, because as we know in our personal lives, failure and success are commodities on offer to everyone all over the world and every individual and every country makes a choice of which to buy and I will say on our behalf that we will choose success.
‘Dr Jala I have heard motivational speeches, but this is one I think that challenges our whole legitimacy as persons entrusted with leadership.
‘I think it goes beyond motivational speech, I think it really challenges the core of our relevance as leaders and I am challenged and I know that many of us here are and I think that we will do what we need to do to make sure that we see through the labs that we have to identify specific areas where we will do this labs. We must see to it that this works.
‘I want to thank you again for this exceptional moment you have taken us through and to thank all of you also for taking the time to come. So the work has just begun.’
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
Ibadan – A mother of three, Nafisat Muhibudeen, on Wednesday pleaded with a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan to dissolve her 13- year-old marriage to Salawu Muhibudeen, over constant battering of their 12-year-old son by his father.
Nafisat, a nurse, who resides at Moniya area of Ibadan with her husband, had filed a suit, seeking the severing of the union, alleging that her husband had been physically assaulting their eldest son.
"Muhibudeen has subjected our first child to constant battering and also sent him out of the house to become a wanderer.
"Anytime he descends on the 12-year-old boy, he will beat him to the point of killing him.
"The child started avoiding the home and for days, may not return home, sleeping in dilapidated or uncompleted buildings in the neighborhood.
"My Lord, if I try to rescue him, Salawu will pounce on me, turning me into a punching bag, " Nafisat testified before the court's president.
"In fact, when the problem became unbearable for me, I reported him at a certain radio station in Ibadan that settles disputes between husbands and wives, but Salawu refused to appear on the programme.''
But Salawu, who denied all allegations, objected to the dissolution of the marriage.
"I am not in the habit of beating Nafisat, she has formulated all the lies.
"My lord, I was the one who cured her of her ailment before marrying her, she cannot abandon me now,'' he told the court.
According to him, anytime Nafisat parks to her father's house, she falls sick and I still cure her.
"About the child, the boy is fast growing up to something else and as a father, I have the duty to teach him some sense.
" I did not commit any child abuse," Salawu said.
The court's President, Mr Ademola Odunade, however, asked the couple to go back and reconsider their positions on the matter and come up with more evidence to support their claims.
He adjourned the case until Sept. 9 for judgment. (NAN)
A middle-aged man who has been chained for 18 months in an apartment at 18 Damigoro street in Mushin area of Lagos , was Wednesday released by policemen attached to Area ‘ D’ command, Mushin.
Victim being led by a policeman out of the room he was chained
Acting on intelligence, policemen led by the Area Commander ‘D" Bayo Olasoji, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, stormed the building at about 1.30pm ,where the victim identified as Bolaji Sholola, was found in a room which was emitting an offensive stench. On closer observation, he was discovered to have been feeding on his faeces .
Upon inquiry, Shoola’s 85-year-old grandmother , told policemen that the victim was mentally deranged, adding that he was chained in order not to go astray .
She further stated that the action was taken in order to administer treatment on him as well to prevent him from attacking residents.
Area Commander ‘D’ , Bayo Olasoji (r) with victim
But Vanguard learned that the victim gave accurate response to questions posed at him by policemen.
ACP Olasoji, immediately directed that he should be unchained and thereafter gave him a change of raiment before he was transferred to a Psychiatric home in Yaba , to ascertain his mental stability.
Residents throng the area on sighting police presence, giving different versions of the incident.
The United Kingdom says it support the warning by President Donald Trump to return "fire and fury" against North Korea if it continued to threaten the U.S. with nuclear attacks.
Amb. Matthew Rycroft, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, told UN Correspondents on Wednesday after a meeting of the Security Council that both countries were united against North Korea over its nuclear threats.
"The United Kingdom stands shoulder to shoulder with the United States in tackling this threat and many others.
"We are united in calling on the North Korean regime to halt its nuclear programme.
"The whole of the Security Council has come together behind that and I think that we should see the President's public comments as one of the many strands of US activism,'' the British envoy said.
Rycroft pledged that the UK would continue to work closely with the United States and its international partners to ensure that the DPRK is not able to pursue its nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile programmes.
"The United States has been very clear about its position.
"The United Kingdom has been very clear about our position and we call on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's regime to listen to that clarity.
"We call on DPRK to act on that clarity, to halt its nuclear programme; to halt its intercontinental ballistic missile programme, and it holds the key to sanctions being removed," Rycroft said.
On Tuesday, North Korea's state media said the country was considering a strategy to strike the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam with mid-to long-range missiles.
Trump had responded with a strong warning: "North Korea should not make any more threats to the United States.
"They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.
"He has been very threatening and as I said they will be met with fire, fury and frankly power, the likes of which this world has never seen before," Trump warned.
By Bashir Bello KATSINA – Students of Federal University – Dutsinma in Katsina state who graduates with first class honours degree at the end of their study are now to get automatic employment in the university.A cross section of University graduates
The institution’s Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Armaya’u Hamisu Bichi stated this during it occasion for the award of certificates of excellence to some students of the university who excelled during the 2015/2016 academic session.
Bichi said the students would be offered automatic employment by the university while those students that attained a CGPA of 4.50 and above at the end of any particular academic year will be crowned scholars and will benefit from the University sponsorship in the Vice Chancellor’s honour list of academic excellence with all privileges.
The Acting Vice Chancellor also said the university’s vision is to be top ranking, world-class university and the gestures were to encourage the students towards the set attainment.
Prof. Bichi said the university always focus on excellence and it is in that regard that the institution’s senate approved academic policies and measures to encourage achievers and sanctions to discourage failure.
“It is important to inform you that the university going in line with its vision to be top ranking, world class university, committed to excellence in research and production of it generation of leaders with passion for service organizes such an event every year with the view of encouraging our young scholars to meet the university vision and mission.
“It is equally important to mention that students that attain a CGPA of 4.00 to 4.49 at the end of any academic year will have their names appear on the Dean’s honour list of Academic excellence and shall receive a book allowance.
“These rewards are to challenge all diligent students to set their goals right from beginning of the session to benefit from the valley of rewards for excellence in the subsequent academic year,” Prof. Bichi said.
The Vice Chancellor however urged students at all levels of the institution to work hard to benefit from the gesture and make the institution, their parents and the country at large proud of them.
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA – THE Federal Government Wednesday approved the 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, and the Fiscal Strategic Paper, FSP with the commitment to achieving seven per cent growth rate by 2020 in accordance with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. ERGP.
This is as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved the refinancing of Treasury Bill to $3 billion which as about N900 billion.
Briefing State House Correspondents after the weekly FEC meeting at the Council Chamber Wednesday, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Udo Udoma said that the 2018 budget was predicted on oil projection of 2.3 million per barrel and also at $45 per barrel.
The Minister said that the exchange rate for the 2018 fiscal year was pegged at N305 which was the official amount fixed by the nation’s apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
According to the Budget and Economic Planning Minister, “The Federal Executive Council approved the 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the Fiscal Strategy Paper. As you know, we have been having extensive consultations in the last few weeks with the governors, members of the public, leadership of the National Assembly about the medium term expenditure framework.
Experts in the ICT sector have stressed the need for continuity in government policies, saying it is key to achieving success and sustainability of the smart cities vision.
They made this call during a panel discussion at the Smart Cities Summit organised by the Ministry of Communications with the theme "Leveraging on Technology Solutions to Improve the Efficiency of Cities''.
Mr Miebaka Adoki, the Managing Director, Habitters Smart Cities said that there was need for government to ensure policy sustainability of the policy on smart cities when fully implemented.
According to him, continuity will, it entrenched in the system will assure investors of the security of their investments on the smart city plan.
"A situation where one administration or government official will start a programme and when he leaves office that is the end of that project or programme will not augur well with the smart cities initiative.''
The panel spoke on "Building Innovative Public Private Partnerships for Achieving Nigeria Smart Cities Vision''.
Adoki said that for the vision to be realised, investors must be sure that they could recoup their money and still make profit, which could not be assured in an unstable environment.
"Apart from the assurance of continuity of projects, there must be some detailed documentation that nobody will come tomorrow to cancel the project.
"There must also be internal security, meaning that investors should be sure that their infrastructures are secured and not open to vandalism.
"The stakeholders must be carried along; you cannot operate a smart city when the people that you are establishing it for are not smart.
"Citizens should be sensitised to the workings of the smart cities and there must be continuous stakeholders meeting,'' Adoki said.
Mr Folashodun Adebisi, the Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc., said that government should go beyond licensing infrastructure companies.
According to him, it should also try to remove bottlenecks that hinder private sector participation in business, while ensuring that other revenue sources are harnessed.
Adebisi said that government must ensure that the private sector operators were given free hand to operate while adequate monitoring was key.
The Chairman of the panel, Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) assured the panel that government had ensured that policies in the sector were sustained to make room for development.
Danbatta said that there was need for enabling policies and institutions, adding, "that is why government drew up the national broadband plan which has been approved.
He said that subsidies would also be given to companies to ensure that they succeeded; adding the sharing of the country zones was also to enhance connectivity.
"The idea of dividing the country into zones is to compel the companies to go into the rural areas; we are committed to monitoring the infrastructure companies so that they will deliver on the smart city project.
"Two zones have already been created, there are Lagos and the North Central Zone, this is to ensure that all parts of the country will be covered.
"And on continuity, the Nigerian Broadband plan cannot be cancelled,'' the chairman said.
The panel also discussed the need to address partnerships and collaborations to successfully build smart cities in Nigeria.
This, the panelists noted that would assist in developing a roadmap, implementation plan and establishing coordination mechanisms for the smart cities vision.
Also, the addressing the issue of funding mechanisms and financing alternatives and investments incentives for smart cities projects was brought to the fore.
The two-day summit, which ended on July 9, brought to multi-stakeholders took critical look at the preparedness, unique challenges and emerging solutions necessary for sustainable smart city initiative in Nigeria.
The stakeholders that participated at the summit include Huawei Nigeria, Hwelett Packard, Galaxy Backbone, MainOne Nigeria, SmartCities Plc.
Others include National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria Communication Commission, UN-Habitats.
Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna says the payment of the team's match bonuses motivated the club to defeat El-Kanemi of Maiduguri 1-0 in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Niger Tornadoes
The team's Captain, Mustapha Aliko, who made the assertion after their training session on Wednesday in Minna, thanked the club's Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu for the motivation on the Match Day 33.
He said that the chairman told the team that his visit to their camp before the encounter with Elkanemi was to encourage them and give the necessary support required to execute the match.
"Our chairman's visit was timely, it was not just timely but encouraging. He paid the club two match bonuses of N700, 000 per match being owed.
"We have just received Elkanemi's defeat match bonus and he also redeemed his pledge of N500, 000 he promised us should we beat them.
"As I speak to you, our salaries are being paid promptly; we have been paid up to date.
"The chairman has kept to his promises of seeing to our welfare since he came on board,'' he said.
The captain said that the consistent support of the management would spur the club to finish the league on high note as they were determined to reciprocate the kind gesture.
"We won't let the club down as we enter into the last stages of the league.
"We are going to double our efforts to see if we finish the league better than we did last year,'' he said.
The club ended the 2015/2016 NPFL on 11th position.
The club is currently on 8th position with 58 points from 33 matches in the ongoing NPFL.
A 38-year-old woman, Blessing Igwe, has been arraigned before a Gudu Upper Area Court in Abuja for allegedly battering her disabled husband all the time.Wife
The woman, who was brought to court on Wednesday was also alleged to have resisted arrest.
Igwe, who reside at CBN Estate at Apo in Abuja, is facing a three-count charge of assault, criminal intimidation and resisting lawful arrest.
The Prosecutor, Mr. Fidelix Ogbobe, said that the complainant, one Robinson Igwe of Choos Estate, Apo reported the matter at the Apo Police Station on Aug. 2.
Ogbobe alleged that the defendant was always taking advantage of her husband's physical challenge to assault him all the time.
"The defendant always takes advantage of her husband's disability to assault him. The complainant is a physically challenged person, who uses crutches to walk.
"He has been admitted in hospital because of a head injury as a result of assault and battery from his wife.
"Despite police intervention the accused had repeatedly beaten her husband at the slighted provocation.''
The prosecutor said that the complainant had petitioned the commissioner of police in Abuja on the matter.
He said further the defendant had also absconded with two children produced by the union for over a year to an unknown destination.
The defendant only reappeared on Aug. 1, after more than a year since she left her matrimonial home and sent the complainant out of his house for days.
"But when the complainant reported the matter to the police, the defendant resisted arrest on three different occasions until she was finally arrested on the fourth attempt by the police,'' Ogbobe said.
He also alleged that the defendant had also threatened to kill the complainant.
According to him, the offences contravene Sections 265, 397 and 172 of the Penal Code.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Presiding Judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20, 000 with one surety in like sum.
Others to join them soon, says Home Affairs Commissioner
By Ishola Balogun
The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has successfully airlifted 1,353 pilgrims in four batches from Lagos to Saudi Arabia to participate in this year's hajj exercise.
Hajj Pilgrims arriving from Saudi Arabia
This was disclosed by the Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs and Amir Ul-Hajj, 2017, Dr. Abdul Hakeem Abdul-Lateef while giving an update on this year's hajj operations.
According to him, the pilgrims have been successfully housed in their respective hotels in Medina and activities of the holy pilgrimage have commenced in earnest.
He pointed out that pilgrims from other continents could not hide their feelings in view of the way Nigerian pilgrims have conducted themselves during their visit to the prophet's Mosque and other important places that form part of the hajj exercise.
Dr. Lateef advised the pilgrims not to hold items on behalf of any other pilgrim, adding that the punishment for drug trafficking in the Middle East is death.
"Drugs could be hidden in onions, dry red chillies, drink cans and other unsuspecting items", he said.
He explained that the pilgrims have begun visitation to historical sites in Medina, some of the places visited included Masjid Nabawi (Prophet Mosque), Raudotul Jannah, the site of the graves of prophet Muhammed, Abu Bakr and Umar.
Lagos Pilgrims are currently receiving lectures and sensitization at designated hotels on the importance of Zihara in the course of performing hajj.
Meanwhile, other intending Pilgrims yet to be airlifted in the state are advised to be fully ready for the journey by following strictly the laid down rule and regulations for the journey as the Board is making preparation to airlift the remaining pilgrims any moment from now.
The Senate on Wednesday condemned the use of force by the Police in dispersing protesters campaigning against the medical vacation of President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Tuesday.
In a statement by the Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, the Senate stated that though it did not support the protest, it would not support violation of fundamental rights of Nigerians.
A group, "OurMuMuDonDo'', led by Mr Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, on Monday began an indefinite sit-out at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, demanding Buhari's resumption of work or resignation.
But, on Tuesday, the police forcefully dispersed them after using water and teargas on them, which led to a "fainting feat'' on Oputa.
"While we are opposed to the subject of the protest, the Senate acknowledges that the protesters have the constitutional right to gather and express their views in a manner that will not breach public peace and order.
"Since the 'Our-Mumu-Don-Do' protesters did not conduct themselves in such a manner as to disturb public peace, it is not right for the Police to brutalize them as they reportedly did yesterday.
"The police should review their rules of engagement and ensure that they are in line with that of modern democratic societies.
"The rights of the people should not be violated by the police employed to protect these rights.
"Where the Police suspect that hoodlums are trying to hijack a protest, it is their duty to apprehend the hoodlums and those who break the law rather than generalise and thus brutalize innocent protesters.
"We, however, urge the organisers of the protest to join other Nigerians in praying for the safe return of President Buhari.
"They should note that any mortal can find himself in the situation where one needs medical attention and more time to fully recuperate.
"More so, in the present case, the president complied with the provisions of the Constitution and all organs of government are not impaired nor hindered by his medical vacation," it stated.
By Nwabueze Okonkwo ONITSHA – In what looked like an attempt to set the records straight about the much publicized killings of members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB, at Nkpor in Anambra state on May 30, 2016 during the remembrance ceremony of Biafra Heroes who died during the 1967 – 1970 Biafran war, the governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano Wednesday tendered an unreserved apology to IPOB members. He said it was not only regrettable that such a number of Biafra agitators were massacred but also sad that the impression held in some quarters that he was responsible for the massacre could not be substantiated.
The governor who spoke when he received the members of Biafran War Veterans led by Gen. Joe Achuzie (Air raid) at Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, who paid him a condolence visit over the death of his mother, Mrs. Christiana Obiano (Adinije), said that he could not have ordered the killing of those who voted for him in 2013 election.
Obiano stated that he has a mentality that guides him in issues of conviction which made him against all opinions and vehemence from federal authorities to still go ahead to bury those that died during the civil war, less than a year into the life span of his administration.
“Abuja was against my plan to bury the victims of Biafran war, there was a lot of opposition to it from security agencies but I went on to bury our dead war heroes. As a young boy during the war, I knew what happened. I saw many dead bodies and I know the importance of according proper burial to the departed even more so those that departed in the painful and regrettable way as they did”.
“So, I had to embrace all odds to bury them in an elaborate ceremony on the 12th of January 2015, less that one year into my administration. How then will I contemplate killing their off springs for the same reason of Biafra. I didn’t do that, I’m innocent of the name calling”.
Gov. Willie Obiano further said that the report the security agencies made available to him on the incident showed that nobody was killed but that when he visited the hospitals; Menax hospital and St. Charles Borromeo hospital all in Onitsha, among others to see the victims and to provide succor to them, that he was told at the hospitals that people were killed and that some of those killed and the injured were taken out of the state to neighbouring states as very many of them came from outside Anambra state”.
The governor said that he volunteered to pay the hospital bills of the victims but some of them refused his offer. He said that he is profoundly sorry for what had happened and affirmed that he has since then been battling to ensure that such doesn’t happen again in Anambra state.
While regretting the actions and inactions that led to the current agitation for Biafra, the governor said that he had told the President, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, that if what is being done for the Northeast or close to it was done for the Igbos after the war that there would have been no agitation for Biafra today.
He said the impassable federal roads in the southeast, the issue of 2nd Niger Bridge and general lack of federal presence as viewed by the youths of Igboland made the longing for Biafra a recurring decimal.
The governor said that he has directed that history about Biafra should be taught in schools in the state: “Our children need to know what happened. There are about four or more very good books on Biafra. It is important that our children are told of what happened and I have directed that Biafran history be taught in our schools in Anambra state”.
He told the Biafran Ex-servicemen that he appointed a liaison officer for the Biafran war veterans in order to ensure that issues affecting them and by extension pro-Biafra groups are better handled and that he is the only one that created such office.
Giving insight into what happened when Boko-Haram convicts were brought to the state, Gov. Obiano revealed that they were the worse set of Boko-Haram, adding that they were brought all the way from Njamina (Chad Republic) and one of the nine convicts came with his nine (9) wives and fourteen (14) children.
He disclosed that he had to struggle to get them out of Anambra state and southeast because their presence was a psychological trauma to Ndigbo. He further appealed to members and the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and other pro-Biafra groups to maintain decorum, reminding them the maxim that says: “talk is cheap but war is expensive”.
Responding, the leader of the Biafran war veterans, Gen. Joe Achuzie said that Gov. Willie Obiano was innocent of the accusations as nothing before, during and after the incident suggested that the governor was culpable.
Achuzie who spoke extensively on the build up to the protest that led to the killings whose information he said he was privy to, recalled how he had spoken with the then Anambra State Commissioner of Police to request that they allow the agitators to stage a peaceful protest but noted that on the said day, the army who were not in the picture suddenly appeared and became trigger-happy in killing citizens they were meant to protect.
“Sadly enough, after attacking the IPOB peaceful protesters, a false report was forwarded to the state governor that nobody was killed, adding, let me assure you that giving the spread of the victims that he will also make a formal presentation to the Southeast Governors’ Forum for a concerted effort in assisting the victims in what will take the shape of “victim support” to cater for the families of those killed and injured..
He urged the people not to be misled by the callous and malicious insinuations that the Governor has a hand in the shooting but to rather face the federal authorities that authorized the killings.
General Achuzie who is the leader of Council of Elders of the Indigenous People Of Biafra pointed out that Governor Obiano has shown genuine commitment towards the people’s struggle by undertaking the burial of all Biafran soldiers that died during the Nigerian Civil, noting that such a man cannot carry out such despicable action against his own people as was erroneously held by some Biafrans.
He commended the governor for reaching out to the families of the victims and appealed to him to see to the up keep of those whose loved ones were killed and those who are still undergoing treatment.
Earlier, Gov. Obiano’s Liaison Officer to the Biafran War Veterans, Comrade Arinzechukwu Awogu had said that the rumor of “shoot at sight” was first muted by the opposition elements in the state and giving the level of bitterness pervading the air over the killings, some persons bought into it without a second thought and the erroneous impression began to grow wings.
Affirming that it was opposition parties ploy to cause disaffection between the governor and his own people and enjoined pro-Biafra agitators to jettison such impression as it is not true, he contended that Gov. Willie Obiano is also a Biafran.
Nigerian's indigenous oilfield services company, AOS Orwell, wins first Position exhibition award, category two at the just concluded Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE).
AOS Orwell, Deputy General Manager, Marketing, Mr. Usman Amodu – Shuaibu, displaying the First Place Exhibition Award won by his company at the just concluded Society of Petroleum Engineers( SPE) Annual Banquet and Award in Lagos
The conference organized by the Nigeria Council of the Society of Petroleum Engineers SPE in Lagos, witnessed about 60 companies participating in the exhibition.
The Chairperson 2017 SPE Exhibition Committee, Oghogho Effiom while congratulating the winner said: "We are presenting this award to AOS Orwell for an outstanding display of creativity and technical excellence in their presentation of value offerings throughout the 2017 NAICE SPE Exhibition".
Receiving the award on behalf of his company, AOS Deputy General Manager – Marketing Mr. Usman Amodu thank the SPE for its recognition/ support.
He dedicated the award to the entire AOS Orwell exhibition team who worked tirelessly behind the scene and rally round towards ensuring that the company achieved this great feat that would undeniably bring high impact visibility to his brand in the industry.
Earlier at the SPE Annual banquet and awards ceremony, Mr. Bimbo of PwC thanked the SPE for appointing his company PwC as an independent panel of advisers to appraise the exhibitors. According to him, the final selection of each category of winners is based on:
1. Booth design, quality, Attractiveness
2. Audience engagement: regular live shows, crowd pull, discussions / demonstrations at the booth, popularity of the booth for topical subjects and activities
3. Booth personnel: Diversity of booth representatives (gender & age), Professional appearance, friendly disposition, booth personnel presence always
4. Technology on show: 'WOW Factor' – interesting physical models, videos, other differentiating items on display at the booth
AOS Orwell was adjudged best and first place award winner in category 2 (Exhibitors occupying 2 – 5 booths) for blazing the trails on all the above stated criteria at this year's event.
Super Eagles Assistant Coach and Home-based Eagles handler, Salisu Yusuf, on Wednesday said the team was optimistic of not only beating Republic of Benin on Sunday but qualifying for CHAN.
Salisu-Yusuf
The 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) will be hosted by Kenya from Jan. 11 to Feb. 2, 2018.
Yusuf made the assertion in an interview in Abuja while reacting to the team's preparedness for the Sunday's qualifier in Cotonou.
He said that the team's expectation was positive and with such state of mind, victory was guaranteed.
"The players are working hard to make sure the team qualifies for CHAN and we are very optimistic of qualifying,'' Yusuf said.
The coach, who restated the team's readiness to qualify for the championship, appealed to Nigerians to support them.
The home-based Super Eagles forced Kano Selected side to a 1-1 draw in a friendly match in Kano on Tuesday.
The game was preparatory to their 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) first leg qualifier against Republic of Benin.
The management of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, on Wednesday, advised Nigerians to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the Lassa Fever.
Prof. Chris Bode, the Chief Medical Director of LUTH gave this advice while briefing newsmen in Lagos on the situation of the recent Lassa Fever cases in the institution.
Bode said, "There is no panic; the Lassa fever disease is being contained and all the stakeholders are working hard to make sure that it doesn't spread.
"However, we should all be involved collectively and individually to stop further spread of this disease.
"I urge us to prevent our food items from being contaminated by rats and rat droppings and urine.
"Do not spread your food outside in the open; put food items in rat proof containers so that rats will not get access to the food.''.
The chief medical director also said that personal and environment hygiene were critical measures against Lassa fever.
He said that medical and health workers should adequately protect themselves and be vigilant.
"To all doctors, nurses and health workers who assist patients, we should have a heightened sense of awareness that there are few cases of Lassa fever have been noticed.
"If you see anybody with symptoms that will suggest Lassa fever, let us refer them promptly because this disease can be treated.
"Nigeria can combat such situations; we have done so before and we came out clean and stronger, so we should all collectively work to together to ensure that we do it again,'' Bode said.
Giving a background to the current state of situation, the CMD said: " In the last two weeks, we have treated a few number of cases of Lassa fever in LUTH.
"So, even one case is enough to alert the public that there is Lassa fever; we have seen two cases that came in and died within a day or two of admission.
"Each one of them was brought from other locations; however, we are working in consonance with the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
"The disease is being contained and efforts are ongoing to locate the sources of these occurrences and to effectively monitor those who have been exposed to any of these cases,'' he said.
Also speaking, Dr Eniola Erinosho, Director, Diseases Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, said the state had the capacity, funds, logistics and manpower to curtail the spread of Lassa fever.
He said that he state was training health professionals in readiness for any likely cases within or without the hospital.
According to him, alert has been sent to all the health facilities in the states on how to curtail the spread of Lassa fever.
"We were informed by the hospital on Aug.3, about the case of two people who died as a result of Lassa fever.
"Three people who were confirmed positive are being managed with drugs and not quarantined, to curb the outbreak.
"The private hospitals where the two dead people were being treated before their transfers to LUTH are also under surveillance for 21 days,'' he said.
Erinosho urged residents to keep their surroundings clean to control rats from breeding around their environment.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the `multimammate rat' called Mastomys natalensis which has many breasts and lives in the bush and around residential areas is the reservoir host of Lassa fever.
The virus is shed in the urine and droppings of the rats, hence can be transmitted through direct contact, touching objects or eating food contaminated with these materials or through cuts or sores.
The onset of the disease is usually gradual, starting with fever, general weakness, muscle and joint pains, prostration and malaise.
After a few days, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough and abdominal pain may follow.
"In severe cases facial swelling, fluid in the lung cavity, bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina or gastrointestinal tract and low blood pressure may develop; shock, seizures, tremor, disorientation and coma and death may be seen in the later stages.
Any suspected case of Lassa fever is to be reported to the response team in LUTH on 08058019466, 08058744780, 07035521015 and 08023299445
Some stakeholders in the country have urged the Federal Government to implement its policy to expose Nigerian politicians who hide their identities to conceal corruptly-acquired wealth.
They made the call on Wednesday in Abuja, at a multi-stakeholder dialogue on "Supporting Beneficial Ownership Transport Champions in Nigeria" organised by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).
"Beneficial Ownership'' is a legal term for specific property rights which include use and titles in equity belonging to a person even though legal title of the property belongs to another person.
A stakeholder, Dr. Dauda Garuba said politically-exposed persons deliberately created network of companies to hide their identities toward acquired wealth which further increased the risk of corruption in non-fortified economies.
He cited the example of the Malabu Oil scandal involving the award of Nigeria's richest oil bloc by a sitting minister of petroleum resources to a company belonging to him.
Garuba said the award was at a grossly undervalued fee because the real company's ownership was not disclosed.
"This concept is a growing interest across local and international scenes for corporate beneficial ownership information disclosure.
"This interest, beyond seeking to expose conflict of interest among public office holders, also derives from the need to trace criminals who hide their identities behind corporate structures to defraud the country.
"This can be done through corruption, tax evasion, undue favouritism, money laundering and illicit financial flows.
"The unprecedented revelations in the `Panama Papers' involving many politicians around the world and Nigeria with offshore companies in tax havens, have reinforced global attention on the potential and real dangers of anonymous companies,'' he said.
Garuba explained that the new concept aimed at driving corporate business transparency and accountability to boost Nigeria's economy and strengthen its integrity and reputation by pro-actively dealing with perceived challenges.
Mr Uche Igwe, a Consultant to the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Nigeria Secretariat, said that the government needed to do more to tackle the issue of fraud among public servants.
Igwe said that there was hardly a politician without a fraud history, adding that most civil servants had companies in disguise without their real names as the owners.
He said that most times, the public officers use their companies to award government contracts to themselves, and that only few of them connected with what they did legitimately.
He said the beneficial ownership transparency when fully applied in Nigeria, would serve as a tool for strengthening the fight against illicit wealth, tax evasion, money laundering and terrorism financing.
Igwe stated that the policy would also provide a level-playing field for businesses, reduce corruption, increase revenue generation and lift the veil of obscurity that clogged accountability chain.
"Openness is the biggest antidote to opacity; we need to open our system as to do away with corruption,'' he said.
On his part, Executive Director of CISLAC, Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, who was represented by Mr Adesina Oke, Director, Legal Services of the group, said the meeting was aimed at making a case for transparency in Nigeria.
This, he said, would rebuild confidence of foreign investors and improve Nigeria's reputation as a reference point for transparency and accountability in business, among other things.
The naira on Wednesday appreciated against the dollar at the parallel market, exchanging at N363 to the dollar from the N364 posted on Tuesday.
The pound sterling and the Euro closed at N477 and N428 to the naira, respectively.
Naira-Dollar
At the Bureau De Change (BDC) window, the naira was traded at N363 to the dollar, while the pound sterling and the Euro closed at N477 and N428, respectively.
Trading at the investors' window saw the naira closing at N367.50 to the dollar.
Traders expressed optimism that the interventions by the CBN at the market were capable of closing the gap further between the rates at the parallel market and other segments.
Not all the BDCs in the South West bought foreign exchange from the weekly auction on Tuesday.
A credible BDC source told newsmen on condition of anonymity that since the near convergence of rates, many BDCs were trading at a loss.
Chairman of the 2017 PDP Special Non-Elective National Convention and Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has said that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is set to take over power at the national level in 2019.
Governor Okowa stated this on Wednesday at the meeting of the Convention Planning Committee at the Party’s National Secretariat, Abuja.
The Committee Chairman noted that the Party has realised areas they didn’t meet up with the expectations of Nigerians and has vowed to make corrections and provide Nigerians with good governance, anchored on accountability, rule of law and improved welfare of the citizenry.
“Yesterday we were inaugurated with the task of organising a successful National Convention for our great party, it is our hope that the various committees will set out to work immediately as we have barley few days to go”
“As an organised party, i’ve confidence in our leaders of the various sub-committees that we will be able to deliver a successful National Convention that we can all be proud of”.
“I trust in your abilities because I have seen a good number of committed party members who are dedicated to the cause of ensuring we return back to power in 2019,”
“Our party is back alive and with the National Convention, PDP will send a very strong message that will make Nigerians to realise that we are very much ready to take over power come 2019,” he said
Members of the planning committee including Barr. Kelechi Igwe; John Jonah, Deputy Governors of Ebonyi and Bayelsa States and Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen, Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries of all the Sub-Committees attended the meeting.
Massive deportation of Nigerians from other parts of the world, especially from African countries, frightening, says NAPTIP DG.
Five hundred and forty Nigerians are set for deportation from Libya, beginning from Aug. 10, Mrs. Julie Okah-Donli, Director-General, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons(NAPTIP), has said.
Okah-Donli disclosed this on Wednesday in Osogbo, at the inauguration of the North-West Zonal Command Office of the agency.
She said that the deportees would be brought back to Nigeria in three batches of 180 each.
Deported Nigerians
The NAPTIP boss said that more than 2000 Nigerians were deported from various part of the world from February till date, over various migration offences, including human trafficking.
Okah-Doni disclosed that the agency had rescued and supported more than 12,000 victims of human trafficking, and also secured 325 convictions since its inception in 2003.
She decried the rising trend of deportation of Nigerians from different parts of the world, especially in Africa, and described the situation as "frightening".
"Such massive deportations are not good for us as a people. Government at all levels must take steps to halt it by initiating measures that will reduce the vulnerability of our people to being trafficked.
"We must also strive to enlighten our people to resist the temptation to leave the country at all cost," she said.
Okah-Donli, who described human trafficking as a modern day slavery, urged stern measures to end it.
She reaffirmed NAPTIP's commitment to implementing the Trafficking in Persons(Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act of 2015, and declared that there would be no sacred cows.
Okah-Donli identified Osun, Ekiti and Ondo among the endemic states in trafficking in persons in Nigeria, saying that all hands must be on deck to change the trend.
"Nigeria is a source, transit and destination country. Women and young girls are recruited for sexual and labour exploitation in parts of Europe, the Middle East and even within the African continent.
"This calls for concerted action by all as Nigerians cannot make meaningful progress in its human capital development index, with a sustained depletion of her young and brightest stars."
Gov. Rauf Aregbesola, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Security Matters, Mr Tope Adejumo, promised that the state government would collaborate with the agency to minimise human trafficking.
In his remarks, a former governor of the state, Mr Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who is also the royal ambassador of the agency, said that he was ready to support the agency in its war against human trafficking.
Oyinlola urged the agency to take the campaign against human trafficking to the grassroots, using the native language as a means of communication.
Oil rose toward 53 dollars a barrel on Wednesday ahead of a U.S. inventory report expected to show crude stocks dropped for a sixth week.
Brent crude LCOc1, the global benchmark, was up 50 cents at 52.64 dollars, after two days of decline.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 added 44 cents to 49.61 dollars.
Wednesday's focus will be on the U.S. government report to see whether it confirms the figures from the API, an industry group.
Analysts expect crude stocks to have fallen by 2.7 million barrels and gasoline by 1.5 million barrels.
A further drop in U.S. crude stocks would raise hopes that an OPEC-led effort to wipe out a three-year, price-sapping supply glut is working.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Russia and other producers are cutting output by about 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) under a deal that took effect on Jan. 1.
The deal is currently set to run until March 2018.
The deal has supported prices but an output recovery in Libya and Nigeria, OPEC members exempted from the cut, has complicated the effort.
U.S. shale oil drillers have also ramped up production.
OPEC officials met on Monday and Tuesday in Abu Dhabi in an effort to boost producers' adherence to the supply cuts, which has been high on average in spite of relatively low compliance by Iraq and the United Arab Emirates.
In a statement after the meeting, OPEC said the conclusions reached would help boost prices.
The Member representing the Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, has frowned at the recent rejection of the principle of 'devolution of power' by the National House of Assembly in the ongoing 'Constitutional Amendment exercise, noting that it was a collective mistake by members of the House , which will continue to constitute a fundamental 'albatross' to the peace and development of the Nigerian state, if not revisited and remedied.
The lawmaker made this disclosure in a chat with Vanguard yesterday.
Reyenieju expressed utter disgust on why the National Assembly as a collective would opt for an unnecessarily over bloated federal government at the expense of the federating units, and consequently undermining the universal principal of federal arrangement which we claim we are.
Daniel Reyenieju
He lamented the untold hardship that his constituency suffers as a result of the present lopsided federal arrangement.
The lawmaker also noted that his constituency suffers grave alienation in the oil industry, despite the fact that the Warri Federal Constituency remain the highest oil bearing and producing in the country, the two sea ports of Koko and Warri have been left to waste with the Nigerian Ports Authorities turning blind eyes, despite all entreaties.
" As long as this current arrangement which borders on unitary political structure persists, the country will remain vulnerable to crises of different dimensions in the form of disunity, political instability, underdevelopment, separatist agitations among others; such that it will continue to threaten Nigeria’s survival as a united Country".
"If the National Assembly has voted for Nigeria’s devolution of power, a less-burdened federal government will emerge bring about component units that will be dynamic, entrepreneurial, innovative and ambitious; as against the present of over-burdened federal government, with component units that are inherently beggarly, and thus dis-empowered to be innovative and creative"
However Reyenieju is optimistic that the National Assembly will revisit the issue given the bitterness and instability that the action of the National Assembly is generating
Wife
