A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
A prosecution witness, Tosin Owobo, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in a case involving a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosun( retd.) and two other serving senior officers of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, told Justice M.B. Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos how the defendants allegedly converted to personal use huge sums of money in the NAF's Special Emergency Operation Account.
The defendants are standing trial on a 23-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, money laundering, concealing of proceeds of crime and conversion of funds belonging to the Nigerian Air Force to their personal use.
In his testimony, Owobo told the court that the second defendant, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun, a former Director of Finance and third defendant, Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni Olugbenga, a former Deputy Director of Finance, were signatories to the NAF Special Emergency Operations Account.
Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Otobo told the court that sequel to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigeria Air Force, the total sum of N3bn( Three Billion Naira) was paid into the NAF Special Emergency Operation Account domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc in three tranches of N1bn( One Billion Naira) on different occasions.
Owobo further said the money was paid into Right Options Oil & Gas Limited, Judah Oil Limited, Delfina Oil & Gas, McAllan Oil & Gas Limited and Lebol Oil & Gas Limited.
EFCC operatives
He said:''As part of the investigation, we invited the Managing Directors of Right Options Oil & Gas, Judah Oil & Gas and Lebol Oil & Gas Limited, who stated in their statements that they were Bureau De Change (BDC) operators and not oil dealers.
''They said when the monies were paid into their accounts, they gave the dollar equivalents to the Account Officers of the NAF Special Emergency Operation Account for the second and third defendants.
''They also stated that their companies were registered as Oil & Gas companies because they were given a high threshold of monies that could be transferred with fewer deductions.''
Also, while giving further evidence on the account opening packages of Delfina Oil & Gas and McAllan Oil & Gas, Otobo told the court that the CAC documents that were used in opening the accounts bore Adigun's name as director.
According to Otobo, investigations further revealed that certain monies that did not originate from NIMASA were paid from other NAF accounts into the NAF Special Emergency Operation Account.
The money, he said, was in turn paid into McAllan Oil & Gas Limited, Delfina Oil & Gas Limited and Trapezites BDC to the tune of about N15bn.
Otobo also told the court the money received by the defendants were used to buy properties in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, adding that Solomon Enterprises, which is allegedly owned by Amosun, received money from Delfina Oil & Gas and McAllan Oil & Gas Limited.
He also stated that the sum of N95m (Ninety-five Million Naira) was allegedly paid to Amosun's wife, Omolara, who is one of the Directors of St. Solomon HealthCare.
When the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, sought to tender the statements of the second and third defendants in evidence, the defence counsels prayed the court for an
adjournment to enable them review the documents before them.
Justice Idris adjourned the matter to Wednesday, May 3, 2017 for continuation of trial.
It will be recalled that at the last hearing, the defendants had challenged the admissibility of the FCMB account opening package and statement of account of Deegee Oil and Gas Limited sought to be tendered by the prosecution.
But in his ruling today, Justice Idris admitted the document as evidence, saying that the document satisfies the provision of the law after being duly certified.
The Attorney General of Sokoto State, Suleiman Usman is to take over the prosecution of the corruption charge brought against a serving Commissioner in Sokoto state and former Permanent Secretary of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the administration of ex-governor Aliyu Wamakko, Mohammed Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
This followed a ruling today by Justice Idrissa Kolo on the fiat by Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami SAN which purportedly allows the State Attorney General to take over criminal cases being prosecuted by any agency of the government including the EFCC.
EFCC operatives
The initial Fiat annexed to the application of the Attorney General of Sokoto State was dated 30 January, 1995 authored by Chief M.A Agbamuche SAN, the then Attorney General of the Federation but it was later replaced by another one dated 30th January, 2017 authored by the incumbent AGF, Abubakar Malami SAN.
The case with charge No. FHC/S/22C/2014 between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Mohammed Bello, Abubakar Abdullahi Ahmed, Rose Gallery Nigeria Limited, Silver Spring Global Concept Limited and Sitex Multiservice Limited has been under prosecution by the Commission since 2014 before Justice R.M Aikawa of the Federal High Court Sokoto who was recently transferred to Lagos Division of the Federal High Court.
The defendants were charged with 43 counts which borders on Money Laundering, Forgery and Uttering. The charge followed an investigation which uncovered that money running into hundreds of millions was diverted by the first and second defendants during the first defendant's tenure as the Permanent Secretary for Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs of Sokoto State.
The alleged diversion was perpetrated through the 3rd to 5th defendants in the charge which are said to be companies owned by the first and second defendants who used their relatives as directors of the companies.
In the course of trial, the prosecution had called its first witness, the investigation officer. However, when the matter was called on 24 November, 2016 the Attorney General of Sokoto State Suleiman Usman announced appearance and informed the court that he intended to take over the case.
The reason given by the Attorney General of Sokoto State for the takeover of the case was to serve the interest of justice, public interest and to make sure that the legal process is not abused. The prosecution counsel, S.K Atteh in his response, expressed fears on how a serving Commissioner can diligently prosecute his fellow Commissioner and be expected to serve the interest of justice and public good.
The then trial judge, R.M Aikawa made an order asking the Attorney General of the Federation to either appear in person or send a representative or write to the court to clarify whether or not, he had authorized the Attorney General of Sokoto State to take over the prosecution of the case.
In today's proceeding Mohammed, who was holding brief for the Attorney General of Sokoto State moved his application to take over the matter.
Counsel representing the first defendant Y. C Maikyau SAN who also holds brief for counsel representing the 2nd,3rd and 5th defendants made his submissions in which he supported the idea of the Attorney General of Sokoto State taking over the case from the EFCC.
Counsel for the 4th defendant I.A Sule aligned himself with the submission of the Maikyau.
Prosecution counsel S.K Atteh however informed the court that he has affidavit of service which he served the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, asking for clarification on whether this particular case was covered by the Fiat issued to the Attorney General of Sokoto State but there has been no response from the AGF. Atteh asked the court for an adjournment pending when the Commission receives a reply from the AGF but the application was refused.
Justice Kolo held that the application for the takeover of the charge by the Attorney General of Sokoto State was in order and in line with the provisions of the constitution. He therefore granted the application as prayed, even as he advised parties dissatisfied with the decision to seek redress at the appellate court.
The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to a rather salacious news report published in Vanguard and The Punch newspapers of May 2, 2017.
The report published under two different headlines: "DSS accuses anti-graft agency of protecting Jonathan's former aide", and "Jonathan's wanted aide being protected by govt. agency –DSS", contained allegations that an anti-graft agency which is purportedly investigating Mr. Kingsley Kuku, a former Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, on the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme, is in reality shielding him from the law. The phantom claim is made more ludicrous by the fact that it is attributed to some unnamed sources in the Department of State Services, DSS.
EFCC operatives
The EFCC ordinarily ought not to dignify the reports with a response given that it was not directly named by the ghost sources. However, the stories are dripping with innuendos that left little to the imagination regarding the agency under reference. While Vanguard stayed within the script of the game of ostrich handed to it by the purveyors of the unsubstantiated report, The Punch took a further step to identify the EFCC as the agency that is known to be investigating Kuku. Punch's allusion is a fact known to everybody but the authors of the malicious story were either scared of the Commission or too embarrassed by their infantile gambit to name the EFCC.
For the avoidance of doubt, EFCC is investigating the Amnesty Office managed by Kuku. The Commission was compelled to declare him wanted in July 2015 after he failed to honour an invitation sent to him for interrogation on July 28, 2015. Rather than appear before the team investigating the allegations of fraud against him, he sent a letter, through his counsel, Karina Tunyan, claiming that he "is currently in the United States of America to keep an appointment with his doctors", with a promise to appear on September 30, 2015. He never did, and his last known place of abode has remained the US, a different territorial jurisdiction.
In February 2016, in a bid to forestall his arrest by the EFCC, Kuku approached a Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking to stop the agency from arresting him on his possible return to Nigeria. The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, dismissed his application as lacking in merit, and upheld the statutory powers of the EFCC to investigate him.
It must be stated unequivocally that the EFCC has no personal interest, or business with Kuku, other than the fact that he is a fugitive, who is wanted by the Commission to stand trial in Nigeria. The allegation in the reports that "the agency is in criminal connivance with fugitive Kingsley Kuku" is a blatant lie. Also untrue and fallacious is the claim that the EFCC is "directly and brazenly facilitating the concealment of the looted several billions of naira".
After he spurned the Commission's invitation, Kuku's aides who are believed to have assisted him in perpetrating various acts of corruption were arrested, questioned and charged to court. Henry Ugbolue and Lawrence Pepple, close aides to Kuku, are facing charges before a Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja.
An agency which is on the lookout for Kuku and had docked his aides on corruption charges cannot be the same agency that would be accused of offering assistance to the same suspect or doing his bidding by harassing his adversaries. So the so-called cover up is deliberately concocted tissue of lies, apparently aimed at impugning the good image of the EFCC
The EFCC is inclined to believe that this campaign of misinformation has no official endorsement of the DSS. Otherwise it should have no problem owning its report by stating it openly as it has done in recent times. It is the Commission's hunch that someone is dropping the name of "unnamed DSS Sources" to give a veneer of credibility to a lie and set both agencies on a collision course.
This seemingly concocted report is the latest in a series of orchestrated campaign of calumny against the Commission by shadowy forces that are obviously envious of the success of the EFCC, especially at a time, when the anti-graft agency enjoys the status of the shining light of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration's war against corruption.
Furthermore, the allegation that a raid on the house of a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche, was carried out "based on the instruction of Kuku" is nothing but the figment of the imagination of the authors and their "sources". How logical is it that the Commission would be taking instruction from a man it has declared wanted and who has remained a fugitive? The nation should be saved this "Dugbe Intelligence", as the EFCC is fired only by professionalism and would not be sucked into the apparent political battle between Nwuche and Kuku.
Nwuche is perfectly aware of the outcome of the Commission's investigation as it affects him and it will serve his interest to direct his energy to dealing with the other issue of alleged illegal possession of firearms currently being investigated by the Nigeria Police.
Abdullahi Shuaibu, the Nigerian charged with a string of bank robberies in the U.S. two weeks ago, got some relief from prosecutors on Monday who amended the charge.
Shuaibu was arrested on April 17 and accused by U.S. authorities of robbing four banks in Manhattan, New York.Shuaibu's photo circulated by NYPD
When the matter came up for hearing, Shuaibu, who was present in the court, pleaded "not guilty", through a member of his legal team, Tim Pruitt.
The case has been changed from 'First Degree Robbery' to 'Attempted Robbery' in the 'Second Degree' and 'Robbery' in the 'Third Degree'.
Consequently, the case also moved from Class 'B' felony to Class 'D' felony, which is a significant reduction in the charge against him.
With the significant reduction in the charge, Shuaibu's jail exposure has also been significantly reduced.
Pruitt, after taking the "not guilty" plea for Shuaibu, sought for an adjournment. The judge adjourned the matter until June 26.
Another member of the defence team, Olayinka Dansalami, said Shuaibu had a hope of even a lighter sentence and that his legal team was not resting on its efforts.
"With the class 'B' offence, Shuaibu could receive a jail sentence anywhere from five to 25 years in jail.
"But with the class 'D" offence, he can get 'conditional discharge 'time serve' or 'probation' but the maximum sentence is five years in jail," he said.
'Time serve' is a condition whereby an accused is sentenced to the time already served in detention.
'Conditional discharge' is where an accused is given another chance but warned to be of good behaviour for a period of time,'' Dansalami said.
"The charge against him has also moved to 'non-violent charge' from 'violent charge'. We thank God for the reduction.
"We (defence attorneys) will continue to fight the case vigorously and aggressively despite the reduction of his jail exposure. Our goal is to spare our client of any time in jail.
"His bail condition has also been reduced.
"But we may be able to further reduce the bail if someone can come forth. So, overall, there is a change in circumstances and it is not as serious as before.
"Within the next few days, we will look at a lot of options that will help him."
According to him, now that the severity of the charge has significantly reduced, it behoves the judge to temper justice with mercy.
"Before, when he was charged with 'class B' felony, the best a judge can do is to give him minimum sentence of five years on each of the two 'B felony charges.
"But now the judge can do something because of the reduction of the charge. The judge has some latitude to lessen the sentence from conditional discharge or time served or probation up to five years.
"So to be clear, despite the fact that the charges have been reduced, our approach to the case remains the same.
"We are not taking anything for granted and we are committed to defend our client to the best of our abilities.''
Dansalami said one of the best social workers in the State of New York, James Graves, has already been assigned as part of the team to help ascertain Shuaibu's psychological wellbeing at the time the offence was allegedly committed.
Nigeria's number two, Sylvester Emmanuel, on Tuesday lost 4-6, 3-6 to Bega Alessandro of Italy in the first round of the singles event at the Tombim Abuja Open tennis tournament.
The tournament, which is an International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures event where players can garner Association of Tennis Professional (ATP) points, is ongoing at the Abuja National Stadium.
Emmanuel, who was ranked 1162 in the world, reached the quarter-finals of the Lagos Governor's Cup last year, however said the game was a good experience for him.
"Tennis is like that. Sometimes you win, and at other times you lose.
"It is also a good experience for me, though. I fought as hard as I could hoping to get a good result, but unfortunately I lost.
"I was also able to notice that I needed to be solid with the baseline,'' he said.
Alessandro, on his part, hailed the effort of his opponent, while describing the game as tough.
"Sylvester is a good player and I respect him a lot.
" It was however a tough match because he was serving great, really good service even from the baseline.
"So, I had to be focused and I broke him twice,'' he said.
Newsmen report that a baseline is the rearmost line of the court, furthest from and parallel to the net in a tennis court.
In the other matches played, Kumar Mukund of India defeated fellow countryman Anvit Bendre 6-2, 6-4 while Raman Rishabdev also of India was humbled 6-2, 6-0 by Ivan Marrero from Spain.
Another Nigerian, Emmanuel Emeruwa, also fell 1-6, 1-6 to the tactics of Zimbabwe's Benjamin Lock while Moez Echargui of Tunisia defeated Australia's Mark Verryth 6-4, 6-4.
The tournament which has over 50 players jostling for the 25,000 dollars prize money began on Monday and will end on Saturday.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has called condemned the arrest and continued detention of former Governors of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, warning the All Progressives Congress (APC) government to stop what he described as regime of harassment and intimidation of people perceived as having presidential ambition in 2019. *Sule Lamido
The governor, who called on the international community and the media to save democracy in Nigeria from being truncated by the APC cabal's desperation to hold on to power by whatever means, added that; "It appears that the cabal in the APC led government that is holding Nigerians to ransom want their candidate to contest the 2019 election unopposed. Obviously, that is the reason for the arrest and detention of former Governor of Niger State, Dr Babangida Aliyu and Alhaji Lamido who have shown interest in the presidency."
In a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, and signed by Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, he described the police for Sule Lamido's arrest and detention as childish and ridiculous, saying; "If a former governor is arrested and incarcerated for what they called incitement, what should the police have done to those Fulani herdsmen that have killed thousands of Nigerians across the country?"
He said; "With the arrest of Alhaji Lamido, the detention of former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswan since February this year and the arrest and detention of Dr Babangida Aliyu, it is becoming clearer that these APC people will only contest election against themselves in 2019.
"It will even be unnecessary to continue to fund the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) since they don't want anyone to contest the 2019 presidential election against their party. The APC cabal can as well proscribe INEC and declare their party the perpetual ruler of Nigeria instead of wasting money on conduct of elections."
Describing Lamido's arrest as the height of power drunkenness, Governor Fayose said; "That the police claimed Alhaji Lamido was arrested for allegedly inciting his supporters to go violent if the results of the local government elections fixed for July 1, 2017 is to say the least irresponsible and ludicrous.
"How can you arrest someone in April because of an election slated for July and keep the person in detention for the past 24 hours? Is it not even laughable that the APC government in Jigawa State is so afraid of allowing the people the freedom to participate in an election to be conducted by the State government itself such that it opted for the arrest and detention of a former governor of the State more than two months to the elections?"
The governor, who also condemned the continued detention of former Governor Suswan; said "Rt. Hon. Gabriel Suswan has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the DSS reason for keeping him in detention since February is that he has failed to cooperate with investigators. The question is; what cooperation does the DSS need from someone that will require him being kept in detention for close to two months?"
While calling for a stop to the APC government's regime of political intimidation and harassment, Governor Fayose said "Nigerians will resist any attempt to foist a one party State on the country and no matter how tyrannical the APC chooses to become, Nigeria will overcome its tyranny just like the country survived past tyrannical governments."
About 80 British troops on Tuesday arrived South Sudan to provide engineering and medical support to UN mission (UNMISS).
UNMISS said the UK contingent, proudly wearing their distinctive blue UN berets, would provide military engineering taskforce to the Malakal and Bentiu protection of civilian sites, as well as a Level II Hospital at Bentiu.
"Nearly 80 medics will arrive to staff a Level II Hospital in Bentiu, providing world class medical care for over 1,800 UNMISS military and civilian personnel," the UN mission said in a statement issued in Juba.
The Royal engineers will conduct tasks at the UN camps to improve accommodation, routes, security and drainage, as well as the construction of a jetty on the River Nile and a helicopter landing site.
Alongside their UNMISS colleague, their efforts will make a contribution to protecting civilians and creating conditions to enable the delivery of humanitarian aid.
"With almost 400 troops in total, this will be one of the UK's largest operational deployments across the world," UNMISS said.
Last week, UNMISS confirmed the arrival of the first elements of the Regional Protection Force in Juba.
The deployment of the 4,000-strong force was authorised by the UN Security Council.
UNMISS says the force will provide protection to key facilities in the nation's capital Juba and the main routes into and out of the city.
It will also strengthen the security of UN protection of civilians' sites and other UN premises.
The deployment of the force, to be staged over coming months, would free existing UNMISS peacekeepers to extend their presence to conflict-affected areas beyond Juba.
Dangote Sugar Plc says it is has set a target to produce 1.5 million tonnes of refined sugar from locally grown sugarcane in the next six years.
Mr Abdullahi Sule, the company's acting Managing Director made this known at the company's fact behind the figures at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos on Tuesday.
AGM : From left , Chairman, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Aliko Dangote; Group Managing Director, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Mr. Graham Clark; and Deputy Group Managing Director, Engr. Abdulllahi Sule at the 9th Annual General Meeting , AGM, of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc in Lagos
Sule said that the company was also projecting to produce 130 million litres of ethanol across all its sites.
According to him, the company will also generate not less than 100,000 jobs under its master plan.
Sule explained that the company remained a zero debt entity since it started operations, adding that N106 billion was required to fund the expansion project.
"We are going to spend about N106 billion to expand its operation during the preview period of which 20 per cent of the fund will come from equity,'' he said.
Sule noted that 20 per cent of the fund would be raised through equity, adding that the board of directors would decide the direction of the equity raising programme.
"Dangote Sugar remains a zero debt company. In the first three years of the project, we will spend about N106 billion and the board members have decided that 20 per cent would be raised through equity.
"By the end of this year, we will be able to fund the N20 billion but it is taking us time to decide whether it is through extra-ordinary meeting or through loan.
"The company is still in position to borrow and still pay dividends,'' he said.
Sule, however, assured that the company would continue to pay dividends.
"We are confident that this ambitious goal is achievable and we will leave no stone unturned in seeing that it becomes a reality," he said.
Sule added that about N101 billion had been committed toward actualisation of the company's Backward Integration Project (BIP) targets.
"To date, about N101 billion has been committed toward the actualisation of these projects on equipment purchase, land studies and survey, and sensitisation campaign for the local communities," he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the company for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2016 posted a turnover of N169.72 billion against N101.06 billion achieved in the comparative period of 2015.
Profit after tax stood at N14.39 billion against N11.14 billion in 2015, while profit before tax rose to N19.61 billion in contrast with N16.16 billion in the previous year.
A jihadist assault led by suicide bombers killed dozens Tuesday at a camp for the displaced near Syria’s border with Iraq, as pressure grows on the Islamic State group in both countries.
The violence left at least 38 people dead and came as another surprise IS attack on Tuesday killed 10 soldiers in Iraq, to the south along the border.
The jihadist group appears to be lashing out as it faces escalating offensives on its last two major bastions: second city Mosul in Iraq and Raqa in neighbouring Syria.
IS’s dawn attack in Syria’s northeast hit a makeshift camp near the border with Iraq where some 300 families were waiting to cross into territory held by the Syrian Democratic Forces, the US-backed alliance leading the assault on Raqa.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, said at least five suicide bombers blew themselves up inside and outside the camp in Hasakeh province which hosts Syrians and Iraqis forced from their homes.
Heavy clashes then erupted between the IS fighters and the SDF near the camp, which lies just inside Syrian territory, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.
He said at least 38 people had been killed including 23 displaced Syrians or Iraqi refugees.
“At least 30 people were wounded, and the death toll may rise because some people are in critical condition and others are still unaccounted for,” the Britain-based monitor said.
IS claimed the attack via its propaganda outlet Amaq, saying a groups of jihadists attacked an SDF position near the camp as part of a multi-pronged assault on the group.
– ‘Appalled, saddened’ –
Kamal Derbas, a press officer for the Kurdish Red Crescent, said the attack began at 4:00 am (0100 GMT) and put the civilian death toll at 22.
Thousands of people — from the Syrian province of Deir Ezzor further south and from the Iraqi city of Mosul across the border — have used the crossing to reach safety, according to the International Rescue Committee.
“We are appalled and saddened to hear of the attacks today in Hasakeh province,” said IRC regional advocacy adviser Thomas Garofalo.
Conditions in the area are harsh, with little shelter, the authorities overstretched, and the risk of renewed violence.
The other IS attack in Iraq saw jihadists fire on an army base near the remote outpost of Rutba, near the country’s western borders with Syria and Jordan.
An Iraqi army lieutenant colonel said IS jihadists fired mortar rounds and rockets at the 1st Division base in the Saggar area, east of Rutba, before trying to storm it.
IS appeared to be trying to breach the defence of Rutba, which is the last sizeable town on the road from Baghdad to the Jordanian border, as well as to create diversions to ease pressure on its fighters in Mosul, military officials said.
A massive offensive was launched in mid-October to retake Mosul, where IS head Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the establishment of IS’s so-called “caliphate” nearly three years ago.
– ‘Violent’ Tabqa clashes –
IS once controlled swathes of land on both sides of the Iraqi-Syrian border, but US-backed offensives have seen much of that territory retaken.
A US-led coalition began bombing IS positions in Iraq in August 2014 and launched raids against the jihadists in neighbouring Syria the following month.
In northern Syria, the coalition is backing the major assault by the SDF — an alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters — on Raqa.
A key waypost in that offensive is the city of Tabqa, which lies along the Euphrates River and on an IS supply route about 55 kilometres (35 miles) west of Raqa.
On Tuesday, the SDF was locked in “very violent clashes” with IS in a northern district of Tabqa, the last section of the city still held by the jihadists, the SDF said in a statement.
SDF fighters managed to seize a tank and several vehicles used by IS, it said.
More than 80 percent of Tabqa is now in SDF hands, just eight days after the group first entered the city.
More than 320,000 people have been killed in Syria since the country’s conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.
The Kogi Government has appealed to the World Bank, through its FADAMA III AF intervention project, to facilitate the state's plans to become the largest producer of rice in North Central Nigeria.
Mr Kehinde Oloruntobe, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, made the appeal on Tuesday when he received the Mid-Term Review Mission Team of the World Bank/FGN on Fadama III Additional Financing (AF) Project in Lokoja.
He said that the appeal became imperative in view of the enormous agricultural potential of the state, coupled with the myriad opportunities that were currently being wasted.
Oloruntobe said that the intervention would also enable the state to attain its desired target of becoming the largest producer of rice in the North Central geopolitical zone, while addressing youth unemployment.
"We have just completed some arrangements with a private investor who will be establishing a rice mill, capable of milling 50 tonnes of rice per day, at Omi in Yagba West Local Government Area of the state.
"The Federal Government has also pledged to set up another rice mill with the same capacity in Ibaji and so, we must upscale our rice cultivation to produce paddy rice to feed these mills,'' he said.
Oloruntobe appealed to the team to urgently consider the request, adding that the state government had already mobilised all the stakeholders to provide all the necessary logistics for the venture.
"We need the intervention because the resources that are available to the state may not be enough to pursue the project but if we have intervention from the World Bank and other development partners, we would be able to actualise all our rice development plans,'' he said.
Earlier, Dr Adetunji Oredipe, the Task Team Leader, Fadama III AF, said that the mid-term review mission team was in the state to re-assess the intervention programme, with a view to finding pragmatic solutions to the challenges facing the programme.
Besides, Oredipe said that Kogi had signed a subsidiary agreement to access a 20-million-U.S.-dollar facility but had thus far drawn only three million dollars for its intervention projects.
He, however, said that a new window of opportunity to access the funds had opened with the extension of the programme by eight months for the benefit of the northeastern states which were hitherto ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency.
He solicited the support of the Kogi Government for the success of the Fadama III AF in the state by waiving the new order compelling all the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to operate a Single Treasury Account (TSA).
He added that the practice would impede progress of the programme.
Oredipe said the four-day mid-term review would enable the team to address issues regarding the perceptible successes or glitches of the FADAMA III AF programme in the state and identify specific areas that required modifications or outright overhaul.
President Donald Trump took the unusual step of advocating a shutdown of the US government Tuesday, after Republicans and Democrats reached a budget deal that ignored key White House demands.
After Trump’s fellow Republicans in Congress jettisoned his promise to build a border wall and cut environmental spending, the embattled president lashed out, saying maybe the government should not be funded at all.
Previous shutdowns have cost the US economy tens of billions of dollars and seen federal services grind to a halt, as thousands of non-essential personnel are temporarily laid off.
Trump’s outburst came amid a rocky few days for his young presidency.
His latest crack at health care reform is also faltering in Congress and a series of presidential media interviews have roiled markets, allies and — thanks to controversial comments about the American Civil War — some historians.
But Trump appeared especially angered by the perception that the White House and the Republican majority on Capitol Hill had been rolled in a deal with Democrats to fund the government until September.
“Our country needs a good ‘shutdown’ in September to fix mess!” Trump tweeted, lamenting the need for bipartisan compromise. US President, Donald Trump Trump also called for a change in rules that require 60 votes in the Senate to pass such measures — a threshold that makes party compromise necessary.
“The reason for the plan negotiated between the Republicans and Democrats is that we need 60 votes in the Senate which are not there! We… either elect more Republican Senators in 2018 or change the rules now to 51%,” Trump tweeted.
That would substantially change US politics, making budgets more partisan and poisoning what is left of inter-party cooperation.
His view appeared to be backed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham who said: “I think the Democrats cleaned our clock. There are things in this bill that I just don’t understand. This was not winning from the Republican point of view.”
– Reversal?-
Trump could, if he wished, veto the Republican-Democrat deal, which is still being finalized in Congress and has yet to land on his desk.
But in later Rose Garden comments, Trump appeared once more to embrace the agreement, calling it a “clear win” for the American people and a “victory under the radar” for Republicans.
“We didn’t do any touting like the Democrats did,” Trump said, flanked by a trophy-winning Air Force sports team.
Echoing Republican allies, Trump described the deal as “a very important thing for the men and women of the United States military.”
The $1.2 trillion agreement would increase military spending by $25 billion, or 4.5 percent, above fiscal year 2016 levels.
It also funds an authorized 2.1 percent pay raise for the military.
Republicans have also hailed the $1.5 billion in funding for non-wall security efforts along the nearly 2,000-mile (3,218-kilometer) border with Mexico.
Democrats decried Trump’s call for a shutdown.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said “bipartisanship is best summed up by the Rolling Stones, ‘you can’t always get what you want.'”
An FBI translator who was hired to spy on a German member of the Islamic State group instead apparently grew attracted to him and snuck off to Syria to get married.
According to court documents seen Tuesday, Daniela Greene, who had a “top secret” security clearance, told her colleagues at the Detroit office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation that she was heading to Germany to see her parents for a few weeks in June 2014.
Instead she flew to Turkey and snuck across the border to meet up and marry an IS fighter. He was not identified in the documents, but according to CNN, he was Denis Cuspert, a notorious former German rapper who went by the name of Deso Dogg.
Cuspert was officially designated a terrorist in early 2015 by the US State Department, which described him as an IS recruiter focusing on German speakers, and noted that he had appeared in numerous IS videos, including on in which he was holding the severed head of an Islamic State opponent.
It was not clear how Cuspert, also known as Abu Talha al-Almani, wooed her. Court testimony suggested they may have communicated privately via a Skype account he used that Greene did not report to her FBI colleagues.
– Quick marriage, then regret –
Greene, who was born in Czechoslovakia and married a US soldier, began work at the FBI in 2011, with no problems until her mysterious disappearance in June 2014.
Immediately after her arrival in Syria she married Cuspert, on June 27, 2014, according to court documents recently unsealed. But within days Greene, now 38, began to seek a way out,
“I really made a mess of things this time,” she told a friend in a July 2014 email from IS territory.
“I don’t know how long I will last here, but it doesn’t matter, it’s all a little too late,” she said in a subsequent email. In another, she said she recognized she could be imprisoned for years if she returned.
Court documents did not explain how she escaped from IS territory, but by early August, less than two months after travelling to Syria, she returned to the United States and was arrested.
She immediately confessed and began cooperating with US prosecutors. Her cooperation “was significant, long-running and substantial,” said an investigator, supporting a lenient sentence.
Ultimately she pleaded guilty to one charge of “making false statements involving international terrorism,” based on what she originally told the FBI about her travel plans. She received a relatively light 24 month prison sentence, and was released last year.
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission says the EFCC is not involved in the ongoing investigation of the Kano Emirate Council over alleged misappropriation of N6 billion.
Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II
The Chairman of the commission, Mr Muhiyi Magaji, in Kano on Tuesday that the speculations in the social media over the involvement of EFCC operatives were false and an attempt to distract the probe.
The reports alleged that EFCC operatives jumped fence into the Emir Muhammdu Sanusi's building in the Palace and carted away some documents.
Reacting to the development, Magaji said the rumour was not only baseless, but unfounded and a deliberate attempt to cause confusion in the state.
"Yes, I met with the EFCC Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, last week, but it was on the general activities of the commission as well as its success or achievements.
"We have not handed over this case to EFCC, so how can their operatives storm the Emir's Palace and locked some offices as being peddled.
"Any contrary information on my meeting with the EFCC chairman is not only baseless but untrue and unfounded, so people should disregard it," Magaji said.
On the recent reconciliation meeting convened by some northern state governors to intervene in the Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje and Sanusi's feud, the anti-graft boss said the commission had no business with the meeting.
"The state government did not ask us to do what we are doing and did not also ask us to stop.
"The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended) provides for the independence of the commission.
"In exercising its powers under the law, the commission shall not be subjected to the direction and control of any authority.
"As such the commission is only attached to the government to address administrative issues but not operational.
"So we are acting on the petition and any other thing is secondary to the commission,'' he said.
Magaji said the commission would go ahead with the investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds by the emirate council.
He disclosed that all those invited had indicated their willingness to honour the invitation on Wednesday (May 3), and not Tuesday (May 2) as being speculated.
"Initially we gave all those invited to appear before the commission on May 3 not May 2.
"Some have indicated their willingness to appear on the stated date,'' said the chairman.
Also normal activities were still going on at the commission contrary to rumours in some quarters that there was uneasy calm. (NAN) MTM/MST
Free-scoring Monaco will look to break down the best defence in Europe when they host Juventus in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final today.
The Ligue 1 leaders have scored plenty of goals this season and boast one of Europe's most exciting newcomers in striker Kylian Mbappe.
The 18-year-old has netted 18 goals in his last 18 competitive games, including three in the 6-3 aggregate win over Borussia Dortmund in the last eight.
But Juventus boast the tightest defence in Europe's top club competition, with just two goals conceded in this campaign.
"Even Barcelona could not score in two games against them so it will be complicated for us", said Monaco defender Kamil Glik.
The Italian champions, who advanced to the last four with an aggregate 3-0 win over Barcelona, were held to a 2-2 draw at Atalanta in a rare defensive mix-up in Serie A on Friday.
Their pedigree and record for being impregnable when it matters, however, suggest Juventus should be regarded as the favourites. "Monaco have technical and tactical qualities as well as talented young players," said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri.
"They do not have the same history as Juventus but that does not mean it will be easy for us to make it to the final."
Monaco have shone in Europe and at home this season and their domestic title hopes received a welcome boost when a nervous PSG side lost 3-1 at Nice on Sunday, leaving the club from the French Riviera three points clear at the top with a game in hand.
Juventus, meanwhile, are closing in on a record sixth straight Serie A title and can turn to their European history for inspiration, having won the showcase club competition twice, in 1985 and 1996.
Monaco, by contrast, reached the Champions League final only once, in 2004, losing 3-0 to a Porto side coached by Jose Mourinho after a great run featuring wins over Real Madrid and Chelsea.
The sides have faced each other twice before on the Champions League stage with Juventus winning both ties, in the 1998 semi-finals and the 2015 quarters
Fast rising music diva, Helen Obi, popularly known by fans as Olumireggae, is back to the music scene, as she recently released her debut album titled ‘New Errand’.
Olumireggae
According to the artiste, the album consists of 10 tracks, produced by late Jazzist Andrea Allione and Paolo Conte.
Also, the song writer cum recording artiste and dancer disclosed that she was inspired by a Nigerian Reggae Star and multiple award winner Winning Jah, who noted the potentials of artistic career in her, when she first performed a live concert at theatre of Villar Perosa in Italy, with over 3,000 spectators alongside with late legend Jazzist, Andrea Allione, guitarist of the Mama Africa late legend Miriam Makeba and the living legendary Jazzist “Paolo Conte”.
It was gathered that the massive concert was organised by the Governor of Villar Perosa in Italy with the Collaboration of the famous musician, Winning Jah, Nigerian Reggae Super star from VP Records arms VPAL Music, also the CEO of AMC1D aiuta Bambini onlus, a global Charity organisation.
Winning Jah persuaded her to start her studio recordings, few days after the massive concert., Jah was so pleased with Olumireggae’s performance on stage, this fueled Jah in pleading to the late legend, to become Olumireggae’s mentor and producer, this was how the Nigerian female Singer Olumireggae recorded several singles, live albums on stage with Andea Allione and his band.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday in Abuja decried the unsuccessful prosecution of high-profile corruption cases in Nigeria.
Obasanjo expressed his displeasure while delivering the inauguration lecture of the Olusegun Obasanjo Good Governance and Development Research Centre, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
The title of the lecture is "Leadership, Governance and the Challenges of Development in Nigeria: The Way Forward.''
He regretted that in spite efforts by successive governments, corruption still posed a daunting challenge to the progress and development of Nigeria.
"The lack of successful prosecution of high-profile corruption cases involving Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) is giving serious course for concern, both for Nigerians and the international community.
"We must take away the proceeds of illicit enrichment and remove negative role models in our society.
"I know that each arm of government has its responsibility and we must respect the separation of powers under our constitution.
"At the same time, we must have an acute and common perception of our problem and do all that is necessary to mitigate the impact of corruption in our society.''
Obasanjo said that instead of pointing accusing fingers and passing the buck, Nigerians including the Church and the Mosque should all rise against corruption.
According to him, fighting corruption is not a popular agenda, but the apparent realisation of the negative impact of corruption has promoted the fight against corruption as a measure of good governance.
The former president said that the aim of fighting corruption was to correct certain wrong doings.
"The aim of fighting corruption is most importantly, to remedy the dark sides of bad governance, such as poverty, unemployment, hunger and disease; as well as improving the well-being of the citizens.
"Hence, we must pay equal attention to the economy which is the bedrock of all-round development.
"The beginning of getting leadership right is to make the electoral system transparent and credible to ensure that only the choices of the people are actually elected into electable political offices.
"People with integrity, vision, wisdom and purpose should be elected, not those who try to buy their way into leadership position,'' he said.
Obasanjo said that there was need to strengthen institutions saddled with responsibility of ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.
NOUN's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdalla Adamu, who spoke, said that the institution was concerned about solving the problem of leadership and good governance in Nigeria, which informed the establishment of the centre.
Adamu said that the centre was named after Obasanjo because he was a success story in democratic governance in Africa.
He said that Obasanjo demonstrated strong abhorrence for corruption hence the establishment of anti-graft agencies.
Adamu said NOUN decided to immortalise Obasanjo because he resuscitated the institution in 2003, after it was abandoned in 1984.
"He introduced the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) bill.
"He also went ahead to establish Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the first of its kind in Nigeria.
"He established due process to ensure transparency and accountability, which transformed into Bureau of Public Procurement.
"He established the Financial Intelligence Unit which helped the Ministry of Justice in the recovery of stolen fund—the highest sum recovered so far was during his tenure.
"He is currently pursuing his PhD in NOUN; he is not pursuing it because he needs money or job but because he needs knowledge,'' he said.
Adamu added that Obasanjo was one of the few presidents in Africa that went back to school after leaving office.
The Chairman of the occasion and former Ghanaian President, Mr John Mahama, said it was imperative for Nigerians to get its leadership right in order to lead Africa to greatness.
He said that the West African sub-region and Africa in general was looking up to Nigeria for economic integration and development.
On her part, the Chairlady of the Occasion and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Aloma Mukhtar, urged NOUN to ensure that the good governance centre lived up to expectation.
There was panic at the Iga Iduganran, Lagos Island palace of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu , following a fire out break at a section of the palace.
As at time of writing this report, details of its cause could not be ascertained. But Vanguard learned that it started at about 1.25 pm.
Information at Vanguard’s disposal said that smoke was sighted billowing from the roof of a section of the palace where the monarch’s traditional regalia were stored.
Oba Akiolu
An alarm which alerted palace guards was raised , in the process of which efforts were made to contain the fire from spreading to other sections.
Everyone in the palace were reportedly conducted to safer places until the arrival of fire men. The fire was said to have destroyed clothing materials, beads among other traditional regalia.
Contacted, South West spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency , Ibrahim Farinloye, described the incident as a minor one.
He said officials of the Federal and State Fire services brought the situation under control immediately they arrived the palace .
" The fire was contained within few minutes. There was no injury or casualty recorded", Farinloye said.
The Federal Government has directed the new board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to provide electricity to millions of Nigerians yet to be connected to the national grid.
Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power,Works and Housing, gave the task while inaugurating the board in Abuja on Tuesday.
Fashola said although the new members of the board had the required qualifications for the job, what mattered most was the delivery of the power to communities in the country.
"I think it is important to underline why we are here, and start with the common understanding of what our objective is; you know what is expected of you and you understand the necessity to succeed.
"Your qualifications, your experience , your achievements mean nothing, if these things do not deliver electricity to Nigerians who are in their millions and are yet to be connected to the national grid.
Fashola
"When I meet legislators they tell me that their communities have never been connected and I think we can make that to be a matter of history," he said.
Fashola said that over the years, government had tried to formulate policies and implement them, using the ministries.
He, however, said that the ministries were not necessarily well designed to formulate and implement policies at the same time.
He said many countries that had succeeded in various sectors of the economy had created separate agencies to help implement the policies of government.
"This is our policy we want a set of people to go and implement so that they don't get distracted with bureaucracy .
"Yes government has a policy for rural electrification, access to electricity for as many people as is possible; your responsibility is to go and achieve that," the minster maintained.
He said that the Federal Government would continue to make polices and provide enabling environment for the development of the power sector.
"We will continue to provide guidance; we will continue to help you get your budget through parliament; we will break down barriers for you, but really and truly, it is you who will do the work," Fashola said.
He expressed expectation that the new board would build on the legacy of the past management of REA, adding that the purpose of the agency was to provide electricity to Nigerians, especially to the rural communities.
According to him, one of the reasons responsible for the lack of electricity to many Nigerians is the high cost of connecting people, using the high tension wires.
"There are so many urban and rural communities that have not be connected to the grid and one of the reasons they have not been connected is that the high tension wires are often meant to cover many hundreds of kilometres and they are expensive to deploy to the small communities.
He, however, said that the REA would champion the connection of all unconnected communities.
The minister said that all the unconnected communities would look up to the REA to connect them, using the off grid connection.
Fashola also told the new board to focus on the implementation of grid extension policy in the rural electrification programme of government.
He said that about 2,000 grid extension projects were yet to be completed in the country, hence the need to focus on their completion.
The minster also said that the new management of REA should focus on the development of hydro dams for the provision of electricity to the rural people
He said that the construction of over 57 hydro dams was part of the anchor plan in the rural electrification programme of government.
Other areas of focus, according to him, is the development of Independent Power Plants (IPP) for the universities in the country.
He said that the envisaged development of the plants in 44 universities in the country was designed to provide electricity for the rural communities within the institutions.
He said that most of the plants due to be developed in the universities were solar-based, adding that 27 of the them had been initiated.
The minster thanked the Federal Government for appointing young people in the board of the REA.
Newsmen report that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the appointment of a new Board and Executive Management for the agency.
The new Chairman of the board is Mr Umaru Maza Maza, while the Managing Director is Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi.
Two Hundred and Sixty-Seven (267) Bachelor Degree holders in Education from the Faculty of Education and Arts, Ibrahim Babangida University, Lapai, were on Tuesday inducted into the teaching profession.
Mr Baba Apatu, the Institution Public Relations Officer said in a statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in Minna that the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) conducted the induction in Lapai, Niger.
Speaking while administrating oath of induction at the University , Prof Josiah Ajiboye, Registrar of the Council, charged the new members not to engage in any act that would undermine the teaching profession.
He said that the Teachers Council has the right to withdrawn the certificate of any teacher found wanting and necessary disciplinary measures would also applied.
He also enjoined the University management to introduce a training programme for faculty's members without teaching background.
In his remarks at the occasion, Prof. Mohammad Maiturare ,Vice-Chancellor of the University, assured the management of the Teachers Council of the University's support and cooperation to its activities at all times.
He said that effort would be made in due course to establish post doctoral Teaching Training programme for faculty members of the University without requisite teaching background.
Also speaking, the Dean Faculty of Education and Arts, Dr Mohammed Sabe, said that the induction exercise was a basic requirement for every professional teacher before being admitted into the Teachers Council.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday expressed confidence that closer partnership between his country and Somalia would enable them to overcome terrorism and other challenges facing the country.
He made the remark in Nairobi when he bid farewell to outgoing Somali Ambassador, Gamal Mohamed Hassan.
Kenyatta said he was particularly keen to see more coordination between the two countries in promoting peace.
He added that "I want to assure President Mohamed that he has a friend here. I like his approach of prioritising security and we will work together in this.''
The two countries had suffered from terrorism attacks from Al-Shabaab militants.
Kenyatta said he was also keen to work with his Somali counterpart in encouraging formal trade between the two countries.
"I look forward to opening one border post — either at Liboi or Mandera — with President Mohamed to encourage the people of our countries to do legal trade," President Kenyatta said.
"We need to work together to formalise the cross-border movement of our people," he added.
He noted that the two countries would be holding regular high-level meetings to enhance their cooperation, saying "Somalia's problem is also our problem".
Hassan, who was appointed a minister in the new Somali Federal Government, thanked Kenyatta and the people of Kenya for making his tour of duty successful.
A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
Abuja – Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria's Vice-President on Monday described Nigerian-cooked jollof rice as "the best in the world".
The Vice-President while speaking at "The Platform Nigeria," a Global Media live broadcast LIVE on Channels TV and online convened by Poju Oyemade, Senior Pastor of the Covenant Christian Centre, in Lagos said: "And by the way, we all know that Nigerian jollof rice is the best, we beat the Ghanaians and the Senegalese hands down."
"We have everything, and our people are doing incredibly innovative things.
"Our music and entertainment industry is the fastest growing in the world,and of course, nobody is as funny as Nigerians, whether professional or amateur,"he noted.
The VP also extolled Nigerians innovative feats in various fields,especially in recent times.
"Last year Oluyinka Olutoye, a Nigerian surgeon successfully took out a baby from her mother's womb, operated on the womb, and put the baby back in.
"The baby was carried full term and was born naturally — a feat previously unheard of.
"Only last year, a Nigerian girl Morolake Akinosun won a gold medal at the Olympics.
"Last Saturday, a Nigerian boxer Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua won the WBA, becoming the boxing champion of the world."
Jollof rice is a staple meal among Africans, however over the years, Nigerians, Ghanaians, Senegalese and other African countries have claimed to make the best of the meal.
Abuja – The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, on Monday blamed the disruption and protest by workers at the May Day celebration in Abuja on factions in the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
Cross section of riotous workers confronting the Police during the 2017 May Day Rally at the Eagle Square, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida
Ngige told newsmen on the sideline of the celebration that what happened was as result of infiltration by non-workers into the rally venue and not necessarily workers anger about minimum wage.
The event was disrupted for close to one hour by workers who barred government officials from delivering the speech from the federal government.
He said that the workers had no reason to be angry with the present administration because it had been very friendly with them.
"The Federal Government has been friendly to workers to the extent that it even went ahead and initiated the bailout fund.
"No government has done that before and that was because we did not want to lay off any worker.
"So what happened today is that some people who are not really workers infiltrated this arena and they started causing some problems.
"Be that as it may, we are going to address the issue of minimum wage, we are also going to address the issue of backlog of promotion areas and allowances of all sorts.
"We captured them in the 2016 budget but for some reasons the releases are not forthcoming but the president of the senate has assured us now.
"So we are going to capture them in the 2017 budget and once it's captured in the appropriation, the minister of finance will handle the rest."
Ngige insisted that the venue was infiltrated by non-workers due to some factionalisation within the labour federation, adding that the conclusion was reached based on intelligent report.
He said the issue of minimum wage was being delayed because the government employed what it called a tripartite negotiation also known as social dialogue so as to capture all sectors.
He said this was because the issue did not concern the government or public sector alone but also the private sector so it needed time to carry everybody along.
"We have finished the framework for the composition of the committee of the minimum wage and we have passed it round to government to source the requisite and qualified persons that will man this committee.
"We are going to address the issue of minimum wage; we are also going to address the issue of backlog of promotion arrears and allowances so workers should be patient and give us some time.
"Within the next quarter, the minimum wage committee will start functioning and in the next three months too backlog of all arrears and other allowances that are due to them will be paid,'' he said.
However, the President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba, and his counterpart, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Bobboi Kagama, said that Nigerian workers had expressed anger and disappointment on the non-implementation of the minimum wage thereby disrupting the 2017 May Day celebration.
According to them, workers have today expressed their sadness, challenges, as many of them have not earn their salaries, so it is a demonstration of anger on the situation in the country.
"The challenges workers are passing through are enormous, workers have expected that either the President or the Vice president would have been present to respond to workers yearning and anticipation.
"Workers attitude today have shown that it is an accumulation of anger, and that the economic situation is biting very hard on them as many of them cannot pay their bills."
Also, some workers who spoke with NAN believed that there was no infiltration of the venue by non workers as claimed by the minister but what played out was an accumulation of grievances against the government.
Mrs Asaba Lydia a unionist of the Nigeria Civil Service Union said the workers were taken for granted by the government thus the reason for sending representatives rather than coming themselves.
Lydia said the issue began with the minister's act by sending the permanent secretary to represent him while he represents the president, adding that it was not fair to the workers.
"A day such as this, the government could not even honour workers by attending the event themselves, if the president is not available what about the Vice President?
"We have tried to follow the norm as workers and it has not worked so now we are saying we are tired of failed promises, enough is enough ''
Mr Dassey Heblom, a civil servant, said they workers refused to listen to the speeches of the government officials because every year it had always been stories without action or implementation.
Heblom said workers were now aware of what was going on and thus would not stop asking for their rights for policy statements to be made and implemented.
"We are tired of talks, we want action, that is all we are saying, imagine we are even celebrating this day without salaries not to talk of the accumulation of unpaid allowances," he said.
Bloggers tend to challenge mainstream media organisations since the arrival of the internet, due to the attention they enjoy from the public. However mainstream media organisations are known for objectivity within the news industry.
In the bid to ensure professionalism within the news industry, Lagos lawyer and human right activist, Femi Falana, SAN, has urged the NUJ and other relevant bodies to go back to their drawing board to enable them check the recklessness of the social media publishers.
While noting that the media profession is very important to the socio-political development of every society.
"For me, anybody that is going to publish anything using online channel, should have a registered website and we must be able to trace them. Technology has gone beyond anybody just writing down anything as website.
Similarly the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, castigated the recklessness of the bloggers in his speech during the Annual National Conference and General Meeting of the NIPR held in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Thursday, 27 April 2017.
According to the minister of information, ”today anyone with a phone and data is a journalist”
Meanwhile the issue of professionals and amateurs still remain in the news industry, prompting question like who are bloggers, what are their level of education, which area do they specialize in.
The Chief Missioner of Nasrul-Lahi-l Fatih Society (NASFAT), Alhaji Abdullahi Gbade Akinbode has resigned his position as the spiritual head of the society.
This was contained in a release signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Banji Busari and sent to Vanguard.
According to the statement, “The leadership of Nasrul Lahi l Fatih Society (NASFAT) wishes to inform the public, all our stakeholders and particularly the entire Ummah that Alh Abdullah Akinbode has voluntarily stepped down from the position of Chief Missioner of the Society.
“His exit was contained in his letter of disengagement from the service of the Society which was dated 27th April 2017 and was addressed to the Society through the office of the General Secretary.
“Following the letter of acceptance of the Society to his declaration of disengagement of service, the position of the Chief Missioner has become vacant with effect from Friday 28th April 2017.
“Consequently, in line with Article 14.1.6 of the constitution of the Society, the National Executive Council has approved the appointment of the Deputy Chief Missioner Alh Mahroof Onike Abdul Azeez as the Acting Chief Missioner pending the emergence of a substantive Chief Missioner of the society.
Alh Abdullah Akinbode, the immediate past Chief Missioner, assumed the position in the year 2000, following the exit of the first Chief Missioner of the Society Late Alh Minihim Taiye Tijani. Alh Abdullahi Akinbode spent a period of 17 years in the position of Chief Missioner of the Society.
“We hereby acknowledge the immense contributions of Alh Abdullah Akinbode in the growth and development of the Society. “We wish him the best in his future endeavours.
The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun has said that if Nigeria spent money on the right things it will get the right result.
Kemi Adeosun speaking at The Platform, a programme organised by Covenant Christian Centre, Lagos, Monday said that now we are looking for money because during the boom years Nigeria did not spend the money its made on the right thing.
Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu who recently regained his freedom met with former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode at his Abuja residence today.
Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo, has debunked the statement made by the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Muhammed, last week at the CNN Richard Quest Means Business anchored in Lagos. Vice Osinbajo on Monday said that Nigeria makes the best Jollof Rice in Africa and beat down Ghanaians and the Senegalese hands down. Osinbajo made this remark at the Platform convened by Poju Oyemade, senior pastor of the Covenant Christian Centre, on the talk in ‘Nigeria Recovering from Economic Recession’.
Yemi Osinbajo
According to him, "We all know that Nigerian jollof rice is the best! We beat the Ghanaians and the Senegalese hands down."
Recall that Lai Muhammed has stated that Senegal in African continent makes the best Jollof Rice. However, his statement trailed mixed reactions from people who attended the occasion and perhaps those who could not. Vanguard gathered via the internet how people were disappointed at the minister’s response to the question, thus he should have ceased the opportunity to sale the made in Nigeria goods rather promoting another country.
Speaking on the economic recovery Osinbajo said, "We have everything, and our people are doing incredibly innovative things. For example, we are at the moment developing the most sophisticated animation technology in Africa," he said.
"Our music and entertainment industry is the fastest growing in the world. Nigerians have won every prize in literature, from the Noble prize to the Pulitzer.
"Only last year, a Nigerian girl won a gold medal at the Olympics, Morolake Akinosun. Last Saturday, a Nigerian boxer won the world heavyweight title. Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua won the WBA becoming the boxing champion of the world.
"Last year Oluyinka Olutoye, a Nigerian surgeon successfully took out a baby from her mother's womb, operated on the womb, and put the baby back in, and the baby was carried full term and was born naturally — a feat previously unheard of.
"And of course, nobody is as funny as Nigerians, whether profession or amateur. We even have a member of the national assembly who recently launched a CD; Aje kun iya ni o je. Who hasn't heard of Aje kun iya ni o je.
"We are the most innovative entrepreneurs. The other day someone showed me a text; the young man had invited him to a book launch titled: Seven Steps to Becoming a Professional Whistleblower.
"And by the way, we all know that Nigerian jollof rice is the best! We beat the Ghanaians and the Senegalese hands down”he said.
Former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has described security votes as the biggest source of waste in the country and asked that governors be made to account for them.
Obi, who also described security votes as unconstitutional, spoke at The Platform, a programme organised by Covenant Christian Centre, Lagos.
The former governor said: "Let me tell Nigerians; there is nothing in our constitution called security votes.
Anybody who tells you that is lying. It is a terminology that was formulated over the years from one thing or the other. What we have is contingency fund.
"I can say today that it is being abused, it has become our biggest source of waste. Security vote is not supposed to be more than two, three maximum four percent of security votes. Today it is 20, 30 percent of expenditure.
"Just to show you how bad it is, somebody told me that my security votes can be as much as N12 billion, So N1 billion per month. So I said fine, how much have we given to primary schools per year?
"They said we have 1,040 primary schools, I said, 'fine, if we give the primary schools five five million, it will amount to N5 billion per year'. We have 257 secondary schools, and I said we would give each N10 million per year, and these are things you can check.
"So they removed it from the remaining seven, and I said we have four critical hospitals built by the churches. We didn't have any school of nursing, school of midwifery when I started, and these hospitals were functional.
"Though they were not owned by government, I included one built by a bishop, and said we will share N1 billion with this five hospitals. By the time I finished, everything was reduced to about N2.5 billion. I said this is the maximum that we would allocate to security votes.
"Apart from Lagos, I provided the highest number of vehicles to police, bought vehicles for every community in Anambra. I had excess.
"From the excess, I gave N1 million to every Anabrarian (indigene of Anambra) that had a first class, which I did for about 500 of them, they are all over the place now.
"For me, there is need to review it, in fact, what I say to people is that when you finish being a governor, in Anambra State for example, where I finished, I should be invited to account for security votes. So that people will know that when you finish, you account for it
On Ikoyi money
"Let me tell you what is worrisome; well we don't know, they are still dealing with who owns the money or who doesn't own the money, but that will one day be clarified".
"Let me tell you where I am even worried. Why would anybody put it in such a circmstance, what if it caught fire? If that money was put in our banking system, whoever kept it would have earned eight percent per annum, so he would have earned about $7 million by now.
"$7 million is about N2.8 billion today. That is the amount I spent for all secondary schools in Anambra in a year. If he decided to be generous and give it to graduates, they would have shared it to 2,800 graduates, out of which 2,000 would have been successful.
"I live there, but having been governor of Anambra for eight years, I cannot live outside Anambra. The only place I have a house officially built is Onitsha, if you see any house in Lagos, Abuja or anywhere else belonging to Peter Obi, confiscate it. I lease that place for my wife and children."
"Ask those who searched it. I was abroad, they said they wanted to search my house, I sent the key, and they searched my whole apartment and I can tell you the only thing they found.
"They said this man doesn't live here. It was only his wife's clothes and shoes that we saw, we didn't see anything belonging to him.
Peter Obi wears only black shoes…
"I have said it to Nigerians, Peter Obi wears only black shoes, and I have two pairs of it, and I travel with it. The purpose of shoe is to protect the leg from being hurt. Nothing else. I bought this from Marks and Spencer, $49.99, finish.
"They said 'we didn't even see watch', and I have said it to everyone, this is the only watch I have, I have worn it for 17 years. The purpose of watch is to keep time. Why would I keep a watch at home? Whose time is it keeping?"
ABEOKUTA-Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun on Monday announced the pardon of three out of the remaining four workers earlier dismissed for an alleged misconduct during the World Teachers Day celebration in October last year.
Announcing the pardon in his address at the event to mark the workers Day, governor Amosun said, "the dismissed workers are pardoned, they will now proceed on retirement from the public service with full terminal benefits in accordance with the extant public service regulations.”
Those affected by the pardon are Messrs Dare Ilekoya, Eniola Atiku and Nola Balogun, while the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Akeem Ambali was left out in the pardon.
The Governor acknowledged the mediatory roles played by the National leadership of the labour unions, particularly the Comrade Michael Alogba-led NUT; the national leadership of the NLC and TUC, as well as revered Elders like Baba Olusegun Obasanjo and respected traditional rulers across Ogun State, amongst others.
The Governor added that, "the pardon does not apply to Mr. Akeem Ambali because, unlike the other three, he had approached the law courts to challenge his dismissal from the civil service. While all parties await the outcome of litigation, as a responsible and law-abiding administration, we cannot be seen to have taken any action on a matter that is already before a court of competent jurisdiction. That will be subjudice and an affront to the independence of the other arm of Government.”
Meanwhile, members of the NLC staged a walk out of the celebration ground, and did not partake in the march past.
Vanguard observed that the reason for their walk out was to protest the failure of the government to pardon its state NLC chairman.
The Governor commended the state work force for their support for his administration, adding that 2016 was a challenging year both for the state and federal government.
He further reiterated his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, noting that efforts would be geared towards paying deductions and gratuities which were in arrears.
Amosun stressed that the State government was expecting some money from the FG and assured that if they received it, it would be channel to pay the backlog deductions.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Olubunmi Fajobi who also read the speech of his NLC counterpart, Ambali urged the government to address the issue of the unpaid 13 months deductions, allowances and check-off-dues.
Ambali in his reaction said the NLC would continue to dialogue with the government to resolve the crisis, he however commended the government for the pardon of the workers.
He urged the government to accommodate workers in its governance
Abuja – Federal Government on Monday in Abuja assured the Nigeria workers of speedy passage of the new National Minimum Wage.
Prseident Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari said this in a message to workers on the occasion marking the 2017 May Day Rally with the theme, "Labour Relations in Economic Recession: An Appraisal".
"I am happy to inform you that Government will give expeditious consideration to the proposal contained in the Technical Committee's Report which was submitted to it on April 6, 2017.
"Government will take necessary steps to implement the final recommendation of the Main Government/Labour Committee as it relates to the setting up the new National Minimum Wage Committee and the needed palliatives.
"This is in order to reduce the discomfort currently being experienced by the Nigerian working class.
"I want to assure you that government will continue to do all at its disposal to better the lots of all Nigerians and more importantly to provide a commensurate welfare for all Nigerian workers, "he said.
He said that he was aware that the economic recession in the country has huge implication for the seamless conduct of industrial relations.
He noted that this arises from the fact that the economic recession by its nature was characterised by a substantial risk of the "vicious circles of low- productivity.
He said others are mass retrenchment of workers and closure of workplaces due to high cost of doing business, unregulated subcontracting and outsourcing with its consequences on welfare of workers among others.
According to him, in the face of these inevitable challenges, you have shown maturity and understanding in spite of the situation in which we found ourselves.
"I strongly salute your great sense of patriotism and loyalty to the country, "he said.
President Buhari however, called for effective deployment of labour relations, an amalgamated approach that would be used in creating a conducive work environment that would attract foreign investment for wealth creation.
He called on government, workers and employers to work together to put out the economy from the recession.
"Therefore, I called on the organised labour to continue to partner with this administration by resorting to social dialogue as an indispensable tool for conflict resolution
"Today, we stand in solitary with workers all over the world to commemorate this historic Day which marked a turning point in the economies of the nations and the welfare of the working class, "he added.
He commended the organised labour for their support and encouragement to the administration's fight against corruption which was the bane of sustainable economic development.
He added that, "my commitment to fight against corruption is total and irreversible. We must fight corruption before it destroys us.
"As a matter of fact, the workers should be in the forefront of activities in the realisation of the WhistleBlowing Policy of this Administration, "he said.
He called for support and cooperation while adding that government was determined to restore growth, investment in people and also building a global competitive economy to its full realisation.(NAN).
The ‘Bank Alert’ gospel version crooner and Gee Jay’s manager, Adebayo Adebisi professionally known as TTY Noni, is finally married.
The Nigerian multi talented singer, producer and multiple award winner recently got married to Eki, a Nigerian female stylist and entrepreneur on the 30th April 2017 at Christian pentecostal ministry Cpm Torino (Italy).
Recall that there had been several social media gossip earlier this year about the Star’s affair with the Bank allert gospel version crooner, Gee Jay who was recently featured by P.Square Okoye,
The CEO of Funky4entertainment has resolved the social media’s curiosity as he invited hundreds of celebrities and showbiz gurus in the Nigerian entertainment Industry.
Winning Jah’s famous song Mr Cock was repeatedly played as the anthem of the beautiful day.
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state, yesterday, succumbed to the pressure from workers in the state, to enter into a fresh agreement with the workers against the 70/30 payment of salaries in the state.
It was like a drama, irrespective of the low turn out at the Heroes square, venue of this year’s workers day, while the governor was delivering his speech the workers were agitating.
Okorocha who could not control the level of agitation, asked the workers several questions which bordered on their welfare.
However, concluded that the end to “the level of suffering of workers in the state will be solved by entering into a new agreement to see how the workers will start receiving 100 percent of their salaries.
“I say this because the 70 percent for workers and 30 percent for government based on the allocation coming to the State is not favouring the workers.”
“I will also lift ban on promotion because there are so many vacancies in the the ministry. Let me also tell you that we are employing 3,200 workers to join the civil servants job.”
But Okorocha insisted that ” any government establishment making money should be able to pay themselves.”
Earlier in his speech, the Imo state Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Austin Chilakpu, among other issues said:” The Imo workers gathered here today are highly expectant from the governor for the restoration of 100 percent salary to all categories of workers.
“It would be be recalled that since January 2016, the Imo workers have received between 70-80 salaries. This they have done as part of the sacrifice to cushion the effects of the economic recession.
“The National economy has made good improvements in recent times, steering it away from the recession. It is our expectation that these improvements would reflect on the lot of the workers.
“It has been the position of labour that sacking or suspension of workers, and cutting or non-payment of pensioners is not part of the solution to the economic recession.”
Chilakpu also punctured the position of the government that it has paid workers in the state up to date.
Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua can be a “flag-bearer” for boxing in the way Tiger Woods was for golf, according to one of Britain’s top sports promoters.
Anthony Joshua and Tiger Woods
Joshua was widely acclaimed for his stunning 11th-round stoppage of Wladimir Klitschko in a world heavyweight title bout at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
The former Olympic champion’s victory was soon heralded as a boxing classic, with the 27-year-old Briton now holding several versions of the world heavyweight title.
“All sports need flag-bearers,” said Barry Hearn, the chairman of Matchroom Sport, an agency whose boxing division, headed up by his son Eddie, manages Joshua.
“The Joshua effect is very similar to the Tiger Woods effect in golf, where people who are not so interested suddenly become interested, where young people become aspirational to follow in someone’s footsteps,” added the 69-year-old Barry Hearn, who made his name managing snooker star Steve Davis before branching out into boxing and darts.
“For that they need a role model and Joshua is the finest role model I have seen in sport, period. He’s number one,” said the veteran English sports impressario.
“It can also have an effect on other boxers, on the whole concept of boxing as a sport, of the social benefits and of the opportunity that exists for kids that live the right life. On a social level it’s a watershed moment in terms of perception for the sport.”
Hearn, a lifelong boxing fan, said last weekend’s bout was one of the best he could recall and was fit to be ranked alongside the classic 1970s trio of heavyweight fights between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
“I’ve been following fights since I was nine years old, listening and studying the game and it delivered on all fronts,” said Hearn, who took time out from presiding over snooker’s World Championship in his role as chairman of World Snooker, to be at ringside.
“I think it was one of the best heavyweight fights. I always thought Ali-Frazier — the trilogy was the best, but of course there was only one knockdown in the first one, (the 1971 ‘Fight of the Century’ at New York’s Madison Square Garden which Frazier won on points).
“I spoke to (former champion) Evander Holyfield on Saturday night and said to him, ‘Can you remember a world title fight when both heavyweights went down?’, and between us we couldn’t. I was going back in my mind to the Jack Dempsey era (of the 1920s),” said Hearn.
The governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El Rufai has revealed that his administration has almost doubled the enrolment of school age children from 1.1 Million to 2.1 sine he took over the governance of the state almost two years ago.
In a message to workers during this year’s May day celebration, the governor commended workers in the state for their dedication to the development and unity of Kaduna State.
In a statement signed by governor El Rufai’s spokesman , Samuel Aruwan, the governor noted that workers in all sectors of the economy have continued to make great contribution to the development of the state.
"The Government appreciates the support of the workers since 2015. The successful launch of the Kaduna State Public Service Revitalization and Renewal Project owes much to the support and cooperation of our work force.
"The Kaduna State Government is determined to restore the public service as the facilitator of good governance. Every government relies on the public service for its governance agenda, and its success in realizing its programmes depends on the quality and commitment of the service.
"The provision of public goods is one key way of appreciating the sacrifices of workers. Improving access to education and healthcare are priorities fir this government. Already, we have increased enrolment in public primary schools from 1.1million to 2.1million. The state is about to launch a contributory health insurance scheme, and a bill to this effect is being considered by the state House of Assembly” he said.
With barely two weeks to the opening matches of the group stage of the Total CAF Champions League 2017 and Total CAF Confederation Cup 2017, the participating clubs are already rearing to go.
The Managers of the 32 clubs, 16 for each competition, attended a one-day Team Managers Workshop held on Thursday, 27 April 2017 at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
The event, organized on the heels of the draw of the group phase 24-hours earlier, provided an opportunity for the officials of the qualified clubs to discuss the organizational and logistical issues including Marketing, Media, Refereeing and Security.
It also served a platform for the club officials to exchange ideas and share experiences amongst others with respect to the organization at this level especially for clubs, who will be making their debuts at the pool stage.
"This workshop is very important since the clubs get to know everything about the group phase of the Total CAF Champions League 2017 and Total CAF Confederation Cup 2017. This year's is significant because the group stage now has 16 clubs and there are going to be some innovations in terms of organization," said CAF Acting General Secretary, Essam Ahmed in his remark to the participants.
On the sidelines of the workshop now an annual affair, the participants had luncheon with CAF President Ahmad, after outlining his vision to them in a brief meeting, moments after the draw.
Meanwhile, the Team Doctors of qualified clubs will take part in a Medical Seminar from 1-3 May 2017, at the CAF Centre of Excellence in Mbankomo, Cameroon, to discuss medical related to the two competitions.
Urges Workers to embrace the Change begins with me" campaign of the Federal government
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA- MINISTER of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Malam Mohammad Musa Bello has urged Workers in the Federal Capital Territory to use the occasion of the Labour Day celebrations to reflect on the virtues of patriotism, selflessness and improved service delivery to residents of the FCT in particular and the nation in general.
The Minister who appealed to all workers to reciprocate the good gesture of the Administration by demonstrating greater dedication to duty, transparency and devotion to the task of national development, asked them to embrace the "Change begins with me" campaign designed to give a new national orientation to all Nigerians.
In a message to mark the 2017 May Day Celebrations in the Territory, the Minister who described the workers as the heroes, whose sweat and sacrifices oil the wheels of national development, noted that the crucial role of workers in the task of nation-building cannot be over emphasized saying it can only be likened to the goose that lay the golden eggs, which deserve the best the nation can give.
Bello said, “Workers keep our taps, hospitals, schools and transport services running. They build and maintain our roads, bridges, and general infrastructure. Workers are the first responders in times of emergencies and natural disasters. They clean our surroundings and ensure we pass the legacy of a healthy environment to the future generation. They are indeed the geese that lay the golden eggs and certainly deserve the best the nation can give”.
The Minister who noted that as part of efforts to enhance the welfare of workers, the FCT Administration recently commissioned a fleet of 25 number high capacity staff buses intended to assist the staff with easier and cheaper means of movement to work and back home, said, ” the Administration has ensured that salaries and allowances of workers are paid promptly and regularly, many staff of all cadre have had their skills improved through our training and capacity building initiative, while this year's promotion exercise is on-going.”
ABUJA – The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday, described as unfriendly the situation of Nigerian workers, demanding increase in their salaries.
The joint labour unions in the country has recommended the increase in salary as part of their demands as they joined their counterparts globally to celebrate the 2017 Workers Day.
The President, Youth Wing of CAN (YOWICAN), Engr. Daniel Kadzai noted that, workers whose sweat serve as lubricant for the country’s economy should not be treated like third class citizens.
In a statement signed in Abuja, Kadzai while expressing solidarity with the untiring labor, commitment and sacrifice of Nigerian workers, said it was unfortunate that “workers are the victims of government and private sector abuses.
“Abuse in the form of denied or delayed wages, delayed gratuity and pensions. Government policies and corruption has led to a questionable privatization that destroyed our textile mills, sugar and steel factories to mention a few.
“While saluting the courage and patience of workers in a cash strap, inflationary economy we demand that government should increase the salary of workers, balance the economy as well as check the growing margin between income earners.
“However, it is sad to mention the unpatriotic incessant and protracted strike by some sectors of the labour union. Should soldiers and Police go on strike what will be made of our society? What moral right then should Doctors and even learned lawyers who swore to professional oath embark on strike.
“While commemorating and celebrating workers day, we observe with sadness the relationship between the soaring unemployment and the increase in crime and general social vices.
“We therefore strongly demand that the federal government through its agency should immediately commence the probe of all state government utilization of the bail out funds. State government should publicly account for how they spend public funds in their trust or be jailed.”
Workers of Enugu State, Monday, conferred on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi the "Most Labour-friendly Governor Award in the history of Enugu State" in recognition of his administration's development strides and commitment to their welfare, despite the severe economic crisis in the country.
The Gov. of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (centre), State Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Chukwuma Igbokwe (right), the State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Virginus Nwobodo and other labour members of the State………..
The state workers, who were visibly joyful, noted that the award was also in appreciation of the governor's sustained harmonious industrial relationship with the state work force, such as regular payment of salaries, pensions and other allowances on or before every 25th of the month, when many other states could not do so.
The ceremony, which climax was a match past by all the unions under the various ministries, parastatals, agencies, among others, witnessed for the first time, the pensioners of the state participating in the exercise in a joyful mood.
In his welcome address, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Virginus Nwobodo, commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for his administration's feats in the prudent and transparent management of the Paris Club refund, especially the use of 100 % of the Local Governments' share of the fund to offset the arrears of LG workers' salaries and some pensions arrears owed pensioners in the 17 councils of the state.
Comrade Nwobodo , also added that the governor as a labour-friendly governor, has made the workers proud through "the promotion of teachers and recruitment of over 1300 primary school teachers as well as elongation of the terminal grade of qualified primary school teachers to level 16; absorption of 54% of total cost of the 100 housing units at Elim Estate allocated to workers within the junior and intermediate grades; implementation of 2006 approved scheme of service for local government employees in the state through the release of senior staff promotions with qualified workers progressing to grade 16 in all the departments; successful conduct of Biometric exercise at the state, among others.
While listing some demands, the labour leader, assured the governor of their support and cooperation, and called on the workers to sustain their current efforts towards service delivery for the benefit of the state.
The state Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe also applauded the governor for "the transparent disbursement of the N4.2 billion bailout fund for arrears of salaries and pensions of the state public servants" and "the ongoing massive infrastructural development in parts of Enugu metropolis and across the 17 local government areas of the state" in line with the vision to open up more rural areas for socio-economic expansion.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (left), receiving the Most Labour-freindly Governor award by the state’s Organized Labour from the state chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Virginus Nwobodo (right), and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe, during the 2017 Workers’ Day celebration at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, yesterday.
He also appreciated the governor for always identifying with the workers, saying that "Governor Ugwuanyi is the only governor who has attended the May Day celebration consecutively since the inception of his administration".
In his response, Gov. Ugwuanyi who was delighted to see the pensioners participating in the match past with smiling faces, thanked the state chapter of the NLC for the honour bestowed on him barely a year the national body of the congress did same.
Describing Enugu State workers as "committed allies in the struggle to make the State a better place for all citizens", Gov. Ugwuanyi noted that "while others are lamenting the harsh effects of the recession, we are forging ahead in all areas of development and strengthening the bonds that tie us together. Even our pensioners are not left out in the celebration of this new dawn as they now receive their pensions regularly".
"We know of course, that these achievements are the result of our collective efforts as people of one family. You have indeed been there for us from the very first day. You have shown us understanding and patience and have freely given us your cooperation as we sought to navigate our way through the very difficult economic and social conditions that we met.
"I have nonetheless, taken due note of all the areas of concern that you have dutifully outlined and I want to assure you that, despite the daunting economic challenges currently facing us, the God that fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish, will also make it possible for us to address and resolve these issues satisfactorily and comprehensively", the governor stated.
All relevant documents relating to what transpired from the NIA, EFCC, ONSA, SGF office in the custody of Osinbajo led committee
As Committee winds up Wednesday
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA- AS the Presidential Panel investigating the $43 million cash found in a luxury apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos and the N220 million meant for welfare of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs in North East led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo continues its assignment, fresh facts have emerged that top National Intelligence Agency, NIA officials have distanced themselves from the suspended Director-General, Ambassador Ayo Oke.
According to the source, those who decided to leave the embattled Oke to be on his own against the backdrop that h acted alone, include his two Deputy Directors General and other top management staff.
The source told Vanguard that the deputy Directors -General and the top management took the decision because they were particularly angry with the suspended DG because according to them, he brought the Agency and Intelligence community into what they described as total disrepute.
According to them, his failure to make full disclosure to the National Security Adviser, NSA, Major General Babagana Monguno and President Muhammadu Buhari, were acts of disloyalty, conspiracy and subversion, adding that the sources of the money and custody were not known either to the NSA or the President, as Amb. Oke sidelined his management in strategic policy decisions.
The source said, ” He alone should carry his cross. It was a clear case of divided loyalty because he was appointed by President Jonathan and retained by President Buhari. His conduct was not guided by the professional guidelines, otherwise he would have been honest to inform the President and the NSA.”
Meanwhile, as Osibanjo’s panel is due to wind up its assignment on Wednesday, more facts are emerging from the Committee’s investigation.
A source told Vanguard that Vice President Yemi Osibanjo led Committee which was mandated by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate Osborne towers money scam associated with the suspended DG NIA Amb. Ayo Oke is making a steady progress on the assignment.
Sources close to the committee disclosed that all relevant documents relating to what transpired from the NIA, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC; Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF office are in the custody of the committee.
A specific reference was in respect of a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari dated 24th March 2016, in which the National Security Adviser reported the uncovering of a huge sum of money released to DG NIA by Jonathan’s administration in 2015.
In this regard, the DG NIA was confronted with and his response was that the money was released for some major projects to mark the agency's 30th anniversary.
In concluding the said letter, General Monguno raised an issue that "however the noble objectives surrounding the anniversary projects and related covert Operations, there is possibility for the process to be misused or abused in the future by the NIA leadership"
In a related development, another document was a correspondence letter by the NSA to DG NIA Ref NSA/332/5 Dated 17th May 2016.
The NSA wrote "please recall that on February 2016 I empanelled and mandated a three (3) Man Verification team to conduct comprehensive assessment of the NIA projects in Lagos and Abuja. In view of the foregoing and in accordance with the legal and constitutional guarantees relating to the establishment structure, composition and duties of the NIA enshrined in subsection 1 and 2 of the instrument no 1 of the National Security Agencies Decree (CAP 278 LFN), quote the instrument in full. The office of the NSA shall henceforth take on the task of verifying the current state of the projects and associated records"
He concluded "in the context of these oversight functions, the NIA hereby requires availing the NSA regular updates on these projects until completion".
Another source at the NIA, said apart from conflict of interest, when Amb. Oke used his wife's company for the Osborne flat, neither the two Deputy Directors General at the NIA, nor its management were privy to what Amb. Oke was doing.
According to the source, “there was a sense of personal gratitude to former President Goodluck Jonathan for appointing him DG, NIA and his decision not to make full disclosure to President Buhari and the NSA borders on disloyalty, conspiracy and criminal concealment of information to superior authority the source stated.
”He further disclosed that Documents at the disposal of the committee speaks for itself, even if the relevant authorities were informed on the projects on ground, it was incontrovertible that only one man concealed to himself the custody and knowledge of the huge amount taken privately. He never disclosed to anybody within and outside the agency the whereabouts of such huge amount at his disposal kept unlawfully. Also there was no record in the NIA indicating the Ikoyi flat as a safe house or operational base of the agency.”
