Author: multiplat

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (middle); former governor of the old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo (2nd right); his wife, Pat (right); and Nsukka Local Government Chairman, Barr. Ibeziako Ugwueze (left) during the burial ceremony of late Fidelis Okoro at Nru Nsukka, Enugu State

By Ikechukwu Odu and Chinenye Ozor

The congregation who gathered at Agu Nru Nsukka, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State on Friday to pay their last respect to late Senator Fidelis Okoro were surprised to see a catechist officiate the burial mass even in the presence of the Parish Priest of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Nru, Nsukka, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Isife.

The parish priest, after watching the catechist struggle-through the requiem mass which was attended by dignitaries, only handled the microphone when the mass has ended to inform the congregation that the “State of the late Senator was enough homily for everyone.”

Embittered by the development, the senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Chuka Utazi, told the congregation that it was not within the powers of the living to judge the dead.

The Senator who took the posture of a man of God during the outburst alluded to the two thieves who repented at the point of the crucifixion with Jesus Christ, saying it was not within the powers of the living to judge the dead.

Also speaking in the same vein, the former governor of the old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, urged the congregation to pray for the happy repose of Okoro, instead of condemning him for his shortcomings on earth saying “only Jesus Christ can judge him, not his fellow human being.”

“When I was the governor of the old Anambra State, my youngest commissioner who worked assiduously was Senator Fidelis Okoro. He was my son.

“When he contested the Senatorial election to represent Enugu North Senatorial District, he won the first time but faced opposition when he wanted to recontest for the second tenure. I waded in and ensured that he won; not just for the second term but three times. He was great statesman,” he also said.

While speaking to Vanguard, the member representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency in the House of the Representatives, Pat Asadu, described late Okoro as a leader and a rugged politician.

READ ALSO: NDDC N20m to Lawmakers: List names of Senators or keep quiet, Senate tells Ojougboh

Asadu said that the late Senator died at a time when the district needed his fatherly advice in the politics of the state and Nigeria at large, adding that he would be sourly missed.

He also said ” When I was a practising medical doctor, he convinced me that I could be useful in politics. Okoro helped in the formation of the political structure of this district.”

Dignitaries who attended the burial ceremony include Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; the former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Edward Ubosi; member representing Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency in the House of the Representatives, Simon Atigwe among others.

The late Senator was not in the good books of the people following his anti-human policies while he was in active politics.

Vanguard News Nigeria

File: Lawyers

The second term bid of the Executive Chairman of Udu Local Government Council Hon. Chief Jite Brown (JP) got another boost yesterday as members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Udu branch endorsed him to run for a second term.

Speaking on behalf of the Udu NBA, the Chairman of the group Mr. Patrick Mekako Esq during  a  courtesy  visit, revealed that the group unanimously agreed to endorse Jite as a result of his developmental strides cum bringing the security challenges of Udu Local Government Council under control.

READ ALSOInmate recently pardoned allegedly rapes 4yr-old girl in Bauchi mosque

 Mekako who eulogized the Udu Council Boss for rehabilitating the Udu Express Road before the State Government’s intervention, thanked Hon. Chief Jite Brown for providing Palliative Items worth millions of naira to the 32 Communities of Udu during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Jite Brown deserves a second term for donating medical equipments worth thousands of naira to some Health care centres of Udu and for donating a land to the Udu branch of the NBA at Otor-Udu”. Mekako said, while also thanking the Chief security Officer of Udu Local Government Council for the barricade he provided for the Udu bridge, sponsorship of Udu sons and daughters for various Skill acquisition programmes, appointing one of their members Barrister Elohor Awinoro as the Secretary to Udu Local Government Council, among other achievements affirmed that “One good turn deserves another.

On his part Hon. Chief. Jite while thanking the group for the courtesy visit and his endorsement said the Safety of lives and properties of Udu people are his topmost priority as he promised to work in synergy with the Udu branch of Nigeria Bar Association.

By Charly Agwam

The Nigeria Police, Bauchi State Command has confirmed the arrest of an alleged serial rapist, Yusuf Bako who reportedly raped a four years old girl in a mosque

According to a press statement released on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, Ahmed Wakil, Bauchi police team rescued Bako from an angry mob after he had sustained various degrees of injuries.

“On the 03/09/2020 at about 11:30hrs, one Jamilu Abdullahi ‘M’ of Igbo quarters reported at the Township Police Station that on same date at about 09:20hrs that angry mob were beating an unknown person at Aminu street, after which a team of police officers moved to the scene and rescued the suspect with various degree of injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.

READ ALSO: Ned Nwoko donates Mosque, says Islam is a religion of peace

“The suspect whom we identified as Yusuf Bako ‘M’ aged 50 years of Yakubu Wanka Street Bauchi, lured a girl aged 4 years to a Mosque located at Aminu Street and “had carnal knowledge with her”. Yusuf Bako confessed to the crime. When interrogated he stated that he was arrested and imprisoned in the year 2001 and 2015 for the same offence. He further claimed that he was among the fortunate inmates recently pardoned by the State on the eve of Coronavirus,” he said.

Wakil further said the Commissioner of Police, Lawan Jimeta appealed to the public to continue exercising their civil responsibility by pointing and giving vital information that may help the police in its operations to rid the state of all forms of crime and criminality.

Vanguard News Nigeria

Just over half of young adult Americans live with their parents, an unprecedented proportion that is doubtless linked to the coronavirus but also reflects a deeper trend, researchers said Friday.

Between February and May, the share of 18-29 year-olds living with at least one parent rose from 47 per cent to 52 per cent and stayed at that level through July.

The data, released by the Pew Research Center, means 26.6 million young adults in the US have their parents for roommates.

The study is based on data gathered by the US Labor Department during its monthly survey of a representative sample of 60,000 people.

The rise was most marked among 18-24 year-olds, with 71 per cent of them living with their parents in July, up from 63 per cent in February.

ALSO READ: How Americans react to choice of black woman as VP hopeful

Among ethnic groups, the breakdown showed that the trend was strongest inside the Hispanic community, with 58 per cent of adults aged between 18 and 29 living with their father, mother or both.

Even though the increase was pushed by the pandemic as young adults struggled to get by, it is part of a longer-term pattern, Pew says.

Despite more than 10 years of economic growth before the Covid-19 outbreak hit the United States, the number of young adults living outside their family circle had diminished in recent years.

The 47 percent already living with their parents before the pandemic represented the highest rate since the Great Depression in the 1930s, although the figures were collected less frequently then.

In the 1960s, 70s and 80s the proportion of young adults living with parents fell to below 35 percent.

[AFP]

Vanguard News Nigeria.

…Judge says Nig established fraud case against P&ID


…As presidency welcomes judgement

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri and Johnbosco Agbakwuru

The Commercial Court of England, on Friday, granted the Federal Government of Nigeria leave to challenge the $9.6billion arbitrary award to Process and Industrial Developments Limited, P&ID, over a botched gas supply and processing agreement.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, who made the disclosure in a statement that was signed by his media aide, Dr. Umar Gwandu, described the decision of the English Court to allow Nigeria to challenge the judgement debt placed on it over three years ago, as “unprecedented”.

According to the statement, the Court, allowed Nigeria to challenge the verdict, “well outside the normal time limits, due to the exceptional circumstances where the FRN has uncovered evidence of a massive fraud in procuring the award”.

“The Court heard evidence from the FRN and the offshore shell company,

P&ID, in relation to the gas supply and processing agreement (GSPA), which the parties entered into 10 years ago and which was never performed”, it added.

Malami noted that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, having inherited the dispute from the previous administration, “only recently uncovered evidence that the GSPA was a sham commercial deal designed to fail from the start, and that its subsequent arbitral award was based on fraud and corruption”.

He said Nigeria relied on a number of ongoing investigations across multiple jurisdictions, including the US, to build its case.

“During the hearing, new evidence was presented to further support Nigeria’s challenge.

“The FRN will now proceed to a full trial of the issues, where the FRN’s substantive application to finally set aside the award will be heard, thereby recording a major success considering the fact that the Federal Government exceptional circumstances application to have its challenge taken well outside the normal time limits is upheld on account of uncovered evidence of massive fraud in procuring the award.

READ ALSO: $9.6bn fine: Count me out of your dubious scheme to defraud Nigeria – Malami replies P&ID

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria is pleased with the outcome from the High Court hearing today.

“This is a major victory in our ongoing fight against the vulture-fund-backed P&ID, to overturn the injustice of the multi-billion dollar arbitral award.

However, the Presidency yesterday welcomed the judgment by the UK Court, saying the judgement is right.

In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, it said:  “In our view, the judgment is right, just and provides a strong prima facie case that the fraudulent gas deal with P&ID and the subsequent judgment debt of $10 billion against Nigeria was a clear attempt to cheat the country of billions of dollars by a company that had not invested one Naira in our country.

“On the arbitration award, it is a source of huge satisfaction that the UK Court, among others, had ruled that:

“Nigeria has established a strong prima facie case that the Gas Supply and Processing (GSPA) was procured by bribes paid to insiders as part of a larger scheme to defraud Nigeria.

“There is also a strong prima facie case that (P&ID) main witness in the arbitration, Mr Quinn, gave a perjured evidence to the Tribunal, and that contrary to that evidence, P&ID was not in the position to perform the contract.”

“The Presidency expresses delight with the processes that led to this outcome in the English Court, noting that it has given relief to the Nigerian government to further protect our national assets from criminally-minded organisations and individuals.

“The views of the UK court thus provide sufficient grounds for the Federal Government to go ahead and challenge the frauds perpetrated by the company and overturn the arbitration award.

“President Muhammadu Buhari therefore commends the team of lawyers who represented Nigeria in the matter with P&ID, and reassures all well-meaning Nigerians and the international community of his unwavering commitment to fight corruption in all its forms and manifestation.”

Vanguard

The President of Ghana, Prof. Nana Akufo-Addo, has expressed the government’s readiness to reconsider the one million dollars capital base for foreign traders, as enshrined in the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Act 2013.

Akufo-Addo gave the assurance in a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabimila, on Friday in Jubilee House in Ghana.

In a statement by the Spokesman for the house, Rep. Benjamin Kalu (APC-Abia), at the end of ‘Legislative Diplomacy Bilateral’ meeting between Nigeria and Ghana, Akufo-Addo pledged to implement the resolutions reached.

The legislative diplomacy dialogue became imperative as the parliaments of the two countries sought modalities to resolve challenges and provide an enabling business environment for foreign traders, including Nigerians, doing business in Ghana.

It could be recalled that several foreign businesses, including many Nigerian businesses, in Ghana have been facing challenges with regard to the implementation of the GIPC law.

The statement quoted Akufo-Addo as saying that Gbajabiamila’s request for a review of the GIPC Act was in order “as it makes a lot of sense”.

He endorsed Gbajabimila’s proposal for the operation of a ‘Nigeria-Ghana Business Council’ established by law in both countries.

The president suggested the setting up of a joint ministerial committee between both countries to spearhead issues between Ghana and Nigeria.

He told Gbajabiamila that he would also raise the issue with President Muhammadu Buhari when they meet at the ECOWAS Summit on Monday.

“I think the way forward, which is really what matters in situations like this, is what is being suggested, one that I find very acceptable, the idea of legislation.

“A Nigeria-Ghana business council that will superintendent trade matters and investment matters between our two countries may be long overdue.

“The time has come for us to take these worthwhile steps.

“I suggested to Mr. President (Muhammadu Buhari) that it will be a good idea to set up a joint ministerial committee of ministers from both sides who will be responsible for shepherding Ghana and Nigeria issues, reporting to both presidents at any one time, and that is how they should be resolved.

“I am hoping when I see him (Buhari) on Monday for the ECOWAS summit, we can advance these discussions and come to a final conclusion,” Akufo-Addo was quoted as saying.

READ ALSO: Gbajabiamila asks Ghana to revisit law on $1m business capital

Earlier, Gbajabiamila, told the Ghanaian President that he led a Nigerian parliamentary delegation to Ghana to make efforts through parliamentary diplomacy to resolve the issues at stake.

According to him, the Nigerian parliamentary delegation has appealed to its Ghanaian counterpart for a possible review of the GIPC Act.

“We have proffered a few suggestions, one of which is the establishment of Ghana/Nigeria Business Council backed by legislation on both sides,” Gbajabiamila said.

Meanwhile, a communiqué was issued jointly at the end of the bilateral meeting between members of the two Parliaments led by their respective Speakers, Gbajabiamila and Prof. Mike Oquaye.

The lawmakers resolved that measures would be adopted to support law-abiding traders to properly regularise their business operations and also alleviate trade challenges occasioned by the alleged closure of the retail stores.

The resolutions were reached in view of the ravaging impact of COVID-19 pandemic on businesses and families in both countries.

Vanguard News Nigeria

Gov. Samuel Ortom on Friday in Zaki-Biam,  commissioned the 47.7 km Zaki-Biam-Afia/Gbeji  road estimated at  N3.8b in Ukum Local Government Area of the state.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ortom was on an  inspection tour  of projects undertaken by his administration, cited within the Sankera axis of  Benue North East Senatorial District of the state.

He had earlier inaugurated the renovated Central Primary School and Mbaton -Amaafu electricity projects cited in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.

Performing the two ceremonies in Katsina-Ala local government area and  Zaki Ibiam  in Ukum and local government area, Ortom disclosed that there were “numerous projects scattered across the State awaiting to be commissioned”.

He said he would commission all the projects in the coming days,  adding that the school projects were executed with counterpart funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

On the the Zaki/-Ibiam -Afia/ Gbeji road, the governor said the project would boost the socio-economic wellbeing of the entire people of Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala local government areas.

He commended the senator, representing Benue North East, Gabriel Suswam,  for initiating the road project in 2008, when he was governor of the state.

READ ALSO: Water Resources bill: I’ll sue FG, NASS — GOV ORTOM

Recounting his achievements, Ortom said his administration had already  built and renovated over 1000 blocks of classrooms, procured over 70,000 desks and chairs for primary school pupils.

He disclosed that the state had another N4 billion ready for the execution of more school projects in the State.

“For me I felt that there was no need wasting money for the commissioning of projects but since I have been accused of not executing any projects, I have decided to go round the state and commission them. I have many completed projects.

“Our aim is for the primary schools, which is the basic foundation for learning, should be the strongest sector in the education sector.”

Ortom said that his administration had approved  another round of amnesty to the youths in Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala local government areas.

He, however, warned that those who might refuse to  submit their arms this time would face dire consequences.

“I have accepted your appeal for a second round of amnesty Programme for the youths in this area. So let them bring out their weapons and submit, else, I will come after them with full force.

“The Sankera people have suffered so much. Nothing is going on here especially in the villages. I want to assure you that nothing will happen to those that submit their arms by the grace of God”.

Earlier, Sen. Suswam commended Ortom over his achievements in education, stressing that he was creating a conducive atmosphere for the educational sector in spite of lean resources.

“I have been through this and I know what it means to embark on projects of this nature at this time. In spite of distractions, the governor is forging ahead. I will stand with him till the end of his tenure because he is doing what is right,” the former governor said.

READ ALSO: Reject Water resources bill, it is another Ruga, Ortom urges National Assembly

The Commissioner for Works, Transport and Energy, Alexander Shapera, said the road contract, which was awarded in 2008 was at some point abandoned before Ortom completed it.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Prof Dennis Ityavyar, said Ortom had spent over N20 billion in the primary school sector alone since assumption of office.

The Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB, Mr Joseph Utse, said Benue Government had approved the construction of 1000 block of classrooms, renovation of 99 blocks and the procurement of 42, 350 plastic desk and chairs for  2020.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos zonal office, has arrested 13 suspected internet fraudsters, around the Alagbado axis of Lagos State.

The suspects are Olowosoke Temidire; Oladoyin Tolulope; Adeyemi Toyese Jubril; Agbeluyi Olusola; Olayinka Azeez; Abdullahi Olalekan; Gbenga Ade; Nwokeso Innocent; Obodoukwu Godstime; Mba Emmanuel; Oluwadare Ibisiola, Damilola Ogunsemire and Christopher Ubong

The suspects were arrested on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 by operatives of the Commission at Plot 109 Obas Street off AIT Estate, Lagos State, and some other areas within the axis, following credible intelligence received from concerned members of the public on their criminal activities.

Analyses of their phones and laptops have revealed that the suspects are members of an Organized Cyber Criminal Syndicate Network (OCCSN), defrauding unsuspecting victims of millions of Naira.

READ ALSO: Court orders flogging of two artisans who stole TV sets, laptops

Also, items suspected to be charms were found on one of the suspects, who confessed to using charms to defraud his victims and shutting their mouths from exposing him.

Other items recovered from the suspects include six exotic vehicles, mobile devices and laptops.

The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Vanguard

By Soni Daniel, Abuja

Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mr. Umar Abba Mohammed, on Friday renewed the call for the establishment of special courts to try corruption cases.

Mohammed made the call in Abuja while receiving members of the Monitoring Committee of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act( ACJA), who paid him a working visit.

According to him, the only means of minimizing delay in the trial of cases, is to establish Special Courts to try financial and economic crimes. “Delay of cases in court is a challenge to us. This challenge can be addressed if there are Special Courts handling corruption cases”, he said.

Mohammed appreciated the Committee members for their efforts in monitoring the compliance of law enforcement agencies with ACJA, stressing that the EFCC was complying adequately with the Act. He specifically addressed the Commission’s detention facilities, describing them as world class. “ Our detention facilities are world class. Many suspects prefer to be remanded in EFCC custody than in any other place”, he said.

The ACJA Monitoring Committee’s delegation was led by Magistrate Chukwuemeka Nweke. Their brief, according to him, was to assess the level of compliance of law enforcement agencies with ACJA. “ Our visit is to smoothen the progress of synergy between prosecution agencies and the judiciary”, he said.

Nweke further stated that his Committee had the responsibility of preparing and submitting an Annual Report of criminal justice administration in Nigeria. Series of deliberations were made between the Committee members and management staff of the EFCC, led by Umar.

READ ALSO: Trump wades into racial tensions in US

The EFCC’s Chair spoke extensively about the difficulties of getting remand warrants in the Federal Capital Territory, appealing to the Committee members to press for a review of a decision against such warrants. He equally deliberated on leakage of information by court staff and bankers to criminals, saying that such a practice should be checkmated. “ Tip-off of criminals by court staff and bankers are not healthy developments. They should be checked”, he said.

The Committee members were later taken round the Commission’s detention facility at its Corporate headquarters, and they expressed satisfaction with the state and sophistication of the facilities.

Vanguard

A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Nigeria news, Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc

By Joseph Erunke

ABUJA-THE federal government, Friday,took delivery of Russian-made COVID-19 vaccine from  ambassador of the Russian Federation to Nigeria, Alexey  Shebarshin today.

This came after the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire supported by the Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora and other top management of the Health Ministry and other Nigerian scientists, researchers and advisors played host to the A Alexey Shebarshin today.

The issue on the front burner for discussion is the recently announced Russian-made Vaccine against COVID-19.

READ ALSOPolice arrest pastor over alleged killing of native doctor in Anambra

Alexey Shebarshin, who admitted that he is a non-scientist, said he was in the Federal Ministry of Health to formally hand over the Russian-made Vaccine against COVID-19 to Nigeria with an aide memoir which explains the details for Nigerian teams to study and get ready for further researches, patronage and application.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire stated that Nigeria has been participating in series of knowledge exchange and contacts with different research bodies and countries to find solutions to the COVID-19 challenge and has contacted the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria for right of access immediately the Russian COVID-19 Vaccine was announced.

Alexey Shebarshin, who explained further that countries such as U.A.E, S/Arabia, Mexico etc have expressed interest in the Russian COVID-19 Vaccine and requested that Nigeria puts together a team to interface with his Embassy to drive the process of human trials not just for the Russian COVID-19 Vaccine but to explore further disease and health areas where the Russian Federation has expertise to manage with vaccines.

At the courtesy call event were Health care experts/Directors of the Federal Ministry of Health like Dr. Olowu of the PPP Department; Dr. Adebimpe Adebiyi, mni of the Hospital Services, Department; Mrs. Ajayi of the Food and Drugs Department;  Dr. Faisal Shuaib of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPCHDA) supported by other Ministry’s advisors like Professor Oyewale Tomori who is the Chair of the Board of Bio-Vaccine as well as the Ministerial Advisory Committee;

Others are Professor Nasidi Abdusalami who represented the Russian-trained Nigerian Scientists; Professor Salako, the Director-General of the Nigeria Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) and some others.

The consensus of decision reached was to quickly refer the vaccine to the necessary professional institutes and agencies of the Federal Ministry of Health beginning with NAFDAC, NIPRD, and for a team of Scientists and advisors to the Ministry to get to work on possible patronage of the Russian Vaccine to alleviate the plight of Nigerians under the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Ministerial Team is also expected to be raised to continue further engagement with the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria on the vaccine as well as other areas of interests highlighted at the meeting.

The Nigerian Police

The Police Command in Anambra says it has commenced investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the alleged murder of a native doctor by a pastor.

A statement issued on Friday in Awka by SP Haruna Mohammed, the Command’s spokesman, identified the victim as 60-year-old Oliver Ugwu of Umusiome village, Nkpor near Onitsha.

He said the suspect, Uchenna Chukwuma, 21, who reside at Ugwuezue  street, Umusiome Nkpor near Onitsha, allegedly carried out the murder with a machete on Sept. 3. 

“The suspect, who hails from Amagunze in Nkanu East LGA of Enugu State, claimed during interrogation that he was sent by God to kill the native doctor.

READ ALSO: Breaking: Suspected robber shot dead as Police foil robbery attack on Sagamu/Benin Expressway

“The suspect further alleged that the victim was disturbing him spiritually and had not allowed him to progress financially,” Mohammed stated.

The Police spokesman said detectives attached to Ogidi Division led by the DPO, CSP Ekuri Remigius visited the scene of the crime and rushed the victim to Iyi Enu hospital Ogidi for medical attention.

He said the victim was certified dead by the medical doctor at the hospital, and the corpse was deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy.

According to him, the machete used in perpetrating the crime was recovered as exhibit and the case transfered to the Criminal Investigation Department for investigation.

Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) said on Friday that the commission was not created for the deportation of Nigerians.

The chief executive officer of the commission said this in a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NIDCOM’s Head of Media and Public Relations unit.

Dabiri-Erewa said the malicious reports about the commission were false.

“Our attention has been drawn to a malicious, mischievous and fabulous story where the leader of the proscribed Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Uchenna Madu, alleged that NIDCOM is the medium used by the Federal Government to forcefully deport persecuted Biafrans.

“In a statement entitled “security agents killing our members secretly,” the group had alleged that NIDCOM was being used to crack down on its pro-Biafra groups leaders in the diaspora.

“These and other fabricated stories by the group are false, mischievous and at best another tale by moonlight narrative.

“NIDCOM, as we know has no such powers nor has such agents of harrasment in Nigeria and in foreign lands.

READ ALSO: NIDCOM Chairman decries violence, abuse against women

“In international relations, the process of deportation is a country to country decision which lies with the country foreign policy within the purview of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“It must be pointed out that most countries are clamping down on irregular immigrants irrespective of their faith, ethnic affiliations,” Balogun said.

“So, the allegation that the Federal Government is secretly working with some agents of foreign countries to arrest members in diaspora and deport them to Nigeria for persecution and prosecution is a figment of the group’s imagination.

“Dabiri-Erewa and her commission are for all Nigerians irrespective of their tribe or religious inclinations as enshrined in the Act of the parliament setting up the commission,” he said.

Vanguard

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Friday, swore in three new Customary Court of Appeal Judges for the state.

The governor, who performed the function in Asaba, said that the bill for autonomy of the judiciary in the state had been signed into law.

He charged the new customary court of appeal judges to ensure speedy dispensation of justice at all times.

The new judges are,, Justices, Dele Okafor, Grace Abanre and Jessica Gberevbie.

Okowa while congratulating the judges, said their appointments were based on their personal integrity and years of experience.

He, however, urged them to bring their experiences to bear in the discharge of their duties.

He thanked the Chief Judge, Justice Marshall Umukoro and the President, Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Stella Oghene, for their efforts at ensuring that justice was speedily dispensed in the state.

Okowa said that with the appointment of the new judges, the customary court of appeal in the state could now function more efficiently.

He said that prior to the appointment of the new judges, it was sometimes difficult to constitute the required number on a panel to adjudicate a matter.

READ ALSO: Post-Okowa Delta: Where does the pendulum swing?

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to partnering the judiciary to ensure speedy dispensation of justice.

He said that the judiciary as an arm of government, would soon be autonomous like the legislative arm in the state.

“We have continued as a state to ensure that we partner the judiciary to ensure that there is speedy dispensation of justice.

“So I must appreciate those who kept the process going until the swearing -in of the new judges of the customary court of appeal.

“There is no doubt that Deltans and Nigerians have continued to yearn for speedy dispensation of justice and I want to appeal to our newly sworn-in judges that they must ensure commitment to the dispensation of justice, equity and fairness in all that they do.

“I know that it’s a difficult job you have been called up to do, but you have been appointed based on your personal integrity and years of experience and I expect that, that will be brought to play in ensuring the speedy dispensation of justice.

“There is no doubt that we are in very troubled times at the moment, but I am sure that you should be able to sit in your various courts in line with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) preventive protocols that have been put in place by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).The

“And I hope that even in this difficult times that you will be able to attend to the cases that will appear before you.

“As judges, you do know that in all you do, you need to be firm, fair and resolute in the discharge of your duties.

“I am sure that as judges of the courts of Delta, we will be proud of the judgments you give and that you give judgments without fear or favour,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the judges, Justice Dele Okafor, thanked God, the governor and those who made it possible for them to emerge as judges.

He assured that they would carry out their duties without fear or favour.

Vanguard

By Dirisu Yakubu

Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji is a member of the House of  Representatives, representing Zangon Kataf/ Jaba Federal Constituency of Kaduna state, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. A medical doctor by training, Magaji is the Vice chairman, House Committee on Health and a vocal member of the 9th Assembly. In this interview with  Saturday Vanguard, the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria alumnus speaks on the challenges of legislative representation, the incessant crisis in Southern Kaduna, politics of religion amongst sundry issues.

Excerpt!

You’ve spent over a year now in office. How will you describe the journey thus far?

 The one year has been challenging in the sense that we started not long ago and in the midst of it, we started having a lot of issues. Coming to a place like this for the first time, you needed time to learn and adjust. While this was going on, COVID-19 came and affected legislative man-hour. In a way, it also affected the execution of projects. It got to a point that by the time we resumed, we were sitting once a week and apart from sitting once a week, there was a time, we could no longer sit at all and that affected the passage of bills, number of motions. In a nutshell, legislative activities went down. I know the constituency I come from. When we came in, we organized a peace symposium which had in attendance different stakeholders including religious and traditional rulers. We had men, women, old and young as well as civil society organization. At the symposium, we encouraged one another to live in peace. The challenges are quite enormous because today, some people think it is the duty of a legislator to construct roads. You live with the burden of financial demands and calls for assistance here and there. The requests are either for medical assistance or money to pay school fees but how many can you treat?

However it is not completely their fault because if the health sector was working well, it would have been difficult for someone to call you asking for medical bills for his children. If the educational sector was functional with loans available for students, people will not be having difficulty paying school fees for their children and wards.  .

READ ALSOP&ID: Presidency welcomes UK judgment, vows to protect Nigeria’s assets from criminals

What are you doing at present to attract development to Southern Kaduna which you represent at the Assembly?

We are engaging with other arms of government to ensure that we attract the right development.  But permit me to say that Southern Kaduna is highly marginalized. When you go to Southern Kaduna now and my constituency especially, you can’t find federal institutions and that was why I thought when Kaduna state established a university, in the spirit of fair play and brotherhood; it ought to have been cited there.  In life generally, the way we relate with friends and brothers should also be the same way we relate with others in different parts of the country. Even when you are strong politically and economically than others, you should in the spirit of fair play and brotherhood, help the area not as powerful as you are. In my opinion, no federal institutions should go to zone one and zone two, until we start having a very good federal presence in zone three which is Southern Kaduna which is where my constituency is also.  Whether you like it or not, some of these things have a way of raising tension and pressure groups because when certain people feel marginalized, they come together and that has a way of enhancing their ability to fight.

A few years ago, Governor Nasir El-Rufai said that perpetrators of the killings in some parts of the state had been identified and compensated. He claimed they were from African countries such as Niger, Mali, Chad and others. But he has again blamed some Southern Kaduna leaders for fueling the crisis, accusing them of looking for brown envelopes.  What have you to say on this?

 It is good to pay every price for peace and if you feel peace is expensive, then try crisis. I wouldn’t say never pay a kidnapper but honestly, it doesn’t help it to stop. I want to be as human as I can be. If you say don’t pay a kidnapper, when your relative is abducted, you would want to do everything to bring him or her home unhurt. As good as that may be, it also enhances crime rather than stop it.

Governor El-Rufai did not give details of the people that he feels are behind these killings. I don’t know how somebody from Southern Kaduna will now mastermind the killing of his own people. I am not saying people don’t do that but then the same way that the governor identified the people that killed and paid them; I think he should also identify the people that are killing their brothers and prosecute them if the assertions are right. 

And my concern about that one is that, we never heard how the transaction took place, whether the governor was directly involved or he used his security vote as governor. I believe that if they are paying killers like this, we should also ask them to  drop their weapons. Are they foreigners, are they staying near, do they have their collaborators within? Maybe, there is a difference between the killings then and the killings now. Maybe those ones were the ones that killed before and they paid them and they are no longer killing and now we have fresh killers who are the people of Southern Kaduna.

Former military governor of Rivers state, General Zamani Lekwot who incidentally is from Southern Kaduna recently joined the conversation. He believes the military has not done enough in bringing the situation under control. Do you agree with him?

 Doing enough is relative. I wouldn’t say they have not done well or they have done enough because I don’t have the kind of information that the general has. I have seen reports where some of these attacks took place near military formations. Basically, I think the men on ground are not enough. However, more men (soldiers) were brought in last week. We need to embrace peace.  Part of the problem is politics and unguarded utterances. Marginalization is another factor. We have had several reports even of military men saying they have lost interest and so on. So, I wouldn’t hold a brief for the military and say they have done excellently well. I wouldn’t also say that they have not tried because what resources do the men on ground have?

Don’t you think insinuation of religious divisions in Southern Kaduna is partly to blame for this crisis?

I have heard people say that Southern Kaduna people are angry that Governor El Rufai picked a Muslim woman to become deputy governor. If they are, I don’t blame them sincerely speaking. We have Christians in Borno, Zaria, but what is bad for A should also be bad for B. If I come out tomorrow to say I want to be the governor of Kaduna state and I pick a Christian from Zaria, will they accept it? I would love a Nigeria where we don’t look at religion. I would love a Nigeria where we look at competency, the ability to deliver but I don’t think we are there yet. Now that he picked a Muslim, the narrative among some Muslims is that it is okay while others say it is not. So if we have a governor from Southern Kaduna and he goes to Zaria and picks a Christian who is competent, will they say it is okay? As a leader, there is need to be sensitive in the choices you make.

How would the Southern Kaduna leaders close rank amongst themselves to achieve lasting peace?

I wouldn’t say Southern Kaduna is divided. Even in a family of two or three people, their opinions may not always be the same not to talk of when you gather together different tribes. Some of those divisions are even caused politically. We should be fair and sincere in all our dealings because whether you like or not, if I pick you against the will of your people and make you a commissioner, your family members and your village that are benefiting from it will not see the bigger picture because the system is favouring them. So one of the ways of causing division is to pick a few and favour them.

The government of Ahmed Makarfi has been singled out as one administration that did well to curtail and contain this menace of crisis. What can this government learn from it?

The truth about it is that Makarfi was very sensitive to the needs of the people and he was not arrogant in his dealing with people.  He listened to people very well. Makarfi came and discovered that at that point, there were communities without chiefdoms and he created chiefdoms for them. The people were very happy. Many of the roads in Southern Kaduna today that people are still plying were done by Makarfi; so there was inclusion. Southern Kaduna people never felt left out, whether they were right or wrong, whether they criticized him or not; Makarfi saw himself as governor of the entire state. So I don’t think they needed to go and lobby before they got anything. I can’t tell you that there is any road in my local government that has been done in the past six years. The only road they are doing now was initiated by the past administration. Not much is going on in Southern Kaduna as we speak apart from the road in Kachia which is within the town only.  

President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Dr Akinwumi Adesina,  Ambassador Tijjani Mohammad-Bande, President, 74th General Assembly of the United Nations, and Chairman of Blue Diamond Logistics, Mr. Festus Mbisiogu,  have been nominated for 2020 Kaleidoscope Global Awards.

Adesina earned the Kaleidoscope African Outstanding Man of the Year Award while Amb Mohammed-Bande will get the Kaleidoscope Infrastructural Man of the Year Award.

Mbisiogu would be given the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in recognition of his investments and contributions to  economic  growth in Nigeria.

The event is scheduled to take place on September 19,2020, at the Nigerian House, New York,  United States of America.

READ ALSOP&ID: Presidency welcomes UK judgment, vows to protect Nigeria’s assets from criminals

Other award winners are Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Diaspora Commission (Kaleidoscope Personality of the Year Award), Ganiyu Dada, President, Kofa International (Kaleidoscope Industrialist of the Year Award), Hon Gabe Okoye, former Chairman, Gwinnett County, Atlanta Ga, USA (Kaleidoscope Leadership Award), Hon Benaoyagha BM Okoyen, Consul General, Nigeria, New York, USA (Kaleidoscope Excellence Award), Hon Ben Obiofuma of Ben & Tina Obiofuma Foundation Worldwide (Kaleidoscope Humanitarian Man of the Year Award), and Amb. Samson Itegboje, Deputy Permanent Rep, Permanent Mission of Nigeria UN, New York, USA (Kaleidoscope Leadership Award).

On this year’s award winners, she said: ‘This year’s recipients of the 2020 15th Annual Kaleidoscope Global Award are captains of industry, top government functionaries, governors and ministers, director-generals and executive secretaries of key departments of government, who have distinguished themselves in their areas of endeavours.’

Justifying their nomination, she said: “We hold our heads high because of their contributions and achievements, which have given us hope for the future. They have indeed done us proud and have demonstrated excellence in both public service and leadership.”

Middleton said the Kaleidoscope Business Group prides itself as collectively sharing “deep commitment and goodwill to the pursuit of a brighter Nigeria.”

By Joseph Erunke

ABUJA-THE federal government, Friday,took delivery of Russian-made COVID-19 vaccine from  ambassador of the Russian Federation to Nigeria, Alexey  Shebarshin today.

This came after the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire supported by the Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora and other top management of the Health Ministry and other Nigerian scientists, researchers and advisors played host to the A Alexey Shebarshin today.

The issue on the front burner for discussion is the recently announced Russian-made Vaccine against COVID-19.

READ ALSOPolice arrest pastor over alleged killing of native doctor in Anambra

Alexey Shebarshin, who admitted that he is a non-scientist, said he was in the Federal Ministry of Health to formally hand over the Russian-made Vaccine against COVID-19 to Nigeria with an aide memoir which explains the details for Nigerian teams to study and get ready for further researches, patronage and application.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire stated that Nigeria has been participating in series of knowledge exchange and contacts with different research bodies and countries to find solutions to the COVID-19 challenge and has contacted the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria for right of access immediately the Russian COVID-19 Vaccine was announced.

Alexey Shebarshin, who explained further that countries such as U.A.E, S/Arabia, Mexico etc have expressed interest in the Russian COVID-19 Vaccine and requested that Nigeria puts together a team to interface with his Embassy to drive the process of human trials not just for the Russian COVID-19 Vaccine but to explore further disease and health areas where the Russian Federation has expertise to manage with vaccines.

At the courtesy call event were Health care experts/Directors of the Federal Ministry of Health like Dr. Olowu of the PPP Department; Dr. Adebimpe Adebiyi, mni of the Hospital Services, Department; Mrs. Ajayi of the Food and Drugs Department;  Dr. Faisal Shuaib of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPCHDA) supported by other Ministry’s advisors like Professor Oyewale Tomori who is the Chair of the Board of Bio-Vaccine as well as the Ministerial Advisory Committee; Professor Nasidi Abdusalami who represented the Russian-trained Nigerian Scientists; Professor Salako, the Director-General of the Nigeria Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) and some others.

The consensus of decision reached was to quickly refer the vaccine to the necessary professional institutes and agencies of the Federal Ministry of Health beginning with NAFDAC, NIPRD, and for a team of Scientists and advisors to the Ministry to get to work on possible patronage of the Russian Vaccine to alleviate the plight of Nigerians under the COVID-19 pandemic.  A Ministerial Team is also expected to be raised to continue further engagement with the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria on the vaccine as well as other areas of interests highlighted at the meeting.

Garba Shehu

The Presidency has welcomed the judgment by the UK Court granting Nigeria’s application for an extension of time and relief from sanctions in a $10 billion arbitration case with Process and Industrious Development Limited (P&ID) in Nigeria.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, made this position known in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

Shehu said: ”In our view, the judgment is right, just and provides a strong prima facie case that the fraudulent gas deal with P&ID and the subsequent judgment debt of 10 billion dollars against Nigeria was a clear attempt to cheat the country of billions of dollars by a company that had not invested one Naira in our country.

”On the arbitration award, it is a source of huge satisfaction that the UK Court, among others, had ruled that:

‘‘Nigeria has established a strong prima facie case that the Gas Supply and Processing (GSPA) was procured by bribes paid to insiders as part of a larger scheme to defraud Nigeria.

‘‘There is also a strong prima facie case that that (P&ID) main witness in the arbitration, Micheal Quinn, an Irish man, gave a perjured evidence to the Tribunal, and that contrary to that evidence, P&ID was not in the position to perform the contract.’’

The presidential aide, therefore, expressed delight with the processes that led to this outcome in the English Court.

He noted that the judgment had given relief to the Nigerian government to further protect its national assets from criminally-minded organisations and individuals.

He added: ”The views of the UK court thus provide sufficient grounds for the Federal Government to go ahead and challenge the frauds perpetrated by the company and overturn the arbitration award.”

Shehu also quoted President Buhari to have commended the team of lawyers who represented Nigeria in the matter with P&ID.

READ ALSO: Nigeria vs P&ID: Extract from UK’s Court judgement

The president reassured all well-meaning Nigerians and the international community of his unwavering commitment to fight corruption in all its forms and manifestation.”

NAN reports that the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, said that the court granted Nigeria’s application for an extension of time and relief from sanctions due to the exceptional circumstances where the government has uncovered evidence of massive fraud in procuring the award.

Malami said the court heard evidence from the government and the offshore shell company P&ID in relation to the gas supply and processing agreement (GSPA).

He said that the agreement, which was never performed, was entered into by the parties 10 years ago.

He said the Buhari-led administration, having inherited the dispute from the previous administration, only recently uncovered evidence that the GSPA was a sham commercial deal.

Vanguard News Nigeria 

The Nigerian Police

The Police Command in Anambra says it has commenced investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the alleged murder of a native doctor by a pastor.

A statement issued on Friday in Awka by SP Haruna Mohammed, the Command’s spokesman, identified the victim as 60-year-old Oliver Ugwu of Umusiome village, Nkpor near Onitsha.

He said the suspect, Uchenna Chukwuma, 21, who reside at Ugwuezue  street, Umusiome Nkpor near Onitsha, allegedly carried out the murder with a machete on Sept. 3. 

“The suspect, who hails from Amagunze in Nkanu East LGA of Enugu State, claimed during interrogation that he was sent by God to kill the native doctor.

READ ALSO: Breaking: Suspected robber shot dead as Police foil robbery attack on Sagamu/Benin Expressway

“The suspect further alleged that the victim was disturbing him spiritually and had not allowed him to progress financially,” Mohammed stated.

The Police spokesman said detectives attached to Ogidi Division led by the DPO, CSP Ekuri Remigius visited the scene of the crime and rushed the victim to Iyi Enu hospital Ogidi for medical attention.

He said the victim was certified dead by the medical doctor at the hospital, and the corpse was deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy.

According to him, the machete used in perpetrating the crime was recovered as exhibit and the case transfered to the Criminal Investigation Department for investigation.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has advised the newly-appointed Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of nine of the agencies under his ministry to “imbibe the culture of doing much with less”.

The minister gave the advice at an inaugural meeting he held with the CEOs on Friday in Abuja.

“Lady and gentlemen, you are joining a government that is doing so much with so little.

“As you are aware, the resources available to the government have dwindled drastically, due to a sharp fall in the price of oil.

“Yes, we are diversifying the economy to reduce the dependence on oil.

“But the situation today has been worsened by COVID-19, which has stifled economies around the world.

“Yet, due to deft management of resources, this Administration is engaged in massive infrastructural renewal, whether in the area of roads, bridges, rail or power.

“I urge you all to imbibe this culture of doing much with less,” he said.

The minister said the appointments of the CEOs were based on merit and track record of achievements in their various fields.

“Your competence and your years of dedication to what you do have earned you the job. You are round pegs in round holes.

“And that is why we have been receiving rave reviews since the appointments were

announced,”  he said

Mohammed said the CEOs should consider their appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari as a call to national service and they must work hard to justify it.

He specifically directed them to, as a starting point, ensure that the activities of their agencies keyed into the nine priority areas of government.

The nine priority areas according to the minister include: building a thriving and sustainable economy, enhancing social inclusion to reduce poverty and enlarging agricultural output for food security and export.

READ ALSO: Buhari will leave legacy of massive Infrastructural development – Lai Mohammed

They are also attaining energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products, expanding transport and other infrastructural development as well as expanding business growth, entrepreneurship and industrialisation.

Others are expanding access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians, building a system to fight corruption, improve governance and create social cohesion as well as Improving security for all.

The minister directed the CEOs to, within two to three weeks, submit a report on where they plan to take their individual agencies to, and the road map for achieving them.

He said the report would form the basis for their periodic assessment.

Responding on behalf of the nine CEOs, Prof. Sunday Ododo, the General Manager/CEO, National Theatre, said it was a privilege to be chosen among many, and gave gratitude to God, the President and the Minister.

Ododo said, although the expectations are high, they cannot afford to fail and they will give their best and be committed to their respective mandate.

The other CEOs are Mr Buki Ponle, Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria; Mr Olalekan Fadolapo, Registrar, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria; and Mr Francis Nwosu, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council.

Mr Ado Yahuza, Executive Secretary/CEO, National Institute for Cultural Orientation; Mr. Ebetan Ivara Director-General (D-G), National Gallery of Arts; and Prof. Abba Tijjani, D-G, National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

Others are Mrs Oluwabunmi Amao, D-G Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation; and Mr Nura Kangiwa, D-G National  Institute for Hospitality and Tourism.

Speaking with newsmen, Ponle said the President, with the appointments, had put round pegs in round holes and they would not deviate from the nine priority areas as reechoed by the minister.

Specifically, he said NAN had been a shining example and with the cooperation and support of his colleagues in the office, the agency would go beyond the sky to surpass the target by the President and the minister.

Ponle promised to carry the management and members of staff of NAN along in the discharge of his mandate and make their welfare a priority.

“It is not going to be master-servant relationship, we are going to be on the same level.

“I am a reporter and I will continue to be; If I have to sleep in the office I will do so, it is not a new terrain.

“I will enlist the support of my colleagues, we shall motivate them in all ways legitimately possible so that they can be happy to contribute to national development,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein, Nwosu said he would discharge his mandate with “commitment, zeal and determination to move the nation forward”.

The Executive Secretary noted that although the Nigerian Press Council is deficient in the areas of facilities and funding, he would do everything possible to reposition the establishment.

NAN recalls that the President on Aug. 26, approved the appointment of the nine CEOs as announced by the minister.

Vanguard News Nigeria

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo says come Sept. 19 Edo people will bury dictatorship politically.

Gov. Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the party said this on Friday during the ward-to-ward campaign rally at Ward eight, Ward 10, and Uselu market in Egor Local Government Area of Edo.

He noted that the “dictator” to be buried politically had already been retired politically.


He also said that the same “dictator” had before now sold the Uselu market adding that it was why the shop rental at the market was N1 million until the present administration, manned by him, came on board and reversed the sale.

According to him, what is bad is bad, adding that such people who do not have the well being of the people of the state at heart should not be allowed back to government.

READ ALSO: EDO 2020: Obaseki’s contract with Edo is sacrosanct — Deputy governor

The candidate emphasised that his administration was building institutions, noting that institutions would outlive individuals.

“Democracy will continue beyond us, institutions will outlive us, that is why this election is about building institutions,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Philip Shaibu, the deputy governorship candidate said that it was time for the youth to take their destiny in their hands.

Shaibu said that the nation and Edo in particular must return to the era of building institutions and not individuals for the benefit of all.

“Obaseki is a man of mission and vision for the state,” he declared.


He also charged the people not to be intimidated and ensure that their votes count on Sept. 19.


“Our future is in our hands, and we must provide leadership,” he said.

Vanguard