Category: News

Herdsmen

…Forest Guard and Vigilante group can’t stop them

By Ikechukwu Odu

THE chairman of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, Chukwudi Nnadozie, has decried the inability of Forest Guards and Vigilante group personnel to check the excesses of herdsmen  on farmers in the council area.

His outcry followed an alleged shooting of Festus Ayogu, a farmer at Ugbene Ajima, a sleepy community in the council area, who however, survived the attack by whiskers. But the herdsmen were said to have  destroyed a large plantation across 12 plots of land with 1000 improved variety of palm trees and other crops belonging to Nicholas Okoro, estimated at  five million naira, located along Ugbene Ajima-Nimbo Road.

Another farmer from Isiuvuru village, also in the council area, Utazi Ereme, told Vanguard that armed herdsmen have taken over their farmlands and allowed herds of cattle to graze openly on cassava and yam farms.

An indigene of the council area who pleaded anonymity disclosed that while the cattle feed on and destroy their farms, the herders also harvest their yam seedlings and roast them for food, hinting of possible food scarcity in the council area. He said that the farmers have abandoned their farms for fear of being attacked.

“You remember the case of Nimbo massacre in 2016? Our people have been peaceful and law-abiding but these herdsmen intentionally look for our trouble. They intentionally leave the pastures and take their cattle to our farms. Wherever the cattle graze, it would be difficult to farm there because the animals ram the soil with their hooves while eating up the crops. They leave their cattle numbering over 300 to a little boy. How would he control such number? Only God knows what they want because we have enough pastures where their animals can graze and go without our people knowing of their existence but they prefer our farms.”

However, the council chairman while condemning the activities of the herdsmen warned them to desist from destruction of farmlands and crops, adding that there is enough pastures for the cattle outside the farmers domain.

READ ALSO: Killers of two Hausa settlers in Rivers not IPOB ― Police

He also said: “I have reported Nicholas Okoro’s case to the state’s Peace and Security Committee. The committee will value the farm and pay him back what he lost. On the alleged attack on Festus Ayogu last week, I was called and told that Fulani herdsmen have killed someone in his farm. The news really destabilized me.

“So, I called the DPO who immediately rushed to the scene only to call back and asked me to speak with the person rumoured to have been shot dead in his farm. There was no bodily injuries on him  as evidence of the  alleged attack. He claimed he warded-off the attack through his local charms. I was surprised at the kind of propaganda people carry around. I know that  herdsmen attack our people and destroy farms but we should not lay claims to anything we cannot defend.”

The chairman, who also passed a vote of no confidence on the local security outfits, said the officers have left the rural areas where they are supposed to be securing the people for the cities where they are allegedly extorting money from road users.

He also said: “I don’t owe them salaries, so, I don’t know why they are not working.”

Vanguard

By Udeme Akpan

THE Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has dismissed a report that it spilled 45,000 barrels of oil from an incident at its facility in Nun River, Angiama area of Bayelsa State in March 2020.

In a statement obtained by Vanguard, SPDC’s Media Relations Manager, Bamidele Odugbesan, stated: “The outcome of the government regulator-led Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) into the spill incident of 27th March 2020 was published in a report that is available on the publicly accessible SPDC spill website and the volume of oil spilled from the regrettable operational incident was 43 barrels.

According to Odugbesan, the spill JIV report, including photographs of the conducted on 28th March 2020, was signed off by the regulator, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), and representatives of the community, representatives of the Bayelsa State Government and SPDC.

READ ALSO: Oil drops more than $1 after Saudi price cuts, demand optimism fades

Responding to an enquiry on its twitter handle, NOSDRA had erroneously said 45,000 barrels of oil were spilled from the wellhead leak, but the agency admitted the error in a subsequent tweet where it claimed that the actual volume of oil spilled should be 45 barrels, even though the official report of the investigation into the incident stated that 43 barrels were spilled.

Explaining how the incident was managed, Odugbesan said, “No spill is acceptable to us and we work hard to prevent spills from occurring in our operations. Immediately the incident was reported on 27th March 2020, we took prompt steps to stop the spill and contain the spread within the SPDC JV wellhead slot right of way. The recovery of the spilled oil was completed on 5th April 2020.”

Vanguard News Nigeria

NIMASA

…To key into NIMASA maritime security architecture

By Godwin Oritse

THE Bayelsa State Government and  Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, yesterday,  said that they have commenced preparation for the construction of N116trillion (about $3billion) deep seaport in the Agge area of the state.

Disclosing this in Lagos during a visit to NIMASA headquarters, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, said that the state was currently collaborating with relevant federal agencies to see the port project to fruition.

He disclosed that some interested investors were already in talks with the government, adding that he plans to escalate the discussions with a view to ensuring that more investors are brought on board.

The governor also said that discussions were ongoing until the Coronavirus pandemic necessitated a lockdown, adding that it hopes to resume talks with interested investors over the proposed port.

He explained that funding will not come from the purse of the government adding that it was going to be a Private Public Partnership, PPP.

He said,  “Bayelsa State is already in discussion with some private investors as we are also working with other relevant federal agencies such as NIMASA, and the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA.

“So, the entire funding will not come from the coffers of the Bayelsa State Government, it is going to be Private Public Partnership. We already have people that have indicated interest.

READ ALSO: Petroleum price, electricity tariff hikes inhuman —Afenifere

“As I said earlier, the wealth of this country is the maritime domain and the earlier we identify that and know that the institution that the Federal Government has in ensuring that the wealth of the nation is NIMASA, the better.

“And if NIMASA plays its role, synergises with the coastal states like Bayelsa, I am that Nigeria will have an alternative source of revenue other than oil and gas.”

Diri also said that the state was also interested in partnering with NIMASA in the area of maritime security so as to create some level of peace on the waterways within the state.

Earlier in his remarks, NIMASA’s Director-General, Dr Bashir Jamoh said that the project can only work through a PPP proposal,  adding that the Government of Bayelsa State must also have some level of equity participation.

Jamoh also said the source of the N3billion will come from different sources,  including the state government.

Vanguard

Falana

Femi Falana,  SAN, has asked the judicial panel investigating Ibrahim Magu, suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, not to act on “misleading evidence”.

The panel, headed by Ayo Salami, retired president of the appeal court, is investigating Magu over allegations of corruption and abuse of office.

In a letter dated September 4, 2020, Falana said one Gnahouse Sonrou Nazaire, a Benin Republic national who is standing trial at the Lagos State high court, petitioned the panel that he was accused wrongly by the EFCC under Magu.

In the two charges pending at the Lagos State high court, Nazaire was accused of having defrauded Rachidatou Abdou, his erstwhile girlfriend and business partner who is a Nigerian citizen.

Falana, writing on behalf of Abdou, his client, requested that the panel refrain from recommending the termination of the charges against Nazaire at the Lagos court.

The senior lawyer said Naziare and others have been frustrating the court proceedings, and are now using the panel to have the criminal cases against them terminated.

“Our client who is the complainant in both criminal cases has informed us that the defendants recently submitted a petition to the Honourable Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by the Honourable Justice Issa Ayo Salami PCA (rtd) where they claimed, albeit falsely, that the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu abused his office by charging them with forgery and stealing in the Lagos State High Court on the basis of a petition written on her behalf by our law firm,” the letter read.

READ ALSO: l have nothing against Mimiko, Akeredolu clears air on ‘EFCC threat’

“We have since confirmed that the Honourable Judicial Commission entertained the petition, reviewed the two criminal cases pending in the Lagos State High Court and took evidence from the 2nd defendant who has been dismissed from the company on grounds of fraud. The tainted evidence of the defendants was said to have been corroborated by his lawyer who alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is currently prosecuting Mr. Ricky Tarfa SAN for defending the defendants in the criminal cases.

“Contrary to the spurious evidence of the defendants before the Honourable Judicial Commission our client’s petition was submitted to the EFCC under the chairmanship of Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde. The EFCC painstakingly investigated the complaint, indicted the defendants and charged them with forgery and uttering of documents at the Lagos State High Court on July 20, 2015.   The Charge No was LD/1709C/2015 (FRN v Gnahoue Sourou Nazaire &2 Ors) was later amended with the leave of the learned trial judge.

However, following the commencement of the criminal proceedings in the Lagos State High Court the defendants filed a fundamental right application (Suit No FHC/L/CS/715/2015) at the Federal High Court seeking to restrain the Attorney-General of the Federation, Inspector General of Police and EFCC from arresting, detaining and persecuting them on the basis of our client’s complaint.

Vanguard

By Dayo Johnson

POLITICAL thugs, yesterday, for hours laid siege to the Ondo State House of Assembly, causing anxiety across the state capital.

Their surprised presence as early as 7 30am, Vanguard gathered was to prevent the nine suspended lawmakers that the court quashed their suspension, last week, from resuming.

Nine lawmakers were suspended by the assembly for refusing to sign the impeachment notice served on the deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi.

Dissatisfied with their suspension, the lawmakers went to court to challenge it.

Consequently, an Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure ordered their reinstatement.

The trial Judge, Justice Ademola Bola, had described their suspension as illegal, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

The Judge ordered that the lawmakers must be reinstated into their positions with immediate effect, and a sum of N5million should be paid to each of the lawmakers as damages.

Basking in the euphoria of their reinstatement, the lawmakers planned to join their colleagues at the plenary but they met a brick-wall and retreated.

Numbering about 100, the thugs manned the main gate of the Assembly complex with their vehicles parked along the road leading to the complex .

READ ALSO: Amosun reinstates dismissed NLC leader, others

Many of the thugs were said to be members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW.

Timely intervention of police operatives, however, prevented the thugs from entering the complex as they mounted barricades at the entrance of the complex.

The crisis in the assembly started months back following the resignation of the deputy governor and the subsequent attempt to impeach him.

Vanguard

Afenifere

…Insists on restructuring; Amotekun remains independent

By Dayo Johnson

THE Pan-Yoruba Socio- Political Organisation, Afenifere, has insisted that the South-West security outfit, Amotekun, should operate independently and not muzzled under the national police.

Afenifere also kicked against the hikes in petroleum products prices and electricity tariff, describing them as wicked and inhuman.

The Yoruba group spoke, yesterday, after its national caucus meeting.

In a communiqué issued after its  meeting online and presided by its National Leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, the group described the “recent increases in the prices of petroleum products and electricity as the most insensitive policies against a people being ravaged by a national pandemic without adequate support from their government.

“To ask Nigerians to pay more for these facilities is wicked and inhumane. We call on the people to use all constitutional and peaceful means to resist and reject the hikes.’’

On Amotekun, Afenifere said the Federal Government’s move to take over Amotekun  shows it has not commenced restructuring as it claimed.’’

Its National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin said that the meeting restated Afenifere’s ‘’rejection of the gaffe by the Federal Government that the Yoruba states security initiative Amotekun will function under the IG of police.

“We fully back our governors that being a product of law by federating units, the outfit should be independent and not be muzzled under the failure of single police that necessitated it in the first place. Seeking to take Amotekun over negates the untruth by the Federal Government that it has commenced restructuring.’’

On Senate constitution review, the group said: “The exercise has become a ritual every four years without tangible progress. It would be sad if the country is being taken through another motion without movement in the midst of its constitutional disorder.

“We therefore recommends the reports of the 2014 National Conference and other profound positions on restructuring as a basis of a meaningful new constitutional order for Nigeria. The mainly Pro-Federal reports have enough provisions to take Nigeria out of its present crisis.’’

READ ALSO: NAF reaffirms commitment to safeguarding nation’s territorial integrity

Kicking against the Water Resources Bill, Afenifere said the bill “is a dangerous agenda being pursued by the Executive in wanting to subvert the Land Use Act in the constitution that vests lands in the states in the governors.

“The Bill is so dangerous as it seeks to convert waterways to RUGA facilities for the Federal Government. The Bill seeks to give 18 kilometres after River Banks to Federal Government when in a state like Lagos you hardly can go beyond a kilometre of any river before meeting residential buildings.”

“We ask that the Bill be dropped immediately except there is an agenda to divide the country being pursued frenetically.’’

The group congratulated Mr Akinwumi Adesina “ for emerging overwhelmingly victorious in his bid for second term as African Development Bank President.

“We are happy that his integrity took him through the fire of challenge and he was not burnt. May his second term be more glorious than the first.

On the late former US Ambassador, Walter Carrignton, Afenifere said he was “the quintessential Ambassador in our June 12 years who gave all in support of our struggle. He refused to keep silent in the face of tyranny and promoted the culture of liberty and democracy in our country.’’

Vanguard

…Nwobodo should not be taken serious politically —Mbazuluike Amechi

… Mbazuluike does not understand governance, he has never won any election —Nwobodo

By Chioma Gabriel, Dennis Agbo & Chimaobi Nwaiwu

One of the   remaining members of the Zikist Movement and father of Nigerian politics, Chief Mbazuluike Amechi, and  former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo,  are  currently engaged in war of words, following  the performance  of South East governors and other issues pertaining to the south-east.

While the elder statesman see the governors  as  acting cowardly on the issues of the security of Southeast, the  people and the killing of Igbo youths; Nwobodo  said the governors   were agile to their constitutional mandates.

Chief Amechi, who was also the First Republic Aviation Minister, said South East governors were behaving like jelly fish and not acting with enough courage on issues of the southeast security but Senator Nwobodo disagreed.

The disagreement prompted Chief Amechi to describe the former governor of Old Anambra State as a politician that should not be taken seriously “because of his inconsistency and moves that caused trouble between the North and the Igbos.”

Nwobodo should not be taken seriously —Amechi

According to the elder statesman: “While I’m not calling South East governors cowards, I must say the governors are acting cowardly on security issues and killings, including that of Igbo youths in Enugu State. They are behaving like jelly fish. That does not mean the same thing as calling them cowards”.

On why he said the South East  governors acted cowardly, Chief Amechi said they have continued to keep quiet in the face of  herdsmen attack of South East states and the killing of their youths in the name of stopping IPOB activities.

“I do not think I personally take Nwobodo seriously in Nigerian politics because most of the trouble we have in Nigeria between the North and the Igbo  have a touch  of Jim Nwobodo. I wish you can hear me well because I really want to talk  to you on that. When I  make a heavy statement like that, I want to explain it.

“I said the trouble between the North and  the Igbo   has its origin and Nwobodo played a very big role in them  in 1978/79. I negotiated the formation of alliance between the National Party of Nigeria, NPN and Nigerian Peoples Party, NPP .

“Now, after the election, Nwobodo  won on the platform of  NPP  and  in Imo State,  Chief Sam Mbakwe won and the man in Jos, Solomon Lar, won in Plateau State. Zik used his position with the North to forge an alliance between the NPP and the NPN in the formation of the Federal Government of 1979.

“Again, Nwobodo won the second term  election. Mbakwe and Solomon Lar also won  in 1982/83. Jim Nwobodo again went and brought alliance between Zik and Awolowo and I told Zik that there was no way it would  work, that he should not break the alliance he had  with the NPN.But  they formed their progressives and it was the same Nwobodo that engineered that and it  failed.

“While Nwobodo was enjoying his governorship in his second term, he lost to Christian Omoh who became governor of Old Anambra State. Throughout the time Nwobodo was a member of NPP, he was never consistent.

“In 1993 or thereabout,  during the Olusegun Obasanjo’s era, they went to Jos Convention. It was the same Nwobodo who threw some confusion into Ekwueme’s camp. A great percentage of Northerners agreed they have ran their turn, that it was time for the people of the Southeast. Then, Nwobodo got up there in Jos and said all sorts of nonsense in Hausa and that led to the loss of  Dr Alex Ekwueme to Obasanjo.

“Under former President Goodluck Jonathan, he joined the All Progressives Congress, APC. He is an opportunist. He wants wherever he will gain personally. So, when he talks on matters of  life in politics , I don’t take him seriously.

READ ALSO: Court restrains Enugu community from installing monarch

“On the way the South East governors have been acting on issues of security and protection of the people of Southeast, what I am saying is that the South East governors are not acting with enough boldness in the matter.I was in a joint meeting of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and South East governors in Enugu. I was personally at Government House where we agreed on a thing and it was never implemented. Then, they went and formed the one  they had with the Inspector General of Police, IGP.  The man told them they were going to form a joint security outfit  and I keep asking, how would they form a joint police outfit that will be supervised by the same IGP who has allowed the Fulani people to carry guns and kill Igbos in their places?

“How do they expect the same IGP to head their own vigilante? How can it work? They are acting without wisdom in that respect  and without enough Igbo courage, they should be courageous enough to have their vigilante without external control. If they cannot do it collectively, individually , they should take  Igbo interests into consideration.

“They are killing your people everyday and they are not doing anything and somebody is talking about acting with caution. I did not say they are coward. I said they acted cowardly. They acted without enough courage. They are acting like jelly fish. That is what I said and I stand by that.”

Chief Amechi said he was currently working to re-establish the old Eastern and Northern relationship that worked between late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello when the North and the East had the best of relationship.

“I’m  working tirelessly on that in the remaining years of my life and I hope that it is going to work because anytime the North and East work together, the country had always benefited and that is the only way to ensure peace in Nigeria.

“You cannot undermine the population of the  North in the politics of Nigeria and for you to go far in Nigerian politics, you must recognize that but the North  must also make some concessions for peace to reign in Nigeria. They must recognize the fact that with only their population, they cannot form a government in Nigeria. They too need other Nigerians.

“I am working tirelessly towards that. I am reinventing all the measures Zik and Bello applied that made it work for them. I’m consulting with many people from the North and I believe we are going to come out with the result that will once again bring peace in Nigeria like the time of Zik and Bello.”

Respect your age, keep quiet! Nwobodo 

But reacting to Mbazuluike Amechi’s position on his politics, Senator Jim Nwobodo asked the elder statesman to respect his age and keep quiet on his (Amechi) consistent attack on him (Nwobodo).

Nwobodo said he would rather advise Amechi as an elder statesman  to refrain from  inciting Ndigbo against their governors but to keep quiet and hold his peace.

Nwobodo said: “Mbazuluike Amechi said he doesn’t take  me  serious and  I was his elected governor for four years. He came to see me  as his governor on several occasions for one favour or  the  other and when he looks around his town, he will see my legacies in Ukpor. Yet, he doesn’t take me  serious? Something must have gone astray. I don’t believe he is the same person saying this.

“He had neither contested  nor won  an election before in his life, not even councillorship. He has not governed before in his life and doesn’t even know what governance  is. So, he should please keep quiet and hold his peace. He is talking about inconsistency; it is he  who is inconsistent. On one hand, he wants an alliance with the north and on other hand, he wants the governors to fight the north and the Inspector General of Police in order not to be seen as weak. Is that how the presidency of Igbo extraction would be achieved? Yet, Mbazuluike wants to be taken seriously?

“He wants an alliance with the north to the exclusion of other parts of Nigeria; the south west, south-south and the middle belt. When I talked about a president from the south east, I meant a Nigerian president from the south east and not a south eastern president in alliance with the north only. The president must be in alliance with the north east, north-west, north central, south west, south-south and south east.

“Mbazuluike said I was inconsistent because I brought Awolowo  to re-unite with Zik in my house. Is Awolowo not one of the foremost Nigerian leaders? A highly respected leader, who  governed the old western region, with legacies that contributed to what south west is today? Now Mbazuluike Amechi is already dividing Nigeria by talking about Zik and Bello alone, forgetting that the leaders then were  Zik, Bello and Awolowo. This view is his alone and does not represent the views of the Igbo.

“Mbazulike seemed to be ignorant of what happened in the second republic. I never contested for governorship nomination with Chief C. C. Onoh  in NPN; it was Dr. Alex Ekwueme  and  Dr. Chuba Okadigbo who contested for governorship of old Anambra State with Onoh in NPN, and Onoh won. Chief Onoh contested the larger Enugu Local Government  election with my elder brother, John Nwobodo under non-party basis and my brother won.

“Mbazuluike has never governed before; he does not understand what governance means, so he is not qualified to speak on governance. He is  ignorant of how parties were formed, so he does not understand what happened and I can forgive him. He was meddling with Club 19 that was supposed to metamorphose into NPP. He could not achieve it and could not fund the party until T O S Benson and Chief M.T Mbu invited me to take over the Club 19. I funded it with my personal resources and built it up into a political party and that was how NPP was formed.

“He is now calling for a meeting of both APC and PDP leaders from the south east in his home town at Ukpor where he would sit down in his bedroom and select an Igbo President for Nigerians. I don’t know how many Nigerian Presidents were selected in one man’s bedroom. This is what he is working on. And this is the man who wants to be taken seriously. APC and PDP do not belong to the Igbo alone and are not the only parties in Nigeria. He claims he is going to start making contacts to achieve Igbo presidency. Was that how Presidents Obasanjo, Ya’radua, Jonathan and Buhari became presidents? Yet he wants to be taken serious.

“I have respect for age but Mbazuluike should please speak like an elder. I would not talk about this issue anymore and would not want to join issues with him. I have made my points and they are verifiable.”

Nwobodo went further to say: “I challenge Mbazuluike Amechi to tell Nigerians one thing he has done for them, one thing he has done for  Ndi-Anambra, one thing he has done for  Ndigbo and I will name one hundred things I have done for the Igbo. In all his life, it has been I want to bring this side and the other side, yet none of them succeeded. How  can one be failing all the time? There is nothing he did that succeeded. It was the three governors that he was insulting that brought Zik and Shagari. Where I led the negotiating team, Paul Unongo and others got what we got and that was what gave us our golden era. Mbazuluike was not in the show at all. He has never been in any show that succeeded.

“All those following Mbazuluike should be careful because he is now trying to derail our chance. You want President and you are talking about fighting? You don’t get presidency by fighting, by calling people names. He has never succeeded and that’s the man that wants to get President for Ndigbo. Let him name one thing he has done for Ndigbo and I will name many things I did for his village, Ukpor, in Anambra, in Enugu and in Ebonyi. He is just a rabble-rouser. A man at 90 years should not talk the way he talks.  He talking as if he is 30 or 40 but I respect age.”

Vanguard

By Ozioruva Aliu

LESS than  two weeks to Edo State governorship election, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Governor Godwin Obaseki of attempting to smuggle the names of its supporters as agents of some political parties’ agents to the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC..

A statement by the Chairman, Edo State APC Media Campaign Council, John Mayaki alleged that the list was doctored by the Government House for some parties he alleged have been stooges of the governor and the PDP.

Mayaki identified the parties as Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Action Democratic Party, ADP, National Rescue Movement, NRM, and Labour Party, LP.

However, the state chairman of APM, Charles Ugiagbe, denied the allegation saying:  “I don’t know what you are talking about, I am not aware of that for now. We have submitted the list of our agents to INEC.”

READ ALSO: I won’t fold my arms any longer, says Magu

On his part, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare who also denied the allegation, said: “It is one of their baseless allegation as usual. We are talking about them bribing a national INEC commissioner to fill the name of agents with APC names, they are now talking of PDP doing same, it is a baseless allegation.

“Whenever we accuse the APC, they come up with all sorts of stories. You are aware a few days ago, we actually complained that an INEC officer who is from Edo has turned himself to be the one that will appoint EOs and polling officers with APC. So, there is no truth in this allegation. It is APC that is trying to stain INEC.”

Mayaki said “whatever Obaseki hopes to achieve with his concert of losers is not clear,” and called on INEC to be alert to any election rigging mischief.

“Just two weeks to go, you could see the confusion in the Obaseki camp. It is getting clear to them they will be thrashed on Election Day. So, it is electoral mischief galore. How do you explain trying to smuggle in agents’ names when the exercise has closed?”

Vanguard

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye played his first competitive game for the Reserve team of his Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam in their first game of the season.

The B Team of Sparta Rotterdam takes part in the Tweedie Divisie, a league meant for the reserve teams of the Dutch top division clubs and the highest amateur league in the Netherlands.

ALSO READ: Barcelona boss Koeman orders Suarez to train alone

The Nigerian goaltender played the entire duration of the match in the 2-2 draw against a 10-man Jong FC Volendam. The Super Eagles goalkeeper made a last-minute save which ensured Sparta Rotterdam secured a point from the encounter.

Although Okoye conceded twice, he was left exposed by his defenders, and the few occasions he was called to action, he made his effort count.

He moved to Holland from the German Regionaliga side, Fortuna Dusseldorf at the end of last season/

Vanguard

Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu

…Tells politicians: Our national security more critical than your ambition

By Kingsley Omonobi

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, has charged Commanders of the 97 Police Mobile Force, PMF, Squadrons across the nation to exhibit high-level professionalism, neutrality and embrace a citizen-friendly approach in policing the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

The IGP gave the charge during a meeting he summoned with Squadron (PMF) Commanders to discuss the prevailing security situation in the country. IGP Adamu used the occasion to reassure the residents of Edo and Ondo states, of the full preparedness of the Nigeria Police Force in conjunction with INEC and other security agencies to ensure the success of both elections. He also warned political gladiators and the electorates in the Edo and Ondo states elections to situate all their electioneering activities within the dictates of the rule of law, noting: “They should be guided by the reality that no political ambition of any individual is more critical than our common national security interests”.

The conference centred on the deployment of the PMF for the elections and general review of the current internal security threats in the country.  The IGP noted that the PMF which has remained at the forefront of tactical operations in the country, is central to the operational plans of the Force towards a successful election in the two states.

The IGP, who observed that the elections are coming on the heels of the just concluded PMF Commanders’ course held at Ende Hills, Nasarawa State, charged the officers to take advantage of the new insights and experiences drawn from the training to positively impact their leadership roles in the elections and beyond.

READ ALSO: All you need to know about Ag. IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu

“Hence, while we assure the residents of the two states that we shall provide adequate security that will guarantee a level-playing field for political actors and electorates to exercise their franchise in the most peaceful and free manner, I affirm that anyone, regardless of his or her political leaning, that attempts to test our will, by threatening our democratic values and national security on account of his or her electoral interests shall be promptly identified, isolated and brought to desired justice,” he said.”

On the implementation of community policing strategy, the IGP told the Squadron Commanders, “Our Policing vision is now built on the principle of Community policing, which is driven by the principle of trust and partnership between the Police and its citizens. This requires that we must of necessity, alter our policing orientation and strategies and embrace the new paradigm which prioritizes the interest of the citizens, rule of law and professionalism”

“Trust and partnership can never be engendered with the citizens by any police detachment whose conducts alienate the community that they are engaged, paid, and deployed to serve and protect. I am therefore, constantly worried when I hear reports of gross misconducts by your personnel, particularly in relation to excessive use of force and incivility to citizens. This can only occur as a result of leadership dereliction on your part as Commanders. This situation must stop forthwith.”

Consequently, IGP Adamu warned: “Henceforth, you shall be held vicariously liable for any misconduct of your personnel and this could attract serious disciplinary actions which may include your being relieved of your post as Squadron Commanders. You are therefore charged to return to your squadrons and exhibit professional leadership that will glorify the force and enhance your squadrons to the public in the spirit of Community policing”.

Similarly, IGP Adamu on Monday flagged – off the Enrolment of Retired Police Personnel on the National Health Insurance scheme with a disclosure that the scheme which shall be in batches, has been decentralized for the convenience of ‘Our Retired Officers’.

Vanguard

By Omeiza Ajayi

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has again expressed commitment to conducting  free and fair governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, assuring that it has no interest in who emerges as governors of both states.

Chief Press Secretary CPS to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi stated this on Monday at a Webinar organized by the International Press Centre IPC and Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria ACSPN.

The webinar had the theme: “Edo/Ondo Elections: The imperative of Safety Consciousness and Conflict Sensitivity in Media Coverage and Reportage.”

READ ALSO: Embrace technology for sustainability, experts tell publishers

According to him, INEC is not interested in the outcome of the elections but the credibility of the process.

“It is the duty of INEC to provide a level playing field. We are not interested in the outcome of the elections but the credibility of the process, to ensure that materials get to the polling unit in good time”, he said.

Oyekanmi said INEC will make use of its new Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic, as well as its Regulations and Guidelines to deliver on its mandate. While appealing to journalists to be fair in their reportage, Oyekanmi assured of a better relationship with journalist in election coverage.

Vanguard

By Chioma Onuegbu

THE apex socio-cultural organisation of the South-South geo-political zone, Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has demanded prosecution of persons indicted in the ongoing investigation of alleged misappropriation of funds in Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, and Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

National Chairman of PANDEF and former military administrator of Akwa Ibom State, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (retd), made the call, yesterday, while reacting to the recent report of the presidential panel headed by  National Security Adviser, NSA, Gen Babagana Monguno (retd), which indicted three former coordinators of PAP and 17 ex-militant leaders of allegedly looting the funds meant for rehabilitation of beneficiaries of the programme.

Nkanga, who explained that prosecution would help to determine whether those mentioned actually committed the crime or not, stressed that there was a possibility that those indicted in the amnesty programme could be responsible of stealing the said funds because they were the coordinators.

He lamented that PANDEF was particularly interested to see that those that have enriched themselves by looting NDDC and PAP, irrespective of which part of the country they come from, are exposed.

He said: “Look, we have come to a point that things should not be handled with kid gloves. That is why we have been shouting since last year about the forensic audit in NDDC, that we want the names of those doing this to be published.

“The same thing also with the probe of PAP. We are saying if those in charge of the programme get their money illegally,  prosecute them, it is not just enough to mention names. It is then that we will know what has happened, if they are the ones that actually stole the money.

READ ALSO: N88m Contract award: No breach of procurement law -Amnesty office

“Those indicted were former coordinators of the programme, there might be a small man out there that is controlling all that.

“Government money is not something that comes and you pocket it just like that. There are lots of procedures to it. And when you talk about criminal offence, you must charge them to court, then prove it properly. It is as simple as that.

“And you know whenever anything happens here, they will always put it on Niger Delta. The world will not know that some of those things are not even done by people of Niger Delta.

“Whether it is PAP or the NDDC, or Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, the people of Niger Delta have been grossly shortchanged. And anybody that is shortchanging them, it is not fair and I am sure that the God of justice will not allow it to continue that way.”

Vanguard

Ogoni land, polluted with oil spills

…Links insecurity in Ogoni to failure of clean-up process

By Davies Iheamnachor

Forum of Ogoni Elders and Leaders under the aegis of Gbo Kabaari Ogoni, has tasked the Federal Government and Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, to stop playing games with the lives of the people of Ogoni ethnic nationality of Rivers State.

The body composed of prestigious sons and daughters of the area also accused HYPREP of failing to deliver the clean-up project transparently to the oil devastated communities of Ogoni, adding that the project was structured to fail the people.

Chairman of the body, Sen Bennett Birabi, in a world press conference in Port Harcourt, yesterday, expressed regret that in a recent performance index released by United Nations Environmental Report office that HYPREP scored zero in eight out of 10 in a performance index produced.

READ ALSO: HYPREP: Ex- staffs lament non-payment of salaries 7 years after

Birabi bemoaned that HYPREP had failed to deliver the clean-up project to the people, adding that the lives of the people are affected by inactions of the project.

He said: “Regrettably, rather than address the issues so raised, HYPREP has instead continued in the unfortunate path of reinforcing failure and engaging in propaganda to cover up its failures at the expense of the health and lives of the hapless people of Ogoni. Some of the issues we drew its attention to earlier, have now snowballed and assumed very complex dimensions.

“This, in our view, is an insulting conspiratorial arrangement to perpetually under-develop Ogoni. It depicts the manner of games that are played with the lives of Ogoni people, but it has got to stop.”

Birabi noted the clean-up project was to provide employment for unemployed youths in the area involved in artisanal refining and, in effect, help address issues of insecurity in the land, regretting that the failure to meet the emergency need has worsened insecurity in the area.

He expressed worry over lack of attention to the recommendations of UNEP on the area of emergency, adding that the health of the people was endangered by their continuous exposure to the polluted environment.

“The zero score indicated in the by UNEP means, therefore, that we had zero youth employment in those areas, with its very sad consequences on security. We find this unacceptable and it is our view that by any performance metric, the so much harped Ogoni clean-up has failed thus far.

“Sadly, continuously drinking water contaminated with such dangerously high levels of Benzene, a carcinogenic substance, is an obvious threat to this fundamental right of the Nigerian citizen.

“The continuous refusal to implement this all-important recommendation is, therefore, a serious threat to the corporate existence and sustainability of Ogoni people, who as Nigerians are protected by the Nigerian constitution.

“We roundly condemn the unfortunate and offensive attempts by HYPREP to downplay the meaning of “emergency” or, perhaps, input a strange into it. Emergency measures mean emergency measures.”

Vanguard

…Says price’ll change as crude oil price changes

…Justifies electricity tariff increase lAdds, those who get less than 12hrs of power not affected

…No more estimated billing

…Laments COVID-19 reduced revenue by almost 60%

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, asked Nigerians to expect further increase in the price of petrol, saying people would pay more as soon as the price of crude oil in the international market recovers.

He also justified the latest increase in electricity tariff, which has raised so much dust in the polity.

The President, who stated these at the First Year Ministerial Performance Review Retreat at State House Conference Centre, Abuja, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected economies globally, has compelled us to make some far-reaching adjustments that may cause some initial pain, but which is necessary for long-term gains.

“As you all know, when oil prices collapsed at the height of the global lock-down, we deregulated the price of premium motor spirit, PMS, such that the benefit of lower prices was passed to consumers.

“This was welcome by all and sundry. The effect of regulation though is that PMS prices will change with changes in global oil prices. This means, quite regrettably, that as oil prices recover, we would see some increases in PMS prices.”

‘Negative consequences’

Continuing, President Buhari who was represented by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, said: “There are several negative consequences, if government should resume the business of fixing or subsidizing PMS prices. First of all, it would mean a return to the costly subsidy regime.

“Today we have 60% less revenue, we just cannot afford the cost. The second danger is the potential return of fuel queues – which has, thankfully, become a thing of the past under this administration.

“Nigerians no longer have to endure long queues just to buy petrol, often at highly-inflated prices. Also, as I hinted earlier, there is no provision for fuel subsidy in the revised 2020 budget, simply because we are not able to afford it, if reasonable provisions must be made for health, education and other social services. We now have no choice.

“Nevertheless, I want to assure our compatriots that government will remain alert to its responsibilities. The role of government now is to prevent marketers from raising prices arbitrarily or exploiting citizens.

“This was why the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, made the announcement a few days ago, setting the range of price that must not be exceeded by marketers.

“The advantage we now have is that anyone can bring in petroleum products and compete with marketers, that way the price of petrol will keep coming down.”

‘Why we hiked electricity tariff’

Justifying the increase in electricity tariff, Buhari said: “The other painful adjustment that we have had to make in recent days is a review of the electricity tariff regime.

“If there is one thing we have heard over and over again, it is that Nigerians want consistent and reliable power supply. So the power sector remains a critical priority for the administration.

“Protecting the poor and vulnerable, while ensuring improved service in the power sector, is also a major priority for government. And our policies, like the social investment programmes and other socio-economic schemes to benefit Nigerians, show that we remain focused on improving the welfare of the common man.

“The recent service-based tariff adjustment by the DISCOs has been a source of concern for many of us. Let me say frankly that like many Nigerians, I have been very unhappy about the quality of service given by the DISCOs.

“That is why we have directed that tariff adjustments be made only on the basis of guaranteed improvement in service. Under this new arrangement, only customers who are guaranteed a minimum of 12 hours of power and above can have their tariffs adjusted.

“Those who get less than 12 hours of supply (B and D and E Customers) will not see any tariff adjustment. The poor and under-privileged who were on R1 lifeline tariffs in the old structure will be maintained on lifeline tariffs, meaning that they will experience no increase.

“Government has also taken notice of the complaints about arbitrary estimated billing. Accordingly, a mass metering programme is being undertaken to provide metres for over five million Nigerians, largely driven by preferred procurement from local manufacturers, creating thousands of jobs in the process.

“NERC has also been instructed to strictly enforce the capping regulation which will ensure that unmetred customers are not charged beyond the metred customers in their neighbourhood.

“In addressing the power problems, we must not forget that most Nigerians are not even connected to electricity at all. So, as part of the Economic Sustainability Plan, we are providing solar home systems to five million Nigerian households (impacting up to 25 million individual Nigerians) in the next 12 months.

Solar power to complement supply

“We have already begun the process of providing financing support through the CBN for manufacturers and retailers of Off-Grid Solar Home Systems and Mini-Grids who are to provide the systems.

READ ALSO: Economy: Research reports, FG differ on major indices

“The five million systems under the ESP’s Solar Power Strategy, will produce 250,000 jobs and impact up to 25 million beneficiaries through the installation This means that more Nigerians will have access to electricity via a reliable and sustainable solar system.

“The support to Solar Home System manufacturers and the bulk procurement of local metres will create over 300,000 local jobs while ensuring that we set Nigeria on a path to full electrification.

“The tariff review is not about the increase, which will only affect the top electricity consumers but establishing a system which will definitely lead to improved service for all at a fair and reasonable price.

“There have been some concern expressed about the timing of these two necessary adjustments. It is important to stress that it is a mere coincidence in the sense that the deregulation of PMS prices happened quite some time ago.

“It was announced on March 18, 2020, and the price moderation that took place at the beginning of this month was just part of the on-going monthly adjustments to global crude oil prices.

“Similarly, the review of service-based electricity tariffs was scheduled to start at the beginning of July but was put on hold to enable further studies and proper arrangements to be made.

“This government is not insensitive to the condition of our people and the very difficult economic situation and we will not inflict hardship on our people. Ministers and senior officials must accordingly ensure vigorous and prompt implementation of the ESP programmes to give succour to Nigerians at this difficult time.

“In this regard, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has created credit facilities (of up to N100 billion) for healthcare (N100 billion) and manufacturing (N1 trillion) sectors.

“From January 2020 to date, over N191.87billion have already been disbursed for 76 real sectors projects under the N1Trillion Real Sector Scheme, while 34 healthcare projects have been funded to the tune of N37.159billion under the Healthcare Sector Intervention Facility.

“The facilities are meant to address some of the infrastructural gap in the healthcare and manufacturing sectors as a fall out of COVID-19 pandemic and to facilitate the attainment of the Governors 5-year strategic plan.’’

‘Mankind struggling with COVID-19’

Speaking on the essence of the retreat, the President said: “We are meeting at a time that mankind is struggling to overcome the economic and social crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted life as we knew it. The consequences of the pandemic will no doubt influence our deliberations at this gathering, especially as we will have to adjust our policy approaches and methods of working going forward.

“I stressed at last year’s retreat that the Nigerian people expect dedication and commitment by all of us in implementing policies, programmes and projects to improve the quality of their lives and set Nigeria on the path of prosperity.

“I also reiterated the resolve of this administration to set the stage for lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years. Even today, these remain our overriding objectives.

9 priority areas

“The priorities we set for ourselves were around nine inter-related and inter-connected areas, which are:

…Stabilizing the economy; achieving agriculture and food security;

…Attaining energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products;

…Improving transportation and other infrastructure.

…Others are driving industrialization with a special focus on SMEs;

…Expanding access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians;

…Enhancing social inclusion by scaling up social investments; as well as,

…Building a system to fight corruption, improve governance and strengthen national security.

“In the course of the past year, ministers have rendered reports to the Federal Executive Council on their activities and outputs related to the achievement of these objectives. Some of the notable achievements include:  Economic recovery, prior to the outbreak of COVID-19. The economy recovered from a recession and we witnessed eleven 2 quarters of consecutive GDP growth since exiting recession.

“The GDP grew from 0.8% in 2017 to 2.2% in 2019, but declined in the first quarter of 2020, as a result of the downward trend in global economic activities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Implementation of a Willing Buyer, Willing Seller Policy for the power sector has opened up opportunities for increased delivery of electricity to homes and industries.

Critical projects on-going

“We are also executing some critical projects through the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme, which will result in the transmission and distribution of a total of 11,000 Megawatts by 2023.

“On transportation, we are growing the stock and quality of our road, rail, air and water transport infrastructure. The Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund projects are also progressing very well.

“These include the 11.9 km Second Niger Bridge, 120 km Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and 375 km Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway. At the same time, we are actively extending and upgrading our railway networks, as well as our airports which are being raised to international standard with the provision of necessary equipment, to guarantee world-class safety standard.

“The government has continued to support the agricultural sector, the key to the diversification of our economy, through schemes such as the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme and the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative programme.

“The work of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC, has resulted in Nigeria moving up 39 places on the World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ ranking since 2015 and Nigeria is now rated as one of the top ten reforming countries.

“We are confident that the on-going ease of doing business reforms would result in further improvement of this rating.  Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies have significantly scaled up their footprint across the country.

“As part of the efforts towards strengthening our internal security architecture, the Ministry of Police Affairs was created. Among others, we have increased investments in arms, weapons and other necessary equipment, expanded the National Command and Control Centre to nineteen states of the federation, and established a Nigerian Police Trust Fund, which will significantly improve funding for the Nigeria Police Force. We have also approved the sum of N13.3 billion for the take-off of the community policing initiative across the country, as part of measures to consolidate efforts aimed at boosting security nationwide.

“Efforts are also being made to empower the youth and other vulnerable groups by enhancing investments in our Social Investment Programmes. These accomplishments are a testament to the fact that all hands are on deck in establishing a solid foundation for even greater successes in future.

“When we met one year ago, little did we know that the world would be in a serious economic, social and health crisis that had left even the major economies in disarray, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Just as in other jurisdictions, the socio-economic landscape of Nigeria has experienced a severe shock. Nearly 55,000 of our people have been infected with the virus, while we have recorded 1,054 deaths by September 4.

“The economy contracted by -6.1 per cent in the second quarter of this year; normal schooling has been disrupted; businesses are struggling and in certain instances completely closed; many people have lost their jobs and earning a living has been difficult.

‘Trying times’

“It has been a trying time for all of us and particularly for those in the informal sector who make their living from daily earnings.  It has not been any easier for governments, whether at the federal, state or local government level.

“As a result of the poor fortunes of the oil sector, our revenues and foreign exchange earnings are stretched. Yet we have had to sustain expenditures, especially on salaries and capital projects, in order to keep the economy going. We acted to mitigate the effect of the economic slowdown by adopting the N2.3 trillion Economic Sustainability Plan but we have also had to take some difficult decisions to stop unsustainable practices that were weighing the economy down.

“As you all know, in response to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic; we developed the N2.3 Trillion Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), which consists of fiscal, monetary and sectoral measures to enhance local production, support businesses, retain and create jobs and provide succour to Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable.

“In addition to improving the health sector, the ESP lays emphasis on labour-intensive interventions in agriculture, light manufacturing, housing, and facilities management.

“It also complements on-going major infrastructural projects in power, road and rail by prioritising the building of rural roads, information and telecommunications technologies as well as providing solar power to homes which were not hitherto connected to the national grid.

“Alongside interventions in these critical areas, including agriculture and food security, affordable housing, technology, health, and providing jobs for youths and women post-COVID; the ESP will provide different avenues of government support for micro, small and medium enterprises, MSMEs, to enable them respond to the economic challenges of COVID-19.

“This includes safeguarding about 300,000 jobs in 100,000 MSMEs by guaranteeing off-take of priority products; and Survival Fund to support vulnerable SMEs in designated vulnerable sectors in meeting their payroll obligations and safeguarding jobs from the shock of COVID-19.

“Under the ESP MSMEs component, both the Survival Fund (Payroll support), and the Guaranteed Off-take Scheme, GoS, are to impact about 1.7 million individuals within three to five months. Also, 45 per cent of total business beneficiaries will be female-owned; and 5 per cent of total business beneficiaries will be dedicated to special needs business owners.”

Vanguard

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country.

Abubakar made the commitment in Gombe on Monday, at the groundbreaking ceremony of 203 Combat Reconnaissance Group of the NAF, Sanni Abacha International Airport, Gombe.

According to hm, the newly established group is strategically located in Gombe State to enable NAF to carry out its responsibilities more effectively, especially in the North-East.

He said the group was also expected to add more value to organisational operations in the fight against insurgency and other security challenges in the zone and the country at large.

“The group also marks another milestone in the service efforts to mark its presence in the critical parts of the zone.

“Upon my assumption of duty in 2015, I charted a new course for the service with the vision to reposition NAF into a highly professional discipline for capacity building initiatives for effective, efficient deployment of firepower.

“We also expanded the service by creating two new additional commands, one of which is the operational command with headquarters in Bauchi, as well as several others,” he said.

Abubakar added that all the efforts were geared toward securing the country as well as bringing security closer to the people.

“We also created some quick response groups/units also to bring security closer to the people.

“Some of these groups/units are located in Gembu in Taraba, Zamfara, Agatu in Benue; Plateau, Nasarawa and Katsina State, in response to the security challenges in the various areas,” he said.

READ ALSO: NAF airlifts erstwhile conjoined twins back to Yenagoa after separation surgery at FMC, Yola

Also, the Special Guest of Honour, Gov. Abubakar Yahaya of Gombe state, commended NAF for establishing the group in the state.

Yahaya said NAF had been in the front line in the fight against insurgency and other security threats plaguing the country, especially in the North-East.

“I have no doubt that the group will go a long way in tackling insecurity and other security threats plaguing the state.

“The establishment of the group will also foster civil/military relations in the state. The people of Gombe state will no longer live in perpetual fear of the insurgents,” he said.

NAN

Vanguard News Nigeria

gos logo

By Sola Ogundipe

The Lagos Civil Society Participation for Development, LACSOP (formerly Lagos State Civil Society Partnership) has called on the Lagos State Government to publish a detailed breakdown of the expenditure on COVID-19 palliatives in the state.

Making the demand during a conversation on Twitter that featured the launch of an assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic Palliatives in Lagos State, participants in the conversation called for what they described as “clarity of expression and documentation” which they said is paramount.

Calling on the State government to demonstrate accountability,  the groups observed that distribution of the COVID-19 palliatives in the State lacked proper coordination even as they alleged that many things went wrong at various distribution points.

In the assessment, jointly produced by LACSOP, BudgIT Foundation, and Socio-Economic Rights and Protection, SERAP, with support from Agents for Citizen-driven Transformation (ACT) programme of the British Council, the State government owed it to the citizens to be accountable for their welfare.

The assessment noted that:  “Politicians hijacked the packages at the local level; distributions were done outside available data and there were no objective criteria for identifying vulnerable persons.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: How eCommerce sustained thousands of jobs during lockdown

“It was discovered that the quality of food distributed and food portions were small; absence of a collaborative and inclusive coordinating body for the distributions and COVID-19 safety rules were flouted during distributions.”

Participants who joined in the conversation also demanded that the Lagos State government should be accountable and transparent.

According to a commentator: “Perhaps one way to ensure proper accounting is to open the Registry to allow LACSOP to have access  to the state government for transparency.“

Another commentator suggested: “One thinks that lessons have been learned on how to harmonise data and use the same for effective planning and human development”.

Responding to the database used in sharing the palliatives, another commentator on twitter God’s time Ikumapai, Ward Health Committee (WHC) Lagos Alliance Chairman commended the state government but noted that more needed to be done to ensure everyone is carried along. “Great stride, but the method of getting the main beneficiaries should be looked into and improved upon,” he said.

NIMASA

The Governor of Bayelsa, Sen. Duoye Diri, on Monday said that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) was key in weaning Nigeria from its dependence on crude oil.

Diri disclosed this in a statement signed by Mr Philip Kyanet, Head, Corporate Communications, NIMASA in Lagos.

Diri, who was on a courtesy visit to NIMASA, added that the most enduring wealth of the country was in the maritime domain.

Also read: Nigerian Navy operations and projections for overcoming criminality at sea

He noted that the country’s future depended on the successful harnessing of the enormous resources in its marine environment.

The governor appealed to NIMASA to increase its presence in Bayelsa, especially in the area of domain awareness, to ensure security in the state’s maritime environment and build confidence in investments in its huge maritime potential.

“A lot of countries are moving away from fossil fuel and the maritime sector gives Nigeria an alternative.

“All the eight local governments in our state can be accessed by water. In fact, the headquarters of three of these local governments can only be reached by water. This shows how important our state is to national maritime development.

“We are, therefore, seeking partnership with NIMASA, which is the apex maritime regulatory agency of our country, to enable the organisation to expand its regulatory activities to our state.

“NIMASA and Bayelsa are inextricably one, and there is a need for both to work together to strengthen the country’s maritime domain,” he said.

Diri appealed to NIMASA to help in the removal of wrecks that had impaired navigation in many parts of the coastal state.

He urged NIMASA to support the state to develop its maritime potential, especially in the areas of training, youth development, the establishment of a maritime academy in the state, and the development of the Agge Deep Seaport in Ekeremor Local Government Area.

Responding, the NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said Bayelsa was one of the agency’s strongest allies in the pursuit of its mandate of sustainable regulation and promotion of the maritime sector.

He said security was of utmost importance in the realisation of a prosperous maritime sector.

Diri added that he would facilitate the incorporation of Bayelsa in the ongoing effort to integrate the maritime domain awareness facilities of relevant stakeholders.

He listed the relevant stakeholders to include: NIMASA’s C4i, Nigerian Navy’s Falcon Eye, the Nigerian Ports Authority’s C3i, and the i247 of the Nigeria Police.

“Bayelsa holds the key to the growth of our economy because a huge part of our coastline falls within the state.

“Thankfully, the issue of wreck removal has been sorted out and we have concluded the marking and identification of all wrecks and derelicts across the country for removal,” he said.

The DG assured the governor of the agency’s support in terms of maritime growth and would look into expanding their office in Bayelsa, in order to have more presence in the state.

Vanguard News

By Luminous Jannamike

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, have called on the National Assembly not to sweep under the carpet every concern citizens have raised on the new Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA, 2020).

The two clerics, who jointly chair the Nigerian Interreligious Council (NIREC), made the call as founders of several religious bodies continued their rejection of the new law.

The fear expressed in many quarters is that the federal government enacted CAMA 2020 to pave the way for it to take over the administration of their organizations.

However, a statement which NIREC’s Executive Secretary, Fr. Prof. Cornelius Omonokhua, issued on Monday, quoted the Sultan of Sokoto and the CAN President as insisting that the new law remained liable to change.

So, they said: “We have noted with concern the controversy that is brewing after the National Assembly passed the Companies and Allied Matter Act, 2020 (CAMA) and it was subsequently assented to by the President.

“We are aware that laws are amended, reviewed or reformed periodically to address socio-economic changes in the society.

“It is, therefore, not surprising that the National Assembly decided to pass the CAMA 2020. This is more imperative in view of the need for our country to improve its ranking in ease of doing business and fight against corruption.

“We also note with admiration that from time to time, the National Assembly, in the course of its law-making process, invites stakeholders to participate in public hearings before a Bill is passed.

“This good practice of engagement with stakeholders before passing any law must continue as the citizens will be happier with a law that contains their input.

“We call on the National Assembly to therefore listen objectively to the reactions of the citizens on CAMA in the spirit of democracy while the citizens should be law-abiding in the spirit of patriotism.

READ ALSO: CAMA 2020 controversy must be resolved

“All citizens should be aware that even after following due legislative process in making any law (including CAMA 2020), it does not become sacrosanct. Citizens with genuine observations are free to express them.”

Meanwhile, the foremost religious leaders advised all well-meaning individuals and groups to be patient on the controversy, stressing that the issue has both constitutional and democratic solutions.

“One of the beauties of democracy is that citizens have their representatives in the legislature. Apart from the representatives, sponsorship of private Bills is allowed.

“We advise all well-meaning individuals or groups with genuine complaints to approach the court or the National Assembly to avoid generating unnecessary bad blood and acrimony.

“All those aggrieved by the passage of the CAMA 2020 should therefore resort to the legislative process by proposing either an amendment or repeal of the CAMA 2020. It will then be left for the National Assembly to consider such Bills in their own merit.”

Vanguard News Nigeria

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

The suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has applied for the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, to be summoned before the Justice Ayo Salami-led panel of inquiry, to give evidence as a witness.

Magu, who is facing probe over allegations bordering on abuse of office and mismanagement of Federal Government Recovered Assets and Finances from May 2015 to May 2020, applied for Malami to be compelled to appear before the panel to give evidence and tender a copy of his memo to President Muhammadu Buhari, which led to his suspension as EFCC Chairman.

In the application dated September 4 and signed by his lawyer, Mr. Wahab Shittu, Magu, specifically applied for Subpoena Duces Tecum and Subpoena Ad Testificandum to be issued on Malami who he described as his “main accuser”.

Magu’s fresh application to the Salami-led panel of inquiry sitting at the Presidential Villa, a copy of which was sighted by Vanguard on Monday, read:

“Kindly cause to be issued a Subpoena Duces Tecum and Subpoena Ad Testificandum on Mr Abubakar Malami SAN, The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation to give evidence, and tender relevant documents on behalf of the State concerning his memo to the President against Mr Ibrahim Magu, The Acting Chairman of EFCC, the subject matter of this inquiry titled “FLAGRANT ABUSE OF PUBLIC OFFICE AND OTHER INFRACTIONS COMMITTED BY MR. IBRAHIM MAGU, ACTING CHAIRMAN ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION (EFCC) BEING EXTRACTS OF PENDING PETITIONS” in these proceedings.

“The HAGF is expected to give evidence on his allegations against Ibrahim Magu, to wit: ‘The Acting Chairman of EFCC is not acting in the overall best interest of the country and the policies of this administration due to its Mismanagement and Lack of Transparency in Managing Recovered Assets; Diversion of Recovered Assets for Personal Enrichment; Neglecting to Investigate the P&ID case as directed by the President;

Flagrant Disobedience to Directives and to Court Orders due to the following; Final Report Of The Presidential Committee on Audit Of Recovered Assets (PCARA): Mismanagement and Lack of Transparency in Managing Recovered Assets”.

The suspended EFCC Chairman relied on Section 5(c) of the Tribunals of Inquiry Act 2004, which he said empowered the tribunal to summon any person in Nigeria to attend and give evidence or produce any document or other thing in his possession and to be examined as a witness.

READ ALSO: P&ID saga: UK court ruling, victory for Magu ― Shittu

“Summonses issued under this paragraph may be in Form A in the schedule to this act and shall be served by the police or by such person as the members may direct”, he noted, adding that under Section 6 of the Tribunals of Inquiry Act 2004, Justice Salami as Chairman of the panel, has the power to sign the subpoena to be issued on Malami.

According to Magu, “In the referred memo widely circulated in the social media which triggered these proceedings”, Malami, equally alleged that he was involved in the mismanagement of recovered assets and diversion for personal enrichment.

He said some of the allegations Malami raised against him in the memo to President Buhari, included that: “The Acting Chairman has also neglected and refused blantantly to comply with the Regulations on the Management of Recovered Assets, 2019.

“The Acting Chairman does not want a proper and transparent procedure for the management of assets as directed by your Excellency through me”.

Magu said he believed that consistent with the fundamental principles of fair hearing as guaranteed under Section 36 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, he is entitled to confront Malami before the tribunal.

“Our client is entitled to be confronted with copies of allegations against him as well as the opportunity to confront his main accuser (in this case, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation) to enable our client raise issues concerning the allegations and cross-examine the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation on the substance and credibility of his allegations against our client.

“Based on the foregoing, we humbly request that the Honourable Attorney General who is the main accuser in these proceedings be graciously invited to give evidence in connection with the subject matter of this inquiry with specific reference to our client in the interest of fair hearing.

“We believe this request ought to be resolved before our client is called upon to enter his defence in these proceedings”.

More so, Magu, also requested for the recall of several witnesses that appeared and testified before the panel at the time he was not allowed to participate in the proceedings.

He said there was need for him to be allowed to cross-examine such witnesses, especially in view of the extensive scope of the terms of reference of the probe panel.

Vanguard News Nigeria

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commended the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board for best Hajj operation practices and living up to expectations in discharging its duties.‎

The Executive Chairman of the Commission,  Zikrullah Hassan, gave the commendation in a statement by Abba Anwar, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, issued on Monday in Kano.

Hassan stated this when members of the Commission paid a courtesy visit to Ganduje at the Governor’s Lodge,  Abuja.

He described Kano state Pilgrims Welfare Board as the best in the country and pledged to make Hajj more affordable to Muslims in the country.

In his response, Ganduje said such collaboration was imperative in view of the strategic position of Kano as the nucleus of the Hajj Commission in the country.‎

“The state will continue to work hand in hand with the Commission all the time.

“Unfortunately this year, Hajj operation was suspended due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

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According to him, the Pilgrims Board had reimbursed monies to pilgrims who requested for a refund while others preferred to save for future Hajj operation.