Category: News

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio

By Chris Ochayi – Abuja

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has said the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, would emerge stronger and well-focused to deliver its mandate at the end of the ongoing forensic audit.

Senator Akpabio, who stated this while inaugurating the Field Forensic Auditors at his office in Abuja, added further that a new NDDC will emerge after the exercise.

He noted that the Presidential directive on the holistic examination of activities of the Commission from its inception in 2001 to August 2019, is not just in furtherance of the present administration’s policy agenda to check corruption but determined efforts to reposition the NDDC to change the narrative of the region.

Akpabio, who expressed concerns over the magnitude of rots at the Commission, recalled that previous intervention agencies including the Niger Delta Development Board, NDDB, created in 1958 and Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission, OMPADEC, in 1992 all failed because, “their operations were marred by lack of focus, excessive corruption, political interference and high overhead cost, which are still prominent in the present NDDC.”

According to Sen. Akpabio, the Eight Forensic Auditors were cleared by the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, based on individual Firms Technical competencies and financial compliance.

The Minister recalled that Government’s effort at repositioning the Niger Delta region led to the formation of NDDC in 2000 by an Act of Law mainly to address the issues of Ecological and Socio-economic development problems at the region after many failed attempts.

He further stated that it is pertinent to have a forensic audit considering the amount of resources poured into the Commission over the years compared with the level of development recorded over the same period of time.

ALSO READ: Ikwenene/Ujode Road in Delta: NDDC has failed us, residents cry out (VIDEO)

According to him, “The forensic audit of the Commission is supposed to examine and provide answers, as well as creating a framework for reversing the failures recorded in the past in order to recover those resources recoverable, plug the gaps and stop the waste that is keeping the region underdeveloped.”

“Therefore, the forensic audit should be seen as an opportunity and not a witch-hunt, it is considered as an important project by President Muhammadu Buhari Administration. It will also provide a strong base upon which a new NDDC will emerge”, he said.

In his remarks, the Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Omotayo Alasoadura while appealing to the Auditors to do a thorough job assured them that the Ministry would put everything in place to ensure that the goals of the forensic audit are realised. He also stated that States not covered by this initial audit would be brought on board.

The Permanent Secretary, Dr Babayo Ardo, earlier in his address noted the approval, appointment and inauguration of the Field Auditors signal the commencement of the auditing process.

This is the most extensive audit ever ordered by any Administration in the country to undertake a complete forensic exercise of projects, to establish statutory and non-statutory funds paid to contractors, identify names of beneficiaries of contracts and ways which leakages can be blocked so that funds can be appropriately channelled.

In a speech delivered by the Principal Lead Consultant, Olumuyiwa Basiru & Co, Kabiru Ahmed, states that the Forensic Audit Exercise should be seen as a serious effort by Government to save the Commission from destruction, as well as to stop the rot and chart a new course for serious repositioning of the Agency, to enable it efficiently channel the massive resources at its disposal for effective development of the region.

He added that in order to successfully execute the Forensic Audit Exercise, Mr President has directed the following Terms of Reference for compliance and guidance for all Forensic Auditors involved to undertake a complete Forensic exercise of the NDDC activities in their respective states of assignment; examine and establish whether due process was followed in allocating projects to various NDDC states.

“To properly examine the regulatory framework guiding the Commission for the award of contracts and to establish due compliance or non- compliance with such guidelines for the award of contracts during the period under review amongst others.”

Vanguard News Nigeria.

Aderonke Dairo: Half human, half superhero

Aderonke Adesewa Dairo is a seasoned health professional and advocate, Psychologist, and Social justice crusader; born in Ibadan on the 19th of July to the family of Engr. Olufemi and Mrs. Folasade Dairo who hails from the famous Fadairo family at Oke-Ofa, in Ibadan North-East Local Government area of Oyo State. Her family background is a rich mix of professionalism, industry, community leadership, and service. Her grandfather, Pa Fawole Fadairo was the Awise of Ibadanland.

Aderonke began her early education in Ronk New Age Primary School, Akobo, and proceeded to Command Day Secondary School Adekunle Fajuyi Army Cantonment in Ojoo area of Ibadan. Upon completion of her secondary education, she relocated to the United Kingdom for further studies. The disciplined training style of the Nigerian Army school system formed a solid foundation for Aderonke’s work ethics and social success in the UK as a medical practitioner. Aderonke is the founder of United Together Foundation UK, a Non-profit Organization that educates on and brings people together in the fight against bullying, racism & discrimination.

She also set up a UK-based, Nigeria-focused charity called Only-in-Nigeria Foundation which works to eradicate poverty through the provision of educational support (scholarships and back to school projects), business grants for single mothers, skills training programs, Police widows’ support and sexual health advice- including a free drop-in clinic. She also is the founder of Aderonke Omo Dairo (AOD) Foundation https://www.aderonkedairo.com, an NGO with a vision to change the African narrative concerning widows, tackles the prevalent issues of rape on young girls whilst also empowering single mothers, widows and unemployed youths with a view to reducing poverty in our communities with a mission to ensure a healthy populace which is fundamental to poverty alleviation.

READ ALSO: Buhari predicts victory for Akeredolu 

Some of her past humanitarian acts include:


Scholarship grants to best two (2) students of government schools in the city of Ibadan Payment for UTME forms for 4 children of single mothers based in Ibadan. Free medical outreach conducted in 4 wards within Ibadan N/E local government. Oke Offa, Koloko, OjeElewa.(checks consisted of vitals check, blood pressure check, diabetes test, pregnancy test, and arthritis test). Over 1,500 patients benefited from this outreach within 5 days where free drugs were dispensed to over 80% of patients diagnosed. Free sexual health lectures delivered to over 700 Senior Secondary School Students across three (3) Secondary Schools in Ibadan (Bashorun High school, IMG Secondary School, Oke Offa, including her alma Mata, Command Day Secondary School One-on-one counseling conducted for selected students who confidentially admitted to sexual molestation and assaults at the various schools. 2,600 pieces of free sanitary pads and 3,000 note pads distributed across the schools where sexual health talks were given. Food palliatives including sanitizers give distributed to some communities in Ibadan at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Aderonke has also been at the forefront of the agitation for stricter punishments for convicted rapists in Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole. She initiated a petition https://www.change.org/p/oyo-state-house-of-assembly-more-severe-punishment-for- to the Oyo State government in June 2020 following a series of rapes and murder that ravaged the state asking for stricter penalties for convicted rapists and has not relented in sensitizing her people on the dastardly act ever since. Aderonke has equally made several contributions to society during this time of pandemic by granting virtual interviews on different social media platforms and giving palliatives to some communities in Ibadan. Her AOD Foundation currently has a human right clinic that provides legal advice and helps people of little means on minor misdemeanours while the health clinic focuses on free health outreaches within the Ibadan metropolis.

Besides being a philanthropist, Aderonke also has an eye for the art and business of fashion. She founded the Glasgow Fashion Week http://www.gfashionweek.co.uk which is a unique event that combines international conferences, workshops, displays, and fashion shows in a sustainable and ethical manner.

She loves reading, going to the cinema, playing table tennis and badminton. Her personal life philosophy is summarized in her motto: “We rise by lifting others!”

Vanguard News Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and other relevant government agencies to urgently provide humanitarian supplies to victims of flood disaster in Jigawa State.

The President also assured families affected by the flooding in several communities of the state of timely support from the Federal Government.

ALSO READ: JUST IN: FG receives Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine

This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu in Abuja on Saturday.

According to the statement, “Commiserating with families who lost loved ones, farmlands means of livelihood and property in the ravaging floods in the State, the President directs the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant government agencies to urgently assess the situation in the affected areas with a view to providing the needed humanitarian supplies.

ALSO READ: Without restructuring, credible elections will remain elusive — Ohanaeze

“President Buhari, while commending the prompt response by the Jigawa State government, expresses solidarity with them during this difficult time, assuring of the readiness of the Federal Government to deploy the much-needed assistance as required.

” The President would continue to follow very closely reports of flood situation across the country, and ensure that relevant Federal agencies are well prepared to respond to such disasters and mitigate associated risks.”

Vanguard

The Federal Government on Friday received samples of Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine.

Russia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Alexey Shebarshin, delivered the samples to the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, during a visit to the ministry in Abuja.

Also present at the event were the Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora; top management of the Health Ministry and other Nigerian Scientists.

This was contained in a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Information, Media, and Public Relations, Olujimi Oyetomi.

The statement was titled, ‘Russian Federation Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Alexey L. Shebarshin on courtesy visit to Nigeria’s Health Ministers, Russian-made COVID-19 Vaccine finally here.’

The Adamawa College of Nursing and Midwifery has increased student enrolment by 100 per cent, up from 235.

The aim is to address clinical manpower shortage in many of the state’s health facilities. The Acting Provost of the college, Mrs Lami Aminu, made this known in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola on Friday.

“The college has now approved twice admission in a year and increased the number of students to be admitted from 235 to 470.

ALSO READ: ASUU urges NUC to investigate alleged frauds in some universities

“The new admission policy followed approval by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation.

“The development followed the discovery of gross inadequacy of nursing and midwifery staff in the fields to carter for the needs of the citizens,” Aminu said.

She said that the state government supported the college in the decision to offer admission twice a year.

According to Aminu, the college offers courses in Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery and Community Midwifery.

She said that all the programmes were certified and approved by the council.

ALSO READ: Ohanaeze, ADF react to APC’s claim of restructuring Nigeria

Aminu told NAN that local governments in the state had the responsibility to employ and deploy clinical manpower in to their respective primary health facilities for effective service delivery.

She hoped that the new admission policy of the college would help to reduce mortality and morbidity in the state.

“The massive admission programme was designed for five years – from 2020 to 2025, “ she said.

She said the college would need more office accommodations, hostels and instructors’ facilities for effective teaching and learning environment.

NAN

Vanguard

By Anayo Okoli

ENUGU—APEX Igbo socio-cultural body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said that it supports constitutional restructuring that will ensure equity and fairness to make Nigeria a true federalism.

According to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, until Nigeria is restructured, credible elections will remain elusive.

The Igbo apex body said it had aligned with the Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum to canvas a restructured Nigerian ahead of the 2023 elections, saying it would serve Nigerians better.

ALSO READ: Ohanaeze, ADF react to APC’s claim of restructuring Nigeria

Ohanaeze’s position came on the heels of calls by the former National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Senator Victor Umeh, to all the political parties to make it a policy that only Igbo persons be made their presidential candidates in the 2023 elections.

Umeh said the emergence of an Igbo man as President of Nigeria will show that the Civil War had truly ended, insisting that Ndigbo have people who will effectively pilot the affairs of Nigeria.

On the relationship between restructuring, Acting Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prince Achi-Okpaga, said Ohanaeze Ndigbo would actively work with other ethnic groups across the country to pursue constitutional restructuring of the country and make it a true federalism.

His words: “We support restructuring and will go for a joint decision of the Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum on how to bring it about. This has been our unwavering standpoint and we do not intend to shift from it.

“So, we shall continue to harness our discussions with these geopolitical bodies tailored to chat a good course for posterity.

“I liken the issue of election and restructuring to that the mouth and the tooth. Until the rotten tooth is pulled out the mouth must chew with caution. So until you restructure Nigeria credible elections will remain elusive.”

Meanwhile, Victor Umeh, who was the immediate Senator that represented Anambra Central Senatorial district, has said the clamour for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction is to ensure that Nigeria is truly a united country and end the marginalisation of the people of the South-East.

His words: “Let all the political parties make it a policy that the South-East should be allowed to provide leadership for the unity of Nigeria.

“It is not that we will die if we don’t produce a President for Nigeria. But it is for the country to be truly united.”

According to him, Ndigbo are in every village of this country doing one business or the other, an indication that they are true Nigerians who should be trusted.

VANGUARD

A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Kano on Friday, remanded a 45-year-old driver, Usman Aliyu, at a correctional centre for allegedly defiling his three niece.

The defendant, who resides at Tumfafi Village in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, is facing a two-count charge of rape and incest.

The Prosecutor, Insp.Pogu Lale, told the court that one Aisha Usman of Hotoro Quarters Kano,reported the case at Hotoro Police Division on Aug.5.

He said that on Aug.3, the complainant discovered that her three daughters aged between six and 10 were defiled by their uncle.

READ ALSO: Teenager remanded over house-breaking, stealing

“The victims earlier told their stepmother about the incident, but was not taken serious concern,” he said.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Lale said the offence contravene sections 283 and 390 of the penal code.

The Chief Magistrate, Muhammad Jibril, ordered the remand of the defendant and case file be sent to the state Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP) for advice.

Jibril adjourned the case till Sept.14 for mention.(NAN)

vanguardngr.com

By Joseph Erunke

A Northern group under the aegis of Arewa Professional Forum, APF, has expressed concern over what it called the worsening state of insecurity in the country, saying it was time for President Muhammadu Buhari to allow the service chiefs quit the centre stage of the nation’s security management.

The APF said the service chiefs have exhausted energies, ideas and capacities insisting that they can no longer turn around the country’s security for better.

The group, in a statement it issued after its third annual meeting in Kaduna, tasked the president to see reason with a majority of Nigerians who are of the view that the nation’s top security heads be relinquished of their positions and fresh hands and ideas injected for positive results in the security maintenance.

In the statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr Ibrahim Nasir, the group reminded the president that in democracy, the voice of the majority prevails, saying the recent resolution of both chambers of the National Assembly that he replaces the services chiefs, was the view of the majority of Nigerians given that the parliament is a representation of the people.

The organization while insisting that the president listens to what it called “the voice of the people” by reorganizing the security architecture of the country, said:”The time has come when the entire country expects new ideas, philosophy and method in the fight against insurgency in the country.”

“We strongly believe that time has come for our president to bring in fresh hope and clear directions on how best the country will strategize to overcome the present insecurity situation in the country.

READ ALSO: $9.6bn P&ID Case: UK Court grants FG leave to challenge contract award

“Our president was elected by Nigerians and the same Nigerians have spoken through their representatives in the National Assembly. Our president should listen to them by dropping the service chiefs, who have since reached retirement age in the military and appoint new ones with fresh ideas to do the job for which we elected him to do,” the statement added.

Noting that the “president’s idea about insecurity has proved inadequate to deal with the threat to our lives and property”, the APF charged him to “urgently change tactics and personnel in order to win the war against rising threats to the lives of Nigerians.”

According to the northern group,“From what we have seen so far, our president has not been able to solve the security problem staring the nation in its face and should seek new hands to help him do the job.”

The statement charged the president to “immediately look for their replacement in younger, well experienced and trained officers to lift the country out of the woods.”

The group which said it was compelled to come out of its shelve to speak on the situation, regretted that in spite of the attention being given the security sector by the president in terms of funding, the development had not yielded the desired results, saying ” we can’t keep applying the same tactics and strategy when they are not working. ”

According to APF,” allowing the service chiefs to continue in their positions given the worsening security problems in the country was not in the best interest of anyone.

Although, the group hailed the service chiefs for what it called their “great contributions so far in fighting insecurity in the country” it nevertheless insisted that fresh hands were needed to tackle the problems.

“There is no denying the fact that the service chiefs have tried their best to restore security in the country since their assumption of office, but given the dimension in which insecurity has assumed in the country, we feel that its high time fresh ideas and hands were injected”, it said, adding that “nobody is an island in any area of responsibility.”

Noting also that the service chiefs were being “unnecessarily retained despite that they have since reached their retirement stages”, the group said, “the only way to get fresh ideas is to remove the incumbent service chiefs to give room for younger officers to grow.”

The group said Nigeria must do away with what it called “unproductive tenure elongation in areas where fresh ideas are needed”, adding that,”We know the way the military organisations operate.”

The statement read further: “While we commend the service chiefs for their services to their motherland so far, we appealed to our dear president to immediately sack them because they are already in their retirement years. Besides, the president’s action by keeping them has been interpreted in some areas as being for partisan needs.”

“Their continued stay in office no doubt is gradually weakening the morale in the armed forces as some officers’ careers are being stagnated.”

“Our position is borne out of our genuine love for our country. We have seen that the unabated situation is threatening our cooperate existence and food security.

“Our dear president needs to listen to this solemn call that is on the lips of every Nigerian because we are truly fade up with the unabated lost of lives and property on a daily basis.

“The current service chiefs have obviously exhausted all their ideals and have nothing left to offer.

“Our region is the most unsafe place to be in Africa today because of insecurity. Investors can not come, businesses are packing up and moving out of the country due to insecurity. What have the service chiefs done specially to deserve five years and still counting?

“We wonder why Mr president has refused to let them go against popular opinion. The entire country is bleeding and Mr president must act now to avert major food crisis in future because farmers have since abandoned their farms for fear of Kidnap and attacks.”

Vanguard News Nigeria

By Prince Osuagwu

One of the world’s largest streaming libraries of biblical video content, RightNow Media, has recently expanded its services to Africa.

The expansion into Africa means that churches and Christians in the continent, including Nigeria, will have access to biblical discipleship and devotional video content.

The company said Nigerian churches now have the opportunity to partner with it on the mission to help people realise their God-given purpose.

President of RightNow Media, Brian Mosley, while expressing his mission of global expansion said: “We’ve had a passion for international ministry for 40 years, but only now do we have the technology and infrastructure in place to serve Christians globally.”

ALSO READ: Foundation alleges politicians taking refuge with stolen public funds in some churches

He also said within the last two years, the ministry had broadened its focus to include more global expansion.

He added: “Our heart behind going global is to be a part of what God is doing around the world to disciple and equip the church.”

Brian noted that RightNow Media was looking forward to bringing a vast library of affordable and biblical discipleship and devotional video content from seasoned Christian pastors and leaders to support church work in Africa.

With RightNow Media, churches can reach people for Christ with tools for pastors and churches in the form of video Bible study content. The tier-pricing plans are structured similarly to the US.

Brian said to make the tools easily accessible to all, a church of about 100 people can have a price tier package as low as $25 per month.

The church-based pricing model means nobody is left out irrespective of their economic power.

Church leaders can subscribe on behalf of their church to give their congregation unlimited access to thousands of video resources anytime, anywhere, on nearly any device by reaching out to the regional team at www.rightnowmedia.org.

This affordable pricing means that pastors and church leaders can give each of their members access to over 20,000 biblical discipleship and devotional video content available on-demand, including book of the Bible studies, personal care resources, and over 2,000 children’s episodes for less than N100 equivalent, which is one third the price of one “agege bread” for a whole month.

RightNow Media allows pastors and leaders to equip and disciple their people every day of the week with resources that are high quality, biblical, and accessible.

While RightNow Media content can only be streamed using smartphones and tablets, but not computers, it allows users to download content to watch offline.

“Now all church members can enjoy faith-building video resources on your TV, computer, phone and tablet,” said Brian.

VANGUARD

By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

Following the hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as Petrol and electricity tariff by the Federal Government, residents in Osogbo on Friday protested the decision describing it as ‘share wickedness’.

The protesters who converged under the aegis of Coalition of Civil Societies Organisation in the state met at the popular Nelson Mandela Freedom Park in Osogbo from where they marched through Oke-Fia, Alekuwodo and terminated at the busy Ola-Iya junction in the state capital.

The protesters while in the procession were joined by residents who also believed the protest is a duty for every resident in the state.

ALSO READ: Water Bill is elite looking for alternative to declining oil money— Ugolor

They bore placards with several inscriptions such as, “PMB, the People are hungry”, “Enough is Enough”, Revert Fuel price”, “Wake up President Buhari, Nigerians are in pain”, We say No to hike in electricity tariff”, among many others.

While marching through the various states routes, they were singing various solidarity songs describing the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the country as deceitful and not insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

The group also described President Muhammadu Buhari as a failed leader, whose incompetence in government has led to the introduction of various anti masses policies, therefore, unleashing hardship on Nigerians.

Addressing the gathering at Ola-Iya junction, Comrade Saka Waheed said the protest was necessitated because President Muhammadu Buhari has betrayed the trust of Nigerians and multiplied their suggestions.

He said, “We are here because Buhari has betrayed the majority of Nigerians, we are here because he failed our expectations, we are here because he has put more pressure on the already impoverished citizenry, we are here because we say no to hike in electricity tariff and incessant hike in fuel prices as well as illegal water bill at the National Assembly.

“We didn’t vote for him to give more economic crisis as we have now. We didn’t vote him to increase fuel prices incessantly like this, if the APC-led administration cannot remove our sufferings, they should not hard more to our burden. Today, our people have been reduced to mere beggars and the palliative Buhari has given us is an incessant hike in fuel price and electricity tariff”.

The group demanded that the Federal Government should rescind its decision within five days or the protest would continue regularly after the expiration of the ultimatum.

“We are giving the administration the days to revert back to old price and further negotiate with Nigerians on reducing the old price. They should realise the power of resistance, they should recall that President Goodluck Jonathan was rejected for actions that were not this brutish on Nigerians”, he said.

ALSO READ: Why I abandoned Delta oil commission, Fish farmer tells Otuaro

Also speaking, a Co-Convener, Comrade Tijani Abdulfatai said the masses gathered against obnoxious policies of the government and wondered how a responsible administration can gift its citizenry dual increment in the prices of commodities that are basic to their survival.

“We thought this government would deliver goods governance for the teeming masses but instead of doing that, it keeps introducing policies that further put pressures on the strain means of survival of the people.

“We will keep resisting such policies and we are sending a signal to them that we have once occupied the country and we can do it again. President Buhari promised us refineries but today, they gave us fuel hike. People no longer think of three square meals, yet, a President gives approval to policies to further impoverish them”, he said.

Motorists were also caught up in the protest as the protesters blocked Ola-Iya junction creating gridlock for over thirty minutes the blockade lasted.

Speaking on behalf of Students, the Public Relations Officer of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) South-West Zone D, Olatunji Nurudeen, said the students decided to join the protest register their grievances against the insensitivity of government to Nigerians, especially during the coronavirus pandemic outbreak.

Vanguard

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

The Commercial Court of England, on Friday, granted the Federal Government of Nigeria leave to challenge the $9.6billion arbitrarily 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.

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria is pleased with the outcome from theHigh 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.

READ ALSO: 40% of Nigeria’s population lack power supply

“In light of the new and substantive evidence presented regarding P&ID’s fraudulent and corrupt activities, the Court has granted our application for an extension of time to hear our challenge out of normal time limits.

“The Federal Government will now proceed to a full hearing of our fraud challenge in the coming months.

“Investigations into the GSPA are ongoing, and we are firmly committed to overturning the award – no matter how long it takes – to ensure that this money goes towards Nigeria’s future, not into the pockets of millionaires trying to exploit our country”, the statement further read.

Vanguard

By Emma Amaize

A former staff of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, now Chief Executive Officer of Flourish-Bentam Agro-Fish Nigeria Limited, Mr. Julius Egbedi, has told the Deputy Governor of the state, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, why he resigned from the state-owned oil commission.

Speaking when Otuaro, accompanied by Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Julius Egbedi and others, paid an inspection visit to the farm at Okpuku Aragba, Ekpan , Uvwie local government area, Egbedi, who made his first attempt in fish farming, 12 years ago, said he discovered after securing a job in DESOPADEC that his pay packet could not sustain him and his family.

“I have to think of some other positive way out to augment my salary until I met a dear friend who introduced me into fish farming business. But my first attempt was catastrophic. I could not make any profit. As a man with vision and courage, I had to continue with all vigor until we are now where we are today, making it very well to the glory of God.

“As of today, I have about 50,000 tons of various species of fishes with each specie hatching about 10,000 tons each and presently, I have downsized my staff strength as a result of COVID 19 pandemic,” he said

Mutu said he thought it wise to approach government to come to his rescue,  hence he took the bold initiative by reaching out it to come to his assistance financially for more output and job opportunities for the youths.

He said he was aware that government of Delta State has been supporting farmers and hope government will also come to his aid in this regard, adding: “I really need your support so that we can take this farm to an enviable height where we can provide more jobs opportunities for the youths, and as well encourage them to go into farming too. There are lots of prospects in agriculture. But our major challenge is funding. We need the government to support us.”

He also informed the deputy governor that since they started farming in the area, no youth has harassed or intimidated them from carrying out their activities, rather they have been so cordial, encouraging and friendly with all the farmers in that cluster, just as he appealed to the government to assist them in clearing the blocked water channel from the main river, which has been the source of water supply to the fish farms in the area.

Otuaro, visibly impressed with what he saw, entreated unemployed young people in the state not to remain idle, but go into agriculture and other productive ventures, assuring that the Senator Ifeanyi Okowa-led government would support them.

He said: “Government will no more watch the youths remain idle instead of being encouraged in productive ventures to fend for themselves and families.”

Otuaro, who fielded questions from journalists, asserted:  “On what we have seen here today, we are very excited. Like the Commissioner of Agriculture has said, yes, this initiative merits our support. And supporting this well-intended, hardworking gentleman as we have seen is going to be encouraging and that will stand as an example to many others.”

“We cannot afford to fold our hands akimbo as a people or maybe working in the street of our cities, our nations looking for job opportunities that are not just available, we must just try the best we can to fend for ourselves and members of our family by looking inward, doing things that are productive that can really add value to our family, and our society as well.

“This is very heart warming. We will ensure as government that we articulate comprehensively the needs just as he has told us today here. So that this could be an encouragement to many of our young people, “he added

Vanguard

…Shina Abubakar

Coalition of Civil Societies in Osun on Friday thronged major streets of Osogbo protesting against the increase in petrol pump price and electricity tariff.

Also read: How insecurity in Nigeria renders women economically, politically impotent

The Co-Convener comrade Saka Waheed said the protest was to alert President Muhammadu Buhari of his administration’s insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians.

Vanguard News

The post VIDEO: Civil societies protest hike in fuel price, electricity tariff appeared first on Vanguard News.

Omo-Agege

By Emma Amaize

SECRETARY-GENERAL, Ijaw Youth Congress, IYC, Mr. Frank Pukon, has asked the Senate Constitution Review Committee, headed by Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, to commence its assignment with restructuring of Nigeria.

Pukon in a statement, weekend,  said: “If project Nigeria must work for all, the Senate Constitution Review Committee of the 1999 Constitution headed by Senator Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege should start with restructuring Nigeria for a clarion call to national identity.”

“Restructuring of Nigeria may mean different things to different people. But restructuring for me simply means a system of governance where Bayelsa state with her abundant natural resources can control the resources in Bayelsa and pay tax to the federal government.

READ ALSO: Death of Chadwick Boseman, social media and effect on Nigerians

“This will make the state to become viable and promote economic growth and development, where: The GDP will be measured as an increase in real national income / national output;  Improvement in the quality of life and living standards, example, measures of literacy, life expectancy and health care.

“However, there are other parameters, but true federalism will leverage the economic woes of many states where security issues, unemployment rate can be tackled to its barest minimum whereby states can become viable and compete in developmental pace,” he said.

Pukon added: “I can furthermore posit again that restructuring for me means creating other states for the Ijaw ethnic group. Where these state could be added to the only homogenous Ijaw state (Bayelsa State) – because we cannot be the 4th biggest ethnicity in Nigeria and manage one state.”

“During my election at Oporoza, I deplored Section 55 of the 1999 Constitution as amended as stereotypical to other ethnic groups: where the big 3s (Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba) are promoted in a multi-ethnic country like Nigeria.

“Section 55 is inimical to our national integration, hence, the recognized languages; Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba should be expunged from our constitution,” he asserted.

Vanguard

By Joseph Erunke

RESIDENT doctors in the country will begin nationwide industrial action on Monday, their umbrella body under the aegis of National Association of Resident Doctors,NARD,has declared.

The organisation in a communique it released Friday, in Abuja,said it has resolved to commerce an indefinite strike with effect from Monday September 7 2020.

To forestall the development,it demanded immediate payment of the medical residency training funding to all its members as approved in the revised 2020 budget; provision of genuine group life insurance and death in service benefits for all health workers; payment of the outstanding April/May and June COVID-19 inducement allowance to all health workers and determination of the revised hazard allowance for all health workers as agreed in previous meetings with relevant stakeholders.

In the communique issued by NARD at the end of its virtual National Executive Council meeting held on September 2 and signed by its President, Dr. Aliyu Sokomba and Publicity Secretary, Dr. Stanley Egbogu, it also demanded immediate payment of the salary shortfalls of 2014, 2015 and 2016 and payment of all arrears owed our members in federal and states tertiary health institutions, arising from the consequential adjustment of the national minimum wage.

Doctors working under the various tertiary health institutions, the union said, should be placed on appropriate salary grade level and universal  implementation of the Medical Residency Training Act of 2017 in all that tertiary health institutions.

NARD said despite the inclusion of the residency funding in the revised 2020 budget the government has not made plans to implement the  payment despite several promises by several stakeholders.

READ ALSO: Gbajabiamila hails resident doctors for calling off strike

While accusing the Federal Government of failing to procure group life insurance and death in service benefits for all health workers, NEC sais that though an agreement has been reached between the government and stakeholders in the health sector to pay COVID-19 inducement allowance for six months (April – September), payment was only commenced for April, May and June in some institution and the process abandoned.

The communique reads “NEC observed the insincerity of the  government in determining the revised hazard allowance for all health workers which was supposed to commence in September 2020.

“NEC noted non-payment of the  outstanding salary shortfall of 2014, 2015, 2016 under the guise of the so called appeal of the National industrial Court decision that granted the judgement in favor of the payment in the first place by Federal Ministry of health.

“NEC observed the plight of her members in state tertiary hospitals such as the non-domestication and non-implementation of medical residency training Act at the state level, the non-implementation of appropriate salary structure, and the non-payment of owed salaries.

“NEC resolved to proceed on an  indefinite  nationwide strike action from Monday September 7 2020 by 8:00am until the conditions are met.

Vanguard

By Anayo Okoli

Ohanaeze Ndigbo and another Igbo elite group led by Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, Alaigbo Development Foundation, ADF, have dismissed the claim by the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, that President Muhammadu Buhari has commenced restructuring with financial autonomy to Local Governments and the implementation of the N30, 000 minimum wage, saying that restructuring is far more than that.

According to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, it is either the APC are naive and don’t know the basic principles of restructuring or is being out rightly mischievous and deliberately insulting the proponents of restructuring.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo made it clear to the ruling party that is restructuring an idea whose time has come and that there is no stopping it.

ADF, on its own reminded APC that restructuring is more fundamental than that, saying ADF believes in the reconstitution of the federation in such a way that there would be Regional autonomy.

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigb, Chief Nnia Nwodo who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Emeka Attamah said that granting the local governments financial autonomy does not translate to states or geopolitical zones being in control of their natural resources.

“It is either the people saying that are naive and don’t know the basic principles of restructuring or being out rightly mischievous in which case they are  being deliberately insulting to the proponents of restructuring. Such people don’t wish the country well.

“Granting the local governments financial autonomy does not translate to states or geopolitical zones being in control of their natural resources; it does not translate to devolution of powers to the geopolitical units in the country; it also doesn’t translate to people having equal access to employment and justice.

“What such people don’t know is that for an idea whose time has come, there is no stopping it. No one part of the country can hold others on perpetual bondage. Something must give, and sooner than some people expect it”, the apex Igbo body said.

READ ALSO: APC to Nigerians: Calm down! Restructuring has begun

Speaking through its spokesman, Hon. Abi Onyike, ADF said that “restructuring Nigeria is more fundamental than that. We in ADF believe in the reconstitution of the federation in such a way that there would be Regional autonomy.

“The federating units or Ethnic Nationalities making up Nigeria should be autonomous and have capacity to assert their rights to self–determination.

“Granting of autonomy to Local Governments is not the duty of the Federal Government. Moreover, the Federal Government has no power to create local Governments in a true federation. Every region or federating unit should determine their local government system.

“Even the so-called autonomy granted to Local Governments is merely on paper. The Emperor Governors have sabotaged the effort. They still plunder the Councils’ resources with impunity”, ADF stated.

vanguardngr.com

By Dennis Agbo

ELDER Statesman and former Governor of old Anambra state, Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo has taken offence at the branding of Governors in South East states as being weak in discharge of their official duties.

Nwobodo said that as a former Governor who understands the intricacies in governorship, he takes exception to some Igbo leaders branding their state Chief executives as being incapable or weak.

In a statement he made available to Vanguard, on Friday, Nwobodo stated that there was a marked difference between weakness and wisdom, noting that somebody is gentle and meek does not make him weak.

He also stated that governance was quiet different from politics, but that a lot of people do not understand that the security and safety of lives and properties were part of the responsibilities of a governor or a president, which a responsible governor cannot act without knowing the true facts of what he is expected to act upon. “Just one wrong action of a governor that is based on rumour, falsehood and hearsay can set a state or country on fire.”

Nwobodo, who ostensibly was responding to media reports alleging that the South east Governors were weak, particularly on the killing of 21 Igbo youths in Emene-Enugu, said he was sad and pained when he heard about the killings and quickly made calls to ascertain what happened.

“I also know that the Governor (Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi) rushed out to get the facts before reacting. Again, I am aware that the governor has not rested since then, and as governor he cannot get the true facts by making inflammatory statements in the press. We cannot be in our homes and know what actions or steps he is taking.

“No rational thinking person would expect him to rush to the scene of the incident with his own army or police to return fire for fire. That will put the whole place in danger because more lives would be lost, and who are those going to die, the same Igbo, our own people.”

READ ALSO: I warned Nigerians, Fayose speaks on new increase in petrol price

Nwobodo went on disclose that Governor Ugwuanyi has gone further to hold an enlarged or wide stakeholders meeting, with representative of all institutions, education, religious, former governors, youth organizations and all stakeholders, mainly because of the same issue of killings and security in general.

He also reminded that the south east governors, united and worked hard to ensure that Enugu airport was restored, which he witnessed the opening ceremony and saw a more improved version of what the airport used to be.

“They could not have achieved that without applying wisdom to their approach. I am happy with the unity and cooperation that I see among all south east governors. At a time in our country and indeed the whole world are facing multiple challenges, unprecedented in our lifetime, we must be careful what we say and the actions we take, especially we the elders.

“We should not incite or stampede our young governors into hasty and irrational actions that would jeopardize and endanger the lives of the same people they took oaths to protect,” Nwobodo advised.

vanguardngr.com

Department of Petroleum Resources

By Michael Eboh

The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, yesterday, said it has commenced the audit of petrol retail outlets across the country, and has ordered 9,000 petrol stations across the country to immediately commence the upgrade of their facilities to allow them dispense gas to vehicles for transportation.

This is in furtherance of the Federal Government’s National Gas Expansion Programme, NGEP, promoted by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, which seeks to encourage increased gas usage; serve as a cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol for transportation, with the introduction of autogas and deepen the usage of cooking gas.

In a statement signed by its Head of Public Relations, Mr. Paul Osu, Director of Petroleum Resources of the DPR, Mr. Sarki Auwalu, said this directive, among others, was aimed at deepening the utilization of domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG and Autogas as alternative fuels for Nigerians.

ALSO READ: ZIMBABWE: Investigative journalist freed from jail

In addition, he stated that the directives were in furtherance of Federal Government’s aspirations to provide affordable fuels and ensure domestic gas penetration and expansion in Nigeria while entrenching price freedom for Nigerians.

According to him, the DPR had carried out nationwide audit of all retail outlets in Nigeria and had categorized them into three — Categories 1, 2 and 3 -– with a view to ascertain readiness for deployment of Add-On facilities for gas products.

Auwalu revealed that about 9,000 retail outlets, representing 27 per cent of total number of retails outlets in Nigeria, were listed in Category 1, and had been identified as suitable for immediate integration of Add-On facilities based on robust safety assessment and technical considerations by DPR.

He further stated that DPR had directed all Category 1 Retail Outlet Operators to commence immediate installation of modular Add-On facilities or full-scale stand-alone plants and update their DPR Operating licences accordingly.

He, however, added that all operators of retail outlets in Categories 2 and 3, whose facilities do not meet the minimum requirements or do not have sufficient land area, are encouraged to apply for stand-alone LPG, CNG, LNG or Auto Gas facilities (full-scale or modular) under an incentivized regulatory regime.

ALSO READ: Water Bill is elite looking for alternative to declining oil money— Ugolor

Sarki further stated that the DPR had also approved the deployment of skid-mounted modularized/containerized LPG/Autogas handling systems and other intrinsically safe systems for gas storage and handling to promote affordability, accessibility, and availability of the products.

He said: “The DPR as an opportunity house and business enabler, encourages investments in auto conversion, production of composite cylinders and ancillaries (valves, hoses, among others) for domestic LPG, CNG, LNG and Autogas penetration.

We are confident that retail outlet operators and other investors will leverage on these opportunities in the domestic gas sector to grow their wealth and create employment for Nigerians.”

Vanguard

Executive Director, African Network for the Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, Rev David Ugolor, has said the controversial Water Resources Bill had nothing to do with tribe or religion.

He alleged that the bill was the brainchild of the Nigerian elites that live on rent from crude oil money, but are now looking for an alternative cash cow since oil money was declining.

According to Ugolor, “it will be wrong for people to continue to give tribal and religious colouration to every attempt by the Nigerian elite to continue to look for ways to sustain their access to rent collection.

ALSO READ: No to Water Resources Bill —Southern, Middle-Belt Leaders’ Forum tells Buhari

“Once you introduce tribal or religious or regional sentiments, you undermine the whole debate. What has happened with the water bill thing is not about the North or South or East or West.

“It is about elites that have poor backgrounds, that live on rent. Nigerian elites that live on oil wealth know that the amount of rent coming from oil is increasingly decreasing and there is a need to explore other options.

“And water provides another opportunity to sustain their rent collection. It is not just the North, it is the Nigerian elite.”

However, reacting to the Water Resources Bill, Executive Director, Centre for Democracy and Development of Bayelsa, CDDB, Dr. Konrad Welson, took another turn.

He said: “If you are running federalism, there are certain things that have to be collectively managed.

“One of them is a natural resource like water. Water is a natural resource that has to be managed properly in such a way that it is to the benefit of the entire country.”

VANGUARD

Security operatives manning the ballot boxes during election

By Nwafor Sunday

The answer to the question that millions of Nigerians are seeking for, has today been provided for. The question: How can one win election in Nigeria?, has been put to rest today.

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, Friday gave insight on how one can become president and win election in Nigeria.

While, penning down an article titled: “Buhari’s applause for Akinwumi Adesina”, Adesina opined: “To win election in this country, particularly the Presidency, you need a broad coalition. That’s the way to go. Let our politicians imbibe this truth.”

Going further, the outspoken SA advised prospective political candidates to refuse being beaten, noting that if Akinwumi Adesina was lily-liveried, the sheer weight of the opposition would have been enough to make him chicken out.

READ ALSO: Buhari inaugurates APC tripartite consultative committee

However, speaking on Buhari’s boldness, Adesina said that Buhari is the only person in Nigeria that can look at ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo straight in the eyes and disagree with him on issues and survives it in Nigeria.

His words: “If America and some other world powers come after you, you have every right to shiver in the broiling sun. It’s like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo telling you to dismount from the horse of leadership in Nigeria. Only a Muhammadu Buhari can look him straight in the eyes, and say; No sir. And survive it.”

Vanguard