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‘TINAPA MD Earned N4m Monthly Wage’

TINAPA, the mega-tourism company owned by the Cross River State government, is enmeshed in a scam over ownership and finances, which has peaked with a hair-raising allegation that the former managing director of the firm, Sam Anani, earned a monthly salary of a whopping N4 million before his removal from office.

A group, Cross River Movement For Justice, in a petition, apart from questioning the scandalous salary paid to the former chief executive of TINAPA, raised issues bordering on alleged graft in the facility.

The group wondered why Anani was suddenly retired from office days to the end of the ex-governor, Donald Duke’s administration, even though his appointment was for five years.

The crux of the group’s anger against the Donald Duke administration on TINAPA was that "huge amounts of money being allocated to the 18 local government councils between 2002 to March 2007 from federation accounts, were diverted by Donald Duke, on the pretext that these local government councils had shares in TINAPA."

"There is nothing to show that these councils had shares in TINAPA. Nobody knows about the value of these shares. The group quoted the Transition Committee constituted by Senator Liyel Imoke, the governor of Cross River State, as saying that the debt burden of N70 billion was left behind by Duke’s administration, and that Duke claimed that these debts were accumulated by his government in order to finance TINAPA.

"Despite the claim that TINAPA was funded by private investors, there is evidence, established by the transition committee constituted by the government of the Cross River State to usher in the new administration, that Cross River has a debt overhang of over N70 billion. Donald Duke claims that these debts were accumulated by his government in order to finance TINAPA. This is mind-boggling, taking into account that TINAPA is supposed to be private sector- driven, "the group stated.

The document addressed to the president, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, dated June 15 2007 and titled, Re: Petition For The Investigation of Mr. Donald Duke, Former Governor of Cross River State of Nigeria for Financial Impropriety And Abuse Of Human Rights, signed by Hon. Omor Egbeji, former speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly and Ubi Okoi Abam, questioned, "Who owns TINAPA? Is TINAPA owned by the government of Cross River State? Is TINAPA owned by the local government councils in Cross River State? Is Tinapa the property of the organised private sector in Nigeria, or foreign interest? Recently, we heard from the rumour mill that Donald Duke issued share certificates to local government councils. However, nobody knows about the value of these shares," the group lamented.

What irked the group the most was the salary of the former managing director, TINAPA, Mr. Sam Anani. The people alleged that the salary of Anani was N4 million monthly and the contract of Mr. Anani was for five years.

"Presently, TINAPA is being managed by a company owned by Donald Duke. It is instructive to note that Mrs. Duke and Gershom Bassey are members of the board of this company known as Southern Gun Limited. Just a day to the inauguration of the new administration, the appointment of the managing director of TINAPA, Mr. Sam Anani, was terminated. The contract of Mr. Anani was for five years. His salary was N4 million monthly. Despite the fact that the appointment of Mr. Anani has been terminated, he is still earning his salary in full."

Reacting to the sack of Anani as the managing director and chief executive of TINAPA Business Resort, the group said it was very necessary because the erstwhile chief executive was in charge during the first phase which involved construction. The new hand was to take over from the second phase which is operational.

However, a press release signed by Frank Inyang for Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, made available to journalists, was silent on the monthly salary of N4 million paid to Anani. It stated, though, that the governor inherited debts from the previous administration and that the debts were manageable ones, because they were tied to visible developmental projects such as TINAPA Business Resort and Obudu Ranch Resort.

Cross River Movement for Justice prayed the president to direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission to investigate all petitions against Donald Duke, his wife and cohorts, with a view to telling the people of Cross River State the true owners of TINAPA.

Like Them All, Donald Duke May Be A Thief After All?

So far, only Yar'Adua have been exornorated from official looting of States treasuries. That means they are all thieves. Igbo, Yoruba, Calabar, Ibibio, Hausa, Fulani or what have you. They with active connivance by the chief 'ole' 'barao' Obasanjo, partook in the despoilation of Nigeria!

I believe the Tinapa Business Resort should be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). So, if these aggrieved people from Cross Rivers state want to know the true ownership structure of tinapa, they should contact the CAC

Is it really true that Donald Duke owns (or has a stake) in the company that currently manages tinapa ? I hope this isn't true.

Leadership are working in Tandem with TheNews Magazine to smear Donald Duke, the reason behind this is unknown but their desperation and reporting history on Duke in the past 2 months show that their accusations are basesless.


On the 30/5/2007, TheNews reported that "Donald Duke outsmarts EFCC"
http://www.thenewsng.com/modules/zmagazine/article.php?articleid=16325
When people querried why no other newspaper reported this except TheNews, 2 days latter leadership went on to report the same news, It is on record that EFCC have not invited nor interrogated Donald Duke.

Infact a report in which Duke denied having anything to do with EFCC is proudly published on EFCC page.
http://www.efccnigeria.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1434&Itemid=2

The campaign of calumny did not stop at that, TheNews in the past 2 months have reported all sorts of News about Donald Duke. From how her prefered to invite prostitutes to the opening of Tinapa instead of NBA calabar chapter, to how he destroys Churches in calabar, to how Liyel Imoke hired the services of prayer warriors to cleanse government house, to how the same Donald Duke is choosing Liyel Imoke's cabinet, to how Donald Duke looted calabar to the tune of N75b. (See the links below)

http://www.thenewsng.com/modules/zmagazine/article.php?articleid=16395
http://www.thenewsng.com/modules/zmagazine/article.php?articleid=16727
http://www.thenewsng.com/modules/zmagazine/article.php?articleid=16551
http://www.thenewsng.com/modules/zmagazine/article.php?articleid=16223


Leadership has also on their own continued their own attack with the latest dated 23 June below.
http://www.leadershipnigeria.com/product_info.php?products_id=7636&osCsid=29d1336154573246e51a5de533515adc

What is very worrying and interesting too is that, while they are busy attacking Donald Duke, it is on record that the Proprietor of TheNews Governor Tinubu who happens to have links to Leadership. The Good man of Lagos as reported by theNews (see below)
http://www.thenewsng.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2873

is under EFCC investigation, he has visited EFCC twice since May 29, TheNews will never report it.

What is their interest in Calabar, Calabar is not geographically a neighbouring Sate to Lagos. Why are they more concerned about Calabar than neighbouring States like Ondo.
The Spin doctors should find work to do and leave Nigeria's finest politician (Donald Duke) of this generation alone.

Bankole01:

So far, only Yar'Adua have been exornorated from official looting of States treasuries. That means they are all thieves. Igbo, Yoruba, Calabar, Ibibio, Hausa, Fulani or what have you. They with active connivance by the chief 'ole' 'barao' Obasanjo, partook in the despoilation of Nigeria!

That is why I prefered Yar'adua to lead this nation as we need honest and dedicated people free from corruption because if the head is clean it will be easy to whip the rest into line.

To Afam and others who think Yaradua (UMY) is Mr. Clean

UMY has been shouting about empty treasuries in the states, yet the ex-governors roam free. If he is not like them, the ex govs should be in jail now. The man is only a smaller thief.

Nigeria governors in graft probe

Nuhu Ribadu denied he was pursuing a political vendetta
Almost all of Nigeria's state governors are being investigated for corruption, the anti-graft agency head has said.
Nuhu Ribadu told the Nigerian Senate that 31 of the 36 governors were being investigated and that 15 of them would be charged in the coming weeks.

He also said that the world's biggest thief was Nigerian but was prevented from naming him.

Critics of President Olusegun Obasanjo say the fight against corruption is being used as a political tool.

But Mr Ribadu denies these charges.

Nigeria's governors enjoy immunity from prosecution while in office and the country is regularly ranked as one of the world's most corrupt countries.

The president and vice-president have also swapped corruption accusations in recent weeks.

'Tragedy'

"If we all live in the US, all of us will be in prison by now, because the things we do here cannot be tolerated there," Mr Ribadu said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission head said Zamfara governor Sani Ahmed Yerima was one of the worst cases of corruption.

"The case of Zamfara state is a tragedy - direct stealing - no third party," he said.

Mr Yerima, known for introducing strict Islamic punishments for thieves and adulterers, has said he is being persecuted for saying he wants to contest presidential elections next year.

Cross River State Governor Donald Duke was the only governor named by Mr Ribadu as not being under investigation for corruption.
Two state governors have been charged with money laundering in the UK but have been freed on bail and managed to return home.

However, former Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha has been charged after the state legislature voted to remove his immunity.

McCren

Duke can never be a saint. Not on your life. Ok. Perhaps he is smart and tries to cover up somehow.

Yaradua is no better either

No man under mother earth is a saint

But the question is who led his people with care and vision for a better tomorrow more than Duke did. No one.

If Duke is a major share holder in Tinapa then he is corrupt.

On Yar'adua, have we heard any allegation against this man? Even Buhari that hails from the same state with him could not accuse him of anything during the last presidential elections.

We should be bold to praise good leaders just as we should be bold to condemn bad ones.

Are all Nigerians criminals simply because Nigerians are criminals?

Afam:

If Duke is a major share holder in Tinapa then he is corrupt.

On Yar'adua, have we heard any allegation against this man? Even Buhari that hails from the same state with him could not accuse him of anything during the last presidential elections.

We should be bold to praise good leaders just as we should be bold to condemn bad ones.

Are all Nigerians criminals simply because Nigerians are criminals?

Most Katsina State contracts were awarded to family owned companies

If this is true then I wonder why political opponents did not make it an issue even with a strong presidential challenger like Buhari coming from the same state.

Well, assuming you are correct and we are ignorant of these claims could you please enlighten us? Throw more light on this as I would want to know if he is really clean or not.

So this long story with a topic that Donald Duke is a thief, why does it have to get to the last couple of paragraphs before it starts admitting words like 'rumour mill' and 'alleged'. It also reaches the very end before it gives in that the Local Governments were given SHARE CERTIFICATES. Lets say the private sector was lured into this project by Donald Duke, if they run out of funds, is it not sensible for Donald Duke to acquire investment shares for the state, local governments and even himself?

See, Donald Duke is one of the few Nigerians with integrity and he is very amiable to Nigerians. So if the man should call out to Nigerians that after serving in the government, he is broke and needs money, you will see students, bankers, Nigerians abroad, Northerners, foreigners, Nigerians abroad, parents and children, labourers, donating money to his cause to the tune of billions. Donald Duke does not need to steal a dime. So let them take their tales from rumour mills and allegations and just shove it!

I will personally donate to that cause.

First of all, please provide a link to this story. sounds completly made up. Nigerian reporting is full of rumors its sickening. its pretty easy to verify the owner of tinapa or who manages it. also if indeed sam anani is being paid 4m despite being fired, doesnt that mean the money is not from the government, or perhaps never came out of the coffers of the state? after all if imoke is saying he isnt paying him anymore and someone is, whats the crime in that

ive also noticed a drive to tear down the image of duke in order to set the bar very low to enable new government blame their failures and stealing on him.

im still waiting for one iota of proof to back up these allegations.it looks like imoke can't handle tinapa or any of the things duke did and will blame his failures on him

Sorry all, I just noticed I wrote Nigerians abroad twice in my earlier post. I wasn't trying to double-count. Perhaps it is because Nigerians abroad will give him twice what he need.

ooooh ma surprised shut up and get da steeping , we already know

The fact of the matter is that most governors left their states in a financial mess. The common factor again is the use of white elephant projects that have no direct bearing on the peoples lives to syphon public funds. TINAPA sounds nice on paper but is it sustainable? Why are projects commissioned by OBJ yet to be fully operational?

who beings are born out of sin. for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
every nigerian is an agent of corruption.
all governors are criminals but in duke we have seen a lesser evil.
we are not surposed to look for an angel among men but what we are saying he is the best among equals and his works need to be praised and in that light encourage the other ones.
people ae mearnt to feed from their working places so if duke steal or take your money, for been the best among his equals, u better withdraw this case.
cross rivers, nigerians and the world is praising him for his courage and wisdom so our prayers will be for his succeesssors to see reasons to maintain this projects as that has been the problem of nigerian projects-lack of maintainance

chidichris:


people ae mearnt to feed from their working places

Yes, LAWFULLY! while i totally comend Duke and dont think any other gov can hold a candle on him, i think this particular portion of ur statement is incredibly flawed! We must never encourage or excuse crime if we are truly interested in moving the nation forward.

The man is innocent O!

Why are we suprised?  Is he not a Nigerian?  !  No governor is clean especially if it is under PDP ticket.  The party was formed with corruption as it's mascot, so Duke can never be clean!  He may be smart and reserved about his activities like "oyinbo" people them.  But as a Nigerian he can never be clean lai lai!  You cannot expect to find a white handkerchief inside the dustbin.  Nigeria is a huge dumpster so do not expect to find anything clean inside.  ALL ARE TAINTED!  The truth will come out soon!  Patience my people, patience!

I believe Duke is innocent. For those people in Cross Rivers crying that TINAPA is a white elephant project, they should uproot it and relocate it to Edo State and see what will happen. The type of prayers that Benin people will shower on them, every Calabar man will enter heaven. Anyway, it's been said: you don't know what you've got till it's gone.

Donald Duke? The kind of Governor must countries in The world are looking for as their President. Well, shebi you people know have Liyel Imoke? By the end of this year let's hear how much better he is compared to Donald Duke.

Funny, I just found out his name almost rhymes with Donald Duck. They are even showing TINAPA on CNN right now. One of the few good things CNN has ever said about Nigeria.

Now you guys are getting it.

The land is corrupt and the culture is dirty.

Prevention is better than cure!
They are all corrupt and this is why our system and policies must be modified to stop this craziness.
Too many are too corrupt for too long. This is also another reason why arresting just the governors is not the answer.

If the river is dirty, what do you think about the fish from the same water?

Clean Nigerian politician.
Wake up!
There is no such thing.

And all this bullsh*t about Tinapa here, Tinapa there!  Na Tinapa the people go chop?   Don't get me wrong oh!  The Duke of a man did something at least in the Kingdom of the blind where the one-eyed man is King!  What about educational structures and medical facilites.  When people want to learn or go to hospitals for major illnesses, I bet the calabar people flock to almighty "TINAPA" all their needs!  Tinapa ko!  Tinapa ni!  What a white elephant project indeed! Rubbish! I beg make we hear word!

Big B1:

Now you guys are getting it.

The land is corrupt and the culture is dirty.

Prevention is better than cure!
They are all corrupt and this is why our system and policies must be modified to stop this craziness.
Too many are too corrupt for too long. This is also another reason why arresting just the governors is not the answer.

If the river is dirty, what do you think about the fish from the same water?

That sums up the motivation behind this campaign of calumny against Duke.

It is part of the exit strategy of corrupt politicians, they want to leave Nigerians in the Island of hopelessness and despair. That nobody means well afterall and so there is no way out. Nigerians are not decieved.

@denex

You believe Duke is innocent?  From what?



Aren't they all?  Till proven guity!  We Nigerians will jubilate at any level mediocrity because we have set such low standards for ourselves! Na Tinapa dey trip una?   Nigerians are farmished rabbits that will salivate at the sight of any carrot dangling at their noses no matter how rotten!  Since we are not used to having anything good in our lives from our government, anything will do no matter how meaningless. 

Now tell me the the use of this your Tinapa when you need to drive from whichever airport and roads full of armed robbers and death trapping pot holes to get to this your "Neverland Ranch"?   When you are sick with food poison from this your Tinapa ranch, which hospital in Tinapa will help you "pump" out your necrotic stomach? We no well at all!  I say I dey shame!   Ye ye dey smell!

Posted by McKren:

That nobody means well afterall and so there is no way out.

Definitely, there is way out.

My man, what we are currently going through in Nigeria is also taking place in many other countries around the world, the ranges might be different, but it's not uncommon. It is part of life.

This country is full of people with different background, mentality and culture. Hence it is impossible to control everybody. The only thing that could be controlled is the system.
And there are many strategies that can be implemented to control the system effectively and efficiently.

First, we must understand our problems (the land is corrupt and the culture is dirty), address the problems, discover solutions to our problems, test the solutions, select the best solutions, execute the solutions, and evaluate the result.

But in Nigeria we don't do things this way. Short cuts, mago mago, finger pointing, wururu and wayo are the things we embrace.

And this is why our country is dieing

What are you guys talking about? if all the 35 govs have vision just like Duke and steal just like him wouldn't it be better?

We know that the system is corrupt and the people in it are equally corrupt including me and you, for instance put a man in a position to lead a small group of people and watch his reaction. For now we don't need to shout on those with vision but those without vision.

Talking about being clean or not, you and I knew that no man pass the temptation of money especially when you think nobody can question you.

Please don't quote me wrong as I don't encourage corruption but vision

Posted by Beline:

if all the 35 govs have vision just like Duke and steal just like him wouldn't it be better?

There is no need to condone stupidity.

There is no such thing as Small Thief.

Thief is thief.

No need to settle for less, we must embrace perfection for our country to move forward effectively, efficiently and unitedly.

They are all thieves and if you can not punish all, there is no need to punish any!

Let us modify the system, the constitution and develop better strategies to disable corruption forever.

Beline:

Please don't quote me wrong as I don't encourage corruption but vision

Yeah! We don hear oh! Vision of misplaced priorities and mismanagement.  We need hospitals and roads oh!  Good schools and electricity not "TINAPA"!