₦airaland Forum

sorry...i hope he no die

hmmm

Mr kayode again...allow people to hear word

The chairman, Board of Trustees of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Balarabe Musa, on Monday cautioned the party’s leadership over the moves by the former chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega to join the party. The former governor, who spoke when Senator Shehu Sani paid him a Sallah homage at his residence in Kaduna said ‎PRP was among the party de-registered during Jega’s tenure as the chairman of INEC.

“Three month ago when the party chairman, Alhaji Falalu Bello, told me Jega was showing interest in joining the party, my reaction then was that he is welcome. We have opened up the party for everybody to join. “Then about one or two weeks ago, I learnt from the media that Jega has actually joined the PRP, I welcomed him and feel that he could be very useful for PRP. “But we have to exercise care and caution, because who is Jega? Jega was chairman of INEC and under his chairmanship, PRP was de-registered and it was a struggle for us.

“We went to the court, the court reinstated us and we still had problem of exercising our fundamental right in spite of court decision. We even obtained favourable judgement to prosecute INEC chairman for contempt of court but INEC still refused to give us recognition.

“Now, the same person who de-registered us is now coming back to PRP. We can’t reject him because we have opened up and the party is a public property. Because he has shown interest, he is welcome to the party. But as I said, we have to exercise care and caution,” he said.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/balarabe-musa-cautions-prp-leadership-over-jega.html

Happy birthday to Oyegun

The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, has asked Nigerian Muslims to use the solemn period of Sallah to present Nigeria’s precarious situation to Allah for his prompt intervention. Prince Secondus, in a Sallah message yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media, Ike Abonyi, said poor leadership was threatening the existence and survival of the nation.

The PDP leader said, “Only justice and fairness, the type only God gives can rescue Nigeria from imminent collapse.” Secondus added that, “The blood of thousands of innocent souls being wasted daily in our land should be enough mitigation to plead to God to save this country from destruction.

“Nigerians should also use the period to offer fervent prayers for the unity and stability of the nation which is seriously under threat due to poor leadership.” He explained that intense prayer for the country had become necessary more than ever before, adding that the nation was in dire need of divine intervention to survive.

“We know as a fact that this is not what Nigerians desire from democracy, especially given what happened on February 23, 2019. But a period like this solemn time provides the people an opportunity to ask Allah to allow the will of the people to prevail. “It is a statement of fact that this is one of the worst times in our history as a country where lives are valueless and freedom denied to persons holding opposite views in a national discourse by an obviously intolerant political leadership.

“I charge you not to allow the challenges of now make you lose your dignity and modesty as a people and miss the essence and meaning of the Eid-el-Kabir festivity and the divine succour it brings, in assuring us that there is always a light at the end of every tunnel.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/poor-leadership-threatening-nigerias-existence-secondus.html

The National Support for Atiku Mandate (NSAM) has urged the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) to stop making baseless accusations against a former Vice President Atiku Abubakar but to concentrate its energy on urging president Muhammad Buhari to present a certified true copy of his WAEC certificate to the Presidential Election Tribunal. The Director General of the group, Mr. Odih Roland, said in Abuja that BMO should not be casting aspersions on Atiku when important issues between its benefactor and the PDP presidential candidate is still before the tribunal.

T Roland said it was ridiculous for the BMO to accuse Atiku of pauperising Nigerians during his time as vice president when, in actual fact, the country and Nigerians were better off in his days than what is obtained now. “The BMO should do proper research before rushing to the press to make unfounded allegations on a man who has written his name in gold by helping to build and defend the nations democracy. “Majority of Nigerians hold Atiku in high esteem as a rare breed of democrat, whose unparalleled love for the nation spur him to contest for 2019 presidential election.

“This explains why most Nigerians are throwing their weight behind him to seek legal means of recovering what we truly believe was freely given to him by Nigerians,” Roland said. He advised the BMO to direct its energy in urging the president and his party to diligently clear themselves of the weighty allegations brought against them before the election tribunal and not to be making frivolous allegations.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/atiku-group-tackles-buhari-organisation-over-waec-certificate.html

Prince Yahaya Odidi Audu is a brother to late Kogi State Governor Abubakar Audu. He has picked the APC nomination form for the November 2019 governorship election. The 60-year-old United Kingdom-trained chartered accountant tells Daily Trust Saturday why he is best suited for the post.

Daily Trust: Last week, you obtained the Kogi State governorship nomination form of the APC. What prompted you to want to become governor of the state?
Prince Yahaya Audu: I want to say that Kogi State has arguably recorded the worst performance in terms of provision of infrastructure, welfare of workers and general governance in the present dispensation. In fact, the performance of the present administration is so bad that a political analyst once described it as the “youngest political disappointment in Nigeria’s political history.” As the people prepare to go to the polls in a few months to elect someone who would steer the affairs of the state for the next four years, there is a general consensus that there should be a new person who has a history of excellence and a clear vision of how to take the state from the dungeon and set it on a pedestal of recognizable development, tapping from the enormous resources of the state to restore it to its once enviable position. I have the capacity to govern the state and have an unwavering loyalty to the masses that definitely guarantees a people-oriented and masses-focused administration in the state.

And as a result, and a response to the call of the people and an overwhelming desire to ensure justice, I picked the governorship nomination form, putting to rest the desperate search for the candidate who will fly the APC flag in the state. It is on record that since the creation of the state, the dreams of its founding fathers have never been this shattered and hope of the citizens destroyed.

DT: What proof do you have on the claims that Kogi has never had it so bad?
Audu: Among the states in the country, Kogi has suffered great backwardness. The once thriving peaceful and treasure trove of the country currently lacks purposeful leadership and has got little to show for development in all sectors. The present administration in the state has been characterised by flagrant disregard to the rule of law and good governance; it has completely destroyed the foundations laid by our founding fathers. There are abuse of power, ill treatment and unjust attitude to our once vibrant and respected civil servants, disregard for the welfare of our aged pensioners and senior citizens. There is poor attention to education which has lowered its standard, investors are no longer coming to the state, there is exploitation of the common wealth, and there is complete indifference to the people of the state. These probably explains why most people of the state, and even beyond, have thrown in their weight and are of the opinion that I am the most qualified and acceptable leader for the state at the time it desperately needs a visionary leader. DT: What are you bringing to the table?
Audu: It will indeed be a privilege to share my thoughts with the citizens of Kogi State on my grand vision and mission to move our state’s socio-economic agenda forward through delivering a strong, prosperous economy and workers-friendly environment. My plan is to build a strong state through a vibrant economy, prioritising workers’ welfare and provision of more modern infrastructure. My priority is to build a stronger, productive and diverse economy, efficient government and a dynamic business sector that will deliver more jobs, higher wages and better services for all the citizens of our state. That is why I should be voted into the Kogi State Government House in the forthcoming election. Nobody will be robbed or shortchanged because we all will be stakeholders. The waste of resources of the state and corruption shall be fought at fronts with vigour and determination.

DT: How do you intend to take Kogi out of its present predicament?
Audu: The present challenges are enormous, but are surmountable. It has to do with being focused and having an inspiring plan. Things are not done haphazardly. Going forward, we will declare a state of emergency in the education sector by embarking on a state-wide massive school building and renovation programme, improve teaching and learning environment, especially in areas where access to quality and affordable education is non-existent. We shall establish and enhance the meal scheme in all our public schools. Tertiary institutions will not be left out. We will reposition the state-owned university and other tertiary institutions to become centres of excellence through massive infrastructural development, corporate engagement and international collaboration.

We will massively retrain, reorient and motivate existing teachers and recruit new ones, especially in the areas of science and technology, to enable our children gain quality education in all areas. Also, the primary responsibility of any government is the welfare of its people.

The workers in the state make up over 60 per cent of the population. One thing I assure you is that I will be committed to the prosperity of every worker in the state. In fact, our administration will be committed to workers’ welfare, prosperity, comfort and there will be fruitful negotiations and better communication between the government and the workforce. Besides, we will prioritise human capital development such that the level of productivity within our labour force will rise considerably. Also, in a just, transparent and accountable manner, my administration will make sure appointments and promotions of civil servants are done on merit.

In terms of meaningful engagement, we will set up an employment scheme that will allow our youths and the unemployed have access to adequate finance for entrepreneurial ventures. But development can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace. As such, we will boost the security apparatus and embark on the acquisition of the latest advanced security communication technology that will track and monitor the daily activities of the state.

DT: What stands you out among other aspirants?
Audu: First, let me share some thoughts as put forward by the National Chairman of our party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. He said it is too early to lose Kogi to the opposition because the APC just took over the state in 2015 with the effort of late Prince Abubakar Audu, the governorship candidate in the 2015 polls, who died on the verge of his victory. According to him, the party will field a sellable candidate from the majority flank of the state; which is Kogi East, because fielding a candidate from the minority part of the state is risky for the APC. Com.

Oshiomhole also said the party is aware of Kogi East politics; which is based on zoning, particularly when it comes to governorship, and that it will respect the zoning formula to avoid division and disunity in the state. Kogi East is made up of three axis, with Ankpa comprising Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro local government areas; Dekina comprising of Dekina and Bassa; while Idah has Idah, Igalamela, Ofu and Ibaji.

Now, Dekina axis has taken the Senate seat of Kogi East, Ankpa held the governorship for nine years, with Ibrahim Idris under the PDP. In 2015, Idah axis won the governorship with Prince Audu, but unfortunately, he died and his victory was given to another person. So, Idah axis was robbed of their seat. And based on these zoning arrangements, I am not only from the zone, but actually from the family of the late Prince Audu. Giving the ticket to me will therefore not only be allowing justice and equity to prevail, but also a way of compensating the Audu family for their contribution towards the success of the party in the state.

It is on record that during the last general elections in Kogi State, I did not only work for the success of APC, but committed huge resources to canvas for votes for President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as all other elections. Aside from this, I have remained consistently in APC since the formation of the party in 2015, and even contested the senatorial primary of the party in 2019; a feat that made me stand out among others.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/why-i-want-to-occupy-kogi-govt-house-yahaya-audu.html

The convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore has challenged the order of a Federal High Court in Abuja approving his detention for 45 days pending investigation. In a motion on notice brought by his lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), Sowore is asking for an order of the court setting aside, discharging and/or vacating the ex-parte order made on August 8.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo had on Thursday granted the detention order for 45, which he said can be renewed if investigation is not concluded in the charges brought against Sowore under Section 27(1) of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013. Sowore is contending that the order breached Section 35 of the Nigerian Constitution on the fundamental rights of citizens.

He is also contending that the DSS did not disclose any terrorism-related activity, adding that participants who were arrested on 5th August, 2019 were charged with unlawful assembly in the Magistrates Court at Ebute Meta, Lagos State Oshogbo in Osun state and Calabar, Cross Rivers State.

Falana also contended that Sowore’s “detention has exceeded the maximum period a court of law can allow the Respondent to detain the Applicant in accordance with the provisions of Section 35 (4) (a) of the Constitution of Nigeria (As Amended) 2011 which only empowered the Applicant/Respondent to detain the Applicants for a maximum period of two months from the date of their arrest.

“That the Order made on 8th August, 2019 was based on a wrong presumption and mistake that the Complaint against the respondent therein relates to terrorism. “That by virtue of Section 293 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, an application for the remand of any suspect is to be made before a Magistrate Court.” No date has been fixed for hearing.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/revolutionnow-sowore-challenges-detention-order.html

The African Action Alliance (AAC) has expelled its National Chairman, Mr. Omoyele Sowore from the party. Also affected were 28 other national officers of the party.

The party took the decision at the National Convention of the party currently going on at Rockview Hotel, Owerri. Sowore was replaced by Dr. Leonard Nzenwa Meanwhile a Federal High Court in Abuja has approved the request of the Department of State Services (DSS) to detain the convener of #RevolutionNow, Sowore for 45 days pending investigation.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo on Thursday directed that the 45 days can be renewed if investigation is not concluded in the allegations of terrorism made against Sowore. Justice Taiwo said the court would not ignore the facts presented by the security agency as it is such that must be investigated to be proved with a view to prosecuting him or it will be discarded. He said the use of the word: ‘may’ in Section 27(1), 2015 of the Terrorism Prevention Act gives the court the discretion in determining the matter, adding that the word connotes ‘directory’ rather than ‘mandatory’ meaning.

Exhibits presented by the DSS includes: Digital video display of a conference between Sowore and one Nnamdi Kanu; and a digital video display of comments made by Sowore in paragraph 4 of the affidavit that members of proscribed IMN were going to join forces with him to bring down the government.

The DSS had on August 6 brought the application through its counsel, G.O. Abadua seeking to further detain Sowore, who is the publisher of Sahara Reporters and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 general elections, for 90 days pending investigation.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/breaking-aac-expels-sowore-28-others.html

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara on Wednesday sacked all the 14 local government secretaries in the state and approved their replacements. The governor has also approved the appointment of rector of the state polytechnic and provost of the college of education.

This is contained in a statement signed by Yusuf Idris, the Director-General of Press Affairs to the governor, in Gusau. The governor directed the sacked council secretaries to submit their handover notes at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The new local government secretaries included Abubakar Bakura, Bakura Local Government; Rabiu Pamo, Anka; Abdulkadir Gora for Birnin-Magaji; Lawali Zugu, Bukkuyum; Sani Mainasara for Bungudu, Rabiu Hussaini, Gummi and Nura Musa for Gusau. Others are Bashir Bello for Kaura-Namoda Local Government, Ahmadu Mani for Maradun, Salisu Yakubu for Maru, Abba Atiku, Shinkafi; Ibrahim Garba, Talata-Mafara; Aliyu Lawali for Tsafe and Bala Dauran for Zurmi. The statement added that Dr Sha’ayau Mafara was appointed by the governor as Rector and Muhammad Maradun as Registrar of Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Talata-Mafara. Mafara was a staff of Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto before his appointment and holds a PhD in Biochemistry from Liverpool University, UK.

Matawalle also appointed Ibrahim Gusau as the new Provost of the state College of Education, Maru. Gusau has an MSc degree in Mathematics. The governor directed the outgoing Rector and Registrar as well as the outgoing Provost to submit their handover notes at the Governor’s Office. (NAN)

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/zamfara-gov-sacks-lg-secretaries-heads-of-tertiary-institutions.html

hmmm...is the act of improper construction of bridge. They should not blame God

Former Military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida says Nigeria is difficult to administer. He described Nigeria as a complex and difficult country because of its diversities and peculiarities.

According to him, the diversities always give room for contrasting opinions and debates along geopolitical lines which sometimes lead to tension and bad blood. Speaking yesterday when the House of Representatives Minority Cacus led by Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu visited him at his uphill residence in Minna, Niger State, he also described Nigeria as vibrant and interesting.

He urged political leaders not to be intimidated by the complexities of the country, but focus on harmonising the peculiarities into an advantage. He said the country’s founding father’s fought relentlessly to build a strong and virile entity despite the inherent challenges. He said the National Assembly members must not allow the struggle of the founding fathers to be vain by building on the bond of unity which upon the country was found.

“I am passionate in observing what is going on in the country, I develop lots of interest in the on-goings across the country and I think the leadership of the House of Representatives, the Speaker, the opposition leadership and everyone, I think you are all doing well. “You represent the people and it is what the people wish that you take up. I want to commend you for doing your job honourably and urge you not to give up,” he said.

He said having scaled the initial hurdles that led to the emergence of the principal officers, members must settle down to the business of making laws that would have direct bearing on the people. He called on them not to play politics with the security challenges currently bedevilling the country but set aside their political differences and work with their colleagues as well as the executive arm in addressing the menace.

Earlier, Elumelu said they were in Minna to introduce themselves as the leadership of the minority caucus of the House of Representatives and thank the former military leader for the role he played in their emergence. Elumelu, who prayed to God to grant the former leader good health, pledged the readiness of the members to provide good governance to the people of Nigeria.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/nigeria-difficult-to-administer-ibb.html

RIP

EFFCC and eyes service...very soon this story will be over.

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, yesterday called for the release of the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore. He said Sowore’s arrest was an abuse of right to freedom and portended a grave danger to Nigeria’s democracy.

Adams, in a statement by his media aide, Kehinde Aderemi, alleged that the rationale for the arrest of Sowore was faulty. said the planned revolutionary protest could not be said to be treasonable since it was yet to be implemented before he was arrested by the DSS. He recalled that Nigeria’s problems emanated from military dictatorship and tendency to gag the press and prevent freedom of speech and expression.

Aare Onakakanfo, however, said with the information at his disposal, the convener did not consult many of the civil society groups. The planned protest, he said, would have been an avenue for Nigerians to express their feelings to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/release-sowore-now-gani-adams-tells-fg.html

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Enugu state command, has nabbed a notorious gun manufacturer who has been supplying firearms to hoodlums in the state. The suspect identified as one Eze Cyprian, aged 69, is a cripple from Umuabi in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu state.

Our correspondent gathered that he was picked following intelligence gathered about his nefarious activities, which made Police operatives stormed his hideout in the early hours of Monday. The state’s police spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, in a statement signed on Monday, alleged that Eze “has allegedly manufactured firearms which he usually supplies to armed robbers/cultists.”

He added that the suspect has also “revealed how he manufactured arms and supplied same to suspected armed robbers and to a group of cultists in which one Chidera Nwaori was killed sometime in June 2009 at Agbani Road Enugu.” He said the physically challenged suspect “is now helping the operatives in their investigations.”

Items recovered from the suspect include one locally made double-barrel pistol, four cut to size locally made guns including “one belonging to a notorious suspected cultist/murderer identified as one Ugochukwu Ogba, 28 years, a leader of confraternity and who had brought his gun to the manufacturer for repairs,” Amaraizu stated.

Also recovered were six short barrel guns, various gun parts ready to be assembled, ten live cartridges, thirteen expended cartridges, electric welding machine, gas cylinders, drilling machines and clamps, amongst others. Meanwhile, state’s commissioner of police, Suleiman Balarabe, has lauded the Police operatives of Operation Puff Adder and Anti-Kidnapping who effected the arrest and called for “full scale investigations and diligent prosecutions of suspects”.

Balarabe also maintained that based on the expiration of the ultimatum given to those with unlicensed and authorized firearms to surrender it to the nearest police station, a committee from the Operation Puff Adder has been set up “to commence enforcement, arrest, recovery and diligent prosecutions of suspects arrested.”

He revealed that operatives will be working on intelligence information to ensure that it is strictly enforced.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/police-arrest-crippled-gun-manufacturer-in-enugu.html

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has asked Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, Femi Falana (SAN) and other Nigerians who condemned the arrest of leader of ‘RevolutionNow’, Omoyele Sowore to retrace their steps. In a statement on Monday by its chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, the BMO specifically flayed Soyinka, Falana and some civil society organisations for allegedly encouraging what it said was capable of igniting a large scale violence in the country.

The BMO said highly placed and influential Nigerians should always exercise restraint and decorum while reacting to public issues so as not to escalate existing tension in the polity.

“We note with satisfaction that the Federal Government has taken the appropriate steps towards stopping these misguided elements from instigating a violent overthrow of a constitutionally-elected government. “There is a constitutional means of changing government in Nigeria, and as a country that recently held democratic elections at both the state and federal levels, therefore there’s no basis for any group of people to seek other means of changing a sitting and legally-constituted government.

“Perhaps we need to remind Professor Soyinka and his co-travellers that the security agencies do not usually go out of their way to arrest people except in situations where there are glaring evidence that such people, through their actions or utterances, pose inherent risk to the unity and corporate existence of the country.

“In the case of Sowore’s arrest, there is the need to remind Soyinka, Falana and others that the Directorate of State Services (DSS) had established a link between Sowore and some foreigners, as well as some Nigerians, who are bent on causing disaffection in Nigeria with an intent to benefit from the conflagration that may arise therefrom. “We consider it hypocritical on the part of the critics for being blind to the potential danger that the activities of Sowore and company posed to the country with their misguided attempt to cause havoc in the country,” the BMO said.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-group-knocks-soyinka-falana-others-over-comments-on-sowores-arrest.html

A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has said the resolution of the National Assembly to a sitting governor was a mockery of a state’s sovereignty as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution. Oyegun said this at the weekend in Benin while speaking with journalists in preparatory to his 80th birthday anniversary celebration.

The National Assembly had, last week, given one week ultimatum to the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, to issue a fresh proclamation to the Clerk for the inauguration of the state assembly, threatening that it will take over the house if the governor failed. He warned those he described as detractors not to destabilise good governance in Edo State. “What is happening is a mystery to me and for funny reasons; we have been unable to get the story behind the story.

All I know is that we have a government and the voice of the people says Obaseki deserves all the support that he can get,” he said. He explained that the issue in contention is before a competent court, arguing that the nation has a constitution that binds everybody. He therefore, wondered why the National Assembly or anybody would issue instructions to a sovereign governor.

“I am shocked and amazed but I believe that in the coming weeks and months, the law will prevail. I called on all parties in the dispute to be law-biding and allow the nation’s constitution to prevail irrespective of the interests of some powerful persons in the corridors of power,” he said. Oyegun said, as a former governor and National Chairman of APC, he never interfered in the affairs and running of Edo State.

“I have never interfered in the running of the state but strangely same is not the case and it is sad as people fail to realise we have two sovereignties: that of the president which reflects the nation and also the governors that reflects the states. Anyone that fights the governor undermines the sovereignty of the people of the state,” he said.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/edo-assembly-nass-resolution-mockery-of-state-sovereignty-says-odigie-oyegun.html

hmmm

one Nigeria! together forever!

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said he would not name anybody as his successor. Buhari, who was sworn in for a second term on May 29, this year, stated this when he hosted members of the Progressives in Academics (Pro-Acad) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The president was asked by the group to start grooming a youth as his successor. But the president said those who want to succeed him should try as much as he did.

The president said: “Succession, to me this is very funny; because if I did find anybody I will create more problems for him or her. Let those who want to be president try as much as I did. “I believe those who are interested need to know that I tried three times and the fourth time I thank God and technology, PVC. “So, I think you have more to do as intellectuals to make sure you correct Nigeria’s intellectual development, it is very important for the next generation. “A lot of our young people are taking things for granted.

Imagine to contest elections three times and ending up in the Supreme Court, it takes a lot of conviction and hard work. But people take things for granted,” he said On education, Buhari said in the last four years, he has injected over N1 trillion into education through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and needs assessment interventions. “We also released N25bn to public universities to pay earned academic allowances to lecturers.

Of course, you are all aware of the rot we uncovered at JAMB and many other institutions. “Our home grown school feeding programme covering more than ten million children coupled with our social investment initiative has encouraged many parents to send their children to school and also pay for more teachers in classrooms,” he said. Earlier in his address, the Convener of Pro-Acad, Dr. Bolariwa Bolaji, said there was need to accredit secondary and primary schools in the country. He urged the president to take steps to address the challenge of Almajiri in the country. He further urged the President to revoke oil well licenses issued to individuals.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2023-i-wont-name-my-successor-buhari.html

Good one...we need one another

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum Monday midnight paid unscheduled inspection visits to hospitals and other government agencies in Maiduguri.

Zulum, who was at the Umaru Shehu Ultra Modern Hospital at 1.00am, did not meet any medical doctor on duty. Only 10 nurses out of the 135 working in the hospital were on duty; while none of the 19 resident doctors was around. Even when the governor phoned about 10 doctors to find out why none of them was on duty, they did not answer the calls.

But at the State Specialists’ Hospital, the governor met a few doctors on duty around 2am. Zulum expressed dissatisfaction with quality of services being provided to patients on admission. He queried the Chief Medical Director of the Umaru Shehu Ultra Modern Hospital to explain why absentee doctors should not face disciplinary action.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/no-doctor-on-duty-as-borno-gov-visits-hospital-midnight.html

The Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari says the corporation has no secret accounts that breaches the Treasury Single Account (TSA) . Kyari disclosed this when he received the Chairman and members of the special Presidential Investigative Panel for the Recovery of Public Property in Abuja on Monday. In a statement issued by Mr Ndu Ughamadu, the spokesman for the corporation, he said that the NNPC had nothing to hide as it stood to gain a lot by being transparent in all areas of its operation.

He reiterated that NNPC had no secret account, adding “there is no single account NNPC is operating that is unknown to the Federal Government. ” Any account(s) outside the TSA platform are partner accounts which we have obtained due approvals from the government,’’ he noted. Kyari, who observed that all monies belonging to the corporation were domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), added that the Corporation’s account managers remained the CBN and the Accountant-General of the Federation.

On the lease renewal fees on Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 67, 68, and 70 by ExxonMobil, Kyari said the company paid 600 million dollars which was their equity contribution of 40 per cent of the Joint Venture Agreement. According to him, NNPC is to pay the remaining 60 per cent but it unnecessary as it is representing the government. “Ordinarily, NNPC would have contributed the balance of 60 per cent of the amount which literally meant government paying monies to itself. There was no need for that,” Kyari said.

Shedding more light on the alleged non-remittances of taxes and royalties by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), NNPC’s upstream arm, the GMD said there were outstanding payments which arose as a result of the pillage that occurred before 2015. He, however, assured the Panel that the present administration had made concerted efforts to reconcile every payment due to the Federation on taxes and royalties. “The only outstanding payment is the 600 million and we have a pre-payment plan with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) such that by mid-2020, we will have money left to be paid,” he noted.

On alleged non-remittances by some oil companies operating in the country, Kyari said it was the responsibility of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and DPR to collect taxes and royalties from oil companies, including those on Joint Venture (JV) and Production Sharing Contract (PSC) arrangement. He further noted that the NNPC would provide the necessary support to the agencies concerned in that regard though it had no legal obligation to do so.

“As an enabler organisation, we will support them because we see our roles beyond our immediate responsibility,” he said. While affirming the Corporation’s commitment to transparency and accountability, Kyari said the Corporation was one of the most accountable public institutions in the country, ‘’This is the only company that publishes its operations and financial reports monthly. I am not aware of any company that does that in the world. “Every member of our Management shares the vision of Mr President that Government’s institutions must be accountable to all Nigerians.

“We know that we will gain more by being more transparent. We have nothing to hide,” Kyari told the Panel. Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Presidential Panel, Chief Okoi Obono- Obla said their visit was to seek synergy with the NNPC toward reforming the country and particularly to clear the air on issues relating to the operations of the Corporation. He expressed the Panel’s satisfaction with NNPC’s “frank and honest responses on the issues raised, describing the Corporation as a very important and transparent national institution with a GMD who had a track record of accountability and transparency in his public career.

“The GMD has a reputation of being an apostle of accountability and transparency. I feel very happy that somebody like him is coming out to clarify the key issues. Nigerians have been misled, it behoves on every organisation to tell Nigerians the truth to engender transparency in the entire polity,” he said.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/nnpc-has-no-secret-account-kyari.html

A former minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola has advocated for the introduction of a N10tr infrastructure bond. Fashola spoke on Monday morning when he appeared before the Senate for screening. He is the first ministerial nominee to be screened on the day.

Lamenting the paucity of fund, he said the only way to address the infrastructural challenges facing the country was the introduction of infrastructure bond.He said the bond should be backed by legislative instrument and that people should be able to invest as low as N1,000. He said, in the last four years, the federal government had been operating deficit budget due to paucity of fund.

He said at the moment, the federal government had road projects, at least one, in each state of the Federation. Fashola also disclosed that housing projects were ongoing in 34 out of the 36 states of the Federation.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ministerial-screening-fashola-advocates-n10tr-infrastructure-bond.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will today open its defence against the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. This followed the conclusion of submissions by PDP and Atiku on July 19 during which they called 62 witnesses out of the 400 earlier billed to testify at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.

INEC had contended that the election was conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act while objecting to the existence of a server.
The PDP had claimed that results of the February 23 presidential election were transmitted through a server. Among other issues, INEC had also contended that Atiku and PDP’s petition was incompetent for the non-joinder in the petition of persons listed in allegations of electoral malpractices such as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, military and police chiefs. Counsel to INEC, Yunus Ustaz Usman (SAN) had proposed to call 84 witnesses in six days as agreed with lawyers to Atiku and PDP, Levy Uzoukwu (SAN); Muhammadu Buhari, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and the All Progressives Congress (APC’s), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) on the schedule and modalities to hear the petition. The petitioners had taken 10 days to conclude their case as agreed in the schedule, while the defence will take six days each.

The parties also agreed that they will spend five minutes to take evidence in chief from ordinary witnesses, while examination of expert and subpoenaed witnesses will take 20 minutes and any re-examination will take three minutes. As part of the guidelines for the main hearing, the parties agreed that every objection to documents tendered in the hearing could be indicated at the point of tendering, but would not be taken until during final address where it would be taken separately.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pres-tribunal-inec-to-open-defence-against-atiku-pdp-today.html