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 Politics › Suspicion Greets Anambra Election Tribunal’s Relocation Ilorin by Coly2012(op): 5:00am On Dec 22, 2021 |
Suspicion greets Anambra election tribunal’s relocation Ilorin There is palpable tension Awka following the relocation of the Anambra Election Petitions Tribunal from Awka to Ilorin, Kwara State. The move is coming after the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, nullified the candidacy of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Andy Uba. Uba is the main challenger to the governorship election victory of the All Progressives Grand Alliance candidate, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, at the tribunal. The secretary of the tribunal, Mr Surajo Gusau, who had announced the relocation of the tribunal from Awka to Ilorin, on Tuesday, said it was an administrative directive from the Appeal Court. Gusau, who did not give any reason for the relocation, added that should any reason be given, he would communicate to the petitioners and respondents as well as the media. Speaking with our correspondent in Awka on Tuesday, a constitutional lawyer, Mr John Ifedi, said although the tribunal had the legal right to sit anywhere in the country, what should be paramount is that the tribunal must be seen to be transparent, independent and devoid of any external influence. “As a matter of fact, the relocation of the tribunal would be greeted with anxiety because of the tension it has generated in the state. It won’t be the first time it is happening, what should be of concern is that it must be seen to be totally transparent and devoid of external influence,” Ifedi added. Another lawyer, Mr Akachukwu Ileka, expressed fears that the move might be a grand design to influence the decisions of the tribunal judges against the victory of Soludo. Ileka said, “There is nothing wrong in sitting the tribunal on a neutral ground, but the fear is that some people close to the government may be working hard to influence the judges to declare Uba, winner of the election in Ilorin where there may not be protest should it happen.” However, the Deputy Director, Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organisation, Mr Ikechukwu Onyia, dismissed any fear arising from the development. Onyia urged APGA and its supporters not to entertain any fear if the party was sure that it won the election. When contacted, the National Legal Adviser, APGA, Mr Sly Ezeokenwa, said the governorship election was free and fair and the party is hopeful that its victory would be upheld at the tribunal. “I will not comment on the tribunal relocation issue now until every consultation is done. We have a lead counsel, he will speak at the right time,” he added. |
| Family › Re: Why Is Eva Soap Selling At 1200 Naira? by Coly2012(m): 9:30pm On Dec 10, 2021 |
Then go for Ivory, it's the same thing as Eva, and cheaper |
| Travel › Re: Anambra Int'l Airport: Commercial Flights Arrive From Abuja & Lagos:video by Coly2012(m): 5:20pm On Dec 07, 2021 |
Anambra to Lagos na how much |
| Family › Re: Could He Have Ulterior Motives By Disagreeing To This? Should I Opt Out? by Coly2012(m): 4:06pm On Dec 04, 2021 |
You don't expect him to be 100% committed just like that,the need to be sure of what he is doing before making such a huge decision,and on your part, you can't be thinking and making decisions for him just like that on issue as this. |
| Celebrities › I’ll Never Regret The Love I Gave Anyone, Says Tonto Dikeh by Coly2012(op): 2:52am On Dec 02, 2021 |
I’ll never regret the love I gave anyone, says Tonto Dikeh Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has stated that she’ll never regret the love she gave anyone, even if it wasn’t reciprocated. The mother-of-one stated this on her verified Instagram page on Wednesday, where she shared some pictures of herself. According to her, she has no regrets but only learnt lessons that made her grow. Dikeh wrote, “I’ll never regret the love I gave anyone, even if it wasn’t reciprocated. “Love always comes back full circle; that love is coming back to me in some shape or form. “Keep putting love into the universe, cause it’s coming back with interest! No regrets, just lessons to grow!” Shortly after the post, she wrote on her Insta stories, “I have never lost a battle. Those who battle with me end up where they wanted me. I am grateful and proud of my ‘chi’.” Dikeh had suffered two messy heartbreaks in the past; the last one which came with a lot of drama couple of months back. Why Tonto Dikeh's ex-lover, Prince Kpokpogiri, was arrested —DIG Tonto Dikeh's ex-lover Kpokpogri deletes apology issued to Janemena's husband In 2017, her 17-month-old marriage with her ex-husband, Churchill Olakunle, became turbulent as she accused the latter of wife battery and cheating. This led to the annulment of the marriage as her family returned the bride price to Churchill. Four years later, the actress revealed that she had found another lover, Joseph Egbiri, popularly known as Prince Kpokpogri. Along the line, the duo fell out during a messy scandal which involved multiple lawsuits, arrests and leakage of sensitive information. Though Kpokpogri stated that he left Dikeh because of her excessive drinking, the actress insisted that she left the relationship due to some leaked voice notes. 1 Like 1 Share
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| Politics › 12 Bayelsa Women Arraigned For Allegedly Using ‘juju’ To Stop Road Construction by Coly2012(op): 2:43am On Dec 02, 2021 |
12 Bayelsa women arraigned for allegedly using ‘juju’ to stop road construction No fewer than 12 women from Agobiri community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have been arraigned by the police for allegedly plotting to scuttle the ongoing construction of the Yenagoa-Oporoma Road by the state government with juju (charms). The accused women are Nerisa John, 43; Christiana Famous, 36; Dolphina Ochai, 34; Flora Clinton, 55; Ayibanua Lucky, 33; and Motoko Oyibadoemi, 54. Others are Amilo Brandy, 30; Tuebi Romeo, 25; Ayibaegben Godbless, 40; Becky Williams, 37; Ayababy Kwoli, 50; and Falaba David, 30. The women were said to be carrying out a demonstration demanding that the road should pass through their community to give residents a sense of belonging. The police, in a two-count charge filed before the magistrate’s court, Oporoma division, accused the protesting women of conspiracy to commit a felony. The charge read in part, “That you (all the accused) and others at large, on the same date and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, with intent to carry out a common purpose, did assemble in such a manner by blocking the ongoing Oporoma-Yenagoa Road construction with sticks, plantain, juju, palm fronds, causing persons in the neighbourhood to fear and tumultuously disturb the peace of the people using access road without reasonable occasion, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 54 and punishable under Section 55 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C14 Laws of Bayelsa State.” But the protesters pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N50,000 each with one surety who owned landed property. The presiding magistrate, A.N Asuku, adjourned the case till December 6, 2021. The Agobiri women were arrested during their protest against alleged exclusion from the communities to benefit from the road project. They had allegedly threatened to stop the road project if the Governor Douye Diri-led administration did not include their community in the road infrastructure.
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| Politics › Serial Jailbreaks, Ploy To Keep Kanu In Prison, Alleges IPOB by Coly2012(op): 2:34am On Dec 02, 2021 |
Serial jailbreaks, ploy to keep Kanu in prison, alleges IPOB The Indigenous People of Biafra has said repeated jailbreaks across the country was a plot by the Federal Government to perpetually keep its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in the custody of Department of States Services. The group alleged that the DSS always arranged a prisons break, each time a suspect of interest is billed to be transferred from its custody to prison to create the impression that Nigerian prisons were not safe. The secessionist group said this in a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful on Wednesday. The statement read in part, “Our Intelligence reports and findings reveal that once there is any person of interest in the custody of the DSS that is scheduled to be transferred from their detention facility to prison custody, they arrange these prison breaks in order to convince the court that the prison is not safe and is susceptible to attacks and jailbreaks, and as such, the person in their custody should not be transferred to the prison. “This is why no meaningful investigation is ever carried out on these alleged prison breaks throughout Nigeria. “This is further evidenced from what happened in the court on the 21st October, 2021, when the hearing of our Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s application for transfer to prison custody came up. The road to the court and even the court premises were barricaded on all sides by security agents, such that lawyers and other responsible persons who had legitimate business in the court could not drive close to the court premises, as they claimed that they had a security report that there will be an attack. “Curiously, the “attackers” who were clearly government sponsored thugs were allowed to drive past all the security posts mounted on the road, and down to where the DSS officers formed a human barricade to attack Omoyele Sowore “The same thing happened on the 10th November, 2021, when they hired the “One Nigeria Crooners” who came to confront Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s peaceful supporters who had always been there on the previous court days, without constituting any nuisance or breach of peace.” It added, “Any reasonable person knows that it is the FG that turns peaceful gatherings to riots and peaceful protests to insurrections. We saw them do it with the peaceful #EndSARS movement. Again, the killings going on in the South-East is part of the game. “We are putting the world on notice of this evil game being played by the FG in a bid to ensure that Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is held in perpetuity in the DSS dungeon.”
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| Music/Radio › Why I Wasn’t Close To My Dad As A Child – Davido by Coly2012(op): 3:00pm On Dec 01, 2021 |
Why I wasn’t close to my dad as a child – Davido Nigerian singer and songwriter, Davido, has revealed that he wasn’t close to his father, Adedeji Adeleke, when he was a child. The Afropop artiste made this revelation during an interview with an American-based podcast, Earn Your Leisure, which was published on Wednesday. Davido stated that he wasn’t close to his dad because the older man was a workaholic. He said, “From my younger days till I was about 11, I wasn’t really close to my daddy because he was all about work and work. I remember him coming home late every day. I didn’t know what he was doing. I didn’t even know he was rich.” The award-winning singer stated that he didn’t know his dad was rich till he was 13 years old. According to him, he only realized the magnitude of his father’s wealth when they relocated to a new house because as a billionaire, his father drove a Honda He said, “From the new house, that was when I started trying to know what my dad did and I got to know that he was into business. “I come from a family where there’s no entertainment. It’s straight-up; you go to school and get a degree, and it’s either two options. It’s either my dad gets you a job from his rich friends or you work for him. I was the first one to really branch out and do entertainment.” (sic)
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| Politics › Work For Unity Of APC In Anambra, Ngige Advises Acting Chairman by Coly2012(op): 3:55am On Nov 30, 2021 |
Work for unity of APC in Anambra, Ngige advises Acting Chairman FG lied; ‘high scale secret employments’ ongoing in civil service — Senate Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment Abuja: The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige, has urged warring members of the Anambra State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to sheath their sword as leaders of the party and work together for a solution Ngige in a statement by his Media Office, said, the Minister who is the leader of the Party in the state, however, advised the embattled Acting State Chairman of the Party, Basil Ejidike not to “ invent a Trojan Horse but look inwards and manage the self-inflicted tear in the State Exco and Working Committee of the Party which has seen many members haemorrhaging. “ Senator Chris Ngige has been inundated with calls from his home state, over the unfortunate development in the State Chapter of our great party, APC, culminating in the suspension of the Acting State Chairman. All these are the fallout of the 26th June 2021 heist in which though no primary election was held, the Acting Chairman in concert with some persons who did not wish our state chapter well, announced some allocated, fictitious figures for each of the 13 aspirants and declared a winner. The situation simmered, festered and resulted in the loss of the governorship election. The Minister had watched these developments with disbelief and consternation because this is not the style of the original APC members in Anambra State over the years . “Nigerians are aware of the unceasing post-COVID-19 efforts of the Federal Government to stabilize the labour milieu and buoy national productivity, hence the Minister of Labour and Employment daily battles with very tight schedules, to spare even scant thought for the post-election intrigues in his state chapter of the party. “Despite that, Senator Ngige wishes to assure all members that issues in contention will soon be laid to rest as the critical state stakeholders of the party in the State, will shortly work towards their resolution. “ While we do this, however, the embattled Acting State Chairman, Basil Ejidike is advised to wrap his mind around the self-made fissure in the State Working Committee and work towards a resolution by first telling himself the truth. Creating a phantom Trojan Horse to explain away self-inflicted injury is unthinking. “I once again urge all members to refrain from acts that can wreak further damage on the party and rather look inwards to make up our losses. The party lives beyond the November 6 governorship election. Other tasks of even greater magnitude with huge benefits lay ahead of us as we approach the 2023 general elections.
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| Politics › Electoral Act Amendments: Buhari Writes INEC, Seeks Advice On Direct Primaries, by Coly2012(op): 3:48am On Nov 30, 2021 |
Electoral Act Amendments: Buhari writes INEC, seeks advice on direct primaries, others Muhammadu Buhari signed the Petroleum Industry Bill 2021 into law.https://punchng.com/electoral-act-amendments-buhari-writes-inec-seeks-advice-on-direct-primaries-others/?amp 3 Likes 1 Share
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| Politics › We’re Not Against Restructuring, Our Demand Is Biafra, Referendum – IPOB by Coly2012(op): 3:41am On Nov 30, 2021 |
We’re not against restructuring, our demand is Biafra, referendum – IPOB The Indigenous People of Biafra has said it is not against restructuring of Nigeria. The Media and Publicity Secretary of the secessionist group, Emma Powerful, said this on Monday in a statement made available to our correspondent in Awka, Anambra State. The group, however, said its major demand was for a referendum to decide whether “Biafra” would continue to be part of Nigeria or not. He said, “Nigeria government must bear one thing in mind, IPOB is not fighting restructuring. We are not against restructuring but our demand is not restructuring. “Our demand is restoration of Biafra State. All we need is a date for referendum to decide whether or not we want to continue with this forced marriage (Nigeria). “Those who think Nigeria is ready for restructuring may have to think again. Those benefiting from the current lop-sidedness have made restructuring impossible. They are unlikely to heed the clamour for restructuring. “But for us, the only thing that can make us slow down a little is government giving us date for referendum. Restoration of the Sovereign State of Biafra is a divine mandate." 3 Likes 1 Share
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| Politics › Lagos: Mother Of Salesgirl Killed During Yoruba Nation Rally Gets State Relief by Coly2012(op): 2:42am On Nov 21, 2021 |
Lagos: Mother of salesgirl killed during Yoruba Nation rally gets state relief Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reached out to the mother of late Jumoke Oyeleke, the salesgirl who was reportedly shot killed during a Yoruba Nation rally in Lagos on July 3. The mother of the deceased, Mrs Ifeoluwa Oyeleke, and her remaining children who were residing in a shanty, received a well-furnished two-bedroom apartment in the Ikorodu area of the state and N1 million in compensation. Handing over the keys of the new apartment to Mrs Oyeleke, the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Administration, Mrs Titi Oshodi, said they have been following the matter of the girl allegedly killed by a police stray bullet during the rally and had decided to intervene. ‘We are in the new place of the family of the victim of Yoruba Nation Rally which took place a few months ago. We have been to her initial place of abode, We have been in touch with the mother of the deceased, Mrs Ifeoluwa Oyeleke since the time of the incident, following up her state in every ramification to find out how she is doing, economically,’ Mrs Oshodi said. ‘Due to the compassionate nature of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in ameliorating their suffering as possible, he felt if it is not possible to bring back the dead we can at least ameliorate the suffering of the family of the deceased. So, here we are at the place of abode, for Mrs Ifeoluwa Oyeleke with her three children and effectively present these keys to her and also present a little bit of a token of N1 million from the governor to help fit into the next phase of life.’ She explained that since the tragic incident was not planned, the governor decided to make a quick arrangement for the family by renting an apartment in the interim for her and the other children while pursuing other action moving forward. In her response, Mrs Oyeleke reminisced that her late daughter was working as a shop assistant when she was hit by a stray bullet, thanking the governor for coming to their aid. ‘Our former house was a rented apartment but we left because the house was sold to a developer and since I couldn’t afford another house, we had to move to the shanty and we have been staying there for about a year before Jumoke died,’ the mother said. ‘’It was a church member who allowed us to stay in the shanty. I work as a domestic assistant, I help people wash clothes, and clean their compounds. I thank the government for remembering me and my children. God will bless governor Sanwo-Olu and what happened to me will not be his portion. God will grant his heart desires. ‘I want the government to help me find a profitable job so I can train my children properly. My children used to attend a private school but I enrolled them in a government school because I could no longer afford the fees of a private school. ‘The house is rented and I cannot afford to renew the rent after the three years that was paid for so I would love to be employed profitably.’ Also speaking, her daughter, Ayomide Adeeko, thanked the government for the intervention, pleading with the governor to also help them to pursue their studies
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| Politics › Reps Okay Bill To Free CCT From Executive Control by Coly2012(op): 9:22pm On Nov 19, 2021 |
Reps okay bill to free CCT from executive control House of Representatives, yesterday, passed for second reading a bill seeking to remove the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) from the control of the executive arm of government. The bill, sponsored by a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Rivers State, Solomon Bob, seeks to alter sections 6, 84, 240, 243, 254, 294, 295, 316 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to make the CCT a superior court of records, under the judiciary. Bob, in his lead debate, said the CCT is a judicial body, with the responsibility of trying offences under the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and should not be under the control of the executive arm of government. According to him, failure to place the CCT under the judiciary runs contrary to the principle of separation of power in a presidential system of government, which is in operation in the country. “It is trite that in a presidential democracy such as ours, the three arms of government, legislature, executive and judiciary, are distinct and separate in functions, powers and composition. “This distinct separation of powers is intended to secure the independence of each arm and for each to act as a check on the exercise of power by the other, which ultimately enhances the effective discharge of their respective constitutional responsibilities. “It is not, therefore, by accident that the constitution specifically sets out the powers of each of the three arms as spelt out in sections 4, 5 & 6 for the legislature, executive and the judiciary respectively. “The CCT – the focal point of this Bill – is undoubtedly a judicial body created by paragraph 15 of the 5th schedule to the constitution and section 20 of CCB and Tribunal Act. It is a statutory body saddled with the responsibility of trying offences under the CCB Act,” the lawmaker said.
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| Politics › El-Rufai: We No Longer Depend On Allocation To Run Kaduna by Coly2012(op): 2:24am On Nov 17, 2021 |
We no longer depend on allocation to run govt – Kaduna The Kaduna State Government has said it is working towards funding its budget with internally generated revenue in coming years.https://punchng.com/we-no-longer-depend-on-allocation-to-run-govt-kaduna/?amp 18 Likes 3 Shares
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| Politics › Ngige: More Action Needed To Solve Nigeria’s Employment Crisis by Coly2012(op): 2:14am On Nov 17, 2021 |
More action needed to solve Nigeria’s employment crisis – Ministerhttps://punchng.com/more-action-needed-to-solve-nigerias-employment-crisis-minister/?amp 2 Likes
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| Education › Re: Top Ten Most Educated Nigerian Tribes by Coly2012(m): 10:18pm On Nov 16, 2021 |
There are as many educated Hausas as there are illiterates in Hausa land, but the educated Hausas and their output outnumber the illiterates. The statement above about the hausas spoil this write up. I beg go north make you go see for yourself,forget say mechanic non let us no who dey crazy or not oooooo, keep Fulani aside,hauses rate of illiterate population too high. 2 Likes |
| Family › Re: I Just Bought 12.5kg Gas At 9,250 Naira & This Happened by Coly2012(m): 5:11pm On Nov 16, 2021 |
Oga, be calming down,"watin dey happen for okeke house dey also happen for okafor house," so don't take it personal,I gave my bike guy our cylinder to refill for me while going to work today, because madam insisted that it's gas or nothing,as she use stove to cook on Sunday n yesterday and insisted that it can happen again and me insisted it will continue till forthernotice and after much I non go gree! I non go gree she gave me a subsidy of 1k as support na him be say I buy am todayoooo. Oga no marriage is completely complete,we just disagree to agree,pls give peace a chance because of ur children, family and future,pls call her to order as the head of the family. 6 Likes |
| Politics › How We Convinced IPOB To Support Anambra Guber Poll –ezeife by Coly2012(op): 6:49am On Nov 16, 2021 |
2023: We’re getting support from North, South –Ezeife Former Anambra State governor, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, in this interview, discusses the recent Anambra governorship election, 2023 presidential election and how to achieve peace in Nigeria. Firstly, Ndi Anambra across the globe are very grateful to you, elders of the state, religious leaders and traditional rulers for your efforts at getting IPOB to call off its proposed sit-at-home which would have stalled the November 6, 2021, Anambra State governorship election. What promises and compromises were made to achieve that? I am very proud of that, it is all Glory to God. But, I must say that I cannot take credit for what God did. I was in my office in Abuja with two good friends when two young men came in. They said they saw me at a summit we held at Rockview Hotels and decided to come and see me and discuss some very important matters. One of them who I understand is a big-time trader was in tears; he said that things were very difficult for members of IPOB, as a good number of them had lost close relations and friends, and therefore, it could be very difficult to get them to see some of the issues. I told them that there is a need to sit down to dialogue. I made efforts on Monday, November 1 where we spent three hours and again on Thursday, November 4 for two and half hours trying to seek a dialogue and persuade them to call off the sit-at-home. But, you see our boys have good spirit because they eventually spent huge sums of money to advertise that they have called off the sit-at-home. So, I am not responsible for the outcome, God gave it to us. What is your assessment of the polling process? I will tell you what I know. President Muhammadu Buhari insisted on fairness for the Anambra State election. The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, after discussing overnight with President Buhari came out with a statement that the Anambra State election will not only be transparent but that it will be embarrassingly transparent. If you followed what happened, you will see that he did not yield to any pressure to do anything short of a transparent election. So, I thank the INEC chairman, the president who decided to keep it clean, it is all Glory to God that the election was peaceful. IPOB at different times called off the every Monday sit-at-home but some unknown people kept enforcing the sit-at-home and even attacked those that came out, but it was different in November, the call off of the sit-at-home was respected and voting went smoothly. What do you think accounted for the difference? I believe that God wanted the election to be non-violent. If you recall, I said before the election that no drop of blood will be spilt and human reasoning informed my statement. The people behind the killings in Anambra wanted to instill fear so that people will not come out and vote. Yet, the same people behind the killings went and recruited voters from the neighbouring states to come and vote for them. The recruited voters came into Anambra on Thursday and Friday, do you think those that recruited them brought them in to be killed and then sent back as corpses? There was no bloodshed on November 6 because the people who brought them in wanted them to vote for them and not to be killed. The last time we spoke, you said; ‘if we get the right governor in Anambra election, we will get it right in 2023’, from all indications, we got the Anambra election right… (Cuts in) I am not a spirit but sometimes I can make predictions. God has given us 2023. My greatest fear about the Anambra State election was 2023 because if some people had taken it, they will make sure we don’t get 2023. But, since they did not take it, we have now to tell Nigerians that the time for change has come, a new Nigeria is on the offing, we are going to be president of Nigeria and speak Nigeria. There will be no retaliation, we will make sure we introduce the system that works for us to the whole of Nigeria. The system that works for us is that we have taken it that every man and woman is born equal and created equal. It is not for some people to go to school and for others not to go; we will ban almajiri, we will ban urban talakawa. God did not create anybody to accept inferiority complex. We are going to make efforts to raise up Nigerians. Nigerians already know that we can do it. How many states in Nigeria are independent of the efforts of the Igbo? Look at Abuja, Lagos and all over the country, we practise our trade and industry in the open and you can see that many other tribes are copying us and we are happy about that. The assignment Nigeria has is to develop massively and explosively economically and in other ways so as to earn the dignity and respect of all people on earth. We are the greatest black people but our backwardness have kept us from being great and that backwardness was introduced by Nigeria. It is time to make Nigeria great again. How can the state, the entire South East and Nigeria in general tap into the wealth of experience of Gov-elect, Prof Chukwuma Soludo for development? Our people were complaining that he did not do well for us while he was CBN governor, that is true, but he is an intellectual giant, very mature economist, very educated and very respected and connected internationally and by the time he spends four years in office, you will see how Nigeria will be transformed, not just Anambra State. Prof Soludo is not a pushover, he is a person who can convert dirt into cleanliness. My greatest happiness in the Anambra State election is not because of Anambra but because God has said yes to a new Nigeria, the kind of Nigeria He intended the country to be. We are blessed with all manner of natural resources and human capital; we are endowed with many talents, but man is messing up God’s design for Nigeria. Conscience has died in Nigeria and when conscience dies comprehensive corruption takes over. I’m rejoicing that Nigeria will change. Some of us don’t understand what is going on. If every group in Nigeria understands what is happening to the Igbo in Nigeria, they will understand what Nnamdi Kanu is talking about. For me, as old as I am, I’m telling you the truth that President Buhari appears to be pushing the South East totally out of Nigeria; but I will advise Buhari that no man should push us out of Nigeria. Still, on 2023 election, why is it that the South East is not propping any candidate yet? We don’t want just anybody to come out from the South East for 2023, we are going to process people who want to come out. We will ask the Yoruba to help process such a person, we will ask the North to help us process him. The Nigerian people will be involved in the choice of who we are presenting. But we will give conditions to whoever we present and the conditions include that there should be no form of revenge whatsoever; there should be no retaliation, let Nigeria’s interest be paramount. Is the Igbo speaking parts of the South South being considered too or is the search restricted to the South East? The problem is that selection is by zone, but I’m not sure if a very good Igbo man comes from any other zone that we will not consider him, we may but it is right that we should be talking about South East zone, for now; the Igbo in the South South are part of that zone and they have had their chance, now is the turn of the South East. The Federal Government has indicated that a political solution is possible for Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho, what will Igbo leaders demand if called to a negotiation table? We don’t want to be called for a negotiation table, we have been talking through different mediums, we don’t know how the sources we have been using have reached the powers that be. We have been asking for a dialogue, let’s discuss and negotiate the problem. It is not just the Igbo and Biafra, it is not just Oodua and the Yoruba, it is not just the Ijaw, it is not the South South or Middle Belt alone, even among the bigger ones, people are not happy. Who likes to have bandits in their mist? What we are talking about is a settlement that will satisfy the needs of Nigeria. Four zones out of six have agreed on restructuring and restructuring should not bother anyone. Some people think that restructuring means resource allocation such that we will stop giving petroleum money to Northern states, please nobody should think like that. This is politics and there are things that are not possible in politics. It may take years with what we are doing now to build up internally generated revenue everywhere and then change the revenue allocation system. You are the first democratically elected governor of new Anambra State and you initiated this Think Home philosophy, how has that impacted on the state 30 years after? The day I was sworn in, I had a statement titled Think Home, it didn’t take me one year to work out. I said you can invest in Makurdi, Jos, Lagos or where ever you like, but invest also at home. Eventually, I created what I called Think Home Estate, nobody paid a kobo for it, you come in and apply and the application will be given accelerated processing and a plot will be given to you. Today I am proud that so many groups are thinking of thinking home, they are pushing ideas that bring progress to the South East and the entire south, we were once just the East
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| Politics › 2023: Nigeria Is Bruised, Only Igbo Presidency Can Heal It – Ohanaeze Tells Part by Coly2012(op): 6:07am On Nov 14, 2021 |
2023: Nigeria Is Bruised, Only Igbo Presidency Can Heal It – Ohanaeze Tells Parties, APC, PDP The Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, said denying a southeastern aspirant the presidential ticket would inarguably deteriorate the condition of the country into a more pitiable state. The apex Igbo socio-cultural body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has declared that Igbo presidency in 2023 would be the healing balm to the bruises and injuries Nigeria has sustained over the decades. The youth wing of Ohanaeze said the two leading parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), should not deny South-Easterners of their presidential tickets. Ohanaeze Ndigbo The Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, said denying a southeastern aspirant the presidential ticket would inarguably deteriorate the condition of the country into a more pitiable state. The National President of OYC, Igboayaka Igboayaka, in a press release, on Saturday urged every critical stakeholder in Nigeria to consider earnestly the Nigerian president of Southeast extraction in 2023 as a call to build a new Nigeria. The statement read, “The only remedy is to collectively install Southeastern person as the next president of Nigeria. There is bruises and wounds all over Nigeria, the only balm to heal the wounds is by APC and PDP giving their president ticket in 2022 to any aspirant of Southeast extraction, any mistake will take the wounds of Nigeria into cancer that will laid Nigeria to rest at the end of the year 2022. “Any aspirant that is not from South-East aspiring to pick APC or PDP presidential ticket in 2022 is like someone removing the roof of his building and expects not to be drenched when the rains come. “It may be a constitutional right of any aspirant to vie for the president of Nigeria in 2023, but it’s a moral and conventional right of Southeast to produce the next president of Nigeria. “It’s on record without debate that Southeastern have made themselves “Land Lords” of the Nigeria project; 2023 president of Nigeria needs that Zone that has property in all the Local Governments in Nigeria.” He reiterated that having a southeastern man in Aso Rock would not only unify the various tribes but also expedite the development and rebuilding of the country. “It will stand as a symbol of unification. Such Zone that scattered their properties in all the Local Government in Nigeria, if President of Nigeria comes from such Zone, it will take development and rebuilding of Nigeria to all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. A Southeastern is that person , and this region stands in a center to rebuild the crack walls of Nigeria,” he said. “The selfless effort of Southeastern technocrat and politicians in building PDP from G-34 , holding strong to it since 22-years is enough sacrifice to collectively relinquish PDP presidential to a southeast aspirant |
| Politics › FG Can’t Use Bond To Keep Us In Nigeria, Doctors Reply Ngige by Coly2012(op): 4:34am On Nov 14, 2021 |
FG can’t use bond to keep us in Nigeria, doctors reply Ngige Dr Chris Ngige Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige Doctors in Nigeria have rejected a proposal by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, for physicians trained in Nigeria to work in the country for at least nine years before being allowed to migrate. This is just as Sunday PUNCH observed that the number of Nigerian doctors practising in the United Kingdom had hit 8, 983 as of Saturday and is likely to hit 9,000 this week. Ngige had during the 2022 budget defence of his ministry at the House of Representatives earlier in the week lamented the effect of brain drain on the health sector in relation to the low cost of medical education in the country. According to the minister, medical workers trained by the government should be made to sign a bond that would make them serve the country for at least nine years before they can consider relocating to another country. He had said, “Medical education in Nigeria is almost free. Where else in the world is it free? The Presidential Committee on Health should come with a proposal for bonding doctors, nurses, medical laboratory scientists and other health workers so that they don’t just carry their bags and walk out of their country at will when they are trained at no cost. “In London, it is £45,000 a session for medical education in universities. If you go to Edinburgh or Oxford, you pay $80,000. If you go to the USA you pay $45,000 but if you go to the Ivy leagues, you pay $90,000 for only tuition, excluding lodging. You do it for six years. So, people in America take loans. “We can make provisions for loans and you pay back. If the government will train you for free, we should bond you. You serve the country for nine years before you go anywhere.” But the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria and the Guild of Medical Directors on Saturday faulted Ngige’s plan. The immediate past president of MDCAN and a member of the National Executive Council of the Association, Prof. Ken Ekilo, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH faulted Ngige’s proposal about the bond. According to Ekilo, lots of factors contribute to the brain drain being reported in the country and creating bonds won’t solve them. He stated, “The minister’s suggestion shows a poor appreciation of the forces at play concerning brain drain in Nigeria. The Nigerian work environment is hostile to the medical doctors and the Nigerian security situation is hostile to Nigerian citizens. Infrastructure is poor, equipment is obsolete, drugs and supplies are out of stock, and the personnel are few, overworked and underpaid. “There is no sense of job satisfaction, professional growth or commensurate financial reward. These are the push factors, the salaries being offered by the destination countries are irresistible, in addition to perks such as paid holidays, free education for children, sponsorship for training, conferences, and workshops all within the context of a stable society with functional social amenities. These are the pull factors. “The idea of bonding doctors alone is faulty on several fronts. First, it is not only doctors that are trained at public expense, so the bond will have to be required of anyone who has passed through the public education system in Nigeria.” He argued that the policy would send the wrong signal to workers, as it will indicate a failure of ideas on the part of government and a resort to coercion reminiscent of countries lacking in social liberty. The doctor argued the policy would encourage emigration through the backdoor and other illegal means would boom as would human trafficking. “Lastly, the government cannot implement this without infringing on both the doctors’ fundamental human rights and the freedom guaranteed to citizens under the Nigerian constitution. I sympathise with the government, it is not an easy problem to solve and difficult decisions must be made,” Ekilo added. Also, the National President of the Guild of Medical Directors, Prof. Olufemi Babalola, in a separate interview with Sunday PUNCH said the minister should not propose the idea of a bond seeing as he had said during an interview a while ago that there was no brain drain. Babalola added, “This is not the way to curb brain drain in the country. I seem to recall that it was this same minister who said there was no brain drain some time ago. The fact that he is proposing this solution would suggest an acknowledgment on the part of the government that we do have a serious crisis on our hands.” According to him, the average medical graduate seeks greener pastures abroad, not because they do not prefer to stay at home but because conditions are atrocious and salaries are scandalously low for the skill set they possess. “A medical doctor in government employment in Nigeria today cannot afford to buy a new car. Not even a foreign-used car. That is the extent to which doctors have been debased in Nigeria. Let us address the issues and make the situation much more attractive and they will stay to serve their motherland. You can’t force them,” Babalola said. The President, Association of Resident Doctors, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja chapter, Dr Azeez Ojekunle, said Ngige’s statement would increase the rate of brain drain in the country. “We were looking forward to having a panacea for the long-standing massive brain drain, but quite unfortunate that response from such a stakeholder will only inevitably worsen the exodus in a rather geometric pattern. “Such proportion will cause exodus in the early medical career path which currently is more among practising medical doctors and will then progress to medical students who glaringly see the deplorable state of practising environment in the health care sector. “Even right now, final year medical students are begging to write examination to exit the country as soon as upon completion of their housemanship,” Ojekunle said. But the Joint Health Sector Union, which comprises all medical professionals who are not doctors, argued that the proposed policy ought not to apply to its members because only doctors received subsidised education. The spokesperson for JOHESU, Olumide Akintayo, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH said only medical doctors enjoyed the subsidised medical education mentioned by the minister and should have no problem with the proposed bond. He said, “It is only doctors who enjoy that privilege of subsidised medical education. It is not okay for the minister to include other health workers.” Recently, there has been a surge in the number of medical doctors leaving the country. Meanwhile, Sunday PUNCH observed that the number of Nigerian doctors in the UK had risen to 8,983 and is expected to surpass 9,000 this week going by the daily rate of four Nigerian doctors being licensed in the UK per day. Checks by our correspondent showed that at least 264 doctors had been licensed by the UK General Medical Council in the last 53 days, an average of 4.6 Nigerian doctors per day. A check on the website of the council showed that as regards the number of foreign doctors working in the UK, Nigeria comes third, only behind India and Pakistan which have 30,388 and 15, 962 doctors respectively operating in the UK. The statistics also showed that between November 13, 2020, and November 12, 2021, the number of Nigerian-trained doctors in the UK had risen by 932 1 Like
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| Politics › We Are Worried By Difficulties Encountered By Nnamdi Kanu’s Legal Team — S-east by Coly2012(op): 9:47pm On Nov 13, 2021 |
We are worried by difficulties encountered by Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team — S-East Leaders Traditional and religious leaders from the South-East zone have expressed worry over what they described as differences encountered by the legal team of the Leader of the Indigenous; People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, on his ongoing trial. The leaders urged the Court to affirm Kanu’s fundamental rights, including that of his Lawyers and other stakeholders, stressing that failure to do so would lend weight to the suspicion in some quarters of a planned secret trial against the IPOB leader. Spokesmen of the traditional and religious leaders; Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, His Grace, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, His Grace Chibuzo Okpoko, among others, warned that the difficulties will neutralize all the efforts being made to establish peace in the South-East zone. They commended IPOB for listening to their appeal to call off the sit-at-home order. “This Joint Body is relieved that the Anambra State Gubernatorial Election was conducted without any major incidents or breach of the peace. It also commends the people of Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Security Forces, the National Peace Committee, and all the other actors who contributed to the successful conduct of the election. “We are highly disturbed by the persistent complaints by the IPOB legal team about the difficulties it encounters in dealing with the Department of State Services (DSS) and, especially, the sad events which occurred during Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s appearance in court last Wednesday, November 10. “This Joint Body acknowledges the statement by the Attorney-General & Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami SAN, in which he affirmed that the Federal Government was open to a political solution to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case. This statement is in line with the proposal earlier made by this. “Joint body and by other well-meaning persons and groups in Nigeria. This Body therefore eagerly awaits the concrete steps that would be taken in this regard.” The group acknowledged the roles played by various other Igbo organizations and groups in fostering peace in the South East zone and calls on all to sustain the current effort until true peace, based on justice and equity, is achieved in our land.
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| Health › Re: Do You Sleep Under An Insecticide-treated Mosquito Net? by Coly2012(m): 9:31pm On Nov 13, 2021 |
We have made it a most in my house, even in my room and that of the kids that we don't fill comfortable when the net is still up and we want to sleep.this have saved me alot of money and stress. 2 Likes |
| Politics › Fresh Call For Restructuring: Northern Elders Carpet Afenifere Leaders by Coly2012(op): 6:15am On Nov 13, 2021 |
Fresh call for restructuring: Northern elders carpet Afenifere leaders Some Northern leaders have criticized Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere, over his recent press statement calling for the restructuring of the country. The leaders who include Anthony Sani, immediate past Secretary General of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Yerima Shettima, President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum and Prof. Usman Yusuf, former Chief Executive of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), accused the nonagenarian of political mischief, noting that his statement was capable of promoting ethno-religious crisis in the country. Chief Adebanjo had, in a press statement, entitled, “Let it be heard loud and clear”, stressed that, “Afenifere shall be leading the Yoruba nation to demand substantial restructuring, before any fraudulent elections might be held in 2023. The response of the Buharist regime to these equitable demands restructuring the country along federalist lines, in order to restore it to its roots and original agreements, shall go a long way in shaping the position of the Yoruba people in the future.. It further noted: “Let it be heard loud and clear: Nigeria is not only negotiable, it is evidently dying. Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) fought to keep Nigeria one. Is it for the Fulani to dominate other ethnic nationalities? Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd), said that Nigerian unity is non-negotiable. Is it for the Yorubas to be under Fulani domination? ” The statement further appealed to the sense of justice of some eminent Nigerians: “Your Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto; Gen. Abdusulami Abubakar (rtd); Bishop Kukah, can we have peace without equity and justice?” In his reaction Sani advised Adebanjo to be civil when commenting on national issues, adding that democracy was not an avenue to call for war. “Chief Ayo Adebanjo has the right to air his views on issues of national importance and use multiparty democracy to pursue his passion,” he said. “Democracy is a contest of ideas and reasons and not a bull fight in a sumo ring. As someone who professes jaunty face of democratic values, the Chief knows how to use multiparty democracy to further his desires. But in doing so, he must note that in democracy, majority has its say and way while minority has only its say. That is why the whites in Oronia in South Africa have their say but not their way.” He called on Adebanjo not only to return to his progressive politics of yesteryears, as elder statesman, but to also support his arguments and statements with facts. He said: “As a scion of Chief Awolowo who pursued progressive politics that has no place for circumstance of birth but content of character in the order of things, Chief Ayo Adebanjo would help the country more by not promoting cleavages of the nation of over 250 ethnic groups along ethnic and religious lines. “More distressing is when he does not use fact-checks in support of his allegation of Fulanization. Most Nigerians would therefore be more confident of Chief Ayo Adebanjo’s submission as an elder statesman if he is able to let the nation know the distribution of access of national resources, namely appointment, projects and major contracts by ethnicity. This is because by his obsession with allegation of Fulanization does not make the situation so.” Shettima who confessed to having tremendous respect for the elder statesman, “except for this approach”, cautioned him to tread carefully on the issue of restructuring, adding that it was not something that affects only Afenifere or South-West, but the entire county. He noted: “It is not about Afenifere. It is not about the South-West. We don’t need to shoot our feet before we get to the battle. Often this is where our leaders or political leaders do get it wrong. Nobody or a group of a few people can make a highland. It has to be seen as an inclusive project in Nigeria because everybody is a victim of this very system. Even in the South-West, Afenifere cannot be said to be speaking for all and this is the reality of things. When you begin to talk as if you are talking on behalf of the whole country then, it has a lot of suspicions.” He asked: “Is the country doing fine? The answer is no. Do we need to change things so that at the end of the day we might do a different thing from what we have now? The answer is yes. It then means that the likes of him, the likes of me and others who believe in this idea must be seen to meet and discuss issues. You don’t make it sound as personal affairs because once there is suspicion, you don’t have the buy-in of others.” Prof. Yusuf called on his fellow Northerners to ignore the press statement. “Ayo Adebanjo is a confused, bitter, frustrated, rambling and irrelevant old man at 93,” he said. “My people do not care about his message or the personality that delivered the message.” But the National President of Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr. Bitrus Pogu, differed from others. According to him, the Middle Belt Forum and the Afenifere are on the same page with regard to the issue of restructuring, adding that it has to take place for the country to move forward. He said: “The electoral bill which has been passed by the National Assembly and waiting for president’s ascent is part of restructuring. It has to take place for Nigeria to move forward and for agitations for separation and breakaway to stop. If Nigeria is restructured and everybody feels happy, and nobody is dominating the others, Nigeria would remain one, and reach the level of development it supposed. “Go and read Gideon Orkar’s coup statement. He captured what is happening now very well – where a group is dominating this country; not only dominating, it has now unleashed terror on others. Everywhere you go, you hear Fulani herdsmen, bandits, Boko Haram. They are coming from the area Orkar wanted to excise out of Nigeria because of their domination. “We believe that this government will do justice to restructure this country because without it, these separatist agitations will grow. Before, it was only in the Southeast and now it has come to Southwest, and you have NINAS coming out to talk on behalf of indigenous ethnic nationalities. All these agitations are coming up because Nigeria is not working.”
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| Romance › Meet Esther Bamiloye, 55-Year-Old Virgin Bride In Osun State (Photo) by Coly2012(op): 6:00am On Nov 13, 2021 |
At 55, I married as a virgin –Osun newly-wed woman A 55-year-old spinster, Esther Bamiloye, who recently got married to a 62-year-old bachelor, Isaac Bakare, in Osun State, tells BOLA BAMIGBOLA she’s grateful God finally answered her prayer to get marriedhttps://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/at-55-i-married-as-a-virgin-osun-newly-wed-woman/%3famp 38 Likes 5 Shares
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| Politics › VAT Row: FG Eyes Out-of-court Settlement by Coly2012(op): 5:52am On Nov 13, 2021 |
VAT row: FG eyes out-of-court settlement Wike and Sanwo-Olu Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu Lagos’ll embrace proposal if conditions are just, right –Commissioner Experts kick against proposed settlement, Rivers declines comment Why we are selling national assets –Finance minister The Federal Government has hinted that it may explore an out-of-court solution to the lingering legal battle between its agency, Federal Inland Revenue Service, and Rivers and Lagos states over the collection of Value Added Tax. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, noted that efforts were ongoing on the issue but she did not give details as the matter was subjudice. Speaking in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday night, Ahmed said she hoped there would be a political solution to the issue rather than a protracted court case. The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, had on August 9 ruled that Rivers State and not the FIRS should be the authority collecting VAT and Personal Income Tax in the state. The FIRS then approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge the judgement. It also wrote to the Senate to seek the inclusion of VAT collection in the exclusive legislative list. Following the failure of the FIRS to obtain a stay of execution it sought from the appellate court to prevent the state government from enforcing the verdict, the Rivers State Government enacted a law to empower the state to collect VAT. The governor, Nyesom Wike, signed the bill into law on August 19. Lagos State, whose request for joinder as a respondent in the suit before the Court of Appeal was also granted by the court, also enacted its own VAT law. The governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, signed the bill into law on September 10. Meanwhile, after approving Lagos State’s request for joinder as a party at the Court of Appeal, ordered all parties to maintain the status quo on the matter, a ruling the Rivers State Government had approached the Supreme Court to set aside. The Court of Appeal also directed that the matter be moved from Abuja to its Port Harcourt Division for further hearing. The court has yet to decide on the substantive suit as of the time of filing this report. But the minister said, “I’m not supposed to be talking about issues in court but I do hope that this problem can be solved by sitting on the table; not on the pages of newspaper or disagreements in court because it is possible to solve it on the table, talking of political solution.” When asked if the Federal Government was reaching out to the governors and if its representatives had met any of the governors over the matter, she said, “There are a lot of efforts going on right now. As I said, I don’t want to discuss it because it’s in court so I have to be careful. But there will be a positive political solution. We are working towards an out-of-court solution.” Why we are selling national assets – Finance Minister Meanwhile, the Finance Minister has clarified that the government’s decision to sell national assets is mainly to transform the assets into performing assets not only to raise revenue. The minister said in the interview, “There is a privatisation process going on by the National Council on Privatisation, chaired by the Vice President, and an agency that is responsible for privatisation. Yes, some national assets are being sold, but the major reason we are selling national assets is not to raise revenue. It is to be able to transform those investments into performing assets. “What is the point of having an asset you have invested in that is not performing? If you sell it to a private sector company that is able to run the business better, then the economy is better for it. So, the reason for privatisation is not just to fund the budget; it’s to turn non-performing assets into performing assets.” When Saturday PUNCH contacted the Rivers State Government, which initiated the VAT court case, if it would withdraw its cases in court and embrace a political solution, the Commissioner for Justice, Prof Zaccheus Adangor, declined to comment on the matter. Rather, he said the Commissioner for Information should be contacted on the issue. The Commissioner for Information, Mr Paulinus Nzirim, also declined comment on the issue, simply saying, “No comment.” In his previous comments on the matter, however, the governor did not rule out the option of dialogue, but he hinted that all concerned would have to first agree that states should be the right authority to collect VAT. He had said, “Some people have said be your brothers’ keeper. I have no problem with that, but let us tell ourselves the simple truth. When you agree that it is the states that should collect VAT, we can sit down to say, now we know it is the states, but look at the problems. That is a different thing.” But the Lagos State Government, in its response to whether it would embrace a political solution, said it would consider the option provided the conditions were just and fair. It however said it had yet to be contacted by the Federal Government on the out-of-court settlement option. The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotosho, told one of our correspondents on Friday, “As far as I know, we haven’t got any representation from the Federal Government. But for us in Lagos, it is not a matter of us vs them. It is a matter of justice, fairness and equity. It is a matter of what is good for Nigeria. “In Lagos, if we get it right, it will affect every corner of Nigeria. Lagos is like a giant carrying on its shoulders the responsibilities of so many others. So, if you encourage this giant to do more, it will and the effect will percolate through other parts of the country. “If you fix roads in Lagos, goods coming from the port would get to other parts of the country fast and cost of freight would reduce; wear and tear on vehicles would reduce. An out-of-court settlement is an option so long it is going to promote equity, justice and fairness.” Prior to the minister’s comment, the VAT row had also assumed ethnic and political colourations, with northern and southern governors taking opposing stances on the issue. The southern governors on September 16 backed VAT collection by states but the northern governors on September 27 warned that this would cause an increase in prices of goods and services and create barriers in interstate trade, adding that they would wait till the Supreme Court ruled on the substantive suit when the matter eventually comes before it. Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance who introduced VAT in 1993 during the late Gen Sani Abacha regime, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, had told Sunday PUNCH in an interview that instead of allowing the issue to fester and degenerate into ethnic and political issues, the government should summon the stakeholders and get experts knowledgeable in the subject to advise on how to manage it. “That is how a government should operate,” he said. “I also think it is better for the government to recognise that there are loopholes in the current tax structure. As I said, these are issues a small team, maybe comprising lawyers, economists and social development specialists, can quickly deliberate on within two weeks, put all the factors into cognisance and come up with the solution. Experts kick against out-of-court settlement A Professor of Economics at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Prof Sheriffdeen Tella, advised against the out-of-court settlement option, which he said would give the Federal Government an upper hand that might be to the disadvantage of the states in the future. He said, “I believe it is better for the Supreme Court to pass a judgement on the matter. With an out-of-court settlement, the Federal Government can through the National Assembly make a law that would make it impossible for the states in future to be able to exercise their rights. “The out-of-court settlement will not be seen as legal since it was not ordered by the court. It simply means that it would be used for future reference. “I think what the Federal Government is trying to do is to prevent a legal situation that may not be easy to resolve in the future. Maybe they cannot see a way out for now and realise that in future they will have to pass a law through the National Assembly in a way that the court cannot override. Since there is nothing approved by the National Assembly yet, whatsoever the court says becomes binding. “The Federal Government, in the short run, is trying to prevent the state governments from having an upper hand. This would likely not lead to multiple taxation as the states may likely end up collecting taxes since it is the Federal Government that is calling for an out-of-court settlement.” Also speaking on this development, a Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the University of Uyo, Akpan Ekpo, said that an out of court settlement would only be feasible in a win-win situation. He added that if the states found the settlement to be unfavourable, the case would eventually be resolved by the court. He said, “If both sides want to settle out of court, we have to see the terms of the settlement whether it would be a win-win. If both sides want to do and we see the terms and conditions to be win-win, then it is good. “But if it is not a win-win situation, then the Supreme Court should decide, and this may lead to one side taking all. You know the VAT used to be the old sales tax, which is a matter for states. “I don’t know why they want to opt for an out-of-court settlement but if both sides agree to that, let them start the process, and the states would know if they are gaining something. If the out-of-court settlement is not favourable to the states, they can return to the court to settle the case.” A Tax Expert and Chief Operating Officer and Risk Management Partner, KPMG Nigeria, Victor Onyenkpa, said an out-of-court settlement was desirable but both parties to the suit might find it difficult to agree to a mutually favourable situation. He expressed the fear that both parties might not reach an agreement out of court if the FIRS didn’t agree to a reflective tax revenue allocation system. “I would favour a situation where there is a central collection of VAT and perhaps somewhat more conversation on how the proceeds collected are shared. “The ideal solution would be to collect at the centre because it is efficient and effective but have a new conversation around how the revenue is collected so that you have a much more collective system. “There is also the issue of the parties not being able to actually reach an agreement and the terms of the agreement. Clearly, I would expect Lagos and Rivers to want more allocations than what they are getting currently, but if the FIRS isn’t willing to meet these demands they will end up in court,” he added. Why out of court settlement may be difficult – Oyedele The Fiscal Policy Partner and West Africa Tax Leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, said that while he would advise the parties to settle out of court, he was afraid that the dispute might linger if a political conversation to determine the most appropriate VAT system for Nigeria was not established. He said, “What I am saying is that whether they settle out of court or they allow the Supreme Court to decide, it will not be the end of the matter. Because there is already a dispute, there are some states who think that states should collect while others think the FIRS should still be in charge. “So when the Supreme Court makes a judgement it will favour one party. To this end, we still have a problem because tax law is not like an election where you say majority has won and then you move on. When it comes to tax matters and people don’t feel like what they want is what has happened, there is going to be a lot of lobbying to get the national assembly to amend the constitution. “Because to amend the constitution you only need two-third, they can mobilise that. “The number of states that will benefit from state administration of VAT are not very many so I sense the possibility that they can mobilise enough states to amend the constitution and put it the way the want it. “What I am suggesting is that they settle out of court and have a political conversation to decide a proper VAT system that is fit for Nigeria.” He said that if the parties reached an out-of-court agreement to administer VAT at the sub national level, the states should consider amending the constitution as the current tax laws favoured a central collection system. On the other hand, if an agreement was reached to continue VAT collection at the federal level, he advised the government to review the current sharing formula. Oyedele said, “An out-of-court settlement will not provide a permanent solution to the dispute unless it is complemented by a political solution to amend the constitution to reflect the most desirable level of government to administer VAT. “Without a political solution involving a constitutional amendment, another state may institute an action in future to challenge VAT collection by the Federal Government as other states will not be bound by the terms of an out-of-court settlement between the current parties to the VAT case.”
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| Politics › Nigerian Governors Clash With Attorney-general Malami For Supporting Paris Club by Coly2012(op): 8:32pm On Nov 08, 2021 |
Nigerian Governors Clash With Attorney-General Malami For Supporting Paris Club Consultants In Controversial $418million Fees This was contained in a statement issued by its Head of Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, and obtained by SaharaReporters on Monday. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has accused the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over alleged involvement in the controversial $418million request by consultants regarding the Paris Club refund. This was contained in a statement issued by its Head of Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, and obtained by SaharaReporters on Monday. The controversial payment of the sum of $418million to consultants had become a contending issue between the three tiers of government. A Federal High Court in Abuja had on Friday stopped the federal government from deducting $418million from the bank accounts of the 36 states of the federation. Bello-Barkindo said the decision of the AGF to throw his weight behind the consultants who had been battling desperately to grab $418 million from the accounts of states and local governments “raises questions of propriety and the spirit of justice.” “The attention of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has been drawn to a statement issued by the media aide to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Umar Gwandu, on Friday in support of deductions of humongous state resources amounting to $418million from the Federation Account,” the statement reads. “The payments are made in favour of private contractors and/or consultants for alleged work done to the Paris Club Refunds to the States and Local Governments. Since the Honorable Attorney General of the Federation (HAGF) has not contradicted his aide, it is therefore deemed that the statement was issued with his authorisation and consent. “We need to state quickly that when we first read this press release, we had to double-check to be sure it was not authored by a lawyer representing either one or all the promissory notes recipients. “The HAGF is supposed to be the chief arbiter in all matters concerning Nigerians, especially the poor masses of this country. It is incumbent upon him to, not just ensure that justice is done, but that justice is seen to have been done. “The undue haste, with which the statement was issued even before the service on the AGF of the court processes and the order dated 5th November 2021 restraining the Federal Government, seems to suggest that there is a special relationship between the Office of the HAGF and the consultants over and above Nigerian citizens, whose interest the HAGF as the Chief Law Officer of the Federation is statutorily bound to always protect. “The statement also suggests that the restraining order issued last Friday not only unsettled preconceived plans and angered the unnamed ‘government officers’ referred to by the media aide.” Bello-Barkindo also further described Malami’s claim that he intervened to pay the contractors to avoid execution of the judgments against the federal government resources as false. He refuted claims that the NGF and Local Government Area sought to transfer their liability to the federal government, saying that there was no liability to transfer in the first place and none exists. Bello-Barkindo stated that neither had the NGF provided any undertaking or indemnity to the federal government to act on its behalf as represented by the AGF. He then advised Malami to remain neutral and protect scarce public resources. “Let him advise the contractor to wait until all appeals and litigations in court are concluded. That is the true test of observing the rule of law. There is no other way, uncomfortable as that would appear,” the statement adds. “State resources needed for critical development should not under any guise be frittered away as payments for contracts whose veracity and authenticity is still a subject of litigation and disputation. “These contractors are impecunious and cannot restitute the states/LGAs if the appeals or other litigation are determined against them. “We call on the general public to be alert and vigilant. The debt relief granted to Nigeria by the Paris Club in 2005 was meant to enable her to have a respite and use the resources saved for meaningful development. “It was not for distribution to private persons to fund their luxurious lives; neither can Nigeria justify her borrowing funds all over the world to fund capital projects and turn round to disburse state resources to individuals in a manner that offends all public sensibilities.”
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| Politics › Anambra: INEC Adjusts Voting Timeline For Ihiala Supplementary Polls by Coly2012(op): 8:21pm On Nov 08, 2021 |
Anambra: INEC adjusts voting timeline for Ihiala supplementary polls The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced a slight adjustment in the supplementary election to be held in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. According to the commission, voting would commence by 10am and end by 4pm. INEC National Commissioner and chairman (Information and Voter Education Committee), Festus Okoye, made the announcement in a statement issued on Monday evening, titled, “Anambra State governorship election 2021: Adjustment in voting timeline for Ihiala LGA.” He said, “Following the suspension of collation of results in respect of the 2021 Anambra State governorship election as announced yesterday, (November 7, 202) by the State Collation/Returning Officer and the decision of the commission to hold election in Ihiala Local Government Area on Tuesday, November 9, the commission in line with extant rules and regulations has made a slight adjustment to the commencement and closing time for the said election. “Accordingly, polling in respect of the supplementary election for Ihiala Local Government will commence tomorrow (today, Tuesday) at 10am and end at 4pm “This decision, which will be strictly complied with, has been taken following a careful review of the prevailing situation in Anambra State and is being widely shared with the stakeholders including security agencies. “We urge political parties, voters, election duty officials, election observers, the media and the general public to note this slight modification. We also appeal to citizens to conduct themselves in an orderly manner to ensure that the election is brought to a peaceful conclusion.”
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| Crime › Oscar Pistorius Set For Parole After Serving Six Years Out Of 12 In Jail by Coly2012(op): 8:12pm On Nov 08, 2021 |
Oscar Pistorius set for parole after serving six years out of 12 in jail Disgraced South African Paralympian, Oscar Pistorius, is eligible for release on parole after serving half his sentence for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. The Paralympic gold medallist may now meet her parents in South Africa’s ‘restorative justice’ parole process before he is considered for release, Dailymail reports. Pistorius was convicted for manslaughter for the killing of Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day in 2013 after he fired four times through the door of his bedroom toilet. He claimed he had mistaken Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model and law graduate, who was famous in her own right in South Africa, for an intruder but was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison. The sentence was increased in 2015 to 13 years and five months after he was found guilty of murder on appeal. But Pistorius may now be released on parole after serving six years in a low-security jail in Pretoria. South Africa’s department of correctional services said in a statement that they were setting up a meeting between Steenkamp’s parents and Pistorius as part of the ‘restorative justice’ process. The statement said offenders ‘must acknowledge and take responsibility for their actions and that both parties must have the opportunity ‘to reconcile or an apology tendered’. The Correctional Services spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, said the department was ‘not yet there’ on possible parole for Pistorius. ‘They [inmates] have to appear before a parole board. A determination is then made about whether they are ready to be sent back into the community or continue to stay in prison serving the remainder of their sentence.’ A lawyer for Steenkamp’s parents, June and Barry, told national broadcaster SABC they ‘would like to participate in the victim-offender dialogue’. “June has always said that she has forgiven Oscar, however that doesn’t mean that he mustn’t pay for what he has done. Barry battles with that a bit, but that is something he will have to voice at the appropriate time,” lawyer Tania Koen said. She added Pistorius is not entitled to parole, only to be considered for release on parole. June told local media in 2018 that she had forgiven Oscar for murdering her daughter but believed that he should still be punished. Pistorius was the first double amputee to race in the Olympics competing in the 2012 London games becoming a role model for the disabled worldwide. 1 Like
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| Politics › Re: "No Lefelendum No Erection" Crew How Market ;D by Coly2012(m): 8:12pm On Nov 06, 2021 |
If you have Sean, you should have no that IPOB made the election to be peaceful,if not for intervention of leaders no soul could have come out to vote, I thought you people were saying before the IPOB is an online nation, but governors, traditional rules,bishops and even the security agencies were on there toes beging IPOB to allow the election hold. I beg give IPOB some respect for once. 28 Likes 2 Shares |
| Crime › 23-year-old Impregnated By Runaway Soldier Wants Military To Fish Him by Coly2012(op): 11:36pm On Nov 05, 2021 |
23-Year-Old Impregnated By Runaway Soldier Wants Military To Fish Him Out For 23-year-old, Comfort Peter resident in Bauchi but from Bogoro LGA of the state, it may be a case of love, deceit and betrayal by someone she trusted and gave her love life to as she is now seeking for the military to fish out a serving soldier, one Sergeant Julius Simon, who allegedly impregnated and abandoned her. While narrating her ordeal to journalists at the NUJ Press Centre on Thursday, Comfort said that “We met in April 2018 when I just graduated from Government Day Secretary School, Federal Low cost, Bauchi and he was on a special assignment at the Defence Industry Corporation (DIC) plant in Bauchi where I was assisting a food vendor and he approached me that he was in love with me”. She added that, “I told my madam about it but she warned me against it. Julius kept disturbing me and when I told my madam, she said that I should tell him to go to my house and see my parents if he actually loves me. I told him what my madam told me and he agreed to come to our house.” With tears rolling down her cheek, she said that, “He actually came to our house, met my father and declared his intention to marry me. My father asked him several questions which he answered and my father reluctantly agreed telling him to bring his people for introduction.” Comfort further said that “One evening in August 2018, he called to tell me that they will be leaving Bauchi back to Biu having completed the assignment. He then asked me to come over to Shadawanka Barracks to see him so that we will discuss before he will leave the next day. “I went to the Barracks as he directed, he took me to the house of one of his friends and slept with me all night. He was the person who ‘disvirgined’ me, he was so excited that he met me as a virgin promising that he will definitely marry me. I didn’t know that it was a fake love he displayed.” According to her, all efforts to get him have proved abortive as he has stopped using the phone number he gave her. “I informed him that I was pregnant and he assured me that he was coming but when I did not see him. I travelled to Biu to see him, he apologised for not coming as promised because he said that he was busy in the bush. “I also went back to Biu with my uncle when the pregnancy was seven months old. He also apologised to my uncle and promised again to come with his family to formalise the marriage. “We came back to Bauchi but he refused to come as promised. “I delivered a baby in June 2019, I told him but has refused to come to see the boy who is two years three months now,” Comfort said crying. “Julius was the one that ‘disvirgined’ me. He promised to marry me but deceived me. I will never love or trust any man again, but he must take care of his son”. Comfort, who came with her father, a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police, called on the military authority to fish him out and make him responsible for his son. Efforts to get the military authority in Bauchi to react to the allegation proved abortive as an officer who spoke to our correspondent pleading anonymous advised that she goes back to the unit where the soldier is serving to lodge an official complaint.
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| Politics › Anambra Election: Army Denies Alleged Escort Of Fake Voters by Coly2012(op): 6:49am On Nov 05, 2021 |
Anambra Election: Army denies alleged escort of fake voter's The Nigerian Army on Thursday denied that it’s troop’s were engaged with anything untoward as portrated in a viral video showing armed soldiers escorting buses allegedly filled with fake voters voters being moved into Anambra state. According to the Army, the purported video is the handiwork of mischief makers bent on discrediting the force from performing its constitutional roles The Army insisted that contrary to the lies being peddled in the video, troop’s were conveying INEC permanent and adhoc staff for the election tasks in Anambra State. READ ALSO: Anambra Decides: Security forces escalating tension, scaring residents ― CSOs A statement signed by Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, Director, Army Public Relations said, “The Nigerian Army (NA) has noted again the desperation of conflict merchants to discredit its constitutional role of aiding civil authority to provide internal security when called upon to do so. “The mischief makers, using the social media, shared a video alleging that soldiers were escorting buses filled with fake voters into Anambra State. “Even though such despicable propaganda images can easily be punctured by any keen observer, however for the sake of posterity, we wish to state without any equivocation, that no soldier of the Nigerian Army indulged in escort of fake voters into Anambra State. “Contrary to the misleading information, the buses in question were conveying INEC permanent and adhoc staff for the election tasks in Anambra State. “The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture has corroborated this position. We therefore urge the general public to please disregard the report, as it is clearly a misinformation. “Our duty in the state at this time is purely security-related and in support of the Nigeria Police, which is the lead security agency in the security architecture of electioneering. “This is done in collaboration with other security agencies, to ensure a safe and secure atmosphere for peaceful conduct of elections. “Our troops are guided by extant provisions of Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) Personnel Code of Conduct during elections and the provisions of Armed Forces Act CAP A20 LFN 2004. “We shall continue to operate along these lines to ensure that peace and security reign in our country. “We will remain apolitical and very professional in deeds and conduct for the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria. “We also encourage the political gladiators to refrain from dragging the Nigerian Army and indeed the Armed Forces of Nigeria into the murky waters of politics. “We assure all Nigerians that the NA remains resolute in carrying out her constitutional duties. “We urge the good people of Anambra state not to panic and we sincerely appreciate them for being law abiding and for supporting the joint security agencies, who are toiling relentlessly to ensure peace and security in the state
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| Culture › Awka-etiti Installs New Ichies At New Yam Feast by Coly2012(op): 6:02am On Nov 05, 2021 |
Awka-Etiti installs new Ichies at new yam feast Traditional ruler of Awka-Etiti community, Idemili South Local Government Area, Igwe Michael Ezeudenna recently marked this year’s New Yam Festival though in a low key. Ezeudenna, the Igwe Okagbado and Obi of Awkaetiti in the solemn ceremony thanked God for the year’s harvest and blessings on his community while performing the cultural rites of cutting and eating of the new yam spiced with red palm oil and oil bean sauce. He described New Yam festival as a time of mass return when people at home and in Diaspora get together to rejoice together while thanking God Almighty for life and great harvest. The Obi Awka-Etiti said New Yam festival remains significant in Igbo land noting that after the celebration of Yam as the King of crops by the traditional ruler, other community members can continue their own and also begin to eat yam officially for the year. Setup your own platform that allows you to earn a minimum of ₦100,000 daily, payments are in US dollars, 100% legitimate .Click here to start now . The ceremony also featured the installation of the Board Chairman, Anambra Maritime Practitioners Association (AMPA), Chief Peter Oge-Obi as the traditional Ichie representing Umueze kindred of Ejighinandu village of Awka-Etiti. Chief Obi was installed the ‘Ichie Okaka of Awkaetiti’, to represent Umueze kindred in the Igwe (Obi) in council. Before the installation, Chief Ebele Enemuo, Ichie Ohamadike and Secretary, Igwe (Obi) in council of Awka-Etiti announced that the selection of Chief Obi popularly known as Okaka Jesus followed due process and met the community requirements. Enemuo described him as an illustrious son of the land and a lover of culture who was the Chairman, Awka-Etiti Improvement Union (AIU) Lagos branch for many years. Expressing gratitude after his installation, Chief Obi said he was very happy to be chosen by his kindred to represent them at the Igwe’s cabinet and to be installed as the Ichie Okaka: “Although my kindred chose me 17 years ago, but I refused. Two traditional rulers had come and gone but when Igwe Ezeudenna ascended the throne, I decided to accept the call. “More so, I saw that the values of our culture and tradition are fast decaying and have decided to revive the good traditions because some people out of ignorance have started indulging in abominations.” His gorgeous wife, Lolo Ukamaka Obi who was elated that the community recognised the achievements and person of her husband pledged to always support him. President General, Awka-Etiti Improvement Union, Chief Izundu Adinigwe described Chief Obi as a patriotic townsman and one of the pillars of Awka-Etiti. Some of the notables of the community who attended the ceremony included Chief Jasper Okpalafuluaku, Chief Chukwudi Ezeanyino and Chief Azubike Ezisi. Chief Ezeanyino remarked that New Yam festivals even from his childhood days used to be home-coming and opportunity for every family to exchange pleasantries and promote unity before the advent of Christmas. Chief Ezisi, a medical doctor whose mother is a German said he was happy to celebrate his roots saying that certain cultures or masquerades people shy away from are kept in museum overseas where tourists pay to visit. They eulogized the achievements of Igwe Ezeudenna praying that God continues to prosper his reign, bless him with good health and long life to celebrate many more editions of the new yam rituals. Special cutting of kolanuts, pouring of libations, ushie traditional dances by the traditional ruler and Ichies all added colour to the ceremony.
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