₦airaland Forum

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flames007:
Some people get mind sha!
The truth may be slow!very slow even.but when it will catch you,even usain bolt speed cannot save you.

No be small mind..

We've heard of excuses that people give when they commit financial crimes. One that is mostly common is POVERTY. But in the case of ONNOGHEN, going by the retirement package for a retired Supreme Court Judge / Former CJN, Why would any sane person involve him or herself with corruption during his active years in service?
The package is in billions of Naira. This amount is what over 95% of Nigerians can never dream of earning in their lifetime. Yet somebody has this waiting for him at retirement but chose to be collecting bribe, selling justice and hiding his assets
It can only be greed.


EXCLUSIVE: Onnoghen resigns as CJN ‘with immediate effect’

April 05

�by Dyepkazah Shibayan

Walter Onnoghen has resigned as the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) with immediate effect, TheCable can report.

He turned in his resignation letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday evening, a day after the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended that he be compulsorily retired for misconduct.

By virtue of section 306 of the 1999 constitution, his resignation takes immediate effect.

Section 306 says “(1) Save as otherwise provided in this section, any person who is appointed, elected or otherwise selected to any office established by this Constitution may resign from that office by writing under his hand addressed to the authority or person by whom he was appointed, elected or selected. (2) The resignation of any person from any office established by this Constitution shall take effect when the writing signifying the resignation is received by the authority or person to whom it is addressed or by any person authorised by that authority or person to receive it.”

The resignation, TheCable understands, was the “best possible option” for Onnoghen under the current circumstance.

It will also save Buhari from having to get two-thirds majority of the senate to confirm Onnoghen’s retirement as stipulated in Section 292 (1) of the 1999 constitution which says a “judicial officer shall not be removed from his office or appointment before his age of retirement except in the following circumstances – (a) in the case of – (i) Chief Justice of Nigeria… by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate.”

Buhari may not be able to muster the needed majority.

‘GOLDEN HANDSHAKE’

TheCable previously reported that Onnoghen’s retirement benefits in cash and kind will cost tax payers about N2.5 billion.

As part of the package for a retired chief justice, a house will be built for him in Abuja with a nine-digit sum for furnishing — in addition to a severance gratuity that is 300% of his annual basic salary of N3,363,972.50, as well as pension for life.



Just like state governors, a retired chief justice is entitled to a number of domestic staff and sundry allowances for personal upkeep.

This package for judicial officers was put together by the NJC long before Onnoghen became the CJN in 2017.

However, if he is dismissed, he will not be entitled to any benefits.

Onnoghen chose the option of resignation as a measure of damage control, his associates told TheCable.

CASED CLOSED?

TheCable reported on Wednesday that the NJC had recommended the embattled CJN for compulsory retirement after deliberating on a petition by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which alleges “financial impropriety, infidelity to the constitution and other economic and financial crimes related laws”.

Onnoghen, who denied all allegations, is also undergoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over charges of false asset declaration.

Onnoghen has closed his defence at the CCT and the tribunal is expected to give its judgment at the next sitting on April 15.

But for the crisis, Onnoghen, who is 68, was due for retirement in 2020.

If the “soft landing” option is favoured by Buhari, the EFCC may not proceed with filing criminal charges while the case at the CCT could become academic because the major punishment for Onnoghen would have been his removal from office.

He could be banned from holding public office for 10 years, while his assets believed to have been acquired illegitimately will be confiscated.

https://www.thecable.ng/exclusive-onnoghen-resigns-as-cjn-with-immediate-effect

This is a good way of exposing corruption. We must insist on doing the right thing

‘Lawmaker’s daughter worked in PenCom with fake degrees’
by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

April 5, 2019
A federal lawmaker and Pension Ad Hoc Committee Chairman’s daughter, Deborah Ighiwiyisi Agbonayinma has been working with the National Pension Commission (PenCom) with fake foreign and local university degree certificates, The Nation has learnt.

Deborah’s father is Ehionzuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, the member representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha of Edo State in the House of Representatives.

A source at the National Assembly, who pleaded anonymity, said Deborah Agbonayinma was sacked about four weeks ago. She worked at the commission for three years.

The source said Miss Agbonayinma worked in other government agency with the fake certificates before joining PenCom.



PenCom confirmed that she was sacked on February 27.

In a telephone conversation with The Nation, Agbonayinma who spoke on his Committee’s probe of Pension Fund Administrators, declined comment on the allegations against his daughter.

Miss Agbonayinma’s curriculum vitae with which she was employed in PenCom stated that she obtained a B.Sc degree in Accountancy with certificate number 12129 on August 8, 2012 from Irish University Business School located on 219 Bow Road, London E3 2SJ.

A verification committee at PenCom, however, found that no such university existed as a valid UK degree-awarding institution.

Having learnt that her foreign degree was ‘fake’, Miss Agbonayinma brought another degree in Accountancy to the Commission as a replacement from Olabisi Onabanjo University, which the university also disclaimed as fake.

A probe of the documents showed that the Accountancy degree with 09083854 as a matriculation number was not listed as part of her academic qualifications in the original curriculum vitae submitted to PenCom, when she was employed.

The Olabisi Olabanjo University (OOU), in Ogun State, in a letter dated February 6, 2019 and signed by the University’s Principal Assistant Registrar in charge of Exams and Records, Mrs O. L. Kaka, told PenCom that Miss Agbonayinma’s academic records and transcripts were fake.

Her CV showed she was mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from 2014 to 2015, but details are still sketchy on the certificate she presented to the NYSC for the mobilisation.

The CV also showed that she served as an Accountant in the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Development in Edo State during her Student’s Industrial Work Experience Scheme (Scheme) from June 2008 to November 2008 one year after she was enrolled to study Accountancy in London in 2007.

PenCom said: ’’We confirmed through the UK government’s site that the university is not recognised as a valid degree-awarding body.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/lawmakers-daughter-worked-in-pencom-with-fake-degrees-2/

throwaway:
An uncorrupted judiciary is not enough - you need all arms of government working properly.
You seem to be defending Buhari. Onnoghen is a criminal, no doubt. But why does Buhari prosecute only a select group of officials?

Your question is already answered.Read my reply again, this time slowly and with an open mind.

When every other arms of the Govt is corrupt, where do you go for justice? Why will it take forever to judge a case before our courts? Why are the guilty being sets free by our courts? Why do you think there is so much impunity in the country?

throwaway:
Only the judiciary?

When every other arms of Govt is corrupt, where do you go for justice? Why will it take forever to judge a case before our courts? Why are the guilty being sets free by our courts? Why do you think there is so much impunity in the country?

Nigeria is not working because our judiciary is thoroughly corrupt. Thank God Buhari is here to fumigate the place.

A poor man or Nigeria as a country could not get justice, because the likes of Onnoghen was ready to sell to the highest bidder.

[quote author=musa234 post=77293077][/quote]Its all politics. Jonathan and Obj (Both from South) defeated Buhari thrice between 2003 and 2011. So everybody knows where they stand.

kernel001:
Uncle... It's wrong for an enemy to blame his enemy of hate, you don't like us either. So... Stop preaching one-sided animosity, we don't like each other.

But you first bring up the conversation about me hating Igbos and I drew your attention that you dont like my tribe either. It's like we are on the same page here. Have a good life.

kernel001:
He's better you, with all your hatred towards the Igbos.

What do you have towards my tribe and other Nigerians? You claim victim now, when you were churning out hatred towards others, you are not conscious enough to realize that what you do, have repercussions?

This guy is just toying with SE emotions.

Nigeria attracted $6bn FDI in 3 months — CBN
By Sunday Michael Ogwu, Lagos

Published

Date Apr 5, 2019 6:19 AM

The Central Bank of Nigeria has said the country attracted $6 billion foreign investments in the first three months of the year.

Speaking with journalists at the end of the Bankers Committee meeting in Lagos, yesterday, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Director, Banking Supervision, Ahmad Abdullahi noted that confidence in the economy by both local and foreign investors has been on the rise despite the elections.


He said the committee noted that despite the numerous headwinds in the economy, “lending to the private sector and the economy generally has increased and that is very positive news.

“The confidence by foreign investors has also increased. For instance between January and March despite the election, up to $6 billion came in and that is positive news.”


The Bankers Committee also disclosed that it will be setting aside N200 billion for cash crop promotion in the country and would commence disbursement of funds for the creative sector this month.

To this end, he said the committee decided to consolidate on the gains made so far and continue with the initiatives such as import substitution programme, the Anchor Borrowers Programme, and some other initiatives of both the CBN and the Bankers Committee.

On his part, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Kennedy Uzoka, noted that the Bankers Committee will be setting aside not less than N200 billion that will be given at single digit for up to 10 years span to farmers and value chain operators in the cash crop industry.

He, however, stated that the committee believes that the country has not made much progress in its drive to diversify the economy away from oil.

Uzoka said the committee had set up a subcommittee “and the subcommittee of members; those who have operated in geographies in our continents where exports have done very well. We have seen some countries that have similar products with us that have excelled in exporting while we have dropped.

He said the CBN has different types of fund which the committee looked at for which to address the current challenges.

He said: “We looked at some products, with viability of these products to export, and how it would help export, address employment issues, create the necessary economic activities and create relief in terms of foreign exchange because if we add value to a commodity, we would create employment here and that would save us forex as against what we do today – most of our products are exported in raw form. We believe that with a little push we can add a lot more value.

“Our immediate focus would be oil palm, cocoa, sesame seed and of course shea and cashew. Based on the meeting we had today, we are going to be lending at single digit up to a maximum of 10 years and we are going to devote N200 billion to support this and that would change the narrative for export.”

Also, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, said the committee would commence disbursement of funds for the creative industry. He said the committee revisited the entitle value chain of music, movies, information technology and fashion right from the production facilities to the production in terms of capacity building to ensure that whatever is produced along each of the verticals is world class.

Meanwhile, the Director Corporate Communications of the CBN, Isaac Okoroafor, has debunked reports that 70 per cent of the rice in Nigerian markets is imported. Okoroafor noted that the CBN would be working with relevant authorities to deal with smugglers as well as those who fund activities aimed at frustrating the efforts of the apex bank at revitalising the economy.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/nigeria-attracted-6bn-fdi-in-3-months-cbn.html

Next Level things..

NIGERIA SETS THE STAGE FOR INDUSTRIALISATION AS IT UNVEILS THE LARGEST SOLAR PANEL FACTORY IN AFRICA
Photograph — Credible Carbon
The government of Borno State has unveiled a solar panel factory with the capacity to produce 40 Megawatts (MW) worth of panels annually.

The fully automated plant is the largest of its kind in Africa by capacity and its establishment is a major boost to efforts aimed at diversifying Nigeria’s energy sector.

In an interview with Daily Trust, one time Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Engineer Ali Ibrahim explained that Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State intends is to set the stage for the state’s industrialisation with the factory.

The governor plans to also kickstart the economy of the state in response to the economic dislocation wrought on the state by a decade-long insurgency.

Based on the capacity of the factory, the goal is to achieve self-sufficient power generation in three years. Borno requires about 120 to 150 MW to power its industrial drive, lubricate the economy, give access to small scale entrepreneurs and propel growth.

“In Borno and in the North, we have abundant sunshine, and I wonder why we cannot invest in solar energy to provide realistic and affordable power to our people in order to fast track growth,” Ali, now in charge executing Governor Shettima’s industrialisation policy, said.

This is a welcome development for the state and even better for Nigeria, which continues to see increased investments in renewable energy, especially solar.

Last month, Ventures Africa reported that Solar Nigeria, a subsidiary of Solar Philippines, reached an agreement with the Ode Omi community in Ogun state to build a 599 kilowatts rural mini-grid that will power hundreds of households. It will be the largest in the country and requires an investment of about half a million dollars.

Additionally, Nigerian Breweries Plc and CrossBoundary Energy Limited signed a Solar Power Purchase Agreement later in March. The deal is for the installation and operation of a 650 kilowatts solar plant in Ibadan – the first solar-powered brewery – set to be operational this year.

The newly established Borno solar panel factory sees Nigeria overtake South Africa and Egypt in terms of large solar plants in the continent.

http://venturesafrica.com/nigeria-unveils-largest-solar-panel-factory-in-africa/

Nigerian maize production increases more than twofold between 2015 and 2018 – Farmers Association

April 3, 2019

Oge Udegbunam

The Maize Farmers Association of Nigeria says production of the commodity increased from eight million tonnes to 20 million tonnes in Nigeria between 2015 and 2018.

The president of the association, Bello Abubakar, said this at the Nigeria Maize Conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

The event, which has as its theme, “Integrated Pest Management: Key to Profitable Maize Farming,” was organised by a company, Bayer Middle Africa.

“As at 2015, we had eight million tones while in 2018 it increased to 20 million tonnes,” Mr Abubakar said.

He attributed the increase to the introduction of technology into farming and the researches made by the association.




“Everyday, we are making research on how to improve maize production in the country,” he said

“Now we have seed companies that came with varieties that will give from eight to 12 tonnes per acre,” he said.

He applauded Bayer Middle Africa for its interest in maize production.

He said one of the biggest challenges facing the association is Agronomic practice.

Agronomic practices are a vital part of farming systems. These are practices that farmers incorporate to improve soil quality, enhance water usage, manage crops and improve the environment.



Agronomic practices focus on better fertilizer management as a way of improving agricultural practices.

Bayer’s Commitment to Maize Production.

Bayer said it took two approaches to improve the productivity of maize in West and Central Africa.

The approaches are Intergrated Pest Management (IPM) and Intergrated Weed Management (IPM).

Speaking on their efforts to improve crop production, the Regulatory and Development Manager of Bayer Middle Africa, Ahmed Bello, said IPM is the combination of different approaches to controlling pesticide on maize feed.

Mr Bello said the aim of IPM is to reduce pest pressure and keep them at low levels.

“IPM has been adopted increasingly as a tool for managing resistant pests” he said
“It involves the use of a range of diversified control techniques, embracing physical, chemical and biological methods in an Intergrated fashion without excessive reliance on any one method.”

He said there are different ways to solve the problem of pests, not only with chemicals but with biological and cultural practices.

Mr Bello said his company was committed to bringing solution to farmers on the menace of pests and weeds.

According to him, IPM’s components include Intergrated Weed Management (IWM). This management helps to control weeds in the farm

Speaking on the IWM, Ekea Udensi described it as a tool for managing herbicide-resistant weeds.

Mr Udensi is a lecturer at the Department of Crop Science and Animal Science in the University of Port Harcourt. He was also the one of the speakers at the event.



“The purpose of IWM is to reduce weed pressure and keep weeds at low levels,” he said.

Bayer Middle Africa is a company involved in pharmaceuticals, healthcare and crop science.

It said its interest in maize production is because maize is a major crop in West Africa and Nigeria.

Maize is grown in many parts of the world, with USA, China and Brazil the leading producers.
Highlights of the event include the launch of Lagoon 575SC, which is a herbicide; and Belt Expert, a pesticide.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/323857-nigerian-maize-production-increases-more-than-twofold-between-2015-and-2018-farmers-association.html

So If Onoghen realises that 2.5 billion naira retirement benefits awaits him after retirement, why then was he engaging in the sale of justice, bribe taking and false assets declaration? You can see clearly that poverty is not the reason that people are corrupt.

Like any common criminal the CJN should have his day in court to prove his innocence.

Looters should have no breathing space

Nigeria spends $1.3 billion annually importing milk mostly from Denmark.
Buhari had an agreement in 2017 with Denmark to source their raw milk here to create jobs, and now the multi-million dollar cattle farm in Kaduna has opened for business to supply Milk to Companies and cut import.

N1trn projects: ICPC to probe Senators, Reps
by Yusuf Alli

April 3, 2019

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday said senators and members of the House of Representatives who failed to execute constituency projects will be prosecuted.

Also, all companies engaged for the failed or abandoned projects will face trial.

But the commission, however, opposed to plea bargain by corrupt elements because the nation’s laws allow it.

Over N1trillion has been released by the Federal Government for constituency projects since 1999. The funds include the N200 billion by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2017.



More than 2,345 senators and representatives have benefitted from constituency projects since 1999.

About 37 per cent to 40 per cent of the projects have either been completed or ongoing in the last 20 years.

Many senators and representatives were found to have diverted the funds, using their personal companies. Some abandoned the projects.

Of the 2,516 projects tracked by BudgIT Nigeria between 2015 and 2017, 918 were not done, 395 are ongoing and 214 cannot be located.

The Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, yesterday said the anti-graft commission had demanded a list of all constituency projects and presented budgets to make senators and representatives account for the funds they got.

Owasanoye, who spoke at the launch of Constituency Projects Tracking Group (CPTG), said ICPC will also publish the names of those behind the project failures.


The tracking will cover outgoing senators and Representatives in the 8th National Assembly.

He said ICPC was collaborating with the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) to evaluate whether or not the projects executed were commensurate with the budgetary allocations.

The ICPC chairman said: “We are mindful of the fact that this is a Herculean task as constituency projects dot the entire landscape but we will overcome the challenges one way or another.

“Where contractors and or politically-exposed persons have diverted funds for projects, we will pursue them to either complete the projects as initiated, return the funds or face prosecution.

“Affected companies and their directors will also be prosecuted. We also hope to publish the names of those behind the project failures for possible social sanctions in their communities.”

Owasanoye regretted that constituency projects had been turned into avenues of corruption.

He added: “Constituency projects are intended for developmental projects, such as provision of water, rural electrification, rural clinics, schools, community centres and bursary for indigent students.

“In the light of annual budgetary allocations to constituency projects and based on actual releases by the government, it is firmly believed that the impact of constituency projects on the lives of ordinary Nigerians ought to be more visible.

“Regrettably, available statistics from open sources paint a bleak picture of the level of performance or delivery of constituency projects.

“Over the years, constituency projects have become enmeshed in controversy among non-state actors, the promoters of the projects and the communities that are supposed to benefit from the projects.

“The concern is that in Nigeria, rather than address the needs of constituents; many constituency projects have become avenues of corruption.”

Owasanoye gave some three-year statistics which revealed how senators and Representatives have paid lip service to constituency projects.



He said: “The level of implementation of constituency projects in 16 focus states for 2015 is revealing. Out of 436 constituency projects for the year that were tracked, 145 were completed, 77 ongoing while 211 were not executed at all.

“For 2016, out of a total of 852 constituency projects in 20 states in the 2016 Budget that were tracked, 350 were completed, 118 were ongoing, 41 locations not specified in the budget and 343 not done or performed.

“In 2017, a total of 1,228 constituency projects in the budget were tracked for performance as at June 2018. Out of these, 478 were completed, 173 in unspecified location, 200 ongoing, 13 abandoned and 364 not started. The level of performance of constituency projects is therefore disputable.”

The ICPC chairman unfolded plans to collaborate with the media and Civil Society Organisations to fight corruption.

But he warned against reckless whistleblowing and declared that the commission will deal with anyone who misleads it.

He said: “We hope to have a robust relationship with the media and civil society. Not just in Constituency Project Monitoring and role of CSOs and media as partners in giving credible intelligence and evidence of corruption rather than generalised accusations or allegations of wrongdoing but specifics that help to make investigation seamless.

“We also want to caution CSOs to avoid misleading ICPC with intelligence that have no foundation in the name of whistleblowing. We have had one or two experiences of reckless and irresponsible allegations of wrongdoing against prominent citizens provided by CSOs.

“But for the cautious approach of the commission, the outcomes would have been embarrassing. We want to say loud and clear that there will be dire consequences in accordance with the law for anyone that misleads the commission.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/n1trn-projects-icpc-to-probe-senators-reps/

Eboe Amaka.

Nice one!

Ondo farmers receive Equipment to boost rice production

Published March 29, 2019
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Peter Dada, Akure

The Ondo State Government on Thursday distributed 10 rice thresher machines to groups of rice farmers under the Fadama lll Project in the state, in a bid to boost rice farming and production.

It was gathered that no fewer than 500 rice farmers from three local government areas of the state would benefit from the gesture.



Speaking at the distribution of the machines, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Gboyega Adefarati, said the gesture was part of the efforts of the government to ensure abundant food security and wealth creation among farmers in the state.

According to him, 10 rice production groups of farmers would benefit from the three local governments of Akure North, Akure South and Ileoluji/Okeigbo local governments.

He explained that each of the groups would get one machine which had the full component including thresher, blower and the prime mover to power the engine.

The commissioner noted that the distribution of the machines was to bring about the consciousness that rice could be produced and packaged in the state for local consumption and exportation to neighbouring states.

Adefarati urged the beneficiaries “to use them (machines) judiciously and effectively as to boost productivity and increase income.”

Also speaking, the state Fadama Coordinator, Mr. Olusiji Olatunji, disclosed that more than 500 farmers, who were members of the group, would have direct and indirect benefits of the thresher machines for increase rice production in the state.

Olatunji, who explained that the machines would reduce drudgery associated with harvesting and processing of rice, commended the state government for the payment of state counterpart fund.

“Let me implore all the beneficiaries of these assets to make judicious use of the items. Remember that agriculture is now a business, not a hobby and as such, you should ensure proper use and maintenance for optimal production and increase income,” Olatunji admonished.

https://punchng.com/ondo-farmers-receive-machines-to-boost-rice-production/

generationz:
See as sanwo scatter leg for sofa

making grandpa dangote uncomfortable

Dont mind Sanwolu. Sitting like he is the Chairman. Whereas, he is the poorest among them.

FactBoyz:
otedollar with the money

Billions of dollars in one single gathering.

The funny thing is that Aba residents and indigenous will be saying rubbish here.
They only get smarter when they crossed Ore into SW.