₦airaland Forum

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday insisted that the Federal Government is experiencing shortfalls in funds required to implement the 2013 budget.

Okonjo-Iweala also stated that an amendment to the 2013 Appropriation Act is necessary even as she disclosed that the capital component of the budget has been implemented by 67 per cent.

This means that about N670bn has already been spent.

The minister spoke before the House of Representatives’ Committees on Appropriation, Finance and Legislative Compliance where she debunked allegations that the Executive had jettisoned the budget as passed and signed by President Goodluck Jonathan in the first quarter of this year.

She also sought the legislators’ approval to divert the fund accrued to the illegal Excess Crude Account, ECA, which is deemed illegal, to a Stabilisation Fund embedded in the Sovereign Wealth Fund, SWF.

Okonjo-Iweala, who fielded a barrage of questions on the economy in general and the 2013 budget in particular, insisted that the executive was seeking an amendment and not a supplementary budget.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/fg-running-short-of-cash-okonjo-iweala-insists/

The Senate yesterday rejected the proposed six-year single tenure for elected presidents and governors as the lawmakers overwhelmingly voted against it.

The single tenure proposal was shut down with a vote of 86 to 14 and one abstinence.

Interestingly, the Senate yesterday recorded the highest number of attendance in recent times with 101 members present.

For any of the new proposals in the draft constitutional bill to scale through, the constitution requires a two-thirds majority, which translates to 73, in a Senate that has 109 members.

The upper chamber, in a historical fourth attempt to amend some sections of the 1999 Constitution, also voted against the proposal to make the local government council autonomous through the abolition of the joint states/local government account.

It voted 59 in support and 38 against, with two abstinences to shoot down the proposal.

The lawmakers, however, voted in support of financial autonomy for the state Houses of Assembly, the State Independent National Electoral Commissions, SIECs, the state auditors- general and the state judiciaries by approving first line charges for them, whereby they derive their funds from the states’ consolidated revenue funds.

However, the proposal to separate the office of the attorneys-general of the federation and those of the states from the minister and commissioners for justice respectively and accord financial autonomy to the attorneys-generals failed to scale through.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/constitution-amendment-senate-rejects-single-term-lg-autonomy/

The leader of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, yesterday explained to the Yoruba community in Kano why he was championing Major Hamza Al-Mustapha’s release.

Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer, CSO, to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, was released from Kirikiri Maximum Prison on Friday, after almost 15 years in detention over the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, wife of the winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late MKO Abiola.

Fasehun accompanied Al- Mustapha to Kano on Sunday where the former CSO openly acknowledged the role the OPC leader played in the campaign for his freedom.

Al-Mustapha told Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso at the Government House on Sunday that: “I have found a father, highly dogmatic, a senior citizen of this country, a detribalised elder, a person that is a father indeed with a wide shoulder and big heart, a man that is very reliable, responsible, dependable, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun.”

Aware of the possible hostility that may trail his pro-Al-Mustapha stance from some of his kinsmen, a man widely perceived to be the mastermind of the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Fasheun met with Yoruba in Kano at the Yoruba House at Sanusi Street in Sabon Gari area of the city yesterday where he tried to justify his romance with the former CSO.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/why-i-backed-al-mustapha-fasehun/

The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, chairmen in the 20 councils in Ogun State yesterday endorsed Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s second term bid. The endorsement, coming barely one and half years before the end of the governor’s first tenure, followed what the chairmen described as Amosun’s satisfactory performance in the last two years.

Rising from a crucial closed-door meeting, the chairmen said they had noted Amosun’s unwavering commitment to deliver on his electioneering promises as manifested in the ongoing infrastructural development in the state. They added that the governor needed more time to complete the projects.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the chairmen’s spokesperson, who is also the ACN Chairman in Yewa South Local Government, Samuel Mathew Akinyemi, hinged the governor’s endorsement on his efforts at rebuilding the state in the areas of roads, education, security, health as well as agricultural development among others which, he said, had remained a reference point in the history of the state.

In a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting which was read by Akinyemi, the chairmen commended Amosun and emphasised that if the governor was given an opportunity to serve another term, Ogun State would become a better state.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/acn-endorses-amosuns-re-election-bid/

Foremost entrepreneur and Group Managing Director of Energy Group Conglomerate, Dr Jimoh Ibrahim, OFR, has lambasted a section of the social media that has been circulating baseless and unfounded rumours about him.

He has therefore challenged those involved to come out in the open if they are ready to withstand the legal consequences of their actions. Ibrahim, in a press statement issued yesterday, said his attention has been drawn to false information circulating on the internet about Air Nigeria .

Ibrahim said he bought Air Nigeria with his own money and it is left for him to do what he likes with it; saying it is not a crime to sell his shares or stop it from operations. He added that he had no apologies for those shedding crocodile tears.

Ibrahim, who noted that he had not acquired up to 50 per cent of assets held by Bill Gates said the world still owes him a lot of assets to acquire and advised the general public to disregard such fake allegations that are being sponsored by businessmen who cannot withstand competition.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/jimoh-ibrahim-lambasts-a-section-of-social-media/

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has decried the level of decay in Nigerian universities, saying 200 and 300 level students could not write simple letter. The Chairman of the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, branch of the union, Dr. Mohammed Aliyu, said this yesterday while addressing a news conference in Zaria.

He said: “It is disheartening to note that students in 200 level, even 300 level, cannot write simple letter. This has shown how poor our education standard is.” Aliyu said the ongoing strike was not about salary increment, but to compel the Federal Government to honour the 2009 agreement with the union.

He said: “After three years of serious negotiation, government signed the October 2009 agreement with our union.

“The agreement was aimed at addressing the rot in the Nigerian university system and enhancing its overall efficiency.

“The agreement focuses on funding requirements for revitalisation of the Nigerian universities, Federal Government assistance to state universities. “Progressive increase in annual budgetary allocation to education to 26 per cent between 2009 and 2020 and amendment of the pension/retirement age of academics on the professional cadre from 65 to 70 years.”

The chairman said after signing the agreement, both Federal and state governments developed cold feet, forcing the union to embark on a warning strike before proceeding on an indefinite action.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/300-level-students-cant-write-letter-ASUU/

The Nigerian Army has confirmed claims made by Major Hamza al-Mustpha that he remains a military officer after his release from detention after 14 years.
The former Chief Security Officer to late General Sani Abacha, told journalists yesterday during his reception by the Kano state government that he is still in the army , a status he claimed the Appeal Court Judges also confirmed in their ruling.
At a briefing by the joint security information committee, the Director of Army Public Relations who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Colonel Joe Agim, said that Major Al-Mustapha, the Chief Security Officer, is still enlisted in the Nigerian Army.
He added that Mustapha’s case will be handled administratively by the Army, in line with the harmonized terms of service.
Major Hamza al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan were on Friday discharged and acquitted in the case of the assassination of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola in 1996.


http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/al-mustapha-is-still-an-officer-army/

Ace comedian Babatunde Omidina popularly known as Baba Suwe has filed an appeal before the Supreme Court to challenge the judgement of Justice Rita Pemu of the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal that held that the comedian should not be compensated for his detention by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Justice Yetunde Idowu of a Lagos High Court had ordered NDLEA to pay N25 million to Baba Suwe as compensation for detaining him for several days over allegation of drug trafficking.

But the Court of Appeal set aside the judgement, describing it erroneous, oppressive and superfluous.

Dissatisfied with the decision, Baba Suwe, through his lawyer, Bamidele Aturu, prayed the apex court to allow the appeal, set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal and affirm the decision of the trial court.

He contended that the Court of Appeal erred when it held that that exhibits I-VI (results of scan tests) were legally inadmissible.

Baba Suwe added that that there is no law that stipulates that an applicant who seeks compensation for the violation of his or her right should have been detained for one year to be entitled to compensation.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/n25m-damages-baba-suwe-heads-for-supreme-court/

Office activities and banking operations in some branches of Diamond Bank Plc have been slowed down as staff of the bank laid-off yesterday are regrouping to challenge their sack by the management of the bank National Mirror was informed that Association of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) and National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees have expressed worry over the sack of its members in the bank and are gearing to picket the bank if the management of the bank does change its mine on the issue.

A statement by the bank it has concluded its Annual Performance Review exercise in line with global best practices where companies or institutions intermittently review their human resource talent as a means of achieving their corporate growth agenda.

According to Mrs. Ayona Trimnell, Head, Corporate Communications, Diamond Bank Plc, “The recent performance review is an annual exercise for us in Diamond as we seek to continuously recognize and reward members of staff who have excelled. We believe that a Bank’s performance is linked to the quality of the staff it retains.

As such, we have promoted over 650 staff members who have excelled in their performance as well as disengage 61 members of staff who performed poorly in the last financial year.” The statement also indicated that the performance review exercise is hinged on the Bank’s Enterprise Assessment Framework called the Balanced Score Card.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/diamond-bank-operations-suffer-as-labour-is-set-to-picket/

Diamond Bank Plc yesterday relieved over 100 of its staff their jobs, for not measuring up to the Bank’s measuring standard.

National Mirror was told that those affected, which included those that have spent over five years with the bank have been given their sack letters.

According to a source close to the bank, there was palpable tension and a brief stop of office activities at the headquarters of the Bank in Lagos where many of those affected were serving.

It was gathered that the financial institution allegedly downsizing was necessitated due to low patronage, which the bank is experiencing in recent times.

National Mirror was not able to get the actual number of those sacked, but was told the number is over 100.

A company source however said the affected staff were those who performed below average in the bank’s yearly assessment test.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/again-diamond-bank-sacks-over-100-workers/

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, yesterday said he might become a teacher after his second term expires on May 29, 2015. Fashola said his passion for teaching would make him go to the classroom after handing over power to a successor.

The governor said this at the State House in Alausa when he received pupils and teachers of Corona Nursery School on a courtesy visit.

Fashola, who said he was driven by passion to assist people to learn through teaching, also advised the pupils to be security conscious in and out of the school premises.

He said: “We all didn’t choose to be teachers. And we decided to do something else.

In spite of that, I think that in the process of my life since then I have also helped to teach, I help my children, I help other people to learn things and teaching doesn’t take place only in the classroom.

“In that sense, I think there is a little teacher in me and when I finish my public service, I will (teach). Teaching is one thing I want to do, I will go back to teach somewhere and at some level.”

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/ill-become-a-teacher-after-2015-fashola/

No fewer than 45. 5 million telephone lines are currently inactive in Nigeria, the Nigerian Communications Commission has said.

According to the industry regulator in its latest industry’s subscriber data for first quarter ending April 30, 2013, while the total number of connected telephone lines in the country stood at 16.8 million, only 119.3 million were active, leaving about 45.5 million inactive.

The inactive lines, comprises phone lines from the Global System for Mobile Communications, GSM, networks; the Code Division Multiple Access networks and fixed line operators.

According to the latest data, active telephone subscriptions in Nigeria increased from 113.1 million to reach 114.4 million, 116.6 million, 117.2 million and 119.3 million in January, February, March and April respectively.

The total connected telephone lines in the country now stand at 164.8 million at the end of April, 2013, having increased from 161.9 million, 159.8 million and 154.5 million in January, February and March respectively in the first quarter.

The additional 6.2 million telephone lines which were added in the quarter pushed the current total active mobile subscriptions in the country up from 113.1 million at the end of December, 2012 to 119.3 million at the end of April, this year.

The NCC latest data showed that overall; the industry grew its subscriber base by 7.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2013, as over 6.2 million additional telephone lines were recorded on various mobile networks during the period.

The NCC data has revealed an increase from teledensity from 80.85 in December 2012 to 81.78, January; 83.29 per cent in February; 83.77 per cent in March and 85.25 per cent at the end of April, in the first quarter. Teledensity is the percentage of connected lines in relation to the population at a given period of time and its growth is proportional to the growth in subscriber base.

Highlights of the subscriber data also revealed that telecoms firms continue to spend on network expansion to be able to accommodate more subscribers on their networks.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/45-5-million-phone-lines-redundant-in-nigeria-ncc/

The claim by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, governors in the South-West shunned last week’s flag-off of the reconstruction of the Lagos- Ibadan expressway by President Goodluck Jonathan has been described as fallacious by the ACN.

The ACN, in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, while reacting to a statement by the PDP, which had in a statement by its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Tony Okeke, alleged that the governors deliberately stayed away from the flag off ceremony for “parochial partisan reasons,” also said that only the governors of Lagos, Oyo and Ogun were invited to the ceremony, adding that while Ogun governor, Ibikunle Amosun personally attended the flag-off, Lagos and Oyo states governors were represented by their deputies because both of them were outside the country at the time.

Mohammed said that it was therefore “inaccurate to give the impression that all the ACN governors in the South-West were expected to be there.” His words: “How then could anyone who believes in the truth, and nothing but the truth, infer in a public statement that the governors shunned the ceremony because of politics? How difficult is it for a self-respecting party spokesman to check the veracity of the information at his disposal before feeding such to the public?

“Is it possible that a spokesman for a ruling party does not know that Deputy Governors can stand in for their principals even at statutory meetings like the National Council of State and the National Economic Council?

Or does the PDP now believe that peddling outright lies is the way to go to give its flagging image a rebound?” Saying that PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Tony Okeke, has undoubtedly embarrassed his party and its leadership with the level of ignorance and amateurism he has so far exhibited on the job, the ACN said: “Mr. Okeke should realize that in his frenzied attempt to impress his masters and hold on to the job, he is actually embarrassing them.

Mohammed added that “if he did not personally attend the flag-off, he could have asked if indeed the invited governors were represented and at what level. He could also have cross-checked with the Presidency to know who and who were invited to the ceremony.”

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/our-govs-didnt-shun-lagos-ibadan-expressway-reconstruction-fl-ag-off/

Chief Abu King Shuluwa, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Benue State and chairman, Tiv Elders’ Stakeholders’ Forum, is unarguably the most vocal opposition to President Goodluck Jonathan’s bid for re-election in 2015. He tells HENRY IYORKASE that come rain or sunshine, the North, which constitutes two-third of the Nigerian population, would fight tooth and nail to ensure that it captures power in 2015. He also talks on the agitation for Apa State, among other salient national issues. Excerpts:

Recently, some sections of the North endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term. Does this signify the desire of the people?

I happen to read from the newspapers, even though from your question, you did not specifically mention names, but I read that the former Senate President, Senator Ameh Ebute, was taken to the Villa by Chief Edwin Clark and he endorsed Jonathan on behalf of the North Central. Then Senator Wash Pam and General Lawrence Onoja also went to see Jonathan and endorsed him on behalf of the North Central.

It is rather absurd that these gentlemen will go and endorse Jonathan without consultation. Definitely, they are not representing the interest of the North Central and more so, they are not representing the interest of the Benue people and worst of it all, they are not representing the interest of the Tiv people. They are not competent to speak on behalf of North Central.

As the clamour for which of the geo-political zone produces the occupant of Aso Rock come 2015 continues, what is the permutation of the North in the ongoing struggle?

I have said this time and again that definitely, come 2015, the Presidency of this country will come to the North. We are not negotiating that position at all; it is non-negotiable, because in 1998 when we decided that former President Olusegun Obasanjo should become president, the decision was that after eight years tenure of the South, the Presidency should return to the North.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/north-must-produce-the-president-in/

Former Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Prof. Akinjide Oshuntokun, has called on the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to address marginalisation of Yoruba before a revolt from the South-West. Oshuntokun, a professor of History, gave the warning during the 74th birthday lecture of the Chairman of Splash FM, Chief Adebayo Akande, held at the Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan.

Speaking on the topic; “The place of the Yoruba in the ethno-political configuration of Nigeria,” the former ambassador said: “It is in the overall interest of the country that the Federal Government must be fair to every zone irrespective of its political leaning.”

According to him, the Jonathan administration must not wait until there is rebellion or armed militancy of the youth of the South- West before embarking on fire-brigade or palliative measures.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/yoruba-may-revolt-ex-envoy-warns-jonathan/

A group under the auspices of the National Association of Northern State Students Union, NANSSU, at the weekend rejected the ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan for 2015 presidential election.

NANSSU said the President caused more harm than good in the educational sector.

In an online statement signed by its National Secretary, Comrade Ado Shehu, the group said its position against Jonathan’s rumoured ambition was based on the poor state of education in the country.

The statement, however, called on Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State to seek presidential election, saying what he had done should be replicated across the country.

NANSSU doubted free and fair elections in 2015, stressing that Jonathan’s support to “an illegitimate” faction of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, Chairman, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, rather than the winner, Governor Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers State showed a great danger ahead.

The statement reads in part: “The fuel subsidy removal tsunami still fresh in the minds of Nigerians, with many empty and unfulfilled promises like provision of qualitative healthcare services, job creation, eradication of unemployment among Nigerian youths, just a few to mention, remain unchanged.

“Youths are the future generation and education is the only legacy for them but under President Goodluck Jonathan the Nigerian polytechnics are on strike for over two months, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has now started its own strike and Mr. President shows less or no concern over these issues.”

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/2015-northern-students-reject-jonathan/

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has decided that its officials will no longer chase traffic offenders to apprehend them.

Officials of LASTMA will henceforth trace such traffic offenders to their homes before arresting them, impounding their vehicles and imposing on them stringent penalties.

With this move, anyone who commits traffic offence and fails to pay the stipulated penalties stands the risk of getting his/her vehicle impounded at home while the owner is made to pay fines with evidence of tax payment.

It was learnt that the move is to avert loss of lives and maiming of innocent citizens resulting from reckless driving as offenders try to evade arrest.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/lastma-to-arrest-traffic-offenders-at-home/

The new operational uniform for officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force may cost the Federal Government about N1.7bn, even as efforts are being put in place to professionalise the force following the recent security challenges in the country.

The new blue and camouflage uniform was introduced last year to replace the traditional black dress, which has been in use for about three decades.

President Goodluck Jonathan had in March 2012, approved a test-run of the blue camouflage dress as one of the operational attires of the police, pending the time when the black and black uniform would be totally phased out.

The camouflage, which is an admixture of black, white and ash colours, would serve as an operational dress alongside the current ones being worn by officers and men of the force.

It was learnt that the N1.7 billion was approved by the Presidency for the purchase of the new uniform as part of measures to reform and launder the image of the force.

Speaking in an interview with National Mirror yesterday, Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba confirmed the approval of fund for the scheme. He however did not mention the amount.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/presidency-approves-n1-7bn-for-new-police-uniforms

Nightmare motorists and commuters experience daily on the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway may end soon as President Goodluck Jonathan will on Friday flag-off the reconstruction of the road.

The Federal Government earlier in the year terminated the concessioning of the 178km road granted to Bi- Courtney Highway Services Limited.

Government had said the company failed to honour the terms of the concession agreement.

A fresh contract for the reconstruction of the expressway was subsequently awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for the Lagos – Sagamu interchange end of the road, while RCC Nigeria Limited is to handle the Sagamu – Ibadan axis.

The Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, disclosed the planned flag-off by the President yesterday at a meeting with a delegation of the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria, ALBON.

Onolememen explained that the project had been awarded, adding that the government was ready to see it completed in record time.

He said: “You talked about the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway project and you know that it has been awarded and work will soon commence on it.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/jonathan-flags-off-lagos-ibadan-roads-reconstruction-friday/

Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda has rescinded his earlier decision to quit the Northern States Governors’ Forum, NSGF, following “intense pressure” from the elders in the region.

The Chief of Staff to the governor, Alhaji Yusuf Musa Gumli, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Government House in Bauchi. Gumli said Yuguda decided to quit the NSGF as fallout of the crisis rocking the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF.

“He quit the forum in realisation of unfairness of the past as regard the earlier decision of the forum that nominated Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State for the NGF,” the chief of staff said.

Gumli said Yuguda’s decision to return to the forum followed pressure from northern elders who urged him to rejoin his colleagues.

Asked if Yuguda’s earlier decision to quit the NSGF was based on his political ambition, Gumli wondered if it was a crime for anyone to nurse political ambition.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/yuguda-rescinds-decision-to-quit-nsgf/

Some movie marketers, under the aegis of Yoruba Video Films Producers and Marketers, YVFPMA, Association of Nigeria, have banded to protest the flagrant piracy of movies in the popular Idumota Market, Lagos. To enforce this, the marketers have stopped the further release of home videos of Yoruba genre into the market with effect from Monday, July 1.

This is after a petition had been written by the marketers to the National Assembly lamenting the financially crippling activities of piracy and requesting that the legislators passed decisive laws to curb the menace. According to information gathered from the General Secretary of YVFPMA, Mr. Tunji Ojetola, the petition was given a hearing on the floor of NASS on Monday.

However, the marketers are resolved not to resume film release until their grievances have been suitably treated. “It is really serious and we have been complaining for long but it seems nothing was being done so we decided to stop the release of films for now. Presently, meetings are ongoing with relevant agencies of government about the crisis and we hope to find a solution soon”, said Ojetola.

Nestled in the heart of Lagos Island’s bustling commercial district, the market’s film trading section is one of the two business hubs on which Nollywood –the film industry in Nigeria, is currently totally dependent. The other is Alaba International Market located in Ojo area of Lagos Mainland, which is viewed as the source of the movie piracy dilemma.

“We know the pirates; and the accusatory finger is pointing back to Alaba International Market”, the Sec. Gen stated.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/idumota-stops-sales-of-yoruba-movies/

Africa Cup of Nations victorious Super Eagles’ players and coaches can heave a sigh of relief after the Federal Government fulfilled its pledge of a plot of land each to members of the team, four months after President Goodluck Jonathan announced the package at a reception in Abuja.

Spokesman of the Eagles, Ben Alaiya, who confirmed the development to National Mirror, said only players not domiciled in Nigeria had not received their share.

“The papers are ready and we must commend the Federal Capital Territory Administration for fast tracking the document and we wish to acknowledge the effort of the office,” Alaiya remarked.

“We discussed the matter with the foreign-based players during the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil and I think the land issue is now behind us as we move towards qualification for the World Cup finals. “It is a good thing, though, that all members of the team got the plots unlike at previous times when beneficiaries of such gesture sparingly received theirs,” he added.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/afcon-2013-fallout-eagles-receive-abuja-plots/

Polytechnic lecturers have vowed not to renege on the nation-wide strike they embarked upon two months ago. The polytechnic lecturers said that they would not go back to their duty posts until the Federal Governor meets their demands.

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) blamed the strike on the nonchalant attitude of the Federal Government towards exercising the political will to meet the demands.

ASUP’s position is contained in the resolution of its 74th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Federal Polytechnic in Oko, Anambra State. The resolution was signed by ASUP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Clement Chirman.

The union also frowned at the leadership crisis trailing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) election and called on the governors to conduct themselves in line with democratic principles in order to protect the nation’s future.

Condemning the burden of dichotomy against polytechnic graduates at entry and in career progression in public service, ASUP called for a level-playing ground for graduates from the various tertiary sectors.

It also demanded that polytechnic education be properly and adequately funded by the government, urging it to stop paying lip service to the technical education sector in the country.

The resolution also rejected the discriminatory cut-off points for candidates seeking admission into universities, polytechnics and Colleges of Education and called for harmonisation of the cut-off marks.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/no-decision-yet-to-suspend-strike-asup/

The Sultan of Sokoto and President, Jamatu Nasril Islam, JNI, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has said that Muslims gave President Goodluck Jonathan an agenda for implementation during the 2011 presidential election campaign.

He, however, did not reveal the content of the agenda.

This revelation came at a time the dust raised over the one-term agreement President Jonathan allegedly reached with governors in the build-up to the 2011 presidential election was yet to settle.

The Sultan stated this at the national conference and pre-Ramadan meeting of JNI in Kaduna yesterday.

He said that Nigeria would remain backward if people failed to correct a leader, adding that many things had gone wrong in the country.

Abubakar advised the Federal Government amnesty committee to look into happenings in other parts of the country.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/we-gave-jonathan-muslim-agenda-to-implement-sultan/

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, is no doubt in the eyes of the storm, following recent attacks and petitions bordering on allegations of corruption and non-performance against him by some stakeholders. But Orubebe, in this interview, presents his own side of the story. SOLA ADEBAYO reports:

How do you react to the allegation by some stakeholders in the Niger Delta that you are just pocketing the money being made available to the ministry for the development of the region?

I think I want to reason that that is another level of madness exhibited by people who think that the way they are, that is the way others are. Today in this country there is a process of doing things and the President has emphasised on that and he has put that in black and white to everybody. There is a procurement law in place. How do you pocket money? How? For a project to be done, first it has to go through the National Assembly, to be passed into an appropriation law. For you to do anything you have to go through due process, due process would do due diligence on the contractors, on the pricing, on the funding plan you have made for the execution of that project. These contracts are tendered, advertised and people would tender for these contracts and when these contracts are awarded, they are awarded to people.

So how do you pocket money? People talk out of ignorance.
But your leader, Chief Edwin Clark is one of the people who accused you, he even said you are not fit for the governorship of the state. What is your reaction to that?
Well, Chief Clark is entitled to his opinion, but fortunately in the statement, he also said that he was told, he was not there. And so he must have acted from uninformed position. I am sure some mischievous people that are always around looking for their daily bread must have carried that information to him. But thank God, he also said he was not there, he was informed. Number two, if I want to contest the governorship of Delta State in 2015, Chief Clark also knows that I have the capability to run for the governorship of Delta State, I am not barred by the constitution and I have support of people and if I want to run, nobody will stop me from running. He is free to support anybody but there are thousands and thousands of people, who will also support me if I want to run in 2015 but today as I said, I am standing by Mr. President so that he can deliver to the people of this country his promises.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/2015-not-even-clark-can-stop-me-from-being-governor-orubebe/

The Federal Government may soon place restrictions on the importation of generators into the country. This was disclosed by President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday at the 5th Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies, Nigeria, AES, held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister for Works and Housing, Mr. Mike Onolememen, noted that, while the government is studying the proposal of restricting or banning importation of generators, his administration was working to ensure that current electricity problem facing the country is addresse.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/fg-may-ban-importation-of-generators/

Jude Abaga- M.I, one of the most eligible bachelors in the Nigerian music industry, has finally found his missing rib. Where? Right on the stage of the famous Star Music Trek concert which held at Hero Square, Owerri over the weekend.
His gorgeous ‘partner’, Chinyere Okafor whom he selected from the sell-out crowd, added her beautiful voice on stage to his rendition of his hit single, “One Naira’’

Totally awed by her performance, M.I symbolically removed his gold necklace, proudly proclaiming her, the new ‘Mrs. Abaga’.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you the new Mrs. Abaga…’ he told Owerri fans as he hugged Okafor.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/finally-m-i-finds-his-missing-rib-in-owerri/

Gombe State Government’s Five Star International Hotel which was inherited by the last and present administrations in the state and built at the cost of over N3billion is yet to commence services two years after its completion and commissioning by the immediate past government of Danjuma Goje.

The 90-room hotel, which was started by the first civilian Governor of the state, Alhaji Abubakar Habu Hashidu about ten years ago, was furnished and commissioned for operation at the tail end of the Goje administration in April 2011.

The then State Governor, Senator Danjuma Goje had, at the commissioning of the hotel, said he borrowed money to complete the project which investigations Community Mirror revealed has not been paid.

Capable of generating billions of naira worth of revenue which the government is in dire need of, the inability of it to commence operations has remained unknown and raising a lot of curious questions by people of the state.

Investigation also revealed that that the Jos-based construction firm, Eagle Construction Company Limited was yet to hand over the hotel to the state government over alleged failure of the state government to settle balance of the contractual amount being owed the contractor, running to billions of naira.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/gombe-hotel-yet-to-take-off-2-years-after-commissioning/

The Bible Society of Nigeria, BSN, yesterday raised the alarm over what it described as the influx of pirated copies of the Holy Bible into the Nigerian markets.

The body, which has the patent for re-producing the Bible and translating the holy book into different Nigerian languages, noted that pirated copies of different versions of the Holy Bible are now on sale across the country.

Outgoing General Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Society and Chairman of the United Bible Societies in Africa, Rev. (Dr.) Fredrick Odutola, raised the alarm during a press conference on the ‘state of the nation’, at the Bible Guest House, in Lagos.

He disclosed that large quantities of its quality guaranteed Bible, translated with huge sums of money into the various Nigerian languages are now being heavily pirated in different markets in the country “and without the fear of God to the dire consequences.

“Recently, someone brought a defective Efik Bible to us to replace since we have quality guarantee and it was a pirated copy, bearing our logo all the same, in Ariaria Market, Aba.”

Displaying different versions of the pirated copies of the Holy book recovered from the Nigerian markets, the BSN Chief Executive revealed further in bewilderment: “Even the policemen said they were afraid to enter this market (Ariaria). So it has become an institution on its own.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/pirated-bibles-now-flood-nigerian-markets-says-bsn/

She doesn’t speak the English language but she speaks fluent Yoruba. She is not lettered but no one can take away her noticeable intelligence and lucidity.

Mrs. Juliana Abebi Shodiya, nee Oketoogun, a centenarian, is no doubt a Christian. And this is obvious in your first encounter with her. Although, there is no record to prove the date of her birth, it is clear from her utterances about history and past events that she should not be less than 120 years old. This makes her one of the oldest in Agege-Ogba axis of the city.

In her ever vivacious manner, she ushered us into her humble abode located at garage bus stop behind a popular eatery on Agege/Ogba road, Agege close to the palace of the Ologba.

Incidentally, a set of twin boys who are gospel singers live close to her and she is very fond of them. On sighting one of them, Madam Juliana started singing their praise in the Yoruba language, “Taiye Kanyin, ijo le se eyin naa le o wo ra yin” meaning Taiwo and Kehinde, remain merry because you will take care of yourselves.

While speaking with Saturday Mirror, one of her neighbours who preferred to be simply addressed as Godwin from Delta State, who has lived with her in the compound for over 10 years revealed more about the old woman Madam Juliana.

“I have been living in this compound for over 10 years. I was living with my brother but when he died, I decided to still live here. I have known Mama for over 10 years that I have lived. I have never seen an old woman like this one. She is so friendly and yet so energetic.

Her memory is so sharp and she is still very agile. At first I could not believe her age but with the many stories she told me about herself, I can tell you that she is not less than 120 years old” he said.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/living-wonder-120-year-old-woman-found-in-lagos/

The apex northern socio-political organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, yesterday rejected the candidature of President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 presidential election.

ACF Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, made the forum’s position known during its annual general meeting held at its headquarters on Sokoto Road, Kaduna.

This is just as the forum accused President Jonathan of being behind the divide-and-rule tactics allegedly being used against the North ahead of 2015.

The ACF also moved against some of its members – former military administrator of Plateau State, Maj.-Gen. Lawrence Onoja, and Senator John Wash Pam both from the Middle Belt Region who were accused of being pro- Jonathan.

National Mirror had earlier reported that ACF chieftains were divided over the second term ambition of President Jonathan. They viewed the support of his Presidency as being inimical to northern interests.
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/acf-rejects-jonathan-for-2015-presidency/

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday unveiled his preference for a two-party state with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and just one other party contesting the 2015 elections.

Addressing the PDP NEC meeting in Abuja the president said that the dominance of the party had forced opposition parties to come together, which he said would help stabilise the polity.

He said: “One good thing that Nigerians should commend PDP for now is that if you look at the evolution of political parties, it is now stable.

Before, when elections are coming, by now you will be hearing about new parties being formed and at a time, the ballot paper was becoming too long, INEC was finding a way of deregistering parties.

“Because PDP has come on very strong, no matter the criticism they are criticising us, they know that we are very strong and they realise that what they need to do is not forming new parties but parties coming together. So, we are helping to stabilise the polity. “We will encourage them to come together the more.

We want a situation where it is PDP versus one. In that case, the polity will be more stable. Even our members will be more loyal to the party because you will have nowhere to go. “So, Nigerians should commend PDP. If PDP were weak, people wouldn’t have gathered together.

There wouldn’t have been any reason for parties to come together to fight PDP. But when you have so many parties on their own they know they cannot face us until they come together then you know that we are formidable. “And PDP will become stronger and no matter the gang up, I don’t see how they can uproot the PDP,” he stressed.

The President also assured of a robust economy, adding that top global investors who met with him recently expressed readiness to invest in the nation’s economy, which he noted would boost employment and reduce youth restiveness.

He however condemned the spate of violence going on in the country including robbery, kidnapping and ethnic clashes which he said was dangerous for the country.

Jonathan said: “We are all aware of the issues of kidnapping in southern part of the country; the excesses of terrorist groups in some parts of the North and the steps taken by government are known to all of us. “But one key thing sometimes that gets people confused about Boko Haram is this communal conflicts and ethnic cleansing.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/president-advocates-two-party-system/