₦airaland Forum

By the killings of Nigerians, especially Igbo, in some Northern parts of the country, South-East Senators, Wednesday, urged Northern governors and traditional rulers to call to order their subjects and educate them on the need to respect the sanctity of human life.
The Senators also called on governors from the north to come out and condemn the killings as well as take appropriate steps to prevent further escalation of what they termed “senseless killings.”
In a statement by the 13 Senators from the South-East geo-political zone, the Senators said: “The Federal Government should wake up to its responsibility of protecting lives and property of all Nigerians wherever they may live.

Cross Section of Abians during a peaceful protest against the killings of Igbos in the North and their support for the removal of oil subsidy in Umuahia.
“The state governors and leaders of the affected Northern states should openly condemn these killings and take appropriate steps to prevent further escalation of these senseless killings.
“In this regard, we urge the traditional rulers to call their subjects to order and emphasise the need to respect the sanctity of human life.”

They also commended the Senate for urging the Federal Government to work out appropriate compensations for victims of these killings, especially victims of the bombing of the Catholic Church at Madalla, Niger State; killings in Mubi, Adamawa State, and Gombe, Yobe and other locations.
They said: “We urge security agencies to give priority to threatened groups, especially the Igbo, in the Northern part of the country, since they appear to be a targetted group in the recent spate of killings.
“We condemn the deafening silence of members of the human rights community and urge them to speak up on these killings.”

Signatories
Senators who signed the statement include: Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, PDP, Enugu West; Senators Nkechi Nwaogu, PDP, Abia North; Enyinnaya Abaribe, PDP, Abia Central; Chris Ngige, ACN, Anambra Central; Matthew Ifeanyi Nwagwu, PDP, Imo North; Sunday Ogbuoji, PDP, Ebonyi South and Hope Uzodinma, PDP, Imo West.
Others are Senators Uche Chukwumerije, PDP Abia South; Chris Anyanwu, APGA, Imo; Ayogu Eze, PDP, Enugu North; Chris Nwankwo, PDP, Ebonyi North; Paulinus Nwagu, PDP, Ebonyi Central and Gilbert Nnaji, PDP, Enugu East.

Source: http://thejuristlaws..com/

The Abia State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Don Ubani has assured the people of the state of government’s commitment to protecting them against any form of exploitation or extortion. Chief Ubani, who stated this in a release he issued in Umuahia made it clear that the state government, under Chief T. A Orji, condemns any form of multiple taxation or imposition of illegal levies on her indigenes. Chief Ubani explained that the state government had to dissolve all revenue consultants and agents operating in the state, except those in Abia State University and Abia State Polytechnics, because of complaints of multiple taxation, illegalities associated with the exercise and its attendant crudeness. The Information boss reminded Abians that the state government set up an executive committee headed by the state Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to work out legitimate modalities for a more efficient revenue collection in the state. Chief Ubani sounded it loud and clear that until the committee turns in her report and government appoints new revenue consultants and agents, any person that parades himself or herself as a revenue consultant or agent should be regarded as a fraudster and accordingly reported to law enforcement agents.



Chief Don Ubani (KSJ)

Hon. Commissioner for Information and Strategy CULLED FROM http://www.abiastate.gov.ng

Government has assured the people of the state of it’s commitment to protecting them against any form of exploitation or extortion
Government has assured the people of the state of it’s commitment to protecting them against any form of exploitation or extortion

The Abia State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Don Ubani has assured the people of the state of government’s commitment to protecting them against any form of exploitation or extortion. Chief Ubani, who stated this in a release he issued in Umuahia made it clear that the state government, under Chief T. A Orji, condemns any form of multiple taxation or imposition of illegal levies on her indigenes. Chief Ubani explained that the state government had to dissolve all revenue consultants and agents operating in the state, except those in Abia State University and Abia State Polytechnics, because of complaints of multiple taxation, illegalities associated with the exercise and its attendant crudeness. The Information boss reminded Abians that the state government set up an executive committee headed by the state Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to work out legitimate modalities for a more efficient revenue collection in the state. Chief Ubani sounded it loud and clear that until the committee turns in her report and government appoints new revenue consultants and agents, any person that parades himself or herself as a revenue consultant or agent should be regarded as a fraudster and accordingly reported to law enforcement agents.



Chief Don Ubani (KSJ)

Hon. Commissioner for Information and Strategy .CULLED FROM http://www.abiastate.gov.ng/

THE GOVERNMENT OF ABIA STATE STOPS AT NOTHING TO ENSURE THAT ALL ROADS UNDER CONSTRUCTION ARE DULY COMPLETED TO ENSURE THAT THE PEOPLE OF ABIA ENJOY DIVIDENDS OF DEMOCRACY, THE PICTURES OF NEWLY AWARDED PROJECTS-COMPLETED AND THE ON-GOING PROJECTS COULD BE SEEN ON ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE. for more info.visit http://www.abiastate.gov.ng/category/projects/A

THE GOVERNMENT OF ABIA STATE STOPS AT NOTHING TO ENSURE THAT ALL ROADS UNDER CONSTRUCTION ARE DULY COMPLETED TO ENSURE THAT THE PEOPLE OF ABIA ENJOY DIVIDENDS OF DEMOCRACY, THE PICTURES OF NEWLY AWARDED PROJECTS-COMPLETED AND THE ON-GOING PROJECTS COULD BE SEEN ON. for more info.visit http://www.abiastate.gov.ng/category/projects/

President Goodluck Jonathan Monday warned that he would no longer tolerate destabilisation plots against the country by those who fan the embers of discord that threaten the corporate existence of the country.
The President, who said his administration would use all lawful means to check them, however, appealed to Nigerians, especially youths, to shun every act of violence as they would only serve as distraction that would worsen current security challenges which negatively impact on the development of the country.
Jonathan spoke at the 2011 President's National Youths Service Corps Honours award ceremony at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he offered automatic employment.
He also gave scholarships to 52 former corps members for their meritorious service in their places of primary assignment.
“It is in this light, and in relation to recent happenings in parts of the country, that I warn that any and all acts which fan the embers of discord and threaten the corporate existence of our nation will be vigorously checked by all lawful means.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I would like to seize this opportunity to appeal to all Nigerians, especially our dear youths, to shun any tendencies that only serve to distract us from the onerous task of facing up squarely to the security and development challenges which confront us at this time.
“From inception, our administration has demonstrated absolute commitment to the promotion of democratic ideals and unwavering respect for the rule of law. By the same token, we expect that all stakeholder groups would operate within the ambit of the law at all times. Rights and privileges come with concomitant responsibilities,” he said.

He assured Nigerians of his commitment to ensuring their welfare was protected at all times and appealed to them not to be swayed by politicians who he said were troubling the country for their selfish gains, pointing out that whereas the uniform of corps members used to elicit unity, people now use it to commit crime while those on national assignment formed targets of attacks which he said was condemnable.
“Who are those creating these problems? They are not ordinary men and women in our villages. They are politicians. It is politicians who are exploiting the situation negatively. We are even making our youths to hit themselves in the name of politics. We will all change,” he said.
Jonathan while announcing the award to corps members drawn from 2009 Batch 'C'/2010 Batches 'A' and 'B' service years were to use the scholarships for Masters and Doctorate degrees in any school in the world, adding that he decided to add scholarship to employment as some of the recipients may want to work while processing their admissions.
While charging them to work hard and utilise the two-year scholarships within its pendency period, he charged the Minister of Youths Development, Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi, Education, Raqqayattu Rufa'i and Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke to coordinate the exercise as well as ensure they got their employment letters from the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation within two months.
The scholarship for those in sciences and petroleum-related fields the President continued, including Petroleum Law or Petroleum Economic would be funded by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund while the Education Tax Fund would fund the rest.
In an apparent reference to the removal of fuel subsidy, he said he was persuaded to implement the policy because he did not want to leave huge debts for our children and subsidise rich men with 10 to 15 cars while the poor people who were supposed to be the beneficiaries of the subsidy.
Earlier in his address, the initiator of the Scheme and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon said the scheme should not be scrapped as its relevance in ensuring and preserving the unity of Nigeria was still very relevant in the scheme of things.
He referred to the role played by corps members during the April 2011 elections where they were used as ad hoc staff though some lost their lives in the process for which he commiserated with their families over the post election violence.
The Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Nnamdi Okore-Affia, explained that the 52 awardees were selected from 235 nominees from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after. Thorough screening by a committee, added that six out of the lot were adjudged the overall best.
They are Chinaeke Ejike (Enugu), Dr. Ofodile Emeka (Abia), Dr. Onuigbo Ernest (Abia), Nwanosike Chinasa (Abia), Ezeoba Adaobi (Anambra) and Babajide Akinrinde (Oyo).
Culled from thejuristlaws..com

THE GOVERNMENT OF ABIA STATE STOPS AT NOTHING TO ENSURE THAT ALL ROADS UNDER CONSTRUCTION ARE DULY COMPLETED TO ENSURE THAT THE PEOPLE OF ABIA ENJOY DIVIDENDS OF DEMOCRACY, THE PICTURES OF NEWLY AWARDED PROJECTS-COMPLETED AND THE ON-GOING PROJECTS COULD BE SEEN ON thejuristlaws..com

President Goodluck Jonathan Monday warned that he would no longer tolerate destabilisation plots against the country by those who fan the embers of discord that threaten the corporate existence of the country.
The President, who said his administration would use all lawful means to check them, however, appealed to Nigerians, especially youths, to shun every act of violence as they would only serve as distraction that would worsen current security challenges which negatively impact on the development of the country.
Jonathan spoke at the 2011 President's National Youths Service Corps Honours award ceremony at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he offered automatic employment.
He also gave scholarships to 52 former corps members for their meritorious service in their places of primary assignment.
“It is in this light, and in relation to recent happenings in parts of the country, that I warn that any and all acts which fan the embers of discord and threaten the corporate existence of our nation will be vigorously checked by all lawful means.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I would like to seize this opportunity to appeal to all Nigerians, especially our dear youths, to shun any tendencies that only serve to distract us from the onerous task of facing up squarely to the security and development challenges which confront us at this time.
“From inception, our administration has demonstrated absolute commitment to the promotion of democratic ideals and unwavering respect for the rule of law. By the same token, we expect that all stakeholder groups would operate within the ambit of the law at all times. Rights and privileges come with concomitant responsibilities,” he said.

He assured Nigerians of his commitment to ensuring their welfare was protected at all times and appealed to them not to be swayed by politicians who he said were troubling the country for their selfish gains, pointing out that whereas the uniform of corps members used to elicit unity, people now use it to commit crime while those on national assignment formed targets of attacks which he said was condemnable.
“Who are those creating these problems? They are not ordinary men and women in our villages. They are politicians. It is politicians who are exploiting the situation negatively. We are even making our youths to hit themselves in the name of politics. We will all change,” he said.
Jonathan while announcing the award to corps members drawn from 2009 Batch 'C'/2010 Batches 'A' and 'B' service years were to use the scholarships for Masters and Doctorate degrees in any school in the world, adding that he decided to add scholarship to employment as some of the recipients may want to work while processing their admissions.
While charging them to work hard and utilise the two-year scholarships within its pendency period, he charged the Minister of Youths Development, Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi, Education, Raqqayattu Rufa'i and Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke to coordinate the exercise as well as ensure they got their employment letters from the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation within two months.
The scholarship for those in sciences and petroleum-related fields the President continued, including Petroleum Law or Petroleum Economic would be funded by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund while the Education Tax Fund would fund the rest.
In an apparent reference to the removal of fuel subsidy, he said he was persuaded to implement the policy because he did not want to leave huge debts for our children and subsidise rich men with 10 to 15 cars while the poor people who were supposed to be the beneficiaries of the subsidy.
Earlier in his address, the initiator of the Scheme and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon said the scheme should not be scrapped as its relevance in ensuring and preserving the unity of Nigeria was still very relevant in the scheme of things.
He referred to the role played by corps members during the April 2011 elections where they were used as ad hoc staff though some lost their lives in the process for which he commiserated with their families over the post election violence.
The Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Nnamdi Okore-Affia, explained that the 52 awardees were selected from 235 nominees from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after. Thorough screening by a committee, added that six out of the lot were adjudged the overall best.
They are Chinaeke Ejike (Enugu), Dr. Ofodile Emeka (Abia), Dr. Onuigbo Ernest (Abia), Nwanosike Chinasa (Abia), Ezeoba Adaobi (Anambra) and Babajide Akinrinde (Oyo).
Culled from thejuristlaws..com

President Goodluck Jonathan Monday warned that he would no longer tolerate destabilisation plots against the country by those who fan the embers of discord that threaten the corporate existence of the country.
The President, who said his administration would use all lawful means to check them, however, appealed to Nigerians, especially youths, to shun every act of violence as they would only serve as distraction that would worsen current security challenges which negatively impact on the development of the country.
Jonathan spoke at the 2011 President's National Youths Service Corps Honours award ceremony at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he offered automatic employment.
He also gave scholarships to 52 former corps members for their meritorious service in their places of primary assignment.
“It is in this light, and in relation to recent happenings in parts of the country, that I warn that any and all acts which fan the embers of discord and threaten the corporate existence of our nation will be vigorously checked by all lawful means.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I would like to seize this opportunity to appeal to all Nigerians, especially our dear youths, to shun any tendencies that only serve to distract us from the onerous task of facing up squarely to the security and development challenges which confront us at this time.
“From inception, our administration has demonstrated absolute commitment to the promotion of democratic ideals and unwavering respect for the rule of law. By the same token, we expect that all stakeholder groups would operate within the ambit of the law at all times. Rights and privileges come with concomitant responsibilities,” he said.

He assured Nigerians of his commitment to ensuring their welfare was protected at all times and appealed to them not to be swayed by politicians who he said were troubling the country for their selfish gains, pointing out that whereas the uniform of corps members used to elicit unity, people now use it to commit crime while those on national assignment formed targets of attacks which he said was condemnable.
“Who are those creating these problems? They are not ordinary men and women in our villages. They are politicians. It is politicians who are exploiting the situation negatively. We are even making our youths to hit themselves in the name of politics. We will all change,” he said.
Jonathan while announcing the award to corps members drawn from 2009 Batch 'C'/2010 Batches 'A' and 'B' service years were to use the scholarships for Masters and Doctorate degrees in any school in the world, adding that he decided to add scholarship to employment as some of the recipients may want to work while processing their admissions.
While charging them to work hard and utilise the two-year scholarships within its pendency period, he charged the Minister of Youths Development, Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi, Education, Raqqayattu Rufa'i and Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke to coordinate the exercise as well as ensure they got their employment letters from the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation within two months.
The scholarship for those in sciences and petroleum-related fields the President continued, including Petroleum Law or Petroleum Economic would be funded by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund while the Education Tax Fund would fund the rest.
In an apparent reference to the removal of fuel subsidy, he said he was persuaded to implement the policy because he did not want to leave huge debts for our children and subsidise rich men with 10 to 15 cars while the poor people who were supposed to be the beneficiaries of the subsidy.
Earlier in his address, the initiator of the Scheme and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon said the scheme should not be scrapped as its relevance in ensuring and preserving the unity of Nigeria was still very relevant in the scheme of things.
He referred to the role played by corps members during the April 2011 elections where they were used as ad hoc staff though some lost their lives in the process for which he commiserated with their families over the post election violence.
The Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Nnamdi Okore-Affia, explained that the 52 awardees were selected from 235 nominees from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after. Thorough screening by a committee, added that six out of the lot were adjudged the overall best.
They are Chinaeke Ejike (Enugu), Dr. Ofodile Emeka (Abia), Dr. Onuigbo Ernest (Abia), Nwanosike Chinasa (Abia), Ezeoba Adaobi (Anambra) and Babajide Akinrinde (Oyo).
Culled from thejuristlaws..com

More road construction is going on in many provinces,local governments/cities in Abia state.the governor of abia state,T.A. Orji,has ensured that more roads are constructed and the old ones reconstructed to enable indigenous people and non indigenous people in Abia state enjoy good roads while plying to various destinations and to their various places of work endeavors. see facts @ http://www.abiastate.gov.ng/category/projects/roads/

on january 16th,Protesters gathered and staged a peaceful protest in the capital city of umuahia against the killing of Igbos in the northern part of the country. The governor in his address to the protesters assured all Igbos that their lives and properties will be safeguarded and protected as the government has earmarked necessary means to end the killing. He also reiterated the need to live in peaceful co-existence and love among Abians and non-Abians. At the end of his address,Prayers were made for the souls of those that died during the killing. culled from juristlaws..com

You are here: Home / Business / Business & Economy / Nigeria lost N300bn to strike – Okonjo-Iweala
Nigeria lost N300bn to strike – Okonjo-Iweala
January 17, 2012 by Ifeanyi Onuba 58 Comments

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said that based on Gross Domestic Product estimate, the week-long strike ordered by the organised labour to protest the removal of petrol subsidy cost the country about N300bn.

The minister gave the figure on a television programme monitored by our correspondent on Monday in Abuja.

She noted that the amount was not more than that because the economy was not totally shut down as a result of the strike.

The six-day industrial action was suspended on Monday six hours after President Goodluck Jonathan reduced the pump price of petrol from N141 per litre to N97.

Explaining the implication of the action, the minister said that if the economy was totally shut down, the country would have lost about N500bn for the period the strike lasted.

Okonjo-Iweala explained that while the protests paralysed economic activities in some states, those in the South-East region were bubbling with economic activities.

She said, “I think we can determine the amount lost when the GDP is considered and that would amount to about N500bn. But don’t forget that the economy was not totally shut because we still had some people who went about their normal businesses. So, it will not be right to say that because there were protests in some few cities like Lagos and Abuja, then the whole economy was totally shut down.

“I am sure you are aware that economic activities were not paralysed in the South-East states and some other areas, and if you put that into consideration, then we can say that the economy lost about N300bn to the strike action.”

The Central Bank Governor, Mr. Lamido Sanusi, had said last week that the country was losing N100bn daily to the strike.

The minister commended the organised labour for suspending the strike, adding that the move would ensure the revival of economic activities in the country.

She also said that the Federal Government would continue to pay subsidy on petrol but at a reduced cost to the country.

According to her, instead of the initial N76 per litre, which government was paying as subsidy, it would now have to contend with N44 per litre.

The N44, according to her, is the difference between the reduced price of N97 and the market price of N141 per litre.culled from http://www.punchng.com/business/business-economy/nigeria-lost-n300bn-to-strike-okonjo-iweala/