₦airaland Forum

Kobojunkie:
@Poster,is the tax meant to curb cost of property or push it even higher? Not sure how 15 percent tax makes things any better for citizens. Even businesses are bound to transfer that cost to buyers.

The man is just making things hard for people under his so-called tax drive.

Why did Andy Uba and others stayed away?

Make me governor please.

Why dont you people do not me to be Governor.

Governor Obi

Drama as Soludo, Ngige walk out on Obi during debate
By Emmanuel Obe, Awka, Published: Tuesday, 22 Dec 2009




Two governorship aspirants in Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the Peoples Democratic Party and Dr. Chris Ngige of the Action Congress, on Monday walked out on the state Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, during a debate organised for them.

The debate, which held in the state capital, Awka, ahead of the February 6, 2010 governorship election in the state, was meant for candidates to present their manifestoes to the people of the state.

The debate was organised by the Anambra State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association and held at the Emmaus House, Awka.

The four candidates present were the governor, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance; Ngige; Soludo; and the candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, Dr. Mike Ejezie.

The debate was nearly marred by a low turnout of candidates and the ego displayed by the contenders present. Only four out of the 25 candidates honoured the invitation.

Obi was the first to arrive the venue of the debate but left after he found out that other candidates were yet to come. He came a second time and left again because it was only Ngige and Soludo that had sat on the podium.

When Obi did not return early, the organisers threw the debate open to Soludo, Ngige and Ejezie. The three then spoke for five minutes each.

It was while Soludo was rounding off his address that Obi came in with a crowd of supporters, who held up proceedings for more than 10 minutes, praising him.

After Soludo rounded off his speech, Ngige took over, and then moved out of the hall just as Obi was going to be called upon to speak.

Ngige, whose exit created a commotion, was apparently not ready to listen to Obi because he felt that the governor did not grant him the same courtesy.

Shortly after, Soludo got up, shook hands with some members of the audience and left the stage, with his supporters in tow.

The hall was almost left empty before Obi’s supporters surged forward to fill the seats on the front row.

To make matters worse, public power supply was cut off just as Obi took the microphone.

Obi, however, explained that he had come in late because protocol demanded that he should be the last person to speak, being the governor.

The speakers were very jovial and lively as they made light-hearted references to one another. One of such was when Soludo said he would adopt informal policing to fight insecurity in the state.

He said though he would not disclose the details of the plan, Ngige would know a little of it because he (Ngige) and Soludo’s father were at different times victims of kidnappers.

In his presentation, Soludo said that if elected as governor, he would raise the economy of the state to become the largest in the country.

He said that he would have to do this through an ambitious power supply programme.

He said the surest way to fight insecurity was to provide jobs. He said he would provide between 300,000 and 500,000 jobs within his first term in office.

He said the Igbo had no business being in a party that was not in the mainstream of politics and advised them to join a national party.

He appealed to Ngige to return to the PDP because “hooligans and rogues that dominated the party in Anambra State had been chased out and sentenced to hard labour.”

He said he would deploy the same skills that he used as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in fixing the problems of Anambra State.

In his address, Ejezie said that by exploiting the mercantile nature of the people of the state, he would use the Onitsha Main Market to engineer Anambra’s economy.

He said he would do so by building many shopping malls.

Ngige, on his part, said the much talked about development in the state would not take place unless basic things like roads, infrastructure and security were put in place.

He disagreed with Soludo that Igbo people should move to the PDP, describing the party he co-founded as a “dying party.”

He said the best state governments in Nigeria today were not controlled by the PDP.

Obi lamented the state of affairs in Anambra when he assumed office in 2006. He said the state lacked improtant facilities such as a government house; governor’s lodge; as well as base maps for the three major cities.

He also said there was no master plan and that the state was in arrears in paying salaries and pensions.

He said he had to delve into developing all sectors simultaneously because the United Nations defined development beyond merely focusing on one area.

Dr. Andy Uba of the Labour Party; Mrs. Uche Ekwunife of the Progressive Peoples Alliance; Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the Hope Democratic Party; and Chief Okey Nwosu of the African Democratic Congres were some other top contenders that were absent from the debate.



http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2009122214543748

selingel:
DAAR Communications sues Fed. Govt., NBC over licence withdrawal plan
By Kamarudeen Ogundele Published Today News Unrated


DAAR Communications Plc, owners of Ray Power 100.5 FM radio station and Afica Independent Television (AIT), has sued the Federal Government over plans to withdraw its network operation licence.

In the suit filed at a Federal High Court, Abuja, the plaintiff says if government carries out the threat of shutting down its stations, its workers will be forced to the streets for jobs.

This, it notes, will also deprive Nigerians of their constitutional rights to receive and get ideas through its media while its investors will be deprived of their means of livelihood.

The network licence allows the organisation to maintain multiple terrestrial stations in the country and it uses this in transmitting its radio and television programmes on the network across the country.

The Federal Government granted DAAR Plc the licence more than 14 years ago.

In the originating summons filed last Friday by the law chambers of Chief Mike Ozekhome, the group wants the court to issue an order setting aside a purported bid for fresh network licence held by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) between September 6 and December 12, 2009.

According to the plaintiff, the purported bid was flawed, overreaching, wrongful, oppressive, unconscionable, and null and void.

It, therefore, wants the court to compel NBC to issue it a fresh network licence for radio and television broadcast upon payment of the appropriate fees if the court holds that it does not, at the moment, possess a valid network service.

Defendants in the suit are the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Attorney General of the Federation and NBC.

NBC was sued because it is the Federal Government parastatal with the statutory responsibility of regulating and controlling the broadcasting industry in the country, while the Ministry of Information and Communications was sued because it has the statutory power of supervising and overseeing the activities of the NBC.

The Attorney-General of the Federation was joined in the suit on behalf of the Federal Government, being the Chief Law Officer of the Federation.

The plaintiff poses five fundamental/statutory questions for the court to determine. These are:

* A declaration that regarding the facts and the entire circumstances of the case, the plaintiff is entitled to be granted a fresh network licence for radio and television broadcast upon payment of the appropriate fees.

•From 1995 till date, the Federal Government had allowed the DAAR Communications Plc to enjoy the services of network broadcasting on both radio and television across Nigeria. That was after exchanges of correspondence between the plaintiff and the defendants on the request for and the grant of network licence by both parties.

•In September this year, the NBC asked for fresh bid for broadcast networks in the country. The commission said only one network each would be allowed for radio and television in addition to those of NTA and FRCN.

•The said release containing the directive was however silent on the existing network already being enjoyed by DAAR Communications through its radio and television. No date has been fixed for hearing.

I am ashamed of Dora Akunyili, through the NBC. The main reason for collection of this licence, is what is highlighted above. Dora should just resign. She is a failure in that Ministry. I do not blame her anyway. I blame Madam Yar'adua for denying her Ministry of Health, just because she wants to give it to one of her former aides (the current Minister). Perhaps, she would have done better there. I wonder what syringe has to do networking?.

DAAR Communications sues Fed. Govt., NBC over licence withdrawal plan
By Kamarudeen Ogundele Published Today News Unrated


DAAR Communications Plc, owners of Ray Power 100.5 FM radio station and Afica Independent Television (AIT), has sued the Federal Government over plans to withdraw its network operation licence.

In the suit filed at a Federal High Court, Abuja, the plaintiff says if government carries out the threat of shutting down its stations, its workers will be forced to the streets for jobs.

This, it notes, will also deprive Nigerians of their constitutional rights to receive and get ideas through its media while its investors will be deprived of their means of livelihood.

The network licence allows the organisation to maintain multiple terrestrial stations in the country and it uses this in transmitting its radio and television programmes on the network across the country.

The Federal Government granted DAAR Plc the licence more than 14 years ago.

In the originating summons filed last Friday by the law chambers of Chief Mike Ozekhome, the group wants the court to issue an order setting aside a purported bid for fresh network licence held by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) between September 6 and December 12, 2009.

According to the plaintiff, the purported bid was flawed, overreaching, wrongful, oppressive, unconscionable, and null and void.

It, therefore, wants the court to compel NBC to issue it a fresh network licence for radio and television broadcast upon payment of the appropriate fees if the court holds that it does not, at the moment, possess a valid network service.

Defendants in the suit are the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Attorney General of the Federation and NBC.

NBC was sued because it is the Federal Government parastatal with the statutory responsibility of regulating and controlling the broadcasting industry in the country, while the Ministry of Information and Communications was sued because it has the statutory power of supervising and overseeing the activities of the NBC.

The Attorney-General of the Federation was joined in the suit on behalf of the Federal Government, being the Chief Law Officer of the Federation.

The plaintiff poses five fundamental/statutory questions for the court to determine. These are:

* A declaration that regarding the facts and the entire circumstances of the case, the plaintiff is entitled to be granted a fresh network licence for radio and television broadcast upon payment of the appropriate fees.

•From 1995 till date, the Federal Government had allowed the DAAR Communications Plc to enjoy the services of network broadcasting on both radio and television across Nigeria. That was after exchanges of correspondence between the plaintiff and the defendants on the request for and the grant of network licence by both parties.

•In September this year, the NBC asked for fresh bid for broadcast networks in the country. The commission said only one network each would be allowed for radio and television in addition to those of NTA and FRCN.

•The said release containing the directive was however silent on the existing network already being enjoyed by DAAR Communications through its radio and television. No date has been fixed for hearing.

selingel:
2010: Soludo ’s victory, boost to my candidature —Ekwunife
National NewsDec 21, 2009


AWKA—Following the euphoria that attended the return of Professor Charles Soludo to the Anambra governorship race, the only female contender to the Government House Awka, Iyom Uche Ekwunife of Progressive Party Alliance (PPA) has said that the Supreme Court respite for Soludo is affirmatively positive to her candidature.

According to her, “it will enable me win a wholesome and unblemished democratic mandate.”
Responding to concerns expressed by her supporters at a rally in Njikoka, Anambra State, Mrs. Ekwunife said that the message of change she personify in her campaign, “accommodates lawful desire of every Anambrarian to equally so aspire, including Professor Soludo, because that way, my eventual and assured victory will be spared the distraction of face saving complaints for exclusion.”

“I honestly welcome Professor Soludo back. I urge him and other aspirants to disengage from the routine of tirades and invectives, but apply their talents to canvassing real issues using the tool of persuasion and conviction.
“I have worked hard to sell my programmes to the people and will continue to work even harder, so that at the end of the day, our victory will be certain and unimpaired.”
Being humourous to the development, she said, “I possibly might need his restless intellect actually in my government.”


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/12/21/2010-soludo-s-victory-boost-to-my-candidature-%E2%80%94ekwunife/

I see a contractor under Soludo's tenure, instead of fellow contender.

selingel:
2010: Soludo ’s victory, boost to my candidature —Ekwunife
National NewsDec 21, 2009


AWKA—Following the euphoria that attended the return of Professor Charles Soludo to the Anambra governorship race, the only female contender to the Government House Awka, Iyom Uche Ekwunife of Progressive Party Alliance (PPA) has said that the Supreme Court respite for Soludo is affirmatively positive to her candidature.

I smell do-or-die election for Soludo here.

2010: Soludo ’s victory, boost to my candidature —Ekwunife
National NewsDec 21, 2009


AWKA—Following the euphoria that attended the return of Professor Charles Soludo to the Anambra governorship race, the only female contender to the Government House Awka, Iyom Uche Ekwunife of Progressive Party Alliance (PPA) has said that the Supreme Court respite for Soludo is affirmatively positive to her candidature.

According to her, “it will enable me win a wholesome and unblemished democratic mandate.”
Responding to concerns expressed by her supporters at a rally in Njikoka, Anambra State, Mrs. Ekwunife said that the message of change she personify in her campaign, “accommodates lawful desire of every Anambrarian to equally so aspire, including Professor Soludo, because that way, my eventual and assured victory will be spared the distraction of face saving complaints for exclusion.”

“I honestly welcome Professor Soludo back. I urge him and other aspirants to disengage from the routine of tirades and invectives, but apply their talents to canvassing real issues using the tool of persuasion and conviction.
“I have worked hard to sell my programmes to the people and will continue to work even harder, so that at the end of the day, our victory will be certain and unimpaired.”
Being humourous to the development, she said, “I possibly might need his restless intellect actually in my government.”


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/12/21/2010-soludo-s-victory-boost-to-my-candidature-%E2%80%94ekwunife/

Enjoyment1:
Can any kind hearted government do this to any of her citizen or resident under the guise of tax drive? This is share wickedness.

I really will like to advise Fasola to soft-pedal. He is taking it too far!.

GOD will see us through, next year.

Hmm!. Wishing all posters here Season's Greetings!.

Where is the sense in buying a land for N1.6billion, and now being asked to pay N428m as development levy, even after paying N16million for land approval. It is obviously outrageous. These levies are becoming too much. I have not mentioned double-taxation being experienced in Lagos. I hope Fasola knows what he is doing. I am beginning to rethink on his policies.

Very soon, Nigeria will ban Okada riding, Shekinah!.

Akwa Ibom Assembly probes okada operators
From JOE EFFIONG, Uyo
Saturday, December 19, 2009


Hard times await commercial motorcyclists in Akwa Ibom State as the state House of Assembly has commenced investigation into their activities.

Saturday Sun learnt that the investigation is a prelude to getting rid of the ubiquitous transporters, known in the local parlance as alalok or akauke, whose existence, in recent times, has been a source of controversies and confusion even among top government officials.

At its sitting on Thursday, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly directed its Committee on Works and Transport to investigate the activities of the cyclists with the intention of regulating their activities and, if necessary, ban them in Uyo and its environs.

The Speaker, Obong Ignatius Edet, gave the directive while announcing the outcome of the executive session between the House members and the state Commissioner of Police in his office.
The House also summoned the state police commissioner, Mr. Walter Rugbere, to brief members on the security situation in the state, particularly on police investigation into the killing of Barr. Umo Udonwa, a former member of the House.

The speaker explained that the activities of the motorcyclists had to be investigated following persistent reports that perpetrators of violent crimes in Uyo were operating on motorcycles.
He also directed the Works and Transport Committee to inspect the police station at the Shelter Afrique Housing Estate and see what could be done to make the station fully functional.
In the same breath, Edet directed the House Committee on Information to put in place machinery to encourage the people of the state to co-operate with the police by giving information on criminals.
The speaker said that during the meeting the Police Commissioner gave assurance on improved security.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2009/dec/19/national-19-12-2009-00-008.htm

This is nothing but total acceptance of power failure in the nation. A whole N1billion Generator!.

Lagos Airport To Get N1bn Generator

Kunle Oderemi, Lagos - 19.12.2009


A NEW lease of life awaits passengers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos as the Federal Government is set to boost power supply to the airport.
The government has awarded a contract for the procurement of a new generator valued at about N1 billion for the airport. The Minister of Aviation, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba, said recently in Lagos that the existing generator at the airport could no longer cope with the energy demand of the airport.
According to him, the generator was procured more than 30 years ago for the airport, which is the busiest in the country. He decried the poor condition of some facilities at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, blaming the occasional outages at the airport on the old generator.
He said a significant proportion of the resources of his ministry, parastatals and agencies under him was committed to the provision of modern equipment in 2009, while the focus for the incoming year would be the provision of infrastructure.
He said there was a remarkable improvement in the aviation industry now in terms of safety, as his ministry spent 70 per cent of its budget in 2009 in providing necessary equipment.


http://www.tribune.com.ng/19122009/news/news5.html

The reason I blame Ribadu is simple; the delay he allowed while in power is what caused all the lapses, which are now being used against him, and the current EFCC's case. I keep saying it, had he prosecuted immediately, when he got the initial evidence, all these judicial acrobatic would have been history. Now, what do you expect the Supreme Court to do? Go check Soludo vs 17 others at the Supreme Court, then you will know the result of the case even before it gets there. It is not all about worshipping one man who is a coward, but analysing issues for the benefit of all. Where one does not have good argument, do not insult the other, but bow out. I am ready for the maggots above, fools!.

snowdrops:
Dont mind the I-D-I-O-T-S.
They will probably blame him for climate also change

Nigeria no longer surprises me. It is confirmed a failed state no matter what the apologists say.

As for you, I hope you have not missed any dosage, because it might come back, I mean madness. I learnt it runs in your lineage, mumu!.

linuxuser:
Are you sure your head does not need an examination? If do not think so, your comment betrays your level of intelligence.
I am sure Ribadu is also resposnsible for the absence of our sickly President. Dont you think so?

I never knew you had been discharged from Yaba, but I hope you never go near any market, so that it does not get worse, else imbecility will join. I hope you are recovering well slowpoke!.

snowdrops:
Airlines only trying to beat the meltdown.
Some here in europe are considering charging people to use the loo.
So if piss/poo catch you for air and you no get money, well

diggler:
Honestly like some posters said earlier, i dont see what the biggie is.

Aero for me still remains the best run airline in the land.
Besides when the snacks were free (on economy that is) i've had reason to turn them down.

Sometimes these flights last for barely 30 mins.

On one occasion the Cabin Crew were like a quarter of the way into serving the dry cookies when the pilot begin mis yan all those pre-landing yans.

Yes, you may be right to an extent, but that does not make Aero the best airline in Nigeria currently.

I hope the promo is real.

When I blamed Ribadu, his worshippers nearly crucify me. I keep my mouth shut!.

Abeg, lets leave tribal crime and face the reality. Thanks.

citizenY:
@Mr. PhuckNL

There are no two ways about it. The moment you collect my money, there is nothing free about
anything you give me in that airplane. Lets face FACTS.

Say it to them. What works out there, may never work here. Now they are announcing N6,000 fare to any destination from January. Lets wait and see.

sandee575:
Why shouldnt I worry about how things are going on?.

Because if you worry, people must get laid off from time to time.
If you dont worry they will still get laid off from time to time.
So, you tell me WHY WORRY

What a wise saying.

Fhemmmy:
Now u feeling me, i think capital punishment is what is needed.
Caught, you are killed.

There is nothing as bad as stealing people's money, worst of all, poor people.

Vickivicki:
I've enjoyed every bit of this thread. Kudos to you guys.

My guy, we are just trying to educate people and make things right. Every thread should be very entertaining, and most especially, educating.