₦airaland Forum

. Gambari, Agwai, Akinyemi, others suggest way out

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has sounded the alarm bells over the security challenges in the country saying Nigeria is going through a period of trial amidst growing tension and resentment. “There is anger in the land and the voices of reason are drowning very rapidly,” he noted at the opening of 2-day roundtable put together by Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development. ADVERTISEMENT Present at the roundtable which took place in Minna, the Niger State capital yesterday, were retired generals including two former Chiefs of Defense Staff, General Alani Akirinade and General Martin Luther Agwai.

Others are General Ishola Williams, Major General IBM Haruna, Brigadier General Haliru Akilu and Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia. Also at the event were former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi; former Nigeria’s Permanent Representatives to the United Nations Professor Ibrahim Gambari; Professor Auwalu Yadudu and Professor Ango Abdullahi, Ambassador Yahaya Kwande, former Military Governor of Rivers State and the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass in Bayelsa State, Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff and Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Farouq Bahago.

“This roundtable is the centre’s contribution to the search for solutions to some of the problems we are currently experiencing as a nation, particularly issues and matters around co-existence and security,” the former Head of State said in his opening remarks. Abdulsalami said the situation in Nigeria today requires that elders who the nation puts so much value on and leaders must stop it from total collapse. “We are all here as Nigerians who share responsibility for the state of our nation.

Therefore, if any forum can help in accurate identification of the problems and solution for a united and peaceful Nigeria, let us be counted as one of such fora,” he said. He said the participants are carefully selected, adding that everyone invited is eminently qualified and represents interests and perspectives of the nature of the issues as well as the solutions needed to resolve same. He said the roundtable is the centre’s contribution to the search for solutions to issues and matters around coexistence and security.

He also informed that the outcome of the meeting would be made available to the federal and state governments as well as other institutions for consideration and action, even as he said that the roundtable was neither a mini national conference nor a forum to review the country’s constitution. Learn from India, Pakistan -Prof Gambari In an interview with journalists on the sideline of the roundtable, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, who was chairman of the occasion, said there was need for the review of the approach in the fight against insecurity. According to him, there can hardly be a military solution to the conflict in the magnitude Nigeria is currently experiencing.

He advocated dialogue approach to solve the problem. “Dialogue should not be seen as soft measures but a tough option. Peace building has to be hand-in-hand with conflict resolution,” he said. “There can be no genuine military solution to conflicts except dialogue. We have to realise the vision of our founding fathers which is a prosperous and peaceful Nigeria,” he said.

He also urged those advocating for the balkanisation of the country to learn from the India and Pakistan experience. He warned that disintegration would not in solve the country’s problems. The former Chief of Defense Staff, General Agwai also said, from his experience in the peace keeping operations in Sierra Leone and Darfur, military only created the enabling environment for dialogue to take place.

“I have seen from both sides and I can tell you that the military cannot solely solve the problem especially that it is political. What we did in Sierra Leone was to bring everybody to the table before disarmament could take place,” he said. On his part, Professor Akinyemi said the solutions to the current logjam could be found in the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference report, and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take a holistic look at the document.

Daily Trust reports that Niger State Governor Abubakar Bello, who was the special guest, was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Matane. Bello said the challenges confronting Nigeria require the collective efforts of citizens to be addressed, even as he commended the Abdulsalami centre for organising the roundtable to come up with useful suggestions to the government. Daily Trust also reports that one group earlier billed to attend the roundtable opted out in the last minute.

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) said it won’t attend the meeting on the grounds that Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, which it described as a trade organisation, was invited. Other groups invited to the roundtable included the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/state-of-the-nation-voices-of-reason-drowning-rapidly-abdulsalami-warns.html

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the February 23, 2019 poll, Atiku Abubakar, has said Nigeria must address electoral lapses that cause rigging of election in the country, “especially those lapses that led to the alleged rigging of the 2019 general elections.” Atiku, a former Vice President in a statement on Monday by his Media Office, said one way of addressing the lapses was to implement the salient recommendations of the National Electoral Reform Committee (NERC) headed by former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais.

He said the second was the creation of Electoral Crimes Commission. The former Vice President said one of such recommendations, which would enhance the independence of the supposedly Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was the recommendation that the power to appoint the chairman and board of the INEC be taken away from the President and given to the Judiciary.

He said Nigeria today faces a lot of challenges, chief of which are security and economic challenges, adding that to effectively tackle these, a government must have an honest and indisputable mandate. “Obviously, the 2019 elections were several steps down from the 2015 elections in terms of credibility, and as a democrat, I am challenging that election in the right arena, the courts. “However, leadership does not just entail getting justice for the past. A real leader knows that in terms of justice, prevention is better than cure.

“I have been pondering on the question, how can Nigeria have credible elections? Our electoral system needs not just to be brought up to date, by the acceptance of the amendments to the Electoral Act passed by the eight National Assembly, we also need to be up to tomorrow, by taking steps today to ensure that the lapses that made it possible for the 2019 elections to be manipulated or rigged are addressed. “Of all three arms of government, the Judiciary is the least affected by elections, meaning that it has the highest objectivity in matters relating to the INEC. “It is therefore in the best position of the three arms to appoint a chairman and board members for the electoral body that are impartial, competent and patriotic.

“This recommendation may seem like a small change, but my experience in life has taught me never to underestimate the big difference small changes can make. “Where you have an administration whose mandate is considered tainted, such a government will lack sufficient moral authority to tackle the myriad of problems this great nation currently faces.

“I conclude by saying that I do not believe in blaming. Leadership must be solution-oriented, not blame-focused. This is why I proffer this patriotic advice. Nigeria must be great again and all hands must be on deck to achieve that,” Atiku said.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/how-to-address-election-rigging-in-nigeria-atiku.html

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The presidential candidate of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP), Ambrose Owuru has claimed he defeated President Muhammadu Buhari with 50 million votes in a presidential referendum. A National Working Committee member of the HDP, Yusuf Ibrahim while testifying at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, stated that the referendum took place on February 16 despite the postponement of the election by the Independent National Election Commission (INEC).

Led in evidence by counsel to HDP, Eze Nnanyelugo on Monday, Ibrahim submitted that the postponement of the election to February 23, without fulfilling conditions precedent was illegal, unconstitutional and a nullity.

Ibrahim tendered documents such as: Citizens Observers Referendum Election Rights Protection of Nigeria, Final List of Presidential Candidate and copies of major newspapers. The newspapers tendered are: Daily Trust newspapers of February 15, 2019 to buttress his claim on the referendum

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/presidential-tribunal-i-defeated-buhari-with-50m-votes.html

The end political career...

The Igala people, who are residents in Kaduna under the aegis of Ukomu Igala Organization, have rejected the endorsement of Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, by the Attah of Igala for second term in office. The group said, as a voice of Igala people, they will never support or endorse a governor that cannot pay salary of workers for 28 months, thus subjecting the people to suffering and poverty.

An elder statesman i‎n Igalaland, Engineer Samuel Salifu, disclosed this at the inauguration of new executives for the Ukomu Igala Oganization, Kaduna State chapter. He explained that the Ukomu Igala will only endorse a governor that identifies with the aspirations and values of their collective will and not somebody that has no practical projects ‎to show the world.

He said: “The Ukomu Igala therefore, rejects in its entirety, the present situation where the governor of Kogi State would hoodwink our traditional rulers to go and endorse him before the Nigerian President. We are equally grateful for the President’s response. How do you expect Igala people to endorse a governor who styles himself as the white lion? “Who goes about boasting that the average Igala man’s wife can be purchased for as little as N6,000 or a governor who brutally and senselessly boast that no Igala man can contest the governorship with him. A governor who cannot fix the streets of Lokoja, the state capital?”

He added that the Igala people will not endorse the governor for a second term even‎ if 10,000 thugs would be monetized. Engineer Salifu said the Ukomu were looking for a man or woman who respects and understands the collective value of Kogites, whose antecedents are known to Kogites, whose star is in the hearts of the young and old alike that will move the state towards a greater height.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/%e2%80%8eigala-group-rejects-yahaya-bellos-endorsement-for-2nd-term.html

Oshio baba is a problem to APC now

A six-man armed gang has reportedly abducted four Turkish expatriates at a local drinking joint in Gbale village, Edu Local Government area of Kwara State. The incidence, according to sources, occurred at about 10pm on Saturday while the men were having fun at the local joint in Gbale village.

The abducted men were later identified as Yasin Colak (33), Senerapal (40), Ergun Yurdakul (35) and Seyit Keklik (25). The victims are said to be expatriates working with Istanbul concrete limited, in Gbale.

Confirming the abduction on Sunday, Police spokesman in the state, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ag. CP Kayode Egbetokun, had dispatched a police team under Operation Puff Adder to the area to commence immediate rescue of the expatriates alive and arrest the hoodlums.

He added that the efforts of the police was beginning to yield positive results but did not confirm if any arrest had been made so far.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/just-in-four-turkish-expatriates-abducted-in-kwara.html

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has identified the intruder who ran towards the Azman Air aircraft that was holding for takeoff on Friday. The Managing Director of the Authority, Captain Hamisu Yadudu made the disclosure, according to a statement from FAAN, while addressing a press conference at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano. He identified the man as Usman Adamu from Niger Republic.

Yadudu assured travellers and airport users that new measures were already being put in place to enhance security at the nation’s airports. He said the runway incursion was a security breach which responsibility the authority had accepted. The MD noted that the suspect had been handed over to the Nigerian Police Force for further interrogation.

Stating that the Authority took full responsibility for the breach, Capt Yadudu noted that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Transport and former Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika had awarded contracts for perimeter fences at the airports, including detection devices and CCTV cameras with infrared capacity for night operations. He added that plans were also underway to erect observation towers this year, so as to enable proper monitor and coverage of the airport.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/security-breach-faan-identifies-intruder-as-usman-adamu-from-niger-republic.html

The Managing Director of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema has said Nigeria does not require the support of any foreign airline to set up a national carrier. Onyema also described as insulting the move by another carrier to help Nigeria in setting up a national carrier, saying the Federal Government must have trust and confidence in the ability of the Nigerian airlines. But the Chairman of the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) observed that in as much as Nigeria deserves to have a new national carrier, it must forge partnership with reputable foreign airlines.

They spoke at the 23rd conference on “Boosting Aviation Investments through policy” organized by the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondent (LAAC) in Lagos. Onyema said it was de-marketing to say Nigerian airlines are not strong, adding, “In less than four years, I have acquired about 27 planes flying and I have about 30 planes on order that is hitting the country in the next eight months.” According to him, many equipment manufacturers have indicated interest to do business with Air Peace. “National carriers in Africa are coming to Air Peace. Some visited yesterday seeking our assistance. If we are not strong, they wouldn’t come to us. And we have agreed to assist some in a win-win situation.” Fadugba said the planned launch of the new national carrier with minority Government shareholding, if it is done transparently and skillfully, would boost the economy of the country.

He added, “To succeed, the proposed new national airline needs a sound business plan, strategic industry partners, adequate funding, an experienced management team, well-trained staff, a fleet of modern aircraft, a comprehensive route network, on-time performance and good customer service.” According to him, good governance and “no government involvement in the management of the airline will be essential.” He attributed the success of government-owned Ethiopian Airlines to its solid foundation in the 1940s with the assistance of US carrier TWA, coupled with good corporate governance and the hard-work of its management and staff.

Managing Director of Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole said the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways, was killed by politization, over-bearing governmental intervention and policy inconsistency.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/stakeholders-differ-on-proposed-national-carrier.html

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday assured Nigerians that the country would overcome its insecurity challenges in no distant future. Jonathan gave the assurance at a public presentation of a book on ‘Not by Might, Nor by Power” and the launch of the Nicholas Okoh Foundation in honour of the Primate of all Nigeria Anglican Communion in Abuja.

He said that insecurity had been in the country for a while now but collectively “we must resolve the insecurity issues’’. He said that every challenge the country faced would be subdued because talks were ongoing, leaders were talking both political and traditional leaders had been talking.

onathan however urged those at leadership positions at all levels to show reasonable level of discipline and be humane at all times. He described the Anglican Primate as a man of truth, humility and discipline, and urged all Christians to emulate him. Most Rev. .Nicholas Okoh, Primate of Anglican Communion said the appropriate authorities with the constitutional responsibility should overhaul the security architecture of the country. ”We must speak the truth at all times because the truth will heal and build us because any other thing will destroy us.

”We will continue to call on the government to do what they need to do. ”I have been looking and assessing situations and proffering solutions, so I decided that it should be published.’’ Okoh said the purpose of the book was mainly for Christians because he was not satisfied with today’s Christianity in Nigeria. ”There is a yellowing down in our profession from what we say and what we do and it is discrediting us very badly. ”We want our children and followers to know that we have not arrived yet, it is not enough to clap hand and dance or sing throughout the night, we must back it up with moral integrity.

”Young pastors should not be in a hurry, although I have observed that many are in a hurry, as a true man of God, you must speak only what God asks you to speak, you must speak and stand for the truth at all times,” he said. According to Okoh, the book will be an inspiration to fellow Anglicans and Christians at large. He said that it would equally be a reference material for preachers of the Gospel. On the Nicholas Okoh Foundation, an NGO, he said it was aimed at promoting good leadership, foster responsive and ethical governance.

”The NGO will promote youth empowerment programmes, skills acquisition schemes and vocational trainings. ”It will also promote poverty alleviation scheme through seminars, trainings and similar fora. Create a platform for importation of life skills, mentorship programmes and leadership apprenticeship. ”It also aims at sponsoring missionaries and promote missionary work in rural communities and undertake any other humanitarian work that the foundation may from time to time deem necessary.

”It will also create food bank for orphanages, old people’s homes, internally displaced persons camps and other victims of emergencies, distress, natural disasters and so on,” he said. Okoh stressed that the foundation would be a complete package to serve God and humanity. (NAN)

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/jonathan-says-security-challenges-in-nigeria-will-be-resolved.html

Two soldiers have allegedly been killed and an expatriate kidnapped by unidentified gunmen at a construction site in Ukanafun Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. The incident was said to have happened on Tuesday afternoon when the expatriate engineer working with Al Madal Construction Company was inspecting ongoing construction work in Ikot Ibritam, Inen Ekeffe and Odoro Ikot to Ukanafun road project awarded by the state government.

A witness, Mr. Friday Idiok said the two soldiers were killed while escorting the expatriate on a routine inspection of the road project along Idim Okpok mini bridge in Inen Ekeffe, a village between Oruk Anam and Ukanafun local government areas.

Idiok said the gunmen whisked the expatriate engineer away after killing the two soldiers, causing residents to run away for fear of arrest by security operatives. The Clan Head of Inen, Obong Johnson Johnny Obosi, said the community was burying one of their sons, late Udoimoh, when they heard gunshots, causing the residents to run away. Obong Obosi, who said the nationality of the kidnapped expatriate was unknown, stated that soldiers from Ibagwa barracks arrived in their ambulance and carried the corpses of the dead soldiers to the mortuary.

Another resident of the area, Mr Enobong Etuk, said the incident was a fallout of the collapsed amnesty the government granted militants from Ukanafun, noting that government failed to keep their own part of the bargain with the hoodlums. He said, “We wonder why this incident should happen. The project had continued smoothly in Oruk Anam axis but when it got to Ukanafun, killings and kidnapping set in. Government must look inward to fish out perpetrators of this crime.” Confirming the incident, spokesman of the police in Akwa Ibom State, Odiko Macdon, said “We have received information about the unfortunate dastardly incident at the road project in Ikot Ibritam, Inen Ekeffe leading to Ukanafun. We are working with our sister agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute those involved.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/gunmen-kill-two-soldiers-kidnap-expatriate-in-akwa-ibom.html

The theatre commander of Operations Lafiya Dole, the military’s unit fighting the insurgency war, Major-Gen. Benson Akinroluyo, yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State, inaugurated a court-martial to try 21 soldiers for various offences. He said the offences committed were administrative and operational in nature.

The general court-martial is headed by Brig.-Gen Abdulahi Ibrahim at Maimalanri Cantonment in Maiduguri. Akinroluyo urged the president of court-martial to ensure fairness, equity and justice in discharging the duty.“Military is an institution known for maintenance of discipline and decorum in a way of doing things.

This informs my decision to convey this general court martial under my command by the power conferred on me as a commander under section 131 sub-section 2 (d) of the Army Forces act cap (a) 20 laws of federation Nigeria 2004. “I know there are 21 accused persons that are to go for this trial, the details are best known to the prosecution and defence counsels.

The offenses are either operational or administrative in matters and the details are known to them; it is aimed to enhance discipline within the theatre. It is a court, so, I don’t influence it as soon as I inaugurate it, I explore them to work in equity, fairness and justice. “This court doesn’t have any special interests to serve rather than the routine duty within the realm of regimentations.

Nobody has anything to fear as the court will carry out its proceeding in accordance with detailed extant rules and regulations,”Akinroluyo said.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/army-inaugurates-court-martial-to-prosecute-21-soldiers.html

The Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Niger Delta of the Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Tunde Adeleye, yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign. He alleged that the president had failed and had not been able to galvanise good support from the larger majority of Nigerians for his government.

“If I meet the president today, I will tell him in plain language that he has failed and must resign. This is because his advisers and aides have deceived him. So many things have gone wrong in this country in recent times. There is louder outcry,” he said. According to him, Nigeria could explode soon unless the president adheres to popular advice and yearnings. The cleric said the unity of the country must be renegotiated and that restructuring was the best bet.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/resign-now-cleric-tells-buhari.html

Every great corporation we see today started as a business idea. It must have started as a small business and developed into a large-scale business over time and effort. Having this in mind, success of these small businesses should be taken very seriously in order to have a virile and sustainable economic growth in any nation like ours.For example in Africa, Nigeria has about 35% return on investment, which is the highest in the world today, with this, there is room for small businesses to thrive and survive beyond 5 years of establishment. The government has also seen the importance of small business success that they came up with the idea that banks and financial institutions should set aside a certain percentage of their profit after tax (about 10%)to serve as loans and grants to entrepreneurs even without collateral or interests.i also know that this obtains in other economies of the world where small scale business owners are given every support needed to thrive.

7 secrets entrepreneurs need to know and do to have a successful small business are:

Set goals and be focused

Setting of goals is very important because it is the foundation upon which the business is built. Goals give your business direction and focus; goals can be set for a short term, medium term or on long term bases.They should be specific and time based e.g. a plan to make a profit of $5000 in September 2019, it must be a plan you can achieve, and can also be measured at any point in time. Goals must be written out clearly as a business plan and followed accordingly.

Be an effective leader

A good and effective leadership is needed to run the business even when the business has one or two employees.The leader should see opportunities, organize and coordinate how to achieve the set goals. He should also:

* Communicate effectively with his employees

* Provide best tools to achieve set tasks

* Provide motivation in one-way or the other

* Create an environment where employees grow and develop themselves

Manage your time effectively

Good time management makes the difference between success and failure in business. Management of time is making significant decisions and carrying out important tasks that will boost the business, time should be set aside for planning and delegation of tasks to achieve success with a specific time.

Manage the growth of your business

It is the wish of every small business to grow, it has also been established that poor management of growth is the number one cause of failure of small business,
most small business do not have adequate plans for growth and expansion before hand, the key to positive and sustainable growth is transitional management, where experienced and skilled employees are exposed to the secrets and wisdom of the business in order to take up managerial position.

Give good service and quality product

Small business should be able to provide good customer service that is centered on customer satisfaction.The product should meet the customers' need; this can be achieved by knowing the customers' values, belief, culture and income. Customers should be treated in such a way that he or she will always come to buy from you.

Attract and keep good employees

Employees should be given opportunity to contribute reasonably in the business;
they are actually the ones that person the task and should therefore know the business well.There should be a programme to train them at all time. Entrepreneurs should be careful when employing new employees into the business.

Network with others

Networking in business is a form of marketing, which involves word-of-mouth/mouse advertising, done by the entrepreneur and not the customers.

This involves making use of every opportunity to create awareness of your product and services amongst the people you meet.


Advantages of networking are;

* It does not cost anything to talk to someone about your business

* It helps in quick understanding of your customers' problem and how to solve it, since you meet them face-to-face.

* It is a targeted kind of marketing

* You could meet other business owners in other industries, which may open up new opportunities you never envisaged.

* You can get qualitative advice to solve a problem.

In conclusion, entrepreneurs who have small businesses should know where to get relevant and up to date information about the business they are into, that way success is sure!

For more information about SMALL SCALE BUSINESSES visit https://wonderland001..com/

The Kaduna State Governorship Petitions Tribunal on Thursday stopped a forensic expert summoned by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from testifying before it due to the expiration of the 14-day timeline given to it, to present witnesses. The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Ibrahim Bako, ruled that the witness had lost the right to testify since the 14 days given to the petitioners had lapsed. The witness was called by the petitioners to give expert evidence against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the documents used during the March 9 Governorship poll in the state.

The expert brought by the PDP and its governorship candidate, Alhaji Isah Ashiru had faced objections by counsel to INEC, Gov. Nasir el-Rufai and the All Progressives Congress (APC).The counsel in their separate arguments told the tribunal that they were only served with the witness’ statement shortly before the session began. They said they needed time to read the statement to prepare for cross examination and applied that the witness be halted from testifying. Their objection was, however, rejected by counsel to PDP, Dr Paul Ananaba, who said that he had informed the court of plans to subpoena forensic experts.

Justice Bako, however, held that the witness lost the right to give his testimony because the petitioners failed to present the statement within the stipulated time frame. Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN) Counsel to Gov. El-Rufai told newsmen that the tribunal gave 14 days to the petitioners to present their witnesses.

“They told the court that they were going to subpoena a lot of witnesses; they didn’t do that until this morning when the court was sitting when they served us with a witness statement. “We objected to it and told the court that in the spirit of fair hearing, that was overreaching, because we were supposed to have two days to study the witness’ statement and prepare for cross examination. “And the court agree with us that they were not diligent in prosecuting their case and the court overruled the witness from testifying, “Mustapha said.


He added:”We are ready to open our defense. “The starting point is that the petitioners told the court that it had 655 witnesses to present within the 14 days given to them by the court, but they were only able to call 135 witnesses and they have closed their case to call witnesses. “And as respondents we have subjected their witnesses to serious cross examination to test the veracity of their testimonies.

“What I can tell you is that respondents would present evidence both oral and documentary to show that the election was won by Malam Nasir El-Rufai,“he said. The counsel to the petitioners, Elisha Kurah, (SAN) told journalists that the decision of the tribunal to stop their witness from testifying would be challenged at the Court of Appeal. “So far we called 135 witnesses and the witnesses covered most of the areas where malpractices took place. “The forensic expert came and the court said they would not take him.

“We still believe that it was not a decision that was rightly taken. We are going to appeal the decision of the tribunal,“ Kurah said. The Justice Bako-led Tribunal had adjourned sitting to July 15 to take witnesses from El-Rufai, APC and INEC who are 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents in the petition respectively.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/el-rufai-pdp-heads-to-appeal-court-as-tribunal-declines-forensic-expert-testimony.html

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) provided about $3.6 billion foreign exchange (FX) to oil marketers to import petroleum products into the country contrary to claims by the marketers that they had no access to FX for imports. The Chief Operating Officer, Downstream of the NNPC, Mr. Henry Ikem-Obih, said this yesterday at a panel session at the Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition in Abuja.

He said the claims by the marketers that their inability to import petroleum product was due to problems related to access to foreign exchange was not true. Although he did not mention the period the FX interventions were made, Obih said, “The truth is that the forex intervention scheme which was rolled out by CBN and co-managed by the NNPC has been extremely successful.”

“Since that scheme was set up, we have received applications from marketers for $7.2 billion worth of FX. In terms of actual disbursement, about 50 percent of the applications got funding. But the truth is that the FX that came through that scheme, especially for PMS, got potential funding for the majority of the applicants and FX was available to the marketers,” he said.

He said, however, that applications that came in for AGO (diesel), HHK (kerosene), ATK (aviation fuel) also got forex at 305 to a dollar. Daily Trust reports that private oil marketers were said to have stopped fuel importation in 2017 due to a shortage of foreign exchange and increase in crude prices, which they said had made it unprofitable to import petrol and sell same at N145 per litre.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/oil-marketers-get-3-6bn-to-import-fuel-nnpc.html

Members of the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, yesterday, met President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, demanding for his intervention to resolve the feud between Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Governor Godwin Obaseki. Led by Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, the traditional rulers also requested two ministerial slots from the president in his next cabinet. ADVERTISEMENT Daily Trust reports that the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar defeated Buhari in the February presidential elections in Edo State.

Atiku polled 275,691 while Buhari got 267,842 votes. The feud between the APC national chairman and Obaseki had ballooned in recent weeks. The monarchs said: “Mr President, we as traditional rulers in Edo State are concerned about the crisis between Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the All Progressives Congress National Chairman and his Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, and Edo State House of Assembly.

“If this crisis is not resolved now with immediate effect, it may jeopardize the progress of the state. “On behalf of the good people of Edo State, we kindly appeal to Mr. President to use your good offices to intervene and stop this crisis,” the monarchs said. They said they decided to intervene on the matter in the interest of the state. “Personally, even though I do not like to interfere in inter-party or intra-party matters, and always maintain that the Benin Crown is non-partisan, it is, however, difficult to turn a blind eye because if this crisis is not brought under control, it is likely to jeopardize the welfare of the masses,” the oba said.

He said with the support of members of the council, he would broker peace between the warring parties by inviting Obaseki and Oshiomhole to a meeting. In requesting for two ministerial slots, the monarch urged the president to consider the state in view of the fact that it was the only APC state in the South South.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/edo-monarchs-to-buhari-intervene-in-oshiomhole-obaseki-feud.html

Boeing is giving $100m (N36bn) to help families affected by the two crashes of the company’s 737 Max planes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. The payment, stretching over several years, is independent of lawsuits filed in the wake of the disasters, which killed 346 people.

The loss of Ethiopian Airlines’ flight ET302 in March was the second fatal accident involving a 737 Max in the space of five months. A near identical aircraft, owned by the Indonesian carrier Lion Air, went down in the sea off Jakarta in October 2018. Two Nigerians – Ambassador Abiodun Bashua and Professor Pius Adesanmi – died in the second crash.

The money will support education and living expenses for families and community programmes, Boeing said. Lawyers for victims’ families dismissed the move.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/boeing-gives-n36bn-to-help-737-max-crash-families.html

Ethiopian Airlines yesterday clarified the seizure of foreign currencies by the Ethiopian Customs and Revenue Authority personnel at Addis Ababa International Airport. The airline, in a statement ,said areport that it was seizing foreign currencies in excess of $3000 from all passengers was incorrect.

The General Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria, Firihiewot Mekonnen, said any passenger transiting Addis Ababa without leaving the airport is free to board his/her next flight carrying whatever amount of foreign currencies from the previous flight.

The statement said: “However, if passengers enter Ethiopia carrying money in excess of $3000 (three thousand US Dollars), they are required to declare the money they carry to ECRA personnel as they exit the airport and take declaration form for smooth check-in for their next flight.

“While this procedure is not unique to Ethiopia and is practiced by many countries, we inform our passengers by making repeated announcements on all flights and the Customs authority also displays the procedures on notice boards at Addis Ababa International Airport. “In fact, travelling to Ethiopian has been made easier, more convenient and simple with Visa on arrival and electronic visa”.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ethiopian-airlines-clarifies-alleged-seizure-of-3000-from-passengers.html

Former Minister of Finance Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said educating students in computer science, data science and artificial intelligence will propel Africa forward. Dr Okonjo-Iweala, who is the Chair, Board of Governing Council of African University of Science and Technology (AUST) stated this at the varsity’s 8th graduation ceremony in Abuja yesterday.

“Right now six out of the 10 fastest growing economy in the world are from Africa, countries like Ethiopia, Rwanda, Ghana, Cote d’ivoire, Senegal they are all doing very well, hopefully Nigeria and south Africa will soon join them because they are the two largest economy on the continent,” she said. While noting that AUST is a centre of excellence and an incubator, she said they have to support them with the right policies.

“If we train people to be analytical they will be able to adapt and develop the right skill and jobs,” she added. She urged the graduands to do the university proud and change the narrative about Nigerians outside. The varsity graduated 93 students, with 82 graduating from the Master’s degree programmes, 7 from the Doctoral and the other four students were awarded with the university’s post graduate diploma.

Speaking, the Acting President of the varsity Prof Charles Ejike Chidume urged the graduands to take every advantage to reap the benefits that come with their hard work that enabled them to obtain one of the finest educations available in Africa continent. The commencement speaker, Founder, The African Leadership Academy SA and Senior Partner Mckinsy and company Dr Leke urged the graduands to use the skills acquired in the course of their studies to the benefit of Africans.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/okonjo-iweala-data-science-artificial-intelligence-will-propel-economy.html

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has said that the National Assembly would soon begin a review of the Public Procurement Act to bring it in tandem with current realities. Lawan said the Public Procurement Act, as it is, frustrated the processes of contract awards and execution which, he said, should not be allowed to continue.

Speaking during a visit by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, the Senate President said the National Assembly would do its best to address all the loopholes in the Procurement Act.‎ He lamented that the cost of executing projects in Nigeria was usually one of the highest in the world, saying the situation must change in the face of scarce resources. “The Public Procurement (Act) in Nigeria as far as I can see is not the best in the world.

The Public Procurement must be reviewed and amended. We must see how we can make it more practical and holistic within the shortest possible time. “From the stage of bidding to mobilization, the costing of any government contracts must be uniform in order to avoid imbalances and embarrassment in the processes.

“A situation where about 20 agencies of government buy the same brand of vehicles at grossly different prices is not good. Market prices must be determined and adhered strictly to in ensuring that Nigerians are not short-changed through abuse of processes or over-invoicing.

“Even the 15% mobilisation fee specified in the Act by realities on ground is more of demobilising contractors than mobilising them with attendant loopholes for fraudulent practices,” he said. He said the yet-to-be constituted Public Procurement Committee of the 9th Senate would be very strong so that members of the panel would do the needful when the time came.

SGF Mustapha had earlier expressed hope that the 9th National Assembly started on a vibrant mood, calling on the lawmakers to work for the interest of the country at all times. He said members of the National Assembly should continue to ensure a good working relationship with other arms of government for Nigerians to get the best of the current administration.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/well-soon-review-procurement-act-lawan.html

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and shareholders of the electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) have agreed to formalise the increase in the Federal Government’s representation on the Boards of the Discos. At a meeting of the shareholders of the Discos summoned by the BPE, held on June 26, 2019, all the parties agreed that the process would be concluded and implemented on or before July 15, 2019.

The Head Public Communications Unit of the BPE Amina Tukur Othman said in a statement yesterday that part of the requirements for the reform and privatisation in the Nigerian power sector was the entrenchment of a Corporate Governance structure, which provided for the Core Investor to have 6 (six) “A” Directors and the Bureau 1(one) “B” Director. According to the statement, this was done to minimize the representation of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) on the Boards and to grant the Core Investors sufficient control of the management and operations of the Discos.

“In view of the need to strengthen Corporate Governance of the companies, the FGN decided to increase its representation on the Boards by 2 (B Directors) given its 40% shareholding. The objective is to ensure transparency in their operations as well as improve their performance,” Othman said.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/fg-representation-on-discos-board-to-rise-before-july-15.html

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has raised its monthly revenue collection for electricity supply to consumers from N2 billion when it took over in 2013 to N6bn so far. The Managing Director, CEC Africa, the core investor in the Distribution Company (DisCo), Engr. Emmanuel Katepa who disclosed this in an interview at the weekend also said a just concluded enumeration exercise shows the customer base has risen to 1.1 million from 650,000 customers at takeover. ADVERTISEMENT Despite the liquidity challenges in the power sector and the poor payment of energy bills by Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Katepa said: “AEDC has been able to improve its collection from the customers.

It improved to N6bn since February. We hit that in December 2018 but had a dip in January but we have maintained it since then. That is far above the N2bn we were collecting when we took over.” Katepa also spoke about the Integrated Communication and Market System (InCMS) which it launched this year to harmonise customer database for better service delivery.

“We are doing this so that customers can have confidence to expose people in the field who exploit them in the name of AEDC” He disclosed that AEDC would soon commence massive audit of homes and customer energy load to what size of transformers and other investments to make in its network across Kogi, Abuja, Nasarawa and Niger states. Allaying fears on not metering the 1.1m customers, he said the Meter Assets Provider (MAP) contract that began in May targets 900,000 customers while AEDC has its obligation to meter the others.

On how it reduced the Aggregate Technical Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses from 60% to 38% in 2019, Katepa said: “It is due to the collection efficiency that is improving and the more customers we have been able to capture.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/aedc-raises-collection-to-n6bn-captures-1-1m-customers.html

The Presidency yesterday said the idea of Ruga settlement was conceived to address the clashes between farmers and herders in the country. A presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu last night said 12 states have so far indicated interest in the programme. “The presidency wishes to draw attention to recent unhelpful comments regarding the plan to stop roaming of cattle herders with the attendant clashes with farmers.

“Ruga Settlement that seeks to settle migrant pastoral families simply means rural settlement in which animal farmers, not just cattle herders, will be settled in an organized place with provision of necessary and adequate basic amenities such as schools, hospitals, road networks, vet clinics, markets and manufacturing entities that will process and add value to meats and animal products,” he said. He said beneficiaries will include all persons in animal husbandry, not only Fulani herders. He further said that the Federal Government was planning the programme to curb open grazing of animals that continue to pose security threats to farmers and herders.

“The overall benefit to the nation includes a drastic reduction in conflicts between herders and farmers, a boost in animal protection complete with a value chain that will increase the quality and hygiene of livestock in terms of beef and milk production, increased quality of feeding and access to animal care and private sector participation in commercial pasture production by way of investments. “Other gains are job creation, access to credit facilities, security for pastoral families and curtailment of cattle rustling.

“Stripped of the politics and howling that has attended the recent comments, there is no government plan to seize state land, colonize territory or impose Ruga on any part of the federation. Government has made it clear time and again that the programme is voluntary. “So far, twelve states have applied to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, making lands available for the take-off of the scheme in their states.

This number is sufficient for the pilot scheme,” he said. He however said “ unfortunately, some state governments that have not signified interest in the scheme and, therefore, are not on the invitation list have been misleading people that the Federal Government is embarking on a scheme to take away their lands. “Mostly, these are state leaders that have no explanation to offer their people for continued non-payment of workers’ salaries.

It is true that government at the centre has gazetted lands in all states of the federation but because the idea is not to force this programme on anyone, the government has limited the take-off to the dozen states with valid requests.” He urged states to join the Federal Government at the centre in encouraging all sides to these conflicts to make efforts towards finding a peaceful resolution. “As we seek a permanent solution to these unwanted conflicts, efforts must be made to ensure that no innocent person faces any kind of deprivation or loss of right and freedom under our laws,” he said.

Our deal with herders, by S/East govs The South East Governors Forum yesterday said the only deal it had with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) was that when the Federal Government revamped grazing reserve in the north, all the cattle rearers in the south would take their cattle there and rely on the grasses grown in the south. The chairman of the forum and governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, in a statement by his spokesman, Emmanuel Uzor, said there was no plan for a Ruga settlement in any part of the southeast and south-south. According to him, southeast is purely agrarian with limited landmass for farming and therefore cannot accommodate Ruga. Umahi said members of MACBAN and the South East would achieve symbiotic trade of cow and grass. The statement read:

“Umahi was the Chairman of National Economic Council sub-technical committee on farmers and herdsmen clash and he toured the states of Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Zamfara and two other states where he made in one of his recommendations to the federal government for revamping of grazing reserve in the south where all the cattle rearers in the south will take their cattle to and rely on the grasses that are grown in the south

“The way it works is that the herdsmen will bring down their cows to the southeast and sell us as meat while they will load the grasses which are grown here in the same trailer with which they transported their cows to feed their cattle in those grazing reserve which should be made comfortable for them. “By this herdsmen are expected to embrace anti open grazing by returning to the ranches in the North and do their business on the trade by barter basis of selling cows to the South and buying grass to feed their cows in the North”, he said. He further called for tolerance among youths of various ethnic nationalities to solve the problem of hate speech essentially among Igbo youths.

Umahi, who reminded MACBAN members of their recent accord entered with south east governors, asked them to use the existing grazing reserves in the north. Southern, middle belt leaders oppose move The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum yesterday said after reviewing all the arguments about the Ruga settlements, it concluded that the plan was “repugnant, repulsive and provocative”. It alleged that the Ruga settlement initiative was a subtle attempt to “colonize the rest of Nigeria under the guise of promoting cattle rearing”.

The forum said this in a joint statement by Yinka Odumakin (southwest), Chigozie Ogbu (southeast), Bassey Henshaw (south-south) and Isuwa Dogo (middle belt). It said cattle-rearing is a “private business” that should not have the involvement of government, arguing that a “government interested in the unity of the country should not dabble into such business which tends to promote one ethnic group over another.” It also alleged that in the last four years, herdsmen had turned non-Fulani communities into killing fields “with the government turning a blind eye to all their crimes”. The forum challenged the government to name any court where the herdsmen were being tried. It said:

“We therefore reject any attempt to establish any Fulani colony within our space in Southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt. We warn all our Governors not to succumb to any pressure to cede an inch of our land for this awful project as any governor who does so would be seen as an enemy of the people he governs. “Our people will defend their land against colonization under the conquest policy the Federal Government is mindlessly pushing.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/why-fg-is-establishing-ruga-settlements-presidency.html

General Officer Commanding GOC,8 Division, Major General Hakeem Otiki, says the army has embraced technology and will soon introduce drones to tackle banditry in the northwest. The GOC, who was speaking on efforts to stamp out banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling in the northwest, said urban telecommunication was being considered to take charge of all communications within the field.

He said: “We will soon say bye-bye to lack of communication as a result of network and associated problems. “We have remained focussed in our pattern of operation, we remain focused in denying them freedom of action in the theatre, we remain focused in neutralizing them, we remain focused in annihilating them.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/banditry-army-to-introduce-drones-in-n-west.html

The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal has dismissed applications by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeking to dismiss the petition by the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) challenging the February 23 presidential election. Both Buhari and INEC had contended that the petition by PDM and its presidential candidate, Aminchi Habu, did not apply for the issuance of pre-hearing notice within seven days after proof of pleading, which rendered it incompetent and liable to be struck out.

But the five-member panel of justices presided by Justice Mohammed Garba held that records of the tribunal showed that the PDM’s pre-hearing application was filed on April 30, while the proof of pleadings by the respondents was on April 29. The judge said the date was in accordance with Paragraph 18(1) of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act, and declared Buhari and INEC’s objections as lacking in merit.

“The motion to deem the petition as being abandoned due to the failure of the petitioners to file the application for issuance of pre-hearing notice is, with respect, devoid of merit and is hereby dismissed,” Justice Garba ruled. PDM and Habu, through their lawyer, Aliyu Lemu Esq., brought the petition challenging their exclusion from participating in the February 23 presidential election brought under Section 138 of the Electoral Act, which held that the election be nullified where “a candidate was validly nominated but unlawfully excluded.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/tribunal-dismisses-buhari-inecs-application-to-strike-out-pdms-petition.html