PDP NEC Ratifies Zoning of Chairmanship Seat to N'East *Party woos aggrieved members

PDP NEC Ratifies Zoning of Chairmanship Seat to N'East

*Party woos aggrieved members

After weeks of controversy and intriguing battle for the soul of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting last Wednesday finally affirmed the zoning of the chairmanship position to the North-east.

But the atmosphere at the poorly attended NEC meeting painted a picture that all may not be well with the opposition party after all.

Most of those who spoke at the opening of the NEC meeting were all calling for truce including for those who may have disagreed with the decisions reached at the NEC meeting to still remain in the party.

Speaking to journalists on the outcome of the meeting, the National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, said the NEC has approved the report of the zoning and convention committees.

Regarding the highly contested chairmanship position, Sheriff said the seat has been zoned to the North-east by the NEC without any dissenting voice.

"The NEC meeting has adopted the report of the zoning committee 100 percent without any dissenting voice. It approved the zoning of the post of the national chairman to the North-east," he said.

Sheriff disclosed that the party's NEC would meet again on May 11 to approve proposals for constitutional amendments ahead of the national convention.

According to the report of the zoning committee, the South-west is to retain the position of the national secretary while the national organising secretary and youth leader are to be produced by South-east. Similarly, the committee zoned the deputy national chairman (South) back to the South-south.

When asked whether he will contest for the chairmanship position in the next convention, Sheriff said: "The issue is a personal decision for me to make, and when I make up my mind on it, I will let you know."

Earlier, Sheriff had expressed satisfaction over the recent outing of the party during a rally in Jigawa State, describing it as a sign of great things to come.

"We are telling all Nigerians that what happened in Jigwa State is just the beginning, and we are going to organise similar rallies in all the states of the federation," he said.

While addressing the NEC meeting, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwerenmadu, urged party members not to dwell on their differences but to resolve it amicably and be ready to move ahead as one family.

According to him, “As we our national convention approaches, it is expected that there will be disagreements. The important thing is that when we have these disagreements, we will quickly resolve them and move ahead, and that is the resilience PDP is known for.

"So I like to appeal to our party members that if there are areas where we have differences, we must find a way of resolving them in the best interest of our party.

 “PDP is the only party in Nigeria that belongs to everybody and to nobody. So that is important for us as we will all keep faith with this party that belongs to all of us.

"The time is now for us to make sacrifices and show compromise so that the party will remain strong. It is also a time for us to show alternative for what is going on in the country presently so that Nigerians can trust us again with governance in 2019. This responsibility belongs to all of us."

Speaking in a similar vein, the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustee (BoT), Senator Walid Jibril, urged members of the party who may be aggrieved at the decisions of the party not to leave the party. 

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Among key leaders of the party who attended the NEC meeting were governors of Enugu, Delta, Gombe, Akwa Ibom States, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio; former governors, state party chairmen and other stakeholders.

4G LTE Rollout: Abuja Residents Scramble for Ntel 100, 000 List

 4G LTE Rollout: Abuja Residents Scramble for Ntel 100, 000 List

With few days to the end of its promo sale on its new 4G LTE roll out, Abuja residents today turned out in their hundreds to make Ntel first 100,000 subscribers base by buying the operator's SIM card.

it was gathered that subscribers who make the first 100,000 list will enjoy free outgoing calls only on its network as long as their SIM last. While potential subscribers were asked to register online to make the 100,000 list.

 It was learnt today that potential subscribers have besieged Ntel two outlets in the city to buy a SIM cards which presently has three attractive bundles for its customers.

Potential subscribers who spoke to journalists  attributed the rush to buy Ntel SIM card on the persistent low and poor quality of telecommunications services by major players in the sector; so they have decided to shift their patronage to the new entrant into the market.

Speaking on the roll out, the company’s Spokesperson, Mr. Toni Khan, who acknowledge the rush while speaking on phone, said the company is presently selling its SIM cards at two points in Abuja.

He said: "Ntel presently have two points of SIM cards sale. Abuja residents are buying and registering every day. At one outlet, people are complaining that the crowd is much. Every hour, our centres are registering about 300 subscribers."

“If you pick your SIM card from April 19 to May 1, you will get our free data bundle, and people are enjoying it. Our roll out is 4G different from 3G. This technology will give subscribers access to the fastest internet service ever imagined.”

Khan added that: "We are doing 4G LTE which is a completely new technology. Right now, we had attained 60 percent in Abuja main town as many people are enjoying free internet till May 1."

One of Ntel’s staff who craved for anonymity said the 4G telephony technology is the desired place to be, adding that drop calls will be at its barest minimum with the use of the technology with no noise interference feature.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Spokesman, Mr. Tony Ojobo, could not respond to enquiries on the roll out, however, sent a text message that he was in a meeting.

On the affordability of the mobile phone for the technology which subscribers are complaining about, an NCC staff who spoke while requesting not to be named, acknowledged that 4G LTE is expensive in the market.

He said NCC has no say on the roll out modalities of operators, adding that Ntel may have resorted to deploy their services using the 4G LTE because of its uniqueness though elitist in nature.

FG Partners World Bank to Develop Fresh Policy Guidelines for Land Transportation

FG Partners World Bank to Develop Fresh Policy Guidelines for Land Transportation

The federal government, through the ministry of transportation, today began a process to partner the World Bank for the development of a comprehensive policy guidelines for land transportation in the country.

Mrs. Yetunde Sonaike on behalf of the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, said government was ready to work with the bank to develop a fresh policy guideline for the road sector.

The statement said Amaechi expressed delight at the proposal from the bank, adding that government, through the ministry, is ready to work harmoniously and partner the World Bank team on the development of a comprehensive policy guideline that would promote and galvanize land transportation in the country.

“I will be glad if you can work with us and develop a comprehensive land transportation policy,” he said.

According to the statement, the minister said lack of relevant and appropriate policy guidelines for necessary administrative management of the sector has been the reason the ministry has not been able to take full charge of land transportation.

He, however, regretted that the gap created has hampered the efforts of the ministry at revamping the sector.

On the development and revamping of the rail sector, he made assurance that the lines being constructed would be linked to the country’s ports as it is done in other countries.

The minister explained that the government had earmarked huge sum of money to be given as compensation for demolished structures along the rail lines.

On completion, Amaechi said the problem associated with the movement of goods by road would have been solved, adding that: “When completed, the whole country would have been linked by rail which will address the challenges associated with the movement of goods and services.”

Nigerian Navy Declares Pirate, Charles Ekpemefumor, Wanted for Hijacking Ship

Nigerian Navy Declares Pirate, Charles Ekpemefumor, Wanted for Hijacking Ship

The Nigerian Navy has declared wanted an alleged pirate, Charles Ekpemefumor, for allegedly hijacking a vessel, Mt. Maximus, with 18 crew members in February this year.

The Director of Information on the navy, Commodore Christian Ezekobe, in a statement today, said investigation by the navy linked to Ekpemefumor who is also recognised as Charles Parker or Captain Charles Agaba

"It was earlier reported that a vessel, Mt. Maximus, with 18 crew members carrying 4,368.203MT of petroleum product was hijacked on February 11, 2016, by a group of suspected pirates off Cote d’Ivoire waters, consequently, the Nigerian navy was deployed for rescue operation.

"The vessel was eventually rescued on February 19, 2016, within Sao Tome waters 320 nautical miles (nm) off the Nigerian coast. During the rescue operation, six pirates were arrested, while one of them was killed. Some items were recovered from them including weapons and mobile phones," Ezekobe stated.

However, he said, in the course of investigations, it was revealed that on February 17, 2016, at about 10p.m., while the vessel was still hijacked, a GSM phone number +2348170000979 called Inmarsat Satellite phone number +8821644414815 onboard Mt Maximus.

"On further analysis, it was discovered that the GSM phone number belongs to one Mr. Charles Ekpemefumor a k a Charles Parker or Captain Charles Agaba. It was also revealed by the arrested pirates that Charles Parker is the mastermind of the hijack of the vessel," he said.

According to the director of information, the suspect was alleged to be responsible for the leasing of mother ship MT DEJIKUN from one Mr. Mustapha Kenny Gani through a third party, Mr. Steve Paul, used for the hijack.

In view of his involvement in the pirate attack and hijacking of Mt Maximus, he said, a letter of invitation was sent to him on April 15, 2016, to enable him come for questioning on the allegation.

Ezekobe said several attempts have been made to ensure his compliance but all efforts proved abortive.

"Accordingly, Ekpemefumor is hereby declared wanted by the naval headquarters in order to unravel the circumstances of the hijacked vessel.

"Therefore, any person who have him in sight should report immediately to any naval formation, military or security agencies for prompt action," Ezekobe noted.

Customs Officer Blinds Airport Staff with Teargas at MMIA

Customs Officer Blinds Airport Staff with Teargas at MMIA

 

 

For preventing him from using exit gate to access the cargo terminal, an official of Nigerian Customs Service seconded the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, sprayed teargas directly and at close range into the eyes of a staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) thereby blinding him.

 

Not able to see anymore and in so much excruciating pain, the FAAN personnel was rushed to the Air Force Hospital from the agencies clinic to alleviate his pains and possibly salvage his eyes, which remained permanently closed and swollen.

 

It was learnt that trouble started this morning when the Customs staff simply identified as H. Daboh who was in mufti and without On-duty Card (ODC) attempted to access the Monument Gate that leads to the Cargo and Hajj Terminal through the exit gate, instead of the entrance gate, thereby leading to gridlock on the road as other vehicles were coming out from the opposite direction.

 

The teargas victim, Mr. Taiwo Adeyanju, along with his colleagues wanted to stop Daboh from accessing the terminal through the exit and possibly to direct him to the right entrance but instead of listening to him, the Customs personnel allegedly attacked with teargas, spraying it severally in the eyes by the for daring to stop him from entering the exit gate.

 

Eyewitness account stated that it took the intervention of some workers at the complex and the personnel of the Nigeria Police attached to the airport before Adeyanju could be successfully rescued from Daboh who also assaulted him physically and rained several blows on his face and other parts of his body.

 

It was learnt that Daboh realised the magnitude of his offence, he attempted to run away and drove directly to the office of the Customs at the airport, but he was given a hot chase by some workers at who succeeded in stopping him.

 

Daboh was later arrested and taken to the police station at the airport where his senior officers intervened and ensured his release.

 

Adeyanju was immediately rushed to the FAAN’s clinic at the airport where he was referred to the Air Force Hospital for better treatment as a result of the massive beating he received and teargas he received from Daboh.

 

In an interview with newsmen, Adeyanju insisted that the intention of the Customs officer was to blind him totally if not for the intervention of others at the venue of the incident.

 

At the Air Force hospital, it was learnt that Adeyanju’s car, a Volkswagen Gulf with the registration number Lagos: EPE 136 BK was partly damaged by the officer.

 

“The Customs officer was in mufti when the incident happened this morning (yesterday). I was driving out of the Hajj and Cargo Terminal through the exit point when I saw a vehicle driving in through the exit point. I actually challenged him, but I was still inside the car and all of a sudden, the man I later gathered was a Customs officer came out and rained blows on me.

 

“As I making attempt to come out of the car, he held me by the neck and brought out a teargas and sprayed it directly into my eyes. It took the intervention of passers-by before I could be rescued from his grip. Later, he attempted to run away, but he was chased by some of my colleagues right into the Customs complex,” he said.

 

Lawmakers, CSO Storm MTN's Office, Protest against Tax Avoidance by Multinationals

Lawmakers, CSO Storm MTN's Office, Protest against Tax Avoidance by Multinationals

Members of the National Assembly and Action Aid Nigeria today besieged MTN's office in Abuja during a protest march against multinationals in the country said to be in the habit of avoiding taxes.

Addressing journalists at unity fountain in Abuja, the takeoff point of the protest, Senator Binta Garuba said across the world, campaigners of education are focusing on the theme of ‘Education Financing’ and advocating for better funding to guarantee quality education for all.

She added: "We in Nigeria cannot fold our arms when we all know that we, more than any other nation, have major challenges surrounding funding for education in our country."

According to her, "In 2015, UNESCO figures showed that 10.5 million Nigerian children were out of school. Yet, we are giving away $2.9 billion annually by way of tax waivers, despite evidence that they are not necessary to attract investors. For today, even for tomorrow, the unacceptability large number of out-of-school children in Nigeria portends great danger to all of us."

Garuba added that: “What do we really mean if Nigeria is said to be one of the fastest growing economies in the world if we fail to educate our children? In which economy do we want uneducated children to partake in? And how do we sustain an economy with a population we have failed to educate?" she queried.

The lawmaker emphasised that the issue of adequate funding for quality education for Nigerian children must receive urgent attention from the government, adding that there was need to fund the children's education through a tax system that is not hampered by restrictive tax treaties or unfair incentives and waivers.

"Along with the Action Aid, we call on the federal government during this global week for education 2016 to stop granting harmful corporate tax incentives; stop excessively restrictive tax treaties; put in place relevant mechanism to curb tax avoidance practices of multinationals and large corporations,  and spend  increased tax revenue on financing education, especially for girls," Garuba noted.

While at the MTN headquarters, the lawmaker said Nigeria needs the multinationals to pay taxes so that the same tax could be used to enhance quality education for the youths in the primary, secondary to the tertiary institutions.

Also lending his voice, a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Tertiary Education,  Hon. Oduneye Olusegun, said: "This is not a call on MTN alone, it is for all corporate organisations in Nigeria that we need your taxes, not just taxes, but adequate ones to develop our education system, to develop our health sector and provide employment opportunities for Nigerians so that the issue of security will be a thing of the past so that we can live in peace in Nigeria."

Herdsmen Crises: Okorocha Begs Buhari to Intervene ​

Herdsmen Crises: Okorocha Begs Buhari to Intervene  ​

Governor of Imo State, Chief Rochas Okorocha, today urged President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene as a matter of urgency in the frequent killings in the South-east region by suspected Fulani herdsmen to forestall future occurrence, describing the recent killings in Enugu State as barbaric and unfortunate.

Okorocha spoke while addressing traditional rulers in the state to take absolute control of security in their various autonomous communities and to also ensure peaceful co-existence between their people and others living in their midst, adding that what the country needs at the moment is absolute peace.

The governor, however, appealed for calm on the part of both the Enugu people in particular and the South-east in general, expressing optimism that President Buhari would address the ‘unfortunate’ development.

Okorocha, while addressing the traditional rulers, condemned the attack in Enugu State, saying the news of the barbaric attack on the people of the state came as a big shock.

He sympathised with the families who lost their beloved ones and appealed for peace in the region, promising that the government within the region is on top of the matter.

The governor added that the nation cannot afford the wanton killings of innocent people, stressing that absolute peace was needed to ensure the protection of lives and property.

“This is an important meeting.  I want to kindly request all of you to take responsibility of security in your domains to ensure peaceful co-existence between Igbos and other Nigerians living in your areas.

Quit, if you cannot Lead, Nigerian Activists Tell President Buhari

Quit, if you cannot Lead, Nigerian Activists Tell President Buhari

 …Plan to storm Aso Rock

A groups of human rights activists in Nigeria have urged President

Muhamamdu Buhari to step aside from office if he cannot put a stop to the incessant Fulani herdsmen ‘mindless’ killings of innocent citizens of the country. 

The activists also indicated that they have concluded arrangement to storm presidential villa (Aso Rock) to register their displeasure over the development.

They sympathised with the governments and people of the affected

states and communities over the loss of their love ones in the Fulani Herdsmen massacre, calling on governments at all levels to come to the aid of the affected people and families to ameliorate their suffering as a result of the ‘dastard’ incident.

The activists under the aegis of Centre for Human Rights and Social

Justice (CHRSJ) are Centre for Constitutional Rights and

Counter Corruption Crusader, Save Lagos Group (SLG), The Conscience

Mainstream (TMG), African Masses Voices for Survival (AMVS), The

Christians Youths for the People’s Rights and Development (CYPRD), Islamic Movement for Muslims’ Rights (IMMR) and Divine Nigerians Liberators for People’s’ Fundamental Rights(DNLPFR).

Others are the Christian Awareness Mission Group (CAMG), Passengers

Fundamental Rights Group (PATRGIA), The Political Awareness Group (TIPAG), Centre for Social Justice and Equity of

Nigeria (CESJEN), Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS), Veteran Groups for Operation Clean Crusade (VGOCC), Apata-Aiyeraye Social Political Volunteer Group(ASPVG)

and De-Mainstream Independent Group(DIG).

Rising from their meeting on the ‘state of the nation’

today, the leader of the coalition, Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman, disclosed that they discussed extensively at the meeting on the ongoing killing of innocent Nigerians by the Fulani herdsmen, particularly the Agatu and Enugu killings where over 40 people were killed, insisting that they would soon storm the Aso Rock in large numbers to show their grievances against the Fulani herdsmen massacre and ostensible insincerity of the President Buhari to protection lives and property as stipulated in the amended 1999 Constitution.

Sulaiman who called on the security agencies in the country to wake up from their slumber and be alive to their constitutional duties of protecting the lives and property of the citizens, urged the

them to increase their intelligence gathering mechanism to forestall any future occurrence, stressing that this was how Boko Haram insurgency began some years back in the country.

The group gave President Buhari and security agents seven-day ultimatum to fish out the sponsors of the Agatu and Enugu massacre by bringing them to justice, adding that if the president doesn’t

Do anything to put an end to the “Fulani herdsmen madness, then, there is trouble in his hand.”

They strongly condemned the body language of President Buhari over the

Fulani herdsmen massacre, and for showing no serious concern to the development which they alleged “shows his ethnic bigotry nature contrary to the Oaths of Allegiance for the office of the president in line with the seventh schedule of the amended 1999 Constitution.”

He alleged that the remnants of Boko Haram sect began the current attacks on the farmers with arms which were contrary to the section 227 of the amended 1999 Constitution.

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According to the coalition, “Let’s call a spade a spade. We are strongly condemning the recent brutal invasion of communities in the country, especially the Agatu and Enugu by the Fulani herdsmen and the attitude of the federal government over the herdsmen serious threat to the peaceful co-existence of Nigerians.

“It is high time President Buhari quit office if he cannot put this madness under control. We feel that Buhari-led government is just playing games and politics with the lives of innocent human beings. This mindless killing must be stopped within the reasonable time before it goes out of hand.”

Enugu Herdsmen Attack: Ugwuanyi Summons Emergency Meeting with Traditional Rulers, Others

Enugu Herdsmen Attack: Ugwuanyi Summons Emergency Meeting with Traditional Rulers, Others

Following his visit to Ukpabi Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State to sympathise with the people of the area over the attack unleashed on them by suspected Fulani herdsmen, the state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, today, summoned an emergency meeting with the traditional rulers, president-general of Town Unions and leaders of the neighborhood watch in all the communities in the state.

A reliable source disclosed that the meeting which is part of series of action plans of the state government to find a lasting solution to the menace of the Fulani herdsmen in the state is scheduled to hold on May 2 at the old Governor’s lodge, Enugu at 1p.m.

The source also revealed that the governor was determined to put an end to the ‘inhuman’ acts by the herdsmen which consumed the lives and property of innocent citizens of the state as well as threatened the peace and security of the state and the nation at large.  

The governor had while addressing the people of the Nimbo community called for peace, fasting and prayers for the intervention of God, assuring them and the people of the state that he will do everything possible with his constitutional powers to end the incessant menace posed by the herdsmen in the state.

He also disclosed that when he got a security report last Sunday that the attack will take place in the community, he immediately summoned an emergency meeting of the state security council which met that Sunday night till the early hours of Monday, shortly before the herdsmen struck, regretting that the ‘sad’ incident eventually occurred after all the assurances given to him by the security operatives that the attack will not happen.

The scheduled meeting, according to the source, is expected to map out the best strategies that would promote peace and end the attacks from the herdsmen.

Give Aregbesola another Bail out, Risk Public Revolt, PDP Warns Buhari

Give Aregbesola another Bail out, Risk Public Revolt, PDP Warns Buhari

Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday warned President Muhammadu Buhari against considering the request for fresh bailout by the state government.

While reacting to the statement issued by the state Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kunle Oyatomi, where the ruling party said the initial bailout granted the state was insufficient, the PDP said public revolt would greet any favourable response of the request.

In a counter statement issued in Osogbo yesterday by state PDP Director of Media and Strategy, Prince Diran Odeyemi, the opposition party recalled that the first bailout of N35 billion the state government got never complied with the basic requirements of accessing such funds.

The statement reads: "In the first instance, the bailout was given to Aregbesola without the resolution of State Executive Council since the governor has refused to form cabinet 18 months after returning for another term.

"Also, the state House of Assembly never approved the bailout. Our sole administrator single handedly took the money and spent it anyhow. Has there been a probe of how the N35billion bailout he received was spent, No!

"The lies of Aregbesola has travelled for 20 years, and now, in sudden flight, the truth has caught up with them. Despite the bailout, the workers have not been receiving their salaries as at when due. For up to one year, workers in the state have been getting less than half of their salaries."

Insisting that mass action will greet any further move to sink the state into more indebtedness, the PDP added that instead of listening to plea for more funds from the governor and his party, the federal government should urgently look into how the Osun, among the 36 states and FCT, got N131 million deficit in March allocation.

"We will however help federal government get into the root of the financial crises facing the state. Aregbesola bought helicopter with state's funds for surveillance and converted it to personal use.

"He is wasting billions on airport project and few federal roads awarded at inflated cost. The failed ‘Opon imo’ tablets and planting of flowers on Ife/Ibadan road also gulped billions of naira taken out of the state coffers," the party said.

It then advised Aregbesola to resign if he is confused about how to manage affairs of the state, stressing that with the average of N2.4 billion monthly loan repayment, the state cannot afford more debt burden.

NCAA Orders Airlines to Pay Debts or Face Sanctions

NCAA Orders Airlines to Pay Debts or Face Sanctions

‎The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed all airlines (Domestic and Charter) operating in the country to forward in full un-remitted funds accrual to the Authority without further delay or face immediate sanctions.

 

This directive was handed down at  a meeting held Wednesday with the operators on non-remittance of 5 per cent ticket, cargo and charter sales charges [TSA/TCA] held at the Authority's Headquarters Annex in Lagos

 

The Director General of the NCAA, Captain Muhtar Usman, presided at the meeting in company of the Authority's top management staff.

 

According to the DG, the directive was with regards to the five per cent TSA/TCA collected at source from the air passengers by the airlines on behalf of the federal government of Nigeria.

“These sales charges are to enable all aviation agencies carry out their responsibilities of providing safe, secure and efficient regulatory services for the overall benefits of all aviation stakeholders.

 

“The meeting cover the following areas:

It is imperative that all unremitted funds must be forwarded in full to the NCAA immediately. The airlines must desist from using these funds ‘held in trust.’ The ongoing 5 per cent Ticket/Cargo/Charter/Sales Charges automation of payments, which offers real-time transparent transactions must be completed within two months. This will remove endless reconciliation of data and reduce high debt profile of Airlines to NCAA,” NCAA spokesman, Sam Adurogboye, said.

 

The regulatory Authority said reconciliation of all outstanding debts must be completed within 60 days and the 5 per cent Ticket/ Cargo/ Sales Charges must be On Gross Ticket excluding VAT and Passenger Service Charge(PSC) only; adding that all airlines must provide to the Authority the breakdown of the recently introduced ‘’Taxes+Fees’’ component on all passenger tickets, which include the amount due to each government agency that include FAAN-Passenger Service Charge (PSC); Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS)-5 per cent VAT; and NCAA 5 per cent Ticket Sales Charges (TSC).

 

NCAA said any add-on charge, surcharge (i.e. fuel surcharges-(YQ, etc) or any other miscellaneous added on passenger ticket must be approved by the Authority before applying these charges on passenger tickets.

 

 

Prisons Authorities Commence Investigation Into Alleged Beating of Female Lawmaker

Prisons Authorities Commence Investigation Into Alleged Beating of Female Lawmaker

The Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) has said investigation has commenced into the alleged beating of a female Lawmaker by the aides of Controller General of Nigeria Prisons, Dr. Peter Ekpendu, at the National Assembly complex on Wednesday.

Some personnel of the prisons CG were said to have assaulted and harassed Rep Mrakpor Onyeamaechi Jona (PDP, Delta) last Wednesday.

The Lawmaker was said to be leaving for a service, while the convoy of the CG Prisons was passing. She was blocked and an aide to the CG battered her car.One of the security officers slapped her on the face, while the CG was watching.

Speaking on the incident, the NPS’s Spokesperson, Mr. Francis Enobore said the CG only heard of the alleged assault yesterday afternoon and he has immediately constituted a panel of inquiry into the matter.

Although Enobore could not fathom how any of the operatives would have jumped down from the CG’s convoy to assault anybody let alone a serving lawmaker right in the National Assembly complex, he promised that the Service would leave no stone unturned until the truth of the matter is revealed.

He said: “We were all present at the National Assembly on Wednesday with the CG. He had a long convoy, but we all left the place together at the same time and while we were at the place, there was no fight or quarrel between any of our personnel and anyone around. As we all left together with the CG, it is not possible for anyone of us to have jumped down from the convoy and went back to the complex to fight anybody.”

Enobore however said investigation had commence to know the actual fact of the matter and promised to let journalists  know its outcome.

Senate Moves to Establish Poverty Eradication Commission

Senate Moves to Establish Poverty Eradication Commission
The Senate on Thursday began moves to address endemic poverty crisis in the land as a bill seeking to establish Poverty Eradication Commission scaled second reading. 
Sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto East), the bill seeks to provide a legal framework for the establishment National Poverty Eradication Commission. 

Leading debate on the bill, Gobir said unlike the national poverty eradication programme created by former President Olusegun Obasanjo without legal backing, similar agencies established by the federal government would now be backed by relevant laws with the commission serving as a statutory body.

According to him, the commission would be saddled with the responsibility of coordinating and monitoring all poverty control policies in Nigeria. 
He described the planned establishment of a commission to tackle poverty as a more effective way of eradicating poverty in the country. 

He further described the move as a departure from the past when various agencies were established without enabling laws for their operations.
The bill received overwhelming support from senators who recalled how poverty is controlled in the United States through the existence of an agency which pays stipends to the unemployed and also gives them food stamps which qualify the jobless to eat three meals
everyday. 
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the meeting referred the bill to Senate Committees on National Planning and Establishment. 
The committees have four weeks to conclude the assignment. 

Lack of Power: BEDC Staff Chased out of Office in Warri

Lack of Power: BEDC Staff Chased out of Office in Warri 

Protests by aggrieved citizens and customers of the Benin Electricity Development Company (BEDC) over outrageous bills amid generally dismal performance appears to be intensifying across Delta State as staff of the company were today forced to flee their office in Warri, Delta State. besieged by protesters.

Electricity consumers, particularly in Asaba and Warri metropolis have embarked on massive demonstration In the last few days to drive home their disenchantment with the performance of the electricity distribution company, BEDC, which the people said they had would end their energy nightmare before the privatization of the energy generation and distribution process.

This is even as the Delta State Commissioner for Energy, Mr Newworld Safugha, charged the management of BEDC to improve on power supply to urban and rural communities across the state.

Safugha gave the charge during a stakeholders’ meeting in his office attended by management staff of BEDC in Asaba,the state capital.

However, protesters on Thursday took to the street in Warri condemning what they described as "untold hardship" foisted on them due to epileptic supply of electricity by the company, which operates in Delta, Edo and Ondo states.

Numerous protesters had earlier on Wednesday also protested along major streets in Warri, including Ogboru, Obahor and Eboh streets in the heart of Warri in Warri South Local Government Area of the state.

They were joined by many women and youths in lauding school children, who are still on Easter holiday, and marched from Ogboru through Obahor and Eboh streets and Ginuwa Junction to the BEDC office on the ever-busy Warri-Sapele Road. 

However, the BEDC staff apparently got wind of the plan by the protester to storm the office, abandoned the office and fled for dear lives before the huge crowd of protesters could march on the office.

The protester, who were armed with fresh green leaves and chanting songs like: "we nor go pay o, we nor go pay, NEPA people we nor go pay," were denied entry by armed anti-riot policemen who were swiftly deployed to maintain law and order. 

The protesters described as "exploitative and ungodly" the continued payment of exorbitant bills for electricity they did not consume but their businesses were increasingly unprofitable as they have to rely on expensive fuel to power generators.

Fleeing Buyer of 5 Babies in Rivers Arrested in Oyo

Fleeing Buyer of 5 Babies in Rivers Arrested in Oyo

A fleeing 60-year-old woman , Asabi Adebayo, who allegedly purchased five babies in Rivers State at N 1 million each was today arrested by the Oyo State police command.

The babies , according to the state police boss,  Leye Oyebade, are (two males,and three females) whose ages range from two years, eight months, seven months, six months,and four months) respectively.

The suspect who had perfected plans to fly the babies abroad for sale, was said to have brought the babies to one orphanage home in Ibadan to obtain certified police report for each of the babies when the lid was blown open.

Oyebade who paraded the suspect and the five babies before newsmen yesterday at the Eleyele state police Headquarters , Ibadan, explained that the woman would have escaped with her evil plans if not for the patriotic behavior of the officials of the orphanage who promptly reported the matter at the Iyaganku Police station.

The suspect,Adebayo, who said she hailed from Lagos state is also a British citizen.

The babies have been taken to the state
Ministry of Women Affairs, Child Welfare for custody, while the suspects was assisting the investigating police officers who were yet to ascertain the true source of the babies.

Also present at the Police Headquarters during the parade were members of various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), officials of state Ministry of Women Affairs, and stakeholders in child welfare.

Though, the state Police Commissioner disclosed that police officers have accompanied the suspect to Port-Harcourt where she claimed to have bought the babies for N5 million, they have not been able to apprehend those who sold the babies to the suspect.

Sterling Bank Commences Made-in-Nigeria Week

Sterling Bank Commences Made-in-Nigeria Week

In furtherance of its continued commitment to growing the Nigerian economy and in line with the growing emphasis of the federal government to diversify the economy, Sterling Bank has concluded plans to champion the use of locally manufactured goods and services by initiating what it has described as the “Made in Nigeria” week from April 24 to 29, 2016.

The bank’s Executive Director, Finance and Strategy, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, said: “The week is an opportunity for us to promote a sense of pride and confidence in Nigerian grown brands starting with our people. For the entire week, we intend to showcase and celebrate everything Nigerian as a brand that supports our indigenously manufactured products.”

Other initiatives already undertaken by the bank to promote local entrepreneurs include its partnership with Innoson Motors Limited, the first indigenous manufacturer of vehicles, to finance the purchase of locally made vehicles produced by the company; the financing and business patronage of Labana rice mills, an indigenous rice mill among others.

The campaign will also serve as an avenue to create employment especially for the Nigerian entrepreneurs involved in the production of these goods. The patronage of local manufacturers of attires for instance, is expected to also boost the local economy especially those in the fashion and shoe making industry, adding that the initiative was one of the numerous ones the bank was undertaking to enrich the lives of Nigerians.

Suleiman said: “This campaign comes at a critical time in the country, a time when there is an increasing call to look inwards especially in the face of the current foreign exchange pressures; pressures that have resulted from the country’s overdependence on oil exports for foreign exchange and global oil sector downturn driven by the falling oil prices which have dampened economic growth and negatively impacted other sectors with prices of imported products and inputs rising significantly.

“For the country to get out of this situation, there is an urgent need to diversify the economy and empower the manufacturing sector in the country. But the manufacturing sector will not strive if they are not patronised by Nigerians. This is why we want to start with our staff by setting aside a week to wear only fabrics and other locally made products to the office.” 

Army: Defeated Terrorists Escaping Sambisa Forest May Cause More Havoc •Frowns at solidarity rallies

Army: Defeated Terrorists Escaping Sambisa Forest May Cause More Havoc

•Frowns at solidarity rallies

The Nigerian Army has warned that Boko Haram terrorists who are fleeing from ground and aerial assault in Sambisa forest, Borno State, may want to seek new refuge and infiltrate communities to cause more havoc.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, gave this warning in a statement today, where he also advised the public against solidarity rallies.

Usman informed Nigerians "that the terrorists are surreptitiously running out of their last enclaves in Sambisa forest to cause havoc or seek refuge elsewhere.

"Therefore, there is need for all to be more vigilant to enable us clear the remnants of these terrorists wherever they might flee.”

He however assured the public that the military would remain professional and focused while clearing the remnants of the terrorists in the region.

In a related development, the army spokesperson said the attention of the Nigerian army has been drawn to a number of groups and individuals celebrating the routing out and decimation of Boko Haram terrorists in Nigeria. 

"So much as we thank them for that, it is imperative to state that we do not begrudge such persons their desire to identify and associate themselves with this success," he stated.

However, Usman noted that the Nigerian army wishes to disassociate itself from such celebrations and solidarity rallies.

"We also would like to advise that they should tread with caution as this could distract us," he added.

 

Niger Govt Revokes 241 C of O of Land at Zuma Rock Area

Niger Govt Revokes 241 C of O of Land at Zuma Rock Area

The Niger State Government today revoked all Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) of lands around the Zuma Rocka ar in Tafa Local Government Area of the state.

The state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, approved the revocation by exercising the powers conferred on him by section 28, sub section 2 (b) of the state 1978 land use act.

The revocation of the land titles also followed a memorandum forwarded to the governor by the state Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Alhaji Haliru Zakari Jikantoro, on March 14 this year.

 A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, which confirmed the revocation of the titles said the governor’s action was also based on the ‘strategic location of the area and the need to preserve the natural endowment for collective benefits and in the overriding public interest.

The statement directed all beneficiaries of land in the area to return the ‘grant or C of O in their possession to the state government immediately and also settle the amount outstanding against them within three months from the date of the revocation.

Vatsa however, stated that beneficiaries with proof of un-exhausted improvement on their revoked plots may be entitled to compensation or alternative allocation of plot where appropriate.

Meanwhile, the commissioner has warned those engaged in commercial activities such as local crushers and quarrying of granite behind the famous Zuma Rock to stop forthwith or face the wrath of the law, pointing out that such parcels of land belong to his ministry.

A total of 241 plots of land with more than half belonging to the Abuja-based Aso Savings and loans scheme are affected by the revocation order.

Senate Bows to Pressure, Dumps Bid to Amend Code of Conduct Act

The Nigerian Senate has dumped its bid to amend the Code of Conduct Act, which it initiated about a week ago, following criticisms from the civil society and the public.

The amendment sought to whittle down the powers of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), where Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki is being tried for allegedly failing to declare all his assets.

The controversial Senator from Delta State, Senator Peter Nwaobosi, initiated the unpopular bill.

Senator Ben Bruce confirmed the development in multiple tweets Wednesday.

Presidency Admits Some MDAs, Parastatals Don't Update Their Website

Presidency Admits Some MDAs, Parastatals Don't  Update Their Website

The presidency today admitted that most of the  Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) of government do not update their websites, saying it makes it difficult for Nigerians, and even foreign investors to have access to information.

It however said there would be changes in a couple of months.

The Senior Special Adviser to the President on New Media, Mr. Tolu Ogunlesi, dropped the hint in Abuja at the launching of Conversations for Change (C4C) Media Strategy,  aimed at creating platform to inform, empower and provide plaform for young people to exchange ideas and have their voices heard.

According to him, "What we met on ground when we started was that there is no online record of the previous government for the past five years."

He added that: "It is true that government parastatals and MDAs don't have up-to-date information on their website. But in another couple of months there will be changes."

Ogunlesi noted: "every month, 16 million Nigerians use facebook, 7 million of those people use Facebook daily,  Blackberry Messenger (BBM), they are almost 5 million, Twitter is a couple of millions, connected mobile phones is 150 million, about 90 millions of those mobile phones are connected to the internet monthly."

Ogunlesi said there had never been any media that cover a large part of the population as the social media, stressing that it is interesting to be part of C4C that is determined to bring young people together with social media, which has been known as the default mode of communication for young people.

Taraba Govt, Police Debunk Killing of 50 Cattle Breeders in Taraba

Taraba Govt, Police Debunk Killing of 50 Cattle Breeders in Taraba

Taraba State Government and the state police authorities have described the purported killing of 50 cattle breeders in the state as falsehood, misleading and a calculated attempt to scale up the promotion of violence in the state.

The Chairman of state Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBA), Alhaji Sahabi Mahmud, credited to have alleged that 50 cattle breeders were killed in a fresh crisis in the state which was reported in Daily Trust of  April 13, 2016 edition.

In a statement made available today to journalists in Jalingo which was signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the state governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Sylvanus Giwa, the state government described the report as a calculated effort by the leadership of Miyetti Allah to make mockery of the recent killings of 44 people in the state by Fulani herdsmen.

In the same vein, the state police command has equally described the report as complete falsehood as it declared that there was no record or report of the purported killing, saying it was a figment of the imagination of the authors.

Debunking the report credited to Mahmud, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Joseph Kwaji, said there was no such incident in the state, and wondered why such a sensitive report would not be cross checked with the police before publication.

According to him, "The report is not true. There is no such incident. I want to advise journalists to always cross check with the police before publishing such sensitive reports in the interest of peace and security."

The statement issued by Giwa stated that: "The attention of Taraba State Government has been drawn to a publication captioned "50 cattle breeders killed in fresh Taraba crisis" dated April 13, 2016, in the Daily Trust newspaper and credited to the chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Taraba State chapter, Sahabi Mahmud.

"As a matter of fact, the report is not only misleading, false and mischievous but an attempt to scale up the promotion of crisis in the state. The purported publication is also a calculated effort by the leadership of Miyetti Allah to make a mockery of the victims of the recent attacks by the Fulani herdsmen who allegedly carry sophisticated weapons and use same to unleash terror on the harmless and helpless innocent people of Dori, Maisuma,Angai, and Fali villages in Gashaka and parts of kurmi Local Government Areas of the state."

The state government further noted that the position of Miyetti Allah as captured by the paper could best be described as a ploy to shield its members who are strongly suspected to be responsible for the attacks on the aforementioned communities.

To further puncture the allegations, Giwa noted that the Miyetti Allah chairman failed to present the photographs of his members who were purportedly killed in the crisis as was done by the police and the state government while presenting the gory details of the 44 people killed by the herdsmen. 

         

Experts: Nigeria Risks Shaky Return as Africa’s Top Oil Producer

Experts: Nigeria Risks Shaky Return as Africa’s Top Oil Producer

*Niger Delta not Sambisa forest, IYC tells presidency

Nigeria may have to remain Africa’s second largest crude oil producer after Angola for now until it is able to find solutions to emerging security challenges threatening the industry in the Niger Delta, according to industry experts.

The experts said following the country’s loss of its position to Angola last week emerging trend in security breaches on export pipelines and other facilities in the region posed great setbacks to the country clawing back lost output levels in the immediate future.

They told journalists today in Abuja that the cost and time needed to restart production from the shut-ins at affected oil facilities were considerable factors that could also keep Angola’s production above Nigeria’s for now.

Their response to the development also came on a day the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) told the federal government that its reported plan to designate oil vandals in the Niger Delta as terrorists and deal with them like it is doing with Boko Haram terrorists was ill-mannered, stressing that the region was not Sambisa forest and so does not need such measure.

Latest data from the April Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) showed that Nigeria’s crude oil production fell by 67,000 barrels per day (bpd) in March from 1.744 million bpd to 1.677mbpd, while Angola saw its oil output rise to 1.782mbpd within the same period.

The report reflects the continued shut-in of Nigeria’s popular crude oil grade Forcados following sabotage on the subsea Forcados pipeline and export terminal.

While Vice-President Yemi Osibanjo last week put the total loss per day at 250,000 barrels, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, earlier said it was 300,000bpd.

However, one of the experts, Dr. Timothy Okon, who is the Group Chief Executive Officer of an economic think-tank, the International Institute for Petroleum, Energy Law and Policy (IIPELP), said the government would have to sort out the prevalent governance issues in the Niger Delta region to allow for a steady production level.

Okon, however, noted that other oil producers would be glad Nigeria is experiencing such production shut-ins.

“The loss is temporary and has to do with the break in Trans Forcados line and the force majeure that had been declared. However, the issue that surrounds production losses in Nigeria is multifaceted and this particular instance has to do with militancy which is related to some issues surrounding the region and the president,” said Okon.

He further explained that: “I think anytime you lose 250,000bpd of production, it is significant especially in terms of the current price levels, and so it is important for the income of the state, and to deal with the issues immediately.

“Pipeline vandalism didn’t just start, it emanated from the failure in politics and governance in the Niger Delta, and without making excuses for criminality, I think those issues have to be tackled at ground zero level which is the interaction of the local authorities with the state authorities.”