Southwest Airlines Was ‘Let Down’ by Boeing, Analyst Say

 

Southwest Airlines stock is trading down on Tuesday, following a downgrade by Evercore ISI, which lamented that the company is “a growth airline that has invested for growth, yet can’t grow.

Southwest stock (ticker: LUV) is up 8.5% year to date, but has fallen nearly 5 percent in the past 12 months.

Airlines in general have turned in a fairly mixed performance in 2019: Although no major players have managed to keep pace with the market, the level at which they’ve lagged as varied, in part due to their exposure to Boeing ’s (BA) MAX 737.

That’s not surprising given that after March’s deadly Ethiopian Airlines crash, the aircraft has been out of service for months, which has caused big disruptions to airlines, like Southwest, that have fleets that are heavily reliant on the planes. Southwest has held up better than some, but is still feeling the pinch. That left the stock with a market-trailing year-to-date gain, despite raised dividends and rumors that Warren Buffett might be interested in buying the company.

On Tuesday, Evercore analyst Duane Pfennigwerth downgraded Southwest to In Line from Outperform, with a $60 price target, and removed the shares from the firm’s Best Ideas list. He writes that the move comes as Southwest was “let down by its key partner,” leaving them “likely rangebound” in the near term. 

“Southwest is not just any Boeing customer. By betting on the MAX as its longer-term growth platform, Southwest effectively validated the technology, supporting Boeing’s global sales efforts.” Yet the only thing it’s received in return, he writes, is operational headaches, a pall over what was an otherwise upbeat revenue narrative in 2019, lost market share, and probable impact to its otherwise highly rated brand.

He notes that while Southwest has invested in growth, that hope is evaporating with the Max grounding, leaving the company is a “holding pattern” that is likely to affect its stock as well.

Looking ahead. It’s not that Pfennigwerth doesn’t believe in the Southwest story—he still likes the company’s strong free cash flow, unimpeachable balance sheet, and shareholder friendly policies. Yet he doesn’t see the stock going anywhere until the Max 737 is in the air again.

On a positive note, that robust balance sheet is certainly coming in handy. Among legacy carriers, Delta Air Lines (DAL) might actually benefit from the Boeing debacle, as its fleet is relatively insulated, and its shares reflect that optimism. Contrast that with United Continental Holdings (UAL) and American Airlines Group (AAL), which both have just under 2% of their available seat miles exposed: The former is off just 4.5% this year, while the latter has tumbled 11%, in part due to earnings and guidance, but also because American is working off a heavy debt load that makes it less flexible than peers. The fact that Southwest has nearly 9% of its capacity on the 737 MAX and has managed to hold on to gains in 2019 speaks to the other tailwinds, including its cash position and strong management.

Yet the timing isn’t great for Southwest either, given that 2019 is the year of its long-awaited push into the Hawaiian market, and comes after the government shutdown cost it millions in lost revenue.

Ultimately, the shares will likely get a boost when the 737 MAX is finally cleared for takeoff again; the question is how sustainable that bump is, and how quickly Southwest can get back to speed, and whether investors believe its growth strategy can ramp up again without further hiccups.

Southwest is down 1.6% to $50.36 in recent trading.

Fresh Trouble In APC As Deputy Chairman Attacks Oshiomhole, Asks Him to Resign

Fresh crisis seems to have hit the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Deputy National Chairman, North, Sen. Lawali Shuaibu, on Tuesday called on the party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, to resign immediately.

This order to vacate the office of the national chairman is not unconnected with the loss of Zamfara State by the APC to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following a ruling by the Supreme Court.

In a letter dated May 27, 2019, which was addressed to Oshiomhole, Shuaibu held that in advanced democracies, people who fail to add value or build over and above what they met on assumption of duty show some civilised examples, “they honourably resign.”

The six-page letter titled ‘APC: Its fortune and misfortune, time to act!’ added: “It is my honest opinion that your ability to ensure this party flourishes is deficient as you lack the necessary composure and you also don’t posses the capabilities and the requisite experience to run a political party.”

According to the letter, “I write this letter to you with a very deep (sic) heart and high sense of responsibility.

“I write this letter thinking because I am a critical stakeholder in the APC project.

“I write this letter with my hands shaking, arising from realising my involvement in a project that is currently seen as failing, even before achieving the ambition of its founding fathers. I never found myself in any failed project.

“In advanced democracies, people who fail to add value or build over and above what they met on assumption of duty show some civilized examples, they honourably bow out.

“In that connection, therefore, I want to advise you to take the path of honour, to step aside and allow the Party to embark on the onerous task of reconstruction and rehabilitation in those States it was weakened by the effect of the last primary election exercises.

“Or even the task of recreating the party where it is on the path of extinction, arising from the loss of a sitting APC Government, for example in Zamfara State, where you directly personally created the problem leading to the painful complete loss of APC’s electoral fortunes. From up to down, all these are uncontestable facts.

“You cannot exonerate yourself from what happened to APC (in) Zamfara State, thereby destroying the hopes and aspirations of 534,541 APC members and supporters.”

Banditry: Military’s Prepared to Protect Kano, Brigade Commander Assures Nigerians

The Commander 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Bamidele Ali Alabi, has said  the military is well prepared to protect Kano State against any form of banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling and terrorism.

The army boss stated this on Tuesday while receiving the executive members of the Correspondent Chapel, Kano State chapter of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in his office at Bukavu Barracks.

 According to him, the military is combat-ready to deal with  bandits perpetrating criminal activities in neighbouring states of Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Sokoto, who are planning to infiltrate  Kano.

“Kano State is not a place that you allow things to escalate. We operate by the rules of engagement. Already, the Chief of Army Staff has approved a joint-task force in Kano and Jigawa State, and we have been operating in synergy with sister security agencies.

"We always allow the police to move in first; and when our services are needed, we are always aaround the come in and do the needful," he said.

According to him, "Just yesterday (May 27), we were at the Karaye Emirate where we held a security seminar. All security agencies were fully represented. I was there in person. The state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, was also there.

"The Emir of Karaye, District Heads, Village Heads and other stakeholders were there and our discussions were very fruitful. I assure you that the military is ready to play its own part to ensure that Kano remains peaceful."

Brigadier-General Alabi, however, underscored the role of the media in peace and order in the society, pointing out that the military recognize such roles and would always want to work in synergy with the media to ensure a peaceful and crime-free society.

"we commend journalists in Kano for their high sense of professionalism. For the short time I have spent here, I can attest to the fact that you people are not sentimental or sensational in your reportage; and I want you to keep it up.

"The military has always worked together with the media. Media operation remains one of our most tactical training. Media is a very important component of military operation. I promise you that the Brigade will continue to provide full support to the media."

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Kano NUJ Correspondent Chapel,  Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, said they were at 3 Brigade to renew the existing cordial relationship between the military and working journalists in Kano.

According to him, "For so long, we have been working hand-in-hand with the military while carrying out our duty as Journalists."

Shuaibu further pointed out that "tackling security challenges is one of the Nigerian Army's major concerns. Issues of kidnaping, cattle rustling, armed robbery and other forms of banditry are on the increase in some parts of the country.

"We are not unaware of the military's efforts in curbing this menace; and that is why we want to work in synergy with you to ensure a peaceful, crime-free and better society."

223 Companies Jostle for NNPC Natural Gas Liquids Bid

No fewer than 223 companies have indicated interest for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) 2019-2021 natural gas liquids (NGLs) bid.

The corporation opened 2019-2021 NGLs bid in Abuja on Tuesday, explaining that through a transparent competitive bidding and evaluation process, it intends to enlist companies with proven investments in gas utilisation, storage, distribution and marketing infrastructure.

Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru, in his welcome address, stated that the occasion marked the beginning of yet another landmark event in the corporation’s bid to maximise the value of the nation's natural gas liquid resources for the benefits of Nigerians and other stakeholders.

Baru noted that as a corporation, "We have 223 companies competing and there are more local participants this time around. Our current pursuit is to continuously grow our domestic gas supply and utilisation while also maximising value from our unutilised knock-off condensates and Natural Gas Liquid resources."

According to him, NNPC's strategic focus in the coming months was to expand domestic LPG supply from established local sources while also encouraging investments in storage, marketing and distribution infrastructure.

"Through a transparent competitive bidding and evaluation process, we intend to enlist companies with proven investments in Gas utilisation, storage, distribution and marketing infrastructure," he said.

The NNPC GMD, who was represented by the corporation’s Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power, Sa'idu Mohammed, stated that the 2019-2021 NGLs Tender Objectives include: "To engage reputable qualified companies to off-take Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) for the domestic and international markets.

It also seeks to ensure that the selection of off-takers is aligned with tested transparent and accountable procedures in compliance with the Public Procurement and Nigerian Content Acts.

He stressed that in addition to these objectives, "it is our intention to sustain transparency in all our processes and select the best Off-takers through a robust mix of big international players with strong Nigerian gas sector focus companies to ensure supply reliability and local capacity development."

Baru noted that to stimulate investments in gas storage, marketing and distribution, it is critical at this point to highlight that ultimately, gas utilisation whether locally or internationally delivers value optimisation to the federation.

He said that the Corporation was assuring everyone that the bid would be given a fair consideration.

"What we are witnessing here is part of the contract that we are trying to bid. We have started this many years back, about 2-3 years and to make sure that in whatever we do is when known and transversally been done and in most efficient way in line with the PPP.

Osinbajo Differs With Emefiele On Hard Time, Says Nigeria Is Becoming Self Sufficient

Head of the National Economic Team of Nigeria, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, has differed with the Central Bank Governor (CBN), Godwin Emefiele’s assertion that tough time awaits Nigerians.

Speaking to journalists Tuesday after inaugurating a number of projects executed by the outgoing Government of Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo in Gombe State, the vice-president said the government is looking out on many different issues and have set in place realistic and visible measures to ensure that Federal Government is able to diversify the economy away from oil.

According to him, “Our special economic focus which we have in all the six geo-political zones starting from the Enyimba city as well as the Lagos Economic zone in Lekki among others, are industrial zones that we know will bring in the type of investments expected in industry and will of course produce significant number of jobs.”

He said the same thing is happening in the agro-allied value chain and stressed that “of course you know that we are becoming self-sufficient in several different agricultural products.”

Osinbajo explained further that the Government has also worked out a partnership with Brazil in the area of agro-industrial sector.

He said: “They are opening up several service sectors where there will be a lot of agro-technology on implements and equipment which will be very useful in many Local Government Areas. As a matter of fact, we intend to open one in every single Local Government Area.”

“We want to see that our economy takes off in the right direction, of course you are aware that we are investing on technology considerably and that is where many of our young people have pushed in the boundaries and are doing considerably well”, he emphasised.

Earlier, the Vice President had gone round and commissioned several projects undertaken and completed by the Dankwambo administration in the last eight years where he commended the people and government of the State for doing so much.

He said: “There was a wide range of projects from roads, the international Conference Centre, College Medical Sciences, the Women and Children Hospital, all very crucial projects”.

At the N4.2 billion International Conference Centre, the vice-president commended the state government over the design and building of the gigantic structure.

I Will Do Better in Second Tenure, Says Ortom

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Tuesday said he would improve on his performance in office as he prepares for second term in office.

He said his first term was bedeviled by paucity of funds and the herdsmen attack on the state which he said would be a thing of the past as he is determined to take the state to a higher level in his second term.

Ortom stated this while interacting with journalists in Makurdi to mark the end of his first tenure in office.

According to him, "When we assumed office in 2015, we inherited some financial burden and some security challenges, and that was what prompted us to enact some laws. We inherited the issue of herdsmen and farmers’ crises and we decided to initiate an executive bill into a law.

"These laws, particularly the anti-open grazing law, made us to face a lot of challenges from Miyetti Allah and other Fulani organisations which have a different agenda. It is a win-win law that must be obey in the land, and we said no to open grazing in Benue State. So when herdsmen issued threats to us, I reported them to security agents but nothing was done until they struck.

"Today, the situation has calmed down but not completely done. I must commend the OPWS for the good job they are doing, if not, we would have been wiped out. These people are the same as Boko Haram. We should have a North Central Development Commission like every other geopolitical zones. As we speak now, we still have IDPs living in camps across the state. This is a huge burden to us. Our clinics, schools, homes have been destroyed."

He added that “the OPWS has done so well but the federal government should fulfill its promise so that our people can go back to their homes. Most of these families have children who cannot go to school for almost two years now. We appreciate the efforts of international agencies at ensuring that these groups of children acquire some level of education but that is not enough.

“These children need to go back home and return to school. No one should blame me for raising the alarm. This is no longer time for blame game between the state and federal government. It is time to seek a lasting solution to this grazing menace. Ranching is the global best practices."

Speaking on the issue of godfatherism, Ortom said there would be no more godfathers in his government.

 "Here, I'm the leader of the party. Yes, there are other leaders of the party who l must consult with but not like having godfathers. The issue of bringing different kinds of people to me will no longer arise and that is why my transition committee is working very hard."

On the alleged financial autonomy granted to local government authorities, the governor explained that it was a decision dished out to the public by the financial intelligent unit of the federal government.

Inability to Pass Water Resources Bill, My Greatest Regret, Says Minister

The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, has revealed that his biggest regret during his tenure as minister was his inability to ensure the passage of the Water Resources Bill which is currently before the Senate.

Adamu, who spoke at a valedictory press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, also said he wished to have celebrated the enactment of the bill into law.

He said:  "Unfortunately, this is not to be, as you would recall that while the bill had a smooth sail in the House of Representatives, it unfortunately became unnecessarily controversial in the Senate. It is my strong belief and hope that the ninth Senate will be more dispassionate about the intent, letter and spirit of the bill and accelerate its passage."

"The benefits of the bill are for the development, management and efficient use of the nation’s water resources in line with global best practices."

Adamu further said the dismal situation of water supply sanitation sector had been addressed, especially the ability to attain and attract the highest level of political commitment and attention in the WASH sector

"Before coming on board, Nigeria did not attain the Millennium Development Goals, especially on access to water supply, particularly with the decline in rural areas.

"Commitment and attention demonstrated by President Muhammadu Buhari when he launched the National WASH Action Plan (NAP) for the revitalisation of the WASH Sector and declared a ‘State of Emergency’ on the sector on 8th November 2018," he added.

The outgoing minister stressed that he inherited 116 major on-going and abandoned projects like irrigation and drainage, 35 dams and 37 reservoirs and water supply on assumption of office but completed and commissioned 11.

He said: "Many of the projects were either abandoned or in comatose because they required review of scope or cost or lacked consistent funding to be completed."

"Most of the projects had attained 40 percent- 60 percent level of completion of less, while outstanding liabilities on them stood at N88.8 trillion, while 11 were completed and commissioned.”

He expressed optimism that the next minister would integrate discussions with China Bureau of the South to North Water Division Project and which is collaboration between the Bureau and the Lake Chad Basin Commission.

Nigerians, CSOs Commemorate National Day of Mourning Nationwide

Ahead of the inauguration on Wednesday, Nigerians and over 100 civil society groups (CSOs) on Tuesday commemorated the ‘National Day of Mourning’ in remembrance of the thousands of lives lost to banditry, kidnapping, Boko Haram terrorism as well as farmers/herders’ clashes.

With the tags for this year programme which are #NationalDayofMourning, #NigerianLivesMatter, #NotJustNumbers, #StopTheKillings, #WeAreAllWeHave the protesters took to the streets in different states in the country simultaneously to express their grievances about the incessant killings nationwide.

From mass killings in Zamfara State, in Numan, Adamawa State; herdsmen massacre at Nkiedonwro in Plateau State; victims of electoral violence; Shiites massacre in Zaria, Kaduna State; herdsmen killing in Benue State and Boko Haram attack in the North-east region, they tasked the government to rise to the occasion and protect the lives of Nigerians.

Championed by the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu, among other civil society organisations, the underlying focus was to charge the government to abate the wanton killings across the country.

The CSOs were Global Right, Amnesty International, YIAGA AFRICA, Enough Is Enough Nigeria, Concerned Nigerians, Centre for Democracy and Development,  BringBackOurGirls, Nigerian Intervention Movement among others.

 

The National Day of Mourning was consequent to the resolutions reached at a meeting of more than 100 civil society groups a year ago in Abuja.

The groups had pledged to continuously mark the National Day of Mourning as a symbolic action to register the dissatisfaction of Nigerians with the state of insecurity in the country and wanton killings.

In the North-west region, it was held in Zamfara State at the NHRC, while in the South-west region, it was held in Oyo State at the Aare Afe Babalola Bar Centre in Iyaganku.

In Lagos, the convergence took place at Sweet Sensation in Alagomeji, while in Ogun and Ondo States, it was held at the NUJ Secretariat in Iwe-iroyin Oke-ile Owo, Abeokuta and the Akure City Hall respectively.

In Osun State, the convergence took place at Okefia, while in Ejiro, the protesters gathered at Fajuyi and held the procession to the king’s palace at Oja Oba.

 

In the North-central, it was held in Niger State at the Mobil Roundabout in Minna, while in Kogi State, the groups gathered at the NUJ office in Lokoja.

In Nasarawa State, the Township Stadium,  Bukan Sidi, along Jos Road was the rendezvous,  while in Plateau State, it was held at the overhead bridge at secretariat junction.

In the South-east region, it was held in Enugu State at the Michael Okpara Square; in Imo States, it took place on Wethral road by Akachi junction in Owerri, while in Anambra State, the meeting was held at Amawbia by-pass through Awambia Roundabout to Police Headquarters in Awka.

In the North-east region, the meeting was held at the Adamawa State Polytechnic, while in Yobe State it took place at the FCE in Potiskum. Also, in Bauchi State, the meeting took place at the Wutin Market Roundabout and in Gombe State it was held at the Wildan House.

In the South-south, it was held in Edo State at the  Museum Ground Kings Square in Benin-city while in Bayelsa State, it took place at the Ekiki Park by Kilimanjaro.

Delta, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States were not left out as the meeting was held at the Reed Centre Okoukoko; Ibom Plaza and the Isaac Boro Park respectively.

APC Administration Leaves N250bn Debt Behind, Bauchi Gov-elect Laments

As Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) takes over the leadership of Bauchi State on Wednesday, the party has lamented that the outgoing All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration is leaving behind a debt of N250 billion as well as other liabilities yet to be verified.

The N250 billion debt profile left behind by the out-going administration of Governor Mohammed Abubakar included debt and loan, PDP said.

The state Governor-elect, Bala Muhammad, who made the disclosure while receiving the report of the Senator Adamu Gumba-led Transition Committee on Tuesday at the Command Guest House in Bauchi, declared that his administration would probe the outgoing APC administration in order to recover all the money belonging to the state but was misappropriated.

The governor-elect, who could not hide his disappointment over the issue, also lamented that the same administration which promulgated a law to recover misappropriated funds has at its twilight repealed same, declaring that his administration will follow every legal  means and due process to recover misappropriated funds and other properties belonging to the state government.

Earlier, while presenting report of the committee, Gumba said his committee discovered that the outgoing Governor of the state, Mohammed Abubakar, left a debt of over N137 billion behind.

According to him, "It is worthy of note that the administration proceeding the outgoing left a liability of about N96 billion for the period of eight years to his successor, which is the outgoing administration. In contrast, the outgoing administration has accumulated a liability of over N137 billion within a period of four years. What an irony!"

He added that "the outgoing administration put in place in public domain, the purchase of 500 units of tractors during one of President Muhammadu Buhari's visit to the state. The governor lied to the president, only five were displayed. The whereabouts of the remaining 495 tractors are unknown, and the committee has recommended an inquiry into the whereabouts of the  tractors."

He further said the Transition Committee visited all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for collection of data and physical interactions pointing out that "I am sad that we did not receive the envisaged support and cooperation of all the MDAs."

Gumba added that some of the people still thought that the committee was wasting its time because according to them, Governor Abubakar would be sworn in again as Governor on May 29, adding that some of the hoarded information were denied us outright contrary to the genuine purpose  of the subcommittee.

"Some of them treated us with disdain and called us names as 'investigators and witch-hunters', but the committee ignored all that and obtained data and scrutinised them," he lamented.

According to him, "The committee noted that SUBEB is one of the agencies that regularly received large inflow of funds. Unfortunately, it is one of the agencies that denied the committee access to relevant information which made the work of the committee inconclusive. We therefore recommend that SUBEB be investigated by a high-powered committee."

FG Sanctions 15-hour Traffic Diversion from Presidential Inauguration Venue

The Presidential Inauguration Committee on Tuesday announced plan to divert traffic for 15 hours on some routes leading to the Eagle Square, where President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo would be sworn in for a second term on Wednesday.

The committee headed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SFG), Boss Mustapha, said the diversion would take effect from 12 midnight on Tuesday and 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

According to the list, the routes are National Assembly; Aso Drive by DSS Headquarters- DPO; Mpape; NITEL Junction by Ahmadu Bello Way; FCDA by Finance Headquarters; Kur Mohammed by Benue House Plaza; Gana-Transcorp Hilton Hotel; FCDA by POWA; Goodluck Ebele Jonathan expressway (Intersection into Three Arms Zone) and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Tower.

Others are Federal Secretariat Phase III under the bridge; behind Foreign Affairs under the bridge; Bayelsa House; Water Board/Deeper Life junction.

The committee Tuesday also announced dedicated car parks for the 2019 presidential inauguration.

The designated car parks are Millennium Tower car park; Old Parade Ground Area 10 Garki; Millennium car park; Court of Appeal car park, while the Eagle Square car park is for dignitaries with Gold Cards. The Supreme Court car park is for the evening event.

 

Borno Gov’s Steward Commits Suicide

Suicide, which is fast becoming a common currency in Nigeria, on Tuesday visited the Borno State Government House as the official steward of the state Governor, Kashim Shettima, hung himself.

It was a pitiable situation as the lifeless body of the steward, John Achagwa, dangled on a Neem tree at the back of the Presidential Lodge in the Government House in Maiduguri.

The crowd which gathered to watch Achagwa lifeless was unprecedented as many had come to get a parting gift from Shettima who would vacate office tomorrow after eight years in office.

The cause of the suicide remains a mystery as people could not put a finger to want might have made Achagwa to take his life.

Some of his colleagues who spoke on the condition of anonymity told journalists that the deceased had maintained unusual quietness since he resumed work last Monday.

One of them said: “He didn't utter a word since morning. He just kept to himself. We were together till about 2p.m. until he suddenly disappeared.”

Men of the state Fire Service and security personnel were immediately mobilised to the scene of the incident to bring down the victim from the tree. It was the first time such incident would occur in the State House

Speaking later to journalists on the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Aliyu, said investigation has commenced on what could be responsible for the death.

He said an autopsy could be done on him as part of investigation on the cause of death.

Aliyu said his family and friends would be asked questions to get to the root of the incident.

He however revealed that preliminary investigation showed that the man was financially comfortable.

Achagwa was said to have retired from the state civil service about eight years ago before he was retained by the state governor.

Boko Haram: VSF Inaugurates 147 Public Buildings in Yobe

 

Victims Support Fund (VSF) on Monday inaugurated 147 public buildings put at a total cost of N1.45 billion in Yobe State.

This is part of efforts to reconstruct the Boko Haram affected state after various degrees of destruction from the decade-old crisis.

Speaking at the inauguration of some of the projects in Potiskum, one of the largest towns in the troubled state, the Executive Director of VSF, Prof. Sunday Ochoche, said: “We have expended about N1.45 billion in building projects across Yobe State in our effort to rebuild the Northeast geopolitical zone after the destruction from the insurgency.”

He disclosed that the projects were executed across 11 local government areas in the state.

Ochoche said the renovated structures included hospitals, primary and secondary schools, local government secretariats, local education authority buildings, a local government lodge and deep water boreholes.

He noted that the intervention was aimed at promoting the re-establishment of local governance and restoration of basic social amenities as well as creating an enabling environment for return and accelerated recovery.

The VSF boss revealed that the 11 beneficiary local government areas are Potiskum, Fika, Gulani, Geidam, Yunusari, Tarmuwa, Gujba, Busari, Fune, Damaturu and Buni Yadi.

He promised that VSF would continue to strive to bring succour to victims all over Nigeria while also ensuring that resources are utilised judiciously in the execution of all its projects.

 Ochoche said: “We hereby appeal to the state government to ensure the maximum and optimal use of the facilities.”

While responding, Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, said the government and the people of the state appreciated the effort of the VSF in all its initiatives across the state.

Pollution: 60 Bayelsa Towns Present Spillage Evidence to Probe Panel

The Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission (BSOEC) set up to investigate the level of devastation by the exploration of oil in the state on Monday said it had received spillage evidence from at least 60 communities and groups in the state.

The 10-man panel is headed Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu, and was inaugurated by the state Governor, Seriake Dickson, in March this year.

Archbishop Sentamu, in his remarks, decried the lack of political will on the part of the Nigerian Government in addressing the environmental devastation in the Niger Delta region, saying the time had come for total cleansing and remediation of the affected communities.

"Change must happen even though the laws have not been effective and the issue of compensation has not been addressed. In some communities we visited, it looked like a bomb had been dropped but it was oil spillage.

"The rest of the international community cannot just turn a blind eye on this. The pollution that has gone on in this particular state has affected the global village," he said.

The cleric, however, urged the community leaders to continue to be resilient in the midst of their challenges, adding that the commission under his leadership would make the right recommendations to the Bayelsa State Government.

The panel rounded off the second round of its fact-finding investigative assignment yesterday during which it held roundtable sessions with non-governmental organisations and health experts.

It also held a public evidence session during which communities gave oral evidence of devastation and neglect by oil companies operating in their areas before submitting documented reports to the panel.

The traditional ruler of Agudama community, MC Kipasa, told the commission that they had recorded several oil spills from the operations of both Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), which have seriously affected his community.

"We don't have fish in our river anymore. Even our land for farming is gone. Nothing is left for us due to these oil spills," he lamented, just as he thanked Governor Dickson for giving them hope by setting up the commission.

An Agbura community leader, Chief Igwe Napoleon, while giving evidence, said the farmlands and river in his community have been polluted due to oil exploration activities, and accused Shell of reneging on the terms of agreement signed with communities in the area.

 Others who spoke were Chief Shagari Edward of Ogbotobo Community; Ojoto ThankGod of Agbayama Community; Chief DSP Ikporo of Koluama community and Dr. Awoli Anapurere, who is the Public Relations Officer of the Oil and Gas Producing Areas Enlightenment and Empowerment Initiative.

Sirika Inaugurates Maiduguri Airport Terminal Building …Says 134 projects out of 157 completed in four years

The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, on Monday in Borno State inaugurated the rehabilitated Maiduguri International Airport building, which was abandoned four years ago.

Sirika, during the inauguration, hinted that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, upon assumption of office, embarked on 157 projects  between 2015 and now, and have so far completed 134 of them hundred percent. 

He revealed that the Maiduguri terminal building rehabilitation commenced in 2013 and was abandoned, but President Buhari told us that we should first complete all abandoned and uncompleted projects, and this is one of them.

The minister stated that the project underscored the importance of Borno as a state and Northeast as a region, because being ravaged by insecurity, "we place importance to this airport which we have completed as well as other facilities to ensure safe and secure operations in this airport.”

According to him, "So, I am saying that the aviation sector of the transportation ministry had commenced between 2015 and 2019 157 projects.  Many of them we started and some of them we met uncompleted."

He added that about 13 of the remaining projects are below 50 percent and the remaining are above 50 percent, and "I can assure you that soon after the next minister comes on board, he will conclude the outstanding projects to make the 157 projects completed."

Similarly, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Elkanemi, while welcoming the minister to his palace, requested the federal government to kindly install all of the equipment that would assist in safe operations of the airport and also to commence Hajj in the airport.

Commending Sirika for the visit, he said: "In two or three months’ time, hajj operations will commence. I urge that the runway rehabilitation and other equipment at the airport should be prioritised, such that our people will not be moved to other states for airlift,” he said.

Insecurity: Activate Traditional Self-defence System, Afenifere Tells South-west …Commends Obasanjo, others’ forthrightness

Disturbed by the spate of insecurity characterised by killings and kidnappings in the Southwest, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, on Monday called on the people to activate their traditional and communal self-defence system in the face of threats.

The call was part of the communique issued at the end of the General Assembly of the organisation held at the Akure, Ondo State residence of its leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, which was attended by leaders from the South-west geo political zone.

The communique was read by the National Publicity Secretary of the group, Yinka Odumakin, and entitled: ‘We must stop this genocide’.

Afenifere said Yoruba land was under serious siege with the activities of the Fulani marauders in form of killings, kidnappings and rape.

The socio-political group reiterated the warning that Nigeria should not wait till the matter degenerated to the level of another civil war.

The group said: "Those who have studied events in Liberia Somalia, Rwanda and Sudan would not miss the fact that this was how events started until full-scale civil wars broke out."

Odumakin said the spate of wanton killings going on across Nigeria was being  perpetrated largely by Fulani herdsmen/militia as the only group that are in possession of unlicenced sophisticated weapons in Nigeria.

Afenifere said acts were being perpetrated without fear of any consequence as they seem to have official backing and promotion.

According to the Afenifere, the killings targeted at non-Fulani groups across the country are willful and deliberate in pursuit of expansionist and conquest agenda.

Publicity Secretary said: "The government in place has betrayed  perceived complicity as we are not aware of any member of the killer group on trial for these monumental crimes even when Miyetti Allah has owned up to some of them.

"Instead, the regime has treated them with kid gloves, making excuses for their crimes with our Information Ministry and presidential media office being made to look like Boko Haram and Miyetti Allah media centre as they issue statements to defend these groups even when they are not defending themselves, with the presidency equating Miyetti Allah with Afenifere and Ohanaeze in order to confer legitimacy on them.

"And lately, it is the insensitive and impunity-inspired decision of the federal government to open a Fulani radio station for the herdsmen in violation of the Federal Character spirit of our constitution.

"To avert this destructive scenario, we call on the federal government to immediately readdress its priorities in these matters and begin the process of running an inclusive country while re-defining law and order so that no citizen would take the life of another without fear of consequences.”

Afenifere equally called on the international community not to stand aloof as Nigeria drives to the edge of precipice.

The Yoruba organisation noted that it would be a big burden for the global community if things get out of hand in Nigeria.

Odumakin added: "The situation has become much more frightening with the claim by a recently kidnapped don at Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife that he noticed that one of the policemen who stopped him at a checkpoint shortly before he was abducted made a call.

"He said the policeman is of the same ethnic stock with the Fulani herdsmen who kidnapped him thereafter.

"We want the police authorities to properly investigate this as it sends a worrying signal."

Afenifere also commended former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and other patriots who credited the wave of terror going on in Nigeria by Boko Haram and Miyetti Allah to the ‘Fulanisation project’ in West Africa.

"We commend his boldness in speaking the truth no matter how inconvenient it maybe , which is the hallmark of a statesman.

"We also acknowledge the forthrightness of the Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, Gen David Jemibewon, Col David Bamigboye, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Pan Niger Delta Forum(PANDEF), Middle Belt Forum and all other patriots who have backed Obasanjo's statement," Odumakin said.

2019 Poll: Kogi Gov Dumps His Deputy, Picks Chief of Staff

 

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, may have finally dumped his deputy, Chief Simon Achuba, and allegedly picked his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edward Onoja, as running mate.

It was gathered that his decision to pick his Chief of Staff was to ensure absolute loyalty as there appears to be cool war between the governor and his deputy.

Media investigation revealed that posters and flayers of the governor and his Chief of Staff as his running mate littered streets of Lokoja indicating that Bello must have finally dumped Achuba.

The deputy governor in the last two years have been absent from all government functions and has not been paid his salary and entitlements for over 24 months.

Also, power supply and water were disconnected from the deputy governor's quarter by the governor.

Source close to the Government House alleged that the choices of Onoja by the governor was part of the agreement before Bello took over the mantle of the leadership in the state.

According to the source, when the governor assumed office, it was the Chief of Staff that appointed 90 percent of the political appointees in the cabinet.

He also disclosed further that at time, the Chief of Staff sacked some appointees on his own without the knowledge of the governor.

It was also gathered that the faceoff between the governor and the state Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajanah, may not be unconnected with the CJ's refusal to play ball in the alleged plan to remove the deputy governor from office and replace him with his Chief of Staff.

Effort to speak with the Director General of Media and Publicity to the governor, Mr. Kingsly Fanwo, to respond to the allegation proved abortive.

SEC Backs FG's Project ‘Light House’ to Boost Revenue

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has pledged its cooperation with the Ministry of Finance on Project Light House, which its steering committee was inaugurated at the weekend by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, to help government's revenue drive.

Project Light House is designed to dwell on data mining and analytics techniques to identify tax defaulters, establish their tax liabilities and send notifications to appropriate authorities for necessary action.

Already, the initiative which aggregates data from multiple sources, including bank accounts, land registry records, company registration data, tax filings, Customs records and asset ownership records had as at June last year  identified a batch of over 130,000 high net worth individuals and companies whose tax records are not up to date due to detected underpayments.

In pledging SEC's support to the initiative, its acting Director-General, Ms. Mary Uduk, also commended the minister on the initiative.

A statement by the SEC Head of Public Communications, Efe Ebelo, stated that Uduk emphasised the need for collaboration among relevant agencies to assist the government in its revenue generation, adding that Project Lighthouse is a positive step in that direction.

“It is clear that data and information will certainly aid the generation of more revenue and in the long run, all agencies will be better for it as there will be more resources for government to carry out development

“Data gathering and sharing are the way to go especially in this digital age, as when there is available data, information can be shared, and that will increase compliance level as well as improve revenue generation," the SEC DG said.

Uduk noted that low revenue generation was a source of worry, adding that if the government does not meet its revenue generation targets, it would be difficult to provide critical infrastructure that would encourage investment in the country.

She, therefore, pledged the full co-operation of the SEC to ensure that relevant data are made available when needed by the committee.

At the inauguration of the Project Light House steering committee, the minister had stated that one of the key economic policy objectives of the current administration, as contained in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), is improving the overall federal government revenues by targeting and increasing revenues from non-oil revenue sources.

Aisha Attacks Buhari Govt Again, Insists N500bn SIP Failed In The North

Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha, at the weekend picked hole in the implementation of the federal government’s Social Investment Programmes (SIP), saying it has failed in the North.

The SIPs are the N-Power, Conditional Cash Transfers, National Home-Grown School Feeding and Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programmes (GEEP).

The first lady, while speaking at an interactive program for women at the State House, Abuja, lamented the inability of women in the North to benefit from the programme.

Her lamentation came days after the Presidential Adviser on Social Investment, Mrs. Maryam Uwais, revealed that N470.8 billion was released by the Government for the programme.

Uwais had claimed that the federal government, annually, budgets N500 billion for social investment.

Aisha, speaking at the event said: “Concerning the N500 billion voted for SIP, that was part of 2015 campaigns where they promised to give out N10,000, feed pupils in primary schools and give N5,000 to poorest of the poor.

“The SSA to the president on social investment is a lady from Kano and I’m sure that my husband decided to put somebody from Kano because of the population and political impact it made. I have never asked how the money is being used or is being given out.

“I met Barrister (one of the President aides on SIP) once and he promised me that for my state (Adamawa) we should get 30,000 women to be given N10,000. Up till now I haven’t heard from him.

“I don’t want to raise alarm that my state does not benefit from it, where SGF comes from, I kept quiet because I don’t want people to say that I talk too much.

“Recently, I saw a 74-year-old man selling petty things in Kano, I asked him how much is his capital, he told me between N3,000 and N4,000. Don’t forget that we have campaigned to give the poorest of the poor, N5,000 every month.

“So I don’t know where the social investment is. Maybe, it worked out in some states. In my own state, only a local government benefited out of the 22. I didn’t ask what happened and I don’t want to know but for it to fail woefully in Kano, it’s not a good sign and it’s not a good thing.

The first lady stated further that “we have a lot of women that do business locally due to the cultural thing in the North, that they are at home doing their businesses. Some are millionaires, some have thousands of naira, they need the assistance but they do not get it.

“Most northern women do not belong to any market association “I was expecting that N500 billion to be utilized in different methods in the North for the aim to be achieved. I don’t know the method they used but most of the northern states do not get it. My state does not get it.

“It worked out well in a situation whereby they have market associations but I was thinking different methods should be used in the North.”

Ngige: FG, States Now Owe Arrears of New Minimum Wage *NUPENG, TUC risk clampdown over violation of law

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has said both the federal and state governments are already owing arrears of workers' salaries by the virtue of the N30,000 new Minimum Wage law which took effect from April 18, 2019.

The minister also disclosed that the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) risk proscription for breaching an important aspect of the Trade Unions Act which deals with rendering annual account on workers' check off dues.

Speaking in an interview with journalists in Abujaat the weeked, Ngige said the federal government had constituted a committee with the task of working out  a new template that would help make the consequential adjustments needed to commence the payment of the N30,000 minimum wage.

He also explained that negotiations would soon commence the actual template to be used for the payment of the new wage.

According to Ngige, this is going to be worked out with the Joint Negotiating Council in both the federal and at state levels.

He said: "Every state government now owes workers if they have not started paying the N30,000. They owe workers arrears effective from April 18-a new minimum wage. "We are in a committee working out a new template with which we will adjust upward the consequential adjustment upstairs for those already earning above N30,000. This is what we are doing now."

The minister, who noted that the emphasis on the new minimum wage is on the vulnerable and those workers down the ladder, said the government had set up a technical committee under the Salaries and Wages Commission to work out what the federal government will do for their workers and then advise the state governments appropriately.

Explaining the issues further, Ngige said: "You must consequentially adjust for the worker on grade level two, three and four and five, because his is on GL 1 step 1 and has overtaken them with his new payment.

"That is what we refer to as consequential adjustment. This consequential adjustment touches more on the people on the lower ladder and we are working it out. The negotiation is going to be with the Joint Negotiating Council in both the federal and state level."

According to Ngige, what the federal government is doing is to use the Salaries and Wages Commission to work out what the federal government will pay its workers and to also advise the state governments appropriately.

On the insistence by some state governments that they will not be able to pay the N30, 000 minimum wage, Ngige said the law on National Minimum Wage is a binding one and that no state can afford to disobey it. 

Responding to accusations by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) that he was frustrating the speedy implementation of the new minimum wage, Ngige said the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, was employing blackmail tactics.

He attributed the delay in commencing the payment of the new minimum wage to some bureaucratic bottlenecks which will soon be sorted out.

"I am the prime mover of the new minimum wage. If you ask anybody in the Federal Executive Council (FEC), they will tell you so and President Muhammadu Buhari will also tell you so and he has said so many times. So, the president of the NLC is playing politics," he said.

"If I am unable to pay and my workers know that I am unable to pay, we will sit down and agree on what I am able to pay. So, there is a baseline now as no worker in Nigeria should earn anything less than N30,000 provided that the establishment has more than 25 workers," he said.

Speaking with regard to his query to the leadership of the TUC and NUPENG, the minister said both unions were found to have breached the provisions of the Trade Unions Act.

He said both NUPENG and TUC were in breach of Section 37(i) and that the Registrar of Trade Union invoked Section 40 of the Trade Unions Act Cap T.14 (LFN) 2004 which gives him power to request that all the books of accounts of defaulting unions be submitted to the Registrar's office for further scrutiny to make for accountability in the management of the unions’ funds, which are check-off dues of workers deducted at source from their salaries.

However, he said while the TUC leadership had since made representation pleading for time to enable it meet up with the legal provision, their NUPENG counterpart has failed to give any explanation but rather chose to exhibit arrogance.

Okorocha Asks NJC, FCT CJ to Ignore EFCC’s Petition against Judge

 

Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has urged chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja to discountenance the petition written by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Justice Taiwo Taiwo for lack of merit.

In the said petition, EFCC had alleged professional misconduct and abuse of judicial powers against the judge for granting an order enforcing Okorocha’s fundamental human rights.

Okorocha, in the letter to the NJC chairman and FHC Chief Judge titled: ‘Re:  EFCC Reports Justice Taiwo to NJC over Restraining Order on Okorocha, Saraki’, stated that “contrary to the impression being created by the EFCC through its chairman, the order granted by Justice Taiwo was made pursuant to two fundamental human rights suits that I filed before the court.”

He added that the move against him by the EFCC “smacks of political vendetta and persecution.”

The governor stated that EFCC operatives ransacked his house in Jos, Plateau State, in May 2017 with the hope of finding something incriminating against him but they found nothing.

He added that EFCC had also arrested almost all his principal staff “and in every case, insisting that they must make statements to indict me. When they refused, they were kept in custody for two days.”

According to Okorocha, the EFCC is persecuting him “to distract, decimate and prevent me from being sworn in as a senator representing the people of Imo West senatorial district on June 6, 2019, when the ninth National Assembly will be inaugurated.”

He added: “My political opponents accused me of nursing an ambition to contest for the position of the Deputy Senate President. In their reasoning, they said the position would give me an edge to contest as president in 2023, so everything must be done to get me out of the way.”

Okorocha stated that in order to shield himself from the unwarranted attacks by EFCC, he approached the Federal High Court for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.

The Imo State governor noted: “Instead of Ibrahim Magu-led EFCC to prove its case before the court, having submitted to its jurisdiction, it has resorted to cheap blackmail, needless name-calling and unwarranted arm-twisting, all in a bid to achieve their sinister motive of decimating me by all means.”

Buttressing his point further, Okorocha stated that “the position of the law that has been well-espoused in the case of Governor of Lagos State vs Ojukwu (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt.18) PG 621 S.C., is that it is an affront to the rule of law to disobey or render nugatory an order of court whether real or anticipatory, and in particular, the case equally states that parties who are before the court must act within the dictates of equity or directions of the law and court until the matter is finally disposed.”

The governor added that the order granted by Justice Taiwo in the fundamental human rights suit he initiated against the EFCC and others was appropriately given in view of the facts placed before the court.

Massive Onslaught On Traffic Robbery Suspects in Lagos

The Surveillance Patrol Strategy introduced by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, targeted at tackling the menace of Traffic Robbery in the state has recorded other significant achievements with the arrest of over 10 traffic robbery suspects over the weekend and recovery of firearms and ammunition.

According to the statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, "On May 4, 2019, at about 5:30am in the morning, Surveillance Patrol Team from Ketu Police Station, foiled a robbery attempt at Kosofe bus stop.

“The leader of the gang popularly known as Gabazine and two other members of the gang were arrested.  One Samsung phone snatched from a victim was recovered and handed over to the owner. On   May 25, 2019, the same surveillance team on undercover operation at the same spot arrested two traffic robbery suspects attempting to rob some unsuspecting road users. Two jack knives and a toy pistol were recovered. On the same date at about 12:05am, surveillance patrol team deployed to Ketu bus stop, arrested two traffic robbery suspects,  namely: Ayomide Ayobami and Taye Onofowokan, both living at Agboyi Ketu. One pistol with three live ammunitions and a jack knife were recovered from them. On the same date at about 01:00am, surveillance Patrol team attached to Festac Police Station arrested one Bamidele Ogunbanjo; 30 years old, of Prayer Estate Amuwo Odofin. One locally made pistol with one live ammunition were recovered. Investigation is ongoing and all the suspects will be charged to Court.

"On the 21st of May, 2019, at about 4.00pm, Sabo Police Station received a distress call that a group of armed hoodlums  suspected to be cultists were sighted at Yaba College of Technology, during the College Matriculation ceremony. Teams of Policemen from Sabo Police Station and Tactical Units of the command were promptly drafted to the scene to reinforce the campus patrol team. Two suspects namely; Oluwadamilare, 24 years old and Badmus Idris, 23years old were arrested. One Baretta  Pistol with four live ammunitions and three expended ammunitions were recovered from the suspects. Investigation is ongoing and the suspects will be charged to Court.

"While on May 24, 2019, at about 7.00am, operatives of Shagamu road police station in collaboration with the Chief Security Officer of Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu arrested one Cletus Williams, a security guard with the polytechnic for killing his colleague, Okoro John while they were on night duty. The suspect used a sharp knife to slash the throat of the victim and also chopped off his right wrist.  Homicide detectives from State Criminal Investigation Department Yaba are investigating the case to ascertain the motive behind the killing. The knife used for the murder was recovered. Suspect will soon be charged to court for murder.

"In a related development, on May 24, 2019 at about 8.00am. Ikorodu Police Station received a distress call that one Enifeh Akupa Omomo, 42 years old, of No. 12, Eruga Street, Aga-Ikorodu, allegedly killed his wife, Mrs Faith Omomo, 38 old and his six years old son, Glorious Omomo and thereafter committed suicide in his one room apartment. Homicide detectives visited the scene. The corpse of the suspect was found hanging on a rope, tied to the ceiling fan, while corpses of his wife and son were found on the floor. Bodies of the deceased persons were evacuated to General Hospital for autopsy. Investigation is ongoing.

"Also, on May 21, 2019, at about 7:30 a.m, one Stanley Omah of No. 46 Olatunji street, Ojota, reported at Ojota Police Station that on the same date at about 6:30 am, his brother in laws; Emmanuel John, 21years old and John Paul, 22 years old were found dead in the shop. That the victims locked up themselves in the shop were they usually sleep; turn on the generator in the same shop and slept off. The scene was visited by homicide detectives and the corpses were evacuated to General hospital for autopsy. Investigation is ongoing.