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June 30, 2005

Balogun faints in court

• Manhandled by armed policemen, EFCC officials • Leg broken, receives other injuries, sheds tears • Judge condemns action

By Rotimi Fadeyi
Snr Correspondent, Abuja

Former Inspector General of Police (IG), Tafa Balogun, fainted in court on Wednesday after security operatives and policemen attached to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brutalised him.

He was rushed to hospital. Before then, he had been pushed, kicked, dragged on the ground and hurled into a vehicle from where he fell off.

He broke a leg and received other injuries. He shed tears, his relations also wept and one of his brothers had to step out of the courtroom as he could not control his emotion when the incident was narrated.

The attack started after Justice Salisu Garuba ruled that Balogun would only be released on bail on condition that he produces two sureties with national honours and landed property in Asokoro or Maitama in Abuja.

He is facing 92 charges of alleged gratification, theft and abuse of office.

As he stepped out of the court discussing with his lawyers on how to meet the conditions, one of the EFCC operatives attempted to drag him into the car.

His counsel, Tunji Abayomi and his relations protested but they were ignored.

The officials pushed him into the vehicle and armed policemen immediately surrounded it and cocked their guns to ward off those who tried to get close.

Some of the policemen jumped into the vehicle with Balogun who was sitting near the door. As it moved in a hurry to take him out of the court premises, they forgot to lock the door and he fell off as the car approached the gate of the court premises.

He landed on the ground but found his left leg trapped under the rear left tyre of the vehicle. Sprawling on the ground and groaning in pain, Balogun shouted: “Ha, ha, ha, do you want to kill me? Do you want to kill your former boss?”

Still on the ground, his brown flowing gown which was neat and clean a few minutes ago, became dirty and ruffled.

The policemen came out of the vehicle and forced his leg out from under the tyre. His cries that he had been injured were ignored by the security agents as they hurled him from the ground back into the vehicle and sped off.

Abayomi and other lawyers who witnessed the incident were speechless. Their attempts to save the situation were futile.

When the incident was reported to Garba as the security agents were about to drive off, he sent word through the court registrar that they should all return to the courtroom. The directive was ignored.

Garba insisted that Balogun be brought back to the court and ordered prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, to produce him.

Outside the court, while waiting for Balogun to be brought back, there was a hot exchange of words between his relatives and Jacobs and it almost led to a scuffle as other lawyers joined to condemn the action.

They continued to shout in Yoruba: Se e fe paa ni, Se e fe paa ni? (do you want to kill him? Do you want to kill him?).

Jacobs had to move to a safe distance to prevent a possible attack on him by the relatives and other lawyers in the defence team.

After about 30 minutes, the same vehicle that took him out of the court premises brought him back; accompanied by more EFCC officials in another vehicle.

Balogun had to be given some support before he could come out of the vehicle. His left leg had been broken, his clothes ruffled and dirty, his neatly starched cap had disappeared and the left side of his trousers was rolled up. He was barefooted and limped.

Tears had welled in his eyes when he got back to the courtroom. He shook his head and looked dejected.

Garba was already on his seat.

Jacobs apologised for the treatment meted out to Balogun. He said ruling on the bail conditions was misconstrued by the operatives and that Abayomi should have informed him when Balogun was about to be taken away instead of trying to pull him from the vehicle.

He admitted that it was wrong for the security agents to take Balogun away without waiting till the end of the court session to know whether he would meet the conditions.

When it was the turn of Abayomi to address the court, he gave a graphic detail of how Balogun was maltreated.

“My client was injured, mercilessly injured in the premises of the court, which showed total disregard for the court”, he recounted.

He asked the judge to vary the conditions and urged him to release Balogun on self-recognisance and promised that he would appear in court anytime he is needed.

Abayomi explained that Balogun would need medical attention as he had been injured.

At this point, tears welling up Balogun’s eyes and in an emotion laden voice, told the judge: “My lord, I think I should be given an opportunity to talk because I am the victim of the matter, this is like a fact finding session, that is why I request that you give me the opportunity to be heard because you want to know the truth.

“The bottom line is that I have always come before my lord. You can now see the manifestation of personal vendetta in this affair; it is not prosecution but persecution, which started long ago.

“I am not safe in the hands of these people (EFCC) and I want to say that from the beginning there had been threats to my life. Before the experience of today, there were threats from the prosecution that I will be in prison custody even before the trial can commence, so the case of conviction before trial is before your lordship.

“I have a broken leg because of the forcible manner in which they took me away, contrary to your order. I must have also sustained a lot of internal bleeding, internal injury because I was thrown off from the vehicle. I don’t deserve this type of maltreatment if the situation was normal.

“I have served this country as Inspector General of Police creditably well. I have respected the court and have been attending court. Despite all these, you can see what they want to do to my life. I seek your merciful cover under your lordship”.

A few minutes after Balogun sat down, he called Abayomi and whispered in his ears. Abayomi turned to Balogun’s brother to get a bottle of water and contact a doctor.

But before this could be done, Balogun lost balance and slumped as he was about to lean on the shoulder of a security operative sitting close to him.

His relations and lawyers gathered and tried to lift him up, but the situation got worse as Balogun fainted and was taken to a private hospital in a Prado Jeep marked KOGI AA 611 DAV.

When peace returned to the courtroom, Garba condemned the action of the EFCC operatives and Jacobs for disobeying his order.

He granted the request of Abayomi and released Balogun on self-reconisance and adjourned hearing to July 13.

Posted by Publisher at 05:43 PM | Comments (0)

Ogbeh, Ali trade words on PDP finances

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Audu Ogbeh, has criticised his successor, Ahmadu Ali and Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman, Tony Anenih, for pronouncing him guilty of alleged fraud without giving him the opportunity to respond.

By Paul Mumeh
Snr Correspondent, Abuja

He said in a protest letter to the National Executive Committee (NEC), sent through Ali, that the Anenih committee on the Anambra conflict condemned him and seven members of his National Working Committee (NWC) without hearing him out.

“Whether I was personally accused or not”, he stressed, “I do hold vicarious responsibility for the operations of the party and cannot therefore pretend not to be affected by these grave conclusions”.

The panel’s report found the NWC culpable and recommended its dissolution.

Ogbeh argued: “The failure to give me a chance to appear suggests an increasingly worrisome development in our party, a blatant disregard for legal norms, and a steady widening of the highway to judicial anarchy. Recent pronouncements by some of you, members of this body, suggest no less and this is at a time when we seek world respect; we, the ruling party.

“I wish to ask some of you, members of this body, how you would react if, some day after leaving office, you are accused, tried and condemned in your absence. It may be sweet now because I and my NWC are at this end of the barrel, but this is evil and evil always crashes under its own weight”.

Ogbeh denied embezzling N2.9 billion, saying all he spent and did was approved as shown in the audited account by external auditors of Akintola Williams and Company.

He frowned at Ali’s explanation of why the party did not take him and his leadership to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

“The sole purpose of the Anenih inquiry was to establish guilt and prepare grounds for the final takeover of the party”.

But Ali told Ogbeh on Wednesday that “I have nothing against you”.

He explained in his reaction to the letter that Ogbeh was not invited to the panel “because there was nowhere he was directly accused of financial impropriety”.

Ali issued a statement that was signed on his behalf by his Media Assistant, Theophilus Abbah.

He stated that the people invited by the panel were those who had explanations to offer on the mismanagement of party funds and described as unfair, Ogbeh’s position that the changes in the leadership of the PDP were an attempt to hijack the November convention and take over the party.

Posted by Publisher at 05:42 PM | Comments (0)

FG to float N140b bonds on debt servicing

The government has resorted to the capital market to service domestic debts as it plans to float some N140 billion bond stocks, a practice it had abandoned for 17 years.

By Chesa Chesa
State House Correspondent, Abuja

The proposal was approved on Wednesday by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) after it deliberated on seeking relief from its domestic creditors to whom it owes N1.3 trillion, in line with the upbeat tempo in the quest for debt relief from foreign creditors.

Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, told journalists in Abuja after the meeting that the idea of domestic debt waiver was, however, dropped because of the negative impact it would have on the economy.

The meeting was chaired by President Olusegun Obasanjo.

According to her, the suggestion had been to ask the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to whom much of the debt is owed, to grant the government the relief while further loans are monitored to avert another build-up.

The government is currently servicing domestic debts with N185 billion, higher than the N183 billion used to service foreign debts of about $38 billion.

Okonjo-Iweala said floating the bonds in seven monthly installments would mop up excess liquidity in the economy and ensure that macroeconomic stability tallies with falling interest rates.

Her words: “The government has been absent from the bond market for 17 years and then came back with a bond issue last year and we are following this up so that we have a regular programme.

“But a different thing is that this time we are focusing mostly on restructuring of domestic bonds. You know that many of them, almost 80 per cent, has short tenure and we want to reduce it from three to six months treasury to about three years’ bonds”.

She said floating the bonds would ease the burden as well as lower the cost of domestic debt servicing since it would come with longer maturity.

“Even as we are focusing on trying to tackle the issue of our external debt, we must not forget that we also have internal debt that needs to be restructured. This is what we are doing and we are expecting to float between N70 and N140 billion, depending on the appetite of the market for these bonds.

“We will use most of the proceeds to restructure the existing bonds and lengthen their maturity. We want to do this in seven monthly installments, just to make sure we don’t overstretch the market at about N20 billion each. I think this will also be very helpful towards managing the liquidity issue in the economy.

“It is an important part of the instruments we are deploying to make sure we have macro-economic stability that will lower our domestic debt profile because interest rates are falling now and it is also good.

“It is also good that we restructure and lower the domestic debt and lower the amount of money used in servicing the debt. So there are a lot of benefits to this restructuring programme”.

Okonjo-Iweala argued that the measure would also steer government away from financing programmes through Ways and Means.

“Last year, our access rate to Ways and Means was so limited that the Central Bank lost N7 billion in surpluses that it would have had. We have continued the same practice this year. But when we introduced the fiscal discipline into the programme, the Central Bank of course agreed with us that this a good thing even though they are losing money.

“Last year, we had access to 10 per cent of Ways and Means and this year we are talking about five per cent. You know the law allows 12 per cent. So I think we are doing extremely well.

“By the end of the year, unlike in the previous years when we had access to Ways and Means, we had to roll it over into debt. Last year, we did not do any of that and this year we have no intention”.

Her counterpart in the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir el-Rufai, announced the FEC’s approval of a N14.2 billion contract to increase water supply to Abuja to 30,000 cubic litres per hour.

It was awarded to Biwater Nigeria Limited and would be completed in 24 months.

Posted by Publisher at 05:41 PM | Comments (0)

U.S. bans 200 Nigerian officials

Up to 200 serving and former Nigerian officials and members of their immediate families have been banned from the United States in an action which delivers on the promise of the administration to help Abuja fight graft.

By Chinedu Offor
Correspondent
Washington D.C.

Their visa have been revoked.

The number could rise to an additional 50 officials whose cases are under investigation, according to sources.

Also affected are private citizens seen to be supporting ethnic militias and Islamic fundamentalists.

All may lose their investments in the U.S if they are unable to justify how they made their money.

A U.S. official said the ban is a "practical demonstration of the administration’s resolve to assist Nigeria in its war on corruption".

Sources in the administration and the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (INS) confirmed that those affected include seven serving governors, two former Heads of State, lawmakers, former ministers (especially in the Shehu Shagari administration), top officials of government agencies and businessmen.

The agencies include former National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), former Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL) and maritime establishments.

Two of the governors are from the North, two (South South), two (South East) and one (South West).

One of them allegedly bought a custom made jet, purporting it to be for a proposed airline to be operated by the state.

Another was barred because he allegedly owns a million dollar real estate firm, registered under the name of a lady said to be his mistress.

The administration relied on internal investigation, records from banks, Transparency International (TI) and information from European Union (EU) countries to make the decision.

It was learnt the list will be handed over to the Nigerian authorities.

Posted by Publisher at 05:40 PM | Comments (0)

Auto crashes, robberies claim 46 lives in Kebbi, Edo, Delta

Death came through accidents and dare devil robberies between Monday and Wednesday, took 46 lives and left at least 30 persons injured in three states spanning the North and the South.

By AyoAjoge (Birnin-Kebbi)
and Tunke-Aye Bisina
(Asaba)

All of them occurred on highways.

An armed robbery attack on Tuesday and an auto crash on Wednesday claimed the lives of 11 passengers on the Asaba-Benin road that traverses Edo and Delta. No fewer than five persons were injured.

On Monday, an early hour multiple accident on Yauri-Kontagora road in Kebbi State, caused by an armed robbery operation, left 35 persons dead with 25 others seriously injured and under intensive care at the General Hospital, Yauri.

The accident on the Asaba-Benin road involved a Toyota Hiace commuter bus and a truck, claimed five lives and left another five persons in critical condition.

Another set of robbers had on Tuesday attacked travellers around Edo-Ogwashi, a few kilometers from the scene of the accident, killed six persons and left several others with bullet wounds. They stole from their victims.

But spokesperson of the state police command, Okuwobi Olabisi, put the death toll in that incident at three.

Eyewitnesses claimed that the criminals operated for several hours without resistance from policemen, resulting in traffic tail back for over two hours.

Olabisi said they used sophisticated arms but stressed that the police have spread their dragnet to arrest them.

She announced the killing of three robbery suspects by the police after a gun duel on Jakpa road, Effurun on Monday.

The Toyota bus was marked Delta XB 695-AGB. It was on its way from Agbor to Onitsha when it ran into a truck (marked Lagos XB 511-AGL) at the Okpanem end of the Asaba-Benin highway, five kilometers from Asaba.

Five of the passengers, including the driver, died immediately; five others received varying degrees of injury and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba where they are lying in critical condition.

The corpses have been deposited at the St. Joseph’s Clinic Mortuary, Asaba.

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials on Tuesday tried to tow the vehicles and searched the belongings of the passengers to identify them.

One of them said the identity card of a 400 level student of Delta State University (DELSU) was recovered from the scene.

He added that while they were rescuing the survivors, another towing van (marked Anambra XO 359 NSH) crashed into the scene and wounded two persons who were taken to hospital.

FRSC Delta State Sector Commander, Sunday Maku, confirmed that five persons died on the spot and that another five received injury.

He said the accident was caused by over speeding by the driver of the Toyota bus “because he ran into another vehicle”.

Also, Kebbi State Governor, Muhammadu Adamu Aliero, visited the scene of the accident on the Yauri-Kontagora road where he was told by the driver of one of the vehicles, Abubakar Ibrahim, that they were travelling to Akure, Ondo State from Illela, the border town in Sokoto State lying between Nigeria and Niger Republic.

The vehicle, a Mercedes Benz truck marked XF 924 KMC, carried over 40 passengers along with their goods.

He said they met a road block erected by armed robbers about 3 a.m. and in an attempt to avoid it, the truck veered into a ditch, killing 16 passengers instantly.

After the accident, according to Ibrahim, another truck, a DAF model (marked XK 383 AAA), whose driver did not notice the accident, rammed into the Mercedes Benz and somersaulted. Seven persons died instantly.

The conductor of the DAF truck, Mustapha Salisu, told Aliero that the armed robbers, after noticing the havoc they wreaked, fled the scene only to emerge some kilometers away with another road block from where they again robbed, maimed and killed.

Aliero promised that the government will foot the hospital bills of those injured.

Posted by Publisher at 05:38 PM | Comments (0)

Resource control: Accept 25%, YCE, Benin monarch tell Arewa

Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) and Benin monarch, Omo N’Oba Erediauwa on Wednesday urged the Arewa Consultative Forum (YCF), and northern delegates to the National Conference to end the stalemate threatening the conference by accepting the 25 per cent derivation formula which the South-South has insisted on.

By Uwakwe Abugu (Benin)
and Sola Shittu (Ibadan)

Sedretary General of the YCE, Kunle Oladeji urged the ACF to accept the 25 per cent derivation being demanded by the South-South zone in the interest of the continued existence of the country.

The YCE scribe who is also a delegate to the conference said the North should be more humane in considering the plight of the people of the Niger Delta region.

The Omo N’oba, however, explained that in reality, the 25 per cent mark accepted by the South- South delegates is a remarkable sacrifice considering that what the people had demanded originally was about 75 per cent.

The monarch, who made the remarks in his palace during his quarterly interactive session with newsmen in Benin City, also expressed dismay at the menace of cultism in higher institutions of learning in Edo State.

And in the political tension building up in the state over which of the three senatorial districts would produce the next governor of state come 2007, the traditional ruler threw his weight behind the Bini people’s aspiration to retain power.

Asked to add his fatherly advice on the way out of the crisis threatening the national conference, he said, “I want to appeal to those of them opposing the 25% derivation to have a change of heart.

“Let us leave it at that 25 per cent and let all the palaver go; the south south came down to 25 per cent from a higher demand.

“So, I am pleading with our people over there who are opposing the 25 per cent to see reason and accept it”, he stated.

On cultism in the higher institutions in the state, Oba Erediauwa said, “It is an embarrassing situation to all of us.

Nobody knows what is causing it. We pray that God removes it”, adding that government has been what it can to contain the scourge.

Speaking on the opposition against the aspiration of Edo South people to produce a governor come 2007 since incumbent governor, Lucky Igbinedion is from the south district of the state, the royal father said nobody should expect him to sit back in his palace and support any move to stop his people from voting or being voted for.

He was reacting to a question as to whether he would support the position canvassed last Tuesday by a prince of his palace, Edun Akenzua that the Edo South wants to retain power.

Posted by Publisher at 05:36 PM | Comments (0)

‘Obasanjo has lost control of conference’

Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Maxi Okwu, said the National Conference has gone into stormy waters, adding that President Olusegun Obasanjo who set it up has lost control of it.

By Chuks Ehirim
Senior Correspondent, Abuja

Okwu who spoke to Daily Independent in Abuja, said “the conference has gone into stormy waters because it is like a horse that has bolted from the barn and the owner has lost control”.

“When some of us noticed the caliber of persons coming to the conference and the issues on the Nigerian political tables, we knew that Obasanjo might want the conference to go right or left.”

On the agitation of the South-South political zone for resource control, Okwu said his party is in full support of it adding: “APGA as a political party supports the agitations of the South-South. It is only fair, if we are running a true federation”.

He condemned those against the demand of the South-South for at least 25 per cent derivation saying: “All those kicking against their wish do not mean well for this country. Look at the statistics put forward by the South-South and South-East, showing how revenue had been allocated from 1960 to date”.

He argued that it was military politics that brought the derivation percentage down to 13 per cent.

Posted by Publisher at 05:33 PM | Comments (0)

Resource control will strengthen Nigeria – Ayitogo

Nasarawa State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Yusuf Ayitogo, has stressed that rather than break up the country, the vexed issue of resource control would strengthen it.

By Tor Acka
Special Correspondent, Lafia

Ayitogo said this while speaking with newsmen in Lafia on Wednesday. He, however, appealed to all who have the Nigerian project at heart to reconsider their stand and embrace dialogue, rather than confrontation in resolving the issue.

He observed that the Federal Government has done so much for the people of the South-South pointing out that one of such efforts was the setting up of several agencies to ensure rapid development of the area as well as release of monthly allocations in large sums to back it up.

Ayitogo, therefore, advised leaders of the South-South zone to be transparent in all their dealings, as this was the desire of the people whom they were accountable to.

He said the state PDP would soon be launching the building of the state secretariat, which will facilitate and enhance its activities in Nassarawa.

The party chairman was also optimistic that the party would win the chairmanship and councillorship election in Lafia Municipal Council slated for Saturday.

Posted by Publisher at 05:30 PM | Comments (0)

South-East leaders to meet over conference crisis, 2007

Political leaders of different political persuasions from the South-East geo-political zone, would be meeting in Enugu on Sunday, to take a definite position on the crisis rocking the National Conference as well as take a definite stand on the 2007 presidential election.

By Chuks Ehirim
Senior Correspondent, Abuja

The meeting which is being convened by the Second Republic Speaker of the House of Representatives, Edwin Ume Ezeoke, Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chekwas Okorie and the deputy national secretary of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Francis Egu, is also said to be enjoying the support of the governors of Abia, Anambra and Imo states.

A source close to the conveners of the meeting scheduled to hold at ZODIAC Hotel, Enugu, said the major issues to be discussed are the crisis at the national conference and the 2007 presidency.

The source said the Igbo political leaders would decide on the position to be canvassed by South-East delegates to the conference on such issues as power rotation and tenure of office.

Majority of the delegates from the zone have insisted that the issue of power rotation must not only be inserted in the constitution, it must equally be on geo-political zones instead of North-South basis, as agreed by the elders committee of conference, headed by Professor Joe Irukwu.

Irukwu was said to have been under severe pressure from his kinsmen to work towards reversing the committee’s decision on the issue when the conference reconvenes on July 11.

The source said the main reason for convening the Enugu meeting is because Ndigbo have lost out at the conference adding: “We want to review the development at the conference, access the performance of our delegates and advise on what must be done when the conference reconvenes”.

Posted by Publisher at 05:25 PM | Comments (0)

Conference stalemate may fulfil US prediction, says Okunronmu

A representative of Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political group, at the national conference in Abuja, Femi Okunronmu, has warned that except extreme care is taken, the face-off between the North and the South-South at the conference might fulfill the American intelligence report that the country might break up by 2020.

By Sola Shittu
Reporter, Ibadan

Okunronmu who represented Ogun Central in the Senate during the last dispensation was not happy at the Northerners’ insistence that the South-South people should accept the 17 per cent recommendation or nothing else.

To him, the action of the Northern delegates smirks of arrogance, which is not good for the continued existence of the country.

He warned that the implication of rejecting the 25 per cent demand of the oil producing region may be too grave for the country and called for matured handling of the Issue.

Okunronmu who spoke with newsmen in Ibadan, Oyo State said: “The North is arrogant and selfish over resource control. I must warn here that the stability of Nigeria hinges on what we do on the issue.’’

He insisted that the issue of resource control is not a new one adding that the Niger-Delta people are merely asking for a return to the ‘covenant’ that the country had before independence

“Anyone that is realistic, nationalistic and progressive-minded will accept that resource control is not only in the interest of the South-South but also in the interest of the entire country. If you go back to the first republic when we had three regions, there was rapid progress. That progress was possible because each region has substantial control over resources found in its territory, and merely paid a portion of it to the centre.

There were incentives for each region to try to mobilise a resource that was why the South-West put everything into cocoa production. Farm centres were developed, cocoa research institute was set up – all these were to boost cocoa production and agriculture.

Posted by Publisher at 05:22 PM | Comments (0)

Igbo Reps meet over Apo killings

•Judicial Commission adjourns sitting •Police may try another top shot for negligence • Ohaneze seeks justice

By Chris Agbambu, Uchenna Awom (Abuja) and Sunny Igboanugo (Lagos)

The South-East caucus in the House of Representatives met last night at the Apo Legislative residence of the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Gilbert Nnaji, to take a common stand on the controversy surrounding the killing of six Igbo traders in Abuja. A press conference may be addressed today in Abuja.

Similarly the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Federal Government to unravel the motive and the actual identity of the policemen behind the killings, which took place at the Apo mechanic village in Abuja held their inaugural sitting on Tuesday, but adjourned shortly to 9am Friday.

Daily Independent learnt that members of the South East caucus were summoned to Abuja following pressures from home for them to ‘take more than a passive interest on the matter’.

However, Chairman of the panel of inquiry, Justice Olasumbo Goodluck, called for memoranda from members of the Public. She said any member of the public who has any information should forward it to the secretary of the commission.

No testimony was taken as only counsels to Ohaneze, the Apo traders, families of the victims and the police announced their appearance.

Public interest on the matter has remained on the up swing as the court room at the large Customary Court of Appeal at Utako District was filled to the brim as early as 8am by spectators especially traders from Apo and executives of Abuja Chapter of Ohaneze Ndigbo led by its President, Vidal Wachuku.

People gathered in groups discussing outside the courtroom on the reported disappearance of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Garki, Abuja Abdulsalam Othman, from police detention and the confession of the detained officers of committing the crime and that the traders were not robbers afterall.

But facts emerged indicating that CSP Lawan Ado detained for the escape of the DPO) of Garki Police Station may be tried and dismissed from the force for negligence.

Ado reportedly obtained the statement of the fleeing DPO, and thereafter allowed him to go and pray both of them being course mates, but never knew Othman will betray him by escaping.

The now detained Ado, who had long been in Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), was recently transferred out of the Force Headquarters, Abuja to Kogi State, but was yet to resume in his new posting when the Apo incident happened.

Following the escape of the DPO, security has now been tightened around the Deputy Commissioner Operations (FCT) Danjuma Ibrahim and the other eight officers and men.

Posted by Publisher at 05:20 PM | Comments (0)

S/West delegates differ on president, govs’ tenure

Delegates to the crises-ridden conference from the South-West have been enmeshed in a fresh crisis over the tenure for the president and governors.

By Bayo Oladeji
Senior Correspondent, Abuja

The bone of contention was a fresh directive coming from the governors asking them to mount pressure on the conference to revisit the four-year two-term tenure adopted after the South-South and South-East and some delegates from the South-West had walked out in protest.

At a meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State, the delegates were asked to ensure that the six- year single term is adopted instead but their counterparts from Lagos and Afenifere are not in the league as they were said to have resolved to team up with delegates from the North who favoured the four- year term.

“ We have all agreed to ask the conference to reverse itself over all the decisions made while most delegates from the South-South had left the hall or face our own walk-out. It is not any directive from the governors or President Olusegun Obasanjo”, Olu Alabi said.

Speaking further, he argued that it was unfair to allow such a decision to be binding and if that was the stand, then “most of us from the South-South would not endorse the report. The conference should reconsider its stand before we reconvene or face the consequence”.

But another delegate from Lagos said no delegate from the state would do President Obasanjo’s bidding adding: “He wants that six- year single term for his interest and with what he has done to us in Lagos, he should forget it”.

Checks also revealed in Abuja that those who want the North to corner the presidency for the same number of years like the South-West are the forces behind the speculation going on that the idea originated from the Presidency.

Zik Obi of Anambra State who shares this view declares “ I am not an Obasanjo man, I am against any extension of his tenure by a day but I support the six- year single term and what we are going to do is to ensure that we state it clearly that the incumbent would not be allowed. Those who think they had passed the decision are joking”.

Posted by Publisher at 05:19 PM | Comments (0)

Delta loses suit over N7.8b deduction

Delta State on Wednesday lost its suit against the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) over the commission’s plan to deduct about N7, 869,329,406.01 from its monthly revenue allocation.

Rotimi Fadeyi
Senior Correspondent, Abuja

The money was said to be an accumulated overpayment on its monthly allocation from the federation account on the 13 per cent derivation for the period of June 1999 to February 2003.

Justice Stephen Jonah Adah of the Federal High Court, Abuja held in his rulling that the state failed to provide sufficient evidence that it was not overpaid.

However, Delta may file an appeal before the Court of Appeal to challenge the judgement.

Adah said his judgement was based on a document presented in court by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation showing details of how some states, including Delta, were overpaid.

It also showed how other states were underpaid during the period in question. Apart from Delta, other states that were overpaid included Abia, Ondo, and Rivers.

Those underpaid are Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, and Imo.

Before Adah dismissed the case of Delta, he explained that the document was not a new formula for revenue sharing but aimed at correcting errors made by RMAFC in the overpayments and underpayments made to some states.

In the suit, Delta State argued that there was no proof that the state was overpaid its monthly revenue allocation during the period as being alleged by RMAFC.

Specifically, Delta State asked for an interlocutory order restraining the defendants from deducting any sum or further deducting any sum from its monthly allocation.

The suit filed by Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN) on behalf of Delta State Government was supported by 13-paragraph statement of claim where the state averred that sometimes in June 2004, during the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting, a document entitled: “Exposure of underpayments and overpayments arising from the sharing of 13 per cent derivation fund from June 1999 to February 2003,” was circulated by the Revenue Commission to the oil producing states that at the meeting.

Posted by Publisher at 05:18 PM | Comments (0)

Keyamo exposes plans to extradite ‘coup plotters’ to E/Guinea

A Lagos-based lawyer, Festus Keyamo, has raised alarm over plans by the government of Equatorial Guinea to execute four alleged coup plotters, including a Nigerian.

By Rotimi Durojaiye
Correspondent, Lagos

The alleged execution without due process is to be carried out with the active connivance of the Nigerian government, Keyamo alleged in an open letter to the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Anan.

He accused the Federal Government of planning to hand over the alleged coup plotters contrary to the Extradition Act 1966, now Cap 25 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

According to Keyamo, the Nigerian government on April 20 arrested some persons in Lagos, upon the suspicion that they were planning to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea.

He listed them as Col. Ela Biban Florencio (rtd), Lt. Edu Nchama Antimo (rtd) and Mr. Felipe Ntutumu Esono Nzang.

The only Nigerian allegedly arrested in connection with the plot was Anthony Amechi Akaeke.

Keyamo explained that early in the year, Akaeke was allegedly contacted by someone, on behalf of the Equatorial Guineans to provide them with a crew boat to enable them carry workers from Boma in Kinshasa, Congo Democratic Republic, to work in the oil rig in Malabo and Batar in Equatorial Guinea.

“Upon provision of the boat, the Nigerian was allegedly conscripted into a coup plot, and he was allegedly asked to help them procure rocket launchers and grenades from the Nigerian military to use in overthrowing the government of Equatorial Guinea.

“The plot allegedly leaked when arrangements were on in one of the Lagos barracks to procure these materials. They were all arrested by the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) and later transferred to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) from where they were later transferred to the State Security Service (SSS) in Abuja,” the lawyer said.

He explained that after more than two months of harrowing detention and being held incommunicado, “we have been briefed that the Nigerian government has entered an agreement with the government of Equatorial Guinea to quietly hand-over these persons this week to be slaughtered in Equatorial Guinea”.

Posted by Publisher at 05:17 PM | Comments (0)

Tax board orders employers to deduct staff allowances

The impoverished Nigerian workers are in for another round of hardship, as their purchasing power will soon be further eroded.

By Sanya Adejokun
Senior Correspondent, Abuja

The Joint Tax Board (JTB) has told employers to commence immediate deduction of taxes from allowances of their staff for onward remittance to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

In a statement after the June 22, meeting of the JTB in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the board said contrary to widespread view, employees’ salaries and allowances are subject to tax in accordance with the provisions of the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA).

“All emoluments including all allowances of an employee should be taxed in accordance with the law,” its Executive Secretary, Mr. Adeleke Afolabi, said in the statement. He added that the clarification became necessary in view of various representations made to the JTB by individuals and employees on the issue.

Afolabi drew public attention to Section 3 of the Act, which says “any salary, wage, fee, allowance, or other gain or profit from employment, including gratuities, compensation, business, premiums, benefits or other perquisites allowed, given, or granted by any person to an employer”, is subject to tax.

According to him, what the law provides for are exemptions covered in Section 3 of what is taxed and what is not as contained in PITA.

These are medical and dental expenses incurred by an employee; rent paid, subject to the allowance limits; rent subsidy, which is subject to a limit of N100,000; transport allowance up to a limit of N15,000 per annum; meal subsidy up to a limit of N5,000 per annum; utility allowance subject to a limit of N10,000 per annum; entertainment allowance, subject to a limit of N6,000 per annum; and leave grant, subject to 10 per cent of annual basic salary.

He expressed worry that organisations’ managers and employers have either neglected to apply or defaulted in applying the law strictly, thus fuelling the impression that allowances are not taxable in Nigeria.

Posted by Publisher at 05:16 PM | Comments (0)

Obasanjo inaugurates millennium goals committee

President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday inaugurated the Assessment and Monitoring Committee on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

By Chesa Chesa
State House Correspondent, Abuja

The committee will act as a platform for the quarterly monitoring and assessment of Federal Government’s efforts to achieve the eight-point MDGs by 2015.

The president detailed the new Senior Special Assistant on MDGs, Mrs. Amina Ibrahim, to coordinate the committee, which has three governors as members. They are Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu), Bukola Saraki (Kwara), and Adamu Aliero (Kebbi). Ministers of Power and Steel, Education, Information, Water Resources, and Health, among other civil society groups and foreign NGOs are also included in the committee.

Although the chairman of the committee was not made known, Ibrahim will chair the steering committee, anchor the secretariat of the committee and make quarterly reports on the MDGs, according to Obasanjo who noted that the action indicated government’s unwavering commitment and faithfulness to the spirit and letter of the Millennium Declaration.

The declaration challenges every government to “spare no effort to free fellow men and women from the abject and dehumanising conditions of extreme poverty to which more than one billion of them are currently subjected”.

The president urged developing partners to consider seriously the issue of debt relief, as it would enable developing countries save enough money to achieve the MDGs.

He said the Federal Government has consistently demonstrated a strong resolve to frontally attack the scourge of poverty in the country through poverty reduction initiatives like the Universal Basic Education (UBE), National Economic Empowerment Development Strategies (NEEDS), National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), Water for Life, Water for All, and the Presidential Initiative on Cassava.

The millennium goals are to eradicate poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote equality and empower women, reduce child mortality and improve maternal health. Others are to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability, and develop a global partnership for development, all by 2015.

Posted by Publisher at 05:15 PM | Comments (0)

Daniel advises new permanent secretaries to give good leadership

Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel has sworn-in ten new permanent secretaries with an admonition to them to give the state civil service good leadership. Specifically, he asked them to impact positively on the middle cadre of the civil service as the latter’s output would determine their efficiency and ratings.

By Segun Adeleye
Reporter, Abeokuta

The governor, who also inaugurated an 18-member Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board on Wednesday charged that effective leadership as well as provision of adequate oversight function should be observed to avoid the lapses that portrayed government in bad light in the last Hajj operations.

He advised the permanent secretaries, among them journalist, Mr. Demola Badejo, to buy into government’s new vision particularly at the threshold of the second half of the administration.

“You now have a greater responsibility for superintending the resources of the state to deliver optimal services to our people. In doing this I enjoin you to carry out your duties with diligence and to further imbibe the vision of this administration. You should be conscious of the fact that the extent of your effectiveness and efficiency would be determined by the quality of the contributions of your subordinates,” he said.

According to him, the previous Moslems welfare board portrayed themselves in ways that left much to be desired, assuring that subsequent exercises will apply more stringent processes of certification.

“This is to ensure that only people who will conduct themselves with decorum and not send wrong signals about our state to the national and international communities are included on the state’s contingent,” the governor stressed.

Posted by Publisher at 05:14 PM | Comments (0)

Alake: Ruling house queries aspirant over sale of family land

The last has not been heard of the controversies trailing the selection of a new Alake of Abeokuta. One of such squabbles is a query issued to one of the aspirants to the coveted stool by the family head of the Laarun ruling house, billed to produce the next and 10th Alake. Chief Anthony Labiran has asked Prince Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo to explain his role in the alleged sale of a family land.

By Segun Adeleye,
reporter, Abeokuta

Adedotun, a retired colonel and former principal staff officer to the late Chief of General Staff (CGS), General Tunde Idiagbon, has denied the accusation of disposing of the land.

But in a letter dated June 20, the family head insisted that Adedotun was privy to the sale through family surveyor, Mr. Salami Ajisafe-Moore, adding that family members were not impressed by the explanation earlier given.

“It is baseless and unfounded rumour that Prince Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo sold any of the family plots at Alapa village, opposite Idi-Ori junction on Lagos-Abeokuta expressway,” Ajisafe-Moore had stated in respect of the 22.624 hectares of land in dispute.

In the same vein, the lawyer, Mr. Olukunmi Lalude whom Adedotun said had been given a portion of the land for winning the land case for the family has vehemently denied taking possession of any such land.

“ I need not emphasized the fact that this land matter has been causing the Gbadebo family serious embarrassment. Consequently, as a member and arrow-head of the committee in charge of the land, please forward your response on the attached letter to me within 24 hours of the receipt hereof, kindly treat as urgent” the family head stated in the letter to Adedotun.

Posted by Publisher at 05:13 PM | Comments (0)

Oyo pledges to abide by FG pension scheme

The Oyo state government has again reiterated its readiness to look into demands by its pensioners with regards to the 142 percent increase on pension as approved by the federal government.

By Sola Shittu
Reporter, Ibadan

Deputy Governor Adebayo Alao Akala and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Dele Adigun, gave the assurance Wednesday at a meeting with leaders of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) when the pensioners held a demonstration at the governor’s office.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Prince Ade Adekanmbi, explained that though the government inherited a total of N1.7 billion as unpaid pensions and gratuities for ex-workers in the state, it had so far paid N1.8 billion to the ex-workers since it came to power in 2003.

According to him, the state government is committing N82.7 million every month to the payment of pensions while the sum of N100 million is set aside for gratuities every month for its workers.

“As of today, government has approved the payment of pension for civil servants that retired up to December 2004 and they are already included in the monthly pensions payroll with their arrears paid up.

“It must be stated categorically that the issue of 142% increase for the pensioners is a federal government directive which has not being backed up with necessary fund. However, Governor Rashidi Ladoja, after series of meetings agreed to pay the 142% on conditions that are being worked out by the Ministry of Finance.

“It must be noted that the issue of 30% ,150% and 142% pension increase has been on since the period of the military and therefore the present government cannot be held responsible for the nonpayment of the pension arrears,’’ the statement added.

Hundreds of members of NUP in Oyo had trooped to the secretariat early in the morning and prevented workers from resuming for work by preventing them from entering into the state secretariat.

The NUP members led by state chairman, Alhaji Lateef Adegoke, also barricaded the six entrances to the state secretariat until they were able to meet with the deputy governor and SSG who assured them that their demands would be met. After the meeting the pensioners were told to come for

another meeting with the governor next week Tuesday

with a firm assurance that their demands would be met

that day.

Posted by Publisher at 05:11 PM | Comments (0)

Confab will help Nigeria solve its problems, says don

A university teacher, Professor Jide Owoeye, says the on-going National Political Reforms Conference (NPRC) will help the nation to solve most of its myriads of problems.

By Sola Shittu
Reporter, Ibadan

Owoeye who made the suggestion on a television programme in Ibadan, expressed the hope that Nigeria will soon find solutions to most of its domestic problems since it is already talking about them, adding that in the past nobody was allowed to talk about them.

He counseled that the outcome of the talk shop should be implemented, as this would help Nigerians build confidence in their nation.

“This is the second time we are having a constitutional conference. Remember the very first constitutional conference was

the one in Aburi. Until tomorrow the decisions that conference was never implemented and until that is implemented we will continue to have conferences upon conferences” he said.

He also commended the federal government for many initiatives it is taking aimed at moving the nation forward.

“Nigeria is going through a lot of reforms now, political reforms, economic reforms in several ways and some of these reforms are achievable and they are being achieved. The only area is that of the structure. It is interesting to know that this is the only government that has been able to put forward reforms without repression”.

On the ability of President Olusegun Obasanjo to achieve the desired goals of the various reforms, Owoeye said the president’s experience as a former Nigerian leader will come to play in taking such decisions.

“Don’t forget that this president that we have is very diplomatic, he has been there before so he knows what he is doing and he is not an outsider.

He knows what he should do. He is feeling the problems like everybody is feeling them. So definitely I have all the confidence that the future of Nigeria vis-à-vis the reaction of government to this problems will be appropriate. I have all confidence in that because the position is, look Nigeria will not disintegrate,” he added.

Posted by Publisher at 05:08 PM | Comments (0)

Stop canvassing for third term for Obasanjo, says Abimbola

Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Traditional and Cultural Matters, Professor Wande Abimbola, has declared that Obasanjo has not appointed any person to be his advocate for six years rule neither is he nursing the ambition of staying beyond 2007.

By Sola Shittu
Reporter, Ibadan

Speaking in an interview with Daily Independent in Ibadan, Abimbola admitted that though some people are trying to persuade Obasanjo to spend six years in office but he has told them that he was not interested.

“He has denied this himself. He said he was not interested in it. I don’t think that it is something that he is interested in any way. Some people are trying to persuade him to do that but he has come out to say he is not interested. I don’t think he has asked anybody to be his advocate for more years in office” he said.

Governor Rashidi Ladoja of Oyo state had on Monday said the six-year rule was one of the knotty issues that are yet to be resolved at the National Political Reform Conference in Abuja. And as at the time the meeting was being held in Ibadan, rumours became strong that the South West delegates were at cross road on the matter which some of them said were not popular among the Yoruba people.

However, Abimbola said Obasanjo is doing a lot to resolve the impasse at the confab and that the controversial matter leading to the walk out of the South-South delegates will soon be resolved.

“I am sure we will iron it out as time goes on. You know after the confab is finished some of their decisions will have to be acted upon. There are still a lot of time for debate and dialogue on all these issues” he said.

According to Abimbola, the president is not interested in

any thing that will divide the country but would

rather dwell on things that would right some wrongs and

injustices done to some parts of the country.

“The President is doing a lot to make sure

that in our own time, our country does not experience

another civil war or attempt by any part to break

away. We all ought to work for it to make sure that

the country remains together. There are so many things

that we all know that are not quite alright because of

so many forces pulling so many communities apart” he

said.

He said Nigeria is a plural society in many ways

therefore people must be tolerant of one another

adding that by their acts of intolerance some

Nigerians are already setting in motion things that

can lead to conflict.

“There ought to be dialogue and

there ought to be tolerance. Nigeria is plural society

as far as language is concerned, in ethnicity, belief

and others. We have to be tolerant of each others

belief”.

Posted by Publisher at 05:06 PM | Comments (0)

Ekiti AD denies plot to kill Fayose

Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Ekiti state has described as false the allegation sent to the Presidency by Governor Ayo Fayose that the party is planning to eliminate him and some of his followers.

By Gbenga Sodeinde
Special Correspondent, Ado-ekiti

A statement by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Remi Osabusua, in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday said all Nigerians know that Fayose’s government is violent and is the one to be accused of threatening the lives of members of the opposition.

“It is the government of Ayo Fayose and his co-travelers that is compiling the list of AD leaders from the 16 local government areas for elimination” the statement added.

The party stated further that it is on record that the four years of the AD administration in Ekiti state witnessed relative peace and understanding among the different social and political strata of the state including the leadership of the PDP.

“For the records since the inception of the Ayo Fayose administration, we have witnessed many assassination attempts and cold-blooded murders as well as Obas being locked up by the police in cells, courtesy of Fayose. We have also witnessed violence during elections when the sanctity of human lives has no meaning to Fayose.

“The governor is reputed to foment so much disorderliness in Ekiti state to the extent that peaceful gatherings of opposition parties are willfully disrupted and properties worth millions of Naira destroyed,” the statement added.

The party cited the May 28 peaceful meeting of the AD in Ado-Ekiti as example of how Fayose attacks opposition parties. The party also alleged that the exalted position of the deputy governor is meaningless to Fayose, adding that any one holding contrary opinion to him is considered as enemy and excommunicated.

“Any public office holder who does not worship him (Fayose) imperially will be in soup. This is a governor who has no respect for traditional institutions. He has no decorum or respect for our traditional rulers and has publicly affirmed that any of them who disrespects him shall regret the day he was crowned,” the statement said.

The AD stated that it is already working on new strategies towards gaining back the state government “to actualize those things that made our forbears fight for freedom of our land. The party however said contrary to Fayose’s thoughts, AD has no plan to embark on any criminality.

“We hereby admonish Fayose and his hitmen, not to dare to carry out its elimination exercise because we are already aware that plans are on to kill prominent politicians in Ekiti state and thereby hold the opposition parties responsible. We are calling on his backers such as retired Navy Captain Olabode George who had been blinded by the material gains they receive from the mis-governance in Ekiti state to stop the governor,” the AD maintained.

Posted by Publisher at 05:05 PM | Comments (0)

Anya-Igbo Forum backs 50% derivation

Anya-Igbo Forum, a socio-political and cultural group of Ndigbo, has advocated a 50 per cent derivation for the oil producing states of the country.

It made the call in a statement signed by Bill Uchegbue, its President and Okey Okakpu, Secretary on Wednesday, also called for the total control of the mineral resources found in each region.

The group argued that the core interest of the North, which has now positioned the conference for disintegration does not portend good for the restructuring and economic development of the nation.

It absolved the conference Chairman, Justice Niki Tobi, and the conference members from the South-East of any mistake in the handling of the voting on resource control, which has pushed the conference into the precipice and urged all the delegates to push for positions that would favour all segments of the country.

“We observe that the North does not want to work and develop their area. Instead, they want to deny the South-South what rightly belongs to them in the name of one Nigeria. Anya-Igbo Forum as a group supports 50 per cent derivation to the South-South and total control of their mineral resources. We believe that every zone has mineral resources and other potentials to harness Therefore, we call on the delegates of South-East, South-South, and South-West to push for positions that will develop our nation,” it stressed.

Posted by Publisher at 05:04 PM | Comments (0)

30 NAPEP tricycles grounded in Ebonyi

Out of the 35 tricycles, popularly called Keke NAPEP, distributed to beneficiaries in Ebonyi State a year ago, only five have are now functional.

The rest are grounded and have been put off the roads due to scarcity of spare parts to effect their repairs, Douglas Ogbonna, Ebonyi Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has said.

He said in an interview in Abakaliki that the tricycles started developing faults just two months after they were acquired and distributed to the beneficiaries.

Ogbonna said there was no accredited agent to sell the spare parts in the state adding that since the tricycles were off the roads, many of the beneficiaries could not meet up with the repayment schedule.

The tricycles were given out as loan at a cost of N180, 000 repayable within one year.

Ogbonna, however, said owners of the Keke NAPEP and beneficiaries had met with government to find solution to scarcity of spare parts.

Posted by Publisher at 05:02 PM | Comments (0)

Ebonyi indigenes contribute N24m to Tsunami fund

People of Ebonyi State have contributed N24.07 million to the relief fund for the Tsunami disaster victims and those of the fire incident that engulfed the Kpirikpiri market in Abakaliki.

By Felix Uka
Special Correspondent, Abakaliki

Governor Sam Egwu, on behalf of his family, donated N500, 000. He announced his own donation while receiving reports from the committee on Tsunami disaster and the disaster in Ebonyi set up by the state government.

Presenting the report, the committee chairman, Professor Ezo Nweke Ozo said they had collected N23.57 million to which the governor added his own N500, 000

Ozo, who is the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), explained that the 52-member committee drawn from the 34 local government areas of the state and some agencies went into the communities and collected even the smallest donations from the people.

He said a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and community based poverty reduction agencies pledged to build 32 shops for victims of the Kpirikpiri market disaster.

Ozo said the state does not have as many wealthy men as other states of the country saying the donations were given from their hearts.

Receiving the report, Governor Egwu thanked the committee on the job saying he did not expect them to generate so much.

He said they could continue as a standing committee so that they could collect the pledges, as they had only got a cash of N13 million adding that he would send part of the donations and commit the balance to the building of shops to replace the burnt ones at the Kpirikpiri market.

Posted by Publisher at 05:00 PM | Comments (0)

Communities enjoy N5m projects in Imo

Autonomous communities in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State have been benefiting from the N5 million projects which the council chairman, Simeon Iwunze instituted for each community last year.

By Ben Duru
Correspondent, Owerri

Iwunze instituted the projects in the autonomous communities from his experience as transition chairman when he found out the need to allow the rural people execute projects that are useful to them.

He said the success of the programme has ensured that apart from the ones undertaken by the local government, the communities also have projects they are supervising and which they hold dear to the people.

He told newsmen in Umuelenmai that during his transition days, he discovered that not every project aggregates the need of a particular community saying it was better to allow the people initiate and complete such projects that meet the immediate needs of the communities.

To this end, he said he constituted a committee and asked the autonomous communities to come up with projects that are of immediate importance and that would uplift the living conditions of the people.

Iwunze said while some chose to have markets, others preferred boreholes, roads and agriculture adding that based on their choices, his administration has chosen to release N5 million to each of the autonomous communities to carry out the projects.

He said his administration has so far renovated no fewer than 64 primary schools in the council area and that a lot has also been done in the provision of amenities for the schools as well as improving the welfare of the teachers.

He noted that on assumption of office, he inherited a lot of abandoned projects some of which he has completed while he is doing everything possible to ensure that the backlog of emoluments and funds owed contractors are fully paid. 30He maintained that some of the emoluments due to previous political office holders are gradually being settled adding that such incidents where former officials are owed is not uncommon taking into cognisance the fact that he as the incumbent chairman can not pay himself all his entitlements are the expiration of his tenure.

He described the working relationship between the executive and the legislative arm of the council as very cordial, a situation he attributed to the council’s courageous approach to the people’s needs.

“It is because of the dividends of democracy to the rural people that the office of the Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Bureau singled him out as one of the three best chairmen in the state”, a source said.

Iwunze, however, pleaded for increased allocation to the councils in order to further propel development opportunities adding that if he receives mores allocation, he would increase projects funds for the autonomous communities to about N10 million.

Posted by Publisher at 04:59 PM | Comments (0)

Imo beefs up security at secretariat complex

Imo State Government has beefed up security at the ultra modern Secretariat Complex located at New Owerri following the vandalisation of the standby generators purchased for the edifice.

By Ben Duru
Correspondent, Owerri

Sources say three of the vandalised generators have been repaired but the incident is given the authorities serious concern on how to safeguard other government property moved to the place last month.

It was gathered that the vandalisation which took place shortly after the public servants had moved from their old offices scattered at Okigwe and Orlu Roads has given rise to speculations that it was perpetrated by some of the workers hired by the contractors handling the construction of the building.

Sources insisted that it was for this reason that government established a high-powered committee to look into the vandalisation of the generators to determine who did it and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.

Checks also reveal that the generators were purchased by the government shortly after the building was commissioned and installed to enable workers have electricity to service water and other needs.

The cannibalisation was exposed when instructions were given to the staff saddled with the duty of overseeing the generators went there only to find major components missing and others lying on the ground beside the sets.

The situation was said to have caused commotion as the workers reported back to the authorities who also inspected and found the same to be true. The incident was reported to the higher authorities who now instituted a committee to look into the matter

Furthermore, the authorities also intensified efforts to get to the root of the matter by observing the workers posted to the place by the contractors handling the building projects with a view to finding out what went wrong.

“We are very worried because these generators have been here before we came in to take possession of the building. Nothing happened to them. They were not cannibalised and were in perfect order,” the source said.

Posted by Publisher at 04:58 PM | Comments (0)

Ararume sets up youth empowerment committee

Representative of Okigwe zone of Imo State in the Senate, Ifeanyi Araraume has established a committee that would look into his Youth Empowerment Foundation aimed at ensuring that youths of the area have their pride of place in the present democratic dispensation.

By Ben Duru
Correspondent, Owerri

Ararume said there was the need to see that the young men and women of the senatorial zone in particular and Imo State in general are encouraged to be themselves rather than be used as thugs in any political dispensation.

Speaking at Okigwe during an interactive session with the people, he insisted that gone were the days when the youths, most of whom are graduates. were used and dumped saying the time has come for their potentials to be fully harnessed.

He maintained that the present democratic dispensation under President Olusegun Obasanjo has been doing a lot to alleviate the sufferings of the young men and women across the country and that it is only fair that individuals should join him in such efforts.

He described the youths not only as leaders of tomorrow but those who are expected to gain from the present democratic experiment hence the need to ensure that they are not deceived but given every opportunity to learn and succeed.

He added that the Youth Empowerment Scheme would ensure that those who benefit are supported in such a way that they would be useful not only to themselves but to the entire nation.

Araraume, who is the leader of the senators from the South-South expressed the view that programme would succeed in meeting the aspirations of the youths and put them in a better place to appreciate the position of the country now.

He insisted that it is no more fashionable to see the youths as vehicles of electoral success stressing that they ought to be part and parcel of the government so that the future of the country can be guaranteed.

To this end, he urged the youths to support the present democratic government of President Obasanjo and Governor Ahike Udenwa because “these men have done and are still doing a lot to ensure that you all succeed and have a good future.”

On the abandoned Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Okigwe, he insisted that the project was still on the front burner of the administration and that he has met with the Federal Minister of Information and Culture, Chukwuemeka Chikelu who gave assurances that work would soon commence.

Posted by Publisher at 04:56 PM | Comments (0)

NITEL blames poor services in Onitsha on road construction

Management of the Nigeria Telecommunications Limited ((NITEL), has blamed the poor communication services being experienced by its consumers in Onitsha, Anambra State on the road construction exercise currently going on in the state.

By Okey Maduforo,
Correspondent, Awka

But Fred Chukwuelobe, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Chris Ngige on Media and Publicity, described the development as unfortunate and regrettable, saying it is normal to witness burst pipes and destroyed NEPA and NITEL cables during such exercise.

Chukwuelobe, however, said the construction company involved would see to the repairs of the cable, adding that it is not the intension of the state government to deny Anambra peoples of effective communication services.

He noted that the inability of the state government to continue water supply in Onitsha was also occasioned by the burst pipes during road construction and promised that it would be repaired in no distant time.

Speaking through a statement signed by the territorial manager of NITEL in the State, U.J Nwafor said “ the optic fibre, underground cable network destroyed so far by construction firms along the Nkpor Junction in Onitsha has resulted in the disruption of NITEL services to Awka, the state capital and some parts of Onitsha.

Nwafor described the damage as a deliberate act as NITEL staff were on site and showed them the route yet the damage was done. He appealed to their costumers to bear with NITEL as teams of engineers are working round the clock to restore service.

Posted by Publisher at 04:55 PM | Comments (0)

Ex-Biafran policemen lament non-payment of entitlements

About 1,520 former Biafran policemen are sad and worried that five years after President Olusegun Obasanjo granted them general amnesty, their gratuities and pensions, estimated at N500million, have not been paid.

By Anene Ugoani
Special Correspondent, Enugu

National President of the Association of Retired War – Affected Police Officers (ARWAPO), Charles Machie, told newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday at the end of an emergency meeting of the union that he and his colleagues were suffering untold hardship as a result of the non-payment of their entitlements.

He said his investigations showed that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Sunday Ehindero, and the Minister of Police Affairs, Broderick Bozimo, were obstructing the payment of gratuities and pensions to members of the ARWAPO.

The discovery that Ehindero and Bozimo were standing in their way, he said, made him to write “a strongly worded petition, dated August 12, 2004” to President Obasanjo informing him of how the duo had refused to carry out his directives on the payment of their gratuities and pensions.

Machie, who was the IGP in the defunct Republic of Biafra, said President Obasanjo reacted swiftly by giving marching orders to Ehindero and Bozimo to implement the general amnesty he granted to members of the Nigeria Police who served in Biafra by paying their entitlements.

He noted that Bozimo, issued a statement on receiving the President’s directives saying that former Biafran policemen would soon be paid their entitlements.

He said in spite of his findings that the N500 million needed to pay the former Biafran policemen was included in the 2002 and 2005 budgets, not even a kobo had been paid to the affected officers.

He also recounted how he forwarded a second petition to President Obasanjo on June 23, 2005 on the stubbornness of Ehindero and Bozimo. “In that petition, I requested President Obasanjo to call both men to order over the non-implementation of the general amnesty he granted us five years ago.”

Machie condemned members of the Enugu State Houses of Assembly and National Assembly from the South-East and South-South zones for lack luster attitude towards helping the former Biafran policemen to get their benefits.

In the 11 – point communiqué they issued when they rose from the emergency meeting at the Police Officers’ Mess, they commended President Obasanjo for converting their dismissal at the end of the 30 – month civil war to retirement.

Posted by Publisher at 04:53 PM | Comments (0)

WAEC seeks Police assistance over leakages

The Head of National Office (WAEC) Dr. Samuel Adeyegbe has solicited the assistance of the Police in unraveling those behind the leakage of the 2005 May/June Senior School Certificate Examination.

Adeyegbe made the call when he paid a visit to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ade A. Ajakaiye in his office and appealed that Police should speed up their investigation.

He said that WAEC had made some arrests and those arrested have been handed over to Police and are being detained at the Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, Lagos.

The WAEC boss disclosed that an internal panel has been constituted and that as soon as it completes its investigation, the report would be handed over to police to help in their investigation.

He expressed the determination of WAEC to get to the root of the leakage, with a view to guard against future occurrence.

Responding, the Police boss in Lagos said his men had always been helping the Council in the discharge of its duties especially in ensuring the custody of question papers.

Posted by Publisher at 04:51 PM | Comments (0)

Nigeria sends three battalions to Darfur

Nigeria is to send another three battalions to the crisis torn Darfur region of Sudan, as part of efforts at bringing peace to that country.

The federal government late last year sent three companies made up of about 170 officers and soldiers to Darfur. Major General Fidelis Okonkwo is the force commander of the multinational forces in Darfur.

The first batch of the three battalion will depart Nigeria from the Kaduna International Airport Friday, to be followed by the other two battalions next week.

The crisis in Darfur came to a head last year with thousands of refugees dying of hunger, which attracted the attention of the world.

African Union (AU) under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo decided to stop the carnage by sending troops under the AU to Darfur.

Defence spokesman, Brigadier General Ganiu Adewale told Daily Independent that the movement to Darfur is Nigeria’s contribution towards peace in the African continent.

Posted by Publisher at 04:49 PM | Comments (0)

Don’t treat nursing as a vocation, FG, states told

President of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Linus Abdullahi Sabulu has called on the Federal and State governments to stop treating the nursing profession as a vocation.

By Dele Moses
Special Correspondent, Ilorin

Sabulu made the call during the official opening ceremony of the Kwara State Nurses summit held at the NANNM headquarters in Ilorin.

He lamented that all attempts by NANNM and the council to make nursing university based as done in all the Health Professions usually met the brickwall. He regretted that admissions into schools of nursing had been politicised in the country.

Sabulu who said very little had been done to improve nursing education in the country urged the government to invest in the profession so that the nation can obtain the best from it.

He called for the support of the renaissance in nursing education which the nurses through the various agencies of government and the association are about to introduce.

He assured of the association’s support to the laudable programme of the Federal Government in the health sector such as the Health Sector Reform Programme, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and Policy on Injection Safety and Health Care Investors Management, among others.

He commended the Kwara State Government for its efforts to improve health care delivery system in the state at affordable rates.

Earlier in his welcome address, the state chairman of NANNM, Joel Afolayan said the summit was meant to compliment the efforts of the state government in re-engineering the health sector in the state, among other purposes.

Posted by Publisher at 04:47 PM | Comments (0)

Insurers pay N26 billion claims in 2004

Insurance operators’ claims payment profile grew by 13.5 per cent from N22.9 billion in 2003 to N26 billion in 2004, a result insurers say indicates the growing willingness of the sector to pay claims when they fall due.

By Bethel Obioma
Insurance Correspondent, Lagos

Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Oye Hassan-Odukale said the insurance industry only witnessed marginal growth occasioned by the lull in the economy and increase in operational costs.

Hassan-Odukale who spoke at the 34th Annual General Meeting of NIA on Wednesday, said the industry could only muster a 19.0 per cent increase in its projected gross premium income from N55.9 billion in 2003 to N68.4 billion in 2004.

“The compliance by insurance companies with the recapitalisation requirements of the Insurance Act 2003 exerted a lot of pressure on executives of insurance companies to justify the injection of funds into their various companies and brought about changes in the ownership of some companies,” he said.

The industry has continued to grow its claims reserve in compliance with the statutory maintenance of outstanding claims reserve for all operators.

The reserve which stands at about N5 billion is a regulatory machinery aimed at ensuring that insurers are always able to settle outstanding claims when they fall due.

Experts say the statistical trend from 1998-2001 shows a steady increase in the reserve, a situation they explained is indicative of an improvement in insurers’ premium income.

In 1998, outstanding claims reserve which stood at N952.7 million grew to N1.76 billion in 1999, N2.26 billion in 2002 and N3.58 billion in 2001.

Section 20 of the Insurance Act 2003 requires mandatory provision for outstanding claims that shall be credited with an amount equal to the estimated amount of all outstanding claims.

The Act also requires, “a further amount representing 10 per cent of the estimated figure for outstanding claims in respect of claims incurred but not reported at the end of the year under review.”

Also, Ogala Osoloka, a veteran insurer said underwriters have done a lot to rid the insurance industry of the negative image in connection with alleged non-payment of claims.

Posted by Publisher at 04:46 PM | Comments (0)

Buhari Vs Obj: CNPP warns against intimidation of Chief Justice

As the nation awaits the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case instituted by defeated presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the 2003 presidential election, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, against the declaration of President Olusegun Obasanjo as winner of the election, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has complained that the recent harassment of Chief Justice of the Federation, Mohammed Uwais, is aimed at ensuring that Buhari doesn’t get favourable judgment.

By Chuks Ehirim
Senior Correspondent, Abuja

Speaking with journalists in Abuja Wednesday, CNPP Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu, alleged that Uwais is being intimidated by the Federal Government so the judgment that is to be delivered Friday, July 1 does not favour Buhari.

“The fear in government quarters is that if the judgment goes in favour of the opposition, it will send Obasanjo packing. They don’t want this and have been using intimidation and harassment of the Chief Justice to ensure that it doesn’t happen,” said Okechukwu.

He added that government plans to tell the world that the Supreme Court justices are corrupt if the case doesn’t end in Obasanjo’s favour.

“If the judgment is in favour of Buhari, Obasanjo would say that the Chief Justice and other Supreme Court justices are corrupt people,” he said.

He lamented that the harassment of Uwais is a threat to democracy in the country.

“Democracy is highly being threatened and we are saying that the institutions of democracy such as judiciary and INEC, etc should not be destroyed. They should be protected,” he said.

Okechukwu also wondered why no organ of the government has deemed it fit to investigate the direct assault on Uwais.

“Our fear is that this is happening because of the expected judgment that will come on July,” he said.

Posted by Publisher at 04:45 PM | Comments (0)

Customs agents fault port reforms

Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANALCA) has expressed dismay over federal government’s actions aim at reforming the country’s seaports.

By Okey Maduforo
Correspondent, Awka

President of the association, Chief Earnest Elochukwu, who spoke with reporters in Awka on Wednesday, said the main thrust of the reform is to ensure that operations in the area gets quicker, easier and better, but regretted that it has been an abysmal failure.

Elochukwu noted that the customs reform had removed the long room and replaced it with Consume Processing Centre (CPC), but said that it merely worsened the state of affairs.

“Again there has been moves towards computerization but the paradoxical thing is that even the verge of this extensive computerization, a lot of manual actions still go on along side the computerization and manual actions actually end up causing a whole lot of waste of time. Above all there are duplication of actions by agents and one can really say that there is not much progress in the reform,” he said.

Speaking on the high cost of custom licence, he sued for government’s action that will seek to regulate the practice by ensuring that certain standards are religiously kept, adding that the emphasis on money or increase and renewal has only made it that only the rich could afford to procure it.

“The belief that the amount of fees or the enormity of it would control the number of those in business is not the deferent government has to set up a standard that must be followed in operation and this could be achieved through government executive action that will now seek to regulate the practice by ensuring that certain standards are kept and also the passage of the bill on the operations”, he said.

Posted by Publisher at 04:43 PM | Comments (0)

Strike stalls trial of suspected mastermind of 1984 Maitatsine riot

The strike action embarked upon by Judiciary workers across the country has stalled determinations of several cases of public interest in Adamawa state, including the ruling in the case of culpable homicide preferred against the suspected mastermind of the 1984 Maitatsine riot, Malam Musa Maikaniki.

By Sule Lazarus
Senior Correspondent, Yola.

Another case of public interest that suffered set back is that of the 17 Igbo leaders detained by the police over Eze Ndigbo tussle and were granted bail by an Adamawa Magistrate court last week.

Followers of the case against the Maitatsine Kingpin that started last year, twenty years after the riots, were disappointed upon hearing that the judgment would not take place owing to the strike action.

The case has generated a lot of interest since it started last year at the state High Court presided over by the state Chief Judge, Justice Bemari Bansi because of the enormity of human and material destruction caused by the Maitatsine religious Mayhem 21 years ago.

Maikaniki fled the country at the peak of the blood - letting riot and had remained in exile until 2003 when he was arrested and brought to Nigeria to face trial.

He was detained at the Force Headquarters in Abuja before he was brought to Yola where the offence was committed.

The police in Yola detained him for a while before he was charged to court and has been remanded in prison custody since then.

During the last appearance, the counsel to the accused and the Director of Public Prosecution of the state made their final submission before the Court fixed this week for judgment.

Our correspondent who was at the Court premises, Wednesday noticed that the entire state High Court premises was a ghost of itself except for the few vehicles parked outside the gate.

Posted by Publisher at 04:42 PM | Comments (0)

Four killed, 50 houses burnt in border clash

About 50 houses have been burnt, four persons killed in renewed clash between the Iyala community of Cross River and the people of Izzi council area of Ebonyi state, despite the peace accord signed by governors of both states a fortnight ago.

By Felix Uka, Abakaliki

The Iyala people were said to have by 5.00 am early morning of Wednesday attacked seven villages in Igbeagu community killed four of their sons with one of the victim’s head and private part cut-off, leaving many wounded.

A contingent of mobile policemen has been drafted to the area.

Fear has griped residents of the state capital as the attacked Igbeagu community is barely 15 kilometers to the seat of government.

When Daily Independent arrived the warring area by 3.05 pm, policemen had taken over the area.

Narrating the incident, Chairman of the Izzi Local Government, Comrade Joe Nwaonuma, said his people had fled the area and were taking refuge in various places including the state capital.

He said the only primary school in the area, Okwereike Primary School, was destroyed by the rampaging hoodlums.

“Two days ago, we saw people carry coffins, and they succeeded in deceiving us and the police because we learnt that it was arms and ammunition that they brought in and now attacked us with them,” he said.

The council boss who was met in the Igbeagu community narrated that late night of Tuesday some people wearing mobile police uniform entered the area but later turned out to be camouflage by those who attacked the community.

“By 5.00 am they struck in the seven villages, Ngujiolo, Ogbodo Onwuakpu, Ndioshioku, Okumenyi, Ndiogoja, Ekeri and Okwerike”, he stated.

“We heard that they are planning to bomb the Izzi local government headquarters. Anyway, I have gone to the police commissioner and he has drafted 40 Mopol to this place”, he added.

Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chijoke Nwokoma, explained that a unit of the mobile police force had been drafted to the area.

He said the command has kept surveillance in the area and that the clash will be contained as the police would if necessary beef up its presence in the area.

The lingering clashes started in February and was sparked off by moves allegedly made by the Iyala people to dislodge the Izzi people of Ebonyi state who had been living in the area for over 100 years.

A peace negotiating committee was subsequently set up by both governors Sam Egwu and Donald Duke of Ebonyi and Cross River State respectively.

Posted by Publisher at 04:40 PM | Comments (0)

Tafa Balogun slumps; thoroughly beaten by police; Rushed to hospital

EMBATTLED former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Tafa Balogun, yesterday had a bitter taste of routine public complaints of police brutality as his erstwhile subordinates descended on him at the Abuja High Court premises publicly beating him black and blue.

MALACHY UZENDU, Abuja

Following the beating, Balogun later slumped and had to be driven away to an unknown destination.

After the police action on him, the former IGP, battling in court to free himself of charges of stealing N13 billion belonging to the Force, had cried out that "they (referring to unidentified persons) want to kill me; I have been under heavy threats.’’

He also complained of a broken leg and internal injuries when a police vehicle used to bring him to court ran over the left leg.

The day started on a very sour note for Balogun soon about 11.05am when the court ruled that he had a case to answer in the charges levelled against him.

The court also restated its earlier bail conditions on him, then adjourned.

As the former IGP came out of the court room, a plain cloth policeman donning a green suit approached and ordered him into a waiting Peugeot 504 station wagon with registration number AG 265 YAB, often used by operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), surrounded by heavily armed anti-riot policemen.

As Daily Champion observed, the security operatives then moved to force Balogun into the vehicle even as his lawyer, Dr. Tunji Abayomi protested to no avail.

Subsequently, the cops descended on Balogun and gave him the beating of his life, ignoring Abayomi’s vehement protests.

Forcing him into the vehicle thereafter the security men sped off.

But on reaching the entrance gate of the Abuja High Court, the rear door of the car swung open and Balogun fell off with his left leg subsequently run over by the car’s tyres.

At this point, Balogun yelled out "Ha, ha, ha, ha, you want to kill me?"

But the policemen ignored him, jumped out of the car and dragged him back into the vehicle, then sped off again.

However, strindent appeals by Dr. Abayomi made Justice Garba to order that he be brought from wherever they had taken him to fell on deaf ears.

At exactly 11.47 a.m., the police vehicle returned to the court premises with Balogun, without his shoes and cap. He was observed to have a swollen face and leg.

Lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, however, apologised to the court for the action taken by the police against their former IGP, but blamed it on the attitude of Dr. Abayomi whom he accused of displaying "militant attitude" in the defence.

Said he: "I admit our own portion that we should have been tidier in the way we handled him. We should have waited till the end of the court session, but it was when the accused’s counsel tried to whisk him (Balogun) from the securitymen that what happened, happened.

"They even threatened to deal with me, but I know my life is in the hands of God. I admit we should have waited till the end of the court session before they can whisk him away and I apologise.

"I am very sorry about the way the whole thing happened. I am not a prosecutor. I am also interested in his life.

"There are no hidden agenda in the whole thing and I am not privy to threat to his life.

"I accept that the accused person can go for medical treatment. It was the approach of the defence that caused all these. He was too militant. The accused is like a father and an uncle to me."

But Balogun, who pleaded to be heard, told the court that he was ignorant of what he did to deserve such threats and the treatment.

Said Balogun: "I have always been in court in this case. The treatment and brutality meted out to me is persecution and not prosecution. There have been threats and threats on my life.

"I have a broken leg because of the forceful manner they whisked me away. I have also sustained internal injuries because of the way I was thrown away from the car. I do not deserve this treatment if things are normal and if this is a normal trial.

"I have served diligently as IGP. I seek your massive protection, my lord, because I have been under heavy threats."

Dr. Abayomi, who painted a graphic picture of what happened, told the court that the entire episode was "traumatic."

"As I saw him fall out of the car at the gate of the court, I was aghast and shocked. In their hurry to take him away, the security operatives forgot to close the door of the car.

"I noticed that my client was kicked at, pushed about, ruffled and then forced into the car. My client (Balogun) was injured right here in my lord’s court, not outside, which shows there is total disregard for the court.

"Before, he was chained, hand-cuffed, but I give guarantee that at any time, my lord, he would be in this court, he will not be safe in their custody.

"For his security and safety, I urge my lordship to vary the order earlier made so that this court will not be embarrassed in future," he pleaded.

Before Justice Garba could decide on the submissions made, Mr. Balogun’s hands and legs began to visibly quiver and he slumped.

Counsel and other persons who were in the courtroom, quickly came to his aid and laid him on the ground after which they carried him into Dr. Abayomi’s Prado Jeep with number AA 611 DAV and rushed him to an unknown destination.

As the vehicle left the court premises without police bothering to go after him, Justice Garba changed his earlier order and granted him bail on self-recognition even as he condemned action of the police.

Further hearing on the matter has been adjourned to July 13 for commencement of the trial.

Posted by Publisher at 04:35 PM | Comments (0)

Abuja killings: Manhunt for DPO begins; Panel assures protection

MANHUNT for the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Garki, Abuja, Mr. Abdulsalami Othman, who escaped from custody at Force Headquarters, has been extended to Jigawa, his home state.

MALACHY UZENDU, Abuja

Othman early on Tuesday escaped from a Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) cell at the Louis Edet Police Headquarters, following his arrest and detention about 24 hours earlier for alleged involvement in the killing of six traders.

Othman, who was arrested alongside nine others, was said to have tricked his guards and fled.

However, the judicial panel of inquiry into the killings, ordered by President Olusegun Obasanjo, held its inaugural sitting yesterday and urged witnesses willing to testify to fear nothing and come forward with evidence as they will be fully protected.

Commissioner of Police in-charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Emmanuel Adebayo, who confirmed the manhunt for Othman, explained that even though he escaped from the custody of the FCID, "we have record of his home village, town and state and we shall explore all these information with a view to apprehending him."

The commissioner’s statement contradicted the position of Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr. Emma Ighodalo, who maintained two days after the incident that "we are not aware that anybody escaped from detention."

The escape from FCID detention of Mr. Othman is the second time in a year that a DPO had escaped from such custody.

Last year, the DPO for Nsukka Central Police Station in Enugu State, had escaped from FCID cells when he was arrested to explain the role he played in the beheading of two primary school pupils at Nkpologwu in Uzo-Uwani local government area.

The DPO who was fingered by the family of the deceased children, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) and other human rights bodies over the killing of the children, escaped from the FCID cells and the police did nothing about it up till today.

Othman was alleged to have masterminded and supervised the killing of the traders at Gimbia Street, Area II, Garki Abuja.

Othman, who had denied being present when any of the six traders was killed, was, however, implicated by the evidence of a Mobile policeman at the Prince and Princess Estate at Durumi III as well as Mr. Chukwudi Chukwuma, a commercial photographer who takes photographs for the police, who confirmed that Mr. Othman knew everything about the killings.

Meanwhile, chairman of the judicial panel, Justice Olasumbo Goodluck, who yesterday in Abuja addressed counsel to the victims, members of apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze, the police and members of the public at the panel’s inaugural sitting, said no witness should fear anybody.

She urged persons with information to feel free to come forward with such.

In order to assist the panel unravel truth behind the killings, she assured people who have information to disclose to feel free to come to the panel, advising that such evidence should be written.

She explained that only two days of the one month session will be open to the public.

Although she did not say whether the media would be given free access to the panel proceedings, she noted, however, that the panel will start on a clean slate to collate information.

Adjourning hearing to next Thursday, the chairman noted that it was only public co-operation that could help the panel unravel the truth behind the killings.

"I call on people to feel free to come before the panel to give evidence. I want to assure you that we are starting on a clean slate and we shall ensure that justice is done.

"This panel will be incapacitated if people who witnessed what happened refuses or fails to come to testify.

"We assure you of adequate protection as it is only with your evidence that we can unravel what happened to the deceased persons," she stressed.

President Olusegun Obasanjo last week constituted the seven-member judicial panel, following public outcry that the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Mike Okiro panel, put together by acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Sunday Ehindero, was not likely to establish the truth.

The president not only stopped the Okiro panel from sitting, but condemned the killings in strong terms through Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi (SAN) who inaugurated the Goodluck panel.

The police had said the six youths who they claimed were killed on Gimbiya street, in Area II Abuja last May 7, were armed robbers, but the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Apo traders and relations of the deceased cried foul and insisted that they were not, accusing the police of murder.

Posted by Publisher at 04:31 PM | Comments (0)

Another air mishap averted; IRS aborts flight mid-air

NINETY-ONE persons on board an IRS Airlines Faulkner-100 aircraft on a routine flight from Lagos to Kano cheated death when the plane was forced to make a return following a mid-air mechanical fault it developed.

FELIX NWANERI

The aircraft which had 85 passengers and six crew members on board, was said to have developed hydraulic failure about 75 nautical miles after take-off from the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. It was going to Kano via Abuja.

The incident occurred a few weeks after both Chanchangi and EAS Airlines’ aircraft overshot the runways of the Lagos and Jos airports respectively, spilling fear down the spines of over 150 passengers in both planes.

The two incidents which were blamed on flooding on the runways, attracted suspension of both airlines’ pilots due to what the Minister of Aviation, Mallam Isa Yuguda, described as negligence of duty.

According to the spokesman of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Sam Adurogboye, who confirmed the IRS Airlines near mishap, the pilot aircraft with registration number 5N-600, had to seek permission for an air return when he noticed a hydraulic failure, 75 nautical miles after take-off around 12.20p.m. yesterday.

Mr. Adurogboye disclosed that the right wing undercarriage of the aircraft collapsed on its return to MMA, forcing the plane to halt abruptly while it was taxing on the runway after landing safely.

The NCAA spokesman added that the Accident Investigation Panel Bureau (AIPB) of the authority has commenced investigations into the matter, stressing that a comprehensive report is expected in three months time.

Reacting to the incident, Director of Operations, IRS Airlines, Mr. Kenneth Wemambu, said that there was no tyre burst during the incident which subsequently forced the airline to reschedule its operations, noting that men of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Fire and Safety department handled the incident with utmost efficiency.

Posted by Publisher at 04:29 PM | Comments (0)

FG to mop up N140bn excess liquidity

AFTER a 17-year absence, government returned to the capital market announcing plans yesterday to float bonds worth between N70 billion and N140 billion.

LERE OJEDOKUN, Abuja

It said the measure is part of efforts to achieve macro-economic stability and mop up excess liquidity.

The bond instrument is also being targeted at easing burden of N1.3 trillion domestic debt, being serviced with N185 billion annually.

Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who announced the approval by Federal Executive Council (FEC) of the plan, said government was returning to the bond market.

According to her, yesterday’s step was a follow-up to last year’s presenetation by the Economic Management Team (EMT) while stating that the focus would be mainly on restructuring domestic bonds.

She noted that the bonds would be introduced on seven monthly instalments of N20 billion each, so as not to overstretch the market.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala also explained that about 80 per cent of the bonds have short tenor of between three and six months which would be extended to three years.

"That will have a couple of effects. One is that with longer maturity, it will ease the burden and lower the cost of domestic debt servicing. Even as we are focusing on trying to tackle the issue of our external debts, we must not forget that we also have internal debts that need to be restructured," she said.

The minister disclosed that about N185 billion annually was being spent on domestic debts servicing as against N183 billion used on the $38 billion foreign debts.

Apart from using anticipated proceeds from the bonds to restructure existing bonds and lengthen their maturity, she noted that the instrument could impact on macro-economy stability considerably.

On government’s financing of projects through "ways and means," obtained from the Cenetral Bank of Nigeria (CBN), she said government was doing everything possible to do away with this arrangement.

From 10 per cent access rate last year, the minister said borrowing was five per cent in the current year though the law allowed up to 12 per cent.

She said that the reduction in "ways and means" last year led to the loss of N7 billion by the apex bank, just as she disclosed that the practice of rolling the borrowing over as debt has been stopped.

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, who also spoke, added that there were many dynamics in the capital market to ensure success of the bonds when floated.

He said the accumulation of billions of naira from the contributory pension scheme was another window of investment to help the bonds get needed capital outlay.The minister also disclosed that FEC approved the award of contract, valued at N14.3 billion fror the construction of water treatment plant at the capacity of 20,000 cubic litres per hour, for water supply to Abuja city.

Posted by Publisher at 04:28 PM | Comments (0)

Insurance firms net N68.4bn from premium

INSURANCE companies in the country earned a princely N68.4 billion premium income last year, indicating about N12.5 billion or 19 per cent increment over and above the N55.9 billion premium collected by them in 2003.

KELVIN EGERUE, (Insurance Editor)

Chairman of the 94-member Nigerian Insurance Association (NIA), Mr. Oye Hassan-Odukale, reeled out the figures yesterday at the association’s 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Ocean View Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said the performance was indicative of the fact that the insurance sector of the nation’s economy has done well and should be accorded better recognition.

According to him, the 94 insurance firms paid out claims amounting to N26 billion as at the close of business on December 31, 2004. The figure showed a 13.5 per cent increase compared with the N22.9 billion dolled out to the insured in 2003.

Although Mr. Hassan-Odukale described the insurance industry’s 2004 scorecard as presenting marginal growth, he revealed that the gamut of challenges which confronted the market last year had brought severe pressure to bear on the managers.

The NIA chairman was particular on the excruciating impact of the last recapitalization exercise saying that the exercise led to the restructuring of the ownership and operational structures of most companies.

"Yet, there are indications that following the recapitalization and consolidation in the banking industry the government intends to introduce similar measures in the insurance industry," Mr. Hassan-Odukale, who doubles as the managing director and chief executive officer of Leadway Assurance Company stated.

He revealed that the NIA had worked out strategies geared towards educating the government on what he described as the ideal level of capital for insurance firms.

It would be recalled that a former Commissioner for Insurance, Chief Eugene Okwor, had last week cautioned the Federal Government against the possible prescription of an over bloated capital base.

Chief Okwor who supervised the Nigerian insurance market for over 20 years, had argued that any imposition of more than N2 billion capital base for insurers will spell doom for the economy.

"So, the issue of using capital to benchmark companies is wrong. Capital is important but it should not be the basis for measuring insurance companies alone because they require good management, good structure. They are not like the banks. So, my opinion in the issue is that capital alone is not the issue," Chief Okwor had explained.

Mr. Hassan-Odukale said that the insurance industry in Nigeria was prepared to take advantage of the 45 per cent local content by 2006, saying that insurance firms have been advised to strengthen their operational structures to be able to benefit therefrom.

"One can therefore say with confidence that the NIA and the industry are prepared by creating the financial and technical capacity to support fully the local content policy of the government," the NIA chairman reiterated.

Commenting on the issue of travel insurance, he described as unfortunate, the European Union’s policy of not recognising policy issued by Nigerian-based insurance firms. NIA, he said, has opened talks with foreign reinsurers and insurers with a view to forging alliance capable of empowering indigenous underwriters to participate in the business.

Posted by Publisher at 04:26 PM | Comments (0)

Ogbeh dismisses alleged N2.9bn fraud

IMMEDIATE past National Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh yesterday dismissed as a ruse an alleged N2.9 billion fraud reportedly perpetrated under his tenure and uncovered by the party alleging that it was part of a wider plot by some powerful forces to hijack the PDP.

MATTHEW OGWUCHE, Bureau Chief Abuja and NDIDI OKAFOR, Deputy Political Editor

In a strongly worded protest letter to the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) dated June 24, he said the sole purpose of the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) chairman, Chief Tony Anenih-led committee which investigaged party’s finanaces under his leadership "was to establish guilt and prepare grounds for the final take over of PDP.

The Anenih panel had in its report uncovered the alleged scam as well as fingered some members of the defunct National Working Committee (NWC) in the lingering Anambra State political crisis.

But reacting to the report and some pronouncements of the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Ahmadu Ali. Chief Ogbeh in a letter titled Anenih Committee Report on Anambra Political Crisis and Party Finances", a copy of which was obtained by Daily Champion in Abuja yesterday claimed that he was denied a fair hearing on the issue.

According to him for the nearly four months that the committee investigated the party’s finances during his tenure he was not invited even once as the chief executive whose NEC was being investigated to state his own side of the story.

In the face of what he said was the denial of his right to fair hearing, Audu Ogbeh declared that the claim by the National Chairman, Dr. Ali and Chief Anenih that the impeached deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State Dr. Chris Ekpenyong was denied the right of fair hearing by the State House of Assembly is double speak and laughable.

He described the probe exercise which led to the report as similar to the "Spanish inquisition."

Posted by Publisher at 04:26 PM | Comments (0)

Obasanjo raises hope on debt relief

PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday raised hope on the Federal Government’s tenacious debt relief pleas, saying things are now beginning "to look promising."

LERE OJEDOKUN, Abuja

He said this was based on the "indisputable fact" that debt forgiveness would impact directly on the ability or otherwise of most developing economies to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Inaugurating the Assessment and .Monitoring Committee on MDGs at the state House, Abuja, he maintained that the burden of debt servicing was reducing the amount of resources available for poverty reduction programmes.

"Our tenacious pursuit of debt relief, which is beginning to look promising is based on the indisputable fact that it will impact very directly on the ability or otherwise of most developing economies to achieve the MDGs, considering that the brunt of the burden of debt servicing reduces the amount of resources available for poverty reduction programmes," he stated.

President Obasanjo said that the administration has successfully integrated MDGs into the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), urging the development partners to put into effect, the global compact of achieving credible partnerships for good governance, trade, debt relief and increased aid.

He rather declared that government has consistently demonstrated a strong resolve to "frontally attack the scourge of poverty in our policy through several poverty reduction and eradication initiatives."

He added that concerted efforts aimed at reforming and repositioning the economy include the empowerment and welfare of the people, stressing that NEEDS was a home-groom holistic socio-economic reform agenda.

The policy blueprint, he added, was designed to enhance stability, growth, development, transparency, accountability and democracy which key elements comprise poverty reduction, wealth creation, employment generation and value re-orientation.

In a presentation, Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Mrs Amina Ibrahim, restated that the nation’s $38 billion debt profile was unsustainable.

Posted by Publisher at 04:25 PM | Comments (0)

Maduekwe inherits N80m unpaid legal PDP debt

NATIONAL Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ojo Maduekwe, has inherited N80 million debt being unpaid legal fees incurred by the party.

NDIDI OKAFOR, Abuja

The revelation came as the South East fixed a meeting for this week in Enugu to brainstorm on developments at the National Political Reforms Conference.

Handing over to Maduekwe yesterday, former National Secretary, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor declared that he was heading back to his village "maybe to begin farming".

Ogbulafor told him that the N80 million was outstanding legal fees arising from litigations from the 2003 elections.

He also told him that the party’s secretariat wage bill is N10 million a month as it secretariat) has a staff strength of 170 persons with five directorates.

He said that the PDP national Executive Committee (NEC) held 12 meetings and 709 by the national working committee

Posted by Publisher at 04:24 PM | Comments (0)

APO killings: NBA chief commends FG for setting up commission of inquiry

CHAIRMAN Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri branch, Imo State, Mr Ken Njemanze, has commended the Federal Government for setting up a judicial commission of inquiry into the alleged extra-judicial killing of six Nigerians at Apo area of the federal capital, Abuja.

EMMA OKEREKE
(Special Correspondent), Owerri

He gave this commendation in an interview with Daily Champion, just as he said that it was not proper for the police, which was being accused to have killed the people, to be a judge in their own case.

The NBA boss also said that disbanding the Mike Okiro panel and setting up the new panel, has shown the federal government’s sensitivity to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. It has also placed both parties in the case on an equal pedestal to establish their claims.

He decried the increasing spate of extra-judicial killings in the country and enjoined the panel to work hard to unravel the mystery surrounding the killings.

"If at the end of the day the policemen are found to have been involved in the killing of these Apo six," they should be charged with murder, the lawyer recommended.

Urging Nigerians to shun the tendency to execute jungle justice on anybody alleged to have committed a crime, Njemane advised that the law should always be allowed to take its course.

"I believe that we should be patient with our judicial system. It may be slow but it is certainly better", he said.

He commended the judges especially those at the Supreme and Appellate courts for the monumental judgements they had given on several constitutional issues.

He said that such judgements had given hope for the sustenance of democracy, appealing to the executive to obey such judgements and the orders in them.

He have pass mark to the practise of democracy six years after in terms of some infrastructural facilities provided by some state governments.

Posted by Publisher at 04:23 PM | Comments (0)

Okorie drags INEC to court

FACTIONAL leader of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has draged Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court seeking to determine if the commission has powers to change leadership of a political party.

MALACHY UZENDU, Abucha

Also yesterday, INEC formally recognised Chief Victor Umeh as acting national chairman of the party and directed Chief Okorie to hand over APGA’s assets, properties and documents to the new leadership.

In the suit, now pending at the Federal High Court, Abuja, and before Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako, he prayed the court to determine whether by virtue of sections 222 and 223 of the constitution, INIEC has powers to interfer with the leadershiop of any political party or to recognise a dissident faction of a party.

Chief Okorie also prayed the court to determine whether INEC has powers to interfer in a political party’s dispute particularly when such dispute is subject of litigation.

Apoproaching the court through Chief Uche (SAN), the factional leader and APGA listed INEC and its new chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu as defendants.

Among the five questions drawn up for determination, the party asked whether by “the provisions of Part III of the Electoral Act 2002 empower the defendants to deal with and attempt to confer recognition on a rival and dissident group who have not employed democratic process and procedure in attempting to effect change of leadership of a political party?”

Posted by Publisher at 04:22 PM | Comments (0)

Okogie, Oba of Benin back 25% derivation demand

CARDINAL Anthony Olubunmi Okogie and Benin monarch, Omo N’Oba Erediauwa, have thrown their weight behind the 25 per cent oil derivation fund being demanded by the South South, saying the demand is legitimate.

IHEANACHO NWOSU, Lagos and VINCENT ADEKOYE, Benin

Both Okogie and Eredianwa expressed their support for the controversial demand yesterday at different fora in Lagos and Benin, the Edo State capital, respectively.

Speaking at a get together to mark his 69th birthday, Cardinal Okogie said the controversy surrounding the South South agitation for 25 per cent oil derivation fund, was unwarranted, describing the region’s demand as a legitimate one.

He, however, cautioned the zone’s delegates at the ongoing National Political Reforms Conference (NPRC) to desist from making foul and inciting pronouncements in the interest of the country.

"The 25 per cent demanded by the South South in our opinion must be respected," he said arguing that the zone had been the goose that lays the golden egg but had hardly partaken in its eating.

Commenting on the state of affairs in the country, Okogie expressed displeasure with the way the political class especially those in sensitive government offices, have comported themselves.

He argued that the constitution and rule of law, which he said democracy stood, on, were not observed by those in power.

"I have never seen a democracy in which the President and those who run government do not obey court judgements", he said, citing the non-release of allocations of Lagos local governments by the Federal Government despite Supreme Court ruling as a proof of his position.

Posted by Publisher at 04:22 PM | Comments (0)

Tafa slumps in court, manhandled by EFCC

ABUJA— SIX-FOOTER former Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tafa Balogun, yesterday, at exactly 12.16 p.m, collapsed from his seat at the Abuja High Court, Wuse, gritting his teeth, clenching his fist and in pains before he went stiff. Although his eyes were closed, he was observed breathing spasmodically.

By Ise-Oluwa Ige
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

The incident which occurred while the trial judge was writing his ruling on a concessional application by EFCC and Balogun’s lawyer on the need to allow him go home to take proper care of his health, caused pandemonium in the courtroom.

His relations and sympathisers who watched Balogun lying almost lifeless on the bare-floor of the courtroom started wailing: "They have killed him."

But some of his sympathisers de-congested the choked courtroom by asking some of the court observers to allow for air as they looked around for manual fan with the hope that he would regain his consciousness.

However, the High Court judge paused, motioned to his registrar and directed him to tell Balogun’s relations and lawyers to take him to the hospital immediately without waiting for his ruling.

At exactly 12.17.45seconds, about a dozen sympathisers including his wailing relations surrounded the bare-footed former police boss and carried him out of the not-too-spacious courtroom of Justice Salishu Garba of the Abuja High Court into a waiting ash-colour jeep with number plate AA 611 DAV.

The driver of the vehicle sped off the court premises to an unknown hospital.

The drama started shortly after Justice Salishu Garba of the Abuja High Court ruled that Mr Balogun must face a fresh 92-count charge of official corruption preferred against him by the EFCC and that it had jurisdiction to try him for the offences contrary to his (Balogun’s) claim. The judge also ordered him to enter the dock so that the charges could be read to him and his plea taken.

But his counsel, Dr Abayomi, brought two separate applications to stall the arraignment. The first was an oral application for stay of proceedings in the case pending the time he would appeal the ruling of the court while the second application was that Balogun could not be arraigned until it was proven to the court that eight other accused corporate persons charged with him were served the criminal information filed by the prosecution.

The first application was thrown out by the court on the grounds that it was premature while the second was yet to be decided since Balogun’s lawyer was proving difficult for the court. Although Balogun was already docked, the charges could not be read to him neither could his plea be taken.

Consequently, Justice Garba adjourned the case to July 13, and held that since Balogun was already properly before him, he would not go home except he executed a bond to wit that he should provide two sureties with national honours and owning landed property at either Asokoro or Maitama.

Although Dr Abayomi orally applied to the court to vary the bail terms after the court had already adjourned the case, the trial judge declined, saying it had already adjourned.

Tafa manhandled

Immediately the court rose, Balogun also moved out of the court room with his lawyer, Dr Abayomi. But as Balogun was stepping out of the court, a security operative with EFCC in mufti accosted and asked him to follow him into a waiting 504 station wagon car. Balogun’s lawyer objected and said his client would not follow them but he was shoved aside.

Angry Dr Abayomi moved towards the security men and held their leader, appealing to them but he was pushed aside while Balogun was literally bundled into the waiting car with number plate AG 256 YAB.

He was surrounded by armed policemen and one of the policemen who sat at the edge of one of the doors tried to close it but Balogun was pushing him from within with a view to stepping out.

The car suddenly sped off and headed towards the gate only to meet a brickwall as the court gatemen were trying to lock the gate against them.

While one of the armed security men got down to overpower the court’s security guards, Balogun was able to push his way out of the car without the knowledge of the driver who moved with the car’s tyres climbing Balogun’s right leg.

At this juncture, the security men aboard the EFCC’s car asked the driver to stop while they tried to force Balogun back into the car. Balogun whose cap and shoes had fallen off refused to enter the car as he laid on the bare ground. He was dragged on the ground for a few seconds before he was overpowered and bundled back into the car. The car eventually sped off.

While the drama was going on at the gate, Balogun’s relations were weeping, condemning the humiliation, saying: "e beru Olorun. Kini Tafa se te fe paa. Eniyan bii ti yin," meaning: "What has Tafa done that you people wanted to kill him. Remember he is a human being like you"

A shocked Dr Abayomi did not fold his arms either. He hurriedly ran back to the trial judge in his chambers to complain. The judge though ordered that the security men should be directed to return to court with Balogun and same was communicated to them, they refused, threatening to shoot anybody that came near them.

Shortly after he was driven away, his relations who watched him manhandled were seen in groups, some crying, some weeping while others were wailing with their hands folded on their heads.

At press time, Balogun was receiving treatment at a private hospital in Abuja. His lawyer would not dislcose the name of the hospital for fear that EFCC’s operatives would move in there to arrest him.

Posted by Publisher at 04:20 PM | Comments (0)

FG gets court order to deduct N7.8bn from Delta allocation

ABUJA— A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday gave the Federal Government the leeway to commence deduction of N7.8 billion from its statutory allocation. The sum represents an over-payment of 13 per cent derivation fund by the Federal Government into Delta State coffer between June 1999 and February 2003.

By Ise-Oluwa Ige
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

Justice Stephen Adah, who dismissed the suit initiated by Delta State government to stop the deduction, yesterday held that his finding in the matter was the only fair and equitable thing to do in the present circumstance.

His words: "Where there is a detection that certain states of the federation were overpaid while some underpaid, I think it is only equitable, fair and in tandem with the principle of natural justice that those underpaid be reimbursed. The case of Delta State is that a new formula is being introduced for the sharing of the 13 per cnt derivation fund by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC).

"But from the evidence available, I have not seen anywhere a new policy is being coined for the sharing of the fund. Since a controversial document entitled: ‘Exposure of underpayment and overpayments arising from the sharing of the 13 per cent derivation fund from June 1999 to February 2003’ circulated by RMFAC among all littoral states is not prescribing any new formula of sharing the 13 per cent derivation fund as contended by Delta State, I think it is fair that the error detected is corrected so that states underpaid could be reimbursed.

"It is better for the error detected to be corrected based on the existing formula. After all, there is no new formula introduced. The decision by the Federal Government to deduct the said sum being overpayment, is in order and not unconstitutional. The case is hereby dismissed," the judge said.

No cost was awarded against Delta as requested by the Federal Government.

The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, in a memo, to Delta State, indicated that the controversial sum of N7.8 billion, being overpayment of the 13 per cent derivation fund by the Federal Government to Delta State Government would be deducted from its (Delta) allocation in six instalments of N1,311,544,901.01k each.

Besides Delta, a similar memo was also sent to other littoral states including Abia, Ondo, Rivers and Delta|Ondo states. The states were said to have been overpaid to the tune of N7.8 billion (Delta), N447.2 million (Abia), N3.3 billion (Ondo), N7.0 billion (Rivers) and N133.9 million (Delta|Ondo).

Separate memo was also sent to littoral states which were detected underpaid including Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Imo, and Ona Asa. All the overpaid states did not complain except Delta which filed a suit before Justice Jonah Adah of the Federal High Court, Abuja, contending that the claim by the Federal Government that it overpaid it was untrue.

Posted by Publisher at 04:19 PM | Comments (0)

Yoruba elders, Oba Erediauwa ask North to back 25%

IBADAN – THE Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) is unimpressed by the opposition of the North to the demand for 25 per cent derivation by the South-South, and therefore wants the North to have a change of heart on the matter.

By Sina Babasola, Victoria Ojeme, Osaro Okhomina, Emmanuel Aziken, Ben Agande & Ndidi Onuora
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

Igbo political leaders are due to meet in Enugu on Sunday to take another look at the derivation deadlock and similar issues, while the Benin monarch, Omo n’oba N’Edo Erediauwa, told Northern elders and others opposed to the 25 per cent derivation demanded by the South-South to support the zone for the sake of Nigeria’s unity.

Dr. Kunle Olajide, YCE Secretary-General, speaking in Ibadan yesterday said: "We in the YCE are in total support of the demands of 25 per cent derivation by the people of the South-South and our own position is based on the fact that the pollution and the destruction of the place where the oil is sourced are enormous. As a result of the pollution of the environment and the difficult terrain, the areas should be adequately funded. That is why we are in absolute support of the 25 per cent being demanded by the South-South.

"And let me explain how we arrived at the 25 per cent for the oil producing area. We actually supported an increase from 13 per cent to 19 per cent and the six per cent being allocated to NDDC, then, it will make up the 25 per cent new derivation for the South-South people.

"Because of the oil exploration in the Niger Delta, traditional occupation of the people of the areas which is fishing has been destroyed and all their farms washed away by the oil spillage. So, the YCE believes and supports adequate funding of the area." Dr. Olajide said underground moves were already on to persuade relevant groups and communities to support the agitation of 25 per cent for the South-South.

Igbo meets

Igbo political leaders are meeting in Enugu on Sunday to take a common stand on several contentious issues stalemating the National Political Reform Conference. Resumption of deliberation at the NPRC has been postponed twice following the inability of the South-South to shift ground on the resource control.

But an invitation sent to all South-East politicians under the aegis of the South Political Leaders Forum has at the top of its agenda, deliberations of the NPRC. The invitation was signed by Second Republic Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Edwin Ume Ezeoke and National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance and Confab delegate, Chief Chekwas Okorie.

The thrust of the meeting, according to the invitation, "is to forge a common future for politicians of South-East origin and to take stock of the performance of our delegates to the National Political Reform Conference, review decisions taken and respond appropriately."

The conference will also deliberate on the position of the South-East on the 2007 presidency.

Those invited to the meeting include National Executive Council members of PDP, AD, ANPP and APGA of South-East origin.

Also invited are all past and present South-East governors and their deputies, all federal ministers and special advisers from the South-East, all the past and present Senate presidents and members of the National Assembly from the South-East.

Erediauwa canvasses support

Also yesterday, Benin monarch, Oba Erediauwa described as "unnecessary" the stand-off between the South-South delegates and their Northern counterparts at the National Political Reform Conference on derivation, saying Northern elders and other opponents of the 25 per cent demand should support the South-South in the demand for the sake of unity.

He said those championing the opposition to the 25 per cent should consider the South-South region as being magnanimous in its agitation as it has fallen back from the initial demand of 50 per cent increase to 25 per cent in the interest of peace and unity. "As such, I would appeal to Northern delegates and opposition to swallow the bitter pill and accept the 25 per cent demanded."

Ogbemudia carpets antagonists of 25%

Meanwhile, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, leader of the People’s Democratic Party’s delegation to the National Political Reform Conference, has described the treatment of the Niger Delta by other parts of Nigeria as inhuman. In a statement expressing support for the 25 per cent derivation benchmark as demanded by the South-South delegation, Dr. Ogbemudia charged antagonists of the demand to see reason to enable the South-South delegation return to the conference and a peaceful conclusion of deliberations.

Ogbemudia in a statement in Abuja said the demand by the South-South was predicated on "justice, fairness and equity within the context of true federalism in one united nation." The statement said: "The South-South zone has made enough socio-political and economic sacrifices to our nation. It is the zone that lay the golden eggs, but the people watch while others eat the eggs," he said.

Noting that resources from the zone were being used to develop other parts of the nation, Dr. Ogebudmia said: "We cannot continue like this. The present 13 per cent derivation being given to the South-South is inhuman and against all known norms of justice, fairness and equity. If they do not want to give them 25 per cent then, they should allow them go on thier way."

Posted by Publisher at 04:14 PM | Comments (0)

Fresh Lagos air crash averted

LAGOS—AN IRS Airline plane on a regular flight from Lagos to Abuja-Kano made an air return to the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja, yesterday on account of technical problems. There were 85 passengers and six crew members on board.

By Kenneth Ehigiator
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

The aircraft, a Fokker 100 with registration number 5N-600, was just 75 nautical miles away from the Lagos airport, where it had taken off at 12:20 pm, when it developed hydraulic problems.

Vanguard learnt that the pilot who did not want to take chances decided to fly the aircraft back to Lagos in what in aviation parlance is known as air return.

A passenger aboard the aircraft told Vanguard that she noticed the aircraft engine’s noise level suddenly went low, and wondered whether airlines in the country had started operating aircraft with noiseless engines as obtained in Europe and America.

According to her, the pilot announced that he had technical problems and advised passengers to be prepared for emergency landing. She said commotion set in immediately as passengers launched into fervent prayers, scurried to all emergency doors as soon as the aircraft got to a stop after landing.

She said passengers were immediately evacuated, while Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) firefighters rushed in to spray the aircraft with hydrants to prevent it from bursting into flames.

Addressing newsmen on the incident, Media Assistant to the Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the regulatory agency, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, said hydraulic failure forced the pilot to return the aircraft to Lagos. "What happened is a normal incident. It was well managed. It was hydraulic failure which forced the pilot to return the aircraft to Lagos. The right wing gear collapsed when the aircraft got to the last stage of the runway, while trying to turn," said Adurogboye, who said investigation into the cause of the technical problem by the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIPB) had commenced.

The airline’s Director of Operations, Mr. Kenneth Wemambu, also confirmed the incident, saying: "The pilot discovered hydraulic leakage and brought the aircraft back to base."

Posted by Publisher at 04:13 PM | Comments (0)

Delta Assembly gives account of stewardship

LAGOS—DELTA State House of Assembly has given account of its performance in the last 13 months to mark the end of its first term in the third session.

Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

Speaker of the House, Mr Young Daniel Igbrude, said since the third session of the House commenced June 3, 2003 till date, there had been stable leadership and peaceful relationship in the legislature.

Said Igbrude: "We have so far achieved a lot in the area of our core legislative duties and responsibilities. We have received 38 bills on the floor of the House and passed 19 of them. A total of 12 bills have been assented to by Governor James Ibori, while 12 bills are pending in the House."

During the period, seven bills were withdrawn or dropped. The Majority Leader, Mr Ossai. N. Ossai, told Vanguard that the seven bills were dropped because they were not in the best interest of the state.

Posted by Publisher at 04:12 PM | Comments (0)

Vmobile launches project R.O.S.E.

LAGOS—VMOBILE Nigeria plans to invest a minimum of $2 billion in its network infrastructure over the next 24 months for its quality and coverage expansion code-named Project R.O.S.E, "Rolling Out Service Everywhere."

Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

The investment will be used to build at least 3000 base stations across the country and expand network capacity to accommodate a minimum of 10 million subscribers.

Project R.O.S.E entails the construction of additional 4000 kilometres of Microwave Transmission Backbone within the next 24 months. Already, Vmobile has completed 1500 kilometres of major Microwave Transmission Backbone, while additional 2000 kilometres will be completed in the next six months.

Vmobile will also increase the number of switches in the company’s network from 16 to 28, to create adequate capacity for a minimum of 10 million subscribers by June 2007. However, the core network capacity will be upgraded from four million to six million active subscribers by the end of July 2005.

In addition, it will build more Call Centres in Delta, Akwa Ibom and the Northern states of Nigeria to increase the availability of customer care services on a 24-hour basis.

The number of VCare Centres and VStores will also be increased to 100 over the next 24 months to give customers greater convenience and access to Vmobile’s offices, products and services.

Project R.O.S.E is progressing aggressively with internally generated cash flow. However, additional funding representing $830 million has been received from three sources namely: local Nigerian banks, African Export and Import Bank (Afrexim) and foreign vendor finance provided by equipment suppliers such as, Ericsson, Hauwei, Motorola, Siemens and Harris Corporation.

Vmobile is currently in the process of obtaining additional equity investment, which is expected from on-going negotiations with strategic core investors. The additional funding will be used to restructure the company’s debt and other initiatives to strengthen its market position.

Vmobile is already present in all the state capitals of Nigeria and will further expand this coverage in each state to deliver on the promise of R.O.S.E, "Rolling Out Service Everywhere."

Posted by Publisher at 04:10 PM | Comments (0)

A race to the wire in Delta guber politics

WITH every passing day to the 2007 guber race in Delta State, some reasonable deductions can be made as to where the tide might be blowing. Though what cannot be waved aside is that the race to succeed the incumbent governor would be rougher and tougher than being perceived in some quarters because of a number of factors.

By Austin Ogwuda
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

TheUnwritten Gentleman`s Agreement Over Power Shift.

Delta North politicians are claiming that there is an unwritten gentleman’s agreement. Present commissioner for special duties in charge of Abuja, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi who was the secretary of the ruling PDP, during the formative stages in 1999 had been shouting to high heavens since last year that there was an agreement on power shift between the three senatorial districts of the state. Nwaoboshi, who claimed that the state PDP took off from his Asaba office at that initial time remains bitter about the discordant tunes from the other senatorial districts that disowned the purported arrangement, describing the denial as a "coup" because "the bulk of the votes that made Ibori to win came from Delta North axis". But one particular point of note is that no one has been able to clear the air over the purported agreement, although not put down in pen and paper. Even Governor James Ibori himself, who was at the centre of it all, has been playing the ostrich over the matter. During his recent press interaction with newsmen in Asaba, he parried the question when it was posed to him. He instead blamed the reporters as mischievous elements for daring to ask such sensitive question, accusing them of being interested in fanning the ambers of discord amongst the political class. Despite all prompting, he refused to bulge insisting that clearing such air at this time would heat up the polity. And there he rested the matter.

The UPU Secret Meeting

Close sources hinted this reporter that the all-powerful Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) led by Chief Benjamin Okumagba met recently and took a firm position on who succeeds their son, Ibori. And at that very particular meeting with Ibori present, it was gathered that the group accused him of giving both moral and financial backing to the secretary to the state government (SSG), Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to fester his guber aspirations. He was advised to allow for a level playing field. Still at that UPU meeting, it was resolved that they were not prepared to let power shift for now, insisting that Delta North which is in dire need of power has had a fair share since the capital of the state is situated in Asaba.

The Three Musketeers

If you put your ears down in Delta State you will definitely hear that there exists three deputy governors. Sounds funny, but that is the fact on the ground. But really, there is supposed to be one deputy governor in a state. Even though he comes from Delta North senatorial district, Chief Benjamin Elue, the deputy governor, is seen as deputy governor by appellation without being accorded the necessary powers that go with the office.

Aside him, a former commissioner for education during the first tenure of Ibori, Chief Ighoyota Amori, and now the political adviser to the governor is seen as de facto deputy governor because of the enormous powers he wields. When he coughs, the local government chairmen shiver, when he sneezes, it sends jitters round the whole place. At a point Amori took on the state legislators when he wanted the legislators to support enmasse the return of former transition chairmen in the state who had been loyal to him as compensation.

But few hard fighters in the Assembly ignored him. They refused and they were later suspended. The entire state legislature in protest stood its ground and pronounced itself suspended too until Amori backed off.

The other tripod of powerful men in Ibori government is Dr. Uduaghan, given his office as the SSG. Uduaghan, unassuming, disguises the level of his influence, yet gets the attention of the governor to the fullest. Does Elue get the same attention, yes he does.

And because the duo of Amori and Uduaghan exercise enormous powers and dictates to a large extent what goes on and who gets what, there was an initial infighting. The matter came to a head when Ibori wanted to appoint a new SSG at the inception of his second tenure. Amori, a former commissioner in the first tenure craved for it and fought tooth and nail to get the office, but that slipped from him and the lot fell on Uduaghan, whom Ibori felt would manage that office effectively since it is the hub of governance. To show that he is in control, Amori, despite the fact forced out the state deputy governor, Chief Elue, who was the Chairman of the disbanded Core Group, an organisation seen as the plank to achieve political success in the state. This did not go down well with the leadership of the State PDP, especially the chairman Captain Pius Sinebe (rtd), who saw the group as a parallel party in camouflage. Loyalists of Uduaghan distanced themselves from the Core Group, until the state government banned political office holders from associating with such groups.

Uduaghan on his part, has started preparations for the future and is believed to be setting up structures around a group of Ibori loyalists who were frequenting Abuja during the alleged ex-convict case became known as the Gwagalada faithful, and it is led by Faith Majemite

Many things appear to be working out for Uduaghan even though he knows that he is walking a tight rope, so the birth of a Coalition known as G3 is another good thing that he is counting on. In G3, known political big wigs and in fact serving key officers of the state drawn from the south senatorial district are fully represented. But the big question is can Uduaghan achieve his guber ambition without Amori’s input, the answer is definitely no, because, Amori whether one likes it or not is the generalissimo in Delta politics.

That was why Uduaghan in his wisdom decided to mend fence with him. No wonder when the CITY PEOPLE gave him an award of Excellence in Administration, the Committee of Friends of Uduaghan cleverly picked Amori to chair the occasion. Amori in his usual character was also happy that he would perform such public function to tell the world that the "war" is over too. However, notwithstanding the choice of Amori and the rapprochement between the two it is uncertain whether the Urhobo stock are now disposed to having an Itsekiri governorship hold the ace. However, if Amori works with Uduaghan then the latter’s chance is very bright, which is a big if.

The Battle Line

From the list of aspirants drawn from Delta North, Delta Central and Delta South, Uduaghan, an Itsekiri man is the man to beat if only the likes of Amori and others can convince their kinsmen (Urhobo) to allow an Itsekiri to run as it is getting clear that even if Delta central decides to concede power, they might have soft spot for a candidate from Delta South. But another line of thinking is that the Urhobos are saying that if at all they will concede power to shift to Delta North that they will want a candidate from Ndokwa axis to take the slot rather than to give it to candidates from Oshimili, or Aniocha. Their reason being that they (Urhobos) are more disposed and very much at home with an Ndokwa man in view of their long years of association coupled with the proximity.

Agenda Setting At The Coming State PDP Congress

Interestingly, the State PDP congress is fast approaching and political chess masters are already at work. The current Chairman, Captain Sinebe, an Ijaw, will give way to a new hand. To begin with politicians from Delta central senatorial district are presently calling the shots. Reason one: Because they are more politically united, matured and virtually speak with one voice when the chips are actually down and secondly, because even though Ibori preaches equity and fair play, to a large extent, he still bends over to give his kinsmen (Urhobo) from central tacit support.

So, arrangements are on to bring Faith Majemite who is a foundation member of PDP and one who understands the art of politicking to become the next chairman of the party in the state. One may therefore ask what relevance is the choice of a state chairman coming from a particular area? In Delta that counts a lot because the chairman would weild a lot of influence in determining who progresses at any point in time in a race.

The Consensus Palaver

The greatest undoing of the people of Delta North is the issue of arriving at a general consensus of who will eventually run. What you find is that the king makers in the district don’t agree. For instance in Delta central if the UPU speaks, you are merely on your own if you, as an aspirant chooses to continue to exercise your fundamental human right to the fullest by disagreeing with their decision. But that is lacking in the North.

The likes of Commissioner Peter Nwaoboshi, Senator Francis Nwajei, Chief Nkem Okwuofu, Chief Humphrey Iweriebor, Chief Patrick Osakwe, Dr. Olisa Imegwu and so on are political heavyweights, but these gladiators are hardly in the same camp. All these men are individually behind the litany of aspirants from Delta North. And that is why the efforts of the Delta North Leaders’ Forum led by ageing Second Republic Senator, Senator (Obi) Nosike Ikpo, who is trying to bring cohesion to Delta North politics, has not actually clicked. Rather, it is sabotaged.

Even the state deputy governor who is running for the governorship that could have used such a forum as a plank had publicly dressed down the forum and grouped them among those banned by the state government.

On the whole, the district from where the next governor would emerge remains a puzzle that will be answered in the days to come, and Ibori the incumbent governor would mostly likely be the recurring decimal that will eventually resolve the puzzle.

Posted by Publisher at 04:09 PM | Comments (0)

Five feared dead in Benin-Asaba auto crash

ASABA — FIVE people were feared killed in a motor accident on the Benin-Asaba highway yesterday. Similarly, a five-man robbery gang had struck on the same highway, killing six passengers during a daylight operation on Tuesday.

By Austin Ogwuda
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

The robbery operation which lasted for over 45 minutes occurred at Edo-Ogwashi village before Issele-Uku at about 8am as the robbers waylaid motorists plying the road early that morning, robbing them of various sums of money and valuables including GSM handsets.

Vanguard gathered that the robbers who were said to be operating with sophisticated weapons robbed vehicles and at a time opened fire indiscriminately which incidentally killed the victims while several other passengers were wounded and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Asaba..

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Miss Olabisi Okuwobi told Vanguard that "we (police) have spread our dragnet and very soon we shall get them (fleeing robbers). She however confirmed that only three persons were killed during the operation.

The accident in which five people were feared dead took place about 16 kilometres from Asaba main town. It involved a Toyota Hiace commercial bus with registration number Delta XB 695 AGB travelling from Agbor to Onitsha and a truck carrying a container at about noon yesterday.

The bus which must have been on high speed ran under the moving truck with registration number Lagos XB 511 AGL.

While the men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) were directing traffic as well as making arrangements to remove the vehicles out of the road, a towing van with registration number Anambra XO 359 NSH heading towards the East almost ran into them (FRSC officials) at the scene as the brake of the towing van failed and it later somersaulted into the bush just some metres away. Two passengers in the towing van were in critical condition, as at the time of this report, which one of the FRSC said, "we doubt if they will survive."

The five passengers in the bus who died on the spot were conveyed by the FRSC men to Saint Joseph’s Hospital Asaba while the wounded were taken to the Federal Medical Centre.

From the identity cards recovered from the pockets of some of the victims, it was discovered that a 400-level student of the Delta State University (DELSU) Abraka was among the dead.

Posted by Publisher at 04:07 PM | Comments (0)

Group makes case for female President in 2007

Calabar — The need for a female president of Nigeria in 2007 has been canvassed by an Abuja -based group, Centre for Women Studies and Intervention.

By George Onah
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

Giving reasons why it canvasses a shift in the leadership of the country to the women folk, the NGO stated that the "exclusion of women from decision-making will not augur well for democracy" in Nigeria.

In a communiqué after a training workshop at Ogoja Council, Cross River State, the group pointed out that it was by so doing that "the dignity of women and their rights" would be maintained.

Also, the organization which focuses on community issues established by a group of Catholic Women, stated that the discrimination against women was contrary to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

Again, the communiqué advocated that "female genital mutilation should be stopped and wife-battering in Africa abolished", pointing out that "the girl-child education be encouraged and the obnoxious widow treatment should not be allowed to continue."

It requested further that government provides special scholarship scheme for women (girl-child) and that sex education on HIV/AIDS be introduced in primary and secondary schools.

Speaking at the workshop, Assistant Executive Director of the Centre, Rev. Sister Anthonia Uche observed that the centre works for the realization of gender equality and human rights for all.

In her address, she pointed out that, "Nigerian women and the girl-child face different forms of discriminatory practices from the cradle to old age."

Uche said this happens in the home, schools and workplace, stating that, "these practices include domestic and sexual violence/exploitation."

Also that "women suffer from widowhood rites and lack of access to good and qualitative education, low level of representation in political and appointive positions."

Posted by Publisher at 04:06 PM | Comments (0)

Ekpenyong's impeachment abide by rule of law, says group

UYO—The Akwa Ibom state youth caucus, an umbrella body for political youth organisations in the state has advised politicians to abide by the rule of law.

By Titilayo Odeyemi
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

The caucus gave the advice in view of recent political developments in Akwa Ibom state.

Specifically the caucus made reference to the impeachment of the state deputy governor, Chris Ekpenyong.

In a statement Mr. Ekerette Ekpenyong, Secretary General, and Mr. Emmanuel Ukoette, Director of Publicity, the group declared as follows:

"That, as a law-bidding body, the Akwa Ibom state youth caucus deliberately restrained itself from dabbling into the impeachment process in the state House of Assembly because it believed that it was purely a constitutional matter which the honourable house has jurisdiction to deal with.

"That, the youth caucus, as a Vanguard of peace and stability in the state since inception of the current democratic dispensation, wishes to advise all youths, and indeed all other law abiding citizens of the state to avoid any act at this period in the political history of the state, that could pitch them against the law.

"That, youths of Akwa Ibom should not allow themselves to be used for any sinister or clandestine activity aimed at achieving selfish political ends.

"That, the youth caucus will continue to send by any action taken by any constituted authority aimed at defending and protecting the constitution of the Federation Republic of Nigeria.

"That, the Akwa Ibom youth caucus reiterates its call for the integration of youths into the scheme of things in Akwa Ibom state and Nigeria.

"That, we will resist any attempt to interfere in this strictly ‘integral matter’ of our state by non-indigenes, as we are a constitutionally recognised state with the capacity to settle political issues amicably.

"That, the youths of Akwa Ibom state will not only bank, out bite, if our calm disposition is misconstrued for weakness by any quarters no matter how highly placed.

"Finally, it is worthy of note that 98% of Akwa Ibom youths in politics are PDP card-carrying members, while an equivalent percentage of the entire youth populace voted en masses for the PDP in all elections.

Although the PDP has instituted a panel to look into the impeachment of the deputy governor, political observers are of the view that the impeachment remains constitutional.

Posted by Publisher at 04:04 PM | Comments (0)

UNICAL honours Titi Abubakar, others with doctorate degrees

CALABAR — WIFE of the Vice-President, Mrs. Titi Abubakar, Chief Razak Okoya-Thomas and the first vice chancellor of the University of Calabar Prof. Emmanuel Ayandele have been scheduled for honourary doctorate degrees by the university.

By Titilayo Odeyemi
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

Also on the list of honourees are Chief S. O. Babalola and Chief Asuquo Ekpeyong of Davandyfinance in Cross River State. Outgoing vice chancellor of the institution Prof. Ivara Esu disclosed in Calabar while inaugurating the 22nd convocation committee, which comes up on August 13, 2005.Esu said Governor Donald Duke would commission projects that were undertaken by his administration. These include assembly hall and a classroom block located at the Unical International Secondary School. In addition to these is a faculty of law building.Relatedly, Professor Ivara Esu, has expressed satisfaction over contributions made by Deans and Directors of the Institution, in his running of the University.The vice -chancellor who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor Akanieren Essien, noted that the Committee of Deans dinner party has created a relaxed atmospherefor the senior officers of the institution to pool in their wealth of ideas since the inception of his administration.

should sustain for a healthier development of the institution and lauded the individual and collective efforts of stakeholders towards the success of his tenure.The vice-chancellor who commended the chairman of committee of deans for the manner in which hehas piloted the affairs of the committee, appealed to everyone to pray to God for the country as well as for the process of selecting the next vice-chancellor for the university.On his part the Chairman, Committee of Deans, University of Calabar, Professor Etuk, said the occasion was designed to allow the staff to interact with relaxed minds after academic and physical labour and urged them to free themselves from any form of mental stress.

Posted by Publisher at 04:03 PM | Comments (0)

Ex Biafran policemen disagree with IGP over identification, service records

ENUGU—FORMER members of Biafran Police Force who were granted amnesty in May 2000 by President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday disagreed with the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, on his recent claim that improper identification and record of service of the affected officers were responsible for the delay in the payment of their entitlements.

By Tony Edike
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

In a communique issued at the end of their meeting in Enugu, the retired police officers under the aegis of Association of Retired War Affected Ex-Biafra Police Officers from South-South and South East States of Nigeria, faulted Ehindero’s claim, insisting that comprehensive list of the affected officers had long been compiled as directed by the former IGP, Mr. Musliu Smith and forwarded to the force headquarters.

The communique said: "We are amazed at the official statement credited to the Acting Inspector General of Police during his official visit to Enugu this month that the delay in the payment of our benefits was due to ‘‘lack of proper records identification problems’’. With all due respects to the Acting IGP, we disagree with his official statement. Official records of all the affected officers were compiled by the former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. AK. Smith who directed the Commissioners of Police in the affected States to compile the list state by state and forward same to the Inspector-General.

"We confirm that the list was duly compiled and it is from that list that the Acting Inspector General identified the total number of the affected officers as 1520. Refer to a Wireless Message Ref. No. AH9000/Adept/Vol.1/42 of August 2000."

They said that they were aware that N500 million was set aside in May 2000 by the Federal Government for the initial payment of the Pensions and gratuities and regretted that in spite of the approval and directives by the president, no action had been taken to effect the payment.

The retired cops, therefore, appealed to the Minister of Police Affairs and the Inspector General of Police to comply with the presidential directive and settle the entitlements of the affected officers without further delay, as a sign of actualizing the amnesty granted them five years ago.

Posted by Publisher at 04:03 PM | Comments (0)

"Inflation 'll increase if naira continues losing value"

ENUGU—A UNIVERSITY don, Dr Aiafo Anyafo has warned that inflation will be on the increase in the country next year if the erosion of the value of naira was allowed to continue, saying the Dutch Auction System (DAS) introduced in 2002 has not yielded the desired dividend.

By Tony Edike
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

He asked the organized private sector to insist on a monetary policy regime for the next fiscal year that would ensure currency stabilization and meaningful control of domestic market inflation.

Presenting a paper at the Pre-2006 Budget seminar organized in Enugu by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) yesterday, Anyafo said the attainment of a single digit inflation rate target set in 2004 would remain a mirage unless there was stability in naira value and control of domestic market.

The paper was entitled "Towards Making the 2006 Budget of All Tiers of Government in Nigeria to be business sector friendly".

Said he: "It is time to take a very hard look at the Dutch Auction System since it is now clear that its objectives of reducing the parallel market premium, conserving foreign exchange, and achieving a realistic naira exchange rate have not been achieved."

Anyafo observed that the professional discipline expected to be instilled in the market participants by the DAS has not materialized due to "rent-seeking behaviour, round tripping and multiple bids by banks", advising that the system be reviewed for better performance.

Speaking on the effect of the recent ban on goods and the Customs and Excise Tariff Adjustment, Anyafo, who is the head of department of Accountancy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu Campus, called for the fine-tuning of the customs and excise tariff and accommodate more concessions,

especially in those critical areas which still posed constraints to operators in the real sector.

Posted by Publisher at 04:02 PM | Comments (0)

NBA investigates bribe allegation against Uwais

THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday said it has commenced what it called the collation of facts on the bribe allegation made against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammadu Uwais by a lawyer in open court.

By Innocent Anaba
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

Secretary General of the NBA, Nimi Walson-Jack made this known in Lagos at a briefing by the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN). Answering question put to him by journalists on what the bar association is doing in respect of the allegation, Walson-Jack said, "you must know that an allegation remains an allegation until it is proved.

Let us investigate the allegation first. It is not enough to say I did not collect it and also not enough to say he collected it. We must investigate it. For now it is only but an allegation and it would not be fair if the parties are not given fair hearing. Our laws presumes a person innocent until the otherwise is proved".

According to him, "if evidence say he (CJN) is guilty, we will take him up. But if the man (lawyer) is wrong, we have laws to take care of him. We have already started collecting the facts. I would not want to call it investigation".

He noted that the bar association has been receiving phone calls from Nigerians on the matter, but that the association has insisted on having such comments and contributions in writing. "You know that the NBA is not the police, it is the police that conducts investigation. Our duties is to cater to the interest of lawyers and that is what we are doing. That is why I said we are collecting facts on the NJC matter", he added.

He also called on professionals to get involved in politics, noting, "it is important for the professionals to be involved in politics. It is not good for uneducated people to rule us, because they will initiate policies that are unworkable.

Posted by Publisher at 03:58 PM | Comments (0)

PDP chieftain berates Ali over comments on guber race

ADO EKITI— A CHIEFTAIN of Peoples Democratic Party (FDP) in Ekiti State, Mr. Olusegun Oni has criticised the National chairman of the party, Dr.Ahmadu Alli for his position on the modality of picking governorship candidate for 2007 general elections, saying nobody can impose non- performing governor on the people.

By Gbenga Ariyibi
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

Dr. Alli was quoted during his recent official visit to Ekiti State that the party might waive the conduct of party primaries for the governor who are seeking their second term in office.

Oni, who eyeing the governorship position of the state in 2007 spoke with newsmen in Ado Ekiti saying that the view expressed by the national chairman of the party, Dr. Alli was his personal opinion, which does not represent the view of generality of the party men.

""The PDP national chairman must have been misquoted, the Peoples choice would prevail, is he saying if an unpopular governor is asked to return that people will not vote against such a governor and his party

Oni, who is also member of Trustee of the Petroleum Task Fund, however condemned the unfortunate incident which happened at his home town Ifaki Ekiti a couple of weeks ago, saying it was unprecedented in the history of democratic experience in the state.

Posted by Publisher at 03:57 PM | Comments (0)

94 insurance coys post N68.4bn

Ninety-four insurance companies generated N68.4 billion premium income in the financial year ended December 2004 just as the companies in the same period settled N26 billion claims.

By Patience Saghana
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

The N68.9 billion premium income posted by the underwriting companies in the year under review showed 19 percent increase against N55.9 billion income recorded in 2003.

President of the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), Mr. Oye Hassan-Odunkale who disclosed the figures at the 34th Annual General Meeting of the NIA in Lagos, yesterday, said the underwriters were members of the association.

Hassan-Odukale stated that in spite of the muddled economic environment in which insurance industry operated last year, insurance industry still got more business than they could muster in the previous year.

According to him, "insurance industry witnessed a marginal growth in the volume of business written during the period under review. The industry’s projected gross premium income was N68.4 billion in the year ended December 31st 2004, as against N55.9 billion in year 2003.

"Similarly the industry paid claims totaling N26 billion in year 2004 as against N22.9 billion in year 2003. This represents an increase in claims payments of 13.5 percent during the period, while the premium income increase by about 19.0 percent."

A breakdown of the premium income showed that the 94 insurance companies raked N7.43 billion from fire insurance business in 2004 against N6.07 billion posted last year; N16.88 billion from motor insurance in 2004 while in 2003, the companies recorded N13.81 billion; N12.51billion in 2004 against N10.23 billion announced in 2003 from General Accident Business.

In 2004, Marine Insurance business recorded N19.19 billion and N15.69 billion in 2003 while Life Insurance business stood at N12.38 billion in 2004 compared to N10.13 billion posted in the previous year, amounting to N68.4 billion in 2004 and N55.9 billion premium income respectively.

The NIA president said the year under review also mounted pressure on insurance companies as a result of the Insurance Act 2003 which emphasised on recapitalisation of companies that saw some companies trading their ownership in order to meet the recapitalisation requirements worsened by the nine months grace given to companies.

Posted by Publisher at 03:57 PM | Comments (0)

Benue House Speaker urges state police boss to ensure peace in Makurdi

MAKURDI— SPEAKER of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr Mzenda Iho, has called on the State PoliceCommissioner, Mr Azubuko Udah, to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in MaKurdi where one Sunday Obiabo is being hospitalized after he was allegedly attacked by hoodlums.

By Godwin Akor
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

The Speaker made the call after the member representing Adoka/Ugboju Constituency in the House, Mr Austin Awodi, had observed that tension was mounting at the Naka Road Low Cost Housing Estate where Mr Obiabo was allegedly attacked by some persons believed to be relations of someone who died while he was being interrogated along with others suspected to have broken into Mr Obiabo’s house while he was away.

Awodi had also told the House that Obiabo’s house was razed down by hoodlums last Saturday and asked for intervention in the matter as the victim remains critically ill in a hospital in Makurdi.

Iho sympathized with the family of the deceased and described the death as unfortunate because he was supposed to have been prosecuted. He appealed to the Police Commissioner to move fast as the situation could degenerate if there should be a counter-attack.

"We don’t want a situation where there will be anothercommunal clash more over that the persons involved areof different ethnic groups. We have had enough of suchproblems in this state.

"Even if the police are doing something about this problem, the Shimawa AzaigbaCommittee on Local Governments. Security andChieftaincy Affairs should tell them to do more inorder to avoid destruction of lives and property", Iho stressed.

He also directed the committee to immediately visit the area in question, ensure that Obiabo and members of his family are protected and take other remedial measures necessary to ensure peace.

Posted by Publisher at 03:56 PM | Comments (0)

Kwara LG polls: Tribunal can hear aspirants' petition, says Appeal court

ILORIN—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin yesterday upheld the desire of the eight local government chairmanship aspirants of Peoples Democratic Party, from Kwara south, disqualified by the State Independent Electoral Commission {KWSIEC}in the last election, to have their petition entertained by the election petition tribunal in the state.

By Demola Akinyemi
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

In his lead judgment, Justice Aboyi Ikongbeh leading Justices Saifullahi Coomasie and Tijani Abdullahi said he considered all the grounds of the appeal on its merit and ruled that there was no merit on the objections raised by the KWSIEC.

The jurist stated that the issue decided by the High Court was not the same as the issue before the tribunal and therefore, "the petition was not caught by the principle of issue estopel"

The appeal court judge maintained that the high court is different from election tribunal insisting that the petition did not raise question of any internal affair of the PDP and maintained that the petition was between the appellants and KWSIEC.

Ikongbeh set aside the decision of the Oyeyipo led court and restored the decision of the lower tribunal holding that it has jurisdiction over the election petition.

The appeal court remitted the petition back to the election petition tribunal for continuation.

It would be recalled that following the refusal of the electoral body to allow the candidates run for the April 24, 2004 polls in their respective councils, the candidates had filed an election petition at the tribunal praying the tribunal to quash the decision of the electoral body and return them as the duly elected chairmen of their councils.

But the electoral body had contested the petition, claiming that the issue involved bordered on an intra-party affairs, which the tribunal, headed by Justice Banji Orilonishe had no jurisdiction and competence to entertain.

The tribunal in its June 25, 2004 judgment had ruled that it had competence and jurisdiction to entertain the petition of the aggrieved chairmanship candidates.

Posted by Publisher at 03:55 PM | Comments (0)

Apo killings: Panel pledges to be just, fair, bold

ABUJA—THE judicial commission of inquiry into alleged police killing of six traders in Apo yesterday said it would be just, fair and bold in its assignment at unraveling the circumstances surrounding the police killing of the six traders in Apo, Abuja.

By Ben Agande and Ndidi Onuora
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

At the first sitting of the commission yesterday, the chairman of the panel, Justice Olasunbo Goodluck said if need be, the panel which has six weeks within which to submit its report would sit on Saturdays to allow every body who has information to come forward to give them.

Justice Goodluck said the assignment before the panel, which is to unravel the circumstances surronding the death of the five men, and a lady was a herculean one that needed the support of all Nigerians who have information to offer.

The panel chairman appealed to all parties that want to appear before it to exercise restraint and not to display too much emotion. She promised that adequate measures would be taken to protect witnesses adding that the panel require the cooperation of all parties to ensure a smooth hearing.

Posted by Publisher at 03:54 PM | Comments (0)

Agric: Turaki to receive councillors' merit award

DUTSE—SERVING Councillors in Jigawa are to give a merit award to Governor Ibrahim Turaki for his achievements in agriculture.

By Abdulsalam Muhammad
Posted to the Web: Thursday, June 30, 2005

A Councillor representing Madaka Ward in Gumel Local Government Area of the state, Alhaji Abdullahi Saidu told journalists in Dutse that, the honour is in recognition of various revolutionary achievements the sector has witnessed over the last six years.

Alhaji Abdullahi Saidu listed the establishment of Jigawa Research Institute and the recent distribution of the 500 tractors to over three thousand polling unit in the state as a great achievement that has brought maximum benefit to orthodox and mechanized farmers in the state.

Abdullahi Saidu stated that Turaki-led administration had since inception in 1999 introduced agricultural innovation that has impacted positively on the life of the people stressing that, there has been an increase in the income of an average farmer in Jigawa.

The Councillor explained that, their closeness to the grass root has in no small way exposed them to the reality on ground, adding that food security in the state will certainly will be a thing of the past in no distant future.

"Our closeness to the grass- root exposed us to the reality on the ground, the differences is of course very clear, these are measured with the sudden increase in farmers output as it affected its total earning over the last six years", submitted Abdullahi Saidu.

The Councillor described the recent distribution of 11,000 tonnes of fertilizer to farmers across the state as a right step in the right direction, pointing out that this will no doubt boost food production in the state.

According to Abdullahi Saidu, "We have never had it like this before, and it is only nice as a mark of appreciation to honour the visionary and patriotic leader of our time for a job well done".

The Councillor, during the briefing announced the second week of August for the ceremony which according to him coincides with their first year anniversary in office as at the third tier government.

Posted by Publisher at 03:48 PM | Comments (0)

Tafa Balogun faints in court after scuffle with EFCC policemen

FORMER Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun, tasted police brutality yesterday in an Abuja court premises. Policemen attached to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday kicked, shoved and slapped Balogun, who is currently standing trial for alleged corruption. And he fainted from the ordeal.

From Lemmy Ughegbe and Florence Oretade, Abuja

The policemen dragged him helplessly on the bare floor and hauled him into a Peugeot 504 Station Wagon car with registration number ABUJA AG 256 YAB after his left leg had been brushed by the tyres of the car.

With a pained voice, he cried out: "Do you people want to kill me"? But the policemen would not listen as they whisked him away in commando style.

When the former Inspector-General was brought back to the court premises, he looked haggard and ruffled and with a battered leg, limping into the courtroom where he fainted after addressing Justice Garba Salisu who is hearing his case.

He is standing trial on 92 fresh charges preferred against him by the EFCC at the Abuja High Court.

The assault was triggered off after Justice Salisu dismissed Balogun's application seeking to quash the 92 fresh charges preferred against him, ordering that the former number one cop be remanded in the custody of the EFCC should he fail to produce two sureties who must be holders of national honours and landed property in Asokoro and Maitama, Abuja.

Upon the ruling, Balogun stepped out of the courtroom without his counsel and that turned out to be a costly mistake. He almost paid with his life for no sooner had he done so than armed mobile policemen attached to the Commission pounced on him, giving him a terrible beating.

This treatment, however, did not come without resistance as Balogun tried to use his massive frame to stop being forcibly taken away. In the process, he fell off the moving vehicle, which brushed his left leg in the process.

Balogun's counsel, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, immediately drew the attention of Justice Salisu to the incident.

The judge in turn ordered that the security operatives and Balogun should all return to the courtroom, but this directive was unheeded as they drove Balogun away.

However, Justice Salisu insisted that Balogun be brought back to the court, ordering prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, to produce the former IG.

Outside the court, while waiting for Balogun to be brought back, there was a hot exchange of words between the relations of Balogun and Jacobs, almost resulting in fisticuffs. Jacobs had to be moved to a safe distance to prevent any possible attack on him by Balogun's relations and other lawyers in the defence team of the former police boss.

Other lawyers present also joined to condemn the action of the EFCC operatives. The relations of Balogun continued to shout in Yoruba, "Se e fe paa ni, Se e fe paa ni?" (Do you want to kill him? Do you want to kill him?)

After about 30 minutes, the vehicle brought him back; this time accompanied with more EFCC officials in another vehicle.

When the former IG came out of the vehicle, he was limping, his left leg had been injured, his clothes ruffled and stained, his neatly starched cap gone and the left side of his trousers rolled up. Balogun laboriously made his way into the courtroom.

With tears in his eyes, the former IG turned to Justice Salisu in an emotional voice, saying: "My Lord, I think I should be given an opportunity to talk because I am the victim of the matter, this is like a fact-finding session, that is why I request that you give me the opportunity to be heard because you want to know the truth".

He added: "The bottomline is that I have always come before my Lord. You can now see the manifestation of personal vendetta in this affair; it is not prosecution but persecution which started long ago".

Balogun continued: "I am not safe in the hands of these people (EFCC) and I want to say from the beginning there have been threats and threats to my life. Even before the experience of today, there were threats from the prosecution that I will be in prison custody even before the trial can commence. So, the case of conviction before trial is before your lordship".

Urging the judge to consider the assault on his person, Balogun said: "I have a broken leg because of the forceful manner in which they took me away, contrary to your order. I must have also sustained a lot of internal bleeding, internal injury because I was thrown off from the vehicle. I don't deserve this type of maltreatment if the situation was normal."

He added: "I have served this country as Inspector-General of Police creditably well. I have respected the court and have been attending the court. You can see that despite all these, you can see what they want to do to my life. I seek your merciful cover under your lordship".

Reacting to the incident, Justice Salisu said: "I strongly condemn the action of the prosecution. It is barbaric".

The matter was adjourned to July 13 for continuation.

Justice Murtala Nyanko of the Federal High Court had in April granted Balogun bail on self-cognisance but with four stringent conditions attached. He was asked to produce two eminent Nigerians with national honours not below the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) and with landed property in either Maitama or Asokoro of Abuja. The sureties must also surrender the title documents of such property to the court, while Balogun must present four first class traditional rulers geographically spread in the country as another set of sureties.

The former IG was again directed to surrender all his travel documents to the court and report weekly to the nearest EFCC office while on bail.

He met all the conditions on April 25 at about 2.00 p.m. when the court okayed all his sureties as competent and issued a production warrant on the EFCC. He was brought to court at about 3.30 p.m. by men of the EFCC where his release was perfected.

Posted by Publisher at 03:47 PM | Comments (0)

Govt says Ikoyi property sale is for real

THE Federal Government has asked prospective bidders for the just-advertised Federal Government property in Ikoyi, Lagos, to disregard all the Caveat Emptor notices published in some newspapers and posted on the gates of some property in Lagos and bid for them as advertised.

From Martins Oloja, Abuja Bureau Chief

Minister of Works, who also supervises the Housing and Urban Development Ministry, Adeseye Ogunlewe, said yesterday in Abuja that there was nothing to fear as there had never been a dispute over who owns the land in Ikoyi.

He said: "I want to assure prospective bidders that all these property from the colonial days...belong to the Federal Government of Nigeria. And most of the property or land were also reclaimed by the Federal Government then before the property were developed on this land. So, there is really nothing to fear. People should just go and bid and once they bid for the houses, we will just give it to them either on long lease or actual sale..."

Ogunlewe also told The Guardian in his office yesterday that scarcity of bidding forms had nothing to do with the current litigation on the property.

He said: "The forms will be available immediately. We are just trying to make sure that the forms (must) get to all banks. There is nothing like fear over Buyers-Beware notice scaring us...We have published the list of all the property in all the newspapers. People should just go and bid. It is their right to bid. The Federal Government wants to release its interest on these property to Nigerians. We are not giving them to foreigners...."

Ogunlewe, a former permanent secretary in the Lagos State Lands and Housing Ministry, spoke further: "The property were initially divided into two...some for Lagos state, some for the Federal Government and some for international organisations. Meanwhile, Lagos State itself has already alienated considerable number of its own property to individuals, companies and to themselves. And they have developed them. Why is it now that everybody is thinking that it is only the Federal Government that is releasing its own interest in these property. Lagos government has done so several times. We have the list containing the Lagos state's property. We are going to publish the list as well. It is not the Federal Government that has alienated its own property to individuals in Lagos. The Lagos State government has done so too and we have all the documents".

Ogunlewe also said there should be no fear over the property to be leased to the military formations. His words: "Every property belonging to the military will be retained by the military. That is because the military establishments are not involved in the monetisation reform. We have thus excluded theirs and we will not advertise their property. Also included in this category are other institutional property of the Police, the Navy, Customs, Air force or international organisations. Those will not be touched at all".

He warned those occupying property illegally in Ikoyi to vacate them immediately, as "there will be no room for frivolities, in this connection". His warning: "We already have 145 of those ones that have been illegally appropriated by individuals. We are going to chase them out. They are not saying do not come because it belongs to them. May be somebody in government gave it to them. That is not acceptable to us at all. We will remove all the illegal occupants so that people can bid for them without fear..."

Earlier, the Onikoyi chieftancy family in Lagos through a Caveat Emptor (buyers beware) notice had warned buyers to steer clear of the 568 advertised property in Ikoyi, Lagos, noting that the property have become the subject of litigation.

Four representatives of the family who initiated the suit joined the federal and Lagos State governments as first and second defendants.

But the Lagos State government, represented by its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), has filed a counter-claim against the plaintiffs and the first defendant (the Federal Government).

Posted by Publisher at 03:45 PM | Comments (0)

Okogie, Ogbemudia, Erediauwa, others insist on 25 per cent derivation

MORE eminent Nigerians and groups have called for caution on the issue of resource control, while backing the South-South geo-political zone's demand for a derivation revenue of 25 per cent.

By Dickson Adeyanju (Lagos), Iyabo Lawal (Ibadan) Hendrix Oliomogbe (Benin City), Mohammed Abubakar (Abuja) and Kelvin Ebiri (Port Harcourt)

They include Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, Omo N'Oba Erediauwa, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, Albert K. Horsfall and the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE).

Okogie, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, who decried what he called poor leadership at the tiers of public administration in the country, advised the Federal Government to handle the issue of resource control with care.

As a way out of the present logjam at the National Political Reforms Conference, he urged the government to accede to the South-South's request for 25 per cent of the oil revenue.

Okogie spoke yesterday at a press conference to mark his 69th birthday anniversary at the Holy Cross Cathedral in Lagos.

He said the 25 per cent should be okayed by the conference to reward the South-South zone for its contribution to Nigeria's development.

His words: "The 25 per cent demanded by the South-South in our opinion is okay must be respected. They have been the goose that lays the golden egg but partakes sparingly in its eating...After all life is a matter of give and take and we must remember that they have given enough to the nation. They have carried the burden of the nation this far, they should be reciprocated," he said.

The Federal Government must implement the recommendations at the conference to soothe frayed nerves and reduce the tension in the country, he said.

He also urged the Federal Government to establish a commission like that of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in all the geo-political zones to take care of other mineral producing states.

He added: "We are all to blame for our country's woes since we are all leaders in different capacities. How do we perform our duties? If we do well individually, there is every assurance, every guarantee, that the end result will be good. Now is the time therefore for us all to learn to be just, honest and accountable in whatever we do or say and in whatever sphere of life we may find ourselves. It is only after this that we can truly blame those at the helm of affairs," he noted.

He called also on the Federal Government not to take lightly the United States intelligence report on Nigeria's possible break-up.

"There is real fear of insecurity in the country. All we need to do is to go by the daily occurrence around us. Fear is evidently engulfing us as a result of evil people who do not want peace. We call on our government to tighten its noose on crime and evil in order to protect lives and property," he said.

The cardinal who was president of Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN) for eight years, accused its present leadership of not protecting and defending the interest of Christians.

"CAN has become a lame dock. The CAN that we led was powerful because we were not after what we could gain for ourselves when we wanted to hold our conference or organise election, we do our things ourselves. We pay our hotel bills and all that. But today, government rents hotels for them and therefore they are under the government.

"If CAN is as free as it used to be, what is happening today like the Islamic Bank thing will not happen."

He also called on the Federal Government to free the Lagos State Council funds since the Supreme Court has ruled that the money be released so as to reduce the people's pain.

Gen. Ogbemudia (rtd), a two-time Governor of Old Bendel State, and Horsfall, the leader of Rivers State delegation to the conference, also said those opposed to the 25 per cent demand should take into consideration the enormous sacrifices the zone has been making to keep the nation going.

Ogbemudia, who is the leader of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegation to the conference, told reporters in Abuja that the South-South demand was predicated on equity, fairness and justice within the context of true federalism that all lovers of those norms must protect and guard jealously.

His words: "The South-South is the zone that lays the golden eggs, but the people watch while others eat the eggs.

"We cannot continue like this. The present 13 per cent derivation being given to the South-South is inhuman and against all known norms of justice, fairness and equity."

The PDP leader, however, expressed his strong belief in a united Nigeria, but added: "Our unity must be based on justice and equity so that everybody will be happy to live together".

He was confident, however, that the antagonists of the 25 per cent derivation would come to see reason in the popular demand of the South-South, so that the delegates would return to the conference shortly.

But Horsfall and another delegate from Rivers State, B.M. Wifa (SAN), have ruled out the region's continued participation in the confab if their request was not met. They also insisted on the annual five per cent increase over a five-year period.

Wifa said in Port-Harcourt that the South-South delegates have resolved not to return to the conference unless their demands were met. The legal luminary said those who were vehemently opposed to the demand did not appreciate the negative environmental impact of oil and gas exploration on the region.

Horsfall, a former Director of the State Security Service (SSS), urged the South- South to remain peaceful while a solution to the crisis generated by the proposed 17 per cent derivation was being worked out.

He noted that the approach of the zone had been mature, adding that it would emerge victorious at the end of the day.

He pointed out that the South-South went to the conference to dialogue with other zones, which are desirous to move forward.

Also, a former University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) teacher, Lawrence Fejokwu, described northern political leaders who recently launched attacks on their Niger-Delta counterparts over the latter's demand for fiscal federalism, as politically insensitive to the human and environmental devastation in the South-South for decades.

His words: The Northern leaders are now uncomfortable with the evolving political scenario which reveals that a majority of Nigerians across the other five geo-political zones, support the call of the Niger-Delta from which the nation has earned over $300 billion over the past three decades.

"The northern governors who question what the South-South governors do with their 13 per cent derivation are simply playing politics. It is a clear manifestation of ignorance of the socio-economic and political realities of the region".

According to Fejokwu, statements credited to Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Umar Gali Na'Abba, on what Rivers State does with its Federal Allocations exposed "myopism, insincerity and lack of patriotism in facing the truth.

He went on: "If Northern Governors were sincere in their criticism, they would have sought to visit the oil region to see at first hand the terrible degradations. But it is a gross act of political insensitivity to oppose the increase of the 13 per cent derivation or even to oppose resource control outright.

"At the height of the militants explosion in the region last year, the entire world focused attention on Nigeria due to the sharp rise in oil prices. The 13 per cent derivation could never have been adequate in meeting the terrible environmental destruction, which left most of the communities without adequate arable land and health infrastructures."

He noted that northern military leaders have been at the presidential level of governance for 38 years since Nigeria's independence in 1960.

"During these long years of mostly military governance, the nation earned over $300 billion dollars from crude oil that came from the bowels of the Niger Delta," he said.

"What percentage of the $300 billion earned over the past decades accrued to the region? Pittance. During these long and terrible years, the communities were hunted by the military personnel, their leaders were arrested, detained, kidnapped and some murdered in questionable circumstances, he remarked.

The statements by Na'Abba and Shekarau, he said, showed their disdain for communities in Niger Delta, he said."

Fejokwu added: "Alhaji Na'Abba obviously exhibited a great deal of ignorance in, for instance, questioning what Governor Odili has done with Rivers State's monthly allocation. Dr. Odili has completed over 500 capital intensive projects in all sectors.

"Northern leaders should take a cue from the monumental projects completed and ongoing in Rivers State in particular which the communities affirm have made impact in their lives over the past six years. But the problems are such that even if N12 billion monthly allocations goes to Rivers State or to each Niger Delta State, it cannot in just few years restore the environmental degradation.

"Middle Belt delegates and other leaders who visited oil-producing areas in Rivers and Bayelsa states recently during a summit with the South-South also expressed outrage at the horrendous environmental disaster in the region."

Posted by Publisher at 03:43 PM | Comments (0)

Youths seal up NLNG site in Rivers; Flood ravages Ogoni villages

HUNDREDS of youths in Bonny Local Government of Rivers State, yesterday barricaded the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) over alleged breach of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on employment.

From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt

According to the protesting youths, they had exhausted all avenues for dialogue with the management of the company, to make it fulfil the 40 per cent employment quota it promised to reserve for its community seven years ago. According to sources, the quota was meant to compensate the community for the sacrifices they made to ensure that the plant was situated in their community.

A member of the Finima Youths Association, who pleaded anonymity explained that all the multinational companies currently carrying on their activities in Bonny were doing so on Finima land. This, according to him, is the basis for the 40 per cent job quota prescribed in the MoU compared to 60 per cent for the rest of Bonny Council.

Some of the youths said the quota allocated to them had been administered from Bonny for the past seven years but they now want to manage it themselves to ensure a more equitable distribution of available vacant positions. The youths alleged they had not really felt the impact of the agreement since the company started operation over seven years ago.

"We cannot continue to live from hand to mouth while there is a company like this here. Our parents had heeded government's request to use our land for the NLNG project and in return they have promised us employment opportunities. Seven years after, we are yet to see any significant benefits. We demand a change. We want to manage the 40 per cent quota ourselves. NLNG must deal with us directly", he said.

The youths blamed some politicians in the council for making it difficult for the company to fulfil its part of the agreement reached with the people of Finima. The Guardian gathered that the youths refused to hearken to the plea by some politicians in the area to quit the company's gate which they barricaded, insisting instead that they would wait to hear from their chiefs.

A police source who pleaded anonymity confirmed the protest but declined to state if there was any arrest. He, however, said that the protesters had generally been peaceful.

Officials of the multinational gas company in Port Harcourt refused to comment on the crisis, saying that an official statement was yet to emanate from the company's headquarters.

Meanwhile, a devastating torrent which virtually submerged two Ogoni communities, Kegbara Dere and Baranyonwa Dere in Gokana Council, Rivers State, has rendered thousands of people homeless and destroyed property worth several millions of naira. The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has called for assistance.

The spokesman for MOSOP, Mr. Bari-ara Kpalap, said the rainfall occurred on Monday and called on government to ameliorate the situation.

Villages affected in Kegbara included Aabon Kporo, Gion Suu, Gion Si-Gberesuu, Gion Banagba, Gion Kol-Deh, Gion Si-Fooro, Gion Si-Saa, Zeekpai, Si-Zorndom, Gion Kegbo, Gion Oo-Suu, Gion Nmuu, Gion Oo-nkere, Gion Kebobgba and Gberesuu market.

Parts of Baranyonwa Dere destroyed by the flood included Gion Fada, Gion Zordere and Gion Epva. Kpalap disclosed that by yesterday, displaced residents of the affected villages were yet to return to their homes because the flood had not receded.

Kpalap explained that the affected communities had continued to experience flooding since the early sixties following the construction of roads by oil companies that wanted to gain access to their oil field facilities. According to him, the construction of the roads which he alleged was done without any impact assessment, had disrupted the topography of the land and consequently blocked all natural and artificial water courses that would have allowed water to flow out of the communities.

The MOSOP spokesman added that the affected communities particularly Kegbara Dere, had made a series of reports to the oil companies operating in the area in respect to the yearly flooding, including demands for post-construction impact assessment and construction of drainage systems in the communities but no action had been taken to address the problem.

The situation has reached a disturbing dimension as, according to him, the displaced victims now live in over-crowded houses, raising fears of disease outbreak.

"Unfortunately, neither the Rivers State nor Gokana Local Council has shown any concern over the years. We are therefore calling on both governments and other relevant agencies to come to the aid of these flood victims by sending relief materials and related assistance to the communities," he said.

Posted by Publisher at 03:40 PM | Comments (0)

Biafra's ex-policemen fault IG's claims over delay in perks

RECENT claims by the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Sunday Ehindero, that delay in the payment of entitlements to pardoned former Biafran police officers was caused by improper identification an records of service have been faulted by the affected officers.

From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu

The former police officers, under the aegis of the Association of Retired War Affected Ex-Biafra Police Officers from South South and South-East states of Nigeria, yesterday after a meeting in Enugu refuted Ehindero's assertions.

They insisted that a comprehensive list of the affected officers existed and had been in existence since its compilation as directed by the former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Musiliu Smith. They insisted that the list had since been forwarded to the Force Headquarters.

The former policemen in a statement by their national chairman, Chief Charles Machie and Secretary, Mr. M.O. Udeh, insisted that they have proof that the said list had been sent to the Force Headquarters.

The former officers had converged in Enugu after reading the reaction of the IGP over his inability to implement the presidential directive on their gratuities and pensions, five years after it was issued and 34 years after the end of the civil war.

"We are amazed at the official statement credited to the Acting Inspector General of Police during his official visit to Enugu this month, to the effect that the delay in the payment of our benefits was due to 'lack of proper records identification problems'. With all due respects to the Acting IGP, we disagree with his official statement. Official records of all the affected officers were compiled by the former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. M.A.K. Smith who directed the Commissioners of Police in the affected States to compile the list state by state and forward same to the Inspector-General," the statement reads in part.

"We confirm that the list was duly compiled and it is from that list that the Acting Inspector General identified the total number of the affected officers as 1,520, in a Wireless Message Ref. No. AH9000/Adept/Vol.1/42 of August 2000," it further stated.

The former policemen insisted that they were aware that N500 million was set aside in May 2000 by the Federal Government for the initial payment of their pensions and gratuities, but regretted that in spite of the approval and directives by the President, no action had been taken to effect the payment.

They appealed to the Police Affairs Minister and the Acting Inspector General of Police to comply with the presidential directive and settle the entitlements of the affected officers without further delay, as a sign of actualising the amnesty granted them five years ago.

The former Biafran Police officers were granted amnesty by President Obasanjo on May 29, 2000. He had also directed that all their entitlements and gratuities be paid. But more than five years after, they are yet to receive the payment.

Posted by Publisher at 03:40 PM | Comments (0)

AU begins summit, may decide on UN seats

THE summit of the African Union (AU) began in the desert city of Sirte, Libya on Tuesday. It opened with the 10th ordinary session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) planning an agenda expected to consider among others, all unresolved issues at the last summit of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Abuja, Nigeria last January.

From Oghogho Obayuwana, Sirte, Libya

The Libyan summit is seen as more than just a meeting of African leaders. Among other things, the leaders are expected to come up with names of the two countries which will be put forward to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly as consensus candidates for the permanent security council seats allotted to Africa under Option A of the proposed reform of the global body.

Recognising the significance of the Sirte meeting, Nigeria is sending a 50-man delegation comprising the country's best hands in the UN system, the AU secretariat, the Nigerian mission in Addis Ababa and from home, to Libya. The larger number of the delegation is however coming from home. About half the number is already in the North African socialist country. More are being expected today and tomorrow while others will come in with the AU chairman, President Olusegun Obasanjo by the weekend, in time for the fifth ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, which begins next Monday.

Obasanjo had a two-hour closed door meeting with the Libyan leader, Col. Muammar Gaddafi on Tuesday evening, when he made a stop-over in Sirte on his way to Abuja from Holland.

Sources told The Guardian yesterday that the meeting was necessitated by misgivings expressed by the President of the Socialist Peoples Arab Jamahiriya over the manner with which his proposal for a "greater integration of Africa" was being treated.

It was further learnt that the displeasure of Gaddafi over the issue could among others affect the resolve by the coalition of friends of Nigeria in pushing up Africa's most populous nation for the UN seat and ensuring that these countries stay committed to uphold Option A, which seeks to award two permanent seats to Africa. The alternative is Option B, which throws up the seats for grabs by the willing and able regardless of contribution to peace, security and de-colonisation of the continent.

The proposal of the Libyan leader, which his country's delegation also sent to the PRC for adoption in the agenda of the Abuja summit (Gaddafi stayed back in Libya), wants a united Africa with a single minister for foreign affairs, transport, defence and agriculture.

"It is supposed to be a futuristic idea but the Libyan president is insisting that the time for it is now. He is not happy that his idea is not being taken seriously...He sought assurances from the president (Obasanjo) that the issue will be on the agenda at the meeting..." said a top member of the Nigerian delegation yesterday.

The agenda of the summit cannot however be drafted until the AU Council of Ministers hold court. They will be doing this from tomorrow.

The leader of the Nigerian delegation, Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olu Adeniji, arrived in Libya yesterday. Other members already on ground include Nigeria's permanent representative at the UN, Ambassador Aminu Wali and the Minister of Co-operation and Integration in Africa (CIA), Senator Lawan Gana Guba.

The PRC is expected to make its recommendations to the AU Executive Council (council of ministers) headed by Adeniji, which will then appraise and round up the work and lay its recommendations to the Heads of State and Government for adoption as summit resolutions.

The body of AU plenipotentiaries who make up the PRC has Nigeria's Ambassador to Ethiopia, Olusegun Akinsanya, as its chairperson. Akinsanya presided over Tuesday's as well as yesterday's sessions which held at the main semi-circular conference room of the Ouagadougou complex within the expansive Sirte conference centre.

The theme of their deliberations as contained in the draft agenda obtained by The Guardian yesterday revolved around the Abuja issues as well as emerging ones. They included:

the draft protocol on the merger of the African court on human and peoples rights and the AU Court of Justice;

modalities for the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT);

review of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Abuja decisions;

review of declaration, definition of the Diaspora (arising from the report of experts on April 12, 2005 meeting of member states in Addis Ababa); and

progress report on the implementation of the project for the creation of unified telecommunications numbering space for Africa as well as the implementation (progress and plan) of the Sirte Declaration on Agriculture and water.

Posted by Publisher at 03:39 PM | Comments (0)

Nigerians oppose proposed mass sack

AS the spectre of a mass purge in the Federal Civil Service stares the nation in the face, respondents in an opinion poll conducted by The Guardian have faulted the proposal. The respondents cut across the six geo-political zones.

The survey had asked: "Do you support the proposed mass sack in the Federal Civil Service?" fifty-eight percent or 2,044 respondents said "No", 31 per cent or 1,100 respondents however embraced the development while invalid cases stood at 11 per cent.

The zonal breakdown shows South-East leading opposition to the proposed mass sack with 71 per cent. This is followed by North-West with 60 per cent; South-West, North-Central, North-East and South-South recorded 58, 56, 55 and 52 per cent. Lagos scored 60 per cent while Abuja, 50 per cent.

North-Central and North-West however championed support for the proposed mass sack by the Federal Government with 35 percent apiece. North-East, South-South, South-West and South-East garnered 33, 31, 30 and 20 per cent. Abuja had 44 while Lagos picked 29 per cent.

As the name implies, the public service is basically oriented towards providing service for the public. Quite often, it is not practically realistic or desirable for the sector to be viewed strictly in terms of profit and loss as in the private sector.

Observers believe that a nation that is enveloped in economic recession, accompanied by inflation, low purchasing power, high unemployment rates and serious downturn in the manufacturing sector, a mass sack will worsen the economic misfortune of the Nigerian masses.

A school of thought has, however, said that the idea of a reform is not undesirable, particularly in a sector that has grown to be associated with fundamental deficiencies.

Some citizens have however urged the Federal Government to re-direct its reform policy in the public service. To them, it is not enough to pay the affected workers huge severance benefits and conclude that their matter is over. Government they say, should be concerned with how the payment will be utilised to sustain the payees so as to curb the prevailing inflation and harsh economic environment, which work against investment and savings.

Posted by Publisher at 03:38 PM | Comments (0)

Air Force arrests defence workers over planned strike

TEN civilian members of staff of the Ministry of Defence were arrested yesterday by Air Force officers at the Ikeja base, while they were mobilising support for a strike over non-payment of benefits.

By Alex Olise

Those arrested include the co-ordinator of Civilian Staff Trade Union in the Ministry, Mr. Uche Awuzie and several others who are now in detention at the base.

The Union leaders were apprehended at about 11 am when they went to mobilise their colleagues at the Airforce base hospital to join the proposed strike.

The Public Relations Officer of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) under the Defence Ministry, Mr. Titus Orngu confirmed the arrest.

It was gathered that the union leaders may have been arrested because their attempt to call out workers on strike would disrupt work at the military hospital.

A Defence Ministry source disclosed that the appropriate authorities have been alerted to wade into the crisis.

The source noted that those arrested may soon be released if their action was found not to be a grave offence, otherwise, they would be handed over to the police.

The workers had threaten to shut down all military schools and hospitals.

The workers' latest move to begin strike was the second since last year.

The issue of non-payment of entitlements has been lingering for sometime now.

Posted by Publisher at 03:37 PM | Comments (0)

Oyo pensioners protest non-payment of 142 per cent increment

WITH frustration and bitterness etched on their faces, aggrieved retirees under the aegis of the Oyo state branch of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), staged a peaceful demonstration in Ibadan, the state capital yesterday to demand the payment of arears of the 142 per cent increment on their gratuities.

From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan

Led by the state NUP chairman, Alhaji Lateef Adegoke, the pensioners, who barricaded all the six entrances to the state secrertariat complex, refused to be pacified until they were able to meet with the Deputy Governor, Chief Alao Akala, and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Ayodele Adigun.

The duo later assured them that their demands would be met as soon as possible.

A meeting was also scheduled with the state Governor, Rashidi Ladoja on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 with a firm assurance that their demands would be met that day.

However, the state government in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Strategy and Media Matters, Mr Ade Adekanmbi, explained that though the administration inherited N1.7 billion as unpaid pensions and gratuities for ex-workers, it had so far paid N1.8 billion to the ex-workers since it came to power in 2003.

It further explained that the government commits N82.7 million every month to the payment of pensions while N100 million is also set aside monthly for gratuities for its workers.

According to the statement, the Oyo government has approved the payment of pension for civil servants that retired up to December 2004 and they are already included in the monthly pensions payroll with their arrears paid up .

"It must be stated categorically that the issue of 142 percent increase for the pensioners is a Federal Government directive which has not being backed up with necessary funds from the Federal Government.

However, the state governor, after a series of meetings, had agreed to pay the 142 percent increment under conditions which are being worked out by the Ministry of Finance.

"It must be noted that the issue of 30 ,150 and 142 percent pension increase has been on since the period of the military and therefore the present government cannot be held responsible for the non payment of the pension arrears'', the statement added.

Posted by Publisher at 03:36 PM | Comments (0)

Police chief under arrest over Abuja killings

ANOTHER senior police officer was yesterday arrested in connection with the killing in Abuja of six traders alleged to be armed robbers.

From John-Abba Ogbodo and Florence Oretade, Abuja

The latest officer is one Superintendent of Police (CSP) Lawan Ado.

It was gathered that following the suspicious circumstance under which the detained Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Garki, Abdulsalam Othman, disappeared, the police high command ordered the arrest of CSP Ado, who took the DPO's statement when he was arrested.

The disappearance of Othman, The Guardian further learnt, has created tension within the police hierarchy.

It was also learnt that the police high command has declared a manhunt for the police officer.

Othman, according to the report submitted by the board of inquiry headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Mike Okiro, was allegedly at the centre of the entire drama surrounding the killing of the suspects since the incident took place in his area of jurisdiction.

Police sources told The Guardian that Ado and Othman were course mates at the police academy from where both of them graduated as cadet officers.

The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Emmanuel Ighodalo, told The Guardian that he was neither aware of the disappearance of the DPO nor the arrest of Ado.

"I don't know anything about what you said. I am not aware that any DPO escaped or any other officer was arrested," he said.

Following the escape of Othman, Judicial Commission of Inquiry's inaugural sitting was yesterday adjourned to July 1, 2005.

It was a junior counsel from the Chambers of Joe Gadzama, counsel for the police, who told the court that the police had just briefed his boss on the escape of Othman.

He also said his client, the police, were preparing a memorandum which was yet to be ready.

Yesterday, the counsel to the five male deceased traders, Amobi Nzelu, Mrs. Mary Obegolu and Ohanaeze Ndigbo were ready to open their cases.

Visible at the venue of the tribunal sitting were motor spare parts dealers who had come in solidarity with their fallen colleagues as well as interested members of the public.

They all expressed concern at the news of the escape of Othman. Some of them suspected foul play and accused the police of trying to shield the suspects from prosecution. But the police have strongly denied this.

Othman escaped early Tuesday morning on the pretext that he was going to say his prayers.

Security around other suspects had been beefed up. Others arrested and handed over to the Force Criminal Investigation Department in connection with the murder of the six traders are: Mr. Danjuma Ibrahim, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations for the Federal Capital Territory; Mr. Victor Pam, District Crime Officer at Garki Police Division, he is a Deputy Superintendent of Police; Mr. Nicholas Zacharias, an Assistant Superintendent of Police who was in charge of the ambush squad; and Mr. Nimran Mimpon, also an Assistant Superintendent of Police in charge of Patrol and Guard.

Others are Inspector Suleman Audu of the Garki Division; Police Constable Denis Asawa, the investigating police officer; Police Constable Haruna Mamot; Police Constable Ibrahim Garba; and Police Constable Yakubu Philbus.

Posted by Publisher at 03:36 PM | Comments (0)

Security alert over presidential polls ruling

THE police will beef up Security in Abuja tomorrow as the Supreme Court gives its verdict on the 2003 presidential election.

The Force spokesman, Mr. Emma Ighodalo, said that officers and men would be deployed to some strategic places to check the influx of people wishing to witness the judgment.

He said that the police force would not shy away from its responsibility of providing adequate security to lives and property of Nigerians, Ighodalo said that trouble makers would not be tolerated during and after the judgment.

He assured Nigerians that the police was equal to the task and that "there is no cause for alarm."

Posted by Publisher at 03:31 PM | Comments (0)

PDP new exco assumes office, bans campaign for 2007 polls

IT was a change of baton yesterday at the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as its newly appointed officials assumed duty.

From John-Abba Ogbodo, Abuja

The new team also said it would not tolerate any campaign for the 2007 polls for now.

Ojo Maduekwe, the new national secretary, in response to the hand-over note submitted by his predecessor, Vincent Ogbulafor, said the new team was ready to work.

His words: "All I have to say, Mr. chairman, is that we are ready to work."

But speaking with reporters after the occasion, Maduekwe, in response to a question on the 2007 polls, said the new PDP would not tolerate any campaign for the next elections now.

He added that instead, the PDP would focus on provision of infrastructure and other electoral promises made to Nigerians in 2003.

His words: "Well, as the President has already said, and we should respect the President's view on this matter because he is the leader of this party - we chose him, we nominated him and we mobilised the people of Nigeria to elect him for the second time. The President has requested that for now, what Nigerians are entitled to get from us is greater focus on governance issues ; the entire gamut of providing good governance, whether it is in the area of fast-tracking issues like boreholes, healthcare, dealing with insecurity and generally creating hope for our people."

He added: "Mixing up these with politicking for elections that are two years away is not fair to the Nigerian electorate. We are a disciplined party, particularly the new PDP. We respect the opinion of the leader of the party and whatever we do about 2007will merely be in the area of building the infrastructure for a free and fair election, both within and outside the party and then get ready for when it is time to go public about preparations for 2007 elections."

The PDP scribe, however, said that the party would embark on internal re-engineering for 2007.

Earlier, Ogbulafor disclosed that the party has an outstanding debt arising from legal fees in respect of the 2003 elections to the tune of N80 million. He also disclosed that the major challenges ahead of the PDP include the 2007 elections and management of intra-party crises.

Sounding rather biblical before the hand-over, Ogbulafor, who assumed office in 2001, said: "In life there is a time to be born, there is a time to cry and laugh, there a time to ascend the throne and there is a time to descend the throne. That time is now and the place is here."

The National Chairman, Col. Ahmadu Ali (rtd), apparently moved by the prevailing spirit of brotherhood in the hall, remarked that it was the way politics should be played and assured that the transition in 2007 would be smooth and that PDP would still lead the way.

Posted by Publisher at 03:28 PM | Comments (0)

Audu Ogbeh faults Ahmadu Ali, Anenih, over probe

FORMER National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh, has accused the party's new leadership of unfairness in the probe of his tenure, particularly the Anambra crisis.

From John- Abba Ogbodo, Abuja

The new administration has, however, denied having any ill-motive against Ogbeh, noting that the former chairman did his best for the party.

Ogbeh, in a letter to the party's new national executive dated June 24 released yesterday in Abuja, declared that something was fundamentally wrong with the PDP.

The PDP early this year mandated a panel headed by Chief Tony Anenih to look into the earlier report submitted by another panel led by the Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, which investigated the role of the former members of the National Working Committee (NWC) in the political crisis in Anambra State. The report of the committee had, among other recommendations, called for the dissolution of the NWC.

The Anenih committee also indicted some members of the NWC over the Anambra saga. The report in paragraph 12.0 states; "During inquiries, we discovered that members of the NWC, except a few, were more interested in enriching their pockets without any regard or plan to build a strong party. Dubious ways were employed to cheat, steal and defraud the party."

The report also alleged that about N2 billion realised from sale of nomination forms during the 2003 elections was mismanaged.

Ogbeh, who resigned as party chairman in January, said although the committee did not link him in any way to the Anambra crisis or the alleged fraud, he felt compelled as the chief executive of the party during the period to make some clarifications.

"Ordinarily, there would have been no reason for me to react since the committee did not involve me in either the Anambra crisis or the alleged fraud in the party," he said.

The former PDP chairman added: "I am however compelled to address this point to NEC (National Executive Committee) on the grounds that I was, after all, chief executive of the party for the period in question, although party Secretary, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, was the accounting officer. On that ground, whether I was personally accused or not, I do hold vicarious responsibility for the operations of the party and cannot therefore pretend not to be affected by these grave conclusions," Ogbeh said.

The former national chairman expressed dismay that the Anenih committee did not deem it fit throughout its sitting to invite him. He queried: "In the name of the living God, what manner of investigation was this?

Ogbeh further said that when some members of the party's NEC petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in January, he made it clear that he would not travel anywhere until investigations were concluded and had since been waiting for invitation which had not come, stressing that no chance was given to him by the committee before its conclusions were drawn.

"When in January 2005 certain persons in NEC alleged I had stolen N5 billion of party funds and filed petitions in EFCC, I assured Nigerians that I would remain in Nigeria until the party had had enough time to investigate the allegations. I remained here waiting for an invitation by phone, or letter or word of mouth. None came. So, I never got a chance to say a word until conclusions were reached and NEC passed a verdict. Now the world has heard that a fraud of N2.9 billion or thereabouts was committed.

"Really? Just how much was the PDP worth for N2.9 billion to be stolen outright?" he asked rhetorically.

Ogbeh further asked whether the committee was a fact-finding one or it was set up to dramatise fiction, reminding them that the party is attempting to nullify the impeachment of the deputy governor of Akwa-Ibom on the grounds that due process was not followed and arguing that the same party is guilty of the same offence.

His words: "Was this a committee set up to establish facts or merely to dramatise fiction? If we, the ruling party, can conduct an enquiry of this nature and refuse to question or interview the chief executive, whatever happened to the good old principle of fair hearing? Not even the Spanish Inquisition in those ugly days of medieval barbarism sent people to their doom without letting them speak. And this is 21st Century Nigerian democracy? Did I hear Dr. Ahmadu Ali and Chief Anenih, Chairman, Board of Trustees complain recently that the deputy governor of Akwa-Ibom State was not given a fair hearing in his impeachment saga? And that as a result, the process should be nullified? Really?

"Did they apply the same principle to me in the course of this enquiry? Since they did not, what is clear then is that there is one set of rules for the 'beloved' and another for the perceived 'enemies' in PDP".

Ogbeh said the failure to allow him an opportunity to appear before the committee was a blatant disregard for legal norms on the part of the party. "Recent pronouncements by some of our leaders suggest no less, and this at a time when we seek world respect," he said.

The former PDP boss urged the party's new helmsmen to note that the same fate might befall them in future.

He said: "In concluding this protest, I wish to ask some of you, members of this body, how you would react if, some day after leaving office, you are accused, tried and condemned in your absence? It may be sweet now because I and my NWC are at this end of the barrel, but this is evil and evil always crashes under its own weight".

Ogbeh explained that the expenses incurred during his tenure were on primaries, resolution of party crises in different states, settlement of legal fees, adding that the books were there for all to see.

But a statement by the Special Assistant to Ali on Media and Publicity, Theophilus Abbah, yesterday denied that the party leadership was out to humiliate Ogbeh.

Abba said that the former national chairman was not invited by the Anenih committee since there was no incriminating finding against him, noting that Ali "acknowledge that Chief Ogbeh did his best as the leader of the party and he is continuing the good works".

The statement reads: "The attention of the Office of the National Chairman has been drawn to a statement by former PDP chairman, Chief Audu Ogbeh, which questions the recent shake-up in the party. The shake-up affected some of Chief Ogbeh's executive. It has become necessary, therefore, to respond as follows:

"The Anenih-led panel, which investigated the financial mismanagement in the party, did not invite Chief Ogbeh to explain his role in the scandal, because there was nowhere he was directly accused of financial impropriety. Those that were questioned by the panel were persons who had explanations to make with regard to how the party's funds were utilised.

"It was not the National Chairman, Senator (Dr.) Ahmadu Ali, alone that complained about the party's book-keeping, based on the panel's report. Even the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had variously complained that the parties, including the PDP, did not keep good records. Hence, it would be unfair to allege that the chairman's observation that the financial records of the PDP had not been well kept was in bad faith. At present, the party is engaging the services of accounting experts to draw up PDP's accounting system in order to avoid such occurrences.

"Stating that the changes in the leadership of the party was an attempt to hijack the November Convention is unfair. Rather, what is being done is to put the party on a better footing to provide a level playing ground for all those that intend to run for election under the PDP in future. The new leadership intends to correct some of the mistakes of the past that had given the PDP a poor image before the Nigerian public.

"The National Chairman, Senator (Dr) Ahmadu Ali, acknowledges that Chief Ogbeh did his best as the leader of the party and he is continuing the good works," the statement added.

Posted by Publisher at 03:27 PM | Comments (0)

Why councils can't perform, by chairman

AN insight into why local councils in the country may not be able to provide the needed services to the people was yesterday given by the chairman of Oju Council Area of Benue State, Mr. Acha Otiyongo.

From Simeon Nwakandu, Makurdi

He said that councils in the country lacked real autonomy and they were saddled with several statutory deductions.

He said: "Tying local government to states is creating problems for rural development. We do not have real autonomy as many funds have to pass through certain quarters before getting to the councils."

The council chief said if the Federal Government could be sending monies meant for rural development directly to councils, then things would be better.

According to him, most of the allocations for councils being published in the media never get to them, thereby making the people to go against their respective council leadership.

He regretted that his Oju Local Council has remained under-developed over the years due to neglect by successive governments.

Otiyongo said a post office project started during the Shagari administration has remained uncompleted.

He said: "We need more attention from the Federal Government. It is unfortunate that a council that is about 30 years in existence has no federal presence."

Posted by Publisher at 03:17 PM | Comments (0)

Govt okays N70b for bond market

THE Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday took further steps to consolidate the Federal Government's comeback into the bond market as it approved between N70 billion to N140 billion for bond floatation.

From Madu Onuorah (Abuja)

The bonds will be released into the capital market in seven batches depending on the ability of the market to absorb and mop them up.

The bonds would have a three-year maturity period as against the former the six-month tenure and aimed at mopping up excess liquidity in the economy. The government is returning to the capital market after 17 years.

Minister of Finance, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, accompanied by her Information and National Orientation counterpart, Chief Chukwuemeka Chikelu and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister in the Presidency, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, also announced that the nation's domestic debt portfolio still stands at N1.3 trillion.

Okonjo-Iweala said: "The Federal Government has been absent from the bond market for 17 years but came back with a bond issue last year. We are following this up so that we can have a regular programme. But the difference this time is that we are focusing mostly on restructuring of domestic bonds. Many of them, almost 80 per cent, had short tenure and we want to reduce it from three to six months, treasury bills to about three years bonds. And that will have a couple of effects. One is that with longer maturity, it will ease the burden and lower the cost of domestic debt servicing.

"Even as we are focusing on tackling the issue of our external debt, we must not forget that we also have internal debt that needs to be restructured. This is what we are doing and we are expecting to float between N70 to N140 billion depending on the appetite of the market for these bonds. We will use most of the proceeds to restructure the existing bonds and lengthen their maturity."

According to her, "one of the best things we have managed to do so far in this government is to wheel us away from ways and means. Last year, our access rate to ways and means was so limited that the Central Bank lost N7 billion in surpluses that it would have had. We have continued the same practice this year."

On whether there would be debt forgiveness from its domestic debt creditors in line with its quest for the forgiveness of its foreign debt, Okonjo-Iweala said: "It will be very difficult because of possible impact on the domestic economy. The Central Bank is not very keen and that is why we want to be careful about how much more domestic debt we accumulate. Most often, people don't think of domestic debt. They only focus on external debt. And we have rapidly accumulated domestic debt."

Posted by Publisher at 03:15 PM | Comments (0)

Ex-envoy asks Lagos councils to adopt community policing

FORMER Nigerian Ambassador to Hungary, Lamidi Maliki and one-time Commissioner of Police, Mr. Frank Odita have advocated rural community policing for rural areas in Lagos State.

By Odita Sunday and Nwaneka Nwokedi

The duo asserted that the arrangement would put the policing of their areas in the hands of the people.

Maliki and Odita spoke on Tuesday at the inauguration of the Community Police Partnership Project in Mushin Local Council by CLEEN Foundation, a non-governmental organisation.

They told the audience dominated by rural traders that "you are to police the policemen and take part in the daily policing of your community.

"It is the modern way of policing."

The foundation promotes public safety and security. It organised the event in collaboration with the Mushin area command of the Nigeria Police and Odi-Olowo Community Partners for Health.

Odita said that one of the advantages of community policing is that "you will know your policemen and they will know you, you will have a say in the way and manner the business of policing your community is carried out. You will ensure implementation of your needs through participation. It will check crime in the community."

CLEEN's Miss Joan Mbagwu, said that the foundation plans to focus on problems faced by the youths to reduce crime rate at the grassroots.

She said that unruly juveniles who take to drugs would receive the attention of her foundation.

Posted by Publisher at 03:12 PM | Comments (0)

Braithwaite, Fawehinmi hail voiding of Public Order Act

LAGOS-based lawyers and politicians, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) and Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, have described last Friday's court declaration of the Public Order Act illegal as portending democratic development for Nigeria.

Justice Anwuli Chikere, in a ruling on a suit filed by 12 political parties had declared the Act unconstitutional and perpetually restrained the police from preventing aggrieved persons from organising protest rallies.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Fawehinmi and Braithwaite lauded the ruling, saying it had given Nigerians hope.

"I have always believed that the Act is unconstitutional and that the police does not have the right to stop us from marching in protest.

"The right to protest is the consequence of our constitutional order. The police should not stop us but should give us security as we march." Fawehinmi, also a human rights activist, said. He was the presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2003 elections.

Braithwaite, also the presidential candidate of the National Advance Party in the polls said the ruling was valid and in consonance with the democratic dispensation.

"The police under the present administration has taken too much.

"In spite of all claims to the contrary, the present administration is practicing democracy of exclusion but there are still honest and God-fearing judges that are ready to defend the constitution," he said.

Braithwaite stressed the need for Nigerians to put in place solid blocks that would build an enduring democracy before 2007 "otherwise we will have unqualified and corrupt person as find their way to public offices again."

On the allegation of corruption made against the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Muhammed Uwais, by a lawyer, Mr. Ephraim Duru last week, Braithwaite described the accusation as unfortunate.

He said that Duru, a trained lawyer, should know the implications of such allegations.

"It is premature to pass judgment on the matter. I think that the lawyer would be doing Nigeria a great service if he comes up with facts of the alleged corruption," Braithwaite said.

Posted by Publisher at 03:11 PM | Comments (0)

Kalu accuses leaders of insincerity in anti-graft crusade

LEADERS at all levels have been told to stop their hypocrisy over the anti-corruption campaign. The best way to fight corruption by the leaders, according to the Abia State Governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu was through the judicious use of public funds on projects that benefit the people.

From Njadvara Musa, Damaturu

He made the declaration recently in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital while commissioning two water projects and the state's fire service complex and 20 fire-fighting vehicles.

The governor said that even though he is not totally clean, he could still speak on the matter because he believes in the truth by fulfilling the aspiration of the people of his state.

The governor said the implementation and commissioning of water projects and fire service equipment in line with the campaign promises of Alhaji Bukar Abba Ibrahim.

He said that good governance could only be ensured when accountability and transparency are matched with what the leaders preach against.

Kalu said infrastructural facilities provided by the state government would be used by the people from the People Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Yobe.

This, he said, was the essence of good governance and accountability to the people who elected the leaders into office.

He added that the employment of political parties as a means of fighting one another has to be stopped, because the use of parties to plant the seeds of disharmony among the various ethnic and religious groups could threaten democracy and good governance in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the PDP in Yobe has called on the state government and anti-corruption agencies to probe the alleged interest rate scam of millions of Naira that involves some government and bank officials.

A press statement signed by the chairman of the partly, Alhaji Maina Mafa, made available to newsmen in Damaturu, declared that the resolution of the matter would help move the state forward.

"The mind-boggling amount said to be involved in the scam would not only have addressed our problems but enhance the living conditions of the people," it noted.

The ANPP-led government, Mafa said had failed to address the issue properly.

"The PDP view with concern as this monumental sleaze is being swept under the carpet by the government even in the face of incontrovertible evidence, as doing that would be resisted by the people," he said.

He called on the EFFC and the Code of Conduct Bureau to unravel the scam.

The party also described the recent dissolution of the 23 newly created local councils as wasteful and a denial of essential amenities to the people, especially considering their illegality at the initial stage.

"Sustaining the dissolved council before now had drained resources especially the poorly conceived and abandoned projects such as secretariats and staff quarters that had denied improvement in other sectors," the statement added.

Posted by Publisher at 03:10 PM | Comments (0)

Yar'Adua assures of more revenue from agric

GOVERNOR Umar Musa Yar'Adua of Katsina State has disclosed that the latest discovery that neem seeds could be used to produce organic fertiliser, has brightened the hope of agriculture becoming a source of major revenue in the nation.

From Olawale Tunde, Katsina

Yar'Adua spoke at Government House while receiving the Director-General of the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARCIT), Zaira, Dr. Ebenezer Maduka and chairman of the Industrial Minerals Limited, Alhaji Bilya Sanda, who were in the state for the field test of the samples of the newly produced fertiliser.

He stated that the discovery had re-kindled the state government's commitment to the neem plant project as a major source of revenue for the state and Nigeria as a whole.

At a press briefing, DG NARCIT told reporters that the neem trees that served as a major source of revenue for India, had become the wonder tree of the 21st century following the discovery of various uses of the tree.

He said the latest discovery of producing organic fertiliser through neem seeds was started with the production of neem oil as a substitute for palm kernel oil in soap making industries.

The DG said the research efforts on fertiliser was carried out by NARCIT in partnership with a company owned by Sanda, a Katsina-based industrialist.

Already, the DG disclosed that the 400 metric tonnes neem plant sited in Katsina by President Olusegun Obasanjo would take off before the end of the year. Other by-products of the neem plant are pesticide, oil and pharmaceutical raw material.

Corroborating the position of the Director-General, Sanda said the organic fertiliser when produced apart from its soil enrichment benefit, would be affordable to ordinary farmers.

Chief of Staff to Yar'Adua who is also the chairman of the State Technical Committee on Neem Project, Muktari Abdullahi disclosed at the briefing that the state government had approved N14.3 million for the purchase of neem seeds for 2005 season.

He also stated that work would begin in the next two weeks at the site of the neem plant.

Similarly, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Hussam Dutsinma, affirmed the commitment of the state government to the project.

According to him, the state currently has about 14 million neem trees. He added that eight million seedlings were being nursed yearly to boost neem production in the state.

Posted by Publisher at 03:05 PM | Comments (0)

Daniel swears in Abiola's son, 10 new perm secs

Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel yesterday swore in 10 newly appointed permanent secretaries in Abeokuta, the state capital.

From Mayowa Ojo, Abeokuta

He also inaugurated the reconstituted Ogun State Moslem Pilgrims Welfare Board, which has as one of its members, Alhaji Jamiu Abiola, the son of the late businessman and politician, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.

The new permanent secretaries are: Dr. M. T. Olowonyo, hospital management board; Dr. O. A. Dada, health; Mr. O. O. Banjoko, Bureau of employment generation; Mr. T. A. Obawunmi, community development and cooperatives; Mr. O. S. Ogunyomi, information and communication technology and Mr. E. O. Bankole, special duties.

Others are Mr. A. A. Badejo, information and strategy, Mr. A. O. Adeyemi, office of Chief of General Staff, E. A. Ayo Vaughan, housing ministry and Alhaji Wale Ayilara, local council services commission.

The reconstituted Moslem Pilgrims Welfare Board however has as its chairman, Alhaji Adebayo Owolegbo and Alhaji Nojemdeen Sanusi as secretary with 16 other members.

During the occasion, the governor maintained that contrary to speculations, new jobs were not being created to please the "boys" but to develop the state.

The governor said that the appointment of seasoned officers was a sign of confidence in them.

Daniel charged the new permanent secretaries to see their elevation as a challenge and a call to render more public-spirited service to the state.

His words: "I charge you today as indeed I charge the generality of our civil servants, to embrace the ongoing reforms in the polity, which are aimed at ensuring that our people reap the dividends of democracy maximally. You must make yourselves agents of positive change rather than stagnation. You must strive through your conduct and countenance to correct the widely held view of civil servant as a repository of vested interest."

The governor further noted that the conduct of the last holy pilgrimage showed that quite a few of the members of the outgoing board did not fully appreciate the weight of the responsibility entrusted to them.

He therefore, pledged that subsequent exercise would follow more stringent processes of certification of only people who conduct themselves with decorum and would not send wrong signals about the state to the national and international communities.

"You now have a greater responsibility for superintending the resources of this state to deliver optimal services to our people, in doing this, I enjoin you to carry out your duties with diligence and to further imbibe the vision of this administration", he said.

According to him, the permanent secretaries in particular should ensure that they reproduce themselves by providing effective leadership and mentoring to their subordinates.

Posted by Publisher at 02:58 PM | Comments (0)

Court okays N7.9b deduction from Delta allocation

A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja yesterday dismissed a suit filed by Delta State government seeking to halt the Federal Government from deducting N7.9billion from its statutory allocation.

From Lemmy Ughegbe and Florence Oretade

The sum is the overpayment in 13 per cent derivation fund by the Federal Government into Delta State account between June 1999 and February 2003.

The judge, Justice Stephen Adah held that "it is fair and equitable to deduct the money under the present circumstance".

Adah held that "where there is a detection that certain states of the federation were overpaid while some underpaid, the proper thing to do is to reimburse the states underpaid by deducting from the allocation of the states overpaid".

He further held that the Federal Government was in order in deducting the overpaid derivation fund, while disagreeing with Delta State on its submission that a new formula had been introduced for the sharing of the 13 per cent derivation.

"No evidence has been adduced to support the claim of the plaintiff (Delta) that a new sharing formula has been introduced", the Judge declared.

In 2004, the Federal Government wrote to the Delta State government to refund the sum of N7,869,329,406.01 being overpayment of the 13 per cent derivation fund to the state.

The Federal Government said that the state was overpaid to the tune of N7.9 billion from June 1999 to February, 2003.

But determined to halt government's bid to stop the proposed deduction, Delta State Government went to court hoping to get an injunction to that effect.

In the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the state asked for a declaration that the demand by the Federal Government for the refund of N7.9 billion was unconstitutional, arbitrary, null and void.

The state also asked for the following

declarations:

That the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal
Allocation Commission (RMFAD) lacked the power to make any retrospective demand or deduction from Delta state's monthly revenue allocation having regards to the provision of Section 162 (2) of the 1999 Constitution;

That defendants could not use their own unilateral computation and reconciliation in arriving at the purported overpayment to the Delta State government of the sum of N7.9 billion, having regards to the report of the
National Boundary Commission dated 21, July, 2004.

In a 17-paragraph affidavit attached to the suit, the state stated that sometime in June, 2004, during the Federal Account Allocation Committee meeting, a document titled "Exposure of Underpayments and Overpayments Arising from the sharing of 13 per cent derivation fund from June, 1999 to Federal, 2003," was circulated by the first defendant to the oil producing states that were in attendance at the said meeting. The Plaintiff averred that consequent upon the above fact, a strong-worded protest letter dated July 1, 2004 was lodged by the Delta State government to the third defendant on the alleged purported over payment.

The Plaintiff stated that consequently, a meeting was held on July 21, 2004 at the conference room of the third defendant where all stakeholders were in attendance and the issues contained in Annexure 'A' were addressed.

The Plaintiff stated that after the meeting referred to, the second defendant (Accountant General of the Federation) acting on behalf of the third defendant (Federal Ministry of Finance) and on the advice of the first defendant withdrew the document and promised to suspend any deduction from the Delta State government's monthly allocation.

Posted by Publisher at 02:56 PM | Comments (0)

Okunrounmu warns against rejection of 25 per cent derivation

A CHIEFTAIN of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Femi Okunrounmu, on Tuesday warned that the implication of rejecting the 25 per cent demand by oil-producing region may be too grave for the country and called for a matured way of handling the issue.

From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan

Okunrounmu, who represents Afenifere at the on-going national conference, pointed out that the controversies trailing the derivation and resource control, if not properly

handled, might cause the country to disintergrate, thus vindicating the recent report of the American Intelligence Commission.

Okurounmu, a former senator from Ogun Central, also berated the North for questioning the percentage of revenue to be given to the people of Niger-Delta on the oil resource derived from their area.

To him, the action of the Northern delegates "smirks of arrogance", which according to him, was not good for the continued existence of the country.

Delegates from the South-South had staged a walk-out on the conference, forcing it to adjourn. They were protesting the refusal of the North to allow the 25 per cent derivation asked by the people of the Niger-Delta .

Speaking in an interview with journalists in Ibadan, Okurounmu said: "The North are arrogant and selfish over the matter of resource control. I must warn here that the stability of Nigeria hangs on what we do on the issue''.

Insisting that the issue of resource control was not a new one, he explained that the Niger-Delta people were merely asking for a return to the covenant that Nigerians had before independence.

Anyone that is realistic, nationalistic and progressive-minded will accept that resource control is not only in the interest of the South-South but of the entire country.

"If you go back to the First Republic when we had three regions, there was rapid progress. That progress was possible because each region had substantial control over resources found in its territory and merely paid a portion of it to the centre. There were incentives for each region to try to mobilise resources, that was why the South-West put everything into cocoa production", he said.

According to him, farm centres sprung up and the cocoa research institute was set up - all to boost cocoa production and agriculture.

His words: "Every other region made similar efforts. The East had palm kernel, palm oil, the North had groundnuts and they made efforts to develop this produce. Every region retained 50 per cent of the revenues that were derived from its area and this was stated expressly in the independent Constitution of 1958. Even the Republican Constitution of 1963 retained the same provision. That was what we operated until the military struck in 1966".

The former legislator explained that resource control covered areas like mineral and oil deposits, VAT, rents, while government retained the taxation power.

"Let the people explore their oil and let the government tax them. That is what happens in all advanced countries. Government makes money from taxation while the people control their resources. The North is just pretending because it wants to eat its cake and have it".

He pointed that 90 per cent of resources from the Niger Delta was shared in Abuja. "It is money from this oil from the Niger-Delta that is used to build Abuja. When you get to Abuja, that place is like a city in Europe, but when you go to the Niger-Delta

where we this money comes from, they have no electricity, no roads.

"Up till now, there is no electricity in Bayelsa which is the largest oil-producing state in Nigeria. It is not fair. They are yet to be connected to the national grid. They have no good roads, their vegetation have been destroyed because of the oil exploration.

"These people are suffering whereas all their resources are taken to develop Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, Kano and the good roads in the country".

Posted by Publisher at 02:55 PM | Comments (0)

Preparations for census behind schedule, says Makama

NATIONAL Population Commission (NPC) chairman, Chief Samaila Danko Makama, has lamented that the preparatory exercise towards the head-count scheduled for November is behind time.

From Florence Oretade (Abuja) and Julius Alabi (Akure)

He, however, assured Nigerians of an accurate and successful exercise, saying the progress reports from NPC commissioners in the 36 states were encouraging.

Speaking during NPC's commissioners' monthly meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, Makama blamed the delay of the preparatory exercise on the revocation of contracts awarded for the project.

The NPC chief said that contracts for the scheme were awarded in February and revoked in May, following under-performance of the contractors.

Fielding questions from The Guardian, Makama explained that the contracts revoked were for measuring tapes, compass and other materials that would be used for the Enumeration Demarcation Areas.

Also, he said the Data Urban Planning Initiative Equipment sited in 27 cities in the country needed for data processing and analysis were yet be ready but promised that they would be put in place before the trial census.

The commissioners, in their reports, said they have made progress in the preparatory stages, adding that intra and inter-boundary disputes were being resolved.

The Chairman, Census Publicity Committee and NPC Commissioner in Osun State, Dr. Duro Famojuro, said the preparations transcend the media as the state had adopted the traditional means of communication through town criers in reaching the rural dwellers.

In Ondo State, preparations for the exercise have been intensified. The NPC has begun the sensitisation for the people with a promise to count even lunatics wherever they may be during the exercise.

The commission is collaborating with the state government and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to educate the people on the importance of the exercise.

The state government has promised that all necessary data in the area of mapping and locations of far-flung communities would be ready before the exercise begins so that no area would be left out.

At a press conference on Tuesday in Akure, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. John Ola Mafo, said that census was vital to national development and people should pay serious attention to it.

He said the past exercises were characterised with inaccuracies and inconsistencies apart from their being politicised.

Ethnic groups in the country, he said, had always wanted to have numerical advantage over others, saying the forthcoming exercise would de-emphasise tribalism and religion and gave kudos to the NPC for expunging ethnicity and religion from the census questionnaire.

The state government, he said, had done a lot of work in the areas of geographic databases for mapping, topography and administrative maps of all the 18 councils.

In his remark, a member of the publicity committee, Mr. Yemi Adedipe, said NPC would soon start trial census in about nine councils already demarcated.

He said that the commission had nothing to do with boundary disputes as another body is charged with the exercise in the country.

The NPC, he added, would go ahead, do its hobs and keep figures accruing from disputed areas in abeyance without crediting it to any side. This would be replicated in the states involved in such disputes.

Adedipe hinted that "Nigerians all over the world shall be counted. NPC is determined to make the exercise a success and it requires everybody's co-operation. Even all lunatics shall be counted at night".

At the briefing was the state Director of NOA, Mr. Bode Famose, who said the agency had intensified its mobilisation efforts to make ensure that everybody was involved in the projects.

Posted by Publisher at 02:53 PM | Comments (0)

Citizens want ex-military rulers barred from electioins

NIGERIANS have expressed their resentment to the conduct of past military rulers and have therefore embraced the recommendation barring them from elective positions in future.

This revelation was made known in the recently conducted Guardian Opinion Poll, across the 36 states of the country including Abuja.

The poll had asked : "Do you support the recommendation that past military leaders be banned from contesting future elections in the country?"

"Yes" was the response of about 1880 respondents or 53 percent of the sampled population. Thirty five percent representing 1225 interviewees, however said "No", 299 or eight percent were undecided even as three percent of the responses were unusable for the purpose of the exercise.

The zonal analysis reveal, South East on top of the clamour for the exemption of past military leaders from elective offices in the country with 72 percent "Yes" responses, followed by South West, South South, North Central, North East, and North West scoring 64; 56; 54; 46; and 37 percent. Lagos and Abuja respondents polled 60 and 51 percent.

The level of "No" response was "low" in all the geo-political zones except the North West which recorded 52 percent as 38, 35, 29, 27, and 20 percent were recorded for the North East; North Central ; South West; South South and South East. Respondents from Abuja scored 39 percent while Lagos returned 33 percent.

Asked to defend their stand, 21 percent argued that past military leaders were responsible for present predicament in the country hence, they don't have any basis for seeking elective offices again.

Eighteen percent of the "Yes" group said that past military leaders would only come back to militarise the polity and eventually draw the nation back from its democratic progress.

The reason given by 15 percent of the sampled respondents was that the past military leaders should give way for fresh ideas from other Nigerians since their regimes could not meet the expectations of the citizenry.

Some of those who opposed the ban reasoned that such law would only deprive the leaders the opportunity to express their fundamental human rights. fifteen percent of the sampled population belong to this group. Eight percent of the sampled population however opined that, those leaders had over the years acquired necessary experience that could be useful in turning things around for the country.

Three percent of those sampled gave sundry, other reasons like the proposal being "undemocratic", "bad precedent etc.

The National Political Reform Conference (NPRC) instituted by President Olusegun Obasanjo, has come up with some proposals among which is one made by the committee on political parties and Electoral process that ex-military officers who had held the post of Chief Executives at the federal and state levels should be disqualified from future elections.

This applies to past military Heads of state, including, General Yakubu Gowon, General Muhammadu Buhari, General Ibrahim Banbangida, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and the incumbent, General Olusegun Obansanjo.

This action has however been interpreted by some political pundits as being targeted at Generals Babangida and Buhari who are the only former military leaders that have indicated interest in the presidency come 2007. Although recently, the list has grown to include Brig. General Buba Marwa and others who are also nursing the ambition of ruling this country in future.

The Confab is already divided on the issue, with opposition and support cutting across zonal boundaries. Those emotionally attached to the issue are the retired Generals and political associates of the aspirants.

However, some political analysts have reasoned that, this may be a major distraction from the real challenges of the confab.

The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Clement Awoyelu however see it as a welcome idea. The same view is being canvassed by the Middle Belt Forum at the conference, which specifically wants former President Babangida and Gen Buhari barred from contesting in future elections until they clear their names of all allegations against them by the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa panel in 2001 in connection with charges of human rights violation levelled against them.

Posted by Publisher at 02:50 PM | Comments (0)

Obasanjo decries debt effects on nation's finances

NIGERIA'S external debt burden is affecting government finances as its quest for debt relief will have a direct impact on its ability or otherwise to achieve the laudable tenets of the policy.

From Madu Onuorah, Abuja

President Olusegun Obasanjo made the revelation yesterday while inaugurating the country's Assessment and Monitoring Committee of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) in Abuja.

He, however, regretted that the brunt of the burden of debt servicing reduces the amount of resources that would have been available for poverty reduction programmes.

The President said that Nigeria had the potential to achieve universal primary education, ensuring environmental stability and develop global partnership for development.

But the new Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media), Mrs. Amina Ibrahim, said that it was difficult for Nigeria to achieve the goals of eradication of extreme poverty and hunger; reducing child and maternal mortality and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases by the run out date of the MDG - 2015.

Ibrahim stated that the current level of debt was unsustainable as it stands at four times the budget for education in 2004. In the same vein, the debt as proportion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased from 61.3 per cent to 72.1 per cent. Also, debt service payment as proportion of GDP increased from 2.6 per cent to 3.3 per cent.

Posted by Publisher at 02:49 PM | Comments (0)

Respondents back reprieve for distressed banks

AGAINST the backdrop of the criticism which trailed the reprieve given to some distressed commercial banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the latest Guardian Opinion Poll has revealed a majority support for the action of the apex bank.

Responding to the question: "Do you support the writing off of the debts of some distressed commercial banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)? "a cumulative 1,512 respondents or 43 percent gave "Positive" response while 1,064 or 30 percent answered in the negative 805 respondents (23 percent) prevaricated on the issue, just as invalid case of four percent was recorded.

The zonal breakdown showed the South East leading the 'affirmative' response group with 52 percent, followed by the North West with 45 percent. North Central zone recorded 42, South West 41, South South 40 and North East 39 percent. Abuja recorded 45 percent while Lagos had 42 percent.

The 'Negative' response group had the North Central zone on top with 34 percent, while the South West, North West, North East had 33, 32, 29 percent. South East and South South, had 26 percent each, Abuja 33 and Lagos 30 percent.

Adducing reasons for their differing stands, four percent of the respondents cited protection of jobs of the affected banks' employees as the basis for supporting the action of the CBN.

Eight percent said the action would assist the customers, investors and depositors of the affected banks instead of total liquidation.

About 23 percent of the respondents supported CBN in giving a new lease of life to the affected banks, believing it would further increase the asset base of the banks and ultimately boost the economy.

However, 13 percent were of the opinion that CBN action is a tacit endorsement of corruption and a bad precedent. The group asserted that the distress was as a result of the bad management of the concerned banks.

Six percent of the respondents saw the CBN action as a waste of public funds and tax payers money, three percent believed the reprieve would have an adverse effect on the economy, while six percent gave various other reasons ranging from "biased and selective", "politically motivated" to "financial recklessness" on the part of the CBN.

It would be recalled that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), through its governor, Professor Charles Soludo recently announced the decision of the apex bank to grant debt forgiveness to some distressed commercial banks in the country to the tune of N82 billion.

In defending the action of CBN, Soludo stated that the fear of a likely huge pay-off to depositors was one of the major reasons that informed the debt reprieve to the affected banks.

"The affected banks may go under if the CBN does not come to their rescue and this may prompt a massive payment of compensation to banks by the NDIC ".

He added if the affected banks were allowed to die, the NDIC would be required to pay as much as N17 billion to depositors whose funds were insured, while the fate of depositors whose N9.1 billion were not insured would be uncertain

"On the other hand, if the affected banks are liquidated, the CBN will lose all the debts owed it by the affected banks but it can still retrieve about 20 percent of the debt if the banks are granted debt forgiveness" he said.

Posted by Publisher at 02:47 PM | Comments (0)

Nigerians support electronic voting system

THE recommendation of the committee on electoral and political parties reform for the adoption of an electronic voting system for future elections in Nigeria has received the support of the generality of Nigerians going by the result of a recent Guardian Opinion Poll.

According to the just-concluded nationwide survey conducted in all the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital territory, Abuja, a cumulative 'affirmative' response of 1, 744 or 49 percent was recorded to the poll question: "Do you support the adoption of electronic voting system in Nigeria?" 1,023 respondents or 29 percent answered "No" while 584 or 17 percent were 'Not sure". About five percent of the responses was not useful for the purpose of the survey.

On a zonal level, there was general support from all the six geo-political zones , including Abuja. However, the highest volume of, 'affirmative' responses was recorded in the South East geo-political zone with 58 percent. South West recorded 52 percent followed by the South South with 47 percent. Abuja recorded 48 percent while Lagos scored 44 percent.

Conversely, the North Central and North West zones recorded the leading score of 32 percent "Negative" response each. North East posted 29 percent, followed by the South West with 28 percent. South South zone had 27 while South East garnered 23 percent. Abuja secured 33, and Lagos, 31 percent.

Giving reasons for their stands, those in support group contended that the electronic voting system would minimise, if not entirely eliminate rigging and other electoral malpractices. Thirty seven percent of the respondents belong to this group.

Another seven percent cited accuracy, efficiency and time-saving as reasons for opting for the electronic voting system. However, the 'No' group gave the low literacy level in the country as reason. Six percent belong to this group. Two percent others said it would be costly to procure and administer, considering the financial situation of the country, 14 percent said it is susceptible to professional manipulation. Other various reasons were given by six percent of the respondents ranging from "Nigeria not being technologically advanced like the US and the U.K" thus allowing the status quo to remain" etc.

Mindful of the discrepancies associated with past elections, the committee on Electoral and Political Parties Reform at the on-going National Political Reforms Conference (NPRC) recently tabled its report before the conference. The committee headed by former Senate President, Joseph Wayas, made a number of recommendations, one of which was the adoption of electronic voting devices in the nation's future elections.

This generated some controversies at the conference. However, in spite of the criticism and protest, delegates at the conference, after deliberating on the recommendation adopted it, thus signalling a new frontier in the nation's electoral process. The committee explained that the electronic device had the capacity to eliminate election rigging and manipulation of poll results.

According to the committee, some of its smart features and advantages include its ability to recognise and ignore non-valid votes as well as collate and process election results faster than any conventional system. Besides, it is simple to use and eliminates the usually difficult task of distributing electoral materials especially to the hinterlands during elections.

Posted by Publisher at 02:47 PM | Comments (0)

Respondents link inflation to govt inconsistency

INCONSISTENT government policy on agriculture and unstable fuel prices are the factors responsible for the skyrocketing prices of staple foods items in the country.

This fact was gleaned from the recently conducted Guardian Opinion Poll involving 3700 respondents nation wide. Responding to the poll question " Nigerians have been experiencing a sharp increase in the prices of some staple food items in the country. In your own view, which one among the underlisted is responsible for the sharp increase in the cost of staple food items in the country?" 1669 respondents or 47 percent picked "Government policies. 1078 respondents or 31 percent fingered " increase in fuel prices" . Those who opined that farmers were responsible for the increase accounted for 161 or 5 percent . 103 respondents or 3 percent believe the cost of transportation is responsible for the increase in the prices of staple food, while other factors like exportation, climate, middlemen and marketers recorded 3, 1, 2 and 2 percent in that order.

The zonal breakdown of those who picked government policy put the South West on top with 56 percent. North West garnered 55 percent, South East, North Central, North East and South South recorded 49, 46, 43 and 36 percent respectively. Abuja polled 53 percent while Lagos secured 36 percent.

North Central led the opinion that the unstable fuel prices is responsible for the increase with 36 percent, South East follows closely with 35 percent. North East, South South, North West and South West recorded; 32; 30; 27 and 23 respectively. Abuja scored 29 percent and Lagos accounted for 45 percent.

South South led the group that hold farmers responsible for the increase in cost of staple foods with 7 percent. North West, North East and South West polled 5 percent a piece. South East garnered 4 percent and North Central recorded 2 percent. Abuja and Lagos scored 4 and 3 percent respectively.

South South recorded the largest number of zonal respondents who blame the constant increase in transport fares for the increase in the cost of staple food items with six percent, North East garnered four percent; North Central accounted for three percent. North West and South East polled two percent each, while South West scored one percent. Abuja and Lagos secured two and four percent respectively.

To the follow-up question which requested respondents to suggest one way by which the problem can be solved, 1295 respondents or 37 percent opined that the government should encourage mechanised farming with good agricultural policy. 774 respondents or 22 percent however opted for "stability of fuel prices". 217 respondents or 6 percent strongly believe that general price control is the solution, while 122 or 4 percent adjudged that good transportation system, road network and provision infastructural facilities would solve the problem. Other suggestions include provision of jobs and loans, eradication of middlemen and this accounted for 12 percent of the total. 657 or 19 percent however declined to offer any suggestion and opted for "No comment".

On a zonal basis, South West topped the group that posited that the Government should encourage mechanised farming with good agriculture policies recording 51 percent. South East garnered 43 percent, South South, North West, North East and North Central secured, 36, 35, 30 and 27 percent respectively. Abuja scored 53 percent while Lagos polled 35 percent.

South East championed the belief that stability of fuel prices would solve the problem of increase in cost of staple foods with 26 percent. North Central accounted for 24 percent. South South, North East, North West and South West recorded 23, 22, 21 and 16 percent respectively. Abuja had 18 percent and Lagos 33 percent.

North West led the position that general price control would solve the problem with nine percent. North Central had eight percent, North East and South South polled six percent each while South West, South East. Abuja and Lagos recorded 3 percent apiece.

Garri, one of the nation's staple food items may soon disappear from the menu of many homes. The price of garri, easily the most popular of Nigeria's staple foods has gone up between 60 and 100 percent. Other food items have also recorded sharp increases as well in recent times.

According of agency reports, a 20 litre tin of Ijebu garri which sold for between N600 and N700 early in the year now costs between N1,200 and N1,400.

Some traders have blamed the astronomical prices on the high cost of transportation as a result of the latest fuel increase. Others claim that Nigerian farmers and the inevitable middlemen have increasingly begun to export cassava - the main ingredient for garri, for to other countries leading to a shortage at home.

The Minister of Agriculture, Mallam Adamu Bello has said that the country is witnessing escalating price of garri because of competing demand for cassava. He also warned that the current situation clearly underscored the need to substantially increase cassava production to meet the increasing demand for the product for food, industrial use and export to meet the Presidential target of generating N5.0 billion yearly from its export and those of other cassava products by the year 2007.

In recent times, the prices of all staple food items have gone up, from dry fish to crayfish which have all doubled in price, so also is edible salt, eggs and onion. A bottle of groundnut oil hitherto sold for N90, now sells for N130, while palm oil sells for N120 against the old price of N80.

Posted by Publisher at 02:46 PM | Comments (0)

Nigerians want zonal rotation of Presidency

MAJORITY of respondents from the 36 states of the federation including Abuja have expressed their support for the recommendation of the committee on models and structure of Government that the office of the President should be rotated among the six geo-political zones.

Statistics from the poll also indicate that for the country to emerge from its present travails as a strong and united nation, it must embrace the principle of equality of all men.

This was revealed in a recent Guardian Opinion Poll in which 3,700 respondents were asked " The committee on models and structure of government of the on-going National Political Reforms conference has recommended the rotation of the office of the President among the six geo-political zones of the country. Do you support the rotation of the office of the President among the six geo-political zones?"

A cumulative 2,212 respondents or 63 percent expressed their support for the recommendation, 781 respondents or 22 percent returned a "no" response while 388 respondents or 11 percent were "not sure". The poll question had 146 invalid cases.

The zonal breakdown of the "yes" response category shows that the South East geopolitical zone led the other zones with 75 percent, followed closely by the South South with 69 percent; North Central 63; South West 62; North West 58, while North East recorded 54 percent. Abuja garnered 57 percent and Lagos scored 59 percent.

The North East and North West geo-political zones championed opposition to rotational presidency with each scoring 28 percent. The two zones are trailed by the South West with 23 percent, North Central 22; South East 14 while South South posted 12 percent. In this response category, Abuja scored 34 while Lagos garnered 28 percent.

Asked to give reasons for their response, 1,207 respondents or 34 percent of those that support the recommendation believe it will bring about equity, unity and sense of belonging among the citizenry.

Nineteen percent opined that rotating the office of the President among the six geo-political zones will allay the fear and cries of marginalisation in several parts of the country. To this group, using zones as a federating unit will not only make Nigeria a true federal system as was rightly conceived by its founding fathers but it will also give the country a greater capacity for undertaking major development programmes.

"It will help to reduce national tension in the country" three percent of the respondents posited

Conversely, seven percent of those who opposed the recommendation postulated that rotating the office of the president among the six geo-political zones would promote mediocrity and corruption in our polity

About eight percent said that it would lead to the polarisation of the country along ethnic lines.

The committee on Models and structure of Government set up by the on going confab recommended that the office of the President should rotate among the six geo-political zones.

The former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, a member of the Confab, argued that the country's present structure is the cause of its multifarious problems, adding that the country would only attain greatness if it embraced the zonal arrangement as recommended by the committee.

He stated further that as a result of the present structure, politics in the country has become a do-or- die affair with the elevation of ethnic sentiments in the struggle for the centre. Ethnicity according to Anyaoku has remained a key obstacle to the nation's search for national unity.

On the other hand, Professor Hassan Saliu of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ilorin averred that rotational presidency among the six geo-political zones in the country would deny the country the best material for the exalted position.

According to Saliu, "instead of zoning, the highest office should be given to any qualified Nigerian who offered himself for service based on merit and track record".

A school of thought however believes that the rotation arrangement should just be between the North and the South contending that zones are unknown in the country's laws and administrative set up.

Posted by Publisher at 02:46 PM | Comments (0)

Poll okays independent candidate in future elections

NIGERIANS have canvassed the inclusion into our constitution, the provision for independent candidacy in future elections in the country.

This was the majority verdict of the respondents that participated in the just concluded Guardian Opinion Poll conducted in the 36 states of the federation including the federal capital territory.

The Poll question was; " Do you support the provision for independent candidacy in a new Nigerian Constitution?

Responding, 1390 respondents, representing about 39 percent answered in the affirmative, about 1,255 or 36 percent opposed the proposal as 'No comment" was recorded for 641 respondents or 18 percent of the total population sampled.

The zonal analysis of the responses reveal that among the respondents that are calling for the inclusion of the new law in our Constitution, North West; South East and North Central topped the list with 44; 43 and 42 percent as North East and South West polled 37 percent each. South South recorded 35 percent while Abuja and Lagos respondents accounted for 52 and 28 percent.

Opposition voices to the proposal was loudest from North East with 39 percent followed by North Central with 37 percent and South East with 36 percent. Others are: South West; 35; North West; 34 and South South 33 percent , while Lagos and Abuja respondents polled 40 and 35 percent.

Asked to give reasons for their responses; 922 or 26 percent who support the call for the inclusion opined that such opportunity will reduce the activities and influence of the money bags in politics citing the Chris Ngige /Uba saga in Anambra State as a case in point. Also supporting the proposal, 169 or five percent of the poll, however reasoned that, our political parties have all failed the citizenry hence, such proposal will allow electorate to make their choice based on the integrity of individual candidates.

One major reason given for opposing the proposed law as proferred by 13 percent of the sampled population was that such law may mean endorsing a blank cheque to the candidate to do whatever he/she likes without control from either the electorate or party since there won't be party principles on guideline that could control his/her activities when elected.

"Post election problems" were the reason adduced by six percent of the sampled respondents while 12 percent say "it is undemocratic", " illegal" etc as reasons behind their rejection of the proposed law.

One thousand, three hundred and thirty nine respondents or 38 percent did not offer any reason for their position as invalid cases accounted for one percent of the poll.

Zone by zone analysis of respondents who believe, such law will reduce the activities of money bags are as follows; North West, 32; South West, 30, North Central; 29; South South 25, South East, 21, and North East 20 percent. Abuja and Lagos polled 36 and 14 percent. Those who present the failure of political parties as reason for supporting the independent candidacy are from North Central; North East and South South with six percent each, North West and South East five percent each while South West posted only one percent. Abuja polled six percent as against four percent for Lagos.

One of the proposal being canvassed at the on-going National Political Reform Conference is the inclusion of the provision for independent candidacy in our new constitution. According to the two key members of the conference; special adviser to the President on political matters, Prof Jerry Gana and , Paul Unongo, second republic minister, Nigerians may eventually experience better and more effective electoral process and political system if the proposed law is accepted and incorporated in our constitution. Unongo reasoned that " the only thing that should determine the choice of any candidate should be the ballot paper, and we hope to come up with a process that will accommodate it".

Sections to be affected are 65, 106, 131, and 177 of the 1999 Constitution bill which will be amended consequently.

But some analysts opined that our problem may not really be that of independent candidacy as proposed by the NPRC, but that of sincerity and honesty on the part of the politician before and after elections.

Posted by Publisher at 02:45 PM | Comments (0)

Citizens back Nigeria's bid for UN Security seat

AS the Federal Government firms up her bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, Nigerians have expressed their support for the move.

This is the outcome of Guardian Opinion Poll conducted in all the six geo-political zones of the country and Abuja; with the question: Do you support Nigeria's bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council?"

A cumulative majority of 1,869 respondents or 53 percent said "Yes", 701 or 20 per cent were opposed to the bid while 814 or 23 percent were non-committal. The poll variable recorded 23 per cent invalid cases.

The zonal breakdown shows North West as ahead of those who laud the bid with 61 percent. It is closely followed by North Central with 57 percent, North East recorded 53 while South South, South East and South West garnered 50, 49 and 46 percent. Abuja scored 66 and Lagos posted 41 percent.

Leading the zonal opposition to the bid is South East with 25 percent. North Central and North East recorded 22 and 21 percent while North West, South West and South South secured 19, 18 and 17 percent. Lagos scored 12 and Abuja polled 19 percent.

Asked to give one reason for their answer, 865 respondents or 25 percent reasoned that the bid would boost the image of the country.

About 566 respondents or 2 percent were of the conviction that it would be a compensation for Nigeria's roles in international politics especially peacekeeping operations.

While opposing the bid, 106 respondents or 3 percent postulate that the country is not economically stable for the seat.

"Charity begins at home" says another 254 respondents or seven percent while other various reasons stood at 6 percent.

North West led those that were of the view that the bid would boost the image of the country with 41 percent. South West scored 27 percent; North Central, 25 North East, 24 percent while South South and South East garnered 10 percent each. Abuja had 54 while Lagos polled 21 percent.

It should be a compensation for her roles in international politics were the opinions of respondents from South South expressing their support for the seat with leading score of 32 percent. Asserting the same view, North Central secured 20 and North East recorded 16 percent. South East, scored 15 percent while North West and South West posted 15 and 9 percent each. Lagos picked 13 and Abuja 1 percent.

Analysts believe that for Nigeria, the most populous of the black nations, giant of Africa, endowed with enormous human and natural resources, her immense contributions to crisis resolution in the West Africa sub-region - Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Equtoria Guinea etc, to be denied the right to represent Africa as a permanent member of the UN Security Council would amount to injustice, not only to Nigeria but also to Africans and black race in general.

Posted by Publisher at 02:44 PM | Comments (0)

Nigerians oppose jumbo perks for assembly members

STATISTICS from the Guardian Opinion Poll in 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, indicate that the recent increase in the travel allowance of National Assembly members did not get the support of Nigerians.

Responding to the poll question "How do you view the amount, which the National Assembly has approved for its members as travel allowances? "2550 respondents representing 72 percent noted that the increase was "Not proper". Three hundred and twenty-eight respondents or nine percent picked "Proper" while 562 or 16 percent were "Not sure" while two percent invalid cases were recorded.

South West topped the list of those who said that the increase in travel allowances of Assembly member was "Not proper" with 78 percent. South East followed closely with 77 percent, North Central, North East, North West and South South scored 76, 72, 71 and 61 percent. Abuja accounted for 75 per cent and Lagos polled 74 per cent.

The zonal breakdown of those in support of the increase in the allowance revealed North East leading the zones with 13 percent, South South garnered 13 percent, North Central, North West, South West and South East polled eight, eight, six and five per cent. Abuja scored 14 percent and Lagos recorded 15 percent.

But, the poll had earlier asked an awareness question: "On April 26, 2005, the National Assembly approved allowances of between N2.1 and N1.4 million per week and trips exceeding one week as expense packages for its principal officers travel estacode and other financial opportunities. Are you aware of these travel allowances for the National Assembly officers?"

Of the 3700 respondents sampled, 2366 representing 67 per cent said "No" while 1046 respondents or 30 per cent picked "Yes". One hundred and fifteen or 33 invalid cases were recorded.

In the zones, South East topped the list of those not aware of the new travel allowance for the National Assembly officers with 72 per cent. North Central scored 70 per cent, South West, North West, South South and North East polled 67, 66, 66 and 63 per cent in that order. Abuja accounted for 72 per cent, while Lagos secured 60 per cent.

North East topped the list of those aware of the increase in travel allowance of Assembly members and said "Yes" with 35 per cent. North West garnered 31 percent, South West, South South, North Central and South East scored 30, 29, 26 and 25 per cent. Abuja recorded 26.5 percent and Lagos polled 36 percent.

Recently, the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission queried the Jumbo allowances approved by members of the National Assembly for themselves. The Commission has officially written to the President of the Senate, Chief Ken Nnamani and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Masari over the allowances. The Commission requested for the detail and the guideline used by the lawmakers in approving the allowances for themselves. The commission has also queried the Accountant General and Auditor-General because members of the National Assembly had alleged that the allowances were undertaken with their consent and knowledge. The RMAFC official said the approved allowances were illegal, adding that none of the two government accounting officers had responded to the queries.

But, the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Abike Dabri said that the lawmakers were aware of the constitutional provision granting the power to determine remuneration appropriate for political office holders on the commission.

Paragraph 32 (d) of part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution empowers the commission to determine the remuneration appropriated for political office holders, including the president, vice-president, governors, deputy governors ministers, commissioners, special advisers and legislators, She said, as lawmakers who swore on oath to uphold the constitution, the National Assembly would not go against the law of the land.

Posted by Publisher at 02:44 PM | Comments (0)

How the poll was conducted

AT the inauguration of the National Political Reform Conference (NPRC) in February, President Olusegun Obasanjo announced its broad objectives.

Its purpose, he noted, was to redefine the Nigerian Project and ensure it works better. In a nutshell, the conference was expected to discuss and arrive at a consensus on all aspects of governance, constitutionalism, leadership question, political structure and wealth creation.

In order to achieve the desired result, the conference was divided into committees, the idea was to enable each committee to take an indepth look at different aspects of the polity with a view to recommending a better way forward.

So far, the presentations made by the chairmen of the committees on some issues like: rotational presidency, presidential tenure, ban on past military leaders from running for the post of presidency, electronic voting and the issue of independent candidacy have generated heated arguments and debates both within and outside the Confab.

As it were, these issues still remain knotty even as the conference continue to seek consensus without chaos.

With this in view, The Guardian Opinion Poll (GOP), a socio- political and scientific research, initiated by The Guardian Newspapers Limited went out to sample the opinions of Nigerians on these and other issues of national importance.

The survey, which was conducted between May 28 - June 9, 2005 also focuses attention on : the new travel allowances as approved by the National Assembly for its members, Nigeria's bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations (UN) security council, the Central (CBN's) debt relief for distressed banks and the sharp increase in the prices of some staple food items in Nigeria among others.

In conducting the survey, a well-structured questionnaire with 32 variables (including seven on demography) was used as research instrument.

The sample was designed as representative of the cross section of all citizens of voting age within the country. In other words, the poll excluded anyone who has not attained the age of 18 years on the date of the survey. The essence was to give every adult citizen an equal and known chance of selection for the interview. This was achieved by strictly applying random selection method at every stage of sampling exercise. The sampling population for this survey was 3,700 with a return rate of 95 percent and confidence interval of plus or minus two (2) percent. The error margin was two (2).

Specifically, the poll was restricted to state capitals, while segmenting the state capitals into five areas. Four major streets were randomly selected from each area using the Equal Probability and Selection Method (EPSEM).

The survey covered all the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

In all, 100 interviews were conducted in each state capital, same for Abuja. The interviews were conducted by 370 trained field personnel across all facets of human endeavour in all the state capitals including Abuja.

The study revealed that 54 percent of the respondents are single, 41 percent married; two percent were divorced; one percent widowed and two percent separated.

The educational qualifications of the respondents also showed that 2.0 percent had Doctorate degree, Masters degree holders accounted for nine percent, 40 percent were Bachelors/HND and 18 percent had professional qualifications such as ACA etc. Whereas 18 percent possessed GCE/WASC/SSCE Certificates; seven percent were First School Leaving Certificate holders while six percent accounted for other specified certificates.

The demography of the respondents in the study revealed that 71 percent are males while 29 percent are females.

The age distribution showed that 54 percent of the respondents were between the ages of 18 and 30, 25 percent fell between 31 and 40 years; 16 percent were between 41 and 50, while 51 years and above accounted for five percent.

The occupational distribution of the respondents indicate that 23 percent are civil servants; nine percent were professionals; artisans one percent and military personnel two percent. Traders accounted for five percent; three percent are Contractors; two percent are housewives; farmers/fishermen one percent; unemployed people accounted for 8 percent; 30 percent are students; Artiste/Artist 0.7 percent, 0.8 percent are Ministers of religion; casual workers are 2 percent, teachers/ lecturers are six percent while six are other specified occupations.

Respondents' yearly income distribution reveals that 15 percent earn between N41,000 and N80,000; 10 percent between N81,000 and N100,000; 9 percent earn between N101,000 and N140,000, nine percent earn between N141,000 and N200,000, 11 percent earn between N201,000 and above, 6 percent earn unspecified incomes while 40 percent do not earn any known yearly income.

Team of Researchers: Enayon Abiodun, Emmanuel Adewole, Abidoye Abiosun, Richard Bayewunmi, David Babatunde, Godfrey Iriogbe and Sunday Adebiyi

The Co-ordinators: Dr. Jide Oluwajuyitan; Mr. Henry Onifade; Mr. Andrew Yacim; Mr Ayo Odunlami and Mr. Gani Odusanya.

Consultants, Prof. Adigun Agbaje and Dr. Adidi Uyo.

Posted by Publisher at 02:39 PM | Comments (0)

Balogun Slumps in Court, Alleges Persecution

Former Inspector Gene-ral of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun, who is standing two separate trials over money laundering, theft and gratification yesterday slumped in court and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

From George Oji in Abuja, 06.30.2005

He slumped after a rough encounter with detectives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who tried to force him into their vehicle.
The former police boss who is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the 92-count charge on gratification preferred against him by EFCC was in court for the ruling on the application.
Trouble began for Balogun, however, after the court presided over by Mr. Justice Salisu Garba assumed jurisdiction to hear the matter. The trial judge also held that the EFCC had established a prima facie case against Balogun.
He held that since Balogun was already properly before him, he (Balogun) would not go home except he executed a bond. The bail bond required Balogun to provide two sureties with national honours and landed property at either Asokoro or Maitama in Abuja.
Efforts by Balogun’s counsel, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, to sway the court to vary the bail terms were, however, turned down as the trial judge insisted that he had already adjourned the matter for the day.
As Balogun walked out of the courtroom in company of Abayomi, he was immediately sandwiched by four operatives of EFCC who attempted to force him into a waiting Peugeot wagon car 504 with registration number AG 256 YAB.
Abayomi tried to stop the operatives, saying the former police boss would not follow them.
He even held the shirt of one of the operatives to protest the arrest, but was promptly shoved away, while they (operatives) forcefully bundled Balogun into the car and sped off.
The operatives were, however, prevented from driving away with the former IGP as the court’s security guards quickly locked the exit gate. When the car got to the gate, one of the armed security operatives attempted to force the security guards to open the gate.

Posted by Publisher at 02:34 PM | Comments (0)

Derivation: Ijaw Chief Flays Arewa, Okogie Cautions Leaders

President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Kimse Okoko, yesterday described as "arrant nonsense,” the statement credited to Arewa consultative Forum (ACF) that the 17 per cent derivation principle adopted by the National Political Reform Conference was an excessive generosity to Niger Delta states.

From Chuks Okocha in Port Harcourt and Idowu Sowunmi in Lagos, 06.30.2005

He said this in an interview with THISDAY in Port Harcourt yesterday just as Archbishop of Lagos Catholic Diocese, Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, cautioned the nation's leaders against making utterances that could cause more problems.
Okoko, who is also a delegate from Bayelsa State, said the South-south’s decision to reject the adopted 17 per cent remains final.
ACF, the umbrella organisation for the North, has, in statement in Kaduna Tuesday, warned the Federal Government not to succumb to pressures from the oil producing states for an upward review of the derivation formula from 13 per cent. The Arewa statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mallam Aliyu Hayatu, said the demand of the South-south states is capable of affecting the unity of Nigeria and development of the country.
But in a swift reaction in Port Harcourt, Okoko described the statement and stance of ACF as "arrant nonsense."
According to him, "no matter what, our position remains 25 per cent now and upward review of five percent yearly in the next five years. No more, no less. We are not going back on our position."
Okoko said the South south states would have demanded for 100 per cent as derivation formula and pay tax to the Federal Government, but the decision to ask for "25 per cent now and a yearly five per cent till we get the mark of 50 per cent was in the national interest."
Meanwhile, Cardinal Okogie, yesterday warned discussants of the vexed issue of resources control to mind their languages as the issue is “sentive and volatile."
Addressing a press conference in Lagos to mark his 69th anniversary birthday organised by Knights of Mulumba Lagos Island sub-committee, Okogie expressed support to the 25 per cent demand of the South-south delegates at the on-going National Political Reform Conference, adding that this is okay and must be respected.
"They have been the goose that lays the golden egg but partakes sparingly in its eating. No other section of the country is going to share in the negative aftermath of the ordeals of the people of the area. Afterall life is a matter of give and take we must remember that they have given enough to the nation.
“They have carried the burden of the nation this far, they should be reciprocated," he said.
He said he hoped that the Federal Government would "implement the recommendations of the conference to soothe frayed nerves and cool down tension that is presently running rather high." He noted that "the question now is: is the government still going to subject same to the rigours of another debate at the National Assembly? Or will the report all others be left to gather dust on the shelves?"
He criticised the nation's political leaders for running the affairs of the state "like personal enterprises with little or no regaerd for the citizens (masses)." He said this is "anomalous," adding that the privatisation programmes "are being derailed, such that public property go into private and individual coffers not to the citizens. It is rather unfortunate that our leaders do not learn from their predecessors' mistake. Where are the rich men and women of yester years and their wealth?"
On the issues of fear and insecurity in the country, Okogie said the alarm bell rung by the US Intelligence Report on the possible break up of the country in within 15 years and the closure of some embassies allegly due to security scare should not be taken lightly by the Federal Government and the nation's security agents. "There is real fear of insecurity in our nation. All we need do is to go by the daily occurrence around us. Fear is evidently engulfing us as a result of evil people who do not want peace. We call on our government to tighten its noose on crime and evil in order to protect lives and property," he said.

Posted by Publisher at 02:32 PM | Comments (0)

Energy Policy Targets Optimum Resource Utilisation

Federal Government has said it will henceforth ensure optimal deployment of all the country's viable energy resource to meet the developmental needs and aspirations of the people.

From Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja, 06.30.2005

This position formed one of the cardinal objectives set out by government in the National Energy Policy launched by President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abuja last week.
Speaking to newsmen on arrangements for the formal public presentation of the national energy policy, Director General of Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Prof. Abubakar Sambo, said government wants to ensure that all energy sub-sector policies and programmes are consistent with the goals of the national energy policy.
"All specific energy sub-sector policies, such as those for oil and gas, electricity, Solid minerals and renewable energy sub-sectors must derive from, and be consistent with, the national energy policy," he said.
Sambo said the policy has harmonised strategies into short, medium and long-term measures to ease implementation.
Some of the short term measures are already being implemented through government's intervention in the rehabilitation of key facilities in the energy sector, he said.
National Energy Policy is a blue print document developed by an inter-ministerial committee, which included people from major energy sub-sector professionals and financial institutions and was subsequently approved by the government in 2003.

The document covers issues relating to development, exploitation and supply of all the nation's energy resources. Other important issues like environment, energy efficiency and energy financing were taken care in the policy.
Sambo said the policy seeks would accelerate progress towards the actualisation of government's goals of stopping completely gas flaring by 2008 and meeting the 10,000MW power generation capacity in the country between and 2007.
The director-general while lamenting the long years of retarded development in the area of industrialisation and its resultant backlash on the standard of living of the people, said that the present administration is determined to sterm the tide.

Posted by Publisher at 02:29 PM | Comments (0)

Obasanjo Inaugurates Millennium Devt Goals C’ttee

President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday inaugurated the Assessment and Monitoring Committee on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Abuja, saying Nigeria is in the final stages of completing its 2005 report.

From Josephine Lohor in Abuja, 06.30.2005

The MDGs is an eight-point agenda set by the United Nations (UN) as the basis for development especially in the developing countries of the South by 2015.
He said since Nigeria has achieved the integration of the MDGs into National Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (NEEDS) programme, the countryâ??s development partners should put into effect the global compact of achieving credible partnerships for good governance, trade, debt relief and increased aid, which will go a long way in helping us achieve MDGs.
â??Our tenacious pursuit of debt relief, which is beginning to look promising is based on the indisputable fact that will impact very directly on the ability or otherwise of most developing economies to achieve the MDGs, considering that the brunt of debt servicing reduces the amount of resources available for poverty reduction programmes,â?? he added.

Obasanjo said â??the Federal Government has consistently demonstrated a strong resolve to frontally attack the scourge of poverty in our polity through several poverty reduction and eradication initiatives, and sustained economic empowerment policies and programmes such as the Universal Basic Education (UBE), Water for All, Presidential Initiative on Cassava and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN.
ìThe National Poverty Eradication Programme, NAPEP, was established early in the life of this administration as an effective framework for the coordination and monitoring of poverty eradication efforts across the nation.â??

Posted by Publisher at 02:25 PM | Comments (0)

FG to Float N140bn Bond in Capital Market

Federal Government yesterday said it would place between N70 to N140 billion bonds in seven tranches into the capital market as an instrument to mop up excess liquidity in the economy.

From Josephine Lohor in Abuja, 06.30.2005

The governmentâ's decision, which was one of the decisions of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Olusegun Obasanjo, is to consolidate on the return of the government to the capital market after 17 years.
Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, accompanied by Information and National Orientation Minister, Chief Chukwuemeka Chikelu and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, said nation's domestic debt still stood at N1.3 trillion.
According to her, â??as you know the Federal Government has been absent from the bond market for 17 years and then came back with a bond issue last year and we are following this up, so that we have a regular programme.â??
She said the planned deployment would be addressing the restructuring of the existing domestic bonds from short term to long term, noting that you know that many of them, almost 80 per cent has short tenure and we want to reduce it from three to six months treasury to about three years bond.
â??And that will have a couple of effects. One is that with longer maturity, it will ease the burden and lower the cost of domestic debt servicing. Even, as we are focusing on trying to tackle the issue of our external debt, we must not forget that we also have internal debt that needs to be restructured. This is what we are doing and we are expecting to float between N70 to N140 billion depending on the appetite of the market for these bonds. As I said, we will use most of the proceeds to restructure the existing bonds and lengthen their maturity," he said.
Okonjo-Iweala said the deployment would be done â??in seven monthly installments, just to make sure we don't overstretch the market at about N20 billion each,â?? adding that "I think that this will also be very helpful towards managing the liquidity issue in the economy."
"It is an important part of the instruments we are deploying to make sure we have macro-economic stability that will lower our domestic debt profile because interest rates are falling now and it is also good. It is also good that we restructure and lower the domestic debt and lower the servicing, that is the amount of money used in servicing the debt.
So there are a lot of benefits to this restructuring programme,â?? she added.

She dismissed media report that the government was abusing the ways and means method of financing the budget, saying that ìone of the best things we have managed to do so far in this government is to wheel us away from ways and means.
"Last year, our access rate to way and means was so limited that the Central Bank lost N7 billion in surpluses that it would have had. We have continued the same practice this year. But when we introduced the fiscal discipline into the programme, the Central Bank of course agreed with us that this a good thing even though they are losing money. Last year, we had access to 10 per cent of ways and means and this year we are talking about five per cent. You know the law allows 12 per cent. So I think we are doing extremely well. By the end of the year, unlike in the previous years when we had access to ways and means and we had to roll it over into debt. Last year we did not do any of that and this year we have no intention", she stated.

Posted by Publisher at 02:22 PM | Comments (0)

APGA Chair: INEC Gives Umeh Recognition Letter

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially confirmed Chief Victor Umeh as the acting Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
The commission has also called on the former Chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie, to hand over all assets, properties, documents and the Certificate of Registration of the party to Umeh.

From Funmi Peter-Omale in Abuja, 06.30.2005

INEC in a letter dated June 28, by its Secretary, Alhaji A. B. Jauro, the commission took the decision in exercise of powers conferred on it by the 1999 Constitution.
The four-paragraphed letter read in part: “I am directed to inform you that, the commission in exercise of powers conferred on it by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) had at its meeting held on June 23, considered the circumstances and ground surrounding the leadership crises in All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
“Being satisfied with the findings and reports of its appropriate committees on the subject, the commission accorded due recognition to the appointment of Chief Umeh as the acting National Chairman of APGA following the suspension and expulsion of the erstwhile National Chairman of the party, Chief Okorie and other officials in line with relevant provisions of the APGA constitution."
The letter was also copied to the Inspector General of Police, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and all the Chairmen of all the other 29 registered political parties.

Posted by Publisher at 02:21 PM | Comments (0)

Erediauwa Wants Delegates to Support 25%

Benin monarch, Oba Erediauwa, yesterday advised delegates at the ongoing National Political Reform Conference in Abuja to accept the South-south’s demand for 25 per cent derivation fund.

From Omon-Julius Onabu in Benin City, 06.30.2005

Erediauwa, who spoke on this and a wide range of other local and national issues at his monthly meeting with the mass media in his palace, said a concession from the other zones should be done as a sacrifice for the unity and progress of this country.
He also threw his weight behind the no-power-shift-in-Edo in 2007 agitation by some traditional leaders and politicians in Edo South senatorial district, saying democratic norms gave vent to such activities.
He said since the South-south’s position cannot be described as on the mineral resources exploited from their god-given domain, but the people of the area “have come down to 25 per cent, it would be reasonable and mature of the other zones to go up to 25 per cent from 17 per cent.”
The Oba, who turned 82 a week ago, said he still took time to read most newspapers daily but was disturbed at the attempt by some journalists to rake up long-dead matters apparently to ignite fresh crisis.
He pleaded with media practitioners to “endeavour at all times to promote, through your writing, things that will build and unite this country rather than things that are clearly divisive.”

Posted by Publisher at 02:20 PM | Comments (0)

Ogbeh: PDP Probe, Highway to Judicial Anarchy; Ali defends panel

Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has described the probe by the party into his tenure, which led to the sack of some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) following their indictment for alleged fraud, "as a steady widening of the highway to judicial anarchy".

From Funmi Peter-Omale in Abuja, 06.30.2005

Ogbeh, in a protest letter addressed to the National Executive Council (NEC) through the National Chairman, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, also dissociated himself from the fraud allegedly perpetrated by the affected former national officers of the party, alleging that he was never invited by the Chief Tony Anenih Committee during the investigations.
He said that "the failure to give me a chance to appear suggests an increasingly worrisome development in our party, a blatant disregard for legal norms, and a steady widening of the highway to judicial anarchy. Recent pronouncements by some of our leaders suggest no less, and this is at a time when we seek world respect, we the ruling party."
Ogbeh said he was compelled to react because he was the chief executive of the party for the period in question irrespective of the fact that he was not directly accused.
In the 13 paragraph letter entitled "Anenih Committee Report on Anambra Political Crisis (and Party Finances) dated June 24, 2005 and made available to THISDAY in Abuja yesterday, Ogbeh wrote, "Whether I was personally accused or not, I do not hold vicarious responsibility for the operations of the party and cannot therefore pretend not to be affected by the grave conclusions. It is for this reason that I want to ask our respected National Executive Committee, why in the nearly four months of the Anenih Committee sittings, I was never, not once invited to say a word. In the name of the living God, what manner of investigation was this?"
According to Ogbeh, "When in January 2005, certain persons in NEC alleged that I had stolen N5 billion of the party funds and filed petitions in EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission), I assured Nigerians I would remain in Nigeria, travel nowhere, until the party had had enough time to investigate the allegations. I remained here waiting for an invitation by phone, or letter or word of mouth. None came. So, I never got a chance to say a word, until conclusions were reached and NEC passed a verdict. Now the world has heard that a fraud of N2.9 billion or thereabouts was committed. Really? Just how much was PDP worth for N2.9 billion to be stolen outrightly?".
He said it was strange that the party could conduct an inquiry of that nature without taking evidence from the chief executive. Ogbeh said that recent pronouncements of the national chairman and the chairman, Board of Trustees that the removed Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chris Ekpenyong did not get fair hearing smacks of hypocrisy.
Ogbeh said that it has become evident that there was one set of rules for the "beloved" and another for the perceived "enemies" in PDP.
In the letter, which detailed some of the financial dealings of the party while he was the chairman, Ogbeh maintained that the inquiry was not supposed to supersede the audited accounts of the party which was carried out by Messrs Akintola Williams, the party's external auditors.
He said that "one issue the report (of Anenih panel) harps on is the N1.5 billion raised from the sale of forms and expressions of interest. The report suggests that the money was all stolen. No way. If the Anenih Committee had checked our audited accounts by Messrs Akintola Williams they would have seen that from that fund we conducted all the primaries for the 2003 elections (apart from the convention). For that, we sent panels to 36 states and FCT. Each panel was composed of at least three members none of whom left here with less than N200,000 with the chairmen taking N300,000. Thereafter, we sent appeal panels to these same states to resolve disputes. In many states we had to repeat congresses. We spent from this fund, just as we met many political expenses as the need arose with approval from the appropriate quarters."
He noted that the party funded the 2004 mid-term convention at a cost of over N400 million to cover 3,600 delegates adding that lawyers were also paid about N400 million over this period.
On the allegation that the sacked NWC was collecting N50 million to run the party every month, Ogbeh said "in theory, yes. Yet for the last eight months of my chairmanship, not one naira was received by us. This would total N400 million. I could go on if the books were in my possession".
He said he was irked by Ali's remarks that the implicated persons were not handed over to the ICPC (Independent Corrupt Practices Commission) and EFCC for "insufficient data".
"If you reflect on all these you will find that there is something strange and that this inquiry cannot supersede the audited accounts of the party by Messrs Akintola Williams, our external auditors, a most reputable firm of accountants. The sole purpose of this inquiry was to establish guilt and prepare grounds for the final take over of the party. Something is wrong, fundamentally wrong and NEC has to address it," he stated.
In a swift reaction, however, Ali explained why Ogbeh was not invited by the Anenih panel.
Ali in a statement issued on his behalf by his Special Assistant Media and Publicity, Theophilus Abbah, said that Ogbeh was not invited because "there was nowhere he was directly accused of financial impropriety. Those that were questioned by the panel were persons who had explanations to make with regards to how the party's funds were utilised."
According to him, it was not only the chairman that had complained about the poor record keeping of the party saying that INEC had variously complained that all parties were guilty of this. "Hence it would be unfair to allege that the chairman's observation that the financial records of the PDP had not been well kept was in bad faith. At present, the party is engaging the services of accounting experts to draw up PDP's accounting system in order to avoid such occurrences," he said.
It could be recalled that at the end of a meeting of the National Executive Committee early this month, members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) including Vincent Ogbulafor, national secretary, Inuwa Labaran, national organising secretary, Umaru Kareto Lawal, national treasurer and Shuaibu Oyedokun, deputy chairman (South) were said to have resigned their positions.
Reports later showed that contrary to the initial position that they resigned, the entire NWC, with the exception of the national chairman, was sacked. However, National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Venatius Ikem, national vice chairmen (South-south), Godspower Ake, National Vice Chairman (South-east), Fidelis Ozichukwu and Women Leader, Josephine Anenih, survived the purge.
The affected NWC members were immediately replaced by Chief Ojo Maduekwe (National Secretary), Chief Olabode George (Deputy National Chairman South), Barrister Kabir Jubril (National Legal Adviser) and Alhaji Bukar Warige (Deputy National Chairman, North)
Their sack was said to have been hinged on the report of Anenih committee that reviewed the findings of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola panel on Anambra crisis, "which recommended the dissolution of the NWC for not acting swiftly, dispassionately and sincerely in resolving the Anambra political crisis, due to the divergent interests of some of its members."
Meanwhile, the former National Secretary of the party, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor said yesterday that PDP owes about N80 million in legal fees. Disclosing this while handing over to his successor, Maduekwe at the party's national secretariat in Abuja, he said that the party witnessed a number of problems after the 2003 elections, adding that there were over 2000 petitions from party members.
Ogbulafor, however, noted that the party recorded over 90 percent success at the election tribunals. He said the way to create positive changes in the party is for the new officers to focus attention on maintaining the system. He consequently urged the directors and other staff of the secretariat to extend to his successor the same support he got from them.
In his remarks, Maduekwe commended his predecessor and assured party members that he would run the secretariat to meet their yearnings.

Posted by Publisher at 02:19 PM | Comments (0)

Fear Grips Ministers over Reshuffle

Members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday held their weekly meetings with some of them not sure of their continued stay in the cabinet as it became clear that President Olusegun Obasanjo has actually compiled a list of new ministerial nominees which would be forwarded to the Senate Tuesday.

By Yusuph Olaniyonu in Lagos and Josephine Lohor in Abuja, 06.30.2005

THISDAY source in the presidency said though the news had been in the air in top government circles and in the topmost echelon of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but the report by this newspaper of the Senate summon of its members for a one-day plenary on Tuesday confirmed that the much expected cabinet reshuffle is about to take place.
A source said between eight to 10 new members may join the cabinet. He, however, added that the list would be forwarded to the office of Senate President Ken Nnamani by the President Monday or Tuesday next week. It is believed that the President may between now and Tuesday make changes in the list.
"A lot of consultations with party leaders and opinion leaders are still going on to ensure that the nominees are men whose records are clean and who share the goals of the administration's reform programmes," another source said.
A source, however, confided to THISDAY that among the ministers who may be affected are Minister of State, Health, Princess Funke Adedoyin, and the Minister of State Education, Hajia Binta Ibrahim Musa.
Also, either of Elder Broderick Bozimo (Police Affairs) from Delta State or Mr. Magnus Odion-Ugbesia (Solid Minerals) and Roland Oritsejafor (Minister of State, Defence) from Edo may be dropped. It is not clear if information minister, Chukwuemeka Chikelu, will survive the wind of change about to blow in the cabinet. But it is believed party leaders were deliberating on a replacement for him early in the week.
Obasanjo is said to be determined to use the cabinet changes to introduce fresh vigour into the administration which is on the last lap of its tenure.
Some of the ministers to be affected in the changes are said to be those who cannot match the pace of the administration's reform programme.
"Less than two years to the end of his tenure, the president knows that the administration needs to start consolidating on reform efforts. This is the time to ensure that the country is well positioned to make gains from the reform programmes and that will be a major consideration in who among the ministers stays," a source said.
It is also believed that Obasanjo will use the opportunity to ease out ministers who are nursing political ambitions to contest certain offices in the 2007 polls. Some other ministers who are found to have been busy dividing their time between implementing government policies and making political calculations for some presidential aspirants may also be affected by the cabinet reshuffle.
"The president wants a hands-on team committed to helping him powerfully coast home with the reform programmes many of which is expected to start yielding expected results in the economy in particular and the policy in general from early next year," a PDP source who also confirmed that about eight to 10 ministers will be affected said.
Another consideration in the expected cabinet reshuffle, a source said, is that ministers who are believed to have failed the zero tolerance for corruption test may also lose their position.
It is believed that the impending cabinet reshuffle will affect key sectors of government and that was the reason why the president urged the Senate leadership to speed up the confirmation process.
The Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Oluyomi Ogunyomi, in a statement on Tuesday informed "Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that the Senate will resume in plenary on Tuesday 5th July 2005 at 10.00a.m."
Also, the vacant ministerial slot for Ondo State after the sack of former Minister of Housing, Mrs. Mobolaji Osomo, is still pending in the Senate. The new nominee for the position, Dr. Olugbemi Akinkoye, is still awaiting screening by the legislative house.
The expected changes will be the first time since May 29, 2003 when Obasanjo was sworn-in for the second term that he will be making a major shake-up in the ministerial team.
However, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Chikelu, yesterday told State House correspondents after the FEC meeting that there has not been any change in the federal cabinet.
He, however, added that Obasanjo had the right to change the cabinet any time he pleases.
While answering questions on the reported cabinet reshuffle, the Minister said: "We are not aware of any cabinet shake-up. There has not been any cabinet shake-up. The cabinet had its meeting today (yesterday) and all the ministers who were present, were present.
"The cabinet shake-up can come at anytime. it is the prerogative of President Obasanjo to choose what time and at what moment to alter his team and he can do that at anytime. It can come this day or tomorrow but I can assure you that there is no cabinet change today (yesterday).
"The position of the ministers is not a termed appointment but one that is at the total discretion of the president and at anytime he can choose who will be in his cabinet," he said.

Posted by Publisher at 02:19 PM | Comments (0)

Apo Killings: Probe Panel Adjourns Sitting

The Judicial Panel of Inqury set up by the federal government to probe the alleged extra judicial killing of six civilians in Apo, Abuja yesterday adjourned sitting till tomorrow to enable counsel prepare their memoranda and briefs from their clients.

From Funmi peter-Omale in Abuja, 06.30.2005

Chairman of the seven-man panel, Justice (Mrs.) Olasunbo Goodluck who announced this yesterday enjoined all counsel to make sure all their witnesses are also made available anytime the Commission requests for them.
In her opening sttaement, the chairman noted that the
assignment before members were daunting but said that with the cooperation of the general public and the counsel, the Commission should be able to live up to its terms of reference.
"We are calling on all those who saw what happened that day to come forward to witness. I know that some members of the public may be apprehensive but we are urging all those who saw or could assist the commission in its fact finding mission to come forward and make bold to disclose what they know. Silence is retrogressive and coward approach is inimical to the advancement of this Commission Lives of fellow Nigerians have been lost and its only the living among us that can help us unravel what transpired and what happened."
She affirmed that members of the Commission would treat all concerned parties and sides without fear or favour.
Counsel to the families of the five boys, Amobi Nzelu announced that he would be submitting memoranda and sworn affidavits of witnesses before the panel but noted that his principal witness Hassan Wachida was in Police custody and wondered if the Commission would order his appearance when he will be need.
Counsels appearing for the Police include R.O Yusuf and three others while the pan Igbo group Ohaneze Ndigbo is being represented by Mr. Nwafor Orizu while the National Human Rights Commission team is led by Yetunde Hastruup.
After consultations together, the counsel announced that they agreed that the Police would start with their own presentation of which the Chairman ruled accordingly.
She also suggested that having lost some time, the Commission may be forced to take Saturday to cover up.
Sitting continues tomorrow.

Posted by Publisher at 02:18 PM | Comments (0)

Frequent Borrowing Undermines Constitution – NLC

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday said the frequent unilateral external borrowing by the executive arms of government undermines the constitutional provisions. It said such borrowing should only be done with the approval of the legislature.

From Juliana Taiwo in Abuja, 06.30.2005

NLC’s stance was in line with the report of the Economic Committee of National Political Reform Conference that there should be no further external borrowing without the prior approval of the legislature.
NLC’s Senior Assistant General Secretary, Comrade Owei Lakemfa, said the labour union believed that development would continue to be severely impeded as long as the heavy debt burden continues to weigh down the economy.
“Servicing the external debts to the tune of $1.5 to 2.0 billion annually is not sustainable. On this score, we agree with the committee that there should be no further borrowing without the prior approval of the legislature. Clearly, Nigeria has to be freed from this great impediment to growth if we must meet the Millennium Development Goals. Creditor nations should be prevailed upon to write-off the country’s debts.
“It is our view that the framework and process of obtaining loans should be democratised or made more participatory, transparent and accountable to the people. The frequent recourse to external borrowing unilaterally by the executive undermines the constitutional powers of the legislature to appropriate funds. This needs to be remedied to ensure that any external loan should be part of the general proposals for appropriation. This, we believe will put a final lid on the reckless penchant for external indebtedness. The recent negotiations for a loan from the World Bank/IMF by the Executive for the purpose of payment of severance packages to over 70,000 workers marked for retrenchment in the public service, is case in point,” he said.
He said NLC while subscribing to the call on the international community to write-off Nigeria’s debt, the process would be helped by a clear adoption of a plan for utilising potential savings from such a write-off to invest in the social sectors, such as education, health and poverty reduction generally.

“However, it needs re-emphasising that there is the need to disaggregate Nigeria’s debts through their sources of procurement – private debts guaranteed by the state, over invoiced projects, whether the funds were actually invested, among others. Where there is prima facie case of criminality, the suspects should be prosecuted,” he added.

Posted by Publisher at 02:18 PM | Comments (0)

4 Killed, Houses Burnt in Communal Clash

Four people were killed and more than 50 houses burnt down in the seven villages of Igbeagu community in Izzi clan, as fighting erupted again between Izzi and Ukele people in Ebonyi and Cross River states.

From Chinedu Eze in Abakaliki, 06.30.2005

The Chairman of Izzi Local Government area of Ebonyi State, Comrade Joe Nwonumara, told newsmen in Abakaliki on that six out of the seven villages attacked include Izzi villages located in both states.
The villages include Ngujiola, Ogbodo Onunwakpu, Ndioshioku, Okumenyi, Ndiogaga, Ekiri and Okwenike.
According to him, Ukele warriors who disguised themselves in mobile police uniforms reconnoitered through these villages on Monday and by 5am on Tuesday, they attacked the unsuspicious villages, destroyed houses, including a primary school and killed those who could not escape the attack.
According to an eyewitness account, Ukele warriors, who gave Izzi pepole a surprise attack, were well organised, as the war mongers led the onslaught, those that set the house on fire followed, while looters stayed behind to steal what was not destroyed.
Nwonumara said by Tuesday’s morning four corpses were located and one of the corpses was beheaded and its private part cut off, painting a gory picture of the assailants’ rage.
Besides, the dead, the chairman said many people were injured, some of them were admitted at Chukwudi Hospital in Nwezenyi. Those who escaped the attack sought refuge in their ancestral homes more than 25 kilometers away in Ebonyi State.

He told newsmen that Ukele people hired mercenaries who fight for them, saying some of the fighters who were arrested by the police noted in their statements that they came from Benue State.
Ebonyi State Police Command, which confirmed the report, has dispatched policemen to the scene of the fighting.

When THISDAY visited the villages on Wednesday the whole area was deserted, as policemen mounted many roadblocks every kilometer on the major Abakaliki-Ogoja road.
The residents of the community who did not run away were living in fear of another attack but many had relocated to live with their kits and kin in other parts of Izzi.
The crisis, which had claimed hundreds of lives, started in April this year and was triggered by struggle for land between the Ukeles and the Izzis.
The state government of Cross River and Ebonyi promptly intervened in the crisis when the two governors met in Calabar and Abakaliki on a mission to bring permanent peace to the area.
This effort led to the setting up of a joint peace committee, made up of stakeholders in the warring local government areas of both states and principal officers of the two state governments.
The committee submitted its report that was duly signed by concerned parties in Calabar last week.

Posted by Publisher at 02:17 PM | Comments (0)

KWSIEC Loses Bid to Disqualify LG Chiefs

Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission’s (KWSIEC) yesterday again lost its bid to sustain the disqualification of the eight chairmanship candidates of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last local government polls.

From Tunde Sanni in Ilorin, 06.30.2005

KWSIEC has appealed against the early ruling of the tribunal on its jurisdiction at the Ilorin Court of Appeal. The court upheld the prayer of the aggrieved candidates to have their petition entertained by the election petition tribunal in the state.
Following the refusal of the electoral body to allow the candidates run for the April 24, 2004 polls in their respective councils, the candidates had filed an election petition at the tribunal praying it to quash the decision of the electoral body and return them as the duly elected chairmen of their councils.
The councils affected by KWSIEC disqualification include Ilorin East, Ifelodun, Edu, Irepodun, Offa, Oyun, Ekiti and Oke-Ero.
The appeal court judgment might endanger the peace efforts of PDP National Chairman, Dr. Ahamdu Ali, who, in his visit to the state on June 4, directed the sponsors of the aggrieved chairmanship candidates to withdraw the case from court.
But the electoral body contested the petition, claiming that the issue involved bordered on an intra-party affair, which the tribunal, headed by Justice Banji Orilonishe has no jurisdiction and competence to entertain.
The tribunal in its June 25, 2004 judgment ruled that it has competence and jurisdiction to entertain the petition of the aggrieved chairmanship candidates.

The local electoral body had headed to the Election Petition Appeal Tribunal headed by Justice Timothy Oyeyipo who, in its judgment ruled that the lower tribunal erred in law by assuming jurisdiction on the petition and upheld the argument of the electoral body that the issue involved was an intra-party issue.

Dissatisfied with the decision, the aggrieved candidates went to the Court of Appeal praying the appellate court to decide the petition in its favour and also sought the court determination whether the issue involved was an intra-party one as the election appeal tribunal had ruled

Specifically, the candidates, through their counsel, Mr Kayode Olatoke sought to know whether the intra-party issue involved could divest the election tribunal of its jurisdiction to hear and determine the appeal.

The electoral commission however in its objection to the appeal argued that the appellate court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the appellant petition by virtue of issue estopel as raised in the grounds of appeal.

The KWSIEC contended that the appeal court cannot entertain the appeal because it was an appeal that emanated from the election tribunal.

But the appellants countered back submitting that their appeal was against the judgement of the high court and not the decision of the tribunal

In his lead judgment, Justice Aboyi Ikongbeh leading Justices Saifullahi Coomasie and Tijani Abdullahi considered all the grounds of the appeal on its merit and ruled that there was no merit on the objections raised by the KWSIEC.

The jurist stated that the issue decided by the High Court was not the same as the issue before the tribunal and therefore “the petition was not caught by the principle of issue estopel”

The appeal court judge maintained high court is different from election tribunal insisting that the petition did not raise question of any internal affair of the PDP and mainatained that the petition was between the appellants and KWSIEC.

Ikongbeh set aside the decision of the Oyeyipo led court and restored the decision of the lower tribunal holding that it has jurisdiction the election petition.

The appeal court remitted the petition back to the election petition tribunal for continuation.

Posted by Publisher at 02:17 PM | Comments (0)

‘S/West Can Resolve Derivation Dispute’

South-west delegates at the on-going National Political Reform Conference have been urged to lend a hand in the resolution of the resource control issue, which has stalled the progress of the conference.

By Crusoe Osagie, 06.30.2005

The leader of Lagos State delegation at the conference, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, who made the call yesterday, said the South-west delegates possesed the clout to mediate in the face-off and resolve it.
Okunnu made the statement while refuting a newspaper report, which quoted Governor Rasheed Ladoja of Oyo State as saying the South-west zone is pursuing the objective of a single term of six years for the President and state governors following a meeting of the zone’s delegates in Ibadan on Monday.
He, however, said the report was "misleading" as it was not even one of the issues discussed at the meeting.
"On behalf of the delegates representing Lagos at the conference, I find it necessary to correct the misleading report in the media that the South-west zone is pursuing a single term of six years for the president and state governors.
"I believe that Governor Ladoja was misquoted in the newspaper report particularly as regards the issue of a single term of six years for the president and governors,” he said.
He explained that it was very important for leaders of opinion in the country to focus on the major issue in the conference at the moment which is resource control.
"Resource Control is the issue of controversy in the public domain at the moment and it should be left at that for an amicable resolution by all stakeholders in the polity. the question of tenure of office of the president and state governors is no longer an issue as the conference has accepted the recomendation of the committee on the tenure of executives wich is two terms of four years each," he added.

He said it is important to find a way by which all contending opinions and differences at the conference will be properly ventilated on the floor of conference and accommodated in the final report to the president.
"In view of all these the role of the South-west is to help to resolve the differences on resource control which has caused the present impasse and we have the capacity to achieve this goal," he said.

Posted by Publisher at 02:16 PM | Comments (0)

Customs Intercepts 32,500 Ammunitions

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 32,500 cartridges of ammunitions along Ore-Benin Expressway.

06.30.2005

The ammunitions, concealed in 13 drums in a 911 lorry, was covered by many other items, including hundreds of bales of materials for mattress covers, bicycle tyres, foam covers, pipes and drums of oils/chemicals.
Displaying the materials before newsmen, an Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Ade Fadahunsi, said the contraband were shipped into Nigeria from Ghana and other neighbouring countries.
“We had a tip off of the transaction and we have been monitoring it for a long time. This is the first batch and we are still working hard to apprehend the rest,'' he said.
He said after necessary investigation, the items would be handed over to the police for further action.
The driver of the vehicle, John Mgbako (43) and one Jona Eleke, who were apprehended along with the contraband, denied knowing anything about the contents.
Mgbako, who said he was a transporter, insisted that he was not told the contents of the load.

He said he had already informed the owner of the goods, whom he just mentioned as Oliver, that he has problem with the customs and was expecting him to come over.
“I feel so sad about the whole issue. If I were aware of the contents, I would not have consented to carry it,'' he said.

Posted by Publisher at 02:14 PM | Comments (0)

Vmobile Launches Project R.O.S.E

Vmobile Nigeria has announced that it will invest a minimum of $2 billion in its network infrastructure within the next 24 months for its quality and coverage expansion initiative code-named: Project R.O.S.E, “Rolling Out Service Everywhere.”

06.30.2005

The investment, according to a statement by Vmobile, would be used to build at least 3,000 base stations around the country and expand network capacity to accommodate a minimum of 10 million subscribers.
It said the project entails the construction of additional 4,000 kilometres of Microwave Transmission Backbone within the next 24 months. Already, Vmobile has completed 1,500 kilometres of major Microwave Transmission Backbone, while an additional 2,000 kilometres will be completed in the next six months.
Vmobile will also increase the number of switches in the company’s network from 16 to 28, to create adequate capacity for a minimum of 10 million subscribers by June 2007.
However, the core network capacity will be upgraded from 4 million to 6 million active subscribers by the end of July 2005.
In addition, Vmobile will build more call centres in Delta, Akwa Ibom and the Northern states to increase the availability of customer care services on a 24-hour basis.

The number of VCare Centres and VStores will also be increased to 100 over the next 24 months to give customers greater convenience and access to Vmobile’s offices, products and services.

Project R.O.S.E is progressing aggressively with internally generated cash flow. However, additional funding representing USD 830 million has been received from three sources namely; local Nigerian banks, African Export and Import Bank (Afrexim) and foreign vendor finance provided by equipment suppliers such as, Ericsson, Hauwei, Motorola, Siemens and Harris Corporation.

Vmobile is currently in the process of obtaining additional equity investment, which is expected from ongoing negotiations with strategic core investors. The additional funding will be used to restructure the company’s debt and other initiatives in order to strengthen its market position.

During the past one year, Vmobile has restructured its systems and processes including the employment of over 250 Nigerian professionals into Executive and Managerial positions. The management has also received the full support of the Board and Shareholders for its Ethical and Corporate Governance practices. The company is therefore, proud to be one of the leading companies in Nigeria to implement an Ethical and Compliance Code based on the best practice in the world.

Project R.O.S.E will be supported by an innovative SMS competition that will allow Nigerians to vote for their home towns in rural areas to be on the Vmobile network. For the next 24 months, every quarter, three (3) winning towns will receive Vmobile coverage within 45 days from the date of the draw.

Vmobile is already present in all the State Capitals of Nigeria and will further expand this coverage in each State to deliver on the promise of R.O.S.E, “Rolling Out Service Everywhere”.

Posted by Publisher at 02:11 PM | Comments (0)

Nigeria to get $18bn debt relief

The Paris Club of creditor countries has agreed the outline of a debt relief package for Nigeria.

The Paris club has said there will be significant Nigerian debt relief
About $18bn (£10bn) of debt will be written off and Nigeria plans to buy back a chunk of outstanding loans.

The country owes the rest of the world $35bn, and the new talks are linked to an agreement between Nigeria and the IMF on debt repayments.

Nigeria is the world's seventh-largest oil exporter and Africa's most populous nation, but also one of its poorest.

The Paris Club have agreed in principle a further debt write-off... which with a buyback of debt by the Nigerian authorities will mean that there is 100% debt relief for Nigeria possible over the next six months
Gordon Brown, UK chancellor

About $31bn of Nigeria's debt is owed to members of the 19-nation-strong Paris Club. It has not received any fresh loans since 1992, but repaid $8bn debt since then.

Part of Nigeria's case in asking for debt relief has been that most of the money it received was lent to corrupt military dictators, a fact the African country says was well known by foreign banks and governments.

The UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, said the debt relief combined with the debt buy-back would "mean there is 100% debt relief for Nigeria possible over the next six months".

The UK is Nigeria's biggest creditor and has been attempting to persuade other G8 creditors of the need for debt write-off.

'Economic reform'

The debt breakthrough came after Nigeria expressed its willingness to clinch a new deal with the IMF to pay its arrears to Paris Club creditors.

"The representatives of the Paris Club creditor countries... expressed their readiness, consistent with their national laws and regulations, to enter into negotiations with the Nigerian authorities in the months to come on a comprehensive debt treatment," said the group of creditor nations.

"They took note of the economic reform programme implemented by the Nigerian authorities since 2003 and of their willingness to take advantage of exceptional revenues in order to finance an exit treatment from the Paris Club."

It said the debt relief would be significant, and allow for long-term debt sustainability.

The initial debt relief terms will be based on the so-called "Naples terms" - which are equivalent to a 67% reduction on the face value of debt and are applied to debts of poorest nations.

'Major development'

"As an initial negotiating position, it is welcome, but Nigeria will naturally press for a higher discount," said Nigerian senator Udo Udoma.

"It is a major development because about a year ago they (Paris Club) were not willing to listen to any plea for debt relief.

"To move from zero to 67% within a year is a major development, I am excited by that."

Campaign group Actionaid welcomed the deal, saying that "Nigerians have been paying out in debt repayments nearly six times the amount they receive in aid."

"As home to one in five Africans, progress on debt in Nigeria is critical to progress on poverty in Africa," the organisation said.

Posted by Publisher at 02:08 PM | Comments (0)

June 29, 2005

U.S. admits fresh troops' deployment near Nigeria

THE United States military has admitted deploying troops to Nigeria's coastal waters in the Gulf of Guinea. It says that another deployment- a yearly training cruise- is, in fact, also under way.

From Laolu Akande New York

According to a U.S. military spokesman, Lt. David Luckett, the presence, which has been on for about six months, is to promote "multinational inter-operability, mutual understanding and co-operation with regional partners."

The military spokesman, in a correspondence with The Guardian on Monday, disclosed that another naval ship which had earlier been deployed to the area, had now returned to its base.

Luckett gave the other reasons for the troops' movement as including the need to "deter potential terrorists in the Global War on Terrorism, as well as counter proliferation and organised crime."

Another U.S. Defence Spokesman, Lt. Commander Joe Carpenter, had last Friday admitted that there had been troops' deployment in the Gulf in the last six months. He added, however, that only the European Tactical Command could release more information on the development.

Following a report of Carpenter's disclosure in The Guardian on Monday, an update was sent by Luckett same day.

Luckett, who is based in Europe, said the troops in the Gulf of Guinea came from the "U.S. Sixth Fleet," which, he added, currently has the Coast Guard Cutter Bear deployed to the Gulf of Guinea region."

The military spokesman said that the naval deployment was conducting maritime security operations on the Gulf. His words: "Having USCG Bear conduct these maritime security operations promotes multinational interoperability, mutual understanding and co-operation with regional partners."

He added: "Fostering these mutual commitments to enhance regional stability will deter potential terrorists in the Global War on Terrorism, as well as counter proliferation and organised crime."

According to Luckett, a yearly "training cruise" by similar forces would follow suit in the Gulf very soon. The cruises, he added, have been on since 1979. Luckett said: "Additionally, we are kicking off our annual West African Training Cruise (WATC) 2005 very soon. This year's deployment is a Medical Outreach Programme (MOP) that will take place in Gabon and Cameroun."

He added: "WATC 05 MOP provides the opportunity for U.S. military medical personnel to work side-by-side with their counterparts from Cameroun and Gabon in realistic and challenging training environments."

The training cruises also enable "U.S. military personnel to obtain important training by familiarisation with new, foreign environments, he

said. Luckett added that the WATC engagements were a "very visible reminder of the ongoing American commitment and goodwill to the region."

But there is increasing suspicion about the real motive of the presence of American War Ships in the area.

Carpenter had explained the deployment of the USS Emory S. Land to the region as a "direct result of the 2004 Gulf of Guinea Maritime Security Conference held in Naples, Italy."

Sources claimed that the Naples conference, which was attended by 17 countries, including Nigeria, addressed common regional interests, challenges and threats in the region. Also in attendance were Angola, Republic of Congo, the U.S. and some European countries.

The United Nations (UN) Special Representative for West Africa, Ambassador Ahmedou Ould-Adallah, was reported to have urged the conference to fight global threats to peace and security "within the context of global partnership and shared responsibility."

The U.S. National Intelligence Council recently warned of the possibility of Nigeria breaking up in the next 15 years. It specifically warned that some African countries might not be able to overcome the "important neighbourhood effects" of a break-up in Nigeria.

It said: "As is clear from West Africa, conflict in one country can spill over and infect an entire region. Similarly, if one of the large countries that tend to dominate Africa's regions (such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria) go badly wrong, or continue to do so, as in Congo's case, the small states surrounding them may have limited degrees of freedom in which to operate."

The intelligence report added: "Thus, the efforts of even extremely well-intentioned governments towards governance and democratic government may not transfer into dramatic relative changes in performance because they are stuck in a 'bad neighbourhood."

It also warned: "Other potential developments might accelerate decline in Africa and reduce even our limited optimism. The most important would be the outright collapse of Nigeria."

The report continued: "While currently Nigeria's leaders are locked in a bad marriage that all dislike but dare not leave, there are possibilities that could disrupt the precarious equilibrium in Abuja. The most important would be a junior officer coup that could destabilise the country to the extent that open

warfare breaks out in many places in a sustained manner. If Nigeria were to become a failed state, it could drag down a large part of the West African region. Even state failure in small countries such as Liberia has the effect of destabilising entire neighbourhoods. If millions were to flee a collapsed Nigeria, the surrounding countries, up to and including Ghana, would be destabilised. Further, a failed Nigeria probably could not be reconstituted for many years, if ever, and not without massive international assistance."

The U.S. government has repeatedly denied that these views represent the views of the U.S. official intelligence, although the recent sudden closure of the U.S. embassy in Lagos fuelled more suspicions about continuing U.S. military presence in the Gulf of Guinea.

Information from U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs however show that approximately 1,400 sailors and marines aboard USS Emory S. Land participated in what was called the 2005 Gulf of Guinea deployment, which

began January 25, with U.S. Marine Corps, Col. Barry Cronin, leading the mission.

It is known in U.S. military parlance that the marines are much faster, smaller, easily deployable units who can respond more rapidly to any situation. The marines operate normally under the U.S. Navy.

The commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet, Vice Admiral Harry Ulrich on his part said the deployment "is to enhance security co-operation between the U.S. and participating Gulf of Guinea nations by providing the opportunity to interact and improve familiarisation with how we operate in real-world environments."

But it was added that the deployment is similar to the regularly scheduled West African Training Cruises (WATC), which have been on since 1978.

Observers, however, say the fact that this deployment is similar to the training cruises does not mean it is the same as training cruises. The U.S. interest in the Gulf of Guinea has risen sharply in recent years, allegedly due to the War on Terror and strategic oil considerations.

According to sources, Nigeria's role in this deployment is still very unclear. At the start, Nigeria was billed as a participant or observer. But after the deployment, only officers from Ghana, Gabon and Sao Tome were listed as participants.

Posted by Publisher at 02:32 PM | Comments (0)

Nigerians lack discipline to succeed, says Okonjo-Iweala

…As CBN redefines liquid assets

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has redefined liquid assets to include three-year bonds in order to encourage people to invest in it even as Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has described Nigerians as not disciplined enough to get its acts right and succeed in life’s endeavours.

By Sanya Adejokun,
Senior Correspondent, Abuja

Okonjo-Iweala also described Nigeria as a nation that is so poor yet so potentially rich, so full of resources yet lagging in productivity, so full of optimism and yet unable to get its acts right.

She, however, canvassed that one sure way to curb endemic corruption and indiscipline in the country is the enhancement of the bond market, which she said “promotes corporate governance, discipline, accountability and transparency with several benefits to economic development and growth.

She noted that the bond market subjects revenue mobilisation and spending to greater scrutiny and so ensures more prudent resource utilisation.

Nkozi-Iweala who spoke at the opening of the Technical Roundtable on “Challenges and Prospects of Developing the Bond Market in Nigeria” organised by the Debt Management Office (DMO), in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in Abuja on Tuesday declared that the Nigerian bond market offers an important platform on which the country’s vision of being placed on the map of development is hinged.

“The development of the domestic capital and bond markets provides a critical launch on which our wealth creation strategies would be leveraged to achieve value reorientation, wealth creation, poverty alleviation, employment generation objectives. A robust capital market, good institutional framework, adequate infrastructure and an enabling environment, are some of the key factors essential for the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), to succeed”, she stated.

Comparing the Nigerian question with the Babylonian story, Okonjo-Iweala said in the process of rebirth, one key cure identified for a lean purse is “to make thy golds multiply” and that is investment.

“It was also observed that one primary law of gold is “gold clings to the protection of the cautious owner who invests it under the advice of wise men in its handling”, she said adding: “The Nigerian bond Market therefore, is the indispensable catalyst to the attainment and sustenance of the country’s vision of development and prosperity as enunciated in its economic reform agenda”.

She pointed out that government is backing the floatation of N100 billion mortgage bonds by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) as a way of encouraging and deepening the bond market.

“A sound bond market would provide long-term stable financing for mortgage development, as access to long tenured capital will support the capacity of lending institutions to provide mortgage and consumer finance,” she said.

Governor of the CBN, Professor Charles Soludo said the primary challenge for deepening the bond market and broadening participation is the establishment and sustenance of efficient and functional secondary market for bonds issued in Nigeria.

“It is against this backdrop that the CBN has redefined a liquid asset as any approved market instrument with a tenor of one to three years”, Soludo who was represented by Samshuddeen Usman said.

He gave the assurance that demands in the market would be sustained because a large pool of long-term funds would be required to restore capacity in the energy sector, refineries, manufacturing, roads and rail transportation, telecommunications, among others.

Posted by Publisher at 02:19 PM | Comments (0)

F/Eagles dump Morocco 3 - 0; Face Argentina in final Saturday

NIGERIA’S Flying Eagles last night confirmed class and supremacy as they dazzled all the way to the final of the World Youth Championship, Netherlands 2005, at the expense of the arch-rivals and fellow African side, the Junior Atlas Lions of Morocco, whom they spanked 3-0 in the second semi-final encounter.

BANTUS UGORJI

By this victory, the Nigerian lads would be meeting Argentina’s junior team who had earlier sent the defending champions, Brazil, packing from the competition courtesy of a 2-1 victory.

Yesterday’s duel is one every Nigerian should be very proud of as our soccer ambassadors in far away Holland, defied the hostility of the Dutch, who are still rueing the painful defeat Nigeria handed down to them on Saturday during the explosive and dramatic quarter-final match.

Barely six minutes into the match, the Nigerian lads stamped their authority on their Moroccan foes, as the trio of Chinedu Ogbuike, Olubayo Adefemi and overlapping defender Taiye Taiwo became too hot to contain.

The Marseille Nigerian defender, Taiwo who was outstanding in yesterday’s game had attempted a 40-yard direct free kick which caught the Moroccan defence napping but for the agility of the Junior Atlas goal tender that parried the ball and lurking Nigerian skipper, Isaac Promise failed to utilise the chance to put his side ahead.

Inspired by the midfield brilliance of the duo of Ogbuike and Mikel Obi, the Nigerian lads’ persistent onslaught in their opponents’ half seemed to have paid off as enterprising Ogbuike’s inspirational cross to overlapping Taiwo from outside the 18-yard box caught the Moroccan defence napping for the curtain raiser.

The first half score stood at 1-0 in favour of the Nigerians. On resumption of the second stanza, the Nigerians became more daring and raided their opponents’ territory at will, but in most cases the Moroccans had the Uruguayan referee at their rescue.

As pressure continued to mount on the Moroccan team, Nigerian wonder kid, Mikel Obi’s corner kick in the 55th minute was headed in by Dele Adeleye, but his effort hit the upright and bounced into play.

Fifteen minutes later, danger struck as Mikel Obi’s corner kick was perfectly headed in by Olubayo Adefemi, who before now was the tormentor-in-chief with his crisp and deft touches in front of the Moroccan back line.

Chinedu Ogbuike, however, completed the routing of the Moroccans when he converted a half chance to record Nigeria’s third goal during a goal-mouth melee.

Flying Eagles will now confront Argentina on Saturday for the final match billed for Utrecht, Holland by 7.00 p.m. local time.

Posted by Publisher at 02:14 PM | Comments (0)

Okorie accuses INEC chairman of partisanship in APGA crisis

National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chekwas Okorie, has accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu, of displaying partisan interest in the crisis rocking the party.

By Chuks Ehirim
Senior Correspondent, Abuja

Speaking at a press conference at the party’s National Secretariat, Gwarimpa, Abuja on Tuesday, Okorie said “Iwu must clear himself immediately of partisanship and bias by coming out to clear the air on what INEC has powers to do and what it does not have powers to do”.

“We demand a statement from INEC within a week, otherwise we will have no alternative than to regard INEC as an opponent in the matter,” he said.

Okorie, was reacting officially for the first time, to the yet to be made public decision of the INEC board to accord recognition to the party’s faction led by its former National Treasurer, Victor Umeh.

He narrated how during his team’s courtesy visit to Iwu, the INEC chairman tried to foist a reconciliation between him and Umeh, adding: “He told me three times during our brief discussion, that I should go and reconcile with Umeh or the commission would take a decision on the APGA crisis.”

He also pointed out how Umeh had vaunted in a newspaper interview last Sunday, that he was awaiting INEC’s verdict that would uphold him as the party’s national chairman.

Okorie also alleged that Chris Uba, as well as the governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani are the financiers of the crisis in APGA.

He added: “I also wish to say that the hand of the Ubas is clearly very visible in the APGA crisis now. Chris Uba had said that “for refusing to cooperate with them, he has released two mobile men to protect Umeh.”

“We are also aware that a governor from the South-East is neck deep into funding these dissidents who are destabilising the party.”

Okorie alleged that Umeh has been allocated a choice land at Enugu, and he is building a mansion that is going up day and night, “for starting this cleavage in APGA.”

He stated that APGA will never succumb to intimidation or intrigues aimed at destroying the party. It was gathered that the APGA leadership has concluded plans to take INEC to court over the issue.

Posted by Publisher at 02:13 PM | Comments (0)

Arewa rejects 17%, insists on 13% derivation — Protest rally in Delta

KADUNA– THE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is demanding the rejection, by all Nigerians, any increase in the 13 per cent derivation for the oil producing states. The group sees no need for the 17 per cent approved by the National Political Reform Conference or the 50 per cent over the next five years demanded by the South-South.

By Emeka Mamah & Austin Ogwuda
Posted to the Web: Wednesday, June 29, 2005

But youths, women and pressure groups in the South-South yesterday staged a rally in Asaba to drive home the zone’s demand for 50 per cent derivation, and to charge delegates from the area not to compromise on the issue.

The ACF in a statement in Kaduna dismissed the South-South’s position as a calculated attempt to undermine the smooth growth and development of other states, and to cause disharmony in the country.

Publicity Secretary of ACF, Alhaji Aliyu Hayatu, who signed the statement said the South-South demand for 50 per cent derivation was unwarranted, an act of blackmail, adding that the upward review of the 13 per cent derivation currently enjoyed by the oil producing areas to 17 per cent by the confab amounted to “excessive generosity that is unjustified. This is a demand that must be rejected,” the ACF said, maintaining that the 13 per cent derivation being given to the oil producing states was reasonable and sufficient compensation for addressing the environmental problems there.

According to the ACF, a judicious use of the 13 per cent is what is required to tackle the problems of the oil producing states, assuring that the forum was opposed to re-opening the issue of derivation when the national confab resumes deliberations. He said if the issue of derivation must be revisited, it should be with a view to reverting to the 17 per cent earlier conceded to the South-South to 13 per cent. “In the interest of national unity, ACF will not insist on the re-opening of this (derivation) or indeed any other issue already decided upon by the reform conference.“In such assemblage, decisions would be taken after most rigorous thought and analysis and in consideration of factors most conducive to national unity and progress,” the ACF said.

Protest in Asaba

However, a cross section of Deltans made up of youths, women, students and grassroots groups yesterday held a rally in Asaba with a charge to South-South delegates not to compromise the Niger Delta stand on 50 per cent derivation, and warned that any attempt by any section of the country to malign the people of Niger Delta would be resisted.

The protesters also charged the South-South delegates to continue to walk out of the conference if other zones insisting “on not giving 50 per cent derivation so that we will not be part of the final decision reached at the Confab to enable us seek for self determination.”

The rally, which was chaired by the Chief of Staff, Government House Asaba, Prof. G.G. Darah, was marked with solidarity songs, while various group leaders spoke extensively one after the other.

Delta State Chapter Chairman of the Niger Delta Youth Movement, Mr. Stephen Youyah, at the rally said: “I am here this morning on behalf of the youths of Delta State to vehemently protest the pittance called 17 per cent derivation firmly held onto by the representatives of the North at the on-going National Political Reform Conference holding at Abuja.

“On Sunday, June 26, 2005, a meeting of the national body of the Niger Delta Youth Movement was held in Port Harcourt and in fierce reaction to wicked and selfish vituperation of the North, it was resolved that a very stern warning should go to all oil companies in Delta State to get ready to get out of Delta State if the 25 per cent derivation demand is not supported by the people of the North.”

At the end of the rally, an 11-point communique was issued, which reads in part: “After an exhaustive deliberation on the state of the nation following abrupt end of the National Political Reform Conference, the following decisions were reached:

* That we are asking our delegates not to compromise the Niger Delta stand on 50 per cent derivation principle
* A declaration supporting the Delta State/South-South delegates on their position at the conference.
*That the Nigerian state must return to the practice of true federalism as it were in the First Republic before oil and gas of the Niger Delta became the mainstay of the nation economy
* That we insist on 50 per cent derivation principle
* That no resource control, no Nigeria
* That our delegates should always walk out of the conference if other zones insist on not giving 50 per cent derivation so that we will not be part of the final decision reached at the Confab to enable us seek for self determination.
* We warn all presidential aspirants of Northern extraction never to come to Delta State for any form of political campaign, presidency come 2007 belongs to South-South.

Posted by Publisher at 02:10 PM | Comments (0)

Nigeria’s oil to dry up in 38 years - Survey

Nigeria’s proven hydrocarbon (oil) reserves currently estimated to be in the region of 31 billion barrels is to dry up in the next 38 years, that is, by the year 2043, a global survey has shown.

By Ahmed I. Shekarau

Oil is currently the backbone of the Nigerian economy, accounting for 90 percent of total foreign exchange revenue. With the recent general increase for all member countries above the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries’(OPEC), daily crude production quota, the country now produces 2.71million barrels per day (bpd) and exports same for sale at the international oil market.
OPEC’s total production quota was 28 million bpd before it was recently jerked up to 32mbpd as a result of fluctuations in oil prices now hovering around the 60 dollar mark.
However, a recent statistical review of world energy conducted by British Petroleum (BP) and published in the latest edition of The Economist magazine, showed that Nigeria’s oil reserves will dry up in the next 38 years.
This survey is coming on the heels of acrimony over the sharing of oil revenue, with the ‘resource control’ polarizing delegates to the ongoing national political reform conference (NPRC), and bringing deliberations at the conference to a halt.
The BP survey examined crude production in 23 world major oil producing nations made up of OPEC and non-OPEC member countries. The study showed that the world’s proven oil reserves stands at just under1.19 trillion, with over 60 percent of it in the Middle East while Saudi Arabia holds sway with over 262.7 billion barrels of oil or 22 percent of the proven reserves, which is by far the biggest share held by one country.
But at its 2004 rate of production, the report said Saudi Arabia will exhaust its reserves before Iran, which came a distant second with 132.5 billion barrels. While Saudi’s oil wells are estimated to dry up in the next 68 years, precisely by 2073, Iran’s reserve will dry up in 89 years to come, that is by the year 2094.
Iraq which has almost 10 percent of proven world oil reserves, averaging about 120 billion barrels will run out of oil in over 100 years from now.
Like the oil wells in Iraq, those in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), both in the Middle East and OPEC member countries are expected to dry up in over 100 years. Kuwait and UAE have about eight percent of global proven crude reserves each. Each has about 100 billion barrels.
Outside the Middle East, Venezuela and Russia are rated sixth and seventh respectively in the global oil reserves ranking with about 80 and 70 billion barrels respectively.
Other countries whose reserves were reviewed and ranked in the order of the quantum of their proven crude reserves are Kazakhstan, Libya, Nigeria, United States, China, Canada, Qatar, Mexico and Algeria.

Posted by Publisher at 02:09 PM | Comments (0)

NPA Raises Alarm over Illegal Activities at Jetties

Nigerian Ports Authority has raised alarm over the activities of private jetties in the western and eastern zones of the NPA, alleging that oil and gas cargo are being discharged overside from main ports to these jetties.

06.29.2005

Managing Director of the NPA, Mr Babatunde Sarumi, who made these allegations also disowned claims by some private operators that their jetties have been declared free zone areas to handle oil and gas cargo and equipment.
The disclaimer is coming on the heels of assertions made recently by some operators that they now have authority to handle oil and gas cargo.
In a memo to all shipping companies, port users, oil producing and service companies and port managers in the Western Zone of the NPA, Sarumi said NPA’s attention has been drawn to "spurious claims by some operators of private jetties in and around Lagos/Tin Can Island Pilotage Districts, that their jetties have been declared free zone areas to handle oil and gas cargo and equipment, such cargoes are being discharged overside from main ports and transferred to their jetties.”
In the memo dated June 6, ref no HO/MD/13/M/CORRES/Vol.xx/0293, Sarumi said "there is absolutely no truth in this claim, as no company has obtained any authority whether from Nigerian Ports Authority or Department of Customs and Excise, to operate oil and gas free zone outside the designated ports of Apapa and Tin Can Island.
“Consequently, all port managers are by this notice directed to ensure no cargo is discharged overside into lighters and barges for eventual discharge in any private jetty, inclusive of Nigerdock ship repair yard at Snake Island."
To further clarify his directive, Sarumi, in the memo, said "the only exception to the above rule for now is cargo discharged midstream from Baco Liners, which must be discharged only at Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Phase One. A similar memo to the Eastern Zone of the NPA dated June 15, was similarly worded, except that where Nigerdock was mentioned, the memo named Saipem Constr-uction, Wilbros, Neptune Maritime, Dredging Interna-tional Services, Tidex Jetty, Shell Slot among others.

The Eastern Zone memo also exempted midstream discharge from Baco Liners, as is the case in the Lagos area, but which must be discharged only at Onne Ports Complex and Warri Ports Complex for the Eastern zone.
Attached to both memos was a list of private jetties around the Western and Eastern zone ports.

Posted by Publisher at 02:08 PM | Comments (0)

2007: How to Ensure Credible Polls, By Atiku

Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday said the nation would record credible polls when contestants share a basic understanding that electoral rules must be followed.

From Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja, 06.29.2005

Atiku, who made this submission as the Special Guest of Honour at the public hearing by Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission on Electoral Reform Bill 2005 listed other measures that must be put in place so democracy will not be imperilled.
This he said, include fair rules; credibility and impartiality of the umpire; rules about campaign finance; access of parties to the mass media, security and election monitoring, among others.
According to him, electoral reform "is very dear to my heart. I believe that it is also very dear to the heart of most Nigerians because it is very fundamental to the survival of our young democracy.
“The electoral system is very central to the very notion, and practice, of democracy. Where that system is flawed, but not quickly rectified, democracy itself will be imperilled."
"A country's electoral system may simply be seen as a set of rules and procedures that guide the selection of the country's leaders. These are other supportive practices that help to make the administration of the rules easy, such as publicising those rules and educating the contestants, the electors and umpires on the rules and their expected behaviour.
"But the rules have to be right, which means that they have to be fair and cover most of the foreseen circumstances that might lead to flaws. They have to be followed, and they have to be enforced. And there should be severe sanctions when those rules are breached. These would ensure the credibility of the entire electoral process and of democracy itself.
Above all, there has to be some basic understanding among the contestants that the rules must be followed.
"The Senate President (Senator Ken Nnamani) raised the issue of political thugs (in his keynote address). Who are behind these thugs? Are they above the law? Certainly not," he said.
Atiku, whose delivery attracted ovations particularly from members of the civil societies, who stormed the event in large numbers, noted that "the conduct of any contest depends on the credibility and impartiality of the umpire.
Who is the umpire? INEC. The mere fact that there is a perception of belonging to one group or the other would create credibility problem. An umpire that is seen, rightly or wrongly, to be taking sides in the contest undermines the entire process.
"It is, therefore, important that the Independent Electoral Commission be truly independent and its capacity to conduct impartial elections strongly enhanced. How independent the INEC becomes will depend on, among other things, the source of its powers, its source of funding, the process of selection of its leaders, their term and how secure their tenures are.
"It also includes the degree to which its leaders and staff are professionally trained to carry out their duties. Legislation that is intended to ensure independence and impartiality of INEC must address these issues. The tenures of INEC commissioners should extend by a year or two with incumbent governments that nominated them so that they don't come under the fear of removal from office.
"For elections to be credible, rules and procedures regarding polling, counting of votes and collation and reporting of results must be clear, transparent and fair. They must not be designed to give advantage to one of the parties in the electoral contest.
"We must have a new electoral law in place in good time certainly before the end of the year. It is, therefore, important that arrangements about these be made early and that all parties endorsed them."
Atiku raised a numbr of posers.
"Would we not have more transparency if there are representatives of each of the contestants at every stage of the process who have to certify that what transpired was fair and truly reflected the desires of the voters? For example should the representatives of parties as well as impartial observers not be present during voting, counting and collation and tabulation of results of the polls and certify the outcomes?
"The rules in themselves will make little difference in our electoral system unless they are strictly enforced. It is, therefore, important to strengthen the INEC and other regulatory agencies to enable them to enforce the rules guiding elections in this country.
"Rules about campaign finance, access of parties to the mass media, security and election monitoring must be publicised widely and also enforced. Election tribunals have an important role to play as well. We must ensure that all election disputes are resolved promptly, and prior to the date of assumption of office of the eventual winner. Can you imagine that July 1, we would have verdict on our election conducted two years ago?
"It may be necessary to designate certain special enforcement organs to enforce and oversee some of these rules, including rules about conflict of interest. Could rules about access to the media, for instance, be entrusted to the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission or a similar agency and body? Whichever organs you decide they too have to be truly independent and impartial. You may want to look at other jurisdictions, such as mature democracies, to see how they handle this and any of these other matters.
"Security is a critical factor in elections. It is important that elections take place in a safe, secure atmosphere, free of intimidation, coercion and illegal inducement. Therefore, the police must be specially trained to secure the election, ensure the secrecy of the ballot and prevent violence, intimidation and manipulation," he said.
Commenting on money and politics, Atiku noted that "there is no doubt that money is vital for electoral contests. But it can also be a very corrupting influence. Therefore, legislation to reform our electoral system must address the issue of how money is raised, by whom and how it is used."
"The use of government facilities and government time for fund-raising for partisan political purposes must be outlawed. These include buildings, vehicles and aircraft. It is also important to enforce rules against using government resources by those who occupy official positions or those who hope to occupy those positions, to induce people to contribute money for partisan political purposes.
"There should also be strict limits to the amount of money parties and individual candidates should spend during elections. And we should place limits to the amount of money an individual or corporate body can contribute to candidates or parties.
"It is for you legislators to flesh these out but I urge you to look beyond your immediate positions and think of the greater good of our democracy and our country. You have the chance to make a difference. Grab it with both hands now.”
The vice president also lifted the role of civil society.
"Civil society organisations have played a significant role in the struggle for democracy, human rights, equity, transparency and electoral reform in Nigeria.
“I believe that they continue to have important roles to play in the electoral reform in our country. These include mobilisation and voter education, acting as observers during all the stages of the electoral process, mediation and conflict resolution and support for security agencies or political groups in reducing tensions during campaigns and elections.
"We can not make significant progress towards electoral reform if our citizens themselves are not educated about these and encouraged to participate actively in the electoral process.
"All the laws in the world would not make a difference in our electoral practices and their credibility if there is no basic agreement among politicians on the need, and strong commitment, to play by the rules whether one is winning or losing. So, politicians themselves must be committed to electoral reform for us to go a good distance with it. The current administration is committed to this reform effort.
"Let us not fool ourselves; we cannot continue along the current path and hope to build a strong, credible and enduring democratic order in Nigeria. If we try to do so we risk increased public cynicism and the possibility that our people will increasingly shun elections, having reached the conclusion that they make no difference. That will be bad for us as politicians and bad for Nigeria’s democracy.
"As political leaders we must come to a common understanding that the rules of the game have to be transparent and fair and commit ourselves to practices that conform to those rules. In fact it should even go beyond following the rules. We must demonstrate higher moral and ethical standards than the rules specify. We lack credibility and principles when we rig elections and then complain of rigging just because the other contestants rigged more successfully.
"We must also realise that an electoral contest must produce a winner. We, therefore, need to know when to pick up the telephone and call the winner to say congratulations. Even if aggrieved in some way we can do it for the sake of our democracy and our country.
“The time for us do the right thing is now. Any further delay will likely be judged very harshly by history," he added.
In his keynote address, entitled as "Free and Fair Election; the Backbone of Democracy in Nigeria," Nnamani expressed disgust "about the issue of electoral violence. Many politicians rely on thugs to either coerce votes from the people or kill their opponents. Use of thugs to win elections should be highly criminalised and culprits disqualified from either present/or future elections.
"Thuggery," Nnamani said, "destroys the legitimacy of democracy as well as renders these young people who are employed as thugs to a life of brutishness. In order to make sanction against political violence effective, we must trace any act of electoral violence to the politicians who sponsor the act. Politicians who sponsor violence to rig election are entrepreneurs who do their cost-benefit analysis."
"As long as it pays to sponsor violence, they will continue to engage in their illicit business. This gathering should discuss how we can trace the political entrepreneur who sponsors electoral violence. We can borrow from football where the home team is penalised for the violence of the home crowd.
Electoral officers and security personnel involved in electoral violence must be severely punished as deterrence to other officials."
He also canvassed that the electoral reforms must halt the situation that gives room to individuals to take credit for the election of public officials. He said when individuals arrogate to themselves the role of putting certain persons in office, then it means the entire votes cast did not count but individuals count.
"We want to discourage the idea of people writing election results in their bedrooms. We must find a way where people will organise debates for contestants.
Instead of thuggery, we should use debating system.
"It is unfortunate that two years after the 2003 elections, several election petitions are still before the courts. We must put an end to litigation so that properly elected officers can govern without fear of distractions. In order to deal with this problem, the rules of election petition should be enacted by the Court of Appeal Justices who has sufficient expertise in procedural matters.
"We should also consider mandating that elections be concluded 4-6 months before swearing in, so that there will be enough time to litigate electoral disputes before anyone is sworn into political office. This worked for us in the past," the Senate President said.
The Senate Committee on INEC chairman, Senator David Cobbina Brigidi (PDP, Bayelsa) noted that the success of democracy depends on the ability of INEC to conduct a free and fair election.
Present at the occasion were former President of the Senate, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, who was the chairman of the occasion; INEC chairman, Professor Morris Iwu; the Electoral Reform Network chairman, Olawale Fapohunda; among other notable Nigerians.

Posted by Publisher at 02:06 PM | Comments (0)

Nigeria seeks big debt write-off

Nigeria is seeking to have its massive international debts sharply reduced. Nigeria objects to paying back money its people never received.

By Martin Plaut
BBC News reporter

The country owes the rest of the world $35bn, and is currently in negotiations with its creditors.

Part of Nigeria's case is that most of the money was lent to corrupt military dictators, as the foreign banks and governments well knew.

The present government therefore argues it should not have to pay them back.

The Paris Club of creditor nations will be meeting on Wednesday to look at Nigeria's debts for the second time this month.

Nigeria is offering to pay back just thirty cents in every dollar, and there are no doubt tough negotiations ahead.

The meeting comes as London-based oil analysts say rising oil prices have meant a sharp increase in Nigeria's income.

One key question is how the debts were run up.

'Victims twice'

Mr Ribadu, head of Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, told the BBC that the country had received around $400bn in Western aid and loans since independence in 1960.

And most of it was squandered.

Mr Ribadu estimated that around $50bn had been illegally taken abroad by corrupt military dictators.

"It is not right that Nigeria should be asked to pay for the corruption of the past. We were victims and should not be made victims again," he said.

The Nigerian authorities are working hard to get that stolen money back, and have so far recovered around $1bn.

Oil income rise

But Mr Ribadu's Commission is not just interested in foreign cash salted away abroad.

It is also trying to end Nigerian-based fraud. This often takes the form of emails offering huge rewards to foreigners, in return for a few thousand dollars to have the money released.

Mr Ribadu says he is having some success in this area, and has returned around $700m to foreigners, with one woman in Hong Kong receiving back $5m in the past two weeks.

But Nigeria has a terrible reputation as one of the most corrupt countries on earth. Ending this will be an uphill struggle.

Nigeria's debt negotiations come as London-based oil analysts say they estimate that the rising price of oil to around $60 a barrel has meant sharply increased income for Nigeria.

Analysts from Energy Intelligence say Nigeria received an additional $2.7bn for its sales of crude oil in the first six months of this year.

They say this initial calculation only reflects sales from oil owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. It does not include royalties and taxes from multinational oil companies.

Posted by Publisher at 02:02 PM | Comments (0)

SA's Zuma in court for corruption; Mr Zuma denies any wrongdoing

South African former Deputy President Jacob Zuma has been released on bail after appearing briefly in court on corruption charges.

Mr Zuma was sacked by President Thabo Mbeki two weeks ago after being implicated in a bribery scandal involving a French arms manufacturer.

The two charges relate to an alleged bribe Mr Zuma was given to facilitate part of a multi-billion dollar deal.

Mr Zuma has said he is innocent and welcomed his chance to clear his name.

Mr Zuma appeared briefly in the Durban Magistrate's Court and was released on R1,000 ($150) bail.

The case was postponed until 11 October, after prosecution lawyers asked for more time for their investigations.

Bail was granted on condition that witnesses "are not to be interfered with directly or indirectly", but Mr Zuma will still be allowed to travel outside South Africa while on bail.

Mr Zuma made his way through a crowd of several hundred supporters on his way to court.

More of his supporters packed the courtroom, some of them shouting "down with Mbeki".

'Corrupt relationship'

Mr Zuma remains one of South Africa's most popular politicians, and his supporters see his sacking by President Mbeki as part of a conspiracy.

The charges were made following the finding by a judge in the Durban High Court that there was a "generally corrupt relationship" between Mr Zuma and his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik.

Shaik's trial prompted a new inquiry into Mr Zuma's conduct

Mr Shaik was convicted of fraud and corruption by the judge earlier this month and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Mr Zuma says he was effectively tried by the media during Mr Shaik's trial.

Mr Zuma's lawyers will argue in court that his position has been prejudiced because he was not tried at the same time as Mr Shaik.

President Mbeki was widely praised for sacking his deputy and taking a strong line against alleged corruption.

But any evidence that comes out during Mr Zuma's trial could embarrass the government and possibly implicate other politicians from the ruling ANC party in the corruption scandal.

Posted by Publisher at 01:59 PM | Comments (0)

Dual carriageways for North East -FG

The federal government yesterday in Abuja announced plans to undertake the construction of dual carriageways in the North Eastern geo-political zone.

Works Minister Adeseye Ogunlewe, who made this known at a monthly meeting with contractors handling government projects, said it was disheartening that the entire area had no dual carriageways.

“I never knew that such roads do not exist in the North East until I recently returned from a tour of the area,’’ he said.

He said the roads would be constructed before 2007.

“I now understand and appreciate their agitation for more federal roads in the area. We cannot afford to disappoint them so that we win their confidence that government cares for all its citizens,’’ he said.

He warned Dekit Nigeria Ltd and Sincon Construction Company, the two companies handling the Yola-Mubi-Miha and the Gombe-Biu roads respectfully, that their contracts would be taken from them if they are no improvements by the end of July.

Ogunlewe, who received reports from the engineer supervising the two projects, was told that the contractors had not been on site since the beginning of the year.

The minister, who was angry with the two contractors, directed the minister of state for works to embark on a tour of the two roads next week to ascertain whether they would be retained.

Ogunlewe warned the indigenous contractors “not to betray the confidence government reposed in them’’, adding that they need to show that they are capable of handling the projects.

He said that a meeting would soon be called to see how “competent big time contractors” could be engaged to handle road projects in the North East geo-political area.

Posted by Publisher at 01:58 PM | Comments (0)

Electoral Act: INEC wants to appoint own secretary

The appointment of the Secretary of the INEC should henceforth be the sole responsibility of the commission, a national Commissioner, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, has said.

Abubakar stated this yesterday while presenting an overview of the draft Electoral Bill, 2005, at a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on INEC.

The national commissioner, who is in charge of legal affairs said that the public had condemned the commission for allowing its secretary to be appointed by the president.

“The secretary of the commission is appointed by the president from among serving Permanent Secretaries in the country,’’ he said.

He added that“It is the view of the public that this will not augur well for the independence of the commission as it will amount to double loyalty’’.

He said that in the new electoral bill, the commission had introduced a provision that would make the appointment of the secretary its sole responsibility.

The commissioner, however, said that the composition of INEC and the mode of appointment of its commissioners, were constitutional issues, which could only be dealt with by the constitution.

Abubakar said that for the 2007 elections, INEC would take charge of voter and civic education as it was in a better position to educate the public about their rights and duties during the election.

Voter and Civic education had been the responsibility of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in the past.

The commissioner further said that INEC had included in the bill, for the first time, ceilings on the amount of money to be used by a candidate for campaigns and the amount to be donated by individuals and corporate organisations to political parties.

In a presentation, the Country Director of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Mr. Mark Clark, advised INEC to release the time-table for the 2007 elections, at least five months before the elections.

“It is important for everyone to be aware of the election time-table and schedule,’’ he said.

He pledged that the institute would work closely with civil society groups in the country to ensure the success of the 2007 elections.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), urged the National Assembly to ensure that the new bill which would be put in place would be enforceable.

He noted that the 2002 Electoral Act was characterised by so many defects.

Posted by Publisher at 01:31 PM | Comments (0)

June 28, 2005

U.S. resumes secret missions, opens talks with Iraqi's insurgents

TWO years after the United States (U.S.) led coalition forces to invade Iraq over its alleged production of weapons of mass destruction, Washington has begun the manufacture of even more devastating substances to power devices for its secret missions.

One of such highly radioactive substances, which is receiving premium in President George W. Bush defence policy, is plutonium 238. America is resuming its production, which was stopped after the Cold War in the 1980s. U.S officials, who admitted the take-off of the project, said it was strictly for national security.

The programme, according to reports could cost as much as N210 billion ($1.5billion). Sources disclosed that the plutonium 238 would be used by Washington to power devices for espionage under the sea and on land.

While the Defence Department is strengthening its arsenal, its officials are reportedly holding secret meetings with Iraqi insurgents to get their support for the new administration in Baghdad.

The New York Times reported the project managers yesterday as saying most, if not all, of the new plutonium was intended for secret missions. The officials would not disclose details, but the newspaper said the plutonium in the past powered espionage devices.

The Times said Timothy Frazier, head of radioisotope power systems at the U.S. Energy Department, vigorously denied in a recent interview any of the classified missions would involve nuclear arms, satellites or weapons in space.

"The real reason we are starting production is for national security," Frazier was quoted as saying.

Officials at the Energy Department could not be reached for comment.

The programme, which the newspaper said had raised concerns among environmentalists, would produce 330 pounds (150 kg) over 30 years at the Idaho National Laboratory. The programme could cost N210 billion ($1.5 billion) and generate over 50,000 drums of hazardous and radioactive waste, federal officials told The Times.

Plutonium 238 is hundreds of times more radioactive than plutonium 239, which is used in nuclear arms, according to the newspaper. Medical experts say inhaling even a speck posed a serious risk of lung cancer, The Times said.

The newspaper said plutonium 238 had no central role in nuclear arms, but was valued for its steady heat that could be turned into electricity. Nuclear batteries made from it power spacecraft to go where sunlight is too dim to energise solar cells.

Federal and private experts not connected to the project were quoted as saying the new plutonium would likely power devices for espionage under the sea and on land.

The U.S. last made plutonium 238 in the 1980s and now relies on ageing stockpiles or imports from Russia, the newspaper said. It added that under the agreement with Russia, America could not use the imports -- about 35 pounds (16 kg) since the end of the Cold War -- for military purposes.

Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld on Sunday acknowledged that U.S. officials met with insurgents in Iraq, after a British newspaper reported two such meetings took place recently at a villa north of Baghdad.

Insurgent commanders "apparently came face to face" with four American officials during meetings on June 3 and June 13 at a villa near Balad, some 25 miles north of Baghdad, The Sunday Times reported.

When asked on NBC's "Meet the Press" about the report of the two meetings, Rumsfeld said: "Oh, I would doubt it. I think there have probably been many more than that."

Three militant groups distanced themselves from the reports, denying that they had never negotiated with U.S. or Iraqi officials to end the insurgency.

In statements on Web sites, Al-Qaeda in Iraq and the Ansar al-Sunnah Army said their fight was not only about ending the occupation in Iraq, but about upholding their religion.

Rumsfeld insisted the talks did not involve negotiations with Iraq's most-wanted terrorist, Jordanian-born Abu Musab al-Zarqawi who heads al-Qaeda in Iraq, but were rather facilitating efforts by the Shiite-led government to reach out to minority Sunni Arabs, who are believed to be the driving force behind the insurgency.

"We see the government of Iraq as sovereign. They are the ones that are reaching out to the people who are not supporting the government," Rumsfeld said from Washington.

Ansar al-Sunnah Army said that even when the Americans leave, their associates in the Iraqi government would remain in the country and would be targeted.

The top U.S. commander in the Persian Gulf, Gen. John Abizaid, said American officers and diplomats "have been talking with a broad range of people from the Sunni Arab community, some of whom obviously have some links to the insurgency."

"The Sunnis need to be part of the political future," Abizaid, also in Washington, told CBS's "Face the Nation." "This doesn't mean that we are talking to people like Zarqawi or people that are linked up with his organisation."

The Sunday Times report, which quoted unidentified Iraqis whose groups were purportedly involved in the meetings, said the insurgents at the first meeting included the Ansar al-Sunnah Army, which claimed responsibility for suicide bombings in Iraq and a Christmas attack that killed 22 people in the dining hall of a U.S. base at Mosul.

But in its Internet statement, the group said that it had not meet with any "crusader or renegade" and said that jihad, "holy war," was the only way to retrieve the "grace and dignity" of the Moslem nation.

Two other groups mentioned were Mohammed's Army and the Islamic Army in Iraq, which in August reportedly killed the Italian journalist Enzo Baldoni, the newspaper said. The Islamic Army denied any meeting with U.S. officials, saying on a Web site that "lies" were spread to cause division and sedition among the fighters.

Posted by Publisher at 03:44 PM | Comments (0)

PDP probes Akwa-Ibom impeachment

ABUJA— THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday inaugurated an eight-man Special Committee, headed by Chairman of the party's Board of Trustees (BOT), Chief Tony Anenih, to examine in details the allegations and process that led to the impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Chris Ekpeyong, Thursday, last week.

By Sufuyan Ojeifo & Chris Ochayi
Posted to the Web: Tuesday, June 28, 2005

National Chairman of the party, Ahmadu Ali, who inaugurated the committee, said the impeachment saga was a test of the party’s will.

The committee has the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Bello Masari; Senate Leader, Senator Dalhatu Tafida; Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Bode George; National Secretary, Chief Ojo Maduekwe; BOT Secretary, Professor Jerry Gana; a BOT member, Alhaji Mohammed Wazari and National Legal Adviser, Mr Kabir Jibrin as members. It was given seven days to conclude the assignment and submit its report.

Ali said at the inauguration that the political crisis in Akwa Ibom State, which led to the impeachment of Obong Ekpeyong by the state House of Assembly had generated considerable national interest and tension within the state.

He said: "PDP in principle is not opposed to the exercise by any legislature of its constitutional obligation even where such obligations include the impeachment clause that already exists in the constitution. However, it would be irresponsible on our part as leaders if we fold our hands and allow a hasty resort to the provisions on impeachment in the constitution, moreso if there is manifest irregularities in the process.

"Although our legislators are entitled to their autonomy and independence under the constitution, the political party which provided the platform for them to be elected in the first place has not only moral, but also a political and constitutional responsibility to ensure that our members in the legislature respect basic constitutional rights such as fair hearing, and due process. The Akwa Ibom crisis is a test of our political will as a new PDP to ensure discipline amongst our members," he said.

Posted by Publisher at 03:44 PM | Comments (0)

South-south: Derivation, 6-year Tenure Not Related; South-west settles for 25%

Delegates of the South-south geo-political zone to the National Political Reform Conference (NPRC) have said that there exists no link whatsoever between the zone's campaign for resource control and ownership and fiscal federalism and the quest for a single tenure of six years perceived to have the support of the presidency.

From Paul Ibe in Abuja and Ademola Adeyemo in Ibadan, 06.28.2005

The South-west yesterday directed it delegates to support the South-south quest for 25% derivation.
The South-south, South-east and some South-west delegates had walked out of the conference June 14 with the South-south delegation citing irregularities in the adoption of the report of the Prof. Joe Irukwu-led Committee of Leaders on the 17 per cent derivation for its action, while South-east delegates had queried the procedure in calling for a motion on the tenure of president and governors.
Ever since that walk out, the prospect of a third term for President Olusegun Obasanjo has preoccupied the minds of the delegates to the conference. The quest for a single tenure of six years, largely championed by the South-east delegation, is perceived, especially among Northern delegates, to be a ploy to give Obasanjo a third term tenure. It was this fear more than any other factor that led to the latest postponement of conference to July 11.
But Mr. Oronto Douglas, a Bayelsa State delegate and Commissioner for Information and Strategy speaking on behalf of the South-south Delegates Forum yesterday said that the zone's "legitimate struggle for resource control and ownership and enhanced derivation" should not be misconstrued for the alleged self-succession bid.
"We must be careful and vigilant not to confuse (the South-south's) struggle for (their) collective survival as a people, as a country and as a continent with the alleged self-succession agenda of unnamed individuals," Douglas, a member of the Media Sub-Committee of the South-south Delegates Forum said.
He said that there appears to be a plot to use the so-called six-year self-succession campaign to "drown the South-south's peaceful agitation for self-determination and true federalism."
Douglas, the author of the only minority report at the conference, said that the campaign demand of the zone for improvement of the lives of the people of the area and its environment is not tied to any selfish agenda of a few, but is aimed at promoting and preserving the nation's nascent democracy.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the historic campaign for economic, political and environmental justice elsewhere and in the conference is not one intended to support individual or other sinister agenda of self or group perpetuation in office, but one designed to promote and protect our emerging democracy," he said.
The lawyer and environmental rights activist, who was on the legal team that defended hanged activist and writer, Ken Saro-Wiwa, said that the South-south is convinced that other zones like it came to the national conference in good faith and to promote national harmony, integration and cohesion for the good of all.
"It is clear to us that the people of the South-east and South-south, for example, came to the confab with very clear agenda of contributing to the debate for a better and more equitable Nigeria that will do justice to the present and the future.
"We also believe that a mass majority of our people in the North and in the South-west are absolutely committed to the institutionalisation of the principles and pillars through which a Nigeria free from poverty, illiteracy, and social and economic justice would become a thing of the past," he said.
He regretted that "elevated and hallowed principles" of the debate are being "debased" by likening South-south's genuine aspiration for justice to what he described as a "follow-follow mentality of an alleged self-perpetuation."
He warned that Nigeria, which hitherto provided political and economic stability to the sub-region, may by its action or inaction compromise the security and stability of the sub-region.
"There is a great danger that if we are not careful that the stabiliser may become the destabiliser. Nigeria as a country has been the stabiliser of the West Africa providing the sub-region with economic and political security as exemplified in the ECOMOG (Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group) and all other such initiatives in other parts of the continent," he said.
He said that as a matter of priority, the nation's policy makers must never "play game with the survival and security of the Niger Delta," the "engine room of Nigeria."
Douglas pointed out that all campaigns for self-succession, as exemplified in Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe's call for an additional two years to President Obasanjo to kick-start the six-year single tenure, must be pursued separately from the campaigns of the South-south.
"Those who want to succeed themselves or impose a six-year tenure on Nigeria and Nigerians must ensure that they do their campaign separately from our campaign for survival as a people, as exemplified in our peaceful campaign for resource control, federalism and political justice to all peoples in Nigeria," he said.
According to him the national conference is "not a market place to buy and sell second hand goods as is the case in the popular Jankara Market in Lagos."
He noted that the conference, as was charged by President Obasanjo during its inauguration is to "redesign with a view to strengthening the political, social and economic stability of the polity."
He assured that the South-south zone and its peoples remain "irrevocably committed to that presidential charge to offer our nation, the pride of the Black race a new lease of life."
Meanwhile the South-west delegates were yesterday mandated to support the 25% percent derivation formula as demanded by the South-south. Besides, the delegates were also urged to influence the return of those who walked out of the plenary.
These were part of the resolutions arrived at during yesterday's parley in Ibadan between the delegates from the South-west and their state governors.
Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja who briefed the press after the meeting said the delegates did not come back empty handed as they have pushed through nine out of the 13-point agenda they were to pursue at the confab.
According to Ladoja, the only agenda yet to be pushed through were resource control, creation of states, and the six-year single term tenure which, he said, will be pursued when the conference plenary resumes.
On the present impasse Ladoja said that the problem was not so much about the adoption of 17% derivation but the procedure adopted by the leadership of the confab. "We believe that this can be corrected. Our delegates have the mandate to support 25% derivation formula. They were also told to influence those who boycotted the parley to come back
'' They were mandated to support any thing that will be in the interest of the Yoruba. Although we have our own agenda which we are pursuing with seriousness we also supported the efforts made so far by our delegates,' he said.'
Apart from Ladoja, Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola was also present while Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos were represented by their deputies.

Posted by Publisher at 03:43 PM | Comments (0)

Wabara, Osuji has case to answer – ICPC

INDEPENDENT Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday told an Abuja High Court that it has established a prima facie case against former Senate president, Adolphus Wabara, dismissed Education Minister, Prof. Fabian Osuji and five others standing trial for their roles in the N55 million bribe for budget scandal.

JOSEPH NWANKWO, Abuja

The commission also urged the court not to be intimidated by the statements by defence counsel to the effect that President Olusegun Obasanjo’s broadcast on the scam amounted to trial and conviction of the accused persons.

According to ICPC, "we urge the court to rise up to the challenge posed by this case by ensuring that the case is tried and heard on its merits certainly the ruling in this case will not be in the affirmative of the cartoon attached to their counter affidavit that said the court will always protect the looters of the nation’s treasury.

"We urge the court not to be intimidated by the statement of defence counsel that President Obasanjo’s broadcast has prejudiced the judge as he was said to have said that his heart was heavy and that his heart amounted to the heart of the nation. We urge the court not to be intimidated by thte statement as the defence are engaged in a psychological warfare," counsel to the ICPC, Emmanuel Oshe (SAN) said.

He further submitted that President Obasanjo’s broadcast and opinions expressed in both print and electronic media on the matter are not relevant as they cannot prevent trial of the accused persons, adding that the accused persons can sue the president for libel.

According to him: "Lord Denin in his book, The Due Process of Law at page 53 said that no professionally trained judge would be influenced by anything he read on the pages of newspapers or sees on the televisions My lord is an experienced judge and cannot be influenced. We urge the court to allow this case to be heard on its merit, allow the prosecution to give evidence and be cross examined, it would also afford the defence the opportunity to put up their defence," he stressed.

Oshe also argued that the President’s broadcast is neither a trial nor conviction of the asccused persons, adding that "the judiciary of this country has always had the courage to point out any act of illegality on the part of the executive whenever the need arises. The President’s broadcast cannot prejudice the mind of this court.

He further submitted that the proof of evidence has sufficiently linked the accused persons to the crime, noting that Prof. Osuji’s submission that he is a victim cannot hold water as he allegedly participated in the scam when he failed to report to the police the demand for gratification.

On submissions by defence counsel that counts 12, 13 and 14 of the charge are incurably bad as the word "corrupt" which is an essential ingredient was missing in the charge, he submitted that mere exclusion of the word "corrupt" in the charges does not nullify the charge, adding that inclusion of the word "gratification" in the charge is an ingredient which satisfies requirement of the law.

He averred that as "the word "gratification" is not a word of honour as "it is a derogatory term, the impression that gratification can be given honestly does not hold much water as gratification is gratification."

Praying the court to dismiss objections of the accused persons, Oshe maintained that the charges were not incurably bad as contended by the defence counsel.

Further hearing on the matter was adjourned to July 11 for defence counsel to reply on points of law.

Posted by Publisher at 03:42 PM | Comments (0)

PUBLIC ORDER ACT: Police will appeal against judgment - IGP

The Acting Inspector General of Police, Sunday Ehindero, has said the police will appeal against a federal high court judgment which declared the Public Order Act void.

By Banjamin Auta

Mr. Ehindero, who was speaking during a press conference in Abuja yesterday said that the police were not party to the decision of the court because they were not represented in the matter.
The police boss who was clarifying issues pertaining to the Public Order Act, cited section 45(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “Nothing in Section 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 of this constitution shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.”
(a) “in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or
(b) “for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom of other persons.”
A federal high court recently voided the Public Order Act which demands that Nigerians must obtain police permit before holding rallies.
The court which was presided over by Justice Chikere Anwily, declared the Act unconstitutional and in conflict with Section 40 of the 1999 constitution.
Justice Chikere further said that Section 40 of the 1999 constitution says “every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons and in particular, he may form or belong to any particular party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests.”
She also continued, “provided that the provisions of this section shall not derogate from the powers conferred by this constitution as the Independent National Electoral Commission with respect to political parties to which that commission does not accord recognition.”

Posted by Publisher at 03:40 PM | Comments (0)

APGA: INEC disowns Chekwas’ faction

THE Victor Umeh-led faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) yesterday scored a major victory in the battle for the soul of the party as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared it as the authentic APGA.

VINCENT EGUNYANGA, Abuja

But Chief Chekwas Okorie, the factional chairman of the party, vowed to challenge the decision, accusing the INEC of being ignorant of laws guiding party system and working towards heating up the system.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, INEC deputy press officer, David Enenga, hinged the commission’s decision on the recommendation of INEC’s Political Parties Committee led by Dr. Ishmael Jikiri Igbani.

According to him, having listened to both Umeh’s allegation and Okorie’s defence, the committee was reasonably convinced that the latter’s expulsion by the former’s faction was justified and followed due process.

Dr. Igbani whose committee handled the matter is INEC’s national commissioner in charge of political parties.

Reacting to the development, Okorie accused INEC of bias and far from the truth. "It is a travesty of justice and the saddest moment in Nigeria’s political history."

He told Daily Champion that the commission lacked the power to remove him as chairman. Instead, he said the constitution only confers such power on the party’s national convention. He argued that even if he was to be removed, his successor should be his deputy and not Sir Victor Umeh.

But in his own reaction, Umeh dismissed such argument, saying that Okorie was merely speaking as a drowning man.

According to him, "I sympathise with him, he is a dead man, I can only advise him to go home because he is finished."

Umeh, who until he became the acting national chairman, was the national treasurer of the APGA, told Daily Champion that INEC’s verdict has vindicated us. "It has proved that we did not just wake up and decided to expel Chekwas and few other former officers of the APGA."

By INEC’s decision, the chairman noted that it was now clear that the commission was going to make a difference in the conduct of 2007 election.

"The new INEC chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu, has shown that he is going to stand on the side of the truth," he said, adding, "by this, we can confidently expect a free and fair elections in 2007."

Crisis in the party blew open last December 15 when the Umeh-led faction announced the suspension of Chief Okorie. They accused him of embezzlement of party funds and involvement in anti-party activities.

Chekwas, supported by Mr. Maxi Okwu and Alhaji Hassan Bello, APGA national chairman (North and South), fired back and suspended Umeh, the secretary, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi and other officials.

Two weeks after, Umeh faction set up a committee to investigate the allegations against Okorie and Okwu. The committee at the end of its investigation, recommended the expulsion of Okorie, a decision that was immediately ratified by the faction.

But the master stroke came when last January, presidential flagbearer of the party in the 2003 election, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu pitched tent with Umeh and made a donation of N500,000 to the group.

He followed it up with a stakeholder conference held in Enugu on January 15, where he, alongside other chieftains of APGA confirmed the expulsion of Chief Okorie and mandated Umeh to pilot the affairs of the party in acting capacity.

Posted by Publisher at 03:11 PM | Comments (0)

Defunct Biafran police officers to get gratuities soon, says IG

ACTING Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Sunday Ehindero, has said that the delay in the payment of gratuities and pensions to the 1520 former policemen of the defunct Biafra was due to lack of proper records of their service and identification problems.

From Lawrence Njoku (Enugu)

Apparently responding to a petition at the weekend by the affected retired police officers in which they accused the police chief of "insensitivity to their plight," five years after President Olusegun Obasanjo approved the payment, Ehindero said the Force still required more details from the affected officers.

President Obasanjo had on September, 20, 2001, directed the Ministry of Police Affairs to effect the payment of gratuity and pensions to the retirees with the appropriation of the money in the 2002 budget . Since then however, the money has not been paid to the officers, majority of whom hail from the South-South and South East geo-political zone.

In the petition signed by their National Chairman, Chief Charles Machie, the Association of Retired War Affected Police Officers (ARWAO) said "Five years after the presidential order and at the second quarter of the year 2005, nothing is on ground to show that the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Inspector-General of Police are ready to heed the aforesaid Presidential directives on them since the year 2002."

They appealed to the President to ensure the full implementation of the directives by prevailing on the Inspector General of Police and Minister of Police Affairs to obey the order. "It revolts the sense of natural justice and good conscience sir, that Nigerian citizens could be so mindlessly treated, by their fellow comrades", the retirees added.

Responding however, Ehindero disclosed that the process of compiling the details of the affected officers had begun, adding that proper identification had been the major factor delaying the implementation of the presidential directive.

He added that the officers would be paid as soon as the process was completed

His words: "It is a matter of time for them to be paid because the President has declared clemency and reconciliation. I am aware and we have started the compilation. It has experienced some set back because of lack of records and identification of the personnel involved. We don't have evidence of those who were affected and other details".

Posted by Publisher at 02:24 PM | Comments (0)

Apo killings: 10 Police suspects handed over to Force CID

*Attorney-General inaugurates Judicial Commission

ABUJA — THE police authorities have handed over 10 police officers "whose professional judgement may have been inappropriate" in the killing of the six Apo Village, Abuja traders to the Force Criminal Investigations Department for further interrogation.

By Kingsley Omonobi & Ndidi Onuora
Posted to the Web: Tuesday, June 28, 2005

The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Sunday Ehindero, told newsmen in Abuja yesterday that the police would not engage in any cover-up in the alleged murder case, saying: "The principles of transparency, accountability and integrity will be brought to bear in this case."

He spoke on a day the Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Chief Akinolu Olujimi, inaugurated the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the killings, and relations of the victims demanded the exhumation of the bodies for proper burial.

The Igbo social-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo welcomed the setting up of the judicial commission and, as it said, it showed that government "has a listening ear."

Although, Mr. Ehindero at the press conference gave no detail of the officers being interrogated, Vanguard gathered that they included a deputy commissioner of police, a divisional police officer (DPO), three chief superintendents and three inspectors.

Reminded that he (Ehindero) said last weekend that three officers who were "indicated" by the police panel should be reporting to his office daily for further action, Mr. Ehindero said: "Yes I went to the panel and said certain people should report, but I must tell you that we must invoke the fundamental principles of innocence until proven guilty. Investigation is not finished, so you cannot convict anybody."

He described judicial panel of the enquiry set up by the Attorney-General of the Federation to look into the death of the six traders as purely a judicial body, adding: "I have a duty to correct this impression and state emphatically that police investigation continues. Therefore, those having information relating to the death of Apo traders should report to Force CID, Abuja."

The police, he stressed, would co-operate with the judicial panel of enquiry.

Judicial Commission

Inaugurating the Judiciary Commission yesterday, Chief Olujimi charged it to discharge its duty with all sense of justice and seriousness.

The panel headed by Justice Olusumbo Goodluck has six weeks to complete its assignment.

Relations of the victims asked that their bodies be exhumed for proper burial.

Father of the late Ekene Kennedy Mgbe Isaac, Pastor Isaac Chukwu, and younger brother of the late Ifeanyi Dennis Ozor, Mr. Elvis Ozor, said they were happy that the Federal Government had taken up the issue by disbanding the Police panel. They wanted the bodies of their victims.

"In Igbo custom, we do not bury our own any how. So, I want the body of my son because I need to give him a befitting burial. My son was not a robber, he was a businessman dealing in auto parts at Durumi Area 1, Garki. Therefore, am pleading with the Federal Government to release the body," said Pastor Isaac.

Mr. Ozor who also pleaded for the release of his brother’s body said: "I know a judicial commission has been set up but am not yet satisfied. If the government wants my family to be happy and satisfied, the body should be released for proper burial because we know that there is no amount of justice that will bring them back. The Police said he was an armed robber whereas he was not. Everybody at Apo Mechanic Village knew him. He sold Peugeot parts. In fact, all of them were well-known."

Ohanaeze lauds FG

Igbo social-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday commended President Olusegun Obasanjo for taking steps at unravelling the circumstances surrounding the brutal killings of six Apo traders. Chairman of the organisation in FCT, Prince Vidal Wachuku, said the development showed that "government has a listening ear.Our position has been that a judicial commission of inquiry be set up on this matter. We are, therefore, pleased and happy that this has come to fruition.

"We thank President Obasanjo for listening to the yearning of the people and the fact that he acceded to this request showed that he is a man of courage and integrity," he said.

Wachukwu, however, frowned at a situation whereby the policemen indicted over the incidence were still walking the streets as free men. "The Inspector-General of Police indicted some police officers whom we thought would have been arrested and detained by now, but we still see them walking shoulder high," he said.

Posted by Publisher at 02:22 PM | Comments (0)

US Revokes Visas of Corrupt Nigerian Officials

The United States government has revoked the entry visa of several political office holders and other public officials in Nigeria believed to have engaged in corrupt practices.

By Olusegun Adeniyi, 06.28.2005

This was disclosed in Lagos yesterday by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. John Campbell, at a roundtable discussion with select media executives.

Although Campbell would not give the exact figure of those whose visa had been revoked or their names, he said it is an on-going exercise to help the government in its anti-graft crusade. He said corruption "has done much damage to the country and a major barrier towards Nigeria moving forward."

Campbell said the US government is providing legal assistance whenever the Nigerian government tried to trace illegal money in the US but added that the expectation of the international community is that "there will be formal prosecution and conviction" of those found to have engaged in corrupt practices.
The United Kingdom had since the arrest of Plateau State Governor Joshua Dariye in London for money laundering revoked visas of corrupt public officials.

On the recent security threat that made the US embassy close its consular services for some days, Campbell said the issue was external to Nigeria. "The security issue was transmitted to us from Washington, nothing to do with Nigeria itself. It was about a focus on Nigerian diplomatic mission", he said while praising the response of the Nigerian authority to the quick resolution of the crisis.

He said "the Government of Nigeria and the government of Lagos State led by Governor (Bola) Tinubu moved with alacrity when briefed on a security issue of mutual concern to the United States Mission in Nigeria. This security issue has been addressed with the help and close collaboration of the Nigerian authorities."

Campbell, however, expressed surprise that the issue was being linked to that of debt relief being sought by Nigeria, saying nothing could be farther from the truth.

On the recent National Intelligence Report which painted a rather gloomy picture of the country, Campbell said he was surprised that a report that had been put on the internet since March could generate such hysteria in May when it was clearly stated on every page that it was not the official position of the US government.

The Intelligence report had noted that Nigeria may breack up in 15 years is being investigated by the National Assembly.

Nigeria, he said, has a strong history of tackling its own problems head-on. "Once the nation awoke to the problem of HIV/Aids Nigeria moved quickly, putting thousands of people on retroviral drugs.

"I would like to emphasize a special feature of the relationship between the United States and Nigeria. It is not a relationship of donor and recipient, it is a relationship of partners, working together towards a single goal - the betterment of the lives of the Nigerian people.

"Clear evidence of this relationship are such programmes as PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief). Nigeria is one of 15 focus countries of the Emergency Plan and has received $70.9 million in FY2004 to support a comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programme."

The US government, according to Campbell, has extended till 2015 the AGOA agreement which provides substantial trade benefits and in many cases duty free access to imports from Nigeria. "We have also provided assistance through USAID-funded programmes to solidify democracy and good governance in Nigeria and strengthen the electoral process," he said.

The US, he said, is assisting Nigeria to reduce poverty through programmes such as the provision of improved seed and fertilizer, the digging of bore holes and facilitating micro-credit. "But I would like to stress that while we have been talking about the US economic contributions to Nigeria, the United States is keenly aware of Nigeria's own contributions to our countries' joint efforts.
"Nigeria and the US are partners in resolving conflicts, especially in West Africa, supporting the growth of democratic institutions and the rule of law and the development of regional institutions such as the Economic Communities of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and the African Union.

"Together we are working on issues that affect both our nations, such as secure borders, trafficking in persons and narcotics interdiction.

So, we count Nigeria as a good friend and also as an important diplomatic partner. And, as is true among friends, we have an active dialogue on a wide range of issues of mutual concern."

Posted by Publisher at 02:16 PM | Comments (0)

Virgin Nigeria flies out today

Virgin Nigeria Airways (VNA), the country’s first private sector flag carrier, takes to the skies today with a voyage to the busiest airport in Europe, London Heathrow, on a route that is the most lucrative in Africa.

By Rotimi Durojaiye
Aviation Correspondent, Lagos

The airline has also begun sales of ticket on its initial routes from Lagos to London, Accra, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

Aviation Minister, Isa Yuguda, on Monday in Lagos graduated its first group of 23 Nigerian cabin crew members at its “Wings Ceremony”, an integral part of its cabin crew course and a culmination of weeks of demanding customer service training.

Yuguda, special guest of honour at the event, applauded the management of the airline for making the project a reality.

Said he: “You have mid-wifed the birth of Virgin Nigeria as a wholly-owned private sector project under circumstances that would easily have discouraged many individuals and investors.

“The government will continually support your pursuit of higher aviation standards and in enabling the sector to fulfill its strategic importance to the future of Nigeria”.

VNA Chief Executive Officer, Simon Harford, described the event as something to “celebrate the success of our Nigerian cabin crew who have undertaken a very exhaustive and challenging aviation training programme, as well as to demonstrate our commitment to investing in our people to provide excellent onboard service to our passengers.

“By the end of 2006 we forecast to have around 400 Nigerian cabin crew, building on the foundations of this historic first graduating class”.

The 23 were trained on modern Airbus aircraft and did full training in all aspects of cabin crew both in Nigeria and abroad.

They were taught on Safety and Emergency Procedures (SEP), Aviation Medicine and Security, Dangerous Goods as well as Crew Resource Management (CRM) and sat an examination.

Harford launched the airline’s uniform, which design he said was derived from “extensive consumer research to determine the best … for the cabin crew. The clear feedback was to offer a stylish yet practical uniform that blended the Nigerian spirit with the international aspects of aviation”.

The design, to him, is yet another sign of the innovation VNA would bring to its services. “We have patented the pattern on the waistcoat (and also on the ladies neck scarf) to protect the unique designs against counterfeiting”.

The government announced the selection of Virgin Atlantic Airways on September 1 last year as the strategic investor/technical partner of flag carrier.

It was the result of months of selection from numerous airlines, done by the Ministry of Aviation using technical and specialist advisers to conduct audits and due diligence.

A Memorandum of Mutual Understanding (MEMU) which formally established the commitment to create VNA was signed by the government and Virgin Atlantic on September 28 last year.

VNA is owned 100 per cent by the Nigerian private sector. It is registered in Nigeria from where it operates; with Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos as its hub.

Its 51 per cent equity is owned by the local private sector, 49 per cent belongs to Virgin Atlantic, based in the United Kingdom.

VNA is expected to develop a global network from Lagos and steadily build on it to offer fliers maximum choice of intercontinental routes to Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America.

It also has its sights on West and Central Africa and a handful of key domestic routes.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court has fixed July 5 and 6 for hearing in the preliminary objection filed by VNA and four others challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain a suit brought against them by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).

Justice Rebecca Olomojobi fixed the date on Monday after the plaintiff withdrew its application for accelerated hearing.

A counsel from Rickey Tarfa' s Chambers, John Odubela, who appeared for the AON, withdrew the application to allow hearing in the preliminary objection filed by the defence.

Joined as defendants are the minister of aviation, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Among others, the AON is seeking a declaration that, by virtue of the existing treaties/agreements (namely the Yamoussoukro Decision 1999, Open Skies Agreement with the United States, the Designation between the UK and Nigeria) between Nigeria and other countries, particularly the UK and Nigeria, reservation of routes for VNA is illegal, unjust, unfair and inequitable against the plaintiff.

It is also asking the court to declare that the reservation of the routes from Lagos to London, New York, Johannesburg, Dubai and Jeddah for several years for the VNA is unlawful, illegal, null and void.

But VNA’s statement of defence, filed through its counsel, Demola Akinrele, argued that the minister of aviation is at liberty to designate any airline he thinks fit to fly any route in or out of Nigeria, being a matter of executive discretion and policy.

It asked the court to dismiss the case on grounds that the plaintiff has no locus standi, and contended that the claim discloses no reasonable cause of action against VNA.

Posted by Publisher at 02:14 PM | Comments (0)

Confab won’t fail - Kukah

Efforts to resolve the prevailing impasse in the national political reform conference would pay off and the conference would emerge successful, confab scribe, Rev. Fr. Mathew Kukah, has said.

By Habeeb I. Pindiga

Despite media reports that peace moves to save the conference have hit the rocks, Kukah, who Spoke to Daily Trust in Abuja on telephone yesterday, said contrary to wide spread belief, the trouble in the conference has not reached a crisis stage and assured that the talkshop would not fail as is being speculated.

“I don’t see it as a crisis I see it as part and parcel of the process,” the secretary said, adding “I don’t know why people talk as if we have a problem in our hands.”

The conference ran into a cul-de-sac following the pullout by the South-South delegates protesting alleged procedural irregularities in adopting the leaders committee report that provides 17 per cent oil derivation. Their Northern counterparts had refused to allow for a revisit of the accepted report on the grounds that none of the conference rules was breached.

Asked whether he was optimistic about the conference getting off the brink, Kukah said, “absolutely! I know so. Like I said, what is happening in the conference is democracy. People come to talk strongly about what they feel. So for me, it is not a crisis.”

He decried media blitz on the deadlock, suggesting that this was inimical to the peace efforts.

Asked what the conference leadership is doing to make sure the conference succeeds, Kukah declined comments, saying “I can’t tell you what we are doing. You are talking about the conference breaking up. I have no idea where the media got such information. It is like most of the media have taken a position and it’s unhealthy for the process.”

The secretary said he was not worried by the upheavals in the conference, as, according to him, same thing would have happened if other people’s passions were inflamed.

“I am quite happy about what has happened because this is what Nigeria is all about. This is all about democracy,” he said.

The media has recently been awash with stories of how plots to extend President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure by two years through the six-year single term idea was at the base of the turmoil in the conference.

Asked to confirm whether the six-year term option was among the issues in contention, Kukah said, “again, everybody is genuinely concerned about who has power; people are concerned that the system short-changes them. I don’t think anybody can pretend that issues of power are what people will be happy about.”
Following the persistence of the logjam, the conference initially scheduled to end Tuesday last week has been postponed severally and plenary session is now to resume July 11.

Kukah said on Sunday that the recent deferment was coming after “some very useful deliberations during the week”, the outcome of which requires “some more time to enable all sides convey decisions arrived at to their constituencies.”
Last Thursday, the conference leadership met a select group of opinion and delegation leaders where it was noted that there was need to step up reconciliatory moves so that the whole process would not end in a fiasco.

During the meeting, some leaders including heads of the Northern and South-South delegations, Alhaji Umaru Dikko and Chief Edwin Clark, respectively had agreed that both sides should sheath their swords and meet on a round table to pull the conference away from the precipice.

Dikko and Clark, according to a Daily Trust exclusive report last Friday, had at the meeting, pledged to talk to their members to cooperate with others to ensure that the conference ends peacefully.

Posted by Publisher at 01:46 PM | Comments (0)

June 27, 2005

Pastor Hinn in Nigerian money row

In late April, scores of giant billboards and thousands of wall posters all over Lagos proclaimed the first of three days of divine miracles and healing for at least six million Nigerians - but at the end of the third day, there was more bickering over money than praise to God for mercy received.

By Sola Odunfa
BBC Focus On Africa magazine

The vehicle of the expected wonders of the Holy Spirit was American evangelist Benny Hinn, who flew into Nigeria in a Gulfstream private jet with a large retinue that included his bodyguards.

He was received at Lagos airport in a motorcade of Hummer jeeps and other expensive cars.

The deaf would hear, the blind would see, the lame would jump and walk, barren women would conceive, the jobless would gain employment, and the enemy - both seen and unseen - would be vanquished. Mention any problem - physical, spiritual, economic - Hinn had come with the instant solution.

But things did not go well.

Expenditure

About 300,000 people attended the event each night - a modest congregation by Nigerian crusade standards. It is estimated that about 1 million worshippers attend the monthly Holy Ghost Congress service organised by The Redeemed Christian Church God (RCCG) at the same venue.

Whatever disappointment he felt on the first and second days of the miracle crusade, Hinn kept to himself - but he opened up with anger on the final day.

"Four million dollars down the drain," he shouted into the microphone from the huge rostrum.

He said that he had been assured by the local organising committee that at least six million people would attend the crusade - but the total turnout was only around one million. As a result, he realised that all the mega public address equipment he had flown in from the US was not needed.

He also complained about some claimed expenditures, the charges imposed on pastors who attended his day-time seminar, and journalists who sought to cover the crusade.

He then announced publicly that he would not provide any more funds, and that the local organisers should pay all outstanding bills from the collections they made on the first two days.

Hinn's complaints instantly overshadowed the spiritual context of the event. Some people from the congregation came out to declare that they received healing and other miracles after the prayers, but they were hardly audible.

The Nigerian head of the local organising committee, Bishop Joseph Olanrewaju Obembe, accused other Nigerian Pentecostal preachers of sabotaging the crusade and pedalling false information to Hinn and his aides out of envy, and to discredit him.

Soon after the crusade, a committee was set up by the leadership of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) - the umbrella body of Pentecostal churches nationwide - to investigate the funding controversy.

Big spenders

The Pentecostal faith in Nigeria is a veritable goldmine, judging by the opulence of most of its pastors.

It is made even more attractive because incomes of churches are tax-exempt. Nearly all the churches are the private property of their pastors or founders and their immediate families.

In an economic environment in which the majority of Nigeria's estimated 130 million population has been impoverished by unemployment, lack of basic social infrastructure and rising inflation, the church has become the last refuge for many people.

The favoured churches are the new-generation Pentecostal assemblies, that are owned and managed solely by fast-talking American-style pastors.

Rich and powerful Nigerians run after the pastors for "spiritual protection" from imaginary 'enemies' who, they are convinced, are lurking around the corner to pull them down.

These are the big spenders in the churches.

The attraction, perhaps, lies in the often-quoted biblical injunction that "givers never lack" and the fact that most pastors don't ask the donors how they make the money they give.

Devoted service

In March 2003, a cashier at a five-star hotel was arrested for allegedly stealing nearly 40 million naira (then about US$400,000) from his employer.

His colleagues were shocked because there was nothing to suggest that he was living above his means - he had no car and he lived in a rented flat in a non-fashionable part of Lagos.

The man confessed that he gave all the money to his Pentecostal church in cash and equipment.

In another case a bank clerk stole 40 million naira from his employer and gave 10 million to his church as 'seed money' in the belief that the seed would germinate and yield several fold as promised by his pastor.

Many Nigerians believe that a large number of pastors are honest and devoted to the service of God and mankind.

But they readily take umbrage under the Yoruba saying that "only God knows who serves Him truly."

Posted by Publisher at 04:38 PM | Comments (0)

Attah names new Deputy today; Anenih Panel begins sitting

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Victor Attah, will today name a new Deputy for the state Assembly to confirm, despite the directive by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat that Chris Ekpenyong be re-instated.

By Felix Ofou (Lagos)
and Paul Mumeh (Abuja)

Ekpenyong was impeached last Thursday for failure to declare his estate in the United States, among other charges

However, the PDP special committee asked to review the impeachment will begin sitting in Abuja this morning, immediately after its inauguration by party National Chairman, Ahmadu Ali.

It is headed by its Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman, Tony Anenih, with Deputy National