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July 30, 2007
Abia gov reacts to false media reports, says there’s plot to cause disaffection between him and Kalu
Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, says that some people are trying to cause disaffection between him and former governor Orji Uzor Kalu.
By Sun News Publishing
Monday, July 30, 2007
Reacting to media reports in the past one week that Dr Kalu’s statement to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) indicted him, Governor Orji, through a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ukoha Kalu, accused the newspapers which published the report of fabricating falsehood. He said that the former governor could not have made such statement.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Abia State Government, particularly that of the Governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji has been drawn to several media reports with particular reference to the one carried in the Vanguard, Friday, July 27, 2007, where it promoted as riders to the lead story: “Alamieyeseigha convicted, Nnamani charged” that Kalu “fingers Governor Orji in N2.6bn fraud.”
“It is very doubtful whether such a statement at all would have been made by the former governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu. What the authors of the statement want to achieve is to create confusion within the circles of the former governor and the incumbent.
“To set the records straight, the incumbent governor of Abia State, Chief Orji was indeed the Chief of Staff during the time the former governor, Dr Uzor Kalu was in office. The office of the Chief of Staff (COS) is by no means the equivalent of the office of the Accountant General of the state or the Ministry of Finance.
“The schedule of the COS office is clearly spelt out and does not include the general disbursement of monies accruable to the state. Money that the office of the COS disburses is approved and the mode of disbursement is contained in the former COS statement with the EFCC, a statement that the former COS stands by today and tomorrow.
“The government states that the report is calculatedly false and mendacious and is seen to have been written to breed suspicion and disaffection between the affected parties.
“The Government condemns the alarming resort to falsification of reports, especially when they are credited to people who can easily be reached to get confirmation or otherwise of such reports.
“The government respects the rule of law and will not bring itself to comment on an issue that is already in court.”
Posted by Publisher at 09:55 AM | Comments (0)
Daramola’s murder: How we framed Fayose – Star witness
The political crisis in Ekiti took a new dimension on Sunday, as the coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in the state, Mr Adeniyi Adedipe, absolved the former governor of the state, Ayodele Fayose of any complicity in the murder of Dr Ayo Daramola.
By ADESINA AIYEKOTI
Monday, July 30, 2007
Adedipe confessed at a press conference in Lagos that himself and other members of OPC were forced by some Ekiti elders to mention Fayose as the mastermind of the killing in order to pave way for his impeachment.
He disclosed that an attempt by the former chief executive to remove the traditional ruler of Ado-Ekiti and the seizure of his (Adedipe’s) commercial vehicle made him team up with the powerful elders in the state “to remove Fayose at all cost from office in October 2006 by making unfounded allegations against him.”
Regretting his action, Adedipe said: “The time has come for me to set my conscience free from the burden of evil and malice for which I have involved myself with some other powerful individuals in Ekiti.
“It is without doubt that former Governor Ayo Fayose offended some of us and some leaders with which I pitched my tent.”
He mentioned a Lagos-based lawyer (name withheld) and others who attended a meeting held with the former Inspector General of Police, Mr Sunday Ehindero, where Fayose was implicated.
To give credence to his latest position, Adedipe, who also described himself as a one-time personal aide to the Chief of Staff to Fayose, also deposed to a 23-paragraph affidavit before the Federal High Court, Lagos, where he stated: “We also agreed to let Nigerians believe that Dr. Ayo Fayose was a conspirator in the killing of Dr Ayo Daramola whereas he had no hand and knew nothing about it and the I.G.P. had immediately after investigation was concluded into the death, told Nigerians that Dr. Ayo Daramola was killed by armed robbers without mentioning Ayo Fayose and any of Mr. Olatunji Olagoke and Chief Dayo Okondo.”
In the affidavit dated July 27, 2007, he averred, among others, that the powerful people in Ekiti State pleaded with him to rope in Fayose because, “I was the only one that could do it by presenting some of my OPC men to the police who would give statements to the police that Ayo Fayose and I conspired with them to attack Taiye Fasuba and that after the removal of Ayo Fayose, the OPC members would be released and the case would be closed.”
He said based on the arrangement, he contacted his personal driver and other OPC members to make themselves available to the police and to claim that, “we and Mr Olatunji Adegoke, Mr Joseph Gbenga, personal assistant and chief security officer of Fayose, and also one Chief Dayo Okondo conspired to carry out the attack on Taiye Fasuba. Thereafter, these men were taken to Abuja and made statements to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Sunday Ehindero (retd).”
He said, however, that after the purported impeachment of Fayose contrary to the agreement, the other OPC members were arraigned in court for attempted murder of Taiye Fasuba.
The prosecution, Adedipe averred, acted “contrary to the agreement, arrangement we had with the Inspector General of Police and the president that they only wanted to use them to show the whole nation that there were cogent grounds for the removal of Ayo Fayose as governor, because we had made statements that he asked them to go and attack Taiye Fasuba.
He further disclosed that the Ekiti State government now wanted him desperately to be its star prosecution witness to establish that former Governor Fayose conspired to attack Fasuba.
The Ekiti State government, he added, had threatened to get him arrested by the police if he failed to make himself available to testify.
Posted by Publisher at 09:53 AM | Comments (0)
Sven dangles £7m carrot on Taye Taiwo
Manchester City manager, Sven Goran Eriksson, is expected to make a £7million bid for the Olympique Marseille ace defender, Taye Ismaila Taiwo, if he fails to land Italy star, Giorgio Chiellini from Juventus.
By GBOLAHAN DADA
Monday, July 30, 2007
According to the News of the World’s reports, the Manchester City boss has targeted Nigeria international left-back, Taiwo, after having a £7million bid for Chiellini turned down.
Eriksson will test Marseille’s resolve to keep hold of Taiwo, 22, who is considered one of France’s best left-backs at the moment.
Manchester City boss had thrown an offer of £12 million to another Nigerian in the Premiership, Yakubu Aiyegbeni to join him in the club.
Eriksson will have £30 million to spend before the start of the new season, and will offer Middlesbrough £12 million for Yakubu.
Yakubu, also a target for Harry Redknapp at former club, Portsmouth, is understood to be keen on the move to City, with talks expected in the next few days.
Italian giants, Juve have slapped a £10million price-tag on 20-year-old Chiellini and Eriksson will wait to see if he can land Taiwo before making another bid for Chiellini. A top Juventus source said: “Eriksson clearly wants Chiellini, but the club would only sell if the price is right. Manager Claudio Ranieri does not want to lose the player but if City decide to meet the club’s demands, then Chiellini will be sold.”
Italy Under-21 captain, Chiellini, has already got six full intenational caps for the World Champions and has also attracted strong interest from Liverpool.
Posted by Publisher at 09:52 AM | Comments (0)
GTB becomes first African bank listed on London Stock Exchange
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) has attained the feat of being the first Nigerian company and African bank to be listed on the London Stock Exchange.
By Sun News Publishing
Monday, July 30, 2007
This landmark, achieved on July 26, is coming on the heels of the bank’s successful $750 million offer for subscription of Global Depository Receipts (GDR), which closed a week earlier.
The offer was issued in the London market to raise about $500 million from international institutional investors outside Nigeria and about $250 million from individuals and institutional investors in Nigeria, according to a statement issued by the bank.
A Global Depositary Receipt (GDR), which is a negotiable dollar denominated bank certificate issued in international financial markets through a registered depository bank, represents ownership of certain equity securities that are issued and traded in a local market as well as ownership of a certain number of shares of a company. It can be listed/traded independently from the equity securities. GDRs are typically used by companies from emerging markets to raise capital and access investors in international markets.
Guaranty Trust Bank’s GDR offering is the first ever opportunity for Nigerians to make dollar denominated investments in the securities of a Nigerian company listed and traded on the London Stock Exchange. It opens up a previously unavailable large and global capital market to Nigerian investors considering that the London Stock Exchange is the primary market to many of the world’s largest companies; attracting some of the largest and most sophisticated investors in the world.
The dividends of the GDRs are paid in US dollars.
The bank, whose ordinary shares trade on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, had earlier filed an application to the United Kingdom Listing Authority for the admission of the GDRs to the Official List. Following the closure of the offer period, the GDRs have been admitted to trade under the symbol "GRTB" on the market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange through its International Order Book.
The London Stock Exchange has, in its over 200 years of existence, remained the fulcrum of global stock exchanges with 350 highly reputable companies from over 50 countries trading on its markets. Its wealth of experience, integrity, expertise as well as knowledge of the market has propelled it into becoming one of the world’s foremost equity exchanges, ahead the famed New York and Tokyo Stock exchanges.
This landmark achievement reaffirms Guaranty Trust Bank’s desire to further strengthen its cross boarder presence and grow the confidence of international investors in the burgeoning Nigerian market. The bank already has a credible foot print in the international market with its highly successful $350 million Eurobond offer, which was the first of its kind by any Nigerian Institution.
The listing of Guaranty Trust Bank on the London Stock Exchange gives a positive commentary on the bank as one of Nigeria's most profitable and fastest growing banks, while lending credence to its AA- (double A minus) by Fitch and BB- (double B minus) by Standard & Poor’s, the best ratings assigned by the two international rating agencies to any Nigerian or West African-based bank.
Posted by Publisher at 09:51 AM | Comments (0)
Lawyers fault VP’s stand on public assets declaration
Vice President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday came under severe criticism over his statement against public declaration of his assets as done by President Umaru Yar’Adua.
By ADESINA AIYEKOTI and OLA AGBAJE
Monday, July 30, 2007
Goodluck Jonathan reportedly said public declaration of assets by public officers was voluntary and therefore, he would not make his assets and liabilities public.
Reacting to the statement, a leading legal practitioner, Chief J. B. Daudu (SAN) queried: “Morally, is he not bound to follow suit to show transparency? If voluntary declaration is an example of openness of transparency that the president set a very good example, being a vice president, he has no choice in the matter.
He should have followed a good example of the president. By his stance he must have something to hide. It is unfortunate, let’s hope we won’t have another Atiku,” he added.
Also speaking, the President of the West African Bar Association (WABA), Mr Femi Falana, explained that the vice president and other public office holders are not only morally bound to declare their assets publicly, they have a legal obligation to declare their assets publicly to the people.
“Public declaration of assets for public office holders is not just a moral question, it is, in fact, a legal obligation, which they must discharged just as the president has demonstrated by example.
“The legal implication is to the effect that the word declaration came from the Latin word declario, which simply means ‘to make public’ or ‘announce publicly.’ So it is both morally and legally incumbent on the affected public office holders to make known publicly their assets to the people. Do you declare something and still keep it secret? No. Public assets declaration is an essential ingredients of democracy,” Falana said.
Also kicking against the pronouncement, another notable lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa, who said he was surprised at the statement.
“I think that since the vice president knew that it was part of the campaign policy of the president to openly declare his asset, it is wrong for the vice president to now make a U-turn that he would not declare his assets publicly, contrary to what they promised the electorate. He cannot, at this time, deny his president,” he added.
According to Adegboruwa, Jonathan has no moral justification not to declare his asset publicly. “We cannot have a president who is transparent and have a vice president who chooses not to be transparent,” he said.
Also supporting the positions of his colleague, lawyer and human rights activist, Bamidele Aturu, said the statement by Vice President Jonathan did not show any understanding of the mood of the nation.
“It does not show that the vice president is serious about fighting corruption. I condemn the statement in a very strong term,” he said.
Posted by Publisher at 09:50 AM | Comments (0)
Presidential Election Tribunal considers cases today
The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja will today commence proper trial of the substantive case filed by the ANPP.
The ANPP is challenging the election of President Umaru Yar’Adua in the April 21 presidential poll.
The party’s national chairman, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, said it decided to challenge Yar’adua’s return by INEC because of alleged electoral fraud, in spite of its acceptance to participate in the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Yar’adua has allocated two ministerial slots to the ANPP and appointed Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki-Nakande and Hajiya Saudatu Bungudu from Plateau and Zamfara states as minister of state for information and women affairs, respectively.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tribunal, presided by Justice James Ogebe, had fixed July 30 for the hearing of the substantive petition instituted by the ANPP.
Ogebe had earlier agreed on the notice of service made on the defendants by all parties in the case.
Similarly, the tribunal will on Monday consider the issue of contesting notice of service by the ANPP presidential candidate, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari on the defendants.
Buhari’s lead counsel, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN), is claiming that INEC had yet to avail the electoral materials they prayed the court to compel the electoral body to release.
Besides, the tribunal would also receive report of the notice served on Yar’adua, PDP and INEC by the AC and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, equally contesting the April polls.
NAN further reports that no date has been fixed for the pre-trial conference on the petition instituted by the African Liberation Party (ALP) and its presidential candidate, Chief Emmanuel Okereke before the tribunal.
Meanwhile, the petition filed by the National Action Council (NAC) and the party’s presidential flag-bearer, Dr Olapade Agoro, was struck out on July 20, for lack of merit.
In passing the judgment, the tribunal declared that the claims of the party and its candidate that the NAC logo and Agoro’s name were not reflected on the ballot paper was not “substantial enough’’ to void the election.
Analysts say the months ahead would be exciting as the tribunal enters the crucial stage of its activity and as Nigerians anxiously await the final outcome of its ruling.
According to a legal practitioner, who pleaded anonymity, the decision of the tribunal will go a long way in determining the tempo and growth of democracy in the country.
Other members of the tribunal are Justices John Fabiyi, Abdullahi Jega, A. Abaji and R. C. Agbo.
Posted by Publisher at 09:48 AM | Comments (0)
Yakasai heads Kano health board
KANO state governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau has approved the appointment of Dr. Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai as the new Executive Secretary of the Hospital Management Board (HMB).
By ABDULLAHI D. ABDULLAHI
Group News Editor
According to a letter addressed to the appointee dated July 25, 2007, No. SSG/REPA/S/A/74/S signed by Bello Shehu Usman, Permanent Secretary, REPA for Secretary to the State Government, the appointment which takes immediate effect was in furtherance of the systematic effort for re-alignment of government agencies/parastatals for higher productivity and effective service delivery in accordance with the cardinal principles of the state government.
‘’The appointment was indeed predicated upon your proven integrity, track record of experience and professional competence, I have the conviction that you will bring these attributes to bear in discharging the new responsibility entrusted on you,’’ the letter said.
While praying for God’s guidance to the appointee, the governor enjoined him to embrace and be guided by the virtues of prudence and accountability.
Born in 1958, Dr. Yakasai attended Kofar Na’isa Primary School (1965- 1971), Barewa College, Zaria (1972-1976), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), 1977-1982) before joining the Nigerian Army where he rose to the rank of a colonel.
Dr. Yakasai was once the physician for Nigeria’s Head of State, late Gen. Sani Abacha and until his appointment he was a consultant gyanecologist/lecturer, Department of Obstetricts and Gynaecology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital/Bayero University Kano.
Posted by Publisher at 09:47 AM | Comments (0)
Obasanjo didn`t disclose how much he left --Jonathan
Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan says former President Olusegun Obasanjo did not mention how much he left behind.
Jonathan, who stated this at an interactive forum with journalists in Yenagoa on Saturday, said "Obasanjo never told us how many billions he left behind."
In response to a question on how much he left behind in the treasury of Bayelsa, Goodluck said: "There is nobody as at the time he leaves government, if you want to be frank, who can state exactly how much that is left behind or how much that they are owing.
"Even if I know, it will be wrong for me to tell you now that the governor has been here for almost two months. It will be wrong for me to say that," he said.
"I am not the rightful person to now comment on the finances of Bayelsa. It is the new governor that can say that.
"It will be very wrong of me to disclose the finances of Bayelsa state at any time.
"Even as I am talking now, if I ask Sylva how much money is the asset base of Bayelsa in terms of investments in banks, he will not tell you," he said.
On the declaration of his assets, Jonathan, said he has five asset declarations with the Code of Conduct Bureau, saying " If the law says so I will, but it has not."
In his comment, Governor Timipre Sylva said the vice president is a very modest man.
Sylva said the vice president left N20 billion asset in investment portfolio.
Posted by Publisher at 09:46 AM | Comments (0)
Bafarawa in secret talks with Kalu, Turaki, Dariye; Ex-govs still in jail after bail
DETAINED ex-governors of Abia and Jigawa states, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu and Alhaji Saminu Turaki respectively are yet to leave Kuje Medium Prison, Abuja, three days after they were granted bail by Federal High Court, Abuja.
COSMAS EKPUNOBI, Abuja
The development is coming as former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa yesterday held a secret discussion with the detained former state chief executives at the Kuje Prison.
Apart from Kalu and Turaki, former Plateau State governor, Chief Joshua Dariye, who was granted bail last week is also still cooling his feet at the Kuje Prisonl.
The trio as well as ex-Enugu State governor, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani are standing trial at the Federal High Court for money laundering and other sundry offences.
Daily Champion gathered that Kalu and Turaki’s continued detention followed the inability of their lawyers to meet the stiff conditionalities given by the court for their bail.
Meanwhile, Bafarawa, who was at the prison yesterday shunned requests by newsmen for an interview.
Alhaji Bafarawa who drove himself in a 5600, Mercedez Benz car with registration number Abuja 698 ABC held secret talks with some of his detained former colleagues. The meeting is coming on the heels of fears that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may this week quiz more former governors alleged to have tampered with their states’ funds.
But Bafarawa who left Kuje prison at 3.50 pm yesterday visited the jail house in solidarity with his detained colleagues.
When accosted yesterday by Daily Champion on his mission to Kuje prison, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) declined comment. This is what transpired.
Sir, may we know why you are here (prison) today?
Bafarawa: Ask this man, pointing at another VIP he had just finished talking with at the car park of the Kuje prison.
Meanwhile, some prison officials have complained of a decline in their fortunes following the bail granted to the politicians.
Some of the officials who spoke with Daily Champion, but who pleaded anonymity lamented that politicians were no longer giving them money since the bail request was granted to the detained politicians last Friday.
Posted by Publisher at 09:44 AM | Comments (0)
Kidnappers demand N50m for Speaker’s mum release
UNIDENTIFIED militants, who kidnapped 70- year-old Mrs Hansel Seibaragu, mother of Bayelsa State House of Assembly Speaker are reportedly demanding N50 million to free their hostage.
DENNIS NAKU, Yenagoa
This is as the Speaker, Hon. Werinipre Seibaragu returned, weekend, from South Africa to join forces with the state government officials to effect the release of his mother.
A competent source told Daily Champion yesterday that the kidnappers wanted N50 million as ransom for the release of Mrs Seibaragu.
Special Assistant on Media to Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr Jonah Okah, however, said he was not aware of the N50 million ransom but confirmed that negotiations were on to release the old woman.
Speaking on the travails of his mother, the lawmaker appealed to the kidnappers to release his mother on humanitarian ground.
While expressing sadness over the incident, Mr. Seibaragu said that the Nigerian security operatives were capable of effecting the release of his mother.
He described his mother as caring, innocent and loving, who does not deserve the current travails, while pledging his commitment to the development of the state.
Okah also expressed hope that Hansel would be released on humanitarian grounds.
"We are pleading with the boys to have the fear of God and release the old woman. The Bible teaches us to be respectful to the old. They should release her quickly," Okah told Daily Champion on phone yesterday from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
On the return of his boss to Nigeria, he said "yes, my boss is back. In fact, she (Hansel) would soon be released. You know the speaker is back, he cannot afford to allow the old woman, to remain in that condition."
Daily Champion recalls that the Bayelsa State speaker who had travelled to South Africa to attend a Commonwealth Parliamentary conference along with some principal officers of the House was compelled to cut short his trip when the news of his mother’s abduction reached him.
Madam Hansel was kidnapped last Tuesday (July 24) at Akaibiri in Ekpetiama, old Yenagoa local government area, by yet to be identified militants just as her whereabouts is still unknown. She has already spent five days with her captors.
Posted by Publisher at 09:43 AM | Comments (0)
GT Bank’s shares listed in London Stock Exchange
GUARANTY Trust (GT) Bank has successfully listed its shares on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), and becomes the first Nigerian company and first African bank to be listed on the London Exchange.
This is coming on the heels of the resounding success of the bank’s $750 million offer for subscription of global depositary receipts ("GDRs") which closed recently. The offer was issued in the London market to raise about $500 million from international institutional investors outside Nigeria and about $250m from individuals and institutional investors in Nigeria.
A Global Depositary Receipt ("GDR") is a negotiable dollar denominated bank certificate issued in international financial markets through a registered depositary bank. It represents ownership of certain equity securities that are issued and traded in a local market as well as ownership of a certain number of shares of a company. It can be listed / traded independently from the equity securities. GDRs are typically used by companies from emerging markets to raise capital and access investors in international markets.
Guaranty Trust Bank’s GDR Offering is the first ever opportunity for Nigerians to make dollar denominated investments in the securities of a Nigerian company listed and traded on the London Stock Exchange. It opens up a previously unavailable large and global capital market to Nigerian investors considering that the London Stock Exchange is the primary market to many of the world’s largest companies; attracting some of the largest and most sophisticated investors in the world. The dividends of the GDRs are paid in US dollars.
The bank whose ordinary shares trade on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, had earlier filed an application to the United Kingdom Listing Authority for the admission of the GDRs to the Official List. Following the closure of the Offer Period, the GDRs have been admitted to trade under the symbol "GRTB" on the market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange through its International Order Book.
The London Stock Exchange has in it’s over 200 years of existence, remained the fulcrum of global stock exchanges with 350 highly reputable companies from over 50countries trading on its markets. Its wealth of experience, integrity, expertise as well as knowledge of the market has propelled it into becoming one of the world’s foremost equity exchanges, ahead the famed New York and Tokyo Stock exchanges.
This land mark achievement reaffirms Guaranty Trust Bank’s desire to further strengthen its cross boarder presence and grow the confidence of international investors in the burgeoning Nigerian market. The bank already has a credible foot print in the international market with its highly successful $350 million Eurobond offer which was the first of its kind by any Nigerian Institution.
The listing in the London Stock Exchange gives a positive commentary on the bank as one of Nigeria’s most profitable and fastest growing banks while lending credence to its AA- (double A minus) by Fitch; and BB- (double B minus) by Standard & Poor’s, the best ratings assigned by the two international rating agencies to any Nigerian or West African-based bank.
Posted by Publisher at 09:43 AM | Comments (0)
Govt rakes in N177bn from crude oil sales
A total of N176.5 billion was generated by the Federal Government from crude oil sales in 2006, 11 per cent higher than the N161.8 billion generated in 2005.
ERASMUS ALANEME, Abuja
Chairman of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Dr. Funso Adebiyi disclosed this weekend in Abuja at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company held at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Towers.
Dr. Adebiyi explained that the rise was as a result of sustained production from the Okono/Okpoho fields and unprecedented and favourable global oil price, which was above the projected price of $55 per barrel.
"The sustained increase in global demand for crude oil in 2006 impacted positively on NPDC’s operations as the company was able to attract higher prices than planned for its crude oil streams with no distressed cargo recorded", he said.
"Given the geo-political developments in the usual spots in the world today and the underlying fundamentals of the global markets, I believe the upward movement in crude oil demand observed in 2006 will continue in 2007".
He said that given the planned activity of the NPDC for 2007 and a reorganized management team, focused on performance and quality service delivery, it is positive that the mid-term objectives of the company of increase in reserves from 350 to 500 million barrels and producibility from 70,000 to 150,000 barrels per day by 2009 would be actualized while complying with government’s directive for zero flare by 2008.
NPDC Managing Director Fisoye Delano who also spoke said the company continued the expansion of its portfolio in 2006, with incursions into the international terrain through participation in the bid for a block in Equatorial Guinea.
"This would provide a unique entry by NPDC into what is generally acceptable today as a fast growing Gulf of Guinea petroleum play", he said.
Delano further said that it was the plan of NPDC to double its production within three years through infill development, aggressive exploration and development of its portfolio of assets.
He, however, said that more could have been achieved but for the continued shut down of land operations in Abura, Oredo and Oziengbe fields, the attack of Mystras by militants in November 2006, which adversely affected production. He said that about 2.2 million barrels of production were deferred and the company’s inability to execute the drilling campaign due to rig unavailability.
On Joint Venture activities, he said that a budget of $12.891 million was approved for the year 2006 for NPDC by the NNPC-JV partners, resulting to key achievements in acquiring Chevron assets and Shell Petroleum Development Company assets.
Posted by Publisher at 09:42 AM | Comments (0)
2 policemen gunned down in Lagos
Armed robbers yesterday killed two policemen at Oke-Afa, Isolo and carted away about N700,000. The dead policemen were said to have accompanied a bullion van belonging to a second generation bank to collect money realized from weekend sales from a fast food eatery, Mr. Biggs at Jakande estate, Isolo, Lagos.
KASIE ABONE
They were said to be on their way back to Allen Avenue, Ikeja branch of the bank when they met their untimely death. The policemen whose names could not be ascertained as at press time were attached to Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Centre police station, Ikeja.
According to reliable police sources, the robbers, who operated with a Mercedez Benz jeep were said to have trailed the bullion van and escort vehicle from Jakande estate near Isolo. The bandits eventually overtook the convoy of the van after descending Oke-Afa bridge, a boundary between Isolo and Ejigbo, blocked them with the jeep, and shot dead the policemen before carting away the safe containing the money.
Meanwhile, an eye witness, who pleaded anonymity, told Daily Champion that the owner of the jeep was earlier shot dead before the robbers snatched his vehicle.
A curious angle to the robbery, a police source told Daily Champion, was that the three policemen in the escort van led by a police sergeant could not give account of how the robbers made away with the safe containing the money.
Having succeeded unchallenged, the robbers were said to have shot their way through Okota Road to safety. They were also said to have thrown canisters of tear gas at passers-by who scampered for safety on hearing the gunshots from the rampaging robbers.
On reaching Isolo Divisional Police Headquarters, the robbers were said have shot into the station apparently to dare them.
The incident was said to have caused temporary traffic jam in the area as some motorists abandoned their vehicles on roads. Eye witness account said pedestrians were seen raising their hands as they were searched by policemen.
However, when Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr. Olubode Ojajuni was contacted on phone for confirmation, he said he was yet to be briefed on the incident by the Divisional Police Officer of Isolo Divisional Police Headquarters. Meanwhile, police have accused the affected bank of nonchalance in taking the deceased cops to the mortuary. A policeman at Isolo who spoke under anonymity informed Daily Champion that the body of the late officers were left lying in the sun for about five hours due to non-release of money by the bank to pay for mortuary expenses. But the corporate affairs manager of the bank debunked the allegation, saying the deceased were immediately taken to the mortuary after the bank received information of the incident.
Posted by Publisher at 09:41 AM | Comments (0)
I lost my certificates to inferno – VP
Vice-president Goodluck Jonathan has said that he lost his certificates during the attack on his country home, Otuoke, Bayelsa State by gunmen in May.
By Agency Reporter
Published: Monday, 30 Jul 2007
Jonathan, at an interactive session with newsmen in Yenagoa on Saturday, also debunked rumours that he lost thousands of foreign currencies to the incident.
He said, “I kept my certificates here (Yenagoa) until after the Independent National Electoral Commission’s screening of the candidates for the April 21 elections.
“When I wanted to travel to the United States, I said that they should send my certificates to my house in Kpansia.
“But the young person I gave the directive misunderstood me. So, he took the certificates to my village house.
“Of course, the keys used to stay with the housekeeper. So, I don‘t think that I will get that kind of money (foreign currencies) to go and dump there (Otuoke) and then leave the house open.”
Jonathan said that the whole building would have been brought down if not for sympathisers who used pumping machines with long hoses to put out the inferno.
He said, “Everything in my bedroom was burnt but people say that there was money, and that only the money did not burn. I don‘t know whether there was a safe in that house.
The gunmen invaded the home of the vice-president shortly after his election and burnt a part of the building.
A security post in the house was also burnt and a Honda Accord in the premises vandalised.
The incident forced the VP’s mother to flee to a neighbouring community on a speed boat.
Posted by Publisher at 09:38 AM | Comments (0)
ICPC may investigate NNPC over alleged N300bn deal
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission may soon launch a probe into the activities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission over an alleged N300bn shady deal.
By Olalekan Adetayo
Published: Monday, 23 Jul 2007
A human rights organisation, Campaign for Democracy, had in 2006 petitioned the former President of the Senate, Chief Ken Nnamani, that although 450,000 barrel per day of crude oil were allocated to the NNPC to be refined for local consumption, however all the refineries in the country as at the time could only refine 150,000 barrel daily.
Specifically, the CD cited as a constitutional breach ”the N300bn shady deal in the NNPC when 450,000 barrel per day of crude oil were allocated to NNPC to be refined for local consumption whereas all the refineries in the country could only refine 150,000 barrel per day.”
The organisation, in the petition by its President, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; and Secretary, Mr. Solomon Sobade, further alleged that the sale of the balance of 300,000 barrel per day could not be properly accounted for.
This and many other allegations were what the CD compiled as constitutional breaches by the Executive arm of government under former President Olusegun Obasanjo and forwarded to Nnamani.
The then Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Masari, as well as the chairmen of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the ICPC and the Code of Conduct Bureau were also copied.
The ICPC, in its response, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent on Sunday, said it could only look into the NNPC‘s case as other constitutional breaches mentioned in the petition did not fall under the purview of the commission‘s enabling act, the ICPC Act 2000.
In the reply by Ibrahim A. Garba on behalf of the commission‘s chairman and dated April 26, 2007, the ICPC said, ”Only the allegation that NNPC is being allocated 450, 000 barrels of crude oil and not accounting for 300,000 barrels out of this number points to a probable breach of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act.
”The commission is therefore giving it serious consideration. While commending you for your interest in ensuring a better and more decent Nigeria, please accept the assurances of the Hon. Chairman‘s highest regards and esteem.”
Joe-Odumakin told our correspondent that she took delivery of the ICPC‘s response on Wednesday.
She recalled that her organisation‘s role in the country and enthroning democracy.
She regretted that the situation in the country as at last year when the CD wrote the petition was an aberration and far from the type of democracy envisaged by those who sacrificed for an end to military rule.
Posted by Publisher at 09:37 AM | Comments (0)
Daramola: OPC leader opens up on Fayose
The Ekiti State Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress, Mr. Adeniyi Adedipe, on Sunday confessed that he and some elders of the state cooked up spurious allegations against a former governor of the state, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, to ensure his removal from office.
By Olalekan Adetayo
Published: Monday, 30 Jul 2007
Specifically, Adedipe said the elders prevailed on him to make confessional statements to the police in order to make Nigerians believe that the former governor was responsible for the killing of a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Dr. Ayo Daramola, and an attack on a former Executive Chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government, Mr. Taiye Fasuba.
But, in her reaction to the development, Daramola‘s widow, Kehinde, said she had left everything to God who would fight for her.
”I am leaving everything to God. I don‘t want to get involved in all this. I don‘t even know this Adeniyi Adedipe you are talking about…I am not a politician and I don‘t want to get involved. I believe that my God will fight for me,” she said.
Adedipe, who was one of the personal aides to Fayose‘s Chief of Staff, spoke and made available to journalists in Lagos a 23-paragraph affidavit he swore to at the Lagos High Court to back up his confession.
The OPC leader, who spoke in the presence of his lawyer, Mr. Segun Arowoyele, said, ”The time has come for me to set my conscience free from the burden of evil and malice for which I have involved myself with some powerful individuals in Ekiti. It is without doubt that Governor Ayo Fayose offended some of us and some leaders with which I pitted my tent and we agreed to deal with him.”
He alleged he was taken to the Presidency where he was told that the attacks on Daramola and Fasuba were opportunities to ”influence, intimidate and manipulate” the state House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the former governor.
He said he was advised by some officials in the Presidency to present some members of the OPC who would give statements to the police that he and Fayose conspired with them to carry out the nefarious acts.
This, he added, was done with an agreement that the OPC members would be released from police custody and the case closed immediately after the ex-governor was removed.
Adedipe added that it was in the light of the agreement that he contacted these OPC members — Akinwale Fadairo, Babatunde Adebayo, Dele Ogunleye, Ariwajoye Francis, Ajayi Ola, Adedomi Odunayo and Deji Abegunde.
These OPC members are currently standing trial for attempted murder at the Ekiti State High Court.
He said he was shocked that contrary to their earlier agreement, after the removal of Fayose, Adebayo, Ogunleye, Francis, Ola, Odunayo and Abegunde were charged to court for attempted murder.
He said that when he and an elder of the state approached the police management on the issue, a former police officer said that ”there was pressure from Ekiti people” and as such, he could not ask that they be released.
Adedipe said that having handed over the case to the state government, the government wanted him to be its star witness and establish that Fayose conspired to attack Fasuba in a case pending at the Ekiti State High Court.
The OPC leader insisted that Fayose did not at any time conspire with him to attack Fasuba and Daramola.
He said that Fasuba confirmed during a parade of the OPC members in Abuja that none of the men paraded was part of those who attacked him.
He vowed to mention venues of meetings and individuals present at every meeting if there was any denial of the confessions he made by the police because ”I can‘t die of this guilt without confession.”
He apologised to the people of the state for the role he played in the crisis.
Posted by Publisher at 09:36 AM | Comments (0)
Probe ThisDay deputy editor’s death
The Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has called for a thorough investigation by security agencies into the circumstances surrounding the sudden and mysterious death of Mr. Samuel Famakinwa, deputy editor of ThisDay.
By Agency Reporter
Published: Monday, 30 Jul 2007
In a statement, the Council said the investigation was expedient as the body of Famakinwa was discovered on the night of Thursday, July 26, 2007, 24 clear hours after his return to his hotel room in Maiduguri, by his host, the Borno State government and the management of the hotel.
The council said, “While we await the outcome of the autopsy report, we ask God to give his immediate family and the ThisDay family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
In commiserating with the family of the deceased and the entire staff and management of ThisDay Newspapers, Lagos NUJ implores government to beef up security in the country, as Nigeria is increasingly sliding into a jungle.
Meanwhile, Dr. Andy Uba has commiserated with ThisDay management on the death of Famakinwa.
He said in a statement, “May I, on behalf my family, convey my condolences over the death of your deputy editor, Mr. Samuel Famakinwa, late Thursday night in Maiduguri, Borno State.
“The death of your deputy editor in yet-to-be ascertained circumstances, no doubt, is a huge loss to his family, THISDAY and journalism practice in Nigeria, nay Africa.”
Posted by Publisher at 09:35 AM | Comments (0)
We are ignorant about energy sector –Ministers
The three newly appointed ministers of state in the energy sector confessed on Friday that they were ignorant of the intricacies of the industry.
By Obinna Ezeobi, Abuja
Published: Monday, 30 Jul 2007
Speaking after a meeting with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Alhaji Sadiq Mahmud and other key officials, the ministers said that they had different backgrounds which they admitted, were not related to energy.
They said they would, therefore, rely on the staff and experts in the ministry and its parastatals to achieve results.
Some industry analysts had earlier expressed worry over the appointments, wondering why Yar’Adua did not appoint energy technocrats to man the sector, considering its importance and the ailing state of the facilities in sector.
The ministers are, Mrs. Fatima Balaraba Ibrahim (Power); Mr. Henry Odein Ajumogobia (Petroleum); and Emmanuel Olatunde Odusina (Gas).
But despite their handicap, the ministers promised to pursue the Federal Government’s policy thrust on energy and bring about the most desired results as soon as possible.
They added that a retreat with Yar’Adua at the weekend, would reveal the minds and direction of government on how the results would be achieved.
According to the Minister of State for Power, Ibrahim, “The importance of the energy ministry cannot be overemphasised. Nigerians are very impatient people who are interested in seeing results within a short time.
“The sector has been erratic but we must deliver. Power is strategic without which nothing functions in this country and is the vehicle for economic development. It is not going to be easy but we must try to fix it.”
On his part, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ajumogobia, said, “We are all new to this business but we are all bringing fresh perspectives to the sector. What we need is a road map on the way forward.”
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Gas, Odusina said the team must make things happen.
According to him, “The Yar’Adua’s administration has a seven-point agenda. This sector contributes 95 per cent to the revenue of the nation. In order to accelerate the execution of these policies, we are going to ensure that things are done as soon as possible.”
In his presentation to the ministers, Mahmud said the portfolios in the energy sector were extensive and that this was the reason behind the appointment of three ministers with the President himself as the substantive minister.
He said, “In the power sector, we are looking at generating 25,000 megawatts but we are still hovering between 3,000MW.
“In petroleum, even though oil was discovered in 1958, we are yet to get to our desired level and the challenges are daunting. In gas, our gas resource is bigger than the rest of the world with Nigeria being next to Venezuela. It is of utmost importance that we develop our resources.”
Posted by Publisher at 09:34 AM | Comments (0)
Yar’Adua wants honest assessment of Nigeria
PRESIDENT Umaru Yar’Adua has endorsed the review of Nigeria by the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), but stressed that the assessment be done in an honest and transparent manner.
Clement Idoko, Abuja - 30.07.2007
President Yar’Adua said this in Abuja when he received a panel of the review committee led by the National Adviser on New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Professor Tunji Olatunde, on the validation of the Nigeria’s APRM report.
He said, “I am committed to the assessment as long as the review is honestly done and with sincerity of purpose.”
APRM is a flagship programme of the NEPAD for fostering good governance in African countries.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja at the weekend, Prof. Olatunde said “the mechanism is a critical catalyst for advancing reforms in governance and socio-economic development and for building capacity in the African continent.
“Its primary mandate is to encourage acceding countries to adopt policies and practices that conform to the agreed political, economic and corporate governance values, codes and standards as well as the socio-economic objectives enunciated in the NEPAD Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance document (2002).”
Prof. Olatunde disclosed that out of the 27 African countries that agreed to be reviewed, five countries – Ghana, Algeria, South Africa, Kenya and Rwanda, had been completely reviewed. “Nigeria began her own review two years ago, but the process was derailed because of thetransition programme.”
According to him, Nigeria has nine months from now to submit its self-assessment report in line with the agreement, adding that with the blessing of President Yar’Adua, the processes would be scaled up.
Posted by Publisher at 09:32 AM | Comments (0)
How Yar’Adua’s men outwitted Obasanjo - Over ministerial appointments
LOYALISTS of President Umaru Yar‘Adua have finally routed the remnants of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s forces after weeks of battling for the soul of the Yar’Adua presidency, Nigerian Tribune can authoritatively reveal.
By Our Reporter - 30.07.2007
Nigerian Tribune investigations revealed that the recently concluded ministerial screening was the last battle ground of the two groups with the new Yar’Adua caucus finally succeeding in taking the front seat in the new administration.
It was learnt that the final portfolio allocation was at variance with what was originally agreed upon between the Obasanjo camp and those of the president’s loyalists, with the Otta farmer‘s influence in the new administration said to have been drastically reduced.
Findings revealed that the original arrangement was to share the first class portfolios equally among nominees from the two camps so as to reflect the unity of relationship between the former and the present leadership.
This plan was said to have subsisted up till Wednesday, a day to the inauguration of the new ministers.
Problem reportedly started when some core loyalists of Yar’Adua cried foul over the arrangement, accusing the former president of setting the stage for the remote controlling of the Yar’Adua presidency.
The development reportedly led to the postponement of the inauguration earlier scheduled for Wednesday as well as the more than two hours’ delay in the commencement of the programme on Thursday.
The new Yar’Adua caucus was said to have argued that if Obasanjo did not allow the North to dictate his cabinet while he was the president, he should not be given that privilege under an Arewa presidency.
The group was also reported to have said that while it was true that Obasanjo played a prominent role in the making of the Yar’Adua presidency, he (Obasanjo) should not seize on that to dictate happenings as he too did not listen to the North which enthroned him in 1999.
Reports indicated that President Yar’Adua did not originally buy the idea until he was reminded that if he failed to put those he trusted in key positions, he might have himself to blame if things went wrong in the months ahead.
The president was also reportedly told that his loyalists insisted that he must distance himself from the Obasanjo legacy if he was to earn the confidence of Nigerians, with a provision that the cabinet portfolio was the major test for the president to show that he was his own man.
From Wednesday night, findings revealed that the pro-Obasanjo caucus lost the battle with the new president‘s caucus taking the centre stage.
Findings showed that the new caucus was made up of core North-West leaders who felt the former president betrayed the North with his conduct while in office, with a feeling that it would amount to further insult to the North for Obasanjo to be ruling from retirement.
Records, however, showed that not all those affected are Obasanjo boys, but they are not considered close enough to be trusted with sensitive portfolios in the first cabinet.
Posted by Publisher at 09:32 AM | Comments (0)
Kalu, Turaki, Dariye, Nyame still in prison custody - Despite getting bail
ALL the four former governors granted bail by courts are still in prison custody, the Nigerian Tribune can reveal. They are Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia State, Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State, Joshua Dariye of Plateau State and Jolly Nyame of Taraba State.
Lanre Adewole, Abuja - 30.07.2007
They are facing trial over alleged money laundering, stealing and conversion of public funds running into about N50 billion.
They were remanded in prison custody by the different courts handling their trial in Abuja.
About a week after some of them were released on bail, they are still in Kuje prisons because they could not meet their bail conditions.
As at press time, the Nigerian Tribune gathered that none of them had moved near perfecting his bail conditions, because those they reportedly relied on as sureties are said to be giving the venture a wide berth.
This, it was gathered, was because they did not want to have any problem with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is prosecuting the former governors.
The prospective sureties, the Nigerian Tribune gathered, are afraid of pledging the N100 million bond because the commission might start asking questions about how they made their money which may lead to a fresh probe into their lives.
Though the prominent Nigerians required as sureties are said to be trooping-in daily to see the accused in prison, they are said to have been reluctant when it comes to standing as sureties.
The fear that the anti-corruption commission might also see them as accomplices, who assisted the accused in laundering the said funds, is also said to be another factor that is keeping prospective sureties away.
Dariye was granted bail last Monday, and apart from the Emir of Lafia that signaled his intention to stand as surety for him, he is said to be finding it difficult getting a senator to complete the two sureties, ordered by Justice Babs Kuewumi of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Dariye was granted bail in the sum of N100 million and the two sureties in the like sum, and also to possess developed landed property in choice areas in Abuja.
Calls to his counsel’s mobile phone did not go through. However, counsel for Kalu, Mike Ezekhome, in a telephone interview, said that his client had met his bail conditions since last Friday, the same day he was given bail, explaining that it was the lateness in making the conditions available to the court on the day that led to Kalu’s continued stay in prison.
Meanwhile, an Abuja High Court will today rule on the bail application of Dariye. Justice Banjoko fixed the ruling for today after taking submission from parties in the trial, following EFCC’s objection to the bail application.
EFCC had told the court that Dariye would jump bail like he allegedly did in London when he was arrested for money laundering.
The worst hit among the former governors on the issue of bail is Nyame, who is said to have been deserted after it was made public that he had confessed to looting the state treasury.
Nyame had told the EFCC in his confessional statement that once the amount he illegally took from the state was certified, he would be ready to refund it.
Posted by Publisher at 09:31 AM | Comments (0)
DMO moves to reduce local debts
THE Debt Management Office (DMO) has moved to reduce the country’s sub-national debts in line with President Umaru Yar’adua’s directive that it be reduced to sustainable level.
Gbola Subair, Abuja - 30.07.2007
Thus, a Sub-National Debt Management (SND) conference to fashion out best ways of confronting the issue will come up today at Valentia Hotel, Abuja.
The event, jointly organised by the DMO and the Department for International Development (DFID), according to the statement, would feature a brainstorming session aimed at assisting DMO develop the framework for helping states and local governments institute effective public debt management, adding that effective SND management, was one of the emerging challenges the DMO had to deal with after Nigeria’s exit from the Paris and London Clubs in order to ensure prudence and fiscal balance at all tiers of government.
“Accordingly, the SND study team circulated questionnaires to all the 36 states of the federation, continuously engaged with the six states making up the steering committees on Sub-national Debt Management and physically evaluated debt management in six states from the different geo-political zones of the country.
At the end of the exercise, the SND study report is expected to be presented to all interested parties, and get feedback from donor agencies working in debt management at the sub-national level based on their experiences as well as from the states being intervened,” it said.
Participants are expected to agree on a unified framework for ensuring effective sub-national debt management by integrating the findings of the study, including experiences of donor agencies working at the state level, and states’ contributions into DMO’s National Public Debt Management framework.
“It is hoped that the session will agree on a process of intervention for supporting sub-national debt management at the state and local government levels and the manner donors can channel resources in future for the attainment of common goals,” the statement further said.
Posted by Publisher at 09:30 AM | Comments (0)
FG begins preparation for 2008 budget - Reviews Budget 2007
THE Federal Government has kick-started preparations for Budget 2008, just as it has commenced a review of the 2007 budget.
By Olawale Rasheed - 30.07.2007
Findings by the Nigerian Tribune showed that the new Finance Minister, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, issued the circular to the federal permanent secretaries, asking them to commence collation of data for next year’s budget.
Each ministry is expected to send memoranda to its parastatal agencies for them to state their needs for the next financial year.
The finance minister was said to have given the directive on Friday soon after resuming at the finance ministry headquarters in Abuja.
The minister reportedly cited the need for detailed and correct data to speed up the process of submission of the new budget to the National Assembly as early as possible.
Ministries and departmental heads are expected to meet this week to facilitate the implementation of the budgetary directive.
In a similar vein, the presidency has ordered the immediate review of budget 2007 to address the many shortfalls in the allocation of some parastatal agencies.
The budgetary review is also targeted at addressing certain national emergencies.
Findings showed that the ongoing review is to lead to the preparation and submission of a supplementary budget to the National Assembly in the next few weeks.
Posted by Publisher at 09:28 AM | Comments (0)
GNU Has Come To Stay, Says Ume-Ezeoke
Inauguration of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) by President Umaru Yar’Adua is nothing but a confirmation that the Government of National Unity (GNU) has come to stay, according to All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Chairman, Edwin Ume-Ezeoke.
By Alex Emeje (Abuja) and Gbenga Faturoti (Osogbo)
July 30th, 2007
He explained at the weekend that the initiative is good for the country, and expressed happiness that the two people nominated by the ANPP were among the 39 Ministers sworn in.
The two are Tijani Kaura and Ibrahim Nakade. Kaura is Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Nakade is Minister of State for Information and Communications.
Ume-Ezeoke said the ANPP would remain in the opposition, would be credible in its role, but would support the government, run by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in its efforts to raise living standards.
He described critics of his party’s participation in the GNU as people who are not politicians.
"In politics, there should be jaw-jaw and not war-war, and that is what the ANPP is doing".
In Osun, the ANPP Governorship candidate, Ismail Oladimeji Oginni, lamented Muhammadu Buhari’s staunch opposition to the GNU.
Buhari was the ANPP Presidential candidate at the last elections.
Oginni called him "a liability" because he has refused to allow the party have its way on a matter affecting Nigerians, even as the decision of the party should be binding on all members.
He said Buhari is the cause of the problems of the ANPP and urged the party’s leadership to do away with him.
"Buhari has never been an asset to us. His non-cooperation poses a great problem for the party. He has never been a good party man", Oginni charged.
But he cautioned the ANPP to ensure that those it chooses to represent it are "loyal and strong party members" who would not turn their backs against the party after joining the government.
"As a loyal party man, I have no option than to support the decision of my party. Much as I believe in a very strong opposition to make for a virile democracy, the only alternative one has is either to opt out of the party or support it".
Oginni expressed readiness to work with the government of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Osun if it is the decision of the ANPP to extend the working relationship with the PDP to the state level.
"If Oyinlola feels he can work with me, there is no problem in working with him. If he feels there are areas I can contribute to his government for the progress of Osun State, why not?".
Posted by Publisher at 09:00 AM | Comments (0)
Group Lauds Yar’Adua’s Achievements In 60 Days
Yar’Adua International Initiative for Good Governance (YIGG), a group out to promote activities related to President Umaru Yar’Adua’s government, has said that the President’s first 60 days in office have shown that the government is one with a clear vision.
By Tom Chiahemen, Assistant Editor, Abuja
July 30th, 2007
National Facilitator/Promoter of the YIGG, Felix Idiga, who made the observation in a statement in Abuja at the weekend, noted that the President has demonstrated that he is an independent thinker and team player who believes in the philosophy of "servant leadership".
According to Idiga, some of the positive steps taken by Yar’Adua within the last 60 days include the public declaration of his assets, ordering of strict obedience to the rule of law, formation of an all-inclusive government and initiation of the process for the construction of the Lagos Mega City project.
Idiga listed other achievements to include obedience of the Supreme Court judgement on the three-year seizure of N10.8 billion Lagos local councils’ funds, ordering of immediate re-opening of the shut Ibeto Cement Factory, and ordering of immediate reinstatement of Peter Obi as Anambra State governor within three hours of the Supreme Court verdict on the disputed governorship seat.
Posted by Publisher at 08:59 AM | Comments (0)
PPA Gets Ag Chairman, Suspends Scribe
Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) has approved the appointment of its Deputy National Chairman (North), Adamu Song, as the acting national chairman. It has also announced the suspension of its National Secretary, Iboko Imo Iboko.
By Adetutu Folasade-Koyi, Senior Correspondent, Abuja
July 30th, 2007
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olu Akerele, said Iboko was suspended for breaching article 12 of the party’s constitution on discipline while Song would act in that capacity until the return of the substantive chairman, Suleiman Ahmed, who is said to be out of the country on medical check-up.
Akerele stated that the appointment is pursuant to article 11 of the PPA’s constitution.
National Working Committee (NWC) of the party reached a decision to suspend Iboko because "he was fanning embers of discord within the leadership of the party and encouraging parallel executives in states’ chapters of the PPA."
Posted by Publisher at 08:58 AM | Comments (0)
Mark Canvasses Common African Travel Document
Senate President, David Mark, has canvassed a common travel document among African countries.
By Adetutu Folasade-Koyi, Senior Correspondent, Abuja
July 30th, 2007
He has also called for the dismantling of all barriers that hamper movement of goods and persons in the continent.
Mark stated this at the weekend during a meeting with visiting parliamentarians from Namibia led by Deputy Chairman of Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee, Lucia Basson.
The Senate President reasoned that elimination of artificial barriers would enhance exchange of goods and services needed to improve co-operation and development among African countries.
"We must work towards eliminating visa problems within our continent. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has started it and it must spread round Africa so that traveling within Africa is made easier", he added.
He noted that European countries have adopted measures that ensure uniform practice in all they do, including a common currency and travelling documents, which he stressed, facilitate easier business and economic transactions.
Earlier, Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, had called for exchange programmes among African parliaments to improve legislation and democracy in the continent.
Also speaking, Senate Marine Transport Committee Chairman, Gbemisola Saraki, said Nigeria is gradually moving towards an appreciation of the role of women in governance.
She praised the Senate President for appreciating the role of women, pointing out that the Senate leadership gave women a reasonable number of committee headship.
In her response, Basson called for stronger unity among African countries, especially in guaranteeing sustainable democracy and good governance.
Posted by Publisher at 08:57 AM | Comments (0)
Senator Indicts Dep Governor Over Kogi Crisis
Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District on the platform of Action Congress (AC), Otaru Salihu Ohize, has blamed Kogi State Deputy Governor, Philip Salawu, for the political crisis rocking the state.
By Adetutu Folasade-Koyi, Correspondent, Abuja
July 30th, 2007
The police had arrested Ohize and two members of the House of Representatives, A.K. Salihu and Suleiman Abdul Kokori, both of them of the AC, representing constituencies in Kogi State, at the weekend.
They were arrested in connection with the violent crisis which has continually engulfed Kogi Central since after the polls.
Reacting to the weekend arrest, Ohize absolved both himself and the AC of the crisis, insisting that the deputy governor should be held responsible instead.
Speaking with Daily Independent, Ohize stated that the crisis in the state started before the last general elections and only escalated after the polls.
He accused Salawu of working against the interest of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
"The disturbance in the Central Senatorial District of Kogi State is purely political. It started with traditional titles and extended to the April elections, although political differences might have crept in later.
"However, we have tried to use politics to solve it.
"The deputy governor, even though he is from the Central Senatorial District, doesn’t have the courage to confront the governor.
"Instead, he regales the governor with negative stories about us and condemns his own people.
"The deputy governor is not living up to his responsibilities as a leader. Instead of him to live up to his respected position, he is even a participant in the crisis. He hasn’t made attempts to caution those involved in the crisis in the state", Ohize regretted.
Posted by Publisher at 08:55 AM | Comments (0)
American charged with bribing NNPC officials
An American federal grand jury has indicted a former executive of a subsidiary of energy services firm Willbros Group Inc. on charges of conspiring to bribe Nigerian government officials, the US Department of Justice has said.
By SEGUN ADIO with agency reports
Jason Steph, 37, is charged with conspiring to make over six million dollars in bribe payments to Nigerian officials (names withheld) to obtain and retain gas pipeline construction business from a joint venture majority-owned and controlled by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The four-count indictment unsealed in a federal court in Houston, Texas, accuses Steph, a US citizen residing in Kazakhstan, of violations of the federal Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Steph was also charged with money laundering based upon the international transfer of some of the alleged bribe money, the Justice Department said.
Wilbros is a Houston-based, publicly-traded company that provides construction, engineering and other services in the oil and gas industry but recently divested, selling its Nigerian operations to a new, mostly Nigerian-owned company.
Steph worked at Wilbros International Inc., a subsidiary that conducts the groups international operations. The indictment alleges a conspiracy from late 2003 through March 2005 when Steph was general manager at Willbros Internationals on-shore operations in Nigeria. It alleges a conspiracy that included Steph, two individuals acting in Nigeria as purported consultants to Willbros and others, to make millions of dollars in corrupt payments to help win a major gas pipeline engineering, procurement and construction project, the Justice Department said.
Willbros and an unnamed German consortium partner submitted bids for the project, known as the Eastern Gas Gathering System (EGGS), for approximately $387 million. In exchange for the award of the project, the conspirators allegedly paid, promised to pay, and authorized payments to officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corp., its joint-venture investment unit, a senior official in the executive branch of the Nigerian federal government, and others, the US Justice Department said.
NewAge was unable to obtain any reaction from the NNPC last night.
Posted by Publisher at 08:51 AM | Comments (0)
EFCC fails to arraign Nnamani again
The on again, off-again commencement of trial of former Enugu State governor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani continued its play yesterday when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for the third time in two weeks failed to produce him in court.
By Silifat Mohammed
Nnamani is to face fraud, conspiracy, concealment and money laundering charges filed against him by the EFCC before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
Counsel to Nnamani, Mr Rickey Tarfa (SAN) and Chief Chris Uche told journalists, who had thronged the court for the matter that they would pursue other options to see that their client is brought to court or released from detention.
The former governor was arrested on Sunday night and brought to Lagos on Monday, has been in detention for more than 72 hours, far beyond what is prescribed in the constitution, as the minimum number of days, a person can be held in detention without being charged to court. his lawyers said .
Mr Tarfa while reacting to the failure of EFCC to produce Nnamani in court ,said, there is nothing much we can do. They (EFCC) are the ones prosecuting the case, so we just have to come back tomorrow (today) and see if they will bring him.
When reminded that the constitution provides for the charging of an accused person to court within 48 hours after arrest, he said we are considering our options and we will not like to make it public now. If they fail to charge him, we will know what to do.
Also reacting, Chief Uche said, it is highly regrettable that this is happening. We were here (in court) yesterday and they were not here. They told us they will bring him to court today and today (yesterday). They still did not bring him. We have wasted two whole days. We dont know if anybody has developed cold feet in this case. We just dont know what is happening. I must be fair to them that the EFCC has allowed us see our client and he (Nnanami) has told us that he is ready for the trial, as he has so much to say, Uche added.
Speaking further he said, He (Nnamani) is highly disappointed that he has not been brought to court. The EFCC has not told us why they have not charged him yet. They have filed their charge, so what is stopping them. You can imagine the man hours we have wasted the two days we have been here.
Sources close to EFCC told NewAge that the delay in arraigning Nnamani is due to the prosecutions amendment of the charges that had been filed in court.
Posted by Publisher at 08:50 AM | Comments (0)
Bail: Orji Kalu knows fate tomorrow
Former governor of Abia State Mr. Orji Uzor Kalu would tomorrow know whether he would continue to be remanded in prison custody as a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja decides his bail application.
By YAHAYA TAIDI, Abuja
Justice Binta Nyako gave this indication after counsel to both parties had adopted their written addresses filed earlier in the court.
Mr. Livy Uzoukwu, Kalus lead counsel told news men: Orji came to justice, justice did not come to him. He was abroad and came on his own. He would have stayed abroad but he came on his own without evading justice. On that note he should be granted bail.
In a brief filed earlier at the court, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that Mr. Kalu used one hundred and six cheques of Abia state government to illegally transfer N3 billion into Slok Nigeria Limited. The brief filed by one Chile Okoroma of the legal and prosecution unit of the EFCC indicated that Mr. Kalu was in hand in glove with one Emek a Abone and Eunice Agwu who are both at large and conspired and transferred funds 31 times from Abia State government account in Manny Bank to Slok Nigeria Limited account in Inland Bank.
In the same vein Kalu transferred large amounts of money from the state government account in Spring Bank 31 times to Slok Nigeria Limited account at inland Bank.
A large proportion of the alleged fraudulent transfers was carried out with United Bank for Africa where the former governor transferred money 44 times to Slok company account.
A total of 106 cheques was allegedly used to transfer a sum total of N3 billion naira into his private company account.
A plethora of Kalus kinsmen including some traditional rulers who came to witness the proceedings yesterday vehemently kicked against government decision to freeze the accounts of his companies before the determination of the matter.
Posted by Publisher at 08:49 AM | Comments (0)
Pfizer in the dock; Govt prefers criminals charges
The Federal Government yesterday at the Federal High Court Abuja preferred a 23 count criminal charge against Pfizer a leading drug manufacturing company for allegedly conducting illegal drug tests that caused a large number of fatalities and deformities in Kano in 1996.
By YAHAYA, TAIDI, Abuja
The government joined the local directors; Isa Dutse , Scott Hopkins, Debra Williams , Mike Dunne, Samuel Ohuabunwa , Robert Buhl and Willaim Steer as co-accused who allegedly conspired to obtain forged covering permit, imported, delivered and administered an "untested" dangerous drug trovafloxacin on over 200 children.
Babatunde Irukera appeared for the Federal Government yesterday but the accused were not in court and Justice Anwuri Chikere adjourned the matter to October 29 for arraignment .
Once you have accused people in court you have to arraign them, Irukera said.
The accused risk various fines and or jail terms of up to seven years if convicted.
NewAge recalls that the Federal Government had last week withdrew its N890 million case against the company to file the fresh this fresh case.
While reacting to these fresh charge, Irukera however said there would not be trial unless the accused appeared in court.
In the 23 count charge signed by Muhammad Saidu Diri and leveled against Pfizer, the government said that the accused possessed the said Trovafloxacin contrary to section 516 of the criminal Code Act .
As contained in the charge cited, the accused conspired and breached Criminal Code Act, medical and dental practitioners act, Food, Drug and Related products (registration etc) and the consumer protection Act 1992 among others.
The charge also has it that Hopskin, Debra and Dunne administered the Trovafloxacin and other drugs on 200 children in 1996 contrary to section 17 of the medical and dental practitioners of the Federation.
The government said that the accused ' falsely misled over 200 children in Kano into believing the efficacy of Trovafloxacin as a cure for meningitis when " they " knew that Trovafloxacin does not cure such disease and thereby committed an offence.
The federal government also alleged that the accused failed to comply with the requirements imposed on them to register, test and apply for approval to use the said drugs on human beings as cure.
According to the complainant, accused " proffered information to it, the affected children, their parents that the unregistered Trovan was actually registered , safe and potent in the treatment of meningitis, the information which caused injury and loss to the 200 children and the federal government of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence in contravention of section 12(b) consumer protection council act 1992" The government also told the court that the accused conspired to procure a forged and backdated letter of approval for the clinical trial conducted in April 1996.
Pfizer was also said to have offered one Dutse of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital , Kano $20,000 for procuring a forged and backdated letter of approval for the clinical trail conducted on the children.
Posted by Publisher at 08:48 AM | Comments (0)
US professor shot, woman kidnapped in Port Harcourt
Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital compounded its notoriety for violence and abductions yesterday when dare-devil armed robbers shot a visiting US professor and a security guard.
By SEGUN ADIO with agency reports
Michael Watts, a Berkeley, California-based expert on oil-related violence in the Delta, was in hospital with bullet wounds in the hand after a newspaper office he was visiting came under attack, one of his friends said.
The security guard, a Nigerian, was also in hospital with bullet wounds.
"About eight or nine armed robbers were trailing him. They shot the security guard, gained access to the office which they ransacked and stole $600 from the professor," said the friend, who was at his bedside in hospital and asked not to be named.
The incident came the morning after suspected ransom-seekers kidnapped the mother of the speaker of the state house of assembly in neighbouring Bayelsa State.
It was the latest in a spate of abductions of relatives of powerful people in the Niger Delta. The 3-year-old son of a traditional ruler was released on July 13 Numerous criminal gangs now ridden on the back of the struggle by militant groups for greater benefits for the people from oil production have seized the opportunity to carry out abductions for ransom, armed robberies and other crimes that have nothing to do with the political struggle in the area.
Posted by Publisher at 08:47 AM | Comments (0)
Yar Adua tasks Nigerians in the diaspora
Umaru Musa Yar-Adua has called for collaboration with qualified Nigerians in the diaspora to put science to use in national development.
By FRANCA OCHIGBO, Abuja
The President who made this statement yesterday during the second Nigeria diaspora day and 3rd science and technology conference in Abuja said the ministers of science and technology, education and health should partner with Nigerians in the diaspora in creating platforms in science for Nigeria institution of learning.
Said YarAdua ''my main goal is to tackle poverty, generate jobs encourage foreign investors,'' he appealed to Nigerians both at home and in diaspora to collaborate and form a formidable force in tackling poverty, generate enough wealth to meet the target of being among the 20 wealthy nation in the world by 2020.
Chukwuma Soludo the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria CBN expressed dismay at Nigerians who are not willing to identify with their root, saying that there are 17 million Nigerians in the diaspora but that their contribution so far to the growth of the nation was quite minimal compared to other developing nations.
AmbassadorJoe Keshi a prime mover of the Nigeria diaspora day said the primary objective was to tap into and utilize the knowledge, skills and resources of the Nigerians in diaspora to strengthen and complement government efforts at addressing the issues of sustainable development.
The Secretary to the Federal Government Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe said the present government would ensure thatbrain drain was turned to brain gain for the benefit of the nation.
Posted by Publisher at 08:46 AM | Comments (0)
Ex-govs live cosy lives in prison
A relaxed life of social visits, reading of books and news-papers, prayer sessions, conversations under leafy trees and receiving streams of visitors is the lot of four former governors now....
Written by Abubakar Yakubu & Rakiya.AMuhammad, Jos
Monday, 30 July 2007
cooling their heels at Abuja’s Kuje Prison, Daily Trust learnt yesterday. Former governors Ibrahim Saminu Turaki of Jigawa, Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia, Jolly Nyame of Taraba and Chief Joshua Dariye of Plateau were all being held in the prison following their arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] over various charges of fraud, theft and money laundering. Though they secured bail late last week, they were still in prison at the weekend, trying to meet the stiff bail conditions.
A source inside the prison said the VIP inmates are very popular with the prison staff
and inmates because for the first time in years, the prison’s standby power generator is running, thanks to diesel supplied by Alhaji Saminu Turaki.
A source also said many high profile visitors, including former vice-president Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Governor T.O. Orji of Abia State and Alhaji Sule Yahaya Hamma, were at the prison to visit the VIP inmates. Another source said he saw former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida sneak into the jail house to see his friend Dr. Kalu.
Last Saturday, Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki was seen observing a special prayer close to the prison’s mosque. He had spread a large mat beside the mosque and he did several raka’ats, even though the time was 11.25am, outside the time of the regular Muslim daily prayers. A large pillow was placed at the end of the mat, while several bottles of Swan water were placed by the side of the mat. A prison warder told our reporter that Alhaji Saminu spends most of his time in prayer.
Soon after he finished praying, Turaki was led into the prison’s waiting room by an official of the State Security Services (SSS) to receive his visitors. The visitors, most of whom were women, believed to be his relatives, spent time discussing with the ex-governor. The former Jigawa governor looked pale in a white native dress, while the former Abia State governor was cheerful in a black tee-shirt on a blue jeans trouser. He was seen waving to other inmates who greeted him from inside their cells.
Kalu was not lucky to have a chair, and he stood to receive his visitors. He was seen resting his back and foot on the wall as he chatted away with his guests in the prison’s front office. Ex-governor of Plateau State Chief Joshua Chibi Dariye sat on a bench to attend to his visitors that consisted of a lady and three men.
Another ex-governor seen by our reporters at Kuje Prison on Saturday was Reverend Jolly Nyame of Taraba State, who had been granted bail last Thursday. He met with a senator and a former minister of commerce inside the prison’s waiting room. Before seeing the ex-governor, the former minister, Idris Waziri, who led a delegation of three persons, had to go through the process of writing an application to the officer in-charge of the Kuje Maximum Security Prisons at the first post. After waiting for almost an hour, he was allowed to see an SSS official stationed near the prison’s main entrance, who inquired about the ex-minister’s identity and mission. After listening to his explanation, he told Waziri that Nyame was yet to come out, and he told them to go back to the first post to wait. "Leave here, go back and wait for me," the official comman-ded. The SSS official also said that his boss inside the prisons would have to scru-tinize the list of the ex-gover-nors’ visitors before any one can see them. Alhaji Idris Waziri was later called by the SSS and was allowed to see Nyame.
An inmate told our reporter that the ex-governors do not eat or drink water from the prisons. Our reporter observed a man carrying food meant for Nyame into the prison. A warder in the front office asked the man to place the cooler of food on the ground close to his table until it was properly checked by an SSS official. An official said upon their arrival at the prison, the ex-governors applied to be allowed to bring in food and water from outside, and their request was granted. The persons bringing in their food are made to taste it first before the meal is observed by SSS officials and later passed over to the ex-governors.
Daily Trust also learnt that when the former governors were brought into prison, they were first briefed by the officer in charge of Kuje prisons before they were taken to the ‘Sarkin Gida’ (the self-appointed head of the "prisoners’ government") to pay homage. All of them were made to pay some money to the leader of the prisoners. They are kept in a self contained cubicle of 6x10 feet with a double bunk bed and toilet. The ex-governors were also assigned a prisoner each to assist them in their domestic work. This is believed to include the job of "slopping out" their toilet. An inmate told our reporter that one of the ex-governors replaced the tyre of the prison’s van, otherwise his colleagues and himself would have been conveyed to the court in a Black Maria. The source also disclosed that the governors fuel the van anytime they are to appear in court. Kalu bought a table tennis board in order to while away the time, an inmate said.
Daily Trust also learnt that detained former governors of Abia and Jigawa states who were granted bail by a Federal High Court in Abuja Friday were yet to be released as at yesterday because both men had not fulfilled their bail conditions. The two former governors were granted bail on Friday in the sum of N100m bank bond with sureties in like sum who must have landed property in Abuja.
Mr. Rickey Tarfa, lawyer to Saminu Turaki told Daily Trust that his client was yet to fulfil the bail conditions. Mr. Tarfa said the former governor is still in detention but added that the bail conditions may be fulfilled by Tuesday. He said, "It was just Friday afternoon that he was released on bail with such conditions. So it takes time to confirm your tax certificate and also get a traditional ruler to stand for you. He is yet to be released. This is normal, you have to fulfil the condi-tions before you are released. So we are still working on it."
A source close to the former Abia state governor, Orji Uzor Kalu also told Daily Trust that his boss was yet to fulfil the bail conditions. The presiding Judge Binta Murtala Nyako also barred Kalu from travelling out of the country without the leave of the court while Saminu was ordered to surrender his certificate of return.
Former Chief of Staff to Chief Joshua Dariye, Chief Alexander Molwus has explained why Dariye is still in detention despite the fact that he has been granted bail. According to Molwus, EFCC charged Dariye to two different courts, adding that though one of the courts had granted him bail ,he had to remain in detention for the other case which comes up today (Monday). The first case was on the 700 miilion state funds allegedly stolen by the former governor, while the second case concerns alleged money laundering.
Chief Molwus said it was not true that Dariye was still being detained because he could not meet the bail terms, adding, "we have finished with the conditions".
Detained ex-governors Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, Reverend Jolly Nyame and Chief Joshua Dariye, have all been granted bail by various courts but they are still battling to satisfy their bail conditions. It is believed that some of the governors are having prob-lems finding traditional rulers to act as their sureties.
Posted by Publisher at 08:43 AM | Comments (0)
PDP may appoint caretaker
There are strong indications that the Ahmadu Ali-led National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] may be replaced by interim executive officers, who will....
Written by Tashikalmah Hallah
Monday, 30 July 2007
lead the party to the December 8 convention. A party source said the decision to replace the Ahmadu Ali-led executive was hinged on the grounds that many prominent mem-bers of the working committee have either been elected into political office or have taken up political appointments with various governments.
Key officers of the party including Chief Ojo Maduekwe, the national secretary and Mr. John Odey, the national publicity secre-tary have been appointed as Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Information and Commu-nications respectively. Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Gusau,
political adviser to the national chairman, has also been appointed a minister.
Earlier, PDP’s deputy national chairman [North] Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, was elected Governor of Katsina state. Although Messrs Ojo Maduekwe and John Odey have not resigned their positions, the source said that the duo couldn’t hold the two positions simultaneously, adding "their deputies cannot hold on until December. It would be against the party’s zoning formula".
The interim leadership to be constituted today would be affirmed in December during the party’s national convention, said an impeccable source, who also said some hawks within the PDP are bent on pushing out former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the PDP Board of Trustees chairman.
Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim and Dr Sam Egwu, the former Governor of Ebonyi state are being considered to replace Dr. Ahmadu Ali as national chairman, pending the convention.
The PDP national executive committee had met earlier this month and resolved to conduct the National Convention in December this year, with the ward congresses to start early in November. As part of the preparation for the national convention, the party constituted a reconciliation committee, chaired by former Vice President Dr Alex Ekwueme.
Posted by Publisher at 08:42 AM | Comments (0)
Industrialists petition Kupolokun over black oil
Manufacturers and industrialists from across the country particularly in the northern part of the country, have cried foul over the delay in delivering the low pour fuel oil (LPFO) by officials....
Written by Austine Odo
Monday, 30 July 2007
of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), long after they have paid for the product.
In a petition addressed to Mr. Funso Kupolokun, Managing Director of the NNPC yesterday, the manufacturers numbering about 40, stated that after making payments for tons of black oil, they have not been able to take delivery of the products because of the delay tactics of the NNPC officials and their agents, WABECO.
Black oil is used in large industrial concerns to power heavy machineries and boilers in their production lines. Industry leaders therefore appealed to Kupolokun to intervene and ensure that justice is done.
The petition signed by their solicitors, Olayemi Abogun and Co, stated: "In compliance with the payment directives and fully satisfied that WABECO indeed had stock of LPFO in its tank depot, our clients paid huge sums of money running into hundreds of millions of naira into designated account of WABECO.
"Fortified with evidence of payment, our clients moved to WABECO depot to load their respective tankers with the product, but were denied delivery of same".
He stated that most of the tankers brought to convey the products have been lying idle at the Apapa Tank farm of WABECO in the last three weeks with all the overhead costs and the traffic menace on the expressway.
"Some of our clients’ industrial premises have been shut while several of their workers have either been retrenched for redundancy and factories shut down for inability to procure the black oil which is a valuable and indispensable product in their manufacturing and industrial production processes", Abogun stated further.
Some of the stranded officials from the industries spoken to at WABECO Tank Farm in Ibafon, Apapa at the weekend claimed that they were directed by officials of the Petroleum and Pipelines Marketing Company (PPMC) in Abuja to proceed to Lagos and take delivery of the products, only to be told by WABECO that they had no instruction to load them.
They wondered why NNPC that sent their staff to Lagos could change their mind overnight after a carefully drawn loading schedule had been approved and issued to the buyers without consideration to the plight of the industries and the workers.
"We don’t understand the delay, is it the NNPC or WABECO that is behind this wicked act? There is something fishy and we want EFCC to come to our rescue and investigate this day-light robbery", they said.
Some of the affected industries include, Ashaka Cement Company, United Nigeria Textiles Limited, Kaduna, Gaskiya Textiles, Kano, Jos Breweries, NASCO Group, Jos, Funtua Textiles, Katsina, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria, Sokoto, among several others.
According to the solicitors, "Should NNPC persist in its uncanny breach to divert our clients product to any third party or further withhold delivery to them, within the next seven days, we shall have no hesitation in filing a law suit to enforce our clients’ right in the circumstances".
Posted by Publisher at 08:40 AM | Comments (0)
Armed robbers shoot ex-Kaduna gov
Former military governor of Kaduna State Group Captain Usman Jibrin was shot and wounded in Kaduna yesterday by a group of armed men who said they were on "a vengeance mission".
Written by Sani Babadoko, Kaduna
Monday, 30 July 2007
Jibrin, who spoke to our reporter on his hospital bed at Al-Mansour Hospital in Kaduna last night, said the robbers had first attacked his house at about 6.30pm on Saturday. He said they went to the children’s wing just behind the house, and his children shot one of the robbers, who died. The gang then returned to the house at 9, Coronation Crescent, Kaduna yesterday and announced that they came to seek revenge for their fallen comrade. They also said they must kill Jibrin because his
children killed one of their members. The heavily armed gang then entered the house and accosted the retired Airforce officer in his sitting room.
According to his own account, the robbers first asked him for money and pushed him at gunpoint into his bedroom. Once there, he said the robbers saw his own guns and they panicked, shot him in the left thigh and ran away without taking any-thing. Other members of the household said the robbers returned in the same grey Honda Accord 1989 model in which they came on Saturday.
At the Al-Mansur Hospital, the chief medical officer, Dr. Musliu Kolawole Odulola told Daily Trust that the former governor was in stable condition. Dozens of people flocked to the hospital last night when they heard of the shooting. Among those at the scene were Professor Musa Yakubu and Alhaji Muftau Baba-Ahmed.
Group Captain Usman Jibrin, a native of Nasarawa town in Nasarawa State, was appointed military governor of old Kaduna State by General Murtala Mohamed in 1975. Two years later, he was embroiled in a public dispute against the then Federal Commissioner for Informa-tion, Chief Ayo Ogunlade, over the government’s moves to stop the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria [FRCN], Kaduna from broadcasting on shortwave. As a result of that dispute, then military Head of State General Olusegun Obasanjo removed Jibrin as military governor and retired him from the Airforce. Ogunlade was also sacked from the cabinet. In the last two decades, Jibrin has become an important religious and community leader in Kaduna, and heads finance committees of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam. He also promotes an NGO that caters for the disabled.
Posted by Publisher at 08:38 AM | Comments (0)
Twelve tasks of Hercules
Now that the Federal cabinet is in place, the Yar’adua Administration should be expected to improve its pace, however slightly. Many Nigerians have already concluded that this regime is...
Written by Mahmud Jega, mmjega@dailytrust.com
Sunday, 29 July 2007
a go-slow affair. Not quite like the Lagos end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at sunset, but a bit like Abuja’s AYA junction at the close of work.
Many Nigerians do not mind a government with the fury of a hurricane, which is why many old timers still speak wistfully of General Murtala Muhammed. However, within the eye of this hurricane, people also expect to see the Wisdom of Solomon and the compassion of Mother Teresa.
With lack of ministers no more an excuse, the tasks that now confront the president can be likened to the Twelve Tasks of Hercules in the old Greek mythology. Hercules had killed his wife and children in a fit of madness and, as penance, was ordered to undertake the 12 labours. The man who arranged the coming of the Yar’adua administration had killed free election, African dignity, democracy’s spirit and the peoples’ aspiration in one fit of, well, near madness, so someone must undertake a penance in order to purify the place.
The first task assigned to Hercules by King Eurystheus was to kill the Nemean Lion, a vicious monster with a skin so thick that it was impregn-able to most weapons, and which had been terrorising the people. The first task of penance assigned to Yar’adua is to change the face of government from one that is haughty, abrasive, aggressive, walkabout, know-all, with a severe mien, a scowling face and a skin impervious to reason. In short, he must kill the governmental Nemean Lion which has been terrorising the people of Nigeria.
Hercules’ second task was to slay the Lernaean Hydra, a serpent-like water beast with numerous heads and a poisonous breath. Yar’adua’s second task is to slay the monster of fuel price and VAT increases in Nigeria. From 1999 to 2007, wages rose only twice but fuel prices moved 12 times, mostly upwards. He has already promised to hold down the current prices for another year, but who knows what will happen thereafter?
Hercules’ third task was to capture the Ceryneian Hind, with its golden antlers, bronze hooves and which could run faster that an arrow in flight. Hercules had to chase it up and down Greece for a whole year. Yar’adua’s third task is to curb the excesses of government, such as running down public corporations in order to sell them off to cronies at a pittance. He has already recovered the oil refineries that were sold in May in less than transparent circumstances, but who knows what will happen next year, since the "preferred bidders" said they are still waiting?
Hercules’ fourth task was to capture the Erymanthian Boar, a dangerous animal that lived on Mount Erymanthos. Yar’adua’s fourth task, then, is to capture the fleeing soul of Nigerian universities, personified by decaying facilities, striking lecturers and dispirited students, and return it to the campuses. He has already sweet-talked ASUU into calling off its three-month long strike, but whether the collision with resume at later date, remains to be seen.
Hercules’ fifth task was to clean the Augean Stables. King Augeas had the largest cattle herd in Greece and had never cleaned the stables, so Hercules had to divert two rivers in order to flush them. Yar’adua’s fifth task is to clean the Nigerian Augean Stable of corruption, and it is doubtful if the waters of the Niger, Benue, Cross River, Osun, Anambra, Imo, Kaduna, Rima, Komadugu-Yobe and Gongola rivers combined could wash Nigeria clean of corruption. But he must try.
Hercules’ sixth task was to capture the Stymphalian Birds, man-eating birds that had claws of brass, metallic wings and highly toxic droppings. This is akin to assigning Alhaji Umaru Yar’adua to rescue the rule of law in Nigeria from governmental arbitrariness, abuse of power and crude partisanship. He started well, by ordering the Solicitor General to quickly give effect to the Supreme Court order removing Chief Andy Ubah and by returning Lagos local governments’ illegally seized funds. Yet, there are many more Stymphalian Birds of arbitrariness out there that he must catch.
Hercules’ seventh task was to capture the Cretan Bull. This is much like sending Alhaji Umaru Yar’adua to capture the Federal battering ram ag