March 28, 2008

Ex-Wema Bank MD released

Lukkey Abawuru & Chioma Chuka

DETAINED ex-Group Managing Director of Wema Bank Plc, Mr. Adebisi Omoyeni was yesterday released by the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) Lagos over alleged mismanagement of the bank’s funds, after interrogations.

Daily Champion recalls that Omoyeni was arrested in Abuja on Wednesday by detectives of SFU Lagos following a petition by the bank’s management alleging misapplication of N450 million.

The ex-Wema Bank boss regained freedom about 3.45 p.m yesterday after satisfying specified condition at 13 Millverton Road Ikoyi office of SFU.

We learnt that the police at SFU only requested for a surety, who would produce the embattled bank chief whenever needed by the police. A police source at SFU said an unnamed surety secured Omoyeni’s release after interrogation by the commissioner of police."

He said that Omoyeni provided answers to all the questions put to him.

Reacting, Commissioner of Police, in charge of SFU, Mr. Olayinka Balogun confirmed the release, arguing that the case was a bailable one.

"Fraud cases are bailable offences. The suspect is a known person, we believe that he would not run away if we release him to a substantial surety that will produce him if needed to answer more charges," Balogun said.

He further said: "if after investigation, he is found liable, we will charge him to court but right now, we are investigating. He has said his own views and we will go back to the petitioners."

However, at the bank’s head office, Marina, Lagos it was business as usual when our correspondent visited.

Head, Corporate Affairs of the bank, Mr. Tunde Olofintila told our correspondent that "He only visited the police this morning (yesterday) he slept in his house on Wednesday. All other people who accompanied him have returned while Oga went home to rest.

Omoyeni was suspended from office in January 2008 by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and directed to proceed on an indefinite leave to pave way for investigations against him.

Among the allegations are that he without the approval of the bank’s board, asked for and got N90m housing allowance upfront for five years amounting to N450m and also took advantage of CBN directives to acquire shares of the bank last year."

The examiners sent by CBN however, accused Omoyeni of not allowing them access to investigate the matter and thus recommended his suspension.

He later petitioned President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who constituted an independent committee that reinstated him in office before he was arrested.

Posted by Publisher at 12:08 PM | Comments (0)

March 27, 2008

Kogi poll:Yar’Adua, Ogbulafor storm Lokoja for Idris

TIMOTHY AJIBOYE, Lokoja

AHEAD of Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Kogi State, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vincent Ogbulafor yesterday stormed Lokoja, the Kogi State Capital to campaign for the re-election of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris. President Yar’Adua pledged that the party would make the country an economic power by 2020.

This is as the state Police command confirmed the arrest of 22 members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in the state over alleged political thuggery.

The President, who arrived Lokoja Township Stadium, venue of the PDP rally about 12.19pm said he was in there to identify for election of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, describing him as a servant leader.

"Ibrahim Idris is a simple, honest, humble, performer and God fearing, who is a servant leader that is appointed by God to serve the good people of Kogi State."

"Everybody in Nigeria has witnessed the difference between Idris and Audu and you can see the difference between darkness and light, honest and deceit, servant leadership and emperorship," he said.

Yar’Adua said that voting for Idris again was voting for peace, property, progress, trust and honesty while praying God to fulfill their wishes in making Idris the governor of the state.

In their speeches, Prince Ogbulafor, the Senate President, Senator David Mark, Kwara State, governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki the Acting governor Clarence Olafemi and in promised to deliver Kogi State to the PDP in the Saturday governorship election.

Responding, Idris noted that PDP was the only party accepted by the people of the state stressing that they cannot afford to be in opposition on the arrest of OPC members, Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mike, Okiro who paraded the 22 suspected political thugs arrested in Kogi said they were arrested by mobile policemen on Tuesday at Okene in two 18-seater buses with registration numbers XA 469 KAB (Kogi) and XE 409 FGE (Kano) respectively.

He said that the suspects were traveling with arms from Kabba and Aiyetoro Gbede to Anyingba when they were intercepted by the police.

"On interrogation, it was revealed that they were OPC members going to Anyingba for a political rally and that their leaders were in another bus which never arrived the scene of the arrest,’’ he said.

Okiro said that investigation into the matter had commenced with a view to identifying and arresting the sponsors of the suspects.

He said that exhibits recovered from suspects were one locally made pistol, three live cartridges, three axes, two chop knives and various charms.

Okiro said that the suspects wanted to use the recovered exhibits to cause trouble in Kogi.

He said the police would not tolerate any act of lawlessness during and after Saturday’s rescheduled gubernatorial election.

Okiro advised parents and guardians to talk to and control their children and wards against crime.

Okiro had on Feb. 28 and March 18,met with gubernatorial candidates and top politicians from the state on how to ensure a peaceful fresh governorship election in the area.

Posted by Publisher at 09:42 AM | Comments (0)

August 25, 2007

Contract scam: Senate dumps Etteh

Senate has opted out of the alleged N628m contract scam rocking the House of Representatives as it insisted at the weekend that embattled speaker, Mrs. Patricia Etteh and her deputy, Hon. Babangida Nguroje, are on their own.

COSMAS EKPUNOBI, Abuja

Though Senate and the anti-Etteh camp in the house were said to be under pressure to dump their offensive against the speaker, the arrow head in the attack, Hon. Halims Agoda insisted yesterday that there is no going back.

Hon. Agoda, in a telephone interview with Saturday Champion vowed that not even the Senate nor any other force can stop the offensive because it is a Nigerian project and not a personal thing.

According to him, tax payers’ money is involved and sweeping such scam under the carpet would be a contradiction to the fight against corruption, which is the hallmark of the present government.

He specifically told Saturday Champion that he would not succumb to any pressure from anywhere to dump the fight, even as he said he has nothing personal against the speaker.

Senate in what may have jolted Etteh’s camp in the house, insisted that its hands are tied.

Deputy senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba in a telephone interview with Saturday Champion" also ruled out senate’s intervention in the N628 million contract scam in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

According to him, these are two different houses and such matter is better left for the house itself to handle.

Speaking further, the senator said "I am not aware that the Senate has a plan to wade into the matter, at least not to my knowledge."

Saturday Champion however gathered that the leadership of the senate had in a meeting, Tuesday, resolved to distance the upper chamber from the alleged contract scam.

Source said that Senate president, David Mark, had suspended his foreign trip on Monday following the crisis in the house.

Principal officers of the Senate who were at the Tuesday meeting, were also said to be divided over the matter. According to the source, most of the senators advised the senate president to stay away from the matter since the speaker who is in America had not invited the senate into the issue.

But just as the meeting could not resolve to save Etteh’s job, forces against her were said to have invaded the senate to enlist the support of some senators in the offensive.

Saturday Champion further gathered that some of the senators, mainly the Muslim faithfuls who believed that the election of Mrs. Etteh was against their belief, had offered to assist the opposition in the house.

Also, some northern lawmakers who believe that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has a hand in the election of Etteh as speaker have vowed to unseat her.

The fight to unseat Etteh notwithstanding the motive behind it, seems to be leaving the ambits of the legislators and may soon be decided by public opinion as the ever vocal Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has already called for the speaker’s probe.

For labour, renovating the official quarters of the affected officers with such amount of money is nothing but outrageous, especially since the same structures had just been vacated by their predecessors.

According to the NLC "In a society like ours with so much poverty, public officers must reflect this reality in all they do. This outrageous expenditure reflects the mindset and insensitivity of many public officers who think their positions should be used to further impoverish the public."

The NLC therefore threw its weight behind the anti-Etteh camp, urging the house to redeem its image in the eyes of Nigerians by investigating the matter with a view to ensuring a refund of public funds so mindlessly wasted.

Posted by Publisher at 03:14 PM | Comments (0)

August 02, 2007

Orji Kalu freed from prison •Nnamani knows fate today

DETAINED former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, yesterday regained his freedom, even as he insisted that his "will is not broken."

MALACHY UZENDU, Abuja and KALU OKWARA, Lagos

He had been admitted to bail by a federal high court sitting in Abuja last week but had to wait for the bail condition to be met.

He was released from the Kuje medium prison, Abuja at about 2.30 pm yesterday.

The embattled ex-governor was arraigned along with his counterparts from Plateau and Jigawa states, Joshua Dariye and Saminu Turaki, respectively, before Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was arraigned on a 107-count charge, bordering on alleged corrupt enrichment and money laundering to the tune of N3.4 billion.

Confirming his release from the prison yesterday, his media adviser, Iyke Ekeoma in a statement, said the former governor had fulfilled all the bail conditions.

According to Ekeoma, the ex-governor, despite his travails, reaffirmed his faith in God and the judicial process in Nigeria, stressing that he did not bear any grudge against anybody over what he was passing through.

"Former governor Kalu described his travails as a means of strengthening democracy in the country. He said democracy in Nigeria must be nurtured for the benefit of the people, stressing that one must pay a certain price for leaderhip," Ekeoma said.

He, added that the former governor expressed gratitude to Nigerians, who through prayers, repeated visits and goodwill, extended their solidarity to him while in prison custody.

Efforts by the former governor and two others to secure their temporary freedom since last weekend when bail was granted had not been successful due to the stringent conditions attached.

However, on Tuesday, former minister of state for foreign affairs, Dubem Onyia personally went to the federal high court to sign necessary documents that led to Kalu stepping into freedom.

Onyia as well as Sen. Uche Chukwumerije (PPA-Abia North) and two unidentified traditional rulers from his state, signed the necessary court documents and provided the needed funds and other particulars.

Onyia had gone to the court premises at about 10 a.m. Tuesday and told our reporter that he was in the court to submit all documents required of him to secure Kalu’s freedom.

But having satisfied these conditions, Kalu, sources said, could not step into freedom on Tuesday as officials who were to sign the relevant documents were said to have closed for the day as at late Tuesday evening when a close aide to Kalu confirmed the development.

However, the release order from the court was said to have been issued for the ex-governor early yesterday morning, leading to efforts to get the relevant interior ministry officials, particularly the Nigerian Prisons Service officials to perform their part of the official rituals to consummate his release.

On hand to receive Kalu were some of his political associates including Onyia, Chukwumerije and a host of men and women politicians who came in their numbers.

Security had been beefed up at the prison, with stern-looking policemen and prison officials thoroughly scrutinizing visitors and keeping majority of the people who came to the place at bay.

Justice Murtala-Nyako who granted the bail stipulated last week that the bail was in the sum of N100 million for himself and each of his sureties who in addition, are to provide bank bonds in the like sum.

She also ordered that the sureties must have evidence of their tax Payment Certificate from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for three consecutive years, which must have been paid as and when due.

Besides, the former governor is to depose to a sworn affidavit stating the number of all countries he obtained its citizenship and to deposit all passports connected with those countries with the court.

He is also to provide two traditional rulers and to deposit his (Kalu) three recent passport photographs with the court.

Aside form these conditions, Kalu was directed to be reporting to the EFCC weekly and he is not to travel out of the FHC jurisdiction without the permission of the court.

Posted by Publisher at 08:44 AM | Comments (0)

Fashola predicts supplementary budget next week

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state will next week present a supplementary budget proposal to the state House of Assembly (LAHA), for the smooth take-off of his administration.

MANSUR OLADUNJOYE

According to the commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, the budget proposal the amount of which was not disclosed, if approved, would be expended on infrastructural development in order to meet the yearnings of the teeming population of the state.

Bamidele who disclosed this to newsmen after the weekly Executive Council meeting said the ministry of budget and economic planning would work closely with the lawmakers for hitch-free deliberations and eventual passage of the proposal.

"The executive arm would next week send the budget proposal to the lawmakers for ratification after the ministry of budget and economic planning might have concluded tabulating the actual amount needed to run the state’s affairs for the next five months.

"The ministry of budget and planning is still working on it. We will in due course let you know the exact amount that we are sending to the assembly and we want to assure you that the new government in the state would do all its best to satisfy the citizenry. This is just an estimate approved by the Exco, the ministry of budget and planning will work with the state assembly and give a concrete figure", he said.

Bamidele added that as part of the developmental projects, the executive council also approved the rehabilitation of 2,500 classrooms as well as the construction of additional 5,000 classrooms to ease the congestion in Lagos schools at the cost of N27. 25billion.

He said that the Fashola’s regime would embark on a 25-year mortgage scheme for low income earners, saying, "The payment of the housing loans will be spread over 25 years, with the state civil servants accorded priority of being the first set of beneficiaries."

Posted by Publisher at 08:43 AM | Comments (0)

Iwuanyanwu: Nobody can take Obasanjo’s place

Member, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has faulted reports in the Daily Sun and Daily Trust newspapers which claimed he described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as "powerless" and "irrelevant" in the scheme of things.

He said the headlines of the reports were deliberately designed to cause disaffection and put a wedge between him and Chief Obasanjo.

Chief Iwuanyanwu said his relationship with the former President who he is still in contact with, was such that could not be destroyed by persons who have agenda they could barely conceal.

The PDP top brass said it would be illogical for him to dismiss the leadership of the very critical organ of the party of which he is a member as powerless and irrelevant, adding that it would amount to cutting his nose to spite his face.

A statement issued in Abuja yesterday by Chief Iwuanyanwu reads in part: "My attention has been drawn to publications in the Daily Sun newspapers and Daily Trust of August 1, 2007 which carried headlines that distorted my statement to the press at the State House, Abuja and my comments as follows:

"In a question from one of the press men, an insinuation was made that Obasanjo’s position as the chairman, Board of Trustees was scaring away estranged members who wanted to reconcile and return to the party and that some of those people have said that as long as Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is the chairman, Board of Trustees, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) they will not join the PDP. I refuted the allegation as completely false and unfounded.

"In a further comment from the press over the leadership of the PDP, I stated that the leader of the party is Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua - the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, while the chairman of the party is Senator Ahmadu Ali.

"The insinuation that I said Obasanjo is powerless or irrelevant is uncalled for and I never used such words. It is absolutely unfair on the part of these newspapers to have associated me with such a statement.

"To the contrary, I whole heartedly support Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s election as the chairman of Board of Trustees of our great party; a position which he deserves in view of the leadership he provided for Nigeria not only in the past eight years but also as a Military Head of State. A distinguished personality who has contributed immensely to the stability and growth of Nigeria and its democracy.

"I was present at all the meetings where the constitutional amendment that made Chief Olusegun Obasanjo the chairman, Board of Trustees was tabled. I attended the National Executive Council meeting where the draft amendment was approved. I attended the party’s National Convention where the amended constitution was ratified.

"As far as I am concerned, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s election as the chairman, Board of Trustees was proper and in accordance with the party’s constitution. I want to assure our great leader Obasanjo that we appreciate his services to the country and will never participate in casting any aspersions on his capability.

Posted by Publisher at 08:41 AM | Comments (0)

Jonathan: fuss over assets declaration

There is no doubt that the flurry of criticisms from certain quarters that trailed the inability of vice president Goodluck Jonathan to declare publicly his assets, the example having been set by his boss, compelled him to rush down to his state base with a view of dousing the tension.

Kalu Okwara

The visit might have been made more imperative, given that the criticism coming on the heels of widespread allegations that he did not only leave Bayelsa State’s treasury empty but also in debt.

As a consequence, he flew into his Izon Kingdom at the weekend in a bid to put the record straight. The vice president was reported to have expressed his willingness to resign if that would make the much eluded development get to Bayelsa State.

Although he accepted that he left some liabilities for his successor, Chief Timipre Sylva, Dr. Jonathan insisted that he did not leave such huge debt portfolio of either N42 billion or N62 billion as was reported in some section of the media.

"I was in government for only 16 months, and I do not want to mention the amount (left). Whether anybody agrees or not, the records are there. In Bayelsa State, it is late for me to mention what I left. It is even difficult to know whether the state is distressed because it would have been difficult to pay salaries but we did. The present governor is doing well, and with the way he is going, he will go better," he was quoted to have told newsmen at Yenogoa.

Remarkably, Governor Sylva has been hesitant at revealing the level of indebtedness that he inherited from his predecessor, insisting that governance is a continuum where projects embarked upon by one administration could be completed by another. He however acknowledged he inherited N20 billion in investment bonds.

Analysts however argue that the criticisms against the vice president may not be for nothing.

According them, his predecessor having laid the example of making his assets and liabilities public, other public officers that share his vision and style of leadership ought to follow suit and the vice president being his closest ally in steering the ship of the nation should be expected to bring his material worth to the public domain.

Although, Dr. Jonathan has argued that he has fulfilled the constitutional requirement of filling the necessary forms with the Code of Conduct Bureau, some analysts believe that the pace set by his boss has made Jonathan’s public declaration of his assets a moral burden.

But the vice president has clarified that he has on five occasions declared his assets as the constitution demands, first in 1999 as deputy governor; second in 2003 after leaving office, third in 2003 again after his reelection as deputy governor; fourth 2005 as governor, and lastly 2007 as vice president.

Those that feel that public declaration of assets would have been better hinge their arguments on the alleged massive corruption that has remained a permanent feature of government institutions in Nigerian.

They contend that since information is still difficult to get from government institutions, public declaration of assets would enable the public to become effective allies to the government’s agencies saddled with the responsibility of fighting corruption.

However, some analysts note that the mounting criticisms against the vice president are coming from his political foes who have been struggling to dislodge his grip from the political machinery of the state. They observe that due to the circumstances that thrust him up as governor, there have been some persistent efforts by some groups to incapacitate him politically.

They recall that it was ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo’s emergency declaration threat that thawed the resoluteness of Jonathan who initially refused to be talked into the removal of his boss, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, in 2005 so as to be sworn in as the governor.

When that was achieved, the question of who would become the governor in 2007 threw up another political intrigues, as those opposed Alamieyeseigha did not want Jonathan to return to the government house.

Eventually when he won the primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the schism became bigger with Chief Timi Alaibe leading the anti-Jonathan group. However, when Chief Obasanjo anointed him to be the vice president, the equation changed. While his deputy, Chief Peremobowei Ebebi who had played a leading role in the removal of Alamieyeseigha, and Alaibe positioned themselves as possible replacements, Dr. Jonathan went ahead to anoint the present governor who had earlier served as a commissioner. But this did not come easy. Chief Alaibe had to be compensated with his confirmation as the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), while Chieif Ebebi was placated with the deputy governorship post, an offer he too was said to have seen as a surprise package. He was alleged to have not shown enough loyalty to Jonathan when the latter was the governor.

Some analysts allege that the two attacks on Jonathan soon after his nomination as the running mate to Alhaji Umar Yar’Adua was sponsored by his political opponents. They recall that last April, just a few days to the general elections, militants attacked the Government House at Yenogoa with the objective of abducting him. But luck was on the side of Goodluck Jonathan as neither him nor his family members were hurt. Yet again, on May, a few weeks to their inauguration, his Otuoke house was bombed. They maintain that the reason for those attacks were to portray the vice president as being unwanted by the Niger Delta region.

However, analysts note that beyond all this, vice president Jonathan by accepting to resign if he is seen as the problem of the Niger Delta, has portrayed him as somebody that means well to the people. According to them, accepting to resign from a political office is one of the rarest commodities in Nigeria. They point out that with two months in power, their administration has released two Ijaw sons whose incarcerations were contributory factors to the restiveness of the youths in the Niger Delta that took the worst dimension of kidnapping, even babies in recent time.

Posted by Publisher at 08:40 AM | Comments (0)

Drug trafficking: Court jails another Nollywood star

NOLLYWOOD star, Mr Tochi Uche James was yesterday sentenced to eight months imprisonment by Justice Dan Abulu of Federal High Court, Lagos after pleading guilty to a one-count charge of cocaine exportation.

OLATUBOSUN SOWEMIMO

He was last March 23 nabbed at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with 1.336 kilogrammes of cocaine.

Cocaine exportation without lawful authority, Daily Champion gathered, is an offence contrary to section 10 (b) of the NDLEA Act.

When the charge was read to him yesterday, he immediately pleaded guilty.

The NDLEA counsel, Mr Pius Gande, had while reviewing facts on the matter tendered documents to prove his case.

Among documents he submitted included four copies of the certificate of test analysis, four copies of packing substance form; four copies of request for scientific aids; four copies of drugs receipts; four copies of the statement of the accused dated March 23 and 24; one copy of the drug analysis and a Nigerian International passport, bearing the particulars of the accused-A2092055.

He, therefore, urged the court to convict the accused.

But handing down the sentence, Justice Abutu said that the imprisonment term would run from last March 23, the day of his arrest.

However, the accused’s counsel, Mrs Ngozi Ekwensi, had during the allocutus, urged the court to temper justice with mercy positing her client has been remorseful.

She pleaded for forgiveness on his behalf, stating that bad friends lured him into the infamous act.

Apart from that, she said since James’ arrest, he has been in incarceration even as he has aged parents in the village.

She added that her client is asthmatic and diabetic as he has been to NDLEA’s clinic several times.

Posted by Publisher at 08:38 AM | Comments (0)

July 30, 2007

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)

July 23, 2007

Ndigbo to pay N100 each for Onitsha-Owerri road

RESORTING to their famed self-help spirit, Ndigbo have started mobilizing funds to complete the Onitsha-Aba Expressway abandoned by the federal government.

Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State, who made this known over the weekend in Lagos, said that every taxable Igbo adult will be expected to pay N100 each towards the project.

According to the governor, who said that he is leading the initiative, the highway was abandoned by Julius Berger, the construction giants handling it after the federal government paid only about N1 billion out of the more than 4 billion work that they had done on the project.

He said that given the strategic nature of the road, the people were enthusiastic about the self-help initiative and were ready to call the government’s bluff.

The Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri, Imo State as well as most electricity, water and sundry other projects in the five states of the South East zone of the country were put in place through the self-help efforts of the people of the areas.

Gov Ohakim also said that Imo State has lost a $500 million Chinese investment owing to the hostage saga in the Niger-Delta, as the Chinese people handling the project fled the state when one of their nationals was kidnapped in Port Harcourt.

He said that the Chinese project would have created 20,000 jobs in the state.

Ohakim also said the cessation of operations of the U.S. oil service company Wilbros in Port Harcourt was due to the hostage saga.

He, therefore, called for concerted effort to halt the hostage taking, describing it as a disincentive to investments and development efforts.

He said his administration would establish three job centres in each of the state’s senatorial zones.

``The job centres will train the unemployed in skills critical to the state’s needs through the skills acquisition centres,’’ Ohakim said.

Posted by Publisher at 12:19 PM | Comments (0)

July 17, 2007

Container of 62 kids intercepted

Edo State Police Command last Sunday intercepted a container loaded with about 62 children and underaged youths suspected to be victims of human trafficking.

VINCENT ADEKOYE, Benin

The container which was being conveyed on a Mercedes Benz lorry with registration number Lagos XH538EKY was sealed up and said to be heading to a neighbouring country through Shagamu, Ogun State.

Edo State has become an easy route for human trafficking in recent times. Available records showed that no fewer than 10 children especially girls are being smuggled out of the state on a daily basis while operators of the illegal business often come to the state to obtain the necessary papers for their nefarious acts.

Addressing newsmen in his office in Benin city yesterday, Edo State police commissioner, Mr. Bala Hassan said because of the circumstances surrounding the rescue of the victims, the command was poised to get to the root of the matter most importantly, according to him, since all the victims were from the same local government and were heading to the same destination.

He said, "on Sunday, July 15, 2007, at about 3.00pm, a Lagos-bound Mercedes Benz lorry loaded with 62 suspected victims of human trafficking from Ebi-Iwango Wanihem Village in Yala local government area of Cross River state was intercepted at the Ekiadolor point of Benin-Ore Expressway and were brought down for interrogation. The Mercedes Benz was meant for conveying goods and not human beings".

Mr. Hassan gave some of the names of the victims to include Agidigbo Victoria (15 years), Okpat Margaret (14 years), Uduhi Mary (15 years), John Regina (16 years) Akpala Angela (15yrs) and many others.

During interrogation, some of the victims who chorused the same answer said they were going to Shagamu at Ijebu Ode to look for jobs.

"I want to go and look for job at Shagamu. That is why I am going to Shagamu. I have not been there before but I want to go there," one of the victims who gave her name as Ogada Christiana said.

Hassan said the Command would hand over the victims to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Human trafficking (NAPTIP) for further action.

Posted by Publisher at 03:20 PM | Comments (0)

I’m as fit as fiddle —Ojukwu boasts after collapse

IKEMBA Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who slumped at a church service on Sunday, has left hospital after being certified fully recovered.

Alphonsus Nweze, Onitsha and ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU, Awka

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) presidential candidate in last April’s election boasted that he was "fit as fiddle".

Ikemba, spoke to newsmen briefly at the Waterside Catholic hospital in Onitsha, yesterday when Anambra State Governor Peter Obi visited him, said that his collapse at the church during Obi’s thanksgiving mass on Sunday was due to the over-crowding at the church service.

Dim Odumegwu-Ojukwu who is believed to have left the hospital for home, allayed the fears of his followers and admirers of any likely danger to his life.

Daily Champion learnt that the Ikemba was discharged from the hospital yesterday shortly after Gov. Obi went to see him.

Ojukwu, called the Eze Igbo Gburugburu, slumped on Sunday at the Basillica of Holy Trinity Church at a mass for Gov. Obi presided over by visiting Philadelphia, U.S.A cleric ,Justin Cardinal Regali.

Yesterday, Gov. Obi and members of his cabinet visited Ojukwu in hospital before embarking on the commissioning of various projects in Onitsha and Awka.

Ojukwu said he almost fainted in the church on Sunday due to poor ventilation and excess inhaling of the incenses used in the church service.

His words: "Well, I don’t know what I have to say to people who are anxious over my health; look at me, do I look critically ill? I don’t feel critically ill, I feel all right.

"I nearly fainted in the church, everybody who was in church knew one thing at least, that it was pretty, pretty close within the church. And once the incense started, it was too much for me.

"Well, like everybody, you care so much for me, what next? You can’t let Ojukwu go like that. We got to look at him, investigate and see if there’s any thing. The good thing about all these is one, I rested and today, I have the results of the various tests. As I am sitting here, I haven’t had anything frightening coming from the tests."

Dim Ojukwu said he would have been in his home Sunday evening to watch the Nigeria-Chile match but for the insistence of the doctors that he had a bed rest.

Meanwhile, Dim Ojukwu was expected yesterday at his Independence Layout, Enugu residence.

As at 5.30pm when our Correspondent visited there, Ojukwu had not yet arrived from Onitsha.

Posted by Publisher at 03:19 PM | Comments (0)

I’m not in hiding —Ex-gov Adamu

SECRETARY of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BOT) and ex-governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Adamu has described as mere propaganda, reports in the national media that he had gone underground for fear of being arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Yesterday, some newspapers (not Daily Champion) reported that following the arrest and arraignment of ex-governors Orji Uzor Kalu, Saminu Turaki and Joshua Dariye, among others, Adamu had gone into hiding.

But, speaking yesterday on Channels Television, the former governor, who was penultimate week appointed PDP BOT secretary, dismissed his alleged hiding as "mere propaganda" by his political opponents.

Said he: "It is mere propaganda that my political enemies are hatching. When the government in which I served established the EFCC, the idea was for us all to go out and fight corruption. I was part of the government.

"If at the end of the day I am found liable, let the law take its due course. But as I am talking today (Monday, July 16) there has not been any letter of invitation from the commission to me. I have not been invited. If what they are saying happened and they are looking for me, what about it?"

Posted by Publisher at 03:18 PM | Comments (0)

Bail: Uwazuruike knows fate July 30

FEDERAL High Court, Abuja has fixed July 30, 2007 for hearing of the bail application filed by Movement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) leader Ralph Uwazurike.

MALACHY UZENDU, Head Editorial, Abuja

Justice Babs Kwewumi who took the decision, said it was to enable both prosecution and defence counsel to formalize their positions on the bail bid.

Meanwhile, Uwazuruike’s wife Ngozi has maintained that she was still committed to the husband’s cause, eventhough he had spent two years in detention.

"The struggle continues - it is not negotiable," she told British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

When one of the oldest Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) Chief Chimezie Ikeazor came to take over as team leader for the defence team for Uwazuruike, in spite of his incapacitation, as he came on his wheel chair, the entire court premises burst into a sympathetic mood.

Leading government prosecution counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) had objected to any informal bail application, to which Justice Kwewumi acquiesced.

It may be recalled that the MASSOB leader was arrested by state security services (SSS) operatives at his home town, Okwe near Owerri, Imo over two years ago and has since been in detention.

Some other personalities of other ethnic groups like Dr. Frederick Fasehun, founder of the O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC) and his compatriot, Ganiyu Adams, who were arrested months after Uwazuruike and charged in court on similar treasonable felony charges, have since last year been granted bail.

They did not spend up to one year in detention.

Similarly, Mujaheed Asari-Dokubo, leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), who was later arrested for similar treasonable felony and murder, has also since been released on bail.

For him, government is even negotiating with him and offering him mouth watering incentives to stop arms struggle.

But, Uwazuruike, who maintain he was on a non-violent struggle for the independence of " Biafra," is still being kept in detention.

When his matter came up yesterday, various Igbo leaders including the "Eze Igbo" in Abuja Eze Nwosu Ibe and his entire cabinet, Sen. Uche Chukwumerije, Mrs. Ifenyinwa Obegolu, Kevin Emeka Okoro, Emmanuel Onwubiko; Chukwudi Enekwenchi and many others, thronged the court premises and were able to break the security cordon mounted by both heavily armed Policemen and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives.

After the court adjourned, Chief Ikeazor, Festus Keyamo and Obegolu, wondered why government was not willing to grant bail to Uwazuruike.

They told newsmen that Uwazuruike’s mother died in May and they pleaded with government to release him to bury his mother in addition to attend to his ailing health, all to no avail.

They wondered at the justice behind granting bail to people who are deemed to have committed more grievous offence, pointing out that Ndigbo needed to something to be let out of this negative situation.

The few MASSOB members on trial and supporters who made it to the court premises sang freedom and other Christian songs as soon as they came out of the courtroom.

Mrs Uwazuruike, said the children had been affected by not seeing their father for two years.

"Our four children are out of school now and they miss their father," she told the British Broadcasting Corporation BBC’s Network Africa programme.

Mr Uwazuruike was arrested in October 2005 and has been in detention since then.

"The little one is emotionally sick now," Mrs Uwazuruike said. "He needs to see his father. But I don’t know how I could possibly take that little boy to prison to see his father."

Posted by Publisher at 03:17 PM | Comments (0)

Detained Greek ship escapes; Navy denies involvement

DETAINED Greek ship MT Triya has escaped from the Commodore Pool in Lagos, where it was being held.

FELIX NWANERI

The escape from the country’s territorial waters weekend exposed lapses on the part of relevant security agencies.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy absolved itself of any blame in the matter, saying the ship was never in its custody.

MT Triya is said to have escaped with three Nigerian security personnel engaged by the Federal High Court’s Admiralty Marshal guarding it.

The incident is a repeat of the 2005 MT African Pride saga, which resulted in the sack of some generals of the Nigerian Navy.

Yesterday, the Navy stated that it had nothing whatsoever to do with the missing ship.

Disclosing the ship’s escape yesterday to journalists in Lagos, managing director of Pokat Nigeria Limited, Tokunbo Akinshola, stated that the MT Triya was, before its escape, under detention on the order of the Federal High Court, following a suit instituted against its owners by two Nigerian companies, Rahamaniya Global Resource Limited and Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited.

Akinshola, who is the shipping agent of Rahamarniya explained that owners of the missing ship were sued over short delivery of cargo of gas to the Nigerian companies.

Reacting, the Navy’s director of information, Capt. Henry Babalola, said the matter was strictly between the companies and the ship owners, and had nothing to do with the Navy.

Revealing further that the whereabouts and safety of the Nigerian security personnel aboard the escaping ship still remained unclear, Akinshola alleged collaboration of some Navy personnel but Babalola said the Navy was never charged with securing the ship.

Decrying the way foreign vessels operate in the country, the agent further said that Rahamaniya and Capital Oil were calling on government to institute a into MT Triya’s escape.

Both companies also called on the Interpol and Nigerian embassies in Benin, Togo and Ghana as well as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to commence immediate search for the missing ship and rescue the three Nigerians on board.

Posted by Publisher at 03:16 PM | Comments (0)

Kalu, Dariye, Turaki to remain in prison; Nnamani returns to hospital

FORMER governors Joshua Chibi Dariye (Plateau) and Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia) will remain in Kuje prison until July 19 and 25, 2007, respectively, when their bail applications will be heard at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

MALACHY UZENDU, Head Editorial, Abuja

Also, ex-governor of Jigawa State, Saminu Turaki will know his fate on July 23 when when an Abuja High Court will consider a separate bail application he filed in another matter against him.

Dariye will nevertheless reappear at another Abuja High Court in Gudu district, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) deciding whether or not to object to his

EFCC, which dragged the three ex-governors to court, however, could not produce former Enugu state governor, Chimaroke Nnamani to face the charges pressed against him.

However, it was confirmed last night that Nnamani had been taken into custody by EFCC but later allowed to return to the National Hospital, Abuja where he is receiving treatment.

Daily Champion recalls that Kalu, Dariye and Turaki were last Friday taken to the court accused of stealing over N40 billion belonging to their respective state governments and diverting same to their private pockets while they were in government.

After the cumulative 153 charges were read to them, they all pleaded not guilty but could not move their bail applications due to legal technical encumbrances.

Kalu’s lead counsel, Awa Uma Kalu (SAN), moved the ex-governor’s bail application to which Rotimi Jacobs, EFCC lawyer said he needed 48 hours to react to the application.

Though he did not object to requests by Chief Kalu and Conrad Joseph (SAN), that the duo be remanded in EFCC custody, presiding judge, Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako decided to send them to Kuje prison.

For Dariye, Justice Babs Kuewumi, adjourned the argument on his bail application to Thursday.

At the time the courts sat yesterday morning, Nnamani was still receiving treatment in his private male ward room 2 at the National Hospital, Abuja and was guarded by a combined armed team of EFCC operatives and stern-looking mobile policemen.

While ex-governor Kalu is accused of having at various times stolen N2,788,617,500, Dariye was accused of stealing N36 billion.

Incidentally, the same Dariye and former Taraba state governor Jolly Nyame were later after the Federal High Court appearance, last Friday arraigned at an Abuja high court in Gudu (Apo) district, accused of sundry stealing and asked to come back on Thursday for their bail applications to be considered.

Apart from Dariye who had been a regular "customer" of the anti-graft agency, the other former governors are facing the EFCC and trial for the first time.

According to the charge sheet preferred against the accused former state chief executives Kalu is facing the highest number of charges listed as 107, while Dariye is facing 14 charges and Turaki 32.

In the charge sheet, Kalu was alleged to have between May 2003 and December 2005, violated sections 14 (1) and 17 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, and punishable under the laws of the country.

He was accused along side Emeka Uzo Kalu and Eunice Agwu, whose identities EFCC did not disclose apart from that they were members of his family.

In respect of Turaki, he was alleged to have violated the same sections of the Act with additional subsection (b) along side INC Natural Resources Ltd, Arkel Construction Nig. Ltd and Wildcart Construction Ltd.

Specifically, Kalu was said to have "conspired with his alleged co-accused to launder the money in question from Abia State government account with Manny Bank (now Fidelity Bank Plc) to Slok Nig Ltd (a company solely owned by Kalu) account with Inland Bank Plc, which you (the accused) knew represent the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and thereby committed an offence".

For Turaki, he was accused along with the other companies of stealing the money "in concealing the genuine nature of the money (alleged) which sum was derived from an illegal act and you hereby committed an offence punishable under the MLA, 2004".

For journalists, it was a herculean moment for them as EFCC and police operatives initially prevented them from gaining access to the court premises to cover the event.

It took spirited effort of the journalists and some senior lawyers to allow the journalists access to the court premises to perform their lawful duties.

All the accused persons received strong solidarity from their political associates who thronged the court in their hundreds to cheer them up, but were kept at bay by the security operatives.

Pioneer national chairman of PDP Chief Solomon Lar-led the solidarity team for Dariye, who was remanded in EFCC’s custody while Sen. Uche Chukwumerije-led those who came in solidarity with Kalu.

Meanwhile, Nnamani has expressed surprise that he was declared wanted by EFCC despite the fact that the commission knew that he was in the hospital.

The former governor’s media aide, Igbonekwu Ogazimorah in a statement said the governor was alarmed watching on the television that he had absconded.

He said that it was based on the embarassing report that the ex-governor had to go to the headquarters of EFCC in Abuja but was detained by the commission.

"The former governor who had duly informed the EFCC of his whereabouts was earlier on chagrined by a late afternoon report on one of the television Channels, and circulated to all newsrooms that he had been declared wanted by the EFCC. He had immediately contacted both the television station and EFCC," the statement said.

He noted that it took much appeal before the commission accepted to allow him return to his hospital bed at National Hospital, Abuja.

"However, after appeals to EFCC officials on the state of his health, the former governor was returned to his hospital bed at the National Hospital at about 8.00 p.m." the statement further said.

Posted by Publisher at 03:14 PM | Comments (0)

Bakers protest high cost of raw materials

Bakers in Lagos State on Monday stormed Governor Babatunde Fashola’s office, urging him to prevail on President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to wade into the steady rise in the cost of raw materials for the production of bread.

According to them, Federal Government’s timely intervention in the avoidable crisis would forestall looming increment in the price of bread, as well as rekindle hope of the masses in the present government.

The Master Bakers, Confectioneries and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCCN) Kosofe Local Government area of the state made the appeal while on a protest rally round the state which they rounded off at the office of Governor Fashola in Alausa, Ikeja.

Addressing pressmen, at the governor’s office, the General Secretary of the Association, Mr. Lekan Ajangboju said, "we appeal to Governor Fashola to please help prevail on the President to intercede in this looming crisis by directing the flour millers to revert to the old price of the product they unilaterally increased from N2,950 to N4,000.

"Certainly, if no attempt is made by the Federal Government to curb the excesses of the flour millers, then we shall be left with no choice but to increase the price of bread by 300 per cent; of course it would be regrettable, but then it would be the only choice left to us to survive," the bakers warned.

Ajangboju stated that the rise in the cost of the raw materials for bread was a conscious attempt to take away bread from the reach of the masses, saying, "bread has become food for the riche that is the more reason why we want the masses to know that this exercise is in their interest; we don’t want to increase the price of bread because we want to be identified with the poverty alleviation efforts of both the Federal Government and Governor Fashola."

Armed with placards with various inscriptions, including: "the masses are suffering due to bread price increase; Government reduce tariff on flour, please help; the flour millers are killing us; bread is not for the poor again and; VAT reduced, but millers insist on increment," reminded the government of the countries where increase in the price of bread led to unrest.

Commenting, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele told journalists that the Governor had taken note of all the problems listed by the Bakers promising to takes their case up to the Presidency.

Posted by Publisher at 03:14 PM | Comments (0)

Chime plans big for civil servants

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has said that his administration would do everything possible to restore the dignity and integrity of the civil service in the State.

Governor Chime gave the assurance while addressing the closing ceremony of this year’s civil service week at the Michael Okpara Square Enugu at the weekend.

Governor Chime, who was represented by his deputy Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, told the people, "you should eschew bribery and corruption, uphold good work ethics…my administration will restore the dignity and integrity of the State civil service."

Governor Chime called on civil and public servants to rise up to the challenges with government to restore the dignity and integrity of the State civil service by being dedicated and transparent in the discharge of their duties.

The governor also enjoined the workers to shun bribery and corruption and to uphold the work ethics at all times towards building an enviable civil service worthy of emulation.

He explained that his administration had taken a number of steps and actions in demonstrating its friendly disposition towards workers, their condition of service and welfare.

These include among others, setting up of a committee to review the minimum wage in the State, a committee set up to compile the present salary owed parastatals with a view to settling them, recall of all workers disengaged from Enugu State civil service since 1999 and the absorption of 59 indigenes of Enugu State who were displaced in other States of the Federation.

In his words, "very importantly, 25th of every month has been designated by the governor as salary day in Enugu State… you can see that you have friend in governor Chime, who is committed to the welfare of the workers and all citizens of the State."

He urged the civil servants to reciprocate this gesture by being dedicated to their duties, adding that they should shun bribery and corruption in the discharge of their duties.

In his address, the State Head of Service, Mr. Albert Edoga called on the State government to direct attention now to capacity building, provision of modern equipment and complete renovation of offices at the secretariat.

According to the Head of Service, "now that government has addressed the workers welfare, we hope that government would move into other areas… renovating our offices, and equipping offices to modern standard to bring the civil servants in Enugu State in line with their counterparts in Nigeria ."

"While up till now we are still using the Olympic typewriter abandoned many years ago in the civil service, we also urge government to think in the area of training and retraining of workers to become productive and in line with modern trend." Mr. Edeoga said.

The State Head of service used the occasion to thank the State Governor Mr. Sullivan Chime for his government’s special interest in the welfare of workers and appealed to workers to gear up effort to reciprocate these kind gesture by being dedicated to their duties. In his words, "On our part… I urge workers to reciprocate the good gesture of government by being punctual to their duty posts and signing off at 4 pm… to be dedicated to their duties by rendering selfless and condition free services to the public… reduce time delay in treatment of files and above all, develop a culture of good relationship among themselves."

He reminded them that all the civil service rules would be applied strictly and said that, "we expect workers to run their service through the laid down guidelines in the service."

Also in his address, the state Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council, Mr. Tony Ude described the administration of governor Sullivan Chime in Enugu State as labour friendly. Mr. Ude commended the governor for measures taken so far to better the lots of workers and appealed to him to restore in-service training for workers abandoned some years ago, fast track the committee handling the enhancement of workers wages and to withdraw the circular that limited payment of arrears to three months.

The labour leader on behalf of workers in the state appealed to all those who are still aggrieved over the last April general election to withdraw what ever suit they have in court and join hands with the Sullivan administration in its efforts to develop the state and better the living condition of our people.

The closing ceremony featured match past by workers drawn from various ministries, departments and parastatals in the State where the office of the SSG took the first position.

Posted by Publisher at 03:12 PM | Comments (0)

Lagos moves to enforce hygienic transportation of meat

Lagos State government is to commence the recruitment of health officers and experts to enforce hygienic transportation of meats from the abattoirs to various shops for sale.

Also, it has awarded the contract for the expansion of the Lekki road to Hi-tech Construction Company, stating that the measure was to ease the traffic situation that has gradually become unbearable for the workers and residents of the area, saying, "the only way to ease the traffic along Lekki is for us to extend the road network along that corridor."

According to the commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, the need to recruit sanitary officers to monitor meat transportation was borne out of the agitation of the state government to ensure that the mode by which meat is being transported is re-defined, with the target of making it safe for consumption.

Bamidele disclosed this yesterday at the second post-executive council meeting, press briefing at the Bagauda Kalto press centre, state secretariat Alausa, Ikeja, saying, "the executive council meeting has directed the ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to recruit well qualified environmental experts; they would ensure that the rules guiding the transportation of meat are effected," adding that henceforth, any meat transported in an unhygienic manner would be seized.

According to him, the state EXCO also agreed to reorganize and restructure the state Transport Maintenance Authority [LASTMA], admitting that even though some officials were able to prove themselves worthy of the task for which they were employed, yet, most of them have enmeshed themselves in corruption and indiscipline.

Disclosing that state government would employ more hands for LASTMA, Opeyemi further stated that the state EXCO also agreed to put in motion measures that would create green Lagos, through the planting of tree on major roads, he said.

The commissioner however explained that the effort to create green Lagos state would be the joint efforts of all the ministries and agencies, "we have resolved that it must be an inter agency and inter ministerial assignment."

He also noted that the state had set up a special committee to monitor the indiscriminate disposition of medical waste because of the inherent danger it posses

Posted by Publisher at 03:11 PM | Comments (0)

You’re on your own Senate tells Turaki, Nnamani

Senate yesterday distanced itself from the on-going trial of ex-governors Chimaroke Nnamani and Saminu Turaki, insisting that the offences for which the duo are being arraigned were committed long before they became senators.

Former governor of Jigawa state Turaki was arraigned in court last Friday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering and other related offences.

His Enugu counterpart. Dr. Nnamani may be arraigned this week for similar offence.

The duo were elected into the Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the same platform on which they were elected governors more than eight years ago.

But, Senate in its first official reaction yesterday explained why it could not intervene in the on-going trial of Senators Nnamani and Turaki.

Deputy majority leader of the senate, Victor Ndoma-Egba who disclosed the Senate position yesterday, said that the upper house could not wade into the matter, because the offences the two senators were allegedly committed before they were elected into the senate".

Ndoma-Egba in a telephone interview with Daily Champion yesterday said that the hands of the senate are tied.

He spoke against the backdrop of speculation in some quarters that the senate president senator David Mark who has the ear of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua may have intervened in the trial of the two colleagues.

There are however fears in the senate that two more ex-governors also in the senate may be arrested by EFCC any moment this week.

The elected former governors are said to have mounted pressure on Mark to intervene in the on going offensive against them.

Meanwhile the senate will today resume screening of President Yar’Adua’s ministerial nominees.

Senate had last week cleared 17 out of the 34 ministerial nominees presented to it by Yar"Adua two weeks ago. Senate at the resumed sitting today is expected to commence screening of the 17 nominees who were by Thursday last week not cleared by security agencies.

Daily Champion gathered that ten out of the 17 nominees have been cleared to face the senate today.

Former president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Charles Ugwu (Imo) former deputy governor of CBN Shamsudeen Usman (Kano) and Sen. Sanusi Daggash (Borne) may top the list of nominees that will take their turn in the screening today.

Others yet to be screened are Dr. Aliyu Hong (Adamawa) Alhaji Garba Bichi (Kano), Dr. Hassan Lawal (Nassarawa), Ibrahim Gimba (Niger) Junji Isola (Ogun), Adefokunbo Kayode {Ondo} Ahmed Gusau {Sokoto} Alhaji Ibrahim El-Sudi {Taraba} Adamu Waziri (Yobe), Dr. Aliyu Modibbo (Gombe) and Tijani Kaura (Zamfara).

Posted by Publisher at 03:11 PM | Comments (0)

Fayose: Judge berates press

EDERAL High Court Judge, Justice Iyani Abubakar sitting in Lagos yesterday berated the media over a report attributed to him last week on the ex parte order he granted in favour of impeached governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose.

According to the judge, what he granted the ex-governor was just a leave of the court to enforce his fundamental human rights, and not what was publicly celebrated in the print and broadcast media that he had barred the police and the state security service agents from arresting him.

"I am not too happy with the things I read on the pages of newspapers.

"Cases are fought in court and not on the pages of newspapers. I granted the leave and can revoke it now," he said.

Justice Abubakar expressed his dissatisfaction when the matter came up for hearing yesterday.

But, Fayose’s counsel, Mr. Alex Iziyon (SAN) apologised to the judge, saying the he never took the court order anywhere for the purpose of publication, even as he admitted that he was yet to serve the second respondent with the court processes.

He, however, asked the court for a short adjournment to enable him serve the SSS with the documents.

Meanwhile, Ekiti State government has declared its interest in the matter brought before the court by the ex-governor.

Its counsel, Bisi Ade Ademuwagun who appeared in court yesterday said he had just been briefed by the government and he intended to bring an application to be joined in the suit.

The judge, who consequently adjourned the matter till July 26, directed him to file his application before the next date of hearing.

Justice Abubakar had on July 3, 2007 granted an ex parte motion for Fayose to enforce his basic rights, pending the determination of his application for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights.

Posted by Publisher at 03:10 PM | Comments (0)

Detained female graduate may miss National service

Save for any divine intervention, Miss Nesochi Eleyi, 24, a graduate of Economics from Ebonyi State University, who is currently dumped at Abakaliki prisons by a relation, may miss her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) coming up in September.

Nesochi told the Chairman of Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board, Chief Austin Igwe Edeze who visited to make some donations to the Prison’s Special School, that she was dumped at the place by a relation who has a military connection.

Two weeks already in detention, Nesochi who hails from Mgbo in Ohaukwu local government area of the state said she was in the process of typing and presenting her project in school when she had a minor quarrel with a cousin whose brother, a military officer took her to the police from where she found herself in prison custody as she had nobody to take her on bail.

Addressing the students inmates in his speech before making the donation of two sets of welding machines, electric filing machines, cutting machines, light protector, cartons of electrodes, welding cables, learning materials including text books, exercise books among others, Edeze promised that the board’s legal adviser would be drafted to the prisons to secure bail for some of the inmates with minor offences and expressed worry at the number of persons awaiting trials.

He recalled how about 28 inmates of the prison secured bail through his board’s intervention in the past, and specifically sympathized with Nesochi over her ordeal.

"This is wickedness, we’ll immediately send our lawyer to this place to help secure bail for some of these people who don’t have anybody to help them out of this place," he stated and further explained that the establishment of the special school was to keep the inmates busy in order to discourage them from learning new strategies in committing crimes.

"The inmates here are also members of the society. If there are no structures to help change their behaviours while they are still here, then you’ll see them coming out of this place worse than when they came in by so doing the main essence of prison which is to reform inmates would have been defeated," he noted, adding that his board also established both computer and skill acquisition centers in the prison to help inmates who may have acquired both primary and secondary education.

He commended officials of the Abakaliki Prisons for their friendly disposition, especially in accepting the establishment of the Special School, which has made the place the only prison in the country that has provision for schools.

Our reporter gathered that majority of the inmates are awaiting trials, while eight of them are said to have been infected with the Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV), though prison officials could not confirm the development.

Responding to the visit and donations by the Ebonyi UBEB boss, the Deputy Comptroller in charge of the Abakaliki Prisons, Mr. Vincent Ubi faulted the snail speed in the justice delivery system in the country, noting that the development had resulted in what he

described as population explosion in the prison.

Ubi said that the place which has a capacity of 351 inmates now has 758 persons.

He disclosed that he had long complained to the authorities concerned to find a way of handling the issue "before it gets out of hand", but expressed dismay that nothing had been done to reduce the over-congestion.

"Most of them are here as a result of holding charges. I’ve complained to our National headquarters, and also the state government, but the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Alloy Nwankwo, he promised that he would soon embark on jail delivery, we are waiting for him," he said, noting that the number of inmates keep increasing by the day.

He thanked the Ebonyi Ubeb chairman for deeming it fit to establish the school within the prisons the board’s continued support to the school and inmates.

Posted by Publisher at 03:09 PM | Comments (0)

Elections tribunal strikes out Uduaghan’s objection

DELTA State election petition tribunal sitting at Court 5, Umuazei in the capital Asaba yesterday struck out the preliminary objection filed before it by state governor Emmanuel Uduaghan against the petition by Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate in the April election, Mr. Peter Okocha challenging his emergence at the election.

CAJETAN MMUTA, Asaba

Tribunal chairman Justice Ayobode Lokulo-Sodipe while ruling in favour of AC candidate whose "locus standi" at the tribunal was called to question by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), lead counsel to Uduaghan, said "the tribunal finds the instant application incompetent since all the grounds of the objection predicated on the lack of locus standi of the first petitioner in no way arise exporte in the petition. The motion dated June 11, 2007 is accordingly struck out."

Posted by Publisher at 03:08 PM | Comments (0)

Leadership crisis: PDP set to dissolve Ebonyi exco

Strong indications emerged at the weekend that the lingering leadership crisis in the Ebonyi state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may force the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to dissolve the state executive committee and appoint a caretaker committee.

Kenneth Ofoma, Abakaliki

There has been a long political tussle involving Barrister Okeagu Ogada and Joseph Obinna Ogba, over the chairmanship of the party a situation that has led to a lot of confusion in the state.

A source close to the state chapter of the party revealed that matters came to a head during the last National Executive Committee and Caucus meetings of the party in Abuja when the two factional chairmen showed up as the Ebonyi state PDP Chairman before security men asked them to produce their invitation letter for the meeting.

"Though Okeagu Ogada was eventually admitted into the venues of the meetings, the NWC resolved to dissolve the state Executive Committee of the party in Ebonyi and set up a five-man care taker committee. The immediate past Governor of the state and the three senators from the state are expected to nominate one candidate each as members of the committee while the incumbent state Governor as the leader of the party would nominate the acting Chairman," the source added saying that the care taker committee would oversee the holding of primary election for the forthcoming council polls.

It will be recalled that the immediate past governor Dr Sam Egwu had during the build up the May general elections promised that any guber aspirant who agreed to step down for Chief Elechi would be allowed to go back to the person’s former position in addition to being refunded all campaign expenses as compensation.

Consequently Ogba who resigned his position as state chairman of the party before joining the guber race, stepped down and wanted to resume his position which had already been taken by Ogada and the latter refused to step aside insisting that Egwu’s promise applied to those occupying appointive and not elective position like the chairmanship of the party.

On the decision of the NWC dissolve the state exco, the source stated that already Governor Elechi may have nominated Engineer Dave Umahi, a contractor from Ebonyi south senatorial district to head the care taker committee adding that the measure was to arrest further show of shame between Ogada and Ogba over the chairmanship seat.

Fielding questions from newsmen about his preparedness to shoulder the responsibility if called upon, Umahi, whose petrol filling station was burnt during the last general elections, said the follower-ship of the party in the state was never divided.

While denying any privy knowledge of the NWC decisions, Umahi, however asserted that as a loyal party man, there is no assignment from the party leadership that he could not carry out diligently adding that during the elections all the members worked collectively for the successful emergence of the party’s candidates at the polls.

Posted by Publisher at 03:07 PM | Comments (0)

AC may expel Na’Abba

ACTION Congress (AC) may expel former Speaker of House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’Abba over his acceptance to serve in the administration of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

The party last week opted out of the ongoing debate on the desirability of participating in the Government of National Unity (GNU) proposed by President Yar’Adua for leading opposition political parties.

But speaking shortly after a visit to Aso Rock last weekend, Na’Abba declared that he will serve in the new cabinet, if invited. He noted that as a national leader, he cannot be dictated to by any party.

Reacting to the comment, National Publicity Secretary of AC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said though the party leaders were yet to speak with the former speaker on the issue, the party will expel any of its members that takes appointment with the PDP government.

He said, "we want to hear from Na’Abba first. But we will sanction any member of the party who takes appointment with the new government."

Corroborating Mohammed’s position, a chieftain of the party, Alhaji Lawan Kaita stated that AC will deal with any of its member that accepted to serve in the government.

Though Kaita said the party has nothing against President Yar’Adua as a person, he said AC would not be part of the administration since the terms it gave for such participation were not met by the government.

For now, he said the pre-occupation of the party was to faithfully follow its case at the tribunal to a logical conclusion.

Posted by Publisher at 03:01 PM | Comments (0)

Falana chides national leaders

HUMAN rights lawyer and activist Femi Falana has warned Nigerian leaders against misplacement of priorities, saying it was time the ruling class showed commitment to improving the standard of living of the people.

FUNKE ODUWOLE

He urged leaders at all levels of governance in the country to imbibe the culture of Rotary Club International, a social organisation which add value to peoples lives through its watch word, "the four way test."

Chief Falana was speaking at the weekend during the investiture of the new Governor of Rotary Club International District 9110 Mr. Somo Omoniyi at the Muson Centre, Lagos.

He said the Federal Government should come up with measures to eradicate unnecessary spending and ensure adequate provision of infrastructure to make life more meaningful for the teeming poor masses.

Falana congratulated Rotary International for its efforts at improving the society and charged leaders worldwide to borrow a leaf from the organisation which he said had a systematic institutional leadership succession arrangement.

He urged the new District 9110 Governor, Rotn Somo Omoniyi not to relent in his effort but to continue in his activities of providing quality service to the people.

Posted by Publisher at 02:59 PM | Comments (0)

Umeh mourns Ilodibe

LAGOS-BASED business man, Chief Mike Umeh has described the death of Chief Augustine Ilodibe, executive chairman of Ekene Dili Chukwu Transport as a big loss not only to Anambra state but the entire country.

Umeh, in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos described the late transport magnate as a "patriotic Nigerian business man" who those in the transport sector would forever remember, giving the role he played in developing that sector of the nation’s economy.

"Ilodibe was one of those who opened up and did all he could to develop the transport sector of the nation’s economy. He weas a true patriot. We are all definitely going to miss him and his philanthropic gestures," Umeh stated.

He urged the family to bear the loss, even as he noted that they should take consolation in the fact that he (Chief Ilodibe) lived a fulfilled life and contributed immensely to the growth and development of the nation.

Posted by Publisher at 02:59 PM | Comments (0)

More foreign carriers for Nigeria

The four member team from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which is in the country to assess and audit the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and three Nigerian carriers designated on the lucrative American route yesterday disclosed that two more American carriers are in the final stages of operating into Nigeria.

Team leader, Greg Michael, briefing newsmen yesterday in Lagos commended Nigeria’s civil aviation authorities, saying that they had worked very hard to create a safe environment for air travel in the country.

The team which also include, Mark Bury attorney, Rafael Burgos (airworthiness), and John Thiem (operations) said they arrived in the country Sunday night, explaining that since their arrival, they had spent time on briefing on the operations of the NCAA.

Michael also said that the two American airlines, Delta and Continental Airlines would begin services into the country, after meeting all the requirements of the Nigerian aviation regulatory body.

The resumption of flight operations by these two carriers would bring to three the number of American airlines operating into Nigeria.

North American Airline, it would be recalled started operation into Nigeria, July last year under the ‘Open Skies’ Agreement between Nigeria and the U.S., with Nigeria designating three carriers, Bellview, Arik and Virgin Nigeria to America.

Delta Airlines is a U.S. based airline headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It operates a large domestic and international network that spans North America, South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Delta Airlines currently flies to 463 destinations in 95 countries. In India, Delta Airlines flies to New Delhi and Mumbai.

Speaking at the occassion, the Director-General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren expressed the confidence that after the successful passing of the International Air Safety Assessment category for category one audit, Nigerian carriers would fly seamlessly to the U.S., from Lagos.

According to Demuren, "this is the initial assessment of that, initial review if you like. We are happy that they are here. They will still come back to do the theory aspect, so that Nigeria can pass and be a category one certified"

The benefits of Nigerian carriers operating to the country would he reiterated would be massive, with a lot of travel time shortened.

His words "There are a lot of people travelling to the U.S., we like them to go direct, and this is very important. Another advantage is that it would boost tourism, we have to ‘Open Skies’. It is a stamp of safety. If they are safe, people can fly in and do business here and this is important for Nigeria"

Posted by Publisher at 02:58 PM | Comments (0)

Perm. Sec tasks youths on development

The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has called on youths to channel their energy towards development purposes rather than to violence.

Mr Sam Adekunle, Permanent Secretary in the ministry said this last Sunday in Abuja, in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on the level of preparations for the 2007 International Youth Day celebration.

Adekunle urged the youths to be resolute in ensuring that Nigeria is properly developed for a better tomorrow.

According to him, the solid foundation they lay today will determine the country’s future.

"We want our youths to deviate from criminal behaviours and divert their energy towards things that are progressive and productive,’’ he said.

Adekunle also charged the youths to come up with positive ideas that would assist the government to move the country forward.

He reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that youths were adequately provided for, saying that it was for this that the National Poverty Alleviation Programme (NAPEP), and other bodies were established.

Speaking on the International Youth Day celebrations, scheduled for August 12, Adekunle disclosed that preparations were in top gear to ensure its success.

He said that the day was borne out of the Lisbon Declaration on Youth Policies and Programmes in 1998.

``The youth day is a declaration by the UN that August 12 of every year should be set aside to mark the day to create awareness on youth’s related issues,’’ he said.

Adekunle said that the day would be celebrated through a week of activities that would commence on August 6 to culminate on August 12.

He listed activities lined up for the event to include: Presidential youth forum, Lectures, Essay writing, Quiz competitions, Football competition, Carnival train, Dance Drama, Exhibitions of youth initiative and excursion.

Adekunle said that the youth week would also be used to launch the establishment of Youth Parliament where youths would be given the opportunity to deliberate on youths-related issues.

``As part of our leadership training,

the youths parliament will give youths

the opportunity to draw up bills, deliberate

and pass the bills which would later be

forwarded to the National Assembly for

further deliberations.

``We are expecting about 1,000

participants from the 36 states and

the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),’’

he said.

He further stated that a Presidential

Planning Committee chaired by him,

had already been put in place to

ensure the success of the

celebrations.

He gave the theme for this year’s

celebrations as: `Be Seen, Be heard,

Youth participation in development.’’

Posted by Publisher at 02:55 PM | Comments (0)

February 05, 2007

ANPP, AC will stop PDP – Atiku

VICE President Atiku Abubakar yesterday in Kano shed light on the troubled alliance between his party, the Action Congress (AC) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), saying its cardinal goals were to achieve free and fair general elections in April as well as stop the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from turning the country into a one party state.

MUHAMMAD KABIR, Kano

He said another cardinal objective of the alliance was to prevent tenure elongation beyond May 29 by the federal government, adding that raging controversy on whether he should step down for ANPP presidential candidate, Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) or not was unnecessary.

Alhaji Abubakar who is also the AC presidential candidate for the April 21 presidential spoke yesterday during an interactive session with newsmen at the Government House Kano.

The VP had flagged off his presidential campaign in the ancient city Saturday.

He said the three objectives of the AC/ANPP alliance, are to ensure free and fair elections in 2007, ensuring that those in government who don’t stay beyond May 29 and to produce a consensus candidate which can only be achieved by achieving one and two objectives.

The VP said the media preferred to propagate the last objectives of candidature, which is less important.

He said that Nigerians must realise that, the most important issue in the country is the 2007 elections and the survival of democracy because, according to him, in the past few years, democracy has been abused and bastardised by the ruling PDP.

"How do we stabilize democracy, and strengthen it and also protect all the institutions."

He said, it was obvious that the ruling PDP has been responsible for the threat to democracy and social order, and urged Nigerians to unite, and comfront to save the system.

Alhaji Abubakar, warned that, if people failed to stop the PDP from winning the elections the whole country will become one party state which is a dictatorship and a recipe for chaos and uncertainity. He said in the past seven years of PDP government, road contracts worth N300 billion had been awarded, "but uptill today no single one road is finished and has been commissioned by the president"

"Therefore the dream of AC government is to make sure that projects are conceived and well implemented within a short period of the government with transparency and accountability.

"For the past eight years, Nigeria, has been battling with the issue of power. Let me tell you a story in the year 2000, I went to the President and said Mr. President, we have so many sources of power which are provided by nature, but he didn’t heed my wise counsel. Rather we continue to depend on gas which can be blown up by militants any time and the whole country will be plunged into darkness.

"However despite this obvious fact, the PDP government still concentrated on the provision of power stations based on gas areas .

"Now an AC government will do things completely different. And let me tell you I am the best person to do it, I am the most experience Vice President ever since that position was created. You may be military ex president, but today I am the most living and practising VP with vast experience," Atiku said.

Posted by Publisher at 02:45 PM | Comments (0)

Total blackout looms •PHCN workers threaten strike

Nigeria may be heading towards a major energy crisis as the National Union of Electricty Employees (NUEE) at the weekend ordered workers of the Power Holding Company Nigeria in all its branches nationwide to prepare to down their tools this month in protest against the continuing moves by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to sell the company without reaching agreement with the union on the fate of the workers.

Chukwudi Achife, Enugu

The union also ordered its members to bar BPE personnel and other ‘foreigners’ from gaining access to PHCN installations across the country until the dispute is resolved.

The directive which was signed by Akoh Cyprian Ndubuisi, assistant general secretary of Edo/Delta/Eastern unit of the Generation/Transmission companies of the PHCN said the directive became inevitable following the unwarranted violation by the BPE of an agreement earlier reached between it and the union not to wind up the company except through a court process.

He said, the BPE had rather than keep the promise and invite the union for further negotiations , sought to circumvent statutory negotiation procedures through the use of a 23-man presidential committee on the settlement of labour issues prior to the privatization of the PHCN. He added that the union refused to send representatives to the committee since it "was a negation of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention which says that an ad-hoc presidential committee cannot replace a statutory negotiation machinery.

"Again our employer is PHCN and not presidential committee. It will, therefore, be foolish of us to negotiate with a body that we know has no contractual obligation with us", the Union argued.

The union said despite its opposition, the committee continued working without regard to the interest of the workers "thus confirming government’s insincerity and unseriousness to the plight of workers" and heightening fears that the PHCN workers may suffer the same fate as their NITEL and maritime colleagues when their outfits fell under the BPE hammer.

It said that following the advertisement placed for the BPE for the sale of some units of the PHCN, the union through its lawyers placed a caveat in several national dailies on account of its pending suit challenging the sale of the company without settling labour matters.

The union said: "Instead of putting necessary machinery for the negotiation, government has again gone ahead to advertise the PHCN for sale without resolving labour issues. We want to seize this medium to state unequivocally that the union is not party to this development and shall use all available labour means to fight this injustice, because the fate of thousands of PHCN workers is at stake and their years of meritorious services to this nation should not be wished away.

"All PHCN workers are by this medium directed to resist vehemently through whatever labour means any sight of any foreign intruder into any of our premises, in strict compliance with the national headquarters directive vide General Circular No 36/2007 of 18/1/2007 while reiterating that our ‘NO PHCN NO WORK ORDER’ remains in force".

Stating, however, that it was not against the privatization policy of government but was interested in securing the interest of workers under the arrangement, the union urged the BPE to obey court orders, adding: "Nigerian workers blood suckers’agent should note that the interlocutory injunction of a court against the sale of PHCN is still in force and as such all actions taken by the BPE afterwards amount to a contempt which the courts should not ignore if the Nigerian judiciary is indeed the last hope of the oppressed to get justice".

Posted by Publisher at 02:45 PM | Comments (0)

Poverty reduction: World Bank approves $25m for Nigeria

The poverty reduction scheme in Nigeria has received a big boost following World Bank’s approval of US$25 million to support the project.

Uche Obike, Head, Business Desk

In a news release signed by Mr. Foluso Okunmadewa, the World Bank Task Team Leader of the project, made available to Daily Champion, the World Bank has approved US$25 million International Development Association (IDA) credit to provide additional funding for the Community Based Poverty Reduction Project (CPRP) in Nigeria.

Okunmadewa explained further that the project aims to improve access for the poor to social and economic services and increase the availability and management of development resources at the community level.

He said, the project will be implemented in eight states including Aba in Abia, Cross Rivers, Ekiti, Kogi, Kebbi, Yobe, Kwara and Ebonyi.

"The additional financing will ensure that about 600 community-based poverty reduction micro-projects that are currently underway are completed. The funding will also help maintain the momentum of the community – driven development approach in the country until a nationwide community development project, currently under preparation by the Federal Government, begins," he said.

He noted further that the additional funding will continue to support government efforts to empower communities to become agents and beneficiaries of change to improve the lives of their citizens.

According to him, the additional financing will address unmet demands and requests from community groups for micro-projects in virtually all the states currently implementing the CPRP.

He recalled that the first community based poverty reduction project, using the community driven development approach was approved in 2000 for US$60 million.

He added that the supplemented credit is for two years and will close on August 31, 2008.

The IDA credit has a maturity of 40 years with a grace period of ten years, while the credit is interest free with a service charge of 0.75 per cent

Posted by Publisher at 02:44 PM | Comments (0)

N/Delta: Army, militants negotiate •9 Chinese hostages freed

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Andrew Azazi has explained why he is holding meeting with militants in the Niger Delta Region

TONY ITA ETIM, Port Harcourt
SOPURUCHI ONWUKA, and NAPOLEON EHIREMEN, Warri

Azazi gave the explanation during a meeting with about 100 militants at the Officers Mess of the 2 Amphibious Brigade, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He said, though he was not mandated by the presidency to talk to the militants, what comes out of these meetings would be presented to the government.

He pointed out that he decided to meet with the militants because he has a genuine desire to see to the resolution of the Niger Delta crises, especially as he is a son of the area.

Azazi declared that he is not meeting with the militants because the military is afraid of confronting them or because soldiers have been intimidated by the militants.

Rather, he said, dialogue is the only key to resolve the Niger Delta question and without dialogue, the right things would not be done.

He sa