Home Blog Page 4202

“Rise & Put An End To The Treasury Looting” APC Charges Nigerians

Mohammed Useni
-
0
“Rise & Put An End To The Treasury Looting” APC Charges Nigerians

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State Chapter, has charged Nigerians to rise and put an end to the wanton looting of their common patrimony by greedy cabal intent on perpetuating its evil grip on the country’s treasury, totally insensitive to the plight of millions of suffering Nigerians.

“Nigerians can no longer afford to stand aloof and suffer in silence, especially in view of the disclosure by suspended Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi that the missing $20 billion oil revenue has been shared by a cabal, which explains why Sanusi was hastily suspended by the Presidency so as to frustrate efforts to trace those who looted the money,” Rivers APC said in a statement signed by Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze.

The party associated itself with the position of Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who observed at the International Conference on Democracy and Good Governance held yesterday, 11th March, 2014, in Port Harcourt, that democracy can only grow in the country when Nigerians, irrespective of religious, ethnic or political affiliation, recognise that elected leaders are accountable to them and thus initiate ‘citizenship action’ to get their leaders to account to them on how the country’s funds are used.

“Like Governor Amaechi, we, too, are disappointed that both the National Assembly and Nigerians are not asking questions about why a whopping sum of $20B should develop wings and our leaders are not doing anything to account for it. We are in agreement with Amaechi that until we confront our leaders to be accountable to us our leaders will continue to loot our treasury with impunity. Therefore, seeing that our leaders have hardened their hearts as far as corruption is concerned, Nigerian citizens must arise as one to save our nation,” Rivers APC said in a statement issued by the Interim State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya.

The party commended Governor Amaechi and the Rivers State Government for the successful hosting of the International Conference chaired by a respected Jurist, Hon. Justice Adolphus Karibe-Whyte (rtd.), and graced by distinguished international good governance promoters such as His Excellency John Bruton, former Prime Minister of Ireland, who was visiting Nigeria for the first time, and His Excellency, Jack Straw, former British Foreign Secretary, and moderated by Prof. Steve Chan of University of London.

“In addition to commending him for the successful hosting of the International Conference, we also wish to congratulate Governor Amaechi on the unanimous verdict of both the Lecturers and Panelists that he is an example of what a good democrat should be. We join these renowned global citizens in celebrating this rare gem for his feats in the areas of education, health and road infrastructure, among others, while urging him to continue to let his light shine for the benefit of Rivers and the entire Nigeria,” the State APC concluded

Presidency Blasts Sanusi For ‘Playing Politics With Serious National Issues’

Mohammed Useni
-
1
Presidency Blasts Sanusi For ‘Playing Politics With Serious National Issues’

Erstwhile CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi may have been ‘suspended’ but the apparent bad-blood between him and the Presidency may not dry up anytime soon.

The Presidency has revealed that they have authorized the hiring of an international audit firm to audit the NNPC but they also want Sanusi to respond to the charges and accusations made about him rather than speaking badly of the Government.

The Presidency has emphasized once again that the suspension of Sanusi has nothing to do with the missing $20bn but based on allegations of ‘financial recklessness’ against the Governor

While briefing journalists at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Wednesday, presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati said Sanusi’s accusations were false.

Check out Abati’s full statement below:

“We have noted with disappointment, the unrelenting attempt by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to falsely portray his recent suspension from office as an attempt by the Presidency to bury his allegation that huge sums of money due to the Federation Account are unaccounted for by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

“The Presidency wishes to reaffirm that Mallam Sanusi’s suspension has absolutely nothing to do with his unproven and inconsistent claim that $49.8 Billion, $12 Billion or $20 Billion is missing from the national treasury.

“As was clearly stated in the letter suspending him from office and confirmed by President Goodluck Jonathan in his last Presidential Media Chat, Mallam Sanusi’s suspension was wholly based on the need for him to step aside while the weighty charges of financial recklessness, gross misconduct and persistent disregard for laid down rules and regulations in the management of the Central Bank made against him by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and others are properly investigated.

“It is most unfortunate that instead of trying to provide some reasonable response to the clear and unambiguous query of his official conduct as Governor of the Central Bank, Mallam Sanusi has cynically chosen to whip up public sympathy for himself and anger against the Federal Government by deliberately misleading unwary Nigerians and the international community into believing the falsehood that he is being punished for exposing corruption.

“In recent days, the suspended CBN Governor has, following in the footsteps of others who have an axe to grind with the government, taken to spreading his false claims and allegations through gullible foreign media correspondents, telling them among other things that his threat to force commercial banks to open up their books to unravel the whereabouts of the “missing” funds whether $49.8 Billion, $12 Billion or $20 Billion, ultimately led to his suspension.

“He also continues to make the mischievous claim that the government is somehow involved in a scam to divert huge sums of money from the Federation Account through the misappropriation of kerosene subsidy funds.

“Mallam Sanusi’s allegations are patently untrue. But Government is making no effort to bury them as he falsely claims. Relevant committees of the National Assembly are still investigating the claims and the suspended CBN Governor remains free to give evidence before them in support of his allegations.

“Furthermore, in keeping with its avowed commitment to full transparency, openness and accountability in governmental affairs, the Federal Government has authorized the engagement of reputable international firms for the recommended forensic audit of NNPC accounts.

“The Presidency condemns Mallam Sanusi’s resort to playing politics with serious national issues. His suggestion that the phantom missing funds may have been diverted to fund campaigns for next year’s general elections is mischievous, irresponsible and designed to incite other political parties and members of the public against the Federal Government.

“The claim which amounts to cheap blackmail against the government and was clearly made in furtherance of a selfish personal agenda is most unbecoming of someone who still holds the High Office of Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“The Presidency would not ordinarily have wished to join issues with Mallam Sanusi who as CBN Governor remains an appointee of the President, but the very unacceptable manner in which Sanusi has been misinforming the public made it imperative that this statement be issued”.

“N-Delta Oil Belongs To N-Delta People” Ijaw Youth Council To Bugaje

Mohammed Useni
-
0
“N-Delta Oil Belongs To N-Delta People” Ijaw Youth Council To Bugaje

By Samuel Oyadongha

The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, worldwide, Wednesday, described as reckless, provocative and misleading, the claim by former National Secretary of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Alhaji Usman Bugaje, that the country’s oil belongs to the North.

Bugaje, one of the lead speakers at the Northern Leaders’ Conference, had, Tuesday, in Kano, in a live television programme, raised the issue of the ownership of Nigeria’s crude oil domiciled majorly in the Niger Delta region.

The former ACN chieftain said it was wrong for any state to claim that it wass oil producing because 72 per cent of the total land mass of the country belongs to the North and that by the United Nation’s law, it was only the North that actually has the right to claim ownership of the oil.

But the IYC, in a statement by its spokesman, Eric Omare, said that Bugaje’s comment was a deliberate ploy to mislead his northern brothers to prepare the ground to oppose the legitimate demand of the Niger Delta people to control their resources at the forthcoming national conference.

Expressing disappointment over what it described as the misleading statement, Omare said: “Contrary to Bugaje’s assertion, the IYC insists that there is no United Nations Law which states that the maritime boundary of a country is determined by the land mass of the country.

“For the record, there is nowhere in Articles 3, 5, 57 and 76 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS, where it is stated that the landmass of a coastal state determines its mileage into the sea or its maritime boundary.”

18 Feared Dead In Boat Mishap In FESTAC Town, Lagos

Mohammed Useni
-
0
18 Feared Dead In Boat Mishap In FESTAC Town, Lagos

About 18 persons are feared to have lost their lives in a boat mishap which occurred in the early evening of Tuesday at a canal on 4th Avenue, FESTAC Town, Lagos.

Eye-witnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the incident happened at about 19:30 hrs and that one of the six survivors rushed to the FESTAC Police Station to alert the police.

NAN learnt that although the Police immediately mobilised to the accident scene, they could not be of much assistance because those who rushed there were not from the Police Marine Department, who could have led the rescue efforts.

An eye-witness who did not want his name in print, told NAN that local divers then had to be mobilised to help with the rescue efforts.

Mr Jola Ogunlusi, President, Festival Town Residents Association (FTRA), told NAN that the rescue efforts had to be suspended at 02:00 hrs on Wednesday morning, after the recovery of 11 bodies from the canal.

“Local divers had to be mobilised to lead the rescue effort. Of the 24 passengers who were said to be on board the boat, only six were able to help themselves. We could only recover 11 bodies and the search for the other seven bodies will continue today,” he said.

Ogunlusi added that the rescue efforts were organised by the Lagos State Emergency Rescue Agency, which also moved the recovered bodies to a public mortuary.

The FTRA president recalled that in 2001, the Lagos State Government had mobilised to the site to start work on the development of a bridge across the canal at 4th Avenue and 13th Road on 6th Avenue, “but the project was politicised and they had to abandon the site”.

He also said that in 2004, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) put the cost of the bridge at N240 million.

Ogunlusi, who said he was in the company of the Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Council, Mr Ayodele Adewale, at the scene of the incident until the early hours of Wednesday, added that the boat was reportedly overloaded because the passengers were all rather anxious to cross the canal.

“The makeshift bridge has been built more than four times in the past, but once there is a heavy rainfall, it is usually washed away.

“People do not listen to instructions warning them to desist from using the boats or the makeshift bridge to cross the canal again.

“Both the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Council and the FTRA have consistently warned them on that. About three years ago, three persons lost their lives in a similar incident on the canal,” he said.

Ogunlusi recalled that community leaders of 6th Avenue have organised a “Keke Marwa” route to take people from 6th Avenue to wherever they wanted to go to in FESTAC Town, but some remained stuck to the boats on the canal.

Ogunlusi added that the FTRA would now write to the Hon. Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, and the FHA, to take urgent steps to build a bridge to link 42 Road in 4th Avenue and 13th Road of 6th Avenue.

Gusau Has Not Resigned, Says Presidency

Mohammed Useni
-
0
Gusau Has Not Resigned, Says Presidency

The Presidency on Wednesday in Abuja said there was no iota of truth in the rumoured resignation of Gen. Aliyu Gusau as the Minister of Defence.

He was sworn in on March 5.

Mr Reuben Abati, the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media, said reports that Gusau had left office after an altercation between him and military commanders were false.

“It is not true that he has resigned,” Abati told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Similarly, in a statement signed by the Mr Shehu Maikai, Director Press, the Ministry of Defence also denied the reported resignation of Gusau.

‘’The attention of the ministry had been drawn to a media posting on the social network that the minister had resigned.

“I wish to state, categorically, that the minister has not resigned his appointment.

“We thank all those that have called to verify the rumour and reassure you all that Gusau remains the Minister of Defence,” the statement said.

Terrorism: David Mark Urges Citizens To Resist Plot To Destabilise The Country

Mohammed Useni
-
0
Terrorism: David Mark Urges Citizens To Resist Plot To Destabilise The Country

The Senate President, David Mark on Wednesday urged all Nigerians to rise up against the orchestrated plot to destabilise the country.
Mark said this in Abuja when he decorated newly promoted police officers attached to his office with their new ranks.
The Senate President said that government would be compelled to deploy its might if the perpetrators continued to refuse negotiation.
“If the perpetrators of these violent crimes would not come to the negotiating table to dialogue with authorities in order to address whatever grievances they may have, government would be left with no option than to deploy its might to deal with the situation,” Mark warned.
He said government would no longer tolerate a situation where insurgents and terrorists continue to hold it and the citizens hostage.
“No matter how disgruntled or angry they may be, they cannot continue to kill our citizens and destroy properties at will as way of life.
“It is a high time wise counsel prevails among these insurgents to drop their arms and embrace peace.
“Nigeria is passing through very difficult times and challenges and certainly does not need these wars and destructions.
“We need to live and work together as free people. We need a country where all citizens have equal opportunities, where no one is oppressed or molested.”
He also expressed his sympathy to Gov. Gabriel Suswam of Benue whose convoy was attacked by gunmen at Tse -Kenyi village while inspecting some communities attacked by the hoodlums.
Mark said the situation called for vigilance on the part of every citizen.
He also called for support and cooperation for the security operatives to succeed in their onerous task of protecting lives and property.
The Police officers decorated with their new ranks of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) were Odufu Boniface , Ibrahim Omaga and Oni John while Ndamshe Nanzing was decorated as Police Inspector.
In the same vein, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu has called for greater sub-regional synergy to end terrorism in West Africa.
Ekweremadu made the call during separate working visits to the President of the Republic of Cape Verde, Jorge Fonseca and the Prime minister, Hon. Jose Maria Neves in Praia, Cape Verde on Wednesday.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu said terrorism was a transnational crime that could only be overcomed through intensive transnational efforts and cooperation.

“We are here to share our vision for the enhancement of the powers of the ECOWAS Parliament and what the sub-region stands to benefit from it with the President and the Prime Minister.
“We also looked at other critical issues concerning the sub-region such as terrorism, piracy, human trafficking.

“We agreed on the need for the regional parliament and our respective national parliaments and governments to work harder on these concerns to achieve greater regional integration and prosperity.”
The deputy senate president reiterated the determination of the Third Legislature of the Community Parliament under his leadership to actualise the enhancement of the powers of the Community Parliament.
Ekweremadu, who doubles as the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, had also addressed the sub-regional workshop on the Enhancement of the Powers of the ECOWAS Parliament in the island nation.

Addressing his colleagues at the regional workshop earlier, he urged them not to be irrelevant but to increase their advocacy efforts at their national levels.
“History is not given, but made, for those who wait for history to make them, would never have pride of place in it.”
“We must recommit ourselves to the struggle, re-strategise and chart a fresh trajectory to the Promise Land.

“To dither is not in our character, and to surrender is not on the card. At this juncture, success is the only vision we see and the only language we understand”, Ekweremadu said.

Eight-Years Old Girl Allegedly Hung Herself To Death In The Bathroom

Mohammed Useni
-
0
Eight-Years Old Girl Allegedly Hung Herself To Death In The Bathroom

It is believed that an 8 years old girl, Chiemerie Asadu committed suicide at Ofulonu in Nsukka, Enugu state for unknown reasons.

The residents of the area say she took her live on Monday evening.

PUNCH reports:

An eight-year-old girl, Chiemerie Asadu, has allegedly committed suicide at the Ofulonu, Nsukka area of Enugu State.

Residents said the girl committed suicide on Monday evening.

When our correspondent visited the area on Tuesday, no one could give any reason behind the alleged suicide.

Relatives of the deceased, who spoke in hush tones, wondered why she took her life, considering her age.

A resident, who pleaded anonymity, said the girl was full of life in the morning of the fateful day.

She said, “I am terribly surprised because I saw that girl playing with other children when I was going to the market in the morning.

“I wonder what will make a girl of eight to commit suicide. Another thing that surprise me is that the two legs of the victim were touching the ground, which is not normal when one commits suicide; the legs should be up.

“I urge the police and relevant security agencies to investigate that alleged suicide. Even the rope on the neck of the victim is not strong enough to kill her.”

A relative of the deceased, Mr. David Ajibo, told PUNCH Metro that the victim was the daughter of his brother in-law, and was living with him.

“This girl has been staying with us since her father died. I am shocked. I don’t know what to say. Only God knows what happened.

“She was hale and hearty when I left the house in the morning and I wonder what will make a small girl of eight to commit suicide,” Mr. Ajibo said.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu State, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the incident.

He said, “The police have commenced investigations into the sudden and unnatural death that occurred last Monday at about 3.20pm, at Ofulonu Nsukka, where a little girl of about eight years hanged herself to death in the bathroom.

“The corpse of the deceased is now at Bishop Shanahan Mortuary, Nsukka.”

Abia Assembly Passes 2014 Appropriation Bill Of N115.4bn

Mohammed Useni
-
0
Abia Assembly Passes 2014 Appropriation Bill Of N115.4bn

The Abia State House of Assembly on Wednesday passed the 2014 Appropriation Bill of N115.4 billion into law.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Theodore Orji, on Dec. 30, 2013 presented a budget estimate of N149.6 billion to the house.

The house, however, slashed budget by N34.2 billion before passing it into law. No reason was given for the reduction.

The Speaker, Chief Ude Okochukwu, who spoke after the passage, said the budget would ensure completion of all the ongoing projects.

Okochukwu urged all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to adhere strictly to the provisions of the budget christened “Budget of Legacy Consolidation’’.

Meanwhile, the house has called on the Federal Ministry of Works and Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to find a lasting solution to the dilapidated Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road.

It also charged the state Ministry of Works to intervene and recover the failed portions of the Okwe-Ekebedi and Ariam-Elu-Elu axis of the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road.

Finance Ministry Moves To ICPC For Prosecution Of Ghost Workers

Mohammed Useni
-
0
Finance Ministry Moves To ICPC For Prosecution Of Ghost Workers

The Federal Ministry of Finance said it would refer issues concerning ghost workers to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related matters Commission (ICPC) to prosecute those involved.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Paul Nwabuikwu, Special Adviser on Media to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Wednesday in Abuja.

“It is public knowledge that as a result of the implementation of IPPIS, about 45,000 names of ghost workers have been taken off the payroll and about N118 billion saved.
“The Federal Ministry of Finance has taken the additional step of referring the issue to the ICPC for further investigation so that any identified culprits can face the full wrath of the law,” it said.
According to the statement, the allegation that the Budget Office of the Federation and other agencies have the highest proportion of ghost workers in the country was misrepresentation of facts.
It said that the Budget Office was one of the pioneer agencies on the IPPIS platform since 2006.
It added that through biometrics and other processes, ghost workers had been eliminated from its payroll for about seven years now.
“The failure to give a time frame to this allegation was obviously done in bad faith to give a negative impression.
“The Federal Ministry of Finance will, in line with its statutory mandate and international best practise, continue to manage the finances of the country transparently and accountably,” it added.
On a recent court judgment involving the Federal Ministry of Finance, it said that it never rejected any requests for information from civil society groups on appropriations and statutory transfers.
“It is public knowledge that the ministry has consistently implemented a policy of transparency and accountability in the management of the economy and public finances.
“This is demonstrated in the monthly publication of allocations to the three tiers of government, regular updates on the status of funding of SURE-P programmes, payments to oil marketers for verified imports of petroleum products.
“We therefore have no basis for rejecting any legitimate requests for information on allocations to any government ministry or agency,” it said.
It noted that the ministry, through the Budget Office of the Federation, would collate the details of appropriations and statutory transfers to the National Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the National Judicial Council.
Others, it added include the Niger Delta Development Commission, Universal Basic Education and National Human Rights Commission for publication.
“These agencies are all on first-line charge to the Federation Account and, therefore, the ministry must work with them to obtain the necessary information,” it said.

Land Scam: EFCC Arraigns Man For Forgery

Mohammed Useni
-
0
Land Scam: EFCC Arraigns Man For Forgery

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, today (March 12, 2014) arraigned one Zahradeen Dambazzau Mohammed before Justice Olasumbo Olanrewaju Goodluck of the FCT High Court, Abuja, on a 5-count charge bordering on forgery and issuance of dud cheque. The accused and Ibrahim Ismail (still at large) allegedly conspired among themselves to forge a land title deed document belonging to Ishaya Madi.

One of the counts reads:

“That you, Zahradeen Dambazzau Mohammed and Ibrahim Ismail (at large) sometime in 2011 at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did conspire among yourself to do an illegal act to wit; forgery of a document titled “ Federal Republic of Nigeria, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (Offer of Statutory Right of Occupancy) in respect of Plot KT60016 in the name of one Bilikisu H. Bashar measuring about 730.84sqm in Cadastral Zone BO8 of Jabi District dated the 24th of August, 2010 and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 96(1) of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990 and Punishable under Section 364 of the same Act”.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, Farouk Abdalla prayed the court to fix a date for trial and remand the accused person in prison custody. However, counsel to the accused, O.J Aboje, urged the court to admit his client to bail having served the court and the defence counsel with the necessary documents.

Justice Goodluck ordered that the accused person be remanded in Kuje prison while adjourning the case to March 28, 2014 for hearing of the bail application.

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
12th March, 2014

Article read on Saharareporters.com

Ekiti 2014: PDP’s National Working Committee Withdraws Peter Obafemi’s Clearance

Mohammed Useni
-
0
Ekiti 2014: PDP’s National Working Committee Withdraws Peter Obafemi’s Clearance

A Press statement by the People’s Democratic Party which was duly signed by the party’s National Publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh reveals that the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has withdrawn the provisional clearance given to Peter Obafemi by the Ekiti Screening Appeal Committee.

What this implies is that Peter Obafemi is not eligible to participate in the primary to elect the candidate of the PDP for the Ekiti governorship election.

The National Working Committee has also approved the inauguration of a 16 man Caretaker Committee for Sokoto State with
Abdullahi S. Muhammed as Chairman and Hon. Musa Garba Gusau as secretary.

Saleh Dunoma Assumes Duties As Managing Director FAAN

Mohammed Useni
-
0
Saleh Dunoma Assumes Duties As Managing Director FAAN

The new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Engr. Saleh Dunoma formally assumed duties at the corporate headquarters in Ikeja today.

The out-going Managing Director, Mr. George Uriesi applauded the appointment of Engr. Saleh as one of the best decisions taken by Government in recent past, adding that it was a boost for the Authority.

At the brief hand-over ceremony, he also extolled Engr. Saleh as a straightforward leader, whose humility and dignity never failed to marvel him.

4

Mr. Uriesi expressed appreciation for the great privilege he had working with Engr. Saleh and the entire staff over the past four years, first as a Director and later as Chief Executive Officer of the Authority.

The former Chief Executive explained that even though it would be challenging running the Authority, his desire was to see FAAN blossom.

In his own remarks, the new Managing Director said he had a close working relationship with Mr. Uriesi that he was allowed to take critical decisions on behalf of the former MD.

3

Engr. Saleh expressed appreciation for the trust and the support he enjoyed from the former Chief Executive adding that his exit from the Authority was a fulfillment of destiny, as it was time for him to move somewhere else.

He was confident that he would succeed in his future endeavor praying to God for guidance and wisdom for him.

The Managing Director gave an assurance that the Authority would continue to build on the good works that the out-going MD had begun.
2

1...4,2014,2024,203...4,398Page 4,202 of 4,398