American Singer, Songwriter and actress, Kelly Rowland arrived in Nigeria today (Thursday) for the 2nd edition of Dare Art Alade’s Love Like A Movie Concert which is slated for Saturday, the 15th of February at Oceanview grounds, Eko Hotel.
She appeared excited as she wore a gracious smile when she touched down the World’s most populous black nation. She will perform alongside our very own superstars
NAN
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says sales of nomination forms for Ekiti and Osun state governorship elections slated for this year, will begin on Feb. 24 and March 14, respectively.
This is contained in a timetable made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Olisa Metuh.
According to the timetable, return of the nomination forms for the Ekiti governorship election would be from March 3 to March 6 while screening and appeal byf candidates would take place on March 10.
Ward congresses, appeal, primary election and electoral appeal would hold between March 12 and March 17 , while the governorship election would hold on June 21, the timetable said.
The timetable also said that March 24 and March 29 had been fixed for the screening and appeal by aspirants for the Osun State governorship election.
Ward congresses, appeal, state congress and electoral appeal would hold between April 2 and April 7 ,while the election would hold on Aug. 9 , according to INEC timetable
Appearing before the Senate Committee on Finance Thursday, the Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala has asked members of the Senate to invite independent auditors.
The statement by the Finance Minister is in reaction to the statements credited to the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi alleging non-remittance of funds by the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission, NNPC.
At the investigative hearing by the Senate Committee on Finance, Okonjo-Iweala said, “The budget under the control of the Ministry of Finance is laid out transparently online and has been accessible to all Nigerians and they have been criticizing it.
She said the Ministry of Finance chairs a process that reconciles the accounts, and all the Commissioners of Finance in the country have a folder that shows exactly what has been done.
She continued, “It is because of that reconciliation that we came to the amount of 10.8billion that everybody is now talking about. When the Central Bank mentioned 49.8billion, we were the first to say we did not think this amount is correct and you can ask the CBN Governor, he is right here.
“After we had done that work, it was proven that 49.8billion is not the right amount and he had the courage to accept that. Without the steady work we have done to account for the resources of this country, we will not be talking about 10.8billion.”
Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has urged the new Police Commissioner deployed to the state, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin to work towards restoring effective policing in the state.
He also said his administration is willing to co-operate with the Police in the state to restore law and order as long as the Police is ready to be non-partisan and neutral.
Amaechi disclosed this Thursday when Mr. Ogunsakin and other top police officers in the State paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt, Thursday.
According to him, “We are willing to co-operate with the Police to restore law and order. The only thing we need is for the Police to have the courage to restore law and order. The Police must do whatever it takes to restore law and order, the Rivers State Government will assist the Nigerian Police in any form that they require”.
“Don’t support PDP, and don’t also support APC. Just, support Rivers people. Any order that is illegal from the Rivers State Government, please, don’t obey…What we want is a neutral Police commissioner that is firm and understands that the state needs to accommodate everybody, and not one that loves to be in any of the political Parties. I must congratulate you, the plans you have are also well thought out, and needs the support of the Rivers State Government.”
Governor Amaechi also recalled the cordial relationship his administration enjoyed with the Military and the Police when he took over power in 2007.
“From February last year (2013) we saw ourselves gradually going back to that era. Go to our communities, these boys are back and carrying weapons and have also installed themselves as chiefs and dishing out instructions”, Amaechi said.
Governor Amaechi further narrated how his administration supported the Police in providing Armoured Personnel Carriers, (APC), bullet proof vests, scholarship programmes, Primary health centres and others, as a way of motivating the Police work force in combating crime in the state.
“If they give you the history of our support to the Police in Rivers State, you will be shocked. Please just take your time, call for all the files in the past one year and go through them. You will find out that while my colleagues were battling with other things, we were making efforts to buy Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC). It was the same APC that they were trying to use against us…We also bought bullet proof vests for the Police. We also introduced scholarship programmes, that any policeman that was shot in the cause of the crisis, we will not only train his children, we will employ the wife or give out money to the wife to start business”
“We built a Health Centre for the Police and bought vehicles for the Police. We thank you for accepting the challenge, because, what you are going to face now is a challenge. It will not be the normal police commissioner job. You are here to restore Policing. Also, know that there will be a lot of intrigues, but, I won’t be part of the intrigues. If you know me and those who know me, you will understand that. I say my mind, and I will try as much as I can to be honest”, Amaechi noted.
Earlier, the new commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin said, it is proper and of necessity that the Governor of a state and the commissioner of Police should synergize to pursue and enhance the security of lives and properties in the state. “This is the crux of my visit to your office today”.
According to him, “The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces is the Chief Security Officer of the Federation while the Inspector General of Police is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the Federation. Also, in a state, the Executive Governor is the Chief Security Officer, and the Commissioner of Police is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the State. This relationship is definitely best appreciated when it is harnessed to ensure peace and tranquility in the state”, Ogunsakin said.
The State Police boss also highlighted the role of the Nigerian Police as spelt out in Section 4 of the Police Act (CAP359) Law of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, to include, the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, preservation of Law and order, the Protection of lives and Property, as well as the due enforcement of laws and regulations which the Police is directly charged.
Mr. Tunde further indicated his intention to partner with the communities in the state and other established institutions, including relevant stakeholders and other sister security agencies.
Continuing he said, “I intend to in due course commence wide consultations and meeting with the various interest group with a view to brainstorming and looking into the grey areas. I am convinced that, this will go a long way in assisting us in arriving at a common ground towards a harmonious and peaceful co-existence. Therefore, Political activities must be effectively managed in order not to endanger the peace in the state. We shall on our part be objective, liberal, firm and non-partisan as I will deploy my expertise to manage the affairs of the Rivers State Police Command in the best possible professional manner”.
“I will strategically marshall a formidable operational plan that will speedily arrest the trend of all forms of criminalities, particularly violent crimes in the state. Consequently, I want to use this medium to sound a note of warning to all criminals in the state to either have a change of mind and become law-abiding citizens or relocate from Rivers State immediately. I encourage all law abiding citizens of Rivers State to go about their lawful business.”
Content Credit: Rotimi Amaechi facebook page
NAN
The immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has blamed Nigeria’s porous borders for the insurgency in the North-East.
Ihejirika said this during his Valedictory Speech at a parade in his honour to mark his exit from the Nigerian Army.
“We must realise that the world is passing through an increasingly volatile and uncertain 21st century and our situation in Nigeria had been made complex by regional and transnational threat.
“This is further accelerated by information technology,desertification, international migration across the borders, and competition for scarce resources, weapon proliferation and several unresolved ethno-religious conflicts.
“In the last few years, we have had to deploy the army extensively at home and abroad along with other services.
“And I am proud to be part of our nation’s quest for a more peaceful world through many interactions using different platforms.”
According to him, the military has tried to strengthen critical partnership both local and international.
The former army chief said that menace of terrorism and insurgency could be resolved quickly if the nation appreciated the sacrifice made by the services irrespective of political and religious affiliation.
“I urge the Army and other service to remain cohesive and loyal to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and President Goodluck Jonathan no matter the distraction.
“This is key to the restoration of peace in volatile areas.
“Let me express my gratitude and deep appreciation to the president for giving me opportunity to serve.‘’
In his remarks, Gov. Theodore Oji of Abia, described Ihejirika as a humble man, a good soldier and a man determined to change things.
He said the former army chief had done very well, adding that the army played a very major role in restoring peace
and security to Abia State.
“This is the reason all Abians came to felicitate with him because he showed determination, vigour and extra effort to ensure Abia State was stabilised security wise,” Oji said.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the event, Alhaji Aliyu Isma’ila, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, described Ihejirika as ”a visionary leader who was strategically conscious and patriotic”.
Isma’ila also described him as a professional soldier who did his best for the country and wished him all the best.
NAN reports that the “pulling out” parade coincided with the 58th birthday of the former Chief of Army Staff who was born on Feb. 13, 1956 in Ovim, Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia.
He was commissioned into the Army on Dec. 17, 1977 as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy 18th Regular Combatant Course.
He was appointed the Chief of Army Staff on Sept. 8, 2010 a position he held until Jan 16, this year.
NAN
The House of Representatives has mandated its Joint Committee on Petroleum, Upstream and Downstream, Navy and Public Account, to investigate how much the Federal Government has paid to owners of foreign vessels operating in Nigeria.
The committee is to report to the House within two weeks.
This resolution on Thursday, followed a motion moved by Rep. Yacoob Alebiosu (APC-Lagos) which was unanimously adopted without debate.
According to him, in the past three months, the Federal Government had paid over $4million as demurrage daily to owners of about 16 vessels yet to discharge their contents.
He said that if the payment of demurrage on oil vessels was not checked, revenue running into billions of Naira will continue to be lost.
The legislator also alleged that Naval officers had prevented fuel-laden vessels at the Ports from discharging their contents in spite of the fact that some of these ships had been cleared.
Alebiosu explained that Nigerians might have to cope with yet another round of fuel scarcity as the supply currently being used in the country was the last batch from the reserves.
“This development is likely to cause untold hardship to citizens and the government. While the citizens will have to cope with the scarcity of fuel which will adversely affect the economy,” he said.
Meanwhile, the 2014 Appropriation bill on Thursday passed second reading on the floor of the House and was referred to the Committees on Appropriation and Finance for further legislative inputs.
NAN
President GoodLuck Jonathan on Thursday said the National Housing Fund e-Card would eliminate fraud and promote accountability and transparency in the sector.
Jonathan made this known while inaugurating Aviation Village Estate and National Housing Fund e-Card in Abuja.
He said that the e-Card was one of the integral measures of his administration for more transparency and accountability to the management of the National Housing Fund (NHF).
He said that every economy, the housing sector played an important role in economic empowerment, job creation and wealth generation.
He said that the 270 housing units built by Sun Trust Real Estate Investment Ltd.and financed by Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) had a multiplier effect on the economy.
“I want to commend SunTrust Real Estate Investment Ltd., the strong partnership with the FMBN toward the completion of the aviation estates.
“This partnership illustrates the huge benefit in driving of the public private partnership arrangement for effective housing delivery and economic development,’’ he said.
Earlier, Mr Musa Sada, the Supervising Minister of Housing and Urban Development, said the commitment of Mr President on revitalising the housing sector was underscored at the presidential retreat on housing recently.
Sada said that the commissioning of the two projects was another giant step toward actualising the vision of Mr President for repositioning vibrant housing and urban development sector.
He said that the estate being commissioned was initially conceived to cater for the housing needs of the Nigeria Air force staff, the scope was subsequently widened to other public servants.
“Today’s commissioning ceremony also indicates that the delivery of affordable housing to Nigeria is possible regardless of inherent funding challenges.’’
In a remark, Mr Gimba Kumo, the Managing Director of FMBN, said that the NHF e-Card would ensure proper record keeping, transparency and accountability for NHF collection.
“The e-Card is a huge step forward in delivering the advantages of speed, accuracy, transparency, accountability and superior customer experiences to NHF contributors.
“The card serves dual purposes; it serves as an identification card as it carriers the name, participation number and passport photograph of every registered contributor.
“It will enable a contributor access records of his or her contributions using any of the IT channels such as ATMs, Point -of-Sale (POS) terminals and the internet,’’Kumo said.
By Prudence Arobani, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
The ‘scars’ of tin mining is still evident in Plateau State and the `Tin City’ of Jos.
The state is dotted with over 4,000 abandoned mining ponds, described as very dangerous as they contain radioactive materials.
The ponds are reminders of the mining years, when tin was among the major sources of foreign exchange earners for the country.
Alhaji Sani Shehu, National President, Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), said tin was a major source of foreign exchange earner for the country before exploitation of oil.
He however said that “decades of tin mining left the area strewn with deep gorges, lakes and devastation.
“As a matter of fact, the state and its inhabitants have had one unpalatable story or the other to tell about the negative impact of mining on the land and their lives,” he said.
Gov Jonah Jang of Plateau, said the state has more than 4,000 mining ponds, which he described as “very dangerous.”
He said that those residing around the old tin mine neighbourhoods, complained of polluted air, soil and water, among others.
Jang said that he had been applying for ecological fund since 2007 to address the devastation.
“The special funds, if granted, will be used to reclaim land by sand filling mining ponds and dangerous gullies scattered in various parts of the state,” he said.
The governor regretted that tin, one of the sources of revenue for the country before the exploitation of oil, had now become a nightmare.
“When this country became independent, Plateau Province contributed to the national economy with tin and columbite,’’ he said.
The governor said that part of the money used to prospect for petroleum in the Niger Delta came from tin and columbite, mined in Plateau Province.
He said that today, the “ ponds are killing the people; my people are suffering from all sorts of cancers- breast, pelvic and prostate.”
Prof. Barnabas Mandong, a former Commissioner for Health in Plateau, said the high radioactive materials in the ponds were not only dangerous to humans, but to vegetables.
“The vegetables irrigated with the water from the ponds are contaminated, and unfortunately members of the public consume them.
“Also, the houses built with sands from the ponds emit radioactive substance causing health hazards.
“All these have led to rising cases of breast and pelvic cancers among inhabitants of the state,” he said.
However, stakeholders want the Federal Government to continue with the sand filling of the ponds which commenced in 2008.
Mr Sam Godongs, Plateau Coordinator, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),noted that the Federal Ministry of Environment commenced the filling of the ponds in 2008, but it was abandoned few years later.
He also said that the ministry took the maps of the mining areas in the state, with a few to solving the environmental problems associated with mining in the state.
There is hope that Plateau, and other solid minerals producing states may start benefitting from the 13 per cent derivation fund, which would increase their capacity to tackles posed by mining activities.
Mr Elias Mbam, Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), raised the hope when he said that the 13 per cent derivational clause also applies to solid minerals extraction.
Mbam said that constitutional provision of 13 per cent derivation was not meant for oil production only but for all minerals.
He said that the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), has opened a solid minerals account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and advised affected states to access the fund.
“If you have minerals in your state and it is developed and it generates revenue into the Federation Account, you are entitled to 13 per cent of what is paid into the Federation Account,” he said.
Mbam also advised states with ecological problems to approach the Ecological Fund Office for funding, as there are constitutional provisions for tackling ecological problems.
An environmentalist, Dr John Agbaji, has however stressed the need for scientific information about mining areas.
He said that people living in mining areas, should know the distance they should maintain from the mining sites.
Agbaji also called on the relevant authorities to sensitise the people about the effects of mining devastation on their lives and the environment.
While awaiting for articulated programmes to address the challenges posed by mining activities in the affected areas, stakeholders want the relevant authorities to control and regulate mining.
They say that illegal mining could worsen the already bad situation.
The Rivers state Peoples Democratic party, PDP has accused the pro-Amaechi lawmakers for granting N30bn to the governor.. Read earlier post Pro-Amaechi Lawmakers Grant Governor Access To N30bn Reserve Funds
In a statement, State Chairman of the party, Mr Felix Obuah denounced the action of the lawmakers, saying that the reason given for amending the bill was to deceive the people.
Obuah who spoke through his media aide, Mr Jerry Needam said the lawmakers had confirmed the party’s earlier assertion that the state was broke.
The PDP described the sitting as another act of illegality, stressing that the action of the lawmakers would mortgage the future of the state.
“This is an open admission and confirmation of its earlier position that the State was broke largely due to the unbridled spending of the N1billion monthly savings by Amaechi through the back door and which should be more than the N53billion naira he has admitted.
“It’s most unfortunate that Gov Rotimi Amaechi is in a hurry and hell-bent to kill Rivers State, and mortgage the future of the people he swore on oath to govern with the fear of God “, the party said.
PHOTO CREDIT: PUNCH NEWS
Seventeen pro governor Chibuike Amaechi lawmakers have Thursday passed the Rivers state Reserve Fund law amendment bill 2014 to enable the state government withdraw 30 billion naira from the 53 billion naira in the fund.
Honourable Leyii Kwane, Deputy Speaker of the House who presided over the session at the old auditorium in Government House in Port Harcourt said passage of the amendment was to enable the state government fund ongoing projects and effectively run the state.
The speaker asked members in support of the amendment to indicate by raising their hands which they all did.
Kwane continued, :”As we have given a third reading to the Rivers state Reserve Fund law amendment bill 2014 it has been passed. 30 billion naira only be taken out of the said reserved fund to enable the government undertake the projects listed before me. Do I have the leave of the House to allow the resolution, say yes”. The Deputy Speaker asked.The whole 16 members immediately chorused :”yes”. And the Deputy Speaker directed the Clark of the House to communicate the resolution to the executive arm of the government.
The anti-Amaechi lawmakers were not at the session to since the sealing of the Rivers state house assembly over the free for all that led to its closure by the National Assembly and the police.
A Federal High Court in Kaduna has set March 17, 2014 for judgment on a case challenging the eligibility of President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the presidential election in 2015.
The suit by Mr. Richard Mnenga and Shuaibu Lilli, all members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asked the court to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restrain the PDP from accepting the nomination of Jonathan as a presidential candidate in the 2015 election.
The plaintiffs all members of the PDP as President Goodluck Jonathan argue that the President would have completed eight years in office as president by 2015.
They argued, through their lawyer, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) calculated from May 29, 2007 and sought a declaration that he is not entitled to a tenure exceeding eight years calculated from 2007.
The plaintiffs cited Section 308 of the Constitution, that if Jonathan is allowed to contest the 2015 presidential election and re-elected, he would have ended up spending 10 years as president, which contravenes the constitution of Nigeria that permits only eight years for president.
But Fabian Ajoku (SAN),counsel to President Jonathan, argued that the plaintiffs lack “locus standi” to bring the matter before the court.
Ajoku said the suit is abusive to the defendant and as such wants the court to dismiss the suit.
Justice Evelyn Anyadike, adjourned the case, and said submissions by the counsels to both parties would be considered and judgment would be delivered on March 17.
NAN
The former Chief of Army Staff (COAs), Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has tasked officers and men of the Nigerian Army to be steadfast in their dedication, commitment and loyalty to work.
Ihejirika made the call on Wednesday night at a valedictory dinner to mark his retirement from service.
He encouraged the officers to prove themselves in any appointment given to them, adding that it was the only way forward.
“You cannot be loyal to the COAs if you are not loyal to your General Officer Commanding or directors. So loyalty is continuous, if you skip one you miss it.
“If you are not loyal to COAs, then you are not loyal to the President and Commander-in-Chief and you have no business
being in the army; it will be a very honourable thing for you to say I am done with this job.
“If because of postings, appointments or promotions, you become disloyal, what do you think of the soldier and officer who is putting his chest between the bullet and us, so what sacrifice is greater than that ?”
He urged the officers to always remember that there were soldiers on self imposed hunger strike because they are
eyeball-to-eyeball with the enemy.
According to the former COAs, these soldiers deserve every encouragement they can get from Nigerians and international community.
He said that the armed force had come a long way and things were not as bad as people thought, adding that the kind of cooperation was very cohesive.
Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, commended the outgoing army chief for transforming the army into a force better able to face contemporary challenges.
Minimah said that the army would its best to ensure that the current security challenges facing the country was brought to an end so that the country could become peaceful.
He said the army would continue to deepen democracy.
