Nwabueze, Adebanjo, Akinrinade, others meet on Nigeria’s restructuring

Restructuring

LAGOS—A group of elder statesmen, under the aegis of Eminent Leaders of Thought, ELT, yesterday, met to foster national unity and douse rising tension in the country.

The meeting, attended by notable personalities, including Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Gen. Alani Akinrinade (retd), Gen. Ike Nwachukwu (retd), Chief Ayo Adebanjo, former governor Gbenga Daniel and Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (retd), among others, was aimed at having a national consensus on the political restructuring of Nigeria. 

Briefing newsmen after an inconclusive meeting, secretary of the group, Mr. Olawale Okunniyi, said the leaders of thought had formed a group, known as Project Nigeria Movement, to serve as the engine room to reach out to all sectors of the nation in the bid to find a lasting solution to the tension in the country. Explaining deliberations at the meeting, Okunniyi said the meeting was inconclusive as the leaders had decided to embark on further consultation before coming up with a communique on the position of the ELT on the burning issue of restructuring. He said the group didn’t believe in the disintegration of Nigeria, even as he disclosed that one of the reasons it did not reach a compromise on what to do was because they could not conclude on the procedure on how to go about the restructuring issue. He said as soon as the modalities were worked out, Nigerians would be informed on the position of group. Asked about the position of the ELT on the ultimatum given by northern youths to the people of  eastern region to leave the north by October 1 and the call by Nnamdi Kanu-led Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, for a Republic of Biafra, Okunniyi said these, among others,  were issues the new movement would look into and find a common ground to keep the corporate entity of Nigeria.

NEC recommends stringent disbursement criteria for ecological funds

Travelers watch with disappointment the bridge at Gidanmai village on Mokwa-Makera road along Kaduna-Lagos Highway which has collapsed due to erosion in Niger on Monday (5/6/17). Vehicular movement is hampered on the road; Federal Road Safety Corps urges motorists to seek alternative route

ABUJA—THE National Economic Council, NEC, yesterday, received the Governor Nasir el-Rufai-led Ad-hoc Committee of the Council on Ecological Fund, which has recommended a stringent disbursement criteria to sanitise the management of the fund.

NEC also approved that the nation’s budget circle be returned to its initial previous status that starts from January to December, just as it stated that despite the relative economic growth, the global economic circle will impact negatively on the country’s economic growth till 2020.

This is even as the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, disclosed at NEC that the Excess Crude Account, ECA, which had been static for about six months at $2.25 billion had increased to $2.303 billion, while the Ecological Fund was N27.466 billion. Briefing State House correspondents after the monthly NEC  meeting at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State said the El-Rufai-led committee on Ecological Fund recommended that disbursement of the fund should be based on physical visitation by the Ecological office team and on-the-spot assessment and verification of ecological disaster. Governor Ikpeazu said:  “The El-Rufai-led ad-hoc committee of the Council on Ecological Fund set up by the NEC  April 20, 2017, submitted its report to Council, recommending among other things a robust governance structure and a stringent disbursement criteria to sanitize the management of the fund.” The committee also recommended that there should be technical evaluation of disaster by experts, community involvement, evidence of advocacy prior to the disaster, and evidence of existing prompt, emergency response mechanism in place before the disaster. The committee further recommended:  “Monitoring and evaluation framework must be build into the application of Ecological Fund as a road map for measuring performance of the fund. “A feedback team that will review the reports of the disbursement must be in place. Adequate publicity of ecological disaster to create awareness and consciousness in the citizenry to avoid future occurrence is necessary. “Evidence of cost estimate must be attached to application. Adequate justification for the project must be given. Due process in vendor engagement must be followed.” The final report said at all times, 50 per cent of Federal Government share or N20 billion must be reserved for emergencies at the discretion of the President. Governor Ikpeazu said the Accountant-General of the Federation briefed council on the balances of the Excess Crude Account, which stood at USD 2.303 billion, Ecological Fund Account, at N27.466 billion, Stabilization Account, N2.553 billion and Development of Natural Resources Account, which was N77.922 billion as at July 19. He said his counterpart from Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo, presented a report to the Council on Forensic Audit of Revenue Accrued from Revenue Generating Agencies (RGAs) into Federation Account (FA), Excess Crude Account (ECA) and Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF). He said:  “The Acting President welcomed the Interim Report and noted that Council will await the outcome of the final report and then discuss the report.” Also briefing journalists, the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, who gave highlights of the 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, informed Council of the overriding need to return the budget cycle to the January – December calendar year. She said that the 2018 – 2020 MTEF was anchored on the ERGP, adding, “The current Global Economic outlook posited that the country is expecting growth, though there are still some challenges that may impact negatively on growth from now till 2020.” The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma, listed policy changes in the US and Britain’s exit from EU, the climate change issue, oil price fluctuations as some of the uncertainties. Udoma assured that the country was already getting out of recession, even as oil prices were still sliding, adding that the non-oil sector was growing. He said recoveries were being recorded in Manufacturing, Agriculture and Services, while efforts made at achieving peace in Niger Delta were yielding fruits. On his part,   the Minister of Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah made a presentation to Council on ease of doing business and reforming Nigeria at the Subnational level, emphasizing the need to bring enabling business environment reforms to all tiers of Government and indeed to all Nigeria. He informed Council that there was a strong correlation between ease of doing businesses, ranking and economic prosperity. He said the critical areas on the ease of doing business was on the removal of   critical bottlenecks and bureaucratic constraints to doing businesses in Nigeria which he said was aimed at moving the country upwards in global businesses ranking. “Areas of focus in removing the bottlenecks include; starting a business, entry and exit of people, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, paying taxes, trading across borders and the ease of getting construction permits.” He also informed that the 4th subnational Doing Business rankings for Nigeria was   scheduled for 2018, with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd having taken place in 2008, 2010 and 2014 respectively.

One killed as soldiers, youths clash over pipeline surveillance contracts

YENAGOA—THERE is tension in Ondewari community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State,  following the killing of a 20 -year old man in a clash between soldiers and youths suspected to be pipeline vandals,  yesterday. 

It was gathered that some youths in the community who are aggrieved over their exclusion from the council’s petroleum task force committee, had in recent times taken to vandalizing pipelines belonging to multinational oil firms in the community to demonstrate their protest. According to community sources, the council’s petroleum task force committee had enlisted the support of the soldiers attached a multinational company in the area to wade off the youths, which had led to bloody clashes between them and youths, who were forced to flee the community to the forest. It was also gathered that the clash, which is the second in four days, also left several others badly wounded with machete cuts and gunshot injuries on both sides. The acting paramount ruler and regent of the community, Chief Peresho Erefawari,  who confirmed the incident in a telephone chat, said that indigenes of the  community have been living in fear as a result of constant clashes between soldiers, task force members and youths. He called on the state government to intervene in the crisis to avert further loss of lives, adding that two of the community’s youths have lost their lives to the crisis. A source at the headquarters of Operation Delta Safe, Yenagoa,  Bayelsa State, who denied soldiers’ involvement in the killing, said  that youths in the area have been clashing over pipeline surveillance contracts.

15 injured as NURTW factions clash in Ondo leadership tussle

Akure—Leadership tussle between factions of the Ondo State chapter of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in Akure, the state capital, turned bloody as no fewer than 15 persons sustained machete injuries.

gathered that the clash ensued, following the refusal of the leadership of a unit of the union to relinquish power after the expiration of their tenure under the immediate past administration. Those wounded, in the clash that broke out Wednesday night, were rushed to the state specialist hospital. Police source said supporters of the unit chairman, whose tenure had elapsed, laid ambushed for the supporters of the new chairman, who was returning from a celebration rally organised to drum support for the new state chairman of the union, Jacob Adebo.

One of the injured in hospital.

The new state chairman, popularly called Idajo, was billed to be inaugurated yesterday in the state capital. Dangerous weapons, such as local guns, cutlasses, axes and bottles were freely used by the warring factions News of the clash spread across the state capital as the streets became deserted, as motorists abandoned their vehicles on the road and residents scampered for safety. It was gathered that the new unit chairman, Kareem Adekunle, was supposed to be inaugurated alongside with the state chairman yesterday by the National President of the union, Najeem Yasin, before the Wednesday night bloody clash. Both factions traded blames yesterday, while the new branch chairman, Kareem accused the former unit chairman of attacking his supporters, who denied, saying the Kareem’s faction was the aggressor. Contacted, the state police image maker, Femi Joseph, confirmed the clash, saying they were investiging, but that no arrest had been made.

Shocking: How A Surulere Man went From 13 seconds Of S3x to Lasting 38 Minutes.

Surulere Man Who Ejaculates Within 13 Seconds of Sex (And Was Dumped By 3 Women) – Now Last Up To 38 Minutes In Bed Non Stop! …Thanks to This Amazing Solution That Permanently Banish weak erection & Quick Release.

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NLC faults Gov Bello on Kogi ASUU

Wabba and Gov. Bello

Lagos—PRESIDENT of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, yesterday, berated Governor Yayaya Bello of Kogi State over his purported proscription of activities of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, of the state university, saying the governor lacked such powers. 

Wabba, who spoke at a meeting with the leadership of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, in Lagos, said Kogi State was one of the states being governed upside down in the country. It will be recalled that the governor had, on Wednesday, declared all activities of ASUU Kogi chapter, as illegal, claiming that despite the government meeting close to 90 percent of its demands, the union had refused to call of its protracted industrial action. Wabba said: “Our attention has been drawn to a pronouncement by the Governor of Kogi State that he has banned activities of ASUU in the state university. “He does not have such powers. Such powers are drawn from our constitution, particularly Section 40,  which provides inter alia that every worker has a right under the constitution to belong to a trade union of his or choice and this is an international norm contained in International Labour Organisation, ILO convention. “It is reinforced in ILO Convention 98 and 87, and Nigeria is a signatory.”  

Lagos council polls: NCP cries foul, moves to sue LASIEC over guidelines, rejection of 77 party candidates

Accuses LASIEC of conspiracy to manipulate election process

Barely 12 days to the conduct of the much anticipated council polls in Lagos, National Conscience Party, NCP, has commenced legal action against Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, over legality of requirements in the guidelines for registration of candidates and rejection of 77 party names submitted to it for validation. NCP described the developments has “undemocratic and dangerous” for the forthcoming July 22, 2017 Local Government elections in Lagos. Some of the contentious requirements for the guidelines include, N50, 000 for chairmanship form, resignation from jobs six months before the elections, evidence of three years tax clearance and Lagos State Residents Identity Card, among others. National General Secretary of the party, comrade Ayodele Akele made the remarks, yesterday, at a media briefing in Ikeja on the preparation of the party for the July 22 council polls. Akele alleged that there was grand conspiracy by All Progressives Congress, APC, LASIEC and the Judiciary to manipulate the electoral process in favour of the ruling party in the state. According to him, “The hard facts on the ground confirm the reality. As we speak, 77 NCP candidates for the council polls have been wickedly denied forms and registration by Justice Ayotunde Philips led LASIEC using illegal guidelines unprecedented, callously imposed on the forthcoming elections. “The NCP had organized its primaries peacefully since May 20, 2017 in the presence of three LASIEC representatives and the list had been submitted formally to LASIEC.” The party therefore, wondered why same LASIEC has refused to give electoral forms when the leadership requested for them. “We have been ostracized along with the millions of people that never met the conditions imposed by LASIEC. Unlike LASIEC, Independent National Election Commission, INEC forms are available online free of charge for party candidates to down load fill and submit with supporting documents. Why must INEC forms be free and LASIEC forms are not. Why must LASIEC case be different, where is the precedent. ?” He maintained it was completely illegal and undemocratic for LASIEC to charge a single kobo for any form for the election as there are Supreme Court rulings against the guidelines since 2003 in a lawsuit filed by the founder of NCP late Chief Gani Fawehinmi. NCP, also expressed worry over the fact that the party had earlier filed a lawsuit against LASIEC in Lagos High Court since May 12, 2017, “over the undemocratic guidelines with an Affidavit of Urgency attached and as we speak, two months after, the lawsuit has not been heard by any judge in Lagos State High Court. This is a big scandal. “This development clearly raises a lot of questions about whether judiciary is actually the last hope of the common man. Now, they are saying the court is going on vacation by July 17, 2017, few days to the July 22, 2017 council polls.” He stressed that the court which supposed to salvage the cause has refused to hear the matter. “We are ready to take the matter to the Supreme Court. This is pure attempt to exclude credible candidates from contesting while they are busy using public funds to feather their own nests and campaign.” Akele vowed that NCP would continue to stand against a situation where LASIEC imposes so-called guidelines that crudely negate basic democratic principles that are totally different from the established INEC standard and Constitution of Nigeria.

FG directs insurance industry to attract investment to Nigeria

Federal government has directed the nation’s insurance industry to attract foreign investment to the country, following the various reforms carried out to strengthen the sector. The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun at the 2017 National Insurance Conference organized by the International Insurance Industry Consultative Council (IICC) theme, ‘Nigeria Open for Business’ in Abuja on Monday. Foreign investors have shown great interest in the Nigerian insurance sector by entering into the marketand progress can be seen in the introduction of new insurance products in the growing mortgage and housing sector. Adeosun represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Dr Mahmud Isa-Dutse told insurance operators at the conference, “We expect that Industry reforms will continue to drive investments and new market entry.” According to her, “We expect that Industry reforms will continue to drive investments and new market entry.” “As the Federal Government, we appreciate the fact that the insurance industry isdynamic and creates employment and entrepreneurship opportunities at all levels.” She said the federal government is not unmindful of its responsibility to ensure adequate insurance of its assets, “To consolidate on progress being made, the Federal Government would play its part to ensure that Government assets are adequately insured.” While she assured of government support to the sector, “We will therefore, support this sector to continue to contribute effectively to sustainable and inclusive economic growth.” She noted that the sector had grown in recent years and should therefore be able to command investment to the country. The Minister stated, “The Nigerian insurance industry has evolved with premium growing from about N75bn in 2005 to over N300bn today, it contributes approximately 0.07 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product, which is less than the African average of 3.3 per cent and the global average of seven per cent.” Amplifying the position of the Minister, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah admonished the sector to move away from the rhetorics of conferences where critical issues are discussed and end right there without a strong follow up for actualisation. “Insurance industry is so important and so critical to the country. The secret of achieving relevance of insurance sector is to accept responsibility and get a clear vision for the industry.” According to him, “It is not about gathering here and discussing critical issues that command people to clap their hands and that is it. Insurance industry need to move beyond the rhetorics make something meaningful from the conference.” While welcoming operators to the conference, the Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari said the theme of the conference, ‘Nigeria open for Business” used to be a political statement until the current administration made it a reality. He said, “The chosen theme: “Nigeria open for Business” is a subject which has been used as apolitical statement of intent until the coming of the present administration, that has turned it into an a calculated strategy of governance that has made simplification of during business in Nigeria a reality.” He added, “If the dream to make Nigeria easy for business is to be realized, then the way financial regulation is constituted in Nigeria need an urgent review.” The Commissioner for Insurance further stated, “Insurance is but a vital link in the vast chain of business activities in any economy. While being the best vehicle for reducing economic loss, it also serves as a stabilizer and promoter of an economy’s commercial activities. These are second to providing vast accumulation of investible capital for the economy.”

Ize-Iyamu accepts Supreme Court’s verdict, congratulates Obaseki

Godwin Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2016 Governorship election in Edo, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has congratulated the State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on his victory at the Supreme Court on Monday.

Ize-Iyamu congratulated Obaseki in a statement personally signed by him. He said, “Today, the Supreme Court has by its judgment brought to an end our struggle for the office of the governor of Edo State which began on 28 September, 2016. “I accept in good faith this decision of the highest court of our country, which affirms Mr Godwin Obaseki as the Governor of Edo State. I therefore congratulate Mr Godwin Obaseki and assure him of my goodwill. “I also want to use this opportunity to thank all our supporters and party loyalists for their immense support for our struggle right from the time of the election to this day that it ended at the Supreme Court. “Let me assure them of my acknowledgement of their various sacrifices and promise that I will always be there for them. “I thank all Edo people who have been part of our struggle all the way. In our various ways, we should keep the fire burning in the quest for an Edo State of our dreams.” Ize-Iyamu, alongside the PDP, had challenged the victory of Obaseki, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the September 2016 poll over electoral irregularities. However, the Edo Election Petition Tribunal in April dismissed the petition for lack of merit, after which the case moved to the appellate court. In June, the Appeal Court upheld Obaseki’s victory at the poll, but the PDP candidate proceeded to the apex court. At the Supreme Court on Monday, the seven judges, in a unanimous decision, dismissed the case for lack of merit, putting an end to the tussle.

FIRS to probe 29 private jet owners for tax evasion

The Federal  Inland Revenue Services, FIRS, has said that it will probe tax payments and income source of Nigerian individuals and businesses that own the 29 private jets being hanged in South Africa. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome; Ayo Oritsejafor; Enoch Adeboye; David Oyedepo and Mike Okonkwo Executive Chairman, FIRS, Mr. Tunde Fowler, disclosed this, weekend,  in Lagos at the FIRS and Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information on Tax Purposes workshop. ADVERTISING Speaking on the importance of the workshop, Fowler said information sharing among African countries as well as other international counterparts would help curb illicit funds being laundered to other countries. He said: “Embracing the initiative, Automatic Exchange of Information is not just to raise tax revenue base arrears but to enhance tax security and safety of taxes on assets offshore. Some Africans, including Nigerians, who take money offshore and do not declare their revenue or pay taxes in their countries pose danger to their country’s credibility. “I did find out information that Nigerians and Nigerian organisations have 29 private jets registered in South Africa and the issue is how much tax they pay here. We are not even talking about the issue of how they got the money to buy the jets but first of all how much tax they have paid to the Federal Government of Nigeria and the issue about  their source would be dealt with later on. “Another issue that was in the news some weeks ago is that one of the most expensive penthouse suites in New York that was foreclosed and was bought by a Nigerian, who was involved in oil scam deals. The issue is that some countries may ask no questions but USA that allowed that individual to buy a $500 million apartment without asking questions also has a scheme now for all Americans that have investments or bank accounts outside America. “They have given the countries where they have those accounts a certain time limit to provide that information to them, even without any international legal agreement. So, if developed countries can be looking at their bottom line in terms of tax revenue, we also should. “For Africa, it is important we help each other. And the only way we can help each other is through this automated exchange. Each African country present here today needs to maximize its revenue through taxation. And the only way to maximize is when we exchange information.” Making a case  for Automated Exchange of Information, Deputy Head of the Global Forum, Mr. Donal Godfrey said: “101 countries have committed to exchange financial accounting automatically, 50 beginning in a few weeks time and another 51 in 2018. These countries include all of the financial centres in the world that hold assets from other countries from around the world.” “We think it is really important African countries join because at the moment we have only two African countries committed, which are South Africa and Ghana. There have been talks about $50 billion leaving Africa yearly and at global forum, we believe the exchange of financial accounts and information would help.” He added: “Nigeria has the international agreements that are needed, they probably have or could easily afford the software that we need to do this but will need to be assessed on of receiving information that will have the confidentiality and information security management system. Nigeria has the capacity to do all of these.” He added that Nigeria also have the capacity to make a commitment to 2019 since it is too late for the nation to be put in place for 2018 requirement.

Onazi quits Trabzonspor

Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has terminated his contract with Turkish club Trabzonspor over unpaid wages. ONAZI The 24-year-old played the final two months of last season without pay. His agent and former Nigeria international Ayodele Stephen Makinwa says they have written to the club with their decision. “Now we are looking for a quick solution with regards his next destination,” Makinwa told BBC Sport. “We have an agreement with the club which strictly states that the player has a right to terminate his contract if the club failed to pay him for two months or more. “We’ve taken a decision based on the violation of this agreement as Onazi is being owed for more than the stipulated period.” Onazi only joined Trabzonspor on a four-year deal from Italian side Lazio last August. The Turkish club refused to comment on the situation when contacted by BBC Sport. Algeria’s Carl Medjani and Ghana striker Majeed Waris both recently quit the Turkish club following a dispute over unpaid wages.

HANDS-OFF-GOD Maradona accused of sexually harassing Russian journalist

RUSSIAN journalist has filed a formal complaint against football idol Diego Maradona accusing him of forcibly removing her dress during an interview, it’s been reported. maradona The 56-year-old Argentine legend denies the claim and his aides allege the reporter “started undressing herself” prompting HIM to call hotel security in St Petersburg. Ekaterina Nadolskaya, 30, said she had been in the lobby bar of his hotel when they started talking. “I asked him for an interview. He invited me to his room,” she said. A female friend accompanied her but soon left, according to her account in a complaint to the Russian Investigative Committee, seen as an equivalent of the FBI. “Maradona shut the door, and first starting answering my questions and then began harassing me,” she said. He forced off her dress and she “managed to stop the harassment only when she was in her underwear,” reported newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda. Maradona “even tried to take her dress off, and actually managed to do so.” She told SM News – for which she works – “I got scared and threatened him I would call the police. In turn, he called the hotel security service. “Three people carried me to the corridor. My belongings were left in the room. My phone was taken and not returned till three hours later.” She claimed that Maradona’s assistant later came and threw 500 dollars at her. The journalist complained she was forced to sit for three hours in only her underwear in the lobby of the five star hotel before her clothing was returned. “Employees of the hotel tried to kick her out but she insisted she would leave only with police,” reports Komsomolskaya Pravda.

Deekay expresses commitment to product quality despite economic downturn

DeeKay Group, manufacturers of Nexus set of home appliances, said the economic situation facing Nigeria will not make it compromise on the quality of its products. The Business Development Manager of the company, Sachin Gupta, made this clarification at the press briefing to herald a new consumer engagement campaign tagged, ‘The Nexus Kitchen Cook Out with Uriel’ a cooking competition which is scheduled to visit five key cities – Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Enugu. Gupta said that despite the economic situation in the country, the company would not compromise the quality of its product, adding that “Nexus is synonymous with durability, style and value for money.” He said also that the new consumer engagement initiative is aimed at bringing consumers closer to the Nexus brand during the tour. Speaking on the introduction of a new website for the brand, the Brand and Marketing Manager, Mrs. Margaret Mary Okwudarue, said in an era of recession where consumers’ purchasing power had gone down, the firm deemed it fit to embark on offering quality products on home appliances and kitchen appliances at an affordable price to create value for money.