Havoc wrecked in Awka metropolis as a result of heavy down pour- Hon. Dr. G. Nnamdi Okafor

By Chinonso Nwakalor- Awka, Anambra State.
28/07/2015

Affected Places in Umuogbu/Umuike, Obuofu Axis in Awka

The heavy down pour experienced in Anambra State as from the early hours of Monday has wrecked havoc to our people and their properties especially those living in Awka the state capital.

Words alone could not describe the calamities caused by the rain.

Hon. Dr. G. Nnamdi Okafor, member representing Awka South Constituency A in the State House of Assembly visited the scene and sympathized with the victims of the flood.

Places affected by the rain as at the time of filing this news are Umuike, Umuoruka, Umuogbu and even some parts of Amikwo in Awka.

 Among his train were Hon. Prince Azubuike Iloh, Chairman of the Awka South Local Govt Area, Hon. Chikodili Nnoyelum, Councillor of the affected Ward (Ward 5); Hon. Commissioner, Obi Nwankwo representing the Governor of Anambra State toured the devastated areas and sympathized with the residents.

Hon. Okafor reassured the residents that the government will come to their aid in no distance time, he also adviced them on precautionary measures to be taken so as to avoid future occurrence such as consistent environmental sanitation, clearing of the drainage system, avoid using the drainage system as refuge dump.

A resident who is a bread baker, Mr Oluchukwu said "Now we have hope of ending this calamity because no government have ever visited us each time we experience this problem"

 Another resident, Mr Bobby Emeka said "We are so grateful that the government visited here and inspected the situation" We are suffering here, He said.

Buhari's anti-graft war started yielding dividends

•Foreign reserves hit $31.5bn following blockage of leakages 

•P/Harcourt, Warri refineries resume operations, Kaduna begins August •Locally refined petroleum products may hit 20m litres August

 •CBN remains firm on monetary policies

President Buhari

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief.

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-graft war has started yielding dividends. Following blockage of leakages, Nigeria’s foreign reserves have increased from $28.57 billion at the end of May to $31.53 billion as of July 22, 2015, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, disclosed, yesterday.

Also, the country will very soon reduce importation of refined petroleum products significantly because Port Harcourt and Warri refineries have started refining products and the Kadua refinery will resume operations in August.

Emefiele made the disclosures while briefing the press at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, meeting, in Abuja. $ 31. 5 b Foreign Reserves The CBN governor said gross official reserves increased from $28.57 billion at the end of May to $31.53 billion as at July 22, 2015, reflecting the blockage of leakages as well as the bank’s management policies.

He declined to give details of how the leakages were blocked but said that some of the earnings from which some agencies used to make deductions for their operations before remitting the balance to the coffers were paid in full. His words: “It is true that Mr President, based on his insistence that leakages must be blocked, there have been serious attempts to block leakages both in Naira and in dollars.

 Some funds have been trapped in banks and that is the reason there is a vigorous effort to ensure that we all embrace the Single Treasury Account where all revenues collected must come to the centre and after all the revenues have come to the centre, then based on the budget that has been approved for any agency of government, whatever is due to them to meet their operational expenses would be given. “But first point is that all revenues must come to the centre.

I can confirm that there were leakages that have been blocked and as a result we have seen some funds trapped in some areas now coming into the centre and that is part of the reason you see the reserves build up.” Refineries Mr. Emefiele disclosed that the CBN and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, have been holding talks towards significantly reducing fuel importation which takes a lot of foreign exchange. “Let me confirm that the CBN and the NNPC have held a couple of meetings and I am aware that Port-Harcourt and Warri have started refining petroleum products.

We are expecting that in the month of August, Kaduna Refinery will begin refining petroleum products. “Hopefully, as they ramp up production, they would be able to get to about 19 to 20 million litres that they can produce to meet our daily consumption level of about 30 million litres.

Our interest as CBN is that by this act alone we are going to record a drastic reduction in the importation of petroleum products which will ultimately help our reserve position and help us in our mandate of strengthening the exchange rate”, he said Tight monetary policy, retains 13% MPR He said the CBN has retained the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, at 13 Per cent and equally left the symmetric corridor of 200 basis points around it.

Emefiele added that the Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR, was retained at 31 per cent. He said monetary policy would remain tight because of the high liquidity in the system, noting that the drivers of the current upward inflationary spiral were of a transient nature and mostly outside the direct control of monetary policy. “Consequently, the opportunity for further policy manoeuvre remains largely constrained in the absence of supporting fiscal measures. It therefore, urged for coordination of monetary, fiscal and structural policies to stimulate output growth, and stabilize the exchange rate,” he said.

Rising inflation On inflation, Mr. Emefiele expressed concern about “the gradual but steady increase in headline inflation up to June 2015, and noted that this reflected a rise in both the core and food components of inflation.” Core inflation rose to 8.4 per cent in June from 8.3 per cent in May, and food inflation increased to 10.0 per cent from 9.8 per cent, over the same period. The governor said “the up-tick in year-to-date inflation rates were traceable to transient factors such as energy, arising from scarcity of petroleum products around the country, poor electricity supply and increased demand for transportation and food, from the build-up to the general elections and the ensuing Easter and Sallah celebrations.”

Naira is well priced, no more devaluation Addressing the issue of the value of the Naira at the foreign exchange market, the CBN boss also said that at $1- N 197, the nation’s currency was well-priced, foreclosing any new plan to devalue it. He said that more than 95 per cent of transactions that take place in the financial system that involve procuring foreign exchange were done at the inter-bank segment of the market and that as such the Bureau de Change segment could not be relied upon for the value of the Naira. At the BDC, Naira exchanged at about N244 -$1 at the middle of the week. The governor said Nigeria was the only country in the world where a Central Bank was supporting BDCs.

Breaking News: A 40-year-old housewife seeks for divorce

A 40-year-old housewife, Bimbo Anifowose, on Thursday approached an Ado-Ekiti Customary Court for the dissolution of her 19-year-old marriage to her husband, Sunday Anifowose.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bimbo is seeking the dissolution on grounds of battery, drunkard and lack of care for her and her four children by her husband. She said that despite that she was cooking for her husband and also engaged in other household chores, he was always beating her without any reasons.

The mother of four alleged that her husband was spending his money on alcohol. The complainant told the court that aside the fact that she was responsible for the payment of the children school fees, her husband had not shown any sign of being responsible.

Bimbo said that she decided to pack out of her matrimonial home because he did not take care of the children. But the defendant, Sunday Anifowose ,43, alleged that his wife built a house without his knowledge. Sunday said he was still paying his children’s school fees in addition to sponsoring his wife to school. He also told the court that he was always providing foodstuff for the house as well as opened a shop for her wife where she was trading.

                                                                                                                         


President of the Court, Mrs. Olayinka Akomolede, having listened to the oral evidence by both parties adjourned the case to Aug. 12 for further hearing.

Pregnant women, nursing mothers and PG students barred from NYSC enrollment.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has barred pregnant women, nursing mothers and students engaged in postgraduate studies from enlisting in the national service across the country, until they are free to participate effectively.

NYSC Memebers

Rising from a two-day pre-mobilisation workshop for the 2015 Batch “B” NYSC programme, held in Kaduna, Director-General of the NYSC, Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, stated that the exemption of pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as post-graduate students from national service was because they would not be able to undergo the four cardinal programmes of the NYSC.

The four cardinal programmes include mobilisation, orientation, primary assignment and winding-up passing out parade. Corps members In a communique, the NYSC also resolved that henceforth, pregnant women and children would no longer be allowed into orientation camps across the country for service under the scheme established by the Gen. Yakubu Gowon administration in 1973.

Arguing that prospective corps members must go through the four stages of national service to qualify to receive certificate of national service, Olawumi faulted a situation whereby prospective corps members, especially pregnant women and nursing mothers, would be absent from the stages of the national service, only to resurface for posting to their various places of primary assignments.

Meanwhile, the resolution workshop tagged: “ICT and NYSC Mobilization Process: Towards Eliminating Identified Challenges,” added that henceforth, documents for concessional posting request on marital or health grounds would be forwarded on-line as against the old practice of “bringing such to the NYSC headquarters in Abuja.”

It noted that prospective corps members would henceforth be given the opportunity to choose their choice outside their socio-cultural and linguistic areas, using ICT solution. This, according to the NYSC, is in a bid to tackle the problems of deluge of concessional request with which the scheme is inundated with regularly.

Anambra Supports E-PPAN, CBN on e-Govt Summit

Anambra State government has given its support for the e-government summit being organised by the E-Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN), in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Financial Systems Strategy (FSS) 2020.

The event is scheduled for next week in Abuja. According to the organisers, the summit would be chaired by the Governor of CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and would be officially declared open by Anambra State Governor, Dr. Willie Obiano.

The two-day summit, with the theme: “E-government: Key to Sustainable Development’, will play host to a lot of dignitaries including Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, Dr. Tunji Olaopa. Olaopa will be speaking on ‘the Overview of the E-Government Master Plan’, while the Permanent Secretary, Political Affairs, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, will speak on ‘Exploiting ICT for Efficient Government and Service Delivery to Citizens.’

Other dignitaries expected at the event, according to the organisers, include Permanent Secretary, Economic Affairs Office Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Anastasia Mabi Daniel-Nwaobia; Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Company (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim; Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Peter Jack and the Managing Director, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc, Ade Shonubi.

Others include the Vice President, Government, Services and Solutions, Sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard, Paul Tswanya; Managing Director, Verve Nigeria Limited, Mr. Charles Ifedi and Country Manager, Visa Inc, Mr. Ade Ashaye. According to the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary, E-PPAN, Mrs. Onajite Regha, the summit will focus on seven key developmental areas including the payment system; agriculture; financial inclusion; insurance; pension; mortgage, and micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The various presentations at these sector- focused technical sessions will help prepare participants to combine strategy and execution in a single learning experience. It will also help to create awareness about the significance of e-Government in the present day Nigeria and the need for public-private collaboration to foster a sustainable national development.

Buhari’s appointments: Ndigbo urged to be patient

By Ikenna Asomba

As mixed reactions continued to trail the recent appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari, people of the South East region, have been urged to ‎exercise restraint in making quick conclusions that they will be marginalized under the Buhari’s administration.

The Special Assistant to the Imo State Governor and Liaison Officer, Lagos, Alfred Ononugbo, made this plea on yesterday, while speaking at a press conference in Lagos, to announce a Solidarity Rally and Grand Reception in honour of Governor Rochas Okorocha‎ of Imo State, on Saturday, July 25, at the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

Ononugbo, who affirmed that Ndigbo ‎cannot be relegated to the background as one of the tripod legs holding Nigeria, however advised that the Buhari administration should be given time to digest the degree of challenge ahead in order to make appropriate selection in his appointments.

Disclosing that the programme was put up by the Imo State Liaison Office, Lagos, in collaboration with South East APC forum, South East Communities in Lagos, he said: “You can’t talk about Nigeria without Ndigbo, and you can’t talk about Ndigbo without Nigeria.

So, we want to make it clear through this Solidarity Rally and Grand Reception in honour of the Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha‎, that we are part of the Nigerian project, that we are stakeholders in the Nigerian project. “We trust our leaders and we feel it’s too early to begin to make deductions. The fact that APC stood for merit underscores the situation on ground at the moment.

I think we should allow the Buhari administration find its feet. The administration is studying the situation of the country, because the APC met a totally broken down infrastructure and system in the country. “However, we have people of Igbo extraction competent enough to handle assignments.

So, I think we should allow our leaders time to digest the degree of challenge ahead and make appropriate selections, to find heads that can feat into those caps. Our major problem in this part of the world is that we are too hasty in judging the Buhari administration that has barely spent three months that it’s discriminating against Ndigbo.

That is not correct. “In a country of 170million, if barely 17 people have gotten appointments, I don’t know how we want to assess that. We are not in a hurry. We have no fear and doubt in Buhari. We trust the man we have elected as the President of Nigeria. He won this election based on his personal integrity and we believe ‎deeply in our heart that his integrity will speak for him and he will be vindicated at the end of the day,” he said.

 Source: Vanguard

Crime Alert: Lagos warns residents of new robbery dimension

Lagos State government yesterday alerted residents on a new dimension of criminal activities in parts of the state perpetrated by men of the underworld.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna, the state government said unscrupulous persons rendered their prospective victims unconscious through the rubbing of a perfumed handkerchief on their face.

The statement alerted that the bandits usually targeted victims in either a lonely commuter bus, taxi or at a quiet corner. It added that by the time the effect of the drugged perfume wears off, the criminals would have fled after robbing a victim.

The statement listed the Igando axis in Alimosho Local Government Area as one of the areas where this new dimension of crime had become very pronounced in recent times.

It said: “It is not yet known how harmful the drug being used on the handkerchief is. “While that is being checked out, it may be necessary to alert members of the public on this new dimension.”

Fuel tanker explosion kills one in Ogun

By Daud Olatunji

ABEOKUTA—Tragedy struck in Abeokuta, yesterday, following an explosion at a government petroleum dump site, leaving one person dead and two injured.

The explosion occurred when a fuel tank exploded and caught fire at a construction site inside the the premises of Ogun State Road Maintenance Agency, OGROMA, located opposite Agbeloba House, Quarry Road, Abeokuta, Ogun state capital.

According to bricklayers working at the construction site, the victims were working on the three underground tankers being relocated from the government fuel dumps at the old secretariat, when the explosion occurred.

Other eyewitnesses said that the massive explosion could have been due to the improper management of the welding works on the underground tanks by the contractor.

An eyewitness told ClassicMedia that the incident occurred around 3p.m. The source, who pleaded anonymity, said the explosion occurred when one of the below-the-surface fuel tanks being worked upon by welders, exploded and reverberated through the area.

It was gathered that the deceased, identified simply as Yemi, was reportedly hit by the shrapnel of the tank on which one of the artisans was working, the impact of which threw him inside a ditch.

The eyewitness added that the tanks, which were dug out from the state government fuel dump located at Oke-Ilewo area of the capital city, were being reburied at the defunct OGROMA yard, when the explosion occurred.

Meanwhile, policemen from Adigbe Police Station later arrived the scene of the incident to evacuate the remains of the dead.

10-yr-old boy buried alive in Enugu

By Austin Ogwuda Enugu— A 10-year-old boy was allegedly buried alive by suspected occultic men in Ngwo, Enugu State.

The discovery was made during a three-day fasting and prayer crusade organised to cleanse the community of evil.

Vanguard gathered that the boy was allegedly abducted along Independence Layout axis. However, a Catholic priest from Abia State, Reverend Father Modestus Chilaka, invited by elders to assist in cleansing the land, rescued the boy.

At press time, it was not known whether the boy had been reunited with the parents; or his whereabouts. State Police Command’s spokesman, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, told Vanguard: “I am not aware of the incident, but I will check. “Maybe it happened and it was not reported.

I will get back to know if I have the details.” However, the traditional ruler, Ogwugwu Ebenebe 1 of Ameke Ngwo, Igwe Jerome Okolo, said: “I was here and I saw a small boy who was buried alive as a sacrifice.

“The priest said there was such thing happening and they have buried a boy for rituals. “He prophesied and said he will go there and rescue him. He went and they rescued the boy and brought him to this ground and everybody saw him.”

 Source: Vanguard

Police rescue man from kidnappers in Abia

UMUAHIA—Abia State Police Command has, in collaboration with its counterpart in Imo State, rescued one Ifeanyi John of Obigbo, River State, from his kidnappers.


The victim was said to have had a vehicular break down at Usukpe village, along Port Harcourt-Enugu highway and was fixing it when two unidentified men suddenly abducted him.

Spokesman of the command, DSP Onyeke Ezekiel, who confirmed the development, said the abductors tied the hands and feet of their victim, locked him up in the boot of their Toyota Corolla and drove off towards Imo State.

He said a police rescue team from Ubakala Police Station was dispatched to rescue the victim, adding that the team intercepted the kidnappers at Obowo in Imo State. One of the suspects, who gave his name as Ifeanyi Nwunni, 30, a native of Umafai, Imo State, was arrested, while the other suspect escaped.

One confirmed dead as cultists clash in Delta State

UGHELLI—IN what seems to be a revenge mission on the attack of their gang member, a group of suspected cultists in Ughelli, Delta State, have trailed and shot down a suspected member of a rival cult.

The victim, identified as Kess Olotu, who was buried in his community at Otor-Iwhereko within Ughelli metropolis, was attacked by the rival gang around Ughelli Central Garage, popularly referred to as Ughelli Urban, and was said to have died from gunshot wounds.

Renewed cult activities recently rocked Ughelli, when suspected cultists attacked and maimed a rival gang member within the same area in broad daylight.

According to a source in one of the groups, irked by the attack on their colleague who is currently receiving medical attention in an undisclosed private hospital within Ughelli, the gang mobilised and attacked the late Kess Olotu as a warning to rival gang members.

Speaking to ClassicMedia, a member of Ughelli local vigilante and senior executive of Otor-Iwhereko, said: “Immediately we got report of the incident, we mobilised and chased the boys leading to the shooting and arrest of one of them by the police.”

Declare me winner of April poll- Maku to the tribunal

LAFIA—The Nasarawa State governorship candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in the last general elections, Labaran Maku, yesterday asked the Nasarawa State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lafia to declare him winner of the election.

Maku, who appeared before the tribunal in person as the first witness, presented certified true copies of result forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C,EC8D, EC8E and VP forms from the 11 of the 13 local governments areas of the state.

He said in the exhibit presented that here were proofs that there were over voting in most of the polling units in the state. Speaking to newsmen shortly after the hearing, counsel to Maku, Joe Kyari Gadzama (SAN), expressed hope that they were going to win the petition, adding that his client won the election with over 17,000 votes.

Gadzama also hailed counsels at the tribunal for their maturity and expressed optimism that his client would be declared winner, having gathered evidences for the tribunal. Also speaking to newsmen, the counsel representing Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura expressed satisfaction with the hearing, adding that there was no over voting since the Independent National Election Commission, INEC, guidelines allowed for additional votes right.

$180M Harliburton Bribe: Buhari on right track —CENTREP

WARRI—THE Centre for the Vulnerable and Underprivileged, CENTREP, Warri, Delta State, has described the recent directives by President Muhammadu Buhari, authorizing immediate prosecution of all culprits involved in the $180 million Halliburton bribe scandal, as a bold attempt to tackle official corruption and greed in the polity.

National coordinator of the group, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, in a statement, yesterday, said “We are not oblivious of the fact that sometime in April, 2010, the United States’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Sanders released the much needed documents and evidence needed by the Nigerian Government to prosecute all the culprits involved in the Halliburton bribe scandal case.”

He said that the culprits on the Nigeria side include two former Heads of State, a former Vice President and ex-Chief of Air Staff, but the ating President at the time, later President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, did nothing, while the United States decisively prosecuted those found culpable on its side and jailed them.

Baby factory uncovered in Abia as 14 pregnant teenagers was arrested

Aba—Police in Abia State have arrested 14 pregnant teenagers at a maternity home allegedly used as baby factory at Umunkpeyi in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state.

The pregnant girls, aged between 14 and 25, were arrested at Nma Charity/ Maternity Rehabilitation Centre, while its proprietress, Nma David, escaped before police stormed the area.

A police source told ClassicMedia that some of the teenagers claimed to have come from Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Rivers states, while others said they were brought to the maternity home by sympathisers.

Some of them said they were driven away from their homes because of the unwanted pregnancies. “Twelve of the 14 suspects are confirmed to be at various stages of pregnancy, while two said they were there to check if they were already pregnant,” the source added.

Spokesman of Abia State Police Command, Ezekiel Onyeke, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, who confirmed the incident, urged the public to assist the police with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the proprietress of the home.

I'm alive- Detained CSO to Former President Jonathan.

ABUJA—Detained Chief Security Officer, CSO, to immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Gordon Obua, yesterday dispelled rumours of his death, declaring that he was hale and hearty.

Obua, while addressing journalists at the headquarters of the Department State Services, DSS, in Abuja, assured Nigerians and members of his family that ”nothing adverse will be done to my person if I have not done anything wrong.”

The detained officer explained that he was invited by DSS to come and give the account of his stewardship as the former Chief Security Office, CSO, to ex-President Jonathan. His words, “Gentlemen of the press, let me use this opportunity to thank all Nigerians, members of my family, and concerned citizens who have expressed very serious concerns for the past six days, because of the prevailing situation between me and my office.

 “This morning my attention was drawn to a report that I have died in detention. This has caused serious anxiety within the populace. I want to use this medium to tell Nigerians, members of my family and all concerned citizens that I am healthy. “I am a staff of the Department of State Services, DSS, and having completed my tour of duties as Chief Security Officer, CSO, to the last President, the Service feels that I should give account of my tenure.

“So far, there is no adverse situation and I am optimistic that Nigerians will be informed about the outcome of this exercise. Once again, I thank you immensely and I want to use this opportunity to thank the Director General of DSS, Mr. Mohamed Daura, for the way he has treated me from the time I came in to this period.

“Nigerians should be assured that the Department of State Services is a very responsible organisation, and I believe that nothing adverse will be done to my person if I have not done anything wrong.”

Major tragedy averted as aircraft suffers burst tyre in Murtala Muhammed Airport

LAGOS—A major air tragedy was averted yesterday at the domestic wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, when an Aero flight NG127 from Lagos to Abuja with over 141 passengers on-board, suffered a burst tyre just as the plane was lifting off after “attaining V2”.

At this high velocity, aborting the take off will lead to immediate crash of the plane. According to the airline, the pilot did the right thing by not aborting the take off, but controlled the plane into the air and brought it back for emergency landing.

Reacting to the incidence, the spokesman of the airline, Mr. Sam Tumba, said: “Aero flight NG127 from Lagos to Abuja on this day made an air return as a result of a burst tyre, which occurred just as the airplane was lifting off. “The pilot did the right thing by not trying to abort the take off. He controlled the airplane into the air and following all trained procedures, he brought the plane back to a safe landing. “At no time, during all of these, were the passengers’ lives at any risk.”

Also confirming the incidence, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, said the authority is already investigating the incidence and some of the passengers on-board the flight have already rescheduled their flight to today. According to a statement from Mr. Fan Ndubuoke, General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA, the authority will further examine “what actually happened during the flight.”

This incidence is coming barely a month after another Aero Contractors Airline flight 180 from Lagos to Kaduna, with over 120 passengers on-board, developed technical fault mid-air.

Lagos state government begins enforcement of okada restriction in 475 roads

Lagos—Lagos State government, yesterday, commenced enforcement of the law against operators of commercial motorcycles popularly called “Okada” riders, who violate the restriction order from plying 475 roads as stipulated in 2012 Lagos Road Traffic Law.

This followed the expiration of a 21-day grace granted by the state government late in June which elapsed last Thursday. But the government delayed the enforcement to allow the commercial motorcyclists’ union a period to sensitize their members on the order.

The enforcement started in the early hours of yesterday, by men of the State Taskforce on Environment and Special Offences unit. It was gathered that 75 motorcycles were impounded immediately, forcing many to withdraw from the roads.

Confirming the commencement of the enforcement, Chairman of the Taskforce, Akeem Adedeji, said that his men began to implement the state government’s order, “to restore sanity to the roads.” According to Adedeji, “This morning alone, (yesterday), we impounded no fewer than 75 motorcycles. But you’ll find that as we impound, they buy new ones to replace the seized ones.

That is how resilient they are. One cannot but wonder where they get the money and the number plates from,” he said. The Chairman added that his men remain resolute to clear the roads of okada menace, adding that it might take about three months before sanity is finaly restored. What is however, different from the past administration is the manner of the arrest. Adedeji said the taskforce will be carrying out the enforcement mildly in line with the rule of law.

He explained that the enforcement was in compliance with the state governor’s directive on implementation of the traffic rules “taking into consideration their (motorcyclists) human rights, dignity and respect.” Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello, said the measure became necessary following the return of okada riders going back to their old ways and the need to enforce the traffic rules.

According to Bello: “Some of them now even drive against the traffic, (one-way) on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. When you go to Apapa, Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Gbagada, and others, you will see them. We have to call them to order.”

Oil marketers to face sanction over product diversion which have given room to scarcity

ABUJA—The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday, threatened to revoke the lifting license of any marketer found to be involved in diversion of petroleum products. 

The NNPC, in a statement signed by Ohi Alegbe, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, stated that this measure becomes necessary in a bid to sanitise the fuel distribution and supply system and eliminate queues at filling stations across some cities in Nigeria.

To this end, Alegbe disclosed that its mid-stream subsidiary, the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), has revoked the lifting license, also called Bulk Purchase Agreement, of three independent marketers for engaging in products diversion and sundry infractions.

The affected marketers, according to him, are Funo Alfa, Organizer West Africa, and Rich Oil, adding that the sanction is with immediate effect. Alegbe blamed the current fuel scarcity across the country on the activities of some of the marketers who have resorted to the diversion of the product.

He said, “In a bid to sanitize the fuel distribution and supply system and eliminate the queues at filling stations across some cities in Nigeria, the NNPC has warned that henceforth, any oil marketer found to be involved in products diversion will have its Bulk Purchase Agreement with the PPMC revoked.

A 26-year old man commits suicide

Bauchi—A 26-year-old civil servant from Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State has committed suicide.

The deceased, identified as Daniel Haruna, allegedly drank a poisonous chemical substance, known as Gamali 20, popularly used to kill rodents, last Sunday.

It was learned that Daniel was battling with alcohol and found it impossible to drop the habit, a development that put him in constant need of money. According to a family member, who pleaded anonymity, Daniel who lived with his younger, brother, Musa, came home late last Saturday and asked his younger brother for food.

Musa was said to have asked the deceased what happened to the money he gave him to prepare the meal for that day, which he did not prepare. Vanguard gathered that Musa was woken from sleep by sounds of groaning and that when he saw his brother writhing in pains and vomiting, he thought he was drunk as usual and went to look for milk to stop the vomiting.

It was also learned that it was so late that Musa could not get milk to buy and, therefore, went to sleep and woke up the next morning to see his brother still in pain. Daniel was said to have told his younger brother to call some family members that he actually took poison to kill himself. When the relatives gathered, he asked them to forgive him for whatever wrong he might have done them.

He was taken to General Hospital, Dass, on Sun-day morning where he died. Doctors, according to a family source, said the deceased died of poisoning. He said that the deceased had been buried at Dass. The family source said that shortly after Daniel’s death, many of his neighbours and friends started recalling some of the things he was saying.

The source said: “For instance, he was telling people that brought for food for Sallah to come and collect their plates because very soon they will not see him again and he will not be responsible for anything that happened to their plates.” When contacted, spokesman of Bauchi State Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police Haruna Mohammed, said he was not aware of the incident, but promised to find out.

Community declares war on kidnapers, armed robbers, cultism.

OWERRI—Egbu autonomous community in Owerri North local council area of Imo State, has declared total war on criminals operating in the area.

The people have also warned that henceforth, any indigene or settler, found to be involved in criminal activities, would face commensurate sanction. Reading the riot act in the royal father’s palace, the President General, PG, of the community, Sir Simon Nkwazema, also said that they have decided not to watch helplessly while the town is overrun by cultists, armed robbers or kidnappers.

“It is a matter of regret that our peaceful community has suddenly turned into a den of cultists, robbers and rapists. Egbu Town General Assembly will go to war with any person who disturbs the peace of the community”, Nkwazema said.

While saying that the community has mapped out strategies to fight crime and criminals in the area, the PG however pointed out that parents and guardians had a lot of role to play in the current crusade against hoodlums. He commended the State Police Command for the gallantry of its personnel in recent time and urged them not to relent in the fight against hoodlums.

Any corrupt member or associate of APC must face the law- Buhari

LAGOS — PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, said that no corrupt member of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), or associates will go scot-free in his anti-graft war.

 His critics have, however, expressed doubts over his anti-corruption crusade, alleging that he is surrounded by corrupt associates who are untouchable.

 President Muhammadu Buhari and Secreatry of state, John Kerry in Washington DC on July 21st 2015 However, President Buhari said, yesterday, that no corrupt member of his party will escape justice.

He spoke in a nine-minute CNN interview with Christine Amanpour. Asked if he would sanction the guilty ones if they were members of his party or associates, he said: “I just have to. There is not going to be any party member or personality that can escape justice.” In the interview, Buhari restated his promise to secure the release of the Chibok schoolgirls, who have spent more than 460 days in captivity even if it means negotiating with leaders of the Boko Haram sect.

The President said he would deliver on his campaign promises, adding that 12 weeks is too early to judge whether or not he has performed. He also promised to invite President Barack Obama of the United States of America to Nigeria. The interview ran thus: You have asked the United States to help you in the fight against Boko Haram, what exactly did you ask in this regard and what answer did President Obama give you? The United States is the one leading the G7 and they promised to do whatever they can to help Nigeria, so we have brought our requirements to them in terms of equipment, training and intelligence gathering for Nigeria to be able to fight Boko Haram.

Nigeria is experiencing falling economy, especially falling oil prices. How are you going to deal with that? My people want security in the country to be stabilized both in the South-South region where militants are still sabotaging oil installations, kidnapping our people and demanding ransom, and in the North-East of the country where Boko Haram is still active.

This is the main pre-occupation of Nigeria now and it seems nothing will work until Nigeria is secured. Despite your vow that you will fight Boko Haram, over 400 people have been killed since you became President. Added to that, the Amnesty International said your military has totally lost the confidence of the people because of the systematic human rights abuses in killing of some 8,000 people.

How do you expect your military to be able to go against Boko Haram and also gain the trust of the people? I have just mentioned that under Chad Basin Commission, we have agreed to hold a multinational joint task force. So, whatever happened before that decision was taken will help to allow further investigation to verify the question of human rights abuse. I am sure we must admit the decision taken by the Federal Government of Nigeria in changing the military command.

What about the famous Chibok girls? It is being said that they might be traded for Boko Haram members that are in prison right now. Is your government willing to trade those girls in that regard? We have to be very careful about the credibility of various Boko Haram leaderships coming up claiming that they can deliver. We have to be very careful indeed and that is why we are taking our time because we want to bring them back safe to their families and schools. So, are you in principle against or will you consider exchanging the Boko Haram members for the Chibok girls, if you can verify the credibility of those leaders of Boko Haram? I cannot be against it.

I told you that our main objective is how to secure the Chibok girls and bring them back to their schools and rehabilitate them to go back to their normal life. If we are convinced that the leadership that presented itself can deliver those girls, we will be ready to negotiate with what they want. You came on the platform that you will do better than the previous government. You said you will fight corruption, insecurity and economy among others. There have been hundreds killed since you took over, how can you do any better? I have said I can be held to my promises for the next three years plus I have ahead of me. I think its too early for anybody to pass judgement on my campaign promises. Part of your campaign promises is to stamp out corruption.

If the guilty ones are members of your party or your own associates, will you crack on them too? I just have to. There is not going to be any party member or personality that can escape justice. Are you disappointed that President Obama is yet to visit Nigeria? I would not say I am disappointed but how I wish he will change his mind and come to Nigeria. Did you ask him when you met with him and did he say he would? I asked him and I will send him a formal invitation. A former dictator of Chad is being tried in Senegal. Do you support that process of trying an accused African leader in Africa than the International Criminal Court? Whether he is tried in Africa or elsewhere in the world, the important thing is: let justice be done.

Whatever evidence the prosecution have in Senegal, I think they should proceed to make available to the world and prosecute him according to the international laws on human rights. So you support that process? I support any process that is based on justice.

Presidency treating PDP members as prisoners of war— Metuh

LOKOJA—Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused All Progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government of treating its members as prisoners of war.

Spokesman of the party, Olisa Metuh, who was addressing party stakeholders in Lokoja shortly before the commencement of the re-scheduled ward congress of the party in the state yesterday, said the party was also working hard to win the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship polls scheduled for November and December, respectively.

According to him, “we are being treated as if we are prisoners of war. We are being treated as if we are refugees. We are not afraid, we have faith in our strength and unity; faith in the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.

“We (PDP) are not afraid of the intimidation, harassment and arrest of our members by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, if the arrest is done within the confines of the law.”

The Publicity Secretary said while the party’s stand against corruption had remained unwavering, he lamented the alleged witch hunt of its members by the Buhari-led administration under the pretext of a probe.

He said: “We condemn the uncivilised method of arrest, intimidation and the abuse of the fundamental human rights of members of the party, who served in the last administration, by the Buhari-led administration.”

Governor Idris Wada, in his welcome address, described Kogi State PDP as one big family, and appealed to members to abide by the congress rules to ensure a successful election.

APC has no hands in Lamido and his sons arrest

Dutse—Jigawa State chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Ado Sani Kiri, has debunked the allegations that the state government masterminded the arrest of former Governor Sule Lamido and his sons by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, describing it as a callous and unfounded allegation. Kiri, who reacted against the allegation while interacting with journalists in Babura, the hometown of Governor Badaru Abubakar, said his party had no hand whatsoever in the arrest of the former governor.

According to him, APC has not even filed any petition against the embattled former governor. He said Lamido’s travail began in 2012 when he led some governors to form new PDP and betrayed former President Goodluck Jonathan. He said since that time, the PDP-led Federal government started witchhunting him to the extent that two of his sons were arrested and charged with money laundering by a Federal High Court sitting in Kano where the first son, Aminu Sule Lamido, was convicted, having been found guilty of money laundering. ‘’To say APC has hands in the arrest of Alhaji Lamido by some disgruntled elements is mere daydreaming. What connects APC with that case?”, he queried.

Relocation of Boko Haram detainees was made during Jonathan's administration- Ekwueme

The President should reverse it to assuage the feelings of Ndigbo.

 Former Vice President of Nigeria in the Second Republic, Dr. Alex Ekwueme has said that the plan to bring Boko Haram detainees to Aguata Prisons in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, was hatched during the former President Jonathan’s administration, but was resisted and protested against by the people which made the past administration to drop the idea.

Dr Ekwueme Speaking with newsmen at Aguluzigbo, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State during the end of tenure Thanksgiving Ceremony of Chief Victor Umeh as APGA Chairman, Chief Ekwueme said, “I am aware that the plan of bringing Boko Haram detainees to Aguata prisons in Ekwulobia came up a while ago and there was reasonable protest to the then President Jonathan against it and he dropped the plan.

“I was out of the country when I heard that Boko Haram detainees were brought to Aguata Prisons in Ekwulobia, Anambra State. I started wondering how the idea of bringing them to the South East and my local government area came up again after the people thought the matter has been rested. “I am sure the new President must have seen the records and proposal and decided to implement it, but since there was initial protest against the relocation of the detainees to the South East, I’m sure President Buhari will do something to assuage the feelings of the people of the South East,” he said.

 On the alleged delay in appointing ministers, Chief Ekwueme said he cannot start passing judgment now on the President because “every leader has his leadership style, everybody will not approach that exalted office with the same style. You have to watch and assess each person based on his style. The important thing is that we get the right result. “Another important thing is that we have peace, prosperity and unity, and better quality of life as Nigeria attains her God given-position as a great nation and leader in the comity of nations.

 “So, I wish the President well in running the affairs of Nigeria. I cannot start assessing his performance now, it is too early,” he said.

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US advises Nigeria to engage technocrats so as to record speedy economic growth and development in Nigeria

The United States Vice President , Joe Biden, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to engage technocrats to manage key sectors of the economy if the country must record economic fortunes and attract foreign investments. He also shared notes with the Nigerian leader, who is paying his first official visit to the United States, on terror war.

 A statement signed by Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, revealed that in a breakfast meeting hosted by Biden yesterday, the vice president and Buhari compared notes on the fight against terrorism, with Biden sharing his country’s experiences. According to Adesina, at the meeting, which was held at the Naval Observatory, Biden’s official residence, the vice president shared “what the US had learnt from the terror war, counseling that victory cannot come from military option alone.” Adesina quoted Biden as saying that military option must be combined with strong socio-economic support programmes, as he promised that the US would work with Nigeria in that direction.

The statement said: “VP Biden assured of the goodwill of the United States in rebuilding the Nigerian economy, but observed that corruption and weak institutions must be tackled, if Nigeria was to benefit from reforms. “He added that seasoned technocrats must manage key sectors of the Nigerian economy, and only then would investors be attracted to the country.” Biden also congratulated Buhari for emerging President after his victory on March 28 elections, saying that he enjoys the confidence of Nigerians.

In his response, Buhari thanked the US for standing by Nigeria in the run-up to the last general elections, noting that the visit of the Secretary of State, John Kerry, was critical, as it sent home the message that “America would not brook the subversion of the people’s will.” President Buhari said that Nigeria has lost between $10 and $20 billion to oil theft, stressing that such income could have been deployed in sectors like education and healthcare, among others.

19 stolen vehicles recovered in Lagos state- Nigeria Police Force

The Lagos State Police Command and the Federal Special Anti Robbery Sqaud (FSARS) Annex, Adeniji Adele, have recovered 15 stolen vehicles.

The Commissioner of Police (CP) Lagos State command and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) FSARS have warned owners of abandoned vehicles parked at Bode Thamos Police Station and FSARS Annex Adeniji Adele to pick them within two weeks.

The vehicles are, Honda car AS 748 BWR ,unregistered DAF short truck, Toyota Hiace bus , XU415APP, Toyota Avensis EKY 989 AX, Mercedes Benz, 350 LUB 919 EC car and two unregistered toyota camry. Others are Toyota Corolla car LG 18 AAA, unregistered Toyota Highlander Sports Utility Vehicle(SUV),unregisterd Volkswagon bus ,a Honda C R V (SUV) VU 803 KJA Nissan Primera, registration number Nigger tipper Union , Honda accord DP 909 APP, Toyota Camry MUE 75 AA, Honda Odyssey ABJ 533 CD Toyota Camry BDG 789 AH Mazda car, AJ 468 MUS, Toyota Camry ABC 551 JR and Nissan Primera LSR 664 BC.

3 arrested as a 13-year old girl was rescued

The joint operation conducted by the Delta State Police Command and local security group, Ubulu-Uku vigilance group, paid off at the weekend when three suspected kidnappers were apprehended.

The arrest followed the abduction of a 13-year old school girl in Ogwashi-Uku two weeks ago. During the operation, the victim was rescued unhurt from the house of the alleged kingpin simply identified as Chiedu, who is a traditional title holder in the community. Crime Watch Today gathered that the incident which happened in Aniocha South Local Government Area angered the police and the Ubulu-Uku community vigilance and have immediately declared manhunt on the
three fleeing members of the kidnapping gang.

A police source told Crime Watch Today that after kidnapping the girl, the hoodlums took her to the kingpin’s residence and demanded for N10 million ransom. “When the police got the information about the kidnap, they expanded their dragnet to other neighbouring towns and villages. During investigation, we got the wind that the girl was in Chiedu’s family compound in Ubulu-Uku. We rescued the girl who was in a pathetic condition. The young girl was bound arms and legs.

She narrated how she was assaulted. “Well, the kingpin escaped but we arrested three of the gang members in their hideout at Igbodo, a neighbouring town. We are still looking for three other gang members. The rescue of the school girl and the arrest of the members of the gang was welcome with wild jubilation in community. Spokesman for the community who simply identified himself as Okonji said, “we had not witnessed such an abomination in our community until the day the police rescued the little girl. We are happy today that the hoodlums that have brought shame to us have been identified. Now that we know them, we know what to do about them. Our joy is that the discovery and arrest will serve as deterrent to others. If the kidnappers had succeeded, they would have continued with their evil act.”

New COAS, Tukur Buratai spotted doing push ups with his men

 

The newly appointed Chief of Army staff, Tukur Buratai has said that the military under his command will make Boko Haram beg for peace. He was recently spotted doing push ups with his men showing it’s no longer fun and games and he’s ready to face Boko Haram head on.

What you need to know about Phyno, the undisputed 'Man of The Year'

Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike also known as Phyno is the undisputed ‘Man of The Year’. The talented Igbo rapper who started out as a producer has risen to become one of Nigeria’s biggest music acts today. He is popular for hit tracks including “Ghost Mode”, “Man of the Year”,”Alobam”, “Parcel” and “O Set”.

Phyno- KalorzMedia

A decade of hard work and passion has helped transform the “Ghost Mode and Obago” rapper/producer teleporting him from underground hype to a household name in Nigeria and beyond its shores. Phyno, who hails from Anambra State was born on 9th October 1986 and bred in Enugu State. He is the fourth child out of 5 children. He got the name Phyno, which is actually short for phenomenal, from a high school friend by the name of Emeka.

Phyno started nursing his dream of doing music during his secondary school days. He initially wanted to become a pilot, but was later informed that he could be a doctor. While he was in high school, he got himself thoroughly acquainted with the drums and piano. He also learned to create his own version of every recording he heard.

For his tertiary education, Phyno attended the Institute of Management and Technology in Enugu where he studied Public Administration. During his second year, he started making a few bucks from music. Phyno has long been producing for the likes of Flavour, Timaya, Ruggedman, Bracket,2Shotz, J Martins and Mr. Raw, however, he only started rapping in 2010 after moving down to Lagos and taking the advice of Ill Bliss to get into the booth and try his hands at rapping.

In 2012, Phyno started recording songs for his debut studio album, No Guts No Glory, in 2012 which didn’t drop until early 2014. The album featured guest appearances from Stormrex, Omawumi, Olamide, Efa, P-Square, Timaya, Flavour N’abania, Mr. Raw, M.I, Ice Prince and Runtown. Most of the songs in the album were recorded in Igbo and Nigerian Pidgin. “Ghost Mode” which was released in September 2012 served as the album’s lead single. The song featured Yoruba rap superstar, Olamide and it went on to top numerous charts across the country.

Other songs from the album including Man of the Year, Alobam and Parcel were also well received apart from the video for Man of the Year (Obago) which was banned from being aired in September 2013 by the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation.

Phyno won Best Collabo at both the 2012 The Headies Awards and 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards with his hit song, Ghost Mode. In total, he has earned 15 nominations and won 4 awards at several awards ceremonies he has been part of including Channel O Music Video Awards, City People Entertainment Awards, Nigeria Entertainment Awards, African Muzik Magazine Awards, Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA and The Headies.

A ThisDay news story reported that Phyno had become an ambassador of Guinness Nigeria’s Made of Black campaign alongside Olamide and Eva Alordiah. The super star performed at the launch of the campaign and he was also present in the television commercial as well as online adverts. MEDIA SCANDALS Phyno was once rumoured to have impregnated a young lady by the name of Rita Edmond but he denied this in an interview with Punch newspapers in 2014.

Another issue that got everyone talking about Phyno in 2014 was a photograph of him appearing to be kissing Limpopo crooner, Kcee. The picture trended on popular social media and people wondered whether Phyno was gay. He however debunked those claims and blamed the misleading picture on bad camera angling. DISCOGRAPHY No Guts No Glory (2014) 2 Kings [Collaboration album with Olamide] (2015)

PMS Report 2014: Nigeria spent N1.7trillion

NIGERIANS spent about N1.69 trillion on Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, in 2014, according to data obtained from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. The NNPC, in its 2014 Annual Statistical Bulletin, disclosed that 17.4 billion litres of PMS was distributed in the period under review. This translated to an average daily consumption of 47.67 million litres of PMS consumption. Using the 2014 fuel price of N97 per litre, Nigerians would have spent N1.69 trillion on the consumption of 17.4 billion litres of PMS in the period under review. The NNPC gave a monthly consumption breakdown as follows:

January – 1.5 billion litre – N145.5 billion,
February – 1.3 billion litres – N120.3 billion,
March – 1.5 billion litres – N137.7 billion,
April – 1.4 billion litres – N136.77 billion,
May – 1.6 billion litres – N154.23 billion,
June – 1.4 billion litres – N137.7 billion,
July – 1.5 billion litres – N145.5 billion,
August – 1.4 billion litres – N135.8 billion,
September – 1.4 billion litres – N135.8 trillion,
October – 1.5 billion litres – N149.38 billion,
November – 1.3 billion litres – N125.13 billion, and,
December – 1.7 billion litres – N162.96 billion.

The Bulletin also indicated that the NNPC and oil marketers distributed a total of 23.503 billion litres of other petroleum products. According to the report, 2.9 billion litres of Household Kerosene, HHK, and 3.2 billion litres of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO or diesel were distributed in 2014. A similar breakdown by the NNPC on Household Kerosene and diesel respectively, is shown below:

January – 300.4 million litres, and 245.28 million litres;
February – 273.825 million litres, and 222.94 million litres;
March – 261.38 million litres, and 242.87 million litres;
April – 280.84 million litres, and 292.3 million litres;
May – 227.06 million litres, and 272.76 million litres;
June – 215.75 million litres, and 272.7 million litres;
July – 226.52 million litres, and 304.77 million litres;
August – 234.127 million litres, and 277.985 million litres;
September - 199.41 million litres, and 275.74 million liters;
October – 202.89 million litres, and 260.7 million litres;
November 210.65 million litres, and 233.38 million litres; and,
December 251.26 million litres, and 317.738 million litres

Ondo State workers vowed to embark on indefinite strike

By Dayo Johnson Akure

WORKERS in Ondo State have vowed to proceed on an indefinite strike tomorrow if the state government does not pay all outstanding salaries for May and June with the deductions.

The workers grouse include non-payment of the deductions for March and April this year. Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, JNC, Comrade Sunday Adeleye said this in Akure, yesterday. Adeleye noted that the planned indefinite strike became imperative after the workers issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government last week to commence the payment of owned salary without further delay.

 The Chairman said “We have been meeting with the representatives of the state government since last week after issuing a seven-day ultimatum and it ended in a deadlock. “But if by Tuesday, government failed to yield to our demand, the union will have no other option than to call a congress and an indefinite total strike declared tomorrow.”

We learnt that the workers last week issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government over non-payment of all deductions in their salary and the salaries for May and June. Adeleye said the non-remittance of workers deductions to their different cooperatives has stopped them from meeting their needs. The seven-day ultimatum was also contained in a statement signed by the JNC State Chairman, Adeleye after a meeting with labour leaders in Akure, the state capital. Adeleye noted in the statement that non-payment of all deductions in the salary of the workers’ shows government’s insensitivity to the plight of civil servants in the state.

The statement on the ultimatum reads; “The unions in the Public Service of Ondo State under the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) rose from its meeting held on Monday, 13th July, 2015 where exhaustive deliberations on the welfare of workers in the public service of the state were discussed. “The meeting however agreed that the untold hardship of the delay in the payment of salaries to workers and observed that, life is no longer bearable and pride of being Civil Servants has become a thing of the past.”Your Excellency, it is quite imperative to inform you that, deductions for March, April and full salaries for May and June, 2015 are yet to be paid. “Your Excellency, it is disheartening to note that Cooperative Societies for workers have died due to non-release of workers deductions to the societies and these are areas where workers look up to in time of need. “The feeling of the entire workers is that of hopelessness, disenchantment, frustration and economic enslavement of highest order since they could no longer meet their social and family responsibilities.

“The meeting therefore resolved to appeal to the state government to pay up all the outstanding salaries and deduction without further delay; within a stipulated period of seven days from the receipt of this letter. “Failure, the leaders of the Unions in the Public Service of the State may not be able to guaranty an industrial peace in the state.” Meantime, Vanguard gathered that the state government has again invited the labour leaders to another round of meeting to avert the strike action. Government officials assured that the meeting which was in progress as at the time of filling this report would resolve the issue over payment of deductions. Plans according to source is in top gear to pay May salaries this week.

A renowned University don rues the quality of Nigerian graduates

By Ola Ajayi Ibadan

Renowned Professor of English, Prof. Niyi Osundare, who lectures at the University of New Orleans, USA, has expressed concern about the quality of graduates from the country’s university system.

The don, who is one of the foremost poets in Africa said lack of mentor in the tertiary institutions was largely responsible for the fall in the quality of the students that are produced. Osundare, who spoke at a luncheon organised in Ibadan by the Chairman of Kakanfo Inn, Ibadan, Dr Lekan Are, to honour the literary giant, added that he counted himself lucky to have graduated at a time when there were mentors that people like him could look up to.

Among those he listed as his mentors include; Prof. Wole Soyinka, Emeritus Prof. Ayo Banjo, Prof. Dapo Adelugba, Prof. Oyin Oguba among others. “We liked what we saw in great mentors like Prof. Wole Soyinka, Emeritus Prof. Ayo Banjo, Prof. Dapo Adelugba, Prof. Oyin Oguba and so on.

We wanted to be like them but such urge is lacking today because mentors are disappearing. It is what I gained from them that I emulate.” According to him, “The system cheats the students. I am appealing to lecturers not to allow the system to cheat them any more by playing their roles properly.

The standards have collapsed and there is proliferation of universities in our country today but the graduates’ quality is low. ”I once told a journalist that if I were to be a student in Nigeria of today with the fallen standard, I would not have achieved what I achieved today. Nigeria and the system in those days helped me to develop. That was when the education structure recognised the best and encouraged others to move up the ladder”.

Buhari approves funds for all African games

President Muhammadu Buhari has surprised those who think his administration will not accord sports priority by approving funds to ensure preparations ahead of the 2015 All African Games. The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Alhassan Yakmut confirmed yesterday after addressing the athletes undergoing training.

President Buhari

 The All African Games is holding in Congo Brazzaville from September 4 to 19, 2015. This is a clear departure from the usual practice of releasing funds two weeks to a major international event. An excited Yakmut promised to release the approved figure to the public in line with ‘Change Agenda’ which promotes transparency in governance. “Mr. President has just approved the funds for the All African Games and I understand we shall be formally informed on Tuesday. “So, as soon as we get the information about the exact figure approved from the budget we submitted, we will make it open to the public because we intend to run a very transparent administration. “ And I think by the time we finish computing all what we have done in the last three months, we are going to say how much has been spent on each item of the projects that we have executed including the Federations. “And I am sure that you have noticed that the Federations are beginning to feel the public funding scheme especially the ones regarding the All African Games,” Yakmut added.

According to him, apart from the 19 sports that Nigeria will participate in, two other sports namely swimming and gymnastics have been placed on standby in the event that there would be athletes that are exceptionally good to represent the country in the two sports. To ensure that athletes have the best preparations, Yakmut said that the Federations that have requested for foreign technical support would have them. The Director General spoke further on this, “We are taking part in 19 events and two other events that are actually on standby.

If we have pockets of athletes that are exceptionally good like gymnastic and swimming, we will carry them on their merit. “Regarding technical aid, in fact we are in global technical business and we cannot reduce ourselves to a situation that no matter how bad our coaches are, we must sustain and retain them. “What we have done is to support the four federations that have requested that they will need technical back-ups from foreign countries. “So, wrestling has requested for two back-ups either from Europe, the United States or Canada. Table tennis has also requested fat technical support from Sweden, China or Japan. “Already, South Korea is supporting us on taekwondo and basketball has already recruited transparently. “All these we are doing to make sure that we don’t leave technical opportunities unattended to,” Yakmut assured.

Obama passed a vote of confidence on the visiting of Buhari.

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

President Barrack Obama on Monday in White House, United States passed a vote of confidence on the visiting Nigerian president, Mohammadu Buhari, he came into office with a clear and defined agenda. Obama spoke when he received the Nigerian leader who was on 4-day official visit in the country. Who expressed confidence in the Buhari’s ability to tackle corruption and insecurity in Nigeria, pledging the support of the American government to Buhari.

US President Barack Obama speaks with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, July 20, 2015. Obama welcomes Nigeria’s freshly elected president after the country’s first ever democratic transition. He described Nigeria as an important country in the continent of Africa. He said: “It is a great pleasure to welcome President Buhari and his delegation here in the White House for his first visit since the historic election that took place. Nigeria is obviously one of the most important countries in the World, one of the most important countries in the African continent.

Recently we saw an election in which a peaceful transition to a new government took place. Nevertheless, the people of Nigeria understand that only through a peaceful political process that can change takes place. “President Buhari came into office with reputation for integrity and a very clear agenda, that is to make sure that he has been bringing safely security and peace to his country. He is very concerned about the spread and the violence that is taking place there and the atrocities and has a very clear agenda in defeating Boko Haram and extremists.

“I want to emphasized how much I appreciate President Buhari’s work so far. I have seen him put together a team so that we can do everything that we can to help him succeed and help the people of Nigeria succeed”. Also speaking, President Buhari expressed gratitude to the American Government for assisting Nigeria conduct a credible election in March. While thanking president Obama for the invitation to visit America, Buhari emphasized that the visit of the Secretary of State before the elections added a boost to the credible of the election. “And the maintenance of pressure by United States mainly and Europe to make sure that the elections were free, fair and credible made us to be where we are now. “It would have been almost impossible if the United States did not maintain the pressure on the former Nigerian Government”, he said. Some Nigerian officials who accompanied president Buhari to the United States included governors of Nasarawa, Borno, Imo, Oyo and Edo States amongst others federal government officials.

Boy, 3, dies in well; 4-yr-old brother stopped from rescue attempt

By Bose Adelaja LAGOS

Tragedy struck last Sunday at Ita-Oluwo area of Lagos State as a three-year-old boy, Samuel Emmanuel Oluwatunmise, fell into a deep well while playing with his mates. His immediate elder brother was, however, prevented from falling into the same well. The incident occurred at 3pm near Ayinla Avenue, off Gasline, when the infant in company of his four years old sibling and two other children went to a neighbouring house where the incident took place.

According to eye witnesses’ account, the abandoned well was dug for domestic purposes about a decade ago but was later abandoned when water was not forthcoming. Ouwatunmise’s elder brother, Ayoola, told Vanguard the well in question had been in the vicinity for many years and that it was not the first time children had been playing near it. He, however, lamented negligence on the part of the owner of the well who left it uncovered for years. When Vanguard visited the area yesterday, the deceased had been buried while sympathisers were at the scene to condole the parents.

We also observed that the well in question was almost parallel to the earth surface and was uncovered at the time of the visit. Mother, Kikelomo, 40, a native of Ondo State, wept profusely as she narrated her ordeal to Vanguard. She said: “This is our eighth year in this community and I never knew such a well exists. “My husband was at home for holidays and my baby was invited to a neighbouring house by his playmates but two hours after they left, I went in search of them only to find my four years old boy pointing into the well in an attempt to follow his younger brother who had fallen inside but I stopped him and raised the alarm which attracted sympathisers.’’

Residents of the area claimed the deceased was recovered dead around 8pm on Sunday by the joint effort of Lagos State Fire Services and local Police called ‘Onyabo’. Owner of the building was said to be under interrogation at Ogijo Police Division at the time Vanguard visited. But Chairman, Agodo/Alara Community Development Association, Mr. Jumah Quadri, said efforts were on to forestal a recurrence. “The landlord will be summoned and the well will be blocked,” he said.

US to trace Nigeria stolen assets

Washington – The United States said it will help Nigeria’s new leader to track down billions of dollars in stolen assets and increase U.S. military assistance to fight Islamic militants. President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Washington on Monday is viewed by the U.S. administration as a chance to set the seal on improving ties since he won the 2015 March election. U.S. cooperation with Buhari’s predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, had virtually grounded to a halt over issues including his refusal to investigate corruption and human rights abuses by the Nigerian military. “President Barack Obama has long seen Nigeria as arguably the most important strategic country in sub-Saharan Africa. “The question is would there be an opportunity to deepen our engagement and that opportunity is now’’, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Tony Blinken said. Improving ties with Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer, comes as U.S. relations have cooled with two other traditional Africa powers, Egypt and South Africa. U.S. officials have said they were willing to send military trainers to help Nigeria counter a six-year old northern insurgency by the Boko Haram Islamist movement. Since Buhari’s election, Washington has committed five million dollars in new support for a multi-national task force set up to fight the group. “This is in addition to 34 million dollars it is providing to Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger for equipment and logistics. “Buhari’s move on July 13 to fire military chiefs appointed by Jonathan clears the way for more military cooperation’’, U.S. officials say.

Group urges Buhari not to listen to Obama in any issue about same sex marriage

Lagos – Project for Human Development (PHD), a Civil Society Organisation, on Sunday urged President Mohammadu Buhari not to listen to the US government on issues of Gay rights, so as to protect the laws and values of Nigeria. The call was made at a rally in Lagos, against the backdrop of Buhari’s visit to the US on Monday. The theme of the rally was, “Gay Marriage: Obama, Please Leave Nigeria Alone”. Buhari will on Monday, July 20, be at Washington DC on a four-day official visit, during which he will hold talks with President Barack Obama and other senior officials of the United States government. Mr Jerry Okwuosa, Director-General of PHD, said that the rally was to hint Buhari on the fears by Nigerians that Obama might ask him to decriminalise “the Same Sex Prohibition Law of Nigeria”. According to him, this is a way for the US to promote gay rights, which is a part of America foreign policy. ”The US is now the major exporter of gay rights in the world. It has recently pressurised Uganda for a reverse of its anti-gay law. ”Under the influence of the US, Mozambique has recently decriminalized its anti-gay law. At the moment, US is putting pressure on Kenya to legalize gay Marriage. ”President Obama is meeting with President Buhari tomorrow to discuss issues which include security, economy, Ebola and gay marriage legalisation in Nigeria. ”Fear is being entertained that Obama might trade off US assistance to President Buhari’s government with shooting down Goodluck Jonathan’s anti-gay law. ”We are however, urging President Buhari to reject such a trade-off, ” he said. Also speaking, Mr Sonnie Ekwowusi, a director of PHD, noted that the only way to avoid chaos in any society was for the legislature to make laws in accordance with the values and aspirations of the people. According to him, homosexuality is not Nigeria culture; it is a taboo or abomination. ”Homosexuality is not our culture. Every society has its own values and should grow with those values. Nigeria has her own values and we must stick to our values and tradition. ”Laws are made in consonant with the values of the people. Every country is interested in protecting what it holds dear. ”Our view is that homosexuality is an acquired habit that ought to be eradicated and not be transformed into an acceptable human conduct by law (in Nigeria). ”Our recommendation with regard to same sex marriage is absolute prohibition, ” Ekwowusi said. It would be recalled that the U.S Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, stated that America would continue to pressurise Nigeria until it legalises same sex marriage. She made this known on Monday July 13 during a live-web chat with journalists in Washington. The peaceful rally featured placards with inscriptions such as- ‘Obama, Pleaseleave Nigeria Alone'; ‘Gay Marriage should Remain Illegal in Nigeria'; ‘Obama is Not God'; ‘Gay Marriage, Buhari Don’t Listen to Obama’. The proesters, numbering about 50, and including lawers and youth leaders of both sexes, paraded from the Tafawa Balewa Square, through Lagos City Hall, to the MUSON Centre.(NAN)

Discredit the job advertisement- Nigeria Police Force

Abuja – The Police Service Commission has disown an online advertisement on the recruitment of general duty police officers.

This is contained in statement issued in Abuja on Monday by Mr Ikechukwu Ani, the Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission. “The attention of the Police Service Commission has been drawn to an online publication of an advertisement for the recruitment of cadet ASPs in the professional cadre purported to emanate from the commission.

“The commission wishes to state that the said publication did not originate from its office and it is not presently recruiting that category of police officers,” it said. The statement advised the public to discountenance the publication. It said that the commission was currently investigating the source of the advertisement. The statement appealed to the media to always crosscheck any information before publication. It said that the commission would continue to use its established channels of communication in dissemination of information. The statement said that masterminds of the advertisement would be dealt with. (NAN)

Buhari at the Oval Office of White House, Washington DC

Washington DC (USA) – President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Washington DC said that the continued pressure on the immediate past administration by the United States and some European countries made the general elections in Nigeria to be free and fair.

Buhari said this while responding to the welcome remarks by President Barack Obama, before the start of the bilateral meeting between officials of both countries at the Oval Office of the White House, Washington DC, on the second day of the visit. He noted that without the external pressure, “we would not be where we are today in Nigeria”. He recalled that the pressure started from the visit of the United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, to the then Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega. “Nigeria will be ever grateful to President Obama and the United States for making Nigeria consolidate its gains on democracy,” Buhari said. On his trip to the United States, the President said he looked forward to a fruitful visit and engagement with his host government. He expressed delight that the United States government had indicated interest in partnering and helping the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration to bring to fruition its goals of tackling insecurity, corruption and youth unemployment. In his welcome remarks, Obama said that Buhari came into office with a reputation of integrity and a clear agenda and preparedness to bring peace to Nigeria, curtail the Boko Haram insurgency and root out corruption. “On both issues of tackling insurgency and corruption in Nigeria, we look forward to how the United States can partner Nigeria to become an outstanding role model for developing countries,” Obama said. While describing Nigeria as a one of the most important countries in Africa, he also commended the peaceful elections and transition that brought Buhari to power. Obama lauded Nigeria’s track record in tackling the outbreak of Ebola virus and polio, adding that the United States looked forward to engaging Nigeria in improving its electricity challenges.(NAN) SYC/BOS

The hope for Nigeria's oil price recovery dims as Iran companies returns

By Ediri Ejoh••• NIGERIA’S hope for an immediate recovery in the global price of crude oil may not be achievable in the foreseeable future, as a result of the return of Iran to oil export, after reaching a historic agreement with six global powers on its nuclear programme that would pave way for the lifting of the western sanction on its country. This development would further negatively impact Nigeria’s revenue, which has been at its lowest ebb since global oil prices began to fall in July 2014. Iran is expected to return to the global oil market at maximum capacity within a year. Reacting to the development, Professor Tam David-West, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, said that the return of Iran into the global oil market will further decline the oil price. According to him, successive administrations have refused to plan the economy as a measure to guard against possible negative impact. He blamed the past leaders for not diversifying the economy to grow other non-oil sectors. He also noted that Nigeria can survive the price decline if the present administration continues to checkmate corruption and cut excesses. Also speaking, Mr. Yusuf Muda, Director General, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, said that the likely lifting of sanction on Iran, would negatively impact the economy. He noted that the situation would cause a decline in global oil price, which would also hurt the country’s economy against the backdrop of decline reserve, rising exchange rate, and dislocation of the economy. He added that the development will worsen the country’s economy. ‘‘The Federal Government needs to ensure quality control of resources management. If President Mohammadu Buhari, demonstrates prudent management, the negative impact on the supply glut on the economy would be reduced. He also needs to ensure better compliance by relevant agencies in the area of tax recovery.”

Use traditional means to tackle Boko Haram, Satguru Maharaji ji urges Buhari

Ibadan – Satguru Maharaji ji, the founder of One Love Family, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to use traditional means to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency. Maharaj ji gave the advice on Sunday in Ibadan at a press conference to mark the 35th anniversary of the One Love Family in Nigeria. He said that this approach became necessary in order to overcome the incessant killing of innocent people by the terrorist group. Maharaji ji said traditional leaders have some powerful traditional deities that could help find solution to the Boko Haram insurgency within weeks. “If the traditional leaders are involved in the process of addressing the issue, the crisis will soon be forgotten. “The president needs to consult people such as me and other traditional leaders to break the myth surrounding the Boko Haram terrorist movement. “They do not know the teachings of Islam and need to be dealt with traditionally because they are being used by some people and they use religion as a cover to create trouble,’’ Maharaj ji said. Maharaj ji lauded Buhari for his initiative on salary cut, adding that more steps needed to be taken in reducing the cost of governance. He also advised Buhari to set up a Salary Restructure Committee to look into the salaries and allowances of the President, Vice President, members of the National Assembly and ministers with a view to reducing their emoluments. “The committee would come out with a uniform salary scale and allowances that would not be as much as the present one. “This would be better than an individual cutting his salary and the others not doing so. “The money generated from this reduction can be used for development projects that would have direct impact on the ordinary masses,’’ he said. He also urged the president to monitor the constituency allowances being given to the National Assembly members by ensuring that the money was being used judiciously. “In order to eradicate corruption, the politicians should be made to swear with the god of iron instead of using Quran and Bible during their inauguration. “This will bring sanity into the system and prevent political office holders from stealing public funds because thunder will strike the thieves among them to death instantly,’’ he said. The One Love Family leader warned against same sex marriage, saying it should not be allowed in Africa as it remains a taboo on the continent.

14 people arrested in respect with the death of Benue state PDP chieftain

MAKURDI—Fourteen suspects have been arrested by Benue State Police Command for alleged involvement in last week’s assassination of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stalwart and elder statesman, Chief Atoza Ihindan, in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. This was made known to reporters yesterday in Makurdi, the state capital, by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent Austin Ezeani. Ezeani said among those apprehended by the Police was the suspect, who allegedly shot and killed Chief Ihindan, a woman and her baby, among others. He said: “The suspect was arrested with bullet wounds on his leg. An AK-47 rifle loaded with 128 live ammunition was also found on him at the time of his arrest. “Those arrested are assisting the police with useful information to unravel the perpetrators of these dastardly killings in the area. “We are also mopping up illegal arms from those who are not embracing the amnesty programme recently introduced by the state governor.” Ezeani further said that the Commissioner of Police, Hyacinth Dagala, had detailed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Unit to move into the area to ensure that those behind the killings there were all apprehended. Vanguard recalls that the late Chief Ihindan was assassinated last week at Katsina-Ala, while inspecting construction work on his piece of land.

Police nabbed a kidnap syndicate in Rivers State

A 45-year-old man, Chukwudi Ubani has told the police how he ran a kidnap syndicate from his base in London. He was said to have been responsible for several kidnap cases in Rivers State and its environs for several years. He was recently lured back to Nigeria and nabbed by the Rivers Police detectives at his house on Elioparanwo road, Port Harcourt. Also arrested was Chuwudi Ben Ononenyi, 29, who prepares the ground for every attack before Ubani returns from London for execution.

Investigations revealed that Ubani had built different hotels and houses which are located along Ada George road, Dunhill, Port Harcourt from proceeds of his escapades. Most of the houses were used to detain victims till their families were able to pay ransom money. On their arrest, the state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike said that the command had been embarrassed severally by the exploits of Ubani and his gang. On his endless list was the kidnap of a 33-year-old woman, Joy Ifeoma Izuorah who was picked up in her house at plot 132, Chibak Avenue, off Elioparanwo Woji, Port Harcourt. "She was picked up in her house on January 20, 2015 while the kidnappers demanded N100 million ransom. After 22 days, she was released to her family after they had collected N20million. "After a successful outing, Ubani bought a Lexus jeep for his second wife who is based in Port Harcourt. He quickly travelled back to London to avoid arrest. I instructed the operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Squad led by Supol Edward Shedrack to keep a tab on him. Luckily, we succeeded in luring him back to Nigeria for another attack and was apprehended. Recovered from him were English made gun, phones and N7million from his First Bank account," Ezike stated. At the police station, Ubani, an indigene of Nnewi in Anambra State, admitted to have led the gang behind several kidnap cases in the state, including that of Mrs. Joy Ifeoma. "I am based in London and am married to two wives. Life has not been easy for me, and to meet up with expectation, I had to make quick money. Luckily for me at the end of each assignment, I will return to London because I know that the police will be tracking my phones to arrest me. I have been able to build several houses and hotels within and outside the state", he confessed. On his last exploit, Ubani said that he spotted Mrs. Ifeoma shortly after he dropped off his son in school. "I noticed that she was driving one of the latest cars in the country. I knew that her husband must be very rich. I followed her down to her shop where she parked her car. I alerted my boys to stay within the environment and monitor her movement. They were able to trace her house and alerted me. On January 20, 2015, I moved in with my men and picked her up in the presence of her husband and kids. "We kept her in one of my houses till the family was able to raise N20million. I gave my boys their share and joined the next available flight to London. I knew they were searching for me, that was why I ran out of the country," he added. The second suspect, Ononenyi said that he was shocked when he learnt that Ubani had been arrested. "I never knew they could arrest him. I was the one who told him that the police had stopped investigating that matter. If my master had confessed, then everything he said is the truth. He is our boss and it is our duty to watch his back and inform him when there is a good victim to kidnap." Grateful to God for sparing her life, Mrs. Ifeoma recalled that she was kidnapped by three gunmen in her house. "They tied me in a room for 22 days and used my phone to contact my husband. To the glory of God, they were able to raise N20million for the gang before I was released on February 10, 2015", she added.