Monday 6 March 2017
![Abuja Airport closure briefing [Photo Credit: Sani Tukur - Premium Times]](https://i2.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2017/03/IMG_2610.jpg?fit=800%2C449)
Kano Pillars Beat Enyimba 3-1 In NPFL Clash
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Kano Pillars on Sunday evening recorded the biggest feat in match day 12 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with a 3-1 win against Enyimba International.
Kabiru Balogun netted a brace to set the former NPFL champions ahead of their Aba visitors.
However, the lead was reduced to one when Stephen Chukwude slotted in from the penalty spot.
Gambo Mohammed later restored the two-goal lead in an added time to hand Pillars their fifth win of the season.
The hosts are seventh on the NPFL table with 17 points while Enyimba are 13th with 14 points.
NPFL: Rivers United, MFM FC Defeat Opponents
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It was a delightful match for Rivers United as they defeated defending champions Enugu Rangers on Sunday evening.
The Nigerian south-south team, who finished second last season, beat their visitors 1-0 to clinch their third win of the season.
Elsewhere, MFM FC thrashed Remo 1-0 while Akwa United beat El-Kanemi Warriors 1-0 at the Nest of Champions in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
Sunshine Stars also defeated Wikki Tourists 1-0, just as the clash between ABS FC and Katsina United ended in same score line.
Also, Lobi Stars beat visiting Gombe United 1-0; Niger defeated Nasarawa 2-0 while Kano Pillars recorded the biggest feat with a 3-1 win against Enyimba International.
Meanwhile, the game between FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Abia Warriors ended 2-2 while Shooting Stars held league leaders Plateau United to a 1-1 draw.
Arsenal Yet To Comment On Sanchez Bust Up
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Arsenal is yet to comment on reports that Alexis Sanchez was involved in a training ground bust-up with his team-mates prior to Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Liverpool.
Widespread reports in the national press have suggested that the 28-year-old walked out of training mid-session last week before being involved in an angry confrontation with his team mates.
Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, is likely to face questions over the alleged incident at his media conference ahead of the Champions League return with Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
Sanchez was left out of the starting line-up for the match at Anfield, but came on at half time with the Gunners losing 2 – 0, following the strikes from Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
Akwa Ibom Govt. Signs MoU On Industrial Park
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As part of the drive to industrialise Akwa Ibom and create business opportunities, the state government has reached an agreement with some private developers for the commencement of an industrial park and jetty project in the Ikot Abasi area of the state.
Governor Udom Emmanuel, who headed the government delegation, assured the contractors, 3W Alliance (Ltd) and allied partners that his administration would do everything possible to support the speedy completion of the project which spans five Local Government Areas.
He maintained that he has put in place a structured transaction process that would ensure that the project is sustained beyond the lifespan of his government, saying: “The business is structured to survive no matter who is in the saddle tomorrow”.
Stating that natural resources are useless if not properly harnessed into effective productivity, Governor Emmanuel affirmed that he has extracted support for the project from the host communities.
The Governor, who jokingly said that water can only be transformed into wine, depending on who is conducting the prayers, added that he has reached an understanding for an harmonious relationship between the developers and the host communities.
“Before all of us were born, the water was there and it was not yielding dollars to the people, today we want to drive that water to become wealth, and we deserve all the support and cooperation of the public.”
He said the success of businesses depended on reliable infrastructure, security and transparent legislation.
He also expressed satisfaction that the arbitration of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was under the country’s jurisdiction and assured residents that the projects would commence in earnest.
Chairman of 3W Alliance ltd and leader of the delegation, Umaru Abdul Mutallab, while signing the agreement on behalf of the contractors, assured the government of their readiness to urgently execute the project as demanded.
Mutallab, a former Minister of Economic Development said: “We look forward to immediate commencement of the project and we will do our very best to ensure its speedy completion”.
He then commended the governor for his foresight, describing the industrial park as a significant economic investment for the people of the state.
Other partners in the project who accompanied Mr Mutallab included, Emilio Magoni of Impresit Bakolori, Oliver Zheo representing Longxin Group, Jackson Ilusiantei from Nebei Port in China, Emmanuel Okon of Eminence Oil and Chemical and Rabi Momoh who led the team from Heritage Bank, Olojede Alani of New Insurance and Bolarinwa Sanmi of Pan Africa Capital.
Those who signed the agreement on behalf of the state government included the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uwemedimo Nwoko, Commissioner for Investments, Trade and Industry Prof. Eno Ikpe and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical Matters and Due Process Elder Ufot Ebong.
Goodluck Jonathan Faults Report On Rescue Of Chibok Girls
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Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, has denied reports that he turned down the offer of the British armed forces to help rescue the missing Chibok school girls.
The former president in a statement insisted that he did not reject the offer to rescue the girls, saying he gave the international community free latitude to conduct their operation.
“We wish to promptly point out that nothing can be farther from the truth, as Nigerians are conversant with the effort made by the former President Jonathan’s administration, towards rescuing the Chibok girls, especially in relation to collaborating with the international community, in the bid”.
He went on to say that the lies in the report are self-evident because the international press and the Nigerian media actively covered the multinational efforts and collaboration made by the Nigerian government and international community.
The 276 Chibok schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno state, Nigeria’s northeast on April 14, 2014.
Over 100 People Starve To Death In Somalia
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Somalian authorities have announced the first official death toll of the crisis in the country.
According to Prime Minister Hassan Ali Haire, at least 100 people have died from hunger in a single region in the past 48 hours amid a severe drought.
Humanitarian groups fear a full-blown famine will follow in the south-western Bay region, where about three million people are believed to face food insecurity.
Sources said the drought in Somalia was partially caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon which has affected east and southern Africa.
CBN Mandates Banks On PTAs, School Fees
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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has mandated all commercial banks in the country to immediately open a teller point for retail foreign exchange (FX) transactions in all locations.
The directive was contained in a memo issued to the banks by the CBN Director of Financial Markets Department, Dr. Alvan Ikoku.
The directive, according to the apex bank was to further increase FX availability to all end-users and ensure that a fair and verifiable exchange rate operates in the market.
The commercial banks were also mandated to have an electronic display board in all their branches showing rates of all trading currencies, while customers must insist on processing FX transactions based on the displayed rates.
The CBN noted further that henceforth, banks must process and meet the demand for travel allowances (PTA/BTA) by end-users within 24 hours of such application, as long as the end-users meet basic requirements already outlined in earlier directives.
For school fees and medical bills, the banks have 48 hours to meet customers’ demands.
The apex bank said non-compliance by any bank would attract sanctions, which may include but not limited to being barred from all future CBN foreign exchange interventions.
UN Security Council Urges Improved Humanitarian Aid In Northeast
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The United Nations Security Council has asked the humanitarian community to step up operations in Northeast Nigeria.
A team from the Council made the call on Sunday during a visit to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital to obtain first-hand information on the ongoing crisis in the northeast.
Head of the delegation, Ambassador Mathew Rycroft, said the council was shocked by the number of people affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
He added that the people who have suffered in the hands of the terrorists are suffering a second time by the effect the humanitarian crisis is having on them.
Prior to arriving at the Borno State capital, the delegation had visited Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic.
In an earlier visit to the headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in Chad, Ambassador Rycroft had offered partnership to the MNJTF.
He stated the council’s satisfaction with the achievements of the task force, as the delegation was given a detailed brief on the activities of the MNJTF.
Rycroft noted that with the role being played by the force, there is evidence that mandates would be achieved.
The visits, together with the visit to Nigeria, would help the Council obtain a better overview of the crucial security and social issues facing the Lake Chad region.
Japanese Govt. Partners Nigeria On Border Security
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The Japanese government has reaffirmed its commitment to assisting the Nigerian government in strengthening its border security and also enhancing constant border patrol.
To this end, the Japanese government is committing 500 thousand dollars towards Nigeria’s border monitoring.
Nigerian and Japanese government officials met at Nfum border at Etung Local Government Area of Cross River state.
One of the Japanese officials told Journalists that in the last two years, the government had trained law enforcement officials in different workshops and on various techniques such as how to patrol the borders, how to interview suspects of crime, how to do proper arrests under the rule of law and respect to human rights among others.
She further stated that with the increase in crime rate across borders, the need for improved security approach has become imperative, which is the reason for the partnership.
“We find that since crime is so much evolving, and we have so many different forms of crime nowadays and organised crime, law enforcement officials need constant upgrading of their skills to be able to detect this crime, investigate them and be able to prosecute them”.
IGP Inspects Kaduna Airport, Pledges Adequate Security For Passengers
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The Inspector-General Of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has assured airlines and passengers flying into and out of the Kaduna Airport of maximum security.
IGP Idris made the pledge on Sunday when he inspected the security arrangement at the Kaduna airport and its environs.
The inspection comes as part of security preparation ahead of the closure of the Abuja International Airport on March 8 for repair works.
On arrival at the airport, the Police boss was received by the DIG Operations, Joshak Habila, and other top police officers.
He then proceeded to the terminal building where he inspected the security control room, arrival and departure halls among others.
From the airport, Mr Idris and his entourage moved to the Rigasa Railway which is a few kilometres away from the airport to ascertain the security arrangement at the train station.
Speaking to reporters after the inspection, he expressed satisfaction with the level of security arrangement in place.
IGP Idris said that in addition to maximum security already in place on the Abuja-Kaduna highway, there would be about three helicopters on aerial patrols, as well as additional personnel on ground to provide security to buses and trains that would be conveying passengers to and from the Federal Capital Territory.
Friday 3 March 2017
Top Kremlin diplomat calls US uproar over Russia ties a 'witch hunt'
(CNN) Russia's foreign minister pushed back Friday at assertions that his country's US ambassador is a spy, and echoed US President Donald Trump's contention that the controversy over contacts between Kremlin officials and Trump's campaign is "a witch hunt." "The ambassadors are appointed in order to maintain relationships," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference in Moscow.
"They are maintained by holding meetings, talks and establishing contacts with officials from both executive and legislative branches of power. I can only quote what the media said today this all looks like a witch hunt." Citing current and former senior US government officials CNN reported that Kislyak is considered by US intelligence to be one of Russia's top spies and spy recruiters in Washington.
But Russia's Foreign Ministry has angrily rejected allegations that its top diplomat in Washington is a spy amid controversy over meetings he held with US Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Thursday insisted Kislyak was "a well-known, world-class diplomat."
"He was deputy minister of foreign affairs in Russia, who has communicated with American colleagues for decades in different fields, and CNN accused him of being a Russian spy ... of recruiting? Oh my God!"
Sessions recuses himself on Russia inquiry
Sessions on Thursday recused himself from any investigation related to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sessions made the decision after it emerged that he had failed at his Senate confirmation hearing to disclose two pre-election meetings with Kislyak to Washington, at a time when Russia was accused of interfering in the presidential race. Pressure for Sessions to recuse himself from any involvement in a Justice Department probe into links between the Trump campaign and Moscow grew Thursday as prominent Republicans broke ranks with the administration. He is also facing calls to resign.
But shortly before Sessions' recusal announcement, Trump backed his attorney general.
He said Sessions did not make any misleading statements under oath during his confirmation hearings, but that he could have been more accurate in his responses to lawmakers.
"Jeff Sessions is an honest man. He did not say anything wrong. He could have stated his response more accurately, but it was clearly not intentional," Trump said. "This whole narrative is a way of saving face for Democrats losing an election that everyone thought they were supposed to win. The Democrats are overplaying their hand. They lost the election and now, they have lost their grip on reality. The real story is all of the illegal leaks of classified and other information. It is a total witch hunt!"
'Total misinformation'
Speaking at a press briefing Thursday, Zakharova dismissed media reports about the encounters between Sessions and Kislyak as "shameful," an "attempt at total misinformation" and a kind of "vandalism."
Zakharova also defended the role of Russian diplomats, saying: "Everyone knows how diplomats work and their work consists of making contacts."
Asked to respond to the characterization of Kislyak as a spy, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, "Nobody has heard a single statement from US intelligence agencies' representatives regarding our ambassador. Again, these are some depersonalized assumptions of the media that are constantly trying to blow this situation out of proportion."
Peskov also insisted that Russia has never interfered in the domestic affairs of another country and has no plans ever to do so.
He said the current "overly emotional environment" was affecting the prospects of a future meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "This emotional atmosphere builds up a certain resistance to the idea of developing a relationship with Russia. That's true. The negative effect is obvious here," Peskov told journalists on a conference call. Kislyak's interactions with Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn led to Flynn's firing last month.
Two meetings
Sessions met with Kislyak twice last year, in July on the sidelines of the Republican convention, and in September in his office when Sessions was a member of the Senate Armed Services committee, according to the Justice Department. Sessions, then a Republican senator for Alabama, campaigned on behalf of Trump throughout 2016. Sessions did not mention either meeting during his confirmation hearings when he said he knew of no contacts between Trump surrogates and Russians.
In response to reports of his meetings with Kislyak, Sessions' spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said there was nothing "misleading about his answer" to Congress because he "was asked during the hearing about communications between Russia and the Trump campaign -- not about meetings he took as a senator and a member of the Armed Services Committee."
Sessions also strongly denied ever discussing campaign-related issues with anyone from Russia. "I never met with any Russian officials to discuss issues of the campaign," he said in a statement. "I have no idea what this allegation is about. It is false."
The House Intelligence Committee signed off this week on a plan to investigate Russia's alleged interference in the US elections, which includes examining contacts between Trump's campaign and Russia, and looking into who leaked the details. Democrats have called for an independent investigation. Russia has consistently denied allegations that it meddled in the US election campaign.
Osinbajo Visits Uyo, Assures Residents Of Sustainable Development
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The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has assured the people of the Niger Delta that the Federal Government is determined to address the issue of neglect and under-development in the region.
Professor Osinbajo made the comments during a town hall meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, as part of his tour of the region.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to confronting the challenges in the area, and promised to establish a technology hub, among other things.
The state Governor, Udom Emmanuel, who was happy to host the Acting President, however appealed that the Federal Government should stop playing what he termed as “lip service”, especially on the issue of amnesty and reintegration.
This visit is in continuation of the dialogue between the Federal Government and oil producing communities in a bid to find a workable template to ensure development of the oil rich region, and a brighter tomorrow for the people of the states.
Finance Minister Says N5.1trn Released From 2016 Budget
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The Federal Government has so far released the sum of 5.1 trillion Naira out of 6.06 trillion Naira passed by the National Assembly in the 2016 budget.
The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, said this on Wednesday at a meeting organised by the Joint National Assembly Committee on Appropriation in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Mrs Adeosun told the committee members that despite the shortfall in revenue in 2016, the Federal Government has so far released 870 billion Naira for capital expenditure, excluding the proceeds from the Eurobond.
However, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje, sought to know if the Ministry of Finance diverted funds from loans to finance personnel expenditure rather than capital expenditure.
He also expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the stakeholders meeting on implementation of the 2016 budget.
Senator Goje noted that the Acting Director from CBN, Mohammed Yakubu, was not competent to speak before the Joint committee, insisting that the CBN governor must appear before the committee latest Friday morning.
“We have left serious business of processing 2017 budget to ensure the level of implementation of the 2016 budget. It is Nigerians’ right to know the level of implementation.
“The CBN governor could not call us, he only sent an Acting Director in the CBN to appear before the committee,” he said.
Giving details of releases for 2016 budget before the committee, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Hammed Idris, informed the lawmakers that 870 billion Naira was released for capital projects which constituted 55%, while 2.3 trillion Naira was released for personnel cost and 351 billion Naira for statutory transfer.
Mr Idris added that 1.3 trillion Naira was meant for debit servicing, service wide votes for 285 billion Naira while overhead was 138 billion Naira.
He explained that personnel cost and debit service were achieved 100%, overhead cost achieved 85% while capital was achieved 55%.
On his part the Director-General of Budget Office, Ben Akabueze, said there was a shortfall of 1.1 trillion Naira in targeted Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for 2016, explaining that only 398 billion Naira was realised in 2016 IGR out of targeted 1.5 trillion Naira.
He attributed poor capital funding in 2016 to revenue shortfall, stressing that projection oil revenue only accounted for 20% of the total 2016 budget.
Mr Akabueze said “the reason we are unable to implement capital budget fully is as a result of shortfall in the IGR”.
He, however, failed to give a clear picture of how the loan borrowed was utilised, but promised the lawmakers for details before the end of implementation of 2016 budget.
IPMAN ABA Calls For Govt. Intervention Over Moribund Refineries
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The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Aba unit, Abia state, has called on government to repair the moribond refineries in the state.
Lamenting over the situation, the Public Relations Officer of the association, Chukwumaeze Njoku, hinted that the epileptic supply of petroleum products from the refinery at Port Harcourt, has subjected them to continue to source for the product elsewhere at a very high cost.
Mr Njoku appealed to relevant authorities to ensure that the refineries are up and running while also suggesting adequate maintenance and strict surveillance of oil pipelines within the state.
“I want to say that fuel availability in Abia state has been epileptic because the depot in Aba where most marketers are expected to pick their product, has been moribund.
“I would like to say that, before then, the marketers have had to endure the epileptic supply from the refinery in Port Harcourt.
“I want you to know that, we stopped lifting products from Osisoma depot on May 2016 and till date, we have not had any supply.
“I believe I am speaking for the marketers who want the refineries to be fixed and adequate care taken to assist the communities where the pipelines passes.
“I want to appeal to the relevant authorities to maintain the pipelines with good surveillance.
“I must admit that the task of ensuring fuel availability in the state rests squarely on our shoulders and what we do is to go as far as Lagos, Calabar to procure these petroleum products at our own expenses and risk.
“I want to say that the government should do something fast to reverse the trend, “Njoku stressed.
El-Rufai Swears In New Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries
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The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has sworn-in four new commissioners and eight permanent secretaries.
The new commissioners sworn in included: Barrister Umma Hikima, Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Jafaru Ibrahim Sani, Commissioner for Local Government, Professor Kabir Mohammed Mato, Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry and Hafsat Mohammed Baba, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development.
The governor also appointed two caretaker chairmen for Giwa and Zangon-Kataf Local Government Areas.
In his address at the inauguration of the appointees, El-Rufai said his government decided to bring new commissioners to energize the administration for better performance.
While commending the former commissioners for their service rendered to the people of Kaduna state, he explained that none of them were dropped or sacked but were deployed to handle other government assignments.
He reminded the appointees that they were joining the cabinet at a time the state and country as a whole is facing economic challenges, hence they must work harder to deliver on their mandate.
“I thank the former commissioners for their service in our state. I want to make it clear that we didn’t drop any commissioner.
“None of our commissioners was dropped. Some former commissioners have been deployed to other functions of government. So, our team is intact and we are all together.
“We carefully selected our team members. We decided to bring new commissioners to energize the administration and to inject new blood.
“You are joining a ‘wahala’ team and I sympathise with you because we work with little earnings.
“The permanent secretaries were chosen based on their competence, integrity and all the directors chosen to be permanent secretaries sat for exams and faced oral interview so, we have the best of permanent secretaries,” he explained.
Some of the appointees thanked the governor for deeming them fit to serve in his administration, hence, promised to contribute their quota towards making Kaduna state great again.
Al-makura Shifts Focus Towards Rural Development
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The Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-makura, says his focus this year, would be on rural dwellers in the state in order to give them a sense of belonging and to alleviate the hardship they face especially during the raining season.
He emphasised this after an aerial inspection of the ongoing bridges and culverts in the 13 Local Government Areas and development areas of the state.
He said the move is to add value to the quality of life of people in the hinterlands who are predominantly farmers.
He said,”this is the approach we are making towards ensuring that we add value to the quality of life of people living in the rural areas.
“Like I said, this year, the emphasis of my administration will be 100 per cent given to rural areas, their infrastructure in terms of roads and bridges, their schools, their hospitals and a lot of their utilities.
“At least for once, let the ordinary man living in the village, living in the hinterland have a cause to have a relief that there is a government that is thinking on his behalf”.
He expressed optimism that before the year 2017 runs out, the rural areas would have basic amenities and that will motivate the youth to engage in some meaningful ventures that will minimise idleness.
“I believe before the end of the year, the villages will turn to cities where all the youths will go back and participate in making a living through farming and any other thing and that will reduce restiveness in the state and at the same time empower the youth,” he said.
The year was ushered in with the flag off of over 625 bridges and culverts in all local government and development areas of the state and the governor reiterated that the move was propelled by his resolve to alleviate the hardship faced by rural dwellers who are mostly farmers during the rains.
Al-makura therefore hinted that the ongoing constructions are expected to be completed before the rains sets in so that there would be ease of mobility and farmers can transport their produce to the market without any hitch.
Free Basic Education An Enforceable Right; Court Declares
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A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared that every Nigerian child has the constitutional right to free and compulsory primary education, and free junior secondary education.
In a suit filed by a non-governmental organisation, Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), against the Federal Ministry of Education and the Attorney General of the Federation, Justice John Tsoho also declared that the Federal and State governments have constitutional duties to provide adequate funds for it.
In the suit, LEDAP asked the court to determine whether by the combined effect of Section 18 (3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 2 (1) of the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act, (UBE) 2004, the right to free and compulsory primary education and free junior secondary education for all qualified Nigerian citizens are enforceable rights in Nigeria.
Justice Tsoho, who relied on a 2002 decision of the Supreme Court, held that by enacting the UBE Act, the National Assembly has made the right to free and compulsory primary and free junior secondary education contained in Chapter 2 an enforceable or justiciable right.
Reacting to the judgment, the lead counsel to LEDAP, Mr Chino Obiagwu, said that the court on Wednesday gave life and hope to over 28 million Nigerian children who are currently out of primary and junior secondary school, or who are at risk of being withdrawn from school because of the inability of their parents or guardians to pay the tuition fees and school expenses, or who are withdrawn from school so that they can be given out in early marriage or be sent to the streets to hawk or beg for alms.
By this judgment, any child not enrolled in school or who is withdrawn from school can exercise his or her constitutional rights against the parent, guardian or government.
And failure by any government to fund free primary and junior secondary education will constitute a breach of the constitution.
FG Holds Public Hearing On Electoral Reform
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The Federal Government has begun its south-south public hearing session on electoral review in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
Led by a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, the event is part of government’s plan to strengthen the electoral system in Nigeria, as a means towards a more flexible constitution.
Speaking at the occasion, Senator Nnamani said if Nigeria can get her electoral processes right, every other thing would naturally take shape and development will thrive.
He disclosed that the committee would discuss both the national and state electoral processes, as to whether both should stand or just the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other issues to be discussed will bother on the candidates, especially after elections have been won.
On his part, the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ivara Esu, urged the committee to deliberate on fraudulent practices by various party members from cross-carpeting to other parties at will after elections have been won.
He also asked the committee to check various actions taken at party levels which he described as being fraudulent.
Fernando Torres In Stable Condition, Discharged From Hospital
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Atletico Madrid Striker Fernando Torres has been discharged from hospital after having tests on the head injury he suffered in Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Deportivo La Coruna.
The 32-year-old spent the night in the hospital after falling heavily in an aerial challenge with Alex Bergantinos.
Atletico confirmed scans showed he has “no traumatic alterations or injuries” and will need to rest for 48 hours.
The club finished the game with 10 men, having used all three substitutes.
Osinbanjo Commends Gov. Ikpeazu On Good Governance
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The Acting President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, has commended the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, over what he describes as “the smart business approach to governance”.
Professor Osinbajo said this when Governor Ikpeazu led a delegation of some top functionaries of Abia state government alongside top Aba business/industry leaders to a meeting with Osinbajo and top federal government functionaries in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
A press statement issued by the office of the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ikpeazu, revealed that the meeting held at the Acting President’s office in Aso Rock Villa, was a follow up meeting on the economic development plan of the state, especially as it concerns support for the growth of Small Scale and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Aba.
No Business With China
While commending Governor Ikpeazu’s “smart business approach to governance”, Professor Osinbajo restated that Aba is very strategic and important to the country in terms of innovation, manufacturing and production.
“Nigeria has no business with China if all hands are on deck to develop Aba as a major industrial base.
“I commend Governor Ikpeazu’s unflinching campaign for made in Aba products which quality have improved across board.
“I must say that the made in Aba campaign has raised the tempo in demand for Aba made goods, therefore, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAGDAC) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) as federal agencies should ensure that Aba business community have no difficulty registering their products” Osinbajo said.
Governor Ikpeazu, while making his presentation, outlined his administration’s MSME development plan for Aba industrial zone and thanked the FG for partnering with the state to develop the economy of Aba and Abia State.
He stressed on the need for rapid development of Aba as the SME capital of Nigeria, adding that Aba has the capacity and potentials to make Nigeria truly the giant of Africa.
“I want to say that if Aba is given adequate attention, which includes infrastructural and human capacity development, it has the potential and capacity, as the SME capital of Nigeria, to position Nigeria as truly the giant of Africa.
“Our government is doing all we can to ensure the infrastructural turnaround of Aba within the limited resources of the state, but we can’t do it alone, that is why we are thankful to the Federal Government for showing very strong interest in partnering with us to develop Aba as the SME capital of our dear country.
“I must say, it is our collective resolve to promote goods and services made in Aba, and we will not relent in the campaign.
“We call on the Federal Government and multinational companies as well as individuals to not only join us in the campaigns, but also patronise made in Aba goods.
“My administration is also looking forward to the time when all government procurement would give priority to locally manufactured goods to support local producers” the governor said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okey Enelama has informed Governor Ikpeazu, that the FG’s plan on the development of Aba industrial zone which is part of the 2017 budget, will soon come on stream.
Alleged False Asset Declaration: Saraki’s Trial Continues
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The trial of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, over alleged false assets declaration, has continued, with the cross examination of prosecution witness, Mr Samuel Madujemu.
The witness told the tribunal that he is not in possession of the report of investigation conducted on the senate president’s asset declaration.
Under cross examination, the defence counsel, Kanu Agabi, asked if he was a member of the team in 2006 when a team was set up to investigate Saraki’s claim.
The witness said he was not a member of the team but was a member of the team set up in 2015 to review the earlier report by the 2006 team.
When asked why he swore an affidavit affirming knowledge of the investigation, Mr Madujemu said that the earlier report as told to him by the EFCC, was scanty.
Also, when asked if he had any record by the EFCC declaring the report scanty, he said that he had a mental record because he had only been informed orally by the EFCC members of the team.
The witness was also asked why he did not invite the Senate President as part of his investigation and in response, he said the statements on the senate president’s asset form were enough for the investigation.
He further stated that besides that, it was the prerogative of the chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau to invite a public servant for interview, even though it was the convention at the bureau.
NDDC Denies Buying Cars Worth Over N1bn
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The management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has denied the allegations of procurement of over 70 luxury cars each costing tens of millions of Naira, made by the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Head of Corporate Affairs at the NDDC, Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, the commission denied making such purchases since its current governing board assumed office on November 4, 2016.
According to the statement, the NDDC Chairman, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, and the Managing Director/CEO, Nsima Ekere, as well as the two Executive Directors are still using their private vehicles three months after assumption of duties.
The statement added that the agency is only now in the process of acquiring work vehicles.
The NDDC said it is adhering strictly to due process which includes seeking approval of the Federal Executive Council, expressing its readiness to open its books for audit at any time.
The statement read: “The NDDC is only now in the process of acquiring work vehicles, and is adhering strictly to due process. These include five (5) Toyota Prado jeeps, 10 Toyota Hilux trucks, four (4) Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps, one (1) Toyota Coaster bus and two (2) Toyota Hiace buses.
“The Commission has just received the Due Process Compliance Certificate from the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, and is preparing the mandatory memo for the approval of the Federal Executive Council.
Doing What Is Right
“We wish to restate that the current Board and Management of the NDDC is committed to making its transactions transparent, by adhering strictly to processes and procedures of government, as espoused in the Board’s 4-R Initiative of restoring the Commission’s core mandate, restructuring the balance sheet, reforming our processes and reaffirming a commitment to doing what is right and proper at all times in facilitating the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
“In this regard, the Commission is also partnering with Bureau for Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and Open Government Partnership (OGP) to improve the Commission’s governance systems, procurement and project implementation processes, in order to plug all loopholes and systematically eliminate all incidences of mismanagement and corruption.
“NDDC is always ready to open its books for audit. We are also committed to responding to all inquiries from well-meaning individuals and groups seeking clarification on rumours and possible false information.
“While asking for support from all stakeholders to enable the Commission succeed in the ambitious task of reforms, the New NDDC is evolving as a responsible public institution and members of the public should feel free to get authentic information on its activities to avoid sensationalism”.
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