Residents protest, NO PRE-PAID METER or NO PAYMENT

We’ve not abandoned consumers, Electricity coy replies

Residents of Okunola community in Mosan/Okunola Local Council Development Area of Lagos State have vowed to resist outrageous bills and called on the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, IEDC, to install pre-paid meters in their homes without further delay.

Protesting against what they described as “Crazy bills,” residents under the aegis of Duro-Olaleru Crescent Community Youth Development Association said they will resist outrageous bills without regular power supply.

A community leader, Joshua Faboye said the community had resolved not to pay electricity bills without pre-paid meter. “We are fed up with the system; if there is no power supply we are still made to pay bills for what we did not use.

We pay N750 as service charge and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has said if they didn’t install meter they should not distribute bill but the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IEDC) did not comply”.

Another resident of the community, Mr Olu Toyin said: “Ever since the electricity company was privatized we have not seen the best of them. Where I live they distributed prepaid meters from Iyana Ipaja, Egbeda and Alabata Streets; they stopped there and jumped to Okunola and Abule Odu to distribute the prepaid meters. We have gone to their office to complain without any positive outcome till date.

“They bring crazy bills like N20,000 and N50,000. There is even a house that was billed up to N1million which we all know is not possible because they are not running any factory there. In my house, I paid a sum of N10,000 every month , we are pleading to them to bring the prepaid meter so we can pay for what we consume”.

Contacted, the spokesman of IEDC, Felix Ofolue said the installation of pre-paid meters was being done in phases because of paucity of fund arising from the adverse economic situation of the country, which has affected operations of the company.

According to him, ‘’with regards to the provision of pre-paid meters, we have not abandoned consumers. The issue of pre-paid meters is a general problem across the country where other electricity distribution companies are operating.

The issue is compounded by the economic problems confronting the country which also affected the procurement of the meters. However, even if we have the resources to procure meters in large quantity we still have to factor in technical personnel that would install them.

‘’However, what we’ve been doing is to install the meters in phases. We have provided the meters in some communities including Idimu and Government Reservation Area (G.R.A) Ikeja among others and we are still installing in other places. To this end, I want to urge the people to be patient with us as we would surely get to their area.

He added: ‘’On the issue of crazy bills, we have installed a metering device in our transformers through which we monitor the electricity supplied and consumption in communities and the billing is based on what is supplied. The only problem is that of electricity thieves whose activities rub off on genuine consumers, hence, we are appealing to consumers to assist us in identifying these electricity thieves not for prosecution but for us to properly bill them so that the issue of crazy bill can be solved.”

:Vanguard 

ICELAND PRESIDENT JOHANNESSON slumps, faints, breaks nose in hot bath

Iceland’s President Gudni Johannesson said he fainted and broke his nose while taking a hot bath. But the president of the least populous nation on earth said he is now feeling fine despite that he also hit his forehead during the doomed bath.

“A warm and cosy bath last night turned out to be too hot and cosy,” the 49-year-old academic said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

Johannesson, a former history professor, said he was immediately rushed to a hospital where he received stitches. He said he was feeling fine.

The president of the island nation with a population of 345,000 holds largely a ceremonial role.

Johannesson, who is not a member of any traditional party, has enjoyed high approval rates since he was elected in June 2016. He was sworn into office on 1 August 2016.

During the Iceland football team’s success as the smallest nation at the Euro 2016, Johannesson attended every single match in France, sitting with fans who created such noise with their drums, hand-clapping and chants that they became a phenomenon.

Iceland is set to hold a snap legislative election on October 28 after the government collapsed due to the prime minister’s cover-up of his father’s involvement in a legal row.

:Vanguard 

BUHARI TO VISIT SOUTH-EAST , pledges new roads, rail projects

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja assured stakeholders from the South-East that the region would benefit more from roads and coastal rail projects to boost the nation’s economy.

He told leaders from the region led by Deputy President of the Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, that 2nd Niger Bridge, East-West road and the Coastal Rail project were receiving utmost attention from his administration.

The President said that counterpart funding from the Chinese government would substantially fund the projects, which when completed, would improve the welfare, well-being and economy of the region.

“I know the Chinese are very competent in handling such projects and we will ensure that we get the money for the projects to take off.

“I thank you for articulating your demands and I want to assure that we are doing our best for the country.

“If we can stop people from stealing, then there will be more resources to put into projects that will create employment for Nigerians,’’ he said.

On allegations of under-representation of Igbos in his government, Buhari said: “ I gave South-East four substantive ministers in the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Investment, Science and Technology, and Labour.

“Seven states in the North got Ministers of State and of the two ministries headed by your sons, I cannot take any decision on foreign policy and investments without their input.’’

He also promised the leaders, comprising governors and ministers from the region, President of Ohaneze, Chief Nnia Nwodo and representatives from the National Assembly, that he would visit states in the zone soon.

“I want to assure you that I came into government with a clear conscience and I will also leave with a clear conscience,’’ he said.

Earlier, Nwodo had articulated the demands of the zone and highlighted issues of state creation, restructuring, federal projects – Enugu-Onitsha road, Enugu-Port Harcourt road and Aba-Ikot-Ekpene road, among others.

Nwodo also demanded urgent presidential interventions on the Enugu Airport, reticulation of the gas pipelines in the South-East and the standard gauge plan for railway construction.

He commended the president for “remarkable achievements on security and the fight against corruption.’’

“We are ready to work with you; we are determined to work with you. We know you are a decisive leader and we know God will continue to give you the wisdom to govern Nigeria,’’ Nwodo declared

In his contribution, Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi expressed satisfaction on the outcome of their discussions with the president on critical issues affecting the region.

“You have no hatred for any state. You have treated all states with equality. What one state gets in the north, the other gets in the south,’’ the governor said.

:Vanguard  

Special COURT CONVICTS 45 BOKO HARAM MEMBERS

‎

Abuja - A Federal High Court sitting in Kainji, Niger State, has convicted and sentenced 45 members of the Boko Haram sect to between 3 and 31 years in jail after the conclusion of the first phase of the trial where 575 suspects were arraigned.

The court also  struck out 34 cases while 28 suspects were remanded for trial in Abuja and Minna.

 This was contained in a statement ‎yesterday  by Segun Adeyemi, the Senior Special Assistant media to the Minister of Information and Culture,  Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

The statement further revealed that the Court discharged 468 suspects who had no case to answer.

Those discharged were however ordered  Court ordered to undergo deradicalization and rehabilitation programs before they are handed over to their respective state governments.

The trial commenced with a total of 1,669 suspected members of the terrorist group who were remanded for a period of 90 days.

The court had earlier ordered  that they be arraigned within the specified period or released unconditionally.

The Court adjourned the trial of other suspects to January 2018.

The menace of Boko Haram sect has terrorized the North East and the country in general since 2006 which the Military under the present administration has reportedly quell to some extent.

:The Sun 

TRUMP STRIKES BLOW AGAINST IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL in major U.S. policy shift

U.S. President Donald Trump struck a blow against the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement on Friday in defiance of other world powers, choosing not to certify that Tehran is complying with the deal and warning he might ultimately terminate it.

Trump announced the major shift in U.S. policy in a speech that detailed a more confrontational approach to Iran over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and its support for extremist groups in the Middle East.

Trump said in an address at the White House that his goal is to ensure Iran’s never obtains a nuclear weapon.

“We will not continue down a path whose predictable conclusion is more violence more terror and the very real threat of Iran’s nuclear breakout,” Trump said.

While Trump did not pull the United States out of the agreement, aimed at preventing Iran from developing a nuclear bomb, he gave the U.S. Congress 60 days to decide whether to reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran that were lifted under the pact.

That would increase tension with Iran as well as put Washington at odds with other signatories of the accord such as Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and the European Union.

Trump warned that if “we are not able to reach a solution working with Congress and our allies, then the agreement will be terminated.”

:Vanguard 

BUHARI, CUSTOMS BOSS HEAD FOR TURKEY over arms smuggling

President Muhammadu Buhari and the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) are billed to head for Turkey for a sideline bilateral meeting with the Turkish Customs Authority.

According to Deputy Comptoller-General, Aminu Dangaladima, the meeting is  aimed at permanently ending  deadly importation coming from Turkey.

The service last month announced the seizure of illegal of 2,671 pump action riffles from the country into Nigeria.

Owing to the seizure, Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Halal. Cakil on September 26, vowed that his country would fish out the criminals behind the shipping of illegal arms to Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Customs intercepts arms at Lagos port

 Addressing journalists  in Abuja on Friday , Dangaladima said “Let me seize this opportunity to impromptu you that we are making progress on investigation in the illegal arms importation. 

“More arrests have been made and the CGC will be on the entourage of Mr. President to Turkey for sideline bilateral meeting with the Turkish Customs Authority.

“This is with the aim to permanently deal and put an end to such deadly importation coming from Turkey.”

He revealed that on October 10, the NCS operatives seized 27 Toyota Hilux pick-up vehicles worth N432 million. 

His words: “On Wednesday 10th October, 2017, based on credible intelligence, operatives of the NCS Compliance Team went to two open car stands along Kubwa expressway in the Federal Capital Territory and evacuated 27 Toyota Hilux pick-up vehicles suspected to be smuggled into the country. These vehicles have estimated Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N432,000,000 million.”

He urged the owners of the vehicles to come forward with valid Customs clearance documents otherwise they will be liable to seizure and subsequent forfeiture to the federal government in-line with laws of the land.

Dangaladima recalled that last month, Ali, while briefing on interception of 18 exotic vehicles , 18 of which were bullet proof said that the service under his leadership will enforce the powers given in the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) effectively.

He said that being in possession of smuggled items is an Offences under Section 3 of Customs and Excise Act Cap 47 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Continuing, he said that “under the on-going reforms has continued to improve in all aspect, especially in the areas of suppression of smuggling.”

He insisted that “the idea that one can comply with laws of other countries and contravene Nigerian laws on arrival here can no longer be tolerated.”

The Nation

IPOB: The Joint Operation of the Police and Military Has Recovered LETHAL WEAPONS FROM KANU’S RESIDENCE - CP

The police say the raid was carried out last Sunday based on an intelligence report, regarding the continued activities of some members of the group

The Commissioner of Police in Abia State, Anthony Ogbizi, has said that lethal weapons, including petrol bombs and one double-barrel gun, were recovered during last Sunday’s raid of the residence of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Mr. Ogbizi said this on Thursday during an interaction with newsmen in Umuahia, adding that the items were recovered during a joint operation by security personnel in the state.

He said that the petrol bombs were found in buckets and incriminating documents and letters, concerning IPOB’s activities and plans, were also recovered during the raid.

He said that the raid was carried out based on an intelligence report, regarding the continued activities of some members of the group.

“We recovered many of Biafra’s insignia, staff of office and some of those items are being analysed,” Mr. Ogbizi said.

The police boss said that the operation also led to the arrest of one suspected member of IPOB.

He said that the team also discovered the telephone numbers of the group’s zonal coordinators, adding that all the communications between the leadership of the group and their collaborators would be thoroughly analysed.

Mr. Ogbizi said that a Biafran flag was also found hanging on a telecommunications mast in the area.

According to him, the police will ask the Nigeria Communications Commission to sanction any telecommunication company that allowed its mast to be used to hoist Biafran flags.

He said that the activities of IPOB in the Southeast were “stirring insurrection” and that security agencies would not fold their arms and watch the group foment violence in the country.

He said that members of the group allegedly set a police station and van ablaze in Aba, and also attacked a military patrol team in Umuahia.

The police chief said that similar joint operations would be carried out intermittently in Kanu’s residence, anytime they received intelligence report that offensive weapons were brought to the place.

He said that it was wrong to say that the military was taking over the duties of the police rather the action should be seen as a synergy between the two organisations to check security challenges.

Mr. Ogbizi said that he would not hesitate to invite the army anytime the security situation in the state grew beyond the capacity of the police.

(NAN)

:Premium Times

PDP not properly played OPPOSITION ROLE – Abdulsalami Abubakar

Former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), says Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has not properly played credible opposition role in the current politics and governance in the country.

Abubakar stated this while receiving a chieftain of the party, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, who visited him in his residence in Minna on Thursday.

He challenged PDP to assume proper opposition role, saying though no political party could remain in power forever, the main purpose of any party, whether in governance or in opposition, was to serve the people.

He said while party in governance held the “shots’’, the opposition “check`s the shots being fired to ensure that the right thing is done’’, adding that the party should be driving force of governance.

“I must say it is very sad that you have not played your role properly in opposition.

“May be you are suffering from the shock of defeat, but I thought that at least six months down the line will have been enough to come out of the shock, to really face the governance.

“It would have been enough to perform your role in giving a credible opposition which I am afraid you have not done.

“You being one of the major parties in Nigeria and found yourself in opposition; since you did not perform that function, the smaller parties also found themselves in this way.

“I am happy now you are waking up and I hope this is the end of acrimony within your party.

“You will now come and build formidable party that will play the role of opposition,” Abubakar said.

The former head of state noted that some aspirants interested in PDP national chairmanship had also visited him.

He expressed hope that from experience and lessons learnt during the PDP leadership crisis, the party would “now mend fences and continue to be a dominant party in Nigeria’s politics’’.

“You need now to check why you slid from ruling to opposition party to see what you have done wrong and correct with a view to learn from some of these things.”

He also advised PDP leaders and members, especially the aspirants for positions, to go to the December national convention without bitterness.

“If I am right, there are about five or six of you interested in the chairmanship position.

“You have your visions and aspirations which legitimately as politicians, you have the right to play a role not only in your party but in governing the country.

“I do hope that you will go through this convention without bitterness because you have seen what rancour caused the party,” Abubakar said.

He advised the electorate to also examine critically, political parties’ manifestoes give to them during campaigns.

Abubakar urged PDP members to continue to support the party and the country.

Earlier, Dokpesi had said that though he had not formally declared his ambition, he was in Minna to seek Abubakar’s blessings and support to his aspiration of becoming the national chairman of PDP.

He said that in spite of the desire of Abubakar to rest after ruling the country, his wealth of experience and inspirations were still needed.

“I and my group believe in the unity, stability and indivisibility of Nigeria.

“We believe in united Nigeria and in harnessing the efforts and the dreams of our heroes like you.

“We want to use the PDP which you graciously approved, to mobilise Nigerians towards unity.

“We want the prosperity which you dreamt up to be transformed to reality still in your life time so that you can say this is my effort and contribution to the wellbeing of Nigeria.

“I have come with committed Nigerians to seek your blessings and endorsement in moving forward, to be PDP chairman,’’ he said.

Dokpesi commended the contributions of Abubakar to the unity, stability and democracy Nigerians were currently enjoying.

“It was as a result of the sacrifice you made during your days military officer and as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, that in 1999, you handed over to a democratically-elected government.

“That was the beginning of the fourth republic.

“You had the option of actually telling the nation that the few months you had in office was too short and that you wanted to extend by six months or one year at that time.

“But, you chose to return Nigeria to part of democracy.”

:Vanguard 

Flying Dutch win WORLD SOLAR CAR race in Australia

Dutch team “Nuon” Thursday won an epic 3,000-kilometre (1,860-mile) solar car race across Australia’s outback for the third-straight year, continuing its dominance of an innovative contest showcasing new vehicle technology. 

The World Solar Challenge, first run in 1987 and last held in 2015, began in the northern city of Darwin on Sunday morning, with 41 competing cars heading to the final destination of Adelaide in South Australia.

Cheers and chants of “Nuna” roared from the large Dutch contingent as the “Nuna 9” car — travelling at an average speed of 81.2 kilometres per hour (55.5 mph) — crossed the finish line mid-afternoon.

“Welcome to #Adelaide @NuonSolarTeam, winner of the @bridgestone #BWSC17 Schneider Electric Challenger Class,” race organisers tweeted.

The US’ University of Michigan “Novum” finished just under two hours behind in second place ahead of Belgium’s Punch Powertrain, which completed the race half an hour later.

The event has become one of the world’s foremost innovation challenges with teams looking to demonstrate designs that could one day lead to commercially available solar-powered vehicles for passengers.

Google co-founder Larry Page and Tesla co-founder J B Straubel are past competitors who credit the event in influencing their careers

The win is the seventh for Nuon, with their car overcoming cloudy skies as they took the lead early and stayed ahead in the elite Challenger class, which features slick, single seat aerodynamic vehicles built for sustained endurance and total energy efficiency.

The team’s winning time was 37 hours, 10 minutes and 41 seconds. When their team finished first in 2015, it took them 33.03 hours.

Team manager Sander Koot said they changed their strategy and driving style to cope with weather conditions that included wind gusts of up to 60 kmh.

They also positioned the car so it could benefit from the windy conditions like a sailing ship, the team’s aerodynamics expert Jasper Hemmes told organisers.

There is also a Cruiser class which aims to showcase solar technology for mainstream vehicles that are more practical for day-to-day use.

Another Dutch team, Eindhoven, is on track to finish Friday and win that class, with Germany’s HS Bochum tracking second.

The vehicles are powered by the sun and mostly developed by universities or corporations, with teams hailing from Australia and countries across the world including the United States, Malaysia, India and South Africa.

They are allowed to store a small amount of energy but the majority of their power has to come from the sun and the vehicle’s kinetic forces.

The crews drove between 8am and 5pm each day with seven checkpoints along a route cutting through the heart of Australia’s central desert region, to get updates on their standings, the weather, and do basic maintenance.

grk/klm

:Vanguard 

Sub-Saharan AFRICA TO GROW at a slower rate this year, says World Bank

Economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to be 2.4 percent in 2017, the World Bank said on Wednesday, down from the 2.6 percent projected in April.

It said the downgrade was due to a number of reasons, including Nigeria’s failing to meet expectations but also broader conditions.

“Regional per capita output growth is forecast to be negative for the second consecutive year, while investment growth remains low, and productivity growth is falling,” it said.

Growth across the region, however, was seen rising 3.2 percent in 2018 and 3.5 percent in 2019, forecasts unchanged from earlier this year.

In its latest Africa Pulse report, the Bank said the region would be helped by better commodity prices. Sub-Saharan African economies have been hit by lower commodity prices which slowed growth in the last few years, cutting government revenues.

Albert Zeufack, World Bank chief economist for Africa, said the region’s growth recovery would partly be driven by the continent’s two largest economies — Nigeria and South Africa — exiting recession.

He said the two countries need “deeper reforms” to get back to pre-2014 levels of growth and their political uncertainty needs to be reined in. He said they make up about half of Sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP growth.

The World Bank said Nigeria’s economy, the largest in the continent, was expected to expand by 1 percent in 2017.

South Africa’s economy, hit by political worries, was expected to grow just 0.6 percent this year (arabnews)

:The Sun 

IMF warns Nigeria, others on DANGERS OF FOREIGN LOANS

From Washington DC

The International Monetary Fund, IMF, yesterday, warned Nigeria and other low income countries against the dangers of reliance on foreign borrowings.

Data by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, NBS, indicates the country’s increased exposure to foreign loans, which rose by 40 percent to $15.047 billion as at September 2017 from $10.718 billion in 2015.

Financial Counsellor and Director, Monetary and Capital Markets Department, IMF, Tobias Andrian gave this warning while speaking at a press briefing on the Global Financial Stability Report released at the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings in Washington D.C.

He warned that greater reliance on foreign borrowing may at some point become a vulnerability to the economies of Nigeria and other low income countries.

Andrian noted that portfolio inflow to emerging economies is expected to hit $300 billion in 2017, with Nigeria and other low income countries benefiting from easy financial conditions by expanding their access to international bond markets, adding that this is expected to further support growth prospects in these countries.

He said: “Borrowing by governments, households and companies (not including banks) in the so-called Group of 20 exceeds $135 trillion, equivalent to about 235 per cent of their combined gross domestic product. Despite low interest rates, debt servicing burdens have risen in several economies. And while borrowing has helped the recovery, it has also created new financial risks.”

IMF commends FG on infrastructure gap reduction

Meanwhile, the IMF has commended the efforts by the Federal Government to reduce infrastructure gap in the country.

Giving this commendation, in an interview on the sidelines of the launch of the fund’s Fiscal Monitor, at the ongoing World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings in Washington DC, Assistant Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF, Mrs. Catherine Pattillo, said: “There is a need for urgent actions to front-load fiscal consolidation through mobilising more non-oil revenue.”

In another development, the World Bank yesterday said that economic activities in the   Sub-Saharan Africa will growth at 2.4 per cent this year, up from 1.3 per cent in 2016 but lower than 2.6 per cent projected in April for the region.

The projection was contained in the new  Africa’s Pulse, a bi-annual analysis of the state of African economies conducted by the World Bank released yesterday.

:Vanguard 

CALABAR PORT COMES ALIVE

CALABAR—The Calabar Port, Cross River State, yesterday,  came alive as a vessel,Desert Ranger from Greece  with 60,000 metric tons of wheat berth.

Speaking with journalists, the Calabar Port Manager, Mrs Fumilayo Olotu said that the arrival of Desert Ranger was an indication that the port was ready and open for serious business.

Her words: This is a great sign for investors from far and near to know that the Calabar port has capacity to carry this kind of vessel.  Any investor who desires it, then we can deliver it. The water will be dredged in the coming weeks as we are ready to advertise very soon and we want every investors to know that a new vista of opportunities has been opened.

“For a 200meters long  and capacity of 62,000 metric tons vessel to berth here directly from Europe, Greece to be precise,  shows we mean business and we are have a synergy with the state government on creating a condusive atmosphere for investors so as to create traffic.”

:Vanguard 

RESTRUCTURING: You can’t treat unequals equally, El-rufai Tells Igbos, others

ABUJA — Amid agitation by leaders of the South East for the creation of an additional state in the zone, Kaduna State governor and chairman of ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Committee on True Federalism, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has declared that it would be a grave injustice to agitate for “equal unequals”.

According to him, even in population and resources, the regions  of the country are not uniformly endowed.

He, however, said though the representatives of the agitators were few in number, “the majority must always win.”

Speaking at a town hall meeting organised by his committee to get inputs from youths, the governor said when people talk about restructuring, most proponents think of their zones while no one thinks of the country.

He said:  “The greatest injustice is trying to make equals unequal and unequals equal; things are not done like that. What do I mean by that? There are those who have said that Nigeria and United States are the same.

“It is just like saying everyone who is six feet, five can play basket ball. As human beings, we are equal but you cannot come and stand here and say we should create nine states in each zone, Nigeria is not equal, likewise the population and resources, you can’t do that.

“The representatives of the agitators are few in number and so the majority must always win. The president of the country exists, the Senate exists and there are 36 states of the federation.

‘’We the old ones are still here, some of us are good, some are bad, like the youths but you must learn to live with us because we are still here.

“Now, some people say because we have oil, let us have resource control.   We must think of what is in the overall interest of Nigeria.

‘’By that I mean what works for everyone. Because what works for one part of the county will not necessarily work for the other and so as long as we are from one country, we must seek for what is of common good, not the one that serves one interest group.

:Vanguard 

GOVERNORS SEEK DEVOLUTION OF POWER

In view of the clamour for restructuring, governors are seeking for the devolution of powers to state.

Zamfara State governor and chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum ( NGF), Abdulaziz Yari disclosed this to State House Correspondents after the meeting of the forum on Wednesday night.

Recall that the National Assembly voted against devolution of powers in the constitution amendment exercise.

According to Yari, they will liase with the National Assembly on the devolution of powers bill.

:Leadership 

NNPC pushes for NEW REFINERY IN AKWA IBOM

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Wednesday, said it had engaged investors to establish a refinery in Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking at the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria’s, PENGASSAN, Triennial Retreat/Synergy workshop in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Group Managing Director of the Mr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru, said the state was well-positioned geographically to have a refinery.

He said, “The investors have been coming to us and I have seen one that is quite promising. It is in this light that I encouraged these investors to come and see the state government and discuss.

Baru explained that although the preferred location of the investors was not Akwa Ibom State, but he had convinced them to consider establishing the refinery there, to leverage, especially on the state’s deep coastline.

He called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to explore partnership opportunities provided by investors towards establishing the refinery in the state.

Speaking further Baru called on industry players to brace up for change in the sector, while he stressed that the current state of the international energy market, the urgent need to rehabilitate the nation’s refineries as well as the Petroleum Industry (Governance) Bill currently being considered by the National Assembly, were dire challenges, necessitating that the industry charts a new course.

Baru emphasized that navigating these challenges successfully required strong, purposeful and focused leadership from stakeholders in an industry where changing regulatory and macroeconomic realities are imminent.

He seized the opportunity of the event to commend the Petroleum & Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum & Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, for their role in ensuring harmony in the nation’s Oil and Gas Industry, saying this has helped stabilize petroleum products supply across the country.

“I would like to appreciate the support given to us by the two unions, PENGASSAN and NUPENG. You have over the years exhibited high level of maturity and partnership. This is evident in your pragmatic approach to issues, your support during difficult times as well as strategic engagement with industry stakeholders which has not only guaranteed industrial peace and harmony, but has also ensured the stable supply of petroleum products across the country,” Baru stated.

He assured that NNPC Management would continue to accord priority to staff welfare and ensure that staff are trained to face the current realities of the industry.

Baru, who congratulated PENGASSAN for a successful delegates’ conference, also urged them to chart a new course for the Union and the oil and gas industry that is hinged on greater collaboration for improved productivity and innovative ideas towards growth and development.

Also speaking, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, said the State Government had been working hard towards attracting private investors to build a refinery in the state.

Emmanuel, who was represented at the occasion by one of his top special advisers, Pastor Umoh Bassey, urged oil companies in the country to deploy more resources to sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects in their host communities, while he further extolled the strategic role of PENGASSAN in moving the nation’s economy forward.

The Governor challenged the industry unions to partner with their employers in the area of capacity building for the betterment of the industry.

In his welcome address, the National President of PENGASSAN, Comrade Francis Johnson, pledged the oil workers’ union commitment to remain “true partners of progress in the nation’s Oil & Gas Industry.”

:Vanguard 

POLICE ARREST DAVIDO, quiz aides over friend’s death

Investigation into the death of Dagbo Umeke, friend of hip- pop artist, David Adeleke , popularly known as Davido, took a different dimension Wednesday, following his arrest, upon discovery that his statement was laced with falsehood.

Davido , during investigation, reportedly told investigative team at Lion Building division , Lagos Island , that he was not at Shisha bar , from where the deceased was rushed and dumped at the Lagos Island General.

Davido in his statement also said that he had left the bar , for DNA night club in Victoria Island area of the state, from where he was informed about Umeke’s death.

But when briefing journalists on the update of the investigation, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police command, Imohimi Edgal, disclosed that preliminary investigation showed that late Umeke was rushed to the hospital on David’s instruction.

:Vanguard 

SEADOGS JOIN CALLS FOR RESTRUCTURING

The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), also known as the Pyrates

Confraternity, has drummed support for the restructuring of the

country saying such move would address the rising agitation for

cessation among ethnic nationalities.

A statement signed by the International President of NAS, Arthur Boje

Esq, explained that there was little or no disagreement among

Nigerians and students of Nigerian history about the fact that from

either the 1914 amalgamation or the independence in 1960 till date,

the Nigerian project had not been a success story.

“Taking a reference from indices which included; Gross Domestic

Product (GDP) per capita income, infant mortality, life expectancy,

literacy, physical and social infrastructure, cost of governance, and

public-sector efficiency, the Nigerian experiment has, for the most

part, proven to be an unmitigated failure. We are of the view that

urgent and radical measures are required to rescue Nigeria from an

impending disaster,” the statement noted.

The NAS leader also stated that the association was resolute in its belief

that rationality and good conscience demand the restructuring of any

polity.

“Obscenely rewards political office holders who “served” for only 4

or 8 years, with hundreds of millions of naira in lifetime pensions

and free housing, while retired civil servants who sacrificed as long

as 35 years of their lives in the service of the nation, slump and

sometimes die, on endless queues, waiting for paltry pension receipts

that they cannot be sure will ever come.

Has an educational system that brazenly demands from one pupil a score of up to 130 points while requiring from his or her classmate a mere 4 points to qualify for the next class, solely on the basis of their

different ethnic backgrounds, certainly needs to be restructured,’’.

Boje, who is also the NAS Cap’n, said the above deficiencies coupled

with other manifestations of structural imbalances that have remained

the major impediments to the socioeconomic development of Nigeria are responsible for the current increased tension and restiveness across

the country.

Boje, said the organisation said that since the restructuring idea has

received various interpretations among proponents and opponents,

including the call for such initiatives as the devolution of political

power from the federal government to the states or indeed to regions,

it is vital for the government to heed the call.

He maintained that his organisation would not be ‘‘ bogged down in an

effort to define these demands. We however consider ourselves

duty-bound to draw attention to various critical issues about today’s

Nigeria that should have a direct impact on the main restructuring debate".

:The Sun 

Tension in Delta over rumoured KILLER VACCINE

There was tension in Asaba, the Delta State capital, and environs as rumours about alleged military invasion of schools in neighbouring Anambra State continued to spread, on Wednesday.

Unknown gunmen, men dressed in military uniform, had reportedly invaded schools in Anambra State and allegedly injecting pupils and students with anti-monkeypox vaccines which was resulting in the death of the pupils.

Panic mode was activated in Asaba following alleged threats that the uniformed men would soon invade Delta State, with Asaba being the border town with Anambra State.

At about 11:30am, on Wednesday, anxious parents, in Asaba, had stormed schools to withdraw their children before the alleged killer vaccines could get to them.

At Uzoigwe Primary School, along Nnebisi Road, concerned parents allegedly broke down the gate of the school in desperate bid to pick up their children before official closing hour.

:The Sun 

Why Ohanaeze supports IPOB’s ban - Nwodo

UMUAHIA—THE President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, has said that the apex Igbo socio-cultural body supported the decision of the South-East Governors in proscribing activities of the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, because the decision saved several lives and doused the explosive tension in Igboland.

Nwodo said that Ohanaeze saw the governors’ decision as very wise hence the need to align with their position to save the nation from what would have been a major crisis following the clash between IPOB members and soldiers.

According to the Ohanaeze leader, people, especially youths, misunderstand the action of South-East Governors in proscribing activities of the IPOB. He said the governors took the action “out of a genuine desire to safeguard the lives of young people.”

Nwodo said in Igbo culture, when a father senses danger outside, he chases his children inside the house, locks them inside the house and waits for the danger to abate to ensure the safety of the children. “That was what the governors did and Ohanaeze Ndigbo is happy with the wisdom showed by our governors. I am particularly pleased with the foresight of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for timely imposition of a curfew on the commercial city of Aba. By that singular action, several lives were saved, and it helped to calm the tension down. Governor Ikpeazu, you are a wise man and we are grateful to you,” Chief Nwodo said.

He explained that without the action taken by the South East governors, the zone would still be engulfed in bloodshed, saying that Ohanaeze Ndigbo would not sit by and allow the youths of Igboland to be cut down prematurely. Nwodo who spoke in Umuahia at the third inauguration of the state and local government executive committees of the Abia State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, urged the youths to realise that the governors took the decision for their own good.

According to Nwodo, though no Igbo man is happy with their position in Nigeria, agitation for the restoration of Biafra was not Igbo agenda in the quest for a better deal in the Nigeria project. Chief Nwodo maintained that restructuring of the polity is and remains the position of Nidigbo hence the aggressive call for restructuring of the country to ensure equity and fairness to all sections of Nigeria.

The Ohanaeze president general reminded the youths that the restoration of Biafra was not an easy task but rather, a tall order given the constitutional roadblocks to cross. He said that pursuing Biafra restoration would not be in the overall interest of the Igbo in their socio-economic and political relationships with other sections of Nigerians.

Nwodo said,“We should forget Biafra and insist on restructuring.” Though he said that there is no Igbo that is happy with the situation of things in Nigeria, he noted that “we must seek for peaceful ways of resolving the issues.”

He observed that while the youths were justified in expressing their anger at the way Ndigbo were being marginalized in national affairs, yet they should moderate their actions and words, pointing out that hate speeches would not resolve any problem.

Insisting that Ohanaeze Ndigbo has nothing personal against the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, the president general explained that in their engagement with the leader of IPOB, he and his members were urged to tone down the choice of words, respect other people’s views and desist from denigrating people and groups.

Quest for restructuring

Nwodo also said that Kanu was reminded that his insistence on Biafra’s restoration and boycott of the Anambra election were not acceptable to Ndigbo and that he should drop his rigid position and join in the quest for restructuring.

In his remarks, Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, said that Nigeria and the world at large were passing through perilous times hence the need to seek for amicable ways to resolve issues. “We believe in justice, equity and fairness. I believe in live and let live,” Governor Ikpeazu said, pointing out that nobody takes delight in being oppressed.

The governor advised Igbo youths to learn to respect leaders and listen to advice of elders instead of embarking on agitations to express their frustrations.

Ikpeazu said that henceforth, youths and any Igbo person or group that has grievances should complain to Ohanaeze which would take the matter up with the appropriate authorities.

:Vanguard 

What Next After IPOB?

FOR keen followers of the activities of Nnamdi Kanu’s Independent People Of Biafra,IPOB, it was only a matter of time before the whole thing implodes. Arrogant, long on talk and shamanism, but short on critical thinking, planning and execution. In just three months, Kanu lost almost all of the goodwill he enjoyed from all nooks and crannies of the country. Disrespectful, loquacious and ‘megalomaniacal’, he was insulted people and sometimes whole nations without regard  to tradition. Let it be clear to all that no nation can go the secession route alone without the cooperation of other nations in the union.

He wants the South south minority nation to join them without a deliberate plan to woo them to his cause. He was disdainful of political office holders whose support would have helped his cause and even threatened to ground the election process  in Anambra state. His exploits are too numerous to record here and so, when the federal government came down hard with all its might – Operation Python D ance 2, he had no one to stand up for him. Alas, it was all sound and fury with no substance.

The politicians from his part of the country must be heaving a sigh of relief, Kanu was beginning to deify himself as a supreme commander, what a joke! But the focus of this piece is not Nnamdi Kanu. It is an analysis of the seriousness of the fight against the IPOB and how it was successfully executed.  A lot of people have criticised the heavy handed manner our military men handled the task, rolling tanks and artilleries against defenseless citizens, that again is a debate for another day. Our military forces must   feel satisfied with the manner with which they dealt with the IPOB revolt.  So, our forces can really carry out a task to its logical conclusion? So they can really face the enemy without wilthing? We must give them kudos for a job well done. Now, having completed the IPOB assignment, the President and his military chiefs must prove to Nigerians that what happened in Abia is not a fluke. They have shown from their display in Abia that when they set their minds to a task they can accomplish it.

It is now time for the big assignment – the  herdsmen or whatever name they are called. They have been maiming, raping, killing and rendering innocent citizens homeless since this dispensation took off. Farmers have been displaced from their farms resulting in scarcity and increase in prices of food items in the country. Their activities have since defied solution for over two years now, we are happy that we now have an invigorated armed forces, we expect them to confront those monster herds men with the same efficiency and seriousness they handled the IPOB challenge. In fact, the herds men threat is far greater than IPOB with the numbers of killings registered against them.

Nnamdi Kanu and his IPOB have been run aground, what is left for our government and the military? The herds men are still striking. We do not know if the Boko Haram has transformed to herds men or the herds men are on their own but the recent capture of one of Boko Haram’s deadliest commander in Ondo state suggest that they work together, meaning; the herds men or whatever they are called are another arm of Boko Haram. That the federal government and our military authorities are not dealing with this issue with all the seriousness it deserves make a section of the country uncomfortable. What is good for the goose is good for the gander, the same measure that was applied to IPOB must be used for the herds men, that is the only way to convince people that the affair of this country is being run with fairness.

Recently, we have witnessed an unprecedented surge of strange faces in the southern part of the country, they are not only very visible but now display a kind of hubris that has not been known  among this band. You can even feel it in the ordinary suya seller, not to talk of the okada riders. The whole space is invaded by strange faces. Upon  probing, it is discover that they come  from Niger, Mali, Benin, Chad and other  neighbouring countries. These people  because of religion have aligned with the Boko Haram insurgents. They are in fact their spies and foot soldiers. Their activities are a source of concern to discerning minds and it is hoped that our various intelligence agencies will handle these ones with the same decisiveness that they did with IPOB.

The body language of this government towards activities of herds men  has not given anyone enough confidence on their ability to deal with the menace that the herds men constitute. Not one of their big actors or sponsors has been identified or taken into custody. The threat of the herds men is worse than every previous experience apart from the Boko Haram.  They not only kill innocent persons, they are also a big threat to the economy. Their activities are chasing farmers out of business and in this period of rains and good harvests, the gains would be lost if the herds men are not put under check. I do not know how they want to do it but the coming of Buhari gave us hope that Boko Haram and  others groups will be put under check. Instead, we witnessed the resurgence of the herds men’s activities and they have been having a free reign since then. Buhari must deal with the herds men decisively as he has done with the IPOB. The tackling of insurgency in this country must be done with equal efficiency for all, no colouration of any kind. Our military Chiefs, our intelligence agencies, government, communities, tribes and regions must collaborate to ensure the surge of herds men is put under check.

:Vanguard  

2019 Presidential Election: PDP ZONES TO NORTH

Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, National Chairman, National Caretaker Committee, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to honouring its zoning agreement.

He stated this on Tuesday in Abuja in a meeting with Northern leaders and elders of PDP to harmonise the region’s position on the zoning arrangement for the 2019 general elections and the party’s convention in December.

Recently, a ranking member of the party and the governor of Ekiti State Ayodele Fayose declared his intention to run for the highest position in Nigeria, flouting the party’s zoning of the position to the North.

Makarfi therefore urged party members to respect the zoning arrangement, saying that it was one of the decisions taken at the Port Harcourt Convention in May.

“I want to expatiate that the Supreme Court has also affirmed the supremacy of our convention.

“I wish to emphasize that the Supreme Court in affirming the authenticity of our caretaker committee has also reaffirmed the supremacy of decisions of the convention.

“One of the decisions taken at the convention is that of the composition of the caretaker committee and that of zoning of presidency and party chairman.

“As for the issue of micro zoning, I believe that what is required in both the south and north is consultation.

“As for presidency, it is clear that there is no confusion, but I want us to exercise caution so that we will not misinterpret what was said at the convention.

“While zoning has been recognized by the convention, micro zoning is not binding on any member.

“That is why I am saying consultation is the best way to build consensus on any issue. The party has been promoting consultation and consensus as the way forward,” he said.

The chairman called for constructive engagement among the zones on the zoning arrangement in a way that nobody would be denied his fundamental human rights.

“Let’s engage ourselves; nobody will be forced to vote in a particular manner. I am confident that we will get to a level where we can deepen consensus.

“If we have overwhelming consensus, PDP will come out of the convention with less crisis and we will be home and dry.”

He further called for unity among PDP members without which the party would find it difficult to regain power in 2019.

In his remark, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the party, Sen. Walid Jubrin, urged party members to respect the zoning arrangements.

He advised all zones in the North to come together and look inward with a view to agreeing on a credible candidate that could be presented for the presidential ticket.

“The North is blessed with so many capable politicians. We must be able to take a decision that will be acceptable to the North and the country”

One of the conveners of the meeting, Prof. Jerry Gana, advised the party to elect the best candidates in accordance with its zoning formula.

Gana urged PDP members to dismiss the recent declaration of a presidential ambition by Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose.

He said that the party’s presidential ticket for 2019 had been zoned to the North and it remained sacrosanct.

“I want to appeal to you to give to the party the very best in the positions that have been zoned to us.

“Let us therefore give to the party, men and women of impeccable integrity.

“Whatever the Fayoses of this world may be doing, the party has resolved that the presidential candidate will come from one of the three zones in the North,” Gana said.

:Vanguard 

Ambode backs Tinubu on DEVOLUTION OF POWERS

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday said the State Government is backing  the position of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on the issues of devolution of powers and the need to entrench true federalism.

Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Fourth Quarter, 2017 Town Hall Meeting, the 9th in the series, held at the SUBEB Proposed Permanent Site in Kosofe Local Government, said the clamour across the country for restructuring was not out of place as the current political structure was seriously hindering Nigeria’s development.  

Tinubu, at a forum held in Lagos recently, backed the calls for devolution of powers and the need for the nation to truly adopt the practice of true federalism, submitting that it was the surest way to correct the nation’s power imbalance and quell the agitations for secession.

The Governor, while responding to a question raised by a resident on calls for true federalism said, “I support true federalism; I support all the issues raised by Asiwaju; we are on the same page. That is the page of APC; that is where we are and that is what we are committed to. Like I have always said, we need to deal with issues that relate to devolution of powers. Like somebody said, if I have more resources, all these items that you are coming to raise here, once you raise it, I will just say done. I need more money. So, why should somebody be saying they are the ones in charge of inland waterways when the waterways is transporting my own people and my own services and when there is a law about it”.

Governor Ambode also questioned why despite the existence of Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law enacted by the Lagos State House of Assembly, there were still attempts from the central government to regulate hotels and entertainment centres in the State, a situation he said was an anomaly that should be addressed accordingly.   

“We enact a law and somebody says he wants to do another law that regulates hotels inside Lagos. Is it not because of the roads that they put hotel there? That is what devolution of power is saying. If these things are on residual list, let Local Government and States deal with them. That is all that we are asking for. It’s not that we will generate Value Added Tax (VAT) here and somebody will be sharing 50 per cent of the VAT somewhere else.

“So, obviously that is the whole idea behind this agitation for true federalism, devolution of powers and the need to use it to liberate ourselves so that we can get more prosperous; so that our people can be more comfortable and it is all about the welfare of our people. Our people have said that we should do this work and we must be able to speak on your behalf on the things that really matter to all of you,” he said.

Alluding to the fact that the last four months of the year, popularly called the Ember months usually spring up security challenges, the Governor charged Traditional Rulers and community leaders in the State to join hands with the State Government to wage a total war against all forms of crimes as well as drug abuse in their various communities.

He said his administration will not relent in its efforts towards reducing the menace, adding however that concerted efforts from the traditional rulers and community leaders, who are closest to the people, were very pivotal to achieving the desired result.

“We are in October and we are going to December, naturally, when it gets to the ember months, somehow traditionally, crime rate go up but in the last two years, we have been able to reduce crime rate when it is coming to December.

“I want to appeal to all our traditional rulers and other community leaders; there is a need for us to support the Neighborhood Safety Corps. Also our volunteers and the people should now be more vigilant and then cooperate with our security agencies to maintain law and order.  I want to reduce the crime rate to the barest minimum and I know that we are going to engage a lot of our youths in end of the year activities to make sure that peace continue to reign in Lagos,” the Governor said.

Besides, Governor Ambode also implored the various Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to increase their awareness campaign on the dangers of drug abuse, saying that there was an urgent need for them to also join the fight against all forms of domestic and sexual violence.

“Like people already know, we are at the forefront of fighting drugs, sexual abuse and violence against women and children, we will not relent in fighting these menace in the society. I believe strongly this is the time to talk to our children; I believe strongly this is the time to talk to our wards and even those who are around us that this time around, the State Government is ready to fight crime in all its ramifications,” he said.

The Governor also commended residents for their continuous support to his administration, saying that it had gone a long way in driving the various infrastructural development programmes implemented by the State Government.

He particularly commended the efforts of some community associations who have taken the initiative to start up projects in their vicinity, assuring that aside recognition from the State Government, his administration would ensure that such projects would be supported to ensure realisation.  

Governor Ambode also tasked chairmen of the 20 local government and 37 local council development areas to look into the welfare of persons living with disabilities and the elderly, saying that the all inclusive mantra of his administration must be felt in every part of the State.

The Governor, who reeled out some of the major projects embarked on by his administration in the last quarter which include commencement of the reconstruction of Oshodi International Airport Road, construction of Pen Cinema Flyover, opening of the DNA Centre, appealed to residents on inconveniences being experienced as a result of ongoing projects and assured that they would be completed on schedule.

He said the State Government was deeply concerned about the traffic situation in Apapa area in recent times, saying that efforts would be put in place to address it, just as he said that 43 major link roads affected by rain would be rehabilitated before the end of the year.  

Among dignitaries present at the event include Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, former Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, former Speakers of the House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Hon Jokotola Pelumi, APC Chairman in Lagos, Chief Henry Ajomale, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I and other major traditional rulers, members of the State Executive Council, among others.  

:The Nation