Nigeria At 57: Any Hope For Nigerians? By Adekunle Kojeku

A nation at 57 still crawling, crying and clamouring for helping hand. Nigerians have been told on countless times that our land is filled with milk and honey yet all these claims still remain a mirage. I am still yet to come to terms with Nigeria's dreams that propel the proponents of our independence from colonial rule during the pre-independence era.

Prior to our independence, the 1914 amalgamation had provided a basis for disunity that will then turnout  to be a thorn in the flesh of the unholy union christened Nigeria.

Nigeria is a nation that house many nations whose interest is different from one another. On daily basis we kept on hearing our unity is not negotiable by those in corridors of power who are driven by selfish gain and not the service to those who elected them.

We have been hoodwink to believe our unity is not negotiable, but the nation seems to be in the hand of a section of the country. This ugly scenario also play out in our President's lopsided appointments. No wonder Niccolo Machiavelli said "the first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him."

Without loosing track of the subject matter, which is Nigeria at 57, to some we have a reasons to celebrate, but for many the celebration calls for sober reflections. As a nation whose citizens lives in abject poverty despite the fact that we were told our country is out of double digit recession, the impact is yet to crystallise into gains.

As a nation our problems are just too many taking a look from the perspectives of basic needs of individuals, electricity, water, job the list is endless yet all these are not been provided for by those elected to ameliorate the sufferings of the past. Things have remain unchanged despite the false hope of change hoisted on us by the present administration.

There seems to be no hope in sight regarding solutions to the anomalies that have bedeviled this nation for so long. It is a clear case of leaders who are bereft of ideas. What appears to be in their heads is how to milk dry our commonwealth.

At 57, we are yet to to get our bearing as a nation and that has been one of the major reasons why the calls for devolution of power and restructuring are the hottest debate in the annals of our political space.

I call on all Nigerians to rise beyond ethnic and religion colouration to take the bull by the horn at making sure we arrest the situation to favour all and sundry. Don't forget whenever they are looting our resources they don't care about religion or ethnicity they do this in one accord. It's time to resist them as Nigeria clock 57 from colonial rule.

Long live Nigeria

Black Sunday In Ozubulu Catholic Church Shooting: Obiano Visits Scene, Hospital

.. Shooting caused by Feud between Brothers living Outside Nigeria

The Ozubulu community in Ekwusigo local government area of Anambra State were this morning thrown into mourning as a gun man walked into St Philip's Catholic Church and started shooting sporadically, killing 11 and injuring 18 persons.On hearing the sad development, Governor Obiano stormed the scene to ascertain the level of damage and sympathize with the people. 

Speaking at the Church premises, the governor revealed that preliminary security investigations show that the shooting was caused by a feud between two brothers from the community living outside Nigeria."This is sacrilegious, totally unacceptable in Anambra State." - Gov Obiano.The deeply saddened governor asked the people to go about their businesses without fear or panic noting that this isolated case must be followed to the root and all perpetrators must be brought to book. 

"We can't allow this happen in Anambra, we must get everyone involved to face the music" the governor declared.Gov Obiano also visited Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi where the injured are being treated. 

Thanking over 50 doctors who were on ground looking after the injured, the governor assured their families that all medical bills will be taken care of by the State Government.

President Muhammadu Buhari Arrives Nigeria Amid Unconfirmed Reports

Unconfirmed report has it that President Muhammadu Buhari arrives Abuja this evening. This might be unconnected to the report on the various medium that the presidential jet had left London base earlier in the day.

It should be noted that the President had left the shores of Nigeria since May 7th, 2017 on medical vacation to London. His absence had created a lots of hullabaloo in the political settings of the land, thereby prompting some governors and APC chieftains to pay him visit the Abuja house in London to ascertain his health conditions.

The details of this information remain sketchy as at the time of compiling this report. We therefore,  awaits the president media office to issue official statement to this effect.

Details soon

POPULAR SANGO OTTA PASTOR’S WIFE ABANDONS MATRIMONIAL HOME OVER ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON HER HUSBAND

We can inform you authoritatively that the wife of Founder of White house Ministries (Aladura Worldwide) in Ijoko Ota, Sango in Ogun West Senatorial district, Pastor Dr.Abayomi Samuel has fled her matrimonial home after four reported assassination attempts on her husband and family.

We gathered that Mrs Deborah Samuel whose husband is a fierce radical preacher known for his harsh criticism on the ills of Nigerian Society like, Kidnapping, child abuse, Political assassination, corruption, child labour, prostitution and many others was forced to flee their Sango Otta residence

some months back when some unidentified assailants visited their church on the 21st of May, 2017 to request for Pastor Samuel while Deborah and the kids were planning for his birthday celebration.

The unknown assailants who carried machetes and cudgels broke into the church and started shouting  “where is Pastor Samuel and why was he lambasting our King and our Political benefactor on his Pulpit, We will deal with him and hang his head on the Pulpit where he Preaches" .

It was gathered that it was some members of the local vigilante group (OPC), which was securing the church that confronted the assailants before his wife and kids managed to flee the church on that fateful day.

And as of the time of filing this report, onthegoinformation gathered that the whereabout of the wife and kids are still unknown to anybody, including her family members for fear of not exposing them to danger again.

We  gathered conclusively that Pastor Dr.Abayomi Samuel, was also able to escape the assailants attack miraculously through the same local guards who protected his wife and kids on same day too, after which he  fled out of Sango otta to an unknown destination.

A  Police source who chose to remain anonymous at Sango Otta Divisional Police HQ, confirmed the incident to onthegoinformation.

Boko Haram war Is far from being over, Buratai warns troops

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen.Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has warned troops fighting Boko Haram terrorists in North-East Nigeria to remain steadfast and be more proactive.

The army chief gave the warning, on Wednesday, while addressing officers and men of the Nigeria Army in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

Although he commended the soldiers for the successes recorded so far in the fight against the insurgents, he asked them to remain resolute as the war is not yet over.

“The war has not yet been won and all is not over until it is over. Hence, I congratulate you on the progress made so far but we must do more.”

Buratai also asked them to work in harmony with other security operatives, saying no meaningful progress would be made without their cooperation.

“Let me urge you to partner with other security agents in prosecuting the war and anything less will jeopardise the efforts of the security forces as a whole.

“I want to assure you that the highest military hierarchy will continue to give you all the necessary support in the fight,” he added.

Elsewhere, the army chief visited the Emir of Damaturu, Shehu Hashimi II Ibn Umar El Kanemi, at his palace where he called for his support and the people in the fight against terrorism.

He thanked the traditional ruler for the support the soldiers had received over the years and solicited for more collaboration between security forces and the people.
In his response, the Emir commended the military for the role it has played over the years in ensuring peace returns to the community and other parts in the North-East assured that the people of his jurisdiction will continue to partner security operatives in the fight against the insurgents.

He further assured General Buratai that the people would continue to partner with security operatives in the fight against the insurgents.

Source Channelstv

I am not sure if I will contest In Ogun Gubernatorial race – Senator Adeola Yayi

The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Solomon Adeola, said on Tuesday that he has not yet made up his mind to contest the governorship poll in Ogun State come 2019, stating he was still consulting with stakeholders and would ensure he carried his “constituents along in any decision to contest election in Ogun State.”

The lawmaker, who is currently representing Lagos West, said this at the Second Town Hall meeting and empowerment programme for his constituents which took place Lagos at Badagry, Lagos.

This was just as he called on the Federal Government to increase budgetary allocation to Lagos West Senatorial District in view of its unequal population as well as the numerous Federal establishments in the senatorial district.

“Before I proceed, I consider it appropriate at this point to discuss a matter that is of topical interest among my constituents and elsewhere in the political sphere. I am talking about the issue of my humble self possibly contesting for the governorship seat of Ogun State.

“Without mincing words and from the depth of my heart, I am full of gratitude for the rare opportunity given to me to serve the people of Lagos State, first as a state legislator representing Alimosho Constituency 2 and secondly as a member of the House of Representatives representing Alimosho Federal constituency and now as a senator for Lagos West.“

I do not take you generosity and magnanimity lightly and I hope I have not disappointed you in these public offices that you entrusted in me through your mandate.“But as the saying goes, ‘Ile la bo simi oko,’ and my dear people from Ogun State are earnestly yearning for my service as I have demonstrated here in the only ‘Centre of Excellence’ in Nigeria.

However, let me state that the present situation is that of wide spread consultations and stakeholders in Ogun State and in our party, APC, on the desirability of such a political move.“For now, no decision has been reached and I pledge that I will always carry my constituents along in any decision to contest in Ogun state. But as I said, I do not take your support and confidence in me over these years lightly. I will cherish it for the rest of my life whatever the circumstances going forward,” the senator said.

Justify his call for more federal presence in the Lagos West Senatorial District, Adeola contended that the district accommodated several Federal Government strategic institutions as well as key corporate concerns, insisting that such an area deserved all the infrastructural support it could get on a yearly basis.

This, he said, would be in addition to the burden Lagos State government had to bear in attending to development challenges of the massive urbanization that was ongoing in Lagos West.

The lawmaker, however, assured the people of his senatorial district that he would work in conjunction with his colleagues in the relevant Senate Committees overseeing various agencies to ensure that all the capital projects provided for in the 2017 Budget for his senatorial district were maximally executed.

“With the passage of the 2017 Budget, I intend to keep a tab on all the projects domiciled in Lagos West for their proper execution. In 2017, with the exclusion of multi-tier capital projects, a total of N38.5billion is appropriated for Capital Budget in Lagos State and predictably, almost half, N14.7billion was allocated to Lagos West,” he disclosed.

Items distributed to constituents at the empowerment programme by the senator, include 28 Block Moulding machines, 29 deep freezers, 28 sewing machines, 10 welding machines, 10 vulcanising machines, 28 generating sets, 28 clippers, 28 standing dryers, 56 Hand held dryers, 185 grinding machines and 340 lifejackets.He also announced construction of 28 boreholes and 28 VIP toilets within the senatorial district as well as donation of two 18-seater buses to National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who were involved in an accident during the celebration of this year’s June 12 Anniversary, and the Lagos State University Ojo.

Two Bisexual Partners Declared Wanted By The Police In Ogun State

Two bisexual lovers bursted  in Abeokuta, one was caught and the other escaped
Declared wanted by the police and family members
                        A middle aged man simply identified as Segun Osota Oladipupo narrowly escaped death recently in Abeokuta after he was caught in bed with his gay partner by the partner’s wife and mother -in- law.
                          The incident occurred at numbver 10 tekobo street Idi Aba area of Abeokuta on 13th  March 2017.
                         Our reporter  gathered that, Segun Osota who is married to one Adijat Osota with two kids is also a bisexual man who has another male lover  identified as SEGUN Fagbenro who he has been having homosexual relationship with for some years without the knowledge of his wife or any member of his family.
                        It was gathered further that bubble however burst on the illicit gay relationship between the gay lovers when Osota was invited  to the matrimonial home of Fagbenro at Idi Aba Area of Abeokuta.

Our source informed further that both lovers were at the peak of their love making and Fagbenro's living room sound system was set to its highest volume by the gay partners that they did not know when both Fagbenro's wife and his mother in-law entered the apartment to catch them red handed in the peak pf their sexual orgy. We later gathered that they were unfortunate because Fagbenro's wife who has been suspicious of her husband

                        The source further said that Fagbenro’s wife and her mother  made a very big scene of the sodomy act by calling neighbours which unfortunately attracted a mob to the scene to humiliate her hubby and his gay partner,Osota for the shameful and disgraceful act.
                          The source also added that the mob almost lynched Fagbenro and Osota, if not for the timely intervention of the members of the Ogun state vigilante group (VGN). It was when the vigilantes were trying to stop the mob that Osota was ablle to escape but Fagbenro was later handed over to the police by the vigilante group.
                       Fagbenro is still in police custody and Osota has been declared  wanted  for the crime which is considered an abominable act to Yoruba culture and tradition and also a crime to the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
As of the time of filing this report, the  Nigeria Police and family members of Osota who is said to be a respected civil servant in the community are still unaware of the whereabout of Osota and he has been declared persona non grata in their community for their sodomy offence

HOW OTUNBA ROTIMI PASEDA WILL BRING ABOUT GOOD GOVERNANCE IN OGUN STATE

According Abraham Lincoln Democracy is  government of the people, by the people, for the people. The term democracy consists of four key elements: (a) A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections ; (b) The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life; (c) Protection of the human rights of all citizens, and (d) A rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens.

Here in Ogun State we have people scattered across the three senatorial districts and who are knitted together by geographical entity call Ogun. The things that unite us are stronger than the things that divide us. That's what is obtainable in the past not until 2011 where most of state resources are concentrated in one district.

Otunba Rotimi Paseda have no intention of favouring one district at the expense of another. Subject to the over-riding need to preserve law and order, it is our determination that everyone should have access to government presence in terms of infrastructural development, bringing to life natural resources in such areas.

Paseda clearly believed in tolerance, accommodation and freedom to promote individual and collective good. He also believed that once the political elite would provide the right leadership unity is assured because the ordinary citizens have no problem with each other.

That the subject of marginalisation keeps recurring in our State discourse suggests that the leadership question is still critical to people quest for good governance and the consolidation of the democratic order.

This is definitely to be expected in view of the widely held notion that the problem with ethnicity is mainly that of leadership whose aim is solely to develop his own people at the expense of others.

The relationship between the state and the citizens today is under considerable storm and stress, and there is the need to begin to squarely address the question of poverty, unemployment of most especially the youth, decayed social and economic infrastructure, as well as marginalization of women in the development process in order to give meaning and content to our evolving democratic order.

Above all, Otunba Rotimi Paseda will address the often neglected imperative of attitudinal transformation on the part of the political elite, the absence of which, good governance and development will continue to be a mirage. In all these, however, there should be no lamentation or excuses from any senatorial district in Ogun State. To forge ahead, we must, like the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo evoke the spirit of hard work and selflessness to confront the challenges facing us without looking back.

By Onthegoinformation

Privatized Power Companies in Nigeria and Their Owners

Here's a list of privatized power companies in Nigeria and their owners. Most of the top drivers of the private companies have numerous friends and family members in politics. Others were not in power sector business investments earlier but got expatriates as technical partners.

Geregu I Generating Company 

Forte Oil's Chief Femi Otedola is Chairman of Amperion Ltd, the core investor of the firm. It planned to make a 50 per cent increase in the short to medium term to generate 600mw. Three years after, it hardly generates 400mw due to poor gas supply and other issues.

Transcorp Ughelli GenCo

Chairman of Transcorp/Woodrock Consortium, Mr Tony Elumelu acquired the 972mw capacity Ughelli Power firm at $300million. It's last generation output was around 340mw. 

Kainji/Jebba Hydro GenCo

Owned by Niger state's Col. Sani Bello (Rtd), the frontier of Mainstream Energy Solutions. The former military administrator of Kano state got the GenCo for $170m. It has Russian partner, RusHydro to acquire the plant. The firm recently said it overhauled two turbines but it produces a combined energy of about 735mw and has a 826mw capacity.

Shiroro GenCo

The Niger State Government is one of the owners of this plant which was gotten for $111.7million. Other partners are XS Energy Ltd, BP Investment Ltd, Urbamn Shelter Ltd, Road Nigeria Plc, China International Water Electric and China Three Gorges Corporation. They promised turbines overhaul and expansion, so far, it generates 179mw from its 300mw capacity since the takeover.

Egbin GenCo

Tope Sonubi and Tonye Cole of Sahara Energy Resource Nigeria is the local partner to the NEDC/Korea Electric Power Company (KEPCO). The $407m plant was to be revamped to generate 1,000mw. Currently it has 660mw capacity and has been producing only 171mw. 

Abuja DisCo

Owned by Ambassador Shehu Malami alongise Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) Plc, Xerxes Global Investments of Malami. The firm said it has spent over N40bn in improving the network, metering and the billing system since it took over in 2013.

Kano DisCo

This firm is owned by Sahelian Power (SPV) Limited and managed by Dr. Jamil I. Gwamna. It deployed 73,000 meters in 2016 and said it had improved its networks but customers complain about high estimated billing and poor electricity supply. 

Benin DisCo

Victor Gbolade Osibodu has Virgeo Power Ltd which acquired Benin DisCo. Former Managing Director of Union Bank and wife, Mrs Funke Osibodu manages it. So far it has had the highest customer metering record among the DisCos.

Eko DisCo

Mr Charles Momoh is Chairman of the West Power and Gas which acquired the DisCo for $135m and Dr Tunji Olowolafe, and Mr Ernest Orji are fronting for it. It promised to spend $257m to revamp it. It is unclear if half of that investment has been made in less than two years to the timeline, though it has the highest number of industrial customers in the country.

Ikeja DisCo

The KEPCO/NEDC Consortium acquired this for $134.75, making it the only investor firm to have a stake in both the generation and distribution sections.

Ibadan and Yola DisCos

Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar and Chairman of Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Company acquired both firms for $160million. 

It however declared a force majeure on Yola DisCo due to insurgency since 2014 which has been left in the hands of the government. Ibadan DisCo has the highest number of customers but still grapples with consistent epileptic supply, and poor metering. Same goes for Yola DisCo.

Kaduna Electric

Ex NCC Commissioner, Alhaji Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar is the Managing Director of the Sahelian Power SPV that acquired the Kano Disco for $102m. He was also a one-time Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Development Trust Fund (PTDF). The firm is saddled with poor power supply and slow metering.

Enugu DisCo

Sir Emeka Offor is Chairman of Interstate Electrics that got Enugu DisCo for $106.4m. He is also chairman of Chrome Energy Ltd majoring in oil and gas services, telecommunications and logistics. This firm can't meet up with the 75% payment deadline and was earlier recommended by BPE for a disqualification.

It supplies electricity to five eastern states and there are abundant complaints of high billings, poor supply and poor metering services.

Jos DisCo

Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed is the Chairman of Jos DisCo. 

Port Harcourt DisCo

Governments of Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom state formed the 4Power Consortium which eventually acquired the Port Harcourt Disco

Source: Nigerianbullentin

LASPOTECH: Joint Union Set To Shutdown Campuses With Massive Protest

The Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnic (SSANIP), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) and the Non-academic Staff Union (NASU) are set to enforce a total shutdown of the Ikorodu, Isolo and Surulere campuses, over the management’s ‘militarisation’ of the institution to intimidate workers.

The unions have been at loggerheads with the management of the polytechnic for several months over the failure of the management to honour the agreement reached with the union on the payment of the CONTISS 15 migration arrears and other issues.

ASUP on the other hand has been on an indefinite strike which has rendered comatose, academic activities for the full time and part time programmes across the three campuses in the last one week.
Plans to embark on the protest to totally shutdown all activities at the Polytechnic was reached after a meeting of the leadership of the various unions.

The union leaders who frowned at the deployment of heavily armed security forces on the Polytechnic’s campuses to intimidate workers for embarking on the industrial action to demand for their rights, accused the management of declaring war on them.

According to Chairman of NASU, Semiu Fasasi,  “we find it so disappointing that the management could deploy heavily armed security personnel on the campus to intimidate law abiding and peace loving members of the unions who have been conducting themselves in an orderly manner since the commencement of the ASUP strike. Are we going to war?”

Fasasi lamented what he described as “the passionate and naked hatred” the Rector of the Polytechnic – Mr. Samuel Oluyinka Sogunro has for his Union and members and the determination of his Union members to resist the Rector with all their strength.

The union leaders also stated that “we also have it on good note that leaders of the SSANIP, ASUP and NASU have been placed on security watch by the management, while some of them have been invited by the various security apparatus in the state – like Police CID Panti, Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps, etc. over unfounded allegations leveled against them by the polytechnic management, all in the bid to intimidate and silence them for demanding their rights.

“Since they’ve declared war, we are going to give it to them, but as law abiding citizens we will not do anything that will jeopardize or threaten the peace of the State.

“We advise parents to call their children to stay off the polytechnic campuses as the management is desperate to do anything which could lead to the harassment and arrest of innocent students, we wouldn’t want any harm on the students, who are the reason why we are here,” the joint union said.

Pause: Entrepreneurship should be taught as a subject in all schools across Africa.

By far the biggest employer of people in Africa is what is generally called the "informal sector." I personally don't like this title "informal," preferring something like the "entrepreneurial" sector, but the truth of the matter is that most people in Africa survive and put their kids through school, by being "self-employed" in some sort of business activity.

Whilst most of the people in this sector are generally literate, having been to school, there's very little in our education system that actually prepares them for a life running their own business.

This attitude that people must "fend for themselves" is something we need to end across Africa. Governments do have a responsibility to help create real jobs in an economy.

For those government leaders that ask for my advice, there are always five things that I recommend:

1. Publicly acknowledge that the "informal sector" is the central activity in your country. Whether people are smallholder farmers, street traders, or tradesmen and women, don't be ashamed to acknowledge them as real economic players. They are contributing to the economy just like the biggest businesses that you have in your country.

2. Acknowledge the importance of this sector by putting in place policies that enable them to prosper. When they prosper, they will grow, employing more people. Start by holding meetings with them which are genuinely aimed at listening, and engaging them with dignity and respect.

3. Ensure law enforcement officials respect the informal sector. If governments don't formally recognize the key role of this sector in the economy, law enforcement may treat these entrepreneurs badly. This is what makes this sector vulnerable to corrupt officials.

4. Ensure this sector enjoys real rights under the law. For example, no policeman should be allowed to arbitrarily confiscate someone's goods, without due process. Courts should be arranged (and officials trained) in such a way that they can adjudicate the needs of this sector speedily, and cost effectively.

#My favorite:
5. Introduce entrepreneurship training into the formal education curriculum. By the time someone has completed seven years of school, they should be able to put together a basic profit and loss statement, and a basic balance sheet. They should also be able to read financial statements. This is really, really simple, and not much more complicated than reading football scores!

A high school leaver must also know:

# how to register a company, and register for tax.
# the basic company law of their country.
# about banks and how they operate.
# about payroll, and laws governing the rights of others.
# how businesses really operate, and how prosperity is generated in an economy.
# about sustainability, of both economic growth and the environment.

I would go as far as to say that anyone who goes to a university must also have mandatory entrepreneurship training, irrespective of what they study. This is because we have university graduates that are also unemployed, who could easily create jobs for themselves and others.

Together we can help our vast army of entrepreneurs in Africa become skills-based "enterprise builders."

I strongly believe that if Africa focuses on fostering and developing entrepreneurship, there will be a remarkable uplift in job creation.

End.

N-Power:Federal Government Set To Re-open Portal For Another Batch

The Presidency has promised to open the portal of the federal government N-Power volunteer corps programme next month, to allow more unemployed graduates to register for the second phase of the programme. The Presidency last December employed 200,000 unemployed graduates under the N-Power scheme with the promise to employ additional 300,000 soon. Senior special assistant on job creation and youth employment to the president, Afolabi Imoukhuede, speaking to newsmen after meeting with Governor Ibikunle Amosun in Abeokuta, said that more youths will be given the opportunity to register under the scheme very soon. On his visit to Ogun state, Imoukhuede said it is to address various issues of non payment raised by some of the volunteers.

Dogara Releases Payslip Reveals How Much He Earn Monthly

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara on Tuesday disclosed that he earns N346,577.87 monthly after deductions. He made this known in his three months’ pay slip released in response to the disclosure by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai who also released his monthly pay on Monday. A breakdown of the Speaker’s monthly pay as reflected in his pay slip below is as follows: Basic salary; N206, 425.83, Constituency allowance; N175,461.96, recess allowance; 20,642.58. and pay as you earn; 55,952.50.

Amosun Begins Construction of 285 Rural Roads

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on Wednesday, said the state government is set to immediately construct, rehabilitate and expand a total of 285 rural roads spread across the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state.

The governor disclosed this at a stakeholders' meeting held at the Obas' complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta on the construction and rehabilitation of rural roads under the Ogun State Rural Access and Mobility Project, RAMP 3.

Governor Amosun, who revealed that the roads would improve industrialisation of the state's economy, added that apart from the 285 roads to be fixed by the state government, an additional 500km rural roads would be rehabilitated by the Access and Mobility project of the World Bank.

He added that the elected leaderahip of the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas, LG/LCDAs have also been provided monthly fund to tackle infrastructural development projects of their choice within their areas of jurisdiction.

Speaking on the benefits of these projects, the Governor said it would enhance agricultural development and help easy movement of agricultural products.

This, he said, would be in addition to the social and economic benefits that comes with having local contractors handle these projects.

Governor Amosun, who described the provision of social amenities, especially good road network, as a catalyst for the desired rural development, said his administration would collaborate with development partners to consolidate its efforts in providing agricultural value chain.

The governor explained that it is the desire of his administration to provide equal access to infrastructural facilities for people both in the urban and rural areas of the state.

Earlier in her welcome address, Ogun State Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, who supervises the Ministry of Rural Development, explained that the World Bank Rural Access and Mobility Projects as well as other infrastructural development projects of the state in the rural areas are geared towards reducing rural - urban drift, which she said, has become a major challenge.

This was made known in a release signed by Amosun's Senior Special Assistant on Media Adejuwon Soyinka.

FG begins online registration of Unemployed Persons

The Federal Government will commence the online registration of unemployed persons in the country on Wednesday.

According to the Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Edmund Onwuliri, the development is a part of the government quest to keep a robust data base for unemployed persons and provide jobs.

The registration, according to him, is in compliance with the third mandate of the NDE which requires it “to obtain and maintain a data bank on employment and vacancies in the country with a view to acting as a clearing house to link job seekers with vacancies in collaboration with other government agencies.”

Onwuliri said the framework for the online registration, being handled by the Directorate has been completed and ready for lunch; adding that the NDE has also completed the framework for the electronic registration of unemployed persons in Nigeria.

He said: “The online portal which goes live on Wednesday April 5, 2017, is designed to capture the relevant details of any unemployed person. It will equally serve as a job exchange portal that will link job seekers and employers.

“There will be a practical demonstration of the workings of the portal at the NDE stand at the on-going 28th edition of the Enugu International Trade on Thursday April 6, 2017. However, the portal can be accessed by logging on to www.jobsforall.ng. The Directorate sees this initiative as a bold step towards deepening the effectiveness of its employment creation strategies and a critical input into the process of designing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and schemes.”

The online portal will also serve as a meeting point for job seekers and employers thereby reducing the cumbersome process of recruitment among employers of skilled labour in the private and public sectors.

Everything That Is Normal In The World Is Not Normal In Nigeria - Emir Sanusi

When Jaiz bank came up with the idea of getting a license for the operation of the bank, they proposed the funding of the bank’s capital with interest and I said no, you can’t fund a non-interest bank with interest. The required amount to be issued license was N5 billion at that time and they had only N1 billion.

I took my phone and called one of the richest men in Africa who is a Nigerian and a Muslim. I told him that N5 billion is needed for an Islamic bank to start operation and the founders have N1 billion, and he instantly agreed and issued a cheque of 4 billion. That is how the license was issued. 

Some Nigerians thought the introduction of Islamic banking in the country was a move to Islamize Nigeria. No at all, everything that is normal in the world is not normal in Nigeria.

There is Islamic banking in London, India and in South Africa but the citizens there never thought it as a way of Islamizing their countries but it became an issue in Nigeria. 

Today, Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is the chairman of the governing board and head of the general assembly of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM).

Is that an agenda of Islamizing Nigeria? No, It was done for the promotion and guidance in financial inclusion. That is how we are. However, the tradition of early marriage and the problem of girl child education in the North, calling on stakeholders to invest more on girl child education than building mosques.

75% of 18-15 married women in the country today are not educated, that is why the society is producing illiterate mothers and children. I am tired of building mosques daily. We keep building mosque while our children are not educated, our foundations and NGO’s should give much focus and priority to girl child education, the mosques are OK enough.

I am currently drafting a bill that will be sent to the State Assembly for legislation against early marriage. We need to ban it, all this issues of maternal health and Almajiri are courtesy of early marriage as a result of lack of education for our girl children, this is bringing us back."

The Emir posted this on his instagram page today.

Collapsed Shelf Kills Thief While Stealing From Shop In Ogun

Nemesis caught up with a young boy in his twenties at the early hours of today, as he was trapped to death by a shelf while allegedly stealing from a shop in the Sabo, Area of Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The shop, located on Folafashina Street turned to a Mecca of some sort as people from different areas trooped in to catch a glimpse of the suspected shop breaker caught in the act.

The owner of the shop, who preferred anonymity said she was surprised when she opened her shop at about 8.00 am and saw some of her goods scattered.

"It was so shocking when I saw the head of a dead young man popping from outside on the wall of my shop. I screamed because I could not hold it and that drew the attention of passers by and others in the vicinity", she said

The shop owner who sells tailoring materials and accessories, explained that it was the third time that her shop would be broken into while her goods were carted away.

The suspected thief was said to have broken some part of the wall creating a hole at the back of the shop and was trapped by a shelf of wood while attempting to pass through it into the shop.

Some goods reported to have already been stolen by the thief was seen on the floor beside his corpse while the hole broken on the wall, where the corpse of the thief was found was seen at the back of the shop.

Officers of the Nigerian Police from the Ilupeju Division of Sabo Area, had a very hectic time controlling the crowd as they awaited the vehicle that would convey the corpse away.

Dino Melaye’s Certificates Scandal Deepens

The qualification scandal  that has enveloped the senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Dino Melaye, has deepened.

Documents obtained exclusively by Saturday PUNCH through painstaking and thorough investigations showed that the embattled senator has a Bachelor of Arts certificate in Geography from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.

The senator, apart from bagging a third class, also  possesses a diploma certificate from the University of Jos.

However, the senator only has a statement of results from ABU. And not only that, checks at the university revealed that it only offers B.Sc. Geography and not B.A. Geography as reflected on Melaye’s statement of results.

Melaye’s trouble began on Monday, March 20, 2017 when an online news medium, Sahara Reporters, in a tweet alleged that the senator did not graduate from ABU for his first degree, against his claim that he studied Geography in the prestigious institution.

The news medium also alleged that Melaye, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, bribed his Head of Department, who assisted him to forge his transcript.

In a series of tweets via its Twitter handle, @SaharaReporters, the online news medium said some lecturers in the Geography Department insisted that Melaye did not graduate from the department and that his name was not on the graduation list because he failed five compulsory courses.

Following the report, which gained traction speedily, Melaye dismissed the allegations, daring the news medium to sue him if it had authentic evidence to back its claims.

He took to his twitter handle and wrote, “Sahara Reporters, please sue me and ABU if it is true that I did not graduate from Zaria. Tell Magu (EFCC Chairman) to arrest and prosecute me.”

Melaye also boasted that he was currently a student in ABU pursuing his seventh degree, adding, “Go round all the UNIS (universities) I attended in digging more.”

Dino Melaye certificate

A day after the news broke, Melaye, while speaking on the floor of the Senate, also addressed himself as an “authentic graduate” of ABU.

Meanwhile, when The PUNCH contacted ABU to verify the conflicting information, the institution’s Information Officer, Adamu Mohammed, promised that the institution would come out with its position on Wednesday, which it failed to do as of the time of filing this report.

Amid the controversy, documents obtained by Saturday PUNCH revealed that the senator had a statement of results with the logo of ABU.

The statement of results read, “This is to certify that Daniel Jonah Melaye having completed an approved course of study and passed the prescribed examinations as, under the authority of the Senate been awarded the Bachelor of Arts (Geography) with Third Class honours.”

The statement, issued by the Office of the Registrar, Academic Office and dated February 3, 2000, was signed by B.B. Mshelthlila.

There are, however, certain discrepancies that beg for more clarifications. For instance, in the statement of results, his name was given as “Daniel Jonah MELAYE.” However, checks by one of our correspondents on https://abu.edu.ng/ revealed that Geography is in the Faculty of Science and not the Faculty of Arts as reflected in the statement of results.

Also, in the senator’s NYSC discharge certificate, which was issued on July 8, 2001, his name read “Melaye Daniel” and not Daniel Jonah as shown in the statement of results.

Also, in the diploma certificate issued to him by the University of Jos on August 3, 2006, his name read “Daniel Dino Melaye.”

He was issued an Advanced Diploma certificate in Law, Security and Conflict Resolution. He finished with ‘Lower Credit’ on August 3, 2006.

However, in his Senior School Certificate in 1992, his name read ‘Melaiye Daniel Jonah O.’ with Melaye being wrongly spelt.

In the result, he had P8 in English Language, P8 in Mathematics, P8 in Geography, P8 in Chemistry, C5 in Christian Religious Knowledge, P7 in Economics, C6 in Biology and B3 in Agric Science.

When contacted again by one of our correspondents on his mobile telephone on Friday evening, the Information Officer, ABU, Mr. Adamu Mohammed, sounded hostile.

“Please, this is not official time; call me tomorrow, thank you, goodnight,” he said and hung up.

It will be recalled that in furtherance to his defence, Melaye had reportedly claimed that he obtained degrees from the prestigious Harvard University, London School of Economics and Political Science and a post-graduate degree from the University of Jos.

But in a swift response to an enquiry, Harvard University, in a statement from the Registrar’s office, on Thursday noted that Melaye was not a graduate of the institution as he only completed a week-long leadership seminar in November 2016.

The London School of Economics equally responded on Thursday, saying there was no proof on the institution’s database that Melaye obtained any degree from the school.

But on Thursday, he filed a N5bn libel suit against Sahara Reporters at a FCT High Court. Meanwhile, given the Senate’s decision to investigate the allegation and the uproar the report had generated, Melaye had since taken to the social media to exonerate himself of all the allegations.

Moments after he filed the suit, he took to the social media to post pictures of the cover and certification pages of his Master’s project, and a group picture of his days as a corps member, even though he was the only one not in uniform.

He wore a white T-shirt and blue shorts, adding that he served in Kaduna State in 1999. The caption on the picture read, “ABU 99 set at NYSC camp in KD. Me in blue shorts.”

Also, on Friday, Wikipedia, had edited Melaye’s profile to include ‘Certificate Scandal’, which briefly chronicled the issues surrounding the ongoing certificate brouhaha.

Source:Punch

2,351 Whistleblowers Tip Finance Ministry About Corruption

The Ministry of Finance, says it has so far received 2,351 tips from whistleblowers bordering on cases of embezzlement of government funds, looting of assets and contract inflation, among others.

In a statement signed by Mr Festus Akanbi, the Special Adviser, Media to the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun said the tips came via text messages, calls, email and forms filled on the ministry’s website.

“We have received 95 feedbacks through our website, www.whistle.finance.gov.ng, 1,550 tips came through calls on 09098067946 and SMS, 412.

“Also, 194 people sent us emails on whistle@finance.gov.ng)

He said that out of the 2,351 tips, the office was currently following up on 154,  it deemed actionable.

“Some of the tip  include: contract inflation and conversion of government assets to personal use, ghost workers, payment of unapproved funds and embezzlement of salaries of terminated personnel.

“Also, improper reduction of financial penalties, diversion of funds meant for distribution to a particular group of people, especially farmers and diversion of funds to personal commercial bank accounts to earn interest.

“Further more, we are following up on cases of non-Remittance of pension and NHIS deductions, failure to Implement projects for which funds have been provided, embezzelment of funds received from Donor agencies and violation of TSA regulations by keeping funds in Commercial banks.

” We are also looking into violations of FIRS (VAT) regulation by adjusting Value Added Tax payment, non-procurement of equipment required for Aviation Safety, money laundering and diversion of funds meant for approved projects,” he said.

Akanbi said that top on the Minister’s agenda, as the Chairman of the Whistleblower programme was to investigate illegal sale of government assets, diversion of revenue (IGR), concealed bailout funds, Illegal recruitment and violation of procurement Act.

It will be recalled that late last year, the Federal Government set up the Whistleblower programme to make it easy for the public to give information bordering on violation of financial regulations, mismanagement of public funds and assets and other financial malpractice.

The Federal Government promised any whistleblower whose information leads to the recovery of up to N1 billion Naira, five per cent of the amount.

While for any amount between N1 billion and  N5 billion, the whistleblower stands to get 4 per cent commission. Any amount over N5 billion, will attract 2.5 per cent reward.

Source: Uhuru Times

The Journey To Okemosan 2019: Paseda Factor

Today in Ogun state agitation and permutations has commence earnestly towards the race of the next occupier of the governorship seat. The journey to Okemosan of late has been gathering momentum among political actors, which have seen different aspirants springing up on a daily basis from various political parties, for the journey alignment thereby, holding series of meetings to actualise this dream.

It is pertinent to note that Ogun people who have seen what the true definition of 'change' is in the last six years in the hands of current handler are now wise in other not be hoodwink again come 2019. Experience they say is the best teacher of life and once bitten is twice shy.

As far as the gateway state is concern, we need someone who truly understand the yearnings and needs of the people across all the geopolitical zones that constitute the state. Amongst the contenders and pretenders who are jostling for Okemosan job, stand tall Otunba Rotimi Paseda.

Otunba Paseda is a true son of the soil who understand the people, landscape and the  politics of gateway state. The man Paseda is well known in the nooks and crannies of Ogun state which gives him an edge over his rivals having run the race in the 2015 elections.

Paseda's determination for a better society where state resources will be share base on  equity, fairness and justice without whose ox is gored. Here is a man who doesn't believe in godfatherism rather God the father. Is a man who is bent at making sure development comes to the state without prioritising a section of the state at the expense of others, propel his desire to run again in 2019.

Otunba is a a friend of the masses, no wonder he establishes one of the visible and working foundation in  Paseda Legacy Foundation whose office is in the state capital to cater for the needy and give back to the society. This fact is verifiable with numerous Ogun indigenes who are benefiting from this philanthropic gesture.

ORP's tenet of politics is model after the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo that's the reason why many refer to him as (Arole Awolowo) heir apparent to the sage.

For gateway state to experience all round development we need a man who has excel in business world  in four continent of the world. This factor will facilitate unprecedented development in the history of Ogun state. Hence,making the state sufficient with internally generated revenue without over taxing the citizenry.

Ogun state people 2019 is another avenue to rewrite the change mistake we made in 2015. Let us support Paseda. His capable and dependable for good governance. By Onthegoinformation.

For your views and comment, contact onthegoinformation@yahoo.com

Senate Confirm Ambassadorial Nominee, Reject Two

The 82-year-old retired judicial officer, Justice Sylvanus Nsofor,  who told a Senate panel that Information Technology was not meant for people of his age and failed to recite the National Anthem, yesterday, had his nomination to be an ambassador rejected by the Senate.

Justice Nsofor, who retired from the judiciary in 2005 and came in frail and feeble for the Senate screening, had also dismissed questions about his capacity to work when he directed the senators to “go and ask Robert Mugabe who is still working.” He was one of the two of the 47 nominees presented by President Muhammadu Buhari that were rejected.

The other nominee was Mr. Jacob Daodu from Ondo State, who was rejected upon the security report on him by the Department of State Services, DSS. The 45 others including Justice Adesola Oguntade from Lagos State were approved to represent the country abroad.

The 51-page report on the screening of the 47 nominees presented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, nevertheless, affirmed that Nsofor was not rejected because of his age but rather because of his satirical responses to questions and failure to answer many other questions.

Presenting her report on Justice Nsofor, Senator Sunmonu said: “His responses to the issues raised were either not answered or devoid of details and mostly satirical. For instance, we asked him to recite the National Anthem and he said we should have sent him a syllabus. A member of the committee asked him, if he knew about IT (and) he asked what is IT? And I told him Information Technology and he said, “it’s for your age, not mine. “Also when asked if he was not too old, he said we should go and ask Mugabe who is still working. He has shown his temperament.”

On Daodu from Ondo State, Senator Sunmonu noted that the DSS report described him in unfavourable terms especially while he was Chairman of Ondo State Road Maintenance Agency. “Although the nominee has acquired experience from his previous work places, his responses during the screening exercise did not have direct bearing on the issues raised and were not satisfactory to the committee’s expectation.”

In his remarks, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, who congratulated the confirmed nominees, however, urged the Presidency to take note of comments on the performances of the nominees, just as he called on the government to settle all outstanding liabilities accrued to Nigeria’s foreign missions  to pave way for the smooth transition of the new ambassadors to wherever they are posted to.

Those confirmed yesterday as non-career ambassadors were Uzoma Emenike (Abia), Aminu Iyawa (Adamawa), Godwin Umo (Akwa Ibom), Christopher Okeke (Anambra), Yusuf Tuggar (Bauchi), Baba Magudu (Bauchi), Stanley Diriyai (Bayelsa), Stephen Ugba (Benue), Baba Ahmed Jidda (Borno), Etubom Asuquo (Cross River), Frank Ofeduma (Delta), Jonah Odo (Ebonyi) and Uyagwe Igbe (Edo). Others were Eniola Ajayi (Ekiti), Chris Eze (Enugu), Sulieman Hassan (Gombe), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa), Ahmed Bamalli (Kaduna), Deborah Iliya (Kaduna), D. Abdulkadir (Kano), Haruna Ungogo (Kano),  Isa Dodo (Katsina), Mohammed Rimi (Katsina), Tijani Bande (Kebbi), Y. O. Aliu (Kogi), Nurudeen Mohammed (Kwara), Mohammed Yisa (Kwara), Adesola Oguntade (Lagos), Modupe Irele (Lagos), Musa Mohammed (Nasarawa), Ahmed Ibeto (Niger), Susanne Folarin (Ogun), Afolahan Adeyemi (Osun), Ashimiyu Olaniyi (Oyo), James Dimka (Plateau).

Also confirmed were Haruna Abdullahi (Plateau), Orji Ngofa (Rivers), Sahabi Gada (Sokoto), Kabir Umar (Sokoto), Hassan  Ardo (Taraba), Goni  Bura (Yobe), Garba Gajam (Zamfara), Bala Mairiga (Zamfara), Habiss Ibrahim Ugbada (FCT) and Adeyinka Asekun (Ogun).

Source Vanguard.

Saraki Promise To Bring Sownw Buhari's Government if...

Saraki, who spoke through the Senate Spokesman, Sabi Abdullahi, stated that Lawal’s letter stating that he would not appear before the Senate Committee, because he had gone to court to challenge his invitation, implied that the Legislature can equally go to court to stop the entire government headed by President Muhamamdu Buhari, from working.

Recall, that the refusal of the SGF to appear before the Senate, came barely a few hours when the Customs Comptroller-General, Hammed Ali, had also declined to appear before the Senate, claiming that it would be subjudice for him to return to the Senate in uniform, since a Legal Practitioner had asked the Federal High Court, Abuja, to restrain the National Assembly from compelling him to wear uniform in the performance of his duties.

According to the Senate Spokesman, Nigeria’s democracy was heading towards total destruction, because of the refusal of the cabals in Aso Rock to honour Legislative summons.

Saraki said: “We are performing our constitutional mandate, and if anybody is going to court to stop us, then what it means is that we should all go to court and stop the entire government from working.

“That is exactly what we are saying; that if this (refusal to honour Legislative summons) continues to happen, then goodbye to democracy. It means I can even go to court to stop you from doing your work.

“We will see how that will continue to play out, and I think this is the end of democracy in Nigeria, if that continues to play out.”

Nnamani Must Quit As Electoral Reform Committee Chairman - Fayose

Ekiti State Governor and Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Mr Ayodele Fayose has called for the immediate resignation of former Senate President, Ken Nnamani as chairman of the Electoral Reform Committee and allow a non-partisan person to take over, saying “if the federal government is serious about electoral reform, Senator Nnamani, a card carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won’t head the Electoral Reform Committee.”

The governor, who also said there was nothing wrong with the country’s electoral system, said; “It was the same electoral system that produced the present APC government of President Muhammadu Buhari, in an election adjudged as relatively free, fair and credible. So what happened to the system after May 29, 2015 that this present government took over? How did we get to this level of inconclusive and questionable elections in which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies appear to have become part of the ruling party?”

In his presentation at the public hearing on constitution and electoral reform held at Ogun State Cultural Centre, Abeokuta today, Governor Fayose said; “Even when it inherited a working system that conducted elections adjudged as free and fair by local and international communities, INEC has failed consistently to replicate the inherited working system due to overzealousness and rabid passion to work as appendage of the federal government.

“Imagine an election that is ongoing, only for INEC to postpone counting of votes by midnight, with the party agents driven away. Any result announced in the morning has lost any credibility and legitimacy and cannot represent the will of the people.”

The governor, who was represented by the Chairman, Ekiti State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Dr Samuel Omotoso pointed out that “The only time this country made an attempt at a reliable electoral reform was during the tenure of President Umaru Yar’Adua who appointed retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Uwais as the chairman. This singular move gave the panel credibility, widespread acceptability and massive supports from all over the country and across political divides.

“Such cannot be said of this panel that is overshadowed with massive moral burdens and conflict of interest as a result of the chairman being a card carrying member of a political party called APC.”

He said; “Senator (Dr) Ken Nnamani, being the South-East regional leader of APC is incapable of rising above primordial and party sentiments to give Nigerians anything different from electoral inconclusiveness that we have at the moment.

“Any reform from such encapsulation can as well be said to be dead on arrival.”

Speaking further, Governor Fayose described INEC under the present APC government as the champion of electoral malpractices, saying “INEC and security agencies need to purge themselves of all these putrid behaviours and face the reality of modern day democracy.

“As Governor of Ekiti State, I have no reservation about reviewing and reforming our electoral process but I am reluctant about the sincerity of purpose deploy each time we display such political hallucinations under the guise of reforms, this has amounted severally to playing to the gallery and this committee just like others that have embarked on several wild goose chases in the past is not likely to be different.

“When those who are to supervise an election take over the process and turn themselves to interested parties rather than rise above board, then we breed nothing other than chaos, pandemonium, mayhem, confusion and disorganisation of the whole process.

“We all know those who commit crimes during the elections but this same people are protected using the police, who is supposed to ensure orderliness and legal consequences for electoral infractions. The police would rather arrest and prosecute the victims of electoral malpractices and violence while releasing the actual aggressors due to the relationship of these offenders to the government in power.

“The penchant for disorder by the umpire has got to a state of obsessive compulsive disorder, in the sense that rather than ensure sincerity of purpose within the system, what we have is deceit, flippancy and double standards.

“Therefore, there is no gainsaying that this electoral review body is not needed until the panel is equitable, non-partisan and devoid of influence from the powers that be. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.”

'Lere Olayinka.

Senator Dino Melaye In Messy Certificate Scandal, As ABU Claim He Never Graduate The Institution

Bigger troubles await Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West at the National Assembly following a revelation that he never graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria as is being claimed.

Melaye, who is known for his controversial stand on national issues as well as a lasting political battle with his former friend and governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, recently alerted Nigerians that there were plans to carry fictitious allegations against him.

Melaye thinks this move was being planned to get him to face the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) because he was a major factor that stood against the confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the anti-corruption organisation.

Sahara Reporters is confirming that Melaye never graduated from the department of geography from ABU.

The report also claims that the DSS was alerted over this but that the security agency covered it up and allowed the man blossom.

“At least three exam officers at ABU, Zaria insists that @dino_melaye never graduated from geography department, DG DSS alerted but covered it up,” the report said.

On Alleged Suspension of Paseda: Oginni, The Game Is Over!

Nigerians, particularly the people of Ogun State, were on Sunday evening troubled by the news of alleged suspension of Otunba Rotimi Paseda led by one Funmilayo Irede Oginni, the impeached, erstwhile acting  Unity Party of Nigeria Chairman, that the Governorship candidate of (UPN) in Ogun State in the last general elections, Otunba Rotimi Paseda has been suspended.

It is apparent that this is not true as there were no crisis in the party and as such there couldn't have been abyss reason for suspending any member of the party, howbeit the leader of the party in the state and at national level. 

According to the mischievous letter signed by the impeached chairman of U.P.N, Mrs. Irede Oginni, the suspended members and officers put their personal interest above the party by frolicking with APC and governor Amosun to destabilize the party contravening a section of the party constitution.

Let me to put it to record that, Mrs. Oginni has no moral right or constitutional backing to impeach any officer of the party as an impeached chairman.

There is no iota  of truth to the purported meeting organised by Oginni on the 16th of March, 2017 , the only meeting that took place on the said date was  the Disciplinary Committee sitting which resolved to impeached Oginni for gross misconduct, anti-party activities and financial misappropriation of over one million naira being the payment of tax clearance of 28 councillorship candidates of the party in the last local government election.

It is also record that, Oginni's relationship with an opposing group called De Democrat's was uncovered where Oginni mistakenly sent a massage to U.P.N  whatsapp loops,  supporting a candidate of the opposing group against the party's choice. 

Also, members frowned at how Oginni failed to remit the tax clearance payment of over over one million naira for twenty eight councillors in the local government election in the state, an allegation she pleaded guilty while being questioned by the committee. 

The  seven man Disciplinary Committee sitting on the 16th March, 2017 at the party secretariat in Onikolobo, Abeokuta found Oginni's frivolities contravening page 29, Article B and Article C of U.P.N constitution under Bad Behavior and Punishment resolved as follows;

1. In accordance to the provision of UPN constitution page.29 article B under bad behaviour and page.29 article C under punishment, we recommended for her removal from office with immediate effect and acting within our senatorial district be put in  place, pending the forthcoming congress. NB such acting should not contest for the office 

2. To make refund the tax money by her or by the party to protect the name and integrity of the party 

3. She should not be allowed to hold any post for the next one year.

A cursory look at at Oginni's new show of shame, wasn't shocking to members and supporters of the party who are aware of the predicament she is currently undergoing in her new party.

It is commonplace for some politicians to defect from their former parties to any other of their choice for reasons best known to them.

UPN is not a slave camp where people are tied down against their will, but a freedom-oriented political party where every member is seen as being equal and free to express their opinions on whatever issue concerning the party. 

Consequently, some members of the party defected to some parties which they believed currently has what it takes to meet their needs.

It is unfortunate that the Oginni leaped before she looked and it's too late for her to return to UPN. On her arrival, it dawned on her and her supporters that all the juicy promises made to them weren't forthcoming. 

Only a few privileged among old members of the party are getting patronage from the leadership of the party.

Being food-is-ready politicians, they couldn't see or probably are suffering from memory loss that they could not reason why there is division in the party they defected to in the last general elections in the state.

When received by the leadership of her new party into the fold, she was weighed and discovered she was a sheer loafer in UPN who didn't contribute anything to the great performances put up by UPN in the last general elections and the last local government elections in the state.

Besides, her new party leadership are also aware that her pull him down syndrome on other progressive in UPN initiated her defection for their party for pecuniary reasons as there were no internal crises in UPN that could genuinely lead to their defection.

On this premise, Oginni and Co. became desperate to convince their hosts that there is cold war between some leaders of the party, an allegation which they claimed lead to their decision to bow out. 

However, from outside the party, they are pronouncing members and leaders of a party they no longer belong suspended ostensibly to give the personalities that hold their destiny the impression that truly UPN is in trouble.

It's pertinent to ask some salient questions in respect of how members of a particular party could be suspended or expelled. Was there any formal lodging of complaints or allegations against Otunba Paseda by any member or group of members? Which party are these faces behind the phoney suspension currently lying?

In response to these questions, there's no allegations neither verbal nor written leveled against Otunba Paseda.

Some sources close to her revealed that the stranded defectors are weights two options. First, they are thinking of flying the suspension kite to convince their new hosts that internal crisis was the reason they dumped UPN and not for the goodies they could scoop in the new party.

Another option is causing crisis in the party to stage a comeback to the party.

Meanwhile, let it be known that, no individual or party executives can impeach or suspend any other member except the Disciplinary Committee which is the highest organ of the party. 

For instance, in football world, when former  FIFA President, Joseph Sepp Blatter was impeached, it was the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee that removed the football chief having found him guilty of financial misappropriation and bribery scandal, and heaven was not loose. Blatter did not blame any individual or executive member for his travails because he knows the Committee are above board. 

Why is Oginni then crying foul for her ordeal? Is she claiming to be powerful than the Disciplinary Committee of the party? If she is actually still in control as the interim chairman as claimed by her, why did she have to organize press conference at NUJ secretariat instead of the party secretariat? 

I monitored with dismay, how Irede Oginni confidently denied the alleged embezzlement of N1. 2 million Naira being payment of tax clearance for about 28 councillorship candidates that participated in the last local government election in the state. 

But Oginni has forgotten that, she had earlier pleaded guilty of the allegation during her interrogation by the Disciplinary Committee. Well, I only pray the victims overlook her fraudulent act and disregard any court charges against her.  

Oginni should stop playing on the sensibility of the civilized people of Ogun State. Oginni the Game is over! 

I wish her and Co accomplices success in their new adventure.

Ismail Olamilekan,

UPN, Abeokuta North.

Nigeria Senate Declares Customs Boss Unfit

The senate has called for the resignation of Hameed Ali, comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The senate also declared Ali unfit to hold public office and condemned a letter written by Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF).

Malami in the letter told the lawmakers that the comptroller-general could not appear the lawmakers because the matter of his uniform was in court.

The resolutions of the upper legislative chamber was sequel to prayers moved by Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia south.

FG Charges Peace Corps To Court Over Recruitment Scam

The Federal Government, yesterday, slammed 90-count criminal charge against Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, Mr. Dickson Akor, over alleged recruitment scam and extortion of applicants to the tune of N1.4 billion.

The Incorporated Trustees of the Corps was equally cited as a defendant in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/45/2017, which was filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Peace-Corps The defendants were further charged for wearing of uniforms and other identification marks contrary to section 24 (1) of the Private Guard Companies Act Cap P30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under section 32 (1) of the Act.

The charge signed by an Assistant Chief State Counsel, Aminu Alilu, also accused the defendants of laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity contrary to section 7(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other fraud related Offences Act, Cap A6 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

They were accused of obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other fraud related Offences Act, Cap A6 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

Meantime, no date has been fixed for the defendants to be arraigned before trial Justice Gabriel Kolawole.

Source: Vanguard

Magu Rejection, All Eyes On DCP Abdulrahaman

Following the recent rejection of Ibrahim Magu confirmation as the substantive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crime Commission, (EFCC), by the Nigeria Senate on Wednesday the rumors mills has it that all eyes are now on a Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCP),expected to take over Magu’s office.

Investigation revealed that DCP Ahmed Abdurahaman who is presently the Deputy Commissioner in-charge of Operations at the Kaduna State Police Command, is favored by the Presidency and other stakeholders because of his track records when he was the Deputy Director (Investigation), at the Headquarters of EFCC.

It was also gathered that most of the cases currently being handled by the EFCC are brain works of DCP Abdulrahaman who is being described as a fearless and upright officer.

Most people who come in contact with him describe him as a gentleman to the core but a man who can never mortgage integrity and call of duty for anything. These characteristics are what have given him upper hand above the other three nominees.

A source closed to the EFCC Kaduna office disclosed to this reporter that when DCP Abdulrahaman was Deputy Director with EFCC, it was a general saying then that; ‘The fear of Abdulrahaman is the beginning all wisdom for all staff and corrupt minded people’

Credit: Tribute

Magu can no longer continue in office as EFCC boss – Senate

The Senate on Wednesday disclosed that its rejection of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, means the anti-graft boss has lost his capacity to act in that office.

This was disclosed by the Senate spokesman, Abdulahi Sabi, after plenary on Wednesday.

Sabi said some senators who were backing Magu’s confirmation backed out because of his poor performance during plenary.

He insisted that the report of the Department of State Services nailed the anti-graft boss because he failed the integrity test.

According to him: “The rejection of Magu by the Senate signifies that he cannot continue in acting capacity.‎”

Nigeria Senate Rejects Magu's Confirmation As EFCC Boss

Nigeria Senate today refused to confirm the nomination of Mr Ibrahim Magu as the chairman of Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC.

The Senate however disclosed that the move became imperative as a result of corruption indictment and human rights abuses levelled against him in a report submitted by the directorate of state security.

It should be noted that this is the second time his nomination was been rejected as the head of the anti graft agency by the Senate.

EFCC Intercepts N49 Million Cash At Kaduna Airport

In what can be described as another huge success for the agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intercepted five sacks containing N49m at the Kaduna International Airport following a tip off.

Disclosing this to newsmen on Tuesday at the agency’s Kaduna Zonal office, Ibrahim Bappa said that the notes recovered were wrapped in Nigerian Security and Minting Plc (NSPM) labels.

“The report which was made at about 8pm stated that during the routine baggage screening of supposed check in baggage, five sacks were sighted unattended to and without tags containing fresh bulk items suspected to be money from the aroma
perceived from the sacks. The owner of the money later showed up but couldn’t  state the exact money in the sacks or present document authenticating the
genesis of the monies,” he said.

Speaking further, he said that the individual who failed to give concrete explanation, disappeared before the arrival of EFCC operatives.

Bappa said that the sacks were found to contain 200 bundles of N200 notes totaling N40m and 180 bundles of N50 notes totaling N9m.

The recovered money was handed over to officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for custody in EFCC’s recovery account.

Source: omojuwa.