Buhari Goes To London On Private Visit

April 25, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to depart to the United Kingdom on a private visit till May 5, a day to the beginning of Muslim 30-Day Fasting.

A statement today, Thursday, by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said that the President will leave for Maiduguri, capital of Borno State today, where he will commission some developmental projects executed by the State government.

The statement did not indicate the exact day the President will leave for London after the Maiduguri visit and did not say the purpose of the private visit to the UK.

President Buhari was only yesterday in Lagos where he commissioned projects executed by the outgoing government of Akinwunmi Ambode and returned to Abuja the same day.

It may not be impossible that the President is going for the usual medical checkup in London in preparation for the 30-Day engaging Fasting, and also to be fit for his inauguration on May 29, to begin his second term of another four years as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Battle For Osun: Lawyers In Battle Of Wits For Adeleke, Oyetola At Appeal Court

Greenbarge Reporters

April 24, 2019

Counsels to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and that for the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Adegboyega Oyetola as well as that for candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ademola Adeleke, made their final submissions today, Wednesday, before the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

The court of appeal, which is looking into who won the governorship election of Osun State, is a five-man panel of justices, led by Justice Hannatu Sankey, with Justices Abubakar Yahaya, Isaiah Akeju and Bitrus Sanga as members.

In his address to the court, Counsel to INEC, Yusuf Ali, SAN, said that the decision of the lower tribunal declaring Adeleke on March 22, as the duly-elected governor of the state was made in error, adding that the respondents’ argument that the commission failed to conduct proper accreditation and deliberately voided votes to favour Oyetola was a figment of imagination.

He said that Adeleke and the PDP failed to prove over voting in the election, adding that the results from both the Sept.22 and Sept. 27, 2018 were true reflection of the exercise.

He said that the anomalies in the recording of votes in columns of form EC8A were not substantial enough to sway the election in Adeleke’s favour.

Yusuf Ali submitted that the commission fully complied with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution as amended in the conduct of the election.

On his part, Counsel to Oyetola, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, averred that Adeleke’s return by the majority decision of the tribunal was done in error, saying that Justice Peter Obiora, who delivered the lead judgment was not diligent in his attendance of the proceedings.

Olanipekun submitted that the judge was particularly absented himself on April 6 proceeding but went ahead to make references to the proceedings of that day.

He said the validity of the decision was called to question as the Justice Obiora failed to sign it.

“My Lord, we were in court on April 6 and we can testify that Justice Peter Obiora was not part of the panel that day, but we were surprised that he made allusion to the proceedings he never experienced in the judgment.

“We can also see from the judgment heading that his name was listed as part of the panel but he clearly did not sign his portion on the document.

“My Lords, we implore you to discountenance the decision and set it aside.

“We also pray the court to return Oyetalo as the duly elected governor of Osun’’, he said.

On whether the respondents proved over voting, Olanipekun submitted that they only dumped the Voter Register on the tribunal without linking all the variables that could prove over voting.

Also, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN) Counsel to the APC aligned himself with the arguments canvassed by both Olanipekun and Ali.

Olujimi argued further that the respondents had merely drew inferences and not evidential matters that could sustain the tribunal’s decision, adding that the appeal should be upheld.

However, Counsel to both Adeleke and PDP, Dr Oyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the submission advanced by the counsel to the appellants, adding that the cancellation of the Sept.22, 2018 governorship was unconstitutional.

Ikpeazu submitted that the Electoral Act did not empower INEC to willingly cancel election when a winner had clearly emerged.

He explained that the cancellation which was done by the collation officer rather than the presiding officer was indicative of how deep the electoral body went to thwart the process in favour of the APC candidate.

He also said that the respondents were able to prove over voting at the lower tribunal, adding that the supplementary election conducted in 70 polling units on Sept.27 was marred by violence and malpractices.

“Our contention has always been the non-declaration of Adeleke after he was clearly in the lead and it was resounding that the tribunal eventually right the wrong’’, he said.

He said that INEC was unable to defend the entire process that it handled, adding that vital sensitive forms that should guarantee transparency of the process were not entered by the electoral body.

A total of three appeals and one cross-appeal were treated by the court.

Electoral tribunal had, on March 22, held that the re-run election conducted by INEC was unconstitutional and therefore directed INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return earlier issued to Oyetola and issue same to Adeleke.

Meanwhile, Justice Sankey has reserved judgment on the appeals after counsel to parties adopted all their addresses.

7 Airport Officials In Court For Allegedly Planting Illicit Drug In Zainab’s Luggage

Editorial staff

April 24, 2019

Seven staff of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) have been arrested and charged to a Federal High Court in Kano for allegedly planting illicit drug in the luggage of one Zainab Aliyu, who is now facing death sentence in Saudi Arabia.

Their names were given as Idris Umar Shehu (alias Umar Sanda), Sanni Suleiman, Nuhu Adamu, Rhoda Adetunji, Udosen Itoro Henry and Sanni Hamisu.

The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Colonel Muhammad Abdallah, who disclosed this in a statement today, Friday, said that the seven staff were arrested and charged to court after investigation was conducted on how a luggage that did not belong to Zainab Aliyu had her name on it on arrival at the Saudi airport.

Zainab Aliyu, a student of Maitama Sule University, Kano, was arrested by Saudi Arabia Police on December 26, 2018 shortly after arriving for Lesser Hajj with a luggage bearing her name tag. She had travelled from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in company of her mother, Maryam Aliyu, and sister, Hajara Aliyu.

And while in detention in Saudi Arabia, Zainab’s father wrote a petition to the NDLEA, seeking a probe of his daughter’s ordeal. Consequently, the NDLEA Commander in charge of MAKIA launched an investigation, which culminated in the arrest and arraignment of the seven accused persons.

According to a report of the investigation, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Kano, the staff who allegedly formed a cartel in the airport, had planted the tramadol-bearing luggage on Zainab.

The report, which has since been forwarded to the Consul-General in Jeddah for action, established that Zainab who, like her mother and sister, had only a luggage, was not aware that a second bag had been labelled in her name.

The NDLEA said: “Based on the investigation activities carried out, it has been revealed that the said Zainab Habibu Aliyu is not the owner of the second luggage tagged in her name.

“On 24th of December 2018, Maryam Habibu Aliyu and her two daughters, Hajara Habibu Aliyu and Zainab Habibu Aliyu, who are students of Maitamia Sule University, Kano, were to travel to Saudi Arabia for Lesser Hajj. The three passengers had one luggage each.

“At the Departure Hall, three bags belonging to the three passengers were given to one Bako A. Salisu, who weighed the bags, tagged and gave the labels to the passengers.

“Immediately the luggage of the passengers were checked in, Rhoda Adetunji, an official of the Airport Authority (one of the accused persons) approached them, asking for their remaining luggage as the luggage checked-in by the passengers were lower than the total weight they were entitled to travel with – two of their luggage weighed 36kgs while one weighed 17kgs.

“The passengers ignored the said Rhoda Adetunji and went to the arrival hall to purchase yellow card and by the time they came back from the arrival hall to the departure hall, screening for boarding had already started and the three passengers all went for boarding. They never consented nor knew that any other luggage was tagged to the name of any of the passengers.

“On 26th of December 2018 about 12.45 midnight, the Saudi Arabia police came to the hotel room of Maryam and her daughters in Saudi Arabia to arrest one of her daughters, Zainab, on allegation that one of the luggage tagged to her name and passed has prohibited drugs, tramadol. Zainab is presently in detention in Saudi Arabi awaiting investigations and prosecutions.

“Following receipt of the complaint, seven people working at MAKIA were arrested in connection with the offence.

“In the course of the investigations, the telephones of all the suspects were seized by the agency for investigations, while going through the phones of the suspects one after other, it was discovered that the following happened between Sani Suleiman and Idris Umar, alias Umar Sanda.

“On 24th December 2018, Sani Suleiman with phone number 08036066448 was in conversation with Umar Sanda with phone number 08065499791 at 8.26a.m., 12.47a.m., 03.56p.m., and 4 p.m.

“On the same 24th December 2018, Sani Suleiman with number 08036066448 sent a WhatsApp picture of two parcels to Umar Sanda on phone number 08065499791.

“Also on the same 24th December, Suleiman sent a WhatsApp picture of two coloured luggage to phone number belonging to one Alhaji Gabari now at large.”

We’ve No Power To Declare Kogi As Oil Producing State – Senate

Editorial staff

April 24, 2019

The Senate has said that it has no power to declare any state, much less, Kogi, as oil producing entity through a mere motion.

The Senate decision came on the heels of a motion presented by the senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Isaac Alfa, seeking for Kogi to be recognized as an oil producing state. The motion was entitled: “Need to Recognize Kogi State as an Oil-Producing State.”

After the Senate at a plenary today, Wednesday, turned down the motion, Senator Isaac Alfa refused to withdraw it saying: “I have moved the motion and I am not ready to withdraw it.”

He said that three oil companies; Shell BP (now SPDC), Elf (now Total Fina Elf) and Agip Energy, commenced oil exploration in Ibaji since 1952, precisely in Odeke, Echeno, Ihile, Anocha/Uchuchu, Omabo, Ikah, Iregwu and Ujeh, all in Ibaji of the present-day Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.

According to the senator, the companies have collectively drilled 25 exploration wells, two appraisal wells and eight core drill wells in the entire Anambra Basin, out of which majority of the wells fall within Kogi State.

He said that the exploration activities in Kogi and part of Anambra Basin were later abandoned until July 18, 2001, when the late Abubakar Audthen, the then Kogi Governor, wrote to the then Group Managing Director of NNPC to remind him of the earlier discovery of crude oil at Odeke, Echeno, and Anocha communities in Ibaji LGA.

Senator Alfa recalled that on July 25, 2001, a team of geo-scientist and engineers was drafted to the area to carry out a preliminary investigation on the claims by the Kogi State Government and the resuscitation of the productive core wells, leading to the granting of an oil license now known as Oil Prospecting License 915 and 916, to an indigenous company.

“Orient Petroleum Resources Plc has been taking crude oil from OPL 915 since 2012 till date, and the percentages of crude oil in the OPL 915 among the three contesting states are as follows: Kogi, 53 per cent; Anambra, 23 per cent; Enugu, 17 per cent; and Edo, seven per cent.

“There is a difference between oil-producing and oil-processing. They may be an oil-processing state but they have not contributed to the revenue of this country from oil. When they do that, they will become an oil-producing state.

“This issue of oil-producing cannot be decided on the floor by a motion; it has to be decided by contribution to the Federation Account.”

UNICEF Fears Outbreak Of Measles As 169 Million Children Were Not Vaccinated

Editorial staff

April 24, 2019

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), has expressed fear of possible outbreak of measles across the world as an estimated 169 million children did not take the first dose of the measles vaccine between 2010 and 2017, or 21.1 million children a year on average.

“Widening pockets of unvaccinated children have created a pathway to the measles outbreaks hitting several countries around the world today.”

In a statement today, Wednesday to mark World Immunization Week, UNICEF Executive Director, Henrietta Fore said: “the ground for the global measles outbreaks we are witnessing today was laid years ago. The measles virus will always find unvaccinated children. If we are serious about averting the spread of this dangerous but preventable disease, we need to vaccinate every child, in rich and poor countries alike.”

UNICEF said that in the first three months of 2019, more than 110,000 measles cases were reported worldwide, adding that there were nearly 300 percent similar cases from the same period last year.

“An estimated 110,000 people, most of them children, died from measles in 2017, a 22 per cent increase from the year before.”

The statement said that two doses of the measles vaccine are essential to protect children from the disease, adding that due to lack of access, poor health systems, complacency, and in some cases fear or skepticism about vaccines, the global coverage of the first dose of the measles vaccine was reported at 85 per cent in 2017, a figure that has remained relatively constant over the last decade despite population growth.

It said that global coverage for the second dose is much lower, at 67 per cent.

“The World Health Organization recommends a threshold of 95 per cent immunization coverage to achieve so-called ‘herd immunity’.

“In high income countries, while coverage with the first dose is 94 per cent, coverage for the second dose drops to 91 per cent, according to the latest data.

“The United States tops the list of high-income countries with the most children not receiving the first dose of the vaccine between 2010 and 2017,at more than 2.5 million. It is followed by France and the United Kingdom, with over 600,000 and 500,000unvaccinated infants, respectively, during the same period.

“In low- and middle-income countries, the situation is critical. In 2017, for example, Nigeria had the highest number of children under one year of age who missed out on the first dose, at nearly 4 million. It was followed by India (2.9 million), Pakistan and Indonesia (1.2 million each), and Ethiopia (1.1 million).

“Worldwide coverage levels of the second dose of the measles vaccines are even more alarming. Of the top 20 countries with the largest number of unvaccinated children in 2017, 9have not introduced the second dose. Twenty-countries in sub-Saharan Africa have not introduced the necessary second dose in the national vaccination schedule, putting over 17millioninfants a year at higher risk of measles during their childhood.

“UNICEF, with partners such as the Measles and Rubella Initiative and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is helping address this measles crisis by:

Negotiating vaccine prices: the cost of the measles vaccine is now at an all-time low;
Helping countries identify underserved areas and unreached children;
Procuring vaccines and other immunization supplies;
Supporting supplementary vaccination campaigns to address gaps in routine immunization coverage;
Working with relevant countries to introduce the second dose of the measles vaccine in the national immunization schedule. Cameroon, Liberia and Nigeria are on track to do so in 2019.
Introducing innovations like the use of solar power and mobile technologies to maintain vaccines at the right temperature.”

According the UNICE Executive Director, measles is far too contagious, saying: “it is critical not only to increase coverage but also to sustain vaccination rates at the right doses to create an umbrella of immunity for everyone.”

Senate Postpones Debate On, Passage Of 2019 Budget To April 30

Editorial staff

April 24, 2019

The Senate has postponed consideration and passage of the 2019 Appropriation Bill to April 30, according to the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, allow the Senate Committee on Appropriation to distribute copies of the budget to lawmakers to study.

Senator Saraki, who spoke today, Wednesday at the plenary, said: “some members have not got printed copies of the details and I have directed the Clerk to make sure that latest Monday we all have printed copies. This is so that everybody can see the details of the budget, so we can pass it on Tuesday.”

According to the Senate President, the postponement is aimed at avoid a situation where the budget is passed without the lawmakers going through the details with a view for them to making necessary observations.

“So, Clerk, ensure that everybody has copies of the details by Monday so we will pass it on Tuesday.”

The 2019 appropriation bill of N8.83 trillion was presented to the joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives by President Muhammadu Buhari on December 19, 2018.

Debate on the general principles of the bill by the national assembly was delayed due to conduct of the recently concluded general elections. The bill was thereafter laid in plenary on April 17 by the Senate Committee on Appropriation after failing to meet several deadlines for its submission with the hope that it would be passed on April 24.

The 2019 budget estimate is N300 billion lower than the N9.1 billion being implemented for the current fiscal year.

The budget is based on an oil production estimate of 2.3 million barrels per day and an exchange rate of N305 to a dollar.

It is also based on real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 3.01 per cent and inflation rate of 9.98 per cent.

The budget deficit is projected to decrease to N1.86 trillion or 1.3 per cent of the GDP in 2019 from N1.95 trillion projected for 2018 among other projections.

Source: NAN.

Shiites Occupy National Assembly Complex

Editorial staff

April 24, 2019

Members of Islamic Movement Of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites were said to have forced their way into the National Assembly complex today, Wednesday.

According to eye witness account, the Shiites effectively took over and occupied the National Assembly complex to commemorate the 68th birthday anniversary of their spiritual leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, who has been in detention since 2015.

The accounts said that the Shiites were initially peaceful as they chanted anti-government songs from outside the gate, but that situation turned differently when some of them suddenly descended on the gate, shaking it vigorously until they succeeded in forcing it open, almost causing a stampede because of the crowd.

It took the appeal of leaders of the movement to stop the crowd from advancing into chambers of the assembly proper.

Despite provocation by the protesters, the Police remained calm and peaceful, and only pleaded with them not to go into the chamber.

Source: Economist.

Inter-Bank Forex Market Gets $210 Million Boost from Central Bank

Editorial staff

April 24, 2019

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has again intervened with the sum of $210 million to sustain liquidity in the inter-bank foreign exchange market.

Figures released by the apex bank today, Wednesday, showed that authorized dealers in the wholesale segment of the market, as in previous deals, were offered the sum of $100 million while those in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment got a boost of $55 million. Customers purchasing foreign exchange for invisibles such as tuition fees, medical payments and Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), among others, were also allotted a total of $55 million.

The bank’s Director in the Corporate Communications Department, Isaac Okorafor, who confirmed the transactions, reiterating that the bank will continue to ensure the availability of foreign exchange in order to ensure continued stability in the markets.

In its last Thursday, intervention the apex bank injected the sum of $254.8million and CNY34.8 million into the Retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) segment.

Meanwhile, the Naira today, Wednesday, exchanged at an average ofN360/$1 in the BDC segment of the market.

Buhari Hails Gov Ambode For His Contributions To Growth, Development Of Lagos

Editorial staff

April 24, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the contributions he had made in the last four years to the growth and development of Lagos State.

He told Lagos people: “Your Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has performed satisfactorily and we should all commend him for his contributions to the growth and development of Lagos State.”

The President, who officially commissioned the new Oshodi Transport Interchange, the Mass Transit Buses and the Murtala Mohammed International Airport road in Lagos today, Wednesday, seized the opportunity to thank the people of Lagos State for their support for the government of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to him, the three key projects he commissioned in Lagos today reflected the drive and success of the APC government as it pursues policies and programmes that will positively impact on the citizens.

“The new Oshodi Transport Interchange; the Mass Transit Medium and High capacity public buses and the reconstructed Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road by Lagos State Government clearly demonstrate the need to continue to provide high impact projects for the development of infrastructure and opportunities for job creation at all levels.

“Just as this transport interchange with three different terminals is going to change the face of public transportation, the mass transit buses totaling 820 will move the people of Lagos State in a more comfortable and more efficient manner.

“These projects by Lagos State are perfectly aligned with the efforts of the Federal Government to improve the country’s infrastructure especially in the transport sector.

“To compliment the Oshodi transport Interchange, the Federal Government has recently approved the reconstruction of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway up to Oworonshoki and Old-Toll gate which was last attended to, 40 years ago.

“We have recently commissioned the new International Airport Terminals in Port Harcourt and Abuja as well as the rail lines from Abuja to Kaduna. The Lagos to Ibadan rail line is under construction. Our government will continue to prioritise high impact infrastructure which will vastly improve the lives of our people.”

Book: ‘Gov Ibrahim Gaidam, Founder Of Modern Yobe’ For Launch April 29

Greenbarge Reporters

April 24, 2019

A book, titled: “Governor Ibrahim Gaidam: Founder of Modern Yobe,” detailing his ten year stewardship of Yobe state is billed to be formally presented to the public next week Monday, April 29 in Damaturu, the State capital.

According to a statement signed by Mohammed Zanna Abba on behalf of the launching committee, the public presentation will chaired by the State Governor-Elect, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni. He was, until his election as the governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni was the National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The statement said that President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo are expected to serve as Special Guest of Honour and Guest of Honour, respectively while President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad will serve as at the event distinguished guests.

It said that governors, ministers and other political and business leaders will be part of the event to be hosted by the Deputy Governor of Yobe state, Engineer Abubakar D. Ali.

The statement said that the Emir of Fika and Chairman of Yobe State Council of Chiefs, Dr Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, will serve as the Royal father of the Day even as the book is scheduled to be reviewed by Professor Danjuma Gambo, the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Maiduguri.

The Managing Director of Rick-Rock Construction Nigeria Limited, Timothy Ezekiel, will serve as the chief presenter. He is expected to derive support from prominent personalities like the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu; national chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, Governor Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State and former governor of Yobe state, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim

Other co-presenters are the Leader of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan; Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Indimi; Senator-elect for Yobe Zone B, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai; Chairman of Jinabco International Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Jinjiri Abubakar and Deputy National Chairman of APC (North East), Comrade Mustafa Salihu, among others.

The 303-page book, comprising 12 chapters, takes the reader on an edifying voyage across the vast sea of Governor Ibrahim Gaidam’s life and experiences which gleam of a fine intertwine of brevity, kindness, quest for knowledge, prudence, visionary leadership and submission to the will of God.

The book also burrows into the governor’s personality, examines his principles and highlights the factors that make him triumph where others stumble. Not to mention his refreshingly different brand of leadership which has enabled him to record remarkable achievements even when Yobe state was in the throes of unprecedented onslaught from Boko Haram insurgents.

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