Daily Nigerian Publisher Wins Integrity Awards Over Video On Gov Ganduje

December 10, 2018

Jaafar Jaafar | Photo credit: Daily Nigeria

The publisher of Daily Nigerian, an online medium, Jaafar Jaafar, has won 2018 Integrity Award for being recognized as anti-corruption champion of the year over a video clip he released showing Governor Umar Ganduje of Kano state receiving bribes from contractors.

Tagged ‘2018 Integrity Awards,’ it was organized by Youth Alive Foundation (YAF), a registered non-governmental organization working to provide a platform that harnesses and nurtures young people through informed, innovative and value-driven approaches for personal, community and national development.

With funding from UKAID through DFID, Nigeria’s support to Anti-corruption in Nigeria (ACORN) program, YAF is leading a consortium of partners to implement the Strengthening Youth Participation Against Corruption project (YPAC).

In the words of the organisers, Jaafar deserves the award for being considered as a man of integrity because of his doggedness and bravery for exposing corrupt practices irrespective of who is involved.

The Head of Programmes YAF, Usen Asanga said: “Jaafar acclaims his conscience as being his greatest role models in the profession and believes in the power of investigative journalism as a means to ensure the truth is on earth and leaders are put to task.

“As part of interventions under the YPAC project, YAF is working with stakeholders across sectors to revitalize integrity, good character and other national values as a counterculture or new norm.

“It is against this background that YAF organised the Integrity Awards to identify and celebrate deserving citizens and groups who have made outstanding contributions in terms of exemplary acts of integrity, and other inspiring contributions to the fight against corruption in Nigeria, via awards.

“The goal and inherent intention of integrity Awards is not only to reshape norms that sustain corruption, but also to build a new culture and consciousness that highlights integrity, selflessness and patriotism as hallmarks of national growth, development and progress.”

Jaafar commended the organizers for recognizing him for the award, and added that as a Journalist, he had played his part in exposing corrupt practices and called other stakeholders to take it up.

“While I must commend the organiser for this honour, I must state that the role of a journalist ends at exposing ills in the society while other arms of govrernment, especially law enforcement agencies and judiciary should take it up and play their parts to the conclusion.”

Other awardees at the event included retired President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo-Salami; founder of Brekete Family FM station, Ahmed Isah; Freedom Radio presenter, Nasir Zango; an FRSC officer, Sikiru A.Aduloju, Bayero University Kano lecturer, Malam Mu’azu Yusif, Nigerian Police officer, CSP Francis Osagie Erhabor and an activist Soji Apampa.

This was even as Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, a Premium Times associate editor, won the Wole Soyinka award for investigative journalist of the year (online category) award. He also won the coveted investigative reporter of the year award.

Abdulaziz was awarded the top honour for exposing the National Youth Corps Scheme (NYSC) exemption certificate forgery of Kemi Adeosun, former minister of finance.

“We had to undergo a lot of challenges for the story to come out,” Abdulaziz said in his acceptance speech.

“I think one important issue in all this is the issue of tenacity in news reporting as well as the culture of staying on the story.

“I think that was what we were able to do with this story, to stay on it, to make it an issue and insist that it shouldn’t be swept under the carpet no matter how much it was tried.

“I think today we celebrate. Today, we celebrate the courage of a lot of Nigerians to come out on the issue. I had moments in the course of pursuing this story that I felt dejected and felt as if one was wrong.”

The first runner-up of the online category was Kemi Busari while Oladeinde Olawoyin was commended for his work.

The three online finalists are from Premium Times.

The print category was won by Mojeed Alabi of New Telegraph while Chinwe Agbeze was the runner-up.

Chinelo Ozoralor wọn the radio category, Sharon Ijasan of TVC News wọn the television category while Azeezat Olaoluwa, also of TVC, was a runner-up.

Bennett Omeke of PUNCH and Cornelius Emenike of New Telegraph were commended for editorial cartoons.

Elliot Ovadje of Tribune was commended for his work in the photo category which was won by Kolawole Aliu of Leadership Newspaper.

Presidency Describes PDP As Peddler Of Fake News; Tells Nigerians To “Ignore Them”

Editorial staff

December 10, 2018

The Presidency has described the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a ceaselessly flowing stream of fake news, even as it asked Nigerians to “ignore them.”

Senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, made this known today, Monday in a statement reacting to stories about the alleged arrest of the sons of the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar and the alleged blockage of the bank accounts of Atiku’s running mate, Peter Obi and his family.

Malam Garba Shehu, who made it clear that all the stories were not true, “and should be dismissed as just another manifestation of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s growing expertise in fake news,” said that Nigerians must be becoming wary by now, of a political party with absolutely nothing to offer in the coming elections “and has instead, transformed into a knight in shining armor, slaying the truth.

“It is impossible to find in Nigeria today, anyone propagating fake news more than the PDP.

Our advice to Nigerians is: ignore them.”

N2.608 Billion Debt: Authority Shuts Lagos, Gombe, Kebbi, Delta Airports In Protest

Editorial staff

December 10, 2018

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has closed down and, therefore, withdrew its services from the Murtala Muhammed Airport II (MMA2) terminal in Lagos; Gombe, Kebbi and Delta state airports.

The action, which takes effect from today, Monday, according to the Authority, is in protest against a debt of N2.608 billion allegedly owed by the facilities.

In a notice To Airmen (NOTAM) worldwide on Saturday, FAAN said that it would be withdrawing aviation security, firefighting and rescue operations from Osubi, Gombe and MMA2 beginning midnight Sunday, December 9, 2018.

Experts described these as safety critical services without which no airport could process flights. Findings revealed that the alleged debt profiles of the facilities as Gombe airport, N607 million; Kebbi, N124 million; Osubi airstrip N77 million.

The breakdown of a N1.9 billion debt owed FAAN by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) as at July 31, 2018 showed N1.4 billion for the provision of aviation security; N143.5 million for fire/safety cost; marshalling, N2.2 million; and an undisclosed management cost.

It will be recalled that the MMA2, one of the best operating terminal in the country, has been the subject of protracted legal dispute between BASL, its concessionaire, on the one hand, and FAAN and the Federal Government on the other. While FAAN alleged it is owed a debt of N1.9 billion for support services rendered to the terminal from 2007 till date, BASL demanded that FAAN and the Federal Government obey a court order and pay N200 billion for running the GAT illegally.

The development, as Yuletide nears, could result in more chaotic scheduled services for airlines and passengers.

But Osubi airfield in Warri, Delta State, denied it owes FAAN. T

he private facility said it has not been dependent on the agency’s services in the last two years. “Therefore the so-called withdrawal of services at Osubi is false, a misinformation and abuse of standards,” the management said.

Operating airlines have started migrating from MMA2 to the nearby General Aviation Terminal (GAT) also in Lagos.

How Buhari Reduced 22,000 Government Accounts To One, Lai Mohammed Explains

Editorial staff

December 10, 2018

Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has, again, narrated how President Muhammadu Buhari began to tackle corruption, on coming to power in 2015, by attacking the system of financial operations of government establishments.

“Before we came in, there were over 22,000 government accounts in various banks. Since we came, we reduced it to one account and from 2015 to date, N8.9 trillion has passed through the TSA which is as a result of transparency and accountability.”

The minister, who spoke to news men today, Monday in Abuja, said that the Buhari government had put in place institutional reforms which had confirmed its sincerity and commitment to fighting the menace.

“It is not about putting people in Jail but what are the things put in place to address this endemic problem.

“Take the example of Treasury Single Account TSA, which was not initiated by this government. It is only the Buhari administration that has the political will to implement it.”

According to Lai Mohammed, even with lean resources, the Buhari administration has spent more on infrastructure than the 16 years of the PDP administration.

The minister, who was reacting to insinuations by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo who said Nigeria “is being destroyed with incompetence, corruption lack of focus, insecurity nepotism and brazen impunity,” said that Obasanjo must not have been properly briefed on the development in the country to have made such conclusions.

“The facts are all there that this government has done more than any other governments in three and half years.

He said that there was no state in the country without one or two infrastructure development being embarked upon by the federal government.

The minister said that the Buhari administration had commissioned the Abuja to Kaduna standard rail gauge while the 156 km Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge would be ready for commissioning in March next year.

He said that the government had made fund available for five critical infrastructure projects including the Mambilla power project, the East-West Road, the second Niger Bridge, the Abuja – Kano and Abuja-Lokoja-Okenne highways.

Lai Mohammed said that the efforts of the administration in diversifying the economy away from oil had yielded fruits with achievement recorded in agriculture, particularly in rice production and solid mineral sectors.

On power supply, the minister said that the administration had improved on generation, transmission and distribution than it met them in 2015, while Nigerians are benefiting from its numerous social investment programmes.

The minister admitted that Obasanjo has the right to support any candidate for the 2019 Presidential election, but reminded him that his endorsement of candidate does not guarantee victory.

“With due respect to former President Obasanjo, it is his constitutional right to support any candidate of his choice and we urge him to go out and campaign vigorously for any candidate he wants to support.

“He has not hidden his preference for the PDP candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and we wish him very best of luck.

“However, I want to assure you that his candidate will be defeated roundly and comprehensively. It is not about endorsement, endorsement does not win election.”

“The facts are all there that this government has done more in three years than any other government.”

EFCC Describes Arrest Of Atiku’s Sons As Fake News

Editorial staff

December 10, 2018

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has described report that its operatives raided the residence of the sons of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar as fake news.

The EFCC reacted to the alarm raised by Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe , who said that during the search of the residence of Aliyu and Mustapha Atiku-Abubakar, EFCC operatives ended up arresting two other residents of the estate in Maitama in Abuja.

The anti-graft agency admitted that it arrested one Ogbonna Orji who is the son of former Abia State governor, Theodore Orji and not Atiku’s children.

In a series of tweets, the anti-graft agency said that the arrest of Ogbonna Orjid has nothing to do with Atiku’s sons.

The tweets read: “The recent arrest of Ogbonna Orji, son of Sen. Theodore Orji, over money laundering, has absolutely nothing to do with son of ex-VP Atiku Abubakar.

“The EFCC had been on the trail of cars allegedly bought by the sons, and last Friday the cars were traced to a nightclub in Abuja, where operatives waited patiently through the night to arrest the owners – Ogbonna and his friend, Kelvin Ilonah.

“They were arrested at about 5am on Saturday, and they led operatives to their three-flat apartment, where documents retrieved showed that it was rented at a rate of N13million per annum.”

Ibe had said that the EFCC confiscated two cars belonging to Atiku’s son after they were arrested but that they were later released.

2019: Information Minister Cautions Media Against Increasing Fake News By Opposition

Editorial staff

December 10, 2018

“I want to put the media on the alert that as we approach the election, they should be more cautious as the opposition is determined to dish out more and more fake news in order to confuse them and create tension and dissonance in the system all in their desperate bid to win the election. They know they have nothing to offer the Nigerian people,”

These were the words of caution by the Nigeria’s Information minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed while reacting to the rumour that President Muhammadu Buhari has been replaced by a ‘clone’ called ‘Jubril Aminu Alsudani.’

Speaking to news men today, Monday, in Abuja, Lai Mohammed said: “one of the fake news being propagated by the opposition, which is now very confused, is that Buhari cannot speak Fulfulde, his mother tongue and cannot open the main door to his conference room in the Presidential Villa having undergone cloning, despite having openly been made clear that there was nothing like that.

“This is clearly the fake news and handiwork of the opposition in serious distress and confusion.

“It is not true that Buhari has not been able to access his main office as a result of being cloned. Anybody who says so is a purveyor of fake news and should be ignored. Let this campaign be issue-based and not on sentiments, silly and idiotic fake news.”

Buhari Challenges African Youths To Lead In Fight Against Corruption

Editorial staff

December 9, 2018

President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged African youths to take the lead in the fight against corruption on the continent. He said: “to the young people of Africa, this fight against corruption is yours to lead and to win in order to reverse the negative trends of corruption and it’s implications for Africa. “The Youth of Africa must pool their energies to effectively ensure that our natural and mineral resources remain on the continent for value addition, job and wealth creation as well as to create affordable health-care and quality education for our people. Winning the fight against corruption is very much in your hands! Speaking today, Sunday, at the launching of the African Youth Congress Against Corruption (AYCAC2018), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Buhari recalled that during the mid-year summit of the African Union Assembly, African Heads of State and Government adopted the Nouakchott Declaration on the Anti-Corruption Year, to serve as a roadmap in the fight against corruption over the coming years. He said that the Declaration reiterated that corruption is not only an African phenomenon but a global one, especially when we consider Illicit Financial Flows where Africa, regrettably is in fact a net creditor to the world. He also recalled that throughout this year, African governments had focused on the strategy for Africa’s structural transformation on strengthening its collective anti-corruption fight. “As African leaders, we made history in adopting this theme in January 2018 in Addis Ababa and openly debated and evaluated our strategy in Nouakchott last July. And today in Nigeria’s capital with our Youth, we are rallying against this once-hidden taboo and hydra-headed challenge that freezes our aspirations and dents the hopes of our youth for a newly emergent Africa. The Nigerian President, who is also Champion of the 2018 African Anti-Corruption Year, noted that the anti-corruption year of the African Union has been long and demanding. He added that the year has also been filled with sharing of great lessons, promises and inspirations as well as some success stories on our journey to winning the fight against the evil of corruption. “I am therefore very pleased that with your support, we have kept faith with the African people, particularly our Youth gathered here today.” He thanked the African Union under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, and all African Leaders for entrusting him (Buhari) with the leadership responsibility of championing the African Union theme of the Year – “Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.” “May I also extend my gratitude to the African Union Commission headed by Chairperson, His Excellency, Moussa Faki Mahamat, for providing the technical support to my Champion-role for the past twelve (12) months.” President Buhari referred to Nouakchott Declaration which emphasized on the imperative of investing in the demographic dividends through anti-corruption, education and sensitization campaigns, targeting young people as a means of bringing about behavioral change. President Buhari then encouraged young Africans to use this Declaration as motivation to achieve greater resource investment in developing anti-corruption curricula and anti-graft campaigns in schools, businesses and the general public space. “African Youth must remain the front and centre of restoring traditional African values of probity, integrity, honesty, diligence and hard work. It is only when the youth drive this change, that corruption will be eliminated!” Buhari said that he is pleased to learn that the youth regional consultative forums were informative and rewarding for the over 600 young people from across the continent who sharpened their strategies and skills to fight corruption. “Furthermore, Youth meetings serve as vital platforms for young people to engage. I would like to recognize some of our young leaders here present who have demonstrated the zeal and determination to build the “Africa We Want”: “First, I wish to recognize Mr. Moussa Kondo from Mali for his Accountability Lab in the Republic of Mali. He blazed the trail on how to build sustainable coalitions of “Accountapreneurs”. “Secondly, I recognize, Mr. Maxence Melo, from the United Republic of Tanzania, founder of JamiiForums for strengthening the viability of whistleblowing policy tools. “I also enjoin us to celebrate our very own Nigerian – Damilola Olawale, founder of Code IT for using technology to give young people the tools to demand transparency in the management of public resources. “These young people have done impressive work in pushing the boundaries of innovation in the pursuit for greater accountability. And so today, we celebrate them and indeed we celebrate all of you – anti-corruption youngsters. You are the unsung heroes of our thematic year of the African Union, the high-impact achievers. You are the REAL AFRICAN CHAMPIONS! “This Congress is therefore a grand rallying point to catalyze policy and practical action against the vice of corruption. We must listen to the perspectives of the African Youth and engage in frank and honest conversations. Communication, upwards and sideways can only be ignored at a price.”

Abuja Hosts Cycling In January 2019

Editorial staff

December 9, 2018

File photo: Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi Rides a Bicycle as he receives a team of cyclists in Abuja | Credit: Information Nigeria

All is now set for Cycling FCT 2019, to be held in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Transport and the Abuja Federal Capital Territory Authority. According to the organizers, the agenda is aimed at creating cycling infrastructure platforms, entrench cycling as a culture, a way of life that would change lifestyle and improve health in Nigeria. The Chairman of the Cycling LifeScope, a partner in the organizing team, Soji Adeleye, said that the event is conceived to become one of biggest sports, tourism and entertainment events in Nigeria and the entire Africa continent. “Activities for the event will be a high profile cycling bazaar, will consist of the main event that will hold on the Sunday 27th of January, 2019, succeeded by the Awards Gala Night at the hospitality partner’s hotel on the 28th of January, 2019 while preceded by three municipal (location) races for all comers – these would serve the dual purpose of bringing cycling to the mainstream and as qualifiers and practice runs for those competing in the main event on Sunday. The main event that will offer very attractive prizes will be a classic road race with a distance of 180km (male) and 95km (female) on the Abuja Municipal circular highway; it will start and finish at the Parade Ground, FCT, Abuja.” Adeleye added that “The idea is to take cycling to the heart of our government and people to help advance the advocacy in the country.” “With Cycling Lagos, most of corporate Nigerians have signed up to the theme and embraced the principles of healthy, sustainable and active lifestyle to their workers and those in their immediate environment going forward. Abuja with its relatively modern and open dual carriage ways offers a particularly inspirational and unparalleled cycling route for cyclists and what should become an annual international cycling Mecca.” “In recognition of the contribution of cycling to the Sustainable Development Goals, concerted effort is being made across the globe to promote its social, economic and environmental benefits. In the case Cycling F.C.T, it’s an amazing opportunity to showcase the tourism potential of the host City through the event. The United Nations resolution to declare the 3rd day of June, the World Bicycle Day further underlined the uniqueness of this simple technology that has become a solution to our modern sustainable development. Cycling culture is now seen universally as one of the uniquely thorough highway to a future greener, eco-friendly and sustainable.” He explained that while developing countries like Nigeria are for now merely trying to meet the developmental needs of the masses at whatever cost with environmental consideration of least concern, public organisations are needed to encourage the larger society to be socially responsible and imbibe the culture of conservation and healthy living through regular cycling. “The program is expected to become an annual event designed for cycling enthusiasts and professionals (local and international). Beyond the central idea of encouraging healthy living through regular exercise among the people, the event will also champion healthy competition among cycling organisations through their participations and encourage the general public to engage in cycling in their various communities for healthy living and see the Bicycle as an integral transport vehicle.” According to him, corporate organizations are being invited to partner with Cycling LifeScope ltd for the Cycling F.C.T event as a platform for demonstrating their corporate social responsibility. The event promises brand visibility and an occasion to engage with their customers in Abuja and the country at large.

President Buhari Moves On Local Government, State Judicial Autonomy

Editorial staff

December 9, 2018

President Muhammadu Buhari has made a positive move on proper autonomy for State Legislature and State Judiciary by constituting a Presidential Implementation Committee in accordance with the 4th Alteration to the 1999 Constitution.

A statement today, Sunday, by special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said that the purpose of the committee is to drive the actualization of the autonomy granted to the legislature and judiciary at the State level.

He gave the names of members of the committee as minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami as Chairman, Presidential Liaison (National Assembly), Senator Ita Enang, as Secretary and representatives of State Judiciary. They include Justice N. Ajanah, Chief Judge of Kogi State; Justice K. Abiri, Chief Judge of Bayelsa State; Kadi Abdullahi Maikano Usman, Grand Khadi, Gombe State Sharia Court of Appeal and Justice Abbazih Musa Abubakar Sadeeq, Acting President of the FCT Customary Court of Appeal.

Adesina added that State legislatures are to be represented by Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, and Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, as well as Rt. Hon. Abel Peter Riah, Speaker, Taraba State House of Assembly.

According to the Presidential spokesman, Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria is to be represented by Marwan Mustapha Adamu while Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, Comrade Bala Hadi, Body of Chairmen of Houses of Assembly Service Commissions, Musa Mustapha Agwai, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, Senator David Umaru as well as House of Representatives Committee on Federal Judiciary, Hon. Aminu Shagari are also members of the committee.

Others are the Accountant General of the Federation, and the Secretary of the National Judicial Council; the Director General of the Nigerian Governors Forum or such other representative as the Forum may wish to nominate; Chairman of the Forum of Finance Commissioners in Nigeria; President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Paul Usoro, and Chike Adibuah Esq, representing Civil Society Organizations.

“Terms of reference of the committee include, among others; to assess and review the level of compliance by all the 36 States of the Federation with Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended); to monitor, ensure and cause the implementation of Financial Autonomy across the Judiciary and Legislature of the 36 States; to consult and relate with the appropriate Federal and State MDAs; to ensure and where necessary enforce the implementation of constitutional provision; and to come up with appropriate modality or model to be adopted by all the States of the Federation for implementation and/ or compliance with Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”

Adesina said that formal inauguration of the committee by the President will be done in due course.

Asiwaju Tinubu To Nuhu Ribadu: You Still Have Much To Offer Nigeria, World

Editorial staff

December 9, 2018

All Progressives Congress national stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has reminded former chairman, Chief Executive Officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, that he still have a lot to offer Nigeria and the world in the area of war against corruption.

Asiwaju Tinubu, in a letter congratulating the former anti corruption czar for winning the global lifetime award for anti-corruption, insisted his work is not finished yet and that he still has much to give Nigeria and the world.

“The award is a testament to your singular dedication in fighting corruption in order to make ours a more excellent country and to restore our national reputation. The award shows that a person of integrity and commitment can make a difference and indeed be successful without sacrifice of principle or ethics.

“In recognition of your intrepid work as the first chairman of EFCC and for your contributions to good governance and anti-corruption worldwide, the award was more than warranted. It was richly deserved. You personify the best of our nation.

“As EFCC chairman, you erected the necessary law enforcement architecture for the fight against corruption. The excellence and importance of your work is recognized by President Muhammadu Buhari who has carried on the anti-corruption campaign with zeal and determination by further strengthening the EFCC and making the anti-corruption fight a pillar of his administration.

“With this award, you make your fellow Nigerians proud because the award is also recognition that we are a land of intelligent and honourable people and that corruption is not intrinsic in our national character. With the award you also secure your place among the most respected anti-corruption fighters and law enforcement figures in the world.

“Dear brother, you must also remember what this award does not say. While it recognizes you for work excellently done it does not mean that your work is at all finished. You still have much to give Nigeria and the world. Your unique expertise and compassion for our people means you must continue to help build progressive good governance so that our people may soon have the just and prosperous nation they deserve.

“Continue to be a leader of resolve and a role model to the next generation.”

The award administered by Doha, Qatar-based think tank, Rule of Law and Anti-corruption Centre (ROLACC), celebrates corruption fighters, academics and campaigners from around the world. It was conferred on Ribadu at a ceremony held over the weekend at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre in Malaysia.

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