The Board and Management of Greenbarge Media and Communications Limited, publisher of Greenbarge Reporters Online, wish to inform our readers across the globe that with effect from Friday, September 14th 2018, press releases, statements, and other related materials will be published on our site at a cost of N25, 000 each. This is part of our effort to raise funds to keep the site active for your pleasurable reading. We thank you for your understanding. MANAGEMENT.
President Muhammadu Buhari in Osogbo for #APCMegaRally for Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, APC’s governorship candidate.
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Nigerians for kicking the corrupt and selfish leaders out of the Federal Government in 2015.
“And by the grace of God, the voters will continue to keep them out of leadership positions until we permanently consign their corrupt governing style into the history books.”
The President, who spoke at the Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) rally for the governorship candidate of the party, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola yesterday, Tuesday, stressed the need to free Nigeria from corrupt and selfish leaders.
President Buhari said that the children of all Nigerians will, under the APC government, get quality infrastructure, education, health care and job opportunities, which is why the Osun people must all come out and vote for the party on September 22.
“Osun must remain APC. Osun must continue on the path of progress. Osun must not allow the dark days to return.”
The President recounted the goodies which his government had so far given to Osun State and the surrounding States.
They include the rehabilitation of Ila-Orangun- Oke ila- ilale Akan Road at the sum of N5.19 billion, ongoing repaire of the Ijebu – Ijesha road all the way to the Ekiti State Border at the cost of N562.55 million.
“We are committed to completing the Gbongan – Iwo road as well as the Ojutu Bridge in Ilobu.
“The construction of affordable houses to provide opportunities for a broad range of residents from diverse social and economic backgrounds is on course.
“We are building transmission lines and sub-stations across the State to improve electricity supply and distribution.
“We have implemented our social investment programs including school feeding and implementation of agricultural projects that have supported thousands of farmers.
“We have signed the $6.6 billion rail contract for the Ibadan to Kaduna rail line. This line will pass through Osogbo thereby connecting Osun to not only Ibadan and Lagos but also to Ilorin, Minna and Kaduna. There will also be a single track branch line that will connect Osogbo to Ado-Ekiti.
“We are also completing some very old roads whose contracts were awarded many years ago. The Ife – Ondo road that was awarded 12 years ago and the Gbonga – Kwara State road which was awarded 9 years ago.
“Although the previous federal leadership abandoned these projects leaving the citizens to suffer, we have decided to complete them in order to improve the lives of our citizens in spite of the level of resources available to us.
“These projects and many other infrastructural projects will further open up Osun and its citizens to the rest of the country.
“We will continue to complete old strategic projects. We will also continue to develop and implement new impactful projects. This is our covenant not only to Osun but to all Nigerians.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has raised an alarm, warning members of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of some party’s Presidential aspirants that have been planted to destroy the party.
The Governor stressed that some of the PDP Presidential aspirants are being sponsored by the APC and the Presidency.
He made it clear that nobody can mislead him neither can anybody blindfold the people of Rivers State into supporting a presidential aspirant with compromised credentials.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, Governor Wike denied assigning campaign coordinator to any of the presidential aspirants from the north, who he said had gone to other governors and have been given campaign coordinators.
He said that several presidential aspirants have been coming to visit him and to request he nominate a liaison in support of their candidature, but he declined.
Wike mentioned former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Alhaji Sule Lamido, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Governor AminuTambuwal of Sokoto State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa among those who have visited him.
He claimed that the head of one of the security agencies in the country had approached him to support one of the presidential aspirants.
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has said that it will be a violation of the immunity he is enjoying as governor if he report at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for interrogation before he leaves office on October 16.
“As a responsible citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who currently enjoys immunity under Section 308 of the Constitution, it would amount to a breach of the Constitution which I swore to uphold if I appear in your office on any date earlier than 16th October 2018. If done otherwise, it will set a wrong precedent for the Constitutional Institution that I represent.
In a letter to the EFCC complaining over the Commission’s move to keep him on watch list, Governor Fayose insisted: “without prejudice to Section 308 of the Constitution, I will be willing to answer questions from your team of investigators should they be willing to meet me in my office in Ado Ekiti on the 20th September 2018.”
He described EFCC directive to the Customs and other agencies, directing them to put him on a watch-list and arrest him if he attempted to leave Nigeria before the expiration of his tenure as having raised serious questions about the impartiality, independence or neutrality of the commission.
He reminded the EFCC that “in 2007, precisely on the 19th day of December, I willingly presented myself for investigation at your Lagos office,” adding that “There is therefore nothing new or strange in my letter of 10th September 2018, which has been received and treated in bad faith and taste. I thought I was assisting due and fair process of law.”
In his letter to EFCC, dated September 14, 2018 Fayose said: “I carefully chose that date (October 16, 2018) being the next day after the expiration of my tenure upon which the immunity I enjoy will lapse to avoid any form of insinuation and was in good faith.
“While drafting my response to your letter of 14th September 2018, my attention was drawn to your widely-publicized letter of September 12, 2018, directing the Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service and similar agencies, to watch-list and arrest me on an imagination that I might leave Nigeria to escape investigation.
“It has finally put in context, your Commission’s hurriedly deleted on-line statement via EFCC Nigeria @OfficialEFCC a day after the Ekiti governorship election that: “The parri is over; the clock of immunity turn apart, and the staff broken. Ekiti Integrated Poultry Project/Biological Concepts Limited N1.3bn fraud case file dusted off the shelves. See you soon.”
“Your Commission by its actions, no doubt has presumed my ‘quilt’ even prior to the commencement of “investigation”.
“This raises serious question about the impartiality, independence or neutrality of the Commission in the matter. I feel harassed, intimidated and embarrassed by the imputation of crime and the innuendos of criminality underlining your correspondence which has been maliciously circulated widely. This in all implies a case of persecution rather than prosecution.
“While I have handed a copy of your letter to my Solicitors for a careful study and advice, let me state here for the records, that there is nothing about me or my antecedents, as a long standing public figure to justify the Commission’s action. I have never been a coward or criminal.
“Notwithstanding, the demonstrated hate and prejudice, I reaffirm my willingness to make myself available to answer questions within my knowledge on the day you may indicate after expiration of my term of office on the 15th October 2018.
“If for any good reason, your investigation cannot await the date suggested in my earlier letter, without prejudice to Section 308 of the Constitution, I will be willing to answer questions from your team of investigators should they be willing to meet me in my office in Ado Ekiti on the 20th September 2018 indicated in yours.
“Save as above, I will appreciate any date convenient to you after 15th October 2018, otherwise, expect me on the 16th October 2018 at 1pm as earlier stated.”
A Kubwa Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Senator Hope Uzodinma for allegedly of issuing N200 million dud cheque.
Uzodinma, a serving senator representing Imo-West, Smiec Engineering and Chemical Construction Company, Niger Global Engineering and Technical Company, were charged with alleged issuance of N200 million dud cheque to Chitex Ventures and Chima Akuzie.
The judge, Abdulwahab Mohammed, said yesterday, Tuesday that the defendant was absent on the last adjourned date of September 11, but his counsel, Eze Oguaju promised to make him available today, September18.
Mohammed issued a bench warrant against the defendant and entered a plea of not guilty for the other defendants, relying on Section 478 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The section provides that a court shall order a plea of not guilty to be entered and the trial shall proceed as though the corporation involved had duly entered a plea of not guilty.
The judge adjourned the matter until September 25 for hearing.
Chitex Ventures Ltd and Chima Akuzie, the complainants, had made a Direct Criminal Complaint against the defendants over alleged issuance of a UBA N200 million dud cheque.
The complainant’s counsel, Oluwatosin Ojaomo, had earlier urged the court to invoke the provisions of Section 131 of the ACJA against the defendant, by issuing a warrant of arrest against the defendant.
He further stated that the defendants were absent in court in spite the fact that they were aware of today’s date, September 18 fixed for definite arraignment.
“Faleke, go back to Kogi, Ikeja say no to you,” “90 Shops in Kogi, Go back to your Kogi.”
These are the inscriptions in some of the placards carried by protesters of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Ikeja Federal Constituency, Lagos State, against the re-election bid of James Faleke into the federal House of Representatives.
Faleke, who is believed to be positioning himself for re-election in 2019 elections to continue to represent Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, had in 2016, gone to contest the deputy governorship seat in Kogi, his state of origin.
The protesters, who chanted different songs against Faleke, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, said that he had not represented the constituency well.
Inscriptions in other placards carried by the protesters who marched on Ikeja streets peacefully read: “16 years of representing Ikeja with no constituency benefit,” “Dear Tinubu, the People of Ikeja, Ojodu, and Onigbongbo say no to Faleke” among others.
One of the leaders of the protesters, Solomon Johnson, said that there were so many capable and vibrant youths, men and women that could represent the constituency even as the APC leader in the constituency, Johnson, APC said that the protest was to tell the leadership of the party that the residents would not support the re-election of Faleke to the House of Representatives.
“He has been in power in the last 18 years and we feel he has done enough.”
According to Johnson, since the lawmaker has gone to contest Kogi Deputy Governorship Election in 2016, the legislative seat should be given to another individual in the person of Mrs. Toke Benson.
He asked Faleke to concentrate on strengthening APC in Kogi rather than seek re-election by transferring his voter register back to Lagos.
“It will be a slap on the people of Ikeja Federal Constituency if Faleke is forced on residents, we have able youths that can represent the constituency and we have found Mrs Toke Benson.
“Since the party is interested in promoting women participation, Toke Benson is qualified, she is a lawyer and well known. Enough of impunity. Give us Toke Benson and we will deliver Ikeja for APC,” Johnson said.
Another leader of the protesters, Hope James said, “The entire people of Ikeja want a change. The attention of Faleke has been in Kogi. Our people have not been benefiting from that office.”
James, one of the APC stalwarts from Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area, alleged that the lawmaker had not been representing the constituency well.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, have signed peace pact to ensure peaceful atmosphere before, during and after 2019 general elections.
The Sultan was represented by the Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo-Yamusa, while the President of CAN was represented by the Prelate of Methodist Church, Rev. Samuel Uche.
The peace accord was signed in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), today, Tuesday, at a Peace Declaration Summit organized by the Nigerian Interfaith Action Association (NIFAA) in collaboration with local and international partners.
The Sultan and CAN leader called on Muslims and Christians to continue to work together, shun violence, embrace dialogue and be committed toward building communities that were resilient and free from fear.
“We join together to affirm that Nigeria is and shall remain a country committed to peace and harmony among all of its members, Christian or Muslims, from the north or from South. “ And that democracy must bring us closer together as a people and not separate us. “ We join together in patriotic love for our country and our fellow Nigerians to declare for peace as key stakeholders representing various religious and ethnic groups in Nigeria.”
The duo expressed determination to embrace a vision of common humanity and speaking publicly of hope for Nigeria’s peaceful and bright future.
The Sultan and CAN President also pledged to demand that free and fair democratic elections should be conducted in peace and for the benefit of all Nigerians regardless of ethnicity, religion or geographical zone. Similarly, the two leaders of dominant religious agreed to promote peace and understanding in all communities as the country enters its elections period as well as denounced hate speech and violence.
The Peace Declaration Summit was attended by leaders of various religious groups, youth and women organizations, traditional rulers and academics from all over the country.
Information minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has ordered immediate reinstatement of a senior journalist, Yushau Shuaib five years after he was compulsorily retired as Chief Information Officer in the ministry of information by the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a letter of reinstatement signed by the Director of Human Resources Management, Lai Mohammed directed that Yushau Shuaib should be reinstated into the civil service as Chief Information Officer on GL14 with immediate effect.
The letter reads in part: “I am directed to refer to the National Industrial Court judgment dated 22nd November, 2017 on the above subject and to inform you of the Honourable Minister’s directive that you be reinstated into the civil service as Chief Information Officer, SGL14 with immediate effect. You are therefore requested to report to the undersigned for further instruction, please.”
This was even as Yushau Shuaib expressed appreciation to the minister for the decision in line with the judgment of the National Industrial Court delivered on November 22, 2017.
He however requested for the prompt settlement of his outstanding salary arrears from June 2013 when he was sacked to date.
Justice David Isele of the National Industrial Court (NIC) had ordered the immediate reinstatement of Yushau, who was until his sack, spokesman of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), into the public service after forceful retirement in 2013 over an opinion article he wrote on former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Yushau had sued the Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) and Federal Ministry of information over the purported retirement. James Ode Abah of Bamidele Aturu Legal Chambers handled the case for Yushau Shuaib.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Isele declared that the letter retiring Yushau from service has no force of law and is therefore illegal, unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever being in flagrant violation of the civil service rules.
The judge also declared: “the premature retirement of NEMA spokesperson by the Federal Government without conducting any investigation, without giving him an opportunity to defend himself and without complying with the condition precedent for retirement is contrary to Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution and therefore illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and null and void.”
The court, therefore, ordered Yushau Shuaib’s immediate to his duty post as the Chief Information Officer without any loss to seniority, salaries, position and other emoluments.
The judge ordered the Federal Government to compute and pay within 30 days all salaries, allowances and other emoluments due to Yushau Shuaib from June 2013 to the judgment date and interest at the prevailing commercial bank’s rate on his total package.
The case centered on the illegal and unlawful retirement of Yushau Shuaib over an allegation of criticizing Okonjo-Iweala, in an opinion article on lopsided appointment in the public service.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has again intervened in the inter-bank Foreign Exchange Market to the tune of $210 million.
A statement from the bank yesterday, Tuesday said that $100 million was offered to authorized dealers in the wholesale segment of the market, while the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment received the sum of $55 million.
It said that customers requiring foreign exchange for invisibles such as tuition fees, medical payments and Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), among others, were also allocated the sum of $55 million.
The Banks Director of Corporate the Communications Department, Isaac Okorafor said that the bank’s commitment to continue to intervene in the country’s interbank foreign exchange market. Okorafor assured that the apex bank will continue to ensure liquidity in the market and sustain the stability in the market.
It will be recalled that last week Tuesday, the bank injected the total sum of $303.91 million and CHY46.58 million into the spot and short tenored forwards of the inter-bank foreign exchange market with.
Meanwhile, the naira exchanged at an average of N361/$1 in the BDC segment of the market yesterday.
Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has drummed support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s reelection bid, saying that he is doing a good job. Ribadu, who spoke to newsmen today, Monday, asked Nigerians to re-elect him in 2019. “Today, President Buhari is our President and I agree with him totally and I am comfortable with the leadership he is giving this country. “If there is anything under, I can also make my own contribution, I am very much prepared to do so.”
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