New PDP Chairman Asks Members To Sacrifice Personal Agenda For The Party

December 19, 2017

The new national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has asked members of the party to be ready to sacrifice personal agenda for the greater good of the party as the nation prepares for the 2019 general elections.

He said: “we must be ready to compromise on personal agenda where necessary as well as make sacrifices for the greater good of the party. As a party in opposition, we must be ready to forgo certain deserving privileges for the good of the party.”

Secondus, in his opening remarks at the PDP retreat for leaders in Abuja today, Tuesday, further reminded the stakeholders that the new PDP is being built around youths and women as catalysts for the rebuilding process, even as he said that as the new leaders of the party, they should brace up for the huge challenge.

He stressed that the time for individualistic ideology is over, “and moving forward, we all must collectively channel our energy and resources towards achieving the party’s present goal, as our ability to win in 2019 has implications not just for us as a party but also for the entire country. It is based on this reason that we are starting on a fresh note.”

The chairman said that the only way to achieve what they had set out to do is by bringing all the stakeholders to work together as one larger family.

“The mandate they gave to us is special and of a very great size, to rebuild and re-position our party with a view to regaining the power we lost in 2015. Rebuilding trust is not an easy task but that is exactly what we have been charged to do by our teeming members across the country and in diaspora.

“When there is a disaster, the work of recovery and rebuilding is usually a long term but in our case the disaster of losing power in 2015 is such that we do not need a long period for recovery more so when the ruling party APC has shown clearly by its actions that it never came to govern.

“Our members and indeed Nigerians wants a quick fix for PDP and the huge challenge is on us gathered here. The time is now and it’s ripe. In accepting this mandate to pilot this project, I have wholeheartedly surrendered my 120% service to this enterprise and I demand same of all of you.”

According to him, the point where the party is at the moment “is at the cross road about to take the critical decision of which direction to go right or left. Our choice should be swift, clear and unambiguous we are going right and it leads us straight to Aso Rock. Already we have given the ruling APC quit notice and we have no intention of withdrawing it.

“We must therefore begin to invest in our party with the aim of repackaging and eventually unveiling a reformed PDP to the Nigerian electorate, so as to regain their confidence. We must redefine who we are in the minds of Nigerians, down to the grass-root level. We must let the people know that we are ready to reignite the fire that once made Nigeria a shining beacon in Africa and the world over by returning this party to the real owners, the People. It’s not for nothing that our founding fathers chose the slogan- ‘power to the People. These actions are necessary for us to reclaim the territory we have lost across all 3 tiers of government.

“I believe that I speak your mind if I declare that the new NWC are here to SERVE this party and will continue to promote the principles of Democratic Practice, Progressive Politics, Good and Effective Leadership, and National Interest within our party.

“Conscious of the enormous challenges ahead, I have the intention of bringing in a team of communication experts, to help reignite and develop an effective strategy that will set us on the right path and drive our party towards surpassing even where we were before 2015.

“In underscoring the importance of such experts in our midst at this moment may I publish this advisory to the PDP soon after we lost election by the resident Country Director of the International Republican Institute (IRI), Mr. Sentell Barnes, that as opposition Party, PDP, need to re-strategize in order to gain the trust of Nigerians again.

“The director said that the party (PDP) lost the election because of its inability to recognize the power of social media and its failure to harmonize its communication channels and charged them to re-strategize if they must bounce back in future elections.

“Barnes said that no party building task is more important than the development of a successful communications programme because it affects everything a party does.

“No matter what a political party does, if it does not have effective communication, it can’t achieve much. PDP needs more strategic engagement to lose and unbundle any negative impression already created by the opposition.’’

“This 2-day retreat is therefore self-reawakening; to give everyone a say in the outcome, a chance to fully participate in crafting the key strategies to move the party forward. This is critical for obtaining buy-in. If they helped build it – they own it.”

He took a look at what he called “pessimists in our midst who are still day dreaming thinking that PDP cannot resurrect to defeat an incumbent APC in an election in 2019,” saying that after the party’s successful National Convention, such pessimists should have a rethink, especially as politics is a game of variables.

“For such people I like to share this story of Helen Keller, an American author, political activists and first blind-deaf person to earn a degree in Arts in that country, and lived from 1880 to 1968 who said after getting her degree “While they were saying among themselves it cannot be done, it was done” and back home in Osun state in July while Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his APC group were swearing and saying PDP cannot win in Osun our own candidate Distinguished Senator Ademola Adeleke danced his way to victory and is now in the Senate.”[myad]

We Arrest Innoson Because He Refused To Honour Our Invitation – EFCC

Greenbarge Reporters

December 19, 2017

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained that it was forced to arrest the Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Motors Nigeria Limited, Chief Innocent Chukwuma popularly known by as Innoson because he refused to honour an invitation to him to appear before its officers.

EFCC Spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement today, Tuesday, said that Chief Innocent was invited in connection with the Capital Market and Insurance Fraud Unit of the Commission’s Lagos office.

He said that the same man had earlier jumped an administrative bail which was granted him in the case under investigation, adding that instead of honoring the EFCC invitation, he went on to mobilize six truck loads of thugs pretending to be staff of his company to his residence, where they manhandled EFCC operatives.
Uwujaren said that it took reinforcement from the Enugu office of the EFCC to effect the arrest of the industrialist who is currently being grilled by a team of investigators.

Chief Innocent was picked up at about 11am today, Tuesday, at his Savage Crescent , GRA Enugu residence.[myad]

Gov Lalong Of Plateau State Laments Rising Cases Of Human Trafficking

Greenbarge Reporters

December 19, 2017

Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong — Plateau state governor,
Simon Lalong

Plateau State Governor, SimonLanlong has lamented the rising cases of human trafficking in the country, especially exploitation of persons with disability.

He recommended that concerted efforts need to be made to ensure that Nigerians are protected irrespective of their status and tribe.

He made spoke today, Tuesday in Abuja during the reunion of a disabled girl, (Name withheld) who is a survivor of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

The governor who was tepresented by the Executive Director of the Plateau State Disability Right Commission, Mr. James David Lalu, commended NAPTIP for its laudable efforts in protecting Nigerian from human traffickers and other form of exploitation.

He identified awareness creation as key to preventing human trafficking and promised to support the Agency in this regard. He also promised to provide the necessary platform for NAPTIP to sensitize citizens of the state especially those in the grassroots on the dangers of human trafficking.

The Director General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, said that every Nigerian has the right to be protected from any form of abuse and exploitation irrespective of their status.

The NAPTIP boss observed that it is painful to imagine that physically challenged persons are victims of human trafficking stressing that the Agency will no more tolerate this development.

She said that in order to efficiently care for the persons with disability, she has concluded plan to create a disability desk bearing in mind numbers of such person that have been rescued by the Agency of recent.

It would be recalled that the said victim was lured out of school and trafficked to Chad, Cameroon and later Gabon where she was eventually rescued.[myad]

CBN Pumps Another $210 Million Into Forex Market

Greenbarge Reporters

December 19, 2017

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has injected another $210,000,000.00 into the interbank window of Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange market.

According to figures obtained from the Bank, today, Tuesday’s interventions were for the Wholesale, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and invisibles segments of the market.

The Acting Director of the Corporate Communications at the CBN, Isaac Okorafor, said that the Bank offered the sum of $100million to the wholesale segment, while the SMEs and invisibles segments each received the sum of $55 million.

He said that the releases were meant to boost liquidity, trade and ease of remittances for legitimate personal commitments.

Okorafor said that despite the stable rate of N360/$1 and the expected inflow from various sources such as the Eurobond and remittances from the Diaspora, the apex Bank would continue to intervene in the inter-bank forex market to guarantee liquidity.

He stressed that the interventions had largely checked unwholesome activities of currency speculators, adding that the CBN would not relent in its daily monitoring of activities in the market in order to ensure that all concerned operate in line with extant rules.

Meanwhile, the naira maintained its steady rate against major currencies around the globe, exchanging for N360/$1 in the BDC segment of the market today Tuesday, December 12.[myad]

Retirement Should Be A Platform For Advancement To Next Level, Tony Elumelu Tells Journalists

Greenbarge Reporters

December 18, 2017

A billionaire industrialist and philanthropist, Tony Elumelu has asked civil servants and pensionable workers in Nigeria to regard retirement as a platform for them to advance to the next level where they should hope to do better.
Delivering an interactive lecture today, on a topic “Journalists and Retirement,” at a Seminar organized by the State House Press Corps (SPHC), Elumelu also advised would-be retirees to always plan long before the retirement date.
“Above all, you should embrace two important things: purpose and passion. Passion for what you are going to do and define the purpose for it.”
Chief Elumelu stressed the need for the would-be retirees to think big and start small, saying that the idea of jumping headlong into making it big could always lead one into the hands of fraudulent people.
He said that when he retired from UBA at the age of 47, he had passion to embark into enterprises in which the interest of humanity was uppermost in his mind, adding that he had been driven to success today by such passion.[myad]

Osinbajo Deplores Porous Nature Of Journalism Profession, Poor Salaries For Nigerian Workers

Greenbarge Reporters

December 18, 2017

(l-r) Representative of the Nassarawa State Governor, Mallam Abdul Kwarra; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo presenting a plaque to the Guest Lecturer. Chairman Heirs Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu; Chairman State houe Press Corps, Mallam Ubale Musa | Photo by Abayomi Adeshida

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is not comfortable with the porous nature of the journalism profession, even as he agreed that workers generally, are being paid very low salaries.
He noted that the entry point of would-be professionals is so open that anybody could start practicing it, especially in this era of social media where just anybody that can post anything sees himself or herself as journalist.
Professor Osinbajo, who declared open, a day-seminar of the State House Press Corps (SHPC), at the Presidential Villa today, Monday, said many employers have taken advantage of such porous nature of the profession by either paying the reporters very low salaries or not paying at all.
Taking a look at the general trend in the nation’s employment market, the Vice President said that salaries, even from the President down, are too low.
“Generally speaking, people are poorly paid, so there is need to look at why people are poorly paid. Public sector earning must be looked at and determined what should be paid and what is right for people to earn,” he said.
The vice president, who insisted that all employers must be compelled to key into the contributory pension scheme, also wanted to see a situation where whatever minimum wage that is finally arrived at, is implemented by both public and private sectors.
The Vice President spoke against the background of the theme of the seminar: “Journalists and Retirement Plan.”
The topic was treated by a billionaire industrialist and philanthropist, Tony Elimelu with the Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Umar Al-Makura as chairman of the occasion.
Also present were the ministers of Transport, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina; Permanent Secretary in Aso Villa (State House), Jalal Arabi; Chief Executive Officer of Phase3 Telecom, Stanley Jegede, spokesman of the Federal Inland Revenu Service (FIRS), Wahab Gbadamosi, among others.[myad]

The High And Mighty At Buhari’s 75 Birthday

Greenbarge Reporters

December 18, 2017

On hand yesterday, December 17 to partake in the 75^th birthday of President Muhammadu Buhari were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, House of Reps Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, Governors Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, Ministers; Aliko Dangote and several others.

President Buhari cracks jokes in front of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, some governors, childrens and members of his household, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, as he marks his 75th birthday yesterday, December 17, 2017. [myad]

2019 And Youths Indifference, By Jerome-Mario Utomi.

Greenbarge Reporters

December 18, 2017

As envisaged, the national political terrain has again become tensed up with a lot of intrigues that only the strong hearted will be able to wade through the minefield and come out successfully in the 2019 general election. Those who want to emerge as candidates in all the positions due for future elections have started early to scheme; maneuvers in order outwit their opponents. Nowhere is the scheme so intense than in the Peoples Democratic Party PDP) and the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

We have recently watched with fascination our president journeyed to the south Eastern Nigeria where he was decorated with the Igbo traditional regalia and his visit, garnished with a chieftaincy title. The nation also observed with keen interest his ‘triumphant’ entry into Kano city. In the same vein, the Atiku Abubakar’s resignation from the APC and his subsequent reunion with his former party, the PDP adds to the intrigues.

However, a further peep into the political horizon will reveal that these political players are friendless travelers as Nigerian youth who form the chunk of the electorates and enjoys the demographic advantage now maintain a neutral sanctuary. The zeal with which they pushed for the not-too-young-to-run campaign has suddenly waned. With many now blaming their inability to carry-on on the nation’s faulty electoral system which they claim is capital intensive

Though, a compelling truth, which in my view is a major factor responsible for the dishonesty in our government as politicians need to recoup the amount spent on electioneering campaign and possibly go a step further to accumulate wealth to aid future elections. But, in as much as I voiced my support to this fact, using it as an excuse for inaction by the youths may not be acceptable as freedom has never been won without effort and sacrifice.

Confronting this brutal force by the youths will require shopping for credible personalities to field or support. Candidates that will accelerate our nation’s economic growth, propel social progress, drive our cultural development, promote peace and stability, stimulate agricultural and industrial sector and execute massive infrastructural development.

This need to legitimately end the reign of political practice where leaders use their positions, not for public good but as an opportunity for private gain has become imperative as allowing another chance will further crush our political space, decimate the youth and further devastate the economy.

With the above in mind, effort to make the forthcoming election bear the expected result will require an objectified ‘oneness’ on the part of the youth. Taking this step will act as a small beginning that will bear an important breakthrough. The youths should abandon the blame game and team up to fight the common enemy called bad leadership and its proponents. Most especially those that their tribal loyalties are stronger than their sense of common nationhood.

Reasons for supporting the above is laced with the saying that ‘the strength of a nation is a direct result of the strength of her leaders. The youths should remember that the result of their political miscalculations in the time past led to the rhizome of excuses the nation is currently experiencing and has turned the country into a nation of narrative than action. So, to completely flush out these demagogues and have them replaced with authentic leaders, the youths need reprogramming of their mindset as ‘once the mind is enslaved, the body can never be free’. To make the reorientation work also, early preparation is equally important

Yes, I am not oblivion of the fact that the government or the politicians may not have provided the needed level playing ground or the enabling environment, but the youths as a matter of urgency should be guided by the fact that life ‘’is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with it’. This is a time to look beyond the leaders for assistance. It is truly a time for the youths to depart their comfort zone to enable them to access their creative zones

Given this point, let them also be reminded of the need to be the architect as well as the builders of their political/leadership lives. It is only in doing this that they are likely to receive the needed recognition and consideration. This move of cause calls for collaboration and disciplined attention on their part.

Correspondingly, let the youths be guided by the fact that attaining leadership position as it stands requires ’discovering how to organize ones’ strength into compelling power that government/leaders cannot elude their demands. The youths must coordinate themselves in a way that this politicians/leaders may find it wise and prudent to collaborate with them. It will be the heights of naiveté for the youths to wait passively and at the same time expect recognition from the current crop of leaders.

The politicians on the other hands should make no mistake about this, abandoning the youths at this critical moment is at their perils. Therefore, our political adults should cultivate the culture of youth’s development via admittance of the youths into leadership apprenticeship. They should also bear in mind that the success of any government is to a greater extent dependant on the quality of the followers left behind. It should also be in the interest of this government to note that ‘success without a successor is a gross failure’.

The politicians should also be mindful of the fact that finding the right people and giving them rightful positions remains the cardinal responsibility of great leaders. This role, I think our government needs to pay attention to as we race towards 2019.

To this end, both the politician/government and the youths in the country should be well aware that they are partners in development. But despite this counterpart arrangement, our youths should be aware that for the government to get involved, they (the youths) should seize the initiative and make an effective demand, expressing their willingness in personal and leadership development and the government shall be left with no option than to grant their request.

Jerome-Mario writes via jeromeutomi@yahoocom. [myad]

167 Fleeing Boko Haram Insurgents Captured in Lake Chad Island, Others Killed

Greenbarge Reporters

December 17, 2017

File photo: Some previously arrested suspected Boko haram members

No fewer than 167 members of Boko Haram, who were reported to be fleeing from the war zone in the Northeast have been captured around Lake Chad Island by the Nigerian soldiers operating Lafiya Dole.
A statement by the Deputy Director Public Relations in the
Theatre Command Operation, Lafiya Dole, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, said that several other insurgents were killed.
The statement said that the success achieved in clearing the insurgents came on the heels of intensified offensive launched against them in their enclaves in the Islands around the Lake Chad region.
“The offensive, which commenced about two weeks ago with coordinated air and artillery bombardments on Boko Haram enclaves while ground troops moved in to clear the areas, is yielding positive results, as several insurgents have been killed and 167 insurgents who were fleeing from the offensive have been captured by troops.”
The statement said that soldiers also extricated and profiled 67 women and 173 children who revealed during profiling exercise that they are family members of insurgents who fled, following the offensive.
It said that arrangement is ongoing to hand them over to IDP camp authorities after preliminary investigations are concluded.
The statement said that soldiers, have, in the past two months, sustained the precursor operations and have conducted long-range fighting patrols and ambushes seeking out and clearing Boko Haram’s hideouts in Saada and Juwei in the fringes of Northern Borno. “During the operations, troops intercepted and arrested 53 fleeing insurgents who have been profiled and are currently helping with investigations.
“Fifteen insurgents have also willingly abandoned the insurgent group, describing it as a futile struggle and have surrendered to troops of Operation Lafiya Dole within the period.”[myad]

Over 72,000 People Are Languishing In Nigerian Prisons, Controller General Reveals

Greenbarge Reporters

December 17, 2017

The Controller General of the Service, Nigerian Prison Service (NPS), Jaafaru Ahmed has revealed that 72,384 Nigerians are currently languishing in various prisons across the country.
Jaafaru, who spoke at the quarterly meeting of the Penal Reform Media Network (PERMNET) in Lagos at the weekend, said that 66 percent of those being held in prisons are on awaiting trial as at December 15 this year.
The NPS boss, who was represented by the spokesperson of the Service, Francis Enobore, said: “as at December 15, 2017, the current population of prisoners in Nigeria is 72,384 with 48,527 of them were awaiting trial inmates. The awaiting trial inmates, therefore, constitute about 66 percent of the prison population.”
Jaafar, who commended the intervention of various stakeholders in the decongestion of the prison, called for more collaboration of relevant agencies of government towards addressing the plight of awaiting trial inmates.
“There is a need for more collaboration among the three arms of the criminal justice system to enhance synergy so that anybody brought to prison as awaiting trial, the case will be determined as quickly as possible. The other arms have to do their part so that there would be quick dispensation of justice.”
He also commended Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) for spearheading the campaigns towards the decongestion of prison facilities through advocacy campaigns and consultative meetings.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of PRAWA, Dr. Uju Agomoh listed some factors militating against the decongestion of the prison.
“To address the plight of awaiting trial inmates, the stakeholders should address the seeming lack of speedy trial, overuse of imprisonment by the courts, abuse of arrest powers and bail conditions by the police and inadequate prison structures.”
The quarterly meeting which was hosted by PRAWA, concluded that prison facilities should be mandated to only accept persons into detention for whom there is a legal warrant authorizing imprisonment and to also speed up the trial process so that detainees spend less time in pre-trial detention.
The meeting further canvasses for issues relating to adaptation of criminal procedure codes so that judges rather than prosecutors make the decision about pre-trial detention.
Permnet is a network of Journalists and Media Experts aimed at Creating Awareness, advocating for implementation and replication of good prison and correctional practices in Nigeria. The network is a major output of the fourth component of the Prison Reform Project.
Meanwhile, prisoners in Lagos State held a mini product exhibition at an end of the year party put together by the State Command in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Ikoyi in Ikoyi Prison, Lagos.
Several products, including beads of different shapes, flower vases, clothes shoes and furniture were displayed to the admiration of visitors at the exhibition.
The State Prison Controller, Tunde Ladipo appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to support the clarion call of Mr. President and encourage prison decongestion in whatever manner possible as this remains the only way to create suitable environment for proper inmate reformation and rehabilitation.[myad]

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