2016 Hajj: Nigeria Gets First Knock From Saudi Arabia, It Disqualifies 3 Air Carriers

August 4, 2016

Less than a week to the commencement of airlift of intending Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2016 hajj, the Saudi authorities were said to have disqualified three Nigeria air carriers from participating in the airlift of the pilgrims.

The Head of Aviation of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Muhammadu Goni, who made this known when he answered questions from news men at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja listed the affected airlines as Dornier Aviation Nigeria AEP Limited, Top Brass and Azman Air Services. The three which have been disqualified were among the six airline operators which the Federal Government approved for the airlift of the intending pilgrims for this year’s hajj.
Muhammadu Goni said that the airlines approved by the Saudi authorities are: Med-View Airlines Limited, Max Air Limited and Fly-Nas Air (Saudi Arabian designated carrier), adding that only these three airlines were designated to fly the route between the two countries.
He said that NAHCON has made concerted efforts to ensure that the Saudi Arabian Government allowed the three disqualified airlines to participate in the exercise, but to no avail.
He said that the commission has forwarded the report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Aviation for diplomatic intervention, but that Saudi Arabia did not grant its request.
“In fact, a delegation was sent to appeal to Saudi Arabian Authority to allow the three carriers fly their route, but they insisted that those airlines must acquire designation status because they only applied as charter flights.”
Muhammadu Goni said that it is a standing rule that all Hajj participating countries must abide by the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority’s condition in order to participate in the Hajj.
He said that it is clearly stipulated in GACA that any country participating in the Hajj must give 50 per cent of its total pilgrims to Saudi airlines to transport them.
He said that GACA and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority are responsible for the technical analysis, clearance and inspection of airlines involved in Hajj operation.
Muhammadu Goni said that GACA had the sole responsibility of taking care of safety and economic regulations of the air carriers involved in transporting intending pilgrims.
He said that NAHCON had stated it clearly in the advertisement for application and screening of air carriers that it was subject to NCAA and GACA clearance.
“We have a standing procedure for selecting airlines for transportation of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, starting from placement of advert on the commission official website and national dailies.
“After we received applications and other necessary documents from interested carriers, then the commission would set up a 30-member Screening Committee involving different organisations to screen the airlines.
“Members of the Committee will be drawn from NAMA, FAAN, NCIA, EFCC, ICPC, Ministry of Aviation and other relevant agencies.
“Then the panel of the committee would adopt a screening template and agree on pass mark, which this year we agreed on 60 per cent benchmark.”
Muhammadu Goni said that nine airlines applied to transport pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, but that only six were qualified by the screening committee, after thorough examination.
The head of aviation further said the committee, after screening, submitted the report to the management of NAHCON for consideration and endorsement.
“After extensive deliberations, the Board of NAHCON will transmit the report to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for onward submission to the Presidency for final approval.” [myad]

Kogi Governor Floors Fighting Faleke, Wada At Appeal Court

Greenbarge Reporters

August 4, 2016

Again, the governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has, at the level of Court of Appeal, defeated the embattled James Faleke, running mate to the late governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Abubakar Audu and a former Governor of the State who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Captain Idris Wada.

The court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja on Thursday upheld the election of the Yahaya Bello as governor of the state, dismissed the petition by Faleke and Captain Idris Wada.
A five-member panel led by Justice Jumai Hannatu Sankey held that Faleke failed to substantiate his allegation that Bello was not qualified for the election.
Justice Sankey, who read the lead judgment, resolved all the six issues determined against the appellant. The panel consequently upheld the judgment of the election tribunal and dismissed Faleke’s appeal.
Also on Thursday the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal filed by Wada challenging the decision of the Kogi State Elections Petitions Tribunal, which upheld Bello’s victory.
In a split decision of four to one, the court held that Bello was validly substituted for the late Abubakar Audu, the APC governorship candidate, who died before the conclusion of the election.
Dismissing Wada’s argument that Bello was not qualified for the election because he did not participate in all stages of the election, the court held that the governor participated in all the stages “by virtue of his party participation and accrued interest”.
Justice Mojeed Owoade, who read the lead judgment, said the Independent National Electoral Commission was right to have merged the votes scored by Audu before he died and that of Bello in the supplementary election to return the APC candidate as winner.
The court, which resolved all the six issues determined against the appellant, held that Wada failed to prove his allegation that the election was held in violation of the Constitution and Electoral Act. [myad]

Jimoh Ibrahim Too Wants To Be Ondo Governor, Picks PDP Nomination Form

Greenbarge Reporters

August 4, 2016

The Group Managing Director of Energy Group, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, is also dreaming big; of becoming the governor of Ondo state, having picked a nomination form of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He has emerged as the first aspirant to pick the form.
He obtained the form from a factional National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.
While picking the nomination form, Ibrahim promised that if he is elected, he would pay the arrears of the State’s workers salary within his first 100 days in office, describing any governor owing workers their salaries as lacking initiative.

“I will restructure the state in the area of capacity building, good innovation and by putting the right thing in the right place at the right time.
“I will pay the workers within the first day of my 100 days in office. Non-payment of salaries by state government is the failure of innovation of states by governors.
“It is when you are innovative that you will be able to pay salaries. Those (governors) who are owing are not efficient.
“I’m not owing any of my workers.”

However, information reaching us indicated that Ibrahim actually owes categories of workers in his companies several months’ salary arrears. This affects mainly the media arm of his companies, i.e. National Mirror and Newswatch magazine.
He recently shut down the Daily edition of Newswatch following agitation by the workers for their salary. Those who were told to go are yet to receive their outstanding salaries and entitlements. For those in the National Mirror and Newswatch magazine, he owes them before five months and 16 months’ salary. [myad]

Buhari Beckons Italian Business People To Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

August 4, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Italian business people to come and invest in Nigeria and for more intensive trade and economic engagement between the two countries.

President Buhari, who spoke when he received in audience, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Paolo Gentiloni, at the State House, Abuja, described the connection between Nigeria and Italy as very strong.

He commended the resilience of Italian businesses in Nigeria and expressed happiness that new businesses would soon be set up in the country. He also commended the support of the Italian government in tackling the humanitarian situation in the Nigeria’s Northeast as well as the training they are giving to Nigerian policemen.

Gentiloni, who was accompanied by the Italian Minister of State for Interior, Mr. Domenico Manzione, announced his government’s $10 Million humanitarian assistance to the Lake Chad region countries in addition to what they are already doing.

He said that such assistance is within the framework of the European Union.

He said that the visit of the business group on his delegation was a fulfillment of the promise made by the Italian Prime Minister, Mr. Matteo Renzi, during his visit in February, to strengthen relations with Nigeria, politically and economically. [myad]

Minister Orders Contractors To Hasten Completion Of Bombed UN House

Greenbarge Reporters

August 4, 2016

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has directed the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to hasten work on the United Nations House to ensure quick handover.

The UN House was bombed on 26^th August, 2012 by Boko Haram terrorists after which the Nigerian government awarded contract for its rehabilitation on the 27^th December, 2012. The project is said to have been 80 per cent completed as at today.

The minister gave the directive on Thursday for the quick completion of the rehabilitation of the House after paying an unscheduled visit to the House in the Central Business District, Abuja to ascertain the level of completion.

Muhammad Bello said that the completion would allow the UN Agencies presently staying at different locations in the Federal Capital City, Abuja to return to base, thereby making their operation more efficient.

He asked the authorities of the FCDA to work with the contractors, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC and the UN Resident Co-ordinator in Nigeria to resolve all grey areas that would lead to the completion and early handover.

“It is all our duty to see that all the United Agencies staying around Abuja are back here. And I think it will send a strong signal to those that bombed this place. Whatever they do to us, we will continue to be strong.”

The minister thanked the UN for the support it has been giving to Nigeria which he said is being appreciated.

Taking the Minister round the site, the UN Resident Co-ordinator who is also UNICEF Country Representative, Jean Gough thanked the Minister for the special attention he has given to the rehabilitation works.

The minister also said that arrangement has been concluded to install modern traffic lights in 98 intersections of the Federal Capital City, Abuja.
speaking when he received in audience, the Zone 7 Commanding Officer of the Federal Road Safety
Commission (FRSC), Assistant Corps Marshal Kingsley Agomoh in his office on Thursday, the minister said that most of the old model traffic lights would be replaced by the modern ones to improve vehicular movement in the city centre and reduce waste of man-hour.
Muhammad Bello, said that the FCT Administration has already completed technical survey for the job, and that the Chinese authorities are donating the new traffic lights.
According to him, the installation work would commence within the next two or three months time across the Federal Capital City. [myad]

Aisha Buhari Attends Anniversary Of Zumunta Association In America

Greenbarge Reporters

August 4, 2016

Wife of the President Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has attended the 25th Anniversary of Zumunta Association in the United States of America as is the Special Guest. The event took place on Thursday evening at the Silver Spring civic centre in Maryland, Washington DC.

The Event with the theme: “Rebirth and Renewable” was scheduled to be attended by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, as Guest speaker and many other prominent Nigerians.

Mrs. Buhari is also expected to be hosted to a round table discussion by the United States institute of peace and would have an in-depth conversation with a group of senior United States policy makers and other groups with focus on Nigeria.

The institute is a congressionally funded, independent national institute dedicated to the proposition that peace is possible, practical and essential for United States and international security.

Mrs. Buhari, who is being accompanied on the visit by wives of some state Governors, was also scheduled to hold meetings with several groups at the George Mason University, Washington, before she returns to Nigeria.

Details later. [myad]

Nigeria Is Bankrupt Because Of Foolish Economic Policies, Kano Emir, Sanusi Says

Greenbarge Reporters

August 3, 2016

The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has said that Nigerian is bankrupt because of the economic policies that were foolish and unrealistic.

“Nigeria is bankrupt; we are bankrupted by a policy that was foolish, that was unrealistic, and unsustainable and by all means our refusal over the years to listen.

“We are surprised that we have an economic recession; we are actually surprised that we are in recession? We created the recession.”

The Emir, who is the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), spoke on Wednesday in a lecture he delivered on the Deregulation of the Downstream Oil Sector and Nigeria’s Economic Development at the National Defence College, Abuja.

According to him, the fact that the economy is in recession should not be a surprise, saying that it is a product of bad policies. He added that the country was made bankrupt by unrealistic policies and failure of those in charge of the government over the years to take corrective measures.

The former Governor of the CBN, who commented on the removal of the fuel subsidy, said the subsidy was a scam designed to benefit a few in the country, even as he faulted the claims that subsidy was meant to benefit the poor.

He said that the country was losing 20 million Dollars for every 30,000 metric tons of kerosene imported into the country, saying: “the whole issue of fuel subsidy was set up to create opportunity for a few people to make money, and it was presented in a manner that convinced everybody it was for the poor.” [myad]

Commission Confirms Sani-Omolori As Clerk Of National Assembly

Greenbarge Reporters

August 3, 2016

The National Assembly Service Commission has confirmed Mohammed Sani Omolori as the substantive Clerk of the National Assembly. Sani-Omolori has been acting as clerk after the expiration of the tenure of former clerk, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa.

A letter confirming Sani-Omolori as the substantive clerk and signed by the Executive Chairman of the commission, Dr. Adamu Mohammed Fika, said the appointment was in recognition of Sani-Omolori’s hard work, dedication to duty and responsible conduct as well as loyalty to the Leadership of the National Assembly.

It reads in part: “I have the pleasure to inform you that the National Assembly Service Commission has at it 443rd Meeting approved the confirmation of your appointment as Clerk to the National Assembly.

“This appointment takes effect from 15th August, 2016.“

Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori became Clerk of the House of Representatives in 2008.

A prince of Ebira, he was born into the family of the immediate past Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, the late Alhaji Mohammed Sani-Omolori, in Okene, on June 7, 1961.

He had his early education at the Native Authority (Central) Primary School, Okene from 1966 to 1971.

He thereafter proceeded to Government Secondary School now Abdul Azeez Attah Memorial College Okene from 1972 to 1976.

From there, he proceeded to the Katsina College of Arts, Science and Technology (KCAST), Zaria for his advanced level certificate from 1977 to 1979.

After leaving KCAST, he later secured admission into Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria in 1979 where he obtained LLB in Law 1982.

Upon graduation from ABU, he proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1982 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1983. [myad]

Traditional Rulers And I Are Talking To Niger Delta Militants For Truce – Jonathan

Greenbarge Reporters

August 3, 2016

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has said that he and the traditional rulers in the Niger Delta region have engaged in talks with the militants to cease fire and allow Nigeria to enjoy unity.

The former President, who spoke to news men after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential villa, Abuja on Wednesday, emphasized that it is appropriate for him and traditional rulers in the area to mediate in the matter.

“It’s not just about me but about all the traditional rulers, elders and opinion leaders that are of the Ijaw ethnic nationality. We have been in touch to see that peace reigns in the country. Those of you that have followed my talks when I was here, my emphasis is that we need a United Nigeria and I always emphasize that Nigeria is great not just about the oil.

“So many countries produce more oil than Nigeria nobody notices them. We are great because of our size, the human resources we have, the diversity we have, if we fragmentize the country into small components, we will be forgotten by the World.

“That has been my focal position and without peace there cannot be development anywhere in the world. We are all working collectively to see that issues are resolved.”

Information had it that because of the intervention of former President Jonathan, the militant groups announced that they have suspended their plan to declare Niger Delta Republic out of the Republic of Nigeria.

Jonathan told news men that he was in Aso Rock to brief President Buhari on his emergence as the leader of African Union (AU) elections monitoring team to Zambia.

“You asked why I came to see the President today, one key thing is that having been a head of a government, a former president you become a state property. That’s the privilege you have but every privilege has its corresponding responsibility, and once you become a state property, most of your international engagement, that has to do with public addresses and some international assignment becomes a national assignment, you brief the President.

“Even when I was here the former presidents used to do that and see me. I have been coming. Most times, I come in the night that’s why you don’t see me. I came to brief the President about some of my engagements. As you are aware, I will be leading the AU elections monitoring team to Zambia. I came to brief the President about some of these external engagements. It is the tradition”, he said.

“I don’t want to talk about that one because there are too many cases that are in court. It will not be fair to make comments. I will talk at the appropriate time when most of these things are resolved.” [myad]

We’re Determined To Cleanse Nigeria Of Boko Haram Irrespective Of Leadership – Army

Greenbarge Reporters

August 3, 2016

The Nigerian Army has made it clear that its target is to cleanse Nigeria of Boko Haram insurgents whether or not they change their leaders.

Reacting to the news that the Islamic State (ISIS) had named Abu Musab al-Barnawi as the new leader of Boko Haram in Nigeria to replace Abubakar Shekau, the Defence Headquarters said that the military is not in any way perturbed about the change of leadership.

The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar, said that the military is not interested in what happens at what he described as “nearly dead” Boko Haram terrorists, including change of leadership or alliance with ISIS.

Abubakar said that the military is only focused on complete destruction of the terror group irrespective of leadership and administrative changes.

”The leadership change of BHT as purpotedly released recently doesnt in any way bother us as the group is nearly dead in Nigeria and others within the Lake Chad nations. So, whether there is change in leadership or not, we are sure of total annihilation of the group.

“Our focus is to clear them from their hideouts which we have been doing through the ongoing Opetation Crackdown and Operation Gama Aiki with Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF). It’s not anything to us and we will continue to reduce them to nothing.”

Abubakar said that the military personnel have been capturing the terrorists “on daily basis, so the change is not anything to us. The DHQ is aware that Boko Haram are in disarray and collapsing.

“So they are trying to behave like a dying person who holds to anything in his desperation to stay alive. People should not take them seriously as they no longer pose any threats. However, we dismissed this change of leadership as a child’s play.” [myad]

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