President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that his government is currently correcting lapses that have characterized Nigeria as a nation.
The President, who received a team led by Dr. Seth Berkley, Chief Executive Officer of Gavi and The Global Fund at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, said that he was impressed with the patience and steadfastness of leading supporters of health care in Nigeria, “despite our shortcomings as a nation.
“We are making genuine efforts to correct the lapses. We are very serious about people behaving themselves, and being accountable.
“We thank you for deciding to re-engage with us, despite our inefficiencies. You decided to be here, not minding our shortcomings. There are other countries that would bring less problems. “We appreciate your commitment, and we will do our best to put ourselves in the best shape to help us,” President Buhari said.
Responding, Dr. Berkley, said that the three focal points of the Buhari administration; security, economic development, and anti-corruption are critical to the future of Nigeria.
He raised issues over the way donor funds for health care were utilized in the past.
According to him, Gavi and the Global Fund were disappointed when forensic audit revealed systemic weaknesses and corruption in the utilization of funds given in the past, adding that there is now a “breath of fresh air” under President Buhari’s leadership and fight against corruption.
He said that his team is willing to “close the books of the past and look into future support.”
Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, who was also at the event, disclosed that those indicted in the audit of the donor funds in the past, which was done between 2010 and 2015, had already been questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and would be arraigned in court soon. [myad]
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), has appealed to the people in the region to keep hope alive with President Muhammadu Buhari.
“We use this medium to appeal to the good people of the Niger Delta to remain patient with the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and keep hope alive as MEND and the Aaron Team 2 Dialogue, Peace and Development Initiative led by Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, and HRH King Alfred Papapreye Diette-Spiff are working assiduously to secure sustainable concessions for the region from the Government.” In a statement on Thursday by the group, signed by Jomo Gbomo, MEND assured that its members had already started dialogue process with the government and that the Aaron Team, made up of distinguished and accomplished personalities from the region, are waiting on the sidelines to conclude the dialogue process. MEND however condemned a statement made in Port Harcourt on Monday July 25, by the Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Tukur Buratai to the effect that the Nigerian military authorities will resort to the use of force if dialogue to resolve the current Niger Delta crisis fails.
“MEND hereby makes it clear that General Buratai’s statement is insensitive, provocative, unprofessional and prejudicial to the fair outcome of the ongoing preliminary talks regarding the Niger Delta crisis between representatives of oil companies and security agencies, on the one hand; and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), on the other hand. “We therefore warn the Chief of Army Staff to guard his utterances, refrain from making political and inflammatory statements and stick to his primary responsibility.” [myad]
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has made it clear that in haste by President Muhammadu Buhari’s government to rebuild Nigeria, emphasis would be given to training the citizens, especially the young ones, on being the best in whatever they are doing.
“We should emphasize training too, solid training. For whatever you are, you can be the best in it. Building the very best minds should be the focus.
“If you are a graduate of history, you should be so well-trained to be the best historian.” Osinbajo spoke on Thursday when he received a research presentation made to him by Course 24 Participants of the National Defence College.
The Vice President emphasized that the government would encourage the entrepreneurial spirit among the Nigerian youth, and as well ensure that young Nigerians are well-trained in whatever discipline or professional calling they may chose.
“I think we should bear in mind also that even if you are not an entrepreneur, but you are competent in whatever your field of endeavour or whatever your discipline is, if you are well-trained in any type of profession, you are a major contributor to the GDP, you are a major contributor to the well being of the society.”
The Vice President commended the participants for their research titled: “Youth Bulge in Nigeria: Implications for National Security.”
Professor Osinbajo said that government would continue to maintain focus on very good solid training “so that whatever you are, you can contribute to the society.”
Earlier, the Commandant of the National Defence Collage and leader of the delegation, Rear Admiral Samuel Alade, said that the Course 24 has 130 Participants seven of which are from other countries, including Niger, Republic of Benin, Ghana, Zambia and Sierra Leone.
He said that the next course will have participants from Germany, Turkey, Brazil and India.
He said that in the 25 years of the Collage, this is the first research presentation of its kind. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the family, congregation and well-wishers of outspoken Director of Adoration Ministry, Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka, as they celebrate this special occasion with him in his continued devotion to the well being of others as a father, wise counselor, teacher and guardian.
In a congratulatory message signed by the special adviser to the President on media and publicit, Femi Adesina on Thursday, Buhari commended Fr. Mbaka’s steadfast devotion to his vocation and ministry which he said amply demonstrated his love and service for his people, nation and God.
The President prayed for Mbaka, who is celebrating his 21st anniversary of his ordination to priesthood in the Catholic Church which comes up Friday, that God, who has given the cleric the strength to devote his entire life to service in the Vineyard, will continually bless and prosper his ministry. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to religious leaders in the country to help him deliver a message of hope to the citizenry that everything will be well soon.
He acknowledged that challenges of life which many Nigerians are facing and the growing complaints on the slow pace of economic growth with the attendant high cost of living.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Buhari, Garba Shehu, quoted him as having made the appeal during a meeting he had with the Council of Abuja Imams at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“Keep calming the people. The leadership at various levels is trying to solve problems of poverty, unemployment and insecurity bedeviling the country,” Buhari requested religious leaders throughout the country.
He told the clerics that the Federal Government has chosen to give priority to agriculture in order to create jobs for unemployed citizens and give the country food security, adding that though there is a bigger plan for the provision of fertilizers, insecticides and land preparations starting from 2017.
The President requested state governments and community leaders across the country to organize the population into cooperative societies to key into the agriculture reforms programme, stressing that “extension services, not money will be provided.” [myad]
The chairman of DAAR Communications, owners of AIT TV and Raypower radio stations, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC), came to power by accident, with no clear plan on how to govern the country.
Dokpesi who is vying for the national chairmanship of the PDP said: “The APC has shown they came to power by accident with no clear plan on how to govern the country. They lack the required capacities and experiences to lead Nigeria.
“Those that said they have better ideas than the PDP have left the country in hunger. They have divided the country and failed to deliver on their electoral promises. The cost of kerosene, diesel, tomatoes, garri, rice and others are at all-time high.”
Dokpesi who spoke in Ebonyi state during a visit to the PDP members in a bid to garner their support for his candidacy, referred to a statement by the Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Jerry Obasi, who pronounced Nigeria’s economy to have been “clinically dead,” and called on President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to urgently seek the help of economic surgeons.
“The truth remains that the economy is in a very bad shape. The economy has been battered. It has been given a technical knock-out, the type that Tyson used to give to his opponents in his time, the economy has gone extinct.”
Dokpesi said that the task of dislodging APC is made easier and quite evident in the performance of a political party he said has shown it lacked the prerequisite experience and capacity to rule.
“APC has demonstrated clearly it cannot rule Nigeria. The party lacks the experience, unlike PDP who ruled the country for many years.”
Dokpesi said APC merely “stumbled” on power and has shown through its actions and inactions that it was clearly not prepared for the task of leadership.
He said all that PDP needs to do is to quickly re-invent itself and send APC packing in 2019.
But re-inventing PDP is proving difficult at the moment as the party seems to be sliding deeper in leadership crisis.
Dokpesi described Ali Modu Sheriff’s attitude to power as typifying the same old order that must first give way in the party to breath fresh air into it. [myad]
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has encouraged Jaiz Bank Plc, a complete Islamic bank to venture fully into property development in the federal capital city, even as he assured that his administration would go into partnership with it for the purpose.
The minister, who received the Managing Director of the Bank in his office on Thursday, said that property development business has a lot of potential which the partnership would explore.
According to him, the partnership would make available the needed funds for the development of properties in the Territory with beneficial multiplier effects on the society. Muhammad Bello emphasized that the collaboration would stimulate economic activities in Abuja, thereby providing skilled and unskilled employment opportunities across board. “You have been known to be a very good important player in the property market and you know here in Abuja, the property market constitutes an important segment of economic activities. “The FCT as you know has mandate for the entire Territory, which includes the six Area Councils. A lot of our interventions are commercial related. Some are educational or social; but whatever service we provide, the need for financial institutions like yours is always there, so we will continue to partner with you.” The Minister said that whatever the financial institutions do in this segment of the economy, it would impacts positively on the residents of Abuja, as the FCT Administration earns revenue through such activities. “People get employed through your activities. So, overall, there is economic development and I congratulate you for that.” He said that the close collaboration with FCT Administration can be done through the Abuja Investment Company Limited, to leverage on what is available and by going into a very long-term arrangement for mutual development of good locations for continuous investment returns. Speaking earlier, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Jaiz Bank Plc, Mr. Hassan Usman said that the bank has been a keen player in the socio-economic development of the Federal capital Territory, being the only financial institution with headquarters in Abuja. The Managing Director asked the Minister to assist the Bank with a plot of land to build its head office.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Bello, received in audience members of the Strong and Able Persons with Disabilities Association of Nigeria, (SAPDAN) during which time he gave assurance that his administration is desirous of developing entrepreneurship training programme for physically challenged persons in the Territory to make them employers of labour. He acknowledged that white-collar jobs had become more elusive than ever before in the country, but that he would empower people to set up businesses which would employ others. The Minister directed the Social Development Secretariat as well as the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) to brainstorm and come up with suitable programmes for disabled persons that would, at the end of the day, make them contribute meaningfully in the society. “If they are not able to give you permanent gainful employment, they could link up with you on ad-hoc basis to serve in some of the intervention committees and areas where you can do a lot of advocacy for us and provide services that are relevant to what you have studied, not necessarily those of you who are here but even some of your other members who have other qualifications.” He praised the determination of the disabled persons in the society, despite the enormous challenges that they have had to confront, even as he advised them not to allow their morale be dampened by such challenges. “For most of us here, your situation is not new. We all have someone very close to us with one kind of problem or the other and they have been able to overcome the challenges and do so many things to add value to society, which even strong and able persons without disability are not able to do.” [myad]
Former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, will be the Special Guest of Honour at the 12th edition of the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference holding from August 3 to 7 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The conference is with the theme: “Economic Diversification: Agriculture as Option for a Prosperous Nigeria.” About 300 Nigerian editors, practicing farmers, agribusiness financiers, policy makers and captains of industry are expected at the conference, which the host Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, said would afford the state the opportunity to showcase its investment potentials. Uduaghan was chosen to play the role of Special Guest of Honour because of his place in the nation’s history as the Governor who made agriculture and non-oil resources alternatives to dependency on crude oil receipts a state policy through the “Delta Beyond Oil” initiative. Uduaghan deployed the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises scheme to empower farmers in the state from the field through the value chain, leading to the export of home gown and processed spices among other products. The All Nigeria Editors’ Conference is the largest gathering of Nigerian editors. It is a watering hole of ideas that have shaped government policies and programmes over the years. The maiden edition was held in 2004 at Ada in Osun State. It was hosted by the then Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Subsequent editions have been held in different parts of the country. The conference also attracts both local and foreign speakers as well as editors from organizations such as the West African Editors Forum, the African Editors Forum, the World Editors Forum and the World Association of Newspapers. This year’s edition has been tailored primarily to focus on agriculture as a counterfoil to the dwindling receipts from crude oil. Speakers include a rich mix of practising farmers, agriculture financiers and policy makers. The Founder of HoneySuckle PTL Ventures, Mosunmola Cynthia Umoru, would speak on Agriculture as Panacea for Unemployment, while Kola Adeniji of Niji Farms would talk on Agriculture as a Foreign Exchange Earner. The Chief Executive of the Bank of Agriculture, Professor Danbala Danju, would be explaining the Role of Banks in Agriculture Financing, while Kano-based farmer, Muhammad Abubakar, who is also the Managing Director of L&Z Integrated Farms, would experientially explore the topic: Making the Most of Agriculture Value Chain. The Acting President of the Guild, Funke Egbemode, said: “The sole emphasis on agriculture for this year’s conference was in response to the falling price of crude oil at the international market which has automatically reduced government’s earnings and revenue base. This is the first the conference is focusing on agriculture in the most pragmatic sense and it is meant to draw the nation’s attention to the limitless opportunities that abound in agriculture.”
Already, Wike has assured editors of a successful outing in August. In a statement by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the Governor noted that the conference would be a fitting platform to partner with editors and the media to consolidate development in both the state and the nation at large. Wike said that the state is hosting several national and international events as a demonstration of the fact that it is an investors’ destination, stressing that the state is peaceful and the people hospitable. “Hosting this year’s conference will also make the editors witness first-hand the development projects and programmes of my administration, which has improved the living standard of the people.” [myad]
The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), deepened on Thursday, as the Federal High Court in Abuja, affirmed Ali Modu Sheriff as the national chairman of the party.
In a ruling Justice Okon Abang, held that every action the Senator Ahmed Makarfi led chairmanship of the caretaker committee has taken since it emerged through a convention the party purportedly held in Port Harcourt on May 21, amounted to nullity.
“Parties have an uncompromising duty to obey court order until it is set aside. The Lagos Division made orders on May 12 and 20, forbidding the PDP from removing the Sheriff-led Caretaker Committee. That order is still subsisting.
“Having regard to the order of the court, PDP had no lawful authority to hold the convention that led to the emergence of the Markafi-led Committee.
“The convention was unlawfully held and the Caretaker Committee was unlawfully and illegally appointed and could not take any legal decision for the PDP in view of the subsisting order of the Lagos Division of this court.
“Consequently, any action taken by the Markafi-led Committee, including the purported mandate for legal representation in this matter is hereby declared illegal.
“If the Markafi-led Caretaker Committee, as apostles of impunity, missed their way to the Port Harcourt division of this court, that court could not have conveniently assumed jurisdiction to set aside the earlier decision of the Lagos Division.
“I hold that the Port Harcourt division of this court cannot make an order to neutralize the potency of the Lagos Division of this court dated 12 and 20 May“.
Justice Abang said tht he would have voided the judgment of the Port Harcourt Division for being a nullity, assuming there was an application to that effect.
He warned politicians not to cause disaffection among judges of the High Court, saying “the culture of impunity must stop in this country”.
According to the court: “Ali Modu Sheriff is the National Chairman of the PDP. Any decision not taken by the Sheriff-led Committee is not binding on the PDP”.
This was even as two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), clashed in court over the suit seeking to stop the National Convention of the party billed to hold in Port Harcourt on August 17.
The SANs exchanged heated words over who was duly briefed to represent PDP in the suit which the Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the party lodged before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Whereas one of the senior lawyers, Ferdinand Obi, SAN, told the court that he was briefed by the Caretaker Committee of the party led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, his colleague, Olagoke Fakunle, SAN, maintained that he has the mandate of the “real PDP leadership” to appear in the matter.
Fakunle’s submission infuriated Obi who drew attention of the court to the fact that its Port Harcourt Division had on July 4, sacked Sheriff from office as PDP chairman.
Obi argued that it was ethically wrong for the plaintiffs, led by Sheriff, to contract Fakunle to represent the PDP which they also sued as the 2nd respondent before the court.
“I say with the greatest respect that what is happening before this court today is unfortunate. It is on record that processes for the PDP in this matter was signed by one Bashir Maidugu who was the erstwhile Deputy National Legal Adviser of the party and the 5th plaintiff in this action.
“It is scandalous for a plaintiff to sue a defendant and arrange representation for him. In law, a man cannot be both plaintiff and defendant in the same matter”, he argued.
Obi tendered in evidence, the judgment of Justice A. M. Liman of the high court in Port Harcourt in suit No. FHC/PH/CS/524/2016, which he said settled issue of who should receive legal processes or engage a lawyer on behalf of the PDP.
“If all the plaintiffs were actually in office as national officers of the PDP, there will be no basis for them filing this suit. If there is a dispute between them and the PDP, then they should allow the real PDP they are quarrelling with, to defend its action.
“We are duly appointed by the PDP that was recognised in the judgement by Justice Liman, which is the Markafi-led group”, Obi submitted.
He said that he had on June 27, filed two separate applications on behalf of the PDP, asking the court to disqualify itself from handling Sheriff’s suit on the basis that the matter was already decided by the court in Port Harcourt.
However, Fakunle, SAN, urged the court to not only ignore Obi’s submissions, but also order him to immediately withdraw his appearance for the party.
“My lord, it is not in contention that PDP briefed us and we accordingly filed processes on its behalf in this matter.
“My learned colleague here admitted that the 5th defendant who is the National Deputy Legal Adviser of the party did not brief him.
“The judgement of the court in Port Harcourt said absolutely nothing about legal representation for the PDP. That decision is already subject of appeal.
“Moreover, no judge of a coordinate jurisdiction has the power to set-aside or vary the order this court validly made on June 30 which recognised us.
“I urge the court to hold that we are counsel for the PDP and that my learned brother should cease from appearing in this matter forthwith”.
On his part, counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN, prayed the court to firstly determine who between the two senior lawyers has a valid mandate to represent the PDP.
Akintola earlier prayed the court to consider the urgency of the matter and grant an injunction stopping the party from going ahead with its planned national convention, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
“What we are asking for is an injunction and our application is ripe for hearing. We urge my lord to because of the urgency nature of this case and the circumstances surrounding the matter, hear this application and grant our request.
“I urge my lord to hear us out. This matter is very crucial. They want to hold a convention which we are seeking to stop”, Akintola pleaded.
He told the court that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which is the 1st defendant in the matter, was duly served with the relevant court processeson Monday.
INEC lawyer, Mr. Alhassan Umar, however told the court that the plaintiffs were yet to serve it with all the relevant processes.
In his ruling, Justice Abang refused to recognise Obi, SAN, as counsel for PDP in the matter, declaring the two application he filed against hearing of the suit as incompetent.
Sheriff and eight others had approached the court, praying it to abort the proposed national convention of the party.
Other plaintiffs behind the suit are Prof. Wale Oladapo (National Secretary); Dennis Alonge-Niyi (Deputy National Youth Leader); Alhaji Bashir Maidugu (Deputy National Legal Adviser); Mrs. Hanatu Ulam (Deputy National Women Leader); Alhaji Lawal Dutsima Anchi (Deputy National Auditor); Chief Okey Nnadozie (Deputy National Organising Secretary) and Chief Olisa Metuh (National Publicity Secretary).
The plaintiffs are contending that allowing the Makarfi-led faction to proceed with the convention would affect the ‘Res’ of the substantive suit they filed on July 4, wherein they are insisting that their tenure in office ought to expire in 2018.
The plaintiffs said they filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/464/2016, for themselves and on behalf of the Executive Committee/National Working Committee of the PDP.
Justice Okon Abang had earlier in the proceeding, posed questions which he said the Markafi-led faction should answer to enable the court to determine the issue of legal representation for the party.
Tracing the history of the case, Justice Abang noted that the Lagos division of the high court had on May 12, made an order restraining PDP from conducting any election into offices of its National Chairman, Secretary and Auditor, occupied by 1st, 2nd and 3rd plaintiffs led by Sheriff.
He said the court also barred INEC from monitoring or recognising candidates that emerge from any such election.
“That order is still subsisting and has not been vacated. Yet again, on May 20, the court made another order, directing INEC and PDP to maintain status quo on issue relating to position of the plaintiffs, pending determination of the suit before it.
“Later in the same month, PDP held a convention that removed these plaintiffs and set up a Caretaker Committee that led to the emergence of Markafi who briefed you (Obi) to appear in this matter.
“The question is, does the Port Harcourt division had jurisdiction to entertain proceedings that led to various orders made by it and the judgement delivered on July 4, which neutralised the potency of the previous over by the Lagos Division, with the judges having coordinate jurisdiction?
“That was notwithstanding the fact that under section 249 of the constitution, the Federal High Court is one.
“This is having regards to established principle of law that where an order which ought to have been made, is made in error, a court of coordinate jurisdiction has the power to set it aside”, the Judge queried.
Obi’s plea for an adjournment to enable him respond to the questions he said were “germane and weighty”, was refused by the court.
While responding to the questions, Obi, maintained that Justice Abang lacked the jurisdiction to evaluate and make findings on the judgment of another court of coordinate jurisdiction.
He argued that all the parties are already before the appellate court over the judgment.
“We submit that this court should avoid a situation whereby it will foist on the court of appeal a situation of hopelessness or render nugatory, whatever judgment that will be eventually delivered by the appellate court.
“This is why the Chief Judge of this court, on July 8, issued a circular to all the judges handling PDP leadership tussle cases to stop further action on the matters pending the outcome of the appeals before the Court of Appeal”, he added.
Justice Abang however clarified that the CJ later issued another circular on July 23, cancelling the previous one dated July 8. 9myad0
Pope Francis, suffering from a medical condition called sciatica, fell to his knee when he arrived at the Jasna Gora shrine in Czestochowa, Poland on July 28 to hold what was described as the holiest mass. The 79-year-old pope, who has been contending with the medical condition in which pain sometimes severely affects his leg and lower back, fell down in front of millions of worshipers in Czestochowa, Poland. The Pope , who hails from Argentina, was walking on a stage when he suddenly fell and was quickly helped to his feet by other religious figures. He subsequently took to his seat, continued the Mass and read his homily normally. He is on a five-day visit to Poland and was visiting the country’s holiest shrine in the city of Czestochowa, which is in the south of the country. [myad]
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Pope Francis, suffering from a medical condition called sciatica, fell to his knee when he arrived at the Jasna Gora shrine in Czestochowa, Poland on July 28 to hold what was described as the holiest mass.
