The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has withdrawn the licenses of three pilots for taking alcohol before operating their flights, as even they are to be subjected to psychiatric evaluation.
Acting General Manager, Public Relations of the NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, confirmed the suspension of the pilots whose action, he said, could compromise the safety of their passengers.
“It is very clear. They are to be off duty for three months. While on suspension, they are to be made to go through psychiatric evaluation before rejoining the service,” he said.
Adurogboye, therefore, advised all airline operators and pilots to abide by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs), stressing that the offenders would be visited with severe penalties.
NCAA had recently withdrawn the licenses of the three pilots and placed them on a three-month suspension for breaching civil aviation regulations in the country.
According to the rules, a pilot is prohibited from taking alcohol for at least three hours before flight time. [myad]
“I think Mr. President and his team have done a good job this first year. I understand people are impatient; the expectations from Mr. President are very high. I think we have to remember what he inherited. And in my own opinion we have to be neutral and balanced.
This was the verdict of the outgoing US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle on the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, when he answered questions from news men in an interactive session in Abuja.
Ambassador Entwistle said that President Buhari’s economic recovery efforts deserve the understanding and support of Nigerians, adding that President Buhari had done well in the first 365 days in office.
“I see a parallel between President Buhari and President Obama. President Obama had not been in office for very long, but the people had same kind of impatience.
“And I think in my country a lot of people forgot how difficult the situation was that President Obama inherited. I think the same thing is happening with President Buhari – to a certain degree.
“It is completely understandable to me that people have a high expectation, they are impatient, they want to see change.
“But Mr. President inherited a very difficult set of circumstances and some of the things that he has identified that need to be done – end corruption; reform the petroleum sector and end the conflict in the North-East.
“These are things that even if he works as hard as he can, it will take some time.”
Ambassador Entwistle said that the slide in the economy was a culmination of some of the problems inherited by the Buhari administration, including poor infrastructure in the petroleum sector.
While commending the President for the efforts being made to revive the nation’s economy, he expressed the hope that the economy would improve as quickly as possible.
“I think he has put in place some things, though I am not an economist, but what he has done with the exchange rate and fuel subsidy and so on.
“I think in a very deliberate fashion, the economy hopefully is going to improve.
“But remember that in this age, no country is an economic island.
“What affects a country affects the economy of every other country.
“I gave the President very good marks and let’s see how he marches forward in the next few months.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Christian leaders in Nigeria to tell their flocks to give him and his team chance to stabilize the country for the betterment of all.
“You must tell your followers the truth about the country. We have nothing to hide because we have no other country but Nigeria. Tell them to give us a chance to stabilize the country. Your concern for the security, unemployment, anti-corruption campaign and the frequent altercations between herdsmen and farmers are genuine concerns.”
The President vowed that he would stop at nothing towards restoring the economic fortunes of the country and deliver prosperity to Nigerians even as he made it clear that his administration will not hide anything from Nigerians.
President Buhari, who spoke when he received the Northern Christian Leaders Eagles Eyes Forum at the State House, Abuja on Friday, called on the religious leaders not to lose hope in the unity, stability and progress of the country.
The President emphasized that the Federal Government will continue to prioritize the safety of lives and property, in addition to equipping Nigerian farmers with the right tools, technology and techniques to boost agriculture.
“I know the Ministry of Agriculture and the Governors Forum are doing a lot to resolve the lingering crisis between herdsmen and farmers, we must give them a chance.”
President Buhari thanked the Christian leaders for their support to the Federal Government’s anti-corruption campaign and other policies geared towards reviving the economy.
“It is saddening that some of those who stole from our national resources put the money in their personal accounts. However, it is gratifying that those who stole money and shared funds meant for the purchase of arms for our military are regretting their actions and they will regret more.
“Those caught in corruption will have themselves to blame.”
The leader of the Forum, Pastor Aminchi Habu called on Nigerians to support the President’s anti-corruption war and his vision to restore the lost glory of Nigeria.
“In your administration, I see a new Nigeria where the fear of bribery, corruption and extortion is the beginning of wisdom.
“I see a new Nigeria, where tribalism, religion and ethnicity is no longer a barrier that separates us but a bond that unites us for a greater tomorrow,” he said. [myad]
The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has cried out that President Muhammadu Buhari and All Progressives Congress (APC) are out to destroy him politically through the use of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to probe his alleged looting of the nation’s treasury.
The governor, who spoke in Ado Ekiti during a well-attended rally organized by a newly formed Ekiti State Private Sector Union, which was an amalgamation of all informal unions in the state, described the use of EFCC against him as a way of settling political scores.
Fayose said that his current travails in the hands of the EFCC and the alleged startling revelations by the agency that he procured N1.5 billion properties using phoney companies, is the handiwork of the APC for the purpose of dimming the chances of his party during the 2018 governorship poll
The governor said that the Buhari’s government will crumble if it wages war against him under the guise of anti-corruption war, adding: “they said I collected a sum of N1.3 billion from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki to fund my election. Some even said I collected it through Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro. Let me put it on records that I did not know Colonel Dasuki and Obanikoro has not come out openly to indict me.
“They said similar thing in 2006. It was all about second term then, because they didn’t want me to contest for second term. They said the N1.3b project which I initiated was a scam, but God brought me back. The APC and EFCC conspirators took me before a Judge and I got justice.
“When God says yes, nobody can say no. God has given me uncommon favour over my enemies. I am presently using the mandate of God and Ekiti people and they are ready to defend the mandate and that is why you proudly came out today to express support for me.
“Nigerians have never had it so bad like this. People are suffering and hungry and President Buhari says he is fighting corruption. How can the FG increase fuel from N86 to N145? The price of kerosene is now over N200.
“No act of intimidation and harassment will shut my mouth. I will continue to talk about national issues.
“Somebody from Ekiti gave President Buhari N1.5b for campaign, but today he is being seen as a saint. When you want to campaign or do marriage, people will give you money and my own can’t be an exemption. I am not afraid of incarceration or death.
“APC problem is 2018 and as the God liveth, they are going nowhere. We will stand up and defend our state and the money they said they have gotten through anti-corruption should be spent for Nigerians” Fayose said. [myad]
More confusion has engulfed Abia state as Justice A.I Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Owerri affirmed the election of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu while a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the judgment removing Ikpeazu remained valid until it is set aside by the Court of Appeal.
The two judgments were delivered on Friday.
The Abuja Federal High Court affirmed in two separately rulings that the certificate of return issued to Uche Ogah by the Independent National Electoral Commission paving the way for him to be sworn in as Governor of Abia State, was valid.
Justice Okon Abang ruled that the two separate judgments delivered on June 27, removing Onyechi Ikpeazu as Governor of Abia State and ordering Ogah to be sworn in his stead could no longer be stayed since the Independent National Electoral Commission had already issued fresh certificate of return to Ogah.
“Therefore, the INEC lawfully issued Certificate of Return to Dr. Sampson Ikpeazu as it was in line with the judgment of this court.”
The judge made this declaration in two separate rulings dismissing the motions for stay of execution filed by Ikpeazu and the Peoples Democratic Party with respect to one of the two judgments delivered on June 27.
The June 27 judgments were delivered in two suits separately filed by Ogah and one Obasi Uba Eleagbara.
While the court refused to hear Ikpeazu’s motion for stay of execution of the judgment with respect to the case numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/71/2016 which was personally filed by Ogah, the court dismissed a similar motion filed by the embattled governor and the PDP with respect to the suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1086/2014.
With regard to the first case (filed by Ogah), the judge ruled that he could not go ahead to hear the motion for stay of execution since lawyers to the opposing parties (Ogah and Ikpeazu) had both submitted that the court no longer had jurisdiction to hear it because the appeal against the court’s judgment had been entered and appeal number issued.
But the court dismissed the motion for stay of execution filed by Ikpeazu with respect to the judgment on the case filed by Eleagbara, on the grounds that it lacked merit.
Though Ikpeazu’s lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), sought to withdraw the application after the judge refused his request for an adjournment of the hearing on the motion, the judge held that the prayer for its withdrawal was belated since Ogah’s lawyer, Alex Izinyon (SAN) had been made to file a counter-affidavit opposing it.
The judge held that since issues had been joined, the motion for stay of execution was deemed to have been heard regardless of whether it was formally moved in the open court.
Justice Abang also held that since INEC had issued Certificate of Return to Ogah, there was nothing left to be stayed.
That was even as Justice A.I Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Owerri ruled that the tax documents where not forged, and went further to dismissed the matter.
He ruled on the matter filed by Mr. Friday Nwosu against, Ikpeazu, Uche Ogah, PDP and INEC, on alleged forgery of tax documents by Governor Ikpeazu. [myad]
A 27-year-old man, Tobi Majoyegbe, was alleged to have beaten his father and also beat a police man who was invited to arrest him.
Information reaching us showed that Tobi’s father and mother were fighting and that instead of separating them, he joined his mother to beat up his father.
His father, Mr. Victor Majoyegbe, then went to the police station for his son’s arrest, but that when the policemen went to the house, Tobi and his friend, Taiwo, resisted arrest and beat up the officers.
It was learnt that Tobi and his friend locked the door against the police officers and stole a phone valued at N45,000 and a belt worth N2,000 belonging to them.
Meanwhile, Tobi has been arraigned, along with his friend, Taiwo Tayo, an estate agent, on 10 count charges of assault, stealing and conspiracy at an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The Prosecutor, Inspector Clifford Ogu, told the court that the offences were committed on June 2, at the accused’s residence.
“The value of the stolen items belonging to Sgt. Banji Gegeleso and W/Sgt. Obiageri Osuafor is N47,000.”
The offences contravened Sections 44, 55, 56, 95, 123, 166, 170, 172, 188, 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused, however, denied the charges.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Taiwo Akanni, granted each of the accused N100,000 bail with one surety each in like sum and adjourned the case to August 1 for mention. [myad]
Families whose loved ones were electrocuted by an exploding electric transformer at Tundunwada area of Lugbe, a satellite in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have demanded N20 million compensation from Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for each life lost .
It was learnt that the community would be pressing for N5 million pay out to the four persons that suffered varying degrees of injuries during the accident last Saturday.
It would be recalled that the transformer caused the death of six persons, including a pregnant woman who recently moved into her house in the area.
Ikenna Olelewe, who lost his brother, James Olelewe, 28, said that the affected families and other community leaders have been discussing the issue of compensation from the AEDC.
According to him, the families had met with the chief of Tudunwada, whom he said pleaded with them not to drag the power firm to court.
“The community chief pleaded with us to resolve the matter amicably with the AEDC officials, but the resolution depends on how cooperative the power firm is. The affected families have resolved to demand N20 million for each life lost and N5 million each for those injured; we have instructed our lawyer to write to the company and make our demands known.”
Ikenna said that his family planned to conduct the funeral of his late brother in Imo State on Saturday, but added that the ceremony has been postponed to next Friday.
A community leader, Felix Omeje, confirmed that the bereaved families have been meeting and would demand heavy compensation, but declined to give further details.
“I will let you know the moment we reach an agreement with the (AEDC) officials, but I can’t say anything now.”.
Omeje had earlier blamed the AEDC for the tragedy, attributing the explosion to wrong connection.
But the Head, Corporate Communications and Community Relations, AEDC, Oyebode Fadipe, said that investigation has just commenced into the incident, adding that he would not comment until the probe is concluded. [myad]
I have a dream, that Nigeria will produce more rice than Thailand, more cocoa than Cote d’Ivoire, more palm oil than Malaysia and abundant wheat and sugar for local consumption. I have a dream that the era of malnutrition and hunger in Nigeria have come to an end.
I have a dream that Nigeria will no longer import vegetable oil, frozen fish and poultry products. I have a dream that we’ll produce enough feed for livestock while we’ll also own abundant fishing fleets. I have a dream that Nigeria’s agricultural produce will meet international standard as they will be largely sought after. I have a dream that our agricultural institutions will become one of the best in the world.
It has been erroneously believed that commercial and subsistence farming are the two forms of agriculture being practised in Nigeria. Subsistence and commercial agriculture may be what are obtainable in other nations, but what we practise are far from these. Actually, the forms of agriculture we practise are mainly ‘primitive’ and ‘political’ farming.
Primitive farming is practised by rural farmers. They lack capital, information, modern implements and other necessary facilities that can initiate massive food production. Political farming is practised by governments and her agencies in which so much noise is made concerning provision of loans, fertilisers and farm implements to rural farmers, yet the outputs are nowhere to be found.
A terribly wrong perspective Nigerians have towards agriculture is that ‘it is a cutlass and hoe thing’. We have been able to abundantly produce some food items such as cassava, beans, onions, tomatoes and maize with cutlass and hoes, so we assume we must use these primitive tools to cultivate all crops. The buoyant agrarian economy Nigeria had in the 1950’s and 1960’s was achieved without use of modern machines, therefore we dream of bringing back the good old days with same operation mode.
Nigeria imports so much rice, wheat and vegetable oil and more because peasant farmers who are into agriculture do not have what it takes to import necessary technology for massive food production. Our engineers and scientist are poorly equipped to develop modern machines and facilities needed on farm as well. One more thing is that, instead of investing in agriculture, a business which adds more value to the economy, Nigerian investors prefer to invest in hotels, clubs, importation, filling stations and bureau de change.
Our educational system trains medical students who graduate to practise as doctors, such that our hospitals can do without expatriate doctors. Likewise we have Nigerian trained professional economist, lawyers, pharmacists, accountants, architects, and nurses who are doing exploits in their various fields without relying on foreign professionals. But agricultural science graduates are not so, I mean they do not end up as professional farmers after school.
There are three approaches we can utilise in order to achieve this dream. They are the short, medium and long term approaches. We should totally discard political farming as it an avenue to corruptly enrich few people. I believe in introducing new capable investors and organisations to venture into agriculture for transformation of the sector.
Firstly, I have identified a specific organization -religious organisations- they have massive investments in education, health, media and other socio-economic activities. They can equally be harnessed for job creation, especially in the agricultural sector. They are potentials waiting to be tapped for further exploits. I am confident that if these organizations are properly harnessed, they are capable of providing investments worth over 100 billion naira in the agricultural sector over the next ten years. The major challenge is how to sensitize them so that they can do more in the economy (I am seeking for partnership on a proposal I have on this).
We should encourage Nigerians in Diaspora to invest in agriculture. Today, many state governments have association with Songhai Farms because of the giant strides Songhai has recorded in agriculture. A Nigerian named Rev Father Godfery Nzamujo, who once lived in the US, heard of the severe malnutrition in Nigeria, returned to Africa to establish a farm. The success story of Songhai Farm (www.songhai.org) is what we need to replicate in almost every local government area in Nigeria.
The long term approach Nigeria needs to achieve agricultural revolution is for research and educational institutions to develop and commercialise abundant machines, chemicals and processes for the sector. Sustainability can never be achieved when all facilities needed for production are imported. Food exporting nations have understood the need for developing sophisticated technology locally as a panacea to abundant food production and this is what Nigeria must emulate.
Modern agriculture is a business of the educated people in developed nations. I mean people who can access information and provide innovative solutions for agricultural revolution. I believe the government should equip our agricultural science students in order to own own farms before and after graduation as this will yearly increase the number of professional farmers in an arithmetic progression.
We must understand that the criteria for accepting our agricultural produce in developed nations is when it meets their stipulated standards. We cannot afford to continue to depend on crude oil as the only foreign exchange earner. Standards must be locally established while required government agencies must have well equipped laboratories to offer adequate monitoring. Measuring up to their standards means creating more avenues for exportation and foreign exchange.
Government must be ready to adequately fund the academic and research institutes so that they’ll measure up to their responsibilities. Tax holidays, import waivers and incentives for a specific time should be given to the new investors. Other investment friendly policies should also be made.
When the agricultural revolution dream is achieved, we’ll save over $10bn spent annually on importation of rice, sugar, vegetable oil, wheat, apple, fish and other agricultural products. Achieving this dream means a great reduction in unemployment, poverty and malnutrition.
The governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose has admitted that he actually bought several houses worth N1. 35 Billion in Lagos and Abuja, but that he owned such properties legitimately.
In a statement aimed at pre-empting the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) over the illegal acquisition of properties bought with stolen funds from the coffers of a state that has not been able to pay workers’ salaries for over six months, Fayose confessed that some of his aides assisted him to buy properties in Lagos and Abuja.
Not knowing that his agents and contractors had admitted that he stole Ekiti state funds to purchase the properties, Fayose claimed that he bought them from the “campaign fund’ donated to him by zenith bank plc and some unnamed friends.
Reacting to the confession, the Coordinator of Value and Integrity Group (VIG), Sina Odugbemi, noted that the more Fayose talks the more he implicates himself.
“Whether the N1.2 billion was stolen from the office of the NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki through Mr. Obanikoro or donated by zenith bank plc the EFCC has the power to recover the criminally diverted fund. Granted that zenith bank plc donated the fund does the financial institution have the power to remove depositors’ fund and donate it to Mr. Fayose for his political campaign? Can a bank contribute N1.2 billion to a political campaign of a politician?
“Has Mike Ozekhome SAN forgotten to educate his client whose confessional statements are sufficient to convict him in a court of law. Is Ozekhome not aware that the maximum amount stipulate for political expenses of a governorship candidate is N200 million whereas his client has admitted that he spent N1.2 billion? Has Ozekhome not made it clear to his client that the N1.2 billion is forfeitable since it was either stolen from the office of the NSA or from the vault of a bank being depositors’ fund?
“However, the EFCC must be commended for carrying out a professional investigation which is so thorough that the explanations of the suspect, Mr. Fayose, look so unintelligent. Surely, Mr. Fayose stands to forfeit all the properties and other assets traced to the campaign fund of N1.2 billion, whether stolen from the government of Nigeria or donated illegally by zenith bank plc. But since the efcc has shown that the money for the properties was stolen from the account of Ekiti state government through contractors, what is the explanation of Mr. stomach infrastructure?
“Mr. Fayose claimed that the N1.2 billion traced to him was donated by zenith bank and unnamed friends. He said that he spent the entire fund on his election. Now, the efcc has found and confirmed that he bought properties worth N1.35 billion within 6 months of his inauguration. Will Mr. Fayose or his lawyer, Mr. Ozekhome add up the figures for the members of the public?” [myad]
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has made it clear that it would not go into dialogue with the Muhammadu Buhari led federal government, even as it vowed to go ahead with its planned strike slated to have commenced by 12:01am on Thursday. The National President of PENGASSAN, Francis Johnson, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that the issues at stake have been pending for so long, adding that the government is only trying to apply fire brigade approach to a serious matter. “We have discussed this matter long enough for the government to address us, but it closed its ears. Now the authorities are calling for dialogue. “We are ready to work with Mr. President to succeed, but other agencies involved in the discussion were not showing serious concern over the matter and we don’t have any choice than to proceed on strike.” Johnson said that the inability of the Federal Government to honour its agreements contained in May 12, 2016 communiqué was the reason for calling for the strike, adding that some of the issues including lingering irregular Joint Venture Funding (JVF) and Cash Call Payment (CCP) arrears and lack of a clear cut direction on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Others are forceful co-option of government agencies into the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and the spate of redundancy and retrenchment in the industry. The PENGASSAN president said that several efforts to engage the government to forestall the strike were frustrated and that before now, the union tried to engage the government on May 24, 2016, which was inconclusive. He said that the engagement was later fixed for June 23, 2016, which did not take place, and again the one scheduled for June 30, 2016 was unceremoniously cancelled with no date given. “We see this as a deliberate attempt by the government to frustrate the discussion of the myriad of issues raised in the communiqué, which are critical to the survival of the oil and gas industry in the country. “Among the burning issues raised is that of the Joint Venture Funding/Cash Call arrears, which has stalled new investments and the creation of jobs, and which has consequently brought about massive job losses. “We have equally noted with great dismay that our tertiary institutions keep churning out graduates with no or very limited job placement opportunities. “Even for those that are fortunate to have jobs, it has been a tug-of-war getting their salaries paid as when due and are faced with redundancies on a regular basis, especially in the service sector. “We cannot fold our hands and watch this gradual collapse of our strategic oil and gas industry and its attendant consequences on the nation’s economy. “This is a sharp contrast to the present government avowed promised to create and retain jobs.” PENGASSAN had ordered its members to leave their duty posts in all oil installations and offices throughout Nigeria as from 12.01am on Thursday. [myad]
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The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has withdrawn the licenses of three pilots for taking alcohol before operating their flights, as even they are to be subjected to psychiatric evaluation.
