High Court Judge Sacked For Alleged Violation Of Code Of Conduct

June 3, 2016

A judge of Cross River State High Court, Justice B. T. Ebuta‎, has been sent on compulsory retirement for what the National Judicial Council described as violation of the Code of Conduct for judicial officers.

A statement announcing Ebuta’s retirement from the bench was issued in Abuja on Friday and signed by NJC’s Acting Director of ‎Information, Mr. Soji Oye.

The statement said that the decision to retire the judge was taken at the NJC meeting held on 1st and 2nd June, 2016.

Pending the time the Cross River State Governor will approve the NJC’s recommendation, the council said that it has, in the exercise of its disciplinary powers under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, “suspended Hon. Justice B. T. Ebuta from office with immediate effect.”

The statement said: “Justice Ebuta was recommended for compulsory retirement from office to the Governor of Cross River State, sequel to the findings by the council on the allegations of abuse of judicial power, suppression and illegal/forceful takeover of a property in Calabar as contained in the petition written against him by Dr. (Mrs.) Ekanem Cobham.

“The petitioner had alleged: That Ebuta made an order based on ex-parte application without sitting in court.

“That Ebuta granted the said ex-parte application to unseal her property which was sealed on the order of a Magistrate Court when her tenant, Mr. Ugochukwu Chijioke failed to pay rent for two years.

“She stated that she filed Suit No MC/RT/12/6/14 at the Magistrate Court, Calabar against her tenant for failing to pay her rent and judgement was delivered in her favour on 10th November, 2014.” [myad]

2016 Hajj: Muslim Pilgrim From South To Pay N1Million, North N998,000 – Official

Greenbarge Reporters

June 3, 2016

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has announced the 2016 Hajj fares for all intending pilgrims.

In a statement on Friday by the NAHCON’s spokesman, Uba Mana, the minimum fare with $750 BTA for pilgrims from the north is fixed for N998, 248.9, while pilgrims from the southern part of the country would pay N1,008,197.42.

For the medium fare, with a BTA of $1,000, northern pilgrims would pay, N1,047,498.92, while those from the south would pay N1,057,447.42.

The statement also said that northern pilgrims wishing to use the maximum fare with $1,500 BTA would pay N1,145,998.92 while southern pilgrims would pay N1, 155,947.42.

The statement requested States Boards, Agencies and Commissions to speed up the process of collecting the balance of the Hajj Fares from intending pilgrims and remit same to NAHCON to facilitate early conclusion of necessary arrangements.

It added that other Hajj Fare components which include suitcases and uniform are to be determined by the State Pilgrims Boards, Agencies and Commissions. [myad]

Militants Threaten To Launch Missiles June 7 If Army Does Not Vacate Niger Delta

Greenbarge Reporters

June 2, 2016

Another militant group, Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force (JNDLF) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the military to vacate the creeks before June 7, threatening that after that day, they would launch missiles in a total war.

The group which claimed affiliation to the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) vowed to launch six missiles in the Niger Delta region, warning the military against deployment of helicopters to the South-South as it will bring them down.

In a statement, the group fixed June 7 for the commencement of launching of it missiles, saying that once the deployment of the six missiles commences, no flight operations should take place within the country’s airspace.

The statement which was signed by four of its members, said that the President (Muhammadu Buhari) is bent on breaking up the country and that it is set for the proposal,adding: “We have seen and noted that President Muhammadu Buhari (a.k.a. Pharaoh) is set for the final breakup of the country.” [myad]

Most Of The Foods Nigerians Eat Daily Are Poisonous, Says Agric Minister

Greenbarge Reporters

June 2, 2016

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh has alerted Nigerians that most of the foods which they eat daily, including sachet (pure) water are poisonous.

According to the Minister, who spoke at a one day Public Hearing on Food security bills organized by the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, ‘moi moi’ which is being prepared in cellophane, locally known as nylon, is poisonous, because according to him, it contained a large dosage of dioxins that are naturally impotent in leaves when used to package the delicacy.

Audu Ogbe said that consumption of sachet (pure) water which has been exposed to sun at over 28degree centigrade is poisonous and that it can result to kidney and liver failure.

“if not for our practice of over boiling meat, many Nigerians would have been infected by Tuberculosis from consumption of cow meat. Many of the cows being moved from one place to the other by herdsmen are already infected with tuberculosis but our practice of boiling meat very well here has been the saving grace from people being infected with the deadly disease.”

Smuggled frozen chicken preserved with formalin which is also used for preservation of dead bodies, according to the minister, had been potent poison being consumed by Nigerians with attendant serious health challenges.

He also cited example of beans and grains preservation with over dosage of pesticides by farmers and sellers as another dangerous food poison that had killed many Nigerians and still killing unsuspecting buyers and consumers.

Wrong application of fertilizer by farmers on their farm land, the minister noted, has also led to poisonous consumption of food items.

“Unknowingly to many of the farmers, there is specific fertilizer for specific crops in specific state in line with soil texture.”

Audu Ogbe commended the Senate committee for working on the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service Bill 2016, Food Security Bill 2016 and Nigerian Institute of Soil Science Bill 2016, which according to him, would help in food security in the country and curbing production of poisonous foods.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki in his speech at the occasion, said the need for food security in the country and vibrant agricultural sector for the needed diversification of the Nation’s economy, moved the Senate into introducing the bills and working on them. [myad]

Alere Healthcare Organization Donates Health Kits To Mrs. Buhari’s ‘Future Assured’

Greenbarge Reporters

June 2, 2016

Alere healthcare organization has donated ten thousand dual rapid test kits to Mrs. Aisha Buhari’s pet programme, Future Assured, for the diagnosis of HIV and Syphilis.

The kits which aim at mitigating complexities associated with the ailments were presented as part of the assistance to the President’s wife who has continued with intervention in Health and women related concerns.

The test kits will be used to screen pregnant women to know their status for appropriate therapies that will eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV ,syphilis and infant mortality .

While receiving the kits, Mrs. Buhari said that the kits will reduce the associated burden of search for cure of those ailments that pose a threat to the lives of women and children who are most vulnerable in the society .

She said that her programme, Future Assured initiative, will ensure appropriate utilization among beneficiaries while implementing agencies will be monitored and articulated for further action to improve the well being of women and children in the society .

The wife of the President commended the organization for donating the facility which will help In various ways to enhance the health status of Nigerians.

This was even as the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole said that the donation of the kits was timely considering the passion of the Wife of the President for good Health of Mothers and children in the country.

Professor Adewole said that government is making efforts to scale up the momentum of dual elimination of HIV and Syphilis even as he expressed appreciation to the office of African first ladies for paying attention to the plight of mothers and children in conjunction with other stakeholders.

In her remarks, the Alere Healthcare Regional Director for west Africa, Mrs. Josephine Chukwuemeka said that their mission was to reach an additional 500,000 pregnant women, infants, adolescents and other vulnerable groups with screening and prevention services. [myad]

Education Minister Scraps Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination To Universities

Greenbarge Reporters

June 2, 2016

Minister of education, Malam Adamu Adamu has announced the scrapping of Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (Post UTME) for candidates seeking admission into universities and other higher institutions.

Adamu Adamu, who spoke on Thursday when he declared open the 2016 Combined Policy Meeting on Admissions to Universities, Polytechnics and other higher institutions in Nigeria, said that all tertiary institutions should have the liberty to conduct screening for candidates seeking admission.

The minister insisted that examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is sufficient for students to gain admissions, adding that there is no need for other examination to be conducted by universities after JAMB.
“As far as I am concerned the nation has confidence in what JAMB is doing. The universities should not be holding another examination and if the universities have any complain against JAMB let them bring it and then we address it.
“If JAMB is qualified enough to conduct tests and they have conducted test then there will be no need to conduct another test for students to gain admission.”
The Minister also asked the JAMB to stop extra charges on several categories of changes on admissions such as the change of course, change of school and others.
Meanwhile, the JAMB has pegged the cut-off mark for admission for 2016 at 180.
The 180 benchmark, applies to all universities and higher institutions in the country, including polytechnics, colleges of education, and others.
JAMB’s Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Dibu Ojerinde, after a long debate with delegates from various institutions, told journalists that no institution would go below the 180 cut-off set by the board.
“180 is given, no institution will go below 180 this year, And some universities can go above it, I know University of Ife will not go below 200 and University of Lagos will not go below 200 and also UI. All these ones stand but 180 as bench mark for others.
“This year we have more than enough candidates, we have over 1.5 million candidates so we will get enough candidates to take in all the schools if they are serious. Re-distribution is already ongoing, because it is embedded in the registration procedure.” [myad]

Kachikwu’s Efforts Crowned As Barkindo Emerges OPEC Secretary General

Greenbarge Reporters

June 2, 2016

Former Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo has emerged the Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
His emergence came after months of diplomatic shuttles, anchored by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.
Rising from its 169th Ordinary Meeting, the Conference expressed its appreciation to the outgoing Secretary General, Abdalla Salem El- Badri for his leadership of the Secretariat and the Organization during his tenure.
The newly appointed Secretary General who will occupy the position for three years in the first instance with effect from August 1st 2016, is coming to the position with a 23 year career in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and the oil and gas industry.
Barkindo was a one-time Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). He actually served as Acting Secretary General of OPEC in 2006 and handed over to his predecessor where he served with distinction.
Other positions he held were Deputy Managing Director/Chief Executive Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, Managing Director/Chief Executive of HYSON/CALSON, an international trading arm of NNPC, General Manager of NNPC London Office and Head of the International Trade, NNPC London Office.
The former NNPC GMD served for a record 15 years on the OPEC Economic Commission Board as Nigeria’s National Representative. Apart from chairing the OPEC Economic Commission Board, he also chaired the Strategic Production Quota Committee of OPEC.
Barkindo is an advocate of Climate Change Initiative and has led Nigeria’s technical delegation to the climate change negotiations that produced the United Nations framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC and the Kyoto protocol to the UNFCCC during which he served on the Bureau of the UNFCC at various times.
He obtained a B. Sc degree in Political Science in 1981 from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, a post Graduate Diploma in Petroleum Economics in 1988 from College of Petroleum Studies, Oxford University, UK and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the South Eastern University, Washington DC.
The new OPEC Secretary General’s hobbies include reading and soccer. He is married with children and holds the traditional titles of Wazirin Musawa Katsina and Walin Adamawa. [myad]

Buhari Warns Niger Delta Militants Against Theft, Illegal Refining

Greenbarge Reporters

June 2, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned that his government would no longer tolerate the current theft and illegal refining of crude oil in the Niger Delta.

President Buhari, who was represented by the Vice-President, Yemi Osinbanjo, at the launch of “Clean-Up of Ogoniland” at Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday, advised the regulators of the oil industry to carry out their responsibilities in line with best practices.

“The current oil theft and illegal refining will not be tolerated. The regulators in the oil industries must live up to expectations. They must ensure that oil companies carry out their operations in line with universal best services.”

President Buhari said that government is laying a foundation for change to ensure the rule of law and safety of the people, adding that the aim is to diversify the nation’s economy and provide jobs and wealth for the people.

According to him, the clean-up of Ogoniland will have sustainable development components will benefit the people, saying: “the methodology for the clean-up will ensure job creation for young people.

“The agro-allied industries required for processing of agricultural produce will also be put in place.”

Buhari said that approval had been given to set up necessary institutional framework to drive the implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme Report.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State commended Buhari for inaugurating the implementation of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland, adding that the state government would provide the platform for the smooth implementation of the Report.

The governor said that environmental degradation had affected the ecosystem and wild life of communities in the Niger Delta.

The Minister of the Environment, Amina Mohammed, said government had taken stock of the work done in the past to start the implementation.

Mohammed said the clean-up would require collective responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure its success.

Amina Mohammed said the implementation “requires transparency, accountability, genuine partnership and proper representation of the people at the grassroots in what we are doing in investing in their future”.

Achim Steiner, the Executive Director of UNEP, said the organisation’s team had produced a document of what happened in Ogoniland.

Steiner said the team would stand with the Nigerian government to ensure the implementation of the report. [myad]

Orubebe Regrets Serving Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

June 2, 2016

A former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, has said that he regretted serving Nigeria as a minister.

“I slept in the creeks for two weeks trying to persuade the militants to drop their weapons.

“Finally, we succeeded and we got amnesty. But see what I am being subjected to today.”

Orubebe who was testifying at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCB) during his trial, said that it was unfortunate that he served the country for over six years only to be put on trial for alleged non-declaration of assets.

“I love this country and I served as a minister with all my heart and to the best of my ability.

“But I am pained that the same country is putting me through all the things I know nothing about.” [myad]

12,609 Ghost Workers Uncovered In Adamawa

Greenbarge Reporters

June 2, 2016

Adamawa State governor, Mohammadu Bindow, — Adamawa State governor, Mohammadu Bindow

No fewer than 12,609 ghost workers have been uncovered in the Adamawa State Government’s payroll.

Chairman of the Local Government Staff Verification Committee, Maurice Vunobolki, who presented the report of the committee to Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla Bindow in Yola on Thursday, said that 38,760 workforce was cleared and migrated to the e-payment data base as against 51,369 earlier presented to the committee.

He said that over 5,000 workers did not turn up for the verification exercise, while 1,780 among those that turn up were under aged employees.

He said that the gross figure after validation as at May 2016 stood at N1,366,632,447.2, resulting in gross monthly consequence of N341,584,091.60 and N4,094,140,059.60 annually.

While thanking the governor for finding them worthy to serve in the committee, Vunobolki said the report contained findings, observations and recommendations for further action by the government.

“It is therefore, hoped that government will find this report relevant and useful for the implementation of e-payment salary regime for local governments in the state,” he said.

Responding, Bindow lauded the committee for a job well done and vowed to prosecute anyone found wanting.

The governor said his administration was committed to addressing delay in payment of salaries at council level by placing council workers on first line charge.

He appealed to the local government workers to remain patient as their four months outstanding salaries would be paid before the end of June.

Bindow directed the Ministry of Local Government Affairs to furnish his office with details on local government/state joint account. [myad]

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