The National Harmonized Traders Union of Nigeria has asked its members across the country to ignore the planned strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the increase in the fuel pump price as announced recently by the federal government.
The President of the union, Alhaji Bature Abdul’Aziz, who made the call while briefing newsmen in Kano today, Monday, said that the call on members to shun strike was necessary following a meeting of the National leaders of the union in Kano on Saturday.
“We are calling on all traders across the country not to join the planned strike by the labour unions. This is our stand and it is part of the resolutions we reached at our meeting held in Kano on Saturday,” he said.
He said that the union has also directed its leaders in the 36 states of the federation to convey the message to their respective members. And that the union would continue to support government policies and programmes that are aimed at promoting development in the country.
He, however, called on the Federal Government and the labour unions to embrace dialogue for an amicable resolution of the dispute.
He also called on Nigerians, irrespective of their religious or political inclinations, to support the federal government in its efforts to develop the country. [myad]
A foundation member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Jerry Gana and Concerned PDP Stakeholders have given the national chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff quit notice, which expires on date the party will hold its national convention in Port Harcourt.
The Concerned stakeholders gave an indication that should Modu Sheriff refuses to vacate office on the appointed date, they (the Concerned PDP Stakeholders), may begin to run the party from a separate national secretariat as the party heads towards a fresh implosion reminiscent of the 2014 convention which led to the exit of the likes of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Alhaji Kawu Baraje and Senator Bukola Saraki.
Three ex-national chairmen of the PDP are believed to be in support of the steering committee which includes a former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, 13 former governors, 14 former ministers and other key leaders of the party.
Some of the 13 ex-governors are Gbenga Daniel, Babangida Aliyu, Donald Duke, Attahiru Bafarawa, Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi, Ahmed Makarfi, Abdulkadir Kure, Achike Udenwa, and Ibrahim Shema.
The ex-ministers are Professor Jerry Gana, Tanimu Kabir Turaki, ABC Nwosu, Dubem Onyia, John Odey, Ojo Maduekwe, Bala Mohammed, Sarafa Ishola, Ibrahim Bunu, Adamu Maina Waziri, Dr. Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman, Josephine Anenih, Hajiya Inna Ciroma, and Amb. Tunde Adeniran
Others are Senators Grace Bent, Florence Ita-Giwa, Zigo Azeez, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, Mallam Shehu Gabam, Raymond Dokpesi, and Dr. Doyin Okupe.
A member of the steering committee said: “when we met on Thursday, we told Nigerians that we will set up a steering committee.
“We have constituted the committee on Saturday (yesterday) and it is in the interest of Sheriff to step down on May 21 or else the party may split into factions.
“The steering committee is to pilot the activities of the party from May 21 pending the election of new executives for PDP.
“The implication is that if Sheriff refuses to step aside, the steering committee may run PDP activities from a new secretariat.” [myad]
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), parent company of the Ecobank Group, has announced the appointment of Mr. Amin Manekia as Group Executive of its Corporate & Investment Banking business. Manekia steps into the position vacated in late 2015 by Mr. Charles Kié, who became Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria. A national of Pakistan, Manekia joined Ecobank with 28 years of international corporate banking experience. It includes an excellent grounding in transaction banking, commercial banking, credit risk and general management. His career spans various business and regional leadership roles across different parts of the world, notably the United States, Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Manekia was most recently with Citigroup, where he spent 25 years of his career. He joined Citigroup directly from university in the United States in 1988, moving to South Africa earlier this year as Managing Director and Africa Head for Citi Securities & Banking. In this role, he successfully led Citibank’s Institutional Clients business. Before he moved to South Africa, Manekia spent two transit years at the Samba Financial Group in Saudi Arabia. There, he was the executive responsible for rebuilding the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s corporate banking portfolio following the financial crisis. Prior to this, he held various positions with Citibank in different businesses and regions. These included his Nairobi-based role as Managing Director & Banking Head for East and Southern Africa, with business management responsibilities for corporate banking for that region. In 2007, he was the Commercial Banking Head across Citibank’s Africa platform. As Citibank Country Head for Bulgaria from 2004 to 2007, Manekia successfully led the execution and development of a transformation strategy, which he achieved by quadrupling the bank’s business revenue base within his three-year tenure. In 1993, he relocated from New York to Pakistan, where he worked on the origination side of the business. During his six-year tenure in Pakistan, he held a series of corporate banking roles in Karachi and Lahore. Manekia’s appointment as Group Executive of Ecobank’s Corporate and Investment Banking business takes effect from 4 July 2016. He will report directly to the Ecobank Group CEO and be responsible for the following business lines: Corporate Banking Group; Transaction Service Group; Investment Banking Group; Fixed Income, Currencies & Commodities (Treasury); and Securities, Wealth and Asset Management. Amin Manekia holds a degree in Business Administration and Finance from Boston University School of Management. [myad]
Former Abia state governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has called on those agitating for the Republic of Biafra and other Nigerians to work towards a bigger Nigeria and a stronger economy rather than the call for another country out Nigeria.
“If I should have my way, we should be talking of a bigger Nigeria. The economic benefit of being together is very strong.”
Speaking to news men in Abuja, Dr. Orji Kalu said that he is making moves to mediate between President Muhammadu Buhari and the agitators for the Republic of Biafra, especially, their arrow-head, Nnamdi Kanu who has been in detention.
“I am waiting for President Muhammadu Buhari’s mind to calm down for me to personally appeal for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. I am optimistic Buhari will grant me attention and I will secure Nnamdi Kanu’s release.”
The former governor who said that the younger generation has the right to ask for Biafra, but that they should have gone through the right process, adding that people have committed more serious offences than that of Kanu.
“People have committed more offences than what Nnamdi did but they were pardoned; so, I’m still going to appeal to the president, we will have a common ground very soon.
“Let’s see what will happen between now and the end of the year.
“This issue should not be rushed, the president should not be pressurised; we are talking to him informally.
Kalu disclosed that Buhari is being communicated to through various national and international communities in order to secure Kanu’s release. “We are talking to the president through the international community, we are talking to him through African presidents and we are talking to him through personal friends.
“He is going to listen, Buhari is not as hard as people think and he has a heart that flows with milk.
He said measures are ongoing for him to visit Kanu in prison soon so as to speak with him.
“I will see Nnamdi Kanu in prison very soon and I will like to talk to him and I know he will listen to me.
“Nobody is saying anybody cannot talk about Biafra; you can talk about any other republic but you should not take Nigeria for granted; it’s a sovereign nation and we’ve all sworn to keep the country together.”
He, however, lamented that the past Federal Governments have abandoned the South-East, noting that roads and other infrastructures in the region are decaying.
“Since after the war, the Federal Government has not made any investment in the entire South-East.
“But I believe the government under Buhari will do something to address this marginalization.” [myad]
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today, Monday to brief President Muhammadu Buhari on the activities of the new Niger Delta militants who go by the group name, ‘Niger Delta Avengers.’
The governor, who arrived at the Villa at about 2pm, went straight to the office of the President where he briefed Buhari at a close door session.
Wike, who emerged from the meeting in less than half an hour, simply walked pass news men who were eager to know what he told the President at the meeting. He merely exchanged pleasantries with Journalists and walked away.
The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) have since embarked on blowing up major oil installations in the Niger Delta region, for which Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson had earlier visited and briefed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo last week.
Seriake made it clear at an after meeting with Osinbajo that government would tolerate the bombing and vandalization of oil installations and other national assets in the coastal states.
“All of us as stakeholders are concerned and we have agreed to work together to ensure that production is not disrupted and that all partners should be responsible and do what we need to do.
“I want to use this opportunity to say that yesterday at the meeting of the South South governors in Asaba, this issue was discussed; the need for all of us to work together in the Niger Delta, compare notes and collaborate with the Federal Government was discussed.
“We agreed to have a meeting with the President. We have conveyed that message and we are looking forward to a date that will be convenient for the President.
“The meeting will be on how we can jointly protect strategic national assets, discuss our common and shared responsibilities for security and law and order.” [myad]
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has declared that Lagos has officially joined the League of Oil Producing States in Nigeria following the discovery of crude oil by Tunde Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited in Badagry, Lagos.
Governor Ambode who made the declaration when the management of the company led by the Group Managing Director, Mr. Tunde Folawiyo paid him a courtesy visit at the Lagos House, Ikeja, commended the firm for its doggedness to achieve the feat after 25 years of hard work, saying that by the provision of Section 162 Sub-Section 2 of the Nigeria Constitution, Lagos has become an oil producing State.
“I want to thank you very much for this and I say it with all conviction because I know that based on section 162 Sub-Section 2 of the Nigeria Constitution, Lagos becomes an oil producing state and by virtue of this, the 13 percent derivation that is due to oil producing states, Lagos will start to partake from it by your very good gesture.
“So we officially declare Lagos State as an oil producing state, we also notify the Federal Government by this action that we would be sharing out of the 13 percent derivation. So all we need do is to apply and then we join.”
Governor Ambode said that the feat has not only placed Lagos in the history books as the first state outside the Niger Delta to become an oil producing State, but has also opened up a new page for revenue generation in the State.
“It also means that by the additional revenue that is coming from this action, we would have more resources to provide infrastructure for Lagosians and this is what we want other investors and businessmen to emulate, so that beyond the issue of profit, you are actually creating impact on people without them necessarily knowing that it is actually coming from a venture like this that you have embarked on.”
He said that he resilience of the Tunde Folawiyo Petroleum Company, an indigenous firm has shown the possibilities and opportunities for investors and businessmen willing to commit their resources to boost local production.
“I want to commend what you have done, it’s a sign that you believe so much in Lagos State. I want to congratulate you, I want to showcase you as a very good example of a dogged entrepreneur, as someone who believes in Nigeria because that’s what you epitomize here.
“The Federal Government has always said that we all need to look back inwards and start to do things for ourselves. Spending 25 years to be able to get to this stage and get something productive shows a lot about your belief, tenacity and doggedness and I want to recommend you to every other Nigerian investor that there is still greater hope for Nigeria and with the likes of you, I don’t see any reason why any Nigerian needs to be afraid because you have just shown by this indigenous discovery that anything is possible in Nigeria.
“This discovery is by a 100 per cent indigenous firm and at times like this when we are experiencing dwindling revenue from different areas of our economy; at times like this when foreign exchange is highly turbulent, it gives one great hope that the future prosperity of Nigeria is assured and is secured by transactions like this.”
Governor Ambode said that what the historic discovery means for Lagos is that the three Senatorial Districts, Lagos West, Lagos East and Lagos Central have all combined to open up the economic and investment potentials of the State.
“I will like to let you know that that we have three senatorial zones in Lagos; from the Lagos West axis, we have crude oil coming out of it, from the Lagos East axis, we have the petrochemical refinery factory coming from the Lagos Free Trade Zone by the Dangote Group which will come on board by 2018 and from the Lagos Central axis, it’s the financial district of Nigeria. For Lagos, it’s designed for prosperity and to complement every achievement that is being recorded.
“We are likely to have three Sea Ports in Lagos in another two years; we have the Badagry Deep Sea Port and the Lekki Port and also the Apapa port. So, somehow, in some manner, some things are being put up that seems like a puzzle, but the future prosperity of Lagos is more than well assured and we are happy that we are part of that and this government is heavily committed to complement the efforts of business men like you.
“In supporting endeavours like this, we would do everything to support whatever it is you want us to do to make sure that the arrow head of this particular sector that you have championed will not just go in vain. I can assure you of that.”
Earlier, Mr. Folawiyo said that the discovery of crude oil in Lagos, which has taken over 25 years to achieve, has gone a long way to show the possibilities achievable if Government continues to lend support to indigenous investors and companies.
“At so many points along the way, we could have given up because it was a very rough road, but the point is that only a Nigerian company would have continued to do what we did. The main crux is that we need government and government needs us and where government supports assiduously, it can only be success.”
Folawiyo said that the company has committed about $400 million dollars to achieve the feat, adding that the current status of the oil well has the capacity to produce at least 12,000 barrels per day, with a possibility to increase to 25,000 to 50,000 barrels per day in the nearest future. Folawiyo presented Governor Ambode with a sample of the crude oil discovered by his company in the State, a confirmation of Lagos becoming the first basin out of the Niger Delta to become an oil producing state, which according to him, is by no means a small feat. [myad]]
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed Senenator Walid Jibril as the chairman of its Board of Trustees and former Minister of Transportation, Chief Ojo Maduekwe as its secretary.
The decision was reached today, Monday, at a meeting of the party’s BoT members in Abuja.
A 42-year-old school principal, Michael Diekola, has been charged at the Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s court for allegedly disappearing with N1.2 million meant for the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Diekola is the principal at a private school, Queen Diana College, Oke Odo, Abule Egba, a suburb of Lagos state.
The prosecutor, Inspector Clifford Ogu told the court that the accused committed the offences (fraud and stealing) sometime in July 2014.
Ogu said that the accused who resides at 8, Alirat Badejo Street, Oke Odo, in the said area of the state, collected N1.2 million from students under the pretext of enrolling them for the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, WASSCE.
The prosecutor said: “he accused bolted with the money and all efforts to locate him were unsuccessful until he was sighted by one of the teachers and was immediately apprehended.”
“The offences violated Sections 285 (1) and 312 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Taiwo Akanni, in her ruling, granted the accused bail in the sum N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Akanni adjourned the case to June 6 for mention, ordering the accused to pay N250, 000 into the court’s Chief Registrar’s account as part of the bail conditions. [myad]
Three people were killed and two dozen were wounded in a mass fight at Moscow’s largest cemetery that was reportedly sparked by rivalry between ethnic groups battling for control of the burial service business.
According to Russian media outlets, about 200 people, some armed with guns and other weapons, took part in the clashes at the vast Khovanskoye cemetery in southwest Moscow and more than 90 people were detained after riot police broke up the brawl.
Moscow’s city health department said three people were killed and 23 were hospitalized, four of whom were seriously injured.
The RIA news agency quoted a cemetery official as saying people from Russia’s North Caucasus regions of Chechnya and Dagestan had attacked migrants from ex-Soviet Uzbekistan and Tajikistan working there, attempting to take over their jobs.
With Russia’s economy battered by Western sanctions and low prices for its oil exports, migrants struggle to find work and ethnic criminal groups add to social tensions, according to Reuters.
Quoting a police source, TASS news agency said ethnic Chechens, Dagestanis, Uzbeks and Tajiks were among those detained.
The police reportedly recovered from the scene a Kalashnikov rifle, 51 empty cartridge cases of varying caliber, knuckles, knives, axes, sticks and metal pieces.
Tajikistan’s Interior Ministry will send to Moscow its top expert in battling organized crime to help investigate the incident, Russian news agencies quoted Russian police spokeswoman Irina Volk as saying.
According to some media outlets, a 22-year-old Tajik man, who effectively lived at the cemetery, died from a gunshot wound in the chest. A 42-year-old migrant and an unidentified man died after being run over by a vehicle, he said. There are no other deaths, according to the sources.
Twenty-six people have been hospitalized after the brawl, half of them with firearm injuries, a source inside medical circles told Interfax.
Police have launched a criminal inquiry into the incident on charges of two or more murders by an organized group, illicit trafficking of firearms, and premeditated hooliganism, (Articles 105, 222 and 213 of the Russian Criminal Code, respectively), the source said.
The Tajik Embassy in Moscow on May 14 sent a note to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs asking for providing information about participation of Tajik nationals in the Saturday’s clashes and taking measures to protect rights and interests of Tajik nationals.
Reuters reports that Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on his Twitter account that none of those responsible would go unpunished. [myad]
The management of Plateau United Football Club of Jos has sacked the club’s technical adviser, Zakary Baraje for what the Club said poor performances.
A statement signed by the Media Officer of the club, Albert Dakup, said the decision to sack the coach was as a result of the team’s dwindling performance, adding that the team’s poor results in the ongoing 2015/2016 Nigerian Professional Football League were unacceptable. The statement said: “The management noted with concern the recent performance of the team in spite of the club’s determination to make a good impression in the NPFL. “The club observed a communication gap between the technical adviser with his assistants and the players which is affecting the success of the team. “Despite the free hand given to Baraje, he has not justified the huge confidence reposed in him by turning around the club’s fortunes.” NAN recalls that Baraje, who joined Plateau United from Akwa United of Uyo, had handled the Jos-based club twice in the past. The Plateau United is currently 14th on the league table, with 22 points from 17 matches. meanwhile the Cub has appointed a former player of the club, Victor Wickadason, to replace the sacked coach. Wickadason, a former captain of the team, was until his appointment the head coach of the Plateau United feeder team. The new head coach will be assisted by Audu Isa Pele, Morris Longmiap and a goalkeeper trainer, Tunde Adedara. [myad]
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The National Harmonized Traders Union of Nigeria has asked its members across the country to ignore the planned strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the increase in the fuel pump price as announced recently by the federal government.
