The new national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ali Modu Sheriff has beaten his chest that he would take the PDP back to Aso Rock in 2019.
At the thanksgiving ceremony in honour of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State in Umuahia today, Modu Sheriff said that he was happy to be honoured with the position of Chairman and that his goal would be to lead the PDP back to power.
He advised the party to work with him to achieve the purpose even as he argued that change has not come to Nigerians.
“The real change will come when PDP takes back power in 2019.”
The occasion was attended by Governors Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and senior PDP members. Radical evangelist Dr. Uma Ukpai delivered the homily. [myad]
Annual traditional festivals are recurring ceremonies in most African communities. They attract all and sundry. They are platforms where cultures and traditions of the people are relived. They also strengthen the cord of communality among people of same ethnicity.
The festivities end with the collective invocation of the spirit of ancestors and the gods of the land, to shower blessings of love and unity on the community, accord bumper harvests and also, cast out demons of sicknesses from their midst. But most importantly, prayers for the prosperity of sons and daughters of the community in their chosen careers/vocations are also offered.
In Nigeria, the mentality of communities identifying with illustrious sons and daughters who have reached the zenith in their professions has become legendary. It is now coloured with pride for such communities, whose members most times boast of the rare accomplishments of their kith and kin.
Every proud member of such communities savours the gift profoundly because the distinguished son or daughter is an illuminating beacon of the community on many paths.
Through this means and very often, small and obscure communities are stirred to limelight through the rare and excellent accomplishments of a single son or daughter, which stands him or her uniquely from the crowd.
The populous Tiv nation, which is generously sprinkled around the geographical space of the Benue valley and beyond, has not ceased relishing the novel academic accomplishments of her sons and daughters.
Just recently, an academic and illustrious son of Tiv nation, Professor Emmanuel Apedzan Kighir coated his dazzling and multiple intellectual endowments with a professorial title in Accountancy. This was after he accomplished his first academic journey in pharmaceutical studies.
His journey of life began in 1959 at Adudu, in Obi Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa state, where a little baby named Emmanuel Apedzan Kighir was born. God Almighty destined that the joys and pains of Apedzan’s parentage be shouldered by the family of Mr and Mrs Kighir Begha of Mbakyum, via Koti-Yough City of Ute clan, in Vandeikya LGA of Benue state.
But the young Kighir docked the earth at a time western education was still largely detested in many parts of his ancestry. However, the determined Apedzan never allowed the repulsion against the acquisition of modern knowledge to deter him from acquiring western education.
Therefore, after elementary education, he proceeded to the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, where he bagged a B.Sc. degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
His quest to expand his frontiers of knowledge propelled him to delve into management sciences. Within a short while, he secured a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) from the University of Jos.
Desiring to combine pharmacy with another equally competitive professional discipline, Professor Kighir sought to also explore the world of finance and accounting. And a few years later, he became a chartered Accountant and obtained a Master’s Degree (M.Sc.) in Accounting from the University of Lagos. He returned to ABU Zaria, where he crowned his regular academic pursuits with a doctor of philosophy (PhD) in Accounting and Finance.
Impressively, Prof. Kighir has continued to impact knowledge to the younger generation. His years of teaching experience both at tertiary and professional levels have spanned for over two decades, as attested by his membership of top-level national and international professional bodies/associations.
He was a lecturer and Head of Department of Accounting, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, near Abuja, Nigeria. He is currently a professor of Accounting and Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Federal University, Dutsinma, Katsina State, Nigeria.
Prof. Kighir is a Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), the elite league of accountants in Nigeria A chartered stockbroker and member Institute of Chartered Stockbroker of Nigeria (ACS) and an Associate of Taxation Institute (ACTI). The accounting professor is also a member of American Accounting Association (AAA). And spreading his tentacles farther afield, he also holds the membership of British Accounting and Finance Association(BAFA).
These accomplishments by a single person are rare feats one can find among his Tiv kinsmen.
Widely recognized as a seasoned financial and management consultant, Professor Kighir is a resource person to many organizations and has authored several books, including articles in renowned index Journals. His research interests include financial reporting and corporate governance. His works on financial reporting has been of immense assistance to journalists globally. Professor Kighir has presented many academic papers at reputable local and international conferences to his credit.
His recent elevation to the rank of a Professor of Accounting amply testifies to his outstanding academic excellence and professional performance. But quite uniquely, the feat stands him out as the first Professor of Accounting in Tiv nation; the second ICAN Chartered Accountants’ Professor of Accounting from Benue state and ranks among the very few ICAN Chartered Accountants‘ Professor of Accounting in Northern Nigeria and indeed in Nigeria.
His working experience also stretches to the Accounting Research Institute, Universiti Teknologi Mara in Malaysia, where he served as a visiting research Scientist.
Kighir is a devout catholic. He is married to Mrs. Msurshima Kighir, a Director with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). They are blessed with a beautiful daughter.
Tiv nation is indeed proud with this illustrious son and academic of repute, Professor Emmanuel Apedzan Kighir, who initially set out as a pharmacist, but ended up making indelible global imprints in the field of accounting. He remains the torchbearer in accounting for Tiv nation.
As the Tiv nation, Benue, Northern Nigeria and indeed, the entire country roll out drums to celebrate Kighir’s exceptional academic exploits; it is the fervent prayers of all that may the Almighty God continue to soar his wings in the quest to assist in the expansion of knowledge for humanity.
*Kubeka is an Abuja-based investigative journalist and publisher. [myad]
Husband of the embattled Diezani, the former minister of Petroleum resources, retired Rear Admiral Alison Amaechina Madueke was arrested today and released after being question over the alleged laundering of $600,000. Mr. Madueke was arrested this morning by officers of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) in Abuja for illegally laundering the money through his personal accounts. The source hinted however that Madueke was released on administrative bail but that the Commission seized his passport and placed him under caution. This is the latest development in an ongoing global investigation into the financial activity of the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Maduke, who was arrested last year in London for financial crimes.
Madueke was at the helm of the petroleum industry in Nigeria during a time of unprecedented theft, according to analysts. [myad]
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice Abubakar Malami has accused the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I.A. Umezulike of alleged misconduct and asked the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate him.
In a letter with Ref No: HAGF/ENUGU/2000/I and dated 4th February, 2016, the minister also directed the Inspector General of Police to investigate the conduct of Justice Umezulike and one Mr. Vincent Aneke, the Director of Litigation at the Enugu State High Court over allegation that they both altered a court judgment and order in Suit No. E/170/76 dated the 25th June, 1985.
The letter which is signed by the Special Assistant to the minister, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla, also directed the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Vincent Aneke for corruption and abuse of office.
The minister’s letter was sequel to a petition to him by a lawyer, Mr. Peter Eze.
The petition dated November 25, 2015 complained of forgery and corrupt practices against the Enugu Chief Judge and the Director of Litigation.
The petition reads in part: “On 25th June 1985, Justice P. K. Nwokedi, the Chief Judge of Anambra State (who later became a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria) delivered a judgment in Suit No. E/170/76: Nnaji & Ors. V. Nwugwu Ors. The judgment awarded the Plaintiffs, the Umunneshi Family of Umunaji Ngene, Amechi Uwani, title to a parcel of land known as and called “Agbirigba Umu-Nensi”. [myad]
Daredevil kidnappers, today stormed the sleepy community of Otuoke, the country home of former President Goodluck Jonathan, and successfully abducted his first cousin and foster father, Chief Inengite Nitabai, the second time in three years.
The 72-year-old Nitabai, a prominent chief of Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was whisked away through the Otuoke creek from his residence at about 3.30am by seven heavily armed men.
Although a detachment of men of the Nigerian Army are stationed in the former president’s home, but it was gathered that the gunmen gained access into the old man’s residence which is on the bank of the creek.
Security sources said that the ease at which the men made good their escape suggested that they might have come in a 200 horse power boat engine which was recently banned by the state government.
The victim’s residence is located some 300 metres from a military checkpoint close to the Otuoke bridge, off the Onuebum-Otuoke Road where the former president’s home is located.
Nitabai is described as the head of the compound from where the former president hails.
It was learnt that the septuagenarian, though cousin to the former President, had been acting as father figure to Jonathan since the death of his (Jonathan’s) biological father.
Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Asinim Butswat, has since confirmed the abduction. [myad]
Boutros Boutros-Ghali, an Egyptian diplomat who led the United Nations in a chaotic 1990s tenure that began with hopes for peace after the Cold War, but failed to cope with genocide in Rwanda and Bosnia and ended in angry recriminations with Washington, died today in an Egyptian hospital. He was 93.
His death was confirmed by the office of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Mr. Ban later made a brief appearance before reporters at the United Nations, calling Mr. Boutros-Ghali “a memorable leader who rendered invaluable services to world peace and international order.”
The website of Al Ahram, Egypt’s state-owned newspaper, said Mr. Boutros-Ghali died Tuesday in a hospital in Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo, where he had been admitted a few days earlier with a broken leg. He and his wife, Leia Maria Boutros-Ghali, had no children, Egyptian diplomats said.
A generation before violent protests boiled over in Cairo in 2011, Mr. Boutros-Ghali was a keystone of Egypt’s old guard diplomacy, a senior minister to President Hosni Mubarak and to his slain predecessor, Anwar el-Sadat. He seemed to meet the tests of character and experience when, in 1992, he became the sixth secretary general of the United Nations, the first African and the first Arab to hold the post. [myad]
The National caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the governors elected on the platform of the party, have finally picked the former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff as the party’s national chairman.
Modu Sheriff, who is replacing Ahmadu Mu’azu, the former chairman who resigned shortly after the 2015 general elections, has been a controversial figure amid allegations he funded and sponsored the extremist sect, Boko Haram which he had since denied.
The spokesperson for PDP, Olisa Metuh, who addressed news men today at the Abuja’s Wadata plaza secretariat of the party, said that all organs of the party, including, the national caucus, PDP governors’ forum and the national assembly caucuses agreed on the choice of Modu Sheriff, who is also a former senator.
Metuh said that the decision would be communicated to the Board of Trustees and subsequently, the National Executive Committee, NEC, for ratification before a formal announcement would be made. [myad]
Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has described the new Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II as representing a new generation of Nigeria through his outreach efforts setting a new standard and leadership style. Osinbajo, who received the Ooni in his office today at the Presidential Villa, Abuja recommended to leaders in different areas of the Nigerian nation new kind of leadership that builds bridges, keeps in touch with the people while offering a new way of thinking. “Some of what we have seen Kabiyesi’ do, some of those steps he has taken, handshakes across prejudices, across traditional boundaries, a visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, and several other such important steps are not just symbolic. It is important to understand that they also have very deep implications for future relationships and for the way that our generation is perceived and also implications in the way that our country eventually shapes up.” Professor Osinbajo said leaders have to be accountable to the people adding: “one of the very important attributes of the Kabiyesi is the fact that he represents a new way of thinking, which is not just a generational way of thinking. it is a whole new concept in the way we relate to power and authority.” He said that this new way of thinking and style which the new Ooni represents is not just about traditional leadership, but it is something that relates to leadership at every level. He commended the new king for his great insight and leadership attributes, even as he prayed that Almighty God will enable him fulfill the purpose of his enthronement. The Vice President said: “I think that he (the Ooni) is one of those who have thought it fit to begin to express himself in a completely different way from what we had seen in the past. I think that one of the key things that we have learnt from leadership and one of the key leadership skills that he has taught, that his approach has taught us, is that you have to make contacts even with people and with authorities who in the past may have been considered adverse or adversaries one way or the other.” Professor Osinbajo praised the Ooni for his connection with young people and commended his embrace of modern communication. He observed that these are indications that a new generation had taken over, adding that by addressing the concerns of the young people who constitute a very substantial portion of the nation’s population, the Ooni has demonstrated the understanding that it is not just about demographics but about the future of the country. In his remarks, Oba Ogunwusi who described the Vice President as amiable, said that he had been warmly received by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Vice President “to talk progressively about what we can do from the traditional aspect because we monarchs are much closer to the people. He added that he has also discussed about community relations, community development and “how we can properly bridge the gap.” He appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the leaders, adding: “they have very good plan for us, very positive plans. If we can be patient we will all benefit from their lofty programmes’’ The Vice President also received a delegation from the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers, NALT, led by its president, Dr. Abdulkarim Kana. Professor Osinbajo, himself a law teacher, expressed delight at the courtesy visit and wondered what his life trajectory would have been if he had not become a professor of law. Recalling how difficult legal research had been in the past, he cited an instance when it took him six weeks to get an authority and other details of a particular case in the high court in the early 80s. According to him, things have since become better now, with improved technology-aided tools that are available. He encouraged the members of the delegation and the association made up of law professors, and lecturers drawn from about four generations of law teachers to welcome practicing lawyers as university teachers. “We should be open to those kind of interaction, great universities of the world allow for such interactions,” according to the Vice President. The leader of the delegation, Dr. Kana who told the Vice President: “I have brought your constituency to you,” described the Vice President as “one of our very best.” He said the success of the Buhari administration is the success of Nigeria and pledged the support of the association. Other notable university teachers that formed part of the delegation included Prof. Ademola Popoola, Prof. Chioma Kanu Agomo, Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, Prof. Maxwell Gidado, SAN, and Prof. Festus Emiri among others. [myad]
The Government of the State of Osun has described demands by medical doctors in the services of the state as impossible against the background of what it called the best condition of service it had offered all categories of workers. The state government described as mere blackmail the protests by the striking doctors even as it said that the government has made more than enough concessions for them to have shifted their positions and reason with the government. In a statement by the Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, which was endorsed by its Director, Semiu Okanlawon, the state government said that under Governor Rauf Aregbesola, mushc had been given workers, including the doctors before the current financial challenges facing the entire country. The Government called on well-meaning Nigerians to objectively examine the issues involved in the demands of the doctors and see whether they are in tune with the realities of the current worsening global and national economic situation and how it affects Osun. It said that in the face of the current economic realities, it remains unbelievable that doctors would insist that they would not be bound by the payment regime agreed to by over 39,000 other workers in the state which was arrived at after a rigorous deliberation on the finances of the state within the context of the national economic realities. The statement said that it is an open secret that Nigeria is faced with critical financial challenges which have made many obligations impossible. It said this was why the state came up with a very transparent formulae for apportioning of its available resources adding that this was agreed to by all categories of workers in the state. “The only way labour can do without the distrust of government is by setting up a committee with the labour constituting half of the composition and government half and a neutral person jointly accepted by us to be the head of the committee to be reviewing all the revenues and using the reality of the revenue to appropriate or apportion allocation to strategic and key areas of government, which is wages and running the government. We agreed and we are running government absolutely on that basis. “That agreement came in August and in September; the doctors said they were not in any way bound by that agreement. “There was no way we could back down because, in the first instance, other professionals had accepted the agreement reached with labour.” The statement said the doctors have remained recalcitrant despite all entreaties by leading lights of the medical profession, adding “they refused the popular agreement, what should government do? How can we reverse a decision accented to and agreed with by over 39,000 workers because about 200 people are dissatisfied.” The statement accused the doctors of abandoning their work since September 28, adding that “but we paid them for that month.” It went further, “By December, we told them they should resume work and they have remained adamant that they want to earn what we cannot afford. In the first instance, except in communist country, you cannot force anybody to work, you can’t drag workers to work under democracy. It is either you want to work or you don’t want to work. But if you cannot take what we are offering and what other workers including Doctors in Local government areas, including consultants at the state level are taking, we cannot afford it.” The statement said there is no doubt that all aspects of life are affected in Nigeria by the crushing economic hardship. While admitting that doctors render essential services to the society, the statement reminded Nigerians that there is no single professional in the health sector that is not essential. It said just as the Government is committed to the welfare of doctors, it must also be committed to the welfare of other professionals in the medical line such as Pharmacists, Nurses, Radiologists, cleaners and others. Listing its several pro-workers policies, the statement reminded all that the government ensured payment of salaries on or before 26th of every month regardless of the arrival of federal allocation. “This state never received salary at the end of the month ever since inception. And why? Allocation always comes minimally 14 days after the month, Osun traditionally will wait till the allocation comes before salary can be paid as we are doing now. Today is 16th and January allocation has not come, and it may not come until the end of the month, before now and for 4 years, Aregbesola ensured that salaries were paid on or before every 25th of the month. Not that allocation came every 25th of every month, by my our special arrangement, we ensured that we guaranteed payment before the end of the month for 4 years. Today, it becomes useless and irrelevant and not commendable because we are challenged, not by our own fault, but by the vagaries of the economy in the world, not even in Nigeria,” the statement added. It listed other areas such as reform in the way leave allowances were paid; increase in vehicle loans by 400 percent and the end-of-the-year allowance which were paid to workers. “We began with 10 percent to 25 percent to 50 percent and the fourth year to 100 percent. Unfortunately, but for the economic situation. We couldn’t go further. All of these is to show how workers-friendly we are.” [myad]
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr (Mrs.) Idiat Oluranti Adebule has commended the contributions of the British Council to the development of the education sector in the State. Adebule gave the commendation in Lagos today at a reception organized by the state government for the visiting delegation from the United Kingdom under the auspices of the British Council Connecting Classroom Programme, noting that for the state to achieve better education delivery, the cooperation and partnership of international institutions such as the British Council is imperative. “The enormous contributions of the British Council to the development of education in the State cannot be over emphasized, among which are the provision of Digital Hubs in three public senior secondary schools, organisation of several trainings and workshops for teachers, head teachers, officers in the Ministry and sponsoring the State teachers and officers to international workshops.” The Deputy Governor said that the collaboration with the British Council was indeed a valued partnership that has been working for the state government, expressing the administration’s appreciation to the Council for partnering with the State in its effort to improve education. According to her, the focus of the cooperation between the Ministry of Education and the Council is not lost on government as it is aware of the need to adopt and integrate new educational trends in the State educational framework with a view to enhancing the performance, administrative efficiency and build up public schools to global standard. Dr. Adebule noted that the 2015-2018 Connecting Classroom Programme will ensure that young people learn foundation skills and build the capacity of teachers to integrate a range of core skills into the curriculum, thereby improving learning outcomes for students as well as enabling them to become more globally aware and competitive. “I was reliably informed that the 2012-2015 edition of the Connecting Classroom Programme which was aimed at increasing the chances of young people worldwide to demonstrate enhanced knowledge, skills and understanding for work in the global economy came to an end in the month of June 2015. It is on record that a total of 55 public primary and secondary schools across the State benefited in the programme and are already in partnership with other Schools in the United Kingdom on the Connecting Classroom Programme.” Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Olabisi Ariyo explained that the British Council’s Connecting Classrooms programme aim to develop and nurture school links involving Nigeria and United Kingdom (UK) schools, adding that the links would promote greater understanding of global issues for teachers and students in the UK and Nigeria. She explained that the team will be visiting seven schools across the state and they are Lagos City Senior College, Sabo Yaba; Sanya Senior Grammar School, Sanya; Modupe Cole Memorial School, Bariga; Eva Adelaja Junior Girls Grammar School, Bariga; Keke Senior High School, Agege; Idimu Junior High School, Idimu; and Dairy Farm Senior Secondary School, Agege. The head of the UK delegation, Mrs. Jane English also expressed the appreciation of the team to the Lagos State Government for the partnership, which she noted has been of great benefit to both countries, adding that the continuous training of teachers will further enhance teachers’ and students’ learning skills. [myad]
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The new national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ali Modu Sheriff has beaten his chest that he would take the PDP back to Aso Rock in 2019.
