Ekiti Economy Is Collapsing, Fayose Cries Out

November 11, 2015

Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has raised an alarm that the state’s economy might be grounded in five months time unless something urgent is done to salvage it.

The governor, in a parley with Ekiti Professionals and leaders of thoughts on the state of Ekiti finances, said that with the monthly deductions of about N900 million, the state might find it extremely difficult to meet its obligations.

Fayose, had also parleyed with professionals of Ekiti origin under the auspices of Igbimo Ure Ekiti and the Clerics, urging to embrace the new tax regime and to help in sensitizing their congregation.

The governor said that available records show that schools being held by missionaries, had consistently be leading in every public examinations in recent past.

He said his administration is committed to the construction of an ultra modern Oja Oba Market, Airport and fly over in Ado Ekiti capital city, in spite of the paucity of funds confronting the State.

On the new tax regime that has generated so much furore among the populace, Fayose called on the professionals to continue to spread the gospel to the people on the need to increase the revenue in the State, so that infrastructural facilities can be put in place.

The president of the group and former Minister of Health, Mr. Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, assured that the body would continue to play apolitical role and support the government to attract development to the State. [myad]

Group Faults Vice President’s Open Support For Prince Audu

Greenbarge Reporters

November 11, 2015

A Kogi-based group, known as Team Kogi 2016, has condemned Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for supporting the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 21 election, Prince Abubakar Audu, by raising his hand to the electorate.

This, the group said, in spite of the corruption cases hanging on the neck of the governorship candidate.

In a communiqué in Lokoja, the state capital, signed by the Director of Public Communications of the group, the group said the action of the Vice President was aimed at intimidating the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in the ongoing trial of Audu on graft related allegations.

“Professor Yemi Osinbajo was the one that shouted the anti-corruption mantra loudest. But today, he raised the hand of a man charged to court by a government agency, the EFCC for allegedly stealing 10 billion naira from the coffers of Kogi State while he was governor.” [myad]

Case Against Code Of Conduct Tribunal Boss Is Rumour – EFCC

Greenbarge Reporters

November 11, 2015

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has made it clear that the allegation of N10m bribery case against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Mr. Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar is based on rumour. The EFCC said that the evidence against him is not weighty and not sufficient to sustain a possible prosecution.

The anti-graft body claimed that the facts against the CCT Chairman raised just mere suspicion which in law, cannot take the place of proof, adding: “the facts as they are now against Justice Umar raised a mere suspicion and will therefore not be sufficient to successfully prosecute for the offence.”

In a memorandum forwarded to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), on March 5, 2015, the EFCC, however, confirmed that one Ali Gambo Abdullahi, a Personal Assistant to the CCT boss admitted receiving N1.8m in 2012 from one Rasheed Taiwo standing trial at the tribunal.

The said Abdullahi was alleged to have used his salary account at Zenith Bank to collect the graft.

In the letter with a Reference No EFCC/EC/SGF/03/56 (dated March 5, 2015) and personally signed by the immediate past Executive Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, the complainant in the bribery saga, Mr. Rasheed Taiwo, a retired Deputy Comptroller General of Customs was said to have failed to produce the alleged telephone conversations and text messages exchanged by him and Justice Umar.

The Former Customs Chief was said to have persistently claimed that he had lost his phone since 2012 and could not trace or recover it.

EFCC said that the telephone of the complainant would have been subjected to independent scientific analysis with a view to corroborating the bribery allegation against the CCT boss.

Justice Umar was, however, said by EFCC to have admitted meeting the complainant in his chamber at the tribunal and that meeting was most unethical and highly suspicious conduct on the part of the chairman.

The EFCC letter was entitled “Investigation Report on N10m bribery allegation against the chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal, Abuja” [myad]

Fashola With Buhari’s Load, By Yusuf Ozi-Usman

Yusuf Ozi-Usman

November 11, 2015

One doesn’t know whether to rejoice with or pity the former governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Raji Fashola when President Muhammadu Buhari, today, announced the portfolios attached to him as a minister.
As a matter of fact, the reality of the challenging tasks ahead of Fashola when three powerful and demanding ministries – Power, Works and Housing- were placed on him, did not begin to dawn on some analysts until a few hours after the Presidential pronouncement.
Of course, those who wanted to be pleasantly mischievous referred to him as the Prime Minister of the Buhari’s government, by virtue of the vital and tough ministries he is to supervise. This was even as many of his fans believed that he has all the pedigrees to accomplish the multiple tasks ahead of him.
Whatever clout Fashola possesses, there are concerns in many quarters that for one man to handle any one of the three ministries could be energy-sapping, much more the three combined.
On Power, past governments have tried all they could to correct the anomalies in the system that continue to put the country in darkness but achieved little. Recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo promised, with all seriousness, to end power challenges within a year as President, but ended up admitting that the rot in the system was beyond redemption.
Billions of naira sank into the system, different methods used and the high level of determination of the past governments had yielded very little.
The same thing can also be said of the ministry of works, where the more the billions of naira was sank into it, the more problematic it became. As a matter of fact, the road construction segment of the ministry was for long turned into a drain-pipe to siphon the national financial resources with very little to show for it. The last administration made sure that the meeting of Federal Executive Council (FEC) every Wednesday was turned into mere award of billions of naria for road projects that never saw the light of the day. It was sickening.
The ministry of Housing too had been budged down by corruption, lack of a defined focus and total misunderstanding of what needed to be done to uplift the standard of living of ordinary Nigerians.
Fashola himself confessed, when he assumed duty today, shortly after his swearing-in, that the challenge he faces is how to bring together processes and activities of all the Ministries now put under his supervision for effective service delivery.
However, those who know Fashola and the wonders he performed in Lagos when he governed the state for eight years, would swear that he would deliver on the gargantuan tasks President Buhari has placed on his shoulder.
And, that is to say, that when the chips are down and President Buhari is to give account of his achievements as President, the person who would be the yardstick for Nigerians to determine such achievements would be Fashola. If he can wade through the thorns, the tumbles and man-made tribulations and fix power; if he can ignore the antics of powerful cabals and put the Nation’s roads in good shape, befitting of the country; and if he can refocus the housing sector with a view to making houses available for majority of poor Nigerians, then, he would have written his name in gold in the nation’s march to greatness.
And, of course, it is as if President Buhari, determined to re-engineer Nigeria as a nation, just told Fashola, ‘go ye and do the sensitive part of my job for me. [myad]

President Buhari Springs Surprise, Gives Portfolios To 36 Ministers

Greenbarge Reporters

November 11, 2015

Against the general expectations, President Muhammadu Buhari, today, gives all his 36 ministers portfolios and asked them to proceed to deliver the campaign promises of All Progresives Congress (APC) for the positive change he envisaged for Nigeria.

The President, who swore-in the ministers at the Presidental Villa, Abuja today, allocated the ministries to the following ministers:

Abubakar Malami – Justice

Geoffrey Onyeama – Foreign Affairs

Khadija Abubakar Abba Ibrahim – State Minister of Foreign Affairs

Muhammad Dan Ali – Defence

Adamu Adamu – Education

Prof Anthony Onwuka – State Minister of Education

Kemi Adeosun – Finance

Okechukwu Enelama – Industry, Trade and Investment

Aisha Abubakar – State Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment

Senator Chris Ngige – Labour and Employment

James Ocholi – State Minister of Labour and Employment

Mohammodu Musa Bello – Federal Capital Territory

Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau – Interior

Senator Udo Udoma – Budget and National Planning

Zainab Ahmed – State Minister of Budget and National Planning

Ibe Kachikwu – State Minister of Petroleum Resources

Babatunde Fashola – Power, Works and Housing

Mustapha Baba Shehuri – State Minister of Power, Works and Housing

Audu Ogbeh – Agricultural and Rural Development

Heineken Lokpobiri – State Minister of Agricultural and Rural Development

Rotimi Amaechi – Transportation

Hadi Sirika – State Minister of Aviation

Isaac Adewole – Health

Osagie Ehanire – State Minister of Health

Aisha Al-Hassan – Woman Affairs

Usani Uguru – Niger Delta

Claudius Daramola – State Minister of Niger Delta

Adebayo Shittu – Communication

Lai Mohammed – Information

Amina Mohammed – Environment

Usman Jubril – State Minister of Environment

Suleiman Adamu – Water Resources

Solomon Dalong – Youth and Sports

Kayode Fayemi – Solid Minerals

Abubakar Bwari – Minister Of States of Solid Minerals

Ogbonaya Onu – Science and Technology. [myad]

Buhari Appoints 18 Permanent Secretaries, Redeploys 36 Others

Greenbarge Reporters

November 10, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of 18 new Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service even as he redeployed 36 others
a statement by special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said that all the appointments and redeployment take immediate effect.

This came on the heels of the earlier announcement of the retirement of several Permanent Secretaries by the government.
Adesina gave the list of the 18 Permanent secretaries as:

Mrs. Ayotunde Adesugba
2. Alhaji Mahmoud Isa-Dutse
3. Mr. Taiwo Abidogun
4. Dr. Bukar Hassan
5. Mrs. Wakama Belema Asifieka
6. Mr. Jalal Ahmad Arabi
7. Mr. Sabiu Zakari
8. Mrs. Obiageli Phyllis Nwokedi
9. Mr. Aminu Nabegu
10. Mr. Bamgbose Olukunle Oladele
11. Mr. Alo Williams Nwankwo
12. Dr. Shehu Ahmed
13. Mr. Ogbonnaya Innocent Kalu
14. Mrs. Nuratu Jimoh Batagarawa
15. Mr. Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa
16. Mr. Bassey Apkanyung
17. Mr. Louis Edozien
18. Dr. Ugo Roy
He also gave the 36 others who have been deployed as:
1. Dr. Shehu Ahmad – Fed. Min. of Agric & Rural Development
2. Arch Sunday Echono – Fed. Min. of Communications
3. Alh. Sabiu Zakari – Fed. Min. of Transportation
4. Mrs. Ayotunde Adesugba – Fed. Min. of Information & Culture
5. Amb. Danjuma Sheni – Fed. Min. of Defence
6. Dr. Shade Yemi-Esan – Fed. Min. of Education
7. Mrs. Fatima Mede – Budget & National Planning
8. Alh. Mahmoud Isa Dutse – Fed. Min. of Finance
9. Amb. Bulus Lolo – Fed. Min of Foreign Affairs
10. Dr. Amina Shamaki – Fed. Min. of Health
11. Mr. Aliyu Bisalla -Fed. Min. of Industry, Trade & Investment
12. Mr. Bassey Akpanyung – Fed. Min. of Internal Affairs
13. Mr. Taiwo Abidogun – Fed. Ministry of Justice
14. Dr. Habiba Lawal – Fed. Min. of Science & Tech.
15. Dr. Clement Illoh – Fed. Min. of Labour & Productivity
16. Dr. Jamila Shu’ara – Fed. Min of Petroleum Resources
17. Mrs. Binta Bello – Fed. Min of Women Affairs
18. Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye – Federal Capital Territory
19. Mrs. Rabi Jimeta – Fed. Min. of Water Resources
20. Dr. Bukar Hassan – Fed. Min of Environment
21. Mrs. Wakama B. Asifieka – Fed. Min. of Niger Delta Affairs
22. Mr. Istifanus Fuktur – Fed. Min. of Solid Minerals
23. Mr. Christian Ohaa – Fed. Min of Youth & Sports
24. Engr. A.G. Magaji – Fed. Min. of Works & Housing
25. Mr. Louis Edozien – Fed. Min. of Power
26. Mr. Jalal Arabi – State House
27. Mr. Mohammed Bukar – General Services Office, OSGF
28. Mr. Abbas Mohammed – Ecological Fund Office, OSGF
29. Dr. Ugo Roy – Council Secretariat
30. Mr. Aminu Nabegu – Special Services Office, OSGF
31. Amb. Bamgbose Akindele – Political Affairs Office, OSGF
32. Mr. Alo Williams Nwankwo – Economic Affairs Office, OSGF
33. Mrs. Obiageli Nwokedi – Special Duties Office, OSGF
34. Mr. Innocent Ogbonnaya -Career Management Office, OHCSF
35. Mr. S.K.Y. Adelakun – Common Services Office, OHCSF
36. Mrs. N. Batagarawa – Service Policy & Strategies Office, OHCSF. [myad]

Jonathan Was Imposed On PDP As Presidential Candidate In 2015, Dokpesi Confesses

Greenbarge Reporters

November 10, 2015

Fielding the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in the 2011 and 2015 presidential elections was a costly mistake by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the

Chairman of the national conference organising committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Chief Raymond. Has confessed that former President Goodluck Jonathan was imposed on the party as its Presidential candidate for the 2015 election.
Dokpes, who spoke at a media briefing in Abuja, today insisted that such imposition might have been responsible for the party’s loss of the presidency in the general.
He regretted that the party jettisoned the zoning formula which was put in place by the party’s founding fathers, adding that the party made the first mistake when it failed to retain the party’s 2011 presidential ticket in the North after the death of former President Umaru Yar ‘Adua.
The second mistake, he said, was for the party to make Jonathan the sole presidential candidate of the party in the 2015 general election, adding that the action caused disaffection among party chieftains from the North.
Dokpesi apologised to all party chieftains who felt offended by the action and extended the apology to the Nigerian voters who were denied the freedom of choice by the PDP.
He said that having retained power for 16 years at a stretch, it was normal for the party to make mistakes and that the party is in the process of repositioning ahead of the 2019 general election.
The PDP committee chairman said that Nigerians should forgive the party for the many mistakes it made while in power, assuring that it is restructuring to enable the youths play active role in the future.
He identified lack of internal democracy in most of its nomination processes, adding “there was impunity, imposition of candidates, breach of the zoning arrangement and lack of a level playing field for members.
“Make no mistakes, the PDP is aware that there were errors made along the way. We admit that at certain times in our past, mistakes have been made.
“We did not meet the expectations of Nigerians. We tender our apology. But the past is exactly what it is. We call on all party faithful, supporters and sympathisers to partner with us going forward.” [myad]

Babangida Turns His Back On PDP, Says He’s Retired From Politics

Greenbarge Reporters

November 10, 2015

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has turned his back on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on account of the fact that he has retired from active politics.

The former Nigerian strong man, who is a founding leader of the party, said he would attend a meeting he was being invited to or the purpose of rebranding it. The conference is scheduled for November 12.
In a statement today, Babangida said that though as a founding member of the party he would have loved to be a part of the repositioning of the PDP after its dismal outing in the last general election, but that he had since retired from politics.
The statement, which he personally signed, titled: “PDP REBRANDING CONFERENCE: the COUNT ME OUT,” reads in full: “I wish to make some clarifications concerning the invitation extended to me on the scheduled PDP Rebranding Conference slated for Thursday, 12 November, 2015, aimed at repositioning the party after its poor outing at the last elections. While I welcome the invitation to the event as a mark of respect as one of the founding fathers, I want to be excused on the grounds that I have long bid bye to partisan politics.
“Four years ago at an elaborate event at the Transcorp Hilton Hotels Abuja, I announced my retirement from partisan politics after my failed attempt to contest for President and having attained the gracious age of 70, in a society where life expectancy stands at a ridiculous 47 years. In appreciating what Allah has done for me in life, seeing me through many challenges, stabilizing me during periods of tribulations, and safeguarding me through the thick and thin of political risks, I did state at that event that Journalists would not push me around again.
“Attaining the age of 70 in 2011 was to me a great accomplishment for which I remain eternally grateful to Almighty Allah and my family who have shown tremendous support and encouragement throughout my political trajectory. Since 2011 till date, I have been playing my role as an elder statesman and “consultant-in-chief” to political office seekers and other like-minds who want my input in their aspirations. At 74, I feel a deep sense of fulfillment in my new role as non-partisan elder statesman and a patriot; available to all categories of persons without the burgeoning label of any political party or affiliation. I have many friends and associates in the two dominant political parties; APC and PDP, and numerous other smaller political parties. At this stage of my political journey, I want to be able to interact and socialize with them without being branded “anti-party”.
“It is on the score of this that I have elected to turn down this request to participate in the rebranding conference of the PDP in a partisan manner. My fulfillment in life is further bolstered by the emerging scenario that is evident in our present political reality. First, the idea of a two-party system which has always been my desire; and the stack reality that, incumbents can be defeated at various levels of election as a function of growing awareness and consciousness on the part of the electorate. These to me, present interesting dimensions in our political evolution as a country grappling with so many challenges.
“I have heard whispers from different political arenas that one of the rationales for the rebranding of PDP was to prepare me for future elections in 2019. How ridiculous? God’s willing; by 2019 I will be 78 years old. If I called it quit in 2011, why would PDP contemplate fielding a 78 years old man in a presidential election in a country that parades very vibrant men and women of lesser age? I have no intention whatsoever to run for any office again in Nigeria. I will consistently pray to Almighty Allah to grant me good health and sound mind to watch my dearest beloved country grow from strength to strength during my lifetime and beyond.
“While I wish PDP the best of luck in its desire to rebrand for future electoral challenges, I wish Nigeria and Nigerians the uncommon wisdom to manage our internal contradictions for the sustenance of national unity.” [myad]

Kogi Guber Poll: Police Warns Electorate To Cast Vote And Go Home

Greenbarge Reporters

November 10, 2015

The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Emmanuel Ojukwu, has warned the electorate to cast their votes and go back home instead remaining at the polling units in the November 21 governorship election.

Ojukwu who spoke at a workshop organized by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today, said that there is no reason whatsoever for voters to remain at the polling units after casting their votes.

“We are not closing our eyes to the issues of rising insecurity in the state. That is why we want to block every likely avenue for any crisis.

“The police are fully prepared and committed to ensure peaceful conduct of the election and safety of lives and property. We have identified hot spots, areas that are prone to election violence and we are up to the task.

“Our expectations are the expectations of the people of Kogi State, which are free, fair, credible and peaceful election.”

The commissioner said that the duties of the police is to ensure a level playing ground for all political parties and their respective candidates, even as he further warned politicians and their supporters to shun any form of violence that could disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election.

According to him, any crises precipitated by electoral crises in Kogi State could impact negatively on nine other states with which it shared border.

“No fewer than 20 states pass through Kogi to get to their various destinations. Movement will not be totally restricted because of the motorists that are transiting the state to their destinations.”

Mike Omeri, the Director-General of the NOA, said the essence of the training was for effective sensitization and mobilization of the electorate toward the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Omeri, who was represented by Ngozi Ekeoba, the Director of Political and Civil Education, urged participants to be proactive in educating and sensitising stakeholders on the need for peaceful election.

“The programme is in line with the agency’s policies to ensure that staff are psychologically sound for election coverage,” he said.

Mintwab Zelelew, the Director of UNDP Democratic Governance for Development, said the primary objective of the training was to deepen democracy in Nigeria.

Zelelew said: “Our partnership with NOA is to ensure that sensitisation programmes are frequently conducted all over the 774 local government areas in the country.

“This election will be keenly contested, hence adequate measures must be put in place to ensure free, fair and credible election.” [myad]

Nigerian Becomes First African To Head World Radio Council

Greenbarge Reporters

November 10, 2015

A Nigerian, Engineer Festus Daudu, has been appointed to head the World Radio Communications (WRC) Council, an arm of the 150 year old International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

Engineer Daudu is the Director of the Spectrum Administration at the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the WRC 2015, at the ITU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the new head thanked the Almighty God as well as the Government and people of Nigeria for making it possible for him to be the first African to chair the WRC Council.

He assured that he will do his utmost best to fulfill the mandate given to him and that he would be fair and impartial in his dealings.

He stressed that the conference will be examining a large number of important and sensitive issues ranging from mobile broadband communications, broadband satellite systems to emergency communications, disaster relief including issues relating to maritime and aeronautical communications, monitoring the environment and climate change, universal time and space among others.

The conference will also deal with issues covering a wide frequency range and concerning a wide variety of radio communication services that the public relies on for such essential services as health information, education, security and safety.

Engr. Daudu stressed that decisions which would be taken at the conference on Radio Regulations will be critical to the telecoms industry as well as promote connectivity which will directly affect the lives of citizens with important economic impacts on countries such as Nigeria.

He urged all services to consider each other as complimentary and not as rivals and create conducive atmosphere for consultations and negotiations that will lead to consensus and compromises without leaving anyone party feeling cheated.

The World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC) are held every four years. It is the job of WRC to review, and, if necessary, revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and the geostationary-satellite and non-geostationary-satellite orbits. Revisions are made on the basis of an agenda determined by the ITU Council, which takes into account recommendations made by previous World Radiocommunication Conferences.

The general scope of the agenda of WRC is established four to six years in advance, with the final agenda set by the ITU Council two years before the conference, with the concurrence of a majority of Member States. [myad]

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