I’m Sorry For Any Contractor Who Fails Me – Gov. Aregbesola

November 8, 2015

G‎overnor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has sent a word of pity to any contractor in the state who fails to complete his or her project as scheduled even as he vowed that all the ongoing projects, including the mega-schools would be completed as scheduled.

Aregbesola, who was said to have made an unscheduled visits to the projects to assess the progress made, was quoted as saying that it would be unfortunate and regrettable if the contractors handling school projects failed to complete and hand-over the schools to the state within the agreed period.

A statement by the Bureau of Communication and Strategy, signed by its Director, Semiu Okanlawon, quoted the governor as directing all the contractors of the ultra-modern schools across the state to accelerate work in their various sites.
Aregbesola charged the contractors to keep the contractual agreement with the state government by using the recommended materials for the school building project, noting that government will not shift ground on the set requirement for the projects.
He chided contractors for what he described as slow pace of work on site, pointing out that he would continually be paying unscheduled visit to site to ensure that contracts awarded by government are properly monitored.
The governor frowned at the contractors handling Osogbo and Ilesa High schools, noting that the pace of work by the contractors are too slow as most of the expected works at the sites were not encouraging.‎
On Osogbo High School, he said: “what I met here today was not impressive at all and I am disappointed in the snail pace of work on this site.
“I have been coming here several times but met the work stagnant as no tangible progress could be said to have been made by the handlers of the school building.
“The site for football pitch has not been cleared. The administrative building has not been completed. The school structure remained stagnant.”
Aregbesola said that it is unfortunate that the school project expected to be completed and commissioned for use soonest has been delayed due to insensitivity and lack of diligence by the contractor.
“It is unfortunate and regrettable that some of our projects are being handled slowly but notwithstanding we will do all we could to ensure a speedy and possibly accelerated implementation as I am personally ready to tour across all the ongoing projects in the state.
“Our government will spare no effort in its bid to reposition the state most especially the education sector as we are bent and irrevocably ready to provide necessary facilities and equipment to aide teaching and learning process through conducive atmosphere.”
He therefore directed contractors of all the ongoing projects to expedite action that will facilitate quick implementation of projects, saying government will henceforth not hesitate to revoke the contracts for any non-performing contractor

He said that the schools under construction are financed with the Sukuk bond, and that there is no excuse for the contractors not to accelerate work pace.
The Governor had earlier in the week also visited Community Elementary/Middle School, Dada Estate, Osogbo High School, Ataoja School of Science, Osogbo and New Model High school in Ede.
The governor said that he will leave no stone unturned to ensure that all the on-going school projects were delivered in no distant time to enhance the reclassification exercise of the state government.‎ [myad]

National Hospital Abuja Carries Out Heart Surgery On 12 Kids

Greenbarge Reporters

November 7, 2015

The National Hospital, Abuja, has successfully carried out open heart surgeries on 12 children with heart diseases of varying complexities.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Jafaru Momoh, who disclosed this at a news briefing in Abuja today, said that six of the surgeries were conducted last Monday.

Dr. Momoh said that the hospital was able to carry out the surgeries through the collaboration of the Hospital for Humanity, a US-based NGO, under a seven-year collaborative contract agreement.

According to him, the latest six surgeries brought the total number of heart surgeries conducted by the hospital to 12.

“Earlier this year in August, we had the 1st set of open heart surgeries and this collaboration was to be a continuous one.

“This is to ensure that our core function of providing expert medical care is met and also to limit medical tourism.”

The chief medical director said that the collaboration would further enhance technology and skills transfer to local team of experts, thereby enabling sustainability of the programme in future.

The open heart surgery is a method of correcting the hole in the heart of people, among other medical complications.

Dr. Momoh called on Nigerians to avail themselves of the specialized facilities and services in the hospital to better their health, describing the hospital as the vanguard of medical provision in the country.

He said that such services include orthopaedics, that is, joint replacement surgeries, cancer treatment, spinal surgery and invitro fertilisation programme. [myad]

24 Hours To Go: Buhari Tells Eaglets Goalkeeper, ‘Don’t Let In Goal’

Greenbarge Reporters

November 7, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has reminded the goalkeeper of the Golden Eaglets, Udoh Akpan that he is a very strategic member of the team and that “If you don’t let in the goals, then none will be scored against us. We look forward to lifting the cup.”
The President, who spoke with the Golden Eaglets and their officials ahead of tomorrow’s final match between them and Malian side in the Under-17 FIFA World Cup holding in Chile, asked them to strive for victory.
Nigeria first won the same tournament in China in 1985, when President Buhari was military head of state, and he urged the team to repeat the same feat tomorrow against Mali, to make it the fifth time Nigeria will win the trophy.

Starting with the head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, President Buhari congratulated him for leading the team to the final, and then said: “Your victory tomorrow will remind Nigerians of what happened in China 30 years ago, and it will raise the morale of Nigerians, especially the youths. We’re praying for you. We are anxiously waiting to receive the cup. Please put us on the world map of soccer again.”
To John Lazarus, a defender, the President said: “don’t allow anybody to penetrate the defense,” while charging Tobechukwu Ibe, another defender to “rest well today, because a lot of Nigerians will be depending on you tomorrow.”
To top striker, Victor Osimhen, who has scored nine goals so far, President Buhari said: “Strike like thunder tomorrow. I believe you will bring us victory.”
The captain of the team, Kelechi Nwakali, was charged to maintain his winning leadership, while Joel Osikel, a midfielder, was told by the President that he was “the jewel of the team,” and challenged him to contribute his quota towards victory.
Apart from the 21 players and head coach, President Buhari also had encouraging words for other members of the technical team, the team doctor, physiotherapist, media officer, and other officials.
Both Coach Amuneke and the team captain thanked President Buhari for his support, and promised not to let him and the country down. [myad]

Buhari May Propose N8 Trillion For 2016 Budget

Greenbarge Reporters

November 7, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari may have set to present to the nation, a budget of about N8 trillion for 2016.

This fact came to light via a document from office of the Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo which was seen by Reuters on Friday. The budget wil be twice that of last year’s, which was N4.4 trillion

It is unknown how the federal government plans to fund the budget in an economy going downward due to the sharp fall in crude prices, as oil exports account for 70 percent of government revenue.

The document, used as the basis for a presentation by Osinbajo to the incoming ministers, during a two-day retreat for them, proposed capital expenditure of N2 trillion next year, up from N1.3 trillion in 2015.

The document presented to them, titled: “The Economy – Where We Are Today”, laid out the extent to which the country has been hit by plunging oil prices, stating that in May, foreign reserves hit a 10-year low of $29.6 billion.

A page headed “How can we get out of a possible recession?” outlined the need for a “massive infrastructure building” programme for roads, rail and power, along with “expansionist” fiscal and monetary policies.

The presentation by Osinbajo, who heads the National Economic Council (NEC), stated that this would be paid for by a N25 billion infrastructure fund and a N2.5 trillion “special intervention fund.” [myad]

Jalingo In Festive Mood As ‘Mama Taraba’ Becomes Governor

Greenbarge Reporters

November 7, 2015

There was wild jubilation in Jalingo, Taraba state capital today, as the Taraba Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Abuja, declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2015 governorship election the winner of the election even as it sent the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate who has been in the control of the affairs of the state, Mr. Darius Ishaku packing.

Although policemen were deployed in strategic locations in the state to ensure that law and order are maintained, some people took to the streets at Angwan Gaadi, Barde Way, Wuro-Sambo and Angwani, celebrating the Tribunal’s judgment. [myad]

Taraba Judgment: PDP, Fayose Cry Blue Murder

Greenbarge Reporters

November 7, 2015

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and garrulous governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state have faulted the today’s judgment of the Taraba state gubernatorial election tribunal in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hajia Aisha Jummai Alhassan.

While PDP through its National publicity secretary, Olisa Metu described it as another evidence of executive interference in the judiciary, Fayose said that there was a conspiracy by the APC-led federal government and a section of the judiciary against the PDP.

PDP insisted that the reason given by the tribunal for arriving at what it called ‘bizarre decision’ is intriguing and that it further exposed the contradictions and double standards inherent in most tribunal rulings against PDP interests recently.

Metuh in a statement today said that the Taraba state tribunal ruling had again brought to the fore, the organized plan by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC Federal Government to deploy all unorthodox means to decimate the opposition.

“It is rather curious and a great conflict of irony that the Taraba tribunal sitting in Abuja on security grounds faulted the conduct of PDP primaries shifted to the same Abuja on security reasons.”

PDP said that if the tribunal is faulting the party primaries as basis for its decision, it then means that no APC gubernatorial candidate can stand the test, as their party never had acceptable primaries in any of their states.

The party wanted democracy watchers globally to recall that it had earlier alerted the nation and the international community of the grand design by the APC to use the judiciary to wrestle some PDP states, particularly Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Taraba states.

“Evidence that Taraba ruling was a product of Presidency manipulation can be deduced from the fact that few hours before the judgment was delivered, the APC had arrogantly announced their victory on the new media.”

PDP said it is totally confounded by the brazing show of power by the executive and warned that the development clearly portends grave danger to our democracy and indeed national cohesion and development.

It called on its members across the country, especially in Taraba state to remain undaunted as the appellate courts will restore its well-deserved victory.

This was even as governor Fayose called on the Supreme Court to save the country from impending anarchy, adding in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, that the tribunal would resort to the mere PDP primary that produced Governor Ishaku in Abuja as a big issue even when the tribunal itself sat in Abuja.

“How does the emergence of party candidate, which is the clear internal business of the party and a pre-election matter concern the APC and the Election Tribunal?

“Isn’t it funny that it is no longer about election rigging, but technicality of how PDP candidates emerged even when no one in the PDP went to court to challenge how Governor Ishaku emerged as the PDP governorship candidate?

“If insecurity could make Taraba State Tribunal sit in Abuja and not in Jalingo, how then can it be justified that the same tribunal that sat in Abuja nullified the governor’s election because the primary election that produced him too was held in Abuja?

“Is it not being manifested in this President Muhammadu Buhari led APC government that what is good for some people may not be good for others even though we operate the same constitution?

“To me and the teeming supporters of the PDP, this judgement is one that must not be allowed to stand. It is a clear miscarriage of justice and we will seek redress from the court of men and the court of God.”

The governor reiterated his commitment to speaking the truth in the overall interest of Nigerians, saying: “If everybody is persecuted and intimidated to submission, I will remain resolute in my resolved to always say the truth before men and God.” [myad]

PDP Did Not Have Guber Candidate For Taraba In 2015 Poll, Tribunal Explains

Greenbarge Reporters

November 7, 2015

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal for Taraba has explained that it nullified the election of Taraba Governor, Darius Ishaku, because he was never the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the first place.

The three-member tribunal concluded in their collective judgment today that Mr. Ishaku was not validly nominated as candidate of the PDP and therefore did not qualify, from start, to contest the governorship election.

Tthe tribunal held that the governorship primaries purportedly conducted by the PDP in the state was done in violation of section 78 (b) (1)(2) of the Electoral Act which guides parties nomination to the position of governorship candidate.

It held that contrary to the provision of the section, PDP conducted the purported primaries at its national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja with no clear delegation from the local government areas in the state.

The tribunal sustained the testimonies of the head of election monitoring of Independent National Electoral Commission that the commission was not aware of any primaries conducted by the party in line with the provision of the electoral act which produced Ishaku as the party’s flagbearer.

Section 78 (b) (1)(2) of the Electoral Act states: In the case of nomination to the position of Governorship candidate, a political party shall where they intend to sponsor candidates:

(i) hold special congress in each of the Local Government Areas of the States with delegates voting for each of the aspirants at the congress to be held in designated centres on specified dates.

(ii) the aspirant with the highest number of vote at the end of the voting shall be declared the winner of the primaries of the party and aspirant’s name shall be forwarded to the commission as the candidate of the party, for the particular state.

The tribunal said the defence by the PDP that the primaries were shifted to Abuja because of security challenges in the state was rejected by the tribunal.

It sustained the evidence of the INEC official that there was no primaries election in the state and the emergence of Mr. Ishaku through the purported election in Abuja was after the statutory stipulated time for party primaries had elapsed.

It held that since Mr. Ishaku was not duly sponsored by the PDP, the party had no candidate in the governorship election in the eyes of the law.

The tribunal therefore voided the votes of the PDP and Mr. Ishaku in the election saying “it is a waste’’ and declared the APC and its candidate, who came second, as the valid winner of the April 11 election.

The Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who is currently a Minister designate, Aisha Alhassan, as the winner of the April 11 governorship election in the state.

Reacting to the judgment, counsel to APC, Abiodun Owonikoko, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the judgment was a landmark, being the first time the election of a governor would be nullified on the doctrine of wasted votes.

He said with the judgment, the era of impunity in party primaries was gone and it would be a lesson not only for PDP but all political parties.

On whether Mr. Ishaku will vacate the seat immediately, Mr. Owonikoko said the judgment “is not the end of the road, there is opportunity for all the parties to explore whatever the grievance they have.”

Mr. Owonikoko added that if the governor or the party did not appeal within 21 days, Hajia Alhassan will be sworn-in as governor.

The counsel to the PDP was not available to comment on the verdict of the Tribunal as they all rushed out of the venue after the judgment. [myad]

Muslim Women In Business, Professions Hold Conference Nov. 18

Greenbarge Reporters

November 7, 2015

Association of Muslim Women in Business and the Professions will hold its 8th biennial National Conference in Abuja, Nigeria Federal Capital Territory from November 18 to 21.

A statement jointly signed by the National Amirah and the National PRO of the Association, Dr. Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi and Hajia Shakirat Abdulmajeed, said that Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Aderanti Olubule will be the special guest of honour at the conference, which has its themed: “Challenges of Globalisation on Muslims.”

Abdulbaqi said that the choice of the theme was informed by the fact that the linkage of the world via Information and Communication Technology and its attending spiral effect on all citizens of the world calls for concerted effort to attain a knowledge of reality through common reflection and action in order to make informed contributions towards self and global development.

According to her it is the tradition of the organization to hold a Biennial National Conference to bring Muslim elites together to discuss contemporary issues as they affect the Ummah and the society at large.

The opening ceremony of the 8th Biennial conference is expected to be chaired by Alhaji Ahmed Tunde Popoola, the Managing Director of CRC Credit Bureau Limited on November 21 at the Abuja National Mosque, while Alhaji Abdulfatah Adeyemi will present the lead paper.

Other activities lined-up for the occasion include courtesy visits to notable personalities within the FCT, Educational Chat with secondary school students, Interactive Session with Muslim Women groups, Humanitarian visit to Durumi Internally Displayed Persons’ camp and Nurul Bayan Orphanage home where the group hopes to hold memorable interactive sessions with the inmates and distribute relief materials.

Other speakers at the three-day event include Alhaji Shuaib Salis, a former Assistant Chief of Staff to Ogun State Governor; Dr. Amina Soliu; Senator Mulikat Akande Adeola; and Senator Monsurah Sumonu. [myad]

Tribunal Declares Aisha Alhassan Of APC Winner Of Taraba Guber Election

Greenbarge Reporters

November 7, 2015

The Taraba State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal haS declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hajia Aisha Alhassan, the lawful winner of the Taraba State governorship election held on April 11.
In its judgment TODAY, the Tribunal sacked Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as governor.
It said Alhassan, who is popularly known as Mama Taraba, was the lawfully elected candidate of the election. [myad]

My Mother Is An Inspiration To Me, Eaglet’s Okonkwo Confesses

Greenbarge Reporters

November 6, 2015

“My mum has been there for me; challenging me to be the best.
“My dad died last year; I remember him too, but it is my mum that has been there for me all this while. I thank her so much.”
These were the words of one of the all-conquering Golden Eaglets’ pacesetting performers and striker, Orji Okonkwo.
Okonkwo, who described his 35-yard screamer, which fetched the second goal for Nigeria in the 4-2 defeat of Mexico in the semi finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup last night, as his best ever, said: “I have never scored a goal like this before and you cannot practice this kind of goal.”
The striker who is the first boy in a family with six other children, came into the game as replacement for Funsho Bamgboye, who was suspended after two yellow cards.
Okonkwo hardly entered the pitch when he scored what is known in Nigerian football parlance as intercontinental ballistic missile.
The surprised Okonkwo admitted: “the goal I scored against Mexico today is a wonderful goal and I’m dedicating the goal to my mum.”
Okonkwo had earlier scored thrice, including a goal against Mali on April 21, 2014, at the sub-regional West African Football Union B Tournament in Togo where the Golden Eaglets finished third behind Benin and Togo.
Okonkwo also thanked coach Emmanuel Amuneke “for pushing me so hard.
“He is a nice person who wants the best for us. Before the match, he called me and said: ‘Orji, this is your chance, you can’t afford to let yourself and Nigerians down.’ And when I scored, I kept saying: ‘Coach, coach, coach.’ I’m grateful to him.”
Okonkwo is two-time winner of the annual Karanka Reveria Invitational Tournament in Croatia in 2013 and 2015, with the Abuja Football College. [myad]

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