Buhari Encourages Nigeria’s World Scrabble Champion, Falconets

November 8, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a word of encouragement to the 36 year old Nigerian,Wellington Jighere, who has emerged World Scrabble Champion, the first ever from Africa.

The President got through to Jighere who defeated Lewis Mackay of Cambridge, England by 448 points to 426 to win the championship today by phone.

“I called to rejoice with you over your performance. You have done the country proud, and we are very happy. Please, pass my congratulations to other members of Team Nigeria,” President Buhari told Jighere in Australia.

Jighere was delighted at the phone call from the President and pledged to bring more glory to his fatherland.

The five other Nigerian representatives finished in the top 50 scrabble players in the world bracket.

Shortly after President Buhari got off the phone, news got to him that the Under-20 female football team, the Falconets, have qualified for the Women’s World Cup tournament after beating the Basetsana of South Africa by a lone goal in an away game.

The Falconets had walked a tight rope after scraping just a 2-1 win over South Africa in Nigeria two weeks ago.

With the away goals counting double rule, all that South Africa needed today was a single goal, but the Nigerian girls turned the table.

“This is a clear case of the indomitable Nigerian spirit. Such will soon be evident in all aspects of our national life,” President Buhari said. [myad]

Stop Amendment To Oil And Gas Free Zone, Ladol Begs Court

Greenbarge Reporters

November 8, 2015

Ladol Integrated Logistics Free Zone Enterprise and MCI FZE Yard Development Ltd has gone to the Federal High Court, Lagos to seek to restrain the passage and assent to the Bill for an Act to amend the oil and gas free zone.

This was even as the court’s judge, Justice John Isoho had agreed to the Intels Nigeria Limited’s request to be joined in the suit that was filed against the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the National Assembly, Federal Ministry of Transport and Attorney General of the Federation.

The suit also seeks for an interim injunction restraining the defendants from enforcing the presidential directive that all oil and gas cargoes should be handled at Onne, Warri and Calabar ports.

The ports were designated to handle such cargoes since 2006.

In his ruling, Justice Isoho said the prayers of Intels Nigeria Ltd. were granted on grounds that the issues for determination touched directly on the business and financial interests of the company.

Another company, Associated Maritime Services (AMS), which also filed a separate application to be joined in the same suit and its prayer, was granted by Justice Isoho.

It will be recalled that Ladol and MCI filed originating summons and vide a Motion Ex-parte brought before Justice Isoho and obtained an order of interim injunction on May 12, this year.

The order restrained the passage of the Bill for an Act to amend the Oil and Gas Free Zone.

It also restrained the defendants from enforcing a Presidential Directive that all oil and gas cargoes be handled at Onne, Warri and Calabar ports.

It will also be recalled that the former President Goodluck Jonathan in April 2015, issued a directive that all oil and gas cargo should be handled at designated terminals.

The directive came just as the National Assembly forwarded the bill to amend the Oil and Gas Free Zone Act to the president for assent.

The two efforts irked some stakeholders in the maritime industry who saw the moves as a design to put them out of business and to create an empire for a few stakeholders.

In reaction to the presidential directive, the maritime sector stakeholders have been up in arms kicking against the regulation.

They claimed that it had granted monopoly to Intels which had the concession to operate three terminals that handle oil and gas cargoes in Warri, Onne and Calabar ports since 2006.

The Nigeria Ports Authority and other government agencies had said that the concessions were made because of the risk of allowing private jetty operators to handle oil and gas cargo because of the delicate nature of the business.

In spite of the explanations, the battle to have a share in the business had not abated.

The acrimony did not take cognisance of the revenue accruing to government and the need to amend the Oil and Gas Free Zone Act.

The legal tussles which had been on in the past seven months will continue as the case has been adjourned to Jan. 6, next year. [myad]

Biafran Agitation, Count Me Out – James Ibori

Greenbarge Reporters

November 8, 2015

Former governor of Delta state, Chief James Onanefe Ibori has dissociated himself from the current agitation by some people for the Republic of Biafra, and frowned at the way and manner the agitators have been fraudulently using his photograph in their campaign.

“My attention has been drawn to the way and manner my picture has been misused by some people who are involved in the street demonstrations to drum up support for the establishment of the state of Biafra. My photograph, embossed on banners, has been reportedly held aloft by some of the demonstrators, as they marched through several cities in many states of the Southern half of the country.

In a public statement by his Media Assistant, Tony Eluemunor, the former governor made it clear that he is absolutely, completely and entirely committed to the indissolubility of the Nigerian State, as spelt out unambiguously in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He said that all throughout his life, he has believed in a strong, united Nigeria where the rights of every citizen is held sacrosanct, where no region of state or even Local Government Area, is neglected or is made to feel alienated in whatever way, no matter how infinitesimal.

He therefore called on those who have been misusing his name and picture – indeed his personality – in furtherance of a project he has never believed in at any time an in any way, to desist forthwith from using his picture and/or name during their demonstrations.

“To everyone involved in the Biafran demonstrations in any way, the world hailed Nigeria for the peaceful way the rather fierce Nigerian Civil War ended in 1970. It is worrisome that 45 clear years after the end of that war, its residues are being dug up to further divide us and betray our efforts at national reconciliation and development.

“This must not be allowed to continue. Nigeria has lived in peace in the past 45 years, and whatever challenges, disagreements even, that may have re-surfaced, are not beyond our collective ability to resolve.

“I therefore call on all concerned, the demonstrators and the leaders of the different strata of government to identify the problems, determine the solutions, and turn the stumbling blocks into genuine building blocks for real nation building.”

Ibori pointed out that many other countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom and Spain, have sections agitating for various kinds of autonomy and that if those countries have managed to keep such agitations at the level of peaceful discussions, Nigeria’s case should by no means lead to another national tragedy.

“Nigeria has spilt enough blood in internecine squabbles. Now is the time for genuine peace, national unity, and thorough-going, all-inclusive fast-paced development.” [myad]

My Life In Danger, Publisher Writes To Police Boss

Greenbarge Reporters

November 8, 2015

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Community Watchdog Newspapers, Comrade Precious Nwadike has written a letter to the Inspector General of Police expressing the danger which some ofnhis officers have constituted to him and other editorial staff of the publication.

In a letter dated November 7, and addressed to IGP through the Imo state police commissioner, the publisher said that the threat to their lives is coming closely on the heels of the publications of allegations of the alleged stealing of the sum of N5 Billion allegedly from the N26.8Billion Bailout funds approved and released to Imo State, by the cook attached to Uche Nwosu..

Titled: ‘Threat to lives of the publisher and editors of community Watchdog newspapers, Owerri, Comr. Precious Nwadike,’ the publisher stressed: “this alarm has become necessary and imminent following several phone calls by the aforementioned officials and their beneficiaries and other hangers-on.

“Sir, should anything untoward happen to the publisher, editorial team or any member of their families, the persons to hold responsible and liable, are the above mentioned suspects. In addition sir, please do all you can with your good office to safeguard and secure the above threatened precious lives.” [myad]

America Now Fails To Make It On Top-10 Prosperous Nations

Greenbarge Reporters

November 8, 2015

The United States of America has now relegated to No. 11 in the latest annual Prosperity Index of the top-1o prosperous nations in the world. The Index was released this week by the Legatum Institute, an international think tank, based in London.

The index ranks 142 countries overall and in eight categories:

The economy
Entrepreneurship and opportunity
Governance
Education
Health
Safety and security
Personal freedom
Social capital

The Legatum Institute states that its index is unique in that it’s based on both income and well-being:

Prosperity is more than just the accumulation of material wealth, it is also the joy of everyday life and the prospect of an even better life in the future.

According to a Legatum news release, Norway comes out on top due the freedom it offers its citizens, the quality of its healthcare system and social bonds between its people.

The Scandinavian country had its highest ranking in the social capital category (No. 2), with 94 percent of people saying they can rely on friends and family in times of need. It had its lowest rankings in the safety and security category (No. 8) and the governance category (No. 8).

Overall, the United States fell one spot this year. Its highest ranking was in the health category (No. 1) and its lowest ranking was in the safety and security category (No. 33).

Nathan Gamester, director of the Prosperity Index at the Legatum Institute, said in the release: “the Prosperity Index tells us that human progress goes beyond economics. Norway and other countries at the top of the Index provide opportunity and freedom to their citizens, access to quality healthcare and education, and provide safe environments for people to flourish in.

“By contrast, those countries or regions of the world where people feel unsafe, where they are forced to flee from their homes, and where the education and healthcare systems are failing do not provide prosperity to their citizens.”

The countries that made the top 10, based on their overall scores this year are:

Norway
Switzerland
Denmark
New Zealand
Sweden
Canada
Australia
Netherlands
Finland
Ireland. [myad]

Osun Is Losing 40 Percent Of Federal Revenue – Aregbesola Laments

Greenbarge Reporters

November 8, 2015

Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has lamented that over 40 per cent revenue is beinglost monthly in the federal allocation to the state. This, he said, has consistently crippled the government policies and programmes.

Governor Aregbesola who spoke today while commissioning the newly renovated Comprehensive Health Centre at Igbajo in Boluwaduro Local Government Area of the state, said that because of the shortfall in revenue allocation, the state is finding it difficult to pay the wages and salaries of its workforce.
He called for the support of well-meaning and wealthy Nigerians to complement the efforts of governments in all sectors.
Governor Aregbesola who lamented what he described as economic backwardness said the nation’s economy has been gruesomely bastardized by the immediate past administration.
according to him, Nigeria has got to a stage where things could only function well in the right direction with the support and contribution of those who are financially blessed and economically endowed in the society.
The governor expressed happiness over the kind gesture of Mrs. Oyewola towards the renovation of the hospital, even as he called on others to emulate her good intention.
“It is unfortunate that some people led us to where we are today. It is also regrettable that our economy as a nation has been recklessly mismanaged in the past.
“The simple analysis of the current economic imbroglio is the fact that the three tiers of government which were sharing over N1.3trillion before the acclaimed crude oil theft that persisted between June, 2011 to May, 2013 are now sharing N366 billion.
“These are open-secrets because every issue attached to it is made public because they are public documents and there is nothing for anyone to hide.
“The sharp loss in the revenue was claimed to be the Almighty persistent daily crude oil theft amounts to over one million barrels which led to almost 50 percent revenue loss before the sharp drop in the global prices of crude oil which later rendered government economically constrained.
“The crude oil which was being sold for $114 per barrel now dropped to $48 per barrel. This shows the state of our nation’s economic downturn.
“Well, there is need to commend whoever that comes up with the good gestures of Mrs. Oyewole because her contributions and support to the work of government is often worthy of emulation.
“There is no doubt that if every wealthy Nigerian has been doing this in the past, our society would have been better transformed because for any society or nation to develop, its citizens must see the need in selfless sacrifice towards its upliftment.
“I am very happy for this multi-million project done by Oyewole’s family and I pray God to replenish them with uncountable blessing and divine favour. This indeed, is worthy of commendation.”
Governor Aregbesola promised to rehabilitate Ada/Igbajo Road to ease and improve the general wellbeing of the people around the area as part of his administration’s commitment.
Earlier, Mrs. Yetunde Oyewole dedicated the renovated hospital to Almighty God and the good people of Igbajo, said if not for them, it might not be possible for her to renovate it.
She therefore implored government to deploy competent doctors and nurses to the hospital so as to totally revive its lost glory.
“This gigantic and monumental project is being dedicated to my creator and the good people of Igbajo because they are the brains behind its successful completion.”

The hospital was renovated and equipped by Mrs. Oyewola to commemorate her 80th Birthday. The project was said to have been abandoned for years by the successive governments in the state. [myad]

Corrupt, Bribe-Taking Workers Take Over Abuja Electricity Distribution

Greenbarge Reporters

November 8, 2015

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has allegedly been invaded by corrupt and bribe-taking workers that are making fast money in Kuje, one of the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory.
Investigations revealed that the field workers, most of who are half-literates, have embarked on disconnecting supplies to the houses whose occupants would not bribe them even if such consumers have been paying their electricity bills.
Some residents of Chibiri, the Kuje suburb, complained loudly that the workers invaded the village between Thursday and Friday last week, openly demanding between N2,000 and N5,000 from each of the houses to spare them the embarrassment of disconnecting their electricity.
It was gathered that those who might have gone to their offices in Garki and were therefore not around to pay the bribe money had their electricity disconnected even when the workers were shown the bills they had officially paid to their office.
One of the affected consumers, Mallam Salihu Mohammed said that when his grown up son showed the electricity workers copies of the bill which he had been paying at their office, they complained that the money was too small and went ahead to disconnect the supply when the son could not give them N4,000 which they openly demanded.
Another consumer, who was lucky to be at home when the workers came calling, said that he was made to part with the last N3,000 on him despite that he was not even owing the company.
It was learnt that the invading workers made an old man who has never ever paid bill since he built his house over 15 years ago, to part with just N3,000 after which his connection was left intact
One of the workers who invaded Chibiri village in Kuje area council was overheard saying that they were going to make some returns to their bosses in office, and that they were looking for money for Christmas and New Year festivities.
When contacted, chief spokesman of the AEDC, Malam Ahmed Shekarau said that the management was going to investigate the matter and that any staff found to have engaged in bribe-taking would be punished.
Shekarau said that the company had always encouraged customers to report any of the staff that behaves abnormally to the regional and even head office for necessary action, adding that the management would not condone any form of corruption.
“As for allegations of demand for bribes, we encourage our customers to make formal complaints to us through our Regional or even the Head
Office so that we can investigate. And where we establish veracity of
such accusations, the staff concerned will be duly sanctioned.” [myad]

Buhari Swears-In New Ministers Wednesday, INEC Boss Tomorrow

Greenbarge Reporters

November 8, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has scheduled the official swearing-in of new ministers and inauguration of a new Federal Executive Council (FEC) for Wednesday, November 11.
A statement by special adviser to President Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said that before the commencement of the inaugural session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the ministers-designate will take their oaths of office in the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa.
Adesina said that the swearing-in ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00 am, adding that the ministers-designate are expected to be seated in the Council Chambers by 09:30 am at the latest.
“Each minister-designate can only be accompanied to the swearing-in ceremony by a maximum of two guests.”
The statement said that following the confirmation of their nominations by the Senate, President Buhari will also, tomorrow at the Presidential Villa, preside over the swearing-in of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and five others as National Commissioners of INEC.
It said that the swearing-in of Professor Yakubu, Mrs. Amina Zakari, Mr. Solomon Adedeji Soyebi, Professor Antonia Taiye Okoosi-Simbine, Dr. Muhammed Mustafa Lecky and Alhaji Baba Shettima Arfo is scheduled for 11:00 am in the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa. [myad]

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

Greenbarge Reporters

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]

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