Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has frowned at the high number of uncompleted projects at the University of Abuja and gave an indication that he would probe the management of the institution over the abandoned projects.
Speaking when he paid a visit to the school today, Shekarau described as embarrassing the high number of uncompleted projects in the school.
“The number of abandoned projects in this institution is embarrassing for an institution of this nature; twelve projects abandoned, this culture has to stop. We would find out how all these came came into being and see how the projects can be completed,” he stated.
However, the insttitution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Michael Adikwu told the minister that the projects would require N3 billion naira to complete.
He urged the Federal Government to assist the institution to enable it get accreditation for some courses being offered by the school. [myaad]
Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano state, today, formally declared his intengtion to run for the office of President in the 2015 Presidential election, with a pledge that he has come to save Nigeria.
At a declaration rally held in Abuja todayy, Governor Kwankwaso said: “Today, I take this call and formally declare my interest to seek for election as the APC Presidential candidate in the 2015 presidential election.
“The call to save our country has never been louder, clearer and more unambiguous than now. Governance has been reduced to incompetence and mediocrity. To save our country, we must walk the journey however difficult.”
Kwankwaso emphasized that the clarion call of people in Nigeria and the diaspora motivated him to seek the opportunity to bear the flag of the APC in the 2015 general elections.
“It is only the APC that has what it takes to stop the misrule of the Peoples Democratic Party and also has the power to reverse the decay that is suffocating our country.
“Our party is built with Nigerians in focus. We are the only party that practice internal democracy that believes that free and fair election is the only guideline to sustaining democracy.”
Governor Kwankwaso said that he understood the enormous task of being a president of a nation like Nigeria and that he was willing to take the journey no matter how difficult.
He said that his first priority would be to restore peace and security in every corner of the land, stressing that lives and property of Nigerians must be protected and secured from all forms of terrorism.
“Defeating insurgency is only possible if the forces are adequately equipped with needed intelligence and arms and cross-border intelligence is veritable ingredient necessary to defeat the insurgency.
“Stopping the menaces of the terrorists does not require rocket science. It requires well motivated security agencies and citizens that are cooperative.
“Killing the cancer of corruption is the second priority of Nigeria. The impunity in which corruption is being perpetrated by the PDP administration is a sign that the government is out to impoverish Nigerians.
“It requires political will of the leadership and we are determined to do so. We have the capacity to do so. The transparency with which we are ruling Kano State and the work that is visible, is a sign that we have the power to end corruption,” he said, making reference to another issue that his government will focus on.”
The Kano Governor stressed the need for all Nigerians to stand up to fight corruption, impunity and division.
According to him, the economy of Nigeria is another priority area that his government, if elected, would focus on, insisting that nations do not build economy on foundation of scandalous corruption and impunity.
“We cannot be different from other nations. All sorts of colourful yet deceitful statistics are being turned out by the PDP to give Nigeria a clean bill of health.
“Its macro and micro economic policies are deceptive.
“How can we attain development when only a small part of our budget is given to capital project and even that is not well administered. Where do we have a nation so endowed and yet so impoverished.
“We will cut cost of running government and eliminate all forms of wastages like we have done in Kano. It is possible. We must reach there with the support of all. Yes we must.”
He said that he would provide a conducive environment for both local and foreign investors and also re-examine import and export policies to promote the sector to ensure that businesses are carried out in a less expensive process.
The presidential aspirant also mentioned the inputs he intended making in the agriculture and manufacturing sector.
“Agriculture and manufacturing sectors would be improved and we will make more investments in power sector. The amount of money that has been into the power sector in the country and corresponding output is embarrassing.
“By 2015 an independent power plant built by my administration in Kano will become operational and the same feat we will replicate in different parts of the nation.”.
Other sectors he said would be reformed are the education and healthcare sectors, with promises also made as regards giving women a more prominent place in the nation.
“Our universities are sick and a strong economy is only possible where a strong university system exist. We must rebuild our universities and make them world class institutions.
“Capital flight because of health tourism is alarming because of lack of good health infrastructure.”
Governor Kwankwaso is the third person to declare interest in the position.
A former military Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari and a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, had made their declarations few weeks ago. [myad]
World football governing body, Fifa, has handed Nigeria “a last opportunity” until Friday mid-day to avoid immediate suspension from international competitions and activities in the sport.
The African champions could face a seven-month suspension if the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) executive committee, presided over by Amaju Pinnick, sacked by a Federal High Court ruling last Thursday week, continues to have its activities interfered with.
Fifa in response to a letter from the NFF, said: “interference (in the activities of the football federation) has not ceased” alluding to the use of security operatives to stop Pinnick from travelling to Namibia for the African Women Championship (AWC) final between Nigeria and Cameroon.
“As stated in our previous letters dated 9 September 2014 and 2 October 2014, Fifa stressed that should the electoral process and the instalment of the newly elected NFF board be affected by any interference, the case would be brought to the attention of the appropriate Fifa bodies for a suspension of the NFF until the next Fifa Congress due to take place on 28 and 29 May 2015. The course of events as described in your correspondence clearly shows that interference has not ceased.
“Under these circumstances and in order to give Nigeria football a last opportunity to avoid a lengthy suspension, we inform you that if by midday October 31 Nigerian time we have not received proof that the case has definitively being withdrawn from court and that the board elected on September 30 2014 is able to carry out its activities without any hindrance, we will refer the case to the Fifa Emergency Committee for the implementation of suspension.
“We would like to underline the dire effects that a suspension will have on Nigeria football. It will for instance mean that no team from Nigeria of any sort (including club teams) can have any international sporting contact,” Fifa warned in its letter sent to the NFF today.
Nigeria is currently the champion in the Afcon and in the AWC for men and women’s football on the continental, and now face missing out of defending the Afcon next January in Morocco. [myad]
Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has dumped the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on which platform he won election into the House, for main opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC). Tambuwal formally announced his defection today at the House plenary even as he immediately adjourned the sitting of the House to December.
He is required by law to declare formally to his colleague lawmakers.
Mr. Tambuwal is expected to contest for the governorship of his native Sokoto State on the platform of the his new party.
This is even as the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reacted to his defection by asking him to resign his position as speaker.
Rising from an emergency National Working Committee meeting today, PDP asked Tambuwal to do the needful as the party is in the majority in the House of Representatives.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Olisa Metuh,said: “After a thorough consideration of the matter, the NWC came to a conclusion that the Hon. Speaker, as a responsible elected officer, knows full well what is needful and honourable of him since his new party is in the minority.
“We are not unmindful of the fact that Hon. Tambuwal became Speaker on the platform of the PDP as the political party with the majority of seats in the House of Representatives and that this incontrovertible fact has not changed.”
Meanwhile, some members of the House of Representatives have said that the defection of the Speaker would not affect the unity of the legislators.
The Deputy House Leader, Rep. Leo Ogor (PDP-Delta), said the development would have no major implication on the PDP, adding however that what has happened was quite unexpected. “But again, that decision was a personal decision and has no major implication on our political party.”
Ogor , however, said that PDP members in the assembly would look at the situation and take a position in the matter.
“He is gone, fine; .and he emphasised that his decision borders on his local politics. That it borders on the interest of his people and his constituency.
“He came through a political party which was PDP; by the provision of the constitution, which is still before a court of jurisdiction, we await the ruling of the court on the matter.
“And I think this is one great opportunity for us to call on the judiciary; justice delayed is justice denied.
“And if this subject matter is before them, it behoves on them to make the necessary interpretations so that we can lay this issue to rest in respect of defection,’’ Ogor said.
He, however, said that the PDP members would keep watch over the activities of the speaker as the leader of the assembly.
“Because he has gone does not mean that the PDP does not control the house.
“He sits down there as the presiding officer; we run the affairs of the house; and as people who control the house, we must go the extra mile to protect the interest of our party.
“We are not going to lose our sleep because Tambuwal defected to the APC; I think we need to be mindful of the constitution.
“According to the constitution, you will need a two-third majority to remove a sitting speaker.
“Do we have two-third? That is another matter we need to ponder over.
“We will face the party and give our explanations, but I can assure you that the party’s interest will be fully protected,’’ Ogor said
The Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Victor Ogene (APGA-Anamba), described members of the 7th Assembly as broad minded.
Ogene said that the lawmakers were guided by all their actions to deepen the country’s democracy.
“So we should not look at speakership or presiding officer from the prism of political parties.
“Rather what we should look at is the person that has the confidence and the ability to give the deliverables.
“So long as you are able to do that and carry the members along, there should not be an issue.
Both the PDP and APC will definitely have their say on this issue.
“I want to assure you that we will remain one united House of Representatives,’’ Ogene said.
President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the creation of a new office of Deputy Group Managing Director (GMD) for the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). This, according to a statement from the Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, is in furtherance of the ongoing efforts to transform the NNPC into a commercially-driven entity. This is even as the President has approved the appointment of Mr. Bernard O.N. Otti, who until now was the Corporation’s Group Executive Director (Finance and Accounts) to occupy the new position in addition to being the Director/Group Executive Director (Finance and Accounts). Mr. Otti, who hails from Anambra State, is said to have held senior positions in some of the largest financial institutions in Nigeria and internationally, and has also served on the boards of numerous public and private institutions. The new office of Deputy Group Managing Director is expected to strengthen the corporate governance structure of the NNPC and help ensure that value for money and return on investment increasingly become key factors in all operational decisions. [myad]
President Goodluck Jonathan has made it clear once again that he will not, under any circumstance, permit any threat to peace and security in whatever form in any part of Nigeria. The President who commissioned the new governor’s Office in the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna today said that his government is committed to working with Kaduna state government to ensuring the protection of the lives and property of the entire people of the State, “and indeed all Nigerians.” President Jonathan was delighted with what he called ‘the prevailing peace and security’ in the State, adding: “we can achieve much more if we continue to sustain the peace and work in unity in the interest of our people. “The sustenance of the prevailing peace is necessary to accelerate economic growth and prosperity. Let me again appreciate the Government and good people of Kaduna State for working hard to make this happen.” He reminded the people that the prime purpose of politics is to engender sustained growth and development even as he commend Governor Yero for his dedication and commitment to improving the lives and livelihood of the people of Kaduna State. “By completing this and many similar projects, he has sufficiently demonstrated his belief in continuity, which is imperative for sustainable growth and development. “This historic edifice stands as a befitting tribute to the historic place of Kaduna as the traditional Capital of the old Northern Region of Nigeria. This is a major legacy project which successive administrations in the decades ahead will appreciate.” Jonathan counted the number of progress that has been made by his government in the provision of critical infrastructure which he said is the centerpiece of his Transformation Agenda. “For this reason, we have initiated and executed various developmental projects across the length and breadth of our nation; Kaduna State is a major beneficiary in this regard. “As you may be aware, our administration is on the verge of completing the Abuja-Kaduna standard-gauge fast rail line – the first of its kind in the country. Our ultimate goal is to make it easier to traverse Nigeria and increase the integration of our people and our ability to do business with each other. “In the last three and half years, we have also completed several road projects in this great State including the reconstruction of the Vom-Manchok Road, the rehabilitation of the Access Road to Kaduna Refinery and the rehabilitation of the Mararaba-Pambeguwa-Saminaka Road to mention just a few. “Kaduna State has also benefitted immensely from the national reforms and attendant overhaul in the power sector. The construction of a 215 megawatts thermal power plant at Kudenda and distribution projects like the 330kv Kaduna-Zaria-Kano line, and the 132kv Jos-Kafanchan-Funtua-Malumfashi-Katsina Transmission lines among others. “We are largely agrarian people and our focus in the Agriculture and Water Resources sector, has seen us completing the Galma Dam at Kuzuntu, as well as the Gurara Dam. It is pertinent to note that these major multipurpose dams have dual capacity for power generation, as well as irrigation for our farmers.” The President said that agriculture has received high priority under his administration because it recognizes the sector as its new frontier for growth. “Our Agricultural Transformation Agenda, which I launched in 2011, has the primary objective of unlocking the huge potentials of the agricultural sector and making it the main driver of our national economy – the way it was before we discovered oil. “As we witness, for instance, high yields in rice, corn, sorghum, pepper, tomatoes and other crops, we can confidently attribute this to the elimination of corruption in fertilizer distribution as ordinary farmers in our country now have a direct access to fertilizers and input through the e-wallet system. I am glad that the Kaduna State Government has keyed in to the Agricultural Transformation Agenda.” myad]
President Goodluck Jonathan has said that he received with great delight, the news of the re-election for another term, of President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil. In a congratulatory message today, President Jonathan savoured what he called ‘excellent relations and strategic partnership’ that has been forged between Nigeria and Brazil during the first term in office of the re-elected President. The Nigerian leader wrote: “on behalf of the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, I congratulate President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil on her victory in yesterday’s final round of her country’s presidential elections.” Jonathan said that as President Rousseff prepares to begin a new term of office on January 1, 2015, he looks forward to working with her government to expand and further enhance existing relation with Brazil, especially in the area of trade and economic relations, for the mutual benefit of the people of both countries. President Jonathan also applauded President Rousseff’s expressed commitment to working for greater peace, national unity and more reforms in Brazil during her second term. He congratulated the people of Brazil for their unwavering commitment to democracy and its processes which have produced a peaceful and acceptable outcome in the very keenly contested elections. [myad]
Delta State government has began an investigation into the Ibabu/Iselegu communal crisis. The state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan inaugurated a three-man Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the crisis. Inaugurating the commission in Asaba today, the governor charged communities in the state to always explore avenues of dialogue in resolving issues rather than engaging in warfare. “I appeal to communities to explore all available means of dialogue to settle their differences because communal crisis is inimical to orderly development and also create image problem for the state.” According to him communal crisis contribute to frustration and disenchantment experienced by members of the society, adding: “economically, it can scare potential investors and relocation of existing industries in our communities to other states thereby creating avoidable problem.” Governor Uduaghan listed the terms of reference of the commission as:“determine the remote and immediate cause or causes of the civil disturbances between the Iselegu and Ibabu communities in Ndokwa East and West Local Government Areas respectively, sometime in June, 2014. “Determine those persons or institutions responsible for the disturbance in Iselegu and Ibabu communities, identify those who suffered injury to their persons and the nature of injury, those who lost their lives; and the extent of destruction of properties and those whose properties were destroyed during the disturbances.” Other terms of reference of the commission are to: Investigate any other matter incidental or relevant to the terms of reference, which in the Commission’s view should be investigated to ascertain the true facts, make appropriate recommendations, including immediate measures to be taken by government and or the communities for the sustenance of peaceful co-existence in the communities and to prevent future crisis or disturbance in the area.” Dr. Uduaghan said that the commission has one month within which to submit an interim report, even as he described the members as “distinguished Deltans with proven integrity and it is my expectation and that of our people that they will handle this responsibility with due diligence, impartiality, transparency and fairness to all sides.” The commission has Hon. Justice Barbara Molokwu as chairman with Mr. Enie Otrofanowei and Surveyor Dickson Akpoghene as members while Mr. Anthony Abuah will serve as Secretary. Responding on behalf of members of the Commission, Hon. Justice Molokwu (rtd.) assured Deltans that they would dutifully, diligently, treat with dispatch this matter that has re-occurred despite efforts to arrest it, adding: “peace is very important to the development of the society.” [myad]
Delta state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has charged the newly elected local government council chairmen to live among their people so as to know their needs. Administering oath of office today on 23 newly elected local government chairmen that won the Saturday council polls conducted by the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) the governor advised them to let their elections be a blessing to the people “and make sure you reside in your local government headquarters so that you can be accessible to the people. “As local government chairmen, please, don’t discriminate between those that worked for you or worked against you during the elections because, you were elected to serve everybody.” He further advised them to join hand with his administration in promoting ‘Delta Beyond Oil Economic Development Model’ through judicious application of resources. Governor Uduaghan advised the chairmen to be abreast with local government laws even as he charged them to complete all on-going projects in their locality. “Government is a continuum, consolidate on the achievements of your predecessors and complete all the ongoing projects.” He asked them to ensure that peace and security reign in their councils at all times. Dr. Uduaghan used the occasion to condemn the conduct of some voters at the Saturday’s poll whose action of thronging DSIEC offices and police stations disturbed the distribution of materials. According to the governor it was wrong for the electorates to besiege places where sensitive election materials were kept. “At the future elections, let us not go to the Police or DSIEC offices to wait for materials, we should wait for materials at the different polling units.” The Governor commended DSIEC for conducting a generally acceptable elections and also thanked the security agencies, religious leaders and traditional rulers for their various roles in the successful conduct of the polls. Dr. Uduaghan said that the council polls in the state were delayed due to legal issues that surrounded the government’s attempt to reconstitute the commission. Responding on behalf of the chairmen, Hon. Constantine Ikpokpo, Chairman, Isoko South Local Government Council said they would execute people-oriented projects and would be responsible to the electorates. [myad]
South Africa football captain, Senzo Meyiwa has been reportedly shot dead by intruders as he tried to protect his girlfriend during a robbery at her home near Johannesburg.
Officials said today that the 27-year-old Orlando Pirates goalkeeper died yesterday, Sunday after suffering a single shot through the chest at the home of girlfriend Kelly Khumalo, a local actress and singer, in the township of Vosloorus.
“Two guys entered the house and demanded cellphones, money and other valuables,” provincial Community Safety official Sizakele Nkosi-Malubane told reporters at the scene.
“Senzo tried to protect Kelly because one of the men had a gun pointed towards her.”
Police said two men entered Khumalo’s house where Meyiwa was in a party of seven in the house. A third assailant waited outside the house and all three fled immediately after the shooting.
Meyiwa was declared dead on arrival at hospital, the police added.
South Africa coach Ephraim Mashaba comforted several of Meyiwa’s teammates who had arrived at the hospital not long after the shooting.
“We can assure all South Africans that we will do all we can to bring Meyiwa’s killers [to] book,” the South African Police Services said on its Twitter account, offering a reward of 150,000 South African rand (Dh50,347).
National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega announced a special task force team had been formed to investigate the murder.
“We mourn the death of this young footballer and team leader whose life has been taken away at the prime of his career,” said a statement from South African president Jacob Zuma on Monday.
“The law enforcement authorities must leave no stone unturned in finding his killers and bring them to justice. Words cannot express the nation’s shock at this loss.”
Police cordoned off the street leading to Khumalo’s house on Monday morning as a forensic team conducted its investigation, keeping locals and reporters away from the scene.
Meyiwa captained South Africa in their last four matches in the African Nations Cup qualifiers without conceding a goal and played on Saturday when his club advanced to the semi-finals of the South African League Cup.
“This is a sad loss whichever way you look at it – to Senzo’s family, his extended family, Orlando Pirates and to the nation,” Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza said in a statement.
Meyiwa’s death has further highlighted South Africa’s rampant gun violence less than a week after Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius was given a five-year jail sentence for culpable homicide after shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
More than 17,000 people were murdered in South Africa between April 2013 and March 2014, an increase of about 800 over the previous year, according to police figures.
South Africa teammates Dean Furman and Andile Jali were among the first to react to the Meyiwa tragedy on Twitter.
“Beyond devastated at the loss of our captain and friend Senzo Meyiwa. Thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this terrible time,” tweeted England-based Furman, who plays for Doncaster Rovers in the third-tier in the English league.
“Just got a call and I was sleeping, but now I cannot sleep because of what I just heard,” tweeted Jali, who moved from Pirates to Belgiuan club Ostend this year.
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Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has dumped the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on which platform he won election into the House, for main opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC). Tambuwal formally announced his defection today at the House plenary even as he immediately adjourned the sitting of the House to December.
