Beat Cameroon Tomorrow, Go For The World Cup, Jonathan Commands Falcons

October 24, 2014

Preesident Goodluck Jonathan has given marching order to the hard-fighting Nigeria’s female national team, the Falcons, to beat their Cameroonian counterparts in
tomorrow’s final of the 2014 African Women’s Football Championship in Windhoek, Namibia. He also urged them to go tough on and win the next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.
In a congratulatory message today to the Falcons on their qualification for the finals of the tournament, President Jonathan urged them to go all out to continue their glorious domination of African Women’s football with another victory, having won eight of the ten previous championships.
He noted that the Falcon’s scintillating performance in this year’s AWC tournament has made them to be the bookmakers’ favourites to win the final match.
President Jonathan however warned them not to take victory against Cameroon for granted, but to prepare very well and put their acclaimed soccer skills and strength to the best possible use on Saturday to achieve victory.
The President assured the Falcons and their handlers of the full support and best wishes of the federal government and all soccer-loving Nigerians as they strive to add another international sporting laurel to the glory of their fatherland.
He joined other Nigerians to pray for the team’s victory even as he expressed desire of receiving them warmly in Abuja with the Championship trophy.

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Speaker Tambuwal: Neither Here Nor There, By Yusuf Ozi-Usman

Yusuf Ozi-Usman

October 24, 2014

Speaker of the Nigeria House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal has successfully been playing a political game that shows him out as neither in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on which platform he rose to his position nor in the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC). That is at best. And at worse, he has been presenting a picture of being in the two major political parties at the same time.
These all add up to symbolise the popular magical postulation of ‘the more you look the less you understand.’
While he has been dinning and winning with the leadership of APC, Speaker Tambual has insisted consistently that he is still a member of PDP. This is even when it is clear that he hardly attends PDP public functions lately.
One is actually at a loss as to where to place this kind of political game: is it a case of testing the waters in APC before he takes a final plunge into it or is he afraid that if he announces his defection to APC now, he could be removed from the position of speaker or even as a member of House of Representatives through some kind of subterfuge? Or is it just a wise political calculation?
Not to worry, very soon, the fog will clear and everybody’s position, like the position of President Goodluck Jonathan concerning his running for the 2015 Presidential election, will be in the public domain.

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PHOTO: Zambia Marks 50Th Independence Anniversary

Greenbarge Reporters

October 24, 2014

L – R: The Mozambican Prime Minister, Alberto Vaquina; First President of the Independent Zambia, Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda; Nigeria’s Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo; Acting President of the Republic of Zambia, Hon. Edger Lungu and his wife during the Zambia’s 50th Independence anniversary celebration in Lusaka, Zambia today, October 24

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Let’s Rise To Fight Terrorists, Other Threats, Jonathan Urges Benin Republic

Greenbarge Reporters

October 24, 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan has insisted that leaders in African have no choice, as neighbours and brothers, but to work together, in unity and determination, to deal decisively with many threats that are dogging the security and stability of most of the countries today. Such threats, he said, has been impeding the continent’s development potential.
President Jonathan spoke today at the ground-breaking and re-launching ceremony of the construction of the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post. The project is one of seven such posts earmarked for construction in the coming years throughout the sub-region.
Seme-Krake is located on the Lagos-Abidjan transportation corridor, which forms a vital part of the Trans-African Highway network.
President Jonathan, in the company of his Benin Republic counterpart, President Boni Yayi listed the challenges and threats facing some countries today to include the new wave of terrorism and insurgent activities, trans-border crimes as human and drug trafficking, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, among others.
He said that the increased cooperation and coordination of controls, the exchange of data and intelligence which will result from the implementation of the Joint Border Posts would help the affected countries, individually and collectively, to successfully confront some of these challenges.
He expressed appreciation to President Yayi and the Government of Benin Republic for the what he called ‘invaluable partnership with Nigeria.’
“Today’s ceremony is another robust demonstration of our strong socio-cultural and economic cooperation that pre-dates the colonial era.
“Together, we built the Oyo and Borgou Empires, and today, we are still building modern socio-economic infrastructure, progressively and constructively, for the benefit and development of our people.”
President Jonathan also thanked the development partners such as the World Bank, USAID, AfDB, whose support and solidarity he said, have made the project possible.
“We commend also, the ECOWAS Commission which has also worked assiduously on this project.”

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Zambian President On Sick Bed As The Country Celebrates Golden Jubilee

Greenbarge Reporters

October 24, 2014

Zambia celebrated its 50th Independence Anniversary today in Lusaka, the country’s federal capital without the ailing President, Mr. Michael Sata. The President has been bed-ridden overseas on a medical treatment which details were not immediately made available.
The ceremony which was attended by Presidents and heads of government from across the world was presided over by the country’s acting President, Mr. Edgar Loungu.
The first President of the Independent Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda was also in attendance, and together with leaders from other countries, laid wreaths at the Freedom Statue.
President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria was represented by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo. Sambo was accompanied by members of the federal government delegation, including Supervising Minister of Information, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Hon. Ishaka Mohammed.
Namadi Sambo observed the cordial relations existing between Nigeria and Zambia, saying that he was happy with mutual investments undertaken by citizens of the two countries.
“President Goodluck Jonathan would have liked to be here with our brothers and sisters in Zambia to congratulate them.
“I am highly pleased to know we are cooperating with Zambia in various socio-economic aspects.
There are some Zambian companies that are operating in Nigeria in the communication sector and also, we have the Dangote Group and some Nigerian banks in Zambia.
“This is the right direction to cooperate in the various socio-economic activities between the two great African countries.”
Zambia’s Independence flag was hoisted on the midnight of 23rd of October 1964 with Dr. Kenneth Kaunda assuming the position of the founding President.
The southern African country shares cordial relations with Nigeria, coordinated under a Nigerian-Zambian Joint Commission which the Supervising Minister of Information, Mohammed, said would soon be re-energized to enhance economics activities between the two countries.

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Nigeria Labour Leaders To National Assembly: You’re Playing With ‘Fire’ On Minimum Wage

Greenbarge Reporters

October 23, 2014

The organized labour in Nigeria has made it clear that any attempt by the national assembly to tamper with the national minimum wage for workers as it is now will be an invitation to confrontation. It kicked against the removal of the Minimum Wage from the Exclusive list to the Concurrent list in the constitution by the National Assembly, saying that it is an act of treachery carried out by some governors and their allies in the National Assembly.

The General Secretary of the NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, and the President General of the Trade Union Congress, Mr. Bala Kaigama, warned in two different statements today that labour would organize mass protests against the action which they said was condemnable and unpatriotic.

Ozo-Eson stressed that the NLC would mobilise workers against the attempt to scrap the National Minimum Wage.

The NLC Scribe said the organized labour was surprised by the sudden decision to move against the National Minimum Wage after assurances from the Senate leadership.

Ozo-Eson urged the National Assembly to reverse the decision in the interest of Nigerians because of its implications for the country.

He said the decision to remove the national minimum wage was “extremely dangerous and retrogressive” as it would empower employers to fix their own minimum wage.
The NLC secretary, who said an emergency meeting of NEC had been scheduled for Monday on the issue, stated that the move against the National Minimum wage was a deliberate plot of some persons to truncate the current electioneering process.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress condemns in strong terms the removal of Wages from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List by the National Assembly in the on-going fourth amendment exercise to the 1999 constitution.
“We at the Congress see the removal of Wages from the Exclusive List as an act of treachery masterminded by conservative governors and their cohorts in the National Assembly which will do the polity no good.
“We wish to state in no uncertain terms that the Congress will mobilise its members to resist this move to scrap the national minimum wage. We recall that last year, our national campaign and mobilisation on this subject matter was suspended at the instance of the leadership of the Senate, which promised to revisit the issue.”

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First Lady, Dame Patience Quits

Greenbarge Reporters

October 23, 2014

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has resigned her appointment as a “Super” Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Civil Service.
It was gathered that the resignation followed alleged final breakdown in relationship between the First Lady and the Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson.
Dickson had in July 2012, five months after his inauguration, appointed Patience Jonathan as one of the 17 new permanent secretaries in the state civil service.
Dickson said the appointment of the First Lady as a permanent secretary was based on the power conferred on him by Section 203 of the constitution.
He further said it was in recognition of her services to the state and nation, adding that she was a directorate level officer in the civil service.
Sources from the Ministry of Education said the 57-year-old Patience Jonathan left the service voluntarily.
One of the sources who pleaded anonymity said the First Lady in her letter of resignation opted for voluntary retirement.
He said the ministry had computed and finalised her terminal benefits already.
When asked the total amount of her terminal benefits, he said: “Well I don’t know. All I can tell you is that everything has been processed.
“The whole thing is political. It appears Madam Peace is not happy with the governor. With her resignation, the battle line has been drawn.
“I feel the President’s wife resigned to enable her to have the moral right to slug it out with Dickson ahead of the governorship poll in the state. Let no one deceive you, the whole thing is politics. After all, she is 57 and the retirement age is 60.”
The wife of the President has a National Certificate of Education in Mathematics/Biology, which she obtained in 1989 from the Rivers State College of Education.
She also has a degree in Biology and Psychology (Education) from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
A senior official of the ministry confirmed the development and said it was true the First Lady resigned.
The official dismissed political reasons for her resignation, saying: “I can say Dame Patience Jonathan has voluntarily retired. But whether there is political undertone in her resignation, I cannot say.
“I think the First Lady felt that her continued stay as Permanent Secretary will be depriving others. Now that she has thrown in the towel, it will afford others the opportunity to take her position.
“Already, in accordance with the civil service rules, we have prepared all her entitlements. Whatever is due her will be given to her. She will also be receiving her pension.

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Court Sacks New Foodball Boss, Pinnick; But Football Body Kicks

Greenbarge Reporters

October 23, 2014

The Federal High Court sitting in Jos has sacked the new chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick, setting aside the September 30 election that led to his emergence as the chairman of the football ruling body. The court insists that it is wrong for anybody to disobey Court order.
This is even as the executive committee of NFF has filed for appeal against the ruling.
Delivering his judgment today on the case, Justice Ambrose Alagoa, who said that the election was conducted when there was a court injunction against it, said that it was wrong to disobey court order and warned all parties to abide by the ruling of the court.
Justice Alagoa ordered that the status quo be maintained and that the election that produced Chris Giwa as the NFF president should be recognized.
“I have set aside all the proceedings and decisions of the Warri Extra Ordinary meeting of the 20th September and the Elective Congress of 30th September which were direct contravention of the orders of this court as granted on the 19th September,” said Justice Allagoa.
“Nobody should foist on the court a complete case of hopelessness so that the principles of law and justice can be upheld. Its not enough to say that the order of court was wrongly made, no matter how unorthodox, its subsisting orders, unless set aside, remains law and must be respected.”
“Defendants in this matter have not filed any counter affidavits in this court to contest the facts. There is no motion nor Memorandum of Appearance. This is a court of Record. On this note, the court has no option to protect the integrity and sanctity of court. Court orders are not tea party. Nobody is above the law. Impunity must be stopped.”
It will be recalled that Messers Obinna Ogba and Yahaya Adamu of the Giwa-led faction had dragged the immediate past president of the NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari and the NFF Secretary General, Musa Ahmadu, to court seeking for orders to restrain Maigari as the first defendant; the NFF as the second defendant and Football Associations as the third defendant from conducting another election after the Giwa-led faction was elected
But the Maigari-led board had on September 20, 2014 and September 30, 2014 held extraordinary congresses, which led to the election of the Chairman of Delta Sports Commission, Amaju Pinnick as the new NFF president.
in a swift reaction to today’s court ruling, the NFF has filed for appeal against the ruling.
NFF 1st Vice-President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi said: “We have been notified of the ruling of the court, which was made in spite of our filing for a preliminary objection concerning the jurisdiction of the court.
“However, our lawyers have gone to work immediately the order was made. We are appealing the ruling and also filing for Stay of Execution of the order.”

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2015: Yes I Will Run – Jonathan; Sets Up Haliru Bello Declaration Committee

Greenbarge Reporters

October 23, 2014

After months of speculations, President Goodluck Jonathan has finally signified his intention to seek for re-election in 2015 Presidential election. To that effect, the President has set up a Presidential declaration committee, headed by the former National Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and also former Defence Minister from Kebbi state Dr. Haliru Bello.
Also in the committee are Senator Ken Nnamani (Enugu) while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim (Ebonyi) would serve as the Secretary.
Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Professor Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali (Gombe), Julius Imagwe – SSA – Youth (Edo), Dr. Baraka Sani (SSA -NSAP), Kano are to serve as members of the committee.
Governors were also nominated to represent their zones on the board of the committee and those appointed include Governors Liyel Imoke, Cross River (South South), Theodore Orji, Abia (South East), Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo (South West), Dr. Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu Niger (North Central), Ibrahim Shema, Katsina (North West) and Ibrahim Dankwambo, Gombe (North East)
These facts came to light today when he met the leadership of the PDP at the Presidential Villa. The president was said to have intimated the PDP leadership that he would beat the deadline for the procurement of the presidential nomination form being sold at Wadata house, the party’s secretariat.
November 7 and 15 have been fixed as the dates for his declaration,.
Jonathan was said to have assured the party leadership at the meeting that he would pick the party nomination form before the October 30th deadline set for the exercise by the ruling party.

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National Environmental Standards Set To Punish Erring Companies

Greenbarge Reporters

October 23, 2014

Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Ngeri Benebo has vowed to implement sanctions against erring companies in the areas of environmental degradation. This will be done, she warned, through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy as part of efforts of the government to create healthy and sustainable environment.
Dr. Benebo who spoke to newsmen in Abuja said that this is part of the efforts to ensure that companies cooperate and keep to the end of their bargain of acquiring their end products from the consumer.
According to her, firms will henceforth be made to pay fines or face court sanctions.
The EPR programme was set up to ensure that companies buy back the end products from their users to ensure the sanitisation of the environment. A procedure that is tuned towards ‘the polluter pays’ principle.
The EPR policy is characterized by: the shifting of responsibility (physically and/or economically; fully or partially) upstream toward the producer and away from municipalities and the provision of incentives to producers to take into account, environmental considerations when designing their products.
Dr: Benebo said that all companies with products that have end products have been asked to set up collection centre where they can buy back their end products.
According to her, government has given the companies enough time to set up collection mechanisms as well as infrastructure that will take off some of the burden of cleaning up as government cannot do all alone.
“There are sanctions in place but we have not started applying it. We are giving them till next year to put everything in place. But before the end of this year, you must have your producer responsibility organization. There are people that they can contract to do it for them, that is their umbrella name.
“So you can decide to do it on your own or a group of you can decide to do it, but you must have an outfit, either directly from your facility or external to your facility to carry out this activity for you. We are looking at January next year to kick off the sanctions.”
Dr. Benebo said that discussions with companies have been going on for a while now, adding “they are doing some corporate social responsibility here and there, but they are not doing the buy back of their products, because that is what gives a toll on our sanitation in the country.
“Because you take your yoghurt you throw the pack away; you take your coke you throw the pet bottle away: bournvita, the Can is thrown somewhere.
“Government is now saying that enough is enough; let people be responsible for the end results of their products. It is a part of polluter pays principle and that is what is done globally.”

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