President Buhari Renews Appointments Of PTDF, PEF, NCDMB Bosses

September 25, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has renewed the appointments of Chief Executive Officers of agencies under the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

Following recommendations to the President by Chief Timipre Sylva, Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Dr Bello Aliyu Gusau gets another nod as the Executive Secretary of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF); Ahmed Bobboi as Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF), while Engineer Simbi Wabote is reappointed Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

Dr Gusau is credited to have run the PTDF successfully in the past four years, keeping faith with the Seven Strategic Priorities he had introduced in January 2017. These are: Domestication, Cost cutting, Sustainable funding, Efficient internal processes, Linkages with the industry, Utilization of centers of excellence, and Pursuit of home-grown research.

Mr Ahmed Bobboi gets his reappointment for having run PEF in a way that made it a key and strategic player in the administration’s oil and gas reforms, especially in stabilizing the supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country, among others.

Engineer Wabote won his pips for managing the Nigerian Content Development Fund prudently, completing the headquarters building of NCDMB, and also initiating many landmark projects that are widely commended by industry players.

All the appointments take immediate effect.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

September 25, 2020

Court Stops Labour Unions From Embarking On Nationwide Strike

Greenbarge Reporters

September 25, 2020

The Abuja Judicial Division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria has stopped the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress, (TUC) from holding their planned mass action fixed for September 28.

The two unions are quarrelling with the federal government over the recent increases in the petrol pump price and electricity tariff in the country. Subsequently, the Incorporated Trustees of Peace and Unity Ambassadors and one concerned citizen, Aliyu Audu, had on Thursday, September 24, approached the court seeking the stoppage of the planned protest.

The presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Galadima, granted an interim injunction restraining the labour unions “from disrupting, restraining, picketing or preventing workers or ordinary Nigerians from accessing their offices to carry out their legitimate duties, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”

The court also granted an order compelling the Inspector-General of Police and the Director General, State Security Services, SSS, “to provide protection for workers engaged in their legitimate duties from any form of harassment, intimidation and bullying by the officers, agents or privies of the unions pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”

High Profile Boko Haram Commander Surrenders, Along With His Family

Editorial staff

September 24, 2020

The Defence Headquarters hss announced that a high profile Boko Haram Commander has surrendered to Nigerian troops during clearance operations in their enclaves in Borno saying that the operations took place between Sept. 17 and 23.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major Geneneral John Enenche, in his weekly update today, September 24 on the operation of Armed Forces of Nigeria in Abuja, said the unnamed commander surrendered with his four wives.

He said that the success was as a result of a sustained offensive by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole through air and ground operations on terrorists’ enclaves at different locations in Borno, Yobe, Taraba and Adamawa.

According to him, the operations also led to the arrest of one Boko Haram fighter at Kamuya in Biu Local Government Area of (LGA) of Borno, while nine other criminals were arrested in Wukari LGA of Taraba.

“Caches of arms and ammunition, as well as equipment and motorcycles, were also recovered. “Meanwhile, troops repelled BHT/ISWAP attacks on civilians and own troops at Wajiroko in Damboa LGA of Borno on Sept. 17 and Sept. 20.

“The troops neutralised several of the terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition.”

In the North West, Enenche disclosed that the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Sahel Sanity had continued to dominate the general area leading to the killing of seven bandits and rescue of kidnapped victims during the week.

He said that the troops on Sept. 17, rescued eight kidnapped victims from suspected bandits at Fankama and Sabon Layi area of Faskari LGA of Katsina State.

The coordinator explained that the troops got information that bandits dressed in military camouflage were sighted with kidnapped victims and engaged the bandits forcing them to abandon the victims.

He also said that troops of Operation Sahel Sanity while on patrol at Chabas, responded to a distress call and rescued a truck driver with 11 women and children who were on their way to Batsari Market but were kidnapped by suspected bandits along Shimfida – Gurbi Road.

According to him, troops deployed at Dansadau arrested a suspected bandit on a motorcycle on his way to Dandalla village in Dansadau, Maru LGA of Zamfara with one Pump Action rifle and three live cartridges carefully concealed in a bag.

“Similarly, the Air Component of Operation Thunder Strike killed several bandits at their meeting venue in airstrikes executed at Kwaimbana forest area of Kaduna State.

“Also, two gunrunners were arrested in possession of 1,620 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition in Kudaru Hill along Kaduna-Jos Road in Lere LGA of Kaduna State.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the ammunition was to be delivered to one bandit leader, at a location in Dansadau LGA of Zamfara. Equally, on Sept. 18, troops of Forward Operations Base Burukusuma patrol team killed seven armed bandits at Magira village of Zamfara.

“On Sept. 19, troops, in conjunction with vigilantes arrested two bandits in possession of N1.3 million at Baworaje village in Talata Mafara LGA of Zamfara”.

In North Central, the Coordinator disclosed the Troops of Operation Safe Haven between Sept. 17 and Sept. 20, raided suspected Sara-Suka criminals’ hideouts at Jenta Adamu, Rikkos, and Gangare Yan-Doya area of Jos North LGA of Plateau.

He said the raids led to arrest of 14 suspects while 12 knives, 4 daggers, 4 mobile phones, two swords, assorted charms, a large number of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, among other illicit drugs were recovered.

Enenche added that troops also raided another suspected drug peddlers’ hideout within Barkin Ladi LGA where a drug dealer was arrested with a large quantity of substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa.

According to him, all the arrested suspects and recovered exhibits have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action. Enenche further disclosed that the Headquarters Operation Safe Haven on Sept. 17, inaugurated the Rim Primary Healthcare Centre renovated by the Defence Headquarters in Riyom LGA of Plateau as part of its Civil-Military Cooperation.

He added that the DHQ medical team in conjunction with Operation Safe Haven medical team conducted a 2-day medical outreach in Ikulu Chiefdom of Zangon-Kataf LGA of Kaduna State.

Source: NAN.

Group Wants Justice Salami’s Panel To Leave Justice Minister Out Of Magu’s Case

Editorial staff

September 24, 2020

A group going by the name, Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN) has called for caution on plans to extend invitation to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, AbubKar Malami, SAN, to appear as witness before the Justice Isa Ayo Salami Panel, which is currently probing allegation of corruption against the suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu.

At a press conference today, September 24 in Abuja, GICN, explained why the AGF should not appear before the panel.Executive Director of the group, Barrister Edward Omaga, said it is needless for the AGF to appear before the panel because the panel has gathered evidence which were enough to do justice in its report.

He said since the proceedings at the panel began, the group decided not to dabble into the affairs of the panel, to enable the it come up with a report that cannot be faulted by Nigerians because ”we trust the integrity of the former president of the Court of Appeal.”

There were reports that the Attorney General of the federation and minister of justice (AGF), Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), is to appear as witness before the panel and like we rightly stated earlier, we at GICN want the members of panel to be allowed to use their own wisdom in discharging their mandate without being teleguided by people who are supposed to be busy defending themselves by responding to allegations made against them.

”Already, the panel has gathered evidence which are enough to do substantial justice. In case those calling on the AGF to appear the before the panel do not know, the AGF has been playing a supervisory role on the EFCC and we make bold to say that the number one chief law officer of the Country has played this role creditably well, so there is no need to have him as witness before the panel.”

We at GICN also need to remind them that after the completion of the sitting of the panel, the report of the panel would be sent to President Muhammadu Buhari, who will in turn seek the legal view of the AGF, so, if he is invited to be a witness before the panel, he would be deprived from offering his constitutionaly recognized legal view when sort, having appeared as a witness at the panel.

”The handwriting of some mischievous elements is very clear. There may appear conflicting roles as AGF may be regarded as a witnessing party and someone offering legal advice on the matter to Mr. President. We envisage a situation where some individuals want use this as a bait to deprive the AGF of rendering his Constitutional responsibilities of offering legal advice on the matter as well as deprived Nigerians from benefiting from the AGF’s legal acumen.

”Therefore, we are calling on the Justice Isa Ayo Salami panel to ignore the call for Mr Malami to appear as a witness before it.”

He said that if the minister is allowed to appear as a witness before the panel, it would compromise his constitutional duty.

He said that in framing a charge, as is the case with all other proceedings, the office of the Attorney General is exercising a constitutional role of prosecution and not a role of testimony.

”Demanding the office of the Attorney General to testify in a witness capacity, in a facts findings enquiry, will have the effect of compromising on its constitutional role of the office of the AGF as it relates to the examination of the eventual discoveries within the context of its constitutional role.

”The constitution does not envisage the role of a witness in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation over a matter in which it stand in a prosecutorial and supervisory role.

”It can not therefore be placed in a compromise position making it impossible for the office to exercise its constitutional role of proffering a legal opinion or prosecuting the allegations when the report establishes a prima facile case justifying prosecution.”

Buhari Justifies Introduction Of Companies And Allied Matters Act, 2020

Editorial staff

September 24, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has justified his recent assent to the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, which church leaders across the country have promised to resist.

The President explained that CAMA) will target at enhancing transparency and corporate accountability in the fight against corruption.

President Buhari, who spoke today, September 24, in a video message presented at the Open Government Partnership (OGP) 2020 Virtual Leaders’ Summit on the sidelines of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA75) in New York, United States, said: “since the inception of our Administration in 2015, the Government has been committed to changing international and domestic perceptions regarding Nigeria’s commitment to fight corruption and foster good governance.

”We focused on the task of dealing head-on with this destructive monster, which led to us joining the Open Government Partnership and making reform commitments such as to establish a public central register of beneficial owners of corporate entities.

“Since then, we have made significant progress in implementing tougher anti-corruption measures, including my recent assent to the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020.

”The Act provides a legal framework for the implementation of Beneficial Ownership Information Disclosure in Nigeria.

”Being an OGP member-country has helped Nigeria learn from other countries tackling similar challenges, and to build a coalition to support these reforms across the private sector and civil society. It has also aided our journey towards building citizens’ trust in government.”

As COVID-19 cases continue to accelerate worldwide, President Buhari told the Summit that it had become clear that governments cannot solve all the challenges of the pandemic alone, stressing it is only through open governance and working with citizens that nations can succeed.

”We face a significant contraction in the global economy in 2020; the world is facing the unprecedented twin challenges of managing the health and economic impacts of the pandemic.

”In these times, citizens worldwide are seeking more information, engagement, and support from their governments,” he said.

The Nigerian leader pledged that his administration would continue to use its OGP membership to ensure that open government approaches strengthen the pandemic management, adding that the Nigerian government will sustain consultations and engagements with citizens through Civil Society Organisations and the Organised Private Sector on COVID-19 response and recovery plan.

According to the President, ”these consultations are in line with the effort of our administration to encourage public participation in government policies and programs.

”Our recovery package includes support to businesses, to vulnerable communities and an expansion of public works. Our aim is to make all these efforts more effective by making them open. ”

President Buhari recounted that soon after joining this partnership, Nigeria had the privilege of being elected to the OGP Global Steering Committee.

As a leader in the OGP Steering Committee, President Buhari acknowledged that Nigeria has learnt from both government and non-government counterparts on international best practices.

”I am also glad that Nigeria’s pioneering sub-national Open Government Partnership Model has become one of the leading examples driving the expansion of the Open Government Partnership Local Programme.

”Nigeria will also champion the tenets of the Open Government Partnership through our leadership role in regional institutions.

”We aim to expand the partnership on the African Continent by continuing to play a leading role in the International Steering Committee.

”As we look forward to celebrating 10 years of the existence of the Open Government Partnership next year, it is my earnest wish that all countries in the world will adopt Open Government principles and help democracy live up to the expectations of citizens having a voice at and beyond the ballot box, ” he said.

President Buhari thanked the leadership and staff of the OGP Global Support Unit for the enormous work they do to ensure that voices are not only heard but valued.

He encouraged Nigerians to get involved in the OGP and help shape and sustain the country’s democracy now and in the future.

Among those who participated in the virtual event were Heads of State and Government of Argentina, Canada, France, Georgia and Germany as well as civil society leaders who have played a central role in their countries to ensure a full, fair, and inclusive response and recovery.

Justice Minister, Malami, Ignores Justice Salami’s Panel Invitation On Ibrahim Magu’s Probe

Editorial staff

September 24, 2020

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami SAN, has ignored the Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by the retired President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami’s subpoena issued to him.

The subpoena was issued by the Chairman of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the allegations he leveled against the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) , Ibrahim Magu.Magu had consistently requested the opportunity to confront his accuser before the Panel, including an opportunity to be given the allegations leveled against him by the Attorney General of the Federation.

Malami failed to appear before the Commission of Inquiry to substantiate the allegations he leveled against Magu in the memo he wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari which was the basis upon which the Judicial Commission of Inquiry was set up by the President.It was learnt that after the conclusion of presentation of witnesses before the Commission of Inquiry, Magu was called upon to present his defence which he has done by presenting a volumes of written responses to all the allegations against him, backed by numerous exhibits and truck load of documents showing his achievements as the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and official documents showing that no recovered assets was missing or diverted to personal use for his benefit or those of his close associates.

Magu had also requested before the Tribunal to issue subpoenas to certain persons to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to give evidence in support of their allegations and to be cross-examined upon such wild and unsubstantiated allegations.In line with Magu’s request, Justice Ayo Salami who is the Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry signed and issued a Subpoena to the Attorney General of the Federation to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to come and substantiate the allegations he made against Magu.

In the said Subpoena, it was stated as follows: “You are hereby Commanded in the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to give evidence in respect of your allegations against Mr Ibrahim Magu.”

It was learnt that instead of appearing before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, Malami wrote a letter in disobedience to the subpoena issued for him to appear on the authority of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stating that he would not appear as a witness.

He hinged his refusal on the fact that he only made charges against Magu based on the petitions he received against him in his office. Analysts said that Malami’s excuse is untenable and is clearly a contempt of judicial authority and shows total disregard for the authority of President Muhammadu Buhari on whose authority the subpoena was issued, requesting his appearance before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

A few weeks back, Malami had taken to the media, boasting to the whole world that he would appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry if summoned to do so. “Now that the opportunity has been presented, he is shying away from that call because his allegations cannot be substantiated with facts or any shred of credible evidence.

The position of the law is clear, whenever a Petitioner refuses to substantiate his petition before the appropriate authority, such a petition is declared to be frivolous.

“Now that the main accuser of Mr Ibrahim Magu has refused to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, the world waits with bated breath to see what justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry will report to President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Meanwhile, Magu has again, challenged anyone who would prove that he offered him bribe or accepted bribe from him to come out.In his defense before the presidential panel, Magu had consistently said that he had never received any bribe from anyone in his life.

NCP Complains Of Being Excluded From Edo Guber Poll, Wants It Annulled

Editorial staff

September 23, 2020

The gubernatorial candidate of National Conscience Party (NCP) in the last Saturday governorship election in Edo State, who doubles as its national chairman, Peters Osawaru Omoragbon, has called for the total annulment of the election, saying that NCP name and logo were not on the ballot.

Kogi Gov Rushes To Minister Of Works, Seeks Urgent Attention To Federal Roads

Editorial staff

September 23, 2020

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello rushed to the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fasholatoday, September 23, to solicit urgent Federal Government’s attention to the deplorable condition of federal roads in the state.

The governor’s visit came on the heels of a fatal road accident involving a tanker and other vehicles on the Okene/Lokoja/Abuja road that resulted in an explosion which claimed 23 lives in the Felele area of Lokoja today.

The governor told the minister that the deplorable state of all federal roads across the state have led to recurrent accidents in the state.

He said the state government has done a lot in maintaining the roads but owing to the large volume of traffic on the roads, in view of its strategic location as gateway state, such repairs and maintenance do not stand the test of time.

He appealed to the minister to expedite action in carrying out reconstruction of roads across the state to curtail the preventable accidents on the road.

The governor appealed to the minister to direct contractors handling repairs on the Murtala Bridge at Jamata to speed up the rate of work, noting that the slow pace of work has caused the commuters untold hardship.

Bello informed the minister that he had to personally be on ground on the Lokoja -Abuja road on July 26 to help other agencies to control the traffic gridlock caused on the Lokoja -Abuja road as a result of the damaged portion of the bridge.

He equally urged the minister to direct the contractors handling the Kabba-Ilorin road to return to site, noting that the total neglect of the road in the area has made life unbearable for motorists and commuters plying the road.

The governor also drew the attention of the minister to the Lokoja-Ganaja-Ajaokuta road which the federal government awarded for over three years but contractors were yet to be seen on site.

Responding, Fashola said he has directed the Federal Road Maintenance Agency to immediately move into action to fix bad portion of the road at the Felele end of the Okene/Lokoja/Abuja road.

The minister equally put calls across to contractors handling Kabba-Egbe-Omuaro road, Okene-Lokoja-Abuja road to inform them of the governor’s presence in his office and the need for them to speed up the works on the roads.

He assured the governor that the ministry will use the remaining part of the year to achieve more in fulfilling the governor’s request in respect of federal roads in the state.

Fashola commiserated with the governor, people and government of Kogi State over the accident that claimed lives on Wednesday in Lokoja.

The Obaseki Tsunami, By Prince Tonye Princewill

Greenbarge Reporters

September 23, 2020

The recent victory of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the Edo State governorship election is a lesson that many can learn from. I think it sends a very clear message to Nigerians as a whole, but a direct message to APC and a quiet message to the PDP in particular.

Today I will leave the international community out of it. They still have their own fishes to fry. Their progression from what I had previously described as very toothless bulldogs to now issuing travel bans on election riggers, is a good first step. But they know they can do more.

Some will still not learn this lesson, but that will not detract from the lecture being given. Let those who have ears, please hear:

To Nigerians, you can see that there is still hope for our democracy. You have a President who will not go out of his way to save the APC. There are no sacred cows. Tomorrow, as was the case in Edo, your vote can count. Do not give up on Nigeria. I tell friends who are anti Buhari, that they are all still missing my point. No need to waste your energy. Focus on the Messiah you want and organize and vote to replace Buhari with him or with her. You can’t be sitting down here complaining about Pres. Buhari while 2023 is almost upon us. No. You cannot truly be that helpless. Buhari will help popular candidates win, even if they are not of the APC. A proven fact. I cannot in all conscience vouch, that any of your previous Presidents would do that.

To APC, you have a chance to right your wrongs. Disqualifying Obaseki was a disgraceful act, reminiscent of years gone by and not what APC is expected to defend. You should have held a transparent primary if he was not popular. Buhari will not stop here. He will continue to be a neutral observer. This means that your best option is to field popular candidates who have the interests of the people and not the interest of Godfathers at heart. If you do not, a Buhari will not save you. Again you will fail elections and again he will congratulate the winner. The recent removal of Adams Oshiomole was an opportunity to place that chapter behind us. Ondo will be our first true post Oshio test. People are watching.

To the PDP, congratulations. You did what was not common to you. You took in a non PDP individual and gave him full access and proper authority to execute a campaign. You mixed a good candidate with a transparent process and took advantage of a neutral President, to make change possible. In other words, you gave power to the people. I am sure you are not under the illusion that this was a victory for just the PDP. It was not. This win took a heterogeneous effort, that made practical, the key theory that together Nigerians can overcome. Remember this theory when the next election comes. Using ethnic divisions to win, means governing by division. APC is still learning that lesson. For all of us.

So, the APC has no Governor in all of the South South. This is not just a coincidence. It is 100% self inflicted. A lack of clear zonal leadership in the South South, a deliberate effort to keep the zone weak, a refusal to mend fences and too much wealth. People with a lot of money, find it harder to listen to each other. I have found out that nobody is more attentive than a poor man looking for prosperity.

May God give us wisdom.

Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill is an APC stakeholder.

Frequent Deaths In Vehicle Accidents Are Becoming National Scandals – Buhari

Editorial staff

September 23, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that frequent accidents resulting in deaths across the country are becoming national scandals.

According to him, “these frequent incidents that result in loss of lives and property are a national scandal caused by our indifference to safety standards.”

The President, who reacted today, September 23 to the petroleum tanker explosion earlier in the day in Lokoja, the Kogi State Capital which claimed the lives of travellers, school children, bystanders, including some students of Kogi State Polytechnic, said: “I am seriously worried about the frequency of these unfortunate and large scale tragedies in the country which cause needless deaths.”

He said that the death of 23 people, as confirmed by the Federal Road Safety Commission, “represents another disturbing and saddening incident in the litany of tragedies that have befallen our country.”

“Many accidents are preventable if proper proactive and precautionary measures are put in place or properly observed as routine policies.”

The President regretted that “ours is a country where we move on whenever tragedies occur instead of taking preventive safety measures to forestall future calamities.”

President Buhari called on the county’s transport authorities, traffic and road management agencies as well as law enforcement officials to sit up and enforce safety standards with more seriousness.

“Refusal to do the right thing can cause potential tragic problems that harm innocent people.

“Nigeria is not having a shortage of laws and regulations, but our problem is lack of zeal to enforce those laws and regulations for the sake of public safety.”

He condoled with Kogi State government and the families of the victims of the tragedy.

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