Thursday, April 30, 2015 Edition. by DailyPost Nigeria

May 29: Entertainers that may go with President pg. 14 Jonathan

Two-year-old kidnapped, raped by teenager pg. 12

Chelsea:

Two Mour wins to go!

Daily Post

Vol. 1 Edition 4 Thursday, April 30, 2015

pg. 15

inside

N100

dailypost.ng

ZONING TEARS APC APART

N’Central, N’East & S’west Bicker • Party elders to make final decision

Rescued girls, women not from Chibok – Army

pg. 3

page12

PDP describes Buhari’s ban on AIT as threat to democracy • APC overrules Buhari’s directive

The President-Elect, Retired Maj.-Gen. Muhamadu Buhari (r), addressing Igbo leaders in the 19 Northern States during their visit in Abuja, yesterday Photo: NAN

National Assembly expects supplementary budget from Buhari pg.5

pg. 3

Borno sets up PDP is the 12-member Panel architect of its of travails – Gemade on Relocation IDPs pg. 3

pg. 10

For advert bookings, please contact: Lagos - 08106746784 Abuja - 07085753069

dailypost.ng

Thursday, April 30, 2015

news

dailypost.ng

PDP describes Buhari’s ban on AIT as threat to democracy

•APC upturns directive T he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has reacted to the directive by the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, to bar a television station, Africa Independent Television, AIT, from covering his activities, noting that the directive is unacceptable and that the suppression of the media under any guise portends danger for Nigeria’s democracy. National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, who disclosed this in a statement he issued on Tuesday, declared that after carefully studying the explanations given by Buhari’s campaign spokesperson as well as the smokescreen statement by the All Progressives Congress, APC, to cover and mitigate his anti-media post, it became obvious that the PDP and indeed all lovers of democracy are persuaded that the action was not only unjustifiable, but also unconstitutional and completely against the spirit of liberty and the rule of law in a democracy. The statement reads in part, “the PDP as a party that have nurtured the nation’s democracy in the past 16 years cannot afford to fold its hands and watch the constitutional rights, media freedom and personal liberty of Nigerians, the basic tenets of democracy being demolished. “We ask, is this a beginning of the feared erosion of the freedom and personal liberty the media and Nigerian citizens have been enjoying in the last 16 years under the PDP led-administration? Has our dear nation finally fallen into the clutches of totalitarianism and impunity where government actions will based on egocentric decisions and impulses of individuals rather than the rule of law? “While we assure the President-elect of our resolve to run a mature and responsible opposition based on issues, we are disturbed by this emerging development and reassure the Nigerian people that we will continue to stand with

Buhari them on issues of democracy and freedom at all times. “Perhaps, we need to remind General Buhari that part of the challenge of his new position, even as President-elect is that he has lost his private life which is now subject to public scrutiny and media interrogation, as required of the custodian of the mandate of the Nigerian people. “The PDP is not oblivious of the background of the President-elect especially as it relates to the freedom of the media, but we had thought that having declared to be a converted democrat, he would make himself amenable to the basic principles of democracy by following the due process of the law on any circumstance. “General Buhari may also wish to

be reminded that the Nigerian constitution upon which provisions he emerged President-elect, also gave the media powers to cover activities of public office holders while at the same time providing legal avenues for redress in the event of any violation. “If the right of the President-elect was in anyway violated by the AIT or any media house for that matter, he is expected to act within the law and seek redress in the courts otherwise one would have no option than to conclude that he is out for personal vendetta. “The APC and the President-elect may have one or two lessons to pick from President Goodluck Jonathan, who though the most maligned and abused President in the history of our nation, even by the APC, al-

lowed his actions to be sufficiently guided by humility, tolerance and the rule of law”, the statement noted. PDP went on to dissuade all Nigerians from despair but to remain steadfast and unite in resisting any anti-democratic tendencies targeted at instilling fear in citizens, setting the stage for a dictatorial order and the erosion of their personal freedom and liberty which they have been enjoying in the last 16 years PDP had been in power. In a similar reaction and what appears like an overruling of Buhari’s order, the All Progressives Congress, APC, said that all accredited media organizations in the country, including the African Independent Television (AIT), are free to cover the activities of the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the incoming Buhari Administration will not discriminate against any media organization, irrespective of its role during the electioneering campaign leading up to the recent polls. It however enjoined all media organizations to observe the highest level of professional standards in carrying out their duties. ”There is a Code of Ethics guiding the practice of journalism in Nigeria, and this demands every journalist to ensure a strict adherence to the highest levels of ethics and professionalism in carrying out their duties. ”There must be repercussions, within the realms of the law, for media organizations which have wantonly breached the Code of Ethics of the journalism profession and turned themselves to partisans instead of professionals. But such repercussions will not include barring any accredited media organization from covering the activities of the President-elect,” APC said.

Rescued girls, women not from Chibok – Army

igerians who are already having a mirth about the rescue of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls may have celebrated in vain as the spokesman for the Nigerian army, Sani Usman, told Reuters news agency that the over 200 schoolgirls abducted from their dormitories in Chibok by Boko Haram militants were not among the 293 girls and women rescued in an army operation in Sambisa Forest. Making this clarification in a text message, Usman who is a Colonel in the Army wrote: “The troops rescued 200 abducted girls (not Chibok girls) and 93 women”. The news agency also spoke with a top military brass who said, “Now they (the women) are excited about their freedom. Tomorrow (Wednesday) there will be screenings to determine whether they are Boko Haram wives, whether they are from Chibok, how long they have been in the camps, and if they have children.” Another source said the girls were found “near or on the way to Sambisa”.

Late yesterday, the media was awash with Nigerian troops rescuing 200 girls and 93 women from the vast forest which served as a hideout for Boko Haram, the insurgent group that has killed nearly 20,000 people. In the wake of the news, many Nigerians went into jubilation, with the hope that the abducted Chibok schoolgirls would be part of the freed women. Confirming the successful rescue operation the Defence Headquarters tweeted that, “Troops this afternoon rescued 200 girls & 93 women from Sambisa Forest. We cannot confirm if the #ChibokGirls are in this group. “The freed persons are now being screened and profiled while promising to provide more detail on the operation later.” The Defence Headquarters also confirmed that no fewer than three major terrorists’ camps were destroyed in the well-coordinated attacks that include the raid of the notorious Tokumbere camp in the Sambisa Forest. The tweet further reads: “Troops captured and destroyed 3 terrorists’ camps

including the notorious Tokumbere camp in the Sambisa Forest Operation. Confirming the success of the operation, Director of Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade said he could not confirm the identity of the freed victims and their origins, adding that he could not state if any of them was from Chibok until after thorough screening and proper investigations. According to him, “I can only confirm the rescued this afternoon of 200 girls and 93 women in different camps in the forest. “We are yet to determine their origin as all the freed persons are now being screened and profiled. Please don’t misquote me on their origin. We will provide more details later.” Meanwhile, at least 17 people and five others were killed by suspected members of the blood-lust insurgents in Marguba community and other surrounding villages of Beneshiekh, the headquarters of Kaga local government area of Borno state. The insurgents according to

sources also injured many residents after setting ablaze several houses mostly thatched roofs before looting foodstuff and livestock. Beneshiekh is North-West and about 76 kilometers drive from Maiduguri, the state capital. It is located on the fringes of Sambisa forest along Maiduguri- Damaturu- Kano road which have witnessed series of deadly attacks by the terrorists. This development is coming barely 24 hours after some group of insurgents laid ambush on some returning residents, killing 21 in Bultaram village of Gujba council area of the state while attempting to return to their sacked village to evacuate their abandoned foodstuff and livestock. Fleeing residents who are now taking refuge in Beneshiekh town say that, “the insurgents came from Sambisa forest axis and stormed the villages on Monday evening, wreaked havoc as they had a field day without confrontation”.

Jonathan appoints Bassey Akpanyung as NPC Secretary

resident Goodluck Jonathan has appointed Mr Bassey Okon Akpanyung, as the secretary to the National Planning Commission (NPC). A statement by Salisu Haiba, Head of Information, NPC, noted that the appointment letter, dated 27th April, 2015 and signed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, took effect from 14th April, 2015. According to the letter, the appointment is for a first tenure of five (5) years in accordance with Sections 6 (1) and 8 (1) of the National Planning Commission Act, 1993. Mr Akpanyung has been the Acting Secretary to the Commission since October 2014. Born in 1956 in Akwa Ibom State, the secretary holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Ibadan in 1991, and a Master of Arts Degree in Economic Development and Planning (IDEP), Dakar – Senegal in 1993.

Buhari will encourage free press

– VP-elect assures

s the decision of General Mohammadu Buhari to bar AIT journalists from covering his activities continue to generate ripples, his running mate in the March 28 election and Vice President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has assured that the incoming administration will encourage free press when they assume power. Osinbajo yesterday used his twitter handle, @ProfOsinbajo, to tweet, “Gen. Buhari’s administration will encourage free press and its role in aggregating the people’s view and presenting them lucidly to govt.”

20-year-old Nigerian murdered in London

20-year-old Nigerian identified as, Ola Raji, was on Tuesday killed by unknown assailants in the United Kingdom. Raji was stabbed to death while cycling through an estate in Peckham. The deceased was reportedly shot and stabbed three times by two men at about 10.30pm. On seeing the damaged done, the assailants fled the scene of the attack while Raji was rushed to a nearby hospital where he gave up the ghost. It was gathered that the Police have commenced investigations into the murder.

Read latest breaking news online on dailypost.ng

Thursday, April 30, 2015

dailypost.ng

news

How Ondo lawmakers impeached Olanusi, replaced him with Commissioner for Agric T abiodun badejo

he Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Ali Olanusi was on Monday impeached by 22 out of 25 State Assembly lawmakers over allegations of gross misconduct. Olanusi, who had been battling with the legislators for weeks, was immediately replaced by a serving Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, whose nomination was confirmed by the State Assembly. The lawmakers took the decisions to impeach Olanusi following a recommendation of a report submitted by a seven-man panel, headed by a retired Magistrate Court judge, Mr. Olatunji Adeniyan and which was constituted by the State Chief Judge, Olasehinde kumuyi to investigate the seven allegations leveled against the impeached deputy Governor. But, political observers believed that the deputy governor was purposely impeached following his decision to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) two days to the Presidential elections for the All Progressives Congress (APC). The report submitted by the panel to the Speaker of the House, Jumoke Akindele reads “placing reliance on the meaning of gross misconduct as defined in section 188 (11) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, we hereby find the allegations of gross misconduct has been proved against the Ondo State Deputy Governor established.”

Olanusi The house while acting on the report of the panel which found Olanusi culpable of all the seven offences leveled against him subsequently impeached him as the Deputy Governor of the state. The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Olugbenga Akinsoyinu moved the motion for the impeachment of Olanusi and was seconded by the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Oyebo Aladetan. The Speaker, Akindele thereafter put the motion to the house and all the 22 lawmakers that attended the plenary voted in favour of Olanusi’s impeachment. However, the new deputy gov-

ernor, Oluboyo’s confirmation did not take the lawmakers so long. Oluboyo was later sworn-in by the Chief Judge of the State, Kumuyi. At the event, Mimiko assured people of the state that the change in the baton would not have negative impact on the state. The governor, who noted that the swearing in was the first in the history of the state, said the decision of the state House of Assembly in impeaching the former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Olanusi was in order. He said the impeachment enjoyed the support of the state government and the people of the state. Also, PDP has commended the State Assembly for impeaching Olanusi. A statement issued by its Director of Publicity, Ayo Fadaka said for any governor to progress in his administrative duties, such governor must have a loyal and committed deputy governor. The statement reads, “Party takes absolute cognizance of the impeachment of Alhaji Ali Olanusi as Deputy Governor and commends the House of Assembly for its tenacity in prosecuting this action. “It is important to declare that the Parliament displayed its commitment to good governance that will be bereft of undue encumbrances by removing from office a man who not only discharge his responsibilities with levity and

mostly in abeyance, but also view with disdain his oath of office to bear true allegiance to the government he was an integral part of. “This attitude is unbecoming of a senior citizen who should ordinarily serve as a shining example to younger generations who look up to him for inspiration. “The concept of Gubernatorial Candidates having running mates as enshrined in the Presidential system of Government indicates that a Governor must have loyal and trust worthy Deputy that will view issues from the same perspective as his boss and work in unison with him in all ramifications. “Thus the moment Ali Olanusi decided to chart a new and independent course for himself, he should have honorably resigned from office, rather he began to nurse phantom ambitions of how he will covet the position of his boss, this to say the least is dishonorable and treacherous. “With the impeachment of Olanusi and his replacement by Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, who until his appointment was a Commissioner in the administration, Government will continue to power on seamlessly and progress will continue in our State. “We, however, want to assure the people of our State that peace will continue to reign here. They must therefore discountenance all the uninformed threats to the contrary as Nigeria is in a democracy that is thriving and orderly”.

Bishop Wale Oke tells General Buhari to father the country by Ameh Comrade Godwin

espected cleric and shepherd-in-charge of Ibadanbased Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has called on the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, to see himself as the father of the nation once he assumes office. The cleric, who hailed Buhari’s fighting spirit, described the victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in the last election as God’s appointed time. In a recent interview with DAILY POST, the soft-spoken cleric also hailed President Jonathan for saving Nigeria from calamity by accepting the outcome of the election. He described the outgoing president as man of the content. His words, “First, I must congratulate Nigeria (as a country) for proving the world wrong. I must also congratulate Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for taking that bold step by conceding defeat without pushing further. I must confess that action alone saved Nigeria from disaster and calamity. Because before the election, there was this serious apprehension; the world was expecting the nation to implode.

Oke

Thursday, April 30, 2015

dailypost.ng

Xenophobic attacks: ICC to probe Zulu King By Wale Odunsi

ollowing a petition from Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has decided to probe the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African citizens in South Africa. This development was disclosed in a statement today by SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni. SERAP had in a petition, dated 23 April 2015 and sent to the Court requested the Prosecutor, Mrs. Fatou Bensouda, to use her “good offices and position to investigate allegations of hate speech by the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini, which has resulted in killing, violence and discrimination against Nigerians and other African citizens living in South Africa, as well as the complicity/negligence of the country’s law enforcement agencies to prevent these crimes against civilian population.” Responding, the ICC in a letter

dated 28 April 2015, and signed by M.P. Dillon, Head of Information & Evidence Unit of the Office of the Prosecutor said, “The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court acknowledges receipt of your documents. This communication has been duly entered in the Communications Register of the Office. “We will give consideration to this communication, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. As soon as a decision is reached, we will inform you, in writing, and provide you with reasons for this decision.” SERAP in its petition had urged Mrs Bensouda to “bring to justice anyone who is responsible for these international crimes prohibited under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.” SERAP also said that it “considers the use of speech by the Zulu King to promote hatred and/or incite violence against non-nationals such as Nigerians, particularly in the media as a clear violation of the provisions of the Rome Statute of Internation-

National Assembly expects supplementary budget from Buhari By Sylvester Ugwanyi

hairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Ahmad Lawan, has hinted that despite passing the 2015 Appropriation Bill, the National Assembly was still expecting the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to send a supplementary budget to the 8th Assembly, when he assumes power from May 29, 2015. Lawan, who represents Yobe North on the platform of the APC, stated this while faulting the budget passed on the grounds that there was no balance between capital allocation and recurrent expenditure proposed. He asserted that the budget was not implementable without supplementary one from the incoming government to

be headed by General Muhammadu Buhari. Tuesday passage of the budget followed an adoption of the report of the Senate joint Committee on Appropriations and Finance on the 2015 Appropriation Bill, tabled before the Red Chamber by its Chairman, Ahmed Maccido, APC, Sokoto North, during its plenary. Speaking after the passage of the Appropriation Bill, Senate President, David Mark, harped on the need for the executive arm of government to be prudent in managing the nation’s resources. It would be recalled that the Senate on Tuesday passed the 2015 Appropriation Bill of N4.493 trillion, approximately five months after it was presented before the lawmakers

al Criminal Court. “Grave statements by political leaders/prominent people that express discrimination and cause violence against non-nationals cannot be justified under any law. This hate speech generated fear and hatred that created the conditions for violence and discrimination against Nigerians and other African citizens. SERAP believes that this has given rise to individual criminal responsibility under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court,” the organization said. The organization argued that, “the statement by the Zulu King amounts to a harmful form of expression which incites or otherwise promotes hatred, discrimination, violence and intolerance. We are seriously concerned that crimes against humanity are often accompanied or preceded by the kind of statement made by the Zulu King.” “Once the climate of violence has been created, direct and public incitement to crimes builds on it, exacerbating the situation by further heating up passions and directing South Africans’ hatred towards

by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The budget approval by the Senate toed the path of the version passed by the lower chamber last week as it does not make provision for fuel subsidy and setting aside N21bn for the funding of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P. The budget passed by the House of Representatives was N51bn higher than the N4.425tr submitted to both chambers of the National Assembly by the federal government. But the Senate, in passing the budget, slightly scaled down the N2.607, 601, 000, 300 proposed by the executive to N2.607, 132,491,708 as recurrent expenditure, and simultaneously reduced the capital expenditure from N642,848,999,699 estimated in the proposal to N556,995,465,449.

non-nationals such as Nigerians. Hate speech by King Zulu is legally tied to contemporaneous, largescale violence and inhumane and discriminatory treatment of Nigerians and other African citizens,” the organisation also argued. It further said that, “The statement by the Zulu King has contributed to a climate of fear, demonization and dehumanization of Nigerians and other African citizens, thus violating their human dignity through humiliation and expulsion from the human community. SERAP is seriously concerned that hate speech by the Zulu King amounts to crime against humanity of persecution and has directly contributed to an infringement of the right to life, equality and non-discrimination of Nigerians and other African citizens.” “SERAP considers the statement by the Zulu King and the apparent complicity/negligence by the country’s law enforcement agencies to prevent the violence and discrimination as amounting to active encouragement of South African citizens to develop feelings of contempt

for Nigerians and other African citizens; as amounting to incitement to violence and discrimination against Nigerians and other African citizens, and to mistreat them; and as amounting to an appeal for South African citizens to separate themselves from Nigerians and other African citizens,” the organisation further stressed. “The statement by the Zulu King and the apparent complicity/negligence by the country’s law enforcement agencies to prevent the violence and discrimination has contributed to the level of persecution against Nigerians and other African citizens. According to Professor Bassiouni, persecution in this instance is “a state action leading to the infliction upon an individual of harassment, torment, oppression, or discriminatory measures, designed to or likely to produce physical or mental suffering or economic harm, because of the victims’ beliefs, views, or membership in a given identifiable group (such as non-nationals),” the organisation also said.

The Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Enugu Correspondents’ Chapel and one of the editors of DAILY POST, Emmanuel Uzodinma, with his heart-throb, former Miss Winnie Ignatius, cutting their wedding cake shortly after tying the nuptial knot at the Christ Redemption Anglican Church, Enugu.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

dailypost.ng

www.dailypost.ng/property

FOR SALE in Lagos

privateproperty .ng

Ikeja G.R.A

Lekki Phase Phase 12 Lekki

Ikoyi

Banana Island

Ikoyi

N 250,000,000

ref: S548703 A well ﬁnished 5 bedroom detached house in Ikeja G.R.A For Sale.

N 170,500,000

N 180,000,000

ref: S548947 A Newly Built 3 Bedroom Terrace House with all rooms en-suite For Sale at Old Ikoyi, Ikoyi, Lagos.

N 150,000,000

ref: S534117 A Newly Built 4 Bedroom Town House with all rooms en-suite For Sale at Parkview Estate, Lagos.

N 200,000,000

Hcn Properties Nig. Ltd. Call: 0802266151

Forte Properties Ltd. Call: 08033061732

Ifeanyi Igwebike Call: 08058700802

Lekki Expressway

Agungi | Osapa

N 150,000,000

ref: S549774 An Exquisitely ﬁnished 5 Bedroom Detached house For Sale at VGC, Off Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.

N 145,000,000 ref: S549775 An Exquisitely ﬁnished 5 Bedroom Detached house For Sale at VGC, Off Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.

N 140,000,000

ref: S549776 An Exquisitely ﬁnished Block of 4 Number of 3 Bedroom Flats each For Sale at VGC, Lekki Exp, Lagos.

N 65,000,000

ref: S549778 3 Bedroom Flat (Serviced) to let at Pearly Gate Estate, Ikota - Lekki, 5minutes walk from V.G.C, Lagos.

N 65,000,000

Pavilion Trust Ltd. Call: 08034019564

Joe V. Properties Ltd Call: 08036706002

Lekki Expressway

Ikota, Igbo Efon, Abijo

N 55,000,000

ref: S545750 A Newly Built 5 Bedroom Detached Terrace House For sale at Heritage Estate, Lekki Exp, Lagos.

N 45,000,000

ref: S545749 A Newly Built 5 Bedroom Semi Detached House For sale at Heritage Estate, Lekki Exp, Lagos.

N 62,000,000

ref: S545747 A 5 Bedroom Fully Detached House with a 2 Room B/Q For Sale at Emerald Estate, Lekki Phase 2.

N 40,000,000

ref: S549294 2 Number of 4 Bedroom Luxurious Flats with a B/Q For Sale at Lekki Expressway, Lagos.

N 130,000,000

Stone Touch Properties Call: 08023129706

Blissmart Limited Call: 08186078801

Lekki Expressway Caroline Estate, Ogidan

Lekki Lekki Expressway Phase 1

Lekki Phase Expressway 1

Banana Island

Maryland, Mende

N 50,000,000

ref: S549717 A Newly Built and well ﬁnished 5 Bedroom Fully Detached House For Sale at Ikota Villa, Lekki Exp, Lagos.

N 50,000,000 ref: S549354 A Newly Built 4 Bedroom Semi Detached Duplex For Sale at Atlantic View Estate Lekki, Lagos.

N 55,000,000

ref: S535241 A Newly Built 4 Bedroom Semi Detached House For Sale at Atlantic View Estate Lekki, Lagos.

N 700,000,000

ref: S549917 A Block of 6 Number of well ﬁnished 3 Bedroom Flats For Sale at Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos.

N 140,000,000

Oxford Gardens Call: 08137647109

Datikomisha Nig. Ltd. Call: 08037152904

Joe V. Properties Ltd Call: 08036706002

Ochuko Ochuko & Associates Call: 08023584351

ref: S549001 A 5 Bedroom Detached House with a 2 Bedroom Guest Chalet For Sale at Lekki Phase 1, Lekki, Lagos.

ref: S534112 A Newly almost completed 4 Bedroom Town House with all rooms en-suite For Sale at Ikoyi, Lagos.

ref: S549788 2 Units of Newly Built 5 Bedroom Duplexes For Sale at Agungi, Off Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lekki, Lagos.

ref: S549292 A Block of 4 Number of 3 Bedroom ﬂats with all rooms en-suite For Sale at Igbo-Efon, Off Lekki Exp, Lagos.

ref: S550080 4 Newly Built 5 Bedroom Fully Detached Houses For Sale at Okupe Estate, Maryland, Lagos.

For more information on any of these properties, simply search on the website by using the reference number.

Visit www.dailypost.ng/property or www.privateproperty.ng to ﬁnd more properties!

Thursday, April 30, 2015

dailypost.ng

privateproperty .ng

www.dailypost.ng/property

TO LET in Lagos Maryland

Maryland

Okota

Ago-Palace

Isolo

ref: rr548808 N 3,500,000 Brand new 4 bedroom duplex with a room BQ all rooms ensuite to let at Maryland, Lagos Hcn Properties Nig. Ltd. Call: 08022266151

ref: rr548553 N 2,500,000 An Executive 4 bedroom terrace duplex with a room BQ to let at Arowojobe Est, Maryland, Lagos. Hcn Properties Nig. Ltd. Call: 08022266151

N 600,000

ref: rr544723 A Well Tiled 3 Bedroom Flat with all rooms en-suite to let at Okota, Isolo, Lagos

N 750,000,000

ref: rr544725 A Well Tiled 3 Bedroom Flat with all rooms en-suite to let at Okota, Isolo, Lagos.

N 500,000

Holmes Viu Properties Call: 08033054770

Isolo

Okota

Okota, Isolo

Okota, Isolo, Cele

N 700,000

ref: rr544717 A Well tiled 3 Bedroom Flat to let at at Abba Street, Trinity Estate, Okota, Isolo, Lagos.

N 700,000

ref: rr544715 A 2 Bedroom Flat with all rooms ensuite to let at Trinity Estate, Okota, Isolo, Lagos.

ref: rr544712 N 500,000 A 3 Bedroom Flat with all rooms ensuite to let at Alhaji Agbeke Street, Okota, Isolo, Lagos.

N 900,000

N 500,000

Holmes Viu Properties Call: 08033054770

A 3 Bedroom Flat with all rooms ensuite to let at 14, Awka Etiti Street, Off Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos. Holmes Viu Properties Call: 08033054770

Ogba, Omole, Ojodu

Lekki Expressway

Ikate Elegushi

N 2,500,000

ref: rr544571 A Newly Built 5 Bedroom Detached House with a B/Q to let at Magodo G.R.A Phase 1 Estate, Isheri, Lagos.

N 4,000,000

N 3,500,000

N 2,500,000

ref: rr530263 A 5 Bedroom Fully Detached Duplex to let at Lekki Expressway, Lekki-Ajah, Lagos.

N 4,000,000

Thy Grace Divine Properties

Call: 08023145328

Rochester Homes & Properties Call: 0900322510

Banana Island

Ikoyi

V.I Annex Oniru

Magodo

N 10,000,000

ref: rr549920 A Newly Built and Serviced 5 Bedroom Town House to let at Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos.

N 6,000,000

ref: rr549925 A Block of Newly Built 8 Units of 3 Bedroom well ﬁnished to let at Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

N 7,000,000

N 850,000

N 2,000,000

Joe V. Properties Ltd

Call: 08036706002

Jubel Properties & Homes Call: 08033203794

Thy Grace Divine Properties Call: 08032487979

ref: rr543494 A Newly Built 5 Bedroom Terraced Detached Duplex to let at Chevy View Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

ref: rr543493 A Newly Built 4 Bedroom Semi Detached House to let at Chevy View Estate, Off Chevron Drive,

ref: rr548778 An ultra modern newly built 4 bedrooms to let at Oniru, Victoria Island Extension, Lagos.

ref: rr544708 A Modern Up to date State of the art building 3 Bedroom Flats to let at Okota, Isolo, Lagos.

ref: rr557219 A 3 Bedroom Flat with all rooms ensuite, Tiled ﬂoors to let at Magodo G.R.A Phase 1 Estate, Isheri, Lagos.

ref: rr544719 A 3 Bedroom Flat with all rooms en-suite to let at Hakeem Dosumu Street, Okota, Isolo, Lagos.

Okota, Ago Palace

ref: rr544705

ref: rr530245 A Newly Built 4 Bedroom Duplex with all rooms en-suite to let at Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki, Lagos.

ref: rr557218 A 4 Bedroom Duplex with a Room B/Q, to let at Magodo G.R.A Phase 1 Estate, Isheri, Lagos.

For more information on any of these properties, simply search on the website by using the reference number.

Visit www.dailypost.ng/property or www.privateproperty.ng to ﬁnd more properties!

Why we executed four Nigerians, others - Indonesia

ndonesia on Wednesday resolutely defended its execution of seven foreigners including four Nigerians and two Australians, saying it was a defining moment on its clear position against drugs. It would be recalled that following the execution, Australia withdrew its ambassador in protest against Indonesia’s decision, but while responding to global outcry over the country’s action, Indonesian President, Joko Widodo said he was only applying “the rule of law” against narcotics traffickers. The seven convicts believed to be two Australians, one Brazilian and four Nigerians were shot by firing squad along with one Indonesian, despite appeals from their home countries. He defended that: “We are fighting a war against horrible drug crimes that threaten our nation’s survival.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

dailypost.ng

news

“I would like to say that an execution is not a pleasant thing. It is not a fun job,” Prasetyo told reporters in Cilacap. “But we must do it in order to save the nation from the danger of drugs. We are not making enemies of countries from where those executed came. What we are fighting against is drug-related crimes.” Playing down Australia’s decision to recall its ambassador, he described it as a “temporary reaction”, while Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stressed Jakarta’s desire to “continue having good relations” with one of its most important trading partners. Australia had in its campaign to save its citizens, who have been on death row termed the executions as “both cruel and unnecessary”. “We respect Indonesia’s sovereignty but we do deplore what’s been done and this cannot be simply business as usual,” he said, announcing Australia’s unprecedented step of recalling its Jakarta ambassador. Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, who were indicted as the ringleaders of the “Bali Nine” heroin trafficking gang were said to have turned a new leaf in prison, hence the appeal to spare their lives by the Australian people. The families said their sons did “all they could to make amends, helping many others in the years since their arrests, with Sukumaran teaching fellow inmates English

Speakership: Gbajabiamila pleads with Members-elect for support

head of the June inauguration of the 8th session of the National Assembly, one of the longest-serving members of the House of Representatives and minority leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has declared his intention to occupy the seat of the Speaker of the House. Gbajabiamila, who represents Surulere 1 Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, disclosed his readiness to occupy the seat in a letter he sent to all members-elect of the House. According to him, he is humbly putting himself forward for the seat presently occupied by the Governor-elect of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, listing his personal achievements Gbajabiamila in his 12 years in the House be one of the few members as what qualified him for with the longest service in the job. the House. I encourage you “I have been in the House to see me as a steadying for 12 years now, and eight hand, a custodian of instituof those years as the Minority Leader, doing my best tional history and a strong bridge-builder between the with the support of other House and the executive. members of the House to “As we usher in a new era build a vibrant and accountin Nigerian politics, (an era able legislature and legislaof accountable governance), tive process, sometimes at it is my hope that with my the risk of life. vast experience in the House “Having worked with four you will consider me worthy Speakers and as I prepare to serve as your Speaker,” he for my fourth term, I will wrote.

NUT tasks Lagos govt. on education sector

he Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, has called on the incoming government in Lagos State to address the problems facing education in the state. Making the call in Lagos on Wednesday, Chairman of the Lagos State wing of union, Mr Segun Raheem, said there was need to ensure that principals were properly appointed and more teachers urgently recruited. According to Raheem, the number of teachers in the state was inadequate and it was important to fill vacant positions. “So many teachers are retiring, some died and some others are having all kinds of issues one way or the other, so they need to be replaced.” NUT boss also advocated for the creation of the office of Headmaster-General oversee and coordinate the activities of Primary schools in the state. “They will act as a link between the Local Government Education Authority and the State Universal Basic Education Board. “The position of the Headmaster-General is already in existence in Ogun State and it is working well and could also be adopted in Lagos State,” Raheem said.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

news from abia

dailypost.ng

Ukwa Ngwa leaders pay thank you visit to Governor Orji

eaders of thought from Ukwa Ngwa area of Abia State have thanked Governor Theodore Orji for his support towards the emergence of an Ukwa Ngwa man as governor of the state. Speaking with newsmen after their thank you visit to the governor at the Government House, Umuahia, the leader of the delegation, Elder Emmanuel Adaelu, said it behooves on them to come to

show gratitude to the governor for his support after the declaration of Dr. Ikpeazu as governor-elect of the state. He said history has been made in the state with the emergence of Dr. Ikpeazu, as the first Ukwa Ngwa man to be elected as governor, pointing out that the Ukwa Ngwa people were very happy with the development. Adaelu, however, advised their people to be peaceful in their cel-

ebrations. Also speaking, the former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, said the best legacies are in policies which often outlive infrastructures like good roads and thanked the governor for leaving lasting legacies for Ukwa Ngwa people. He thanked Abians for giving the Abia South zone the opportunity to produce the next governor of the state in the person of Dr. Okezie

Ikpeazu. According to him, developing Aba is the task facing the governor-elect, maintaining that there is nothing wrong if he pays attention to the development of the commercial nerve centre of the state. Among those on the delegation were Sir Okere Eruba, Dr. Samson Esochaghi, Elder Chibuike Nwokoukwu, Dr. Gashun Amuta, Elder G.I. Akara and Chief Ogbonna.

SEPA to Otti: Prove your Ngwa origin by supporting Ikpeazu

he South East Progressives Assembly (SEPA), a socio-political group has challenged the defeated governorship candidate of the All Progressives Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, Alex Otti to prove his claim of Ngwa origin by jettisoning the idea of challenging the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okezie Ikpeazu. A statement signed by Ebere Uzoukwa and Comrade Munonye Maximus, President and Secretary of SEPA respectively, posited that only Otti’s support for Ikpeazu will exonerate him from the allegation that he is either a usurper who suddenly changed his Arochukwu origin to cheat Ngwa people and deny them the opportunity of producing the governor already zoned to them by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or desperately seeking immunity to evade prosecution over alleged shoddy transactions while in Diamond Bank as Group Managing Director/

Chief Executive Officer. SEPA also posited that Otti has the opportunity to prove that his ambition to govern Abia is expressly tied to the collective interest of Ngwa people that have never produced the governor since the creation of the state. The statement reads: “It is with great joy that the executive and members of South East Progressives Assembly (SEPA) congratulate Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Abia State Governor-elect on his well-deserved victory in the keenly contested governorship election of Abia state. “We graciously commend Abians for voting Dr. Ikpeazu of the PDP, whose capacity to transform Abia is obviously not in doubt. Also worthy of commendation are the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who displayed high level of professionalism especially during the April 25 rerun election. “May we remind the Gover-

nor-elect, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu that expectations are very high especially as it concerns the rebuilding of the seemingly neglected Aba commercial city. The promises of regular and prompt payment of workers’ salaries, provision of quality and affordable healthcare services, good roads, infrastructural facilities and other social needs should be ultimately accorded the deserving priority immediately on assumption of office as Governor of Abia on May 29. “We also wish to commend the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Alex Otti for his resilience and fighting spirit which obviously have changed the political landscape of Abia State. Interestingly, Dr. Ikpeazu’s victory has provided the needed opportunity for Otti to truly prove his hitherto claim of Ngwa origin to everyone. “Rather than challenge the collective will of the people at the tribunal, we do expect him to sup-

port his brother, Dr. Ikpeazu and contribute his quota in the task of rebuilding and restoring Abia to the path of economic growth and development. “Anything aside this common expectation will give credence to our earlier position that the ex-Diamond bank chief is either a usurper who sacrilegiously abandoned his Arochukwu origin in Abia North to assume the 2015 governorship slot zoned to Ukwa-Ngwa nation in Abia South that controls 9 out of 17 local governments in Abia or one desperately seeking immunity to evade arrest and prosecution over his alleged shoddy transactions while in Diamond bank as Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. “On the other hand, we urge Abians to cooperate and support the incoming administration of Dr. Ikpeazu to enable him actualize the collective dream of building a better and prosperous Abia State”.

How PDP’s Ikpeazu won Abia governorship election

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Okezie Ikpeazu, the winner of the Abia State governorship election. Ikpeazu polled 264,713 to defeat the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, Alex Otti, who polled 180,882 votes. The result was declared in the early hours of Sunday, April 26 after the supplementary election held the previous day. Total votes cast in the election were 462,684, while 9,440 votes were rejected. Election was held in all the areas earlier listed by INEC for the re-run election except in Umunneochi Local Government Area.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

dailypost.ng

news from borno

Shettima announces Housing Estate for families of slain security agents, civilian JTF G overnor Kashim Shettima of Borno has announced that he will in the coming days, lay foundation for the construction of over four hundred houses in an estate to be called ‘Borno Heroes Estate’. He said the houses would be allocated to relations of soldiers, policemen, men of the Department of State Security, Immigration, Customs and youth volunteers whose got killed in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram insurgents across Borno State. Shettima made the announcement at the commissioning of 432 units of two bedroom flats in estate named “Yerwa Peace Estate”, which were allocated to residents of Bulabulin-Ngarnam, a community in Maiduguri which was used by Boko Haram as its coordinating headquarters after the sect dislodged citizens and took over the houses. The sect also had an underground armoury there and kept

explosives and rifles in many homes before they were dislodged by the military in 2013 and houses being used by them shelled by the military. The State built 432 houses to resettle families whose homes, seized by Boko Haram, were brought down during military operations. Governor Shettima, at the allocation of the new houses to citizens, announced that similar estate was to be constructed for families of security men who laid their lives for peace to return to Borno State. His words: “You all may recall, that over time, we have built hundreds of houses in places like Bama, Konduga, Gwoza, Yoyo in Monguno, some parts of Hawul, Kaga and many others, to resettle victims of insurgency attacks and we had rebuilt schools, markets and hospitals that were destroyed before over twenty of local government areas were taken and

occupied by insurgents. “Thankfully, many of the local governments have been recovered, what is left is mop up going on before we commence evaluation, reconstruction, rehabilitation of victims and their reintegration back to communities when we are certain that the communities are safe. “We will also resettle families of our soldiers, policemen, the DSS and youth volunteers called the civilian JTF whose bread winners gave their lives to Borno. We are gathered here today because some soldiers, policemen, DSS and Civilian JTF fought Boko Haram and in the process laid down their lives so we all come gather on a day like this, without fear that insurgents occupy Bulabulin-Ngarnam. People gave their lives so we can have peace. The least we can do is to assist their survivors and immortalize them.

“Starting from next week, we are going to build an estate like this which we shall call ‘BORNO HEROES ESTATE’. Houses in that estate will after thorough considerations, allocated to families of soldiers, policemen, DSS, Immigration, Customs and the Civilian JTF, who are found to be in need of shelter and who are desirous of living in Maiduguri. We won’t care about the fact some our fallen heroes in the military and other security agencies were employees of the Federal Government just we will not care about their State of origin, after all; they served and died for Borno. “Once a family is in need and want to live in Maiduguri, they should be entitled so long as their bread winner fought and died for Borno. We will however place emphasis on those that went to battle fronts, died and left behind children and other helpless dependants.”

Shettima visits family of late Borno Police Commissioner in Lafia

Clement Adadu who until his recent death, was Commissioner of Police, Borno command. Governor Shettima in company of the Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, some National and State Assembly members, his chief of staff, some commissioners and a security chief in one of the paramilitary commands in Borno State, paid the condolence visit. Adoda died a week ago after a protracted illness. He died at a hospital in Abuja. Shettima was received by Professor Mohammed Ada, brother to late Police Commissioner and paramount ruler of Ikobi community in APA LGA of Benue State.

Prof Ada thanked Shettima for what he described as “the Governor’s frantic efforts, deploying everything humanly possible to save the life of the late CP while he was ill”. Ada didn’t specify the kind of help received but he indicated that he was aware of support provided by the Governor to ensure Adoda survived the illness. He said the bereaved family was full of gratitude to Governor Shettima not just for the support but for also proving kindness by traveling all the way from Maiduguri to visit the family and support time at their trying moment. Speaking to the family, Gover-

nor Shettima described the late CP as a thorough professional who was very competent and disciplined. He also said he respected the CP for being apolitical through out the electioneering period. Shettima noted that the late Adoda has left a good legacy in Borno State. Shettima described the CP’s demise as a loss to Borno and its good people noting that the works of the deceased contributed so much in ongoing counter insurgency operations across Borno State.‎ The Governor pledged to stand by the family through its darkest moments in memory of the late CP.

overnor Kashim Shettima last week was in Lafia, capital of Nasarawa State to meet relatives of Late Mr

Borno inaugurates school for Internally Displaced Persons

orno State Government has inaugurated primary school education in the internally displaced persons’ camps. Chairman of Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Grema Terab, said the schools were established to keep children in the camps busy and abreast of their studies, pending the time they will return home. Presently, volunteer teachers are brought in to teach in the schools, while displaced teachers from the troubled communities would also be brought in to take classes. Terab said, “Since teachers from the troubled communities are still drawing monthly salaries without teaching, arrangement is being made to draft them to the newly established schools in the camps.” He also said plans were underway to establish secondary schools in the camps, so that pupils who were forced to flee their towns would not become school drop-outs. Terab disclosed that books and other instructional materials being used in the camps were donated by the Universal Basic Education. The camps are equipped with kitchen, clinic, boreholes, classrooms, toilets and a store.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

dailypost.ng

business Taxi business in Lagos is worth N20 Billion – Fashola

agos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, said the current market value of taxi business in the state is N20 billion. Speaking at the launching of new Lagos Taxi system and distribution of Taxi licenses to operators in Lagos, Fashola noted that licensing system was not just a government policy but a business support system in which stakeholders are partners. He said: “Today is to fulfill a promise that when people gave their words in exchange for votes, they must deliver. I am happy that our promise made to you to support us during the election has been fulfilled. When election is coming again, you can distinguish people that say things for sake of elections.” “APC government will also fulfill its promises, I thank you for voting for the party.” The governor pointed out that families in developed countries support themselves adequately through taxi system, because it is a profession that creates a very respectable status in the society. “That is where we are moving. We are moving to respectability and profitability. It is a business model that will not die with you, it is a business that can be passed through generations because it is organized and regulated,” he said. According to him, the license, which has a flat value of N100, 000 was issued free to all the operators. “It is not attached to the vehicle but to the owner and can be sold or used to borrow money like a land instrument as well as transferable to the owner’s children.” He appealed to Lagosians to refrain from patronizing unregistered taxi operators because, according to him, doing so amounts to putting oneself and wards in danger even as he disclosed that about 12, 617 drivers and 10,882 vehicles are now registered in the Ministry of transportation data base for the scheme. In his speech, Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, said beneficiaries of the license will paint their taxis with the state colours to qualify as a mega taxi operators, while VIOs will start inspection of the vehicles from May 2016, and their air-conditioners from the month of May 2017. Opeifa also used the opportunity to launch the new road traffic signs, which were designed to boost the Lagos horn-free campaign instituted in October 15, 2014. He disclosed that the signs will be installed in major intersections to boost the hornfree campaigns. Some of the horn-free zones include Zebra Crossing, Hospitals, Government Secretariat complex, Junctions, Libraries and Governor’s office area.

CBN orders banks to publish lists of debtors from May 1

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has ordered banks to publish lists of individuals and companies with non-performing loans. The apex bank said this is to curb rise in bad debt as the industry stumbles amid low oil prices. The development is causing palpable tension in the banking industry, DAILY POST has learnt. A mid-level staff in one of the banks told our correspondent that since the directive leaked and the eventual announcement, a number of companies and individuals have reached out to his bank’s management. “They are pleading that we cover their shame. But I think many banks will publish more than 80 percent of defaulters, especially the ones who are constant debtors,” he said. Tokunbo Martins, Director of banking supervision, in a circular posted on the CBN website lamented “the rising trend of non-performing loans,” The statement said the new rule, effective from May 1, is to “ensure that the industry NPL ratio does not exceed the prudential limit of 5 per cent, and to improve the credit culture in the banking industry.” Banks are expected to publish a list of debtors that fail to meet the deadline in at least three national newspapers each quarter.

Emefiele Delinquent borrowers will get three months to start repayment, while borrowers whose loans remain non-performing after that period will be banned from Nigeria’s foreign-exchange and government bond markets. The circular titled, LETTER

TO ALL BANKS AND DISCOUNT HOUSES - RECOVERY OF DELINQUENT CREDIT FACILITIES’ reads: “The Central Bank of Nigeria has observed the rising trend of non-performing loans (NPL) in the industry.” “In order to ensure that the in-

Missing $20billion: Publisher offers insight, indicts Deizani Allison-Madueke

r. Toyin Akinoso, a geologist and publisher of the African Oil and Gas report, recently escaped assassination by whiskers. Akinoso, who has since fled Nigeria after the incident, may have been targeted for his views on the alleged $20 missing oil money. The alarm was first raised by former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Emir of Kano. Many Nigerians are calling for a thorough probe to ascertain the true state of the revenue, while president-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to investigate the matter when he assumes office. Akinoso’S article originally titled, Looking Beyond Diezani Tenure, was first published in the print version of the November/December 2014 edition of the Africa Oil and Gas Report. It reads in parts: “In Goodluck Jonathan’s four year rule as elected President, it has been Alison-Madueke, not the Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who has controlled Nigeria’s purse strings. It is under her watch that the state hydrocarbon company was most emboldened in determining what it should remit to the state coffers and what it should keep. And what it decided to keep simply ballooned. She has superintended an appropriation of

the commonwealth that only the National Assembly has the right to do. “At the time that Shell, TOTAL and ENI were divesting from five acreages onshore Niger Delta, the proportion of proceeds from those assets was 55% to the Nigerian state and 45% to the three multinational partners. The NNPC is the government representative in the partnership. If 100 barrels of oil were produced, the NNPC took 55 barrels and paid the money made in selling the crude directly to the National Treasury. “Diezani was settling down as minister in 2011 when Shell, TOTAL and ENI were rounding up the sale of their 45% of these assets to Nigerian companies. Her ministry decided that the NNPC would be more active in management of the assets. This is fine. What’s dubious is the way in which the country’s share of the proceeds got diluted in such a way that the net return to the national coffers was no longer 55 out of 100, but far less. “The NNPC nominated its operating subsidiary, NPDC, to manage the assets. The NPDC in turn invited a financing partner to fund its share of the operations. The contract with Atlantic Energy entitled it to 30% of NNPC’s share even after the cost oil had been recovered. This is the contract

Madueke that the minister foisted on the country. The agreement smacks of arbitrariness, was executed in a manner highly suggestive of patronage, with terms that are clearly a give- away of resources. “In order to recover its cost in funding the NPDC part of the operations, the terms called for Atlantic Energy Drilling to receive, in the beginning of production, 60% of the volume of crude oil to which NPDC (NNPC) is entitled. This is cost oil. When that cost is fully recovered, Atlantic’s share will drop to 30% of the crude oil to which NPDC is entitled. Please read this carefully; in the postShell operatorship phase, after the NNPC equity had been transferred to its subsidiary NPDC, to become the “operator”, with so much fanfare, NPDC had gone into an agreement with a company unknown to industry operatives and registered just months before the deal. “The company was charged with the responsibility to fund NNPC share of the cash call for operations in return for 60% (in the first instance) and later 30% (after cost recovery) of the crude oil that should accrue to NPDC

dustry NPL ratio does not exceed the prudential limit of 5%, and to improve the credit culture in the banking industry, banks and discount houses are directed to observe prudent credit underwriting and monitoring standards. “Furthermore, banks and discount houses are required with effect from May 1st 2015 to: “i. Give the delinquent debtors three months of grace to turn their accounts from non-performing to performing status. “ii. Publish the list of delinquent debtors that remain non-performing in at least three national daily newspapers quarterly (The delinquent debtors are those whose accounts have been classified lost and include the persons, entities, directors, subsidiaries and other related parties). The list must be sent to the CBN as soon as the publication is made. “Banks and Discount houses are also to note that delinquent debtors in the category described above will be blacklisted by the CBN and are therefore: “i. Banned from participating in the Nigerian foreign exchange market. “ii. Banned from participating in the Nigeria Government securities market. “Please be guided accordingly.”

(NNPC) and by extension, the teeming Nigerian population of circa 150 million people! In effect, the rightful share of the proceeds from these assets that should flow to the National Treasury drops by at least 30%, all through the duration of the agreement. . “The NPDC uses about 30% of the 55% to pay its alliance partners/its funders. Then it refuses to pay the net proceeds to the treasury and instead pays corporate income tax and Petroleum Profit Tax, so the monies accruing to the treasury reduces overall by at least 40%. Note that prior to this NNPC to NPDC transfer, whatever came to NNPC was transmitted directly to the treasury. The transfer of assets from NNPC to NPDC is an illegal transfer of revenue from the Federation account to the NNPC. Not even the president has the power to transfer revenue from the federation account without appropriation. “This arbitrary way of doing things is the signature conduct of Diezani Allison Madueke’s tenure. “At international fora, the minister would promise bid rounds she knew she would never see the light of day. In her entire tenure there was not a single, open, transparent acreage sale conducted by the government! She would set up panels to investigate aspects of industry processes even though she knew she would not implement their recommendations. For her, everyone is available to be used. “She had no scruples about making people waste their time. She is no respecter of time herself. Everyone, from IOCs to the smallest Nigerian independent, has a story to tell about how much they are hoping to get hold of the minister, making fruitless upon frustratingly fruitless trips to her office or-as she prefers-her house for audience.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

dailypost.ng

feature

ZONING TEARS APC APART

…N’Central, N’East & S’west Bicker • Party elders to make final decision By Adoyi Ali

eadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, may have realized that some blessings, despite their salacious nature come with daunting challenges as they move to take one of the first major decisions since its victory against the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the just concluded national elections. The decision to allocate positions to different geopolitical zones may be one of the party’s first litmus test. Most analysts have avowed that care must be taken as political stakeholders are waiting on the crossroad for the party’s first unbiased decision. Many are of the views that an equitable and unbiased zoning will further boost Nigerians’ confidence on the APC led government. Geopolitical struggle Reports available to DAILY POST have suggested infighting among party stalwarts from different geopolitical zones who are interested in having some juicy positions allocated to their zones. North Central As the zoning issue takes the central stage, political bigwigs from the North Central have already commenced rigorous campaign and lobbying for the Senate Presidency seat, arguing that politicians and people of the zone carried out what appeared like a very difficult task by unseating the PDP leadership in the state, and giving the APC a block vote in the presidential election. The North Central has two formidable contenders in the persons of Senate minority leader, Senator George Akume and Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial zone, Sen. Abubakar Bukola Saraki. The two Senators believe that they have the clouts to lead the 8th Senate based on their experiences. It would be recalled that Senator George Akume, in 2011 battled with the current Senate President, David Mark over the same position when it was zoned to the North Central. David Mark however pulled through, considering his experience and popularity among his colleagues and his people. It then means that Senator George Akume may appear like a wounded lion this time again that many are suggesting that the Senate presidency position be zoned to the North Central. However, Saraki may have a comparative advantage over Akume, not only by his experience but by the fact that David Mark hailed from Benue State, the same state with Sen. George Akume. Political watchers have argued that since both individuals were formerly of the PDP and David Mark became Senate President while they were in the same party, it’s only reasonable that George Akume allows a politician from another state to benefit from the highly revered position. The question however is whether Akume is ready to give up the position as sources have disclosed to DAILY POST that the Senator has already initiated an early move to sway support for himself. While backing the zoning of Senate Presidency to the North Central, a group in a communiqué signed by the zonal chairman of the party, Mr. Zakari Ede, and the six states chairmen in the region, said the senate president be zoned to their area, noting that in due course, the “Senate President will be chosen from one of our Distinguished Senators.” The group argued that the North Central, being a susceptible zone, its success and victory should not be undermined, stating that it would only be fair for the Senate President position be zoned to the North Central. The group argued thus: “We further observed the followings facts among others, that the block vote of the North Central, which is over 2.4m, is same as South West. The North Central delivered 13 Senators same as

Oyegun North East. “The North Central also delivered 100 per cent state Governors as North West compared to the North East with only four Governors. “It is our strong belief that these efforts and performances need to be rewarded since our role was pivotal to our party’s success at the national level. “It was expected that the North West and North East would largely vote APC, however, it was crucial that the North Central should also deliver its votes for our party to succeed. It was on this, we believe, that contributed in no small measure to our party’s victory. “It must be noted that since 1999, the North Central Zone even under the PDP has been taking third position and with our recent performance, we equally believe the Zone should have the same third position.’’ While the battle for the Senate

State where many had reportedly started celebration ahead of the probable emergence of Sen. George Akume as the Senate President, other stakeholders who were reportedly privy to the new zoning formula from the North west and North east had expressed delight with the new arrangement. Some members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) who know of the new arrangement but not mandated to speak said: “the new zoning formula is with our leaders. We only await directives to make it public.” Argument for the North East Some analysts have in the interim backed the current zoning arrangement, justifying that the North east deserves the Senate President’s position more than all other zones in the country. They are of the opinion that based on the massive votes gathered for the APC from the zone despite its overwhelming security challenges; the zone can only be compensated with the Senate Presidency’s position which is the number three position in the country. They have argued that since the Presidency position has now been zoned to the North West, and the Vice President to South west, it is only reasonable and most appropriate that the position is zoned to the North east that garnered the second-highest number of votes for the APC in the just concluded presidential election. Political ‘heavy weights’ from the zone have equally argued that since the north east never really participated in governance, particularly in the 7th Senate due to the rising insurgency in the zone, it will be fair to compensate it with this highly contentious position. The zone has argued that in 2011, zoning arrangement was not strictly followed as almost all the slots were given to other zones at the detriment of the north east. Some have argued that the region was left with no principal office in both the Senate and House of Representatives. The North east has therefore vowed that a repeat of the 2011 arrangement cannot be allowed under the APC incoming leadership. This has further put to doubt the expectation of the north central that it will produce the next Senate President.

“It’s going to be very unfair for anyone

to bring into this current arrangement the issue of legacy parties. We all sat and agreed that we were not going to rely on any consensus arrangement in our party. In that sense, we opted for a primary that was done transparently before all Nigerians; then Gen. Buhari emerged victorious” Presidency and other positions continues within the APC fold, media reports had it during the weekend that following last Wednesday caucus meeting of the APC, there are strong indications that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has developed a new zoning arrangement for the party. The new zoning structure, a copy of which was obtained by DAILY POST is believed to have taken into consideration the performance, integrity, legislative experience and ranking for the various positions in the National Assembly. Proposed zoning formula Surprisingly, the new zoning formula did not go the thinking of many as it cedes the Senate Presidency to the North-east while the Speakership position goes to the South-west. Relatively, while the Senate majority leader went to the North-west, the North Central is left with the deputy Senate president’s position. While this news may have ignited some questions and anger in the North Central, particularly in Benue

Also arguing in support of reserving the Senate presidency to the north east, senator representing Yobe East Senatorial District in the Upper Chamber, Ibrahim Abba Bukar said it would be a great injustice if the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) zones the Senate President position to the North-Central and the Speakership position of the House of Representatives to SouthWest in the next legislative arm. Bukar had argued that North Central that had produced the said position four times should this time around leave it for the north east that has never produced even a single senate leadership since the democratic dispensation began. Relatively, Senator Ali Ndume has showed his support for the application of zoning formula while choosing political office holders. He had argued that the best thing is to zone the Senate position to the north east. While speaking to journalists at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, Ndume gave his reason to be the level of backwardness the zone is currently

experiencing due to the Boko Haram insurgents. He argued that the people of the north east gave the party the second highest number of votes during the last general election, hence deserves a better position in the allocation of political offices. “The North east deserves to be put in the power kitchen because of the precarious state of development in the area. You see, the north east has produced the second largest vote for APC during the last election and like I said, if you are looking for people that will be consistent for being in opposition all this while, Borno and Yobe in particular have been consistent in opposition, ‘’ Ndume said. Kwankwaso cautions APC Meanwhile, as tension continues to rise over the ongoing zoning controversies, Kano State Governor and Senator-elect for Kano Central District, Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso has cautioned the leadership of APC to watch out against undue delay in the issue of power sharing so that the mistake of his former party (PDP) is not repeated. He said the same mistake led to bickering and bitterness in the PDP led administration. Tinubu pinch tent, overrules South West’s position In their own thinking, politicians from the South West have requested that the Senate President or the Speaker of the House of Representatives should be allocated to the zone, as the North cannot be allowed to take all juicy positions. A caucus from the South West told DAILY POST that, ‘’ it doesn’t matter the geopolitical zones. North is north and South is South. We can’t allow the north to go with all the positions. We can’t be denied all other positions because we have just the Vice President’s position. The North already has the President’s position, which is the number one position. If the Senate President’s position goes to the North Central or any other part of the north, it will then become an obvious dominance. We may likely reject such zoning arrangement.’’ But on the contrary, recent reports have revealed that former governor of Lagos and his wife, Remi Tinubu on Monday night showed their support for Senator Ahmed Lawan from Yobe State. According to the report, Tinubu had offered Akume the choice of becoming the deputy Senate president, which he has turned down, insisting the Senate President position must not go another person’s way. With this development, the hope of the North Central and other South West agitators may have been dashed. It remains unclear whether Tinubu will change his position as daunting opposition against his decision has become very visible from both the North Central and his own region, South West. It was also learnt that in the meeting of the North-central caucus of the APC that also took place on Monday night, when they got wind of the Senate presidency being zoned to the North-east, the news did not go down well with the leaders of the zone. According to APC sources, the North-central caucus frowned at the continued manipulation of the system by Tinubu without considering the input of the zone to the recent electoral success of the party. A party source said senators and other elected officials of APC from the North-central zone were worried, considering the fact that the Middle Belt completely turned the zone from a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-dominated region to one controlled by APC. Legacy political parties However, as the argument continues, some have disagreed with geopolitical zoning in the All Progressives Congress, saying that zoning should rather be based on the interests of political parties that came together to form the All Progressives Congress, APC. A school of thought has however argued on the contrary that the zoning formula must not be based on geopolitical interest but on legacy parties’ interest. They have argued that the All Progressives Congress, APC, was an offshoot of a coalition between the All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, Con-

gress for Progressives Change, CPC, and Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. The argument is that the legacy parties’ interest must be protected in the new zoning arrangement. The advocates of this Zoning formula believe that the interest of these political parties cannot be totally eroded despite the fact that APC sees itself today as one indivisible body. An APC caucus member who spoke exclusively to DAILY POST, but pleaded not to be mentioned disclosed that the zoning formula cannot be done outside the interest of the different political parties that took pain to form the soonto-be ruling party, APC. “It’s not exactly true that our party is exclusively holding onto a geopolitical zoning arrangement. We are also considering that the interests of the legacy parties are protected. If you watch very well, you will understand that the position of the president has already been taken by the CPC that presented Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, while the ACN has also taken the position of the Vice President in the person of Yemi Osibanjo. The Senate President’s position will surely go to the ANPP,” he had revealed. If the APC agrees on this legacy parties’ arrangement, then the agitation from the North Central may have a fruitless outcome. However, other APC members have argued that legacy parties’ arrangement does not fit into the present structure and system being operated in the party. The argument is that immediately after the coalition, CPC, ANPP and ACN seized to exist. They said the mutual agreement signed by the party never allows the defunct parties to play separate party politics within the larger APC. An APC stakeholder from the North Central told DAILY POST thus; “It’s going to be very unfair for anyone to bring into this current arrangement the issue of legacy parties. “We all sat and agreed that we were not going to rely on any consensus arrangement in our party. In that sense, we opted for a primary that was done transparently before all Nigerians; then Gen. Buhari emerged victorious. “So it’s clear that there was no legacy party arrangement as far as his emergence is concerned. “The choice of Prof. Yemi Osibanjo as the Vice Presidential candidate was based on political calculation regarding his acceptability and for the fact that the President- Elect is a Muslim. Aside this, geopolitical arrangement was also an issue. I can’t see any legacy party arrangement in all this. We can’t go back to divide our party along legacy parties’ lines as our unity is extremely important to us” APC elders to decide Meanwhile, the ongoing struggle for the zoning of political offices in the APC has continued to generate more controversies as different lists are continually being circulated in the social media. In a reaction to this development, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress has asked Nigerians to disregard any list that is not officially announced by the party as decisions on zoning can only be taken by party elders. In a statement issued on behalf of the party by the Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organization, Gov. Chibuike Amaechi, he said; “there is only one meeting the party has held as it concerns zoning of offices and we have said the elders should go and zone the offices. The elders are yet to return to the party so those things you people are doing are speculations. “We don’t have a choice. If you want to serve in a government, then you have to abide by the rules. And the person that wants to run the government has said that anyone who wants to serve must publicly declare his asset,” Amaechi said. The question therefore is whether the APC will pass this first litmus test without a crack or will give in to sentiment to the detriment of its overall national interest? Will the party resort to legacy parties’ arrangement or hold on to the popular culture of geopolitical zoning? The answers will come in a few weeks from now. Nigerians are watching, the soon-to-be opposition, PDP, is watching.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

dailypost.ng

Feature

Oil subsidy: Buhari administration’s hard nut to crack

By Sylvester Ugwanyi

t a time when the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, is calling on the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, to consider total removal of the highly contentious subsidy from premium motor spirit, PMS popularly called petrol, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, has threatened to stop importation of petroleum products due to government’s inability to clear its outstanding N256.2 billion subsidy claim. With the marketers claiming that their stock of imported product exhausted on Monday, queues in petrol stations which started receding in the past few days have already started getting longer. Last Thursday, the NNPC had through its Group Coordinator of Corporate Strategy and Planning, Mr. Tim Okon, advised the incoming administration to do away with petroleum subsidy in view of the fact that government was not in control of the factors that actually influence retail fuel price. These factors thus makes nonsense of whatever good oil subsidy could have done to citizens. Indeed, a whole lot of marketers are not dispensing the product at the government stipulated price of N87/litre. There are places where marketers of the product sell PMS for as high as N140/litre to final consumers. It appears the hands of the regulatory agency- the PPPRA are tied as regards making the marketers abide by the official price of the product. Advancing reasons why Nigeria is not better off with the payment of subsidy on refined petroleum product by the federal government, Mr. Okon said, “Government does not control crude oil price, its fluctuation often creates fiscal instability in the country, which negatively impact on Nigeria’s revenues”. He added that petroleum subsidy creates distortions in government revenue distribution as a result of round tripping and unnecessary carryover of expenditures every year in a way that is difficult for government to control or sustain. However, it needs to be emphasized that the resolve of MOMAN to get federal government to clear what is left of its outstanding debt was

not really inspired by this position of the NNPC’s Group Coordinator of Corporate Strategy and Planning. Rather, it is believed in some quarters that the marketers were moved to heighten demand for their subsidy claim to be cleared in view of the fact that the government which accumulated the debt is about leaving office without making any move to clear the deficit. Pundits say the renewed strident call of the marketers with their attendant threat of stop importation of fuel had to be made since the body language of government suggests that it has resolved to do away with petroleum subsidy. This much was made obvious in the 2015 Appropriation Act passed by the National Assembly last week where no allocation was made for the payment of subsidy for the fiscal year. While approving N4.493 trillion as 2015 budget after raising the initial figure by N135.4 billion from the N4,357,960 trillion proposed by the executive in November 2014, the much that the lawmakers did was to set aside a paltry N21 billion for the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, but for petroleum subsidy, all it got was zero allocation. The current landing cost of refined petroleum product is believed to average N128 per litre, the Federal Government pays about N39 of this amount as subsidy to guarantee Nigerians buy the product at the official pump price. But with the total removal of the subsidy as indicated by the approved 2015 budget, experts believe that Nigerians may be on their way to paying between N150-N200 for a litre of fuel. Already, the Executive Secretary of MOMAN, Mr. Obafemi Olawore, has reacted to this by noting that allocation of zero resources for fuel subsidy in 2015 would pose a big challenge for Nigerians. While wondering who would pay for the differentials in what was imported for 2015, he said, ‘‘This is why we are trying to get the N256.2 billion subsidy debt owed us sorted out before a new administration takes over in May 29”. Olawore recalled writing to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minster of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, on April 13 2015, where he lamented that the delay in subsidy

“The truth and reality of the situation is that the outgoing PDP administration has, through the 2015 budget, removed oil subsidy and it must be made to accept responsibility for it rather than for the incoming APC administration to bask in the euphoria of having won an election without realizing the booby trap into which they and the Nigerian people are walking into” payment has reduced the ability of marketers to operate since their financial and non-financial obligation is heavily impaired. In the heat of recent fuel scarcity which plagued the country during the elections, President Goodluck Jonathan directed the Finance Minister to pay all outstanding debts for which the petroleum products marketers refused to import refined product. Consequently, the Federal Ministry of Finance directed the Debt Management Office, DMO, to raise a special Sovereign Debt Note, SDN, of N100 billion to offset the oil marketers’ claim. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, at that time assured that the Federal Government has concluded arrangement with the banks to bear the interest which has accumulated on loans taken by the marketers as well as pay the differential in exchange rate caused by the drastic loss in the value of the naira in the face of the recent devaluation done by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. She further explained that the federal government was bear-

ing those responsibilities because it was worried by the fuel scarcity and wanted it permanently resolved. The MOMAN scribe, while admitting that the federal government was able to pay his members N100 billion subsidy claims through post-dated Sovereign Debt Note, SDN, expected to mature by the end of April, revealed that the government was hitherto indebted to his association to the tune of N315.8 billion. Stressing that, “If you deduct the N100 billion from the N315.8 billion, you will have N215.8 billion”, it is this outstanding sum that the marketers are pressurizing government to clear a little over fortnight after the said N100 billion SDN was raised by the Debt Management Office. Meanwhile, the major oil marketers maintained that they were further left with no option but to cease importation of petroleum products going by the action of commercial banks which refused to honour the post-dated SDN mainly because the CBN had last week requested them to go hard on bad debtors. Yet, their woe was further complicated by transporters who are breathing down the neck of the oil marketers because of the N20 billion MOMAN members owe them. With popular perception being that oil marketers have constituted themselves into a cabal that is feeding fat on the economy of the nation in the name of subsidy, exploiting Nigerians and blackmailing Nigerians through induced scarcity of petroleum products, many were surprised hearing MOMAN’s Executive Secretary in February this year advocate a total removal of fuel subsidy and introduction of full deregulation of the downstream sector as a way of bringing efficiency to the sector and end the perennial fuel crisis. This was exactly what the Jonathan administration did on the New Year day of 2012 which attracted so much public odium to the administration and resulted in massive protests that forced government to bulge, cutting subsidy by half rather that the total removal it had announced. Now that the subsidy on petrol has been clandestinely removed in the budget passed by the House of Representatives, a lot of Nigerians are apprehensive of what this portends for the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. Expressing his resentment to the move, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, described the absence of a provision for fuel subsidy in the 2015 Appropriation Act as a booby trap for the incoming administration. Bamidele, who expressed his views in a statement, noted that Buhari and his All Progressives Congress, APC, should understand the full implications of the zero allocation to fuel subsidy and take immediate steps to let Nigerians know where they stand on the matter. He alleged that, “The truth and reality of the situation is that the outgoing PDP administration has, through the 2015 budget, removed oil subsidy and it must be made to accept responsibility for it rather than for the incoming APC administration to bask in the euphoria of having won an election without realizing the booby trap into which they and the Nigerian people are walking into”. Restating his opposition to the sudden removal of fuel subsidy by his colleagues, the House Committee Chairman said, “To me, this is definitely a booby trap for the incoming administration. Those who

were suggesting within the APC that the incoming administration might withdraw fuel subsidy must be educated that they would be sending Nigerians a wrong signal capable of creating the impression that the APC either deceived Nigerians to get their votes or had reneged on its electoral promise as a progressive party. “This is a serious development and a defining moment that calls for the attention of all well-meaning Nigerians at home and abroad. This is the first time in the last 16 years of our civilian rule that a new political party will be taking over to form a government and if care is not taken, this matter is capable of making the incoming government morally dead on arrival,” he stated. Meanwhile, Monday’s release of the PricewaterhouseCoopers audit report on NNPC accounts may have vindicated all those clamoring for the total removal of oil subsidy which they describe as a ‘big scam’. The report revealed that there were gaps between what was paid and what was supposed to be paid in the payment of subsidies for petrol and kerosene between January 2012 and July 2013. While revealing this gap as $980 million (about N195 billion) and alleging “duplicated discharges” in subsidy computation, the audit firm said, “Our review of the subsidy documentation revealed that the subsidy due to NNPC between January 2012 and July 2013 on PMS and DPK import was $8.99billion compared to the $9.97 billion stated by the Reconciliation Committee.” But to totally scrap subsidy on refined petroleum products, industry analysts insist that the nation’s refineries must be made to work to optimal capacity by government. They also request that new refineries should be built to enable the country produce locally the exact volume of refined petrol that is required for daily consumption without resort to importation. They believe that only then, can fuel subsidy be removed without Nigerians bearing the brunt that would come from increased pump price of PMS. The analysts assured that the pump price can actually get cheaper than what presently obtains if the product is refined locally. It will be recalled that at the time the Jonathan administration succeeded in cutting fuel subsidy by half, part of its promises were that the savings would be invested in getting the nation’s refineries to work. But this has remained in the realm of promises. However, those who support the total removal of subsidy are of the view that it could not have come at a better time than when a new government is assuming power. Experts in this school of thought believe that what the incoming administration needs to do is to enlighten Nigerians on the need for the nation to bid farewell to fuel subsidy, go about sufficient local refining of crude oil, and guarantee citizens that whatever money saved by government in the process would be judiciously used for the good of all. They believe that it would not be too difficult getting Nigerians to agree with ‘the new reality’ considering their strong faith in General Buhari as an incorruptible and Spartan leader. It is believed that this perception will convince them that whatever extra amount to be paid in buying petrol would be put to good use by the government that promises to be transparent.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

dailypost.ng

Interview

PDP is the architect of its travails - Senator Gemade Senator Barnabas Andyar Iyorhyer Gemade, a former Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party , PDP in Benue State and the winner of the Benue North East Senatorial election, has stated that he saw tomorrow with regard to the future of the Peoples Democratic Party. In what appears like a prophesy, Senator Gemade said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he once chaired, would fizzle out speedily on the altar of self-centered interest disguised as national interest by those who joined the party midway. He said the party will go into oblivion due to individual interests against the will of the people. He affirmed that having seen the future of the party, he couldn’t wait for anyone to advise him before he moved to the All Progressives Congress, APC. The Senator disclosed this among other national issues in an interview with Atek’ojo Samson Usman in his office at the National Assembly, Abuja. Excerpts:

ow would you assess the performance of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the last general election that produced General Muhammad Buhari as President-elect and also making the All Progressives Congress a ruling party? Actually, there was great improvement in the planning and prosecution of elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), under the chairmanship of Professor Attahiru Jega. From what has happened in those elections, I think there is hope that Nigeria is moving forward and bringing about better ways of doing things. The innovation of Card Reader in accreditation for elections has removed lots of irregularities inherent in elections, to know who actually voted. Even though it has not removed irregularities completely, with time everything will be taken care of. What is your feeling now that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the

general election roundly? Well, nobody wants to be a failure. Everybody wants to win and that I won this election on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC), I’m quite happy. We also feel challenged because nobody is going to sleep in trying to ensure that we cause a necessary change. We wanted a change of government not only a ruling party, but a change in ways of doing things, so we are not going to rest on our oars till there is a change of doing things in this country. You have been a Senator in the last four years and luckily, you are coming back though on the platform of All Progressives Congress, how will you appraise your performance in the last four years? In the last four years at the Senate, I contributed quite a lot and I could remember vividly that I raptly contributed to national issues of security concern borne out of my experience and understanding of the country. Now that I’m back not as a first timer, it will

afford me the opportunity to contribute more to national interest because of the knowledge and experiences of offices along with reasonable intellectual context that I have. I think it was a rewarding kind of experience in the last four years. The recent victory of All Progressive Congress has brought about gale of defections, thus making the nation somewhat a one party state. Doesn’t this development portend danger for democracy that needs robust opposition? It was like that in 1999 when the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was the ruling party. Every other party trooped into it because the PDP won 28 states out of 36. That is what will happen now. Once a party becomes a ruling party, many people start identifying with it because not many Nigerians play politics of ideology or politics of principles, but eventually when the party starts implementing its policies, programmes and manifesto, those who do not belong will begin to fall by the way. So I don’t think it is anything that anybody should worry about. This is the first time an opposition party is taking over governance; how will you describe people’s response towards this change and to what extent will this deepen democracy in Nigeria? It has gone to deepen democracy tremendously. In the past, everybody thought that the opposition wanted to take the benefits of democracy because they were not in government, but gradually when good governance was being preached day after day, people began to see the difference between good governance and bad governance. They knew that when the opposition talks about changing government, it is not about taking over the affairs of governance for the reward of being an opposition, but actually to cause change in the lives of the people and people embraced this because they knew that it is necessary at this time of the day, especially that opposition itself was maturing day by day by putting better and better candidates,

Gemade

more and more mature people, more and more experienced people and they also learnt to work as a team rather than separate opposition parties and when they amalgamated into one, they became a formidable force to reckon with. Moreso, the ruling party (PDP) presented a wonderful opportunity for them to be defeated by leaving a lot of things undone and for taking things for granted. So that is the way it is this time. You were once a Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), how do you intend to bring your

“Judging from when I left the Peoples Democratic Party, it should be clear to you that I am a very patient person. I stayed and advised PDP for a very long time and at a point, it became very clear that it was not possible for the PDP to heed to advice”

experience to bear so as to guide the All Progressives Congress from making the mistakes of your former party? Judging from when I left the Peoples Democratic Party, it should be clear to you that I am a very patient person. I stayed and advised PDP for a very long time and at a point, it became very clear that it was not possible for the PDP to heed to advice. People that were controlling PDP would not take to advice and that was why I left them. Some of the people that were controlling PDP at a time were those who joined the party midway, who placed value on their personal interest and what they would gain in the guise of national interest. But, I will certainly work very hard within the fold of All Progressives Congress to ensure that that the party does not fail. I do believe that APC respects internal democracy and those things that make a party very strong. Not only that the APC won at the Presidential polls, but at the National Assembly. How do you see leadership challenges at the National Assembly here? There are enough members of the All Progressive Congress who have been at the National Assembly for a very long time who have learnt the art and science of law making. They also have the experience. I think they have taken cognizance of the pitfalls of the failed leaders of the current administration and they will do better. I don’t see much challenges, rather I see better coordination of affairs at the National Assembly.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

dailypost.ng

feature

Between Enugu lawmakers and Chime – Who blinks first? By Emmanuel Uzodinma

ith about one month to the end of this administration, the relationship between Governor Sullivan Chime and the members of the Enugu State House of Assembly has ended on a sour note. The House, once considered as one of the “rubber stamp” legislatures in the country, has in its last move, apparently to redeem its image, come down hard on Chime’s government. In apparent show of its readiness to wield the strong hammer, the lawmakers at their sitting penultimate Tuesday, suspended one of them, Hon. John Bull Nwagu, representing Udi North, for alleged gross misconduct. DAILY POST gathered that the lawmaker, considered to be a close confidant of Governor Chime, had allegedly berated the House of Assembly for refusing the Governor’s N11 billion loan request. Out of the 18 lawmakers present at plenary, 12 voted in favour of the suspension, 5 voted against, while one person abstained. Thereafter, the Speaker, Hon. Eugene Odo ruled that the lawmaker stands suspended pending the outcome of investigation by a committee set up by the House. The House is equally irked over the refusal of the State Accountant General to release its’ over-head cost. At the same plenary, the lawmakers, in a motion, took a swipe at Governor Chime over what it called indiscriminate allocation of reserved lands to individuals. It cited the International Conference Centre, as one of the reserved lands, which have now been allocated to individuals. On the concessioning of water supply in the State, the lawmakers accused Chime’s government of mortgaging the life of Enugu people. Speaking after an extensive debate on the motion before the House, Hon. Odo said the State Government acted wrongly by allocating government land for private purposes. He said the House condemned such action seriously, even as it described the concessioning of water to A.G Gold Trust as suspicious and illegal, stressing that there was no bidding process, neither was there any law backing the process. “We are dissociating ourselves from this unholy act and apparent balkanization of land in Enugu. We also warn the company to hands off because that action cannot stand by the grace of God”, the House vowed. “We are not part of it and the fraudulent activities surrounding it; we dissociate ourselves from it and indeed the entire Enugu State is angry with this development; it fell short of sin-

cerity, it fell short of real natural justice and good conscience”, they added. Not done, the House resumed sitting next day where it ordered for the arrest of the Accountant General of the state, Mr. Pascal Okolie, for refusing to appear before it. Subsequently, the House has empowered the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State to produce him on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. Moving a motion for the arrest of the Accountant General, Hon. SKE Ude-Okoye, representing Awgu North said Mr. Okolie had refused to appear before them and as such they had to exercise their constitutional power to, “compel him,” to appear. Angry Ude-Okoye had this to say: “He has continuously failed to obey our call to answer the House. Every time he says that he is sick but we learnt that he is in his office. This is the third time. “He wants to show the whole world that the House of Assembly has no powers. He wants to turn us like Akara. If we don’t use our power, I don’t think we will get the desired result”. When the speaker, Hon. Eugene Odo put the motion to vote, all the members present voted in favour of the warrant of arrest. Meanwhile, one of the lawmakers had during the sitting said it would be proper to summon the State’s commissioner of land, who would be required to show evidence of allocation of lands to different companies, like the Shoprite. He said the commissioner should show how much the Company paid for the allocation and evidence of remitting the money to the government coffers. Also, the House took its action a step further last week Thursday, as it invited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate alleged fraudulent activities of the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board, ENSUBEB. The lawmakers equally passed a resolution freezing the account of the board pending the conclusion of its investigations. Also, they urged the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) to henceforth stop relating with the chairman of ENSUBEB, Nneka Onuora, pending the outcome of investigations on the issue by the house. The development followed a petition sent to the Assembly by two members of ENSUBEB board, Professor Ikenna Chukwu and Dr T. E. Ayogu, Permanent members 1 and 4 of the Board respectively, that Onuora singlehandedly awarded contract of seats, tables for primary schools pupils and teachers at the cost of N199m. The petitioners further alleged that the ENSUBUB boss approved the purchase of com-

puter worth N2.5m without the board’s approval, adding that the money was lodged in her Personal Assistant’s account. They also alleged that she awarded contract for the computerization of teachers’ biodata at a cost of N10m which she allegedly inflated to N14m. Both petitioners further accused Onuora of appointing people who neither took examination nor attended interviews for appointment as Education Secretaries in the state Development Centres, consequently ne-

“He wants to show the whole world that the House of Assembly has no powers. He wants to turn us like Akara. If we don’t use our power, I don’t think we will get the desired result”

Chime

glecting geographical spread in the appointment. “The most worrisome is that since June last year, she relieved board members of their statutory functions an assigned them to Board’s Secretary and allowed Permanet members 111 to continue with her own functions”, they alleged. Other allegations were that the ENSUBEB boss had been engaged in unjustifiable transfer of board’s core staff to other places that their services were not seriously needed, thereby crippling the productive workforce of the establishment. In another development, the Accountant- General of Enugu State, Paschal Okolie on Thursday formally apologized to the House for not honoring invitation to the Assembly on two previous occasions. Okolie explained that Enugu was facing financial challenge due to global economic meltdown, which had made many states in the country unable to meet up their financial obligations, particularly payment of salaries, adding that Enugu State was not owing workers’ salaries. He said, “funding problem which has affected the nation has also affected Enugu State. The releases of funds depend on cash flow. The cash flow is slow. The funds are not enough to pay over heads to the House and Ministries”.

Also, the state Assembly has berated the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sullivan Chime, Chukwudi Achife for launching media attack on the Speaker of the House, Eugene Odo. Achife had in an advertorial published in one of the national dailies, accused the Enugu Speaker of truncating government projects in the State because of his failed guber ambition. DAILY POST recalls that the Speaker, Hon. Odo participated in the PDP guber primary election in Enugu State, but was defeated by the governor-elect, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. However, describing Achife as “uninformed and a blackmailer”, the lawmakers said, “it is curious because the Governor had repeatedly said that he cannot take for granted the cordial relationship existing between the state executive and the legislature. “However, we have gone beyond blackmail aimed at frustrating genuine efforts by members of the House to rebuild the state. In every government, there are overzealous people. The Chief Press Secretary was just playing such act”. The House formally passed a vote of confidence on the Speaker, describing him as a resilient leader who had successfully steered the ship of the House in the last eight years. DAILY POST recalls that the lawmakers have been in a running battle with the Governor Chime led government, over what they perceive to be anomalies in some government activities especially as it relates to allocation of land and 25-year concessioning of water in the State. The rift climaxed last week when the House issued a bench warrant, asking the State Commissioner of Police to arrest and produce the State’s Accountant General, Mr. Paschal Okolie before it. One of the lawmakers had at plenary said if the former Deputy Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi could be impeached for rearing poultry, Governor Chime’s action in relation of allocation of land in the State constitutes more gross misconduct than that of Onyebuchi. But another lawmaker who spoke to DAILY POST on anonymity said the House had good reasons, though the timing was wrong. “I agree that some of the issues being raised are germane. However, how many days do we have left? This is why some people are seeing it as a selfish war; it may not achieve anything because we don’t have time again. “So, it is so sad that we should end this way with the Governor after eight years of working relationship. I wish we could just forgive ourselves and move on”, he said.

16 feature

Thursday, April 30, 2015

dailypost.ng

Xenophobia: Agency protests exploitation by South African companies

By Wale Odunsi

he ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa may have triggered another round of face-off between Nigeria and South Africa. This is coming few months after the two countries disagreed over a failed arms deal which led to the seizure of Nigeria’s money. The South African government had, on September 5, 2014, seized $9.3m cash belonging to Nigeria and a month later seized another $5.7m, claiming that both funds were to be used for illegal purchase of arms. It was smuggled into the country through Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg in three suitcases by a delegation said to represent the Presidency. That episode saw the Nigerian Government threatening Nigerian-based South African entities. A Nigerian firm Societe D’ Equipment Internationaux, and a South African company, Cerberus, had been contracted to supply some military hardware to the Nigeria firm on behalf of the federal government, but the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa froze the money which was wired to the South African firm for the arms deal. In response, Nigeria had targeted about 14 South African companies operating in Nigeria. They include MTN, Power Giant, Eskom Nigeria, South African Airways,South African Breweries (SAB miller), Stanbic Merchant Bank of Nigeria, Multichoice, Umgeni Water, Refresh products, PEP Retail Stores. Others are Shoprite, LTA Construction, Protea Hotels, Critical Rescue International, South African-Nigeria Communications and Global Outdoor Semces, Oracle. Although the companies were not affected by the row, the federal government is still considering some sanctions since all efforts to retrieve the money have yet to yield any fruit. Insiders, however, say the President Jonathan administration still angry over the action of its former ally, may have dropped the matter since it will soon leave office. Already, South Africa which is in no hurry to release the seized money, has given indication that it will do so when President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari takes office. The Mail & Guardian had reported that diplomatic sources have it that South Africa has begun talks to work out a process. “The positive thing about (Buhari) is that one of the people who supported him is Atiku Abubakar. That makes him our man and he will work well with [President ] Zuma,” the newspaper quoted government source said. “Atiku is close to Zuma. He was Nigeria’s deputy president during the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo, at the time when Zuma was Thabo Mbeki’s deputy. “Also, this man (Buhari) is a (retired) military general. It is true that the military needs some beefing up to fight Boko Haram and we should help,” the source added. FG recall envoys to South Africa In confirmation that the xenophobic attacks have renewed hostility, the federal government on Saturday recalled its high commissioner to South Africa, Martin Cobham, and his deputy, Uche Okeke, to protest the continued attacks by South Africans on Nigerians and other foreigners.

In a statement by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, said the envoys have been summoned for consultation. The statement reads, “The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, has summoned for consultation, Nigeria’s senior diplomats on tour of duty in South Africa. “These are the Acting High Commissioner in Pretoria, Ambassador Martin Cobham, and the Deputy High Commissioner in Johannesburg, Ambassador Uche Ajulu-Okeke. “The invitation is in connection with the ongoing xenophobia in South Africa targeting foreigners, mainly African migrants. “It will be recalled that the current spate of attacks began about three weeks ago, and have so far claimed some seven lives, destruction of property and created fear and uncertainty in the minds of African migrants in the former apartheid enclave. “The South African President, Mr. Jacob Zuma, has condemned the attacks in a statement presented to the South African National Assembly. Ditto for the Zulu Monarch, Goodwill Zwelithini, whose alleged inciting comment provoked the attacks. Well meaning South Africans have also organised peace marches against xenophobia.”. Counting losses Meanwhile, The Nigerian Union in South Africa said on Saturday that Nigerians lost more than 4.6 million Rand (N84 million) to xenophobic attacks. The President of Nigerian Union in South Africa, Ikechukwu Anyene, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on phone from Pretoria, South Africa, that the losses were initially put at 1.2 million Rand (N21 million). “The Nigerian Union in South Africa has completed documentation of the losses suffered by Nigerians to xenophobic attacks. “Nigerians lost more than 4.6 million Rand or N84 million during the attacks. “A mechanic workshop owned by a Nigerian in Jeppes, near Johannesburg, for example was completely burnt with 11 cars inside it. “The loss is put at more than one million Rand or N20 million,” he said. Mr. Anyene said the union had compiled the losses and given the list to Nigeria’s Consul-General to South Africa. He said Nigerian victims of the

attacks needed urgent assistance to re-settle because many had lost their means of livelihood. “The Consul-General has travelled to Nigeria and we appeal to the Federal Government to do something urgent to assist Nigerians affected by the attacks. “We have made representations to the Federal government. “We are also hoping that working with the South African government, there will be a way to compensate the affected Nigerians so as to enable them go back to their normal lives. “The tension is less now. The South African government has come out in full force to check the attacks,” he said. Mr. Anyene said the losses suffered by Nigerians were in the form of vandalised mechanic workshops, burnt mechanic workshops, looted shops as well as stolen and burnt cars. “More than 50 Nigerians were displaced during the attacks. The union has assisted them to return

home. “The union is also planning to assist a family to move to a new accommodation because the present home is not safe,’’ he said. He said the union carried out a proper documentation of the attacks, with pictures and other relevant documents stored to capture the incidents. Senate seeks prosecution of Zulu King at ICC In response to the attacks, the Nigerian Senate in a resolution directed its committee on Foreign Affairs to the Minister of Foreign Affairs to brief it on the situation and measures being taken by the federal government to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians in South Africa . At a plenary session during the week, Senate President, David Mark warned South Africans, not to stretch Nigeria beyond her limits through all manner of incessant attacks against her citizens in South Africa. He said: “What is happening

in South Africa is totally unacceptable, it is unexpected and my humble suggestion will be that South Africa should not stretch us beyond our elastic limit on this matter. “There is a limit beyond which the nation will not accept what is happening in South Africa and if we go beyond that limit then Nigeria will be forced to act otherwise.” Continuing, Mark told his colleagues: “All of you have very clearly enumerated the assistance we gave to South Africa to liberate them when they had their crises; students contributed, we accommodated so many of them, we gave them scholarships. “For them to repay us this way, I think it is totally unacceptable and uncalled for; we need to stand up also for all other African in South Africa.” Agencies protest ‘exploitation’ charges by South African companies At the weekend, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) expressed its position against “extortion and exploitation” of Nigerians by South African-owned companies. This is coming on the heels of recently introduced bouquet rates by Multi Choice Nigeria Limited, owners of DSTV,despite a court injunction ordering DSTV to maintain the Status quo ante pending the determination of the case by the Federal High Court. MultiChoice had argued that the contract agreement between the company and its subscribers explicitly stated that it reserved the right to change prices and channels. MultiChoice is a South African company. Reacting, the deputy director, Public Relations of CPC, Abiodun Obimuyiwa, insists that since Nigeria operated a free market economy, nobody can fix prices for service providers.

Agency protest ‘exploitation’ charges by South African companies

t the weekend, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) expressed its position against “extortion and exploitation” of Nigerians by South African-owned companies. This is coming on the heels of recently introduced bouquet rates by Multi Choice Nigeria Limited, owners of DSTV,despite a court injunction ordering DSTV to maintain the Status quo ante pending the determination of the case by the Federal High Court. MultiChoice had argued that the contract agreement between the company and its subscribers explicitly stated that it reserved the right to change prices and channels. MultiChoice is a South African company. Reacting, the deputy director, Public Relations of CPC, Abiodun Obimuyiwa, insists that since Nigeria operated a free market economy, nobody can fix prices for service providers. South Africa faults Nigeria’srecall of envoys Meantime, the South African government has expressed sadness at the recall of Nigeria’s Ambassador to the country over the xeno-

phobic attacks. It wondered why a sister country like Nigeria would take such an action even when it is clear that the country was taking steps to stop the attacks on sovereign nationals. A statement issued on Sunday by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation noted that Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, who had just returned from Indonesia to attend the Africa-Asia Summit and the 60th Anniversary of the historic Bandung Conference was not informed of the decision by the Nigerian delegation present. According to the release, Nigeria did not express an intention “to formally raise the issue” with the South African. The statement, however, stated that “South Africa remains committed to a strong bond of friendship and bilateral relations with Nigeria”. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s two heads of mission in South Africa - Acting High Commissioner, Ambassador Martin Cobham and the Consul-General, Ambassador Uche Ajulu-Okekehave - have arrived home ahead of their appearance before the National Assembly.

The duo will, during the week, brief lawmakers on the condition of Nigerians living in South Africa in the wake of the xenophobic attacks. But the Nigerian government has denied recalling its envoys. Briefing journalists at the State House Abuja on Monday, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, said what was in the public domain was a mix up and misinformation on the matter. Abati told journalists that they had only been invited for routine consultations. “It is not true that Nigeria has recalled its envoy in South Africa on account of recent xenophobic attacks in that country,” he said. “There is a mix up and misinformation on the matter. “The truth is that Nigeria has not recalled his envoy from South Africa. What has been done is to invite the Charge De Affairs in that country for routine consultation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Recall of envoy is a serious and sensitive matter, that has not happened.”

Thursday, April 30, 2015

dailypost.ng

opinion

ANOTHER APPROACH TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN ATTACKS By Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

he destructive attacks in South Africa on Nigerians and other sub-Saharan Africans are tragic and mindlessly wrong. The assaults sorely bruise the objective of inter-African harmony. They also put an eraser to the idyll of progress and domestic tranquility many people saw when gazing at South Africa. The xenophobia is actually a lethal show of misdirected angry. The attacks point to deep, underlying ruptures within the South African political economy that actually have little to with the presence of Nigerian or other Black Africans in that nation. Nigerians have become scapegoats in a fundamentally domestic struggle. The Black populace is roiling because their economic plight has worsened since the end of apartheid. If prosperity had come to them, they would not have come to this. The political and economic accommodation between the traditionally White-controlled economic superstructure and the post-Mandela Black political elite is under challenge. This model of governance has failed to make adequate provision for the bulk of the Black population. Due to his unique status, Mandela was able to give the Black population succor and hope while counseling them patience. That great man is no longer there. Gone with him is the succor he gave and apparently the patience of the people. South Africans thus lashed out in frustration. They attacked Nigerians and other Africans not so much because our people were the cause of their woes. They attacked our people because they could do so much easier than they could attack the actual sources of their ire and economic predicament. It is easier to destroy the wares of the local shopkeeper than to change the political economy. The former merely requires an eruption of anger; the latter requires sustained political organization, vision and dedication. Thus, although they want political economic reform, all they did was to attack non-South Africans who provided goods and services to them at the neighborhood level. While the government of South Africa may be questioned about its continued adherence to a political economic model that appears to have exceeded its best-use date, it is complete-

ly wrong to say the South African government had even a hand in instigating the unrest. Thus, recalling the Nigerian High Commissioner is inappropriate and counterproductive. Instead of pulling the diplomat, Nigeria should name a high-level special envoy to visit the nation and engage directly with President Zuma. Nigeria should also send an Interagency Coordinated Action Team (ICAT) to South Africa to complement enhance efforts to provide consular services, liaison with police and security and ensure that affected Nigerians receive proper restitution. We should also talk to major South Africa businesses resident in Nigeria. It would help douse tensions and ill will here if they announced a plan to contribute to the restitution of affected Nigerians. NO RECALL Some observers have questioned the swiftness and efficiency of the South African government’s response to the mayhem. Such is their right to do so. However, the South African government did not cause the problem. They had no reason for it. To blame the government is to increase tension and confusion, not douse them. Recall of an envoy is usually prompted by an adverse act by the host government itself. It is not good practice to recall a High Commissioner for a tragedy the host government could not have prevented and one for which its appears to be working in good faith to end. The recent social upheaval should be likened more to a natural disaster as the government had no proximate control over its eruption. To recall our High Commissioner might satisfy our sense of outrage; it would do little else, however. The move implicitly signals to the South African government that we blame it for causing the outburst or for being negligent in the aftermath. Such a move would make it harder to encourage the South African government to act as we would like toward affected Nigerians. The more we diminish our presence is the more we diminish the daily pressure on the government in Pretoria. The more we diminish the pressure is the less we can positively influence that government’s action. Pulling our envoy decreases not increases our diplomatic leverage in this particular circumstance.

Also, much of the world and many Nigerians in South Africa will perceive the move negatively; they will think we are abandoning our citizens during the height of their travail. This might demoralize them to a material degree. The absence of the High Commissioner for an appreciable period of time will undermine the efficacy of our diplomatic mission at the moment when that mission should be doing its utmost for that segment of our Diaspora in South Africa. SPECIAL ENVOY A more constructive step would be to designate a presidential special envoy to liaise directly with President Zuma and appropriate cabinet-level officials in South Africa. The official should be a well known statesman preferably with a prior relationship with President Zuma. A former head of state or someone like former Commonwealth Secretary Anyaoku would be ideal for the position. This step would underscore Nigeria’s concerns for its citizens abroad. It would also signal to the South Africans that this episode cannot simply be left to fade into memory as has happened in the past. The envoy would press to ensure that adequate security is availed the Nigerian community to prevent

“The absence of the High Commissioner

for an appreciable period of time will undermine the efficacy of our diplomatic mission at the moment when that mission should be doing its utmost for that segment of our Diaspora in South Africa.

Tinibu

further incidents this time of tension. The Envoy would also explore ways the Nigerian community can be better integrated and accepted in South Africa. Most importantly, he will press the South African government to improve its ability to ensure such things do not repeat themselves on such a large scale. ICAT Complementing the efforts of the special envoy would be a working level Inter-Agency Coordinating Emergency Team (ICAT). The ICAT would be comprised of police and other security officers who would liaise with South African counterparts at the operational level to ensure adequate security for the Nigerian community and that the authors of violence will be apprehended. The team would also have a strong consular component. Nigeria should use this as an opportunity to reach out to the Nigerian community in South Africa to get a better idea of its numerical dimensions and the locations where that community is most concentrated. A warden or communication system should be established within the community so that people can be quickly apprised of emergency situations or major events. A small legal team with experience in comparative criminal and civil law should be part of the team. On one hand, the lawyers would check to make sure those arrested are to be prosecuted. The lawyers should also investigate the proposals for restitution the South African government will make for

affected Nigerians. SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESSES IN NIGERIA To douse tensions here and show goodwill, major firms in the South African business community here should be encouraged to develop a fund to restitute affected Nigerians. This fund should be contributed to the Nigerian government. CONCLUSION In such a circumstances, our policy approach should not be determined by anger. Our policy should be founded on a wise, dispassionate assessment of how to best protect our countrymen when they are imperiled. Recalling our top envoy does nothing to protect them. We must do better and more than just express anger. The steps outlined above – Special Envoy, ICAT and South African Business Restitution Fund -- are practical actions that can actually help our people and the South African government. Nigeria and South Africa are the two major sub-Saharan African economies. We should attempt to work cooperatively to the extent possible, even in tense times. This show of cooperation and assistance serves our longer-term strategic interests. We should extend our hand of cooperation because that is in the best interests of our people in South Africa. If the South Africans rebuff these or similar overtures, then we can examine the need to call home our High Commissioner. However, recall should have been the last resort not the first one.

metro

Two-year-old kidnapped, raped by teenager

ne Azeez Ganiyu, 16, has been arraigned by the police before an Apapa Magistrate court sitting in Lagos for raping a two-year-old toddler, names withheld. The victim, who resides at Giwa Street in Ijora area of Lagos, was kidnapped on April 16 at about 10am after her mother left her in the care of a neighbour. It was gathered that the toddler was abducted by Ganiyu while playing with other children. The accused was said to have taken the toddler to an uncompleted building, where he allegedly had canal knowledge of her. The sudden disappearance of the toddler led to a search by the victim’s mother who heard a cry of a baby coming from the uncompleted building, which she traced to the spot and saw Ganiyu in the act of raping the toddler. She was taken to a hospital where it was medically confirmed that she was raped. The Ijora Badia Police Division was said to have nabbed the suspect who also resides in the area. Ganiyu was however arraigned on one count charge of rape. The charge read, “That you, Azeez Abdulganiyu (16), on April 16, 2015, at about 10am on Giwa Street, Ijora Badia, Lagos in the Apapa Magisterial District, did unlawfully have carnal knowledge of a twoyear-old girl.” According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Olusoji Ojaokomo, the offence is contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. When the charges were read, Ganiyu pleaded not guilty. The presiding magistrate, Mr P.A. Adekomaya consequently ordered the defendant’s case file to be transferred to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice. The accused was however admitted him on bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum, adding that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must show to the court proof of tax payment. The magistrate consequently adjourned the case till May 5, 2015.

Man kills uncle over land dispute in Akwa Ibom

Thursday, April 30, 2015

dailypost.ng

with

Seun Opejobi seun.opejobi@dailypost.ng

Construction firm handling collapsed bridge to pay compensation to victims’ families – Kwankwaso

he Governor of Kano State, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has said the local construction company handling the collapsed pedestrian bridge along Sheik Jafar road will be made to pay adequate compensation to the families those who lost their lives on Sunday. The state police command, while confirming the death of seven persons when the bridge gave way, said “criminal investigation has commenced against the contractor and he would face charges if found wanting.” The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Majiya, disclosed this in a parley with journalists in Kano. The Governor’s stance on the incident was made known in a statement signed by Halilu Dantiye, the Director of Press in the Government House.

Kwankwaso

Dantiye affirmed, “Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso has vowed to ensure that the victims and

their families are adequately compensated by the company,” while adding that “doing so

will avoid a lot of unnecessary consequences.” The statement called on residents of the State to continue to be law abiding. The release also admonished other construction companies in the state to ensure they carry on with their work in a way that would not pose a risk to commuters. Governor Kwankwaso who condoled with the bereaved families also prayed for the quick recovery of those injured. “The workers at the site had warned motorists not to pass because they were working on the bridge but the driver of the taxi allegedly ignored the warning. ‘’So, the moment he moved; before he passed, the bridge caved in and collapsed on the vehicle, which led to the death of seven persons,” he said.

Auto crash claims three lives in Ogun

hree persons were on Saturday burnt to death in a lone car accident along Abeokuta-Kobape-Siun Expressway in Ogun State. The crash occurred at about 9.30pm at Adedero village in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state. It was gathered that the car involved, a Honda with registration number, Lagos AGX 930 BL, carrying the three victims went up in flames after

one of the tyres burst. Babatunde Akinbiyi, the Public Relations Officer of the state’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, confirmed the incidence while speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta. He added that the vehicle skidded off the road and hit a tree before going up in flames. Akinbiyi said, “It was gathered that the car had a burst tyre and since it was moving at high speed, the driver lost

control. The car skidded off the road, moved for almost 150 metres before hitting a tree and burst into flames. All the three occupants in the car were burnt beyond recognition.” The PRO also disclosed that the agency’s rescue team, acting upon a distress call, rushed to the scene of the accident. The remains of the victims have since been deposited at the morgue of the General Hospital, Ijaiye in Abeokuta.

Man sentenced to two-year imprisonment for Internet scam

ustice H. A Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, River State has sentenced an internet fraudster, Okwuka Olisaebuka Ifeanyi, who specialises in hack into people’s email to commit fraud to two years imprisonment, after he was arraigned on a three count amended charge of forgery levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the EFCC

he Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a middle aged man, Saturday Akpan, over the alleged murder of his uncle, Pastor Okon Nnana. Akpan who hails from Ika local government area of the State confessed to the crime, saying he hired the assassins who murdered the pastor due to a land dispute between his family and that of his

spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren. The EFCC Image maker said Ifeanyi’s jail term started counting from April 21, 2014 when operatives of the anti-graft agency apprehended him with various forged and fraudulent documents. One of the charge reads: “That you Okwuka Olisaebuka Ifeanyi on or about the 3rd day of March, 2013 at Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did forge a document with subject: URGENT SECURITY UPDATE

purportedly issued by First bank of Nigeria Plc that it may be acted upon as genuine which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act 2007 and Punishable under section 1(2) of the same Act.” Back in February 24, 2015 the accused upon his arraignment pleaded guilty to the charge.

uncle. The suspect said he connived with the assassins to abduct the pastor and then demanded a N250, 000 ransom. He confessed that out of the demands they put across to the family, they only got N100, 000. He disclosed that the non-payment of the entire sum led to the torturing of the old man who died in the process. He said

that in an attempt to cover up their act, they quickly buried the pastor in a shallow grave in the Ikot Udo forest. Akpan’s accomplice in the act, Friday Akpan, who happened to be the younger brother of the suspect said he did not take part in the torture and eventual death of Nnana but that he swore an oath of secrecy.

Bus driver docked for killing a 65-yearold woman

ne Samson Ebenyi, a commercial bus driver, who allegedly killed a 65-yearold woman identified as Mary has been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court sitting in Lagos. It was gathered that the tragedy happened at about 8.30am on April 9, 2015 at Ikota, Ajah, along the Lekki -Epe Expressway. According to the police, the accused, while driving a Mercedes Benz with registration number, LAGOS FKJ 652 BU became reckless, hitting the woman in the process. The woman died instantly. The deceased who was walking by the roadside was crushed to death when Ebenyi due to his reckless driving ran her over. Ebenyi was apprehended and is standing trial on a two counts charge of reckless driving and manslaughter. The charges reads, “That you, Samson Ebenyi, on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, drove the same Mercedes Benz in a reckless manner on the highway and caused the death of one Mary, 65 years, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 20 of the RTA CAP 27 Vol. 45 Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2012.” When the charges were read to the hearing of the accused, he pleaded not guilty. The presiding magistrate, Mrs. I. O. Omotosho, however granted Ebenyi bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum. The case was adjourned the case till April 29.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

metro

dailypost.ng

10 persons cheat death as truck runs into a bus in Ondo N

o fewer than 10 persons missed death by whiskers as the vehicle they were traveling in was hit by a truck in Oka-Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

According to an eyewitness, no life was lost but those involved sustained varied degrees of injuries. The accident was said to be the second recorded within one week. It was gathered that the

Two children found dead in their parents’ freezer

Bricklayer killed and others injured as building collapse A

esidents of Owa Alero, Ika North-east Local Government Area of Delta State, were on Thursday thrown into a state of confusion when a couple identified as Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Oseni discovered the lifeless bodies of their two children, David Oseni, 6, and 4-year-old Shedrack, inside the deep-freezer, used for their ‘iced block’ business. It was gathered that when the corpses of the children were found, they were already frozen and all effort to revive them was futile as they were confirmed dead from hypothermia. According to residents of the area, the couple, before going out to conduct their business, had locked the children indoors, only to discover the incident upon their return. The father of the deceased, Oseni, who discovered the lifeless bodies of the children said, “I took the generator for repairs and on my return I powered it to ascertain if it was working. After 25 minutes, I lifted the top to check if the freezer was working optimally, only to behold the lifeless bodies of David and Shedrack in the freezer. I raised the alarm, calling the public to the scene. The children were immediately rushed to a private hospital where they were both confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. The police at the Divisional Office, Owa Oyibu, were contacted and investigations are on to unravel the mystery behind the tragedy,” Oseni said.

Man in critical condition after seven dogs attack him in Lagos

bricklayer identified as Tunde at the weekend was killed while other workers were said to have sustained varied degrees of injuries when a building they were working on collapsed in the Bariga area of Lagos. It was gathered that the building located on Gbagada Road was being demolished for reconstruction when it suddenly caved in on the workers. The owner of the building, Pastor Nwosu was said to have taken three workers to the site for renovation. A part of the building was said to have gave in just when the work started. One of the workers identified as Mufutau

truck, coming from an opposite direction, ran into a commercial bus carrying passengers. DAILY POST learnt that the timely response by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, saved the day,

was trapped in the building. An eyewitness said police men attached to the Bariga Division came to the scene and removed the corpse. “The owner of the collapsed building is a pastor. He also owns the church besides the building. “He brought the workers to demolish the structure so that it can be rebuilt. While the men set to work, the walls just came down on them. “While people rescued Mufutau, they did not realise that another person was trapped in the rubble. “It was later that they heard sharp screams and suspected that someone was still trapped. It was the police, who

Kidnapped schoolgirls say she worked $6,000 to pay back Libyan pimp

he 15-year-old girl, Precious Nwaigwe, who was abducted in Ajah, Lagos State about a year ago, has affirmed that she was made to work for $6,000 that the Libyan pimp who bought her paid. Nwaigwe noted that while working for the money, she was also used as collateral for a loan of 500 Libyan dinars. She further added that three pregnancy tests were conducted on her and were all negative by her abductors. Nwaigwe said while in captivity, she saw over a 1,000 Nigerian girls, who were made to work for the money paid by the pimps.

45-year-old commercial driver, identified as Saturday Akpomose, cheated death on Saturday after he was attacked by seven dogs at Ajah area of Lagos State. Akpomose, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, had gone with his wife to the area to visit his in-law, Mr Christian Peter when the dogs attacked him. According to an eyewitness, it took the timely intervention of residents and passers-by to rescue the victim from the claws of the dogs. It was gathered that the dogs,

It will be recalled that Nwaigwe was kidnapped while returning from school in Ikenne Community College, Ikenne, Ogun State in May, 2014. It was gathered that the kidnappers contacted the victim’s parent about two months after demanding a ransom of $100,000. Officers attached to the Lagos State Police Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad were said to have swiftly went into action thereby arresting some suspects. One of the suspects identified as Kelvin Okito, who is a cousin to the victim, upon interrogation

which are owned by a Naval Captain, were being led to an uncompleted building to ease themselves, when they saw Akpomose and attacked him. Upon reporting the case at the Ogombo Divisional Police Station, the victim was referred to the General Hospital at Akodo, for treatment due to the severity of his wounds. While recounting his ordeal, Akpomose said, “My wife and I went to visit my in-law on Sunday. He lives at Okun Ajah Road,

as the victims were hurriedly rushed to a government hospital in the town. The commission, however, impounded the truck while the driver was handed over to the police

brought him out and took his corpse away,” the eyewitness noted. Tunde was however pronounced dead on getting to the hospital. While confirming the tragic incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu said, “It is a case of sudden and unnatural death. The pastor reported at a police station that he employed three casual workers to renovate a part of his building. However, a wall caved in and collapsed on two of them. One of them died.” Nwosu also stated that the corpse has been removed and deposited in a mortuary. was said to have called his accomplices in Libya, demanding they set the victim free. She returned to Lagos on Friday. Precious, who returned to Lagos on Friday, said she would never forgive her cousin for what he did to her. While recounting her ordeal, Nwaigwe disclosed that she was abducted in Ode Remo, Ogun State after she ran into a group of cultists on her way from Ikenne. Her words, “When I left Sangotedo Park in Ajah for school, I was the only one in the vehicle, so the driver dropped me off at Ibeju Lekki. “I got another vehicle from there, which took me to Ode Remo around 9pm. I could not find a cab that would take me to Ikenne where my school is. I did not know they were having a festival that day and people had been asked to stay indoors. “I trekked for about two hours until I stumbled on some people who were talking. I discovered they were cultists and they accused me of eavesdropping. They added that I knew their secrets. The ladies among them descended on me.

in Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area. Later on Tuesday morning, I just strolled out of the compound and came across the dogs. “As I stepped out, I saw a security man coming out with several dogs. They were very huge Alsatian dogs. I was terrified when I saw them and as I tried to go back in, they overpowered the man holding them. “As I bent down to pick a stone and scare them away, they pounced on me and that was all I knew. They bit me in almost

Former NDDC Commissioner bags 3 years jail term for stealing 56 transformers

n Akwa Ibom State High court on Monday sentenced a former Commissioner representing the state on the board of the intervention agency, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Pastor Godwin Moffat Eyo, to three years imprisonment for stealing 56 transformers meant for some communities in the state. Eyo was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 56-count charge of stealing and conversion of 56 electricity transformers handed over to him by NDDC for onward distribution to communities in the State. Justice Idongesit Ntem B. Isua found the convict guilty of 37 charges out of the counts and was consequently sentenced to three years imprisonment on each of the counts. However the convict was discharged and acquitted on 19 counts, with Justice Isua saying the sentences are to run concurrently. In a 56 count suit by the EFCC, the anti-graft body stated that the former NDDC Commissioner was said to have applied for 90 electricity transformers and 4 generators from NDDC for Akwa Ibom State sometime in February, 2006. Approval was given for 70 transformers but he diverted same to his house in Eket on the pretext that there was no space to accommodate the newly issued 70 units of transformers at the NDDC office in Uyo. The 56 transformers are valued at Two Hundred and Twenty million, One hundred and Seventy Six thousand, Three hundred and Twenty Naira. One of the count reads, “That you Pastor Godwin Moffat Eyo being a former Akwa Ibom State representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on or about 14th April, 2006 at Uyo in the Uyo Judicial Division did fraudulently steal a 300 KVA/33/0.415 Transformer Serial No. 1712496 valued at Four Million, Eighteen Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty Naira (N4,018,560.00), property of NDDC and thereby committed an offence of stealing contrary to Section 399 and punishable under Section 404 of the Criminal Code Cap. 38 Volume 2, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2000”.

every part of my body. “As I screamed, some residents came out and tried to scare away the dogs with sticks. My screams even woke up my in-law who was asleep in the house. At a time, I became weak and unconscious and it was the people who rushed me to the hospital.” It was also discovered that the owner of the dogs had directed his security guard to ensure that the victim was transferred to his private hospital for proper medical attention.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

dailypost.ng

entertainment

with

Ameh Comrade Godwin comrade.ameh@dailypost.ng

May 29:

Entertainers that may go with President Jonathan

s President Goodluck Jonathan prepares to hand over the mantle of leadership to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari come May 29, DAILY POST takes a quick look at some entertainers currently holding federal government appointments and would likely exit the scene with the Otuoke-born politician. Kanayo O Kanayo Veteran actor, Kanayo O Kanayo is one of the few entertainers who have been benefitting from the leadership of the President Goodluck Jonathan. His stanch support for the outgoing government earned him an appointment as board member of one of Federal Government’s parastatals. The ace actor is currently a member of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies. KOK, as he is fondly called has been one of the major ‘bridges’ between the FG and Nollywood. With the ouster of President Jonathan, Kanayo O Kanayo may have started arranging some files in his office ahead of the May 29 handover if the board is not dissolved before then. Onyeka Onwenu Elegant Stallion, as ageless Nollywood actress-cum-singer prides herself has been the official musician for most presidential gatherings lately. The ‘One Love’ crooner was appointed as the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development, NCWD, Abuja.

than, making him their grand patron, flew abroad after Jonathan’s defeat as she knew her time was up. Ibinabor will be the last Actress to be considered for any position under the incoming administration.

This development made her to campaign vigorously for the incumbent president before and during the March 28 election. Onyeka who put in all she got, including paid adverts to ensure the continuity of Jonathan government may have resorted to fate ahead of May 29. She is one of the few artists whose political career may remain dimmed until the APC government is done with Nigeria. Ibinabo Fiberesima She is no doubt one of the many Nigerians who were heartbroken following the defeat of President

Goodluck Jonathan by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the March 28 Presidential election. As a first female Actors Guild of Nigeria president, Ibinabo Fiberesima was appointed into the board of the National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, by President Jonathan. She however came under heavy criticisms by Nollywood buffs for dragging the motion picture industry into politics by using its actors to campaign for Jonathan. The mother of five who led 80 Nollywod delegates to Aso rock for a courtesy visit to President Jona-

Bongos Ikwue Idoma-born music star and Cock Crow at Dawn crooner, Bongos Ikwue has been enjoying a quiet in his Otukpo country for a while now. At a point, he was rumoured to be having serious financial crisis before he resurfaced with a 70-tracker album entitled, The Way It Is. The Double K Resort boss was recently appointed chairman of the board of the Nigerian Film Corporation by the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan. His age may count for him this time around as the incoming government may likely keep him. Aside his age, his political affiliation was at no point clearly defined, even as he never made any awful utterances against the opposition. Obi Asika The last cabinet reshuffle by the President, Goodluck Jonathan saw the appointment of popular entertainment personality, Obi Asika as the new Senior Special Assistant on Social Media to the president. Obi Asika replaced Reno Omokiri who was the Special

Assistant to Jonathan on New Media in what is pretty much the same office. However, Asika’s appointment and his huge online presence could not save his boss from defeat on March 28. The Anambra State-born entrainment personality funded the famous Storm 360 Limited in 2008 alongside Olisa Adibua. Asika has however reached the climax of his political career and may want to return to his business of entertainment. Richard Mofe Damijo Journalist-turned-actor, Richard Mofe Damijo, famously known as RMD is no doubt one of the longest serving entertainers in the present administration. RMD has been the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State, Nigeria under the government of Emmanuel Uduaghan since 2009. Until his appointment as commissioner, the ex-Concord reporter was the Special Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment/Talent development where he used his wealth of experience in the entertainment industry for the development of Delta State. Recall that his ministry was accused of embezzling N50m but the matter was swept under the carpet. As his principal, Uduaghan prepares to handover the baton of leadership to Ifeanyi Okowa, winner of the last governorship election; RMD is gradually preparing his handover note ahead of May 29 as it is not certain the incoming government will consider him for any other position

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Divorce rumour trails Segun Arinze’s ex, Ann Njemanze’s marriage to younger lover

Juju musician, King Sunny Ade bereaved, loses manager

uju maestro, King Sunny Ade is currently bereaved, following the death of his long-time manager, Sunday Abayomi. Sunny Wonder, as he’s popularly called, died over the weekend in his house at 9, Fatai Oluyole Street, Aboru, a suburb of Lagos. Sources claim he collapsed after taking his bath at about 10pm. The deceased wife had earlier confirmed that Sunny has been sick for three weeks or so, but did not disclose the nature of the ailment. It was gathered that King Sunny Ade contracted a team of Indian doctors to treat him but no particular ailment was diagnosed. Abayomi’s corpse has been deposited in a private mortuary in Lagos. Sunny Wonder, 55, hailed from Idoani, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State and is survived by an aged mother, wife and four children.

eelers in Tinsel town have it that Nollywood actress and ex-wife of Segun Arinze, a former President of Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Ann Njemanze is single again. This is just as those close to the screen goddess have confirmed that Njemanze’s two year old marriage to her younger lover, Silver Ojieson has crashed. Domitila, as she is famously known, has been lamenting on social media lately on how her heart was broken for the second time. However, insiders have confirmed Njemanze’s second marriage has finally hit the rocks over

alleged maltreatments by her ‘baby’ lover. Recall that the actress contracted the marriage with a lecturer, Silver Ojieson, who is younger than her on November 9, 2013. Close sources attributed the breakup to funny lifestyles of the actress that young Mr. Ojieson could no longer tolerate. Reacting to the hearsay, the actress simply said: “Well, really I don’t care about these things and little gossips.”

Clampdown on AIT: I warned Nigerians about Buhari’s hatred for Freedom of Expression – Charles Novia

Mavin Records act, Reekado Abducted Kenny Banks graduates Kore’s sister from University regains freedom of Lagos

aiwo Oluwatoyin Akinbode, the abducted twin sister of popular gospel artiste, Kenny K’ore, has regained her freedom. Akinbode was released from the kidnapers’ den Wednesday morning into the warmed arms of her family. DAILY POST reports that she was abducted when traveling to Port Harcourt on April 16 for a job interview and with the kidnappers placing a N5m ransom on her. Breaking the news to his numerous fans on Facebook, the singer said his sister was released without any ransom paid. The Olorioko singer said, “Glory to God, She was gotten back unscathed, congratulations to the entire Akinbode Family. “As abruptly, and unbelievably as it started, it ended. “My kidnapped sister has been rescued, and is back home. “When all else proved abortive, EXCEPT PRAYERS, it was the services of a private security agent that saw to it that she was released without harm to her, and without a ransom paid. “She’s being taken care of by our family, and we’re positive she’ll be back on her feet, stronger, and better for all her ordeal in Jesus Name. “The Akinbode family is grateful, and deeply indebted for the prayers, the love, the financial help and otherwise, that ordinary people, (most who do not even know Taiwo), showed towards our trial of faith, indeed the people’s voice can be the voice of GOD.”

entertainment 21

dailypost.ng

ighly feared social commentator and film critic, Charles Novia has added his voice to ongoing war between President-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari and the Raymond Dokpesi-led African Independent Television (AIT). Buhari had barred the television station from covering his activities over hate campaigns carried against him before the presidential election. Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has upturned the decision, affirming that all accredited stations, including the embattled TV station are free to cover Buhari’s activities. Reacting to the development, Novia noted that he always held the opinion that “freedom of expression will be curtailed by the incoming government.” The award-winning filmmaker, who posted his opinion

on his facebook wall said, “If this report is true, it shows the colouration of Buhari’s government to the press. As a President, you must be tolerant. There’s no REASON to be vindictive to the press. Hasn’t President Jonathan shown a good example by being tolerant and indifferent to all the insults the opposition press hauled at him all these years? Someone should tell Buhari that the year is 2015 and not 1984. If he comes in with a vengeance, he cannot have a focused reign. You don’t screw with the press or freedom of association. “If any of his goons have issues with AIT or Chief Dokpesi, the Press Council and law courts are there to be utilized. I have said it that freedom of expression will be curtailed in the next government and this will prove my suspicions right.

ne of Mavin Records newly signed artistes, Reekado Banks has finally graduated from the University of Lagos. The singer studied History and Strategic Studies in the prestigious institution. The ‘Chop Am’ crooner, who was signed into the Don Jazzy-led record label in 2014 took to Instagram to celebrate the academic feat. Hear him, “Happy convocation to me. Proud to say I’m a graduate of History and Strategic Studies from the University of Lagos. Thank You Lord, Thank you Lord for the journey so far,” a visibly elated Banks wrote.

Fast rising music singer, Aterre sings ‘From the Heart’

aving set the ball rolling for his single album, Aterre, of the Wisest family, has dropped his official single from the album, Heart to Heart. The single, titled, ‘From the Heart’ is the first track of his 14 track album. ‘From the Heart ‘is a message to haters who try to sit on the progress of others. The question the song tends to ask is how does one know who

his/her enemies are when both love and hate are inexplicably mixed? The song tends to caution haters, that while attempting to kill a snake that is in a clay pot in one’s apartment, care must be taken. Aterre is of the view that it’s either you succeed in killing the snake or you break your own pot. The message of the song is equally timely as it tends to

M.I tipped to take over from Audu Maikori as ChocCity boss

ce rapper, MI Abaga has been tipped to take over from Audu Maikori as the boss of top music record label, Chocolate City. The speculation about the choice of the Chocolate City Rapper originated from his position as one of the most senior officials at the outfit, having being in the position of Vice-President. Maikori made the shocking announcement that he was stepping down at the 2015 Nigerian Entertainment Conference on April 22, 2015 at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Wednesday. “I have headed Chocolate City for the past 10 years and it’s been the most amazing period of my life despite the many challenges that came with it. There were times, I would get home and wished I wouldn’t have to go to work the next day. Some other times, artistes will need money and even though unavailable, we still have to find a way. At this point, I have decided to step down as CEO of Chocolate City to allow for the younger generation to steer the ship. My resignation takes effect from June, but I won’t disclose who will take over from me until then,” he said. The move brings together MI, Jesse Jagz, Ruby Gyang, Loose Kaynon, Ice Prince, Nosa, DJ Caise, Dice Ailes, Victoria Kimani and DJ Lambo under one business umbrella. caution Xenophobic and chauvinistic South Africans as they may end up destroying what they had struggled to put together from the apartheid government by attacking other African brothers resident in the country. The song, which clearly takes reggae music to a different level, appealed to God and destiny to direct those who aspire higher according to their zeal.

22 sport

dailypost.ng

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Haye accused of fraud, passport seized in Dubai over £341,000 ‘bounced cheque’

ormer two time world champion, David Haye, was reportedly arrested at Dubai airport and detained over a £341,000 bounced cheque. The 34-year-old was apprehended by officials as he arrived at Dubai International Airport and accused of fraud, after a cheque he wrote as final payment for a newly-built property, co-owned by developers Emaar and the Dubai government. Haye was then asked to hand over his passport and could not leave the United Arab Emirates last weekend. The boxer, who has not fought since he defeated Dereck Chisora in July 2012, insisted it was an administrative error. “The cheque was presented to the bank four days before I landed. It was not due to be presented until final completion of my property, which is due in a few weeks,” he told The Sun’s Michael Hamilton. “This was an administrative error which is being rectified. I explained to the police and presented documents as proof. But I can totally understand these mistakes can happen.” Dud cheques can be punishable with jail, a fine and being ordered to pay the amount in Dubai.

Manchester City ready £30m bid for Wilshere A

rsenal are braced to receive a £30million offer for Jack Wilshere from Manchester City. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, has issued a ‘hands-off’ to the Premier League champions, after it emerged that Wilshere was on their summer wish-list. City are determined to overhaul their huge squad and recruit more homegrown talent ahead of next season. They have also been linked with Liverpool’s pair of Raheem Sterling Jordan Henderson and Everton’s Ross Barkley.

Wilshere has three years left on his current Arsenal deal and the club’s hierarchy are expected to open talks over a new deal in the summer. In the past, City have splashed out £70m to lure Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and Bacary Sagna from the Emirates, but Wenger wants to put an end to the poaching of his star players.

NFF to earn $3.75m from Nike deal

All I know how to do is win – Mayweather confident ahead of Pacquiao bout F loyd “Money” Mayweather has expressed his confidence, ahead of this weekend’s highly anticipated fight

sport

dailypost.ng

with Manny Pacquiao. The American who is set to earn £100million, insists he is worth every penny of the paycheck and promised the bout will live up to expectations. Mayweather takes on Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Vegas on May and he says: “All I know how to do is win. I’ve no doubts the fight will deliver. “The buzz around this fight is at an all time high, and I’m prepared to step in the ring and do what I do best come May 2.” The 38-year-old also admitted, that he has already planned how he will spend the money from the fight.. He explained: “I’m going to continue living my life and supporting my family and those around me the way I’m comfortable doing. “Boxing is a business and people don’t know what it takes to be good at this, but I feel great. Training camp is going well and I’ll be ready to fight on the night.”

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), will bank about $3.75m (N743m) during their three-and-half year agreement with Nike and a $500,000 (N99m) bonus, if the Super Eagles make it to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Last week, the NFF president Amaju Pinnick, head coach Stephen Keshi and other top officials, signed a partnership with the American sportswear company, that will see them supply kits from April 1, 2015 until at least 2018. The contract is worth $750,000 (N148m) in its first year and will rise to $1million (N198m) each year from 2016 till 2018. It has now emerged that the Nike deal, is a massive upgrade from the Adidas contract that ran out in December 2014. The German giants paid the NFF 700,000 euros (N150m) a year. “We are comfortable with the contract, because NIKE came across during the negotiations as being fluid and ready to listen to our demands. That is always the key aspect; you always need a partner with a listening ear,” Pinnick explained. “Nigeria football is happy to associate with a global leader and I am much convinced this is just the beginning. As we go along, NIKE may also be willing to partner with some of our domestic clubs and even the League Management Company.” Nike will design performance and training apparel and equipment, including team kits and footballs for the Nigerian national football team players at every level of the game.

Giwa FC remain top after NPFL Week 6

fon Udoh’s brace helped Enyimba beat Sharks of Port Harcourt 3-2, as the Nigerian Football League entered its sixth week. Although Jackson Daniel also scored twice in the 60th and 85th minutes for the Blue Angels, the hosts held on to 11 points from six matches. They have the same number of points as leaders, Giwa FC who were held to a 1-1 draw away at Lobi. The Jos team however possess a superior goals difference. Sunshine Stars needed an injury-time winner from Adebayo Adigun, to claim a 3-2 win over hard fighting Wikki Tourists at home on Sunday. Akwa United bounced back from a 4-0 drubbing in the hands of Giwa FC, to pip Dolphins 2-0 at the Uyo Township Stadium. Rangers thrashed El Kanemi Warriors 3-0, Abia Warriors recorded a narrow 1-0 victory over Shooting Stars, Kano Pillars laboured to a 2-1 win at home over FC Taraba, while there were no goals between Bayelsa United and Gabros International in Yenogoa. Kwara United got their first league win in three games, with a 1-0 success over Nasarawa United at the Kwara State Sports Complex, Ilorin.

Nkwocha describes goal against Canada as best moment

uper Falcons’ striker, Perpetua Nkwocha, has revealed that the best moment of her 15-year career, is scoring her first and only goal at the FIFA’s Women World Cup against Canada. Nkwocha has played in three consecutive World Cup tournaments, but says she will never forget the 2011 edition, when she helped the team defeat the North American side. “That day will remain evergreen in my memory and I must confess that scoring that goal has been the best moment of a career that has made me the most decorated African woman footballer ever,” she said. Nkwocha, who has won the African Woman Player of the Year four times, added that she wants to use her experience to help the Falcons do well at the 2015 Women World Cup. “I want to quit football in a blaze of glory and there can’t be a better way than to ensure that Super Falcons qualify from the group stage and possibly go all the way to maybe the semi finals or final of the World Cup. We have reached the last eight before, so we need to make names for ourselves in Canada by doing better,” the 39-yearold stated. Nigeria is grouped alongside USA, Sweden and Australia.

daily post sports

‘Ifreke Inyang

ifreke.inyang@dailypost.ng

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Oshoala nominated for BBC Women Footballer of the Year

uper Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala, has made the five-player shortlist, for the inaugural 2015 BBC Women Footballer of the Year award. The Liverpool Ladies player makes the cut, along with Spain’s Verónica Boquete, German Nadine Kessler, Kim Little of Scotland and Marta of Brazil. Oshoala, who is also the reigning African Women Footballer of the Year, is the only player from the continent to be nominated. She featured for Rivers Angels, as they clinched a double domestic title win and also shone at the 2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada and the 2014 Africa Women Championship in Namibia. The winner of the individual award will be decided by fans who will vote online until May 11, 2015. BBC will announce the winner on May 26in a live radio broadcast. SHORTLIST Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria) Veronica Boquete (Spain) Marta (Brazil) Kim Little (Scotland) Nadine Kessler (Germany)

Jon Jones wanted on suspicion of hitand-run accident by Albuquerque Police

FC light-heavyweight, Jon Jones, has been declared wanted by the Albuquerque Police Department, in connection with a hit-and-run accident which happened on Sunday morning. According to Albuquerque PD spokesman, Simon Drobik, the 27-year-old is facing a misdemeanor hit-and-run charge related to an accident involving a pregnant woman. “The case has progressed and he [Jones] is now our suspect in the hit and run that happened earlier this morning involving a pregnant female,” Drobik said. “We are now definitely looking at him as a suspect.” The pregnant lady was admitted into hospital with ‘non-life-threatening injuries, following a collision with another vehicle. A UFC statement reads: “We are aware that the Albuquerque Police Department is interested in speaking to Jon Jones regarding his possible involvement in a motor vehicle accident.

“It is the first time that I have seen that our motivation, inspiration and aggression was not as high as the opponent’s.” - Louis van Gaal

with

dailypost.ng

N100

Two Mour wins to go! by ‘Ifreke Inyang

s Chelsea players obediently frustrated Arsenal on Sunday, the home supporters sang “Boring, boring Chelsea”. The game eventually ended goalless. It is not the sight of captain John Terry punching the air and his team-mates celebrating wildly that summed it up. When Jose Mourinho was asked afterwards, what he thought about the chant from the Emirates faithful, he replied: “Boring, I think, is 10 years without a title. That’s very boring. “You support the club and you’re waiting, waiting, waiting for so many years without a Premier League title, so that’s very boring. “But maybe they weren’t singing to us. Maybe, when you want to win a game and you’re at home and you take your No 9 [Olivier Giroud] off, maybe the home fans want to see Danny Welbeck and Giroud up front.” You see, Mourinho is a serial winner. And he has mastered the

art of winning. The wily Portuguese is both pragmatic and adaptive. When he had need to attack the opponents and pummel them to absolute submission, he has done so. When a double-decker bus was required, he did not hesitate to park it. “I think we scored a lot of goals and, in a period where we don’t have Diego Costa or Loic Remy and have only one striker, we need to work in a way where we can help ourselves with all the matches we are having,” Mourinho explained, after he started the Arsenal match without a recognized striker. “We changed a bit our dynamic and we are not scoring so many goals as before.” Drogba, who turned 37 last month and looks a spent force, was not trusted to lead the line. Instead Oscar was deployed in a false nine position. There was a method to Mourinho’s madness. “First of all, Drogba didn’t work with us until Saturday so we’d developed the game-plan tactically, on the pitch, for the whole week without [Didier]

Drogba,” he said. “We knew that with Oscar we would get behind them like we did so many times in the first half. “In the second half, we played with a target man [Drogba], more on the counter-attack, but every time we recovered the ball on the counter, they made a tactical foul.” This week might see the Chelsea’s coronation as the new Premier League champions. Even if they don’t manage to do it this week, there is hardly a doubt now, that will eventually stumble over the line. After hosting Palace on Sunday, they will welcome an outof-sorts Liverpool the next week. Eight days after playing against Brendan Rodgers’ men, they travel to West Brom and finish their season at home to Sunderland on May 24. It is inconceivable that Mourinho and his men will blow it up somehow.

PSG warns Manchester United over £35m offer for Cavani

aris Saint-Germain president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, has warned Manchester United that it would take an offer bigger than £35million, to lure Edinson Cavani away from the club. The Uruguay striker has been linked with a move away from Ligue 1, as he struggles to make an impact out on the wing, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic preferred through the middle. “I have not held talks with Cavani over his future. He is a young player and is the future of PSG,” Al Khelaifi told Le Parisien. “A €50m (£35m) offer from Manchester United? I would not even look at such a bid. “Edinson needs a bit more confidence, but his last game against Lille - in which he scored twice was further proof of his talent.” Al-Khelaifi also insisted that Ibrahimovic was not preparing to leave the club for a move to MLS. “Ibrahimovic will still be with PSG next season. There is no doubt about that,” he added.

“I don’t know what he wants after 2016, but we will discuss that at some point. I would like him to stay at PSG in whatever role suits him. We want to keep our star player here. “He needs five more goals to break Pauleta’s record and I hope he will surpass him this season.” With respect to Laurent Blanc’s position as coach of the team, Al-Khelaifi assured the Frenchman thaat he will still be in charge of the Paris club. “Blanc will remain PSG coach next season. I have been very disappointed with the way Laurent has been treated. The criticism is unfair,” he said. “We can win four domestic trophies this season. It would be historic. Blanc can write history, just like he did when he won the World Cup in 1998. “I will not change my opinion if we don’t four trophies this term. I can genuinely not see us failing to win Ligue 1. I am very optimistic and confident. “Could he step down himself? I cannot imagine that happening. I might be very close to the players, but I would never undermine the coach, who is very close to the players as well.”

Real Madrid eye Bale-Hazard swap deal

eal Madrid may offer Gareth Bale to Chelsea in a straight swap for Eden Hazard this summer. Bale has endured a difficult second season at the Santiago Bernabeu, plagued by bad form, injuries and regular assault from fans. Last week, Madrid Castilla coach Zinedine Zidane, admitted that he likes Hazard a lot and is keeping an eye on the Chelsea forward. The Belgian has been in amazing form for the Premier League leaders this season, netting 18 goals and providing 10 assists. On Sunday, he was named PFA Player of the Year, ahead of Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez and Manchester United’s David De Gea. “There are players I keep an eye on and who I like a lot, like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, of course. They’re fantastic players, but I like Eden Hazard a lot too,” Zidane told Fifa.com. “I enjoy everything he does on the pitch. I like the way he carries himself, that decisive streak in him and the fact that he’s improving every year. He can still get better too. “I think he’s a big reason why Chelsea are on top of the table.” Chelsea recently tied Hazard’s long-term future to the club, by ensuring he signed a bumper five-and-a-half year deal at Stamford Bridge. However, the 24-year-old has now emerged as a potential transfer target for the La Liga giants.

Published by Daily Post Media Limited, 308B, Murtala Mohammed Way, Yaba, Lagos. Email: newsdesk@dailypost.ng, advert@dailypost.ng. Phone: Newsroom: 07085753069, Advert hotline: 07062594490. Website: dailypost.ng. Social Media: facebook.com/NigeriaDailyPost, twitter.com/@dailypostngr