SERAP To Buhari: Withdraw Board Appointments

SERAP To Buhari: Withdraw Board Appointments

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “withdraw without further delay the list of appointments to the boards of agencies and parastatals in order to remove a clear and recognizable danger to the integrity of these bodies, and allow the civil service systems to carry out the appointments, in strict conformity with established rules and Nigeria’s international anticorruption obligations and commitments.”
Okpozo, Ugbaja and Rev. Father Christopher Utau
Buhari had on Friday approved the constitution of the governing boards of agencies and parastatals, appointing 209 chairmen and 1258 members to fill the board positions. However, it has been discovered that at least 8 members on the list have since passed away. Among others, Buhari appointed Rev. Christopher Utov as a Member of Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research. Rev Utov, the proprietor of Fidei Polytechnic, Gboko passed away on March 17, 2017.
In a statement today by SERAP deputy director Timothy Adewale the organization said, “Appointing at least 8 dead people as board members would seem to suggest that the 1,467 appointments approved by Buhari were unscreened for competence, merit, equity, aptitude and conflicts of interest. Going ahead with these appointments would neither advance due process nor Buhari’s oft-expressed commitment to prevent and combat corruption. It would create a lack of trust and confidence among the general public.”
According to the organization, “Taking partisan politics out of the appointments to boards of agencies and parastatals is one surest way for Buhari to show that his government is truly one of change, that would do things differently from successive governments that apparently handed out board appointments to reward party members, supporters and cronies.”
The statement read in part: “Withdrawing the appointments and directing and allowing the civil service systems to follow due process to reappoint chairpersons and members to the boards of these agencies and parastatals would bring the government’s practices and operations into conformity with Nigeria’s international anticorruption obligations, particularly the UN Convention against Corruption. Nigeria has ratified the convention.”
“It’s absolutely important for Buhari to ensure that the process through which board appointments are made is transparent and merit-based. A merit-appointment system would produce a better qualified board, and ultimately improve the governance architecture and access of Nigerians to essential public services. It should be the practice of this government to make board appointments on the basis of ability, and not because of political influence or connection.”
“Taking these appointments out of the hands of a small elite group and strengthening the civil service systems and allowing them to deal with board appointments and other similar appointments in a professional, efficient and effective way would greatly decrease political influence or bias in the appointment process, and make the operations of these agencies and parastatals less dependent on partisan politics, which would in turn help improve the ability of the government to deliver effective policies and the much-needed good governance, growth and development to Nigerians.”
“Letting the civil service systems get on with board appointments would also assure basic bureaucratic ‘hygiene,’ and help to facilitate the establishment of strong boards that would be better placed to ‘deliver the goods’ to Nigerians in the democratic context. It would ultimately bring about higher effectiveness and improved government legitimacy.”
“Specifically, Article 8 of the convention makes it mandatory for the government to promote integrity in public administration and to synchronize systems, measures and mechanisms for handing out public jobs. Similarly, Article 7, paragraph 1, requires the government to establish and strengthen systems for board appointments based on the principles of transparency, efficiency, and objective criteria such as merit, equity, and aptitude. The government is equally obligated to establish systems to prevent conflicts of interest and influence peddling in board appointments.”
“The president also appointed Chief Donald Ugbaja as a Member of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC). Chief Ugbaja, a former DIG of the Nigerian Police, died on November 29, 2017. Another person, Senator Francis Okpozo, was appointed as Chairman of the Nigerian Press Council. But Okpozo, a Senator in the Second Republic, died on December 16, 2016.”

2017: An Eventful But Controversial Year For The Nigerian Judiciary

2017: An Eventful But Controversial Year For The Nigerian Judiciary 

  

Like the last three years, 2017 can be described as an eventful but very controversial year in the history of the Nigerian Judiciary, the issues of image and trust that have plagued the third arm of government refused to go away. OLUGBENGA SOYELE examines some of the major events that shaped the third arm of government in 2017.

The 2016 hangover of the appointment of a new Chief Justice of Nigeria and the raid by the men of the Department of State Services (DSS) on the residence of some judicial offices, between October 7 and 9, 2016, which led to their arrest and subsequent suspension from the Bench by the National Judicial Council (NJC) continued to form a major talking point throughout the outgoing year.

It was not until March 7, 2017, when the then acting president of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo swore in Justice Walter Onnoghen as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria that the controversy generated by the delay of President Muhammadu Buhari in sending his name to the senate for confirmation was finally put to rest.

The NJC had recommended the appointment of Justice Onnoghen as the CJN after the retirement of Hon. Justice Mahmoud Mohammed on the 10th of November, 2016 but President Buhari chose to appoint him in an acting capacity.

The controversial raid and suspension of eight sitting judges, including two Justices of the Supreme Court  assumed a new twist on June 1, 2017, when the NJC recalled six of the suspended judges.

The NJC, chaired by Justice Justice Onnoghen, had argued that eight months after they were suspended over allegations of corruption only three of the judges, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court and  Justice Adeniyi Ademola were arraigned in court.

While Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Uwani Abba Aji of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Hyeladzira A. Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice Musa H. Kurya also of the Federal High Court, and Hon. Justice Agbadu James Fishim of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, were never put on trial.

However, Justice Ademola, the only one that stood trial and was discharged and acquitted of the 18-count charge brought against him and was later compulsorily retired by the NJC over allegations of official misconduct.  

The decision of the NJC to recall the six judges seemed to awaken the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, (SAN) from his slumber, as he, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on June 13 arraigned Justice Nganjiwa before the Lagos State High Court and on July 11 Justice Fishim was also docked before the same court.

Till date no charges have been filed against Justice Okoro, Justice Abba Aji and Justice Kurya

But that was not the end of the controversy, because on December 11, following an appeal filed by Justice. Nganjiwa, challenging the validity of his trial, the Lagos Division of the Court of Apeal, presided over by Justice Abimbola Adejumo-Obaseki, quashed the 14-count charge brought against the embattled judge by the EFCC.

The appellate court ruled that a serving judge could not be investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC, stating that only the NJC had that power.

The court ruled that Justice Nganjiwa could not be charged by the anti-graft agency unless he is first dismissed or forced into retirement by the NJC.

The implication of this verdict is that the EFCC may not be able to proceed against all serving judges currently under trial until the Supreme Court rules one way or the other. 

Perhaps, worried by the effects of all these controversies on the image of the third arm of government, the CJN on June 5 inaugurated a 13 -man steering committee on judiciary reform.

The committee, which is headed by the Secretary of the National Judicial Service Commission, Mrs. Bilkisu Bashir was tasked with coordinating a comprehensive reform of the country's judiciary.

“ Other members of the 13-man committee include Directors of Administration from the Federal Judicial Service Commission, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, Federal High Court , Court of Appeal, Sharia Court of Appeal , Customary Court of Appeal, Federal Capital Territory High Court , National Industrial Court and the President of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria.

The committee, which was given one month to summit its report, turned in its recommendations on July 16 and at the event Justice Onnoghen promised that the report will be implemented to salvage the judicial system.  

Also on September 28, the CJN announced the setting up of a Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO) initially to be chaired by a retired President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, who opted out for personal reasons. He was replaced by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Suleiman Galadima

The committee which has since began work, was set up in response to the concerns expressed by Nigerians on the very slow speed at which corruption cases were being heard and disposed of by the courts.

According to the CJN, the committee would drive the NJC’s new policy on the anti-corruption war by giving it feedback on the progress of cases in the designated courts, conduct background checks on judges selected for the designated courts, and evaluate the performance of the designated courts.

The decision of the CJN and the President of the Appeal Court, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa to appoint senior lawyers directly to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court early in the year also caused unease among Justices of the Higher Courts and lawyers. Although some lawyers have been nominated the process has so far remained inconclusive. 

The judges were also busy in the courtrooms, one of the biggest cases resolved in the course of the year is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership crisis case, the legal battle between the then Senator Ahmed Makarfi led caretaker committee and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff led executive was resolved in favour of Makarfi by the apex court of the land on July 12.

The trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki over allegations of false assets’ declaration took a dramatic twist on December 12, when the Justice Tinuade Akomolafe-Wilson-led Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja struck out 15 of the 18-counts filed against him by the federal government and ordered the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to conduct a fresh trial of the Senate President on three of the charges.

CCT had earlier in the year cleared him of all charges.

However, in spite of these efforts and others made by the EFCC, ICPC and other agencies with power to prosecute criminal cases, the problem of delay in the process of justice delivery remains largely unresolved. It is a fact that none of the corruption related cases commenced since President Buhari came into power has been concluded.

The high profile cases that are still pending in court are those of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, the pension scam fraud in the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, the now-infamous oil subsidy scam and the Central Bank of Nigeria currency scam.

Others are: fraud cases involving a former Head of the Federal Civil Service, Steve Oronsanye, corruption charges levelled against over 12 former governors, some of which have been pending since 2007.

Others cases yet to be resolved one way or the other includes those indicted over the funds for the purchase of arms to fight Boko Haram, former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, former Chairman, DAAR Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi, Sambo Dasuki.

Some of the criminal case filed in 2016, which are yet to be concluded includes those filed against: Jide Omokore, Rickey Tarfa, ex-Chief of Air Staff, Mohammed Umar, Air Vice Marshal, Adeniyi Kayode-Beckley, Femi Fani-Kayode, Mrs. Nemadi Usuman.

Others are: former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, Air Vice Marshal, Jacob Bola Adigun, Air Commodore, Gbadobo Olugbenga, Jide Omokore, a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Defence Minister and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Haliru Mohamed Bello who was arraigned with his son, Abba, and the former minister of Interior, Abba Patrick Moro.

Other high-profile cases to watch out for in 2018 includes the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu and three others and the trial of billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (popularly known as Evans).

2018 brings renewed hope that this cases will be resolved speedily.  

One other issue that must be resolved as quickly as possible in the new year is the controversy generated by a graduate of the Nigeria Law School, Firdaus Amasa, who was barred from the Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja on December 13, for insisting on wearing her hijab under her wig.

Another event to look forward to in 2018 is the Nigeria Bar Associations general election which is already generating serious interest another members of the bar.

Commenting on the the activities of the judiciary in 2017, a Lagos lawyer, Mike Ojo noted that the third arm of government is one of the strongest and busiest on the continent of Africa. 

Ojo said that in spite of the myriad of hurdles which had militated against the effectiveness of the judiciary over the years, one can safely salute its courage and determination.

He stated, "in other words, despite the heavy workloads and the harsh working environment, the Nigerian judiciary has over the years given a good account of itself.

"But I think our judiciary needs to be more courageous and resist any manner of intimidation or enticement from the government.

"We, however, need to go beyond the analogue and move into the digital world. We need to deploy technology seriously in the judiciary to take it to the next level.

"There must be an end to cases being adjourned by courts without prior notice to lawyers and vice versa. There is room for a lot of improvement in our Judiciary.

"I must however commend the vision of the Chief Justice of Nigeria to revolutionise the digital system in the Supreme Court and which we hope will spread to the lower courts," Ojo stressed. 

In his own view, a rights activist, Uche Onyejena maintained that an accurate assessment of the judiciary can not be done without taking a look at the roles of lawyers in the administration of justice. 

Onyejena noted that though lawyers as ministers in the temple of justice have been doing their best in the development of the nation and its court system, there is room for improvement.

He said, "the public believes that lawyers are aiding the politicians in creating clogs in the wheel of court system, by filing frivolous cases before the court.

Also speaking on the activities of the judiciary in 2017, social commentator, Adetokunbo Mumuni said, he would not tag all judges as being corrupt because there are still some sincere and God fearing judges around. 

The lawyer insisted that there are still judges who do their work with integrity but there has to be a systematic way of getting rid of the bad eggs from the Bench.

Mumuni said, "we must look at the way we recruit people into the Bench. This is because how the Bench will look will be determined by the occupants. For this reason, I want to recommend that the process of appointing judges to the Bench should be stricter. Account checks in terms of character must be carried out on all aspiring judges.

"Specifically, I want to suggest that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) should be involved in the appointment of judges in practical terms, so that we can have the best in the interest of justice administration," he said.

As the judiciary commences its function in 2018, it is hoped that it would put most of the controversies that marred its performance in 2017 behind it and once again prove to Nigerians that its reputation as the last hope of the common man is still intact.

Presidency explains controversial list of board appointments

Presidency explains controversial list of board appointments

The presidency has reacted to the controversy generated by its appointment, Friday evening, of 1,468 Nigerians into the boards of agencies and parastatals.
The list generated controversy after names of some dead persons were found among the appointees.
PREMIUM TIMES checks also show duplications and appointments of individuals that are no longer in the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The Presidency however downplayed the matter Saturday as, according to a spokesman of the president, there was nothing scandalous about the list.
Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES by telephone, Garba Shehu said “the list has a history” which explains the controversy around it.
“In 2015, Mr. President requested all state chapters of the party to submit names of 50 party members for board appointments,” Mr. Shehu said.
He said the names where compiled by the national secretariat of the APC and forwarded to the then secretary to the government of the federation, Babachir Lawal.
“However, complaint arose from some governors who felt they were not carried along in the process. To answer this, the president constituted a committee under the vice president to review and reflect the interest of the governors”.
Mr Shehu however said action was delayed on the report of the committee headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as President Muhammadu Buhari took ill.
“The president’s trips for medical attention slowed down completion of the process,” he said, until when Mr Buhari decided to revisit the matter recently.
“The current SGF was only directed to complete that process by releasing the list which he apparently did without altering it,” Mr. Shehu explained.
Mr Shehu admitted that errors were committed but added that “no human undertaking can be free of mistakes”.
He said the errors identified with the list were not enough to describe the exercise as scandalous, insisting that “there is no scandal”.
The spokesperson said all errors in the list would be corrected.

Only 1.8 million Nigerians using LPG, expert laments

Only 1.8 million Nigerians using LPG, expert laments

The Programme Manager , National Liquefied Petroleum Gas Expansion Implementation Plan , Office of the Vice President , Mr . Dayo Adeshina , has decried that out of about 180 million Nigerians, only 1 . 8 million had adopted the use of LPG (cooking gas ) in their homes .
Adeshina stated this recently in Lagos at the 7 th annual LPG conference and exhibition, organised by the Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association .
With the theme , “ National LPG policy : Running an LGP economy, ” he explained that poor awareness was responsible for the low adoption of LPG by Nigerians .
He said that the goal of the Federal Government was to see more Nigerians using LPG in their homes and offices . He , however, stated that the only means to achieving the goal was if there were massive investments in the LPG sector.
Also talking about some of the challenges in the LPG sector, Adeshina said , “ These things are lacking — awareness , regulation , accessibility, availability , consumer behaviour and safe handling . In Nigeria, everyone owns a gas cylinder , whereas in other climes , the marketers do for easy exchange of the cylinders .
“ We have cylinders that are up to 50 years old still being used in some homes in Nigeria, which is very dangerous. Education is very key . We need to do more in educating those who are still using firewood to cook , who think that gas usage is dangerous.
“ For instance , there are only 1 . 8 million people using gas cylinders in the country . So, we need to invest in gas cylinder manufacturing if we must provide for the millions of homes that are still using firewood and kerosene . We also need to have gas cylinder certification and re -certification centres . These are all reasons why a public - private partnership must be encouraged in the industry .
“ At the government level , we have a target that in five years ’ time, there would be 100 per cent production of gas cylinders in the country and within the next two years , four million homes would have switched to using LPG . These goals are not impossible , which is why we call for massive investments in the LPG sector. ”
Meanwhile , Adeshina called on stakeholders in the LPG sector to take safety issue seriously .
“ There must be safety regulations and enforcement of such and the responsibility is for us all . There are illegal gas pedlars in almost every street in the country , but where do they get their LPG from ? Is not from some plant owners ?” he asked , adding , “ It ’ s very important that industry stakeholders join hands together and enforce safety regulations . There should be regular safety training programmes organised by the stakeholders. ”

67-year-old American posing as ‘Nigerian Prince’ arrested for fraud

67-year-old American posing as ‘Nigerian Prince’ arrested for fraud

A 67-year-old American advance fee fraudster Michael Neu posing as a Nigerian prince has been arrested by the police in Louisiana.

He was said to have duped hundreds of people across America using emails.

Police said he faces 269 counts of wire fraud and money laundering following an 18-month investigation.

Police in Slidell, Louisiana, say they finally caught up with one of the people behind some of those emails.

He’s not exactly Nigerian royalty, either, police wrote in a Facebook post.

According to The Sacramento Bee anyone with an email address has likely gotten a message from the so-called Nigerian prince or two offering hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in secret inheritances or, in some cases, payment for assistance laundering ill-gotten gains from mining conglomerates or royal treasuries.

In these scams, the supposed Nigerian prince (or other official) asks for the person’s personal banking information in order to speed the transfer of the purported inheritance or temporarily hold the allegedly pilfered funds. The information can then be used to withdraw funds from the victim’s accounts.

While Neu might lack a royal title, at least some of the money obtained in his scams did go to co-conspirators in Nigeria, police wrote. Investigators are continuing to untangle Neu’s web of scams, but many other leads also connect to people outside the U.S., the post says.

Police noted that while these kinds of emails are laughable to many people, authorities report millions of dollars in losses to such scams each year.
“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” said Police Chief Randy Fandal in the Facebook post. “Never give out personal information over the phone, through e-mail, cash checks for other individuals, or wire large amounts of money to someone you don’t know. 99.9 percent of the time, it’s a scam.”

Law enforcement agencies across the nation also are warning people of calls from scammers purporting to be police or court officials demanding payment via phone of bogus fines or warrants. Another version involves scammers claiming to be jailed relatives pleading for bail money, often targeting older people.

UN Says Over 60 Peacekeepers Died In 2017

UN Says Over 60 Peacekeepers Died In 2017

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said more than 60 ‘blue helmets’ – also known as peacekeepers – were killed in hostile acts in 2017.
Lacroix also said that peacekeepers saved many lives in 2017 in spite of being a particularly deadly year for the ‘blue helmets’.
“We do protect civilians every day. We do save lives every day. We often do it under very difficult and stressful circumstances,” Lacroix said.
He added that “many lives were saved” because of peacekeepers’ actions this year in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, South Sudan and other places.
“I think it’s more than warranted to pay tribute to them and their achievements. But certainly we have to work hard to overcome the challenges we are facing,” he said.
According to him, the UN peacekeepers in 2017 also completed its peacekeeping objectives in Côte d’Ivoire, refocused its work in Haiti and will soon complete its mandate in Liberia.
One of the challenges facing UN peacekeepers, as they operate in increasingly complex and dangerous areas, is the need for better training and equipment, particularly, intelligence gathering and enhancing situational awareness.
This includes the use of modern technologies, such as unmanned aerial services, radars and tethered balloons.
The head of the UN Department of Field Support, Atul Khare, said the UN was also looking to borrow or purchase more equipment related to security reinforcements, accommodations, vehicles and communications tools, among others.
“We must do even more on the side of prevention and risk mitigation when seeking to protect our colleagues.
“Providing for the safety and security of deployed personnel in volatile environments is an absolute necessity,” Khare said.
One of the main challenges in peacekeeping operations has been grappling with allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN peacekeepers.
The new UN strategy to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse puts more pressure on governments to investigate and prosecute wrong-doing.
In addition, 17 countries volunteered some $1.8 million for a trust fund to aid victims get medical, psycho-social, legal or socio-economic support.
If the year 2017 brought ambitious reform, then 2018 must be the year that these reforms are implemented, Lacroix said.
“We approach 2018 with a sense of hope. We will do our best to successfully implement these reforms and certainly we will do our best to support our colleagues in the field,” he stressed.

Major shake up in the military, 399 Generals redeployed

Major shake up in the military, 399 Generals redeployed

The Nigerian Army has carried out a major shake up in the military.
The army authority last night announced that the shake up affected a total of 399 Senior Army Officers, among whom is the Director of Defence Information, Defence Headquarters, Major General John Enenche.
A statement from the Director of Public Relations, Nigerian Army, Brig General Sani Usman said the postings and redeployments of the affected officers represents the 2017 Fouth Quarter Postings.
General Usman announced that the postings were with effect from January 2, 2018.
The statement reads: “The Nigerian Army has today Friday 29th December 2017, released the 2017 Fourth Quarter Postings and Appointments of its Officers. It will be recalled that recently some senior officers were promoted to the ranks of Brigadier Generals and Major Generals respectively, while some have also left service on completion of mandatory years of service in the Army.
” The posting is also aimed at injecting new hands to further actualize the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai, which is “to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its Constitutional roles”.
“Accordingly, the posting and redeployment has affected some Principal Staff Officers at Defence and Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders, General Officers Commanding (GOC), Commandants of Training Institutions and Directors, amongst others. In all, the posting and appointments affected 399 Officers.
“Those affected include, Major General RO Yusuf Commander Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), who is now the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General AA Salihu, Chief of Defence Communications will now take over as Commander, TRADOC, Major General LO Adeosun, also from Defence Headquarters, has been appointed Commander, Infantry Corps, Major General CM Abraham has been moved from 2 Division to Defence Intelligence Agency as Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence, while Major General OF Azinta replaces him as General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General US Yakubu is now to take over as Commandant of Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, while Major General FO Agugo, is now Commander, Command Army Records, while Major General JS Malu is now the Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Engineers and Major General JGK Myam, the Director of Operations is now the Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Abuja.
“Others affected include, Commander Guards Brigade, Major General MS Yusuf, who is now General Officer Commanding 6 Division, replacing Major General EO Udoh, who is reassigned to 81 Division as GOC. In same vein, Brigadier General UT Musa is now the Commander Guards Brigade. Major General IBJ Okeke is now Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Medical Corps, while Major General KO Kadiri is now Group Managing Director, Nigerian Army Welfare Holding Limited/Guarantee.
“Similarly, Major General EJ Enenche has been appointed Commandant Army War College Nigeria, while Brigadier General JA Agim is now the Acting Director Defence Information and Brigadier General JTE Chukwu is now the Commandant of Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information.
“Brigadier General LT Omoniyi has been appointed as the Commander of the newly established 17 Brigade with Headquarters in Katsina, Brigadier ET Essien is now Commander 29 Task Force Brigade, while Brigadier General TA Lagbaja is coming from Headquarters 8 Division to Army Headquarters as Acting Director Operations and Brigadier General GN Mutkut takes over as Commander 7 Multinational Joint Task Force Brigade.
“All the postings and appointments takes effect from 2nd January 2018”.

At Last, Buhari Appoints 209 Board Chairmen, 1,258 Board Members

At Last, Buhari Appoints 209 Board Chairmen, 1,258 Board Members

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the constitution of the Governing Boards of Agencies and Parastatals, under some Ministries, as well as the appointment of “eminently qualified Nigerians to fill the Board positions, numbering 209 Chairmen and 1258 members”.

The disclosure was made, Friday, in statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha.

Among the appointees are several members of the National Working Committee NWC of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC and a hordes of other party stalwarts.

The National Legal Adviser of the party, Dr Muiz Banire chairs the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria AMCON. Other NWC members in the list are the party’s National Auditor, Chief George Moghalu who chairs the board of the Nigerian Communications Satellite NIGCOMSAT Ltd; its National Organizing Secretary, Sen. Osita Izunaso chairs the board of National Automotive Design and Development Centre (formerly National Automotive Council); Deputy National Chairman, South, Engr. Segun Oni (Nigeria Export Processing Zone); its Ntional Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi (National Sugar Development Council); and the party’s North west zonal vice chairman, Inuwa Abdulkadir who chairs the board of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC.

APC’s Secretary, Mai Mala Buni heads the NIGERIA Shippers’ Council while its Deputy National Chairman North, Sen. Lawal Shuaibu heads the Federal Housing Authority.

Other party. Executives heading various boards Zakari Idde and Sen. Ayo Akinyelure while a former Deputy governor of Plateau state, Dame Pauline Tallen, Gen. John Shagaya, Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora and many others are also heading different boards.

A former Governor of Ekiti state, Otunba Niyi Adebayo is also to chair the board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN.

The statement said, “Mr. President considered the approval for the constitution of the Boards as well as the appointments, very necessary, so as to provide a proper Governance and oversight structure for Government Agencies and Parastatals. The constitution of the boards with the appointments, is a demonstration of this Government’s efforts aimed at building strong institutions of Governance, and by extension, improving the quality of Policy formulation and supervision.

“While these appointments represent a substantial number of hitherto pending board appointments, some more appointments are still being processed and will be released in due course. The appointments take immediate effect and Honourable Ministers are advised to inaugurate the boards after letters of appointment have been issued”.

Some of the Board Chairmen and members appointed includes;

SN ORGANIZATION CHAIRMAN MEMBERS
1 National Boundary Commission VICE-PRESIDENT UGOCHI NNANNA KALU;
YAKUBU TSALA;
HON. MOHD B. LIKINGO;
OBONG RITA AKPAN;
BARR. BAYO OLORUNWO;
BARR MOHD LIMAN;
2 National Institute for Policy and
Strategy Studies (NIPSS)
GEN. JOHN SHAGAYA
RETD
HON. ABDULLAI MATORI;
DR CHIDIA MADUEKWE;
DR. FEMI MAJEKODUNMI;
IBRAHIM KABIR MASARI;
3 Border Communities Development
Agency (BCDA)
VICE-PRESIDENT AFAM OGENE;
HON. SAHHED SALAWE;
LEONELA J. OMO;
RABIU GWARZO;
AHAMED ALTI;
IDRIS SANI BUKO;
4 National Planning Commission
(NPC)
VICE-PRESIDENT PROF FUNSO ADESOLA;
SHUAIBU OSUNE;
ALH MUJTABA AHMED;
1 NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR
REFUGEES
HON. PETER BIYE NO APPOINTABLE MEMBERS AS
PER STATUTE
2 FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY
COMMISSION
BUKHARI BELLO ESQ ABDULLAHI SIFAWA
CAPT. TUNDE ADEDIMEJI
HON CHIBUZO OBIAKOR
AMB. SAIDU MOHD (OON)
BASHORUN DAVID OYEWOLE
3 NIGERIAN CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS
COMMISSION
REV. YOMI KASALI EMMANUEL EBOMUCHE
EZEKIEL AGAZU
DR ISRAEL AKANJI
PAS. ANTHONY FASIPE
REV. JIDDA MUSA
REV YUSUF BINIYAT
FORGIVEN AMACHREE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPOINTS GOVERNING BOARDS FOR PARASTATALS AND AGENCIES
The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the constitution of the Governing Boards of Agencies and Parastatals, under some Ministries, as well as the appointment of eminently qualified Nigerians to fill the Board positions, numbering 209 Chairmen and 1258 members.
2. Mr. President considered the approval for the constitution of the Boards as well as the appointments, very necessary, so as to provide a proper Governance and oversight structure for Government Agencies and Parastatals. The constitution of the boards with the appointments, is a demonstration of this Government’s efforts aimed at building strong institutions of Governance, and by extension, improving the quality of Policy formulation and supervision.
3. While these appointments represent a substantial number of hitherto pending board appointments, some more appointments are still being processed and will be released in due course.
4. The appointments take immediate effect and Honourable Ministers are advised to inaugurate the boards after letters of appointment have been issued

Cout Remands Three in Prison For Tampering With Ikeja Electric’s Installations

Cout Remands Three in Prison For Tampering With Ikeja Electric’s Installations

A Lagos State Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba has remanded three men in prison for allegedly reconnecting customers of Ikeja Electric (IE) who had been disconnected following outstanding bills owed the Disco.

The men Adegoke Azeez, Tijani Rasaq and Goodnews Sunday, were arraigned before the court by the police on a three count charge of attempt to commit felony by committing an offence contrary to and punishable under section 411 and 168 of the Criminal Law, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.

According to the police the accused persons were apprehended in the late hours of Thursday 21stDecember, 2017  atAbiola Street, Oke-Ira, Ogba, Lagos while tampering with Ikeja Electric installations.

They, however,  pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in like sum of N50,000 by the court

The court also ordered that the two sureties most have tax clearance and verifiable house addresses.

The accused persons are to remain in prison custody until they perfect their bail conditions. 

In his reaction, Head Corporate Communications Ikeja Electric, Felix Ofulue said that the company had resolved to confront fraudulent and unethical practices in its network. 

He bemoaned the rising cases of vandalism in some communities, cautioning customers against engaging unauthorized technicians who reconnect owing customers, or tamper with IE’s meters and other installations.

Ofulue pointed out that illegal activities on IE’s network could cause overload on transformers, increasing risk of damage to assets and even customer appliances.

“It is a crime to tamper with electrical assets and it is also a dangerous activity that could lead to loss of life and property when unqualified technicians meddle with the connections just for some paltry financial gain”, Ofulue said.

The Communications Chief called on members of the Community to report any case of vandalism and asset tampering to the nearest IE office.

Buhari Buhari Signs Bills On Treatment Of Gunshot Victims, Anti-Torture

Buhari Buhari Signs Bills On Treatment Of Gunshot Victims, Anti-Torture

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday signed six bills that have earlier been passed by the National Assembly into law.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate ), Ita Enang, disclosed this to State House Correspondents after the President signed the bills into law at the Presidential Villa , Abuja.

According to Enang , the bills signed into law include the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act , 2017 and Anti - Torture Act , 2017.

He explained that the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act , 2017 provided for the compulsory treatment and care for victims of gunshots and for related matters.

He said , “ Specifically , the Act stipulates that a person with a gunshot wound shall be received for immediate and adequate treatment by any hospital in Nigeria with or without initial monetary deposit.

“ Furthermore , a person with a gunshot wound shall not be subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment or torture by any person or authority , including the police and other security agencies.

“ Anti - Torture Act , 2017 makes comprehensive provisions for penalising the acts of torture and other cruel , inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment , and prescribes penalties for the commission of such acts.”

The presidential aide added that Buhari assented to the Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment) Amendment Act , 2017.

He explained that the Act included the gas producing and gas processing companies in the list of agencies that were contributing to the NDDC in addition to the oil companies in a bid to increasing the funding of the commission for effective discharge of its duties.

“ Previously , the NDDC Acts excluded the gas companies . The Act makes it explicit that the Gas companies have to be included.

“This is to diversify the sources of funding for the NDDC for the economic wellbeing of the region, ” he said.

WhatsApp will stop working on many smartphones from Jan 1

WhatsApp will stop working on many smartphones from Jan 1

WhatsApp is about to stop working on a range of old smartphones, meaning owners will have to buy newer gadgets if they want to continue using the chat app to the best of its capabilities.

On New Year’ s Day , WhatsApp will ‘ remove support ’ for a number of devices – which updated versions of the software can no longer be installed on them.

This means owners of these clapped out gizmos won ’ t be able to enjoy new features or plugs for security holes which are often introduced in updates.

From January 1 , 2018 , anyone still using phones which run BlackBerry OS , BlackBerry 10 or Windows Phone 8 . 0 will no longer be able to update their WhatsApp software.

In a blog post , WhatsApp wrote : “ While these mobile devices have been an important part of our story, they don ’t offer the kind of capabilities we need to expand our app ’s features in the future.

“ This was a tough decision for us to make, but the right one in order to give people better ways to keep in touch with friends , family , and loved ones using WhatsApp.

“ If you use one of these affected mobile devices , we recommend upgrading to a newer Android, iPhone , or Windows Phone.”

Last year, WhatsApp dropped its support for Nokia Symbian S 60 phones. It will do the same for Nokia S 40 handsets on December 31 2018 and then devices running Android 2.3.7 and older after 1 February , 2020 .

A lawyer recently wrote to WhatsApp , calling on it to stop people from using the middle finger emoji.

The sensitive solicitor claimed the emoji constitutes an ‘ obscene, lewd gesture’– which is an offence in India.

(Metro)

NLC Threatens Strike If Petrol Scarcity Persists Into New Year

NLC Threatens Strike If Petrol Scarcity Persists Into New Year

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has threatened it would embark on industrial action if the petrol scarcity biting the country persists into the New Year.

NLC gave the threat in a statement issued on Friday.

The statement however lauded the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, for directing the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) to cut short its recess and immediately convene industry stakeholders meeting to tackle the petrol crisis.

However, a member of Nigeria Labour Congress, Issa Aremu said the problems of the downstream sector that have led to the petrol crisis in the country exposes what he described as “crisis of corporate governance in the petroleum sector.”

According to him, the downstream sector has a problem of “abysmal absence of accountability, transparency and openness in the administration of the petroleum resources of Nigeria.”

He said only the legislature can bring an end to the crisis in the sector, adding that by directing the senate committee members to resume duty and tackle the crisis, the Senate had shown that the legislature is truly “a vent for public grievances, a “useful organ of public opinion.”

He said “there is a deep-seated conflict of interest in the downstream sector.

Regulators are operators; regulators are importers; importers are products hoarders, regulators are also saboteurs.”

“Definitely, we have a sector captured in our hands, Nigeria and Nigerians need liberation.” Aremu also called for a “total ban on importation to reinvent domestic refineries and beneficiation to crude oil,” alleging that the “NNPC is the only public corporation that annually awards its directors long service incentives for no service at all, for non-functioning refineries.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Kabiru Marafa, had disclosed that following the directive of the Senate President, the committee has summoned the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Maikanti Baru and other relevant stakeholders in the petroleum sector to a crucial meeting on Thursday January 4, 2018.

Police debunk alleged poaching of aircraft at Lagos airport

Police debunk alleged poaching of aircraft at Lagos airport

The Murtala Muhammed Airport , Lagos, Police Command, has debunked the recent allegations of poaching of aircrafts and stealing of baggage at the airport leveled against its personnel.

The command’s spokesman, DSP Joseph Alabi said on Friday in Lagos that the allegations could not be substantiated by those making them.

The two incidents of alleged poaching were recently reported, the latest being that which was said to have occurred on a chartered flight from Uyo to Lagos on December 26.

However, Alabi said the command, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN ) and other security agencies, were still investigating the alleged incidents.
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According to him, so far, the purported victims have failed to appear before the inter-agency committee and have also not lodged any complaint with the police.

He said: “if anything of such happens at the airport, the victim is expected to report it to the police, but nobody has come to us to make any such report.

“We have our officers who patrol the airside with the FAAN security operatives and it is practically impossible for anyone to burgle an aircraft in motion as being alleged.’’

Alabi urged travelers and other airport users not to fret over the allegations, stressing that the command was adequately prepared and equipped to guarantee their security, especially during this festive season.

Lagos Begins Enforcement Of ‘gated Streets,’ Demolishes 38 Gates

Lagos Begins Enforcement Of ‘gated Streets,’ Demolishes 38 Gates

The Special Taskforce Committee set up by Lagos State Government on demolition of gated streets has begun enforcement exercise on the removal of gates at both the metropolitan and suburb areas of the State that failed to comply with the government’s directive on Gated Streets regulation.
So far, the government had demolished 38 street gates that were shut against traffic between the hours of 5.00am and 12 midnight.
The state government had earlier directed that all street gates be made accessible between 5.00am and 12 midnight every day after series of awareness campaign and the need to adhere strictly to the government directive.
It expressed displeasure with the attitude of some communities acting in defiance with the order.
Speaking at the commencement of the enforcement exercise which kicked-off from Surulere, Ajeromi Ifelodun, Ikeja, Isolo, Ikosi-Isheri, Ojodu and Amuwo-Odofin areas of the State, on Thursday, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Affairs, Alhaji Tajudeen Quadri said those acting contrary to the law were posing a great security threat to government’s resolve to achieve a safe and secured Lagos.
He disclosed that government’s policy on gated streets was meant to earn the confidence of residents and investors in the State, noting that the act of denying motorists and pedestrians access through the various community gates before the stipulated time did not positively reflect the image of the state government as being investor-friendly.
According to him, the illegal closure of gates also contributed to the activities of criminally-minded individuals who indulged in dispossessing residents of their belongings, thereby making it difficult for security agencies come to the rescue of victims or apprehend the perpetrators.
One of the gates removed
“The act of partial or permanent closure of gates against Street Gated Regulations of the State affects businesses encourages miscreants to take advantage of residents and get away with their belongings and in case of fire outbreak the community affected will not be easily accessible by the rescue teams,” he said.
He said that the policy, being an executive order by the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode might warrant arrest and prosecution of non-complying communities where necessary.
Quadri added that the activities of the various communities affected had further made free vehicular movement difficult in those areas where roads leading to the closed gates were not accessible by commuters.
During the exercise, some aggrieved residents whose gates were removed kicked against the act while others commended the exercise by the state government for the exercise
A resident at Idita Street in Surulere Local Government, Mrs Deborah Ogunbiyi expressed satisfaction with the exercise, saying passing through easy access roads had been difficult due to closure of gates with other inconveniences that comes with it.
She said members of the community would continue to support government policies and programmes to make Lagos safer and better.
Another residents in Yekini Okobale , Isolo Local Council Development Area commended the government for the exercise and that the illegal closure of the gate had prevented pregnant women in labour to access other gates in case there is traffic gridlock anytime there is emergency.

Nigerian Stock Market Among World’s Top 5 Performers In 2017 – CNN Report

Nigerian Stock Market Among World’s Top 5 Performers In 2017 – CNN Report

Nigeria’s stock market has been named to be amongst the five top performers in 2017, topping equities markets of most major European, Middle Eastern and Asian countries, a CNN report has revealed.

The report which examined the performances of global equities’ markets, listed the United States stock market to have average 25 per cent, Nigeria 43 per cent, Turkey 43 per cent, Argentina 73 per cent and Hong Kong 35 per cent as the major outperformers.

Analysts have said the ingenuity of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the management of the foreign exchange market helped notch Nigeria’s stock market to be amongst the five top best performing exchange for 2017.

They said the NSE was able to achieve this after posting losses for three consecutive years, 2014 to 2016, as a result of the introduction of the Importers and Exporters’ Window (I&EW) in mid-April which helped stabilise volatility and liquidity in the forex market, pulling back foreign investors who have been waiting on the sideline.

According to them, this also improved macro fundamentals as Nigeria exited recession, boosted external reserves, brokered peace with militants amid oil price rally and improvement in ease of doing business and strong corporate earnings results. The value of public companies on global stock markets grew by $12.4 trillion in 2017, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices, which included dividends in its calculation as a number of markets even outperformed the U.S.

The report also listed Qatar as the biggest loser, down by 19 per cent this year despite the big recovery of crude price. The small nation’s economy has been under pressure following its spat with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE.

The report said the Nigerian stock market has so far this year recorded a 43 per cent gain after the central bank made it easier to swap foreign currencies through the special window called the ‘Investors’ and Exporters’ FX Window’ created on April which also helped the country ease out of a short but painful recession.

It has been noted that the Nigerian All-Share index is still miles below record highs set in early 2008, but a 43 per cent rally in 2017 has helped to close the gap. The index suffered mightily in 2015 and 2016 as low oil prices, militant attacks, currency troubles, elections and Ebola hit investor sentiment.

Founder and CEO of Silk Invest, Zin Bekkali explained that oil prices have moved higher, the central bank has made it easier to swap currencies and the economy has snapped out of recession, noting that “If you look at where we stand today, the [Nigerian] market is still one of the cheapest markets on the planet.”

Analysts are optimistic that stocks could keep rising in 2018 with continuous strengthen of its foreign exchange and on improved macro-economic indices. Yet the country’s benchmark index rallied by 43 per cent this year as the government implemented temporary tax cuts and a loan guarantee programme that encouraged banks to lend to small businesses. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth soared, reaching 11.1per cent in the third quarter.

The stock market performance was also helped by the falling Turkish lira, said Neil Shearing, chief emerging markets economist at Capital Economics. Now experts are warning that the good times can’t last forever. “From here on we think the economy is getting close to overheating,” said Daniel Salter, global head of equities at Renaissance Capital.

The report stated that the Hang Seng charged ahead by nearly 35 per cent, but China’s major mainland indexes in Shanghai and Shenzhen floundered. It’s all about Tencent (TCEHY), said Dickie Wong, the head of research at Kingston Financial Group. Shares in the Hong Kong-listed tech giant more than doubled over the past year and the company’s valuation briefly eclipsed that of Facebook (FB).

WeChat, the company’s popular mobile messenger, has close to 1 billion users, and investors have cheered forays into mobile gaming and video streaming. Meanwhile, the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets have languished after state media convinced local investors to be cautious, said Wong.

By OLUSHOLA BELLO And KAYODE TOKEDE, Leadership Newspaper 

Stranded Med-View Passengers Protest At Lagos, London Airports

Stranded Med-View Passengers Protest At Lagos, London Airports

Scores of Med-View Airlines’ passengers Thursday staged a protest at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, over alleged rescheduling or cancellation of flights.

The passengers, numbering about 200 were angered over the rescheduling of their Lagos-London and Lagos-Dubai flights for two days on a bounce, without due communication from Med-View officials.

The protest, which affected other foreign airlines on the morning belt, came some hours after over 500 passengers of the same airline also protested at the London Gatwick Airport for being abandoned for five days.

The worsening harmattan haze in the last few days has hampered local flight operations in most parts of the country.

Except for Lagos-Abuja operations that continue to run on schedule, other routes are either severely delayed or cancelled, much to the pains of the travelling public.

The Lagos passengers around 8:30am stormed the counter of Med-View Airlines to demand details of their rescheduled flight for Thursday. After about an hour, without satisfactory information about their fate, the passengers became irate, causing a scene at the terminal.

Some disrupted activities at the check-In counters of other airlines like Virgin Atlantic, African World Airways, Kenyan Airways among others.

Security operatives had to wade-in to prevent breakdown of law and order.

One of the protesters, Elizabeth, lamented that it was becoming of Med-View to either reschedule or cancel a flight without duly informing the affected passengers.

It was learnt that some of the airline’s passengers are still waiting for Med-View aircraft at London Gatwick for airlift.

One of the stranded passengers, Yinka, lamented shabby treatment by their airline Thursday. Yinka, in a tweet said: “Day-four at Gatwick Airport, a passenger fainted. Over 500 from Saturday still stranded. Police being used to check-in people.‘’

Spokesperson of the airline, Obuke Oyibotha, said though the airline had operational issues at the weekend, the London operations had since been restored and running since Sunday.

He said: “We had issues when one of our aircraft had to go for maintenance. But the issue had been addressed. We had a flight from London on Sunday and even yesterday another still flew. I can tell you that our operations are running,” Oyibotha said.

Lagos moves to increase land use charge

Lagos moves to increase land use charge

A bill to review the current land use charges in Lagos State went through second reading at plenary yesterday.

Christened A Bill for A Law To Repeal The Land Use Charge Law 2001 and Enact Land Use Charge 2017 and For Connected Purposes, it was committed to the Ad Hoc Committee on Finance, led by Yinka Ogundimu.

Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said the bill was about increasing revenue generation.

Obasa noted that a few consultants working with the government on collection of land use charges was not good enough.

The Speaker called for an increase in the number of consultants.

He said: “We need more consultants to do the job so that the state could be covered in the collection of land use charges.

Whatever tribunal that would be set up to deal with offenders should have the support of the government.

“On the issue of exemptions, we cannot exempt religious organisations because most of the worship centres are making money. We could only exempt non-governmental organisations (NGOs).”

Change is on, says Weah in acknowledgment of victory

Change is on, says Weah in acknowledgment of victory

Ex-football superstar George Weah was announced the winner on Thursday of Liberia’s presidential run-off, beating Vice President Joseph Boakai in the first democratic transfer of power in decades following two devastating civil wars.

Weah is set to replace incumbent Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who took over at the helm of Africa’s oldest republic in 2006.

The National Election Commission (NEC) said Weah had won an insurmountable 61.5 percent of Tuesday’s vote, which was delayed several weeks after a legal challenge from Boakai.

The NEC said that with 98.1 percent of all votes counted, Boakai had only secured 38.5 percent support.

NEC President Jerome Korkoya told reporters that definitive results would be released Friday.

But Weah wasted no time in acknowledging the win, posting on Twitter: “My fellow Liberians, I deeply feel the emotion of all the nation. I measure the importance and the responsibility of the immense task which I embrace today. 

Change is on.”

Ahead of Thursday’s results, armed and helmeted police deployed outside the poll body’s headquarters and some of Weah’s supporters were already rejoicing.

“The Liberian people clearly made their choice… and all together we are very confident in the result of the electoral process,” tweeted Weah before the official results were announced.

Weah topped the first round of voting in October with 38.4 percent of ballots but failed to win the 50 percent necessary to avoid a run-off. Boakai came second with 28.8 perce

LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Sacks 255, Redeploys 299

LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Sacks 255, Redeploys 299

About 255 workers of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital have been sacked by the management of the institution, while 299 others were redeployed to state service.

‎An internal memorandum signed by one A.M Ajiferuke, dated 27th December, 2017, confirmed the disengagement of workers of the teaching hospital jointly owned by Oyo and Osun States.

The list also revealed that 299 other workers of the hospital are to be redeployed to the state service, bringing the total of affected workers to 554.

The internal memo reads, “Kindly find below the list of disengaged staff as directed by the Oyo State Government and approved by the board at her meeting held on Thursday, 21st December, 2017.”

It was discovered that axes may also fall on other workers of LAUTECH as the owner-states begin the process of ‘weeding’.

An internal source who begged not to be named said, “The headcount was unable to commence yesterday due to flight delay. The team couldn’t fly from Lagos to Ibadan due to unfavourable weather condition.”

It was further gathered that various unions are spoil for war against the owner-states.

However, efforts made by our correspondent to get the spokesperson of the Teaching Hospital to confirm the list proved abortive as at the time of filling this report.

But Public Relations Officer (PRO) of LAUTECH, Mr. Akin Fadeyi when called to speak on the matter said he could not comment because LAUTECH is different from LAUTECH Teaching Hospital.

Fadeyi said, “You see, there is a difference between LAUTECH and LAUTCH teaching Hospital. I don’t speak for Teaching hospital”.

By BUKOLA IDOWU, Leadership Newspaper.

Nigeria Risks Losing N136bn Gain Of Transit Cargoes

Nigeria Risks Losing N136bn Gain Of Transit Cargoes

Nigeria’s early gains of reclaiming about N136 billion transit cargoes from neighbouring countries like Togo and Benin Republic may be eroded as the port of Cotonou has signed a management agreement with Antwerp Port to manage and modernize its port.

Stakeholders in the nation’s maritime industry said the move could be detrimental to the nation’s maritime trade as it is coming on the heels of more than 60% loss of Nigeria-bound cargoes to Cotonou Port largely due to high Customs duties and poor clearing processes at Nigerian ports.

Transit cargoes are cargoes meant for landlocked countries like Chad and Niger Republic which have no access to the sea.

Recall that LEADERSHIP had reported that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) earlier in the year began moves to attract back cargo movement through Nigerian ports so that the country could earn the necessary income.

The government is losing revenues due to congestion and poor evacuation of cargoes. The evacuation challenges were caused by the poor management of traffic both inside and outside the Tin-Can and Lagos Port Complex.

Demurrage accrued by importers due to state of the port access roads that makes containers spend between five to seven days before accessing and exiting the seaport would further make Port of Cotonou attractive to Nigerian importers and Shippers from land locked countries.

Confirming the imminent loss of Nigeria bound cargoes and transit cargoes to Benin Republic, the President, Shippers Association of Lagos State (SALS), Rev. Jonathan Nicol said with the agreement, the port of Cotonou would be more efficient than Nigerian seaports.

According to him, the efficiency of the Port of Cotonou would make it attractive to Nigerian bound and transit cargoes at the detriment of Nigerian seaports. “Antwerp is very efficient and since we have government that doesn’t listen and they think it is whatever they want to do that they do, we in the shippers association wish them well.

“If the Port of Rotadam handles Cotonou port, it will create more avenue for patronage from both West and Central sub-region. So, it might even take over transit cargoes from Nigeria port and that will be a tragedy for us even when we tell our people they will not listen so we are getting skeptical to advise government,” Nicol said.

Recall that Niger shares about 1,500 kilometres of boundary with Nigeria, and with a coastline of about 800 kilometres, Nigerian ports remain the natural gateway for Niger and Chad’s access to the sea. Nigerian ports are also nearer to Jibiya (a border town between both countries) than Togo, Benin Republic or Ghana; while Ghana to Niger is about 3,400 kilometres, Lagos to Jibiya in Niger is just 1,300 kilometres.

But, the countries have complained about inefficiencies of the Nigerian Ports and cost of doing business which had earlier made them abandoned Nigerian ports. They have complained of high container deposit by shipping companies which is eating deep into the profit margins of the shippers, delay at the border and high charges by terminal operators. The delay at the border is another challenge.

By Leadership Newspaper

FG Raises N7bn From Savings Bond In 10 Months

FG Raises N7bn From Savings Bond In 10 Months

The federal government has raised a total sum of N7.3 billion in the past 10 months from its savings bond introduced in March 2017 to boost domestic investors’ participation in the bond market.

The government, this year, planned to use the savings bond to finance the budget deficit but investors’ appetite for investment in the savings bond diminished in the fourth quarter of 2017.

The December allotment figure shows that N246.41 million had been raised, which is the lowest savings bond the Debt Management Office (DMO) generated this year over drop in coupon rate.

Analysts attributed the drop in savings bond coupon to improved macro economy.

The Managing Director, Highcap Securities Limited, Mr. David Adnori said, “The savings bond coupon rate dropped due to improvement in macro economy as interest rate is on decline in the economy. Rates on bonds and Treasury Bills (T-Bills) are all declining”.

The coupon rate allocated were 11.738 per cent for FGNSB DEC 2019, which is a two-year bond and 12.738 per cent for FGNSB DEC 2020, representing a three-year bond.

For November allotment, the figures show that N256 million had been raised through 12.091 per cent (FGNSB NOV 2019) two-year bond and 13.091 per cent (FGNSB NOV 2020) three-year bond.

Subscription in November was the second lowest as investors’ appetite started dropping.

Before November and December, the average coupon rate on FG’s savings bond was pegged at an average 12 per cent to 13 per cent, with a two-year and three -year bonds.

In October, the saving bond allotment dropped by 5.6 per cent to N389.19 million from N412.7 billion, following the slowdown in coupon rates.

The coupon rate assigned to a FGNSB OCT 2019 and FGNSB OCT 2020 in October was at 12.059 per cent and 13.059 per cent respectively, while in September, the coupon rate was at 13.817 per cent (FGNSB SEP 2019) and 14.817 per cent (FGNSB SEP 2020)respectively.

Before the last quarter of 2017, there was increased participation at the debt market in the first quarter as demand for T- Bills, FGN Bonds and the Savings bond increased relative to supply

Specifically, in March the debt office had raised N2.068 billion from the 13.01 per cent two years debt with 2,575 total number of successful subscriptions.

According to LEADERSHIP findings, data from Debt Management Offie (DMO) showed that the initial auction of the savings bond still had the largest participation in the first quarter and started dropping in the second and third quarter.

At the end of first quarter in April, DMO raised N1,288.02 billion that comprises of N419.33million and N868.69 million for a 12.794 per cent and 13.794 per cent, two- year and three-year savings bond respectively.

In May, it raised N791.15 billion with yields rising to 13.189 per cent for the two-year paper and 14.189 per cent for the three-year allotment.

The yield remained the same in June but the amount raised dropped to N607.26 million.

However, an increased yield failed to spike interest in July, as only N400.57 million was raised from the two-year and three-year paper, although the yield for the papers were raised to 13.386 and 14.836 per cents respectively.

By August, investors’ interest in the savings bond increased along with the yield offered.

The two-year bond was offered at 13.535 per cent, while the three-year Savings bond was offered at 14.535 per cent, just as the DMO was able to raise N738.14 million through the Savings Bond.

Analysts maintained that many retail investors traded with caution following the yuletide celebration, while some diverted funds to the equity market, foreign exchange market, as yield on savings bond and T-Bills are not attractive.

$1.1trn Worth Of Fuel Diverted By 18 Companies – PDP

$1.1trn Worth Of Fuel Diverted By 18 Companies – PDP

As fuel scarcity lingers across the country, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) maintained yesterday that 18 unregistered companies were used to lift and divert $1.1trn worth of crude oil in the last one year.

It accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of being silent over reports of fraud in the oil regime.

PDP further charged the APC-led government to tell Nigerians the truth regarding its handling of fuel related funds, particularly the circumstances surrounding what it called “the exposed diversion of fuel funds in sleazy oil subsidy payouts”.

In a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the major opposition party in the country said it is completely reprehensible that the APC and the federal government have continue to stick to lies, particularly on the real reasons behind the biting fuel scarcity.

The party tasked the APC Government to speak out on reports of fraud in the oil regime whereupon 18 unregistered companies were used to lift and divert $1.1 trillion worth of crude oil in the last one year.

“We all know that it was convenient for the APC Presidency to promise Nigerians that it will no longer import fuel only because the PDP government had already laid the foundation including revamping the refineries and ensuring a domestic production of 5 million litres out of the 25 million litres daily domestic consumption.

“Sadly, this incompetent APC government, in its almost three years, has not added one litre to the 5 million litres which the PDP administration was producing. Instead of improvements, the APC has wrecked the system and now pushing the nation to depend solely on importation, while engaging in heavy sleazes in hidden subsidy regimes.

“Is it not also ridiculous for the federal government, in its bid to cover for its ineptitude and oil subsidy corruption, to announce that it is the NNPC and not Nigeria that is paying for the so called

The statement made available to LEADERSHIP continued: “The question is who owns the NNPC? Is it not Nigeria? Can NNPC spend a kobo without the authorization of the Presidency? Has President Muhammadu Buhari ceased to be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Minister of Petroleum Resources?

“Moreover, if the NNPC, which is under his purview, has been paying fuel subsidy, who authorized the payment and who are the beneficiaries?  Nigerians need to know the truth on this subsidy regime.

“We therefore challenge the APC- Federal Government to come clean on these issues and stop telling lies to Nigerians who have suffered enough under its deceptive, inept, uncoordinated and wicked regime”.

The PDP however urged Nigerians not to feel forlorn, adding that it has repositioned to stand with the people in the inevitable mission to rescue and restore the nation to the path of prosperity once more come 2019.

Nigerian Airports Record 9.2m Passengers In 9 Months- FAAN

Nigerian Airports Record 9.2m Passengers In 9 Months- FAAN

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says that a total of 9.2 million passengers passed through Nigerian airports in 140,552 aircraft movements between Jan. and Sept. 2017.

A statistics obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from FAAN in Abuja on Thursday, revealed that 6.38 million domestic and 2.8 international passengers passed through the airports during the period.

The data also showed that 110,220 domestic and 30,332 international flights were operated across the nation’s 22 airports during the period under review.

It further revealed that 4.6 million passengers arrived in the country in 70,680 flights, while 4.5 million passengers departed in 69,872 flights.

The total cargo movement during the period according to FAAN stood at 128.37 million tons per kilogram.
The statistics indicated that 86.11 million tons per kilogram arrived in the country through the airports, while 42.26 million tons departed during the period.

A look at the four major airports in the country shows that Murtala Muhammed Airports (Domestic and International Wing) recorded the highest passengers and aircraft movement during the period.

The data indicated that Lagos airport recorded 4.5 million passengers, with 2.4 million passengers on domestic routes and 2.03 million on the international routes.

The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja recorded 2.4 million passengers even though the airport was shot for six weeks in March and April.

The airport also recorded 1.9 million passengers on domestic routes, while the international routes recorded 485,481 passengers during the nine months period.

FAAN also disclosed that Port Harcourt International Airport recorded 684,859 passengers comprising 622,780 domestic passengers and 62,079 international passengers.

Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, according to the report, recorded 312,792 passengers during the period under review comprising 167,391 domestic and 145,404 international passengers.

The monthly breakdown of the statistics shows that 987,844 passengers were transported through Nigerian airports in January comprising 494,716 arrivals and 493,128 departures with 16,141 aircraft movements.

It revealed that in February, a total of 843,343 passengers comprising 415,542 arrivals and 427,801 departures in 14,051 aircraft movements were recorded.

The statistics also showed that 738,314 passengers comprising 366,997 arrivals and 371,317 departures in 12,499 aircraft movements were recorded in March.
It further revealed that 974,081 passengers comprising 544,574 arrivals and 429,507 departures in 13,721 aircraft movements were recorded in April.

The month of May saw 1.05 million passengers comprising 535,133 arrivals and 515,067 departures in 17,161 aircraft movements, while 1.01 million passengers comprising 507,597 arrivals and 501,824 departures were transported in June.

The statistics indicated that there were 15,758 aircraft movements in June, while 1.14 million passengers comprising 571,813 arrivals and 575,349 departures were transported in July in 16,717 aircraft movements.

It further showed that the highest traffic was recorded in August with 1.26 million passengers comprising 607,277 arrivals and 660, 575 departures in 17,453 aircraft movements.

In September, 1.18 million passengers comprising 610,244 arrivals and 569,991 departures were transported in 17,205 aircraft movements.

Withholding tax: EFCC recovers N27.7b from six banks

Withholding tax: EFCC recovers N27.7b from six banks

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered over N27.7billion from six banks being unremitted withholding tax on dividends.

Also, about seven more banks were said to be on the radar of the anti-graft agency for similar infractions.

According to a fact-sheet obtained by our correspondent, the EFCC was expecting recovery of more withholding tax.

The document reads: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered a staggering sum of N27, 712,334,455.06 as withholding tax on dividends payment by six Nigerian banks.

“The banks are Zenith Bank Plc, First Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Bank, Unity Bank Plc and StanbicIBTC Bank.

“The recovery by the Bank Fraud section of the Lagos office of the Commission was made through direct intervention by the Commission and indirectly through the assistance of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of some states as well as the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

“Zenith Bank alone allegedly accounted for more than 80 percent of the amount as a whooping N26, 468,223,358.24 was recovered from the bank between November and first week of December, 2017.

“Of the sum, the EFCC directly recovered N4, 207,235,701.06 from the bank, while N22, 260,987,657.24 came through the intervention of FIRS, the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, the Internal Revenue Service of other states and the RMAFC.

“The balance of N1, 244,111,097.43 was recovered from the other five banks. The investigation is still ongoing.

“Seven other banks are currently under the Commission’s radar with respect to withholding tax on dividends.

“We are certain to record more recovery by the time the investigation is completed.”

Meanwhile, the EFCC has arrested 13 suspected internet fraudsters for conspiracy, possession of fraudulent documents and obtaining money under false pretence.

The suspects are- Badejo Tobi; Abiola Dimeji; Anthony Godwin; Osoba Adeboye; Adeleken Abiodun and Awokoya Oriyomi Yusuf.

Others are – Oyatayo Ismail; Coffie Meschark; Sylvester Amaddin; Olawale Farouk; Adeniran Tolani; Taiwo Michael and OyekanmiAyodeji.

According to the Commission, the suspects were arrested on Saturday, December 16, 2006 in some parts of Lagos and Ogun States, following intelligence report received by the Commission about their activities.

The EFCC said: “The suspects allegedly confessed to be involved in phishing, love scam, forgery, spoofing and business email compromise, among other offences.

“Phishing is an attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details (and money), often for malicious reasons, by disguising as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.

“Spoofing, on the other hand, is a type of scam where an intruder attempts to gain unauthorized access to a user’s system or information by pretending to be the user.

“Some of the suspects, who live flamboyantly without any known sources of income, were said to have bought houses and exotic cars from the proceeds of their criminal activities.

“They were allegedly found to be in possession of forged contract papers of multinational oil and gas companies, banks’ instruments and forged data page of international passports of foreign nationals, among other documents.

“Other items recovered from the suspects included laptops, flash drives, modems, one Range Rover SUV, one Toyota Highlander, Two Toyota Corolla and one Toyota Camry.

The suspects will soon be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”