Udom's Aide Suggests Punishment For Bodies and Persons Convicted of of cruelty against disabled persons or infringement upon their legal and fundamental human rights.

Today At AKHA complex:

Ulap Joseph Bassey Okon, the International President of Essu Nlap Oro and SSA to Gov. Udom on Projects, has just concluded a  presentation, at an ongoing public hearing on a Bill to protect the physically challenged persons against all forms of discrimination and to to provide for equal opportunities in all aspects of living in the society.

The event is organised by Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Social Welfare and Special Matters.

Tendering his contribution, the governor's aide commended the sponsors of the Bill and the House Committee on Women Affairs, Social Welfare and Special Matters, for the organisation of the public hearing session, that the bill might accommodate public interest.

While section 7(5) of the Bill proposes that all employers of labour employing up-to 100 persons shall reserve at least 1% of such work force for a qualified person living with disability, Ulap Joseph Bassey suggested that the of every 100% employing work force, 5% should be reserved for qualified persons living with disabilities, stressing that 1% is too insignificant.

However, section 7(4) stipulates that defaulters convicted on grounds of cruelty against disabled persons or infringement upon their legal and fundamental human rights shall be liable to a fine of one hundred thousand naira (N100,000.00) or a maximum jail term of three(3) years or both,  while any convicted corporate organisation shall be liable to a fine of five hundred thousand naira (N500,000.00) as damages to the affected person with disability. Meanwhile, viewing this provision as being less instructive, the President of an apex sociocultural youth group in Oro nation (Essu Nlap Oro), Ulap Joseph Bassey suggested a minimum imprisonment of 3years and maximum of 5years for individuals, and a fine of one million naira for any corporate organisation convicted on grounds of cruelty against disabled persons or infringement upon their legal and fundamental human rights.

GOV. UDOM, BUILDING A VIBRANT ECONOMY

Emmanuel Nicholas

The upstream companies identify oil and natural gas deposits and engage in the extraction of these resources from underground. These firms are often called exploration and production companies. Refiners represent the downstream element of the oil and gas supply chain.

Upstream oil and gas operations identify deposits, drill wells and recover raw materials from underground. This sector also includes related services, such as rig operations, feasibility studies, and machinery rental and extraction chemical supply.
Downstream operations include refineries and marketing. These services turn crude oil into usable products such as gasoline, fuel oils and petroleum-based products. Marketing services help move the finished products from energy companies to retailers or end users.

Nigeria is an oil producing country that has only a functional Upstream institution without any functional downstream companies , because of this the country depends on importation of the by-product of crude oil- a raw material the country is the fourth largest producer of in the world .
Because of the epileptic State of its refineries, the masses are buying fuel at exorbitant prices, as the cost of get forex for importation is so high. This high cost of exchange also increases the prices of these products in the domestic market.

Today, Nigeria is the only country that has large deposit of crude oil and the populace are buying the by-product at hiked prices that have increased the suffering of the citizens. The withdrawal of subsidies on all petroleum products by Federal Government, further compounded the high cost of living of the middle class and the downtrodden.

Governor Udom Emmanuel seeing these levels of suffering by the masses is collaborating with the private sector to bring about the desired change in operations of Government. Governor Udom has refused to see paucity of funds as an excuse not to industrialized Akwa Ibom State as he has promised during the political campaigns.

Akwa Ibom State being the largest producer of crude oil in Nigeria needs to develop the downstream vast economic values of the State, (oil and gas sector) to earn high economic gains from the functional upstream sector.
Governor Udom Emmanuel knows that the development of downstream sector will create wealth and jobs for the people of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large and also expand the general GPD of the country ,while alleviating the suffering of the commuters as the adequate supply of the products will bring down the prices .
With reduction of prices of gasoline , the price of transport of humans and good will also slump , and inflation of all prices of commodities will decrease in the country , as several economies depends on the oil and gas sub sector for survival.

It will not only reduce inflation, the local currency will be stronger as it will reduce importation of the products and other related products. There is no economy that can have a strong currency when it depends on importation.

Evaluating the methodologies Governor Udom Emmanuel has devised to ensure it brings about a working downstream sector, reveals the following:
1, Development of Ibom Deep Sea Port:
Governor Udom Emmanuel is aware that without a working Sea Port the Downstream will not be able to export their product to other countries for higher profits and it will be difficult to transport the product to other States in Nigeria.

The proposed Ibom Deep Sea Port Project is to cost about $1.7 Billion and the burden of funding the project does not rest squarely on the state Government as the project would be funded via a tripartite arrangement.
The Sea Port Is to be funded by the state and federal Governments as well as by a private investor using a 20-20-60 sharing module. The State and Federal Governments would each contribute 20% of the funding while the private investor would bring in about 60% of the funding.

These are key components of the industrial city
• Petrochemical Industries (eg, fertilizer plant)
• Refineries and Tank- farms for downstream
• Five Star Hotels and manufacturing companies
• Dockyard and watercraft Repair Facilities
• Cargo Handling and Associated activities, skyscrapers offices

-Housing Estate and warehouses
The Ibom Deep Sea Port is designed to be one of the components of proposed Ibom Industrial City and at completion can employ 200,000 workers.

To help in the building of Tank farms, The Federal Government has also granted licence to the Akwa Ibom State Government to establish an international jetty at Ikot Abasi local government area of the state to help the downstream sector in haulage and building of Tank farms and floating Station. The Jetty which will sit in 36 acres of land is a free trade Zone with international business district attached, hotels. Already more than three multinational firms have shown interest in the building of the Jetty. it is a free trade zone , that will also have floating stations, Sky scrapers for offices , warehouses , Airstrip and business community ,shopping malls and financial layout for financial institutions.

Among the downstream companies Governor Udom Emmanuel is partnering with Private sector to bring about are
1, Danium Energy Services, at Mbo. The company has completed a 28M litres petroleum products storage tank farm worth 4 Billion with a private jetty.
2, Hi-Rev Petroleum at Iko, Eastern Obolo, Construction of a Refinery at 40% completion, Whose refinery has a capacity when completed to produce 50,000 barrels per day is rearing to take off. Currently negotiating with CBN for favourable forex to import more equipment to progress work due to instability in forex. Also the refinery is sited at the huge Utapate oil and gas field of which they are the present owners

RESOURCE PETROLEUM LIMITED, This is a 100,000 BPD refinery that the Government is also promoting. All the licenses have been obtained. The land, 96 hectares, has been cleared at a location between Eket and Ibeno and construction of the Refinery has commence .

The government wishes to ensure that no resources of Akwa Ibom State are lost in any abandoned investment; the State has an equity share in AMAKPE REFINERY.

And the Government is also working on resuscitating the Amakpe Refinery. A couple of meetings between parties have been carried out. It is meant to be the first privately owned oil refinery in Nigeria. Government has inspected the facilities and is satisfied. The design and engineering metrics have been finalized, at the manufacturing facility in Pasadena Texas.

The PETROCHEMICAL PLANT is another Refinery plant which will place Akwa Ibom State on the threshold of becoming Nigeria’s, nay Africa’s industrial hub going by the aggressive approach adopted by the Governor Udom Emmanuel administration to massively industrialize the state in line with his campaign promises.

Once the gas purchase agreement with Exxon Mobile is finalized, work will commence immediately,” he said. At the ground breaking event, Mr. Ovia who spoke on the effect the plant would have in the state and the nation in general said: “Petrochemicals are vital to our everyday life- the plastic bottles that allow us to drink sanitary water, the clothes that we wear, the fertilizer that are used to grow crops, the tyres on our cars that brought us here today, the shovel that we will use to break the ground today; the pharmaceuticals we take every day to enjoy a healthy life, are all derivatives of the petrochemicals of some form.”

Another downstream company Akwa Ibom State governor is partnering with the private sector to establish is Delmar Petroleum and Jetty located at Itak Idim Ekpe, Ibeno Local Government Area of the State.

The Chairman Delmar Petroleum and Jetty, Dr Austin Odili congratulated Governor Udom Emmanuel for his ability to woo investors and the foresight to plan for the industrialisation of the state saying the investment would yield multiple gains.
He said that the prevailing economic woes experienced in the country would have been averted if the leaders were able to plan ahead of time and assured that the firm, on take off, would produce for both local and International market.

Dr Odilli explained that Delmar Petroleum which is an Oil and Gas trading Company, incorporated in 1993 with specialization in the sales, distribution and storage of Petroleum Products will have access to the deep sea through a conventional Bouy Mooring system for loading and discharging large capacity product tankers from 30kt to 100kt.
Lastly the Governor Udom Emmanuel is poise to ensure Akwa Ibom State is industrialize , which will creates jobs and wealth to both indigenes and residents of the State.

BREAKING: Udom cancels recruitment of 5000 teachers

Governor Udom Emmanuel has directed the cancellation of the recruitment of 5,000 teachers conducted by the State Secondary Education Board in 2015.

In a press release signed by the Head of Service, Mrs Ekereobong Akpan and made available to TheMail Newspaper, the government declared null and void all letters of appointment earlier issued to the affected persons by the State Secondary Education Board.

The release states further that the state government will make adequate arrangement for the engagement of qualified Akwa Ibom indigenes to teach in the state public secondary schools as soon as possible.

It could be recalled that the 5,000 teachers who were recruited under the administration of immediate past Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio between February and April, 2015 were yet to be deployed to schools.

When the incumbent governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel came on board, he suspended the deployment of the teachers, stating that the recruitment process was faulty. He said there were irregularities in the recruitment process coupled with false certificate and credentials by those offered employment letters.

Culled from TheMail

Why I sacrificed my children to my father for wealth – 35-year-old man

The Commissioner of Police, CP, of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command, Mr. Mohammed Mustafa, has confirmed the arrest of a 35-year-old man, Thomas Matthew, who strangled two of his children to death as sacrifice to his father.
Matthew, a resident of Mountain village opposite Dantata Camp, Asokoro, Abuja, claims his late father initiated him into an occult group, adding that his father appeared to him and commanded him to sacrifice his children to him on different occasions.

The CP said his wife, Bola, reported the matter to the police station on October 7 when the incident took place.
Confirming the incident in a statement, weekend, the CP said Mathew found fault with his wife who is deaf and dumb, beat her up, then chased her out of the house.

According to reports, the suspect had previously killed their 2-month-old son by strangling him to death last year and October 7th, 2016, he strangled their four-month-old daughter, Mary, to death.

The wife was also said to have explained that he had tried to kill their son, 9, in the past and luckily she caught him in the act then sent her son away to her mother’s home for him to be taken care of there.

The Commissioner said with the help of a sign language expert, Bola told the police how the suspect tried to kill their first son.
She said, “I didn’t know that my husband is a cultist. I remember when he first tried to kill our first son, I reported the matter at the Garki Police Station. It was my mother who took the boy away from the house and he is still staying with her in Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
“Then I had another son last year. When he was two months old, he became sick. My husband killed him in September 2015. I didn’t know until he confessed. This year I had our daughter.
“In the night of October 7, 2016, we were together in the house when suddenly he started beating me. I got injured and ran away to his elder sister’s house.
“Before I came back with his sister, he had strangled our baby to death. He locked the door and ran away.

“It was policemen from Asokoro Police Station, where I reported the case that broke the door and found the baby. We rushed the baby to Asokoro General Hospital.
“The doctor said the baby was dead. Now I have only one son left, Josiah. It was only God who saved me from the power of darkness,” Bola lamented.

Matthew, during interrogation, said “I got married to my wife, Bola, and we were blessed with three kids. My father is a cultist and he initiated me into the occult.
“My father asked me to offer the children as sacrifice and mark of honour to him, promising he would make me become rich.

“It was a covenant that nobody knew, even my wife. My father gave me conditions that if anybody got to know or I revealed the covenant, that the covenant would be destroyed.
“From the time I had my first child, my father began disturbing me to offer my child to him as a sacrifice. I tried to kill my first child by strangling, but my wife caught me and reported to the police and her mother came to take the child away from the house.
“He has been staying with her in Mararaba. Later my father appeared to me after I had my second son, John, who became sick. I strangled him to death in 2015.

“On October 7, 2016, my father appeared to me again that I should kill my only daughter. I was with my wife and then I started beating her and she ran away to my elder sister’s house and I locked the door and strangulated my four-month-old baby girl and she died.
“I locked the entrance of the house and ran away. It was the youth in my area that arrested me and handed me over to the police. I wanted to kill my younger brother according to my father’s instruction.

“My father is still alive and he is in the village in Benue State,” the suspect, who hails from Kwande Local Government Area of the state added.

The CP, however, added that investigation was ongoing and the suspect would be charged to court soon to face the wrath of the law.

Akwa Ibom has not received its share of 13% derivation fund for two months -Gov Emmanuel

Governor Udom Emmanuel had said that Akwa Ibom has not received its share of 13% derivation fund for two months and has appealed to the appropriate authority, awaiting necessary action.

Governor Emmanuel made this known while exchanging views with Government House Correspondents on arrival at Ibom International Airport from an official engagement in Abuja.

He attributed the giant strides of his administration in agricultural development and other sector of the economy to the pivotal role of the Federal Government in granting approval for the Central Bank of Nigeria to sponsore the Anchor's Borrowers Scheme that has fast tracked the development of agriculture in all states of the Federation.

Mr Emmanuel noted that agricultural development has been the initiative of the Federal Government and explained that states key into the project to ensure wealth creation and food sufficiency.

"I dont want to to take credit for that, we should thank the President of the country who has given approval for the Central Bank to fund the Anchor's Borrowers Scheme which the states have benefitted"

He particularly appealed to the Federal Government to reimburse the state over 140 Billion naira expended on the repairs of Federal infrastructures within the state saying if 50% of such money is paid, the state would be able to add value to it infrastructural consolidation now that the dry season has approached.

The Governor pointed out that the power sector is in dire need of attention and called on the Federal Government to intervene in the distribution of power to save the sector from imminent collapse. "There's need to intervene especially in the area of transmission. States like ours are able to generate but cannot transmit. It's a problem". He noted.

He described as successful the National Economic Council meeting as well as the meeting of the Governor 's Forum saying that far reaching decisions that would ginger the Country's development were reached at the meeting.

On the formation of the state Executive Council, Governor Emmanuel said that he would go for the best hands but remarked that such persons should be able recite the Dakkada re-orientation philosophy creed.

The State Deputy Governor Mr Mosses Ekpo, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Barr Onofiok Luke, Secretary to the State Government, Sir Etekamba Umoren, Head of Civil Service Mrs Ekerebong Akpan, and Permanent Secretaries were on hand to receive the Governor.

I am honoured to be part of the cabal hijacking Buhari’s government – SGF replies Aisha Buhari

Following claims that the current government has been hijacked by a group of cabals, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal, says he is honoured to be part of the cabal.

Lawal made the remark while reacting to claims by the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha Buhari, saying her husband’s government had been hijacked by a cabal.

Featuring on Channels Television, the SGF said, “I am honoured to be a cabal in this presidency. I have no apologies to make. If the President decides that he wants a secretary to the government who is going to work with him, coordinate the activities of his government, who will give him advice, obviously that man should be able to have unfettered access to the President.

“He is supposed to be able to give advice to the president because he is with the president on a daily basis in a manner that others might not have.”
Dismissing claims that the ongoing anti-corruption fight is a witch-hunt, Lawal said, “Could we have known for example, that somebody can walk into Central bank, reverse his boot and leave with $2.2 billion raw cash. Could we have known that somebody will sit down and embezzle 40 billion.

“Look at the type of money they were dispatching. So we should keep quiet and let Nigerians think that everything is ok? That there was no looting. We are in the position we are in because people that came before us preferred to carry our common patrimony and put it in their deposit accounts for their wives and children. What type of country if we decide to play the Ostrich.
“Nigerians most be told what we inherited and majority of Nigerians I can assure you are in favour of what the government is doing. Of course quite a few that were beneficiaries of this looting will make noise.

“Majority of them that are beneficiaries have access to papers, internet. We are chasing thieves. We are chasing people who took away government money, our money. People who impoverished us.”

Source: DailyPost

Finally, Senate Amends Code Of Conduct Bill

The senate appears to have taken a bold step on Thursday by finally passing the code of conduct amendment bill, 2016.

The exercise follows months of discussions on the senate regarding the need to amend the bill.

Although, the actual amendments to the act were done by the House Of Representatives and passed on May 31, the senate concurred with the house and passed the bill on October 27.

Early in the year, the upper legislative chamber had sought to amend the act, but a public outcry forced it to shelve it; although a similar bill has been reintroduced.

This passage is coming months after the trial of Senate President Bukola for false asset declaration, commenced at the Code Of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

Barr. Dennis: When competence and commitment pay!

By Iniubong ANAKO

The second legislative year of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly is fully underway. The first legislative year recorded several successes and shortcomings. In this second legislative year, legislators are expected to up the ante with regards to delivering qualitative representation to their constituents. The AKHA being a beehive of performers, mediocrity is sneered.

Etinan State Constituency suffered a setback when Rt. Hon. Barr. Aniefiok Dennis, who held sway as Deputy Leader of the House, was booted out by the Appeal Court. Having won the re-run, Barr. Dennis is back to continue with delivering sterling services, that is why I am labeling him as Rt. Hon because he was elected twice by his constituents. 

Talking about Barr. Dennis, it is an irrefutable fact that on all counts of administration, oversight, plenary participation, accessibility, effectiveness and integrity, he has given a good account of himself. This fact makes it unavoidable to applaud the constituents of Etinan who made the rightful decision of voting en-masse for him on two occasions.

With due respect to his predecessors, Etinan State Constituency had the misfortune of being represented by individuals who lacked the synergy with the constituents. Presently, the story is different. Aniefiok Dennis did not waste time in positively touching lives of his constituents.

Barr. Dennis is very much an opinion leader in the Assembly. He instantly became a vibrant voice by sponsoring a bill to make a provision for Local Government Administration in Akwa Ibom State and Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Also, being fully aware of the fact that representation also concerns putting smiles on the faces of the masses, Dennis facilitated the execution of tangible projects in the constituency.
He facilitated and commissioned water projects in the three wards of Etinan State Constituency. He also donated three (3) sets of computers to boost administrative, academic and Information Technology requirements at Saint Theresa’s Secondary School Edem Ekpat.
A journey to the archives also reveal that he offered financial support to ten (10) law students of Etinan origin who were proceeding to the 2015/2016 session Bar II Courses of the Nigerian Law School (NLS).
Also, Barr. Dennis did not waste time in letting relevant authorities know that Etinan Institute was in deplorable state. Bringing the matter to plenary, the lawmaker called for an immediate renovation of the institution. Today, the school wears a new look.

Since the inception of the second legislative year, Barr. Aniefiok Dennis has not relented. He sponsored a Bill captioned “Administration of Criminal Justice Bill 2016” which passed second reading recently.
“Leading the debate, Barr. Dennis informed the House that there are ambitious and formidable provisions in the bill to ensure speedy dispensation of justice, efficient management of criminal justice institutions, protect the society of crime, and protect the rights and interests of suspects, defendants and victims or complainants accordingly.
“He reasoned that various sections of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, 2016 if passed into law will protect members of the society from unlawful arrest and detention of citizens by security agencies.”
The bill generated huge praises from the Akwa Ibom populace.

Few days ago, as Chairman of the joint committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Right and Public Petition, he submitted a report on the alleged wrongful sacking/ downgrading of workers in Akwa Ibom State University.
His committee kicked against the institution’s decision and recommended that they (affected staff) be reabsorbed.
Amongst the recommendations made, it was agreed that the petitioners that are already due for promotion, scholarship, sponsorship or any other entitlements, including arrears of salaries, should have their entitlement given to them after due process have been followed, and urged their employers to expedite action in that direction.

To say that Barr. Dennis has injected dynamism and parliamentary prowess into the running of his committee is understatement. He has developed desirable legislative frameworks that brought about unrivalled success. And his all-round performance in the House ranks amongst the very best.
Etinan constituents have been hugely blessed by this great son, truly I see him as   the last hope of the common man. And as the series of positive effects and dividends reaped from the legislative sojourn of Barr. Dennis continues unfolding, we can only hope for more.

May God bless this great icon of our time with immense wisdom and willingness to things aright.

Buhari’s daughter, Fatima weds

Daura in Katsina will standstill on Friday when Nigeria’s crème d la crème will gather for the marriage of President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter.

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, would lead the government delegation to grace the ceremonies.

Former Nigerian leaders and members of the diplomatic corps will also converge in Daura. The town is already agog in readiness for the marriage of Fatima Buhari, the second daughter of President Buhari, on Friday in Daura.

She will be married to Mallam Gimba Kumo, the former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

According to the invite, the wedding would be conducted at the Maiaduwa resident of the president at the GRA by 2pm on 28th October, 2016.

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, would lead the government delegation to grace the ceremonies. The delegation is made up of ministers, governors and other political appointee.

The bridegroom was born on the 5th November 1959 in Gombe, Gombe State. Fatima is one of the president’s children from his first wife, Safinatu. President Buhari married late Safinatu in 1971.

135th IPU Conference: Ikon rekindles hope for Leprosy patients in Geneva

Help is on the way for inmates at Leprosy Hospital, Ekpene Obom in Etinan Local Government Area as Rt.Hon Samuel Ikon meets With Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of NIPPON FOUNDATION at the ongoing 135th International Parliamentary Union in Geneva.

NIPPON FOUNDATION is reputed for Providing free drugs globally for the treatment of Leprosy.

It could be recalled that Rt. Hon Samuel Ikon had marked his 42nd birthday with inmates of the Leprosy center in Etinan where he promised to add value to their lives from the National Assembly.

The ongoing 135th IPU conference has provided the much awaited opportunity which he intends to explore that will bring succor to leprosy patients at Ekpene Obom. 

Rt.Hon Samuel Ikon who represents Etinan Federal Constituency at the National Assembly represented Nigeria at a working lunch meeting on Leprosy and Human rights organized by the IPU to create awareness on Leprosy and new grounds for combating and containing the disease.

©Virtual Ovations on facebook

AMBASSADORIAL NOMINATION: APC Govs Reject List

Governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have kicked against the list
of 46 non-career ambassadorial nominees which President Muhammadu Buhari sent to the Senate last week for confirmation.

The governors are irked that the Presidency did not consult them in the nomination of the proposed envoys.
The governors took their grievances to the State House, Abuja, where they told Presi­dent Buhari that the nominees were
unacceptable to them because the
Presidency did not consult them in the
exercise.

At an emergency meeting with the
President, the governors, who were said to
be very blunt, reportedly accused Buhari of
bypassing them in nominating the would-be
ambassadors.
So far, the President has sent two lists of 93
career and non-career envoys to the Upper
House. The first batch of 47 ambassadors
has been cleared by the Senate, but the
Presidency is yet to post them to the coun­
try’s missions abroad.
The second batch of non-career
ambassadors was unveiled by the Senate
President Bukola Saraki on Thursday last
week. He read Buhari’s letter seeking the
Upper Chamber’s confirmation of the
nominees.
The President’s action was greeted with
criticisms by lawmakers whose states were
not represented in the list.
Before the governors took their protest to
Aso Rock on Monday, there were allegations
that two members of Buhari’s kitchen
cabinet solely compiled the list of the non-
career ambassadors.

Amid the protest against the list, two
nominees, Dr Usman Bugaje (Katsina State)
and Mrs. Pauline Tallen (Plateau State) have
turned down their nominations.
Dr Bugaje, who hails from the same state as
Buhari, gave no reasons for rejecting his
ambassadorial nomination.
But Mrs Tallen, a former deputy governor of
Plateau State, said she could not serve in
that capacity because she needs time to
take care of her ailing husband.
Emerging from the meeting with the
President, Plateau State Governor, Simon
Lalong, told journalists that Buhari did not
consult enough and violated the zoning
arrangement for appointments in the states.
Lalong said this was why the governors
complained to the President, who has
promised to look into their grievances.
According to Lalong, “Part of the issues that
we raised was on some of the appointments
that were made. All the states that had
complaints are going to put them in writing
and the President promised to look into
them.”

Describing Tallen as an astute politician
from Plateau State, Lalong explained that
her rejection of the ambassadorial
nomination “is not only about her husband;
I think it is the dimension of Plateau politics
because I had already made complaints to
Mr. President that appointments should not
be concentrated in one zone.
“All these appointments came again from
one zone. So, the complaints that are
coming from our state are not about her
personal interest; it is the fact that two
ambassadorial appointments are coming
from the same zone that we had
complained, that is my zone.
“We had complained that the next
appointment should go to the other zones –
the Central or the Northern zone. So, when
that appointment came, the kind of uproar
that followed also necessitated an
intervention.

“And I think as a matured politician, she
stepped down and sacrificed that for the
people of Plateau. We are still working on a
replacement for that.
“It is not a big issue but at times, a little
consultation would have solved that
problem because these are issues in the
interests of the state. So, you can’t have
two appointments, very key appointments
like that coming from a particular zone that
is already overloaded with appointments.

“All the federal appointments are from the
southern zone, and it would not be fair. So,
it is the issue of fairness that we are
approaching Mr. President to consider and
appoint people from those areas that do not
have representation,” he said.
Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas
Okorocha, also told State House
correspondents that the governors used the
opportunity to discuss with Buhari other
issues as they affect the country’s
development.

He said: “We came particularly to encourage
him (Buhari) and congratulate him on the re­
lease of the 21 Chibok Girls and we say that
whatever action was taken to bring back
these girls, let it be repeated so that the
rest of the girls can be freed.
“Again, we came to report to Mr. President
that his agriculture policy is producing
results. This time around, we have bumper
harvests in most parts of the country in rice
production and others. So, that policy
should be sustained.

“And the funding policy by CBN – the
Anchor Borrowers Scheme – should be
encouraged because it is yielding results. In
the next couple of years, Nigeria will be self-
sufficient in food production.
“We also encouraged him on the fight
against corruption; that he should continue
with it. We know that in the pursuit of good
programmes, certain lapses will be noticed
and there is nothing wrong in pursuing a
good cause.

“We also looked at the issue of Ondo State
governorship election and said we are
happy that we have delivered the first state
under his administration which is Edo State;
but in Ondo, the governors have decided to
show support for it so that APC will take over
the government of Ondo State.”

Okorocha added that the meeting, however,
did not discuss the issue of Buhari’s anti-
corruption onslaught on the Judiciary.
On the crisis rocking the APC as a result of
the Ondo governorship primary, Okorocha
said that it would be resolved before
election as “these were some of the things
we discussed.”

He also spoke on the call on the APC’s
National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-
Oyegun, to resign.
Okorocha said: “We are not talking about
anybody resigning. We are talking about
rebuilding the party to make it stronger,
right from the ward level to the national
level”.

On the prevailing hardship in the country,
Okorocha said although it was not caused
by the APC, the party must take re­
sponsibility for it while working to make
things better for the citizens.

NNPC sends signals for fuel price hike

In what looks like a confirmation of speculations over the past weeks, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has admitted that the current market price of N145 per litre for petrol may soon be hiked.

There are also speculations that oil marketers may want to take advantage of the Christmas period to hike the price, and gain more from expected increased demands that goes with the yuletide.

But many Nigerians have already frowned at having the increase within the yuletide as had always been in the past.

However, officials said there were two options left for the fuel marketers: either to adjust price that should not exceed two per cent profit margin or allow the price regulatory unit of NNPC resolve the new price to be announced, all aimed at retaining supply flow.

“The whole idea is to avoid reverting to the era of fuel scarcity, nobody will like to experience fuel scarcity in this country, neither does anyone want us to go back to the era of fuel subsidy” said an NNPC spokesman.

According to him despite the preferential exchange rate made available to oil marketers to import petrol, many were reluctant to do so because they would be selling at a loss at the prevalent pump price, implying that NNPC that continues to import it was subsidizing petrol.

Putting a seal on the issue on Monday, the group general manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division at the NNPC, Mr. Mele Kyari, said that the present administration would not announce another increase in the petrol pump price to avoid being accused of dictating price of fuel.

He confirmed that some suppliers had already stopped importation because of the current pricing regime.

“We have a very difficult business environment. It is impossible today to import products at the current market price, at the current foreign exchange rate. There is no way today you can take the product to retail and sell at N145. It is not possible today.

“If that is true and I believe that it is true because we all go to the market, why can’t we sell above N145? That is where legislation should come in,” Kyari said.

“ I also know today that it is impossible for this government to announce tomorrow that petrol is about N150. This government cannot do it. That is the truth. The people will not take that number. That is why suppliers are not importing,” he added.

Reports from parts of the country last week indicated that long queues were sighted in some filling stations in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Enugu, which NNPC quickly denied was a sign of fuel price review in waiting.

Toothpick, pencil factory to kick-off before December 2016 -Ufot Ebong

By Edidiong Udobia

The Senior Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State on Due Process and Technical Matters, Elder Ufot Ebong has revealed that Governor Udom Emmanuel will flag off a tooth pick and pencil manufacturing company in Akwa Ibom towards the end of November 2016.

Elder Ebong, who is also the Coordinator of Akwa Ibom Enterprise and Employment Scheme, AKEES, gave the hint yesterday during a Press Conference to open a month long special accountability programme of AKEES, projected under a campaign tagged #AkeesSoFar.

“The container bringing the machinery has just arrived Tin Can Island”, Ebong announced.

Elder Ebong, while reeling out a rundown list of few of the businesses impacted by AKEES, picked out a particular enterprise started by young Akwa Ibom people under AKEES, that charges N3000 per year to polish shoes for individuals.

He said that although the amount they charged was friendly, they have  the capacity to sign up over 100,000 beneficiaries of their service, which would make them millionaires in an ingenious business initiative.

“My aim is that whenever there is a political rally in the state, Akwa Ibom youths will not be present. When I’m asked, I will say, they are too busy to come. They are at work. And that is what the Governor wants.”

He noted that Governor Udom is encouraging SMEs by initiating policies and programmes targeted at engendering the development of the non-oil sectors where SMEs are dominant players.

Facts on ground indicate that AKEES, which is a brain child of the Governor, and was initiated soon after resuming office mid 2015, has recorded resounding success in enabling the start-up and reinforcement of over 85  businesses in the State, with over 1500 gainfully employed.

Some activities scheduled to for the AKEES even include  an  ICT training programme on the 31st of October 2016 at the Onyeama Ogechukwu Hall, UniUyo by 10am and a mini-trade fair to showcase businesses tagged AKEES BUSINESS FAIR.

Ukanafun Youths commend outgone Education Boss

By Uwakmfon Dan

Youths of Ukanafun Local Government Area, under the aegis of Ukanafun Youths for Good Governance (UYGG), have commended the immediate past Commissioner for Education in the state, Elder Aniekan Akpan, over what they described as "faithful service."
The group, in a release jointly signed by the President, Mr. Ubong Emmanuel and Secretary General, Unyimeobong Akpan said youths of Ukanafun are satisfied with the superlative performance exhibited by Elder Akpan, throughout his stay as Commissioner in the Ministry of Education.

They lauded Elder Akpan on the milestone achievements recorded in the Ministry of Education under his watch, maintaining that that it takes an administrator with with a distinguished pedigree to record such feats.
"Elder Aniekan Akpan, during his stay as Commissioner for Education, brought his expertise as an education administrator to bear, thus giving the educational system in the state a face-lift.

"Apart from sanitising the educational system in the state, Elder Akpan also ensured the prompt payment of teachers' salaries, including arrears, and payment of pensions /gratuities, to retired teachers, thus boosting the free and compulsory education policy of the State government", parts of the release read.

The socio-political youth group further extended their vote of thanks to the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, for appointing their son to serve in such key position and reiterated their loyalty to the PDP-led administration in the state.

The group appealed to the Governor to consider the reappointment of Elder Akpan, and admonished other citizens of the area serving in various positions to take a cue from Elder Akpan.

I was elected President to spread wealth, not poverty – Jonathan at Oxford University

Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has, Monday, said that he was never elected as Nigeria’s president to spread poverty but to generate and spread wealth.

Jonathan who spoke at the Oxford Union, with the theme ‘Fostering Youth Entrepreneurship, and succeeding US Secretary of State who spoke at the same event in May this year, said that only being entrepreneurial can completely cure poverty and not  having a job or working for someone.

“I once said that I was not elected President of Nigeria to spread poverty; I was elected to generate and spread wealth.”

“My belief in this regard is that getting a job or being a worker cannot completely cure the disease of poverty. It is only your own business that can provide such security and give you the financial freedom you need to prosper.”

Dr. Jonathan, whose speech was streamed live, rhetorically queried his audience asking  why some nations are rich and others remain poor.

”Why are some nations rich and some poor? Why do individuals that grow up in similar circumstances end up differently, with some as successes and others as failures?”

“Is the wealth of nations a result of geography, weather, culture, destiny, etc.? What could a leader do to effectively lift a people out of the depths of poverty and enable them to achieve prosperity?” asked Jonathan.

The former Nigerian leader talked about youth entrepreneurship programs his administration pioneered, saying that one of them, YouWIN, was a major plank of his job creation efforts.

“The motivation for this program is for young people to go into SMEs, create jobs for other young people with the expectation that some would grow to large scale businesses” Dr. Jonathan said.

He concluded his speech by giving a short brief of his achievements in the economic sphere, saying, “Under my watch, Nigeria was projected by CNN Money to be the third fastest growing economy in the world for the year 2015 and rated as the largest economy in Africa and the 23rd largest in the world by the World Bank and the IMF, with a GDP above half a Trillion US dollars.”

The speech was streamed live via Dr. Jonathan’s Facebook page and will be hosted on the Oxford Union’s site.

Previous speakers at the Oxford Union include the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, author of 48 laws of power, Robert Greene, the Dalai Lama, former British prime ministers Winston Churchill, Edward Heath, Margaret Thatcher and John Major. Others were Mother Teresa and former US presidents Richard Nixon (November 1978), Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton.

Since Nigerian Judges failed to jail Buhari, let Buhari jail them – Actor John Okafor

Nollywood Actor, John Okafor, otherwise known as Mr Ibu, has said that he is in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s action against the Nigerian judiciary in relation to the allegations of corruption and judicial misconduct leveled against some judges.

It would be recalled that the DSS, had on October 7 and 8 reportedly arrested some Supreme Court justices , Appeal and High Court judges over corruption allegations.
The actor via his social media said his support was based on the fact that most accused judges have folded their arms and allowed injustice ,corrupt practices persist in the judicial system as a common man is unlawfully detained without being tried and accused or refused bail even when they are found guilty or not.

He said: “I will support Buhari for his action against Nigeria Judiciary. when issue of Buhari’s certificate came up, No judge was serious to prosecute Buhari, when IPOB members were killed, no judge talked about it, when Nnamdi KANU was guiltless, no judge talked about it, When Dasuki was granted Bail even in ECOWAS Court, no Judge talked about it, when Shitte Muslims were killed in Kaduna, no judge talked about it, what about the killings in Nimbo and Agatu? No judge talked about it.
“Margaret was killed in kano while preaching, no judge talked about it, all the arrested Boko Haram members where released by Buhari, No judge talked about it.
“2015 general election? No judge talked about it.
“As Nigerian Judiciary failed to jail Buhari; let Buhari jail them, I give him my 100% Support on this one,” he added.

BREAKING: INEC Publishes LIST Of 10 New Political Parties

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has published a list of 10 new political parties that were recently registered.

The parties, according to INEC, are :

Better Nigeria Progressive Party (BNPP)
Democratic Alternative (DA)
Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN)
National Action Council (NAC)
National Democratic Liberty Party (NDLP)
Nigeria Elements Progressive Party (NEPP)
National Unity Party (NUP)
Nigeria Peoples Congress (NPC)
Peoples Progressive Party (PPP)
Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

This brings the number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 40.

REVEALED: How Pipers Ruin Umana Umana Relevance In Akwa Ibom

_By Edidiong Udobia

“People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent.” -Bob Dylan

There is a popular idiom that goes thus; “He who pays the piper calls the tune”. The idiom simply means that anyone paying for someone’s services, can dictate exactly what services the person renders. The “employer” (in this case) can always decide what his “employee” does as long as he is paying. But the moment he stops or is unable to continue paying his employee, everything changes. Business ends.

Enter Akwa Ibom State. The home of pipers, praise singers, sycophants, and yes men. This is the most lucrative venture in Akwa Ibom. To talk about the exploits of pipers and their paymasters in Akwa Ibom will be an uphill task because nobody can talk about it enough.

To say the least, people have been made rich and even live larger than life through this venture. In Akwa Ibom, pipers never run out of patronage. They move from one “my leader, my leader” to another. As long as there is politics, their services are always in need.

For instance, few months ago, many of the pipers were singing the praises of Obong Umana Okon Umana, who they referred to as “the incoming Governor of Akwa Ibom State”, “His Excellency” and “My leader, my leader”. Of course, that was in the heat of 2015 governorship election. They were quick to splash pictures of them “shaking hands”, “possing”, “eating”, “hugging” and doing all manner of things with “the incoming Governor” everywhere on the social media. Apparently, the tunes were harmonious because they were getting paid. Ok, elections came and winner was decided and later affirmed by the Supreme Court and it was not Mr. Umana.

Today, some of the pipers are singing a different tune. Today, the pipers are even the ones leading a campaign of calumny against their once “incoming governor” because they are now getting paid by another.

Umana Umana’s case is only one of the bitter experiences of many “former this” and “former that” in Akwa Ibom. I am not here to tell people how to live their lives. I have no such rights. But I am here to remind ALL those who are paying the pipers today and dictating the tunes, that they should be ready to pay the pipers till the end or be prepared to have their own share of bad tunes. A word, they say, is enough for the wise.

“My leader, my leader, anything for your boys?”

Budget padding: Jibrin files fresh suit against Reps, demands N1bn damages

By Seun Opejobi

Former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin has filed a fresh suit against the House, challenging his suspension and demanding N1bn as damages.
Jibrin had Friday withdrew his initial suit stopping the house from suspending him.

In a statement released shortly after he withdrew his suit against the House at an Abuja Federal Hogh Court, the
suspended lawmaker prayed same court to declare his suspension from the lower legislative chambers a breach of Section 68 of the constitution as amended.

The statement by his counsel, Chukwuma Nwachukwu, reads:
“For the avoidance of doubt, we have also filed a fresh suit by way of an Originating summons in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/ 812/16 in Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin vs. The Speaker, House of Represebtatives & 2 ORS, which is currently pending before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court 3 Abuja.”

The suit seek the following relief, “A declaration that the suspension of the plaintiff from the floor of the House of Representatives for 180 legislative days commencing from the 28th day of September 2016 is a violation of the Plaintiff’s fundamental right to freedom of expression guaranteed by Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (cap. A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“A Declaration that the resolution passed by the defendants on the floor of the 2nd Defendant on the 28th day of September 2016 suspending the Plaintiff from the floor of the 2nd Defendant for 180 legislative days is in breach of the provisions of Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic (as amended) and Section 21 and 24 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act 2004 and Order 10 rule 6 of the standing orders of the house of representatives.
“A declaration that by virtue of the provisions of Chapter VII, paragraph 7.5 of the ‘Code of Conduct for Honourable Members’, the plaintiff or any member of the 2nd Defendant has a duty to expose corrupt practices in the 2nd Defendant.

“An order of this honourable court setting aside the purported suspension of the plaintiff from the house of representatives for 180 legislative days forthwith.
“An order of injunction restraining the Defendants from preventing the Plaintiff from participating in the committees of the 2nd defendant or accessing his legislative chambers or compelling the Plaintiff to tender an apology to the Defendants or any member of the 2nd defendant before he is allowed into the chambers of the 2nd defendant to perform his legislative duties.

“An order directing the defendants to pay the Plaintiff his outstanding salaries, accrued allowances and all other entitlements due to him from the date of his suspension from the floor of the house of representatives until the judgment of this honourable court is executed.

“The sum of N1, 000,000, 000.00 (One Billion Naira) being general damages for the suspension of the Plaintiff for 180 legislative days from the floor of the 2nd defendant.”

Stop wearing red cap or face legal action – Kwankwaso warns Ganduje

By Wale Odunsi

The fued between former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and his successor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje deepened on Friday as Kwankwasiyya movement has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the latter to remove his red cap.

The group said since Ganduje was no longer a member of the movement, he and his supporters should stop wearing the trademark “red cap”, which was widely promoted by Kwankaso during his tenure as governor.
Speaking to newsmen in Kano Friday to mark the 60th birthday of the founder of the movement and 6th anniversary of the movement, Chairman of Hannun Karba, Alhaji Sharu Garba Gwammaja said Ganduje has betrayed the group.
Gwammaja said: “Earlier, we have offered the governor the sum of N1m to remove his cap and he failed to do so. Now we have given him 48 hours to either remove the red cap which is a symbol of Kwankwasiyya or else we will drag him to court. He deviated from the ideology of Kwanwasiyya and it is high time for him to stop wearing our symbol.

“Ganduje is enjoying the sympathy of Kano people because of the red cap he is still wearing even though his actions are contrary to the ideology of the movement. So we want him to stop associating himself with the movement because he is not one of us.”
Gwammaja explained that the true meaning of Kwankwasiyya is selfless service to the public, free education for all, promotion of peace and unity as well as respect to the rule of law.
“We appeal to the people of Kano to forgive us for presenting Ganduje to them as governor. We are regretting our action and God’s willing we will ratify it in the next general elections. We hope our apology would be accepted,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Kano State House of Assembly has proposed life imprisonment as punishment for kidnappers.

JUST IN: Jibrin Withdraws Suit Against House Of Representatives

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday struck out the suit of former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Mr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, challenging his suspension from the House.

The judge, Justice John Tsoho, struck out the matter after Jibrin’s Counsel, Mr. Chukuma Nwachukwu, told the court that his client had filed a notice of discontinuance.

Tsoho decline the request of the defendants for a N200, 000 cost, holding that the defendants were “strong institution and personality”.

At the hearing, Jibrin’s counsel, Nwachukwu, told the court that there was a notice of discontinuance filed on Oct. 11, urging the court to discontinue the matter.

The Counsel to the defendants, Mr. Kalu Onuoha, did not oppose the application, but asked for a cost of N200,000 for the processes filed by them.

He said the defendants filed many processes in this case before the court went on vacation in July 2016.

Nwachukwu, however, opposed the application with the fact that the defendants did not filed any defence in this matter.

It will be recalled that Jibrin, a lawmaker from Kano State, was suspended by the House of Representatives for 180 legislative days.

The embattled legislator’s suit seeking stop the House was still pending in court.

An Open Letter to Mr. President

Fellow Nigerians,

Mr. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,  Muhammadu Buhari it gives me pleasure to write you this morning from the office of the Direct Citizens Initiative of Nigeria.

Mr. President, it is our desire in Nigeria that your office will be an instrument of the desired change Nigerians need but one questions Nigerians did not ask was what this change is all about. Of course one will expect a progressive change from what was to what ought to be. Hence, the need for a more vibrant stewardship in your office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It has come to our notice that certain employments during your administration were done underground due to the very fact that it was hijack by some powerful individuals in your government. It began with the employment done in the Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Inland Revenue Service and presently NAFDAC. I do not want to make my conclusions on this matter but to seek your office to carry out investigations as to how the employment was carried out and if there was indeed an employment that took place.

Mr. President, this Country belongs to everyone and as such employment should be open to all and not some selected few. It is possible you are aware of this syndicates and at the same time it is possible you are not aware. Nigerians need an explanation as to the veracity of this issue raised so as to give your government a score card in your administration. If this is happening under your very nose then it can be seen as corruption but it is also possible that you cannot be everywhere and the very reason I am bringing this to your notice so that investigation can begin.

Mr. President, I am not interested in working in any of this agencies but I speak for the majority of Nigerian Youths who are qualified to take this position and have not been able to get jobs since they graduated. And here is an opportunity for them to apply but the so called powerful people who feel the Nations Wealth should recycle round their grandfather's house will not allow an unevenly distribution of wealth. As a citizen of this Country, it is our duty to make this Country great only when there is transparency, openness, accountability, and the poor masses gain assess to to the common wealth.

I pray Mr. President you are not distracted for the reasons you are voted in office  as observed by your beautiful wife who you should value for her recent constructive criticism she gave your government. At this point Nigerians need explanations on very vital issues relating to your office. The days of grace are over.

Nevertheless,  I want to use this medium to congratulate you on the recent rescue of the Chibok girls and it is one of your key promises you made during your campaigns and this has been fulfilled. We hope that the remaining of the Chibok girls will see the light of a new beginning so they can reunite with their parents. We appreciate your efforts so far in your attempt to bring good governance to the door step of Nigerians but much more needs to be done. We have not lost hope in you but remember 2019 is by the corner and Nigerians are watching how this will play out in your good works and action.

Remain Blessed in your reign as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Long Live President Muhammadu Buhari
Long Live the People of Nigeria.

Yours Sincerely,

Timothy Dokpesi Adidi
President Direct Citizens Initiative of Nigeria (DCIN)
08138605056

An Open Letter to Mr. President

Fellow Nigerians,

Mr. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,  Muhammadu Buhari it gives me pleasure to write you this morning from the office of the Direct Citizens Initiative of Nigeria.

Mr. President, it is our desire in Nigeria that your office will be an instrument of the desired change Nigerians need but one questions Nigerians did not ask was what this change is all about. Of course one will expect a progressive change from what was to what ought to be. Hence, the need for a more vibrant stewardship in your office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It has come to our notice that certain employments during your administration were done underground due to the very fact that it was hijack by some powerful individuals in your government. It began with the employment done in the Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Inland Revenue Service and presently NAFDAC. I do not want to make my conclusions on this matter but to seek your office to carry out investigations as to how the employment was carried out and if there was indeed an employment that took place.

Mr. President, this Country belongs to everyone and as such employment should be open to all and not some selected few. It is possible you are aware of this syndicates and at the same time it is possible you are not aware. Nigerians need an explanation as to the veracity of this issue raised so as to give your government a score card in your administration. If this is happening under your very nose then it can be seen as corruption but it is also possible that you cannot be everywhere and the very reason I am bringing this to your notice so that investigation can begin.

Mr. President, I am not interested in working in any of this agencies but I speak for the majority of Nigerian Youths who are qualified to take this position and have not been able to get jobs since they graduated. And here is an opportunity for them to apply but the so called powerful people who feel the Nations Wealth should recycle round their grandfather's house will not allow an unevenly distribution of wealth. As a citizen of this Country, it is our duty to make this Country great only when there is transparency, openness, accountability, and the poor masses gain assess to to the common wealth.

I pray Mr. President you are not distracted for the reasons you are voted in office  as observed by your beautiful wife who you should value for her recent constructive criticism she gave your government. At this point Nigerians need explanations on very vital issues relating to your office. The days of grace are over.

Nevertheless,  I want to use this medium to congratulate you on the recent rescue of the Chibok girls and it is one of your key promises you made during your campaigns and this has been fulfilled. We hope that the remaining of the Chibok girls will see the light of a new beginning so they can reunite with their parents. We appreciate your efforts so far in your attempt to bring good governance to the door step of Nigerians but much more needs to be done. We have not lost hope in you but remember 2019 is by the corner and Nigerians are watching how this will play out in your good works and action.

Remain Blessed in your reign as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Long Live President Muhammadu Buhari
Long Live the People of Nigeria.

Yours Sincerely,

Timothy Dokpesi Adidi
President Direct Citizens Initiative of Nigeria (DCIN)
08138605056

NEW EXCO: Udom Should Appoint Politicians, Not Technocrats__Dan Abia

A Commissioner in the Akwa Ibom State Judicial Service Commission, Rt. Hon. Bassey Dan-Abia Jnr has said that Governor Udom Emmanuel should appoint politicians, not technocrats into the soon-to-be-constituted State Executive Council.

The former Member of the Federal House of Representatives who stated this during an interview in a private radio station in Uyo, said that that the permanent Secretaries are already technocrats, hence the governor should appoint politicians into various commissionership positions.

“The Permanent Secretaries, the Directors and the various heads of the directorate of government are technocratic enough. The appointment of commissioners is a political appointment. So I believe that what is required is to have politicians of proven records, politicians of integrity, and politicians with expansive grassroots network.

“We also need people who are extremely benevolent, people that are charitable, people that are good natured, people that can interact with the grassroots. We need people who are altruistic. People that will help the government build for the next generation. But at the end of the day, it is purely the prerogative of the governor. He needs the best hands but it should be a combination of factors. I believe so much in this government, I see the direction of this government, and the governor needs lieutenants in the exco that will help realize his industrialization agenda”, Abia said.

Culled from TheMail

A.Y.E APPOINTS FIRST BATCH OF STATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS. SEE THE LIST BELOW

The African Young Entrepreneurs (A. Y.E) has published the names of newly appointed Executive Directors for respective states.

View the list below:

1.  ALLEN HENRY                      ABIA STATE
2.  OGAH AUGUSTINE              ADAMAWA STATE
3.  NICODEMUS IBANGA          AKWA IBOM STATE
4.  ISMAIL SANGEI                    BAUCHI STATE
5.  ELVIS FRANCIS                    BAYELSA STATE
6.  IHIE SYLVANUS                    BENUE STATE
7.  TERRY OHWAHWA               DELTA STATE
8.  SEAN  OKONOFUA               EDO STATE
9.  NONYE UMAHI                      ENUGU STATE
10. GILBERT NWANORIM          IMO STATE
11. UMAR INUWA                        KANO STATE
12. OMIKUNLE TEMITOPE         KWARA STATE
13. ADEYANJU OPEYEMI           LAGOS STATE
14. ORENAIKE JOSEPH             OGUN STATE
15. TONY ADEYEMI                    ONDO STATE
16. ADENIYI ADEYINKA              OSUN STATE
17. RAFIAT ALIYU                        OYO STATE
18. GIMBA ABEL                          PLATEAU STATE
19. UMAR ABBA                           SOKOTO STATE
20. PETER ONESIMUS                TARABA STATE

To those whose names are on this list, please check your emails for more details. If you applied for SED for any state not listed, kindly resend your campaign video to kenny@ayeonline.org and share on all social media tagging A.Y.E handles on or before 30th October. The list for other states are yet to be concluded.

Congratulations to all those appointed we also thank our members for their Votes.

Kind regards,

Kenny.A
For Electoral Committee

AMAECHI AND CRUDE POLITICS

By Endurance Johnson

Whenever his game fails, he is ever ready to deny no matter what anyone presents as evidence. There are many instances pointing to this assertion. What happened during his tenure as governor of Rivers State & his insistence that he must win the 2015 elections, (remember his involvement during 29th march, 2016 re-run election in Rivers State), the drama playing out and constant postponement of re-run elections in River State will not leave anyone in doubt over justices Okoro and Ogwuta's claims of allegations on Amaechi. It is a known fact that the reason why
INEC keeps holding back re-run elections in Rivers state, the power that- be led by President Buhari thinks it is the only way to help Amaechi remain relevant in politics of the day. So, every discerning mind will definitely know that Justices Okoro and Ogwuta makes a verifiable point of defense in their open letters to the CJN. The recent revelations by Justice
Sylvester Ogwuta. Another Justice of the Supreme Court whose home was raided by
the DSS, has opened another can of worms against the Buhari govt as to why he is being victimized for refusing entreaties, at various times, to help the APC, win governorship election cases involving Ekiti, Rivers Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi States. According to Justice Ogwuta.
"My present plight started sometime between 2013 and 2014. I
represented the then Chief Justice of Nigeria in an event organized
in the International Conference Centre Hon. Rotimi Amaechi came
in late and sat next to me at the high table. He introduced himself
to me and we exchanged contacts. A few weeks after, Fayose’s
case was determined in the Court of Appeal. Amaechi called me by
6.45 am. He said he had come to see me but was told I had left for
my office. When he said he would return in the evening, I
demanded to know what he wanted but he would not tell me. He
did not come that evening but came the following morning when I
was already prepared to go to work. He begged me to ensure that
Fayose’s election was set aside and another election ordered for
his friend Fayemi to contest. I told him I would not help him and
that even if I am on the panel I have only my one vote.
After the Rivers State Governorship election was determined by
the Court of Appeal, he called to tell me his ears were full and he
would like to tell me what he heard. I told him I was out of Abuja at
the time. On my return he came in the evening and even before he
sat down he barked “You have seen Wike”. I asked him whether
that was a question or a statement. Then he made a call and asked
me to speak with someone. The man he called said he was a DSS
man. We exchanged greetings and I handed the phone to him.
Next, he said “Oga is not happy”. I asked him who is the unhappy
“Oga” and he answered “Buhari”. I retorted “go and talk to his
wife”. He got very angry, and left, remarking “we shall see” several
times.
Your Lordship may recall one morning when I pleaded not be
on the Panel for Rivers Appeal. Your Lordship said I was already
on the Panel and asked me to explain why I made the request to be
excluded. When I explained what transpired the previous night,
Your Lordship told me Amaechi had also attempted to influence
other Justices. My Lord, on the day we heard the appeal with your
Lordship presiding, we were allowed lunch break at 4.20 pm. The
moment I got into my Chambers he, Amaechi, called. When he told
who was calling, I said to him, “Your Excellency, you want to issue
more threats”? He replied “Have you been threatened before?” I
replied “I know a threat when I hear one even if veiled. In any case
I will not talk to you” and I switched off my phone.

The people who failed in their attempt to destroy me in Ebonyi
in 2000 and in Enugu in Andy Uba’s case in the Court of Appeal,
Enugu in 2009 are now supplying Amaechi with information to fight
me for my negative response to his demands, especially my
answer to his statement that “Oga was not happy”.This infuriated
him and as he stormed out he said he would deal with the
situation."

These are not just mere allegations, there is an adage that when a child cries and constantly point to a particular spot that there is something the child must've seen. Justices Okoro and Ogwuta's allegations should be investigated and not swept under the carpet by President Buhari and the ruling party. Amaechi should be investigated and if found guilty be made to face the law.

BREAKING: Buhari Orders Probe of Wife and Inlaws, as Aisha Seeks Asylum in UK

Reliable information reveal the troubles bedeviling the 1st family of Nigeria maybe far from over judging by the demeanor of the President of the federal republic of Nigeria and the body language instruction dished out to the various anti-graft agencies in the country. 

A highly reliable source stated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] has opened a comprehensive probe on the person of the 1st lady over her interaction with the many lobbyists looking to reach her husband for a favor.

Source revealed that the relationship between the 1st lady and the President had so much deteriorated to a near none existent following a few days after the swearing-in as the President of the federal republic of Nigeria. 

Chief on the top reasons why the President turned away from the 1st lady was her desire to play the role of the 1st lady in the manner other 1st ladies had played – in the likes of Stella Obasanjo, Turaki Yar’Adua and Patience Jonathan. 

Aisha Buhari wanted to have the type of influence over her husband as the other 1st ladies before her. She wants to influence who is appointed to certain sensitive positions in her husband’s administration, and to effectively control certain aspect of the government.  Source adds that she had already become a ‘paid’ lobbyist of some sort. “She did not waste time in collecting money from businessmen and other people looking to meet her husband”, said the source who added that Buhari in the know of her money collecting activities – that he blocked her out of his daily activities.

“Buhari would walk in to the house from work in the evening and he would immediately walk upstairs to his room and lock the doors to keep Aisha away from his room“, stated the source as he explained the cold shoulder given to Aisha by Mohammadu Buhari immediately he discovered her intent to become involved in his administration as his life partner. 

According to the source, Buhari was not comfortable with the information from friends and associates concerning Aisha’s mingling with politicians and businessmen who were interested in meeting with the President. For this reason, the President decided on avoiding communication with his wife, the 1st lady.  On some occasion, Mohammadu Buhari had instructed the 1st to refund the monies collected from several sources – of which the 1st lady did not take lightly with her husband.

“Her lifestyle needs money and power, and it is so different from what Mohammadu Buhari can tolerate”  Information on her upbringing and background spell extravaganza and luxurious lifestyle. “She wants and loves money and things money can buy so much that she is willing to harbor and encourage corruption” said  source as he continued, 

“She is from a different generation from Buhari and she has little personal relationship with her husband to enable her relate her concerns to him“.  And he can care less of her opinions on policies or government matters.

Buhari’s realization of Aisha’s brother, Musa’s interference in his administration was one of the initial problems that greeted the President. Aisha’s brother had begun reaching to individuals seeking to do business with the Buhari’s administration – immediately Buhari won the presidential elections. 

Reports have it that he raised amounts in excess of N500million within a span of six month following the presidential elections. The President was not happy with Musa. He directed for Musa to be bundled out of the Presidential villa and banished from Villa. A source from the villa said he was handcuffed an escorted out of the villa.

It is to this point that the presidency took to action. The President, according to the source instructed for all information of financial wrong doing by his wife and her siblings should be directed to the EFCC for further investigation. The Chairman of the EFCC – who is presently battling to impress the President – is reported to have been instructed to begin a broad investigation into the financial dealings of the 1st lady and her siblings.

We are unsure of the extent of the investigation. But it is certain that the 1st lady has taken her fate and abandoned Buhari’s home for the United Kingdom.

JUST IN: Transport Operators, Unions, protest ...seek reappointment of Ntukudeh

Transport unions, stakeholders and Transporters operating in the State last Monday demanded for the reappointment of Dr. Godwin Ntukudeh into the state Executive Council as Commissioner for Transport.

According to the transport stakeholders and Union leaders, Ntukudeh within his short stay in office has repositioned the transport sub-sector in the state.

They highlighted some of the achievements of Prince Ntukudeh to include harmonization of transport tickets across the state; regulation of transport system in the state; salvaging the good image and lost glory of transport sub-sector and as well as protecting the interest of transporters in the state.

They maintained that they were satisfied with the handling of the transport ministry by Dr. Ntukudeh while serving as Commissioner, which, according to them, was based on the policy of the present administration of Deacon Udom Emmanuel.

“We can avow that government has not reneged for once in remitting our own share to us for union activities since the assumption of office by the immediate past Commissioner for Transport, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh”.

It is worth mentioning that the transporters, Unions and stakeholders suffered terribly before the creation of the ministry, and since its creation in 2011, Prince Ntuk Udeh is the only Commissioner who has been able to transform the ministry to what it is today through his successful closure of illegal motor parks in Uyo metropolis and their subsequent relocation to government approved parks in their designated areas.

These are in addition to other outstanding achievements too numerous to mention in logical sequence".

The meeting which was also facilitated by the Chairman, Akwa Ibom Road Levy Implementation Scheme, Prince Victor Eddie was attended by stakeholders and leaders of Transport Unions including Akwa Ibom Tricycle Union; National Union of Road Transport Workers; Road Transport Employers Asso

NEW STATE EXCO TO BE RECONSTITUTED SOON__GOV. EMMANUEL

Akwa Ibom State Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel says he would be meticulous and transparent in the reconstitution of the next State Executive Council.
Governor Emmanuel dropped the hint at Ibom International Airport while fielding questions from Government House Correspondents on arrival from Lagos State where he went for official engagement.

The Governor said " the administration under his watch is committed to ensure that his campaign promises are fulfilled and the programmes of the administration vigorously pursued base on need assessment."
He added that the next State Executive Council would comprise persons that would sustain the drive for the industrialisation of the state.

Mr Emmanuel indicated that his administration was not relenting on efforts at ensuring the realisation of the vision of the present government to justify the mandate given by the people.
He solicited the cooperation of the entire people of the state on issues of governance, assuring that in no time the state Executive Council would be reconstituted.

On hand to receive the Governor were his Deputy Mr Mosses Ekpo, Director General Divine Mandate, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, Secretary to the State Government Sir Etekamba Umoren, Head of Civil Service Mrs Ekerebong Akpan, Permanent Secretaries and Aides to the Governor.

Culled from TheMail Newspaper on Facebook