The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Subsidy: Absence of accused stalls oil marketers’ trial

    The absence of an accused, Emmanuel Morah, on Tuesday stalled the trial of three oil marketers charged with alleged N789.6 million fuel subsidy fraud.

    Morah, who was charged alongside Adamu Maula and George Ogbonna, is standing trial before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

    They are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside their firms – Downstream Energy Sources Limited and Rocky Energy Limited.

    The EFCC alleged that the marketers did not import the 10,862 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for which they received subsidy payment from the Federal Government.

    Morah’s counsel, Mr. Eubena Ahmedu, in an application dated October25, informed the court that his client was involved in an accident and had travelled abroad for surgery.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ahmedu also tendered a medical report and photographs of Morah at a hospital in the United States, where he was recuperating.

    He said Morah would not return to Nigeria until end of November and, therefore, asked the court to vacate the dates earlier fixed for the case.

    The EFCC counsel, Mr. Tayo Olukotun, did not oppose the application.

    Okunnu, granted Ahmedu’s application and adjourned the matter to February 14, 2014 for continuation of trial.

     

  • PENGASSAN hails PPPRA’s ongoing reforms

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has commended the management of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) for the ongoing reforms in the downstream sector.

    The Chairman of the PPPRA Branch of the association, Mr. Lazi Akhore, and the Secretary, Mr Ghide Mohammed, said on Monday that PPPRA’s management deserved a pat on the back for sanitising the sector.

    The officers who spoke in a statement issued in Abuja, expressed their support for the Executive Secretary of the PPPRA, Mr. Reginald Stanley, for taking bold steps in saving over N409 billion in the subsidy scheme last year.

    The union said the Federal Government should be commended for taking measures resulting in an unprecedented clean-up of the downstream, following the appointment of Stanley in November, 2011.

    “It is worth noting that the PPPRA under Mr. Reginald Stanley has recorded significant achievements in the operations of the subsidy scheme, resulting to the saving of over N409 billion in 2012 alone.

    “Stanley has also facilitated the drastic reduction of daily fuel consumption in line with actual national demands,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the body as saying in the statement.

     

     

  • Keshi happy with BBC award nominations

    Keshi happy with BBC award nominations

    Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi, has expressed his excitement about John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses nomination for the 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.

    On Monday, the BBC revealed the shortlist for this year via its Newsday programme.

    The three other shortlisted players are – Jonathan Pitroipa of Burkina Faso, Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ivory Coast midfielder, Yaya Toure, who made the shortlist for the fifth successive year.

    Keshi, 51, said the nomination of Mikel and Moses shows that the African champions are now competing with the best on the continent.

    He revealed how he spoke to Super Eagles members on resumption as head coach of the team two years ago on worming their ways into winning individual honours while balancing their ethics as team players at the same time.

    “I’m hearing this for the first time. I’ve been busy preparing for the World Cup game against Ethiopia. But I’m happy to hear this and it is pleasant news for the players, the team and the nation. I hope one of them can win it.

    “I must say this is a result of hard work, commitment and open-mindedness to learn and make sacrifices as individuals and as a team. When I became coach of the team I sat down with the boys and made it clear that they have the ability to be rated among the best players in not just Africa but the world.

    “These boys already know much about the game and I’m sure I can’t start teaching like small boys. I try as much as possible to make them feel like they are in a family which is important and it has worked well for us and that’s why we have players being nominated for awards now. But it’s down to the good work of the players, coaches and officials.

    “Now I am confident that we are on the verge of good things to come once we continue with this same pace and I am happy that what we started two years ago is bearing fruits. I hope one of them will win the award this year,” Keshi told supersport.com.

    The 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year “winner will be decided by African football fans” through a voting process that will run till November 25, according to the BBC.

    Austin Okocha was the last Nigerian to win the BBC award in 2004 after he had won it the previous year.

     

     

  • Thailand rejects controversial amnesty bill

    Thailand’s Senate has rejected a controversial amnesty bill that could have led to the return of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

    The amnesty would have applied to offences committed during the political turmoil after Thailand’s 2006 coup, which ousted Mr. Thaksin.

    BBC reports that the bill’s passage in the lower house triggered large street protests.

    And on Monday, as the bill went to the Senate, tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Bangkok.

    Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra – who is Mr. Thaksin’s sister – has promised to respect the Senate’s decision.

    The bill, which was proposed by the governing Pheu Thai party, applied to offences committed during the upheaval after Mr. Thaksin was removed from office.

    Ms Yingluck’s government had argued that the legislation was a necessary step towards reconciliation, after several years of political turmoil.

    This turmoil included the occupation of Bangkok’s main airport in 2008 and then two months of street protests in Bangkok in 2010 that left about 90 people – mostly civilian protesters – dead.

    But critics said it would allow human rights abuses – such as the killing of civilian protesters – to go unpunished.

    The main opposition Democrat Party also believed it was aimed at allowing Mr. Thaksin to return to Thailand without having to serve a jail sentence.

    Mr. Thaksin has been in self-imposed exile since his conviction on corruption charges over a property deal. He argues the charges are politically motivated.

    The lower house backed the bill, despite an opposition boycott. But as protests gathered strength, the governing party withdrew its support from the bill and all 141 senators present voted against it.

     

     

  • PDP suspends Oyinlola, Baraje, Jaja, Kazaure

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Monday  suspended four leading members of the Abubakar Baraje faction of the party. The suspension is indefinite.
    The affected chieftains are the chairman of the New PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja and Senator Ibrahim Kazaure.
    Baraje is the national chairman of the New PDP,while Oyinlola is the National Secretary. Jaja is Deputy National chairman and Kazaure vice chairman, Northwest of the faction.
    The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh who announced the suspension at a press briefing said the party chieftains were guilty of anti party activities.
    The suspension is coming on the heels of a ruling by the Court of Appeal, Abuja ordering the leadership of the party to reinstate Oyinlola as the National Secretary of the PDP.
    Oyinlola was removed from office in January ostensibly on the orders of a High Court that voided his election as the National Secretary of the mainstream PDP.
    The Appeal Court had on Wednesday reinstated him and directed that he be recognised as the party’s National Secretary. But Metuh said the party had yet to be served a copy of the ruling.
    The ruling party said the four party chieftains breached provisions of Section 58 of the PDP constitution by declaring a parallel PDP and carrying out actions that were inimical to the interest of the party.
    Metuh said that the suspended party chiefs, who are also members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) would face the Umaru Dikko led disciplinary committee.
    The party spokesman added that with the actions and conduct of the party chieftains in the past few weeks were capable of causing disaffection among party members.
    By setting up the New PDP, Metuh said the party chiefs committed an offence of “identity theft”, adding that the leadership of the PDP had condoned their excesses long enough.
    “We have withheld taking any action for a long time and we have been appealing to them to put a stop to the attempt at identity theft. Our members nationwide are not happy and they think we have been treating them with kid gloves”, Metuh stated.
    But in a swift reaction, Oyinlola faulted the suspension order, saying it was meant to circumvent the judgment of the Court of Appeal that reinstated him as National Secretary.
    Oyinlola said: “‘This is part of the impunity we are protesting against.None of us has been queried or requested to give explanations for any alleged offence.
    “And if they are reacting to the issue of the new PDP, why did they decide to leave out the serving state governors, senators and members of the house of representatives who have been very vocal?
    “It’s all an attempt to circumvent the ruling of the Court of Appeal. Certainly, the last has not been heard about this matter and I am sure that truth will prevail over falsehood.
    The New PDP also reacted to the suspension. In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the Baraje faction, Chukwuemeka Eze, the faction said the Bamanga Tukur led PDP lacked proper understanding of the party’s constitution.
    Eze said: “The problem we are having with Tukur and his NWC is that they lack not only democratic character but also lack common understanding of the PDP Constitution.
    “To us, this is an abuse of the judiciary, Nigeria Constitution on fair hearing and most importantly, the PDP Constitution of 2009 as amended in Article 21 Section 9”.
    The section reads: “Notwithstanding any other provision of this Consitution relating to discpline, no Executive Committee at any level except NEC shall entertain any question of discpline as may relate or concern a member of the NEC.
    These include public office holders like ministers, Ambassadors, Special Advisers or members of the federal legislature.
     Article 21: 10 of the constitution also states that no disciplinary committee at any level except the National Disciplinary Committee shall impose any punishment on such category of members.
  • Jonathan, Mark, Tambuwal chart ways for democratic growth

    Jonathan, Mark, Tambuwal chart ways for democratic growth

    President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President, David Mark and Speaker House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, on Monday charged African parliaments to pursue legislations that would engender democratic growth in the continent.

    The three leaders spoke at 1st African Legislative Summit 2013 with the Theme: “Emerging Legislatures in Africa: Challenges and opportunities.”

    Jonathan, who inaugurated the summit specifically asked African parliament to legislate against issues and actions that could lead to the collapse of the current democratic arrangements in African countries.

    African parliaments, he said, should legislate to discourage political gangesterism, acts of terrorism and organised cross border crimes.

    The President described the summit as a laudable effort aimed at giving Africa a new vision and a new initiative that would further lead to rapid development.

    He said, “The summit is coming at a critical period when the African continent is in search of a means of strengthening the various democratic institutions to pave the way for an enduring democratic structure.

    “There is the need for strategy for networking and capacity building. The legislature has a critical role to play in lawmaking, oversight function to consolidate democratic practice and norms.”

    He commended Nigeria parliament for extending legislative activities and cooperation beyond the shores of the country, saying the summit is a platform for fostering legislative and executive cooperation to engender development.

    He noted that a few years ago African democratic climate was taken over by military dictatorship, a development which created a wide gap between the roles of the executive and the legislature.

    Jonathan said that due to frequent military interruption in government, Africa was denied quality legislation that could have led to growth and development.

    He added, “With the latest democratic climate being controlled by the civilians, the continent is now enjoying growth and development of parliamentary legislation, which is an integral part of constitution governance.

    ”We now have elected government in African states. The democratic tradition is gaining ground. Parliamentary and presidential elections had been held in many African countries including Nigeria.

    “Leaders of our parliaments have great roles to play in ensuring the sustainability of the current democratic governance through vibrant and robust legislation.

    Mark in his remarks noted that the summit is most desirable at this point that African democracy is at the crossroads, with mixed results of consolidation in some countries and regression in others.

    Tambuwal on his part decried under development of the parliament in many African countries.

     

  • Nigerians make Golden Baobab prize shortlist

    Nigerians make Golden Baobab prize shortlist

    On the recently announced shortlist, two Nigerians: Philip Begho, on the shortlist for The Golden Baobab Prize for Picture Books and Fego Martins Ahia, on the shortlist for The Golden Baobab Prize for Rising Writers.Fego Martins Ahia who recently made news for making it to the long list have moved on to the Short list.

    The Golden Baobab Prizes for African Children’s literature were set up to celebrate and inspire the creation of riveting African children’s stories. 7 Nigerians appeared on the 2013 long list. On the recently announced shortlist, there are 2 Nigerians: Philip Begho, on the shortlist for The Golden Baobab Prize for Picture Books and Fego Martins Ahia, on the shortlist for The Golden Baobab Prize for Rising Writers.

    In Fego’s words “Writing fiction for African children adequately helps me trace and recapture the early moments of my seventeen-year old life. Not only does this give me a sense of belonging; it also helps me contribute to Africa’s literary renaissance from a childhood-friendly angle.”

    Fego’s story, The Little Secret, which has shortlisted for the Golden Baobab Rising Writer Prize, is said to be “a well written, original story with good use of humour” by a member of the Golden Baobab Prizes evaluation team. Below is an excerpt from The Little Secret:

    “Her father was standing at the tall window, drinking his palm wine from a long green bottle. Grandma Tutu had written her a birthday letter in soft pencil lines as if she were a child. Meanwhile, Mama was outside in the yard and the sun had fallen behind the hills. Night was coming, so the light bulb hung from the white ceiling above them and spread soft yellow light like a small sun in the dark room”

    Fego, who is a first year student at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts, mentions Americanah author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, as his favourite writer. When asked why he has such a passion for writing, Fego said, “Writing gives me an amazing chance to re-examine truths about the world I inhabit. I relish the opportunity to craft my own characters and build a world around their lives. I find delight in telling stories which are too beautiful or tragic to be left untold, as these explore various aspects of the human society, within and without the scope of my colorful experiences.”

    Fego hopes to soon complete a full-length novel and to one day have his works read all over Africa and the rest of the world.

    Philip Begho on the other hand is an award-winning author who has published over a hundred books, including the critically acclaimed Jelly Baby (a novel about boy soldiers), Songbird (a young adults novel about career choice), and the blockbuster Penny for an Orphan. Philip appeared twice on the long list for his stories, The Princess with a Golden Voice and The Two-Headed Monster. However, it was The Princess with a Golden Voice that made it onto the 2013 shortlist.

    “How exciting to make the 2013 shortlist for the Golden Baobab Prize for Picture Books!” he said. “The news came as I was pondering where the greatest stories lurked. In films? On the stage? In real life? In bestselling novels? No, they are to be found in the best children’s stories. For no story is as timeless, as universal, as revealing or as helpful as the best of the world’s children’s stories.”

    The Princess with a Golden Voice “is a tale of a young and beautiful princess who defeats a fearsome monster with the power of her lovely, golden voice and saves her kingdom. She shows us that bravery comes in many forms and that when we embrace our inner strength, we can become strong and capable leaders and face any foe.” – Annette Hansen, Researcher, Administrator and English Teacher at the University of Groningen, Netherlands and 2013 Golden Baobab Prizes judge.

     

  • Gunmen kill polytechnic employee in Bayelsa

    Unknown gunmen suspected to be assassins have killed a 35-year old employee of the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Mr. Frank Moses.

    The deceased was reportedly attacked at Agudama, a suburb in Yenagoa local government area of the state.

    Prior to the incident, Moses was said to be the Financial Secretary of the labour union in the polytechnic.

    The father of two was shot dead few minutes after celebrating the victory of the Golden Eaglets in the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

    He was said to have rejoiced with his neighbours over the soccer triumph before the bandits attacked and killed him.

    Moses was said to be a cousin to the Special Adviser to the President on Research and Documentation, Mr. Oronto Douglas.

    He was an Indigene of Okiki community in Ogbia local government area of the state.

    Sources said he was killed few meters away from his house.

    Speaking on behalf of the bereaved family, a family source alleged that Moses’ assassination must have arisen from the labour crisis rocking the polytechnic.

    The source, who craved anonymity, said the family reached the conclusion after conducting preliminary investigations through text messages in the deceased mobile phone.

    He said the victim was at the forefront of agitation for workers’ rights in the institution.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hillary Opara, confirmed the incident.

    He said the police had nabbed a female suspect.

     

  • Nigeria seeks visa free regime for Commonwealth members

    Nigeria will press on with the call for the abolition of visa regime among members of the Commonwealth of Nations at this year’s meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM).

    The country’s interim position is for introduction of a pilot scheme which will faciliate visa free regime for holders of diplomatic and official passports from member countries.

    The event which kicks off in November 13-17, 2013, in Colombo, Sri-Lanka has as theme- “Growth with equity: Inclusive development”.

    The summit will also consider the Global Economic Situation, including debt sustainability, international trade, climate change as well as the promotion of people-people contact in the context of liberalization of visa regimes amongst commonwealth countries.

    This position, according to the country’s acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, will help improve trade amongst member nations.

    She had argued that the visa regime and other form of restrictions on movement amongst member countries will hinder the move to have a borderless Commonwealth.

    The minister in a pre-CHOGM press briefing in Abuja on Monday told journalists that “Nigeria is attending the CHOGM with a clear position on every item on the agenda of the various meetings.

    With specific reference to the theme, the summit would consider and adopt a concept paper prepared by the government of Sri Lanka.

     

     

     

  • UNIJOS lecturers vote for continuation of strike

    UNIJOS lecturers vote for continuation of strike

    Lecturers at the University of Jos have voted for continuation of the on-going strike by the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) in the country.

    Chairman of the chapter, Dr. David Jankam who made this known on Monday while speaking with THE NATION shortly after the congress of the chapter said members did not see any substance in the dialogue with the federal government to warrant calling off the strike.

    According to Dr Jankam, “We have just rounded off our meeting, as a matter of fact our members voted overwhelmingly for the continuation of the state strike.

    “I can also confirm to you that five of the eight universities that made up the Bauchi Zone of ASUU has also voted for continuation of the strike, and the general saying is that the federal government has not shown any commitment so far.

    “We started the meeting by briefing our members on issues resolved with the federal government in their last meeting with the president of ASUU.

    “But in responding to the briefing, our members observed that the main issues that led to the strike were not discussed as part of the meeting in Aso Rock.

    “As such my members said president Jonathan is taking them for a ride by trying to divert attention from the core subjects of the strike”

    According to Dr. Jankam, “I will now convey the resolve of our branch to our national president in our NEC meeting scheduled for this week. If the majority of the chapter voted for call off, it will ne called off, but if majority of chapters voted for continuation, so be it” said Dr. Jankam.