The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Subsidy scam: EFCC insists oil marketer didn’t import fuel

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday claimed that an oil marketer, Rowaye Jubril, did not import the petroleum products for which he received N963.7 million subsidy.

    The EFCC made the allegation through one of its officers, Mrs. Tolulola Olanubi, at the resumed trial of Jubril before a Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jubril is being prosecuted alongside his company -Brila Energy Limited.

    Olanubi, who was led in evidence by the EFCC counsel, Mr. Seidu Atteh, said she was a member of the special team that investigated the alleged fraud in the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) scheme.

    She said the accused had obtained the money from the Federal Government for the purported importation of 13,500 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol).

    The witness said, “The accused had claimed that there was a ship-to-ship transfer of the products between the mother vessel — MT Overseas Lima and the daughter vessel — MT Delphina.

    “The purported transfer took place between January 26 and 27, 2011 at off-shore Cotonou in Benin Republic.’’

    Olanubi said investigations carried out by the EFCC revealed that the transfer never took place as claimed by the marketer.

    She said Lloyd Lister, an agency which monitors the movement of international vessels, also confirmed that the product was not imported.

    “I accessed the Lloyd Lister’s data base to track the movement of the vessels.

    “I observed that MT Overseas Lima was at Port Everglades in the United States on the day the accused claimed the ship-to-ship transfer took place.

    “MT Delphina was at Tin Can Island, Lagos, on the same day that the transfer was said to have taken place at off-shore Cotonou,” the witness said.

     

  • Police kill two kidnap suspects in Asaba

    The Police Command in Delta said that it gunned down two suspected kidnappers during the Eid-el Kabir holiday in Warri.

    The command’s spokesman, Lucky Uyabeme, said the suspected kidnappers were gunned down on October 16, by a Sea Truck Company in Warri.

    Uyabeme said the suspects at about 11:00 hours of the day parked a black Toyota Camry car with fake registration number AG 19 WWR.

    He said the occupants of the vehicle were lurking somewhere in the area.

    The police spokesman said that this prompted a team of policemen on duty around the company to approach the hoodlums.

    “The criminals on seeing that the team was close to them opened fire on the policemen and during the gun duel two suspects were gunned down, while others escape with bullet wounds.

    “The suspects were gang members of the most wanted kidnap suspect, one Kelvin Oniarah who was arrested in the month of September,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the police spokesman as saying on Thursday.

    He also said the police recovered one AK 47 rifle Number 58-25006074 and 19 rounds of live ammunition, one pump action gun with seven cartridges form the suspects.

     

     

  • Jobs of the day

    Vacancy in a transport company

    A reputable transport company with offices in the major cities in Nigeria requires the services of the following:

    A. Transport Operation Manager

    Job Description:

    *Responsible for the day to day operations of the company.
    *Scheduling of vehicles.
    *Supervision of the activities of station managers.
    *Ensuring customer satisfaction.
    *Fuel management, driver management, cost management.
    *Expansion of the customer base of the company.
    *Ensures Quality and Cost efficient maintenance of fleet.
    *Increase the income generated by the company,e.t.c

    B. Information Technology Personnel:

    Job Description:

    *Develop and manage the IT department of the company.
    *Ensures that technology aids the efficiency of company output,etc.

    C. Secretary:

    Job Description:

    *Reorganise and restructure the administrative department of the company.
    *Devising and maintaining office systems.
    *Organising and storing paperwork, documents and computer-based information, etc

    Qualification:

    *Graduates (B.Sc/BA/HND Holders)
    *Computer literacy
    *Experience in relevant fields would be an added advantage.

    Interested candidates are to send their CV to transportcoy@gmail.com not later than 2weeks of this publication.

    2. VACANCY
    Applicants are invited for the following vacant positions in our organisation in Abuja:

    1. Estate Manager:

    *Qualification: B.SC/HND in Estate Management
    *Experience: 10 years of practical Experience
    *Should reside in Abuja

    2. Company Secretary:

    *Qualification: B.SC/equivalent in Administration/Admin Secretary
    *Experience; 10 years of practical experience
    *Should be female and resident in Abuja

    Qualified Applicants should send detailed C.V. And recent passport photograph to: info@salcoltd.com

    APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT NOT LATER THAN 10 DAYS FROM THIS ADVERT.

    3. Vacancy
    Experienced Offshore crane operators and Banksman/Slingers needed urgently

    Crane operator must posses:
    * At least 5-10 years experience working offshore as a crane operator on am FPSO.
    * Valid and current AP1 2D stage 2 and 3 crane operation certifications from reputable certification company
    *Valid and current BOSIET or HUET

    Banksman/Slinger must possess:
    *At least 5-10 years experience working offshore as a certified banksman or rigger
    *Valid and current banksman/slinger certificate from reputable certification company.
    *Valid and current BOSIET or HUET

    All qualified candidates should forward their credentials electronically to

    agbaje.adedayo@gmail.com

    On or before the 21st of October 2013

  • National ID commission gets December 2014 deadline

    National ID commission gets December 2014 deadline

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday directed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure it registers all Nigerians by December 31, 2014.

    He gave the directive while formally launching the enrolment exercise for the issuance of the National Identification Number (NIN) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, the National Identification Number will go a long way to enhance the work of security agencies in the country, reduce the cost of managing the naira cash component in the country, reduce the amount of currency in circulation and boost the fight against corruption.

    Stressing that it will also be essential if Nigeria is to introduce social security or welfare payments, he said that the system is flexible and provides for expansion and upgrading in line with technological advances.

    The President noted that Nigeria cannot be an exception to the global trend towards Identity Management and Centralised National Identity Database, saying that there is already a growing quest for specific databases and identity verification by several government institutions and private sector organizations in the country.

    He said: “The growing identity verification needs, therefore calls for harmonization and integration of identity databases and the development of a universal service infrastructure. To achieve this goal, the National Identity Management Commission should ensure that by December 31, 2014 all persons eligible for registration as provided for in Section 16 of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act No. 23, of 2007 are enrolled into the National Identity Database.”

    “By this same date, all government agencies requiring identity verification and authentication services or involved in data capture activities must align their activities with a view to switching over to the NIMC infrastructure.”

    On the benefits of the registration, he said: “If the work of law enforcement officers is to be enhanced; if consumer credit is to be accessible; if we are to reduce the cost of managing the naira cash component currently estimated at N192 billion per annum; if we are to reduce the amount of currency in circulation currently put at N1.93 trillion; if we are to achieve a multiple pronged approach to the fight against corruption; and finally, if we are to introduce social security or welfare payments, then we must, first and foremost, establish and verify appropriately, the identities of individuals.”

     

  • Italy, Netherlands, England unseeded for World Cup draws

    Italy, Netherlands, England unseeded for World Cup draws

    Five-time World champions Brazil could play four-time winners, Italy, in the 2014 World Cup opener and holders Spain could meet the Netherlands in the repeat of the 2010 final, going by the seeding for next summer tournament draws released on Thursday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that neither the Azzuri nor the Dutch had been seeded for the draws.

    Releasing the latest world rankings on Thursday, FIFA said that hosts Brazil, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Belgium and Switzerland are the top seeds for the December 6 draws.

    The Uruguayans will also be seeded if they beat outsiders Jordan in a two-legged World Cup play-off. If not, the Dutch will get the final spot just ahead of Italy.

    Brazil and Italy are the two most successful World Cup teams and have met in two finals, with the Brazilians winning 4-1 in 1970 and on penalties in 1994.

    Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 in the South Africa 2010 decider.

    Portugal, Greece, Croatia and Ukraine will be the seeded teams for the European World Cup play-off draw, with France, Sweden, Romania and Iceland.

    Spain maintained first place in the rankings, with Germany back into second ahead of Argentina, followed by Colombia, Belgium, Uruguay, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy and England.

    Italy dropped four places in the latest rankings and Brazil went out of top 10 again, dropping to 11th.

     

  • Lar’s body leaves U.S Friday

    Lar’s body leaves U.S Friday

    Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Prof. Ade Adefuye, said the body of the late Chief Solomon Lar, will leave the U.S. on Friday and arrive in Nigeria on Saturday.

    Adefuye told the North America correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in New York that a senior Embassy staff would also accompany the body.

    Lar, a former governor of Plateau and a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, died on October 9 at the Inova Fairfax Hospital in Northern Virginia.

    NAN reports that a service of songs in honour of the deceased, who died at the age of 80, was held at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington D.C. on October 13.

    In his tribute at the occasion, Adefuye described the late Lar as a visionary leader who gave his all in the service of his fatherland.

    “Truly, we have lost a visionary leader and statesman and there may be no greater tribute to him than the fact that he was an inspirer, and fought for the rights of the minority,” he said.

    Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, a politician, said the late Lar played a major role in shaping the political dynasty of Nigeria.

    Iwuanyanwu described the death as “a tragic loss to Nigeria’’, and said Lar was a man “who believed strongly in the unity of Nigeria.”

    He said the deceased also believed in justice and equity to all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe or creed.

    Nigeria’s Ambassador to Canada, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, described the late Lar as “a great emancipator, peace maker and a great Nigerian.”

    “His template is a template of peace and unity, his template is a template of one Nigeria. Lar brought decency to politics in Nigeria.

    “He is hard to replicate, he understands Nigeria and Nigeria understands him. He will surely be missed by many,” Maduekwe said.

     

  • Nigeria moves up in FIFA rankings

    Nigeria moves up in FIFA rankings

    … Now 33rd in the world

    Nigeria has moved up three places to 33 in the latest world rankings released by FIFA on Thursday.

    However, Nigeria is still number four in the Africa, behind Algeria (3rd) who dropped three places, Ghana (2nd), who moved up one place and Cote d’Ivoire (1st), who has moved to 17th in the world, MTNFootball.com reports.

    The October ranking saw the Eagles garner 724 points which is an improvement from the 707 points recorded in September.

    The Nigerians are expected to improve their rankings by next month when they host Ethiopia in a World Cup playoff return leg in Calabar.

     

  • Over 700, 000 people enslaved in Nigeria – Report

    Over 700, 000 people enslaved in Nigeria – Report

    At least 701,032 people are currently enslaved in Nigeria, according to a new index ranking of 162 countries.

    The report said nearly 30 million people around the world live as slaves.

    The index was compiled by Australian-based rights organisation Walk Free Foundation using a definition of modern slavery that includes debt bondage, forced marriage and human trafficking.

    The Global Slavery Index 2013 says India has the highest number of people living in conditions of slavery at 14 million.

    India, China, Pakistan and Nigeria have the highest numbers of people enslaved, the charity said.

    Together with five other countries, they account for three-quarters of the total estimated number of people in modern slavery worldwide.

    But Mauritania has the highest proportional figure with about four per cent of its population enslaved.

    BBC says the report’s authors hope it will help governments tackle what they call a “hidden crime.”

    “A lot of governments won’t like hearing what we have to say,” WFF chief executive, Nick Grono, told the AFP news agency.

    “Those governments that want to engage with us, we will be very open to engaging and looking at ways in which we can better measure the issue of modern slavery.”

    The organisation’s estimate of 29.8 million slaves worldwide is higher than other attempts to quantify modern slavery. The International Labour Organisation estimates that almost 21 million people are victims of forced labour.

    The report said India’s ranking was mostly due to the exploitation of Indians citizens within the country itself.

    While the highest proportion of slaves is in Mauritania, with many people inheriting slave status from their ancestors, Haiti is second in the index and Pakistan is third.

     

    Estimated number of slaves

     

    India – 13,956,010

    China – 2,949,243

    Pakistan – 2,127,132

    Nigeria – 701,032

    Ethiopia – 651,110

    Russia – 516,217

    Thailand – 472,811

    DR Congo – 462,327

    Burma – 384,037

    Bangladesh – 343,192

     

     

    Proportional ranking

    Mauritania

    Haiti

    Pakistan

    India

    Nepal

    Moldova

    Benin

    Ivory Coast

    The Gambia

    Gabon

     

  • Police detain NPFL hotshot

    Police detain NPFL hotshot

    Akwa United star striker, Mfom Udoh, was arrested and detained by police in Uyo soon after grabbing a brace in a 3-2 win over Kaduna United.

    Udoh told MTNFootball.com he was surprised that the Nigeria Police from C division Ewet Housing, Uyo, arrested him along Oron Road even after he identified himself.

    He said, “I just want Nigerians to know how the Nigeria police operate and oppress people for no just cause. I am a victim,” said the 18-year-old striker, who has scored 15 goals this season.

    “I was arrested early this morning on my way from a friend’s birthday party. Stephen Ada, an ex-team mate, was having his birthday, so I went there after our game and I had to leave in the early hours so as to go and eat and catch some sleep.

    “The police stopped me, and I obliged them. They said they wanted to search me and I didn’t argue, they did and found only the food I bought. I explained where I was coming from and who I am, I showed them prove of identification, but they insisted I should follow them to station. I asked them for what but they insisted I must follow them. I obeyed and followed them.

    “I have been at the station behind the counter since 3.45am.”

    Mfom Udoh further told MTNFootball.com: “I don’t know why they decided to just punish me for no offence.

    “I am sure a lot of Nigerians who don’t have this kind of opportunity to tell the world what happened to them would have suffered same fate. Is this how they want to protect us Nigerians who go on with our lawful duties?”

    He has now put a call across to his teammates and officials.

     

  • Fans mob Emenike in Lagos

    Fans mob Emenike in Lagos

    •Says I’m not Eagles’ messiah

    SUPER Eagles’ hero in the first leg, final round of the World Cup qualification tie against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, Emmanuel Emenike was on Tuesday mobbed by football fans at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos as he returned to his base in Turkey.

    Emenike scored two  goals for Nigeria in the 2-1 triumph over  Ethiopia  in Addis Ababa last Sunday to give the Eagles the advantage ahead of the second leg slated for November 16 in Calabar.

    The Fenerbahce forward was overwhelmed despite the tight security he came to the Airport with.

    He arrived at about 9pm with his entourage but could not beat the desperate fans to it, as he was forced to give out cash and club Jerseys, while he made his way into the departure lounge.

    Speaking exclusively to NationSport  Emenike said: “I find joy playing for Nigeria and making this people happy, though sometimes I get angry when things are not in order but I love playing for this country at anytime,”

    “I am not Super Eagles’ messiah. My feat has been by the help of God, I am just trying to make myself and Nigerians happy.

    “ Goals can come from anybody, so I count myself lucky when I do it for my country and I intend to keep the scoring form.”

    Asked why he didn’t celebrate as expected after scoring both goals, he said: “I don’t believe celebrating in Addis Ababa is worth it because the job is not concluded yet. We played with a lot of pressure, we were intimidated in so many ways but I am happy we conquered our fears,”

    “I will celebrate with Champagne after the win in Calabar. I will bathe the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials and the coaches with bottles of Champagne in Calabar,” he declared.