The Nation Newspaper

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  • ‘We won’t rest on our oars’

    The Director-General of the Lagos State Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) Magodo, Lagos State, Mrs. Olubunmi Fabamwo, has said the Centre will benchmark global best practices to enhance capacity building in Nigeria.

    Speaking while receiving the maiden Human Resource Best practices Award of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) at the Institute’s 44th Annual National Conference and Exhibition in Abuja, Mrs. Fabamwo expressed the pleasure that the reforms being undertaken to re-engineer the internal processes of the centre was being recognised by critical stakeholders in the capacity building community.

    Mrs Fabamwo, who was represented by the Centre’s Director of Planning and Research, Mr. Senukon Ajose-Harrison, said the award by foremost human resource management institute was a recognition of painstaking but steady re-engineering that started about four years ago.

    She added that the management and staff of the Centre realise the import of being winners of a maiden award and promised that the Centre will not rest on its oars but continue to improve on its processes and service delivery paradigm to justify her choice as CIPM’s first HR Corporate Awardee in the Public Sector Category.

    Appreciating the Institute for finding the Centre worthy of its excellence award in the Public Sector category, she dedicated the award to staff of the Centre and thanked the State Government for its capacity building focus as well as Government’s financial and material investment in the Centre that has enabled the successes achieved so far.

    Earlier while announcing the Centre as winner of the Public Sector category of the HR Best Practices Award, a member of the Conference Planning Committee, Mr. Wale Adediran, said that the award to PSSDC was to recognize the positive changes that have taken place not only in the Centre’s service delivery focus but much more importantly in the development of key human resource competencies, skills and policies.

    He added that the award was the outcome of CIPM’s independent assessment of the human resource policies and practices of the Centre as well as the perception of its employees.

  • Politicians are Nigeria’s problem, says NLC chief

    Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Abdulwaheed Omar yesterday blamed most religious crises in the country on politicians’ manipulation.

    Speaking at a Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Annual October Lecture in Abuja, entitled: “Religious Tolerance and Peaceful Co-Existence (Muslim and Christian Perspectives)”, Omar said politicians are using religion for their selfish interests.

    He said: “The problem we have in this country is that religion is being used as bedrock for some individuals to pursue their personal interests.

    “Our politicians use this effectively in our communities. We were living peacefully together in this country. These problems are arising now because we have polluted and desecrated our communities.

    “Religious houses must go back to the drawing board to separate what is for God from what is not for God.

    “Dialogue is the answer and our leaders should decide to do the right things.”

    Speaking from the Muslim perspective yesterday, Prof. Ibrahim Suleiman also said politicians are the main problems in the country.

    “In the communities, we don’t have problems with religions. The problem is with our politicians. I can assure you that there will not be any war on religion in this country. If there is going to be any, it will be war on injustice.”

    “Another problem is that a lot of bad money is going into the various religious bodies.

    Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, who delivered the Christian perspective of the lecture, said: “Why should we allow ourselves to be provoked to the extent of killing others because of religious issues?

    “We should leave vengeance to God. When you react violently, you are like them. Dialogue is a necessary tool for co-existing.”

    The Chairman, Christopher Kolade, said it is lack of the fear of God that can make somebody to kill another person.

    He said: “If we have the fear of God, we will not harm any individual. When some politicians offer themselves for elective offices, they are prepared to kill to get into office.

    “If we truly have the fear of God, we will see things in a more reasonable light.”

    The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku said: “Politics is central and politicians must themselves what they are coming on board to do.

    “We must play politics of love and understanding to bring development to our country.”

  • Mixed reactions trail proposal for 2013

    For Mr. Eze Onyekpere of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), the 2013 Appropriation Bill has not complied with the Medium Term Expenditure Framework.

    The MTEF, he noted, is by Section 18 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) the basis for the preparation of the estimates of revenue and expenditure required to be prepared and laid before the National Assembly under section 81 (1) of the Constitution. The sectoral and compositional distribution of the estimates of expenditure shall be consistent with the MTEF.

    The MTEF is to be approved by a resolution of both chambers of the National Assembly.

    While the House of Representatives has concluded deliberations on the MTEF 2013-2015, the Senate is yet to conclude its consideration. Any discrepancy between the House and Senate positions would ordinarily be resolved through harmonisation for the MTEF to have the requisite legislative imprimatur. As such, there has been no approved MTEF by the legislature to serve as a the basis for the budget preparation.

  • Anambra council cracks down on sand excavators

    Anambra council cracks down on sand excavators

    The Transition Committee Chairman, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Hon. Emeka Aforka has started a revolution in the council.

    The council boss has taken steps to end indiscriminate sand excavation in the area, a growing pastime in which notable figures, including traditional rulers and town presidents-general, are fingered.

    Henceforth, anyone caught in the act will be arrested and prosecuted, Newsextra learnt.

    Already, a man has been arrested and prosecuted over sand excavation, though he has been granted bail.

    The council, which consists of 16 communities, has been contending with erosion, a situation that is worsened by sand excavation.

    Hon Aforka gave the arrest order after due consultation with his council, which determined that community leaders were colluding with law breakers to aggravate soil erosion in the local government.

    In a letter to the District Police Officer in the council, Emeka, through Dr H. N. Ozokwere, also ordered the arrest of beach operators who are believed to be involved in the act.

    Part of the letter reads: “I am directed to refer to the management decision during the council meeting of 6th August, 2014 and hereby convey the mandate of the arrest of all beach owners in Orumba North Local Government Area, for the purposes of prosecution in matters relating to indiscriminate sand excavation  in the local government area.

    “Please recall that numerous prohibitions have been placed on this issue and that notwithstanding, some obnoxious individuals are recalcitrant because sand excavation is still going on as clearly observed on all beaches.

    “All impounded vehicles in the course of enforcing the ban on sand excavation shall be released only on payment of one hundred thousand naira (N100,000) in addition to the corresponding demurrage into the council’s bank account’’.

    The letter was copied to the State Security Service, among others.

    A transporter, Ofodile Emmanuel, has been arrested in connection with the act, while two of his tipper trucks were impounded. He was charged to court and granted bail under stringent conditions.

    Before his arrest, Aforka summoned a meeting of presidents-general and traditional leaders with the DPO to interrogate them on matters relating to sand excavation.

    Aforka said members of a task force committee on sand excavation were beaten up by certain residents, believed to be involved in the excavation.

    He said the war against excavation of sand in Orumba North is yielding positive results, adding that the arrest order will be duly carried out.

    Those who “open their beaches at night” will be arrested, he said, “because we can’t tolerate such sabotage. We are ordering their arrest because they connived…”

    On Ofodile’s trial, Emeka said “it is a good development because the court granted him bail under stringent conditions…I advise those who violate the laws on sand excavation to have a rethink.”

    At the  Umunze Chief Magistrate Court presided over by His Lordship Mike I. Ogolo, the suspect Emmanuel Ofodile was granted bail with N200, 000 with a surety in like sum who is a civil servant, among other conditions.

    Addressing the suspect, the magistrate said: “If you love yourself, don’t go there again for excavation because there is a law against excavation sequel to the enormous erosion ravaging the state.”

    Ofodile and others at large were said to be excavating sand at Isi Akpu Beach, Awgbu, Orumba-South at night to avoid arrest.

    The defendant applied for bail but police prosecutor Jonas Ukwadi objected the application which was granted by His Lordship.

    The Orumba North Transition Committee Chairman equally led a team of task force personnel to enforce the removal from the road of over 700 blocks, six tippers of sand and six tippers of stone, said to belong to a builder.

    Emeka said the owner of the items, which have been confiscated, was blocking a road in spite of an order not to do so.

    He said people flouting the order to removal order for one purpose or the other will have themselves to blame as the order would be enforced.   “Any order given by the governor, Mr Peter Obi, must be complied with by the local government and we will deal with those flouting the order  decisively until they comply. We will arrest and prosecute no matter how highly placed and we will arrest more people.”

     

  • ‘$60,000 bribe’: Otedola appears before police over sting operation

    As part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged $620,000 bribery allegation against the suspended Chairman of the House Committee on Fuel Subsidy Regime, Mallam Farouk Lawan and the Clerk of the committee, Mr. Boniface Emenalo, an oil magnate, Mr. Femi Otedola has appeared before the police on how he conducted sting operation on Lawan.

    It was also learnt that the Force Criminal Investigation Department, which is handling the investigation, has gone far in the latest bend of the probe into the bribery saga.

    But there were strong indications that Lawan, Emenalo, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Mr. Adam Jagaba might be arraigned.

    According to findings, Otedola made statement under caution in order to enable the lead prosecutor, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo(SAN) tender his statement in court as evidence.

    A source said: “I think we are gradually getting to the final lap of this latest round of fresh investigation into this case.

    “The man who allegedly offered the bribe, Mr. Femi Otedola has appeared before the police investigating team on how the sting operation was conducted.

    “I might not be able to give you the details but he was receptive and gave useful insight into the bribery scam.

    “It is left to the police to work on more clues emanating from Otedola’s submissions to wrap up this investigation.”

    Replying a question, the source said: “Do not forget that we had concluded initial investigation into the scam, we are just filling the gaps noticed by the prosecutor.

    “We had recommended Lawan and Boniface for trial. But there is Jagaba angle to the matter on the source of the bribe sum.

    “Jagaba had denied any link with the money but where we cannot reconcile the claims and counter-claims between him and Lawan, he might be arraigned for the court to resolve the matter.”

    Another source last night said: “Investigation is not slow at all and the police have no predetermined agenda against anyone being probed in connection with this scam.

    “The police under the present IGP, M.D. Abubakar have lived up to expectations. And on this bribery scam, there will be no sacred cows.

    “I can tell you that the police team, headed by CP Ali Amodu, is doing its best to crack this complicated bribery case.

    “But there is a ray of hope because the same CP had recorded breakthrough in some high-profile cases before. And he has a set of crack officers working with him.

    “The CP is not just the type who believes in media trial. That is why you are not hearing much from the police.

    “We only want to appeal to the media to give the police a chance to do a thorough job. Sometimes, some stories on this matter have been drawing back investigation into the bribery scam.”

    On the alleged disillusionment of the public on how the case is getting off-the-news, the source said: “I think Nigerians should be patient, justice will be served in the end.”

    The prosecutor had asked the police to interact with Otedola on the following gaps in its earlier investigation.

    “He (Otedola) should be contacted so that he can provide the following: Copies of documents he submitted to Farouk Lawan after the public hearing investigation to clear his companies AP and Zenon Oil (with a view to comparing them with what the House supplied).

    “All the telephone numbers he used in communicating with Farouk Lawan or any other person, related to this matter. Cautionary words to his statement or compliance with the Rules.

    “To confirm whether SSS gave him the money in bulk or in bits of $20, $250, $120. Whether Otedola signed for the money at SSS with particularly of serial numbers or whether the SSS has a photocopy of the US dollar bills.

    “A copy of memo/documents by AP, ZENON and FORTE Oil submitted to the ad-hoc committee (presentation) by the MD, Mr. Otaru. He is to confirm whether the $120,000.00 requested for by the secretary was for (for Lawan or for himself) as the secretary of the Committee.

    “To confirm whether it was the secretary who called him or he (Otedola) who called the secretary (Who initiated the call).

    “To confirm how many video cameras were used for the coverage of the said sting operation. Where are copies of the recordings? How many bundles were the $120,000.00; whether only 2 bundles of $50,000 bills were given to Emenalo and account for the $20,000. The number of times he was visited by Mr. Emenalo.

    “He should throw more light on why he went to the SSS and not the other anti-graft agencies? (To prepare for cross examination). Why did he take the first $250,000 to Lawan hotel? (To prepare for cross examination).

    “Was there any lunch on 20th April in his house involving himself, Lawan and a former EFCC chairman and to comment on Lawn’s statement of 14/06/2012. He is also to comment on the allegation of Plane load of 2.5million USD he is alleged to have made to Lawan. To confirm audio recording of Otedola with Lawan, where it is and copies.”

  • Fayemi inaugurates 10 roads, five water treatment plants

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday inaugurated 10 major roads and five water treatment plants.

    The ceremonies were part of activities marking the administration’s second anniversary.

    The roads are located in Ekiti Central Senatorial District. They include the Erijinyan-Ilawe Road (14.3km), Odo Owa-Oke Ila Road (12km), Awo-Iyin Road (6.25km), Ikogosi-Efon Road (24km), Ado-Ilawe Road (11.5km) and Fajuyi- Basiri- Police Headquarters Road (5km).

    Others are the Fajuyi-Teaching Hospital Road (1.65km), Ado-Afao Road (10.75km), Ijigbo-Isato Road (2km) and Osun-Iloro Road (13km).

    Fayemi said the roads were built/repaired to end the harrowing experiences of commuters.

    He said the Fajuyi–Teaching Hospital Road was planned to link the on-going Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki Road with Fajuyi Park.

    The governor said 16 road projects are ongoing in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    While inaugurating the Ado-Afao Road, he said the road was built by ousted Governor Ayodele Fayose in 2005 but it did not last.

    Fayemi said the roads would boost economic activities in the state.

    The five water treatment plants and reservoir are located at Ipole Iloro, Efon, Ido Ile, Okemesi and Mary Hill in Ado Ekiti.

    Fayemi said his administration is determined to provide potable water for, at least 80 per cent of the state’s population by 2014.

    He said the government is working towards repairing the four dams in the state, adding that a major part of the 2013 budget would be expended on water.

    The governor also inaugurated the rural electrification project at Odo Uro, a communtiy in Iyin Ekiti.

    The scope of work done involved about 0.1km Inter Town Connection (ITC), 1.8km Township Distribution Network (TDN), a 300KVA transformer and street lighting.

    A health centre at Ido Ile and a Skills Acquisition Centre at Iropora Ekiti, built by the State Community and Social Development Agency, were also inaugurated.

    Praising Fayemi’s achievements, the Owa Ooye of Okemesi, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji, urged the governor not to be discouraged by criticisms, but to see them as a “tonic” that would spur him to do more.

    He said the governor has touched every community in the state within his short time in office.

  • FRSC convicts 19 traffic offenders in Akwa Ibom

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) yesterday said 19 traffic offenders in Akwa Ibom State have been convicted.

    Corps Commander Fidelis Osakwe gave the breakdown of the arrest made after the sitting of the commission’s traffic mobile court in Uyo, the state capital.

    Osakwe said 29 traffic offenders were arrested by the command and 19 were convicted. Five were given the option to fix the defects on their vehicles.

    He said: “During yesterday session of the traffic mobile court, the court made 29 arrests, 19 of the arrested traffic violators were convicted, five were given the option to go fix the defects identified with their vehicles immediately while there were 5 outstanding cases.”

    On the fate of those convicted, the FRSC Corps Commander said: “They are either send to jail or asked to pay an option of fine to the court. Once they pay their fine, they are warned to be of good behaviour otherwise they have terms of imprisonment to serve.”

    Osakwe said the command was doing everything to reduce crashes on the road.

    He said: “For instance, we hold town hall meeting with tricycles operators popularly known as KEKE NAPEP because of their large numbers. They are very critical proportion of road users in Akwa Ibom State.

    “So, it is very important that we educate them. On a bi-monthly basis we meet them to see how we can encourage them to form solid unions and be able to articulate issues with government because their operation matters to everybody domiciled in Akwa Ibom state.”

  • New house for widow, rainstorm victim

    New house for widow, rainstorm victim

    One of the victims of last June’s rainstorm in Nru community of Nsukka, Enugu State, Mrs Justina Asogwa, received an unexpected relief.

    Mrs Asogwa, a widow, was presented with a new three-bedroom fully furnished bungalow.

    The house, jointly built by some officials of Nsukka Local Council, was handed over to her by the Chairman, Mr. Tony Ugwu, a lawyer.

    Ugwu said the gesture was to relieve the victim who is ‘the poor of the poor’ among the victims ravaged by the natural disaster.

    “It may interest you to know that we did not use the council’s fund to build this house.

    “Myself and my executive contributed from our personal purse in other that this woman will have a shelter to live in.

    “I am pleased that we have been able to re-echo the slogan of this administration to bring succour and smiles back to residents of Nru community”, he said.

    The councillor representing Nru ward in the council, Hon.  Celestine Ogbu said he was overwelmed at the rare gesture exhibited by the chairman and his executive.

    “I thought the relief materials distributed by the council to the victims were the end of this exercise but I am surprised at these rare act exhibited by the chairman and his executives by contributing from the salaries to bring succour to this helpless widow,” he said.

    The elated widow, Justina Asogwa, thanked Nsukka council for the gift of the house

    “I am happy for the gift of this house and I pray that God will bless all the people who ensured in wiping my tears away”, she said.

    The Nsukka Local Government gave three bundles of zinc  and a bag of rice were given to each of the  40 victims whose houses were lost to the Nru rainstorm last June.

  • Succour for Anambra flood victims

    Succour for Anambra flood victims

    Some help has come to lift flood victims in Anambra State out of the depth of despair.

    Eight local government areas and over 40 communities in the state were submerged by the ravaging flood. As in numerous other cases beyond the state, those in Anambra have since been moved to temporary camps.

    The situation threw many into despair, not knowing how they will start afresh after the waters have receded.

    Senator Joy Emordi has made a difference, bringing in some relief to augment what the state state government and other organisations and individuals have been doing.

    Anambra is situated on flat land on the eastern plains of River Niger with a population of close to five million people.

    But today, the pride of the people has been cut by the overflow of the River Niger that flooded and continues to hurt millions of Nigerians in some states.

    The flooding, which began in Anambra State about three weeks ago, is yet to abate as more communities are being submerged daily, including an industrial district in the commercial city of Onitsha known as Harbour Industrial Layout.

    The state governor, Peter Obi had virtually relocated to the affected areas in order to ensure that no life is lost in the disaster.

    Some of the representatives of the people both at the state and national levels and other concerned citizens of the state had visited and provided relief materials for the affected areas.

    Prominent among them are Senators Andy Uba, Margery Okadigbo, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, Senator Joy Emordi and the Minister of Aviation Stella Odua who is equally a victim.

    Unable to fight back tears, Senator Joy Emordi wept on sighting the extent of damage caused by the flood. Bishop of Ubomili Diocese, Henry Okeke and the Southeast woman leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Lady Anthonia Nwankwu could not console her.

    The Harbour Industrial Layout that houses over 39 big firms in the commercial city of Onitsha is submerged by water, even as owners of the affected companies are counting their losses which run into trillions of naira.

    The submerging of the Harbour Industrial Layout, according to the Group Chief Executive of Krisoral Group of Companies, Oranu Chidume, has affected more than 2,000 workers.

    Describing the loss of raw materials as enormous, he said it was too early to quantify the loss in monetary terms.

    Emordi, who was overwhelmed by the quantum of damage in the industrial area, said: “This is the time for the wealthy men and women in Anambra State to show concern.

    Krisoral Company was among the going concerns inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan over a month ago during his one-day visit to the state.

    Proffering some long-term measures to avoid future occurrence, Senator Emordi stressed the need for the Federal Government to carry out proper dredging of the River Niger. She added that if proper dredging of the River Niger was carried out, the disaster wouldn’t have been this horrifying.

    She said: “It is important that this River Niger is dredged properly. The Federal Government has started talking about it. We hope that very soon, these things will be in the trash can of history.

    “I would want owners of these companies to exercise patience because something must be worked out after this flooding.”

    At the Bishop Crowther Primary School in Onitsha North Local Government Area, Emordi broke down in tears again as she saw over 1,000 flood victims from Anambra East Local Government Area who were camped there.

    Though she visited the camp with relief materials worth over N10m, she said that there was need to set up what she called Special Trust Fund to rehabilitate the victims after the disaster.

    Emordi assured the victims that government and people of the state will make sure that their sufferings are alleviated.

    Some of the items presented to the victims by Senator Emordi included over 1,000 bags of rice, 1,000 pillows, 1,000 blankets, over 500 cartons of detergents.

    Other materials were large numbers of beverages, several cartons of canned tomatoes, over 1,000 tins of assorted vegetable oils, about 1,000 buckets, countless cartons of biscuits, among others.

     

  • Govt can’t tackle poverty without economic indicators, says Jang

    Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang yesterday said no government can tackle poverty if there are no reliable and timely indicators on major sectors of the economy.

    The governor said there must be a good understanding of the status of poverty before a government can tackle the menace.

    Jang spoke in Jos, the state capital, at a two-day workshop of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) organised for journalists.

    He explained that planning and policy formulation can only be effective when statistics is promoted as a tool for development, planning and evidence-based policy-making.

    Arrangements, he said, were being made to reposition and strengthen the State Statistical Agency (SSA) in Plateau State to enable it cope with the challenges ahead.

    The State Statistical Master Plan (SSMP), which will drive the reform process has been produced and an Executive Bill on the establishment of the State Bureau of Statistic is being prepared, Jang said.

    The governor, who was represented by the Chairman of the State Planning Commission, Mr. John Daduut, said Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as the local government areas would be strengthened to enable them collect statistics for their operations.

    He said: “I am aware of the responsibilities and challenges that statistical institutions face, bearing in mind that planning and policy formulation can only be effective when statistics is promoted as a tool for development, planning and evidence-based policy making.

    “Efforts at poverty reduction are at the centre of government’s economic programme. This can only be realised when there is a clear understanding of the status of poverty in Nigeria. In the same vein, to address the poverty situation in the country, there must be reliable and timely indicators on major sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, education, manufacturing, mines and power, health and transport, to mention but a few.”

    The Statistician-General of the Federation (SGF), Dr. Yemi Kale, urged state governments to establish a statistical infrastructure that would support complex decision-making processes as well as a proper planning of the socio-economic programmes.

    Kale, who was represented by the Head of Statistics Department, Mr. George Oparaku, said: “Viewed against the backdrop of the cautious approach the government adopts in pursuing its programmes, particularly in the ongoing Reform Agenda, it has become necessary for the Nigeria Statistical System (NSS) to further improve on its data generation.

    “To achieve this, the government, in collaboration with development partners, has designed a comprehensive National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDC) for the NSS. The strategy is a five-year plan spanning 2010-2014.”