The Nation Newspaper

Category: Uncategorized

  • Court quashes N595m theft charge against Cross Country boss

    Lagos State High Court, Igbosere yesterday dismissed a N595million theft charge brought against Chairman of Cross Country Transport Limited, Bube Okorodudu by the state government.

    He was charged with two counts of obtaining by false pretence and stealing the sum from Chief Executive Officer of Tetrazini Food Limited, Donatus Okonkwo.

    However, Okorodudu, through his lawyer, Ladi Williams (SAN) sought an order of court quashing the two-count charge.

    Ruling on the application yesterday, Justice Samuel Candide-Johnson said the prosecution did not exhibit both the legal advice by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and the police investigation report on the matter.

    He said it was unfair to ascribe criminality to Okorodudu in the face of inconclusive evidence, adding that the absence of DPP’s advice left him with no choice than to dismiss the charge.

    The judge held that the information constituted an abuse of court process, and therefore made an order “quashing the two-count charge.”

    The Directorate of Public Prosecution, Lagos Ministry of Justice had said in the charge that Okorodudu, sometimes in April 2008, at Victoria Island, Lagos obtained N595 million as full purchase price of property at Plot A14, Lekki-Pennisula Phase 1, from one Prince Donatus Okonkwo.

    It said he fraudulently misrepresented to the purchaser that he had paid to the Lagos State Government the full price and obtained deed of occupancy, knowing fully well that such representation was false.

    However, Okorodudu’s lawyer said his client was not properly served with the information. He added that the charge amounted to abuse of court process, and that the police investigation was incomplete.

    The lawyer told the court that the proof of evidence did not disclose any prima-facie case against Okorodudu, and that his client ought not to be charged in a criminal court as the matter was a civil case.

    Besides, he said the information was improper and amounted to oppressive use of power by the Lagos Attorney-General, on whose behalf the charge was filed.

     

     

  • Anambra floods: Obi offers Govt House to displaced persons

    Anambra floods: Obi offers Govt House to displaced persons

    •Senator Uba seeks emergency declaration

    Anambra floods remained on the front burner yesterday as Governor Peter Obi offered accommodation to the displaced persons inside the Government Lodge in Onitsha.

    Senator Andy Uba was moved to tears when he visited the site of the floods and called on President Goodluck Jonathan to declare emergency in the area.

    Dr. Uba, representing Anambra South, visited the affected coastal areas in Anambra East, Anambra West and Ogbaru local government areas.

    “The situation in these Anambra communities is worse than those in Kogi, Benue and other states since this flood began its dangerous incursion into Nigeria.”

    He urged federal government to address this “strange and evil development in Anambra State, where the River Niger is now discharging water into residential areas, instead of the other way round. The discharge channels are now making upward discharge of water, instead of downward discharge, wreaking unprecedented havoc in its trail. Churches and farmlands have been destroyed”, he said. He promised to facilitate the inclusion of relief for the communities in the next budgetary allocation. Although the affected communities are not within his senatorial constituency, Senator Uba gave financial assistance to them.

    Governor Obi yesterday directed the Secretary to the Anambra State Government , Mr Oseloka Obaze, to immediately consider sending some people evacuated from the flooded communities to the Governor’s Lodge in Onitsha should there be shortage of accommodation.

    Obi spoke while touring some of the public buildings sheltering the people at Omunwa Egboka primary school, behind the Basillica of the Most Holy Trinity.

    The Governor, who cancelled a trip to Mexico and his participation in the Independence anniversary ceremonies because of the emergency, said the State Government would continue to feed and provide for them since they are suffering from natural disaster that was not their own making. “A few weeks ago, governors of the Southeast sent money to Haiti to help them rebuild after the Earthquake of 2010. If we could do it to them, we must do more for our people, that elected us to serve them”, Obi said.

    The Governor visited other camps, Otuocha Local Governement Headquarters, Umueri General Hospital, Father Joseph Secondary School, among others.

     

  • Anger over high fees, multiple tax in oil sector

    Anger over high fees, multiple tax in oil sector

    Stakeholders in the oil, gas and health sectors, especially of users radioactive substances and devices for non-destructive testing are unhappy with the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority over what they called the arbitrary increase in fees and multiple taxes.

    In a letter to the President, copies of which were sent to the National Assembly, the NNPC and major oil firms, the stakeholders said the action of the regulatory agency was a way of killing the Federal Government’s oil industry and the local contents drive.

    In fact, they argued that if the new regime is allowed to stand, there would be job losses in a very high dimension as the affected companies would be forced out of business.

    Among those who signed the letter were: Sir Rowland Nze of Oceaneering, Chief Nnamdi Mbelu of Allied Inspection Services Ltd and Chief Ben Ogwu of Benok Consolidated Ltd.

    Others were: Mr Andrew Emeri of Ozma Inspection Services Ltd, Mr Aroyehun Julius of Batek Nigeria Limited, Andrew Benjamin of SGS Inspection Services Ltd, Nick Azamosa of Blueveld Ltd, Clems Eribo of Advanced Inspection Services Ltd, Harrison Iretor of Neat Inspection Services Ltd.

    The rest inculded: Pius Ajabhu of Arco Pipelines Ltd, Frank Nwanodi of Tracespec Global, Funmilayo Joseph of Funtola Nigeria Ltd, Dagogo Aki of Aftrac Ltd and Sam Onyechi of Inspection and Tests Nigeria Ltd (ITL).

    They said: “It is worthy of note that apart from the International Oil Companies and some international oil and gas service companies that use the high-end sources, over 90 per cent of the users of Iridium 192 sources are local companies just emerging into the oil and gas service industry to render the service of nondestructive testing which hitherto has been the exclusive preserve of foreign expatriate companies.”

  • APGA advises Fed Govt to dredge River Niger

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) yesterday urged the Federal Government to urgently dredge River Niger to check the perennial flooding of its banks.

    The party noted that this would save the people along the coast of the river.

    Through its National Chairman, Sir Victor Umeh, it urged the Federal Government to send materials to the flood victims through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

    The party noted that the burden was too much for the Anambra State Government to bear alone.

    Umeh told reporters in Enugu, the state capital, that the floods have shown that the Federal Government needs to dredge the River Niger to make it contain the deluge that occurs during the raining seasosn.

    He said: “The over-flooding of the banks of the River Niger, starting from Lokoja down the coast of the river, happens because of the huge silt that has accumulated along the coast. This makes it impossible for the river to carry the volume of water occasioned by heavy rain.

    “If the River Niger had been de-silted through dredging, this flood disaster would have been averted.

    “A long-term solution to this over-flowing of the banks will be the government awarding contracts for the dredging from Niger State down to the Atlantic Ocean. The dredging will achieve two purposes: it will make it possible for vessels to come from the Atlantic Ocean into the River Niger inland waterways and in fact make the Onitsha Port facility be put into use, as large vessels can now berth at the seaport.

    “Secondly, the dredging will make it easy for River Niger to contain the water flowing through it, thereby averting the type of over-flooding experienced from Lokoja, in Kogi State, down to Anambra State.”

     

  • Mark, Chukwumerije disagree over state of the nation

    Mark, Chukwumerije disagree over state of the nation

    Senate President David Mark yesterday disagreed with Senator Uche Chukwumerije over the latter’s declaration that Nigeria is a failed state.

    Mark noted that contrary to Chukwumerije’s claim, the country has a lot of things to be proud of.

    Chukwumerije, in his contribution to a motion entitled: “Congratulations to Nigeria and Nigerians on her 52nd Independence Anniversary” described Nigeria as either a failed state or on the verge of failure.

    The motion was sponsored by Senator Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom North East) and 108 others.

    Enang said the Senate should note that on Monday, October 1, Nigeria marked her 52nd Independence Day anniversary, having attained freedom from Britain on October 1, 1960.

    He said that “steadily and gradually, the nation is developing its domestic production capacity as an independent nation.

    Enang said the country has become a big player in international affairs within the comity of nations.

    He urged the Senate to congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan and the people on the nation’s 52nd Independence Day anniversary.

    Chwukwumerije said: “I want to draw attention to the scanty way the mover of the motion summarised the achievements of the nation before moving on to congratulations.

    “That scanty way in itself says a lot.

    “In three dry sentences, he summarised what he saw as Nigeria ’s achievements. In saying that, I want to draw attention to what we can say in a more blunt way.

    “Before putting it in a more blunt way, let me first refer to the very first speaker here, Senator Abaribe (Enyinnaya), who used the analogy of a human being who is 52 years old and gave the impression of someone that has gone beyond even maturity.

    “But I think he is being very generous to Nigeria . To make my point on this, I want to draw the attention of my colleagues to a general view of international affairs.

    “In Turkey , it took Gen. Atatuk 21 years to transform Turkey from a feudal state to highly modernised state that has remained till today.

    “South-East Asia countries, it took them 30 years to move from undeveloped ex-British colonies to what they are today, Asian Tigers.

    “One of them took our own palm produce and turned it into an export market.

    “It took South Korea 18 years to move from a very dependent country to one of the world’s top today.

    “It took China exactly 48 years to move from a slum status derided by the West as the begging bowl of Asia to a super power.

    “Taking the development of this country into consideration for the last 52 years, you will come to understand why I said the first speaker was being very generous when he compared us with a 52 year old human being.

    “If a country that took ordinary palm nuts from us some years back has turned it into its main export product, how will you describe the country from which it was taken that is today importing all those things.

    “I can only describe that country in one word: that Nigeria is either a failed state or on the verge of being a failed state.

    “You will agree with me that a country that cannot meet the basic expectations of her people has failed in every way in meeting the basis of a social contract.

    “So, we must start therefore by accepting that objective reality that as of today Nigeria is a failed state or nearly a failed state.

    But Mark disagreed with Chukwumerije.

    He noted that rather than describe the country as a failed state, Nigerians should congratulate themselves for still being one united nation “that one alone is an achievement.”

    He said: “There is no gain saying that we are not where we would love to be, certainly, we are not there but that is not to say that we have not made progress at all.

    “We have made some considerable achievement and for that, we need to show gratitude to God.

    “We need to pray and work, not just pray, prayer alone will not solve the problem we need to combine both of them.

    “Unless we are determined to politically pursue the decision we have taken that are of benefit to this country, we will still be where we are in another 20, 30 years because the political will is lacking in so many areas.

    “We have challenges, there is no doubt about that, but I believe that with political will, we will meet those challenges.

    “It is at every level. Most times, when we are going on the road and there is traffic, people will drive by the foot path, is that a failure of leadership?

    “Every Nigerian has something to do. When people do the wrong thing and they are not caught and dealt with according to the law, they continue to do it.

    “At every level, we must know that we have leadership role to play.

    “When things begin to go wrong, we must have the courage to speak out before it gets too far.”

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu joined other senators in congratulating Nigeria on her independence.

    He said, “ Nigeria at 52 is relatively a young country. I don’t think that hope is lost.

    “There is hope for us as a nation. All we need do is to be patriotic and nationalistic.

    “We can do it if we can shun greed and corruption.

    Senator Abaribe said at 52, Nigerians should be grateful to God.

    He said: “When we continue talking about our problems, Nigerians are tired of hearing that.

    “We should focus more on the solutions.

     

  • Ex-NUJ Lagos chair Arogundade’s dad is dead

    Ex-NUJ Lagos chair Arogundade’s dad is dead

    •Anglican Bishop to deliver funeral sermon

    The father of Mr Lanre Arogundade, the former chairman of the Lagos Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Pa Thomas Akinyemi Arogundade, is dead.

    In a statement in Lagos, Mr Lanre Arogundade, who is also the Director of International Press Centre (IPC) in Lagos, said the Bishop of Lagos West Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rev. Peter Awelewa Adebiyi, will, on October 6, deliver the sermon at the funeral thanksgiving service.

    The statement said the service would hold at The Cathedral of St. Mathew’s, Ijebu-Jesa, headquarters of Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State, at 11am.

    It said the reception for guests would follow at the Main Sports Field of Ijebu-Jesa Grammar School, at 1pm.

    The remains of Pa. Arogundade will be interred at the Arogundade family compound in Oke-Iloro, Ijebu-Jesa, after the funeral service at his R3, Araromi Street, Ilesa home.

    Until his death on July 27, Pa. Arogundade was the patriarch of the Arogundade and Fadare families of Ilesa and Ijebu-Jesa.

    He was a renowned cocoa merchant and, for many years, Treasurer and Senior Lay Reader at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Osi-Ekiti, Ido-Osi Local Government of Area of Ekiti State.

    He lived in the community from the 1950s till 2002.

    Pa. Arogundade is survived by wife, Mrs. Hannah Olayoonu Arogundade; younger brother, Pastor Olu Arijesudade; children – Mrs. Titilayo Ekundare; Mr. Ayodele Arogundade; Mr. Lanre Arogundade; Mrs Olamide Oso; Mrs. Adesola Onipede; Pastor Ayodeji Arijesudade and Mrs. Folasade Olunuga and grandchildren.

     

  • Relief for Benue flood victims

    Relief for Benue flood victims

    Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Chief Samuel Ortom has visited some flood victims that ravaged several communities in Benue State. He visited them at the three primary schools in Makurdi where he distributed relief materials worth N5m.

    Though the minister was also affected by the disaster which was the aftermath of release of excess water from Ladgo Dam in Cameroun, he still remembered those who have no one to help them.

    Chief Ortom visited each camp with truck load of relief materials, which he distributed for the upkeep of those displaced.

    Some of the items he donated included bags of rice, packs of bottled water; packets of soaps, toiletries and bags of salts.

    Addressing the displaced, among the children and women, the minister charged them to be strong and have belief in God; trusting that soon they would go back to their various homes.

    He disclosed that he lost 350 hectares of rice farm to the flood, even as he said that his house along Gboko Road in Makurdi was also submerged by the flood. He urged them to be patient as government is doing everything possible to ensure their comfort in the camps.

    Chief Ortom, who commended Governor Gabriel Suswam for his effort towards alleviating the plight of the displaced people, reiterated the determination of the Federal Government to tackle the issue of flood in the country once and for all.

    The minister was accompanied on the visit by the Secretary to State Emergency Management Authority (SEMA) Mr. Adikpo Agbatse and other dignitaries.

    The camps for the displaced people which he visited were St Catherine’s Primary School, Local Government Education Authority Primary School and NKST Primary School Wadata, all in the state capital.

  • Joint Task Force steps up battle against Boko Haram

    Joint Task Force steps up battle against Boko Haram

    -Six members killed in fighting

    -Bomb suspects held in Ibadan

    -Sect’s leader vows more attacks

    It was a bad Independence Day for the fundamentalist Boko Haram sect yesterday.

    Six suspected members of the group were killed by the Joint Task Force in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and Zaria, the university town in Kaduna State.

    One was killed in a gun duel in Zaria; five were gunned down in Maiduguri.

    But the sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, vowed more attacks, saying the group would target government officials’ and military leaders’ wives – in retaliation for the detention of its members’ wives.

    Shekau said the nation’s military and security agencies have seized 10 women who are wives of Boko Haram members. He claimed the women had been raped by the captors, though he did not elaborate on how he knew that.

    Shekau issued the threat in a YouTube video over the anti-Islam film that has sparked widespread protests in the Muslim world.

    “First, insults against the prophet, evil plots against him, making blasphemous movies against him, all these will do no harm to Islam,” Shekau said in the video, which appears to have been posted on Sunday. He spoke in Hausa.

    “Anybody plotting this will surely pay for it. Everybody knows what this statement entails. Everybody should wait and see what we will do regarding this,” he said.

    The video could not be independently authenticated, according to the AFP, but it closely resembled previous such videos of Shekau, who has been in hiding since a 2009 crackdown by the military on Boko Haram.

    In the video, Shekau appears relaxed, wearing a checkered red-and-white Keffiyeh scarf. A Kalashnikov assault rifle leans against the wall behind him.

    At one point in the video, Shekau laughed and said: “You should wait and see what’s going to happen to your own wives.”

    “Let it be clear that we never sought dialogue or to sit down with government agents or representatives … they (Nigerian leaders) will never know peace while they attack our members.”

    Shekau also said the sect’s spokesman was being detained by the security forces.

    “Our spokesman, Abu Qaqa is alive but with the security agents, but I believe strongly that after this message from me, they may decide to kill him this night,” Shekau said.

    It was the first public statement on the matter by the militants since a raid, which it says led to Qaqa’s arrest but not his death.

    Senior security sources said on Sept. 16 that troops had killed a man identified as “Anwal Kontagora, alias ‘Abu Qaqa’”, whose pen name is often used to claim responsibility for the sect’s pronouncements from its base in the northeast of the country.

    A number of protests over the anti-Islam film produced in the United States have been held in the North, organised by a Shiite Muslim group not connected to Boko Haram, with no violent incidents occurring. The protests have been held in Jos, Katsina, Kaduna and Zaria, among others.

    In the nine-minute video, Shekau, an AK-47 leant on the wall next to him, also threatens the government, saying he is prepared to die. He denied that the group has been holding dialogue with the government.

    Boko Haram’s insurgency in the North has been blamed for more than 1,400 deaths since 2010.

    It was a bloody Independence Day in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, yesterday.

    A member of the Joint Task Force (JTF) was killed and four others seriously injured when an Improvised Explosives Device (IED) targeted at their patrol vehicle exploded on Lagos Street in the city. The assailants were believed to be members of Boko Haram.

    According to sources, the JTF men were on routine patrol when the bomb went off around 8am. The patrol vehicle went up in flames. A Fire Service source told our reporter that he saw the body of a soldier lying on the ground.

    He said other soldiers were injured. But JTF spokesman Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa denied knowledge of the attack. He, however, confirmed that there was an explosion in the area and promised to give details later. Shops owners around the place quickly fled the area leaving their shops open. Security operatives cordoned off the area.

    Maiduguri Street were deserted as people ran indoors. Four people were shot dead on Sunday night by gunmen in Damboa, also in the beleaguered city. Residents said the people were shot dead by gunmen who stormed their homes behind the CBN quarters.

    The JTF attacked the sect and killed five suspected members in a gun duel at Abbaganaram Ward.

    Two explosions had earlier rocked the state capital in the morning at Gwange quarters and Lagos Street.

    In Jos, the Plateau state capital, the police yesterday defused an Improvised Explosive Device on Ajayi Street in the centre of the city.

    The IED was planted by unknown persons at about 10.10 pm on Sunday at the densely populated area of Kwararafa, near the Jos Central Mosque.

    Nobody died. The police arrested one person over the incident.

    The police Bomb Disposal Squad, led by Mr.Abel Mbibi, was alerted by members of the public. Police spokesman Emmanuel Abuh said the suspect had been handed over to the Special Task Force. (STF).

    In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, three suspects, including a Burkinabe, have been arrested by the police for allegedly attempting to smuggle explosive devices into the country through a border.

    The explosives were allegedly meant for Borno and Yobe states.

    The suspects, who were paraded by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operation), Mr Musa Kimo, at the Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan are in their 40s.

    Kimo said the suspects were apprehended around 8pm on Saturday by the anti-bomb squad. He said they concealed the explosives in a sack.

    Kimo added that the anti-bomb personnels confirmed that the explosives recovered from them are capable of destroying a whole community and was expected to be transported to Yobe and Borno states.

    The police boss said one of the suspects claimed to be a citizen of Burkina Faso works with a mining company in Kwara State. The other said he is from Lambu town in Kano State.

    Although the Burkinabe said he was sent from the mining company to deliver the explosives to someone, Kimo said if he was on a legal trip, the law stipulates that anyone transporting an explosive should inform the police for authorisation.

    He also said the suspect from Kano State wanted to bribe the policemen with N20,000 but the officers refused his offer.

    He said investigation into the incident was going on.

    In Zaria, the Independence Day celebration was marred by explosions in Danmagaji when men of JTF again launched an attack on a suspected hideout of Boko Haram members, killing one and arresting another.

    An eye witness account said security operatives launched an attack on one of the houses in the area, adding that there was an exchange of gun fire with members of the sect for several hours.

    It was gathered that after the gun duel, the security men overpowered members of the sect, killing one of them and arresting another.

    Kaduna State Commissioner of Police Olufemi Adenaike confirmed the incident. He said security men recovered some items.

    “We are on top of the situation,” Adenaike said, adding that the raid is continuous.

    Members of the JTF had on Sunday raided a suspected Boko Haram bomb factory at Gaskiya in Zaria during which two persons were killed after a gun battle.

     

  • Relief coming for floods victims, says Jonathan

    Relief coming for floods victims, says Jonathan

    TRYING floods victims may soon get some help from the Federal Government.

    President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that the Federal Government would collaborate with the affected states and local governments in reaching out to the victims. Many have lost their homes and businesses since the ravaging floods became serious last month.

    Besides, Dr. Jonathan assured Nigerians of better days ahead, saying that there has been inflow of foreign investments, which is an indication of economic growth.

    The President spoke in a national broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 52nd Independence anniversary.

    “In the last few weeks, for example, many of our communities have been ravaged by floods, resulting in the loss of lives and property and the displacement of persons.

    “I want to reassure all affected Nigerians that I share in their grief, and our administration is taking steps to address these incidents, in collaboration with the states and local governments.

    “We have received the interim report of the presidential team that was set up to assess the flooding situation across the country.

    “The Federal Government has taken measures to assist the affected states, while considering long-term measures to check future reoccurrence.’’

    The President noted that the various challenges confronting the nation would not deter the efforts of his administration on several fronts at transforming the nation.

    He said the proactive measures put in place to check the spate of insecurity in the nation were yielding results.

    Specifically, he said the government’s consultation and collaboration with neighbours and friendly nations internal and cross-border security had helped to check security challenges.

    He said: “Our security agencies are constantly being strengthened and repositioned for greater efficiency. Many Nigerians have acknowledged that there has been a significant decline in the spate of security breaches.

    “While expressing our condolences to affected families; let me reiterate the commitment of this administration to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians.’’

    Jonathan said the government was succeeding in the fight against corruption in all facets of the economy.

    “We have put an end to several decades of endemic corruption associated with fertiliser and tractor procurement and distribution.

    “We have exposed decades of scam in the management of pensions and fuel subsidy, and ensured that the culprits are being brought to book.

    “In its latest report, Transparency International noted that Nigeria is the second most improved country in the effort to curb corruption.

    “We will sustain the effort in this direction with an even stronger determination to strengthen the institutions that are statutorily entrusted with the task of ending this scourge.’’

    He reassured of his commitment to non-interference in the work of the relevant anti-corruption agencies.

    The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to the pursuit of fundamental objectives of an open society.

    He said he would remain steadfast in the pursuit of freedom, security and prosperity for the Nigerian people, and for the rule of law.

    Dr. Jonathan said Nigeria will continue to be a source of pride to its citizens, to Africa, and to the human race.

    “On this special day, I call on every Nigerian to remain steadfast, because our nation is indeed making progress. I call on every Nigerian to rediscover that special spirit that enables us to triumph over every adversity as a people.

    “I bring to you today, a message of renewed hope and faith in the immense possibilities that lie ahead.

    “Fellow citizens, I have an unshaken belief in the future of our great country.

    “I consider it a priority and sacred duty to continue to strengthen the bond of unity that holds our nation together and to promote and nourish the creative energies of our people.

    “This is a central objective of our administration’s transformation agenda. Nigeria, I assure you, will continue to grow from strength to strength.’’

    President Jonathan urged Nigerians to remain steadfast as the nation was making progress in addressing socio-economic challenges facing the country.

    “Our vision is encapsulated in the transformation agenda. We are working hard and making progress on many fronts.

    He saluted the efforts of the nation’s founding fathers who, he said, brought joy and hope to the hearts of Nigerians when they won independence from Britain on Oct.1, 1960.

    “Nigeria made a clean break with more than six decades of colonial rule, and emerged as a truly independent nation.”

    The President said Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), driven mainly by non-oil sector, has grown by 7.1 per cent, while the economy attracted N6.8 trillion investments in nine months.

    “Over the past five years, the global economy has been going through a weak and uncertain recovery. During the same period and particularly in the last two years, the Nigerian economy has done appreciably well, in spite of the global financial crisis.

    “Nigeria’s real GDP has grown by 7.1 per cent on average.

    “It is also significant to state that the GDP growth has been driven largely by the non-oil sector,’’ he said.

    According to him, the nation has improved on its investment environment as more corporate bodies are investing in the Nigerian economy.

    “Our Investment Climate Reform Programme has helped to attract over N6.8 trillion local and foreign direct investment commitments.’’

    He said that Nigeria had become the preferred destination for investment in Africa.

    “It is ranked first in the top five host economies for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa, accounting for over 20 per cent of total FDI flows into the continent.’’

    The president said his administration had streamlined bureaucratic activities at the ports to ensure greater efficiency in the handling of ports and port-related businesses.

    “Specifically, we have drastically reduced the goods clearing period in our ports from about six weeks to about one week and under. We have an ultimate target of 48 hours.’’

    He said a new visa policy has made it easier for legitimate investors to receive long stay visas.

    “We have achieved a 24-hour timeline for registration of new businesses, leading to the registration of close to 7,000 companies within the second quarter of 2012.

    “The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has disclosed that as at July 2012, 249 new members across the country had joined the association, and that capacity utilisation has also improved.

    “The multiplier effect of this development on our job creation programme cannot be over-emphasised.’’

    On the country’s power supply situation, Jonathan expressed delight that electricity supply nationwide is gradually improving.

    “We are successfully implementing a well-integrated power sector reform programme, which includes institutional arrangements to facilitate and strengthen private-sector-led power generation, transmission and distribution.

    “We have also put in place a cost-reflective tariff structure that reduces the cost of power for a majority of electricity consumers.

    “I am pleased with the feedback from across the country, of improvements in power supply.’’

    The President also noted that the country had continued to improve and stabilise its crude production volumes.

    He said that the 12-month gas supply emergency plan put in place earlier this year had produced more than the targeted volume of gas for power generation.

    “A robust Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has been put before the National Assembly.

    “Its passage into law will ensure far-reaching reforms, transparency, accountability, increased government revenue and predictability for investors in the Oil and Gas sector,’’ he said.

    He said that several government programmes and projects were creating wealth and millions of job opportunities for the youths and general population.

    Jonathan said that such programmes include “You-Win’’, both for the youths and for women, public works, the local content initiative in the Oil and Gas Sector, and the agricultural transformation programme.

     

  • Akeredolu ‘ll transform Ondo, says Fashola

    Akeredolu ‘ll transform Ondo, says Fashola

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday said he is optimistic that Ondo State will witness a rapid transformation in all sectors, if the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) standard bearer, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, is voted into office on October 20.

    Akeredolu will create employment opportunities for youths, he said.

    He said the masses are lamenting that the Olusegun Mimiko administration has failed to provide the basic amenities.

    Fashola, who spoke at the ACN State Secretariat in Akure during a prayer session organised by the Muslim chapter of the party, assured the indigenes that the ACN government would not betray them.

    The Lagos State Governor described Akeredolu as a trustworthy person, adding that he defended them at the election tribunals because of the injustice by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said Akeredolu was part of the team that retrieved the mandate of the party from the oppressors.

    He said: “I’m glad to be in this state today to canvass for votes and mobilise the people to support ACN and its candidate, Akeredolu. He has demonstrated that he is capable of wiping away tears from the eyes of the masses because in the past he fought for injustice and defended the masses. He led the legal team that restored the stolen mandates of the Ekiti, Osun, Edo and Ondo governors.

    “He will never betray the people and the party. Ondo people will smile during his tenure. Today, ACN remains the only party that has changed the lives of the masses in the country. I hope you are aware of the transformation projects already executed in Lagos, what Governor Adams Oshiomhole is doing in Edo. At present, Ekiti State is witnessing rapid transformation. I am delighted that my neighbour, the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has built a bridge and a six-lane road. None of these states has the resources Ondo has.

    “The current administration in the state has enough resources to change the living standard of the masses, but it has failed to do so. The governor has failed to provide jobs for the youths.

    “I was disappointed when I read in a newspaper that the ruling Labour Party government promised to revamp the moribund industries in the state, if the people vote for him. My question is, what has he been doing in the last three and a half years? This is political propaganda. ACN will never make a promise without fulfilling it.

    “Ondo has oil, gas and cocoa. This state is the pillar of cocoa production in the Southwest. As at now, the state should have been producing chocolates for export. By initiating this, there will be employment opportunities for the people. “In Lagos, we have engaged our people through the creation of jobs. Over 7,000 people have been employed at the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), 17,000 people have benefited from our skill acquisition programme and they are now independent, feeding their families. I don’t know why Ondo’s own is different.

    “ACN under the leadership of Akeredolu, popularly called Aketi, will revamp the moribund industries established by the leaders of our party such as the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Adebayo Adefarati. Akeredolu will never betray you, he is committed to the development of the state and I am sure during his regime, Ondo will witness rapid transformation because he knows the blueprint of the ACN. Our blueprint is transformation and creation of job opportunities for the people.”

    Akeredolu described Fashola as the “skipper of all ACN Governors,” adding that it was his achievements in Lagos that created the channel which ACN used in taking over other states in the Southwest.

    The ACN candidate, who was accompanied by his wife, Chioma, urged the party members to turn out en masse for the senatorial district rally that would come up in Ikare, Ondo and Ore from today.

    “After the senatorial campaign, please go back to your wards and units to mobilise the people to vote for the ACN on the election day,” Akeredolu said.

    The Chief Imam of Qaulieayah Central Mosque at Ore in Odigbo Local Government, Sheik Aliyu Balogun Ibrahim and Alfa Akintuyi Azeez Jamiu predicted victory for the ACN.

    They urged Akeredolu not to neglect the people if he wins the election.

    Dignitaries at the event included the Acting Chairman of the party, Chief Noah Adesoji, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, the Director-General of the Aketi Campaign Organisation, Chief Tayo Alasoadura, Ifedayo Abegunde and Joseph Ajatta.

    Others are Tayo Abidakun, Olatunji Oshati, the treasurer of the party, Ade Adetimehin, Femi Adekanmbi, the State Women’s Leader, Erelu Modupe Johnson and Youths’ Leader, Enas Mohammed.