The Nation Newspaper

Category: Uncategorized

  • ‘ACN not bringing supporters from outside Ondo’

    The Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) of the Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday urged the residents to disregard the allegation by the ruling Labour Party (LP) administration that the party was planning to bring supporters from ACN-controlled states for the October 20 election.

    It also condemned the rumour that ACN National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was using Adaba FM, Akure, Unique FM, Ilesa, and Television Continental (TVC), Lagos, to incite the people against the government.

    A statement by ACO spokesman, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, reads: “It is very unfortunate that Governor Olusegun Mimiko and his drowning LP, who benefited immensely from the same media organisations when he was struggling to recover his stolen mandate, could now turn round to wrongly accuse them.

    “It is imperative to note that the media is very important to our democracy and good governance and should not be cowed.

    “The
    “It is Mimiko that should be asked why he has pocketed the media organisation being funded by tax payers’ money and has reduced them to his personal propaganda machine while fencing off opposition parties.se media organisations being vilified have Mimiko’s jingles and those of his party running on them while he has refused the opposition the use of the state-owned media organisations.

    “The sinking LP is also crying wolf where there is none, that ACO is mobilising supporters from ACN-controlled states to Ondo State for the coming election.

    “We want to state categorically that ACN is a party on ground in Ondo State and would not need to mobilise people from other states to successfully win the coming election.

    “However, if ACN leaders and supporters from the Southwest states have decided to come, to show solidarity for the party’s candidate, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) in his campaign effort, so be it. After all, there is freedom of association in Nigeria, as guaranteed by the Constitution.

    “Mimiko and his amorphous LP are jittery at the massive support Akeredolu is enjoying across the state and the obvious fact that they have lost favour with the people of Ondo State.”

     

  • Ondo PDP group decries ‘marginalisation’

    A group in the Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Ondo State Coalition for Positive Change (OSCPC), has decried the “marginalisation” of its members, who are key figures in the party.

    It said such members include the former of Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN).

    Through its chairman, Otunba Olumide Araoyinbo, and Secretary, Mr Adeboro Oribalusi, the group said the attitude of some party leaders to its members may make the PDP to lose the October 20 governorship election.

    It said the situation calls for all hands to be on deck, irrespective of members’ ideological stance.

    The group said Kayode has contributed to the growth of the party.

    It urged party leaders, including former Governor Olusegun Agagu, to give the ex-minister more responsibilities.

    The group said Kayode is loyal to the governorship aspiration of Chief Olusola Oke and the party.

    It noted that Kayode “is ready to organise a fund raiser to support the party”.

    “Kayode is loyal to the PDP and Oke’s candidature and will do everything to make sure the party wins the governorship election,” the group added.

     

    It noted that for the PDP national secretariat to take them seriously about the resolution of the party’s crisis, :”there should be a written communiqué by all leaders of the party, ending all the previous factional crises”.

     

     

  • Ondo ACN inaugurates Independent Campaign Network

    THE Governing Council of the Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has inaugurated its Independent Campaign Network in Akure, the state capital.

    The network is a platform to fortify the Akeredolu Compaign Organisation (ACO) of the party to trumph in the October 20 governorship election.

    The Senator representing Ondo North, Prof. Ajayi Borrofice, was appointed Chairman of the Governing Council.

    Other members are: Mr Dele Ogunsakin, Wale Akinterinwa, who is the Coordinating Director of the group, and Chief Adewale Omojuwa.

    Mr Olu Mekuleyi is the Director of Logistics and Research, and Mrs Kemi Iyantan heads the Directorate of Finance and Administration (DFA).

    A seasoned journalist, Bosun Oladimeji, is Head of the Directorate of Media and Publicity, and Femi Adekanmbi is Head the Directorate of Security.

    Others are: Ifedayo Abegunde (Mobilisation); Mrs Mayi Alaka (Women Affairs) and Nimbe Tawose (Special Adviser to the Coordinating Director).

    Inaugurating the team, Borrofice urged members to see their appointments as a call to service.

  • Lagos floats agency for aesthetics

    IN a bid to sustain the gains of its beautification and landscaping projects across the Centre of Excellence, the Lagos State government has established an agency christened Lagos Parks & Gardens.

    The agency code-named LASPRAK, has a mandate to ensure the sustainability of the environment and further enhance the aesthetics of the state.

    Besides, the agency would henceforth assume the responsibilities of managing all designated parks and gardens across the state, as well as carry out government’s directives and policies on the development, maintenance and management of parks, recreation centres, gardens and play grounds across the state.

    At its public presentation on Tuesday, Environment Commissioner Tunji Bello said the agency was the outcome of a bill initiated by Governor Babatunde Fashola SAN and passed as the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Law No 13, of 2011, by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    Bello also stated that LASPARK was being established to enhance the beauty of the state by improving on the current infrastructure at the various beautification centres.

    He listed the mandate of the agency to include among others:

    •Engage in a succession plan through the establishment of Greening Training Institute to cater for various needs and discoveries in the sector.

    •Establish a world class nursery that will nurture various floras, plants, seedlings and soil technology in order to enhance the sustainability of the green vision.

    •Make effort to work in collaboration with other ministries like education and local authorities the need to inculcate environment studies in the curriculum at primary and secondary level and to establish a school gardening programme including tree planting.

    Bello reminded Lagosians that, the Law which forbids the felling of trees is still in force.

    According to him, the law stipulates a N50,000 fine or other non custodial sentences for any person or corporate body found felling or trimming trees in the state without LASPARKs permision.

    With the unveiling of the agency, it has become a punishable offence for residents not to beautify the perimeter areas of their tenements.

  • 20 years needed to bridge teachers’ shortfall, says official

    IT would take Nigeria two decades to produce the 1.3 million teachers needed to bridge the existing shortfall at the basic education level, the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) said yesterday.

    Executive Secretary of the commission Prof. Muhammed Junaid, who made the disclosure in his 35th pre-convocation lecture at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, said the challenge had forced the commission to design policies to address the issue.

    Junaid’s prediction was hunged on the production capacity of the colleges of education, which he estimated at 64,000 yearly.

    He said: “In 2009, the Federal Ministry of Education’s roadmap to transformation reported that a total of 969,078 teachers would be needed for the early childhood and care education sub sector, 338,147 others for the primary education sub sector.

    “The report further said that a total of 12,329 teachers would also be needed for the nomadic education sub sector and 581 others for the junior secondary education sub sector.

    “This brings the total of overall teacher shortage at the basic education level to 1,320,135, across the country.”

    To address the problem, the executive secretary said the commission would introduce specialised teacher education programme beginning from the 2012/2013 academic session.

    Junaid said: “It is expected that all the colleges of education including the FCE, Akoka, will key into the new programme as spelt out in the revised minimum standard document.

    “If we desire to achieve our mission of education for all by the year 2015, we need to raise the current production level of the colleges of education to 330,033 teachers per annum for the next four years.”

  • Igbinedion Varsity lecturer’s body found

    Igbinedion Varsity lecturer’s body found

    The body of the fourth victim of last Wednesday auto crash at Ovia River Bridge on the Benin-Lagos Expressway, in which four lecturers of the Igbinedion University, Okada, were killed, has been found.

    The car in which the lecturers were travelling fell off the bridge into the river.

    The victims are Mr. Morgan Efosa Uwaghiren, Mr. Lucky Ehiorobo, Mrs. Shirley Imade and Miss Shola Ajayi, all of the Department of Banking and Finance and Business Administration.

    The bodies of Morgan and Lucky were evacuated on Thursday and that of Miss Shirley was found on Saturday.

    Miss Shola’s body was found yesterday by local divers.

    The university’s spokesman, Emeka Okika, confirmed the discovery.

     

  • AGF worried over declining ethical standards at the Bar

    •Challenges lawyers on debate over forthcoming amendments to 1999 Constitution

     

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) yesterday regretted the growing number of misconduct among lawyers.
    He asked the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee to deal with erring lawyers.
    But Adoke, who made the observation in his address at the commencement and inauguration of the newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria, (SAN) at the Supreme Court in Abuja , restated the need to reclaim the legal profession from corrupt elements.
    He said: “Permit me to use this auspicious occasion to draw attention to some of the challenges facing our profession, chiefly amongst which is the declining ethical standards and discipline at the Bar. It is a matter of deep regret that lawyers including some Senior Advocates routinely engage in unwholesome practices unbecoming of members of this noble profession.”
    “Today, lawyers are accused of deliberately misleading clients on the strengths of their cases with a view to appropriating unearned professional fees; tempering with clients’ money; criticizing Judges in the media even where it is clear that they have not read their judgments in order to determine the reasoning of the Court and commenting on matters that are sub judice. These are matters that were completely unheard in the profession some few years back and where such misconduct was reported, it drew condemnation and appropriate sanctions.”
    “You will recall that at our recently concluded Bar Conference, I stressed the need for us to reclaim our profession and to show the bad eggs amongst us the way out of the profession. I wish to reiterate that call again and to urge the leadership of the Bar to put the issue of professional ethics and discipline on the front banner.
    “We must reinvigorate the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee to deal with the growing number of cases of misconduct that have been referred to it. I similarly call on the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee to ensure that those elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria continually remain worthy of the rank.
    “The LPPC should not shy away from reviewing its appointment to weed out those who have proved to be un-deserving of the rank. This is the only way the Bar can remain relevant and command the respect of the larger public.
    The AGF said the Federal Government is proud of the profound judgments of the Supreme Court.
    Adoke added: “Let me congratulate My Lord, Hon. Justice Mariam Alooma Mukhtar on her well-deserved appointment as Nigeria ’s 11th indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria and by the Special grace of God, the first female to occupy that exalted position. I wish her a very rewarding tenure.”
    “May I also congratulate my Lords Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria for the profound judgments and rich jurisprudence that has emanated from this Court. We are all very proud of the work of the Supreme Court and stability its judgments have engendered in the polity.
    “The relatively high number of disputes submitted to the court for adjudication is indicative of the degree of public confidence that the Court commands amongst Court Users and Legal Practitioners. As we mark the commencement of the 2012/2013 Legal Year, I join other stakeholders in the justice sector in wishing the Court greater successes in the years ahead.”
    He charged the newly-inaugurated Senior Advocates of Nigeria to live up to their rating.
    Adoke said: “To the newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria, this honour is no doubt a benefiting recognition of your hard work and contributions to the legal profession. The uniqueness of today’s occasion will undoubtedly evoke different emotions from the diverse groups that are gathered here to witness it. For the newly appointed Senior Advocates, today marks a defining moment in their careers, second only perhaps to the thrill and excitement of being called to the Bar. For their families, friends and associates, it is a day to shower encomiums, celebrate their virtues and careers; for the senior Silks in our midst, this day evokes a feeling of nostalgia as they recall, with fond memories, their admittance into the Inner Bar.
    “My Lords, for the generality of the members of our noble profession, today is a day to be inspired and to draw useful lessons from the honour being bestowed on our new Senior Advocates.
    “It is a day to remind them of the greater responsibilities thrust upon their shoulders to be worthy ambassadors of our profession. I commend the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, for the high level of scrutiny, credibility and harmony that attended the process that produced these worthy recipients.”
    “Today’s ceremony affords us yet another opportunity to reflect on the true significance of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
    “In popular discourse within and outside the profession, there is a palpable feeling/perception that the rank is a passport to fame, personal riches and comfort. To others, the rank is a licence to command fat fees, open doors and prominence bordering sometimes on arrogance.
    It is a matter of regret that these negative perceptions of the rank have engendered resentment from our colleagues who are yet to be similarly recognised and honoured.”

  • We don’t divert petrol, says NNPC

    We don’t divert petrol, says NNPC

    The Manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Depot in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Mr. Benjamin Okoro, has denied accusations of diverting petroleum products.

    Okoro said the vessel conveying the product had issues with pumping but it had been resolved yesterday evening. He said the vessel contained 6758.959 Metric Cubes and not 5,000 Metric Cubes. Okoro said they sell petrol at N87.60 and not N88.1.

    He said: “There is nothing like diversion. It was just a rumour. We are expecting another vessel with a higher quantity, so that there will be enough fuel for everyone.”

  • ‘Ritualists’ kill woman in Onitsha

    •Son kidnapped

    The body of a middle-aged woman was yesterday found on the Upper Iweka Flyover in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    Sources said the woman was killed about 5am yesterday.

    An eyewitness said: “The woman and her little son were walking on the flyover, when a Golf car stopped beside them. Four men came out of the car and tried to forcibly take the child away from her.

    “When the woman continued to struggle with them, the men shot her and took the child away.”

    Police spokesman Raphael Uzoigwe said he had not been briefed on the incident, but a senior police officer confirmed it.

    The officer, who pleaded for anonymity, said the woman’s body had been deposited at the mortuary of an unnamed hospital for autopsy.

    He said: “We have started investigating the matter. For now, nobody can tell how the woman was killed, until the autopsy is out. Although some people said it was the handiwork of ritualists, no part of her body was missing. We suspect she might have been killed in a vehicle and her body was dumped on the flyover.”

  • Fed Govt intervenes in row in ministries, agencies

    WHO is the accounting officer in federal ministries and agencies?

    The Federal Government may soon resolve the matter by asking its agencies to invoke Section 160 of the 1999 Constitution.

    The Code of Conduct Bureau has written the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), seeking clarification on who the bureau’s Chief Executive and Accounting Officer is.

    According to a top government official, who spoke in confidence, the government is disturbed that the dispute over Chief Executive Officer or Accounting Officer has been a recurring challenge.

    The source said: “These agencies, including INEC and CCB, have been writing the Attorney-General of the Federation on who is their either the CEO or Accounting Officer.

    “In the case of INEC, the chairman of the commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, ought not to have written the AGF if they had gone through Section 160 of the 1999 Constitution. “Section 160 empowers each of the Federal Executive bodies to determine their mode of operation after consultations with President Goodluck Jonathan.”

    Section 160 says: “Subject to sub-section (2), any of the bodies may, with the approval of the President, by rules or otherwise regulate its own procedure or confer powers and impose duties on any officer or authority for the purpose of discharging its functions provided that in the case of the Independent National Electoral Commission, its powers to make its own rule or otherwise regulate its own procedure shall not be subject to the approval or control of the President.”

    The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Mr. Sam Saba, has also written the AGF on who should be the Accounting Officer of the bureau.

    A copy of the letter obtained from the bureau, noted: “Up to this moment, there are reservations about who is the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the Bureau. Furthermore, the Board believes that going by the provision of the 1999 Constitution 3rd Schedule Part 1 part 1 paragraph 3f they are vested with the powers to make appointments, participate in the day to day running of the departments in the Bureau.”

    The source claimed that the Bureau has received legal advice from the AGF.

    The AGF’s letter reads: “On the issue of Chief Executive Officer and Accounting Officer of the Bureau, I wish to observe that the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) is one of the executive bodies established by Section 153 of the Constitution. Its composition and powers are specifically provided for in items 1 and 3 Part 1 to the Third Schedule to the Constitution and Sections 1 (2) and 3 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, CAP. C15. LFN 2004.

    “It would appear that the powers and functions of the CCB are exercisable only by the Bureau and not by the Chairman or any individual member of the Bureau except as may be delegated by the Bureau. Furthermore, relevant provisions of the Constitution and CCB Act do not provide for the position of the CEO or Accounting Officer. Thus, in the absence of a clear delegation of these roles by the Bureau, it would be difficult if not legally tenable to presume that the Chairman is the CEO or the Accounting Officer of the Bureau”

    “It is my respectful view that in the absence of express provisions of the law, the Bureau can rely on this provision to determine its Chief Executive and/or Accounting Officer. This can be achieved either through a decision of the Bureau or rules made by the Bureau, with the express approval of the President.”