The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Governor Nyesom Wike to tell the truth about federal allocations to the state.
The party said it was dismayed that two years after the 2015 elections, the governor allegedly misrepresented facts to unsuspecting residents.
In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, by its Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, APC urged Wike to always behave like a governor.
On Sunday, Wike told the Synod of Anglican Church in Etche Local Government Area the previous administration of Rotimi Amaechi, now Minister of Transportation, received between N27 billion and N30 billion monthly federal allocations, while the present Federal Government allegedly cut Rivers allocation to sabotage his government.
But APC said: “If the Amaechi administration received anything close to N25 billion a month during his eight-year tenure, it must be for less than six months in his first tenure, when Wike was Chief of Staff to the former governor. That was when oil price was at its highest and the over 300 oil wells taken away by the Goodluck Jonathan government were still the property of Rivers State.
“For more than three years of Amaechi’s second tenure, after Soku and other oil wells had been taken and transferred to other states. Coupled with dwindling oil prices and production levels, the Rivers government then was receiving less than N10 billion monthly allocations, up till 2015.
“If Wike is receiving less than N10 billion allocations today, he is in part responsible for the fate Rivers State is facing, because he (Wike) encouraged the Jonathan administration to take away Rivers oil wells, believing that he (Wike) was undoing Amaechi.
“…Amaechi earlier warned Wike of what he (Wike) is complaining about today. Now, the chicken has come home to roost. Wike should deal with it and save us his display of verbal indiscretion.
“More significantly is the fact that Wike, having successfully concealed the budgets of Rivers State from the people for the second year, has also refused to tell Rivers people that the state, last month, received the highest sum of N14.5 billion Paris Loan Refund from the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
“Instead of applauding Buhari’s government for several bailouts funds, prompt refunds and general concern for the finances of states of Nigeria, Rivers State inclusive, Wike has rather chosen to bite the finger that feeds him. This is not surprising; after all, the Rivers governor has always been that, especially to his benefactor, Amaechi.”
Tag: governor
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APC to governor: Publish federal allocations to Rivers
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Stand with your son, Abia governor tells community
Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has urged the people of Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area to stand by their son, who is the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chikwendu Kalu.
Speaking when he received the people of the area who came on a solidarity visit to him, Ikpeazu said those behind the plot to recall the speaker should give peace a chance.
The people of the area, through their council chairman, Ifeanyi Isikaku, read a communique a four-point communique, saying: “That we pass a vote of implicit confidence on our son, member representing Isiala Ngwa South State constituency and the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly Rt Hon Chikwendu Kalu.
“That we disassociate ourselves and indeed the good people of Isiala Ngwa South council area from the purported malicious publication in some national dailies of 22nd March, 2017 on the recall process against the speaker.
“That we urge the good people of Abia State and the House of Assembly to disregard and discountenance the said publications as being frivolous and the handiwork of faceless detractors who have no good in tensions for our people and the state.
“We hereby pledge our unalloyed loyalty to our son and the speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chikwendu Kalu a s well as the Abia State government under the leadership of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu.”
At the House of Assembly, Kalu thanked his people for coming to stand by him and assured them that he would work for the good of the state.”
At a meeting held by the political stakeholders in Isiala Ngwa South local government area, they condemned the recent call by some people suspected to come from the area calling for Kalu to resign or be recalled.
They released a communique signed by 87 people condemning the actions of some members of the council and called them to retrace their steps or face the consequences.
The four-point communique reads: “That we pass a vote of implicit confidence on our son, member representing Isiala Ngwa South State constituency and the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly Rt Hon Chikwendu Kalu.
“That we disassociate ourselves and indeed the good people of Isiala Ngwa South council area from the purported malicious publication in some national dailies of 22nd March, 2017 on the recall process against the speaker.
“That we urge the good people of Abia State and the House of Assembly to disregard and discountenance the said publications as being frivolous and the handiwork of faceless detractors who have no good in tensions for our people and the state.
“We hereby pledge our unalloyed loyalty to our son and the speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Chikwendu Kalu a s well as the Abia State government under the leadership of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu.”
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Governor NEW’s good intention
At times, this country baffles me. We are a nation where we hardly identify genius. One such genius, with the purest intention you can imagine is Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, my own Governor NEW— Mr Project of our generation.
This great guy daily toils for the best of Rivers and our dear country, Nigeria. He is perpetually worried about the turn of events in our country and has decided to take one state after the other and fix. He started with Rivers, which he started governing May 29, 2015. Despite all the litigations, which ended at the Supreme Court, His Excellency perfected the art of not being distracted. He allowed the lawyers face the tribunal, Appeal Court and the Supreme Court, and concentrated his efforts on turning Rivers to a new land.
A trip to Port Harcourt, Opobo, Eleme, Bonny Island and other parts of Rivers will testify to the goodness of Governor NEW. Roads, bridges, fly overs, drainages, jetties and so on have sprung up. In less than two years in office, there is no road in Rivers that is not tarred. There is no bridge that needs to be constructed. There is no jetty that needs to be built.
Salaries are paid as at when due; pensioners are not owed; universities get their subventions on time; and medical doctors get treats that even their colleagues in the United States do not get.
And when you look at security, Rivers is superb. No wonder everyone is falling over to host their Annual General Meetings (AGMS), conferences, concerts and live theatre in this city of promise.
And since all worries in Rivers have been attended to, Governor NEW is now exporting good governance. Benue is his first port of call. Plateau, Kano, Katsina and even Lagos are on his radar. Who knows, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), may be lucky to get the Wike magic touch?
I suspect some of you might be wondering why His Excellency chose Benue to start with. The answer is simple: the governor saw the plight of the people of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, Naka, Adoka , Aliade, Oju, Obarike, Ito and Otukpo and he decided to reconstruct the Makurdi-Naka-Adoka Road and Aliade-Oju-Obarike-Ito-Otukpo Road. His respect for the late JS Tarka, Aper Aku, Senator George Akume, Gen. Victor Malu and former Senate President David Mark—all great sons of Benue— informed his plan to spend N4 billion on the projects. The roads’ bill of quantity, said His Excellency, was ready. The people of Rivers cannot complain since the governor has fixed all their problems.
But enemies of progress waylaid the governor’s good intention. They planned to stop the contractor, which His Excellency had already mobilised to site.
It was a disturbed governor who spoke out on hearing the plot against his novel intention: “We have mobilised the contractor to site, to reconstruct the two roads in Benue State, but information reaching us indicate that there is plan to disturb the work. We want to get the road done as quickly as possible, but the plan to disturb the contractor is giving us some concern.
“Those who are planning this should bear in mind that they are working against development. The people of Benue who use these roads are suffering and we want to bring an end to this by reconstructing the roads. Those against the job should not be enemies of progress.”
Aside the governor’s good intention, he is also convinced that his colleague, Samuel Ortom, had failed in catering to the welfare of the people.
“You must have heard that pensioners protested in Benue. They protested because they are being owed pension arrears. I have been vindicated. The Benue State government has failed in its duties,” Wike ‘the boy is good’ said.
It is also his view that “the EFCC should look into the Paris Club refund allocation to Benue State because there is paucity of infrastructure in the state. The governor should be asked to account for the money and other allocations he has received in nearly two years in office,” he said. He said Benue people are suffering “because they don’t have dividends of democracy.”
Governor NEW’s special interest in Benue also stems from his conviction that a state of emergency must be declared in Benue because Ortom had shown “ineptitude and lack of capacity to handle the security situation”.
He thus cried: “You can’t have a governor watching helplessly, as his people are being killed. What kind of governor is that? He has displayed sheer laziness and incapacity in the whole issue, and this is quite unfortunate.
“No excuse is acceptable for the high number of deaths in Benue. We didn’t even have the kind of insecurity and killings that we are witnessing in Benue today when some of these mischievous opposition in Abuja were calling for state of emergency in Rivers, but now they have suddenly lost their voices. You can see their level of hypocrisy and mischief? I am calling for an urgent imposition of state of emergency in Benue, because there is a clear incapacity of the governor there to act decisively to stem the killings and tackle the problem.
“When Rivers had security challenges, Ortom was among All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, who plotted for the declaration of state of emergency in the state. When the problem of insecurity started here in Rivers, instead of joining hands to proffer solutions, they politicised it. Unless all those at the forefront of the plot against the state repent, this insecurity will visit them one after another.”
Hear Ortom’s reply: “If Wike wants state of emergency, he should first ask for it in Rivers. Leaders should be careful what they say. I’m not his rival. His statements are unfortunate, but I will not join issues with him. I leave Wike to his conscience. I pray God will help Wike succeed as a leader. I leave him to his conscience.”
Governor NEW certainly does not need Ortom’s prayer. If he needs prayers, he knows where to go. He showed that during the legal battles for the political soul of the state. From Pentecostal to Charismatic to Catholic and what have you, His Excellency sought the face of God and His men. They laid hands upon hands on him. Perhaps that was where he got the wisdom which has seen him fix all Rivers problem less than two years in office and is now on the verge of exporting uncommon leadership to Benue, which, surprisingly, is being resisted.
I hear some people are even asking if the projects were captured in Rivers’ current budget. Don’t mind them, they are busy-bodies. They are even asking for proof that contractors were mobilised. A mischievous colleague asked me the other day if the communities that will benefit from the roads are inhabited by Rivers people living in Benue. Must a man be good to only his people?
Three days ago, the President of Ikwerre Bu Otu Peace Movement in Rivers State, Amb Prince I. Ihuonwo, spoke with our own Shola O’Neil and said “charity begin at home’.
He said: “We are surprised that our governor is committing about N4bn to sponsor road in another state and we are here in Ogbakiri (Emuohua local government area) where there has been no road since the creation of Rivers State.
“He (Wike) should not be doing something that he would receive praises for from outside while his people are dying. We have no road, nothing to show, while he is bettering the lives of other people in Benue State. How does it benefit people of Rivers? He should start from Ogbakiri, where the people have nothing to show for supporting the PDP.”
My advice to His Excellency is that if Benue does not appreciate your goodness, leave its government and people alone. It is time you headed for Mogadishu; after all, if as a prophet, you are not recognised at home, go abroad. And what better place to start but Mogadishu, where civil war has seen houses bombed, families shattered and dreams killed before they could come to fruition?
I have no doubt that if His Excellency does this and succeeds in fixing this capital of Somalia, he will not only write his name in the sand of African time, the global community will also take note and then Nigeria will be scrabbling to honour this great son who is being ignored at the moment.
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14 for governor in Oyo
Two years into his second term in office, no fewer than 14 men across five major political parties are itching to succeed Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi. BISI OLADELE writes on the aspirants to the Agodi Government House.
The succession battle in Oyo State has started.
The moves by the governorship aspirants to ensure their emergence as the flag bearers of their political parties in the election can no longer be ignored.
For now, only men will be squaring it out in the bid to succeed Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi in 2019. From Ibadan to Oyo, from Ogbomoso to Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa, women are not showing interest.
In the All Progressives Congress (APC), ambitious members are reaching out to opinion leaders, influential groups and other stakeholders to trumpet their intentions. They are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that their names are established before the electioneering.
The level playing ground is created and strengthened by Ajimobi’s insistence that he would not foist any candidate on the party.
In opposition parties, including Accord Party (AP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), aspirants are are also involved in strategic moves to position themselves.APC
Adebayo Shittu
The Minister of Communications is one man that has kept his eyes on Agodi Government House since 2009. A lawyer, former commissioner and lawmaker in the state, Shittu, who hails from Saki, Oke-Ogun area of the state, was the governorship candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011 and an AOC aspirant in the 2015 governorship election. He lost the ticket to the incumbent who is serving his second term.
Shittu is determined to succeed in his ambition this time. He has been building bridges across the state since his appointment as minister in November, 2015.
Using his current position and relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari as a platform, Shittu is forging more links with traditional rulers, students, religious groups, leaders of institutions and many grassroots leaders to actualize his ambition.
Due to his relationship with President Buhari, which culminated in his appointment as minister, some analysts believe that Shittu may enjoy the backing of Mr President should he do well at the primary.Adesoji Akanbi
Senator Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi is representing Oyo South District. He hails from Ibadan North West Local Government.
A former member of the House of Representatives, business man and grassroots politician, Akanbi was a governorship aspirant in 2011. After losing the ticket to Ajimobi, he shunned the polls, until he returned to contest for the senate in 2015 during which he beat his next-door neighbour and brother at Inalende, Ibadan, Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin, to take his position at the Senate.
Akanbi is said to be eyeing Agodi Government House with seriousness, even as he focuses on pleasing his constituents who spread across Ibadan and Ibarapa lands.
A follower of the late Alh. Lam Adesina and supporter of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Akanbi was just honored as the Okanlomo of Ibadan land by the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji. The senator is said to be working hard to realize his ambition of taking over the governorship seat in the next election.Bayo Adewusi
Dr Ismail Adebayo Adewusi hails from Eruwa in Ibarapa ýEast Local Governmen. A finance expert, former Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State and two-time governorship aspirant, Adewusi, 59, has been a top politician in the state.
The economist hopes to build on his political structure to form alliances with other blocs in the party to clinch the APC ticket.Niyi Akintola (SAN)
Akintola, an erudite lawyer, also hails from Iddo Local Government, Ibadan. He is a former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and a close associate of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Akintola has won many election petition cases since 1999. He is a friend to many present and former governors and senators.Adeolu Akande
Prof. Adeolu Akande is a lecturer at Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State. A political scientist, entrepreneur, media guru and politician, Akande was the Chief of Staff (COS) to Governor Ajimobi from 2011 to 2013.
The former Senior Special Assistant to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar hails from Itesiwaju Local Government, in Oke-Ogun area of the state.
Akande is using all platforms to pursue his ambition to govern the Pace-Setter state in 2019.Ajiboye Omodewu
Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu is the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development in the state. He hails from Itesiwaju Local Government. Omodewu is one of Ajimobi’s close associates in Oke-Ogun zone.
A business man and farmer, Omodewu hopes to ride on the party platform to emerge the governorship candidate of the APC in 2019.Azeez Adeduntan
Dr Azeez Adeduntan hails from Ibadan South East. A medical practitioner in the United States of America (USA), Adeduntan vied for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket in 2011 and lost before moving over to Labour Party (LP) for the same ambition in the build-up to the 2015 elections. He joined the APC shortly after the election.
Though currently serving as the Commissioner for Health, Adeduntan is not dropping his ambition to govern the state.Yunus Akintunde
Yunus Akuntunde hails from Oyo West Local Government. A building contractor, farmer and business man, Akintunde was a staunch member the PDP before defecting to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011.
He was appointed Commissioner for Works and retained the portfolio till September, 2013 when there was a cabinet reshuffle.
Akintunde was recalled into the Ajimobi’s government in 2014 as an Executive Assistant.
A grassroots politician, Akintunde is stepping up in his ambition to emerge the next governor.AP
In Accord Party in Oyo State, three gladiators are believed to be nursing ambition to contest for the post. They are Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and Chief Bisi Ilaka.Rashidi Ladoja
A former governor, Chief Rashidi Ladoja will be contesting for the third term in a row after leaving office as governor on May 28, 2007 if he succeeds in picking the party’s ticket again.
An engineer, farmer and business man, Ladoja was elected governor under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2003. He left office without re-contesting in 2007 due to the crisis that engulfed his administration. Since 2011, however, he has been trying hard to ascend Agodi hilltop Government House again. He lost to Ajimobi in 2011 and 2015.
The septuagenarian leads Accord in Oyo State. Should he decide to pursue his governorship ambition, he will have Lanlehin and Ilaka to contend with this time.
But, it is not clear if the Ibadan high chief will rather keep his gaze on his possible ascendancy to the exalted throne of the Olubadan of Ibadanland. He is just two steps away from the traditional throne.Olufemi Lanlehin
Olufemi Solagbade Lanlehin was the senator representing Oyo South from 2011 to 2015 on the platform of the ACN, which metamorphosed into the APC. He crossed to the Accord party during the preparation for the 2015 elections.
The politician who once served in the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu administration in Lagos State as a Special Adviser, hails from Ibadan North West. He is also a former member of the House of Representatives.
He was a governorship aspirant under the ACN in 2011. He lost in the primary to Ajimobi. Since then, Lanlehin has never hidden his ambition to sustain his desire to govern the state.
He is a chieftain of Accord and will stake all that is possible to get his ambition through the hurdles.Bisi Ilaka
Chief Luqman Bisi Ilaka hails from Oyo East Local Government. A former chieftain of the PDP up to 2011, Ilaka has contested twice for the Oyo Central Senatorial District under Accord and lost.
The tax consultant is contesting for the seat this time. But, he will have to contend with Ladoja and Lanlehin to pick Accord’s governorship ticket.PDP
Teslim Folarin
Senator Teslim Folarin has been a chieftain of the PDP since the days of the late strong man of Ibadan politics, Chief Lamidi Adedibu. Folarin was Senate Leader between 2007 and 2011.
He was the PDP governorship candidate in the 2015 election. His candidacy, however, divided the party and decimated the chapter.
It was his emergence as the governorship candidate that forced Chief Adebayo Alao-Ajala and Mr Seyi Makinde to leave the party with their followers. Since then, the PDP has remained weak in the state.
The politician, who hails from Ona-Ara Local Government of Ibadan, will have a smooth ride in picking the governorship ticket, If he decides to remain in the PDP because he looks like the most popular politician in the party in Oyo State today.SDP
Oluseyi Makinde
Oluseyi Makinde is the chief financier of the SDP in Oyo State. He contested for the Senate under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2007, lost in the primary for the same ticket under the PDP in 2011 and also lost as the governorship candidate of the SDP in 2015.
But, his fame is growing due to his youthfulness, cool mien and philanthropic gestures.
The Ibadan North East-born politician is an oil magnate who many regard as the face of a new generation of political leaders.
He is pursuing his governorship ambition tirelessly. Makinde is sure to pick his party’s ticket for the 2019 election.LP
Sharafadeen Alli
Sharafadeen Alli was a Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in the Rashidi Ladoja administration.
A lawyer and Ibadan chief, Alli, who is also a former Chairman, Ibadan North Local Government, contested as the deputy governorship candidate of LP in the 2015 election.
Now that the governorship candidate, Alao-Akala has defected to the APC, Alli will have a smooth ride, if he chooses to remain in LP.
With these 14 men scheming to gain advantage over one another in preparation for the election, it is not yet known if any of the political parties will embrace the zoning formula to reduce aspirants.
For now, only men are brave enough to voice their ambition. The stage is, perhaps, waiting for women to join the race. -
Anambra: ‘As governor, I won’t discriminate against women’
Mr. Barth Nwibe, an oil and gas entrepreneur, engineer, consultant and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Anambra State speaks on his humble beginning, challenges of leadership and sundry issues in this interview with Arinze Igboeli
What was your growing up like?
I grew up like every normal person born in the 60s. I had a father who was a tradesman while my mum was a business woman. But they believed in education, so they sent me to school. I grew up in those days when almost everybody in the village then was almost at the same level. Nobody was too rich and nobody was too poor. I will say that I had a humble beginning, but my parents realised that education was a path.
So, I had my primary school at Ifite Primary School, Igbo Ukwu. When I left primary school in 1975, I proceeded to Christ the King College, (CKC) Onitsha in Anambra State for my secondary education. CKC was one of the premier schools then. So, I was very happy when my parents sent me to CKC. And at the end of my secondary school in 1980, I came out with distinction in my school certificate examination. And with that, I proceeded to University of Nigeria Nsukka, where I read Civil Engineering.
What inspired your choice of engineering for your first degree?
I was reading Ebony magazine one day and I saw a black guy dressed as an engineer. He said he schooled at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). As I looked at that picture, I was so inspired to study in the same institution. But of course, my parents didn’t have the money to send me to MIT. So, that was how the thought and inspiration of becoming an engineer came. My parents actually wanted me to read medicine and almost everybody around me thought I was going to ready medicine because just like I said earlier, I was the leader of my class. So, I chose to read Engineering and Civil then was the engineering course. In fact, in my JAMB, I registered for Civil Engineering and Physics and Physics as single honour because I liked Mathematics and Physics. That was what inspired me to read engineering.
How would you describe your career path so far?
It has been very excellent and fulfilling. Engineering has given me the opportunity to believe that anything is possible as long as you can think it through. I left the university in 1980 and I did my youth service in Rivers State. In fact, during my service, I was given a certificate of commendation for my excellent performance in my place of primary assignment. After that I got employed by a relation who has a structural engineering firm in Enugu. I worked with the firm for six month and got a job with an oil and gas firm – Wog Allied Services Ltd. I did three years with this establishment and joined Sperry Sun Drilling Services – a division of Halliburton Company. I did about three years with Sperry Sun and the company left Nigeria because they had a big contract to do in Saudi Arabia. I joined Baker Hughes where I worked for about a year and then left to work with Schlumberger Drilling and Measurements where I had most of my working life. Having spent about five years with Schlumberger, I left them to become a consultant also to Schlumberger. I did that for two years before I got a consultancy job with Shell which I did for about five years and I quit to start my own when the local content came into play and that is the company I have been running till today.
What are your hobbies?
I like reading and football. I am a fan of Arsenal because I don’t believe you always have to win, I believe in doing things right.
What is the book that impacted your life most?
The book that impacted me most in life is ‘Success through a Positive Mental Attitude’ by Napoleon Hill. I read this book just after I left secondary school. It was a book that helped me to realise that whatever the mind can conceive and believe, that the mind can achieve it. I was so inspired by that book. The titles were so catchy that one of it says ‘if you don’t have money, use OPM’.
And OPM means ‘Other People’s Money’. And reading further, it will tell you that you are going to meet the most important living person. And you keep reading to know who is the most important living person, it tells you that you are the most important living person. It was a book that helped to shape me. But once in a while, one comes across some good books. Then another book that inspired me is ‘Why Nations Fail’ by a Turkish-American Economist, Daron Acemoglu and a British Political Scientist, James Robinson. With this you will understand why some countries are rich while some are poor. It is a book people should read. Also, in Nigeria here, the book by Mallam Nassir el-Rufai, ‘Accidental Civil Servant’, is also a good book. So, such books, you read them and you get to know how people navigate through life and what leadership entails.
As a governorship aspirant, do you believe in giving women equal opportunity to utilise their talents and expertise in different fields and endeavours?
In the company I run today, 40 per cent of my managers are women. I don’t see any difference between a man and a woman; the important thing is brain and character. What does it really mean that you are a man or woman? For me, as long as somebody can perform and deliver the expected result, she gets the job.
As a governorship aspirant, how comfortable will you be with a woman being your deputy?
To me, there are some things women even do better. Which man has done the kind of job late Dora Akunyili did in NAFDAC or even Oby Ezekwesili in this their advocacy ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ they are doing? Like I told you, women should be encouraged. If I have the opportunity and a good lady presents herself to be my deputy, why not? But I am not going to go all out searching to bring a woman on board. But if she has what it takes and she is prepared to do what she need to do – to partner to make it happen, that will be okay.
I have on my own trying to fund some women organisations. There is a movement in Anambra State that came up, I was the person that gave them the seed money to organise themselves into a mass movement, even though at the end of the day, the leader derailed and it became a mess. To me, it doesn’t matter whether you are a man or a woman and I have more daughters and sisters, why should I discriminate against them?
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Governor unhappy over starving students
Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, has summoned three top management staff of Government Secondary School, Mokwa, for under feeding pupils of the school.
The governor, who paid an unscheduled visit to the school dining hall during his mid-term assessment tour, expressed sadness that the food meant for 300 pupils was being served to 600 pupils.
He expressed worries that food provided for the pupils were being siphoned by the school’s members of staff, thereby depriving and starving the intended beneficiaries.
Bello said the school management was undermining government efforts at ensuring adequate feeding of pupils. He has, therefore, ordered the principal officers involved to appear in his office for briefing.
In Agwara, the governor announced the conversion of Government Secondary School, Agwara to boarding one, directing the Commissioner of Education to commence the construction of hostels immediately.
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Governor diverts N500m refund to repay his loan
EFCC recovers cash from firm
NGF: we did nothing wrong
Consultant: we broke no law
Detectives have recovered N500million allegedly diverted by a governor from the London-Paris Club loan refund.
The governor diverted the N500million (out of his state’s share of the N19b first tranche) to a mortgage bank but the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) tracked and secured the cash.
Besides, two firms have refunded N220million of the N3.5billion traced to some aides of Senate President Bukola Saraki.
But the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) insists it was not within its purview to determine how Melrose General Services Limited spent its share of the N3.5billion consultancy fees. The company yesterday said it was not involved in any N3.5billion scandal.
It said it executed the consultancy awarded it in line with global best practice.
EFCC traced N2.2billion payment to another consultant, which allegedly gave the yet unnamed governor N500million.
The governor directed that the cash should be transferred to a mortgage bank where he was indebted to the tune of N800million.
The governor used the “cash-at-hand” to defray his debts with a waiver by the mortgage company.
A source close to the investigation said: “Of the N19billion, we discovered that a consultant brought by the North-West governor was paid N2.2billion. From the N2.2billion, the governor got N500million.
“He then instructed that the N500million be transferred to the mortgage bank where he had borrowed money to buy two properties in 2013 and was unable to pay. The debts accumulated to N800million but with N500million cash-at-hand, the governor renegotiated the debts and used the cash to defray his liabilities.”
According to the source, the mortgage bank decided to refund the N500million to the EFCC. “We have all the evidence of the recovery in our records,” he said.
The two companies which refunded about N220million out of the N3.5billion consultancy fees in which some aides of the Senate President were implicated, are Wasp Networks and Thebe Wellness Services.
The Nation stumbled on a document about the investigation. It states: “That Mr. Bosun Ottun, the Managing director of Xtract Energy Services, a company that deals in forex trading confirmed that Wasp Networks Limited transferred N170, 000,000 on the 16th January 2017 to Xtract Energy Services Limited’s FCMB account for the purchase of $350,000, which he later transferred into Wasp Networks Stanbic IBTC US dollar domiciliary account.
“That Wasp Networks has returned to the EFCC the sum of N200million paid to the company by Mr. Robert Mbonu of Melrose General Services.
“That Mr. Robert Mbonu through Melrose General Services Company paid N20million to Thebe Wellness Services.
“That Mr. Richardson A. Ajayi, the Managing Director of Thebe Wellness Services confirmed that N20million from Melrose General Services Company was a loan from Mr. Robert Mbonu, which was to be used as an investment in Thebe Wellness Services.”
On the jewellry which cost about N92, 685,000($183,000 then) of the N3.5billion refund, the EFCC said the former Executive Director of Heritage Bank, Mr. Robert Mbonu, could not say the exact date the items will be delivered.
The document added: “That Mr. Robert Mbonu, through Melrose General Services Company Limited Access Bank account transferred N92, 685,000 to Acarast Communication Limited in exchange for $183,000 USD, which was later transferred to Bhaskar Devji Jewellers in Dubai for purchase of jewellery.
“That Mr. Robert Mbonu has not taken delivery of the jewellery and couldn’t provide a date when the jewellery he paid for would be delivered.”
But, the NGF yesterday said it had no business with how Melrose spent the N3.5billion consultancy fees it paid to the company.
It, however, confirmed that the company was one of its consultants on the London-Paris Club loan refund.
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Kudos for governor
The chairman of the Lagos State Council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, has hailed Governor Akinwunmi Amobode for consistently finding solutions to some of the problems confronting the state, especially the issue of traffic gridlocks.
Agbede said the union will henceforth begin to impound vehicles of commercial drivers caught violating traffic regulations.
The NURTW boss explained that driving against traffic, picking passengers on highways, conductors hanging on the vehicles doors, using phones while driving and driving rickety vehicles are some of the offences contained in the traffic laws.
Agbede explained that the council has been educating its members on why they should comply with the law.
He said some disgruntled elements among drivers are still finding it difficult to comply.
According to him, the union’s Task Force will be moving from parks too parks to ensure that drivers complied.
Various forms of punishments, he said, will be melted to those caught violating traffic laws.
The NURTW boss explained that the task force will also ensure that sales of alcohol and other hard drugs are banished from the parks.
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Why the Governor is Happy and Smiling
A member of the Kenyan delegation which recently visited Taraba State was asked by a reporter of his impression after touring some parts of the state. His answer was an instructive take-away package. Taraba, he said, is a state in a hurry to renew and reposition itself to meet the people’s need for modern amenities. He did not stop there. He said: “Everywhere we went during the tour men were at work on the roads. On-going water projects sites were numerous and contractors were battling hard to meet stringent completion deadlines given to them by the Governor.” All of these, the Kenyan gentleman said, underscored one vital point: Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku’s determination to take the state off the reverse gear and move it forward.
That determination informs the way things are done in Government House, Jalingo, the seat of political power in the state. The Governor is ever in a hurry to touch lives positively and he is frequently reminding his aides to increase their speed because there is no time to waste. It is for this reason that Government House under the watch of Governor Ishaku is always a beehive of activities. At any point in time during work hours, there are meetings and consultations going on, all in the efforts to seek new and realistic approach to the all-important issue of taking the state to greater heights.
The situation was very much the same in Government House last week. Government House was in a very busy mood and so was Governor Ishaku, its Number One tenant. The star event of the week was the visit of the Kenyan delegation from Nairobi Water and Sewerage Corporation to Taraba State. And the star subject of the week was W-A-T-E-R. Water was the most discussed item in government circle during the week.
Governor Ishaku for whose administration the provision of water is a priority, received the visiting seven-member Kenyan delegation three times in four days. The first was a courtesy visit in the Governor’s office, the second a private dinner for the visitors in the Governor’s Lodge and the third and last a farewell visit during which the group submitted a diagnostic report on how effective management of water can be achieved by the Taraba State Water Agency. It is rare for Governor Ishaku to be so generous with time as he did with the visitors from Kenya but this had to be so because the provision of water and its management for profitable efficiency are a priority of his administration. During the visit, each member of the delegation received a souvenir from both Governor Ishaku and his wife, Barr. Anna Darius Ishaku.
The visit of the Kenyans was an opportunity for Governor Ishaku to also check on the contractors handling government’s water projects at the various construction sites in Jalingo and he came out of each of the sites happy and smiling the way I have never seen him do. The secret? He was happy with the level of progress that has been made by the construction firms and smiling because water will soon be flowing into the homes and offices of the residents of Jalingo. He told his audience during the brief but remarkable ceremony in his Lodge on Friday afternoon that he was anxious to have in Taraba State a water agency that is as efficiently managed as the one he saw in Kenya. About 50 staff members of the Taraba State Water Agency are soon to depart for Nairobi to be trained in the culture of efficiency in water management. The Kenyan team has since left for home.
The euphoria of victory over water problem that is certain and already knocking at doors in the state also radiated and coloured almost all the other events of the state during the week. The graduation ceremony of the first batch of 335 beneficiaries of the Ishaku administration’s Youth and Women Empower Programme was a huge celebration of success that is unique in the state. The scheme is the first most productive economic empowerment programme since the creation of Taraba State in 1991. It is the greatest gift from the state to the 335 participants, one they will never forget in a lifetime.
The trainees were selected through a rigorous process, two from each electoral ward. They were trained in carpentry, hairdressing, footwear designing, computer operations, soap making, wood carving, cloth weaving, fish net production and welding. They had become proficient in these areas of entrepreneurship at the end of the three-month exercise. At their graduation ceremony held in the sports hall of the Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo, on Tuesday, all participants received special free packages of equipment they require to set up their own business. These include, photo copiers, computer/printers, generators, machines and tools. The programme was implemented by the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and co-ordinated by Rescue Watch, the monitoring organ of the government’s Rescue Agenda.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Governor Ishaku said the programme was his administration’s response to “our people’s desperate desire for jobs as expressed in almost all reports from our local government areas” collated for him by members of the Rescue Watch. He also explained what decided his choice of areas covered by the skills acquisition training. “My decision to approve the skills acquisition programme to cover tailoring, shoe making, soap making, wood craft, carpentry, weaving of “Kyadzwe” and “Lantang” traditional clothes, welding, hairdressing and computer services was deliberate”, he said. He said it was because of a strong personal conviction “that the things that our women and youths can leverage on for self-sustenance are right here at our backyards.”
Ishaku urged the grandaunts to take advantage of the skills they have acquired from the training to create wealth and employment opportunities for others. “You cannot afford to fail the people of Taraba State by misusing the public funds that was committed to your training. Any attempt to abuse this gesture by any beneficiary of the scheme shall be met by the full wrath of the law.” He warned the grandaunts against the temptation to sell equipment provided for them to set up their own business. “The idea of selling off these equipment provided for you should never in any way be contemplated because all the ward contact persons are hereby charged to keep watch over the beneficiaries and report non-compliance.” There are plans, according to the Governor to start the training of yet another batch of women and youths.
Mr Rebo Usman, Chief of Staff to the Governor who supervises the Rescue Watch and the empowerment programme said all the grandaunts had signed an undertaking not to sell the equipment given to them. During their three month period of training, participants were each paid a monthly salary of Ten Thousand Naira. While the ceremony lasted the participants kept singing special songs and clapping hands in appreciation of Governor Ishaku for the great turn around in their destiny courtesy of the economic empowerment training.
For Governor Ishaku, it was yet another glorious moment of accomplishment. He was again happy and smiling, especially as he toured through the stands where items produced by the trainees were on display.
Earlier, Governor Ishaku had flagged- off the Third Nigeria Medical Association games tagged Jalingo 2017 and took the kick-off at the opening soccer competition. He noted that the games were an opportunity for the doctors to savour the traditional hospitality of the Taraba people. Ishaku said he was impressed by the idea of a Doctors’ Annual Games because in the past, doctors were often portrayed as too busy saving lives to save their own. By exercising through sports, doctors were showing the way to a healthy living. Ishaku also directed that each participant in the games be given one carton of Highland tea. Highland tea is one of the major products of the state.
Dr Henry Okon Achibong, a member of the House of Representatives who represented Speaker Yakubu Dogara said it was a welcome coincidence that the Doctors’ games were being hosted in Taraba at a time that the health sector in the state was getting the best of attention.
While all these were going on, Ishaku was also busy with preparations to host many of his colleague governors, traditional rulers and other prominent Nigerians from all parts of the country at the 40th anniversary celebration of Aku Uka’s ascension to the throne of his forefathers, scheduled for Friday, March 17 in Wukari. Details next week.
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N500m Paris Club cash recovered from governor
EFCC grills more suspects
Four more suspects have been grilled over the investigation of the N19billion illegally deducted from the London-Paris Club loan refund.
Besides, about N500million of the cash has been traced to the account of a governor.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detectives are probing how the money, which was meant to pay a consultant, found its way into the yet unnamed governor’s account.
President Muhammadu Buhari will soon get an interim report on the scandal, The Nation learnt yesterday.
Seven governors allegedly played key roles in diverting part of the N388.304billion refund into two accounts opened by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).
The EFCC is investigating the scam.
A source, who pleaded not to be named because he is not allowed to speak on the matter, said: “In spite of the protestation of some governors, the EFCC has decided to conclude the ongoing probe of the N19billion diverted from the loan refund.
“Detectives have grilled four more suspects and retrieved bank details on how funds were wired into some accounts.
“EFCC operatives traced about N500million, which was meant for a consultant, to the account of a governor. The cash has since been paid back after the discovery.
“The operatives are trying to determine whether or not the governor is also one of the consultants engaged for advisory service by the NGF.
“The details of how the refunds were diverted will soon be made public, especially those involved,” the source said.
Responding to a question, the source added: “The President is expected to get a status report from EFCC on the investigation.
“It is a challenging moment for EFCC but its leadership is unwavering. Some of the beneficiaries of the N19billion have vowed to frustrate the confirmation of the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, if he goes ahead with the probe.”
A Presidency source, who spoke in confidence, said: “President Muhammadu Buhari, who is awaiting briefing, will not shield anyone implicated in the scandal.
“The President had an understanding with NGF on what the refunds should be used for. He will not spare any infractions. When he saw the diversion coming, the Presidency issued a warning.
“I think the ultimate goal of the Presidency is to recover the N19billion intact.”
Seven governors have been fingered in the alleged diversion of the cash.
Two accounts (a naira account and a domiciliary account) were used to disburse the controversial cash by the NGF.
Apart from the payment of 2 per cent of the refunds to consultants, about 3 per cent was shared out to some governors. Investigators described this as “curious”.
The Nation exclusively reported that the Presidency was uncomfortable with the attitude of some governors to the management of the refund.
The Federal Government released N388.304billion of the N522.74 billion refund to 35 states as over-deductions on the London-Paris Club loans.
States on top of the list with huge reimbursements are those controlled by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), contrary to their claims of being oppressed by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The big earners are Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Katsina, Kaduna, Lagos, Imo, Jigawa, Borno, Niger, Bauchi and Benue.
Only Kano State and the FCT did not benefit from the reimbursement.
Ondo was paid 50 per cent (N6,513,392,932.28) because the state was in a period of transition from one governor to another.
The top beneficiaries are: Akwa Ibom – N14,500,000,000.00; Bayelsa – N14,500,000,000.00; Delta—N14,500,000,000.00; Kastina -N14,500,000,000.00; Lagos – N14,500,000,000.00; Rivers
-N14,500,000,000.00; Kaduna – N14,362,416,363.24; Borno-N13,654,138,849.49; Bauchi – N12,792,664,403.93; Benue – N12,749,689,453.61; Sokoto—N11,980,499,096.97; Osun– N11,744,237,793.56; Anambra– N11,386,281,466.35; Edo– N11,329,495,462.04; Cross River – N11,300,139,741.28; Kogi – N11,211,573,328.19; and Kebbi – N11,118,149,054.10.
The Federal Government reached a conditional agreement to pay 25% of the amounts claimed subject to a cap of N14.5 billion to any given State.
Balances due thereafter will be revisited when fiscal conditions improve.