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  • I’m vindicated on Atiku’s birth place, says Nnamdi Kanu

    Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has said the claim by All Progressives Congress (APC) to the effect that presidential candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar is not a Nigerian but a Cameroonian has vindicated him.

    Addressing his members through his broadcast on Radio Biafra, Kanu said: “The headline ‘Atiku Is Not a Nigerian, APC Tells Tribunal’ is vindication that everything I say on Radio Biafra is the truth. It may appear outlandish and unbelievable at first, but eventually history always vindicates me.

    “As everyone can see very clearly, it is unambiguously stated that for you to become the president of Nigeria, you must be born a Nigerian. Simply put, your birth certificate or any official notation must say clearly that you are a Nigerian. As at the time Atiku was born, his citizenship on his birth certificate read Cameroonian”.

    He described the 1999 Constitution as amended as clearly defective because those who crafted it were neither philosophers, social scientists, thinkers nor constitutional experts.

     According to Kanu, the argument by some people that if Atiku was a Cameroonian, he could have been the Comptroller of Customs and Vice President will not hold water as Section 131(a) of the Constitution was clear on who should be the president of the country.

    He said that “The incontrovertible truth is that His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the former Vice President of Nigeria for eight years, became a Nigerian by virtue of the referendum of the 11th of February 1961.

    “He was not born a Nigerian and as such he became a Nigerian as a result of the British organised plebiscite held in British Cameroons to give the people of Adamawa, where Atiku comes from, the opportunity to choose where they would like to belong.

     “When I first raised this issue, which incidentally has been ignored by all arms of government including INEC whose duty it is to ensure that candidates meet all stipulated constitutional requirements, it was not to insinuate or imply that Atiku is not a Nigerian, but rather to highlight the very constitutionally critical point at the heart of IPOB agitation for Biafra independence; which is that asking for a referendum is never a crime in any law known to man.

     “Therefore if Adamawa people can be allowed to freely choose where they wish to belong, then justice and equity dictates that we the people of Biafra must be allowed to do the same. This point that is lost on Justice Binta Nyako and numerous other semi-literate judges handling IPOB cases today in Nigerian courts.

    While lambasting Atiku’s defence team over what he described as their weak and porous argument that if Atiku was not a Nigerian he wouldn’t have become Nigeria’s vice-president, lived, invested and paid tax in the country for years as a citizen, the IPOB leader said by virtue of relevant section of Nigeria, anybody born in Adamawa between 1946 when Atiku was born to 1960, was not qualified to contest election as president of Nigeria.

    READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu: A continuing tragedy

     “This is a wholly unnecessary digression that failed to address the constitutional question of place of birth as key qualification for anybody seeking to become the president of Nigeria. That Atiku was the Vice President is not the issue at hand but rather his suitability as defined by the constitution of Nigeria.

    “With this ridiculous born in Nigeria requirement, nobody born in present day Adamawa before 1961 or those of us born in Biafra from 1967 to 1970 can ever vie for the office of the president of Nigeria.

    “Atiku Abubakar was born on November 25, 1946 in Jada, now Adamawa State, then in Northern Cameroon, was a citizen of Cameroon but now a Nigerian by plebiscite. This information has always been in the public domain. What I did was just to flag it.

    “The only part that can be said that I pioneered is that “Atiku became a Nigerian citizen by the sheer force of Referendum which is what I want for Biafra. I wanted to prove to some ignorant Nigerians and their quack judges that asking for a referendum is not treasonable felony,” the IPOB leader said.

  • SANs group: Onnoghen’s resignation not enough

    A 20-man group of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) under the aegis of the Justice Reform Project (JRP) Tuesday said Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen’s resignation was not enough in view of “the grave nature of the allegations” against him.

    Urging the Federal Government to sanction other judges whose legitimate earnings do not justify their wealth, the group said justice should run its course in the Onnoghen matter.

    According to JRP, extending the anti-graft exercise to other judges will restore confidence in the Judiciary and dampen the impressing that the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) was being victimized.

    The group, set up to push for reforms in the judiciary/legal profession, is led by one of the oldest SANs, Mr. Ebun Sofunde, with Jibrin Okutepa, Dr Babatunde Ajibade, Prof Ernest Ojukwu, Osaro Eghobamien, Mrs. Funke Adekoya, Kayode Sofola, among others, as members.

    In a statement, JRP said it noted Onnoghen’s resignation “with concern”, but added that the matter should not end there.

    “His resignation/voluntary retirement is not an answer to these allegations and the JRP expects that justice, which is no respecter of persons or position, will be allowed to take its course,” it said.

    JRP urged the Federal Government to look beyond Onnoghen for three reason main reasons.

    It said: “Beyond Honourable Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, however, the JRP believes the revelations that have been made in the course of this affair necessitate that urgent steps be taken to identify and sanction all other Nigerian judicial officers who are found to possess inexplicable wealth that cannot be reconciled with their legitimate income or their asset declarations, two of the allegations made against Justice Onnoghen.

    “These steps are necessary for a variety of reasons. First, to restore public confidence in the judiciary and disabuse the notion that all judicial officers in Nigeria are corrupt and that justice is for sale.

    “Second, to disabuse the notion that Justice Onnoghen’s travails are a mere witch-hunt motivated by ethnic and political interests rather than the result of a genuine concern for sanitising and reforming the Nigerian judiciary.

    “Third, to eliminate the suspicion that the Executive arm of government is using the information it has access to by virtue of its control over the apparatus of the state to take selective action only against those judicial officers that fail to do its bidding.”

    READ ALSO: Onnoghen: I didn’t confess to hiding my bank accounts

    Besides, the group said Onnoghen’s response to allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the National Judicial Council (NJC) raises significant questions about how heads of courts manage judiciary’s funds.

    “Without prejudice to the legitimate clamour for increased budgetary allocation to the judiciary, its financial independence and improvement in the working conditions of service of judicial officers, all of which JRP wholeheartedly supports, there must be better management of that which is currently allocated.

    “The JRP calls on everyone with a stake in our judicial system (the public, the Bar, and the bench), to report their concerns, if any, to the relevant regulatory agencies so that they are investigated.

    “The legal profession is a self-regulating one, so it behooves all its members to take an active interest in maintaining the standards of rectitude and integrity expected of judicial officers and legal practitioners.

    “In making this call, the JRP merely exhorts every member of the legal profession to act as they are expected to act.

    “If the profession does not regulate itself effectively, incidents such as those involving Justice Onnoghen will remain a fixture in our judicial system.”

  • How to turn your hobby into a full-time Job

    A hobby is an activity that you do just for fun and at your own leisure time. It may be singing, dancing, drawing, speaking or any other creative activity that you perform with little or no efforts.

    While there are folks out there that have leveraged on their hobby or talent to earn a living and become popular, others see their hobby as just a hobby which is not supposed to be. It is very possible that you can earn a leaving and become an entrepreneur from your hobby. Here are some helpful tips on how to do this.

    Determine if your hobby can earn you a living

    You do not simply abandon every other activity and turn to your hobby for sustenance. The first thing you must do is to determine if your hobby can actually take you to the promised land. If it does not, it is better you do your hobby as a side business while continuing your 9 to 5 job or do something entirely different from your hobby.

    Do not stop innovating

    After you have confirmed whether you can earn a living from your hobby, the next thing to do is to innovate. Innovation means introducing new ways to perform tasks or duties. It makes your job exciting and interesting. It also nips boredom in the bud especially when you have been doing the same thing for years. Importantly, innovation makes your product unique because there is nothing new under the sun.

    Never give up

    If you are confident about your hobby, then giving up should be dumped in the trash can. Be persistent and know that you will hit the jackpot one day. Network, innovate and be positive. There will be setbacks but keep trying. When the bomb of your time explodes, you will be amazed at the number of offers you will receive. You will have no choice than to eventually quit your full-time job and make your hobby your full-time job.

    READ ALSO: ‘How I turned my hobby into business’

    Do not be opposed to feedback

    Feedback helps you know your areas of improvement. Do not be opposed to it and you will be better for it. Welcome it, implement it and without a doubt, you will stand out from the crowd. Feedback can come in any form, always be patient to listen and do not argue because it is futile. Consequently, you can screen the feedbacks and sincerely pick the ones that are most relevant to you.

    Package your hobby

    There is a difference between a roadside barbing salon and a barbing salon located in a mall. Both are doing the same thing but the packaging and branding are miles apart. You should do the same with your hobby. Package and brand it in such a way that it will appeal to your target audience or the social strata that are interested in your product or service.

  • Adeleke faults Buhari’s spokesman on forgery allegation

    Senator Ademola Adeleke, representing Osun West Senatorial District has faulted allegation that he presented forged school results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the last governorship election in Osun State.

    Adeleke, who attributed the allegation to the spokesman of President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation, Festus Keyamo (SAN), argued that the lawyer acted out of ignorance.

    The Senator, in a statement authored by Niyi Owolade for the Ademola Adeleke campaign Organisation, said he did not, at any time forge any certificate for election or any other purpose.

    Part of the statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a tweet credited to Mr. Festus Keyamo that Senator Ademola Adeleke forged a statement of result he presented for election and that WAEC did not attest his certificate.

    “We suspect that Mr. Keyamo must have been misinformed or failed to get his facts correctly.

    “For his information and that of the general public, both WAEC and the school principal of Ede Muslim High school, Ede attested Senator Adeleke’s result through sworn affidavits before FCT High Court, Bwari.

    “We advise the President’s campaign spokesman to get his facts straight before making public statements.

    “Being a Senior Advocate of Nigeria demands that level of responsibility. Senator Ademola Adeleke did not at any time forge any certificate for this election or for any other purpose.

    “Let us repeat for the umpteenth time that the principal of Ede Muslim High School, Ede and WAEC were summoned by the court in a case filed by the APC against Senator Adeleke.

    “The principal through a sworn affidavit attested the statement of results presented by the PDP candidate for his election and a Deputy Registrar of WAEC did the same through an affidavit of evidence.

    READ ALSO: Adeleke qualifies to be governor, says Appeal Court

    “The two affidavits were widely published in the newspapers and are available in court papers. WAEC not only attested Adeleke’s result, the school authority, through the principal also did.

    “At this stage in Osun election cases, all the facts are in public domain and nothing can be spinned again.

    “First, the public is fully aware that both WAEC and the Principal attested to Adeleke’s qualification.

    “Secondly, by the combined effect of Sections 177 and 318 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, Senator Ademola Adeleke is qualified to contest for the office of a State Governor.

    “Thirdly and much more critical, WAEC and the principal affirmed in their respective affidavits that there was no forgery as results submitted by Adeleke tallied with their records.

    “We wish to conclude by informing the public once again that apart from the above attestation of Adeleke’s qualification, there are two subsisting high court judgments, affirming Senator Adeleke’s eligibility to contest for office if Governor.”

  • U.S. to work with Nigeria to achieve prosperity – Consul General

    The United States Consul General in Lagos, Mr John Bray, on Tuesday said that the U.S. would work collaboratively with Nigeria to help achieve prosperity.

    Bray made this known at the `Securex West Africa’, an exhibition and conference encompassing fire and rescue, commercial, homeland and cyber security, organised by Afrocet Montgomery.

    He spoke on the topic: “Collaborative Security: A Multi- Stakeholders Approach to Addressing Nigeria’s Security Challenges”.

    According to him, the security of a nation is good but government needs to take their eyes out from security and focus on the stability of the economy.

    He said that to achieve stability of the nation, it behoves the leadership of that nation to provide the amenities that its people need to survive.

    “Security in Nigeria is an important topic but in discussing this there is need to look at the stability of the economy.

    “The key security issues relevant to Nigeria has to do with stability and to achieve security one needs to look at the economic challenges, the unprecedented population growth, the lack of amenities like power and others.

    “These factors and poor economic output will have a negative impact on the stability of the country and also lead to security unrest if not well managed,’’ he said.

    Bray listed some factors that contribute to instability in a country as: corruption, violent ethnic conflict, population movement, exploitation of natural resources, trafficking of persons, natural disasters and others.

    He also said that the values a good leader should have to push the country forward would be: good judgement, factual, courageous, knowledgeable, decisiveness, having endurance and others.

    Bray said that in the world of security, it would take three Ps – Patience, Persistence and Perseverance, urging government to adopt these tools

    “For patience, there is need to understand that things do not change quickly and cannot be achieved overnight but with one step at a time.

    “The very small step at a time, persistence, will lead to an actual goal and one should not allow a lack of progress to get one down,” he said.

    Bray also said that a four Cs which are Culture, Communication, Collaboration and Cooperation between stakeholders was needed to tackle the challenges of security in the country.

    According to him, a leader needs to bring people together through policies and education to achieve unified ideas.

    He stressed the need to communicate ideas and objectives clearly to stakeholders, address endemic corruption, insist on transparency, must strategise and create economic opportunities.

    Bray also listed financing infrastructure projects and investment in people through education to stablise the economic growth to tackle the challenges experienced in the country.

    Earlier, Mr George Pearson, Event Director, Afrocet Montgomery, said that there was need to deploy the right technology and work together to achieve the desired goal for the country.

    According to him, deploying the right technology will help to provide safety that will sustain peace and prosperity for the country.

    He said that the 9th edition of the `Securex West Africa’ would provide a platform for participants to display state-of-the-art product solutions, showcase the latest technology and educate visitors on the current global trends within the industry.

    “In addition it will provide an arena for regional and international companies to meet, network and do business with some of the biggest companies in the region requiring security products and services,’’ he said

  • Woods’ comeback great lesson, says No. 1 golfer

    Andrew Odoh, the number one Nigerian golfer, says Tiger Woods’s comeback teaches that the power to succeed lies within.

    Odoh made the assertion  in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday in reaction to Tiger Woods’ superlative comeback after 11 years of trophy drought.

    He said that Woods’s experience should be a remarkable lesson for the young and old.

    NAN reports  that Woods, one of the greatest golfers, went down following failed marriage and  nosedived career.

    However, he just won his fifth masters in his career, and the first time in 14 years.  Tiger won the major championship – the 15th of his stellar.

    Odoh said: “Tiger’s victory in the just-concluded masters is a remarkable achievement.

    “If not for anything, for a guy, who hasn’t won a major tournament over 11 years to come back after going through such a rough path in life, it is great.

    “He went through a family breakup. A lot sponsors shunned him because of the scandals, his injuries; his victory will continue to teach everyone around the world something valuable – not just those in the golfing world.

    “It tells one thing – if you focus and stay dedicated to what you do, you can always achieve greater things. That is what Tiger has done, and that is what people must pick out of this win.

    “ I personally think the victory for him will not end here from the way I see him swing, and  I believe we are on the way to see him break Jack Nicklaus 18 title records. Tiger is back,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that the U.S. PGA Championship will tee-off from May 16 to May 19.

  • Inflation drops by 0.06 % in March – NBS

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the country’s inflation measured by Consumer Price Index (CPI) in March was 0.06 per cent points lower than the rate recorded in February.

    The NBS said this in its “CPI and Inflation Report’’ released on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The bureau said the CPI which measures inflation decreased to 11.25 per cent (year-on-year) in March, 2019.

    According to the bureau, this is 0.06 per cent points lower than the rate recorded in February, 2019 (11.31) per cent.

    It, however, said increases were recorded in all Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose (COICOP) divisions that yielded the Headline index.

    On month-on-month basis, the bureau said the Headline Index increased by 0.79 per cent in March 2019, this was 0.06 per cent rate higher than the rate recorded in February 2019 (0.73) per cent.

    The Report said the percentage change in the average composite CPI for the period of 12 months ending in March over the previous 12 months was 11.40 per cent.

    It said the figure showed 0.16 per cent point from 11.56 per cent recorded in February.

    Meanwhile, the bureau said the urban inflation rate increased by 11.54 per cent (year-on-year) in March from 11.59 per cent recorded in February 2019.

    It said the rural inflation rate increased by 10.99 per cent in March from 11.05 per cent in February.

    On a month-on-month basis, it said the urban index rose by 0.81 per cent in March 2019, up by 0.05 from 0.76 per cent recorded in February.

    Also, it said the rural index rose by 0.77 per cent in March, up by 0.06 from the rate recorded in February (0.71) per cent.

    According to the report, the corresponding twelve-month year-on-year average percentage change for the urban index is 11.78 per cent in March.

    This is less than 11.95 per cent reported in February while the corresponding rural inflation rate in March is 11.08 per cent compared to 11.23 per cent recorded in February.

    The CPI measures the average change over time in prices of goods and services consumed by people for day-to-day living.

    The construction of the CPI combines economic theory, sampling and other statistical techniques using data from other surveys to produce a weighted measure of average price changes in the Nigerian economy.

    The weighting occurs to capture the importance of the selected commodities in the entire index.

  • Alleged threat to life: Delta Varsity employee petitions CAS, IG, others

    A member of staff of the Delta State University (DELSU) Abraka, Ethiope East council area, Mr. Oghenenyore Akpobi, has petitioned the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector General of Police, the National Security Adviser (NSA) and others over alleged threat to his life.

    Akpobi, who spoke to The Nation in Warri on Monday, alleged the Vice Chancellor of DELSU, Prof. Victor Peretomode, in connivance with security agents, was threatening his life following attempts to eject him from his official residence.

    Akpobi, however, said he cannot be ejected from his official residence of 3 bedroom flat, located at 5 Kano street by any person as there is a court order with suit No. EEACCII/94/2016, from Customary Court II, Abraka, restraining the Vice Chancellor, Delta State University, Abraka, Prof Victor Peretomode and 3 others from trespassing pending the hearing and determination of the unlawful termination of his employment at the Awka Industrial Court with Suit No. NICN/ASB/16/2015.

    He said he had petitioned the Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police, Director General, Department of State Security Servive and the Vice Chancellor, Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Peretomode, through Martin Ene Edah and Co Chambers of No. 179 (229), Jakpa Road, Effurun, Uvwie local government area, on Tuesday Feb. 26, 2019, to the Delta State Commissioner of Police on a conduct likely to cause breach of peace and demanded for immediate investigations and prosecution.

    Akpobi said, “While still under the employment of the Delta State University, l had health challenges, so l was granted 6 weeks leave to travel to lndia for medical treatment to undergo a two-stage spinal surgery and l had to seek for further extension of my leave on the advice of my doctor. Instead of approving my request for extension, on Nov. 3rd, 2015, my earlier three months medical leave was withdrawn and my salary stopped. “Upon my return from lndia, l was prevented from gaining access into my office to carry out my duties as a Senior Accountant attached to the Oleh Campus of Delta State University, Abraka, by security men who said they were acting on instructions. It was on this ground that l filed suit through my lawyer against the Vice Chancellor, Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Victor Peretomode and others.

    “Since then l have been receiving several threat to live, that often time l sleep outside my house for the fear of being attacked, using suspected thugs to threaten me to pack from my official house when the court has not given his ruling. It was on this ground l petitioned the Delta State Commissioner of Police since Feb. 26th, 2019, on the several threat l have received, believing the VC will be invited but all to no avail.

    “I have been invited to the Delta State Police Command to make statement yet the man has not been summoned, until about three days ago, another set in company of the Vice Chancellor invaded my apartment armed, asking me to quit now, but l insisted that until the court decides, the apartment remains my official residence as I am paying for it not free.”

    Responding to the threat allegation, the Public Relations Officer, DELSU, Mr Freeborn Aganbi said: “I would need to clarify some issues with the appropriate persons.”

    For instance, if it has to do with legal issues, I need to get the current state of such issues before I can respond and meanwhile am not aware of the matter you are talking about.”

     

  • Ekiti sets to implement S’Court verdict on council relocation

    The Ekiti State Government has begun moves to implement the decision of the Apex Court on Council relocation.

    The Supreme Court had in a judgment delivered by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour on 14th December, 2018 ordered the relocation of Ilejemeje council headquarters from Iye to Eda Oniyo ending a 19-year battle which began at the State High Court.

    The apex court held that the establishment of the headquarters of the Local Government in Eda Oniyo was backed by statute and could not be relocated elsewhere without the promulgation of a new law.

    The seven-man Committee constituted by the Ekiti State Government to examine the Supreme Court decision on Ilejemeje Local Government headquarters paid a fact-finding visit to Iye and Eda Oniyo on Monday.

    The panel chaired by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, who interfaced with the people of the two communities, urged them to give peace a chance in the wake of the apex court’s verdict.

    According to a statement by his Special Assistant (Media), Odunayo Ogunmola, Egbeyemi said the panel visited the two communities to see what was on ground having received documents from both parties.

    Egbeyemi explained the visit was part of the assignment of the panel which would turn in its report to Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    The deputy governor stressed that government was interested in ensuring that peace reigns in all communities in the state appealing to indigenes of Iye and Eda Oniyo not to engage in any act that could disrupt the peace enjoyed in the State.

    READ ALSO: Ekiti employs marshals to enforce grazing law

    The deputy governor led other members of the panel to visit the present local government secretariat and the palace of the Oniye, where he met with Oba Jonathan Adeleye-Oni and community leaders including Afenifere leader, Senator Ayo Fasanmi.

    He also visited Eda Oniyo where a building that has been designated as the temporary local government secretariat and the permanent site of the council secretariat were inspected.

    The deputy governor and his team made up of panel members and officials of Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs were received by the Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola.

    He said: “The Supreme Court judgment is already with us and we have seen copies sent to us. We are not judges but we are members of a committee to report back to the governor.

    “There is nothing we can say here but we will do justice and uphold the truth. Let us maintain peace because this government is for peace and development.”

    The Oniye, Oba Adeleye-Oni, described the Supreme Court verdict as a rude shock saying “Iye Ekiti has always been functioning as capital of Ilejemeje since time immemorial and even before and during the colonial era.”

    The Eleda, Oba Awolola, who said the people of his town were anxiously waiting for implementation of the Supreme Court judgment, regretted that his community had been cheated for so long.

  • Kidnappers abduct driver, four others in Kogi

    A commercial bus driver simply called Sapamo along with four passengers travelling from Ayetoro/Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State has been reportedly kidnapped along the Obajana – Kabba road.

    The victims were said to be returning to Lokoja, the capital on Monday, when they were attacked and abducted.

    A relation of the driver said the kidnappers contacted the family demanding for N10 million for their release but that “after much negotiation, the kidnappers lowered the ransom to N4 million” for their brother and the four others.

    READ ALSO: Police kill nine suspected kidnappers on Abuja-kaduna road

    All efforts made to confirm the development from the state police command headquarters proved abortive.

    Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Williams Aya was yet to respond to calls put across to his mobile lines.