The Nation Newspaper

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  • Ex-agitators seek probe of alleged diversion of N100m

    Former Niger Delta militants from Akwa Ibom State have demanded the investigation of alleged diversion of N100million empowerment funds meant for them.

    They urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe the alleged diversion.

    But, the Amnesty Office described the allegation as baseless and “unsubstantiated”.

    Akwa Ibom ex-Agitators Phase II leader, Imoh Okoko, in a statement, called for the immediate restructuring of the amnesty programme.

    He also accused the Amnesty Office of over-valuation of empowerment kits.

    Okoko urged the Federal Government to urgently address the issues or face protests.

    Read Also: Kuku, ex-MEND leaders to join APC

    “I, therefore, urge the Federal Government to consider this as a matter of urgent importance to guarantee continued peace and harmony in Akwa Ibom State.

    “If these demands are not urgently addressed, we will be left with no other option than to embark on mass protests, which will not be palatable for all and sundry.”

    Okoko alleged that former militants from Akwa Ibom and Cross River states were marginalised by the Amnesty Office.

    He alleged that they were not invited to meetings, were excluded from training programmes and had their names removed from the payroll.

    He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state that since Prof. Charles Dokubo assumed duties as the National Coordinator/Special Adviser on the Programme, ex-militants of Akwa

    “Ibom State origin have been sidelined, neglected and discriminated against, despite the huge contributions of our state to the country’s oil revenue.”

    Okoko said it was disheartening that former militants from other states were listed for overseas training and empowerment programmes on monthly basis, while those from Akwa Ibom State were shut out.

    Spokesman for Amnesty Office Murphy Ganagana said the allegation of N100million diversion was baseless and “vague”. “There is no substance in the allegation,” he said.

    Ganagana said all former agitators duly enrolled in the Presidential Amnesty Programme were catered for.

    He said those not enrolled should explore a political solution by, for instance, getting their governors to lobby the President to include them in the programme.

    According to him, there are 30,000 ex-agitators on the Amnesty Office’s database, adding that those not enrolled in the programme have no basis to complain about marginalisation.

    He said the office has no power to include anyone not originally enrolled, adding that only the President could make a declaration for the inclusion of additional ex-militants in the programme.

    Besides, Ganagana said the known camp leader in Akwa Ibom is Lanto Marine.

    “If the person who issued the statement is a bonafide beneficiary, ask him to provide the name of his camp and his UN Code. I promise that we’ll take it up if indeed he and his group are omitted,” Ganagana said.

    The Federal High Court in Yenagoa on Thursday summoned Prof. Dokubo over alleged diversion of stipends meant for 75 former militants.

    Justice Awogboro Abimbola also ordered Director of Finance and Accounts in the Presidential Amnesty Office Isaac Ityohuma and Head of Reintegration Aroloye Brown to appear before him on October 4.

    Justice Abimbola adjourned after taking evidence from the ex-militants’ leader, Mr Clinton Oroupade.

    Seventy-five ex-militants under the Benuwolo Camp (second phase of the scheme), who accepted the Presidential Amnesty in 2010, are demanding payment of outstanding N492 million from January 2011 to May 2019.

    Oroupade told the court that his group was documented and allocated 75 slots, but received no stipends afterwards.

    The group urged the court to declare that the alleged fraudulent manipulation of the 75 slots allotted to Benuwolo Camp by officials of the Amnesty Office in connivance with some ex-militants is unlawful.

    Through their lawyer, Richard Turner, the plaintiffs urged the court to order the Amnesty Office to restore the Camp’s 75 slots and halt further diversion of slots.

  • Akeredolu: we’ll include OPC in Ondo security outfit

    Following the resolve of the Southwest state governors to tackle criminal activities in the region through joint security operations, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has pledged the inclusion of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and other local security outfits in the formation of the state’s security vigilance group codenamed “Amotekun.”

    Akeredolu spoke through his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Security, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, yesterday, while receiving the state executive members of the Aare Onakakanfo, Gani Adams-led Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), who paid him a courtesy visit in Akure, the state capital.

    He said the state government had resolved to partner with the group as a leading member of the state’s security outfit for the purpose of a home-grown community policing aimed at combating criminal activities in the state.

    According to him, governors of Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti and Lagos states specifically enlisted the services and cooperation of the Adams-led OPC to coordinate other local groups such as Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Agbekoya Group and local hunters to partner and assist the police in securing the Southwest region against kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and other criminal activities.

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    He said: “Governor Akeredolu, who is the chairman of Southwest Governors’ Forum, convened the Southwest Security Meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, a few weeks ago, where it was resolved by the forum to jointly finance a security outfit to tackle the incessant cases of kidnapping, banditry, herdsmen attacks and other crimes ravaging the region.

    “It was there that it was first agreed upon that the security outfit must enlist the support and participation of our brothers in OPC under the leadership of the Aare Onakakanfo, in order to assist the police in its quest to get rid of organised crimes in the grassroots, our forests, our villages, towns and cities. The community policing scheme will also include other local security outfits like the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and local hunters.

    “I am happy to also inform you that our governor has already blazed the trail by procuring hundreds of SUV utility vans and over 250 motorbikes for the take-off of the ‘Amotekun’ security outfit, which I’m sure, some of it will be allocated to your group, OPC, as operational vehicles, among other incentives, to assist you in doing the job which you have volunteered to undertake for our people with all loyalty, dedication and faithfulness. The gods of our land shall be with you and keep you safe throughout the tough task.”

    Also speaking, the state’s Head of Service (HoS), Dare Aragbaye, who welcomed the delegation to the Governor’s Office, hailed the OPC for the feat achieved a few days ago in Imesi-Ile in Osun State, where the group swiftly moved to rescue 14 persons kidnapped by bandits in the forest of the town by launching heavy attacks on the fleeing criminals to set the victims free.

    Aragbaye urged members of the Yoruba defence group to put in more efforts in tackling the menace of kidnapping and other criminal activities within the region, stressing that government in the state, led by Akeredolu, was ready to partner and support the group to achieve success in making the state crime-free.

    The leader of the OPC delegation and Ondo State Coordinator, Pius Ogunsanya, who delivered Adams’ message, said he would use the group as a veritable platform to foster peace, love, understanding and unity among all the paramilitary and security stakeholders in the region.

  • Baale denies involvement in land grabbing

    The Baale of Cardoso area of Ipaja, a Lagos suburb, Chief Moroof Owonla, aka Kaka, on Thursday, denied any involvement in land grabbing activities within the Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area of the state.

    A statement by his Media Adviser, Chief Babajide Osokoya, described Owonla as a consummate businessman in various sectors of the country’s economy, who would not engage in such unlawful activities.

    According to the statement: “Apart from being a traditional ruler of repute, High Chief Owonla sits comfortably atop successful businesses spanning hospitality, education, property, oil and gas and automobiles. He is the Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Owonla Hotels, Impressive Schools, Owonla Property Management Company, Rosebol Oil & Gas Limited and Kaka Auto Marts.

    ‘’It was, however, shocking that some residents in Ayobo and other communities in the area staged a demonstration to protest against the activities of land grabbers allegedly led by one Moroof Owonla, aka Kaka, who has been terrorising their communities.”

    Read Also: Family petitions Ogun cp over land grabbing

    Owonla said he had no personal or business relationship with the property agent, who issued a 14-day ultimatum dated September 10, 2019 to property owners in the community.

    He urged concerned authorities to feel free to carry out thorough investigations on the matter with a view to ascertaining those responsible for the controversial notice.

    Yhe statement added: “We imagine what could have been the link between High Chief Owonla and the agent known as Gabfod Properties that informed the reported protest against his personality on the streets.

    ‘’For purpose of clarity, Chief Owonla was the property agent of late Chief Arimiyau Bello Ekundayo, when he won the case over the landed property in suit No. ID/1722/92 in the judgment delivered by Justice O.A Williams (Mrs.) of Ikeja High Court 7 on October 24, 2004, and he successfully managed the property until this year (2019), when the children and family of late Arimiyau Bello Ekundayo decided to disengage Chief Owonla and appointed Gabfob Properties Investments as their new land agent.

    ‘’Chief Owonla, a graduate of Business Administration from the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, is equally a landlord on the said property, having bought 15 acres with genuine documents directly from the judgment creditor, late Chief Arimiyau Bello Ekundayo, long before his death,  and this his children and family can attest to.’

  • Makinde’ll surpass Ajimobi, others in achievements

    Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, has said that the spate of achievements by the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration will not decline as the government is working to surpass its predecessors’ achievements in infrastructure and human capital development.

    The commissioner stated this at the 10th year anniversary of Oke-Ogun FM, a state-owned radio station at Alaga in Itesiwaju Local Government Area on Wednesday.

    Olatunbosun said that the government was aware of its critics’ model of argument that the pace of achievements by the incumbent would soon reduce with time, adding that Governor Makinde’s innumerable feats recorded within his first 100 days in office were what he called the icing on the cake of developmental agenda, in accordance with the pact he signed with the people during his campaigns.

    Read Also: Why I can’t settle Makinde, ZLP’s rift, by Ladoja

    He said: “Within 100 days in office, Governor Seyi Makinde has made a landmark in security, healthcare system, agriculture, educational advancement, economic expansion, workers’ welfare and accountability, but some people are saying that the pace would soon retrogress. I have news for them, tell them that we are just starting.

    “This administration signed a pact of infrastructural and human capital development with the people during electioneering campaign and fulfillment of this pact has just started. They have not seen anything yet.

    “The target is to surpass the previous administrations, including the last one, in the areas I have highlighted and continue to do those good things people never thought possible till the administration breasts the tape.”

    The commissioner added that the state government would not relent in its continuous efforts towards ensuring total development around the state to attract foreign investors for partnership.

    In his remarks, the General Manager, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Prince Dotun Oyelade, who was represented by the Director of News, Mrs. Adeola Adedotun, sought the support of th state government to make Oke -Ogun FM the best among its equals.

  • Up, up goes price of rice

    Consumers have expressed concern as the price of rice has continued to increase, a development, which has left vendors and consumers bitter, JANE CHIJIOKE writes

    Early this year, former Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Audu Ogbeh said the country had attained 90 per cent of rice production.

    He said the country had moved from being a major importer of rice to being self-reliant in its production. He said it did not only have the capacity to feed itself, but had also become a major player in agricultural export to other countries.

    Like Ogbeh, the Rice Farmers Association (RIFAN) said the country had attained a yearly production of eight million metric tonnes of rice, with a target of 18 million metric tonnes by 2023.

    The contrast

    These indices seemed to be farfetched from what was obtained in some markets visited. Rice vendors lamented the shortage. Since the border closure, they claimed that manufacturers and distributors had distributed short supply and the goods were rationed to get an even distribution in various markets across the country.

    They said sometimes they were  out of goods because the manufacturers did not have rice to sell.  The shortfall they noted has been the major cause for the constant increase in price as manufacturers cannot meet up with the demand.

    Barely three weeks after the closure of the border, the price of Nigerian rice skyrocketed from N12,000 – N13,300 to N15,000. At the moment, it is being sold for between N17, 000 and N19,000, depending on the brand. Brands, such as Famous, Lake Rice, Bigbull, Al-hamzad, Humza, and Olams Labana fall in this category.  A  derica of rice sells for N350 to N400. It is believed that, in few days, the price would go beyond N20,000.

    Following the disappearance of foreign rice from the market, some rice vendors refill empty foreign rice bags with the local rice, branding it as ‘foreign’.  Such rice is sold for N21,000 and N23,000.

    At various markets visited, traders and consumers lamented the increase. They said it had become difficult to eat rice, adding that the food item was going out of their reach. They appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to reopen the borders as the country was yet to attain self-sufficiency in food production.

    For a consumer, Mrs. Gift Maduka, the increasing price of rice is a nightmare to cope with in her family of six.

    Traders lamented that rice had become a scarce commodity.

    A trader at Iddo Rice Market, Mr. Yemi Jelil said: “I requested for 25 bags of one brand of rice, they refused to sell to me. I only got 10 bags at N17,800 per bag. There is no rice. What they have is not sufficient. They ration the ones they have. It is not just about the popular brands, the scarcity affects all brands. When you request for a particular quantity, you get something lesser or, at worst, they tell you they don’t have.

    “On our part the sellers, we make do with the little we have pending when we are able to get some to sell. So the scarcity inflates the price and this is greatly affecting us. Our customers are complaining. They buy at a particular price, by the time they come again, the price would have increased. There is no regulation on the price. Going by the way the price is rising, it will surely exceed N20, 000 in few days,” he said.

    Another wholesale trader at the market, Mrs. Suliat said she had not been able to buy rice since last week.

    “I have booked for supply since last week, but no response yet.  At the moment, I don’t have rice to sell. I am a wholesaler that supplies to other traders in the market. So, imagine me unable to get rice, so how much more for  traders who buy in little quantity from me to resell in the market?” When it eventually becomes available, the price will skyrocket.”

    A trader at Orile Market, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, who refused to mention his name, said the government ‘s initiative to force Nigerians to consume homegrown rice was not  realistic given that there is shortage of supply and production  nationwide.

    Though a good initiative, he said the escalation of price was a testament to the short fall of basic requirements needed in the rice value chain.

    “How many rice farmers or millers do we have? How much of rice is produced on a daily basis.  In   what ways is government making agriculture attractive for the young one to venture into?  Are there seed or soft loans for them? Do we have enough mills in the country? Is the government subsiding rice paddy or regulating  price? he asked.

    He lamented that  a state with large  population, such as Lagos, depended on rice produced in the North. Also, the infrastructural deficit makes it difficult  to ferry  goods cheaply to their destinations.

    He advised the government not to depend on data from rice farmers, millers and distributors but also monitor the markets to get feedbacks from sellers and even consumers.

    This will help them to get robust information to use to boost rice production, he added.

    There is no scarcity of rice

    The Iyaloja of Daleko Rice Market, Mrs Jumlar Solaja, said there was no shortage of rice. She said new rice paddy would soon be out. She remarked that the market always received trailers of rice.

    Asked why the price is constantly on the increase she said: “The issue is that many people are not on the farm. We need more hands in the farm because there is market for it. When we have enough hands producing rice, there would be enough rice paddies and the price will crash. This is our reality.”

    On his part, the National Vice President of Rice Farmers Association (RIFAN), Mr Segun Atho, explained that there was no scarcity of rice as farmers were growing rice almost four times yearly.

    He noted that there was surplus rice paddy. Asked why the price is high, he said: “I will not speak on that. What I am sure of is that there is rice in the country. Let us be patient with ourselves.”

  • Fashola tasks youth on nation building

    The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola on Thursday called on the youth to rise up to the responsibility of nation building, as the future belonged to them.

    Fashola made the call during the 81st anniversary, Ikoyi Club 1938 Lecture in Lagos.

    Speaking on the topic “Youths and Leadership in Nation Building”, the minister said that there were several opportunities youths must seize locally by taking responsibility, instead of migrating to other countries.

    “Have we built that spirit that we will not give up on our country? There is a lot of goodness here in Nigeria, unless you change your mindset, you will not see it,” he said.

    Fashola urged youths to change from that mindset of entitlement only to include duties to the nation, to ensure development of the country.

    Read Also: How research can solve social problems, by Fashola

    He said that every generation had duties it must carry out and challenged Nigerian youths to take initiative to change trends.

    The minister said that youths locally and globally who chose to act to fill leadership vacuum had changed the way things were done in various sectors, lifestyles and livelihoods.

    “Youths should have a sense of duty, every generation of youths must understand their duty and rise up to it. That sense of duty and responsibility is what is important.

    “Everybody has a space to contribute if we move away from our sense of entitlement,” he said.

    Speaking on duty and leadership, he said young people had the responsibility of defending a nation.

    He said that the responsibility to build Nigeria fell “squarely on the shoulders of the young people”.

    Fashola prayed for God’s blessings on the nation and Ikoyi Club.

    “We must applaud government when they do well and not wait till our leaders die to begin to roll out encomiums,” he said.

    He said that we are better in Nigeria than we think, while reeling out ugly sides of other countries which they cover up.

    Fashola said that several of his mates in law school who ran abroad had returned home.

    Leaders of the club earlier took turns to shower accolades and encomiums on the minister, who is also a member of the Ikoyi Club.

    (NAN)

  • Power Supply: Gbajabiamila frowns at unpatriotic public officers

    Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila says that unpatriotic activities of serving and retired public office holders are responsible for the socio-economic misfortune in the power sector.

    Gbajabiamila spoke while declaring open the investigative hearing into the Federal Government’s abandoned power projects from 1999 to date.

    The speaker, represented by the Chief Whip, Rep. Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno), expressed his displeasure with the state of power in the country.

    He said that the motion on the need to review government’s expenditure on the power sector to ensure sustenance of the power reform programme in Nigeria was referred to the Ad-hoc Committee on Thursday.

    “You will agree with me that from 1999 to date, the National Assembly has appropriated huge sums of monies in the power sector and there are lots and much to be desired from the sector.

    Read Also: Reps urge Fed Govt to curtail Lassa fever outbreak

    “The problem is you and I; we are not patriotic enough in the discharge of our responsibilities to our nation.

    “Again, I want to state that it is embarrassing that when you pick-up newspaper, what you read is probe, probe, and probe; many heads to roll; EFCC to investigate.

    “It is time in our nation building to rethink and press the reset button on what we do, how we do them with a view to ensuring that we get value for the monies appropriated for projects,” he said.

    Gbajabiamila said that Nigerians were virtually in every part of the world largely in search of stable electricity supply, good medical health facilities, quality education among others.

    According to him, it is time we out our hearts correcting all that is wrong so that we can create an enabling environment for our children.

    “The constitution of this Ad-hoc Committee is to enable the House in moving forward, take a critical evaluation of monies appropriated vis-a-vis their utilisations.

    “However, in the course of carrying out this assignment, the committee is at liberty in line with Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to invite any organisation, agency, person, either still in active service or retired to make clarification where necessary,” he stressed.

    Also, Rep. Usman Kumo (APC-Gombe) Acting Chairman of the ad hoc committee, explained that the exercise was aimed at reviewing government’s expenditure in the power sector from 1999 to date.

    He said that committee was constituted on Wednesday with a clear mandate to investigate the Federal Government’s abandoned power projects.

    Kumo said that the aim was to find the major encumbrances affecting the projects and to make appropriate recommendations on the ways to complete the projects within the life span of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    “Having established the powers and legitimacy of our action, we are here today to provide all relevant stakeholders the platform and opportunity to make their informed submissions and contributions on the matter.

    “We therefore, urge you to be objective, truthful and observe decorum throughout our sitting here today,” he said.

    Stakeholders at the event include Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), management team from all the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and GENCOS, among others.

    (NAN)

  • ICPC recovers three ambulances, 500KVA Transformer from Senator Buruji Kashamu

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Thursday said it has recovered three ambulances and a 500KVA Transformer which are Constituency Project items from Sen. Buruji Kashamu.

    The agency said the items were part of 2016 Constituency Projects meant to be distributed to Ogun East Senatorial District.

    The items were discovered at his Constituency Project Office in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

    A statement by the Spokesperson for the Commission, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, mni, said the commission uncovered the items following intelligence alert by a concerned citizen.

    Read Also: Constituency projects: Our findings will shock Nigerians – ICPC

    The statement said: “The three ambulances which were procured at the cost of N6m each, were meant to be supplied to Obada Healthcare Centre, Oke Sopin in Ijebu North Local Government Area; Community Health Centre, Itele in  Ijebu East Local Government Area; and Community Health Centre, Ogijo in Sagamu Local Government Area respectively.

    “The transformer is the last of an initial eleven meant for distribution to various communities of Ogun East Senatorial District which were procured at the cost of N3.6m each, bringing the total for the entire eleven transformers to N39.5m.

    “The commission received intelligence about the items from a concerned citizen who became aware of the commission’s Constituency Project Tracking Group initiative which exercise has so far covered 12 states of the federation.

    “The recovered items were seized and the vehicles were moved to a Police Station while the 500KVA Transformer was marked with the Commission’s seizure seal and in the interim, kept in the custody of the Manager of the Senator’s office.

  • Members’ posters for 2023 presidency, ploy to cause distractions, disharmony – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has distant itself from posters of its members contesting for 2023 presidency.

    The party says that such posters were posted by mischief makers and not from the party members.

    The National Publicity Secretary of APC, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, who said this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, said that the party did not have any activity about 2023 elections than to focus on governance.

    The posters of APC chieftain, Bola Tinubu, Gov. Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State and the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, had been sighted in some parts of the country.

    Read Also: PDP will struggle to get 25 per cent of Kogi votes, says APC DG Adeyemi

    Issa-Onilu, who said that the governing party was faced with challenges of governance, security, economy and corruption, said that it would focus on policies, projects and programmes that were imperative to Nigerians.

    “As a party, we want to state clearly that having won elections convincingly and having been given the mandate to run government for the next four years, our major and only focus now is governance.

    “We are not engaging in any other activity about 2023 elections.

    “Wherever you see such (posters) you can be sure it is from mischief makers to continue to take actions to cause distractions for the governing party.

    “We are to deal with the challenges of governance, security, economy and corruption as well as other associated issues. That is what we are focused on.

    “So, as a party, we understand that the social contract we have signed with the people of Nigeria with the renewal of our mandate,” the party’s

    Issa-Onilu also urged the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) not to undermine the order and security, particularly the judiciary as an important institution of the country.

    (NAN)

  • Tiv/Jukun leaders in Taraba agree to ceasefire

    The leaderships of the Tiv and Junkun waring factions in the Southern part of Taraba on Thursday, agreed to a ceasefire to allow the return of normalcy to the area.

    This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day peace meeting held in Jalingo, Taraba, with representatives of the tribes, government officials and state security chiefs.

    Government officials and security agencies in the state also attended the meeting.

    According to the communiqué, speakers at the meeting condemned the crisis and stressed the need for cessation of all forms of hostilities between the two communities to have way for the peace building effort being spearheaded by the state government.

    Read Also: Jukun-Tiv conflict: Catholic bishops call for peace

    “The meeting noted that the crisis had been hijacked by criminal elements from both the Jukun and Tiv communities and therefore, the two communities should expose the criminal elements amongst them.

    “We also resolved to stop reprisal attacks or revenge from both parties but report all from of security breaches to the security agencies for appropriate action.

    “There is every need for government to take deliberate steps to encourage the Internally Displaced Persons to return to their homes since adequate security operatives have been deployed to the affected communities to protect lives and property,’ the leaders said.

    The leaders urged journalists to be more positive in their reportage while the parties also charged the communities to be wary of rumours that are capable of inciting the people and destabilising the entire peace process.

    The communiqué was signed by the Deputy Governor, Haruna Manu as representative of the state government, Mr Danjuma Adamu and John Mamman signed for the Jukun community while Mr Jime Yongo and Mr Isaac Waakaa signed on behalf of the Tiv community.

    The communal crisis between Tiv and Jukun of Taraba has claimed many lives and property worth billions of Naira in Takum, Wukari and Donga local government areas of the state.

    (NAN)