The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • AOCOED Council sacks union leaders

    The Governing Council of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Ijanikin, Lagos on Wednesday sacked the chairman, Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN) Wumi Ombugadu.

    The Council equally demoted the secretary and assistant secretary of the union Afis Adebayo and Afolabi Oladipo respectively.

    The Council, led by Professor of Economics Education Tunde Samuel, approved Ombugadu’s retirement and the demotion of two others based on the recommendations of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee.

    Until her retirement, Ombagadu was a Principal Assistant Registrar in the college.
    The development provoked a protest at the college premises led by the National Vice President of SSUCOEN Mr. Nicholas Ogbusuo alongside the Lagos State chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Olufunmi Sessi who condemned Council’s decision as unjust.

    The protesters went around and chasing their members out from the offices.

    Ogbusuo said the panel that took the decision met outside the college, thus making the sitting illegal and condemned the action of the Council.

    He said the council and management ignored the memorandum signed by the state government, governing council, management and SSUCOEN but went ahead to retire and demote two others because they failed to give the management their congress resolution.

    Nonetheless, the Registrar of AOCOED, Mr Muhideen Shehu, described the protest as ‘lawless’.

    ”No constituted authority will accept such action. The management will not tolerate hooliganism and gangsterism on campus. We don’t have any letter about the protest by SSUCOEN. It was a disciplinary action and we surprise about the protest,” Shehu told The Nation.

    Shehu said Ombugadu was retired and paid three month salary in lieu of notice for failure to appear before the governing council’s disciplinary panel.

    Shehu recalled how the trio were initially queried for failure to appear before the panel on alleged infractions, but they flaunted the directive..

    According to him, the governing council had earlier rescinded its decision because of the intervention of the Lagos State government, which directed the three unionists to appear before the panel.

    Shehu said based on the government’s directive, the three were given another chance to defend themselves against allegations of confrontation against the Council and management.

    Muhidden noted that while the two others responded, Ombugadu refused to appear, a development which the Registrar said necessitated different sanctions meted out to the union leaders.

    Going down memory lane, She said after the Council and management agreed to promote the level nine workers, the state government asked the college to reverse the decision but SUUCOEN resisted the move and engaged the Council and management in confrontation.

    ”As I speak to you, Wunmi Ombugadu is no longer the staff of AOCOED. She was compulsorily retired by the governing council. She was paid three-month salary in lieu of notice,” he stated.

    ”Our students are writing their examination. As soon as the news of the protest reached me, I called the Chief Security Officer of the college to invite the police. Normalcy has been restored to the campus.”
    Last month, The Nation broke the story of the imminent sack of the union leaders following the Governing Council deliberations at an undisclosed location around Ikeja.

    Two days after the story broke, the union led another protest where the leadership of SSUCOEN sought Lagos State intervention on the matter.

    Eventually, government waded in and asked both parties to maintain status quo until the latest development.

  • BREAKING: P&ID agents admit fraud, tax evasion charges

    Two agents of the now controversial Irish engineering firm, Process and Industrial Development Limited – have admitted guilt in charges of fraud and tax evasion brought against them by the Federal Government.

    The two – Mohammad Kuchazi, described as Commercial Director, P&ID Ltd, Virgin Island and Adamu Usman, identified as representative of P&ID Nigeria Limited, pleaded guilty before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday to an 11-count charge brought against the firms by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The charge was directed at P&ID Limited (Virgin Island) and its affiliate in Nigeria – P&ID Nigeria Limited. Kuchazi and Usman pleaded on behalf of both companies during the proceedings before Justice Inyang Ekwo.

    They were, among others, accused of fraudulently claiming to have acquired land from the Cross River State Government in 2010 for the Gas Supply Project Agreement (GSPA), in relation to which an arbitration tribunal that sat in London awarded damages estimated at about $9.6billion against Nigeria.

    The companies were accused of committing the offences in relation to the Gas Supply Project Agreement (GSPA) over which a British court recently granted the P&ID the permission to seize Nigeria’s assets in to secure the about $9.6billion judgment given in its favour.

    While Usman, who is a lawyer, represented himself, Kuchazi was represented by a lawyer, Dandison Akurunwua.

     

    Details shortly.

  • Muslims, Oro worshippers in war of words over festival

    The controversy surrounding the celebration of Oro traditional festival in Iseyin town, Oyo State, on Wednesday took a new twist, as worshippers of the deity pointed accusing fingers at the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), for allegedly instigating the government to cancel the annual festival.

    The leaders of Oro deity had directed the worshippers to go ahead with their planned 17-day festivities, in defiance of a government order, which stopped the festival.

    The traditionalists, in a statement signed by one of their leaders, Chief Oloyede Orogbensola, said there was no legal pronouncement stopping the festival.

    Orogbensola, who signed a statement on behalf of the Traditional Religions Worshippers’ Association of Nigeria, accused NSCIA, Iseyin chapter, of intolerant of other religions.

    Read Also: Nine Oro members held for ‘attacking’ Muslims in Ogun

    The NSCIA had through its officials, including the Publicity Secretary, Maruf Mustapha, warned against the 17-day set aside for this year’s festival.

    It said such celebration usually impugned on the rights of the people in the area to go about their lawful duties without hindrance and also had the tendency for adherents to resort to violence and maim its members, as witnessed in the past.

    But Orogbensola urged Governor Seyi Makinde and the public to ignore the tissue of lies and misinformation being spread by NSCIA that Oro worshippers were violent and had been disturbing the peace of the town over the years.

    He noted that contrary to the lies that Oro worshippers had been attacking Muslims and non-Muslims in Iseyin, the worshippers and other traditionalists had always been at the receiving end of violent attacks from Muslims over the years.

    itual cleansing of Iseyinland.”

    He added that despite the unprovoked attacks on Oro worshippers by the Muslim groups, the festival would go ahead as planned on September 22 because there was no legal restraint against the annual festival.

    The traditionalists said the claim by the Muslim group that the Oro festival would last 17 days was another attempt at exaggeration and blackmail, noting that it is only slated for two of those days, the seventh day and the 17th day that women are banned from seeing the masquerade.

    They said the other days were for festivities.

  • Champions League: Osimhen down plays Lille’s 3-0 loss to Ajax

    Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen believes he and his Lille teammates have learnt useful lessons following their 3-0 defeat in the Champions league by Ajax on Tuesday.

    Osimhen, who was in action for the entire duration of the match remained optimistic that hope still lies ahead.

    The 20 year apparently not in the mood for long talk after the match simply told his teammates and supporters alike “lesson learned, we move”.

    The former VfL Wolfsburg ace had prior to the match revealed that the entire team was on fire during training.

    Unfortunately the zeal to pull a win or run away with vital point failed to materialise for the hard fighting Nigerian and his teammates who will now be hoping to remedy the situation when Ajax come visiting.

    Osimhen comes close to scoring during tie against Ajax

    Business minded Ajax seized control of the battle of Johan Cruijff Arena on Tuesday as early as the 18th minute with a goal from Quincy Anthon with Álvarez Velázquez and Nicolás Tagliafico increasing the tally in the 50th and 62nd minutes respectively.

    Ajax maintained 56 to 44% possession ratios in Tuesday’s match with seven shots on target against five by Lille.

    Ajax came into Tuesday’s match fresh from a 4-1 victory over Heerenveen in the Dutch league while Lille on their part had recorded a 2-1 home victory over Angers SCO prior in the French Ligue 1

  • ICYMI: Disquiet in Presidency over Vice President Osinbajo

    The fate of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who President Muhammadu Buhari once described as a loyal deputy was hanging in the balance last night.

    Prof. Osinbajo has been more than just a number two; he has been the poster boy of the Administration.

    A man of intellectual depth, Osinbajo speaks eloquently about the Administration’s economic policies.

    But on Monday, the Presidency announced the replacement of the Economic Management Team (EMT), which Osinbajo chairs, with an Economic Advisory Council (EAC), to be chaired by Prof Doyin Salami.

    Other members of the new body are Dr. Mohammed Sagagi (Vice-Chairman), Prof Ode Ojowu, Dr Shehu Yahaya, Dr Iyabo Masha, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, Mr Bismark Rewane, and  Dr Mohammed Adaya Salisu (Secretary).

    Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said the advisory council “will be reporting directly to the President”.

    Barely 24 hours after constituting the EAC, there is disquiet within the government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), over alleged plans to relocate some top aides of the Vice President from the Presidential Villa to some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    The developments fueled the claims that some forces were out to “curtail” the VP’s powers by excising some agencies under his supervision.

    Deepening the fears was the alleged memo from President Muhammadu Buhari directing the Vice President to henceforth seek presidential approvals in the running of the agencies under his supervision.

    But Osinbajo denied any rift in the Presidency.

    He said agencies under his supervision are acting constitutionally.

    A statement by his spokesman Laolu Akande said: “Our attention has been drawn to a sensational report by The Cable which claims that His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, has directed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, to seek approvals for agencies under him.

    “The report suggests, falsely, that agencies under the supervision of the Vice President do not normally comply with established rules where presidential approvals are required.

    “This is obviously misleading and aims only to plant seeds of discord in the Presidency while attempting to create unnecessary national hysteria.

    Read Also: Disquiet in Presidency over Vice President Osinbajo

    “The agencies in question are established by law and the Vice President has always insisted on due compliance with the enabling statutes and other established regulations.

    “Depending on the particular scope of activity in question, agencies may require management approval only, at the level of the Director- General or Chief Executive Officer.  In this category fall the great majority of their day-to-day activities.

    “However, other activities, or procurements, with value exceeding a certain threshold, require Board approval. These may get to the agency Board chaired by the Vice President.

    “In a few cases where Presidential approval is required, the Director-General must seek such approval from the President, through the Vice President.

    “These rules have always guided the activities of statutory agencies and the ones under the Vice President’s supervision have always been so guided.”

    The Vice President said he never failed to comply with the law.

    He cautioned against moves to cause disaffection in the presidency especially between him and the President.

    He said he has an effective and mutually respectful relationship with the President.

    He said: “To claim that in the first term of the Buhari administration, agencies of government have not been complying with the provisions (of getting final approvals from the President) is false, and the attempt to suggest the Vice President’s complicity in such irregularities is simply mischievous and reprehensible.

    “The effective and mutually respecting relationship between the President and the Vice President is well known to Nigerians and it is futile to insinuate otherwise.

    “Even though the Vice President has a statutory role as Board Chairman of some government agencies under his office, with appropriate approval limits, which often do not include contract approvals; it is ludicrous to even insinuate that a Board Chairman approves contracts.

    “Evidently, the Federal Executive Council, which oversees Federal ministries and agencies of government, is chaired by the President, and it is in its purview to approve or ratify award of contracts within the prescribed threshold.

    “The Vice President remains committed to the service of his fatherland and will continue to do so despite the purveyors of fake news. We urge media organisations, as gatekeepers to uphold truth, balance, fairness and objectivity in their reports.”

    The agencies being supervised by the Vice President are the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Boundary Commission (NBC), the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) and the Social Investment Programmes (SIP).

    It was gathered that the SIP may now operate under the newly created Ministry of Social Development, Humanitarian Affairs & Disaster Management.

    A top source said: “A proposal has now been forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari seeking his approval for the dispersal of most of the Presidential advisers and aides in the Vice President’s office outside the Presidential Villa.

    “If the President consents, all the VP’s key aides and advisers covering a variety of briefs would then be posted out of the Villa to the MDAs.

    Sources last night spoke of alleged plot to “muzzle” the Vice President ahead of permutations for 2023.

    But a government source said: “I am not aware of political animosity in the Presidency. The reality is that the resources available to the government are shrinking and we have to realign some MDAs within the scarce resources.

    “Go and read the report of Ahmed Joda transition committee in 2015 when this government was being put in place. Restructuring bureaucracy has no tribal or religious colour.

    “No matter what you do, no one can put a wedge between the President and the Vice President. They have mutual respect for each other.”

    Observers believe there will be conflict in the roles of the EAC and the statutory National Economic Council (NEC), headed by the VP.

    The constitution gives NEC the power to “advise” the President on economic affairs.

    Section H of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution says: “The National Economic Council shall comprise the following members – (a) the Vice President (b) the Governor of each state of the Federation; and (c) the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria established under the Central Bank of Nigeria Decree 1991 or any enactment replacing that Decree.

    “The National Economic Council shall have power to advise the President concerning economic affairs of the Federation, and in particular on measures necessary for the co-ordination of the economic planning efforts or economic programmes of the various governments of the Federation.”

    Presidential spokesman Adesina said in the statement announcing the formation of the EAC that it “will advise the President on economic policy matters, including fiscal analysis, economic growth and a range of internal and global economic issues working with the relevant cabinet members and heads of monetary and fiscal agencies.

    He added: “The EAC will have monthly technical sessions as well as scheduled quarterly meetings with the president. The chairman may, however, request for unscheduled meetings if the need arises.”

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said:  “We see the two bodies as one with EAC comprised of economic experts and NEC composed of political leaders. Even the advisory council has no constitutional backing.”

    Another APC chief said: “We are worried because the advisory council is suggesting that the APC administration has run out of ideas such that we are now recruiting some experts used by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the past.”

  • Yemi-Esan replaces Oyo-Ita as Ag. HoCSF

    Barely 24 hours after receiving an  investigative report from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), President Muhammadu Buhari last night removed Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita.

    Oyo-Ita was probed by the anti-graft agency over alleged N3billion fraud in her Office.

    The President appointed the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Folashade  Yemi -Esan as the acting Head of Service.

    Although the President described his decision as “Stabilisation of the Federal Civil Service”, there were indications that he wielded the big stick following some damning revelations in the EFCC report.

    It was learnt last night that Oyo-Ita may face trial along with three Permanent Secretaries. Five directors have indicated their interest to testify against her.

    A statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation said Oyo-Ita will proceed on “indefinite leave” pending the conclusion of investigation by the anti-graft agency.

    The statement signed by Willie Bassey said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan as the Acting Head of the Civil Service of the Federation with immediate effect.

    “Dr. Mrs. Yemi-Esan, who is the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources takes over from Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, who has been directed to proceed on an indefinite leave to allow conclusion of the investigation being carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    “The President has also approved the extension of the tenure of seven (7) retiring Permanent Secretaries for a period of one calendar year with effect from 1st October, 2019 to ensure stability in the Federal Civil Service and effective delivery on the nine priority areas of the administration as well as the mandates given to the new Ministers.

    “The affected Permanent Secretaries are: Mrs. Georgina Ehuriah(Ministry of Interior); Mrs. Ifeoma I. Anagbogu (Women Affairs); Mrs. Grace Gekpe (Information & Culture);Dr. Umar M. Bello(Agriculture & Rural Development; Suleiman Mustapha Lawal(Foreign Affairs); Mrs. Comfort C. Ekaro (Water Resources); Mr. Olusegun A. Adekunle (General Services Office) in the (Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation)

    “Similarly, Mr. President has directed the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to commence the process for the selection of new Permanent Secretaries to replace all retiring Permanent Secretaries.

    “The decision of Government to extend the tenure of these Permanent Secretaries is premised on the need to ensure that the new Ministers are properly guided, briefed about their sectors and to ensure that a solid foundation is laid for the delivery on the Presidential Mandate which they jointly signed.

    “The Permanent Secretaries will also help the Ministers to manage the process for the preparation of the 2020 Budget in line with the commitment of Government to return to the January-December budget circle and help develop various policies and programmes aimed at lifting 100million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years.

    “The action of Mr. President is in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 171 (2) d of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”

    Read Also: Disquiet in Presidency over Vice President Osinbajo

    It was learnt that the last 48 hours was challenging for Mrs Oyo-Ita who had pleaded with the Presidency to allow her to proceed on voluntary retirement.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The EFCC submitted its report on investigation into the alleged N3billion fraud in OHCSF to Buhari on Tuesday. The President bid time to determine Mrs. Oyo-Ita’s fate by allowing the EFCC to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations against her.

    “The outcome of the investigation was damning considering the statement she gave to the EFCC and the testimonies of three Permanent Secretaries and about five directors from various ministries against her. Some of the Permanent Secretaries and directors admitted that contracts were awarded to suspected crony companies.

    “Also, Mrs Oyo-Ita admitted to EFCC detectives that she collected estacodes for trips she never made. The cash was never returned to the coffers of the government in line with the extant rules in the Civil Service.

    “The fact that an officer in OHCSF was found with N600million in his personal account was rated as absurd and unpardonable by the Presidency.”

    A source added: “She had been battling in the last 24 hours to avert her removal but the Presidency insisted that the law must take its course”.

    Investigation by our correspondent last night revealed that the Head of Service might face trial.

    “We have enough evidence to out her on trial any moment from now. We have Permanent Secretaries and directors in the civil service, who have given credible testimonies. They have already filled the witness forms to testify against Oyo-Ita.”

    “We are on the trail of one of her aides, who coordinated some deals in the OHCSF. He was asked to flee abroad to cover up a few things. We will get him.”

  • Oba of Benin: Edo will benefit from Buhari’s govt

    The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewaure II, has said Edo State will benefit from the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The monarch said Edo would not be left out in the current administration.

    The monarch spoke when chairman-designate of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Pius Odubu visited him at the palace.

    According to him, everyone should cooperate, irrespective of political, religious and ethnic affiliation, to attract more federal presence to the state.

    Oba Ewuare II assured the people that the current political tension in the state would soon become a thing of the past as the palace was working to resolve the impasse between the political gladiators.

    Read Also: African American tourists visit Oba of Benin

    He described the appointment of Dr. Odubu as a landmark in the state, and maintained that the palace was keen at ensuring development of the kingdom and the state.

    Odubu said the NDDC board would ensure citizen participation, transparency and accountability in the execution of projects.

    He said: “The board will promote citizen participation, ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of projects within the nine oil producing states that make up the Niger Delta.

    “The board will effectively discharge its duties to the utmost benefit of the oil producing states. The NDDC board, under my leadership, will experience a huge positive difference and significant impact. We will have a different NDDC; one that will have value for money, one that accountability will be the watchword, one that we will go to the people to ask them the project that they want.

    “We will not force projects on the people. We want to make a difference and by God’s grace that will happen.”

  • Ex-Bayelsa PDP senator joins APC

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Senator Nimi Amange, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Amange, who represented Bayelsa East in the Senate, said he joined APC because Governor Seriake Dickson arrogated PDP to himself.

    His intention was contained in a letter he sent to the Chairman of Ward II in Nembe Local Government.

    Amange said his romance with APC started before the 2019 election when he helped the party win his senatorial district and the House of Representatives seat.

    He said: “When I was in PDP, we were enslaved by only one man who regarded himself as emperor. There were no political activities, even if you want to be a councillor. The 105 councillors were nominated by him. The eight chairmen were nominated by him. I cannot be part of that.

    Read Also: Kogi, Bayelsa polls: PDP steps up efforts to unite aggrieved members

    “I was one of the founding fathers of PDP in Bayelsa State. I did not join the PDP; I was part of the formation in August 1998, and I have been there since. But I have never seen this kind of authoritarian rule. So, I have decided to pitch my tent with a party that can uproot the party from the ground so that Bayelsans will be freed. I promise you Bayelsans will be freed come November 16.

    “Today, I can tell you that the APC candidate, David Lyon, comes from Southern Ijaw council; that is the council with the highest voting strength. Definitely, that council is for APC. I come from Nembe and by joining APC, Nembe has fallen into the hands of APC.

    “Brass is where Timipre Sylva comes from and Brass normally is for APC. Those three councils are gone and we can give Kolokuma/Opokuma, the smallest council, to PDP because their candidate is from there. Sagbama, where the present governor comes from, will be donated to him because his running mate is from there.

    “Where the governor comes from is where he picked his party’s deputy governorship candidate from. The question is what will other councils do? We can still donate that to him. We are taking three, they are taking two. The remaining councils are 50/50.”

  • Ruling on Abia governorship tomorrow

    The Abia State election petition tribunal will rule tomorrow on the suit between All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate Alex Otti and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Read Also: Anambra Central: I will challenge tribunal ruling, says Umeh

    Although the tribunal is yet to release a statement, Otti’s media aide Ferdinand Ekeoma confirmed the information.

    Ekeoma, who said he would not want to pre-empt the ruling, said Otti’s legal team had done what they should and was waiting for the judgment.

  • Fed Govt urges governors to ensure internal security

    Interior Minister Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Wednesday urged governors, particularly those in the Northeast and Northwest, to fight insecurity.

    This, the minister said, could be through the deployment of modern technology to support the efforts of the Federal Government and security personnel in combating all forms of crime and criminality in the zones.

    Aregbesola spoke in his office in Abuja when he hosted Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i on a courtesy visit.

    He pleaded with other governors to emulate the Kaduna State government’s model on security.

    The minister said crime had become complex across the world and that it could best be tackled with the use of modern technology to protect life and property in the country.

    Read Also: Nigeria security situation critical, says Naval Chief

    “Through the use of modern technology, the menace of banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping and other vices bedevilling the country will be put behind within the shortest possible time,” Aregbesola said.

    The minister said this would influence the development of an effective strategy on a regional basis for curtailing insecurity and its attendant challenges.

    A statement by the Director (Press and Public Relations) in the ministry, Mohammed Manga, said the minister stressed that security is the key to effective, meaningful and social interaction.

    He added that the nation’s economy depends on its internal security.

    Praising El-Rufai for seeking collaboration with the Federal Government in the fight against insecurity, Aregbesola noted that the security challenges facing the country required collective effort to handle.

    He urged governors to collaborating with the Federal Government in order to provide safety and security for Nigerians.

    El-Rufai said he was at the ministry to congratulate the minister on his recent appointment and to seek collaboration on how best to tackle insecurity in his state.

    He said the Federal Government had done well towards in securing the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway with the deployment of security personnel from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in charge of national security.