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  • Wike seeks creation of state police

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has called for the establishment of state police to fight insecurity in the country.

    Wike spoke on Wednesday when the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, Ms. Agnes Callamard, visited him at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

    According to him, the creation of state police would help to resolve the current insecurity bedevilling the country. He stressed that the present security structure makes it difficult for the Federal Police to respond quickly to security challenges.

    He said: “We believe that there should be state police for us to effectively fight crime in the country. Our system is fashioned towards the United States, which has Federal, State and Local Police. Each of them has their responsibilities. In the present situation, if a crime is committed, the Commissioner of Police will first report to the Inspector General of Police, before taking any action.”

    Read Also: Rivers did not demolish any mosque, says Wike

    Wike told the delegation that the government established the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency to support security agencies with information, but the agency was frustrated for political reasons.

    “We established the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency which would have helped the security agencies with information, but it was politicised by the Federal Government when they sent the Army to ensure that it did not come to fruition.

    “If the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency was allowed, probably we would have solved part of the security problems,” he added.

    Governor Wike reiterated that if the amended Electoral Act had been assented to by the President, electoral violence would have been reduced to the barest minimum, as there wouldn’t have been any incentive to snatch materials and manipulate the electoral process.

    He berated the Army for perpetuating violence during the 2019 elections, saying the negative action of the Army was such that several embassies were shocked.

    Ms. Callamard said she is interested in documenting the nature and extent of killings by state and non-state actors. “I am interested on how the Federal and state governments respond to the challenges of violence by state and non-state actors. I would be grateful if you will share with us, information on killings by the state and non-state actors,” she said.

  • ‘Bello trying to manipulate delegates’ list’

    Some of the aspirants for today’s governorship primary of the Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC) have accused Governor Yahaya Bello of trying to manipulate the list of delegates for the primary election.

    Sources close to some of the aspirants told The Nation that they have information that the governor was working with some unnamed officials at the party’s national secretariat to alter the delegates’ list because of fears that some of them may not vote for him.

    According to the APC electoral guidelines for the conduct of indirect primaries, only officials of the party from the ward, local government and state constitute delegates for the primary election scheduled to hold in Lokoja today.

    Read Also: Our disqualification ploy to throw up Bello as candidate, say aspirants

    Aside the party officials who constitute delegates, there are also statutory delegates made up of members of the state and National Assembly as well as national officials from the state.

    The source showed The Nation a document they obtained from INEC which was supposedly transmitted to the commission on July 24, containing names of the delegates for the primary.

    The source said: “Bello is afraid that more aspirants have been cleared to contest against him. He is no longer comfortable and so he is doing everything he can to manipulate the list of delegates and import names into the list.”

    The source asked the party’s national leadership y to allow a level-playing ground for all aspirants.

    There are 239 wards within the 21 local government areas of Kogi State and executive members of the parry in these wards and local government and state officials are delegates to the primary.

  • Aiteo: Optimal gas utilisation can solve power supply issue

    The Group Managing Director, Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited, Victor Okoronkwo, has said Nigeria’s power shortage could be resolved through optimal utilisation of the nation’s huge gas deposits.

    Okoronkwo spoke at a panel session of the conference titled: Effect of sanctity of contract on Commercial Operation’ organised by the National Association of Energy Correspondents in Lagos.

    To him, lack of appropriate synergy between policy makers and players in the energy sub-sector is a major factor for the nation’s epileptic electricity supply. He said government should show greater commitment to power generation by providing favourable environment in  order to attract more investors.

    He said Aiteo Group is negotiating an alternative financing package that would enable it fund about $5 billion investment to be able to increase its oil production to about 250,000 barrels per day (bpd).This  will also  grow gas output to about three million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of gas.

    Read Also: Why Nigerians are not enjoying regular power supply, by Osinbajo

    “There will be a blend of financing options depending on the alternative financing mechanism the company is working out with its joint venture partner.”

    Okoronkwo also stated that Aiteo operates key strategic business of oil infrastructure in Nigeria and a major stakeholder across the energy value chain with huge investments in the country. The company, Okonkwo said, was one of the biggest single investment decision makers up to 2014, when it invested over $2.5 billion in acquiring oil milling lease (OML) 29 asset.

    “The company is Nigeria’s largest indigenous company by production and we are committed to producing between 80,000 bpd and 90,000 bpd. In the short to mid-term, we are going to 150,000 bpd and in the mid to long term we are going to 250,000 bpd, we want to secure energy supply for the rest of Africa and move from fossil fuel to clean fuel,” he said.

  • Fed Govt loses 30% procurement budget

    The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN) on Wednesday said the country loses about 30per cent of her procurement budget yearly due to ineffective and inefficient procurement process and system.

    It said this is largely proliferated by non-professionals and quacks.

    A report by the World Bank revealed that most countries spend between 80 per cent to 90per cent of their budget on procurement. One can only imagine the amount that will have been wasted due to inefficient procurement process.

    Read Also: Fed Govt audits 500 ex-Nigeria Airways staff

    CIPSMN President, Alhaji Jubrin Ado, spoke in Abuja at its Batch-B Mandatory Proficiency Development Programme (MPDP), with “Ensuring Compliance with Statutory provisions of the PPA 2007 and Leveraging Procurement Professionalism and best practices for the Growth of Nigerian Economy as theme.

    He said: “Nigeria wastes at least 30 per cent of the money earmarked for procurement due to ineffective procurement system and process.

    “There is no gain saying that some people are hell bent on manipulating the procurement profession and professionalism in order to continue with the mess.”

  • LG chair charges elective officers on their campaign promises

    The Local Government Chairman of Ajeromi Ifelodun, Hon Shuaib Fatia Ajidagba has called on public office holders to focus on delivering on their campaign promises as that would help them live good legacy for posterity.

    Ajidagba said this at the Lagos City Biggest Leadership conference and award organized by Success in Leadership Conference 2019 in conjunction with Hall of Fame held in Lagos.

    The theme: Taking The Lead brought together had government representatives, business leaders, and youths in attendance.

    Read Also: Human trafficking: FG launches ‘Not for Sale’ campaign

    He said that government at all levels must be responsible to the needs of the people as Nigeria is in dire of development and that beacons on public office holders to be alive to their responsibilities.

    He asserted that leadership is about influence, impact and leaving good legacy for others to follow, adding that Nigerians will be better off if leaders do things that better the lots of the people.

    He said that it is sad that many public office holders are becoming self-centered and self-serving rather than serving the communities and the nation, adding that Nigerians are wiser now and would speak out with their vote.

  • Appeal court sets aside high court judgment over Atan, Ota land

    The Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, has set aside the judgment of an Ogun State High Court granting statutory right of occupancy on parcels of land situate at Ajelanwa Olowo Igbo village and Kajola Iboro village via Atan Ota, Ogun State, to persons standing for the Oyeyemi Asalu family.

    The appellate court, in its unanimous decision, also dismissed the suit filed by respondents: Oba Samuel Olufemi Ojugbele and three others for themselves and on behalf of members of Oyeyemi Asalu family of Iga, Isalu Ota.

    It awarded N250,000 against the family.

    Alhaji Yekini Solabi, Lamina Solabi, Jimoh Jolaoso Solabi, Fasasi Solabi, Mojidi Solabi, Ibrahim Solabi, Alhaji Mutairu Owoeye, Ganiyu Owoeye, Tunde (a.k.a. One Hour) had approached the appellate court seeking an upturn of the lower court judgment, which upheld them as customary tenants.

    The court held that Oba Samuel Ojugbele, Alhaji Suraju Olusesi, Babatunde Akinade and Chief Abayomi Ojugbele, who were the first set of respondents in the appeal,  failed to provide the particulars of the intervening owners through whom they claim as true owners of the land.

    Read Also: Olubadan vs 21 Kings: Don’t twist Court of Appeal ruling-Ibadan family heads

    It insisted that to accept their claim of being Oyeyemi’s  direct children, they must prove their link with positive evidence how the land devolved from Oyeyemi to them. “Failure to establish this link is fatal to the claimants’ case.” The court held.

    The appellate court argued that in their (respondents) pleadings, they left a gap unfilled by claiming that Oyeyemi bore only Ilo. It stated that their pleadings which stated that Oyeyemi built more huts for people, including ‘his children’, suggested that he had children, not a child, meaning that the claimants did not give the names of other children.

    “It is the law that parties are bound by their pleadings,” it held.

    “The court cannot grant them right of occupancy on a land that does not exclusively belong to them.

    “Based upon the foregoing, I am of the view that the learned judge ought to have made a finding of fact on whether Oyeyemi actually had children or Ilo was his only child. Where a finding of fact is not made on a crucial issue like this, an appeal will be allowed,” the court held.

  • We’ll keep facilitating partnership for joint ventures, says Abiodun

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has affirmed his administration’s resolve to facilitate partnerships and ensure that whatever needed to be put in place to make such joint venture viable is done.

    Abiodun, who spoke in his office at Oke-Mosan, while hosting an agro-food and business food company, Elephant Group Plc, said his administration was poised to remove all forms of bottlenecks in business partnership to further improve the ranking of the state in terms of doing business.

    He noted that the state in fulfilment of its desire to revolutionise agriculture, inaugurated a steering committee to oversee the Ogun State Anchor Borrowers Programme, adding that government would be allocating lands to the first set of 10,000 farmers in a few weeks.

    “We will do everything to facilitate partnership and ensure that whatever we need to do to make this partnership to work will be done. We want to remove the bottlenecks and we want to improve our ranking in terms of doing business,” he said.

    Read Also: Abiodun to reposition public service for effectiveness

    Abiodun, who said the vision of his administration is driven by the Public-Private Partnership approach, added that his administration was committed to ensure that investors do not go through multiple windows, as a Bill, Ogun Invest, is currently at the House of Assembly.

    Group Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, Elephant Group Plc, Mr. Olatunji Owoeye, noted that the company, with its over 25 years of experience in agriculture business, would assist the state in its quest to revolutionise the agricultural sector.

    He assured that the company would help the government to actualise its dream of employing 40,000 farmers in two years, stating that his company’s relationship with Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) like the Bank of Industry (BoI) and Bank of Agriculture (BoA), would add value to the planned agricultural revolution in the state.

  • No hiding place for criminals in Osun, says Oyetola

    Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has pledged his administration’s continued support to security agencies, declaring that there is no hiding place for criminals.

    He said the administration is poised to raise the bar of security by providing the necessary logistics and security architecture that will enable the security operatives to perform their duties efficiently, effectively and diligently.

    Oyetola reiterated these on Wednesday while inaugurating the newly built 12 One Bedroom Single Officers Quarters, at the 209 Quick Response Group (QRG) Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, Ipetu-Ijesa.

    The governor, who solicited the continued support and cooperation of the security agencies, said the state would continue to work in partnership with relevant security agencies and stakeholders to strengthen security and ensure maximum protection of lives and property of the citizenry.

    He said the inauguration of the officers’ quarters was a clear demonstration of the interest the Air Force boss has in his officers and men, adding that the attention being given to the welfare of Air Force officers and men is, therefore, a huge contribution to the nation’s military strength and capacity.

    “It is on the basis of this realisation that I would like to salute the vision and leadership of the Chief of Air Staff and appreciate his contributions to the security needs of the nation,” the governor said.

    He said the state has been working in collaboration with other Southwest states to enhance the security architecture in the region.

    Read Also: Southwest gets nod to establish security outfit

    Hailing the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for being supportive to the security agencies, the governor also applauded the leadership of the Air Force for joining hands with other security agencies during the emerging security challenges in the state and Nigeria at large.

    Oyetola said: “I thank President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the establishment of an Air Force Base in Ipetu-Ijesa to promptly respond to emerging security challenges in the Southwestern part of the country and for providing necessary support to sustain the operations of the Base.

    “I also understand that very soon, a Regimental Centre Annex to train Special Forces personnel will come on stream here. I would like to thank the Chief of Air Staff for considering Osun for this all important centre.

    “I solicit the continued support of the Air Force in our resolve to keep the Region and our people safe,” Oyetola said.

    On his part, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, commended Oyetola and President Buhari for being supportive to the Force in its quest to provide adequate security in the country.

    He said the Force has been enjoying hands of fellowship and prompt support from the state and federal governments – a gesture he described as a motivation and encouragement.

    Abubakar, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Napoleon Bali Rinkap, pledged that the Force will re-double its efforts at ensuring the security of lives and property of the citizens.

    Those in attendance at the ceremony include: Former Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin; Commander Nigerian Air Force 209 Quick Response Group, Ipetu-Ijesa, Wing Commander D.M Komo; Secretary to the State Government Prince Wole Oyebamiji; Chief of Staff to the Governor Dr. Charles Akinola and Head of Service Dr. Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade.

    Others are: Owa Obokun of Ijesaland Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran and Ajalaye of Ipetu-Ijesa Oba Adeleke Agunbiade among others.

  • Residents render homeless as rainstorm destroys Ekiti communities

    Many residents of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, and Ikere Ekiti, headquarters of Ikere Local Government, have been rendered homeless, following a heavy rainstorm that left property worth millions destroyed.

    The rainstorm, which began around 8p.m. on Tuesday and fell intermittently throughout  the night until 6a.m. on Wednesday, was accompanied by violent whirlwind.

    Some of the affected areas in the state capital include Ureje area on Polytechnic road and other adjoining communities such as Boom Town, Eminrin and Ijelu village, fondly called Aba Oyinbo by commuters.

    Read Also: Flood: Residents urge demolition of shanties

    Also affected in Ikere-Ekiti were Kajola Adun Ogbon in Oke-Osun, Eti-Osun and Alade Filling Station in Odo Oja.

    When The Nation visited the affected areas, it was observed that some pieces of roofing sheets, smashed ceiling and debris littered the roads with many livestock, houses and cars badly damaged.

    Other property destroyed included church buildings and business outfits.

    The communities have appealed for government’s urgent assistance.

  • APC clears more aspirants for Kogi primary

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) has cleared six more aspirants to contest the party’s governorship primary scheduled for tomorrow in Lokoja.

    This brings to ten, the number of aspirants out of the 16 that purchased nomination forms, who will contest the election.

    It also approved the disqualification of six others.

    The immediate past Resident Electoral Commissioner for Cross River State, Frankland Briyal was disqualified for Bayelsa State governorship primary, saying it could not find evidence of his membership of the party, having joined less than one month to the primary.

    Those disqualified in Kogi the two sons of late Prince Abubakar Audu – Mustapha and Mohammed Abubakar Audu; Prof. Mohammed Seidu Onaili, Usman Oyibe Jibrin, Mustapha Mona Audu, Rukkaya Ibrahim, Gen. Patrick Adenu Akpa, Muhammed Abubakar Unukwu Audu.

    The screening committee headed by Senator Hope Uzodinma had disqualified 12 of the 16 aspirants for not meeting some of the requirements spelt out in the guidelines.

    Those, who will now contest the party’s ticket, are Governor Yahaya Bello, Babatunde Irukera, Hadiza Iyoma Ibrahim, Yahaya Odidi Audu, Sani Lulu Abdullahi, Abubakar Bashir, Danlami Umar Mohammed, Yakubu Mohammed, Hassan Abdullahi and Ekele Aishat Blessing.

    APC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu said in a statement that the party relied on the provisions of its guidelines and the electoral act in arriving at a final decision.The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared a governorship aspirant, Babatunde Ayo Kunle Irukera to contest the Party’s Kogi governorship primaries.

    Read Also: Protesters block APC secretariat, demand explanation for Irukera’s disqualification

    Ironically, Irukera, who was initially listed among those who were disqualified, was announced late yesterday that he successfully met the conditions provided by the party’s guidelines for the nomination of candidates within the time granted to clarify his claims.

    Issa-Onilu’s statement reads: “The APC National Working Committee has deliberated on the reports of the screening and appeal committees for the party’s Kogi governorship aspirants.

    “After a comprehensive review of the submissions by the two committees, relying on the party’s guidelines and the provisions of the Electoral Act, nine aspirants were finally cleared to contest the August 29, 2019 Indirect Governorship primary. Seven other aspirants did not meet the requirements for participation in the exercise.”

    On Bayelsa, Onilu said the NWC upheld the reports of the screening and appeal committees, clearing six of the seven aspirants that bought nomination forms.

    He said: “Of the total seven governorship aspirants that were screened, six were cleared to participate in the governorship primary. They are: Mr. Aganaba Preye Steven, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Prince Ebitimi Christopher Amgbare, Ms Diseye Nsirim Poweigha, Mr. Lyon David Pereworimini and Engr. Prof (Mrs.) Ongoebi Maureen Etebu.

    “Dr. Briyai Oyeins Frankland was not cleared to participate in the party’s governorship primary.

    “The APC NWC upheld the disqualification of Frankland based on Section 3 Paragraph “L” of the party’s guidelines for the nomination of candidates, which requires that aspirants are card-carrying members of the party for a period of one year.

    “The party also found no record of his membership of APC and was therefore considered ineligible.”

    But, a group of protesters on the platform of Kogi Mandate Group, yesterday evening, blocked entrance to the APC national secretariat, demanding explanation why Irukera was not initially cleared to contest the primary.

    The group alleged that the party’s NWC deliberately omitted the name of Irukera from the list of cleared aspirants even after the Appeals Committee set up by the party had cleared him for the contest.

    Irukera was disqualified by the Screening Committee for invalid declaration of age, not attaching his academic credentials and supporting documents and for his nomination form not duly signed.

    But a copy of the appeal committee’s report sighted by The Nation claimed that they found no evidence to support the claim by the screening committee after listening to oral submission by Irukera and therefore cleared him for the primary.

    However, the group accused the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led NWC of the party of deliberately shutting out Irukera to pave way for Bello to emerge unopposed at the primary billed to hold in Lokoja today.

    Spokesperson for the group, Amos Alfa, expressed surprise that the party went ahead to disqualify Irukera in spite the fact that he was cleared by the screening committee of the party.