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  • Falana warns against illegal agreement with foreign nations

    Activist lawyer Mr Femi Falana (SAN) has warned Nigeria against entering into what he called illegal agreements in billions of dollars with foreign countries that may be challenged and set aside.

    The lawyer addressed reporters in Abuja on the decision of Western Sahara to challenge the “illegal” importation of tonnes of phosphates and other natural resources from their country into Nigeria by Morocco.

    He advised Nigerian government to be weary of agreements and treaty it signed with Morocco as such violates the rights of the Saharawi people.

    Read Also: #RevolutionNow: Falana kicks as security takes over CDHR, Sahara Reporters

    Falana nFrom Tony Akowe, Abujaoted that none of the treaties and agreements signed between Nigeria and Morocco could be enforced in the country as the Nigerian government had not deposited same with the National Assembly to adopt and enact them into law, as required by Section 12 of the Nigerian Constitution.

    The lawyer warned parties entering into such agreements to immediately cancel them and “respect the human rights of the people of Western Sahara to enjoy their natural resources, as recognised by article 20 and 21 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights”.

    He added: “We are going to start with Nigeria because currently, tonnes of phosphates are being imported into the country from Western Sahara on the basis of illegal agreements between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco as well as certain companies. We are warning such parties and we are alerting them to the decision of the people of Western Sahara to defend their rights to their resources.”

  • 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.”

  • Mission not collecting cash from South Africa returnees

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday honoured the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, for patriotism.

    The Green Chamber, in a motion moved by Abdulrasak Namdas (APC), also recommended Onyema to the Federal Government for a befitting National Honour for doing the nation proud.

    Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday, hailed the Air Peace chief executive for conveying many Nigerians from South Africa, following the xenophobic attacks.

    There were echoes of “Chief Onyema, thank you, sir! Chief Onyema, thank you, sir! Chief Onyema, thank you, sir!” in the Green Chamber yesterday.

    The lawmakers expressed appreciation to him for giving succour to Nigerians in their time of need.

    The Speaker instructed the Clerk to ensure that a copy of the House resolution on the businessman’s good gesture was forwarded to the Federal Government immediately.

    He also directed that a letter of commendation from his office be sent to Air Peace office as well.

    Gbajabiamila said the House was honouring Onyema for his high sense of patriotism.

    The Speaker said Onyema was invited to appear before the House yesterday in recognition of his magnanimous decision to volunteer the use of his aircraft to evacuate Nigerians who were attacked in South Africa.

    According to him, Onyema’s airline had already conveyed over 498 Nigerians from South Africa, and had returned to South Africa to airlift more returnees.

    Gbajabiamila said it was a rare show of patriotism and that the House would recommend him to the Federal Government for further honour.

    On his motivation for the gesture, Onyema said his decision was spontaneous: to mitigate the hardship being faced by Nigerians in South Africa.

    Read Also: BREAKING: $9.6bn judgement: Reps summon Malami, Sylva, others

    The businessman said additional 319 Nigerians had just “checked in” from the former Apartheid enclave.

    He hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for the mature manner he handled the xenophobic matter with South African authorities.

    Members who spoke yesterday included Majority Leader Tahir Mongonu, Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu, Deputy Whip Nkiruika Onyejeocha, Jerry Alagbaoso, Abdulrasak Namdas and Haruna Dederi.

    They said the honour was well deserved as the airline boss had shown his unalloyed love for the country and its citizens.

    The lawmakers added that Onyema’s action had brought respect to the country and Nigerians.

    They also noted that he had come up with greatly beneficial initiatives in the past which had impacted on the lives of Nigerians.

    Dederi said: “Allen Onyema has always been in the forefront of positive change in the country. He was one of the initiators of the Amnesty programme in Nigeria, and Almajiri school system in the country.”

    Also, Nigerian Mission in South Africa yesterday denied the report that its officials collected money from Nigerian returnees.

    A video, which has gone viral, alleged that consulate officials were collecting 500 rand to process Nigerian passengers on Air Peace flight.

    The airline management had offered to convey Nigerians wishing to return home, following the recent xenophobic attacks on foreigners and their businesses by the South African youths.

    Reacting to the claim, Nigeria’s Consul-General in Johannesburg, South Africa Mr. Godwin Adama said the claim was false.

    Adama said it was a ploy by some people to frustrate the evacuation process.

    He added: “The Mission works with Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa.

    “The same people sent notice to Nigerians from across the provinces to park their luggage and go to the Consulate to travel the same day.

    “This created serious logistics challenges and I had to accommodate all the women with children.

    “Everything has gone on well, despite attempts by these groups of discredited individuals.”

    The President of Nigeria Citizens Association (NICASA), South Africa, Ben Okoli, also said no such thing happened.

    He said: “These crops of diplomats that are working in the Consulate are just great and are the best we have ever seen.

    “There is nothing like money being collected by anyone; not NICASA, not even the Consulate. These services were rendered free of charge. No one has ever said anyone collected money from him.

    “So, I am unhappy with this fake news that people are just circulating. It is a lie.

    “We are discountenancing the lie and it is unacceptable.”

  • 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.”

  • Dickson disengages special adviser

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has dismissed Mrs. Helen Bob as a special adviser.

    A statement by his Chief Press, Fidelis Soriwei, said Mrs. Bob was dismissed for repeated acts of gross misconduct, indiscipline, irresponsibility.

    It was gathered that Mrs. Bob’s sack might not be unconnected with her public outburst over Dickson’s choice of candidate and running mate for the November 16 election. Bob had condemned some of the governor’s decisions, describing them as  a recipe for failure.

    She said she was ready to be relieved of her duties as a government official.

    The former aide described a stakeholders’ meeting proposed by the governor to seek a possible substitution of Erwujakpor as unnecessary.

    Read Also: Dickson warns PDP leaders against issuing unauthorised statements

    Mrs. Bob has warned Dickson of the catastrophe awaiting the PDP at the November 16 election if the party failed to address members’ grievances.

    Bob, who accepted her punishment in a statement yesterday, said: “No amount of sack will stop the flood that is about to submerge the PDP come November 16 if the party does not redress the issues I have made known to you.

    “With all due respect, I enjoyed the great privilege to have served the Bayelsa State talented youths you never cared for from the point you directed that the Talent Development Centre (Peace Park) be demolished, yet you have no intentions of developing the said centre for over a year now. Too bad, may be because I’m from Okpoama.

    “That is the day I relieved myself from this appointment that has been so useless to you but today you make it sound very important as if it existed. However, as the political prophetess of the State, I bless His Excellency and the entire core Restoration Family to have made me a subject matter all through last night and hating the truth.

    “I am a daughter from the Atlantic. We respect but don’t tolerate injustice. Let me thank you immensely for giving me the great opportunity to serve our dear state as the Special Adviser to your office on Talent Development and gender Promotion. Frankly speaking I am a woman of truth and will always stand by it. You have done very well not to have ignored my comments which of course I know must have touched your heart. And the gods of the land will be so proud of a true Izon daughter.”

  • 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.

  • Minister tasks foreign firms on job creation for Nigerians

    Industry, Trade and Investment Minister Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo on Wednesday urged foreign firms seeking to invest in the country to create jobs for Nigerians.

    Adebayo spoke in Abuja when the leadership of some foreign firms visited him.

    The firms are: Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), from Korea and Datasonic Group Berhard from Malaysia.

    The minister expressed satisfaction that foreign firms were for investment opportunities in the country.

    He urged them to use their investment to create jobs for Nigerians.

    While Samsung came for business expansion and vessel fabrication in Nigeria, Datasonic is seeking government’s support for a $100 million investment in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solution services in the country.

    Adebayo said: “Such investment plans should give top priority to job opportunities for Nigerians, especially the youths. The government is also not relenting on creating an enabling environment for businesses as long as they would create jobs.

    Read Also: President reappoints Imoukhuede SSA on Job Creation

    “As a government, we are excited that you are here seeking investment opportunities in our country. The fact is that it is the priority of President Muhammadu Buhari to create jobs for our youths through direct foreign investments (DFIs).

    “It is also exciting that you are coming now at the right time when we are settling into our new functions to take the nation to the Next Level, which makes your coming part of our plan. As you progress with setting up of your businesses, staff from the ministry will assist in your areas of needs.”

    The Managing Director of SHI Samsung Limited, Mr Jejin Jeon, told the minister that his firm had invested about $500 million in Nigeria in the last six years.

    He proposed to site a factory in Nigeria to make the country the vessel fabrication hub in Africa.

    Also, the Chief Executive Director of Datasonic Group Berhad, Mr Chew Ben Ben, told the minister that his firm, in partnership with Chrome Group of Nigeria, had a multimillion dollars ICT project plan for the country.

    The project, he said, would cover production of secured passports, chip-based driver’s licence, international passport, integrated security, surveillance systems, auto-gates with facial recognition systems, all of which would create several jobs for Nigerian youths.

    The Chairman of Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ABUCCI), Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, expressed confidence that the project would further drive the economic diversification agenda of the current administration.

    He said the firm, as one of the foremost ICT companies in Malaysia, was poised to establish a world-class range of technology products in Nigeria within the next 24 months.

    Adetokunbo added that the firm looked forward to government supports in the form of top-level incentives and waivers to upscale government’s agenda in job creation.