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Senate confirms seven RECs, stands down one nominee

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed seven out of the nine nominees for the position of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ).

They are Baba Yusuf (Borno), Dr Uthman Abdulrahman (Kwara), Mr Segun Agbaje (Ekiti) and Dr Cyril Omorogbe (Edo).
Others are Yahaya Bello (Nasarawa) Dr Emmanuel Hart (Rivers) and Mohammed Ibrahim (Gombe).

The confirmation followed a successful screening of the nominees at the committee level and adoption of report submitted during plenary by Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Sen. Suleiman Nazif.

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari in December asked the Senate to confirm nine INEC RECs in line with section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.

However, the nominee of Akwa Ibom, Elder Monday Tom was stepped down while that of Osun, Eric Olawale did not turn up for the screening.
Presenting the report, Nazif said of the nine nominees referred to the committee for screening, only eight showed up.

He said that the nominee for Osun did not communicate to the committee reasons for his absence.

According to him, Tom, the nominee for Akwa Ibom state was stood down for further legislative action.

“Other seven nominees were duly cleared by the relevant security agencies and the Code of Conduct Bureau,’’ he added.

In his remark, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki commended members of the committee for their diligence during the screening process.

NAN

February 14, 2018
Zuma refuses to resign, says he is being victimised

Jacob Zuma has refused to heed calls to step down as South African president, denouncing moves by the ruling African Nation Congress ( ANC ) party to remove him following a string of damaging corruption scandals.

The ANC formally asked him to resign on Tuesday.

“I am being victimised here. I think there has been a misinterpretation,” Zuma said in an attempt to present his side of the story.

Zuma however indicated he would accept the outcome of a parliamentary vote of no confidence against him, which has been scheduled for Thursday.

During more than a week of negotiations with the ANC’s key decision-making body, Zuma said that “nobody provided the reasons, nobody has been able to provide me with what I have done.”

Zuma denied any wrongdoing over the corruption allegations of recent years. “There is no problem. There has never been a problem,” he said in the televised remarks.

The ANC “will regret the crisis they have caused,” he said, adding he wsa planning to make a formal statement on the calls for his resignation later on Wednesday.

During the negotiations with the ANC leadership, Zuma said he had in principle agreed to step down but presented “a package” of demands that included him staying in power for several more months.

The ANC didn’t accept those conditions, said Zuma.

“I am open to further discussion, but they are rushing [into a vote of no confidence],” he said, adding that he was unjustly “portrayed as this person who is defying the leadership.”

If Zuma loses the vote, parliament may elect a successor the same day, according to ANC treasurer general Paul Mashatile.

“We will possibly elect a new president on Thursday … if not Friday,” said Mashatile, assuming scandal-hit Zuma will lose the vote.

Zuma’s successor would most likely be Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who in December took over from Zuma as president of the ANC.

Zuma, who became president in 2009 and whose second term officially ends in 2019, has already faced six no-confidence motions, four of which were voted on.

This time, the vote is likely to succeed because the ANC holds a large majority of seats in parliament, and the vote of no confidence is decided by a simple majority.

If Zuma loses the vote, South Africa’s chief justice will preside over the election of a new president, while the cabinet will have to resign.

The ANC caucus in parliament decided to hasten the vote, which had been initially requested by opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters for February 22.

“We want certainty.

“We would like the incoming president [to hold the postponed State of the Nation address] without delay,” he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, police arrested three people from the Johannesburg home of the Gupta family, linked to the corruption scandals that have engulfed Zuma.

Hangwani Mulaudzi, the spokesman of the elite crime investigation unit the Hawks, confirmed the arrests to dpa, without disclosing the identity of those arrested.

Arrest warrants had been issued for two other people who were expected to hand themselves over to the police, Mulaudzi said.

Media reports said those arrested are expected to appear before a commercial crimes court in the city of Bloemfontein later on Wednesday.

The influential Gupta family, which has business interests in the computer equipment, mining, air travel, energy, technology and media industries, have been accused of influencing the state together with Zuma through lucrative business deals and possibly even influencing ministerial appointments.

Most recently, the family came under fire when one of their companies took over the management of a small-scale dairy farm, which shortly thereafter received a payment of 34 million rands (2.85 million dollars) from the provincial agriculture department.

A high court in January ordered the freezing of all assets linked to the farm.

Zuma and the three Gupta brothers he is mainly linked to – Ajay, Atul and Rajesh – deny any wrongdoing.

Opposition party Democratic Alliance ( DA ) meanwhile demanded that the police extend their raid on the Gupta family to include government ministers linked to the corruption allegations.

“The investigations and action simply cannot end [with the Guptas] and must continue to all those implicated, including key ministers,” DA member Zakhele Mbehle said in a statement.

Mbehle demanded investigations into four ministers as well as ANC secretary general Ace Magushule.

NAN

February 14, 2018
Enugu increases NYSC members’ allowance

Enugu State Government has announced increase in the allowance for National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) members serving in primary healthcare facilities in rural areas in the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Ogbuagu Anikwe, announced this in Enugu on Wednesday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.

Anikwe said that medical doctors serving in hospitals in rural areas would henceforth receive N30, 000 monthly from the state government as against N3, 800 being given to them currently.

Similarly, he said, pharmacists, nurses, radiographers, laboratory scientists and statisticians would receive a monthly stipend of N20, 000.

He announced that the government also planned to review the service condition and welfare of other set of corps members in the state.

The commissioner explained that the increase in allowances of the corps members serving in health facilities was to further ensure that health services were taken close to rural dwellers.

“The government has approved that each corps member selected to work as a medical doctor in government hospital in the rural areas will get a monthly stipend of N30, 000.

“All of these will cost the government extra N31.2 million per annum but it is an expense that is worth it. It is to ensure that health facilities are available at the door steps of our people,” he said.

Anikwe said that the government noted the challenges of getting medical personnel to work health facilities in rural communities and decided on the incentive.

According to him, the council decided that one sure way to solve the problem is to get health personnel from the NYSC who will be encouraged with an increased stipend.

The commissioner said that the state government had invested much in rural communities and would want such facilities to have direct impact on the inhabitants.

“Before now, Enugu had a peculiar problem because the state was paying a certain amount as allowance and it led to an influx of youth corps members from all over the country, wanting to serve here.

“It then became impossible for the state government to continue to sustain that stipend because we are not out of the woods yet.

“So, we are not unmindful of what to do for corps members but everything we are doing, we check our purse.

“I am sure that as the finances of the state government improves, we will come to a point where everybody is given an allowance that enables them cope with the condition of life in the country,” he said.

Anikwe said that the government was first looking at very critical sectors, adding that others would follow soon.

He said that the governor, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, was passionate about making residents of the state competitive and healthy “and that is why his economic blueprint traversed the entire state”.

Also, Commissioner for Works, Mr Greg Nnaji, said that the state government had approved the renovation and upgrade of eight district hospitals across the state.

Nnaji said that the gesture was to reduce the pressure on secondary health facilities in the state and to ensure that residents did not have to travel to the state capital for medical attention.

He said that such hospitals and clinics would now wear new looks while modern health equipment would be installed in them.

All youth corps members posted to rural communities of the state are paid monthly stipend of N3, 800 each.

NAN

February 14, 2018
Ambode urges residents to register for National I.D

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Wednesday urged Lagos residents to register with the National Identity Card Management Commission (NIMC) because of its numerous benefits.

Ambode spoke at the State House in Alausa, shortly after his biometrics was captured by officials of the commission.

The governor said it was in the best interest of residents to do so, just as it was good for data and financial planning.

“I just finished registering as a proud Nigerian.

“I also urge all Lagosians to do the same,’’ Ambode said.

Read Also:Badagry obas: Ambode praised over elevation

The Regional Coordinator of the NIMC, Mr Kayode Adegoke, presented the registration slip to the governor after the registration.

He also called on all Lagosians to register, saying there were many benefits attached to the registration.

According to him, the national identity cards that will be eventually issued to those who register have 18 security features.

Adegoke said the registration would enhance ease of doing a lot of things in the country.

He said that 50 registration centres had been created across the state.

NAN

February 14, 2018
Zuma slams moves to force him out as ‘very unfair’

Zuma said in his first public remarks, a day after the ANC formally asked him to resign.

During more than a week of negotiations with the ANC’s key decision-making body, Zuma said that “nobody provided the reasons, nobody has been able to provide me with what I have done.”

The ANC had urged Zuma to resign due to a string of corruption allegations.

Zuma denied any wrongdoing on Wednesday.

“There is no problem. There has never been a problem,” he said in the televised remarks.

Earlier in the day police had raided the home of a business family linked to the embattled leader.

Zuma says the ruling ANC has not followed party procedures in trying to unseat him.

Read Also: Zuma to face no-confidence vote on Thursday – ANC

The ANC wants parliament to vote on Thursday on a motion of no confidence if he does not resign on Wednesday.

“I need to be furnished on what I’ve done,” Mr Zuma says. “What is this hurry?”
Agents from the Hawks, an elite police investigative unit, earlier entered the compound of the Gupta family in an affluent neighbourhood of Johannesburg.

Three people were arrested in operations at various addresses, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported.

The family is suspected of using its connections to the president to influence Cabinet appointments and win state contracts, and has been a flashpoint for national anger over corruption in state enterprises during Mr Zuma’s tenure.

Both the Guptas and Mr Zuma say they have done nothing wrong.

ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule makes a statement after the ruling party said scandal-tainted President Jacob Zuma must leave office .

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is poised to replace Mr Zuma, who could face a motion of no confidence in parliament if he defies his party’s order to step down.

Deputy President and ANC party president Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to take over from Jacob Zuma .

As the Gupta-linked investigation proceeds, Mr Zuma could face corruption charges tied to an arms deal two decades ago.

South Africa’s chief prosecutor is expected to make a decision on whether to prosecute Mr Zuma on the old charges, which were reinstated in 2017 after being thrown out in 2009.

In another scandal, South Africa’s top court ruled in 2016 that Mr Zuma violated the constitution following an investigation of multimillion-dollar upgrades to his private home using state funds.

The president paid back some of the money.

NAN

February 14, 2018
LASG gives Oregun/Opebi mechanics 21 days notice

Lagos State Government has served 21 days eviction notice on all illegal mechanic workshops under Oregun/Opebi link bridge to pave way for the commencement of rehabilitation of the under bridge roads.

Chairman of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (TaskForce), Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police disclosed that the 21 days eviction notice served on the illegal mechanic workshops would expire on Sunday, 4th of March, 2018.

In a press release from the task force, Egbeyemi hinted that activities of the mechanics has constituted environmental nuisance as used oil and contaminated diesel including waste water from car-wash operators is freely dislodged on the roads.

Read Also: Lagos Police uncovers illegal oil depot in Oregun

He complained that the canal under the Oregun/Opebi link bridge was filled with mechanic scraps, used tyres and refuse generated by residents around the area which may eventually lead to flooding whenever it rains.

The Chairman reiterated that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode increased the number of mechanic villages across the state from 20 to 42 in order to create more jobs for artisans and other young people who will be willing to acquire skills as automobile mechanics.

He stated further that the 42 mechanic villages are spread across the state to accommodate more mechanics and other complimentary artisans such as vulganizers, rewires and panel-beaters.

The chairman also that miscreants and hoodlums terrorising innocent members of the public around Oregun, Opebi and Allen Avenue have now turned the illegal mechanic workshops under the bridge to criminal hideouts.

He therefore warned all mechanic operating on all road set-backs and walk-ways across the state to immediately vacate and move to any nearby mechanic village closer to them as anyone caught violating any section of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Law would be seriously death with.

February 14, 2018
Kwara LG boss donates to Special Needs School

Mr Muyiwa Oladipo, Chairman, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara has advised Nigerians to imbibe the habit of being their brother’s keeper, especially to the less-privileged in the society.

Oladipo gave the advice in Omu-Aran on Wednesday while handing over an undisclosed amount of money to the management of St. Paul’s School for Special Needs, Omu-Aran, Kwara.

He said that the gesture was targeted at bringing succour to pupils, teachers and management to assist in the smooth running of the school.

He said the donation was also in line with the state government policy of making qualitative and quantitative education affordable and accessible to all categories of the populace.

“It is part of our desire and mandate as elected officers of the council to ensure that all categories of students in the council are adequately impacted in their academic pursuit.

Read Also: Providing a stable economic platform for Kwara

“Notwithstanding the lean purse and resources of the council occasioned by the dwindling allocation from the Federation Account, we will not relent in the discharge of our civic responsibilities.

“We are at the same time optimistic that this little cash incentive will assist the management in the smooth administration of the school, particularly in the area of logistics.”

Oladipo also pledged to liaise with the council’s health department to make quality healthcare services accessible to the pupils.

Earlier in his remarks, the Headmaster, Mr Raphael Olaoye, described the visit as the first of its kind in the school’s history by any elected government official or philanthropist, since its establishment.

He listed some of the challenges confronting the school as inadequate funding, logistics and insufficient teaching and learning materials.

“We will forever be grateful to this administration for identifying with our school and promise the judicious use of this kind gesture,” Olaoye added.

The Newsmen reports that the visit was part of the administration’s familiarisation tour of facilities and institutions within the council, following its inauguration a few months ago.

Among the pupils of the school are those with Down’s Syndrome, the crippled, the deaf and dumb.

NAN

February 14, 2018
Kwara denies alleged deductions from workers’ salaries

The Kwara state government has denied alleged illegal deductions from its workers salaries.

It added that only statutory deductions are made from the salaries of state and local government (LG) workers and pensioners.

This follows claims that the local government workers in the state received reduced pay instead of the full January salary as previously announced by the LG authorities.

Senior Special Assistant to the governor on media and communications Dr. Muyideen Akorede has said.

Read Also: Providing a stable economic platform for Kwara

According to him other deductions are for loans and cooperatives as supplied to the payment consultants by the state ministry of funance and LG treasurers as a well as a N200 monthly charge agreed and endorsed by all labour unions in the State including the NUT, NLC, JNC and NULGE.

Akorede also pointed to the position of the Kwara State Chapter of the Association of

Local Governments of Nigeria ( ALGON) that the January salary was paid in full and that no one is making unauthorized deductions from the monthly entitlements of LG staff and pensioners in the state.

He explained that it is the same platform used for paying state workers that is utilized for LG workers and pensioners in view of its efficiency and cost effectiveness.

February 14, 2018
DPR seals 70 stations in six months in Delta

The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, (Warri Zonal Office) says it has sealed 70 petrol stations for alleged sharp practice in the past six months in parts of Delta State.

Mr. Antai Asuquo, Operations Controller, who spoke to reporters yesterday, said that the stations were sanctioned for hoarding, under-dispensing, over pricing, abandonment and diversion of products.

He said the stations were sealed in Warri, Ughelli, Sapele ,Ozoro ,Oleh ,Kwale, Agbor ,Ubiaruku , and Asaba.

According to him, the 70 stations are part of the 446 petrol stations visited by the department’s surveillance team.

Asuquo said fuel was dispensed to motorists in two of the 70 filling stations at no cost because the stations were hoarding the products.

Read Also: DPR seals 15 filling stations in Akwa Ibom

His words, “The exercise is a continuous one until the petroleum marketers complied with government’s approved pump price of N145 per litre. It is not our intention to seal a petrol station that has products but the products should be sold to the public at the regulated pump price”.

Asuquo urged marketers who indulge in sharp practices to desist from it because the regulatory agency would continue to go after them until full compliance was attained.

The controller cautioned depot owners against selling products above ex-depot price as well as selling to third parties.

He appealed to the public to assist the DPR with useful information on any station selling above the regulated price.

February 14, 2018
Court reinstates dismissed NBC staff after 5 years

The National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Wednesday ordered the instatement of one Kate Obiechina, dismissed by the National Broadcasting Commission(NBC ) in 2013.

Justice David Isele, in his judgment, said that due process was not followed by the NBC to dismiss the claimant.

He said that the dismissal was in breach of her constitutional right of fair hearing, because she was not formally informed through writing, and neither was the allegation of misappropriation of government fund investigated.

He ordered that the judgment should be complied with, within 14 days and arrears of her salary from the date of her dismissal paid in full.

The claimant before her dismissal was a Principal Monitoring Officer in the Makurdi office of the NBC.

Read Also: Chieftaincy tussle: Court adjourns hearing to March 27

She approached the court to declare her dismissal from the Commission in 2013 as illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

The claimant’s counsel, Mr Bola Olotu, said his client was not given the opportunity to defend herself before she was dismissed.

He said that allegation of absconding from duty without permission was levelled against his client, to which she was given a query and ordered to appear before a disciplinary committee.

” On my client’s appearance before the committee, a new allegation of misappropriation of government fund was levelled against her.

“She was not given opportunity to speak or defend herself before the committee.

“On Aug. 28, 2013, my client was served a termination letter, stating absconding from duty without permission and misappropriation of government fund as basis for the termination.”

The claimant joined the Director-General of NBC, Federal Civil Service Commission, Minister of Information and Attorney General of the Federation as co-respondents in the suit.

NAN

February 14, 2018