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Osinbajo calls for consensus on Legal practice in Nigeria

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called for consensus among legal practitioners on the preservation of the legal practice in Nigeria to enhance the profession and national development.

Osinbajo made the call while delivering the closing address at the maiden dinner of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, held in Lagos.

He said that the elite in every community, whether ethnic, religious or professionals, owe it a duty to ensure the preservation of such community.

Osinbajo said it was important for the legal community to define the ethics, vogues, acceptable conducts and those that would not be tolerated in the community

The Vice President said that the Senior Advocates must provide guidance to the legal community so as to maintain the integrity and prestige of the profession and sustain the confidence of the public.

Osinbajo said: “A professional elite such as ourselves, we owe a responsibility to ensure that we act professionally with honour and integrity; first, for the selfish reason that it confers on us natural respect and prestige.

“Ultimately, the difference between the elite or professional, and those who destroy the patrimony, is the extent to which the elites are willing to make sacrifices and constrain that selfishness which is common with humans.

“An elite is one who agrees to sacrifice individual greed, ambition and quest for power for the overall good of all.

“It is the responsibility of the elites to act with honour, integrity and sometime with quietness.”

He noted that in Britain, the elites have maintained the prestige and integrity of the British legal system, adding that Nigerian lawyers should emulate such good conduct.

According to him, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria must reach a consensus to that the Legal profession does not perish.

The Vice President congratulated the 29 newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria, urging them to be honourable flag bearers of the legal profession.

Speaking with newsmen after the dinner, Osinbajo reiterated the call for a consensus from lawyers to enhance the justice process and preserve judicial integrity.

The dinner was attended by former Nigeria Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Dr Christopher Kolade and the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mrs Folake Solanke.

The rest included Chief Wole Olanipekun, Dr Paul Usoro and Chief Felix Fagbohungbe among others.

NAN

November 13, 2017
16-year-old genius makes history in Cowbellpedia mathematics competition

By Moses Emorinken

The highly educational and inspirational TV quiz show – Cowbellpedia Mathematics Competition for Junior and Senior secondary school students is a testament to the undeniable fact that the future of our beloved country is indeed very bright.

The third season (2017) of the competition which witnessed an array of extremely brilliant minds flying and shining naturally without any form of encumbrance is truly a sight to behold.

16-year-old Ernest-Eze Munachi from Loyola Jesuit, Abuja has indeed left an indelible print of excellence in the sands of time as he emerged the overall winner in the senior category of the competition.

Ernest-Eze Munachi

His meteoric rise to fame didn’t come as a surprise because he had won the Cowbellpedia Mathematics Competition for junior category in 2015.

Munachi displayed an exceptional sense of acuity, brilliance and self-confidence; winning the final competition with a total of 110 points.

He has done what no student has done since the inception of the competition by winning in both the Junior category (2015) and Senior category (2017). He now has the bragging right as the Mathematics champion in the whole of Nigeria for 2017.

As the winner of the competition, he went home with a cash prize of one million Naira (N1,000,000), educational trip abroad, five desktop computers + printer + textbooks (for his school) and four hundred thousand Naira (N400,000) for his Mathematics teacher.

Following closely in 2^nd position (1^st runner up) was Oluwanifise Onofowokan from the Ambassadors College, Ota, with 75 points.

Oluwanifise Onofowokan

Her performance was nothing short of sterling. She went home with a cash prize of seven hundred and fifty thousand Naira (N750,000), three desktop computers + printer (for her school) and three hundred thousand Naira (N300,000) for her Mathematics teacher.

In 3^rd place (2^nd runner up) was Evans Owamoyo who rounded off with 70 points. He went home with a cash prize of five hundred thousand Naira (N500,000), two desktop computers + printer (for his school) and two hundred thousand Naira (N200,000) for his Mathematics teacher.

Evans Owamoyo

Other finalists in the senior category were: Tomiwa Olatunbosun (Bibo Oluwa Academy, Ilesha, Osun state), Paul Michael (Excel Grace Academy, Benue state) and Ikechukwu Ibeh (Federal Government Academy, Suleja, Niger state).

Finalists, Senior Category Cowbellpedia

In the junior category of the competition, Jessey Uche-Nwichi from Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, latched upon the first prize by a convincing win with 115 points.

Jessey Uche-Nwichi

His calm, congenial and confident outlook is one that literally sets him apart from his contemporary. With mathematics whiz kids like Jessey, we are rest assured that the futuristic helm of this country will be in safe and capable hands.

As the winner of the junior category of the competition, he went home with a cash prize of one million Naira (N1,000,000), educational trip abroad, five desktop computers + printer + textbooks (for his school) and four hundred thousand Naira (N400,000) for his Mathematics teacher.

In 2^nd position (1^st runner up) was Oluwafemi Adeyanju from Jesuit Memorial College, Port Harcourt, with 80 points. His amazing approach to solving mathematics without raising a pen to calculate is simply amazing.

Oluwafemi Adeyanju

He went home with a cash prize of seven hundred and fifty thousand Naira (N750,000), three desktop computers + printer (for his school) and three hundred thousand Naira (N300,000) for his Mathematics teacher.

In 3^rd place (2^nd runner up) was Ezekiel Ekanem from Advanced Breed Group of schools, Ogun state, with 75 points.

Ezekiel Ekanem

He went home with a cash prize of five hundred thousand Naira (N500,000), two desktop computers + printer (for his school) and two hundred thousand Naira (N200,000) for his Mathematics teacher.

Other finalists in the junior category were: Osasere Egharevba (Graceland International School, Port Harcourt), Joel Ndoh (Maris Brothers Juniorate, Abia state) and Olayinka Abdulwakil (NTIC, Kaduna state).

Finalists, Junior Category Cowbellpedia

Other awards in the completion were:

The most consistent school – Greater Tomorrow High School

Special Award for speed and Accuracy – Emmanuel Mebude

The Cowbellpedia Laureate, 2017 – Samson Osewa

November 13, 2017
Tax: Lagos to shut headquarters of defaulting companies from Nov. 20

The Lagos State Government on Sunday said it would begin to shut the corporate headquarters of organisations that had defaulted in remitting statutory taxes to the government from Nov. 20.

The Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akinyemi Ashade, who made the disclosure on Sunday in Lagos, said some banks had failed to remit statutory taxes, including withholding taxes on banks’ interests for more than 10 years.

Ashade said that the government had resolved to resort to all lawful means to ensure compliance with statutory tax remittances.

“Any company found to have evaded tax will not be spared.

“It is in the interest of defaulting companies and their management to remit the statutory taxes to the state within the grace period to avoid embarrassment to them and their shareholders.

“All law abiding corporate organisations are advised to adhere to this directive as the state government has given enough grace period for them to remit their taxes.

“The government will on Monday, Nov. 20, commence the process of shutting down the headquarters of corporate organisations, including banks that have failed to remit statutory taxes to government coffers,’’ Ashade said in a statement.

He said that prompt payment of taxes would enable the government to provide the necessary infrastructure and improve the standard of living of the people.

“When people pay their taxes promptly, government is encouraged to do more.

“The administration of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode has shown in the last two and half years that taxes paid are judiciously spent on projects that have impacted positively on the lives of residents,’’ the statement said.

The government had on Nov. 7, lamented that only about 600,000 residents out of a population of over 22 million were up to date in terms of tax compliance.

The government, therefore directed all its revenue agencies to ensure prompt payment of taxes, including land use charges and also commence enforcement of payment by all tax defaulters with immediate effect.

NAN

November 12, 2017
Passenger Manifest: Jigawa to prosecute defaulting commercial drivers

The Coordinator Road Taxes of the Jigawa Board of Internal Revenue, Alhaji Salisu Sani, said commercial drivers that fail to adopt the newly introduced passenger manifest would be prosecuted.

Sani in Dutse on Sunday said that there was low compliance by commercial drivers to the manifest policy recently introduced by the state government.

“To avoid prosecution commercial drivers should immediately comply and begin to use the new passengers manifest.

“Any driver that failed to comply will have himself to blame for whatever action we may take against him.

“This is because the policy was introduced to ensure safety and security of passengers and goods,’’ Sani said.

He said that the policy was introduced to get accurate data on passengers movement in various motor parks in the state.

“This manifest was introduced to ease identification of all passengers by security agencies in case of accidents or other emergency situations because important information on passengers and drivers are recorded in the manifest.

“It will also enable us to fish out drivers who picked passengers by the roadside and also curb theft and robbery,” he noted.

The coordinator added that the manifest was also introduced to boost the Internally Generated Revenue of the state.

He advised passengers to always patronize recognized motor parks and ensure they fill the manifest for their safety.

NAN

November 12, 2017
‘Kaduna electric spent N100m to install Usman Danfodio university transformer’

The Kaduna Electric Distribution Plc, said it spent N100 million to purchase and install 7.5MVA transformer at the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto.

Mr Garba Haruna, the Managing Director of the company disclosed this on Sunday in Sokoto.

The transformer was installed at the university’s injection substation in the state.

The electricity distribution company covers Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna and Zamfara states.

According to Haruna, the project is part of the company’s priority investment to ensure adequate power supply to the institution as well as communities in the region.

“The transformer which cost N100 million will service the university and the surrounding communities.

“We are fully committed to achieve the desires of our customers; huge amount of money has been spent in projects across Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states on power supply.

“Our mission to deliver the required service for our deserving customers will surely be achieved, as the university is among our key partners in the state,” Haruna said.

According to him, the company is planning to partner the university on its diversification to solar energy supply and other sources of energy.

NAN

November 12, 2017
Kaduna PDP sets up four committees to woo back defectors

The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) has set up four committees to woo back members that defected from the fold.

The committees, according to the party’s state chairman Hassan Hyat, will also mobilise new members into the fold.

Hyat on Sunday in Jos said that each senatorial district had a committee saddled with bringing back former members, while a central committee was wooing members from other political folds.

“One of the senatorial district committees has turned in its report, while reports from the three other committees are still being awaited,” he said.

According to him, many top PDP chieftains, who left the party in the last few years, have returned to rebuild the house they left.

“Among the returnees are former commissioners, legislators and local government chairmen; we have left the door open and many others are still coming in,” he said.

Hyat said that he was surprised at the quality and quantity of people rushing into the PDP in Kaduna State.

“There is general dissatisfaction at the ‘other side’. The returnees said that they were deceived into abandoning a house they built and have promised to join hands with us to build it back to reckoning,” he said.

He said that the party was ready to forgive “members that created crises and left”, saying that the PDP would give equal opportunities to returning members, new ones and those that had remained faithful over time.

“We have not promised anyone anything. There is no automatic ticket for anyone, whether new or old.

“We have promised that there will be no impunity or imposition. What that means is that everyone interested in anything would have to fight for it and get it on merit,” he said.

Hyat said that the PDP was also wary of moles that were being planted to cause confusion and frustrate its rejuvenation to greatness.

“Clearly, the PDP is getting more popular by the day and should normally attract those with evil intention, but we are being careful to identify such persons and know how to relate with them,” he said.

On the party’s National Convention slated for December 8, Hyat said that the intensive competition for party offices was an indication of the rising popularity of PDP in the country.

“We are moving through a developmental phase; it is a sign of strength. It means that the PDP belongs to everyone and offers equal opportunities to its members. It means that we are waxing stronger,” he said.

Hyat said that the PDP had a good chance of making inroads in the 2019 elections because Nigerians had tasted another political party in power, and could now compare.

“We lost power to the APC in 2015, but many Nigerians have compared the two political groups and appear convinced that PDP did a good job. So, there is hope that we could be given another chance,” he said.

He said that Kaduna State witnessed massive developments in the eight years Sen. Ahmed Makarfi served as governor.

“Makarfi constructed many roads, bridges and houses. He also created new traditional councils based on demands, and sank boreholes to improve the living standards of villagers,” he said.

NAN

November 12, 2017
NCAA alerts airline operators on weather hazard

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA ) has issued a weather alert to all airline operators indicating hazards associated with Harmattan dust haze in flight operations at this period of the year.

A statement by the NCAA General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye, on Sunday said the alert was important as Harmattan was a threat to aircraft particularly in areas of challenging terrains due to low visibility.

Adurogboye said according to the Seasonal Rainfall Prediction issued by the Nigerian Meteorological ( NiMet ) Agency, the prevailing weather condition is likely to herald a long and severe dust haze in the months ahead.

He said:”The Advisory circular AC: NCAA- AEROMET-24 is intended to alert pilots of the hazards associated with dust haze which is a dry and dusty wind that blows southwards from the Sahara across Nigeria during the months of November to March.

“The effect of the dust and sand stirred by the wind is known as Harmattan Dust Haze.

“Therefore, pilots should note that air-to-ground visibility may be considerably reduced due to the dust haze.

“In addition, aerodrome visibility might fall below the prescribed minima and in severe conditions dust haze can blot out runways, the markers and airfield lightings over wide areas.”

According to him, this makes visual navigation extremely difficult or impossible.

“Resultantly, where visibility falls below the prescribed weather minima, flight operations are expected to be delayed, diverted or outrightly cancelled.

“Hence, all pilots are obliged to exercise maximum restraint especially when severe weather condition is observed or reported by NIMET,” he said.

The NCAA spokesperson advised pilots to obtain adequate departure, en route and destination weather information and briefing from NIMET prior to flight operations at all the airports.

He also urged Flight Crews/Operators and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) to ensure adherence to aerodrome operating minima.

“Operators are therefore advised to ensure necessary measures are put in place to manage the effects of flight delays or cancellations on their passengers.

“All stakeholders are required to ensure strict compliance with this circular,” Adurogboye said.

NAN

November 12, 2017
Jigawa sports council holds inter-LG basketball competition – Director

The Jigawa Sports Council says it organised inter-local government basketball competition to promote unity and sportsmanship among the teeming youths in the state.

Director of the council, Gambo Labbo in Dutse on Sunday said that preliminaries in five zones were currently going on among the 27 local government areas of the state.

He said two teams were drawn from each local government after which winners would compete for trophies and different cash prizes.

He added that “after the zonal elimination, we expect 10 teams to come to sports complex in Dutse to compete for three trophies and cash prizes.

“They would be camped at the NYSC orientation camp; we have provided adequate security for their safety and vehicles for transportation from the camp to the venue throughout the competition period.

“The competition is expected to promote unity and sportsmanship among youths in the state.”

The director explained that the competition was part of the council’s efforts in promoting sports development at the grassroots.

According to him, the gesture will also lead to discovery of new talents.

“Usually, competitions organised from the grassroots snowball into discovery of talents.

“This is because competitions are the main avenues through which young and new talents can be discovered.”

Labbo further pointed out that corporate bodies and other wealthy individuals had a role to play to ensure the discovery of talents through funding and sponsorship of competitions.

He, therefore, urged them to invest in sporting activities to make it attractive to youths, particularly in rural areas.

The director noted that engaging youths in sporting activities would enable the state and the nation to provide platform for their empowerment.

He said “government alone cannot achieve success in the development of sports without the support of all and sundry.

“Wealthy individuals, banks, construction companies, among others, should invest in sporting activities, particularly at the grassroot.

“They should not leave sports development in the hands of the state governments; they should complement government’s efforts.

“This, I am sure, will provide platform for grooming young players to compete anywhere in the world,” he emphasized.

NAN

November 12, 2017
We must vote to avoid state of emergency in Anambra – Oduah

Sen. Stella Oduah (Anambra North) has urged the people of Anambra to come out en masse to vote in next Saturday’s governorship election to avoid creating a vacuum of governance in the state.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Oduah said that if the people failed to vote, they would be giving room for a possible declaration of a state of emergency.

She explained that the Constitution did not allow for a vacuum in any state and as such if the current term lapses and a governor had not been elected, then an administrator would be appointed.

“Therefore if we fail to cast our votes, if we fail to come out to vote and have a new governor, what will happen is that the Federal Government will provide an administrator and declare a state of emergency.

“That is not what we want. It means that democracy will elude us, who is governing us would not be who we voted for or who we desired.

“This is not about which party I belong to. It is about saving our state, it is about making sure that our youths, our women, our children have a peaceful and enabling environment where good governance and policies will strive.

“Therefore we must make sure that we come out on the 18th and vote,” she said.

The PDP lawmaker also charged political leaders in the state to call on their followers to come out and vote at the November 18 exercise.

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB ) had threatened Anambra voters with death if they vote at the election.

They also vowed to disrupt the poll.

But in a swift reaction, the Anambra State Police Command asked residents of the state to go out en masse to exercise their franchise on the day of the election.

Giving more reasons why Anambra people must vote, Oduah said that the state had enjoyed peace, stability and investments had started accruing.

“What Anambra needs now more than anything is peace, we need peace for progress, we need peace for security, we need peace for the development that is coming and that has come.

“We do not need violence, we have had enough killings, thank God we have security in Anambra more than most states, we must ensure that is sustained.

“Most importantly our basic human right that is enshrined in the constitution that gives us the right to choose who governs us must not be denied us.

“We will be denying ourselves that if we fail to come out and vote and protect our votes.

“I am pleading that all leaders come out and tell their followers to ensure that they come out and vote come 18th of November.

“We must not stay at home on the 18th, we must exercise our civic rights,” she said.

NAN

November 12, 2017
Senate to publish names of companies in alleged N30trn scam

The Senate says it is set to publish names of companies found culpable in investigation into alleged N30 trillion revenue scam in the import and export value chain.

Sen. Hope Uzodinma, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff and Marine Transport, made this known in an interview with newsmen on Sunday.

He said the committee had completed its first batch of investigation involving over 60 companies and would publish names of companies involved in various infractions leading to loss of government revenue.

He said the committee was releasing the names because it had established culpability against the companies.

Uzodinma added that the names to be published would contain details of how much of recoverable government revenue was with each of the companies.

The lawmaker stressed that companies found to be involved in infractions bothering on money laundering and foreign exchange abuses would be referred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) for prosecution and recovery of the monies.

He added that those bothering on smuggling and import infractions would be referred to the Nigeria Customs Service for recovery of such revenues and possibly blacklisting.

“We got up to the point that even the companies themselves have seen that they are culpable and that is why we want to publish the names and hand them over to EFCC and Customs.

“The reason for the delay in publishing the names all the while is to establish culpability against the companies.

“Now through various reconciliations, it has been established and we are no longer in doubt, including the companies that are involved, that these things are in existence and that they are culpable.

“We have presented the interim report which detailed how much we have recovered so far and the Senate approved it in plenary, while an extension was given to us to do the final reconciliation.

“We do not want emphasis to continue to be on how much we have recovered even though it is contained in the report. We want those companies found culpable to go to government and make payments,’’ he said.

The chairman further said that “some of the companies have started paying while others have not. None of them have fully paid what we have established against them.

“Since they have started paying, we will now transfer the matter to the Customs, who will now do a recovery schedule with the companies that are willing to pay what is due to government.

“By the time the names are published, Nigerians and the Federal Government will know which company is owing what and the relevant agencies will go after them to recover the money.’’

The chairman said that the committee would commence the second batch of investigation after some oversight visits to establish culpability.

He assured that the committee would not be deterred in its effort to assist government in recovering monies meant for the development of the economy.

He stressed that the legislature would continue to use its constitutional powers to assist the executive in blocking leakages and increasing revenue generation, particularly in the non-oil sector.

Uzodinma said it was appalling that in spite of government’s effort to improve revenue generation to meet the country’s development needs, some people were still involved in jeopardising such effort.

The joint committee was mandated by the Senate to carry out investigation into alleged N30 trillion revenue leakages in foreign exchange and the entire import and export value chain between 2006 and 2017.

It was mandated to identify leakages and irregularities in the system and come up with recommendations that would block further leakages and strengthen the revenue drive of the Nigeria Customs Service.

In an interim report presented to the Senate on Oct. 18, the committee said it had recovered N140 billion.

The report indicated that some collection banks had made remittances to the Central Bank of Nigeria to the tune of N128 billion with evidence of payment received by the committee.

It further indicated that some of the 60 companies made voluntary payment of over N12 billion to government based on internal self-audit after receiving documented evidence of culpability from the committee.

The report also indicated that the committee identified 32 leakage channels as the major sources of revenue loss in the import-export value chain, including undervaluation, wrong tariff classification and abuse of waivers and concessions.

NAN

November 12, 2017