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Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • Muslims, Oro worshippers in war of words over festival

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    itual cleansing of Iseyinland.”

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

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

    They said the other days were for festivities.

  • Igbo presidency: Ngige, Sagay disagree on zoning

    THE Igbo must negotiate with other zones to get their support for the presidency, Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, said on Wednesday.

    He said the Igbo must work hard to make the dream a reality as power is not served à la carte.

    Ngige said the All Progressives Congress (APC) constitution only talks about rotation, not zoning.

    In an interview with our correspondent, he said: “APC has no arrangement for zoning in its constitution and none of the parties has. Our constitution talks about rotation and it says the rotation is between the North and South.

    “We expect going forward, that all political parties should come to the South to pick their presidential candidates. We think Ndigbo should be favoured because we have not tasted it, but power is not served à la carte.”

    But, eminent professor of law Itse Sagay (SAN) there is a convention among all political parties that power should rotate between the North and the South.

    According to him, all presidential candidates should come from the South in 2023 according to the convention, which he said has become law.

    Ngige said advised Ndigbo to join the ruling party if their dream of an Igbo president is to come true.

    The minister said: “You cannot get the 2023 presidency through threats like some of our people are currently doing, but through negotiations with our friends in the West.

    “Once again, I’m pleading with our people to join APC for us to have enough number before 2023.

    “We can’t sit at a place and be crying of marginalisation. We are part and parcel of Nigeria, no one owns the country, and it belongs to all of us.”

    Ngige said Igbo leaders would meet over 2023 election, adding that the Southeast must discuss to move forward.

    He faulted claims that the Igbo are marginalised, blaming some clerics for reinforcing what he said was misinformation.

    The minister vowed to resign if he sees evidence of marginalisation of Igbo by the Federal Government.

    Read Also: Buhari committed to workers’ welfare, says Ngige

    His words: “If I see any sign of marginalisation against Ndigbo from the APC government, I will resign.

    “Some of our people are just making unnecessary noise about marginalisation when there is none.”

    He argued that the APC is the best option for Ndigbo.

    “Our airport in Enugu will be re-opened before the Christmas because it is going through some serious works.

    “APC government is better for our people because we are benefitting more than before. Any other party is a deceit.

    “You can see for yourself massive construction going on everywhere in the Southeast including the second Niger Bridge, which the construction firm has assured to deliver to us before the 2022 agreed date.

    “So, where is the marginalisation of Ndigbo?”  Ngige queried.

    The former senator, who represented Anambra Central Senatorial District, said the Southeast would see a significant upgrade of the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway between November and December once the rain subsides.

    Sagay, who chairs the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), said the zoning arrangement has come to stay.

    According to him, when a northerner rules for eight years, a southerner would take over.

    He said if President Muhammadu Buhari completes his second term in 2023, it will be the turn of the South to produce the President.

    According to him, the Southwest, Southeast and Southsouth will compete to produce presidential candidates of all the political parties.

    Sagay said: “It is not possible for any northerner to aspire to be the presidential candidate of APC or any other political parties in 2023.

    “All the presidential candidates would come from the South. Anyone advocating anything to the contrary is mischievous and out to destroy the party.”

    The legal icon explained that an established convention can overrule the law because it has become law.

    He said zone was a political arrangement put it in place to remove fear of domination among the constituents.

    Also, former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Second Vice President Monday Ubani said jettisoning zoning was capable of setting the country on fire in 2023.

    Ubani said zoning of key political offices was designed to cure some of the defects in Nigerian political system.

    He noted that power has been rotating since 1999 between the North and the South and should be sustained.

    “Nigerians should ignore those saying there is no zoning. We should maintain zoning in the interest of equity, fairness and justice,” he added.

  • Adoke has case to answer on Malabu Oil Block scandal, says EFCC

    THE acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has said a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) has a case to answer over the Settlement Agreement on Malabu Oil Block (OPL 25).

    He said Adoke has been offering the reading public in the account of his sojourn in governance a bouquet of half-truths and plain lies.

    He said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo did not discuss, counsel, or direct him in any way on any issue concerning Adoke.

    He said the EFC is not the battle axe of political figures and could not have been called out to deal with anyone as being insinuated by Adoke.

    He said after satisfying his long desire to titillate the public with some tales, Adoke should make himself available for trial.

    Magu, who made his position known in a statement through the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the commission’s investigation had implicated Adoke in the matter of the implementation of the settlement and resolution of agreements on Oil Prospecting License OPL 245 and OPL214

    He said the probe of OPL 245 was not a witch-hunt.

    He said: “It is important for the public to know that the investigation of the lucrative Oil Prospecting License 245 Settlement deal, otherwise known as the Malabu Scandal, by EFCC was not an enterprise in witch-hunt or malice.

    ”The Magu-led leadership of the commission, in consideration of persistent public demand for closer scrutiny of the transaction, coupled with emerging information suggestive of opacity in the consummation of the deal, acted in national interest to determine that overall public good was not sacrificed on the altar of personal interest of those who perfected the deal.

    “The investigation had been discreet, with no threat of direct physical harm to Adoke or any other person implicated in the deal.

    “The commission’s investigation holds Adoke liable in the matter of the implementation of the settlement and resolution of agreements on Oil Prospecting License OPL 245 and OPL214 between Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd, belonging to former Petroleum Minister, Dan Etete and the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2010.”

    The EFCC chairman released the details of the investigations into Malabu Oil Block scandal.

    He added: “It could be recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had revoked the OPL 245, which the late General Sani Abacha granted to Etete, who was his Petroleum Minister, and reassigned it Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company. Etete’s Malabu Oil and Gas, however, reclaimed the oil block in 2006 through the court. While Shell challenged the decision, a fraudulent settlement and resolution was perfected under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government with Shell and Eni buying the oil block from Malabu in the sum of $1.1billion.

    ”EFCC’s investigations, however, revealed crimes that border on conspiracy, forgery of bank documents, bribery, corruption and money laundering to the tune of over $1.2 billon against   Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd, Shell Nigeria Ultra deep (SNUD) Nigeria Agip Exploration (NAE) and their officials. Some of those officials are already facing criminal trials in Switzerland and Italy.

    “The investigations further revealed that Etete and others fraudulently received an aggregate sum of US$ 801,540,000 (Eight Hundred Million, Five Hundred and Forty Thousand United States Dollars) from Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company, Nigeria Agip Exploration Ltd and ENI SPA in relation to the oil prospecting license.

    Read Also: Police arrest ‘fake’ EFCC official in Lagos

    “Adoke as the then Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice allegedly abused his office in respect of the granting of the oil prospecting license OPL 245 to Shell and ENI.

    “A prima facie case bordering on official corruption was established by the Commission, following the investigations, culminating in court charges against Adoke, Etete and others, which is still pending before the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court.”

    He advised Adoke to return home for trial.

    “The arraignment of Adoke SAN, Etete and others could not take place because they along with other defendants have remained at large, refusing to make themselves available for trial.

    “The former chief law officer of the federation prefers to remain in self-exile, and engage the Commission in needless media war.

    “Having now satisfied his long desire to titillate the public with some tales by moonlight in the mould of a semi author-biography, Adoke should now make himself available for trial,” he said.

    Magu, however, faulted alleged attempts by Adoke to rewrite history.

    He said: “The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, is alarmed by the brazen attempt by former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), to rewrite history and portray himself as victim of persecution regarding the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC’s) investigation of the OPL 245 Settlement Agreement (Malabu).

    “In the last few days, the Nigerian media has been awash with previews of Adoke’s book, titled: “Burden of Service: Reminiscences of Nigeria’s former Attorney General,” in which he took aim at the EFCC boss as being part of a deadly triumvirate that had been hounding and persecuting him since he left office in 2015. The other two alleged traducers, mentioned by Adoke are the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) and former Senate Leader Ali Ndume. Adoke claims that he had been viciously maligned by this threesome to the extent that he contemplated suicide.

    “Specifically, he claimed in Chapter 8 of the book, that Magu was recruited by Prof. Osinbajo to hound and persecute him despite, as he claimed, his role in reinstating Magu to the EFCC from the police “where he had been vegetating.”

    “Adoke attributes his source of information on the alleged Osinbajo instruction to Magu against him to an unnamed governor from the Northwest, who according to him, claimed Magu told him that he had the instruction of Osinbajo to “deal with Adoke.”

    “Adoke also claims that an unnamed senator also confided in him that Magu nursed a personal grudge against him because he believed that he (Adoke) owned half of the Centenary City in Abuja.

    “That Adoke neither named the Northwest governor nor the senator that provided the weighty intelligence on which he took Magu to the guillotine in his book, could only mean one thing: the claims are tissues of lies, contrived to entertain and attract underserved attention to himself.

    “The acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu categorically states that at no time did the Vice President discuss, counsel, or direct him in any way on any issue concerning Mr. Adoke. It is wicked and evil to make such a false allegation against anybody, especially where it is based on hearsay.”

    Magu accused Adoke of employing marketing gimmick to wet public appetite for his book.

    He added: “These yarns, being spewed by hirelings of the former AGF are nothing but a marketing gimmick, dubiously orchestrated to wet public appetite and sufficiently stir curiosity ahead of the official release of the book on Monday, September 16, 2019.

    “But, it is obvious that what Adoke is offering the reading public in the account of his sojourn in governance is nothing but a bouquet of half-truths and plain lies.

    “The accounts in Chapters 8 and 9 as it relates to the EFCC and its Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, are not only inaccurate, but self-serving.”

  • 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.”

  • Customers to pay more for PoS transactions

    BANK customers are to pay more for Point of Sale (PoS) transactions. This follows a Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive to banks to charge N50 Stamp Duty on individual transactions.

    The directive on the Unbundling of Merchant Settlement Amounts was contained in the CBN circular to banks, processors and switches, titled: “Review of Process for Merchants Collections on Electronic Transactions”.

    The new policy stipulates Stamp Duties Payment on individual transactions that occur on PoS, rather than previous plans where charges occurred on aggregate transactions.

    The circular signed by CBN Director, Payments System Management Department, Sam Okojere,  authorised banks to unbundle merchant settlement amounts and charge applicable taxes and duties on individual transactions as stipulated by regulators.

    Merchant Service Charge was also reviewed downward from 0.75 per cent (capped at N1, 200) to 0.50 per cent (capped at N1, 000).

    The CBN and Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) are working closely, including setting emittance processes that ensure the stamp duty charges for PoS is collected.

    In a NIBSS report titled: “Returns on Stamp Duty Collection for Merchant Transactions”, the payment agency said the new stamp duty payment plan is in line with the provision of the Stamp Duties Act and Federal Government Financial Regulation 2009.

    The policy, it added, was aimed at ensuring strict adherence to the CBN guideline communication on the subject, collection and Remittance of Statutory Charges on receipts to Nigeria postal Service under the Stamp Duties Act dated 15th January 2016.

    Read Also: CBN to sanction banks for e-payment breach

    The procedural processing guide for stamp duty Charges for PoS, web merchant and all deposit money banks (DMBs) should download daily PoS/Web settlement report from their respective processors settlement file transfer portal.

    Also, the PoS and web settlement processing officer shall ensure that stamp duties are correctly processed daily by downloading daily PoS/web transactions valued at N1,000 and above, noting the count of these transactions; multiply the count of these transactions by N50 and pass the corresponding debit/charge to the respective merchant accounts.

    “The debit should be passed to the merchant accounts account at the point of PoS/ Web merchant Credit/Settlement to mitigate against the inability of the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to successfully secure these daily stamp duties charges and remit as expected. These charges are expected to be deposited into the already opened stamp duty collections account at the various DMBs and should form part of the weekly Stamp Duty rendition by the DMBs to NIBSS,” it added.

    The NIBSS data showed the total volumes of PoS transactions for 2017 stood at 146.3 million which was worth N1.4 trillion; 285.9 million transactions in 2018 worth N2.3 trillion and 187.7 million for six months- January to June 2019 worth N1.4 trillion.

     

     

  • IAAF dangles N2.6bn on Nigerians, others

    The International Associations of Athletics Federation (IAAF) has put together N2.6billion ($ 7,530,000) as prize money for the 2019 World Athletics Championships holding in Doha, Qatar from September 27 to October 6.

    In a statement issued by IAAF and made available to NationSport, athletes from Nigeria and other participating countries will be aiming to share from the purse, while athletes who set new records in individual events will get N35 million (US$100,000) offered by TDK and Qatar National Bank (QNB).

    TDK’s involvement with the IAAF World Championships goes beyond the world record programme, as the Japanese electronics company has been the main bib sponsor for men’s events for all 16 previous editions and will maintain that involvement in Doha.

    QNB, which joined the IAAF as partner last year, will offer the same generous sponsorship package for women’s events at the IAAF World Championships.

    Prize money for individual events are Gold- US$ 60,000; Silver- US$ 30,000; Bronze- US$ 20,000; fourth place- US$ 15,000; fifth place- US$ 10,000; sixth place- US$ 6000; seventh place- US$ 5000 and eighth place- US$ 4000.

    In relays (per team): Gold- US$ 80,000; Silver- US$ 40,000; Bronze- US$ 20,000; fourth place- US$ 16,000; fifth place- US$ 12,000; sixth place- US$ 8000; seventh place- US$ 6000 and eighth place- US$ 4000.

     

     

  • $9.6b judgment: Reps summon Malami, Sylva

    ATTORNEY-GENERAL and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami and Minister of State Petroleum Timipre Sylva have been summoned by the House of Representatives over the $9.6 billion judgment debt against the country in the United Kingdom.

    The angry lawmakers took the decision at plenary on Wednesday after deliberating on a motion of urgent national importance moved by Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.

    The House observed that “this embarrassing judgment exposes a deep decay in our governance and leadership infrastructure with far-reaching implications for the credibility of the country’s capacity to handle business and legal cases.”

    It mandated a 17-man ad Hoc Committee to invite the ministers and other government officials that are connected to the deal.

    According to the Green Chamber, the minsters are to give report on the huge cost awarded in favour of Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) Limited, and explain the lapse in judgment of time and due diligence in the  handling of the case with a view to finding lasting solutions to the avalanche of extant and future cases.

    The lawmakers are also to invite other officials of the ministries, saddled with the responsibility to negotiate the agreement with P&ID and the prosecution of the matter before the tribunal.

    The committee is headed by a Katsina State All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker Sada Soli.

    The resolution was sequel to the passage of a motion sponsored by Ihonvbere.

    Ihonvbere noted that the $9.6 billion (with daily interest accruing) by a commercial court in the United Kingdom (UK) against Nigeria, “leaves a very sour taste in the mouth.”

    He said for a country with a foreign reserve of only $45 billion and a sovereign debt profile of over $80 billion, the judgment debt is not only punitive but would devastatingly affect the economy.

    The lawmaker said: “Aware of the fact that Nigeria has a penchant for disregarding the sanctity of contracts and terms of agreement, coupled with the failure of Nigeria’s representatives in many cases, to carefully or diligently scrutinize agreements they sign knowing that the consequences will affect past and future generations.

    “Aware also that Nigeria had entered into a Gas Supply and Processing Agreement (GSPA) with P &ID Limited, in January 2010, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources with the understanding that Nigeria would supply natural gas (wet gas) at no cost, through a government pipeline to P&ID’s production facility, while P&ID in return would construct and operate the facility, process the wet gas and return to the government of Nigeria lean gas for the generation of power at no cost to Nigeria.”

    He noted that two years down the line, P&ID had not built any gas plant to which Nigeria could supply wet gas for processing, signifying in the first place that the move to Arbitration was opportunistic and grossly self-serving.

    Ihonvbere said: “Cognizant of the fact that, the matter went before an Arbitration Tribunal, under the Rules of the Nigerian Arbitration and Conciliation Act 2004, with London, England as place of Arbitration.

    Read Also: Over N259.5b looted funds recovered – Malami

    “After affirming its jurisdiction in the matter, the Tribunal began hearing to determine whether or not there were any repudiatory breaches of contract. At this point, there was an attempt by the Ministry of Petroleum to reach a settlement agreement with P&ID Limited to the tune of $850 million, payable in installment which obviously was not diligently pursued.”

    Ihonvbere expressed concern that the agreement was somewhat shrouded in secrecy and as such apparently dubiously procured, “as those who ought to know about its existence did not and more importantly, the relevant laws in Nigeria for the transaction to be consummated was not applied especially, Part IV of the Bureau of Public Procurement Act 2007 which deals with the fundamental principles of procurement.”

    According to him, it was alarming “that it took the new government more than four months to respond to the vital arbitration judgement of about $9.6 billion with a ridiculous excuse that there had been a change of administration in Nigeria and that ministers, including the Attorney-General had only just been appointed thus asking for an extension of time to act on the outcome of the arbitration tribunal.”

    He said it was equally alarming that, rather than engage P&ID in the matter before the tribunal with robust legal arguments and interpretations; Nigeria was busy shopping for a favourite forum to plead her case in a court in Lagos, Nigeria.

    The ad hoc committee is to recommend appropriate sanctions where necessary without fear or favour or preference for status in line with Order 14 of the Standing Orders of the House.

    It will also initiate a process of reviewing all agreements and treaties signed by Nigeria through the appropriate committees to create opportunities to discover anomalies and avoid a repeat in the future.

     

  • Golf: 600 players for 2019 Nigeria Cup

    OVER 600 players will vie for honours at 23rd edition of the Nigerian Cup, which will take place from September 21 to 28 at the Ikoyi Club 1938 Golf Section.

    According to the outline of activities released by the Organising Committee headed by Uwem Udoh, the week-long event meant to commemorate Nigeria’s independence will begin with the children clinic on September 21st, the caddies will take to the course on the 23rd, while it will be turn of the ladies golfers to vie for honours on the 24th.

    A special Independence Day Kitty, involving members of the club, will hold on the 25th, while it will be the turn of the professionals to vie for the N2 million cash prize on the 26th. Also, the 27th have been set aside to appreciate sponsors, guest and veterans of the game.

    On the 28th, which is the final day, the best players who have been sanctioned to play after qualifying will do battle on the course. Apart from the cash prizes for the professionals, over 75 prizes would be won by different categories of winners with a special gala event rounding off the programme on October 1st.

    Udoh stated that the annual event has continued to wax stronger since it debuted 23 years ago and stated that the aim is to see top players compete in the event every year. He noted that members of  organising committee worked assiduously to with the Ikoyi Golf Community Association, sponsors, the golf section leaders to package a befitting event.

    The organising committee chairman said the Nigeria Cup is the club’s contribution to the celebration of the country’s independence and nationhood. “For us to be going for this long, it can only be due to the strong support of our sponsors (corporate and individual). We have also decided to recognise and honour distinguish Nigerian who have left indelible imprint on the sands of time.”

    Some of the sponsors backing the event are AMNI, ND Western, Nova Merchant Bank, Ecobank, Eroton, Simba, NCDMB, Multiplan, UBA, Wellmanned and Channels Television.