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Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • Tribunal verdict: Sokoto residents soaked in anxiety, confusion, uncertainty

    ANXIETY, fears and uncertainty have thickened in Sokoto, seat of the caliphate ahead of the much-awaited Elections petitions Tribunal verdict on the 2019 state governorship contest to be passed today in Abuja.

    All ears and eyes of Sokoto residents beamed on the state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which moved its sitting to Abuja for alleged security reasons.

    Already, top notchers of both the PDP and APC had two days back moved in their numbers to the Federal Capital to witness the judgement.

    However, hours to the judgement, supporters and party loyalists to the two major contending parties’ candidates, sitting Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal(PDP) and opposition Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto(APC) had since last week, been thrown in confusion as to what the outcome of the tribunal verdict would be.

    Aliyu Sokoto who was deputy to Tambuwal had filed a petition before the Tribunal challenging the victory of the incumbent as well INEC for declaring him winner in the March 2019 state governorship election.

    Supporters and party members from the two political divides, especially in the state capital were noticed in groups across the nook and crannies of the metropolis analysing the situation with speculative hope.

    Read Also; Security beefed up in Kano ahead of Tribunal’s judgment

    Although, the security situation has yet not suggested reactive tendency by the allegedly usual political thugs presumably to foment trouble of any sort even as security agencies have intensified routine show of force across flashpoints in the state as a proactive measure to tame likely breach of the public peace by miscreants.

    Meanwhile, there was heavy presence of security at the International Conference Centre, Sokoto, venue of a live special interactive session with students and youths associations by Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

    Quite a sizable number of military, police, NSCDS personnel were deployed to the venue that drew attendance beyond the conference hall capacity to grace the event as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 59th independence anniversary.

    Besides, Wednesday’s Tribunal verdict is expected to end all political permutations, speculations and tension among loyalists and members of the two opposing parties depending on the outcome. Either way, it goes, the contending candidates would square up for further challenge.

    Meanwhile, the over an hour early morning torrential rainfall has forced many residents to remain indoors as the tribunal verdict closes gap.

  • Security beefed up in Kano ahead of Tribunal’s judgment

    Security has been beefed up in Kano metropolis ahead of the Judgment to be delivered by the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday.

    NAN reports that the tribunal had on Monday, Sept. 30, set aside Wednesday, Oct. 2, for
    the judgment on the petition filed by the PDP and its gubernatorial candidate against Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje.

    PDP and Abba Kabir-Yusuf are challenging the declaration of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje of APC as winner of the March 23, governorship election in Kano state.

    Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano reports that armed policemen have been deployed to strategic places within Kano and its environs, including the Government House and other public buildings.

    Read Also: Police arrest alleged killer of three family members in Kano

    Policemen have also taken over the control of movement of vehicles, especially along the major streets in the city as early as 6.00 a.m as parts to check recklessly amongst motorists at the end of the judgment.

    Other security personnel have also been put on red alert at the tribunal located along the Miller road at Bompai areas of the state capital and all motorists who have no business with the area were turned back.

    People going toward the area where the tribunal is located have been subjected to serious thorough questioning and checks to enhance security at the venue.

    Human and vehicular movements around the Bompai area was also restricted as only lawyers, journalists, and security personnel were allowed in or out of the place.

  • Gunmen kill Adamawa Tabital Pulaaku chairman, guest

    Men suspected to be hired killers or kidnappers have gunned down the Adamawa State Chairman of Tabital Pulaaku International, Alhaji Abdu Bali.

    The attackers who struck at the Fulani group leader’s residence in Yola town on Tuesday night also killed a man who was identified as a visitor and left another visitor critically injured.

    Our correspondent gathered that three gunmen stormed the Tabital Pulaaku chairman’s house in Lakare area of Yola town about 8:30 pm on Tuesday and opened gunfire on the man and his visitors, killing him and one of his two visitors and injuring the other.

    A source said, “Alhaji was inside the house with two people who were on a visit when three armed men came shooting sporadically and entering the house. They killed Alhaji and one of the visitors while the other visitor was left badly injured.”

    Read Also: NSCIA Deputy President-General is dead

    The Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Sulaiman Ngurore, confirmed the incident Wednesday morning.

    He said, “When we were alerted, we rushed there and found the Tabital Pulaaku chairman and his visitor lying in pools of blood. We took them and another visitor who was injured to the hospital where the chairman and his other visitor were confirmed dead.”

    The PPRO added that men and officials from all relevant police units had been deployed to fish out the killers and have them prosecuted.

  • BREAKING: NSCIA Deputy President-General is dead

    The Deputy President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Alhaji Sakariyahu Babalola is dead.

    He was 87.

    Alhaji Babalola, who was also the President-General of the Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN) was a philanthropist.

    He was the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Telemobile Nigeria Limited.

    Popularly known as SOB, the late Alhaji Babalola will be buried on Wednesday in Lagos in accordance with the Islamic injunction.

    The janazah (prayer for the deceased) will take place at the Lagos Central Mosque, Idumota.

    Chief Imam of Lagos State Sheikh Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla is expected to lead the Janazah.

  • Buhari’s advisers: how to make Nigeria prosperous

    A PEEP into the kind of advice President Muhammadu Buhari will be receiving from his newly inaugurated Economic Advisory Council (EAC) was given on Tuesday as members of the team gave their views on the state of the economy

    It was at a commemorative event to mark the country’s Independence anniversary. “The Platform,” was organised by the Covenant Christian Centre, Lagos, led by Pastor Poju Oyemade.

    Financial Derivatives Limited Chief Executive Officer Bismarck Rewane and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo, spoke on how to get the economy roaring back.

    Rewane and Soludo are members of the eight-man Presidential EAC. In his broadcast yesterday, the President spoke on his expectations from the team to turn the economy around.

    Other members of the team led by Dr. Doyin Salami are: Mohammed Sagagi (Vice Chairman); Prof Ode Ojowu; Shehu Yahaya; Iyabo Masha; and Mohammed Adaya Salisu.

    Speaking on the theme, ‘Re-designing the Nigerian Economy with New Ideas’, Rewane, an economist, said: “What our economy needs is a mental discipline to learn from the mistakes of the past. Our vulnerability has increased because we have not learned from the mistakes of our past and that of other countries.”

    Rewane noted that things outside the country’s control are more than things within its control. “When the institutions of conflict resolution are broken, the alternative to what you have is anarchy. The social contract between the rulers and the ruled is very important as it’s so cheap to just talk than to act.

    Read Also: Talking points from Buhari’s Independence address

    “What we have control over is our credibility and leadership. Social credibility over what we say is important because talk is cheap. Credibility does not come from what we say, but what we do,” Rewane said.

    Soludo, who said a friend advised him not to accept the presidential offer to serve because “there is no money there now (but) just a committee”, added: “The game of the future is “innovate, compete or die.” He said Nigeria needs to start preparing for a world without oil, which calls for innovation in diverse aspects of the economy.

    He warned: “We need to start preparing for 400 million people that will soon be upon us in a world without oil. We have been living on the life support of oil. When oil goes up, the economy goes up and when oil comes down, the economy comes down.

    “The misery that will befall us is to continue to churn out millions of semi-literate youths and largely unemployed citizens.”.

    Soludo called for devolution of power, which he said, means giving power back to the people.

    He said: “Our constitution, together with its command and control institutions concentrated at Abuja, was designed for and around the sharing and consumption of the oil rent. It is largely obsolete for the demands of a production economy without oil rent, which requires competitive and flexible rather than unitary federalism.

    “As the oil rent is tapping off, its internal contradictions have burst open, requiring a lot of survival mechanisms to keep the system afloat. But, for how long?

    “You cannot build a 100-storey building upon a foundation of an old bungalow. The new economy we need to build is a 100-storey building and we cannot put a 100-storey building on this foundation that has been laid for a bungalow.

    “A post-oil economy requires that agents maximise their fullest potentials, which would require a national rather than a federal response. You can’t clap with one hand.

    “What we need is a new national business model. You are designing good ideas and good plans without the underlying infrastructure to carry those ideas forward.”

    Soludo added: “These children in the next 30 years will be youth. They need jobs, they need education, they need water, they need housing. Twenty years time, the oil will be history.

    “Since 1992, we have implemented all kinds of plans all designed to diversify the economy, but we are still tied to the life support of the oil sector. If you want to change a persistent economic structure, you have to change the underlying economic institution.

    “Our greatest resource is human beings, but we are not going to export illiterates. The easiest way to waste the future is to continue to churn out illiterates and largely unemployed persons most of who see criminality as the only way to escape.”

  • Guard, 75, defiles 11-year-old in Enugu

    THE Enugu State Police Command has arrested a 75-year-old security guard, who allegedly defiled an 11-year-old girl on a school premises.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer Ebere Amaraizu said in a statement on Tuesday that the suspect was caught in the act by a good Nigerian on August 30.

    Amaraizu said that the suspect wanted to influence the good Nigerian not to bring up the alleged nefarious act.

    He said that the suspect committed the alleged offence in one of the structures at the Community Secondary School, Ugbaike in Igbo Eze Local Government Area.

    Read Also: Enugu trains vigilance groups

    Amaraizu said, “Just as the scriptural saying goes that one’s sin shall find him out, the iniquity of the man has found him out.

    “The 75-year-old man was nabbed over alleged defilement of  11-year-old.

    “It was gathered that the incident took place in one of the structures at the Community Secondary School, Ugbaike,” he said.

    According  to the police spokesman, the suspect has been asking for forgiveness, claiming  that Satan led him into the  crime.

    “The suspect is now helping the police in their investigation,” he added.

  • Nigeria in danger over 11 contract breaches

    THE BREACHED AGREEMENTS

    • P&ID (Propane Dehydration (12-24 months) 88.198MMscf/d;
    • Octopol Energy Limited (LPG Extraction (12-15 months) 4.676MMscf/d, 3.039MMscf/d, 4.800MMscf/d, 2.100MMscf/d, 13.4MMscf/d;
    • Petrolog Oil &Gas Limited (CNG (9-24 months) 8.76MMscf/d, 20.600MMscf/d;
    • GFD Energy Nigeria Ltd (GFD) (2million MT Floating LNG) 5.7MMscf/d, 7.5MMscf/d, 2.2MMscf/d, 9.2MMscf/d;
    • Global Gas &refining Limited (GGRL) (LPG Extraction) 11.300MMscf/d, 12.398MMscf/d, 8.35MMscf/d.
    • Davubic Energy Development Comp. Ltd (LPG Extraction) 8.4MMscf/d, 21.516MMscf/d, 18.1MMscf/d;
    • Consortium of Drake Oil Limited & Partners (DOL) 7.42MMscf/d, 6.856MMscf/d, 14.564MMscf/d;
    • Tricity Oil Nigeria Ltd 1.266MMscf/d, 4.977MMscf/d, 2.026MMscf/d, 4.979MMscf/d, 3.777MMscf/d.
    • Colechurch International Ltd (LPG Extraction) 3.778MMscf/d, 3.335MMscf/d, 2.539MMscf/d, 2.071MMscf/d, 13.10MMscf/d, 1.000MMscf/d;
    • Eurafic Oil &Gas Ltd (LPG Extraction) 3.256MMscf/d, 5.075MMscf/d, 12.00MMscf/d;
    • Ibeto Group (LPG Extraction) 23.00MMscf/d, 34.3MMscf/d,
    • Borkir International Company Ltd. 26.558MMscf/d, 26.7MMscf/d.

    NIGERIA faces likely litigation for more breaches of gas agreements, it was learnt on Tuesday.

    Not less than 11 agreements signed with different firms have been breached and the companies are waiting for the outcome of the litigation of the Federal Government with Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID) to determine whether to press for claims.

    Nigeria is before a London court trying to reverse the $9.6 billion arbitral judgment against the country over a dubious gas agreement signed with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources without passing through due process.

    Some of the 11 companies were alleged to have initiated arbitration process against the Federal Government.

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to assist in probing how the 11 extra deals are tied to the ill-fated contracts with P&ID.

    The EFCC has raised a team of detectives to probe the deals.

    It was learnt that the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources on January 10, 2010 entered into separate agreements with P&ID and 12 other pre-qualified investors for gas production facilities at the nation’s oil fields.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Nigeria is in a serious danger because 11 other firms have issues with the Federal Government on the gas projects.

    Read Also: EFCC arrests ‘fake lawyer’

    “The Ministry of Petroleum Resources actually on January 10, 2010 entered into a deal with P&ID and 12 other pre-qualified investors for accelerated development of gas production facilities at the nation’s oil fields.

    “These oil fields included those on offshore, land swamp in different flare points. Both the government and the investors have their obligations spelt out in the MoU. And the two parties have defaulted with the P&ID and 11 companies seeking compensation or payment of damages.

    “Some of these firms have initiated arbitration process. A few others are awaiting the outcome of Nigeria’s case at the UK Court of Appeal to make a stronger case for payment of damages.

    “The concern of those in NNPC and other government officials is about how much Nigeria will now pay for the botched Gas Supply and Processing Agreement (GSPA). This is why the government is ready to give P&ID a good fight in the UK and in the United States.”

    Another source in the NNPC said: “This corporation does not want a repeat of P&ID arbitral award and it has referred the case of the 11 firms to the EFCC for investigation and advice on how the nation can go about it.

    “We want to try as much as possible to prevent a deluge of arbitration cases which can ground the nation’s economy.

    “Some of the companies have already initiated arbitration steps. It is only a firm that has decided not to either take Nigeria to a court or any arbitration panel.

    “Certainly, the GSPA was untidy, fraudulent and a plot by some of the companies to rip off the nation.”

    A team of special detectives was said to be handling the investigation of the deals with the 11 firms.

    “Our detectives are already investigating the deals with the firms. We have shortlisted about 25 persons to interact with.

    “We also discovered that the deals are inter-related with the ongoing case of P&ID. We will leave no stone unturned to end this type of challenge the nation is facing,” a source in the anti-graft agency added.

    Also, the Federal Government has invoked Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty(MLAT) to extradite a co-owner of P&ID, Brendan Cahill and  Adam Quinn, the son of owner of the Irish firm, the late Michael Quinn.

    A government source said: “We have already invoked MLAT between Nigeria and the UK and Ireland to bring the two key officials of P&ID to trial in Nigeria.

    “We have filed charges against a former Director, Legal Services in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and they have been implicated Cahill.

    “We are hopeful that the extradition move will succeed.”

  • Nigeria needs committed leaders to be great again, says Gov. Ugwuanyi

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has said that Nigeria needs committed leadership, collective patriotism and sacrifice to be great again.

    Ugwuanyi made this assertion on Tuesday during the 59th Independence Anniversary of the country at Okpara Square, Enugu.

    The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, said that in spite of circumstances that had threatened the unity of the country, Nigerians had been more united.

    He said that Oct. 1 would remain a reference day in the history of the country.

    “Nigeria has been through the stormy weather and political turbulences that seriously threatened the unity of our Nation, but we have equally recorded brilliant promises that united and made us proud as Nigerians.

    “We have also seen economic prosperity with the economy of the Old Eastern Region rated as the fastest growing economy in the entire Africa,” he said.

    Ugwuanyi said that the country had also witness pathetic economic challenges that had slowed down the development of the nation.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Lawmaker hails Ugwuanyi

    “Our opinion is that Nigeria is still a growing nation and a problem identified is a problem half solved.

    “It is encouraging that we are not shying away from confronting our challenges as one people with one destiny.

    “Therefore, I have no doubt that with committed leadership and collective patriotism and sacrifice Nigeria will be great again.

    “Our heroes past shall smile again from their graves as we build a Nigeria of their dreams,” he said.

    He said that the youths of the country needed to be appreciated for their undiluted loyalty and faith in the nation.

    The governor said that his administration would continue to invest in the education sector as well as empower residents of the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high points of the ceremony were march-past and cultural displays by primary and secondary schools in the state as well as a minutes’ silence in honour of the fallen founding fathers of the country.

    NAN

     

  • Buhari to hold town hall meeting with Nigerians in South Africa

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will today depart Abuja for a three-day state visit to South Africa, following an invitation by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

    The two leaders are billed to discuss the welfare of Nigerians eking out a living in the former apartheid enclave.

    The visit comes against the background of recent xenophobic attacks, the evacuation of 502 Nigerians and the exchange of visits by Special envoys of Presidents Buhari and Ramaphosa.

    A statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja, on Tuesday, said the two leaders would find common grounds for building harmonious relations among their respective citizens.

    ”While in South Africa, the Nigerian leader will hold a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in the country, to share in their experiences”, Shehu said in the statement.

    He said the President Buhari would use the opportunity to reassure Nigerians of government’s commitment to working for the protection of their lives and property and promoting peaceful co-existence.

    The statement reads: “President Buhari and his host will preside over the South Africa/Nigeria Bi-National Commission, during which a progress report will be presented.

    Read Also: President Buhari: Stop this internal bleeding

    “At the end of the meeting, both leaders will sign a joint communique.

    “The President and his delegation including Nigerian business representatives will also participate at a South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum with their host counterparts.”

    According to Shehu, President Buhari will be accompanied by governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Simon Lalong (Plateau) and David Umahi (Ebonyi).

    Also scheduled for the trip are: ministers Geoffrey Onyeama (Foreign Affairs); Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (Defence); Saleh Mamman (Power); Rauf Aregbesola (Interior); Olamilekan Adegbite (Mines and Steel Development); Maigari Dingyadi (Police Affairs) and Mrs. Mariam Katagum (State, Industry, Trade and Investment).

    Also on the trip are: National Security Adviser Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno; National Intelligence Agency Director-General, Mr. Ahmed Abubakar and Nigeria Diaspora Commission Chairman/CEO Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

    Shehu said the President would return to Abuja on Friday.

  • UCL: Juventus crush Bayer Leverkusen 3-0

    Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain scored one goal and made another, while Cristiano Ronaldo added the third, as Juventus cruised to a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen to go top of Champions League Group D in Turin on Tuesday.

    Juventus, who threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 away to Atletico Madrid on opening day, paired Higuain with Ronaldo in attack and it did not take long for the move to pay off.

    Goal-poacher Higuain exploited a disastrous attempt at a headed clearance by Jonathan Tah in the 17th minute, taking a touch before thumping the ball into the bottom left-hand corner to leave goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky no chance.

    With Leverkusen enjoying plenty of possession but creating precious little in front of goal, Higuain turned provider in the second half, whipping in a low cross from the left for Federico Bernardeschi to sweep home Juve’s second.

    Read Also: UCL: Bayern destroys Tottenham at White Hart Lane

    Keeper Hradecky nearly conceded a third in the 70th minute, taking a bad touch on a back pass that almost steered the ball into his own goal and then trying to get out of trouble with a risky short pass before the danger was cleared.

    Leverkusen’s best chance of the night fell to substitute Paulinho, but the 19-year-old Brazilian could not crown his Champions League debut with a goal and his lob went wide.

    Portuguese attacker Ronaldo had a frustrating night in attack but after uncharacteristically missing some decent second-half chances, he slotted the ball through Hradecky’s legs to make it 3-0 in the 88th minute.

    The win puts Juventus top of the group on four points and ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who won 2-0 away to third-placed Lokomotiv Moscow, on goal difference.

    Leverkusen are bottom after their second straight defeat.

    NAN