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Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • Baptist conference meets, seeks end to insecurity

    President of the Lagos East Baptist Conference Rev Dr Emmanuel Awotunde has called on the federal government to intensify the fights against terrorists and bandits in order to guarantee better security across the nation.

    He said Nigeria cannot afford to succumb to antics of criminal elements bent on crippling its stride towards peace and prosperity.

    Awotunde spoke last week with reporters ahead of The Kingdom Life Assembly of the conference slated for August 24-29.

    The assembly with the theme “Following Jesus as a steward” holds at First Baptist Church Agbowa, Ikorodu.

    He also commended the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in fighting insurgency.

    He pointed out Pastor of Nagarta Baptist Church Makere in Kaduna, Elisha Numan and a daughter of Pastor Absalom of Emmanuel Baptist Church Beri in Niger-Kebbi Baptist Church were kidnapped two weeks ago.

    He said a ransom of N7m has been placed on each of them.

    He said: “While we continue in prayers for God to touch the kidnappers, we appeal to the Federal Government to also step up efforts to free them from the kidnappers’ den.”

    Chairman of the conference, Rev. Dr. Julius Omomola, corroborated Awotunde, saying that insecurity cannot be tackled without knowing the basics for the insecurity.

    He urged the government to look into the increasing cases of kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery across the nation.

    In his words: “Our leader must see themselves as servant leaders, and stewards who are there to serve the people for a better Nigeria.”

    He suggested that rural development will help reduce rural-urban migration, which in turn will greatly reduce insecurity in the country.

    On the necessities for the assembly, Awotunde said: “The main purpose of the annual gathering is to share the word of God-in-dept through studying of the scriptures with expository messages.

    “There will be three major sessions during the programme. The evangelistic rallies every evening, the bible study and the business session where all the units will give reports of what the Lord did through them in the past one year.

    “There won’t have been a better theme in this period when some are content to be called Christians in name alone without corresponding actions and deed.”

    Awotunde commended the vibrant response of Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to fixing bad roads his administration inherited, stating that it was a commendable effort.

  • Nigerian youths are languishing, says Badejo

    The Founder/Chairman of the Wilson Badejo Foundation, Rev Wilson Badejo, has called for collaborative efforts by the church, government and not-for-profit organisations to reduce the high burden of poverty, especially among youths.

    He lamented that many youths in the country were languishing in self-help as the country battles with harsh economic realities.

    Badejo spoke at the 12th annual celebration of the Wilson Badejo Foundation in Lagos with the theme “Nigeria and the high rise of poverty: seeking economic salvation for today’s youths.”

    According to him: “The major issue is that the youths in our country are languishing; the church would have loved to do more.

    “We will do our best in our little corner to encourage them, we do not just give the money; we encourage and counsel you to assure you that there is still hope at the end of the tunnel”.

    Read Also: Are Nigerian youths prepared for leadership?

    Badejo, a former General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, said: “God helping us, we will continue to give people hope that all is not lost; we cry when we see people committing suicide, jumping into the ocean and we think it should not be so.

    “We are not limiting ourselves to universities; we are looking at colleges of education, college of technologies and we are also looking out to bible colleges to increase godly men in our midst.”

    The Presiding Archbishop of Vineyard Christian Ministries, John Osa-Oni, said education is one of the ways to alleviate poverty, stating that an educated mind is directly equipped for a greater future in life.

    The cleric also suggested a national conference, which he has been advocating for in the 25 years to discuss some of the problems facing the nation.

    In his lecture, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Trade Union, Owei Lakemfa, posited that education is vital in lifting people out of poverty.

    According to him: “You cannot combat poverty in Nigeria without a social safety system.”

  • OPay launches ‘OTrike’ in Kano

    Opera-founded startup, OPay, has introduced ‘OTrike’, a tricycle hauling service, in the northwestern city, Kano offering prices for as low as N30 per trip and 50% discount as part of its launch promotion.This development has met with positive reactions from the residents of Kano State.

    OTrike, like ORide and OBus, is a tricycle hailing service that will operate using branded tricycle popularly known as Keke Napep for intrastate trips within Kano.

    In 2018, the startup started operations as a mobile payment platform. It has since diversified its product offerings into motorcycle ride-hailing, ORide; food delivery service, OFood; OBus and the current one OTrike.

    Speaking during the launch, Director of Operations at ORide, Ridwan Olalere said; “This is in continuation of the founding vision of ORide which is, to make smart commuting accessible to people of all walks of life, at an affordable rate.

    “ORide is about creating opportunities by helping people move from where they are to where they need to be, to make it happen”.

    Read Also: Tackling unemployment through ride-hailing technology

    Meanwhile, the ‘OTrike’ riders have received android smartphones as part of their on-boarding kit and have also been trained with respect to international safety and security standards.

    The firm further disclosed that it has engaged the Kano State Government and upon the official launch of ‘OTrike’, it was invited by the Government to further clarify and educate the Government on its business model including its pricing approach.

    Upon concluding its Government verification, the firm has gained the confidence of the state government in the platform and as such leveraged on OTrike’s solutions for regulating the Tricycle business in Kano.

    The firm promised to restructure its business to fully integrate with the State’s commerce laws by partaking in the Keke registration via KAROTA.

    Since launching in Kano, OTrike has delivered several benefits including, providing employment to many Kano residents; paying well above the minimum wage; direct investment in the state through its operations and also providing a safe and secure ecosystem for passengers commuting through Keke.

  • Traditionalists ask Makinde to declare August 20 as public holiday

    TRADITIONAL religion adherents under the umbrella of Traditional Religion Worshippers’ Association in Oyo State (TRWASSO) has appealed to the state governor, Seyi Makinde, to immediately declare August 20th every year as a public holiday in order to commemorate the annual Isese festival.

    They made the request at an event to mark the 2019 Isese festival which was held in Ibadan, the state capital.

    The group had, in the last two years, appealed with the immediate past governor of the state, Mr. Abiola Ajimobi, to declare August 20th as Isese Day without yielding any positive result.

    Also speaking on the matter, the Akoda Awo of Ibadan land, Chief Ifalere Odegbola, who led the traditional religion worshippers to the palace of the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, said that Oyo State ought to have recognised the day just as Osun has done.

    Read Also: Makinde pleads for tax compliance

    On his birth, Chief Olukande Ajewole, who corroborated Odegbola, said that the public must know that Isese Day is the climax of all traditional festivals as it is a day to pay special homage to God and ancestral leadership. He explained that it is the first foundation laid by Orunmila, before Islam and Christianity came into existence, adding that adherents of all other faiths will still trace their spiritual roots to Orunmila.

    While responding, Oba Adetunji stated that he was happy to receive the traditionalists, stressing that he does not toy with the value and importance of Isese Day.

    Speaking further, the monarch promised to deliver their message to the state governor and do all within his power to see how the wish could be granted.

     

     

     

  • ‘Unmanned forests threat to security’

    THE National Park Service has called on the Federal Government to take over all the forests in the country warning that unmanned forests pose a great threat to the nation’s security.

    The Conservator of Parks, Kainji Lake National Park, Jimoh Bolanle Oladosu, gave this suggestion when he outlined the dangers of unmanned forests during his visit to the Nigerian Army 31 Artillery Brigade in Minna.

    He stressed the need for the federal government to flush out bandits who have made these forests their safe haven, adding that if this is done, the insecurity bedevilling the nation would be halfway solved.

    “If the forests are not manned and taken over by the government, it is going to constitute a very big threat to the country. Any forest that is not manned now is going to constitute big danger that may consume us.

    “If the Federal Government takes over and they are manned, apart from harnessing the resources therein, no miscreants, kidnappers or bandits can enter the place to perpetrate their nefarious activities. The forest is where the hoodlums and miscreants use as their safe haven and hideouts.

    “It is better we take proactive/preventive measures now than to start spending huge amounts on curative. A lot of our forests have been degraded. Niger State for instance has a lot of forests that are very rich in bio-diversity and if they can be manned, protected and preserved, they will be highly beneficial to the people of the state and the country.”

    Olabosun proffered that the federal government can convert these forests into National Parks wherein there would be adequate security to scare these bandits and hoodlums from making the forests their hiding places.

    Speaking on the forests surrounding Niger State, he advised that the state government should hand it over to the federal government for them to be converted to National Parks.

    “If Niger State cannot man its forests, they can give them to the Federal Government to convert into National Parks, especially the Allawa Game Reserve and Forests. It is a very hot spot of bio-diversity.

    Read Also: Defence Minister: we’ll overhaul security architecture

    “But for the Federal Government’s proactive measures in setting up a joint task force of the military, National Parks Service (NPS) and local vigilantes, bandits would have taken over the Kainji Lake National Parks. The same can be done in other forests,” he said.

    He called for patronage to the various national parks across the nation adding that increased patronage would give the parks prominence which would increase the tourism potential of the national parks.

    In his remarks, the Commander, 31 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Gideon Ajetunmobi, assured of continuous support of the army towards ensuring the protection of the Kainji Lake National Park.

    Stating the importance of the National Parks, he said the parks are important as they ensure that some species of animals and plants are kept in existence. “They are quite important to the country because they provide safe homes for animals, plants and even humans,” he said.

     

  • “33’’ Export unveils 40th anniversary label in Calabar

    Nigeria’s premium beer, “33” Export Lager, unveiled its limited edition 40th anniversary label at the ‘City of Friends’ event in Calabar, Cross River state at the weekend.

    In an atmosphere of camaraderie, the foremost beer brand unveiled a special limited-edition bottle label to mark the historic milestone.

    Thousands of consumers witnessed the momentous event at Municipal Garden, Calabar where a limited-edition bottle label that speaks to the brand’s uncompromising quality was unveiled.

    Read Also: Life Lager wraps up 2019 edition of Hi-Life Fest

    Raising the roof at this delightful unveiling was the turntable skills displayed by DJ Neptune and DJ Necterr matched by MC Galaxy’s energy and KCEE’s rousing performance. KCEE thrilled the crowd with great hits like ‘Limpopo’, ‘Hakuna Matata’ and the collaborative track with Wizkid, ‘Pull Over.’

    The Portfolio Manager Mainstream Brands, Omotunde Adenusi explained the commitment of the “33” Export brand to delivering unrivaled quality and bringing people together.

    “We are excited to celebrate this historic milestone. The limited-edition 40th anniversary label is a celebration of “33” Export’s four decades of providing consumers a great tasting beer. “33” Export is a unique beer brand known to nurture relationships and strengthen the bonds we share and we thought it apt to celebrate this moment with our loyal consumers.”

  • Lagos intensifies efforts to register 1m new born in 2019

    THE Lagos State government has stepped up efforts to register children as soon as they are born even as it has been mandated by the National Population Commission (NPoPC) to register one million children by the end of the year.

    With a total of 231,584 registrations comprising 117,586 boys and 113,998 girls, Lagos had the second highest number of birth registrations in the country in 2018 after Borno State.

    Speaking at a 2-day workshop organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in collaboration with UNICEF on the need to scale up birth registration in Lagos State, a Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF, Mrs. Sharon Oladiji, pointed out that birth registration is the first step towards recognising a child’s inalienable right as a human being, but in Lagos State this is failing to meet their right to an identity, name and nationality.

    Read Also: 2,150 Lagos pilgrims return

    Oladiji, who decried the threat to the rights of over 1.4 million children in the state, also called for expansion of birth registration services in all LGAs with prioritisation of interventions to accelerate progress, especially amongst the poor in rural areas and among socially- disadvantaged groups.

    The Lagos State 2019 report so far shows that the worst-performing Local Government Areas (LGAs) are Epe with 28,817 registrations, Lagos Island 28,579 registrations, and Ibeju- Lekki with 18,346 registrations.

    On his part, Lagos State Director, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr. Waheed Ishola, who noted that the media was critical in the scaling up of birth registration, appealed to media practitioners to buy into the programme and help create awareness on the project.

    “When a child is not registered, there is no official record of his/her full name and that child will not have access to basic services,” said the Head of Department, Vital Registration Department, National Population Commission, NPoPC Lagos State, Mr. Nwannukwu Ikechukwu.

     

  • Lagos group supports Bello’s reelection

    THE convener of Igala Lagos Youth Party, Feliz Olame, has thrown his weight behind the re-election bid of the Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.

    Olame spoke at a press conference in Lagos organised by the group in support of the second term agenda of Bello.

    He said Bello’s giant-stride achievements in the last four years in the education, health, agriculture, infrastructural development and social security sectors have been commendable.

    Read Also: Bello warns against attack on Fed Govt.

    Noting that ethnicity, religion and class were recurring issue in Kogi state before the emergence of the governor, he stated that Bello came with new ideas where everyone in the state can work, live and access government opportunities without any parochial consideration.

    Stating the weakness of Bello, he said it was the non-payment of salaries which he explained was a result of unimaginable number of ghost workers who were receiving salaries from the state, but which the governor has managed to stop. He asserted that those opposing the governor’s reelection are people of the old order who are blind and cannot see the next level programmes of the government and their effects on the people of Kogi State.

  • Diezani again – the flamboyant female former minister wants all her bling-bling back!

    Nigeria’s former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison Maduekwe has vowed not to return to Nigeria from the UK where she fled to, to face trial over allegations of financial crimes levelled against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

    Diezani insists she has done no wrong and is staying put in the UK, for as long as it will take.

    However, tired of playing the waiting game, the EFCC in 2017 went ahead to try her in absentia. They have secured temporary forfeiture of a lot of her assets, including a block of luxury flats in Banana Island in Lagos.

    They have also had some of her accounts frozen with sums lodged in various currencies ( $2.74m and N84.54m) said to have  been part of the rents paid for the luxury flats.

    Still, Diezani has not budged, and it appears the EFCC is unable to secure her extradition. And so the anti- graft agency continues to seize and withhold anything that is in any way connected to Diezani.

    In July, the federal government was granted leave by a Federal High Court to take over a plot of land in Port Harcourt belonging to the former minister. The latest haul-in though, is what Diezani is not finding funny any longer. Same July, her two thousand,  one hundred and forty-nine pieces of jewelry were seized  by  the EFCC. Diezani’s jewelry collection includes 497 expensive bangles and bracelets , 189 expensive watches,  and 315 expensive rings,  among other items.

    On July 5, 2019 the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos granted the request of the EFCC for the temporary forfeiture of all the jewelry seized in Diezani’s residence. The jewelry is valued at $40m and includes some personalized pieces, as well as a customised phone.

    This temporary forfeiture has lasted too long for Diezani’s patience. For a start, she has maintained that the entry into her residence by the EFCC was illegal, and that her jewelry was carted away without any court order. Diezani has now also taken the matter to court.

    She made an appeal in an application filed on her behalf at the Federal High Court in Lagos,  saying that the EFCC violated her fundamental right to own property and to appropriate same at her discretion. She is now asking the court to reject the prayer of the EFCC to permanently forfeit her jewelry to the federal government. She is asking the court to order that her jewelry be returned to her.

    It is worthy of note that in the same week of Deziani’s application, Nigeria’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group was reported on Radio Tamale in Ghana as saying that he avoids luxury things because they are a distraction. Bearing  in mind that as at March 2019, Dangote was worth $10 billion , then he is someone that a little luxury would not dent !

    In contrast, the flamboyant female former minister has been missing her bling- bling sorely. Among her requests,  she is also asking for the return of her customised, gold iPhone seized by the EFCC.

    All told, the final say lies with the courts, which so far have said nothing, and returned nothing.

    Nevertheless and in all fairness ; in the absence of any reports of theft of jewelry , then a woman’s jewelry collection will consist  of gifts, heirlooms and items personally purchased . Taking that  into consideration,  then for this jewelry,  I would recommend a  ‘temporary’ return , even as other assets remain frozen!

    07055547031 sms/ WhatsApp Twitter @mikky_princess

  • Ex-govs, former ministers to be grilled over $16b power projects

    WITH the official backing of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to grill suspects linked with the $16billion failed power projects.

    Twenty suspects, among them, two ex- governors, three former ministers, a former chairman of a bank and an ex- aviation chief, will be invited by the anti – graft body to say all that they know about the projects. Also to be grilled are 17 companies linked to the projects.

    The projects were executed during the administrations of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and the first term of President Buhari.

    But those in charge of the projects said $8.58billion was actually allocated between 2005 and 2018.

    The breakdown is as follows: $2.2billion from 2005- 2007; $600million in 2008; about $5.37b from 2010/2011 to date; $150m-$200m made available to NNPC by CBN; and about $80million for Ibom Plant.

    The EFCC however insisted on following the cash to know if the NIPP projects were overpriced and whether or not there was either embezzlement or diversion of the cash meant for power projects.

    A special team has been raised by the EFCC and all documents from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been obtained.

    “The EFCC has received the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the power projects by following the cash to ascertain alleged overpricing of the projects; payments for job not done and whether or not there was embezzlement of funds or diversion to private accounts, “ an EFCC source said yesterday.

    “We will take about 20 key people who were involved in the execution of some of these projects. We have also shortlisted about 17 companies for investigation.

    “There are two former governors from the South-South, a former chairman of a bank and a former chairman of an airline whose companies have been implicated.

    “After hearing from those short-listed, the Special Team of the EFCC will also have the opportunity to visit the sites of some of these projects to ascertain the completion or otherwise of some of these projects,” he said.

    He said the investigation is not targeted at any individual but “to uncover alleged underhand deals which dotted the projects and to verify if the projects awarded were executed or not.”

    “Where there are allegations of mismanagement or diversion of funds, we will fish out those behind it. We will start inviting some of the key players in the next few days and weeks,” he added.

    Read Also: EFCC moves to prevent Internet fraud

    The anti – graft official said a report of the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Power Probe, headed by the current Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu explained in details cash withdrawal from the Excess Crude Account (ECA).

    “Go and read the report, you will see that beyond the surface dressing or claims by some officials in charge of these projects, there were some alleged shady aspects.

    “We will be as open-minded as possible and allow all those concerned to clear the air as much as possible, “ he said

    The Elumelu report said in part: “From the oral and documentary evidence, it was clearly established that the total expenditure in the power sector during the period 1999-2007 was US$13, 278,937,409.94billion.

    “Indeed, had the supplementary budget of the power sector in 2007 been implemented, the expenditure could then have been over $16billion reported by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    “There are also unfunded commitments to the tune of US$7.265billion for NIPP projects as at May 29, 2007.

    “There is another US $1billion for PHCN capital projects awarded between 2000 and 2007, which have been captured in the 2008 Appropriation Act.

    “Additionally, the total commitment of the NNPC and its Joint Venture partners(of which the Federal Government, through the NNPC has an average of 51% interest) towards  IPP power plants, gas sources development, gas transmission and metering of JV IPPs, PHCN power plants and NIPP power plants, according to the submission of the acting GMD of the NNPC is US$7billion, out of which about US$1.62billion has been expensed, leaving outstanding commitments of over US$5.5billion out of which the Federal Government will provide about US$3billion.

    “Recognition of these unfunded commitments would bring the total (funded and unfunded) FGN expenditure commitments in the power sector to over US$24.5billion between 1999 and 2007.

    “From the assessment done during the Committee’s tour of the project sites, it is safe to conclude that no meaningful progress was made in the execution of power contracts.

    “It is curious and quite strange that officials rush to pay contractors in full even before engineering design for the projects have been completed and approved.

    “NIPP contracts were not only overpriced in comparison with PHCN contracts, they are also wide off the mark when viewed against comparable power stations in several parts of the world.

    “A comparable review of the cost of power installations in varied regions of the world such as South Korea, Saudi Arabia, U.S.A, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mexico and Chile showed that $10billion could have built plants to produce between 5,000 to 6,000 MW of electricity. But this amount failed to do so in Nigeria.

    “Unfortunately, all NIPP payments were made without following Due Process. In its place, a process called ‘Waiver of Due Process Certification for Payment’ was adopted in flagrant disregard of Due Process Policy, thus paving the way for dubious and highly risky payments to contractors and consultants by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “The committee found hard and widespread evidence of systematic over scoping of projects in order to inflate costs both in PHCN and NIPP.

    “At least 15 transmission lines and substation projects have been identified. For example, the New Haven-Ikot-Ekpene 2x330kv Double Circuit Line was over-scoped by 49% whilst the Afam-Ikot Ekpene 330kv line was over-scoped by more than 100%.

    “The estimated aggregate cost inflation identified so far for transmission projects is over N20billion and this is recoverable from contractors.

    “A clear example of project cost inflation is the proposed supply of 9No GE frame 9 gas turbines and auxiliaries at the cost of N185billion($1.55billion) awarded to Rockson International.

    “In comparison, it is noteworthy that GE supplied 18No turbines of similar specification previously at about $404million, including cost of Technical Assistance (TA) services and Long-Term Service agreements (LTSA). The implicit cost inflation on the nine additional turbines and associated services exceeds $1.145billion.

    “Another example is the costing of the so-called change-order provisions for Alaoji Power Plant (Phase I) at a highly-questionable amount of US$123million.

    “NIPP Distribution EPC contracts were awarded at costs averaging about 10 times the norm when compared to PHCN contracts costs for similar projects in the past five years. This 1,000% cost inflation of the NIPP Distribution EPC work scopes translates to an aggregate overpricing of over N50billion.”

    Somebody who was involved in the project but does not want his name in print , said: “We only hope EFCC will be fair to appreciate the fact that those who implemented these projects were patriotic.

    “The first premise the EFCC must focus on is the fact that no $1billion was released by the Federal Government.

    “Between 2005 and 2018, the projects gulped about $8.58billion including $2.2billion from 2005- 2007; $600million in 2008; about $5.37b released from 2010/2011 to date; $150m-$200m made available to NNPC by CBN; and about $80million for Ibom Plant.

    “In 2007, a former Accountant-General of the Federation said $2.2billion was released for the NIPP projects.

    “The $8.58billion was allocated as follows:

    *About $4.4billion—Power Plants (5,000MW) at less than $1m per Megawatt

    *About $2billion for Transmission Lines

    *About $1.5billion for 350 distribution projects

    *$600million -$700million for gas pipelines

    *$80million loan from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for Ibom Power Plant which resulted in an interest-free debenture

    “The EFCC’s probe is a welcome development because it will afford Nigerians to know the truth about the power projects. Some of the projects being commissioned by the Buhari administration are parts of the projects.

    “As a journalist, you can do a Google Search, you will realize that some of these projects have been completed and commissioned because government is a continuum, “ he said.

    Buhari vows to probe power project contracts

    Buhari while campaigning in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State in February for re-election, vowed to probe the $16bn allegedly spent on failed power projects.

    Government, he vowed, would recover the money and expose those behind the scam.

    He mentioned no name.

    He said: “The previous government mentioned on their own that they spent $16bn on power but you are better witnesses than myself.

    “Where is the power? Where is the money? We will follow them, eventually God willing, we will catch them and get our money back.”

     

    Obasanjo to Buhari: ‘You’re playing politics with statistics’

    Responding to the Buhari statement, Obasanjo accused the President of playing politics with statistics.

    His words: “A presidential panel headed by the then VP Goodluck Jonathan set up by the Umaru Yar’Adua government put a lie to this after the same administration had sacked one F. Somolu the then Secretary of NIPP who first drew attention to the lie that $16b had been spent on power project.

    “The Panel made up of so many actors, including CBN officials then found out that only $3.7 billion was disbursed out of the $10 billion budgeted and the balance was kept in an escrow account at the CBN.

    “The CBN confirmed this to the panel and it was published…It was then found out that Tanimu Yakubu then Economic Adviser to President Yar’Adua began the propaganda against former President Obasanjo and Somolu then with Yar’Adua wrote a secret memo inside the state house to correct the wrong notion about $10 billion.”

    Obasanjo in a separate statement by his spokesman,  Kehinde Akinyemi said: “We believe that the President was re-echoing the unsubstantiated allegation against Chief Obasanjo by his own predecessor but one, while it is doubtful that a President with proper understanding of the issue would utter such, it should be pointed out that records from the National Assembly had exculpated President Obasanjo of any wrong-doing concerning the power sector and has proved the allegations as false.

    “For the records, Chief Obasanjo has addressed the issues of the power sector and the allegations against him on many occasions and platforms, including in his widely publicised book, ‘My Watch’ in which he exhaustively stated the facts and reproduced various reports by both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which conducted a clinical investigation into the allegations against Chief Obasanjo, and the Ad-Hoc Committee on the Review of the Recommendations in the Report of the Committee on Power on the Investigation into how the Huge Sums Of Money was Spent on Power Generation, Transmission And Distribution between June 1999 and May 2007 without Commensurate Result.

    “We recommend that the President and his co-travellers should read Chapters 41, 42, 43 and 47 of My Watch for Chief Obasanjo’s insights and perspectives on the power sector and indeed what transpired when the allegation of $16 billion on power projects was previously made. If he cannot read the three-volume book, he should detail his aides to do so and summarise the chapters in a language that he will easily understand.

    “In the same statement credited to the President, it was alleged that there was some bragging by Chief Obasanjo over $16 billion spent on power. To inform the uninformed, the so-called $16 billion power expenditure was an allegation against Chief Obasanjo’s administration and not his claim. The President also queried where the power generated is. The answer is simple: The power is in the seven National Integrated Power Projects and eighteen gas turbines that Chief Obasanjo’s successor who originally made the allegation of $16 billion did not clear from the ports for over a year and the civil works done on the sites.