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  • Adeboye, Pitan, Bamiloye, others for youth convention

    General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), his wife, Folu; Director General Bank of Industry, Kayode Pitan; co-founder of Mount Zion Film Production, Mrs. Gloria Bamiloye, and ace gospel ace Nathaniel Bassey have been confirmed for the 2017 National Youth Convention of the church.

    The convention, which ends on October 7, holds at the Redemption Camp, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.

    The Assistant General Overseer of Youth Adult and Young Affairs Worldwide, Pastor Peter Amenkhienan, stated this at a briefing with newsmen.

    He said the programme tagged Agents of Transformation will attract thousands of youth from Africa, the United Kingdom, Kenya, South Africa and the United States of America.

    It will feature National Youths Sports festival, transformation challenge, the Redeemed Initiative Skill and Empowerment (RISE) and award ceremony for youth and young adult churches with the best corporate social services to their immediate communities.

    Amenkhienan said the convention is aimed at building young people with godly character and integrity needed to excel in today’s world.

    He said that RCCG is targeting raising leaders with character and integrity who will do their country proud anywhere in the world.

    The convention, according to him, will target teenagers, undergraduates and the young-at-heart, adding that previous editions have helped reduce unemployment and social vices among the youth based on feedback from participants.

    He noted that although there are young people in the society who have messed up the opportunities given to them in public and private sectors, there are also unsung heroes walking their talks and making great impact in the world.

    He stressed:  “In RCCG, we emphasise that success without integrity is no achievement. We don’t have bastards in RCCG. There are pockets of people in politics who have not soiled their hands with corruption.”

    Amenkhienmen, who was represented by the National Young and Adult Youth Pastor, Precious Akingbade, noted youths in the country are energetic, adventurous and daring.

    He said it is incumbent on the church to harness these opportunities and build the required character for the betterment of the society.

  • Court restrains party from sanctioning senator, others

    FEDERAL High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has restrained the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from taking any disciplinary action against some of the party’s chieftains in the Southwest.

    The chieftains include the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Buruji Kashamu; the immediate past National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo; the immediate past National Auditor, Alhaji Adewale Adeyanju and former PDP Chairman in Ondo State, Mr. Ebenezer Alabi.

    Others are the Southwest PDP Vice-Chairman Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe; the Zonal Secretary, Chief Pegba Otemolu; a former member of the House of Representatives, Segun Seriki and the Legal Adviser of the PDP in Ekiti State, Mr. Niran Owoseni.

    The interlocutory injunction, which was granted yesterday by the Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo, specifically restrained the PDP, Chairman of its National Caretaker Committee (NCC) Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Secretary, Senator Ben Obi, from “taking any disciplinary action against the plaintiffs and other leaders of the PDP in the Southwest zone”.

    The court ruled among others that: “An order of interim injunction restraining the 2nd to 4th defendant by themselves, their agents, servants and privies from taking any disciplinary action against the plaintiffs and other leaders of the 2nd defendant in the Southwest zone, including Prof. Wale Oladipo, the former PDP National Secretary, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, Chairman of the PDP Southwest Zonal Executive Committee; Chief Pegba Otemolu, Secretary of the South West Zonal Executive Committee; Senator Buruji Kashamu, a statutory member of the Southwest Zonal Executive and Prince Segun Seriki by way of expulsion, suspension, reprimand or any other action whatsoever or denying the plaintiffs and the aforementioned Southwest leaders the right to seek nomination as candidate of the 2nd defendant for any election or refusing to submit their names to the first defendant as candidates of the party for the purpose of any election, contrary to the terms and purposes of the aforesaid subsisting orders of this court made in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/732/2017 pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

  • How to address Nigeria’s challenges, by Saraki, Tambuwal, others

    How to address Nigeria’s challenges, by Saraki, Tambuwal, others

    SENATE President Bukola Saraki, Kwara Sate Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his Sokoto State counterpart Aminu Tambuwal and one-time Justice Minister Bayo Ojo (SAN) yesterday proffered solutions to the challenges facing the country.

    Saraki said there was need to protect democracy and called on all to support and protect the judiciary and court system because of its important role in sustaining democracy.

    Tambuwal suggested the prompt enactment of strong legislation to address illegal arms proliferation that accounts for the growing security challenges being experienced.

    Ahmed sought enhanced synergy among the three arms of government to allow for the delivery of democratic dividend to the people.

     Ojo urged the youth to take interest in partisan politics to ensure that their interest was well protected.

    They spoke in Abuja yesterday at the public presentation of a book: “The challenges of criminal justice administration in Nigeria,” written in honour of Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Ali Ahmad.

    Speakers at the well-attended event poured encomium on the honouree, who many described as a humble and dedicated Nigerian, who was instrumental to the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) while in the House of Representatives.

    Tambuwal said with all the conflicts going on in the country, this was the appropriate moment for the Federal Government to address the problem of proliferation of arms in the hands of non-state actors.

    The Sokoto State governor suggested that the government first declare a period of amnesty for illegal firearm owners to return such arms for a fee, following which the law should be allowed to take its course.

    “I say this because what we are witnessing in Nigeria, if we are not careful, with the level of arms and ammunition at the disposal of non-state actors, can cause a lot of damage to this country.

    “That is why I propose that the Federal Government should consider it seriously. I, therefore, appeal to the Federal Government to consider this as an option of trying to control what may otherwise become uncontrollable in our security system,” he said.

    Tambuwal, under who Ahmad served as Chairman of House of Reps Committee on Judiciary as Speaker, said he performed creditably well beyond the imagination of many.

    Ahmed faulted the acrimonious relation between the three arms of government and called for collaboration between them because the people are yearning for performance and not crisis.

    He said: “While our Constitution envisages a certain degree of attention among the three arms of government in the spirit of separation of powers, I believe that national interest should guide the exercise of that key doctrine of the presidential system as practised in Nigeria

    “Given the challenges confronting our country, there is need for greater synergy between the three arms of government to reduce needless tension and enhance the capacity of our institutions to make our democracy more beneficial to all citizens.

    “It is my believe that such synergy on one hand and enforcement of separation of power on the other, should be complementary rather than mutually exclusive as national interest must remain the overriding consideration.

    “In pursuit of such national interest, therefore, I call for a stronger working relationship among the three arms of government, for the benefit of Nigerians and the delivery of good governance,” Ahmed said.

    The Senate President was represented by his wife, Toyin.

    Mrs. Saraki, who said the honouree was her classmate at the Law School in 1989, urged the government to, within the framework of administration of criminal justice, put in place measures to ensure that every death and birth in the country is accounted for.

    Ojo, who urged the youths to join politics, not as observers, but as players, argued that the old ones will not willingly yield the stage, except they are challenged by the youth.

    Ojo described the honouree thus: “He is a proud emblem of his generation and a huge inspiration to those coming behind him. Through his awesome professional competence, untrammelled intellect and the strength of his impeccable character, which enabled him to achieve the enviable height which he is today.”

    The book was reviewed by Prof. Maxwell Gidado (SAN), who described it as a product of strenuous intellectual rigour and robust research. Gidado said the book is a veritable tool for all Nigerians, who seeks justice in the land.

    Prof. Gidado described the book as a collection of “very rich research topics on the subject”.

    The 11 chapter book, consisting of 548 chapters, was authored by a lawyer, Oluseyi Adetonmi, with contribution from Dare Oketade.

    Ahmad gave an insight into how the 7th National Assembly was able to ensure the passage of the ACJA, which he said would not have been possible without the support of the executive.

    He said: “Given that it was considered a Tambuwal House and a PDP administration, the then Hon. Attorney-General Adoke proved extremely helpful in this regard.

    “On 13th of May, 2015, a day I will never forget, the Clerk of the National Assembly transmitted the clean Bill to the Villa.

    “Few hours thereafter, Mr. Adoke called that I should inform the Clerk of the National Assembly that the Bill had been assented to. It has never happened before that a 400-clause legislation becomes law in three hours.

    “The lesson that the implementation of the Act teaches me is that good governance will continue to elude Nigeria, if the three arms of government would not agree to cooperate and work in the same direction.”

  • NSCDC boss calls for more synergy to fight errorism, kidnapping, others

    The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Muhammadu has called for more collaborative efforts to combat terrorism, kidnapping, cattle rustling among others.

     He challenged Private Guard Companies (PGC) to enhance internal security in the country.

     Muhammadu made the call yesterday in Abuja while issuing licenses to 10 PGCs as part of its statutory mandate to regulate and monitor activities of the security companies.

     He said  the Corps had put in place stringent guidelines to register any PGC in line with international best practice.

     The NSCDC boss urged the new PGCs to contribute their quota to stemming the tide of insecurity in the country through pro-active and professional conduct.

     “No countryanywhere in the world has the resources to provide hundred percent security/protection for its citizen,

    “Hence the need for Private Guard Companies to join the fight to ensure insecurity is reduced to its barest minimum,” he said.

     Muhammadu harped on the need for the PGCs to work closely with the Police, NSCDC and other security agencies in gathering security informationý due to their grassroot nature.

     “You will agree with me that terrorism, kidnapping, cattle rustling and general insecurity will only destroy our socio-political and economic structure hence the need for all hands to be on deck to stem this tide. Your numerical strength and spread is of tremendous advantage to this renewed fight against insecurity in Nigeria,” he added.

     Earlier, the President, Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria, Davidson Akhimien assured of the determination to ensure professionalism in their activities.

     He said the Association is working closely with the NSCDC to ensure proper training for its operatives on the field and rid the country of quack elements in the business.

  • National security: Army warns IPOB, MASSOB, others

    The army yesterday told agitators in the Southeast to keep the peace.

    It vowed to deal with any act capable of breaching the peace of the region.

    It mentioned no one or group by name, but the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) have been holding rallies to demand a Republic of Biafra.

    The IPOB has also threatened to stop the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State from taking place.

    But the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, speaking yesterday on the forthcoming second phase of Exercise Egwu Eke II (Python Dance II) in the geo-political zone, said on no account would kidnapping, cultism, violent agitations, theft of weapons, armed banditry and other security challenges which have become a daily phenomenon in the area be condoned henceforth.

    The military operation is scheduled to commence on September 15, according to Buratai who spoke through the Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Major General David Ahmadu.

    It will run for a month and involve raids, cordon and search, anti-kidnapping drills, road blocks, check points and show of force, as well as humanitarian activities such as medical outreach.

    Buratai said Exercise EGWU EKE II has become expedient in view of  ”the mindless assassinations (even in religious places), attack on security personnel, theft of weapons, armed banditry, kidnapping, cultism and  violent agitations, as well as other security challenges that have recently become prevalent in the South Eastern part of the country.”

    He added: “The need for troops to be exercised, refreshed and imbibe the requisite skills to cope with these emerging security challenges within the 82 Division Area of Responsibility in aid of civil authority calls for this exercise.

    “Also, in actualizing the COAS vision, which is “To have a Professionally Responsive NA in the Discharge of its Constitutional Roles”, accentuates the call for the conduct of this exercise in conjunction with other security agencies.

     “This operation will be conducted with the involvement of other security agencies such as Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.  “It will also afford the troops an opportunity to effectively checkmate the despicable activities of the marauding criminals perpetrating criminal acts in the region and its environs.

     “Additionally, OPERATION EGWU EKE II is also conceptualized to transit into real time operations thereby fulfilling both training and operations objectives of sharpening operational skills of personnel as well as providing an avenue to conduct operations against violent criminals and agitators when called upon. As precursor to a peaceful ember period and yuletide, provision has already been made for the smooth conduct of the operation.

     “Operation EGWU EKE II will be unique with the establishment of Brigade Headquarters in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States. Emphasis will be placed on raids, cordon and search operations, anti-kidnapping drills, road blocks, check points and show of force, as well as humanitarian activities such as medical outreach.

    “It is pertinent to mention that Operation EGWU EKE II is set to be another epoch making exercise that would make the nation proud of the Nigerian Army’s determination at sustaining its constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation as well as its commitment to aid the civil authority to bring about peace and security in the south eastern part of our dear country.

     “In this regard, members of the public especially the residents of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States are enjoined not to panic as their safety and well-being is guaranteed at all times. The general public is requested to remain vigilant and be security conscious, as suspected criminals may be fleeing from military operations in these areas and finding safe haven amidst our communities.”

  • PDP screens Oduah, Ubah, Ikpeazu, others for Anambra poll

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday screened Senator Stella Oduah, oil magnate, Dr. Patrick Ubah and House of Representatives member, Lynda Ikpeazu, for the November 18 Anambra State governorship election.

    Others also screened include a former Minister of State, John Okechukwu Emeka, Dr. Alex Obiogolu, Oseloka Henry Obaze and Mr. Akolisa Ufodike.

    The screening, which held yesterday at the party’s secretariat in Abuja, witnessed a mild drama as the committee complained about indiscipline among the aspirants.

    Committee Chairman Adamu Maina Waziri said it was unfortunate that some aspirants showed up at the venue 90 minutes behind schedule.

    Waziri, a former Police Affairs Minister, fingered Oduah and Ubah as the late comers.

    He expressed the committee’s displeasure at their action.

    The committee chairman urged the aspirants to display the spirit of sportsmanship in the overall interest of the party, adding that the PDP has everything to lose if another party wins the election.

    Waziri assured the aspirants justice and fairness in the screening, remind that in line with the party’s constitution, none of them would be required to pay above the N6 million nomination fees.

    According to him, the party decided to waive the fees for women aspirants to enable them take active interest in partisan politics.

    Also, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said the PDP would welcome back some of its high profile defectors to the party in the days ahead.

    Okowa spoke yesterday while inspecting the Eagles Square in Abuja, venue for the party’s convention billed to hold on Saturday.

    The Delta governor said necessary arrangements had been put in place for the convention.

    He said: “We just came to see what is on the ground. I believe our people will be safe because we have everything under control. We are not expecting any hitches at all.

    “We are doing very well as a party and as a committee. In this kind of planning, you will have some challenges here and there, but there are solutions for everyone. We are confident that we are on the right track, and it shall be well on Saturday.

    “This is a new PDP. With the excitement we saw after the Supreme Court victory, we did see among Nigerians and not only PDP followers, I believe a lot of people who thought the party was going to implode will realise that we are back alive and ready to offer what it takes to better the lives of Nigerians.

    “Many of our members, who left earlier due to one form of disagreement or the other, will return to their party because the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) has constituted a Reconciliation Committee as well as a Contact and Mobilisation Committee to reach out to them.

    “From the way things are going presently in this country, I believe Nigerians will realise that PDP is the only alternative that can bring Nigeria out of her current economic challenges.”

    Also, the party’s National Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, assured members that the disagreements in the Southwest had been resolved.

  • Buhari support group slams Charly Boy, others

    Buhari support group slams Charly Boy, others

    The Enugu State chapter of Buhari Support Organisation (BSO) has faulted the anti-Muhammadu Buhari protests led by music star, Charles Oputa (aka Charly Boy) and other celebrities under the aegis of Our Mumu Don Do.

    The group said instead of attacking the President, who met the constitutional requirements before embarking on his medical vacation in the United Kingdom (UK), the protesters should redirect their attention to the National Assembly, where a $30 billion loan proposed by the President to get the nation out of recession had been gathering dust.

    Addressing reporters in Enugu, the state’s BSO Chairman, Anike Nwoga, described the protests as needless.

    Nwoga said: “We are of the candid view that whereas our brother Charly Boy and his group have the inalienable rights to assemble and protest, as provided by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, they should, however, redirect their energy on appealing to the National Assembly, which sat for over one year on $29.9 billion procured by President Buhari for the development of our deficit critical infrastructure.

    “BSO in Enugu State believes sincerely that the hunger, gross unemployment and abject poverty ravaging our dear country will be half addressed if the loans are approved by the National Assembly.”

    The activist, who is also the Vice Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu East Senatorial District, noted that the President fulfilled all constitutional requirements before embarking on his medical trip to the United Kingdom (UK).

    Nwoga said there is no vacuum in leadership, adding the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has discharged his duties creditably and diligently.

  • Constitution amendment meaningless without true federalism—NLC, SANs, others

    Constitution amendment meaningless without true federalism—NLC, SANs, others

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is not impressed by the ongoing effort by the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution.

    The NLC said yesterday that the federal lawmakers are getting the whole concept of amending the constitution wrong by failing to carry the generality of Nigerians along.

    “The process of making laws must draw its legitimacy from the people especially if it affects fundamental issues of restructuring because if you can see what went into this process, there has been a lot of argument about restructuring,” NLC President Ayuba Wabba told reporters in Abuja.

    He found supporters in Senior Advocates Ladi Williams and Festus Keyamo as well as former governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, all of whom  declared  the Constitution amendment an exercise in futility without first restructuring the country.

    The NLC President  said that though the National Assembly is  constitutionally empowered to make laws, the current process should be thrown open to the larger Nigerian public to enable them make an input into the process.

    “A platform should be created where this discourse can start,” he said.

    “The entire process of constitutional amendment started with the National Assembly and what they are considering is the document from the 7th assembly which is not all inclusive.

    “Therefore I think it will make sense if this process is all inclusive and open so that Nigerians can buy in and also make suggestions. It should not be limited only to the issues that were canvassed during the 7th assembly.

    “The current process is limited to those issues that were canvassed during the 7th assembly. I thought that this is a very sensitive issue. Even though they have the powers to make laws, I think Nigerians should be carried along.

    “If you listen to the discourse, there are a lot of ideas as to what need to be done, which need to be synchronized. Importantly, they need to hear from the people and people should be made to buy into the process so that the entire process will be transparent so that we have a process that is all inclusive and can drive itself so that at the end of the day, if it is from the people, it will be easier to have the process pass through.”

    He however hailed both chambers of the National Assembly for granting financial autonomy to the local governments, saying : “the 8th National Assembly has made history and shall be remembered for bowing not to the insular interests but the popular wishes of the people.

    “Their initiative, we believe, is an improvement on the efforts of the previous Assemblies, which goes to show that government is not only a continuum.With tenacity and requisite experience at the National Assembly, we shall get our democracy right.

    “We have no doubt that if passed into law, these amendments will free-up the local governments from the strangle-hold of state governments and widen the democratic space as well as restore the lost glory of local governments.

    “The Local Government system of government known by various names, is the oldest form of administration, and sadly, the most abused and exploited in our post-colonial history.

    “Until progressive decline and bastardization set in, the Local Government represented the centre of administrative excellence, clinical efficiency, training, education, development, tax administration and effective commodity boards.

    “Local governments also represented maintenance culture of infrastructure including roads, environmental sanitation, functional health facilities, low incidences of corruption and violent crimes.  The singular reason for this magical performance was that local governments were close to the people and ministered to their needs.”

    The NLC president also faulted the Senate for rejecting the 35percent affirmative action, for women.

    He described the move as unfortunate.

    “I think the issue of gender is very important because it will address issues of inequality and bring another perspective to governance and will add tremendous value. Part of our policy and strategy is to mainstream gender in all our structures,” he said.

    And speaking to The Nation by phone yesterday, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Ladi Williams said  the ongoing constitutional  mendment in  the  National Assembly is borne out of selfish motive.

     ”The Senate doesn’t understand what is meant by restructuring. They are only trying to protect their own interest.  We need restructuring because it is one of the fundamental points of the constitutional review committee set up under former President Jonathan,” he said.

    “Of course we need to restructure because it is the only way out to take care of agitations for Biafra, for example, and the insurgency in the North East.

    “If we don’t restructure, the problems will not only multiply, they will go bigger. The idea is to make the centre less attractive for politicians but they are not  seeing the point.

    “The way things are now, the centre is very delicious; there is a lot of money at the centre.”

    He also described as undemocratic, the amendment of the constitution by the Senate to give the National Assembly the power to override the President’s power to assent to bills.

    His words: “This  is not good for our democracy. The National Assembly and the Presidency constitute two arms of government. What the National Assembly members are trying to do is to shut out the executive.

    “The executive is to execute the laws made by the legislature.  Bills must be assented by the President.  I don’t think they have constitutional power to exclude a major functionary of government from performing it roles.”

    In a separate telephone chat, another SAN, Festus Keyamo, averred that the amendment  cannot  a replacement for restructuring.

    He said: “Restructuring is more fundamental than constitution amendment.

    “ Of course restructuring will lead to a new constitution. There is no doubt about that. But it is not this kind of haphazard amendment they are doing. I am not condemning the amendment.

    “As a stop gap measure it is commendable that the legislature has  risen to the occasion to amend the constitution. Restructuring will take more time, and more negotiation, more deliberation and more inclusive than the National Assembly.”

    For his part, former governor of Anambra State and frontline Igbo leader, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, said it would be out of place for the  National Assembly to take the amendment as a substitute  for restructuring.

     He said:  ”We cannot give the National Assembly, as it is constituted, the role of restructuring Nigeria .

    “The National Assembly itself is part of the problem.  The way they are constituted cannot allow them to do anything in the national interest. The way they are constituted is not balanced.

    “I don’t see any nobody with brain wanting the disintegration of Nigeria, instead of restructuring Nigeria and allowing peace to prevail.

    “If the National Assembly is restructured, they can go ahead and restructure Nigeria.The  action of the National Assembly as I said earlier on, is one of the reasons for the call for restructuring and they cannot on their own restructure the country.”

    Also speaking,an Igala leader,Mr. Cyprian Adejo, said restructuring  will end agitations by the various groups and ensure development across the country.

    Address members of the Movement for Sustainable Development of Igala/Bassa (MOSDIBN) in Lokoja,Kogi State,Adejo said restructuring should be through constitutional means, to guarantee unity, peace and progress.

    “Restructuring is a practical way that will ensure that states develop their resources, as against relying on federal subversion,” he said.

  • EFCC recovers N328.9b from Total, MRS, others

    EFCC recovers N328.9b from Total, MRS, others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Office, has recovered N328,988,296,990.62 from some major oil marketers.

    The retail oil marketers are Conoil Plc, Total Plc, OVH Energy Plc,  Forte Oil and Gas Plc, Mobil Plc, MRS Oil Plc and NIPCO Oil Plc

    The recovery followed a petition against the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiary, Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC).

    According to a statement by the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the breakthrough was the consequence of an investigation into alleged diversion of N40 billion by the affected marketers.

    The statement said: “The petition alleged that a whooping sum of N40 billion had been diverted by the major oil marketers in connivance with the leadership of the NNPC and PPMC.

    “The EFCC in a swift reaction referred the petition to a special task force, who swung into action by conducting discrete investigation.

    “Findings by the operatives of the EFCC revealed that the oil marketers were actually indebted to the Federal Government to the tune of N91,519,485,204.44 between 2010 and 2016.

    “Further investigation into the allegation also revealed that the oil marketers had continued to obtain petroleum products from the government without proper payment, in violation of the NNPC/PPMC credit facility regulations.

    “The probe further led to the discovery of N258,928,926,351.93. Following the latter discovery, the total amount of debt stands at N349,818,411,556.37.

    “Upon the conclusion of the preliminary investigation, officials of NNPC/PPMC and all the managing directors of the concerned companies, which are NNPC retails, Conoil Plc, Total Plc, OVH Energy Plc,  Forte Oil and Gas Plc, Mobil Plc, MRS Oil Plc, and NIPCO Oil Plc, were invited to the Kano Zonal Office of the commission, where their statements were recorded following which the recovery process commenced.

    “So far, a sum of N328,988,296,990.62 has been recovered from the major oil marketers.

    “The outstanding debt now stands at N20,765,919,869.”

    Shady deals in the oil sector, including the fuel subsidy scandal, were said to have cost the nation over N1.3 trillion in 2011.

    But the manipulation of subsidy claim caused uproar nationwide

    The Presidential Committee on Verification and Reconciliation of Fuel Subsidy Payments had initially  indicted 21 firms for fraudulent claims that cost the nation N382 billion. The list was later increased to 25 by the Federal Ministry of Finance based on fresh evidence.

    The former chairman of the committee, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said  of the N422 billion scrutinised, N18 billion was found to be duplication and N21 billion was cleared.

    He confirmed that of the 116 oil marketing and trading companies (OM&T) invited, 107 honoured the invitation.

    He said: “Of the N422 billion, N18 billion was found to be duplication. So, the actual amount that was being verified is N403 billion. Of this amount, N21 billion was cleared and that leaves N382 billion as the sum in contention for which the committee recommended that the process of recovery should be made,” the committee report noted.

    “Painstaking efforts were made to ensure fairness; OM&T’s were given the opportunity to come back with as much documentation and even being re-interviewed where necessary.”

     

  • Power Oil takes campaign to Enugu, others

    Nigerians have been called upon to engage in keep-fit exercises, especially walking, to derive from its many benefits.

    Power Oil, through its yearly health awareness walk tagged:Power Oil WalkHeartOn project

    The event held at Enugu and Port Harcourt cities, over the weekend during the third edition of its once a year health awareness which witnessed massive participation in both cities.

    Taking the lead in the walk was the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Enugu State Hon. Charles Ndukwe.

    According to Ndukwe, when one walks as a planned keep fit exercise, one will maintain a healthy weight. “Walking prevents or manages various conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2-diabetes. It strengthens your bones and muscles. It improves your mood as well. The overall benefit is that it improves your balance and coordination.

    “The  heart health awareness walk is strategically designed to promote a healthy lifestyle and remind Nigerians on the benefits of a daily fitness routine, aimed at encouraging Nigerians to walk at least 30 mins every day to keep fit and stay healthy. I am happy to demonstrate this,” Nduke said.

    Registration of participants started in the early hours of the morning at both locations before the five kilometres walk kicked off at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, Enugu, veered into Ogui Road, Otigba round about and back.

    In Port Harcourt, the walk started from the Liberation Stadium, moved to Elekahia Road, on the Air Force junction and back.

    Ndukwe praised the brand for partnering Enugu State on the project. He considered the initiative as worthy as it encouraged everyone, especially the youth to imbibe the culture of exercising which is in line with the vision of the state.

    The firm’s Brand Manager, Miss Amisha Chawla said: “It is actually the first time having Enugu on board on the WalkHeartOn project and I must say the excitement being exhibited by the indigenes is indescribable. Also, it was such great feelings to record this magnitude of crowd joined in on a good course as this.’’

    She said the turnout was huge and surpassed their expectations. “So, we are proud that Nigerians understand that walking improves circulation and sleep,” Miss Chawla said.

    Comedians and guest artistes in both cities (Nigga Raw and MC Bonus in Enugu and Sound Sultan and Funnybone in Port Harcourt) also took part in leading the walk.

    Its Public Relations Manager, Mrs. Omotayo Abiodun, said the high record of participation  was good.

    She added:  “The last leg is scheduled to hold simultaneously in Abuja and Ibadan for next week and we hope it will be another blockbuster. Woli Arole and Sanyeri, will also be joining the walk in Ibadan, Sound Sultan and MC Bonus will be present in Abuja. They all will be taking turns in performing before and after the walk while all participants are being treated to freshly made finger foods prepared on the spot.’’

    A participant in Port Harcourt, Mrs. Mercy Akpotha said:  “I have not had this kind of exercise in a long while and it is so much fun. I must say thanks to the Power Oil brand for bringing up this health awareness initiative to remind and encourage us to stay on top of our healthy game.”

    Power Oil health camps were also available, offering free basic medical checks for participants to ascertain their health status, including blood pressure, BMI and medical consultation.

    The walk started in 2015 in Lagos.