The Nation Newspaper

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  • Now that the holiday is over

    Now that the holiday is over

    With Easter holiday over, parents who are not technology-savvy, might pay heavy price when shopping for ‘back to school items’ for their  kids. But with some mobile phone apps, shopping could be as simple as ABC. TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

    Easter is over. Shoppers are back from holidays. It is time for the children to return to school with new stuffs. For parents, its shopping time to prepare the children for the new term.

    But with office work piling, house chores mounting, cash problems, this is not always an easy task as the agony of traffic, among other factors often make going to the market an horrible expereince.

    Technology-savvy shoppers always have a way out of the guagmire. With their mobile phones, they can shop in the comfort of their homes without hassles.

    Secret. Smart phones and tablet owners are using mobile apps and daily deal sites to get the most out of their money as they shop school items for their wards.

    Offline Manager, Jumia Online Store, Mr Afam Anyika, said experience by shoppers on Jumia shows that parents who are smarter search for promos on e-commerce sites in order to enjoy great shopping experience at a discounted price.

    ”We stock a variety of back-to-school items and they are quite affordable. We advise shoppers to check our website for our coupons and daily deals and take advantage of these offers because; they are only available while stock last.”

    Afam confirmed to The Nation Shopping that 40 per cent of mobile shoppers who have used their device on his website, indicates that they have obtained coupons.

    He said: “Coupons are preferable, they are won mostly by regular shoppers to a particular website, followed by deal-of-the-day or daily deals, where shoppers have the opportunity to see what is on discount on a daily basis.

    “Daily, on the Jumia website, we have 70 per cent of our users looking to our daily deals offer for promotions.’’

    In addition to ‘back-to-school’ offers, daily deal apps are a helpful source for mobile users looking for discounted items this period, they can be sure of not missing out on offers as they unfold daily if they stick to the online stores.

    Online retailers are busy promoting back-to-school sales and stocking their websites with school items, such as calculators, school uniforms, sandals, lunch boxes and what have you. No doubt, it’s time for serious business for parents, guardians and sellers.

    Smartphone owners are dominating in the daily deal app usage, beating other phone users across all daily deal apps used said, Konga’s Public Relations Strategist, Ifeanyi Abraham. “When it comes to seeking out deals, consumers are going to the most convenient, reliable sources, creating an opportunity for retailers and daily deal sites to streamline the process of gathering deals and coupons for users, ultimately increasing website and app traffic to drive back to school sales.”

    The Executive Buyologist of Buyology.com, Yeye Arogundade, said coupon is the most widely used daily deal app among users of the apps.

    She said: “With 61 per cent users on my website indicating that they have used the coupon app on their smartphones and 39 per cent stating they’ve used it on their tablet, ‘back to school’ sales is amazing.”

  • Rivers crisis: Anxiety over House Leader’s health

    Rivers crisis: Anxiety over House Leader’s health

    RIVERS State Assembly Leader Chidi Lloyds is going blind, his colleagues have said.

    Lloyd, a lawyer, who represents Emohua Constituency, has been moved from the Police Officers’ Mess, Old Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt, where he was detained on Friday, to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). He is not allowed to receive visitors and has got no medical help, his colleagues claimed.

    Speaking yesterday in Port Harcourt on behalf of the 27 lawmakers loyal to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Leyii Kwanee, said Lloyd’s health was deteriorating. He needs medical attention.

    Kwanee, a lawyer, who represents Khana Constituency 2 and also the Chairman, Parliamentary Exchange and Mentorship Programme of the Pan African Parliament, revealed that the Speaker, Otelemaba Dan Amachree, was away in Namibia for the conference of Commonwealth Parliamentarians.

    The 27 lawmakers said: “We need to ensure that democracy is respected in Rivers State. Hon. Chidi Lloyd reported himself to the Force Headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday. He was flown into Port Harcourt on Friday. We thought he would be charged to court that day.

    “As I speak with you now, he is being held up at the State CID by the same police authorities under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu.

    “Hon. Chidi Lloyd was blindfolded, tortured and teargas was sprayed all over him. We have been refused access to him. We have just been informed that Hon. Chidi Lloyd is going blind, occasioned by the teargas that was sprayed all over him, particularly in his eyes. Medical help has also been refused him.

    “Today (yesterday), the 27 pro-Amaechi lawmakers have met in all the churches. We have been praying, seeking God’s intervention. We all know that Nigerians are prayerful people. We are also not losing sight of the fact that Nigeria is a signatory to a lot of conventions and treaties bordering on human rights.

    “We are assembling a team of lawyers, who will look at the possibility of putting together all the human rights abuses that have been inflicted on Hon. Chidi Lloyd, the leader of the 7th Assembly, with a view that if justice cannot be got on the shores of Nigeria, human rights transcend borders.

    “We may seek justice to ensure that Hon. Chidi Lloyd’s rights are protected and his cause is also ventilated, probably in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), if it comes to that. The Speaker will also draw the attention of the Commonwealth to the ugly development.”

    The pro-Amaechi lawmakers also lauded Senators for concurring with the members of the House of Representatives in taking over the Rivers Assembly, which they described as a welcome development and in the best interest of Nigerians.

    They described the commissioner of police as a “major” problem in the deepening political crisis, insisting that the decision of the National Assembly to advise that he be redeployed should be heeded.

    The 27 lawmakers noted that with a “neutral” police commissioner, they would be able to sit. To them, the reconciliation committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), headed by Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson, will not serve the interest of Rivers State.

    Earlier, in a statement issued yesterday, 25 of the 27 lawmakers said Mbu should be held responsible, should anything happen to Lloyd.

    The pro-Amaechi lawmakers also said: “The Leader of the Rivers House of Assembly, Hon. (Barr.) Chidi Lloyd had earlier in the week reported to the Force Headquarters, Abuja and had what the Force Headquarters described as ‘meaningful interactions’ for four days.

    “Since his arrival in Port Harcourt, the Rivers Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, has assaulted and tortured him (Lloyd) like a criminal. They have been moving him from one station to another since he reported to CP Mbu’s office on arrival from Abuja.

    “As his lawyer, Bello Olisa Nwofor, stated: ‘the continued blindfolding and detention of Hon. Chidi Lloyd by the police is emphatically dangerous to his health and life.’

    “We have also heard from the lawyer who accompanied Lloyd from Force Headquarters to Port Harcourt, Barr. Emenike Ebete, that over 500 riot policemen escorted Chidi Lloyd from the airport to CP’s office and transported in a ‘Black Maria’ as authorities would move criminals.

    “As a House, we are indeed saddened to note that the Leader of the Rivers House of Assembly was blindfolded, tear-gassed and handcuffed. As victims of this scripted and staged crisis from Abuja, with a junior minister playing a major role and the police commissioner, Rivers State, as key actor, our worry:

    “• Is Mbu aware of Chidi Lloyd’s medical history? This calculated poisoning of Chidi Lloyd reminds us of the assumed circumstances leading to the death of our one-time Senate President Dr. Chuba Okadigbo.

    “•Why the blindfold? He is only alleged to have committed an offence. He is not a terrorist nor an armed robber; neither is he a kidnapper. He is a representative of Emohua Constituency of Ikwerre ethnic nationality at the Rivers State House of Assembly and a legal practitioner, who will stand for truth and justice, even when the truth is too much for those bent on destroying our hard-earned democracy, with unnecessary impunity.

    “•Why the handcuffs, when he submitted himself to the police?”

    The pro-Amaechi lawmakers also stated that they were “genuinely” anxious over the life of Lloyd, whose whereabouts they claimed remained unknown.

    The lawmakers who signed the statement are: Golden Ngozi Chioma, Innocent Barikor, Josiah John Olu, Ibiso Nwuche, Belema Okpokiri, Legbosi Nwidadah, Andrew Anderson Miller, Augustine Ngo, Ben Horsfall, Okechukwu Nwaogu, Victor Amadi, Azubike Chikere Wanjoku and Victoria Nyeche.

    Others were Benibo Anabraba, Irene Inimgba, Felicia Barizasi-Tane, Aye Atamah Pepple, Onari Brown, Gift Wokocha, Ewor Nname Robinson, Lucky Odili, Chigbo Eligwe, Leyii Kwanee, Ikwunyi Igbani, Tonye Harry and Otelemaba Amachree.

    Mbu, however, insisted that he remained a professional police officer, not taking sides and not a politician, as alleged in some quarters.

  • Abacha’s son, Etete fight over Malabu oil’s N34.4b cash

    Abacha’s son, Etete fight over Malabu oil’s N34.4b cash

    The last may not have been heard of the controversial Malabu oil deal. Mohammed Sani, one of the children of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, is locked in a battle with a firm owned by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Dan Etete, over N34.4billion ($215m) which accrued from the sale of Oil Block 245 to Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited and Shell Exploration and Production Company Limited.

    The row between Mohammed Sani and Etete, who was a minister in the Gen. Abacha, has underscored the personal intrigues behind Malabu oil deal and how it is rubbing off on the nation.

    The $215million is, however, stuck in an Escrow Account with JP Morgan Chase.

    The Federal Government had on April 29, 1998 granted an Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL 245) for oil block 245(Block 245 to Malabu Oil and Gas, owned by Etete.

    But on 30th March 2001, Malabu and Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited (SNUD) entered into a Farm-in Agreement and a Deed of Assignment under which Malabu assigned 40 per cent equity interest in OPL 245 to SNUD.

    The Federal Government on 2nd July 2001 revoked OPL 245 and by a letter dated the 23rd May 2002, awarded the oil block to SNUD on the basis of a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) following a competitive bid with another international oil company – on the invitation of the Federal Government.

    Based on the re-award of the oil block, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC) December 22, 2003, executed a PSC with SNUD( hereinafter referred to as the 2003 PSC ) granting SNUD the right to exclusively operate Block 245 as contractor for a term of 30 years.

    The revocation of the oil block led to various law suits involving FGN, Malabu, and SNUD.

    According to records, the Federal Government on 30th November 2006, executed a settlement agreement with Malabu “without admission of liability for any alleged wrongful, unlawful, unjust or any like conduct agreed to re-allocate Block 245 to Malabu in consideration of Malabu discharging and releasing the FGN from all claims and suits filed by Malabu against the FGN in connection with the revocation of Malabu’s interest on 2nd July 2001.”

    The out-of-court settlement letter, dated December 2, 2006 was signed by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Edmund Daukoru.

    Following international arbitration, the Federal Government agreed to pay $1.092, 040,000 to Malabu Oil and Gas in full and final settlement of any and all claims, interests or rights relating to or in connection with Block 245.

    The cash was paid into a depository account with J.P Morgan Chase Bank NA, managed from London.

    But following issues raised by Abacha’s son, Malabu Oil and Gas could only access $801, 092, 000. 000 of the $1.092.040.000 billion.

    The two parties (Mohammed Sani Abacha and Malabu Oil and Gas) had taken their dispute over $215million to the Federal Government.

    The government may not dabble in the cash row, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    A source said: “The $215million in dispute is in an Escrow Account, it is not the business of the government to settle personal disputes.

    “It is a sad development, in view of the challenges the nation had experienced during the military regime between 1994 and 1998.

    “What the government did in 2006 was only to resolve the dispute over OPL 245 through international arbitration or else we will not be able to explore the oil. We acted in the best interest of the economy because OPL 245 is important.

    “This row is purely a personal matter which the parties can resolve in court. But the cash is in an Escrow Account with JP Morgan Chase.

    “You can see how personal interests rub off on the nation’s economy. This is why a systemic review is being done.”

    The details of the row between Abacha’s son and Etete’s firm are captured in some documents obtained by our correspondent.

    In a letter to the Federal Government, through his counsel, A.A. Umar, the son of the late Head of State alleged “unauthorised alterations of Malabu Oil and Gas Limited ownership structure.”

    The letter said Pecos Energy and Sani “have discovered that, without their consent or knowledge, one Mr. Dan Etete has disposed of the interest of Our Clients to Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited and Shell Exploration and Production Company Limited”.

    “The above named companies bought from Mr. Dan Etete an oil block known as OPL 245 for the sum of $1.3 billion US Dollars (One Billion, three hundred million U.S Dollars). Our clients’ investigation further reveals that Mr. Dan Etete has already received the sum of $801, 092, 000. 000 (Eight hundred and one million, ninety two thousand U.S Dollars) and will receive the balance as soon as a consulting dispute with International Legal Consulting Limited is settled by a sole arbitrator in London.

    “It is our clients’ view and it is also our advice that, you be informed of this development so as to enable you intervene and solve this matter amicably between the parties. It is our view that the consequences of litigating this matter will be negative to the image of our great country.

    “On behalf of Our Clients, we ask you once more to intervene and call a meeting of all the disputing parties with a view to achieving a just and reasonable settlement.”

    But a letter by James Maton of a law firm in the UK, Edwards Angell Palmer and Dodge for Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, said Energy Venture Partners Ltd (EVPL) “alleged that it is entitled to US$200 million from Malabu by reason of an oral variation to an Agreement entered into between Malabu and EVPL in January 2010 under which EVPL was appointed to find buyers for Oil Production Licence 245.

    “It is said by EVPL that this fee is payable as a result of the separate resolution agreements entered into on 29 April 2011 between (a) FGN, NAE and SNEPCO, and others; (b) FGN and Malabu; and terms of settlement between the Malabu and the Shell companies. Malabu considers the claim to have no merit whatsoever.

    “Malabu understands that, as a result of the resolution between FGN, NAE and SNEPCO, the FGN holds US$1,092,040,000 in a depository account with J.P Morgan Chase Bank NA, managed from London. It also understands that FGN intends to pay that sum to Malabu as payment of the settlement sum under the Resolution Agreement (and indeed has issued various payment instructions)

    “EVPL has obtained a freezing injunction in England in support of its claim. Initially, that freezing injunction purported to freeze the entire US$1,092,040,000 billion held in the FGN’s depository account with JP Morgan.

    “As a result of a hearing on Monday 18 July, the injunction was varied with the effect that payment to Malabu was permitted, provided that US$215 million of the sums owing to Malabu were paid into court. The payment into court will discharge the injunction.

    “As a result, and in part satisfaction of FGN’s obligations under the settlement, Malabu has asked the FGB to pay US$215 million into court, with US$801,540,000 being paid to Malabu. That, Malabu understands, will leave about US$75.5 million in the depository account (being an amount to Malabu under the resolution agreement).

    “Malabu is seeking to obtain an Order in the proceedings that the US$215 million is released from court and paid to it, on the basis that EVPL has no good arguable case and made serious non-disclosures to the court when obtaining the injunction.”

    In a June 3, 2013 separate letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, Malabu Oil and Gas insisted on its right to the $215million.

    The letter obtained from a source close to the firm said in part: “We send your Excellency our sincere compliments and thank you for providing the environment and inspiration for a new and dynamic Nigeria through your transformation agenda.

    May we also use this medium to once again express our gratitude to your administration for being able to resolve the issues concerning our oil block OPL 245.

    “Your Excellency will recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria and Malabu Oil and Gas Limited executed the “BLOCK 245 MALABU RESOLUTION AGREEMENT” of the one Part, Federal Government of Nigeria and Shell executed “BLOCK SNUD RESOLUTION AGREEMENT” on the Second Part, Federal Government of Nigeria, Shell Nigeria Agip Exploration and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation executed “BLOCK 245 RESOLUTION AGREEMENT” on the third Part. All the agreements were execute din April 2011 to formally bring all issues in dispute concerning OPL 245 to a close.

    “Your Excellency will recall that by our letter to you dated 17 June 2011, we sought your approval to authorize the Federal Ministry of Finance to direct J.P Morgan Chase (“the Escrow Agents”) to pay the moneys due to Malabu Oil and Gas Limited under the Resolution Agreements in the sum of US$1,092,040,00 (One billion, ninety-two million and forty thousand US dollars) by wire transfer direct to Malabu’s designated accounts in Nigeria.

    “Your Excellency graciously granted the said approval. However, before the Federal Ministry of Finance could carry out the said directives, Malabu Oil and Gas Limited and J.P Morgan Chase were served with two freezing (injunctive) orders from the High Court of Justice in England on the Application of: ENERGY VENTURE PARTNERS LIMITED (a British Virgin Island Company) which sued Malabu Oil and Gas Limited for the sum of US$ 200, 000, 000 (Two hundred million US dollars) together with damages and cost of US$15,000,000 (Fifteen million US dollars) and;

    International Legal Consulting Limited (a Russian company) which commenced an Arbitration proceedings against Malabu Oil and Gas Limited at the London Court of International Arbitration suing for US$75,000,000 (Seventy-five million dollars).

  • Pathologists: police lied over student’s killing

    The preliminary reports of the pathologists who examined the remains of the late Ibrahim Momodu, which were exhumed on Thursday, showed that he was shot from the back with three bullets, which tore his heart, before exiting through the upper part of his chest.

    The reports, according to the counsel to the Momodu family, Jefferson Uwoghiren, showed that the police lied when they claimed that the late Momodu was shot in the leg.

    Uwoghiren said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ogida Police station, Mrs. Carol Afegbai and members of her patrol team should be charged for murder.

    “We the solicitors to the family of Ibrahim Momodu, note with dismay attempts by the police in Edo State to obfuscate the legal process of bringing Mrs. Afegbai and members of her patrol team to trial, by delivering report of police investigation to the Director of Public Prosecution without first charging the accused to court.

    “The family also rejected attempts by the police to exonerate the DPO because of her rank and gender.

    The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the government to include students in the panel set up to investigate the incident.

    A statement by NANS Vice President, (External Affairs) Peculiar Asemota said: “We demand that the process should be transparent and validated by an independent body with students included and the findings made public.”

  • Concern over Chime’s whereabouts

    A group of prominent Enugu State indigenes, under the aegis of Save Enugu Group (SEG), has called for information on the whereabouts of Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime.

    The governor was last seen in public about 110 days ago.

    SEG suggested the constitution of a committee, comprising eminent indigenes, to visit the governor wherever he is and report back to the residents.

    The group, in a letter to Deputy Governor Sunday Onyebuchi, on January 8, said the state’s inability to explain the governor’s state of health and whereabouts has provided an opportunity for some unelected people to hijack the machinery of governance in the state.

    SEG noted that the governor’s unexplained absence from office “is suggestive of permanent inability to discharge the functions of his office,” or in the alternative, “his disappearance for this extended period amounts to grave misconduct”.

    In the letter signed by six members of the group, most of who served under Chimaroke Nnamani, the group said the argument of the Information Commissioner, Mr Chuks Ngwoke that the governor was on accumulated leave and had properly handed powers to his deputy, was unconvincing.

    Signatories to the letter include Maxi Okwu, Igbonekwu Ogazimora, Willy Ezugwu, Ibuchukwu Ezike, Victor Eneh and Ray Nnaj. They suggested the names of those who should form the delegation to verify Chime’s current state and location.

    They suggested that “His Grace, Bishop Callistus Onaga Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Rev. Hyde Onuauluchi; former Power Minister, Prof. Bath Nnaji; Igwe Paul Egbogu, Chief Mrs Grace Obayi, Chief Nduka Eya, the Secretary-General of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo and Dr. Louis Anya Chukwuma should visit the governor.”

    The group added: “Today makes it 110 days since our governor was last seen in public. It is in the public domain that Governor Chime was last cited in public on September 19, 2012.

    “Since then, sightings and near sightings of him have been reported; they turned out to be a hoax. This unsavory state of affairs has created a thriving mill of idle gossipers, who speculate on his whereabouts and state of health. These rumours have ranged from the insensitive to the ludicrous.

    “Matters got to a head on December 15, 2012, the day of the fatal air disaster in Bayelsa State that claimed the lives of Governor Yakowa of Kaduna State and General Owoye Azazi, when the media was rent with the news also of the death of our governor.

    “On at least two occasions, Ngwoke has come out with an official statement on the status of the governor.

    “Essentially, it was stated that Governor Chime was quietly enjoying his holiday and accumulated leave, or that he would be in office shortly. These conflicting accounts merely served to exacerbate rather than ameliorate the situation.

    “We must bring to your notice that the public is awash with accounts of the inability of the Acting Governor to discharge his mandate under the Constitution as a cabal of unelected officers have rendered his authority otiose.

    “We, therefore, most humbly submit that this is a most untidy state of affairs. At this juncture, we make bold to ask: Can the governor hand over and create an acting administration in perpetuity? What is the duration of the annual leave for the governor? How many days make up this accumulated annual leave?

    “Could the Constitution and government holiday regulations have given His Excellency a carte blanch to take a break for over 100 days? We do not think so. The question which we would be most obliged if it is answered is: where is His Excellency, our governor?

    “We are in no doubt that comparatively speaking he has done well or that his administration is going on ‘peacefully’ or ‘smoothly’ as his supporters would chime,” the group said.

    The government yesteday replied the group.

    In a statement in Enugu by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Chukwudi Achife, the government said: “Government does not intend to join issues with these habitual attention-seekers. This is, at best, the coming together of men whose views on the incumbent government are well known and always predictable.

    “It is obvious that having realised, perhaps most painfully, that their media attacks have not achieved their pre-determined goal, they have now chosen to issue a statement as a group.”

    “However, it is even more laughable that in dabbling into issues beyond their purview, they first mischievously leaked to the press a letter meant for Acting Governor Sunday Onyebuchi.

    “We urge our people to ignore the hollow argument and baseless call by the group, which merely expose the narrow mindedness of the paymasters because the people of Enugu State know the real men behind the mask.”

  • Jonathan, Mark, Tambuwal meet over budget

    Jonathan, Mark, Tambuwal meet over budget

    President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the National Assembly were locked in a meeting last night to starve off a budget impasse.

    It was learnt that the meeting bothered on the 2013 budget.

    Besides, it was gathered that the passage of the fuel subsidy supplementary budget of N162 billion was part of the discussion.

    The meeting, which started at about 7:00 pm at the First Lady’s conference chamber inside the Presidential Villa, had in attendance Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark and House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.

    On the executive side were Secretary to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

    Senate president told reporters that the meeting would continue today.

     

  • Protest in Anambra over kidnap of traders’ chair

    Scores of traders yesterday protested at Nkwo Nnewi Market in Anambra State.

    They were angry over the abduction of their General-Chairman, Chief Dozie Akudolu, a month ago.

    The traders closed their shops to end a three-day fasting and prayer for God’s intervention in incessant kidnappings in the town.

    They also prayed against the rumoured plan to ban commercial motorcycles (Okada) and the Boko Haram insurgence.

    The Chairman of New Auto Spare Parts Association (NASPA), Nchedo Christopher Oboh, decried the abduction of Akudolu (aka Iroko) and other traders.

    He said Akudolu had been in captivity for over a month, adding that the activities of hoodlums have caused fear among businessmen in the market.

    According to him, most of the traders have gone into hiding because of kidnappers.

    He added that even their customers were afraid to come to Nnewi.

    This, he said, has led to a drop in business.

    Oboh said the problem of the traders had been compounded by the rumour that the government wanted to ban Okada.

    The businessman noted that many motorcycle sellers and riders would be forced to close shop while thousands of mechanics would become jobless.

    He said: “Why we decided to close market for three days is that kidnappers are human beings; members of the Boko Haram Sect are human beings too.

    “The governors, who have banned Okada in their states, are also human beings, created by God. We believe God can touch them to have a change of mind.”

    He urged the kidnappers holding Akudolu to release him unhurt.

    The Chairman of Importers’ Association in Nnewi, Pastor L. O. Ckukwuma, joined other clerics from Catholic, Anglican and Pentecostal churches to pray against insecurity.

    The businessman noted that the planned ban on Okada in some states would be counter-productive.

  • APGA crisis over, say Obi, Umeh at Ojukwu memorial

    APGA crisis over, say Obi, Umeh at Ojukwu memorial

    The one year memorial service in honour of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu yesterday presented the occasion for leaders of the crisis-ridden All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to embrace one another.

    They declared that the crisis rocking the party is over.

    The major players in the crisis – Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and APGA National Chair Chief Victor Umeh – declared that peaceful reconciliation is unavoidable.

    Apart from members of the Ojukwu family and top officials of the Anambra State government, many traditional, political and business leaders, graced the memorial atUmudim, Nnewi.

    Thousands of MASSOB members led by Chief Ralphs Uwazuruike and his deputy Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, were there along side thousands of other political office holders and traditional rulers including Igwe Kenneth Orizu and former Anambra State Governor Dame Virgy Etiaba.

    Uwazuruike acknowledged cheers from thousands of MASSOB members and War veterans.

    The memorial service was preceded by a holy mass at St Michael De Arch Angle Catholic Church, Umudim, Nnewi.

    Umeh pleaded with all parties involved in crisis to give peace a chance saying he has forgiven all those who stoked the crisis.

    ‘’ I want all those who survived our late leader Dim Ojukwu in the party and in the family to give peace a chance and remember that Ojukwu stood for peace and love. They should know that Ojukwu hated persecution and intimidation and lies being told against anybody. He encouraged people to work hard and reap from where they worked ……when we show love, there would be no room for bickering, rancour, acrimony and face off.

    Umeh insisted that Ojukwu never humiliated anybody. He encouraged all parties to the crisis rocking the APGA family to behave as Christians by forgiving one another and embrace the reconciliation moves by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). He noted that nothing on earth is permanent including political office positions. He said his chairmanship would end in 2014.

    He wondered why people were asking him to resign and appealed that due process should be followed in doing things to avoid doing them wrongly.

    ‘’What I want in APGA is peace , truth and fairness because we are human beings and we have chances of error. He said the problem in APGA is about 2014 election saying only God knows who the governor of Anambra will be in 2014. He insisted that APGA still have the chance of retaining the seat unless due process is not followed. He re-assured that there would be no imposition of candidates as the peoples choice at the primaries would be elected to fly the flag of the party in 2014.

    On the can of worms he threatened to open this week, Umeh said,” people make mountain out of mole hills. It was a cautionary statement because I know the sources of the crisis in the party ….but in the spirit of mediation from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), I don’t want to say anything further. I want peace to rein in our party and I don’t want to undermine the peace initiative…..’’

    Governor Obi insisted that the crisis in APGA is a family affair. He called on the Igbo to pray for the repose of the soul of Ojukwu.

    ‘’There is no problem in the family of APGA. We are focused and promising a stronger , united party capable of wining election any day ,any time and the best we could do to the name of our political leader is to immortalise him.

    Obi said the memory of Dim Ojukwu, like those of the greatest in history, such as Napoleon Bonaparte, King Louis xiv, Gen. MacArthur, Alexander the Great, King Philip of Macedon, and many others, would remain ever conscious in the memory of men because they lived for something worth remembering.

    “You know that Ojukwu’s motto was ‘to thy self, be truthful’, with this he lived the life of truthfulness and that enabled him to tell the truth to Nigeria. For us to have a better and prosperous Nigeria, we must be truthful to us and confront the problems that face us in the spirit of truthfulness.”

    Obi, again thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for the honour he did to Ojukwu both in life and in death, said that the people and Government of Anambra State would continue to be inspired by the life Ojukwu lived to work for the common good.

    Obi advised the Igbo to work closely among themselves since more, according to him, would be achieved in the spirit of unity.

    Ojukwu’s wife, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, thanked Nigerians for the honour they have continued to heap on Ojukwu.

    Asked how she felt about the absence of Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, who was always noticeably absent in recent functions revolving around Ojukwu and who is also an APGA Governor, she said: “Governor Okorocha might have had some other more important functions to attend than the memorial service of his late party leader …..’’

    Ojukwu’s son, Emeka thanked Nigerians who have continued to stand by them, especially Gov. Obi who has continued unflinchingly to show love and support for the Ojukwu family.

  • Eaglets fly over Mali 2-0

    Eaglets fly over Mali 2-0

    The Nigeria U17 national team will still have a mountain to climb in Bamako despite holding a 2-0 cushion in the first leg of the final round of the African Cadet Championship qualifier against the Aiglonets of Mali in a match played at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

    The duo of Wifred Ndidi and Alhassan Ibrahim in the 23rd and 82nd minutes gave the day to the Nigerians in front of top Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials led by its President, Aminu Maigair, top Cross River government functionaries and other football stakeholders in the country.

    The Eaglets got the opening goal in the 23rd minute of play through an impressive Wilfred who nodded into an empty net a corner kick taken by Kelechi Iheanacho to the delight of the handful of spectators who rallied support for the team.

    The Nigerian boys doubled their lead in the 82nd minute with a stroke of luck through Alhassan. A routine long thrust from the Eaglets was controlled by Success Isaac and thereafter moved forward for what would have been an aimlessly shot, but Malian goalkeeper, Sory Ibrahim Traore, inexplicably let the ball slip through his hands for Alhassan to jab the ball home into an empty net.

    There could have been two more goals from the Nigerians before half time but a catalogue of misses from gilt-edge chances in the 33rd and 39th minutes by Iheanacho, whose stylish header was inches wide and Ifeanyi Matthew, who couldn’t convert a 25-yard free kick off an infringement, left the score at 2-0.

    The Aiglonets of Mali also had a few chance to make hay, the obvious being the 30th minute opportunity thrown away by Saliou Guindo. The Malian attacker failed to round up the Eaglets’ goalie, Adewale Adeyinka for the easiest of goals.

    They also forced a fine save off Eaglets’ goaltender, Adeyinka in the 70th minute when a rising shot from a free kick more than 25 yards away was tipped over the bar for a corner kick.

    The return leg holds in a fortnight in Bamako with the winner on aggregate assured of a place at the U17 Championship next year in Morocco.

  • Row in Imo over Fed Govt’s N400m flood aid

    There is a row in Imo State over the disbursement of the N400million Federal Government intervention fund for floods in the state.

    Some politicians and other stakeholders are said to be unhappy with the committee, which was set up to manage the fund and relief materials to victims.

    A senator from the state reportedly faulted the composition of the committee, saying it was constituted without his input.

    It was learnt that the senator accused the state government of playing politics with the floods.

    A House of Representatives member representing Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta, Gerald Irona, accused the state government of bias in the distribution of the materials to the victims.

    He urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate how the intervention fund would be disbursed.

    The lawmaker also called for the dissolution of the committee, adding that it comprises chieftains of the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

    Irona said: “With the membership of the committee selected from APGA, we doubt if there will be fairness in the process.”

    The victims in Ohaji-Egbema and Oguta local government areas were yet to have a camp, thus exposing them to health and security risks.

    Former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, at the weekend, visited the affected communities.

    He donated cows and other food items to them.

    Ohakim, who was accompanied by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwnliri, former House of Assembly Speaker Goodluck Opia and party supporters, promised to always assist the victims.

    He said: “We have come to condole with you over the flood disaster and to present to you this little gifts. They are not enough to replace what you have lost to the floods but, please, take it as our widow’s might. As time goes on, we will do more.

    “I want to assure all of you that I will do everything within my power to ensure that whatever has been given to you will come to you.”