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  • Our operations boosted oil production, says JTF

    The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS) at the weekend said its military operations and civil interventions in the Niger Delta region boosted crude oil production in the country.

    The Commander ODS, Rear Admiral Suleiman Apochi, said the security outfit under his command increased crude oil production level from 900,000 barrels per day to two million.

    Suleiman spoke when he received the Garkuwan Mattassan Arewa Icon of Societal Transformation Award from the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) at the Headquarters of ODS, Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    He said it was heartwarming that such revered association acknowledged all the work he and his troops were doing to stabilize the Niger Delta region in accordance with the mandate of the ODS.

    He noted that the award would propel him to sustain the operational activities of the outfit to allow business to thrive in the environment.

    “With this award we have been challenged to sustain the tempo of our operational activities to continue to stop the illegalities here, so that the environment will remain very secure for the business within this area to thrive”, he said.

    While acknowledging that the security challenges in the region were different from those in the northern part of the country, Suleiman said military operations everywhere must be executed in harmony with their mandates.

    He said: “At the time we took over this operation, the production level of the oil in this country was about 900,000 barrel a day but as it is now due to the effectiveness of our operational activities, we have kept the environment calm and secured. We are getting two million barrels and above every day.

    “Whoever is conducting operation anywhere, anytime should remain committed to the mandate of that operation. Whatever we are doing here might not be enough to solve the problems in the North because they are not exactly the same environment.

    “I am a specialised trained officer, part of what I do is what I have been trained to do. So when I go to an environment I try to adapt the strategy that will solve the problem of the environment”.

    Presenting the award to Suleiman, the National President, Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Isah Abubakar, commended the leadership style of the commander.

    Abubakar observed that Suleiman’s courage in confronting the ills in the region brought a speed end to pipeline vandalism and enabled expatriates to undertake their businesses on the sea without fear.

    He urged the commander to share his experience with his colleagues fighting insurgency in the north to return peace to the troubled region.

    He said: “The commandant has actually exhibited one of the rare characters of leadership in Nigeria and as youth organisation it is our responsibility to propel individuals that have given in their best to the development of our country”.

    “The Niger Delta was a place where expatriates were afraid before but today they are not and some Northern states currently are facing insecurity, which has made the residents unsafe. We want you to share in his tactics in curbing these excesses.

    “I have objectively condemned the activities of some military personnel. I won’t mention names. They have to rethink and re-strategise on the way they tackle insecurity in the Northern part of the country.

    “We have never met the commander before. We have followed his activities and we are impressed with what he has done. That is one good thing with our council. We say it the way it is. We condemn persons who are not doing their best for this country but when you are doing your best we commend you. We are not bias”.

  • Atiku far better than Buhari, Obasanjo insists

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has defended his endorsement of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    He said despite the fact that Atiku lost to President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he remains “far better” than the incumbent.

    The elder statesman spoke on Sunday evening when the Southwest PDP leaders led by the party’s National Vice Chairman (South West), Dr Eddy Olafeso, visited him at his Pent-House Residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    In attendance at the meeting were Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi; Senators-elect Oyo South Kola Balogun; Ondo Central Ayo Akinyelure; Rep-elect (Ibarapa North and Central), Hon Ajibola Muraina; former Osun State Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former Minister for State for Defence Erelu Olusola Obada and PDP gubernatorial candidate in Ekiti State 2018 election, Prof Olusola Eleka.

    He said: “Politically speaking, you can’t be my friend if you don’t buy into the Nigeria’s project. For me, till death, I will continue to push for a better Nigeria.

    “I said if you compare the two of them (referring to Atiku and Buhari) with what I know and all I have written about the incumbent, which they have decided to cover up, Atiku is better than the incumbent by far. That’s the point I am making. And nobody is perfect.

    “I am not a perfect person. I have my shortcomings. If I deny my shortcomings, it means I am not being truthful to myself.

    “But, my shortcomings have nothing to do with my love for Nigeria. It has nothing to do with being greedy or selfishness.”

    Obasanjo told his guests Nigerian situation demands a vibrant voice and opposition in PDP to engender a virile democracy.

    The former Head of States also bemoaned the failure of leadership, saying Nigeria can’t move forward “if we continue the way we are.”

    He urged the PDP to purge itself of “bad eggs and hypocrites,” whom he said, lacked commitment to return the opposition party to its lost glory.

    Obasanjo lamented many of the PDP leaders are still preoccupied with what ministers to “their pockets and stomach,” wondering why some of them left the party while others lost hope the seconds the results of 2019 Presidential election were announced.

    Obasanjo, whose Coalition for Nigerian Movement(CNM) failed to provide a formidable force to unseat President Muhammadu Buhari and his the All Progressives Congress(APC) at the centre, advised PDP to purge itself of “hypocrites and bad eggs.”

    He noted the purging exercise would put the party on a higher pedestal to scout for those he called “critical mass of committed people,” who “would be ready to stand with the party come rain, come shine.”

    Obasanjo said: “I knew PDP would lose election in 2015 because it was clear. And I knew PDP will need to be rebuilt after losing the election.

    “You need what I call critical mass of committed people, and come rain, come shine they are committed. With that, you can make Nigeria better.

    “You see peoples’ faces beautiful but you don’t know what each person harbours inside of him.

    “If you discover a bad egg, remove such a person. And if such person has learnt his or her lessons there can still be room to accommodate the person.”

    Also at the meeting were former Lagos Deputy Governor Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele; former Deputy National Chairman Shuaibu Oyedokun; PDP Governorship candidate in 2017 Ondo State Governorship election, Eyitayo Jegede SAN among others.

  • Ngige seeks increased funding for Geneva Labour desk

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, has called for increased budgetary allocation for the Ministry and separate funding for the Geneva Labour Desk in the Ministry’s 2019 budget.

    The Minister, who spoke while defending the Ministry’s 2019 budget at the National Assembly, said that this became necessary as the Geneva Labour Desk lacked adequate personnel, structures and logistics befitting Nigeria’s enhanced status at the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

    He informed the lawmakers that “Nigeria is now on the governing board of the International Labour Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland after ten years of exit” and appealed to them “to help return the Geneva Labour Desk as an independent line item in the Ministry’s budget breakdown”.

    Ngige also called for an upward review of the budget for the Skill Acquisition Centres for increased training opportunities for the Nigerian youths.

    The Minister equally solicited the revival of the Labour Advisory Council, which has been moribund for six years.

    “ILO encourages the establishment of the Council by member countries because it serves as an avenue for social dialogue,” Ngige added.

    On job creation, the Minister noted that there has been an increase in employment since the inception of the present administration, “as many Government agencies are employing and government is also creating agro-based jobs in the agricultural sector of the economy”.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Employment and Labour, Senator Abu Ibrahim, appealed to the Ministry to promote the generation of more employment opportunities for the citizens, especially the youths.

    Also the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Labour and Employment, Honourable Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi, acknowledged the challenges at the Geneva Labour Desk borne out of inadequate budget allocation.

    Ezenwa appreciated the incisiveness of the Minister’s presentation, adding that the Committee would do a proper scrutiny of it.

    The Minister was accompanied to the budget defence by the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Prof. Stephen Ocheni, Permanent Secretary, Mr. William Alo, Directors and other staff of the Ministry.

  • Man arraigned for posing as soldier

    A 20-year old man, Osayuki Ehiozuwa, has been arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate Court for posing to be an Army officer.

    Osayuki was said to have committed the offence on March 28, 2019 at Ofunmwengbe Street, Bénin City when he pretended to be an Army Officer by presenting a fake identity card.

    The offence is punishable under Section 109 of the Criminal Code cap 48 vol II Laws of the defunct Bendel State now applicable in Edo State.

    Read Also: Man docked for stealing motorcycle

    Osayuki pleaded not guilty to the one count charges preferred against him.

    Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. M. U Iluobe, granted the accused bail to the sum of N70,000 and a surety in like sum.

    Iluobe adjourned the case to April 16, 2016 for hearing.

  • I’ll do my best for Nigerians in my second term, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja assured Nigerians that he will put in all efforts to ensure the best for the country and her citizens when he begins a second term in office on May 29, 2019.

    He also appreciated all those that voted him during the elections.

    Buhari spoke while receiving the Board of Trustees and Advisory Council of Gidauniyar Jihar Katsina (Katsina State Development Fund) led by Justice Mamman Nasir at the State House, Abuja.

    According to him, his campaign to all states of the federation was an eye opener.

    “Thank you for supporting me. I assure you that I will do my best during the second term. We will work for Nigeria and her people,’’ he said.

    The President said the crowd that welcomed his campaign train in each state was more than anyone can possibly “induce’’, attributing the turn outs to people’s appreciation of the efforts of his administration.

    President Buhari noted that he was the chairman of the Katsina State Development Fund for 17 years, during which period a lot was done to support education, healthcare and agriculture in the state, especially for those that were less privileged.

    In his remarks, the Galadima of Katsina, Justice Nasir, said the foundation returns gratitude to God and all Nigerians for giving President Buhari the opportunity to serve another term in office.

    “We are most grateful to almighty Allah for bringing you back for another term in office. Our happiness and gratitude goes to Nigerians for electing you,’’ he said.

    Justice Nasir said the foundation also remained grateful for the years the President served as its chairman.

  • CJN’s trial: Onnoghen opens defence, calls driver as 1st witness

    The suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen opened his defence on Monday by calling his driver, Lawal Busari, as his first defence witness.

    Onnoghen is being tried on a six count charge in which he is accused of breaching the code of conduct for public officers for allegedly failing to declare his assets.

    Led in evidence by lead defence lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), Busari gave details of how he drove his boss, the defendant, to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) office on July 28, 2010, to obtain the assets declaration form and how he paid N200 for the defendants’ assets declaration on November 3, 2010.

    When Awomolo moved to tender the receipt issued Busari for the N200, lead prosecution lawyer, Aliyu Umar (SAN), objected to it being admitted by the tribunal.

    Read Also: Onnoghen: CCT summons CCB’s director

    Umar doubted the authenticity of the receipt on the grounds that the “revenue number did not appear on it.” He added that since the witnesses was not the maker of the document, he was not the proper person to tender it.

    The defence said, by the testimony of the witness, it sought to puncture the prosecution’s charge that the defendant did not declare his assets from 2005 and 2016.

    Busari, who said he is 60 years old, described himself as the Chief Driver/Mechanic at the Supreme Court.
    He said, while with Onnoghen at the CCB office on July 28, 2010, the suspended CJN also asked him to obtain his own assets declaration form, which he did.

    Details shortly.

  • Buhari, Okorocha meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met behind closed doors with the outgoing Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Okorocha had arrived the President’s office around 1pm.

    Due to alleged anti-party activities, the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress had suspended him.

    He was also yet to receive his certificate of return to the 9th Senate from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Okorocha was still at the President’s office at the time of filing this report.

  • Updated: Anambra police arrest most wanted murder suspect

    The Anambra State police command has arrested one of the alleged most dreaded murder suspects identified as Ikechukwu Udensi, otherwise known as IKANDA in the state.

    The notorious suspect was arrested in connection with the murder of late Ndubuisi Nwokolo on 29-6-2018 in 21 Otumoye , Odoakpu, Onitsha, Anambra state.

    Parading the suspect on Monday at the state police headquarters Amawbia, the police Commissioner, Mustapha Dandaura, said the suspect was declared wanted but had been on the run since then.

    He said ‘Ikanda’ and his accomplices used offensive weapons such as machetes and cutlasses on the victim.

    According to him, “following the incident, the Command launched aggressive manhunt for the fleeing perpetrators and declared the ring leader one Ikechukwu Udensi alias IKANDA male aged 27 years of Azia town in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State wanted”

    ” Consequently, on the 31/3/2019 at about 12:50 pm, following painstaking intelligence and strategic planning, Police operatives attached to the Command Operation Udoka and Special Anti-robbery Squad SARS raided a Criminal hideout at Menax near down flyover in Onitsha and arrested the notorious Suspect Ikechukwu Udensi AKA IKANDA ”

    Dandaura, said Suspect was assisting the Police with useful information that could help in arresting his accomplices in order to bring them to Justice.

    Meanwhile, the suspect while speaking with The Nation on Monday, said he was not a murderer as being alleged, rather that he worked for the state government.

    He said he did not kill or send anybody to kill the victim.

    However, Anambra state government, while reacting on the issue, through the state Commissioner for information and public Enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba, said working for government does not give anyone licence to commit crimes.

    He said the suspect could be an agent working for government through a contractor, adding that even at that, if he committed crime, he would face the full weight of the law.

    Adinuba, said the Chief Willie Obiano administration detested such because Anambra had become the most crime-free state in the country.

    He said, “anybody that commits any form of crime, using the name of the state government must face the consequences “the Commissioner said

  • LASG confirms closure of ‘illegal’ clinic in baby’s death controversy

    The Lagos State Government at the weekend confirmed the shutting down of HJ CLAIROOWEN medical centre where 15-month-old Taye died during blood transfusion.

    Taye, a twin girl, was referred to the clinic by a paediatrician at Igando General Hospital Dr. Joy last Sunday evening in curious circumstances shortly after her mother, Taiwo, rushed her to the public hospital for medical attention.

    The child’s parents alleged that Dr. Joy had stated she was in need of blood and Oxygen immediately she saw them at the General Hospital, adding that there was no bed space and so, she would refer them to HJ CLAIROOWEN, which turned out to be her private clinic.

    Aside the controversy surrounding the referral, allegations that blood was infused in the baby without screening and negligence against Dr. Joy and her clinic; the child’s father, Adeola Adetunji had also alleged that they were made to bury Taye on doctor’s recommendation without an autopsy.

    Although The Nation had reported the closure of the private clinic as hinted by sources, Director Public Affairs, Ministry of Health Mrs. Adeola Salako confirmed the news in a rejoinder on Friday night.

    “For the purpose of clarity, it is important to mention that safety of lives and the wellbeing of citizens is of utmost importance to the Lagos State Government and as such the avoidable death of the 15-month-old baby, Taiwo Adetunji is regrettable. We commiserate with the bereaved family and pray that God will comfort and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

    “Since the report of the unfortunate incidence, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris has ordered investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of the child as well as allegations of patients poaching by doctors from general hospitals to their private clinics.

    “It is also worthy to note that the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has shut the private hospital – HJ Clairoowen Medical Centre and Maternity where the child died and investigations are on-going on the operations of the facility whose documents showed that it has not been registered with HEFAMAA or certified for the purpose of health care delivery.

    “The ministry will make known its findings in due course and mete out appropriate sanctions to anyone found culpable in the unfortunate incident. We would like to assure citizens of our resolve to continuously address the issue of patient poaching and ensure that residents have unfettered access to quality health care service without exploitation.

    “As a government, the wellbeing of citizens is of utmost importance to us and this is the main thrust of our social contract with the people. The Lagos State Government is a responsible and responsive government and we will not rest on our oars to ensure that justice, in this case, is served without let or hindrances.

    “In this regard, we advise members of the public not to patronize any health facility not bearing the HEFAMAA logo and to channel complaints and petitions in respect of unprofessional conducts by health care providers or health facilities to the HEFAMAA Office, Room 514 Ministry of Health, Alausa, Ikeja.

    “We wish to also note that it is against the norm and highly unethical for General Hospitals or any government health facilities to refer patients or cases to private health facilities. General public are therefore to take note of this and report any health worker or government facility who indulge in this unprofessional act,” she stated.

  • Tensions in A’Ibom as Policemen kill NURTW chairman

    There is palpable tension in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital following the gruesome murder of the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Comrade Ubong Udo Udofia, by angry Policemen.

    Udofia, 45, a.k.a ‘Evolution’, was said to have been killed by four policemen who used to hit him after trying unsuccessfully to kill him through direct shooting.

    Narrating her ordeal at their home at 179, Ikpa Road, Afaha Oku, Uyo, the state capital on Friday, the distraught wife, Margareth, fighting back tears, explained that her husband met his untimely death when minor argument with a Policeman resulted in full blown brawl.

    “I was just returning from the market when I was called suddenly to witness what happened to my husband. When I got to the place, my husband was already gasping for breath until he gave up in my present”.

    According to her, “a Policeman had parked his car and was loading passengers near the Itam motor park, when members of the task force working for my husband accosted him and directed that he should enter the park and load so others should not join”.

    The Policeman, on mufti, she added, resisted and the task force members demanded for the car key and he refused. The car, it was gathered, was pushed into the park on the orders for the deceased to adjudicate on the matter.

    “My husband was inside another vehicle waiting for the car owner, not knowing he had called four of his colleagues, who arrived, and immediately opened fire but when the bullets could not get at him, they resorted to using gun butts to club him till he became unconscious.

    “Several other Policemen attached to construction firm, Julius Berger, were called for more reinforcement and more sporadic shooting followed leading to people scampering for safety including the task force officers,” she explained.

    Mrs. Udofia, who lamented over what would become of her nine children left behind with the death of her husband, called the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the state Police Command and the government of governor Udom Emmanuel, to ensure justice was done in the case.

    “We have nine children to take care of and the eldest is just 15 and none has entered the university yet. So my appeal is that my husband should not die in vain because all the evidence point to deliberate and premeditated murder because my husband and the task force members did not beat the Policeman.

    “All they did was just to direct him to comply with the regulation of loading in the park and not constitute road nuisance by loading on the road side because touting is illegal in Akwa Ibom.

    “Luckily, one of the Policemen who participated in my husband’s death was trying to escape from the scene and unfortunately for him, his identity card fell off his shirt and was picked up as evidence on the scene.

    “The name of the Policeman is Sergeant Nwafor Silas, from Ebonyi State Police Command and attached to Julius Berger with service number; 425015”, she said.

    Disturbed by the incident, it was gathered that NURTW officials were poised for protest, even as angry youths of Afaha Oku, were said to have plotted a reprisal attack.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Itam Division, CSP Francis Irabor, who visited the deceased at the God’s Own Hospital, Park Road, before he died, promised full scale investigation into the matter, assuring that appropriate punishment would be meted on the culprits.

    Besides, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Odike Macdon, confirmed the incident but could not ascertain whether any reprisal attacks were in the offing.

    The truth of the matter, he assured would be known at the end of the investigations, even as he appealed to the people not to take the laws into their own hands.

    The remains of the late task force chair, according to the family have been deposited at the Etang Ekak Mortuary along IBB Way, Uyo.