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Tag: prepares

  • MPPP prepares for 2019 elections

    Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN) has held its third national convention in Abuja, ahead of the coming general election in 2019 and changed its name to Mega Progressive People’s Party (MPPP), the National Secretary, Otunba Leke Adekoya, has said.

    The party elected Kaduna-based politician, Senator Musa Bello, as the National Chairman, Prof. Adiele Chinedum as the Deputy National Chairman (South) and Otunba Leke Adekoya from Ogun State as the National Secretary.

    Other officers elected are Mrs. Chinwe Chika (National Woman Leader), Abanitus Dangiri (National Organising Secretary), Adelaja Oguntimirin (National Legal Adviser), Alhaji Ali Baba Akano (National Financial Secretary), Akanni Olayinka (National Treasurer), among others.

    Adekoya said the change in name, logo and sections of the constitution by the Convention Committee was geared towards rebranding and refocusing the party to reflect the wish of Nigerians, “as MPPP sets to take over reign of governance in 2019.”

    Speaking on the manifesto of the party, Senator Bello, flanked by Adekoya at a news briefing in Ibadan, said what Nigerians deserved in 2019 was a break from the past mistakes and leadership failure that threatened the nation’s foundation and development.

    He said Nigerians must elect credible and responsible leaders at all levels, promising that “Mega Progressives People’s Party will ensure evolution of new leaders that will make public officers across the states and at the centre to be alive to their constitutional roles and meet people’s needs.”

    The unveiling and nationwide mobilisation of MPPP, according to Adekoya, would start in earnest, “as Nigerians from across religious, social and tribal lines will be mobilised and sensitised on the need to embrace credible change the party is bringing forward from 2019.”

    He said Nigerians must take their destinies in their hands by scrutinising would-be office holders and investigating their past, to salvage the ship of the nation from collapse occasioned by leadership failure and followers’ indifference to governance.

  • Winners Chapel prepares for Shiloh 2015

    Winners Chapel prepares for Shiloh 2015

    The Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly known as Winners Chapel, has begun preparations for this year’s Shiloh, the annual gathering of members of the church all over the world.

    This year’s event, with the theme, “From glory to glory”, holds from Tuesday December 8 to Saturday December 12, 2015.

    The event holds as usual at the world headquarters of the church, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, but will be broadcast live via satellite to viewing centres across the world.

    Already, the expansive headquarters is in Shiloh mood with various service groups in rash of meetings strategising for a grand Shiloh.

    On its part, one of the service groups, Crowd Control Unit (CCU), last Sunday pasted its first set of pre-Shiloh sensitisation banners at  strategic corners.

    The presiding Bishop, Dr. David Oyedepo, sensitising the congregation about Shiloh while ministering  last Sunday, said: “Shiloh is not a convention, a church anniversary or a conference; it is a divine appointment for our change of story, a place of conferment of dominion”.

    He said since 1999 when Shiloh started through a divine mandate, the church had been experiencing awesome levels of growth and advancement both for the commission and individual members.

    “We possess  our possessions at Shiloh,” Bishop Oyedepo said.

     

  • Bayelsa prepares for Adaka Boro Day

    Bayelsa prepares for Adaka Boro Day

    The annual remembrance of late Major Isaac Adaka Boro is a major event in Bayelsa State. Regarded as the pioneer of the agitation for economic emancipation of the Niger Delta, this year’s event promises to be different, writes Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

    The annual remembrance of late Major Isaac Adaka Boro is a major event in Bayelsa State. Boro is regarded as the pioneer of the agitation for economic emancipation of the Niger Delta. So, he is considered a martyr, hero and legend of the Niger Delta struggle for resource control. He later  died while fighting for the unity of Nigeria.

    His memorial is a series of ceremonies. Initially, Boro’s celebration was an oversea event. The past administration of Mr. Timipre Sylva rotated the event between the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK). It was then viewed as an elitist event which attracted only the rich and government functionaries.

    Overseas celebration of Boro resulted in capital flight and marginalisation and neglect of the family members of the hero. It also relegated to the background the significance of Kaiama, the hometown of Boro. In fact, it was regarded as a jamboree and a conduit to fritter the resources of the state.

    But Governor Seriake Dickson in 2012 brought the celebration back home. He said henceforth instead of taking the celebration to people in diaspora and foreigners, Boro event had been redesigned to lure people from other countries to Bayelsa and the Niger Delta region.

    Therefore, this year’s celebration like the 2012 and 2013 episodes is a home affair. Already, series of events have been outlined and renown speakers have been invited to deliver the Boro’s lecture.

    For instance, Martin Luther King, jnr, and Rt. Honourable Lord Paul Boateng, a member of the British House of Lords,  have been invited as guest speakers for the colloquium scheduled to hold on May 17.

    From May 11 to 17th, Bayelsa will burble with many activities. Cultural performances, football matches, beauty pageant, art exhibition, musical concerts and awards are some of the events being prepared to herald the day.

    Apart from these activities, the theme of this year’s celebration, Isaac Boro Comes Home, reveals the concluded plan by the administration of Dickson to conduct the funeral of Boro again.

    The Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodolor, said the government would bring back the remains of Boro and rebury them at the Heroes Park, Yenagoa.

    “We went and investigated and found the remains of Boro. We will formally bring them down to be buried in Heroes Park. The transition and reburial activities of Major Isaac Boro will take place on May 16. He is coming to join his kith kin in Ijawland,” he said.

    He disclosed that the government through the deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) has written to the Chief of Army Staff requesting the participation of the Nigerian army in the reburial of Boro who died during the Civil War.

    He said the army has yet to respond to the request. “He is our hero, our legend and we will give him all that is due him”, he said.

    He added: “Major Isaac Adaka Boro was one of Nigerian finest crime fighters as a police officer, educationists, activist, nationalist and unifier who died during the civil war fighting for the unity and peace of Nigeria.

    “He is one of the pioneers for minority rights activism in Nigeria – a foremost campaigner for resource control and better deal for Niger Delta people.”

    He said Boro Day has retained it’s international colouration since notable and established global figures are invited yearly to deliver lectures and grace the occasion. “We will no longer go abroad to celebrate Boro. Our brothers and sisters in the diaspora will come down here while they also celebrate the same event in their various countries abroad”, he said.

    While further extolling the virtues of Boro, he said his efforts culminated in recognition of the Niger Delta region by the Federal Government and conceding of some percentage of resourcees to the region.

    He asked people especially persons in the northern part of Nigeria to imitate the patriotic spirits of Boro who fought for the unity of Nigeria.

    “Some persons are fighting today to divide the country. People up north should imitate Boro who fought to unify Nigeria”, he said.

    Also, the first daughter of Boro, Esther, commended the government for sticking in its decision to celebrate Boro at home. She said children of Boro were not involved in past celebrations that were conducted in abroad because they lacked the logistics to travel overseas.

    She further said the Boro Foundation has remained unpopular because it lacked finances to actualise its objectives. She thanked Dickson for paying stipends to members of Boro family recalling that the gesture was introduced by President Goodluck Jonathan when he was the governor.

    “The gesture was stopped by the past administration. But Dickson came and expanded the list. We want it to be gazetted so that it will be statutory,” she said.

     

  • Ohanaeze prepares for colloquium

    The Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said it has set up a planning and strategy committee for the proposed national conference.

    Prof. Anya O. Anya heads the committee.

    President-General of the organisation, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey, said yesterday at the Ime Obi meeting that the committee would co-opt other members.

    Also put in place is the Finance committee.

    A colloquium for the harmonisation of the Igbo position will hold between March 10 and 13.

    According to Igariwey, the committees would close ranks “so that we speak with one voice since this has been the problem bedevilling us.”

    The Ohanaeze president, who called for prayers for a successful conference, said it was regrettable that “some of our people do not want the conference.”

    Such people, he said, were opposed to the creation of zones and only wanted states.

    First Republic politician Mbazulike Amaechi, who was appointed chairman of the Committee on Reparation, said since May 31 last year when the committee was formed, the president-general refused to inaugurate it.

    He said he spent time and money to compile the names of the Igbo massacred in the North from 1953 to date.

    Amaechi called for a reversal of the decision if the president-general was no longer interested in demanding reparation from the Federal Government.

    But the Ohanaeze president said the complaint would be treated at the next meeting.

    The Ime Obi discussed the issue of Igbo kingdoms outside Igbo land and the abuse of the nomenclature- His Royal Highness or Majesty, to the embarrassment of their hosts.

    The alumni of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), led by its Deputy President, Adaeze Onyebuchi, stormed the meeting and sought the intervention of Ohanaeze in the crisis at the university, which was sparked by the sack of the Pro-Chancellor, Emeka Enejere.

    The organisation promised to look into the issue.

    Present were Ben Obi, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Prof. George Obiozor, Prof. Mark Ordu, Prof. Anya O. Anya and Prof. Joe Irukwu.

    Others were Chief Ralph Obioha, Col. Patrick Anwuna (rtd), Col. Ben Gbulie (rtd), Prof. Ukwu I. Ukwu, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Dame Ada Okwuonu and Ms. Loretta Aniagolu.

  • SSANU prepares for strike

    The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) has mandated its leadership to declare a nationwide strike in universities, if their meeting with the Federal Government on Friday fails to address their demands.

    The university workers are agitating for the payment of Earned Allowance and rejection of the NEEDS Assessment Report in the university system.

    SSANU President, Comrade Samson Ugwoke, addressed reporters after the NEC meeting at the weekend at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, Oyo State.

    He said varsity workers would begin the strike if, after its meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on Friday, the government fails to address the issues and others, such as the Payroll and Personnel Information System.

    He said the varsity workers may be forced to embark on another protracted nationwide strike because other unions in the universities – the National Association of Academic Technology (NAAT) and the Non-Academic Staff of Universities and other allied institution (NASU) – under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), have also secured the same mandate from their members to begin a strike on the issues.

    Ugwoke said the unions delayed the strike because of the intervention of the House of Representatives, which advised that the Executive should raise a Supplementary Budget to cover the payment of Earned Allowance.

    The union leader regretted that despite various meetings, dialogue and discussions under the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) in the last two years and government’s promises, the money for the payment was not captured in this year’s budget.

    According to him, this is an affront on the workers, the unions and their leadership.

    Ugwoke said: “All the unions at JAC, SSANU, NASU and NAAT were together at a meeting on the invitation of House Committee on Education. The committee invited us and there was a motion of urgent importance, moved by Alhaji Bashir of Ngogo Federal Constituency in Kano on the looming strike in the university sector due to non-payment of Earned Allowance, among others…”

  • INEC prepares for 2015 with 18 directors

    INEC prepares for 2015 with 18 directors

    With the appointment of 18 directors, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is getting set for the 2015 elections.

    The newly appointed directors are Ngaladar Shettima( Borno)-Security Directorate; Arabambi A.D.(Osun)-Voter Education, Public Relations and Gender; Mrs. S.G. Ibrahim (Gombe)-Finance and Account; F.E. Tobi (Delta)-Audit; Moses Udoh (Akwa Ibom)-Estate, Works and Transport; U.F. Usman (Kebbi)-Administration; Isa Lawal (Plateau)-Procurement; Ismaila Mayi Kaura (Zamfara) – Stores Directorate; and Bala Shittu (Kaduna)-Election and Party Monitoring.

    Others are: Chidi Nwafor( Anambra) – ICT; Okey Ndeche Okechukwu (Anambra) – Planning and Monitoring; Akem Emmanuel (Benue) – Voter Registry; Irene Ngozi Oghuma(Delta)-Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR); Isiaku A. Gali (Yobe) – Commission’s Secretariat; Oladimeji Kayode O.(Lagos) -Electoral Operations; Ogakwu C. Augusta (Anambra) – Legal Services; Osaze O. Uzzi(Edo) – (International Cooperation and Protocol) and Musa Hamidu Adamu(Bauchi) HRM Directorate.

    The appointments were based on merit and the federal character principle to reduce geopolitical and ethnic politics, which could distract the commission from conducting free and fair elections, it was learnt.

    Also, some directors, who were involved in past controversial polls in some states in 2007 have been redeployed.

    INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega decided to reshuffle the 67 directors he inherited from his predecessors to conduct credible elections in 2015.

    It was gathered that after a comprehensive professional auditing by Jega and all the National Commissioners, 18 of the 67 directors were found fit for the vision of the new INEC administration.

    The other 39 directors will be administrative secretaries in all the 36 states and the FCT or at the Electoral Institute of the commission.

    A source close to the reorganisation said: “The restructuring was borne out of the need to make the commission more effective to be able to deliver free, fair and credible elections.

    “If you remember, the INEC chairman has always said the vision of this leadership is to make the commission the best electoral management body in Africa. This is part of the measures being put in place achieving that.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “There is spread, everybody is taken care of.

    “The exercise is based strictly on merit while also bing mindful of the Federal Character Principle. It has been carried out for the commission to be neatly streamlined. No more overlap of functions, no more duplication.”

  • Keyamo prepares private charges against Lawan

    Keyamo prepares private charges against Lawan

    Activist lawyer Festus Keyamo has volunteered to privately prosecute House of Representatives member, Farouk Lawan for allegedly accepting gratification from businessman Femi Otedola.

    Farouk allegedly took $620,000 from Otedola in order to doctor a report of the House ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy probe.

    In a letter to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), Keyamo said he has also prepared charges against Boniface Emenalo, who he described as Lawan’s “accomplice.”

    The lawyer said before he could begin a private prosecution of the two, he needed to ascertain whether the Federal Government would be conducting the trial or not.

    He said he was giving Adoke till Tuesday to know the next line of action.

    Keyamo said he gave a seven-day ultimatum to the Police to begin the prosecution, but that the force has claimed that it has concluded investigation and that the Attorney-General’s office “has refused to file charges for reasons unknown to the public.”

    “It is for the above reasons I have prepared a charge for the purpose of private prosecution,” Keyamo said.

    He attached a proof of evidence to the letter, which he made available to The Nation, as well as a recording of a telephone conversation where Lawan was allegedly asking for gratification to doctor his report, and appealing to Otedola to keep it secret.

    The lawyer also attached a transcript of the recording, and court processes in a suit where, according to him, the graphic details of how the alleged crime was committed.

    Keyamo wrote: “May I kindly request that, by virtue of Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Act, Cap. C41, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, you endorse on the charge whether, having seen the charge, you are prepared to prosecute Farouk Lawan and Boniface Emenalo for the counts in the charge or whether you have declined to prosecute at the public instance the counts in the said charge.

    “The position of the law is that, before I commence private prosecution, you should be given the opportunity to prosecute or to decline to prosecute. This is what I have done by this letter.

    “I will expect your reply by the close of official business on Tuesday, January 29, 2013, to enable me determine my next line of action.

    “I sincerely hope you will make your decision one way or the other as any indecision on your part will amount to a refusal to act as held by the Supreme Court in the case of Chief Gani Fawehinmi V. Col. Halilu Akilu & Anor: In Re: Oduneye Reported In 1987 (4 NWLR) P. 67.

    “In that case, it will be all-clear signal I require to file the Charge.”

    The four-count charge prepared by Keyamo, to be filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, reads:

    “That you, Honourable Farouk Lawan and Boniface Emenalo, sometime between January and July 2012 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of Federal High Court, conspired to corruptly demand and receive the sum of $3,000,000.00 (Three Million US Dollars) as gratification from Femi Otedola, and thereby committed the offence of Criminal Conspiracy contrary to Section 96 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of FCT and punishable under Section 97 the same Act.

    “That you, Honourable Farouk Lawan and Boniface Emenalo, sometime between January and July 2012 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of Federal High Court, corruptly asked for, receivedand obtained the sum of $620,000.00 (Six Hundred and Twenty Thousand US Dollars) as bribe from Femi Otedola, and thereby committed the offence of gratification by an Official contrary to Section 12(1)(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, Cap C31, LFN 2004 and punishable under the same section.

    “That you, Honourable Farouk Lawan and Boniface Emenalo, sometime between January and July 2012 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of Federal High Court, corruptly agreed to receive the sum of $3,000,000.00 (Three Million US Dollars) as gratification from Femi Otedola, and thereby committed the offence of Gratification by an Official contrary to Section 12(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, Cap C31, LFN 2004 and punishable under the same section.

    “That you, Honourable Farouk Lawan and Boniface Emenalo, sometime between January and June 2012 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of Federal High Court, threatened one Femi Otedola with injury to his reputation and his companies, with intent to cause alarm to Femi Otedola and to cause Femi Otedola to give you a gratification of $3,000,000.00 (Three Million US Dollars) in order to avoid the said injury, and thereby committed the offence of Criminal Intimidation contrary to Section 396 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of FCT and punishable under Section 387 of the same Act.”

  • Ghana prepares for Mahama’s swearing-in

    Ghana prepares for Mahama’s swearing-in

    AS the clock ticked closer to today’s inauguration of President-elect John Mahama, every speck was being cleaned off the seats as part of preparations for the big event.

    The stage where Parliament will be extended to, the Independence Square, was swamped by officials of AMA and Zoomlion, who were giving the grounds a facelift with decorations.

    Security officials were also seen setting up the parameters for the event.

    Joy News’ Francis Abban, who visited the venue, said there were lots of barricades being mounted with podiums also under erection.

    The independence arch was being decorated with Ghana’s colours- Red, Gold and Green.

    Deputy Information Minister James Agyenim Boateng, in an interview with Abban said over 15 Heads of State had already confirmed participation in the event.

    On how the inauguration will be organised, the Director of Public Affairs for Ghana’s Legislature, Jones Kugblenu said the new Speaker and his deputies will be sworn in early today and the House will rise.

    He said parliamentary proceedings will be extended to the Independence Square where the President and his vice will be sworn in.

  • King Sunny Ade prepares new works

    King Sunny Ade prepares new works

    IN a manner that looks more of a prophecy, King Sunny Ade is set to launch into the Year 2013 with new works which predict a bountiful and rewarding year for everybody.

    According to the King himself; “the work which is titled ‘My Year’ is packaged to bless my fans particularly and Nigerians in general, encouraging them to hold on to the belief that 2013 is their year of blessings and rewards in their individual endeavours.”

    Coincidentally, the work is coming into the market along with the musical video of the 35th year crowning anniversary of KSA as the King of Music which took place in Ibadan few days ago.

    Clement Ige, Managing Director of Distinct Associates Ltd, disclosed that “My Year” is a mind-blowing three-tracker which complements the thrilling 35th year crowning anniversary video, assuring that fans of King Sunny Ade should expect the bumper package before Christmas.

    A sneak preview of “My Year” indicates another major hit from King Sunny Ade as he goes back into his musical archives for arresting lyrics, technically crafted into moving proverbs of songs and danceable beats that had been his trademark for years.

    Mr. Ademola Joshua, in charge of distribution of the three track compilation, said “My Year” is an essential musical work to stimulate those who are looking forward to 2013 as a rewarding year.

    Mr. Ademola also added: “In addition to this bumper offer, another set of scintillating musical packages in form of newly arranged live audio recordings of King Sunny Ade from the 70s have just been released to the market in response to the yearnings of millions of fans of the juju music maestro.