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Tag: Tony Akowe

APC strikes Atiku for attack on Buhari’s anti-graft war

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar launched yesterday a blistering attack on President Muhammadu Buhari, advising him not to blame the “system” for what he called his failure to fight corruption.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate wrote to the President, commending him, “for admitting that he failed in fighting corruption.”

But the All Progressives Congress (APC) responded in an equally derisive tone, smacking Atiku for not facing his campaign and exhibiting “signs of depression”.

In a letter titled: “President Buhari, don’t blame the Nigerian system for your failure”, the former vice president faulted Buhari for blaming his “failure to tackle corruption head-on: on the system.

The letter, dated, yesterday, reads: “My attention has been drawn to a statement by President Muhammadu Buhari on the occasion of a Christmas homage paid on him by members of the Federal Capital Territory Community in which he blamed his inability to fight corruption on the Nigerian system.

“According to the President, his administration is slow in fighting corruption because the system is slow.

“My immediate response to this is to commend President Buhari for admitting that he has failed in fighting corruption. The President has just corroborated Transparency International, whose latest Corruption Perception Index shows that Nigeria is more corrupt today than it was under the previous administration, having moved 12 places backwards in the CPI, from 136 in 2014 to 148 this year.”

Atiku said his point of departure was in the President blaming his failure on the system.

He said: “I disagree. The system has challenges, yes, but where there is political will, the system can make progress.”

Recalling his tenure as vice president between 1999 and 2007, Atiku said: “We used that same system to speedily convict no less a personality than an Inspector-General of Police, and several others, including cabinet ministers and other high officials.

“Mr. President, the problem with your anti-corruption war is not the system. You are the problem!

“The system allows you to arrest, try and convict your former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who was fingered in a major corruption case, but you chose to let him go scot free and you demonstrated your tolerance for his corruption by giving him a prominent role in your re-election campaign and recently welcoming him to the Presidential Villa with open arms.

“The system allowed you to arrest, try and convict Abdulrasheed Maina, the biggest-ever alleged thief in our civil service history, who is suspected of looting the pensions of millions of aged Nigerians.

“Yet, you chose not to go that route, preferring instead to recall him, reinstate and double promote him while giving him armed guards to move about.

“The system allows you to probe the $25 billion NNPC contracts awarded without due process, but you chose to bury the matter under the carpet, hoping the Nigerian people will forget about that grand scale alleged looting exposed by a leaked memo from a member of your cabinet.

“Finally, nothing in the system stops you from telling Nigerians who owns the billions found in an Ikoyi apartment.

“Based on the above statement of facts, I will not allow you to make Nigeria the scapegoat for your failure. Your failure is personal, and not national.”

Atiku faulted the President for allegedly branding Nigerian youths as lazy while defending a governor who was allegedly caught on camera receiving bribes.

Atiku went on: “The system did not stop the EFCC from charging the opposition Governor of Akwa-Ibom, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, as a co-accused in the case involving the NBA Chairman, Mr Paul Usoro (SAN). Contrast this with the treatment meted out to Governor Umar Ganduje of the ruling All Progressive Congress.”

APC’s National Publicity Secretary Lanre Issa-Onilu sparked Atiku for his letter . He urged the PDP presidential candidate to tell Nigerians why they should elect him rather than dissipate energy on the ruling party and its presidential candidate.

Issa-Onilu said: “The PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is exhibiting early signs of depression, resulting from obvious frustration. Consequently, he is unable to focus on his campaign. Otherwise, he should tell Nigerians why a discredited person like him should be elected as president instead of raising puerile allegations daily.

“President Buhari and APC, not his programmes for the country, appear to be his main campaign issues. Nigerians are desirous of a campaign that focuses on issues that matter to them.

“For Atiku and his PDP co-travellers, the only interest is to grab power and continue where they stopped in their avarice. The APC administration is eager to showcase the impressive achievements we have recorded in the last three and half years. This is the campaign that matters to us and this is what Nigerians are interested in.

“The trajectory is exciting as we see a brighter future shaping up. We won’t yield to the PDP’s shenanigans. The obvious strategy of the PDP is to truncate the country’s journey towards economic buoyancy and social stability. We will not play the PDP’s game. PDP is acting an anti-people’s script.

“President Buhari remains unshaken by the desperate efforts being made by Atiku and the PDP to blackmail the APC government. Everyone who was involved in corrupt practices would be brought to justice. PDP is not offering any alternative to the progressive course this government is pursuing.

“It is actually apparent that the party is not contesting the 2019 elections to redeem itself, least of doing any good for the country, but simply to seize power to escape justice for the grevious crimes committed against the people of this country. Nigerians won’t be fooled by the rapacious PDP gang. Never!”

December 27, 2018
Cabinet reshuffle: Buhari just betrayed his promise – ADP

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) said on Wednesday that the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to expand his cabinet and appoint more Ministers was a betrayal of his promise to run a lean government as a way of conserving funds.

National Chairman of the party, Engr. Yabagi Sani said in a statement in Abuja that it was unfortunate that the same President who promised change has refused to be consistent and faithful to all the promises he made to the Nigerian people.

President Muhammadu Buhari had told the National Executive Committee of the party on Tuesday that “the compressed Federal Executive Council will be expanded to bring in more supporters at Federal Level, with fresh ideas to be injected into the process.”

The ADP said “It is sad and very disappointing that President Buhari who promised CHANGE has refused to be consistent and faithful to all the promises he made to the Nigerian masses.

“His attitude towards corruption allegations against his close associates, his unprecedented tribal/kinsmen appointments and penchant for refusing to talk when Nigerians needed his voice of assurance mostly, have proved that his body language, in the beginning, was a mere gimmick.

“We want to advise that what he needs is not the appointment of additional ministers but to make himself more accessible to the current cabinet members so as to achieve synergy and success.

“The current Cabinet members have been working with a President they only see on FEC meeting days and hardly had the opportunity to discuss personal challenges or aspirations except through the Chief of Staff or the now replaced Secretary to the Government (SGF). If the President continues to run the government by proxy, history may not be kind to him in the final analysis.”

November 1, 2017
PTAD begins verification of pensioners for payment

Relief came the way of pensioners of some federal government owned agencies that were privatised on Monday as the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) began their verification with a view to paying them their entitlement several years after they were retired.
The pension agency on Monday began the verification of pensioners of NICON Insurance, Nigeria Re-Insurance Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA Civilians,) and New Nigeria Newspapers who has not been benefiting from the pension for a long time.
The verification exercise which is taking place simultaneously in Abuja, Kaduna and Lagos was flagged off at the PTAD headquarters in Abuja by the Executive Secretary, Barrister Sharon Ikeazor who said the exercise is expected to last six days.
PTAD has so far verified civil service pensioners in the North West, northeast, south-south, south-east and part of south-west with only Ogun and Oyo left in the south-west.
Anxious pensioners of the for companies were thronged the Maitama Headquarters of PTAD and the Kaduna centre for the verification which involves data capturing and verification of documents as early as 8.00am.
Some of the pensioners spoken to said they were excited that for the first time retirees were having it very smoothly adding that the procedure is completely different from that of the past where pensioners are treated with disdain.
Chairman of the

Awa Nmaju, Chairman of the Pensioners Pressure Group and a former staff of NICON Insurance said that they have not received pension in the last twelve years.
He said: “Our pension has not been paid in the last 12 years and we have been struggling to see that we get paid. Eventually, PTAD has done a great job arranging this verification exercise for us. A journey that started in 2005 is not a small journey, but were relieved as soon as our case was transferred to PTAD. A lot of attention has been given to it especially with the coming on board of the new Executive Secretary of PTAD Sharon Ikeazor, she has done a great job for us.
“I am very much excited. In fact, my happiest day was on the 3rd of March when I was told that the minister has approved for us to be pensionable.”
He said that when the federal government privatized his former corporation and were paid off, he has been finding it difficult to survive; lamenting that what they were paid was not commiserate with the years they put in service.
However, he said, “Since we have been put under pension, we will start receiving monthly stipend though it may not be as we expected it. Although they will pay us arrears.”
Another pensioner, Mr Mcihael Olasoni Rees, said: “For the first time, retirees are having it very smoothly and you know the procedure is completely different from that of the past where pensioners are treated with disdain; people have fallen down, because of lack of seating arrangement but as you can see, how things are going on very smoothly here.
“We give kudus to PTAD. The old days where retirees are treated as if they are not human beings look as if it’s past, now you can see how people are going in a good procedure. When we came in they welcomed us very well and told us that there will be snacks after the verification exercise, that has never happened in the history of retirees in this country.
“My expectation is that, if you have been captured and verified as a retiree, you should enjoy pension. They should speed up the process of pension payment so as to reduce the pressure and the anguish pensioners are going through because honestly, life has not been easy for most us.
“What PTAD is doing now is part of it. As I said earlier, you can know the rigours when they said they want to verify pensioners they go through hell but now it is a different ballgame. Look at the way they are doing things orderly, look at the way they are attending to pensioners like human beings. Before, pensioners are treated almost like less than an animal, but now they are making things orderly and that is the beauty of it and at least we are getting this treatment but we want the payment to follow almost immediately.”

October 2, 2017
NLC to name, shame Govs not using Paris Club refund well

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said on Tuesday that it was prepared name and shame state governors who failed to utilize the Paris Club refund for the purpose it was meant for, insisting that the President demand the state governors to account for the money before any further release is made to them.

Reacting to a statement by President Muhammadu Buhari accusing the governor of misdirecting the Paris Club refund, NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said it was unfortunate that despite their promises to use the money to pay workers salaries and pension, the governors have refused to live by their words.

He said that some of the state governors have even refused to disclose how much they received and how it was utilized, pointing out that the Chairman of the Governors Forum who made a commitment on behalf of his colleague has, himself not utilize the money judiciously.

Wabba said the President was actually reacting to its letter asking him not to approve the release of the third and last tranche of the fund to the governors until they account for what they have received.

He said: “It is our letter he was reacting to. At our CWC meeting, we called on him not to release the last tranche of the Paris Club refund to the states because the governors have not kept their word.

“You remember that Chairman of the Governors Forum alluded to the fact that they are committed to using the money to address the issue of liability of pension and salaries. Unfortunately, the Chairman of the Governors Forum has not lived up to those words.

“As you are aware, our workers in Zamfara have shut down the state. He himself that ,are the pronouncement could not honoured the words that he pronounced on behalf of his colleagues. That is to show the level of deceit that is actually in the system and that is why we decided to write to the President to ensure that, there is a level of accountability to show that he is actually on the same page with the governors.

“Before the second tranche was released, they made commitments and used the payment of workers salaries and pensions as a bait to get the President to approve and get the money across to them. But immediately they got the money, majority of them diverted the money. Right now, we have a standard data as to what the situation is in all states of the Federation.

“Let me make the point that some has actually judiciously untilise their own, but states like Ekiti, Kogi, Benue, Zamafara among is even refused to make available how. Ugh they received.

“You remember what happened at the Kogi state House of Assembly where a member raised a motion to demand accountability on the issue of the Paris Club refund and that resulted in the chaos we witnessed in the Assembly. That member had his head broken and the Speaker removed. That is the level of decay that is prevailing in some of those states.

“It means that Mr President is in touch with the real issues that is happening in every state. The fact that he is aware that some of the governors have not utilized the money in the direction that he appealed to them means that he is aware of what is happening.

“So, I think that going forward, we must demand for accountability. We are also aware that a lot of information is already in the public domain where a lot of them resorted to the use of consultants.

“We learnt that about 5 percent was deducted from source and used for the payment of consultants which eventually ended up in peoples pocket. We are also aware of those that diverted the money to build hotels and pay mortgages. It is really a bad situation.

“If we must fight corruption, those issues are issues that we must follow up and fight the, to their logical conclusion. Having made that pronouncement, I think k he should be commended, but we must also demand accountability from these people.

“In some of the states, our members used the freedom of information act to demand how these money were utilized, but there has been no responses and I think that is most unfortunate. We have records of those states. We have also promised that we are going to name and shame those states that has not adequately utilized the bail out.

“We are working on the data and once they are ready, we will make the, available and we are going to engage states that has not transparently utilized the bail out fund for the purpose that it was meant for and for the benefit of their people. That is where we are now and it is not a good situation at all and that is why the situation of workers have not improved.

“Despite the fact that some efforts have gone in, the situation of workers have not I proved because there has been no transparency in some states in the utilization of those funds. Let me emphasized that some states have done extremely well and we are going to point this out very clearly.”

September 12, 2017
Prove allegations of corruption against me – Atiku to enemies

Former Vice President and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar on Monday asked his perceived political enemies and all those accusing him of corruption to prove their allegation against him or keep quit.

A statement from his media office in Abuja quote the former Vice President as saying that it was unfortunate that Nigerian believe that nobody can be rich in the country without stealing government money.

The statement said that Atiku who was speaking while on a facility tour of an ultra modern printing press in Abuja said he did not become Nigeria’s Vice President in 1999 as a pauper, but as a rich man who has already made it big in business.

The APC Chieftain also said that he would fight corruption like never before if he is given the opportunity to preside over the affairs of the country, adding that “It is sickening to continue to regurgitate allegations of corruption against me by people who have failed to come forward with a single shred of evidence of my misconduct while in office.”

He added that people who have no initiative, personal resourcefulness and ideas about wealth creation, always assume that a man cannot build himself without stealing.

According to him, “People who are bereft of ideas about entrepreneurial spirit always think that everyone else is a thief just like them”, adding that it is morally offensive for people who despise honest labour to become judges in the courts of public opinion.

The former Vice President said even though he has not been convicted of corruption by any court in the land or elsewhere, his political enemies have been parading a fake morality test to fool gullible Nigerians.

“Despite previous desperate efforts to link me with corruption, the William Jefferson trial in the United States ended in 2009 without indicting me or linking me to corrupt activities,” he said.

Atiku recalled that he pasted a reminder at his bed rest during his training as a Custom Officer that he (Atiku) would retire from any agency if he had not attained the headship of the place at the age of 40, adding that he was only able to attain the position of Deputy Director before his exit in 1989 to chart a career in business.

He said he retired from the Customs Service with untainted record, and that if anybody has evidence that he stole a kobo at the Customs or during his tenure as vice president, such accusers should come forward or file a petition against him, pointing out that he did not become a Vice President in 1999 as a pauper because he has been a successful investor throughout his retirement life.

“If Atiku is a thief merely because of his resourcefulness and successful investments, my political enemies should tell Nigerians the sources of their own stupendous wealth,” he added.

While asking the management and staff of the company to manifest the values of honesty, hard work and diligence, attributes, he said stood him in good stead during his years as a public servant and entrepreneur, the former Vice President said he is well equipped to fight corruption because of his vast experiences both in the public and private sectors and his ability to build a team capable of accomplishing the task.

“I will shock everyone because I believe that I will fight corruption like never before,” he said.

September 11, 2017
Freedom of speech: APC cautions Atiku

The North West Zonal Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Inuwa Abdulkadir has caution members of the party to be careful of their public utterances And not hide under the guise of freedom of speech to undermine the party or bring the party and the leadership to disrepute.

Abdulkadir who was reacting to the statement credited to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that he has been sidelined by both the President and the party describe the statement as an “unguided statement” which should not be coming from a statement of his repute.

Abdulkadir who spoke with selected newsmen at the APC national secretariat on Friday also said that the Minister of Women Affairs was practically blackmailing the President with her statement which has attracted public comments in recent times, pointing out that while she was entitled to her own opinion, she was morally bound to either keep quiet or resign from the government, rather than creating the impression that things were not working well within the government.

He said the former Vice President gave the impression of failure on the side of both the party and the government formed by the party, pointing out that as a statesman who contributed to building the party, statements of fact were expected from him.

He said: “Atiku Abubakar is a very important member of this party. He is one of the leaders of this party and I have no doubt about his contribution to building this party. He has also added value by his personality during the last election

“People of such statue and reckoning in this country, particularly being a former Vice President, of this great nation, he has attained the position of a statesman and what we expect from him is nothing less than that. By virtue of former his office and his age, he is qualified to be a statesman.

“But when you reach that statue and age there are certain things you have to come to terms with, most important of which is to exhibit a high sense of decorum in your conduct. What I mean is that you have to guard what you say, how you say it and when you say it because what is expected of you as a statesman is nothing but factual.

“Secondly, the majority of the people look up to you to provide leadership in the sense that from what you say people can learn a lot.

“Of recent Atiku has made some statements to the effect that or create an impression of the failure of the party and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government. At that level, good party members, especially of his status should not be seen to be making such public statements even if those criticisms are factual, whereas in this case some of these statements were misleading and incorrect.

“These statements give an impression as if there is a crack in the house and in the party or that the party is not doing all that which it ought to. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have been here to responded to certain statements because as leaders, we shouldn’t be seen as joining issues in the public domain. But since he has made a public statement, the public is entitled to get the other side or be told the truth.

“Yes, Atiku like many others made certain contributions in the 2015 elections and in building the party. But the bigger picture which he gave is not correct. I know that in the north west zone which I represent, we had eight presidential campaign rallies and Atiku did not attend any.

“Yes, he added value by his personality, but there are so many other members of the party, who made financial contribution and added electoral value. North West is the most populous zone in terms of the APC membership and in terms of electoral victory, not only to the president, but we have seven state governors and 20 out of the 21 senators in the zone are from the APC.

“I think we are critical and major stakeholders in this party. So one of the reasons why I am making this statement is to calm our members in these states and not to be distracted and that APC is well on ground as all efforts are being made to solidify those gains and we shouldn’t be distanced by such unfortunate statements which are suggesting that the party is neglecting a particular person or group persons.

“Some of these things are processes and you don’t expect everything to happen at the sametime. More importantly, there should some decorum in what we do. People who have attained those high privileged positions should know that they have attained certain status in the society and so, they cannot afford to talk any how.

“On the issue of consultation by the Mr. President, though I don’t work in the Villa, it is an open secret that whoever visited the president is no longer a secret. Whoever is meeting the president of Nigeria more than 20 people will know and the information will be shared.

“As a matter of fact, several times, Atiku Abubakar has visited Mr. President and what they discussed, we don’t know but we know that he has visited. I am sure he is not just there to greet him. Those two leaders will meet without discussing one thing or the other.

“On party meetings, I know that immediately after convention where Buhari was nominated as the party flag bearer, there were a number of leadership meetings which he participated. Also, there were formal party meetings, some of which were held in the Villa and he was present.

“There were some meetings here at the National secretariat including two NEC meetings which he attended and other functions of the party. So the claim that the party only met once is not correct.

“On his criticism of the President in the area of security and the fight against corruption, I want to say that if you critically listen to what he said, you will discover that it is not correct because we know where we were in 2015 and where we are now especially in terms of security and what the situation is now.

“This is just a sign of caution. As a party, we caution our members from making unguarded statements that are capable of ridiculing the leadership of the party and the leadership of the government formed by this party. I think that we as a party, we will not relent in our effort in installing discipline and ensuring decorum among our members.

“We should always remember that this party is an institution and it is not a personal enterprise belong to one person, a group of persons or a class of people. It has its own rules and regulations. People should not hide under the freedom of speech to undermine the party or bring the party and the leadership to disrepute. We all appreciate the efforts of members of this party in producing the president.

“So, the party has a duty to ensure that party members e committed to the party and its principles. APC respects the right of all its members and the citizens from this country to make constructive criticism and we embrace such.

“At the same time, we have a responsibility to ensure that those privileges, those rights being exercise by the members does not encroach into the reputation of the party or the party as an institution.”

Speaking on the statement credited to the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Jummai Alhassan, Abdulkadir said the action of the Minister could be interpreted to mean that she was either blackmailing the President or boxing him into a corner.

He said while she was entitled to her opinion, she is morally bound to resign her appointment if she is not satisfied with events in the cabinet, pointing out that her statement were suggestive of things not working well within the cabinet.

He said: “People have rights to express their opinions and express their views. But those rights are morally suspended if you found yourself in a situation where you find yourself as a member of the cabinet or as a member of the party.

“There are certain things that are expected from you because it sends wrong signals of your commitment to the party as well as the person you are serving. However, some of these things are within the discretion of the Principal of that Minister who is the President.

“The situation is that her statement is capable of creating an impression that even at the cabinet level, things are not well. As far as the party is concerned, everything is well in terms of the cabinet. But there is personal responsibility on that minister to do the right thing.

“As a leader and somebody who has accepted to serve in a government formed by the party, the right thing to do if you think otherwise is to honourably quit. What we have right now is a situation of blackmailing the President or boxing him which will not be accepted by the party.

“These two issues have come to the public domain and it is part of our responsibility as leaders of this party to ensure that the current things are known and to correct whatever wrong impression that would have been created.

“You are making such suggestuon in respect of your principal in public, this is something that she can discuss with her principal to express to him so that he (President) will know her position. And if you feel like it should be public then you are saying that I’m no longer comfortable with this situation, if this situation should continue I’m not comfortable with it.

“Whether Buahri has said that he will recontest or not is immaterial, what is material as serving Minister should not be seen to be making public statement that suggest that they are not on the same page with the team because she is a more mber of a team.

“In order places the right thing is for her to resign, that she can no longer continue to be in this thing because my spirit ir my thought is not in conformity with this team, so we can no more work together. She is entitle to that. So, you can not you eat your cake and have it, that is the situation.

“As high as that office is people resign and leave on principle that if not that I’m a member of APC I would not have accepted to serve but I’m not convince still, so I think giving an opportunity to somebody else I will support him not you”.

September 8, 2017
Buhari, best 2019 Presidential material – APC Chieftain
- Wants Alhassan to resign
A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa state, Preye Aganaba said on Thursday that President Muhammadu Buhari remain the party’s best candidate for the 2019 Presidential election, asking the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Jummai Alhassan to resign her appointment as a minister in the Buhari cabinet.

Aganaba who spoke in an interview with newsmen in Abuja also asked Nigerians to ignore the quit notice issued by a coalition of Niger Delta Agitators to northerners and people from the south west to leave the region, describing them as attention seekers.

Reacting to a statement credited to the Minister that she would support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the 2019 Presidential election ahead of President Buhari, Aganaba said while the Minister has the eight to her opinion, it was expressed in the wrongly, saying “She has a right to her choice but I think she is not been fair. If she want to make such public statement as a serving Minister, she should resign her appointment.”

Aganaba who expressed confidence in the Buhari government however wants the President to bring into his government those he described as capable hands who understand the ideal of change mantra which the party stand for anytime he plan to re-jig his cabinet.

“So, I don’t think for now that the APC has any other choice that to re-elect President Buhari, though people are free to contest, nobody is stopping them, this is APC where we usually have free and fair primaries. The last Presidential primaries in Lagos, President Buhari won more than half of the votes.

“During the last APC presidential primaries, the campaign slogan for Buhari was ’12 million assured votes’ and I don’t think one single vote has left that 12 million assured votes, in fact, more has even been added.

Related: Nothing Wrong with visit to Atiku – Alhassan

“I am not bothered about the economy because that will be fixed, for me I’m looking at the politics of various zones because that will determine how much we win the election. To win we will win, but by what margin? These are my issues and then if we can also do well at National Assembly elections.

“In government wise, I think we have done well. Yes, may

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar

be not where we suppose to be because we also did not know about what we met when we came in 2015 but we have done well. In few days ago we heard about the story of Nigeria exited recession, the prices of food stuff are coming down, in Abuja here where I live I get minimum of 20 hours of electricity and some days light doesn’t go off for five days and so on.

“If President Buhari runs election today he is going to win. I don’t think the President is terminally ill, and like every other human being, people fall sick but the problem is because he is the President, is in government you begin to hear stories but he is back. I saw him yesterday he is looking very fresh, atleast he rested very well in Daura.”

Trending: Atiku: I am not afraid of being sacked by Buhari – Alhassan

He also expressed confidence that the crisis rocking the various state chapters of the party will soon be resolved saying “they will be amicably resolve because whether you like it or not we are going into elections and we can not go into we ctions with a divided house. In 2013, I saw leaders of this party brought together a disfunctional system and we went into elections in 2015 and we won. So, I still believe in the ability of this party to do the same thing before 2019.”

On the various agitations coming from the Niger Delta, he advised the government and Nigerians to ignore them, saying “most of these calls are political from people seeking relevance from government and for me I think they should be ignored because when they want to destroy pipeline nobody makes noise about it.”
September 7, 2017
‘2.78million workers die yearly due to work related injuries’

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has said that an estimated 2.78 million workers, with an estimated Gross Domestic Product of 2.99 trillion dollars die every year from work related illness and injuries across the globe.

Director General of the ILO, Guy Ryder told XXI World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, in Singapore that 2.4 million of these deaths can be attributed to work-related diseases alone.

Ryder said the figures announced were developed by Finland, Singapore, the EU and the International Commission on Occupational Health, with the support of ILO.

According to him, the new figures point to a growing body of evidence demonstrating the global cost of failing to adequately address existing and emerging occupational safety and health (OSH) concerns, and to the importance of OSH to sustainable development, adding that “clearly, there is a recognition that certain OSH challenges are global challenges that require global solutions.

The global economic impact of the failure to adequately invest in occupational safety and health is roughly equal to the total GDP of the poorest 130 countries in the world.

He stressed the readiness of the ILO to engage in the development of a global coalition with key partners in meeting these challenges, adding that as co-organizer of the 2017 World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, the ILO is addressing key challenges for the future of work and the implications for the safety and health of workers.

“How the future of work is forged will, of course, have the greatest impact on this and the next generation and they must have a voice in the process including on OSH,” said Ryder in addressing Congress participants.

“Youth and OSH is a key theme at the XXI World Congress and central to ILO’s flagship Occupational Safety and Health-Global Action for Prevention Programme.

“Forty million youth are entering the labour market this year and they are the best-educated generation the world has ever seen. We must take advantage of this demographic dividend and unleash the potential and creativity of these young people,” he said.

During the four-day Congress the ILO will participate in symposia and technical sessions on the need for reliable OSH data, improving occupational safety and health in global supply chains, creating mechanisms for the exchange of OSH data, knowledge and expertise globally, and fostering proactive occupational safety and health compliance strategies at national level. Engagement of youth around the world will be key to addressing these challenges.

September 4, 2017
Atiku advocates review of educational system to address poverty

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has advocated for an urgent review of the nation’s educational system, saying only a functional educational system will pull the nation of the abject poverty which he said has held the majority of Nigerians hostage.

Receiving a delegation from the US-based NURU International, the former Vice President said that a retooled education system that would emphasise functional and problem-solving strategy remained the way to go if the war against poverty is to be won.

The former Vice President said that with functional education, the high incidence of school drop outs will be reduced while products of secondary education on graduation would have acquired skills that would serve as their source of income for life.

According to him, Nigeria and Nigerians benefitted from such an educational system in the past but that things changed after the civil war when the country adopted an education system that mainly took interest in producing candidates for the universities and not for other levels of higher education.

He explained that in the past incidence of school dropouts was so low because there were government colleges, secondary schools, technical schools and craft centres which provided spaces for primary school leavers to continue their educational pursuits based on their respective intellectual/mental ability and capabilities.

“I remember that in the 1960s in Northern Nigeria all students sit for one examination and their performance determines where they will be placed for further education. Everyone is accommodated within the four levels of higher education that was available then and this reduced the incidence of school dropout to its barest minimum,” he said.

The former Vice President said that it is not every secondary student that is “a university material” adding that there is need to ensure secondary school leavers are armed with skills through which they could earn a living and raise families.

He maintained that if the school leavers do not acquire knowledge and skill to engage their energies on graduation, they become willing and available tools for anti-social activities which could manifest in youth restiveness as being witnessed in the country.

Apart from investing in education, the former Vice President said that the micro finance scheme promoted by him has empowered 45,000 families in Adamawa state by providing them with micro-finance facilities with which they started a small business.

He said that the initiative, which targeted women as beneficiaries of the loan scheme, has lifted many families out of poverty, adding that the beauty of the micro-finance arrangement which operates in all Local Government Areas in Adamawa, except two, is that it has recorded 98 per cent recovery rate just as the women have become the “bread winners” of their respective families.

The leader of the delegation and founder/CEO of NURU International, Mr Jake Harriman said that his organization, which currently operates in Michika and Madagali areas of Adamawa state aims at reducing “abject poverty” in those communities within the seven years the organisation, will operate.

He said that the essence of the visit was to solicit the support of the former Vice President so that NURU will succeed in its poverty intervention programme in the state.

August 30, 2017
Niger Delta agitators threaten to resume bombing

A coalition of Niger Delta agitators on Thursday threatened to resume bombing of oil installations in the region and warned the federal government to stop dealing wit the Edwin Clark led Pan Niger Delta Forum, (PANDEF) on their behalf saying the group can not resolve the crisis in the region”

The group, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja also asked Northerners and Yourbas from South west resident in the region to vacate the Niger Delta before October 1, while oil companies operating in the area and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation. must relocate their headquarters to the the region.

The coalition which is made up of eight different militant groups dissociated themselves from the recent meeting help between Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo and PANDEF, describing the meeting as another ploy to deceive the people of the Niger Delta.

The signatories to the statement included General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs and Convener Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators); General Ekpo Ekpo ( Niger Delta Volunteers); General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors) and Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters).

Others were Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw for Bakassi Freedom Fighters; Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall for Niger Delta Movement for Justice; Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson for Niger Delta Fighters Network and Major-Gen. Inibeghe Adams for Niger Delta Freedom Mandate.

It will be recalled that PANDEF led by Chief Edwin Clarke met twice with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo recently at the Presidential Villa to articulate lasting solution to the challenges of the people in the region.

The Niger Delta agitators said that they had resolved to declare Republic of Niger Delta on October 1 and congratulated the Yourubas on their intention to declare an Oduduwa Republic, saying that they would work in tandem with the South East and Middle Belt to achieve economic and diplomatic developments.

The statement read in full: “At the general council meeting of the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators (CNDA) involving surveillance department, intelligence department and commanding officers held today to deliberate on the recent development in the Niger Delta and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) meeting with the Acting President, after hours of careful deliberations, we unanimously resolved to commence Operation Zero Oil in the Niger Delta from September 10, 2017 as a preparation for the actualization of Niger Delta Republic

“We totally condemn the recent meeting between PANDEF and the Acting President; we see it as another plot to deceive the Niger Delta people. First and foremost, the meeting was marred with inordinate greed of the PANDEF as they did not involve the representatives of the Agitating groups and youths leaders.

“We wish to let the Acting President to know that those he met have no capacity and cannot solve the current crisis in the Niger Delta; therefore they cannot represent the militants or speak for the Niger Delta people.

“The Coalition unanimously adopts to stand by the previous demands, which are: 100% percent control of our resources. The Federal Government should hand over all oil blocks owned by the Northerners/Yorubas to Niger Delta indigenes. All Oil companies operating in such oil blocks/wells should vacate October 1st, 2017.

“Relocation of NNPC to any of the Niger Delta state and replacement of the Group Managing Director with an indigene of region. All the Multinational Oil, Gas, Servicing and Marine Companies must relocate their operational base to the Niger Delta, sign a new Memorandum of Understanding with Niger Delta people which would include Niger Delta indigenes being paid same salaries with foreigners.

“We demand independence and sovereign Republic of Niger Delta, all the companies and business owned by the Northerners / Yorubas in Niger Delta should be vacated before 1st October 2017, we accept and congratulate the Yorubas for demanding Oduduwa Republic and we wish them success.

“We hereby call on all agitating groups to resume attacks/bombings on all oil/gas pipelines, especially the exporting lines across the Niger Delta region from September 10, 2017. This is to ensure zero oil/gas production before October 1, 2017.

“We shall work to interface with more patriotic and zealous Niger Delta people to work out new collective approach that will ensure total freedom and complete control of our resources by any means necessary.

“We shall from henceforth, fight to liberate ourselves from the shackles of neo-colonialism and rule ourselves under a Niger Delta Republic, with diplomatic and economic relations with the peoples of the South East and Middle Belt.

“Finally, we want to inform the federal government of Nigeria and the general public that we no longer recognize PANDEF under the present leadership as they are working against the interest of the Niger Delta people.”

August 10, 2017