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Tag: vows

  • Alegeh vows to reform electoral process

    President-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN) has pledged to reform the association’s electoral process to allow for electronic voting.

    Speaking after his election, he said he would work to make running for an NBA office less cumbersome and inexpensive.

    Alegeh was last week elected the 27th NBA President, bringing to a close several months of intrigues ahead of a keenly contested election.

    The NBA Presidency  was this time  zoned to the West, which in NBA nomenclature includes the Midwest. Consequently,  four contestants aspired for the office, namely Alegeh, Mrs Funke Adekoya (SAN), Dele Adesina (SAN), Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) and Osas Erhabor.

    Other elected officers are: Francis Ekwere (First Vice-President);  Taiwo O. Taiwo (Second Vice-President); Akintokunbo Oluwole (Third Vice-President); Mazi Afam Osigwe (General Secretary); Olatunji Salawu (First Asst. Secretary); Ephraim Adimabua (Second Assistant Secretary); and Amina Ibrahim (Treasurer).

    The rest are Welfare Officer, Mas’ud Alabelewe; Publicity  Secretary, Gbolahan Gbadamosi; Financial Secretary, Kelvin Ejelonu; Asst. Financial Secretary, Cecilia Ugbuji,  and Legal Adviser, Bisi Enoch Ayeni.

    Alegeh’s election marks the emergence of a new power block at the Bar. Even though regional fora adopted candidates for the election, their influence was not readily manifest  like in the past.

    Alegeh had an overwhelming support. He polled 691 votes, followed by Adesina (370), Adekoya (255), Akintola (126) and Erhabor (17).

    Some analysts believe had the Egbe Amofin (Yoruba Lawyers Forum) been able to present a consensus candidate (which would have pitted the West against the Midwest, assuming Alegeh did not step down), it would have avoided the split votes of 768, which is 77 more than what Alegeh polled.

    However, other candidates who contested for the office of  NBA President have sent in their congratulatory massages and pledged to work with Alegeh to move the Bar forward.

    Adesina said: “I wish to say that though the contest was intense, it is now over and a President –elect  has emerged.  There is a clear and present duty on us all to move the Bar forward and advance the course of the legal profession.

    “As a key member of the NBA family, I wish to once again assure our new President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN) of my support and co-operation. In declaring closed my campaign organisation, I thank God for your support. May God bless us all and bless our association.”

    Akintola congratulated Alegah and assured him of his co-operation. He added: “We all have learnt our lessons from the result of this election.”

    Erhabor: “In everything, we give thanks to God Almighty. We congratulate all the contestants and delegates. In a sense, we all have pursued our diverse convictions with courage and audacity. We congratulate in particular, the President- elect, Augustine Alegeh (SAN) and other elected officers, we wish the entire Bar well.”

    Congratulating Alegeh, Adekoya urged him to ensure probity, ethical conduct, policies that are in the best interests of lawyers, as well as holding officers accountable to the highest standards.

    “To the incoming President, I offer my congratulations. May the Almighty be your guide. Our members have spoken and I bow to their will. However, we must continue to interrogate the pressing issues that assail our Bar Association; we must demand probity, ethical conduct, policies that are in the best interests of lawyers, and hold our officers accountable to the highest standards,” Adekoya said.

  • Ejidike vows to revitalise Karate

    Ejidike vows to revitalise Karate

    Spurred by the large turn-out and enthusiasm showed at the just concluded National Karate Championship tagged President Cup, the National president of Karate Federation of Nigeria, KFN, Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike has reiterated his determination to promote the game of karate up to the status of football.

    The President, Karate Federation of Nigeria, KFN who is also the Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike stated this in a statement made available to the press on Monday in Ilorin while applauding Delta State, Lagos State and Cross Rivers State on their brilliant performances at the Ilorin champioship.

    Chief Donatus Ejidike who commended officials and participants declared that no fewer than three of such national championships will be held this year as he sounded that Nnewi, his home town will be the host of next championship scheduled for July this year.

    The Nigeria’s Pillar of Sports who solely sponsored the national championship urged other philanthropists to stage similar championship as a way of meaningfully engaging the youths.

    “As a father of sports in Nigeria, I will continue to lead in the campaign and encourage other philanthropists in the business of sponsorships of sports. My message is that corporate organizations and government should not restrict sponsorship to the game of football alone but to other sports. By that, other sports will become more popular like football”, Ejidike said.

    The sports philanthropists added that Nigeria has a large percentage of youths who must be meaningfully engaged as a way of bringing out the best from them and incorporate the spirit of patriotism.

    “Sport is a veritable tool to make the youths shun social act that are inimical to the growth and development of our nation Nigeria.” Both the government and the private sector should come together in this perspective if we must build a virile nation”, Ejidike noted.

    He called on all sports stakeholders including the government at all levels to motivate and encourage those who commit their resources on sports promotion and development.

  • Ihedioha vows to unseat Okorocha in 2015

    Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha, who is aspiring to contest the governorship next year in Imo State, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said he will defeat Governor Rochas Okorocha.

    Ihedioha spoke at a visit with PDP leaders in Okwelle, Onuimo Local Government Area, at the weekend.

    He said the state had lost its pride of place under the Okorocha administration.

    Addressing party faithful, the deputy speaker said: “I have come to meet with you and deliberate on the way forward for our party and our state. I seek the support of our party for nomination as governorship candidate because I have a record of service delivery, including empowerment programmes, infrastructural development and experience.”

    While lamenting the decay in the state, Ihedioha alleged that the governor had sold everything, including Imo Transport Company, Ada Palm, and hospitals.

    He said the Okorocha administration had impoverished the state.

    Ihedioha assured that the state would rise again, saying: “I will fix Imo State and restore the pride of our land.

    ‘’I have a sense of decency and sincerity of purpose, honesty and a well-articulated plan which, by the grace of God, if I am elected, will start impacting on the state positively within the first three months of my administration.’’

    Former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Maxwell Duru, described Ihedioha as a honest and humble politician, whose interest is service and urged him to continue to be a good ambassador.

    He assured him of their prayers and support.

  • Minister vows to ensure Eagles get enough funds

    Minister vows to ensure Eagles get enough funds

    Sports Minister, Tamuno Danagogo has promised to do everything possible to ensure that the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) gets enough funds to prosecute a successful World Cup campaign in Brazil.

    The Minister, who led top officials of the National Sports Commission(NSC) ably supported by the Director-General of the Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye, also called on corporate bodies and other eminent and sports loving people to throw their weight behind the Eagles for the team to make Nigeria proud in Brazil.

    “We had a brief meeting (the Minister, Director-General and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports) shortly after the Budget defense at the Senate and we have asked the General Secretary of the NFF to quickly liaise with the President of the NFF as soon as he comes back from the United States of America for the Super Eagles friendly with Mexico. We will be able to see the possibility of government intervention and also interventions from other corporate bodies and organisations.

    “We believe that by the grace of God something positive should happen. It is something that must be done. We must do everything possible both as a government and sports loving people to ensure that we provide for the NFF, our coaches and players everything they need to bring the World Cup to Nigeria”, he disclosed after the Budget defense at the National Assembly.

    The Minister also used the medium to cry out as regards the insufficient funds confronting the Commission and made a clarion call to all sports loving Nigerians and corporate organisations to rally round the Commission to be able to cope with the numerous sports the Commission has to cater for.

    “The Federal Government has done what it can do within the limit of available resources. But it is clear, you were all there (sports journalists) and you have (heard) seen that what has been provided is not enough to get sports to the level we want in Nigeria.

    “We need to know that all over the world sports development is not a business for government alone, corporate entities and other sports loving individuals should key into supporting and sponsoring sporting events so that we can match the enthusiasm of our populace with performance.

  • MEND vows to visit Bonga offshore oil platform again

    The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has vowed to visit again, the Bonga offshore oil platform in the Niger Delta, which its fighters earlier attacked.

    It also claimed responsibility for sabotaging the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) in Ogoni land.

    MEND, yesterday in an online statement by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, regretted the collateral damage to the environment in Ogoni and other communities in the Niger Delta, caused by ravaging crude oil spills and gas leakages, following its Hurricane Exodus.

    The Anglo/Dutch oil giant (SPDC), on Friday, lifted the force majeure on the Bonny Light exports, following the repair of the spill points on the TNP.

    Shell’s spokesman, Precious Okolobo, said the oil firm was committed to paying compensation, in line with the provisions of the law.

    The force majeure was declared on October 10, in view of production deferment from the spills, which were recorded on the 24-inch line of the TNP at B-Dere and Nonwa-Tai in Ogoni, Rivers State.

    The production was switched to the 28-inch line of the TNP, which was also briefly shut down for repair, following a fire at Patrick Waterside, Bodo-Ogoni in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State and reopened on October 16.

    SPDC noted that repair of the 24-inch line was progressing and it remained shut in.

    Shell said: “Joint investigation of the spills has been completed and the reports signed off by all participants, including the representatives of the regulators, SPDC, security agencies and communities.

    “While the spill at B-Dere came from a hole drilled by unknown persons, it was confirmed that pipeline failure was responsible for the incident at Nonwa-Tai.

    “About 2,200 barrels of oil were spilled, of which more than 1,500 barrels have since been recovered. Further remedial measures, clean-up and repairs are continuing.

    “SPDC again regrets the unfortunate incident and is carrying out a detailed investigation of the root cause of the pipeline failure.”

    The oil giant also said arrangements for payment of compensation were being made, in conjunction with the people of Bunu-Tai and Nonwa-Tai, the two communities which the joint investigation confirmed were impacted by the spill.

    MEND, however, declared that its Hurricane Exodus continued to gather strength, claiming that it swept through the swamps and creeks in the Niger Delta, leaving seriously damaged Shell’s Trans Niger and Feeder pipelines, harassed security operatives and scurrying oil workers in its wake.

  • Shola Korg drops Vows

    Shola Korg drops Vows

    UNITED States-based Nigerian gospel music crooner, Shola Onile, aka Shola Korg, has released a new album entitled Vows.

    The album features soul-inspiring tracks such as Oju mi ti rire, Kila mi fomo ayo se, Alayo, Mo ti ni Jesu, Olorun Oba and the hit-track Vows, among others.

    Speaking on the inspiration behind the album, he said: “Vows is what a couple give and receive from each other for the betterment of their union. Commitment is such a rare commodity nowadays and honour is almost a thing of the past. People lie and break marital promises that should be upheld as sacred with impunity.Vows and promises are meant to be kept and that is what this album is all about.”

    “I have come to prove to people that gospel artistes outside Nigeria can compete favourably with their contemporaries here and the video of this work will soon attest to my remarks.”

    The artiste who started his music career from Cherubim and Seraphim Church has performed in many churches and secular concerts in Europe and America.

    The new work is an addition to his collection of albums in a career spanning about two decades.

  • Rivers crisis: Jonathan vows to curb political excesses

    Rivers crisis: Jonathan vows to curb political excesses

    The President broke yesterday his silence on the crisis in Rivers State.

    Dr. Goodluck Jonathan vowed to stop political excesses being exhibited in the country, saying the crises are mainly because of the 2015 general election, which, in his view, “is still far off”.

    He spoke during a meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    Also yesterday, the Senate intervened in the Rivers crisis, passing a resolution that Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu should be redeployed.

    Senators also resolved to take over the functions of the House of Assembly, following a stalemate caused by the intransigence of five members who insist on having their way in a 32-member House.

    The Senate’s stand alligns with the position taken by the House of Representatives last week.

    NBA President Okey Wali (SAN) urged the President to do all within his power to ensure that peace returns to Rivers State.

    Dr. Jonathan in response, promised the lawyers, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, at the end of the meeting, to curb political excesses in the country.

    He said he had asked for a detailed briefing on the security situation in Rivers State and assured the delegation that actions would be taken to ensure adherence to the rule of law and the maintenance of law and order in the state.

    President Jonathan said political excesses are overheating the polity ahead of the 2015 general elections.

    He described the rising political tension in the country as uncalled for, saying:

    “The political tension in the country is mainly built around the 2015 elections, which should not be the case. It is quite disturbing. The year 2015 is still far off. I expect politicians to focus on the business of governance now.

    “We must do what we were elected to do first. We will do our best to curb the overheating of the polity.”

    He urged Nigerians to exercise a little more patience, saying his administration is implementing the right policies, programmes and projects towards accelerating economic development and boosting employment.

    Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike, who is the main backer of the faction of the Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fighting Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, is believed to be enjoying the President’s tacit support.

    The President has hosted the Wike-led group at the Presidential Villa while First Lady Dame Patience, is also believed to have been supporting the pro-Wike Group of Five lawmakers who insist on removing Speaker Otelemaba Dan Amachree .

    The President’s wife attended the wedding of one of the five lawmakers in Port Harcourt. She also last week, while hosting some Bishops, spoke on the crisis, saying Amaechi refused to take her advice on the Okrika waterfront demolition.

    Presidential aides have, however, insisted that Jonathan has no hands in the crisis.

    Wali said that apart from making sure law and order prevails in River State, the NBA urged the President to ensure that the principles of rule of law are adhered to at all times.

    The NBA chief said: “We talked about security. We pointedly talked about Rivers State. We expressed our concern that we were very disturbed about what is coming out from Rivers State. We appealed to the President to do all that he can lawfully do to ensure that peace returns to Port Harcourt and law and order prevails. And at all times, the principles of the rule of law must be adhered to. We made that clear to the President.”

    On punishment to be meted out to NBA members found wanting in the Rivers crisis, Wali said: “I have addressed that issue when I said to you we had inaugurated our judicial processes panel. And we will deal with matters that arise at all times. If any matter comes to us, regardless of what state it is from, we will deal with it.”

    He said the visit to the President has nothing to do with the 2015 elections.

    “No; we cannot be talking about that. In fact, our position is that 2015 is still a long way. I know we need to be preparing for 2015. But there has been a clamour, I think since last year. They just got elected in 2011. We have elected them to deliver the dividends of democracy, good governance; good government.

    “We think we should do more of that than politics. So, we didn’t bother to discuss that. It is the other way round. We think they should do what they are elected to do now and worry less about 2015.”

    Wali went on: “We discussed some issues bordering on the security, economy of the country, rule of law and judiciary. We thought we should have audience with the President and express our concerns on some issues and then the president graciously took the issues and addressed them.

    “We talked about the issue of the independence and funding for the judiciary. We talked about the rule of law because we believe that that is a strong issue in any civilised society and we talked about the economy. We appreciate the fact that the government is working. We have lots of reports. But our concern is also the impact on the average Nigerian. It is good enough to have the statistics, but we will like it to be moved to the next level where the average Nigerian gets the impact of what the government is doing.”

    On problems in the judiciary, he said: “Justice has its own problems. That is one of the issues we raised with the President. What happens in the court is a cocktail of issues. It starts from prosecution. It gets up to what happens in court. So, it is not only about a judge that brings about delay.

    “If investigation is not properly done, you don’t get a good prosecution before the judges come to judgment because what the judge decides on at the end of the day is the quality of evidence put before him. It is a total justice sector problem. And that was one of the issues we raised.

    “If you talked about what the NBA has done with its members, you know the beauty of our justice system is that you have, an appellate system, whereby if you are dissatisfied with what you have you go to the Court of Appeal. And if you are dissatisfied with that you go to the Supreme Court.”

    According to him, a lot of reforms in the right direction are being recorded in the judiciary.

    On judiciary’s true independence, Wali said: “I don’t know about that. What I can tell you is that yes, we have some issues with the judiciary, but again there is also a new dawn in the judiciary. The CJN, you know, is somebody who has been dealing with such misconduct at the Bench.

    “And you know how many judges that have been excused from the Bench in the recent past. So, the Bar and the Bench are on it. It is a gradual process, but we will get there. What is important is the determination and the focus to which the judiciary and the Bar rid themselves of elements which should not be there.” He said.

    Dr. Jonathan, he said had accepted to attend the NBA conference next month in Tinapa, Cross River State.

  • Jonathan vows to develop sports in Nigeria

    Jonathan vows to develop sports in Nigeria

    Recognizing sports as veritable tool of engaging the teeming youth population in Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reiterated the commitment of his administration to sports development.

    Jonathan, who spoke through Vice President Namadi Sambo during the commissioning of the Nigerian Football House, named, Sunday Dankaro House, at Package B, of the National Stadium Complex, Abuja, said that no effort will be spared to achieve the goal.

    The edifice, he said, represents a bold step into the future of Nigerian football and marked a significant millstone in football development and administration in Nigeria.

    He said that it was a good omen that the commissioning came soon after the outstanding performance of the Super Eagles at the AFCON 2013 and Nigeria’s resurgence in several categories of football championships.

    Praying that the edifice would serve as a catalyst for better football administration in the country, Jonathan commended the Presidential Taskforce on FIFA 2010 World Cup (PTF) for a job well done.

    Speaking earlier, the Minister of Sports and the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi noted that the Nigerian Football Federation was the first to own a befitting structure as a secretariat.

    He said that locating the project at the National Stadium Complex was part of the grand plan to relocate all National Sports Federations to Abuja and also to make the Complex a hub for sports administration.

    In his remarks the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye said that the commissioning was a landmark event in sports administration and that it would afforded the NFF a sports friendly environment to operate from.

    Also at the occasion, the Secretary of the PTF, Chief Patrick Ekeji thanked President Jonathan and Vice President Sambo for their support, recalling that the PTF was set up by late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua in 2009.

    The newly commissioned building, named after a renowned sports administrator, Sunday Dankaro would serve as the administrative headquarters of the Nigerian Football Federation. The project was initiated by the PTF and built from the proceeds realised during the course of its activities.

    The PTF has Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi as the Chairman, Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi as Vice Chairman, while Chief Patrick Ekeji servers as its secretary. Other members include, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, Chief Segun Odegbami, Mr. John Mastoroudes, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, Mr. Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Col. Abdulmumini Aminu (rtd), Ambassador John Fashanu and Ambassador Buba Ahmed.

     

  • Falana vows to sue Lagos over councils’ tenure elongation bill

    Lagos lawyer and activist, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), has said the planned tenure elongation for chairmen and councillors in Lagos State, as contained in the Local Government Amendment Bill 2013 being debated by the House of Assembly, is illegal and immoral.

    The bill seeks to elongate the tenure of the current chairmen and councillors from three to six years.

    In a statement in Lagos yesterday, Falana warned that he would challenge the bill’s legal validity in court without any further notice, if it is passed by the Assembly and signed into law by Governor Babatunde Fashola.

    The frontline lawyer recalled that the chairmen and councillors were elected in October 2010 for a fixed period of three years, adding that their term would expire this October by effluxion of time.

    “Therefore, an amendment of the Lagos State Local Government Law, 2001, under which they were elected, cannot extend their tenure from three to six years under any disguise,” he said.

    Falana averred that if the law is amended to provide for a four-year tenure for the chairmen and councillors, the amendment cannot be to the benefit of the current chairmen and councillors whose term of office is three years certain.

    He added: “Since the proposed amendment takes effect, if and when it is passed into law, it cannot retrospectively extinguish vested rights and obligations of the outgoing chairmen and councilors.

    “In other words, the proposed amendment to the Lagos State Local Government Law cannot take a retrospective effect and thereby elongate the tenure of the chairmen and councillors from three to six years.

    “With respect, the proposal is illegal in every material particular. It has to be withdrawn or struck down in the overall interests of the people of Lagos State who are due to participate in fresh local government election in October 2013.”

    The Senior Advocate acknowledged that the House of Assembly of each state is vested with the powers to make laws for the local governments by virtue of Section 7 of the Constitution.

    He, however, explained that in exercise of such legislative powers, the Assembly cannot enact laws with retrospective effect in a way that accrued rights of the people are abrogated.

    Falana said: “In this regard, the constitutional rights of the people of Lagos State to take part in periodic elections of not more than three years to elect chairmen and councillors cannot be extinguished by the House of Assembly.

    “In the circumstances, we are compelled to draw the attention of the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to the case of Attorney-General of Abia State & 35 Ors V Attorney-General of the Federation (2001), 17 WRN 1, wherein the Supreme Court held that even though the chairmen and councillors of local governments throughout the country were elected under Decree Number 38 of 1998, which had been repealed, their three-year tenure could not be extended or prolonged by any law enacted by the National Assembly.

    “In the same vein, the three-year tenure of chairmen and councillors fixed by the Lagos State Local Government Law, 2001, cannot be elongated by any amendment whatsoever and howsoever.

    “It is pertinent to remind the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly that their predecessors unanimously kicked against the tenure elongation of President Olusegun Obasanjo through a fraudulent constitutional amendment.

    “They are, therefore, morally stopped from manipulating the law to elongate the tenure of elected chairmen and councillors in Lagos State.”

  • Jonathan vows to stamp out polio before 2015

    Jonathan vows to stamp out polio before 2015

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to eradicate polio from the counrty before the end of 2015.

    He gave the assurance when a delegation from Rotary International, led by the Chairman of the Rotary Foundation Trustees and past President of Rotary International, Mr. Wilfrid Wilkinson visited him at the State House.

    He said the Federal Government will take all necessary action and work in close collaboration with its development partners and other stakeholders to overcome the challenges of ignorance, misinformation, security, cultural and religious inhibitions that were currently hindering mass immunisation against polio in some parts of the country.

    According to him, his administration was actively encouraging pro-polio immunisation advocacy by respected religious leaders and traditional rulers as part of a multi-faceted strategy to ensure the success of the nationwide campaign.

    He said: “I promise you that we will continue to do our best because I do not want to hand over polio to the next administration.”

    The leader of the delegation, Mr. Wilkinson assured President Jonathan that Rotary International will continue to commit resources and personnel in support of the Federal Government’s efforts to eradicate the scourge from Nigeria.

    The delegation included Chief Jonathan Majiyagbe, the first African President of Rotary International.

    Earlier, the President also received a Mexican Government delegation which came to seek Nigeria’s support for Mexico’s candidate for the post of Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

    Welcoming the delegation, Jonathan noted that the WTO had a very important role to play in global trade and economic development.

    He told the delegation which was led by Mrs. Lourdes Aranda Bezaury, a Special Envoy of President Enrique Pena Nieto that Africa needed someone at the WTO’s helm who will positively address the continent’s concerns over the restrictions that currently hinder the export of African products to other part of the world.