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  • PDP, Atiku decry ‘attack’ on Fayose

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned Wednesday’s alleged physical attack on Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti by policemen deployed for Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

    Addressing a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, National Chairman of PDP Mr Uche Secondus, described the incident as “a complete attack on democratic order and direct assault on Ekiti State and her people’’.

    According to him, Nigeria’s democracy has finally come under heavy attack. The police have denied that their men attacked Fayose and that what happened was that they were trying to prevent a clash of rallies in the state.

    Secondus said that in the All Progressives Congress (APC) desperation to take over Ekiti, the Federal Government deployed armed police personnel led by  top officers, including Commissioner of Police in charge of Mobile Unit.

    He said that the police blocked the state’s Government House, attacked and placed the democratically elected governor under house arrest.

    “At the moment, no one goes in or out of the Government House.

    “The invading police squad sacked the official security at the Government House, fired sporadically into the premises during which Gov. Fayose was beaten by policemen and brought down by volleys of teargas while several others were injured.’’

    He said that the party had been informed that the attack was in line with the earlier boast to “cage” Fayose ahead of the election.

    “In fact, we have been made aware that the invasion was a plot to assassinate Gov. Fayose and blame it on accidental discharge by one of the policemen.

    “The PDP marks this siege on an elected governor and a government house as a recipe for violence.

    “It is a complete attack on our democratic order and direct assault on the corporate existence of Ekiti and her people as a federating part of our nation.”

    Secondus said that information available to the PDP revealed that APC planned to deploy its governors in each local government area of Ekiti to “coordinate its rigging plot”.

    He added that intelligence had also revealed that the 30,000 policemen and some “compromised” military personnel deployed to Ekiti were being positioned to embark on mass arrest and harassment of citizens.

    He said the attempt was with the view to frighten the people and prevent them from participating in the election.

    Secondus said that the PDP believed that all harassment, threats, arrests or even murder, would end in vain.

    He said that the people of the state were fully ready now, more than ever, to face all.

    In a separate news conference also in Abuja, Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Sen. Wali Jubril, advised security agencies to ensure that the election in Ekiti was peaceful.

    Jubril cautioned that the deployment of security personnel for the election should not lead to war, destruction of lives and property.

    “We did not want this security to be transformed to regret.”

    On his part, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, urged the Federal Government to do everything within its powers to douse the tension being generated over the governorship election in Ekiti.

    Abubakar, in a statement issued by his media office, said that images coming out of Ekiti “in the last few hours” was uncivil assault on democracy and “falls short of democratic best practices”.

    He said that instructions must be immediately given to all law enforcement bodies on ground in Ekiti to act in the best interest of Nigeria.

    Abubakar stated that it was not in the place of government to harass, intimidate, hound and humiliate political opponents in an election.

    “What the government should do is to provide a level-playing ground and guarantee the security of the electorate and the principal political actors in the election.

    “The immunity that a president enjoys under the constitution is the same immunity being enjoyed by a state governor.

    “Thus, it is an aberration to democratic norms and practices in a federal system of government that one layer of government should muscle out another government on account of political differences.

    “The democracy and fundamental human rights that Nigerians enjoy today was earned at a very high price.”

    He advised that anything that would put democracy in jeopardy in Ekiti or anywhere else in Nigeria should be stopped forthwith.

  • Third Mainland Bridge to be shut for 27 months

    The Federal Controller of  Works, Lagos, Mr Adedamola Kuti, on Wednesday in Lagos said that the emergency rehabilitation/maintenance of the Third Mainland Bridge project would begin on July 27.

    Kuti who disclosed this a stakeholders’ meeting at the Ministry of Works office in Lagos.

    He said that the repair works on the bridge would be staggered over a period of 27 months and would be handled by Borini Prono Construction Company.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was convened by the ministry for stakeholders to brainstorm on effective traffic diversion and management to prevent gridlocks during the period.

    Some of the stakeholders at the event include: NUPENG, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the police.

    He said that the bridge would be totally shut to traffic on the first three days for the contractor to carry out various tests on it.

    He said that subsequent closures would be on partial basis.

    “A Dynamic Test on Bridge Expansion Joints on Third Mainland Bridge is to be carried out between Friday, July 27, 2018 and Sunday, July 29, 2018 and it has been done in such a way that it will have minimum impact on road users.

    “Consequently, the Third Mainland Bridge will be closed to traffic by 12.00 midnight of Thursday 26th July, 2018 and be opened by 12.00 midnight Sunday 29th July, 2018.

    “Alternative routes will be plied during this period and traffic control will be in place to direct and help traffic movement.

    “We regret any inconvenience this might cause road users as this closure is inevitable,’’ he said.

    He appealed for the patience of road users and promised that all alternative routes would be repaired to make them smooth for easy access.

    Also, the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Roads Safety Corps, (FRSC), Mr Hyginus Omeje, appealed to motorists to use mass transportation facilities during repair works on the Third Mainland Bridge.

    Omeje told journalists that the vehicular occupancy ratio in Lagos was 1:1 which meant that there was an average of one driver per vehicle that plied the road hence, the usual heavy traffic.

    He said that all the traffic regulatory and law enforcement agencies at the event were going to work in synergy to prevent gridlock.

    “Instead of everybody coming out  with their vehicles within this period, can we do the park-and-ride option which we have been advocating to really help us to ease off traffic in Lagos,’’ he said.

    He also appealed to the media to increase its awareness campaign on the dangers of drivers of articulated vehicles parking on the roads and bridges.

    They should change their attitudes toward indiscriminate parking of trucks on the roads and bridges, Omeje said.

  • Uganda lawmakers to move with armored trucks

    As part of effort to ensure the security of its lawmakers, Uganda is deploying military escorts and buying armored trucks for each of its more than 400 legislators.

    The decision has been criticised as too expensive for a poor country that long has been considered one of Africa’s more stable nations.

    Longtime President Yoweri Museveni issued the directive in a June 29 letter to the finance minister that cites “shallow criminality and terrorism” in recent years.

    Some lawmakers have cited threats since passing a bill in December that opened the door for the 73-year-old Museveni to possibly rule into the 2030s.

    The bill was opposed by many Ugandans and is being challenged in court.

    Kizza Besigye, Uganda’s most prominent opposition leader, said on Twitter that lawmakers feel the need to tighten their security “because they were used” by Museveni in his efforts to prolong his rule.

    It was not immediately clear how much the new security measures for the lawmakers who are mostly with the ruling party will cost.

    One ruling party lawmaker, Ibrahim Abiriga, was shot dead by unknown gunmen near the capital, Kampala, last month. It was one of several gun attacks in the country since 2015, with victims including a public prosecutor, a police spokesman and several Muslim preachers.

    Museveni, a key U.S. security ally, took power by force in 1986 and has since won election four times. The last vote in 2016 was marred by allegations of fraud.

    Although Museveni has campaigned on his strong security record over the years, some worry that those gains are being depleted as he stays longer in power.

    Uganda is sliding slowly into crisis, the International Crisis Group reported late last year as lawmakers prepared to pass the bill that removed a presidential age limit from the constitution. It had prevented anyone over 75 from holding the office.

    “Uganda is in urgent need of political and administrative reform to prevent a slide toward an increasingly dysfunctional, corrupt and insecure system,” the think tank said.

    The government, which depends heavily on external borrowing to finance ambitious infrastructure projects, has been struggling to raise domestic revenue.

    New taxes passed last month include a daily levy on the use of social media that has sparked anger and calls for nationwide protests.

  • SEC files preliminary objection against suspended D-G Gwarzo’s suit

    The National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Thursday adjourned until Oct. 24 hearing of the preliminary objection filed by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in the suit instituted against it by its suspended Director-General, Mounir Gwarzo.

    Justice Sanusi Kado, adjourned the suit after listening to submissions of counsel and ordered that hearing notice be served on the Attorney-General of the Federation who has no legal presentation in court.

    Gwarzo was suspended in November 2017, over alleged financial misappropriation.

    When the case came up for mention, the claimant counsel, Adetayo Adeyemi, told the court that all the defendants had been served with originating processes.

    Mr Chris Uche (SAN), SEC’s counsel,said he had filed memorandum of conditional appearance and served the claimant’s counsel with preliminary objection.

    Mr Chinedu Achumie, counsel to the Minister of Finance, acknowledged that they had been served by the claimant, but were yet to reply.

    Adeyemi acknowledged that SEC counsel had served them with preliminary objection, but they were yet to reply as they were served on Wednesday.

    The claimant is seeking a declaration that his appointment as D-G of SEC is valid, legal and subsisting.
    A declaration that the Administrative Panel of Inquiry set up by the Minister of Finance was biased, partial and against the principle of natural justice.

    The suspended D-G is also seeking an order of the court to set aside the report of the Administrative Panel of Inquiry that indicted him.(NAN)

  • World Bank appoints Kaduna Commissioner member of its Experts Advisory Council Appointment

    The World Bank has appointed Muhammad Abdullahi, Kaduna State Commissioner for Planning and Budget, as a member of its Expert Advisory Council on citizen engagement.

    The announcement, posted in the bank’s website notes that Abdullahi, a Development Economist, will join five new appointees on the council.

    Abdullahi along with the other appointees would advise on development and implementation of a strategic framework for mainstreaming citizen engagement in World Bank Group operations.

    The council has representatives from civil society, academia, private sector, government, development partners and foundations from across the world, in which Abdullahi was nominated under the Government Category.

    The World Bank explained that Abdullahi, who leads the Kaduna State broad economic growth and development portfolio, has over a decade of experience in development policy formulation, public finance and project implementation.

    “As the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Abdullahi, a member of the State Executive Council is responsible for designing the fiscal strategy and coordinating the implementation and monitoring of the state budget.

    “He initiated the development of Kaduna Citizens Feedback Application and citizens call centre to ensure that citizens directly monitor budget implementation as well inform government of their priorities.

    “Abdullahi also facilitated budget town hall meetings to get citizens feedback, while leading civil society consultations, engagement and coordination on all state planning and budget activities.

    “Prior to his appointment as a commissioner in the state, he was a Policy Adviser in the Executive Office of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and a member of the Secretary General’s core team working on Sustainable Development Goals.”

    Abdullahi, who confirmed the appointment to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, described the development as a rear privilege.

    According to him, this is the first time a Nigerian would be appointed as a member in the council, adding that it is usually ministers of national government that are appointed under the Government category not state commissioners.

    “I received a call from the Bank Wednesday night informing me of the appointment, which would last for a year or so.

    “It is really a boost to Kaduna State citizen engagement efforts and Nigeria as a whole.”

    NAN reports that others appointed into the council include, Tonye Cole, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Sahara Group, Africa, representing the Private Sector, Flavia Milano, Civil Society Specialist, Vice Presidency for Countries, Inter-American Development Bank.

    Others are Helena Bjuremalm, Senior Advisor on Civil Society Support and Engagement, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) Civil Society Unit, appointed to represent Development Partners, while Emily Martinez, Director, Human Rights Initiative, Open Society Foundations, will represent Foundations. (NAN)

  • FG partners private firm to make NAFEST world-class event

    FG partners private firm to make NAFEST world-class event

    By Esbee Oguns

    The Federal Government has handed over hosting and sponsorship of National
    Sports Festival(NAFEST) to a private firm, Greenfield Assets Limited in order to sustain and further develop sports to global height among Nigeran youths .

    The arrangement was concluded on Wednesday by Barrister Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youths and Sports Development, in his Abuja office.

    According to Dalung, efforts of governments to harness indigenous sports talents and develop athletics through festivals have not yielded desired results.
    “”
    “FG can not sponsor NAFEST forever, Cross River offered to do same but could not host the event for over four years.
    “Government can not continue to host national sports festival, we hereby partner with Greenfield while FG still retains ownership.
    “Greenfield will mobilize other sponsors and resources for festival. There are lots of business opportunities in the
    event, ” he said.
    In his response, Paul Obanua,managing director, Greenfield said “we will take the festival from its comatose state to a profit making event.
    “It will be viable to athletes,officials,sponsors and the federal government through deliberate efforts”he said.
    on how the organization wanted to turn it around.
    “We will start to organise pre-fest from August ahead of the festival in December,where foreign celebrities and Nigerian celebrities will perform together in Nigeria.
    “We intend to have Usain Bolt, Tu Face and other celebrities sensitising the world about the event, ” he said.
    He also expressed optimism on possibility of the festival turning to annual event.

    When the festival, which it’s last edition was held in 2014 resumes, 25 sports will be contested by the nation’s young athletes.

    Various sponsors within and outside the
    country have been signifying willingness to be part of the sporting event.

  • Kemi Adeosun NYSC Saga: Yoruba Ronu lambasts Media, PDP

    Kemi Adeosun NYSC Saga: Yoruba Ronu lambasts Media, PDP

    By Esbee Oguns
    Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum, a socio-political group from the Southwest lambasts Premium Times and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for alleging Mrs Kemi Adeosun, Finance Minister, of forging NYSC Exemption letter,which NYSC recently refuted in a press statement.

    The group called for apology to the minister by the duo of Premium Times and PDP

    Full statement below:

    KEMI ADEOSUN THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE SHOULD BE CONGRATULATED ON NYSC SAGA

    When the news broke, we were disturbed but we knew that most of our Youths handling matters bothering on investigations hardly take quality time to find out before rushing to judgement. That was exactly what took place in the fraud alert made by premium times that failed test of proof.

    It failed at its first moment because the critical step and and the only one that can lead and connect to all other steps were completely ignored by Premium Times out of mischief.

    The presence of recorded entry in the NYSC register confirming that the letter cum application for the request for an exemption from national service had been found. This development therefore connotes appropriately that Mrs Kemi ADEOSUN did applied through the proper channel which is from the NYSC and from no other vendor if any.

    It is now in the NYSC court to investigate itself and not Kemi Adeosun who had satisfied the procedure by applying officially. The Premium Times must scold their reporters or have them retrained to meet up with quality standard of investigating and reporting.

    Needful apology must be given to the Honourable Minister Mrs Kemi ADEOSUN without any further delay by the premium times management if they still have any modicum of shame.

    The PDP National Chairman as an elder in the land must watch his tongue by tasting his words before spitting them out. His call for arrest and prosecution made by him or whoever, does not flow from commonsense. Both the National Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its National publicity Secretary should have shown a bit of restraint in their hurried but foolish judgement when allegations of such nature and to such calibre of person had not been investigated by lawful authorities.

    The duo must move away from making inconvenient and ill use of words in their own private meditations. They must remember that language being the great conduit whereby men convey their discoveries, reasonings, and knowledge from one to another cannot be abused arrogantly, an ill use of it, though may not corrupt the fountain of knowledge but it can break, stop the pipes through which it is distributed to the public.

    In future, PDP managers should adopt silence as better than nonsense on matters not properly investigated.
    Honourable Minister Mrs Kemi ADEOSUN will do well to accept apology if properly given only.
    FOR: YORUBA RONU LEADERSHIP FORUM
    signed
    Akin Malaolu
    Secretary General.

  • Buhari meets South African leader, Ramaphosa, at Aso Rock

    By Ismaila Chafe

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja met behind closed door with the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, at the presidential villa, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Buhari received the visiting South African leader at the fore court of the Aso Rock at about 3 p.m.

    NAN gathered that the two presidents would discuss issues of mutual interest to both Nigeria and South Africa particularly security and economic matters.

    The Presidency on July 8 raised alarm over the increasing killing of Nigerian citizens in South Africa for flimsy reasons.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, had expressed displeasure over the killings.

    Dabiri-Erewa, who was reacting to the latest killing of a Nigerian citizen, Mr Ozumba Tochukwu-Lawrence, in South Africa on July 6, said no fewer than 117 Nigerians were extra-judicially killed in South Africa between 2016 and 2018.

    NAN also observed that MTN, a South African based telecoms company, is currently facing challenges from Nigeria’s labour union, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    Ramaphosa, who is on official visit to Nigeria, would be a Special Guest at the ongoing 25th General Meeting of the African-Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in Abuja.(NAN)

    SYC/

  • NNPC national quiz competition: Kaduna emerges zonal winners

    NNPC national quiz competition: Kaduna emerges zonal winners

    Kaduna State on Wednesday emerged winner of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) North West Zonal National Science Quiz Competition.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kaduna beat five other states of Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Jigawa to win the zonal competition.

    Kaduna emerged winner with 50 Marks while Kebbi came 2nd with 45 marks and Sokoto 3rd with 40 marks.

    Mr Ndu Ughamadu, Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division of the Corporation while speaking at the event urged Nigerian youths to take their education seriously in order to contribute meaningfully to the development of the country.

    Ughamadu who was represented at the event by Mr Umar Abdulrahman, Head Admin , Planning and Budget of the division added that the corporation is striving to build capable leaders who can lead the nation to greater heights.

    He said that NNPC as part of its corporate responsibility was committed to touching the lives of Nigerians, adding that it would be paying N100, 000 scholarship for each of the winners of the competition.

    “Our corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities cover projects in health, infrastructure, power generation, Agriculture, Sport and Arts,” he said.

    He however said that the Corporation was focusing its CSR more on the education sector because of its long term benefit to nation building.

    “The corporation intervention in the educational sector is its most important CSR activity and the NNPC national science quiz competition that we are all gathered for is the flagship CSR initiative of the corporation.
    “This is because NNPC understands the value of education in the growth and development of any society, “he said.

    He noted that the NNPC National Science quiz competition was introduced in 2000 in Niger Delta and transformed nationwide in 2001.

    Earlier, Kaduna state Commissioner for Education, Mr Jafaru Sani, said the state government was committed to the promotion of science, technology and innovations.
    Sani who was represented at the event by Alhaji Dahiru Anchau, Director of Private schools said the competition would encourage science education in schools.

    According to him, the state government is constructing six special science secondary schools in the state in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank.
    NAN reports that the winner of the NNPC quiz competition, Chijoke Embobuka expressed appreciation to NNPC for the platform and support.

    He called on youths to always work hard to ensure that they achieve their goals in life. (NAN)