FASHOLA CURRENTLY FACING SENATE MINISTERIAL NOMINEES SCREENING.
One of the question is Do you really build a website with 30 million naira?
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Showing posts with label Domestic news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Domestic news. Show all posts
Wednesday, 14 October 2015
JONATHAN TO LEAD THE COMMONWEALTH TEAM TO OBSERVE TANZANIA’S ELECTION
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has been named to lead the 33-nation observer mission to the Sunday, October 25, 2015 General Election to be held in Tanzania.
The Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Yahya Simba made this known in Dar es Salaam, the Tanzanian capital, adding that the mission will be made up of observers from Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan will lead the Commonwealth observer team to Tanzania election on October 25.
Speaking at a meeting jointly organised by the UN and the government of Tanzania to herald activities of the UN 70th anniversary which will be commemorated next week, Simba stated that while Jonathan will lead the Commonwealth observer team, former Mozambican President, Armando Guebuza will lead the African Union (AU) observer team.
He said: “Tanzania is pleased to note that the Post-2015 Development Agenda, inter alia, has taken on board the unfinished business of the MDGs, focusing on trans-formative change, and endeavouring to eradicate poverty in all its forms by 2030.”
Tuesday, 13 October 2015
GOV OKOWA EMBARRASSES OPPOSITION WITH LIFE-CHANGING TRANSFORMATION PROJECT: REVAMPS OFAGBE TECHNICAL COLLEGE.. By Ossai Ovie Success
By Ossai Ovie Success
As part of Gov Ifeanyi Okowa's S.M.A.R.T AGENDA and the total resolve to positively impart lives, His Excellency, the governor known by Deltans with his "Talk and Do" spirit has once again embarrassed the opposition parties with a live-changing transformation project.
The Ofagbe Technical College, one of the many technical colleges being revamped in the state by Gov Ifeanyi Okowa is already wearing a new look to the admiration of the opposition political leaders of thought in Isoko land. .
Before now , the college was among dead Technical Colleges in Delta state that has been begging for government's attention for many years without succurr. Today, in what looked like a miracle, Gov Ifeanyi Okowa has come to its rescue..
As I write now, the good people of Isoko Nation and indeed the entire people of Delta South are currently praying for Gov Ifeanyi Okowa to lead them for the next 8 years. While applauding the governor for this laudable project, which they claim they've never had it so good, pledged their unalloyed support for the amiable governor to succeed and deliver the dividends of democracy to all the senatorial districts of the state.
In their unanimous resolve to support Gov Ifeanyi Okowa at all times, they reaffirm that the governor is not an accidental politician but a prepared politician who in the past years has been known for his unprecedented track records in Delta State and Nigeria at Large.
By the grace of God, Ofagbe Technical College is one of the technical colleges in Delta State that will be training Deltans to be self employed.
Gov Ifeanyi Okowa who have always maintained that his projects will speak for him has already hit the ground running . He's indeed a mentor to opposition in Delta State.
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT SAMBO RECUPERATING FROM SURGERY IN US
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT SAMBO RECUPERATING FROM SURGERY IN US
Nigeria’s immediate past Vice President, Namadi Sambo, is recuperating in the United States after undergoing a complex surgery to save his leg from amputation.
Nigeria’s immediate past Vice President, Namadi Sambo, is recuperating in the United States after undergoing a complex surgery to save his leg from amputation.
Former Vice President Namadi Sambo recuperating from surgery
A source told S.R that Mr. Sambo is currently in the Washington, DC area after a surgery to repair a severe knee ligament disorder that almost resulted in the amputation of one of his legs below the knee. Before becoming Vice President to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Sambo had served as the governor of Kaduna State.
“The former Vice President, Architect Namadi Sambo, visited or consulted several hospitals in the US before he was admitted by a DC-area hospital for an extensive ligament reconstructive surgery,” said our source, a Nigerian diplomat. He added that Mr. Sambo’s surgery took place in mid-August. He said the former vice president was in intensive rehab for several weeks after the surgery.
“He was not able to walk for some weeks due to the nature of the surgery,” our source said.
The immediate former governor of Kaduna State, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, visited the recovering former Vice President in September, our source disclosed. Mr. Yero, a close political associate of the former Vice President, in April lost his reelection bid in an election won by Nasir el-Rufai, the current governor of Kaduna State.
Mr. Sambo remains in the Maryland area where he continues to recuperate and to undergo extensive physical therapy to help restore his ability to walk normally again.
KOGI WEST PDP ASSURES WADA OF VICTORY
KOGI WEST PDP ASSURES WADA OF VICTORY
Leaders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Kogi West Senatorial District have resolved to give an overwhelming victory to the party in the November 21governorship election in the state.
The resolution was reached by critical stakeholders in Kogi West at a meeting held in Kabba, the headquarters of the District. Those in attendance included party executives and leaders in the seven local councils.
The meeting which was chaired by Kogi State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, commended the members for their steadfastness and enjoined them to see the forthcoming governorship election as a defining moment for the state’s development.
The deputy governor urged the people to give another opportunity to Capt. Idris Wada to enable him consolidate on the gains of democracy that have been recorded by the administration since inception in 2012.
He said a vote against the governor is a vote against development, urging the people to support a governor who has proven to be a shrewd manager of resources in this very critical period.
Leaders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Kogi West Senatorial District have resolved to give an overwhelming victory to the party in the November 21governorship election in the state.
The resolution was reached by critical stakeholders in Kogi West at a meeting held in Kabba, the headquarters of the District. Those in attendance included party executives and leaders in the seven local councils.
The meeting which was chaired by Kogi State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, commended the members for their steadfastness and enjoined them to see the forthcoming governorship election as a defining moment for the state’s development.
The deputy governor urged the people to give another opportunity to Capt. Idris Wada to enable him consolidate on the gains of democracy that have been recorded by the administration since inception in 2012.
He said a vote against the governor is a vote against development, urging the people to support a governor who has proven to be a shrewd manager of resources in this very critical period.
COMPLETE ONGOING PROJECTS, SHUN NEW ONES, FASHOLA TELLS OSHIOMHOLE
Former governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has advised Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State to shun the temptation of initiating new projects unless they are very critical to the well-being of the people, but should rather concentrate on completing ongoing ones before the end of his tenure in November 2016.
Fashola told the governor that he could not completely rebuild Edo State within eight years, as it is practically impossible for any administration to initiate and execute all the projects needed by people in the state.
Speaking as Guest Speaker at a three-day retreat for members of Edo State Executive Council and Permanent Secretaries, holding in Abuja, to brainstorm and re-strategise on raising the bar on governance in the state, with the theme, “Finishing Well”, Fashola said: “This gathering is auspicious because for me, it demonstrates the focus of your government. You are clearly mindful that the time is up. Let me emphasise that time is up, time is not running out, it is up, the government’s tenure is at an end. What you have now is the process to walk out. It is easy to say you have not finished the job. So in that sense, there is work to do, you must accept that and you must also be honest with yourself that you can’t finish the work. The reason is that, it is the work of the people, work of human beings and as long as the human civilization remains, work will never end because it is a continuous undertaking.
“If the work could be finished, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia would have finished it. He had more time than you have and if it could not be finished at that time, the late Ambrose Alli would have finished it and probably John Odigie-Oyegun. So, in that sense, it won’t be finished. In the last few days, there would be a lot of talk about what you did not do, and there will be people asking you, before you go, come and do this, but you must be honest with yourself and be honest with them, having regards to the realities of your resources. The pressure can be enormous, but don’t see that it as negative, it is not. See it as positive because they are asking you to do it only because they trust in your ability to do it that is why they are asking you.”
FUEL not SCARCE, STOP PANIC BUYING, NNPC TELLS NIGERIANS
FUEL not SCARCE, STOP PANIC BUYING, NNPC TELLS NIGERIANS
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Tuesday, called on Nigerians to desist from panic buying of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as fuel, stating that it has about 23 days of product supply in all its depots across the country.
Reacting to the resurgence of fuel queues in some cities across the country, the NNPC, in a statement by Mr. Ohi Alegbe, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, stated that its depots have about 927.461 million litres of PMS which is enough to serve the country for the next 23 days if no drop of the product is imported within the period.
The NNPC blamed the resurgence of queues at petrol filling stations on rumour of an impending scarcity, assuring that it has enough products to meet the demand of the country.
It also warned oil marketers not to engage in sharp practices, stating that anyone found wanting would be dealt with decisively.
The NNPC noted that it recently held a meeting with the members of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) to rally them for the uninterrupted fuel supply policy of the administration.
It also stated that it has set up a monitoring team at the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) to check sharp practices that could breach the distribution and supply system.
It warned marketers not to engage in products hoarding and diversion as the PPMC monitoring team is empowered to sanction anyone found defaulting in those regards.
The NNPC had on Monday promised to work with other downstream petroleum sector stakeholders to eliminate obstacles to the free flow in supply of petroleum products across the country.
Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, Group Managing Director of the NNPC had also vowed to work with other relevant Federal Government agencies to fast track the payment of outstanding subsidy claims to oil marketers.
In the interim, Kachikwu had promised to arrange for a meeting with the relevant creditors (bankers) to ease off pressure on marketers and extend the credit lines.
He added that several financing mechanism are being explored to offset the commitment to oil marketers.
He hinted at the possibility of exploring the monthly payment option, stating that the Federal Government might, in the future, explore some creative means to prevent backlogs.
Kachikwu had also stated that the issue of uninterrupted supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country is of utmost importance to the present administration.
He noted that the Federal Government is willing to do everything possible to ensure that members of the public do not go through any form of hardship in accessing petroleum products particularly PMS.
Vanguard
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Tuesday, called on Nigerians to desist from panic buying of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as fuel, stating that it has about 23 days of product supply in all its depots across the country.
Reacting to the resurgence of fuel queues in some cities across the country, the NNPC, in a statement by Mr. Ohi Alegbe, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, stated that its depots have about 927.461 million litres of PMS which is enough to serve the country for the next 23 days if no drop of the product is imported within the period.
The NNPC blamed the resurgence of queues at petrol filling stations on rumour of an impending scarcity, assuring that it has enough products to meet the demand of the country.
It also warned oil marketers not to engage in sharp practices, stating that anyone found wanting would be dealt with decisively.
The NNPC noted that it recently held a meeting with the members of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) to rally them for the uninterrupted fuel supply policy of the administration.
It also stated that it has set up a monitoring team at the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) to check sharp practices that could breach the distribution and supply system.
It warned marketers not to engage in products hoarding and diversion as the PPMC monitoring team is empowered to sanction anyone found defaulting in those regards.
The NNPC had on Monday promised to work with other downstream petroleum sector stakeholders to eliminate obstacles to the free flow in supply of petroleum products across the country.
Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, Group Managing Director of the NNPC had also vowed to work with other relevant Federal Government agencies to fast track the payment of outstanding subsidy claims to oil marketers.
In the interim, Kachikwu had promised to arrange for a meeting with the relevant creditors (bankers) to ease off pressure on marketers and extend the credit lines.
He added that several financing mechanism are being explored to offset the commitment to oil marketers.
He hinted at the possibility of exploring the monthly payment option, stating that the Federal Government might, in the future, explore some creative means to prevent backlogs.
Kachikwu had also stated that the issue of uninterrupted supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country is of utmost importance to the present administration.
He noted that the Federal Government is willing to do everything possible to ensure that members of the public do not go through any form of hardship in accessing petroleum products particularly PMS.
Vanguard
OKOWA TAKING AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIALISATION IN DELTA STATE TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Having acknowledged that Delta state has tremendous potentials in agriculture, Governor Okowa within three months set up six new schemes to grow the agro -industrial sector of the economy, namely Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurial Programme (YEGEP), Skill Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP), Tractorisation, Extension of Microcredit and Agricultural Loans and Development of Agro-industries.
DISCLAIMER!!! PLS STOP USING OKOWA NAME TO SOLICIT FUNDS AND ASSISTANCE AND TO CAJOLE OR HOODWINK THE UNSUSPECTING GENERAL PUBLIC
The information has reached the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency,Sen Dr Ifeanyi Okowa that some miscreants and groups of persons have been using his name to erect various Facebook Accounts and other Social Media outlets.
The actual intent and activities of these impostors centre around using the respected name of the Governor to put up promos and bogus charitable packages,solicit funds and assistance and to cajole or hoodwink theunsuspecting General Public into believing that all of these activities of theirs have the approval or imprimatur of the respected Governor.
His Excellency wishes to inform the General Public to please disregard and dissociate from any and all of these Social Media activities.
Moreover,His Excellency Gov Okowa equally wishes to state for the avoidance of doubt,that he does not have or operate any Facebook,Twitter, Instagram or other Social Media Accounts. This further clarification is deemed necessary in the event that these online impostors wish to redirect their shenanigans or acts of shame.
Henceforth,it is the wish of His Excellency to inform and advise the highly esteemed General Public to direct any of their desire for clarification and inquiry to the desks of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media,Patriot Dantes Odogwu and that of the Special Assistant on Social Media, Mr Godspower Omafuvwe Asiuwhu who are the only authorized persons to act on behalf of the Governor in relation to all forms of Social Media issues.
The Governor once again wishes to thank the esteemed public for their usual cooperation and understanding.
Patriot Dantes Odogwu.
SSA,NEW MEDIA
DELTA STATE.
FG UNVEILS NEW NYSC CERTIFICATES
ABUJA – FEDERAL Government, Tuesday, unveiled newly improved National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates to be issued to corps members at the conclusion of the mandatory one year service to their fatherland. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Abuja, the Director General of the NYSC, Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi said the scheme took the step to wage war against forgery and impersonation.
The DG, represented by the Acting Director of Certification, Alhaji Aliu Daura, explained that the new certificate would be embossed with the carrier’s photograph in line with the global best practices. According to Olawumi, the issuance of the new NYSC certificate would take effect from Batch ‘C’ 2014, who will be passing out on 15 October.
“In our concerted effort to make the operation of the NYSC conform with global best practices, the scheme engaged in the holistic e-nysc solution with effect from Batch ‘C’ 2014 where prospective members register online before proceeding to the orientation camp. This resulted in the enhancement of issuance of NYSC certificates namely; Certificate of National Service, Certificate of Exemption and Letter of Exclusion.
“With effect from Batch ‘C’ 2014, all certificate of National Service bear passport photograph of the corps members at the upper right hand corner of the certificate. “This is to guarantee the security of our certificates from forgery and to block all chances of impersonation. Therefore batch ‘C’ 2014 corps members, who are due to pass-out on 15 October, 2015 will have their certificates embossed with their photograph,” he clarified.
Shielding more light on the categories of the NYSC certificates, the Director of Press, Mrs Abosede Aderibigbe said Certificate of Exemption is issued to a Full-time graduate, who is above the age of 30 at the time of graduation or such corps member is a staff of security agencies like Armed Forces, Nigeria Police, Department of State Security, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Recipients of National Presidential Honours Award.
For Letter of Exclusion, Aderibigbe further said that it was designed to take care of corps population, who are graduates of Part-time, Distance Learning and Sandwich programmes, adding that issuance of letter of exclusion commenced in 2001, and that, they would be able to register and print their letters on line. She noted that the scheme had gone digital, therefore verification of NYSC certificate could now be done electronically.
VANGUARD
DEFAMATION: I’M UNAWARE OF LAI MOHAMMED ’ S N500m SUIT AGAINST ME- METUH
The Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, on Tuesday, responded to media reports that spokesperson of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has filed a N500 against million suit at a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, seeking compensation for alleged defamation of his person by some issues raised by him (Metuh) in response to one of his (Mohammed’s) statements.
Olisa Metuh of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Alhaji Lai Mohammed,
Richard Ihediwa, the special assistant to the PDP Publicity Secretary, in a statement on Tuesday, said neither the PDP spokesperson nor any of his lawyers was aware of any such suit by Mohammed, adding that they have not been served.
Ihediwa said: “The attention of the Office of the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to reports in some section of the media, suggesting that the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has filed a suit against Chief Olisa Metuh.
“The media reports have it that Lai Mohammed instituted a N500 million suit at a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, seeking compensation for alleged defamation of his person by some issues raised by Chief Olisa Metuh in response to one of his (Mohammed’s) statements.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this office wishes to state categorically that Chief Olisa Metuh or any of his lawyers are not aware of any such suit by Lai Mohammed, nor have they been served. Also, none of the newspapers that carried the story published the said suit.
“If it is true that any legal action has been instituted, it should not be limited to newspaper reports, unless it is meant for the media, as Chief Metuh is a prominent Nigerian whose office and residential address are well known.
“We are very much aware that Lai Mohammed as a ministerial nominee may have been nervous and apprehensive of the requirements of his upcoming screening in the Senate, and as a renown propagandist, may have decided to orchestrate reports of the said suit, to plead subjudice as a defence ostensibly to stop queries by senators on issues of integrity.
“This office however, insists that if indeed, Lai Mohammed has instituted any case against Chief Metuh, we charge him to ensure that he prosecutes it to the very end.
“Nevertheless, we invite Nigerians to note the relentless attempt by APC leaders, including Lai Mohammed, to threaten, intimidate, harass and cow Chief Metuh into submissive opposition.
“Our advice however, to Lai mohammed on the issue of Senate clearance, is that he should not panic, but be humble, as his palm kernel in this regard has already been cracked by a benevolent and forgiving Senate President.
“Finally, we counsel Lai Mohammed not to bring his propaganda, divisive and destructive tendencies to national assignment as a minister.”
VANGUARD
Odimegwu, Oyinlola, Bello, others on Buhari’s 2nd list
ABUJA— PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday sent the second list of ministerial nominees to Senate President Bukola Saraki. This is coming 12 days after the first list was sent to the lawmakers, who will begin screening of the nominees today.
The second batch of nominees was submitted to the Senate President by the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari accompanied by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, at 4.25pm.
Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House), was also part of the delegation.
The identities of the nominees were still shrouded in secrecy last night over what highly placed sources attributed to angst in the Presidency over the leakage of the first list to the media.
However, dependable sources said prominent names on the second list include former Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Barr Mohammed Bello (Adamawa); former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun); former Chairman of the National Population Commission, NPC, Chief Festus Odimegwu (Imo); former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN (Ondo); former spokesman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Osita Okechukwu (Enugu); and former ANPP governorship candidate in Abia, Ikechi Emenike (Abia).
Others on the list include: Hadiza Abdullahi; Adamu Adamu (Bauchi), Hajia Bukar Ibrahim, the former first lady of Yobe State (Yobe); Senator Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa); James Ocholi, SAN (Kogi); Anthony Anwuka, a professor of education administration, who was secretary to the government of Imo state; and Isaac Adewole, a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology. Others are Dan Ali, a brigadier-general who was retired in 2013; Okechukwu Enelamah, the CEO of African Capital Alliance; Claudius Omoyele Daramola, a professor of sociology of education, from Ondo state; and Aisha Abubakar.
The submission of the names was in line with President Buhari’s promise to send the second batch of ministerial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.
The Senate scheduled today to begin screening and possible confirmation of the nominees.
The exercise is billed to take three days.
Meanwhile, the Senate leadership went into a crucial meeting last night to firm up modalities for the screening. Sources said that Senator Ita Enang was part of the meeting, a move sources said was to pave the way for a soft landing for some of the controversial nominees.
Meanwhile, as senators begin screening of ministerial nominees today, it was gathered that a fresh hurdle has been designed with the Senators toying with the plan of asking ministerial nominees that have been indicted by panels of inquiry to step aside.
The submission of the list has put paid to threat of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators to abort today’s screening unless President Buhari sent the list of nominees from the 36 states of the federation in line with the provisions of the 1999 constitution on ministerial appointments.
The additional list of ministerial nominees was confirmed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters ( Senate), Senator Ita Enang.
The Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, also confirmed receipt of the list by his boss.
However both Enang and Olaniyonu refused to disclose the content of the list as they said it was contained in a sealed envelope which according to them, would only be opened by the Senate President when presenting it to senators today.
Olaniyonu said: “The list has been received by the Senate President. We received it at 4:24pm and the list was brought by the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari. He was accompanied by the SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sumaila Kawu.”
VANGUARD
SENATE SCREENS AUDU OGBE, LAI MOHAMMED, 8 OTHERS
The Senate has announced that it will be screening 10 ministerial of the 1st batch of 21 ministerial nominees on Tuesday. The ministerial nominees were led into the red chamber by the Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Chief Odigie Oyegun.
They include:
1. Audu Ogbe
2. Lai Mohammed
3. Udoma Udo Udoma
4. Ogbonnaya Onu
5. Osagie Ehanire
6. Abdulrahman Dambazau
7. Kayode Fayemi
8. Amina Mohammed
9. Suleiman Adamu
10. Ibrahim Jibril
Details later
MINISTERIAL SCREENING: AMAECHI'S FATE HANGS * As Ethics committee fails to clear him; Amina Ibrahim cleared
* As Ethics committee fails to clear him; Amina Ibrahim cleared
ABUJA – THE Senate,Tuesday, failed to screen the former governor of Rivers State,Rotimi Amaechi along other first batch of ministerial nominees.
The screening of the former Director General of Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation was deferred till Wednesday.
Amaechi
The inability of the Senate to screen Amaechi was due to the inability of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petition to submit report of clearance on after his appearance before the committee on Monday.
Amaechi appeared before the committee the previous day to defend himself following petitions of alleged corrupt acts against him by some groups from his state.
However, the committee cleared another nominee,Mrs Amina Ibrahim,who was equally petitioned against by some persons from Kaduna State on allegation that she was not an indigene of the State.
Chairman of the ethics committee,Senator Chris Anyanwu, explained that Mrs Ibrahim was cleared given that the petition against her was on the basis that she was nominated from Kaduna State when she was actually an indigene of Gombe State.
He said the committee found out that she was nominated from Gombe and not from Kaduna State,contrary to the petition, which insinuated that she was nominated to represent Kaduna State.
Monday, 12 October 2015
OKOWA DENIES APPROVAL OF N750m TO FUND DTHA’s US TRAINING TRIP
WARRI—GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has denied reported approval of N750 million by his administration to fund a training trip to the United States, US, for members of the Delta State House of Assembly, DTHA.
Okowa spoke yesterday while addressing the media at the Olu’s Palace, Warri, where he visited the Regent and Traditional Advisory Council of Warri Kingdom to condole with the Itsekiri nation on the passing of the Olu of Warri, HRM Ogiame Atuwatse II.
Asked to confirm what the US trip would cost, the governor simply said: “That is not true, it is all lies,” without responding to further enquiry to clarify the true budget for the project.
On perceived indifference of his administration to the poor state of roads in Warri and environs, Governor Okowa said: “People should be aware that the rains are still on. Only a mad man constructs roads in the rainy season, because you would just have destroyed the roads rather than repair them. In the dry season we will attend to the roads.”
Okowa, during his condolence visit to the Olu’s Palace, eulogised the late monarch as “a very peaceful man and a fatherly figure both in Delta State and in Nigeria.”
He said he was at the palace to know the challenges and the level of preparation for the burial and other events, reiterating that his administration would partner with the Warri Kingdom to ensure a befitting funeral for the late monarch and successful coronation for his successor.
The governor was received by Prince Eroro Emiko, Regent of the kingdom and members of the Traditional Advisory Council, who thanked him for the condolence visit and the commitment to play key role in both the funeral for Atuwatse II and coronation of his successor, Prince Godfrey Ikenwole Abiloye Emiko.
VANGUARD
SMART AGENDA: NO COMMUNITY ‘ll BE LEFT OUT —OKOWA
THE Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has assured that no community in the state will be left out in the implementation of his SMART Agenda.
The governor stated this during this year’s new yam festival celebrated by the people of Mbiri kingdom, Ika North East Local Government Area.
The governor, who was represented by his Senior Political Adviser, Hon. Festus Ochonogor, urged the people of the kingdom to embrace the government SMART Agenda, saying that his administration is committed in bringing prosperity to all Deltans.
While commending the Mbiri monarch and the people for their support during the election, he assured that no Deltan will be left out in his promise to bring prosperity to the people.
He lauded their culture and tasked the people on sustenance of those attributes that distinguished them, calling for peace and measures that will enhance development of the kingdom and the entire local government area.
In his remark, the Mbiri Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Alekwe, commended Governor Okowa for his continued love and support for the people of Mbiri kingdom.
He said it is a thing of joy that the state governor has continued to identify with his community, praying that God should continue to equip him with the needed wisdom to pilot the affairs of the state.
The royal father equally enjoined Deltans to see the support for the governor as imperative, saying that support and prayers are needed for growth and speedy transformations of the state.
SARAKI RECEIVES 2ND BATCH OF MINISTERIAL LIST
BREAKING: SARAKI RECEIVES 2ND BATCH OF MINISTERIAL LIST
Senate President, Olubukola Saraki on Monday received the 2nd batch list of ministers to work in the cabinet of President Muhammadu.
The Senate President confirmed the arrival of the 2nd batch of the ministerial list on his official Twitter handle.
SARAKI REPLIES TINUBU: I’VE DECIDED NOT TO JOIN ISSUES WITH YOU
Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Sunday, responded to a statement said to have been issued by the National Leader of his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, where he (Tinubu), while reacting to a recent media report by a national daily (not Vanguard), accused Saraki of crass disloyalty to party discipline, giving the manner he captured his current seat as Senate President.
But in a swift reaction, Saraki who took to his Facebook page, said he had seen the statement said to be issued by Senator Tinubu over the published story, but have decided not to join issues with him.
Recall that on Saturday, the national daily had in its publication alleged that the former Lagos State governor, is reportedly angered that the ministerial candidates he sent to President Muhammadu Buhari didn’t scale through.
The daily reported that Tinubu who was visibly angry is said to have conspired with Senator Bukola Saraki to thwart the President Buhari-led administration, adding that for this reason, the President had ordered the security agencies to place Tinubu under security surveillance.
While reacting on Sunday, in a statement signed by his chief of staff and special media adviser, Sunday Dare, Tinubu, lambasted the daily, saying it took a sad excursion from journalism into the realm of gothic tales and political slander.
Among other things, Tinubu affirmed that he “remains glued to the party decision that the manner by which Saraki captured his current seat travestied party discipline. It was a crass act of disloyalty showing that Saraki may have joined the APC on paper but has remained true to the malpractices and wrong aims of the reactionary PDP in his soul.”
Read Tinubu’s full statement here
SARAKI’S REACTION
Reacting however, Saraki said: “I saw the statement said to be issued by Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu over a story published by a national daily. I have decided not to join issues with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. However, I know that most Nigerians are aware that there has been no meeting or communication between me and Asiwaju Tinubu since I was elected Senate President.
“Therefore, I do not see any basis for a newspaper to report that we are both plotting to oppose the President. I recognise Tinubu as one of the leaders of the APC who contributed so much to the victory of the party in the last election. Some other people also contributed and I believe the collective efforts made it possible for the first time in the history of our party for an opposition party to win the general elections.
“Let me state clearly that I remain a committed member of the APC and will do all in my power to ensure the party fulfill its promises to bring positive changes into the country. Since my election as Senate President, my focus and efforts have been devoted to doing the job that I was elected to do by my constituents and my colleagues in the Senate. Twice, my colleagues have confirmed their support for me as the primus inter pares in the Senate.
“As I said in my speech when we resumed from our recess late September and in Ikenne yesterday (Saturday) the screening of ministerial nominees will be handled by me and my colleagues with all sense of responsibility and in adherence to the provision of the constitution.
“We will be fair to all and be guided by the interest of Nigeria. The screening will be devoid of sentiment and it is not an opportunity for anybody to settle scores. We are equally eager for us to make a positive difference in our polity and Nigerians will be able to judge us whether we acted in their best interest or not,” added the Senate President.
TINUBU ATTACKS SARAKI
NATIONAL Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday, lambasted Senate President, Bukola Saraki, describing him as an indisciplined, disloyal and member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in soul.
Tinubu spoke yesterday while denying media reports (not Vanguard) that he was conspiring with Senate President Saraki to move against President Muhammadu Buhari over his alleged disaffection with the ministerial list.
Insisting that President Buhari must be supported by all to realise the change agenda, Tinubu said there was no way he could conspire with Saraki, who he said was indisciplined, disloyal and a PDP member in soul.
Tinubu spoke via a statement from Conakry, Guinea, by his Media Director, Dare Sunday.
“The idea of an alleged conspiracy between Tinubu and Saraki against the President is a lie. Tinubu is committed to the APC vision and the Nigeria Project. The way Senator Saraki captured his current seat travestied party discipline” he said.
Reacting to the attack, the Senate President, Saraki, said he would not join issues with Tinubu and promised that the screening of ministerial nominees, starting tomorrow, would be done objectively according to the laws of the country and in the interest of Nigerians.
Tinubu in the statement said: “It was a crass act of disloyalty showing that Saraki may have joined the APC on paper but has remained true to the malpractices and wrong aims of the reactionary PDP in his soul.
“If this nation is to have more than a fleeting chance of escaping the quagmire into which years of PDP misrule have taken us, we cannot allow these regressive elements to deploy their cunning tricks to divide and pit progressives against progressives,” he said
The APC leader said he would not toss aside a lifetime’s labour because of an alleged slight and certainly would not join with Senator Saraki in stymieing the government which might just be the nation’s last best chance to salvage itself.
“In our journey to national betterment, plans and policies will be made, then amended. Mistakes will occur and then be corrected. Achievements will be had and replicated. Through it all, Asiwaju will remain true to the progressive ideals that fuelled the creation of the APC. He has devoted his political life to achieve what has been achieved. His heart is too much of the people and his mind too fixed on establishing a positive historic legacy to suffer such a cynical policy or engage in the destructive pettiness of which he is accused.”
He continued: ‘’The alleged conspiracy is a figment. It takes at least two people to make a conspiracy. There has been no substantive communication between Asiwaju and Saraki since the latter decided to foul the integrity of the Senate and the party. To be truthful, I don’t think Saraki would care to hear what Asiwaju would have to say to him. He would admonish the Senator to treat the nomination process with dispatch, justice, fairness, transparency, and most of all with the greatest patriotism.
“He would counsel Saraki to shelve his personal situation for the moment to concentrate on the people’s business. It would be a grave mistake and abuse of office for Saraki to directly or indirectly inject his personal matter into the approval process. Saraki should not link the approval of a single minister to his desire for extra-judicial treatment of his issues.’’
The statement read in part: ‘’Other than voice this encouragement, Bola Tinubu will never say a negative word or lift a finger to forestall anyone’s approval before the Senate. For the record, the Buhari Presidency was brought to life by the votes of millions of Nigerians who desire change. Such a collective and historic achievement is not one that anyone who worked to bring it to life would easily seek to de-construct.
“If adhering to the decisions of the party, supporting the government’s progressive plank and working for the good of the people qualifies Tinubu for surveillance, then he will accept that.
“However, we know that any such surveillance is not from state security organs. Such activity would come from the insecurity agencies of the PDP and its mercenary allies elsewhere who would seek to fragment the true core of the APC so that they may scuttle the Buhari reform programme and return the nation to the misgovernance of the past. They hope to delude the APC into attacking itself. By so doing, they believe they can regain through stealth, the reins of government the people seized from them through elections. They seek to break the hearts and hopes of the people. Asiwaju Tinubu would never team with anyone to gain such an inhumane objective…
“Those who midwifed this garish tale gave birth not to truth but to lies intended to kill APC unity and to retard the Buhari administration’s strategic reform initiatives, as earlier outlined by our party manifesto. Given the potential for change that stands before us, we are now beginning to see the true nature of many people. There are those who truly want positive change so that we can break from the ways of a stolid past. Then there are those who speak of change with their mouths but never believe in it in their hearts. They came along with us for the ride or because no other political option availed itself at the operative time. Now given the chance to redeem themselves from their past political actions, they would rather return to the political morass from whence they came.
“Here, I will do those who inhabit the shadows of untruth a favour. I will state explicitly what they hoped to get the reader to infer. Their claim is that Tinubu has joined with Saraki to scuttle the President’s ministerial nominations. They have misfired.
‘’Their wrong is a great wrong. Like the rest of us, Asiwaju Tinubu waited for the President to select his cabinet. The majority of the selections have been made. There is nothing to do but congratulate the appointees and pray for them. Their responsibilities are vast, the future of the nation now rests on their shoulders. The challenges before them are manifold and daunting. Those who want the best for Nigeria can only hope that these people succeed. The only intervention that Asiwaju Tinubu would make is one of encouragement. He would charge them to remain true to the progressive vision of the party and our President.’’
I won’t join issues with Tinubu—Saraki
Reacting, Saraki, in a statement by his Spokesperson, Mr Yusuf Olaniyonu said: “I saw the statement said to be issued by Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu over a story published by a national daily. I have decided not to join issues with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. However, I know that most Nigerians are aware that there has been no meeting or communication between me and Asiwaju Tinubu since I was elected Senate President. Therefore, I do not see any basis for a newspaper to report that we are both plotting to oppose the President.
“I recognise Tinubu as one of the leaders of the APC who contributed so much to the victory of the party in the last election. Some other people also contributed and I believe the collective efforts made it possible for the first time in the history of our country for an opposition party to win the general elections.
He also said: “Let me state clearly that I remain a committed member of the APC and will do all in my powers to ensure the party fulfill its promises to bring positive changes into the country.
“Since my election as Senate President, my focus and efforts have been devoted to doing the job that I was elected to do by my constituents and my colleagues in the Senate. Twice, my colleagues have confirmed their support for me as the primus inter pares in the Senate.
“As I said in my speech when we resumed from our recess late September and in Ikenne over the weekend, the screening of ministerial nominees will be handled by me and my colleagues with all sense of responsibility and in adherence to the provision of the constitution. We will be fair to all and be guided by the interest of Nigeria. The screening will be devoid of sentiment and it is not an opportunity for anybody to settle scores. We are equally eager for us to make a positive difference in our polity and Nigerians will be able to judge us whether we acted in their best interest or not.”
VANGUARD
BREAKING NEWS: TRIBUNAL UPHOLDS DINO MELAYER'S ELECTION
The National Assembly and Legislative Houses Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State has upheld the election of Senator Dino Melaye as the winner of the 2015 Kogi West Senatorial Election against the petition by his rival, Senator Smart Adeyemi.
Melaye had been declared winner of the election conducted March 28 pulling an upset that shocked many who had come to know Senator Adeyemi for his populist views in the Senate and even his populist exposure at home.
The legal exchange between the two contending parties reached a dramatic point last Tuesday after the lawyers of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC were compelled to tender a certified true copy of the APC report on the Kogi West Senatorial primaries in which it was adduced that Melaye did not partake in that primary.
