Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has
condemned the conduct of some Muslims in the
country who engage in violence in the name of Jihad.
According to Aregbesola, from the history of life and
times of the Holy Prophet, Jihad has not and "is still
not a war of hate, destruction, indiscriminate, a
random war of a mandate that can be appropriated
by just about anyone".
Aregbesola, who said this on Saturday at a Ramadan
lecture organised by the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic
Society at the Women Development Centre, Abuja,
also lamented the violent activities of the violent
Islamic sect, Boko Haram, describing it as "posturing
which was far from Islamic tenets and teachings".
In his lecture entitled, 'Islam, Education and the
Principles of Jihad', the governor said honest and
discerning Nigerian would testify to the fact that
what the group stands for does not approximate
Islam by any stretch of the imagination.
He said it somewhat represents a dynamics within
Islam which if not well managed, could affect the
perception of Islam by the larger world and its
fortunes in a changing world.
Meanwhile, Aregbesola, in Osogbo on Sunday, said
the appellation, 'Your Excellency' used to address
public office holders was an aberration of the
country's constitution and sycophantic.
Aregbesola, who stated this at public lecture,
maintained that the phrase was "introduced by the
political class wishing to segregate itself from the
common man."
The lecture was organised by Muslim Association of
Nigeria at the Osogbo City Hall, Osogbo.
The governor also faulted the use of 'Executive
Governor,' describing the phrase as repetitive.
He stressed that he was comfortable with being
addressed as a governor.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Keke Ajumose: We now buy one for N420,000—Okada riders •We gave each out for N340,000- Govt
IDOWU ADELUSI, in this
piece, takes a look at the
complaints by stakeholders
that the Keke Ajumose
scheme of Governor Isiaka
Abiola Ajimobi is being
hijacked by a cartel for
personal reasons.
IN ORDER to alleviate transport problems often
encountered by commuters in Ibadan, the Oyo State
capital, the state government under Governor Isiaka
Abiola Ajimobi introduced a three-wheeled pedal-
driven vehicle transport scheme nick-named Keke
Ajumose.
It was launched with fanfair as many stakeholders in
transport business, lawmakers, politicians and
government officials were in attendance.
The government arranged for the tricycles to be
assembled in Ibadan and to be sold to operators at
N400,000 each on hire purchase an after initial
deposit of N40,000.
To guide against default in payment for the tricycles,
interested buyers were told to produce a guarantor
who should be a government worker on grade level
08 and above. The government also arranged that
the tricycles would be distributed to the commercial
operators through their associations.
However, the scheme which was intended to alleviate
poverty in various homes and ease movement of
commuters, has turned the other way round. Aside
the tricycle being too costly, the commercial
operators alleged that some government officials,
politicians and lawmakers have bastardised the
scheme and have ended up tainting the intention of
the administration.
According to Sunday Tribune findings, the tricycles in
Ibadan are of two products: Honda which has four
stroke engines and Bajaj which has two stroke
engines. The petrol being used by the Bajaj product
must be mixed with engine oil as opposed to the
Honda tricycles which use direct fuel. The prices of
Bajaj and Honda were put at N360,000, and
N375,000 respectively. The Oyo State government
has been distributing Bajaj product.
Complaints by the commercial operators were that
the government has been selling the tricycles to
some of its officials, politicians, lawmakers and
friends of the administration who in turn sell the
tricycles to them at between N520,000 and
N550,000 each.
According to Mr Tunde Ajao, one of the operators at
Gate-Mokola unit, "the government sold Keke
Ajumose to our members at N400,000 per one on
hire purchase but we have to pay a deposit of
N40,000. We are to pay a balance of N360,000 either
daily or weekly.
"Some rich men who are legislators and government
officials went to purchase the tricycles and are now
selling the keke to our members who cannot afford
the N40,000 deposit at between N520,000 and
N550,000 per one. The Keke Ajumose are being
packed in the compounds of these people leaving
none for our members to buy directly from the
government."
Another operator, Mr Kamarudeen Tokunbo told
Sunday Tribune that he got his from a lawmaker at
N500,000 on hire purchase and has been paying
back at N10,000 weekly to the lawmaker.
He said, awa to je pe keke yi lafi n jeun, won ko gbe
fun wa. Awon olowo, awon osise ijoba, awon omo Ile
Igbimo Asofin ni won gbe fun, ti won wa n gbe fun wa
ni owo goboi. Literally translated, this means the
government has been selling the tricycles to
moneybags, government officials and legislators
instead of operators who earn their living from it.
Sunday Tribune gathered that quite a number of
these operators have paid the N40,000 deposit and
have been waiting since three to four months ago but
they have not been supplied. They were always told
to come back.
Some of the lawmakers have turned the scheme to
poverty alleviation project in their constituencies.
They even wrote their names on the body of the
tricycles.
But an operator asked, "what poverty are they
alleviating after they had purchased the tricycle from
government at N400,000 and sold it to us at
N520,000. Is that alleviating or aggravating
poverty?"
Depending on arrangement, the payment is N10,000
weekly or N2,000 daily to the owners, and if there is
default in payment for two or three weeks, the
tricycle would be taken from the defaulting operator
and given to another interested buyer who will
continue with the payment from where the last
operator stopped. Operators have not been finding it
easy to pay back because of the high price especially
those who did not get their tricycles from the
government, Sunday Tribune learnt.
According to the operators, they often used proceeds
from Monday to Friday to pay for the tricycles, while
Saturday and Sunday proceeds were meant to feed
their families, take care of fuelling and maintain the
tricycles. The operators said that when Governor
Ajimobi launched the scheme, it was meant to ease
transportation, provide job, reduce unemployement
and also reduce accidents often associated with
commercial motorcyles.
Mr Tajudeen Amuda, who operates at General Gas-
Akobo Oju Irin Unit, said the arrangement that their
members should produce government workers as
guarantors have been a stumbling block to them
because not many of the government workers were
willing to stand in for them. He said: "If government
can allow us to present landed property, it will be
better. The scheme is good and we thank the
governor for that, but he has allowed some self-
centered politicians to use the scheme to inflict pains
on us."
Mr Ademola Isola, a union executive member of the
Three-Wheeler Operators Association, appealed to
Governor Ajimobi to deal dirctly with members of his
union and the Almalgamated Commercial Motorcycle
Owners And Riders Association of Nigeria
(ACOMORAN), advising that the government should
deal with the unit chairmen by releasing the tricycles
to them for proper distribution to their members. He
said his union members were disciplined and that his
union has regulations binding on the members. Mr
Isola said members of his union have never defaulted
in payment for those tricycles received from the
government.
Reacting to the situation, the Special Adviser on
Media to the Governor, Dr Festus Adedayo said it was
either mischief or ignorance of the poverty initiative
scheme of the government of Oyo State tagged Keke
Ajumose that has led to most of the conclusions on
"this highly applauded scheme.
"The facts of the thousand tricycles, as against
claims by some people, are stated as follows:
"The cost of each of the Bajaj Indian brand tricycles
purchased by the Oyo State government and
distributed to end users in the state is N360,000 in
the open market. However, because the state
government procured it in large quantity, it got each
for and sold it at the cost of N340,000 and not at
N420,000 as alleged. The Chinese brand of the
tricycle, is sold between N300,000 and N320,000 in
the open market.
"But because most of the users of the tricycles didn't
have enough money to procure them, they went
through the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle
Owners And Riders Association of Nigeria
(ACOMORAN) which secured fund from a finance
house and thus added its cost of finance of the fund
to the cost it gave it out to the users. When
ACOMORAN thus added the cost of registration of the
tricycle, number plate procurement and insurance, to
the earlier cost, these now made the amount it
collects from each user to be the sum of N380,000,
as against the N420,000 alleged in some quarters.
"Moreover, the state government's repayment term
is N7,000 per week and N28,000 a month and not
N20,000 a week as also being alleged.
"Government has never sold any of the tricycles to
any lawmaker but to ACOMORAN. It is indeed very
illogical to claim that government sells the tricycles
to moneybags because if one is a moneybag, he
shouldn't come to government for its purchase in the
first instance.
"More importantly, government has ordered for
another batch of the tricycles, having exhausted the
first tranch of 1000."
piece, takes a look at the
complaints by stakeholders
that the Keke Ajumose
scheme of Governor Isiaka
Abiola Ajimobi is being
hijacked by a cartel for
personal reasons.
IN ORDER to alleviate transport problems often
encountered by commuters in Ibadan, the Oyo State
capital, the state government under Governor Isiaka
Abiola Ajimobi introduced a three-wheeled pedal-
driven vehicle transport scheme nick-named Keke
Ajumose.
It was launched with fanfair as many stakeholders in
transport business, lawmakers, politicians and
government officials were in attendance.
The government arranged for the tricycles to be
assembled in Ibadan and to be sold to operators at
N400,000 each on hire purchase an after initial
deposit of N40,000.
To guide against default in payment for the tricycles,
interested buyers were told to produce a guarantor
who should be a government worker on grade level
08 and above. The government also arranged that
the tricycles would be distributed to the commercial
operators through their associations.
However, the scheme which was intended to alleviate
poverty in various homes and ease movement of
commuters, has turned the other way round. Aside
the tricycle being too costly, the commercial
operators alleged that some government officials,
politicians and lawmakers have bastardised the
scheme and have ended up tainting the intention of
the administration.
According to Sunday Tribune findings, the tricycles in
Ibadan are of two products: Honda which has four
stroke engines and Bajaj which has two stroke
engines. The petrol being used by the Bajaj product
must be mixed with engine oil as opposed to the
Honda tricycles which use direct fuel. The prices of
Bajaj and Honda were put at N360,000, and
N375,000 respectively. The Oyo State government
has been distributing Bajaj product.
Complaints by the commercial operators were that
the government has been selling the tricycles to
some of its officials, politicians, lawmakers and
friends of the administration who in turn sell the
tricycles to them at between N520,000 and
N550,000 each.
According to Mr Tunde Ajao, one of the operators at
Gate-Mokola unit, "the government sold Keke
Ajumose to our members at N400,000 per one on
hire purchase but we have to pay a deposit of
N40,000. We are to pay a balance of N360,000 either
daily or weekly.
"Some rich men who are legislators and government
officials went to purchase the tricycles and are now
selling the keke to our members who cannot afford
the N40,000 deposit at between N520,000 and
N550,000 per one. The Keke Ajumose are being
packed in the compounds of these people leaving
none for our members to buy directly from the
government."
Another operator, Mr Kamarudeen Tokunbo told
Sunday Tribune that he got his from a lawmaker at
N500,000 on hire purchase and has been paying
back at N10,000 weekly to the lawmaker.
He said, awa to je pe keke yi lafi n jeun, won ko gbe
fun wa. Awon olowo, awon osise ijoba, awon omo Ile
Igbimo Asofin ni won gbe fun, ti won wa n gbe fun wa
ni owo goboi. Literally translated, this means the
government has been selling the tricycles to
moneybags, government officials and legislators
instead of operators who earn their living from it.
Sunday Tribune gathered that quite a number of
these operators have paid the N40,000 deposit and
have been waiting since three to four months ago but
they have not been supplied. They were always told
to come back.
Some of the lawmakers have turned the scheme to
poverty alleviation project in their constituencies.
They even wrote their names on the body of the
tricycles.
But an operator asked, "what poverty are they
alleviating after they had purchased the tricycle from
government at N400,000 and sold it to us at
N520,000. Is that alleviating or aggravating
poverty?"
Depending on arrangement, the payment is N10,000
weekly or N2,000 daily to the owners, and if there is
default in payment for two or three weeks, the
tricycle would be taken from the defaulting operator
and given to another interested buyer who will
continue with the payment from where the last
operator stopped. Operators have not been finding it
easy to pay back because of the high price especially
those who did not get their tricycles from the
government, Sunday Tribune learnt.
According to the operators, they often used proceeds
from Monday to Friday to pay for the tricycles, while
Saturday and Sunday proceeds were meant to feed
their families, take care of fuelling and maintain the
tricycles. The operators said that when Governor
Ajimobi launched the scheme, it was meant to ease
transportation, provide job, reduce unemployement
and also reduce accidents often associated with
commercial motorcyles.
Mr Tajudeen Amuda, who operates at General Gas-
Akobo Oju Irin Unit, said the arrangement that their
members should produce government workers as
guarantors have been a stumbling block to them
because not many of the government workers were
willing to stand in for them. He said: "If government
can allow us to present landed property, it will be
better. The scheme is good and we thank the
governor for that, but he has allowed some self-
centered politicians to use the scheme to inflict pains
on us."
Mr Ademola Isola, a union executive member of the
Three-Wheeler Operators Association, appealed to
Governor Ajimobi to deal dirctly with members of his
union and the Almalgamated Commercial Motorcycle
Owners And Riders Association of Nigeria
(ACOMORAN), advising that the government should
deal with the unit chairmen by releasing the tricycles
to them for proper distribution to their members. He
said his union members were disciplined and that his
union has regulations binding on the members. Mr
Isola said members of his union have never defaulted
in payment for those tricycles received from the
government.
Reacting to the situation, the Special Adviser on
Media to the Governor, Dr Festus Adedayo said it was
either mischief or ignorance of the poverty initiative
scheme of the government of Oyo State tagged Keke
Ajumose that has led to most of the conclusions on
"this highly applauded scheme.
"The facts of the thousand tricycles, as against
claims by some people, are stated as follows:
"The cost of each of the Bajaj Indian brand tricycles
purchased by the Oyo State government and
distributed to end users in the state is N360,000 in
the open market. However, because the state
government procured it in large quantity, it got each
for and sold it at the cost of N340,000 and not at
N420,000 as alleged. The Chinese brand of the
tricycle, is sold between N300,000 and N320,000 in
the open market.
"But because most of the users of the tricycles didn't
have enough money to procure them, they went
through the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle
Owners And Riders Association of Nigeria
(ACOMORAN) which secured fund from a finance
house and thus added its cost of finance of the fund
to the cost it gave it out to the users. When
ACOMORAN thus added the cost of registration of the
tricycle, number plate procurement and insurance, to
the earlier cost, these now made the amount it
collects from each user to be the sum of N380,000,
as against the N420,000 alleged in some quarters.
"Moreover, the state government's repayment term
is N7,000 per week and N28,000 a month and not
N20,000 a week as also being alleged.
"Government has never sold any of the tricycles to
any lawmaker but to ACOMORAN. It is indeed very
illogical to claim that government sells the tricycles
to moneybags because if one is a moneybag, he
shouldn't come to government for its purchase in the
first instance.
"More importantly, government has ordered for
another batch of the tricycles, having exhausted the
first tranch of 1000."
Jos crisis: Northern governors in disarray•Pressure mounts on Plateau to pull out offorum •I harbour no hatred against Muslims -Jang
There are strong indications that the recent hostility
in some parts of Plateau State where over 160
innocent people, including two lawmakers,
were killed has further worsened the relationship
among Northern governors and caused a sharp
division among them.
It would be recalled that a group of terrorists
suspected to be Fulani herdsmen from neighbouring
Niger and Chad republics invaded some parts of
Barkin Ladi and Riyom local govenment areas of the
state and snuffed lives out of the inhabitants,
including Senator Gyang Dantong and Majority
Leader, Plateau State House of Assembly, Honourable
Gyang Fulani.
A source close to the Plateau State government
revealed that through out the mourning period, only
a handful of governors from the North visited or
called to commiserate with the state government
over the calamity.
It was gathered that many eminent and senior
citizens of Plateau State have been wondering if
there existed love and unity among the governors.
A senior retired military officer who spoke with
Sunday Tribune on condition of anonymity said the
posture of most of the governors was quite
disturbing and wondered if they considered Plateau
as an integral part of the North.
"I have found out that majority of them did not come
or call to sympathise with us over the calamity. So,
what is the essence of the forum if it is not to be our
brothers' keepers? I believe it is high time the
objectives of the forum was redefined," he said.
It was further learnt that there is a subterranean
move in the North-Central, especially in the area
considered as Middle-Belt, to prevail on the
governors in the zone to resuscitate their own forum
which had been dormant for some time.
Sunday Tribune further learnt that tbe statement
credited to the chairman, Northern Governors'
Forum, Governor Babangida Aliyu, over the military
operations in the affected communities in Plateau
State with the aim of flushing out the undesirable
elements that perpetrated the dastardly act further
compounded the situation.
It was learnt that there were some governors who
shared this sentiment and condemned the alleged
lackadaisical posture of some of their colleagues
towards recent happenings in Plateau State.
A source close to the recent Northern Governors'
Forum meeting told Sunday Tribune that Governor
Jonah Jang raised the issue, especially concerning the
statement credited to the Niger State governor at the
meeting and the governors apologised.
Meanwhile, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State has
debunked the insinuation doing the rounds in certain
quarters that he hates the Hausa/Fulani and Muslims
with passion, saying it is a misconception by those
who want to create enemity between him and the
Hausa/Fulani community in the state.
The governor, who made the clarification during his
visit to some parts of the state capital affected by the
recent flood that claimed many lives and property,
said out of the whole nation, it was only Kano State
that surpassed Plateau in terms of sponsoring
pilgrims to the holy land.
"If I dont like Muslims and deride the Hausa/Fulani,
as a Christian governor, how would I have sent such
large contigent of Muslims to the holy land? Our
contingents from Plateau are always the second
lagest in the country, and the Saudi Arabian
authority always commend us for adequate welfare
of our pilgrims.
"I am a governor for all irrespective of religious
background, there is no way a part of the state will
be in pain that I, as a governor, will not feel it. I care
all for all, all I need from you all is your cooperation to
move the state foward," he said.
He said the problem in the state was not caused by
the Hausa/Fulani resident in the state but by
outsiders, urging them to join hands with others to
bring about lasting peace in the state.
Governor Jang attributed the flood in the affected
communties to lack of drainage system, adding that
the government was ready to open up the areas to
aviod reccurence of flood disaster.
He said, "I am going to direct surveyors to come and
survey the affected communities, because we are
determined to open up Jos city for development.
"To carry out this development, we need to demolish
some houses. But I can assure you that we will pay
compensation to those who would be affected by the
demolition."
He stated that the recent ban of comercial
motorcycles in the state was not meant to witch-
hunt anybody but to bring sanity to the state.
According to him, the government has over 300
vehicles and triycles to share to people in order to
cushion the effects of the ban.
The governor directed the representatives of the
communities to liase with the state government for
immediate supply of tricyles and vechiles to youths
in the affected communities.
in some parts of Plateau State where over 160
innocent people, including two lawmakers,
were killed has further worsened the relationship
among Northern governors and caused a sharp
division among them.
It would be recalled that a group of terrorists
suspected to be Fulani herdsmen from neighbouring
Niger and Chad republics invaded some parts of
Barkin Ladi and Riyom local govenment areas of the
state and snuffed lives out of the inhabitants,
including Senator Gyang Dantong and Majority
Leader, Plateau State House of Assembly, Honourable
Gyang Fulani.
A source close to the Plateau State government
revealed that through out the mourning period, only
a handful of governors from the North visited or
called to commiserate with the state government
over the calamity.
It was gathered that many eminent and senior
citizens of Plateau State have been wondering if
there existed love and unity among the governors.
A senior retired military officer who spoke with
Sunday Tribune on condition of anonymity said the
posture of most of the governors was quite
disturbing and wondered if they considered Plateau
as an integral part of the North.
"I have found out that majority of them did not come
or call to sympathise with us over the calamity. So,
what is the essence of the forum if it is not to be our
brothers' keepers? I believe it is high time the
objectives of the forum was redefined," he said.
It was further learnt that there is a subterranean
move in the North-Central, especially in the area
considered as Middle-Belt, to prevail on the
governors in the zone to resuscitate their own forum
which had been dormant for some time.
Sunday Tribune further learnt that tbe statement
credited to the chairman, Northern Governors'
Forum, Governor Babangida Aliyu, over the military
operations in the affected communities in Plateau
State with the aim of flushing out the undesirable
elements that perpetrated the dastardly act further
compounded the situation.
It was learnt that there were some governors who
shared this sentiment and condemned the alleged
lackadaisical posture of some of their colleagues
towards recent happenings in Plateau State.
A source close to the recent Northern Governors'
Forum meeting told Sunday Tribune that Governor
Jonah Jang raised the issue, especially concerning the
statement credited to the Niger State governor at the
meeting and the governors apologised.
Meanwhile, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State has
debunked the insinuation doing the rounds in certain
quarters that he hates the Hausa/Fulani and Muslims
with passion, saying it is a misconception by those
who want to create enemity between him and the
Hausa/Fulani community in the state.
The governor, who made the clarification during his
visit to some parts of the state capital affected by the
recent flood that claimed many lives and property,
said out of the whole nation, it was only Kano State
that surpassed Plateau in terms of sponsoring
pilgrims to the holy land.
"If I dont like Muslims and deride the Hausa/Fulani,
as a Christian governor, how would I have sent such
large contigent of Muslims to the holy land? Our
contingents from Plateau are always the second
lagest in the country, and the Saudi Arabian
authority always commend us for adequate welfare
of our pilgrims.
"I am a governor for all irrespective of religious
background, there is no way a part of the state will
be in pain that I, as a governor, will not feel it. I care
all for all, all I need from you all is your cooperation to
move the state foward," he said.
He said the problem in the state was not caused by
the Hausa/Fulani resident in the state but by
outsiders, urging them to join hands with others to
bring about lasting peace in the state.
Governor Jang attributed the flood in the affected
communties to lack of drainage system, adding that
the government was ready to open up the areas to
aviod reccurence of flood disaster.
He said, "I am going to direct surveyors to come and
survey the affected communities, because we are
determined to open up Jos city for development.
"To carry out this development, we need to demolish
some houses. But I can assure you that we will pay
compensation to those who would be affected by the
demolition."
He stated that the recent ban of comercial
motorcycles in the state was not meant to witch-
hunt anybody but to bring sanity to the state.
According to him, the government has over 300
vehicles and triycles to share to people in order to
cushion the effects of the ban.
The governor directed the representatives of the
communities to liase with the state government for
immediate supply of tricyles and vechiles to youths
in the affected communities.
UCH CMD calls for renewed action against fake drugs
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University
College Hospital (UCH), Professor Tope Alonge, has
called for renewed commitment and efforts towards
the African child's survival and health, particularly
with regard to fake drugs that threaten treatment of
diseases in children.
The UCH CMD made these remarks at a public
enlightenment lecture organised by a non-
governmental organisation (NGO), Dorcas Oke Hope
Alive Initiative (DOHAL), held at the Conference
Centre, University of Ibadan on Saturday.
While identifying malaria, measles, pneumonia,
diarrhoea etc. as some of the diseases that challenge
the well being of the African child, Professor Alonge
maintained that the menace of fake drug had further
compounded efforts of medical experts to contain
these health challenges.
The lecture, entitled; Fake Drugs and the Survival of
the African Child, was attended by former Director of
the Institute of African Studies, Professor (Mrs.)
Bolanle Awe; Pastor of the Sword of the Spirit
Ministries, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, and his wife,
Reverend (Mrs.) Oke, among other prominent
Nigerians.
Alonge said the survival of the African child
depended on water, food, shelter, education, faith
and medicine, adding that lack of these had made
"Africa, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, the most
difficult place in the world for a child to survive."
College Hospital (UCH), Professor Tope Alonge, has
called for renewed commitment and efforts towards
the African child's survival and health, particularly
with regard to fake drugs that threaten treatment of
diseases in children.
The UCH CMD made these remarks at a public
enlightenment lecture organised by a non-
governmental organisation (NGO), Dorcas Oke Hope
Alive Initiative (DOHAL), held at the Conference
Centre, University of Ibadan on Saturday.
While identifying malaria, measles, pneumonia,
diarrhoea etc. as some of the diseases that challenge
the well being of the African child, Professor Alonge
maintained that the menace of fake drug had further
compounded efforts of medical experts to contain
these health challenges.
The lecture, entitled; Fake Drugs and the Survival of
the African Child, was attended by former Director of
the Institute of African Studies, Professor (Mrs.)
Bolanle Awe; Pastor of the Sword of the Spirit
Ministries, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, and his wife,
Reverend (Mrs.) Oke, among other prominent
Nigerians.
Alonge said the survival of the African child
depended on water, food, shelter, education, faith
and medicine, adding that lack of these had made
"Africa, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, the most
difficult place in the world for a child to survive."
‘We didn’t forge signatures of APGA members’
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) faction
loyal to Alhaji Sadeeq Masall has denied forging the
signatures of some executives of the party on the
attendance list of National Executive Committee
(NEC) meeting of the party held on July 12, 2012.
Chief Victor Umeh, who has been reportedly
restrained by an Enugu High Court from taking steps
to convoke a national, state or local government
executive committee meeting of the party, and his
group, had brought the allegation and is also
prepared to take legal action.
The Masalla group claimed that the document
published in some national dailies, purporting to
have emanated from them, were forged as it did not
contain any attribute of the letter head.
Denying the allegation, the Masall group disclosed
that it had formally complained to the Inspector-
General of Police (IGP) that he should commence
perjury proceedings against some members who had
sworn to an affidavit alleging that their signatures on
the list were forged.
Alhaji Masall countered that they never forged
anybody's signature.
"What we are doing in the party is voluntary and
aimed at repositioning the party, and to remove it
from the clutches of one man," he said.
"For one of us to deny what one is part of and
swearing an oath about it is most unfortunate, no
amount of intimidation or blackmail can stop us from
getting our party back on track.
"If you look at this publication and our letter head
carefully, there is distinct difference between the
logo published and the logo on our letter head.
"In the one published in the papers, Chief Umeh and
Alhaji Shinkafi's telephone numbers are on it, among
other telephone numbers, but on this one I am
holding, which is the authentic letter head, it has
only my number and that of the acting National
Secretary, Dr. Okwenna.
"I am sure they superimposed the signatures
published in the papers as there are shadows on the
publication which clearly shows there were
superimpositions.
"Even the INEC stamp is bold on top and very small
at the bottom of the same letter and I doubt if a
commission would stamp twice on the same
document.
"The letter we submitted to INEC had 98 names, not
20 or 11. What we have here is entirely different from
what we sent to INEC.
"The matter has been reported to the Police and the
IGP has authorized that the issues of perjury raised
should be investigated," he added.
loyal to Alhaji Sadeeq Masall has denied forging the
signatures of some executives of the party on the
attendance list of National Executive Committee
(NEC) meeting of the party held on July 12, 2012.
Chief Victor Umeh, who has been reportedly
restrained by an Enugu High Court from taking steps
to convoke a national, state or local government
executive committee meeting of the party, and his
group, had brought the allegation and is also
prepared to take legal action.
The Masalla group claimed that the document
published in some national dailies, purporting to
have emanated from them, were forged as it did not
contain any attribute of the letter head.
Denying the allegation, the Masall group disclosed
that it had formally complained to the Inspector-
General of Police (IGP) that he should commence
perjury proceedings against some members who had
sworn to an affidavit alleging that their signatures on
the list were forged.
Alhaji Masall countered that they never forged
anybody's signature.
"What we are doing in the party is voluntary and
aimed at repositioning the party, and to remove it
from the clutches of one man," he said.
"For one of us to deny what one is part of and
swearing an oath about it is most unfortunate, no
amount of intimidation or blackmail can stop us from
getting our party back on track.
"If you look at this publication and our letter head
carefully, there is distinct difference between the
logo published and the logo on our letter head.
"In the one published in the papers, Chief Umeh and
Alhaji Shinkafi's telephone numbers are on it, among
other telephone numbers, but on this one I am
holding, which is the authentic letter head, it has
only my number and that of the acting National
Secretary, Dr. Okwenna.
"I am sure they superimposed the signatures
published in the papers as there are shadows on the
publication which clearly shows there were
superimpositions.
"Even the INEC stamp is bold on top and very small
at the bottom of the same letter and I doubt if a
commission would stamp twice on the same
document.
"The letter we submitted to INEC had 98 names, not
20 or 11. What we have here is entirely different from
what we sent to INEC.
"The matter has been reported to the Police and the
IGP has authorized that the issues of perjury raised
should be investigated," he added.
SFU drags 3 suspected fraudsters to court over N400m
Barring any odd, the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU)
Ikoyi Lagos, will tomorrow arraign three suspected
fraudsters, among whom is one Oyeyoke Hanson
Toba and two others for trials before the Lagos
Magistrate Court 2, Igbosere, for attempting to
defraud the government of Anambra State the sum
of N400 million.
A press statement signed by the image maker of the
police anti-fraud unit, Ngozi Isintume, and made
available to Sunday Tribune yesterday stated that
the suspected fraudsters had allegedly hacked into
the account of a bank in Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, and
fraudulently transferred the money from the account
of the Anambra State Government to their accounts
in Enugu, Onitsha and Aba branches of the bank.
However, Isintume, an Assistant Superintendent of
Police (ASP), noted that before the accused persons
could withdraw the money, the fraud was detected
and nipped in the bud by the bank.
According to her, "the case is slated for trial on
Monday, 30th July, 2012."
Ikoyi Lagos, will tomorrow arraign three suspected
fraudsters, among whom is one Oyeyoke Hanson
Toba and two others for trials before the Lagos
Magistrate Court 2, Igbosere, for attempting to
defraud the government of Anambra State the sum
of N400 million.
A press statement signed by the image maker of the
police anti-fraud unit, Ngozi Isintume, and made
available to Sunday Tribune yesterday stated that
the suspected fraudsters had allegedly hacked into
the account of a bank in Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, and
fraudulently transferred the money from the account
of the Anambra State Government to their accounts
in Enugu, Onitsha and Aba branches of the bank.
However, Isintume, an Assistant Superintendent of
Police (ASP), noted that before the accused persons
could withdraw the money, the fraud was detected
and nipped in the bud by the bank.
According to her, "the case is slated for trial on
Monday, 30th July, 2012."
Kano police arrest woman for stabbing son in stomach •2 men nabbed for raping 4 and 6-year-old girls
KANO State police command has arrested a 28-year-
old woman, Mrs Joy Akule who stabbed her biological
son in the stomach in an attempt to divide the boy
into two so that she and her estranged husband
could each take a part, just as the command also
nabbed two middle-aged men for allegedly raping a
six and four- year- old girl.
The command has also arrested two fake policemen
who specialised in stolen motorbikes, while 17
policemen, comprising six Inspectors, three
Sergeants and five Constables have been arrested by
the command for various disciplinary offences such
as extortion at road blocks,
Disclosing this on Saturday in Kano while addressing
a press conference, the state Commissioner of Police,
Mr. Ibrahim Idris said Mrs Akule admitted her guilt by
confessing that she stabbed her son in order to cut
off any relationship with her ex-husband who is the
father of the boy.
This is just as the woman disclosed that her intention
was to cut the boy into two equal half so as to share
the body equally with Mr. Thomas Akule,(her
husband) since he has refused to give her the
custody of the child.
Mr. Idris who also disclosed that one Abubakar Ya'u,a
20-year-old of Ladan village in Minjibir local
government lured a six-year- old girl into his room
and raped the innocent girl, while another man,
Ismaila Jibrin lured a four-year-old girl into his room
in the abscence of her parent and raped her.
According to him, the two who are now in police
custody had confessed while doctor's report also
confirmed that they committed the offence. The
Commissioner of Police, however, added that the duo
have been charged to court for prosecution.
Speaking further, Mr. Idris confirmed the arrest of
one Taofeek Adekunle who operated an illegal
banking service to defraud no fewer than 328
'customers' to the tune of N5.5 million.
He hinted that the illegal bank operator deceived his
victims by asking them to deposit 20 per cent of the
credit facility before he would disburse the loan,
noting that after collecting the percentages,
transaction would stop and he would not disburse
the loan as promised.
He, however, disclosed that the fraudster had in the
past disbursed loan to some fortunate members of
the public and this was what spurred some other
people to become his victims.
Mr. Idris said that in order to ensure safety of lives
and property during the ongoing Ramadan fasting
period, the command held series of meeting with
Ulamas , Muslims communities and religion leaders
on safety methods to adopt during the period.
He said the command advised the people to erect
barricades where applicable and not to allow people
with bags, parcel, packages and containers into the
mosques or its vicinities.
The CP then gave out phone numbers to contact in
case of emergencies. The numbers were
08032419754, 08123821575, 08031803555,
064977004, 064977005,or send an e-mail to
npfkano@yahoo.com.
old woman, Mrs Joy Akule who stabbed her biological
son in the stomach in an attempt to divide the boy
into two so that she and her estranged husband
could each take a part, just as the command also
nabbed two middle-aged men for allegedly raping a
six and four- year- old girl.
The command has also arrested two fake policemen
who specialised in stolen motorbikes, while 17
policemen, comprising six Inspectors, three
Sergeants and five Constables have been arrested by
the command for various disciplinary offences such
as extortion at road blocks,
Disclosing this on Saturday in Kano while addressing
a press conference, the state Commissioner of Police,
Mr. Ibrahim Idris said Mrs Akule admitted her guilt by
confessing that she stabbed her son in order to cut
off any relationship with her ex-husband who is the
father of the boy.
This is just as the woman disclosed that her intention
was to cut the boy into two equal half so as to share
the body equally with Mr. Thomas Akule,(her
husband) since he has refused to give her the
custody of the child.
Mr. Idris who also disclosed that one Abubakar Ya'u,a
20-year-old of Ladan village in Minjibir local
government lured a six-year- old girl into his room
and raped the innocent girl, while another man,
Ismaila Jibrin lured a four-year-old girl into his room
in the abscence of her parent and raped her.
According to him, the two who are now in police
custody had confessed while doctor's report also
confirmed that they committed the offence. The
Commissioner of Police, however, added that the duo
have been charged to court for prosecution.
Speaking further, Mr. Idris confirmed the arrest of
one Taofeek Adekunle who operated an illegal
banking service to defraud no fewer than 328
'customers' to the tune of N5.5 million.
He hinted that the illegal bank operator deceived his
victims by asking them to deposit 20 per cent of the
credit facility before he would disburse the loan,
noting that after collecting the percentages,
transaction would stop and he would not disburse
the loan as promised.
He, however, disclosed that the fraudster had in the
past disbursed loan to some fortunate members of
the public and this was what spurred some other
people to become his victims.
Mr. Idris said that in order to ensure safety of lives
and property during the ongoing Ramadan fasting
period, the command held series of meeting with
Ulamas , Muslims communities and religion leaders
on safety methods to adopt during the period.
He said the command advised the people to erect
barricades where applicable and not to allow people
with bags, parcel, packages and containers into the
mosques or its vicinities.
The CP then gave out phone numbers to contact in
case of emergencies. The numbers were
08032419754, 08123821575, 08031803555,
064977004, 064977005,or send an e-mail to
npfkano@yahoo.com.
Soldiers beat MASSOB CSO to coma, remove property
GROUP of soldiers from the Artillery Brigade, Obinze,
Abia State, yesterday reportedly stormed the office of
the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign
State of Biafra, (MASSOB), in Orlu, Ihioma, Imo State,
arrested the MASSOB Chief Security Officer (CSO),
Boniface Ijeuwa, beat him to coma and clamped him
into their cell.
Addressing newsmen in Onitsha, Deputy Director of
Information on MASSOB, Mazi Chris Mocha, said that
the soldiers carted away MASSOB office equipment
that included a laptop valued at N120,000.
Mocha described the incident as unfortunate, adding
that the intimidation, harassment and assault on
MASSOB by soldiers would not deter it from fighting
to actualise the emergence of sovereign state of
Biafra.
Reacting to the incident, the MASSOB leader, Chief
Ralph Uwazuruike, advised the soldiers to hand over
the matter to the police if they would not want to
release the CSO.
Uwazuruike expressed dissatisfaction with the action
of the soldiers, adding that it surprised him to hear
that soldiers stormed MASSOB office, beat the CSO,
detained him and carted away some office
equipment.
In a related development, Mazi Mocha recalled that
some MASSOB members were still being detained at
Awka prisons despite the order from 'above' to
release all members detained.
He named those detained to include Chibuike
Aghaigbo; Hycient Ebubedike Okafor; Francis Alike,
Ifeanyi Ibe and Izuchukwu Nzom.
Abia State, yesterday reportedly stormed the office of
the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign
State of Biafra, (MASSOB), in Orlu, Ihioma, Imo State,
arrested the MASSOB Chief Security Officer (CSO),
Boniface Ijeuwa, beat him to coma and clamped him
into their cell.
Addressing newsmen in Onitsha, Deputy Director of
Information on MASSOB, Mazi Chris Mocha, said that
the soldiers carted away MASSOB office equipment
that included a laptop valued at N120,000.
Mocha described the incident as unfortunate, adding
that the intimidation, harassment and assault on
MASSOB by soldiers would not deter it from fighting
to actualise the emergence of sovereign state of
Biafra.
Reacting to the incident, the MASSOB leader, Chief
Ralph Uwazuruike, advised the soldiers to hand over
the matter to the police if they would not want to
release the CSO.
Uwazuruike expressed dissatisfaction with the action
of the soldiers, adding that it surprised him to hear
that soldiers stormed MASSOB office, beat the CSO,
detained him and carted away some office
equipment.
In a related development, Mazi Mocha recalled that
some MASSOB members were still being detained at
Awka prisons despite the order from 'above' to
release all members detained.
He named those detained to include Chibuike
Aghaigbo; Hycient Ebubedike Okafor; Francis Alike,
Ifeanyi Ibe and Izuchukwu Nzom.
Mega filling stations threaten strike over NNPC policy
Unless the Nigerian National Petroleum Company
(NNPC) reverses its intending cash and carry policy
on all its products being supplied by the NNPC Retail
Limited, the Association of Mega Filling Station
Owners of Nigeria (AMFSON) has threatened to
embark on a strike action.
The National President of the association, Andrew
Ashiga, said this at a press conference, in Kaduna, at
the weekend that two considerations were, however,
delaying the strike action, stating that they were
skeptical about the cash and carry policy by the
NNPC Retail Limited."
According to Ashiga, the mega station operators
have tabled the matter before the House of
Representatives, which has in turn referred the issue
to the House Committee on Gas Resources for
consideration.
The strike, he added, was put on hold because of the
association's belief in the transformation agenda of
the Federal Government and its commitment to
ensure that the country run smoothly economically
and politically.
"The consequences of the strike would bring
hardship on the general public," he added.
Ashiga warned members of the association not to
succumb to any act of intimidation from the NNPC
Retail Limited to accept the policy since the case was
still before the National Assembly.
"We intend to take action, a kind of strike action
against the cumbersome cash and carry policy of the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)
Retail Limited.
"The consequences of that action will bring about
suffering and hardship on the public because the
smooth distribution and sales of petroleum products
being enjoyed all over the country today will be
disrupted.
"We assure all our members that the National
Assembly will resolve the issue,"he noted.
(NNPC) reverses its intending cash and carry policy
on all its products being supplied by the NNPC Retail
Limited, the Association of Mega Filling Station
Owners of Nigeria (AMFSON) has threatened to
embark on a strike action.
The National President of the association, Andrew
Ashiga, said this at a press conference, in Kaduna, at
the weekend that two considerations were, however,
delaying the strike action, stating that they were
skeptical about the cash and carry policy by the
NNPC Retail Limited."
According to Ashiga, the mega station operators
have tabled the matter before the House of
Representatives, which has in turn referred the issue
to the House Committee on Gas Resources for
consideration.
The strike, he added, was put on hold because of the
association's belief in the transformation agenda of
the Federal Government and its commitment to
ensure that the country run smoothly economically
and politically.
"The consequences of the strike would bring
hardship on the general public," he added.
Ashiga warned members of the association not to
succumb to any act of intimidation from the NNPC
Retail Limited to accept the policy since the case was
still before the National Assembly.
"We intend to take action, a kind of strike action
against the cumbersome cash and carry policy of the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)
Retail Limited.
"The consequences of that action will bring about
suffering and hardship on the public because the
smooth distribution and sales of petroleum products
being enjoyed all over the country today will be
disrupted.
"We assure all our members that the National
Assembly will resolve the issue,"he noted.
NUPENG suspends strike, Jeptson to open jetties and depots
THE National of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers
(NUPENG) has suspended the on-going industrial
action while the Jetties and Petroleum Tank Farm
Owners Association (JEPTFON) has also agreed to
open the jetties and depots owned by its members.
The s agreed to suspend the strike, following a
crucial meeting between the Federal Ministry of
Labour and Productivity; Federal Ministry of Finance;
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC);
Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency
(PPPRA); Jetties and Petroleum Tank Farm Owners
Association (JEPTFON) and the National of Petroleum
and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) at the Federal
Ministry of Labour and Productivity on Saturday.
The National of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers
has embarked on a strike over the payment of 2012
Petroleum Subsidy Arrears, state of the nation's
refineries, the labour issues concerning the Shell
Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria
(SPDCN), bad roads in the country, restructuring of
loans of JEPTFON members
After extensive deliberations at the meeting and
based on this understanding, NUPENG agreed to
suspend the industrial action while JEPTFON also
agreed to open the jetties and depots owned by its
members
After noting the concerns expressed by the NUPENG
and JEPTFON, the Federal Government affirmed that
the payment of Petroleum Subsidy for 2012 has
commenced, while it stated that the issuance of
Sovereign Debt Notes (SDN) for verified and
processed batches will be concluded within two (2)
weeks.
(NUPENG) has suspended the on-going industrial
action while the Jetties and Petroleum Tank Farm
Owners Association (JEPTFON) has also agreed to
open the jetties and depots owned by its members.
The s agreed to suspend the strike, following a
crucial meeting between the Federal Ministry of
Labour and Productivity; Federal Ministry of Finance;
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC);
Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency
(PPPRA); Jetties and Petroleum Tank Farm Owners
Association (JEPTFON) and the National of Petroleum
and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) at the Federal
Ministry of Labour and Productivity on Saturday.
The National of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers
has embarked on a strike over the payment of 2012
Petroleum Subsidy Arrears, state of the nation's
refineries, the labour issues concerning the Shell
Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria
(SPDCN), bad roads in the country, restructuring of
loans of JEPTFON members
After extensive deliberations at the meeting and
based on this understanding, NUPENG agreed to
suspend the industrial action while JEPTFON also
agreed to open the jetties and depots owned by its
members
After noting the concerns expressed by the NUPENG
and JEPTFON, the Federal Government affirmed that
the payment of Petroleum Subsidy for 2012 has
commenced, while it stated that the issuance of
Sovereign Debt Notes (SDN) for verified and
processed batches will be concluded within two (2)
weeks.
Parents sell children for N4,000 in Makurdi
REPORTS have indicated that parents in Makurdi, the
Benue State capital, were involved in the sale of their
children to human traffickers at the sum of N4,000 or
N5,000 per ward.
This was revealed when the Quick Response Group
Team of the Nigerian Army in Lokoja arrested one
human trafficking suspect, Mr. Sunday Agbo, from
Benue state.
Parading the suspect to newsmen on Friday at the
Army Headquarters, the Commandant of Army
Record, Major General Alphonso Chukwu said the
suspect was arrested alongside 10 children, both
male and female, on July 26 by his Quick Response
Group Team, along Itobe-Ajaokuta road.
According to him, the suspect who hails from Obi
Local Government Council of Benue State was
arrested in a ash colour Toyota Camry car with the
registration number CW 322 LSD with 10 children,
comprising of six males and four females between
the ages of seven and 19 heading to Lagos state.
He stated that when the suspect was confronted by
his men, he said that the children belonged to him,
but after further interrogation, he confessed that
they were handed over to him by his agent, one
Madam Janet Akpa, from the same village and that
he was asked to deliver them to another agent in
Lagos.
The Army Commandant stressed that investigations
revealed that Agbo had been trafficking children by
discussing with the parents and offering a mere sum
of N4,000 or N5,000 naira under the pretext of
getting them jobs in Lagos as househelps.
The Army Commandant who enjoined parents to be
vigilant so as not to fall prey of the human traffickers,
stressed that the children were most vulnerable to
ritualists.
One of the children, Blessing Jacob, who said she had
just finished her promotional examination to SSS 2
said she was told to follow the suspect to Lagos for
her holiday where she would work for a while.
While still waiting for further details, the suspect
received a text message from the agent in Lagos that
one of the children he earlier brought to Lagos had
absconded from the house.
While speaking with the suspect, he disclosed to
Sunday Tribune that this was not his first time,
adding that parents of the children were given a
token amount of money ranging from N4000 to
N5000 for each of the children.
Benue State capital, were involved in the sale of their
children to human traffickers at the sum of N4,000 or
N5,000 per ward.
This was revealed when the Quick Response Group
Team of the Nigerian Army in Lokoja arrested one
human trafficking suspect, Mr. Sunday Agbo, from
Benue state.
Parading the suspect to newsmen on Friday at the
Army Headquarters, the Commandant of Army
Record, Major General Alphonso Chukwu said the
suspect was arrested alongside 10 children, both
male and female, on July 26 by his Quick Response
Group Team, along Itobe-Ajaokuta road.
According to him, the suspect who hails from Obi
Local Government Council of Benue State was
arrested in a ash colour Toyota Camry car with the
registration number CW 322 LSD with 10 children,
comprising of six males and four females between
the ages of seven and 19 heading to Lagos state.
He stated that when the suspect was confronted by
his men, he said that the children belonged to him,
but after further interrogation, he confessed that
they were handed over to him by his agent, one
Madam Janet Akpa, from the same village and that
he was asked to deliver them to another agent in
Lagos.
The Army Commandant stressed that investigations
revealed that Agbo had been trafficking children by
discussing with the parents and offering a mere sum
of N4,000 or N5,000 naira under the pretext of
getting them jobs in Lagos as househelps.
The Army Commandant who enjoined parents to be
vigilant so as not to fall prey of the human traffickers,
stressed that the children were most vulnerable to
ritualists.
One of the children, Blessing Jacob, who said she had
just finished her promotional examination to SSS 2
said she was told to follow the suspect to Lagos for
her holiday where she would work for a while.
While still waiting for further details, the suspect
received a text message from the agent in Lagos that
one of the children he earlier brought to Lagos had
absconded from the house.
While speaking with the suspect, he disclosed to
Sunday Tribune that this was not his first time,
adding that parents of the children were given a
token amount of money ranging from N4000 to
N5000 for each of the children.
Bamanga Tukur unfolds 12-point agenda for PDP
THE National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP), Dr Bamanga Tukur has vowed to turn
around the story of the ruling party through the 12-
point agenda of action which he recently submitted
to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the
party.
Tukur said the carefully drawn agenda for
transforming the PDP and Nigeria would be operated
religiously with stakeholders of the party playing
major roles, such that the effect of the agenda would
be felt across Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world
just within a 12-month calendar period.
The Tafidan Adamawa made this known in his Abuja
residence when some leaders of the party paid him a
visit, just as he disclosed that the era of party
supremacy was back in PDP. He stressed that all
elected members of the party would henceforth be
upholding the programmes and manifestoes of the
party in national interest.
The 12-point agenda, according to the PDP chairman,
would rest on a three-prong categorisation, which
included Triple-R, Triple-E and Triple-D. According to
him, it would offer a road map in solving the
problems including terrorism, energy crisis,
insecurity and the problem of corruption.
Tukur told his guests that the Triple-R agenda would
start with a genuine reconciliation process for
members to embrace the party and its programmes
while aggrieved members would be made to have a
sense of belonging. The reformation of the party and
a process of total rebuilding based on equity and
justice would also hold paramount in the overall
agenda, according to him.
The Triple-E agenda, Tukur said centered on Energy,
Environmental Sustainability/Food Security and
Education. He said PDP would launch series of
programmes with laudable inputs from the federal
and state governments under its control.
The PDP, he said, would encourage foreign experts to
assist Nigeria in tackling the climate change
challenges, a reason he said the party would
henceforth send representatives to global events on
climate change in order to be abreast of new ideas
being developed to address the problem.
He emphasised the need to enhance Nigeria's
education system in line with the federal government
policies, stressing that the ruling party would not
rest on its oars in raising ideas towards improving
and advancing on the education system, especially in
all educationally disadvantaged states of the
federation.
He expressed support for the initiative by President
Goodluck Jonathan on the Almajiri system of
education. He said the PDP would be willing to
propagate the system by encouraging the northern
governors to key into it as panacea for ending the
problem of poverty, illiteracy and ignorance in the
northern region.
The PDP, according to the chairman, had been
concerned with the problem of energy supply in
Nigeria and had been exploring all avenues towards
improving on the problem very rapidly before the
end of 2015, noting that food security in the country
would be enhanced with steady supply of electricity.
Tukur said the Triple-D agenda centered on Defence,
Diplomacy and Dialogue, disclosing that the ground
work he had made on the agenda, had convinced him
that the endemic problem of insecurity and scanty
foreign investments in Nigeria would soon become a
thing of the past.
He said the PDP would no longer wait for agencies of
government to fashion out agenda for ending the
problem of terrorism in the country, but would rather
stand on its feet in making strong inputs aimed at
addressing the problem, emphasising also on using
diplomacy and right logistics for that purpose.
Also, the president of the African Business
Roundtable and chairman NEPAD Business Group
said sufficient papers and policy initiatives had been
baked in Nigeria for addressing the myriad of
problems confronting the country, noting that the
PDP would tap from such in its desire to put Nigeria
on the path of sustainable progress and development
like never before.
He called on all members of the party not only to
support the new drive by PDP, to re-launch and take
the lead in addressing the immediate challenges
facing Nigeria, but also to make more suggestions
aimed at making the party achieve its desires.
Party (PDP), Dr Bamanga Tukur has vowed to turn
around the story of the ruling party through the 12-
point agenda of action which he recently submitted
to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the
party.
Tukur said the carefully drawn agenda for
transforming the PDP and Nigeria would be operated
religiously with stakeholders of the party playing
major roles, such that the effect of the agenda would
be felt across Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world
just within a 12-month calendar period.
The Tafidan Adamawa made this known in his Abuja
residence when some leaders of the party paid him a
visit, just as he disclosed that the era of party
supremacy was back in PDP. He stressed that all
elected members of the party would henceforth be
upholding the programmes and manifestoes of the
party in national interest.
The 12-point agenda, according to the PDP chairman,
would rest on a three-prong categorisation, which
included Triple-R, Triple-E and Triple-D. According to
him, it would offer a road map in solving the
problems including terrorism, energy crisis,
insecurity and the problem of corruption.
Tukur told his guests that the Triple-R agenda would
start with a genuine reconciliation process for
members to embrace the party and its programmes
while aggrieved members would be made to have a
sense of belonging. The reformation of the party and
a process of total rebuilding based on equity and
justice would also hold paramount in the overall
agenda, according to him.
The Triple-E agenda, Tukur said centered on Energy,
Environmental Sustainability/Food Security and
Education. He said PDP would launch series of
programmes with laudable inputs from the federal
and state governments under its control.
The PDP, he said, would encourage foreign experts to
assist Nigeria in tackling the climate change
challenges, a reason he said the party would
henceforth send representatives to global events on
climate change in order to be abreast of new ideas
being developed to address the problem.
He emphasised the need to enhance Nigeria's
education system in line with the federal government
policies, stressing that the ruling party would not
rest on its oars in raising ideas towards improving
and advancing on the education system, especially in
all educationally disadvantaged states of the
federation.
He expressed support for the initiative by President
Goodluck Jonathan on the Almajiri system of
education. He said the PDP would be willing to
propagate the system by encouraging the northern
governors to key into it as panacea for ending the
problem of poverty, illiteracy and ignorance in the
northern region.
The PDP, according to the chairman, had been
concerned with the problem of energy supply in
Nigeria and had been exploring all avenues towards
improving on the problem very rapidly before the
end of 2015, noting that food security in the country
would be enhanced with steady supply of electricity.
Tukur said the Triple-D agenda centered on Defence,
Diplomacy and Dialogue, disclosing that the ground
work he had made on the agenda, had convinced him
that the endemic problem of insecurity and scanty
foreign investments in Nigeria would soon become a
thing of the past.
He said the PDP would no longer wait for agencies of
government to fashion out agenda for ending the
problem of terrorism in the country, but would rather
stand on its feet in making strong inputs aimed at
addressing the problem, emphasising also on using
diplomacy and right logistics for that purpose.
Also, the president of the African Business
Roundtable and chairman NEPAD Business Group
said sufficient papers and policy initiatives had been
baked in Nigeria for addressing the myriad of
problems confronting the country, noting that the
PDP would tap from such in its desire to put Nigeria
on the path of sustainable progress and development
like never before.
He called on all members of the party not only to
support the new drive by PDP, to re-launch and take
the lead in addressing the immediate challenges
facing Nigeria, but also to make more suggestions
aimed at making the party achieve its desires.
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Sunday, July 29, 2012
Today's Event------->Come Watch A stage Play "Death and The King's HorseMan {Prod. by PAWS}"
Its the Last Showing of the Award Winning Death and the King's Horseman written by Prof Wole Soyinka, Directed by Ken Uphopho.
Venue: Terra Kulture
Time: 3&6pm
Ticket: N3500, VIP:10,000
Date: 29th July 2012.
ABOUT THE PLAY
Death
and the King’s Horseman is based on events that took place
in the Yoruba city of Oyo in 1946. That year, the lives of Elesin (Olori
Elesin), his son (Olunde), and the Colonial District Officer (Simon Pilkings) intertwined
with the disastrous results set out in the play. The play opens on the day the
local African king is to be buried. According to custom, his Horseman, Elesin
Oba, will die on this day as well, following his master in death as he followed
him in life. It is clear from the scene in the marketplace that this ritual death
is, however, a celebration. The region’s colonial administrator “saves” Elesin
and brings about the play’s tragic catastrophe. In Death and the King’s Horseman, the power vested in the colonial
administration signals its ability to destroy the indigenous culture it claims,
ironically, to govern.
ABOUT PAWS
The Performing Arts Workshop & Studio, PAWS, is a theatre Oriented
organization aimed at projecting and preserving the arts through Dance, Drama
and Music.
Established in 2004 by theatre practitioners of repute, the company has gone on to become one of the country's foremost theatre company dedicated to the development of talent in performing arts.
As part of the Live Theatre on the Mainland Campaign, we produced The Wives (2011) and Widow’s Window. The Wives was also performed at the NANTAP organised Festival of Plays (FESTINA). We also produced Rubiewe, an African adaptation of Beauty and the Beast (2012) that premiered at The Knot Centre and Muson Centre respectively. In April and June this year at TerraKulture, we produced and performed great productions of Oh! How Dearly I Detest Thee and Midnight Blackout.
Established in 2004 by theatre practitioners of repute, the company has gone on to become one of the country's foremost theatre company dedicated to the development of talent in performing arts.
As part of the Live Theatre on the Mainland Campaign, we produced The Wives (2011) and Widow’s Window. The Wives was also performed at the NANTAP organised Festival of Plays (FESTINA). We also produced Rubiewe, an African adaptation of Beauty and the Beast (2012) that premiered at The Knot Centre and Muson Centre respectively. In April and June this year at TerraKulture, we produced and performed great productions of Oh! How Dearly I Detest Thee and Midnight Blackout.
Social media users carpet David Mark on call for censorship
| credits:
Nigerian
online social media users have criticised the Senate President, David
Mark, for reportedly seeking a check on the use of social media by
Nigerians.
They said it was an attempt to frustrate public criticism of government.
Mark had last Thursday,
while declaring open a two-day retreat for Senate Press corps in
Umuahia, Abia State, reportedly said the check became necessary as
people used the media to demean their leaders. He added that there was
no opportunity for retraction of information in such media.
He reportedly said, “We
need to change our attitude on how we report things about our country
and we should emulate the foreign reporters who never report negative
things about their countries.”
Facebook and Twitter
users however, took a swipe at Mark, saying he allegedly antagonised the
use of mobile phones by average Nigerians some years ago.
The comments had the senate president trending on social media platforms.
A Facebook post by Agba
Jalingo read, “Attention: Occupy David Mark. The senate president must
be stopped from his moves to restrict the use of social media in
Nigeria, as it has been done in militarised countries of the world. He
has been quoted as saying the social media is being used to insult
leaders. We are not in North Korea, this is a democracy.
“Occupy his telephone
line and help save our only freedom of expression. Call, text and even
flash 080350088**. Please re-broadcast.”
A twitter user, Adenike
Adebayo, also wrote, “People like Mark represent the last vestiges of a
dying paradigm. We must hasten that process to avoid poisoning of the
polity.”
Similarly, Segun Agbede, tweeted,
“Mark says the foreign media don’t say negative things about their
country. He obviously hasn’t been reading British and American
newspapers.”
Another another user, Deejay, tweeted, “Mark should say something more reasonable when next he’s talking to the press.”
Chidi in his tweet said,
“When Mark was a minister, he said telephone wasn’t for poor people.
Today, he says social media should be banned.”
Another twitter user, Ekekeee.com,
wrote, “Let Mark legislate against us using new media. At least, let it
be one achievement he can boast of in his years” involvent in our
renascent democracy.
Likewise, Obi Henry tweeted,
“If Mark had his way, he would have shut down these handles. Mark who
said telephones were not for the poor is now advocating social media
censorship. An apple doesn’t fall far from its tree.”
Third Mainland Bridge: 3.4 million people used ferries in two months
About
3,350,000 passengers were ferried through waterways in Lagos State
between May and July, 2012, statistics from the Lagos State Waterways
Authority have shown.
The Managing Director,
LASWA, Mr. Yinka Marinho, who spoke to our correspondent, said there was
a “tremendous” increase in the number of passengers who used the
alternative system.
He said, “In May, about
1,238,000 passengers were recorded; in June we had over 1,305,000 and in
the first half of July, 807,604 have been ferried. We hope that by the
end of the month, the figure would have been doubled. This means there
will be an increase of between 300,000 to 400,000 passengers.”
Marinho said ferries
moved an increasing number of passengers from Ojo, Oworonshoki and
Ikorodu-ends of the Lagos Mainland to the island, where most of them
work, and took them back to the mainland daily.
Repair works had begun on eight expansion joints of the bridge in July, which forced road users to ply alternative routes.
The General Manager,
Metro Maritime Services Limited (Metro Ferry), Mrs. Freda Adetula,
confirmed that the number of passengers plying waterways had increased.
She said more residents
in the state had resorted to water transport system to get to their
various destinations due the partial closure of the Third Mainland
Bridge.
She said the number had jumped from between 700 to 800 normally recorded to over 1, 500 daily.
Adetula further said
passengers preferred to travel by water since the roads were clogged
with vehicles, while the waterways were “free and extremely economical.”
She said, “To travel with a ferry from Ikorodu to the island takes about 45 minutes, while a speed boat takes 25 minutes.
“We have 27 boats of
different sizes, aside those from other operators, and they are always
filled with passengers, particularly when they are going to work in the
morning and returning in the evening. It is more comfortable travelling
by water, unlike the stress experienced when in traffic on the roads.”
She however decried the
challenges facing ferry operators, stressing that they needed government
intervention because they were man-made.
She said, “The
challenges are enormous. We battle with the wastes disposed in water,
water hyacinth and logs of timber transported from Ondo State through
the waters. We are still waiting for government intervention.”
Marinho however said the
state government had met with wood merchants along the waterways to set
modalities on their operations, adding that it was set to punish erring
loggers.
The maintenance exercise on the bridge was scheduled to last four months.
FG will prosecute more suspects —Jonathan
President
Goodluck Jonathan has talked tough as the Federal Government digs
deeper into the fuel subsidy scam, promising that more suspects will be
prosecuted.
His avowal on Friday,
came even as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned five
out of the 20 suspects at the Lagos High Court last Thursday.
Among the suspects
arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was Mahmud
Tukur, son of the National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Bamanga
Tukur. Also, Mamman Ali, son of a former national chairman of the PDP,
Ahmadu Ali, was charged.
The president spoke through his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, in Abuja.
Abati told SUNDAY PUNCH
in an exclusive interview that the president was very serious about the
prosecution of the subsidy scam suspects and that he promised to expose
or prosecute more fraudsters.
When asked about the
feelings of the president on the arraignment of the son of Tukur and
that of Ali, the presidential spokesman said, “What their arraignment
means is that the president is not ready to spare anybody as he has been
promising Nigerians.”
He explained that, “More people other than those who are currently being prosecuted will be arraigned.”
“Since these cases are already getting to the court, we can no longer be talking extensively on them.”
He further said, “The
arraignment is just confirming what the President has been saying that
there will be no sacred cow in the anti-corruption war.
“The president is committed to fighting corruption and he will definitely walk his talk.”
A committee set up by
the president headed by Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Managing Director of
Access Bank Plc, had recommended that about N382bn, fraudulently
siphoned from public treasury be recovered.
This came after three FG’s committees had verified fuel subsidy transactions.
But government’s action
was preceded by a House of Representatives probe of fuel subsidy
management in the country, in April, which reported a fraud of N1.07trn
by marketers and those in government.
The House report was submitted to the president for implementation.
While the House, on
Friday, welcomed government’s harmonisation of its report with that of
Aig-Imoukhuede, it however, cautioned against what it described as
“half-hearted” prosecution, influenced by political manipulations.
However, all the committees made far-reaching recomm-endations. In all, about 140 firms may face charges for subsidy fraud.
The Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, told SUNDAY PUNCH that government took the right step by commencing the prosecution of suspects.
He said, “It is to the
credit of the House that we investigated the rot called fuel subsidy,
which was a drain on the nation’s economy.
“However, the prosecution must be thorough; it must be pursued to a logical conclusion. It should not be a half-hearted affair.”
Mohammed noted that the
difference in the number of firms and persons recommended for
prosecution by the government’s three committees and the House Ad hoc
Committee on Monitoring of Subsidy Regime was not the point at issue,
but the commitment to prosecute the suspects.
While the House
committee recommended about 45 firms for prosecution, the three
committees set up by government put up about 140 firms for trial.
“What is important is that let people be punished for the crime they committed against the Nigerian people”, Mohammed said.
According to the House
spokesman, the list the office of the Attorney-General of the
Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, is using to prosecute the offenders is a
“harmonised report.”
“There are three reports
now, the Aigboje Imoukhuede report, the House report and one other
administrative report – all on fuel subsidy matter.
“As the AG said, government has harmonised all the reports; they are using a sort of hybrid report now.
“So, the number is expected to be higher than what the House submitted.
“The House is happy that something is happening, that is our aim”, Mohammed added.
However, the House probe
assumed a dramatic twist when oil magnet, Mr. Femi Otedola, in June
disclosed that he paid $620,000 bribe to the chairman of the House Ad
hoc committee panel on the subsidy probe, Mr. Farouk Lawan, and Mr.
Emmanuel Emenalo, who had acted as clerk to the panel.
Farouk admitted
collecting the money, but claimed that he played along to expose
Otedola. But the lawmaker in the House whom he claimed to have given the
cash to keep, had publicly denied him.
The Police in Abuja investigating the
matter are not clear on which way to go on the matter, following
non-recovery of the $620,000.
Nigeria not for PDP alone —Bishops
The Prelate of the
Anglican Church, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, on Friday in Abuja asked the
Federal Government to focus on “tackling corruption and other social
vices in the country rather than embarking on constitutional amendment
process.”
Also the Bishop of Kubwa
Diocese, Rt. Rev. Duke Akamisoko, warned that politicians should not
take Nigerians for a ride because “Nigeria is not for Peoples Democratic
Party alone.”
Both of them said these
during the first session of the second synod organised by the Diocese of
Kubwa, Abuja, with the theme, “Behold to obey is better than
sacrifice.”
Okoh who condemned the
demolition of low income houses by the Federal Capital Territory
Administration and eviction of residents from the federal capital city
said, “No country is only built for the rich.”
According to him,
Nigerians are innately corrupt and the enforcement of the existing laws
is in the country remains the greatest challenge in Nigeria.
“It is not so much the problem of constitution but people are dedicated to evil,” he added.
In the same vein, Akamisoko warned that politicians should not take Nigerians for granted.
“People need to repent. We need to be righteous,” he said.
“No nation can prosper
with disobedience. No nation can survive when its leaders are known for
disobedience. We are a nation of disobedience. We have leaders who do
not obey the law. Lawlessness is happening every day and everywhere in
this country.
“Our politicians should know that this
country belongs to all of us and not for PDP alone. We are all
stakeholders in this country. Some of us are more Nigerians than them.
How long will the PDP last?”
Ramadan essay competition
The
wife of the governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, through one
of her initiatives, Spouses of State Government Functionaries
Association, has organised an essay writing, quiz competition and
Quranic recitation for school children in all the 20 local government
areas of the state.
According to a statement
by the Coordinator of the Essay Writing/Quiz Competition & Quranic
Recitation, Dr. Rashidat Salisu, the contest aims at providing
opportunities for school children to enhance their knowledge of Islam
and inculcate the virtues of the month of Ramadan.
Salisu said the topics for the essay
writing competition for Junior Secondary Schools category is, ‘The
Social, Moral and Spiritual Benefits of Ramadan’ while that for Senior
Secondary Schools category is ‘Maximising the Gains of Ramadan.’
Nigeria’s quest for medals begins today
The
Nigerian men’s basketball team and canoeist Johny Akinyemi will be
making their Olympic debuts on Sunday, reports ’TANA AIYEJINA
Nigeria’s men’s basketball national
team, D’Tigers, will play their first ever match at the Olympics on
Sunday (today) when they file out against fellow African
representatives, Tunisia, at the Basketball Arena, London.
The match is historic because it is both
African countries first appearance in the event and it is the first
time Africa will be producing two basketball men’s teams in the
Olympics.
D’Tigers are pooled in Group against giants, the United States of America, Argentina, France, Lithuania and Tunisia.
Group B features Australia, Brazil,
China, Great Britain, Russia, and Spain. The top four teams from each
pool advance to the quarterfinals, which take place August 8, followed
by the semi-finals on August 10 and then the finals on August 12.
The Nigerians, ranked No. 21 in the
world, claimed the final Olympic berth for the first time ever with a
win over the Dominican Republic in the third-place game during the
qualifiers in Venezuela after finishing second in the FIBA Qualifying
Tournament.
Before that, Nigeria had erased a
12-point half time deficit and shocked highly-favoured Greece in an
80-79 stunner in the quarterfinals.
Nigeria also defeated Lithuania, the
world’s fifth-best team, in the tournament, on the way to sealing the
historic ticket, which some have described as the ‘ninth wonder of the
world.’
After Nigeria emerged third in FIBA
Africa tournament last year with largely players from the domestic
league, coach Ayo Bakare applied the ‘foreign theory’ for the final
qualifiers in Venezuela and it paid off tremendously.
The team has had recent success
internationally due to Bakare’s inclusion of American college and
professional players of Nigerian descent in the side. There are only
three Nigerian-born players on the 12-man roster; the others have dual
citizenship through their parents.
However, when the Nigerians enter the
court on Sunday (today), they’ll be immediate underdogs. Nigeria is the
third-lowest ranked squad in the basketball event, ahead of only Tunisia
(No. 32) and hosts Britain (No. 43).
New Orleans Hornets’ Al-Farouq Aminu is
the only NBA player in the squad while Ike Diogu, now based in China,
had played in the NBA, for several years.
The others are made up of former college players with playing experience overseas.
But Chamberlain Oguchi believes it will
count in their favour against USA who have all their players in the NBA
and other group opponents France, who have six NBA players. Lithuania
have one player in the NBA while Tunisia doesn’t have any.
“Playing college ball in the States
helped us understand each other a little better from a basketball
chemistry standpoint,” Oguchi told usatoday.com.
“It helps because we had similar styles of coaching. We meshed and it seemed like we just clicked together.
“This is the best team chemistry I’ve
seen on this team and I’ve been playing on (the Nigerian) team since I
was 19 years old. Nobody is out there for individual glory. That’s what
makes this so special. We’re focused on one goal, and that’s winning. I
consider myself a winner and it’s been an honor to play with a group of
guys who want to win.”
Diogu is competing in the Nigerian
national team for the first time and he had to wait for FIBA to clear
him since he played previously for the US.” But he believes he can
achieve success with his fatherland.
“I think we’re capable of beating top-ranked teams, we’ve proven that,” he said.
“We just have to stick to our style of
basketball. We’re athletic and we need to rebound. We play well together
on both ends. Most of all, we’re battle-tested.
“We’re trying to shock the world. We’re trying to put Nigerian basketball on the map.”
Point guard, Anthony Skinn, admits that they are underrated but insists they can cause upsets.
“A lot of people didn’t expect us to be
here (London). But we’re not finished yet. We have a constant chip on
our shoulder,” he said.
The Tunisians, who are also making their
debut at the Olympics, won’t be easy opponents for the Nigerians and
are in high spirits after they defeated Great Britain’s men’s basketball
team 73-69 in Antwerp, Belgium, in a warm-up game before the Olympics.
In fact, the North Africans, ranked 37th
in the world, recorded the biggest upset during the qualification for
the Olympics when they defeated Africa’s foremost side Angola to win the
FIBA Africa tournament and the continent’s only automatic spot.
D’Tigers must watch out for Tunisia’s
best player and the Most Valuable Player of the FIBA Africa tournament,
7’1’ center Salah Mejri.
Mejri scored 21 points, grabbed 15
rebounds and blocked three shots in the 67-56 win over Angola and he is
the only member of the Tunisian squad that plays professionally in
Europe, with Antwerp Giants of Belgium.
Oguchi knows that after the Tunisian
game, he has a greater task guarding the likes of LeBron James, Kobe
Bryant or Kevin Durant, when D’Tigers meet the USA.
“They’ll have to match up with me,” he
said jokingly. “I respect those guys, I admire them. Before and after
the game, I’ll be honoured. But on the court, they’re my enemy. We know
we can take down the power houses of the world. We’re not here to just
compete; we’re here to get a medal.”
CANOEING
Nigeria will also be making her debut in
canoeing in the Olympics courtesy of Johny Akinyemi, who takes to the
waters on Sunday in search of Olympic glory.
The 23-year-old shares a major attribute
with his basketball compatriots. Akinyemi has lived and trained in the
Cheshire town of Warrington in England all his life but will become
Nigeria’s first Olympic slalom canoeist at London 2012, having beaten
the Beijing 2008 bronze medallist, Benjamin Boukpeti of Togo during the
qualifiers in South Africa earlier in the year to secure his place.
Akinyemi’s greatest challenge will come from the Eastern European countries but he is working hard towards winning a medal.
He said, “I have been training so hard
to get within the medal range and win a medal. It will be great to win a
medal for Nigeria,” he said.
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