Page 1540 – The New Diplomat

Breaking: Punch Chairman, Aboderin Dies After Heart Surgery

'Dotun Akintomide

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May 31, 2018

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Breaking: Punch Chairman, Aboderin Dies After Heart Surgery

Mr. Gbadebowale Wayne Aboderin, the chairman of Punch newspapers is dead. He was 60 years old.

His death was announced today by the newspaper.

The newspaper said Aboderin died early today after a heart surgery at the First Cardiology Consultants, Ikoyi, Lagos.

He attended the Government College, Ibadan and trained as a pilot in the United States.

He was also Chairman Punch Commercial Printing Limited and Lukahed Properties Limited.

A sports enthusiast and philanthropist, he was the founder and chairman of the Dolphins Female Basketball Foundation, and also a former chairman of the Lagos State Basketball Association.

He was a one-time vice-president of the Nigerian Basketball Supporters Club.

He is survived by his wife, Titilayo, and children.

Breaking: Real Madrid Coach, Zinedine Zidane Resigns

Hamilton Nwosa

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May 31, 2018

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Breaking: Real Madrid Coach, Zinedine Zidane Resigns

Zinedine Zidane has resigned from his position as Real Madrid coach.

The French coach decided to throw in the towel after winning an unprecedented third consecutive Champions League trophy last weekend.

Zidane is one of the only three managers, along with Carlo Ancelotti and Bob Paisely, to have won the UEFA European Cup three times having guided Real Madrid to Champions League glory in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Zidane, 45, told a news conference at the Bernabeu Stadium he had “taken the decision not to continue next year.”

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was on Thursday present alongside Zidane when the announcement was made. Zidane who took charge of the club in January 2016.

He leaves having guided the Spanish club to three successive Champions League titles and one La Liga success.

More details to follow…

6m People Die Globally Every Year From Smoking, Says WHO

'Dotun Akintomide

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May 31, 2018

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6m People Die Globally Every Year From Smoking, Says WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) latest data says that smoking is responsible for the death of about six million people across the world each year with many of the deaths occurring prematurely.

According to the report, no fewer that 1.1 billion people are smokers in the world today, the same number as at the turn of the century.

WHO’s ‘Global Report on Trends in Prevalence of Tobacco Smoking 2000-2025’, coincided with World No Tobacco Day 2018 observed every May 31.

The report states: “Tobacco is the only legal drug that kills many of its users when used exactly as intended by manufacturers.

“WHO has estimated that tobacco use (smoking and smokeless) is currently responsible for the death of about six million people across the world each year with many of the deaths occurring prematurely.

“This total includes about 600,000 people that are also estimated to die from the effects of second-hand smoking.

“Although often associated with ill-health, disability and death from non-communicable chronic diseases, tobacco smoking is also associated with an increased risk of death from communicable diseases’’.

The global health agency, in the report by health experts, said spreading the message that tobacco caused deadly illnesses such as heart disease and stroke helped prevent “needless” loss of life.

WHO warned that tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke were “major causes” of cardiovascular disease, contributing to three million deaths annually.

It said lack of awareness about the risks of tobacco use was most common in low and middle-income countries.

The report said in China, more than six out of 10 people were unaware that smoking could cause a heart attack while in India and Indonesia, more than half of all adults did not know that the habit could lead to a stroke.

Dr Douglas Bettcher, Director, Department for the Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases at WHO, said tobacco use was falling globally but it still killed more than seven million people a year.

“Progress is uneven in protecting consumers from the tobacco industry,’’ Bettcher said.

He explained that higher income countries were making “faster progress” than their poorer counterparts at protecting consumers, partly owing to stronger regulations.

“In spite of the apparent lack of progress in tackling the total number of smokers, the report highlighted that only one in five people smoked today, compared to more than one in four, 18 years ago.

“The decline was masked by the world’s growing population.’’

On efforts to encourage people to quit, the UN health expert warned that only around 12 per cent countries were on track to meet global targets to reduce by one-third the number of people dying from non-communicable diseases by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals agenda.

In a bid to promote a healthy heart, the WHO wanted every one of its 194 Member States to implement a series of increasingly strict tobacco control measures.

These include making indoor public and workplaces smoke-free and insisting that tobacco packaging carries warnings that demonstrate the health risks for users.

“The good news is that these deaths are preventable and we know what needs to be done,’’ Bettcher said.

He named Ireland and Uruguay as countries that had achieved the highest level of tobacco control before, adding that since 2007, the number of people around the world to have benefited from these measures has more than quadrupled, from one billion to five billion.

NGO Seeks Collaboration With ICPC To Protect Whistle Blowers

Hamilton Nwosa

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May 31, 2018

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NGO Seeks Collaboration With ICPC To Protect Whistle Blowers

The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), an NGO working on accountability and good governance issues, is seeking to collaborate with Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in order to provide adequate protection for whistle blowers.

The coordinator of the NGO, Mr. Chido Onumah, while speaking during a courtesy visit with his team to the Commission, said that a major focus of his organisation was the whistle-blower policy of government: how to help increase awareness for what is expected from the people as well as the kind of reports they should make to ensure the integrity of the policy and also guarantee that whistle-blowers receive adequate protection.

Mr. Onumah said that his NGO was ready to partner with ICPC on the sensitization of the general public towards the policy.

He listed town-hall meetings, radio jingles and the distribution of information and enlightenment campaign materials as some of the enlightenment programmes they have embarked on to educate Nigerians on the whistle-blower policy.

In his response, the acting Chairman of ICPC, Dr. Musa Abubakar, who was represented by Mr. Olusegun Adigun, an Assistant Commissioner said that it was part of the Commission’s mandate to educate and enlighten the public on and against corruption, and that ICPC was ready to collaborate with the organisation.

The acting Chairman also said that there was need for NGOs and Civil Society Organizations to embark on the propagation of government policies in order to create more awareness among the general public.

$1b Security Fund: South-South Governors Demand 13% Derivation

Hamilton Nwosa

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May 31, 2018

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$1b Security Fund: South-South Governors Demand 13% Derivation

South-South Governors have formally demanded 13percent derivation from the Federal Government on the $1billion to be withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account to fund National Security Matters.

In attendance at the meeting were: Bayelsa State Governor, Rt Hon Seriake Dickson, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel and Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt Hon Philip Shaibu.

Briefing journalists after the meeting of the South-South Governors Forum at the Government House Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Chairman of the Forum and Bayelsa State Governor, Rt Hon Seriake Dickson stated that the governors resolved to officially communicate to the appropriate authorities for the constitutional provision of 13 percent derivation to be applied and respected.

Seriake said: “We took the collective view that with respect to the Federal Government’s effort to withdraw $1billion for national security, our position in this zone is in line with the constitutional provision on derivation.

“While we have no objection to the Federal Government spending money on security, including security of this zone, we believe the constitutional provision on 13percent derivation be applied and fully respected.

“We will communicate that to the appropriate authorities so that whatever amount that is withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account, being proceed of crude oil sale is subject to the 13 percent principle enshrined in the constitution. ”

The South-South Governors Forum also called for the withdrawal of the Executive Bill forwarded to the National Assembly, wherein the Federal Government seeks to control the management of waterways.

The South-South Governors declared: “We also agreed that the bill currently making rounds in the National Assembly which we understand is an Executive Bill on management of water resources. We are of the view that the provisions of the bill are offensive and obnoxious.

“We disagree with the centralized control of water resources as we are already dealing with the problem associated with over centralization of our country and we have agreed that the bill should be immediately withdrawn by the Federal Government and further consultations be made on that.”

The South-South Governors further declared their support for restructuring of the country and the devolution of powers to the states.

The governors stated: “Everyone is aware of the ongoing clamour for devolution and a return to essential founding principle of this great country. And we in our meeting resolved as we have been speaking over sometime that we associate fully with the clamour for restructuring, for the clamour for true federalism and for the clamour for devolution of powers that are so concentrated at the centre to the federating units and we have agreed to support ongoing moves in that direction by working with like-minded Nigerians who mean well for the country so that we can all have a stable and prosperous and peaceful nation.”

Ex-Kaduna Gov. Yero, Others Detained By EFCC

'Dotun Akintomide

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May 31, 2018

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Ex-Kaduna Gov. Yero, Others Detained By EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained a former Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Ramalan Yero and former Kaduna Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Mr. Haruna Gaiya.

Yero was detained on Wednesday also alongside a former Minister of State for Power, Mr. Nuhu Way; and former Secretary to Kaduna State government, Mr. Hamza Ishaq.

They have been under investigation by EFCC since 2016, for the role they played in the disbursement of the N750 million PDP campaign fund before the 2015 general election.

Although the four accused persons have been reporting at the EFCC office for some time, in line with the procedure for their investigation, they were however detained when they reported at the commission’s zonal office on Wednesday morning.

The Kaduna zonal spokesman of the EFCC, Mr. Kamaludeen Gebi, said that the four accused persons will be arraigned at a Federal high court sitting in Kaduna on Thursday.

They would be arraigned on charges bordering on money laundering, criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds among others.

The former governor and the three others were at the EFCC office last week Friday and were later released after they were interrogated for over four hours.

Fraud: Ex Gov. Shema’s Case Adjourned Till June 12

Hamilton Nwosa

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May 31, 2018

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Justice Maikaita Bako of the Katsina State High Court has adjourned the case of the former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shehu Shema and three others to the 12th of June, 2018.

The adjournment came as a result of service of a document which the defendants protested that they were not served on time.

It would be recalled that, on the last adjourned date, the prosecution was leading PW1 in evidence during which the defence counsels raised objection on document mentioned by the witness which was not readily available in court at the time.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to today, May 30th for the production of the said document and it’s service on the defendants.
Shema is charged alongside three others, Ibrahim Lawal Dankaba, Sani Hamisu Makana and Ahmed Rufai Safana before the Katsina State High Court for allegedly embezzling over Eleven Billion Naira from the coffers of Katsina State.

When the matter came up today, counsel representing the first defendant, J.B Daudu SAN argued that the matter was not ripe for hearing.

He submitted that on the last adjourned date the prosecution asked for an adjournment to serve the defendants with document which was not readily available in court. He further informed that from 10th April, we didn’t hear from them until the 28th of May, 2018.

In the circumstance, Daudu asked the court for an adjournment to enable them do a background check on the document for the purpose of cross examination.

A.T Kehinde SAN for the second defendant aligned himself with Daudu and so did B.Y Kura SAN for the 3rd defendant and Uyi Igunma for the 4th defendant.

Counsel for the prosecution, Joseph Olatoke SAN urged the court to discountenance the submission of the learned counsels for defendants.

He told the court that the defendants having conceded that the report has been submitted to the commission of enquiry, it means they are aware of the existence of the document which means they had time to do whatever they wanted on the document because they are familiar with the document.

“My Lord would recall that the case was last adjourned because they applied to have a copy of the report. By that token, they are aware that the report became part of this proceeding”. He said.

Olatoke also informed the court that the defendants have also conceded that they were served with the report on the 28th of May 2018.

He added that the document is not a motion that will entitled them 48 hours to respond.
It is only a document that needed to be tendered which means after the document has been tendered and the prosecution finished examination in chief, the defence counsels can choose to cross examine or not.

Daudu and the other defence counsels informed the court that all they are asking is a constitutional right, as stipulated under section 36(6)(b) of the 1999 constitution.
Justice Bako granted the application of the defendants and adjourned the matter to June 12, 2018.

Court Finds Former Taraba Governor, Jolly Nyame Guilty Of Fraud

Hamilton Nwosa

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May 30, 2018

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Court Finds Former Taraba Governor, Jolly Nyame Guilty Of Fraud

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has found a former Taraba State Governor, Jolly Nyame, guilty of some counts in the charge of fraud brought against him.

Mr Nyame was charged on a 41-count for allegedly diverting N1.64 billion while he served as governor of the state between 1999 and 2007.

The prosecution, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, presented various witnesses who alluded to the fact that Mr Nyame approved the diversion of of various funds amounting to over N345 million to a company, Saman global, within five weeks in 2005, among other allegations.

Despite claims by Mr Nyame that he never knew the said company, the court found him guilty of breaching public trust after noting that the ex-governor confirmed approving the memo wherein the order for the transfer of the funds was made.

The court held that Mr Nyame is guilty of over half of the charges.

According to the judge, Adebukola Bankole, the actions of the perpetrators under the watch of the ex-governor can be likened to the story of Alibaba and the 40 thieves

The court is, however, yet to deliver it’s final verdict.

An application by the defendant for a no-case submission was dismissed in March after the judge ruled that Mr Nyame had good reason to enter his defence.

#Russia2018: Buhari Bids Super Eagles Farewell [PHOTOS]

'Dotun Akintomide

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May 30, 2018

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#Russia2018: Buhari Bids Super Eagles Farewell [PHOTOS]

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday received Nigeria’s Super Eagles and their coach Rohr Gernot in Abuja.

President Buhari and VP Osinbajo with the Super Eagles and their coaching crew today

It was at a farewell reception at the Council Chambers in the Presidential Villa, for the national team, before their departure to Russia to take part in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Just In: Salah’s Recovery Falls Short Of Egypt’s World Cup

'Dotun Akintomide

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May 30, 2018

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Just In: Salah’s Recovery Falls Short Of Egypt’s World Cup

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah’s shoulder injury will keep him out of action for three to four weeks, Liverpool’s club physiotherapist has said.

The Egyptian tries to recover in time for the World Cup.

The 25-year-old winger is desperate to play for Egypt in only their third World Cup and their first for 38 years.

“He is sad about what happened but is totally focused on recovery, seeing when he can be ready,” physiotherapist Ruben Pons told Spanish sports newspaper Marca.

Salah was injured during Liverpool’s Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid.

“In principle it will be between three and four weeks but we will try to reduce those dates, that’s the big goal,” he added.

Egypt begins their campaign in World Cup Group A against Uruguay on June 15, before facing hosts Russia on June 19 and Saudi Arabia on June 25.

This means if the Egyptian striker takes four weeks to recover, he could be fit in time for the knock-out phases.

Egypt reached the tournament after Salah scored a 95th minute penalty to help them beat Congo 2-1 in October.

Salah, who scored 44 goals in a sensational first season for Liverpool after joining from Roma, was voted Player of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association this month.

ERA/FoEN Asks UNN To Refuse PMI Foundation Funds

Dotun Akintomide

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May 30, 2018

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ERA/FoEN Asks UNN To Refuse PMI Foundation Funds

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has written to the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), asking it to have nothing to do with the Foundation for A Smoke-Free World created by multi-national tobacco company Philip Morris International (PMI) that is currently actively seeking partners around the world.

ERA/FoEN in the letter dated May 15, 2018 and signed by Nnimmo Bassey, Chair of its board, said it learnt that the Foundation is now in talks with the International Centre for Biotechnology (ICB) – a Category II Center under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) domiciled at the University of Nigeria Nsukka to support alternative livelihoods for Africa’s smallholder tobacco farmers.

The group said it is of the view that if this organisation succeeds in building a base of partners and collaborators, it will endanger years of progress of preventing and reducing tobacco use and nicotine addiction.

The letter was sent to the Vice Chancellor of UNN, Professor Benjamin Ozumba and copies sent to the President of Nigeria, Vice –President, Ministers of Education and Health, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission and the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.

The group said that UNN should follow the honorable path of 17 public health schools in the U.S. and Canada, including Harvard and Johns Hopkins early this year that pledged to refuse any form of research money from the foundation, citing the fact that it is too closely tied to an industry that sells deadly products to millions.

It noted that the Foundation for Smoke-free World was formed to promote research into so-called “reduced-risk” products currently being developed and marketed by PMI and other tobacco companies which will enable PMI to boost its credibility as a legitimate stakeholder in discussions about tobacco risk reduction while still aggressively market Marlboro and other cigarette brands.

PMI has also sued countries acting to implement the policies proven to reduce tobacco use.

The letter adds, “WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) – and not PMI’s alleged ‘harm reduction’ business strategy or its Foundation – represents global consensus on how to prevent and reduce tobacco use and associated death and disease.

PMI’s Foundation is an effort to deflect attention from the company’s efforts to prevent the WHO FCTC from being fully implemented. In fact, an investigative report published by Reuters in July 2017 revealed a massive, secret campaign by PMI to undermine the WHO FCTC, depicting “a company that has focused its vast global resources on bringing to heel the world’s tobacco control treaty.”

ERA/FoEN alerted that representatives of the Foundation have begun contacting civil society organisations, conference committees and other entities around the world to initiate dialogue, influence these organizations’ agendas, and inform them about potential “funding opportunities.”

While urging UNN to refuse any kind of funding from the foundation, ERA/FoEN said that the ICB and the UNN risks undermining their reputation and credibility by associating with the Foundation.

Ekiti Governorship: Fayemi Resigns As Minister

Hamilton Nwosa

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May 30, 2018

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Ekiti Governorship: Fayemi Resigns As Minister

Dr. Kayode Fayemi has resigned his appointment as Minister of Mines and Steel Development to concentrate on defeating Kolapo Olusola, Governor Ayo Fayose’s deputy, at the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State.

Fayemi tendered his resignation letter to President Muhammadu Buhari three weeks ago, but it officially takes effect from Wednesday, May 30.

Fayemi, who will be the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer in the election having won a rescheduled primary of the party on May 12, will be in office today to address a press conference where he will give account of his stewardship in the ministry and finally sign off at 12:00pm.

To become the Ekiti APC candidate, Fayemi polled 941 votes.

The aspirants who came closest were Segun Oni (481 votes), Kayode Ojo (281), Olufemi Richard Bamisile (179), Oluyede Oluwole (121), and Aluko Daniel Olugbenga (86).

Fayose has already boasted that an “electoral disaster” awaits Fayemi in July, saying: “He will suffer the worst defeat of his political career… after the July 14 election, he will go into political oblivion.”

UPDATED: Dino Melaye Defects To PDP

Hamilton Nwosa

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May 30, 2018

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Senator Dino Melaye on Wednesday made a dramatic appearance at the Senate, declaring his intention to cross-carpet to the other wing of the chamber.

Melaye had been away from the Senate, since over a month, when the Nigerian Police arrested him and he was subsequently admitted at the intensive care unit of the National Hospital, Abuja.

Appearing with clutches and neck support to Wednesday’s plenary, Melaye said he was no longer comfortable sitting on his seat at the wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he would cross over to the wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The lawmaker who is currently representing Kogi West senatorial district, had come under order 14 of the Senate rules (which covers personal privileges and welfare of members of the Senate), thanking his colleagues for standing by him during his ordeal in the hands of the Nigeria Police.

Melaye specially thanked the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, members of the 8th Senate, the Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara and members of the green chamber, for the show of solidarity, saying, “an injury to one is an injury to all”.

He also appreciated the entire Nigerians, “kogites and particularly the good people of Kogi West, young and old, children and the aged” for standing and defending his mandate.

“They stood up for me when I could not stand up, they fought for me and protected my mandate during the failed recall exercise, orchestrated by the Governor of Kogi state”, Melaye said.

The lawmaker specially acknowledged the opposition party, the PDP, for standing by him through strong statements and campaigns that Kogi West electorate should stay off the recall exercise.

Melaye accused the Nigeria Police for attempting to poison him twice, saying, “one, through the application of a chemical substance and the second time through injection. They actually came with an injection but God intervened”.

The outspoken Senator, however, said he would not be deterred by the trauma he went through “and still going through”, vowing to continue to speak out at all times and ask questions when things go wrong.

He said, “The battle to salvage this country from financial scavengers and economic canker worms, to me, is a battle of no retreat, no surrender. We must salvage this country together, we don’t have any other to call our own. As my voice gets better, it will get louder. I shall not cease to ask questions where necessary”.

The Senate, was however, thrown into rowdy session when, Melaye, in his usual dramatic style, requested that a seat be provided for him at the PDP wing, saying, he was no longer comfortable sitting on the APC wing.

His words, “I have a request to you Mr President. Because of the trauma I went through and I’m still going through, I want to seek your indulgence that you will call on the Sergeant-At-Arms to look for a comfortable seat for me on this side of the divide (pointing at the PDP wing).

“I’m no longer comfortable sitting here. So I want to ask the Senate President that you mandate the Sergeant-At-Arms tomorrow to look for a seat for me on this other divide of the chamber.

“Before you do that today, through the help of my walking sticks I will take a comfortable seat close to Papa General, Senator David Mark (PDP), pending when you get me a comfortable seat on this side”.

As soon as he finished speaking, the opposition members in their large numbers welcomed Melaye to their wing with loud ovation as Senator Ben Bruce and others helped him to walk slowly to his new seat.

This, however, didn’t go down well with the ruling APC, as the Majority Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, objected to the movement, saying it was wrong for Melaye to abandon his seat on the mere excuse of not being comfortable.

But the deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, said Melaye had come under an order of personal privileges, and as a member of the Senate, he was entitled to a good treat on matters of welfare and privileges, adding that section 41 of the 1999 constitution as amended also allowed free movement, which the chamber falls within the Nigerian territory.

Ekweremadu was supported by the Minority leader, Goodwill Akpabio, who thanked Melaye for crossing the carpet to the PDP, urging other APC lawmakers to follow suit, “as there are more comfortable seats” yet to be occupied in the PDP wing.

Responding, Senate President , Saraki, who presided over the session, said he didn’t know why Melaye chose to abandon his seat, but he said he has taken note of his request.

Alleged Corruption: Defecting To APC Won’t Stop Your Probe, EFCC Tells Orji Kalu

Hamilton Nwosa

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May 30, 2018

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Alleged Corruption: Defecting To APC Won’t Stop Your Probe, EFCC Tells Orji Kalu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has insisted that the fact that a former governor of Abia State, Mr Orji Kalu, changed his political party won’t stop the alleged corruption case involving him.

Spokesperson for the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said on Tuesday during his appearance on Channels Forum, a Channels Television programme which brings opinion leaders and policymakers together to discuss and find solutions to Nigeria’s problems.

N3.2bn Corruption Trial: Witness Refuses To Testify Against Orji Kalu

The EFCC had charged Mr Kalu with fraud allegations running into billions of naira when he served as governor of Abia State.

In January, A legal practitioner, Kingsley Ekwem, declined to testify as a prosecution witness in the trial of the former governor and two others over an alleged N3.2billion fraud.

Kalu has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while members of the opposition party have continued to accuse the APC government of a one-sided anti-corruption war.

Uwujaren, however, maintained that the alleged corruption case against the former governor is ongoing, stressing that joining the APC folk has no effect on the matter.

He said, “Yes, Orji Kalu has left the PDP to APC; but that does not mean that his case under prosecution has stopped. I can recall that on May 11, the prosecution closed its case in that matter.

“That case is going on and I don’t see how political association can affect the matter that is being prosecuted in court. It has nothing to do with the corruption allegations against him.”

The EFCC spokesman further responded to the allegations of a one-sided anti-corruption fight and asked Nigerians to be wary of the credibility of such accusation.

He explained that the anti-graft agency goes through a process before a case can be prosecuted and such is based on the strength of the evidence it has.

Uwujaren noted that those who are being prosecuted by the EFCC are used to crying foul, insisting that nobody is being prosecuted because he or she belongs to a particular political party.

He said, “If you are alleged to be corrupt, the question we should ask is ‘does the EFCC has the evidence to prosecute you?’ We should not be concerned about whether somebody is in APC or is in PDP.”

“The issue is ‘did you violate the law; did you commit an offence?’ if you commit an offence then the agency should have the liberty to take you to court. It will not be a matter of vindictiveness, it should be a matter that is based purely on evidence and that is what we are doing,” the EFCC spokesman added.

He further disclosed that the EFCC has identified some cases which it believes it has enough evidence to prove in court and it has begun to prosecute them.

Uwujaren reiterated that belonging to a political party does not mean corrupt individuals are immune from prosecution, pointing out that the immunity applies to only the four categories of officials provided by the constitution.

Fayose Dismisses Ex-Minister’s Defection to APC

Hamilton Nwosa

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May 30, 2018

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Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti says the defection of former Minister of State for Works, Dayo Adeyeye, from the PDP to APC will not affect the party’s fortune.

The governor made the disclosure in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media, Lere Olayinka, in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday.

Mr Fayose said Mr Adeyeye’s defection to the All Progressives Congress had merely confirmed his earlier position that he was never a loyal and committed member of the Peoples democratic Party.

According to him, “I am not bothered by the action taken by the former aspirant in the just concluded PDP governorship primary election in the state”.

“His move to APC will not in any way affect us. This is because majority of those he thought were behind him did not defect with him.

“In fact, one of his two party agents for the last primary is still with us in PDP and you know what that means.

“If somebody is your party agent and could not go with you to another party, it tells a lot and even as he is moving from PDP, many others from APC are coming to us, so we have nothing to lose with his defection,” he said.

The governor said that he held no grudge against him because he had the right to move from one political party to the other adding that he wished him well in his new party.

“While he was the PDP national spokesman, he had spoken terrible things against the APC and he has now gone to join the same party,” Mr Fayose said.

Real Reasons Why nPDP Is Threatening To Dump APC

'Dotun Akintomide

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May 30, 2018

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By ‘Dotun Akintomide

Reasons have emerged why chieftains of the new People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) bloc within the All Progressives Congress (APC) are increasingly becoming unhappy with the party, forcing their meeting with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo Monday.

According to The Nation on Wednesday, some of the complaints nPDP asked the presidency to look into include: Saraki’s trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT); sidelining of Speaker Dogara and Senator Kwankwaso from APC ward and local government congresses in Bauchi and Kano states.

And the alleged persecution of ex-nPDP members by anti-graft agencies and Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris.

On Monday, the members of the nPDP that attended the meeting with Osinbajo-led federal delegates were Senate President Bukola Saraki, Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Aminu Tambuwal, Sokoto Governor; Abdulfatah Ahmed, Governor of Kwara; Rabiu Kwakwanso, former Kano Governor among others.

Spokesman of the group, Kawu Baraje, told State House correspondents that the meeting was a good beginning, but they were looking forward to also meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Members of the nPDP had written a letter to the party copying the President and the Vice-President.

“So the party had invited us earlier on and now it is the turn of the Vice-President, probably the next one will be the President,” Baraje said.

Furthermore, the meeting raised an eight-man panel to resolve the lingering issues before APC’s national convention in June

The panel will comprise four members each from both sides.

Osinbajo is leading the presidency’s four members on the panel but the nPDP has yet to submit its list.

Other members of the presidency’s team include Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and APC Deputy National Chairman (North) Lawal Shuaibu.

Ekiti Guber: Fayemi Picks Adubiaro As Running Mate

Nigeria

Hamilton Nwosa

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May 30, 2018

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Ekiti Guber: Fayemi Picks Adubiaro As Running Mate

Ekiti State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has picked Alhaja Habibat Adubiaro as his running mate in the July 14 governorhsip election in the state.

It was gathered that Adubiaro, who is the president of the Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN),has served as a commissioner for Women Affairs.

The Ado-Ekiti born woman is also a senior lecturer at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.

The choice of Adubiaro as running mate to the APC’s governorship candidate came few weeks after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekitri picked the immediate past Chairman of Ado Local Government, Kazeem Deji Ogunsakin, as the running mate to its governorship candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola.

Ogunsakin, 39, was said to have been picked after the PDP’s extensive consultation with various stakeholders, including the youths and the Muslim community in the state.

From the development, it appears both the APC and the PDP are sheming for votes from Ado Ekiti, considerd to be the most populated council with the largest votes in the state.

Nigerian Female Peacekeeper, Others Get UN’s Medals

Hamilton Nwosa

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May 30, 2018

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Nigerian Female Peacekeeper, Others Get UN’s Medals

Cdr. Olufunmilayo Amodu, serving with the UN Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), has been decorated with medal for her outstanding service.

She was decorated with the medal by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday.

The UN will also honour three fallen Nigerian peacekeepers on June 1, at the UN headquarters in New York.

They are Lt. Col. Ali Suleiman, who served with the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Others are Warrant Officer Remmy Amakwe, who was deployed with the African Union–United Nations Mission in Darfur; and Mr Kolawole Shogaolu, who served in a civilian capacity in the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali.

NAN reports that the honour is an acknowledgement of the contribution of Nigeria to UN Peacekeeping Operations to ensure global peace and security.

The decoration was part of activities to honour the service and sacrifice of peacekeepers around the world to mark the 2018 International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

Guterres also awarded a medal to appreciate the outstanding service of Maj. Mohammad Khan from Bangladesh, a military staff officer based at MINUSMA Force headquarters.

Speaking after receiving the award, Amodu said: “The medal is very important. It symbolises what it is to be a peacekeeper at MINUSMA. Receiving it from the Secretary-General is a very unique privilege.

“The terrorists are not relenting in what they are doing. And obviously, we are not backing out in what we have come to do”, she added, underscoring the worrying security situation in Mali.

She further said: “The UN is all about peace. And when there is peace, there is development.

“When there is peace, there is promotion of technology. When there is peace, every other thing works the way it should work.

“And for any person who would want to join MINUSMA, you should have at the back of your mind that when you are coming, it is to support the peace process.”

NAN reports that more than one million men and women have served under the UN flag, saving countless lives just as over 3,700 blue helmets have paid the ultimate price over the past seven decades.

Troops with the mission have increasingly become the target of attacks.

Meanwhile, Guterres attended a ceremony at MINUSMA’s base in Bamako where he paid tribute to fallen peacekeepers and laid a wreath at the memorial inside the camp, engraved with the names of those killed in the service of peace.

“Dear peacekeepers, you have demonstrated that you are capable of all forms of sacrifice. For many of your colleagues, this has meant the supreme sacrifice of giving their lives to protect the lives of Malian civilians.

“I want to thank you very much for this effort; these sacrifices, to pay tribute to you, and to say how proud I am to work with you.

“As peacekeepers, you are the foremost symbol of the United Nations itself”, Guterres said.

Also, Mahamat Annadif, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Mali and Head of MINUSMA, said that honouring the fallen “warms the hearts of their comrades and encourages us to continue to defend even more resolutely the values of the United Nations”.

Guterres was accompanied on his visit to Mali by Under Secretary-General for Field Support, Atul Khare, Head of UN Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and the Executive Director of UN Children’s Fund, Henrietta Fore.

He was received at the airport by Malian President Ibrahim Keita.

He was also scheduled to meet with Keita and other Malian officials as well as UN officials working in the country.

UN has declared the north-west African country as the most dangerous place in the world to be a ‘blue helmet’ as 21 troops and seven civilians serving with MINUSMA died in 2017. (NAN)

Ngige: New Minimum Wage Not Feasible In September

'Dotun Akintomide

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May 30, 2018

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Ngige: New Minimum Wage Not Feasible In September

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has said that the new national minimum wage may not materialise in September as being speculated.

Ngige, who disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday at his residence in Abuja, said that the September date was just a date to conclude negotiation on the issue of minimum wage.

“The committee on the new National Minimum wage is expected to conclude its work by the end of September and present its report to the government for deliberation and approval before an executive bill is sent to the National Assembly on the issue”.

The minister, however, said that the issue of capacity to pay was also paramount in the deliberations on the minimum wage.

According to him, it is to get the input of all those concerned including state governments and the organised private sector that the committee embarked on zonal public hearing across the country.

The minister said further that in the course of the zonal public hearings, many state governments made different submissions ranging from N22,000 monthly to N58,000.

He added that the governors were also of the belief that for the new minimum wage to become effective, the current revenue allocation formula would have to be reviewed in favour of the states and local government.

He said that some other states were also of the view that the minimum wage should be maintained at the current N18,000 in view of the inability of some states to pay the current wages.

According to Ngige, when the minimum wage committee concludes its report, it will be submitted to the National Council of State and the Federal Executive Council for approval before a bill is sent to the National Assembly to legalise the work of the committee.

He said even though it was not an easy task, the committee was making progress in its assigned responsibility.

He pointed out that six governors were elected to be members of the committee as well as representatives of the private organised sector in an effort to carry everybody.

On the threat of non-teaching staff of universities to resume their suspended strike as a result of government failure to honour the terms of their agreement, the Minister said the government was sourcing for the N6 billion needed to pay them their earned allowances as contained in the agreement.

He said with his experience as Minister of Labour, majority or about 95 per cent of agreements currently being paraded by trade unions in the country were signed before the Buhari government came into office in 2015.

Based on this, he noted that most of such agreements had no timeline for implementation.

He also said many of the agreements signed by the past governments were not implementable because of the amount involved.

He added that the principles of the International Labour Organisation allowed employers to renegotiate agreements, when they feel they cannot implement.

“What is important in all collective bargaining agreement is the ability to pay what is being demanded and what is agreed upon.

He appealed to striking health workers to return to work while negotiations continue on their demands.

According to the minister, the delay in the implementation of their signed agreement was as a result of failure of the National Salaries, Wages and Income Commission to defend the two different figure presented to a government high powered committee.