Man United: I Have Been Judged Harshly, Says Mourinho

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October 21, 2017

Jose Mourinho says he is judged by a different set of standards from his rival managers in the Premier League because of his previous successes but insists that criticism does not upset him.

The Manchester United manager was widely criticised for his approach in grinding out a goalless draw against Liverpool at Anfield last weekend.

The approach was compared, unfavourably, with that of Pep Guardiola, whose league leaders Manchester City have been playing a scintillating brand of football, beating Stoke 7-2 on the same day.

But a midweek Champions League win at Benfica stretched United’s unbeaten start to the campaign to a dozen games, 10 of them victories, and Mourinho, whose side had been scoring freely before the Liverpool match, believes he has become a victim of his own success.

“I think it’s my fault, because people are used to my teams getting good results and winning titles,” said Mourinho.

“Other people have more time than I have. Other people have different standards than I have and that’s not a problem for me at all.

“We are going to lose matches, that’s obvious, and I can imagine we are going to have even more criticism than we have now.”

Mourinho, whose side lie second in the Premier League table, two points behind Manchester City after eight matches, said the criticism was not a problem for him.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

“In relation to the last match, speaking about the Champions League I would like to know — because I don’t know — when United last won two consecutive matches away?

“I would like to know the last time United won nine points from three matches in the Champions League? We are doing OK.”

Mourinho found himself unwittingly embroiled in a war of words with Antonio Conte this week after his comments that certain managers complain about injuries to key players were relayed to the Chelsea manager, who responded angrily.

“I don’t speak to him. I don’t know why he speaks to me. That’s no problem,” said Mourinho, whose team travel to Huddersfield on Saturday.

“Maybe it’s not his fault. Maybe it’s the journalists’ fault when probably they’ve passed him a wrong message.

“I know what I said after the match, which is the reality. There are managers all over the world that, by philosophy, they prefer to speak about injuries, prefer to try to find excuses of a hypothetical failure based on injuries.

“I moan and cry about other things. I moan about the fixtures, moan about no time to rest. I moan about why I don’t understand why we play Saturday after Wednesday when we should play Sunday.”

Veteran forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic is making progress in his recovery from surgery on a knee ligament injury and is expected to return before the end of the calendar year while Mourinho said he was unsure when Paul Pogba would be back in action.

JAMB Adopts CCTV to Monitor Exams

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 21, 2017

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) would continue to deploy CCTV devices during its examinations, the Registrar, Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, has said.

At the sideline of the two-day International Summit on Examination Malpractice on Friday in Lagos, he said the devices were deployed for the first time during the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

JAMB, he said would further consolidate on its quest for quality, equity and integrity.

The summit, organised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), has as its theme: “Examination Malpractice;the Contemporary Realities and Antidotes”.

“There will be no compromise whatsoever. Without the deployment of the CCTV, one will just be making a mockery of the Computer Based Test (CBT).

“This devise has ensured that even if a cheating candidate was not caught during the examination, such candidate will be caught after the examination.

“We will continue to ensure that with education, one can achieve everything and without it, one can achieve nothing.

“It therefore goes to tell you that each one of us, must strive to achieve what is good, giving the significance of life and living,” he said.

He added that examination malpractice was a general malaise the world over noting that it was a global phenomenon that must be tackled urgently.

“I have statistics with me which shows that what we have here in Nigeria as far as examination malpractice is concerned is a child’s play when compared to what is happening in other climes.

“Today with the aid of technological devices for cheating such as smart watches and others the phenomenon is becoming alarming.

“But in our own case, as these children are getting wiser, we too are getting ahead of them.

“In fact, it is in line with this kind of development that the board has concluded arrangements to create centres for examination malpractice devices for future examinations,” he said.

Oloyede also called for adequate preparations and course ware development in order to stamp out the trend. (NAN)

2018 Budget: FG to Spend N8.06 trn

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Hamilton Nwosa

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October 21, 2017

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The federal government plans to spend the sum of N8.6 trillion in 2018, going by the details of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, submitted to the National Assembly in the week.

This indicates about 15.5 percent increase over 2017 figure of N7.44 trillion. The expenditure would be financed through an estimated federal government’s revenue estimated at N5.65 trillion, about 11 percent or N562.50 billion increase over the 2017 estimate of N5.08 trillion, in addition to a borrowing plan that is expected to fund a budget deficit put at N3.52 trillion in 2018.

According to the MTEF, 43.2 per cent of this is projected to come from oil sources, while the balance is to be earned from non-oil sources. As contained in the MTEF, “Fiscal deficit will be maintained within the 3% level stipulated by the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 but at an average of about 1.93% of GDP, but declining to less than 1% by 2020. “Debt financing will be restructured gradually in favour of foreign financing, while domestic financing is deemphasized.

Thus, while the proportionate share of foreign financing will increase from the current level of about 28% to almost 72% in 2020, domestic financing will decrease gradually from about 54% in 2016 to about 26% in 2020. This will prevent the crowding out of the private sector, and accord private capital a leading role in driving growth.

“This provision exceeds 2017 aggregate expenditure estimate of N7.44 trillion by 15.5% (or about N1.16 trillion). Of the total expenditure estimates, up to N2.60 trillion (inclusive of capital in transfers) is targeted at capital expenditure, representing 30.0% of the budget. “The allocation of this resource among the various spending Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) of government is driven by government’s execution priorities and strategic focus outlined in the ERGP. Over the medium term, government will continue to focus on critical sectors that quickly turn-around real sector growth.

“A provision of N1.93 trillion has been made in the medium term to address the constraints which had previously incapacitated the power sector in line with the PSRP. Other key spending includes personnel cost which is estimated at N2.12 trillion and debt service of N2.03 trillion,” Expenditure Efficiency The federal government pledged to be efficient in spending, saying procurements would be approved by the Efficiency Unit, before releases would be made. It said, “Government is committed to improving the efficiency and quality of spending.

Thus, public expenditure will be properly scrutinized to ensure value for money. To achieve this, the budget formulation process will be strengthened, while overhead expenditure provisions will be guided by recommendations of the Efficiency Unit, capital projects will be evaluated for consistency with ERGP Implementation Plan (ERGP-IP) as well as set performance indicators. “Thus, over the next three years, the legal and regulatory framework will be strengthened to improve the relationship between expenditure and outcomes.” Bench Mark According to the document, “Crude oil prices rose by 8% in the first quarter of 2017, averaging almost $53/pb.

Prices are projected to range from $50 to $60/bbl in 2018 as the market regains balance, with shale production limiting larger price gains.

“The price of Nigeria’s Bonny Light crude oil price rebounded from an average of $44.08 in the international oil market in 2016 to about $51.5 in the first half of 2017 (Figure 5.2). However, the market price declined by $4.21 from $54.98 in January 2017 to $50.77 in May 2017.” Debt The federal government admitted that the nation’s debt has risen in recent times but assured that it was still within the limits allowed by the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

“Nigeria’s public debt has increased significantly in recent years as the Federal Government has increased borrowing to finance its budget deficits. Although the country currently has low debt levels relative to total output, its low ratio to revenue poses substantial risk to the public debt portfolio. Yet the country needs additional resources (including debt resources) to fund economic recovery and diversification.

“Government is cautious of the implications of its expansive fiscal policy programme under a tight revenue profile. The fiscal deficit will be maintained within the 3% level stipulated by the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 but at an average of about 1.93% of GDP, but declining to less than 1% by 2020. “Debt financing will be restructured gradually in favour of foreign financing while domestic financing is deemphasized.

Thus, while the proportionate share of foreign financing will increase from the current level of about 28% to almost 72% in 2020, domestic financing will decrease gradually from about 54% in 2016 to about 26% in 2020. This will prevent the crowding out of the private sector, and accord private capital a leading role in driving growth,” it said. Oil Benchmark for 2018 is put at $53 per barrel, up from the $44. 5 per barrel in the 2017 budget. Oil price averaged about $49. 9 in June this year.

Inflation is estimated to fall to 12.42 in 2018 ; while the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to rise to 3.5 per cent, up from the 1.5 per cent in the current budget.

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Attack on APC Govt: Presidency Fires Back at Jonathan

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 21, 2017

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The Presidency responded to the dismissal of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as a failure by former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying that the former president has no moral ground to criticise Buhari.

Receiving a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship aspirant in the forthcoming national convention of the party, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Jonathan had said the All Progressives Congress (APC) government led by Buhari had not recorded any achievement after two years, adding that the ruling party was feeding Nigerians with lies and propaganda.

“Those who are giving us some kind of names, what have they done?” Jonathan queried, saying that the Buhari government had taken propaganda and lies to professional level.

The former President recalled that his administration was “severely criticised for increasing the pump price of petroleum from N67 to N97 at a time that global crude price was going for over 100 dollars.

“The pump price was later reduced to N87 when the price of crude oil dropped and they attacked us that it was supposed to be lower.

“Those who criticised my administration are not talking again now that the global crude oil is about 53 dollars per barrel and the pump price of petrol is N143.”

But the Presidency yesterday explained to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan why the generality of Nigerians accepted the increase of petrol price from N89 per litre to the current N143 in good faith.

The Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said it was all down to the integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“When petrol went to N145 under PMB, Nigerians held their peace, unlike when they shut the country in 2012. The difference is trust. Simple,” Adesina tweeted yesterday in response to Jonathan’s statement on Thursday.

An APC chieftain, Mr.Osita Okechukwu, also advised Jonathan to quietly retire to any part of the country he chooses and stop challenging the APC and the Buhari government to a public debate.

Okechukwu, who is the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), told The Nation on the phone that the Jonathan Administration failed the nation, leaving major infrastructure to decay while public funds were freely looted.

He challenged the former President to point to any project he was able to complete during his six years in office as President.

Okechukwu said: “The President was very clear that the man (Jonathan) left almost an empty treasury, which is why we have a huge infrastructure deficit.

“The world knows that almost all the infrastructure that Jonathan inherited went bad. We are challenging him to show us one project he completed.

“Is it the Green Field refineries? He told us on May 13, 2010 that he was going to build three green field refineries at $23 billion.

“The contract was awarded to the Chinese under Public Private Partnership. One was to be located in Bayelsa, one in Lagos and the other in Kogi State.

“We challenge him to show us the three green field refineries or tell us where the money he voted for the projects is. I am talking about a time when our Excess Crude Account was in the excess of short $17 billion.

“The Chinese came back and told him they were going to contribute about 80 per cent of the three green field refineries. We have not seen any of them.

“If we had seen the three green field refineries which he publicly announced, the billions we lost in importation of refined petroleum products and the gross unemployment engendered by the looting of that fund would have been avoided, and that is what we are talking about.

“Before and during his regime, there was money voted for the cleaning of Ogoni environment that was degraded by oil spill.

“It is the Buhari regime that started that project now. Did he do anything there? Did he complete the East/West Road? That is a road that covers the nerve centre of the Niger Delta where he comes from.

“If there is any project that he promised to implement and he did, he should tell us.

“Don’t forget that the average price then was about $100 per barrel. I don’t see how he can be calling for a public debate, because I am talking of just one region.

“Even the development he did in the Nigerian airports, is it commensurate with the amount of money voted or the amount of money borrowed? He said he did this or that. Is it commensurate with the amount of money voted?

“If I were in his shoes, I would retire to the village or any city of my choice and keep my cool, because if he talks of a debate, we will bring out what happened during his time.

“The fact that his wife was coming to claim $15 million, saying it was out of her hand work as First Lady and permanent secretary in Bayelsa State. Is it that other Nigerians are not working hard to be worth $15 million? So, let us not go into his matter.

“We are not talking of Diezani who was Minister of Petroleum under his government, who failed to do anything to develop the Niger Delta and rather resorted to illegal accumulation of wealth.

“I have great respect for him as a former President and being gracious enough to accept his defeat. But if he wants to open the vault, then we can go back and open the Pandora box for him. So, let us leave it at that.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State expressed disappointment at the statement made by Jonathan.

Spokesman for the party, Abayomi Adesanya, believes Jonathan has not recovered from the shock of his defeat in the 2015 election.

“For the avoidance of doubt and for clarification that is known to the public though, Jonathan plunged Nigeria into this present quagmire of unprecedented corruption and economic crisis,” Adesanya said.

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Osinbajo, Oyegun, Attend APC Governorship Campaign in Anambra

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 20, 2017

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday flagged off the governorship campaign in Onitsha, the Anambra State capital.

In attendance were the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, the National Chairman of the party, John Oyegun, the APC candidate, Tony Nwoye, the Minister of Labour Chris Ngige, Governor of Bauchi and leader of the campaign committee, Mohammad Abubakar, Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Kaduna Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai, Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong amongst other dignitaries.

All members of the committee called on citizens of the state to join hands and support the APC candidate and ensure his wins the polls, come November 18, 2017.

The candidate, Tony Nwoye also pledged to develop the state and make life easier for the residents, if elected into office.

S/Africa’s President in Trouble After Imo Visit

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Hamilton Nwosa

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October 20, 2017

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(Reuters/NAN) South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it had given President Jacob Zuma till Nov. 30 to make submissions before it.

According to the authority, Zuma’s submission would make it decide whether to reinstate 783 corruption charges filed against him before becoming the president.

The NPA said on Friday that any further representations by the South African president should relate to issues not previously considered by authorities.

The Supreme Court of Appeal had on Oct. 13 upheld a High Adeputises has been driven by bitter fights ahead of a party conference in December where a new leader will be chosen.

“It’s rumours and gossip, and we don’t comment on them at all,” Ngqulunga told Reuters.

Ramaphosa, a trade unionist turned business tycoon, is viewed as the most likely rival candidate to Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the former Chairperson of the African Union and president’s ex-wife.

He has recently stepped up criticism of Zuma’s scandal-plagued government.

Asked in parliament on Thursday whether he might be sacked, Ramaphosa said that he would only accept the president’s decision, if he loses his job.

South Africa will elect a new president in 2019 and whoever the ANC picks in December is likely to take over from 75-year-old Zuma as the country’s leader.

Zuma is under pressure to step down before then with the recent court ruling bordering on the 783 corruption charges against him.

Zuma reshuffled his cabinet again within seven months on Tuesday, sacking a minister from the SACP and appointed his close ally to oversee an opaque nuclear deal.

The development has irked some within the ruling alliance.

Analysts said that Zuma might likely make further changes before December to strengthen his hand into the ANC’s elective conference.

Speculation that he might remove Ramaphosa, who was the ANC’s chief negotiator during the 1990s transition from apartheid, weighed on the rand and bonds.

“Other emerging markets are weaker but not as much as the rand.

“This is because of lingering political uncertainty, especially the rumours about Zuma axing Ramaphosa,” currency dealer at TreasuryOne, Wichard Cilliers said.

Magu Decries Celebration Of Corruption

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 20, 2017

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The acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has condemned the practice of celebrating corruption and corrupt people in the country.
He said Nigerians must continue to expose anyone involved in corrupt practices, saying the anti-graft war was a collective responsibility.

Magu also lamented that those who had been celebrating the treasury looters did not understand the evil in corruption.

BREAKING: Amaechi, Wike’s Fight Get Messier

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 20, 2017

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The fight between the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has got messier, with the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) supported with purpose-built office complex in Port Harcourt, when Amaechi was governor, suddenly given quit notice by officials of Wike’s local government council.

The quit notice came from Obio/Akpor Local Government Council of Rivers state, where Wike, a former Minister of State for Education, hails from, through the council’s Legal Adviser, Victor Owhonda Wokem.

Wike, who is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and most leaders of the PDP decided to declare war against the Commander of F-SARS in Rivers state, Akin Fakorede, a lawyer, for allegedly refusing to support the plans of the PDP during the December 10 last year’s legislative rerun.

Fakorede, who hails from Ekiti State, in a telephone interview, however, declared that the security outfit would never vacate the facility given to it by Amaechi’s govt on August 23, 2012, asking officials of the local government council to desist from making false claims.

While also speaking on the telephone on Friday, the Caretaker Chairman of Obio/Akpor local government council, Goodnews Ozioma Amadi, a member of PDP, who was recently appointed by Wike for three months, with the possibility of being reappointed for another three months, if she performs optimally, in her reaction, said: “It is a legal matter. It is being handled by the council’s Legal Adviser.”

The Rivers state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), through its Publicity Secretary, Chief Chris Finebone, in Port Harcourt, said: “Of course, this is one of the clearest evidence of the war of attrition being waged by Wike and his government against the F-SARS in Rivers State. It is a development foretold by discerning minds.”

Rivers APC also claimed that Wike was fighting F-SARS in the state and Fakorede, because of 2019 elections and the governor’s vice-presidential ambition in 2019, with the state’s commander of F-SARS having earlier allegedly refused to be bribed to support the massive rigging of the December 10 last year’s legislative rerun in Rivers.

The quit notice from Obio/Akpor local government council, located in Rumuodomaya, Port Harcourt, and the reply of F-SARS, both on their colourful letterheads, were obtained on Friday in Port Harcourt.

The quit notice was dated October 18, 2017, signed by the local government council’s legal adviser, was addressed to the commander of F-SARS, Sir Celestine Omehia Road, Rukpokwu, Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State, and titled: “Notice to Vacate and Deliver up Possession of the Property/Premises You Occupy Inside the Obio/Akpor International Market, Rukpokwu Town, Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State.”

Wokem (LG legal adviser) said: “I am directed by the Local Government Council to give you one month notice to vacate and deliver up possession of the premises/property of the Obio/Akpor International Market, which you presently occupy, as a licensee thereof, on or before 30th day of November 2017.

“This directive is borne out of the council’s need to carry out major renovation works at the international market and to put the said property, which you occupy, into full use and purpose for which it was originally acquired and built.

“Take further notice that in the event you fail, refuse or neglect to abide by this notice, the council shall have no option, but to use all available legal means to eject you therefrom and demand consequential damages. Please, be guided accordingly.”

Copies of the Obio/Akpor local government’s quit notice were sent to Wike; the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris; and the Rivers Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed.

The quit notice, which was received by F-SARS, Rivers state on October 19, 2017, was stamped and signed by one of the officials of the security outfit, without the name indicated.

F-SARS, Rivers state, in its reply, dated October 19, 2017, and signed by its commander (Fakorede), a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), accused the officials of Obio/Akpor local government council of being economical with the truth.

The F-SARS’ response had copies sent to Rivers Police Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Port Harcourt and the Officer in Charge (O/C) Legal, State CID, Port Harcourt.

F-SARS said: “I refer to your letter dated October 18, 2017 on the above subject matter and wish to respectfully inform your good office that the Rivers State F-SARS is not in possession or occupation of any premises/property of Obio/Akpor Local Government.

“For the purpose of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, the F-SARS is presently occupying a purpose-built police facility, constructed for the police and officially handed over to the F-SARS, Rivers State on August 23, 2012 by the Rivers State Government, under Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, then Governor of Rivers State.

“You are kindly requested to advise your client to desist from making false claims. Please be advised.”

Fakorede, in yesterday’s telephone interview, also stated that F-SARS purpose-built facility had standard police station, cells, offices and residential quarters for officers and men, among other facilities to enhance the smooth operations of the special security outfit, while declaring that there was no way F-SARS could quit the facility it had been occupying for over five years.

Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, at a news conference in Government House, Port Harcourt, accused Fakorede of taking sides with the leaders of the APC, while calling for his transfer out of the state.

Okah drew the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari, other Nigerians and the international community to the alleged atrocities committed in Rivers by F-SARS, under the command of Fakorede and the alleged deliberate refusal of the IGP, as well as the Police Service Commission (PSC) to reprimand or transfer the commander of F-SARS in the state.

Information commissioner said: “Rivers State government is not after the person of Mr Akin Fakorede, but the odious methods he employs in doing his job and the consequences.”

APC in Rivers, however, accused Wike and his allies of lying outright, in their declaration of war against the hardworking, focused and professional commander of F-SARS in the state.

The main opposition APC in Rivers said: “The accusation by the Rivers State government is complete nonsense. If the police and particularly former Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, were the armed wing of the PDP to tackle the former Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, years back, it does not by any means follow that APC today needs such an aberration or unholy alliance. We are a party of change.

“APC has no special relationship with SARS or any security agency in the colour being painted by Wike and the PDP in Rivers State. We are happy that the Rivers State government and PDP in Rivers State have come out to unveil the real reasons they are battling SARS and its Commander, Akin Fakorede. They have spelt it out that it is all about 2019.

“APC as a political party sensed it all along. We will not be surprised if the police high command already knows why PDP and Wike are whining, huffing and puffing about SARS and Akin Fakorede. Now, it is crystal clear who is politicising security in Rivers State and why the best efforts of the security agencies appear not to be achieving the desired results.”

It will be recalled that Amaechi, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), had been at loggerheads with Wike, his former Chief of Staff (2007-2011), who was the Director-General of Amaechi Re-election Campaign Organisation in 2011, before the then Rivers governor (Amaechi) recommended him (Wike) to the then President Goodluck Jonathan for ministerial appointment in 2011, over who would be Rivers governor in 2015.

Amaechi, an indigene of Ubima in Ikwerre LGA, stated that to ensure equity, justice and fairness in the multi-ethnic state, it would not be proper for another Ikwerre person/Uplander to succeed him in 2015, while opting for a riverine successor, but Wike, also an Ikwerre from Rumueprikom in Obio/Akpor LGA of the state maintained that emphasis should be placed on competence and capability to win elections, not zoning.

Amaechi stuck to zoning between the upland and riverine parts of the state, leading to the emergence of Dr. Dakuku Peterside, from coastal Opobo, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro LGA of the state as the standard bearer of the APC, but he was rigged out, while he got favourable judgment at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, with Wike emerging victorious at the Supreme Court.

Kebbi AG, Dakingari, Bags 70years Over N1.6bn Fraud

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 20, 2017

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The Court of Appeal, Kebbi Division has upturned the judgment of a Kebbi State High Court which discharged and acquitted a Kebbi State Accountant-General, Mohammed Arzika Dakingari, on charges of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence preferred against him and one other by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
He, among other things allegedly used his office as the Accountant-General, Kebbi State for personal enrichment to the tune of N1.6billion.
Dakingari was charged alongside Musa Yusuf, Managing Director, Beal Construction Nigeria Limited; a company owned by him (Dakingari) and used in award various contracts to himself.
Dakingari’s stake in Beal Construction Limited is contrary to civil service regulation which forbids serving officers from owning businesses.
Findings by the EFCC at the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, showed that Mohammed Bashir Mohammed, Anwal Sadat and Nasir Mohammed, all sons of the Accountant-General, are directors of the company (Beal Construction), while two of his brothers, Abduallahi Mohammed and Habibu Mohammed are the other two directors.
The construction company operates two accounts at EcoBank and Unity Bank with Dakingari and Yusuf as signatories to the accounts. However, Dakingari was discovered to operate with two signatures, one in his official capacity as Accountant-General of the state and the other as owner of Beal Construction Company Limited.
Analysis of the accounts revealed a total credit of N1.3billion between May 2012 and September 2013, with most of the receipts coming from the Office of the Accountant-General and the Kebbi State Ministry of Finance.
Some of the contracts executed for the state for which Beal Construction Company received huge payments included the supply of furniture to 66 secondary schools in Kebbi State valued at N987million; the connection of water and drainage system at Kebbi Central Mosque valued at N110million and the building and partitioning of Mohammed Maira Secondary School valued at N247million.
Upon the conclusion of investigation, the EFCC filed a 20-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and abuse of office against Dakingari and Yusuf.
The trial court in its determination of the case convicted and sentenced Yusuf to six months imprisonment while it discharged and acquitted Dakingari.
Dissatisfied, the EFCC approached the Court of Appeal asking it to set aside the judgment of the lower court and convict Dakingari as charged.
The appellate court in its well considered judgment allowed the appeal by the EFCC, convicted and sentenced Dakingari to 7years imprisonment each on 10 of the counts preferred against him by the anti-graft agency. The sentence is, however, to run concurrently.

Judge Hands-off PDP Leadership Tussle Suit

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 20, 2017

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Justice Ibrahim Buba of Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday withdrew from a suit on the leadership tussle in the Ogun Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The judge, who announced his withdrawal from the suit no. FHC/L/CS/1556/17 in the open court, said his decision was based on a petition written against him to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

The suit was filed by the Ogun State delegation to the PDP National Convention.

Listed as plaintiffs are a member of the PDP National Working Committee, Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju, the party’s Youth Leader in Ogun and delegates to the convention — Daisi Akintan and Alhaji Idris Muniru.

Others are the Chairmen of Ijebu North, Ijebu East and Sagamu Local Government Areas of state — Chief (Mrs) Tuke Omotara, Alhaji Badejo Abiodun and Otunba Kola Akinyemi respectively.

Among the 31 defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP and the PDP National Caretaker Committee and its Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi.

The plaintiffs are seeking among other reliefs, a court order restraining INEC from monitoring or supervising any congress of the PDP conducted by the second to sixth defendants for election of any person (s) into the Executive Committee of the PDP in Ogun State.

They also want the court to bar INEC from accepting or recognising any person(s) that emerge from such congress conducted by the defendants or any other officer of the PDP until May 2020 when the tenure of the current executive would expire.

But Justice Buba, who had earlier fixed Friday to hear the case, withdrew himself from the suit, saying he had seen a copy of the defendants’ petition against him in the case file.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some placard-carrying protesters had stormed the court premises, demanding the judge’s withdrawal from the case.

Average Price For Petrol Drops, Kerosene Increases, Says NBS

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 20, 2017

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The average price paid by consumers for Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) dropped by 1.2 per cent year-on-year, the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), has said

According to a report on the NBS website, the Bureau also listed states with the highest and lowest average price of petrol in comparison with the approved government price of N145.

“The average price paid by consumers for PMS decreased by 1.2 per cent year-on-year and increased by 0.1 per cent month-on-month to N144.5 in September 2017 from N144.4 in August 2017.

“States with the highest average price of PMS were Yobe N149.7, Bayelsa N147.1 and Taraba N146.1, while states with the lowest average price of petrol were Abuja N142, Osun N142.8 and Ondo N142.9,’’ the NBS said.

On Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), the Bureau said the “average price per litre paid by consumers for kerosene increased by 17.28 per cent month-on-month.

“It decreased by -8.38 per cent year-on-year to N264.48 in September, 2017 from N225.52 in August, 2017.

“States with the highest average price per litre of kerosene were Plateau N316.67, Yobe N294.44 and Kaduna N294.12.

“States with the lowest average price per litre of kerosene were Abia N240.56, Edo N240.00 and Ekiti N233.33,’’ the NBS said. (NAN)

PHOTO NEWS:Ongoing Efforts To Recover Man Who Jumped Into Lagoon

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 20, 2017

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Pictures showing ongoing efforts by the Lagos State Emergency Agency (LASEMA) to recover a yet to be identified man who jumped into Lagos lagoon around Lekki Toll gate area on Friday morning.

PHOTO CREDIT: LASEMA

According to a statement made available to The New Diplomat by LASEMA, the Agency received the distress call from the LCC officials regarding a man who reportedly jumped into the lagoon around Lekki Toll Gate bridge at about 09:58am this morning. The footage which was captured through the camera when he suddenly pulled off his clothes and shoe while noticing there was no one around him and jumped into the lagoon.

“The Agency immediately activated its emergency response with other stakeholders which includes the Lagos State Waterways Authority, Marine Police, Lagos State Ambulance Services and the Nigerian Police from Maroko Division.

“Although the body is still missing but effort is on going to recover the body by men of the Marine Police and the Lagos State Waterways Authority combing through the waters for over three hours on the possibilty to recover the body with no sign of the body in the water now.”

The General Manager LASEMA Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu said that it would be inappropriate to release the identity of the man but his family has been contacted while all items found on him were also handed over to the Nigerian Police from Maroko Division for further investigation.

He however assures that his officials and other responders are on ground for indication as to how the body will be recovered.

Buhari Wants Trade, Investment Boosted Among D-8 Nations

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 20, 2017

0

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Istanbul urged D-8 leaders to prioritise incentives and measures aimed at increasing trade and investments among member countries.

Speaking at the ninth summit of the D-8, President Buhari said the private sector and business communities in the economic organization must be assisted with incentives to widen economic cooperation among member-states.

‘‘As the D-8, we need to intensify our activities with a view to enhancing various measures and incentives introduced to promote trade and assist the business communities from Member States to invest in our countries and widen our cooperation.

‘‘We need to work hard to establish integrated manufacturing structures and markets. I will like to reiterate the importance of increasing trade and investment among our Member States,’’ he said,

President Buhari also used the occasion of his speech to reiterate Nigeria’s commitment to international trade and development even as he affirmed the country’s readiness to host the Meeting of D8 Ministers of Industry from November 14 – 17 in Abuja.

Highlighting the attractive business and investment opportunities in the country, the President stressed the need for prospective investors to take advantage of the Federal Government’s new policies on trade facilitation.

‘‘Nigeria is committed to, and is actively pursuing a policy of trade and investment facilitation for growth. The gains from trade are reflected in greater competitiveness, improved productivity, job creation, consumer welfare and prosperity.

‘‘Economies that grow fastest and at more sustainable rates are those that actively promote trade and attract investment. We are committed to creating an enabling environment and making Nigeria an attractive place for business and investment,’’ he said.

The President also urged D-8 member countries to support the efforts of the African Union (AU) to establish the first ever single market for trade in goods and services on the continent.

He described the AU-backed Continental Free Trade Area for Africa as a ‘’win-win for all, including member countries of the D-8.’’

‘‘I am pleased to inform you of positive market developments currently in Africa, that will support our efforts as Members of the D-8 to enlarge our markets, facilitate our trade and investments, and develop our economies.

‘‘In Africa, we are on the threshold of finalizing negotiations to establish the first ever Single Market for Trade in Goods and Services on our Continent, in the Continental Free Trade Area for Africa. This will be a win-win for all, including member countries of the D-8.

‘‘As partners, I urge that we work together to support this effort of the African Union that will have a positive effect on global economic development and integration,’’ he said.

Earlier, President Buhari had congratulated the outgoing Chairman of D8, Pakistani government, and Dr. Seyed Ali Mohammad Mousavi, the outgoing Secretary-General, on their commitment and strong resolve to forge the organization ahead even in the face of serious challenges.

He also congratulated Turkey on assuming the new leadership of the economic organization.

He assured D-8 leaders that Nigeria would continue to support the Secretariat in its assignments to achieve the visions and objectives of the organization.

Man Makes Suicidal Jump Into Lagos Lagoon At Lekki (PHOTOS)

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 20, 2017

0

Multiple reports said a yet to be identified man, in apparent suicide move, jumped into the Lagos Lagoon on Friday afternoon.

The incident happened at the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, said the reports.

Officials of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Marine Police and other relevant agencies have mounted a rescue effort to fish out the man.

According to a statement made available to The New Diplomat by LASEMA, the Agency received the distress call from the LCC officials regarding a man who reportedly jumped into the lagoon around Lekki Toll Gate bridge at about 09:58am this morning. The footage which was captured through the camera when he suddenly pulled off his clothes and shoe while noticing there was no one around him and jumped into the lagoon.

“The Agency immediately activated its emergency response with other stakeholders which includes the Lagos State Waterways Authority, Marine Police, Lagos State Ambulance Services and the Nigerian Police from Maroko Division.

“Although the body is still missing but effort is on going to recover the body by men of the Marine Police and the Lagos State Waterways Authority combing through the waters for over three hours on the possibilty to recover the body with no sign of the body in the water now.”

The General Manager LASEMA Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu said that it would be inappropriate to release the identity of the man but his family has been contacted while all items found on him were also handed over to the Nigerian Police from Maroko Division for further investigation.

He however assures that his officials and other responders are on ground for indication as to how the body will be recovered.

Recovered Loots: SERAP Issues 14 Days Ultimatum To FG

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 20, 2017

0

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has given the Federal Government not fewer than 14 days to publish the names of suspected looters.

The deadline issued by the Non-Governmental Organisation is a sequel to a judgment of a Federal High Court in Lagos, ordering the government to release information to Nigerians, the names of high ranking public officials from whom public funds were recovered.

Following the judgement, however, President Muhammadu Buhari directed all relevant agencies to swing into action, according to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abukabar Malami.

The AG, had while receiving a delegation of SERAP in his Abuja office, revealed the presidential directive in ensuring there was total compliance to the court’s verdict.

He said, “President Muhammadu Buhari has directed all relevant agencies to compile documents on names of all looters with a view to promptly enforcing the judgment of a Federal High Court in Lagos ordering the government to release to Nigerians information about the names of high ranking public officials from whom public funds were recovered.”

But in a swift reaction, SERAP’S Executive Director, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, expressed his firm belief that if the judgement was effectively enforced, it would show this administration’s commitment to the fight against corruption.

He added, “We had a very productive meeting with Mr Malami, discussing among other critical issues the need for the government to obey the judgment delivered in July by Hon Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari following a Freedom of Information suit number: FHC/CS/964/2016 brought by SERAP.

“We hope that the implementation of the judgment will now happen sooner rather than later. We believe that effectively implementing the judgment will be a victory for the rule of law, show the way forward in the fight against corruption and impunity of perpetrators in the country, as well as demonstrate Buhari’s oft-repeated commitment to tackling the problem of grand corruption.”

The group’s boss further said that the verdict was a victory for the rule of law, hence showing the way forward in the fight against corruption.

It would be recalled that the SERAP suit followed disclosure last year by the Federal Government of funds recovered from some high-ranking public officials and private individuals.

In her judgment delivered in July 2017, Justice Shagari agreed with SERAP, while stressing the need for the Federal Government to fulfil its duty of informing Nigerians of the country’s looters.

“The Federal Government has legally binding obligations to tell Nigerians the names of all suspected looters of the public treasury past and present,” she added.ruling in a suit by the group, against the FG, as contained in a statement made available to Channels Television on Thursday.

The ruling follows an earlier suit filed by the group, against the FG, as contained in a statement made available to Channels Television on Thursday.

Blackout, Outrageous Billing: We ‘ll Stop Paying Bills, Residents Tell IKEDC

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 20, 2017

0

…As 15MVA Transformer Serves 350,000 Lagos Residents Causing Anguish

By ‘Dotun Akintomide

Residents of Santos, Onilekere, Onipetesi, Valley and Punch Estates spanning Alimosho and Ikeja Local Government Areas of Lagos State on Thursday took to the streets to protest what they termed as “exploitation and outrageous billing” by the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC).

The protesters, who brandished placards with various inscriptions such as: ‘No prepaid meter, No payment’, ‘Evil thrives under darkness, give us light’, ‘Enough of one day on, two of days off’, Replacing 15MVA Transformer with 7MVA is not acceptable’ among other concerns called on IKEDC to urgently address their plights or risk more protest actions.

Protesters displaying placards to condemn power outage, estimated billing and non-provision of pre-paid metres at the headquarter office of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) on Thursday.

Dressed in black clothes to express the state of black out that has continuously thrown the communities into quandary, the visibly aggrieved protesters in their mammoth crowd however alleged that IKEDC staff kept bringing estimated bills despite being in black out for over 12 months in the area.

“It has become so bad that they give us estimated billings, they bring outrageous bills, there is a situation of 5 houses having a problem of total damage of electric cable yet they kept bringing bills as high as an average of N13,000 per month, so we are saying enough of this, if there is no power we won’t pay. We can’t be paying for sunshine.

“If we cannot get power, then there shouldn’t be any billing coming to our estates,” Chairman, Valley Estate Residents’ Association, Mike Urubusi told The New Diplomat at the protest scene.

“We have been here several times, we have written series of letters to them and they have continually lied to us telling us there’s a transformer they are bringing from Epe. Later they say they are going to import transformers to areas affected and install a new one at Mangoro substation.”

He alleged that IKEDC has refused to attend to the jaded transformer at Mangoro since January which serves a whole stretch of communities with an estimated population figure, The New Diplomat found out to be over 350,000 people according to 2006 census figures.

“The transformer that broke down at Mangoro is 15MVA and what they’re bringing now is 7.5 MVA. How can 7.5MVA serve that stretch of communities,” Urubusi queried.

Also, he said the non-provision of pre-paid meters to the electricity consumers in the communities by IKEDC has led to exploitation of residents in the area through estimated billings which does not commensurate with the actual power consumption by consumers.

Another resident who simply identified himself as Amaechi said, “less than 5% of houses in the communities have been provided with prepaid meters. We have written letters and dialogued with them, yet nothing has changed, we had to resort to this to drive home our demands.”

According to Tosin Bada, a resident of Santos estate, the load shedding arrangement by IKEDC in the affected communities had compelled residents to a disturbing ‘one-day on’ and ‘two-day off’ power supply arrangement, an enduring routine that meant residents hardly have 5 hours of electricity supply in 3 days.

“They put us on one-day on and two-day off (power shedding arrangement), which I have never heard of anywhere in Lagos state. Even during ‘On days’ we don’t get up to 4 hours of electricity supply,” Bada stated.

He lamented that the development has forced many residents to move out of the estates and “has largely contributed to redundancy among artisans and business owners in the communities” as many have lost huge fortunes to the menace of power outage running into months.

Meanwhile, after communities’ representatives met officials of IKEDC on Thursday, a meeting inspired by the protest, the power distribution company demanded to be given a week timeline to connect the communities to a 15MVA transformer at Mangoro sub-station, a move residents disagreed with, saying the promised 15MVA transformer which is currently in a bad state was old-fashioned and will further compound their woes.

To drive home their demands, attempts by communities’ representatives who demanded to speak directly with the IKEDC CEO failed as they were asked to make an official request through a written letter before holding talks with him. Albeit, residents resolved not to back down in protesting the alleged ills by the Ikeja Disco, if nothing was done to ameliorate their sufferings.

Efforts to speak with officials of the IKEDC at the protest scene never materialized as they declined to address the press despite several demands.

However, the Head Corporate Communications, Ikeja Electric, Felix Ofulue, while reacting to some queries sent to him by The New Diplomat replied through a text on Friday saying: “They have promised to officially send in their demands to Ikeja Electric. When that is done, we will address the issues appropriately. Protest is not a suitable method to resolve issues. Their issues will be addressed in a proper manner.”

The New Diplomat recalls, earlier in the year, at the 12th Monthly Power Sector and Stakeholders’ Meeting in Ibadan, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola confessed he will also be resistant to payment of electricity bill if there is no supply.

“Consumers are more resistant to payment when they don’t have electricity, and I will be, too, and you will be too.

“We see that they (consumers) pay more when the power is more stable. Of course, there are issues also at the retail end – metering, estimated bills,” Fashola commented on the tortuous issue which has become the bane of power distribution chain across the country.

More pictures:

U.S. Probes Soldiers Ambush in Niger

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 20, 2017

0

The death of four U.S. soldiers killed in an ambush in Niger Republic has sparked a formal investigation by the U.S. Africa Command.

The soldiers were killed in an ambush which left two of their men injured.

The investigation comes as the Pentagon revealed that the fourth soldier, Sgt. La David Johnson, was “separated” from his fellow soldiers but never left behind.

“We don’t leave anyone behind. He was separated,” chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana White said of Johnson, whose body wasn’t recovered until more than 24 hours after the Oct. 4 fire-fight.

Joint Staff Director Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie told reporters during a Pentagon briefing that U.S., French and Nigerien forces never left the battle-space until Johnson’s body was found by local Nigerien soldiers.

Until today, U.S. Africa Command had been conducting an informal review to gather facts about the ambush, but two weeks later, the details of the deadly incident remain unclear.

On Thursday night, a U.S. official said that the FBI would assist the military in its investigation.

Since the attack, U.S. Africa Command has been gathering facts about the ambush and the circumstances that led to it, but now a general officer will lead the new investigation.

In addition to gathering details about the incident, the larger investigation could make recommendations about how to prevent similar attacks from occurring in the future.

Many questions remain about the deadly ambush.

APC Crisis: 17 Governors Plotting To Dump APC Chair, Oyegun

By

Hamilton Nwosa

-

October 20, 2017

0

new-diplomat default image

Crisis has broken out in the All Progressives Congress (APC), with 17 governors plotting to dump National Chairman John OOdigie-Oyegundigie-Oyegun.

The governors are said to be angry that Oyegun has been running the party with only seven of their colleagues.

They may table their grievances at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on October 31 and pass a vote of no confidence in Oyegun.

The governors are said to have reached out to President Muhammadu Buhari on their decision to reject Oyegun’s leadership.

But Oyegun’s supporters have fingered former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s backers as part of the plot.

They said Oshiomhole’s loyalists had been lobbying party leaders ahead of the NEC meeting to concede the slot to the ex-governor should Oyegun be forced to step aside.

APC seems set for a “make or break” meeting because of the sharp division among the governors on Oyegun.

Some of the governors are alleged to have refused to assist the party because of the national chairman.

A source, who pleaded not to be named, said: “Ahead of the NEC meeting of APC next week, there is tension in the party. About 17 of the 24 governors are unhappy with the national chairman. They are plotting to withdraw their support for him, unless he carries all of them along.”

In Oyegun’s corner are Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna); Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi); Rochas Okorocha (Imo); Solomon Lalong (Plateau); Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Samuel Ortom (Benue).

“The 17 governors believe that Oyegun is romancing their seven colleagues because the APC National Chairman believes they are close to the President.

“They expressed fears that the party might split the way the National Chairman was leaving decisions on issues to the ‘anointed’ governors,” the source added.

Another source said: “Initially, the 17 governors decided to write a letter to the APC leadership but they shelved the idea because it will appear as if they are reporting their colleagues.

“They are, however, reaching out to President Buhari but through the back channels to avoid embarrassing the President during the October 31 NEC meeting.

“They want the President to call the National Chairman to order. They said if care is not taken, they might be forced to come out openly on their concern.”

But a member of NEC said: “What you are hearing is a game plan to pass a vote of no confidence on Oyegun at the NEC meeting.

“The issues the 17 governors are raising are part of the conspiracy against the National Chairman. And what you are likely to see is the direction where things will go at the NEC session.

“As regards Oyegun’s preference for some governors, I do not think it is true. If the chairman has personal relationship with some governors, I think it is by virtue of their position or performance.

“For instance, the National Chairman does not hide his likeness for El-Rufai who he describes openly as ‘very energetic and full of ideas’. He is always proud of the governor of Kebbi and he relates well with Okorocha as the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF). He is also used to the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdul-Aziz Yari, to get update on issues of governance.”

Another NEC source said Oyegun’s camp was already aware of “the plot”.

“In the last few days, strategists of Oshiomhole have been pushing his candidacy as successor to Oyegun ahead of the NEC meeting.

“But the pro-Oshiomhole governors will fail because by the APC constitution, only the Deputy National Chairman from the South, Chief Segun Oni, can succeed Oyegun.”

“The thinking is that Oni could resign at the NEC meeting to contest the Ekiti State governorship primaries. The APC constitution is silent on who takes over.

“So, we will be running into a deeper crisis, the source added”

National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi told our correspondent last night on telephone: “I don’t know the basis for the discontent because the party’s leaders always meet with the governors every month. And on some occasions, we had more than 70 to 80 per cent attendance.

“In fact, we met with the governors on Wednesday in Abuja as part of our monthly session with them. If there is any discontent, such a forum would have provided an opportunity for them to raise it.”

thenationonlineng

Delta State: Gov. Okowa Presents N298.07bn Budget for 2018

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 19, 2017

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new-diplomat default image

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Thursday presented a N298.07 billion budget for the 2018 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly presided over by the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori.

Okowa said that the estimate was made up of N147.5 billion recurrent expenditure and N150.5 billion capital expenditure.

He said that the 2018 budget which was christened: “Budget of Hope and Consolidation’’ was N3.62 billion more than that of 2017.

He said that the budget would be financed through statutory allocation, Internally Generated Revenue, (IGR), Value Added Tax (VAT) and other capital receipts.

The governor said that projected revenue from the statutory allocation was N178.1billion which was N29.1 billion higher than that of last year.

“The reforms we are undertaking in revenue collection, the blocking of leakages in all revenue sources as well as the anticipated return from oil are expected to impact positively on our IGR.

“It is therefore our projection to generate N71.3 billion as IGR in 2018 which is higher than that of 2017 approved estimate by N1.1billion,” he said.

Okowa said that the increase in the projected revenue was based on the optimism that the current peaceful atmosphere in the Niger Delta region would be sustained.

The governor said that with the relative peace being experienced in the region, some oil companies that left the state would return to the state.

On sectorial allocations, he said that the economic sector had highest amount, N37.95 allocated to it while N35.25 billion was allocated to the environmental sector.

Okowa said that in line with the growth aspiration of the state, N49.3 billion was earmarked for the sustenance of the ongoing road projects in the state.

He said his administration was determined to build a state anchored on inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.

The governor said that his administration had not wavered from its electioneering promises to the people of the state.

According to him, in line with those promises, many programmes and projects had been executed while some others were ongoing and few needed urgent attention.

In a vote of thanks, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Friday Osanebi, commended the governor for the timely presentation of the budget.

Osanebi said that the budget would be diligently scrutinised and assured him that the assembly would continue to partner with the executive.

NDDC Pledges To Fight Poverty in Niger Delta

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 19, 2017

0

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has pledged to support the National Social Investment Programme, NSIP, in fighting poverty, especially in the Niger Delta region.

The NDDC Managing Director, Mr Nsima Ekere, made the promise when the Special Adviser to the President and head of NSIP, Mrs Maryam Uwais and other members of her team, paid him a courtesy visit at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

Also on hand to receive the NSIP delegation were the NDDC Executive Director Projects, Engr. Samuel Adjogbe, some Board members and directors of the Commission.

The NDDC Chief Executive Officer commended the Federal Government’s initiative in the social investment programmes, stressing that the Commission would support NSIP in monitoring and working to fight poverty in the Niger Delta.

He said: “Poverty knows no political affiliation or religious inclination. I am happy that NSIP is fighting poverty and striving to give hope to the poorest of the poor, who arguably, could be found more in the Niger Delta that produces the wealth of the nation.”

Ekere said that since coming on board, the present board and management had made efforts to return the NDDC to its core mandate, stating that the Commission has as much as 8,000 projects that are currently on-going.
He said that the NDDC had since adopted a 4-R strategy to redefine its processes. According to him, the new initiative entails: “Restructuring the balance sheet; Reforming the governance systems to ensure that as an organization, NDDC complies with extant rules and regulations; Restoring the core mandate of the Commission and Reaffirming commitment to doing what’s right and proper at all times.”

He noted: “Over the years NDDC has done a lot in infrastructure. We also want to build human capital and that is where we connect with your mandate to fight poverty. We have signed collaborations that will help us to achieve this. We just recently signed a collaboration with NEXIM Bank. Now that the value of crude oil is waning, we want to create an export initiative in the agricultural sector to create jobs and help the nation’s economy.”

Ekere said that the Commission was also partnering with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the Niger Delta as well as train women to run sustainable businesses.

Speaking earlier, the head of the NSIP, Mrs Uwais called for the support of the NDDC in the area of funding to ensure that the four social investment programmes got to as many people as possible.

The Special Adviser gave details of the investments programmes, stating that N-Power, which was the job programme for unemployed graduates was the largest spending item out of the four. She said the others are: “Home Grown School Feeding (HGSFP); Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) and the Government Enterprises Entrepreneurship Programme (GEEP).”

Mrs Uwais said that every state and local government area, including the FCT had beneficiaries in one of the four programmes, while some states were already benefiting in more than one. She noted that the N-Power job scheme for unemployed graduates was now running in 36 states, adding that 200,000 unemployed graduates were effectively enrolled and validated last year and cleared to be receiving the N30, 000 monthly stipends.

The NSIP boss said that the Federal Government was working to ensure that more Nigerians benefit from the Programmes, adding that the portal for the engagement of beneficiaries would soon be opened for a period of six weeks.

Uwais observed that the number of beneficiaries are expected to increase to about 400,000 in a couple of months. She said that the Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme designed for the empowerment of market women, traders and artisans had recorded good progress with the disbursement of interest free loans.

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