ICPC Arraigns Ex-Bank Staff For Alleged N14m Fraud

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October 19, 2017

A former banker with Unity Bank PLC, Mrs. Remilekun Ogunwole, has been arraigned before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja for alleged forgery and fraud.

Mrs. Ogunwole was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on a 3-count charge for allegedly forging documents and defrauding a customer to the tune of N14 million.

The first count of the charge stated that, between the months of March 2014 and August 2014, as a staff of Unity Bank, the suspect allegedly transferred the sum of N14, 450,000 (fourteen million, four hundred and fifty thousand naira only) fraudulently from Zamzalim Enterprises account for her own use, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 363 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 364.

In the second count, it was stated that, Mrs. Ogunwole allegedly committed the fraud through the forgery of the letterhead of Zamzalim Enterprises, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.

The last count alleged that the suspect dishonestly misappropriated the sum of N14, 450, 000 (fourteen million, four hundred and fifty thousand naira only) belonging to Zamzalim Enterprises by converting it to personal use, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 308, punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code.

Initially, the defence counsel, Mr. Lawrence Alabi, had raised a preliminary objection, asking the court to dismiss the matter arguing that it was beyond the Commission’s jurisdiction but the ICPC counsel, Efanga Imaobong Eyo, argued against it and the presiding judge overruled the objection.

The suspect pleaded not guilty to the 3-count charge and an application for bail was made by her counsel which was not opposed by ICPC counsel.

The presiding judge granted the accused bail in the sum of N2 million and a surety who must be an influential person, resident in Abuja and owning a landed property, in addition to submitting her driver’s license and international passport to the court.

The case has been adjourned to 22nd November, 2017 for commencement of hearing.

5,000 Missing S/Sudan’s Children Reunite With Families

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 19, 2017

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The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Save the Children and other partners have successfully reunited more than 5,000 children with their families since conflict broke out in South Sudan in 2013.

UNICEF Country Representative Mahimbo Mdoe said in a press statement on Wednesday that keeping families together ensured protection of children.

“Keeping families together is the best way to ensure that children are protected, which is why the family tracing and reunification process for unaccompanied children is so important.

“Children rely on their family for a sense of stability, protection and support and that’s even more imperative in times of conflict,” Mdoe added.

He said the 5,000th child to be reunited with his family was a 17-year-old boy, who had fled Tombura in Western Equatoria and sought refuge in Wau, Western Bahr El Ghazal.

According to him, the boy was separated with his mother for almost four years.

He quoted the boy as sayiny: “I want to go back to school and someday help other children who are suffering like me”.

According to UNICEF, the boy’s mother said: “When I ate, I always thought about what my son could be eating. I only ate to stay alive but I never enjoyed it.

“I have been unhappy because I have been thinking about my son’s whereabouts. It was hard to forget him because I didn’t see him dead and bury him.”

Mdoe said reuniting separated children with their families is a challenging process in a country with virtually no infrastructure and no telephone reception in many areas.

He said staff often have to trek for hours to look for separated families.

According to him, family separation is considered one of the key drivers to psychosocial stress for internally displaced persons and other affected populations.

He added that the longer a child is separated from the family, the more difficult it is to locate them and the more at risk a child is to violence, economic and sexual exploitation, abuse and potential trafficking.

“The family tracing and reunification programme is one of the most effective child protection in emergencies interventions in South Sudan,” said Save the Children Country Director Deirdre Keogh.

Keogh said a total of 16,055 unaccompanied and separated children have been registered by the organisations involved in the family tracing and reunification programmes in South Sudan.

According to him, efforts continue to trace the families of the more than 10,000 children still separated from their family or caregivers.

AfDB To Invest $24bn In Agric

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 19, 2017

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Afdb-edited — Add President, Akinwunmi Adesina

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is to invest $24 billion in agriculture over the next 10 years to help unlock its potential and assure food security in Africa.

The President of the bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, revealed at a side event of the ongoing Borlaug Dialogue International Symposium in Des Moines, Iowa, USA on Wednesday.

Adesina said there was need for supportive public policies and significant investments in infrastructure, especially for roads, irrigation, storage, warehousing and agro-processing.

He said that AfDB would provide support to strengthen African agricultural research and development systems to play significant roles in the transformation processes.

The former Agriculture Minister said the support was to ensure that valuable research no longer simplied gathered dust on the shelves of academia.

The president said that AfDB’s Feed Africa strategy had launched the Transformation of the African Savannah Initiatives (TASI) to help unlock the potential of the Savannas of Africa.

He said that the initiative would start by bringing approximately two million hectares of savannah in eight African countries – Ghana, Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia and Mozambique.

These countries come under the cultivation of maize, soybean and livestock production in optimum conditions.

“Success in this endeavor requires that we wake up the savannas of Africa.

”When we do so, African agriculture will indeed rise up from its slumber.

“Let’s wake up Africa’s savannas and turn them into the new wealth zones of Africa and unleash Africa as a global powerhouse in food. Together let arise and feed Africa.

“Valuable research must meet the needs of farmers and agri-businesses in ways that exponentially increase productivity and improve the quality of lives of our rural poor.

“Africa must learn from the experiences that have worked elsewhere, while tailoring the interventions to the specific realities of Africa.

“We must ensure that small, medium scale and large-scale commercial farmers co-exist in a way that allows opportunities for all.

” Partnerships in research and development will be crucial,” Adesina said.

According to him, the bank has engaged to work with the strongest possible organisations with proven track records in tropical agriculture from South America.

He said that this included the Brazilian Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), the Agricultural Corporation of Brazil (CAMPO), and others with long experience in conservation agriculture.

Adesina that the research institutions would work closely with the universities and the national agricultural research systems across the savannas of Africa to enhance agriculture.

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Toyin Saraki Mourns Passage Of Top Staff ‘Felicity’ At WBFA

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Hamilton Nwosa

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October 19, 2017

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vllkyt6enminc43e1.ce6e5b5c — Founder-President, Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) and Wife of Senate President, H.E, Mrs. Toyin Ojora Saraki

By ‘Dotun Akintomide

Founder-President, Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), Her Excellency, Mrs. Toyin Ojora Saraki has mourned the passage of Mrs. Felicity Aliana Ukoko, a senior staff at her Foundation, who passed away last Sunday, 15th of October.

According to a statement from the Foundation on behalf of H.E Mrs. Saraki, Mrs. Ukoko who joined Wellbeing Foundation Africa in 2015 as the Head of Advocacy and Midwifery has contributed immensely to the huge breakthrough of the Foundation’s Mamacare Antenatal and Postnatal Programme in Abuja, Kwara and Lagos States.

As a seasoned midwife herself, she was passionate about improving the profession of midwifery and committed to ensuring that Nigerian mothers got the best care possible during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period.

Late Mrs. Felicity Aliana Ukoko, former Head of Advocacy and Midwifery, Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA)

“With a heavy heart and a deep sense of loss, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) regrets to announce the sudden loss of our colleague and friend, Mrs. Felicity Aliana‎ Ukoko (nee Mapuvire),” the statement read in parts.

Eulogizing Mrs. Ukoko for her numerous accomplishments as an outstanding and qualified UK midwife, as well as an associate, WBFA’s Founder-President, H.E Mrs. Saraki remarked: “Felicity was an excellent midwife of considerable experience and significant repute, a committed colleague and warm-heartedly, whose actions not only helped embed midwifery at the heart of WBFA’s vision, mission and programs, she also saved the lives of countless expectant mothers across Nigeria, through WBFA’s Mamacare Antenatal and Postnatal Program which she designed and administrated so successfully.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends, and we pray for strength and courage for these difficult times,” she added.

H.E, Mrs. Saraki, an ICM Global Goodwill Ambassador also noted that WBFA would ever remain committed to Felicity’s memory and legacy by ensuring healthy outcomes for mothers and their babies through the foundation’s philanthropic work in Nigeria, and across Africa.

Mrs. Ukoko was survived by her husband Mr. Jonathan Ukoko, her daughters: Melisa and Nasha; mother and other family members.

Court Releases Atiku’s Son

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Hamilton Nwosa

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October 18, 2017

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The Magistrate Court Sitting at the Tinubu area of Lagos Island has released Aminu Abubakar, son of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

Aminu was released on Wednesday hours after he was remanded in custody for disobeying an order of the court.

Chief Magistrate Kikelomo Ayeye had ordered that he should be remanded in the court’s cell, pending the production of his six-year-old son who he allegedly kept away from his estranged wife, Fatimo Bolori.

The court, however, ordered his release after the boy was produced in court while Fatimo was granted custody of the boy for 10 days, after which the court would decide the permanent residence of the boy and his eight-year-old sister.

The matter has been adjourned till November 1 for the determination of the full custody of the two children.

Fatimo and Aminu were divorced in 2011 and the two children of the marriage initially stayed with their mother, with an arrangement that they would spend vacations with their father.

Aminu, however, during one of the school holidays in 2013 requested that they should be released to him for a vacation after which he refused to let the kids return to their mother.

Consequent on October 11, the court while listening to the proceedings in a case brought by Fatimo made the order for the emergency evacuation and protection of the boy pending the hearing of the case.

When the matter came up on Wednesday, Aminu’s lawyer informed the magistrate that the parties were making plans to settle the matter out of court.

Counsel to the estranged wife, Ethel Okoh, however, denied knowledge of any out of court settlement.

Magistrate Ayeye consequently cited Aminu for contempt of the court order made on October 11.

He also ordered that Aminu should be remanded at the transit cell within the court premises while the case was stood down pending when he could produce the boy in court.

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PDP Set to Dislodge Ruling Party – PDP Senate Caucus

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Hamilton Nwosa

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October 18, 2017

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senate Caucus on Wednesday, met with the party’s, minority leaders of State Assemblies, assuring that the party was stronger and set to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), from power in 2019.

Senate Minority Leader, Sen.

made this known while briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, which held behind closed door at the National Assembly Complex.

He said that a teeming number of stalwarts of other political parties “were on their way to the main opposition party in droves.

“These are the Minority Leaders of the PDP in different State Houses of Assembly, who are in Abuja to interact with the Deputy President of the Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, and the Minority leadership of the Senate.

“We congratulated ourselves that we stood firm and at the end. God gave us victory at the Supreme Court and the party is now waxing stronger.

“We have reviewed the state of the party and re-evaluated the situation, state by state, and we found out that the party is stronger than it was.

“And as I speak, stalwarts and thousands of members of other political parties, starting from APC, all the way down to APGA, are on their way to the PDP.

“We also want to urge the leadership of the party at the national level to open the door wide open between now and the next convention to receive them”.

Akpabio said the caucus also discussed the guideline for the forthcoming national convention of the PDP in order to make meaningful contributions to the meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).

Speaking on behalf of the PDP Forum of the State Assemblies, Minority Leader of the Imo House of Assembly, Hon. Ken Agbim, assured of total support and mobilisation at the grassroots to give the party victory in 2019.(NAN)

Alleged N1.35bn Fraud: Ex-Jigawa Gov., Lamido’s Trial Adjourned

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 18, 2017

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Justice Babatunde Quadri of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja has adjourned to November 15 and 16, 2017 the N1.35billion fraud trial of erstwhile governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido. This adjournment was at the instance of Lamido’s new counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN.
“My Lord, I wish to appeal for an adjournment to familiarize myself with the facts of this case. This is my first time of appearing before this honourable court in this matter”, Agabi pleaded.

Delta State: Troops Invade Militants’ Camp In, Recover Ammunition

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 18, 2017

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Nigerian troops attached to Operation Crocodile Smile II seized ammunition belonging to suspected Niger Delta militants after storming their camp on Tuesday.

The troops had been dispatched to Ajakurama, Gelegele and Egbema Kingdom in Warri North Local Government Area in the state when they discovered the camp, sources told our correspondent.

Upon sighting the troops, the militants fled the scene.

The soldiers subsequently searched the camp for weapons and set fire to the shrines at the camp.

Speaking with SaharaReporters anonymously, one of the community leaders said on Tuesday, “Soldiers stormed our communities in search of criminals, especially armed militants involved in criminal activities as part of the exercise of the Operation Crocodile Smile II, which was flagged off in Delta State last week. The militants, on sighting the uniformed men, fled their camp and the soldiers set on fire their shrines and recovered several items, including ammunition.”

Community sources told SaharaReporters that they were relieved to hear that the troops drove militants out of the area. One source said efforts to stop the militants’ activities had been unsuccessful until Tuesday’s operation.

“Ajakurama community is the center of havoc for the militants in Warri North GLA. Ajakurama community was completely combed by the men of Operation Crocodile Smile II and all hideouts of criminals were destroyed,” one member of the community said.

“As we talk, militants like Felix Odowu, Osuwo Osiya and a notorious gang leader popularly known as ‘Double Prince’ have all fled to the neighboring Ondo State following a hot chase by the soldiers.

“One of the notorious militant ring leaders popularly called ‘Blessing Magic,’ who was said to have led the Lagos attack that took place at Ikorodu River where many soldiers lost their lives, also fled the camp when the Operation Crocodile Smile II troops stormed the area in the operation. Also, one Godwin Namu, a priest in charge of the militants shrines called ‘Egbesu,’ fled to Aberie/ Okosun forest in Edo State to take cover.”

Confirming the development, the traditional ruler in the community, Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom, HRM G.E.O. Tiemo, said he supports the military’s operation.

“Though the militants threatened to stage a comeback, which the army is adequately ready to deal with, I must say that the Commanding Officer of the 19 Battalion, Koko, must be commended for the successful operation,” the monarch said.

A Nigerian Army officer involved in the operation, who did not want his name published, told SaharaReporters that a total war has been declared on criminals and armed militants in the Niger Delta region, adding that the fleeing militants will be fished out without compromise.

“The exercise is zero tolerance for criminals and all forms of criminalities in the region,” he said.

Items recovered from the militants include 320 x 5.65mm ammunition, 3x AK-47 magazine, a Techno phone, a world receiver radio, a GoTV decoder, a Sharp DVD, motor saw, a life vest, and army camouflage.

saharareporters

EFCC Not Investigating Ogun Governor

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Hamilton Nwosa

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October 18, 2017

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The attention of the EFCC has been drawn to reports in the social media purporting that the Commission recently stormed the basement of the Ikeja, Lagos residence of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, governor of Ogun State, where cash in local and foreign currencies are said to have been stashed in a vault.
The report quoting ghost sources in the Commission further alleged that the Commission had been on the trail of the governor for two weeks before the purported raid.
It is important to state that there is no truth in the report. Governor Amosun was neither under surveillance nor was any of his residence raided by operatives of the EFCC. Consequently, members of the public are enjoined to disregard the false report

More Worries As Monkey Pox Spreads To 11 States

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Hamilton Nwosa

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October 18, 2017

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has confirmed the spread of Monkey pox to about eleven states of the federation with 74 suspected cases reported so far by the Federal Ministry of Health.

The states worst hit by the disease includes Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, Nasarawa and Rivers.

Minister for Health, Isaac Adewole, who made the disclosure while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, said 19 samples had been tested with three positive from Bayelsa, four negative from Lagos and 12 negative from Bayelsa also.

He said more test results were being expected from three laboratories, Redeemers University, Ede; World Health Organisation (WHO) laboratory in Dakar and United States Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta, USA.

His words, “Council also received an update of the public health of the nation. We informed Council about the latest development with respect to the Monkey Pod virus outbreak. So far, as of today, there are 74 suspected cases in 11 states of the country.

“We have confirmed three in Bayelsa State, and 12 of the Bayelsa suspected cases from Bayelsa tested negative, four suspected cases from Lagos tested negative. We are still expecting the results of other ones. We are also doing advance test in Ede, that is the African Centre of Excellence for Genomes and Infections Disease to really understand the genomes of this virus.

“Even when they are negative, the laboratory attendance should be able to tell us what exactly they are. We will also be able to locate and identify the origin so that we can take adequate precaution.”

Election Woes: Gbenga Daniel Exposes PDP

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 18, 2017

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Former governor of Ogun, Chief Gbenga Daniel, on Wednesday said Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had been losing elections because it deviated from its guiding principles.

Daniel stated this while declaring his intention to contest for the national chairmanship of the party in Abuja.

He said that one of the guiding principles which defined the essence and character of the party but was jettisoned was transparency.

“I have done informed study of the myriad of problems which confronted our political party in the last few years, especially the one which had cost us several electoral victories since 2011, especially the presidency in 2015.

“Various reasons have been given about how we got to where we are. Chief of these are indiscipline and impunity, lack of internal democracy.

“Others are imposition of candidates as well as dangerous introduction of ticket racketing to unpopular candidates.

“The alteration of the time-tested zoning formula and convention also contributed in no small measure to the undoing of the PDP,’’ he said.

Daniel said that a party that was hitherto governed by ethos and administered by internal conflict management mechanism based on equity, fairness, transparency and democracy became hostage to judicial controls.

He said that today, PDP still carried the scar and in some cases, wounds from the misunderstanding and breakdown in the party discipline order.

“I have come to the conclusion that the challenges which faced our political party are not permanent; they can be rectified through a careful deployment of intelligent resources.

“More so, the willpower and ability to work through difficult situations, concession and compromises if need be, and ability to move all our people into one disciplined consensus on all matters.’’

According to Daniel, my ultimate goal is to work towards the victory of our party in the 2019 general elections and in all other elections in between.

He said that the target also included bringing back many of the party’s member, who had left, adding that this was not the time to start passing the buck.

He said that it was time to move on, a time to start afresh.

The former governor stressed the need for a more focused, disciplined and reinvigorated PDP, adding that realising such values transcended the desire to merely hold office.

He said that his quest to become national chairman of the party was a clarion call to provide an alternative political platform to offer distinctive leadership Nigeria so much desired.

He said that the fate of Nigeria seemed intertwined with that of PDP, adding that “Nigeria needs us, the citizens are looking up to us, and we cannot afford to fail them’’.

Daniel said that the PDP was and still remained the greatest party in Nigeria and Africa.

“I think I am most eminently qualified to correct some of the mistakes of the near and remote past having served as a Chief Executive Officer of one of the most complex states in Nigeria,’’ he said.

2.2M Voters Ready For Anambra Guber Poll

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 18, 2017

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday said 2,158,171 million registered voters would take part in the Nov.18 governorship election in Anambra.

Mrs Bimbo Oladumjoye, Assistant Director, ICT Department INEC , Abuja made the disclosure during the official publication of Register of voters for the Nov.18 Anambra governorship election in Awka.

She said out of the figure, 50.3 per cent were females while 49.6 percent were males.

Oladumjoye further said that students were the highest number of registered voters constituting 48 per cent, adding that Idemili North Local Government Area had the highest number of registered voters.

Also speaking, Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, INEC National Commissioner (South-East Zone), described voters registration as the bedrock of a free, fair and credible of any election.

“It is in view of this that the INEC has decided, today, to publish the register of voters in Anambra state,’’ he said.

Ibeanu said the publication was in compliance with the Electoral Law which according to him stipulates that the commission should publish the register, 30 days before the election.

The INEC official said that the commission’s headquarters in Awka had received non-sensitive materials for the exercise.

Ibeanu, however, noted that Anambra was the first to have 37 candidates contesting for a governorship position in an election since the history of elections in Nigeria.

“In spite this number, the commission is very happy to remark that political parties have been very orderly in their campaigns without heating the polity and we are glad with such development,’’ he said.

In an address of welcome, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, confirmed that 37 political parties would be participating in the election.

He reiterated the commission’s readiness to conduct free, fair, credible and acceptable election on Nov.18 in the state.

Orji applauded the assistance of security agencies to the commission and their readiness to ensure that the election would be violent-free.

Some Chairmen of political parties that attended the meeting expressed confidence in the ability of the commission to conduct an acceptable election in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that soft copy of the voters’ register was given to each of the political parties whose candidates would contest for the election.

Minister’s PA Resigns, Threatens Legal Action Over N10 Million Unpaid Salaries

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 18, 2017

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Rasaq Olubodun, Personal Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has threatened to drag the Minister to court over unpaid 23 months salaries running into N10 million.

Olubodun, who hails from the same Saki town in the Oke Ogun area of Oyo State with the minister, has also resigned his appointment as Shittu’s Personal Assistant over the accumulated 23 months salaries.

One of the media aides to the Minister, Adetoyese Oladejo, confirmed Olubodun’s resignation to newsmen in Ibadan on Tuesday, but added that it has nothing to do with unpaid salaries.

It was gathered Olubodun, through his lawyer, had written a letter to Shittu demanding the payment of the salary arrears within seven days, or be ready to be dragged before the court.

He insisted that his salaries would have been paid alongside with that of the Minister, as stipulated in Shittu’s appointment letter when he was appointed in November 2015.

Olubodun in the letter revealed that “the intervention of some elders from Saki did not yield any positive result as a meeting convened at the Minister’s house in Aerodrome Estate to reconcile ended in shouting match between me and the Minister.”

According to him, the matter would not have come to the public knowledge if all efforts to nip it in the bud had not proved abortive.

Shittu, a former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in Oyo state, is nursing the ambition of contesting the 2019 governorship election in the State on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

A Source informed reporters in Ibadan yesterday that the Minister offered to pay the sum of N1million out of the outstanding N10 million to Olubodun, but the former Personal Assistant rejected the money insisting that he will only collect the full sum of N10 million.

Gani Adams Deserves Are Ona Kakanfo Title, Says Tinubu

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 18, 2017

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…As Gani Adams Reveals Why Alaafin Anointed Him

All Progressives Congress (APC) Stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Oodua Peoples Congress Leader Gani Adams on his appointment as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.

He also hailed the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, for picking another nominee for the prestigious title 19 years after the demise of Bashorun Moshood Abiola, who last held the title.

Maintaining that Adams richly deserved the appointment, Tinubu said the OPC leader had never left anyone in doubt about his resolve to fight for the interest of the Yoruba race.

In a letter to Adams dated October 17, the former Lagos state governor commended him for having a steely heart.

The APC Leader said in the letter: “Dear Otunba, I congratulate you on your appointment as the next Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.

“With this, you have joined the elite rank of generalissimos in Yorubaland.

“You deserve this honour. You have a heart of steel. You have never left anyone in doubt about your resolve and readiness to fight for and defend the interest of Yoruba race.

“In Yorubaland, particularly in the old Oyo Empire, the position of Aare Ona Kakanfo has always been a significant one.

“You are now the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo. Going through the list of those who have occupied the position, you come with an extra youth, vigour and vitality, which would be an added advantage as you forge ahead in the service of our people.

“I rejoice with you and wish you well as you assume this leadership mantle”.

However, the National Coordinator of the O’Odua People’s Congress (OPC), Gani Adams, on Tuesday gave reasons why the Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi, conferred the title of Aare Onakakanfo on him.

According to the 47-year-old Adams, it was because he is young and courageous to face any aggression.

He also said his charisma, determination, loyalty, focus and interest in the Yoruba race played a role in his choice of the title.

In a media chat in Lagos, the OPC leader admitted that his new position will moderate his radicalism.

“This Aare Onakakanfo position will moderate my radicalism but I will not compromise.

“I am ready to make friends and resolve any issue I have with every Yoruba person and Nigerian.

“I will, as soon as possible, meet with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I will meet Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as well as Fasehun and others.

“I am ready to fight for justice for Yoruba people and for Nigerians,” he said.

Obama Picks Nigerian Kehinde Wiley To Paint His Portrait

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 18, 2017

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new-diplomat default image

Former U. S. president Barack Obama, has picked Nigeria’s Kehinde Wiley, to paint his official presidential portrait.

The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery while making the announcement said Wiley is an exciting choice for the presidential portrait.

Wiley, a hip-hop portraitist is known for lush, larger-than-life portraits that overlay black street culture with European classical motifs.

The 40 year-old New York-based artist, born to a Nigerian father and an African American mother, will have a novel spin on the traditionally formal composition.

Wiley has painted rappers LL Cool J in the style of John Singer Sargent, Ice T as Emperor Napoleon by David and young African American men in stained glass tableaus, like saints in a cathedral.

The background of his paintings reference African cloth patterns, snaking through the composition to give further clues on his subject.

The Obamas’s portraits, which will surely draw selfie enthusiasts, will be unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC next year.

Wiley was born in Los Angeles, California in 1977. His father is Ibibio from Akwa Ibom State.

As a child, his mother supported his interest in art and enrolled him in after-school art classes. At the age of 12, he spent a short time at an art school in Russia.

Wiley did not grow up with his father, and at the age of 20 traveled to Nigeria to explore his roots and meet him. Wiley earned his BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1999 and his MFA from Yale University, School of Art in 2001.

Okowa Commissions Multi-Million Orerokpe Modern Market, Roads In Okpe

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 18, 2017

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new-diplomat default image

…As Monarch Adopts Governor As Okpe Prince

By John Oghojafor

After playing host to a local government headquarter for more than half a century, Orerokpe, the cultural home of the Okpe people of Urhobos in Delta State, remains a rustic country side town with little or no transformation over the years. But all that began to change in the past fifteen years or so when the present monarch, HRM Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe kingdom mounted the throne. Today, the headquarters of the Okpe kingdom and, indeed, the entire Local Government Area, has become a cynosure of all attractions as it boasts of the best network of macadamized roads in the state, courtesy of the Gov. Okowa-led administration.

And as if the state government has just woken up to the realization and importance of Okpe kingdom in the political definitions of the state, the Okowa-led administration has taken a giant leap to transform Orerokpe and other communities in Okpe Local Government Area. One of such transformation was the construction of an ultra-modern multi-million naira market located at the outskirt of Orerokpe.

Completed within the first two years of the Okowa-led administration, the imposing edifice boasts of over a 100 open stalls, 28 lock-up stores, 4 offices, 16 toilets, one cold-room, a storage room, one open hall and a water borehole to provide succor to the traders and others that will patronize the facilities.

Other features of the market include a reinforced concrete underground water tank, a steel elevated potable water tank, power supply facility, external flood lights, a platform for yam tubers storage, among others.

Addressing the Okpe people shortly before the commissioning, Governor Okowa advised the people to put the facilities to maximum use in order to justify the resources committed into its construction as well as using it as a platform for wealth and job creation in the area.

He urged the Local Government Council administration to manage the facility effectively, adding that the state government built and handed the market to the Council free of charge as a way of extending development to the grassroots.

He also advised the Council administration to ensure preference is given to traders who are relocating from the old market in the town, urging that the process of allocating the stalls and shops in the new market must be fair and the fees affordable for the traders.

Also commissioned by the governor were two strategic roads in Okpe kingdom, the Okuetolor-Arhagba road which has been a source of nightmare to the people living in that axis and the Kpokpogri-Okuovo-Opuraja road projects which were completed in record time.

Earlier, while at the palace of the Okpe monarch, HRM Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe kingdom, the royal father thanked Governor Okowa and his administration for the gesture, adding that the Okpe people had never had it good. According to the monarch, for nearly 20 years, the people of Okpe had not witnessed project commissioning as is the case with the Okowa administration, adding that as a way of appreciation, the governor’s second tenure as far as Okpe people are concerned, it is already a fait accompli.

The royal father however, ordered that traders in the old market including those using containers and make-shift attachments as shops in the town must relocate their businesses to the new markets to maximize its use.

Fielding questions from newsmen in his country home, Opuraja, after the commissioning, the number one leader of the PDP in Okpe Local Government Area, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire reiterated the remark of His Royal Majesty, Orodje of Okpe kingdom to the effect that for nearly twenty years, Okpe has not witnessed project commissioning of the present magnitude under Governor Okowa.

Oyovbaire who described Governor Okowa as a humble and very understanding, stated that if he (Okowa) had the kind of resources that were available to his predecessors, he would have transformed the Okpe and Sapele Local Government Areas and, indeed, the entire state into something else by now.

He said: “The young man (Okowa) is a very humble and understanding man. If he had the resources of the first governor, for example His Excellency James Ibori, if he had the resources of those 1999 to 2014, Okpe and Sapele would have achieved a lot because he is very understanding.”

The Professor of Political Science noted that for all that Governor Okowa has done and is doing for the Okpe people, he would surely be given Okpe people support in the pursuit of his second term bid.

Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the commissioning of the market, the Okpe Local Government PDP chairman, Chief Efe Uko thanked the governor immensely for keeping to his promise to build a modern market for the Okpe people, adding that he has made the people of Okpe proud.

The party chairman, urged Governor Okowa to go home and sleep as far as Okpe is concerned on his second tenure, adding that on to whom much is given, much is expected.

On the entourage of the governor were the Deputy Governor, Hon. Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, the Commissioner for Works, Hon. James Augoye, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Barr. Mary Iyasere, Hon. Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Asupa Forteta, the Okpe Local Government Council chairman, Hon. Prince Godwin Ejinyere, among others.

Also present were the House of Assembly member representing Okpe, Uvwie and Sapele Federal Constituency, Hon. Evelyn Oboro, Chief Ighoyota Amori, Chief Tom Amioku among others.

In a related development, the traditional ruler of Okpe kingdom, HRM Orhue I, Orodje of Okpe kingdom, has announced the adoption of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as a prince of Okpe kingdom.

The monarch announced this when the governor and his entourage paid a courtesy call on him in his palace in Orerokpe in continuation of the second phase of project commissioning and Town Hall meeting across the state.

HRM Orhue I, noted that for keeping his promises which he made during his electioneering campaigns, the Okpe people were very grateful and appreciate him for his kind gesture.

Obasanjo To PDP: Stop APC’s Impunity With Strong Opposition

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 18, 2017

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By ‘Dotun Akintomide

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has challenged the People Democratic Party (PDP) to give the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a run for its money and strength in order to deepen Nigeria’s democracy.

Obasanjo, who was a former Board of Trustees Chairman of the PDP said in Abeokuta on Tuesday that a strong opposition will curtail the excesses and impunity of the incumbent administration.

In his words: “I have said that publicly before and I will say it again.

“For our democracy to thrive and continue to be strong, we need a strong party in government and a strong party in the opposition.

“It has to be that way, otherwise the party in government will get away with impunity, and that is not good for democracy,” he said.

Obasanjo, speaking to journalists after a closed-door meeting with Ahmed Makarfi, Chairman, National Caretaker Committee of the PDP also vowed never to return to partisan politics again.

He said, he was, however, always ready to intervene in the affairs of Nigeria.

Adding that his passion for the country would remain “until death do us part”.

The meeting took place at the Ake Conference Hall of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Makarfi arrived with Sarafa Tunji Isola, former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, amongst other members of the party.

Obasanjo described the meeting as private, saying it was a meeting between “two colleagues”.

The former president, who also spoke partly in Pidgin English, said, “This na two colleagues meeting – two colleagues before before. When I was the president, chairman was a governor – two colleagues before before.

“I have told the chairman that I was in PDP before, but not now.

“God forbid sey when a dog vomits, it will go back to eat its vomit, no.

“I have said no partisan politics for me again – and not partisan politics, but Nigeria, is my passion until death do us part.

“And anything that concerns Nigeria – the good of Nigeria – you’ll see my involvement.

“So, the chairman has come to greet me and I greet am, and now that we’ve greeted ourselves, chairman will be going, you gentlemen and ladies of the press, you can now go, leave the chairman alone.”

When asked to react to Obasanjo’s statement, Makarfi said, “I concur with everything Baba has said. Baba don talk am.”

Meanwhile, a source told The New Diplomat that the meeting, which was earlier scheduled to hold at Obasanjo’s Presidential Hilltop Mansion, was later shifted to Ake Conference Hall of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) after a security alert concerning a planned attack on Makarfi by a group loyal to senator representing Ogun East at the National Assembly, Buruji Kashamu.

Military Arrests 40 Suspects In Lagos, Ogun

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 18, 2017

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The Nigerian Army has arrested more than 40 suspects for various offences within Lagos and Ogun states during various operations on the platform of ‘Exercise CROCODILE SMILE 2

‘The exercises was launched by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, the army said in a statement by the 81 Division spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Olaolu Daudu in Lagos.

According to him, so far, the troops have being carrying out routine activities associated with the exercise seamlessly along with other sisters services, security and para military agencies.

“Some suspected criminals have been arrested. Drug peddlers, cultists, car snatchers and other criminal elements have been denied freedom of action through patrols, raids, road blocks and checkpoints.

“On Oct. 4, based on credible information on activities of pipeline vandals at Ronik Hotel Agbule Egba area of Lagos state, troops of 149 Battalion, 81 Division Nigerian Army were immediately dispatched for a Cordon and search Operation.

“The troops arrested the suspected pipeline vandals and items found within the hotel premises include 16 loaded kegs of premium motor spirit (PMS), 5 cars and 2 tankers loaded with PMS,” he said.

He said the suspects have been interrogated, profiled and handed over to NSCDC.

“In a related development, on Oct. 11, troops of 174 Battalion, 81 Division Nigerian Army while on a stop and search operation arrested a car robber who snatched a Toyota Venza with reg no. FST 762 CV along Ikorodu – Sagamu road.

“The suspect who was fleeing with the stolen vehicle rammed into other vehicles and pedestrians in a bid to escape and was arrested by troops.

“The suspect and the recovered vehicle have been handed over to Owutu Divisional police Headquarters,” he said.

He also said that five drug peddlers were apprehended with gallons of unidentified chemical substances and Indian hemp on Oct. 14 by troops of Sector 5, 243 Battalion at Agbara area of Lagos State in conjunction with men of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

“Arrested suspects and items have been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation.

“Similarly, raid and clearance operations were carried out on Oct. 14, by troops of 65 Battalion Sector 1 of Exercise CROCODILE SMILE 2 at Ajah general area.

“Nine suspects were arrested with bags containing Indian hemp.

“Two of the suspects were alleged to have snatched a female purse containing Samsung Galaxy and Itel phones, Bible, house keys and N1,200 which were also recovered,” he said.

The spokesman also said another raid operation was carried out by troops of 9 Brigade Garrison Sector 4 at Ipodo, Ikeja general area where five suspects were arrested.

“Five suspected fraudsters were arrested and items recovered include 4 generators, 4 laptops, scanning machine, colour printer, 3 stabilizers, 10 ups, 3 car chargers and 16 handsets stand.

“The suspects and exhibits have been handed over to Lagos State Special Task force, Oshodi.

“On Oct. 15, the Commander Sector 3 of Exercise CROCODILE SMILE 2 handed over 36 suspects arrested by troops of the Sector during a raid operation at criminal hideouts and notorious drug dens in Ikorodu general area.

“The handover was carried out at Odogunyan barracks in Ikorodu, while the suspects were received by the Area Commander, Nigeria Police Ijede in Ikorodu,” he said.

Daudu also disclosed that four suspected cult members were arrested around Badagry area on Oct. 15.

“At about 11.59 pm, gunmen suspected to be cultists attacked Rolex Hotel in Ajara area of Badagry.

“Following a distress call to troops of 243 Battalion Sector 5 on Exercise CROCODILE SMILE 2 on activities of suspected cultists, troops responded immediately and arrested 4 suspected cultists.

“Also a follow up to suspected cultists attack, two suspects were arrested in connection with previous attacks at Rolex Hotel.

“The arrested suspects were detained and preliminary investigation is in progress while suspects would be handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and prosecution,” he said.

The spokesperson reassured the public that the Division is poised to maintain peace and security in the entire Lagos and Ogun States.

Daudu enjoined members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by remaining law abiding and giving credible information to the nearest security check point.

According to him, members of the public can also call 193 and the various telephone numbers that were earlier released. (NAN)

Oil Price Rises Towards $59

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 18, 2017

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Oil prices rose on Wednesday, lifted by a fall in U.S. crude inventories and concerns that tensions in the Middle East could disrupt supplies.

Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, were at 58.27 dollars at 0131 GMT, up 39 cents, or 0.7 per cent from their last close – and a third above mid-year levels.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at 52.08 dollars per barrel, up 20 cents, or 0.4 per cent and almost a quarter above mid-June levels.

Traders said that prices were pushed up by a drop in U.S. crude inventories as well as concerns that fighting in Iraq and mounting tensions between the United States and Iran could affect supplies.

U.S. crude inventories fell by 7.1 million barrels in the week to Oct. 13 to 461.4 million barrels, the American Petroleum Institute (API) said late on Tuesday.

Official U.S. fuel inventory data is due to be published later on Wednesday by the Energy Information Administration.

Adding to a tightening U.S. market, tensions in the Middle East meant that a risk premium was being priced into oil markets.

Iraqi government forces captured the major Kurdish-held oil city of Kirkuk earlier this week, responding to a Kurdish independence referendum, and there are concerns that fighting could disrupt supplies.

The Iraq crisis adds to a looming dispute between the United States and Iran.

Last Friday U.S. President Donald Trump last week refused to certify Iran’s compliance over a nuclear deal, leaving Congress 60 days to decide further action against Tehran.

During the previous round of sanctions against Iran, some 1 million bpd of oil was cut from global markets. (Reuters/NAN)

Okowa Inaugurates N284m Modern Market, Roads

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 17, 2017

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Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, on Tuesday, inaugurated a N284 million modern market and road projects in Opke and Udu Local Government Areas of the state.

The governor inaugurated the projects as he began the third phase of his administration’s project inauguration and town hall meetings in the state.

Okowa, at Oreropke, Okpe, charged the people to put the modern market into maximum use to boost commerce and create wealth for the people in the local communities.

He said that the modern market was the first to be completed of the three proposed across the three senatorial districts in the state, assuring the people that the other two would be completed before December.

The governor said that the market was built and transferred to the local government free of charge and urged the council chairman not to allocate the stalls at exorbitant fees to traders.

“If the market is not put into maximum use, the essence is defeated.

“We built the market and handed it free to the council; the project is for the people, the traditional institution must have input in the decision to allocate the stalls and preference must be given to traders from the old market,’’ Okowa said.

Earlier, the Okpe monarch, HRM, Orhue I, Orodje of Opke Kingdom, thanked the governor for keeping his campaign promise to build the market.

He called on the traders at the old market to relocate to the new market within three months.

According to the monarch, the old Orerokpe market ceases to exist with the inauguration of the ultra modern market.

“I give all the traders operating in containers and attachments in Orerokpe three months to come over, take a form and get a stall in this market; we must put the market into maximum use,’’ he said.

Mrs Mary Iyasere, State Commissioner for Commerce, said that the modern market has over 100 lock up stores, 28 open stores, four offices, toilet facilities, electricity and other state of the art facilities.

“The project was awarded in July 2015 and cost a total sum of N284 million, and the project was completed on schedule because the governor released the funds as and when due,’’ she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor had earlier inaugurated a 3.1 kilometre Ovwian road project in Udu LGA with a charge on the people to sustain the existing peace to attract more projects in the area.

The governor inspected other road projects, visited the Ugbokodo-Okpe Fish Farm with 154 ponds, and pledged to rehabilitate a skill acquisition centre to empower youths, women and the men in the area.

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