6 Injured As Cameroonian Gendarmes Invade Nigerian Community

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October 16, 2017

The police in Cross River on Monday said that six residents of Danare community in Boki Local Government Area were shot by gendarmes from Bodam community during an invasion on the Nigerian territory by Cameroonians.

Mr Hafiz Inuwa, the Commissioner of Police, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar.

He said that a Cameroonian community, `Bodam’, on the border with Nigeria’s Boki Local Government Area, had been in crisis with Danare community over the international land dispute.

Inuwa said after visiting Danare community that although no life was lost, six residents of Danare community were shot by the Cameroonians.

“We found out that six persons were shot and they are currently in the hospital as the pellets were being removed from their bodies.

“They were shot by the people of Bodam village from Cameroon. We have advised the people to restore normalcy and shun all forms of crisis and allow the government to take charge.

“They told us that they were preparing to repel the attack because the Cameroonians had encroached almost 43km into their land,’’ he said.

The commissioner further explained that the Danare people were appealing to the government to restore electricity, drinking water, communication and police post in the area.

Dr Itam Abang, the member representing Boki I State Constituency in Cross River House of Assembly, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that over 1,000 cocoa, plantain and banana farms were also destroyed by the Cameroonians.

Itam said majority of residents in the area were mainly farmers and appealed to the Federal Government to intervene by providing the people with adequate security and social amenities.

“When we got there, the Danare people had already mobilised for war. Luckily, we arrived on time in company with the commissioner of police and we had to prevail on them not to go into the forest.

“From where we were standing, we could hear gunshots because the Cameroonians had really encroached into the Danare community.

“And from what my people told me, the Cameroonians have destroyed over 1,000 of their farmlands and this is a huge loss to the farmers.

“We advised residents in the community to hold their peace that the state and Federal Government were going to step in with a view to restoring peace and normalcy in the area,’’ she said.

Russia: Saraki Presides Over Session At IPU

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 16, 2017

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Saraki-Chairs-session-at-the-137th-IPU-in-Russia — President of the Nigerian Senate Dr Bukola Saraki presiding over a session of the 137th Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Russia

The President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki on Monday, presided over a session at the ongoing 137^th Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The session chaired by Saraki was a debate which focused on ending the grave humanitarian crisis, persecution and violent attacks on the Rohingyas as a threat to international peace and security.

The session also deliberated on ensuring the unconditional and safe return of the Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar.

Saraki presided over speakers of parliaments from many countries who are participating in the 137^th IPU.

Nigeria is one of the countries faces with humanitarian crisis with the North Eastern part of the country still suffering grave crisis as a result of the activities of the violent group, Boko Haram.

On Sunday, while making a presentation during a general debate, Saraki called for international conference on the North East and Boko Haram threat in Nigeria.

According to him, convening an international conference like the ones convened in London on Somalia and Syria, would go a long way in finding lasting solution to the problem in the region.

“Nigeria’s North East region has suffered terribly under the onslaught of Boko Haram insurgents.

“Two million Nigerians are internally displaced or have fled to neighbouring countries like the Lake Chad region, where 4.4 million people are threatened by food insecurity.

“Of the funds needed to address the problem, less than half has been raised. The United Nations has called the situation in the Lake Chad region the most neglected humanitarian crisis in the world.

“The 8th National Assembly is at the forefront of improved coordination efforts to overcome institutional and logistical impediments in the way of getting aid for those in need.

“We have reached an advanced stage in the plans for a development commission to tackle the crisis in the North East, incidentally the region with the highest poverty rate in the country.

“We have also made economic growth and greater investment the core of our legislative agenda.

“The sooner we deliver economic reforms and greater prosperity to all Nigerian, the sooner we can achieve a more inclusive society and minimize societal divisions and grievances,’’ he said.

The 137^th IPU has as its theme: “Promoting Cultural Pluralism and Peace through Inter-Faith and Inter-Ethnic Dialogue”.

Saraki expressed optimism that the 137th IPU would offer a lasting solution to the growing world conflicts.

Initially, the organization was for individual parliamentarians, but has since transformed into an international organization of the parliaments of sovereign states.

Omo-Agege Doles Out Empowerment Packages To Constituents

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 16, 2017

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Senator Omo-Agege empowering people — Senator Ovie Omo-Agege Empowering Constituents

Gives Account Of Stewardship

By John Oghojafor

Barely two months after he spent well over N20 million in empowering women petty traders in various markets across Delta Central irrespective of tribes and political leanings, the Senator representing the Urhobo people in the National Assembly, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has doled out several empowerment packages worth millions of naira to hundreds of his constituents to lift them from poverty and squalor.

Last Saturday, hundreds of beneficiaries thronged the Senatorial district office of the Senator in Ughelli Township in expectation and collection of the various empowerment items procured by Urhobo nation voice in the Red Chamber, for distribution to them. The items included about several tricycles (keke Napep), several grinding machines, block moulding machines and sewing machines, among others.

Addressing the earmarked beneficiaries shortly before the distribution of the items, Senator Omo-Agege urged them to put the equipment given to them to good use, adding that he expects them to be transformed to entrepreneurs and employers of labours from the judicious use of the items.

The Senator also informed thousands of APC supporters who thronged the ‘Urhobo House’ (as his Senatorial district office is named), that more of the empowerment equipment were on the way to take care of those who were not fortunate to be beneficiaries in the first batch, urging them to be patient till it gets to their turns. He urged the people to support the APC in order to change the government of the state in 2019 to ensure a better living condition for Deltans.

Also speaking at the occasion, the APC chairman in Ughelli North, Chief Felix Ekure, who accompanied the Senator to the occasion, thanked the National lawmaker for his kind gesture to the people of the area. He urged the beneficiaries to judiciously apply what they have received to the glory of God and the APC party, even as he asked them to pray and support Senator Omo-Agege for a second term in office.

Sen. Omo-Agege’s Stewardship In Lawmaking

Aside the Senator’s empowerment to his constituents with various income-yielding items, he took time off to have an interactive session with journalists from different media houses in his country home at Orhomurun, Orogun.

He reeled out several bills and motions sponsored and/or co-sponsored by him in the Red Chamber including several public petitions from his constituents which he facilitated in just two years of his assumption of office as Senator representing the Urhobo nation in the National Assembly.

Prominent among the bills Senator Omo-Agege sponsored were the Bill for an Act to prohibit Sexual Harassment in Educational Institutions which has been passed by the Senate and now awaiting the House of Reps concurrence; a bill for an Act to Establish the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun which has been passed by both the Senate and House of Reps and now awaiting Mr. President’s assent; Electoral Act. No. 6 (Amendment) Bill 2016 which has been passed by the Senate and awaiting House of Reps concurrence; the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Amendment) Bill 2016 which has been passed by both chambers and now to be transmitted to State Houses of Assembly for their concurrence; as well as the Court of Appeal Act (Amendment) Bill 2016.

Other popular bills which the Senator sponsored and/or co-sponsored include the National Industrial Court Act (Amendment) Bill 2016; a Bill for an Act to Amend the Company and Allied Matters Act (Amendment) and Establish States Corporate Affairs Commissions, 2016 and the Dormant Accounts Bill, 2016.

They also include the Compulsory Haemoglobin-Genotype Screening Bill, 2016 which was co-sponsored with Senator Ahmed Ogembe (Kogi Central) and a Bill for an Act to Establish the National Electoral Offences Commission Establishment which was also co-sponsored by Senator Abu Kyari from Borno North.

Within the period, Senator Omo-Agege also sponsored several motions on the floor of the Red chamber. These include the motion in Honour of late Senator Felix Ovuodoroye Ibru, First Executive Governor of Delta State; motion in Honour of late Olorogun Michael Christopher Onajirevbe Ibru (OFR) which was co-sponsored with Senator James Manager (Delta South) and Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North) and motion under Matter of Urgent Public National Importance on the Need for Need for National Security Intervention to stop gruesome killing of Urhobos and other Nigerians in Delta Central Senatorial District and other parts of the Nation by terrorist elements masquerading as herdsmen in rural communities, forest and farms.

He also sponsored a motion under Matter of Urgent Public Importance for the Senate’s intervention to urgently stop monumental financial recklessness and economic waste by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Senator Omo-Agege also facilitated more than 10 various petitions from some of his constituents which were heard by the Senate and some received favourable resolution to the petitioners.

The Distinguished Senator used the occasion to also outlined constituency projects that were contained in the 2016 budget that were completed/ongoing under his supervision. These include the construction of 30,000 gallons Braithwaite, hybrid solar powered water supply scheme coupled with reticulation at Abraka PO-Oria in Ethiope East LGA; construction of 30,000 gallons Braithwaite, hybrid solar-powered water supply scheme coupled with reticulation at Orogun Town, Ughelli North LGA and the construction of 20,000 gallons Braithwaite, hybrid solar- powered water supply scheme with reticulation at Ophori village, Agbarho in Ughelli North LGA.

The 2016 budget projects in sited in Delta Central that are ongoing include the upgrading of existing distribution network installation of 11kv/415V, 500KVA transformer sub-station in Ughelli town; the dualization/construction of Amukpe-Agbor road (phase 1); the solar street lights project at Igun town in Ethiope East LGA; supply and installation of solar street light at Abraka, Ethiope East LGA and the supply and installation of dental and ophthalmological equipment at the Ughelli Central Hospital.

The Senator also disclosed that there are about 32 infrastructural projects which he influenced to be included in the 2017 budget, some already awarded and ongoing while others are awaiting award. According to him, a provision of N5 billion was made in the 2017 budget for the Sapele-Ewu dualization while N191 million was provided for the Benin-Abraka road dualization project.

Others include the construction of River Port and Cargo handling equipment at Okwagbe, Ughelli South LGA under the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority; empowerment schemes for local artisans in Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Udu, Okpe, Uvwie, Ethiope East, Ethiope West and Sapele LGAs among several other projects.

Responding to a question as to how all the 32 listed interventionist projects in the 2017 budget would be completed or provided for in the 2018 budget, Senator Omo-Agege said:

“Yes, there is a move by the executive arm to transmute to the January-December budgetary cycle, meaning that by December, the bulk of the projects in this 2017 budget would by then would have elapsed. But I can assure you that most of the projects I’ve mentioned to you, in fact at least, all my projects which I have mentioned to you, they will be implemented. Anyhow, anyhow, they will be implemented. So, to answer your question, every project that is there will be implemented one way or the other.”

Blood Entertainment Set For “Like Buhari” Major Release

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 16, 2017

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Urban music label, Blood Entertainment (BE) has announced that it is set for the major release of Like Buhari, a pop song by its frontline act, King Oogbodo.

According to BE, Like Buhari has been on underground promo for some time now in order to receive the proper feedback on it from music lovers and stakeholders and having obtained a pass mark on that score, it’s now time to push it massively.

The target is for it to become a worldwide hit and to that extent, a major release on all major online platforms, radio and every other form of major promotional avenue is next on the cards.

In Like Buhari, King Oogbodo sings and raps about what it feels like to be successful and rich in the mold of eminent persons like Dangote, Tinubu, Otedola, Adenuga. He also acknowledges entertainment industry icons King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey and Ibinabo Fiberesima who are an inspiration to him.

Like Buhari was produced by Shocker whose roster of artists includes 9ice, small DOCTOR and Klever Jay.

Pre-listen to Like Buhari:https://my.notjustok.com/track/216465/king-oogbodo-like-buhari

Zuma’s Statue In Imo Causing Uproar As Fani-Kayode, Group Lambast Okorocha

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 16, 2017

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By ‘Dotun Akintomide

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has come under heavy criticism for erecting a statue of South African President, Jacob Zuma in the heart of Owerri, the state capital, as former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode on Monday joined other Nigerians to take the Governor to the cleaners.

In a tweet on his official handle, Fani-Kayode said: “Nigerians are murdered by South African security forces every day yet the clown in Imo state builds a statue in honor of Pres. Zuma.

“Igbos are murdered by Nigerian security forces every day yet that same clown in Imo state continues worship @MBuhari.

“Slavery is a curse!” Fani-Kayode tweeted.

Nigerians are murdered by South African security forces every day yet the clown in Imo state builds a statue in honor of Pres. Zuma.

Igbos are murdered by Nigerian security forces every day yet that same clown in Imo state continues worship @MBuhari.

Slavery is a curse!

— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) October 15, 2017

Zuma being presented with honorary award by Okorocha

Zuma, who is facing multiple accusations of corruption, fraud, and money laundering in his country, arrived Imo State on a two-day working visit on Friday.

While in Owerri, he also bagged the chieftaincy title ‘Ochiagha’ (Warlord).

Similarly, the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) has described as “embarrassing” the visit and honour converred on Zuma by the Imo State governor.

CSNAC’s Chairman, Mr. Lanre Suraj said in a statement on Sunday said the honour bestowed on Mr. Zuma would embolden the president to tell his people he is celebrated abroad.

According to a statement by the South African government, Zuma was in Owerri, the Imo State capital, to “strengthen socio-economic relations and further deepen existing cooperation in the field of education.”

“Apart from allowing Mr. Zuma to address a group of selected secondary school students and other young people, Governor Rochas Okorocha directed a traditional ruler in Imo State to confer a chieftaincy title on him.

“It is embarrassing that a state government controlled by the All Progressives Congress which is fighting corruption could play host to Mr. Zuma, allegedly a corrupt leader in the current assembly of heads of state in the African Union and portray him as a hero before a group of African youth,” Suraj lamented.

He continued: “Is Governor Okorocha not aware that Mr. Zuma has been found guilty of corruption by the courts in South Africa and has been ordered to refund the $500,000 stolen from the public treasury to expand his private house to accommodate his many wives?

“Is Governor Okorocha not aware that Mr. Zuma has also been indicted for allowing an Indian family to influence the appointment of his cabinet members?

“In asking President Zuma to address officials of Imo State government, is Governor Okorocha not aware that the people of South Africa are currently demanding for the resignation of a leader who has brought shame and dishonour to the country of Nelson Mandela?”

It would be recalled that last year, a South African Court ruled that Zuma violated the constitution by using public funds to upgrade his private residence, leading to the president apologizing to his countrymen.

Just last Friday, the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that Mr. Zuma must face prosecution over almost 800 charges of corruption relating to an arms deal in the 1990s.

“Though we recognize the federal government’s position on not hosting President Zuma in Abuja as his visit would have questioned the anti-corruption policy of President Buhari,” said Mr. Suraj.

“All the same, the federal government should have called Governor Okorocha to order and advise him not to celebrate corruption. Since Governor Okorocha is part of the APC-led government with mantra of zero tolerance for corruption, he must tender a public apology to the people of Nigeria for promoting President Zuma who has been adjudged to be a corrupt leader by the South African judiciary.

Among those who welcomed the South African president at the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri alongside Governor Okorocha were; former president, Olusegun Obasanjo; former Jigawa State governor, Saminu Turaki; and Maurice Iwu, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

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No $25bn Is Missing In NNPC, Presidency Backtracks

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 16, 2017

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By ‘Dotun Akintomide

The Presidency on Sunday said no contracts worth 25 billion dollars were awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

It also said that 25 billion dollars was iinot missing in the corporation.

Mr Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, stated this in a statement in Abuja.

According to him, no contracts were procured by the NNPC based on the leaked memo of Petroleum Resources Minister of State, Ibe Kachukwu, even though such impressions have been maliciously created in the past few weeks.

Akande disclosed that a close look at each of the said projects indicated clearly that “these are not procurement contracts”.

He said “when I tweeted on Thursday morning, I had indicated that the Vice President, while acting as President approved Joint Venture Financing arrangements.

“But for some curious reasons, a few media reports used that tweet to report that I said the then Acting President approved N640 billion worth of oil contracts.

“Such reporting is both false and misleading and therefore, ought to be completely ignored by all seekers of truth.”

He added that what was more important was “when you look diligently at the referenced projects/transactions one by one, you will see, as NNPC has shown, that none of them was actually a procurement contract”.

“Take the Crude Term Contract and the Direct Sale, Direct Purchase (DSDP) agreements, for instance, these are not procurement contracts involving the expenditure of public funds.

“Both transactions are simply a shortlisting process in which prospective off-takers of crude oil and suppliers of petroleum are selected under agreed terms, and in accordance with due process.

“It is therefore wrong and misleading to refer to them as though they’re contracts involving the expenditure of NNPC funds, or public funds of any sort,’’ he added.

The vice presidential spokesman recalled that the Petroleum Minister himself had in fact, clarified that he meant “to focus on administrative and governance issues, not red-flag any fraud, because no fraud exists in this matter.”

For both transactions, Akande reiterated that there was falsehood and also inaccurate to attach 10 billion dollars and five billion dollars values on them.

“Attaching monetary values to these contracts is an arbitrary act that completely distorts understanding of the situation.”

He said Nigerians should be informed clearly that whenever there was monetary value on any crude oil lifted in the country, “the proceeds go directly to the Federation Account and not to any company.

“In fact, the Buhari administration in the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), has closed down multiple NNPC accounts in order to promote transparency and probity.”

Akande also explained that in compiling the shortlist for prospective off-takers of crude oil and suppliers of petroleum under agreed terms, “there were public placements of advert in the mass media seeking Expressions of Interest.

“Bids were publicly opened in the presence of NEITI, DPR, BPP, Civil Society groups and the media; in some cases even, these events were televised live.”

“For the sake of emphasis, let me state clearly that both the Crude Term Contract and the Direct Sale and Direct Purchase agreements are not contracts for any procurement of goods, works or services,’’ he stated.

Akande said it was important to “set the records straight that the list of approved off-takers does not carry any financial values but simply states the terms and conditions for the lifting and supply of petroleum products”.

He also said that the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Contract was a contractor-financed job, which had not been finalized or awarded.

According to him, it is still making its way to the Federal Executive Council.

The presidential aide noted that there were also three presidential approvals given on Joint Venture financing arrangements, meaning loans to cater for cash-call obligations.

“One of these was okayed by the President in 2015, and two by the then Acting President in 2017,” he explained.

On Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Akande said “there is no contract in the three billion dollars to four billion dollars range as reported in some media.

“You can then see from the foregoing that the 25 billion dollars being bandied in the media does not exist. There is no 25 billion dollars missing.”

How State House Clinic Got N1.9bn In 3 Years

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 16, 2017

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Mr Jalal Arabi, the Permanent Secretary, State House, has refuted media report suggesting that the State House Medical Centre (SHMC), had received N11.01billion as appropriation for the period 2015-2017.

Arabi’s refutal is contained in a statement by Mr Attah Esa, the Deputy Director, Information in the State House, Abuja on Sunday.

According to him, out of the total capital appropriation of N2.9billion and recurrent appropriation of N465.9million for the period under reference, only the sum of N969.6million (representing 32.97%) for Capital and N225.5million (representing 48.41%) for recurrent was actually released.

He also revealed that there was zero capital allocation for the Medical Centre in 2017, while out of the N331.7million being recurrent appropriation for 2017, the actual amount released up to September was N91.3million, representing 27.5 per cent.

The Permanent Secretary emphasised that the above figures were verifiable from the Ministries of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

He observed that, “during the three-year period under review (indeed two years since no capital allocation for 2017), and despite the shortfalls between budgetary provisions and actual releases, the Centre continued to provide free services to the over 10,000 registered patients annually.

He added that the Centre had also continued to execute on-going projects.

Giving further insight into the scope of the Centre’s clientele, Arabi stressed that apart from the Presidency, other beneficiaries of the free services include political appointees, the military, para-military, other security agencies, members of the National Assembly, and the general public.

He said: “Considering the unrestricted patronage base and free services of the State House Medical Centre, coupled with the funding hiccups and periodic receipts, it may not be far-fetched to notice gaps between demand and supply of medical equipment and consumables at certain stages of the budget circle.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State House Medical Centre has come under serious criticisms, from different quarters, over lack of drugs and equipment at the facility.

The House of Representatives, had on Oct. 12, inaugurated an ad-hoc committee to investigate the condition of the medical centre.

The house set up the committee following a motion raised by Henry Archibong (PDP-Akwa Ibom) at the plenary on Thursday, alleging that despite huge budgetary allocations, the clinic lacked necessary facilities, drugs and other consumables.

The wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, on Oct. 9, had criticised the management of the facility, and called for a probe of the Centre.

She lamented the poor state of health facilities in the hospital despite the huge budgetary allocation to it.

However, Arabi, in an earlier statement on Oct. 2, said the State House Medical Centre, would be commercialised and repositioned to offer qualitative and efficient services.

No $25bn Contract Awarded in NNPC – Presidency

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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October 16, 2017

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The Presidency on Sunday said no contracts worth 25 billion dollars were awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

It also said that 25 billion dollars was not missing in the corporation.