Iheanacho good to play in Brazil – Amuneke

The best player at the 2013 Fifa Under-17 World Cup, Kelechi Iheanacho could be the shock inclusion in the Super Eagles squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.

Iheanacho is currently in Abuja training with the Eagles preparing for the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa.

Former African Footballer of the Year, Emmanuel Amuneke, a member of the coaching crew of the Golden Eaglets, thinks that the youngster could be an exception to play in the World Cup.

Kelechi Iheanacho

‘’He is talented and has the knack for scoring goals as well as being a team player. He can play at the big stage’’, Amuneke said.

Super Eagles trainer, Stephen Keshi  named Iheanacho and two of his teammates from the victorious  Under-17 squad, Dele Alampasu and Taiwo Awoniyi in his 30-man squad for the CHAN and insists that they have a chance of making the squad to Brazil.

“Everything depends on them. If they can prove themselves and show that they can make it at this level, then we will take it up from there,” Keshi

The CHAN  is a competition for players who exclusively ply their trade domestically and Keshi says his sights will be on talent who can force their way into the squad that will represent Nigeria in Brazil next year.

“The CHAN  is a good opportunity for the home-based players to exhibit themselves before the World Cup.

“It will boost their confidence so we will see what happens,” he said.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group A of the CHAN alongside South Africa, Mali and Mozambique. The Super Eagles will open their campaign against Mali on January 11 in Cape Town.

Driver docked for manslaughter as hoodlums kill alleged gang leader in Lagos

A 34-year-old truck driver, Tayo Adebayo,has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court, sitting in Ikeja for manslaughter.

Also in Shomolu, Bariga and Yaba areas of Lagos State yesterdaysome hoodlums  killed an alleged notorious gang leader, Segun Ogbere, otherwise known as Shaggy at Akoka area of the state.

The defendant, who is standing trial before Magistrate A.O, Akinde, is facing a one-count charge bordering on manslaughter preferred against him by the police.

Adebayo, who resides at 7, Aderitan Street, Ibadan, Oyo State, was said to have committed the crime on December 5, 2013, at about 10:30 p.m.

The police Prosecutor, Sergeant Chinalu Uwadione, said the incident occurred at Ile-Zik Junction, near New Testament Church Inward at Agege Motor Road, Lagos.

Uwadione told the court that the defendant being the driver in charge of one Mercedes Benz truck with  number plate EKY 510XG, drove in a very dangerous manner on the highway, which caused the death of one  Owolabi Segun, who was 35 years old.

RESIDENTS of Shomolu, Bariga and Yaba areas of Lagos State are currently living in fear following yesterday’s killing of alleged notorious gang leader, Segun Ogbere, otherwise known as Shaggy, by some hoodlums at Akoka area of the state.

The 36-year-old man who has led several violent clashes against Down-Town boys and other restive groups operating in Shomolu and Bariga areas was stabbed to death by four armed men who accosted him in a vehicle at Adeshina Street, Akoka.

Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that Shaggy was spotted on the passenger’s seat of a truck carrying sand to a building site, when he was accosted and dragged out of the vehicle by four men led by one Ibrahim Balogun aka Small Jaypron, who is said to be the leader of Down-Town boys and was  recently released from Ikoyi Prison.

The assailants abandoned the knives used in killing Shaggy at the scene before fleeing. Shaggy and Small Jaypron have had a long standing feud over supremacy over the collection of tolls from commercial vehicles operating in the area.

News of the killing sent panic across the area, forcing traders to lock up their shops while residents made frantic calls to their relatives to stay away from the area, fearing a possible reprisal.

Meanwhile, the police said they have stepped up security in Yaba and Bariga to forestall a reprisal.

Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said the matter was being investigated at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, adding: “We have commenced investigations into the matter. However, the area is calm.”

Man arrested over alleged threat to kill father

DUTSE — THE Jigawa  command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, said it has in its custody, a 23-year-old man (name withheld) who allegedly threatened to kill his father.

The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Muhammad Gidado, told the News Agency of Nigeria yesterday  in Dutse that the suspect was arrested in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa.

Gidado said the suspect was arrested on Saturday in Gujungu town around 9 p.m.
He added that the matter was reported to the command by the father of the suspect.

The commandant said “the father told us that the suspect came home drunk and he (the father) tried to counsel him to desist from taking drugs.

The suspect then brought out a knife and threatened to kill the father if he did not leave him alone.”
In a related development, Gidado said the command also has in its custody, a 35-year-old suspected drug peddler in the area.

He said that the suspect was also arrested on Saturday in Gujungu town, after receiving intelligence reports about his activities in the area.

According to him, the suspects will be handed over to relevant authorities for further action.

PDP crisis: Tukur declares war, says I’m now a militant, will fight on

NATIONAL Chairman  of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur yesterday said that with what he has been going through since he became the chairman of the party, he can unequivocally call himself a militant, just as he declared war with his perceived enemies, saying  he will not give up in his fight.

According to Tukur, being a militant,  has been able to position him to withstand pressures from his enemies and adversaries, who according to him preferred to turn him into a lame dock as Chairman of PDP, adding  that he would continue to be militant in the fight for justice, equity and equal right among members of PDP at all times.

*PDP National Chairman, Dr Bamanga Tukur

Speaking yesterday at a ceremony organised on Wednesday by All Niger Delta Peoples Congress for the conferment of merit Awards to deserving Nigerians at the Transcorp Hotel, Abuja,  Bamanga Tukur who noted that his political struggles he has been engaged in within the past two years in Nigeria which have made him to be more militant in nature said,  “Yes, in Niger Delta there are militants. I am a militant too because the youths believe in equity and justice, and they many of them used all legitimate means to get the attention of the government to the sufferings by the people.

“I am also a militant because I engage in political struggles to make our country better. I am a militant for Justice, fair play, equity and human rights. As the Chairman of PDP, I will not give up in fighting for what is right and good for Nigeria to be better and for the youths to triumph in their struggles for survival.”

According to Tukur his militancy disposition was inspired by his long association with the youths from Niger Delta, most especially those among them who he said were un-relenting in fighting for Justice and recognition in Nigeria, using all legitimate means, even as he extolled the virtues of leaders of the south-south youths as he commended their efforts in ensuring better life for the people in the zone as well as their preparedness to stand by the government of President Goodluck Jonathan to carry on with his Transformation Agenda.

The PDP National Chairman however urged them to always be broad minded in their approach to issues, as he call on the Nigerians youths in general to begin to operate on the world stage in order to be ranked as world players in all endeavours.

Tukur who praised members of the Niger Delta Peoples Congress for encouraging outstanding performances among the public and private servants in Nigeria, asked the members to emulate the virtues of the late President of South Africa, Mr Nelson Mandela in their considerations.

According to him, Mandela was noted for the struggles to liberate his race from oppression under the defunct apartheid regime in South-Africa, whereas Mandela’s doggedness, consistence and the ferociousness in the struggles earned him global recognition even in death, even as he said that Nigeria  has the potentials to produce great leaders like Mandela, given the huge human resources with which the country was endowed, adding that the scope of achieving that lies essentially with the Nigerian youths.

Tukur who was special guest of Honour at the occasion, was conferred with an Award; Foremost Friend Of Niger Delta.

The Chief Organiser of the Ceremony, Mr Joejim Alaboso while presenting the award said the PDP Chairman was considered for an award of Foremost Friend of the Niger Delta, given the fatherly roles he has been playing in moulding the youths from the zone for greater challenges as Nigerians, adding that Tukur has sufficiently reflected fatherly inclinations towards the Niger Delta Zone at all times, a reason he stressed the people would continue to accord him with greater respect.

ASUU to call off strike in a week, signs MoU with FG

ABUJA – The Federal Government and the leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, led by its President Dr. Nasir Fagge yesterday, signed Memoradum of Understanding on the restructured 2009. Agreement.

ASUU President, Dr. Nasir. Fagge said the document signed would be presented to the union to take an affirmative stand on the suspension of the 5 months old industrial action.

He said with the signing of the MOU the 5month old strike would be suspended in a week’s time.

According to Fagge, “This is the response to the letter we wrote to Mr. President and this document would now be forwarded to our members and our members would give us direction. We are hoping that we would be able to meet with our members in less than a week.

I don’t have the power to call off the industrial action, it is only our members that can do that. And our members gave us a message to give to the Federal Government which we have done and within one week our members would meet. We already have the document which shows that Government is committed”.

The ASUU President said the development and revitalization of Nigeria’s education sector is the work of everybody.

“It is never too late for the nation to turn a new leaf and do what is right. Other countries that are smaller and less powerful than Nigeria have done it and have succeeded. It is rather unfortunate that Nigeria is not close to some of these smaller nations around us. It is now, we must properly fund our universities, we have lost lot of capital to nations like Ghana and Togo”, Fagge said.

He therefore assured Nigerians that ASUU would not take long in ensuring that the right thing is done as soon as possible.

The Supervising Minister of Education, Barr. Nyesom Wike, who led the Federal Government team said the fact that ASUU signed the resolution shows the strike has already been called off.

Wike said, “Today is historic. We have a duty to restore normalcy into our schools. What this meeting shows is that all the contending issues have been resolved and ASUU President said they have a tradition and so he has to go back to report to their members even though all the issues have been resolved. It is clear; we believe that very soon our student would go back to the classroom”.

Among those at the meeting were the Supervising Minister of Education, Barr. Nyesom Wike,  President Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Abdulweed Umar, ASUU National President, Dr. Nasir Fagge, Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof Julius Okojie, and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Dr MacJohn Nwaobiala,

Mother of four, pastor lover arrested over husband’s alleged murder

BENIN—A crack team of detectives attached to Edo State Police Command is  investigating the murder of one Victor Nsongbunyo, a Deputy Manager attached to Nigeria Petroleum Development  Company NPDC, Benin City, who was allegedly murdered by his wife and her pastor boy friend, penultimate Friday.

The deceased, whom Vanguard learnt is from Cross River State, was recently promoted to Deputy Manager in the company and was due to retire from service next year before he met his death.
It was learnt that the deceased and his wife had been having issues with the paternity of their children after the deceased suspected the wife was having an extra-marital affair with the pastor.
The deceased was said to have visited home to complain to both his family and that of his wife, after suspecting that the current pregnancy the wife is carrying was not from him.

Consequently, the families resolved that a DNA test be conducted after giving birth to the child.
Vanguard learnt that it was this arrangement that infuriated the wife and which led her into allegedly plotting the murder her husband with her lover pastor.
On Friday October 22, 2013, the deceased came home after work when the suspected killers came. After allegedly committing the dastardly act, they took the mutilated body into one of his old cars and drove to Sapele Road.
The car, with the body of the NPDC Manager in it, was set ablaze.
On Monday October 25, the wife was said to have gone to the deceased’s office to report that her husband was missing.

But apparently after visiting the husband’s office, she went straight to the bank and withdrew N4 milion from his account.
The woman also went to the police to report the incident.
However, staff of NDDC were informed that people observed a burnt car somewhere along Sapele Road. They rushed to the scene and found it was the late Nsongbunyo’s car.
They went back to the deceased’s wife to inform her of the situation but found her sitting comfortably at home watching television.
That was when the police started suspecting her.

However, detectives intensified search for the deceased car which was given to him by the company, following his promotion.
The car was tracked to a compound at Ekenwan road, Benin City.
Vanguard learnt that a lady was accosted by detectives in the compound and she confessed that the car was packed by a pastor that lived in the compound.

When the pastor came out, detectives observed burns in his left hand and face. The pastor disclosed that one of his daughters in the church sowed a seed with the car. The duo were arrested immediately and are currently being investigated by detectives at the Police Command in Edo State.

How presidency frustrated peace talks with Boko Haram

ABUJA— Human rights activist and President of Civil Rights Congress, CRC, Mr. Shehu Sani, yesterday, alleged that it was President Goodluck Jonathan that scuttled an initial effort to constructively engage key members of the Boko Haram Islamist sect with a view to convincing them to end the blood-letting insurgency in the northern part of the country.

Sani, who spoke at a seminar for judges and journalists, organised by Konrad-Adenaver-Stitung, KAS, a German non-governmental organisation, gave an account of some underground moves that were made by some elder statesmen, including former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

Sani, who presented a paper on The Difficulties of Political Cases in Justice Delivery, recalled how he persuaded Obasanjo to visit the family of the slain leader of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf, in Maiduguri on a peace mission.
It will be recalled that the representative of Mohammed Yusufs’ family, Babakura Fugu, who hosted Obasanjo in Maiduguri, was killed shortly after the meeting.

However, Sani said he opted out of the presidential committee because he was convinced that it would not achieve anything given his earlier experience with the Presidency on the matter.

Obasanjo intervenes
He said: “I independently reached out to leaders of Boko Haram and offered myself to mediate on behalf of the Federal Government.
“When they were ready to talk, and because I do not have the telephone numbers of President Goodluck Jonathan, I decided to reach out to Obasanjo.
“I narrated my encounter with members of Boko Haram to Obasanjo and he said ‘are you really sure of this?’ I said yes and invited him to Maiduguri.
“Thereafter, I told the leaders of the sect that I was coming with former President, Obasanjo. They agreed and gave us conditions that the meeting should take place in Maiduguri with no security men and journalists involved.
“At the meeting, they came out with photographs and some documents and presented them to Obasanjo, who assured them that he was going to take their grievances to the Federal Government after appealing to them to stop the killings.
“Obasanjo took those documents to the Villa. Since then nothing was done. But Obasanjo told me that he has done his best.

Delay at the Villa
“I made a second attempt by involving Dr. Dati Ahmed, who was a teacher to the founder of Boko Haram, late Mohammed Yusuf. We brought him to Abuja to mediate with the Federal Government on behalf of the sect.
“We went to see the then National Security Adviser, NSA, to the President, late General Owoye Azazi. He kept us waiting in his office for over three hours only to tell us that after consulting with security chiefs, he was told that the Boko Haram members have run out of weapons.
“Therefore, the sect can be overrun by the Federal Government and so there was no need to meet with them. At the end of the day, Dr. Ahmed was frustrated and we all left Abuja.

… opting out of amnesty c’ttee
“We have done this twice and was frustrated, only for me to wake up one day to hear that my name was among the 26-member Presidential Committee on Amnesty for Boko Haram members.
“So when I turned it down, some people called me names and said many things about me, including the fact that I am not a patriotic Nigerian.
“I cannot think of any patriotism other than the efforts I have made. It took me three months to make contact with leaders of Boko Haram.
“It is not an easy thing because you are dealing with a killer group that even goes after their members.
“When you give a committee two weeks, it is not going to work. I have done my best and I know the committee will not achieve anything.”

Strike: FG/ASUU sign MoU

Following the withdrawal of the ultimatum given to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU  and the confirmation of payment of N200bn by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, the federal government and the Union, Wednesday, signed a memorandum of understanding, MoU,  in Abuja.

Vanguard gathered that, the strike may be called off next week when ASUU will  present the MoU to its National Executive meeting, NEC.

Obasanjo’s letter unbecoming, self-serving and highly provocative – Jonathan

The Presidency has reacted to the letter written by ex President Olusegun Obasango accusing Jonathan of betraying  the mandate of Nigerians who voted him to power, and had, instead, been pursuing selfish, personal and political interests based on the advice he received from unpatriotic aides.

The Presidency through  Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President, said that the letter is unbecoming, mischievous and provocative.

 Obasanjo in his letter accused Jonathan of destroying Nigeria

The Presidency’s Statement read thus:

“We have noted the publication on several websites today of a letter recently written by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

President Jonathan and Gen. Obasanjo (Rtd)

“We however find it highly unbecoming, mischievous and provocative that a letter written by a former Head of State and respected elder statesman to President Jonathan has been deliberately leaked to the mass media in a deplorable effort to impugn the integrity of the President and denigrate his commitment to giving Nigeria the best possible leadership.

” While many patriotic, objective and well-meaning Nigerians have already condemned the leaked letter as self-serving, hypocritical, malicious, indecent, and very disrespectful of the highest office in the land, President Jonathan has directed that none of his aides or any government official should join issues with Chief Obasanjo over it.”

“The President himself will, at the appropriate time, offer a full personal response to the most reckless, baseless, unjustifiable and indecorous charges levied against him and his administration by the former Head of State.”

The Presidency also acknowledged it had received the said letter.

NYG: Umar is star of Badminton

Mustafah Umar from Bauchi State was the star of the Badminton event of the on-going National Youth Games at the Abuja National Stadium.

The 14 year old helped the State to a 2-0 victory in the Male Singles final before joining forces with Abdulhamid Musa to win the Doubles.

Interestingly, it was Musa that he defeated in the singles final after edging out Eze Chidinma from AnambraState and Yunusa Momoh from FCT in the quarter final and semi final respectively.

Musa on the other hand, subdued Jasam Jonan from CrossRiverState and Aliyu Shehu in the quarterfinal and semi final respectively on his way to the final.

Meanwhile, in the Male Doubles category, they both defeated Olawole Odunayo and Akinsola Simeon from Ogun State 2:0 in the final.

They beat Adamu Emmanuel and Tapshak Wistong of PlateauState 2-0 earlier in the semi-finals.

2013 GLO CAF Awards: D’ banj, Lagbaja, P-Square, Zeynab, to entertain

As the countdown to 2013 Glo – Caf Awards begins, top artistes from different parts of the world have been lined up to light up  the Awards night holding in Lagos, Nigeria, on 9th January, 2014.

Prominent on the list is the masked artiste from Nigeria, Lagbaja who is expected to keep the night alive with his Afro-Calypso genre of music, a product of various influences ranging from traditional Yoruba music to Jazz.  The masked one is expected to enliven the hall with his scintillating dance steps and rhythmic saxophone.

P-Square, D’baj and Lagbaja

P-Square,  the identical twin brothers will also entertain the crowd at the event. P-square ´s music is Afro centric; it combines western and African rhythms in creating a marvelous blend of R&B, Hip Hop and Dancehall songs. Their songs cut across various age genders and geographical boundaries, making them one of the most popular and sought after artistes in Africa. Since the release of the Get Squared and Game Over album, they have performed in several major concerts all around the world.

Also billed to perform at the event is singing sensation and Glo Ambassador in Benin Republic, Zeynab who, as usual will thrill the audience with her unique style.

South African singer, Lira who set the benchmark with her 2006 album, Feel Good – and with her late 2008 release, Soul in Mind will also thrill the audience. In the last two years.

Lira has grown in stature most especially as a songwriter and intuitive performer, turning the young girl who showed the first glimpses of her gift more than five years ago into a woman with a world class talent.

Also billed to perform is D’ banj,  the Nigerian singer, songwriter, harmonica master and a charismatic stage performer with boundless energy.

D’Banj is moving from height to greater height everyday and has been glorified as the poster boy of Nigerian Music. The beginning of his achievement recognition came when he won Most Promising Male Artiste at the KORA AWARDS, 2005. The Koko Master is an infectious performer that can hold his audience captive for as long as he wants. He will surely add colour to the night.

White House dismisses critics over Obama-Castro handshake

A screengrab taken from the South African Broadcasting Corporation live feed shows US President Barack Obama (L) shaking hands with Cuban leader Raul Castro as he arrives for the memorial service for late South African President Nelson Mandela at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg on December 10, 2013.AFP PHOTO

Obama has faced a backlash from Republican rivals after exchanging pleasantries with Castro, the leader of a Communist-run country that has been bitterly estranged from the United States since 1961.

The White House has insisted the gesture was not “pre-planned” while a Cuban government-run website noted hopefully that the handshake could “be the beginning of the end of the US aggressions against Cuba.”

White House spokesman Josh Earnest played down the significance of the exchange on Wednesday, stating it had been informal.

“It’s my understanding, based on people who did talk to the President after his speech, that they didn’t have a robust, substantive conversation about policies, but rather exchanged some pleasantries as the President was making his way to the podium,” Earnest told reporters.

“So there was not an opportunity for the president to chronicle his many concerns about human rights abuses on the island of Cuba,” he added.

The case of US subcontractor businessman Alan Gross, jailed in Cuba for 15 years in 2011, was not mentioned, Earnest said.

Republicans had likened Obama’s gesture to the appeasement of the Nazis, in a chorus of criticism.

Republican Senator John McCain said Obama was wrong to “shake hands with somebody who is keeping Americans in prison.”

“What’s the point?” McCain said. “Neville Chamberlain shook hands with Hitler.”

Earnest hit back at the comparison, describing it as “dangerous and usually unwise.”

“There used to be a pretty important principle, that originated in the Republican Party, I believe, that partisan politics should stop at the water’s edge,” Earnest said.

“It’s unfortunate that we did see a number of Republicans yesterday who criticized the president for a handshake at Nelson Mandela’s funeral.”

Match-fixing suspects appear in court

Two footballers appeared in court on Wednesday as part of an investigation into alleged match-fixing in English non-league football.

Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, who have both been sacked by sixth-tier club Whitehawk FC from the southern English town of Brighton, are accused of taking part in a conspiracy to defraud bookmakers.

The two players, both 22 and from south London, were granted unconditional bail at a magistrates’ court in Birmingham, central England.

Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun

A court spokesman said the pair had been ordered to reappear at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday.

The two men are accused of having colluded with two other men to influence the course of football matches for an international betting syndicate.

Chann Sankaran, a 33-year-old Singapore national, and Krishna Sanjey Ganeshan, a 43-year-old British passport-holder, are also due to go before a judge at Birmingham Crown Court this week.

In a separate investigation, also led by Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA), six people, including Blackburn Rovers striker DJ Campbell, have been arrested as part of an investigation into alleged spot-fixing.

The arrests followed reports in two British newspapers that a former Portsmouth player, Sam Sodje, claimed he could arrange for footballers in the second-tier Championship to deliberately get themselves booked in return for payments of tens of thousands of pounds.

Obasanjo accuses Jonathan of destroying Nigeria

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of ineptitude and of taking actions calculated at destroying the country.

In an 18-page letter to President Jonathan, obtained by Premium Times, Obasanjo said, “Nigeria is bleeding and the hemorrhage must be stopped.”

The letter noted that Jonathan had failed to deliver on his promises to the Nigerian people, to stem corruption, promote national unity and strengthen national security.

Obasanjo observed that President Jonathan had betrayed the mandate of the Nigerian people who voted him to power, and had, instead, been pursuing selfish, personal and political interests based on advice he received from unpatriotic aides.

Obasanjo, wrote that Jonathan had become terribly divisive and clannish, destroying his own party, polarising the country along regional and religious lines and ridiculing Nigeria in the comity of nations.

President Jonathan and former President Obasanjo

“It would be unfair to continue to level full blames on the Chairman (Tukur) for all that goes wrong with the party,” Mr. Obasanjo said. “The chairman is playing the tune dictated by the paymaster (Jonathan). But the paymaster is acting for a definitive purpose for which deceit and deception seem to be the major ingredients.

“Up till two months ago, Mr. President, you told me that you have not told anybody that you would contest in 2015. I quickly pointed out to you that the signs and the measures on the ground do not tally with your statement. You said the same to one other person who shared his observation with me. And only a fool would believe that statement you made to me judging by what is going on. I must say it is not ingenious. You may wish to pursue a more credible and more honorable path.”

Obasanjo continued,  “For you to allow yourself to be “possessed”, so to say, to the exclusion of most of the rest of Nigerians as an “Ijaw man” is a mistake that should never have been allowed to happen. Yes, you have to be born in one part of Nigeria to be Nigerian if not naturalized but the Nigerian President must be above ethnic factionalism. And those who prop you up as of, and for ‘Ijaw nation’ are not your friends genuinely, not friends of Nigeria nor friends of ‘Ijaw nation’ they tout about.

“To allow or tacitly encourage people of ‘Ijaw nation’ to throw insults on other Nigerians from other parts of the country and threaten fire and brimstone to protect your interest as an Ijaw man is myopic and your not openly quieting them is even more unfortunate.

Obasanjo also asked the National Assembly to rise up and take decisive action over the recent allegation in the country that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC,  failed to remit billions of dollars in proceeds of crude oil sales to the federation account.

“This allegation will not fly away by non-action, cover-up, denial or bribing possible investigators,” Mr. Obasanjo told the President. “Please deal with this allegation transparently and let the truth be known.

“The dramatis personae in this allegation and who they are working for will one day be public knowledge. Those who know are watching if the National Assembly will not be accomplice in the heinous crime and naked grand corruption. May God grant you the grace for at least one effective corrective action against high corruption which seems to stink all around you in your government.”

The former president also wrote that he was ready for any backlash his letter would provoke.

“Knowing what happens around you most of which you know of and condone or deny, this letter will proke cacophony from hired and unhired attackers but I will maintain my serenity because by this letter, I have done my duty to you as I have always done, to your government, to the party, PDP, and to our country, Nigeria…,” Mr. Obasanjo said.

“I have passed the stage of being flattered, intimidated, threatened, frightened, induced or bought… Death is the end of all human beings and may it come when God wills it to come.”

FG moves against pension thieves

ABUJA—IN a bid to rid the country of pension scam, the Federal Government is deploying operatives of Economic Finance and Crimes Commission, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and Public Complaints Commission, PCC, to deal with those involved.

Director General of Pension Transitional Arrangement Department, PTAD, Mrs. Nellie Mayshak, disclosed this yesterday when the Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, PCC, Chief Obunike Ohaegbu, visited her in Abuja.

She expressed dismay at the activities of fraudsters that had caused pains on Nigerians who served the country meritoriously, stressing that with the involvement of EFCC, ICPC and PCC, there would be effective management of pension scheme.

She noted that there was pre-retirement training and that she was looking on how to leverage on new technology, especially as many pensioners had problems accessing the internet.

One billion naira suspect – police Pension scam suspect, Veronica Onyegbula at FCT High Court in Abuja, Wednesday. Photo Gbenga Olamikan

While responding to the series of complaints by the FCT Commissioner of PCC, Mr Ohaegbu, Mrs Mayshack said her new agency was trying hard to clean up the mess it met on ground and promised that very soon, respite will come to affected pensioners in the country.

She said: “We are looking at how we can work with anti-corruption agencies like ICPC, the EFCC and the PCC to resolve some of the complaints raised. We are also going to be monitoring the bank to ensure that they pay promptly. We will begin to see changes soon in pension management in Nigeria.

“It is unfortunate that pensions have accumulated over the years. When you mention pension, so many things come to people’s minds. There is a lot of history. We are here to make things right. The president is keen in making a difference. The Minister of Finance is now responsible for the management of the pension scheme.

“We’ve so much to do in order to clean up the image of pension management. Regarding police pension, the reality is that the Federal Government has always provided for pension. If pension managers don’t meet the expeditions of the people, it is not because the government is not doing its part.”

Speaking earlier, the FCT Commissioner of PCC, Mr Ohaegbu, said 60 per cent of the complaints he received in his office were pension-related and urged the new Director-General to tackle the issues

His word: “We have this believe the best way to fight corruption in this country is to get the pension scheme right. Civil servants have seen the plight of pensioners and they’re trying to secure their future. We need to get it right in the pension scheme. 60per cent of the complaints we’ve in our office are pension-related.

“The major area is the police pension scheme.  We have been briefed that since 2011, that scheme had not been properly funded. I’m pleading with you to put in place a proper system to tackle these problems. If somebody retires in 2005 and in 2007 the person has not been paid his entitlements, how do we expect such a person to survive?

“Regarding the police pension scheme, there should be a way to handle it. Collation of data should be centralised. If we get the pension scheme right, corruption will automatically reduce.”

The PTAD came into existence last month with the mandate to handle Civil Service Pension Office, Police Pension Office, Custom, Immigration and Prisons Pension Office (CIPPO) and the Pension Board of Trustees of Federal Government Parastatals promised to clear backlog of pensioners on the payroll as the year is getting to an end.

I inherited total decay in aviation sector, Oduah tells Senate

Stella Oduah

ABUJA—Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, yesterday, told the Senate Committee on Aviation that the aviation sector was in total collapse when she assumed duty as minister, saying she had repositioned the sector to meet global standards.

This came as she said investigation into the crashed Associated Airline was still on-going even as she disclosed that the ministry had established a black-box laboratory centre in the country.

Oduah said rather than being crucified over some challenges still in the sector, she deserved commendation as her efforts helped to give the country’s aviation sector a face-lift to meet modern challenges.The Aviation Minister said this when she appeared before the Senate Committee on Aviation.

She insisted that the aviation sector was in a deep rot when she took office in July 2011.The minister said: “The sector was dilapidated, unmanned and highly unprofessional” when she took a facility tour on assumption of office in July, 2011.

Princess Oduah disclosed that the nation’s airports were characterised by obsolete, unserviceable and unavailable safety and security before her assumption as minister.

The minister was invited by the committee to explain the possible causes of the incessant air accidents in the aviation sector in recent times as well as her role in the controversial purchase of two bullet-proof cars, which value was put at N255 million.

But she did not comment on the controversial bullet-proof cars.Playing a video tape of the crashed Associated Airline before members of the committee to see, Oduah called for understanding, saying the concluded investigation would unearth the problem that caused the air mishap.

According to her, what was operating then was an unsafe working condition for airport staff, especially those of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN.

“There were several abandoned control towers all over the nation. We had 154 abandoned control projects all over. There were also several runways without runway lighting.

“There were massive leakages of agencies’ revenue due to manipulation of manual revenue collection process.
“There was also further loss of revenue due to several lopsided so-called ‘concession’ agreements skewed against the government and public interests”, she added.

2015: Forget Presidency, Maku tells North

KADUNA— The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, yesterday, told the north to forget the presidency in 2015, saying President Jonathan Goodluck will re-contest to enable him consolidate on his transformation agenda.

The minister, who reeled out many multi-billion naira projects cited in the North since 2007, argued that there was no Nigerian leader that had committed so much to the development of the North within such a short time.
He said this yesterday at a town hall meeting broadcast live on local media stations in Kaduna as part of activities lined up for the Good Governance Media Tour of Kaduna State.

Maku, who expressed worry over the constant attacks on Federal Government and increasing agitation for power shift to the North, wondered what the previous administrations did to develop the region.

From Left: Gov. Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State; Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku and Deputy Gov. Amb. Nuhu Bajoga, at the National Good Governance Tour Town Hall Meeting In Kaduna On Tuesday

Maku said: “There has been huge denial that President Jonathan is developing the North. Not even since Gowon’s days has any past administration impacted so much on the North than Jonathan’s administration within such a short time.

“I challenge anyone to a debate. The evidence is clear that the Yar’Adua/Jonathan’s administration paid utmost attention to the North. It has been proved that it is not only Presidents from the North that will develop the region.
“The story has changed. Power will not reside only with one side of the country for too long again because we are in a democratic era.
“Gone are the days when one section of the country believes it is born to rule. Under a de-mocracy, every part of Nigeria must taste the Presidency.
“Today, it happens to be an Ijaw man from the Niger Delta region. And, please let’s be fair to each other. Is there anyone who is President in Nigeria that will not want to go for a second term?
“Even as a northerner, if I am the President, nothing will stop me from contesting for a second term. It is the same for Jonathan.
“He is mentally, physically and morally fit to go for a second term, and he will.
“So those saying that power must shift back to the North are wasting their energy and resources, because under a democracy, no part of a country has a monopoly over power.”

… lists Jonathan’s contribution to North
Maku then listed President Jonathan’s contribution to the development of the north to include the dredging of rivers Niger and Benue; revitalisa-tion of the comatose railways; the first ongoing Abuja-Kaduna standard guage rail line; investment in agriculture; construction of 100 Almajiri schools; and revitalisation of dams among others.
He said: “What have the past leaders done on Ajaokuta? The river dredging projects are aimed at developing the North after 50 years of its conception.

“The rail transport collapsed until the present administration came on board. The number one project of this administration is the N135 billion Abuja-Kaduna standard guage rail line.
“If we are talking about developing the North, there is a new beginning and design by this administration to do so. North took power and did nothing for its 35 years in power.”

FG withdraws ultimatum to ASUU

ABUJA — The Federal Government, yesterday, soft-pedalled on the ultimatum given to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to go back to class or lose their jobs. The government said it took the decision not to enforce the ultimatum because it had recorded substantial compliance.

According to the Federal Government, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has confirmed that a sum of Two Hundred Billion Naira (N200 billion) agreed with ASUU  at a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan on the November 5, 2013 has been fully paid into a Revitalization of Universities Infrastructure Account.

Addressing journalists, yesterday, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe who showed to newsmen the CBN letter which was signed by the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Tunde Lemo and addressed to the Accountant-General of the Federation, confirmed that the sum of Two Hundred Billion Naira was the balance in the account as required.

Okupe who noted that what the Federal Government was interested in was how to resolve the six-month-old crisis peacefully in the overall interest of all concerned, said: “Right now, the issue of ultimatum is not a matter for discussion anymore. There has been substantial compliance nationwide. If I say you must return to work on the 9th and 70% of the people that I am talking to have returned to work, that is substantial compliance.

“What becomes of the remaining 30% who did not return to work, are issues that we do not want to stop the wheel of progress in sorting out this resolution. We are not interested in witch-hunting, we are more interested in compliance and in the resolution of the crisis.”

Why FG issued ultimatum

The Presidential aide stressed that government was forced to issue the ultimatum which it was very serious about against the backdrop that it had explored all avenues which did not produce result. He, however, said that government was not interested in witch-hunting any individual, but needed to protect the individuals and the state.

He said: “On the issue of ultimatum, government was serious when it issued the ultimatum but government was forced to issue that ultimatum because every other avenue had been explored to no avail. I said it before that governments worldwide,  when pushed to the wall, take steps that may be draconian but sometimes they have to be taken in order to protect the citizens and the states they govern.

“Beside, this government is not grandstanding and flexing muscles, it was the media that presented it as if the Federal Government and ASUU were in a face-off. That is not entirely very true; there is no face-off between the Federal Government and ASUU.

“ASUU may be grandstanding but the Federal Government is more interested in the resolution than in any form of confrontation with any union whatsoever. Our interest is to ensure good governance, orderliness and peaceful co-existence nationwide and among all sectors of the economy and education is not left behind.

“Many senior Nigerians, institutions and organizations, highly placed Nigerians including labour unions, NLC, TUC, and royal fathers have intervened and have pleaded with government to soft pedal on the issue of the ultimatum.

“Secondly, as of yesterday’s evening, reports available to government confirmed that there is more than substantial compliance by many lecturers in many departments in many universities and this has encouraged government also to mellow down.

“I know that in the University of Lagos for instance, in the Faculty of Law, out of 100 lecturers, 70 have signed up; in Arts and Science, sixty something percent or so reported for duty and this happened virtually in all the universities in the country, OAU, Ibadan, all over. So, this was the trend, this was what happened all over the nation yesterday.

“Because of the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians and because the lecturers themselves took government seriously and recorded substantial compliance with the order to resume work on the 9th, government in pursuance of a good and quick resolution of this crisis is more disposed to accommodating ASUU and encouraging its members to ensure that the universities are open and our children can go back to school and the tension and pressure among parents and students will reduce.”

Okupe shows CBN account document

Okupe produced  the confirmation letter from CBN confirming the lodgement of N200 billion in an account titled the “Revitalization of Universities Infrastructure” at the apex bank.

The letter with reference number GVD/DGO/GEN/MP/05/151 was addressed to the Auditor-General of the Federation and specifically for the attention of one J.O.Otunla and was titled: “Confirmation of the Execution of your Mandate for the Credit of Account No…Revitalization of Universities Infrastructure Account.”

Signed by Tunde Lemo, Deputy Governor (Operations), the letter stated: “I write to confirm the execution of the following mandates by the Central Bank of Nigeria for funding of the above mentioned account as follows:

Mandate FD/LP2013/40/1/30/DF – 129,300,000,000.00

Mandate FD/F124/Vol XII/120/DF – 20,700,000,000.00

Mandate FD/LP2013/40/1/DF – 50,000,000,000.0

“I wish to further confirm that the available balance in the aforementioned account is N200,000,000,000.00 (Two Hundred Billion Naira Only).

“Please, accept the assurances of my best regards.”

ASUU should end strike now

Okupe  who recalled that the leadership of ASUU had claimed that there was no evidence of lodgement of the said money to warrant calling off the strike, stressed that now that the evidence has been provided, ASUU has no further legitimate reason to continue with the strike. He added that, “The ASUU president did mention I think on Thursday that if there is proof of payment that they will call off the strike immediately. I hereby show the proof of payment to all Nigerians, not only to ASUU and to let the people know that when we say that this administration has no credibility issue, we mean it.”

“We have kept our cool, we have taken a lot of insults and all that and things that were disparaging but we are glad today to show this proof that this has been done as we said

“Therefore, I want to join other well meaning Nigerians to appeal to ASUU to cancel or stop the strike promptly. There is no further legitimacy behind the strike anymore. There is no further reason for this strike to continue beyond tonight and if ASUU is indeed a very serious organization, after this pronouncement and after this submission, they should also hold an emergency meeting latest within the next few hours and call off the strike in the interest of the whole country.”